Sin enslaved me many years,
And led me bound and blind;
Till at length a thousand fears
Came swarming o'er my mind.
'Where,' said I, 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 subdued me to His sway;
By a simple word He spoke,
'Thy sins are done away.'
William Cowper
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/olney-hymn-55-the-heart-healed-and-changed-by-mercy/
