Introduction
On May 21st, 1738, Church of England clergyman Charles Wesley felt for the first time that the message of the gospel was really ‘for me’ — a message addressed not only to all mankind, but to Charles Wesley. His overpowering ‘conversion’ (as he called it) momentarily bewildered him, but fortunately for us he was not at a loss for words for long.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
WHERE shall my wondering soul begin?
How shall I all to heaven aspire?
A slave redeem’d from death and sin,
A brand pluck’d from eternal fire,
How shall I equal triumphs raise,
Or sing my great Deliverer’s praise?
O how shall I the goodness tell,
Father, which thou to me hast show’d?
That I, a child of wrath and hell,
I should be call’d a child of God,
Should know, should feel my sins forgiven,
Blest with this antepast of heaven!
And shall I slight my Father’s love?
Or basely fear his gifts to own?
Unmindful of his favours prove?
Shall I, the hallow’d cross to shun,
Refuse his righteousness t’impart,
By hiding it within my heart?
No: though the ancient Dragon rage,
And call forth all his host to war;
Though earth’s self-righteous sons engage;
Them, and their god, alike I dare;
Jesus, the sinner’s Friend, proclaim;
Jesus, to sinners still the same.
Outcasts of men, to you I call,
Harlots, and publicans, and thieves!
He spreads his arms t’ embrace you all
Sinners alone his grace receives:
No need of him the righteous have;
He came the lost to seek and save.
Come, O my guilty brethren, come,
Groaning beneath your load of sin;
His bleeding heart shall make you room,
His open side shall take you in.
He calls you now, invites you home;
Come, O my guilty brethren, come!
For you the purple current flow’d
In pardons from his wounded side;
Languish’d for you the’ eternal God;
For you the Prince of Glory died:
Believe, and all your sin’s forgiven;
Only believe, and yours is heaven.
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