A Brand Plucked Out of the Fire

I

With Satan, my accuser, near,
My spirit trembled when I saw
The Lord in majesty appear,
And heard the language of his law.

II

In vain I wish’d and strove to hide
The tatter’d filthy rags I wore:
While my fierce foe insulting cried,
“See what you trusted in before!”

III

Struck dumb, and left without a plea,
I heard my gracious Saviour say,
“Know, Satan, I this sinner free⁠—
I died to take his sins away.

IV

“This is a brand which I in love
To save from wrath and sin design;
In vain thy accusations prove;
I answer all, and claim him mine.”

V

At this rebuke the tempter fled;
Then He removed my filthy dress;
“Poor sinner, take this robe,” He said,
“It is thy Saviour’s righteousness.

VI

“And see a crown of life prepared!
That I might thus thy head adorn;
I thought no shame of suff’ring hard,
But wore for thee a crown of thorn.”

VII

O, how I heard these gracious words!
They broke and heal’d my heart at once;
Constrained me to become the Lord’s,
And all my idol-gods renounce.

VIII

Now, Satan, thou hast lost thy aim;
Against this brand thy threats are vain;
Jesus has pluck’d it from the flame,
And who shall put it in again?