Catherine Winkworth (trans. & ed.) · 118 of 213
113. Pure essence! Spotless Fount of Light
(Index of Tunes, LXV.)
Tune.--"My Jesus, if the Seraphim."
Pure essence! Spotless Fount of Light, That fadeth never into dark! O Thou, whose eyes, more clear and bright Than noonday sun, are quick to mark Our sins; lo, bare before Thy face Lies all the desert of my heart, My once fair soul in ev'ry part Now stain'd with evil foul and base.
Since but the pure in heart are blest With promised vision of their God, Sore fear and anguish fill my breast, Rememb'ring all the ways I trod; Mourning I see my lost estate, And yet in faith I dare to cry, Oh let my evil nature die, Another heart in me create!
Enough, Lord, that my foe too well Hath lured me once away from Thee; Henceforth I know his craft how fell, And all his deep-laid snares I flee. Lord, through the Spirit whom Thy Son Hath bidden us in prayer to ask, Arm us with might that every task, Whate'er we do, in Thee be done.
Unworthy am I of Thy , So deep are my , Lord, And yet once more I seek Thy face; My God, have mercy, nor reward My sins and follies, dark and vain; Reject, reject me not in wrath, But let Thy sunshine now beam forth, And me with hope again.
The Holy Spirit Thou hast given, The wondrous pledge of love divine, Who fills our hearts with joys of heaven, And bids us earthly toys resign; Oh let His seal be on my heart, Oh take Him nevermore away, Until this fleshly house decay, And Thou shalt bid me hence depart.
But ah! my coward spirit droops, Sick with the fear that enters in Whene'er a soul to bondage stoops, And wears the shameful yoke of sin; Oh with the strength that flows From out the Eternal Fount of Life, My soul half-fainting in the strife, And make an end of all my woes.
I cling unto Thy alone, Thy steadfast oath my only rest; To Thee, Heart-searcher, all is known That lieth hidden in my breast; Thy Joy, O Spirit, on me pour, Thy servent will my inspire, So shall I have my heart's desire, And serve and praise Thee evermore.
O reines Wesen, lautre Quelle