The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Hymn of the week 5


I chose 'Awake my soul' to begin yesterday's worship. It is the work of Bishop Thomas Ken (1637-1711). Trained at Win­ches­ter and New Coll­ege, Ox­ford, he was or­dained (1662) and became Rec­tor of Lit­tle East­on, then of Wood­hay [and Pre­ben­da­ry of Win­ches­ter] (1669). He pub­lished a Man­ual of Pray­ers for the use of Win­ches­ter Coll­ege scholars (1674). He was briefly chap­lain to Prin­cess Ma­ry and lat­er to the British fleet. He be­came Bi­shop of Bath and Wells (1685). He was one of several bi­shops im­pris­oned in the Tow­er of Lon­don for re­fus­ing to sign James II’s “De­clar­a­tion of In­dul­gence” (hop­ing to re­store Catholicism). He was tried and ac­quit­ted. He wrote much po­e­try, published posthumously (1721).
This one was written for the boys at Win­chest­er College for use in their rooms, for pri­vate de­vo­tions. At Ken’s request, the hymn was sung at his fun­er­al, fit­tingly held at sun­rise. We sang

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

All praise to Thee, Who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.

You can add these verses at various points (as found in Cyberhymnal)

By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.

Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.

Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.

I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.


There is also the famous stand alone concluding verse:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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