John & Charles Wesley · 76 of 258

The Glance

From the same.

When first Thy gracious eye’s survey, Even in the midst of youth and night, Mark’d me, where sunk in sin I lay, I felt a strange unknown delight.

My soul, in all its powers renew’d, Own’d the Divine Physician’s art; So swift the healing look bedew’d, Embalm’d, o’erran, and fill’d my heart.

Since then I many a bitter storm Have felt; and, feeling, sure had died, Had the malicious fatal harm Roll’d on its unmolested tide:

But, working still, within my soul Thy sweet original joy remain’d; Thy love did all my griefs control, Thy love the victory more than gain’d.

If the first glance, but open’d now And now seal’d up, so powerful prove, What wondrous transports shall we know When glorying in Thy full-eyed love!

When Thou shalt look us out of pain, And raise us to Thy blissful sight, With open face strong to sustain The blaze of Thy unclouded light!