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Halelviah

or, Britans Second Remembrancer, bringing to Remembrance (in praisefull and Poenitentiall Hymns, Spirituall Songs, and Morall-Odes): Meditations, advancing the glory of God, in the practise of Pietie and Vertue; and applyed to easie Tunes, to be Sung in Families, &c. Composed in a three-fold Volume, by George Wither. The first, contains Hymns-Occasionall. The second, Hymns-Temporary. The third, Hymns-Personall. That all Persons, according to their Degrees, and Qualities, may at all Times, and upon all eminent Occasions, be remembred to praise God; and to be mindfull of their Duties

Wither, George (1588-1667)

[epigraph]

[dedication]

The first part consisting of Hymns Occasionall

The second Part, consisting of Hymns Temporary.

Hymn I. For the Day-present, or the Last-Day.

II.

Hymn II. For the Lords Day, or Sunday.

III.

Hymn III. For Munday.

IIII.

Hymn IIII. For Tuesday.

Hymn V. For Wednesday.

VI.

Hymn VI. For Thursday.

VII.

Hymn VII. For Fryday.

VIII.

Hymn VIII. For Saterday.

IX.

Hymn IX. For Dayes of Publike, or Private Humiliation.

Hymn X. Another for the like Times.

XI.

Hymn XI. For a Day of publike Rejoycing.

XII.

Hymn XII. For the Birth day of any Man or Woman.

XIII.

Hymn XIII. For the fifth of November.

XIIII.

Hymn XIIII. For the Kings Day.

XV.

Hymn XV. For the Day of the Solemnitie belonging to the Knights of the Gartar.

XVI.

Hymn XVI. For Anniversary Sermon-dayes.

CVII.

Hymn CVII. For Anvniersary Marriage-Dayes.

XVIII.

Hymn XVIII. For an Anniversarie Funerall-Day.

XIX.

Hymn XIX. For the Spring-time.

XX.

Hymn XX. For Summer-time.

XXI.

Hymn XXI. For Autumn.

XXII.

Hymn XXII. For Winter.

XXIII.

Hymn XXIII. For Ember-weekes.

XXIIII.

Hymn XXIIII. For Rogation Weeke.

XXV.

Hymn XXV. For the Advent Sundayes.

XXVI.

Hymn XXVI. For the Nativitie of Christ.

XXVII.

Hymn XXVII. Another for the same Day.

XXVIII.

Hymn XXVIII. For the Circumcision or New years-day.

XXIX.

Hymn XXIX. For Twelfe-day, or the Epiphanie.

XXX.

Hymn XXX. For the Day of the Purification.

XXXI.

Hymn XXXI. For the Time of Lent.

XXXII.

Hymn XXXII. For the Anuntiation.

XXXIII.

Hymn XXXIII. For Palme-Sunday.

XXXIIII.

Hymn XXXIIII. For Thursday before Easter.

XXXV.

Hymn XXXV. For Fryday before Easter.

XXXVI.

Hymn XXXVI. For Easter-Day.

XXXVII.

Hymn XXXVII. For Ascention Day.

XXXVIII.

Hymn XXXVIII. For Pentecost, or Whitsunday.

XXXIX.

Hymn XXXIX. For Trinitie-Sunday.

XL.

Hymn XL. For All-Saints-Day.

XLI.

Hymn XLI. For St. Andrewes-Day.

XLII.

Hymn XLII. For St. Thomas his Day.

XLIII.

Hymn XLIII. For St. Stephens-Day.

XLIIII.

Hymn XLIIII. For S. John the Evangelist his Day.

XLV.

Hymn XLV. For Innocents Day.

XLVI.

Hymn XLVI. For the Conversion of Saint Paul.

XLVII.

Hymn XLVII. For Saint Matthias his Day.

XLVIII.

Hymn XLVIII. For Saint Marks Day.

XLIX.

Hymn XLIX. For Saint Philip and Jacobs Day.

Hymn L. For Saint Barnabas Day.

LI.

Hymn LI. For Saint John Baptist his Day.

LII.

Hymn LII. For Saint Peters Day.

LIII.

Hymn LIII. For St. Iames his Day.

LIIII.

Hymn LIIII. For St. Bartholomews day.

LV.

Hymn LV. For St. Mathews-Day.

LVI.

Hymn LVI. For the Day of St Michael, and all Angels.

LVII.

Hymn LVII. For St. Lukes Day.

LVIII.

Hymn LVIII. For St. Simon and Judes day.

LIX.

Hymn LIX. For troublesome, and dangerous Times.

LX.

Hymn LX. Another for the like Times.

The third Part, containing Hymns Personall.

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2. The second Part, consisting of Hymns Temporary.

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Hymn I. For the Day-present, or the Last-Day.

[_]

The last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For as the Day-present, is the first of those that are to come; So it is the last of those which are past; and, may be to us, the last Day of all. We have therefore, made it an occasion to remember us of that Last-Day, which no man shall escape.

Sing this as the Lamentation.

[1]

So much who knows, that he can say
His Last, this Minute, shall not be?
Or, who can tell, but that this Day,
Will be the last, his Eye shall see?
And, therefore, how far off soe're,
The Worlds Last-day from us we place,
The morrow next, it will appear,
To him, that hath fulfild his Race.
And Sorrows Changes he shall Ring;
Or Joyes, blest Halelviah, sing.

2

How dull, how blind! how mad therefore,
Are we who now this Day enjoy,
(And, are not sure of one day more)
If we, this time, shall misemploy?
If we God's Voice refuse to hear,
Now, Vs he cals on, to repent:
Anon, perhaps, we shall with fear,
Beyond the sounds of Grace, be sent:

228

To be confin'd, where damned-Soules,
And Sathan, rages, Roares, and Howles.

3

If Daily, we in Sin waxe old;
And ev'ry day grow more to blame;
Our Judge how shall we then behold,
When Heaven and Earth, are in a Flame?
And, if our hearts, no pleasure takes,
To heare him, when in Peace he comes,
How shall we beare it, when he speaks,
In wrath, our everlasting-Doomes.
And, saies, in his inflamed Ire,
Depart into unquenched Fire?

4

Lord, whilst this Day of Grace, doth shine;
Whilst thou dost speak to us, in Love,
So let us mark each Word of thine,
That, Faithfull Hearers, we may prove.
So let us walk; so let us work;
Whilst this faire-Day-light, is possest,
That, when Deaths Evening waxeth dark,
Our Flesh, in Hope, may sweetly rest.
Vntill that mortall Night be done;
And Day immortall, is begun.

5

And, when, Times Vaile, is rent, away,
(Whereby Eternitie is hid)
When thou shalt all things, open lay,
Which ere we Thought, or Said, or Did;
Among Times Ruines, bury so,
Our failings (through our Tract of Time)
That, from these Dungeons, here below,
We to celestiall Thrones may clime,

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And, there, to our Eternall-King;
Forever, Halelviah sing.

Hymn II. For the Lords Day, or Sunday.

[_]

This Day God created the Light; and distinguished Day from Night. Vpon this Day of the week Christ rose from Death; and upon this day, sent down the Holy-Ghost upon his Disciples, &c. and as upon this Day, God rested from the work of Regeneration; therefore the old Sabbath was translated to this Day, with every Dutie which is essentially, and not ceremonially pertaining thereunto.

Sing this as the 100. Psalme.

[1]

Great Lord of Time! great King of Heav'n!
Since weekly thou renew'st my Daies,
To Thee, shall daily Thanks be given,
And, weekly Sacrifice of Praise.
This Day, the Light, (Times eldest-born)
Her glorious Beames, did first display:
And, then, the Evening, and the Morn,
Obtained first, the name of Day.

2

The Depth, with Darknesse, black empald,
(That, out of which the World was made)
And, which Deep-waters, thou hast cald,
Vpon this Day, beginning had.
And, as upon this Day, it was,
On which Creation was begun,

230

So, on this Day, thy Work of Grace,
In ev'ry part, was fully done.

3

For, on this Day, thy Christ arose;
And, Victor over Death, became.
This Day he conquer'd all his Foes,
And put them to perpetuall shame.
Vpon this Day, it pleased thee,
Thy Sacred Spirit down to send;
That, men with Gifts might furnish'd be
Vpon thy Gospel to attend.

4

This Day, therefore, we set apart,
For holy Rest, and holy Rites;
And, ev'ry sanctified Heart,
To celebrate this Day delights.
No common-works, thereto, belong;
(Except much need requireth so)
Nor will we in a Common-Song,
Present the Service which we owe.

5

Therefore, that now to thee ô Lord!
The fitter Offring, bring I may,
Thus, to thine honour, I record,
And sing the Blessings of this Day.
So, let me sing; So, minde them, still,
And, all my life, so thankfull be;
That, when my Course I shall fulfill,
Thy Grace may draw me up to Thee.

6

Discretion grant me so to know
What Christian Sabbaths do require;
And Grace my Dutie, so to do,
That, I may keep thy Law, intire.

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Not doing, what should not be done;
Not things omitting which are due;
Nor overburdning any One,
With Sabbath-Rites, unjust or new.

7

Yea, let me rest my Body so,
That to my Soul I do no wrongs;
Nor in Devotion heedlesse grow,
What to my Bodies Rest belongs.
But both in Soul and Body, Lord,
Let me so sanctifie this day,
According to thy holy Word,
That I may Rest in Thee, for aye.

Hymn III. For Munday.

[_]

On Munday, God made the Aierie Firmament, whereby Mankind, and every living Creature upon Earth enjoyeth, all the common Benefits of Nature; and which this Hymn partly commemorateth to the praise of God, for his Mercifull Providence in this Daies-work.

Sing this, as the former.

[1]

This Morning brings to minde ô God!
The Making of that Aierie-Spheare,
And Spreading of that Skie abroad,
Whereby we now Surrounded are.
It was that Fabrick which thy hand,
Vouchsafed, on this Day to frame,

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To bound the waters under land,
From those which are above the same.

2

This Aierie-Firmament, both keeps
All breathing-creatures, here below,
From suffocation by those Deeps;
And meanes of Breathing, doth bestow.
To us, this Firmament convayes
Those Dewes and Show'rs, which oft we need;
And all those pleasant summer-dayes,
Whence profits, or delights proceed.

3

Yea, by this Firmament, we gain
The vision of refreshing Light,
And thereby do as well obtain
The use of Hearing as of Sight.
For this dayes workmanship ô Lord,
I praise thee now; and humbly pray
That I may thankfully record,
Thy dayly-Blessings ev'ry day.

Hymn IIII. For Tuesday.

[_]

God is magnified in this Hymn for separating the Land from the Waters, & for graciously furnishing the earth with hearbs and Trees for Mans use For this was that work whereby God manifested his Power and Providence upon this day of the first-week.

233

Sing this as Te Deum.

[1]

When Land and Sea that mixed were,
In one confused Masse,
Did first distinguished appeare,
As on this Day it was;
A creature usefull, then began
The waters, first, to be.
And, then, a dwelling fit for man,
The Land was made by Thee.

2

Thou didst, likewise, the Ground command,
All fruitfull Trees to breed.
And, cause to spring out of the Land,
Each Hearb that beareth seed.
The profit which arises thence,
On Man thou didst bestow;
And, he hath reaped, ever since,
The fruits that yearely grow.

3

This Day, therefore, thou praised art,
For thy Preparing-Grace,
In setting Land, and Sea apart,
To give us dwelling-place.
For what the Garden, or the Field,
Doth for our use afford;
And, for what Woods, or Orchards yeeld,
I praise thee too ô Lord!

4

And, Lord, I pray thee, since the Land,
Is fruitfull still to mee;
And faithfull unto thy command,
Let me be so to Thee.

234

Yea, since those works are all confest
Right good, which thou hast wrought,
By me, let one Good work, at least,
This Day, to passe be brought.

Hymn V. For Wednesday.

[_]

The Heavens were upon this day first adorned with Stars, and with those two great Luminaries whereby Dayes and Nights, Times and Seasons are guided and Distinguished. And, to praise God for these, and for those many blessings of Pleasure, Profit, and Conveniencie, thereby enjoyed; this Hymn was composed.

Sing this as the 100. Psalme.

[1]

This Day, the Planets in their Spheares,
And those faire Stars, which night by night,
Have shin'd so many thousand yeares,
Receiv'd their Beeing, and their Light.
Vpon this day were first begun
Those Motions Lord, by which we know,
How Dayes do passe, how yeers do run;
And, how the Seasons come and go.

2

The Sun was then ordain'd by Thee
To rule the Day; and give it light.
The Moon and Stars were made to be
The Guides and Comforts of the Night.
For These, therefore, thy Praise I sing;
And, for the blessings, which to Man,

235

The Sun, the Moon, or Stars do bring;
Or brought, since first, the World began.

3

For enterchange of Nights and Daies;
For Winter, Summer, Spring and Fall.
For all of these, I give thee Praise;
For, Thou gav'st Beeing to them all.
When Sun, or Moon, or Star I view,
Let them, so make me think on Thee;
That, as Daies, weeks, and yeers renew;
I may renew my Thanks to Thee.

Hymn VI. For Thursday.

[_]

The Waters upon this day of the first week were made fruitfull in Fish and Fowle, for an Addition to Mans profit. Vpon this day, our blessed Redeemer, began his most bitter Passion for our sins. This Day he instituted the Sacrament of his Last-Supper: promised the Holy-Ghost our Comforter; prayed for us; uttered many divine Precepts, Counsels, and Caveats for the Instruction and Consolation of his Church; all which are here commemorated.

Sing this as the 22. Psalme.

[1]

Lord! that, there might no vacant-place,
In all this world be found;
But, that the Riches of thy Grace,
Might ev'ry where abound.
This Day, the Waters had command,
Both Fish and Fowle to breed;

236

That, Sea, and Aire, as well as Land,
Might help in time of need.

