Hymn. XCV. Against the World, the Flesh, and the Devill,
[_]
This Hymn craveth assistance against the VVorld,
the Flesh, and the Devill, our most pernitious
Adversaries: And perhaps the devout use thereof
may be a means to make us become so heedfull of
their Natures, that their Temptations may be the better avoided.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
Blest
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
One God, in Persons-three,
VVhat is there, whereof man can boast?
Except thy Love it be?
And, save this Anti-trinitie,
The World, the Flesh, the Devill,
VVhat Foe, on our Humanitie,
Hath pow'r to bring an Evill?
2
Those, though on them, three Names they take
(And, things Distinct appear)
Do but one Perfect-evill make,
And, Fellow-workers are.
For, take but One of them away,
And, then, the other two,
Accomplish not, what else, they may
By their damn'd-Vnion, do.
3
To curb the Flesh, and to controule
The World, and all things there,
Was no great hardship to the Soul,
Till Satan did appear.
Yea, Satan, and the World had plaid
Their pranks on Man, in vain;
Had they not by his Flesh assaid,
Their purpose to obtain.
4
Without that wanton Dalilah,
(Our nearest dearest kin)
Their Cunning is not worth a Straw,
Their hoped prize to win.
And, if she may, by Grace, be brought
Her Falshoods to repent,
The other two, shall harme us nought,
What ever they invent.
5
Lord, Arme us by thy Triple-pow'r;
So charme us by thy Grace;
So watch their practise ev'ry hou'r,
(In ev'ry secret place)
That, they may no Advantage have
To take us in their Gin;
To fright, to mischief, or deceive,
By tempting us to Sin.
6
The World reform, the Devill restrain,
The Flesh so mortifie;
That, we the Blisse may re-obtain,
From which, they put us by.
Let not our Frailties, or the Spight
Of our malicious Foe,
Act more against us, then thy Might,
And Love, shall for us do.
7
But, since that Grace from thee proceeds,
Which doth renew our Will;
Lord, ripen it, into those Deeds,
Which thy Commands fulfill.
At least, let this our Willingnes,
Accepted be so well;
That, thy Imputed-Righteousnes,
Our Failings may conceal.
