The Blessed Birth-day celebrated in some religious meditations on the Angels Anthem. Lvc. 2. 14. Also holy transportations, in contemplating some of the most obserueable adiuncts about our Saviours Nativity. Extracted for the most part out of the Sacred Scriptures, Ancient Fathers, Christian Poets. And some moderne Approved Authors. By Charles Fitz-Geffry. The second Edition with Additions |
 |
|
 | The Blessed Birth-day |  |
What is for mans salvation left vndone,
Sith God for vs hath sent his only sonne?
That ever dearely loued Sonne of his,
In whom alone the Father pleased is.
A Sonne who by his comming doth restore
All that our Father Adam lost and more.
This Sonne of God made Sonne of man we see,
That Sons of men made Sons of God might be.
Th'eternall in an houre is borne, and they
Eterniz'd are, who were worms of a day;
The robe of righteousnesse is naked borne,
The naked with his righteous robes t'adorne.
Height is made low, and honour is embas'd
That so the base to honour may be rais'd.
Fulnesse growes empty, emptinesse to fill,
And Wisdome childish to giue children skill.
Freedome it selfe doth bondage vndertake,
T'enfranchize those whom sinne did bondslaues make.
Strength is made weak, & weaknes strength hath found,
The richest poore, that beggars might abound
In the best riches, and Life learns to dy
That so the dead may liue eternally.
Lord what is man that only for his sake,
Th'Almighty should such strange exchanges make?
What can poore mortals in requitall bring?
Nothing. Yet with Heauens Quiristers wee'l sing,
Glory to God on high, on earth be peace,
And let good will t'wards Christians never cease.
Sith God for vs hath sent his only sonne?
That ever dearely loued Sonne of his,
In whom alone the Father pleased is.
A Sonne who by his comming doth restore
All that our Father Adam lost and more.
This Sonne of God made Sonne of man we see,
That Sons of men made Sons of God might be.
Th'eternall in an houre is borne, and they
Eterniz'd are, who were worms of a day;
The robe of righteousnesse is naked borne,
The naked with his righteous robes t'adorne.
Height is made low, and honour is embas'd
That so the base to honour may be rais'd.
Fulnesse growes empty, emptinesse to fill,
And Wisdome childish to giue children skill.
Freedome it selfe doth bondage vndertake,
T'enfranchize those whom sinne did bondslaues make.
Strength is made weak, & weaknes strength hath found,
The richest poore, that beggars might abound
In the best riches, and Life learns to dy
47
Lord what is man that only for his sake,
Th'Almighty should such strange exchanges make?
What can poore mortals in requitall bring?
Nothing. Yet with Heauens Quiristers wee'l sing,
Glory to God on high, on earth be peace,
And let good will t'wards Christians never cease.
| The Blessed Birth-day | |