A Dream
“And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.”—Genesis 37:12
Reader, I’ll not take up much time
To apologise, in prose or rhyme;
My dream, such as it is, you see;
Whate’er’s amiss belongs to me.
No doubt some men will say, “‘Tis naught,
And with enthusiasm fraught;”
While others will it much esteem,
And nay that I the truth, did dream.
Perhaps ’twill find a welcome place,
In such as live on sovereign grace;
If so, then am I quite content,
Nor shall I count my time ill spent;
But such as live on wit and self,
Will hardly have it on their shelf,
But with a cheerful mind attempt
To hold it up to vain contempt.
Well, be it so; I rest secure;
Their smiles would not my soul allure,
Nor will their frowns my heart distress.
Nor make me dream a moment less.
I leave it in Jehovah’s hand,
To sink or swim, to fall or stand;
And if ’tis with his blessing crown’d,
The glory shall to him redound.
Once, as I slept, I dream’d a dream,
And though to some it strange may seem,
To me ’twas clear as day;
Methought I saw a man in chains,
Who seem’d deranged, or rack’d with pains,
Which made me cry, and say—
“What wretched mortal’s that, alack!
With such a load upon his back?
How dreadful are his sighs!
My soul’s amazed, anxious to know
The cause of all his grief and woe,
And what’s his enterprise.”
While I was musing thus, he spoke,
And from his soul this language broke:
“The wrath, the wrath to come!
What can I do, where can I flee?
My soul is lost eternally;
Damnation is my doom!
“I’ve sinn’d with heart, and lip, and tongue,
Have mock’d Jehovah in my song,
Despised his holy name;
Have hated all his righteous ways,
In sin have spent my nights and days,
And gloried in my shame.
“But now I find the Lord is just,
And by his holy law I’m curst,
And sentenced to despair;
I’ve tried to purify my heart,
And cause this burden to depart,
But, ah! I sink with fear.
“I’ve tried, and tried, and tried again.
But all my efforts prove in vain;
My guilt does more abound;
My soul keeps sinking night and day,
Nor can I hope to find the way
Where mercy may be found.”
Nor did he speak like one in jest;
Distraction heaved his troubled breast,
“I’m lost,” he cried, “I’m lost.”
At length a ray of light broke in,
Which made him cry, “O sin, O sin!
Lord, save, or die I must.
“Lord, save, O save, a rebel base,
Or I must sink in deep disgrace,
And thy just wrath endure;
A sinner I, justly condemn’d,
Whose carnal hopes are at an end,
Now knock at mercy’s door.”
I heard him cry with all his strength;
A noble person came at length,
In garments white as snow;
Whose heart was fill’d with tenderness,
Ask’d, with a smile upon his face,
“What wilt thou have me do?”
“Who art thou, Lord?” the rebel cried;
“I’m Jesus, who for sinners died,”
The Saviour soon replied;
“I heard thee cry, and came apace,
Determined thee to save by grace,
And thou shalt be ray bride.”
“The blessing is too great for me;
I cannot of it worthy be;
I’m vile from head to feet;
My sins like mountains on me lie;
I feel and know I ought to die;
My guilt’s immensely great.”
“I know thou art a sinner base,
But boundless is my power and grace;
Thy cause I make my own.
For thee I shed my precious blood,
And for thee as thy Surety stood;
Thy sins on me were thrown.
“The vengeance due to thee I bore,
Have fully cancell’d the long score,
And made an end of sin.
I’ve magnified the righteous law,
In me it cannot find a flaw,
Nor bring thee guilty in.”
Thus said, the cross appear’d in sight,
At which his burden took its flight,
And down it roll’d apace;
A fountain then stood full in view,
And Jesus plunged him in it too,
And wash’d him from disgrace.
Upon his hand he put a ring,
Adorn’d him like a noble king.
With righteousness divine;
Enrich’d him with his heavenly grace;
Heal’d all his wounds, and made his face
Refill gently to shine.
His guilt was taken from his sight;
His soul was lill’d with endless light;
And now I heard him sing:
“Salvation must be free indeed.
Since I from sin and guilt am freed;
Jesus is just the thing.
