Book III · Hymn 32 · Cast Down, But Not Destroyed

John Newton

Cast down, but not destroyed.
Though sore beset with guilt and fear,
I cannot, dare not, quite despair;
If I must perish, would the Lord
Have taught my heart to love his word?

Would he have giv'n me eyes to see
Judg 13:23

My danger, and my remedy,
Revealed his name, and bid me pray,
Had he resolved to say me nay?
No--though cast down I am not slain;

I fall, but I shall rise again;
Mic 7:8

The present Satan is thy hour,
But Jesus shall control thy pow'r:
His love will plead for my relief,
He hears my groans, he sees my grief;
Nor will he suffer thee to boast,
A soul, that sought his help, was lost.
'Tis true, I have unfaithful been,
And grieved his Spirit by my sin;
Yet still his mercy he'll reveal,
And all my wounds and follies heal:

Abounding sin, I must confess,
Rom 5:20

But more abounding is his grace;
He once vouchsafed for me to bleed,
And now he lives my cause to plead.
I'll cast myself before his feet,
I see him on his mercy-seat,
('Tis sprinkled with atoning blood)
There sinners find access to God:
Ye burdened souls approach with me,
And make the Savior's name your plea;
JESUS will pardon all who come,

And strike our fierce accuser dumb.