Part 22

4. May the dear blood, once shed for me, My blest atonement prove That I from first to last may be The purchase of Thy love!

5. Let every thought and work and word To Thee be ever given; Then life shall be Thy service, Lord, And death the gate of heaven.

M. Bridges, 1848.

CONFESSION.

413

8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 4, 8

Lord Jesus Christ, in Thee alone My only hope on earth I place; For other comforter is none, No help have I but in Thy grace. There is no man nor creature here, No angel in the heavenly sphere, Who in my need can succor me. I cry to Thee, For Thee I trust implicitly.

2. My sin is very sore and great, I mourn beneath its dreadful load; O free me from this heavy weight, My Savior, through Thy precious blood; And with Thy Father for me plead That Thou hast suffered in my stead; From me the burden then is rolled. Lord, I lay hold On Thy dear promises of old.

3. And in Thy mercy now bestow True Christian faith on me, O Lord, That all the sweetness I may know Which in Thy holy Cross is stored, Love Thee o’er earthly pride or pelf, And love my neighbor as myself; And when at last is come my end, Be Thou my Friend, From Satan’s wiles my soul defend.

4. Glory to God in highest heaven, The Father of eternal love; To His dear Son, for sinners given, Whose watchful grace we daily prove; To God the Holy Ghost on high; Oh, ever be His comfort nigh, And teach us, in His love and fear, To please Him here And serve Him in the heavenly sphere!

J. Schneesing, 1542; C. Winkworth, tr., a., 1858.

414

7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7

“Jesus sinners doth receive!” O may all this saying ponder Who in sin’s delusions live And from God and heaven wander! This alone sure hope can give— “Jesus sinners doth receive!”

2. We deserve but grief and shame, Yet His words, rich grace revealing, Pardon, peace, and life proclaim; Here their ills have perfect healing Who with humble hearts believe— “Jesus sinners doth receive!”

3. Sheep that from the fold did stray Every faithful shepherd seeketh; Weary souls that lost their way, Christ, the Shepherd, seeks and taketh In His arms that they may live— “Jesus sinners doth receive!”

4. Come, ye sinners, one and all, Come, ye all have invitation; Come, obey His gracious call, Come, accept His free salvation! Firmly in these words believe: “Jesus sinners doth receive!”

5. I, a sinner, come to Thee And acknowledge my transgression; Tender mercy show to me, Grant me graciously remission; Let these words my soul relieve: “Jesus sinners doth receive!”

6. Henceforth I need fear no foe; Were as scarlet my transgression, It shall be as white as snow By the virtue of Thy Passion; For in these words I believe: “Jesus sinners doth receive!”

7. Now my conscience is at ease, Now I fear no condemnation. He who grants me full release Hath atoned for my transgression. In true faith to Him I cleave,— “Jesus sinners doth receive!”

Erdmann Neumeister, 1718.

415

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7

Out of the depths I cry to Thee, Lord, hear my lamentation; Bend down Thy gracious ear to me And grant my supplication; For if Thou fix Thy searching eye On all sin and iniquity, Who, Lord, can stand before Thee?

2. But love and grace with Thee prevail, O God, our sins forgiving; The best and holiest deeds must fail Of all before Thee living; Before Thee none can boasting stand, But all must fear Thy strict demand And live alone by mercy.

3. My hope I rest, then, on the Lord And build not on my merit; My heart shall trust His gracious Word, His goodness stays my spirit. His precious Word assureth me He will my Joy and Comfort be; This is my firm reliance.

4. And though it tarry till the night And till the morn appeareth, My heart still trusteth in His might, It doubteth not nor feareth. Do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed, Ye of the Spirit born indeed, Wait for your God’s appearing.

5. Though great our sins and sore our woes, His grace much more aboundeth; His helping love no limit knows, Our utmost need it soundeth, Our Shepherd is the Lord, and He At last shall set His Israel free From all their sin and sorrow.

Martin Luther, 1524.

416

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8

Lord, to Thee I make confession, I have sinned and gone astray, I have multiplied transgression, Chosen for myself my way. Led at last to see my errors, Lord, I tremble at Thy terrors.

2. Yet, though conscience’ voice appall me, Father, I will seek Thy face; Though Thy child I dare not call me, Yet receive me to Thy grace; Do not for my sins forsake me, Let not yet Thy wrath o’ertake me.

