The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Jesus, guard Thy gather'd sheep,
Who Thy voice begin to know,
Day and night in safety keep,
Help us after Thee to go:
Eyeing Thee with fix'd regard,
By Thy word and Spirit led,
Walk we in the works prepared,
Close in all Thy footsteps tread.

In Thy pilgrimage with men,
(Objects of Thy constant care,)
Thou didst all their griefs sustain,
Labouring, watching unto prayer:
Thou whole nights in prayer didst spend
On the mount for us employ'd,
Prompt the helpless to defend,
Prevalent with man and God.

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By no private wants compell'd,
Only love inspired Thy breast,
Love Thy steady hands upheld,
Love enforced the kind request:
And shall we refuse to join,
We who all the good receive,
Reap the fruit of toil Divine,
By the prayer of Jesus live!

Nay, but in Thy strength we rise,
Nightly to the mountain go,
Breathe our wishes to the skies,
For the sleeping crowd below;
Pray, my watchful brethren, pray,
Full of wants, and sins, and fears,
Wrestle till the break of day,
Till the saving grace appears.

Jesus, hear our midnight cry,
Execute Thy love's design,
Bring Thy great salvation nigh,
Claim a ransom'd world for Thine,
Take the purchase of Thy blood,
(Blood that speaks our sins forgiven,)
Let it bring us near to God,
Let it pray us up to heaven!

University of Virginia Library

XCIV. THE SAME.

Hymn 11.

[Jesus, guard Thy gather'd sheep]