Praise to the FATHER, and the SON, Praise to the Blessed Paraclete, Commemoration of Martyrs. "He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My FATHER, and before His angels." 161. FEAR no more for the torturer's hand : Nor the dungeon dark that bound thee; Fear no more for stern cold, nor need, CHRIST'S pure light doth clothe thee and feed, Lo, He stands at His martyr's side, From FATHER and SON proceeding. "These are they which came out of great tribulation: and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the LAMB." 162. Of the martyrs we sing, Whom the purple adorns; G Now their storms are all past, To their suffering LORD. Thus the love which remains, He, for us Who was spent, For His FATHER made meet. Dread JEHOVAH we sing, In CHRIST JESUS made known; Of all martyrs the King, Of all martyrs the Crown. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." 163. How happy the mortal Through pains and dismay, Where death hath benighted, At the sound of death's feet; But thou the stern anguish With rack and with chains, In death and stern woes? Let such themes of wonder Great FATHER, SON, SPIRIT, The Ancient of days, May we Thee inherit, And sing of Thy praise. "Have not I commanded thee? be strong and of a good courage be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the LORD thy GOD is with thee whithersoever thou goest." 164. SING we the Martyrs blest, Their blood for JESUS poured; Sing we their glorious victories, Treading the world beneath, Spurning the body's pain, 'Twas theirs, in martyrdom's brief space To raging flames consigned, With racking anguish worn, SAVIOUR! to us vouchsafe, Commemoration of Bishops. "Feed the flock of GOD which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: neither as being lords over GOD'S heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 165. JESU! Who didst Thy pastor crown, Proof of his love, and pledge of Thine, The charge of Thine own ransomed sheep He knows them all, of them is known, To lead, and sheltered pastures give; When one hath wandered from his sight, And joy repayeth all his fears, When to the fold he homewards bears The roaring beasts he sets afar, And wolves, that with more treacherous war, Their guileful arts he knows full well- Oft as the unbloody Sacrifice And his own flock, with prayer and praise, All praise to Thee, the Priest Supreme, And may Thy ransomed heritage "Who is a faithful and wise servant whom his LORD hath made ruler over His household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his LORD when He cometh shall find so doing." 166. CHRIST, by Thy FATHER'S high decree Who choosest Thine own ministry, Where shall we find a faithful breast, Fit worldly meed by worth to claim, |