Wesley Corpus

His course impetuous who can tell, While battling with th' infernal foe, He puts forth all his strength and zeal, He spends his life at every blow! Or fierce on the Philistines flies, Compels the captives to come in, Spoils Satan of his lawful prize, And tears them from the toils of sin. Refreshing, soft, as vernal showers, His word on weary sinners falls, Or like the rapid torrent pours,48 While souls to Jesus' blood he calls: With strength and utterance from above Drives on the saints thro' grace forgiven, To scale the mount of holiest love, To seize the brightest throne in heaven. Hymn XLI. On the Death of Mr. Thomas Walsh, April 8, 1759. Aged 28. Part II. While Christ with all his heart he sought, And all his gifts from Christ receiv'd, A witness of the truths he taught, A pattern to the flock he liv'd; Them by his bright example led The power of godliness to prove, In word, in converse, and in deed, In faith, in purity, and love. Did he not labour day and night, In ministerial works employ'd? 48"Pours" changed to "powers" in 1769 edn. Page 66 His sweet relief, his whole delight, To search the oracles of God, To listen at the Master's feet, To catch the whispers of his grace, And long for happiness compleat, And gasp to see his open face! Did he not triumph in the cross, Its prints as on his body shew, Lavish of life for Jesus' cause, Whose blood so free for him did flow? He scorn'd his feeble flesh to spare, Regardless of its swift decline, His single aim, his ceaseless prayer T' attain the righteousness divine. Impatient to be truly great, Ambitious of a crown above, He coveted the highest seat, He ask'd the grace of perfect love: He ask'd, alas! But knew not then The purport of his own desire, How deep that cup of sacred pain, How searching that baptismal fire! The Lord allow'd his bold request; The servant is call'd forth to share That anguish of a wounded breast, Those pangs which only God could bear; Who drank in his sad days of flesh, The potion by his Father given, And bids his members feel afresh The fierceness of the wrath of heaven.