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 | The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley |  |
JOB.
723.
[No, thou malicious fiend!]
Doth Job fear God for nought?
—i. 9.
No, thou malicious fiend!
I own my service bought:
So great a Lord, so kind a Friend,
I cannot fear for nought.
724.
[Naked into the world I came]
Naked came I out of my mother's womb, &c.
—i. 21.
Naked into the world I came,
Naked I out of it shall go,
And soon this perishable frame
With mother earth shall rest below:
But O! my soul, if born again,
With glory clothed upon shall rise,
A place among the saints obtain,
And find its Father in the skies.
231
725.
[I cannot lose what is not mine]
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, &c.
—i. 21.
I cannot lose what is not mine,
I may to God restore His loan;
And cheerfully I would resign,
When justly He revokes His own:
Ah, give me, Lord, with all to part;
And when Thou dost my soul require,
To bless Thee for a broken heart,
And calmly in Thine arms expire.
726.
[Urged by the world and Satan I]
Curse God and die.
—ii. 9.
Urged by the world and Satan I
In pain to curse my God and die,
To the abhorr'd temptation give
No place; but bless my God, and live.
727.
[Patiently received from Thee]
Shall we receive good at the hand of God, &c.
—ii. 10.
Patiently received from Thee,
Evil cannot evil be:
Evil is by evil heal'd;
Evil is but good conceal'd,
And through the virtue of Thy blood
Shall turn to our eternal good.
728.
[Impatient of a Father's rod]
Job cursed his day.
—iii. 1.
Impatient of a Father's rod,
In gloomy, discontented pain,
No more I quarrel with my God,
Of life ungratefully complain;
But humbled in the dust, approve
The kind design of heavenly love.
In gloomy, discontented pain,
No more I quarrel with my God,
Of life ungratefully complain;
But humbled in the dust, approve
The kind design of heavenly love.
Bless'd be the day that I was born
A candidate for endless bliss!
If to my latest hour I mourn,
Yet will I praise my God for this,
Bear up beneath a weight of clay,
And triumph in my natal day.
A candidate for endless bliss!
If to my latest hour I mourn,
Yet will I praise my God for this,
232
And triumph in my natal day.
729.
[Leaving myself behind]
There the weary be at rest.
—iii. 17.
Leaving myself behind
For that confirm'd repose,
I shall a long oblivion find
Of life and all its woes:
Rest after toil how sweet
When in Thine arms I prove,
Then, only then, I shall forget
That I have grieved Thy love.
730.
[To teach the wretched man]
Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery?
—iii. 20.
To teach the wretched man,
From whence his miseries flow,
Discover sin the source of pain,
The cause of all our woe;
To show his soul's disease,
Suppress his murmuring sighs,
And fit him for internal peace,
And life that never dies.
From whence his miseries flow,
Discover sin the source of pain,
The cause of all our woe;
To show his soul's disease,
Suppress his murmuring sighs,
And fit him for internal peace,
And life that never dies.
O for that gracious power,
My load of life to bear,
And watch for the appointed hour,
With never-slackening care!
Thy glorious house above,
Father, I fain would see;
But how Thou wilt my soul remove,
And when, I leave to Thee.
My load of life to bear,
And watch for the appointed hour,
With never-slackening care!
Thy glorious house above,
Father, I fain would see;
But how Thou wilt my soul remove,
And when, I leave to Thee.
O may I thus resign'd,
In every change and state,
The counsels of my Father's mind
With perfect patience wait,
Thy welcome will receive,
Alike indifferent I,
Or in the griefs of life to live,
Or in the joys to die.
In every change and state,
The counsels of my Father's mind
With perfect patience wait,
233
Alike indifferent I,
Or in the griefs of life to live,
Or in the joys to die.
731.
[Why should I seek what cannot save?]
Which long for death; which rejoice, &c.
—iii. 21, 22.
Why should I seek what cannot save?
I have no joy to find a grave,
Unless, before I hence depart,
I find a Saviour in my heart:
Then would I gladly die to see
The Man who lay so low for me,
Out of His tomb secure to rise,
And follow Jesus to the skies.
732.
[And shall we in ourselves confide]
Behold, He put no trust in His servants, &c.
—iv. 18.
And shall we in ourselves confide,
Our wisdom, or our perfect grace,
When angels tremble to abide
The test, and fall before His face,
Who flaws in purest spirits sees,
And marks celestial blemishes?
Our wisdom, or our perfect grace,
When angels tremble to abide
The test, and fall before His face,
Who flaws in purest spirits sees,
And marks celestial blemishes?
The creature fails, if Thou art near,
The brightest day is central night,
The morning stars no more appear,
The sun is darkness in Thy sight,
The perfect their perfection see
Absorb'd in Thy immensity.
The brightest day is central night,
The morning stars no more appear,
The sun is darkness in Thy sight,
The perfect their perfection see
Absorb'd in Thy immensity.
733.
[How happy the sorrowful man]
Happy is the man whom God correcteth.
—v. 17.
How happy the sorrowful man,
Whose sorrow is sent from above!
Indulged with a visit of pain,
Chastised by omnipotent love,
The Author of all his distress
He comes by affliction to know,
And God he in heaven shall bless,
That ever he suffer'd below.
Whose sorrow is sent from above!
Indulged with a visit of pain,
Chastised by omnipotent love,
234
He comes by affliction to know,
And God he in heaven shall bless,
That ever he suffer'd below.
Thus, thus may I happily grieve,
And hear the intent of His rod,
The marks of adoption receive,
The strokes of a merciful God,
With nearer access to His throne
My burden of folly confess,
The cause of my miseries own,
And cry for an answer of peace.
And hear the intent of His rod,
The marks of adoption receive,
The strokes of a merciful God,
With nearer access to His throne
My burden of folly confess,
The cause of my miseries own,
And cry for an answer of peace.
O Father of mercies, on me,
On me in affliction bestow,
A power of applying to Thee,
A sanctified use of my woe:
I would, in a spirit of prayer,
To all Thy appointments submit,
The pledge of my happiness bear,
And joyfully die at Thy feet.
On me in affliction bestow,
A power of applying to Thee,
A sanctified use of my woe:
I would, in a spirit of prayer,
To all Thy appointments submit,
The pledge of my happiness bear,
And joyfully die at Thy feet.
Then, Father, and never till then,
I all the felicity prove
Of living a moment in pain,
Of dying in Jesus's love.
A sufferer here with my Lord,
With Jesus above I sit down,
Receive an eternal reward,
And glory obtain in a crown.
I all the felicity prove
Of living a moment in pain,
Of dying in Jesus's love.
A sufferer here with my Lord,
With Jesus above I sit down,
Receive an eternal reward,
And glory obtain in a crown.
734.
[Smitten by Thee my heart is sore]
He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, &c.
—v. 18.
Smitten by Thee my heart is sore;
Jesus, show Thy sovereign power,
And bind it up again:
Thy wrath hath made the painful wound,
But in Thy bleeding hands is found
The balm that heals my pain.
Jesus, show Thy sovereign power,
And bind it up again:
235
But in Thy bleeding hands is found
The balm that heals my pain.
This anguish of a wounded soul
(Till Thy love hath made me whole)
O how shall I endure?
Now, Lord, with pardoning grace begin,
And bring Thy heavenly nature in
To work a perfect cure.
(Till Thy love hath made me whole)
O how shall I endure?
Now, Lord, with pardoning grace begin,
And bring Thy heavenly nature in
To work a perfect cure.
735.
[Why should I doubt His love at last]
He shall deliver thee in six troubles, &c.
—v. 19.
Why should I doubt His love at last,
With anxious thoughts perplex'd?
Who saved me in the troubles pass'd,
Will save me in the next;
Will save, till at my latest hour,
With more than conquest bless'd,
I soar beyond temptation's power,
To my Redeemer's breast.
736.
[No; I would not always live]
I would not live alway.
—vii. 16.
No; I would not always live,
Always sin, repent, and grieve,
Always in my dungeon groan,
Always serve a God unknown:
Or if Thou appear'st to me,
Darkly through a glass I see,
Know in part, and deeper mourn,
Till I to Thy arms return.
Always sin, repent, and grieve,
Always in my dungeon groan,
Always serve a God unknown:
Or if Thou appear'st to me,
Darkly through a glass I see,
Know in part, and deeper mourn,
Till I to Thy arms return.
Pardon'd, still for sin I grieve,
Never can myself forgive;
Weeping, though my heart were pure
Would I to the end endure,
Still lament, and daily die,
Till my Saviour from the sky
Wipe the gracious tears away,
Bear me to eternal day.
Never can myself forgive;
Weeping, though my heart were pure
Would I to the end endure,
236
Till my Saviour from the sky
Wipe the gracious tears away,
Bear me to eternal day.
737.
[By secret influence from above]
Thou triest man every moment.
—vii. 17, 18.
By secret influence from above,
Me Thou dost every moment prove
And labour to convert;
Ready to save I feel Thee nigh,
And still I hear Thy Spirit cry,
My son, give Me thy heart.
Me Thou dost every moment prove
And labour to convert;
Ready to save I feel Thee nigh,
And still I hear Thy Spirit cry,
My son, give Me thy heart.
