Wesley Corpus

Before we gasp our latest breath, Before we these vile bodies leave, Remembring thy own precious death, Saviour, our parting souls forgive. Pluck us as brands out of the flame, And wash'd in thy atoning blood, And sav'd through thy almighty name, Present our ransom'd souls to God. O let the prisoners' mournful sighs Come up before thy gracious throne, Mixt with the blood and dying cries Of Jesus thy beloved Son. Father, regard his powerful prayer, Who, hanging on the shameful tree, Doth all our sins and sorrows bear And look through Jesu's wounds on me! Page 5 7The first three stanzas of this hymn appear in MS Malefactors, 10. A manuscript version of the entire hymn appears in MS Miscellaneous Hymns, 97-98. On page 98 there is a note in Charles Wesley's hand: "These prayers were answered, Thursday, April 28th, 1785, on nineteen malefactors, who all died penitent. 'Not unto me, O Lord; not unto me!'" On us the outcasts of mankind, Who judge ourselves not fit to live, But mercy hope from thee to find, Through him that gasp'd in death, Forgive! Hear him, our Advocate with thee, Him, and the blood of sprinkling hear: He pour'd out all that blood for me! He doth before thy throne appear! For us he in thy presence stands, For us he prays the ceaseless prayer, Points to his side, and lifts his hands, And shows our names ingraven there! Lo! On thy Son our souls we cast, And trusting what he asks shall be, And dying penitent at last, We leave our cause to him and thee! Return'd into thy kingdom, Lord, For good remember me, And tell a penitent restor'd, I soon shall be with thee. The offering of a broken heart Thou never wilt despise, But while my soul and body part, Accept the sacrifice. My spirit humbly I commend, To thy redeeming care, My last important moments spend In penitence and prayer. And if I may not testify On earth my sins forgiven, Yet, I, the poorest outcast I May praise thy love in heaven. Page 6 8The first three stanzas found in MS Malefactors, 10. The soul that sins, if God is true, Shall die the death which ne'er shall end, The endless death we own our due, Should God to hell this moment send, And plunge us in the burning pool, Long as eternal ages roll.