Sunday, December 26, 2010

Hymn from the 16th century Anabaptist Ausbund "There are two ways"

“There are two ways” A hymn from the sixteenth century Anabaptist Ausbund, reads as follows:

(Verse one)

There are two ways, in this, our day, One narrow and the other broad;
Who now will go the narrow way Will be despised by all abroad.

This plainly God’s word teaches us, The narrow entrance way go in;
Straight is the gate, who enters thus, Must first endure great suffering.

(Verse two)

There—after, there’s eternal rest, Therefore, O man, Thy way prepare;
Wilt thou be in God’s kingdom blessed Eternally with righteous there.

After this time nought shall transpire But peace and joy eternally;
The righteous then, this shall acquire Who God’s will honor constantly.

(Verse 3)

But he who the broad way shall go, The stairs to hell, this is the same;
He now is lost, God’s wrath shall know, But blessed is he who’s born again.

To him hath God prepared, impearled A crown eternity shall hold;
It shall not pass away, O world, Away then, with your gain and gold.

(Verse 4)

O, take the straight and narrow way That thou the lasting crown obtain;
Which God doth but His church convey Which He hath cleansed from sin and stain.

Therefore away with all man’s gain, Desire, vain pomp, and arrogance;
Turn sharp away from all known sin, So thou be known as God’s child hence.

(Verse 5)

Nought other can the way become, Who will eternal suffering flee;
Must righteous be, this is the sum, Go on your way, nor fancy see.

Press toward the mark till endless day, For who the prize at last will gain;
All must forsake upon this way Would he the lasting crown obtain.

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“Reason dictates that persons who are truly noble and who love wisdom will honor and love only what is true. They will refuse to follow traditional viewpoints if those viewpoints are worthless...Instead, a person who genuinely loves truth must choose to do and speak what is true, even if he is threatened with death...I have not come to flatter you by this written petition, nor to impress you by my words. I have come to simply beg that you do not pass judgment until you have made an accurate and thorough investigation. Your investigation must be free of prejudice, hearsay, and any desire to please the superstitious crowds. As for us, we are convinced that you can inflict no lasting evil on us. We can only do it to ourselves by proving to be wicked people. You can kill us—but you cannot harm us.” From Justin Martyr's first apology 150 A.D. Martyred A.D. 160