3. For Thy Son hath suffered for me, And the blood He shed for sin, That can heal me and restore me, Quench this burning fire within; ’Tis alone His cross can vanquish These dark fears and soothe this anguish.

4. Then on Him I cast my burden, Sink it in the depths below! Let me feel Thy gracious pardon, Wash me, make me white as snow. Let Thy Spirit leave me never, Make me only Thine forever!

J. Franck, 1649; C. Winkworth, tr., 1862.

417

L. M.

O Jesus, Lamb of God, who art The Life and Comfort of my heart, I, wretched sinner, come to Thee And bring so many sins with me.

2. O God, my sinfulness is great, I groan beneath a dreadful weight; Yet be Thou merciful, I pray, Take guilt and punishment away.

3. Saint John the Baptist biddeth me To cast my burden, Lord, on Thee, Since Thou hast left Thy heavenly throne That for our sins Thou might’st atone.

4. Help me amend my ways, O Lord, And willingly obey Thy Word; Do always, then, abide with me, And when I die, take me to Thee.

B. Helder, 1620; A. Crull, tr., 1880.

418

L. M.

With broken heart and contrite sigh, A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry; Thy pardoning grace is rich and free; O God, be merciful to me!

2. I smite upon my troubled breast, With deep and conscious guilt opprest; Christ and His Cross my only plea; O God, be merciful to me!

3. Far off I stand with tearful eyes Nor dare uplift them to the skies; But Thou dost all my anguish see; O God, be merciful to me!

4. Nor alms nor deeds that I have done Can for a single sin atone; To Calvary alone I flee; O God, be merciful to me!

5. And when, redeemed from sin and hell, With all the ransomed throng I dwell, My raptured song shall ever be, God has been merciful to me!

C. Elven, 1852.

419

L. M.

O Thou that hear’st when sinners cry, Though all my crimes before Thee lie, Behold them not with angry look, But blot their memory from Thy book.

2. Create my nature pure within, And form my soul averse to sin; Let Thy good Spirit ne’er depart Nor hide Thy presence from my heart.

3. I cannot live without Thy light, Cast out and banished from Thy sight; Thy holy joys, my God, restore And guard me that I fall no more.

4. Though I have grieved Thy Spirit, Lord, His help and comfort still afford; And let me now come near Thy throne To plead the merits of Thy Son.

5. A broken heart, my God, my King, Is all the sacrifice I bring; Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye And save the soul condemned to die.

6. O may Thy love inspire my tongue! Salvation shall be all my song; And all my powers shall join to bless The Lord, my Strength and Righteousness.

Isaac Watts, 1719, a.

420

L. M. 6 l

Th’ abyss of many a former sin Encloses me and bars me in; Like billows my transgressions roll— Be Thou the Pilot of my soul— And to salvation’s harbor bring, Thou Savior and Thou glorious King!

2. My Father’s heritage abused, Wasted by lust, by sin misused, To shame and want and misery brought, The slave to many a fruitless thought:— I cry to Thee, who lovest men, O pity and receive again!

3. In hunger now, no more possest Of that my portion bright and blest, The exile and the alien see Who yet would fain return to Thee. And save me, Lord, who seeks to raise To Thy dear love the hymn of praise!

4. With that saved thief my prayer I make, “Remember for Thy mercy’s sake!” With that poor publican I cry, “Be merciful, O God most high!” With that lost prodigal I fain Back to my home would turn again.

5. Mourn, mourn, my soul, with earnest care And raise to Christ the contrite prayer:— O Thou, who freely wast made poor My sorrows and my sins to cure, Me, poor of all good works, embrace, Enriching with Thy boundless grace!

Joseph of the Studium, c. 860; J. M. Neale, tr., 1862.

421

8, 7, 8, 7

Alas, my God! my sins are great, My conscience doth upbraid me; And now I find that in my strait No man hath power to aid me.

2. And fled I hence in my despair In some lone spot to hide me, My griefs would still be with me there And peace still be denied me.

3. Lord, Thee I seek. I merit naught, Yet pity and restore me; Be not Thy wrath, just God, my lot; Thy Son hath suffered for me.

