1
God spake the word, and time began;
He spake and gave his law to man;
His presence oft did Adam cheer,
Who lov’d the voice of God to hear.
2
But, by and by the scene was chang’d,
Our parents broke the Lords command;
They lost their innocence, and fled
Among the trees, and strove to hide.
3
From God their Father; but in vain,
For soon the Lord appear’d again,
And call’d to Adam in the wood,
Who felt condemn’d and trembling stood.
4
So wicked men, in every age,
Far from the God of heav’n have stray’d,
Till near six thousand years have fled,
And left the world with faith that’s dead.
5
By faith, the ancients sought the Lord,
From time to time obtain’d his word,
Not only they but so may we,
When faith and works do both agree.
6
From Adam to the present day,
Many have sought a righteous way;
And some have found the narrow road,
And Enoch-like, have walk’d with God.
7
In every age, God is the same,
But men, they change from time to time.
While sinners take the counter road,
The man of faith approaches God.
8
Experience and the word agree,
Draw nigh says God; I’ll draw nigh thee.
Then are they wise who do deny,
The works of faith beneath the sky?