CONVICTION BY THE LAW by Isaac Watts

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1856

CONVICTION BY THE LAW.

By Isaac Watts

Lord, how secure my conscience was, And felt no inward dread! I was alive without the law, And thought my sins were dead.

My hopes of heaven were firm and bright, But, since the precept came With a convincing power and light, I find how vile I am.

My guilt appeared but small before, Till terribly I saw How perfect, holy, just, and pure, Was thine eternal law.

Then felt my soul the heavy load; My sins revived again; I had provoked a dreadful God, And all my hopes were slain.

I'm like a helpless captive, sold Under the power of sin; I cannot do the good I would, Nor keep my conscience clean.

My God, I cry with every breath For some kind power to save, To break the yoke of sin and death, And thus redeem the slave. [WATTS.