The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

When young, and full of sanguine hope,
And warm in my first love,
My spirit's loins I girded up,
And sought the things above,
Swift on the wings of active zeal
With Jesu's message flew,
O'erjoy'd with all my heart and will
My Master's work to do.

Freely where'er I would, I went
Through wisdom's pleasant ways,
Happy to spend and to be spent
In ministering His grace:
I found no want of will or power,
In love's sweet task employ'd,
And put forth every day and hour
My utmost strength for God.

As strong, and glorying in my might,
I drew the two-edged sword,
Valiant against a troop to fight
The battles of the Lord;

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I scorn'd the multitude to dread,
Rush'd on with full career,
And aim'd at each opposer's head,
And smote off many an ear.

But now, enervated by age,
I feel my fierceness gone,
And nature's powers no more engage
To prop the Saviour's throne:
My total impotence I see,
For help on Jesus call,
And stretch my feeble hands to Thee,
Who workest all in all.

Thy captive, Lord, myself I yield,
As purely passive clay;
Thy holy will be all fulfill'd,
Constraining mine to' obey:
My passions by Thy Spirit bind,
And, govern'd by Thy word,
I'll suffer all the woes design'd
To make me like my Lord.

Wholly at Thy dispose I am
No longer at my own,
All self-activity disclaim,
And move in God alone:
Transport, do what Thou wilt with me,
A few more evil days,
But bear me safe through all to see
My dear Redeemer's face.

University of Virginia Library

A RETROSPECT.