Religion

The Covenant

by William Cowper 1731–1800

From Olney Hymns

Religion

The Lord proclaims his grace abroad!
Behold, I change your hearts of stone;
Each shall renounce his idol-god,
And serve, henceforth, the Lord alone.

My grace, a flowing stream, proceeds
To wash your filthiness away;
Ye shall abhor your former deeds,
And learn my statutes to obey.

My truth the great design ensures,
I give myself away to you;
You shall be mine, I will be yours,
Your God unalterably true.

Yet not unsought, or unimplored,
The plenteous grace shall I confer;
No--your whole hearts shall seek the Lord,
I'll put a praying spirit there.

From the first breath of life divine,
Down to the last expiring hour,
The gracious work shall all be mine,
Begun and ended in my power.

✦ ✦ ✦

Ezek. xxxvi. 25-28.

MLA

Cowper, William. “The Covenant.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/164/.

Chicago

Cowper, William. “The Covenant.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/164/.

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