John Newton & William Cowper · 83 of 356

82. Oft as the leper’s case I read

Hymn 82

Oft as the leper’s case I read, My own described I feel; Sin is a leprosy indeed, Which none but CHRIST can heal.

Awhile I would have passed for well, And strove my spots to hide; Till it broke out incurable, Too plain to be denied.

Then from the saints I sought to flee, And dreaded to be seen; I thought they all would point at me, And cry, “Unclean, unclean!”

What anguish did my soul endure, Till hope and patience ceased? The more I strove myself to cure, The more the plague increased.

While thus I lay distressed, I saw The Savior passing by; To him, though filled with shame and awe, I raised my mournful cry.

LORD, thou canst heal me if thou wilt, For thou canst all things do; O cleanse my leprous soul from guilt, My filthy heart renew!

He heard, and with a gracious look, Pronounced the healing word; “I will, be clean” — and while he spoke I felt my health restored.

Come lepers, seize the present hour, The Savior’s grace to prove; He can relieve, for he is pow’r, He will, for he is love.