The Chief of Sinners Invited

Representative Text

1 Lovers of pleasure more than God,
For you he suffer'd pain,
Swearers, for you he spilt his blood;
And shall he bleed in vain?

2 Misers, his life for you he paid,
Your basest crime He bore:
Drunkards, your sins on him were laid,
That you might sin no more.

3 The God of love, to earth he came,
That you might come to heaven;
Believe, believe in Jesu’ name,
And all your sin’s forgiven.

4 Believe in him that died for thee!
And sure as he hath died,
Thy debt is paid, thy soul is free,
And thou art justified.

Source: A Pocket hymn-book, designed as a constant companion for the pious: collected from various authors (11th ed.) #CCLVIII

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Author: Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Lovers of pleasure more than God
Title:	The Chief of Sinners Invited
Author:	Charles Wesley
Meter:	8.6.8.6
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

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Tune

[Alas and did my Savior bleed] (Vail)

[Lovers of pleasure more than God] (Clements)

ST. ANNE

Though no firm documentation exists, ST. ANNE was probably composed by William Croft (PHH 149), possibly when he was organist from 1700-1711 at St. Anne's Church in Soho, London, England. (According to tradition, St. Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary.) The tune was first published in A Suppleme…

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Timeline

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Arrangements

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