Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739 HYMNS AND SACRED POEMS, 1739 Published by John Wesley, M.A.

Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford; and Charles Wesley, M.A.

Student of Christ-Church, Oxford.

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord."

London Printed by William Strahan; and sold by James Hutton, Bookseller, at the Bible and Sun, without Temple-Bar; and at MR. BRAY'S, a Brazier in Little-Britain.

The Preface THE PREFACE Some verses, it may be observed, in the following Collection, were wrote upon the scheme of the Mystic divines. And these, 'tis owned, we had once in great veneration, as the best explainers of the Gospel of Christ. But we are now convinced that we therein greatly erred, not knowing the Scriptures, neither the power of God. And because this is an error which many serious minds are sooner or later exposed to, and which indeed most easily besets those who seek the Lord Jesus in sincerity; we believe ourselves indispensably obliged in the presence of God, and angels, and men, to declare wherein we apprehend those writers not to teach the truth as it is in Jesus.

And first, we apprehend them to lay another foundation. They are careful indeed to pull down our own works, and to prove, that by the Deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified.

But why is this? Only, to establish our own righteousness in the place of our own works.

They speak largely and well against expecting to be accepted of God for our virtuous actions; and then teach, that we are to be accepted for our virtuous habits or tempers. Still the ground of our acceptance is placed in ourselves. The difference is only this Common writers suppose we are to be justified for the sake of our outward righteousness. These suppose we are to be justified for the sake of our inward righteousness: whereas, in truth, we are no more justified for the sake of one than of the other. For neither our own inward nor outward righteousness is the ground of our justification. Holiness of heart, as well as holiness of life, is not the cause, but the effect of it. The sole cause of our acceptance with God (or, that for the sake of which, on the account of which, we are accepted) is the righteousness and the death of Christ, who fulfilled God's law, and died in our stead. And even the condition of it is not (as they suppose) our holiness either of heart or life but our faith alone; faith contradistinguished from holiness as well as from good works. Other foundation therefore can no man lay, without being an adversary to Christ and His Gospel, than faith alone, faith, though necessarily producing both, yet not including either good works or holiness.

But supposing them to have laid the foundation right, the manner of building thereon which they advise is quite opposite to that prescribed by Christ. He commands to build up one another. They advise, "To the desert, to the desert, and God will build you up." Numberless are the commendations that occur in all their writings, not of retirement intermixed with conversation, but of an entire seclusion from men, (perhaps for months or years,) in order to purify the soul. Whereas, according to the judgment of our Lord, and the writings of His apostles, it is only when we are knit together, that we have nourishment from Him, and increase with the increase of God. Neither is there any time when the weakest member can say to the strongest, or the strongest to the weakest, "I have no need of thee." Accordingly our blessed Lord, when His disciples were in their weakest state, sent them forth, not alone, but two by two. When they were strengthened a little, not by solitude, but by abiding with The Preface Him and one another, He commanded them to wait, not separate, but being assembled together, for the promise of the Father. And they were all with one accord in one place, when they received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Express mention is made in the same chapter, that when there were added unto them three thousand souls, all that believed were together, and continued steadfastly not only in the apostles' doctrine, but also in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in praying with one accord. Agreeable to which is the account the great apostle gives of the manner which he had been taught of God, for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ, even to the end of the world. And, according to St. Paul, all who will ever come, in the unity of the faith, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, must together grow up into Him from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted (or strengthened) by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:15, 16.)

So widely distant is the manner of building up souls in Christ taught by St. Paul, from that taught by the Mystics Nor do they differ as to the foundation, or the manner of building thereon, more than they do with regard to the superstructure. For the religion these authors would edify us in is solitary religion. If thou wilt be perfect, say they, "trouble not thyself about outward works. It is better to work virtues in the will. He hath attained the true resignation, who hath estranged himself from all outward works, that God may work inwardly in him, without any turning to outward things. These are the true worshippers, who worship

God in spirit and in truth." For contemplation is with them the fulfilling of the law, even a contemplation that "consists in a cessation of all works."

Directly opposite to this is the Gospel of Christ. Solitary religion is not to be found there.

"Holy solitaries" is a phrase no more consistent with the Gospel than holy adulterers. The Gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness, but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection.

This commandment have we from Christ, that he who loves God, love his brother also; and that we manifest our love by doing good unto all men, especially to them that are of the household of faith. And, in truth, whosoever loveth his brethren not in word only, but as Christ loved him, cannot but be zealous of good works. He feels in his soul a burning, restless desire of spending and being spent for them. My Father, will he say, worketh hitherto, and I work and, at all possible opportunities, he is, like his Master, going about doing good.

This then is the way: walk ye in it, whosoever ye are that have believed in His name. Ye know, other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ. Ye feel that by grace ye are saved through faith; saved from sin, by Christ formed in your hearts, and from fear, by His Spirit bearing witness with your spirit, that ye are the sons of God. Ye are taught of God, not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is; but to instruct, admonish, exhort, reprove, comfort, confirm, and every way build

The Preface up one another. Ye have an unction from the Holy One, that teacheth you to renounce any other or higher perfection, than faith working by love, faith zealous of good works, faith as it hath opportunity doing good unto all men. As ye have therefore received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk ye in Him rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, and abounding therein more and more. Only, beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For ye are complete in Him. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last. Only continue in Him, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel; and when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear, with Him in glory.

Part 1 Part 1 Eupolis' Hymn to the Creator1 Author of Being, Source of Light,2 With unfading beauties bright, Fulness, Goodness, rolling round Thy own fair orb without a bound:

Whether Thee Thy suppliants call Truth, or Good, or One, or All, Ei or Iao; Thee we hail Essence that can never fail, Grecian or Barbaric name, Thy steadfast Being still the same.

Thee, when morning greets the skies With rosy cheeks and humid eyes; Thee, when sweet-declining day Sinks in purple waves away; Thee will I sing, O Parent Jove, And teach the world to praise and love.

Yonder azure vault on high, Yonder blue, low, liquid sky, Earth on its firm basis placed, And with circling waves embraced, All, Creating Power confess, All their mighty Maker bless.

Thou shak'st all Nature with Thy nod, Sea, earth, and air confess the God:

Yet does Thy powerful hand sustain 1 Wesley inserted this poem in "Moral and Sacred Poems," vol. 3, p.3, assigning it to his father as its author.

He also reprinted it in the first volume of the Arminian Magazine. When the Monthly Reviewers disparaged Methodist hymns, he transcribed fifty lines of it, and sent them with a remonstrance against the criticism.

(Works, 3rd edition, vol. 13, pp.345-349.) In some editions the verses are headed "From the Greek;" but Dr.

Clarke has shown that this is an error. The copy printed in his "Wesley Family" contains eighty-four additional lines; but Wesley never published more than are given here.

2 RS. The original has no verse numbering.

Part 1 Both earth and heaven, both firm and main.

Scarce can our daring thought arise To Thy pavilion in the skies; Nor can Plato's self declare The bliss, the joy, the rapture there.

Barren above Thou dost not reign, But circled with a glorious train, The Sons of God, the Sons of Light, Ever joying in Thy sight:

(For Thee their silver harps are strung,) Ever beauteous, ever young, Angelic forms their voices raise, And through heaven's arch resound Thy praise.

The feather'd souls that swim the air, And bathe in liquid ether there, The lark, precentor of their choir Leading them higher still and higher, Listen and learn; the angelic notes Repeating in their warbling throats; And, ere to soft repose they go, Teach them to their lords below On the green turf, their mossy nest, The evening anthem swells their breast.

Thus, like Thy golden chain from high, Thy praise unites the earth and sky.

Source of Light, Thou bidst the sun On his burning axles run; The stars like dust around him fly, And strew the area of the sky.

He drives so swift his race above, Mortals can't perceive him move:

So smooth his course, oblique or straight, Olympus shakes not with his weight.

As the queen of solemn night Fills at his vase her orb of light, Part 1 Imparted lustre; thus we see, The solar virtue shines by Thee.

Eiresione we'll no more, Imaginary Power, adore; Since oil, and wool, and cheering wine, And life-sustaining bread is Thine.

Thy herbage, O great Pan, sustains The flocks that graze our Attic plains; The olive, with fresh verdure crown'd, Rises pregnant from the ground; At Thy command it shoots and springs, And a thousand blessings brings.

Minerva, only is Thy mind, Wisdom, and bounty to mankind.

The fragrant thyme, the bloomy rose, Herb and flower and shrub that grows On Thessalian Tempe's plain, Or where the rich Sabeans reign, That treat the taste or smell or sight, For food, for medicine, or delight; Planted by Thy parent care, Spring and smile and flourish there.

O ye nurses of soft dreams, Reedy brooks and winding streams, Or murmuring o'er the pebbles sheen, Or sliding through the meadows green, Or where through matted sedge you creep,

Travelling to your parent deep:

Sound His praise, by whom you rose, That Sea which neither ebbs nor flows.

O ye immortal woods and groves, Which the enamour'd student loves; Beneath whose venerable shade, For thought and friendly converse made,

Part 1 Famed Hecadem, old hero, lies, Whose shrine is shaded from the skies, And through the gloom of silent night Projects from far its trembling light; You, whose roots descend as low As high in air your branches grow; Your leafy arms to heaven extend, Bend your heads, in homage bend:

Cedars and pines that wave above, And the oak beloved of Jove.

Omen, monster, prodigy, Or nothing are, or, Jove, from Thee!

Whether various Nature play, Or re-inversed Thy will obey, And to rebel man declare Famine, plague, or wasteful war.

Laugh, ye profane, who dare despise The threatening vengeance of the skies, Whilst the pious, on his guard, Undismay'd is still prepared Life or death, his mind's at rest, Since what Thou send'st must needs be best.

No evil can from Thee proceed 'Tis only suffer'd, not decreed.

Darkness is not from the sun, Nor mount the shades till he is gone:

Then does night obscene arise From Erebus, and fill the skies, Fantastic forms the air invade, Daughters of nothing and of shade.

Can we forget Thy guardian care, Slow to punish, prone to spare?

Thou brak'st the haughty Persian's pride, That dared old ocean's power deride; Their shipwrecks strew'd the Eubean wave,

Part 1 At Marathon they found a grave.

O ye blest Greeks who there expired, For Greece with pious ardour fired, What shrines or altars shall we raise To secure your endless praise?

Or need we monuments supply, To rescue what can never die?

And yet a greater Hero far (Unless great Socrates could err) Shall rise to bless some future day, And teach to live, and teach to pray.

Come, unknown Instructor, come!

Our leaping hearts shall make Thee room Thou with Jove our vows shalt share, Of Jove and Thee we are the care.

O Father King, whose heavenly face Shines serene on all Thy race, We Thy magnificence adore, And Thy well-known aid implore:

Nor vainly for Thy help we call; Nor can we want: for Thou art All!

Solitude Solitude From the Latin.

Solitude! where shall I find Thee, pleasing to the thoughtful mind?

Sweet delights to thee belong, Untasted by the vulgar throng.

Weary of vice and noise I flee, Sweetest comforter, to thee.

Here the mild and holy dove Peace inspires and joy and love.

Thy unmolested, silent shade No tumultuous sounds invade:

No stain of guilt is seen in thee, To soil thy spotless purity.

Here the smiling fields around Softest harmony resound.

Here, with angel choirs combined, The lord of his own peaceful mind Glides through life, from business far, And noisy strife, and eating care.

Here, retired from pomp and state, (The envied torment of the great,) Innocent he leads his days, Far from giddy thirst of praise.

Here, his accounts with studious care Preparing for his last great bar, He weeps the stains of guilt away, And ripens for eternal day.

Hoarded wealth desire who please, Towers and gilded palaces.

Fraudless silence may I find, Solitude and peace of mind; To all the busy world unknown, Seen and loved by God alone.

Solitude Ye rich, ye learn'd, ye great, confess This in life is happiness, To live (unknown to all abroad) To myself only and my God.

The Mystery of Life The Mystery of Life By the Rev. John Gambold.3

So many years I've seen the sun, And call'd these eyes and hands my own, A thousand little acts I've done, And childhood have and manhood known:

O what is Life! and this dull round To tread, why was a spirit bound?

So many airy draughts and lines, And warm excursions of the mind, Have fill'd my soul with great designs, While practice grovell'd far behind:

O what is Thought! and where withdraw The glories which my fancy saw?

So many tender joys and woes Have on my quivering soul had power; Plain life with heightening passions rose, The boast or burden of their hour:

O what is all we feel! why fled Those pains and pleasures o'er my head?

So many human souls divine, Some at one interview display'd, Some oft and freely mix'd with mine, In lasting bonds my heart have laid:

O what is Friendship! why imprest On my weak, wretched, dying breast?

So many wondrous gleams of light, And gentle ardours from above, Have made me sit, like seraph bright, Some moments on a throne of love:

3 See his Works, (Bath,) 1789, p. 263.

The Mystery of Life O what is Virtue! why had I, Who am so low, a taste so high?

Ere long, when Sovereign Wisdom wills, My soul an unknown path shall tread, And strangely leave, who strangely fills This frame, and waft me to the dead:

O what is Death?—'tis life's last shore, Where vanities are vain no more; Where all pursuits their goal obtain, And life is all retouch'd again; Where in their bright result shall rise Thoughts, virtues, friendships, griefs, and joys.

Epitaph Epitaph On Gambold. By Himself.4

Ask not, who ended here his span?

His name, reproach, and praise, was Man.

Did no great deeds adorn his course?

No deed of his but show'd him worse:

One thing was great, which God supplied, He suffer'd human life—and died.

What points of knowledge did he gain?

That life was sacred all—and vain:

Sacred how high, and vain how low?

He knew not here, but died to know.

4 See Works, p. 276; Arminian Magazine, vol. 3, p.231.

Virtue Virtue Altered from Herbert.

Sweet Day, so cool, so calm, so bright, The bridal of the earth and sky:

The dew shall weep thy fall to-night, For thou with all thy sweets must die!

Sweet Rose, so fragrant and so brave, Dazzling the rash beholder's eye:

Thy root is ever in its grave, And thou with all thy sweets must die!

Sweet Spring, so beauteous and so gay, Storehouse, where sweets unnumber'd lie:

Not long thy fading glories stay, But thou with all thy sweets must die!

Only a sweet and virtuous mind, When Nature all in ruins lies, When earth and heaven a period find, Begins a life that never dies.

Upon Listening to the Vibrations of a Clock Upon Listening to the Vibrations of a Clock Instructive sound! I'm now convinced by thee, Time in its womb may bear infinity.

How the past moment dies, and throbs no more!

What worlds of parts compose the rolling hour!

The least of these a serious care demands; For though they're little, yet they're golden sands:

By some great deeds distinguish'd all in heaven, For the same end to me by number given!

Cease, man, to lavish sums thou ne'er hast told!

Angels, though deathless, dare not be so bold.

Doomsday Doomsday From Herbert.

"Come to Judgment, come away!"

(Hark, I hear the angel say, Summoning the dust to rise;) "Haste, resume, and lift your eyes; Hear, ye sons of Adam, hear; Man, before thy God appear!"

Come to Judgment, come away!

This the last, the dreadful day.

Sovereign Author, Judge of all, Dust obeys Thy quickening call, Dust no other voice will heed:

Thine the trump that wakes the dead.

Come to Judgment, come away!

Lingering man, no longer stay; Thee let earth at length restore, Prisoner in her womb no more; Burst the barriers of the tomb, Rise to meet thy instant doom!

Come to Judgment, come away!

Wide dispersed howe'er ye stray, Lost in fire, or air, or main, Kindred atoms meet again; Sepulchred where'er ye rest, Mix'd with fish, or bird, or beast.

Come to Judgment, come away!

Help, O Christ, Thy work's decay:

Man is out of order hurl'd, Parcell'd out to all the world; Lord, Thy broken concert raise, And the music shall be praise.

Spiritual Slumber Spiritual Slumber From the German.6

O Thou, who all things canst control, Chase this dead Slumber from my soul; With joy and fear, with love and awe, Give me to keep Thy perfect law.

O, may one beam of Thy blest light Pierce through, dispel the shades of night Touch my cold breast with heavenly fire, With holy, conquering zeal inspire.

For zeal I sigh, for zeal I pant; Yet heavy is my soul and faint:

With steps unwavering, undismay'd, Give me in all Thy paths to tread.

With outstretch'd hands, and streaming eyes, Oft I begin to grasp the prize; I groan, I strive, I watch, I pray:

But ah! how soon it dies away!

The deadly Slumber soon I feel Afresh upon my spirit steal:

Rise, Lord; stir up Thy quick'ning power.

And wake me that I sleep no more.

Single of heart! O may I be, Nothing may I desire but Thee:

Far, far from me the world remove, And all that holds me from Thy love.

6 Probably translated from the hymn, "Ach treib aus meiner Seel": the author unknown. See Das Gesang-Buch der Gemeine in Herrn-Huth, 1737, p. 222.

Zeal Zeal7 Dead as I am, and cold my breast, Untouch'd by thee, Celestial Zeal, How shall I sing the unwonted guest?

How paint the joys I cannot feel?

Assist me Thou, at whose command The heart exults, from earth set free!

'Tis Thine to raise the drooping hand, Thine to confirm the feeble knee.

'Tis Zeal must end this inward strife, Give me to know that warmth Divine!

Through all my verse, through all my life The active principle shall shine.

Where shall we find its high abode?

To heaven the sacred ray aspires, With ardent love embraces God, Parent and Object of its fires.

There its peculiar influence known In breasts seraphic learns to glow; Yet, darted from the eternal throne, It sheds a cheering light below.

Through earth diffused, the active flame Intensely for God's glory burns; And, always mindful whence it came, To heaven in every wish returns.

Yet vain the fierce Enthusiast's aim With this to sanctify his cause; To screen beneath this awful name 7 Compare Lucas's "Enquiry after Happiness," part 3, ch. 6 and 7, from which some thoughts in this poem appear to have been taken.

Zeal The persecuting sword he draws.

In vain the mad Fanatic's dreams To this mysteriously pretend; On fancy built, his airy schemes Or slight the means, or drop the end.

Where Zeal holds on its even course, Blind rage and bigotry retires; Knowledge assists, not checks its force, And prudence guides, not damps its fires.

Resistless then it wins its way; Yet deigns in humble hearts to dwell:

The humble hearts confess its sway, And pleased the strange expansion feel.

Superior far to mortal things, In grateful ecstasy they own, (Such antedated heaven it brings,) That Zeal and Happiness are one.

Now varied deaths their terrors spread, Now threat'ning thousands rage—in vain!

Nor tortures can arrest its speed, Nor worlds its energy restrain That energy, which quells the strong, Which clothes with strength the abject weak,

Looses the stammering infant's tongue, And bids the sons of thunder speak.

While Zeal its heavenly influence sheds, What light o'er Moses' visage plays!

It wings the immortal prophet's steeds, And brightens fervent Stephen's face.

Zeal Come then, bright flame, my breast inspire; To me, to me be thou but given, Like them I'll mount my car of fire, Or view from earth an opening heaven.

Come then, if, mighty to redeem, Christ purchased thee with blood Divine:

Come, holy Zeal! for thou through Him, Jesus Himself through thee is mine!

On Reading M. de Renty's Life On Reading M. de Renty's Life We deem the saints from mortal flesh released, With brighter day and bolder raptures blest:

Sense now no more precludes the distant thought, And naked souls now feel the God they sought.

But thy great soul, which walk'd with God on earth, Can scarce be nearer by that second birth:

By change of place dull bodies may improve, But spirits to their bliss advance by love.

Thy change insensible brought no surprise, Inured to innocence and paradise:

For earth, not heaven, thou through a glass didst view; The glass was love; and love no evil knew, But in all places only heaven did shew.

Canst thou love more, when from a body freed, Which so much life, so little had of need?

So pure, it seem'd for this alone design'd, To usher forth the virtues of the mind!

From nature's chain, from earthly dross set free, One only appetite remain'd in thee:

That appetite it mourn'd but once denied; For when it ceased from serving God, it died.

Vanity Vanity From Herbert.

The fleet Astronomer travels o'er The spheres with his sagacious mind, Their stations views from door to door, As if to purchase he design'd; Through all their circling orbs he goes,

And all their mazy wanderings knows.

The nimble Diver with his side Cuts through the working waves his way, To fetch the pearl which God did hide On purpose from the view of day, That he might save his life, and hers Whose pride the costly danger wears.

The subtle Chemist can divest Gay Nature of her various hue; Stript of her thousand forms, confest She stands, and naked to his view:

At distance other suitors stand; Her inmost stores wait his command.

What has not man sought out and found, But God? Who yet His glorious law Plants in us; mellowing the ground With showers and frost, with love and awe.

Poor, busy, foolish man! For Death In fire, and air, and sea, and land, Through heaven above, and earth beneath Thou seek'st; but missest Life at hand.

Farewell to the World Farewell to the World From the French.8

World, adieu, thou real cheat!

Oft have thy deceitful charms Fill'd my heart with fond conceit, Foolish hopes, and false alarms:

Now I see as clear as day How thy follies pass away.

Vain thy entertaining sights, False thy promises renew'd, All the pomp of thy delights Does but flatter and delude:

Thee I quit for Heaven above, Object of the noblest love.

Farewell Honour's empty pride!

Thy own nice, uncertain gust, If the least mischance betide, Lays thee lower than the dust:

Worldly honours end in gall, Rise to-day, to-morrow fall.

Foolish Vanity, farewell, More inconstant than the wave!

Where thy soothing fancies dwell, Purest tempers they deprave:

He, to whom I fly, from thee, Jesus Christ, shall set me free, Never shall my wandering mind Follow after fleeting toys, Since in God alone I find Solid and substantial joys; 8 Probably translated from Mad. de Bourignon, by John Byrom of Manchester. See 109.

Farewell to the World Joys that, never overpast, Through eternity shall last.

Lord, how happy is a heart After Thee while it aspires!

True and faithful as Thou art, Thou shalt answer its desires:

It shall see the glorious scene Of Thy everlasting reign.

Giddiness Giddiness From Herbert.

O, what a thing is man! from rest How widely distant, and from power!

Some twenty several men at least He seems, he is, each several hour.

Heaven his sole treasure now he loves; But let a tempting thought creep in, His coward soul he soon reproves, That starts to admit a pleasing sin.

Eager he rushes now to war, Inglorious now dissolves in ease:

Wealth now engrosses all his care; And lavish now he scorns increase.

A stately dome he raises now:

But soon the dome his change shall feel; See, level lies its lofty brow, Crush'd by the whirlwind of his will.

O, what were man, if his attire Still varied with his varying mind; If we his every new desire Stamp'd on his altering form could find!

Could each one see his neighbour's heart, Brethren and social made in vain, All would disband and range apart, And man detest the monster man.

If God refuse our heart to turn, Vain will His first creation be:

O, make us daily! or we spurn Our own salvation, Lord, and Thee!

To a Friend in Love To a Friend in Love By Gambold.9

Accept, dear youth, a sympathizing lay,10 The only tribute pitying love can pay.

Though vain the hope thine anguish to assuage, Charm down desire, or calm fierce passion's rage:

Yet still permit me in thy griefs to grieve, Relief to offer, if I can't relieve; Near thy sick couch with fond concern to attend,

And reach out cordials to my dying friend.

Poor hapless youth! what words can ease thy pain, When reason pleads, and wisdom cries in vain!

Can feeble verse impetuous nature guide, Or stem the force of blind affection's tide?

If reason checks, or duty disallows, "Reason," you cry, "and duty are my foes:

Religion's dictates ineffectual prove, And God Himself's impertinence in love."

What art thou, Love? thou strange mysterious ill, Whom none aright can know, though all can feel.

From careless sloth thy dull existence flows, And feeds the fountain whence itself arose:

Silent its waves with baleful influence roll, Damp the young mind, and sink the aspiring soul, Poison its virtues, all its powers restrain, And blast the promise of the future man.

