Scripture Verse

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 399. Con­dem­na­tion of the Wick­ed.

Music: Schu­mann Can­ti­ca Laud­is, by Lo­well Ma­son & George J. Webb (New York: Ma­son & Law, 1850) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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

Lyrics

Sinners in vain ex­pect
Among the just t’ap­pear;
God’s threat­en­ing word and flam­ing sword
Forbid an en­trance there.

Depart, ye hard­ened race,
Heav’n’s lof­ty gates are barred;
Nor can you force a pas­sage through,
Or bribe the watch­ful guard.

Time was that Je­sus spread
His kind in­vit­ing arms;
But you re­ject­ed all His calls,
And slight­ed all His charms.

The Sav­ior you des­pised,
Now dooms you down to hell;
There with con­found­ing hor­ror seized,
In fie­ry deeps to dwell.

How will your hearts en­dure?
How can your hands be strong,
When He shall ven­geance take, to whom
All ven­geance doth be­long.