William Cowper on the Lord's Day

[VirginiaHuguenot]

William Cowper, The Progress of Error:

O Italy!—Thy Sabbaths will be soon
Our Sabbaths, closed with mummery and buffoon.
Preaching and pranks will share the motley scene,
Ours parcelled out, as thine have ever been,
God’s worship and the mountebank between.
What says the prophet? Let that day be blest
With holiness and consecrated rest.
Pastime and business, both it should exclude,
And bar the door the moment they intrude;
Nobly distinguish’d above all the six
By deeds in which the world must never mix.
Hear him again. He calls it a delight,
A day of luxury observed aright,
When the glad soul is made Heaven’s welcome guest,
Sits banqueting, and God provides the feast.
But triflers are engaged and cannot come;
Their answer to the call is—Not at home.

 

[Barnpreacher]

Cowper's life story is quite fascinating. The seasons of darkness even after conversion are an interesting study. He's always been someone that has caught my attention because we share the same date of birth. Though definitely not the same year. He sure penned some incredible works.