Page:The poetical works of William Cowper (IA poeticalworksof00cowp).pdf/114


 * The paschal sacrifice
 * And blood-besprinkled door,
 * Seen with enlightened eyes,
 * And once applied with power,

Would teach the need of other blood, To reconcile an angry God.


 * The Lamb, the Dove, set forth
 * His perfect innocence,
 * Whose blood of matchless worth
 * Should be the soul's defence;

For he who can for sin atone Must have no failings of his own.


 * The scape-goat on his head
 * The people's trespass bore,
 * And to the desert led,
 * Was to be seen no more:

In him our Surety seemed to say, "Behold, I bear your sins away."


 * Dipt in his fellow's blood,
 * The living bird went free;
 * The type, well understood,
 * Expressed the sinner's plea;

Described a guilty soul enlarged, And by a Saviour's death discharged.


 * Jesus, I love to trace,
 * Throughout the sacred page,
 * The footsteps of thy grace,
 * The same in every age!

Oh grant that I may faithful be To clearer light vouchsafed to me!

" to Sardis," saith the Lord,
 * "And write what he declares,

He whose Spirit, and whose word,
 * Upholds the seven stars:—

All thy works and ways I search,
 * Find thy zeal and love decayed;

Thou art called a living church,
 * But thou art cold and dead.

"Watch, remember, seek, and strive,
 * Exert thy former pains;

Let thy timely care revive,
 * And strengthen what remains;

Cleanse thine heart, thy works amend,
 * Former times to mind recall,

Lest my sudden stroke descend,
 * And smite thee once for all.

"Yet I number now in thee
 * A few that are upright;

These my Father's face shall see,
 * And walk with me in white.

When in judgment I appear,
 * They for mine shall be confessed;

Let my faithful servants hear,—
 * And woe be to the rest!"

, dear Lord, upon our youth,
 * The gift of saving grace;

And let the seed of sacred truth
 * Fall in a fruitful place.

Grace is a plant, where'er it grows,
 * Of pure and heavenly root;

But fairest in the youngest shows,
 * And yields the sweetest fruit.

Ye careless ones, oh hear betimes
 * The voice of sovereign love!

Your youth is stained with many crimes,
 * But Mercy reigns above.

True, you are young, but there's a stone
 * Within the youngest breast;

Or half the crimes which you have done
 * Would rob you of your rest.

For you the public prayer is made;
 * Oh join the public prayer!

For you the secret tear is shed;
 * Oh shed yourselves a tear!

We pray that you may early prove
 * The Spirit's power to teach;

You cannot be too young to love
 * That Jesus whom we preach.

has undone our wretched race;
 * But Jesus has restored,

And brought the sinner face to face
 * With his forgiving Lord.

This we repeat from year to year,
 * And press upon our youth;

Lord, give them an attentive ear,
 * Lord, save them by thy truth!