Matthew 20:10, 11: A Life of piety severe

A Life of piety severe,
A distance from external vice
May cherish pride in the sincere,
And tempt them others to despise,
Of favour'd rivals to complain
With murmuring jealousy of heart,
As God indebted were to man,
And paid him less than his desert.

How great the pardoning grace Divine,
Which envy in a saint can raise!
Left to themselves, the just repine
That Jesus is so rich in grace;
So rich above all human thought,
So plenteous in benignity.
So kind to those who merit nought,
So good to publicans — and me!