XIII. The Covenant

(Ezekiel, 36:25-28)

The Lord proclaims His grace abroad!

"Behold, I change your hearts of stone;

Each shall renounce his idol-god,

And serve, henceforth, the Lord alone.

"My grace, a flowing stream, proceeds

To wash your filthiness away;

Ye shall abhor your former deeds,

And learn my statutes to obey.

"My truth the great design ensures,

I give myself away to you;

You shall be mine, I will be yours,

Your God unalterably true.

"Yet not unsought or unimplored,

The plenteous grace I shall confer;

No -- your whole hearts shall seek the Lord,

I'll put a praying spirit there.

"From the first breath of life divine

Down to the last expiring hour,

The gracious work shall all be mine,

Begun and ended in my power."

William Cowper