Charles Wesley
1707 - 1788
Church of England
Biography
On 21 May 1738 Wesley recorded the evangelical experience of assurance that became an important turning point in his ministry. He then preached widely in the Methodist revival and used sacred verse as a means of biblical teaching, congregational worship, and personal devotion. His hymns give sustained attention to salvation through Christ, grace, assurance, holiness, the work of the Holy Spirit, Christian discipleship, and the sacramental life of the church.
Wesley produced an exceptionally large body of religious verse, including such enduring hymns as “And Can It Be,” “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” and “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.” His writing helped give early Methodism a distinctive sung theology while remaining deeply rooted in Scripture and the worship of the Church of England. The verses later excerpted as “Because Thou Hast Said” were published in 1745 in the Wesley brothers’ controversy with Moravian quietism and the neglect of the means of grace.
Hymns by Charles Wesley
'Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies
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A Charge to Keep I Have
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All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord
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And Are We Yet Alive
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And Can It Be
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Because Thou Hast Said
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Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love
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Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow
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Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
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Christ, from Whom All Blessings Flow
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Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
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Come, and Let Us Sweetly Join
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Come, Divine Interpreter
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Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire
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Come, Let Us Join Our Friends Above
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Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine
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Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown
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Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast
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Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
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Depth of Mercy
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Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go
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Give Me the Faith Which Can Remove
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Glory to God, and Praise and Love
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Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise
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Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
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How Can We Sinners Know
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I Want a Principle Within
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If Death My Friend and Me Divide
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Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
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Jesus United by Thy Grace
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Jesus, Lord, We Look to Thee
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Jesus, Lover of My Soul
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Jesus, Thine All-Victorious Love
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Jesus! the Name High over All
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Let Us Plead for Faith Alone
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Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
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Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
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Maker, in Whom We Live
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Mil Voces Para Celebrar
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O Come and Dwell in Me
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O For a Heart to Praise My God
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O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
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O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done
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O the Depth of Love Divine
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O Thou Who Camest from Above
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O Thou Who This Mysterious Bread
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Our Earth We Now Lament to See
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Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above
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Rejoice, the Lord Is King!
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See How Great a Flame Aspires
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Sing To The Great Jehovah's Praise
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Sinners, Turn: Why Will You Die
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Soldiers of Christ, Arise
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Spirit of Faith, Come Down
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Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose
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Where Shall My Wondering Soul Begin
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Whether the Word Be Preached or Read
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Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
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