HYMN 156. (C. M.) Presumption and Despair; or, Satan's various Temptations.
I
I hate the tempter and his charms,
I hate his flattering breath;
The serpent takes a thousand forms
To cheat our souls to death.
II
He feeds our hopes with airy dreams,
Or kills with slavish fear;
And holds us still in wide extremes,
Presumption, or despair.
III
Now he persuades, ‘How easy 'tis
‘To walk the road to heaven;’
Anon he swells our sins, and cries,
‘They cannot be forgiven.’
IV
He bids young sinners, ‘Yet forbear
‘To think of God or death;
‘For prayer and devotion are
‘But melancholy breath.’
V
He tells the aged, ‘They must die,
‘And 'tis too late to pray;
‘In vain for mercy now they cry,
‘For they have lost their day.’
VI
Thus he supports his cruel throne
By mischief and deceit;
And drags the sons of Adam down
To darkness and the pit.
VII
Almighty God, cut short his power,
Let him in darkness dwell;
And, that he vex the earth no more,
Confine him down to hell.
