The following was “triggered” by a verse of “And Can it Be” that Patricia quoted in her prayer this morning. Here’s a bit of background on one of the greatest Christian hymns ever written:

Charles Wesley, in addition to being a prolific poet/hymn writer, was co-founder, with his brother John, of the movement known as Methodism. Patricia and I have visited the “New Room” in Bristol, England, on many occasions, the hall where their first meetings were held and where Methodism was founded (Some of you have been there with us when you joined us on one of the Revival Heritage tours). It was here, and just up the street where Charles lived, that many of his hymn poems were written.

Charles was initially ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1735. However, three years later, on the evening of May 21, 1738, reportedly after prolonged Bible reading, he wrote: “At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think.” Charles also recorded in his journal that, “I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in hope of loving Christ. I saw that by faith I stood.”

Two days later, his journal reported that he had begun writing a hymn. This hymn, in all likelihood, was “And Can It Be,” and was quite possibly the first of the 6000 plus hymns that he would eventually write. It is also reported that his brother John sang a hymn to the tune CRUCIFIXION on his own conversion to “vital religion” three days later. Although it was not stated what hymn it was, the Foundery Tune Book, published by John Wesley himself in 1742, paired “And Can It Be” with the tune, CRUCIFIXION.

“And Can It Be” was first published in John Wesley’s Psalms and Hymns in 1738, then in Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739. From the middle of the nineteenth century on, “And Can It Be” has been set to the hymn tune, SAGINA.

And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain, for me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Refrain
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

‘Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies. Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace.
Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race:
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, for O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear, that whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near that quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart; I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own!

AMAZING LOVE! HOW CAN IT BE
THAT THOU, MY GOD, SHOULDST DIE OR ME?

“But God demonstrates His love for us in this,
that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).