Sequence 55. Commemoration of St. Paul

June 30TH.
KNOCK mth heart and voice at heaven,
Gentile Church ! for victory given
Loud triumphant paeans sing !

Paul, the Gentiles' teacher, now,
Life's course finished here below,
Is in glory triumphing !

He, a Benjamin, when younger,
With a fierce wolf's ravening hunger,
Hostile to believers is.

At morn a wolf, at eventide a sheep,
He, when a star illumes his darkness deep.

Teaches Gospel verities.
He to the way of death holds fast,
Till life's way seizes him at last.

As he to Damascus speeds ;
Threats he breathes, now faith avoweth ;
Prostrate now, obedience showeth ;
Whom now bound another leads.

iio COMMEMORATIO S. PAUL/.
COMMEMORATION OF ST. PAUL. m
To Ananias is he sent ;
Thus to the sheep the fierce wolf went ;
Cruel zeal no longer burns.

Fontal rite he undergoeth ;
Water, whence salvation floweth,
Poison into spiced wine turns.

Sacred vessel, blest of heaven,
Vessel, whence the sweets are given
Of doctrinal grace's wine,
He the synagogue goes round.

And the faith of Christ doth found
On the prophets' previous line.

He the Cross's word declareth,
Sufferings for its sake he shareth,
Thousand different deaths he dies :
But still a living victim he
Abides through unquelled constancy,
Victor o'er all agonies !

Set apart, to Gentiles preaching,
He the wise of this world's teaching
Foils through wisdom from on high.

Caught up to the third heaven, his eyes
The Father and the Son likewise
In one substance there descry.

Mighty Rome and learned Greece in turn
Bow their necks and wondrous mysteries learn :
Spreads the faith of Christ abroad.

Christ's Cross triumphs ; Nero fumeth ;
And, since faith fast waxed, he doometh
Paul its preacher to the sword.

From him thus his flesh-load casting,
Paul the true Sun everlasting
Sees, the Father's only Son :
In light he looks upon the light ;
O may we through his influence bright
Never have in hell to groan. Amen.