The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Jesu, wherewith shall I draw near,
What shall I for acceptance bring?
How in my Judge's sight appear
A rebel 'gainst my God and King?
Loudly my sins for vengeance cry,
And justice wills that I should die.

109

Summon'd to answer at Thy bar,
I come, but “Guilty, guilty” plead!
Did I not all Thy judgments dare?
On all Thy tender mercies tread?
Death's sentence justly I receive;
I am not worthy, Lord, to live.

Then let me every good resign,
And give my forfeit blessings back;
My gifts and blessings were not mine;
Thou, only Thou, the glory take:
I might have heard Thy frequent call;
I might have stood, though now I fall.

Long did Thy loving Spirit strive
To win me over to my good;
The spark of grace was kept alive
For years amidst temptation's flood:
I now have sinn'd it all away,
And ended is my gracious day.

An alien from the life Divine,
The covenant of promised grace,
Saviour, no more I call Thee mine;
An outcast from Thy blissful face,
Without or faith, or joy, or hope,
I give (but must I give) Thee up?

Yes: with my shield of faith I part;
My hope is lost in just despair;
Love is not in my stony heart,
It cannot be, while sin is there;
My vain pretensions sin disproves;
He cannot sin who Jesus loves.

110

No choice, endeavour, or desire,
Motion, or will have I to turn;
Extinguish'd is the trembling fire
Which once in me began to burn:
What have I now whereof to boast?
My all is gone, my God is lost.

See then the sinner stript of all,
A foe, and hater of his God;
Despairing, self-condemn'd I fall,
Of every spark of goodness void;
I cannot now for mercy groan,
Or offer Thee an heart of stone.

My mouth is stopp'd, and guilty now
Before my Judge I am become:
Lo! at Thy judgment-seat I bow;
O God of love, pronounce my doom;
And, if Thy yearning heart permit,
Now, Saviour, slay me at Thy feet.

University of Virginia Library

AFTER A RELAPSE INTO SIN.