Wesley Corpus

Thus while we bestow Our moments below, Ourselves we forsake, And refuge in Jesus's righteousness take: His passion alone The foundation we own, And pardon we claim, And eternal redemption in Jesus's name. Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XV.85 God of all good gifts the donor, God, whose mercies never end, Thee with lips and heart I honour, Bless thee for my darling friend, Thankful at thy hands receiving, Ever longing to fulfil All thy wise design in giving, All my Father's welcome will. If for this th' uniting Spirit Hath on me his burthen laid, Give me joyfully to bear it, Him with all my prayers to aid: Fill my heart with supplication, Let in me thy bowels move, Softness of divine compassion, Tenderness of heavenly love. 85Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 47-48; and MS Friendship II, 17-19. Page 282 Sanctify our mutual care, More and more let it increase, Strengthen us hereby to share Every tempted soul's distress: Stir us up to toil unceasing, Lay on both the common load, Make our love a general blessing, Turn it all to Sion's good. While with just peculiar kindness We each other's souls embrace, Save us from that doting blindness, Fatal to our fallen race; From the mean contracting passion Keep us free, and unconfin'd, Raise our generous inclination, Fix our love on all mankind. As a wide-extended river, Let thy love our hearts o'erflow, Purest love that lasts for ever, Reaching every soul below; Love that doth with free election Some beyond the rest approve, Bless us with thy whole affection, Special, universal love. Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XVI.86 Author of the peace unknown, Lover of my friend and me, Who of twain hast made us one, One preserve us still in thee, All our heigthen'd blessings bless, Crown our hopes with full success. 86Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 32; and MS Friendship II, 19-20. Page 283 Center of our hopes thou art, End of our enlarg'd desires: Stamp thine image on our heart, Fill us now with holy fires, Cemented by love divine, Seal our souls for ever thine. All our works in thee be wrought, Level'd at one common aim, Every word, and every thought Purge in the refining flame, Lead us thro' the paths of peace On to perfect holiness.