William Cowper (1731–1800)

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,

Shew who are pleasing in his sight.

Not words alone it cost the Lord,

To purchase pardon for his own;

Nor will a soul, by grace restor’d

Return the Saviour words alone.

With golden bells, the priestly vest,

And rich pomegranates border’d round,

The need of holiness express’d,

And call’d 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 sov’reign grace,

Unless that grace has made him free.