1. Church of the living God, -
Pillar and ground of truth, -
Keep the old paths the fathers trod -
In thy illumined youth.
2. Lo, in thy bosom lies -
The touchstone for the age; -
Seducing error shrinks and dies -
At light from yonder page.
3. Woe to the hands that dare, -
By lust of power enticed -
To mingle with the doctrine there -
The frauds of Antichrist.
4. Once to the saints was giv’n -
All blessèd Gospel lore; -
There, written down in words from Heav’n, -
Thou hast it evermore.
5. Fear not, though doubts abound, -
And scoffing tongues deride; -
Love of God’s Word finds surer ground -
When to the utmost tried.
6. Toil at thy sacred text; -
More fruitful grows the field; -
Each generation to the next -
Prepares a richer yield.
7. God’s Spirit in the Church, -
Still lives unspent, untired, -
Inspiring hearts that fain would search -
The truths Himself inspired.
8. Move, Holy Ghost, with might -
Amongst us as of old; -
Dispel the falsehood, and unite -
In true faith and true fold.
