Wesley Corpus

Who in our father's footsteps tread, He bids us gradually proceed, Nor fondly for the promise hope, Before we yield our Isaacs up; He teaches his believing sons, "The work is never done at once!"91 Instructed after him we go, And perfect holiness below, And having patiently endur'd, The blessing by our Lord procur'd We humbly trust at last t' attain, And purest love with Christ to gain. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul." Heb. vi. 19. Let the winds blow, and billows roll, Hope is the anchor of the soul: 88John Wesley underlined "instantaneous holiness" in his personal copy. He then wrote in the margin "φεØ" (a Greek exclamation of disappointment, like "Alas!"). 89John Wesley underlined "shorter way" in his personal copy. 90John Wesley underlined "actions" in line 2 and "late perfection" in line 6 in his personal copy. 91John Wesley underlined "Before we" in line 4 and "done at" in line 6 in his personal copy, drawing an exclamation point in the margin after line 6. Page 357 But can I by so slight a tie, An unseen hope, on God rely? Stedfast and sure it cannot fail, It enters deep within the veil, It fastens on a land unknown, And moors me to my Father's throne! "The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." Heb. vii. 19. Who labour'd by the law to live Did to its yoke in vain submit, What it requir'd it could not give, Or make its votaries compleat: Their holiness was mixt with sin, Their happiness with doubt and fear, The most advanc'd came short within, Nor reach'd the perfect character. But now, the gospel-plan supplies Sufficiency of richer grace, It points us to the glorious prize, The pure consummate righteousness, To all who trust in Jesu's name It ministers the Spirit's power, To make us free from sin and blame, And all the life of God restore.