Why do I not the call obey,
Cast my besetting sin away,
With every useless load?
Why cannot I this moment give
The heart Thou waitest to receive,
And love my loving God?
Cast my besetting sin away,
With every useless load?
Why cannot I this moment give
The heart Thou waitest to receive,
And love my loving God?
My loving God, the hindrance show,
Which nature dreads, alas! to know,
And lingers to remove;
Stronger than sin, Thy grace exert,
And seize, and change, and fill my heart
With all the powers of love.
Which nature dreads, alas! to know,
And lingers to remove;
Stronger than sin, Thy grace exert,
And seize, and change, and fill my heart
With all the powers of love.
Then shall I answer Thy design,
No longer, Lord, my own, but Thine;
Till all Thy will be done,
Humbly I pass my trial here,
And ripe in holiness appear,
With boldness at Thy throne.
No longer, Lord, my own, but Thine;
Till all Thy will be done,
Humbly I pass my trial here,
And ripe in holiness appear,
With boldness at Thy throne.
738.
[God of all power, and truth, and love]
Why dost Thou not pardon my transgression?
—vii. 21.
God of all power, and truth, and love,
Why dost Thou not my sin forgive,
While yet I may Thy mercy prove,
While yet I in the body live?
A moment sinks me into dust,
A moment ends my course below,
And then, inexorably just,
Thou never canst Thy mercy show.
Why dost Thou not my sin forgive,
237
While yet I in the body live?
A moment sinks me into dust,
A moment ends my course below,
And then, inexorably just,
Thou never canst Thy mercy show.
What can I say, what can I do
But humbly still for mercy sue,
Persisting in the sinner's plea,
My God, be merciful to me!
I use the humble words in vain,
Unless the penitential pain,
Jesus, Thy pitying eye impart,
And cast the look that breaks my heart.
But humbly still for mercy sue,
Persisting in the sinner's plea,
My God, be merciful to me!
I use the humble words in vain,
Unless the penitential pain,
Jesus, Thy pitying eye impart,
And cast the look that breaks my heart.
739.
[No, not if all the saints could join]
Whom, though I were righteous, &c.
—ix. 15.
No, not if all the saints could join
To make their works and merits mine,
Summon'd before the Judge, would I
Not guilty to His charge reply,
Or stand by any other plea,
Than—God be merciful to me!
To make their works and merits mine,
Summon'd before the Judge, would I
Not guilty to His charge reply,
Or stand by any other plea,
Than—God be merciful to me!
Yet conscious of my guilt I dare
Appear at Thy tremendous bar,
Unworthy to behold Thy face,
I humbly sue for pardoning grace,
And boldly now approach Thy throne,
Confiding in Thy righteous Son.
Appear at Thy tremendous bar,
Unworthy to behold Thy face,
I humbly sue for pardoning grace,
And boldly now approach Thy throne,
Confiding in Thy righteous Son.
740.
[Doth the great God, and Judge severe]
If I had called, and He had answered me, &c.
—ix. 16.
Doth the great God, and Judge severe,
Vile, rebellious sinners hear?
Alas, how should it be?
If me this moment He forgive,
I never, never can believe
That God hath answer'd me.
Vile, rebellious sinners hear?
Alas, how should it be?
238
I never, never can believe
That God hath answer'd me.
My feeble ineffectual cry,
Can it pass beyond the sky,
And reach the ear of God?
No: but in mine He must attend
The voice of my all-powerful Friend,
The cry of Jesu's blood.
Can it pass beyond the sky,
And reach the ear of God?
No: but in mine He must attend
The voice of my all-powerful Friend,
The cry of Jesu's blood.
741.
[Though all the precious promises]
If I say, I am perfect, mine own mouth, &c.
—ix. 20.
Though all the precious promises
I find fulfill'd in Jesu's love,
If perfect I myself profess,
My own profession I disprove:
The purest saint that lives below
Doth his own sanctity disclaim,
The wisest owns, I nothing know,
The holiest cries, I nothing am!
742.
[Perfect if I were indeed]
Though I were perfect, yet would I not know, &c.
—ix. 21.
Perfect if I were indeed,
My own state I would not know,
Would not innocency plead,
Though my soul were white as snow;
Would not in myself delight,
Nothing still in my own sight.
My own state I would not know,
Would not innocency plead,
Though my soul were white as snow;
Would not in myself delight,
Nothing still in my own sight.
Still, whene'er in love renew'd
I retain my poverty,
Glory in the pardoning God:
What I am, I am to Thee;
Small and vile in my own eyes,
Lord, I still my life despise.
I retain my poverty,
Glory in the pardoning God:
What I am, I am to Thee;
Small and vile in my own eyes,
Lord, I still my life despise.
239
All my life of grace is Thine,
All my faith is but a grain;
All my goodness is Divine,
Flowing to its Source again,
Mingled with the crystal sea,
Lost in Thy immensity.
All my faith is but a grain;
All my goodness is Divine,
Flowing to its Source again,
Mingled with the crystal sea,
Lost in Thy immensity.
743.
[Shall man direct the sovereign God]
If the scourge slay suddenly, He will laugh, &c.
—ix. 23.
Shall man direct the sovereign God,
Say, “He cannot use His rod
But for some fresh offence?
From saints He never hides His face,
Or suddenly their comfort slays,
To prove their innocence.”
Say, “He cannot use His rod
But for some fresh offence?
From saints He never hides His face,
Or suddenly their comfort slays,
To prove their innocence.”
Nay, but He casts the righteous down,
Seems on His beloved to frown;
Yet smiles their fears to see:
He hears the oft-repeated cry,
“Why, O my God, my Father, why
Hast Thou forsaken me?”
Seems on His beloved to frown;
Yet smiles their fears to see:
He hears the oft-repeated cry,
“Why, O my God, my Father, why
Hast Thou forsaken me?”
Then let the patient, perfect man
His integrity maintain;
But not before his God:
The Lord may crush a sinless saint,
As once He left His Son to faint,
And die beneath His load.
His integrity maintain;
But not before his God:
The Lord may crush a sinless saint,
As once He left His Son to faint,
And die beneath His load.
744.
[But we a mighty Daysman know]
Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, &c.
—ix. 33.
But
we a mighty Daysman know,
By love Divine to sinners given,
The Lord of all who dwelt below,
And mediates betwixt earth and heaven
Of both the nature He partakes,
United in Himself alone,
An end of all the difference makes,
For God and man in Christ are one.
By love Divine to sinners given,
The Lord of all who dwelt below,
And mediates betwixt earth and heaven
240
United in Himself alone,
An end of all the difference makes,
For God and man in Christ are one.
Thou, Jesus, Thou that Umpire art,
Whose hand on man and God is laid:
Assure a trembling sinner's heart,
My sin is purged, my peace is made:
Thou who hast apprehended me,
Give me Thyself to apprehend:
My peace, my sole perfection be,
My present and eternal Friend.
Whose hand on man and God is laid:
Assure a trembling sinner's heart,
My sin is purged, my peace is made:
Thou who hast apprehended me,
Give me Thyself to apprehend:
My peace, my sole perfection be,
My present and eternal Friend.
745.
[Cut me not off, almighty Lord]
I will say unto God, Do not condemn me.
—x. 2.
Cut me not off, almighty Lord,
But use Thy rod, and not Thy sword;
The cross no longer I decline,
But save me from the curse Divine;
Let sorrow break this wretched heart,
Let pain my soul and body part,
But suffer not my soul to be
For ever separated from Thee.
746.
[Why dost Thou this affliction send]
Shew me wherefore Thou contendest with me.
—x. 2.
Why dost Thou this affliction send,
Why with a feeble worm contend?
Unneeded pain Thou canst not give,
Or causelessly Thy children grieve:
Father, in kind compassion show
What means this providential blow:
O may I here Thy mercy see,
And all the good design'd for me.
241
747.
[Why am I, Lord, at life's sad close]
These things hast Thou hid in Thine heart, &c.
—x. 13.
Why am I, Lord, at life's sad close
Unsaved, unhappy, and unclean,
Abandon'd to my inbred foes,
O'erwhelm'd with wretchedness and sin,
A mystery to myself am I,
Nor can into Thy counsel pry:
Unsaved, unhappy, and unclean,
Abandon'd to my inbred foes,
O'erwhelm'd with wretchedness and sin,
A mystery to myself am I,
Nor can into Thy counsel pry:
I know not what my God hath will'd,
To save, or finally depart;
The deep design is still conceal'd,
The love or anger in Thy heart;
Inexplicably dark to me;
But known are all Thy works to Thee.
To save, or finally depart;
The deep design is still conceal'd,
The love or anger in Thy heart;
Inexplicably dark to me;
But known are all Thy works to Thee.
748.
[Who make to heaven your bold appeal]
Oh that God would speak, and open His lips against thee.
—xi. 5.
Who make to heaven your bold appeal,
Most forward to prejudge your foes,
The thunder of the' Almighty deal,
Or send to hell whoe'er oppose,
Judge not by this fallacious sign
That all assurance is Divine.
