Wesley Corpus

The world obedient to their god, Rage horribly, and storm aloud, The waves around us roll; But fiercer still the storm within, While floods of wickedness and sin O'erwhelm the tempted soul. Ev'n now the waves of passion rise, And work, and swell, and touch the skies, Or bear us down to hell; Tost in a long tempestuous night, While not one gleam of chearful light, Or ray of joy we feel. But lo! In our distress we see The Saviour walking on the sea! Ev'n now he passes by; He silences our clam'rous fear, And mildly says, "Be of good chear, Be not afraid, 'tis I! "'Tis I who bought you with my blood, 'Tis I, who bring you wash'd to God, 'Tis I the sinner's friend, 'Tis I, in whom ye pardon have, Who speak in truth, mighty to save, And love you to the end." Ah! Lord, if it be thou indeed, So near us in our time of need, Page 173 So good, so strong to save; Speak the kind word of power to me, Bid me believe, and come to thee Swift-walking on the wave. He bids me come! His voice I know, And boldly on the water go, To him my God and Lord, I walk on life's tempestuous sea: For he who lov'd, and died for me, Hath spoke the powerful word. Secure on liquid waves I tread, Nor all the storms of passion heed, While to my Lord I look; O'er every fierce temptation bound, The billows yield a solid ground, The wave is firm as rock. But if from him I turn mine eye, And see the raging floods run high, And feel my fears within, My foes so strong, my flesh so frail, Reason, and unbelief prevail, And sink me into sin! Sinking on him for help I call, Save, Lord, or into hell I fall, O snatch me from my doom; Stretch out thy hand, and ask me why, Why dost thou doubt, or fear, when I Thy Lord have bid thee come? Lord, I my unbelief confess, My little spark of faith increase, And I shall doubt no more; But fix on thee my steady eye, And on thine outstretch'd arm rely, 'Till all the storm is o'er. Page 174