1 Author of our salvation, thee
With lowly, thankful hearts we praise;
Author of this great mystery--
Figure and means of saving grace.
2 The sacred, true, effectual sign,
Thy body and thy blood it shows;
The glorious instrument divine,
Thy mercy and thy strength bestows.
3 We see the blood that seals our peace;
Thy pard'ning mercy we receive;
The bread doth visibly express
The strength through which our spirits live.
4 Our spirits drink a fresh supply,
And eat the bread so freely given,
Till, borne on eagles' wings, we fly
And banquet with our Lord in heaven.
Source: The Voice of Praise: a collection of hymns for the use of the Methodist Church #494
First Line: | Author of our salvation, thee |
Title: | Figure and Means of Saving Grace |
Author: | Charles Wesley |
Meter: | 8.8.8.8 |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
Author of our salvation, Thee. C. Wesley. [Holy Communion.] First published in Hymns on the Lord's Supper, 1745, No. 28, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, and based on the words, "As it is a sign and a means of Grace," being the first hymn on that division of the subject. It is not in use in Great Britain. In the Hymnal of the Methodist Episcopal Church, N. Y., 1878, No. 851, it is given in an unaltered form. Also in the Poetical Works, 1868-72, vol. iii. p. 236.
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)