Christ is the Friend of sinners;

Christ is the Friend of sinners;
Be that forgotten never;
A wounded soul, and not a whole,
Becomes a true believer;
To see sin smarts but slightly;
To own, with lip confession,
Is easier still; but O to feel
Cuts deep beyond expression.

Trust not to joyous fancies,
Light hearts, or smooth behaviour;
Sinners can say, and none but they,
"How precious is the Saviour!"
Then hail, ye happy mourners;
How blest your state to come is!
Ye soon will meet with comfort sweet;
It is the Lord's own promise.

The contrite heart and broken
God will not give to ruin;
This sacrifice he'll not despise,
For 'tis his Spirit's doing.
Then hail, ye happy mourners,
Who pass through tribulation;
Sin's filth and guilt, perceived and felt,
Make known God's great salvation.

Dry doctrine cannot save us,
Blind zeal, or false devotion;
The feeblest prayer, if faith be there,
Exceeds all empty notion.
Then hail, ye happy mourners,
Ye will at last be winners;
By Jesus' blood, the righteous God
Now reconciles poor sinners.
806A 8.6.8.8. Joseph Hart
"Return, thou backsliding Israel." Jer. 3. 12, 14

Come, ye backsliding sons of God,
For many such there are,
Who long the paths of sin have trod,
Come, cast away despair;
Return to Jesus Christ, and see
There's mercy still for such as we.

'Tis true we can't pretend to much
Of usefulness or fruit;
But yet the love of Christ is such,
We still retain the root;
Returning prodigals shall find,
Though they are base, their Father's kind.

The indignation of the Lord
Awhile we will endure,
For we have sinned against his word;
But still his grace is sure;
'Tis all a gift; let no man boast;
For Jesus came to save the lost.