Shall atheists dare insult the cross

Of our Redeemer, God?

Shall infidels reproach his laws,

Or trample on his blood?

What if he choose mysterious ways

To cleanse us from our faults?

May not the works of sovereign grace

Transcend our feeble thoughts?

What if his gospel bids us fight

With flesh, and self, and sin,

The prize is most divinely bright

That we are called to win.

What if the foolish and the poor

His glorious grace partake,

This but confirms his truth the more,

For so the prophets spake.

Do some that own his sacred name

Indulge their souls in sin?

Jesus should never bear the blame,

His laws are pure and clean.

Then let our faith grow firm and strong,

Our lips profess his word;

Nor blush nor fear to walk among

The men that love the Lord.