John & Charles Wesley · 226 of 258

Groaning for the Spirit of Adoption

Father, if Thou my Father art, Send forth the Spirit of Thy Son, Breathe Him into my panting heart, And make me know as I am known: Make me Thy conscious child, that I May, “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

I want the Spirit of power within, Of love, and of an healthful mind; Of power to conquer inbred sin, Of love to Thee and all mankind; Of health, that pain and death defies, Most vigorous when the body dies.

When shall I hear the inward voice, Which only faithful souls can hear! Pardon, and peace, and heavenly joys Attend the promised Comforter: He comes! And righteousness Divine, And Christ, and all with Christ is mine!

O that the Comforter would come, Nor visit as a transient guest, But fix in me His constant home, And take possession of my breast, And make my soul His loved abode, The temple of indwelling God!

Come, Holy Ghost, my heart inspire, Attest that I am born again! Come, and baptize me now with fire, Or all Thy former gifts are vain. I cannot rest in sin forgiven; Where is the earnest of my heaven?

Where the Indubitable Seal That ascertains the kingdom mine? The powerful stamp I long to feel, The signature of Love Divine: O, shed it in my heart abroad, Fulness of love, of heaven, of God!

[The Hymn that follows in the 1st edition, together with another on the same subject, headed 1 John 2:1,2, were transferred by the author to the “Hymns on God’s Everlasting Love,” and will be reprinted there.]