John Newton 8,6,8,6 Satan returning. 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 But when he goes without constraint, And wanders from his home; Although withdrawn, 'tis but a feint, He means again to come.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 grace. 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. |