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 |
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 | 3. | The third Part, containing Hymns Personall. |
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| II. |
| III. |
| IIII. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIIII. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIIII. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIIII. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIIII. |
| XLV. |
| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
| L. |
| LI. |
| LII. |
| LIII. |
| LIIII. |
| LV. |
| LVI. |
| LVII. |
| LVIII. |
| LIX. |
| LX. |
| LXI. |
| LXII. |
 | Halelviah |  |
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3. The third Part, containing Hymns Personall.
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Hymn I. For a Britan.
[_]
We that are Britans enjoy many peculiar Priviledges; and have obtained sundry Blessings and Deliverances famously observable. We are therefore obliged to a speciall Thankfulnesse, not only as we are Christian-men, but as we are Britans also. And this Hymn intends the furtherance of that duty.
Halelvjah, now I sing.
For, my Heart invites my Tongue,
To extoll my God-my-King,
In that blessed Angel-Song.
And, as I enabled am,
I will sacrifice to GOD,
Thanks, in this whole Ilands name,
In a Joyfull-praisefull Ode,
You that Loyall Britans be,
Halelujah sing with me.
For, my Heart invites my Tongue,
To extoll my God-my-King,
In that blessed Angel-Song.
And, as I enabled am,
I will sacrifice to GOD,
Thanks, in this whole Ilands name,
In a Joyfull-praisefull Ode,
You that Loyall Britans be,
Halelujah sing with me.
Cho.
Halelujah, sing with me,
You that Loyall Britans be.
You that Loyall Britans be.
On her Coasts, our Maker smiles,
And, vouchsafed her the Rule
Over all the Floods, and Iles,
From the Midland-Streights to Thule.
Plenty doth her Vallies fill;
Health is in her Clymates found;
Pleasure plaies in ev'ry hill,
And these Blessings, Peace hath crown'd.
Halelujah therefore sing
Till the Shores with Eccho's ring.
And, vouchsafed her the Rule
Over all the Floods, and Iles,
From the Midland-Streights to Thule.
Plenty doth her Vallies fill;
Health is in her Clymates found;
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And these Blessings, Peace hath crown'd.
Halelujah therefore sing
Till the Shores with Eccho's ring.
Cho.
Till the Shores with Ecchoes ring,
Halelujah, therefore, sing.
Halelujah, therefore, sing.
VVhen that blessed Light arose,
VVhich dispelled Death's black Shade,
She, was of the first of Those,
VVho, thereof, was Partner made.
And, although she seem a Place,
To the Frozen Zone confin'd;
Yet, the longest Day of Grace,
In Her happy Coasts hath shin'd.
Sing, let us, to God, therefore,
Halelujah, evermore.
VVhich dispelled Death's black Shade,
She, was of the first of Those,
VVho, thereof, was Partner made.
And, although she seem a Place,
To the Frozen Zone confin'd;
Yet, the longest Day of Grace,
In Her happy Coasts hath shin'd.
Sing, let us, to God, therefore,
Halelujah, evermore.
Cho.
Halelujah, evermore,
Sing let us, to God , therefore.
Sing let us, to God , therefore.
That no Forraign Foe may ceaze,
Her Dear Children, evermore,
Ditch'd and wall'd with Rocks and Seas,
Her beloved Borders are.
God Almightie so provides,
That, likewise, to guard her Lands,
She hath Clouds, and VVind, and Tides,
Calmes, and Stormes, and Shelves, and Sands.
Now therefore, my Song shall be,
Halelujah, LORD, to thee.
Her Dear Children, evermore,
Ditch'd and wall'd with Rocks and Seas,
Her beloved Borders are.
God Almightie so provides,
That, likewise, to guard her Lands,
She hath Clouds, and VVind, and Tides,
Calmes, and Stormes, and Shelves, and Sands.
Now therefore, my Song shall be,
Halelujah, LORD, to thee.
Cho.