Most forward to prejudge your foes,
The thunder of the' Almighty deal,
Or send to hell whoe'er oppose,
Judge not by this fallacious sign
That all assurance is Divine.
Silence when the Almighty broke,
He answer'd for the sentenced man,
Against his hasty judges spoke;
That ye might humbling wisdom gain,
Might each his censuring blindness own,
And judgment leave to God alone.
He answer'd for the sentenced man,
Against his hasty judges spoke;
That ye might humbling wisdom gain,
Might each his censuring blindness own,
And judgment leave to God alone.
749.
[Yes; though Thou fill my flesh with pain]
God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
—xi. 6.
Yes; though Thou fill my flesh with pain,
With bitterness my cup,
And let me in my sins remain,
To fill the measure up;
242
Whate'er on earth I feel,
And less than my deserts I bear,
Who am not yet in hell.
750.
[Shall foolish, weak, short-sighted man]
Canst thou by searching find out God? &c.
—xi. 7.
Shall foolish, weak, short-sighted man
Beyond archangels go,
The great almighty God explain,
Or to perfection know?
His attributes divinely soar
Above the creatures' sight,
And prostrate seraphim adore
The glorious Infinite.
Beyond archangels go,
The great almighty God explain,
Or to perfection know?
His attributes divinely soar
Above the creatures' sight,
And prostrate seraphim adore
The glorious Infinite.
Jehovah's everlasting days
They cannot number'd be,
Incomprehensible the space
Of Thine immensity;
Thy wisdom's depths by reason's line
In vain we strive to sound,
Or stretch our labouring thought to' assign
Omnipotence a bound.
They cannot number'd be,
Incomprehensible the space
Of Thine immensity;
Thy wisdom's depths by reason's line
In vain we strive to sound,
Or stretch our labouring thought to' assign
Omnipotence a bound.
The brightness of Thy glories leaves
Description far below;
Nor man, nor angels' heart conceives
How deep Thy mercies flow:
Thy love is most unsearchable,
And dazzles all above;
They gaze, but cannot count or tell
The treasures of Thy love!
Description far below;
Nor man, nor angels' heart conceives
How deep Thy mercies flow:
Thy love is most unsearchable,
And dazzles all above;
They gaze, but cannot count or tell
The treasures of Thy love!
243
751.
[Howe'er in humble words we all]
No doubt but ye are the people, &c.
—xii. 2.
Howe'er in humble words we all
Infallibility disclaim,
Yet every church and party call
Themselves, the consort of the Lamb!
“In us the saints, the people see,
The temple of the Lord are we!
Infallibility disclaim,
Yet every church and party call
Themselves, the consort of the Lamb!
“In us the saints, the people see,
The temple of the Lord are we!
“We are the men, mankind must own,
Who faith and purity possess,
Christ is with us, and us alone,”
A thousand jarring sects profess,
And all the Babel-builders cry,
“Wisdom and truth with us shall die.”
Who faith and purity possess,
Christ is with us, and us alone,”
A thousand jarring sects profess,
And all the Babel-builders cry,
“Wisdom and truth with us shall die.”
752.
[Shut up in unbelief I groan]
He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
—xii. 14.
Shut up in unbelief I groan,
Fast bound in misery:
What miracle of power unknown
Can set the captive free?
He only can release and save,
(Throughout my soul I feel,)
Who forced the barriers of the grave,
And burst the gates of hell.
753.
[The crafty manages the fool]
The deceived and the deceiver are His.
—xii. 16.
The crafty manages the fool,
The tame unthinking crowd,
He makes the simple one his tool;
But both are tools to God:
Their folly and their craft He blends,
Whate'er themselves design,
And bids them blindly serve the ends
Of providence Divine.
The tame unthinking crowd,
He makes the simple one his tool;
But both are tools to God:
Their folly and their craft He blends,
Whate'er themselves design,
And bids them blindly serve the ends
Of providence Divine.
244
What have His servants then to fear
Who bear Jehovah's seal,
Though thorns and briars are with us here,
And we with scorpions dwell?
His love omnipotent we sing,
Who doth the world restrain,
Rejoicing that the Lord is king,
And shall for ever reign.
Who bear Jehovah's seal,
Though thorns and briars are with us here,
And we with scorpions dwell?
His love omnipotent we sing,
Who doth the world restrain,
Rejoicing that the Lord is king,
And shall for ever reign.
754.
[And let my body languish]
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.
—xiii. 15.
And let my body languish,
(So He my soul redeem,)
Or fail through mortal anguish,
Yet will I trust in Him:
Destruction as a blessing
At Jesu's hands I meet,
And calmly die embracing
My dear Destroyer's feet!
755.
[Why dost Thou, Lord, conceal Thy face]
Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face, and holdest, &c.
—xiii. 24.
Why dost Thou, Lord, conceal Thy face,
Withhold the joyous sense of grace,
And reckon me Thy foe?
If sin provokes Thee to depart,
And keeps Thy presence from my heart,
The secret evil show.
Withhold the joyous sense of grace,
And reckon me Thy foe?
If sin provokes Thee to depart,
And keeps Thy presence from my heart,
The secret evil show.
Still I inquire and weep, and pray;
Thy comforts dost Thou take away,
To punish, or to prove?
I wait Thy mind to comprehend,
I long to answer all the end
Of Thy mysterious love.
Thy comforts dost Thou take away,
To punish, or to prove?
I wait Thy mind to comprehend,
I long to answer all the end
Of Thy mysterious love.
245
756.
[Still wilt Thou put a worm to grief]
Wilt Thou break a leaf driven to and fro? &c.
—xiii. 25.
Still wilt Thou put a worm to grief,
The stubble dry, the wither'd leaf
Pursue, and break in me?
What honour can Thy greatness gain
By crushing a weak child of man,
Who cannot strive with Thee?
757.
['Gainst me Thou writest bitter things]
Thou writest bitter things against me.
—xiii. 26.
'Gainst me Thou writest bitter things,
Thy rod the high indictment brings;
My flesh Thine arrows tear:
Thy terrors in my soul I feel,
They drive me to the verge of hell,
The confines of despair.
758.
[Thou call'st my former sins to mind]
Thou makest me to possess the iniquities, &c.
—xiii. 26.
Thou call'st my former sins to mind:
Sins of my heedless youth I find
In all their strength return,
Again my trembling heart they seize;
My life, my nature's wickedness,
With heighten'd grief I mourn.
Sins of my heedless youth I find
In all their strength return,
Again my trembling heart they seize;
My life, my nature's wickedness,
With heighten'd grief I mourn.
O could I more than feebly hope,
Thou castest down to lift me up,
Thou dost in mercy send
These painful tokens of Thy love,
To purge, to humble, and to prove,
And bless me in my end!
Thou castest down to lift me up,
Thou dost in mercy send
These painful tokens of Thy love,
To purge, to humble, and to prove,
And bless me in my end!
759.
[Man, born of a woman impure]
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, &c.
—xiv. 1, 2.
Man, born of a woman impure,
To trouble and misery born,
Not meant upon earth to endure,
Must soon to corruption return:
246
He fades, as a shadow he flies,
His beauty is gone in an hour;
He blooms for a moment, and dies.
760.
[Not one of all our fallen race]
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? &c.
—xiv. 4.
Not one of all our fallen race
Can cleanse himself from sin,
Yet I who trust the God of grace,
Shall at His word be clean:
All things are possible to Thee
Whose promises are sure,
And I a creature new shall be,
And pure as Thou art pure.
761.
[Not one of all our sinful race]
Not one of all our sinful race
Himself can sanctify,
But in the efficacious grace
Of Jesus, I rely;
The virtue of Thy hallowing blood,
Almighty to convert,
Shall make the vilest sinner good,
And change the foulest heart.
Himself can sanctify,
But in the efficacious grace
Of Jesus, I rely;
The virtue of Thy hallowing blood,
Almighty to convert,
Shall make the vilest sinner good,
And change the foulest heart.
The foulest heart that ever beat,
I offer up to Thee:
Enter, and make it, Lord, the seat
Of peace and purity;
Most holy God, Thyself reveal,
My nature to remove,
My body, soul, and spirit to fill
With all Thy heavenly love.
I offer up to Thee:
Enter, and make it, Lord, the seat
Of peace and purity;
Most holy God, Thyself reveal,
My nature to remove,
My body, soul, and spirit to fill
With all Thy heavenly love.
247
762.
[Not one of our polluted race]
Not one of our polluted race,
Not one of the angelic kind,
Can man's ingratitude efface,
Or change the filthy, carnal mind:
Such power belongs to Him alone,
Who heal'd the leper at His feet;
He can in me His grace make known,
He can the cleansing word repeat.
Not one of the angelic kind,
Can man's ingratitude efface,
Or change the filthy, carnal mind:
Such power belongs to Him alone,
Who heal'd the leper at His feet;
He can in me His grace make known,
He can the cleansing word repeat.
My hope of spotless righteousness
I build on His omnipotence;
He now my prostrate spirit sees,
He soon my evil heart shall cleanse;
Confiding in His gracious will,
Who did for me His life resign,
I wait the sovereign touch to feel,
I catch the purity Divine.
