Wesley Corpus

What shall I say to move The pity of my Lord? Dost thou not still delight to love Me of thine own accord? For thine own mercy's sake Relieve my wretchedness, And O! My pardon give me back, And give me back my peace. Again thy love reveal, Restore that inward heaven, O grant me once again to feel Thro' faith my sins forgiven; Thy utmost mercy shew, Say to my drooping soul, In peace, and full assurance go, Thy faith hath made thee whole. Hymn III.3 O take away the stone, Jesu, the bar remove, Th' accursed thing to me unknown, That stops thy streaming love: Thy grace is always free, Thou waitest to be good, 3This hymn comprises stanzas 1-23 of An Answer to all which the Revd. Dr. Gill has printed on the Final Perseverance of the Saints (London: Foundery, 1754). Page 8 And still thy Spirit grieves for me, And speaks thy sprinkled blood. Ah! Do not let me trust In gifts and graces past, But lay my spirit in the dust, And stop my mouth at last. What thou for me hast done, I can no longer plead; Thy truth and faithfulness I own, If now thou strike me dead. Surely I once believ'd, And felt my sins forgiven, Thy faithful record I receiv'd, That thou hast purchas'd heaven For me, and all mankind, Who from their sins would part; The peace of God I once could find, The witness in my heart. But soon the subtle fiend Beguil'd my simple mind, Darkness with light he knew to blend, Falshood and truth he join'd; Pride (he remember'd well) Had cast him from the skies: By pride the first transgressor fell, And lost his paradise. Arm'd with this fiery dart The enemy drew nigh, And preach'd to my unsettled heart His bold presumptuous lie; "You are secure of heaven," (The tempter softly says) "You are elect, and once forgiven Can never fall from grace. Page 9 "You never can receive The grace of God in vain: The gift, be sure, he did not give To take it back again; He cannot take it back, Whether you use, or no His grace; you cannot shipwreck make Of faith, or let it go.