The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

But will the gracious Lord,
Who hides us in His breast,
Redeem His servants from the sword,
And give up all the rest?
Wilt Thou Thy fury pour
On the obdurate crowd,
And let the Romish wolf devour
The men that know not God?

153

Bowels Divine, forbid!
Forbid it, heavenly grace!
And let the mourning praying seed
Protect the sinful race:
To Abraham's Son and God,
With Abraham's faith we cry,
O spare a nation in their blood,
Nor let the wicked die.

2

Drawn down by public crimes,
If vengeance must take place,
Why, Lord, in our degenerate times
Hast Thou remember'd grace?
Thy kingdom why restored?
What means Thy Spirit's strife,
While thousands by His powerful word
Are pass'd from death to life?

The tokens of Thy love
On every side we see,
And crowds begotten from above
Stretch out their hands to Thee:
Against this evil day
Ready prepared they stand,
To turn Thy vengeful wrath away,
And save a guilty land.

3

Even now with them we meet
Around Thy gracious throne,
And mercy for a land entreat
Where Thou art truly known:
We wrestle for the throng
Who dead in sins abide,
Because the judgment lingers long
Who all Thy threats deride.

154

What canst Thou do to save
The souls insensible,
Who madly their destruction brave,
And laugh at death and hell?
They ask the scourge to see,
They bid Thy day make haste,
But public ill, o'erruled by Thee,
Shall turn to good at last.

University of Virginia Library

HYMN III.

[But will the gracious Lord]

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