O what a narrow, narrow path

1 Oh what a narrow, narrow path
Is that which leads to life!
Some talk of works, and some of faith,
With warmth, and zeal, and strife.

2 But after all that’s said or done,
Let men think what they will,
The strength of every tempted son
Consists in standing still.

3 [“Stand still,” says one, “that’s easy sure;
’Tis what I always do.”
Deluded soul, be not secure;
This is not meant to you.

4 Not driven by fear, nor drawn by love,
Nor yet by duty led;
Lie still you do, and never move;
For who can move that’s dead?

5 But for a living soul to stand,
By thousand dangers scared,
And feel destruction close at hand,
O this indeed is hard!

6 To shun this danger, others run
To hide they know not where;
Or though they fight, no victory’s won;
They only beat the air.]

7 He that believes, the Scripture says,
Shall not confusedly haste.
Thus danger threats both him that stays
And him that runs too fast.

8 [Haste grasps at all, but nothing keeps;
Sloth is a dangerous state;
And he that flees, and he that sleeps,
Cannot be said to wait.]

9 Lord, let thy Spirit prompt us when
To go, and when to stay;
Attract us with the cords of men,
And we shall not delay.

10 Give power and will, and then command,
And we will follow thee;
And when we’re frightened, bid us stand
And thy salvation see.

Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #783