The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

The elder serves the younger now,
If, Lord, I now believe;
To sin I need no longer bow,
Or passion's yoke receive.
Tempted, I never need give place,
But still from sin set free,
May witness that Thy pardoning grace
Sufficient is for me.

Nature doth to Thy gracious power
In every conflict yield;
And battling my old conqueror,
I win the well-fought field.
Lead captive my captivity,
While pride and self remain,
Tread down the lusts that trod down me,
And o'er the' oppressors reign.

If anger, vanity, desire,
Or unbelief assail,
I find the succour I require,
And grace doth still prevail:
Daily I find my struggling will
Into subjection brought,
And every tendency to ill,
And every sinful thought.

But must I always feel within,
The flesh and Spirit's strife?
“The' intestine war of grace and sin
Can only end with life:”
So all the world of liars cry,
With Satan at their head;
But let Thine oracles reply,
And speak the truth indeed.

What saith the word infallible
To terminate the doubt?
Thou wilt Thy glorious arm reveal,
And cast the elder out;
The bondwoman's base son shall be
Oppress'd, expell'd, destroy'd,
And all my soul's capacity
For ever fill'd with God.

University of Virginia Library

3055.

[The elder serves the younger now]