Can Sinners Hope for Heaven?

Words: Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795). Published posthumously in Hymns Adapted to Public Worship, edited by R. Hall (London: Burton & Briggs, 1817), number 362, alt. Unrighteous Excluded from Heaven.

Music: Chiselhurst Joseph Barnby, 1887 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

Olmutz Lowell Mason, 1824 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Sherman from the Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, edited by Lowell Mason, Edwards A. Park & Austin Phelps (New York: Mason Brothers, 1859), page 314 (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you know where to get a good picture of Beddome (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),

portrait — Joseph Barnby
1838–1896
National Portrait Gallery

Can sinners hope for Heav’n,
Who love this world so well;
Or dream of future happiness
While on the road to hell?

Shall they hosannas sing,
With an unhallowed tongue;
Shall palms adorn the guilty hand,
Which does its neighbor wrong?

Canan sin’s deceitful way
Conduct to Zion’s hill;
Or those expect with God to reign
Who disregard His will?

’Tis naught but grace divine
Can solid hope afford;
The pure in heart alone shall see
The glory of the Lord.

Scripture Verse

Introduction

Lyrics