Wesley Corpus

O where are the men with virtue indow'd To live, as did then the servants of God! The ancient example, who shews us again, Courageous to trample ore19 pleasure and pain? O Jesus, on us the blessing bestow, Our infancy chuse, thy glory to shew, In this generation thy witnesses raise, The heirs of salvation, the vessels of grace. Accept our desire, and give us thy love, Thy children inspire with faith from above: Purge out the old leaven, and early convert, And open an heaven of grace in our heart. Begotten again, and principled right, Good works to maintain, and walk in thy sight, We then shall recover that vigour of grace, And gladly live over those primitive days. Our moments below shall pleasantly glide, While nothing we know but Christ crucified, Page 65 20Appeared first in HSP (1742), 194-95; included in Hymns for Children (1747), 1-2; numbered as fourteen continuous stanzas in both prior appearances. Our whole conversation in songs shall approve, Thy wonderful passion, thy ransoming love. And if we must win the crown, like our God, And strive against sin, resisting to blood, We more than victorious o'er death shall arise, All happy and glorious with Christ in the skies. Hymn LXIX.20 Part I. Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child, Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to thee: Fain I would to thee be brought, Dearest God, forbid it not, Give me, dearest God, a place In the kingdom of thy grace. Put thy hands upon my head, Let me in thine arms be stay'd, Let me lean upon thy breast, Lull me, lull me, Lord, to rest. Hold me fast in thine embrace, Let me see thy smiling face, Give me, Lord, thy blessing give, Pray for me, and I shall live: I shall live the simple life, Free from sin's uneasy strife, Sweetly ignorant of ill, Innocent and happy still. O that I may never know What the wicked people do: Sin is contrary to thee, Sin is the forbidden tree. Page 66 Keep me from the great offence, Guard my helpless innocence, Hide me, from all evil hide, Self, and stubbornness and pride. Part II. Lamb of God, I look to thee, Thou shalt my example be, Thou art gentle, meek, and mild, Thou wast once a little child.