Halelujah, Lord, to Thee,
Now, therefore, my Song shall be.
Now, therefore, my Song shall be.
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When we had a Darknesse here,
Worse then what th'Egyptians had.
When, we more in Bondage were,
And, to Babel, slaves were, made;
God, Renew'd again the Light,
And the Freedome, which we lost:
That, for Thanks, enjoy we might,
What our Fathers lives had cost.
Therefore, while I have a Tongue,
Halelujah shall be sung.
Worse then what th'Egyptians had.
When, we more in Bondage were,
And, to Babel, slaves were, made;
God, Renew'd again the Light,
And the Freedome, which we lost:
That, for Thanks, enjoy we might,
What our Fathers lives had cost.
Therefore, while I have a Tongue,
Halelujah shall be sung.
Cho.
Halelujah shall be sung,
Therefore, while I have a Tongue.
Therefore, while I have a Tongue.
When our Deborah arose,
And, God's Isr'el judged here.
When confederated Foes,
Did Invincible appear.
Spains proud Sisera, had thought,
To have sunk us, with his weight:
But, the Stars against him fought,
And, made famous, eightie eight.
Halelujah, therefore, Crie
Till Heav'ns vaulted Roofe, reply.
And, God's Isr'el judged here.
When confederated Foes,
Did Invincible appear.
Spains proud Sisera, had thought,
To have sunk us, with his weight:
But, the Stars against him fought,
And, made famous, eightie eight.
Halelujah, therefore, Crie
Till Heav'ns vaulted Roofe, reply.
Cho.
Till Heav'ns vaulted Roofe, reply,
Halelujah, therefore cry.
Halelujah, therefore cry.
When of harms we dreamed not;
But at rest, securely liv'd;
By a damned Powder-plot,
Rome our ruine had contriv'd:
For, by Thunders from below,
(Had not God forbid the Doom)
We had perish'd at a blow;
And, but few, had known by whom.
Halelujah, therefore sound,
For the Grace, which then we found,
But at rest, securely liv'd;
By a damned Powder-plot,
Rome our ruine had contriv'd:
For, by Thunders from below,
(Had not God forbid the Doom)
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And, but few, had known by whom.
Halelujah, therefore sound,
For the Grace, which then we found,
Cho.
For the Grace, which then we found,
Halelujah, therefore, sound.
Halelujah, therefore, sound.
When by Riot, and Excesse;
We those times of Dearth deserv'd,
Which did bring us to distresse,
And in danger to be sterv'd.
Once, God sent beyond beliefe,
Fruits, where none did Plant, or Sow,
And, at other times, reliefe,
Ere we saw the same in show.
To our great, and Gracious King.
Halelujah, therefore, sing.
We those times of Dearth deserv'd,
Which did bring us to distresse,
And in danger to be sterv'd.
Once, God sent beyond beliefe,
Fruits, where none did Plant, or Sow,
And, at other times, reliefe,
Ere we saw the same in show.
To our great, and Gracious King.
Halelujah, therefore, sing.
Cho.
Halelujah, therefore, sing,
To our great, and gracious King.
To our great, and gracious King.
When for our Contagious crimes,
Sicknesses, have raged here,
Such; as few preceding Times,
Therewithall, acquainted were.
When a Pestilentiall-Breath,
Made us from each other flie,
(Threatning Vniversall Death)
God had pitie on our Crie.
Therefore, while we breathing be,
Halelujah Sing will we.
Sicknesses, have raged here,
Such; as few preceding Times,
Therewithall, acquainted were.
When a Pestilentiall-Breath,
Made us from each other flie,
(Threatning Vniversall Death)
God had pitie on our Crie.
Therefore, while we breathing be,
Halelujah Sing will we.
Cho.
Halelujah sing will we,
Therefore, while we breathing be.
Therefore, while we breathing be.
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Worst of Wars, Domestike-War,
Twixt our Nations, was begun,
Spreading Threats, and Terrors, far,
Of more Mischief, then was done.
