Israel in ancient days, <br />Not only had a view <br />Of Sinai in a blaze, <br />But learned the gospel too: <br />The types and figures were a glass <br />In which they saw the Saviour's face. <br /> <br />The paschal sacrifice, <br />And blood-besprinkled door, <br />Seen with enlightened eyes, <br />And once applied with pow'r; <br />Would teach the need of other blood, <br />To reconcile an angry God. <br /> <br />The Lamb, the Dove, set forth <br />His perfect innocence, <br />Whose blood, of matchless worth, <br />Should be the soul's defence: <br />For he who can for sin atone, <br />Must have no failings of his own. <br /> <br />The scape-goat on his head <br />The peoples' trespass bore, <br />And to the desert led, <br />Was to be seen no more: <br />In him, our Surety seemed to say, <br />Behold, I bear your sins away. <br /> <br />Dipped in his fellows' blood, <br />The living bird went free, <br />The type, well understood, <br />Expressed the sinner's plea; <br />Described a guilty soul enlarged, <br />And by a Saviour's death discharged. <br /> <br />Jesus I love to trace <br />Throughout the sacred page; <br />The footsteps of thy grace, <br />The same in every age! <br />O grant that I may faithful be <br />To clearer light, vouchsafed to me.<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/old-testament-gospel-2/