2

And, as if all these Dainties, Lord!
For us, too little were,
Which Land, and Sea, and Aire afford,
Enlarg'd, thy Bounties are.
For, as upon this Day (oh Christ)
Thou gav'st thy selfe, to be
The Bread of Life, to ev'ry Guest,
That shall beleeve in Thee.

3

Thy Promise on this day, was made
The Holy-Ghost to send.
This Day we many counsells had,
From Thee, our Blessed-Friend.
The Evening, likewise of this Day,
Began thy Bloodie sweat,
And, Thee, that night, he did betray,
Who feasted on thy meat.

4

Therefore in ev'ry week of Dayes,
I just Occasions find,
Thee for this fifth Daies works to praise;
And keep the same in mind.
Lord, let me alwaies mindfull be
To praise thee to my pow'r;
Since I have cause to think on Thee,
And thank Thee ev'ry how'r.

237

Hymn VII. For Fryday.

[_]

The Beasts of the Earth, and all creeping Things were made upon this Day. Mankind, this day, received being from the dust of the Earth; and upon this day of the weeke, the Son of God suffred on the Crosse for our Salvation; all which are to Gods glory, commemorated in this Hymn.

Sing this as the Lamentation.

[1]

The sixth Daies Light may weekly bring,
Such things of moment, still to mind;
That, Hymns and Songs of Praise to sing,
I many just Occasions find.
For, ev'ry little worme I see,
And, ev'ry Beast, I looke upon,
Remembrances are made to mee,
Of that which on this day was done.

2

As on this Day, these, first were made.
As on this very day, likewise,
That Root, whence I my Being had,
Out of the Dust, did first arise.
And (though our Grandame was the same,
Which Beasts, and Wormes to light did bring)
Man, by Gods grace, this Day, became
Chief Lord of each created thing.

238

3

This Day, moreover, when by Sin,
Possessions, Honours, Life, and all,
For ever, Forfeited had bin,
God, had compassion on our Fall.
And, that we might not be undone
(Without all hope to cure our losse)
Vpon this Day, his onely Son,
Did suffer for us, on the Crosse.

4

This Day, the Scorn, the spight, the pain,
Which I deserved to endure,
My blest Redeemer did sustain,
That I might Saving-health procure.
This Day, with nailes his Flesh was torn;
This Day, the Speare did wound his side.
This Day, he wore a crown of Thorn.
This Day, for me, my Saviour dide.

5

Lord, let the Mercies of this day,
No Day, hereafter, be forgot.
Let not an houre quite passe away
Wherein, thy servant minds them not.
At least, vouchsafe, that, whilst I live,
I may record them once a week;
And, let this Hymn occasion give,
That, other men may do the like.

Hymn VIII. For Saterday.

[_]

Vpon this day, God rested from the the Works of Creation. Vpon this Day Christ rested in the Grave

239

after he had finished the painfull works conducing to the Restauration of Man-kind. Therefore Meditations tending to the praise of God, in the Commemoration of these Mysteries, which are the effect of this Hymn.

Sing this as the 4. Psalme.

[1]

He that can in a moment space
Build Worlds (as he shall please)
And, needeth neither Time, nor Place,
To work, or take his ease;
This Globe, to Furnish, and to Frame,
Did sixe Daies Leisure take:
And, having finished the same,
A Resting Day, did make.

2

When, likewise, his chief-creature was
By Sathans wiles, undone;
He limited the work of Grace,
A certaine Time, to run.
And, he who did regenerate,
The self same Day, did rest,
Which he who all things did create
Had for that Reason, blest.

3

Within his Grave, upon this Day,
Our Saviour did repose;
And, took the sting of Death away
When he from thence arose.
This Day, the Rigour of the Law,
Began to be alayd,

240

And, that which kept in servile-Awe,
Now, makes us not afraid.

4

Vpon this Day, each Jewish-Rite,
Both Death and buriall had.
Their Sabbath, was abolish'd quite,
And uneffectuall made.
For, why should we the Tipes embrace
Or in their Shades abide,
When their true Substance comes in place,
Which they but typifide?

5

The Fathers Rest, this meaning had
That (while Times course did last)
Here, no new-creature, should be made;
When sixe Dayes works were past.
The Resting of his Blessed Son,
Declares, that never more
Should either suffred be or done,
Offenders to restore.

6

Lord, let me also now begin
A holy Rest to make.
Let me, from all the works of Sin,
My Rest, for ever, take.
Let so my Lusts be mortifide;
In Christ, so bury me;
That, I with him, who for me dide,
To life, may raised be.

7

As long as either weekes or Dayes,
To me shall be renew'd;
Let that, which may advance thy praise,
Be still, by me pursu'd.

241

And, when the Evening, and the Morne,
My last of dayes hath made;
Let me in Peace, to thee returne,
From whom, I Beeing had.

Hymn IX. For Dayes of Publike, or Private Humiliation.

[_]

In private, or publike fasting Dayes, some are desirous to expresse their spirituall passions in holy Song; and, because many mens Affections are best mooved to a zealous performance of such devotions, by a Mournfull-Melodie, these following Meditations, are prepared for that purpose.

Sing this as the former.

[1]

Foul-Spirits may, our hearts possesse,
(As Christ himself did say)
From which no man can us release
Vnlesse he Fast, and Pray.
And, so, both Sins and plagues there be
Whose cure, we may despaire,
Vntill, oh Lord, we come to Thee
By Abstinence, and Praire.

2

Not that our Suff'rings, Suites, or Cries,
Can merit what they crave:
But, that we may the better prize
The Pitty, we would have.

242

And that, by such a Discipline
Our Flesh, the better may
Submit unto those Lawes-divine,
Which all men should obay.

3

For, what oh Lord, availes it Thee
If we Repent, or not?
If we, or Full, or Fasting be,
What profit hast thou got?
That thou art prayd, that thou art prais'd,
The good is ours alone;
And, that to Joy we may be rais'd,
Thou, sometime, letst us mone.

4

Our Paine, thou tak'st no pleasure in;
Or, to behold our Teares;
But that they might prevent the sin,
Which bringeth endlesse cares.
To see thy People Feast, or Sing,
(And, merrie, still, remaine)
To Thee much more Delight would bring,
If they could sin refraine.

5

Since thou so gracious art oh Lord!
So gracelesse, why are we?
And, why so backward to afford,
More pleasing Fruits to Thee?
Oh! Grant since thou requirest nought
From us, but for our Blisse,
That nought may more of us be sought,
Then, Thanks to yeeld, for this.

6

Forgive then all that is misdone,
Neglected, or misayd.

243

Remove the Judgements, now begun:
Keep off, the Plagues delayd:
And, that thy Mercy justly may
Our Fears, and Fall prevent;
Sincerely, let us, ev'ry day,
Our Dayly sins repent.

7

For, swine-like, to the myrie Bog,
If we againe returne,
(Or, to our vomit, like the Dog)
In vaine, we Fast, and Mourne.
Nay, worse will our estate become:
For, when Expulsed-sin,
Re-enters to a cleansed-Roome,
It sev'nfold Guilt, brings in.

8

With us, Lord, let it not be so;
But, more upright, each day,
More sanctified, let us grow;
More warie, in our way.
That we may passe our Future Daies,
Without Offence, or Blame,
In holy Mirth, and Songs of Praise,
In honour of thy Name.

Hymn X. Another for the like Times.

[_]

This Hymn containes an humble confession of our Guiltines in the breach of the whole Moral-Law; and in our abuse of the Law of Grace also; with an earnest desire, that God would have mercy upon us.

244

[1]

Plung'd in Grief and in distresse,
Humbly we intend oh God!
Our Transgressions to confesse,
In a sadly sounding Ode.
At thy Footstoole, we appear,
Grieved for our Follies past;
And untill our suites thou hear,
No refection we will tast.
Heed, with gracious eies we pray,
Our contrition, Lord, this day;
And wipe all our Sins away.

2

Thou oh God! ev'n Thou, art he
Who from Egypt mysticall,
(When as there, enslav'd were we)
Freely, didst Redeem us all.
For which grace, a vowe we made,
Thee to serve, as God, alone:
Yet, we other Gods have had;
And, forgot what Thou hast done,
We, (as Deities) ador'd.
Things, more fit to be abhor'd.
Yet, Have mercie on us Lord.

3

Though we know, that on thy Foes,
Dreadfull plagues thou dost inflict;
And, that thou art kind to those,
Who thy just Commands respect.
Yet, of Thee, our Fancie faines
Likenesses, which like thee not.
And Idea's in our braines,
To thy wrong, are oft begot.

245

Idol-makers we have bin:
Our chiefe zeale we spend therein
Lord, have mercie on our sin.

4

In thy Name, we were babtiz'd,
And thy Name, oh Christ, we beare.
But, that grace we have not priz'd,
As thereby, oblig'd we are.
We have tooke on us in vaine,
That great Name which we professe;
And yet seeme in hope, to gaine
Thy acceptance, ne're the lesse.
Many waies, we are to blame,
By prophaning of thy Name,
But, oh Lord, forgive the same.

5

In our hearts, it was imprest,
(Though corruption blurs it now)
That we should to Man, and Beast,
Times of needfull Rest, allow.
And, lest froward Nature might
This great Moral, take away,
(To preserve that common-right)
Hallow'd was the Seventh-day.
But, this Precept, we deprave.
This great Law, we broken have;
And, for this, we mercie crave.

6

We our Parents honour not,
(As thy Precepts do command)
Neither those, who us begot,
Nor the Fathers, of this Land.
Nay, our Ghostly-Parents, oft,

246

(Who, in us, would Grace beget)
For their Love, are Jeer'd and Scoft;
And, their words at nought are set.
Of this Fault, we now have sense:
Oh! forgive that great Offence;
Lest thy Justice root us hence.

7

We, of Murthers, are not cleare,
Though no Blood our hands have spilt;
For, in us those Passions are,
Which have drawn on us that Guilt.
Hate and Wrath, in us are found.
Cruell Thoughts, and slandrous Tongues,
Which ofttimes, our Neighbours wound,
Which no lesse then murdrous wrongs.
Double-di'd in blood are we:
For, oh Christ, we murdred Thee.
Yet, now, pardoned let us be.

8

We Adulterers have been;
Lustfull hearts, and wandring Eies,
Make us many waies uncleane,
Which no sight, but thine, espies.
Both by Deeds, and words unchast
Soild in Soul and Flesh, we are;
And, have greedily embrac't
Pleasures, which unlawfull were.
Cleanse us, Lord! from ev'ry spot:
Youthfull-Sins, remember not:
But, oh! let them be forgot.

9

Many waies we rob and Steal,
More then ev'ry Neighbour knows;
And, with few, so justly deal

247

In performance, as in shows.
By Deceit, or els by Force,
On our Breth'rens Right we ceaze:
And, although they bring a curse,
Stolen-waters, greatly please,
But, now, Lord we do repent:
Therefore, what thy Justice ment,
Let thy Mercy, still, prevent.

10

Falshood we have testifide,
When the Truth, we should have said.
God and Man, we have belide;
And, the Righteous-cause betrayd,
Whence, to others, often springs
Not Losse-temporall, alone;
But, in Everlasting-Things:
Some, are by our Lies, undone.
Lord! we now lament these wrongs:
Therefore, pardon what belongs,
To False-Hearts, and lying-Tongues,

11

Thanklesly we have repin'd,
At what is on us bestown;
And, in others Lots, we find
More Delight, then in our own.
And, such Longings, are the cause,
Of increasing our Offence.
Yea, the Breach of all thy Lawes,
And, all Folly flowes from hence.
Lord! with grace our hearts inspire,
To confine each loose-Desire;
Or, to quench that hell-bred-Fire.

248

12

We have broke, before thy Face,
Not thy Law of works, alone,
But, against thy Law of Grace,
We have oft, and much misdone.
In an humble Fast, this Day,
At thy feet, we therfore, fall.
Hear us, heed us, Lord, we pray;
And, forgive our errors all.
Let this Day of Penitence,
Blot out ev'ry past offence;
And, remove thy Judgements, hence.

Hymn XI. For a Day of publike Rejoycing.

[_]

It is usuall upon dayes of Rejoycing to expresse more folly then Thankfulnes, to him who hath vouchsafed the cause of our Exultation. Therfore to rectifie that oversight, and to direct our mirth to the glory of God, this Hymn is provided.

Sing this as the Magnificat.

[1]

Lord, thou hast fil'd our hearts with Joy
And, that hath mov'd our Tongues,
Their Tunefull Voices to imploy
In singing Praisefull-Songs.
Rejoycings, in our dwellings are;
With mirth our Cups are crown'd;
And Shouts of Gladnesse, ev'ry where,
Throughout our streets do sound.

249

2

Lord! whence comes all this merriment?
Whence flows it but from Thee?
From whom all pleasant things are sent,
To those that Thankfull be.
Our Faithfull Hopes, thou hast made good,
Thou hast made voyd our Fears:
Our Foes desire, thou hast with stood;
And, dri'de up all our Tears.

3

Let not this Joy, by Fires, and Bells,
By Noise, alone, be known;
By Feasts, or Healths; but, someway els,
(And better wayes) be shown.
Yea, since thy Mercy from on high,
This Joy, on us bestow'd;
Let Works of Mercie, sanctifie
The Gladnesse, we have show'd.

4

Let us, to those that are Distrest
A word of Comfort Speake;
Relieve the Needy, and Opprest;
Add Strength unto the weake.
So, God will change our Outward Mirth,
To such Internall-Ioy,
That, nothing, whilst we live on earth,
Our Comfort shall Destroy.

250

Hymn XII. For the Birth day of any Man or Woman.

