Hymn II

1. FORGIVE
me, O thou jealous God,

A wretch, who on thy laws have trod,

And robb’d thee of thy right,

A sinner to myself unknown,

’Gainst thee I have transgress’d and done,

This evil in thy sight.

2. My body I disdain’d to incline

Or worship at an idol’s shrine

With gross idolatry:

But Oh! my soul hath baser prov’d,

Honour’d, and fear’d, and serv’d, and lov’d

The creature more than thee.

3. Let the blind sons of Rome bow down

To images of wood and stone;

But I with subtler art,

Safe from the letter of thy word,

My idols secretly ador’d,

Set up within my heart.

4. But Oh! suffice the season past:

My idols now away I cast,

Pleasure, and wealth and fame,

The world, and all its goods I leave,

To thee alone resolv’d to give

Whate’er I have or am.

5. Lo! in a thankful, loving heart

I render thee whate’er thou art,

I give myself to thee;

And thee my whole delight I own,

My joy, my glory, and my crown

To all eternity.