John 15:20: I t,t,. Remember the word that I said unto you, &c

Reason and sense would fain forget
The cross-imposing word,
The servant is not more discreet,
Or greater than the Lord:
If Christ they persecuted here,
Their malice will pursue
His every saint and minister,
As sure as God is true.

In pagan times it might be so
The prudent world allow,
"But all the true religion know,
But all are Christians now."
Christians in name, they vex and grieve
They persecute and kill
The men that would in Jesus live;
And all His words fulfil.

Because the truth they cannot bear
They hate its witnesses,
And all who live the gospel, share
The sanctified distress;
They will not, Lord, to Thine agree,
Who Satan's works approve,
And till they cease from hating Thee
Thy church the)- cannot love.