In John Donne's poem “Wilt though forgive that sin where I begun...,” he questions God's ability to forgive human beings-specifically himself-of all their sins, and marvels that no matter how much God absolves him of, he is still unable to avoid sinning. Donne takes the concept of sin very seriously. To him, it is an evil unto itself, and one that ensnares everyone.
He knows that God is capable of forgiving sins, but Donne seems to believe that there is a limit to how much or how often God can forgive. He asks God “Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run/And do run still, though still I do deplore?” He wants to know if God will absolve him of a sin that he keeps committing, although he feels sorry for doing it.
Donne obviously understands the struggle of recognizing when one is doing wrong and asking for forgiveness. But forgiveness isn't enough to keep him from committing the same sin again! Donne struggles against temptation, and as in his previous poems, is very hard on himself when it comes to the state of his immortal soul. He blames himself entirely for succumbing to the temptation to sin, and throws himself on the mercy of God when he repents.
“But swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son/Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore/And having done that, Thou hast done/I fear no more.”
Donne trusts that at his death and final judgment, God the Father will have pity on him and forgive him of all his sins, both past and present, through the intercession of God the Son. Though his earthly struggles pain him, he puts his faith in God's mercy, and hopes to one day be absolved absolutely of his sins, and never to sin again.
