Page:Poems Shipton.djvu/44

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Not for dread condemnation here
 Hath Christ this dark world trod:
The holy Saviour, perfect Man,
 The spotless Lamb of God,
Came but a pardon free to give,
And bid the weeping sinner live.

O loving, tender Son of Man!
 More light and life be mine:
Teach me Thy finger, Lord, to trace
 In every mystic sign,
Writ on Thy spangled heavens above,
Or earth's dark pages,—"God is love."

And when my secret sins arise
 With fierce confounding might,
And Satan, with malicious rage,
 Darkens my day to night;
Shall my accuser then be found?
Nay! grace, Thy grace, shall more abound.

Yea, let me be alone with Thee,
 That Thou my soul mayst scan;
Better the chastening hand of God
 Than tenderest love of man.
Thy blood shall then my soul restore,
And bid me "Go, and sin no more."