Words: , Hymns and Sac­red Po­ems, 1749.

Music: Red­head, , Church Hymn Tunes, An­cient and Mo­dern (Lon­don: 1853).

When Gro­ti­us was re­turn­ing from Swe­den in 1645, to spend his last days in Holl­and, his ship was wrecked on the coast of Pom­er­an­ia. He made his way with dif­fi­cul­ty to Ros­tock, where his strength gave way. On his death-bed Quis­torp vis­it­ed him, and spoke of the pub­li­can on whom God had mer­cy as he prayed. Gro­ti­us re­plied, ‘Ego il­le sum pub­li­cans’ (‘I am that pub­li­can’). A short time af­ter the great schol­ar passed to his rest.


Savior, Prince of Israel’s race,
See me from Thy lofty throne;
Give the sweet relenting grace,
Soften this obdurate stone!
Stone to flesh, O God, convert;
Cast a look, and break my heart!

By Thy Spirit, Lord, reprove,
All my inmost sins reveal,
Sins against Thy light and love
Let me see, and let me feel;
Sins that crucified my God,
Spilt again Thy precious blood.

Jesu, seek Thy wandering sheep,
Make me restless to return;
Bid me look on Thee, and weep,
Bitterly as Peter mourn,
Till I say, by grace restored,
“Now Thou know’st I love Thee, Lord!”

Might I in Thy sight appear,
As the publican distressed,
Stand, not daring to draw near,
Smite on my unworthy breast,
Groan the sinner’s only plea,
“God, be merciful to me!”

O remember me for good,
Passing through the mortal vale!
Show me the atoning blood,
When my strength and spirit fail;
Give my gasping soul to see
Jesus crucified for me!