The Thaw

I

The ice and snow we lately saw,
Which cover’d all the ground,
Are melted soon before the thaw,
And can no more be found.

II

Could all the art of man suffice
To move away the snow,
To clear the rivers from the ice,
Or make the waters flow?

III

No, ’tis the work of God alone;
An emblem of the power
By which he melts the heart of stone
In his appointed hour.

IV

All outward means, till he appears,
Will ineffectual prove;
Though much the sinner sees and hears,
He cannot learn to love.

V

But let the stoutest sinner feel
The soft’ning warmth of grace,
Though hard as ice or rocks or steel,
His heart dissolves apace.

VI

Seeing the blood which Jesus spilt
To save his soul from woe,
His hatred, unbelief, and guilt,
All melt away like snow.

VII

Jesus, we in thy name entreat,
Reveal thy gracious arm;
And grant thy Spirit’s kindly heat,
Our frozen hearts to warm.