[_]

They who observe their Birth Dayes, (which many anciently have done, and some yet do) may hereby be remembred of such Meditations as are pertinent to this Anniversarie; and God may be thereby, the more often praised for our Temporall Being.

Sing this as the former.

[1]

Lord! on this Day, thou didst bestow
A breathing-Life on me.
This Day, an Actor, here below
I, first, begun to be.
And, but few Rounds, the Sun hath made,
Since, I, that now am here,
No portion of an Essence had,
Except, in Thee, it were.

2

But, now, there is a part of me,
(And, Lord, from Thee it springs)
That shall both nam'd, and numbred be
With Everlasting-Things.
And, that, which Time, doth weare away,
Times-Ruine, will restore,
To be rejoyn'd thereto, for aye,
When Time shall be no more.

251

3

We, now, are thy Probationers,
And, as we run this Race,
The Life which is to come, prefers
To Honour, or Disgrace.
And, they which here, the Pathway misse,
That unto Vertue, tends,
Shall finde no means, nor Hope of Blisse,
When this briefe Life-time ends.

4

Another Yeere is now begun;
And yet, I do not see
How for the Time, which forth is run,
I can Account to Thee.
For, I confesse, I have mispent,
My Longings, to fulfill,
The Times, which unto me, were lent,
To execute thy Will.

5

And, in the Dayes which are behinde,
(Behinde, if any be)
What profit can I hope to finde?
What will they pleasure me?
Since (though Time-past, I might redeeme)
So much that Work will cost
As (first or last) my Time will seeme,
In hazard to be lost.

6

Lord, let this Day of my First-Birth,
Occasion, yeerely, give
To keep me Mindfull, why on Earth
My Being, I receive.
And, of my Second-Birth, likewise,
So minde Thou Me, thereby,

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That, I to Life, may not arise
A Second-Death, to die.

7

But, let this Day, and all the Daies,
Which I, hereafter, view
Employed be to give Thee praise,
To whom all Praise, is due.
And, thus let no man say of me
When I to Dust return;
Oh! well with Him, now would it be,
If He, had nev'r been born.

Hymn XIII. For the fifth of November.

[_]

[_]

The first Day of the Kings is yeerly solemnized in this Kingdome; partly, that the People might assemble to Praise God, for the Benefits, received by their Prince; and partly to desire God's blessing upon him and his Government; which duties being well performed no due time would prevent the mischiefs which attend on Tiranny, and Rebellion.

255

Sing this as the 4. Psalme.

[1]

Lord, when we call to minde these things,
Which we should aske of Thee,
Remembring that the Hearts of Kings
At thy disposing be;
And, how, of all those Blessings, which
Are outwardly possest,
To make a Kingdome Safe, and Rich,
Good-Princes are the best.

2

When this we minde; thy Name to praise,
Our hearts inclined are;
For him, oh Lord, whom thou didst raise
The royall, wreath to wear.
And, we intreat, that he may raign
In peacefull Safetie long,
Thy Faith-Defender, to remain,
And, shield thy Truth from Wrong.

3

With awefull Love, and loving Dread,
Let us observe him Lord:
And, as the Members with their Head,
In Christian Peace accord:
Then, fill Him, with such Princely care,
To cherish us, for this;
As if his Heart, did feel we are
Essentiall-parts of his.

4

Let neither partie struggle from
The Duties it should own,
Lest each to other, Plagues become,
And, both be overthrown.

256

For or'e a Disobedient-Land,
A Tirant thou wilt set.
And, they who Tirantlike command,
Rebellion, shall beget.

5

When that Ill-spirit once is rear'd
Which Tiranny doth teach;
Or, when that Devill hath appear'd
Which doth Rebellion preach.
In vain, to either partie, than,
Their dangers, we foreshow.
Or plead the Laws, of God, or Man,
For, blind, and mad they grow.

6

With wilfull Fury they run on
To execute their will;
Not caring what be said or done;
Or, whom they Rob, or Kill.
And, setled Peace, we seldome see
Return to them, or theirs
Till rooted from the Land, they be
By Sicknesse, Dearth, or Wars.

7

Permit not, Lord, so sad a Doome,
Vpon these Realmes to fall.
And, that on us it may not come,
Remit our Errors all.
Yea, let the Partie-Innocent,
Some damage rather take
Then, by Self-will or discontent
A greater Schisme to make.

8

Teach us, who placed are below
Our Callings, to apply;

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And, not or'e curious be to know
What things are done on high.
Teach Him uprightly to command,
Vs, rightly to obay
That, both in safetie, still may stand,
And keep a Lawfull way.

9

When Kings affaires we pry into
Our Selves we oft beguile;
And, what we rather ought to do,
Is left undone, the while
Whereas, if each one, did attend
The Course, wherein they live,
And, all the rest, to thee commend
Then, all should better thrive.

10

Our minds, oh Lord, compose thou thus
And, our dread Soveraign save;
Blesse Vs in Him, and Him, in Vs,
That, both may Blessings have.
Yea grant that many yeers we may
This Hymn devoutly sing;
And marke it for a happy Day,
Wherein, he first was King.

Hymn XV. For the Day of the Solemnitie belonging to the Knights of the Gartar.

[_]

This Hymn was composed for the Festivall, belonging to the Knights of the Garter, solemnized

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upon the Day anciently dedicated to S. George the martyr. It encourageth to brotherly Love and Vnitie, by a Divine Illustration alluding to that, in the 132. Psalme.

[1]

See Brethren, what a pleasing Blisse,
It is our Lives in love to lead.
It like that precious oyntment is,
Which once anointed Aarons head,
And, thence along his beard did flow
Ev'n to his Garment skirts below
Oh! Lord, This Chrisome sweet
Powre on our Soveraignes crown;
Till thence, unto his Feet,
The same shall trickle down.

2

Lord, like those droppings let it prove
Which did on Hermons, Top distill;
And, like the Dews, which from above
Descended, once, on Sion-Hill,
For Peace and Plenties flourish there,
Where-ever, these diffusions are.
Lord, therefore let them fall
On ev'ry noble Hill;
And ev'ry humble Dale
With Peacefull Plenties fill.

3

Our Soveraigne is as Hermon Hill;
His Princes, are as lower Heights.
When Graces down on Him, distill,
On them, a blessing, also lights:
And, thence they further downward, flow,
Refreshing those, that are below.

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Let thus, for ever, Lord,
Thy Grace diffused be;
And, let us all accord,
In truly Serving Thee.

Hymn XVI. For Anniversary Sermon-dayes.

[_]

Devout Persons have to sundry Places lest meanes to procure Anniversary-Sermons to be there preached; on such, or such Daies of the yeere: And perhaps it might further their Founders good Intentions, if this Hymn were then Sung.

Sing this as the 23. Psalme.

[1]

The Sun, hath since we last were here,
Quite through the Zodiack run;
And, on this Day, another yeer.
Is happily begun.
To God therefore, this Anniverse,
(In honour of his Name)
With Heart and Voice, we do reherse,
And, praise him in the same.

2

For, Lord, if Thanks men owe to Thee
For those who give them bread,
Sure, thou for them shouldst praised be,
By whom our Souls are fed.
And we desire this Due to pay
For them who did prepare

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The means whereby we meet this Day
Thy blessed Word to hear.

3

Blesse thou this means, and suffer not
Thy Voice to sound in vain.
Let not those Lessons be forgot
Which to our Weal pertain.
But, so let us improve this Grace,
Which yeerly is conferr'd
That, we leave that lawlesse Race,
In which we long have err'd.

4

For, Dayes, and Yeers if we still add
Vnto a wicked Course,
We shall proceed from being bad,
To be a great deal worse.
And, ev'ry Day and Yeer, wherein
Thy Grace thou tendred hast,
Shall help to aggravate our Sin,
And to condemn at last.

5

This, to prevent, let what we hear,
And have, this day, been taught,
Somewhat improve us, ere this Year,
About again be brought.
That neither this dayes pious Gift,
Nor thy good-seed be lost.
But rather by our Christian Thrift,
Repay this pains, and cost.

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Hymn CVII. For Anvniersary Marriage-Dayes.

[_]

Some Married-Persons take Delight, either alone or with a neighbour or two to commemorate, yeerely, the Day of their Marriage; and for that private Commemoration, this Hymn is prepared.

Sing this as the .25. Psalme.

[1]

Lord, living, here are we
As fast united, yet,
As when our Hands, and Hearts by thee,
Together, first, were knit.
And, in a thankfull Song,
Now, Sing we will thy Praise,
For that thou dost as well prolong,
Our Loving, as our Dayes.

2

Together we have now,
Begun another yeer;
But, how much time thou wilt allow,
Thou mak'st it not appear.
We therefore, do, emplore,
That Live, and Love, we may,
Still so, as if but one day more,
Together we should stay.

3

Let each of others Wealth,
Preserve a Faithfull care,
And of each others Ioy and Health;
As if one Soul we were.
Such conscience let us make,
Each other not to grieve,

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As if we, daily, were to take
Our Everlasting-Leave.

4

The Frowardnesse that springs
From our Corrupted-kinde,
Or from those troublous Outward-Things,
Which may distract the minde;
Permit thou not, oh Lord,
Our constant Love to shake;
Or, to disturbe our true accord;
Or, make our Hearts to ake.

5

But, let these Frailties prove
Affections Exerzise,
And, that Discretion, teach our Love,
Which wins the noblest Prize.
So, Time, which weares away,
And ruines all things els,
Shall fixe our Love on Thee for aye,
In whom, perfection, dwels.

Hymn XVIII. For an Anniversarie Funerall-Day.

[_]

Because there are some, whose Passionate Affections make them resolve to keep private Anniversaries in memoriall of Dear-Friends deceased: This Hymn was intended to direct them to those musings, which at such Times, will make their Commemorations more pious, and more profitable. If it be a Woman which is commemorated, let the word Her, be used instead of Him .

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Sing this, as In sad and Ashie weeds.

[1]

The Day is now return'd
Which in memoriall of my Friend
(When first for him I mourn'd)
To set apart I did intend.
'Tis now a year
Since for my Dear,
This yearly Rite was done;
And, I as yet,
Do not forget
My losses to bemoan.

2

I must indeed confesse
That (though to Love, still, true I am)
My Passions now are lesse:
And, that my Grief is not the same;
For, Time assures,
More perfect Cures,
When Sorrow woundeth man,
Then all the pow'rs
Of Herbs, and Flow'rs,
Or Humane-Reason can.

3

Thy Name, oh God, I praise
That, thou, by Time, hast eas'd me so.
For, doubtlesse, length of dayes
Without thy Mercy, lengthens Woe.
When thou do'st please,
From Paine, to Ease,
We in a Night return.
And when we grieve,

264

Thou must relieve,
Or, we shall ever mourn.

4

That yeerely Rite, therefore,
Which to my Friend, my Passion vow'd;
Shall honour him the more,
If on thy Praise, it be bestow'd,
And, If this Day
Will passe away,
In thankfull Thoughts of Thee;
Which once I meant
To have mispent,
In Griefs, that fruitlesse be.

5

Nor is my Friend forgot
Though thus I turn from Him, to Thee.
The lesse I love him not,
Though now I sing thy Love to me.
Whilst Thee I minde,
In Thee I finde
My Friend again reviv'd.
When Him, alone,
I think upon
I, for One Dead, am griev'd.

6

The Vertues of this Friend
Within my Self, let me improve:
And to that noble End,
Cause, his memoriall me to move.
For, if we stray
From their Just-way,
Whom we, in life, approv'd;
Those whom we seem'd
To have esteem'd,

265

We never truly lov'd.

7

Lord, I am drawing neer,
To his estate whom I bemone;
Yea, neerer by a yeer
Then, when this dutie last was done.
And, still I come
The further from
The State, I did deplore;
As neerer to
That State, I grow
Which equals Rich and Poore.

8

Vouchsafe oh God! I pray,
That, hence remov'd when I shall be,
In Thee, behold I may,
All those that were belov'd of me.
Yea, let none here,
To me be Deare,
But, those whom I shall finde
Enjoy that Love,
In Heaven above,
Which they on Earth should minde.

Hymn XIX. For the Spring-time.

[_]

God Almightie in the Spring-time, reneweth the Blessing of the Year, for the Sustentation, and refreshment of our Bodies: And this Hymn teacheth by what Meditations we should sanctifie the

266

Blessings of this Season to God's glory, and the Refreshment of our Souls.

Sing this as the 10. Commandments.

[1]

Although he knows it putrifies,
Who can so Faithlesse be, to doubt,
His Body shall from Death arise;
When Times wid'st Wheele, is whirl'd about?
Since, ev'ry time, in which the Sun,
His yeerly Progresse doth renew,
(And round about the Zodiak run)
We many Resurrections views?

2

The Leafelesse-Branch the branchlesse-Root,
The Seed that lifelesse seem'd to be,
(And lies contemned under foot)
Becomes a lively-Springing Tree.
Yea, that which was no other thing,
But Dung, or Dust, or Mud, or Slime,
Takes warmth, and Motion from the Spring,
And, lives, at least, all Summer-time.

3

Why pine we then, when we perceive,
The Winter of an ill Successe,
Of ev'ry Means doth us deprive,
That should our daily need redresse?
Since we behold each Bush and Bough,
That Stormes, or Frosts had plucked bare,
Gets leaves again, with blossomes now:
And, in their Season, fruit may bear?

4

That, which the Winter wasted had
The Spring beginneth to restore:

267

The Promise, which long since, God made,
Observe he will, for evermore.
The Times of Harvest, and of Seed,
Of Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall,
Each other duly shall succeed,
Whilst Heaven and Earth continue shall.

