To GOD

When I look back on my past life, the ills
That I have done my heart with horrour fills;
And does amaze my frighted Soul to see
Thy Judgments due to such impiety.
But since thy Mercy hath so long forborn
To smite, and thou art pleas'd at last to turn
My heart to Heaven, when I was running on,
Heaping sins on sins, to my perdition,
I bless thy Name that would not let me go
To Hell, nor suffer me to perish so.
This Grace gives hope, and does my Faith encrease
To Confidence, that thou wilt now release
Me from the punishments, and from the shame
Due to my Crimes, and make me love thy Name.
It is thy own great Work, the honour's thine;
I cannot own a vertuous thought for mine.
Shall I then fear to raise my thoughts to thee,
When thou dost fill my heart with Piety!
When my assurance is thy gift, I may
Approach thy glorious Throne, and humbly say,
Thy Grace hath such a Confidence begot,
As cannot be in one that loves thee not.
Lord, let this love encrease, let it endure
Unto my end; make my Election sure,
That I may feast my Soul with thoughts of thee
My God, the Fountain of Felicity:
Thus fill'd with Grace, and by thy Spirit led,
I shall for ever live, when I am dead;
And with true courage, when I come to die,
Shall gladly pass to my eternity.