Sin, When Viewed by Scripture Light

Sin's deceit by John Newton


 * Sin, when viewed by scripture light,
 * Is a horrid, hateful sight;
 * But when seen in Satan’s glass,
 * Then it wears a pleasing face.


 * When the gospel trumpet sounds,
 * When I think how grace abounds,
 * When I feel sweet peace within,
 * Then I’d rather die than sin.


 * When the cross I view by faith,
 * Sin is madness, poison, death;
 * Tempt me not, ’tis all in vain,
 * Sure I ne’er can yield again.


 * Satan, for awhile debarred,
 * When he finds me off my guard,
 * Puts his glass before my eyes,
 * Quickly other thoughts arise.


 * What before excited fears,
 * Rather pleasing now appears;
 * If a sin, it seems so small,
 * Or, perhaps, no sin at all.


 * Often thus, through sin’s deceit,
 * Grief, and shame, and loss I meet,
 * Like a fish, my soul mistook,
 * Saw the bait, but not the hook.


 * O my Lord, what shall I say?
 * How can I presume to pray?
 * Not a word have I to plead,
 * Sins, like mine, are black indeed!


 * Made, by past experience, wise,
 * Let me learn thy word to prize;
 * Taught by what I’ve felt before,
 * Let me Satan’s glass abhor.