5

The Groves which lately naked stood,
A comely Suit of Green do wear;
The meaner Plants, do freshly bud;
The Meads with Flow'rs embroydred are:
The Sun our Day-light, doth prolong:
The Flocks, their younglings forth do bring:
The Heat begins to waxe more strong;
The Birds, in ev'ry Bush do sing.

6

To Him, therefore, who yeer by yeer,
Vouchsafeth to remember Vs;
And, for our Profit; ev'ry where,
Reneweth his good Creatures thus:
To Him be praise: And, I emplore,
That as increa'st his Blessings be,
So Grace and Vertue, more and more,
May ev'ry Day, encrease in Me,

Hymn XX. For Summer-time.

[_]

In this Hymn, God is praised for the Blessings which he vouchsafeth by the Summer-season, and wherein the Yeer is in the height of his Glorie) that by good Meditations, the Pleasures and

268

Profits thereof, may be sanctified and made comfortable unto us.

[1]

Now, the glories of the Year,
May be viewed at the best;
And, the Earth doth now appear,
In her fairest Garments drest.
Sweetly smelling Plants and Flowrs,
Do perfume the Garden-Bowrs;
Hill, and Valley, Wood and Field,
Mixt with Pleasures, Profits yield.

2

Much is found, where Nothing was.
Herds, on ev'ry mountain go.
In the Meddows, Flowrie Grasse,
Makes both Milk and Honey flow.
Now, each Orchard Banquets giveth;
Ev'ry Hedge with fruit, relieveth;
And, on ev'ry Shrub and Tree,
Vsefull Fruits, or Berries be.

3

Walks and Wayes which Winter mar'd,
By the Winds, are swept, and dride;
Moorish Grounds are now so hard,
That, on them we safe may ride.
Warmth enough the Sun doth lend us;
From his heat the Shades defend us;
And, thereby, we share in these:
Safetie, Profit, Pleasure, Ease.

4

Other Blessings, many more,
At this Time, enjoy'd may be;
And, in this my Song, therefore,
Praise I give, oh Lord, to Thee.

269

Grant that this my free Oblation,
May have gracious Acceptation;
And, that I may well employ
Ev'ry thing which I enjoy.

Hymn XXI. For Autumn.

[_]

God, is here praised, for the Mercies and Benefits, vouchsafed unto us in Autumn, wherein, we reape the chiefe reward of our outward yeerely Labours. And, it becomes us (once at least) in so profitable a Season, to remember so gracious a Benefactor.

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

What Spring and Summer did produce,
Now, in Perfection, doth appear.
For, Autumn ripened hath for us,
The Fat and sweetnesse of the Year;
And, offers up a timely Crop,
To him, that labour'd long, in Hope.

2

The youthfull Freshnesse of the Spring,
And Summers Beauties are decay'd:
Yet, we have, now, more cause to Sing,
Then if they longer time, had staid.
For, though the Blossome pleasures had
It is the Fruit which makes most glad.

3

Preserv'd from nipping Frosts and Stormes,
From starving Droughts, and chilling Rains;

270

From Blastings, and from Weeds, and Wormes,
A goodly Portion, yet, remaines:
Which (if we loose it not by Sin)
Stands ready to be gather'd in.

4

Oh Lord! thy holy Name we blesse,
That such faire Likelihoods we gain,
Those needfull Profits to possesse,
For which, we have bestow'd our pain.
Let nothing interpose to marre
The Good, whereof we hopefull are.

5

Permit not that which we acquire,
Empair'd or spoiled to become
By Vermine, Floods, Theeves, Frosts, or Fire;
Or, by ill-husbandry at home.
Nor let us wastfully destroy,
What, we discreetly should enjoy.

6

But, let the Harvest of this yeer,
So warn us how the later-end,
And, Harvest of our Life, draws neer,
That, we our Callings may attend:
Employ aright what we receive;
And, Thanks, for all thy Blessings, give.

Hymn XXII. For Winter.

[_]

Winter, is an Emblem of Old-Age: And this Hymn remembers that from this Season, we take Occasion to be mindfull of our later end; and to meditate such other things also as may be

271

brought to our Consideration, by this unpleasant Season.

[1]

Now, the Earth begins to mourn,
And hath lost her Summer pride:
Her faire dressings lately worn,
Now, are wholy cast aside;
And the Trees that clothed were,
Fruitlesse, leafelesse, naked are.

2

Pleasures from our Groves are gone;
No delights the Meadows yield;
Little profit now, or none
Comes from Valley, Hill, or Field.
For the greatest winde that blows
Threatneth Floods, or Frosts, or Snows.

3

Earthly things thus passe away;
And in compasse of a year,
Of a Moneth, a Weeke, or Day,
Many Changes do appear.
That, in love we might not grow
With our Trifles here below.

4

They, who while the Spring doth last,
Or, while Summer doth remain,
Or, ev'r Harvest quite be past,
By their Labours, nothing gain.
May in Winter those things need,
Which their Flesh should cloth, and feed.

5

They who spend their youthfull prime,
In unprofitable waies,
And foole out their healthfull time,
Till the Winter of their Daies.

272

Shall be sure, when they are old,
To be hunger fed and cold.

6

Or, if these, this Plague escape,
Live they shall, still, cloth'd, and fed,
To incur their worse mishap,
Who lament when they are dead:
And their Sentence to abide,
Who their Talents, lose, or hide.

7

Praise, oh God, I give to thee,
That, I likely means have got,
Of those things that needfull be,
Now the Season yeelds them not;
And possesse a warme Abode,
When Discomforts are abroad.

8

Still, vouchsafe me, so, thy grace,
That, I still endeavour may
(Whilst I have both Time, and Place)
To prevent an Evill-Day.
And, what may not shunned be,
To endure, Lord, strengthen me.

Hymn XXIII. For Ember-weekes.

[_]

These are our publique Fasts, kept at the foure Seasons of the yeere, that by a Christian humiliation we might move Almightie God to vouchsafe the needfull Blessings of the Season; to strengthen our constitutions against the Humours then

273

predominant, and to be pleased, that they who are called to the Ministry of the Gospel, may be faithfull and fit Labourers for his Vineyard. For, the Lords Day next every of these Fasts, are the times which were anciently appointed, for Laying-hands on such as were called to that office.

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

Thou dost from ev'ry Season LORD,
To profit us, Advantage take.
And, at their fittest houres afford,
Those Gifts for which, requests we make.
At Winter, Summer, Fall, or Spring,
Thou dost confer each needfull thing.

2

A part, therefore, from each of these
Religiously hath been reserv'd,
By Pray'rs, and Fastings to appease,
That wrath, which often, is deserv'd;
Lest els, thou, for our many Crimes,
Destroy the Blessings of the Times.

3

Vouchsafe, that our Devotions, may
With true sincerenesse be perform'd.
And, that we may not for one day,
But, all our Life-time be reform'd.
And mortifie each Lust and Sin,
Which we have lov'd, and lived in.

4

Our Constitutions temper so,
That, whatsoever humours raign,
They nor impaire nor overthrow,
That Health which we might els retain.

274

Or, if the Season, sicknesse brings,
Lord, comfort us, in other things.

5

And since these Churches do appoint
These Times, their Pastors forth to send,
Lord, let thy Spirit them anoint,
That they thy Flocks, may well attend.
Yea, Lord, let those who called be,
And, those that Call, be blest of Thee.

6

Informe the One, oh blessed Lord!
Whom they should for thy Service chuse,
Confirme the Other, by thy Word,
And so, to Both, thy Grace infuse.
That, both in Words, and Works, they may
Persever in a Blessed way.

Hymn XXIIII. For Rogation Weeke.

[_]

This is called Rogation of Rogando, and from the publique Supplications then made. For about that time Princes go forth to Warre; The hope of Plentie is in the blossome; The Aire is most subject to infection; Voyages by Land and Sea are undertaken; and many other things require that publique Supplications should be made. It is our custome also in many places, to visite our Parish Bounders, that contentious suits may be thereby prevented. And if in such neighbourly Preambulations, this, or the like Meditations were publiquely sung as we walke through the Fields, it would not be an unprofitable practise.

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Sing this as the Lamentation or X. Com.

[1]

Lord! it hath pleased thee to say,
That when we prayed in thy Name,
(And prayed as we ought to pray)
We should from Thee obtain the same.
We therefore, humbly pray Thee, now,
That, to the suits which we do make
Thou pleas'd would'st be, thine eare to bow,
And heare us, for thy Mercy sake.

2

Let not the Seasons of this Yeer,
As they their Courses do observe,
Engender those Contagions, here,
Which our Offences do deserve.
Let not the Summer-wormes impaire
The Bloomings, of Herbe, Flowre, or Tree;
Nor blastings, or distemper'd Aire,
Destroy those Fruits that hopefull be.

3

Domestick Jars, expell thou far;
And be so pleas'd our Coasts to guard,
That, horrid Sounds of In-brought-war,
Within our Confines, be not heard.
Continue, likewise here, thy Word;
And, make us thankfull Lord, we pray,
That Famine, Pestilence, and Sword,
Have been, so long, with-held away.

4

As we are heedfull to observe,
The certaine Limits, of our Grounds;
And (Outward-Quiet to preserve)
Walk, yeerly, round our Parish-Bounds.

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So, let us take a comely Care,
Our Souls Inheritance, to know;
That, no Encroachments may be, there,
Obtained by our Subtle, Foe.

5

What pleasant Groves! what goodly Fields!
What fruitfull Hils, and Dales, have we!
How sweet an Aire, our Climate yields!
How stor'd, with Flocks, and Herds, are we!
How Milke, and Honey overflow!
How cleare and wholsome, are our Springs!
From Ravenous-Beasts, how safe, we go!
How free from Poysnous-Creeping-Things!

6

For these; and for our Grasse, our Corn;
And, all that Springs from Blade, or Bough:
For all those Blessings, which adorn
Wood, Streame, or Field, this Iland through.
For all of these thy Praise, we sing:
And, humbly, we petition, too,
That, we to Thee, Fruits forth may bring,
As unto us, thy Creatures do.

7

So; in the sweet refreshing shade,
Of thy Protection, sitting down,
The gracious Favours, which we had,
Relate we will, to thy renown.
Our Children too, when we are gone,
Shall for these Mercies, honour Thee;
And, famous make what thou hast done,
To those, which after Them, shall be.

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Hymn XXV. For the Advent Sundayes.

[_]

The Advent-Sundayes are so called, because at those Times, the severall Advents, or Comings of Christ, were commemorated; and the people were instructed concerning those Advents; and what they are, this Hymn sheweth.

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

When Christ our Lord incarnate was,
Our Brother, then he came to be.
When into us he comes by Grace,
To be our Spouse, then cometh He.
And Comes, when he shall Come agen
To judge both Dead and Living-men.

2

Despaire will then all those confound,
That his First Comings disregard.
And, those, who till the Trumpet sound,
Are misimploy'd and unprepar'd.
Yea, cursed Pleasures they will prove,
Which out of thought, these Comings drove.

3

The Iewes abjected, yet remain,
Because his Advent they dinide.
The Foolish-Virgins knockt in vain,
Because, they did not Oyle provide.
But, they still safe, and blessed are,
Who for his Comings do prepare.

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4

Lord! so prepare us for that Feast,
Which keep our Saviours Birth in mind,
That, he with us may be a Guest,
And, we with Him acceptance find,
When that great Advent shall appear,
Which wicked men and Devils fear.

5

Oh! Come Lord Iesv, Come away.
And (though the World it shall deter)
Let that thy Kingdome come, we pray,
Whose Coming, Carnall-men defer.
And let us wait for with delight,
That Advent which thy Foes doth fright.

Hymn XXVI. For the Nativitie of Christ.

[_]

This Day is worthily dedicated to the memoriall of our Saviours Nativitie, by which unspeakable Mysterie the God-head, and Man-hood appeared admirably united in one person, without confusion of Natures, or possibilitie of Seperation to the unexpressible Benefit of Mankinde; and of that Mysterie somewhat is touched in this Hymn.

As on the dawning of this Morn,
To Shepherds, blessed Angels told,
Where, in a Stable he was born,
Whom neither Earth, nor Heav'n can hold.

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And Bethlem streets, as on this day,
Of these most happy Tidings rung.
A Troup of Angels in aray,
A Hymn of Glory also sung.

Chor.

With Angels thus therefore siong we,
To God on high all Glory be:
His Favour let Mankinde obtain,
And, let on Earth his Peace remain.

Hereby we great advantage had.
Vs, to exalt, he low was laid.
To strengthen us, he weak was made.
To cloath us, he was disaray'd.
Our Flesh he took, to cure our Guilt.
Our Griefs he felt, to give us Rest;
To save our Lives, his Blood was spilt;
Our Curse he bore to make us blest.

Chor.

With Angels thus, therefore, sing we,
To God on high, all Glory be.
His Favour, let Mankinde obtain;
And, let on Earth his Peace remain.

The Bush did flame, yet burned not;
The Fleece was moist, where fell no Rain:
A Son was on a Maid begot,
Which did a Virgin still remain.
Her Seed hath broke the Serpents head;
Whereby, our bruises now are heal'd.
The Lambe had of the Wolfe no dread:
And God and Man be reconcil'd.

Chor.

With Angels thus, therefore, sing we,
To God on high, all Glory be.

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His Favor let Mankinde obtain:
And let on Earth, his Peace remain.

Hymn XXVII. Another for the same Day.

[_]

Since the God-head vouchsafed to honour the Manhood, as to become united thereunto; we are by this Hymn remembred not to despise those who are of the same Nature with us, but rather humbly to descend to others for their Good; and to endeavour the reparation of our Nature by striving to conforme it unto Christ.

Sing this as the 4. Psalme.

