Preparation for Death, 3

How foolish was my hope and vain,
That age would conquer sin,
My nature's enmity restrain,
And end the war within;
Would tame my passion's wild excess,
The slighted world o'erthrow,
The fiend's malicious rage repress,
And weary out the foe!

Because his time to tempt and try
Is short, he tempts the more,
And hunts me on the wing to fly
Beyond his baleful power;
His utmost rage and strength exerts,
Before I 'scape away,
And strives by all his hellish arts
My parting soul to slay.

My heart he turns to earthly things,
From which I soon shall go,
And closer to the world it clings,
And seeks its rest below:
By base mistrust impell'd to spare,
I cloak the sordid vice,
And, in the garb of prudent care,
Applaud my avarice.

My stiff-neck'd stubbornness of will
By time is not subdued,
My carnal mind is carnal still,
And enmity to God:
With years infirmities increase,
While strength and patience fails,
And countless ills my spirit oppress,
And peevish flesh prevails.

The sin which long beset my soul,
Would re-usurp the sway,
Reason's enfeebled powers control,
And force me still to' obey:
With shame indignantly I groan,
With lifted heart and eyes,
I smite my aged breast, and own
That anger never dies.

What must a dying sinner do,
From sin to be set free?
Merciful God, and strong, and true,
I gasp for help to Thee:
O let my utter helplessness
Thy kind compassion move!
I cannot, Lord, from sinning cease,
Till I begin to love.

O might Thy love on me bestow'd
The love of sin expel,
O'ercome the world, cast down their god.
With all the powers of hell!
The works of Satan to destroy,
Jesus, in me appear;
In peace, and righteousness, and joy.
Restore Thy kingdom here.

Peace, righteousness, and joy Divine,
Thou dost with love impart,
That Thou art love, that Thou art mine.
Assure my happy heart:
Then am I meet for my reward,
Renew'd in holiness,
And live the image of my Lord,
And die to see Thy face.