To thee, curst fiend, the captive wretch consign'd, "His passions rampant, and his reason blind,"

Reason, Heaven's great vicegerent, dares disown, And place a foolish idol in its throne; Or wildly raise his frantic raptures higher,

And pour out blasphemies at thy desire.

10 RS. Original has no verse numbering.

To a Friend in Love At thy desire he bids a creature shine, He decks a worm with attributes Divine; Hers to angelic beauties dares prefer, "Angels are painted fair to look like her!"

Before her shrine the lowly suppliant laid, Adores the idol that himself has made:

From her almighty breath his doom receives, Dies by her frown, as by her smile he lives.

Supreme she reigns in all-sufficient state, To her he bows, from her expects his fate, "Heaven in her love, damnation in her hate."

He rears unhallow'd altars to her name, Where lust lights up a black polluted flame; Where sighs impure, as impious incense rise, Himself the priest, his heart the sacrifice:

And thus God's sacred word his horrid prayer supplies.

"Centre of all perfection, source of bliss, In whom thy creature lives and moves and is, Save, or I perish! hear my humble prayer; Spare thy poor servant:—O, in mercy spare!

Thou art my joy, on thee depends my trust; Hide not thy face, nor frown me into dust.

Send forth thy breath, and, raised again, I see My joy, my life, my final bliss in thee.

For thee I am; for thee I all resign; Be thou my one thing needful, ever mine!"

But O, forbear, presumptuous Muse, forbear, Nor wound with rant profane the Christian ear:

A just abhorrence in my friend I see, He starts from love, when love's idolatry.

"Give Me thy heart," if the Creator cries, "'Tis given the creature," what bold wretch replies?

Not so my friend: he wakes, he breathes again, And "reason takes once more the slacken'd rein."

In vain rebellious nature claims a part; When Heaven requires, he gives up all his heart:

To a Friend in Love ("For Love Divine no partnership allows, And Heaven averse rejects divided vows:") Fixt though she be, he rends the idol thence, Nor lets her power exceed Omnipotence.

Commands his God, "Cut off the offending hand?"

He hears, obedient to his God's command.

"'Pluck out thine eye," let the Redeemer say; He tears, and casts the bleeding orb away.

Victorious now to nobler joys aspires, His bosom touch'd with more than earthly fires; He leaves rough passion for calm virtue's road, Gives earth for heaven, and quits a worm for God.

"She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth."

How hapless is the applauded virgin's lot,12 Her God forgetting, by her God forgot!

Stranger to truth, unknowing to obey, In error nursed, and disciplined to stray; Swoll'n with self-will, and principled with pride, Sense all her good, and passion all her guide:

Pleasure its tide, and flattery lends its breath, And smoothly waft her to eternal death!

A goddess here, she sees her votaries meet, Crowd to her shrine, and tremble at her feet; She hears their vows, believes their life and death Hangs on the wrath and mercy of her breath;

Supreme in fancied state she reigns her hour, And glories in her plenitude of power:

Herself the only object worth her care, Since all the kneeling world was made for her.

For her, creation all its stores displays, The silkworms labour, and the diamonds blaze:

Air, earth, and sea conspire to tempt her taste, And ransack'd nature furnishes the feast.

Life's gaudiest pride attracts her willing eyes.

And balls, and theatres, and courts arise:

Italian songsters pant her ear to please, Bid the first cries of infant reason cease, Save her from thought, and lull her soul to peace.

Deep sunk in sense the imprison'd soul remains, Nor knows its fall from God, nor feels its chains:

11 See Works, p. 270.

12 RS. Original has no verse numbering.

Unconscious still, sleeps on in error's night, Nor strives to rise, nor struggles into light:

Heaven-born in vain, degenerate cleaves to earth, (No pangs experienced of the second birth,) She only fall'n, yet unawaken'd found, While all the enthrall'd creation groans around.

John 15:18,19 John 15:18,1913 Where has my slumbering spirit been, So late emerging into light?

So imperceptible, within, The weight of this Egyptian night!

Where have they hid the WORLD so long, So late presented to my view?

Wretch! though myself increased the throng, Myself a part I never knew.

Secure beneath its shade I sat, To me were all its favours shown:

I could not taste its scorn or hate; Alas, it ever loved its own!

Jesus, if half-discerning now, From Thee I gain this glimmering light, Retouch my eyes, anoint them Thou, And grant me to receive my sight.

O, may I of Thy grace obtain The world with other eyes to see; Its judgments false, its pleasures vain, Its friendship enmity with Thee!

Delusive world, thy hour is past, The folly of thy wisdom shew!

It cannot now retard my haste, I leave thee for the holy few, No! thou blind leader of the blind, I bow my neck to thee no more; I cast thy glories all behind, And slight thy smiles, and dare thy power.

13 The text prefixed to this piece in the later editions is James 4:4.

John 15:18,19 Excluded from my Saviour's prayer, Stain'd, yet not hallow'd, with His blood, Shalt thou my fond affection share, Shalt thou divide my heart with God?

No! though it rouse thy utmost rage, Eternal enmity I vow:

Though hell with thine its powers engage, Prepared I meet your onset now.

Load me with scorn, reproach, and shame:

My patient Master's portion give:

As evil still cast out my name, Nor suffer such a wretch to live.

Set to thy seal that I am His; Vile as my Lord I long to be:

My hope, my crown, my glory this, Dying to conquer sin and thee!

Hymn to Contempt Hymn to Contempt Welcome, Contempt! stern, faithful guide, Unpleasing, healthful food!

Hail, pride-sprung antidote of pride; Hail, evil turn'd to good!

Thee when with awful pomp array'd Ill-judging mortals see, Perverse they fly with coward speed, To guilt they fly from thee.

Yet if one haply longing stands To choose a nobler part, Ardent from sin's ensnaring bands To vindicate his heart:

Present to end the doubtful strife, Thy aid he soon shall feel; Confirm'd by thee, though warm in life, Bid the vain world farewell.

Through thee he treads the shining way That saints and martyrs trod, Shakes off the frailty of his clay, And wings his soul for God.

His portion thou, he burns no more, With fond desire to please; The fierce, distracting conflict's o'er, And all his thoughts are peace.

Sent by Almighty Pity down, To thee alone 'tis given With glorious infamy to crown The favourites of Heaven.

Hymn to Contempt With thee Heaven's favourite Son, when made Incarnate, deign'd to abide; To thee He meekly bow'd His head, He bow'd His head, and died.

And shall I still the cup decline, His sufferings disesteem, Disdain to make this portion mine When sanctified by Him?

Or, firm through Him and undismay'd, Thy sharpest darts abide?

Sharp as the thorns that tore His head, The spear that pierced His side.

Yes; since with thee my lot is cast, I bless my God's decree, Embrace with joy what He embraced, And live and die with thee!

So when before the angelic host To each his lot is given, Thy name shall be in glory lost, And mine be found in heaven!

The Agony The Agony From Herbert.

Vain man has measured land and sea, Fathom'd the depths of states and kings, O'er earth and heaven explored his way:

Yet there are two vast spacious things, To measure which doth more behove, Yet few that sound them!—Sin and Love.

Who would know Sin, let him repair To Calvary: there shall he see A Man so pain'd, that all His hair, His skin, His garments bloody be!

Sin is that rack, which forces pain To hunt its food through every vein.

Wouldst thou know Love? behold the God, The Man, who for thy ransom died:

Go taste the sacred fount that flow'd Fast-streaming from His wounded side!

Love is that liquor most divine, God feels as blood, but I as wine.

The Thanksgiving The Thanksgiving From the same.

O King of grief! (how strange and true The name, to Jesus only due!) How, Saviour, shall I grieve for Thee?

Who in all griefs preventest me.

Then let me vie with Thee in love, And try who there shall conqueror prove.

Giv'st Thou me wealth? I will restore All back unto Thee by the poor.

Giv'st Thou me honour? All shall see The honour doth belong to Thee:

A bosom-friend? If false he prove To Thee, I will tear thence his love.

Thee shall my music find: each string Shall have his attribute to sing; And every note accord in Thee, To prove one God, one harmony.

Giv'st Thou me knowledge? It shall still Search out Thy ways, Thy works, Thy will:

Yea, I will search Thy Book, nor move Till I have found therein Thy love.

Thy love I will turn back on Thee O my dear Saviour, victory!

Then for Thy passion, I for that Will do—alas, I know not what!

The Reprisal The Reprisal From the same.

Well have I weigh'd it, Lord, and find Thy mighty Passion mocks my skill:

Though I die for Thee, I'm behind; My sins deserve the death to feel.

O were I innocent, that I Might bring Thee offerings pure and free!

Still my attempt Thy wounds defy, For they require me dead for Thee.

Yet will I share the conquest too:

Though I can do against Thee nought, In Thee, O Lord, I will subdue The man that once against Thee fought!

Matins Matins From the same.

I cannot open, Lord, mine eyes, But Thou art ready still to claim My morning soul in sacrifice:

Thine then the following day I am.

My God, what is a human heart?

Silver, or gold, or precious stone, Or star, or rainbow; or a part Of all, or all Thy world in one?

My God, what is a human heart?

Thou softenest it with heavenly dew, Thou pour'st upon it all Thy art, As all Thy business were to woo.

To serve his God is man's estate; This glorious task asks all his care:

He did not earth and heaven create, But may know Him by whom they are.

Teach me at last Thy love to know; That this new light which now I see May both the work and Workman show:

A sunbeam lifts me then to Thee!

Employment Employment From the same.

The flower now blooms, now hangs its head:

So fleets my short-lived day!

O, may my useful fragrance spread Before I fade away!

What though the throne I then should fill At the great day, were mine?

The sweetness, which Thy gracious skill Diffused, its praise were Thine.

Let me not languish, then, and spend A life dead to Thy praise, As is the dust to which I tend By sure though slow decays!

All things are busy round but I Nor honey with the bees, Nor scent with flowers, nor husbandry Have I to water these.

I am no link of Thy great chain, A cumbrous, fruitless weed:

O, mend my music! Give one strain Even to my useless reed!

The Elixir The Elixir From the same.

Teach me, my God and King, In all things Thee to see; And what I do in any thing, To do it as for Thee!

To scorn the senses' sway, While still to Thee I tend:

In all I do, be Thou the Way; In all, be Thou the End.

A man that looks on glass, On that may fix his eye; Or unopposed may through it pass And heaven behind descry.

All may of Thee partake Nothing so small can be, But draws, when acted for Thy sake, Greatness and worth from Thee.

If done to obey Thy laws, Even servile labours shine; Hallow'd is toil, if this the cause, The meanest work divine.

The elixir this, the stone That all converts to gold:

For that which God for His doth own Cannot for less be told.14

14 Wesley published this in his anonymous "Collection of Psalms and Hymns," 1738: but there for "small" in v.4 we read "mean;" for "is" in v.5 we read "all;" and the first line of v.6 is "This is the long-sought stone," which he has restored in the second edition of "Hymns and Sacred Poems," 1739, along with the title which he at first prefixed, viz., "A Single Eye."

Grace Before Meat Grace Before Meat Fountain of Being, Source of Good!

At whose almighty breath The creature proves our bane or food, Dispensing life or death:

Thee we address with humble fear; Vouchsafe Thy gifts to crown; Father of All, Thy children hear, And send a blessing down.

O, may our souls for ever pine Thy grace to taste and see; Athirst for righteousness Divine, And hungry after Thee!

For this we lift our longing eyes, We wait the gracious word:

Speak, and our hearts from earth shall rise, And feed upon the Lord.

Another Another Enslaved to sense, to pleasure prone, Fond of created good; Father, our helplessness we own, And trembling taste our food.

Trembling, we taste for ah! no more To Thee the creatures lead; Changed, they exert a fatal power, And poison while they feed.

Cursed for the sake of wretched man, They now engross him whole; With pleasing force on earth detain, And sensualise his soul.

Grov'ling on earth we still must lie Till Christ the curse repeal; Till Christ, descending from on high, Infected nature heal.

Come, then, our Heavenly Adam, come!

Thy healing influence give; Hallow our food, reverse our doom, And bid us eat and live.

The bondage of corruption break!

For this our spirits groan; Thy only will we fain would seek; O, save us from our own.

Turn the full stream of nature's tide Let all our actions tend To Thee, their Source; Thy love the guide, Thy glory be the end.

Another Earth then a scale to heaven shall be, Sense shall point out the road; The creatures then shall lead to Thee, And all we taste be God!15

15 Mr. H. Moore ("Life of Wesley;" 1825, vol. 2, p.348) beautifully suggests a comparison between the 5th and last verses of this hymn, and a stanza of Pope's "Universal Prayer," which runs thus:"The blessings Thy free bounty gives.Let me not cast away;For God is pleased when man receives:To enjoy is to obey.""This is very true," he says, "but is it not very flat? Let us hear our religious poet." The comparison may properly be extended to the other hymns in this volume bearing the title of "Graces."

Grace After Meat Grace After Meat Being of beings, God of Love, To Thee our hearts we raise; Thy all-sustaining power we prove, And gladly sing Thy praise.

Thine, wholly Thine, we pant to be; Our sacrifice receive; Made, and preserved, and saved by Thee, To Thee ourselves we give.

Heavenward our every wish aspires:

For all Thy mercy's store The sole return Thy love requires Is, that we ask for more.

For more we ask; we open then Our hearts to embrace Thy will:

Turn, and beget us, Lord, again, With all Thy fulness fill!

Come, Holy Ghost, the Saviour's love Shed in our hearts abroad; So shall we ever live, and move, And be, with Christ, in God.

On Clemens Alexandrian's Description of a Perfect Christian On Clemens Alexandrian's Description of a Perfect Christian16

Here from afar the finish'd height Of holiness is seen:

But, O! what heavy tracts of toil.

What deserts lie between?

Man for the simple life Divine What will it cost to break; Ere pleasure soft and wily pride No more within him speak?

What lingering anguish must corrode The root of nature's joy?

What secret shame and dire defeats The pride of heart destroy?

Learn thou the whole of mortal state In stillness to sustain; Nor soothe with false delights of earth Whom God has doom'd to pain.

Thy mind now multitude of thoughts, Now stupor shall distress; The venom of each latent vice Wild images impress.

Yet darkly safe with God thy soul His arm still onward bears, Till through each tempest on her face A peace beneath appears.

16 This poem, and that which follows on p.51, "After considering some of his Friends," are not included in the edition of Gambold's Works before referred to; but the place which they occupy in the "Collection of Moral and Sacred Poems," among other poems of Gambold, and apart from those which are afterwards claimed for J. and C. W., makes it highly probable that, though his name is not prefixed, Wesley knew them to be the productions of his early friend. Clement's Description of a perfect Christian will be found in the Fourth Book of his "Stromata," or Miscellanies.

On Clemens Alexandrian's Description of a Perfect Christian 'Tis in that peace we see and act By instincts from above; With finer taste of wisdom fraught, And mystic powers of love.

Yet ask not in mere ease and pomp Of ghostly gifts to shine:

Till death the lownesses of man, And decent griefs are thine.

Affliction Affliction From Herbert.

When first Thou didst entice my heart To Thee, I thought the service brave; So many joys I for my part Set down; besides what I might have Out of my stock of natural delights, Augmented by Thy gracious benefits.

I view'd Thy furniture so fine, So gay, so rich; and all for me!

Strongly it spoke the hand Divine, And lured my ravish'd soul to Thee.

Such stars I counted mine: both Heaven and Earth Paid me my wages in a world of mirth.

What pleasures could I want who served A King, where joys my fellows were?

Still my fond hopes no place reserved For pining grief, or anxious fear:

Thus did my simple soul Thy yoke embrace, And made her youth and fierceness seek Thy face.

At first Thou gav'st me sweetnesses, And strew'dst with flowers the narrow way:

Smoothly my soul sunk down to peace, My every joyous month was May.

But with my years sorrow did twist and grow, And made a party unawares for woe.

My flesh chastised with torturing pain My soul, and sickness clave my bones; Pale agues dwelt in every vein, And sadly tuned my breath to groans.

Sorrow was all my soul; I scarce perceived, But by the pains I suffer'd, that I lived.

Affliction Health's slowly-lingering, vain return A far severer loss attends; Sudden my ravish'd life I mourn, I lose it in my dying friends.

Defenceless now, my every comfort fled, While grief's whole sea is emptied on my head.

How Thou wilt now Thy servant use, Not one of all my books can say.

On Thy ignobler works I muse, And wish like them my God to obey:

Blest, could I emulate the lifeless mass, Flow like the stream, or flourish like the grass.

Yet must I, though oppress'd, submit Strongly my misery to sustain; Or I will now the service quit, And straight some other master gain.

Ah! my dear Lord, though I am clean forgot, Let me not love Thee, if I love Thee not!

Frailty Frailty From the same.

Lord, how in silence I despise The giddy worldling's snare!

This beauty, riches, honour, toys Not worth a moment's care.

Hence, painted dust, and gilded clay!

You have no charms for me:

Delusive breath, be far away!

I waste no thought on thee.

But when abroad at once I view Both the world's hosts and Thine!

Those simple, sad, afflicted, few; These numerous, gay, and fine:

Lost my resolves, my scorn is past, I boast my strength no more; A willing slave they bind me fast With unresisted power.

O, brook not this; let not Thy foes Profane Thy hallow'd shrine:

Thine is my soul, by sacred vows Of strictest union Thine!

Hear then my just, though late request, Once more the captive free; Renew Thy image in my breast, And claim my heart for Thee.

The Collar The Collar From the same.

No more, I cried, shall grief be mine, I will throw off the load; No longer weep, and sigh, and pine To find an absent God.

Free as the Muse, my wishes move, Through Nature's wilds they roam:

Loose as the wind, ye wanderers, rove, And bring me pleasure home!

Still shall I urge, with endless toil, Yet not obtain my suit?

Still shall I plant the ungrateful soil, Yet never taste the fruit?

Not so, my heart!—for fruit there is:

Seize it with eager haste; Riot in joys, dissolve in bliss, And pamper every taste.

On right and wrong thy thoughts no more In cold dispute employ; Forsake thy cell, the bounds pass o'er, And give a loose to joy.

Conscience and Reason's power deride, Let stronger Nature draw; Self be thy end, and Sense thy guide, And Appetite thy law.

Away, ye shades, while light I rise, I tread you all beneath!

Grasp the dear hours my youth supplies, Nor idly dream of death.

The Collar Whoe'er enslaved to grief and pain, Yet starts from pleasure's road, Still let him weep, and still complain, And sink beneath his load.— But as I raved, and grew more wild And fierce at every word, Methought I heard One calling, "Child!"

And I replied, "My Lord!"

Grace Grace From the same.

My stock lies dead, and no increase Does Thy past gifts improve:

O, let Thy graces without cease Drop gently from above.

If still the sun should hide his face, Earth would a dungeon prove, Thy works night's captives: O, let grace Drop gently from above.

The dew unsought each morning falls:

Less bounteous is Thy dove?

The dew for which my spirit calls Drop gently from above.

Death is still digging like a mole My grave, where'er I move; Let grace work too, and on my soul Drop gently from above.

Sin is still spreading o'er my heart A hardness void of love; Let suppling grace, to cross her art, Drop gently from above.

O, come; for Thou dost know the way!

Or, if Thou wilt not move, Translate me, where I need not say Drop gently from above.

Gratefulness Gratefulness From the same.

Thou, who hast given so much to me, O, give a grateful heart:

See how Thy beggar works on Thee By acceptable art!

He makes Thy gifts occasion more; And says, if here he's crost, All Thou hast given him heretofore, Thyself and all, is lost.

But Thou didst reckon, when at first Our wants Thy aid did crave, What it would come to at the worst Such needy worms to save.

Perpetual knockings at Thy door, Tears sullying all Thy rooms; Gift upon gift; much would have more, And still Thy suppliant comes.

Yet Thy unwearied love went on; Allow'd us all our noise; Nay, Thou hast dignified a groan, And made a sigh Thy joys.

Wherefore I cry, and cry again, Nor canst Thou quiet be, Till my repeated suit obtain A thankful heart from Thee.

Hear then, and thankfulness impart Continual as Thy grace; O, add to all Thy gifts a heart Whose pulse may be Thy praise!

The Method The Method From the same.

Lament, unhappy heart, lament!

Since God refuses still To hear thy prayer, some discontent Unknown must cool His will.

Doubtless thy heavenly Father could Give all thy suit does move; For He is power and sure He would Give all; for He is Love.

Go then the secret cause explore, Go search thy inmost soul:

Let earth divide thy care no more, Since heaven requires the whole.

Ha! what do I here written see?

It tells me "Yesterday Cold I preferr'd my careless plea, And only seem'd to pray."

But stay—What read I written there?

"Something I would have done; His Spirit moved me to forbear, Yet boldly I went on."

Then bend once more thy knees and pray, Once more lift up thy voice:

Seek pardon first; and God will say, "Again, glad heart, rejoice."

Grieve not the Holy Spirit "Grieve not the Holy Spirit"17

And art Thou grieved, O sacred Dove, When I despise or cross Thy love?

Grieved for a worm; when every tread Crushes, and leaves the reptile dead!

Then mirth be ever banish'd hence, Since Thou art pain'd by my offence:

I sin not to my grief alone, The Comforter within doth groan.

Then weep, my eyes, for God doth grieve!

Weep, foolish heart, and weeping live:

Tears for the living mourner plead, But ne'er avail the hopeless dead.

Lord, I adjudge myself to grief, To endless tears without relief:

Yet O! to exact Thy due forbear, And spare a feeble creature, spare!

Still if I wail not, (still to wail Nature denies, and flesh would fail,) Lord, pardon; for Thy Son makes good My want of tears, with store of blood.

The Sigh The Sigh From the same.

My heart did heave, and there came forth "O God!"

By that I knew that Thou wast in the grief, (Making a golden sceptre of Thy rod,) To guide and govern it to my relief.

Hadst Thou not had a more than equal part, Sure the unruly sigh had broke my heart.

But since Thy will my bounds of life assign'd, Thou know'st my frame and if a single sigh Ask so much breath, what then remains behind?

Why! if some years of life together fly, The swiftly-wafting sigh then only is A gale to bring me sooner to my bliss!

Thy life on earth was grief: to this Thou still Art constant, while Thy suffering Majesty, Touch'd with my misery, feels whate'er I feel, Adopts my woes, and daily grieves in me.

Thy death was but begun on Calvary; Thou every hour dost in Thy members die!

The Flower The Flower From the same.

While sad my heart, and blasted mourns, How cheering, Lord, are Thy returns, How sweet the life, the joys they bring!

Grief in Thy presence melts away.

Refresh'd I hail the gladsome day, As flowers salute the rising spring.

Who would have thought my wither'd heart Again should feel Thy sovereign art, A kindly warmth again should know?

Late like the flower, whose drooping head Sinks down, and seeks its native bed To see the mother-root below.

These are Thy wonders, Lord of power, Killing and quickening! One short hour Lifts up to heaven, and sinks to hell:

Thy will supreme disposes all; We prove Thy justice in our fall, Thy mercy in our rise we feel.

O that my latest change were o'er!

O were I placed where sin no more, With its attendant grief, could come!

Stranger to change, I then should rise Amidst the plants of paradise, And flourish in eternal bloom.

Many a spring since here I grew, I seem'd my verdure to renew, And higher still to rise and higher:

Water'd by tears, and fann'd by sighs, I pour'd my fragrance through the skies, And heavenward ever seem'd to aspire.

The Flower But while I grow, as heaven were mine, Thine anger comes, and I decline; Faded my bloom, my glory lost:

Who can the deadly cold sustain, Or stand beneath the chilling pain When blasted by Thine anger's frost?

And now in age I bud again, Once more I feel the vernal rain; Though dead so oft, I live and write:

Sure I but dream! It cannot be That I, my God, that I am he On whom Thy tempests fell all night!

These are Thy wonders, Lord of love, Thy mercy thus delights to prove We are but flowers that bloom and die!

Soon as this saving truth we see, Within Thy garden placed by Thee, Time we survive, and death defy.

Desertion Desertion From the same.