I build on His omnipotence;
He now my prostrate spirit sees,
He soon my evil heart shall cleanse;
Confiding in His gracious will,
Who did for me His life resign,
I wait the sovereign touch to feel,
I catch the purity Divine.
763.
[Throughout my fallen soul I own]
Throughout my fallen soul I own
Such power belongs to Thee alone,
Thou slaughter'd Lamb of God,
Who didst for foulest sinners die,
Us to redeem and sanctify,
Through Thy all-cleansing blood.
Such power belongs to Thee alone,
Thou slaughter'd Lamb of God,
Who didst for foulest sinners die,
Us to redeem and sanctify,
Through Thy all-cleansing blood.
That blood Divine, so freely spilt,
To purge the universal guilt,
Can make an end of sin,
Wash all these filthy thoughts away,
A fountain in my nature stay,
And keep me pure within.
To purge the universal guilt,
Can make an end of sin,
Wash all these filthy thoughts away,
A fountain in my nature stay,
And keep me pure within.
My nature, Lord, is foul as hell,
Till Thou Thy spotless love reveal,
Thy purity impart:
Forgive the sins which I confess,
And cleanse from all unrighteousness,
By dwelling in my heart.
Till Thou Thy spotless love reveal,
Thy purity impart:
248
And cleanse from all unrighteousness,
By dwelling in my heart.
Then, when Thou dost possess me whole,
And make my body, spirit, soul
A temple worthy Thee,
Thou wilt Thy sacred house maintain,
Nor shall an earthly thought or vain
One moment lodge in me.
And make my body, spirit, soul
A temple worthy Thee,
Thou wilt Thy sacred house maintain,
Nor shall an earthly thought or vain
One moment lodge in me.
764.
[Jesus, Thy power I dare confess]
Jesus, Thy power I dare confess,
Out of this most polluted thing,
This sink of sin and wickedness,
Thou canst an holy creature bring;
Omnipotent to save, Thou art,
Thou canst effect a perfect cure,
And throughly cleanse my sinful heart,
And make my inmost nature pure.
Out of this most polluted thing,
This sink of sin and wickedness,
Thou canst an holy creature bring;
Omnipotent to save, Thou art,
Thou canst effect a perfect cure,
And throughly cleanse my sinful heart,
And make my inmost nature pure.
Through unbelief I stagger not,
Ascribing Thy own power to Thee
Till Thou the work of faith hast wrought,
And all Thy will fulfill'd in me;
Thy blood shall wholly sanctify,
The deep original stain erase,
And speak me up beyond the sky,
To see my Saviour face to face.
Ascribing Thy own power to Thee
Till Thou the work of faith hast wrought,
And all Thy will fulfill'd in me;
Thy blood shall wholly sanctify,
The deep original stain erase,
And speak me up beyond the sky,
To see my Saviour face to face.
765.
[Not one of all mankind]
Not one of all mankind
Can his own soul convert,
Correct a will to sin inclined,
Or change an evil heart:
This fleshly filthiness
We never can remove,
Earthly expel, and fill the place
With pure, celestial love.
Can his own soul convert,
Correct a will to sin inclined,
Or change an evil heart:
249
We never can remove,
Earthly expel, and fill the place
With pure, celestial love.
This filthiness of pride
Mocks all our efforts vain;
The plague we from each other hide
Will in our hearts remain;
Corruption's fountain spreads
Throughout our lives unclean;
Defiles our thoughts, and words, and deeds,
Till all we are is sin.
Mocks all our efforts vain;
The plague we from each other hide
Will in our hearts remain;
Corruption's fountain spreads
Throughout our lives unclean;
Defiles our thoughts, and words, and deeds,
Till all we are is sin.
Who but the' Almighty can
The work of wonders do,
Efface our dire, original stain,
Or form our spirit new?
What but the blood Divine
Which did for sinners flow,
Can purge so foul an heart as mine,
And wash me white as snow?
The work of wonders do,
Efface our dire, original stain,
Or form our spirit new?
What but the blood Divine
Which did for sinners flow,
Can purge so foul an heart as mine,
And wash me white as snow?
Omnipotent to save,
I trust my Lord, my God,
And rise with confidence to lave
My nature in Thy blood:
Thy blood, by faith applied,
Shall speak my pardon sure,
And make my soul Thy spotless bride
And keep me always pure.
I trust my Lord, my God,
And rise with confidence to lave
My nature in Thy blood:
Thy blood, by faith applied,
Shall speak my pardon sure,
And make my soul Thy spotless bride
And keep me always pure.
This is that holiness,
That sinless purity,
Which saints in Thee alone possess,
When all possess'd by Thee.
Sinking, to this I rise,
And lost in Jesus, prove,
Thou art my calling's highest prize,
Thou art my perfect Love.
That sinless purity,
Which saints in Thee alone possess,
When all possess'd by Thee.
250
And lost in Jesus, prove,
Thou art my calling's highest prize,
Thou art my perfect Love.
766.
[Not one of all the sons of men]
Not one of all the sons of men,
Not one of all the angelic train
The mighty wonder can perform,
Or purify a sinful worm,
But whom the God supreme I own,
Such power belongs to Christ alone.
Not one of all the angelic train
The mighty wonder can perform,
Or purify a sinful worm,
But whom the God supreme I own,
Such power belongs to Christ alone.
Thou canst a clean and holy thing
Out of a filthy sinner bring,
Make through the virtue of Thy name
Me the reverse of what I am,
Created after God anew
A spotless saint, a Christian true.
Out of a filthy sinner bring,
Make through the virtue of Thy name
Me the reverse of what I am,
Created after God anew
A spotless saint, a Christian true.
But betwixt hope and sad despair,
Till Thou Thy secret will declare,
Till Thou Thy hallowing blood apply,
Self-loathing at Thy feet I lie;
And if Thy tender mercies fail,
Foul as the fiends, I sink to hell.
Till Thou Thy secret will declare,
Till Thou Thy hallowing blood apply,
Self-loathing at Thy feet I lie;
And if Thy tender mercies fail,
Foul as the fiends, I sink to hell.
Uncertain what my end shall be,
I leave my desperate cause to Thee,
For ever banish'd from Thy face
If justice triumphs over grace,
If grace prevails, I rise forgiven,
And pure in heart, return to heaven.
I leave my desperate cause to Thee,
For ever banish'd from Thy face
If justice triumphs over grace,
If grace prevails, I rise forgiven,
And pure in heart, return to heaven.
767.
[Hide me in my Saviour's grave]
O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave, &c.
—xiv. 13, 14.
Hide me in my Saviour's grave,
Till Thy wrath is all o'erpass'd:
Now appoint a time to save,
Think on me for good at last,
Brought out of Thy secret place
Pure in heart to see Thy face.
Till Thy wrath is all o'erpass'd:
251
Think on me for good at last,
Brought out of Thy secret place
Pure in heart to see Thy face.
For this only thing I wait,
Wait with vehement patient hope,
Raised to my unsinning state
Till I after God wake up,
Glorious in Thine image shine,
Fill'd with life and love Divine.
Wait with vehement patient hope,
Raised to my unsinning state
Till I after God wake up,
Glorious in Thine image shine,
Fill'd with life and love Divine.
768.
[Summon'd to my heavenly home]
Thou shalt call, and I will answer Thee, &c.
—xiv. 15.
Summon'd to my heavenly home
Then I shall with joy reply,
Answering to Thy call I come,
Gladly get me up and die,
Made, and bought by grace Divine,
Thine I am, for ever Thine.
Then I shall with joy reply,
Answering to Thy call I come,
Gladly get me up and die,
Made, and bought by grace Divine,
Thine I am, for ever Thine.
Thou who dost my soul require,
Thou who hast my soul prepared,
Satisfy Thine own desire,
Bless me with Thine own reward;
Since Thou canst not rest alone,
Take me, take me to Thy throne.
Thou who hast my soul prepared,
Satisfy Thine own desire,
Bless me with Thine own reward;
Since Thou canst not rest alone,
Take me, take me to Thy throne.
769.
[Fear of God before mine eyes]
Thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer, &c.
—xv. 4.
Fear of God before mine eyes
Lifts to Him my praying heart;
But when I His fear despise,
From His footstool I depart;
When I lose my gracious care,
Only then I cease from prayer.
Lifts to Him my praying heart;
But when I His fear despise,
From His footstool I depart;
When I lose my gracious care,
Only then I cease from prayer.
252
Father, to my heart appear
Pleased and smiling in Thy Son;
Conscious of Thy presence near,
Bow'd and humbled at Thy throne,
Then I in Thy sight shall stay,
Always fear, and always pray.
Pleased and smiling in Thy Son;
Conscious of Thy presence near,
Bow'd and humbled at Thy throne,
Then I in Thy sight shall stay,
Always fear, and always pray.
770.
[Of woman born, of flesh alone]
What is man, that he should be clean? &c.
—xv. 14.
Of woman born, of flesh alone,
Man must be filthy and unclean,
Draughts of iniquity drink down;
For all his heart and soul is sin:
But changed, and purified by grace,
A witness of the Spirit's power,
He sees his Saviour's smiling face,
And born of God, he sins no more.
