Hymn XCVI. Against Sin, and the first suggestions thereunto.
[_]
This Hymn putteth us in mind to kill the Cocatrice
in the Egge, and not to give willing way to the
least appearances, or beginnings of evill, lest, an unresistable
Deluge of Sin, break in upon us.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Take heed, my Heart, how thou let in,
(With approbation or Delight)
The first Suggestions unto Sin,
Or, count the smallest Error, sleight.
For, Entrance if that any shall
Vnto those Vipers heads permit;
(Without perchance) their Bodies all
Soon after, in, with ease will get.
2
If Avarice begin to sprout,
(Though first it crave but needfull things)
The Root and Branch it will put out,
From whence all Sin, and mischief springs.
And, they who, at the first, had thought
A Competence alone to crave;
To vast Desires, at last are brought:
And, know not when enough they have.
3
With wanton Thoughts, if thou shalt play,
(Though thou as Good as David art)
Adulteries, and Murthers, may
Obtain possession of thy heart.
For, Lustfull-musings will proceed
To words-unclean; and they do soon
Alure to ev'ry lothsome Deed,
Which by Vnchastity is done.
4
If Sloth begin on us to ceaze,
At first, perhaps, it will pretend,
But to desire, a needfull ease,
The tired Body to befriend.
Yet, if unheedfull we shall grow,
We peradventure, may e're long,
Or lose, or hide, or misbestow,
Our Talents, to our Masters wrong.
5
Moreover, if we take not care
Aright, our Liberties to use;
The Creatures, which our hearts may chear,
We, to our mischief shall abuse.
For, he whose Robes are alwaies gay,
Doth probably oppresse the more;
And, He that feasteth ev'ry day,
VVill give but little to the poore.
6
VVhen to be Froward, we begin,
A slender fault we reckon that:
Yet, Anger thereby, enters in;
And, somtime Anger lets in Hate.
From Hate, we quickly do commence,
Maliciously inclin'd to be;
And, may become, by that offence,
Offenders, in the high'st Degree.
7
If we our Brethrens gifts envy,
We may (as Josephs brethren did)
Our own Indowments lose thereby:
And, from bad things, to worse proceed.
Yea, those Affections which restrain'd
VVithin their Bounds Praise-worthy be,
Let loose, or overslackly rain'd
May by degrees, our mischief be.
8
Therefore, my Soul, fast, watch and pray,
The Sins and Engines to avoid,
VVhich to intrap thee, in the way
Thine Adversary hath imploy'd.
And take thou heed, thou let not in,
VVith approbation, or delight,
The first Allurements unto Sin;
Or, count the smallest Error sleight.
