Sunday, December 30, 2012

1 Peter 2.11 - The Life of a Sojourner - 121230AM@TBC

INTRODUCTION
Ill.– Soldiers attached to a particular unit. 
Employees of a chain assigned to a store or corporate division.

Covenant:  an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified.
Dictionary.com Unabridged. Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.

Our fivefold covenant with each other to be…
1. Sojourners - that as strangers and pilgrims we will refrain from fleshly lusts (I Peter 2: 11).
2. Forgivers - That we will put away from us all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us (Eph. 4:31-32).
3. Do Gooders - That as we have opportunity, we will do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6: 10).
4. Followers - That we will remember them who have the rule over us who speak unto us the Word of God (Heb. 13:7). That we submit to the loving oversight and discipline of the Members and officers of this Church of Christ, and
5. Givers - that we will give as God has prospered us (I Cor. 16:2), not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver (II Cor. 9:7).

The New Year is typically a time for reflection, evaluation, and recommitment to things that are important.
As you engage in reflection and evaluation, I would like to turn your attention to the first commitment in our church covenant, to be strangers or sojourners.
 

BIG IDEA:
1. That as strangers* and pilgrims we will refrain from fleshly lusts. (1 Peter 2:11)
* Sojourners
 

READ SCRIPTURE AND PRAY  
SOJOURNERS who have a heavenly home.
&  1 Peter 2.9-12 (esp. 11)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake,
whether to… ...king, governors, (2.18) masters, (3.1) husbands
 

I. THE CONTEXT OF 1 PETER 2:11.

A. What we have… (1.3-5)
1 Peter 1.3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Four things about this inheritance...

  • incorruptible, imperishable —It lasts forever.
  • undefiled—It is pure.
  • does not fade away—It is does not wither or diminish in value.
  • in heaven —It is not on this earth.
That is not just pie in the sky.  It’s something we should give serious thought to.

B. Who we are...
1 Peter 2.9-10
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1) a chosen race,
γένος   Strong's G1085 - genos: "a nation, a race,"
Selected by God.

2) royal priesthood,
Offering spiritual sacrifices to God.

3) holy nation, and
ἔθνος  Strong's G1484 - ethnos: originally "a multitude," denotes "a nation" or "people,"
Set apart to God.

4) people for His possession
ἔθνος  Strong's G1
Owned and prized by God.

Why?
to proclaim His excellencies
2.9  Out of darkness into the light
2.10 God has claimed you for Himself.
         God has shown mercy on you.

APPLICATION:
How much do you think about Heaven?

We have heard that we should not be “so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.”  There is little danger of that.  Our concern should be that we are so mindful of earthly things that we are of little use to Heaven.
If you have been raised with Christ,
 … Set your minds on things above
.”
Colossians 3:1-2
When we think about heaven, it is not day dreaming about harps and clouds.  It is giving attention to what is excellent in heaven.
That will change our perspective on this life.
Notice in this Colossians passage that Paul after admonishes us to focus on heaven, he immediately turns his attention to the things that destroy that heavenly focus.
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:
 

II. KEY IDEAS OF 1 PETER 2:11
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
A. The Sojourner’s Perspective
1.  The Greek words: Sojourners and pilgrims
Sojourners  πάροικος   Strong's G3941 - paroikos—in the NT, a stranger, a foreigner, one who lives in a place without the right of citizenship
YLT, KJV—strangers; NASB, NIV, WET—aliens; NKJV, ESV—sojourners
Pilgrims  παρεπίδημος  Strong's G3927 - parepidēmos -  one who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives
YLT—sojourners; KJV, NKJV—pilgrims; NASB, NIV—strangers; ESV—exiles; NLT—foreigners
Bottom line is ...
You are not one of them.
You do not belong here.

2. Example from Scripture
Genesis 23.4
2 So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, 4 "I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight." 5 And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 "Hear us, my lord: You are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us will withhold from you his burial place, that you may bury your dead."
Hebrews 11:13-16
13 These [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob] all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
3. Example from Pilgrims Progress
Then I saw in my dream, that when they were got out of the wilderness, they presently saw a town before them, and the name of that town is "Vanity"; and at the town there is a fair kept, called "Vanity Fair"; it is kept all the year long. It bears the name of Vanity Fair, because the town where 'tis kept is lighter than vanity; and also because all that is there sold, or that comes thither is vanity. As is the saying of the wise, "All that comes is vanity."

