The Sinner—Christ the Way of Life

1Not all the outward forms on earth,
Nor rites that God has given,
Nor will of man, nor blood, nor birth,
Can raise a soul to heaven.

2The sovereign will of God alone
Creates us heirs of grace;
Born in the image of his Son,
A new, peculiar race.

3The Spirit, like some heavenly wind,
Breathes on the sons of flesh,
New-moulds all the carnal mind,
And forms the man afresh.

4Our quickened souls awake and rise
From the long sleep of death;
On heavenly things we fix our eyes,
And praise employs our breath.