Wesley Corpus

Ador'd by the acclaiming crowd, He falls a man, and not a god! He falls (no sooner deified Than smote) a sacrifice to pride, Anticipates the fatal hour, And worms their fellow-worm devour. The man who praise from man receives, Nor to his God the glory gives, In him the just reward we see Of sacrilegious vanity; And all which nature call'd her own We now refer to God alone. But chiefly, Lord, the gifts of grace To thy sole glory we confess, Afraid to rob thee of thy right, And arrogate with vain delight, Or take the homage of the throng Which only doth to thee belong. Whoe'er, like Lucifer, aspire, And suffer men their grace t' admire, Most humbled, when exalted most, Of Christ alone we make our boast, And own (if we perfection name) Perfection is with Christ the same. "Having stoned Paul, they drew him out of the city." Acts xiv. 19. Who can the sudden turns explain, Or trust the various hearts of men? Page 271 This hour they cry with sacred fear, The gods in human shape appear! The next, they contradict the word, And persecute whom they ador'd, Curses instead of praises give, And stone the wretch not fit to live. "Having stoned Paul, they drew him out of the city." Acts xiv. 19. And can a messenger be proud, Extoll'd by the admiring croud, Honours divine with joy receive, Which sinners blasphemously give? Ah, no: the praise that comes from men Exchanging for reproach and pain, He would be like th' apostle tried, And rather slain than deified. "God gave them the Holy Ghost, purifying their hearts by faith." Acts xv. 8, 9. God of grace, vouchsafe to me That Spirit of holiness, Sighs my heart for purity, And pants for perfect peace; Spirit of faith, the blood apply, Which only can my filth remove, Fill my soul, and sanctify By Jesu's heavenly love. "God gave them the Holy Ghost, purifying their hearts by faith." Acts xv. 8, 9. By thy Spirit's inspiration Bid my evil thoughts depart, All the filth of pride and passion, Purge out of my faithful heart: Then I shall with joy embrace thee, Meet to see thy face above, Then I worthily shall praise thee, Then I perfectly shall love.