Wesley Corpus

Wherefore, ye saints, with resolute zeal, Your members to destruction give, Which would on earthly objects dwell, And thence their nourishment receive, Vengeance on your oppressors take, Actions and words and thoughts unclean, Evil desires, which jointly make The body foul of inbred sin. Put him to death, the Adam old, Passions inordinate and blind, Lusts of the flesh to evil sold, The selfish will, the carnal mind: Nail'd to the cross if now they bleed, Persist to persecute and kill, Daily die on, already dead, And mortify your members still. Page 322 Not out of nature's reach, fight on, Not from the grossest sins secure, Your bodies with your arms lay down, Nor think 'till death the crown is sure;64 'Till then for no dismission look, Your victory o'er the flesh repeat, And slay with a continual stroke, 'Till death be put beneath your feet.65 "Mortify therefore your members ..." Col. iii. 5. May we not 'scape the killing pain, And perfected this moment be? This moment, Lord, if thou ordain, We can the final victory O'er hell, the world, and death, and sin, With everlasting glory win. But if thou bidst us mortify Our lusts and passions here below, Take up our cross, and daily die, And in thy gracious knowledge grow, Who shall thine oracles gainsay, Or dare prescribe a shorter way?66 We, Jesus, will on thee attend, To thee the times and seasons leave, Labouring, and suffering to the end, 'Till thou the long-sought blessing give, And seal us, perfectly restor'd, True followers of our silent Lord.67 "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another." Col. iii. 8, 9.