Yea, as I live, Jehovah saith, I do not wish the sinner’s death, But that he turn from error’s ways, Repent, and live through endless days. 2. Hence Christ His servants gave command: “Go forth and preach in every land; Forgiveness to each soul extend That mourns, believes, and will amend. 3. “Whose sins soever ye remit, I truly pardon and acquit; Whose sins soever ye retain, Condemned and guilty shall remain. 4. “What ye shall bind, that bound shall be; What ye shall loose, that shall be free; To all alike the keys are given To ope and close the gates of heaven. 5. “They who believe, when ye proclaim The joyful tidings in My name, That I for them My blood have shed, Are free from guilt and Judgment dread.” 6. The words which absolution give Are His who died that we might live; The minister whom Christ has sent Is but His humble instrument. 7. However great our sin may be, The absolution sets us free, Appointed by God’s own dear Son To bring the pardon He has won. 8. When ministers lay on their hands, Absolved by Christ the sinner stands; He who by grace the Word believes The purchase of His blood receives. 9. This is the power of holy keys, It binds and doth again release; The Church retains them at her side, Our mother and Christ’s holy bride. 10. Let those who stings of conscience bear, Whom sin would drive to dark despair, To Jesus come with trustful mind And peace in absolution find. 11. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee For absolution full and free, In which Thou showest forth Thy grace; From false indulgence guard our race. 12. Praise God the Father and the Son And Holy Spirit, Three in One, As ’twas, is now, and so shall be, World without end, eternally! Nikolaus Herman, 1560; M. Loy, tr., 1880. THE LORD’S SUPPER. 427 10s Draw nigh and take the body of your Lord And drink the holy blood for you outpoured. Offered was He for greatest and for least, Himself the Victim and Himself the Priest. 2. He that in this world rules His saints and shields, To all believers life eternal yields, With heavenly bread makes them that hunger whole, Gives living waters to the thirsting soul. 3. Approach ye, then, with faithful hearts sincere And take the pledges of salvation here. O Judge of all, our only Savior Thou, In this Thy feast of love be with us now. Latin, c. 680; J. M. Neale, tr., 1851, a. 428 L. M. O Jesus, bruised and wounded more Than bursted grape or bread of wheat, The Life of life without our souls, The Cup of our salvation sweet!