Wesley Corpus

Page 42 Mysteries hidden from the wise, From the prudent men conceal'd, God, the Lord of earth and skies, To a simple babe reveal'd. Lord of earth and skies, again To a child thyself make known: Chosen from the sons of men, Am not I thy sacred loan? Yes, I to thy temple come, By my parents' piety Dedicated from the womb, Freely given up to thee. Thine, O Lord, I surely am, But to me unknown thou art: Come, and call me by my name, Whisper to my listning heart, Stir me up to seek thy face, Claim me in my tender years, Manifest the word of grace: Speak, for now thy servant hears. Fain I would, I would believe, Hear by faith thy pardning voice; Of thy love the knowledge give, Bid me, Lord, in thee rejoice, Now thy gracious self reveal, Speak in power and peace divine, Pardon on my conscience seal, Seal thy child for ever thine. Hymn XLVII. Father, with joy we praise Thy providential care, Snatch'd in our youthful days From sin and Satan's snare, Page 43 9"Thine" changed to "thy" in 2nd edn. (1768) and following. We own, and thankfully approve Thy merciful design, And vow to seek the things above, And live entirely thine. But vain our vows, we know, And strongest promises, Unless our God bestow The power himself to please: Nor men, nor means can change the heart, Or render it sincere, 'Till thou the principle impart Of godly, gracious fear. Hear then thy children's call, Fulfil thine9 own desire, And kindle in us all A spark of heavenly fire, A taste of God, a seed of grace Let every soul receive, And now begin the Christian race, And now begin to live. Train'd up in the true way Wherein we ought to go, Preserve us, lest we stray, When more in years we grow; O let us not, when old, depart From our integrity, But love our God with all our heart, And live and die to thee. Hymn XLVIII. How wretched are the boys at school, Who wickedly delight To mock, and call each other fool, And with each other fight! Page 44 Who soon their innocency lose, And learn to curse and swear: Or, if they do no harm, suppose That good enough they are.