Wesley Corpus

Thou could'st not rest among the dead, In chains of education bound, But following TRUTH, where'er it led, And list'ning to the gospel-sound, Thy simple heart obey'd his call, And found the God who dy'd for all. A witness of his boundless love, Which wills that every soul should live, Thou didst the general blessing prove, The universal grace receive, The rapt'rous sense of sin forgiven, The Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. By that unerring Spirit led, Thou didst the Christian rite require: The Spirit shew'd thy farther need Of water, tho' baptis'd with fire, He drew thee to the hallow'd stream, Tho' all thy soul was plung'd in him. Who could forbid the outward sign, When God had giv'n the inward grace? Obedient to the word divine, Glad to fulfil all righteousness, Thou found'st thy Lord again reveal'd, And gloriedst in thy pardon seal'd. Page 14 Didst thou not walk with Christ in white? Didst thou not keep thy garments pure? The virtue of that heavenly rite, The Spirit, made thy goings sure, And hid thee in the Saviour's breast, And fitted for eternal rest. Soon as the warning angel came, Thy convoy to that world unknown, Thy soul, a follower of the Lamb, Rejoic'd to lay its burthen down, To pay him back his dying love, And do his will like those above. No earthly wish detains thee here, Nor friends by more than flesh ally'd, Dearer than life, yet not so dear As him, who calls thee to his side, And claims thy spotless spirit for his, And crowns thee with immortal bliss. Blest be the love that led thee on, And sav'd throughout from first to last! Saviour, on thy dear love alone In life and death our souls we cast, Till ripe for heaven we take our flight, And clasp again our friends in light. Hymn VIII. On the Death of Mrs. Mercy Thornton, March 1, 1757. Th' almighty will be done, Who justly claims his own! Sister, daughter, friend, farewell! Caught up to thy great reward, To the bliss ineffable, To the bosom of thy Lord. Page 15 Beyond our vale of woe, Detatch'd from all below, Long thy gracious soul aspir'd After his belov'd embrace, Restlessly its God requir'd, Gasp'd to see his glorious face.