905    8.8.6.     John Berridge
“I will take away the stony heart.” Ezek. 36. 26

1 My heart by nature is a stone,
  And unconcerned can look upon
  Eternal misery;
  Feels no affection for the Lord,
  Takes no impression from his word,
  But lumpish is and dry.

2 Some tell me I must change my heart,
  And undertake the Saviour’s part;
  A proud and fruitless strife!
  I might as soon the seasons change,
  Or make the clouds in order range,
  Or raise the dead to life.

3 My shoulders will not bear the load;
  The work is only fit for God,
  A work of heavenly grace;
  The Lord, who first created man,
  Must now create him new again,
  And rear the fallen race.

4 Then unto him I lift my eye;
  My Maker, hear me when I cry,
  And give the heart of flesh;
  A heart renewed by faith and love,
  That seeks the joys which are above,
  And will not feed on trash.

5 [A heart submissive, mild, and meek,
  Which hears if Jesus softly speak,
  And on his word can feast;
  A heart which prays for great and small,
  And dearly loves thy children all,
  Yet thinks itself the least.]