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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
 | VIII. |
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| II. |
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| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
 | CHAPTER XII. The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley |  |
53
1038.
[A pastor with courageous zeal]
Master, we know that Thou art true, &c.
—xii. 14.
A pastor with courageous zeal
The truth to all alike should deal,
And no respect of persons know;
But if he once himself respect,
That leaven will the lump infect,
And all his confidence o'erthrow.
The flattering fiend, his faith to try,
Will turn upon himself his eye,
His zeal admire, his boldness praise,
Impel him to some dire extreme,
Or make him dignities blaspheme,
And lose through pride his boasted grace.
The truth to all alike should deal,
And no respect of persons know;
But if he once himself respect,
That leaven will the lump infect,
And all his confidence o'erthrow.
The flattering fiend, his faith to try,
Will turn upon himself his eye,
His zeal admire, his boldness praise,
Impel him to some dire extreme,
Or make him dignities blaspheme,
And lose through pride his boasted grace.
But should we not the truth declare,
Refuse or high or low to spare,
And kings undauntedly reprove?
If fired with an intrepid zeal
The way of God in truth we tell,
What more can there be wanted? Love:
Love and discretion must conspire,
To cool and guide the temper'd fire
Of Jesus' flaming witnesses;
Humble and peaceable and meek,
Wisdom should teach us when to speak,
And how the' unsoften'd truth to press.
Refuse or high or low to spare,
And kings undauntedly reprove?
If fired with an intrepid zeal
The way of God in truth we tell,
What more can there be wanted? Love:
Love and discretion must conspire,
To cool and guide the temper'd fire
Of Jesus' flaming witnesses;
Humble and peaceable and meek,
Wisdom should teach us when to speak,
And how the' unsoften'd truth to press.
| CHAPTER XII. The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley | |