Wesley Corpus

Oh! That the flaming chariot, By grace peculiar given, Might now descend, And wrap my friend, My friend, and me, to heaven! Above this gloomy region, This vale of sin and sadness, We'd soar away To endless day, And everlasting gladness. Head of thy church triumphant, We long to see thy glory, With joy to rise Beyond the skies, Where all thy hosts adore thee. We look for thy appearing With vehement expectation, And swell the groan Which from thine own, Runs thro' the whole creation. O might we now behold thee In radiant clouds descending, Sublime upon The great white throne, With all thy hosts attending! Come in thy glorious kingdom, Thou worthy judge eternal, And seat us by Thy side, to try And doom the powers infernal. 111Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Friendship I, 51-52; and MS Friendship II, 47-49. Page 312 Oh! Wouldst thou now receive us, The heirs of full salvation, To our reward, For us prepar'd, Before the world's foundation. Now, Lord, assign his mansion, And crown to each believer, And let us rest, In thee possest Of joy that blooms forever! Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XL.112 Friend of all who seek thy favour, Us defend To the end, Be our utmost Saviour. Us, who join on earth t' adore thee, Guard, and love, 'Till above Both appear before thee. Fix on thee our whole affection, Love divine, Keep us thine, Safe in thy protection. Christ, of all our conversation Be the scope, Lift us up To thy full salvation. Bring us every moment nearer; Fairer rise In our eyes, Dearer still, and dearer. 112A manuscript precursor of this hymn appears in MS Friendship II, 49-50. Page 313 Infinitely dear and pretious, With thy love From above Evermore refresh us. Strengthen'd by the cordial blessing Let us haste To the feast, Feast of joys unceasing. Perfect let us walk before thee, Walk in white To the sight Of thy heavenly glory. Both with calm impatience press on To the prize, Scale the skies, Take entire possession: Drink of life's exhaustless river, Take of thee, Life's fair tree, Eat, and live forever! Hymns for Christian Friends. Hymn XLI.113 Come, let us ascend, My companion, and friend, To a taste of the banquet above: If thy heart be as mine, If for Jesus it pine, Come up into the chariot of love.