THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 323
Ver. 4, Give me Thyself from every boast, may have been suggested by the tradition that when Thomas Aquinas was dying the Saviour appeared to him in a vision, and asked, Thou hast written well of Me; what shall thy reward be? The seraphic doctor answered, Nothing but Thyself.
Hymn 559. O that I could my Lord receive.
CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns for the Use of Families, 1767 ; Works, vii. 192. Eight lines are omitted.
Hymn 560. Conic, O my God, the promise .seal. CHARLES WESLEY (r).
Short Hymns on Select Passages of Scripture, 1762 ; Works, xi. 45. Mark xi. 42.
Ver. 3 reads
The guilt and strength of self and pride
Be pardon d and subdued, Be cast into the crimson tide Of my Redeemer s blood.
Hymn 561. Lord, in tho strength of grace. CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Slwrt Hymns on Select Passages of Scripture, 1762 ; }Vorks, ix. 203. I Chron. xxix. 5.
In extreme old age, Robert Spence, the York bookseller, wrote to his daughter, I experience much peace and joy in believing, and through all my trials and bodily weakness I have been able to keep repeating that invaluable song which I have been singing for many years, " Lord, in the strength of grace."
Hymn 562. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns on the Lord s Supper, 1745 ; Works, iii. 333. No. 155.
Ver. 4 seems to tremble round the words of the Sacramental Service : And here we offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies.
Lo, I come ! if this soul and body may be useful to any thing, to do Thy will, O my God. Dr. Bre-vint.
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