Favourite Hymn

This is probably my favourite hymn. I like the way it sets out the Gospel so clearly in such a small compass. We open with the glory of God's holiness, then the dilemma of my own sinfulness. God is great and holy, I am a sinner. Surely I cannot approach this God? I am lost, undone in myself.
Then comes hope. Not because of something I can do, but because of God's gracious provision of Christ dying in the place of sinners, 'an offering and a sacrifice'. So we MAY have fellowship with God "Through the Eternal Love".

It was written by Thomas Binney, a famous preacher who was pastor of the King's Weigh House Congregational Church in London from 1829-69.

Eternal Light! eternal Light!
How pure the soul must be
When, placed within Thy searching sight,
It shrinks not, but with calm delight
Can live, and look on Thee!

The spirits that surround Thy throne
May bear the burning bliss;
But that is surely theirs alone,
Since they have never, never known
A fallen world like this.

O how shall I, whose native sphere
Is dark, whose mind is dim,
Before the Ineffable appear,
And on my naked spirit bear
That uncreated beam?

There is a way for man to rise
To that sublime abode:
An offering and a sacrifice,
A Holy Spirit’s energies,
An Advocate with God.

These, these prepare us for the sight
Of holiness above;
The sons of ignorance and night,
May dwell in the eternal Light,
Through the eternal Love.