Here, it march'd as if it said;
BRITAN, speedily repent,
Els, my Fury, yet, delaid;
Thee, and Thine, ere long, will rent.
Therefore, Trumpets, Fifes, and Drums,
Halelujah well becomes.
Twixt our Nations, was begun,
Spreading Threats, and Terrors, far,
Of more Mischief, then was done.
Here, it march'd as if it said;
BRITAN, speedily repent,
Els, my Fury, yet, delaid;
Thee, and Thine, ere long, will rent.
Therefore, Trumpets, Fifes, and Drums,
Halelujah well becomes.
Cho.
Halelujah, well becomes,
Warlike Trumpets, Fifes and Drums.
Warlike Trumpets, Fifes and Drums.
When a Generall-Offence,
Had almost to Ruine brought,
Law, Religion, State, and Prince,
And a Schisme, among us wrought,
Yea, when Snares for us were laid;
And, when Avarice, and Pride,
Had our Freedoms, nigh betrai'd;
God, Protection, did provide.
Halelujah, therefore sound,
Till it reach the Starry Round,
Had almost to Ruine brought,
Law, Religion, State, and Prince,
And a Schisme, among us wrought,
Yea, when Snares for us were laid;
And, when Avarice, and Pride,
Had our Freedoms, nigh betrai'd;
God, Protection, did provide.
Halelujah, therefore sound,
Till it reach the Starry Round,
Cho.
Till it reach the Starry-Round,
Halelujah, we will sound.
Halelujah, we will sound.
Hymn II. For a Soveraign Prince.
[_]
We presume not to instruct Soveraign Princes, but have only composed, in a brief Hymn, a few of
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Sing this as the 4 Psalme.
[1]
By me, or by my Father's house,Deserv'd it could not be;
That I, or any one of us,
Obtained this degree:
But, God who dealeth forth his own,
As him it liketh best,
On me those honours hath bestown,
Whereof I am possest.
2
Great hazards, many undergoSuch Titles to acquire;
Yet, neither finde content below,
Nor means of rising higher.
What, therefore, can I lesse repay
To him, whose Gift it is,
Then, otherwhile, to sing or say,
Some such like Hymn, as this?
3
Let me, oh Lord, my Diadem,Vnto thy glory, we are;
And, be a blessing unto them,
Who my Lieg-people are.
Let not thy favours make my heart
To swell with wanton pride;
Or, from those Precepts to depart,
Which ought to be my guide.
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4
But, teach me still in minde to beare,From whom, this place I had;
And that ev'n they my brethren are,
Whose Ruler I was made:
Yea, cause me, evermore, to heed
That, I, and they, are thine;
Although, to serve the publike-need,
Their Goods, and Lives are mine.
5
Since ev'ry Subjects Cause, to me,Should equally be dear;
In Justice, let the Poor man be
As precious, as the Peer.
And, lest men snares for me, may make,
At my Chief Counsell board,
Lord, let me daily Counsell take,
From thy Truth-speaking word.
6
Those Traitors chase out of my Court,Who dare pervert the Laws;
Or, cause me by a false report,
To wrong an honest Cause.
And, let thy Judgements them devour,
(How strong soere they stand)
Who shall abuse my royall powre,
To hinder thy Command.
7
Within my Realm, let no man dareMy Statutes, to gain-say:
And, let me live as much in fear,
Thy Laws, to disobay.
So, I, and they, whom thou on me,
For Subjects, hast bestown;
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And, keep Sedition down.
8
Preserve to me, my Royall dues:And, Grace vouchsafe me, still,
My just Prerogatives, to use,
According to thy will.
That, Evill men may fear my frown;
The Righteous, comfort finde;
And, I, obtain a better Crown,
When this must be resign'd.
Hymn III. For a Subject.
