Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 84

84.
Satan returning.—Matt, xii, 43—45.

1 When Jesus claims the sinner's heart,
Where Satan ruled before,
The evil spirit must depart,
And dares return no more.

2 But when he goes without constraint,
And wanders from his home,
Although withdrawn, 'tis but a feint,—
He means again to come.

3 Some outward change perhaps is seen
If Satan quit the place;
But though the house seem swept and clean.
'Tis destitute of grace.

4 Except the Saviour dwell and reign
Within the sinner's mind,
Satan, when he returns again,
Will easy entrance find.

5 With rage and malice sevenfold
He then resumes his sway;
No more by checks to be control'd,
No more to go away.

6 The sinner's former state was bad,
But worse the latter far;
He lives possessed, blind, and mad,
And dies in dark despair.

7 Lord, save me from this dreadful end!
And from this heart of mine
O drive and keep away the fiend
Who fears no voice but thine.