Book III · Hymn 88 · Man by Nature, Grace and Glory

John Newton

Man by nature, grace and glory.
Lord, what is man! extremes how wide,
In this mysterious nature join!
The flesh, to worms and dust allied,
The soul, immortal and divine!
Divine at first, a holy flame
Kindled by the Almighty's breath;
Till, stained by sin, it soon became
The seat of darkness, strife, and death,
But JESUS, O! amazing grace!
Assumed our nature as his own,
Obeyed and suffered in our place,
Then took it with him to his throne.
Now what is man, when grace reveals
The virtue of a Savior's blood?
Again a life divine he feels,
Despises earth, and walks with God.
And what, in yonder realms above,
Is ransomed man ordained to be?
With honor, holiness, and love,
No seraph more adorned than he.
Nearest the throne, and first in song,
Man shall his hallelujahs raise
While wond'ring angels round him throng,

And swell the chorus of his praise.

SIMILAR HYMNS.

Book I. Hymn 57, 58, 59, 79, 80.

Book II. Hymn 37, 38, 39, 41, 42.

VIII. SHORT HYMNS: BEFORE SERMON.