Having the Form of Godliness

Verse 1

Long have I seem'd to serve the Lord, With unavailing pain; Fasted, and pray'd, and read thy word, And heard it preach'd in vain.

Verse 2

Oft did I with the assembly join, And near thy altar drew, A form of godliness was mine, The pow'r I never knew.

Verse 3

I rested in the outward law, Nor knew its deep design; The length and breadth I never saw, The heighth of love divine.

Verse 4

To please thee thus, at length I see, Vainly I hop'd and strove: For what are outward things to thee, Unless they spring from love?

Verse 5

I see the perfect law requires, Truth in the inward parts; Our full consent, our whole desires, Our undivided hearts.

Verse 6

But I of means have made my boast, Of means an idol made! The spirit in the letter lost, The substance in the shade!

Verse 7

Where am I now or what my hope? What can my weakness do? Jesu, to thee, my soul looks up: ’Tis thou must make it new.