771.
[My mournful face is foul with tears]
My face is foul with weeping, &c.
—xvi. 16.
My mournful face is foul with tears,
Till the Man of griefs appears,
And chases mine away;
The shade of death hangs o'er my eyes,
Till Thou the Sun of heaven arise,
To bring the gospel-day.
Till the Man of griefs appears,
And chases mine away;
The shade of death hangs o'er my eyes,
Till Thou the Sun of heaven arise,
To bring the gospel-day.
Thy visage marr'd to me reveal,
Marr'd with pangs unspeakable,
With sweat and tears and blood!
Thou Light of Life eternal shine,
And through that mangled form of Thine
I see my Lord, my God!
Marr'd with pangs unspeakable,
With sweat and tears and blood!
Thou Light of Life eternal shine,
And through that mangled form of Thine
I see my Lord, my God!
772.
[I wait a few sorrowful years]
When a few years are come, then I shall go, &c.
—xvi. 22.
I wait a few sorrowful years,
And then I no longer shall mourn,
But flee from the valley of tears
A way I shall never return:
253
To sure everlasting abodes,
And sing with the spirits above,
And triumph with angels and gods.
773.
[My days are extinguish'd and gone]
My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, &c.
—xvii. 1.
My days are extinguish'd and gone,
My time as a shadow is fled,
And gladly I lay myself down
To rest with the peaceable dead:
The dead ever-living attend,
Whose dust is all safe in the tomb,
And many a glorified friend
Is ready to welcome me home.
774.
[My days are all vanish'd away]
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, &c.
—xvii. 11.
My days are all vanish'd away,
Broke off the designs of my heart,
No longer on earth I delay,
Or linger, as loth to depart:
Resolved in my Lord to abide,
This purpose, I know, shall remain,
And trust to be found at His side,
And Jesus eternally gain.
775.
[Ready for my earthen bed]
I have made my bed.
—xvii. 13.
Ready for my earthen bed,
Let me rest my fainting head,
Welcome life's expected close,
Sink in permanent repose:
Jesu's blood to which I fly
Doth my conscience purify,
Signs my weary soul's release,
Bids me now depart in peace.
Let me rest my fainting head,
Welcome life's expected close,
Sink in permanent repose:
Jesu's blood to which I fly
Doth my conscience purify,
Signs my weary soul's release,
Bids me now depart in peace.
254
Thus do I my bed prepare;
O how soft, when Christ is there!
There my breathless Saviour laid
Turns it to a spicy bed:
Resting in His power to save,
Looking now beyond the grave,
Calm I lay my body down,
Rise to an immortal crown.
O how soft, when Christ is there!
There my breathless Saviour laid
Turns it to a spicy bed:
Resting in His power to save,
Looking now beyond the grave,
Calm I lay my body down,
Rise to an immortal crown.
776.
[My hope of creature-good I see]
Mine hope hath He removed like a tree.
—xix. 10.
My hope of creature-good I see
Cut down, and wither'd, like a tree,
It never more on earth shall grow,
Or strike its root in things below:
But from the sand my Father's love
Doth to the Rock my hope remove,
Among the trees of paradise
To bloom eternal in the skies.
777.
[I call the world's Redeemer mine]
I know that my Redeemer liveth, &c.
—xix. 25–27.
I call the world's Redeemer mine:
He lives who died for me, I know,
Who bought my soul with blood Divine,
Jesus shall re-appear below,
Stand in that dreadful day unknown,
And fix on earth His heavenly throne.
He lives who died for me, I know,
Who bought my soul with blood Divine,
Jesus shall re-appear below,
Stand in that dreadful day unknown,
And fix on earth His heavenly throne.
Then the last judgment-day shall come,
And though the worms this skin devour,
The Judge shall call me from my tomb,
Shall bid the greedy grave restore,
And raise this individual me,
God in the flesh my God to see.
And though the worms this skin devour,
The Judge shall call me from my tomb,
Shall bid the greedy grave restore,
And raise this individual me,
God in the flesh my God to see.
255
In this identic body I,
With eyes of flesh refined, restored,
Shall see that self-same Saviour nigh,
See for myself my smiling Lord,
See with ineffable delight,
Nor faint to bear the glorious sight.
With eyes of flesh refined, restored,
Shall see that self-same Saviour nigh,
See for myself my smiling Lord,
See with ineffable delight,
Nor faint to bear the glorious sight.
Then let the worms demand their prey,
The greedy grave my reins consume,
With joy I drop my mouldering clay,
And rest till my Redeemer come,
On Christ my Life, in death rely,
Secure that I can never die.
The greedy grave my reins consume,
With joy I drop my mouldering clay,
And rest till my Redeemer come,
On Christ my Life, in death rely,
Secure that I can never die.
778.
[A living principle of grace]
The root of the matter is found in me.
—xix. 28.
A living principle of grace
From hence our whole of goodness grows,
The reigning power of godliness
(Which Jesus with Himself bestows)
The faith in Christ, the hate of sin,
The love of God and man brought in.
From hence our whole of goodness grows,
The reigning power of godliness
(Which Jesus with Himself bestows)
The faith in Christ, the hate of sin,
The love of God and man brought in.
Mere withering leaves is all beside:
But if my Lord abide in me,
But if I in my Lord abide,
I rise into a righteous tree,
Show forth the nature of the Root,
And yield at last the perfect fruit.
But if my Lord abide in me,
But if I in my Lord abide,
I rise into a righteous tree,
Show forth the nature of the Root,
And yield at last the perfect fruit.
Come then, the true celestial Vine,
The Tree of life, the Root of grace,
Claim the wild olive-trees for Thine,
Spring up in all our ransom'd race,
And if conceal'd in all Thou art,
Be found this moment in my heart.
The Tree of life, the Root of grace,
Claim the wild olive-trees for Thine,
Spring up in all our ransom'd race,
And if conceal'd in all Thou art,
Be found this moment in my heart.
256
779.
[Who can the benefits explain]
What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?
—xxi. 15.
Who can the benefits explain
Which by the prayer of faith we gain?
Pardon and peace we first receive,
And power a sinless life to live;
The grace supreme, the Spirit of grace
Is shower'd on every soul that prays,
Fulness Divine with Christ is given,
And all in earth, and all in heaven.
780.
[Whom God declares a perfect man]
Thou sayest, How doth God know?
—xxii. 13.
Whom God declares a perfect man,
Whom God disdains not to commend,
Is censured as a wretch profane,
An atheist by his pious friend,
To show, how changeable and blind
The kindest, wisest of mankind.
781.
[I want that pure acquaintance]
Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.
—xxii. 21.
I want that pure acquaintance
With Him, the pardoning God;
Thou Giver of repentance,
Increase my mournful load.
Pursue Thy controversy,
Nor suffer me to rest,
Till crying on for mercy,
I find it in Thy breast.
With Him, the pardoning God;
Thou Giver of repentance,
Increase my mournful load.
Pursue Thy controversy,
Nor suffer me to rest,
Till crying on for mercy,
I find it in Thy breast.
The Spirit of revelation,
Jesus, Thy gift I own;
Thy Father's kind compassion,
Thou only canst make known.
The Lamb for sinners dying,
Who turn'd His wrath aside,
Thou by Thy blood's applying,
Must speak Him pacified.
Jesus, Thy gift I own;
Thy Father's kind compassion,
Thou only canst make known.
The Lamb for sinners dying,
Who turn'd His wrath aside,
Thou by Thy blood's applying,
Must speak Him pacified.
257
To me, by Thy own presence,
Thy smiling Father show,
The knowledge of His essence,
The' eternal life bestow:
This unbelieving nature,
This heart of stone remove,
And tell Thy ransom'd creature,
That God in Thee is love.
Thy smiling Father show,
The knowledge of His essence,
The' eternal life bestow:
This unbelieving nature,
This heart of stone remove,
And tell Thy ransom'd creature,
That God in Thee is love.
Then shall my soul recover
Its long-forgotten peace,
The' intestine war is over,
And all my troubles cease:
With joyful acclamation,
The heavenly port I gain,
The uttermost salvation,
And in Thy vision reign.
Its long-forgotten peace,
The' intestine war is over,
And all my troubles cease:
With joyful acclamation,
The heavenly port I gain,
The uttermost salvation,
And in Thy vision reign.
782.
[Where but on yonder tree?]
O that I knew where I might find Him.
—xxiii. 3.
Where but on yonder tree?
Or if too rich thou art,
Sink into poverty,
And find Him in thine heart.
783.
[O where shall I wander to find]
O where shall I wander to find
Whom once I enjoy'd in my heart,
My Lord, ever loving and kind,
Till forced by my sin to depart,
He left me in darkness and pain;
Most wretched of all the lost race;
O what shall I do to regain
The light of His heavenly face!
Whom once I enjoy'd in my heart,
My Lord, ever loving and kind,
Till forced by my sin to depart,
He left me in darkness and pain;
Most wretched of all the lost race;
O what shall I do to regain
The light of His heavenly face!
258
Heavy-laden and weary I faint,
And longer I cannot pursue;
Unavailing is all my complaint
Till the Saviour His countenance show.
