1 What wretched fools are they, who hear,
With scorn, the sound of gospel grace;
For sorrow walks along with sin,
Although they keep not equal pace.

2 How blindly sinners grasp their chain,
And yet of freedom vainly boast:
They look for happiness and peace,
Nor think by sin their peace is lost.

3 Approaching vice is deck'd in charms
And smiles with promises of gain:
No sooner past, its joys are fled,
And all its pleasures chang'd to pain.

4 Sinners may for a time rejoice,
Till storms of threaten'd wrath arise,
Till justice grasp th' avenging sword,
And then the wretch the sinner dies.