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07/27/2002 Entry: "CW again"

It's been a while since I posted anything of C. Wesley's. Here's a lovely bit of poetry I discovered in the United Methodist Hymnal. I've never seen it in a British hymn book.

Whether the Word be preached or read,No saving benefit I gainFrom empty sounds or letters dead;Unprofitable all and vain,Unless by faith Thy Word I hearAnd see its heavenly character.

Unmixed with faith, the Scripture givesNo comfort, life, or light to see,But me in darker darkness leaves,Implunged in deeper misery,Overwhelmed with nature’s sorest ills,The Spirit saves, the letter kills.

If God enlighten through His Word,I shall my kind Enlightener bless;But void and naked of my Lord,What are all verbal promises?Nothing to me, till faith divineInspire, inspeak, and make them mine.

Jesus, the appropriating grace’Tis Thine on sinners to bestow.Open mine eyes to see Thy face,Open my heart Thyself to know.And then I through Thy Word obtainSure present, and eternal gain.