Wesley Corpus

My nature re-exchange for thine; Be thou my life, my hope, my gain; Arm me in panoply divine, And death shall shake his dart in vain. When I thy promis'd Christ have seen, And clasp'd him in my soul's embrace, Possest of my salvation, then Then, let me, Lord, depart in peace! Page 82 After a Recovery from Sickness. And live I yet by pow'r divine? And have I still my course to run? Again brought back in its decline The shadow of my parting sun? Wondring I ask, is this the breast Struggling so late and torn with pain! The eyes that upward look'd for rest, And dropt their weary lids again! The recent horrors still appear: O may they never cease to awe! Still be the king of terrors near, Whom late in all his pomp I saw. Torture and sin prepar'd his way, And pointed to a yawning tomb! Darkness behind eclips'd the day, And check'd my forward hopes of home. My feeble flesh refus'd to bear Its strong redoubled agonies: When mercy heard my speechless pray'r, And saw me faintly gasp for ease. Page 83 Jesus to my deliv'rance flew, Where sunk in mortal pangs I lay: Pale death his ancient conq'ror knew, And trembled, and ungrasp'd his prey! The fever turn'd its backward course, Arrested by almighty pow'r; Sudden expir'd its fiery force, And anguish gnaw'd my side no more. God of my life, what just return Can sinful dust and ashes give? I only live my sin to mourn, To love my God I only live! To thee, benign and saving pow'r I consecrate my lengthen'd days; While mark'd with blessings, ev'ry hour Shall speak thy co-extended praise. How shall I teach the world to love, Unchang'd myself, unloos'd my tongue? Give me the pow'r of faith to prove, And mercy shall be all my song. Be all my added life employ'd Thy image in my soul to see: Fill with thyself the mighty void; Enlarge my heart to compass thee! Page 84 O give me, Saviour, give me more! Thy mercies to my soul reveal: Alas! I see their endless store, Yet O! I cannot, cannot feel! The blessing of thy love bestow: For this my cries shall never fail; Wrestling I will not let thee go, I will not, till my suit prevail.