But the God of unspeakable love,
Whom I cannot discover or see,
The cloud He Himself shall remove,
And His mercy shall bring Him to me.
And longer I cannot pursue;
Unavailing is all my complaint
Till the Saviour His countenance show.
But the God of unspeakable love,
Whom I cannot discover or see,
The cloud He Himself shall remove,
And His mercy shall bring Him to me.
784.
[Some angel tell me where to find]
Some angel tell me where to find
The Friend and Saviour of mankind,
The God who fills immensity,
Yet still conceals Himself from me!
O could I my Redeemer know
I never more would let Him go,
Would never from His presence move,
But lose myself in Him I love.
The Friend and Saviour of mankind,
The God who fills immensity,
Yet still conceals Himself from me!
O could I my Redeemer know
I never more would let Him go,
Would never from His presence move,
But lose myself in Him I love.
In vain for Him, my heart's Desire,
Of men or angels I inquire;
The heavenly Object of my care,
He only can Himself declare;
And if He hears a sinner groan,
Lamenting for the God unknown,
And if His answering bowels sound,
He must at last by me be found.
Of men or angels I inquire;
The heavenly Object of my care,
He only can Himself declare;
And if He hears a sinner groan,
Lamenting for the God unknown,
And if His answering bowels sound,
He must at last by me be found.
Thou hidden God, unsearchable,
Whose absence I this moment feel,
For whom I every moment grieve,
For whom alone I wish to live;
If with me unperceived Thou art,
Break in on this poor wretched heart,
And give me eyes of faith to see
My Lord, my God, reveal'd in me.
Whose absence I this moment feel,
For whom I every moment grieve,
For whom alone I wish to live;
If with me unperceived Thou art,
Break in on this poor wretched heart,
And give me eyes of faith to see
My Lord, my God, reveal'd in me.
259
785.
[O that I knew the way to find]
O that I knew the way to find
That Saviour of our sinful kind,
That Friend of misery!
Who left His blissful realms above,
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And died to ransom me!
That Saviour of our sinful kind,
That Friend of misery!
Who left His blissful realms above,
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And died to ransom me!
He bids me seek Him in the word,
I search the records of my Lord,
But cannot find Him there;
I ask, nor yet my suit obtain,
I knock at mercy's door in vain,
And sink in sad despair.
I search the records of my Lord,
But cannot find Him there;
I ask, nor yet my suit obtain,
I knock at mercy's door in vain,
And sink in sad despair.
Stirr'd up once more—what can I do
But still the labour lost renew,
The fruitless task repeat:
And if He can Himself deny,
And if I must unpitied die,
I'll perish at His feet!
But still the labour lost renew,
The fruitless task repeat:
And if He can Himself deny,
And if I must unpitied die,
I'll perish at His feet!
786.
[Try me then, and try me still]
When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
—xxiii. 10.
Try me then, and try me still
In the furnace of distress,
By my own, and others' ill,
By the hidings of Thy face;
Yet will I the promise hold
Which Jesus to my heart hath told,
I shall at last come forth as gold.
787.
[Troubled by the' Almighty I]
God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty, &c.
—xxiii. 16.
Troubled by the' Almighty I
From the fiery furnace cry,
Melted down at last I am,
Soft as wax before the flame:
260
True, substantial holiness;
Jesus, Thou that image art,
Seal Thy name upon my heart.
788.
[Be it my only wisdom here]
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, &c.
—xxviii. 28.
Be it my only wisdom here
To serve the Lord with filial fear,
With loving gratitude;
Superior sense may I display
By shunning every evil way,
And walking in the good.
To serve the Lord with filial fear,
With loving gratitude;
Superior sense may I display
By shunning every evil way,
And walking in the good.
O may I still from sin depart;
A wise and understanding heart,
Jesus, to me be given,
And let me through Thy Spirit know
To glorify my God below,
And find my way to heaven.
A wise and understanding heart,
Jesus, to me be given,
And let me through Thy Spirit know
To glorify my God below,
And find my way to heaven.
789.
[O that I were as in the days]
Oh that I were as in months past, &c.
—xxix. 2–6.
O that I were as in the days
When first enlighten'd from above
I felt the tokens of His grace,
And triumph'd in my Saviour's love!
Kept by omnipotence Divine,
His heavenly comforts I received,
I saw His glorious presence shine,
I saw His smiling face, and lived.
When first enlighten'd from above
I felt the tokens of His grace,
And triumph'd in my Saviour's love!
Kept by omnipotence Divine,
His heavenly comforts I received,
I saw His glorious presence shine,
I saw His smiling face, and lived.
Led by His light, I dared pursue
My way through hidden snares unknown;
The secret of the Lord I knew,
And dwelt secure with God alone;
I ranged throughout the happy land,
Where streams of milk and honey flow'd:
Rivers of oil at His command
Pour'd from the Rock; and all was God!
My way through hidden snares unknown;
The secret of the Lord I knew,
And dwelt secure with God alone;
261
Where streams of milk and honey flow'd:
Rivers of oil at His command
Pour'd from the Rock; and all was God!
790.
[Thou Man of affliction and love]
I chose out their way, and sat chief, &c.
—xxix. 25.
Thou Man of affliction and love,
All power and dominion is Thine:
Thy throne is establish'd above,
Thy throne upon earth is Divine:
Thy word with authority give,
Prescribe to Thy people their way:
Thy law we attend to receive,
And cheerfully bow to Thy sway.
All power and dominion is Thine:
Thy throne is establish'd above,
Thy throne upon earth is Divine:
Thy word with authority give,
Prescribe to Thy people their way:
Thy law we attend to receive,
And cheerfully bow to Thy sway.
Thy sway among men to maintain,
Compassion and righteousness meet;
Thy reign is a peaceable reign,
Thy seat is a merciful seat!
Great King in an army of saints,
The Friend of affliction Thou art,
The life of a sinner that faints,
The joy of my comforted heart.
Compassion and righteousness meet;
Thy reign is a peaceable reign,
Thy seat is a merciful seat!
Great King in an army of saints,
The Friend of affliction Thou art,
The life of a sinner that faints,
The joy of my comforted heart.
791.
[Chastised and afflicted below]
Howbeit He will not stretch out His hand, &c.
—xxx. 24.
Chastised and afflicted below,
A sinner I cannot complain,
But pass through the valley of woe,
And stoop to my burden of pain:
And here if my judgment I have,
His anger He will not extend,
But lay me to rest in my grave
With mercy that never shall end.
262
792.
[How shall I keep the promise, how]
I made a covenant with mine eyes.
—xxxi. 1.
How shall I keep the promise, how
The covenant fulfil?
Great Witness of my secret vow,
Thy saving grace reveal:
Thy help continually afford,
Thy Spirit of faith and love,
And true to my redeeming Lord,
I never more shall rove.
The covenant fulfil?
Great Witness of my secret vow,
Thy saving grace reveal:
Thy help continually afford,
Thy Spirit of faith and love,
And true to my redeeming Lord,
I never more shall rove.
Confiding in the promised power,
The truth of love Divine,
Mine eyes and heart I now restore,
Mine eyes and heart are Thine:
My ransom'd soul and body I
Into Thy keeping give,
And live entirely Thine and die,
For ever Thine to live.
The truth of love Divine,
Mine eyes and heart I now restore,
Mine eyes and heart are Thine:
My ransom'd soul and body I
Into Thy keeping give,
And live entirely Thine and die,
For ever Thine to live.
793.
[Lust is a fire that fiercely burns]
It is a fire that consumeth to destruction, &c.
—xxxi. 12.
Lust is a fire that fiercely burns,
And sinners to destruction turns,
It ruins whom it first o'ercomes,
The body with the soul consumes,
It desolates the conscience foul,
Kindles God's wrath against the soul,
(Tremendous wrath implacable,)
And burns to the profoundest hell.
And sinners to destruction turns,
It ruins whom it first o'ercomes,
The body with the soul consumes,
It desolates the conscience foul,
Kindles God's wrath against the soul,
(Tremendous wrath implacable,)
And burns to the profoundest hell.
How shall a desperate slave of sin
Escape the hell that teems within,
Before the utmost judgment come,
Before the' eternal flames consume?
The pit its mouth hath open'd wide!
Plunge, sinner, in that crimson tide;
The fire of lust, the wrath of God
May now be quench'd by Jesu's blood.
Escape the hell that teems within,
Before the utmost judgment come,
Before the' eternal flames consume?
263
Plunge, sinner, in that crimson tide;
The fire of lust, the wrath of God
May now be quench'd by Jesu's blood.
794.
[Salvation from the Lord]
Destruction from God was a terror to me.
—xxxi. 23.
Salvation from the Lord
Our comfort we enjoy,
Yet still we tremble at His word
Who can the soul destroy:
The first unfallen man
Was with a threatening awed,
How then should we the love maintain
Without the fear of God?
795.
[But as a beggar I]
As a prince would I go near unto Him.
—xxxi. 37.
But as a beggar I
Not daring to draw nigh
Would at a distance stand,
Or sink beneath Thy hand,
Afraid Thy glorious eyes to meet,
And cry for mercy at Thy feet.
