Hymn XLIII. A Hymn for a House-warming.
[_]
The ancient and laudable use of House-warmings is
here insinuated: For, in this Hymn, the Friends
assembled, are taught to beseech God Almighty
to make that habitation prosperous and comfortable
to them, and theirs who are newly come thither to dwell.
[1]
Among those points of neighbourhood,
Which our Forefathers did allow;
That Custome in esteeme hath stood,
Which we do put in practise now.
For, when their Friends new-dwellings had,
Them, thus they welcome thither made:
That, they the sooner might be free,
From Strangenesse, where they Strangers be.
2
To this good End, we partly came;
And, partly, Friendship to augment.
But, if we faile not in the same,
This is the prime of our intent:
We come, with holy Charmes, to blesse
The House, our Friends, do now possesse.
In Hope, that God, Amen will say,
To that, for which we now shall pray.
2
Lord, keep this place, we thee desire,
To these new-Commers ever free
From raging Winds; from harmfull Fire;
From Waters that offensive be.
From gracelesse-Childe, from Servants-ill;
From Neighbours, bearing no good-will;
And, from the chiefest Plagues of Life,
A Husband-false, a faithlesse-Wife.
3
Let neither Theeves, that Rove by Night,
Nor those, that sneake about by Day,
Have pow'r their persons to affright;
Or to purloine their Goods away.
Let nothing here, be seen or heard,
To make by Day or Night afeard:
No sudden Cryes, no fearfull Noise;
No Vision grim, or dreadfull Voice.
5
Let on this House, no Curse remain,
If any on the same be laid.
Let no Imposture pow'r obtain
To make the meanest wit afraid.
Let here nor Zim, nor Jim be seen;
The fabled Fai'rie King or Queen;
Nor such Delusions, as are said,
To make the former Age afraid.
6
Keep, also, Lord, we pray, from hence,
(As much as frailty will allow)
The Guiltinesse of each Offence,
Which to a Crying-Sin may grow.
Let, no more Want, Wealth, Hope, or Feare,
Nor greater Griefs or Joyes be here,
Then, may still keep them in thy grace,
Who, shall be dwellers, in this place.
7
But, that just measure let them have
Of ev'ry means, which may acquire
The Blessednesse, which they most crave,
Who to the truest Blisse aspire.
And if Well-wishers absent be,
Who better wish them can, then we,
To make this Blessing up intire,
We thereto adde what they desire.
