 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
Hymne 2.
[Oh God! how good! how kind art thou!]
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This other Hymne (composed for the same Day) may be sung before the Sermon (or, between the Sermons, where two are preached) or, before the second Chapter; or, after any pause (or change of Exercises) in Devotion.
Sing this as the 113. Psalm.
1
Oh God! how good! how kind art thou!What help, what grace, dost thou bestow
On us, in our distrest estate!
Our tears to triumphs, thou hast turn'd,
9
And, by our Foes, were jeered at.
When we were weak, poor and forlorn,
Expos'd to dangers, fears and scorn,
Our Comforter, thou didst become:
And, when we dreaded shame of face;
Spoils, death, or wounds, joyn'd with disgrace;
Those fears, we were deliver'd from.
2
As thou, from base and servile bands,And out of cruel Pharoahs hands,
Thine Heritage redeemd'st of old:
Ev'n so, from those, who sought our harm,
Thou broughtst us off, with out-stretch'd arm,
With signs and wonders manifold.
They so, were blinded, Lord, by thee,
Who, might have seen, but vvould not see;
Nor hear when they were counsell'd well:
And He that fraud, and force imploy'd,
To make our Lavvs, and Freedomes void;
In our own view, like Pharoah, fell.
3
This is the Day, whereon our YokeOf Norman Bondage, first was broke;
And, England from her chains made free.
This is the Day, vvhereon the Lord,
Did manumit us by the sword,
And, 'tis novv signall, by decree.
Slaves, they deserve to be, therefore,
And to be bar'd for evermore,
The Freedoms of this Commonweal,
Who shall not thankfull, now appear,
And vindicate with sword and spear,
Gods just Replies, to our Appeal.
10
4
By thee, our Freedoms, Lord, vve got;Oh! to our keeping, leave them not:
But, still their Guardianship retain,
And, let not those, vvho under thee,
Sub-keepers, of those Freedoms be,
Nor, our sins, forfeit them, again:
On those alone, that are unjust
Or shall be traytrous to their trust,
To this Republike, or to Thee,
Let thy avenging justice fall;
And, on all those who hinder shall,
That Peace, with Truth, may setled be:
5
Write in our hearts, thy sacred Law;And, let no future failings, draw
Our former cursed bondage back:
But, our depraved wills renew,
And, to thy service, keep us true:
Which, wil our Freedoms perfect make.
The Kingdom, Power, and Praise be thine,
As long as Moon, and Sun shall shine:
Be, likewise, thou our Heritage:
And, in this Nation, let there be
No other King, or GOD, but thee,
What e're they are, who thereat rage.
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