Hymn LI. For a Rich-man.
[_]
This Hymn was composed, that it might occasion
Rich men to be more often mindfull what hinderance
their wealth maybe to their best happines, the
same being immoderately affected, ill gotten, or misimployed, &c.
[1]
Said (not causlesse) it hath bin,
That a man of large estate,
Doth an entrance hardlie win,
Through the blest cœlestiall gate.
For as Riches do increase,
Wants abound, Contents are lesse;
Great Affaires augmenting care,
For the Soul no leasure spare.
2
Leasurelesse if he did seem,
Who had taken but one Farme;
If the purchase of one Teem
May occasion so much harm,
As to keep away a guest,
From that great Almighties Feast;
When at leasure will he be,
That hath twentie Farmes to see?
3
Rich I am suppos'd, oh LORD!
By that wealth which I possesse;
And for what thou do'st afford,
Thy free Bountie I confesse.
Yet such wants I find therein,
That I get not all I win:
And what once our Saviour said,
Makes my heart sometime afraid.
4
For when wealth exceeds the bound,
Which doth answer our degree,
Snares, and baits, therein are found,
Whereby choaked we may be.
Yea, I find it ev'rie day,
Wooing so my heart away,
That unlesse thou keep me true,
I may bid thy love adue.
5
Therefore, LORD, thy grace augment,
As my Riches are increast;
Those insertions to prevent,
Wherewithall they may infest.
Let them nor possesse my heart,
Nor afflict it when we part.
Nor be purcha'st at their cost,
Who themselves for wealth have lost.
6
Though a Rich man hardlie may
Find an entrance into blisse;
Yet through thee, oh LORD, the way,
And the passage easie is.
If we can but willing be,
To forsake our wealth for thee,
Or bestow it on the poore;
'Twill inlarge heav'ns narrow Doore.
7
Let, oh! let me still have care,
So to husband what I have;
That I lose not what I spare,
Nor grow poore by what I save;
Only what I need is mine;
All the rest, oh LORD! is thine;
Which if I misuse or wast,
Must be answer'd for at last.
8
To that Audit, e're I come,
Let me reckon by my self,
How I gain'd, or parted from,
Ev'rie parcell of my pelfe.
Goods-misgot let me restore;
Wealth-mispent let me deplore;
And before I Judgement have,
Judge my Self; and pardon crave.
