Wesley Corpus

Ah! Lord, regard my endless woe, Remove at last the load I bear, I will not, will not let thee go, Without an answer to my prayer, But grieve, 'till thou suppress my sighs, And dry the fountains of my eyes. Ceaseless I mourn my children lost, The children whom thy grace had giv'n, Or to and fro by Satan tost, By every wind of doctrine driven, Page 106 Or hamper'd in the toils of hell Poor helpless souls, that did run well! Part by their own inventions led, Down the broad path of pleasure stray, In Egypt hide their guilty head, And happy by the fleshpots stay, Indulge their sensual heart's desires, And mock at what thy law requires. Choak'd by the thorns of worldly care Others give up their calling's prize, No fruit unto perfection bear, But bound in lust, or avarice Eternity for time forego, And seek their base delight below. Stumbling on shame's offensive rock, Others have left the thorny road, Thy people, and thy cause forsook, And prudently denied their God, Secur'd an honourable name, And lost their souls, to keep their fame. How many to th' angelic foe Have weakly fall'n an easy prey, And let their holy calling go, And wandred down a smoother way, Charm'd by his Antinomian lore, To watch, and pray, and strive no more! Ah! Lord, the grievous havock see, Which Satan of thy church hath made, And set once more the prisoners free, By pride into his toils betray'd, Once more the keen conviction dart, And break the self-deceiving heart. Page 107 O! For the honour of thy name, Release the slaves to evil sold, Again with heavenly fire inflame The souls whose love is waxen cold, And fix, and stablish us in grace, The mon'ments of thy perfect praise. Hymns of Intercession. Hymn XV. Shepherd of souls, lay to thine hand, And vindicate thine injur'd cause, The troublers of thy flock withstand, The foes, and haters of thy cross, Who cause thy little ones to stray, And lead them down an easier way. Thy poor, opprest disciples, Lord, In peril 'mongst false brethren see, And O! Thy timely help afford To us, that look for help in thee, Who hearst the tempted soul's complaint, And givest power to all that faint.