310 C.M. J. Hart
“Create in me a clean heart.” Ps. 51. 10; Mark 7. 21
1
Lord, when thy Spirit descends to show
 
The badness of our hearts,
 
Astonished at the amazing view,
 
The soul with horror starts.
2
[The dungeon, opening foul as hell,
 
Its loathsome stench emits;
 
And, brooding in each secret cell,
 
Some hideous monster sits.]
3
[Swarms of ill thoughts their bane diffuse,
 
Proud, envious, false, unclean;
 
And every ransacked corner shows
 
Some unsuspected sin.]
4
Our staggering faith gives way to doubt;
 
Our courage yields to fear;
 
Shocked at the sight, we straight cry out,
 
“Can ever God dwell here?”
5
None less than God’s Almighty Son
 
Can move such loads of sin;
 
The water from his side must run,
 
To wash this dungeon clean.
6
O come, thou much-expected Guest!
 
Lord Jesus, quickly come!
 
Enter the chamber of my breast;
 
Thyself prepare the room.
7
For should’st thou stay till thou canst meet
 
Reception worthy thee,
 
With sinners thou would’st never sit –
 
At least I’m sure with me.
8
When, when will that blest time arrive,
 
When thou wilt kindly deign
 
With me to sit, to lodge, to live;
 
And never part again?