The Prince of princes himself, when here, went through this town to his own country, and that upon a fair day too; and as I think, it was BEELZEBUB, the chief lord of this fair, that invited him to buy of his vanities; yea, would have made him lord of the fair, would he but have done him reverence as he went through the town. Yea, because he was such a person of honour, BEELZEBUB had him from street to street, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a little time, that he might, if possible, allure that Blessed One to cheapen and buy some of his vanities. But he had no mind to the merchandise; and therefore left the town without laying out so much as one farthing upon these vanities.  (Matthew 4:8  Luke 4:5-7)
...
This fair, therefore, is an ancient thing, of long standing, and a very great fair.
Now these pilgrims, as I said, must needs go through this fair: well, so they did; but behold, even as they entered into the fair, all the people in the fair were moved, and the town itself as it were in a hubbub about them; and that for several reasons. For –
First, the pilgrims were clothed with such kind of raiment as was diverse from the raiment of any that traded in that fair. The people, therefore, of the fair made a great gazing upon them: some said they were fools; some they were lunatics; and some they are outlandish men.
Secondly: and as they wondered at their apparel, so they did likewise at their speech; for few could understand what they said. They naturally spoke the language of Canaan; but they that kept the fair were the men of this world: so that from one end of the fair to the other, they seemed barbarians each to the other.      (1 Corinthians 2:7, 8)
Thirdly: but that which did not a little amuse the merchandisers was, that these pilgrims set very light by all their wares – they cared not so much as to look upon them; and if they called upon them to buy, they would put their fingers in their ears, and cry, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity;" and look upwards, signifying that their trade and traffic was in heaven.  (Psalm 119:37;  Philippians 3:19, 20)
One chanced mockingly, beholding the carriages of the men, to say unto them, "What will ye, buy?" but they, looking gravely upon him, said, "We buy the truth".

B.  The War Against Your Soul
1) The war
4754 στρατεύομαι [strateuomai /strat·yoo·om·ahee/] — 1) to make a military expedition, to lead soldiers to war or to battle, (spoken of a commander)  2) to do military duty, be a soldier 3) to fight
war
ESV—”which wage war against your soul.”
WUEST—”like an army carrying on a military campaign, they are waging war hurling themselves down upon your soul.
NET—”that do battle against your soul.”
...some have strayed from their faith … and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  1 Timothy 6:10
2) The enemy:  fleshly lusts
1.) abstain  ἀπέχομαι  Strong's G567 - apechomai  - 1) to hold one's self off, refrain, abstain
YLT, KJV, NASB, NKJV, ESV, NIV—abstain; WET—holding yourselves back; YLT—keep away from
“The verb translated abstain means ‘to keep away from, avoid’ … and it’s present tense gives the sense continually keep away from sinful desires, to not let yourself indulge in them at any time.”  —-Grudem TNTC
“should be constantly holding yourselves back from the passionate cravings which are fleshly by nature.”  —Wuest Exp Trans

2.) fleshly      NIV84—sinful; NLT—worldly
σαρκικός  Strong's G4559 - sarkikos:  fleshly, carnal  a) having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites
Note: The adjectives "fleshly," "carnal" are contrasted with spiritual qualities… Speaking broadly, the carnal denotes the sinful element in man's nature, by reason of descent from Adam; the spiritual is that which comes by the regenerating operation of the Holy Spirit. —Vine’s
3.) lusts
YLT,NIV, YLT—desires; KJV, NASB, NKJV—lusts;  ESV—passions; WET—cravings

Galatians 5.17-22
adultery,  fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
idolatry,  (covetousness, which is idolatry.   Col 3.5)
sorcery,
hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  envy,
murders,
drunkenness, revelries,
Ephesians 4.17-31; 5.3-5
lying
steal
corrupt word;  filthiness, nor  foolish talking, nor coarse jesting,
Colossians 3.5-9
slander, 

These desires are like
leeches or parasites,
food allergies.
They sap our spiritual focus, strength, and desire.

APPLICATION:
We should not cheapen ourselves with fleshly desires of this world.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
And give me life in your ways
.”
Psalm 119:37 (ESV)
Like Pilgrim and Faithful in Bunyan’s tale, we should expect to be out of step with the world around us.


III. MOTIVES FOR 1 PETER 2.11
12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to...king, governors, (2.18) masters, (3.1) husbands
A) Honorable Conduct:  Acting like Christ.
Honorable conduct  2.12
καλός  Strong's G2570 - kalos ;  beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable
YLT—right; NASB—excellent;  KJV—honest; 
NKJV, ESV—honorable;  NIV84, NET—good ; 
WNT—beautiful in their goodness;  NLT—properly
2) Good works
Accusations against the early church

  • cannibals (eat children) — Christians took in unwanted children and cared for them.
  • gross immorality at love feasts —
  • disrupt the economy —
  • break up families — 
  • primarily working class, uneducated, poor —
  • think you are so righteous —
  • atheists —  (Did not worship the Roman gods.)
  • unpatriotic — (Would not worship the emperor.)
—The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church, #3
“When Plato was told that a certain man had been making certain slanderous charges against him, his answer was: “I will live in such a way that no one will believe what he says.”  —WB
3) Being subject   v. 13 and following


