Preparation for Death, 18

A transgressor from the womb,
Sinking now into my tomb;
O forbid it, Lord, that I,
Born in sin, in sin should die.

Whom Thyself hast died to save,
Snatch from the infernal grave;
Me to save, Thy love impart,
Pour the bliss into my heart.

Essence of eternal love,
Joy of all Thy hosts above,
Joy of all Thy saints below,
Only Thee I sigh to know.

Banish'd now out of Thy sight,
Bound in chains of penal night,
Painfully my want I feel;
Absent love is present hell.

Kindler of seraphic fires,
Fill my soul with pure desires;
All my guilty gloom to chase,
Jesus, show Thy heavenly face.

Pain before Thy presence flies,
Grief no longer weeps or sighs:
Sin and unbelief remove,
God in Thee I see and love.