The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Helpless babe, who from the womb
Dost this hour thy course begin,
Hasty traveller to the tomb,
Born in misery and sin,
Born into a vale of tears,
To a world of trouble born,
Subject of our hopes and fears,
Shall thy friends rejoice, or mourn?

Thee a heritage from God,
Thee whom God vouchsafes to give,
Not in wrath but love bestow'd,
Thankfully we should receive;

But when all thy dangers rise,
Passions, pains, and sins, and snares,
Fear rebukes our forward joys,
Turns our praises into prayers.

God, whose eye doth all things see,
Hidden from short-sighted man,
All Thy works are known to Thee,
All our springs of joy and pain:
Knows Thy wise omniscient mind
What the new-born child shall prove;
Whether mine his God will find,
Will ensure Thy hate, or love.

But if now Thy prescience sees
Scenes of misery and vice,
If his future wickedness
Now offends Thy glorious eyes,
Ere the dire decree bring forth,
Ere he turn from Thee his will,
Crush the viper in the birth,
Save him from a world of ill.

Do not suffer him to live
A transgressor from the womb,
Thy good Spirit by sin to grieve,
Rather now prevent his doom;
Hear Thy Spirit's cry within
A poor earthly parent's breast,
Save my helpless child from sin,
Snatch him now to endless rest.

University of Virginia Library

LXI.

[Helpless babe, who from the womb]