Wesley Corpus

Ah! Why did I so late thee know, Thee, lovelier than the sons of men! Ah! Why did I no sooner go To thee, the only ease in pain! Asham'd I sigh, and inly mourn That I so late to thee did turn. In darkness willingly I stray'd, I sought thee, yet from thee I rov'd: For wide my wand'ring thoughts were spread, Thy creatures more than thee I lov'd. And now, if more at length I see, 'Tis thro' thy light, and comes from thee. I thank thee, uncreated Sun, That thy bright beams on me have shin'd: Page 32 27Source: Johann Joseph Winckler. First appeared in CPH (1738), 65-66. Appears here via HSP (1739), I thank thee, who hast overthrown My foes, and heal'd my wounded mind: I thank thee, whose enliv'ning voice Bids my free heart in thee rejoice. Uphold me in the doubtful race, Nor suffer me again to stray: Strengthen my feet with steady pace Still to press forward in thy way. My soul and flesh, O Lord of might, Fill, satiate with thy heav'nly light. Give to my eyes refreshing tears, Give to my heart chaste, hallow'd fires, Give to my soul with filial fears The love that all heav'n's host inspires: "That all my pow'rs with all their might In thy sole glory may unite." Thee will I love, my joy, my crown! Thee will I love, my Lord, my God! Thee will I love, beneath thy frown Or smile, thy sceptre, or thy rod. What tho' my flesh and heart decay! Thee shall I love in endless day! Boldness in the Gospel.27 Shall I, for fear of feeble man, Thy Spirit's course in me restrain? Or undismay'd, in deed and word Be a true witness to my Lord? Page 33 Aw'd by a mortal's frown, shall I Conceal the word of God most high? How then before thee shall I dare To stand, or how thy anger bear? Shall I, to sooth th' unholy throng, Soften thy truths, and smooth my tongue? To gain earth's gilded toys, or flee The cross endur'd, my God by thee? What then is he, whose scorn I dread? Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid? A man! An heir of death, a slave To sin! A bubble on the wave!