Wesley Corpus

These by th' apostles' counsels led, With them in mighty pray'rs combin'd, Broke the commemorative bread, Nor from the fellowship declin'd. God from above, with ready grace And deeds of wonder, guards his flock, Trembles the world before their face, By Jesus crush'd, their Conqu'ring Rock. The happy band whom Christ redeems, One only will, one judgment know: None this contentious earth esteems, Distinctions, or delights below. 54Changed to "Him we taste; but wait to know" in 4th edn. (1743) and 5th edn. (1756); read "Him by faith we taste below" in HLS (1745). 55Changed to "Mightier happiness below" in 4th edn. (1743) and 5th edn. (1756). 56Line changed to "When his utmost grace we prove" in HLS (1745). 57Line changed to "Rise to heaven by perfect love" in HLS (1745). Page 193 The men of worldly wealth possest Their selfish happiness remove, Sell, and divide it to the rest, And buy the blessedness of love. Thus in the presence of their God, Jesus their life, and heav'n their care, With single heart they took their food Heighten'd by Eucharist and pray'r. God in their ev'ry work was prais'd: The people bless'd the law benign: Daily the church, his arm had rais'd, Receiv'd the sons of mercy in. To Be Sung at Work. Son of the carpenter, receive This humble work of mine; Worth to my meanest labour give, By joining it to thine. Servant of all, to toil for man Thou wouldst not, Lord, refuse: Thy majesty did not disdain To be employ'd for us. Page 194 Thy bright example I pursue To thee in all things rise, And all I think, or speak, or do, Is one great sacrifice. Careless thro' outward58 cares I go, From all distraction free: My hands are but engag'd below, My heart is still with thee. O when wilt thou my life appear! How gladly would I cry: "Tis done, the work thou gav'st one59 here, 'Tis finish'd Lord" and die. Another To Be Sung at Work. Summon'd my labour to renew, And glad to act my part, Lord, in thy name, my task I do, And with a single heart. End of my every action thou! Thyself in all I see: Accept my hallow'd labour now; I do it unto thee. 58Ori., "outwards"; corrected in 3rd edn. (1739) and following. 59"One" changed to "me" in 4th edn. (1743) and 5th edn. (1756).