Wesley Corpus

Harden'd in his impenitence For him I now in secret mourn, Remit unask'd the hundred pence, And pray my God his34 heart to turn, And treat him, when the change I see, As kindly, as thou treatest me. "Which of you having a servant plowing, or feeding cattle, will say unto him as soon as he cometh from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten, and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink." Luke xvii. 7, 8. Whether thy little flock we feed, Or follow, Lord, the gospel plough, Patience, as well as faith, we need, And must not ask our wages now, 34Ori., "her heart"; corrected in errata. Page 228 Howe'er impatient nature say "Go, triumph first, and then obey." Weary, with thirst and hunger faint, From labouring in thy field I come, Thy sweet refreshing grace I want, Unready for my heavenly home, I long thy promises to prove, And banquet on thy perfect love. Yet O, a time I dare not set, Or now demand to sup with thee: Still on my Lord I humbly wait, If still thou use my ministry; In hunger, weariness, and thirst, 'Tis fit I serve my Master first. Then let me patiently attend The leisure of my heavenly Lord, Till thou in mercy condescend To comfort by thy hallowing word, And raise me weeping at thy feet, At table with the King to sit. After I have endur'd awhile, After I have thy pleasure done, Thy love shall recompense my toil, Thy love my patient faith shall crown, And then I enter into rest, And then on thy perfection feast. "Doth he thank that servant, because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, c." Luke xvii. 9, 10. "But if you needs must work before, Salvation is of works, not grace:" Not so; if Christ supplies the power For my imperfect services, But is it not meet, that you should first obey, and then triumph? Mr. Wesley's Notes on the place. Page 229 And gives me on himself t' attend, Labouring and suffering to the end.