Wesley Corpus

He saw thee in thy blood and bad thee live; Yet still thyself thou never couldst forgive. Resolv'd each precious moment to redeem, To serve thy God, and only live to him, Thro' all at once thy constant virtue broke, Cast off the world, and sin, and Satan's yoke, The stedfast purpose of thy soul avow'd, Confess'd the Christian, and declar'd for God. O what a change was there! The man of birth Sinks down into a clod of common earth: The man of polish'd sense his judgment quits, And tamely to a madman's name submits: The man of curious taste neglects his food, And all is pleasant now, and all is good: The man of rigid honour slights his fame, And glories in his Lord and Master's shame: Page 10 The man of wealth and pleasure all foregoes, And nothing but the cross of Jesus knows: The man of sin is wash'd in Jesu's blood, The man of sin becomes a child of God! Throughout his life the new creation shines, Throughout his words, and actions, and designs: Quicken'd with Christ he sought the things above, And evidenc'd the faith which works by love, Which quenches Satan's every fiery dart, O'recomes the world, and purifies the heart. Not as uncertainly the race he ran, He fought the fight, nor spent his strength in vain: Foes to the cross, themselves let others spare, At random run, and idly beat the air, As bondage each divine command disclaim; A truer follower of the bleeding Lamb He bore the burthen of his Lord, and died A daily death with Jesus crucified. He chearfully4 took up his Master's yoke, Nor e'er the sacred ordinance forsook, Nor dar'd to cast the hallow'd cross away, Or plead his liberty to disobey: Under the law to Christ, he labour'd still To do, and suffer all his Father's will: 4Ori., "carefully"; corrected in errata and 2nd edn. (1748). Page 11 Herein his glorious liberty was shewn, Free to deny himself, and live to God alone! In fastings oft the hardy soldier was, Patient and meek, he grew beneath the cross, He kept his body down, by grace subdued, The servant to his soul, and both to God: No delicate disciple he, to shun The cross, and say, "My Saviour all hath done!" No carnal Esau to despise his right, And damn his soul to please his appetite: