1HO! every one that thirsts, draw nigh! ('Tis God invites the fallen race) Mercy and free salvation buy; Buy wine, and milk, and gospel grace.
2Come to the living waters, come! Sinners, obey your Maker's call; Return, ye weary wanderers, home, And find my grace is free for all.
3See from the Rock a fountain rise! For you in healing streams it rolls; Money ye need not bring, nor price, Ye labouring, burdened, sin-sick souls.
4Nothing ye in exchange shall give, Leave all you have and are behind, Frankly the gift of God receive, Pardon and peace in Jesus find.
5Why seek ye that which is not bread, Nor can your hungry souls sustain On ashes, husks, and air ye feed; Ye spend your little all in vain.
6In search of empty joys below, Ye toil with unavailing strife; Whither, ah! whither would ye go I have the words of endless life.
7Hearken to me with earnest care, And freely eat substantial food, The sweetness of my mercy share, And taste that I alone am good.
8I bid you all my goodness prove, My promises for all are free, Come, taste the manna of my love, And let your souls delight in me.
9Your willing ear and heart incline, My words believingly receive; Quickened your souls by faith divine An everlasting life shall live.
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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.