“He saved me from the lowest hell;
My soul, with holy wonder tell
What he has done for thee;
Arise, arise, and bless his name,
And spread abroad his mighty fame;
Tell how he set thee free.
“Dear Jesus, thou art ever mine,
And I am ever, ever thine,
The purchase of thy blood;
O may I love thee and adore;
I’ve all in thee; I want no more;
Thou art my Lord and God.
“My portion is the King of kings;
In him are all my living springs;
Of him alone I’ll boast;
Nor world, nor flesh, nor hell, nor sin,
My heart from Christ my Lord shall win;
In him I’ll ever trust.
“There’s nothing on this earthly ball
That can or shall e’er charm my soul,
Or shall my mind perplex;
If aught attempt to gain a place
Within the temple of his grace,
I’ll break their hateful nocks.”
(The pronoun I began to swell,)
“I’ll run in spite of earth or hell,
Nor death nor danger fear;
I’ll keep from sin and every thrall
Nor listen to the stranger’s call,
Nor fall into her snare.
“I’ll watch, I’ll pray, I’ll fight, I’ll win,
I’ll overcome the world and sin,
Nor one shall me excel;
Young men and fathers soon shall see
How fast I grow, and learn of me
When 1 my victories tell.”
He promised thus, and took his walk;
I listen’d hard to hear him talk,
And watch’d him every step;
He thought himself secure indeed,
But soon, for want of taking heed,
He fell into a trap.
Darkness surrounded him in haste,
And soon he found a dreadful nest
Of vipers in the place;
Each hissing with infernal spite
Against the God of pure delight,
The God of truth and grace.
Some sturdy rogues at once appear’d;
His soul to death they almost fear’d;
“My hope,” said he, “is vain.”
With this one bolder villain cried,
“Destroy thyself, whate’er betide,
For God does thee disdain.
“If Jesus were thy friend indeed,
He would arise thy cause to plead,
And pity thy complaint;
A vile impostor thou hast been.”—
And now, the dreadful stench of sin
Rose up and made him faint.
He struggled hard for life and breath,
But all appear’d to threaten death,
And horror fill’d his soul:
This evil heart did now disclose
Ten thousand, twice ten thousand foes,
Nor could he them control.
His fears prevail’d, his faith gave way,
And when he durst attempt to pray,
“‘Tis sin,” cried they, “’tis sin;
Jehovah hates to hear thy voice;
To hell he’ll send thee in a trice;
Then hold thy impious din.”
So speechless for a while he lay.
Anon I thought I heard one say,
“In trouble call on me;
In every clay of trouble call,
I will deliver thee from thrall,
Thou shalt my glory see.
“My name is God; arise and cry,
And thou shalt find me ever nigh
To help in time of need.”
The man now cried, as was most fit,
“Lord, save me from corruption’s pit;
Deliver me with speed!
“I feel myself a worm at best;
With power divine I would be blest;
Lord Jesus, quickly come.”
Then Jesus raised him up in haste,
And that ho might his goodness taste,
He took him to his home.
Now as I saw him in my dream,
(For still I kept my eye on him)
And watch’d his entrance there;
The house with radiant splendour shone;
On rock ’twas built with polish’d stone,
‘Mid pastures green and fair.
Celestial music now I heard;
A banquet rich I saw prepared;
(For all did open seem;)
And while the Lord with smiling face,
Show’d him the glories of the place;
I wish’d myself with him.
Here did the rebel bend his knee,
“O, Saviour, Saviour, pardon me,
A base ungrateful wretch;
I’ve sinn’d against my God and Friend;
My pride had well-nigh been my end,
It plunged me in the ditch.”
Against vain self he now was turn’d ;
Instead of crowning it, he mourn’d,
And thus began to speak:
“I feel I cannot stand an hour,
Unless upheld by mighty power;
I’m helpless, vain, and weak.
“Lord, keep me from the world and sin,
From foes without and worse within,
From devils clothed in white:
O make me well my vileness know,
And keep me very, very low.
And humble in thy sight.
“Bless me with prudence, care, and skill;
Teach me to know and do thy will;
My pride and lust subdue;
Dear Jesus, make me watch and pray;
Nor let me ever run astray,
Nor vanity pursue.
“O may I in thy grace he strong;
Uphold me as I walk along;
Preserve me night and day!
