Wesley Corpus

Page 222 The little church in Jesus who believ'd Into his house, his arms, his heart receiv'd: With these he humbly search'd the written word, Talking with these, he commun'd with their Lord, Studied the sacred leaves, by day and night, His faithful counseller, and sole delight. He made them all his own with happy art, And practice copied them into his heart: Still in the steps of Abraham's faith he trod, He and his house would only serve their God. The worth domestick let his consort tell Of one who lov'd so wisely and so well; Who help'd her all for Jesus to foregoe, And cherish'd her as Christ his church below, Explain'd the glorious mystery divine How God and man may in one spirit join, How man the joys of heaven on earth may prove; The sacred dignity of nuptial love, Clearly in him the sameness all might see Of nuptial love and spotless purity. Nor less the exemplary father shone: Freely to God he render'd back his own, Devoted all to him, his children, wife, Goods, fame, and friends, and liberty and life. He taught his children in their earliest days To love their God, and lisp their Saviour's praise. No modern parent he, their souls to sell, In sloth and pride to train them up for hell, T' infuse the stately thought of rank and birth, And swell the base-born potsherds of the earth,