Preparation for Death, 39

So near the haven brought,
Must I be shipwreck'd here?
Saviour, forgive the hasty thought
Of misbelieving fear;
Fear of myself, not Thee,
It is my grief and shame,
It is my own infirmity;
But Thou art still the same.

In childhood's giddy hour
Thou hast my Keeper been,
And screen'd my youth from passion's power.
From every pleasing sin:
When by the fiend impell'd.
In slippery paths I ran,
Thy hand invisible withheld,
"And led me up to man."

Restrain'd by heavenly grace
From what the world pursued,
"Eager ambition's fiery race"
With unconcern I view'd:
The lust of wealth and fame
Thou only didst suppress,
And gav'st my mounting soul to aim
At nobler happiness.

Oft as from Thee I roved,
In quest of my own will,
Thy Spirit tenderly reproved,
And kept me back from ill;
He cross'd my fond desire
Of perishable good,
And pluck'd the brand out of the fire,
And quench'd it in Thy blood.

Unnumber'd deaths and snares,
Thy love hath turn'd aside:
And still, O God, to hoary hairs
Thou art my faithful Guide:
Thy miracles of grace
Thou daily dost renew,
Straighten the' inextricable maze,
And bring me strangely through.

Why then am I cast down,
With anxious thoughts oppress'd,
With doubts if Thou wilt lead me on
To my eternal rest?
Thy will and power are join'd
The helpless to defend;
And saved so long, I trust to find
Salvation in my end.

This unbelieving sin
Thou wilt, O Lord, control,
And perfect righteousness bring in
To my expecting soul:
Finish, expel, destroy,
This inbred enemy;
And fill with everlasting joy,
And make me all like Thee.

Confiding in Thy word,
I ask the grace unknown,
According to Thy promise, Lord,
Let it in me be done:
My faith's defects supply,
Almighty to forgive,
And then I get me up, and die,
And then for ever live!