The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

God of my salvation, hear,
And help me to believe;
Simply do I now draw near,
Thy blessing to receive:
Full of guilt, alas! I am,
But to Thy wounds for refuge flee;
Friend of sinners, spotless Lamb,
Thy blood was shed for me.

Standing now as newly slain,
To Thee I lift mine eye;
Balm of all my grief and pain,
Thy blood is always nigh:
Now as yesterday the same
Thou art, and wilt for ever be:
Friend of sinners, &c.

Full of truth and grace Thou art,
And here is all my hope:
False and foul as hell, my heart
To Thee I offer up;
Thou wast given to redeem
My soul from all iniquity:
Friend of sinners, &c.

Nothing have I, Lord, to pay,
Nor can Thy grace procure;
Empty send me not away,
For I, Thou know'st, am poor:
Dust and ashes is my name,
My all is sin and misery:
Friend of sinners, &c.

201

Without money, without price,
I come Thy love to buy;
From myself I turn my eyes,
The chief of sinners, I:
Take, O take me as I am,
And let me lose myself in Thee:
Friend of sinners, &c.

No good work, or word, or thought
Bring I to gain Thy grace;
Pardon I accept unbought,
Thy proffer I embrace,
Coming as at first I came
To take, and not bestow on Thee:
Friend of sinners, &c.

Jesu, unto Thee my sin
I quietly confess,
Till Thy blood shall wash me clean
From all unrighteousness,
From the slightest touch of blame
My spirit, soul, and body free:
Friend of sinners, &c.

Saviour, from Thy wounded side
I never will depart;
Here will I my spirit hide
When I am pure in heart:
Till my place above I claim,
This only shall be all my plea,—
Friend of sinners, spotless Lamb,
Thy blood was shed for me.

University of Virginia Library

AFTER A RELAPSE INTO SIN.