This washing cleanseth us from sin And lends a sacred beauty, It makes us white and pure within, Incites to love and duty, From Satan's prison sets us free, Enables us the sons to be And heirs of God, our Father. Our sinful nature is renewed, The curse of God is lifted; By choicest blessings thus endued And with the Spirit gifted, We unto sin are pledged to die And by the pow'r of God on high The gates of hell can conquer. Here we with Jesus Christ are clad, His righteousness receiving, Which covers what in us is bad, Our rescue thus achieving; His holy blood, for sinners spilt, Releases us from sin and guilt, And we with God find favor. O wondrous work, O sacred bath, O water thou of blessing, The world nowhere thy equal hath, Such healing grace possessing. Thou hast indeed a pow'r divine, According to God's own design, And with His word connected. Thou art no water such as we Can draw from well or river. In thee the life of God we see, Who is of grace the Giver. His Holy Spirit in thee dwells, Who ev'ry evil lust dispels That in our hearts would linger. O Christians, bear this well in mind, And thank the Lord sincerely For all the gifts that here you find, And that you prize so dearly. When nothing else can soothe the soul, These gifts lend comfort till the goal Of life on earth appeareth. Use well the things you have in store, That are for you intended, And, cleansed by Jesus, sin no more Until life's course is ended, When you, in yonder happy land, Before God's radiant throne shall stand, In heaven's festal garments. Paul Gerhardt, 1667. Tr. H. Brueckner, 1918. Ich bin getauft auf deinen Namen. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I am baptized in Thy name; In the seed Thou dost inherit, With the people Thou dost claim, I am reckoned: And for me the Savior came. Thou receivest me, O Father, As a child and heir of Thine; Jesus, Thou who diedst, yea, rather Ever livest, Thou art mine Thou, O Spirit, Art my Guide, my Light divine. I have pledged, and would not falter, Truth, obedience, love to Thee; I have vows upon Thine alter Ever Thine alone to be, And for ever Sin and all its lusts to flee. Gracious God, all Thou hast spoken In this covenant shall take place; But if I, alas! have broken These my vows, hide not Thy face; And from falling O restore me by Thy grace. Lord, to Thee I now surrender All I have, and all I am; Make my heart more true and tender, Glorify in me Thy Name, Let obedience To Thy will be all my aim.