University of Virginia Library

2658.

[Who now His work revives]

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, &c. —xiii. 46.

Who now His work revives
In these apostate days,
Invites professors first, and gives
To you the word of grace:
Into your churches sent
With news of sin forgiven
We preach the kingdom near; repent,
Believe, and enter heaven.
If harden'd ye remain,
Refuse by faith to live,
The gift of righteousness disdain
Which God would freely give;
Ye wilfully refuse
The life of glory too;
And know, ye grace rejecting Jews,
There is no heaven for you.
Embolden'd through the name
Which speaks salvation sure,
Our call we follow, and proclaim
The gospel to the poor;
Repulsed by you we know,
And guided by His will,
To the highways and hedges go,
And thus our charge fulfil:

284

The sons of wickedness
The slaves of open sin,
Outcasts and vagabonds we press,
And force them to come in:
And lo from sin released
Heathens obey the call,
Baptized, or unbaptized they feast
With Him who died for all.