Waiting at Wisdom’s Gates

I

Ensnared too long my heart has been
  In folly’s hurtful ways;
O may I now at length begin
  To hear what Wisdom says!

II

’Tis Jesus, from the mercy-seat,
  Invites me to his rest;
He calls poor sinners to his feet,
  To make them truly blest.

III

Approach, my soul, to Wisdom’s gates
  While it is call’d to-day;
No one who watches there and waits
  Shall e’er be turn’d away.

IV

He will not let me seek in vain,
  For all who trust his word
Shall everlasting life obtain,
  And favour from the Lord.

V

Lord! I have hated thee too long,
  And dared thee to thy face;
I’ve done my soul exceeding wrong
  In slighting all thy grace.

VI

Now I would break my league with death,
  And live to thee alone;
Oh! let thy Spirit’s seal of faith
  Secure me for thine own.

VII

Let all the saints assembled here,
  Yea, let all heaven rejoice,
That I begin with this new year
  To make the Lord my choice.