The Covenant by William Cowper
(Ezekiel, xxxvi. 25-28)
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 I shall 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."
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