240 C.M. J. Hart
Repentance and Faith. Matt. 9. 13; Luke 13. 3
1
[What various ways do men invent,
 
To give the conscience ease!
 
Some say, Believe; and some, Repent;
 
And some say, Strive to please.
2
But, brethren, Christ, and Christ alone,
 
Can rightly do the thing;
 
Nor ever can the way be known,
 
Till he salvation bring.
3
What mean the men that say, Believe,
 
And let repentance go?
 
What comfort can the soul receive
 
That never felt its woe?]
4
Christ says, “That I might sinners call
 
To penitence, I’m sent;”
 
And, “Likewise ye shall perish all,
 
Except ye do repent.”
5
Those who are called by grace divine
 
Believe, but not alone;
 
Repentance to their faith they join,
 
And so go safely on.
6
But should repentance, or should faith,
 
Should both deficient seem,
 
Jesus gives both, the Scripture saith;
 
Then ask them both of him.