[1]

Since all of us, near kinsmen be,
Descended from one Stem,
Why brutishly inclin'd are we,
Our Brethren to contemn?
He, that both Heav'n and Earth did frame,
Our Nature, did not scorn:
But, being God, a Man became,
And, of a Maid was born.

2

This; Men and Angels wondred at;
(As with good cause they may)
This, therefore, to commemorate,
We set apart this Day
This Day, we make an Anniverse,
That, favour to record;

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And, to our Children to reherse
The Mercies of the Lord.

3

That moment whereon God decreed
To do as he fore-said,
Enabled was the Womans-SEED,
To break the Serpents head.
And Iesvs Christ, to satisfie,
For our accused Crimes,
Vouchsaf'd both to be Borne, and Die,
At his appointed Times.

4

By Him, New-born, so let us be;
To Sin, so let us Die;
That, we may live with Him, where Hee
Is now enthron'd on high.
As Hee, the God-head, for our sake,
With Man-hood did aray;
On Vs, his Nature, let us take,
As fully, as we may.

5

Whereto, we nearest shall attain,
When we do Mercy shew;
And, strive those Longings to restrain,
Which Flesh and Blood pursue.
We are assured oh Saviour Christ!
Thine Incarnation may
Our Nature, hereunto assist:
Assist, therefore, we pray.

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Hymn XXVIII. For the Circumcision or New years-day.

[_]

Our Church solemnizeth this day, in memoriall of our Saviours Circumcision; that taking notice how soone he began to shed his blood for us, and to smart for our Sins, we might be the more thankfull for the same: and be provoked to repentance, by considering how easie a Sacrament he hath left for our initiation into his Church, in stead of that Bloody-One.

Sing this as the 10. Commandements.

[1]

Oh Christ! this day, thy Flesh did bleed,
Mark'd by the Circumcising-knife;
Because the Law, for Mans misdeed
Requir'd that Earnest of his Life.
Those Drops, presag'd that Show'r of Blood,
Which in thine Agonie began;
And that great Show'r foreshew'd the Flood,
Which from thy Side, next morrow ran.

2

Lord! let thy smart make us repent.
And, Circumcised-Hearts desire.
Yea, by that milder Sacrament,
Which follow'd This, thy Grace inspire:
For, He that either is Baptiz'd,
Or Circumciz'd in Flesh alone.

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Is but as one Vncircumciz'd;
Or, as an Vn-baptized one.

3

The Year, we now anew begin;
And outward-Gifts received be.
Renew us, also, Lord, within,
And make us New years-Gifts to Thee.
So, let us with the passed Year,
Our old Affections lay aside;
That, we, new-Creatures may appear,
And in thy Faith, and Fear, abide.

Hymn XXIX. For Twelfe-day, or the Epiphanie.

[_]

This day is celebrated in remembrance of the admirable manifestation of our Saviours birth; and we therefore called the Epiphanie, or Manifestation. It was first discovered from Heaven by Angels, and an heavenly Hoast. To the Gentiles, by a Star in the East: He was afterward manifested by the Vision of the Holy-Ghost descending on him like a Dove, and by a voice from Heaven. He was also manifested by his Doctrine and Miracles.

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

The first which brought the blessed News,
That CHRIST, on him, our nature took,
Were certain Shepherds of the Jewes,
Which did, by night attend their Flock.

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That they might verifi'd behold
What by their Prophets was foretold.

2

The second means, whereby oh CHRIST!
The World, of thee inform'd became,
Was by a Star, which in the East
Inform'd the Gentiles of the same;
That Heathen-men might learn to see,
The Book of Creatures, shews them Thee.

3

A Voice, and Vision from above,
And many wonders wrought below,
This wondrous Newes did further prove,
And have to all confirm'd it so,
That, faithlesse, if we now appear,
We, worse then Jewes and Ethnicks are.

4

Lord! let thy Pastors, and thy Grace,
Our Guiders, and Directors be,
As Angels, and a Star once was
To aid, in manifesting Thee.
And, let us, Thee confesse oh CHRIST!
Our King, our Prophet, and our Priest.

[5]

With Bethlem-Shepherds, let us feast
Our Souls, with Joy, that found thou art.
And with the Wise-men of the East
Let us expresse a Joyfull heart.
The Song of Angels, let us sing;
And Presents of Thanksgiving bring.

6

Teares, which from true Repentance drop,
In stead of Myrrh, from us receive.
For Incense, which they offred up,
Vnfained Praises, let us give.

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And, bring for Gold, each pious-Deed,
Which doth from saving-Faith proceed.

7

And, as the Wise-men, never went
To visit wicked Herod more,
So (finding Thee) let us repent
The Course, we follow'd heretofore;
And, let us homeward learn to go
That way, which thou shalt please to show

Hymn XXX. For the Day of the Purification.

[_]

The blessed Virgin Mary having fulfilled the dayes of her Purification, according to the Law, presented both her Son, and her appointed Off-spring in the Temple. This Anniversarie is to commemorate her exemplary Obedience, and the presentation of our Saviour.

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

No doubt but She that had the grace
Thee, in her wombe Lord Christ to bear,
(And, did all woman-kinde surpasse)
Was hallow'd by thy being there:
And, sure, the Birth could not pollute
Where Holinesse became the Fruit.

2

Yet, in Obedience to thy Law,
Her Purifying-Rites were done;
That we might learn to stand in awe,
How from thy Discipline we run:

286

For Souls they have unpurifi'd;
Where due Obedience is deni'd.

3

Oh! keep us Lord, from judging vain,
What, by thy Word, thou shalt command.
Let us nor censure, nor complain
On what we do not understand:
And guide thy Church, that she may still,
Command, according to thy Will.

4

With pious uniform consent,
Let us thy Praises ever sing;
And keep that seamlesse-Robe unrent,
For which Prophannesse, Lots would fling.
Preserve us, in thy Love and Fear,
From our pollutions, alwaies clear.

5

And, as thy blessed Mother, went,
(That holy and beloved Maid)
Thee, in thy Temple, to present,
With perfect humane-flesh arraid;
So, let us unto thee be brought
With heavenly Graces, fully fraught.

6

Yea, let thy Church our mother-Dear
(Within whose wombe, new borne we be)
Before thee, at her Time appear,
To give her Children, up to Thee:
And Lord! receive, as hallowed things
Her, and that Offring, which she brings.

287

Hymn XXXI. For the Time of Lent.

[_]

This Observation was first instituted, partly to commemorate our Saviours miraculous Fasting, whereby he satisfied for the Gluttony of our first Parents: partly to coole the Blood, which at this time of the yeare is subject to be inflamed to the endangering of our Health; but it was chiefly ordained to prepare us rightly to meditate the Passion of our Saviour, which is usually commemorated at the end of our Lent. The Abstinence from Flesh at this season, is onely a civill Ordinance for the better increase and preservation of the Creatures upon the land, for our temporall profit.

Sing this as the 10. Commandements.

[1]

Thy wondrous Fasting to record,
And our unruly Flesh to tame,
A Holy Fast, to thee, oh Lord!
We have intended in thy Name.
O sanctifie it so, we pray,
That Honour may redound to Thee;
And so dispose us, that it may
To our advantage, likewise be.

2

Let us not grudgingly abstain;
Nor secretly, the Gluttons play.

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Nor openly, for glory vain,
This usefull Discipline obey.
But, let us Fast, as thou hast taught,
Thy Rule, observing, in each part,
With such Intentions as we ought;
And with true singlenesse of Heart.

3

So, Thou shalt our Devotions blesse,
And make this Discipline to be
A means those Lustings to suppresse,
Which hinder us in serving Thee.
And, though our strictest Fastings faile,
To merit, of themselves, thy Grace;
Yet, they, to make for our availe,
By thy Deservings, may have place.

4

True Fastings, helpfull oft have bin,
The wanton Flesh to mortifie:
But, they take off no guilt of Sin;
Nor can we merit ought thereby.
It is thine abstinence oh CHRIST!
And thine alone, that merit must:
For, when our works are at the best,
We perish, if in them we trust.

Hymn XXXII. For the Anuntiation.

[_]

The Church dedicates this Day to commemorize the Anuntiation of the Blessed Virgin, who was

289

about this Time of the yeare saluted by the Angell Gabriel. Jt mindeth us to praise God for the unexpressible Mystery of our Saviours conception, which was the happy newes brought unto his Mother, by that Angell

Sing this as the 100. Psalme.

[1]

Ovr hearts, oh blessed God! incline
Thy true Affection to embrace,
And, that Humility divine,
Which for our sakes uouchsafed was.
Thy Goodnesse, teach us to put on
As with our Nature thou wert clad;
And, so to heed thy Favours done,
That, we may praise Thee, and be glad.

2

For, thou didst not alone depute
Thy holy Angell from above,
An humble Virgin, to salute
With an embassage of thy Love;
But thou these Glories laying by,
Which none hath pow'r to comprehend;
Didst also, then, most wondrously,
Into that Virgines wombe descend.

3

Vouchsafe thou, likewise, thy Respect,
To our despis'd, and low Degree;
And Lord! oh, do not us neglect,
Though worthy of contempt we be.
But, by thy Messengers prepare,
And, hallow so, our hearts, we pray,
That, thou may'st be conceived there;
And, that, Faith's fruits bring forth we may.

290

Hymn XXXIII. For Palme-Sunday.

[_]

Palme-Sunday is called so, because it commemorates the day, wherein Iesus Christ rode in Triumph to Jerusalem, his way being strewed with Garments, and Branches of the Palme-tree. Jt was indeed, the Day of proclaiming him King (though few considered it) as the Fryday following was the day of his Coronation, and worthily are these Mysteries remembred this Day.

Sing this as the Magnificat.

[1]

VVhen Christ unto Ierusalem,
To Suffer, meekly rode;
The Waies, and Streets, were then, for Him,
With Palme, and Robes bestrow'd.
And, though the Steed he did bestride,
Was but a silly Asse;
HOSANNA to the King, they cri'd,
As He along did passe.

2

His Glory, and his Royall-Right,
Through Povertie did shine:
And shew'd (in Earthly Pomps despight)
A Majesty Divine.
For, though his greatest Foes did frown,
He exercis'd his pow'r,

291

Till He himself did lay it down,
At his appointed how'r.

3

Possession of his House he got;
The Merchants, thence expel'd:
Yea, though the Priests did rage thereat,
He, there, his Lectures held.
And, they in Wit, or Faith, were dull,
Who doubted what He was;
When Deeds they saw so powerfull,
By Weaknesse, brought to passe.

4

Lord! when to us thou drawest nigh,
Thee, let us learn to know;
And, to receive Thee Joyfully,
Though mean, in outward show.
Yea, though the Rich, and worldly-wise,
When we thy praise do sing,
Both Vs, and Thee, therefore, despise.
Declare thy selfe our King.

Hymn XXXIIII. For Thursday before Easter.

[_]

On this Day, Christ instituted the Sacrament of his Last-Supper; washed his Disciples feet; prayed for them, and all the Faithfull; instructed, warned, exhorted, counselled and comforted them before his approaching Death, and Resurrection, &c. In commemoration of these, and other pertinent Circumstances preceding his Passion, we do yearly observe this Day.

292

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

A holy Sacrament, this day,
To us, thou didst, ô Lord! bequeath,
That, by the same, preserve we may
A due memoriall of thy Death:
And, that we might thereby, to Thee
Misteriously united be.

2

Thy holy-Supper being done.
Thou washedst thy Disciples feet;
Thereby, informing every one
What Lowlinesse for these is meet,
Who thy Disciples would be thought.
(Thy practise foll'wing, as they ought)

3

This Day, thou didst, moreover spend,
To Counsell, Comfort, and to Pray,
That, Satan might not gain his end,
While Death remooved Thee away.
Then, as by thee, it was foresaid;
That night, thy Servant, Thee betraid.

4

Yea, they, that night from Thee did fly,
Who promis'd constant to abide:
Ev'n He, who vow'd for Thee to dye,
With Oaths and Curses, thee deni'd.
To shew that we soon fall from grace,
If in our selves, our Trust we place.

5

Sweet Iesus! teach us to conceive,
What Grief thou felt'st, when thou didst hear,
Thy vowed Friend, his Faith to leave;
And, in thy presence, Thee forswear:

293

That, we our vowes, may better keep;
And, for our past-denyals weep.

6

Lord, ev'ry passage of this day,
Within our hearts ingrave thou so,
That, we thereby remember may,
Our duties faithfully to doe;
And let our Love, oh God! to Thee,
In Life, and Death, unchanged be.

Hymn XXXV. For Fryday before Easter.

[_]

This day we memorize the unsufferable Passion of Iesus Christ, who about this time of the yeare, and on this day of the weeke, was despightfully crucified by Pilat and the Jewes. Every day we ought to meditate the same. But this Day most Congregations meet in a publike Commemoration thereof, to provoke each other to compunction of heart; and to give an occasion to such as are heedlesse or ignorant thereof, to be better acquainted therewith.

Sing this as the 51. Psalme.

[1]

You that regardlesse, passe along,
And are unmindfull of this Day:
Give eare unto my dolefull Song,
And, heedfull be what now I say.
A Tragick Story, sing I shall,
Which nearly doth concern us all:

294

The like was never heard before;
Nor shall be told, for evermore.

2

The noblest Prince that er'e wore Crown,
Beyond all basenesse was abus'd:
The truest Friend, that er'e was known,
Worse then the cruelst Foe was us'd.
He, that offended not in ought,
(By Deed by Word, or by a Thought)
Tormented was, for all the Crimes,
Of Present, Past, or Future-Times.

3

They for whose Grief, he sadly wept,
Pursu'd his Life, who sought their Good.
To mischieve him, strict watch they kept;
And, thirsted for his precious blood.
Yet, he continued loving, still;
To them, repaying Good for Ill
Yea, Them, when he might have orethrown;
To save their lives, he gave his own.

