Wesley Corpus

To baffle the wise, And noble, and strong, He bad us arise, An impotent throng: Poor ignorant wretches We gladly embrace A prophet that teaches Salvation by grace. The things that were not His mercy bids live; His mercy unbought We freely receive; Page 126 His gracious compassion We thankfully prove, And all our salvation Ascribe to his love. Hymn CXX.159 Thee Jesus alone The fountain I own Of my life and felicity here, And chearfully sing My Redeemer and King, 'Till his sign in the heavens appear. With thanks I rejoice In thy fatherly choice Of my state and condition below; If of parents I came, Who honour'd thy name, 'Twas thy wisdom appointed it so. I sing of thy grace From my earliest days, Ever near to allure, and defend: Hitherto thou hast been My preserver from sin, And I know thou wilt save to the end. Oh! The infinite cares, And temptations, and snares, Thy hand hath conducted me thro'! Oh! The blessings bestow'd By a bountiful God, And the mercies eternally new! What a mercy is this, What an heaven of bliss! How unspeakably happy am I, 159This is an extract from HSP (1749), 2:257-59; stanzas 3-7, 12, 14. Page 127 Gather'd into the fold, With thy people inroll'd, With thy people to live, and to die! All honour and praise To the Father of grace, To the Spirit, and Son, I return, The business pursue He hath made me to do, And rejoice, that I ever was born. My remnant of days I spend in his praise Who died the whole world to redeem; Be they many, or few, My days are his due, And they all are devoted to him. Hymn CXXI.160 Father at thy footstool see We who now are one in thee, Draw us by thy grace alone, Give, O give us to thy Son. Jesus, friend of human kind, Let us in thy name be join'd, Each to each unite and bless, Keep us still in perfect peace. Heavenly, all-alluring Dove, Shed thine over-shadowing love, Love, the sealing grace impart, Dwell within our single heart. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Be to us what Adam lost, Let us in thy image rise, Give us back our paradise. 160First appeared in HSP (1749), 2:263-64; stanzas 1-4. Page 128 Hymn CXXII.161