Wesley Corpus

Now she without spot appears, For Christ appears again, Sun of righteousness, he clears His church from every stain, Rising in full majesty He blazes with meridian light: All th' horizon laughs to see The joyous heavenly sight. Bright with lustre not her own The woman now admire, Cloath'd with that eternal Sun Which sets the worlds on fire! Bright she shall for ever shine, Enjoying, like the church above, All the light of truth divine, And all the fire of love. Page 299 From her dark, inconstant state To perfect love restor'd, Stands the church divinely great, The army of the Lord, Wide his bloody sign displays; And lo the hosts of Satan fall; Terrible in holiness She more than conquers all. Who shall live to see that day Of her Redeemer's power? Jesus, come; no more delay Thy kingdom to restore! Or if first to rest I go, Yet let me in that day appear, Meanest of thy saints below, Thy saints triumphant here! "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?" Song of Sol. viii. 5. Who is this we see ascend From the desolate wilderness, Leaning on her bosom-friend, Weeping 'till his face she sees! Scattering all her griefs and fears, Lo, he lays the veil aside, Wipes away his church's tears, Shews her his unspotted bride. Thus, out of its state forlorn Every soul on Christ reclin'd Shall with him at last return, Leave its cares and sins behind: Thus by Jesu's arm sustain'd I shall with my Lord be blest, Rise into that holiest land, Perfect love's eternal rest. Page 300 Hymn 946. "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me." Isa. i. 2. Hear, heaven and earth, your God's appeal, (Jehovah to his creature cries) Angels and men, my justice tell, When all my storms of vengeance rise To plague a vile rebellious race, Apostates from my richest grace. Children I have nurs'd up and bred, Mark'd with the new, the Christian name, But lo! The base degenerate seed Impatient to divulge their shame, Their foul ingratitude to prove, Have spurn'd the bowels of my love. "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." Isa. i. 3.