The Way of Access

I

One glance of thine, eternal Lord,
Pierces all nature through;
Nor heaven nor earth nor hell afford
A shelter from thy view!

II

The mighty whole, each smaller part,
At once before thee lies;
And every thought of every heart
Is open to thine eyes.

III

Though greatly from myself conceal’d,
Thou seest my inward frame;
To thee I always stand reveal’d
Exactly as I am.

IV

Since, therefore, I can hardly bear
What in myself I see,
How vile and black must I appear
Most holy God, to thee!

V

But since my Saviour stands between,
In garments dyed in blood,
’Tis he, instead of me, is seen,
When I approach to God.

VI

Thus, though a sinner, I am safe;
He pleads before the throne
’Tis life and death in my behalf,
And calls my sins his own.

VII

What wondrous love, what mysteries,
In this appointment shine!
My breaches of the law are his,
And his obedience mine.