Abuse Of The Gospel.

Too many, Lord, abuse thy grace,
In this licentious day;
And while they boast they see thy face,
They turn their own away.


Thy book displays a gracious light
That can the blind restore;
But these are dazzled by the sight,
And blinded still the more.


The pardon, such presume upon,
They do not beg, but steal;
And when they plead it at thy throne,
Oh! wheres the Spirits seal?


Was it for this, ye lawless tribe,
The dear Redeemer bled?
Is this the grace the saints imbibe
From Christ the living head?


Ah, Lord, we know thy chosen few
Are fed with heavenly fare;
But these, the wretched husks they chew
Proclaim them what they are.


The liberty our hearts implore
Is not to live in sin;
But still to wait at wisdoms door,
Till mercy calls us in.

William Cowper

William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist known for his contributions to English literature and the Evangelical revival of the 18th century. He suffered from periods of severe depression and mental illness, which influenced much of his work. Despite his struggles, Cowper produced notable works including 'Olney Hymns' in collaboration with John Newton and 'The Task,' which gained considerable popularity. His poetry is often characterized by its introspective, religious, and sometimes melancholic themes.

William Cowper

The Shrubbery. Written In A Time Of Affliction.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

The Waiting Soul.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Cowpers Reply.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

Retirement.

William Cowper, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

A Living And A Dead Faith.

The Lord receives his highest praise
From humble minds and hearts sincere;
While all the loud professor says
Offends the righteous Judges ear.


To walk as children of the day,
To mark the precepts holy light,
To wage the warfare, watch, and pray,
Show who are pleasing in his sight.


Not words alone it cost the Lord,
To purchase pardon for his own;
Nor will a soul, by grace restored,
Return the Saviour words alone.


With golden bells, the priestly vest,
And rich pomegranates borderd round,^[1]
The need of holiness expressd,
And calld for fruit, as well as sound.


Easy, indeed, it were to reach
A mansion in the courts above,
If swelling words and fluent speech
Might serve, instead of faith...

William Cowper

The New Convert.

The new-born child of gospel grace,
Like some fair tree when summers nigh,
Beneath Emmanuels shining face
Lifts up his blooming branch on high.


No fears he feels, he sees no foes,
No conflict yet his faith employs,
Nor has he learnt to whom he owes
The strength and peace his soul enjoys.


But sin soon darts its cruel sting,
And comforts sinking day by day:
What seemd his own, a self-fed spring,
Proves but a brook that glides away.


When Gideon armd his numerous host,
The Lord soon made his numbers less;
And said, Lest Israel vainly boast,^[1]
My arm procured me this success.


Thus will he bring our spirits down,
And draw our ebbing comforts low,
That, saved by grace, but not our own,

William Cowper

Mourning And Longing.

The Saviour hides his face!
My spirit thirsts to prove
Renewd supplies of pardoning grace,
And never-fading love.


The favourd souls who know
What glories shine in him,
Pant for his presence as the roe
Pants for the living stream!


What trifles tease me now!
They swarm like summer flies,
They cleave to everything I do,
And swim before my eyes.


How dull the Sabbath-day,
Without the Sabbaths Lord!
How toilsome then to sing and pray,
And wait upon the word!


Of all the truths I hear,
How few delight my taste!
I glean a berry here and there,
But mourn the vintage past.


Yet let me (as I ought)
Still hope to be supplied;
No pleasure else is worth a thought,
Nor shall I be ...

William Cowper

The Heart Healed And Changed By Mercy.

Sin enslaved me many years,
And led me bound and blind;
Till at length a thousand fears
Came swarming oer my mind.


Where, I said, in deep distress,
Will these sinful pleasures end?
How shall I secure my peace,
And make the Lord my friend?


Friends and ministers said much
The gospel to enforce;
But my blindness still was such,
I chose a legal course:
Much I fasted, watchd, and strove,
Scarce would show my face abroad,
Feard almost to speak or move,
A stranger still to God.


Thus afraid to trust his grace,
Long time did I rebel;
Till, despairing of my case,
Down at his feet I fell:
Then my stubborn heart he broke,
And subdued me to his sway;
By a simple word he spoke,
Thy sins are done ...

William Cowper

Love Constraining To Obedience.

No strength of nature can suffice
To serve the Lord aright:
And what she has she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.


How long beneath the law I lay
In bondage and distress!
I toild the precept to obey,
But toild without success.


Then, to abstain from outward sin
Was more than I could do;
Now, if I feel its power within,
I feel I hate it too.


Then, all my servile works were done
A righteousness to raise;
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose his ways.


What shall I do, was then the word,
That I may worthier grow?
What shall I render to the Lord?
Is my inquiry now.


To see the law by Christ fulfilld,
And hear his pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a ch...

William Cowper

Self-Acquaintance.

Dear Lord! accept a sinful heart,
Which of itself complains,
And mourns, with much and frequent smart,
The evil it contains.


There fiery seeds of anger lurk,
Which often hurt my frame;
And wait but for the tempters work,
To fan them to a flame.


Legality holds out a bribe
To purchase life from thee;
And discontent would fain prescribe
How thou shalt deal with me.


While unbelief withstands thy grace,
And puts the mercy by;
Presumption, with a brow of brass,
Says, Give me, or I die.


How eager are my thoughts to roam
In quest of what they love!
But ah! when duty calls them home,
How heavily they move!


Oh, cleanse me in a Saviours blood,
Transform me by thy power,
And make...

William Cowper