Wesley Corpus

Jesu, mighty to redeem, Let our lot be cast with them, Far from earth our souls remove, Ransom'd by thy dying love. Leave us not below to mourn, Fain we would to thee return, Crown'd with righteousness arise, Far above these nether skies. Come, and all our sorrows chase, Wipe the tears from every face, Gladness let us now obtain, Partners of thy endless reign. Death, the latest foe destroy; Sorrow then shall yield to joy, Gloomy grief shall flee away, Swallow'd up in endless day. Page 111 For a Minister.50 Ah! My dear Master! Can it be That I should lose by serving thee? In seeking souls should lose my own, And others save, myself undone? Yet am I lost (shouldst thou depart) Betray'd by this deceitful heart, Destroy'd, if thou my labour bless, And ruin'd by my own success. Hide me! If thou refuse to hide, I fall a sacrifice to pride: I cannot shun the fowler's snare, The fiery test I cannot bear. Helpless to thee for aid I cry, Unable to resist, or fly: I must not, Lord, the task decline, For all I have, and am is thine. And well thou know'st I did not seek, Uncall'd of God, for God to speak, The dreadful charge I sought to flee, "Send whom thou wilt, but send not me." 50Included in George Whitefield's Continuation of the Reverend Mr. Whitefield's Journal, from a few Days after his Return to Georgia to his Arrival at Falmouth (London: William Strahan, 1741), 84-85. Page 112 Long did my coward flesh delay, And still I tremble to obey, Thy will be done, I faintly cry, But rather suffer me to die. Ah! Rescue me from earth and sin, Fightings without, and fears within, More, more than hell myself I dread, Ah! Cover my defenceless head! Surely thou wilt. Thou canst not send, And not my helpless soul defend, Call me to stand in danger's hour, And not support me with thy power. Lord, I believe the promise true, "Behold, I always am with you;" Always if thou with me remain, Hell, earth, and sin shall rage in vain. Give me thine all-sufficient grace Then hurl your fiery darts of praise, Jesus and me ye ne'er shall part, For God is greater than my heart. Page 113 At Setting Out to Preach the Gospel.51