University of Virginia Library

A Repentant Sinner, 46.

Of all Forlorne, hee finds himselfe the First,
And vowes hee is of Wretches all the Worst:
So bad is the Estate hee standeth in,
While hee is sowsed in the Seas of Sinne.
Hee sighes, therefore, and for his Guilt doth groane,
And sends Remorsefull thoughts to Mercies Throne;
To pray for Pardon, Pittie, and Compassion,
For CHRISTS most bloodie, and most bitter Passion.
And offers with a broken Heart contreete,
Of Prayse and Thanks a Sacrifice most sweet.
Whose sad Remembrance, all his Entralls teares,
And makes him weepe, and wash his Couch with Teares
The hate of Sinne, is figur'd in his Face,
By th'operation of the Sprite of Grace.
Hee covets nothing, bot such things that are
Conducent for him, and most necessare.
Superfluous, and vaine hee doth abhorre,
And nev'r delights in these that's transitore.
Hee lusts not after more, than hee would haue,
Yet more contemplates, than hee can conceiue.
The sharpe Recording of his Sinnes doth search,
His secret Soule, and to the Spleane doth pearse.
While in the Detestation of them all,
Woefull hee weepes, for his Offence and Fall.
Yet still his Hopes for Mercie springs Aboue,
Despare and Feare, through Force of Fayth and Loue.
His Senses tyre his Sprites, and thus distrest,
His Soule in Natures Course can finde no Rest.
The Slough of Sinne, and Rags of Vice hee wore,
Hee shifts him off, and mynds to vse no more.
Bot as that Snake, that slayeth with the Sight,
All Sinne, all Wrong, and Vice, hee doth despight.
Hee laboures still in Loue, and liuely Fayth,
To liue to GOD in Feare, and at his Death
To die in favour, that hee may in Heav'n
Enjoy the Glorie GOD hath freely given.