Wesley Corpus

From my misdeeds avert thy face, The strength of sin by pard'ning grace Of all my sin remove, Forgive, O Lord, but change me too, But perfectly my soul renew By sanctifying love. My wretchedness to thee convert, Give me an humble contrite heart, My fallen soul restore, Let me the life divine attain, The image of my God regain, And never lose it more. Have patience, till by thee renew'd I live the sinless17 life of God; Here let thy Spirit stay: Page 13 Tho' I have griev'd the gentle dove, Ah! Do not quite withdraw thy love, Or take thy grace away. The comfort of thy help restore, Assist me now as heretofore, O lift thou up my head, The Spirit of thy power impart, 'Stablish, and keep my faithful heart, And make me free indeed. Then shall I teach the world thy ways, Thy mercy mild and pard'ning grace For every sinner free, 'Till sinners to thy grace submit, And fall at their Redeemer's feet, And weep, and love like me. O might I weep, and love thee now! God of my health, my Saviour thou, Thou only canst release My soul from all iniquity; O speak the word, and set me free, And bid me go in peace. So shall I sing the Saviour's name, Thy gift of righteousness proclaim, Thine all-redeeming grace: Open my lips, Almighty Lord, That I thy mercy may record, And glory in thy praise. No creature-good dost thou desire, No costly sacrifice require; Thy pleasure is to give: Thou only seekest me, not mine, Thou would'st that I should take of thine, Should all thy grace receive. A wounded spirit, by sin distrest, A broken heart that pants for rest, This is the sacrifice Page 14 18"A" changed to "the" in 4th edn. (1748) and following. 19A manuscript version appears in MS Cheshunt, 72-75; MS Clarke, 80-84; and MS Psalms, 203-6. Well pleasing in the sight of God; A sinner crush'd beneath his load Thou never wilt despise. Then hear a18 contrite sinner's prayer, And every ruin'd soul repair, Remember Sion's woe, Shew forth thy justifying grace, And for thyself vouchsafe to raise A glorious church below.