Wesley Corpus

Thou knowst we take in vain thy name, While dead in trespasses we live, Thee for our Lord we falsely claim, While to the world our hearts we give. A powerless form, a lifeless sound, Our works as vanity are light, Wanting, alas! They all are found, And worse than nothing in thy sight. O that we now might turn again, And cherish the last spark of grace, Strengthen the things that yet remain, And call to mind the antient days. 146Ori., "Sardius"; corrected in errata. 147Ori., "too"; corrected in 3rd edn. (1756). Page 293 Surely we did thy faith receive, We heard with joy the gospel-word; O let us now, repent and live, And watch to apprehend our Lord. Stir ourselves up, renounce our ease, Before thy sudden judgments come, And watch, and pray, and never cease, Till thou repeal our threat'ning doom. A few thou still hast left, who stand And deprecate th' impending blow, Protectors of a guilty land, And guardian angels here below. They, by thy mercy reconcil'd, For our unhappy Sardis plead, Harmless, and pure, and undefil'd, They ever in thy footsteps tread. Before they see the realms of light, Deserving here thro' thy desert, Worthy they walk with thee in white, In spotless purity of heart. Partakers of the life divine, Who in the fight of faith o'ercome, They all shall in thy148 image shine, Made ready for their heavenly home. They here shall be redeem'd from sin, Shall here put on their glorious dress, Fine linnen, pure, and white, and clean, The saints' inherent righteousness. Love, perfect love expels all doubt, Love makes them to the end endure, Their names thou never wilt blot out, Their life is hid, their heart is pure. 148"Thy" changed to "thine" in 2nd edn. (1745) and following. Page 294 Their names thou wilt vouchsafe to own Before thy Father's majesty, Pronounce them good, and say "Well done, Enter, and ever reign with me!" "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia." Revelation iii. 7, c. Holy, and true, who hast the key, Of David, full of grace and power, None opens what is shut by thee, And none can shut thy149 open door. O help thy little church below, Noted for their fraternal love, Accept us in thyself, and know Our souls, and all our works approve.