747    C.M.     J. Hart
God’s Various Dealings with his Children. John 21. 18

1 How hard and rugged is the way
  To some poor pilgrims’ feet:
  In all they do, or think, or say,
  They opposition meet.

2 Others, again, more smoothly go,
  Secured from hurts and harms;
  Their Saviour leads them gently through,
  Or bears them in his arms.

3 Faith and repentance all must find;
  But yet we daily see
  They differ in their time and kind,
  Duration and degree.

4 Some long repent and late believe,
  But when their sin’s forgiven,
  A clearer passport they receive,
  And walk with joy to heaven.

5 Their pardon some receive at first,
  And then, compelled to fight,
  They feel their latter stages worst,
  And travel much by night.

6 But be our conflicts short or long,
  This commonly is true;
  That wheresoever faith is strong,
  Repentance is so too.