Wesley Corpus

Before thy glorious eyes we spread The wish which doth from thee proceed, Our love from earthly dross refine, Holy, angelical, divine Thee let it its great author shew, And back to the pure fountain flow. A drop of that unbounded sea O God, resorb it into thee, 79Charles sent this hymn to Sarah Gwynne with a letter dated December 23, 1748. Other manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 1-2; and MS Friendship II, 9. Page 275 While both our souls with restless strife Spring up into eternal life, And lost in endless raptures prove Thy whole immensity of love. A spark of that etherial fire, Still let it to its source aspire, To thee in every wish return, Intensely for thy glory burn, With both our souls fly up to thee, And blaze thro' all eternity! Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn X.80 My Jesus, my all, Thy name I confess, My freedom in thrall, My help in distress, Thy boundless compassion The cordial did send, The strong consolation Convey'd in a friend. The hallow'd delight With thanks I receive, And give thee thy right, In praises I give: The bliss-giving power And glory be thine, The plentiful shower Of blessings is mine. I now on the scale Of friendship arise, The kingdom assail, And press to the skies, 80Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 3-4; and MS Friendship II, 10-11. Page 276 To joys never ending My comforts improve, From earthly ascending To heavenly love. Thy goodness I taste, Thy goodness proclaim, And joyfully haste To sup with the Lamb; Together invited Our Lord we pursue, With vigour united We fight our way thro'. Caught up in the air I soon shall ascend, The kingdom to share With thee and my friend, (On earth, to each other, In heaven, well known) And I with my brother Shall sit on thy throne. Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XI.81 What shall I do my God to love, Who pours his blessings from above, And comforts without end! Let all my grateful soul embrace His rich inestimable grace Vouchsaf'd me in a friend. My former friend (forever dear, Forever mention'd with a tear) Did long ago depart: 81Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 5-6; and MS Friendship II, 11-13.