157. For
a Confessor Bishop
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{274}
Christe Pastorum. [Note] |
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O THOU, of shepherds
Prince and Head,
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Now on a Bishop's
festal-day |
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Thy flock to many a shrine have sped |
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Their vows to pay. |
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He to the high and dreadful throne
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Urged by no false
inspirings, prest, |
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Nor on hot daring of his own, |
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But Thy behest. |
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And so, that soldier good and tried,
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From the full horn of
heavenly grace, |
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Thy Spirit did anoint, to guide |
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Thy ransom'd race. {275} |
And he becomes a father true, |
| Spending and spent, when troubles fall, |
| A pattern and a servant too, |
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All things to all. |
His pleading sets the sinner free, |
| He soothes the sick, he lifts the low, |
| Powerful in word, deep teacher, he, |
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To quell the foe. |
Grant us, O Christ, his prayers above, |
| And grace below to sing Thy praise, |
| The Father's power, the Spirit's love, |
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Now and always. |
Littlemore.
February 7, 1842. |