Verse 1
Yes, from this instant now I will
To my offended Father cry: (Luke 15:18-19)
My base ingratitude I feel,
Vilest of all thy children I,
Not worthy to be call’d thy son, (Luke 15:19)
Yet will I thee my Father own. (Luke 15:18)
Verse 2
Guide of my youth hast thou not been, (Jer. 3:5, Psalm 71:17)
And rescued me from passion’s power,
Ten thousand times preserv’d from sin,
Nor let the greedy gulph devour?
And wilt thou now thy wrath retain, (Jer. 3:5)
Nor ever love thy child again?
Verse 3
Ah, canst thou find it in thy heart
To give me up so long pursued!
Ah, canst thou finally depart,
And leave thy creature in his blood, (Ezekiel 16:6)
Leave me out of thy presence cast, (Psalm 51:11)
To perish in my sins at last!
Verse 4
If thou hast will’d me to return,
If weeping at thy feet I fall,
The prodigal in justice spurn,
Or pity and forgive me all, (Luke 15:20-24)
In answer to my friend above,
In honour of his bleeding love.