The Heart Healed and Changed by Mercy

Sin enslaved me many years,
And led me bound and blind;

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, watched and strove,
Scarce would show my face abroad,
Feared 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