The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

He's gone! the spotless soul is gone,
Triumphant to his place above;
The prison walls are broken down,
The angels speed his swift remove,
And shouting on their wings he flies,
And Hervey rests in paradise.

Through the last dreadful conflict brought,
Which shook so sore his dying breast,
Far happier for that bitter draught,
With more transcendent raptures bless'd,
He finds for every patient groan
A jewel added to his crown.

Saved by the merit of his Lord,
Salvation, praise to Christ he gives,
Yet still his merciful reward
According to his works receives,

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And with the seed he sow'd below,
His bliss eternally shall grow.

Redeem'd by righteousness Divine,
In God's own portraiture complete,
With brighter rays ordain'd to shine,
He casts his crown at Jesus' feet,
And hails Him sitting on the throne,
For ever saved by grace alone.

HYMN XXXIX.

PART II.

[Father, to us vouchsafe the grace]

Father, to us vouchsafe the grace
Which brought our friend victorious through,
Let us his shining footsteps trace,
Let us his steadfast faith pursue,
Follow this follower of the Lamb,
And conquer all through Jesus' name.

Through Jesus' name, and strength, and word,
The well-fought fight our brother won;
Arm'd with the Saviour's blood and sword,
He cast the dire accuser down,
Compell'd the aliens to submit,
And trampled flesh beneath his feet.

In vain the Gnostic tempter tried
With guile his upright heart to' ensnare;
His upright heart the fiend defied,
No room for sin, when Christ was there,
No need of fancied liberty,
When Christ had made him truly free.

Free from the law of sin and death,
Free from the Antinomian leaven,
He led his Master's life beneath,
And labouring for the rest of heaven,

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By active love, and watchful prayer,
He show'd his heart already there.

How full of heaven his latest word,
“Thou bidd'st me now in peace depart,
For I have known my precious Lord,
Have clasp'd Thee, Saviour, in my heart,
My eyes Thy glorious joy have seen:”
He spake; he died; and enter'd in.

O might we all, like him, believe,
And keep the faith, and win the prize!
Father, prepare, and then receive
Our hallow'd spirits to the skies,
To chant with all our friends above
Thy glorious everlasting love.

University of Virginia Library

ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. MR. JAMES HERVEY, DECEMBER 25, 1758.

HYMN XXXVIII.

[PART I.]

[He's gone! the spotless soul is gone]

HYMN XXXIX.

PART II.

[Father, to us vouchsafe the grace]