When Peter by the miracle
Knew his celestial guest,
At the Redeemer’s feet he fell
By sense of guilt opprest;
“Depart!” he cried, subdued and awed,
“I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
So must the wisest, holiest, best,
Their past transgressions own,
And on the Saviour’s mercy rest
Their hopes of heaven alone;
To all applies the suppliant word,
“Have mercy on a sinner, Lord!”
Can vain thoughts, covetous desires,
And proud presumptuous hearts,
Endure the pure eye that requires
Truth in the inward parts?
Self-righteousness, deluding sin,
Would shrink if light but streamed within.
Nor deem we good deeds can atone
For one—the smallest—sin;
That virtues, in the balance thrown,
May God’s acceptance win,—
On tainted works man dare not rest,
“Unprofitable” at the best.
Ne’er be the impious hope allowed;
No more let mortals aim
From God, or from themselves, to shroud
Their helplessness and shame,
But at Thy feet, Lord Jesus, fall,
Like Peter, and confess it all!
The spotted leprosy of guilt
Within we must have seen,
Ere we in faith cry, “If Thou wilt,
Lord! Thou canst make me clean!”
Oh! let us first our frailty see
Then find our cure, our all in Thee!