Wesley Corpus

Who the good fight of faith have fought, And found the love that casts out77 fear, Within the sacred verge be brought, And rest from all their labours here. In answer to thy Spirit's prayer Now let the polish'd pillars rise, Firm as the throne of God, and bear Thy glorious temple to the skies. 77Ori., "our"; corrected in 2nd edn (1756). Page 273 Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn VIII.78 O thou whose special grace Did kindly condescend Of all the chosen race To single out a friend, To shower on him above the rest, Thy richest favours down, And press him closest to thy breast Thy best-beloved John! I lift my heart to thee, To thee, who knowst the whole, Its dearest amity For one distinguish'd soul: The soft unutterable love Wherewith I one embrace With gracious smiles behold, approve, And turn it to thy praise. To thee, and thy great name My whole affection turn, And let the hallow'd flame For thy pure glory burn; From all idolatrous excess, From earthly dross refine, And on my simple heart impress The character divine. No more may I provoke My God to jealousy, Or to thy creature look For what proceeds from thee: Fountain of life, and joy, and peace Thee may I always own, And find my total happiness, Laid up in God alone. 78Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 20-21; and MS Friendship II, 7-8. Page 274 My all of comfort here, Whoe'er the grace transmit, To thee may I refer, And worship at thy feet, From thee may I my partner take (That pretious loan of thine) And wait thy call to give him back, And bless the name divine. On thee, my God, on thee Alone would I depend, And taste thy love, and see Thy image, in my friend, My bosom-friend at thy demand I promise to restore; But let us meet at thy right-hand, And praise thee evermore! Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn IX.79 Jesus, with kindest pity see Two souls that would be one in thee, If now accepted in thy sight, Thou dost our upright hearts unite, Allow us, while on earth to prove, The noblest joys of heavenly love.