Wesley Corpus

Lust is a fire that fiercely burns, And sinners to destruction turns, It ruins whom it first o'ercomes, The body with the soul consumes, It desolates the conscience foul, Kindles God's wrath against the soul, (Tremendous wrath implacable) And burns to the profoundest hell. How shall a desperate slave of sin Escape the hell that teems within, Before the utmost judgment come, Before th' eternal flames consume? The pit its mouth hath open'd wide! Plunge, sinner, in that crimson tide; The fire of lust, the wrath of God May now be quench'd by Jesu's blood. "Destruction from God was, a terror to me." Job xxxi. 23. Salvation from the Lord Our comfort we enjoy, Yet still we tremble at his word Who can the soul destroy: The first unfallen man Was with a threat'ning awed, How then should we the love maintain Without the fear of God? Page 244 "As a prince would I go near unto him." Job xxxi. 37. But as a beggar I Not daring to draw nigh Would at a distance stand, Or sink beneath thy hand, Afraid thy glorious eyes to meet, And cry for mercy at thy feet. I now thy grace implore, And in the dust adore; O for my Saviour's sake, Up from the dunghil take, Numbred among thy princes own, And raise the beggar to thy throne. "He justified himself rather than God." Job xxxii. 2. The guardian of an heart sincere, Firm in his own defence he stood, More careful, more concern'd to clear Himself, than vindicate his God, Anxious to save his own from blame, Regardless of Jehovah's name. Instructed by his error, Lord, Thee, only thee we justify, Thy will be done, thy name ador'd, Tried, to the utmost tried, we cry, False, and unjust let all men be, Justice and truth are still in thee. "He justified himself rather than God." Job xxxii. 2. The men whom God pronounces just, Just may they not themselves esteem? No; but as sinners still they must All righteousness ascribe to him, And humbled into nothing own Holy and good is God alone. Page 245 Murmuring that God should hide his face For no offence or fault of mine, I honour my own righteousness Above the righteousness divine, And tacitly of God complain As author of my causeless pain.