Wesley Corpus

The kingdom of his grace alone Can make our wars and fightings cease, Unite our jarring wills in one Perpetual bond of perfectness, As rivals of that host above, Where all is harmony and love. "Ye have not because ye ask not: ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss." James iv. 2, 3. Why have not I my pardon seal'd? I still neglect to pray, To wrestle, 'till thy blood reveal'd Purge all my sin away: Or if I ask, I ask amiss, Weary alas, and slack, Seldom and faint I pray, but cease Before the prayer comes back. "Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." James v. 7. The gospel-husbandman, like him, Expects earth's precious fruit to see, Not (as the young enthusiasts dream)109 In sudden, full maturity, 109John Wesley underlined "young enthusiasts" in his personal copy, drawing an exclamation point in the margin. Page 388 But waiting still in patient hope For the long-buried seed's return, He sees by slow degrees spring up The blade, the ear, and then the corn. He dares not ask almighty power For signs unpromis'd from above, Expecting from a single shower The harvest ripe of perfect love; But looking for the gradual grace, The early and the latter rain, He shall that finish'd holiness, That perfect love at last obtain. "Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." James v. 7. Who every hasty growth reject, As nature's mimickry of grace, We lawfully at last expect The harvest of full holiness: Soon as the seed of faith is sown, Our hearts the early rain receive, And growing in a way unknown We more and more in Christ believe. "But may we not at once spring up, In sudden holiness mature?" Nay; but we must the flattering hope Renounce, and to the end endure: The ripest fruit cannot appear, Until the latter rain come down, And faith's Almighty Finisher Our patience with perfection crown.110 "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James v. 8.