Joy of my soul, when Thou art gone, And I (which cannot be) alone; (It cannot, Lord! for I on Thee Depend, and Thou abid'st in me;)— But when Thou dost the sense repress, The ecstatic influence of Thy grace; Seem to desert Thy loved abode, And leave me sunk beneath my load:

O, what a damp and deadly shade, What horrors then my soul invade!

Less ghastly lours the gloomiest night Than the eclipse that veils Thy light.

O! do not, do not thus withdraw, Lest sin surprise me void of awe, And when Thou dost but shine less clear, Say boldly, that Thou art not here.

Thou, Lord, and only Thou canst tell How dead the life which then I feel; Pursued by sin's insulting boast, That "I may seek—but Thou art lost!"

I half believe (the deadly cold Does all my powers so fast infold) That sin says true. But while I grieve, Again I see Thy face, and live!

A True Hymn A True Hymn From the same.

My Joy, my Life, my Crown of bliss, My heart was musing all the day, Fain would it speak; yet only this, "My Joy, my Life, my Crown," could say.

Few as they are, and void of art, Yet slight not, Lord, these humble words:

Fine is that hymn which speaks the heart, The heart that to the lines accords.

He who requires His creature's time, And all his soul, and strength, and mind, Complains, if heartless flows the rhyme, What makes the hymn is still behind:

The scanty verse himself supplies, But let the fervent heart be moved; And when it says with longing sighs, "O, could I love!" God writeth, "Loved!"

The Temper The Temper From the same.

O Lord, how gladly would my rhymes Engrave Thy love in steel, If what my soul doth feel sometimes, My soul might ever feel!

Though there were forty heavens or more, Sometimes I mount them all; Sometimes I hardly reach a score, Sometimes to hell I fall.

Rack me not to such vast extent; These lengths belong to Thee; The world's too little for Thy tent, A grave too big for me.

O, mete not arms with man, nor stretch A worm from heaven to hell!

Strive not with dust, nor let a wretch Thy power almighty feel.

Yet take Thy way: Thy way is best; Grant or deny me ease:

This is but tuning of my breast, To make the music please.

Rise I to heaven, or sink to dust, In both Thy hands appear; Thy power and love, my love and trust Make one place everywhere!

The Same The Same It cannot be! Is this the heart That swell'd so late with mighty joy?

Lord, if Thou needs must use Thy dart, Spare Thy own gifts, and sin destroy.

The greater world knows no decay; But Thy diviner world of grace A new Creator every day Thou suddenly dost rear or rase.

Set up Thy kingdom in my heart, That all my powers Thy sway may own:

For ah! my Lord, if Thou depart, Straight rebel Nature mounts Thy throne.

Though heaven be moved, may I remain Steadfast, and centred firm on Thee:

Here fix Thy court, and still maintain A standing Majesty in me!

Bitter-Sweet Bitter-Sweet From the same.

Ah, my dear, angry Lord, Since Thou dost love, yet strike, Cast down, and yet Thy help afford, Sure I will do the like.

I will complain, yet praise, Bewail, and yet approve, And all my mournful, joyful days I will lament, and love.

A Hymn for Midnight A Hymn for Midnight18 While midnight shades the earth o'erspread, And veil the bosom of the deep, Nature reclines her weary head, And care respires and sorrows sleep:

My soul still aims at nobler rest, Aspiring to her Saviour's breast.

Aid me, ye hovering spirits near, Angels and ministers of grace; Who ever, while you guard us here, Behold your Heavenly Father's face!

Gently my raptured soul convey To regions of eternal day.

Fain would I leave this earth below, Of pain and sin the dark abode; Where shadowy joy, or solid woe, Allures, or tears me from my God:

Doubtful and insecure of bliss, Since death alone confirms me His.19

Till then, to sorrow born, I sigh, And gasp, and languish after home; Upward I send my streaming eye, Expecting till the Bridegroom come Come quickly, Lord! Thy own receive; Now let me see Thy face, and live.

Absent from Thee, my exiled soul Deep in a fleshly dungeon groans; 18 In some editions this title was changed to "A Midnight Hymn for one under the Law." Wesley saw how this phrase had been misapprehended; and in a copy of the 5th edition, now before me, it is corrected with his own hand to "A Midnight Hymn for one convinced of Sin."

19 Against these words Wesley writes "No." In the "Large Hymn-Book" we find them altered to "Since faith alone," and "Error," v.6, l.1, exchanged for "Sorrow."

A Hymn for Midnight Around me clouds of darkness roll, And labouring silence speaks my moans:

Come quickly, Lord! Thy face display, And look my midnight into day.

Error, and sin, and death are o'er, If Thou reverse the creature's doom; Sad Rachel weeps her loss no more, If Thou, the God, the Saviour come:

Of Thee possest, in Thee we prove The light, the life, the heaven of love.

After Considering Some of his Friends After Considering Some of his Friends Why do the deeds of happier men Into a mind return, Which can, oppress'd by bands of sloth, With no such ardours burn?

God of my life and all my powers, The Everlasting Friend!

Shall life so favour'd in its dawn Be fruitless in its end?

To Thee, O Lord, my tender years A trembling duty paid, With glimpses of the mighty God Delighted and afraid.

From parents' eye, and paths of men, Thy touch I ran to meet; It swell'd the hymn, and seal'd the prayer, Twas calm, and strange, and sweet!

Oft when beneath the work of sin Trembling and dark I stood, And felt the edge of eager thought, And felt the kindling blood:

Thy dew came down—my heart was Thine, It knew nor doubt nor strife; Cool now and peaceful as the grave, And strong to second life.

Full of myself, I oft forsook The now, the truth, and Thee, For sanguine hope, or sensual gust, Or earthborn sophistry.

After Considering Some of his Friends The folly thrived, and came in sight Too gross for life to bear; I smote the breast for man too base, I smote—and God was there!

Still will I hope for voice and strength To glorify Thy Name; Though I must die to all that's mine, And suffer all my shame.

Religious Discourse Religious Discourse By Gambold.20

To speak for God, to sound Religion's praise,21 Of sacred passions the wise warmth to raise; To infuse the contrite wish to conquest nigh, And point the steps mysterious as they lie;

To seize the wretch in full career of lust, And soothe the silent sorrows of the just:

Who would not bless for this the gift of speech, And in the tongue's beneficence be rich?

But who must talk? Not the mere modern sage Who suits the soften'd Gospel to the age; Who ne'er to raise degenerate practice strives, But brings the precept down to Christians' lives:

Not he, who maxims from cold reading took, And never saw himself but through a book:

Not he, who hasty in the morn of grace, Soon sinks extinguish'd as a comet's blaze:

Not he, who strains in Scripture phrase to abound, Deaf to the sense, who stuns us with the sound:

But he, who silence loves, and never dealt In the false commerce of a Truth unfelt.

Guilty you speak, if subtle from within Blows on your words the self-admiring sin; If, unresolved to choose the better part, Your forward tongue belies your languid heart:

But then speak safely, when your peaceful mind, Above self-seeking blest, on God reclined, Feels Him at once suggest unlabour'd sense, And ope a sluice of sweet benevolence.

20 See Works, as before, p.251. More than thirty years after it was first published, Wesley inserted this piece in the "Arminian Magazine" (vol. 4, p.170) with a commendatory note; omitting, however, the 9th paragraph, from which, in the copy referred to on p.49 as corrected with his own hand, he expresses his entire dissent.

21 RS. The original has no verse numbering.

Religious Discourse Some high behests of Heaven you then fulfil, Sprung from His light your words, and issuing by His will.

Nor yet expect so mystically long, Till certain inspiration loose your tongue:

Express the precept runs, "Do good to all;"

Nor adds, "Whene'er you find an inward call."

'Tis God commands: no farther motive seek, Speak or without, or with reluctance speak:

To love's habitual sense by acts aspire, And kindle, till you catch the Gospel fire.

Discoveries immature of truth decline, Nor prostitute the Gospel pearl to swine.

Beware, too rashly how you speak the whole, The vileness, or the treasures of your soul.

If spurn'd by some, where weak on earth you lie; If judged a cheat or dreamer, where you fly; Here the sublimer strain, the exerted air Forego; you're at the bar, not in the chair.

To the pert reasoner if you speak at all, Speak what within his cognizance may fall:

Expose not truths Divine to reason's rack, Give him his own beloved ideas back; Your notions, till they look like his, dilute;

Blind he must be—but save him from dispute!

But when we're turn'd of reason's noontide glare, And things begin to show us what they are, More free to such your true conceptions tell; Yet graft them on the arts where they excel.

If sprightly sentiments detain their taste; If paths of various learning they have traced; If their cool judgment longs, yet fears to fix:

Fire, erudition, hesitation mix.

All rules are dead: 'tis from the heart you draw The living lustre, and unerring law.

Religious Discourse A state of thinking in your manner show, Nor fiercely soaring, nor supinely low:

Others their lightness and each inward fault Quench in the stillness of your deeper thought, Let all your gestures fix'd attention draw, And wide around diffuse infectious awe; Present with God by recollection seem, Yet present, by your cheerfulness, with them.

Without elation, Christian glories paint, Nor by fond amorous phrase assume the saint.

Greet not frail men with compliments untrue, With smiles to peace confirm'd and conquest due.

There are who watch to adore the dawn of grace, And pamper the young proselyte with praise:

Kind, humble souls! They with a right good will Admire his progress—till he stands stock still.

Speak but to thirsty minds of things Divine, Who strong for thought, are free in yours to join.

The busy from his channel parts with pain, The languid loathes an elevated strain:

With these you aim but at good-natured chat, Where all, except the love, is low and flat.

Not one address will different tempers fit, The grave and gay, the heavy and the wit.

Wits will sift you; and most conviction find Where least 'tis urged, and seems the least design'd.

Slow minds are merely passive, and forget Truths not inculcated to these repeat, Avow your counsel, nor abstain from heat.

Some gentle souls, to gay indifference true, Nor hope, nor fear, nor think the more for you.

Let love turn babbler here, and caution sleep; Blush not for shallow speech, nor muse for deep:

These to your humour, not your sense attend; Religious Discourse 'Tis not the advice that sways them, but the friend.

Others have large recesses in their breast, With pensive process all they hear digest:

Here well-weigh'd words with wary foresight sow, For all you say will sink, and every seed will grow.

At first acquaintance press each truth severe, Stir the whole odium of your character:

Let harshest doctrines all your words engross, And Nature bleeding on the daily cross.

Then to yourself the ascetic rule enjoin, To others stoop surprisingly benign; Pitying, if from themselves with pain they part,

If stubborn Nature long holds out the heart.

Their outworks now are gain'd; forbear to press, The more you urge them, you prevail the less; Let speech lay by its roughness to oblige, Your speaking life will carry on the siege

By your example struck, to God they strive To live, no longer to themselves alive.

To positive adepts insidious yield, To ensure the conquest seem to quit the field:

Large in your grants; be their opinion shown Approve, amend—and wind it to your own.

Couch in your hints, if more resign'd they hear, Both what they will be soon, and what they are:

Pleasing these words now to their conscious breast, The anticipating voice hereafter blest.

In souls just waked the paths of light to choose, Convictions keen, and zeal of prayer infuse.

Let them love rules; till freed from passion's reign, Till blameless moral rectitude they gain.

But lest, reform'd from each extremer ill, They should but civilize old Nature still, The loftier charms and energy display

Religious Discourse Of virtue modell'd by the Godhead's Ray; The lineaments Divine, Perfection's plan, And all the grandeur of the inner man.

Commences thus the agonizing strife Previous to Nature's death, and second life:

Struck by their own inclement piercing eye, Their feeble virtues blush, subside, and die; They view the scheme that mimic Nature made, A fancied goodness, and religion's shade;

With angry scorn they now reject the whole, Unchanged their heart, undeified their soul; Till indignation sleeps away to faith, And God's own power and peace take root in sacred wrath.

Aim less to teach than love. The work begun In words, is crown'd by artless warmth alone.

Love to your friend a second office owes, Yourself and him before Heaven's footstool throws:

You place his form as suppliant by your side, (A helpless worm, for whom the Saviour died,) Into his soul call down the eternal beam, And longing ask to spend and to be spent for him.

Man's Medley Man's Medley From Herbert.

Hark how the woods with music ring, How sweet the feather'd minstrels sing!

They have their joys, and man has his:

Yet, if we judge our state aright, The present is not man's delight; Hereafter brings his perfect bliss.

This life belongs to things of sense, Justly to this they make pretence; Angels possess the next by birth:

Man, groveling, glorious man alone, Angel and brute unites in one, While this hand heaven, that touches earth.

Glorious in soul, he mounts and flies; Grovelling22 in flesh, he sinks and dies:

His treasure holds in earth confined:

The body's calls forbid to hear, Born to regard with listening ear The dictates of his nobler mind.

Not but his gracious Master here Allows and bids him taste the cheer:

As birds, that drinking lift their head, Thankful like them He bids him drink, And of those streams of pleasure think That ever cheer the immortal dead.

His joys are double—and his pains; While of two winters he complains, The brute creation feels but one:

Round, and within him, tempests roll; 22 RS. Original is "groveling."

Man's Medley Frost chills his veins, and thought his soul; Two deaths he fears, and he alone.

Yet even the sharpest, heaviest grief May with it bring its own relief, If right his state the sufferer weighs:

Happy the man who finds the art To turn, by thankfulness of heart, His double pains to double praise!

Misery Misery From the same.

Lord, let the angels praise Thy name; Man is a feeble, foolish thing!

Folly and sin play all his game; Still burns his house, he still doth sing:

To-day he's here, tomorrow gone, The madman knows it—and sings on.

How canst Thou brook his foolishness?

When heedless of the voice Divine, Himself alone he seeks to please, And carnal joys prefers to Thine; Eager through Nature's wilds to rove, Nor awed by fear, nor charm'd by love.

What strange pollutions does he wed, Slave to his senses and to sin!

Naked of God, his guilty head He strives in midnight shades to screen:

Fondly he hopes from Thee to fly, Unmark'd by Thine all-seeing eye.

The best of men to evil yield,23 If but the slightest trial come; They fall, by Thee no more upheld:

And when affliction calls them home, Thy gentle rod they scarce endure, And murmur to accept their cure.

Wayward they haste, while Nature leads, To escape Thee; but Thy gracious Dove Still mildly o'er their folly spreads The wings of His expanded love:

23 "No!" is Wesley's manuscript note here.

Misery Thou bring'st them back, nor sufferest those Who would be, to remain Thy foes.

My God, Thy Name man cannot praise, All brightness Thou, all purity!

The sun in his meridian blaze Is darkness, if compared to Thee.

O, how shall sinful worms proclaim?

Shall man presume to speak Thy Name?

Man cannot serve Thee: all his care, Engross'd by grovelling appetite, Is fix'd on earth; his treasure there, His portion, and his base delight:

He starts from Virtue's thorny road, Alive to sin, but dead to God!

Ah, foolish man, where are thine eyes?

Lost in a crowd of earthly cares:

Thy indolence neglects to rise, While husks to heaven thy soul prefers:

Careless the starry crown to seize, By pleasure bound, or lull'd by ease.

To God, through all creation's bounds, The unconscious kinds their homage bring; His praise through every grove resounds, Nor know the warblers whom they sing; But man, lord of the creatures, knows The Source from whence their being flows.

He owns a God—but eyes Him not; But lets his mad disorders reign:

They make his life a constant blot, And Blood Divine an offering vain.

Ah, wretch! thy heart unsearchable, Thy ways mysterious who can tell!

Misery Perfect at first, and blest his state, Man in his Maker's image shone; In innocence divinely great He lived; he lived to God alone:

His heart was love, his pulse was praise, And light and glory deck'd his face.

But alter'd now, and fall'n he is, Immersed in flesh, and dead within; Dead to the taste of native bliss, And ever sinking into sin:

Nay, by his wretched self undone.

Such is man's state—and such my own!

The Sinner The Sinner From the same.

When all the secrets of my heart With horror, Lord, I see, Thine is, I find, the smallest part, Though all be due to Thee.

Thy footsteps scarce appear within, But lusts a countless crowd; The immense circumference is sin, A point is all my good.

O, break my bonds, let sin enthrall My struggling soul no more; Hear Thy fall'n creature's feeble call, Thine image, O, restore!

And though my heart, senseless and hard, To Thee can scarcely groan, Yet O, remember, gracious Lord, Thou once didst write in stone!

Repentance Repentance From the same.

Lord, I confess my sin is great Great is my sin O, gently treat Thy tender flower, Thy fading bloom, Whose life's still aiming at a tomb.

Have mercy, Lord! Lo, I confess, I feel, I mourn my foolishness.

O, spare me, whom Thy hands have made, A withering leaf, a fleeting shade.

Sweeten at length this bitter bowl Which Thou hast pour'd into my soul!

O, tarry not! If still Thou stay, Here sets in death my short-lived day.

When Thou for sin rebukest man, His drooping heart is fill'd with pain; Blasted his strength, his beauty too Consumes away as morning dew.

When wilt Thou sin and grief destroy, That all the broken bones may joy; And at Thy all-reviving word Dead sinners rise, and praise the Lord?

Complaining Complaining From the same.

Thou, Lord, my power and wisdom art; O, do not then reject my heart!

Thy clay that weeps, Thy dust I am That calls; O, put me not to shame!

Thy glories, Lord, in all things shine, Thine is the deed, the praise is Thine:

A feeble, helpless creature, I Do at Thy pleasure live or die.

Art Thou all Justice?—shows Thy Word Through every page an angry Lord?

Am I all tears?—Is this to live?

Is all my business here to grieve?

Fill not my life's short hour with pain; Or, O! contract the wretched span:

So shall I mount from sorrow free, And find relief and heaven in Thee.

Home Home From the same.

Faint is my head, and sick my heart, While Thou dost ever, ever stay!

Fix'd in my soul I feel Thy dart, Groaning I feel it night and day.

Come, Lord, and show Thyself to me, Or take, O, take me up to Thee!

Canst Thou withhold Thy healing grace, So kindly lavish of Thy blood; When swiftly trickling down Thy face, For me the purple current flow'd!

Come, Lord, and show, &c.

When man was lost, love look'd about.

To see what help in earth or sky:

In vain; for none appear'd without, The help did in Thy bosom lie!

There lay Thy Son; but left His rest Thraldom and misery to remove From those, who glory once possess'd, But wantonly abused Thy love.

He came—O, my Redeemer dear!

And canst Thou after this be strange?

Not yet within my heart appear?

Can love like Thine or fail or change?

But if Thou tarriest, why must I?

My God, what is this world to me?

This world of woe—hence let them fly, Home The clouds that part my soul and Thee.

Why should this weary world delight, Or sense the immortal spirit bind?

Why should frail beauty's charms invite, The trifling charms of womankind?

A sigh Thou breath'st into my heart, And earthly joys I view with scorn:

Far from my soul, ye dreams, depart, Nor mock me with your vain return!

Sorrow and sin, and loss and pain, Are all that here on earth we see; Restless we pant for ease in vain, In vain—till ease we find in Thee.

Idly we talk of harvests here; Eternity our harvest is:

Grace brings the great sabbatic year, When ripen'd into glorious bliss.

O, loose this frame, life's knot untie, That my free soul may use her wing; Now pinion'd with mortality, A weak, entangled, wretched thing!

Why should I longer stay and groan?

The most of me to heaven is fled:

My thoughts and joys are thither gone; To all below I now am dead.

Come, dearest Lord! my soul's desire With eager pantings gasps for home:

Thee, Thee my restless hopes require; My flesh and spirit bid Thee come!

Come, Lord, and show Thyself to me, Or take, O, take me up to Thee!

Longings Longings From the same.

With bended knees, and aching eyes, Weary and faint, to Thee my cries, To Thee my tears, my groans I send:

O, when shall my complainings end?

Wither'd my heart, like barren ground Accursed of God; my head turns round, My throat is hoarse: I faint, I fall, Yet falling still for pity call.

Eternal streams of pity flow From Thee their Source to earth below:

Mothers are kind, because Thou art, Thy tenderness o'erflows their heart.

Lord of my soul, bow down Thine ear, Hear, Bowels of Compassion, hear!

O, give not to the winds my prayer:

Thy Name, Thy hallow'd Name is there!

Look on my sorrows, mark them well, The shame, the pangs, the fires I feel:

Consider, Lord; Thine ear incline!

Thy Son hath made my suff'rings Thine.

Thou, Jesu, on the accursed tree Didst bow Thy dying head for me:

Incline it now! Who made the ear, Shall He, shall He forget to hear?

See Thy poor dust, in pity see; It stirs, it creeps, it aims at Thee!

Haste, save it from the greedy tomb!

Come!—every atom bids Thee come!

Longings Tis Thine to help! Forget me not!

O, be Thy mercy ne'er forgot!

Lock'd is Thy ear? Yet still my plea May speed; for Mercy keeps the key.

Thou tarriest, while I sink, I die, And fall to nothing! Thou on high Seest me undone. Yet am I styled By Thee (lost as I am) Thy child!

Didst Thou for this forsake Thy throne?

Where are Thy ancient mercies gone?

Why should my pain my guilt survive, And sin be dead, yet sorrow live?

Yet sin is dead; and yet abide Thy promises; they speak, they chide.

They in Thy bosom pour my tears, And my complaints present as theirs.

Hear, Jesu! hear my broken heart!

Broken so long, that every part Hath got a tongue that ne'er shall cease, Till Thou pronounce, "Depart in peace."

My Love, my Saviour, hear my cry; By these Thy feet at which I lie!

Pluck out Thy dart! regard my sighs; Now heal my soul, or now it dies.

The Search The Search From the same.

Whither, O whither art Thou fled, My Saviour and my Love?

My searches are my daily bread, Yet unsuccessful prove.

My knees on earth, on heaven mine eye Is fix'd; and yet the sphere, And yet the centre both deny That Thou, my God, art there.

Yet can I mark that herbs below Their fragrant greens display, As if to meet Thee they did know, While wither'd I decay.

Yet can I mark how stars above With conscious lustre shine, Their glories borrowing from Thy love, While I in darkness pine.

I sent a sigh to seek Thee out, Drawn from my heart in pain, Wing'd like an arrow; but my scout Return'd, alas! in vain.

Another from my endless store I turn'd into a groan, Because the search was dumb before But all, alas! was one.

Where is my God? What secret place Still holds, and hides Thee still?

What covert dares eclipse Thy face?— Is it Thy awful will?

O, let not that Thy presence bound:

Rather let walls of brass, Let seas and mountains gird Thee round, The Search And I through all will pass.

Thy will so vast a distance is, Remotest points combine, East touches west, compared to this, And heaven and hell conjoin.

Take then these bars, these lengths away, Turn and restore my soul Thy love omnipotent display, Approach! and make me whole.

When Thou, my Lord, my God art nigh, Nor life, nor death can move, Nor deepest hell, nor powers on high Can part me from Thy love.

For as Thy absence passes far The widest distance known, Thy presence brings my soul so near, That Thou and I are one!

Discipline Discipline From the same.

O, throw away Thy rod, O, throw away Thy wrath!

My gracious Saviour and my God, O, take the gentle path!

Thou seest, my heart's desire Still unto Thee is bent:

Still does my longing soul aspire To an entire consent.

Not even a word or look Do I approve or own, But by the model of Thy Book, Thy sacred Book alone.

Although I fail, I weep; Although I halt in pace, Yet still with trembling steps I creep Unto the throne of grace.

O, then, let wrath remove For love will do the deed!

Love will the conquest gain; with love Even stony hearts will bleed.

For love is swift of foot, Love is a man of war; Love can resistless arrows shoot.

And hit the mark from far.

Who can escape his bow?

That which hath wrought on Thee, Which brought the King of Glory low, Must surely work on me.

Discipline O, throw away Thy rod; What though man frailties hath?

Thou art my Saviour and my God!

O, throw away Thy wrath!

Divine Love Divine Love From the German.24

Thou hidden love of God, whose height, Whose depth unfathom'd no man knows, I see from far Thy beauteous light, Inly I sigh for Thy repose.

