Grant me, Eternal God, such grace That no distress May cause me e'er to flee from Thee; Let no false counsel me mislead, The heavenly Bread, My soul's true food, be ne'er withdrawn from me; But late and early let me hear Thy teachings clear, From teachers taught by Thee the faith; And yield me still up to Thy will, Until I yield my soul to Thee in death. | Teach me to make true order, Lord, That so Thy Word The common man may understand; Convert my subjects to obey Thy gentle sway; Increase the Christian host within my land. But stirreth now full many a sect That doth neglect True Christian faith and foster strife, Save us from such, nor let them touch Thy Word, our guide alike in death and life. | So grant us peace in these our days, Not strife that slays The brother's love Thou dost commend; Thou mak'st the welfare of my State, Envy and hate Keep far from me and all, till life shall end; Grant me Thy Spirit like a lamb, Thou know'st I am But flesh and blood, and apt to take offence; That mind of Thine be also mine, For this I pray with all my diligence. | 126 City and lands in every part, With earnest heart To Thee who gav'st them I commend; They are a charge that I must bear With faithful care; Thou with good counsellors my throne befriend, That all may see true justice done Clear as the sun, To rich and poor impartially; Not fraud and might, reason and right Rule here,--for this, for this, I cry to Thee! | And let the nobles of our land Well understand The faith, and find the one true Ground, In all things earnest to fulfil Thy holy will; By all who seek Thee be Thou surely found; So every class within the State, Or small or great, Or young or old, may praise Thy name most high, Give honour due and try to do What Thou wouldst have, nor ever from Thee fly. | Nor be my own needs, Lord, forgot, Forsake me not, But lead me ever in Thy way; Wisdom and judgment breathe in me, And ever be Close at my side whate'er I do to-day; In my affairs act Thou, nor let the foe, Who well I know With craft and wrath is working hour by hour, Me e'er deceive, or e'er bereave Of Thy dear Presence that benumbs his power. 127 | For burnt not once that heart of Thine With love divine Thinking on all our pain and loss? 'Twas no light thing Thou didst for us, Accepting thus So willingly the anguish of the cross, Bearing the woes of death and sin For us to win The life the Father had decreed For sinful man, e'er time began:-- Ah! let me reap the fruit of Thy sweet deed! | Lord, I have chosen the true gate, Narrow and strait, And yet my footsteps often stray; Bid me of Thy sore sorrow think, Nor dare to shrink Whate'er befall, but still press on Thy way. Give me true faith to persevere Through doubt and fear Till soul and body part in death; Then let the foe strike no last blow, Grant me to yield to Thee in peace my breath. | O may a burgher's right in heaven To us be given Of Thy free grace, we cannot purchase it. And listen yet to one more prayer, Spare Thou, O spare My brother's soul, which I to Thee commit; Thou know'st 'tis not in man to save, Wherefore I crave Mercy and grace for all my brother men; Thou, if Thou wilt, canst pardon guilt; Pardon and peace grant Thou, dear Lord. Amen. | |