The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

But more than all let those be clean
Who bear the vessels of the Lord,
Preserved from their besetting sin,
The sin by God and man abhorr'd,
Which cast the' aspiring angels down,
And robs Thy servants of their crown.

Ah! who are as Thy servants blind,
And ignorant of Satan's arts!
(Their feeble inexperienced mind
Open to all his fiery darts,)
To every sin and error prone,
Without Thine utmost grace undone.

What but Thy love's almighty power
Can save a minister of grace,
Can rescue in that perilous hour,
When wondering crowds the preacher praise,
And tempt the idol to blaspheme,
As God's great work were link'd with him!

Thou everlasting Strength Divine,
All things are possible to Thee:
Let every messenger of Thine
Out of the depth of poverty,

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On Jesus every moment call,
And feel that Thou art all in all.

HYMN VII. FOR THE SAME.

[Yet hear us, for the labourers hear]

Yet hear us, for the labourers hear,
And speed, O God, the gospel plough:
Bless'd with a never ceasing fear,
To Thee let all their spirits bow,
And own, while humbled in the dust,
God only wise, and strong, and just.

O may they never seek their own,
Or trust, or in themselves delight,
Let each despise himself alone,
Less than the least in his own sight,
Not worthy to declare Thy word,
Or serve the servants of his Lord.

While to the work their lives they give,
Thy love of solitude inspire:
Nightly let Thy disciples leave
The crowd, and to the mount retire,
Secretly call'd to rest apart,
And talk with Jesus in their heart.

Stir up the souls by them begot
Ceaseless in their behalf to cry,
And keep them, that they perish not,
Thine all-sufficient grace supply,
Preserve from twice ten thousand snares,
And give them to their children's prayers.

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HYMN VIII. FOR THE SAME.

[Ah! most compassionate High-priest]

Ah! most compassionate High-priest,
Thy tempted messengers defend,
Honour'd, exposed, above the rest,
To them Thy timely succour send,
With each in his temptation stay,
Nor cast one helpless soul away.

Save them from pride, and worldly love,
From envy mean, and base desire;
Their lust of praise and power remove,
Walk with Thy servants in the fire,
Appear their Leader on the flood,
And prop them with the arm of God.

Show them, their strength and safety lies
In closely copying after Thee,
In boldly labouring up the skies,
In full Divine conformity,
In fervent zeal to do and bear,
In all the powers of faithful prayer.

Entering into their closet, Lord,
Thee let them daily seek, and find,
Studious to preach, and live Thy word,
To copy out Thy perfect mind,
To be as Thou their Master art,
Lowly, and meek, and pure in heart.

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HYMN IX. FOR THE SAME.

[Lord of the gospel harvest, send]

Lord of the gospel harvest, send
More labourers forth into Thy field,
More pastors teach Thy flock to tend,
More workmen raise Thy house to build;
His work, and place, to each assign,
And clothe their word with power Divine.

But chiefly to Thy mild command
The masters of our Israel bow:
Stars let them shine in Thy right hand
(Eclipsed, alas! and wandering now!)
Who do not yet Thy kingdom see,
But ask, How can the mystery be?

Light of the world, Thy beams impart,
To make Thy witnesses appear;
Thy Spirit shining in the heart
Appoints the gospel minister:
Now, Lord, the gracious wonder show,
An Angel on Thy church bestow.

Moved by our long continued cry,
Some apostolic father raise,
Our want of labourers to supply,
To' admit the vessels of Thy grace,
To lay on hands, o'erruled by Thine,
And recognise the call Divine.

University of Virginia Library

FOR THE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL.

HYMN VI.