The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

O how shall a sinner perform
The vows he hath vow'd to the Lord?
A sinful and impotent worm,
How can I be true to my word?
I tremble at what I have done,
But look for my help from above,
The power that I never have known,
The virtue of Jesus's love.

My solemn engagements are vain,
My promises empty as air,
My vows I shall break them again,
And plunge in eternal despair;

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Unless my omnipotent God
The sense of His goodness impart,
And shed by His Spirit abroad
That love of Himself in my heart.

O Lover of sinners, extend
To me the affectionate grace,
Appear my affliction to end,
Afford me a glimpse of Thy face:
The sight shall enkindle in me
A flame of reciprocal love,
And then I shall cleave unto Thee,
And then I shall never remove.

O come to a mourner in pain,
Thy peace to my conscience reveal,
And then I shall love Thee again,
And sing of the goodness I feel;
Constrain'd by the grace of my Lord,
My soul shall in all things obey,
And wait to be fully restored,
And long to be summon'd away.

University of Virginia Library

CX. THE SAME.

Hymn 11.

[O how shall a sinner perform]