Then felt my soul the heavy load

My hopes of heaven were firm and bright,
But since the precept came
With a convincing power and light,
I find how vile I am.

My guilt appear’d but small before,
Till terribly I saw
How perfect, holy, just, and pure,
Was thine eternal law.

Then felt my soul the heavy load,
My sins reviv’d again,
I had provok’d a dreadful God,
And all my hopes were slain.

–Isaac Watts