The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Saviour, Thou hast deliverance sent,
Thou hast a little longer lent
Whom I received from Thee,
I see Thy healing work begun,
My age's prop, my only son,
Restored to life I see.

With thankful heart I ask for more,
Go on to manifest Thy power,
Thy mercy's full design,
Strength to the faint and feeble give,
And let him for Thy glory live,
In soul and body Thine.

Why would my prayer detain him here,
But that he may with lowly fear
Grow up to serve his Lord,
A witness for his Saviour rise,
Proclaim Thy kingdom from the skies,
And minister Thy word?

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But shall my will prescribe to Thee?
Or is Thine absolute decree
Inclined by human prayer?
Thy works are all to Thee foreknown,
Thy will, Thy sovereign will alone
Elects a minister.

Yet as Thy own command requires,
I tell Thee all my heart's desires,
For him Thy grace implore;
Let Ishmael in Thy presence live,
Isaac's inheritance receive,
And Abraham's God adore.

On Sion's walls the watchman place,
The free dispenser of Thy grace,
The steward wise and good,
(If now Thou hear'st Thy Spirit's cry,)
Thee let him rise to testify
And pardon in Thy blood.

Thou know'st Thy pleading Spirit's will,
In my accomplish'd wish fulfil
Thy own supreme design;
My son into Thy service take,
Fit for his Master's use, and make
An instrument Divine.

When I from all my labours rest,
Be mindful, Lord, of this request,
For my surviving son:
Into Thy mercy's arms I cast,
And trust Thy love to hold him fast,
Till all his work is done.

131

CVIII.

[O might he live before Thee]

O might he live before Thee
My well-beloved son,
With tender fear adore Thee,
His God while yet unknown!
Thine eye of mercy guide him
Into the land of rest,
And let no ill betide him
By his Creator bless'd.

That from his kind Creator
He never may depart,
Keep in the state of nature
His inexperienced heart;
Unconquer'd by temptation,
By Satan unbeguiled,
From each alluring passion
Preserve my giddy child.

The unsuspicious stranger
To our malignant race
From every hidden danger
Deliver by Thy grace,
From popular infection,
From every great offence
Thy love be the protection
Of thoughtless innocence.

Prevent, restrain, attend him
Through a wide world of ill,
Till Thou call forth and send him
To do Thy blessed will,

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By Thy predestination
The heavenly seed to sow,
And minister salvation,
And serve Thy saints below.

University of Virginia Library

ON HIS RECOVERY.

CVII.

[Saviour, Thou hast deliverance sent]

CVIII.

[O might he live before Thee]