Tune: St Fulbert
(\'Ye choirs of new Jerusalem\')
Colossians 2 v.20-23
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If you be dead with Christ, your [old sinful] state
Why do you contemplate
Follow man-made rules, rudiments
That give no godly sense?
Why as living as of the world
These principles unfurled
Why subject to them, as if they
Bring salvation your way?
Examples are, \'Touch not\', \'Taste not\'
\'Handle not\', that your lot
They are all to perish when used
Even when they abused
They be commands, doctrines of men
If you follow them then
They have a show, an appearance
Of wisdom, [but] no use hence
No use of gaining salvation
Will-worshipping is done
Self-imposed religion it be
Seemingly shown humbly
And too neglecting the body
Ascetic practice be
But cannot improve in what we
Have, life through Christ here, see