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
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:
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,