B. Glory to God
We give glory to God when we imitate Christ.
Romans 8.28-29
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

We glorify God when our good behavior leads the unsaved to praise Him.
1 Peter 3.1-2
1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

“Peter’s exact phrase does not appear anywhere else in the Old or New Testament, so it is unwise to assume it is a technical phrase for judgment: it is better to understand it simply to mean ‘on a day when God visits’ (whether to bring blessing or judgment must be determined from the remaining context."  —Grudem in TNTC
Some commentators tie the phrase to Isaiah 10:3 and see it as the time when the Lord returns to earth.
 Whichever view you take of ‘the day of visitation’….
On this day of visitation pagans who are currently slandering Christian will as converted believers glorify God. 
“This glorification is almost certainly the voluntary praise of people who have been converted, and not the forced acknowledgement by unbelievers that God has been right.”  —Grudem in TNTC
 

APPLICATION:
What are you devoted to?

(What do you crave and desire?)
not lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope
...”
Romans 12:11-12
We should be full of diligence and zeal for the things that are important in our heavenly home.
We should be fervent (on fire) for the things of the Lord.
(We should be on guard against the smallest encroachment of fleshly desires.)
 

CONCLUSION
1. We are sojourners with an eternal inheritance in Heaven.
2. We should not cheapen ourselves by indulging our fleshly desires.
3. We should be fervent to glorify God with our excellent behaviour and good works.



Sunday, December 23, 2012

Fleshly Lusts

Why does the new testament make lists of fleshly lusts/works?
If we are in the Spirit we will see them and be repulsed.  Once we begin to walk in the flesh our spiritual acumen dulls and we loose a measure of our sensibility to sinGod puts warning signs up for us for us in those lists that say "You should not be here!"   

Galatians 5.17-22
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: 
  • adultery,  
  • fornication, 
  • uncleanness, 
  • lewdness,  
  • idolatry, 
  • sorcery, 
  • hatred, 
  • contentions, 
  • jealousies, 
  • outbursts of wrath, 
  • selfish ambitions, 
  • dissensions, 
  • heresies,  
  • envy, 
  • murders,  
  • drunkenness, 
  • revelries, 
and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 4.17-19
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to 
  • lewdness, 
  • to work all uncleanness with 
  • greediness.
  • (25) lying
  • (26) steal
  • (29) corrupt word
  • (32) bitterness,
  • wrath, 
  • anger,
  • clamor,
  • and evil speaking
  • malice  
 
Ephesians 5.3-5
  • 3 But fornication and 
  • all uncleanness or 
  • covetousness, 
let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither 
  • filthiness, nor 
  • foolish talking, nor 
  • coarse jesting, 
which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 
 
Colossians 3.5
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: 
  • fornication, 
  • uncleanness, 
  • passion, 
  • evil desire, and 
  • covetousness, which is idolatry.    
Colossians 3.8-9
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: 
  • anger, 
  • wrath, 
  • malice, 
  • blasphemy, 
  • filthy language out of your mouth.  
  • Do not lie to one another, 
since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 
 
 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

2 Chronicles
30.1  to all Israel and Judah...  It is interesting to see Hezekiah reaching out to the northern kingdom of Israel even after they have been taken captive by Assyria.   
30.8  as your fathers...  I think this may be the first time that a king has called on Israel to return to the true worship of the LORD. 
30.26  since the time of Solomon...  It is remarkable that they had not had a huge Passover celebration since Solomon's time.                       s

Monday, December 10, 2012

The Apostle's Creed

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."

 
The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth
**************************
and in Jesus Christ His only son our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into Hell: the third day He rose again again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
**************************
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the Holy Catholic* Church: the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
the life everlasting.
* The word "catholic" in this context does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church but means "universal or including believers all around the world."

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE XII. "the life everlasting"

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."
ARTICLE XII.
-------------------------------------
"the life everlasting"
"These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal”
 -------------------------------------
[Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.]
 (Tune No. 209.)

1. THE world is sad with hopes that die,
With joys that gleam and then go by,
And dim the mortal eyes that gaze
On setting suns of parting days.

2. Better the hope, the joy, the light
For spiritual heart and sight!
For they whose life is hid on high
Shall never part and never die.

3. They never part! that saintly band,
Heirs of the heavenly, holy land;
Whom God the Spirit hath made one
With GOD the Father and the Son.

4. They never die! the deathly strife
But ushers them to glorious life:
From their last enemy they gain
Their birth to bliss, their end to pain.

5. But woe to them whose hearts are given
To joys and treasures not of Heaven;
Their wild awaking is to shame,
The second death in endless flame.

6. O JESU, teach our hearts to soar
And grasp those things which are before,
That after death our life may be
The immortality with Thee!   Amen.
  

SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE XII
        I believe that the unjust after their resurrection shall be tormented for their sins in hell: that the punishment shall be in proportion to their guilt, and that it shall be everlasting; that the just after their resurrection and absolution shall obtain the inheritance promised to the saints, shall be freed from all death and sin and sorrow, and shall continue with God and the Lamb in absolute and inconceivable happiness for ever.
 
1.
"THE fashion of this world passeth away."
"The things which are seen are temporal."
"Man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets."
 
2.
"Your joy no man taketh from you."
"The things which are not seen are eternal."
"Your life is hid with Christ in God: when Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."
 
3.
"There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying."
"...inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that findeth not away."
"As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are...heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ."

4.
"Whosoever liveth and believeth in ME shall never die."
"...deliver them who through fear of death were ... subject to bondage."
" Who hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel."
 
5.
"Thou fool, . . . so is he that layeth up treasure to himself, and is not rich toward GOD."
"...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

6.
"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE XI. “...the resurrection of the body...”

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."
ARTICLE XI.
-------------------------------------
“...the resurrection of the body...”
“I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day Upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”
 -------------------------------------
[Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.]
(Tune No. 20,)


1. WINTER in his heart of gloom
Sings the song of coming bloom:
So o'er death our souls shall sing
'Lays of the eternal spring.

2. Then decay shall be no more,
And, the weary seed-time o'er,
All the dead in Christ shall rise
For the Harvest of the skies.

3. Wheresoe'er the faithful sleep
Angels shall go forth to reap,
From the dust and 'neath the foam
They shall bring the Harvest home.

4. Bodies of the saints, whose bones
Rest beneath sepulchral stones,
Or are lost on every wind,
All, those messengers shall find.

5. All from earth to heaven shall soar
In that flesh which once they wore,
Deathless now and glorified,
Like their Lord and at His side.

6. This is life's eternal Spring!
This the coming joy we sing!
Look we ever toward this Day,
Be it near or far away!

7. 'Mid the sorrow and the strife
'Tis the music of our life,
And the song hath this refrain--
Our Redeemer comes again!  Amen.

SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE XI.
         I believe that all men shall hereafter rise from death: that the souls separated from their bodies are in the hands of God and live, and the bodies dissolved into dust shall be re-united to their souls: that the same flesh which lived before shall be revived: that this resurrection shall be universal; that all the just shall be raised to a resurrection of life, and all the unjust to a resurrection of damnation: and that this shall be at the last day, when the trumpet shall sound.
 
1.
"HE that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing."
“0h death, where is thy sting? 0h grave, where is thy victory?”
" In hope of eternal life."
 
2.
"There shall be no more death."
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
'The dead in Christ shall rise first."
"The harvest is the end of the world."
 
3.
“Them also which sleep in JESUS will God bring with Him."
“The reapers are the Angels."
"Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake."
“The sea gave up the dead which were in it."

4.
“He shall send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other."
“Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them.”
 
5.
"Caught up ... in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."
“In my flesh shall I see God."
“It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory."
“We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

6.
“Hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God."
 
7.
"As sorrowful yet alway rejoicing."
" Rejoicing in hope of the glory of  God."
" I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall  stand at the latter day upon the earth."

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE X. “the forgiveness of sins.”

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."
ARTICLE X.
-------------------------------------
“the forgiveness of sins.”
“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much.”
 -------------------------------------
[Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.]
(T u n e No. 14.)


1. WEARY of earth and laden with my sin,
I look at Heaven and long to enter in,
But there no evil thing may find a home-
And yet I hear a Voice that bids me " Come."

2. So vile I am, how dare I hope to stand
In the pure glory of that Holy Land?
Before the whiteness of that Throne appear ?--
Yet there are Hands stretched out to draw me near.

3. The while I fain would tread the Heavenly Way,
Seems evil ever with me day by day;
Yet on mine ears the gracious tidings fall,
Repent, confess, and thou art loosed from all."

4. It is the voice of JESUS that I hear
His are the Hands stretched out to draw me near,
And His the Blood that can for all atone,
And set me faultless there before the throne.

5. 'Twas He Who found me on the deathly wild,
And made me heir of Heaven, the Father's child,
And day by-day, whereby my soul may live,
Giveth His grace of pardon, and will give.

6. O great Absolver! grant my soul may wear
The lowliest garb of penitence and prayer,
That in the Father's courts my glorious dress
May be the garment of Thy righteousness.

7. Yea, Thou wilt answer for me, Righteous Lord!
Thine all the merits, mine the great reward;
Thine the sharp thorns, and mine the golden crown,
Mine the life won and Thine the life laid down!

8. Nought can I bring, dear Lord, for all I owe,
 Yet let my full heart, what it can, bestow;
 Like that sweet nard, let my devotion prove,
 Greatly forgiven, how I greatly love. Amen.

SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE X
        I believe that all men are concluded under sin, and therefore subject to the penalty of  eternal punishment; that the Son of God gave Himself to ransom and release us; and because without shedding of blood is no remission, He gave His life a sacrifice for sin, and shed His precious Blood as the price of propitiation; and that He appointed in the Church of Christ the Sacrament of Baptism for the first remission, and repentance for the constant forgiveness of all following trespasses.
 
1.
"...Ye that labour and are heavy laden."
" I have longed for Thy salvation, 0 Lord."
" There shall in no wise enter into it anythin-- that defileth."
"Come unto ME, ... and I will give you rest."
 
2.
"Behold, I am vile: what shall I answer Thee?"
"Thy people also shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the Land."
"The Great White Throne."
"I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto ME."
 
3.
"To will is present with me."
"In me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing."
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
 
4.
"At that time JESUS answered and said Come unto ME."
" The Son of Man is come to seek and to save."
" The Blood of JESUS Christ His Son cleansetli from all sin."
"Him that is able to present you faultless," &c.
 
5.
"He was lost and is found."
"Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
"He will abundantly pardon."
"Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them."
 
6.
" In Whom we have ... the forgiveness of sins."
" God be merciful to me, a sinner."
"Bring forth the best robe and put it on him."
"A wedding garment."

7.
"We have an advocate with the Father, JESUS Christ the Riohteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins."
 "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us unto God by Thy Blood."
"Who ... bare our sins in His own Body ... that we should live unto righteousness."
 
8.
"When they had nothing to pay, He frankly forgave  them."
"Her sins ... are forgiven her, for she loved much."
"Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify GOD your body and your spirit, which are God's."

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE IX. “...the Holy Catholic* Church: the communion of the saints...” Also known as "The Church's One Foundation"

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."
ARTICLE IX.
-------------------------------------
“...the Holy Catholic* Church: the communion of the saints...”
"He is the Head of the Body, the Church."
-------------------------------------
[Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.]
(Tune No. 142.)


1. THE Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word:
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride,
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.

2. She is from every nation
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth,
One Holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one Holy Food,
And to one Hope she presses
With every grace endued.

3. The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against or foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.

4. Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder
By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song!

5. 'Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest!

6. Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master's Hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden-land.

7. O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
For ever shall abide!


SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE IX
        I believe that the Church of Christ is, has been, and will be one and the same: that it is holy in respect of (1) its Author and End, (2) the vocation of all the baptized, (3) the true saints within it:  that it is One, by unity of origination, of faith, of hope, of charity, of sacraments, of discipline: that it is Catholic, as being universally disseminated, as teaching all truth, as possession all graces: that its truly sanctified members have communion with the Holy Trinity, with the Angels, and with all Saints on earth and in Paradise.
 
1.
"OTHER foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS Christ."
"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
"Even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctity and cleanse it."
"The Church of God which He purchased with His Own Blood."
 
2.
"Out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation."
"We being many are one Bread and one Body."
"One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism."
"There is none other Name under Heaven...whereby we must be saved."
"We all are partakers of that one Bread."
"Called in one hope of our calling."
"...grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."
 

3.
"Upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."
"Lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world."
"Marvel not if the world hate you."
"False brethren."
"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! when I fall I shall arise."

4.
"By reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
"I hear that there be divisions among you."
"Watch unto prayer."
"Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles."
"Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting..."
"The redeemed of the Lord...shall come with singing unto Zion."
 
5.
"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and against powers,"&c.
"In all these things we are more than conquerors."
"The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
"We know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."
 
6.
"Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son JESUS Christ." - "...the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you."
"Ye are come unto the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of angels, and to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn...and to the spirits of just men made perfect."
""When thou passeth through the waters I will be with thee."
"...with Me in Paradise."

7.
"Faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."
"Humble yourselves...that He may exalt you in due time."
"He carried me...to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem."
"The Lamb...shall lead them unto the living fountains of waters."
"The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them."

* The word "catholic" in this context does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church but means "universal or including people all around the world." 

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE VIII "I believe in the Holy Ghost."

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."

ARTICLE VIII
-------------------------------------
"I believe in the Holy Ghost."
"The Lord is that Spirit"
 -------------------------------------

[Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.] 
(Tune No, 255.)

1. GOD the Spirit, we adore Thee,
ln the trinal GODHEAD One,
One in love and power and glory
With the Father and the Son;
Prayer and praise to Thee we bring,
Our devotion's offering.

2. Once the desolate world-ocean
Quickened from its long death-sleep,
Woke to light and life's emotion
At Thy brooding o'er its deep;
Spirit, ever may Thy breath
Quicken us from sleep and death!

3. Holy Fount of Inspiration,
By Whose gift the great of old
Spake the Word of Revelation,
Marvellous and manifold,
Grant to us who see and hear
Reverence of eye and ear.

