A Sign Admired By Thy Redeem'd

For the Presentation in the Temple

St. Simeon, Speaking to Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns on the Four Gospels: St. Luke, #1182. “And for a sign which shall be spoken against.” Gospel of St. Luke ii. 34.

Source: George Osborn, ed., The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley. Vol. 11 (London: Wesleyan-Methodist Conference Office, 1871), p. 121-122.

1 A Sign admired by Thy redeem'd
    Precious to every faithful heart,
But contradicted and blasphemed
    By worldly infidels Thou art,
Who dare Thy Deity deny
And all Thy heavenly truths decry.

2 The manger mean, and bleeding cross,
    Thy birth and passion they gainsay,
Thy maxims pure, and gracious laws,
    And will not own Thy righteous sway,
But plead for that old hellish liar,
And harden'd in their sins expire.

3 Yet every tongue at last shall own,
    And God the awful Judge declare,
When seated on Thy righteous throne
    Thou doom'st the wicked at Thy bar
Justly consign'd to their own place,
For ever banish'd from Thy face.

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