English Folk-Carols/The truth sent from above

by anon

XVIII.⁠THE TRUTH SENT FROM ABOVE.

THE TRUTH SENT FROM ABOVE.

1⁠This is the truth sent from above,
The truth of God, the God of love;
Therefore don't turn me from your door,
But hearken all, both rich and poor.

2⁠The first thing, which I do relate,
That God at first did man create;
The next thing, which to you I tell,
Woman was made with him to dwell.

3⁠Then after this, 'twas God's own choice
To place them both in Paradise,
There to remain from evil free
Except they ate of such a tree.

4⁠But they did eat, which was a sin,
And thus their ruin did begin;
Ruined themselves, both you and me,
And all of their posterity.

5⁠Thus we were heirs to endless woes,
Till God the Lord did interpose;
For so a promise soon did run
That He'd redeem us with a Son.

6⁠And at this season of the year
Our blest Redeemer did appear;
He here did live, and here did preach,
And many thousands He did teach.

7⁠Thus He in love to us behaved,
To show us how we must be saved
And if you want to know the way
Be pleased to hear what He did say.

8⁠Go preach the Gospel new, He said,
To all the nations that are made;
And he that does believe in me,
From all his sins I'll set him free.

9⁠God grant to all within this place
True saving faith—that special grace,
Which to His people doth belong—
And thus I close my Christmas song.