The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Come, ye real widows, come,
All that seek your heavenly home,
All who now with griefs oppress'd
Languish for eternal rest;
Cast away your anxious care,
For the nuptial day prepare,
Strong in hope's assurance rise,
Meet the Bridegroom in the skies.

Lo! He in the clouds descends,
Girt about with heavenly friends,
David's everlasting Son,
Sitting on His ivory throne!
See the' imperial banner spread,
Flaming with a crimson red,
To the well-known ensign flow,
To the cross ye bore below.

Where are Jesu's witnesses,
Those who dared their Lord confess!
Jesus knows, and calls them forth,
Openly declares their worth;

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These My faithful servants were,
Gloried My reproach to bear,
Bearers of the bloody tree,
Treated in the world like Me.

These are they that own'd My name,
Triumph'd in their Master's shame,
Gladly counted all things loss,
Nobly suffer'd for My cause:
Scorn'd of all, they kept My word,
Fools and madmen for their Lord,
Firm against a world they stood,
Strove resisting unto blood.

Angels all, the men behold,
Purchased and redeem'd of old,
Once My confessors beneath,
True, and faithful unto death!
Cover'd o'er with glorious scars,
Each the bleeding token bears,
Each displays the Shepherd's sign—
Father, see! they all are Mine!

Come ye, then, My servants dear,
Find your happy mansions here,
Come ye of My Father blest,
Celebrate the marriage feast,
Take your infinite reward,
From eternity prepared,
All your heavenly joy receive,
Kings with Me for ever live!

University of Virginia Library

CLV. THE SAME.

Hymn 16.

[Come, ye real widows, come]