Halelviah or, Britans Second Remembrancer, bringing to Remembrance (in praisefull and Poenitentiall Hymns, Spirituall Songs, and Morall-Odes): Meditations, advancing the glory of God, in the practise of Pietie and Vertue; and applyed to easie Tunes, to be Sung in Families, &c. Composed in a three-fold Volume, by George Wither. The first, contains Hymns-Occasionall. The second, Hymns-Temporary. The third, Hymns-Personall. That all Persons, according to their Degrees, and Qualities, may at all Times, and upon all eminent Occasions, be remembred to praise God; and to be mindfull of their Duties |
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Hymn XXXIII. For a Physitian.
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It may be some Physitians will not despise to preserve in themselves a Remembrance of their duties, by such a means as this Hymn: howsoever, it is here inserted, that it may purposely or accidentally performe that office.
[1]
Oh my God! what helpeth lesseTo preserve us from the Grave,
Then that Art which I professe,
If it please not thee to save?
And, when sicknes I oppose,
By what cunning, could I see
In what secret path it goes;
If I had not light from thee?
2
By thine ayd I must discernWhere my Patients grief doth lie;
I, from thee must also learn,
What, thereto I should apply:
And, when such weak things as these,
Leaves, and Roots, of Plants, and Weeds,
Shall remove a strong disease,
From thy Virtue, it proceeds.
3
Therefore, let thy blessing still,With my Practise, go along;
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That no Patient may have wrong.
And, their boldnes let me shun,
Who, when Art is at a pawse;
Desp'rate Courses dare to run,
For their profit, or applause.
[4]
Let the grievance of the Poore,Be, for Charitie, of me
As much tendred, evermore,
As the Rich-man's for a Fee.
And in me, their mind prevent,
Who prolong an easie Cure:
And, their profits to augment,
Make men griev'd, more grief endure.
5
But, such Conscience let me make(In the Calling I professe)
What I give, and what I take,
That my Practise thou may'st blesse.
And, that when I sick shall be,
I no cause may have, to fear
That, Revenge will ceaze on me,
For neglect of love, or care.
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