 | The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley |  |
354
HYMNS FOR LOVE.
I.
[O for a spark of heavenly fire]
O for a spark of heavenly fire
From the Redeemer's throne,
The pure and permanent desire
Of loving Him alone!
From the Redeemer's throne,
The pure and permanent desire
Of loving Him alone!
The pure desire unquenchable
Even now I seem to prove,
But only Thou, my God, canst tell
If Thee I wish to love.
Even now I seem to prove,
But only Thou, my God, canst tell
If Thee I wish to love.
A stranger to the blissful grace
I hitherto have been;
But must I end my wretched days,
And die at last in sin?
I hitherto have been;
But must I end my wretched days,
And die at last in sin?
A sinner hanging o'er the grave,
Assuredly I know,
Thy grave alone my soul can save
From never-ending woe.
Assuredly I know,
Thy grave alone my soul can save
From never-ending woe.
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When Thou hast wrought a will in me
The blessing to receive,
Thy hatred of iniquity,
Thy sinless nature give;
The blessing to receive,
Thy hatred of iniquity,
Thy sinless nature give;
Partaker of my flesh, impart
Thy Spirit from above,
And certify my happy heart
That God in Thee is love.
Thy Spirit from above,
And certify my happy heart
That God in Thee is love.
That I in Thee upraised may know
The true eternal God,
Thou didst become a man of woe,
And pour out all Thy blood.
The true eternal God,
Thou didst become a man of woe,
And pour out all Thy blood.
Travail'd Thy soul to ransom mine,
To make me love again;
Nor wouldst Thou, Lord, Thy life resign,
Or bleed and die in vain.
To make me love again;
Nor wouldst Thou, Lord, Thy life resign,
Or bleed and die in vain.
Vouchsafe me then the wish sincere,
The wish sincere fulfil,
And stamp me with Thy character
According to Thy will.
The wish sincere fulfil,
And stamp me with Thy character
According to Thy will.
Accomplish'd see Thy own desires,
And O be satisfied,
When singing with the' immortal choirs
I triumph at Thy side.
And O be satisfied,
When singing with the' immortal choirs
I triumph at Thy side.
II.
[Son of the living God most high]
Son of the living God most high,
On Thee, the woman's Seed, I call,
Hear an apostate spirit's cry,
Redeem Thy creature from his fall:
On Thee, the woman's Seed, I call,
Hear an apostate spirit's cry,
Redeem Thy creature from his fall:
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Thy hatred of the hellish seed,
Thy holiness on me bestow,
Thou Bruiser of the serpent's head,
Destroyer of his works below.
Thy holiness on me bestow,
Thou Bruiser of the serpent's head,
Destroyer of his works below.
The' abominable thing by Thee
The God of purity abhorr'd,
O let it be abhorr'd by me,
Become one spirit with my Lord!
The God of purity abhorr'd,
O let it be abhorr'd by me,
Become one spirit with my Lord!
Thy strong antipathy to sin,
Thy sinless nature now impart,
Thy love of righteousness bring in,
And change, entirely change my heart.
Thy sinless nature now impart,
Thy love of righteousness bring in,
And change, entirely change my heart.
If now in me Thy Spirit stirs,
And groans the' inexplicable groan,
If now my soul the sin abhors,
Which nature hugs, and calls her own.
And groans the' inexplicable groan,
If now my soul the sin abhors,
Which nature hugs, and calls her own.
Deepen and fix the enmity,
This contrariety to ill;
This horror of offending Thee
O may I every moment feel!
This contrariety to ill;
This horror of offending Thee
O may I every moment feel!
Thee let me still my refuge know,
Till Thee the end of sin I find,
Excluder of the inbred foe,
Destroyer of the carnal mind;
Till Thee the end of sin I find,
Excluder of the inbred foe,
Destroyer of the carnal mind;
Thyself the Finisher reveal,
The fatal stumbling-block remove,
And claim my ransom'd soul, and fill
Its whole capacity with love.
The fatal stumbling-block remove,
And claim my ransom'd soul, and fill
Its whole capacity with love.
III.
[Jesus, my Lord, my God]
Jesus, my Lord, my God,
Who didst Thy life resign
To buy with all Thy sacred blood
This worthless heart of mine;
If now Thy grace I feel,
O may I always prove
By pure antipathy to ill,
That Thee I truly love!
Who didst Thy life resign
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This worthless heart of mine;
If now Thy grace I feel,
O may I always prove
By pure antipathy to ill,
That Thee I truly love!
With sin and wickedness
I wage eternal war,
And all vain thoughts and all false ways
I utterly abhor:
My heart to my dear Lord
I would entirely give,
I would be govern'd by Thy word,
And in Thy Spirit live.
I wage eternal war,
And all vain thoughts and all false ways
I utterly abhor:
My heart to my dear Lord
I would entirely give,
I would be govern'd by Thy word,
And in Thy Spirit live.
I only live to win
Thy pure and heavenly mind,
Like Thee, averse from every sin,
To every good inclined:
O that I now with Thee
Thy nature might possess,
Thy hatred of iniquity,
Thy love of righteousness!
Thy pure and heavenly mind,
Like Thee, averse from every sin,
To every good inclined:
O that I now with Thee
Thy nature might possess,
Thy hatred of iniquity,
Thy love of righteousness!
I will not let Thee go,
But wrestle on in prayer,
Till Thou Thy gracious token show,
Till Thou Thy will declare:
And when Thy will is done
I live entirely Thine,
For ever saved, for ever one
With holiness Divine!
But wrestle on in prayer,
Till Thou Thy gracious token show,
Till Thou Thy will declare:
And when Thy will is done
I live entirely Thine,
For ever saved, for ever one
With holiness Divine!
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IV.
[How can I hate what nature loves]
How can I hate what nature loves,
And love what nature hates,
Till in my soul Thy Spirit moves,
And me anew creates?
Till Thou out of a thing unclean
An holy thing produce:
I then shall loathe and fly from sin,
And only goodness choose.
And love what nature hates,
Till in my soul Thy Spirit moves,
And me anew creates?
Till Thou out of a thing unclean
An holy thing produce:
I then shall loathe and fly from sin,
And only goodness choose.
O that the miracle of grace
Were now display'd on me,
Renew'd in real holiness,
Created after Thee!
Satan, the world, and sin to' exclude,
Thy matchless power exert,
And dwell with all Thy plenitude,
Jehovah, in my heart.
Were now display'd on me,
Renew'd in real holiness,
Created after Thee!
Satan, the world, and sin to' exclude,
Thy matchless power exert,
And dwell with all Thy plenitude,
Jehovah, in my heart.
V.
[What shall I do to love Thee]
What shall I do to love Thee,
Who perfect goodness art?
