# “Pleasing grief and mournful joy” – Lord’s Day Hymn

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2007/07/22/looking-at-the-cross-by-john-newton/
- Published: 2007-07-22T05:29:12-05:00
- Author: tollelege

In evil long I took delight,
 Unawed by shame or fear; Till a new object struck 
my sight, And stopped my wild career.

I saw one hanging on a tree,
 In agonies and blood; Who fixed his languid eyes on
me, As near his cross I stood.

Sure, never till my latest breath,
 Can I forget that look; It seemed to charge 
me with his death, Though not a word he spoke.

My conscience felt, and owned the guilt,
 And plunged me in despair; I saw my sins
his blood had spilt, And helped to nail him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did,
 But now my tears are vain; Where shall my trembling
soul be hid? For I the LORD have slain.

A second look he gave, which said,
 “I freely all forgive; This blood is for thy
ransom paid, I die, that thou may’st live.”

Thus, while his death my sin displays,
 In all its blackest hue; (Such is the mystery
of grace) It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief and mournful joy,
 My spirit now is filled; That I should such
a life destroy, Yet live by him I killed.

–John Newton, [“Hymn 57 – Looking at the Cross,” in _Olney Hymns_](http://www.ccel.org/ccel/newton/olneyhymns.h2_57.html).(
London: W. Oliver, 1779), pp. 250-251.

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