A Prayer for Dr. Dodd Under Condemnation

God ever near to the distress'd,
When to Thy gracious throne they fly,
In ours regard Thy Son's request,
In ours attend Thy Spirit's cry.

The hearts of kings are in Thy hand,
Turn'd as the rivers of the sea,
They melt at Thy supreme command,
And take the course prescribed by Thee.

Whom Thy vicegerent we confess.
To mercy. Lord, his heart inchne,
And on his soften'd soul impress
That brightest character Divine.

Now let him kindly condescend.
Reverse the merciless decree,
And to a guilty worm extend
The grace he needs himself from Thee.

The mercy ask'd in Jesu's name
Be in his royal bosom found,
The bowels of that bleeding Lamb
In him, in him this moment sound!

If Thou our instant suit approve,
If mercy be Thy own design,
Give him no rest, almighty Love,
Till his resolve submits to Thine.

But if Thy sovereign, awful will
Hath fix'd a dying sinner's doom,
Thy pardon on his conscience seal.
The earnest sure of joys to come.

Whom man accounts not fit to live,
Thy poor repenting servant own,
Into Thy mercy's arms receive,
And make him partner of Thy throne.