Poetical fragments heart-employment with God and it selfPoetical fragments heart-imployment with God and it self

I wondered at my self that staid so long, So little touched with Arguments so strong! Laughing and playing, as if all were well, For ought I knew, near to the brink of Hell. I marvelled at my former senselessness! My sin and misery I did confess. And now what horrid darkness on my mind, Never before lamented did I find? Sin was like sickness in my flesh and bone, Which only by the Book before was known.

I wondred at my self that staid so long, So little toucht with Arguments so strong! Laughing and playing, as if all were well, For ought I knew, near to the brink of Hell. I marvell'd at my former senslesness! My sin and misery I did confess. And now what horrid darkness on my mind, Never before lamented did I find? Sin was like sickness in my flesh and bone, Which only by the Book before was known.

Christ's Office now I better understood, The need my Soul had of his cleansing Blood: How insufficient of my self I was, To bring my own deliverance to pass: Now I began to feel as well as see, How near the Word of Grace concerned me: That all means else in Heaven and Earth were vain; My Peace with God, and pardon to obtain! To whom else should my sinful Soul have gone? But for my Saviour, I had been undone. Oh my dear God! how precious is thy Love? Thus thou preparest us for the Life above.

Christ's Office now I better understood, The need my Soul had of his cleansing Blood: How insufficient of my self I was, To bring my own deliverance to pass: Now I began to feel as well as see, How near the Word of Grace concerned me: That all means else in Heaven and Earth were vain; My Peace with God, and pardon to obtain! To whom else should my sinful Soul have gone? But for my Saviour, I had been undone. Oh my dear God! how precious is thy Love? Thus thou prepar'st us for the Life above.