Wesley Corpus

Page 15 The love of Christ their hearts constrains, And strengthens their unwearied hands, They spend their sweat, and blood, and pains, To cultivate Immanuel's land. Alarm'd at their successful toil, Satan, and his wild spirits rage, They labour to tear up and spoil, And blast the rising heritage. In every wilderness they sow The seed of death, the carnal mind, They would not let one virtue grow, Or leave one seed of good behind. Yet still the servants of their Lord Look up, and calmly persevere, Supported by the Master's word, The adverse powers they scorn to fear; Gladly their happy work pursue: The labour of their hands is seen, Their hands the face of earth renew, Diversified with chearful green. Wheree'r the faithful workers turn, The steps of industry appear, They labour the dry wood to burn, They labour with incessant9 care The fruits of Sodom to tread down, To root up each accursed seed, By Satan, and his servants sown, And plant the gospel in its stead. To dig the ground, they all bestow Their lives; from every soften'd clod They gather out the stones, and sow Th' immortal seed, the word of God. They water it with tears and prayers, They long for the returning word, Happy, if all their pains and cares Can bring forth fruit to please their Lord. 9"Incessant" changed to "unwearied" in 2nd edn. (1745) and following. Page 16 Jesus their toil delighted sees, Their industry vouchsafes to crown, He kindly gives the wish'd increase, And sends the promis'd blessing down: The sap of life, the Spirit's powers He rains incessant from above, He all his gracious fulness showers, To perfect their great work of love. He prospers all his servants' toils: But of peculiar grace has chose A flock, on whom his kindest smiles, And choicest blessings he bestows: Devoted to their common Lord, True followers of the bleeding Lamb, By God belov'd, by men abhor'd And Hernhuth is the fav'rite name! Here many a faithful soul is found, With mystick power10 of love endu'd, Full of the light of life, and crown'd A king, and priest to serve his God. With flaming zeal for Christ they shine, Their body, soul, and spirit give, To Christ their goods and blood resign, For Christ they freely die and live.