I Want a Principle Within

Verse 1

I want a principle within
of watchful, godly fear,
a sensibility of sin,
a pain to feel it near.

I want the first
approach to feel
of pride or wrong desire,
to catch the wandering
of my will,
and quench the kindling fire.

Verse 2

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.

Verse 3

Almighty God
of truth and love,
to me thy power impart;
the mountain from
my soul remove,
the hardness from my heart.

O may the least omission pain
my reawakened soul,
and drive me to
that blood again,
which makes the
wounded whole.