Wesley Corpus

But on thy guardian care Assist me to depend, With constant watchfulness and prayer, 'Till life's sharp conflict end: And I shall persevere With humble caution blest, And from the sin I always fear Escape into thy breast. "He being dead, yet speaketh." Heb. xi. 4. What say the happy dead? They bid me95 bear my load, With silent steps proceed, And follow them to God; 'Till life's uneasy dream In rapture shall depart, They bid me give, like them, To Christ my bleeding heart. "Before his translation, he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Heb. xi. 5. I want the witness, Lord,96 That all I do is right, According to thy mind and word, Well-pleasing in thy sight: I seek no higher state, Indulge me but in this, And soon, or later then translate To thine eternal bliss. 95Ori., "bid me me bear"; a mistype which John Wesley corrected in his personal copy. 96John Wesley drew a pointing finger (7) in the margin of his personal copy after this line. Page 368 "He went out, not knowing whither he went." Heb. xi. 8. With simple faith like his, At thy command I go, In quest of future bliss, Which here I cannot know, To mine inheritance above With swift obedience tend: Whate'er my earthly journey prove, I trust thee for the end. "These all died in faith." Heb. xi. 13. Happy might I the grace receive The life of faith in Christ to live, On him in all events rely, And leaning on his bosom die! Then, then, while soul and body part, Let faith its strongest life exert, Surround me with celestial light, And die itself in Jesu's sight. "By faith he forsook Egypt." Heb. xi. 27. I too have done the same; Yet not, O Lord, to me, The praise be to thy name, Which set the captive free: Free from sin's Egyptian yoke, To th' invisible I look, And see my great Redeemer stand, My leader to the heavenly land. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Heb. xii. 1. The moment we begin our race, We must the Saviour's cross embrace, Must daily take it up, and run With patience, 'till the race is won, Our nature's flattering hope resign, In pomp of ghostly gifts to shine,