Wesley Corpus

In vain the mad fanatick's dreams To this mysteriously pretend; On fancy built, his airy schemes Or slight the means, or drop the end. Where zeal holds on its even course, Blind rage, and bigotry retires; Knowledge assists, not checks its force, And prudence guides, not damps its fires. Resistless then it wins its way; Yet deigns in humble hearts to dwell: The humble hearts confess its sway, And pleas'd the strange expansion feel. Page 15 Superior far to mortal things, In grateful extasy they own, (Such antedated heav'n it brings,) That zeal and happiness are one. Now vary'd deaths their terrors spread, Now threat'ning thousands rage in vain! Nor tortures can arrest its speed, Nor worlds its energy restrain. That energy, which quells the strong, Which cloaths with strength the abject weak, Looses the stamm'ring infant's tongue, And bids the sons of thunder speak. While zeal its heav'nly influence sheds, What light o'er Moses' visage plays! It wings th' immortal prophet's steeds, And brightens fervent Stephen's face. Come then, bright flame, my breast inspire; To me, to me be thou but giv'n, Like them I'll mount my car of fire, Or view from earth an op'ning heav'n. Come then, if mighty to redeem, Christ purchas'd thee with blood divine: Come, holy zeal! For thou thro' him, Jesus himself thro' thee is mine! Page 16 On Reading Monsr. de Renty's Life. We deem the saints, from mortal flesh releas'd, With brighter day, and bolder raptures blest: Sense now no more precludes the distant thought, And naked souls now feel the God they sought, But thy great soul, which walk'd with God on earth Can scarce be nearer by that second birth: By change of place dull bodies may improve, But spirits to their bliss advance by love. Thy change insensible brought no surprize, Inur'd to innocence and paradise: For earth, not heav'n, thou thro' a glass didst view, The glass was love; and love no evil knew, But in all places only heav'n did shew. Canst thou love more, when from a body freed, Which so much life, so little had of need? So pure, it seem'd for this alone design'd, To usher forth the virtues of the mind! From nature's chain, from earthly dross set free, One only appetite remained in thee: That appetite it mourn'd but once deny'd, For when it ceas'd from serving God, it dy'd.