The Mover

O Supreme Moving Cause,

May I always be subordinate to thee,

be dependent upon thee,

be found in the path where thou dost walk,

and where thy Spirit moves,

take heed of estrangement from thee,

of becoming insensible to thy love.

Thou dost not move men like stones,

but dost endue them with life,

not to enable them to move without thee,

but in submission to thee, the first mover.

O Lord, I am astonished at the difference

between my receivings and my deservings,

between the state I am now in

and my past gracelessness,

between the heaven I am bound for

and the hell I merit.

Who made me to differ, but thee?

For I was no more ready to receive

Christ than were others;

I could not have begun to love thee

hadst thou not first loved me,

or been willing unless thou

hadst first made me so.

O that such a crown should fit

the head of such a sinner!

Such high advancement be

for an unfruitful person!

Such joys for so vile a rebel!

Infinite wisdom cast the design of salvation

into the mould of purchase and freedom;

Let wrath deserved be written on the door of hell,

but the free gift of grace on the gate of heaven.

--The Valley of Vision, "The Mover"