I'm starting this off with the disclaimer that I am NOT musical and this particular song did not fit the musical principals of the present day as my limited musical ability understands them. A more musical person could no doubt understand more and make more of the music than I ever could but I was interested in trying to get a little taste of this 18th century song written by William Tans'ur. Hope you enjoy!
This song was collected by John Wesley and reprinted in 1737 in the first Anglican hymnal published in the Colonies, The Collection of Psalms and Hymns.
If anyone is interested in recording this for real, let me know, I would love to post it!
I did a bit of research into this (mostly just googling) because I thought that it might make a lovely choral arrangement. I think the Tans'ur refers to William Tans'ur (or Tanzer) who was a psamodist (basically a choral director and composer) some west gallery choirs. I also found a later edition of John Wesley's hymnal with 6 more verses. https://books.google.com/books?id=HUtVAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA267&lpg=PA267&dq=o+that+the+life+infusing+grace,+the+pure+and+perfect+peace+of+god,+might+now+descend+on+israel%27s+race,+the+church,+the+church,+he+purchas%27d+with+his+blood&source=bl&ots=ExSL8tnioN&sig=NO7Wm4bYuiCh6iojovZslKyiFRA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQm4XSrvLQAhWr1IMKHUp1A1sQ6AEIHjAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
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