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THE FAST AS TAUGHT BY HOLY LORE

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The fast, as taught by holy lore,

We keep in solemn course

once more;

The fast to all men

known, and bound

In forty days of yearly round.

​

John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

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2 of 8

THE FAST AS TAUGHT BY HOLY LORE

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The law and seers that were of old

In divers ways this Lent foretold

Which Christ, all seasons’

king and guide,

In after-ages sanctified.

John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

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THE FAST AS TAUGHT BY HOLY LORE

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More sparing therefore let us make

The words we speak,

the food we take,

Our sleep and mirth,

and closer barred

Be every sense in holy guard.

John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

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THE FAST AS TAUGHT BY HOLY LORE

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In prayer together let us fall,

And cry for mercy, one and all,

And weep before the Judge’s feet,

And His avenging wrath entreat.

John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

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THE FAST AS TAUGHT BY HOLY LORE

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Thy grace have we offended sore,

By sins, O God, which we deplore;

But pour upon us from on high,

O pardoning One, Thy clemency.

​

John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

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6 of 8

THE FAST AS TAUGHT BY HOLY LORE

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Remember Thou,

though frail we be,

That yet Thine handiwork are we;

Nor let the honour of Thy name

Be by another put to shame.

John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

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THE FAST AS TAUGHT BY HOLY LORE

Forgive the sin that

we have wrought;

Increase the good

that we have sought;

That we at length,

our wanderings o’er,

May please Thee here

and evermore.

John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

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THE FAST AS TAUGHT BY HOLY LORE

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We pray Thee, holy Trinity,

One God, unchanging Unity,

That we from this our abstinence

May reap the fruits of penitence.

John Mason Neale (1818–1866)

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