Verse 1
Let the world their virtue boast,
Their works of righteousness,
I a wretch undone, and lost,
Am freely sav’d by grace:
Other title I disclaim,
This, only this is all my plea,
I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me!
Verse 2
Let the stronger sons of God
Their liberty assert,
Justly glory in the blood
That made them pure in heart;
I am full of guilt, and shame,
My heart as black as hell I see:
I the chief. &c.
Verse 3
Happy they, whose joys abound
Like Jordan’s swelling stream,
Who their heaven in Christ have found,
And give the praise to him;
Let them triumph in his name,
Enjoy their full felicity:
I the chief. &c.
Verse 4
Blest are[1] they, entirely blest,
Who can in him rejoice,
Lean on his beloved breast,
And hear the Bridegroom’s voice;
Meanest follower of the Lamb,
His steps I at a distance see:
I the chief. &c.
Verse 5
Outward comforts have I none,
Or sensible delight;
Joy is to my soul unknown,
My day is turn’d to night;
But my God is still the same;
No shade of change in him can be:
I the chief. &c.
Verse 6
I like Gideon’s fleece am found
Unwater’d still, and dry,
While the dew on all around
Falls plenteous from the sky;
Yet my Lord I cannot blame,
The Saviour’s grace for all is free:
I the chief. &c.
Verse 7
Still I see his unfelt grace
Descending from above,
But can neither pray, nor praise,
Nor fear my God, nor love;
Yet he suffer’d to redeem
My soul from all iniquity:
I the chief. &c.
Verse 8
Surely he will lift me up,
For I of him have need;
I cannot give up my hope,
Though I am cold and dead:
To bring fire on earth he came;
O that it now might kindled be!
I the chief. &c.
Verse 9
Jesu, thou for me hast died,
And thou in me wilt live,
I shall feel thy death applied,
I shall thy life receive:
Yet when melted in the flame
Of love, this shall be all my plea,
I the chief. &c.
[1] In an apparent typo, Wesley omitted “are” in the original edition, but restored it in all following editions.