John 17:9: Not for the world of sinners dead

Not for the world of sinners dead,
Not for the living faithful seed,
As yet the common Saviour prays:
The twelve, His most peculiar care,
First mention'd in His final prayer,
Are first establish'd by His grace:
Them for their office high design'd,
Elected out of all mankind,
To Thee by Love Paternal given,
Jesus, Thy prayer doth first secure,
And make Thy church's pillars sure,
And seal them favourites of heaven.