Wesley Corpus

The world, and its god shall again be subdued By the virtue divine of our Advocate's blood. For all it was shed; and he rose from the dead, His atoning oblation for sinners to plead: He prays for his own: his blood shall pray on, 'Till redeem'd from all sin we ascend to his throne. "The smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest, c." Rev. xiv. 11. The smoke alas, must still ascend, And never will their torment end, No respite can the damn'd obtain No interval of rest from pain: Millions of years shall pass away, Nor shorten the eternal day, While still in blasphemies they own Their punishment but just begun. 135Ori., "continue"; corrected in errata. Page 428 Vain, wretched man, whose fond desire Would quench the everlasting fire, Or teach it will not always last After a course of eons past; (ages) O mayst thou never, never know The dark abyss of endless woe, Or in its literal strictness feel The truth of an eternal hell. "They have no rest day nor night." Rev. xiv. 11. 'Tis thus we in our manner say, They have no respite night or day, For in eternal night shut up, They have no day, no sun, no hope! "They rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Rev. xiv. 13. The saints who die of Christ possest, Enter into immediate rest; For them no farther test remains Of purging fires and torturing pains: Who trusting in their Lord depart, Cleans'd from all sin, and pure in heart, The bliss unmixt, the glorious prize, They find with Christ in paradise. Close-follow'd by their works they go, Their Master's purchas'd joy to know; Their works enhance the bliss prepar'd, And each hath its distinct reward: Yet glorified by grace alone They cast their crowns before the throne, And fill the ecchoing courts above With praises of redeeming love. "Great and marvellous are thy works, c." Rev. xv. 3. Great and marvellous in grace Is our Almighty Lord, True and righteous are thy ways By all thy works ador'd! King of saints, thy kingdom near Judgments manifest proclaim, Holy God, the world shall fear And bless thy glorious name. Page 429 "Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, c." Rev. xvi. 15.