Wesley Corpus

Hymn VI Source: Hymns on God's Everlasting Love (1742) Author: Charles Wesley --- Jesu, my hope, my help, my power, On thee I ever call, O save me from temptation's hour, Or into hell I fall. If by thy light I now perceive My utter helplessness, O do not for one moment leave The sinner in distress. I cannot trust my treacherous heart, I shall myself betray, I must be lost, if thou depart, A final castaway. I feel within me unsubdued A cursed, carnal will, It hates, and starts from all that's good, And cleaves to all that's ill. My soul could yield to every vice, And passion in excess, My soul to all the height could rise Of daring wickedness. The blackest crime upon record I freely could commit, The sins by nature most abhor'd My nature could repeat. I could the devil's law receive, Unless restrain'd by thee; I could (good God!) I could believe The HORRIBLE DECREE. I could believe that God is hate, The God of love and grace Did damn, pass by, and reprobate The most of human race. Farther than this I cannot go, Till Tophet take me in: But O! Forbid that I should know This mystery of sin. Jesu, to thee for help I fly, Support my soul, and guide, Keep as the apple of an eye, Under thy shadow hide. Withhold my foot from every snare, From every sin defend, Throughout the way my spirit bear, And bring me to the end. Wisdom and strength to thee belong; Folly and sin are mine; But out of weakness make me strong, But in my darkness shine. My strength will I ascribe to thee, My wisdom from above, And praise to all eternity Thine all-redeeming love.