Wesley Corpus

Yet not from these the power proceeds, Trumpets, or rods, or cloaths, or shades, Thy only arm the work hath done, If instruments thy wisdom chuse, Thy grace confers their saving use; Salvation is from God alone. Thou in this sacramental bread Dost now our hungry spirits feed, And chear us with the hallow'd wine, (Communion of thy flesh and blood) We banquet on immortal food, And drink the streams of life divine. Hymn LXII. The heavenly ordinances thine, And speak their origine divine, The stars diffuse their golden blaze, And glitter to their Maker's praise. Page 46 They each in different glory bright With stronger or with feebler light Their influence on mortals shed, And chear us by their friendly aid. The gospel-ordinances here As stars in Jesu's church appear, His power they more or less declare, But all his heavenly impress bear. Around our lower orb they burn, And chear and bless us in their turn, Transmit the light by Jesus given, The faithfu1 witnesses of heaven. They steer the pilgrim's course aright, And bounteous of their borrow'd light Conduct throughout the desart way, And lead us to eternal day. But first of the celestial train Benignest to the sons of men, The sacramental glory shines, And answers all our God's designs. The heavenly host it passes far, Illustrious as the morning star, The light of life divine imparts, While Jesus rises in our hearts. With joy we feel its sacred power, But neither stars nor21 means adore, We take the blessing from above, And praise the God of truth and love. What he did for our use ordain Shall still from age to age remain, Who e'er rejects the kind command The word of God shall ever stand. 21"Nor" changed to "or" in 3rd edn. (1751), 4th edn. (1757), and 5th edn. (1762). Page 47 Go, foolish worms, his word deny, Go tear those planets from the sky, But while the sun and moon endure, The ordinance on earth is sure. Hymn XLIII. O God thy word we claim, Thou here record'st thy name, Visit us in pard'ning grace, Christ the crucified appear, Come in thy appointed ways, Come, and meet, and bless us here.