Hymn XLV. For Innocents Day.
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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.
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.
