The Covntrie Man's Comfort Or Religious Recreations, fitte for all well disposed persons. Which was Printed in the yeere of our Lord 1588. And since corrected, amended, and enlarged by the same Author. I. R. [i.e. John Rhodes] |
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A Carroll for S. Stephens day.
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 | The Covntrie Man's Comfort |  |
A Carroll for S. Stephens day.
The holding of the same.
O Lord our God poure downe thy grace,
and holy Spirit from heauen:
That we may celebrate aright,
Christs birth as did Saint Stephen.
and holy Spirit from heauen:
That we may celebrate aright,
Christs birth as did Saint Stephen.
The Dittie it selfe.
When Iesus Christ ascended was,
into the heavens hie:
His twelve Apostles spent much time,
in praying earnestly.
into the heavens hie:
His twelve Apostles spent much time,
in praying earnestly.
And when the holy Ghost was sent,
they preached bold by skill:
The word of God in every place,
according to his will.
they preached bold by skill:
The word of God in every place,
The number of the Church increas'd,
and grew exceedingly:
So that the Apostles lacked helpe,
in that their ministrie.
and grew exceedingly:
So that the Apostles lacked helpe,
in that their ministrie.
Wherefore they chose seuen worthy men,
of good report and fame:
That tooke the almes vp for the poore,
the blind, the halt, and lame:
of good report and fame:
That tooke the almes vp for the poore,
the blind, the halt, and lame:
Saint Stephen that worthy Martyr he,
was one of them they chose:
A man full of the holy Ghost,
against whom there arose.
was one of them they chose:
A man full of the holy Ghost,
against whom there arose.
A proud sect of the Libertines,
that did euuie him sore:
Still seeking him to persecute,
that he should speake no more.
that did euuie him sore:
Still seeking him to persecute,
that he should speake no more.
They hyred some to sweare and say,
that Stephen spake blasphemie:
Against the Lord and Moses law,
for which he ought to die.
that Stephen spake blasphemie:
Against the Lord and Moses law,
for which he ought to die.
Then to the Counsell he was brought,
to purge him of that crime:
Which thing he did most worthily,
before them at that time.
Which thing he did most worthily,
before them at that time.
When they had heard these words and saw,
he feared not the chiefe:
Their hearts for anger burst and they,
gnasht on him with their teeth.
he feared not the chiefe:
Their hearts for anger burst and they,
gnasht on him with their teeth.
They gaue a shout with voyces loud,
and lead him straight away:
Then did they stone him unto death,
yet he for them did pray.
and lead him straight away:
Then did they stone him unto death,
yet he for them did pray.
O Lord forgiue their sinne (quoth he)
and doe my soule still keepe:
Vpon his knees he prayed thus,
and so did fall a sleepe.
and doe my soule still keepe:
Vpon his knees he prayed thus,
and so did fall a sleepe.
Such patience grant to us (O Lord)
and eke such constancie,
When for thy truth or otherwise,
we shall be brought to die.
and eke such constancie,
When for thy truth or otherwise,
we shall be brought to die.
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