Hymne XV. In cleare Starry Night.
[_]
By contemplating the Beauty of the Stars (which were
created for the service of Man) we are taught to
consider the speciall and unspeakable Mercies of
God, vouchsafed in Christ Iesv.
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Lord! when those glorious Lights I see
VVith which thou hast adorn'd the Skies;
(Observing how they moved bee,
And how their Splendor fils mine Eies)
Me thinks it is too large a Grace,
(But that thy Love ordain'd it so)
That Creatures in so high a Place,
Should servants be to Man below.
2
The meanest Lampe, now shining there,
In size, and luster doth exceed
The noblest of thy Creatures, here;
And of our friendship hath no need.
Yet, These, upon Mankinde attend,
For secret Ayde, or publike Light:
And, from the Worlds extreamest end,
Repaire unto us, ev'ry Night.
3
Oh! had that Stampe been undefac'd
VVhich, first, on us thy hand had set,
How highly should we have been grac'd!
Since, we are so much honour'd, yet?
Good God! for what, but for the sake
Of thy Belov'd, and Only-Sonne,
(VVho did on him, our nature take)
VVere these exceeding Favours done?
4
As we by Him, have honour'd bin,
Let us to Him, due honours give:
Let His uprightnesse hide our Sin;
And let us Worth from Him receive.
Yea, so let us by Grace improve
VVhat thou by Nature, dost bestow;
That, to thy Dwelling place above,
VVe may be raised from below.