With Satan, my accuser, near <br />My spirit trembled when I saw <br />The Lord in majesty appear, <br />And heart the language of the law. <br /> <br />In vain I wish'd and strove to hide <br />The tatter'd, filthy rags I wore; <br />While my fierce foe insulting cry'd <br />See what you trusted in before! <br /> <br />Struck dumb, and left without a plea, <br />I heard my gracious Saviour say, <br />Know Satan, I this sinner free, <br />I died to take his sin away. <br /> <br />This is a brand which I, in love, <br />To save from wrath and sin design! <br />In vain thy accusations prove; <br />I answer all, and call him mine. <br /> <br />At his rebuke the tempter fled; <br />Then he remov'd my filthy dress; <br />Poor sinner, take this robe, he said, <br />It is thy Saviour's rightousness. <br /> <br />And see, a crown of life prepar'd! <br />That I might thus my head adorn; <br />I thought no shame or suff'ring hard, <br />But wore for thee a crown of thorn. <br /> <br />O how I heard these gracious words! <br />They broke and heal'd my heart at once; <br />Constrained me to become the Lord's, <br />And all my idol-gods renounce. <br /> <br />Now, Satan, thou hast lost thy aim, <br />Against this brand thy threats are vain; <br />JESUS has pluck'd it from the flame, <br />And who shall put it in again?<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-brand-plucked-out-of-the-fire/
