Wesley Corpus

And can it be, that I should gain An int'rest in the Saviour's blood! Dy'd he for me? Who caus'd his pain! For me? Who him to death pursu'd. Amazing love! How can it be That thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Page 118 'Tis myst'ry all! Th' immortal dies! Who can explore his strange design? In vain the first-born seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds enquire no more. He left his Father's throne above, (So free, so infinite his grace!) Empty'd himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race: 'Tis mercy all, immense and free! For O my God! It found out me! Long my imprison'd spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature's night: Thine eye diffus'd a quick'ning ray; I woke; the dungeon flam'd with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and follow'd thee. Still the small inward voice I hear, That whispers all my sins forgiv'n; Still the atoning41 blood is near, That quench'd the wrath of hostile heav'n: I feel the life his wounds impart; I feel my Saviour in my heart. No condemnation now I dread, Jesus, and all in him, is mine: 41Ori., "attoning"; corrected in 5th edn. (1756). Page 119 Alive in him, my living head, And cloath'd in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th' eternal throne, And claim the crown, thro' Christ, my own. Page 128 Therefore with Angels, c.42 Lord and God of heav'nly pow'rs, Theirs yet Oh! Benignly ours, Glorious King, let earth proclaim, Worms attempt to chant thy name. Thee to laud in songs divine Angels and archangels join; We with them our voices raise, Echoing thy eternal praise: "Holy, holy, holy Lord, Live by heav'n and earth ador'd!" Full of thee, they ever cry "Glory be to God most high!" Glory Be to God on High, c.43 Glory be to God on high, God whose glory fills the sky: Peace on earth to man forgiv'n, Man the well-belov'd of heav'n! 42From the Preface to the Sanctus in the liturgy of Holy Communion, BCP. This hymn included later in HLS (1745), as Hymn CLXI. 43The Gloria in the liturgy of Holy Communion, BCP. This hymn included later in HLS (1745), as Hymn Page 129