I. There is a way called Broad and Spacious Where all begin their earthly dawn— Esteem themselves as quite sagacious. Satan’s lie finds them voracious To believe ‘Ye shall be as gods!’ The broad way welcomes the audacious, (For sure destruction lies beyond!) Whose souls are dead, their hearts salacious, Who fill their days with speech loquacious— Oh, crown yourselves and live as gods. To these ones God stoops down, is gracious. He made a way where there was none. He crushed the serpent’s head fallacious, And draws with love so efficacious To life, the way— the Son of God.
II. There is a way called Strait and Narrow Where one must enter with much strife. You must all your righteousness forego, Corruption forsake, for soon you’ll know Life; yes, true life– eternal life! Be always wary of the arrows Which Satan through your heart would drive. With fierce attacks the soul he’d harrow; Trust in your God who cares for sparrows— He carries you onward to life! On this narrow way my steps are slow— Oh, I have stumbled countless times. But a steady path to me He shows And, though weary, I His presence know— He leads me ever on to life.
III. I have seen worldly treasures glitter: Trinkets which made me catch my breath. I have envied, admired, considered, Shall I rejoin the way of sinners? The certain end of them is death. Do you hear the broad way’s artful pledge? ‘You will have more than heart could wish!’ Many trust in the promise alleged— Oblivious they totter at hell’s edge! They’re entangled by snares of death. I taste and see God’s goodness and care— The one who trusts in Him is blest! Oh God, strength of my heart, hear my prayer; I trust in You, Your works I declare: You have redeemed my soul from death.
These verses fit the same theme but differ slightly in style. I think if you read them together, one is a bit of the odd one out. For that reason, I distinguished them as three separate poems. However, they do go together as they progress from a ‘broad’ point of view (all people, them, they) to a narrowing (you, I, my).