Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14
Words: Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795). Published posthumously in Hymns Adapted to Public Worship, edited by R. Hall (London: Burton & Briggs, 1817), number 362, alt. The Unrighteous excluded from heaven.
Music: Chiselhurst Joseph Barnby, 1887 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good picture of Beddome (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you ?
Can sinners hope for Heav’n,
Who love this world so well?
Or dream of future happiness
While on the road to hell?
None shall hosannas sing,
With an unhallowed tongue;
Nor palms adorn the guilty hand
Which does its neighbor wrong.
Ne’er can sin’s downward way
Lead up to Zion’s hill;
Nor those expect with God to reign
Who disregard His will.
Thy grace, O God, alone,
Can a good hope afford;
The pardoned and renewed shall see
The glory of the Lord.