Wesley Corpus

Page 201 No mortal eye the manner sees The imperceptible degrees, By which our Lord conducts his plan, And brings us to a perfect man. "The earth bringeth forth first the blade; then the ear; after that the full corn in the ear." Mark iv. 28. Thou dost not say, the seed springs up Into an instantaneous crop; But waiting long for its return, We see the blade; the ear; the corn: The weak; and then the stronger grace, And after that full holiness. "The earth bringeth forth first the blade; then the ear." Mark iv. 28. Saviour, the fond delusion stop Of nature's unsupported hope, Which bids us snatch th' unlabour'd prize, And into sudden pillars rise,17 Step o'er the cross, and work between, And sleeping, dream "we cannot sin!" "The earth bringeth forth first the blade; then the ear." Mark iv. 28. Let us with lawful violence strive, And toil to rest, and die to live, Humbly in all thy footsteps go, From babes to youths, and fathers grow, From faith, by just gradation move, Thro' patient hope, to perfect love. "Master, carest thou not that we perish." Mark iv. 38. Master, can thy follower be Excluded from thy care, Tost on life's tempestuous sea, And sinking in despair? So the soul, in an inexplicable manner, brings forth first weak graces, then stronger, then full holiness. The Rev. Mr. J. Wesley's Notes on the N. Testament. 17John Wesley underlined "fond delusion" in line 1, "unlabour'd prize" in line 3, and "sudden pillars" in line 4 in his personal copy, drawing an exclamation point in the margin after line 1. Page 202 Now command the storm to rest, Hush the wind, the sea reprove, Spread throughout this troubled breast A calm of faith and love. "Go, tell how great things the Lord hath done for thee." Mark v. 19. Shall I thro' prudent fear forbear? Or thankfully his grace declare Who hath my sins forgiven? His grace I will to all proclaim, That all may praise my Saviour's name, And earth be turn'd to heaven. "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Mark v. 19.