Wesley Corpus

And accept, good Lord, of all the praises of all thy people met together this day. O that “thy ways were known upon all the earth, thy saving health among all nations;” and that all Christian Kings, especially, may be filled with thy Holy Spirit, and be faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus, “the King of kings and Lord of lords.” O that thy “Priests may be clothed with righteousness, and thy saints rejoice and sing;” that all who are in distress may trust in thee, the “health of their countenance and their God.” O Lord, hear us, and make thy face to shine upon thy servants, that we may “enter into thy gates with thanksgiving, and into thy courts with praise; that we may be thankful unto thee and bless thy name.” Amen, for Jesus Christ's sake; in whose words we conclude our imperfect prayers, saying, “Our Father,” &c. O THoU “high and holy One that inhabitest eternity,” thou art to be feared and loved by all thy servants. “All thy works praise thee, O God;” and we especially give thanks unto thee for thy marvellous love in Christ Jesus, by whom thou hast “reconciled the world to thyself.” Thou hast “given us exceeding great and precious promises.” Thou hast sealed them with his blood, thou hast confirmed them by his resurrection and ascension, and the coming of the Holy Ghost. We thank thee that thou hast given us so many happy opportunities of knowing the “truth as it is in Jesus,” even “the mystery which was hid from ages and generations,” but is now revealed to them that believe. Blessed be thy goodness for that great consolation, and for the assistance of thy Holy Spirit. Blessed be thy good ness, that we have felt it so often in our hearts, inspiring us with holy thoughts, filling us with love and joy, and comfort able expectations of “the glory that shall be revealed.” We thank thee, that thou hast suffered us this day to attend on thee in thy public service; and that we have begun, in any measure, to pursue after that eternal “rest which remaineth for the people of God.” We offer up again our souls and bodies to thee to be governed, not by our will, but thine.