University of Virginia Library

VI.

[The dreadful day is come]

The dreadful day is come
To fix a nation's doom!
Who, when God doth this, shall live,
Stand before a righteous God,
'Gainst the world and Satan strive,
Strive resisting unto blood?
Well may our nature fear
The fiery trial near:
Who shall first his Lord betray?
Who his Master shall deny?
Which of us shall fall away?
Is it, Saviour, is it I?
I shall, I surely shall,
Without Thy succour, fall:
Left, one moment left alone,
I shall make my ruin sure,
Shamefully my God disown,
Thee, and all Thy saints abjure.
But, Lord, I trust in Thee,
Thou wilt not go from me;

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Thee Thy pity shall constrain
Still with me, even me, to' abide;
Me, the weakest child of man,
Me for whom Thy pity died.
O that I always may
On Thee my spirit stay!
Poor and needy as I am,
Thou dost for my vileness care;
Thou hast call'd me by my name;
Thou wilt all my burdens bear.
Thou art the sinner's Friend,
I on Thy love depend;
Help for all is laid on Thee;
Faith and hope in Thee I have;
As my day, my strength shall be,
Thou shalt to the utmost save.
Arm me with Thy great power,
And come the fiery hour!
Then I in Thy strength shall say,
(Feeblest of Thy servants I,)
I, though all men fall away,
I will never Thee deny.
Ready, through grace, I am
To suffer for Thy name;
When Thou dost Thyself bestow
On so poor a worm as me,
I shall then to prison go,
Gladly go to death with Thee.