Conviction of sin by the law. <br /> <br />Rom. 7:8,9,14,24. <br /> <br />Lord, how secure my conscience was, <br />And felt no inward dread! <br />I was alive without the law, <br />And thought my sins were dead. <br /> <br />My hopes of heav'n were firm and bright, <br />But since the precept came <br />With a convincing power and light, <br />I find how vile I am. <br /> <br />[My guilt appeared but small before, <br />Till terribly I saw <br />How perfect, holy, just, and pure, <br />Was thine eternal law. <br /> <br />Then felt my soul the heavy load, <br />My sins revived again <br />I had provoked a dreadful God, <br />And all my hopes were slain.] <br /> <br />I'm like a helpless captive, sold <br />Under the power of sin <br />I cannot do the good I would, <br />Nor keep my conscience clean. <br /> <br />My God, I cry with every breath <br />For some kind power to save, <br />To break the yoke of sin and death, <br />And thus redeem the slave.<br /><br />Isaac Watts<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hymn-115/