4

They who most Friendship should have shown
With deep unkindnes, peirc'd his heart.
He made his dear affection known;
And they dispised his desart.
For him, they snares and Engines layd;
With showes of Love, they him betraid.
And, swords and staves (as to a Thief)
They brought to apprehend their Chief.

5

Him, they expose to all disgrace;
They buffet him, for Just replies;
They spit their Filth into his Face;
Against him Falshoods, they devise.

295

For being silent, him they blame.
For speaking Truth, they do the same.
They Jeer, they scorn, they him revile.
And, he sits quiet, all the while.

6

His Garments, then, from him, they strip'd
(So sad a sight, was never seen)
And, their true Prince, with Rods, they whipt,
As if a Bondslave he had been.
In purple they clothed him;
And for a princely Diadem,
They crown'd him, with a wreath of Thorn;
And, called Him, their King, in scorn.

7

To view him in so sad a plight,
In them, it could no pitty breed;
But, they rejoyced at the sight,
And, in their Malice, did proceed.
Away with him; away, they cride.
And, call'd to have him crucifide.
Yea, rather then they him would save,
Vnto a Murthrer, life they gave.

8

A weighty Crosse upon his back,
(Late rent with wounds they rudely laid:
Which he to bear did undertake,
Till him, that Burthen over-weigh'd
The Son of God , the life of Men,
Vnto that Crosse, they nayled then:
And in the view of all the Throng,
By his torn Hands, and Feet he hung.

9

Could I in words, his pain relate
As to my heart, the same appears;

296

Each hearer would be mov'd thereat,
To shed, at least a show'r of Teares.
For, when his torments were at height,
They still pursu'd him with despight,
And, still, what e're they Did or said,
To torture Him, for them he pray'd.

10

He was abus'd, or left of all.
Some, did his pious works deride:
To comfort him, some gave him gall:
Some stouted, when to God he cri'd.
Few seem'd so touched with his Grief,
As was one tender-hearted Thief;
And He, who to conclude his smart,
Did thrust a Jav'lin to his Heart.

11

Although his Love immortall were,
It was our Flesh that then he wore
Which could not endles torments bear:
Thereon, their Spight prevail'd therefore.
And, then the Lambe foretipifi'd
By that, which for yong Isaack di'd,
Gave up the Ghost, and so defray'd
Our debt, which we could nea'r have paid.

12

His Death (though much it mov'd not man)
Did make the Sun his Light restrain;
The fixed Earth to quake began;
The Temple-Vaile was rent in twain:
It caus'd the hardest Rocks to crack;
The Closets of the Dead it brake;
And of their Graves, they did arise,
And shew themselves to mortall eies.

297

13

Then, did his Foes begin to fear
Which Fear, in some Despaire begot;
Some were amaz'd; some hopefull were,
Some raged, and relented not.
His Friends, whose Faith this triall shook,
Renew'd lost Hopes; new courage took;
Yet feared more, then they beleev'd;
Till him revived, they perceiv'd.

14

Let all of us, who present be
With loving Hearts, this Prince embrace.
For by his Death, alive are we;
And by his Pains, we gained Grace.
In Him, whom Pilat crucifi'd,
All this was truly verifi'd;
In Him, therefore, so let us live,
That, Life-eternall he may give.

15

Our Sins did help (as on this Day)
With Whips, and Thorns to make him smart,
They help to take his life away.
Our want of Love, did wound his Heart.
And, though the Iewes despight we blame;
We were partakers in the same.
Oh! let us, now, partake no more
In their offence, as heretofore.

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Hymn XXXVI. For Easter-Day.

[_]

This Day is kept in memoriall of our Saviours blessed Resurrection, whereby the Church (as members with their Head) began a Joyfull Triumph over Sin, Death, and the Devill. And this Annuall Commemoration, was thought helpfull, both to stir up Thankfull rejoycings in those to whom this is knowne, and to be a means also to make some take knowledge of it, who are yet Strangers to these Mysteries.

Sing this as the 100. Psalme, without the Chorus.

This is the Day, the Lord, hath made,
And, therein, joyfull we will be:
For, from the black Infernall Shade,
In Triumph, back return'd is he.
The snares of Satan, and of Death,
He hath victoriously undone:
And his Opposers, forc'd he hath
His Triumphs to attend upon.

Cho.

This is the Day the Lord hath made:
Come; let us now, therein be glad.

The Grave, which all did once detest,
And thought, a Dungeon full of Fear;
Is now become the House of Rest,
And, no such Terrors harbor there.

299

For Christ our Lord, hath took away
The Horrors, of that lothsome Den
And, since his Resurrection-Day,
The Faithfull find no Fears therein.

Cho.

This is the Day, the Lord hath made:
Come; let us, now, therein be glad.

His bitter mocks, his painfull smart,
Hath Praise and Ease for us procur'd.
And, to our Joy, we may convert,
What, he with broken Heart endur'd.
His Body, now, is made a Food,
Our fainting Spirits to refresh:
And, we are by his precious Blood,
Refined both in Soul and Flesh.

Cho.

This is the Day, the Lord hath made:
Come; let us, now, therein be glad.

His Wounds that were both deep and wide,
To us, the Caves of Refuge are.
There, from Pursuers, we may hide,
And scape our Lifes destroyer there.
Now, know we, that (as was foretold)
His Flesh did no corruption see:
And, that, Hell wanted strength to hold
So strong, and blest a Prince as he.

Cho.

This is the Day, the Lord hath made:
Come; let us all, therein, be glad.

Oh! let us praise his Name, therefore,
Who this renowned Conquest won:
For, we had else forevermore,
Been everlastingly, undone.

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Whereas, emboldned now we grow,
Triumphantly, to say or sing,
Oh Hell! where is thy Conquest now?
And, where (oh Death! is now thy sting?

Cho.

This is the Day the Lord hath made,
Come, let us now, therein be glad.

Hymn XXXVII. For Ascention Day.

[_]

After our Saviour was risen from the Dead; and had many times shewed himselfe to his Disciples, he ascended visibly up into heaven in their presence. In memoriall of which Ascention; and, to praise God for so exalting the humane-Nature, we celebrate this Day.

Sing this as the 117. Psalme.

[1]

To God, with heart, and cheerfull voice,
A Triumph Song, we sing;
And, with true Thankfulnes rejoice
In our Almighty King.
We to his Glory will record
(Who are but dust and clay)
What Honour he did us afford,
On his Ascention-Day.

2

The humane-Nature, which of late,
Beneath his Angels was;

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He called up, from that estate,
Vnto a higher Place.
For, at Mans feet all Creatures bow:
To him, they subject be:
And, at God's right hand, throned now,
In Glorie, sitteth He.

3

Our Lord, and brother, who put on
Such Flesh as this we wear;
Before us, up to Heav'n is gone,
Our Places to prepare.
Captivitie, was captive then,
And, He doth from above,
Send Ghostly-Presents down to Men;
For Tokens of his Love.

4

Each Doore, and Everlasting-Gate,
To him, hath lifted bin;
And, in a glorious-wise, thereat,
Our King is entred in.
Whom, if to follow we regard;
With Love, and leave we may:
For, he hath all the means prepar'd;
And made an open way.

5

Then follow; follow on apace
Our Captain to attend;
In that supream and blessed Place,
Whereto he did ascend.
And, for his Honour, let our Voice
A shout, so heartie make;
That Heav'n may at our Joy rejoice,
And Hels foundation shake.

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Hymn XXXVIII. For Pentecost, or Whitsunday.

[_]

At the Jewes Pentecost, which was the fiftieth Day after their Pasche, and the Resurrection of Iesus Christ, the Holy-Ghost, our Comforter, was miraculously sent downe upon the Disciples, in a visible Forme; replenishing them with Spirituall Gifts, for the edification of his Church. We therefore observe this Day in remembrance of that Mysterie.

Sing this as the former.

[1]

We do acknowledge thee, oh Lord!
Vpright in all thy waies;
And, that the firmnes of thy Word,
Well merits endlesse praise.
For, as by Thee, it was made known,
Before thou hence didst goe,
Thou sentst thy Holy-Spirit down,
Thy Favours, to bestow.

2

While thy Disciples in thy name,
Together did retire;
The Holy-Ghost upon them came,
In cloven-Tongues of Fire.
That, in their Calling, they might be
Confirmed, from above,

303

As Thou wert, when he came on Thee
Descending like a Dove.

3

Whereby, they who unletter'd were,
And, fearfull, till that how'r,
Inspir'd with prudence, did appear,
And, fortifi'd with pow'r.
Yea, Gifts he gave, so manifold,
That, since Tim's Round begun;
A wonder never hath been told,
Which did exceed this one.

4

Oh, let this blessed Spirit, Lord!
To us thy servants, here,
A portion of that Grace afford,
Which doth in Thine appear.
To us, thy Dovelike meeknes lend,
That humble we may be;
And by thy pure white wings, ascend
Our Saviour CHRIST, to see.

5

Like Cloven-Tongues, vouchsafe we pray
So to Descend agen,
That, Saving-Grace we publish may;
And preach down Sin, in men.
Yea, let thy sanctifying-Fire,
Inflame us from above:
Burn up in us, all vain Desire;
And warme our hearts with Love.

6

Be pleased, likewise, to bestow
On us, thy sacred Peace;
That, Vnitie may stronger grow,
And our Debates decrease.

304

Which Peace, if any do contemn,
Reformed let them be;
That, we may, Lord, have part in Them,
And We, and They, in Thee.

Hymn XXXIX. For Trinitie-Sunday.

[_]

After the Arrian Heresie had troubled many with doubts concerning the Mysterie of the Blessed Trinitie. It seemed convenient to some Churches, that one Day should yearly be set apart, both to commemorate, and instruct us concerning this Mysterie. To which end, we observe the Sunday next after Whitsunday, and others, the Sunday next before the Advent.

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

They, ô thrice Holy, Three in One!
Who seek thy nature to explain,
By Means to Humane Reason known;
Shall find their Labour spent in vain.
And, that they might contain, as well,
The British Ocean in a shell.

2

More, therefore, then we may conceive,
We will not curious be to know:
But rather, when thou bid'st us to believe,
Obey, and let uain Reas'ning goe.

305

For, far more sure, Faith's Objects be;
Then those, which Reasons eies do see.

3

Yet, as by looking on the Sun,
(Though to his Essence, we are blinde)
And by the Course, we see him run,
We may of him, true Notions find.
So; what thy Brightnes doth conceal,
Thy Word, and Works (in part) reveal.

4

Most Glorious-Essence, we confesse
In Thee (whom by Faith's eies we view)
Three Persons, neither moe, nor lesse,
Whose Workings, them, distinctly shew:
And, sure we are those Persons Three,
One God (and but one God-head be)

5

The Sun, a Motion hath, we know,
That Motion shews to us his Light.
The Heate proceedeth from those two.
Each, works his proper Works aright.
The Motion drawes out Time, a Line;
The Heat doth warm; The Light doth shine.

6

But though this Motion, Light, and Heat,
Distinctly, by themselves we take,
Each in the other hath his seat;
And, but one Svn, these Three do make.
For, whatsoe're the One will do,
It worketh by the other Two.

7

So, in the God-head, there is knit
A wondrous Threefold-Truelove knot;
And perfect Vnion fastens it,
Though Flesh and Blood conceive it not;

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And what is by One Person done,
Is wrought by all the Three-in-One.

8

Their Works they joyntly do pursue,
Though they their Offices divide;
And though, as things distinctly due,
Some Attributes may be appli'd.
For, One in Substance, they are still;
In Vertue, One, and one in Will.

9

Eternall all these Persons be;
And, yet, Eternall, there's but One.
So likewise, Infinite all Three;
Yet, Infinite, but One, alone.
And, neither, any thing doth misse,
Which of the God-heads ESSENCE is.
In Vnitie, and Trinitie,
Thus (oh CREATOR) we adore
Thine ever-praised DEITIE;
And, Thee confesse, for evermore,
One FATHER, one Begotten SON;
One HOLY-GHOST, in God-head one

Hymn XL. For All-Saints-Day.

[_]

This Day we commemorate the Mystery of the Communion of SAINTS, which shall be made perfect, when the holy Trinitie, The Angels and all the HOLIES and blessed Elect of God shall be incorporated into a joyfull, and unspeakable,

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and inseparable Vnion, in the Kingdome of Heaven, which the Almightie hasten. Amen.

Sing this as the former.

[1]

No Blisse can so contenting prove,
As universall-Love, to gaine,
If we, with Full-requiting-Love,
Could such Affection entertain.
But, such a Love, the Heart of Man,
Nor comprehend, nor merit can.

2

For, though to all we might be dear,
(Which, cannot in this Life, befall)
We discontented should appear,
Because, we had not Heart for all;
That we might all men Love, as we
Beloved, would of all men be.

3

For, Love in Loving, Joyes as much,
As, Love for Loving to obtain.
The perfect Love, is alway such,
And cannot part it Self in twain;
Or Love receive; but where it may
With Truest Love, True-Love repay.

4

Love cannot in it self be two.
The Object of True Love, therefore,
An Vnite is, which cannot grow
To be in ESSENCE, two, or more.
In Rivals-Loves, no Love is known.
And Love-divided, loveth none.

5

By Love in Fraction, vext are we
Whil'st here on earth we do remain;

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And if in Heav'n such Love could be,
Sure Heav'n would be a place of pain,
And, Saints, perhaps, would jealous prove,
Of Gods, or of each others Love.

6

But, He whose wisdome hath contriv'd,
His Glorie with our full content
Hath from himself a means deriv'd,
Our Loves distractions to prevent.
One Body of all Saints he makes;
And, for his Bride, that One, he takes.

