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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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Hymne XVIII. Another Evening Hymn.

[_]

In this Hymne, God is praised, and his protecting and preventing Grace implored, to secure us from the dangers and Temptations of the Night, and it is intended for an Evening-Hymn.

[1]

Now the cheerfull Day is past,
And the Beauties of the Light,
Are with shadowes, overcast,
By the Mantle of the Night.
Thanks to thee, ô Lord! I pay
For each Blessing of this Day;
Asking Grace for ev'ry Sin,
Whereby err'd I have therein.

2

Though the Sun hath left us now,
And withholds his Light from me;
Lord, From hence depart not thou,
Nor in Darknesse, let me be.
But the Raies of grace divine,
Cause thou round me still to shine;
And, with Mercy overspred
Both my Person, and my Bed.

3

Chase all wicked Fiends, from hence,
That they doe me no despight,
By deluding of the Sense,
Through the Darknesse of the Night.

27

But, ô Lord, from all my Foes,
Let thine Angels me enclose;
And protect me in my sleep,
When my selfe I cannot keep.

4

Whil'st my Body taketh rest,
Let my Soule attend on thee.
Let no dreame to me suggest
Fancies that unchaste may be.
Whether I shall wake or sleep,
Me in Mind and Body keep,
Not from Acts of Sin alone,
But, from dreaming they are done.

5

And since Death and Sleep are said,
Some resemblances to have;
In my Bed ere I am laid
So prepare me for my Grave;
That with comfort wake I may,
To enjoy the following day,
Or, (if Death close up mine eies)
Rest in Hope, till all shall rise.