University of Virginia Library

Confession and Pardon.

I

Alas, my aching heart!
Here the keen torment lies;
It racks my waking hours with smart,
And frights my slumbering eyes.

II

Guilt will be hid no more,
My griefs take vent apace,
The crimes that blot my conscience o'er
Flush crimson in my face.

III

My sorrows, like a flood,
Impatient of restraint,
Into thy bosom, O my God,
Pour out a long complaint.

IV

This impious heart of mine
Could once defy the Lord,
Could rush with violence on to sin
In presence of thy sword.

438

V

How often have I stood
A rebel to the skies,
The calls, the tenders of a God,
And mercy's loudest cries!

VI

He offers all his grace,
And all his heav'n to me;
Offers! but 'tis to senseless brass,
That cannot feel nor see.

VII

Jesus the Saviour stands
To court me from above,
And looks and spreads his wounded hands,
And shews the prints of love.

VIII

But I, a stupid fool,
How long have I withstood
The blessings purchas'd with his soul,
And paid for all in blood?

IX

The heav'nly Dove came down
And tender'd me his wings
To mount me upward to a crown,
And bright immortal things.

X

Lord, I'm asham'd to say
That I refus'd thy Dove,
And sent thy Spirit griev'd away,
To his own realms of love.

XI

Not all thine heav'nly charms,
Nor terrors of thy hand,
Could force me to lay down my arms,
And bow to thy command.

XII

Lord, 'tis against thy face
My sins like arrows rise,
And yet, and yet, O matchless grace!
Thy thunder silent lies.

XIII

O shall I never feel
The meltings of thy love?
Am I of such hell-harden'd steel
That mercy cannot move?

XIV

Now for one powerful glance,
Dear Saviour, from thy face!
This rebel heart no more withstands,
But sinks beneath thy grace.

XV

O'ercome by dying love I fall,
Here at thy cross I lie;
And throw my flesh, my soul, my all,
And weep, and love, and die.

XVI

‘Rise,’ says the Prince of mercy, ‘rise,
‘With joy and pity in his eyes:
‘Rise, and behold my wounded veins,
‘Here flows the blood to wash thy stains.

XVII

‘See my great Father reconcil'd:’
He said. And lo, the Father smil'd;
The joyful cherubs clapp'd their wings,
And sounded grace on all their strings.