Wesley Corpus

Page 302 Sunk us beneath the ambient wave, And buried in a fiery grave. "Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah." Isa. i. 10. Let Sodom's governors give ear, And tremble at Jehovah's word, Ye people of Gomorrah, hear The charge of an Almighty Lord, Heathens, who bear the Christian name, But turn your glory into shame. "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me, saith the Lord? I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, c." Isa. i. 11. What profit your religious shews, Your empty form of godliness? Externals may on man impose But cannot a pure Spirit please; Fit worship for an holy God, As fat of lambs, and bullocks' blood! "When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hands to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations, c." Isa. i. 12, 13. Away with your oblations vain, Who only with your lips draw near, Trample my courts, my house prophane, And loathsom in my sight appear: Ye make the outside fair and clean; Ye come to see, and to be seen! Your means (of sin, instead) of grace, Your feasts and festivals impure, Your holy, Bacchanalian days My soul is weary to endure, Your sabbaths, and assemblies gay, Who mock me, while they seem to pray. Page 303 "It is iniquity, even the solemn meeting." Isa. i. 13. That solemn mystery divine, Wherein ye should my death record, Ye sink into a lifeless sign, Nor once discern your present Lord; Ye tear my flesh, and shed my blood, And turn to bane the heavenly food. "When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you." Isa. i. 15. My favour and good will to gain, Thro' all your round of forms ye run, Service to service join in vain, By sinful prayers for sin to atone: From such I turn my glorious eyes; I hate your heartless sacrifice. "When ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood." Isa. i. 15. In vain your longest prayers ye say, Regardless of your Lord's commands, Who will not put your sins away, Yet shew to heaven your lifted hands; Your lifted hands are full of blood, Your heart of hatred against God.