My standing fast is, Lord, in thee:
I’ve tried myself, and plainly see
How soon I fall a prey.
“O make me faithful unto death;
Bless me with wisdom, love, and faith,
And every needful good;
With heart and soul may I depend
On Jesus, as my God and Friend,
And feel his cleansing blood.
“A pensioner I fain would be.
And sensibly depend on thee
For life and all beside;
Dear Jesus, grant me my request:
O may I lean upon thy breast,
As thy beloved bride!
“Sweet Jesus, what can I have more?
In thee I have a living store;
Lord, take me to the mount;
Help me to walk round Zion’s hill,
And mark her walls and bulwarks still,
And all her towers count.
“Unfold the blessings of thy grace,
And let me often see thy face,
And hear thy loving voice.
Draw me with cords of love, and then
My soul to thee shall swiftly run,
And in thy name rejoice.
“Thou hast redeem’d my soul with blood;
I would, dear Lord, thou know’st I would,
Cast all my cares on thee:
Lord, keep me in the trying hour,
Nor let me fall by Satan’s power,
But thy salvation see.
“A helpless worm on thee I fall;
Thou know’st I have no strength at all;
O leave me not alone;
My heart deceitful is as hell,
Nor can I half its baseness tell.
Nor its rebellion shun.
“Compell’d I am to rest in thee,
For, Lord, I daily feel and see
No hand can help but thine;
O guide me with thy counsel here;
Give me that love that casts out fear,
And let thy will be mine.
“And when I reach the realms of bliss,
To dwell where perfect pleasure is,
And in thy beauties shine,
“With all the blood-bought throng to sing
The honours of my God and King,
The glory shall be thine.”
“In me,” the Saviour then replied,
“In me alone thou art justified;
In me thou art complete;
I am the Lord, thy righteousness;
A fulness of immortal grace
Dwells in me, thee to treat.
“Behold the feast my love has made;
Here’s milk and honey, wine and bread,
With fatted calf and lamb;
Here’s all a hungry soul can need,
And from all charges it is freed,
And ever shall remain.
“Eat, O beloved, take thy fill;
Tis free for thee; whoever will
May here have free access;
Behold, with wonder and delight,
My house is open day and night;
The banquet is of grace.
If aught should say thou art not fit,
Thou art too vile with me to sit,
And feast on such repast;
Remember, I have made thee free;
Thy worthiness is all in me;
Then hold thy title fast.
“If fruitful thou would’st wish to be,
By love and faith abide in me;
I am the living vine;
The branch that does not in me grow,
No clusters of good works can show,
No fruits of love divine.
“‘Tis thine to live by faith in me,
And though thou canst not always see
What I design to do,
Against hope to believe in hope,
Nor unto carnal reason stoop,
Becomes my favour’d few.
“Lean on me as thy staff and stay,
In health or sickness, night or day,
Nor trust to self an hour.
I am thy strength and safety too,
And I will surely bring thee through,
By my almighty power.
“Watch thou against, the Babel—I’s,
Or thou wilt soon to thy surprise
In some fresh net be caught;
Be constant at my throne of grace,
And I will help thee in distress,
But will for help be sought.
“Thy foes are very great indeed;
Satan, with his infernal breed,
And the old man of sin,
Each will attempt thee to devour,
And watch for some unguarded hour,
To bring thee guilty in.
“Yet, fear not thou, though but a worm,
I am thy refuge from the storm,
Thy shelter and defence;
I am thy shield and buckler bright,
And thou shalt put thy foes to Might,
Their fiery darts I’ll quench.
“Let truth thy only girdle be;
Stand to thy post, nor dare to flee:
On sovereign grace rely;
Nor men, nor devils, world, nor sin,
Nor powers without, nor powers within,
Shall ever thee destroy.
“With courage, then, meet every foe;
The victory’s thine, find thou shalt know
Salvation is complete.
I am thy Captain, Head, and King,
And I will thee to glory bring,
And all thy foes defeat.
“Only believe, and rest on me,
And thou shalt my salvation see
In every new distress.
I’ll work in thee to will and do,
And I’ll have all the glory too,
For mine is all the grace.”
