Occasional verse, moral and sacred Published for the instruction and amusement of the Candidly Serious and Religious [by Edward Perronet] |
 |
THE SINNER'S WISH. |
 |
 | Occasional verse, moral and sacred |  |
THE SINNER'S WISH.
I
I would, thou know'st how fain I wouldBe all thou bidst me be:
And so would I—if so I could,
Be what thou art to me.
II
Holy, benign, sincere, and just,In every work and word;
Put all my confidence and trust
In thee, my gracious lord.
III
But I, alas! am all impure,Unrighteous, and unclean;
My will perverse, my heart obdure,
My every action sin.
52
IV
Nor can I be but what I am,Till thou my soul renew:
Increas'd my guilt and guilty shame,
With every day, I view.
V
Since day by day my sins increase,And every day my state,
I fear—ere yet my moments cease,
But aggravates its fate.
VI
But O, my God! and must I thenFor better worse become?
But ah! withhold the dread amen,
And revocate its doom!
| Occasional verse, moral and sacred | |