Poem by William Cowper

Olney Hymn 59. A Living and a Dead Faith

    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,
        Show 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 restored
        Return the Saviour words alone.

    With golden bells, the priestly vest,
        And rich pomegranates border'd round, 
    The need of holiness expressed,
        And called 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 sovereign grace,
        Unless that grace has made him free! 

1. Olney Hymn 18. Lovest Thou Me?
2. Olney Hymn 28. Jesus Hasting to Suffer
3. Olney Hymn 32. The Shining Light
4. Olney Hymn 37. Temptation
5. Olney Hymn 44. On Opening a Place for Social Prayer

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