University of Virginia Library

CLXXXIV. ANOTHER.

[My brethren beloved, Your calling ye see]

My brethren beloved, Your calling ye see:
In Jesus approved, No goodness have we:
No riches or merit, No wisdom or might,
But all things inherit Through Jesus's right.

391

Our God would not have One reprobate die:
Who all men would save Hath no man pass'd by:
His boundless compassion On sinners doth call;
He offers salvation Through mercy to all.
Yet not many wise His summons obey;
And great ones despise So vulgar a way;
And strong ones will never Their helplessness own,
Or stoop to find favour Through mercy alone.
And therefore our God The outcasts hath chose,
His righteousness show'd To heathen like us:
When wise ones rejected His offers of grace,
His goodness elected The foolish and base.
To baffle the wise, And noble, and strong,
He bade us arise, An impotent throng:
Poor ignorant wretches We gladly embrace
A Prophet that teaches Salvation by grace.
The things that were not His mercy bids live;
His mercy unbought We freely receive,
His gracious compassion We thankfully prove,
And all our salvation Ascribe to His love.