Wesley Corpus

His strength with his increasing labour grows: Workman and work th' Almighty hath prepar'd, And sent of God, the servant must be heard, Rush thro' the opening door, on sinners call, Proclaim the truth, and offer Christ to all. Page 10 "Sound an alarm, the gospel-trumpet blow, Let all their time of visitation know; The Saviour comes! (You hear his herald cry) Go forth and meet the friend of sinners nigh!" Rous'd from the sleep of death, a countless croud, (Whose hearts like trees before the wind are bow'd, As a thick cloud, that darkens all the sky, As flocking doves, that to their windows fly,) Press to the hallow'd courts, with eager strife, Catch the convincing word, and hear for life. Parties and sects their endless feuds forget And fall, and tremble at the preacher's feet, Prick'd at the heart, with one consent inquire What must we do t' escape the never-dying fire? Made apt to teach he points them out the way, And willing multitudes the truth obey; He lets his light on all impartial shine, And strenuously asserts the birth divine; The Spirit freely given to all who claim That promis'd Comforter in Jesus' name; Page 11 The pardon bought so dear, by grace bestow'd, Receiv'd thro' faith in the atoning blood. While yet he speaks, the Lord himself comes down, Applies and proves the gracious word his own, The Holy Ghost to thirsty souls imparts, And writes forgiveness on the broken hearts. But lo! An ampler field appears in view, And calls his champion forth to conquests new: Nor toils, nor dangers can his zeal repress, Nor crouds detain him by his own success: In vain his children tempt him to delay, With prayers and tears invite his longer stay, Or ask, as sharers of his weal or woe, To earth's remotest bounds with him to go: He leaves them all behind, at Jesus' word, He finds them all again in his beloved Lord. See, where he flies! As if by heaven design'd, T' awake and draw our whole apostate kind! He takes the eagle's with the morning's wings, To other worlds the great salvation brings, Page 12 As sent, with joyful news of sins forgiven, To every ransom'd soul on this side heaven! With ready mind th' Americans receive Their angel-friend, and his report believe, So soon the servant's heavenly call they find,