[_]
Subjects are apt to complain if they seem to suffer by their Soveraigns; but, few examine what cause they themselves are of their own Grievances; as few are thankfull for the Benefits received by Good Princes; for prevention whereof this Hymn is tendred.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
A sov'raigntie, though some obtain,Who use their pow'r amisse;
Yet, when the same they shall obtain,
Thy Gift, oh God! it is;
And, those whom thou dost raise thereto,
We, therefore, should obay,
In all that Subjects ought to do,
To suffer, or to pay.
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2
VVhen Tyrants over us are set,They for our Sins are sent;
And, righteous-Princes, we shall get,
When we our faults repent.
But whether good or bad they be;
Thy Rod, and Sword, they bear;
And, we in them, shall honour thee,
If still, we loyall are.
3
Our stubborn hearts, oh Lord! inclineThis dutie, to fulfill.
To ev'ry Substitute of thine,
Subject our froward will;
But, teach us, chiefly to beware,
We grieve nor injure those,
Whose Prudence, Justice, love and care,
Protects us, from our Foes.
4
Let us afford them all supplies,Which their Affairs may need;
Admitting no such Tales or lies,
As may suspition breed.
But, let us praise, where praise is due;
And (when they merit blame)
Not prove, like Noahs cursed Son,
Divulgers of their shame.
5
So, they our Pietie, shall blesse,VVhen they their error see;
And, thou oh God! wilt give us peace,
Because we loyall be.
For, when a people, conscience makes
Their Soveraign to obay;
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Or, takes him, soon, away.
Hymn IIII. For a Magistrate.
[_]
The corruption of Magistrates, is the more frequent through defect of some to remember them of their duties. Therefore, because it is not safe, nor thought comely, for every one to undertake that office, we have added this Hymn, that they might otherwhile, be thereby Remembrancers to themselves.
Sing this as the X. Commandements.
[1]
Fvll well, that person, it beseems,Who should reform the Sinners way,
To rid his eyes, of motes, and beams;
And, live as blamelesse, as he may:
For, he that lewd example shews,
The Rod of Rule, in vain doth bear;
And with his left-hand overthrows,
What, with his Right hand, he doth rear.
2
If, justly, I reprov'd may be,For that, which I in others blame;
It is a double-sin in me,
That meriteth a double-shame.
Or if I should for Friend or Foe,
For bribe, for favour, fear, or hate.
In doing Justice partiall grow;
As great a plague, is due, for that.
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3
A Bribe, hath pow'r to fool the wise:Pride, scorns to hear the poor-mans mone:
Lust, putteth forth discretions eyes:
Hate, cannot see when wrong is done:
Self-love, prefers her proper cause:
Fear, will his dearest Friend betray.
Ambition, will pervert the Laws.
And sloth all duties will delay.
4
From these things Lord, preserve me clear;And, from their proud and foolish wit,
Who, at offenders, scoffe and Jeer,
When on the Judgement-seat they sit.
And, this moreover, I desire;
Me, from their basenesse still defend,
Who dare to publike-place, aspire,
That, it may serve a private-end.
5
With wisdom, so my minde indue,That, I my passions may subject;
And, by examples, alway, shew
What things in others, I expect.
With courage, arme, likewise, my heart:
That, (having laudably begun)
I do not cowardly depart
From perfiting, what should be done.
6
And, teach thou me, to temper soFaire-means, with discipline-severe,
That, Mercy may with Justice, go;
And, in correction, Love appear.
Yea, so meek-hearted make thou me,
That, when offenders I condemn,
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And, suffer grief, in judging them.
Hymn V. For a member of the Parliament.
[_]
It is necessary that the Rule whereby things are to be regulated should be streight: and therefore, Lawmakers ought to be VVise and uprightmen, lest the chief Remedy of our Evils, be made worse then the Evils themselves. To the Members of our high Court of Parliament, this is well known; yet, this Hymn, shall perhaps, be a means to remember some of them of that which they know.
Sing this as the 4 Psalme.
