The priests and Levites sent to John

1 The Priests and Levites sent to John,
They ask'd of him to know:
Art thou the great Messiah come?
The pow'r on earth to show.

2 Art thou Elias, tell us plain,
What office dost thou bear?
We must report to those again:
Those who have sent us here.

3 The Jews supposed John to be
Their Saviour and their Lord!
But John replied I am not he,
I only bear record.

4 As the great Prophet hath declar'd,
I am the voice that cry,
My voice is in the deserts heard:
Your prince of life is nigh.

5 Prepare your gracious Lord to meet!
Submit unto his ways;
And truly humbled at his feet,
Obtain his pard'ning grace.

6 O! could we be like unto John,
Submissive, humble, meek,
To honour none but christ alone
And none but him to seek.

Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #XIV