University of Virginia Library

previous section The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley
next section

I.

[O for a spark of heavenly fire]

O for a spark of heavenly fire
From the Redeemer's throne,
The pure and permanent desire
Of loving Him alone!
The pure desire unquenchable
Even now I seem to prove,
But only Thou, my God, canst tell
If Thee I wish to love.
A stranger to the blissful grace
I hitherto have been;
But must I end my wretched days,
And die at last in sin?
A sinner hanging o'er the grave,
Assuredly I know,
Thy grave alone my soul can save
From never-ending woe.
355

When Thou hast wrought a will in me
The blessing to receive,
Thy hatred of iniquity,
Thy sinless nature give;
Partaker of my flesh, impart
Thy Spirit from above,
And certify my happy heart
That God in Thee is love.
That I in Thee upraised may know
The true eternal God,
Thou didst become a man of woe,
And pour out all Thy blood.
Travail'd Thy soul to ransom mine,
To make me love again;
Nor wouldst Thou, Lord, Thy life resign,
Or bleed and die in vain.
Vouchsafe me then the wish sincere,
The wish sincere fulfil,
And stamp me with Thy character
According to Thy will.
Accomplish'd see Thy own desires,
And O be satisfied,
When singing with the' immortal choirs
I triumph at Thy side.
previous section The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley
next section