Wesley Corpus

Why then was I cast down, And troubled without cause, And trembled at the creature's frown, And fear'd the threatned loss? Page 307 Shall I mistrust his care My blessings to defend, Or dread (who cannot lose an hair) To lose a bosom-friend? If what I wish is good, And suits the will divine, By earth and hell in vain withstood, I know it shall be mine: Still let them counsel take To frustrate his decree, They cannot keep a blessing back By heaven design'd for me. If what my soul requires Evil to me will prove, His love shall cross my fond desires, His kindly-jealous love: But would I for his sake With every rival part, My life, my all, my friend give back? He knows, he knows my heart. Here then I doubt no more, But in his pleasure rest, Whose wisdom, love, and truth, and power, Engage to make me blest: T' accomplish his design The creatures all agree, And all the attributes divine Are now at work for me. To know my final state I at his foot-stool bow, Who tells my soul THE HAND OF FATE His will the veil withdraws, And while I lift my eyes, Discovers there a glorious cross, And raps107 me to the skies. 107An archaic word for "transports." Page 308 Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XXXVI.108 Rais'd to-day above my sorrow, Happy now Shall I bow Burthen'd for to-morrow? Shall I anxiously forecasting Still destroy My own joy, Doubtful of its lasting? Rather let me snatch th' occasion, In the friend God doth lend, Taste his consolation; (From his hands a glad receiver,) Taste in this Heavenly bliss, Bliss that lasts forever. In the stream I drink the fountain, Drink, and haste To the feast On that holy mountain. With the wings of faith and prayer Fly we on To the throne, To the Saviour there. There we fix our place of meeting, Gladly come To our home, Songs of praise repeating. 108Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 43-44; and MS Friendship II, 42-43. Page 309 Careless which shall first pass over, Since we know Both shall go, Both the port recover.