HYMN 115. (C. M.) Conviction of Sin by the Law, Rom. vii. 8, 9, 14, 24.
I
Lord, how secure my conscience was,
And felt no inward dread!
I was alive without the law,
And thought my sins were dead.
II
My hopes of heaven were firm and bright;
But since the precept came
With a convincing power and light,
I find how vile I am.
III
My guilt appear'd but small before,
Till terribly I saw
How perfect, holy, just, and pure,
Was thine eternal law.
IV
Then felt my soul the heavy load
My sins reviv'd again,
I had provok'd a dreadful God,
And all my hopes were slain.
V
I'm like a helpless captive sold
Under the power of sin;
I cannot do the good I would,
Nor keep my conscience clean.
VI
My God, I cry with every breath
For some kind power to save,
To break the yoke of sin and death,
And thus redeem the slave.
