Come, all ye mourning pilgrims, Who feel your need of Christ

1 Come all ye mourning pilgrims,
Who feel your need of Christ,
Surrounded by temptation,
And by the world despis'd ;
Attend to what I tell you,
My exercise I'll show,
And then you may inform me
If it's been so with you.

2 Long time I liv'd in darkness,
Nor saw my dismal state,
And when I was awaken'd
I thought it was too late
A lost and helpless sinner
Myself I plainly saw,
Expos'd to God's displeasure,
Condemned by the law.

3 I thought the brute creation
Were better off than me
I spent my days in anguish,
No pleasure could I see,
Through deep distress and sorrow
My Saviour led me on,
Then show'd his love unto me
When all my hope was gone.

4 But when I was deliver'd,
I scarcely can believe
To think so vile a sinner
A pardon could receive.
And when the solemn praises
Were flowing from my tongue,
Yet fears were often rising,
That I might still be wrong.

5 But when these fears were banish'd,
My tears began to flow,
To think so vile a sinner
Should be beloved so.
I thought my trials over,
And all my troubles gone,
That peace and joy and pleasure
Would be my lot alone.

6 But now I find a warfare
Which often brings me low,
The world, the flesh, and Satan,
They do beset me so ;
Can one that is a Christian
Have such a heart as mine?
I fear I never felt the
Effects of love divine.

7 And when I see young converts
How swiftly they go on,
How shining their experience,
They witness like the sun ;
How bold they speak for Jesus,
How dearly love his name,
Though they are my delight, they
Do put my soul to shame.

8 I find I'm often backward
To do my master's will,
Or else I want the glory
Of what I do but ill ;
In duty I am weak, and,
Alas ! I often find
A hard deceitful heart and
A wretched wand'ring mind.

9 Sure others do not feel what
Is often felt by me,
Such trials and temptations
Perhaps they never see ;
For I'm the chief of sinners,
I freely own with Paul,
And if I am a Christian,
I am the least of all.

10 And now I have related
The trials I have seen,
Perhaps my brethren know what
Such sore temptations mean ;
I've told you of my conflicts,
Believe me, for 'tis true,
And now you may inform me
If it's been so with you.

Source: A Collection of original and select hymns and spiritual songs: for the use of Christian societies #XLVI