Not daring to draw nigh
Would at a distance stand,
Or sink beneath Thy hand,
Afraid Thy glorious eyes to meet,
And cry for mercy at Thy feet.
I now Thy grace implore,
And in the dust adore;
O for my Saviour's sake,
Up from the dunghill take,
Number'd among Thy princes own,
And raise the beggar to Thy throne.
And in the dust adore;
O for my Saviour's sake,
Up from the dunghill take,
Number'd among Thy princes own,
And raise the beggar to Thy throne.
796.
[The guardian of an heart sincere]
He justified himself rather than God.
—xxxii. 2.
The guardian of an heart sincere,
Firm in his own defence he stood,
More careful, more concern'd to clear
Himself, than vindicate his God,
Anxious to save his own from blame,
Regardless of Jehovah's name.
Firm in his own defence he stood,
More careful, more concern'd to clear
Himself, than vindicate his God,
264
Regardless of Jehovah's name.
Instructed by his error, Lord,
Thee, only Thee we justify,
Thy will be done, Thy name adored;
Tried, to the utmost tried, we cry,
False, and unjust let all men be,
Justice and truth are still in Thee.
Thee, only Thee we justify,
Thy will be done, Thy name adored;
Tried, to the utmost tried, we cry,
False, and unjust let all men be,
Justice and truth are still in Thee.
797.
[The men whom God pronounces just]
The men whom God pronounces just,
Just may they not themselves esteem?
No; but as sinners still they must
All righteousness ascribe to Him,
And humbled into nothing own
Holy and good is God alone.
Just may they not themselves esteem?
No; but as sinners still they must
All righteousness ascribe to Him,
And humbled into nothing own
Holy and good is God alone.
Murmuring that God should hide His face
For no offence or fault of mine,
I honour my own righteousness
Above the righteousness Divine,
And tacitly of God complain
As author of my causeless pain.
For no offence or fault of mine,
I honour my own righteousness
Above the righteousness Divine,
And tacitly of God complain
As author of my causeless pain.
But O! I now with shame confess,
If chasten'd long as life shall last,
Thou dost not punish to excess
My pardon'd sins and follies pass'd:
Justice doth still to God belong;
The King of kings can do no wrong.
If chasten'd long as life shall last,
Thou dost not punish to excess
My pardon'd sins and follies pass'd:
Justice doth still to God belong;
The King of kings can do no wrong.
798.
[The world may boast their knowledge vain]
The inspiration of the Almighty giveth man, &c.
—xxxii. 8.
The world may boast their knowledge vain,
But what can human learning do?
The Spirit, whom we from God obtain,
The way to God alone can show;
The' Almighty's own immediate Breath
Wisdom and truth Divine imparts,
Expels the wisdom from beneath,
And fills with heaven our peaceful hearts.
But what can human learning do?
The Spirit, whom we from God obtain,
The way to God alone can show;
265
Wisdom and truth Divine imparts,
Expels the wisdom from beneath,
And fills with heaven our peaceful hearts.
Come, Jesus, come, my heart inspire,
Wisdom and Power of God, appear,
Kindle the pure celestial fire,
Be Thou my life eternal here;
The way, the truth, the life Divine
Each moment Thee I long to prove,
Each moment to receive of Thine,
Each moment feel, that God is love.
Wisdom and Power of God, appear,
Kindle the pure celestial fire,
Be Thou my life eternal here;
The way, the truth, the life Divine
Each moment Thee I long to prove,
Each moment to receive of Thine,
Each moment feel, that God is love.
799.
[How welcome to our fallen race]
I have found a ransom.
—xxxiii. 24.
How welcome to our fallen race
The joyful dead-reviving sound,
When Jesus glories in His grace
“I have Myself a ransom found,
Myself the Purchaser and Price,
Myself the Priest and Sacrifice!”
The joyful dead-reviving sound,
When Jesus glories in His grace
“I have Myself a ransom found,
Myself the Purchaser and Price,
Myself the Priest and Sacrifice!”
So dear it cost for sin to' atone,
So dear immortal souls to buy!
But Thou hast laid the ransom down,
And God regards Thy dying cry,
“Father, redeem'd by blood Divine
I challenge all the world for Mine.”
So dear immortal souls to buy!
But Thou hast laid the ransom down,
And God regards Thy dying cry,
“Father, redeem'd by blood Divine
I challenge all the world for Mine.”
800.
[To the chastening God I pray]
He shall pray unto God and He will be, &c.
—xxxiii. 26.
To the chastening God I pray,
Take the cause of pain away,
Favour to Thy suppliant show,
Loose my bonds and let me go,
Go the way my Saviour trod,
Go in perfect peace to God.
Take the cause of pain away,
Favour to Thy suppliant show,
Loose my bonds and let me go,
266
Go in perfect peace to God.
Comforter of all that mourn,
Into joy my sorrow turn,
Joy to taste Thy saving grace,
Joy to see Thy smiling face,
Joy to know my sins forgiven,
Joy to gain a glimpse of heaven.
Into joy my sorrow turn,
Joy to taste Thy saving grace,
Joy to see Thy smiling face,
Joy to know my sins forgiven,
Joy to gain a glimpse of heaven.
801.
[O Thou whose pitying eye]
He looketh upon men, and if any say, I, &c.
—xxxiii. 27, 28.
O Thou whose pitying eye
Thy fallen creature sees,
Hear an afflicted sinner's cry,
Who now my sin confess:
Crush'd by its weight I am,
Its bitterness I feel,
And fill'd with fear, remorse, and shame,
Adjudge myself to hell.
Thy fallen creature sees,
Hear an afflicted sinner's cry,
Who now my sin confess:
Crush'd by its weight I am,
Its bitterness I feel,
And fill'd with fear, remorse, and shame,
Adjudge myself to hell.
Yet for Thy promise sake
Reverse my fearful doom,
And save me from that burning lake,
That endless wrath to come:
Made meet by hallowing grace,
O may I live to see
The glorious light of Jesu's face,
The God who died for me.
Reverse my fearful doom,
And save me from that burning lake,
That endless wrath to come:
Made meet by hallowing grace,
O may I live to see
The glorious light of Jesu's face,
The God who died for me.
802.
[“But shall I then through fear forbear]
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? &c.
—xxxiv. 18.
“But shall I then through fear forbear,
And evil in the greatest spare?
I must let loose my flaming zeal,
I must rebuke their crimes, and will!”
And evil in the greatest spare?
I must let loose my flaming zeal,
I must rebuke their crimes, and will!”
267
Your sin-detesting virtue show;
But first the time and manner know:
With censure of yourself begin,
Nor suffer vice to chasten sin.
But first the time and manner know:
With censure of yourself begin,
Nor suffer vice to chasten sin.
Before another's mote you spy,
The beam cast out of your own eye,
The beam of zeal unsanctified,
The beam of self-preferring pride.
The beam cast out of your own eye,
The beam of zeal unsanctified,
The beam of self-preferring pride.
Arm'd with your Lord's authority,
When faults you in superiors see,
The seasons watch, and various ways
Of ministering His balmy grace.
When faults you in superiors see,
The seasons watch, and various ways
Of ministering His balmy grace.
Out of an humble heart and meek,
With fear and due submission speak,
Or with the eyes of Jesus look,
And dart the pitiful rebuke.
With fear and due submission speak,
Or with the eyes of Jesus look,
And dart the pitiful rebuke.
Will they not now your words receive?
Yet show them how they ought to live,
And sin in governors reprove
By modest grief and silent love.
Yet show them how they ought to live,
And sin in governors reprove
By modest grief and silent love.
803.
[Jesu, Thou seest my troubled breast]
When He giveth quietness, who then can, &c.
—xxxiv. 29.
Jesu, Thou seest my troubled breast;
Weary and faint, for lasting rest,
For Thee alone I pray:
O might I with my Lord receive
Peace which the world can never give,
Can never take away!
Weary and faint, for lasting rest,
For Thee alone I pray:
O might I with my Lord receive
Peace which the world can never give,
Can never take away!
While banish'd from Thy blissful sight,
No glimpse of comfort or delight,
No ray of hope I see;
But cause on me Thy face to shine,
And glorious joy, and life Divine,
And heaven returns with Thee.
No glimpse of comfort or delight,
No ray of hope I see;
268
And glorious joy, and life Divine,
And heaven returns with Thee.
804.
[A nation God delights to bless]
A nation God delights to bless
Can all our raging foes distress,
Or hurt whom they surround?
Hid from the general scourge we are,
Nor see the bloody waste of war,
Nor hear the trumpet's sound.
Can all our raging foes distress,
Or hurt whom they surround?
Hid from the general scourge we are,
Nor see the bloody waste of war,
Nor hear the trumpet's sound.
O might we, Lord, the grace improve,
By labouring for the rest of love,
The soul-composing power!
Bless us with Thine internal peace,
And all the fruits of righteousness,
Till time shall be no more.
By labouring for the rest of love,
The soul-composing power!
Bless us with Thine internal peace,
And all the fruits of righteousness,
Till time shall be no more.
805.
[Chasten'd I all my days have been]
I have borne chastisement, I will not offend, &c.
