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.