Wesley Corpus

Page 36 30First appeared in HSP (1739), 208-9. Hymn for the Epiphany.30 Sons of men, behold him far Hail the long expected star! Jacob's star that gilds the night, Guides bewilder'd nature right. Fear not hence that ill should flow, Wars or pestilence below, Wars it bids, and tumults cease, Ush'ring in the Prince of Peace. Mild he shines on all beneath, Piercing thro' the shade of death, Scatt'ring error's wide-spread night, Kindling darkness into light. Nations all, far off and near, Haste to see your God appear! Haste, for him your hearts prepare, Meet him manifested there! There behold the Day-Spring rise, Pouring eye-sight on your eyes, God in his own light survey, Shining to the perfect day. Sing, ye morning stars again, God descends on earth to reign, Deigns for man his life t' employ, Shout, ye sons of God, for joy! Page 37 31First appeared in HSP (1739), 209-11. Hymn for Easter-Day.31 "Christ, the Lord, is ris'n to day," Sons of men and angels say, Raise your joys and triumphs high, Sing ye heav'ns, and earth reply. Love's redeeming work is done, Fought the fight, the battle won; Lo! Our sun's eclipse is o'er, Lo! He sets in blood no more. Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Christ has burst the gates of hell; Death in vain forbids his rise: Christ has open'd paradise! Lives again our glorious King, Where, O death, is now thy sting? Dying once he all doth save, Where thy victory, O grave? Soar we now, where Christ has led? Following our exalted head, Made like him, like him we rise, Ours the cross the grave the skies! What tho' once we perish'd all, Partners in our parent's fall? Second life we all receive, In our heav'nly Adam live. Page 38 32First appeared in HSP (1739), 211-13. Ris'n with him, we upward move, Still we seek the things above, Still pursue and kiss the Son, Seated on his Father's throne. Scarce on earth a thought bestow, Dead to all we leave below, Heav'n our aim, and lov'd abode, Hid our life with Christ in God. Hid; till Christ our life appear, Glorious in his members here: Join'd to him, we then shall shine All immortal, all divine! Hail the Lord of earth and heav'n; Praise to thee by both be giv'n: Thee we greet, triumphant now; Hail the resurrection thou!