Wesley Corpus

Page 192 I groan to feel my heart relent, By sin almost subdued, And blush to find I could consent To grieve my gracious God. My gracious God, how shall I shun This enemy within? Out of myself I cannot run, To 'scape my bosom-sin? I fear in some unguarded hour Lest it my soul betray, And give me up to Satan's power An unresisting prey. O that thou wouldst stretch out thine hand; By this weak, sinking soul, In every close temptation stand, And all my lusts control. The strength of saving grace above My nature's strength exert, Thou God of all-victorious love, Thou greater than my heart. O that thou wouldst root out the thorn, Destroy the enmity, Set me a time for thy return, And then remember me. Contract, or lengthen out my years, But 'till they all are past, Preserve me from my sins and fears, But fully save at last. In Temptation. Hymn X. Help, Lord, to whom for help I fly, And still my tempted soul stand by, Page 193 Throughout this evil day; The sacred watchfulness impart, And keep the issues of my heart, And stir me up to pray. My soul with thy whole armour arm, In each approach of sin alarm, And shew the danger near; Surround, sustain, and strengthen me, And fill with godly jealousy, And sanctifying fear. Whene'er my feeble hands hang down, O let me see thy gathering frown, And feel thy warning eye, And starting cry from ruin's brink, Save, Jesus, or I yield, I sink, O save me, or I die. If near the pit I rashly stay, Before I wholly fall away, The keen conviction dart; Recall me with that pitying look, That kind upbraiding glance, which broke Unfaithful Peter's heart. In me thine utmost mercy shew, And make me as thyself below, Unblameable in grace, Ready prepar'd, and fitted here By perfect holiness t' appear Before thy glorious face. In Temptation. Hymn XI. O how shall a sinner perform The vows he hath vow'd to the Lord? Page 194 A sinful and impotent worm, How can I be true to my word? I tremble at what I have done, But look for my help from above, The power that I never have known, The virtue of Jesus's love.