4. Priceless Gift of Christ for ever,
Righteousness and Peace and joy,
Which the evil world, that never
Can receive, cannot destroy,
Shall the Church or faint or fear
While the Comforter is near?

5. Author of our new creation,
Giver of the second birth,
May Thy ceaseless renovation
Cleanse our souls from stains of earth,
And our bodies ever be
Holy temples meet for Thee.

6. When we wander, Lord, direct us,
Keep us in the Master's Way,
Let Thy strong, swift Sword protect us,
Warring in the evil day;
Paraclete for every need,
Come to strengthen and to lead!

7. Come, Thy glorious gifts providing,
Foretaste of the future now,
Bring that sweet sense of abiding
Thou canst give and only Thou,
One in Thee, we shall be one
In the Father and the Son.  Amen.

SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE VIII
        I believe that there is one Particular Spirit, a Person uncreated, and so the true and eternal God, yet not the Father, or the Son, but the Spirit of the Father and the Son, the third Person in the Blessed Trinity; that He inspired the writers of the Scriptures, that He is the Paraclete or Colmforter by Whom the Apostles were enabled to begin, and by perpetual succession to continue, the edification of the  Church; that He is the Cause of all holiness in us, the Source of Regeneration, Renewal, Illumination, and Sanctification. 


1.
"THE Lord is that Spirit."
"The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost"
"The grace of our Lord jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost."
"As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate ME Barnabas and Saul."
 
2.
"The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters; and God said, Let there be Light, and there was Light."
"He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit."
 
3.
"Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
"By revelation He made known unto me the mystery,"
"... revealed unto His holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit."
"We speak not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth."
 
4.
"That He may abide with you for ever."
"Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."
"Whom the world cannot receive."
"The Eternal Spirit."
"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
 
5.
"The Spirit of Adoption."
"Born of water and of the Spirit."--" Washing of regeneration."
"And renewing of the Holy Ghost."
"Sanctified by the Holy Ghost."
"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?"
 
6.
"Howbeit when He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth."
"The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
"But the Comforter, Which is the Holy Ghost ... He shall teach you all things."
 
7.
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit."
"The Holy Spirit ... Which is the Earnest of our inheritance."
"Hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit."
"No man can say that JESUS is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost."
"He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE VII. "from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead."

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."

ARTICLE VII.
-------------------------------------
"from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead."
"Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God."
 -------------------------------------
[Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.]
(Tune No, 82.)


1. MISTFUL are our waiting eyes,
As of them who saw Him rise
From that mountain to the skies.

2. Then the holy Angels near
Gave them tidings of good cheer:
"Jesus shall again appear."

3. And we wait an Angel's cry,
Piercing earthward from the sky:
"Now, behold your Lord is nigh!"

4. Yet, who shall abide that day,
When the judge with dread array
Comes for universal sway?

5. Dreadly shall His summons sweep,
Heard by those who wake or sleep,
On the height or in the deep:

6. Heard by Life'mid all its bloom,
Heard by Death in every tomb-
Terrible decree of,doom.

7. As the fisher parts his prey,
Casting these from those away,
So it shall be on that day.

8. For the gathered souls who stand,
Waiting that supreme command,
He shall part on either hand.

9. To those souls of quick and dead,
" Come," shall be the blessing said,
" Go," shall be the cursing dread.

10. Lord, dwell in us now, we pray,
That, in the dividing day,
We be not the cast away!

11. So shall we till Thou appear
Blend, in longing eye and ear,
Holy joy with holy fear!   Amen.

SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE VII.

      I believe that the Son of God in that human nature in which He ascended into Heaven shall come again from thence, and shall gather together all the quick, -- that is, those who shall then be alive, --and all those who before that day shall have died, and shall judge them according to their works; and He will deliever the wicked to everlasting torment with the devil and his angels, and will translate the elect into His glorious kingdom, of which there shall be no end.  

1.
"OUR conversation is in Heaven, from whence also we I look for the Saviour."
"They looked stedfastly toward Heavenas He went up."
 
2.
"Two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, This same JESUS shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go."
 
3.
"The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with the voice of the archangel."
 
4.
"But who may abide the day of His coming?"
"The Lord JESUS Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom."
 
5.
" We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."
" We which are alive and remain shall not prevent them which are asleep."
 
6.
"The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain."
"He cometh to judge the earth."
 
7.
"The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net ... which when it was full they drew to shore, and ... gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad anvay."
 
8.
"So it shall be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just."
 
9.
"Then shall the King say:--
"Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom."
"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting flames."
 
10.
"God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them: and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
 
11.
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour JESUS Christ."

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE VI. "He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father, Almighty."

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."

ARTICLE VI.
-------------------------------------
"He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father, Almighty."
"Whom have I in heaven but thee?"
-------------------------------------
[Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.]
(Tune No. 11.)


1. ON Olivet a little band
Around their risen Master stand:
And after charge and blessing given,
He passeth from them into Heaven.

2. Wistful their eyes, but Angels twain
Cheer them with glorious words: "Again
One day shall Jesus even so
Return, as ye have seen Him go.,'

3. Till then in Heaven He doth remain,
True GOD, at GOD'S right Hand to reign,
True MAN, at human woes to grieve,
True GOD, Almighty to relieve.

4. For every soul in every need
He ever lives to intercede,
Presenting there within the Veil
A Sacrifice that cannot fail.

5. Our heavenly great High Priest He stands:
By pierced Feet, and pierced Hands,
By bleeding Brow and'riven Side,
He lives to plead for whom He died!

6. Whom have we, Lord, in Heaven but Thee?
Like ships safe moored on stormy sea
Our souls in peril, with Thee there
Find anchorage of hope and prayer.

7. Set loose from earth, and evermore
Fast bound to that eternal shore,
So all our life and love shall be,
Ascended Master, hid with Thee!   Amen.

SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE VI.
   I believe that the Son of God after He rose from the dead did in His human nature, with the same -Body and Soul with which He rose, convey Himself from earth into the Heaven of Heavens, there to reign as a Judge and as a King in everlasting happiness at the right hand of God the Father Alighty-that is to say, with Divine majesty and power, exercising His High Priestly office of Mediator and Intercessor to the end of the world."   

 
1.
"AND HE led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them."
"And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld Him He was taken up."

2.
"And while they looked stedfastly toward Heaven, behold two men stood by them in white apparel."
"Which also said, This same jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go."
 
3.
"Who is gone into Heaven and is at the right hand of God: angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him."
"We have not an High Priest Which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities."
"This is the true God and eternal life."
 
4.
"He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
". . . within the Vail; whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest."
 
5.
"Such an High Priest ... in the Heavens."
"By His own Blood He entered in once into the Holy Place."
"We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the.Righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins."

6.
"Whom have I in Heaven but Thee?"
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the Veil."
 
7.
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth."
"Set your affection on things above."
"For ... your life is hid with Christ in God."

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE V. "He descended into hell: the third day He rose again from the dead."

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S. J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."

ARTICLE V.
-------------------------------------
"He descended into hell: the third day He rose again from the dead."
"I am He that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen;
and have the keys of Hell and of Death
."
-------------------------------------
[Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.]
(Tune No. 168.)

1. ALL the sacrifice is ended',
Breathed His Body's latest breath,
And His human Soul hath wended
Where the weary rest beneath;
Christ as Man hath comprehended
All the human law of death!

2. Yet not there His Soul remaineth
Nor His Body in the tomb:
Lo! what sudden glory gaineth
Quick dominion o'er the gloom!
Yea, o'er Death and Hell He reigneth
Bursting back the gates of doom!

3. Manifold the attestation
Brethren tell the marvel o'er,
And the soldiers from their station,
And the Angels at the door,
And His Own Word's revelation,
"Lo! I live for evermore."

4. Hail, thou Morn of Resurrection,
Primal holy Easter Day!
Now the hours of deep dejection
'Neath the night-clouds' dark array,
Foes' reviling, friends' defection,
In thy glory pass away!

5. Now He lives and reigns for ever!
That we too may enter in
Where eternal life shall never
Taste of sorrow or of sin,
Where from Him no death shall sever
Those He vanquished death to win.

6. Saviour! in our night of weeping
Tell us of the joyful morn,
Guard our souls, their vigil keeping
In the hours of hate and scorn
Raise us falling, wake us sleeping,
Till our Easter Day be born.

SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE V.
   I believe that, when the sufferings of Christ were finished by death upon the Cross, His Soul entered the place of the departed spirits of the blest, and that so He underwent all the human law of death: but that as God suffered not His Holy One in the Body to see corruption, so neither did He leave His Soul in Hell: for that, dying on the Friday and resting in the grave on the Sabbath day, He did on the morning of the first day of the week, the third day of His death, return to life again, Soul and Body being re-united. --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
"It is finished." (John 19:30)
"He gave up the ghost." (Luke 23:46)
"Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first?" (Ephesians 4:9)
"In Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
"He became obedient unto death." (Philippians 2:8)

2.
"Thou wilt not leave My Soul in Hell:" (Psalm 16:10a)
"Neither wilt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:10b)
"Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more: death hath no more dominion over Him." (Romans 6:9)
"That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, even the devil, and deliver," &c. (Hebrews 2:14 &c.)

