Wesley Corpus

If thou preserve our souls in peace, Our brethren shall afflict in vain: Most patient, when they most oppress, We all their cruel wrongs sustain, And strengthen'd by thy meek'ning power, The more they hate, we love the more. Page 20 No, never shall their rage prevail, Or force us the dry bones to leave: The more they push us from the pale, The closer we to Sion cleave, And daily in the temple found, Delight to kiss the sacred ground. If some defile the hallow'd place, The truth, and us with slanders load, Or fiercely from their altars chase, And rob us of the children's food, We will not quit thy house and word, Or loath the offerings of the Lord. Should those who sit in Moses' seat, Conspire thy little flock to harm, Judge in their courts, and scourge, and beat, And bruise us with the ruler's arm, Matter of joy our shame we make, And bear it, Saviour, for thy sake. Or should they stir the people up Our goods to spoil, our limbs to tear, Sustain'd by that immortal hope, Their lawless violence we bear; Or laid in bonds our voices raise, And shake the dungeon with thy praise. A gazing-stock to fiends and men, When arm'd with thine all-patient power, As sheep appointed to be slain, We wait the last, the fiery hour, And ne'er from England's church will move, Till torn away to that above. Page 21 10Manuscript versions appear in MS Preachers Extraordinary, 7-9; and MS Miscellaneous Hymns, 115-17. Hymn VII. The Preacher's Prayer for the Flock.10 Shepherd of souls, the great, the good, For the dear purchase of thy blood To thee in faith we pray: The lambs and sheep of England's fold, Now in thy book of life inroll'd, Preserve unto that day. Whom thou by us hast gather'd in, Defend the little flock from sin, From error's paths secure: Stay with them, Lord, when we depart, And guard the issues of their heart, And keep their conscience pure. Soon as their guides are taken home, We know the grievous wolves will come, Determin'd not to spare; The stragglers from thy wounded side, The wolves will into sects divide, And into parties tear.