Before Elisha’s Gate

Before Eli­sha’s gate

The Sy­ri­an le­per stood;

But could not brook to wait

He deemed him­self too good:

He thought the pro­phet would at­tend

And not to him a mes­sage send.

Have I this jour­ney come

And will he not be seen?

I ere was well at home

Would wash­ing make me clean:

Why must I wash in Jor­dan’s flood?

Damascus’ riv­ers are as good.

Thus by his fool­ish pride

He al­most missed a cure;

Howe’er at length he tried

And found the me­thod sure:

Soon as his pride as brought to yield

The le­pro­sy as quick­ly healed.

Leprous and proud as he

To Je­sus thus I came

From sin to set me free

When first I heard His fame:

Surely

thought I

my pom­pous train

Of vows and tears will no­tice gain.

My heart de­vised the way

Which I su­pposed He’d take;

And when I found de­lay

Was rea­dy to go back:

Had He some pain­ful task en­joined

I to per­form­ance seemed in­clined.

When by His word He spake

That fount­ain op­ened see;

’Twas op­ened for thy sake

Go wash

and thou art free:

O! how did my proud heart gain­say

I feared to trust this sim­ple way.

At length I tri­al made

When I had much en­dured;

The mes­sage I ob­eyed

I washed

and I was cured:

Sinners

this heal­ing fount­ain try

Which cleansed a retch so vile as I.