My heart is pain'd, nor can it be At rest, till it finds rest in Thee.25

Thy secret voice invites me still The sweetness of Thy yoke to prove; And fain I would but though my will Be fix'd, yet wide my passions rove.

Yet hindrances strew all the way; I aim at Thee, yet from Thee stray.

'Tis mercy all, that Thou hast brought My mind to seek her peace in Thee; Yet while I seek, but find Thee not, No peace my wandering soul shall see.

O, when shall all my wanderings end, And all my steps to Thee-ward tend?

Is there a thing beneath the sun That strives with Thee my heart to share?

Ah, tear it thence, and reign alone, 24 This translation from Gerhard Tersteegen (1697-1769) was made by Wesley while he was at Savannah, in 1736, and printed in "Psalms and Hymns," 1738. The original, beginning "Verborgne Gottes Liebe du", may be found in the Herrnhuth Collection, 1737, p. 483. That translation agrees with this, except in v. 4, where we read:Ah tear it thence, that Thou aloneMay'st reign unrivall'd Monarch there:From earthly loves I must be freeEre I can find repose in Thee. But after the ever-memorable 24th of May, 1738, Wesley knew "the way of God more perfectly;" and wrote as in the text. In a final revision for the "Large Hymn-Book," 1780, he changed

"Be" in v.2, l.4, into "Seem," and made the closing couplet of v.8 precatory, in accordance with the two preceding, by changing "is" in the last line into "be."

25 Comp. Augustine's Confessions, I., i.

Divine Love The Lord of every motion there:

Then shall my heart from earth be free, When it has found repose in Thee.

O, hide this SELF from me, that I No more, but CHRIST in me may live!

My vile affections crucify, Nor let one darling lust survive.

In all things nothing may I see, Nothing desire or seek but Thee!

O LOVE, Thy sovereign aid impart, To save me from low-thoughted care:

Chase this self-will through all my heart, Through all its latent mazes there.

Make me Thy duteous child, that I Ceaseless may, "Abba, Father," cry.

Ah no! ne'er will I backward turn:

Thine wholly, Thine alone I am!

Thrice happy he who views with scorn Earth's toys, for Thee his constant flame.

O, help, that I may never move From the blest footsteps of Thy love!

Each moment draw from earth away My heart, that lowly waits Thy call Speak to my inmost soul, and say, "I am thy Love, thy God, thy All!"

To feel Thy power, to hear Thy voice, To taste Thy love is all my choice!

Written in the Beginning of a Recovery from Sickness Written in the Beginning of a Recovery from Sickness Peace, fluttering soul! the storm is o'er, Ended at last the doubtful strife:

Respiring now, the cause explore That bound thee to a wretched life.

When on the margin of the grave, Why did I doubt my Saviour's art?

Ah! why mistrust His will to save?

What meant that faltering of my heart?

'Twas not the searching pain within That fill'd my coward flesh with fear; Nor conscience of uncancell'd sin; Nor sense of dissolution near.

Of hope I felt no joyful ground, The fruit of righteousness alone; Naked of Christ my soul I found, And started from a God unknown, Corrupt my will, nor half subdued, Could I His purer presence bear?

Unchanged, unhallow'd, unrenew'd Could I before His face appear?

Father of mercies, hear my call!

Ere yet returns the fatal hour, Repair my loss, retrieve my fall, And raise me by Thy quickening power.

My nature re-exchange for Thine; Be Thou my life, my hope, my gain; Arm me in panoply Divine, And Death shall shake his dart in vain.

Written in the Beginning of a Recovery from Sickness When I Thy promised Christ have seen, And clasp'd Him in my soul's embrace, Possest of my salvation, then— Then, let me, Lord, depart in peace!

After a Recovery from Sickness After a Recovery from Sickness And live I yet by power Divine?

And have I still my course to run?

Again brought back in its decline The shadow of my parting sun?

Wondering I ask, Is this the breast Struggling so late and torn with pain?

The eyes that upward look'd for rest, And dropt their weary lids again?

The recent horrors still appear:

O, may they never cease to awe!

Still be the King of Terrors near, Whom late in all his pomp I saw.

Torture and sin prepared his way, And pointed to a yawning tomb!

Darkness behind eclipsed the day, And check'd my forward hopes of home.

My feeble flesh refused to bear Its strong redoubled agonies:

When Mercy heard my speechless prayer, And saw me faintly gasp for ease.

Jesus to my deliverance flew, Where sunk in mortal pangs I lay:

Pale Death his ancient Conqueror knew, And trembled, and ungrasp'd his prey!

The fever turn'd its backward course, Arrested by Almighty power; Sudden expired its fiery force, And anguish gnaw'd my side no more.

After a Recovery from Sickness God of my life, what just return Can sinful dust and ashes give?

I only live my sin to mourn, To love my God I only live!

To Thee, benign and saving Power, I consecrate my lengthen'd days; While mark'd with blessings, every hour Shall speak Thy co-extended praise.

How shall I teach the world to love, Unchanged myself, unloosed my tongue?

Give me the power of faith to prove, And mercy shall be all my song.

Be all my added life employ'd Thy image in my soul to see:

Fill with Thyself the mighty void; Enlarge my heart to compass Thee!

O, give me, Saviour, give me more!

Thy mercies to my soul reveal:

Alas! I see their endless store, Yet, O! I cannot, cannot feel!

The blessing of Thy love bestow:

For this my cries shall never fail; Wrestling, I will not let Thee go, I will not, till my suit prevail.

I'll weary Thee with my complaint; Here at Thy feet for ever lie, With longing sick, with groaning faint:

O, give me love, or else I die!

Without this best, divinest grace 'Tis death, 'tis worse than death to live; After a Recovery from Sickness 'Tis hell to want Thy blissful face, And saints in Thee their heaven receive.

Come then, my Hope, my Life, my Lord, And fix in me Thy lasting home!

Be mindful of Thy gracious word, Thou with Thy promised Father, come!

Prepare, and then possess my heart; O, take me, seize me from above:

Thee do I love, for God Thou art; Thee do I feel, for God is love!

A Prayer Under Convictions A Prayer Under Convictions Father of Lights, from whom proceeds Whate'er Thy every creature needs; Whose goodness providently nigh Feeds the young ravens when they cry; To Thee I look: my heart prepare; Suggest, and hearken to my prayer.

Since by Thy light myself I see Naked, and poor, and void of Thee, Thine eyes must all my thoughts survey, Preventing what my lips would say:

Thou seest my wants; for help they call; And ere I speak, Thou know'st them all.

Thou know'st the baseness of my mind, Wayward, and impotent, and blind; Thou know'st how unsubdued my will, Averse to good, and prone to ill; Thou know'st how wide my passions rove, Nor check'd by fear, nor charm'd by love.

Fain would I know, as known by Thee, And feel the indigence I see; Fain would I all my vileness own, And deep beneath the burden groan; Abhor the pride that lurks within, Detest and loathe myself and sin.

Ah, give me, Lord, myself to feel; My total misery reveal:

Ah, give me, Lord, (I still would say,) A heart to mourn, a heart to pray:

My business this, my only care, My life, my every breath be prayer.

Scarce I begin my sad complaint, A Prayer Under Convictions When all my warmest wishes faint; Hardly I lift my weeping eye, When all my kindling ardours die; Nor hopes nor fears my bosom move, For still I cannot, cannot love.

Father, I want a thankful heart; I want to taste how good Thou art; To plunge me in Thy mercy's sea, And comprehend Thy love to me,— The breadth, and length, and depth, and height

Of Love divinely infinite.

Father, I long my soul to raise, And dwell for ever on Thy praise; Thy praise with glorious joy to tell, In ecstasy unspeakable; While the full power of FAITH I know, And reign triumphant here below.

The Fifty-Third Chapter of Isaiah The Fifty-Third Chapter of Isaiah Who hath believed the tidings? Who?

Or felt the joys our words impart?

Gladly confess'd our record true, And found the Saviour in his heart?

Planted in nature's barren ground, And cherish'd by Jehovah's care, There shall the Immortal Seed be found, The Root Divine shall flourish there.

See the Desire of Nations comes, Nor outward pomp bespeaks Him near:

A veil of flesh the God assumes, A servant's form He stoops to wear.

He lays His every glory by; Ignobly low, obscurely mean, Of beauty void, in reason's eye, The Source of Loveliness is seen.

Rejected and despised of men, A Man of griefs, inured to woe; His only intimate is pain, And grief is all His life below.

We saw, and from the irksome sight Disdainfully our faces turn'd; Hell follow'd Him with fierce despite, And earth the humble Object scorn'd.

Surely for us He humbled was, And grieved with sorrows not His own:

Of all His woes were we the cause, We fill'd His soul with pangs unknown.

Yet Him the Offender we esteem'd, Stricken by Heaven's vindictive rod, Afflicted for Himself we deem'd, And punish'd by an angry God.

The Fifty-Third Chapter of Isaiah But, O! with our transgressions stain'd, For our offence He wounded was; Ours were the sins that bruised and pain'd

And scourged, and nail'd Him to the cross.

The chastisement that bought our peace, To sinners due, on Him was laid:

Conscience, be still! Thy terrors cease!

The debt's discharged, the ransom's paid.

What though we all as wandering sheep Have left our God, and loved to stray, Refused His mild commands to keep, And madly urged the downward way?

Father, on Him Thy bolt did fall, The mortal law Thy Son fulfill'd, Thou laid'st on Him the guilt of all, And by His stripes we all are heal'd.

Accused, His mouth He open'd not; He answer'd not, by wrongs oppress'd.

Pure though He was from sinful spot, Our guilt He silently confess'd.

Meek as a lamb to slaughter led, A sheep before His shearers dumb, To suffer in the sinner's stead Behold the Spotless Victim come!

Who could His heavenly birth declare, When bound by man He silent stood; When worms arraign'd Him at their bar, And doom'd to death the Eternal God!

Patient the sufferings to sustain, The vengeance to transgressors due, Guiltless He groan'd and died for man:

Sinners, rejoice, He died for you!

For your imputed guilt He bled, Made sin a sinful world to save; The Fifty-Third Chapter of Isaiah Meekly He sunk among the dead:

The rich supplied an honour'd grave!

For, O! devoid of sin, and free From actual or entail'd offence, No sinner in Himself was He, But pure and perfect innocence.

Yet Him the Almighty Father's will With bruising chastisements pursued, Doom'd Him the weight of sin to feel, And, sternly just, required His blood.

But, lo! the mortal debt is paid, The costly sacrifice is o'er; His soul, for sin an offering made, Revives, and He shall die no more.

His numerous seed He now shall see, Scatter'd through all the earth abroad, Blest with His immortality, Begot by Him, and born of God.

Head to His Church o'er all below, Long shall He here His sons sustain; Their bounding hearts His power shall know, And bless the loved Messiah's reign.

'Twixt God and them He still shall stand, The children whom His Sire hath given; Their cause shall prosper in His hand, While RIGHTEOUSNESS looks down from heaven:

While pleased He counts the ransom'd race, And calls and draws them from above; The travail of His soul surveys, And rests in His redeeming love.

'Tis done! My justice asks no more, The satisfaction's fully made Their sins He in His body bore, Their Surety all the debt has paid.

The Fifty-Third Chapter of Isaiah My Righteous Servant and My Son Shall each believing sinner clear; And all who stoop to abjure their own, Shall in His righteousness appear.

Them shall He claim His just desert, Them His inheritance receive, And many a contrite humble heart Will I for His possession give.

Satan He thence shall chase away, Assert His right, His foes o'ercome; Stronger than hell, retrieve the prey, And bear the spoil triumphant home.

For charged with all their guilt He stood, Sinners from suffering to redeem; For them He pour'd out all His blood, Their Substitute, He died for them.

He died, and rose His death to plead, To testify their sins forgiven:

And still I hear Him intercede, And still He makes their claim to heaven.

"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith."

Weary of struggling with my pain, Hopeless to burst my nature's chain, Hardly I give the contest o'er, I seek to free myself no more.

From my own works at last I cease, God that creates must seal my peace; Fruitless my toil and vain my care, And all my fitness is despair.

Lord, I despair myself to heal:

I see my sin, but cannot feel; I cannot, till Thy Spirit blow, And bid the obedient waters flow.

'Tis Thine a heart of flesh to give; Thy gifts I only can receive:

Here then to Thee I all resign; To draw, redeem, and seal is Thine.

With simple faith, to Thee I call, My Light, my Life, my Lord, my All:

I wait the moving of the pool; I wait the word that speaks me whole.

Speak, gracious Lord, my sickness cure, Make my infected nature pure; Peace, righteousness, and joy impart, And pour Thyself into my heart.

"The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."

Jesu, the Sinner's Friend, to Thee, Lost and undone, for aid I flee, Weary of earth, myself, and sin; Open Thine arms, and take me in.

Pity and heal my sin-sick soul; 'Tis Thou alone canst make me whole:

Fall'n, till in me Thine image shine, And cursed I am, till Thou art mine.

Hear, Jesu, hear my helpless cry; O, save a wretch condemn'd to die!

The sentence in myself I feel, And all my nature teems with hell.

When shall concupiscence and pride No more my tortured heart divide!

When shall this agony be o'er, And the old Adam rage no more!

Awake, the woman's conquering Seed, Awake, and bruise the serpent's head!

Tread down Thy foes, with power control The beast and devil in my soul.

The mansion for Thyself prepare; Dispose my heart by entering there!

'Tis this alone can make me clean, 'Tis this alone can cast out sin.

Long have I vainly hoped and strove To force my hardness into love, To give Thee all Thy laws require; And labour'd in the purging fire.

A thousand specious arts essay'd, Call'd the deep Mystic to my aid:

His boasted skill the brute refined, But left the subtler fiend behind.

Frail, dark, impure, I still remain, Nor hope to break my nature's chain:

The fond self-emptying scheme is past, And, lo! constrain'd, I yield at last.

At last I own it cannot be That I should fit myself for Thee:

Here then to Thee I all resign; Thine is the work, and only Thine.

No more to lift my eyes I dare, Abandon'd to a just despair; I have my punishment in view; I feel a thousand hells my due.

What shall I say Thy grace to move?

Lord, I am sin,—but Thou art Love:

I give up every plea beside, "Lord, I am damn'd,—but Thou hast died!"

While groaning at Thy feet I fall, Spurn me away, refuse my call, If love permit, contract Thy brow, And, if Thou canst, destroy me now!

Hoping for Grace Hoping for Grace From the German.26

My soul before Thee prostrate lies, To Thee, her Source, my spirit flies; My wants I mourn, my chains I see:

O, let Thy presence set me free!

Lost and undone, for aid I cry; In Thy death, Saviour, let me die!

Grieved with Thy grief, pain'd with Thy pain, Ne'er may I feel self-love again.

Jesu, vouchsafe my heart and will With Thy meek lowliness to fill; No more her power let Nature boast, But in Thy will may mine be lost.

In life's short day let me yet more Of Thy enlivening power implore:

My mind must deeper sink in Thee, My foot stand firm, from wandering free.

Ye sons of men, here nought avails Your strength; here all your wisdom fails Who bids a sinful heart be clean?

Thou only, Lord, supreme of men.

And well I know Thy tender love; Thou never didst unfaithful prove:

And well I know Thou stand'st by me, Pleased from myself to set me free.

26 "Hier legt mein Sinn sich vor dir nieder" by Dr. C. F. Richter, of Halle. (1676–1711.) Herrnhuth Collection, p. 724. Or Knapp's Evangelischer Liederschatz, p.716. See an interesting anecdote relating to the use of this hymn in Lockwood's "Memorials of Peter Bohler," pp.77–79.

Hoping for Grace Still will I watch, and labour still To banish every thought of ill; Till Thou in Thy good time appear, And sav'st me from the fowler's snare.

Already springing hope I feel; God will destroy the power of hell:

God from the land of wars and pain Leads me where peace and safety reign.

One only care my soul shall know,— Father, all Thy commands to do:

Ah! deep engrave it on my breast, That I in Thee even now am blest.

When my warm'd thoughts I fix on Thee, And plunge me in Thy mercy's sea, Then even on me Thy face shall shine, And quicken this dead heart of mine.

So even in storms my zeal shall grow; So shall I Thy hid sweetness know; And feel (what endless age shall prove) That Thou, my Lord, my God, art Love!

The Dawning The Dawning From Herbert.

Awake, sad heart, whom sorrows drown, Lift up thine eyes, and cease to mourn, Unfold thy forehead's settled frown; Thy Saviour and thy joys return.

Awake, sad drooping heart, awake!

No more lament, and pine, and cry:

His death thou ever dost partake, Partake at last His victory.

Arise; if thou dost not withstand, Christ's resurrection thine may be:

O, break not from the gracious Hand, Which, as it rises, raises thee.

Cheer'd by thy Saviour's sorrows rise; He grieved, that thou may'st cease to grieve:

Dry with His burial-clothes thine eyes; He died Himself, that thou may'st live!

"Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart."27

Jesu! my great High-Priest above, My Friend before the throne of Love!

If now for me prevails Thy prayer, If now I find Thee pleading there; If Thou the secret wish convey, And sweetly prompt my heart to pray; Hear, and my weak petitions join, Almighty Advocate, to Thine!

Fain would I know my utmost ill, And groan my nature's weight to feel; To feel the clouds that round me roll, The night that hangs upon my soul, The darkness of my carnal mind, My will perverse, my passions blind, Scatter'd o'er all the earth abroad, Immeasurably far from God.

Jesu! my heart's desire obtain, My earnest suit present and gain, My fulness of corruption show, The knowledge of myself bestow; A deeper displacence at sin, A sharper sense of hell within, A stronger struggling to get free, A keener appetite for Thee.

For Thee my spirit often pants, Yet often in pursuing faints; Drooping it soon neglects to aspire, 27 The Prayer-Book version is quoted here, as often elsewhere by the Wesleys. In the first edition the title prefixed to this piece was, "Blessed are they that mourn" (Matt. 5:4.). In the second and all subsequent editions it stands as above.

To fan the ever-dying fire:

No more Thy glory's skirts are seen, The world, the creature steals between; Heavenward no more my wishes move, And I forget that Thou art Love.

O sovereign Love, to Thee I cry; Give me Thyself, or else I die.

Save me from death, from hell set free; Death, hell, are but the want of Thee.

Quicken'd by Thy imparted flame, Saved, when possest of Thee, I am; My life, my only heaven, Thou art:

And, lo! I feel Thee in my heart!28

28 In editions 2, 3, for "And, lo! I feel" we read, "When shall I feel?" and in editions 4 and 5, "O might I feel The Change The Change From the German.29

Jesu, whose glory's streaming rays, Though duteous to Thy high command, Not seraphs view with open face, But veil'd before Thy presence stand:

How shall weak eyes of flesh, weigh'd down With sin, and dim with error's night, Dare to behold Thy awful throne, Or view Thy unapproached light?

Restore my sight! let Thy free grace An entrance to the holiest give!

Open my eyes of faith! Thy face So shall I see; yet seeing live.

Thy golden sceptre from above Reach forth: see, my whole heart I bow:

Say to my soul, "Thou art my love, My chosen 'midst ten thousand, thou."

O Jesu, full of grace! the sighs Of a sick heart with pity view!

Hark how my silence speaks; and cries, "Mercy, Thou God of mercy, shew!"

I know Thou canst not but be good!

How shouldst Thou, Lord, Thy grace restrain?

Thou, Lord, whose blood so largely flow'd To save me from all guilt and pain.

Into Thy gracious hands I fall, And with the arms of faith embrace:

King of Glory, hear my call!

O, raise me, heal me by Thy grace!

29 "Mein Jesu dem die Seraphinen" by W. C. Dessler. (1660–1722.) Herrnhuth Collect, p.250. Knapp, E. L., p.819.

The Change —Now righteous through Thy wounds I am; No condemnation now I dread; I taste salvation in Thy Name, Alive in Thee my living Head!

Still let Thy wisdom be my guide, Nor take Thy light from me away; Still with me let Thy grace abide, That I from Thee may never stray.

Let Thy word richly in me dwell; Thy peace and love my portion be; My joy to endure and do Thy will, Till perfect I am found in Thee.

Arm me with Thy whole armour, Lord, Support my weakness with Thy might; Gird on my thigh Thy conquering sword, And shield me in the threatening fight.

From faith to faith, from grace to grace, So in Thy strength shall I go on, Till heaven and earth flee from Thy face, And glory end what grace begun.

Christ the Friend of Sinners Christ the Friend of Sinners30 Where shall my wondering soul begin?

How shall I all to heaven aspire?

A slave redeem'd from death and sin, A brand pluck'd from eternal fire, How shall I equal triumphs raise, And sing my great Deliverer's praise!

O, how shall I the goodness tell, Father, which Thou to me hast show'd?

That I, a child of wrath and hell, I should be call'd a child of God!

Should know, should feel my sins forgiven, Blest with this antepast of heaven!

And shall I slight my Father's love, Or basely fear His gifts to own?

Unmindful of His favours prove?

Shall I, the hallow'd cross to shun, Refuse His righteousness to impart, By hiding it within my heart?

No—though the ancient dragon rage, And call forth all his hosts to war; Though earth's self-righteous sons engage; Them, and their god, alike I dare:

Jesus, the sinner's Friend, proclaim; Jesus, to sinners still the same.

Outcasts of men, to you I call, Harlots, and publicans, and thieves!

30 Probably the hymn written on his conversion by Charles Wesley. Compare his Journal, under date May 23, 1738. "Least of all would he [the enemy] have us tell what things God has done for our souls... In His name, therefore, and through His strength, I will perform my vows unto the Lord, of not hiding His righteousness within my heart, if it should ever please Him to plant it there." (Vol. 1, p.94.) The same hymn was probably sung next day, when his brother John was able to declare, "I believe." (Ib., p.95.)

Christ the Friend of Sinners He spreads His arms to embrace you all; Sinners alone His grace receives:

No need of Him the righteous have, He came the lost to seek and save.

Come, all ye Magdalens in lust, Ye ruffians fell in murders old;31 Repent, and live: despair and trust!

Jesus for you to death was sold; Though hell protest, and earth repine, He died for crimes like yours and mine.

Come, O my guilty brethren, come, Groaning beneath your load of sin!

His bleeding heart shall make you room.

His open side shall take you in.

He calls you now, invites you home:

Come, O my guilty brethren, come!

For you the purple current flow'd In pardons from His wounded side:

Languish'd for you the eternal God, For you the Prince of Glory died.

Believe, and all your guilt's forgiven; Only believe—and yours is heaven.

31 This line is borrowed from a poem in the "Arminian Magazine," vol. 1, p.283: "The ruffian fell in murders old."

On the Conversion of a Common Harlot On the Conversion of a Common Harlot "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."—Luke 15:10.

Sing, ye heavens; and, earth, rejoice; Make to God a cheerful noise:

He the work alone hath done, He hath glorified His Son.

Sons of God, exulting rise, Join the triumph of the skies; See the prodigal is come, Shout to bear the wanderer home!

Strive in joy, with angels strive; Dead she was, but now's alive:

Loud repeat the glorious sound, Lost she was, but now is found!

This through ages all along, This be still the joyous song, Wide diffused o'er earth abroad, Music in the ears of God.

Rescued from the fowler's snare, Jesus spreads His arms for her; Jesu's arms her sacred fence:— Come, ye fiends, and pluck her thence!

Thence she never shall remove, Safe in His redeeming love:

This the purchase of His groans!

This the soul He died for once!

Now the gracious Father smiles, Now the Saviour boasts His spoils; Now the Spirit grieves no more:

On the Conversion of a Common Harlot Sing, ye heavens; and, earth, adore!

"To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

Lord, if to me Thy grace hath given A spark of life, a taste of heaven, The Gospel Pearl, the woman's Seed, The Bruiser of the serpent's head; Why sleeps my principle Divine?

Why hastens not my spark to shine?

The Saviour in my heart to move, And all my soul to flame with love?