[1]
They, no mean place of Trust, receive,VVho by free-choice have gain'd,
That Facultie Legislative,
VVhich I have now obtain'd.
For, they have ample Pow'r, from those,
By whom, they chosen be,
In Temporall-Things, to binde, and lose,
As they just Cause, do see.
2
VVho e're, therefore, they be, that shallAmbiciously Affect,
To fill such Roomes, before those call,
VVho, freely, should elect;
VVho e're those be; they, more presume,
Then Justice doth permit;
259
Then Reason judgeth fit.
3
VVhoe're likewise, for private ends,For Favour, Fear, or hate;
To harm his Foes; To please his Friends:
Or, save his own Estate:
Yea, whosoer'e his dearest Blood,
(Or, those by Him, begot)
Prefers before the Common-good;
This Trust, deserveth not.
4
Law-givers personate a Part,VVhich doth in them, require,
A Prudent-Brain, an Vpright-Heart,
A rectifide-Desire:
For, who beleeves that they can give,
To others, Laws-upright?
VVho, lewdly Talk, prophanely Live,
And, in vain Things delight?
5
Imprudent Legislators, mayMuch greater Mischiefs cause,
And, Innocencie more betray,
Then they that break the Laws.
For, He that many Laws doth breake,
May wrong but one or two:
But they which one Bad Law shall make,
VVhole Kingdomes may undo.
6
Inspire me Lord with grace, therefore,VVith Wisdom, and Stout Zeal,
And, with uprightnesse, evermore,
To serve the Common-weale.
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(At all times) I may shun,
Who serve it so, as if the Prince,
And Kingdome, were not one.
7
He that with one of these partakes,Vnto the others wrong,
VVhat goodly shew soe're he makes,
VVill injure both ere long.
Yea, whatsoever such pretend;
(VVhat ere they swear, or say)
They, will be Traitors, in the end,
And, one, or both, betray.
Hymn VI. For a member of our Convocations, or Nationall Synods.
[_]
It is the greatest Bondage, next that of Sin, and the Devill, to be enslaved by Doctrine, or Discipline, repugnant to the VVord of God; and injurious to the Christian Libertie. Therefore, though I presume not to prepare a Hymn, worthy to be sung by so reverend an Assembly: yet, I think it no Arrogancie, to make tender of this Meditation to be, otherwhile, privately sung, or considered, by some Members thereof.
Sing this as the Lords Prayer.
[1]
Since, by Election, I am sent,To be admitted one of those
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Which hath a pow'r to bind and lose;
That for this work, I fit may be,
Lord! let thy Spirit hallow me.
2
Here let me lay each Aime aside,Which to so vain a purposetends.
As to advance our Clergy-Pride,
Or serve our Avaritious ends:
And, me from those things, keep thou far,
By which corrupted Synods are.
3
As much as in my pow'r it lies,Let me out of thy Church, exile
Not only, those old-Heresies,
Which former Ages did beguile;
But, with a prudent zeal, pursue
Those Errors, likewise, which are new.
4
Let me preserve that sweet accord,Which in such Counsels ought to be.
Make thou the Canon of thy Word,
In every Cause, a Guide for me:
And, let it rule my words and waies,
What ever Humane-Reason saies.
5
Confirm in me, a holy Care,To keep thy outward Service pure,
From Rites, that superstitious are;
Or, which contempt thereto procure.
That whil'st Will-Worship I do shun,
I may not to prophanenesse run.
6
For no mans pleasure, let me stop,The Christian-Freedomes, GRACE bestowes,
362
Then pious Prudencie allowes;
But grant me wisdome, Lord, to know
When things-Indifferent are not so.
7
And me, and Them; who in this placeTo do thee service, now are chose,
Inspire, ô God, with ev'ry Grace,
Which to thy Saints thou do'st dispose;
That, all the Canons we decree,
May thy good Spirits dictates be.
Hymn VII. For a Courtier.
