Fire and Ice: Puritan and Reformed Writings
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Bitter and Sweet

by John Newton


1 Kindle, Saviour, in my heart,
     A flame of love divine;
Hear, for mine I trust thou art,
     And sure I would be thine;
If my soul has felt thy grace,
If to me thy name is known;
Why should trifles fill the place
     Due to thyself alone?

2 'Tis a strange mysterious life
     I live from day to day;
Light and darkness, peace and strife,
     Bear an alternate sway:
When I think the battle won,
I have to fight it o'er again;
When I say I'm overthrown,
     Relief I soon obtain.

3 Often at the mercy-seat,
     While calling on thy name,
Swarms of evil thoughts I meet,
     Which fill my soul with shame.
Agitated in my mind,
Like a feather in the air,
Can I thus a blessing find?
     My soul, can this be pray'r?

4 But when Christ, my Lord and Friend,
     Is pleas'd to show his pow'r
All at once my troubles end,
     And I've a golden hour;
Then I see his smiling face,
Feel the pledge of joys to come:
Often, Lord, repeat this grace
     Till thou shalt call me home.


Index to the Poems of John Newton
Index to the Writings of John Newton
Poetry Index


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