Wesley Corpus

Page 118 "The messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in, behold, he shall come." Mal. iii. 1. Angel of covenanted grace, Come to this longing soul of mine! Thy presence makes the holiest place, Thy coming consecrates the shrine: As lightning let thy coming be, To all who bear thy word in mind, And who their Eden seek in thee, In thee let them their Eden find. "Who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth?" Mal. iii. 2. Who may his day abide, Or stand by Jesus tried? He whose sin the flames consume; Glad to be by fire refin'd, He shall from the furnace come, Leave his inbred dross behind. "He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap." Mal. iii. 2. That soap from inward sin Shall wash our nature clean, Wash out all our spots and stains, (If we to the end endure) Purge th' original remains, Make us pure as God is pure. "He shall sit as a refiner, and purifier of silver." Mal. iii. 3. Come then the purging flame, The power of Jesu's name! Jesus, with thy blood appear, Blood that washes white as snow, Purify a people here, Sinless make thy church below. Page 119 "He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." Mal. iii. 3. Father, make good thy word of grace, And purify the priestly race Who minister in things divine, Out of their hearts the dross remove, Their worldly care, and worldly love; As silver and as gold refine. So shall their pure oblations please, While cloath'd with Jesu's righteousness They bring their offering to the throne, Present the virgin pure and clean, The church redeem'd from inbred sin, The spotless consort of thy Son. "Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." Mal. iii. 4. Then, Jesus, then, when seven-times tried, Thy people sav'd and sanctify'd Thy glorious character shall bear! A chosen race of priests and kings, Each his accepted offering brings, The incense pure of praise and prayer.