Scripture Verse

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13–14

Introduction

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Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Spi­ri­tu­al Songs 1707–09, Book 2, num­ber 158. Few saved: or, The al­most Chris­tian, the Hy­po­crite, and Apos­tate.

Music: Wind­ham Da­ni­el Read, 1785 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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Daniel Read (1757–1836)

Lyrics

Broad is the road that leads to death,
And thou­sands walk to­ge­ther there;
But wis­dom shows a nar­row­er path,
With here and there a tra­vel­er.

Deny thy­self, and take thy cross,
Is the Re­deem­er’s great com­mand;
Nature must count her gold but dross,
If she would gain this heav’n­ly land.

The fear­ful soul that tires and faints,
And walks the ways of God no more,
Is but es­teemed al­most a saint,
And makes his own de­struct­ion sure.

Lord, let not all my hopes be vain
Create my heart en­tire­ly new;
Which hy­po­crites could ne’er at­tain,
Which false apos­tates ne­ver knew.