Hymn XLI. For a Shepherd.
[_]
That Shepherds, might not muse altogether on Drudgerie
or impertinent vanities, while they are, all alone,
attending their Flocks, we have prepared,
for them, a Pastorall-Song, to acquaint and exercise
them, with nobler Meditations.
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Renowned men their Herds to keep,
Delighted much in elder dayes:
And to attend their Flocks of sheep,
Great Princes thought is no dispraise.
And, while they so employed were,
Sometime, oh God! it pleased thee
In wondrous manner, to appear,
And, gracious unto them to be.
2
The Joyfullest-news, that ere was told,
Was unto Shepherds, first declar'd,
And, they did also, first behold
The blessing, whereof they, first, heard.
Lord! I am thine, as much as they,
(Although unworthy such respect)
Oh, let thy mercies, glorious Ray,
Vpon my low-estate, reflect.
3
Whilst all alone, I here attend
This harmlesse Flock; let, into me
Thy holy-Ghost, oh Christ! descend;
That, I may therewith filled be.
And, though my heart a Stall hath bin,
Where, Vice at Rack and manger, lay;
Vouchsafe thou, to be born, therein:
That, better guests possesse it may.
4
Lest Idle-musings, Thoughts beget,
That, stir up longings, which are ill;
And, make me my endeavour set,
Forbidden Actions, to fulfill.
Vpon thy Love, and on thy Law,
Let me, my lovely houres, employ.
That, I may serve with Joy-full-awe;
And, love thee, with an awfull-Joy.
5
When I my stragling-sheep behold,
Let me conceive, what I had bin;
Hadst thou not brought me to thy Fold,
And, fed and succour'd me, therein.
And, when I well consider those,
Who Spoilers, of those creatures be;
Me, let it mindfull make, what Foes
Do seek, to make a spoile of me.
6
When, likewise, I behold them shorn,
And, meekly yeelding up their fleece;
Or, when to slaughter they are born,
How patiently, their lives they leese:
That holy-Lambe, let me, I pray,
Thereby, in thankfull minding have,
Who, dumbe-before the Shearer lay;
And, slaughtred was my life to save.
7
Yea, whilst I watch and guide my sheep;
Be thou my Shepherd, and my Guide,
Both me, and them, from harm to keep;
And, all things needfull, to provide.
That, when both Goats, and Sheep, shall stand
Before thy face, their doomes to bear;
I, may be plac'd at thy Right-hand,
And, Joy when I my Sentence hear.
