University of Virginia Library


118

HYMN VIII. FOR THE SAME.

[Ah! most compassionate High-priest]

Ah! most compassionate High-priest,
Thy tempted messengers defend,
Honour'd, exposed, above the rest,
To them Thy timely succour send,
With each in his temptation stay,
Nor cast one helpless soul away.
Save them from pride, and worldly love,
From envy mean, and base desire;
Their lust of praise and power remove,
Walk with Thy servants in the fire,
Appear their Leader on the flood,
And prop them with the arm of God.
Show them, their strength and safety lies
In closely copying after Thee,
In boldly labouring up the skies,
In full Divine conformity,
In fervent zeal to do and bear,
In all the powers of faithful prayer.
Entering into their closet, Lord,
Thee let them daily seek, and find,
Studious to preach, and live Thy word,
To copy out Thy perfect mind,
To be as Thou their Master art,
Lowly, and meek, and pure in heart.