1 Now is the time, the accepted hour,
O! sinners come away'
The Savior's knocking at our door,
Arise without delay.
2 O! don't refuse to give him room,
Lest mercy should withdraw;
He'll then in robes of vengeance come
to execute his law.
3 Then where, poor mortals, will you be,
If destitute of grace,
When you your injured Judge shall see,
And stand before his face.
4 O! could you shun that dreadful sight,
How would you wish to fly,
To the dark shades of endless night,
From that all-searching eye?
5 But death and hell must all appear
And you among them stand;
Before the great impartial bar
Arraigned at Christ's left hand.
6 Let not these warnings be in vain,
But lend a listening ear;
Lest you should meet them all again,
When wrapped in keen despair.
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799
William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >
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