Wesley Corpus

O that I could but surely know If I at last shall mercy find! For what am I reserv'd below! Tell me, thou Saviour of mankind. 49Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Cheshunt, 85-86; and MS Clarke, 97-98. 50Ori., "to"; corrected in errata and 2nd edn. (1755). Page 73 That hope is in my end declare; And let me want thy chearing grace, For seventy years content I bear The hidings of thy blissful face. Let others walk with thee in light, But bless me with one parting ray, And e'er I close mine eyes in night, Give me to see thy perfect day. Penitential Hymns. Hymn I. Saviour, Prince of Israel's race, See me from thy lofty throne, Give the sweet relenting grace, Soften this obdurate stone, Stone to flesh, O God, convert, Cast a look, and break my heart. By thy Spirit, Lord, reprove, All mine inmost sins reveal, Sins against thy light and love Let me see, and let me feel, Sins that crucified my God, Spilt again thy precious blood. Jesu, seek thy wandring sheep, Make me restless to return, Bid me look on thee, and weep, Bitterly as Peter mourn, 'Till I say, by grace restor'd, Now thou knowst, I love thee, Lord. Or if yet I must not hope For the pardning love of God, Page 74 Make my stubborn spirit stoop Under its own guilty load, Let me sink by sin opprest, Weary wish, and groan for rest. Shake my inmost soul with fear, Let me as the gaoler51 cry, Trembling at damnation near, How shall I the judgment fly, Who the way t' escape will shew, What must a lost sinner do? Might I in thy sight appear As the publican distrest, Come, not daring to draw near, Smite on my unworthy breast, Groan the sinner's only plea, God be merciful to me! O that I in Mary's place Might before the Saviour lie, Fear to see thy smiling face, Blush to meet thy gracious eye, Still the solemn task repeat, Weep, and wash, and kiss thy feet. Doth thy justice still withstand, Sternly cry, It must not be, 'Till I bear thy bruising hand, Suffer all my misery? Lo! I to the sentence bow; Make, O make me wretched now!