Let Thy own nature move Thee
To tell my listening heart:
To Thee its pining anguish,
Its every wish is known;
In life, in death, I languish
To love my God alone.
Who perfect goodness art?
Let Thy own nature move Thee
To tell my listening heart:
To Thee its pining anguish,
Its every wish is known;
In life, in death, I languish
To love my God alone.
Weary alas! of living
A stranger to my Lord,
Yet still in darkness cleaving
To Thy most faithful word,
The blessing I implore,
The gift of righteousness,
And knock at mercy's door
And seek the promised grace.
A stranger to my Lord,
Yet still in darkness cleaving
To Thy most faithful word,
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The gift of righteousness,
And knock at mercy's door
And seek the promised grace.
Surrounded with temptations
I for Thy coming stay,
Possess my soul in patience,
And long to see Thy day:
O when shall Thy appearance
Bid all my troubles cease,
And crown my perseverance
With true, eternal peace?
I for Thy coming stay,
Possess my soul in patience,
And long to see Thy day:
O when shall Thy appearance
Bid all my troubles cease,
And crown my perseverance
With true, eternal peace?
O could I once behold Thee
The joy of those above,
In arms of faith enfold Thee
The object of my love,
With humblest adoration
I should my soul resign,
And glory in salvation
Through endless ages mine!
The joy of those above,
In arms of faith enfold Thee
The object of my love,
With humblest adoration
I should my soul resign,
And glory in salvation
Through endless ages mine!
VI.
[Why should I live another day]
Why should I live another day
Without my Saviour's love?
O take this heart of stone away,
This mountain-sin remove:
Whate'er retards Thy faithful word,
And keeps me still unbless'd,
A stranger to my pardoning Lord,
My soul's eternal Rest.
Without my Saviour's love?
O take this heart of stone away,
This mountain-sin remove:
Whate'er retards Thy faithful word,
And keeps me still unbless'd,
A stranger to my pardoning Lord,
My soul's eternal Rest.
What can the' Omnipotent withstand,
Or cross Thy sovereign will?
Thy own desire, Thy own command,
Jesus, in me fulfil;
Who didst a Man of grief appear,
Who hast for sinners died,
The end of all Thy sufferings here
See, and be satisfied.
Or cross Thy sovereign will?
Thy own desire, Thy own command,
Jesus, in me fulfil;
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Who hast for sinners died,
The end of all Thy sufferings here
See, and be satisfied.
Appear as crucified for me,
The purchase of Thy blood;
To get Thyself the victory,
Come, O my Lord, my God;
To make Thy depths of mercy known
Thy Spirit now impart,
And break by Thy expiring groan,
And take my broken heart.
The purchase of Thy blood;
To get Thyself the victory,
Come, O my Lord, my God;
To make Thy depths of mercy known
Thy Spirit now impart,
And break by Thy expiring groan,
And take my broken heart.
It must, alas! continue whole
Till I my Saviour see,
As pouring out His spotless soul,
As dying on the tree:
That piteous spectacle alone
My flinty heart can move,
And turn to flesh the soften'd stone,
And melt me into love.
Till I my Saviour see,
As pouring out His spotless soul,
As dying on the tree:
That piteous spectacle alone
My flinty heart can move,
And turn to flesh the soften'd stone,
And melt me into love.
Come then, Thou slaughter'd Lamb Divine,
Thy bleeding wounds display,
And seize to-day this heart of mine
While it is call'd to-day:
A time to Thee I would not set,
Yet at Thy cross I bow,
Restless, resign'd, Thy coming wait,
And long to meet Thee now.
Thy bleeding wounds display,
And seize to-day this heart of mine
While it is call'd to-day:
A time to Thee I would not set,
Yet at Thy cross I bow,
Restless, resign'd, Thy coming wait,
And long to meet Thee now.
Thou art not slack to keep Thy word,
O help my unbelief,
Make haste to help Thy servant, Lord,
And end my sin and grief;
This moment, if Thy time is come,
Inspire the heavenly grace,
And take my loving spirit home
To see Thy blissful face.
O help my unbelief,
Make haste to help Thy servant, Lord,
And end my sin and grief;
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Inspire the heavenly grace,
And take my loving spirit home
To see Thy blissful face.
VII.
[O that I could but pray!]
O that I could but pray!
O that I could but love!
Take, gracious Lord, the stone away,
The secret bar remove;
Help by Thy Spirit's might
My soul's infirmity,
To wrestle for the pure delight,
The love which flows from Thee.
O that I could but love!
Take, gracious Lord, the stone away,
The secret bar remove;
Help by Thy Spirit's might
My soul's infirmity,
To wrestle for the pure delight,
The love which flows from Thee.
O might I look and mourn
O'er my Redeemer slain,
And never more to sin return,
Or pierce my Lord again!
Repentance deep and true,
Thou slaughter'd Lamb impart,
As crucified appear in view,
And break this stubborn heart.
O'er my Redeemer slain,
And never more to sin return,
Or pierce my Lord again!
Repentance deep and true,
Thou slaughter'd Lamb impart,
As crucified appear in view,
And break this stubborn heart.
I cannot pray aright,
I cannot pray at all,
Till vanquish'd by that piteous sight
Before Thy cross I fall:
Thy hands and side reveal,
Thy all-victorious blood,
And let the balmy virtue heal
My base ingratitude.
I cannot pray at all,
Till vanquish'd by that piteous sight
Before Thy cross I fall:
Thy hands and side reveal,
Thy all-victorious blood,
And let the balmy virtue heal
My base ingratitude.
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How shall I plead with Thee?
Assist me to declare,
Thy bowels sounding on the tree,
Thy strong affection there,
Thy grace and fervent zeal
By agonies Divine,
To save from sin, and death, and hell,
This dear-bought soul of mine!
Assist me to declare,
Thy bowels sounding on the tree,
Thy strong affection there,
Thy grace and fervent zeal
By agonies Divine,
To save from sin, and death, and hell,
This dear-bought soul of mine!
This, this is all my hope,
Thy charity's excess
Shall lift the dying sinner up,
Thy blood shall seal my peace,
Shall wash my sins away;
And when the power I prove
I only live to praise and pray,
To weep, adore, and love.
Thy charity's excess
Shall lift the dying sinner up,
Thy blood shall seal my peace,
Shall wash my sins away;
And when the power I prove
I only live to praise and pray,
To weep, adore, and love.
VIII.
[Mercies, Lord, belong to Thee]
Mercies, Lord, belong to Thee;
Though I have rebellious been,
O forgive the enmity,
O forget the cancell'd sin;
For Thy mercies' sake forgive,
Bid Thy pardon'd rebel live.
Though I have rebellious been,
O forgive the enmity,
O forget the cancell'd sin;
For Thy mercies' sake forgive,
Bid Thy pardon'd rebel live.
