How hurtful was the choice of Lot,
      Who took up his abode

Gen 13:10

How hurtful was the choice of Lot,
      Who took up his abode
(Because it was a fruitful spot)
      With them who feared not God!

A pris’ner he was quickly made,
      Bereaved of all his store;
And, but for Abraham’s timely aid,
      He had returned no more.

Yet still he seemed resolved to stay
      As if it were his rest;
Although their sins from day to day
      His righteous soul distressed.

Awhile he stayed with anxious mind,
      Exposed to scorn and strife;
At last he left his all behind,
      And fled to save his life.

In vain his sons–in–law he warned,
      They thought he told his dreams;
His daughters too, of them had learned,
      And perished in the flames.

His wife escaped a little way,
      But died for looking back:
Does not her case to pilgrims say,
      “Beware of growing slack?”

Yea; Lot himself could ling’ring stand,
      Though vengeance was in view;
’Twas mercy plucked him by the hand,
      Or he had perished too.

The doom of Sodom will be ours
      If to the earth we cleave;
Lord quicken all our drowsy pow’rs,
      To flee to thee and live.

~ John Newton