Wesley Corpus

Resurrection Hymns (1746)1 Baker list, 116 Editorial Introduction: Charles Wesley deeply appreciated the value of celebrating the major Christian festivals connected to the life of Christ. This is evident from the first volume containing his poetry, Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739), which included (on pp. 206-15) a series of hymns on Christmas Day, Epiphany, Easter Day, Ascension Day and Whitsunday (Pentecost) all clearly traced to Charles. Desiring to provide a richer set of worship resources, in 1745-46 Wesley published a series of pamphlet hymn collections for these festivals. The first was Nativity Hymns (1745), released in time for Christmas worship in December 1745. Then on March 17, 1746, Wesley issued the second collection in the series, Hymns for our Lord's Resurrection, in time for Easter (March 30 that year). This second collection contained sixteen hymns, all new. While it was not as popular as Nativity Hymns (1745), this second collection stayed in print through Wesley's life. As with Nativity Hymns (1745), there has survived a copy of the 1754 edn. of Resurrection Hymns that was owned by John Wesley, in which he made a couple of manuscript suggestions for alterations. These suggestions (and Charles's response) are indicated in footnotes below. Editions: Charles Wesley. Hymns for Our Lord's Resurrection. London: Strahan, 1746. 2nd Bristol: Farley, 1746. 3rd Dublin: Powell, 1747. 3rd Bristol: Farley, 1748. 4th Dublin: Powell, 1751. London: Cock, 1754. 4th Bristol: Pine, 1764. 5th Bristol: Pine, 1769. 6th London: Hawes, 1777. London: Paramore, 1787. Table of Contents Hymn I Hymn II Hymn III Hymn IV Hymn V Hymn VI Hymn VII. "By the mystery of thy holy incarnation ...." Litany Hymn VIII Hymn IX Hymn X Hymn XI Hymn XII Hymn XIII Hymn XIV Hymn XV Hymn XVI. For Ascension-Day Page 1 Hymn I.2 All ye that seek the Lord who died, Your God for sinners crucified, Prevent the earliest dawn, and come To worship at his sacred tomb. Bring the sweet spices of your sighs, Your contrite hearts, and streaming eyes, Your sad complaints, and humble fears; Come, and embalm him with your tears. While thus ye love your souls t' employ, Your sorrow shall be turn'd to joy: Now, now let all your grief be o'er! Believe; and ye shall weep no more.