A Thought on Judgment

And must I be to judgment brought,
And answer in that day
For every vain or idle thought,
And every word I say?

Yes, every secret of my heart
Shall shortly be made known,
And I receive my just desert
For all that I have done.

How careful then ought I to live,
With what religious fear.
Who such a strict account must give
Of my behaviour here!

Thou awful Judge of quick and dead.
The watchful power bestow;
So shall I to my ways take heed,
To all I speak and do.

If now Thou standest at the door,
O let me feel Thee near,
And make my peace with God, before
I at Thy bar appear.

My peace Thou hast already made,
While hanging on the tree;
My sins He on Thy body laid.
And punish'd them in Thee.

Ah! might I, Lord, the virtue prove
Of Thine atoning blood.
And know Thou ever livest above
My Advocate with God;

Receive the answer of Thy prayer,
The sense of sin forgiven.
And follow Thee with loving care,
And go in peace to heaven.