Branches of that Stock that saved them, Where both grace and health unite, In the Lamb's pure Blood they laved them, Washed their robes and made them white: Now adorned with holiness, Shine they in their festal dress.
These like priests have watched and waited, Offering up to Christ their will, Soul and body consecrated, Day and night to serve Him still: Now, in God's most Holy Place, Blest they stand before His Face.
As the hart at noon-tide panteth For the brooks of water clear, For the life-spring Jesus granteth These have groaned, with frequent tear: Now their thirst is satisfied, For they are by Jesus' side.
Lo! the Lamb Himself now feeds them On Mount Sion's pastures fair; From His central Throne He leads them By the living fountains there: Lamb and Shepherd! Good Supreme! Free He gives the cooling stream.
Heavenward now my hands extending, Jesus, Lord, to Thee I pray, Low before Thy footstool bending-- Since on earth I still must stay, In Thy Church still wage my war, Drive, good Lord, my foes afar.
In the strife the conquest send me Over hell, the world, and sin; With Thy grace, O Lord, defend me, When temptation's storms begin: All my dangers bear me through, Lord, my Rock, my Saviour true!
Oh that, Lord, with Thee connected Like a living branch I grew! Make me one of Thine elected, Let me here be born anew; Keep from stain my garments free, Let me no dissembler be.
With the just, who Thee resemble, Let, O Lord, my lot be cast; Far from all that makes me tremble, Let Thy faithful child at last Make Thy pledged reward his own, Ever dwelling near Thy Throne.
With that holy throng uniting, Then what rapture shall be mine! In the Sun's bright beams delighting, I too like the stars shall shine: Lord, for this my voice shall raise Thanks to Thee, and endless praise.
Lasset uns laufen durch Geduld in dem Kampf der uns verordnet ist, und aufsehen auf Jesum, den Anfänger und Vollender des Glaubens.
Lebt, ihr Christen, so allhier auf Erden, Dass ihr Christo möget ähnlich werden, Der aus dem Leiden Ging zum Vater in das Reich der Freuden. Seht auf die mit eifrigem Verlangen, Die Ihm nach und euch sind vorgegangen; Schaut an ihr Leben, Wie sie euch dazu ein Beispiel geben.
So vollführet eures Herzogs Lehren, Folgt Ihm, wo ihr Ihm wollt angehören: Entsagt dem allen, Was dem Fleisch und Welt noch kann gefallen. Opfert euch Ihm auf und eure Glieder, Fallet unterm Kreuze vor Ihm nieder; Im Kreuzesorden Seid ihr seine Knecht und Ritter worden.