The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Stands the world in being still
Against that fatal day,
Kept from wasting flames until
The saints escape away:
For Thy people's sake alone,
The universe Thou dost reprieve,
That with Thee entirely one
They may for ever live.

Oft Thou dost cut short their days,
When sin and danger's near,
Save them from a poisonous race,
And trials too severe:
Oft, when just o'erpower'd in fight
They faint, by Satan's host oppress'd,

Lord, Thou dost stir up Thy might,
And take them to Thy breast.

Lord, Thou seest me in the snare
And long continued strife,
Dying, ready to despair
Of everlasting life:
Shorten my extreme distress,
My soul to ruin's margin driven
Perfect in true holiness,
And snatch me up to heaven.

There shall I transported see
Thy miracles of love
Wrought on earth to rescue me,
And hide my life above:
There I shall with joy admire
The dangers I through death outrun,
Scarcely saved out of the fire
And caught up to Thy throne.

University of Virginia Library

1059.

[Stands the world in being still]