1 Descend, holy spirit the dove,
And visit a sorrowful breast,
My burden of guild to remove,
And bring me assurance and rest:
Thou only hast pow'r to relieve
A sinner o'erwhelm'd with his load,
The sense of election to give,
And sprinkle his heart with the blood.

2 With me, if of old thou hast strove,
And kindly withheld me from sin;
Resolv'd by the force of thy love,
My worthless affections to win;
The work of thy mercy revive,
Invincible mercy exert,
And keep my weak graces alive,
And set up thy rest in my heart.

3 If when I have put thee to grief,
And madly to folly return'd,
Thy goodness hath been my relief,
And lifted me up as I mourn'd;
Most pitiful spirit of grace,
Relieve me again, and restore,
MY spirit in holiness raise,
To fall and to grieve thee no more.

4 If now I lament after God,
And pant for a drop of his love,
If Jesus, who pour'd out his blood,
Obtain me a mansion above;
Come, heavenly comforter come,
Sweet witness of mercy divine!
And make me thy permanent home,
And seal me eternally thine.