1 Once perishing in blood I lay,
Creatures no help could give;
But Jesus pass'd me in the way,
He saw, and bid me live.
2 Tho' Satan still his rule maintain'd
And all his arts employ'd;
That mighty word his rage restrain'd,
I could not be destroy'd.
3 At length the time of love arriv'd,
When I my Lord should know;
Then Satan of his pow'r depriv'd,
Was forc'd to let me go.
4 O, can I e'er that day forget,
When Jesus kindly spoke!
"Poor soul, my blood has paid thy debt,
And now I break thy yoke.
5 "Henceforth I take thee for my own,
And give myself to thee;
Forsake the idols thou hast known,
And yield thyself to me."
6 Ah, worthless heart! it promis'd fair,
And said it would be thine;
I little thought it e'er would dare,
Again with idols join.
7 Lord, dost thou such back-slidings heal,
And pardon all that's past?
Sure, if I am not made of steel,
Thou hast prevail'd at last.
8 My tongue, which rashly spoke before,
This mercy will restrain;
Surely I now shall boast no more,
Nor censure, nor complain.
Text Information | |
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First Line: | Once perishing in blood I lay |
Title: | Humbled and Silenced by Mercy |
Language: | English |
Publication Date: | 1803 |