Christian Classics
‹ Olney Hymns

John Newton & William Cowper · 85 of 356

84. When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart

Hymn 84

When Jesus claims the sinner’s heart, Where Satan ruled before; The evil spirit must depart, And dares return no more.

But when he goes without constraint, And wanders from his home; Although withdrawn, ’tis but a feint, He means again to come.

Some outward change perhaps is seen If Satan quit the place; But though the house seem swept and clean, ’Tis destitute of .

Except the Savior dwell and reign Within the sinner’s mind; Satan, when he returns again, Will easy entrance find.

With rage and malice sevenfold, He then resumes his sway; No more by checks to be controlled, No more to go away.

The sinner’s former state was bad, But worse the latter far; He lives possessed, and blind, and mad, And dies in dark despair.

Lord save me from this dreadful end! And from this heart of mine, O drive and keep away the fiend Who fears no voice but thine.