Wesley Corpus

Where shall this memorial end? Thither let our souls ascend, Live on earth to heaven restor'd, Wait the coming of our Lord. Jesus terminates our hope, Jesus is our wishes' scope, End of this great mystery Him we fain would die to see. He whom we remember here, Christ shall in the clouds appear, Manifest to every eye, We shall soon behold him nigh. Faith ascends the mountain's height, Now enjoys the pompous sight, Antedates the final doom, Sees the judge in glory come. Lo, he comes triumphant down, Seated on his great white throne! Cherubs bear it on their wings, Shouting bear the King of kings. Lo, his glorious banner spread Stains the skies with deepest red, Dies the land, and fires the wood, Turns the ocean into blood. Gather'd to the well-known sign We our elder brethren join, Swiftly to our Lord fly up, Hail him on the mountain-top; Page 86 Take our happy seats above, Banquet on his heavenly love, Lean on our Redeemer's breast, In his arms for ever rest. Hymn XCIX. Whither should our full souls aspire At this transporting feast? They never can on earth be higher, Or more compleatly blest. Our cup of blessing from above Delightfully runs o'er, Till from these bodies they remove Our souls can hold no more. To heav'n the mystic banquet leads, Let us to heaven ascend, And bear this joy upon our heads Till it in glory end: Till all who truly join in this, The marriage-supper share, Enter into their Master's bliss And feast for ever there. Hymn C. Returning to his throne above The friend of sinners cried, Do this in mem'ry of my love; He spoke the word, and died. He tasted death for every one, The Saviour of mankind Out of our sight to heaven is gone, But left his pledge behind. Page 87 His sacramental pledge we take, Nor will we let it go; Till in the clouds our Lord comes back We thus his death will shew. Come quickly, Lord, for whom we mourn, And comfort all that grieve, Prepare the bride, and then return And to thyself receive. Now to thy gracious kingdom come, (Thou hast a token given) And when thy arms receive us home Recall thy pledge in heaven. Hymn CI.