I hate the tempter and his charms

Verse 1

I hate the tempter and his charms, I hate his flatt'ring breath; The serpent takes a thousand forms To cheat our souls to death.

Verse 2

He feeds our hopes with airy dreams, Or kills with slavish fear; And holds us still in wide extremes, Presumption or despair.

Verse 3

Now he persuades, "How easy 'tis To walk the road to heav'n;" Anon he swells our sins, and cries, "They cannot be forgiv'n."

Verse 4

He bids young sinners "yet forbear To think of God, or death; For prayer and devotion are But melancholy breath."

Verse 5

He tells the aged, "they must die, "And 'tis too late to pray; In vain for mercy now they cry, For they have lost their day."

Verse 6

Thus he supports his cruel throne By mischief and deceit, And drags the sons of Adam down To darkness and the pit.

Verse 7

Almighty God, cut short his power, Let him in darkness dwell And that he vex the earth no more, Confine him down to hell.