Surpris'd I was, but could not tell
Which way to shun the pains of hell,
For they were drawing near;
I strove, indeed, but all in vain,
The sinner must be born again,
Still sounded in my ear.

Then to the law I flew for help,
But still the weight of guilt I felt,
And no relief was found;
While death eternal gave me pain,
The sinner must be born again,
Did loud as thunder sound.

God's justice now I did behold,
And sin lay heavy on my soul,
It was a heavy load;
I read my Bible, it was plain,
The Sinner must be born again,
Or feel the wrath of God.

I heard some tell how Christ did give
His life, to let the sinner live,
But him I could not see;
This solemn truth did still remain,
The sinner must be born again,
Or dwell in misery.

But as my soul, with dying breath,
Was gasping in eternal death,
Christ Jesus I did spy;
Free grace and pardon he proclaim'd,
The sinner now is born again,
With rapture I did cry;
The angels in the world above,
And saints are witness to his love,
Which then my soul enjoy'd;
My soul did mount upon faith's wing,
And glory, glory, in my King,
In Jesus Christ my Lord.

Come, needy sinners, hear me tell
What boundless joys in Jesus dwell,
How mercy doth abound;
Let none of mercy doubting stand,
Since I the chief of sinners am,
Yet I have mercy found.

Are you a sinner? so am I;
It was for sinners Christ did die,
His precious life laid down:
He is the all-atoning Lamb,
For I the chief of sinners am,
Yet I have mercy found.

O come, the love of Jesus try,
Repent, believe, and grace is nigh,
And mercy will you crown:
Defy the tempter, seek the Lamb,
For I the chief of sinners am,
Yet I have mercy found.

O come to Jesus, sinners all,
And at his feet repenting fall,
He will not on you frown;
Sinner, why will you doubting stand,
For I the chief of sinners am,
Yet I have mercy found.