Pure essence! Spotless Fount of Light, That fadeth never into dark! O Thou, whose eyes, more clear and bright Than noonday sun, are quick to mark Our sins; lo, bare before Thy face Lies all the desert of my heart, My once fair soul in ev'ry part Now stain'd with evil foul and base. | Since but the pure in heart are blest With promised vision of their God, Sore fear and anguish fill my breast, Rememb'ring all the ways I trod; Mourning I see my lost estate, And yet in faith I dare to cry, Oh let my evil nature die, Another heart in me create! | Enough, Lord, that my foe too well Hath lured me once away from Thee; Henceforth I know his craft how fell, And all his deep-laid snares I flee. Lord, through the Spirit whom Thy Son Hath bidden us in prayer to ask, Arm us with might that every task, Whate'er we do, in Thee be done. | Unworthy am I of Thy grace, So deep are my transgressions, Lord, And yet once more I seek Thy face; My God, have mercy, nor reward My sins and follies, dark and vain; Reject, reject me not in wrath, But let Thy sunshine now beam forth, And quicken me with hope again. | The Holy Spirit Thou hast given, The wondrous pledge of love divine, Who fills our hearts with joys of heaven, And bids us earthly toys resign; Oh let His seal be on my heart, Oh take Him nevermore away, Until this fleshly house decay, And Thou shalt bid me hence depart. | But ah! my coward spirit droops, Sick with the fear that enters in Whene'er a soul to bondage stoops, And wears the shameful yoke of sin; Oh quicken with the strength that flows From out the Eternal Fount of Life, My soul half-fainting in the strife, And make an end of all my woes. | I cling unto Thy grace alone, Thy steadfast oath my only rest; To Thee, Heart-searcher, all is known That lieth hidden in my breast; Thy Joy, O Spirit, on me pour, Thy servent will my sloth inspire, So shall I have my heart's desire, And serve and praise Thee evermore. | |