Wesley Corpus

Me he call'd, a woman griev'd, A wife in youth forsook, Kindly all my wants reliev'd, And all my burthens took: Me he call'd his love, his bride, "See, thine heavenly husband see, I am by my Father's side, And thou shalt sit by me." True, and faithful is my Lord, Infallible my hope, Lo! I hang upon his word, 'Till Jesus take me up: Come, his loving Spirit cries Hastning on the joyful day, Come, the longing bride replies, My Jesus, come away! Hymns for Widows. Hymn XVI. Come, ye real widows, come All that seek your heavenly home, All who now with griefs opprest, Languish for eternal rest; Cast away your anxious care, For the nuptial day prepare, Strong in hope's assurance rise, Meet the Bridegroom in the skies. Lo! He in the clouds descends, Girt about with heavenly friends, David's everlasting Son, Sitting on his ivory throne! See th' imperial banner spread, Flaming with a crimson red, To the well-known ensign flow, To the cross ye bore below. Page 212 Where are Jesu's witnesses, Those who dar'd their Lord confess! Jesus knows, and calls them forth, Openly declares their worth, These my faithful servants were, Gloried my reproach to bear, Bearers of the bloody tree, Treated in the world like me. These are they that own'd my name, Triumph'd in their Master's shame, Gladly counted all things loss, Nobly suffer'd for my cause: Scorn'd of all they kept my word, Fools and madmen for their Lord, Firm against a world they stood, Strove resisting unto blood. Angels all, the men behold, Purchas'd and redeem'd of old, Once my confessors beneath, True, and faithful unto death! Cover'd o'er with glorious scars, Each the bleeding token bears, Each displays the shepherd's sign Father, see! They all are mine! Come, ye then, my servants dear, Find your happy mansions here, Come ye of my Father blest, Celebrate the marriage-feast, Take your infinite reward, From eternity prepar'd, All your heavenly joy receive, Kings with me forever live! Page 213 Hymns for Widows. Hymn XVII. Where shall I rest my weary head, Where shall I find assur'd relief? Deserted at my greatest need, Consign'd to solitary grief, No kind companion nigh, with whom To weep, and wait 'till comfort come!