3 - The church's one foundation

1:

The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord;

He cleansed and sanctified her, with washing by the Word.

From heav'n 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, one people on the earth,

Her creed and proclamation: one Lord, one faith, new birth;

One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,

And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.

3:

'Mid toil and tribulation, and earthly pain and war,

She waits the consummation of peace forevermore;

Till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest,

The church of Christ victorious shall be the church at rest.

4:

Yet she on earth has union with God, the blessed One,

And Jesus’ sweet communion with those whose rest He won;

Oh, happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,

Like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee.