The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

With a believing master bless'd,
His equal in the Saviour's eyes,
His brother in the Lord confess'd,
Shall I neglect him, or despise?
Forget the difference of estate,
And scorn at his commands to bow,
As high and low, as small and great
Were all upon a level now!

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Rather I would with warmer zeal
My just fidelity approve,
Gladly perform his utmost will,
And love whom God is pleased to love,
Worthy of double honour deem
The heir of joys that never end,
And serve and cordially esteem
Whom Jesus deigns to call His friend.

Giver of all good gifts, on me,
On all who bear the yoke, bestow
The wisdom, and humility,
Our station and ourselves to know,
Our masters to obey and prize;
Lest failing in allegiance here,
We force the world with taunting cries
To ask, Is this your godly fear!

If stubborn, insolent, and proud,
We tempt even heathens to exclaim,
And urge the sacrilegious crowd
To vilify the Christian name:
The faith which such as you profess
Must error or imposture be,
A mere pretence for idleness,
Or cover for hypocrisy.

But if the gospel we obey,
Our will to God and man resign,
All honour to our masters pay,
And worship only not Divine;

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His uncontested witnesses
We praise the doctrine of our Lord,
Prove to their hearts the truth of grace,
And sinners save without the word.

University of Virginia Library

CXLIV.

[With a believing master bless'd]