Satan Returning

I

When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart,
  Where Satan ruled before,
The evil spirit must depart,
  And dares return no more.

II

But when he goes without constraint,
  And wanders from his home,
Although withdrawn, ’tis but a feint⁠—
  He means again to come.

III

Some outward change perhaps is seen
  If Satan quit the place;
But though the house seem swept and clean.
  ’Tis destitute of grace.

IV

Except the Saviour dwell and reign
  Within the sinner’s mind,
Satan, when he returns again,
  Will easy entrance find.

V

With rage and malice sevenfold
  He then resumes his sway;
No more by checks to be control’d,
  No more to go away.

VI

The sinner’s former state was bad,
  But worse the latter far;
He lives possessed, blind, and mad,
  And dies in dark despair.

VII

Lord, save me from this dreadful end!
  And from this heart of mine
O drive and keep away the fiend
  Who fears no voice but thine.