7

So, ev'ry member doth obtain
Full Love from all, returning too,
Full to All, of them again,
As members of one Body do;
None Jealous; but, all striving how
Most Love to others to allow.

8

For, as the Soul is All in All,
(And, All through ev'ry member too)
Love, in that Body-Mysticall;
Is as the Soul, and fits it so:
Vniting them to God, as near,
As to each other, they are dear.

9

The Love they want to entertain
Such overflowing Love as his,
He adds; which they return again
To make up Love which perfect is.
That, he may his own Love imploy,
And, both find perfect Love and Joy.

10

The seed of this Content was sown,
When GOD, the spatious world did frame;

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And, ever since, that seed hath grown,
To be an Honour to his Name.
And, when the SAINTS are sealed all,
This hidden Truth unseal he shall.

11

Meanwhile, as when Woods, Hils and Seas,
In Landskip shadow'd forth, we shew,
And, therewithall our Fancies please,
Though we their substance do not view:
So, Contemplations-Map may shew,
Dim sights, of that which we shall know.

12

And, though our Hearts too shallow be,
That blest Communion to conceive,
Whereof, in Heav'n we shall be free,
Let us, on Earth together cleave;
Since none shall tast that Blessing, there,
But, they who live in Vnion here.

13

There, all those Angels we admir'd,
With ev'ry Saint, since Time begun,
(Whose Love, and Sight, we have desir'd)
Shall joyned be with us, in One;
And We, and They, and they, and We,
To GOD himself espouz'd shall be.

14

Oh! therefore, let us watch and pray,
With Lamps, and Oyle, still so prepar'd,
That, on the LAMBS great Marriage-day,
We be not from this Wedding barr'd;
But, find a free Admittance there,
Where GOD, and all his HOLIES are.

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Hymn XLI. For St. Andrewes-Day.

[_]

This Day we praise God for the Benefit which his Church obtained by the Calling, and Ministry of his Apostle Andrew; and we are hereby remembred, so to observe his Readinesse to follow and preach Christ, that we may be stirred up to imitate the same.

Sing this as the 10. Commandements.

[1]

Whil'st Andrew, as a Fisher sought
From pinching want, his Life to free;
CHRIST call'd him, that he might be taught,
A Fisher-man of men, to be.
And no delay therein, he made;
Nor questioned his Lords intent;
But, quite forsaking all he had,
With him that called, gladly went.

2

Would God, we were prepared so,
To follow Christ, when he doth call;
And, could as readily forgoe
Those Nets, which we are snar'd withall.
Yea, would this Fisherman of men,
Might us by his example move,
To leave the World, as he did then;
And by our Works, our Faith approve.

311

3

But, Precepts and Examples fail,
Till thou, oh Lord! thy Grace inspir'st:
Vouchsafe it, and we shall prevaile,
In whatsoever thou requir'st.
Yea, we shall then that Good perceive,
Which in thy Service, we may find;
And, for thy sake, be glad to leave
Our Nets, and all our Trash behind.

Hymn XLII. For St. Thomas his Day.

[_]

We set apart this day, to praise God, for the Ministrie of his Apostle St. Thomas; and that occasion may be thereby given to strengthen our Faith, by an Annuall commemoration of that part of the Evangelicall Story, which mentioneth aswell this Apostles doubtings, as the confirmation of his faith, by a sensible demonstration of Christs Resurrection.

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

When Christ from Death, to life did rise,
And Thomas heard that wonder told;
He said he would not trust his Eies,
Though Him, they living, should behold;
Till with his Fingers, he had tri'd,
His pierced hands, and wounded side.

312

2

His gracious Master did permit
The Proof, his Frailtie sought to take;
That, others might assurance get,
Of that, whereof he doubts did make.
And we more strength by him have got,
Then by their Faith who doubted not.

3

Oh! blessed GOD, how wise thou art!
And, how confoundest thou thy Foes!
Who their Temptations do'st convert
To work that End, which they oppose.
When Satan seeks our Faith to shake,
The former, he the same doth make.

4

Still when to Sins he tempteth us,
To his Confusion, let it be;
To our Advantage, turn it thus;
And, let it bring us home to Thee.
Yet, let us hate and shun all Sin,
As if, our mischief, it had bin.

Hymn XLIII. For St. Stephens-Day.

[_]

Stephen was one of the seven Deacons mentioned Act. 6. and the first Martyr of Iesus Christ. Hee powerfully maintained the Gospell by dispute, and sealed the Truth with his Blood: For which GOD is gloryed by this Dayes observation, and others by his exemplarie Constancie remembred

313

Sing this as the former.

[1]

Lord! with what Zeal, did Stephen breath
Thy Truth to such as him withstood?
How stoutly did he meet his Death,
To Seal thy Gospel, with his blood?
This Constancie, thy Grace hath Crown'd;
And, by so Dying; Life he found.

2

Much Love, did in that Saint appear,
When for his Murtherers, he su'd:
And, Faith had made his Eye-sight clear,
When thee, inthron'd in heav'n, he view'd.
In Torments, he true Patience kept;
And, di'd, as if he had but slept.

3

With his hot Zeal, our Hearts inflame;
So kinde, so constant, let us be:
In life, so let us Praise thy Name,
In Death, so let us looke on Thee:
And, when our Sleep, in Death we take,
With Him, to Life, let us awake.

Hymn XLIIII. For S. John the Evangelist his Day.

[_]

We solemnize this Day to praise God for his blessed Evangelist, and beloved Disciple John, who was one of the most powerfull Instruments of the Churches illumination, and Consolation. For, by Him, the Divinitie of Christ, and the

314

most comfortable mysteries of our Redemption, are most evidently witnessed.

Sing this as the 10. Commandments.

[1]

By his Examples, teach us Lord,
For whom we honour Thee this Day.
His Witnesse, of th'Incarnate-Word,
Continue in thy Church, for aye.
As he, likewise, beloved was,
And, therefore leaned on thy brest;
So, let us, Lord, enjoy thy Grace;
And, on thy sacred Bosome, rest.

2

Breathe into us, that Life-divine,
Whose Testimonie, he intends;
About us, cause thy Light to shine;
That Light, which no man comprehends.
And, let that ever-blessed-word,
Which, all things did create, of nought,
Anew, create us, now, oh Lord!
Who are by Sin, to ruine brought.

3

Our sins, we heartily confesse,
Thy pardon, therefore, let us have.
Thy Saving-faith we do professe;
Vs, to thy Fellowship, receive.
And, as to us, thy Servant gives
The means to know and honour Thee;
So, let oh Lord! our words and lives,
Both Lights, and Guides, to others, be.

315

Hymn XLV. For Innocents Day.

[_]

In honour of the Almightie-Providence, this Day is observed by our Church, who upon this Day memorizeth our Saviours preservation from Herods crueltie, when he slew the Innocent Children in Bethlehem, and the parts adjoyning. And we are thereby put in minde, how vainly, the Devill, and his members, rage against God, and his Decrees.

Sing this as the former.

[1]

That Rage, (as David fore declar'd)
Which did the Gentiles Fury shew;
By Herod then fulfilled was
When blamelesse Innocents he slew.
And, madly they pursude in vain,
What they had cursedly contriv'd;
For, He whom Herod would have slain;
Him, and his Malice, overliv'd.

2

Still, thus, vouchsafe thou to restrain,
All Tirants, Lord, pursuing Thee.
Let ill conceptions, thus, be slain,
That, Thou in us, preserv'd mayst be.
So, whilst we shall enjoy our breath,
We of thy Grace, our Songs will frame;
And, as those Infants, by our Death
We hope to glorifie thy Name.

316

3

Those many suffred Death, for One;
That One, for them, and others dide.
And, what they felt in Act, alone;
He, did in Will, and Act, abide.
Lord, grant that what thou hast decreed,
In Will, and Act, we may fulfill:
And, though we reach not to the Deed,
From us, oh God, accept the Will.

Hymn XLVI. For the Conversion of Saint Paul.

[_]

Paul, having been a cruell Persecutor, was extraordinarily called, to be an Apostle to Preach the Faith which he had persecuted; and of a Wolfe became a Pastor; and the most laborious in the Vineyard of Christ: which Mercy of God, is here commemorated to his praise, and for our comfort.

This Matchlesse Jem, that we may buy
Let us with gladnesse, Cost bestow,
Our vain Self love, let us deny,
And, let the Worlds False-honours go.
Although from Heav'n an Angel come
To preach another Gospel, here,
Let us not entertain the same
Nor lend thereto a willing eare.

3

Lord, we are now affected thus;
But, in performance, we are fraile;
Too craftie is our Foe for us,
And (if thou help not) may prevaile.
Enable us, therefore, to Judge, and know,
(When we new-Doctrines do receive)
If they agreeing be, or no,
To what a Christian should beleeve.

320

Hymn XLIX. For Saint Philip and Jacobs Day.

[_]

The Church upon this Day taketh Occasion to offer to our Consideration, some of those Mysteries of Saving Faith, which were delivered unto her by the Ministry of the Apostles Philip, and Jacob, that we might the better beare in minde their Counsels, and be thankfull unto God for them.

Because the World might not pretend,
It knew not of thy Coming-day;
Thou didst, oh Christ, before Thee send
A Cryer, to prepare thy Way.
Thy Kingdome was the News, he brought
Repentance, was the Way, he taught.

2

And that his Voice might not alone,
Informe us what we should beleeve;
His Life declar'd what must be done,
By those who shall thy Faith receive.
His Doctrine, therefore, let us heed,
And in his holy path proceed.

3

Let us not haunt vain-pleasures Courts,
With fruitlesse toyes, to feed the minde;
Nor moved be with false Reports,
Like Reeds, that shake with ev'ry winde.
And, let our lives (though lesse austere)
At least, be sober, and sincere.

4

Clad in Repentant-cloth of hair,
Let us, (oh Christ) to seek out Thee,
To those forsaken-walks repair,
Which, by thy Saints affected be:
And, that our lives we may amend,
With true Repentance, us befriend.

5

Instruct us how to feed upon
The Honey, of thy Word-divine;

324

The Dainties of the Flesh to shun;
Her Cups of Soul-bewitching-wine;
And, on our Loines, let us have care
The Belt of Temperance to wear.

6

So, thy Fore-Runner, Times last day,
By his example, shall prepare
Within Mans heart, both Place and Way,
To give thee entertainment, there;
And, thou to us, and We to Thee,
Shall, (when thou comest) welcome be.

Hymn LII. For Saint Peters Day.

[_]

We observe this day, to honour God, in the pious Memoriall of his blessed Apostle Saint Peter, and that it might remember us not to presume on our own strength, by considering his failing, and falling from his over peremptorie Asseveration. We may learn also by his example, to bewaile our escapes, with teares of penitence.

Sing this as the 1. Psalme.

[1]

How watchfull ought, we to become!
How zealously to pray!
That, Thee, oh Lord, we fall not from
Vpon our Triall-day!
For, if thy great Apostle said,
He would not Thee deny,

325

Yet, Thee, that very night denaid,
On what should we relie?

2

Of our owne selves, we cannot leave
Our pleasures, for thy sake;
No, nor one vertuous Thought conceive
Till, us thou able make.
For, we not only Thee deny,
When Troubles do increase;
But, oft from Thee, we likewise fly,
When pleasures we possesse.

3

Oh! let those Prayers us availe,
Which were for Peter daign'd;
That, when the Foe shall us assaile,
His purpose be not gain'd.
Yea, fixe on us those pow'rfull Eies,
Which mov'd him to lament;
That, we with Teares, and bitter Cries,
Our Follies may repent.

4

And, grant that all, who him succeed
(To oversee thy Folds)
Thy Sheep and Lambs, may guide and feed,
As they of duty should:
No Doctrine teaching, saving, what
Truth warrants them to preach;
And in their Lives, confirming that
Which they are bound to teach.

326

Hymn LIII. For St. Iames his Day.

[_]

This Day we glorifie God for his Apostle James, who was one of the two, for whom their Mother desired that they might sit, the one at his right hand, and the other at his left hand in his Kingdome: And by occasion of that Petition, they and others are taught what they should rather desire to obtain.

Sing this as the 10. Commandements.

[1]

They who their Father had forsook,
And follow'd Christ at his command,
(By humane frailtie overtook)
Did for preferment, seeme to stand.
But, by their Master they were taught,
What fitteth an Apostles care;
What should by them, be rather sought;
And, what their chiefest honours are.

2

By them, we see much Folly grows,
Where Virtues their best rooting take;
And that the man which Wealth forgoes,
May not Ambition quite forsake.
And fear we may, that Sin resides
In many Persons at this day,
Who chosen are for Lights, and Guids,
To shew to other men their way.

327

3

To Thee, therefore, oh Lord, we pray,
That, humblenesse, in us may dwell,
To charm that Fiend of Pride away,
Which would thy Graces, quite expell.
Vouchsafe thou, chiefly, those to keep
From this Delusion of the Foe,
Who are the Pastors of thy Sheep,
And should each good Example show.

4

For, they who still pursuing be
That Greatnesse, which the World respects,
Their vanitie do neither see,
Nor feel thy Spirits good effects.
By them, prophanenesse doth increase;
By them, Disunion, is begun,
By them, the Church is robb'd of Peace;
By them, the World will be undone.

5

He therefore, that will stop the Rent,
Which his Ambitious aymes hath made,
(Like this Apostle) must repent
The vain Desires, which he hath had.
For, he which to performe that Place,
With Lowlinesse, himselfe applies,
Endow'd is, with speciall-grace,
And, shall to highest Honours rise.

328

Hymn LIIII. For St. Bartholomews day.

