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.

University of Virginia Library

LXXXIII.

[O Thou, whose wise paternal love]