196    S.M.     John Newton
The Lamentation of a New-born Soul. Job 40. 4

1 O Lord, how vile am I,
  Unholy and unclean!
  How can I dare to venture nigh
  With such a load of sin?

2 Is this polluted heart
  A dwelling fit for thee?
  Swarming, alas! in every part,
  What evils do I see!

3 [If I attempt to pray,
  And lisp thy holy name;
  My thoughts are hurried soon away,
  I know not where I am.]

4 [If in thy word I look,
  Such darkness fills my mind;
  I only read a sealèd book,
  And no relief can find.]

5 [Thy gospel oft I hear,
  But hear it still in vain;
  Without desire, or love, or fear,
  I like a stone remain.]

6 Myself can hardly bear
  This wretched heart of mine!
  How hateful, then, must it appear
  To those pure eyes of thine!

7 And must I, then, indeed,
  Sink in despair and die?
  Fain would I hope that thou didst bleed
  For such a wretch as I.

8 That blood which thou hast spilt,
  That grace which is thy own,
  Can cleanse the vilest sinner’s guilt,
  And soften hearts of stone.

9 Low at thy feet I bow;
  O pity and forgive!
  Here will I lie, and wait till thou
  Shalt bid me rise and live.