Hymnal: A Selection of Christian Hymns
Date: 1818
Compiler: Rice Haggard
Publisher/Printer: John Norvell
First Line: When I was carnal Satan's slave
Topic: <no topic given>
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer:
Tune:
Hymn Number: 346
Page Number: 334, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhen I was carnal, Satan's slave,
Vain pleasures I pursu'd;
But still I cry'd who in this way
Can shew me any good?
At length the word shone thro' my soul,
Reveal'd my sin and shame,
And mercy said, wilt thou be whole?
Trust in a Saviour's name.
Of sinners chief to God I cry'd
His pard'ning love to feel;
He freed my soul, my wants supply'd,
And gave the Spirit's seal.
His word was to my path a light,
My love, my joy remain'd;
His promises gave new delight,
And still my soul sustain'd.
But clouds o'erspread my soul now pain'd
With bondage and with fears;
I try to pray, it seems in vain,
And dark the word appears.
The sweet rememb'rance of his love
Some consolation gives,
And though in darkness now I move,
I long in God to live.
Why am I thus? does God remove
Bondage or darkness give?
It cannot be, for he is love,
In him I move and live.
He says, if "Jesus make you free
You shall be free indeed,"
Their way's not dark who follow me,
In them remains my seed.
He says, I never will forsake
The souls who seek my face;
Tho' tempests should all nature shake,
Sufficient is my grace.
Then why my soul this painful strife?
Why dark and fill'd with grief;
Sure I have lost the light of life,
Through pride and unbelief.
My soul doth pant to feel his grace,
I cannot, will not rest;
I long, I thirst, for righteousness,
God does pronounce me blest.
My Saviour's come--he's present now
I know, I feel him nigh:
Arise my soul, renew thy vow
For God to live and die.