3388.
[A dog, and worse, alas, am I]
The dog is turned to his own vomit again.
—ii. 22.
A dog, and worse, alas, am I
Who to my vomit turn again,
A thousand times with sin comply,
A thousand times repent in vain;
And then indulge my heart's desire,
And wallow in the brutish mire.
Jesus, my refuge in despair,
While unconsumed on earth I live,
If yet Thou canst the sinner bear,
Canst so abundantly forgive,
This only once my peace restore,
But lift me up to fall no more.
Pardon itself avails me not,
Unless the pardon I retain;
My sins out of Thy memory blot,
Out of my soul erase the stain;
The root uptear, the mount remove,
And save me by Thine utmost love.
