Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LOOKING AT THE CROSS, by JOHN NEWTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LOOKING AT THE CROSS, by                    
First Line: In evil long I took delight
Last Line: Yet live by him I killed.
Subject(s): Jesus Christ


In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career.
I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.

Sure, never till my latest breath
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word he spoke.
My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins His blood had spilt,
And helped to nail Him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did:
But now my tears are vain;
Where shall my trembling soul be bid?
For I the Lord have slain.
A second look He gave, which said,
"I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid,
I die that thou mayst live."

Thus while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue;
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.
With pleasing grief and mournful joy
My spirit now is filled,
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by Him I killed.





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