Live for deeper grief to cry
When Thy smile my sorrow cheers,
Live at those dear feet to lie,
Live to wash them with my tears,
Live to love, lament, and pray,
Live to weep my life away.
When Thy smile my sorrow cheers,
Live at those dear feet to lie,
Live to wash them with my tears,
Live to love, lament, and pray,
Live to weep my life away.
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Bless'd with constant power to mourn,
Thus would I my love express,
Till my glorious Lord's return
Brings the joys that never cease,
Saves the penitent forgiven,
Dries up all these tears in heaven.
Thus would I my love express,
Till my glorious Lord's return
Brings the joys that never cease,
Saves the penitent forgiven,
Dries up all these tears in heaven.
IX.
[When shall my grief and pain]
When shall my grief and pain
Thy kind compassion move?
Thou know'st I languish still to' attain
The happiness of love:
If Thou my suit deny,
Out of Thy presence cast,
Excluded from Thy love, I die,
I die unsaved at last.
Thy kind compassion move?
Thou know'st I languish still to' attain
The happiness of love:
If Thou my suit deny,
Out of Thy presence cast,
Excluded from Thy love, I die,
I die unsaved at last.
How shall I plead with Thee,
Saviour of sinful men?
Let Thy own dying love for me
Thy pitying heart constrain:
The universal load,
The cross Thou didst endure
With all the vengeful wrath of God,
To make my pardon sure.
Saviour of sinful men?
Let Thy own dying love for me
Thy pitying heart constrain:
The universal load,
The cross Thou didst endure
With all the vengeful wrath of God,
To make my pardon sure.
That grace unspeakable
Thou only canst impart,
And by Thy Spirit of faith reveal
The secret in my heart:
Ah, give me now to know
Thy life hath ransom'd mine,
And bid my sprinkled heart o'erflow
With charity Divine.
Thou only canst impart,
And by Thy Spirit of faith reveal
The secret in my heart:
Ah, give me now to know
Thy life hath ransom'd mine,
And bid my sprinkled heart o'erflow
With charity Divine.
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The infinite I AM,
The Lord of earth and heaven,
The' eternal God, the bleeding Lamb
For dear-bought sinners given,
Appear as crucified
Jehovah from above,
And conscious of Thy blood applied,
My Lord, my God, I love.
The Lord of earth and heaven,
The' eternal God, the bleeding Lamb
For dear-bought sinners given,
Appear as crucified
Jehovah from above,
And conscious of Thy blood applied,
My Lord, my God, I love.
X.
[God in Christ, to whom I pray]
God in Christ, to whom I pray,
Thy omnipotence exert,
Take these evil thoughts away,
Change this poor polluted heart,
By the energy of grace,
By the Spirit of holiness.
Thy omnipotence exert,
Take these evil thoughts away,
Change this poor polluted heart,
By the energy of grace,
By the Spirit of holiness.
When my heart is circumcised,
Emptied of the hell within,
When my spirit is baptized,
Perfectly detach'd from sin,
Fervent then, as those above,
Thee I shall entirely love.
Emptied of the hell within,
When my spirit is baptized,
Perfectly detach'd from sin,
Fervent then, as those above,
Thee I shall entirely love.
XI.
[Full of sin and void of Thee]
Full of sin and void of Thee,
Lord, my real state I see,
Ask according to Thy will,
Thou Thy own desire fulfil,
Take this evil all away,
Give the good for which I pray.
Lord, my real state I see,
Ask according to Thy will,
Thou Thy own desire fulfil,
Take this evil all away,
Give the good for which I pray.
Granting my incessant suit,
Sin destroy, both branch and root,
All the unregenerate mind,
All my heart to sin inclined,
All my bent to sin remove,
Cast it out by purest love.
Sin destroy, both branch and root,
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All my heart to sin inclined,
All my bent to sin remove,
Cast it out by purest love.
Purest love, and joy, and peace,
Everlasting righteousness,
All the good with Christ bestow'd,
All the plenitude of God,
Bring into my new-born soul,
Consecrate, and fill the whole.
Everlasting righteousness,
All the good with Christ bestow'd,
All the plenitude of God,
Bring into my new-born soul,
Consecrate, and fill the whole.
Nothing more can I desire,
Nothing less will I require,
God supreme for ever bless'd,
Come and in Thy temple rest,
Father, Son, and Spirit come,
Seal me Thine eternal home.
Nothing less will I require,
God supreme for ever bless'd,
Come and in Thy temple rest,
Father, Son, and Spirit come,
Seal me Thine eternal home.
XII.
[Thou Sovereign Good, for whom I groan]
Thou Sovereign Good, for whom I groan,
Till Thou Thy blissful self impart,
Love of a dying God unknown,
Enter and cheer this wretched heart,
And witness with the sprinkled blood
That Thou art Christ, that Thou art God.
Till Thou Thy blissful self impart,
Love of a dying God unknown,
Enter and cheer this wretched heart,
And witness with the sprinkled blood
That Thou art Christ, that Thou art God.
I must by faith behold Thee here,
Or cannot see Thy face above;
Lover of souls, in mine appear,
Be manifest as pardoning Love,
And fill me with the sweet surprise
Snatch'd to my Lord in paradise.
Or cannot see Thy face above;
Lover of souls, in mine appear,
Be manifest as pardoning Love,
And fill me with the sweet surprise
Snatch'd to my Lord in paradise.
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For this a dying life I live,
For this I in a dungeon mourn,
Till Thou the pure affection give,
And then I to Thy arms return,
To Thee conform'd my soul resign,
And plunge in depths of love Divine.
For this I in a dungeon mourn,
Till Thou the pure affection give,
And then I to Thy arms return,
To Thee conform'd my soul resign,
And plunge in depths of love Divine.
XIII.
[Thou God unknown]
Thou God unknown,
For whom I groan
Till the dark hour is over,
God in Christ reveal Thy Son,
Thyself in Christ discover.
For whom I groan
Till the dark hour is over,
God in Christ reveal Thy Son,
Thyself in Christ discover.
The world through Him
Thou didst redeem;
By His most precious passion,
By His agonies extreme,
He purchased my salvation.
Thou didst redeem;
By His most precious passion,
By His agonies extreme,
He purchased my salvation.
Yet without Thee
I cannot see
My interest in my Saviour;
Tell my heart He died for me,
For me deserved Thy favour.
I cannot see
My interest in my Saviour;
Tell my heart He died for me,
For me deserved Thy favour.
Bought with His blood,
O that I could
Lay hold on Jesus' merit,
Pardon'd by a dying God,
Enlighten'd by Thy Spirit.
O that I could
Lay hold on Jesus' merit,
Pardon'd by a dying God,
Enlighten'd by Thy Spirit.
