William Cowper (1731–1800)

No strength of nature can suffice

        To serve the Lord aright;

And what she has, she misapplies,

        For want of clearer light.

How long beneath the law I lay

        In bondage and distress!

I toll’d the precept to obey,

        But toil’d without success.

Then to abstain from outward sin

        Was more than I could do;

Now, if I feel its pow’r within,

        I feel I hate it too.

Then all my servile works were done

        A righteousness to raise;

Now, freely chosen in the Son,

        I freely choose his ways.

What shall I do, was then the word,

        That I may worthier grow?

What shall I render to the Lord?

        Is my inquiry now.

To see the Law by Christ fulfill’d,

        And hear his pard’ning voice;

Changes a slave into a child,

        And duty into choice.