Wesley Corpus

Page 316 "In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." Phil. ii. 3. Proclaiming my own holiness, Myself if perfect I esteem,54 And others far beneath in grace; Myself I must prefer to them. "He was sick nigh unto death; but God had mercy on him, and on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow." Phil. ii. 27. But could the chief apostle grieve, That Jesus should a saint receive, To everlasting rest? Then I may lawfully bemoan Myself, for her to glory gone In her Redeemer's breast. My friend no more on earth appears; The tribute of these pious tears She asks, and justifies: And weeping, thro' the vale of woe, With calm submissive grief I go, To meet her in the skies. "Not as though I were already perfect." Phil. iii. 12. "Then know thy place" (a novice cries,55 Whose fancy has attain'd the prize) "Stand by thyself, nor rank with me, For I am holier than thee; Beyond the chief apostle I! And you, who dare my grace deny, The proof of my perfection know, It is because I think it so!" "I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Phil. iii. 12. Why hast thou apprehended me, And held my struggling soul so fast? What is the grace laid up in thee, Which I shall apprehend at last, The gospel-hope to which I press? Is it not finish'd holiness? 54John Wesley underlined "perfect" in his personal copy. 55John Wesley underlined "a novice cries" in his personal copy, drawing an exclamation point in the margin. Page 317 Jesus, that perfect good unknown, Restless, resign'd, I wait to gain: But give me strength to follow on, And strive, and labour, and sustain; Nor ever from thine own depart, 'Till thee I love with all my heart. "I count not myself to have apprehended." Phil. iii. 13. No; not after twenty years Of labouring in the word! After all his fights, and fears, And sufferings for his Lord, Paul hath not attain'd the prize, Tho' caught up to the heavenly hill; Daily still the apostle dies, And lives imperfect still!