Thou God of grace
My darkness chase,
In goodness pass before me,
Show Thyself in Jesus' face,
And manifest Thy glory.
My darkness chase,
In goodness pass before me,
Show Thyself in Jesus' face,
And manifest Thy glory.
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Then, then I see
The Deity
On ransom'd sinners smiling,—
To Thyself the world, and me
Benignly reconciling.
The Deity
On ransom'd sinners smiling,—
To Thyself the world, and me
Benignly reconciling.
Thy loving son
With Jesus one,
I then shall fall before Thee,
Bold address Thy gracious throne,
And worthily adore Thee.
With Jesus one,
I then shall fall before Thee,
Bold address Thy gracious throne,
And worthily adore Thee.
Me from my Lord
To heaven restored,
Nor life nor death shall sever;
Crown'd with love's immense reward,
With love which reigns for ever!
To heaven restored,
Nor life nor death shall sever;
Crown'd with love's immense reward,
With love which reigns for ever!
XIV.
[Thou who giv'st the wish to pray]
Thou who giv'st the wish to pray,
Supplicating power bestow,
Till Thou tak'st my sins away,
Till Thou dost Thy goodness show,
Peace and purity impart,
Speak Thy name into my heart.
Supplicating power bestow,
Till Thou tak'st my sins away,
Till Thou dost Thy goodness show,
Peace and purity impart,
Speak Thy name into my heart.
Brightness of the Deity,
Christ into my darkness shine,
That I may the glory see,
Thee the Light and Life Divine,
Thee throughout my darkness prove
Pure, unutterable Love.
Christ into my darkness shine,
That I may the glory see,
Thee the Light and Life Divine,
Thee throughout my darkness prove
Pure, unutterable Love.
Answering to Thy Spirit's call,
(After Thy own will He prays,)
Come, and raise me from my fall,
Plenitude of truth and grace,
Give the name, the nature new,
Give Thyself the Giver too.
(After Thy own will He prays,)
Come, and raise me from my fall,
Plenitude of truth and grace,
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Give Thyself the Giver too.
Faints my soul with strong desire,
Thee this moment mine to know:
Then descend the car of fire,
Then redeem'd from all below,
God, my God unveil'd I see,
Mine through all eternity.
Thee this moment mine to know:
Then descend the car of fire,
Then redeem'd from all below,
God, my God unveil'd I see,
Mine through all eternity.
XV.
[O the lingering misery]
O the lingering misery,
Saviour, of not loving Thee!
O the endless pains I prove,
Tortured with the want of love!
Saviour, of not loving Thee!
O the endless pains I prove,
Tortured with the want of love!
Love would all my evils heal,
All I fear and all I feel,
Draw the dire envenom'd dart,
Angry pride, out of my heart.
All I fear and all I feel,
Draw the dire envenom'd dart,
Angry pride, out of my heart.
Every appetite subdue,
Every vile affection too,
End this cruel war within,
Quite expel the love of sin.
Every vile affection too,
End this cruel war within,
Quite expel the love of sin.
Love would all my wishes fill,
Fashion'd after Thy own will,
Make me meet to live or die,
Give me wings to reach the sky.
Fashion'd after Thy own will,
Make me meet to live or die,
Give me wings to reach the sky.
Love would my salvation be,
Essence of the Deity,
Fix my mind on things above,
Make me one with Him I love.
Essence of the Deity,
Fix my mind on things above,
Make me one with Him I love.
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Come, then, O my Friend Divine,
Knit my willing heart to Thine;
Saviour to the utmost Thou,
Give the pure affection now.
Knit my willing heart to Thine;
Saviour to the utmost Thou,
Give the pure affection now.
Now baptize my soul with fire,
Fervours of intense desire,
Such as in the Godhead glow'd,
Took the manhood into God.
Fervours of intense desire,
Such as in the Godhead glow'd,
Took the manhood into God.
Such as brought Immanuel down,
Crown'd Thee with a thorny crown,
Nail'd Thee to the torturing tree,
Pour'd out all Thy blood for me.
Crown'd Thee with a thorny crown,
Nail'd Thee to the torturing tree,
Pour'd out all Thy blood for me.
Yet unless my Lord I know,
Lost were all Thy pangs below;
Thee unless I love again,
All Thy blood was spill'd in vain.
Lost were all Thy pangs below;
Thee unless I love again,
All Thy blood was spill'd in vain.
Still if my iniquity
Separates betwixt God and me,
Saviour of the sinful kind,
Call Thy suffering days to mind.
Separates betwixt God and me,
Saviour of the sinful kind,
Call Thy suffering days to mind.
Still if unbelief withstands,
Read my name upon Thy hands,
Hear the blood that speaks for me,
O remember Calvary!
Read my name upon Thy hands,
Hear the blood that speaks for me,
O remember Calvary!
There Thy last expiring groan
Did for all my sins atone,
Did whate'er I want procure,
More than make my pardon sure.
Did for all my sins atone,
Did whate'er I want procure,
More than make my pardon sure.
There Thou diedst for me to buy
Power at Thy dear cross to lie,
Power the mountains to remove,
Power to weep, believe, and love.
Power at Thy dear cross to lie,
Power the mountains to remove,
Power to weep, believe, and love.
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XVI.
[Jesus, my soul aspires]
Jesus, my soul aspires
By faith to compass Thee,
With infinite desires
To grasp Immensity:
Of all in earth and heaven
I nothing want beside,
But when my God is given
My soul is satisfied.
By faith to compass Thee,
With infinite desires
To grasp Immensity:
Of all in earth and heaven
I nothing want beside,
But when my God is given
My soul is satisfied.
Thy nature pure partaking,
To Thee in spirit join'd,
And in Thine image waking,
The true delight I find:
The God of my salvation
If Thou in me appear,
With bless'd anticipation
I see, and taste Thee here.
To Thee in spirit join'd,
And in Thine image waking,
The true delight I find:
The God of my salvation
If Thou in me appear,
With bless'd anticipation
I see, and taste Thee here.
Yet still my Lord possessing,
For more of heaven I pray,
I want the final blessing
In that most joyful day,
The intimate fruition
Of glorious holiness,
The full eternal vision
Of my Redeemer's face.
For more of heaven I pray,
I want the final blessing
In that most joyful day,
The intimate fruition
Of glorious holiness,
The full eternal vision
Of my Redeemer's face.
Come then in all Thy glory,
The saints' triumphant King,
Of all things transitory
The flaming period bring:
And lo! out of the burning
On angels' wings I fly,
And meet my Lord returning,
And grasp Him in the sky.
The saints' triumphant King,
Of all things transitory
The flaming period bring:
And lo! out of the burning
On angels' wings I fly,
And meet my Lord returning,
And grasp Him in the sky.
