Wesley Corpus

O thou, who pleadst the widow's cause, Who only canst repair my loss, And sweeten all my woe, Distrest, disconsolate, forlorn Let me in thy dear bosom mourn, Nor other comfort know. A deso'late soul, thou knowst, I am, For thou hast call'd me by my name, Thy poor afflicted one, Hast in the fiery furnace tried, And chose a mourner for thy bride, When all my joys were gone. The soul whom more than life I lov'd, Thy jealous mercy hath remov'd, To make me wholly thine: 45This hymn was included (in manuscript form) in a letter of Charles to Mrs. Elizabeth Witham (January 16, Page 196 With streaming eyes the hand I see, And bow me to the just decree, And bless the love divine. Still would46 I pour my mournful tears, And all my47 solemn days, or years, In sacred sadness48 spend; Instant in strong effectual prayers, 'Till death release me from my cares, And faith in vision end. For this I in thy Spirit groan, Forsaken, comfortless,49 alone I would with God abide, Cut off from man, to Jesus cleave, And never for a moment leave My heavenly Bridegroom's side. Allow, dear Lord, the widow's plea, And oh! Shut up my soul with thee, Against the nuptial feast; Make ready for that glorious day, And then thy spotless bride convey To thine eternal rest. Hymns for Widows. Hymn II. Let heathens murmur and complain, I rest me here, it is the Lord Calls for my heart's desire again; His will be done, his name ador'd! Who first the pretious blessing lent, He justly hath resum'd his own, I yield him back with full consent: Thy name be prais'd, thy will be done. 46John Wesley underlined "Still would" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 47John Wesley underlined "all my" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 48John Wesley underlined "sacred sadness" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 49John Wesley underlined "Forsaken, comfortless" in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). Page 197 Thy mercy in the stroke I see, Enter into my God's design, From every fond engagement free, Thou wouldst my heart should all be thine. Thou wouldst that I from man should cease, Thou hast my earthly lord remov'd, That all my soul might thee confess My only, as my best-belov'd.