Our Holy God the Smallest Fault

For Christmas

The Angel Gabriel

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns on the Four Gospels: St. Luke, #1149. “Behold, thou shalt be dumb,...because thou,” Gospel of St. Luke i. 20.

Source: George Osborn, ed., The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley. Vol. 11 (London: Wesleyan-Methodist Conference Office, 1871), p. 104-105.

1 Our holy God the smallest fault
    Severely chastens in His own;
So base a misbelieving thought
    In those who have His goodness known!
The sin He graciously forgives,
    Nor yet remits the total pain,
But marks of His displeasure leaves,
    Lest saints should doubt His love again.

2 Nine months for a mistrustful word,
    Nine months of silence must atone,*
That starting from the sin abhorr'd,
    The sin which all contains in one,
We may our unbelief deny,
    The words of truth with joy embrace,
On Christ, the Power of God rely,
    And calm expect His promised grace.

    * Improperly speaking, not evangelically. [Note by Charles Wesley.]

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