Thou readest the heart,

         viewest principles and motives of actions,

         seest more defilement in my duties

     than I ever saw in any of my sins.

The heavens are not clean in thy sight,

   and thou chargest the angels with folly;

I am ready to flee from myself because of

     my abominations;

Yet thou dost not abhor me

   but hast devised means for my return to thee,

   and that, by thy Son who died to give me life.

Thine honour is secured and displayed even in

     my escape from thy threats,

   and that, by means of Jesus

     in whom mercy and truth meet together,

     and righteousness and peace kiss each other.

In him the enslaved find redemption,

   the guilty pardon,

   the unholy renovation;

In him are everlasting strength for the weak,

   unsearchable riches for the needy,

   treasures of wisdom and knowledge for

     the ignorant,

   fullness for the empty.

At thy gracious call I hear, take, come, apply,

     receive his grace,

   not only submit to his mercy but acquiesce in it,

   not only glory in the cross but in him crucified

     and slain,

   not only joy in forgiveness but in the one

     through whom atonement comes.

Thy blessings are as secure as they are glorious;

Thou hast provided for my safety and my prosperity,

   and hast promised that I shall stand firm and

     grow stronger.

O Lord God, without the pardon of my sin I cannot

   rest satisfied

   without the renovation of my nature by grace

     I can never rest easy,

   without the hopes of heaven I can never be

     at peace.

All this I have in thy Son Jesus; blessed be

     his name.