Hymn CXI. For them who are afflicted by the unkindnesses of their Friends.
[_]
To them who are of a gentle nature, this is a very
great Affliction; therefore, to comfort them who
suffer by it; and to take advantage from unkindnesses
suffered, to make them sensible of the greater
unkindnesses which they offer to Him who suffred
for us, this Hymn is prepared.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
Alas! my Heart, what meanest thou
With Passion, thus to Ake?
Thy Friends unkindnesse, wherefore, now,
So sadly dost thou take?
Oh! why afflictest thou thy minde,
For their neglect of Thee;
Since to thy Self, thou art lesse kinde,
Then all thy Foes can be.
2
The Follies, which thy conscience knew,
Thy ruine would effect;
With greedinesse, thou dost pursue;
And, safer waies, neglect.
And when thy Lovers have advis'd,
What, to thy weal pertains.
Their kindnesse, thou hast oft despis'd;
And scoft them, for their pains.
3
If they whom thou dost well esteeme
Have ought unkindly done;
Or, if but harsh their words do seem,
Thy Case thou dost bemone.
Yet, thou forgetst, that thou hast wrong'd
Affection, far more true;
And, One to whom more love belong'd,
Then to all them, is due.
4
Thou hast a Friend, who from thy birth,
To Thee hath faithfull been:
A better never liv'd on Earth;
Nor shall his Peer be seen.
From vile estate, he raised thee
To that which now thou art;
And, by his Death did set thee free,
When thou condemned wert.
5
To thee, great Favours he did shew,
No other Meed to finde,
But, that thy weal thou mightst pursue,
And, to thy selfe, be kinde.
To this intent, sweet words he said,
And, thee, long time did woe;
For thee he wept; and, thee, he pray'd
Thy Self, not to undoe.
6
Yet, froward, thou to him dost prove,
Who this Affection shews;
Thy Heart, thy Longings, and thy Love
Thou placest on his Foes.
And, though he daily seek thy good,
(Thy faults forgiving, still)
Thou eat'st his Flesh, and drink'st his Blood,
And, bear'st him small good will.
7
My God! if thus I be to blame
(Which justly I suspect)
No marvell if I grieved, am
By those, whom I affect.
For why should I from others, looke
Firme Love, on earth to finde;
Since all my vowes, I oft have broke,
To one, so truly kinde?
8
Sweet Jesu let my flinty heart,
More tender waxe to Thee.
Of thy Afflictions, and thy smart,
More feeling grant thou me.
Yea, let my Friends unkindnesse bring,
Those Griefs unto my minde,
Which did thy heart, with sorrow sting,
When Man did prove unkinde.
9
For, when that he who eat thy bread,
Thy precious life betray'd:
When all thy Servants from thee fled;
When Peter thee denay'd;
And, when thy Father hid his face,
From Thee, in thy distresse:
Ten thousand times more grief it was,
Then Tongue shall ere expresse.
10
Lord, for that great Vnkindnesse sake,
Which thou didst then sustaine,
Those thoughts to me more easie make
Which now my heart do pain,
And, since Earths-best contentments be
So bitter, to my Tast;
Teach me, to fixe my heart on thee,
Whose Love, still, firm, doth last.
11
For, if our hearts it almost breakes
When friends do prove unkinde;
What feeleth he, whom God forsakes?
What comfort can he finde?
Lord! that I never may bewaile
This losse; thy Love, still daign;
So, though all other Friendships faile,
I shall not long complain.
