The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

With sin and grief beginning,
Must I with sorrow end
A wretched life, and sinning
Into the grave descend?
Will mercy's arms receive me,
When all my woes are past?
Or God refuse to give me
Pardon and peace at last?

No longer I endeavour
Myself to justify,
Convinced my Maker's favour
I cannot, cannot buy:

113

No deeds or tempers virtuous
Have I wherein to trust:
If Love will lose His purchase,
I am for ever lost.

But is there no salvation
For sinners lost as me?
But is there no compassion
In Him who stain'd the tree?
Jesus, Thou cam'st from heaven,
And pouredst out Thy blood,
That I might die forgiven,
Might share the throne of God.

Soon as Thy passion tells me
Hope in my end there is,
Soon as Thy Spirit seals me
An heir of endless bliss,
The kingdom to inherit,
I would with joy resign
My disembodied spirit
Into the hands Divine.

University of Virginia Library

XCIV.

[With sin and grief beginning]