Verse 1
Who of the great, or wise
Hath our report believ’d!
Alas! They close their eyes,
Nor will be undeceiv’d:
The world cry out, in needless fright,
“Your rash attempt forbear
To lift us to presumption’s height
Or plunge us in despair.

Verse 2
“Whoever seek to know
Their sins on earth forgiven
Or sink in hopeless woe,
Or rise to madness driven.”
They safely chuse the middle way,
Aware of each extream,
The only prudent men are they,
And wisdom dies with them.

Verse 3
The sayings of our Lord
Their folly dares despise,
Above the written word,
To their own ruin, wise:
The written word, by which we steer
From all mistake secure,
It bids us make our calling here
And our election sure.

Verse 4
It bids the weary come,
And find in Christ their rest,
Invites the wanderer home
To his Redeemer’s breast;
It stirs us up to knock, and pray,
And seek the pardning God,
’Till Jesus take our sins away,
And wash us in his blood.

Verse 5
It proffers happiness
To all who dare believe,
And promises a peace,
Which man can never give;
With full assurance of belief
Commands us to draw near,
And taste the joy that casts out grief,
The love that casts out fear.

Verse 6
Water of life divine
It bids us freely take,
And mystic milk and wine
For Jesu’s only sake:
The Holy Ghost, the Comforter
To all who ask is given,
That seal of our salvation here,
That antepast of heaven.

Verse 7
But still the world refuse
An heaven begun below,
And vainly fear t’ abuse
The grace they never know:
The grace their pride will not receive
They impiously deny,
And in their sins securely live,
And desperately die.