Preparation for Heaven

Heaven is a place of rest from sin;
But all who hope to enter there,
Must here that holy course begin,
Which shall their souls for rest prepare.

Clean hearts, O God! in us create,
Right spirits, Lord, in us renew;
Commence we now that higher state,
Now do Thy will as angels do.

A life in heaven!--O what is this?
The sum of all that faith believed;
Fulness of joy, and depths of bliss,
Unseen, unfathom'd, unconceived.

While thrones, dominions, princedoms, powers,
And saints made perfect, triumph thus,
A goodly heritage is ours,
There is a heaven on earth for us.

The Church of Christ, the School of grace,
The Spirit teaching by the word;
In those our Saviour's steps we trace,
By this His living voice is heard.

Firm in His footsteps may we tread,
Learn every lesson of his love;
And be from grace to glory led,
From heaven below to heaven above.