A Living and a Dead Faith
Olney Hymns, William Cowper, from Cowper's Poems, Sheldon & Company, New York
The Lord receives His highest praise To walk as children of the day, Not words alone it cost the Lord, With golden bells, the priestly vest, Easy indeed it were to reach But none shall gain the blissful place,From humble minds and hearts sincere;
While all the loud professor says
Offends the righteous Judge's ear.
To mark the precept's holy light,
To wage the warfare, watch, and pray,
Shew who are pleasing in His sight.
To purchase pardon for His own;
Nor will a soul by grace restored
Return the Saviour words alone.
And rich pomegranates border'd round,
The need of holiness express'd,
And call'd for fruit as well as sound.
A mansion in the courts above,
If swelling words and fluent speech
Might serve instead of faith and love.
Or God's unclouded glory see,
Who talks of free and sovereign grace,
