Wesley Corpus

Blest be the God, whose tender care Prevents his children's cry, Whose pity providently near Doth all our wants supply. Blest be the God, whose bounty's79 store These chearing gifts imparts; Who veils in bread, the secret power That feeds and glads our hearts. Fountain of blessings, source of good, To thee this strength we owe, Thou art the virtue of our food, Life of our life below. When shall our souls regain the skies? Thy heav'nly sweetness prove? Fulness of joys shall there arise,80 And all our food be81 love. 79"Bounty's" changed to "bounteous" in 4th edn. (1743) and 5th edn. (1756). 80Changed to "Where joys in all their fullness rise" in 3rd edn. (1739) and following. 81"Be" changed to "is" in 3rd edn. (1739) and following. Page 218 Another Grace After Meat. Fountain of all the good we see Streaming from heav'n above, Saviour! Our faith we act on thee, And exercise our love. 'Tis not the outward food we eat Doth this new strength afford, 'Tis thou, whose presence makes it meat, Thou the life-giving word. Man doth not live by bread alone, Whate'er thou wilt can feed; Thy power converts the bread to stone, And turns the stone to bread. Thou art our food: we taste thee now, In thee we move and breathe, Our bodies' only life art thou, And all besides is death! Page 219 John xvi. 24. "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." Rise my soul with ardor rise, Breathe thy wishes to the skies; Freely pour out all thy mind, Seek, and thou art sure to find; Ready art thou to receive? Readier is thy God to give. Heavenly Father, Lord82 of all, Hear, and shew thou hear'st my call; Let my cries thy throne assail Entering now within the veil: Give the benefits I claim Lord, I ask in Jesu's name! Friend of sinners, King of saints, Answer my minutest wants, All my largest thoughts require, Grant me all my heart's desire, Give me, till my cup run o'er, All, and infinitely more. Meek and lowly be my mind, Pure my heart, my will resign'd! 82"God" substituted for "Lord" in 3rd edn. (1739) only. Page 220 Keep me dead to all below, Only Christ resolv'd to know, Firm and disengag'd and free, Seeking all my bliss in thee.