Poem by John Newton

* * *

When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart,
Where Satan ruled before;
The evil spirit must depart,
And dares return no more.

But when he goes without constraint,
And wanders from his home,
Although withdrawn, ’tis but a feint,
He means again to come.

Some outward change perhaps is seen
If Satan quit the place;
But though the house seem swept and clean,
’Tis destitute of grace.

Except the Saviour dwell and reign
Within the sinner’s mind;
Satan, when he returns again,
Will easy entrance find.

With rage and malice sevenfold,
He then resumes his sway;
No more by checks to be controlled,
No more to go away.

The sinner’s former state was bad,
But worse the latter far;
He lives possessed, and blind, and mad,
And dies in dark despair.

Lord save me from this dreadful end!
And from this heart of mine;
O drive and keep away the fiend
Who fears no voice but thine.

1. The Disciples at Sea
2. Joy and Peace in Believing
3. Time How Short
4. Pleading for Mercy
5. On One Stone Shall Be Seven Eyes

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