The Poetical Works of William Cowper (Benham)/Olney Hymns/13. The Covenant
The Lord proclaims his grace abroad!
XIII. THE COVENANT.
Ezek. xxxvi. 25-28
"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 insures,
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."