Text:The Complainer

XIX. The Complainer

1 I set myself against the Lord,
Despis'd his spirit and his word;
And wish'd to take his place:
It vex'd me so, that I must die,
And perish too, eternally,
Or else be sav'd by grace.

2 Of every preacher I'd complain—
One spoke through pride, and one for gain—
Another's learning small;.
This spoke too fast, and one too slow;
One pray'd too loud, and one too low—
Another had no call.

3 Some walk too straight, to make a show;
While others far too crooked go;
And both of these I scorn:
Some, odd fantastic motions make;
Some stoop too low, some stand too straight;
No one is faultless born.

4 With no professor could I join;
Some dress'd too mean, and some too fine,
And some would talk too long:
Some had a tone, some had no gift,
Some talk'd too slow, and some too swift;
And all of them were wrong.

5 I thought they'd better keep at home,
Than to exhort where e'er they come,
And tell us of their joys.
They'd better keep their gardens free
From weeds, than to examine me,
And vex me with their noise.

6 Kindred and neighbours all were bad,
And no true friends were to be had;
My rulers were too vile.
At length I was brought for to see,
The fault did mostly lie on me,
And had done all the while.

7 The horrid loads of guilt and shame,
Being conscious too I was to blame,
Did wound my frighted soul:
I've sinn'd so much against my God,
I'm crouch'd so low beneath his rod,
How can I be made whole?

8 Why, there is balm in Gilead,
And a physician to be had,
A balsam too most free:
Only believe on God's dear Son;
Through him the victory is won—
Christ Jesus dy'd for me.

9 O! Christ's free love's a boundless sea!
What, to expire for such as me!
Yes; 'tis a truth divine.
My heart did melt, my soul o'er-run
With love, to see what God had done,
For souls as vile as mine.

10 Now I can hear a child proclaim
The joyful news, and praise the name
Of Jesus Christ my King:
I know no sect—Christians are one—
With my complaints I now have done,
And God's free grace I sing.

Text Information
First Line: I set myself against the Lord
Title: The Complainer
Meter: Particular Metre
Language: English
Publication Date: 1793
Tune Information
(No tune information)



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