The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

O my only Ease in pain,
O my only Joy in grief,
Hear me secretly complain,
Sigh for permanent relief,
Burden'd more than I can bear,
Still with earthly passions torn,
Let me tell Thee all my care,
Let me in Thy bosom mourn.

Jesus, why dost Thou delay
Thy poor prisoner to release,
All my sin to take away,
All my soul to fill with peace?
Surely, Lord, I would be free,
Would from every evil fly:
Set my heart at liberty,
Give me love, and let me die.

Nothing do I seek below,
Lord, I dare to Thee appeal,
Thou my tempted soul dost know,
All I fear and all I feel:
Nothing here but sin I dread,
Nothing here but love I crave:
Let me rest my weary head,
Let me find a quiet grave.

Grant me first the rest from sin,
Then permit me to depart,
Thou who seest this war within,
Thou who read'st this troubled heart.
When it doth to sin incline,
O the agony I bear!
This unworthy heart of mine
Would I not in pieces tear.

162

Wherefore then, Thou gracious God,
(Let me yet again inquire,)
Dost Thou leave me to my load,
Still deny my best desire?
Why dost Thou to help forbear,
Heedless of my griefs and fears,
Deaf to my continual prayer,
Silent at my ceaseless tears?

What Thou dost I know not now,
But on Thee my soul I cast,
To Thy secret counsel bow,
Sure to know the whole at last.
Sure Thine utmost grace to know,
Sure to prove Thine utmost will,
Throughly sanctified below,
Caught up to Thy heavenly hill.

University of Virginia Library

XV. ANOTHER.

[O my only Ease in pain]