Hymn LI. For Saint John Baptist his Day.
[_]
John called the Baptist (by whose Ministry the People
were prepared to receive Christ, was
prophecied of before his Comming. And this
day is appointed both to praise God for the
same; and to remember us by his example to
prepare our hearts for the entertainment of our Saviour.
Sing this as the Lords Prayer.
[1]
Because the World might not pretend,
It knew not of thy Coming-day;
Thou didst, oh Christ, before Thee send
A Cryer, to prepare thy Way.
Thy Kingdome was the News, he brought
Repentance, was the Way, he taught.
2
And that his Voice might not alone,
Informe us what we should beleeve;
His Life declar'd what must be done,
By those who shall thy Faith receive.
His Doctrine, therefore, let us heed,
And in his holy path proceed.
3
Let us not haunt vain-pleasures Courts,
With fruitlesse toyes, to feed the minde;
Nor moved be with false Reports,
Like Reeds, that shake with ev'ry winde.
And, let our lives (though lesse austere)
At least, be sober, and sincere.
4
Clad in Repentant-cloth of hair,
Let us, (oh Christ) to seek out Thee,
To those forsaken-walks repair,
Which, by thy Saints affected be:
And, that our lives we may amend,
With true Repentance, us befriend.
5
Instruct us how to feed upon
The Honey, of thy Word-divine;
The Dainties of the Flesh to shun;
Her Cups of Soul-bewitching-wine;
And, on our Loines, let us have care
The Belt of Temperance to wear.
6
So, thy Fore-Runner, Times last day,
By his example, shall prepare
Within Mans heart, both Place and Way,
To give thee entertainment, there;
And, thou to us, and We to Thee,
Shall, (when thou comest) welcome be.