Buried, o'erwhelm'd, and lost in sin, And seemingly extinct within, The Immortal Seed unactive lies, The heavenly Adam sinks and dies:

Dies, and revives the dying flame.

Cast down, but not destroy'd I am; 'Midst thousand lusts I still respire, And tremble, unconsumed in fire.

Suffer'd awhile to want my God, To groan beneath my nature's load, That all may own, that all may see The ungodly justified in me.

32 In editions 4 and 5 entitled "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith."

"Wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard of Me."33

Saviour of men, how long shall I Forgotten at Thy footstool lie!

Wash'd in the fountain of Thy blood, Yet groaning still to be renew'd; A miracle of grace and sin, Pardon'd, yet still, alas, unclean!

Thy righteousness is counted mine:

When will it in my nature shine?

Darksome I still remain and void, And painfully unlike my God, Till Thou diffuse a brighter ray, And turn the glimmering into day.

Why didst Thou the first gift impart, And sprinkle with Thy blood my heart, But that my sprinkled heart might prove The light and liberty of love?

Why didst Thou bid my terrors cease, And sweetly fill my soul with peace, But that my peaceful soul might know The joys that from believing flow?

See then Thy ransom'd servant, see; I hunger, Lord, I thirst for Thee!

Feed me with love, Thy Spirit give; I gasp, in Him, in Thee to live.

The promised Comforter impart, Open the Fountain in my heart; 33 In editions 3 and 4 the title is simply "Another;" but the earlier is probably the more correct.

There let Him flow with springing joys, And into life eternal rise.

There let Him ever, ever dwell, The Pledge, the Witness, and the Seal:

I'll glory then in sin forgiven, In Christ my life, my love, my heaven!

Hymn of Thanksgiving to the Father Hymn of Thanksgiving to the Father Thee, O my God and King, My Father, Thee I sing!

Hear well-pleased the joyous sound, Praise from earth and heaven receive; Lost, I now in Christ am found, Dead, by faith in Christ I live.

Father, behold Thy son; In Christ I am Thy own.

Stranger long to Thee and rest, See the prodigal is come:

Open wide Thine arms and breast, Take the weary wanderer home.

Thine eye observed from far, Thy pity look'd me near:

Me Thy bowels yearn'd to see, Me Thy mercy ran to find, Empty, poor, and void of Thee, Hungry, sick, and faint, and blind.

Thou on my neck didst fall, Thy kiss forgave me all:

Still the gracious words I hear, Words that made the Saviour mine, "Haste, for him the robe prepare; His be righteousness Divine!"

Thee then, my God and King, My Father, Thee I sing!

Hear well-pleased the joyous sound, Praise from earth and heaven receive; Lost, I now in Christ am found, Dead, by faith in Christ I live.

Hymn to the Son Hymn to the Son O filial Deity, Accept my new-born cry!

See the travail of Thy soul, Saviour, and be satisfied; Take me now, possess me whole, Who for me, for me hast died!

Of life Thou art the tree, My immortality!

Feed this tender branch of Thine, Ceaseless influence derive, Thou the true, the heavenly Vine, Grafted into Thee I live.

Of life the Fountain Thou, I know—I feel it now!

Faint and dead no more I droop:

Thou art in me; Thy supplies, Every moment springing up, Into life eternal rise.

Thou the good Shepherd art, From Thee I ne'er shall part:

Thou my Keeper and my Guide, Make me still Thy tender care, Gently lead me by Thy side, Sweetly in Thy bosom bear.

Thou art my daily bread; O Christ, Thou art my head:

Motion, virtue, strength to me, Me Thy living member flow; Nourish'd I, and fed by Thee, Up to Thee in all things grow.

Prophet, to me reveal Hymn to the Son Thy Father's perfect will.

Never mortal spake like Thee, Human prophet like Divine; Loud and strong their voices be, Small and still and inward Thine!

On Thee, my Priest, I call; Thy blood atoned for all.

Still the Lamb as slain appears; Still Thou stand'st before the throne, Ever offering up thy prayers,34 These presenting with Thy own.

Jesu Thou art my King; From Thee my strength I bring!

Shadow'd by Thy mighty hand, Saviour, who shall pluck me thence?

Faith supports, by faith I stand Strong as Thy omnipotence.

O filial Deity, Accept my new-born cry!

See the travail of Thy soul, Saviour, and be satisfied; Take me now, possess me whole, Who for me, for me hast died!

34 In Wesley's final revision, 1782, "my" is substituted for "thy," thus rendering the meaning unquestionable.

Hymn to the Holy Ghost Hymn to the Holy Ghost Hear, Holy Spirit, hear, My inward Comforter!

Loosed by Thee, my stammering tongue First essays to praise Thee now; This the new, the joyful song:

Hear it in Thy temple Thou!

Long o'er my formless soul The dreary waves did roll; Void I lay, and sunk in night:

Thou, the overshadowing Dove, Call'dst the chaos into light, Bad'st me be, and live, and love.

Thee I exult to feel, Thou in my heart dost dwell:

There Thou bear'st Thy witness true, Shedd'st the love of God abroad; I in Christ a creature new, I, even I, am born of God!

Ere yet the time was come To fix in me Thy home, With me oft Thou didst reside:

Now, my God, Thou in me art!

Here Thou ever shalt abide:

One we are, no more to part.

Fruit of the Saviour's prayer, My promised Comforter!

Thee the world cannot receive, Thee they neither know nor see, Dead is all the life they live, Dark their light while void of Thee.

Yet I partake Thy grace Hymn to the Holy Ghost Through Christ my righteousness; Mine the gifts Thou dost impart, Mine the unction from above, Pardon written on my heart, Light, and life, and joy, and love.

Thy gifts, blest Paraclete, I glory to repeat:

Sweetly sure of grace I am, Pardon to my soul applied, Interest in the spotless Lamb; Dead for all, for me He died.

Thou art Thyself the seal; I more than pardon feel, Peace, unutterable peace, Joy that ages ne'er can move, Faith's assurance, hope's increase, All the confidence of love!

Pledge of Thy promise given, My antepast of heaven; Earnest Thou of joys Divine, Joys Divine on me bestow'd, Heaven, and Christ, and all is mine, All the plenitude of God.

Thou art my inward Guide, I ask no help beside:

Arm of God, to Thee I call, Weak as helpless infancy!

Weak I am—yet cannot fall, Stay'd by faith, and led by Thee!

Hear, Holy Spirit, hear, My inward Comforter!

Loosed by Thee, my stammering tongue Hymn to the Holy Ghost First essays to praise Thee now; This the new, the joyful song:

Hear it in Thy temple Thou!

Praise Praise From Herbert.

O King of glory, King of peace, Thee only will I love:

Thee, that my love may never cease, Incessant will I move!

For Thou hast granted my request, For Thou my cries hast heard, Mark'd all the workings of my breast, And hast in mercy spared.

Wherefore with all my strength and art Thy mercy's praise I sing; To Thee the tribute of my heart, My soul, my all I bring.

What though my sins against me cried?

Thou didst the sinner spare:

In vain the accuser still replied, For love had charm'd Thy ear.

Thee seven whole days, not one in seven, Unwearied will I praise, And in my heart, a little heaven, Thy throne triumphant raise.

Soften'd and vanquish'd by my tears, Thou couldst no more withstand; But when stern Justice call'd for fears, Disarm'd her lifted hand.

Small is it in this humble sort Thy mercy's power to raise:

For even eternity's too short To utter all Thy praise.

The Glance The Glance From the same.

When first Thy gracious eye's survey, Even in the midst of youth and night, Mark'd me, where sunk in sin I lay, I felt a strange unknown delight.

My soul, in all its powers renew'd, Own'd the Divine Physician's art; So swift the healing look bedew'd, Embalm'd, o'erran, and fill'd my heart.

Since then I many a bitter storm Have felt; and, feeling, sure had died, Had the malicious fatal harm Roll'd on its unmolested tide:

But, working still, within my soul Thy sweet original joy remain'd; Thy love did all my griefs control, Thy love the victory more than gain'd.

If the first glance, but open'd now And now seal'd up, so powerful prove, What wondrous transports shall we know When glorying in Thy full-eyed love!

When Thou shalt look us out of pain, And raise us to Thy blissful sight, With open face strong to sustain The blaze of Thy unclouded light!

Desiring to Praise Worthily Desiring to Praise Worthily From the German.35

Monarch of all, with lowly fear To whom heaven's host their voices raise, Even earth and dust Thy bounties share:

Let earth and dust attempt Thy praise.

Before Thy face, O Lord Most High, Sinks all created glory down:

Yet be not wroth with me, that I, Vile worm, draw near Thy awful throne.

Of all Thou the beginning art, Of all things Thou alone the end:

On Thee still fix my steadfast heart; To Thee let all my actions tend.

Thou, Lord, art light; Thy native ray No shade, no variation knows:

On my dark soul (ye clouds, away) The brightness of Thy face disclose.

Thou, Lord, art love; from Thee pure love Flows forth in unexhausted streams:

Let me its quickening influence prove, Fill my whole heart with sacred flames.

Thou, Lord, art good, and Thou alone:

With eager hope, with warm desire, Thee may I still my portion own, To Thee in every thought aspire.

So shall my every power to Thee In love, thanks, praise incessant rise; 35 Author unknown.

Desiring to Praise Worthily Yea, my whole soul and flesh shall be One holy, living sacrifice.

Lord God of armies, ceaseless praise In heaven, Thy throne, to Thee is given:

Here, as in heaven, Thy Name we raise; For where Thy presence shines is heaven.

Free Grace Free Grace And can it be, that I should gain An interest in the Saviour's blood?

Died He for me?—who caused His pain!

For me?—who Him to death pursued.

Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

'Tis mystery all! the Immortal dies!

Who can explore His strange design?

In vain the first-born seraph tries To sound the depths of Love Divine.

'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above, (So free, so infinite His grace!) Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race:

'Tis mercy all, immense and free!

For, O my God! it found out me!

Long my imprison'd spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature's night:

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke; the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and follow'd Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear, That whispers all my sins forgiven; Still the atoning blood is near, That quench'd the wrath of hostile Heaven:

I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel my Saviour in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread, Free Grace Jesus, and all in Him, is mine:

Alive in Him, my Living Head, And clothed in righteousness Divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.

The Call The Call From Herbert.

Come, O my Way, my Truth, my Life!

A Way that gives us breath, A Truth that ends its followers' strife, A Life that conquers death!

Come, O my Light, my Feast, my Strength!

A Light that shows a feast; A Feast that still improves by length, A Strength that makes the guest!

Come, O my Joy, my Love, my Heart!

A Joy that none can move; A Love that none can ever part, A Heart that joys in love!

True Praise True Praise From the same.

When first my feeble verse essay'd Of heavenly joys to sing, Fancy was summon'd to my aid Her choicest stores to bring.

With studied words each rising thought I deck'd, with nicest art, And shining metaphors I sought To burnish every part.

Thousands of notions swift did run, And fill'd my labouring head; I blotted oft what I begun,— This was too flat, that dead.

To clothe the sun, no dress too fine I thought, no words too gay; Much less the realms that glorious shine Meanwhile I whispering heard a Friend.

"Why all this vain pretence?

Love has a sweetness ready penn'd; Take that, and save expense."

The Dialogue The Dialogue From the same.

Saviour, if Thy precious love Could be merited by mine, Faith these mountains would remove; Faith would make me ever Thine:

But when all my care and pains Worth can ne'er create in me, Nought by me Thy fulness gains; Vain the hope to purchase Thee.

C. Cease, my child, thy worth to weigh, Give the needless contest o'er:

Mine thou art while thus I say, Yield thee up, and ask no more.

What thy estimate may be, Only can by Him be told, Who to ransom wretched thee, Thee to gain, Himself was sold.

S. But when all in me is sin, How can I Thy grace obtain?

How presume Thyself to win?

God of Love, the doubt explain:

Or, if Thou the means supply, Lo! to Thee I all resign!

Make me, Lord, (I ask not why, How, I ask not,) ever Thine!

C. This I would—that humbly still Thou submit to My decree, Blindly subjecting thy will, Meekly copying after Me:36

36 In the second and third editions "Blindly" in line 3 is altered to "Gladly;" in the fourth and fifth, to "Meekly;" for which in line 4 "Closely" is very properly substituted.

The Dialogue That, as I did leave My throne; Freely from My glory part; Die to make thy heart My own— S. Ah! no more: Thou break'st my heart!

Subjection to Christ Subjection to Christ From the German.37

Jesu, to Thee my heart I bow; Strange flames far from my soul remove; Fairest among ten thousand Thou, Be Thou my Lord, my Life, my Love.

All heaven Thou fill'st with pure desire; O, shine upon my frozen breast; With sacred warmth my heart inspire; May I too Thy hid sweetness taste.

O see Thy garments roll'd in blood, Thy streaming head, Thy hands, Thy side:

All hail, Thou suffering, conquering God!

Now man shall live; for God hath died.

O, kill in me this rebel Sin, And triumph o'er my willing breast:

Restore Thy image, Lord, therein, And lead me to my Father's rest.

Ye earthly loves, be far away!

Saviour, be Thou my love alone; No more may mine usurp the sway, But in me Thy great will be done!

Yea, Thou true Witness, spotless Lamb, All things for Thee I count but loss; My sole desire, my constant aim, My only glory be Thy Cross.

Renouncing All for Christ Renouncing All for Christ From the French.38

Come, Saviour Jesu, from above, Assist me with Thy heavenly grace, Withdraw my heart from worldly love, And for Thyself prepare the place.

O, let Thy sacred presence fill And set my longing spirit free, Which pants to have no other will, But night and day to feast on Thee.

While in these regions here below, No other good will I pursue; I'll bid this world of noise and show, With all its flattering snares, adieu.

That path with humble speed I'll seek Wherein my Saviour's footsteps shine; Nor will I hear, nor will I speak Of any other love than Thine.

To Thee my earnest soul aspires, To Thee I offer all my vows; Keep me from false and vain desires, My God, my Saviour, and my Spouse.

38 This, and the "Farewell to the World," p.17, were probably furnished to the compilers by Mr. Byrom of Manchester, (see "Byrom and the Wesleys," by the Rev. Dr. Hoole, pp.17, 27,) and translated by him from the French of Madame de Bourignon. The copy of "A Hymn to Jesus," which is found in his Miscellaneous Poems,

(Manchester, 1773,) vol. 2, p.211, differs from that given above only in the title, and in such verbal alterations as the superior taste and judgment of the Wesleys would dictate. The 9th and 10th verses in both Byrom's and Wesley's copies are tinged with that mysticism to which the preface refers; and Wesley has improved on himself as well as on Byrom in the last edition of v.9, (that in the Large Hymn-Book, 1780,) where, instead of "Nor heaven nor earth," we read "Nothing on earth."

Renouncing All for Christ Henceforth may no profane delight Divide this consecrated soul; Possess it Thou, who hast the right, As Lord and Master of the whole.

Wealth, honour, pleasure, or what else This short-enduring world can give, Tempt as you will, my heart repels, To Christ alone resolved to live.

Thee I can love, and Thee alone, With holy peace and inward bliss; To find Thou tak'st me for Thy own, O, what a happiness is this!

Nor heaven nor earth do I desire, But Thy pure love within my breast:

This, this I always will require, And freely give up all the rest.

Thy gifts, if call'd for, I resign, Pleased to receive, pleased to restore:

Gifts are Thy work; it shall be mine The Giver only to adore.

The Invitation The Invitation From Herbert.

Come hither all, whose grovelling39 taste Inslaves your souls, and lays them waste; Save your expense, and mend your cheer:

Here God Himself's prepared and dress'd, Himself vouchsafes to be your feast, In whom alone all dainties are.

Come hither all, whom tempting wine Bows to your father Belial's shrine, Sin all your boast, and sense your God:

Weep now for what you've drank amiss, And lose your taste for sensual bliss By drinking here your Saviour's blood.

Come hither all, whom searching pain, Whom conscience's loud cries arraign, Producing all your sins to view:

Taste; and dismiss your guilty fear, O, taste and see that God is here To heal your souls and sin subdue.

Come hither all, whom careless joy Does with alluring force destroy, While loose ye range beyond your bounds:

True joy is here, that passes quite And all your transient mean delight Drowns, as a flood the lower grounds.

Come hither all, whose idol-love, While fond the pleasing pain ye prove, Raises your foolish raptures high:

True Love is here; whose dying breath 39 RS. Original is "groveling."

The Invitation Gave life to us; who tasted death, And, tasting once, no more can die.

Lord, I have now invited all, And instant still the guests shall call, Still shall I all invite to Thee:

For, O my God, it seems but right In mine, Thy meanest servant's sight, That where All is, there all should be!

The Banquet The Banquet From the same.

Welcome, delicious sacred cheer; Welcome, my God, my Saviour dear; O, with me, in me live and dwell!

Thine, earthly joy surpasses quite, The depths of Thy supreme delight Not angel tongues can taste or tell.

What streams of sweetness from the bowl Surprise and deluge all my soul, Sweetness that is, and makes Divine!

Surely from God's right hand they flow, From thence derived to earth below To cheer us with immortal wine.

Soon as I taste the heavenly bread, What manna o'er my soul is shed, Manna that angels never knew!

Victorious sweetness fills my heart, Such as my God delights to impart, Mighty to save, and sin subdue.

I had forgot my heavenly birth, My soul degenerate clave to earth, In sense and sin's base pleasures drown'd:

When God assumed humanity, And spilt His sacred blood for me, To find me grovelling40 on the ground.

Soon as His love has raised me up, He mingles blessings in a cup, And sweetly meets my ravish'd taste; Joyous, I now throw off my load, 40 RS. Original is "groveling."

The Banquet I cast my sins and care on God, And Wine becomes a Wing at last.

Upborne on this, I mount, I fly; Regaining swift my native sky,— I wipe my streaming eyes and see Him, whom I seek, for whom I sue, My God, my Saviour there I view, Him, who has done so much for me!

O, let Thy wondrous mercy's praise Inspire and consecrate my lays, And take up all my lines and life; Thy praise my every breath employ:

Be all my business, all my joy To strive in this, and love the strife!

Therefore with Angels, &c.

Therefore with Angels, &c.

Lord and God of heavenly powers, Theirs—yet, O! benignly ours, Glorious King, let earth proclaim, Worms attempt to chant Thy name.

Thee to laud in songs Divine Angels and archangels join; We with them our voices raise, Echoing Thy eternal praise "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, Live by heaven and earth adored!"

Full of Thee, they ever cry, "Glory be to God most High!"

Glory be to God on High, &c.

Glory be to God on High, &c.

Glory be to God on high, God whose glory fills the sky:

Peace on earth to man forgiven, Man the well-beloved of Heaven!

Sovereign Father, Heavenly King!

Thee we now presume to sing; Glad Thine attributes confess, Glorious all and numberless.

Hail! by all Thy works adored, Hail! the everlasting Lord!

Thee with thankful hearts we prove Lord of Power, and God of Love.

Christ our Lord and God we own, Christ the Father's only Son!

Lamb of God for sinners slain, Saviour of offending man!

Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow, Hear, the World's Atonement Thou!

Jesu, in Thy name we pray, Take, O, take our sins away.

Powerful Advocate with God, Justify us by Thy blood!

Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow, Hear, the World's Atonement Thou!

Hear; for Thou, O Christ, alone With Thy glorious Sire art One!

One the Holy Ghost with Thee, One supreme Eternal Three.

Hymn to Christ Hymn to Christ Altered from Dr. Hickes's Reformed Devotions.

Jesu, behold, the wise from far, Led to Thy cradle by a star, Bring gifts to Thee, their God and King!

O, guide us by Thy light, that we The way may find, and still to Thee Our hearts, our all for tribute bring.

Jesu, the pure, the spotless Lamb, Who to the temple humbly came Duteous the legal rights to pay:

O, make our proud, our stubborn will All Thy wise, gracious laws fulfil, Whate'er rebellious nature say.

Jesu, who on the fatal wood Pour'dst out Thy life's last drop of blood, Nail'd to the accursed shameful cross:

O, may we bless Thy love, and be Ready, dear Lord, to bear for Thee All shame, all grief, all pain, all loss.

Jesu, who by Thine own love slain, By Thine own power took'st life again, And conqueror from the grave didst rise:

O, may Thy death our souls revive, And even on earth a new life give, A glorious life that never dies.

Jesu, who to thy heaven again Return'dst in triumph, there to reign Of men and angels Sovereign King:

O, may our parting souls take flight Up to that land of joy and light, And there for ever grateful sing!

Hymn to Christ All glory to the sacred Three, One undivided Deity, All honour, power, and love, and praise; Still may Thy blessed name shine bright In beams of uncreated light, Crown'd with its own eternal rays.

On the Crucifixion On the Crucifixion By S. Wesley, senior.

Behold the Saviour of mankind Nail'd to the shameful tree!

How vast the love that Him inclined To bleed and die for thee!

Hark how He groans! while Nature shakes, And earth's strong pillars bend!

The Temple's veil in sunder breaks, The solid marbles rend.

'Tis done! the precious ransom's paid; "Receive my soul," He cries:

See where He bows His sacred head!

He bows His head, and dies.

But soon He'll break Death's envious chain, And in full glory shine!

O Lamb of God, was ever pain, Was ever love like Thine!

Part of the Sixty-Third Chapter of Isaiah Part of the Sixty-Third Chapter of Isaiah Altered from Mr. Norris.41

No common Vision this I see In more than human majesty!

Who is this mighty Hero, who, With glorious terror on His brow?

His deep-dyed crimson robes outvie The blushes of the morning sky:

Lo, how triumphant He appears, And victory in His visage bears!

How strong, how stately does He go!

Pompous and solemn is His pace, And full of majesty His face.

Who is this mighty Hero, who?

'Tis I, who to My promise stand:

I, who sin, death, hell, and the grave Have foil'd with this all-conquering hand:

'Tis I, the Lord, mighty to save.

Why wear'st Thou then this crimson dye; Say, Thou all-conquering Hero, why?

Why do Thy garments look all red, Like them that in the wine-fat tread?

The wine-press I alone have trod, That pond'rous mass I plied alone; And with Me to assist was none:

A task, worthy the Son of God!

Angels stood trembling at the sight; Enraged, I put forth all my might, And down the engine prest; the force Put frighted Nature out of course; The blood gush'd out, and chequer'd o'er

41 See his "Miscellanies," p. 40, ed. 1717. Inserted also in "Psalms and Hymns," 1738.

Part of the Sixty-Third Chapter of Isaiah My garments with its deepest gore.

With glorious stains bedeck'd I stood, And writ My victory in blood.

The day, the signal day is come Vengeance of all My foes to take; The day, when death shall have its doom, And the dark kingdom's powers shall shake.

I look'd, who to assist stood by:

Trembled heaven's hosts, nor ventured nigh:

Even to My Father did I look In pain; My Father Me forsook!

Awhile amazed I was to see None to uphold or comfort Me:

Then I arose in might array'd, And call'd My fury to My aid; My single arm the battle won, And straight the acclaiming hosts above Hymn'd, in new songs of joy and love, Jehovah and His conquering Son.

The Magnificat The Magnificat My soul extols the mighty Lord, In God the Saviour joys my heart:

Thou hast not my low state abhorr'd; Now know I, Thou my Saviour art.

Sorrow and sighs are fled away, Peace now I feel, and joy and rest:

Renew'd, I hail the festal day, Henceforth by endless ages blest.

Great are the things which Thou hast done; How holy is Thy name, O Lord!

How wondrous is Thy mercy shown To all that tremble at Thy word!

Thy conquering arm with terror crown'd Appear'd the humble to sustain; And all the sons of pride have found Their boasted wisdom void and vain.

The mighty, from their native sky Cast down, Thou hast in darkness bound; And raised the worms of earth on high With majesty and glory crown'd.

The rich have pined amidst their store, Nor e'er the way of peace have trod; Meanwhile the hungry souls Thy power Fill'd with the fulness of their God.

Come, Saviour, come, of old decreed!

