Before the Sermon.
HOLY SPIRIT! LORD of Light!
From Thy clear celestial height
Thy pure beaming radiance give;
Come, Thou Father of the poor!
Come with treasures that endure,
Come, Thou Light of all that live!
Thou, of all Consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow;
Thou in toil art Comfort sweet,
Cooling Breath 'mid noontide heat,
Solace in the hour of woe.
Light most blissful! Light Divine !
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill:
If Thou take Thy Grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay ;
All his good is turn'd to ill.
Heal our wounds; our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away;
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Kindle what is cold and chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
Thou, on all who evermore
Thee confess, and Thee adore,
In Thy sevenfold Gifts descend:
Give them comfort when they die;
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
Before the Holy Communion.
GREAT Mover of all hearts, Whose Hand
Doth all the secret springs command
Of human thought and will,
Thou, since the world was made, dost bless
Thy saints with fruits of holiness,
Their order to fulfil.
Faith, hope, and love, here weave one chain,
But love alone shall then remain,
When this short day is gone:
O love, O truth, O endless light,
When shall we see Thy Sabbath bright,
With all our labours done?
We sow 'mid perils here and tears ;
There the glad hand the harvest bears,
Which here in grief hath sown ;
Great GOD Triune, the increase give,
And these Thy gifts, by which we live,
With heavenly glory crown! Amen.
Before the Sermon.
My lot is fall'n in that blest land
Where God is truly known;
He fills my cup with lib'ral hand;
'Tis He supports my throne.
Therefore my soul shall bless the LORD,
Whose precepts give me light,
And private counsel still afford
In sorrow's dismal night.
I strive each action to approve
To His all-seeing Eye;
No danger shall my hopes remove,
Because He still is nigh.
Therefore my heart all grief defies,
My glory does rejoice;
My flesh shall rest in hope to rise,
Wak'd by His pow'rful voice.
Thou, LORD, when I resign my breath,
My soul from hell shalt free;
Nor let Thy Holy One in death
The least corruption see.
Thou shalt the paths of life display
That to Thy Presence lead;
Where pleasures dwell without allay,
And joys that never fade.
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
Before the Holy Communion.
THY Arm is mighty, strong Thy Hand, Yet, LORD, thou dost with justice reign; Possess'd of absolute command,
Thou truth and mercy dost maintain.
Happy, thrice happy, they who hear
Thy sacred trumpet's joyful sound;
Who may at festivals appear,
With Thy most glorious Presence crown'd.
Thy saints shall always be o'erjoy'd,
Who on Thy sacred Name rely;
And, in Thy righteousness employ'd,
Above their foes be rais'd on high.
For in Thy strength they shall advance,
Whose conquests from Thy favour spring;
The LORD of Hosts is our defence,
And Israel's GOD our Israel's King.
TO FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST,
The GOD whom earth and heav'n adore,
Be glory; as it was of old,
Is now, and shall be evermore. Amen.
Before the Sermon.
O LORD, Thy mercy, my sure hope,
Above the heav'nly orb ascends;
Thy sacred truth's unmeasur'd scope
Beyond the spreading sky extends.
Thy justice, like the hills, remains ;
Unfathom'd depths Thy judgments are ;
Thy providence the world sustains;
The whole creation is Thy care.
Since of Thy goodness all partake,
With what assurance should the just
Thy shelt'ring Wings their refuge make,
And saints to Thy protection trust.
Such guests shall to Thy courts be led
To banquet on Thy love's repast;
And drink, as from a fountain's head,
Of joys that shall for ever last.
With Thee the springs of life remain;
Thy Presence is eternal day :
Oh let Thy saints Thy favour gain;
To upright hearts Thy truth display.
Praise GOD, from Whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host,
Praise FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST.
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