4. If pain and woe must follow sin, Then be my path still rougher. Here spare me not; if heaven I win, On earth I gladly suffer.

5. But curb my heart, forgive my guilt, Make Thou my patience firmer; For they must miss the good Thou wilt Who at Thy chastenings murmur.

6. Then deal with me as seems Thee best, Thy grace will help me bear it, If but at last I see Thy rest And with my Savior share it.

M. Rutilius, 1604; C. Winkworth, tr., a.

422

S. M.

And wilt Thou pardon, Lord, A sinner such as I, Although Thy book his crimes record Of such a crimson dye?

2. So deep are they engraved, So terrible their fear: The righteous scarcely shall be saved, And where shall I appear?

3. O Thou Physician blest, Make clean my guilty soul And me, by many a sin opprest, Restore and keep me whole.

4. I know not how to praise Thy mercy and Thy love; But deign Thy servant to upraise, And I shall learn above.

Joseph of the Studium, c. 860; J. M. Neale, tr., 1862.

423

S. M.

Out of the deep I call To Thee, O Lord, to Thee; Before Thy throne of grace I fall, Be merciful to me.

2. Out of the deep I cry, The woeful deep of sin, Of evil done in days gone by, Of evil now within;

3. Out of the deep of fear And dread of coming shame. From morning watch till night is near I plead the precious name.

4. Lord, there is mercy now, As ever was, with Thee; Before Thy throne of grace I bow; Be merciful to me.

H. W. Baker, 1868.

ABSOLUTION.

424

L. M.

O God, Thou righteous, faithful Lord, I have not kept Thy holy Word, But sinned and oft offended Thee; Now I repent, it grieveth me.

2. Thou, Father, merciful and kind, No pleasure in my death dost find, But strong desire doth in Thee burn That I should unto Thee return.

3. Since Thou, dear Father, callest me, I, poor lost sinner, come to Thee, Relying on Christ’s precious blood Which from His holy five wounds flowed.

4. I pray through Christ, Thine only Son, Who for my good our flesh put on, To me let Thy love never fail, O’er justice let Thy grace prevail.

5. In mercy, Father, let Thy grace Through Jesus’ blood my sins efface; Then I, the poor lost child, will be From all my sins forever free.

6. Grant that, according to Thy Word, I lead a godly life, O Lord, And let me, after time is o’er, Inherit life forevermore.

Anon., 1650; A. Crull, tr., 1880.

425

L. M.

O faithful God, we worship Thee! Thou pardon’st our iniquity, Thou grantest help in sin’s distress, And soul and body Thou dost bless.

2. Thou, through Thy servant, say’st to me: “Thy sins are all forgiven thee, Depart in peace; but sin no more And e’er My pardoning grace adore.”

3. O Lord, we bless Thy gracious heart, For Thou Thyself dost heal our smart Through Christ our Savior’s precious blood, Which for the sake of sinners flowed.

4. Give us Thy Spirit, peace afford Now and forever, gracious Lord! Thy Word and holy Sacrament Preserve to us till life is spent.

N. Selnecker, 1587.

426

L. M.

Yea, as I live, Jehovah saith, I do not wish the sinner’s death, But that he turn from error’s ways, Repent, and live through endless days.

2. Hence Christ His servants gave command: “Go forth and preach in every land; Forgiveness to each soul extend That mourns, believes, and will amend.

3. “Whose sins soever ye remit, I truly pardon and acquit; Whose sins soever ye retain, Condemned and guilty shall remain.

4. “What ye shall bind, that bound shall be; What ye shall loose, that shall be free; To all alike the keys are given To ope and close the gates of heaven.

5. “They who believe, when ye proclaim The joyful tidings in My name, That I for them My blood have shed, Are free from guilt and Judgment dread.”

6. The words which absolution give Are His who died that we might live; The minister whom Christ has sent Is but His humble instrument.

7. However great our sin may be, The absolution sets us free, Appointed by God’s own dear Son To bring the pardon He has won.

8. When ministers lay on their hands, Absolved by Christ the sinner stands; He who by grace the Word believes The purchase of His blood receives.

9. This is the power of holy keys, It binds and doth again release; The Church retains them at her side, Our mother and Christ’s holy bride.