3.
"Him God raised up from the dead, and shewed Him openly." (Acts 10:40)
"The Lord is risen indeed."-"We have seen the lord." (Luke 24:34 - John 20:25)
"Some of the watch shewed all the things that were done." (Matthew 28:11)
"Two Angels in white said, He is not here but is risen." (Luke 24:4-5)
"Behold, I am alive for evermore." (Revelation 1:18)

4.
" Upon the first day of the week." (Luke 24:1)
" Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us : therefore let us keep the Feast." (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)
" Why weepest thou ?" (John 20:13 & 15)
" The Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel."
" This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

5.
"He shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 11:15)
"Raised again for our justification." (Romans 2:25)
"There shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying ... and there shall be no more curse." (Revelation 21:4; 22:3)
"For I am persuaded that neither death ... shall be able to separate us-" (Romans 8:38)
"Our Saviour JESUS Christ, Who hath abolished death." (2 Timothy 1:10)

6.
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)
"Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time." (Hebrews 9:28)
"To withstand in the evil day." (Ephesians 6:13)
"Let us watch and be sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
"Till the Day dawn and the Day-star arise." (2 Peter 1:19)

Lyra Fidelium: ARTICLE IV. “...suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.”

Lyra Fidelium: Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostle's Creed
by S.J. Stone, B.A.,
CURATE OF WINDSOR
-------------------------------------
"I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."
ARTICLE IV.
-------------------------------------
“...suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.”
“Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow.”
 -------------------------------------

 [Editor's note:  In the 1866 version of Lyra Fidelium  Scriptures  were placed beside  each verse in the twelve  hymns. The Scriptures supporting each hymn are numbered below the summary.]
(Tune No. 178.)

1.  MY Saviour!  I behold Thy life
Of not one smile and many tears;
I mark the spiritual strife,
Thy human woes, Thy human fears,
And cry, " Was ever grief like Thine,
Or debt of sin so vast as mine

2.  I watch Thine agonizing hour,
I see Thee by Thine own betrayed,
Alone in Pilate's craven power,
And scourged and scornfully arrayed,
And cry, "Was ever grief like Thine
Or debt of sin so vast as mine?"

3.  I Thee Thee fainting on Thy way,
Reviled and mocked of all the throng,
I hear the bitter words they say,
The abject's sneer, the drunkard's song,
And cry, 'Was ever grief like Thine,
Or debt of sin so vast as mine?'

4.  That sin in every taunt I hear,
And see in every look of scorn;
It is the Cross which Thou dost bear,
The sharpness of Thy crown of thorn:
Dear Lord, 'Was ever grief like Thine,
Or debt of sin so vast as mine?'

5.  My Saviour, I behold Thy death,
I hear Thy cries, Thy last words seven,
I see the scowling gaze beneath,
Above, the darkened face of Heaven,
And cry, 'Was ever grief like Thine,
Or debt of sin so vast as mine?'

6.  My Saviour, I behold Thy grave
In that still garden's awful gloom,
I see Thee lying there to save
My soul from an eternal tomb,
And cry, 'Was ever grief like Thine,
Or debt of sin so vast as mine?'

7.  And yet with all I hear and see
Of Death, or Passion of Thy life,
Sweet hopes are ministered to me
And voices fall with comfort rife,
That say, “Because He lived and died,
From sin thou canst be purified!” Amen.

SUMMARY OF TRUTHS CONFESSED IN ARTICLE IV.
        I believe that the Son of God was in His humanity subject to our infirmities: that He suffered in His body by external pains and in His Soul by temptations, fears, and anguish unspeakable: that He was delivered to death by Pontius Pilate, Procurator of Judea: that He endured agony and shame on the Cross to take off the curse due to us: That He did thereon in our nature truly die, so that His Soul was separated from His Body: and that His dead Body was laid in a new tomb.

1.
"HE is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief."
"The travail of His soul."
“In all points tempted like as we are."
“See if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow."
“Thou shalt make His Soul an offering for sin."

2.
"My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."
"Judas, one of the twelve, he that betrayed Him."
"All the disciples forsook Him." - "The multitude led Him unto Pilate."
"Pilate took JESUS, and scourged Him." - "They put on Him a purple robe."
"Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners."
"With His stripes we are healed."

3.
"He bearing His Cross went forth."
"In Mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together."
"They gaped upon Me with their mouths."
"The abjects gathered themselves together." - "I was the song of the drunkard."

4.
"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities."
"The chastisement of our peace was upon Him."
"He suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust."

5.
"Crucified and slain."
St. Matt. xxvii. 46; St. Luke xxiii. 34, 43,46; St. John xix.26, 28, 30.
"They that passed by railed on Him."
"My God, My God! why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
"Who His Own Self bare our sins in His Own Body on the tree."

6.
"Where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre."
"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him."
 
7.
“...came to give His life a ransom for many."
“We were reconciled to God by the death of His Son."
“...through death to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable."
“Peace through the Blood of His Cross."”
“Without shedding of Blood is no remission."
“Redeemed with the Blood of Christ."