In Evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear.
Till a new object struck my sight,
and stopp’d my wild career:
I saw one hanging on a tree
By agonies and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
as near His cross I stood.
Sure never till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look:
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a Word I spoke:
My conscience felt and own’d the guilt
and plunged me in despair:
I saw my sins,His blood had spilt,
and helped to nail Him there
Alas I knew not what I did!
But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord hath slain!
-a second look He gave which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for my ransom aid:
I die that thou may’st live.”
Thus while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue:
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.
With pleasing grief, and mournful joy,
My spirit now is filled,
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by him I killed
By John Newton-(Author of Amazing grace- former slave owner and slave, a man so depraved even his fellow sailors abhored Him, but saved by Amazing grace of God!)
