Wesley Corpus

Where shall my wondring soul begin? How shall I all to heaven aspire? A slave redeem'd from death and sin, A brand pluck'd from eternal fire; How shall I equal triumphs raise, And sing my great Deliverer's praise: O how shall I the goodness tell, Father, which thou to me hast shew'd, That I, a child of wrath, and hell, Should now be called a child of God! Should know, should feel my sins forgiven, Blest with this antepast of heaven! And shall I slight my Father's love, Or basely fear his gifts to own? Unmindful of his favours prove, Shall I, the hallow'd cross to shun, Refuse his righteousness t' impart, By hiding it within my heart? No; tho' the ancient dragon rage, And call forth all his host to war, Tho' earth's self-righteous sons engage; Them, and their god alike I dare: Jesus, the sinner's friend, proclaim, Jesus, to sinners still the same. 8First appeared in HSP (1739), 101-3; stanzas 1-4. Page 6 Hymn VII.9 Thee, O my God and King, My Father, thee I sing! Hear well-pleas'd the joyous sound, Praise from earth and heav'n receive: Lost, I now in Christ am found, Dead, by faith in Christ I live. Father, behold thy son, In Christ I am thy own, Stranger long to thee and rest, See the prodigal is come: Open wide thine arms and breast, Take the weary wand'rer home. Thine eye observ'd from far, Thy pity look'd me near: Me thy bowels yearn'd to see, Me thy mercy ran to find, Empty, poor, and void of thee, Hungry, sick, and faint, and blind. Thou on my neck didst fall, Thy kiss forgave me all: Still the gracious words I hear, Words that made the Saviour mine, Haste, for him the robe prepare, His be righteousness divine! Thee then, my God and King, My Father, thee I sing! Hear well-pleas'd the joyous sound, Praise from earth and heaven receive, Lost, I now in Christ am found, Dead, by faith in Christ I live. 9First appeared in HSP (1739), 107-8. Page 7 Hymn VIII.10 O filial deity, Accept my new-born cry; See the travail of thy soul; Saviour, and be satisfied; Take me now, possess me whole, Who for me, for me hast died!