University of Virginia Library

3387.

[Stranger to holy joy and peace]

That cannot cease from sin. —ii. 14.

Stranger to holy joy and peace,
And all the things above,

192

I never can from sinning cease,
Till I begin to love.
My vows and promises are vain,
And full of good desire,
When sin returns, I melt again,
As wax before the fire.
Sinking at last in just despair,
Beneath the tyrant's power;
No longer to resolve I dare,
I fight with sin no more;
No more presume for help to call,
Or fruitless prayers repeat,
But a mere guilty sinner fall
At the Redeemer's feet.
Here will I ever, ever lie,
And weep, and breathe my last,
Unless the God that stoop'd to die
A look of pity cast,
See me expiring in my blood,
And point me to His own,
Which quench'd the righteous wrath of God,
And speaks before the throne.