That in meek patience we may rest,
Submissive to Thy Holy Word;
Be by its consolations blest,

That eye ne'er saw, nor ear hath heard;

The helmet on our brow may bind,
Secure of everlasting fame;
The anchor of our souls may find,
That blessed hope that knows no shame.

That blessed hope may we embrace,
Of everlasting life in heaven;
That blessed hope hold fast by grace,
Through Jesus Christ our Saviour given.

AMEN.

THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

THE COLLECT.

The Revision of 1662.

LORD JESU CHRIST, who at Thy first coming didst send Thy messenger to prepare Thy way before Thee; grant that the ministers and stewards of Thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready Thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at Thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in Thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.

THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

Amen.

O Jesu Christ our Lord, when love
First brought Thee from the realms above,
As morning dew, a heavenly birth,
To visit this sin-stricken earth;

Thou sentest, as a day-star bright,
To usher in Thy morning light,
A Messenger before Thy face,
Full of the Holy Ghost and grace.

A Herald to announce Thy day,

A Pioneer to clear the way;

A Voice, that through the desert cried,
And of Thy advent testified.

In manner like, we pray, O Lord,
That those ordained to keep Thy Ward,
To preach Thy Word, exhort, and plead,
The lost to seek, the flock to feed—
Stewards and ministers of Thine,
In word and mysteries divine-
May also now prepare Thy way,
Before the great and awful day;
By turning each rebellious heart,
To choose the safe and better part;
To shun the path where ruin lies,
And seek the footprints of the wise.

That, when from heaven Thou com'st again,
To judge the world of sinful men,
We may acceptance find with Thee,
And blessings through eternity.

Who with the Father, as the Son,
And with the Spirit ever One,
Livest and reignest on the throne,
Through endless ages, God alone.

AMEN.

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

THE COLLECT.

Ambros. Gelas. Greg. S.M.

LORD, raise up (we pray Thee) Thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us, that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, Thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of Thy Son our Lord, to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

O Lord, raise up Thy power, we pray,
Shine forth, in majesty draw nigh,
Thy succouring presence now display,
To aid us in our misery.

Sore let by wickedness and sin,
Helpless are we the race to run ;
Hindered by foes without, within,
How can the distant prize be won ?

O grant us Thy all-boundless grace,
And let Thy mercy set us free;
O speed us in the weary race,

And crown us with the victory.

We ask not in our useless name,

But His, who satisfaction paid;

On whom our sin, and curse, and shame,
And all our burdens sore were laid.

To Him, to Thee, and Holy Ghost,

May glory, honour, praise ascend; From all the saved and ransomed host, For evermore, world without end.