Classic Poem

Wak'd by the gospel's joyful sound,
My soul in guilt and thrall I found,
— — Exposed to endless woe:
Eternal truth aloud proclaim'd,
The sinner must be born again,
— — Or else to ruin go.

Surpris'd I was, but could not tell
Which way to shun the gates of hell,
— — For they were drawing near:
I strove indeed, but all in vain —
The sinner must be born again,
— — Still sounded in my ear.

Then to the law I flew for help;
But still the weight of guilt I felt,
— — And no relief I found:
While death eternal gave me pain,
The sinner must be born again,
— — Did loud as thunder sound.

God's justice now I did behold,
And guilt lay heavy on my soul —
— — It was a heavy load!
I read my Bible; it was plain
The sinner must be born again,
— — Or feel the wrath of God.

I heard some tell how Christ did give
His life, to let the sinner live;
— — But him I could not see:
This solemn truth did still remain —
The sinner must be born again,
— — Or dwell in misery.

But as my soul, with dying breath,
Was gasping in eternal death,
— — Christ Jesus I did spy:
Free grace and pardon he proclaim'd;
The sinner then was born again,
— — With raptures I did cry.

The Angels in the world above,
And saints can witness to the love,
— — Which then my soul enjoy'd.
My soul did mount on faith, its wing,
And glory, glory, did I sing,
— — To Jesus Christ my Lord.

Come, needy sinners, hear me tell
What boundless love in Jesus dwell,
— — How Mercy doth abound;
Let none of mercy doubting stand,
Since I the chief of sinners am,
— — Yet I have mercy found.