Wesley Corpus

Oh! That all the pain were past, Never, never to return! Might I but escape at last, Cease at once to live and mourn, Grasp thro' death th' immortal prize, Meet my friend in paradise. Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XXXIII. And must I give him up? And doth the Lord recall My only joy, my latest prop, My friend, my earthly all! I must I will comply With Jesus' just demand, I do pluck out the dear right-eye, Cut off the dear right-hand. Wherefore should I complain In pining discontent, If God requires his own again, Resumes the good he lent? The potter, sure, has power Over the passive clay, And whom my God bestow'd this hour, My God may take away. Page 303 'Twas on these terms alone That first I call'd him mine, And vow'd without a murm'ring groan The blessing to resign: And if my friend he claim, And hold me to my word, I bless and magnify his name, And own him for my Lord. The fatal blow I feel Of his almighty hand, My grief commanded to conceal, I bow to his command. But thou hast not forbid My secret tears to flow, And all my griefs, from mortals hid, Thou dost with pity know. Of this assur'd I rest Thou wouldst not put to pain (For me if anguish were not best) This helpless child of man; The griev'd thou wouldst not grieve, Increase the sufferer's load, Me of so great a good bereave But for my greater good. Or if, my faith to prove, Thou dost resume thine own, Thou shalt by a strange turn of love Restore the rendred loan, The offering father's hand Shall drop the lifted knife, And still thy merciful command Shall save my Isaac's life. Page 304 Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XXXIV. Come my partner in the patience Of our once afflicted King, Out of all these tribulations Rise with me his praise to sing: For that happy day prepare, And when our desire comes down, Sure as now his cross we share, We shall then obtain his crown. When our lovely Lord appears, Folding us in his embrace, He shall wipe away the tears, Kiss the sorrow from our face: Tho' we in continual mourning The short night of life employ, Joy shall come with Christ returning, Heavenly everlasting joy.