[_]

This Day is consecrated to the honour of God, in the pious memory of his Apostle St. Bartholomew: and, that (as appeares by a portion of Scripture appointed to be read this day, we might take occasion to praise our Redeemer for the many wonders wrought by his Apostles, to the edification of his Church; and to the confusion of her Foes.

Sing this as the Lords Prayer.

[1]

Exceeding gracious favours, Lord,
To thy Apostles have bin shown;
And, many wonders, by their word,
And, in thy Name, by them were done.
The Blind could see; the Dumbe could talk;
The Deaf did hear; the Lame did walk.

2

They all Diseases took away;
The Dead, to life, they did restore;
Foul spirits, dispossessed they;
And, preach'd thy Gospel to the poore.
Whereby the Truth, still stronger grew,
And, her Opposers overthrew.

3

Oh! let their works for ever be
An honour to thy Glorious Name;

329

And by thy pow'r, vouchsafe that we
(Whom Sin makes deaf, blind, dumb, and lame,
May hear thy Word, and see thy Light;
And speak thy Truth, and walk upright.

4

Each mortall Sicknes of the Soul,
Let thy Apostles Doctrines cure;
Let it expell that spirit-foul,
Which makes us lothsome and impure:
That, we who dead in sin have lain,
The life of saving-Faith may gain.

Hymn LV. For St. Mathews-Day.

[_]

St. Mathew was from the Office of a Custome-gatherer (which was odious to the Jewes) called to be an Apostle; and became one of the Evangelists. This day, therefore, is made observable, and set apart that God might be therein praised for the favour vouchsafed to the whole Church by his ministry.

Sing this as the former.

[1]

Let no uncomely Censures passe
Vpon those Callings men professe.
A Publican, St. Mathew was,
Yet, Gods elected nev'rthelesse.
And was unto the Church of Christ,
Apostle, and Evangelist.

330

2

For, GOD (who not a whit respects
Profession, Person, or Degree)
The Saints in partially elects,
From ev'ry Sort of men that be;
That, all might unto him repaire,
And, no more of his Love despaire.

3

For those men, therefore, let us pray,
Who seem uncalled, to remain;
Not judging them quite cast away,
Gods Favour never to obtain;
Since, he by them perhaps doth prove,
Our patience, and our Christian Love.

4

And, for our selves, let us desire
That, Avarice we then may shun,
When God that service doth require,
Whereby his heav'nlie will is done.
And let the remnant of our daies,
Be spent in setting forth his praise.

Hymn LVI. For the Day of St Michael, and all Angels.

[_]

This Day we glorifie God for the ministration of his holy Angels, and for the assistance and protection, which he by them vouchsafeth us against the secret assaults and temptations of our spirituall Adversaries. St. Michael, is by St. Jude termed an Arch-Angell; by Daniel, he is called, Chiefe of the Princes; and some doe thinke that this Angel is Christ.

331

Sing this as the 100. Psalme.

[1]

To praise, oh God! and honour Thee
For all thy glorious Triumphs won,
Assembled here this day are we;
And, to declare thy Favours done.
Thou took'st that great Arch-Angels part,
With whom in Heav'n the Dragon fought;
And that good Armies, Captain wer't,
Which cast-him, and his Angels out.

2

We gain'd thereby the firmer peace;
Lesse are our dangers; lesse, our Fears;
And, to thy, Glories great increase,
Thy Kingdomes pow'r the more appears.
Yea, now his malice and despight,
Who in thy presence, heretofore,
Accused us both day and night,
Shall terrifie our Souls no more.

3

In honour of thy Blessed Name,
This Hymn of Thanks, therefore we sing;
And, to thine everlasting Fame
Of praise, Heav'ns arched Sphear shall ring.
With praise, for thy Essentiall-might,
With praise, for all those Angels too,
Who thy victorious Battels fight,
And, here on Earth, thine Errands do.

4

For, many of that glorious Troop
(To bring us messages from thee)
Have pleased bin, from Heav'n to stoop;
And, cloth'd with humane shape to be.

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Yea, we believe they watch and ward,
About our Persons, evermore,
From evill-Spirits, us to guard:
And, we return Thee Thanks, therefore.

Hymn LVII. For St. Lukes Day.

[_]

This Day we celebrate Gods praise for the great priviledges vouchsafed to his Church by the blessed Evangelist Lvke, a Physitian both for Body and Soule, and the first and best Ecclesiasticall Historiographer. Hee was a constant companion of St. Paul, and an example of Christian perseverance to all posteritie.

Sing this as the former.

[1]

If those Physitians honor'd be,
Who corporall diseases heal;
Sure, worthy double praise is he
Who seeks both Soul and Bodies weal.
Both waies this Blessed Saint excel'd,
Both waies, in life he was approv'd;
And, by his Gospel hath reveal'd
What many Soul-bred pains remov'd.

2

To do him honour, this, beside,
A blessed witnes, hath declar'd,
That firme in Faith he did abide,
When others from the Truth were scar'd.

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There of the Glorie, Lord, be thine;
For, him thy Grace enabled thus:
And he received those Gifts divine,
To benefit himself and us.

3

By his example, therefore, Lord,
Vphold us, that we fall not from
The true profession of thy Word,
Nor by the World, be overcome.
And, grant, his holy Gospel may
Yeeld cordiall comforts to the Soul,
To drive those maladies away,
Which make it faithles, faint, and foul.

Hymn LVIII. For St. Simon and Judes day.

[_]

This day, we honour God for his two Apostles, Simon called Zelotes, and Jude the brother of James, as is manifested by a portion of Scripture, appointed to be read on this day, and by which we are put in minde that we continue in brotherly Love, and in that estate of Grace to which we are called.

Sing this as the 23. Psalme.

[1]

No outward mark have we to know
Who, thine, oh Christ, shall be,
Vntill our Christian Love doth show,
What Soul pertains to Thee.
For, some, a Faith can counterfeit,
And, likely Virtues fain;

334

But, till true Charitie they get,
Their Faith, and Works are vain.

2

Love is that Sum of those Commands,
Which Thou, to Thine didst leave:
And, for a mark, on them it stands
Which never can deceive.
For, when our Knowledge, foolish turnes;
When Showes, no shew retain;
VVhen fiery-zeal to nothing burnes,
Then Love shall firme remain.

3

By this, were thy Disciples knit,
And, joyned so in One;
Their True-Love-knot, could never, yet,
Be broken or undone.
Oh! let us Lord inserted be
Into that sacred Knot;
And, be so knit, to them and Thee,
That Sin undoe us not.

4

Yea, lest when we thy grace possesse,
VVe therefrom fall away,
(Or turn it into wantonnesse)
Assist thou us, we pray.
And, that we may the better find,
VVhat heed is to be learn'd,
Let us the Fall of Angels mind,
As holy Jude hath warn'd.

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Hymn LIX. For troublesome, and dangerous Times.

[_]

No Kingdome is alwaies free from troublesome and dangerous Times. Therefore Hymns of consolation; and such as may move to penitence, or preserve the minde patiently contented with GODS Visitations in that kind, are necessary for uncomfortable Seasons, and will no doubt, be both liked, and used by some.

Sing this as, VVE praise thee oh God .

[1]

Now are the Times; These are the Daies,
VVhich will those men approve,
VVho take delight in honest-Waies,
And pious-Courses love.
Now, to the VVorld, it will appear,
That Innocence of heart,
VVill keep us far more free from fear,
Then Helmet, Shield, or Dart.

2

A cunning Polititians Brain,
A wealthy Merchants-purse,
A Princely Style, a Portly Train;
(Though with a publike Curse)
(In Grace to be with Lords and Kings,
And, of their Slaves admir'd)
A while agoe, seem'd glorious Things;
And, most to be desir'd.

336

3

But fully Ripe now Sins are come,
And bring those Plagues-foretold;
Which make the Times grow perilsome,
Good-Conscience passeth Gold.
And, they the bravest Lots possesse,
Which may on earth be had,
Who by an Inward-Happines
Are safe, and fearles made.

4

As Lions they couragious are,
Now mischiefs most increase.
And, though still dreadfull newes they hear,
Their Courage doth increase.
For, now, they see be drawing nigh,
And, hast'ning to requite,
Their Insolence, and Tiranny,
Who did in wrongs delight.

5

And why should Innocencie grieve,
That, liv'd it hath to see
Fulfilled; what it did believe,
And could foretell, should be?
Yea, why should it be discontent,
That, GOD hath verifi'd
His threat'nings, by a sad event,
On those who Truth decide?

6

What can it lose, now broiles increase?
Or Fear, in Times of blood?
Which was opprest in Times of Peace;
And Ill receiv'd for Good?
Since none doth grudge to see his Field,
Stubd up, and set on fire;

337

That usefull Fruits, the soile may yeeld,
In stead of Bush and Bri'r.

7

The best which could have hoped bin,
By long abused Rest;
Was that our Follies, and our Sin,
Should more have bin increast.
For, though some have bewail'd the Time,
And Reformation sought;
But, few do sorrow for their crimes,
Or, mend themselves in ought.

8

Yea, few had either fear or sense,
Of Justice, in their waies;
Or favour'd much, that Innocence
Which giveth peacefull daies.
We, therefore are afflicted thus;
And God, hath powred now,
A Violl of his wrath on us,
That we might wiser grow.

9

Like those Egyptians if we be,
Whose hearts obdurate grow,
All his old plagues, in store hath he,
Our Follies to pursue;
But by returning unto him,
We, yet may scape the smart,
That without Mercy, fals on them,
Which have a hard'ned heart.

10

Lord, this effect, vouchsafe to grant
In these our Troublous Times.
Let our lost Peace, which now we want,
Reclaim us from our Crimes.

338

So whether we shall die or live,
Till better Daies we see;
This Troublous Time we shall perceive,
A Time of Grace to be.

11

For Pestilences, Deaths, and War,
To them, who shall repent.
Not Evill, but Good-Angels are,
For their amendment sent:
And Righteous men, sometime, by these,
In Love, are taken from
Those worse, and those more dreadfull daies;
Which must on others come.

12

Prepare, and fit me, LORD, therefore,
With meek, and humble mind,
To meet thy Judgements at the dore;
And, take the Lot I find.
And, if I shall be one of those,
Who for example sake,
Must suffer by these publike-woes,
On me thy pleasure take.

13

But, LORD, remember Mercy still,
(Thy Sword, through Justice drawes)
Yea, though to bring this publike Ill,
My Sins, in part, were cause;
Remember too, that I am one
(A Sinner, though it be)
Who grieves, for what I have misdone,
And put my trust in Thee.

339

Hymn LX. Another for the like Times.

[_]

The Faithfull are by this Hymn put in mind of that securitie which may be obtained, by depending on God, in Times of publike Calamitie, and remembred also thereby to strengthen their Faith by earnestly seeking Gods assistance, and protection, in such Times of Perill and Feare.

Sing this as the 25. Psalme.

[1]

Inform'd we are, oh LORD!
That they who trust in Thee,
And, can depend upon thy Word,
Shall free from danger be.
To those, thou shalt become
A strong defensive Tow'r,
To save when Times are perilsome,
From him that would devour.

2

The Shaft which kils by day,
On them shall not alight;
The Plague which doth at midnight slay,
Shall do them no despight.
How e're the Planets move;
What ever their Aspects
May seem to threaten from above,
They shall have good Effects.

340

3

Their Feet unharm'd shall tread,
The Viper, Worme, and Aspe:
With Angry Lyons, without dread
Or danger, they shall graspe:
From Foes, they shall be safe;
Though great their Haters be,
And at their Furie, they shall laugh
Though them enrag'd they see.

4

When Death on ev'ry side,
Ten thousands takes away,
They shall, by Faith be fortifide;
And, live without dismay.
Yea, full they shall be fed
When hungry Times appear:
And, shall of nothing, stand in dread,
When they Sad-Rumors hear.

5

Lord, thus, thou dost befriend
(When Times of Trouble be)
Thy Faithfull Servants, who depend
Vnfainedly on Thee.
On me, Lord, this high grace,
Vouchsafe thou to bestow:
For at this Time, and in this Place,
Are Fears, and Perils now.

6

Let not my many Crimes,
Which have assistance brought
To bring thy Judgements on these times,
Now bring my Hopes to naught.
But, let me so repent,
My Courses lewd and vain,

341

That in this publick punishment,
I, private Grace may gain.

7

So constant, make my heart;
(What ever Newes I hear)
That, from no duties I depart,
By an unmanly Fear:
Nor by a carnall doubt,
Those Christian-Hopes forgoe,
Whose Losse, may tire my Patience out;
Or, Saving-Faith o'rethrow.

8

But, LORD, let me remain
To thee, so reconcil'd,
That Sobernes I may refrain,
Though all the World grow wild.
Be thou my blessed Lot,
VVhen Outrage doth increase;
And, to their Furie leave me not,
That are the Foes of Peace.

9

Preserve this Hopelesse Place,
And our disturbed State,
From those that have more wit, then grace,
And prudent Counsels hate:
Yea, let the Plagues they cause
On those alone descend,
Whom neither Grace, nor Vengeance, drawes
Their manners to amend.

10

If any Sprouts of mine,
Shall these Ill-Times out-grow,
To keep them, LORD, for ever thine
The life of Grace bestow.

342

And, rather let them die
In want, and with disgrace,
Then live on earth to multiplie
A wicked princely Race.

11

Yea, whatsoever care,
Or Troubles we are in,
Preserve in us a Conscience clear
From ev'ry wilfull Sin.
And, in thy Faith and Love,
So firme, let us abide;
That, by these Troubles we may prove,
Like Silver seven times tride.

12

If this I shall obtain,
As, I believe I shall;
Though Fire and Brimstone down it rain,
It should not me appall.
For, when each earthly Thing,
Burnes round me in a flame.
I HALELVJAH hope to sing,
In honour of thy Name.

Finis secundæ partis.