281.  The Church

1
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is his new creation,
By water and 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
Though, with a scornful wonder,
Men see her sore opprest:
By foes too great to number,
By trials sore distrest,
Yet saints their watch are keeping;
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall change to morn of song.

3
Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.