Verse 1
When of themselves they thought
More highly than they ought,
Adam lost his paradise,
Lucifer as lightning fell,
Hurl’d by vengence from the skies,
Plung’d in the profoundest hell.

Verse 2
Thus in a gracious state
Whoe’er themselves o’rerate,
Blinded with the proudest pride,
Altars to themselves they raise
Lose the blessing magnified,
Forfeit all their boasted grace.

Verse 3
And shall we scorn to fear
The dire delusion near?
In our own persuasion trust
In our own conceit secure,
Suddenly compleatly just,
Pure at once, as God is pure!

Verse 4
Can we in Satan’s mind
No sin, or evil find?
Madness vindicates the fault
Nature’s arrogant offence,
“Vanity an harmless thought,
“Pride is perfect innocence.”

Verse 5
But taught, O Lord, of Thee,
The dangerous rock I see,
Dare not trust my treacherous heart,
Whispering’—“all the work is done:”
Thou my sole discerner art,
Thou art wise and good alone.

Verse 6
Ah! leave me not to dream
Myself whate’er I seem:
Every towering thought restrain,
Lest I shine in my own eyes,
Lest my faith’s minutest grain
To a fancied mountain rise.

Verse 7
My faith Thou dost bestow,
Thou dost its measure know:
That I may the fulness find,
Grace, and larger grace impart,
Bless me with a sober mind,
Bless me with an humble heart.

Verse 8
Rather, O God, than I
My grace shoud magnify,
Fall the tempter’s wretched prey,
Thou who dost my bliss desire,
Take me from the evil day,
Let me at thy feet expire.