82. The Burdened Sinner

1 Ah, what can I do,
Or where be secure!
If justice pursue
What heart can endure
The heart breaks asunder,
Tho' hard as a stone,
When God speaks in thunder,
And makes himself known.

2 With terror I read
My sin's heavy force,
The numbers exceed
The sands on the shore;
Guilt makes me unable
To stand or to flee
So Cain murder'd Abel,
And trembled like me.

3 Each sin, like his blood,
With a terrible cry,
Calls loudly on God
To strike from on high:
Nor can my repentance,
Extorted by fear,
Reverse the just sentence,
'Tis just, tho' severe.

4 The case is too plain,
I have my own choice;
Again and again
I slighted his voice:
His warnings neglected,
His patience abus'd
His gospel rejected,
His mercy refus'd.

5 And must I then go,
For ever to dwell
In torments and woe
With devils in hell!
Oh where is the Saviour
I scorn'd in times past;
His word in my favour
Would save me at last.

6 Lord Jesus on thee
I venture to call,
O look upon me
The vilest of all;
For whom didst thou languish,
And bleed on the tree?
O pity my anguish;
And say, " 'Twas for thee."

7 A case such as mine
Will honour thy pow'r,
And hell will repine,
All heaven adore;
If in condemnation
Strict justice takes place,
It shines in salvation
More glorious thro' grace.

Text Information
First Line: Ah, what can I do
Title: The Burdened Sinner
Language: English
Publication Date: 1803
Tune Information
(No tune information)



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