Office Hymns: Matins Whitsuntide

Whitsuntide

38

When Christ our Lord had passed once more - Jam Christus astra ascenderat – Dearmer (V)

When Christ our Lord had passed once more
Into the heaven He left before,
He sent a Comforter below
The Father’s promise to bestow.

The solemn time was soon to fall
Which told the number mystical
For since the resurrection day
A week of weeks had passed away.

At the third hour a rushing noise
Came like the tempest’s sudden voice,
And mingled with the apostles’ prayer,
Proclaiming loud that God was there.

From out the Father’s light it came,
That beautiful and kindly flame,
To kindle every Christian heart,
And fervor of the Word impart.

As then, O Lord, Thou didst fulfill,
Each holy heart to do Thy will,
So now do Thou our sins forgive
And make the world in peace to live.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, praise be done;
May Christ the Lord upon us pour
The Spirit’s gift forevermore.

39

With joy the Apostles' breasts are fired  - Impleta gaudent viscera – Hymner (L)

With joy the Apostles' breasts are fired.

By God the holy Ghost inspired :

And straight, in divers kinds of speech.

The wondrous works of God they preach.

To men of every race they speak.

Alike Barbarian, Roman, Greek :

From the same lips, with awe and fear,

All men their native accents hear.

But Juda's sons, e*en faithless yet,

With mad infuriate rage beset.

To mock Christ's followers combine,

As drunken all with new-made wine.

When lo ! with signs and mighty deeds.

Stands Peter in the midst, and pleads ;

Confounding their malignant lie

By Joel's ancient prophecy.

Thou once in every holy breast

Didst bid indwelling grace to rest :

This day our sins, we pray, release,

And in our time, O Lord, give peace.

To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, praise be done :

And Christ the Lord upon us pour

The Spirit's gift for evermore. Amen.