I want a principle within

I want a principle within

Of watchful, godly fear,

A sensibility of sin,

A pain to feel it near.

I want the first approach to feel

Of pride or wrong desire

To catch the wand’ring of my will,

And quench the kindling fire.

From Thee that I no more may part,

No more Thy goodness grieve,

The filial awe, the fleshly heart,

The tender conscience, give.

Quick as the apple of an eye,

O God, my conscience make;

Awake my soul when sin is nigh,

And keep it still awake.

Almighty God of truth and love,

To me Thy pow’r impart;

The mountain from my soul remove,

The hardness from my heart.

Oh, may the least omission pain

My reawakened soul,

And drive me to that blood again,

Which makes the wounded whole.

- Charles Wesley