486. I want a principle within

1 I want a principle within,
Of jealous, godly fear;
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near;
I want the first approach to feel,
Of pride or loud desire;
To catch the wandering of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.

2 From thee that I no more may part,
No more thy goodness grieve,
The filial awe, the fleshly heart,
The tender conscience, give.
Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscious make;
Awake my soul when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.

3 If to the right or left I stray,
That moment, Lord, reprove;
And let me weep my life away
For having grieved thy love.
O, may the least omission pain
My well-instructed soul!
And drive me to the blood again
Which makes the wounded whole.

Text Information
First Line: I want a principle within
Author: Charles Wesley
Publication Date: 1886
Topic: The Christian: Hymns for Social Worship
Tune Information
Name: MOUNT BETHEL
Meter: C. M. D.
Key: C Major
Source: Arr. from Richter
Notes: Alternate tunes: #83 or 484.



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