University of Virginia Library

The second Hymn, being an imperfect Narrative and Confession to Gods glory, of what he hath done for us in the late Ingagement; how little we have merited the mercies vouchsafed, and how merciful GOD hath been to both Nations.

[Lord, in a publick Meeting, I, this day]

[1]

Lord, in a publick Meeting, I, this day
Have joyn'd, a Sacrifice of thanks to pay;
And, being warmed at the common fire,
(By what external notions could inspire)

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5

To perfect that which is begun,
(And ought in duty to be done)
I, now withdraw into my heart,
To speak to thee, who therein art;
And learn, how, I may to thy praise,
So sanctifie my words and wayes,
That henceforth, they may more conduce unto
Thy glory, then they heretofore could do.
Oh! let my Meditations be
Made acceptable unto thee.

3

For all Transactions, which concern in gross
Our publick, or our private gain or loss,
(And which unto our knowledge, fame doth bring,
Well-weigh'd) gives cause, no less to weep then sing.
The good successes we have had,
Abate some fears, to make us glad;
The hopes, which those events do give
(Of what we willingly believe)

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6

So high our expectations rear,
As if we were above all fear.
But, when we hear the many Lamentations
For loss of Limbs, Lives, and belov'd Relations,
To sadness all our Joy it turns,
And he who much rejoyced, mourns.

5

Thou art but little pleas'd (if ought at all)
To see us triumph, when our foes do fall;
Especially, when they (though ours they be)
Are thy known enemies, no more then we.
To be our GOD, we thee profess;
They (to our knowledge) do no less.
We say, our trust is in thy Name;
They may as truly, say the same.
Their sins are many; we are sure
(Or may be) that ours are not fewer.
We have not yet, our hopes at full enjoy'd;
Nor are their expectations quite destroy'd;

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7

To praise thee therefore, we and they,
Are equally oblig'd this day.

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8

10

My GOD, look not severely upon this,
Or on ought else that hath been done amiss;

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9

For no Oblation can from us proceed,
VVhich will deserve a favourable heed.
Some of our Offerings, now and then,
May beneficial be to men,
Or, to thy Saints on earth extend,
If we confer them to that end
For which they seem to be bestown,
(And in their welfare, seek our own:)
But, to advantage thee, the precioust thing,
Which, we to please, or to appease can bring,
Adds nothing: though thou pleased art,
With what comes from a faithful heart.

12

The more thou shalt inlarge our wealth and power;
Our selves, let us lay down so much the lower;
And, rather use them to unite together
In love, then in destroying one another.
He, in the best mode gives thee praise,
Who ordereth aright his wayes;

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10

Who, justifies thee in thy will,
By thereunto conforming still;
And brings to thee a contrite heart,
Ascribing thereto no desert:
This is, most gracious GOD, a sacrifice,
Which thou didst never (never wilt) despise;
And, such a sacrifice, I pray
Make that which I present this day

14

Two of thy greatest Plagues on us now lie;
The third is threatned, and seems very nigh:
Thy other Judgments also scatred are
So thick, through these three Kingdoms ev'rywhere,
That, by them, very few or none,
Have scaped, being seiz'd upon;
Or, being pincht, in what relates
Unto their Persons or Estates:
Yet, sin doth most men so besot,
As if thy frowns they feared not;

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11

And, are more zealous others to destroy,
Then, of the means their own peace to enjoy.
A madness, which worse plagues procures,
Than Pestilential Calentures.