Let All the Heathen Writers Join

Let all the heath­en writ­ers join

To form one per­fect book;

Great God

if once co­mpared with Thine

How mean their writ­ings look!

Not the most per­fect rules they gave

Could show one sin for­giv’n

Nor lead a step be­yond the grave;

But Thine con­duct to Heav’n.

I’ve seen an end to what we call

Perfection here be­low;

How short the pow­ers of na­ture fall

And can no fur­ther go:

Yet men would fain be just with God

By works their hands have wrought;

But Thy com­mands

ex­ceed­ing broad

Extend to ev­ery thought.

In vain we boast per­fect­ion here

While sin de­files our frame

And sinks our vir­tues down so far

They scarce de­serve the name.

Our faith and love

and ev­ery grace

Fall far be­low Thy Word;

But per­fect truth and right­eous­ness

Dwell on­ly with the Lord.