82.
The Leper.—Matt, viii, 2, 3.
1 OFT as the leper s case I read,
My own described I feel :
Sin is a leprosy indeed
Which none but Christ can heal.
2 Awhile I would have pass d for well,
And strove my spots to hide,
Till it broke out incurable,
Too plain to be denied.
3 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 !"
4 What anguish did my soul endure
Till hope and patience ceased !
The more I strove myself to cure,
The more the plague increased.
5 While thus I lay distress d, I saw
The Saviour passing by ;
To him, though fill d with shame and awe,
I raised my mournful cry.
6 Lord, thou canst heal me if thou wilt,
For thou canst all things do ;
cleanse my leprous soul from guilt,
My filthy heart renew.
7 He heard, and with a gracious look
Pronounced the healing word ;
" I will be clean," and while he spoke
I felt my health restored.
8 Come, lepers, seize the present hour,
The Saviour s grace to prove;
He can relieve, for he is power
He will, for he is love.