[_]
Courtiers are so frequently vitious, that some thinke it impossible they should be virtuous. By the use of this Hymn, the scandall if that censure may be abated, and the honour and honesty of well-deserving Courtiers may be the better preserved.
Sing this as the 23 Psalme, or Te Deum.
[1]
Though Princes Courts defamed are,As blurr'd with ev'ry sin;
Yet, men whose Virtues blameles were,
Have famous Courtiers bin.
In Pharaohs house, chast Josephs waies,
Obtain'd a good report;
And Obadiah liv'd with praise,
In wicked Ahabs Court.
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2
Wise Daniell, dar'd the truth to say,Where flatt'ry did abound:
Within the breast of Mordecai,
An honest heart was found.
And many more, of glorious name,
Have Love with Honour gain'd;
And, kept in Court, a spotles fame,
Where evill Princes raign'd.
3
The Calling, therefore, or the PlaceMakes not our manners ill;
But, rather want of heed and grace,
To certifie the Will.
And, no occasion, place, or time,
Wants means, a snare to lay
Ill habits to beget in him,
That heedeth not his way.
4
Him, had not Obadiah serv'd,By whom, poore Naboth bled,
The Prophets had bin slain or starv'd,
Whom he in secret fed.
And should all Good-men shun that King,
Which doth in Vice delight,
His Lands to ruine it would bring;
And, root out Virtue, quite.
5
Lord, as thou do'st my Will renew,Renew my Reason too;
And, Grace vouchsafe me to pursue,
What I am bound to doe.
Let nor Oppression, Lust nor Pride,
(Which rise in Courtiers grow)
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From what I purpose now.
6
So, though the Place in which I live,As bad a name had got,
As that, which heretofore, did grieve
The Soul of Righteous Lot;
I shall from ev'ry crying Sin,
Abide in Court, as free,
As they who being Cloystred in,
Securer seem to be.
Hymn VIII. For a Master or Mistresse.
[_]
It is a great happinesse to have good Servants to ease our labours: Wee are hereby therefore put in Remembrance to be thankfull for that blessing, when we have it; and how to behave our selves toward our Servants. If a Woman sing it, let her change the word Master into Mistresse.
Sing this as the 100. Psalme.
[1]
In that a Master, I was made,God's favour doth to me appear,
And, sure this grace, I never had,
Injuriously to domineer.
But, rather that with better ease,
I might my Calling undergoe;
365
By whom I am befriended so.
2
How great a blisse do many share,(Without regard what they enjoy)
That, they their heavie lodes to bear,
The Limbs of others may employ?
And, that their pleasures to purvay,
(Aswell as for their daily meat)
Their Servants travell out the day,
And, labour both in cold and heat?
3
Lord! cause me thankfully to mind,This gracious bounty of thy hand;
And, to be mercifull and kind,
To them, whose bodies I command.
Let me remember, that we are
One flesh, and branches of one stem.
And, that, as well as I, they bear
His Image, who redeemed them.
4
When frowardnes in them I see,When they without a cause repine,
When negligent or false they be,
Or Prodigall of what is mine;
Let me by these their failings view,
How, in thy service, I offend:
How many wayes I am untrue;
And, wink at them, till I amend.
5
Far be it, from me to detainMy Servants hire; or, to deny
Due rest; or, when he shall complain,
To grieve him with a harsh reply;
366
To them so gracious let me be,
That (though I often merit blame)
Thou may'st be mercifull to me.
Hymn IX. For a Servant.
[_]
That Servants may be kept from discouragement in their inferiour Calling; and stirred up to discharge their duties with cheerfulnesse, and singlenesse of heart; this Hymn, or some other such like meditations, may be very pertinent to those that are Servants.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Discourage not thy self my Soul,Nor murmur, though compel'd we be
To live subjected to controule,
When many other may be free:
For, though the pride of some disdains
Our mean, and much dispised Lot;
We shall not lose our honest pains,
Nor shall our suff'rance be forgot.