Faithful and true be Thou confest; By all earth's tribes in Abraham's Seed Henceforth through endless ages blest.

Psalm 46 Psalm 4642 On God supreme our hope depends, Whose omnipresent sight Even to the pathless realms extends Of uncreated night.

Plunged in the abyss of deep distress, To Him we raised our cry:

His mercy bade our sorrows cease, And fill'd our tongue with joy.

Though earth her ancient seat forsake, By pangs convulsive torn; Though her self-balanced fabric shake, And ruin'd Nature mourn; Though hills be in the ocean lost, With all their trembling load; No fear shall e'er disturb the just, Or shake his trust in God.

Nations remote and realms unknown In vain resist His sway; For lo! Jehovah's voice is shown, And earth shall melt away.

Let war's devouring surges rise And swell on every side:

The Lord of Hosts our safeguard is, And Jacob's God our guide.

42 From a letter in his Works, vol. 12, p.17, it would seem that these verses were given to Wesley by "a gentleman of Exeter," i.e., belonging to the college of that name; perhaps Mr. Broughton.

Psalm 113 Psalm 11343 Ye priests of God, whose happy days Are spent in your Creator's praise, Still more and more His fame express!

Ye pious worshippers, proclaim With shouts of joy His holy name; Not satisfied with praising, bless.

Let God's high praises still resound Beyond old Time's too scanty bound, And through eternal ages pierce, From where the sun first gilds the streams

To where he sets with purpled beams, Through all the wide-stretch'd universe.

The various tribes of earth obey Thy awful and imperial sway; Nor earth Thy sovereign power confines; Above the sun's all-cheering light, Above the stars, and far more bright, Thy pure essential glory shines.

What mortal form'd of fading clay, What native of eternal day Can with the God of heaven compare?

Yet angels round Thy glorious throne Thou stoop'st to view: nor they alone; Even earth-born men Thy goodness share.

The poor Thou liftest from the dust; The sinner, if in Thee he trust, From depths of guilt and shame Thou'lt raise; That he, in peace and safety placed, With power and love and wisdom graced, 43 Psalms 113, 116, 117 are copied (with a few alterations) from "The Pious Communicant rightly prepared," by S.Wesley, Rector of Epworth: p.251, &c., ed. 1700.

Psalm 113 May sing aloud his Saviour's praise.

Psalm 116 Psalm 116 O Thou, who, when I did complain, Didst all my griefs remove; O Saviour, do not now disdain My humble praise and love.

Since Thou a pitying ear didst give And hear me when I pray'd, I'll call upon Thee while I live, And never doubt Thy aid.

Pale Death with all his ghastly train My soul encompass'd round; Anguish and sin, and dread and pain On every side I found.

To Thee, O Lord of Life, I pray'd, And did for succour flee:

O, save (in my distress I said) The soul that trusts in Thee!

How good Thou art! how large Thy grace!

The helpless Thou delight'st to raise; And by Thy love I live.

Then, O my soul, be never more With anxious thoughts distrest:

God's bounteous love doth thee restore To ease and joy and rest.

My eyes no longer drown'd in tears, My feet from falling free, Redeem'd from death, and guilty fears, O Lord, I'll live to Thee!

Psalm 117 Psalm 117 Ye nations, who the globe divide, Ye numerous nations scatter'd wide, To God your grateful voices raise:

To all His boundless mercy shown, His truth to endless ages known Require our endless love and praise.

To Him who reigns enthroned on high, To His dear Son who deign'd to die Our guilt and errors to remove; To that blest Spirit who grace imparts, Who rules in all believing hearts, Be ceaseless glory, praise, and love!

Prayer Prayer From Herbert.

How swiftly wafted in a sigh, Thou God that hear'st the prayer, Do our requests invade the sky, And pierce Thy bending ear!

My suit is made, my prayer is o'er, If I but lift my eye; Thou, Omnipresent, canst no more Not hear, than Thou canst die.

How shall we Thy great arm revere, Which gives this All to be, Connects the centre with the sphere, And spans infinity!

Whate'er our ardent souls require, Whate'er we wish is there; Thy power exceeds our scant desire, And chides our partial prayer.

O, how unbounded is Thy love, Which, when Thou couldst not die, Descending from Thy throne above, Put on mortality!

Thou leav'st Thy Father's blissful face Our guilt and curse to assume, To burst the bars that stopp'd Thy grace, And make Thy bounty room.

Still then may prayer with me remain, This my companion be; So shall I all my wants obtain, Obtain all heaven in Thee.

Trust in Providence Trust in Providence From the German.44

Commit thou all thy griefs And ways into His hands; To His sure truth and tender care, Who earth and heaven commands.

Who points the clouds their course, Whom winds and seas obey; He shall direct thy wandering feet, He shall prepare thy way.

Thou on the Lord rely, So safe shalt thou go on; Fix on His work thy steadfast eye, So shall thy work be done.

No profit canst thou gain By self-consuming care:

To Him commend thy cause, His ear Attends the softest prayer.

Thy everlasting truth, Father, Thy ceaseless love Sees all Thy children's wants, and knows What best for each will prove.

And whatsoe'er Thou will'st, Thou dost, O King of kings; What Thy unerring wisdom chose Thy power to being brings.

44 The well-known hymn of Paul Gerhard, "Befiehl du deine Wege," had been previously translated, (in part at least,) and published in Jacobi's "Psalmodia Germanica." Since 1739 at least three other English translations of it have appeared. But for tenderness and solemnity combined none can compare with that of Wesley. Compare

Watson's "Life of Wesley," Works, vol. 5, p.301; and "Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine" for 1867, p.215.

Trust in Providence Thou everywhere hast way, And all things serve Thy might; Thy every act pure blessing is, Thy path unsullied light.

When Thou arisest, Lord, What shall Thy work withstand?

When all Thy children want Thou giv'st, Who, who shall stay Thy hand?

Give to the winds thy fears; Hope, and be undismay'd; God hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears, God shall lift up thy head.

Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears thy way; Wait thou His time, so shall this night Soon end in joyous day.

Still heavy is thy heart?

Still sink thy spirits down?

Cast off the weight, let fear depart, And every care be gone.

What though thou rulest not?

Yet heaven and earth and hell Proclaim, God sitteth on the throne And ruleth all things well!

Leave to His sovereign sway To choose and to command; So shalt thou wondering own, His way How wise, how strong His hand.

Far, far above thy thought His counsel shall appear, Trust in Providence When fully He the work hath wrought That caused thy needless fear.

Thou seest our weakness, Lord, Our hearts are known to Thee; O, lift Thou up the sinking hand, Confirm the feeble knee!

Let us in life, in death, Thy steadfast truth declare, And publish with our latest breath Thy love and guardian care!

In Affliction In Affliction Eternal Beam of Light Divine, Fountain of unexhausted love, In whom the Father's glories shine, Through earth beneath, and heaven above!

Jesu! the weary wanderer's rest; Give me Thy easy yoke to bear, With steadfast patience arm my breast, With spotless love and lowly fear.

Thankful I take the cup from Thee, Prepared and mingled by Thy skill; Though bitter to the taste it be, Powerful the wounded soul to heal.

Be Thou, O Rock of Ages, nigh:

So shall each murmuring thought be gone, And grief, and fear, and care shall fly, As clouds before the midday sun.

Speak to my warring passions, "Peace;"

Say to my trembling heart, "Be still:"

Thy power my strength and fortress is, For all things serve Thy sovereign will.

O Death, where is thy sting? where now Thy boasted victory, O Grave?

Who shall contend with God; or who Can hurt whom God delights to save?

In Affliction or Pain In Affliction or Pain From the German.45

Thou Lamb of God, Thou Prince of peace, For Thee my thirsty soul doth pine!

My longing soul implores Thy grace; O, make in me Thy likeness shine!

With fraudless, even, humble mind, Thy will in all things may I see:

In love be every wish resign'd, And hallow'd my whole heart to Thee.

When pain o'er my weak flesh prevails, With lamb-like patience arm my breast; When grief my wounded soul assails, In lowly meekness may I rest.

Close by Thy side still may I keep, Howe'er life's various current flow; With steadfast eye mark every step, And follow Thee where'er Thou go.

Thou, Lord, the dreadful fight hast won; Alone Thou hast the wine-press trod:

In me Thy strengthening grace be shown; O, may I conquer through Thy blood!

So when on Sion Thou shalt stand, And all heaven's host adore their King, Shall I be found at Thy right hand, And free from pain Thy glories sing.

45 Compare "Stilles Lamm und Friedefürste" by C. F. Richter (1676–1711), in Knapp's Evangelischer Liederschatz, p.740, 3d ed., Stuttgart, 1865.

Another Another By the same.46

All glory to the eternal Three, Of light and love the unfathom'd Sea!

Whose boundless power, whose saving grace, Relieved me in my deep distress.

Still, Lord, from Thy exhaustless store Pure blessing and salvation shower; Till earth I leave, and soar away To regions of unclouded day.

My heart from all pollution clean, O, purge it, though with grief and pain:

To Thee, lo I my all resign; Thine be my will, my soul be Thine.

O, guide me, lead me in Thy ways:

'Tis Thine the sinking hand to raise.

O, may I ever lean on Thee:

'Tis Thine to prop the feeble knee.

O Father, sanctify this pain, Nor let one tear be shed in vain!

Soften, yet arm my breast: no fear, No wrath, but love alone be there.

O, leave not, cast me not away In fierce temptation's dreadful day:

Speak but the word; instant shall cease The storm, and all my soul be peace!

In Desertion or Temptation In Desertion or Temptation Ah! my dear Lord, whose changeless love To me, nor earth nor hell can part; When shall my feet forget to rove?

Ah, what shall fix this faithless heart!

Why do these cares my soul divide, If Thou indeed hast set me free?

Why am I thus, if God hath died; If God hath died to purchase me?

Around me clouds of darkness roll, In deepest night I still walk on; Heavily moves my fainting soul, My comfort and my God are gone.

Cheerless and all forlorn I droop; In vain I lift my weary eye; No gleam of light, no ray of hope Appears throughout the darken'd sky.

My feeble knees I bend again, My drooping hands again I rear:

Vain is the task, the effort vain, My heart abhors the irksome prayer.

Oft with Thy saints my voice I raise, And seem to join the tasteless song:

Faintly ascends the imperfect praise, Or dies upon my thoughtless tongue.

Cold, weary, languid, heartless, dead, To Thy dread courts I oft repair; By conscience dragg'd, or custom led, I come; nor know that God is there!

In Desertion or Temptation Nigh with my lips to Thee I draw, Unconscious at Thy altar found; Far off my heart nor touch'd with awe, Nor moved—though angels tremble round.

In all I do, myself I feel, And groan beneath the wonted load, Still unrenew'd, and carnal still, Naked of Christ, and void of God.

Nor yet the earthly Adam dies, But lives, and moves, and fights again, Still the fierce gusts of passion rise, And rebel Nature strives to reign.

Fondly my foolish heart essays To augment the source of perfect bliss, Love's all-sufficient sea to raise With drops of creature-happiness.

O Love! Thy sovereign aid impart, And guard the gifts Thyself hast given:

My portion Thou, my treasure art, And life, and happiness, and heaven.

Would aught with Thee my wishes share, Though dear as life the idol be, The idol from my breast I'll tear, Resolved to seek my all from Thee.

Whate'er I fondly counted mine, To Thee, my Lord, I here restore:

Gladly I all for Thee resign Give me Thyself, I ask no more!

Another Another47 My God, (if I may call Thee mine, From heaven and Thee removed so far,) Draw nigh; Thy pitying ear incline, And cast not out my languid prayer.

Gently the weak Thou lov'st to lead, Thou lov'st to prop the feeble knee:

O, break not then a bruised reed, Nor quench the smoking flax in me.

Buried in sin, Thy voice I hear, And burst the barriers of my tomb; In all the marks of death appear; Forth at Thy call, though bound, I come.

Give me, O give me fully, Lord, Thy resurrection's power to know; Free me indeed; repeat the word, And loose my bands, and let me go.

Fain would I go to Thee my God, Thy mercies and my wants to tell:

I feel my pardon seal'd in blood; Saviour, Thy love I wait to feel.

Freed from the power of cancell'd sin; When shall my soul triumphant prove?

Why breaks not out the fire within In flames of joy and praise and love?

When shall my eye affect my heart, 47 In the first and third editions this hymn is entitled "Justified but not Sanctified." In the second edition it finds no place. In the fourth and fifth the title stands as above; and the change is wisely made, inasmuch as the distinction so clearly maintained in Wesley's later years between Sanctification and Entire Sanctification is overlooked in the original title, or dropped for the sake of antithesis. In the copy corrected for a sixth edition verse 9 is erased. Doubtless the editor felt that the tone of the last couplet was somewhat more familiar than he could approve, though the pathos and earnestness of the hymn have made it a general favourite from the beginning.

Another Sweetly dissolved in gracious tears?

Ah, Lord, the stone to flesh convert!

And till Thy lovely face appears, Still may I at Thy footstool keep, And watch the smile of opening heaven:

Much would I pray, and love, and weep; I would; for I have much forgiven.

Yet, O ten thousand lusts remain, And vex my soul absolved from sin; Still rebel nature strives to reign, Still am I all unclean, unclean!

Assail'd by pride, allured by sense, On earth the creatures court my stay:

False flattering idols, get ye hence; Created good, be far away!

Jesu, to Thee my soul aspires; Jesu, to Thee I plight my vows:

Keep me from earthly base desires, My God, my Saviour, and my Spouse.

Fountain of all-sufficient bliss, Thou art the good I seek below; Fulness of joys in Thee there is, Without 'tis misery all and woe.

Take this poor wandering, worthless heart, Its wanderings all to Thee are known; May no false rival claim a part, Nor sin disseize Thee of Thine own.

Stir up Thy interposing power, Save me from sin, from idols save, Snatch me from fierce temptation's hour, And hide, O, hide me in the grave!

I know Thou wilt accept me now; I know my sins are now forgiven!

My head to death, O, let me bow, Another Nor keep my life, to lose my heaven.

Far from this snare my soul remove; This only cup I would decline; I deprecate a creature-love:

O, take me, to secure me Thine.

Or, if Thy wiser will ordain The trial I would die to shun, Welcome the strife, the grief, the pain; Thy name be praised, Thy will be done!

I from Thy hand the cup receive, Meekly submit to Thy decree, Gladly for Thee consent to live!

Thou, Lord, hast lived, hast died for me!

Isaiah 43:1,2,3 Isaiah 43:1,2,3 Peace, doubting heart—my God's I am!

Who form'd me man forbids my fear:

The Lord hath call'd me by my name; The Lord protects, for ever near:

His blood for me did once atone, And still He loves and guards His own.

When passing through the watery deep, I ask in faith His promised aid, The waves an awful distance keep, And shrink from my devoted head:

Fearless their violence I dare:

They cannot harm, for God is there!

To Him my eye of faith I turn, And through the fire pursue my way; The fire forgets its power to burn, The lambent flames around me play:

I own His power, accept the sign, And shout to prove the Saviour mine.

Still nigh me, O my Saviour, stand, And guard in fierce temptation's hour; Hide in the hollow of Thy hand, Show forth in me Thy saving power.

Still be Thy arm my sure defence, Nor earth nor hell shall pluck me thence.

Since Thou hast bid me come to Thee, (Good as Thou art, and strong to save,) I'll walk o'er life's tempestuous sea, Upborne by the unyielding wave; Dauntless, though rocks of pride be near.

And yawning whirlpools of despair.

When darkness intercepts the skies, Isaiah 43:1,2,3 And sorrow's waves around me roll, When high the storms of passion rise, And half o'erwhelm my sinking soul; My soul a sudden calm shall feel, And hear a whisper, "Peace, be still."

Though in affliction's furnace tried, Unhurt on snares and deaths I'll tread; Though sin assail, and hell, thrown wide, Pour all its flames upon my head, Like Moses' bush, I'll mount the higher, And flourish unconsumed in fire.

The Believer's Support The Believer's Support From the German.48

O Thou, to whose all-searching sight The darkness shineth as the light, Search, prove my heart; it pants for Thee:

O, burst these bands, and set it free!

Wash out its stains, refine its dross, Nail my affections to the Cross!

Hallow each thought: let all within Be clean, as Thou, my Lord, art clean.

If in this darksome wild I stray, Be Thou my light, be Thou my way:

No foes, no violence I fear, No fraud, while Thou, my God, art near.

When rising floods my head o'erflow, When sinks my heart in waves of woe, Jesu, Thy timely aid impart, And raise my head, and cheer my heart.

Saviour, where'er Thy steps I see, Dauntless, untired I follow Thee:

O, let Thy hand support me still, And lead me to Thy holy hill.

If rough and thorny be my way, My strength proportion to my day Till toil, and grief, and pain shall cease, Where all is calm, and joy, and peace.

48 Wesley inserted this in his book of 1738. Compare No. 415 in the Herrnhuth Collection, beginning, "Seelen-brautigam O du Gottes-Lamm."

Living by Christ Living by Christ From the German.49

Jesu, Thy boundless love to me No thought can reach, no tongue declare:

O, knit my thankful heart to Thee, And reign without a rival there.

Thine wholly, Thine alone I am:

Be Thou alone my constant flame.

O, grant that nothing in my soul May dwell, but Thy pure love alone:

O, may Thy love possess me whole, My joy, my treasure, and my crown.

Strange fires far from my soul remove, My every act, word, thought, be love.

O Love, how cheering is Thy ray!

All pain before Thy presence flies; Care, anguish, sorrow melt away Where'er Thy healing beams arise:

O Jesu, nothing may I see, Nothing hear, feel, or think but Thee!

Unwearied may I this pursue, Dauntless to the high prize aspire; Hourly within my breast renew This holy flame, this heavenly fire; And day and night be all my care To guard this sacred treasure there.

My Saviour, Thou Thy love to me 49 Paul Gerhardt (1606–1676) is said by one of his German biographers to have had John Arndt's "Prayer and Paradise Garden" continually before him at the close of his life, and to have written "several hymns on its contents." To Arndt, therefore, as its ultimate source, we must trace the invaluable hymn before us; which, as written by Gerhardt, is found in No. 23 in the Herrnhuth Collection, and on p. 304 of Knapp's E. L.

Living by Christ In want, in pain, in shame, hast show'd; For me on the accursed tree Thou pouredst forth Thy guiltless blood:

Thy wounds upon my heart impress, Nor aught shall the loved stamp efface.

More hard than marble is my heart, And foul with sins of deepest stain:

But Thou the mighty Saviour art, Nor flow'd Thy cleansing blood in vain.

Ah! soften, melt this rock, and may Thy blood wash all these stains away.

O that my heart, which open stands, May catch each drop, that torturing pain, Arm'd by my sins, wrung from Thy hands, Thy feet, Thy head, Thy every vein:

That still my breast may heave with sighs, Still tears of love o'erflow my eyes.

O that I as a little child May follow Thee, nor ever rest Till sweetly Thou hast pour'd Thy mild And lowly mind into my breast.

Nor may we ever parted be Till I become one spirit with Thee.

O, draw me, Saviour, after Thee; So shall I run and never tire:

With gracious words still comfort me; Be Thou my hope, my sole desire.

Free me from every weight: nor fear Nor sin can come, if Thou art here.

My health, my light, my life, my crown, My portion and my treasure Thou!

O, take me, seal me for Thine own; Living by Christ To Thee alone my soul I bow.

Without Thee all is pain; my mind Repose in nought but Thee can find.

Howe'er I rove, where'er I turn, In Thee alone is all my rest.

Be Thou my flame; within me burn, Jesu, and I in Thee am blest.

Thou art the balm of life: my soul Is faint; O save, O make it whole!

What in Thy love possess I not?

My Star by night, my Sun by day; My Spring of Life when parch'd with drought, My Wine to cheer, my Bread to stay, My Strength, my Shield, my safe Abode, My Robe before the throne of God!

Ah, Love! Thy influence withdrawn, What profits me that I am born?

All my delight, my joy is gone, Nor know I peace, till Thou return.

Thee may I seek till I attain; And never may we part again.

From all eternity with love Unchangeable Thou hast me view'd; Ere knew this beating heart to move, Thy tender mercies me pursued.

Ever with me may they abide, And close me in on every side.

Still let Thy love point out my way; (How wondrous things Thy love hath wrought!) Still lead me, lest I go astray, Direct my work, inspire my thought:

And if I fall, soon may I hear Living by Christ Thy voice, and know that love is near.

In suffering be Thy love my peace, In weakness be Thy love my power; And when the storms of life shall cease, Jesu, in that important hour, In death as life be Thou my guide, And save me, who for me hast died!

God's Love to Mankind God's Love to Mankind From the same.50

O God, of good the unfathom'd Sea, Who would not give his heart to Thee?

Who would not love Thee with his might?

O Jesu, Lover of mankind, Who would not his whole soul and mind With all his strength to Thee unite?

Thou shin'st with everlasting rays; Before the unsufferable blaze Angels with both wings veil their eyes:

Yet free as air Thy bounty streams On all Thy works; Thy mercy's beams, Diffusive as Thy sun's, arise.

Astonish'd at Thy frowning brow, Earth, hell, and heaven's strong pillars bow; Terrible majesty is Thine!

Who then can that vast love express Which bows Thee down to me, who less Than nothing am, till Thou art mine?

High-throned on heaven's eternal hill, In number, weight, and measure still Thou sweetly orderest all that is:

And yet Thou deign'st to come to me, And guide my steps, that I with Thee Enthroned may reign in endless bliss.

Fountain of Good, all blessing flows From Thee; no want Thy fulness knows:

What but Thyself canst Thou desire?

50 By Johann Angelus Scheffler (1624–1677). See Herrnhuth Collection, "Du unver-gleichlichs gut," No. 605; or Knapp, E.L. p.10.

God's Love to Mankind Yes: self-sufficient as Thou art, Thou dost desire my worthless heart; This, only this Thou dost require.

Primeval Beauty! in Thy sight The first-born, fairest sons of light See all their brightest glories fade:

What then to me Thy eyes could turn, In sin conceived, of woman born, A worm, a leaf, a blast, a shade?

Hell's armies tremble at Thy nod, And trembling own the Almighty God, Sovereign of earth, air, hell, and sky.

But who is This that comes from far, Whose garments roll'd in blood appear?

'Tis God made man, for man to die!

O God, of good the unfathom'd Sea, Who would not give his heart to Thee?

Who would not love Thee with his might?

O Jesu, Lover of mankind, Who would not his whole soul and mind With all his strength to Thee unite?

God's Greatness God's Greatness From the same.51

O God, Thou bottomless abyss, Thee to perfection who can know?

O height immense! what words suffice Thy countless attributes to show?

Unfathomable depths Thou art!

O, plunge me in Thy mercy's sea; Void of true wisdom is my heart, With love embrace and cover me.

While Thee, all-infinite, I set By faith before my ravish'd eye, My weakness bends beneath the weight; O'erpower'd I sink, I faint, I die.

Eternity Thy fountain was, Which, like Thee, no beginning knew; Thou wast ere Time began his race, Ere glow'd with stars the ethereal blue:

Greatness unspeakable is Thine, Greatness, whose undiminish'd ray When short-lived worlds are lost, shall shine, When earth and heaven are fled away.

Unchangeable, all-perfect Lord, Essential life's unbounded sea, What lives and moves, lives by Thy word, It lives and moves and is from Thee.

Thy parent hand, Thy forming skill Firm fix'd this universal chain; Else empty, barren Darkness still Had held his unmolested reign:

Whate'er in earth, or sea, or sky Or shuns or meets the wandering thought, 51 By Ernst Lange, (1650–1727) "O Gott du Tiefe sonder Grund" Herrnhuth Collection, No. 9. Knapp, E. L., p.1. A couplet in v. 6 is copied from Brady and Tate's version of Ps. 103:8.

God's Greatness Escapes or strikes the searching eye, By Thee was to perfection brought.

