Book III · Hymn 12 · The Effort

John Newton

The effort.
Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat
Where JESUS answers prayer;
There humbly fall before his feet,
For none can perish there.
Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh;
Thou callest burdened souls to thee,
And such, O LORD, am I.
Bowed down beneath a load of sin,
By Satan sorely pressed;
By war without, and fears within,
I come to thee for rest.
Be thou my shield and hiding-place!
That, sheltered near thy side,
I may my fierce accuser face,
And tell him, "Thou hast died."
Oh wondrous love! to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame;
That guilty sinners, such as I,
Might plead thy gracious name.
"Poor tempest-tossed soul, be still,
My promised grace receive;"
'Tis JESUS speaks--I must, I will,

I can, I do believe.