The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Bowels of compassion, sound
In answer to our cry,
Let Thy balmy grace abound,
Before our brother die!
Bleeding Lamb, Thy blood impart
To sign a burden'd soul's release;
Whisper love into his heart,
And bid him die in peace.

Sinner's Advocate, appear,
In all Thy wounds confess'd,
Now his fainting spirit cheer,
And calm his troubled breast:
Jesu, show Thine healing art,
And give his tortured conscience ease,
Whisper love into his heart,
And bid him die in peace.

Do not, Lord, for ever chide
With one who was Thy son:
Mercy cries, “Be pacified,
For all that he hath done:”
Though he did from Thee depart,
With pity see his last distress,
Whisper love into his heart,
And bid him die in peace.

222

If Thou all his ways hast seen,
Since first from Thee he ran,
If Thy hand hath kept him in,
And fenced him round with pain;
If Thy rod hath made him smart,
And still corrects his frowardness;
Whisper love into his heart,
And bid him die in peace.

Let the punishment suffice
He hath already borne,
Now to bless his closing eyes,
Thou lovely Lamb, return;
Ere the soul and body part,
Again Thy lawful captive seize,
Whisper love into his heart,
And bid him die in peace.

Lord, we will not cease to pray,
We will not let Thee go,
Till Thou take his sins away,
And wash him white as snow;
Bless him, ere he hence depart,
With pardon and salvation bless,
Whisper love into his heart,
And bid him die in peace.

In this acceptable hour
Thy pardoning grace reveal,
If the prayer of faith hath power
A sin-sick soul to heal:
If the same Thou always art,
Make all Thy gracious fulness his,
Whisper love into his heart,
And bid him die in peace.

223

Son of God, come down, come down,
And tell him all Thy name,
That we all around Thy throne
Thy glories may proclaim;
That we never more may part,
Partakers of Thy heavenly bliss,
Whisper love to every heart,
And bid us die in peace.

University of Virginia Library

HYMN IV. FOR A BACKSLIDER (MR. J. H.) NEAR DEATH.