Wesley Corpus

Convinc'd my work was but begun, How did I strive, and grieve, and groan, Half yielded, yet refus'd to yield! Tempted to give my Saviour up, Deny my Lord, abjure my hope, And basely cast away my shield. My enemies and friends were join'd, God's children with the world's combin'd To shake my confidence in God: Strongly they urg'd me to disclaim My weaker title to the Lamb, My interest in th' atoning blood. So frail, impure, and weak, could I Presume for me he deign'd to die, For me so cold, so void of love! Jesu! They bid me thee resign, They would not have me call thee mine, Till the whole power of faith I prove. Page 164 What have I known since thee I knew! What trials hast thou brought me thro'! Hardly I yet can credit give: Surely, my soul, 'tis all a dream; Saved as by fire (if sav'd) I seem, If still the life of grace I live! What have I felt, while torn within, Full of the energy of sin, Horror to think, and death to tell! The Prince of Darkness rul'd his hour, Suffer'd to shew forth all his power, And shake me o'er the mouth of hell. But O! His tyranny is o'er! How shall my rescu'd soul adore Thy strange, thy unexampled grace! A brand pluck'd from the fire I am! O Saviour, help me to proclaim, Help me to shew forth all thy praise. Fain would I spread thro' earth abroad The goodness of my loving God, And teach the world thy grace to prove. Unutterably good thou art! Read, Jesu, read my panting heart, Thou seest it pants to break with love! I only live to find thee there: The mansion for thyself prepare, In love anew my heart create: The mighty change I long to feel: For this my vehement soul stands still, Restless resign'd for this I wait. Page 165 I know, my struggling nought avails, My strength, and foolish wisdom fails, Vain is my toil, and vain my rest: Only before thy feet I lay, The potter thou, and I the clay, Thy will be done, thy will is best.