Matthew: My sins I may with horror own

My sins I may with horror own,
Break off, and the occasion shun.
My helpless case lament.
Restore my sinful ill-got gain.
Yet never feel that godly pain.
Or savingly repent.

In vain with guilty, slavish fear
I see the righteous Judge appear,
And shrink His wrath to bear:
Unless I in His mercy hope.
Dread of His wrath will shut me up
In damnable despair.
vS. Matthew xxvii. 2 — 6.

But when I all my sins confess,
"My only refuge in distress
Is a most gracious God,
Who will not suffer me to die.
When self-condemn'd to Christ I fly.
And plead His speaking blood.

Father, I now the' atonement plead:
Through Him who suffer'd in my stead.
And did my guilt remove
Bold to Thy throne of grace I come.
And thus escape the traitor's doom.
And thus obtain Thy love.