371
XVII.
[Thou great Unsearchable, Unknown]
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.”
—Deuteronomy vi. 5.
Thou great Unsearchable, Unknown,
How shall I Thy command fulfil,
Or force my faithless heart of stone
To bow obedient to Thy will?
How shall I Thy command fulfil,
Or force my faithless heart of stone
To bow obedient to Thy will?
Unless the stony Thou remove,
Unless Thou show me who Thou art,
'Tis quite impossible to love
The Lord my God with all my heart.
Unless Thou show me who Thou art,
'Tis quite impossible to love
The Lord my God with all my heart.
Come then, Jehovah crucified,
The God supreme in Christ reveal'd,
And through Thy sacred blood applied
My soul shall feel its pardon seal'd:
The God supreme in Christ reveal'd,
And through Thy sacred blood applied
My soul shall feel its pardon seal'd:
Shall truly by Thy Spirit know
The God that purged my sinful stain,
And pay the mighty debt I owe,
And love my loving Lord again.
The God that purged my sinful stain,
And pay the mighty debt I owe,
And love my loving Lord again.
A few more days imprison'd here,
For this, and only this I live,
Till Thou the slaughter'd Lamb appear,
Till Thou the pure affection give.
For this, and only this I live,
Till Thou the slaughter'd Lamb appear,
Till Thou the pure affection give.
(That purchase of Thy dying groan,
That boundless charity Divine,)
And take possession of Thy own
And seal my heart for ever Thine.
That boundless charity Divine,)
And take possession of Thy own
And seal my heart for ever Thine.
XVIII.
[What is that mysterious Name]
What is that mysterious Name
Which faithful souls receive?
Ignorant, alas, I am,
Till Thou Thy Spirit give:
Fulness of the Deity,
Jesus, tell me who Thou art,
Tell Thy Father's name to me,
And write it on my heart.
Which faithful souls receive?
Ignorant, alas, I am,
Till Thou Thy Spirit give:
372
Jesus, tell me who Thou art,
Tell Thy Father's name to me,
And write it on my heart.
Who my nature didst partake,
A sharer, Lord, of Thine,
Me, even me, vouchsafe to make,
Thou Character Divine;
All Thy glorious goodness show,
And when Thou dost the veil remove
Then, and not till then, I know
That Thou, my God, art Love.
A sharer, Lord, of Thine,
Me, even me, vouchsafe to make,
Thou Character Divine;
All Thy glorious goodness show,
And when Thou dost the veil remove
Then, and not till then, I know
That Thou, my God, art Love.
XIX.
[Spirit of revelation]
Spirit of revelation,
Jehovah, Thee we own:
Make by Thy inspiration
To us the Father known:
Of Jesus testifying,
His Deity assert,
His blood Divine applying
To every longing heart.
Jehovah, Thee we own:
Make by Thy inspiration
To us the Father known:
Of Jesus testifying,
His Deity assert,
His blood Divine applying
To every longing heart.
With love beyond expression
Bless each expecting soul,
And take entire possession,
And consecrate the whole;
By Thy own signet seal us
Thy permanent abode,
With all the graces fill us,
With all the life of God.
Bless each expecting soul,
And take entire possession,
And consecrate the whole;
By Thy own signet seal us
Thy permanent abode,
With all the graces fill us,
With all the life of God.
The Earnest and the Witness,
Vouchsafe in us to dwell,
And give the blissful meetness
For bliss ineffable;
With heavenly joy transported
We then our course shall run,
By angel-hosts escorted
To the eternal throne.
Vouchsafe in us to dwell,
And give the blissful meetness
For bliss ineffable;
373
We then our course shall run,
By angel-hosts escorted
To the eternal throne.
XX.
[Wretched soul, the strife forbear]
Wretched soul, the strife forbear,
The long successless pain,
Sink o'erwhelm'd with just despair
To love thy God again:
Seek no more the things above,
To none but loving spirits given:
If thou canst not hope for love,
Thou canst not hope for heaven.
The long successless pain,
Sink o'erwhelm'd with just despair
To love thy God again:
Seek no more the things above,
To none but loving spirits given:
If thou canst not hope for love,
Thou canst not hope for heaven.
Never shall I love my God,
Till God in Christ I know,
Him who bought me with His blood,
Who died to save His foe:
Never shall I cease from sin,
Till in His loving Spirit reveal'd
Jesus witnesses within,
And speaks my pardon seal'd.
Till God in Christ I know,
Him who bought me with His blood,
Who died to save His foe:
Never shall I cease from sin,
Till in His loving Spirit reveal'd
Jesus witnesses within,
And speaks my pardon seal'd.
Jesus, (if I may once more
Without presumption pray,)
Comfort to my soul restore,
And take my sin away,
All the guilt, and all the power,
And all the nature, Lord, remove;
Save me, save me in this hour
By bringing in Thy love.
Without presumption pray,)
Comfort to my soul restore,
And take my sin away,
All the guilt, and all the power,
And all the nature, Lord, remove;
Save me, save me in this hour
By bringing in Thy love.
Come Thyself into my heart,
Essence of love Divine,
Thy own nature to impart
And make it truly mine:
Then I know salvation sure,
I find the glorious earnest given,
One with my Beloved, mature
For all the joys of heaven.
Essence of love Divine,
Thy own nature to impart
And make it truly mine:
374
I find the glorious earnest given,
One with my Beloved, mature
For all the joys of heaven.
XXI.
[O Love, Thou sovereign good unknown]
O Love, Thou sovereign good unknown,
Anxious, I wait for Thee alone
Before I take my flight,
Before I can depart in peace,
Or hope for endless happiness
In a new world of light.
Anxious, I wait for Thee alone
Before I take my flight,
Before I can depart in peace,
Or hope for endless happiness
In a new world of light.
Joyful I fly this moment hence,
Meet for my rich inheritance,
If Thou Thyself impart;
Salvation sure in Thee is given,
Thou art my peace, my present heaven,
My God Himself Thou art.
Meet for my rich inheritance,
If Thou Thyself impart;
Salvation sure in Thee is given,
Thou art my peace, my present heaven,
My God Himself Thou art.
O Love, O God, Thyself reveal,
My pardon in Thy blood to seal,
My spirit to restore;
Then let me there a lot obtain
Where sin, infirmity, and pain,
And death shall be no more.
My pardon in Thy blood to seal,
My spirit to restore;
Then let me there a lot obtain
Where sin, infirmity, and pain,
And death shall be no more.
Canst Thou deny Thyself to me,
A thirsty soul who gasps for Thee,
Incapable of rest,
Till I Thy loving nature share,
Till Thou the mystery declare,
And take me to Thy breast.
