Take up thy cross, the Saviour said

This is my 13th entry in the Lenten Hymn-of-the-Day Project. It is also the Second Sunday of Lent. Today, Jesus rebukes Satan, and we are told to take up OUR cross and follow Him.

The text is by Charles Everest (1814-1877), and the melody of this grand and solemn chorale is from "As Hymnodus Sacer", Leipzig, 1625. The beautiful harmony is by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847), and I have hardly altered anything.

The name of this well-known tune is "Breslau". One FULL VERSE as an intro.

Take up thy cross, the Saviour said,
If thou wouldst my disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after me.

Take up thy cross; let not its weight
Fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
And brace thy heart, and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
The Lord for thee the Cross endured,
To save thy soul from sin and hell.

Take up thy cross then in his strength,
And calmly every danger brave;
'Twill guide thee to a better home,
And lead to victory o'er the grave.

Take up thy cross, and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only he who bears the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.

To thee, great Lord, the One in Three,
All praise for evermore ascend;
O grant us in our home to see
The heavenly life that knows no end.