I WANT a principle within Of jealous, godly fear, A sensibility of sin, A pain...

I WANT a principle within Of jealous, godly fear, A sensibility of sin, A pain to feel it near; I want the first approach to feel Of pride, or fond desire, To catch the wandering of my will, And quench the kindling fire.

That I from thee no more may part, No more thy goodness grieve, The filial awe, the fleshly heart, The tender conscience, give. Quick as the apple of an eye, O God, my conscience make! Awake my soul, when sin is nigh, And keep it still awake.

If to the right or left I stray, That moment, Lord, reprove; And let me weep my life away, For having grieved thy love: O may the least omission pain My well-instructed soul, And drive me to the blood again Which makes the wounded whole!