Wesley Corpus

Or if I ask I know not what, The knowledge of a future grace, If this can only then be wrought When pure in heart I see thy face, O pierce, and fill me now with fear Of sin, and hell forever near. O put thy fear within my heart, That I may tremble at thy word, Nor ever from thy paths depart, Or dare to sin against the Lord, 60Line changed to "Tell me I ne'er shall sin again" in 2nd edn. (1745) only. Page 78 Till I the promis'd seed receive, Let Ishmael before thee live. I ask according to thy will, O keep me till the grace is given, Till I thy holy law fulfil On earth, as angels do in heaven, Thy61 uttermost salvation prove, Made perfect in almighty love. Part III. Break stubborn heart, and sigh no more To mock me with a shew of good, To make me think the conflict o'er The strength of inbred sin subdu'd; Or let me cease from every ill, Or bear the nether-milstone still. Away my flatt'ring hopes, and fears The transports of my short-liv'd grief, Away my unavailing tears, Nor mock me with your vain relief, Dissembling tears, 'tis past your art To melt the marble of my heart. My heart, which now to God aspires, The following moment cleaves to dust, My firm resolves, my good desires, My holy frames no more I trust, Poor feeble broken reeds, to you: My goodness melts as morning-dew. Hardly convinc'd I own at last, No will to good abides in me, My latest rag away I cast, The rag of my sincerity, I bear my double sin, and shame, Beast, beast, and legion is my name. 61"Thy" changed to "thine" in 2nd edn. (1745) only. Page 79 Full of concupiscence and pride, Fit fuel for eternal fire, With virtuous shew I strive to hide The baseness of impure desire; Conceal'd it lies, yet62 not supprest; The devil blushes for the beast. I start from the contempt of men, But shameless in his sight appear By whom my every thought is seen; My heart is harden'd from his fear, Nor care I from his view to hide My foulest filthiness of pride.