1WHERE shall my wandering soul begin?
How shall I all to heaven aspire!
A slave redeemed from death and sin,
A brand plucked from eternal fire;
How shall I equal triumphs raise,
Or sing my great Deliverer's praise!
2Oh! how shall I thy goodness tell,
Father, which thou to me hast showed,
That I a child of wrath and hell,
I should be called a child of God!
Should know, should feel my sins forgiven,
Blest with this antepast of heaven!
3And shall I slight my Father's love?
Or basely fear his gifts to own?
Unmindful of his favours prove?
Shall I, the hallowed cross to shun,
Refuse his righteousness t'impart,
By hiding it within my heart?
4No, though the antient dragon rage,
And call forth all his host to war;
Tho' earth's self-rightoeous sons engage,
Them and their god alike I dare:
Jesus the sinners friend proclaim;
Jesus, to sinners still the same.
5Outcasts of men, to you I call,
Harlots, and publicans, and thieves!
He spreads his arms to embrace you all,
Sinners alone his grace receives:
No need of him the righteous have;
He came the lost to seek and save.
6Come, Oh! my guilty brethren, come,
Groaning beneath your load of sin,
His bleeding heart shall make you room,
His open side shall take you in:
He calls you now, invites you home,
Come, Oh! my guilty brethren come.
7For you the purple current flowed,
In pardons from his wounded side,
Languished for you the eternal God,
For you the prince of glory died,
Believe, and all your sin's forgiven,
Only believe, and yours is heaven!