Wesley Corpus

The powers of heaven he shakes; Earth to her centre quakes; Famine shews her meagre face; Pestilence stalks close behind; Woes surround the sinful race; Wrath abides on all mankind. The nations are distress'd, The wicked cannot rest: No, in sin they sleep no more, Tost with sad perplexity; Swell the waves, and work, and roar, Men are like the troubled sea. Terror their heart assails, Their heart thro' terror fails; Fails, o'erwhelm'd with huge dismay, Looking for the plagues to come, Shrinking from their evil day, Fainting at their instant doom. But ye that fear the Lord, Fear neither plague nor sword; Jesus bids your care depart, Ye in Jesus' love are blest; Sprinkled is your peaceful heart: Now expect the perfect rest. These threatning clouds look thro', Good they portend to you: Lift your heads, with joy look up, Find your full redemption near; See your soul's desire and hope, See your glorious Lord appear. His near approach ye know, Treated like him below; Page 16 This the word that Jesus said, Now your Master's lot ye find, Mock'd, rejected, and betray'd, Hated now by all mankind. In calm and quiet peace Your patient souls possess; God hath kept your innocence, God shall still his own defend: Rest in him, your sure defence, Suffer on, and wait the end. His mercy's wings are spread, To guard your naked head; None can hurt you now, or grieve, Hated tho' ye be by all: No, without your Saviour's leave, Not one sacred hair shall fall. Fly, to the mountains fly; Sinners, on Christ rely! Our strong mountain is the Lord: He keeps off th' invading bands, He averts th' impending sword; Christ the Christian's fortress stands. Happy who trust in him, Almighty to redeem: Neither wars nor plagues they fear, Publick ills they calmly meet, Smile at desolation near, Trample death beneath their feet. But woes, redoubled woes Attend the Saviour's foes: Worldly men and things who love, God, his things, and people hate, O what sorrows will they prove, Crush'd by all his judgments' weight! Page 17 Woe to the souls at ease, The slaves of foul excess; Charg'd with surfeiting, or wine, Drunk with pleasure, or with care, Big with earthly low design, Fond of their attachments there.