Wesley Corpus

Thy Spirit which wholly sanctifies, Shall ascertain the heavenly prize, Before we hence remove, Seal us the heirs of glorious bliss, And plunge in the divine abyss Of pure eternal LOVE. Hymn 673. "Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Philem. 3. The grace and peace of God The Father and the Son, All blessings are on us bestow'd By two forever one! From God and Christ our Lord The Spirit we receive, And by his perfect grace restor'd In perfect peace shall live. "Receive him, that is, mine own bowels." Philem. 12. Who can a pastor's heart express, Th' unutterable tenderness, Beyond what fondest mothers prove, The yearning pangs of softest love? He only comprehends, who knows Whence every grace and blessing flows, Who feels, but never can explain, The bowels of the Son of man. Page 344 "He therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever." Philem. 15. What depths of wisdom and of grace Do we in Jesus find, Reflecting on his wond'rous ways, And dealings with mankind! He marks our unavailing pain, While far from him we rove, And carries on the secret plan Of his mysterious love. Left to myself, in paths of vice I scarce began to run, When Jesus did his stray surprize, And claim'd me for his own: To save my soul, he came unsought, True liberty to give, And in the arms of mercy caught His thoughtless fugitive. Saviour, with thankful awe I see Thy mercy's strange design, Which let me swerve awhile from thee, To make me always thine: A servant and a son restor'd Thou kindly dost receive; And happy with my heavenly Lord I shall forever live. Page 345 Hymn 676. "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Heb. i. 3. Brightness of th' eternal glory, Image of our God exprest, Jesus, let thy works adore thee, God supreme forever blest! Still upheld by their Creator, Heaven and earth thy power confess; Lord of universal nature, Take the universal praise.