High is Thy power above all height:

Whate'er Thy will decrees is done:

Thy wisdom, equal to Thy might, Only to Thee, O God, is known.

Heaven's glory is Thy awful throne.

Yet earth partakes Thy gracious sway:

Vain man thy wisdom folly own, Lost is thy reason's feeble ray.

What his dim eye could never see, Is plain and naked to Thy sight; What thickest darkness veils, to Thee Shines clearly as the morning light.

In light Thou dwell'st; light that no shade, No variation ever knew; And heaven and hell stand all display'd And open to Thy piercing view.

Thou, true and only God, lead'st forth The immortal armies of the sky:

Thou laugh'st to scorn the gods of earth; Thou thunder'st, and amazed they fly.

With downcast eye the angelic choir Appear before Thy awful face; Trembling they strike the golden lyre, And through heaven's vault resound Thy praise.

In earth, in heaven, in all Thou art; The conscious creature feels Thy nod, Whose forming hand on every part Impress'd the image of its God.

Thine, Lord, is wisdom, Thine alone; Justice and truth before Thee stand; Yet, nearer to Thy sacred throne, Mercy withholds Thy lifted hand.

Each evening shows Thy tender love, God's Greatness Each rising morn Thy plenteous grace; "Thy waken'd wrath doth slowly move, Thy willing mercy flies apace."

To Thy benign, indulgent care, Father, this light, this breath we owe, And all we have, and all we are From Thee, great Source of Being, flow.

Parent of Good, thy bounteous hand Incessant blessings down distils, And all in air, or sea, or land With plenteous food and gladness fills.

All things in Thee live, move, and are, Thy power infused doth all sustain; Even those Thy daily favours share Who thankless spurn Thy easy reign.

Thy sun Thou bidd'st his genial ray Alike on all impartial pour; To all who hate or bless Thy sway Thou bidd'st descend the fruitful shower.

Yet while, at length, who scorn'd Thy might Shall feel Thee a consuming fire, How sweet the joys, the crown how bright Of those who to Thy love aspire!

All creatures praise the Eternal Name!

Ye hosts that to His courts belong, Cherubic choirs, seraphic flames, Awake the everlasting song.

Thrice Holy, Thine the kingdom is, The power omnipotent is Thine; And when created nature dies, Thy never-ceasing glories shine.

Hymn on the Titles of Christ Hymn on the Titles of Christ Arise, my soul, arise, Thy Saviour's Sacrifice!52

All the names that love could find, All the forms that love could take, Jesus in Himself has join'd, Thee, my soul, His own to make.

Equal with God Most High, He laid His glory by:

He, the Eternal God, was born, Man with men He deign'd to appear, Object of His creature's scorn, Pleased a servant's form to wear.

Hail, Everlasting Lord, Divine, Incarnate Word!

Thee let all my powers confess, Thee my latest breath proclaim; Help, ye angel choirs, to bless, Shout the loved Immanuel's name.

Fruit of a virgin's womb, The Promised Blessing's come:

Christ, the fathers' Hope of old, Christ, the Woman's conquering Seed, Christ, the Saviour long foretold, Born to bruise the serpent's head.

Refulgent from afar See the bright Morning-star!

See the Day-spring from on high Late in deepest darkness rise; Night recedes, the shadows fly, Flame with day the opening skies!

52 RS. Exclamation mark is in the original.

Hymn on the Titles of Christ Our eyes on earth survey The dazzling Shechinah!

Bright, in endless glory bright, Now in flesh He stoops to dwell, God of God, and Light of Light, Image of the Invisible.

He shines on earth adored, The Presence of the Lord:

God, the mighty God and true, God by highest heaven confess'd, Stands display'd to mortal view, God supreme, for ever blest.

Jesu! to Thee I bow; The Almighty's Fellow Thou!

Thou the Father's only Son; Pleased He ever is in Thee; Just and holy Thou alone, Full of grace and truth for me.

High above every name, Jesus, the great i am!

Bows to Jesus every knee, Things in heaven, and earth, and hell; Saints adore Him, demons flee, Fiends and men and angels feel.

He left His throne above, Emptied of all but love:

Whom the heavens cannot contain, God, vouchsafed a worm to appear, Lord of Glory, Son of Man, Poor, and vile, and abject here.

His own on earth He sought, His own received Him not:

Hymn on the Titles of Christ Him, a Sign by all blasphemed, Outcast and despised of men, Him they all a madman deem'd, Bold to scoff the Nazarene.

Thy humble state I sing; Never shall my triumphs end; Hail, derided Majesty, Jesus, hail! the Sinner's Friend, Friend of Publicans—and me!

Thine eye observed my pain, Thou Good Samaritan!

Spoil'd I lay and bruised by sin, Gasp'd my faint, expiring soul; Wine and oil Thy love pour'd in, Closed my wounds, and made me whole.

Hail the life-giving Lord, Divine, Engrafted Word!

Thee the Life my soul has found, Thee the Resurrection proved:

Dead, I heard the quickening sound, Own'd Thy voice; believed, and loved!

With Thee gone up on high I live, no more to die:

First and Last, I feel Thee now, Witness of Thy empty tomb; Alpha and Omega, Thou Wast, and art, and art to come!

Second Hymn to Christ Second Hymn to Christ Saviour, the world's and mine, Was ever grief like Thine!

Thou my pain, my curse hast took; All my sins were laid on Thee:

Help me, Lord; to Thee I look:

Draw me, Saviour, after Thee.

'Tis done! My God hath died; My Love is crucified!

Break, this stony heart of mine; Pour, my eyes, a ceaseless flood; Feel, my soul, the pangs Divine; Catch, my heart, the issuing blood!

When, O my God, shall I For Thee submit to die?

How the mighty debt repay, Rival of Thy passion prove?

Lead me in Thyself, the Way; Melt my hardness into love.

To love is all my wish, I only live for this:

Grant me, Lord, my heart's desire, There by faith for ever dwell:

This I always will require, Thee and only Thee to feel.

Thy power I pant to prove, Rooted and fix'd in love; Strengthen'd by Thy Spirit's might, Wise to fathom things Divine, What the length and breadth and height, What the depth of love like Thine.

Ah! give me this to know Second Hymn to Christ With all Thy saints below.

Swells my soul to compass Thee, Gasps in Thee to live and move, Fill'd with all the Deity, All immersed and lost in love!

Third Hymn to Christ Third Hymn to Christ Still, O my soul, prolong The never-ceasing song!

Christ my theme, my hope, my joy; His be all my happy days, Praise my every hour employ, Every breath be spent in praise.

His would I wholly be Who lived and died for me:

Grief was all His life below, Pain and poverty and loss:

Mine the sins that bruised Him so, Scourged and nail'd Him to the cross.

He bore the curse of all, A spotless criminal:

Burden'd with a world of guilt, Blacken'd with imputed sin, Man to save His blood He spilt, Died, to make the sinner clean.

Join, earth and heaven, to bless The Lord our righteousness!

Mystery of redemption this, This the Saviour's strange design, Man's offence was counted His, Ours is righteousness Divine.

Far as our parent's fall The gift is come to all:

Sinn'd we all, and died in one?

Just in One we all are made; Christ the law fulfill'd alone, Died for all, for all obey'd.

In Him complete we shine; Third Hymn to Christ His death, His life is mine.

Fully am I justified, Free from sin, and more than free; Guiltless, since for me He died, Righteous, since He lived for me!

Jesu! to Thee I bow, Saved to the utmost now.

O the depth of love Divine!

Who Thy wisdom's stores can tell?

Knowledge infinite is Thine, All Thy ways unsearchable!

Hymn to Christ the King Hymn to Christ the King Jesu, my God and King, Thy regal state I sing.

Thou, and only Thou art great, High Thine everlasting throne; Thou the sovereign Potentate, Blest, immortal Thou alone.

Essay your choicest strains, The King Messiah reigns!

Tune your harps, celestial choir, Joyful all, your voices raise, Christ, than earth-born monarchs higher, Sons of men and angels, praise.

Hail your dread Lord and ours, Dominions, thrones, and powers!

Source of power, He rules alone:

Veil your eyes, and prostrate fall, Cast your crowns before His throne, Hail the Cause, the Lord of all!

Let earth's remotest bound With echoing joys resound; Christ to praise let all conspire:

Praise doth all to Christ belong; Shout, ye first-born sons of fire; Earth, repeat the glorious song.

Worthy, O Lord, art Thou That every knee should bow, Every tongue to Thee confess, Universal Nature join Strong and mighty Thee to bless, Gracious, merciful, benign!

Wisdom is due to Thee, Hymn to Christ the King And might and majesty:

Thee in mercy rich we prove; Glory, honour, praise receive; Worthy Thou of all our love, More than all we pant to give.

Justice and truth maintain Thy everlasting reign.

One with Thine almighty Sire, Partner of an equal throne, King of hearts, let all conspire Gratefully Thy sway to own.

Prince of the hosts of God, Display Thy power abroad:

Strong and high is Thy right hand, Terrible in majesty!

Who can in Thine anger stand?

Who the vengeful bolt can flee?

Thee when the dragon's pride To battle vain defied, Brighter than the morning star, Lucifer as lightning fell, Far from heaven, from glory far, Headlong hurl'd to deepest hell.

Sin felt of old Thy power, Thou patient Conqueror!

Long he vex'd the world below, Long they groan'd beneath his reign; Thou destroy'dst the tyrant foe, Thou redeem'dst the captive, man.

Trembles the King of Fears Whene'er Thy cross appears.

Once its dreadful force he found:

Hymn to Christ the King Saviour, cleave again the sky; Slain by an eternal wound, Death shall then for ever die!

Second Hymn to Christ the King Second Hymn to Christ the King Jesu, Thou art our King, To me Thy succour bring.

Christ the mighty One art Thou, Help for all on Thee is laid:

This the word; I claim it now, Send me now the promised aid.

High on Thy Father's throne, O, look with pity down!

Help, O, help! attend my call, Captive lead captivity; King of glory, Lord of all, Christ, be Lord, be King to me!

I pant to feel Thy sway, And only Thee to obey.

Thee my spirit gasps to meet; This my one, my ceaseless prayer, Make, O, make my heart Thy seat; O, set up Thy kingdom there!

Triumph and reign in me, And spread Thy victory:

Hell and death and sin control, Pride, and self, and every foe,53 All subdue; through all my soul Conquering and to conquer go.

53 MS. correction, "Pride, self-will;" and in the Large Hymn-Book, "Pride and wrath."

The Saviour Glorified by All The Saviour Glorified by All From the German.54

Thou, Jesu, art our King, Thy ceaseless praise we sing:

Praise shall our glad tongue employ, Praise o'erflow our grateful soul, While we vital breath enjoy, While eternal ages roll.

Thou art the Eternal Light, That shin'st in deepest night.

Wondering gazed the angelic train, While Thou bow'dst the heavens beneath, God with God wert man with man, Man to save from endless death.

Thou for our pain didst mourn, Thou hast our sickness borne All our sins on Thee were laid; Thou with unexampled grace All the mighty debt hast paid Due from Adam's helpless race.

Thou hast o'erthrown the foe, God's kingdom fix'd below.

Conqueror of all adverse power, Thou heaven's gates hast open'd wide:

Thou Thine own dost lead secure In Thy cross, and by Thy side.

Enthroned above yon sky, Thou reign'st with God Most High.

54 This noble composition was inserted by Wesley in his first book, 1738. It stands No. 68 in the Herrnhuth Collection, "Dich, Jesu, loben wir," and is given by Dr. Knapp as from the Pennsylvanian Collection of 1844, without any author's name. E. L., p.236.

The Saviour Glorified by All Prostrate at Thy feet we fall:

Power supreme to Thee is given; Thee, the righteous Judge of all, Sons of earth and hosts of heaven.

Cherubs with seraphs join And in Thy praise combine:

All their choirs Thy glories sing:

Who shall dare with Thee to vie?

Mighty Lord, eternal King, Sovereign both of earth and sky Hail, venerable train, Patriarchs, first-born of men!

Hail, apostles of the Lamb, By whose strength ye faithful proved!

Join to extol His sacred name Whom in life and death ye loved.

The church through all her bounds With Thy high praise resounds.

Confessors undaunted here Unashamed proclaim their King; Children's feebler voices there To Thy name Hosannas sing.

'Midst danger's blackest frown Thee hosts of martyrs own.

Pain and shame alike they dare, Firmly, singularly good; Glorying Thy cross to bear, Till they seal their faith with blood.

Even Heathens feel Thy power, Thou suffering Conqueror!

Thousand virgins, chaste and clean, From love's pleasing witchcraft free, The Saviour Glorified by All Fairer than the sons of men, Consecrate their hearts to Thee.

Wide earth's remotest bound Full of Thy praise is found:

And all heaven's eternal day With Thy streaming glory flames:

All Thy foes shall melt away From the insufferable beams.

O Lord, O God of Love, Let us Thy mercy prove!

King of all, with pitying eye Mark the toil, the pains we feel:

'Midst the snares of death we lie, 'Midst the banded powers of hell.

Arise, stir up Thy power, Thou deathless Conqueror!

Help us to obtain the prize, Help us well to close our race; That with Thee above the skies Endless joys we may possess.

A Morning Hymn A Morning Hymn "See the day-spring from afar Usher'd by the morning star!"

Haste; to Him who sends the light, Hallow the remains of night.

Souls, put on your glorious dress, Waking into righteousness:

Clothed with Christ, aspire to shine.

Radiance He of light Divine; Beam of the Eternal Beam, He in God, and God in Him!

Strive we Him in us to see, Transcript of the Deity.

Burst we then the bands of death, Raised by His all-quickening breath; Long we to be loosed from earth, Struggling into second birth.

Spent at length is nature's night; Christ attends to give us Light, Christ attends Himself to give; God we now may see, and live.

Though the outward man decay; Form'd within us day by day Still the Inner Man we view, Christ creating all things new.

Turn, O turn us, Lord, again, Raiser Thou of fallen man!

Sin destroy and nature's boast, Saviour Thou of spirits lost!

Thy great will in us be done:

Crucified and dead our own, Ours no longer let us be; Hide us from ourselves in Thee!

Thou the Life, the Truth, the Way, Suffer us no more to stray; A Morning Hymn Give us, Lord, and ever give Thee to know, in Thee to live!

A Morning Dedication of Ourselves to Christ A Morning Dedication of Ourselves to Christ Jesu, Thy light again I view, Again Thy mercy's beams I see, And all within me wakes, anew To pant for Thy immensity:

Again my thoughts to Thee aspire In fervent flames of strong desire.

But, O! what offering shall I give To Thee, the Lord of earth and skies?

My spirit, soul, and flesh receive A holy, living sacrifice.

Small as it is, 'tis all my store More shouldst Thou have, if I had more.

Now then, my God, Thou hast my soul; No longer mine, but Thine I am:

Guard Thou Thy own; possess it whole, Cheer it by hope, with love inflame.

Thou hast my spirit; there display Thy glory to the perfect day.

Thou hast my flesh; Thy hallow'd shrine, Devoted solely to Thy will:

Here let Thy light for ever shine, This house still let Thy presence fill:

O Source of Life, live, dwell, and move In me, till all my life be love.

O, never in these veils of shame, Sad fruits of sin, my glorying be!

Clothe with salvation through Thy name 55 From Dr. Joachim Lange, (1670–1744,) "O Jesu susses licht." Herrnhuth Collection, No.308. Knapp, E.L., p.1018.

A Morning Dedication of Ourselves to Christ My soul, and may I put on Thee!

Be living faith my costly dress, And my best robe Thy righteousness!

Send down Thy likeness from above, And let this my adorning be:

Clothe me with wisdom, patience, love, With lowliness and purity, Than gold and pearls more precious far, And brighter than the morning star.

Lord, arm me with Thy Spirit's might, Since I am call'd by Thy great name:

In Thee my wandering thoughts unite, Of all my works be Thou the aim.

Thy love attend me all my days, And my sole business be Thy praise!

Christ Protecting and Sanctifying Christ Protecting and Sanctifying From the same.56

O Jesu, source of calm repose, Thy like nor man nor angel knows, Fairest among ten thousand fair!

Even those whom death's sad fetters bound, Whom thickest darkness compass'd round, Find light and life, if Thou appear.

Effulgence of the Light Divine, Ere rolling planets knew to shine, Ere time its ceaseless course began; Thou, when the appointed hour was come, Didst not abhor the Virgin's womb, But, God with God, wert Man with man.

The world, sin, death oppose in vain; Thou, by Thy dying, death hast slain, My great Deliverer, and my God!

In vain does the old dragon rage, In vain all hell its powers engage; None can withstand Thy conquering blood.

Lord over all, sent to fulfil Thy gracious Father's sovereign will, To Thy dread sceptre will I bow:

With duteous reverence at Thy feet, Like humble Mary, lo, I sit:

Speak, Lord! Thy servant heareth now.

Renew Thy image, Lord, in me, Lowly and gentle may I be; No charms but these to Thee are dear:

No anger mayst Thou ever find, 56 From J. A. Freylinghausen, (1670–1739,) "Wer ist wol wie Du." Herrn. Coll., No.30. Knapp, E. L., p.137.

Christ Protecting and Sanctifying No pride in my unruffled mind, But faith and heaven-born peace be there.

A patient, a victorious mind That, life and all things cast behind, Springs forth obedient to Thy call, A heart that no desire can move, But still to adore, believe, and love, Give me, my Lord, my Life, my All.

Supplication for Grace Supplication for Grace From the same.57

O God of God, in whom combine The heights and depths of love Divine, With thankful hearts to Thee we sing!

To Thee our longing souls aspire In fervent flames of strong desire:

Come, and Thy sacred unction bring.

All things in earth and air and sea Exist and live and move in Thee; All Nature trembles at Thy voice:

With awe even we Thy children prove Thy power. O, let us taste Thy love!

So evermore shall we rejoice.

O powerful Love, to Thee we bow, Object of all our wishes Thou, (Our hearts are naked to Thine eye,) To Thee, who from the eternal throne Cam'st emptied of Thy Godhead down, For us to groan, to bleed, to die.

Grace we implore; when billows roll, Grace is the anchor of the soul; Grace every sickness knows to heal:

Grace can subdue each fond desire, And patience in all pain inspire, Howe'er rebellious nature swell.

O Love, our stubborn wills subdue, Create our ruin'd frame anew; Dispel our darkness by Thy light:

57 The original is said to be a hymn by Count Zinzendorf, ("Gott aus dem quilt altes Leben"} which has not yet been identified.

Supplication for Grace Into all truth our spirit guide, But from our eyes for ever hide All things displeasing in Thy sight.

Be heaven even now our soul's abode, Hid be our life with Christ in God, Our spirit, Lord, be one with Thine:

Let all our works in Thee be wrought, And fill'd with Thee be all our thought, Till in us Thy full likeness shine.

Hymn to the Holy Ghost Hymn to the Holy Ghost Come, Holy Ghost, all-quickening fire, Come, and in me delight to rest!

Drawn by the lure of strong desire, O, come, and consecrate my breast:

The temple of my soul prepare, And fix Thy sacred presence there!

If now Thy influence I feel, If now in Thee begin to live, Still to my heart Thyself reveal; Give me Thyself, for ever give.

A point my good, a drop my store:

Eager I ask, and pant for more.

Eager for Thee I ask and pant, So strong the principle Divine Carries me out with sweet constraint, Till all my hallow'd soul be Thine:

Plunged in the Godhead's deepest sea, And lost in Thy immensity.

My peace, my life, my comfort now, My treasure, and my all Thou art!

True witness of my sonship Thou, Engraving pardon on my heart:

Seal of my sins in Christ forgiven, Earnest of love, and pledge of heaven.

Come then, my God, mark out Thy heir, Of heaven a larger earnest give, With clearer light Thy witness bear; More sensibly within me live:

Let all my powers Thy entrance feel, And deeper stamp Thyself the seal.

Come, Holy Ghost, all-quickening fire, Hymn to the Holy Ghost Come, and in me delight to rest!

Drawn by the lure of strong desire, O, come, and consecrate my breast:

The temple of my soul prepare, And fix Thy sacred presence there!

On the Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost On the Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost Altered from Dr. H. More.58

When Christ had left His flock below, The loss His faithful flock deplored:

Him in the flesh no more they know, And languish for their absent Lord.

Not long—for He, gone up on high Gifts to receive, and claim His crown, Beheld them sorrowing from His sky, And pour'd the mighty blessing down.

He, for the presence of His flesh, The Spirit's seven-fold gifts imparts; And living streams their souls refresh, And joy Divine o'erflows their hearts.

While all, in sweet devotion join'd, Humbly to wait for God retire, The promised grace in rushing wind Descends, and cloven tongues of fire.

God's mighty Spirit fills the dome, The feeble dome beneath Him shook.

Trembled the crowd to feel Him come, Soon as the sons of thunder spoke.

Father! if justly still we claim To us and ours the promise made, To us be graciously the same, And crown with living fire our head.

Our claim admit, and from above 58 For an account of the original of this fine hymn, and the alterations made in it, the reader may consult the "Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine" for 1867, p.23.

On the Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost Of holiness the Spirit shower, Of wise discernment, humble love, And zeal and unity and power.

The Spirit of convincing speech, Of power demonstrative impart; Such as may every conscience reach, And sound the unbelieving heart:

The Spirit of refining fire, Searching the inmost of the mind, To purge all fierce and foul desire, And kindle life more pure and kind:

The Spirit of faith, in this Thy day, To break the power of cancell'd sin, Tread down its strength, o'erturn its sway, And still the conquest more than win.

The Spirit breathe of inward life, Which in our hearts Thy laws may write:

Then grief expires, and pain and strife; 'Tis nature all, and all delight.

On all the earth Thy Spirit shower, The earth in righteousness renew; Thy kingdom come, and hell's o'erpower, And to Thy sceptre all subdue.

Like mighty wind, or torrent fierce, Let it opposers all o'errun, And every law of sin reverse, That faith and love may make all one.

Yea, let Thy Spirit in every place Its richer energy declare, While lovely tempers, fruits of grace, On the Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost The kingdom of Thy Christ prepare.

Grant this, O holy God, and true!

The ancient seers Thou didst inspire:

To us perform the promise due; Descend, and crown us now with fire.

Public Worship Public Worship From the German.59

Lo, God is here! Let us adore, And own how dreadful is this place!

Let all within us feel His power, And silent bow before His face.

Who know His power, His grace who prove, Serve Him with awe, with reverence love.

Lo, God is here! Him day and night The united choirs of angels sing:

To Him enthroned above all height Heaven's hosts their noblest praises bring:

Disdain not, Lord, our meaner song, Who praise Thee with a stammering tongue.

Gladly the toys of earth we leave, Wealth, pleasure, fame, for Thee alone:

To Thee our will, soul, flesh we give; O take, O seal them for Thy own!

Thou art the God; Thou art the Lord:

Be Thou by all Thy works adored!

Being of beings, may our praise Thy courts with grateful fragrance fill; Still may we stand before Thy face, Still hear and do Thy sovereign will.

To Thee may all our thoughts arise, Ceaseless, accepted sacrifice!

In Thee we move. All things of Thee Are full, Thou Source and Life of all!

Thou vast, unfathomable Sea!

Fall prostrate, lost in wonder, fall, 59 Tersteegen, (1697–1769) "Gott ist gegenwärtig." Herrn. Coll., No. 581. Knapp, E. L., p.748.

Public Worship Ye sons of men; for God is man!

All may we lose, so Thee we gain!

As flowers their opening leaves display, And glad drink in the solar fire, So may we catch Thy every ray, So may Thy influence us inspire:

Thou Beam of the Eternal Beam, Thou purging Fire, Thou quickening Flame!

Prayer to Christ Before the Sacrament Prayer to Christ Before the Sacrament From the same.60

O Thou, whom sinners love, whose care Does all our sickness heal, Thee we approach, with heart sincere, Thy power we joy to feel.

To Thee our humblest thanks we pay, To Thee our souls we bow; Of hell erewhile the helpless prey, Heirs of Thy glory now.