A thirsty soul who gasps for Thee,
Incapable of rest,
Till I Thy loving nature share,
Till Thou the mystery declare,
And take me to Thy breast.
375
Now, O Thou love essential come,
And lo, I sink into the tomb
With Jesus in my heart;
Secure in that great day to rise,
And mount above the flaming skies,
And see Thee as Thou art.
And lo, I sink into the tomb
With Jesus in my heart;
Secure in that great day to rise,
And mount above the flaming skies,
And see Thee as Thou art.
XXII.
[Great God incomprehensible]
Great God incomprehensible,
Unless Thou dost Thyself reveal
Thee we can never know,
Can never see without Thy light,
Or how to worship Thee aright,
Or what to Thee we owe.
Unless Thou dost Thyself reveal
Thee we can never know,
Can never see without Thy light,
Or how to worship Thee aright,
Or what to Thee we owe.
But Thou hast told us in Thy word
And certified through Christ the Lord
That Thou our Father art;
Thy Spirit doth Thy mind explain,
And cries to every soul of man,
“My child, give Me thy heart!”
And certified through Christ the Lord
That Thou our Father art;
Thy Spirit doth Thy mind explain,
And cries to every soul of man,
“My child, give Me thy heart!”
I would, but want the power to give,
Unless I previously receive
The blessing from above,
The wisdom peaceable and pure,
The knowledge of salvation sure,
The faith that works by love.
Unless I previously receive
The blessing from above,
The wisdom peaceable and pure,
The knowledge of salvation sure,
The faith that works by love.
Help me with eyes of faith to see
Jehovah bleeding on the tree
For guilty worms to' atone,
Thy love for all mankind to buy,
The eternal God, the Lord most high,
Thy Fellow and Thy Son.
Jehovah bleeding on the tree
For guilty worms to' atone,
Thy love for all mankind to buy,
The eternal God, the Lord most high,
Thy Fellow and Thy Son.
376
Thy dying love in me reveal,
And when the sprinkled blood I feel
I know Thee who Thou art,
My loving Father and my God,
I thank Thee for the grace bestow'd,
I give Thee all my heart.
And when the sprinkled blood I feel
I know Thee who Thou art,
My loving Father and my God,
I thank Thee for the grace bestow'd,
I give Thee all my heart.
XXIII.
[Dost Thou require a feeble worm]
Dost Thou require a feeble worm
To touch the sky, to' arrest the storm,
The mountain to remove?
Dost Thou command what cannot be,
That, Thy apostate creature, Thee
I should entirely love?
To touch the sky, to' arrest the storm,
The mountain to remove?
Dost Thou command what cannot be,
That, Thy apostate creature, Thee
I should entirely love?
Had I ability to' obey,
I would not, Lord, one moment stay:
But O, compell'd I own,
Forced by ten thousand efforts vain,
There is no power in fallen man
To love a God unknown.
I would not, Lord, one moment stay:
But O, compell'd I own,
Forced by ten thousand efforts vain,
There is no power in fallen man
To love a God unknown.
The power must then from Thee proceed,
If Thee I ever love indeed;
The thing Thy laws enjoin
Thy Spirit must in me fulfil,
Who ask according to Thy will
The precious grace Divine.
If Thee I ever love indeed;
The thing Thy laws enjoin
Thy Spirit must in me fulfil,
Who ask according to Thy will
The precious grace Divine.
If all who will receive it, may,
I humbly for the blessing pray,
To poorest beggars given,
With strength of infinite desire
Thy only love do I require
Of all in earth or heaven.
I humbly for the blessing pray,
To poorest beggars given,
With strength of infinite desire
Thy only love do I require
Of all in earth or heaven.
377
What shall I say my suit to gain?
Father, regard that heavenly Man
Who groan'd on Calvary,
Who paid my ransom on the cross,
And ever lives to plead my cause,
And ask Thy love for me.
Father, regard that heavenly Man
Who groan'd on Calvary,
Who paid my ransom on the cross,
And ever lives to plead my cause,
And ask Thy love for me.
In honour of a suppliant God
The gift He purchased with His blood,
Father, on me bestow;
That loving Thee with all my heart.
And thus made ready to depart,
I to Thy arms may go.
The gift He purchased with His blood,
Father, on me bestow;
That loving Thee with all my heart.
And thus made ready to depart,
I to Thy arms may go.
XXIV.
[Before my soul and body part]
Before my soul and body part,
Saviour, to part my sin and me,
Thy love's omnipotence exert,
And re-unite my soul to Thee.
Saviour, to part my sin and me,
Thy love's omnipotence exert,
And re-unite my soul to Thee.
Thou know'st for more than seventy years
I have for Thy salvation stay'd,
And leaving now the vale of tears,
I mourn the blessing still delay'd.
I have for Thy salvation stay'd,
And leaving now the vale of tears,
I mourn the blessing still delay'd.
Broke off from Thee, by passion grieved,
Born to lament and suffer, I
A stranger to Thy love have lived;
And must I, Lord, a stranger die?
Born to lament and suffer, I
A stranger to Thy love have lived;
And must I, Lord, a stranger die?
I must, unless Thy yearning heart
With pure spontaneous love o'erflow,
Unless Thy nature Thou impart,
Whose blood was shed to save Thy foe.
With pure spontaneous love o'erflow,
Unless Thy nature Thou impart,
Whose blood was shed to save Thy foe.
My hope I ground on this alone,
Thou never canst forget that tree,
When Mercy groan'd His final groan,
When Love Himself expired for me.
Thou never canst forget that tree,
When Mercy groan'd His final groan,
When Love Himself expired for me.
378
Me to redeem from sin and hell
Thou didst Thy precious life resign,
My pardon in Thy blood to seal,
And God and man again to join.
Thou didst Thy precious life resign,
My pardon in Thy blood to seal,
And God and man again to join.
To buy for me the' uniting grace,
That I to holiness restored
Might in the arms of faith embrace,
And live one spirit with my Lord.
That I to holiness restored
Might in the arms of faith embrace,
And live one spirit with my Lord.
That I the' habitual pure delight
Might in that vital union prove,
And comprehend the depth and height,
And length and breadth, of dying love.
Might in that vital union prove,
And comprehend the depth and height,
And length and breadth, of dying love.
XXV.
[If willing to save all Thou art]
“God will have all men to be saved.”
—1 Tim. ii. 4.
If willing to save all Thou art,
Thou must be willing to save me;
Yet, if Thou dost not love impart,
To raise the dead, it cannot be.
Thou must be willing to save me;
Yet, if Thou dost not love impart,
To raise the dead, it cannot be.
Thee without love I cannot know;
I cannot taste Thy blessings given:
Love is the life of saints below,
Love is the life of saints in heaven.
