Young Christian's first lesson-book/Lesson Nine

by Philip Doddridge

LESSON IX.

The Corruption of Nature and Sins of Life acknowledged.

LORD when my wretched ſoul ſurveys
The various follies of my ways
The guilt of ev'ry word and thought,
Ev'ry neglect and ev'ry fault,
Well may I tremble to appear.
Laden with horror, ſhame and fear.

Adam, our common head, alas!
Brought ſin and death on all his race:
From him my ruin'd nature came,
Heir to his ſorrow, and his ſhame;
My body weak, and dark my mind,
To good averſe, to ſin inclin'd:
And oh! too ſoon the deadly fruit
Ripen'd from that unhappy root.

Duty requir'd my early care
Each fond indulgence to forbear;
Requir'd me, all the good I knew
With conſtant vigour to purſue:
But my vain heart and ſtubborn will;
In its own ways would wander ſtill;
Like a wild aſs's colt would go
On to the wilderneſs of woe.
Vainly I ſeek to plead a word,
Silent in guilt before the Lord.