As incense to Thy throne above, O, let our prayers arise!

O, wing with flames of holy love Our living sacrifice!

Stir up Thy strength, O Lord of Might, Our willing breasts inspire:

Fill our whole souls with heavenly light, Melt with seraphic fire.

From Thy blest wounds our life we draw; Thy all-atoning blood Daily we drink with trembling awe; Thy flesh our daily food.

Come, Lord, Thy sovereign aid impart, Here make Thy likeness shine!

Stamp Thy whole image on our heart, And all our souls be Thine!

60 Author unknown. Both this and the following are for some unexplained reason marked for omission in the copy corrected for a sixth edition.

Hymn After the Sacrament Hymn After the Sacrament Sons of God, triumphant rise, Shout the accomplish'd Sacrifice!

Shout your sins in Christ forgiven, Sons of God, and heirs of heaven!

Ye that round our altars throng, Listening angels, join the song:

Sing with us, ye heavenly powers, Pardon, grace, and glory ours!

Love's mysterious work is done!

Greet we now the accepted Son, Heal'd and quicken'd by His blood, Join'd to Christ, and one with God.

Christ, of all our hopes the seal; Peace Divine in Christ we feel, Pardon to our souls applied:

Dead for all, for me He died!

Sin shall tyrannise no more, Purged its guilt, dissolved its power; Jesus makes our hearts His throne, There He lives, and reigns alone.

Grace our every thought controls, Heaven is open'd in our souls, Everlasting life is won, Glory is on earth begun.

Christ in us; in Him we see Fulness of the Deity.

Beam of the Eternal Beam; Life Divine we taste in Him!

Hymn After the Sacrament Him we only taste below; Mightier joys ordain'd to know, Him when fully ours we prove, Ours the heaven of perfect love!

The word pronounced, the Gospel-word, The crowd with various hearts received:

In many a soul the Saviour stirr'd, Three thousand yielded, and believed.

These by the apostles' counsels led, With them in mighty prayer combined, Broke the commemorative bread, Nor from the fellowship declined.

God from above, with ready grace And deeds of wonder, guards His flock; Trembles the world before their face, By Jesus crush'd, their Conquering Rock.

The happy band whom Christ redeems, One only will, one judgment know:

None this contentious earth esteems, Distinctions or delights below.

The men of worldly wealth possess'd Their selfish happiness remove, Sell, and divide it to the rest, And buy the blessedness of love.

Thus in the presence of their God, Jesus their life, and heaven their care, With single heart they took their food, Heighten'd by Eucharist and prayer.

God in their every work was praised:

The people bless'd the law benign:

Daily the Church, His arm had raised, Received the sons of mercy in.

To be Sung at Work To be Sung at Work Son of the Carpenter, receive This humble work of mine; Worth to my meanest labour give, By joining it to Thine.

Servant of all, to toil for man Thou wouldst not, Lord, refuse:

Thy Majesty did not disdain To be employ'd for us.

Thy bright example I pursue, To Thee in all things rise, And all I think, or speak, or do, Is one great sacrifice.

Careless through outward cares I go, From all distraction free:

My hands are but engaged below, My heart is still with Thee.

O, when wilt Thou, my Life, appear!

How gladly would I cry, "'Tis done, the work Thou gav'st me here, 'Tis finish'd, Lord," and die!

Another Another Summon'd my labour to renew, And glad to act my part, Lord, in Thy name my task I do, And with a single heart.

End of my every action Thou!

Thyself in all I see:

Accept my hallow'd labour now; I do it unto Thee.

Whate'er the Father views as Thine, He views with gracious eyes.

Jesus! this mean oblation join To Thy great sacrifice.

Stamp'd with an infinite desert, My work He then shall own; Well-pleased in me, when mine Thou art, And I His favourite son!

God With Us God With Us From the German.61

Eternal depth of Love Divine, In Jesus, God-with-us, display'd, How bright Thy beaming glories shine!

How wide Thy healing streams are spread!

With whom dost Thou delight to dwell?

Sinners, a vile, a thankless race.

O God what tongue aright can tell How vast Thy love, how great Thy grace!

The dictates of Thy sovereign will With joy our grateful hearts receive:

All Thy delight in us fulfil; Lo! all we are to Thee we give.

To Thy sure love, Thy tender care, Our flesh, soul, spirit we resign:

O fix Thy sacred presence there, And seal the abode for ever Thine.

O King of Glory, Thy rich grace Our short desires surpasses far!

Yea, even our crimes, though numberless, Less numerous than Thy mercies are.

Still on Thee, Father, may we rest!

Still may we pant Thy Son to know!

Thy Spirit still breathe into our breast, Fountain of peace and joy below!

Oft have we seen Thy mighty power Since from the world Thou mad'st us free:

Still may we praise Thee more and more, Our hearts more firmly knit to Thee!

Still, Lord, Thy saving health display, 61 Zinzendorf, "Du ewiger Abrgrund der seligen Liebe." Herrn. Coll., No. 11. Knapp, E. L., p.523.

God With Us And arm our souls with heavenly zeal:

So, fearless shall we urge our way Through all the powers of earth and hell!

God Our Portion God Our Portion From the Spanish.62

O God, my God, my all Thou art; Ere shines the dawn of rising day, Thy sovereign light within my heart, Thy all-enlivening power display.

For Thee my thirsty soul does pant, While in this desert land I live:

And hungry as I am and faint, Thy love alone can comfort give.

In a dry land, behold, I place My whole desire on Thee, O Lord:

And more I joy to gain Thy grace Than all earth's treasures can afford.

In holiness within Thy gates Of old oft have I sought for Thee:

Again my longing spirit waits That fulness of delight to see.

More dear than life itself, Thy love My heart and tongue shall still employ; And to declare Thy praise will prove My peace, my glory, and my joy.

In blessing Thee with grateful songs My happy life shall glide away; The praise that to Thy name belongs Hourly with lifted hands I'll pay.

Abundant sweetness, while I sing 62 This noble version of Ps. 63 was inserted in the book of 1738, and therefore probably translated in America.

The Spanish author is unknown.

God Our Portion Thy love, my ravish'd soul o'erflows; Secure in Thee, my God and King, Of glory that no period knows.

Thy name, O Lord, upon my bed Dwells on my lips, and fires my thought; With trembling awe, in midnight shade, I muse on all Thy hands have wrought.

In all I do I feel Thy aid; Therefore Thy greatness will I sing, O God, who bidd'st my heart be glad Beneath the shadow of Thy wing.

My soul draws nigh, and cleaves to Thee:

Then let or earth or hell assail, Thy mighty hand shall set me free For whom Thou sav'st, he ne'er shall fail.

Gratitude for Our Conversion Gratitude for Our Conversion From the German.63

Thee will I love, my strength, my tower; Thee will I love, my joy, my crown; Thee will I love with all my power, In all my works, and Thee alone!

Thee will I love, till the pure fire Fill my whole soul with chaste desire.

Ah why did I so late Thee know, Thee, lovelier than the sons of men!

Ah why did I no sooner go To Thee, the only ease in pain!

Ashamed I sigh, and inly mourn That I so late to Thee did turn.

In darkness willingly I stray'd; I sought Thee, yet from Thee I roved:

For wide my wandering thoughts were spread, Thy creatures more than Thee I loved.

And now, if more at length I see, 'Tis through Thy light, and comes from Thee.

I thank Thee, Uncreated Sun, That Thy bright beams on me have shined; I thank Thee, who hast overthrown My foes, and heal'd my wounded mind; I thank Thee, whose enlivening voice Bids my freed heart in Thee rejoice.

Uphold me in the doubtful race, Nor suffer me again to stray; Strengthen my feet, with steady pace Still to press forward in Thy way; 63 Johann Angelus Scheffler, "Ich will dich lieben meine Stärke." Herrn. Coll., No. 610. Knapp, E. L., p.797.

Gratitude for Our Conversion My soul and flesh, O Lord of Might, Fill, satiate with Thy heavenly light.

Give to my eyes refreshing tears; Give to my heart chaste, hallow'd fires; Give to my soul, with filial fears, The love that all heaven's host inspires:

"That all my powers with all their might In Thy sole glory may unite."64

Thee will I love, my joy, my crown Thee will I love, my Lord, my God!

Thee will I love, beneath Thy frown Or smile, Thy sceptre or Thy rod.

What though my flesh and heart decay?

Thee shall I love in endless day!

64 This couplet is copied from Bishop Ken's Morning Hymn, v. 9.

Boldness in the Gospel Boldness in the Gospel From the same.65

Shall I, for fear of feeble man, Thy Spirit's course in me restrain?

Or, undismay'd, in deed and word Be a true witness to my Lord?

Awed by a mortal's frown, shall I Conceal the word of God Most High?

How then before Thee shall I dare To stand, or how Thy anger bear?

Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng, Soften Thy truths, and smooth my tongue?

To gain earth's gilded toys, or flee The cross, endured, my God, by Thee?

What then is he whose scorn I dread, Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid?

A man! an heir of death! a slave To sin! a bubble on the wave!

Yea, let man rage! since Thou wilt spread Thy shadowing wings around my head; Since in all pain Thy tender love Will still my sweet refreshment prove.

Saviour of men! Thy searching eye Does all my inmost thoughts descry:

Doth aught on earth my wishes raise; Or the world's favour, or its praise?

The love of Christ does me constrain 65 J.J. Winkler, (1670–1722), "Soltt ich aus furcht vor Menschen kindern." Herrn. Coll., No. 162. Knapp, E.L., p.385.

Boldness in the Gospel To seek the wandering souls of men; With cries, entreaties, tears, to save, To snatch them from the gaping grave.

For this let men revile my name; No cross I shun, I fear no shame:

All hail, reproach and welcome, pain!

Only Thy terrors, Lord, restrain.

My life, my blood I here present; If for Thy truth they may be spent, Fulfil Thy sovereign counsel, Lord!

Thy will be done! Thy name adored!

Give me Thy strength, O God of power!

Then let winds blow, or thunders roar, Thy faithful witness will I be— 'Tis fix'd! I can do all through Thee!

Captain of my salvation, hear!

Stir up Thy strength, and bow the skies:

Be Thou, the God of battles, near; In all Thy majesty arise!

The day, the dreadful day's at hand!

In battle cover Thou my head:

Past is Thy word I here demand, And confident expect Thine aid.

Now arm me for the threatening fight; Now let Thy power descend from high; Triumphant in Thy Spirit's might, So shall I every foe defy.

I ask Thy help; by Thee sent forth Thy glorious Gospel to proclaim, Be Thou my mouth, and shake the earth, And spread by me Thy awful name.

Steel me to shame, reproach, disgrace, Arm me with all Thy armour now.

Set like a flint my steady face, Harden to adamant my brow.

Bold may I wax, exceeding bold, My high commission to perform, Nor shrink Thy harshest truths to unfold, But more than meet the gathering storm.

Adverse to earth's rebellious throng, Still may I turn my fearless face, Stand as an iron pillar strong, And steadfast as a wall of brass.

Give me Thy might, Thou God of power; Then let or men or fiends assail!

Strong in Thy strength, I'll stand a tower Impregnable to earth or hell.

Congratulations to a Friend, upon Believing in Christ Congratulations to a Friend, upon Believing in Christ66 What morn on thee with sweeter ray, Or brighter lustre e'er hath shined?

Be blest the memorable day That gave thee Jesus Christ to find!

Gave thee to taste His perfect grace, From death to life in Him to pass!

O, how diversified the scene, Since first that heart began to beat!

Evil and few thy days have been:

In suffering, and in comfort, great, Oft hast Thou groan'd beneath thy load, And sunk into the arms of God!

Long did all hell its powers engage, And fill'd thy darken'd soul with fears:

Baffled at length the dragon's rage, At length the atoning blood appears:

Thy light is come, thy mourning's o'er, Look up; for thou shalt weep no more!

Blest be the Name that sets thee free, The Name that sure salvation brings!

The Sun of Righteousness on thee Has rose with healing in His wings.

Away let grief and sighing flee; Jesus has died for thee—for thee!

And will He now forsake His own, Or lose the purchase of His blood?

No! for He looks with pity down, He watches over thee for good; 66 Probably addressed to John Wesley, on the occasion of his "finding peace," by his brother Charles. Part of the first verse is adapted from his brother Samuel's verses on Bishop Atterbury's birthday; for which see his

"Poems" in Nichols's edition, 1862, p.431.

Congratulations to a Friend, upon Believing in Christ Gracious He eyes thee from above, And guards and feeds thee with His love.

Since thou wast precious in His sight, How highly favour'd hast thou been!

Upborne by faith to glory's height, The Saviour-God thine eyes have seen, Thy heart has felt its sins forgiven, And tastes anticipated heaven.

Still may His love thy fortress be, And make thee still His darling care, Settle, confirm, and stablish thee, On eagle's wings thy spirit bear:

Fill thee with heaven, and ever shed His choicest blessings on thy head.

Thus may He comfort thee below, Thus may He all His graces give:

Him but in part thou here canst know:

Yet here by faith submit to live; Help me to fight my passage through, Nor seize thy heaven till I may too.

Or, if the sovereign wise decree First number thee among the blest, (The only good I'd envy thee,) Translating to an earlier rest; Near in thy latest hour, may I Instruct, and learn of thee, to die.

Mix'd with the choirs that hover round And all the adverse powers control, Angel of peace may I be found To animate thy parting soul, Point out the crown, and smooth thy way To regions of eternal day.

Congratulations to a Friend, upon Believing in Christ Fired with the thought, I see thee now Triumphant meet the King of Fears!

Steadfast thy heart, serene thy brow; Divinely confident appears Thy mounting soul, and spreads abroad, And swells to be dissolved in God.

Is this the soul so late weigh'd down By cares and sins, by griefs and pains?

Whither are all thy terrors gone?

Jesus for thee the victory gains; And death, and sin, and Satan yield To faith's unconquerable shield.

Blest be the God that calls thee home; Faithful to thee His mercies prove:

Through death's dark vale He bids thee come, And more than conquer in His love; Robes thee in righteousness Divine, And makes the crown of glory thine!

Hymn for Christmas Day Hymn for Christmas Day Hark how all the welkin rings, "Glory to the King of kings, Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; Universal Nature, say, "Christ the Lord is born to-day!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity!

Pleased as man with men to appear Jesus, our Immanuel here!

Hail the heavenly Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by, Born—that man no more may die, Born—to raise the sons of earth, Born—to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of Nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise, the woman's conquering Seed, Bruise in us the serpent's head.

Hymn for Christmas Day Now display Thy saving power, Ruin'd nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Adam's likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thy image in its place; Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the Inner Man:

O to all Thyself impart, Form'd in each believing heart.

Hymn for the Epiphany Hymn for the Epiphany Sons of men, behold from far, Hail the long-expected Star!

Jacob's Star that gilds the night, Guides bewilder'd nature right.

Fear not hence that ill should flow, Wars or pestilence below:

Wars it bids and tumults cease, Ushering in the Prince of Peace.

Mild He shines on all beneath, Piercing through the shades of death, Scattering error's wide-spread night, Kindling darkness into light.

Nations all, far off and near, Haste to see your God appear!

Haste, for Him your hearts prepare, Meet Him manifested there!

There behold the Day-spring rise, Pouring eye-sight on your eyes; God in His own light survey, Shining to the perfect day.

Sing, ye morning stars, again!

God descends on earth to reign, Deigns for man His life to employ; Shout, ye sons of God, for joy!

Hymn for Easter Day Hymn for Easter Day "Christ the Lord is risen to-day,"

Sons of men and angels say!

Raise your joys and triumphs high; Sing, ye heavens; and, earth, reply.

Love's redeeming work is done, Fought the fight, the battle won:

Lo! our Sun's eclipse is o'er; Lo! He sets in blood no more.

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Christ has burst the gates of hell!

Death in vain forbids His rise:

Christ has open'd paradise!

Lives again our glorious King:

Where, O Death, is now thy sting?

Dying once, He all doth save:

Where thy victory, O Grave?

Soar we now, where Christ has led?

Following our exalted Head, Made like Him, like Him we rise, Ours the cross, the grave, the skies!

What though once we perish'd all, Partners in our parent's fall?

Second life we all receive, In our Heavenly Adam live.

Risen with Him, we upward move; Still we seek the things above; Still pursue, and kiss the Son Seated on His Father's throne:

Hymn for Easter Day Scarce on earth a thought bestow, Dead to all we leave below; Heaven our aim, and loved abode, Hid our life with Christ in God!

Hid; till Christ, our Life, appear, Glorious in His members here:

Join'd to Him, we then shall shine All immortal, all Divine!

Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven!

Praise to Thee by both be given:

Thee we greet triumphant now; Hail, the Resurrection Thou!

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Everlasting life is this, Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Thus to sing, and thus to love!

Hymn for Ascension Day Hymn for Ascension Day Hail the day that sees Him rise, Ravish'd from our wishful eyes!

Christ, awhile to mortals given, Re-ascends His native heaven!

There the pompous triumph waits:

"Lift your heads, eternal gates, Wide unfold the radiant scene, Take the King of Glory in!"

Circled round with angel powers, Their triumphant Lord, and ours, Conqueror over death and sin, Take the King of Glory in!

Him though highest heaven receives, Still He loves the earth He leaves; Though returning to His throne, Still He calls mankind His own.

See He lifts His hands above!

See He shows the prints of love!

Hark! His gracious lips bestow Blessings on His church below!

Still for us His death He pleads; Prevalent, He intercedes; Near Himself prepares our place, Harbinger of human race.

Master, (will we ever say,) Taken from our head to-day; See Thy faithful servants, see!

Ever gazing up to Thee.

Hymn for Ascension Day Grant, though parted from our sight, High above yon azure height, Grant our hearts may thither rise, Following Thee beyond the skies.

Ever upward let us move, Wafted on the wings of love; Looking when our Lord shall come, Longing, gasping after home.

There we shall with Thee remain, Partners of Thy endless reign; There Thy face unclouded see, Find our heaven of heavens in Thee!

Hymn for Whitsunday Hymn for Whitsunday Granted is the Saviour's prayer, Sent the gracious Comforter; Promise of our parting Lord, Jesus to His heaven restored:

Christ; who, now gone up on high, Captive leads captivity; While His foes from Him receive Grace, that God with man may live.

God, the everlasting God, Makes with mortals His abode; Whom the heavens cannot contain, He vouchsafes to dwell in man.

Never will He thence depart, Inmate of an humble heart; Carrying on His work within, Striving till He cast out sin.

There He helps our feeble moans, Deepens our imperfect groans; Intercedes in silence there, Sighs the unutterable prayer.

Come, Divine and peaceful Guest, Enter our devoted breast; Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, Kindle there the Gospel-fire.

Crown the agonizing strife, Principle, and Lord of life; Life Divine in us renew, Thou the Gift and Giver too!

Hymn for Whitsunday Now descend and shake the earth, Wake us into second birth; Now Thy quickening influence give, Blow—and these dry bones shall live!

Brood Thou o'er our nature's night, Darkness kindles into light; Spread Thy over-shadowing wings, Order from confusion springs.

Pain, and sin, and sorrow cease; Thee we taste, and all is peace; Joy Divine in Thee we prove, Light of truth, and fire of love.

Grace Before Meat Grace Before Meat Parent of good, whose plenteous grace O'er all Thy creatures flows, Humbly we ask Thy power to bless The food Thy love bestows.

Thy love provides the sober feast:

A second gift impart,— Give us with joy our food to taste, And with a single heart.

Let it for Thee new life afford, For Thee our strength repair, Blest by Thine all-sustaining word, And sanctified by prayer.

Thee let us taste; nor toil below For perishable meat:

The manna of Thy love bestow, Give us Thy flesh to eat.

Life of the world, our souls to feed Thyself descend from high!

Grant us of Thee the Living Bread To eat, and never die!

Ar Meals Ar Meals Father, our eyes we lift to Thee, And taste our daily bread:

'Tis now Thy open hand we see, And on Thy bounty feed.

'Tis now the meaner creatures join Richly Thy grace to prove; Fulfil Thy primitive design, Enjoy'd by thankful love.

Still, while our mouths are fill'd with good, Our souls to Thee we raise; Our souls partake of nobler food, And banquet on Thy praise.

Yet higher still our farthest aim; To mingle with the blest, To attend the marriage of the Lamb, And heaven's eternal feast.

Grace After Meat Grace After Meat Blest be the God whose tender care Prevents His children's cry; Whose pity, providently near, Doth all our wants supply.

Blest be the God whose bounty's store These cheering gifts imparts; Who veils in bread the secret power That feeds and glads our hearts.

Fountain of blessings, Source of good, To Thee this strength we owe; Thou art the virtue of our food, Life of our life below.

When shall our souls regain the skies?

Thy heavenly sweetness prove?

Fulness of joys shall there arise, And all our food be love.

Another Another Fountain of all the good we see Streaming from heaven above, Saviour! our faith we act on Thee, And exercise our love.

'Tis not the outward food we eat Doth this new strength afford; 'Tis Thou, whose presence makes it meat, Thou the life-giving Word.

Man doth not live by bread alone; Whate'er Thou wilt can feed:

Thy power converts the bread to stone, And turns the stone to bread.

Thou art our food: we taste Thee now; In Thee we move and breathe; Our bodies' only life art Thou, And all besides is death!

"Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

Rise, my soul, with ardour rise, Breathe thy wishes to the skies; Freely pour out all thy mind; Seek, and thou art sure to find.

Ready art thou to receive?

Readier is thy God to give.

Heavenly Father, Lord of all, Hear, and show Thou hear'st my call; Let my cries Thy throne assail, Entering now within the veil:

Give the benefits I claim— Lord, I ask in Jesu's name!

Friend of sinners. King of saints, Answer my minutest wants, All my largest thoughts require; Grant me all my heart's desire; Give me, till my cup run o'er, All, and infinitely more.

Meek and lowly be my mind, Pure my heart, my will resign'd!

Keep me dead to all below, Only Christ resolved to know, Firm and disengaged and free, Seeking all my bliss in Thee.

Suffer me no more to grieve Wanting what Thou long'st to give; Show me all Thy goodness, Lord, Beaming from the incarnate Word, Christ, in whom Thy glories shine, Efflux of the Light Divine.

Since the Son hath made me free, Let me taste my liberty, Thee behold with open face, Triumph in Thy saving grace, Thy great will delight to prove, Glory in Thy perfect love.

Since the Son hath bought my peace, Mine Thou art, as I am His:

Mine the Comforter I see, Christ is full of grace for me; Mine (the purchase of His blood) All the plenitude of God.

Abba, Father! hear Thy child, Late in Jesus reconciled!

Hear, and all the graces shower, All the joy, and peace, and power, All my Saviour asks above, All the life and heaven of love.

Lord, I will not let Thee go, Till the blessing Thou bestow.

Hear my Advocate Divine; Lo! to His my suit I join:

Join'd to His, it cannot fail:

Bless me, for I will prevail!

Stoop from Thy eternal throne; See, Thy promise calls Thee down!

High and lofty as Thou art, Dwell within my worthless heart!

Here,67 a fainting soul revive; 67 The reading of the second edition is followed: in the third, the obvious typographical error of the first

("hear") reappears. In the fourth and fifth we read, "My poor fainting soul revive."N.B.—In the first three editions of the first volume of "Hymns and Sacred Poems," which were all published in the year 1739, the hymn given above on John 16:24 is followed by a Paraphrase on Isaiah 51:9, &c., which was withdrawn in the fourth and Here for ever walk and live.

Heavenly Adam, Life Divine, Change my nature into Thine; Move and spread throughout my soul, Actuate and fill the whole:

Be it I no longer now, Living in the flesh, but Thou.

Holy Ghost, no more delay; Come, and in Thy temple stay; Now Thy inward witness bear, Strong, and permanent, and clear:

Spring of Life, Thyself impart, Rise eternal in my heart! fifth editions, and published in 1749 in another volume as part of a complete paraphrase on the chapter. In that form it will appear in this edition in due course, and is therefore omitted here.