II. JOHN.
3424.
[The living principle of grace]
The truth...dwelleth in us, and shall be with, &c.
—2.
The living principle of grace,
The faith producing holiness,
Now in our hearts doth dwell;
And still it shall in us abide,
Till saved, and wholly sanctified,
We all Thy fulness feel.
Jesus, we steadfastly believe
The grace Thou dost this moment give
Thou wilt the next bestow;
Wilt keep us every moment here,
And show Thyself the Finisher,
And never let us go.
3425.
[Father of Jesus Christ our Lord]
Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from &c.
—3.
Father of Jesus Christ our Lord,
With Jesus Christ for ever one,
To us who hang upon Thy word
Thy mercy, peace, and grace be shown!
By grace our guiltiness remove,
Our wretchedness by mercy heal,
And stablish us in faith and love,
By peace, Thy hallowing Spirit's seal.
3426.
[This be the genuine proof of mine]
This is love, that we walk after His commandments.
—6.
This be the genuine proof of mine,
If God I love indeed,
To do whate'er His laws enjoin,
In Jesu's steps to tread,
To perfect holiness below,
Yet still on Christ depend;
And walking after Him, I know
My walk in heaven shall end.
3427.
[Howe'er the Nicolaitanes claim]
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in, &c.
—9.
Howe'er the Nicolaitanes claim
Our God for theirs with lips impure,
And boast through faith in Jesu's name
Their pardon and salvation sure,
Vain boasters who with sin comply,
Their actions give their lips the lie.
No lot or part with us have they
Who slight the Father and the Son,
Demonstrate, while they disobey,
That God they never yet have known,
Or wash'd from their old sins in vain,
Have to their vomit turn'd again.
3428.
[We, only we believe indeed]
He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he, &c.
—9.
We, only we believe indeed,
Our faith by our obedience show,
Who follow, by His Spirit led,
And walk as Jesus walk'd below,
And in His ways continue still,
And all His words with joy fulfil.
Justly we call the Father ours,
The Son we really possess,
And tasting the celestial powers
Go on in holy love and peace,
To meet our Lord from paradise,
To claim our mansions in the skies.
