Wesley Corpus

Page 156 "The people spake of stoning him: but David incouraged himself in the Lord his God." I. Sam. xxx. 6. Let earth and hell their powers engage, And fierce temptations rise, Above their impotence of rage My soul to Jesus flies: Louder than all their threats I hear The voice of love divine, Nor can I faint nor can I fear, Who know that God is mine. Hymn 492. "David lamented over Saul." II. Sam. i. 17. For evil may I good return, Kindness for bitter hatred shew, With pious grief sincerely mourn The fall of my relentless foe, His faults with tenderest love conceal, His shining qualities commend, And cordial consolation feel In hope that hope was in his end. "I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan, very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful." II. Sam. i. 26. May I not feel my comfort fled, When lovely Jonathan is dead? God unprovok'd my sorrow sees, Jesus allows the soft distress: Hence o'er the pleasing past I rove, Recall the wonders of his love, 44MS Judges, which contains a manuscript predecessor to the hymns on 2 Samuel (in a scribe's hand), is present in MARC: MA 1977/560. The significant variants are noted here. Page 157 And 'till my life of mourning end, Lament for a departed friend! "David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker." II. Sam. iii. 1. Let the house of Saul give place, And David grow in power, Nature yield, and stronger grace Wax stronger every hour, Grace prevail, 'till sin depart: Come, Lord, and rule the land alone, Come, and 'stablish in my heart Thine everlasting throne. "God smote Uzzah." II. Sam. vi. 7. A voice is in his blood! Smote for the rash offence, He warns us to rejoice in God With deepest reverence, And trembling at the sign Of our Creator near, To treat the holy things divine With wise and holy fear! "God smote Uzzah." II. Sam. vi. 7. With forward zeal well meant I oft have evil done, But could not by a good intent For a bad act atone: Yet still my gracious Lord Hath suffer'd me to live, And all my sins in deed, and word, And thought, he doth forgive. "God smote Uzzah." II. Sam. vi. 7.