Wesley Corpus

Jesus, my constant Jesus stand Betwixt my bosom-sin and me: Nature submits to thy command, All things are possible to thee; Thou infinite in love and power, Preserve me, that I sin no more. Hymns for Those that Wait for Full Redemption. Hymn VII.4 "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, but the Spirit against the flesh (and these are contrary the one to the other) that ye may not do the things which ye would." Galatians v. 17. While pride and self5 remain within, While ought of the old Adam lives, The fleshly principle of sin Against the Spirit lusts, and strives; We groan our evil heart to feel, Children in Christ, and carnal still. But God is to his promise just, And arms us with sufficient grace, The Spirit exerts a stronger lust, We need not once to sin give place; 4Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Cheshunt, 210-11; and MS Shent, 91a-91b. 5John Wesley substituted "wrath" for "self" in manuscript in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). Page 155 We do not yield to flesh and blood, Or do the things which nature would. Who in the Spirit walk, and live, Their fleshly lusts shall not fulfill; O God, thy saying we receive, And wait to prove thy perfect will, To sin we will no longer bow, It shall not have dominion now. It shall not always vex us here, But lose its being with its reign; Thou, Lord, shalt in our flesh appear, And sin shall then no more remain; The devil's works destroy'd shall be, And all our souls be fill'd with thee. Hymns for Those that Wait for Full Redemption. Hymn VIII.6 Jesu, come, my hope of glory, Purify me, that I May with saints adore thee. Big with earnest expectation, Still I sit at thy feet, Longing for salvation. My poor heart vouchsafe to dwell in, Make me thine, love divine, By thy Spirit's sealing. Give me, Lord, thy Holy Spirit, Let me see all in thee, All in thee inherit. 6Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Cheshunt, 58-59; and MS Clarke, 65. Page 156 Thou hast laid the sure foundation: O my hope, build me up, Finish thy creation. From this inbred sin deliver, Let the yoke now be broke, Make me thine for ever.