O Sanctity, whose cloudless day
Abhors pollution's smallest stain;
How shall a worm that dwells in clay,
One moment in thy view remain?

Ah! shall a wretch deform'd with sin,
In all his pow'rs of soul defil'd,
Not blush to claim his origin
From thee, and boast himself thy child?

Never, O never, thy decrees
This loathsom leprosy infus'd,
Myself let in the dire disease,
Myself my reas'ning self abus'd.

Passions, in giddy youth unrein'd,
With years to headstrong habit grew:
And sin still fresh dominion gain'd,
Old crime augmenting still with new.

Self-ruin'd, helpless; Lord, with thee
Help lives in opulent abode.
Almighty Mercy calls " by me
" Songs of salvation are bestow'd. "

O, as in some pellucid stream
We love to view the pictur'd sky;
My soul might yield, tho' faint the beam,
An image of thy purity!