William Cowper: Quotes about God

William Cowper was (1731–1800) English poet and hymnodist. Explore interesting quotes on god.
William Cowper: 348 quotes8 likes

“Nature is but a name for an effect,
Whose cause is God.”

William Cowper The Task

Source: The Task (1785), Book VI, Winter Walk at Noon, Line 223.

“Built God a church, and laugh'd his word to scorn.”

William Cowper Retirement

Source: Retirement (1782), Line 688.

“God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.”

William Cowper

The opening statement is often paraphrased: God moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.
No. 35, "Light Shining out of Darkness".
Olney Hymns (1779)

“God made the country, and man made the town.”

William Cowper The Task

Source: The Task (1785), Book I, The Sofa, Line 749.

“But many a crime deem'd innocent on earth
Is register'd in Heaven; and these no doubt
Have each their record, with a curse annex'd.
Man may dismiss compassion from his heart,
But God will never.”

William Cowper The Task

Source: The Task (1785), Book VI, Winter Walk at Noon, Line 439.

“As dreadful as the Manichean god,
Adored through fear, strong only to destroy.”

William Cowper The Task

Source: The Task (1785), Book V, The Winter Morning Walk, Line 444.

“Oh! for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heav'nly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!”

William Cowper

No. 1, "Walking With God".
Olney Hymns (1779)

“Acquaint thyself with God, if thou would'st taste
His works. Admitted once to his embrace,
Thou shalt perceive that thou was blind before:
Thine eye shall be instructed; and thine heart
Made pure shall relish with divine delight
Till then unfelt, what hands divine have wrought.”

William Cowper The Task

Source: The Task (1785), Book V, The Winter Morning Walk, Line 779.

“Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.”

William Cowper

No. 35, "Light Shining out of Darkness".
Olney Hymns (1779)

“Some must be great. Great offices will have
Great talents. And God gives to every man
The virtue, temper, understanding, taste,
That lifts him into life, and lets him fall
Just in the niche he was ordain'd to fill.”

William Cowper The Task

Source: The Task (1785), Book IV, The Winter Evening, Line 788.