Verse 1
Our holy God the smallest fault
Severely chastens in his own;
So base a misbelieving thought
In those who have his goodness known!
The sin he graciously forgives,
Nor yet remits the total pain,
But marks of his displeasure leaves,
Lest saints should doubt his love again.
Verse 2
Nine months for a mistrustful word,
Nine months of silence must atone,[1]
That starting from the sin abhor’d,
The sin which all contains in one,
We may our unbelief deny,
The words of truth with joy embrace,
On Christ, the Power of God, rely,
And calm expect his promis’d grace.
[1] Wesley added the footnote: “Improperly speaking, not evangelically.”