Lyrics
1. Yea, as I live, Jehovah saith,
I would not have the sinner's death,
But that he turn from error's ways,
Repent, and live through endless days.
2. To us therefore
Christ gave command:
Go forth and preach in every land;
Bestow on all My pardoning grace
Who will repent and mend their ways.
3. All those whose sins ye thus remit
I truly pardon and acquit,
And those whose sins ye do retain
Condemned and guilty shall remain.
4. What ye shall bind,
that bound shall be:
What ye shall loose, that shall be free;
Unto My Church the keys are given
To open and close
the gates of heaven.
5. They who believe when ye proclaim
The joyful tidings in My name
That I for them My blood have shed,
Are free from guilt
and Judgment dread.
6. The words which absolution give
Are His who died that we might live;
The minister whom Christ has sent
Is but His humble instrument.
7. However great our sin may be,
The absolution sets us free,
Appointed by God's own dear Son
To bring the pardon He has won.
8. When ministers lay on their hands,
Absolved by Christ the sinner stands;
He who by grace the Word believes
The purchase of His blood receives.
9. This is the power of Holy Keys,
It binds and doth again release;
The Church retains them at her side,
Our mother and Christ's holy Bride.
10. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
For absolution full and free,
In which Thou showest
forth Thy grace;
From false indulgence guard our race.
11. Praise God the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
As 'twas, is now, and so shall be
World without end, eternally!