1 Ye sons of men, in earnest
Prepare your hearts within,
The wond'rous Conqu'ror cometh,
Whose power can save from sin,
Whom God in grace alone
Hath promised long to send us,
To lighten and befriend us,
And make His mercy known.

2 Oh, set your ways in order
When such a Guest is nigh;
Make plain the paths before Him
That now deserted lie.
Forsake what He doth hate,
Exalt the lowly valleys,
Bring down all pride and malice,
And make the crooked straight.

3 'Twas thus St. John hath taught us,
'Twas thus he preached of yore;
And they will feel God's anger
Who list not to his lore.
O God! now let his voice
To Thy true service win us,
That Christ may come within us,
And we in Him rejoice!