The Heart Healed and Changed by Mercy
by John Newton (Olney Hymns book III #LXIII)
Sin enslav'd me many years
And led me bound an blind;
Till at length a thousand fears
Came swarming o'er my mind
"Where," I said, in deep distress,
"Will these sinful pleasures end?
"How shall I secure my peace,
"And make the Lord my friend?"
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.
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 subdu'd me to His sway,
By a simple word He spoke,
"Thy sins are done away."
by John Newton (Olney Hymns book III #LXIII)
Sin enslav'd me many years
And led me bound an blind;
Till at length a thousand fears
Came swarming o'er my mind
"Where," I said, in deep distress,
"Will these sinful pleasures end?
"How shall I secure my peace,
"And make the Lord my friend?"
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.
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 subdu'd me to His sway,
By a simple word He spoke,
"Thy sins are done away."
