A PRAYER by Thomas Ellwood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 22, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 17

A PRAYER.

By Thomas Ellwood

Oh that mine eyes might closed be To what concerns me not to see; That deafness might possess mine ear To what concerns me not to hear; That truth my tongue might always tie From ever speaking foolishly; That no vain thought might ever rest, Or be conceived, within my breast; That by each deed, and word, and thought, Glory may to my God be brought! But what are wishes? Lord, mine eye On thee is fixed, to thee I cry: Wash, Lord, and purify my heart, And make it clean in every part; And when ’tis clean, Lord, keep it, too, For that is more than I can do. —Thomas Ellwood, 1639–1718.