585. The church's one foundation

1 The church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the word:
from heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy Bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.

2 Elect from every nation,
yet one o'er all the earth,
her charter of salvation
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses
with every grace endued.

*3 Though with a scornful wonder
men see her sore opprest,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distrest;
yet saints their watch are keeping,
their cry goes up, 'How long?'
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.

4 'Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore;
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.

5 Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.

Text Information
First Line: The church's one foundation
Author: S. J. Stone, 1839-1900
Meter: 76 76 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 2000
Scripture: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Topic: Third Sunday Before Lent: Year A; Proper 5: Year C; Proper 16: Year A
Notes: Alternative tune ST THEODULPH 128
Tune Information
Name: AURELIA
Composer: S. S. Wesley, 1810-1876
Meter: 76 76 D
Key: E♭ Major



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