I cannot taste Thy blessings given:
Love is the life of saints below,
Love is the life of saints in heaven.
Innocent love! it doth no ill,
But truly Thy commands obeys,
And leads us to Thy holy hill
Through peaceful paths and pleasant ways.
But truly Thy commands obeys,
And leads us to Thy holy hill
Through peaceful paths and pleasant ways.
Love only doth our souls secure
From anger, and desire, and pride;
And by this crown of grace mature,
The perfect law is satisfied.
From anger, and desire, and pride;
And by this crown of grace mature,
The perfect law is satisfied.
379
O were it pour'd into my heart,
O could I now to love begin,
This moment the first act exert,
And cease, this moment cease, from sin!
O could I now to love begin,
This moment the first act exert,
And cease, this moment cease, from sin!
Redeemer of the sinful kind,
If Thou hast given Thyself for me,
Found in Thy heart, O may I find
Salvation, life, and love in Thee!
If Thou hast given Thyself for me,
Found in Thy heart, O may I find
Salvation, life, and love in Thee!
Accomplishing Thine own desire
To have Thy ransom'd creature bless'd,
With charity Divine inspire,
And take possession of my breast:
To have Thy ransom'd creature bless'd,
With charity Divine inspire,
And take possession of my breast:
So shall I, Lord, to all proclaim,
In earth beneath, or heaven above,
There is no other saving name,
There is no other God but Love!
In earth beneath, or heaven above,
There is no other saving name,
There is no other God but Love!
XXVI.
[The knowledge of Thy love]
The knowledge of Thy love
O how shall I attain?
Its excellence is far above
The reach of fallen man:
For more than seventy years
I for the bliss have pined,
And sought, with ceaseless prayers and tears,
What I could never find.
O how shall I attain?
Its excellence is far above
The reach of fallen man:
For more than seventy years
I for the bliss have pined,
And sought, with ceaseless prayers and tears,
What I could never find.
Tremendous God unknown,
Hath Thy severe decree
Rejected as perdition's son,
And sternly pass'd by me;
The saving grace withheld,
That left to Satan, I,
By Thy resistless will compell'd,
Might sin, despair, and die?
Hath Thy severe decree
Rejected as perdition's son,
And sternly pass'd by me;
380
That left to Satan, I,
By Thy resistless will compell'd,
Might sin, despair, and die?
Blasphemous thought, away,
As hell itself abhorr'd!
Thy attributes the lie gainsay,
Thy nature and Thy word;
Thy oath forbids my fears,
And comforts all that grieve,
Thy bloody sweat, Thy cries and tears,
Thy death, would have me live;
As hell itself abhorr'd!
Thy attributes the lie gainsay,
Thy nature and Thy word;
Thy oath forbids my fears,
And comforts all that grieve,
Thy bloody sweat, Thy cries and tears,
Thy death, would have me live;
Would have me love my God,
Who loved the world so well;
Surely I then, the grace bestow'd,
The purchased bliss shall feel!
Thou wilt the bliss confer
Before I hence depart,
And the abiding Comforter
Shall take up all my heart.
Who loved the world so well;
Surely I then, the grace bestow'd,
The purchased bliss shall feel!
Thou wilt the bliss confer
Before I hence depart,
And the abiding Comforter
Shall take up all my heart.
XXVII.
[When, O my Saviour, shall I find]
When, O my Saviour, shall I find
Planted in me Thy heavenly mind?
When wilt Thou make me as Thou art,
Lowly and meek, and pure in heart?
Planted in me Thy heavenly mind?
When wilt Thou make me as Thou art,
Lowly and meek, and pure in heart?
Till with Thy mind and Spirit bless'd
I cannot enter into rest,
Rest to my soul I cannot know,
Till fashion'd like my Lord below.
I cannot enter into rest,
Rest to my soul I cannot know,
Till fashion'd like my Lord below.
Thou Man of grief, Thou Man of love,
This wrath, desire, and pride, remove,
My nature by Thy own expel
And in my soul for ever dwell.
This wrath, desire, and pride, remove,
381
And in my soul for ever dwell.
Thou know'st for this alone I live,
Thy spotless image to retrieve,
With peace and wisdom from above,
With gentle, chaste, and humble love.
Thy spotless image to retrieve,
With peace and wisdom from above,
With gentle, chaste, and humble love.
O Love, essentially Divine,
I nothing want when Thou art mine:
Substantial holiness Thou art,
And God inhabiting the heart.
I nothing want when Thou art mine:
Substantial holiness Thou art,
And God inhabiting the heart.
Come then, to vindicate Thine own,
And fix in me Thy favourite throne;
Thyself my own salvation be,
My heaven through all eternity.
And fix in me Thy favourite throne;
Thyself my own salvation be,
My heaven through all eternity.
XXVIII.
[A man of misery and sin]
A man of misery and sin,
Of lips, and life, and heart unclean,
The glorious God of purity,
Unholy, I can never see;
Of lips, and life, and heart unclean,
The glorious God of purity,
Unholy, I can never see;
Unless, while at the point to die,
I to the open Fountain fly,
And wash off all my guilty load,
Implunged in my Redeemer's blood.
I to the open Fountain fly,
And wash off all my guilty load,
Implunged in my Redeemer's blood.
What but Thy hallowing blood could cleanse
This deep original offence,
This foul impediment remove,
And fill my sprinkled heart with love?
This deep original offence,
This foul impediment remove,
And fill my sprinkled heart with love?
Sure of Thy dying love to me,
Saviour, my heart shall cleave to Thee;
I must, if love my heart constrain,
Salvation and perfection gain.
Saviour, my heart shall cleave to Thee;
I must, if love my heart constrain,
Salvation and perfection gain.
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Love only doth Thy law fulfil,
The chosen heirs of glory seal,
My spirit to Thyself unite,
And fit me for the blissful sight.
The chosen heirs of glory seal,
My spirit to Thyself unite,
And fit me for the blissful sight.
Come, Lord, with love my soul inspire,
And then possess'd of my desire,
I feel the glorious earnest given,
Made meet for all the joys of heaven.
And then possess'd of my desire,
I feel the glorious earnest given,
Made meet for all the joys of heaven.
XXIX.
[O when shall I Thy spotless mind]
“Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest iniquity.”
—Psalm xlv. 7.
O when shall I Thy spotless mind,
Thy pure implanted nature feel;
Continually to good inclined,
Continually averse from ill?
Thy pure implanted nature feel;
Continually to good inclined,
Continually averse from ill?
Restore me to my first estate,
Renew me, Saviour, from above,
And sin I perfectly shall hate,
And Thee I perfectly shall love.
Renew me, Saviour, from above,
And sin I perfectly shall hate,
And Thee I perfectly shall love.
XXX.