10. Let those who stings of conscience bear, Whom sin would drive to dark despair, To Jesus come with trustful mind And peace in absolution find.

11. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee For absolution full and free, In which Thou showest forth Thy grace; From false indulgence guard our race.

12. Praise God the Father and the Son And Holy Spirit, Three in One, As ’twas, is now, and so shall be, World without end, eternally!

Nikolaus Herman, 1560; M. Loy, tr., 1880.

THE LORD’S SUPPER.

427

10s

Draw nigh and take the body of your Lord And drink the holy blood for you outpoured. Offered was He for greatest and for least, Himself the Victim and Himself the Priest.

2. He that in this world rules His saints and shields, To all believers life eternal yields, With heavenly bread makes them that hunger whole, Gives living waters to the thirsting soul.

3. Approach ye, then, with faithful hearts sincere And take the pledges of salvation here. O Judge of all, our only Savior Thou, In this Thy feast of love be with us now.

Latin, c. 680; J. M. Neale, tr., 1851, a.

428

L. M.

O Jesus, bruised and wounded more Than bursted grape or bread of wheat, The Life of life without our souls, The Cup of our salvation sweet!

2. We come to show Thy dying hour, Thy streaming vein, Thy broken flesh; And still the blood is warm to save, And still the fragrant wounds are fresh.

3. O Heart, that with a double tide Of blood and water maketh pure; O Flesh, once offered on the cross, The gift that makes our pardon sure,—

4. Let nevermore our sinful souls The anguish of Thy cross renew Nor forge again the cruel nails That pierced Thy victim body through.

5. Come, Bread of heaven, to feed our souls, And with Thee, Jesus, enter in! Come, Wine of God! and as we drink His precious blood, wash out our sin.

Mrs. C. F. Alexander.

429

L. M.

My God, and is Thy table spread? And does Thy cup with love o’erflow? Thither be all Thy children led And let them all its sweetness know.

2. Hail, sacred feast which Jesus makes, Rich banquet of His flesh and blood! Thrice happy he who here partakes That sacred stream, that heavenly food!

3. Why are its blessings all in vain Before unwilling hearts displayed? Was not for us the Victim slain? Are we forbid the children’s bread?

4. O let Thy table honored be And furnished well with joyful guests; And may each soul salvation see That here its sacred pledges tastes!

Philip Doddridge, 1755, abr.

430

S. M.

Thy table I approach, Dear Savior, hear my prayer; Oh, let no unrepented sin Prove hurtful to me there!

2. Lo, I confess my sins And mourn their wretched bands; A contrite heart is ever wont To find grace at Thy hands.

3. Thy body and Thy blood, Once slain and shed for me, Are taken at Thy table here— A wondrous mystery!

4. Here I with mouth and soul, Incomprehensibly, Shall eat the precious flesh of Christ In blest reality.

5. Search not how this takes place, Nor whether it can be; God can accomplish vastly more Than seemeth plain to thee.

6. Vouchsafe, O blessed Lord, That earth and hell combined May ne’er about this Sacrament A doubt raise in my mind!

7. And may I never fail To thank Thee day and night For Thy true body and true blood, O God, my Peace and Light!

G. W. Molanus, 1673; M. Loy, 1880, a.

431

11, 8, 11, 8, 5, 9, 9, 6, 7, 5

May God be praised henceforth and blest forever, Who, Himself both Gift and Giver, With His own flesh and blood our souls doth nourish; May they grow thereby and flourish! O Lord, have mercy! By Thy holy body, the selfsame Which from Thine own mother Mary came, By the drops Thou didst bleed, Help us in the hour of need. O Lord, have mercy!

2. Thou hast to death Thy holy body given, Life to win for us in heaven; By stronger love, dear Lord, Thou couldst not bind us, Whereof this should well remind us. O Lord, have mercy! Lord, Thy love constrained Thee for our good Mighty things to do by Thy dear blood; Thou hast paid all we owed, Thou hast made our peace with God. O Lord, have mercy!

3. May God bestow on us His grace and blessing, That, His holy footsteps tracing, We walk as brethren dear in love and union Nor repent this sweet Communion. O Lord, have mercy! Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us, Grant that heavenly-minded He make us, That Thy poor Church may see Days of peace and unity. O Lord, have mercy!

