The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Righteous, O Lord, Thy judgments are!
Ordain'd by Thy decree
In sorrow to conceive and bear,
I bow my soul to Thee:
Daughter of Eve, Thy voice I hear
Appointing my distress,
And prostrate in the dust revere
Thy awful righteousness.

The misery of my fall I feel,
And patiently sustain:
But save me from the' extremest ill,
The more than mortal pain:
The utmost penalty decreed,
The utmost wrath, forbear,
And spare me, O Thou woman's Seed,
Thou Son of Mary, spare.

If once to swell the virgin's womb,
Great God, Thou didst not scorn,
But man Thyself for me become,
Of Thy own creature born,
Partaker of our flesh and blood,
Our sorrows still partake,
And screen me from the curse of God
For Thy own nature's sake.

O Son of man, assuage my woes,
My rising fears control,
And sanctify the mother's throes,
And save the mother's soul:
Thy blessed, sanctifying will
I know concerning me,
By faith assured I ne'er shall feel
That endless misery.

My Saviour from the wrath to come,
From present evil save,
And farther mitigate my doom,
Nor let me see the grave:
Still hold my soul in life, I pray,
A dying worm reprieve,
And let me all my lengthen'd day
Unto Thy glory live.

Now, Lord, I have to Thee made known
My troubled soul's request,
And sink in calm dependence down
Within Thy arms to rest:
Secure in danger's blackest hour
Thy faithfulness to prove,
Protected by almighty power,
And everlasting love.

University of Virginia Library

XLV.

[Righteous, O Lord, Thy judgments are!]