The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
John 1:29
Words: Joachim J. Breithaupt, in Geistreiches Gesang-Buch (Halle, Germany: 1697) (Jesus Christus, Gottes Lamm). Translated from German to English by Johann C. Jacobi, 1725, alt.
Music: Liebster Jesu Johann R. Ahle, 1664 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Ahle (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Christ th’eternal Lamb of God,
Died for man, His rebel creature,
Paid the ransom with His blood,
To restore fall’n human nature:
Those that mourn their deep corruption
Share their Savior’s blest adoption.
This was loving like a God,
Who in wondrous condescension
Sent His only Son abroad,
To reveal His blest intention:
That the children of perdition
Should be heirs of God’s fruition.
Now that we are reconciled
By the Son’s humiliation;
Will not that triumphant Child
Save us by His exaltation?
We, for whom He bore such labor,
Are the darlings of His favor.
Now we live by faith in Christ,
Eying still His bright example,
Who for us was sacrificed,
And declares our hearts His temple.
Thus we sinners boast with pleasure
Our possession of this treasure.
Father, to Thy mercy seat
Be our best of thanks directed;
Lord, the rage of sin defeat,
Still assaulting Thine elected:
And for ever, by Thy Spirit,
Fit us to proclaim Christ’s merit.