The poetical works of John and Charles Wesley

When that philanthropy Divine
Into a sinner's heart doth shine,
It shows the wondrous plan,
The wisdom in a mystery
Employ'd by the great One and Three,
To save His favourite, man.

Not for our works or righteousness,
Did God our souls from sin release,
Its guilt and power remove:
He saved us by His grace alone,
The cause, the only cause we own,
His free spontaneous love.

Love, causeless love, our God inclined
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.

Absolved 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, moved by Jesu's prayer,
Hath sent the' indwelling Comforter,
The Spirit of holiness,

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To cleanse in the baptismal flood,
Renew our spirits after God,
And perfect us in grace.

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.

University of Virginia Library

3254.

[When that philanthropy Divine]