“Dear Jesus, keep me near thy side,
Nor let me stray, whate’er betide,
Nor after strangers run;
Help me thy goodness to proclaim
And I will tell the blind and lame
What thou for me hast done.
“Come, sinners, in the Lord confide;
Behold his bleeding hands and side;
He stands with open arms.
The vilest wretch who trusts in him,
He’ll save from Satan, wrath, and sin,
And guard him from all harms.
“Ye need not stay your hearts to mend,
Nor think your works with, his to blend;
Your money he’ll disdain;
A perfect Saviour is the Lord;
Rely upon his gracious word,
And you shall heaven obtain.
“No fleshly works can pave a way
To mansions of eternal day,
Nor God’s rich favour gain:
For be their number more or less,
All that are saved are saved by grace,
Through faith in Jesus’ name.
“And if by grace, how vain to try
Immortal happiness to buy,
With works of righteousness!
Ye mourners! haste to Jesus’ feet,
And there you’ll find all things complete,
Just suited to your case.
“That Christ is all, my soul knows well,
and therefore must his wonders tell;
His mercy still I prove;
For I’m a sinner vile and base,
Yet I ‘m a sinner saved by grace,
Through faith that works by love.”
Thus were his lofty looks brought down;
Jesus (not self) must wear the crown;
(Great I’s are sure to fall;)
For whoso on the Lord depends,
Shall find his counsel ever stands;
He’ll save thorn when they call.
Still keeping him within my sight,
I saw him now, with great delight,
The narrow way pursue:
In measure, wean’d from self and sin,
By faith he walk’d, by faith he ran,
And kept the prize in view.
By faith he entered into rest,
Sweetly reclined on Jesus’ breast,
His portion and delight;
And sometimes he by faith did stand.
While Jesus, with his mighty hand,
Did wonders in his sight.
By faith he proved the Gospel true,
And had a soul-transporting view
Of Zion’s King and Head;
Drank of the streams of life divine,
Pluck’d grapes from Christ, the living vine,
And sat beneath his shade.
By faith he trod the desert through;
A road that’s travell’d but by few,
Though thousands of it prate;
Nor wit, nor reason can it find,
Scholastic knowledge, twice refined,
Can never reach the gate.
But now his faith was sharply tried;
Bold Infidelus on the side
Of Satan and his train,
Inflamed with hell, a war declared,
And straight for action all prepared;
And thus the fray began.
Ten thousand, savage beasts of prey,
Closely pursued him by the way,
And roar’d with hellish spite!
A numerous host, a hellish crew,
Their fiery darts, like hail-stones, threw
On the left hand and right.
He now seem’d fill’d with great dismay,
As if quite at a loss which way
To go—nay, thought to yield:
But in the Lord’s appointed hour,
Faith, strengthen’d by almighty power,
Laid hold on Christ, the shield.
By faith he now began to fight,
And put the hosts of hell to flight;
Christ was his safe retreat;
His Captain, Jesus, led the van,
And faith its eye kept fix’d on him,
And thus did hell defeat.
And then by faith he victory sung;
Faith raised his voice, unloosed his tongue
Brought distant things to view;
Suck’d life from Christ, the living Head,
And lived upon this living bread,
And proved his promise true.
The fountain of immortal grace
Play’d blessings down, and fill’d the place,
And caught him by surprise.
Now every grace seem’d on the wing,
To spread the fame of Christ, his King,
And fly beyond the skies.
Faith saw the Lamb that did atone,
In glory on his sapphire throne,
No amber half so bright;
In fiery form around him spread,
From loins to feet, from loins to head,
Heaven’s glory and delight.
All raptured with his bright display,
He long’d to leave his clog of clay,
And in full glory be.
Inflamed with love and holy fire,
His soul was ardent with desire
From bondage to be free.
So I awoke, and ’twas a dream;
To me it has a lesson been;
May I in Jesus live!
I would depend on Christ alone,
For righteousness I know I’ve none,
But he has one to give.
William Gadsby (1773-1844) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher, writer and philanthropist.
William Gadsby Sermons (Complete)
William Gadsby Hymns
William Gadsby, Perfect Law Of Liberty (Complete)
William Gadsby's Catechism (Complete)
William Gadsby's Dialogues
William Gadsby's Fragments (Complete)
William Gadsby's Letters (Complete)
