Perfection alone in God
I. Watts C.M.
1
Let all the heathen writers join
To form one perfect book,
Great God, if once compared with thine,
How mean their writings look!
2
Not the most perfect rules they gave,
Could show one sin forgiven,
Nor lead a step beyond the grave;
But thine conduct to heaven.
3
I’ve seen an end to what we call
Perfection here below;
How short the powers of nature fall,
And can no farther go.
4
Yet men would fain be just with God,
By works their hands have wrought;
But thy commands, exceeding broad,
Extend to every thought.
5
In vain we boast perfection here,
While sin defiles our frame;
And sinks our virtues down so far,
They scarce deserve the name.
6
Our faith and love, and every grace,
Fall far below thy word;
But perfect truth and righteousness
Dwell only with the Lord.
