Wesley Corpus

Or move the madman for his Master's sake; Tho' Pharisees and Saducees combin'd, And all his friends, and all his kinsmen join'd To scoff the man who meanly fear'd his God; He knew not to confer with flesh and blood, But chearfully took up, nor ever felt the load: Harder than flint or adamant his brow, Unruffled then, and unconcern'd as now, Page 17 On all their vain contempt he still look'd down, From faith to faith, from strength to strength went on, / 340 And bore the cross that led him to the crown; The scandal of his Lord with joy he bore, And still the more despis'd, superior rose the more. 'Twas thus the royal saint, by God approv'd, His Master own'd, and honour'd whom he lov'd, Stript of his robes, and in his handmaid's sight, He danc'd before the ark with all his might; He danc'd, unaw'd by Michal's5 scornful eye, And calm return'd the resolute reply, "To serve my God, to do my Maker's will "If this be vile, I will be viler still." The horrid crew that dare their Lord deny, Bold to dethrone the filial deity, Where JONES appear'd, their blasphemies forbore, And silently confess'd him conqueror. Nor less resolv'd 'gainst those the champion stood Who scorn the purchase of their Saviour's blood, Deny the Spirit now to sinners given, The life begun on earth that ends in heaven. 5Ori., "Michael's"; corrected in errata and 2nd edn. (1748). Page 18 With deep concern and bleeding heart he view'd