Wesley Corpus

Forget me as I have been disobedient, provoking thee to anger; and regard me as I am distressed, crying out to thee for help. Look not upon me as I am a sinner; but consider me as I am thy creature. A sinner I am, I confess, a sinner of no ordinary stain: Butlet not this hinder thee, O my God; for upon such sinners thou gettest the greatest glory. O remember for whose sake it was that thou camest from the bosom of thy Father, and wast content to be born of thine own handmaid. Remember for whom it was that thy tender body was torn and scourged and crucified. Was it not for the sins of the whole world? And shall I be so injurious to thy glory, as to think thou hast excepted me? Or can I think, thou diedst only for sinners of a lower kind, and leftest such as me without remedy? What had become then of him who filled Jerusalem with blood? what of her, who lived in a trade of sin? Nay, what had become of thine own disciple, who with oaths and curses thrice denied thee? O, how easy is it for thee to forgive! for it is thy nature. How proper is it for thee to save 1 for it is thy name. How suitable is it to thy coming into the world ! for it is thy business. And when I consider that I am the chief of sinners, may I not urge thee farther, and say, Shall the chief of thy business be left undone? Far be that from thee! Have mercy upon me! I ask not of thee the things of this world, give them to whom thou pleasest, so thou givest me mercy. O say unto my soul, “Be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee.” Othat I might never sin against thee more! And whereinsoever my conscience accuses me most, be thou most merciful unto me. Save me, O God, as a brand snatched out of the fire. Receive me, O my Saviour, as a sheep that is gone astray, but would now return to the great Shepherd and Bishop of my soul.