Wesley Corpus

First, and last in me perform The work thou hast begun, Be my shelter from the storm, My shadow from the sun; Sprinkle still the mercy-seat, And bring thy Father's anger down, Skreen me, Jesu, from the heat, And terror of his frown. Let thy merit as a cloud Still interpose between, Plead th' atonement of thy blood Till I am cleans'd from sin: Weary, parch'd with thirst and faint Till thou the abiding Spirit breathe, Every moment, Lord, I want The merit of thy death. Never shall I want it less When39 thou the gift hast given, Fill'd me with thy righteousness, And seal'd the heir of heaven; I shall hang upon my God, Till I thy perfect glory see, Till the sprinkling of thy blood Shall speak me up to thee. A Poor Sinner. Jesu, my strength, my hope, On thee I cast my care, With humble confidence look up, And know thou hearst my prayer. 39Ori., "Till"; corrected in errata. Page 147 Give me on thee to wait Till I can all things do, On thee Almighty to create, Almighty to renew. I rest upon thy word, The promise is for me, My succour, and salvation, Lord, Shall surely come from thee. But let me still abide, Nor from my hope remove, Till thou my patient spirit guide Into thy perfect love. I want a sober mind, A self-renouncing will That tramples down and casts behind The baits of pleasing ill; A soul enur'd to pain, To hardship, grief, and loss, Bold to take up, firm to sustain The consecrated cross. I want a godly fear A quick discerning eye, That looks to thee, when sin is near, And sees the tempter fly; A spirit still prepar'd, And arm'd with jealous care, Forever standing on its guard, And watching unto prayer. I want an heart to pray, To pray and never cease, Never to murmur at thy stay, Or wish my sufferings less. Page 148 This blessing above all, Always to pray I want, Out of the deep on thee to40 call, And never, never faint. I want a true regard, A single steady aim (Unmov'd by threat'ning or reward) To thee and thy great name; A jealous, just concern For thy41 immortal praise, A pure desire that all may learn, And glorify thy grace.