Self-Acquaintance

I

Dear Lord! accept a sinful heart,
  Which of itself complains,
And mourns, with much and frequent smart,
  The evil it contains.

II

There fiery seeds of anger lurk,
  Which often hurt my frame;
And wait but for the tempter’s work,
  To fan them to a flame.

III

Legality holds out a bribe
  To purchase life from thee;
And discontent would fain prescribe
  How thou shalt deal with me.

IV

While unbelief withstands thy grace,
  And puts the mercy by,
Presumption, with a brow of brass,
  Says, “Give me, or I die.”

V

How eager are my thoughts to roam
  In quest of what they love!
But ah! when duty calls them home,
  How heavily they move!

VI

Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour’s blood,
  Transform me by thy power,
And make me thy beloved abode,
  And let me rove no more!