Oft as the leper's case I read

by John Newton

The leper by John Newton

Oft as the leper's case I read,

My own described I feel;

Sin is a leprosy indeed,

Which none but CHRIST can heal.

Awhile I would have passed for well,

And strove my spots to hide;

Till it broke out incurable,

Too plain to be denied.

Then from the saints I sought to flee,

And dreaded to be seen;

I thought they all would point at me,

And cry, "Unclean, unclean!"

What anguish did my soul endure,

Till hope and patience ceased?

The more I strove myself to cure,

The more the plague increased.

While thus I lay distressed, I saw

The Savior passing by;

To him, though filled with shame and awe,

I raised my mournful cry.

LORD, thou canst heal me if thou wilt,

For thou canst all things do;

O cleanse my leprous soul from guilt,

My filthy heart renew!

He heard, and with a gracious look,

Pronounced the healing word;

"I will, be clean" -- and while he spoke

I felt my health restored.

Come lepers, seize the present hour,

The Savior's grace to prove;

He can relieve, for he is pow'r,

He will, for he is love.