1st stanza 15th cent.; Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr., a.

432

L. M. 8 l

Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness, Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness, Come into the daylight’s splendor, There with joy thy praises render Unto Him whose grace unbounded Hath this wondrous banquet founded; High o’er all the heavens He reigneth, Yet to dwell with thee He deigneth.

2. Hasten as a bride to meet Him And with loving reverence greet Him; For with words of life immortal Now He knocketh at thy portal; Haste to ope the gates before Him, Saying, while thou dost adore Him, “Suffer, Lord, that I receive Thee, And I nevermore will leave Thee.”

3. He who costly goods desireth To obtain much gold requireth; But to freely give the treasure Of Thy love is Thy good pleasure; For on earth there is no coffer Which as payment we might offer For this cup, Thy blood containing, And this manna, on us raining.

4. Ah, how hungers all my spirit For the love I do not merit! Oft have I, with sighs fast thronging, Thought upon this food with longing, In the battle well-nigh worsted, For this cup of life have thirsted, For the Friend, who here invites us And to God Himself unites us.

5. Now I sink before Thee lowly, Filled with joy most deep and holy, As with trembling awe and wonder On Thy mighty works I ponder, How, by mystery surrounded, Depths no man hath ever sounded, None may dare to pierce unbidden, Secrets that with Thee are hidden.

6. Nay, though reason here doth ponder, It can never reach this wonder, That this bread is never lessened, Though it nourish thousands present, And that Christ His blood is giving With the wine we are receiving. Oh, these mysteries, unsounded, Are by God alone expounded!

7. Sun, who all my life doth brighten, Light, who dost my soul enlighten, Joy, the sweetest man e’er knoweth, Fount, whence all my being floweth,— At Thy feet I cry, my Maker, Let me be a fit partaker Of this blessed food from heaven, For our good, Thy glory, given.

8. Lord, Thy fervent love hath driven Thee to leave Thy throne in heaven, For us on the cross to languish And to die in bitter anguish, To forego all joy and gladness And to shed Thy blood in sadness, Which we drink now; grant that never We forget Thy love, dear Savior!

9. Jesus, Bread of life, I pray Thee, Let me gladly here obey Thee, Never to my hurt invited, Be Thy love with love requited; From this banquet let me measure, Lord, how vast and deep love’s treasure. Through the gifts Thou here dost give me As Thy guest in heaven receive me.

J. Franck, 1649; C. Winkworth, tr.

433

7s

Lo, upon the altar lies Bread of heaven from the skies, Food to mortal wanderers given, To the sons and heirs of heaven.

2. Jesus, Shepherd of the sheep! Thou Thy flock in safety keep. Living Bread! Thy life supply; Strengthen us, or else we die.

3. Thou, who feedest us below, Source of all we have or know, Grant that with Thy saints above We may reach Thy feast of love!

Thomas Aquinas, † 1274; E. Caswall, tr., 1848.

434

L. M.

The death of Jesus Christ, our Lord, We celebrate with one accord; It is our comfort in distress, Our heart’s sweet joy and happiness.

2. He blotted out with His own blood The judgment that against us stood; He full atonement for us made, And all our debt He fully paid.

3. That this is so and ever true He gives an earnest ever new, In this His holy Supper here We taste His love so sweet, so near.

4. For His true body, as He said, And His true blood, for sinners shed, In this communion we receive; His sacred Word we do believe.

5. A precious food this is indeed,— It never faileth, such we need,— A heavenly manna for our soul, That we may safely reach our goal.

6. Then blessed is each worthy guest Who in this promise finds His rest; For Jesus will in love abide With those who do in Him confide:

7. The guest that comes with true intent To turn to God and to repent, To live for Christ, to die to sin, And thus a holy life begin.

8. Who does unworthy here appear, Does not believe nor is sincere, Salvation here he cannot find. May we this warning bear in mind!

9. O Jesus Christ, our Brother dear, Unto Thy cross we now draw near; Thy sacred wounds indeed make whole A wounded and afflicted soul.

10. Help us sincerely to believe That we Thy mercy do receive And in Thy grace do find our rest. Amen. He who believes is blest.

H. Spegel, 1686; J. O. Wallin, 1814.

435

7, 6, 8 l