Wesley Corpus

Page 17 2This hymn was later included in HSP (1749), 1:42-43. A manuscript precursor of the hymn appears in MS Shent, 111b. 3"Mine" changed to "my" in HSP (1749). 4"Wilt" changed to "wouldst" in HSP (1749). 5"Blessings" changed to "blessing" in HSP (1749). Matthew vii. 7. "Ask and it shall be given you."2 Author of faith, to thee I cry, To thee who wouldst not have me die, But know the truth and live: Open mine eyes to see thy face, Work in mine3 heart the saving grace, The life eternal give. Shut up in unbelief I groan, And blindly serve a God unknown, Till thou the veil remove, The gift unspeakable impart And write thy name upon my heart, And manifest thy love. I know the work is only thine, The gift of faith is all divine; But if on thee we call, Thou wilt4 the benefit bestow, And give us hearts to feel and know That thou hast died for all. Thou bidst us knock and enter in, Come unto thee, and rest from sin, The blessings5 seek and find: Thou bidst us ask thy grace and have, Thou can'st, thou wouldst this moment save, Both me and all mankind. Be it according to thy word, Now let me find my pard'ning Lord, Let what I ask be given; The bar of unbelief remove, Open the door of faith and love, And take me into heaven. Page 18 6This hymn later included in Redemption Hymns (1747), 48-49. 7"Jesus'" changed to "Jesu's" in Redemption Hymns (1747). 8"That" changed to "Which" in Redemption Hymns (1747). 9Line changed to "And now the work in grace begin" in Redemption Hymns (1747); revised to "work of grace" in 4th edn. of Redemption Hymns (1755). Matthew vi. 6. "But thou when thou prayest enter into thy closet," c.6 Father of Jesus Christ, my Lord, I humbly seek thy face, Incourag'd by the Saviour's word To ask thy pard'ning grace. Entring into my closet I The busy world exclude, In secret prayer for mercy cry, And groan to be renew'd. Far from the paths of men to thee I solemnly retire, See, thou who dost in secret see, And grant my heart's desire. Thy grace I languish to receive, The Spirit of love and power, Blameless before thy face to live, To live and sin no more.