Source: Project Gutenberg #13341
Source URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13341
Public domain basis: Isaac Watts, Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707; 1818 Corrall printing in PG #13341). Author d. 1748. US public domain.
Coverage: Complete individual poem extracted from parent edition watts-hymns-and-spiritual-songs at bytes 52329-53421; checksum 22bffcb9992c3ae236440841382a7da2e416900e6ba01a2034e7a1915a37bac3.


# Original sin; or, The first and second Adam,

Hymn 1:57.
Original sin; or, The first and second Adam,
Rom. 5. 12. Psalm 51. 5. Job 11. 4.

1 Backward with humble shame we look
On our original;
How is our nature dash'd and broke
In our first father's fall!

2 To all that's good averse and blind,
But prone to all that's ill
What dreadful darkness veils our mind!
How obstinate our will!

3 [Conceiv'd in sin (O wretched state!)
Before we draw our breath,
The first young pulse begins to beat
Iniquity and death.

4 How strong in our degenerate blood
The old corruption reigns,
And, mingling with the crooked flood,
Wanders thro' all our veins!]

5 Wild and unwholesome as the root
Will all the branches be;
How can we hope for living fruit
From such a deadly tree?

6 What mortal power from things unclean
Can pure productions bring?
Who can command a vital stream
From an infected spring?]

7 Yet, mighty God, thy wondrous love
Can make our nature clean,
While Christ and grace prevail above
The tempter, death, and sin.

8 The second Adam shall restore
The ruins of the first,
Hosanna to that sovereign power
That new creates our dust.