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In Praise
of Hymn
reviewing popular hymns of the church
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior’s blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
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AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN
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’Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
He left his Father’s throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
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No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Charles Wesley (December 1707 – 29 March 1788) was the younger brother Of John Wesley sons of Samuel Wesley
a Church of England Clergyman, both went on to become leaders of the English Methodist movement.
His conversion experience in 1738 had a clear impact on his doctrine, especially the doctrine of the Holy
Spirit,and reflected notably in his hymns written thereafter. In the course of his career, Charles Wesley published the
words of over six thousand hymns, many of which are still popular. These include: And Can It Be that I Should Gain.
This hymn communicates several doctrines; the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the sanctifying work of the
Holy Spirit, the depravity of mankind, and humanity’s personal accountability to God. This was a vital contribution
not only to Methodism, but to modern theology as a whole.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Wesley#cite_note-14
[14]Vickers, Jason E. “Charles Wesley and the Revival of the Doctrine of the Trinity: A Methodist Contribution To Modern Theology.”
Charles Wesley. 278–298. Peterborough: Epworth Pr, 2007. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials. Web. 1 October 2012.
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SHARE|MAGAZINE January - March 2015