Hymn 56The Heart Healed and Changed by Mercy Sin enslav’d me many years, And led me bound and blind; Till at length a thousand fears Came swarming o’er my mind.Where, I said in deep distress,Will these sinful pleasures end?How shall I secure my peace, And make the Lord my friend? Friends and ministers said much The gospel to enforce; But my blindness still was such, I chose a legal course:Much I fasted, watch’d and strove,Scarce would shew my face abroad,Fear’d almost to speak or move, A stranger still to God. Thus afraid to trust his grace, Long time did I rebel; Till, despairing of my case, Down at his feet I fell:Then my stubborn heart he broke,And subdu’d me to his sway;By a simple word He spoke, „Thy sins are done away.”