No creature ever could or will
For sin yield satisfaction full;
Yet justice from the creature's hand
Both sought and got its full demand.

Hence though I am, as well I know,
A debtor, yet I nothing owe.
My creditor has nought to say,
Yet never had I ought to pay.

He freely pardoned every mite,
Yet would no single farthing quit.
Hence ev'ry bliss that falls to me
I dearly bought, yet wholly free.

All pardon that I need I have,
Yet daily pardon need to crave.
The law's arrest keeps me in awe,
But yet 'gainst me there is no law.

Though truth my just damnation crave,
Yet truth's engaged my soul to save.
My whole salvation comes by this,
Fair truth and mercy's mutual kiss.

Law-breakers ne'er it's curse have miss'd;
But I ne'er kept it, yet am bless'd.
I can't be justified by it,
And yet I can't but be acquit.

I'm not oblig'd to keep it more,
Yet more oblig'd than e'er before.
By perfect doing life I find,
Yet do and live no more me bind.

These terms no change can undergo,
Yet sweetly changed they are; for lo,
My doing caus'd my life , but now,
My life's the cause that makes me do .

Though works of righteousness I store,
Yet righteousness of works abhor;
For righteousness without a flaw,
Is righteousness without the law .

In duty's way I'm bound to lie,
Yet out of duties bound to fly:
Hence merit I renounce with shame,
Yet right to life by merit claim.

Merit of perfect righteousness
I never had, yet never miss;
On this condition I have all,
Yet all is unconditional.

Though freest mercy I implore,
Yet I am safe on justice' score,
Which never could the guilty free,
Yet fully clears most guilty me.