Wesley Corpus

Page 10 Hymn VI. Isaiah xlvi. 4. "Even to your old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear, even I will carry and will deliver you."2 Jesu, thou hast to hoary hairs My manners and my burthens born, Carried me through ten thousand snares, And, when I would to sin return, With a high hand and outstretch'd arm, Redeem'd me from the mortal harm. O let me still the promise plead, Thy kind continued aid engage! Thy aid I every moment need, In childhood, youth, and trembling age; A sinner I, on mercy cast, By mercy sav'd from first to last. Still, O thou patient God of love, My soul's infirmity sustain, Bear me on eagles' wings above The world of ill, the vale of pain; The flesh that weighs my spirit down, The fiend who strives to take my crown. While, hanging on thy faithful word My utter helplessness I feel, Carry me in thy bosom, Lord, Beyond the reach of earth and hell, Till on the margin of the grave, I prove thine utmost power to save. 2MARC, MA1977/594/8, 1 is a manuscript precursor of this hymn (see in this collection Assorted Looseleaf Manuscript Verse, 27-28. Page 11 Thou know'st the trials yet behind, The strength of sin, the tempter's power: Support my feebleness of mind In ev'ry dark unguarded hour Thy servant mightily defend, And love and save me to the end. Walk with me through the lion's den, Walk with me thro' the floods and fires, In form of God distinctly seen; And O! To crown my last desires, In death my guide and Saviour be, My God thro' all eternity! Hymn VII. The will of my Creator I would with joy obey, And pay the debt of nature Which all are born to pay. The graves are ready for me: But ere I disappear, O God! In Christ restore me To thy own image here. Th' experience of salvation I languish to receive, And, free from pride and passion, The life of faith to live, In holiness unspotted, T' attain my heart's desire, Fulfill the work allotted, And one with Christ expire. Come then, my present Saviour, Thy precious self reveal,