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Invocation of the Holy Spirit.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My Voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.

Rev. iii. 20.

Paul Gerhard. 1606-1676.

Frances E. Cox. Tr. 1864

Come, enter Thine own portal,

My heart is Thy domain;

Through Thee, though first born mortal,

I since was born again;

Thou Holy Spirit blest,

The Father’s honour bearing,

The Son’s great glory sharing,

Of equal power possest.

Come, my new life to cherish,

My constant Guest abide;

Lest after all I perish,

Daily new strength provide:

My heart make clean and sound,

That I due praise may render,

And worthy service tender,

To Thine allegiance bound.

An olive wild by nature

Thou grafftest me anew;

Death claimed me, though Thy creature,

As his own rightful due;

But Christ’s atoning Blood,

To me new life there granting,

Drowned Death, with all his vaunting,

In His baptismal flood.

With virtue unabated,

Thou art the Holy Oil,

Through which are consecrated

Soul, body, ease and toil,

To Christ, Whose guardian wings,

Where’er their lot appointed,

Protect His own anointed,

His prophets, priests, and kings.

Thy Grace our frail tongue teacheth,

Spirit of Holy Prayer,

Prayer that God’s Temple reacheth,

Song that mounts heaven’s stair;

Thy suit hath never failed,

For, skillful weapons using,

Thou wilt take no refusing,

Until Thou hast prevailed.

Thy bliss no sorrow knoweth,

Spirit of Holy Joy!

Thy Peace true calm bestoweth,

With none of earth’s alloy:

E’en in this mortal state,

Of pleasure’s golden mansion,

Oft-times with wide expansion,

Thou openest me the gate.

All discord wouldst Thou smother,

Spirit of Holy Love!

Wouldst have men love each other,

As angels do above:

The Friend of all below

Who act with love’s intention;

Of envy, strife, dissension,

Thou art the constant Foe.

Thou rulest every nation,

Each widely distant land;

Where’er men’s occupation,

Their hearts are in Thy Hand:

Let Thy controlling grace

In holy concord bind them,

Although dispersed it find them

Through every time and place.

Hear us, Thy help imploring,

And make heart-sorrow cease,

Thy scattered flock restoring

To union, joy, and peace:

Bid flourish once again

The lands by man forsaken,

The churches spoiled and shaken

By war’s unhallowed train.

Our rulers’ peace securing,

O shower Thy blessings down,

And make their thrones enduring;

Adorn, as with a crown,

With piety our youth,

Old men with wisdom fitting,

Fathers to sons transmitting,

From age to age, Thy Truth.

The true Faith’s influence nourish

Within each heart and mind,

While house and garner flourish

Beneath Thy favour kind:

Keep far, O far apart

The foe who makes his pleasure

To take away good treasure

Once sown within our heart.

With steadfast heart and joyous

Confirm our Christian band,

While ready to destroy us

The powers of darkness stand;

That so no Christian may,

With well-proved weapons furnished,

And armour brightly burnished,

To Satan fall a prey.

According to Thy pleasure

Our term of days dispose;

And when they reach their measure,

And earthly scenes must close,

Spirit of Holy Faith!

In that dread hour be near us,

With gladsome thoughts to cheer us,

Of life that knows no death!

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