Source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library (Olney Hymns, 1779)
Source URL: https://ccel.org/ccel/newton/olneyhymns
Public domain basis: First published London, 1779; Newton d. 1807, Cowper d. 1800. CCEL first-edition transcription. US public domain.
Coverage: Complete individual poem extracted from parent edition olney-hymns at bytes 340915-341713; checksum 7bbea9dc25a528165c2ad769a0f8026f407bda202d04a5c51221a6587e4c8779.


# Love constraining to obedience

Hymn 62

William Cowper

8,6,8,6

Love constraining to obedience.

No strength of nature can suffice

To serve the LORD aright;

And what she has, she misapplies,

For want of clearer light.

How long beneath the law I lay

In bondage and distress!

I toiled the precept to obey,

But toiled without success.

Then to abstain from outward sin

Was more than I could do;

Now, if I feel its pow'r within,

I feel I hate it too.

Then all my servile works were done

A righteousness to raise;

Now, freely chosen in the Son,

I freely choose his ways.

What shall I do was then the word,

That I may worthier grow?

What shall I render to the LORD?

Is my enquiry now.

To see the Law by CHRIST fulfilled,

And hear his pard'ning voice;

Changes a slave into a child,
Rom 3:31

And duty into choice.