Hymns for Times of Trouble, for the Year 1745, 7

A PRAYER FOR A MINISTER,

BISHOP of souls, regard our cry,
Our faithful guide with strength supply,
And hide his life above;
The teacher teach, the leader lead,
The pastor every moment feed
With Thy sufficient love.

His hands confirm, his breast inspire,
And touch his lips with hallow'd fire;
That zeal of charity
That apostolic spirit impart,
And make him after Thy own heart,
And count him worthy Thee.

Harden to adamant his brow,
His wisdom and his mouth be Thou,
His might invincible:
Arm him in all the arms Divine,
Send forth this messenger of Thine
To shake the gates of hell.

Thy power be in his weakness seen,
A spectacle to fiends and men,
Support him with Thy mind:
Nor let the pastor die for want,
Nor let the standard-bearer faint,
Assail'd by all mankind.

Be with him in that darkest hour,
When hell exerts its utmost power
Thy minister to' oppress;
Reviled, forsaken and betray'd,
In all things like his Master made,
Yet kept in perfect peace.

When every human friend is fled,
Stand by him at his greatest need,
Nor suffer him to fear,
Strongly upheld by Thee alone,
To make the preaching fully known,
That all the world may hear.

Unto Thy heavenly kingdom keep,
And grant him there in joy to reap
What he in tears did sow;
Late to Thy paradise remove,
And let him to his throne above
In glorious triumph go.

When ready to be offer'd up,
Give him to speak the' immortal hope
That fills his swelling heart, —
"Now lettest Thou Thy servant, Lord,
According to Thy faithful word
In perfect peace depart.

"I the good fight have fought and won,
I all my course on earth have run,
And pass'd my mourning days,
Have kept the faith by Jesus given,
And haste to my reward in heaven,
A crown of righteousness.

"That glorious wreath which now I see,
The Lord, the righteous Judge, on me
Shall at that day bestow,
On me and all my brethren here,
Who long to see my Lord appear,
And love His work below."

So be it, Lord, for whom we stay,
Hasten the long-expected day,
And call our friend to share
The heavenly joy of saints deceased,
And let us all with him be bless'd,
And die to meet him there!