Oft as the leper's case I read

The leper by John Newton


 * Oft as the leper's case I read,
 * My own described I feel;
 * Sin is a leprosy indeed,
 * Which none but CHRIST can heal.


 * Awhile I would have passed for well,
 * And strove my spots to hide;
 * Till it broke out incurable,
 * Too plain to be denied.


 * Then from the saints I sought to flee,
 * And dreaded to be seen;
 * I thought they all would point at me,
 * And cry, "Unclean, unclean!"


 * What anguish did my soul endure,
 * Till hope and patience ceased?
 * The more I strove myself to cure,
 * The more the plague increased.


 * While thus I lay distressed, I saw
 * The Savior passing by;
 * To him, though filled with shame and awe,
 * I raised my mournful cry.


 * LORD, thou canst heal me if thou wilt,
 * For thou canst all things do;
 * O cleanse my leprous soul from guilt,
 * My filthy heart renew!


 * He heard, and with a gracious look,
 * Pronounced the healing word;
 * "I will, be clean" -- and while he spoke
 * I felt my health restored.


 * Come lepers, seize the present hour,
 * The Savior's grace to prove;
 * He can relieve, for he is pow'r,
 * He will, for he is love.