Wesley Corpus

The literal, outward house we love, Where God vouchsafes to place his name, Nor will we, Lord, from thence remove, But jointly there thy praise proclaim, And daily to thy courts repair, And seek thee in the house of prayer. Page 218 But O! The house of living stones We never can neglect or leave, That temple which the world disowns, To that in life and death we cleave, Thro' faith to every member join'd, The church diffus'd thro' all mankind. "What evil thing is this that ye do, and prophane the sabbath-day?" Nehemiah xiii. 17. What evil thing is this ye do, Who God's peculiar day prophane, Your calling's common works pursue, Your journeys, sports, or pleasures vain? Ye buy the curse of God! Ye sell Your souls to sin, the world, and hell! "Remember me, O my God, concerning this and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy." Nehemiah xiii. 22. As due to my most righteous deed I no reward can claim, But for thy sparing mercy plead, O God, in Jesu's name: And if, my service to reward, Thy grace can find a cause, I'll cast my crown before the Lord, Who bought it on his cross. Page 219 Hymn 696. "Whosoever shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death." Esther iv. 11. But no such rigid law we fear, Who to the King of kings draw near, Boldly approach his gracious throne, And freely our requests make known: Beyond the inner court we press, Enter into the holiest place, Sure to obtain the peace of God, And all we ask, thro' Jesu's blood. "Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews." Esther iv. 13. Ye that in royal mansions live, And Christ into your hearts receive, Think not to serve your Saviour's cause, Yet 'scape the scandal of his cross: In Cesar's house, to save your fame, Ye must deny your Master's name, Or bear, if Christ ye dare confess, The mark of Jesu's witnesses. "If I perish, I perish." Esther iv. 16. Tho' I am condemn'd to die, Shall I not for mercy try?