Wesley Corpus

Yet I can thy mercy praise, Doom'd my chastning here to feel That I with the godless race May not be adjudg'd to hell; Lord, for this my thanks receive, Wretched out of hell, I live. Of his earthly all bereft42 Should a living man complain? Or have I a blessing left? Take that blessing back again, Now my latest good remove, Give me but at last thy love. 42John Wesley underlined "earthly all bereft" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756), adding an "!" in the margin at the end of the line. Page 49 On the Loss of His Friends. Hymn IX.43 O bitter, bitter loss! My bosom-friend is gone, My life, and comfort was Wrapt up in him alone:44 My eyes and heart's desire45 is fled, The intercourse is o'er, My bosom-friend to me is dead, He loves my soul no more. To Satan's malice left, By human furies torn, Of all my joys46 bereft, For none but47 this I mourn; As Rachel obstinately grieve,48 Disconsolate in woe,49 Nor will I evermore receive Comfort in things below. I lift my broken heart To him that reigns above: O would he once impart The med'cine of his love! His only love can be my balm, My wounded spirit ease; His only voice the storm can calm, And bid my sorrows cease. O wouldst thou, Lord, appear, And answer to my cry, Thy hopeless mourner chear, Thy balmy blood apply. 43A manuscript precursor of this hymn appears in MS Occasional Hymns, 27-29. 44John Wesley underlined "in him alone" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 45John Wesley underlined "heart's desire" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 46John Wesley underlined "all my joys" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 47John Wesley underlined "none but" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 48John Wesley underlined "obstinately grieve" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 49John Wesley underlined this sentence in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). Page 50 From thee, the God of pardning love, I never would depart, But seek my whole delight above, And give thee all my heart.