The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

O Thou, whose wise paternal love
Hath brought my active vigour down,
Thy choice I thankfully approve,
And prostrate at Thy gracious throne
I offer up my life's remains,
I choose the state my God ordains.

Cast as a broken vessel by,
Thy will I can no longer do,
Yet while a daily death I die,
Thy power I may in weakness show,
My patience may Thy glory raise,
My speechless woe proclaim Thy praise.

But since without Thy Spirit's might
Thou know'st I nothing can endure,
The help I ask in Jesus' right,
The strength He did for me procure,
Father, abundantly impart,
And arm with love my feeble heart.

This single good I humbly crave,
This single good on me bestow,
And when my one desire I have,
Let every other blessing go!
Ah, do not, Lord, my suit deny,
I only want to love—and die.

Or let me live, of love possess'd,
In weakness, weariness, and pain;
The anguish of my labouring breast,
The daily cross I still sustain,
For Him that languish'd on the tree,
But lived, before He died, for me.

LXXXIV.

[Welcome incurable disease]

Welcome incurable disease,
Whate'er my gracious God decrees
My happy choice I make,

100

Death's sentence in myself receive,
Since God a Man of griefs did live,
And suffer for my sake.

The love which brought Him from the skies,
Which made His soul a sacrifice,
Visits me in this pain;
He bids me taste His passion's cup,
And fill His mournful measure up,
That I with Him may reign.

Not that the sufferings I endure
His Father's favour can procure,
Or for my sins atone:
Jesus alone the wine-press trod,
Answer'd the just demands of God,
And paid my debt alone.

Nor can my utmost griefs or pains
Purge out the' original remains,
Or kill the root of sin:
That blood which did my pardon buy,
That only blood must sanctify,
And wash my nature clean.

Yes, O Thou all-redeeming Lamb,
The virtue of Thy balmy name
Restores my inward peace;
Thy death doth all my guilt remove,
Thy life shall fill my heart with love
And perfect holiness.

Faith in Thy powerful love I have,
Thou wilt the helpless sinner save
Who fain to Thee would go:

101

Thou dost from time to time reprieve,
Till I my pardon seal'd receive,
And all Thy fulness know.

I own Thy kind design on me,
The meaning of Thy patience see;
Thou hast my manners borne,
That saved, before I hence depart,
Lowly, and meek, and pure in heart,
I may to God return.

Accomplish then Thy gracious end,
And bid my happy soul ascend
In holiness complete,
The meanest of that heavenly throng
Who sing Thine own eternal song,
And triumph at Thy feet.

University of Virginia Library

FOR ONE VISITED WITH SICKNESS.

LXXXIII.

[O Thou, whose wise paternal love]

LXXXIV.

[Welcome incurable disease]