Wesley Corpus

Page 342 "When the kindness and philanthropy of God our Saviour appeared, not by works of righteousness which we had done, but according to his own mercy he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he poured forth richly upon us, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs, according to the hope of eternal life." (Gr.) Titus iii. 4, 5, 6, 7. When that philanthropy divine Into a sinner's heart doth shine, It shews the wondrous plan, The wisdom in a mystery Employ'd by the great One and Three, To save his fav'rite, man. Not for our works or righteousness, Did God our souls from sin release, Its guilt and power remove: He sav'd us by his grace alone, The cause, the only cause we own His free spontaneous love. Love, causeless80 love our God inclin'd, To send the Saviour of mankind, In mortal flesh reveal'd, Our pardon with his blood to buy, And then our conscience certify Of our salvation seal'd. Absolv'd from all which we have done, Accepted in his dearest Son, For Jesu's sake forgiven; Not for our own deserts, but his, We gain'd the reconciling kiss, The pledge, and taste of heaven. Our Father, mov'd by Jesu's prayer, Hath sent th' indwelling Comforter, The Spirit of holiness, To cleanse in the baptismal flood, Renew our spirits after God, And perfect us in grace. 80John Wesley substituted "boundless" for "causeless" in manuscript in his personal copy. Page 343