Wesley Corpus

Page 153 "When the evil spirit was upon Saul, David took an harp and played: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." I. Sam. xvi. 23. Music, as first by heaven design'd To calm the tumult of the mind, Relieves us by its sacred aid, As Saul was well when David play'd: But if it takes the tempter's part, And softly steals41 from God the heart, It chases the good Spirit away, And courts the evil one to stay. "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." I. Sam. xvii. 37. Mindful of my rescues past, When sin and hell were near, Lord, on thee my soul I cast, And no Goliath fear; Thou, in whom I put my trust, Wilt still thy guardian power display, Save from every giant-lust, And keep me to that day. "Jonathan stripped himself of the robe which was upon him, and gave it to David." I. Sam. xviii. 4. Our Prince and friend enthron'd above Did thus his zeal for man express, He stript himself of all but love, To cloathe us with his righteousness: Kinder than Jonathan, he wore The rags of our humanity, Self-emptied, sorrowful, and poor, That all my God might dwell in me. 41MS Judges reads "draws away," instead of "softly steals." Page 154 "There is but a step between me and death." I. Sam. xx. 3. Thanks to my redeeming Lord! Late by thee to sight restor'd, Life itself I plainly see One short step 'twixt death and me: While this one short step I take, Keep me for thy mercy's sake, Furnish'd then with wings to fly Bear me, Saviour,42 to the sky. "Every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt ... gathered themselves unto him, and he became a captain over them." I. Sam. xxii. 2. Fly, sinners, fly to David's Son, Distrest, indebted, and undone, Him for your Captain chuse, Let him your ruin'd cause maintain; The worst, and most forlorn of men He never will refuse.