Verse 1
The kingdom rises from a grain
Into a tree by just degrees,
Our hasty nature to restrain,
To check our blindfold forwardness,
Which teaches God the when and how,
Which urges man Be perfect now!
Verse 2
Our darkest ignorance of pride,
Our unbelief, O Lord, remove,
Which sets thine oracles aside,
Thy words audacious to improve,
And spread at once the hallowing leaven,
And preach a shorter way to heaven.
Verse 3
O may I never teach my Lord,
Wise above what is written be!
Me by the method of thy word
Bring on to full maturity,
Save on, when Thou hast purg’d my guilt,
But save me when, and as Thou wilt.