HYMN OF THEÂ MONTH:
COME, YE SINNERS
by Joseph Hart (1711-1768)Â
 PART SIX: EARLY AMERICAN HYMNS
Every Grace That Brings Us Nigh
Joseph Hart was a well-known and well-loved preacher whose most famous hymn “Come, Ye Sinners” was first published in his own compilation of hymns in 1759.
Although Hart's early life isn’t well known, we do know he grew up in a Christian household, had a good education and spent a lot of time translating and writing poetry.
He learned the classical languages (Latin, Hebrew and Greek) which afterwards he taught for a living.
His spiritual life, however, had some ups and downs.
In his early adult years, he claimed to be a libertine, believing faith in God was all you needed and righteous living was optional in the Christian life.
Â
It was during this time that he wrote The Unreasonableness of Religion, in an effort to convince John Wesley that he should not be doing good works — only believing in God.
Wesley considered the pamphlet to be blasphemy, and thankfully, Hart later repented of writing it, and apologized to Wesley.
Then after a season of doubting his salvation and praying to God for a sign, he experienced “an amazing view of the agony of Christ in the garden” showing him that all Christ's sufferings were for him along with the rest of the church.
Hart finally accepted God’s gracious gift of salvation at the Moravian Chapel on Fetter Lane in London in 1757. In 1759, he took on the role of minister at the Jewin Street Independent Chapel in London, a position he held until his passing in 1768.
Over 2,000 people attended his funeral and the inscription on his monument reads:
Joseph Hart was by the free and sovereign grace and Spirit of God raised up from the depths of sin, and delivered from the bonds of mere profession and self-righteousness, and led to rest entirely for salvation in the finished atonement and perfect obedience of Christ.
As you sing this hymn, remember . . .
We are needy. (Stanzas 1, 2, 3)
Jesus is ready. (All stanzas)
We must come. (All stanzas)
Read & Relate
Come, Ye Sinners
by Joseph Hart, 1711-1768
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.
Luke 5:32; Matthew 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 7:25
Refrain:
I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.
Luke 15:18; 1 John 1:9; Mark 10:16; Psalm 16:11
Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh. [Refrain]
Isaiah 55:1; Romans 6:23; John 7:37; Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:8-9
Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all. [Refrain]
Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 6:2;Â Hebrews 3:7-8
View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice? [Refrain]
Luke 22:44; Colossians 1:16; John 19:25; Hebrews 9:14
Lo! th'incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude. [Refrain]
John 1:14; Hebrews 10:11-12; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 10:10-11
Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him. [Refrain]
2 Corinthians 6:2; Titus 3:5; Psalm 95:7-8; Acts 3:19
Â
Â
Go Deeper
The Study Guide
Our latest Hymn Study Guide will help you and your family reflect through each stanza of our hymn and connect it more firmly in biblical truth.
Download the Guide
Remember
Print, mail or post this printable postcard on your fridge or bulletin board, clip in a photo holder or place in a frame.
Download
