Wesley Corpus

Gladly the toys of earth we leave, Wealth, pleasure, fame, for thee alone: To thee our will, soul, flesh we give; O take, O seal them for thy own. Thou art the God; thou art the Lord: Be thou by all thy works ador'd! Being of beings, may our praise Thy courts with grateful fragrance fill, Still may we stand before thy face, Still hear and do thy sov'reign will. To thee may all our thoughts arise, Ceaseless, accepted sacrifice! In thee we move. All things of thee Are full, thou source and life of all! Thou vast, unfathomable sea! Fall prostrate, lost in wonder, fall Ye sons of men; for God is man! All we may lose,24 so thee we gain! As flow'rs their op'ning leaves display, And glad drink in the solar fire, So may we catch thy ev'ry ray, So may thy influence us inspire: Thou beam of the eternal beam, Thou purging fire, thou quick'ning flame! Page 30 25First appeared in HSP (1739), 192-93. Acts ii. 41, c.25 The word pronounc'd, the gospel-word, The croud with various hearts receiv'd: In many a soul the Saviour stirr'd, Three thousand yielded, and believ'd. 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. 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. Page 31 26Source: Johann Scheffler. First appeared in HSP (1739), 198-200. 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. Gratitude for Our Conversion.26 Thee will I love, my strength, my tow'r, Thee will I love, my joy, my crown, Thee will I love with all my pow'r, In all my works, and thee alone! Thee will I love till the pure fire Fill my whole soul with chaste desire.