Wesley Corpus

Page 225 He danc'd, unaw'd by Michal's scornful eye, And calm return'd the resolute reply, "To serve my God, to do my Maker's will "If this be vile, I will be viler still." The horrid crew that dare their Lord deny, Bold to dethrone the filial deity, Where JONES appear'd, their blasphemies forbore, And silently confess'd him conqueror. Nor less resolv'd 'gainst those the champion stood Who scorn the purchase of their Saviour's blood, Deny the Spirit now to sinners given, The life begun on earth that ends in heaven. With deep concern and bleeding heart he view'd The general dire apostacy from God; He heard the rod divine, with sacred fear, And trembling foresight of destruction near; Long'd that we all might see the out-stretch'd hand, The sword impending o'er a guilty land, Might timely all remember whence we fell, Return with contrite heart and earnest zeal, Confess the faith which God vouchsafes t' approve, , Before his wrath our candlestick remove, Do the first works, and feel the former love. He mark'd the city of our God laid low, And wept in deep distress for Sion's woe: It pitied him to see her in the dust, Her lamp extinguish'd and her gospel lost; Lost to the rich, and great, and wise, and good, Poor guilty enemies to Jesu's blood, Who quench the last faint spark of piety, Yet cry "The temple of the Lord are we!"