The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

Join'd by the unction from above
In bonds of pure seraphic love,
United in Thy love alone.
Searcher of hearts unsearchable,
To Thee, great God, we dare appeal,
To Thee we dare our cause commend;
Thou know'st our simpleness of heart,
And as Thou didst the grace impart,
O keep us, keep us to the end.

Our friendship sanctify, and guide,
Unmix'd with selfishness, and pride,
Thy glory be our single aim:
In all our intercourse below
Still let us in Thy footsteps go,
And never meet but in Thy name.
Fix on Thyself our single eye;
Oh! may we on Thyself rely
For all the help which each conveys,
The help as from Thy hands receive,
And still to Thee all glory give,
All thanks, all might, all love, all praise.

Whate'er Thou dost on one bestow,
Let each the doubled blessing know,
Let each the common burden bear,
In comforts, and in griefs agree,
And wrestle for his friend with Thee
In all the' omnipotence of prayer.
Our mutual prayer accept, and seal,
In both Thy glorious self reveal,
Both with the fire of love baptize

410

Thy kingdom in our souls restore,
And keep, till we can sin no more,
Till both in all Thy image rise.

Witnesses of the' all-cleansing blood,
Long may we work the works of God,
And do Thy will like those above;
Together spread the gospel sound,
And scatter peace on all around,
And joy, and happiness, and love.
True yoke-fellows, by love compell'd
To labour in the gospel field,
Our all let us delight to spend
In gathering in Thy lambs and sheep;
Assured that Thou our souls wilt keep,
Wilt keep us faithful to the end.

And if it be Thy sovereign will,
Jesus, our hearts' desire fulfil,
Thou know'st, dear Lord, what we would say:
To Thee the matter we submit,
But if Thy wisdom deems it fit,
Oh! call us both at once away.
Let both at once the summons hear,
And bless the welcome messenger,
The angel of Thy latest grace:
Let both at once our souls resign
Into those gracious hands of Thine,
And see at once Thy glorious face.

In Thee together let us die,
Together mount above the sky,
Smooth wafted on the angel's wings,

411

Together take the starry crown,
And sit with Thee triumphant down,
Assessors of the King of kings;
Together on Thy fulness feast,
In Thee, and in each other blest,
The social joys of heaven improve,
Sing the new song which ne'er shall end,
And jointly in Thy praises spend
An everlasting age of love.

University of Virginia Library

CXCIV. THE SAME.

Hymn 4.

[Author of friendship's sacred tie]