One more for a hat trick

Ah, if you grasped, though in sin’s chains you languish

Ah, if you grasped, though in sin’s chains you languish,

How hard it is, your Satan’s slavery,

This instant you would strive to end your anguish

And seek him who alone can set you free.

Ah, what a blessed day you’d win,

Were you right at this very moment to begin!

Ah, if you knew the sweet realm of God’s mercy,

How to belong to Jesus is so good,

Against his mercy you’d not act adversely,

For he will gladly help you if you would.

Ah, God’s church would great glory win,

Were you right at this very moment to begin!

Ah! if you thought of everlasting burning,

Its terrors when your dream’s desires subside,

How tearfully you would to him be turning

Who stands with arms outstretched and open wide.

Ah, dread would satan feel within,

Were you right at this very moment to begin

Ah! if you thought one never just by dreaming

Can enter heaven, that one has to wait,

How you your lukewarmness would judge unseeming,

And seek that one true gate which is so strait.

Ah, how you’d end the woes of sin,

Were you right at this very moment to begin!

Ah, if you felt how fine beyond all measure

It is to land in Paradise, how sweet,

You’d quickly curse all empty worldly pleasure

And to Christ’s blood and death direct your feet.

Ah, all God’s angels joy would win,

Were you right at this very moment to begin!

Ah, if you would – now and for ever –

Devote yourself to battle, penance, prayer,

Jesus would then reward your firm endeavour

And at his bosom you would shed all care!

Ah, what sweet rest your soul would win,

Were you right at this very moment to begin!

Ah, do you feel there ought to be some pleading?

It’s for the lasting good of your own soul,

To lie in Hell’s a burden all exceeding,

To inherit Heaven is so light a load.

Ah, what eternal joy you’d win,

Were you right at this very moment to begin!

Ah, if you’d only – while the chance lies waiting –

Just grasp the gentle heart of God aright;

You can so now, before the moment’s fading,

For dusk is falling on eternity’s black night.

Ah, what delight would Jesus win,

Were you right at this very moment to begin!