[O Jesus, prove Thy name on me]
O Jesus, prove Thy name on me;
In life, in death my Saviour be;
Me from my bosom-sin avert,
And change the bias of my heart.
In life, in death my Saviour be;
Me from my bosom-sin avert,
And change the bias of my heart.
I mourn my heart to ill inclined,
My will corrupt, my carnal mind;
Ah! who its enmity shall slay,
And tear me from myself away?
My will corrupt, my carnal mind;
Ah! who its enmity shall slay,
And tear me from myself away?
This strong propensity to sin
Which still I groan to feel within,
What but Thy nature can remove,
Thou God of holiness and love?
Which still I groan to feel within,
383
Thou God of holiness and love?
Me, for Thy truth and mercy's sake,
Partaker of Thy nature make;
My longing soul with love inspire,
And then my loving soul require.
Partaker of Thy nature make;
My longing soul with love inspire,
And then my loving soul require.
XXXI.
[Give me love, and let me die]
Give me love, and let me die,
Happy die or happy live,
Live, Thy name to glorify,
Die, Thy fulness to receive;
Thou the potter, I the clay,
I Thy only will obey.
Happy die or happy live,
Live, Thy name to glorify,
Die, Thy fulness to receive;
Thou the potter, I the clay,
I Thy only will obey.
By Thy most benign command
Bound I am my God to love:
Who against Thy will can stand?
Mountains at Thy word remove,
Stone is turn'd to flesh, and I
With Thy dear command comply.
Bound I am my God to love:
Who against Thy will can stand?
Mountains at Thy word remove,
Stone is turn'd to flesh, and I
With Thy dear command comply.
Now the precious grace impart,
Now the promised good bestow;
Pour Thy love into my heart,
Let it all my soul o'erflow,
Love which none can comprehend,
Without bounds and without end.
Now the promised good bestow;
Pour Thy love into my heart,
Let it all my soul o'erflow,
Love which none can comprehend,
Without bounds and without end.
Then, without a wish, I wait
Till my change appointed come,
Till the ministers of fate
Bear my ready spirit home,
All Thy plenitude to prove,
Lost in an abyss of love.
Till my change appointed come,
Till the ministers of fate
Bear my ready spirit home,
All Thy plenitude to prove,
Lost in an abyss of love.
384
XXXII.
[Thy servant ready to depart]
Thy servant ready to depart,
Jesus, to Thee for help I cry;
The virtue of Thy name exert,
Or saved so long, in sin I die.
Jesus, to Thee for help I cry;
The virtue of Thy name exert,
Or saved so long, in sin I die.
Preserved by my redeeming Lord
In twice ten thousand conflicts pass'd,
Unless Thy help Thou still afford
I faint and perish in the last.
In twice ten thousand conflicts pass'd,
Unless Thy help Thou still afford
I faint and perish in the last.
If through Thy strength I have run well,
And almost won the doubtful race,
Most sensibly my want I feel
Of more, of persevering grace.
And almost won the doubtful race,
Most sensibly my want I feel
Of more, of persevering grace.
The countless storms of life brought through,
If Thou refuse my heart's desire,
Justly forsook, the land I view,
And shipwreck'd in the port expire.
If Thou refuse my heart's desire,
Justly forsook, the land I view,
And shipwreck'd in the port expire.
I cannot to the end endure,
Unless the patience Thou bestow,
And make my latest footsteps sure,
And with me through the valley go.
Unless the patience Thou bestow,
And make my latest footsteps sure,
And with me through the valley go.
But, jealous of myself, I hope
Thou wilt my Guide and Keeper be,
My weak defective faith fill up,
And to the end remember me.
Thou wilt my Guide and Keeper be,
My weak defective faith fill up,
And to the end remember me.
Throughout my life of death afraid,
Yet, Lord, in Thee I still confide;
On Thee my trembling soul is stay'd,
Who hast for me both lived and died.
Yet, Lord, in Thee I still confide;
On Thee my trembling soul is stay'd,
Who hast for me both lived and died.
385
Thou wilt, I steadfastly believe,
My Saviour to the utmost prove,
And to Thyself in death receive
The purchase of Thy dying love.
My Saviour to the utmost prove,
And to Thyself in death receive
The purchase of Thy dying love.
XXXIII.
[Prone to ill, averse from good]
Prone to ill, averse from good,
Plagued by passions unsubdued,
My continual want of grace
Need I, Lord, to Thee confess?
Plagued by passions unsubdued,
My continual want of grace
Need I, Lord, to Thee confess?
Grace if Thou forbear to give,
Me if Thou one moment leave,
Well Thou know'st I surely shall
Into sin that moment fall.
Me if Thou one moment leave,
Well Thou know'st I surely shall
Into sin that moment fall.
This alas, I always feel,
Till Thou dost the plague expel,
Slay the foes Thou dost control,
Change the bias of my soul:
Till Thou dost the plague expel,
Slay the foes Thou dost control,
Change the bias of my soul:
Make me, through Thy wondrous name,
The reverse of what I am,
Copy true of what Thou art,
Lowly, meek, and pure in heart.
The reverse of what I am,
Copy true of what Thou art,
Lowly, meek, and pure in heart.
To Thy only will resign'd,
One with Thee in heart and mind:
Then matured for joys above
Swallow up my soul in love.
One with Thee in heart and mind:
Then matured for joys above
Swallow up my soul in love.
XXXIV.
[Fain would I see a few good days]
Fain would I see a few good days,
Before I cease on earth to breathe,
Would taste the sweetness of Thy grace,
And sink into the arms of death.
Before I cease on earth to breathe,
Would taste the sweetness of Thy grace,
And sink into the arms of death.
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My soul with infinite desire
Pants for the hidden things above;
What is it, Lord, my hopes require
But the experience of Thy love?
Pants for the hidden things above;
What is it, Lord, my hopes require
But the experience of Thy love?
Thy love which did my soul redeem
To this poor dying worm be given,
Be here my happiness supreme,
And antedate the days of heaven.
To this poor dying worm be given,
Be here my happiness supreme,
And antedate the days of heaven.
Ah give me first the rapturous powers
Of that eternal world to taste,
And then cut short my happy hours,
And give me then to breathe my last.
Of that eternal world to taste,
And then cut short my happy hours,
And give me then to breathe my last.
Howe'er impatient to depart,
From earth I tremble to remove,
Till Thou hast shown my fluttering heart
The great salvation of Thy love;
From earth I tremble to remove,
Till Thou hast shown my fluttering heart
The great salvation of Thy love;
Me to that great salvation keep,
That when Thy nature I partake,
I in Thy arms may fall asleep,
And in Thy glorious presence wake.
That when Thy nature I partake,
I in Thy arms may fall asleep,
And in Thy glorious presence wake.
FINIS.
| The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley | |