Wesley Corpus

Superior to all fear and shame, Intrusted with the gospel-word, Thro' earth I glory to proclaim The love of my redeeming Lord, Which could so strange a method find To save our lost, apostate kind. Jehovah's co-eternal Son Did in our flesh appear beneath, He laid his life a ransom down, For every man he tasted death, To justify us by his blood, And bring the sprinkled world to God. Whoe'er the joyful news believes, Pardon'd thro' instantaneous grace, The saving power divine receives; And while on Christ his soul he stays, He gains at last the perfect love, And mingles with the saints above. Page 278 "Not the hearers, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Rom. ii. 13. Not all that hear the word, But who thro' faith obey, Shall stand before their glorious Lord, Acquitted in that day: Who freely sav'd by grace, Their pardon here receive, And live the life of holiness, They shall forever live. The peace thy people know, Jesus, in me reveal, With grace in all thy paths to go, And all thy words fulfil: Then, then, thy servant praise, Supremely justified, And give the crown of righteousness, And seat me by thy side. "Let God be true, but every man a liar." Rom. iii. 4. Whate'er the hypocrites pretend, Whate'er the self-deceivers boast, God never can on man depend, Or disappoint his people's trust, His word to all the seed is sure, And shall from age to age endure. His promise stands I will forgive, And those who in his truth confide, Their pardon seal'd thro' faith receive, They all are freely justified, While God attests their sins forgiven, Himself the earnest of their heaven. He saith, Ye shall be perfect here! And should ten thousand souls presume T' usurp the sinless character, Before the perfect gift is come, Matt. v. 48. Page 279 Yet on thy faithful mercies cast, We shall obtain the prize at last. Whoe'er thro' ignorance, or pride, Are found false-witnesses for God, Thou hast on earth a spotless bride; And trusting thine all-cleansing blood, We too thine utmost truth shall prove, Compleat in holiness and love. "Do we make void the law thro' faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Rom. iii. 31.