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 fond desire; To catch the wandering of my will, And quench the kindling fire.
That I from Thee no more may part, No more Thy goodness grieve, The filial awe, the feeling heart, The tender conscience, give.
Quick as the glancing of an eye, O God, my conscience make! Awake my soul, when sin is nigh, And keep it still awake.
If to the right or left I stray, That moment, Lord, reprove; And let me weep that hour 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!
Charles Wesley, 1707-88