Wesley Corpus

Be this my whole imploy below, Before thy little flock to go, And in thy steps to tread; Shepherd of souls, I fain would be Their faithful pastor under thee, And feed as I am fed. Page 295 Happy, could I thro' life declare How dear to me thy followers are; But happier still might I Like thee my life at last give back, And suffer, Saviour, for thy sake, And for thy people die! Hymns for a Preacher of the Gospel. Hymn VIII. O thou great Almighty Lord, How can I declare thy word, Least of all thy servants I, Weak as helpless infancy! Sunk in shame, and deep amaze, On thine out-stretch'd hand I gaze, Ask again, How can it be The great God should send by me! But thou knowst this heart of mine: Fain I would the work decline, Most unworthy as I am, Most unfit to bear thy name: O how often have I cried, Send by whom thou wilt beside: Still I plead for my release, Let me, Lord, depart in peace. Conscious to myself, I pray Take me from the evil day, From the thing I always fear Save thy weakest messenger; Jealous for thine honour be, Do not trust thy cause to me; Me, a man of lips unclean, Me, the sinfullest of men: Page 296 Weary, burthen'd, and opprest, Stranger to delight, and rest, How can I beneath my load Preach redemption in thy blood? Looking every fearful day To become a cast-a-way, How shall I in sorrow tell News of joy unspeakable? But thou knowst, a sharper pain Every moment I sustain, Saviour, for thy glorious cause, Lest by me it suffer loss. Do not, O my help, my hope, Jesus, do not give me up, Never let me live to be A reproach to thine, and thee. Jealous for thy own great name, Let me not be put to shame; Make my perseverance sure, In the quiet grave secure: Rid me of my life, and fear; Safe retreat is conquest here, Happy, and triumphant I, Suffer'd to escape, and die! Hymns for a Preacher of the Gospel. Hymn IX. Master, thy promis'd help I claim, Sent forth to testify thy name, Which speaks a world forgiven, Sent forth thy mercy to display, And teach, as taught of thee, the way, The living way to heaven. Page 297