William Cowper 8,8,8,8 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 Judge's 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 with a soul, by grace restored, Return the Savior words alone. With golden bells, the priestly vest, And rich pomegranates bordered round, The need of holiness expressed, And called 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 and love. But none shall gain the blissful place, Or GOD'S unclouded glory see; Who talks of free and sovereign grace, Unless that grace has made him free. |