The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley :: :: University of Virginia Library

HYMN VII.

[Ah! when shall I awake]

Ah! when shall I awake
From sin's soft soothing power;
This slumber from my spirit shake,
And rise to fall no more?
Awake, no more to sleep,
But stand with constant care,
Looking for God my soul to keep,
And watching unto prayer?

O, could I always pray,
And never, never faint,
But simply to my God display
My every care and want!
I know that Thou wouldst give
More than I can request;
Thou still art ready to receive
My soul to perfect rest.

Gracious Thou art to all;
Such faith in Thee I have,
If all the world on Thee would call
Thou all the world wouldst save.
To every one that prays
The gift is freely given;
Who seek shall every one find grace,
Who knock shall enter heaven.

Yet still I cannot ask,
From Thee I turn away;
My heart abhors the irksome task,
And knows not how to pray:
If dragg'd to sue for grace,
I soon my suit forbear,
Break off, as in a moment's space,
The' intolerable prayer.

O wretched man of sin,
Wretched I still remain,
A perfect happiness within
My reach I see in vain;
I see, but cannot take,
But will not it receive;
Still my own mercies I forsake,
I will not yet believe.

Thou dost not mock me, Lord,
The work of Thine own hands;
Or call me to believe Thy word,
While Thy decree withstands:
Thy grace for all is free,
Though all accept it not;
To every sinner, and to me,
It hath salvation brought.

To me this token give
Of all-redeeming grace;
O let me now the gift receive,
Thy proffer'd life embrace!
I do embrace it now,
Descending from above;
Low at Thy throne of love I bow,
Of universal love.

I feel Thee willing, Lord,
A sinful world to save;
All may obey the gospel word,
May peace and pardon have:
Not one of all the race
But may return to Thee,
But at the throne of sovereign grace
May fall and weep with me.

Here let me ever lie,
And tell Thee all my care,
And Father, Abba, Father, cry,
And pour a ceaseless prayer;
Till Thou my sins subdue,
Till Thou my sins destroy,
My spirit after God renew,
And fill with peace and joy.

Messias, Prince of Peace,
Into my soul bring in
Thine everlasting righteousness,
And make an end of sin;
Into all those that seek
Redemption in Thy blood,
The sanctifying Spirit speak,
The plenitude of God.

Let us in silence wait,
Till faith shall make us whole,
Till Thou shalt all things new create
In each believing soul.
Who can resist Thy will?
Speak, and it shall be done;
Thou shalt the work of faith fulfil,
And perfect us in one.