Wesley Corpus

My works the sure credentials are Of faith divine on me bestow'd, My faith I by my works declare, And give the praise of both to God, And thus the author's glory shew, Who works in me to will and do. "Thou believest that there is one God, thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble." James ii. 19. There is one God, thou dost believe, The trembling fiends believe the same, Trembling, till they their doom receive In unextinguishable flame; And by thy devilish faith prepar'd Thou challengest the fiends' reward. "But art thou willing to know, O empty man, that faith without works is dead?" (Gr.) James ii. 20. But art thou willing now to own Thou empty, self deceiving man, The faith, like thine, which is not shewn By works, is false, and dead, and vain, Page 383 A carcase destitute of breath, Which drags thee down to endless death! "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" James ii. 21. The father of the faithful seed His faith by his obedience prov'd, Abraham was justified indeed, When offering up his best-belov'd He shew'd the grace before receiv'd, And perfectly in God believ'd. Accepted first thro' faith alone, His pardon unconfirm'd he held; But rend'ring back his only son, He felt the precious promise seal'd, Felt in his heart and spirit pure The peace irrevocably sure. Before he sacrific'd his child, Accounted just thro' faith he liv'd, By causeless mercy reconcil'd Forgiveness without works receiv'd: But when he resolutely obey'd, Thro' works he then was righteous made. "Thou seest that faith wrought together with his works, and by works was faith made perfect." (Gr.) James ii. 22. The power of faith his works begot, They did not life on faith bestow, But faith with works together wrought, And working faith did stronger grow, New life by exercise obtain, And thus its full perfection gain. As motion rais'd by vital heat, Increase of heat and vigour brings, The work which faith doth first beget, Augments the source from whence it springs, And faith by each exertion grows, And fuller still the fountain flows. Page 384 "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God." James ii. 23.