Wesley Corpus

O that I was as heretofore, When warm in my first love I only lived my Lord t' adore, And seek the things above! Upon my head his candle shone, And lavish of his grace, With cords of love he drew me on, And half unveil'd his face. Butter and honey did I eat, And lifted up on high, I saw the clouds beneath my feet, And rode upon the sky. Far, far above all earthly things Triumphantly I rode, I soar'd to heaven on eagle's wings, And found, and talk'd with God. Where am I now! From what an height Of happiness cast down! The glory swallow'd up in night, And faded is the crown. My first estate I could not keep, Fallen thro' pride I am, Implung'd in sin's profoundest deep, And swallowed up of shame.47 Forlorn, forsaken, and alone, Naked, and void of God, My feeble soul can scarcely groan A dying Ichabod! Ah! Woe is me! My joy is fled, Vanish'd my glorious boast, 47Line changed to "And lost in guilty shame" in 2nd edn. (1745) only. Page 70 My hope cut off, my life is dead, My paradise is lost! Thro' the wide world of sin and woe A banish'd man I roam, But cannot find my rest below, But cannot wander home. O God, thou art my home, my rest, For which I sigh in pain, How shall I 'scape into thy breast, My Eden how regain? Vengeance divine is always near; Wheree'r my steps I turn, I see the cherubim appear, I see thine anger burn. When longing oft to be restor'd, I would to Eden flee, Thine anger, as a flaming sword, Preserves the sacred tree. What shall I do? 'Tis worse than death To live without thy grace: I yield, I yield thee up my breath, So I may see thy face. A sinner in thy48 hands I am, No farther let me fly, But rush upon that sword of flame, And in thy presence die. Nothing, alas! Have I to plead, I am not fit to live, Yet if thy justice strike me dead, Thy mercy shall revive. This is the way to find my Lord, Thy self hast made it known, 48"Thy" changed to "thine" in 2nd edn. (1745) only. Page 71 Be it according to thy word: On me thy will be done.