The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

A sinner long possess'd by sin,
By Satan's power together bow'd,
Is utter impotence within,
Nor can lift up his soul to God;
Carnal his unregenerate mind,
Perverse his will, to evil prone,
His soul is all to earth inclined:
And such alas I find my own!

But surely Thou hast cast on me
The eye of Thy preventing grace,
Hast seen my depth of misery,
And undertook my desperate case.
Even now I hear Thine inward word,
Obedient to Thy sovereign will,
Which draws and brings me to my Lord,
And bids me wait Thy hand to feel.

That hand beneficent, Divine,
In mercy on Thy creature laid,
Shall strengthen this weak soul of mine,
Correct the work itself hath made;
My heart and spirit rectify,
Remove my nature's bent to ill,
And while Thou dost the rule apply,
Conform me to Thy perfect will.

219

O that I now my heart could raise
Transferr'd from earth to things above,
And only live to spread Thy praise,
To magnify Thy healing love!
O that in every word and thought
And deed I might Thy glory show,
Who hast on me such wonders wrought,
That all may Thy salvation know.

University of Virginia Library

1402.

[A sinner long possess'd by sin]