1 OMNIPRESENT God! whose aid No one ever asked in vain, Be this night about my bed, Every evil thought restrain; Lay thy hand upon my soul, God of my unguarded hours! All my enemies control, Hell, and earth, and nature's powers.
2O thou jealous God! come down, God of spotless purity, Claim, and seize me for thy own, Consecrate my heart to thee; Under thy protection take, Songs in the night season give; Let me sleep to thee, and wake, Let me die to thee, and live.
3Only tell me I am thine, And thou wilt not quit thy right; Answer me in dreams divine, Dreams and visions of the night: Bid me even in sleep go on, Restlessly my God desire, Mourn for God in every groan, God in every thought require.
4Loose me from the chains of sense, Set me from the body free, Draw with stronger influence My unfettered soul to thee; In me, Lord, thyself reveal, Fill me with a sweet surprise: Let me thee when waking feel, Let me in thy image rise.
5Let me of thy life partake, Thy own holiness impart, O that I might sweetly wake With my Saviour in my heart! O that I might know thee mine! O that I might thee receive! Only live the life divine, Only to thy glory live!
6Or if thou my soul require Ere I see the morning light, Grant me, Lord, my heart's desire, Perfect me in love to-night; Finish thy great work of love, Cut it short in righteousness, Fit me for the realms above, Change, and bid me die in peace.
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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.