The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Wesley, Charles (1707-1788)

VOLUME I.

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

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1085.

[“This night thou shalt deny Me thrice,”]

If I should die with Thee, I will not deny Thee. —xiv. 31.

“This night thou shalt deny Me thrice,”
Is the meek Master's warning word:
“I never will,” the servant cries,
And boldly contradicts his Lord;
“Though all beside turn back and flee,
I vow to live and die with Thee.”

The Saviour sad replies no more,
Nor eagerly His word defends,
But leaves it to the trying hour;
And who on his own strength depends,
Peter the confident, the proud,
Abjures his Master and his God.

Instructed by his fall, I stand
In just self-diffidence secure:
And while my soul is in Thy hand
Jesus, I can the test endure,
Arm'd with that lowly mind of Thine,
That modesty of truth Divine.

Warm, vehement, positive, and loud
With violent bold assertions vain,
If others boast their zeal for God,
Their future constancy maintain,
O may I see them with Thy eyes,
And neither credit, nor despise.

Much of myself I dare not say,
Or glory in my faith unproved,
Or promise in the evil day
That I alone shall stand unmoved,

Weakest, and sinfullest of all,
I fear to' affirm, “I cannot fall.”

Yet if I truly trust in Thee,
Me to myself Thou wilt not leave,
But help my soul's infirmity,
Dependent on Thy grace to live,
To live (till Thou from earth remove),
The spotless life of humble love.

University of Virginia Library

1085.

[“This night thou shalt deny Me thrice,”]