I. Christ, by whose all-saving Light
Mankind benefitted,
Was for Sinners in the Night
As a Thief committed.
Dragg'd before a wicked court
Of the Jewish Clergy;
Where they try'd their worst Effort
'Gainst the Lord of Mercy.
II. Sentenc'd early by this Crew,
As the worst of Sinners,
Came to Pilate, who foreknew
This Tumult's Beginners:
Though he judg'd him innocent
Of their Accusation,
Yet to Herod he was sent
For his Arbitration.
III. Then his holy Flesh was torn
with inhuman Lashes,
And his blessed Head in Scorn
Crown'd of sinful Ashes:
Cloathed in a Purple Dress,
Mock'd, and beat, and bruised;
Thus the Source of Holiness
Was by Sin misused.
IV. Then at Noon the Son of God
To the Cross was nailed,
Where his fervent Prayer and Blood
For our Sins prevailed:
The Spectators shook their Head
Had him in Derision,
Till the Sun-light mourning fled
From so sad a Vision.
V. When at Three they heard him call:
Why am I forsaken;
Stait was Vinegar mix'd with Gall
Offer'd, but not taken:
Then to God his Spirit sent,
Shaking th' Earth with Wonder,
Gave the Vail a thorough Rent,
Cleft the Rocks asunder.
VI. At th' approaching Evening Tide,
Criminals Bones were broken;
But the Spear pierc'd Jesus Side,
For a lasting Token:
Which pour'd forth a double Flood
Of a cleansing Nature,
Both the Water and the Blood
Wash the guilty Creature.
VII. Joseph, when the Eve was come,
Took his dearest Master,
Laid him in his Stately Tomb,
Hewn in Alablaster;
Nicodem, now void of Fear,
Brought the richest Spices;
Thus these holy Men paid here
Their last Sacrifices.
VIII. Grant, O Jesu, blessod Lord,
By thy Cross and Passion,
Thy blest Love may be ador'd
By the whole Creation:
Hating Sin, and woful Cause
Of thy Death and Suff'ring,
Give our Heart t'obey thy Laws,
As the best Thanks-offering.
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
Midi
