Wesley Corpus

Leave me then without relief, Obstinately fixt in grief, Stedfastly resolv'd to know No enjoyment here below. Pleasure will I never taste Till the pain of sin is past, Never take delight in food Till I feed upon my God. To: "Ah! Lovely appearance of death," (Hymn 22). Oh how can a criminal feast In chains, and appointed to die? Oh how can a sinner be blest With only an outward supply? Till him at the table I meet Who chases my sorrows and fears, The bread of affliction I eat, And mingle my drink with my tears. For mercy I languish and faint, My only refreshment and food, Thy mercy, O Jesus, I want, I hunger and thirst after God: No blessing or good I desire On earth, or in heaven above, But grant me the grace I require, But give me a taste of thy love! Page 6 At or After Meat. To: "Jesus, shew us thy salvation," (Hymn 9). Jesus, life-inspiring Saviour, Life's continual nourisher, How have we abus'd thy favour, Rashly feeding without fear, Fondly our own souls insnaring By the gifts thy grace bestow'd, Nothing for the giver caring, Pois'ning all our pleasant food. But thy love hath taught us better, Ransom'd now from sensual thrall, Thee we find in every creature, Thee we sweetly taste in all; Pure delight from thee receiving We these outward blessings share, Still accepted with thanksgiving, Hallow'd by the word and prayer. To: "Angels speak, let man, c." (Hymn 2). Glory, love, and praise, and honour For our food Now bestow'd Render we the donor. Bounteous God, we now confess thee, God, who thus Blessest us, Meet it is to bless thee. Knows the ox his master's stable, And shall we Not know thee, Nourish'd at thy table? Yes, of all good gifts the giver Thee we own, Thee alone Magnify for ever. Page 7 To: "Away with our fears!" (Hymn 3). O God of all grace, Thy bounty we praise, And joyfully sing, Poor beggars admitted to feast with a King. The honour we claim In Jesus's name, Ev'n now we receive, And happy in Jesus's presence we live.