Sin’s Deceit

I

Sin, when view’d by Scripture light,
Is a horrid, hateful sight;
But when seen in Satan’s glass,
Then it wears a pleasing face.

II

When the gospel-trumpet sounds,
When I think how grace abounds,
When I feel sweet peace within,
Then I’d rather die than sin.

III

When the cross I view by faith,
Sin is madness, poison, death:
Tempt me not, ’tis all in vain,
Sure I ne’er can yield again.

IV

Satan for a while debarr’d,
When he finds me off my guard,
Puts his glass before my eyes,
Quickly other thoughts arise.

V

What before excited fears,
Rather pleasing now appears;
If I sin, it seems so small,
Or perhaps no sin at all.

VI

Often thus through sin’s deceit,
Grief and shame and loss I meet;
Like a fish, my soul mistook,
Saw the bait, but not the hook.

VII

O my Lord, what shall I say?
How can I presume to pray?
Not a word have I to plead,
Sins like mine are black indeed.

VIII

Made by past experience wise,
Let me learn thy word to prize;
Taught by what I’ve felt before,
Let me Satan’s glass abhor.