1GOD is the refuge of his saints, When storms of sharp distress invade; Ere we can offer our complaints, Behold him present with his aid!
2Let mountains from their seats be hurled Down to the deep, and buried there, Convulsions shake the solid world, Our faith shall never yield to fear.
3Loud may the troubled ocean roar; In sacred peace our souls abide; While every nation, every shore, Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide.
4There is a stream, whose gentle flow Supplies the city of our God, Life, love, and joy still gliding through, And watering our divine abode.
5Zion enjoys her monarch's love, Secure against the threatening hour; Nor can her firm foundation move, Built on his faithfulness and power.
= L.M. SECOND PART
6LET Zion in her King rejoice, Though Satan rage, and kingdoms rise: He utters his almighty voice, The nations melt, the tumult dies.
7The Lord of old for Jacob fought; And Jacob's God is still our aid: Behold the works his hand hath wrought! What desolations he hath made!
8From sea to sea, through all their shores, He makes the noise of battle cease; When from on high his thunder roars, He awes the trembling world to peace.
9He breaks the bow, he cuts the spear; Chariots he burns with heavenly flame: Keep silence, all the earth, and hear The sound and glory of his name:
10 "Be still, and learn that I am God, Exalted over all the lands; I will be known and feared abroad; For still my throne in Zion stands."
11 O Lord of hosts, almighty King! While we so near thy presence dwell, Our faith shall rest secure, and sing Defiance to the gates of hell.
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Charles Wesley (1707 - 1788)
Was an English hymn writer, poet, and preacher who wrote over 5,500 hymns including And Can It Be That I Should Gain?, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. A leader of the Methodist movement with his brother John Wesley.Wesley's conversion had a clear impact on his doctrine, especially the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The change in doctrine can be seen in his sermons after 1738, but is most notable in his hymns written after 1738. From Charles published work “Hymns and Prayers to the Trinity” and in Hymn number 62 he writes “The Holy Ghost in part we know, For with us He resides, Our whole of good to Him we owe, Whom by His grace he guides, He doth our virtuous thoughts inspire, The evil he averts, And every seed of good desire, He planted in our hearts.”
Charles Wesley is best known for his prolific hymn writing, his poetry and for being one of the founding fathers of the Methodist denomination of Christianity. He wrote more than six thousand hymns, of which a handful remain in modern day worship.
John and Charles Wesley's Methodist style was to take the word of God to people, wherever they were, rather than try to get them into a church to hear it. The numbers of converts grew and were gathered into 'societies' to nurture their faith.
With their helpers they began their travelling ministry, covering thousands of miles on horseback over the years throughout England and in Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with London, Bristol, and Newcastle being the main centres of their work.
The high-intensity preaching took its toll on Charles; he suffered from nervous exhaustion and severe depression. He was 80 when he died on 29th March 1788. With his famous carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing heard everywhere from cathedrals to supermarkets, the legacy of Charles Wesley is likely to continue for years to come.
Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, son of Anglican clergyman and poet Samuel Wesley, the younger brother of Anglican clergyman John Wesley and Anglican clergyman Samuel Wesley (the Younger), and father of musician Samuel Wesley, and grandfather of musician Samuel Sebastian Wesley.
Despite their closeness, Charles and his brother John did not always agree on questions relating to their beliefs. In particular, Charles was strongly opposed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England into which they had been ordained. Charles Wesley is chiefly remembered for the many hymns he wrote. He founded Wesley Chapel in the village of Brayton, which is just south of Selby. His house, located nearby, can still be visited today.