Wesley Corpus

O that I might his burthen bear, Imploy my all to do him good, My utmost strength, my total care, My life, my latest drop of blood! If I may be so greatly blest, Thy blessings to my friend to deal, This moment breathe into his breast, And fill him with celestial zeal. Ten thousand blessings on his head! Ten thousand goods in one impart, Thy Spirit with thy love be shed, And dwell forever in his heart. Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XXIV.98 Father of mercies hear, And send the blessing down, In answer to this faithful prayer Presented thro' thy Son: 98Charles sent this hymn to Sarah Gwynne with a letter dated December 23, 1748. Other manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 25; and MS Friendship II, 32-33. Page 292 The friend, whom for his sake Thou hast on me bestow'd, Into thy arms, thy bosom take, And fill his soul with God. Ev'n now his heart inspire With wisdom from above, And pure delight, and chaste desire, And everlasting love: Him of thy pardning grace This moment certify, And make him meet to see thy face, And reign above the sky. Do for him, dearest99 Lord, Above what I can say, And keep, to all thy love restor'd, His soul against that day! To him with glory crown'd The highest throne be given, But let me too in heaven be found, Found at his feet in heaven! Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XXV.100 O all-loving Lamb, I call on thy name, Thy grace for my drooping companion I claim: Whose burthen I bear, And wrestle in prayer, 'Till all thy salvation to him thou declare. Thou knowst his distress For the sense of thy grace, The permanent sight of thy heavenly face: 99John Wesley substituted "gracious" for "dearest" in manuscript in his personal copy of the 2nd edn. (1756). 100Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 28-29; and MS Friendship II, 33-34. Page 293 His sorrow controul, Speak peace to his soul, And pronounce him accepted, and perfectly whole. If sometimes he believes, And his Saviour receives, Yet again overwhelm'd at thy absence he grieves: Allow his request, Forever to rest, Forever to lean on his Jesus's breast.