Wesley Corpus

Pardon'd, still for sin I grieve, Never can myself forgive; Weeping, tho' my heart were pure, Would I to the end endure, Still lament, and daily die, 'Till my Saviour from the sky Wipe the gracious tears away, Bear me to eternal day. "Whom, tho' I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge." Job ix. 15. No, not if all the saints could join To make their works and merits mine, Summon'd before the judge, would I Not guilty to his charge reply, Or stand by any other plea, Than God be merciful to me! Yet conscious of my guilt I dare Appear at thy tremendous bar, Unworthy to behold thy face, I humbly sue for pard'ning grace, And boldly now approach thy throne, Confiding in thy righteous Son. "If I had called, and he had answered me, yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice." Job ix. 16. Doth the great God, and judge severe, Vile, rebellious sinners hear? Page 228 Alas, how should it be? If me this moment he forgive, I never, never can believe That God hath answer'd me. My feeble ineffectual cry, Can it pass beyond the sky, And reach the ear of God? No: but in mine he must attend The voice of my all-powerful friend, The cry of Jesu's blood. "If I say, I am perfect, mine own mouth shall prove me perverse." Job ix. 20. Tho' all the precious promises I find fulfill'd in Jesu's love, If perfect I myself profess, My own profession I disprove: The purest saint that lives below Doth his own sanctity disclaim, The wisest owns, I nothing know, The holiest cries, I nothing am! "If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent." Job ix. 23. Shall man direct the sovereign God, Say, "He cannot use his rod But for some fresh offence? From saints he never hides his face,61 Or suddenly their comforts slays, To prove their innocence."