by John Newton, Oft as the leper's case I read
“ The leper by John NewtonOft as the leper's case I read, My own described I feel; Sin is a leprosy indeed, Which none but CHRIST can heal. Awhile I would have passed for well, And strove my spots to hide; Till it broke out incurable, Too plain to be denied. Then from the saints I sought to flee, And dreaded to be seen; I thought they all would point at me, And cry, "Unclean, unclean!" What anguish did my soul endure, Till hope and patience ceased? The more I strove myself to cure, The more the plague increased. ”
