there is a fountain.

I have recently become fascinated and somehow encouraged by the life of the great hymn writer and poet, William Cowper. He is the author of the hymns, "There is a Fountain", "Love Constraining to Obedience", "Sometimes a Light Surprises", and "Heal Us Emmanual". These songs are beautiful hymns and have been redone by Indelible Grace. One day I was looking up the lyrics to "There is a Fountain" and came across a surprising account of Cowper's life.
Brief recap - William Cowper grew up in London. His mother died when he was 6 years old, which he continued to grieve over throughout his life. He fell in love with his cousin, Theodora, but Ashley's father objected to their marriage because of Cowper's inadequate fortune. He was then offered clerkship of the House of the Lords. He was incredibly overwhelmed by this task and became extremely depressed, so depressed that he tried to commit suicide three times... each time he was miraculously rescued from death. He entered an assylum where the Lord saved him, and he was mentored by his doctor. After this he became great friends with John Newton. Cowper lived with Newton for a time and Newton nurtured Cowper's literary talent and encouraged him to publish his poetry. When Cowper's depression wanted to return to him, Newton suggested to Cowper to produce hymns for his weekly church meetings. This is where many hymns were produced through much prayer and time in the Word. Throughout his entire life, Cowper experienced much doubt and feared damnation. You may ask, why am I so fascinated by this? His life was pretty disturbing and not something to admire. But look at how in the midst of despair he saw hope, because God saved him and the Holy Spirit resided in his heart. Therefore, in the darkest soul, he was able to sing of such hope and glory and beauty. It gives hope to us today that this life on earth is temporary and it is a battle. I believe this is true of his life... "12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" - Ephesians 6:12. Also, to think how God fights for his people. He never ever gives up on us no matter what state we are in. He remains and He fights. He is a warrior. He literally would not allow William Cowper to die as Cowper tried desperately to end his life. God wanted to give him life and did everything it took to do just that. While looking for more information on this man's life, I found that John Piper had actually done much research on Cowper's life and had written a sermon on his life. This quote from Piper explains my attraction to Cowper's biography, "This bleak life was felt by many as hope-giving. There are not doubt different reasons for this in the cases of different people. But the lesson is surely that those of us who teach and preach and want to encourage our people to press on in hope and faith must not limit ourselves to success stories. The life of William Cowper had a hope-giving effect on my people. That is a very important lesson. Finally, let us rehearse the mercies of Jesus often for our people, and point them again and again to the blood of Jesus. These were the two things that brought Cowper to faith in 1764." This is the song that orginally sparked my interest.

There Is A Fountain
1. There is fountain filled with blood

Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood

Lose all their guilty stains.
2. The dying thief rejoiced to see

That fountain in his day;

And there may I, though vile as he,

Wash all my sins away.
3. Dear dying Lamb,

Thy precious blood

Shall never lose its power

’Til all the ransomed church of God

Be saved to sin no more.
4. E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream

Thy flowing wounds supply,

Redeeming love has been my theme,

And shall be ’til I die.
5. When this poor lisping, stammering tongue

Lies silent in the grave,

Then in a nobler, sweeter song,

I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.

To read Piper's article on Cowper's life... http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1463_Insanity_and_Spiritual_Songs_in_the_Soul_of_a_Saint/

To view more hymns by William Cowper and so many others... http://www.igracemusic.com/

Poems by William Cowper... http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/william_cowper/poems