—xxxiv. 31.
Chasten'd I all my days have been,
And justly suffer'd for my sin,
But shall I still my God offend,
Till sin and life together end?
Father, I trust Thy faithful love
My sinful nature to remove,
Till fill'd with Christ, my life, my power,
I can abuse Thy grace no more.
806.
[Teach me what I never can]
That which I see not teach Thou me.
—xxxiv. 32.
Teach me what I never can
Without Thy instruction see;
Thou who know'st what is in man,
Show me, Lord, what is in me;
Depths of unbelief reveal,
Self and pride unsearchable.
Without Thy instruction see;
Thou who know'st what is in man,
Show me, Lord, what is in me;
269
Self and pride unsearchable.
Manifested by Thy light
That I may my darkness know,
Shine into my nature's night,
Night profound as that below;
Chase this gloom of hell away,
Shine unto the perfect day.
That I may my darkness know,
Shine into my nature's night,
Night profound as that below;
Chase this gloom of hell away,
Shine unto the perfect day.
807.
[Thou Giver of songs in the night]
God giveth songs in the night.
—xxxv. 10.
Thou Giver of songs in the night,
Of joy in the darkest distress,
I sigh to recover Thy light,
I long for a glimpse of Thy face:
Ah, put the new song in my heart,
(For nothing on earth I desire,)
And lo, I exult to depart,
And mix with Thy heavenly choir.
808.
[Fast bound with the fetters of woe]
If they be bound in fetters, and be, &c.
—xxxvi. 8–10.
Fast bound with the fetters of woe,
By cords of affliction detain'd;
The gracious intention I know,
The secret of heaven explain'd:
My Father in mercy reproves,
Instructs me by sorrow and smart,
The veil by correction removes,
And shows me the ground of my heart.
By cords of affliction detain'd;
The gracious intention I know,
The secret of heaven explain'd:
My Father in mercy reproves,
Instructs me by sorrow and smart,
The veil by correction removes,
And shows me the ground of my heart.
Now, Lord, I arrested attend:
My countless offences make known,
My follies and sins without end,
Whate'er I of evil have done:
To Thee that I fully may turn,
The sin of my nature display,
And give me a spirit to mourn,
And give me an heart to obey.
My countless offences make known,
My follies and sins without end,
Whate'er I of evil have done:
270
The sin of my nature display,
And give me a spirit to mourn,
And give me an heart to obey.
809.
[Surrounded, sunk in deepest night]
We cannot order our speech by reason of, &c.
—xxxvii. 19.
Surrounded, sunk in deepest night,
To God how can I speak aright,
In order all my wants declare,
Or offer an accepted prayer?
Alas, I know not what to say,
I know not how to plead or pray,
Unless He hears His Spirit's groan,
And God replies, It is My Son!
To God how can I speak aright,
In order all my wants declare,
Or offer an accepted prayer?
Alas, I know not what to say,
I know not how to plead or pray,
Unless He hears His Spirit's groan,
And God replies, It is My Son!
With darkness palpable oppress'd,
Father, I would Thy grace request;
But what, and when, and how I leave,
And wait Thy time and way to give:
I neither speech nor utterance find,
But, Lord, Thou know'st Thy Spirit's mind,
Thou know'st my Surety on the tree,
And all He purchased there for me.
Father, I would Thy grace request;
But what, and when, and how I leave,
And wait Thy time and way to give:
I neither speech nor utterance find,
But, Lord, Thou know'st Thy Spirit's mind,
Thou know'st my Surety on the tree,
And all He purchased there for me.
810.
[Where is the just, unblemish'd man]
Behold, I am vile!
—xl. 4.
Where is the just, unblemish'd man,
Who held his righteousness so fast?
Unable longer to maintain
The' unequal fight, he yields at last!
Jehovah to the creature shown
Confounds his boast and virtuous pride,
And now he knows that God alone
Is just, and vile are all beside.
271
811.
[Great God, unknown, invisible]
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer Thee? &c.
—xl. 4.
Great God, unknown, invisible,
Appear, my confidence to' abase,
To make me all my vileness feel,
And blush at my own righteousness;
Thy glorious face in Christ display,
And silenced by Thy mercy's power,
My hand upon my mouth I lay,
And never boast, or murmur more.
812.
[Of Thee, O Lord, I oft have heard]
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, &c.
—xlii. 5.
Of Thee, O Lord, I oft have heard,
Of what Thine arm hath done,
And taught by man, I blindly fear'd,
And served a God unknown:
But when Thy presence in my heart
Doth unbelief remove,
I taste, and see how good Thou art,
Inspired by humble love.
813.
[Appear, great God, appear to me]
Wherefore I abhor myself.
—xlii. 6.
Appear, great God, appear to me,
That by myself abhorr'd,
Ashamed I may for ever be
Before my glorious Lord:
That only sight can pride abase,
Can force me to submit,
Which makes archangels veil their face,
And tremble at Thy feet.
814.
[First, the great almighty Lord]
After the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, &c.
—xlii. 7.
First, the great almighty Lord
Condemn'd his righteous pride,
Then the sinner self-abhorr'd
He cheer'd and justified,
Then the humbled worm He raised,
The sinner saved by grace alone,
Took His servant's part, and praised,
And claim'd him for His own.
Condemn'd his righteous pride,
Then the sinner self-abhorr'd
He cheer'd and justified,
272
The sinner saved by grace alone,
Took His servant's part, and praised,
And claim'd him for His own.
Thus, almighty Lord, may I
Thine approbation gain,
Self-condemn'd, for mercy cry,
Till mercy I obtain:
Me of unbelief convince,
And then the guilty sinner clear,
Then reveal my pardon'd sins,
Eternal Comforter!
Thine approbation gain,
Self-condemn'd, for mercy cry,
Till mercy I obtain:
Me of unbelief convince,
And then the guilty sinner clear,
Then reveal my pardon'd sins,
Eternal Comforter!
815.
[Great God, we to Thy servant go]
Go to My servant Job, and offer a burnt-offering, &c.
—xlii. 8.
Great God, we to Thy servant go
From whom Thou once didst hide Thy face:
He offer'd up Himself below,
A victim for our wretched race,
Thy righteous servant and Thy Son,
He died for all mankind to' atone.
From whom Thou once didst hide Thy face:
He offer'd up Himself below,
A victim for our wretched race,
Thy righteous servant and Thy Son,
He died for all mankind to' atone.
To Him we fly, at Thy command,
Who on Himself our sins did take,
Our cause we put into His hand,
And Christ our Advocate we make:
Who at His death did intercede,
Doth now His death for sinners plead.
Who on Himself our sins did take,
Our cause we put into His hand,
And Christ our Advocate we make:
Who at His death did intercede,
Doth now His death for sinners plead.
Us that His righteous Spirit grieved,
He kindly makes His constant care;
Our injured Friend on earth who lived,
Thou hear'st in heaven His ceaseless prayer,
Accept in Thy beloved Son,
And save us for His sake alone.
He kindly makes His constant care;
Our injured Friend on earth who lived,
Thou hear'st in heaven His ceaseless prayer,
273
And save us for His sake alone.
816.
[When God, discover'd from above]
The Lord turned the captivity of Job, when, &c.
—xlii. 10.
When God, discover'd from above,
Turns our captivity again,
Our hearts are melted into love
And prayer for those that caused our pain,
Fashion'd like His who mourn'd below,
And died a ransom for His foe.
Turns our captivity again,
Our hearts are melted into love
And prayer for those that caused our pain,
Fashion'd like His who mourn'd below,
And died a ransom for His foe.
O might I in the Spirit of grace
For all my persecutors cry,
My false injurious friends embrace,
While Jesus doth His blood apply,
To mine original state restore,
And give me power to sin no more!
For all my persecutors cry,
My false injurious friends embrace,
While Jesus doth His blood apply,
To mine original state restore,
And give me power to sin no more!
817.
[Are there, Saviour, can there be]
So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more, &c.
—xlii. 12.
Are there, Saviour, can there be
Happy days reserved for me?
Child of sorrow from the womb,
Hoping, should I not presume?
After all my evils pass'd,
Good may I expect at last,
Cease on earth to sin and grieve,
See my God appeased, and live?
Happy days reserved for me?
Child of sorrow from the womb,
Hoping, should I not presume?
After all my evils pass'd,
Good may I expect at last,
Cease on earth to sin and grieve,
See my God appeased, and live?
Jesus, if Thou dost intend
To bless me in my latter end,
Now Thy gracious mind declare,
Chide my sadness of despair;
If Thou dost not save me now,
Yet before my head I bow,
Speak into my troubled breast
The earnest of eternal rest.
To bless me in my latter end,
Now Thy gracious mind declare,
Chide my sadness of despair;
If Thou dost not save me now,
Yet before my head I bow,
274
The earnest of eternal rest.
818.
[Let me well conclude my race]
So Job died, being old and full of days.
—xlii. 17.
Let me well conclude my race
And reach the happy shore,
Full of a few mournful days,
O God, I ask no more:
Wisdom is the hoary hair;
Be this in youth or age bestow'd,
Calm the load of life I'll bear,
And glad return to God.
| The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley | |