Wesley Corpus

Last updated: December 2, 2009. "Act of Devotion" (1745)1 cf. Baker list, 95 Editorial Introduction: As the Methodist movement began to spread it came under increasing scrutiny from various Anglican leaders. The concerns voiced by these leaders spanned a spectrum from charges of legalism and works-righteousness to the polar worry of possible antinomianism. John Wesley responded to a series of published cautions about the movement in A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion, published at the very end of 1744 (and dated 1745). He appended to the tract a short hymn titled "Act of Devotion." While it is unsigned, Charles Wesley's authorship is confirmed by its presence in MS Shent, 172b-173a; and its inclusion in Hymns and Sacred Poems Editions: Charles Wesley. "An Act of Devotion." In John Wesley's A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion, Pt. I, 105. London: Strahan, 1745. 2nd no copies known 3rd no copies known 4th Bristol: Grabham, 1758. Included in JW's Works (Bristol: Pine, 1772), vol. 14 hymn on pp. 330-31. 5th London: Hawes, 1778. 5th London: Paramore, 1786. Page 105 2"Hand" changed to "eye" in HSP (1749) and All in All (1761). An Act of Devotion. Behold the servant of the Lord! I wait thy guiding hand2 to feel, To hear, and keep thine every word, To prove, and do thy perfect will. Joyful from all my works to cease, Glad to fulfil all righteousness. Me if thy grace vouchsafe to use, Meanest of all thy creatures me, The deed, the time, the manner chuse; Let all my fruit be found of thee, Let all my works in thee be wrought, By thee to full perfection brought. My every weak though good, design O'errule, or change as seems thee meet, Jesus, let all the work be thine; Thy work, O Lord, is all-compleat, And pleasing in thy Father's sight; Thou only hast done all things right. Here then to thee thine own I leave. Mould as thou wilt the passive clay: But let me all thy stamp receive, But let me all thy words obey, Serve with a single heart and eye, And to thy glory live, and die.