Wesley Corpus

First in the primitive offence The curse she feels with quicker sense: But, of a woman born, Thou didst its utmost burthen bear, To make it fall more light on her, And to a blessing turn. With pity then the anguish see, The fruits of sin endur'd by thee, Thou patient Man of Woe: Thy sufferings past recall to mind, Shorten in her thy pangs behind, And break the mortal blow. In mercy mitigate her pain, Her feeble fainting soul sustain With comforts from above; Strengthen, till all her pains are past, And let her every moment taste The cordial of thy love. Before her weary eyes display The bed where her Redeemer lay A Lamb transfixt and torn! Page 59 The place thou never canst forget, Where thou hast paid our utmost debt, And all our sorrows borne. O let thy grief dry up her tears, And while thy mangled form appears, Thy visage marr'd with blood, Let trouble, fear, and torture cease, And all her happy soul confess Her Saviour and her God. Victorious, with thy cross in view, By thy own travail bring her thro' The agonizing hour, A living monument of praise, A witness of redeeming grace, And love's eternal power. Thanksgiving for Her Safe Delivery. Blessing, and praise, and thanks, and love Let God, the Saviour-God receive, Who sent the succours from above, And bad the dying sinner live! The bitterness of death is past, The mortal agony is o're Brought thro' the fire, she lives at last To love, and wonder, and adore. Long in the toils of hell she lay, (While torture tore her tender frame,) And meekly sigh'd her life away, A picture of the bleeding Lamb! Her eyes with looking upward fail'd, And sought the rest of endless night; But Christ her Advocate prevail'd, And stopt the spirit in its flight. Page 60 When nature's strength and sense were gone, And death's cold hand had grasp'd his prey, God held her soul in life unknown, And re-inspir'd the breathless clay: God heard his wrestling people plead Strong in the faith himself had given, Mighty in prayer which wakes the dead, In prayer which shuts and opens heaven.