In an age of theological rationalism when the Trinity was seen as a form of manufactured speculative metaphysical maybe, but so what, doctrine, Charles Wesley produced a series of hymns that some argue did much to conserve Trinitarian orthodoxy by embedding it in hymns. Doxology became the durable form of theology, because Wesley's genius was to take theological truth and spiritual conviction and turn them into the prayers and praises of hymns. In 1767 the Wesley brothers published Hymns on the Trinity, and gifted to the church some of the best theological reflection on why Christian spirituality must have a Trinitarian foundation.
Fountain of Divine compassion,
Father of the ransomed race,
Christ our Saviour and salvation,
Spirit of consecrating grace;
See us prostrated before Thee;
Co-essential Three in One,
Glorious God, our souls adore Thee
High on Thine eternal throne.
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While we in Thy name assemble,
Overshadowed from above,
Let us at Thy presence tremble,
Holy Triune God of Love;
Father, Son and Spirit bless us,
Who the true Jehovah art;
Plenitude of God in Jesus,
Enter every contrite heart.
The first verse places theological reflection within an attitude of adoring contemplation. The second verse moves from adoration to petition, and from contemplation of the Divine beauty to petition for the Divine presence in the human heart humble enough to welcome the Holy Triune God of love. Charles has little interest in speculative analysis, though he treats the doctrine here and there in his sermons. But as Geoffrey Wainwright pointed out, in the hymns he moves from the calm prose of his written sermons, to the 'incandescent orthodoxy' of hymns intentionally experiential; analysis yields to adoration, and speculative thought is transmuted into spiritual response.
The two verses of this hymn would be an interesting call to worship - doxology as adoring contemplation, and as humble petition.
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