Verse 1
Thy Priests commanded to revere
We pay them the respect we owe:
But can we, Lord, with heart sincere
More than external honor show?
Howe’er unwilling to displease,
And Governors and Fathers blame,
Thy Church’s Guides we must confess
In every nation still the same.

Verse 2
Their outward Call to minister
In things divine is plainly prov’d:
But few, ordain’d by man, we fear,
Are inly by thy Spirit mov’d:
Yet These, devoid of sacred power
Who nothing know, or understand,
Suffer’d by Thee, thy flock devour,
And all thy houses in the land.

Verse 3
But hast Thou, Lord, thy Church forsook,
And let thy faithful promise fail?
Sion is founded on the Rock;
The gates of hell cannot prevail:
Thou dost thy people’s wants supply,
And some of every Order raise
In every age, to testify
Thy truth, and power, and pardning grace.

Verse 4
Jesus, thy witnesses increase,
And let the gospel-trumpet sound
To rouse the men, who take their ease
In luxury, and pleasures drown’d:
Break, and bind up the broken heart
Of every stranger to his Lord—
Convince the Pastors, and convert,
And send them forth to preach thy word.

Verse 5
Open their eyes the signs to see
The tokens of this gospel-day,
Of Sion visited by Thee
Who comst to take our sins away:
To the lost Sheep of England’s fold,
Is not the great Salvation sent?
Thine Arm reveal’d let them behold
And gladly answer thy Intent.

Verse 6
Saviour, at thy benign command
A troop of preaching Priests shall rise,
And Israel’s Masters understand
The mysteries hidden from the wise;
Themselves begotten from above,
Made conscious of their sins forgiven,
Renew’d in holiness and love
And meet for all the joys of heaven.