Come, Thou Burning Spirit, Come - Hymn with Lyrics

1. Come, thou burning Spirit, come;
Lo! we stretch our hands to thee;
From the Father and the Son
Let us now thy glory see.

Refrain:
Come, O come great Spirit, come!
Let the mighty deed be done;
Satisfy our soul’s desire,
Now we trust thee for the fire.

2. On the altar now we lay
Soul and body, mind and will;
All the evil passions slay,
Come and every corner fill.

3. Now the sacrifice we make,
Though as dear as a right eye,
For our blessèd Saviour’s sake
Who for us did bleed and die.

4. Now by faith the gift I claim,
Bought for me by blood divine,
Through the all-prevailing name
All the promises are mine.

Scripture; 1 Kings 18:38; Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:3-4; Psalm 51:10-11

The hymn "Come, Thou Burning Spirit, Come" was written by Charles Wesley, one of the most prolific hymn writers in Christian history. It was first published in 1747 in Hymns for Those That Seek and Those That Have Redemption in the Blood of Jesus Christ. Wesley wrote the hymn as a plea for the transformative and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

The hymn "Come, Thou Burning Spirit, Come" reflects Charles Wesley's deep theology of the Holy Spirit and his passionate commitment to personal holiness and spiritual renewal. Wesley wrote this hymn during the early days of the Methodist revival in the 18th century, a movement focused on bringing spiritual awakening and deepened faith to both individuals and the broader church.

Historical Context

1. The Methodist Revival: The hymn emerged during a time when Charles Wesley and his brother John Wesley were leading a powerful revival across England. They emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctifying believers, a doctrine central to the hymn's theme.

2. Personal Experience: Charles Wesley experienced a profound spiritual awakening on May 21, 1738, three days before his brother John's famous Aldersgate experience. This encounter with the Holy Spirit transformed his life and ministry, filling him with an unquenchable passion for God. His hymns often convey this fire of divine love and desire for sanctification.

3. Purpose of the Hymn: This hymn was written to express a longing for the Holy Spirit's presence to purify, empower, and sanctify the believer. Wesley's language emphasizes a deep, personal relationship with God and the transformative work of the Spirit.

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Themes in the Hymn

1. The Fire of the Spirit: The hymn invokes the image of the Holy Spirit as a purifying fire, a common biblical metaphor (e.g., Acts 2:3, Matthew 3:11). Wesley uses this imagery to appeal for spiritual cleansing and renewal.

2. Sanctification: Central to Wesleyan theology, sanctification is the process of being made holy. The hymn reflects the belief that believers can experience a deeper work of grace through the indwelling and empowering of the Spirit.

3. Communal Prayer: The hymn was likely intended for congregational singing, serving as a collective prayer for revival and renewal within the church.