Hymn 262 - I Want a Principle Within

I want a principle within

Of watchful godly fear,

A sensibility of sin,

A pain to feel it near.

Help me the first approach to feel

Of pride or wrong desire;

To catch the wand’ring of my will,

And quench the kindling fire.

From Thee that I no more may stray,

No more Thy goodness grieve,

Grant me the filial awe, I pray,

The tender conscience give;

Quick as the apple of an eye,

O God, my conscience make!

Awake my soul when sin is nigh,

And keep it still awake.

Almighty God of truth and love,

To me Thy power impart;

The burden from my soul remove,

The hardness from my heart.

O may the least omission pain

My reawakened soul,

And drive me to that grace again,

Which makes the wounded whole.