Hymn XVI. For Children, having Parents living.
[_]
Children consider not as they ought the many benefits
which they enjoy by their Parents. Therefore,
to beget in them thankfulnesse, dutifulnesse, and a
serious heedfulnesse of the blessing, possessed by the
life of their Parents, this Hymn is tendred to their use.
Sing this as the 4 Psalme.
[1]
Among these blessings which on me,
Thou dost, oh Lord, bestow,
For that, my Parents living be,
Least thanks, I do not owe.
Because, things needfull they provide,
My Body, to sustain;
And, my unruly youth to guide,
Take, hourely, care and pain.
2
As, happie, made, in them, I am;
In me, so blesse thou them;
That, them I neither grieve nor shame,
Nor their advise contemn.
But, them so let me still obay,
And, so, in grace, encrease;
That, long, with comfort live they may;
And, end their dayes in peace.
3
The Being, which to me they gave,
Do thou, for me, requite;
And, that well-being, let them have,
In which they shall delight.
As in my Childhood, kinde they were,
Though often I transgrest)
So, with such frailties, let me bear,
As may Old Age molest.
4
My Body was in them begun;
Their Souls, and mine, in thee:
When, therefore, this lifes Round is run,
Divided let's not be.
But in thy Path, so teach our feet,
To travell without blame;
That, we, at last, in thee, may meet,
From whence, at first, we came.