When darkness long has veiled my mind,
and smiling day once more appears,
then, my Redeemer, then I find
the follow of my doubts and fears.
Straight I upbraid my wandering heart,
and blush that I should ever be
Thus prone to act so base a part
or harbor one hard thought of Thee.
Oh! Let me then at length be taught
what I am still so slow to learn;
that God is love and changes not,
nor knows the shadow of a turn.
Sweet truth, and easy to repeat!
But when my faith is sharply tried,
I find myself a learner yet,
unskillful, weak, and apt to slide.
–William Cowper (1731-1800)
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