'If any have an ear'

Saith holy John, 'then let him hear!

He, that into captivity

Leads others, shall a captive be.

Who with the sword doth others kill,

A sword shall his blood likewise spill.

Here is the patience of the saints,

And the true faith, which never faints.'

For in this bright, instructing verse

Thy saints are not the conquerers,

But patient, meek, and overcome

Like Thee, when set at nought and dumb.

Armies Thou hast in Heaven, which fight

And follow Thee, all clothed in white;

But here on Earth -- though Thou hadst need --

Thou wouldst no legions, but wouldst bleed.

The sword wherewith Thou dost command

Is in Thy mouth, not in Thy hand;

And all Thy saints do overcome

By Thy blood, and their martyrdom.

But seeing soldiers long ago

Did spit on Thee, and smote Thee too;

Crown'd Thee with thorns, and bow'd the knee,

But [120] in contempt, as still we see,

I'll marvel not at aught they do,

Because they used my Saviour so;

Since of my LORD they had their will,

Thy servant must not take it ill.

Dear JESUS, give me patience here,

And faith to see my crown as near,

And almost reach'd, because 'tis sure

If I hold fast, and slight the lure.

Give me humility and peace,

Contented thoughts, innoxious ease,

A sweet, revengeless, quiet mind,

And to my greatest haters, kind.

Give me, my GOD! a heart as mild

And plain, as when I was a child.

That when Thy throne is set, and all

These conquerors before it fall,

I may be found -- preserved by Thee --

Amongst that chosen company,

Who by no blood -- here -- overcame,

But the blood of the Blesséd Lamb.

---

Footnotes:

[119] See Note

[120] but, only