63.
The Heart healed and changed by Mercy. C.
1 SIN enslaved me many years,
And led me bound and blind,
Till at length a thousand fears
Came swarming o er my mind.
Where, said I, in deep distress,
Will these sinful pleasures end?
How shall I secure my peace,
And make the Lord my friend?
2 Friends and ministers said much,
The gospel to enforce ;
But my blindness still was such
I chose a legal course :
Much I fasted, watch d, and strove,
Scarce would show my face abroad,
Fear d almost to speak or move,
A stranger still to God.
3 Thus afraid to trust his grace,
Long time did I rebel,
Till, despairing of my case,
Down at his feet I fell :
Then my stubborn heart he broke,
And subdued me to his sway,
By a simple word he spoke,
" Thy sins are done away."
64.
Hatred of Sin. C.
1 HOLY Lord God! I love thy truth,
Nor dare thy least commandments slight ;
Yet pierced by sin, the serpent s tooth,
I mourn the anguish of the bite.
2 But though the poison lurks within,
Hope bids ine still with patience wait ;
