Wesley Corpus

Page 34 Forgive their hellish blasphemy Who charge it on the Lamb: Whose pity him inclin'd To leave his throne above, The friend, and Saviour of mankind, The God of grace, and love. O gracious, loving Lord, I feel thy bowels yearn; For those who slight the gospel word I share in thy concern: How art thou grieved to be By ransom'd worms withstood! How dost thou bleed afresh to see Them trample on thy blood! To limit thee they dare, Blaspheme thee to thy face, Deny their fellow-worms a share In thy redeeming grace: All for their own they take, Thy righteousness engross, Of none effect to most they make The merits of thy cross. Sinners, abhor the fiend: His other gospel hear "The God of truth did not intend The thing his words declare, He offers grace to all, Which most cannot embrace, Mock'd with an ineffectual call And insufficient grace. "The righteous God consign'd Them over to their doom, And sent the Saviour of mankind To damn them from the womb; To damn for falling short, Page 35 "Of what they could not do, For not believing the report Of that which was not true. "The God of love pass'd by The most of those that fell, Ordain'd poor reprobates to die, And forced them into hell." "He did not do the deed" (Some have more mildly rav'd) "He did not damn them but decreed They never should be saved. "He did not them bereave Of life, or stop their breath, His grace he only would not give, And starv'ed their souls to death." Satanic sophistry! But still, all-gracious God, They charge the sinner's death on thee, Who bought'st him with thy blood. They think with shrieks and cries To please the Lord of hosts, And offer thee, in sacrifice Millions of slaughter'd ghosts: With new-born babes they fill The dire infernal shade, "For such," they say, "was thy great will, Before the world was made." How long, O God, how long Shall Satan's rage proceed! Wilt thou not soon avenge the wrong, And crush the serpent's head? Surely thou shalt at last Bruise him beneath our feet: The devil and his doctrine cast Into the burning pit.