Wesley Corpus

Page 13 By thy judgment I am clear, Heal'd by thy stripes I am: Thou for me a curse wast made, That I might in thee be blest: Thou hast my full ransom paid, And in thy wounds I rest. How shall I commend the grace Which all with me may prove Magnify thy mercy's praise, Thy all-redeeming love! O 'tis more than tongue can tell: Who the mystery shall explain? Angels that in strength excell, Would search it out in vain. Far above their noblest songs, Thy glorious mercies rise; Praise sits silent on their tongues, And wonder lulls the skies! O might I with them be one, Lost in speechless rapture fall, Cast my crown before thy throne, Thou Lamb that diedst for all! Jesu, hear! In bitterness Of spirit hear me cry! See me in my last distress, And at the point to die! Save me, or I perish, Lord! I sink into the gulph beneath: To the tempted help afford, And snatch my soul from death. Compass'd with an host of foes, Defenceless, and alone, I have neither strength t' oppose, Nor swiftness to out run: Page 14 19"From" changed to "in" in 2nd edn. (1756) and following. Or could I their rage evade, I cannot 'scape the foe within, Sold to evil, and betray'd, By my own bosom sin. Lord, as with my latest breath, I ask, what shall I do? Only ruin, sin and death, And hell are in my view. No way to escape I see From the infernal fowler's snare, Everlasting misery, And blackness of despair. See me looking for my doom, When sin shall claim its prey: When the next temptation come, And I am cast away. I have neither will nor power, Temptation to resist or fly: Jesu! Save me from19 this hour! O save me, or I die! Once thou didst my doom revoke, And set my spirit free: Free from sin's Egyptian yoke, I liv'd awhile to thee. But alas I did not stand; To thee I did not faithful prove Basely slighted thy command, And left my former love. I am into bondage brought; Again entangled, I Yield to sin in every thought, And cannot but comply. Trembling I expect the time, Which shall my full damnation seal