A hymn by Augustus M. Toplady (1740-1778)
In the lines that follow, Toplady, an Anglican hymn writer, gives a prayer for sanctification in verse.
Empty’d of earth, I fain would be,
of sin, of self, of all but thee;
Reserv’d for Christ that bled and dy’d,
Surrendered to the crucify’d!
Sequester’d from the noise and strife,
The lust, the pomp, and pride of life;
Prepar’d for Heav’n, my noblest care,
And have my conversation there.
Nothing, save Jesus would I know!
My friend, and my companion thou;
Lord take my heart-assert thy right,
And put all other loves to flight.
Each idol tread beneath thy feet,
And to thyself the conquest get:
Let sin no more oppose my Lord,
Slain by thy Spirit’s two-edg’d sword.
Constrain my soul thy sway to own:
Self-will, self-righteousness dethrone:
Let Dagon fall before thy face,
The ark remaining in its place.
Detach from sublunary1 joys
One that would only hear thy voice,
Thy beauty see, thy grace admire,
Nor glow but with celestial fire.
