Hymns for the Use of Families, 142

Why in the neighbourhood of hell,
Saviour, am I constraint to dwell
Who would be wholly Thine,
Subjected to a furious lord,
Who heaven provokes at every word,
And dares the wrath Divine!

A witness of his frantic ways,
His drunken, riotous excess,
Am I a partner too?
Jesus, mine eyes are unto Thee:
Show in this sad perplexity
What should Thy servant do?

Must I the' infernal language hear
Tormenting to a sober ear,
And not reprove his sin?
Words from his slaves he cannot brook,
But let him meet my mournful look,
And stand condemn'd within.

Him let my blameless life reprove,
My labour of unwearied love,
My active zeal to please,
To serve his will by day and night,
As one who in a world of light
A heavenly Master sees.

By duteous and respectful awe
O might I his attention draw
To principles unseen!
A testimony from Thy foe
Extort, that those who Jesus know
Give all their due to men.

Then let his waken'd soul arise,
Shake off the chains of vulgar vice,
And every sin abhorr'd,
Till pardon makes him truly free,
And turns his heart to serve with me
Our dear redeeming Lord.