The Church’s One Foundation

 

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.

 

Elect from every nation, 

yet one over all the earth;

her charter of salvation, 

one Lord, one faith, on birth;

 

One holy name she blesses; 

partakes one holy food,

and to one hope she presses, 

with every grace endued.

 

Though with a scornful wonder 

men see her sore oppressed,

by schisms rent asunder, 

by heresies distressed

Yet saints their watch are keeping; 

their cry goes up, “how long?”

and soon the night of weeping 

shall be the morn of song.

 

The church shall never perish, 

her dear Lord to defend
to guide, sustain and cherish, 

is with her to the end.

 

Though there be those that hate her, 

and false sons in her pale,

against both foe and traitor 

she ever shall prevail.

 

Mid toil and tribulation, 

and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation 

of peace forevermore

 

‘Til, with the vision glorious, 

her longing eyes are blessed,

and the great church victorious 

shall be the church at rest.
 

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.

 

© Public Domain
Samuel Stone | Samuel Wesley