The First Effect of Faith is Praise

For Christmas

The Shepherds

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns on the Four Gospels: St. Luke, #1176. “The shepherds returned, glorifying,” Gospel of St. Luke ii. 20.

Source: George Osborn, ed., The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley. Vol. 11 (London: Wesleyan-Methodist Conference Office, 1871), p. 119.

1 The first effect of faith is praise,
A tribute to the God of grace
    Which ransom'd worms are bound to give:
Thankful, O God, Thy love we own,
The gift of Thine incarnate Son
    With joy unspeakable receive:

2 Thee let our actions glorify,
Our lives confess the Lord Most-High
    For this alone to sinners given,
That we of Jesus' Spirit born
With songs of triumph may return,
    And claim our purchased thrones in heaven.

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