II. SEEKING, PLEADING, AND HOPING. VI. The Burdened Sinner. 1 АH! what can I do, Or where be secure! If justice pursue What heart can endure! Though hard as a stone, 2 With terror I read My sins' heavy score, The number exceeds The sands on the shore; Guilt makes me unable 3 Each sin, like his blood, With a terrible cry, Calls loudly on God To strike from on high: Reverse the just sentence; 4 The case is too plain, I have my own choice; Again, and again, I slighted his voice; His warnings neglected, 5 And must I then go, In torments and wo With devils in hell! 6 Lord Jesus, on thee I venture to call, Oh look upon me, The vilest of all! For whom didst thou languish, And bleed on the tree? Oh pity my anguish, And say, ""Twas for thee." 7 A case such as mine Will honour thy pow'r; All hell will repine, All heav'n will adore: If in condemnation Strict justice takes place, It shines in salvation More glorious through grace. VII. Behold, I am vile! 1 O LORD, how vile am I, How can I dare to venture nigh 2 Is this polluted heart A dwelling fit for thee? 3 If I attempt to pray, And lisp thy holy name, My thoughts are hurry'd soon away, 4 If in thy word I look, Such darkness fills my mind, I only read a sealed book, 5 Thy Gospel oft I hear, But hear it still in vain ; 6 Myself can hardly bear This wretched heart of mine; 7 And must I then indeed Sink in despair and die? Fain would I hope that thou didst bleed' For such a wretch as I. 8 That blood which thou has spilt, That grace which is thine own, Can cleanse the vilest sinner's guilt, And soften hearts of stone. 9 Low at thy feet I bow, Oh pity and forgive; Here will I lie, and wait till thou VIII. C. The shining Light. 1 My former hopes are fled, 2 Ah, whither shall I fly! I hear the thunder roar ; 3 When I review my ways, I dread impending doom; But sure a friendly whisper says, 4 I see, or think I see, A glimm'ring from afar ; A beam of day that shines for me, 5 Fore-runner of the sun*, It marks the pilgrim's way; * Psal. cxxx. 6. IX. Encouragement. 1 My soul is beset With grief and dismay And nothing can pay : 2 The death that he dy'd, 3 When nail'd to the tree, 4 The jailer, I read, A pardon receiv'dt: And how was he freed? He only believ d: * Luke xxiii. 43. † Acts xvi. 31. |