William Williams & Experimental Calvinism

William Williams (1717-91) is best known for his hymn "Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah". He was a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist. This movement was forged in the fires of the 18th Century Evangelical Revival. The Calvinistic Methodists were characterized by a blend of deep Reformed Theology and profound experience of God.

Here is one of Williams' wonderfully experimantal, Christ exalting hymns:
.

Dear Jesus, come, my soul doth groan

For nought but for Thyself alone,

Thou art the pearl of price;

For Thee I'd part with all below,

And every hardship undergo,

Beneath the vaulted skies.

.

Thy presence can without delay,

Drive all my numerous cares away,

As chaff before the wind;

Compose my thoughts to adore and love

Thee, as an object far above,

To Thee alone inclined.

.

Release me from the heavy chain,

Guilt, sin and shame, which still remain

To bind me hand and foot;

O, glorious Conqueror, enter in,

Cast out my foes, destroy my sin,

Both branch and spreading root.

.

Give me that knowledge pure, divine,

To know and feel that Thou art mine,

And Thee my portion call;

That doubts and fears may flee away,

And faith unfeigned win the day,

And triumph over all.

.

Williams' hymns help us to practice the supremacy of Christ in singing.