Count well the cost

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1.
"Count well the cost," Christ Jesus says, 
"when you lay the foundation.
"Are you resolved, though all seem lost, 
to risk your reputation, 
your self, your wealth, for Christ the Lord 
as you now give your solemn word?

2.
Into Christ's death be buried now 
through baptism's joyous union. 
No claim of self dare you allow 
if you desire communion 
with Christ's true church, his willing bride, 
which, through his word, he has supplied.

3.
Within the church's warm embrace 
the child of God is molded. 
God's Spirit lights the infant face 
and in God's grace is folded. 
With childlike steps, Christ's plan we trace, 
till we grow up in godly grace.

4.
In Christian growth we are matured, 
of fruitful vines a token. 
That this good growth may be assured 
ofttimes to us is broken 
the bread of fellowship replete 
when Christ's redeemed together meet.

Words:  Alexander Mack, Sr.,
                             Überschlag die Kost, Geistreiches Gesang-Buch
                                     vor alle liebhabende Seelen der Warheit, 1720;
                  tr. Ora W, Garber, European Origins of the Brethren, 1958, alt.
                           Translation ©1958 Church of the Brethren General Board
   Tune:  Johann H. Schein, 1628

The full text by Alexander Mack, Sr.:

1.
Christ Jesus says, "Count well the cost
When you lay the foundation."
Are you resolved, though all seem lost,
To risk your reputation,
Your self, your wealth, for Christ the Lord
As you now give your solemn word?

2.
Into Christ’s death you’re buried now
Through baptism’s joyous union.
No claim of self dare you allow
If you desire communion
With Christ’s true church, His willing bride,
Which, through His Word, He has supplied.

3.
When from the heart all sin you loathe,
Then you will be succeeding
Yourself with righteousness to clothe.
The struggle still proceeding,
Your righteousness can hold at bay
This world’s false god, athwart your way.

4.
Within the church’s warm embrace
The child of God is molded,
God’s Spirit lighting up his face
And by His grace enfolded.
His childlike steps trace out Christ’s plan
And he becomes a godly man.

5.
In Christian growth he is matured,
Of fruitful vines a token.
That this good growth may be assured,
Ofttimes to him is broken
The bread of fellowship replete
When Christ’s redeemed together meet.

6.
Within the church’s sheltering fold
God is His truth revealing;
Through Christ, His Son, all men are told
To heed His warm appealing,
For all the truth through Him made known
Is sealed with blood that is His own.

7.
His testimony is as true
As when the church received it
Long years ago, while it was new,
And with glad hearts believed it.
Through signs that dare not be denied,
The new has pushed the old aside.

8.
By means of wonder and of sign
God brought the old to being.
As later years brought its decline
There was no need of seeing.
When Joshua had heard it read,
His faith required no sign, he said.

9.
He who has faith in God’s sure Word
Will not demand a token.
When Christ rebuked the evil horde,
Their unbelief plain spoken,
He showed a sign, at their request,
But they remained quite unimpressed.

10.
Consider well what Abraham said
When the rich man suggested,
From that realm of the tortured dead,
That Lazarus be requested
To warn his brothers of hell’s pain
While in this world they yet remain.

11.
That boon by Abraham was denied.
From all that is deceiving
The heart must be made right inside
Ere there can be believing;
The Law and the prophetic Word
Project faith’s light upon our Lord.

12.
Against false teaching guard your heart.
Some practice at deceiving
And make it seem, by sinful art,
As if to Christ they’re cleaving.
If from Christ’s Word one does not teach,
His words are but deceptive speech.

13.
Up, sons of men! The time is right
To ward off ills impending,
For Christ himself joins in the fight,
His righteous realm defending.
To do this, have the mind of Christ;
His Word at all times has sufficed.

as translated by Ora W, Garber in
European Origins of the Brethren
(A Source Book on the Beginnings of the Church of the Brethren
in the Early Eighteenth Century, 250th Anniversary volume)
Compiled by Donald F. Durnbaugh, ©1958, Brethren Press pp. 408-11

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