Satan Returning

Melody -

John Newton, 1779, from Olney Hymns, vol. 1, hymn 84

When Jesus claims the sinner's heart,
Where Satan ruled before;
The evil spirit must depart,
And dares return no more.

2. But when he goes without constraint,
And wanders from his home;
Although withdrawn, 'tis but a feint,
He means again to come.

3. Some outward change perhaps is seen
If Satan quit the place;
But though the house seem swept and clean,
'Tis destitute of grace.

4. Except the Saviour dwell and reign
Within the sinner's mind;
Satan, when he returns again,
Will easy entrance find.

5. With rage and malice sevenfold,
He then resumes his sway;
No more by checks to be controlled,
No more to go away.

6. The sinner's former state was bad,
But worse the latter far;
He lives possessed, and blind, and mad,
And dies in dark despair.

7. Lord save me from this dreadful end!
And from this heart of mine,
O drive and keep away the fiend
Who fears no voice but thine.

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