William Cowper (1731–1800)

        Sin enslav’d me many years,

                And led me bound and blind;

        Till at length a thousand fears

                Came swarming o’er my mind.

Where, I said in deep distress,

Will these sinful pleasures end?

How shall I secure my peace,

                And make the Lord my friend?

        Friends and ministers said much

                The gospel to enforce;

        But my blindness still was such,

                I chose a legal course:

Much I fasted, watch’d and strove,

Scarce would shew my face abroad,

Fear’d almost to speak or move,

                A stranger still to God.

        Thus afraid to trust his grace,

                Long time did I rebel;

        Till, despairing of my case,

                Down at his feet I fell:

Then my stubborn heart he broke,

And subdu’d me to his sway;

By a simple word He spoke,

                „Thy sins are done away.”