Page:Olney Hymns - 1840.djvu/339

BOOK III. 1 SIN enslaved me many years, And led me bound and blind, Till at length a thousand fears Came swarming o er my mind. Where, said I, in deep distress, Will these sinful pleasures end? How shall I secure my peace, And make the Lord my friend?

2 Friends and ministers said much, The gospel to enforce ; But my blindness still was such I chose a legal course : Much I fasted, watch d, and strove, Scarce would show my face abroad, Fear d almost to speak or move, A stranger still to God.

3 Thus afraid to trust his grace, Long time did I rebel, Till, despairing of my case, Down at his feet I fell : Then my stubborn heart he broke, And subdued me to his sway, By a simple word he spoke, &quot; Thy sins are done away.&quot;

1 HOLY Lord God! I love thy truth, Nor dare thy least commandments slight ; Yet pierced by sin, the serpent s tooth, I mourn the anguish of the bite.

2 But though the poison lurks within, Hope bids ine still with patience wait ;