Who God doth late and early pray, More of His _grace_ than gifts to lend; And entertains the harmless day With a religious book or friend;-- This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise, or fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands, And having nothing, yet hath all. _Henry Wotton._ Prevenient _grace_ descending had removed The stony from their hearts. _Milton._ But _grace_, abused, brings forth the foulest deeds, As richest soil, the most luxuriant weeds. _Cowper._ My stock lies dead, and no increase, Doth my dull husbandry improve; O let thy _grace_ still without cease, Drop from above! The dew doth every morning fall, And shall the dew outstrip thy dove, The dew for which grass cannot call? Drop from above! Death is still working like a mole, And digs my grave at each remove; Let _grace_ work too, and on my soul Drop from above! Sin is still hammering my heart Unto a hardness void of love; Let suppling _grace_, to cross his art, Drop from above! O come! for Thou dost know the way, Or if to me thou wilt not move, Remove me when I need, and say-- Drop from above! _George Herbert._ I want that _grace_ which springs from Thee, Which quickens all things where it flows, And makes a wretched thorn like me Bloom as the myrtle, or the rose. _Cowper._ All-powerful _Grace_, exert thy gentle sway, And teach my rebel passions to obey; Lest lurking folly, with insidious art, Regain my volatile, inconstant heart! _Mrs. Carter._ O God! how beautiful the thought, How merciful the bless’d decree, That _Grace_ can e’er be found, when sought, And nought shut out the soul from Thee. The cell may cramp, the fetters gall, The flame may scorch, the rack may tear; But torture, stake, or prison-wall, Can be endured with faith and prayer. _Eliza Cook._ This _grace_ is ours: who asks in Thy great name, May ask for all; and with assurance claim The purchased pardon to believers given, The seal of mercy, and the hope of heaven. _Perronet._ Every act Which shunned the trifling plaudit of mankind, Shall here to wondering millions be displayed, A monument of _grace_. _C. P. Layard._