For the Holy Bays of our Blessed Lord.
JESU! Whose grace inspires Thy priests
To keep alive, by solemn feasts,
The memory of Thy love;
Oh may we here so pass Thy days,
That they at last our souls may raise,
To feed with Thee above.
Jesu! Behold the Wise from far,
Led to Thy cradle by a star,
Bring gifts to Thee their King;
Oh guide us by Thy light, that we
The way may find, and so to Thee
Ourselves for tribute bring.
Jesu! The pure, the spotless Lamb,
Who to the temple humbly came,
Those legal rites to pay;
Oh make our proud and stubborn will
Thine and Thy Church's laws fulfil,
Whate'er fond nature say!
Jesu! Who on that fatal wood
Pour'dst forth Thy life's last drop of blood,
Nailed to the shameful Cross ;
Oh may we bless -Thy love, and be
Ready, dear Lord, to bear for Thee
All grief, all pain, all loss.
Jesu! Who by Thine own love slain,
By Thine own power took'st life again,
And from the grave didst rise;
Oh may Thy death our hearts revive,
And at our death a new life give,
A life that never dies.
Jesu! Who to Thy heaven again,
Returnedst in triumph, there to reign,
Of men and angels King;
Oh may our parting souls take flight,
Up to that land of joy and light,
And there for ever sing.
All glory to the Sacred Three,
One undivided Deity;
All honour, power, and praise:
Oh may Thy Blessed Name shine bright,
Crowned with those beams of beauteous light,
Its own eternal rays.
[118]
On the Festivals of our Lord, the foregoing hymn will serve for the hymn after the Evening Sermon.
On other occasions, either of the two hymns next following will serve.
ALL praise to Thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light ;
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thine own Almighty wings.
Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day.have done;
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed;
To die, that this vile body may
Rise glorious at the awful day.
Oh may my soul on Thee repose,
And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close,
Sleep that may me more vig'rous make,
To serve my God, when I awake.
When in the night I sleepless lie,
My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
powers of darkness me molest.
Oh when shall I, in endless day,
For ever chase dark sleep away,
And hymns with the supernal choir
Incessant sing, and never tire?
Oh may my guardian, while I sleep,
Close to my bed his vigils keep ;
His love Angelical instil,
Stop all the avenues of ill.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below ;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. [119]
SUN of our soul, Thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if Thou be near;
O may no earthborn cloud arise,
To hide Thee from Thy servants' eyes.
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