In evil long I took delight,
\nUnawed by shame or fear,
\nTill a new object struck my sight,
\nAnd stopp’d my wild career:
\nI saw One hanging on a Tree
\nIn agonies and blood,
\nWho fix’d His languid eyes on me.
\nAs near His Cross I stood.<\/p>\n
Sure never till my latest breath,
\nCan I forget that look:
\nIt seem’d to charge me with His death,
\nThough not a word He spoke:
\nMy conscience felt and own’d the guilt,
\nAnd plunged me in despair:
\nI saw my sins His Blood had spilt,
\nAnd help’d to nail Him there.
Alas! I knew not what I did!
\nBut now my tears are vain:
\nWhere shall my trembling soul be hid?
\nFor I the Lord have slain!<\/p>\n
A second look He gave, which said,
\n“I freely all forgive;
\nThis blood is for thy ransom paid;
\nI die that thou may’st live.”<\/p>\n
Thus, while His death my sin displays
\nIn all its blackest hue,
\nSuch is the mystery of grace,
\nIt seals my pardon too.
\nWith pleasing grief, and mournful joy,
\nMy spirit now if fill’d,
\nThat I should such a life destroy,
\nYet live by Him I kill’d!<\/p>\n
–John Newton (1725-1807)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 In agonies and blood, Who fix’d His languid eyes on…<\/span><\/p>\n