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The Joyful Sound of the Gospel

by Ralph Erskine (1685-1752)

The following selection from "The Beaties of Erskine," appears as it was orginally printed with the exception of the title. The original title of this chapter heading is as it appears below. The electronic edition of this article was scanned and edited by Shane Rosenthal for Reformation Ink. It is in the public domain and may be freely copied and distributed.

 

The Gospel the more immediate means of gathering the people to Shiloh:

 

The gospel is the great gathering engine of infinite wisdom; for faith comes by hearing the joyful sound of the gospel trumpet. There is the joyful sound of gospel revelations and good news that Christ came to save sinners. O when the sound of this trumpet reaches not only the ear but the heart of the sinner, that by the law hath got the knowledge and conviction of sin and misery, what a joyful sound is it, that now be hears the remedy for him; that justice is satisfied, life is purchased, death is destroyed, wrath is appeased, and the law is magnified, and God is reconciled in Christ. Many a gathering sound comes through this gospel trumpet. There is a sound of gathering calls, saying, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved: this is the command of God, that ye believe in his Son Jesus Christ. A sound of gathering invitations, saying, Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden. A sound of gathering proclamations, saying, Ho, every one that thirsteth, come; and he that hath no money let him come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. A sound of gathering expostulations, saying, Why will ye die?, joined with complaints, ye will not come to me that ye might have life. A sound of gathering counsels, saying, I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou, mayest be clothed, and that the shame. Of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that, thou mayest see. A sound of gathering entreaties, saying, We beseech you in God's name, and pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. And finally, a sound of gathering music and charming melody. And O what music so sweet as the sound of the gospel promises of pardon to the guilty, purity to the filthy, and pity to the miserable soul. The gospel trumpet hath a sound of peace, a sound of grace, a sound of mercey, a sound of glory to God in the highest, and of good-will towards men.

They ought, who royal grace's heralds be,

To trumpet loud salvation full and free;

Nor safely can, to humour mortal pride,

In silence evangelic myst'ries hide.

The revelation of the gospel flower,

Is still the organ framed of saving power:

Most justly then are legal Minds condemn'd,

That of the glorious gospel are asham'd;

For this the divine arm, and only this,

The power of God unto salvation is.

For therein is reveal'd to screen from wrath,

The righteousness of God from faith to faith,

The happy change-in guilty sinners' case

They owe to free displays of sovereign grace:

Whose joyful tidings of amazing love,

The ministration of the Spirit prove:

The glorious vent the gospel news express,

Of God's free grace, through Christ's full righteousness,

Is Heaven's gay chariot where the Spirit bides,

And in his conquering power triumphant rides.