2
To be a Servant, is not base;If basenes be not in the mind:
For, Servants make but good the place,
Whereto their Maker them assign'd.
The greatest Princes do no more:
And, if sincerely I obay,
367
I shall become as great as they.
3
The Lord of heav'n and earth was pleas'dA Servants forme to undertake:
By his endurance I am eas'd;
And, serve with gladnes for his sake.
Though check'd unjustlie I should be,
With silence, I reproofs will bear:
For, much more injured was he,
Whose deeds, most worthy praises were.
4
He was revil'd, yet naught repli'd;And I will imitate the same:
For, though some faults may be deni'd,
In part, I alwaies faultie am.
Content (with meek and humble heart)
I will abide in my degree;
And, act an humble Servants part,
Till God shall call me to be free.
5
Eie-service I resolve to shun;And, when my duty can be known,
It shall as faithfully be done,
As if the profit were mine own
So, whensoever I shall need
The service of anothers hand;
He shall in heart, in tongue, in deed,
Be faithfull unto my command.
6
But, whatsoever, else I find,This will befall to me, at least,
That, I shall keep a quiet mind,
To give my wearie Bodie rest.
368
Wherein I must this life imploy,
My Lord and Master, me will call,
To be a partner of his Joy.
Hymn X. For a Gentleman.
[_]
Many boast of their Gentilitie, who degenerate from their worthy Ancestors, and neglect that which is the essence of Nobilitie. To abate this folly where it is found, and to cherish true worth in the virtuous Gentrie, we have offered this meditation.
Sing this as the 23. Psalme.
[1]
It is the common guize of suchWho least deserving be,
Of their Descents to prattle much;
Or, vant of their Degree;
As if, they meerly were begot,
To act no other part,
Then blazing of their Grandsires coat,
Or telling his desart.
2
Of inward Rest, and outward Health,Some Fools themselves bereave;
That they may honor'd Names, or Wealth,
Vnto their Children leave,
Who (many times) when they possesse
What others did provide,
369
In Ryot, Lust, or Pride.
3
Yea, that which their dear Souls might cost,Who first enrich'd their name,
May to their seed, be worse then lost,
And, end their line with shame.
For, most who rich or noble grow
By that which others won,
The value of it, seldome know,
Till all, again, be gon.
4
The ancient-marks of gentle-blood,Were well to be imploy'd;
To love and follow what was good;
And, evill to avoyd:
For which God so did blesse the Race,
Descended from their Stem,
That many Ages, in one place,
He hath continu'd them.
5
But, now, each other to outvieIn wickednes of life,
In pride, or prodigalitie,
Is practised in chief.
For which Gods wrath so roots them out,
That, sign is hardly seen,
Before two Ages wheel about,
That they on earth have been.
6
Or if their Monuments have beenAllow'd a longer date,
It is to memorize the Sin,
Which ruin'd their estate:
370
And, what therein ensu'd,
The more sincerely labour may,
With grace to be endu'd.
7
Oh Lord, incline me to delightIn reall-Virtues, more
Then, those Achievements to recite,
Which my Forefathers wore.
And, those whom I in birth exceed,
Let me endeavour well,
That them, in ev'ry noble-deed,
I may as much excell.
8
As thou thy blessings do'st increase,Increase thy Grace in me;
With ev'ry reall worthines,
Becomming my degree.
That, to my self, or to my kin,
I bring nor grief nor shame;
But live to be (as they have bin)
An honour, to my Name.
Hymn XI. For a Knight of the Garter.
[_]
This Hymn was composed for the Knights of the Garter, to be sung in their Chappell at their Festivall. It sheweth how their Honours and civill Triumphs, may be directed to the honour of God, and to the more dignifying of their honourable-Order of Knighthood, &c.
371
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
All praise and glory that we mayAscribe we Lord, to Thee
From whom, the Triumphs of this day,
And all our honors be.
For, of it self, nor East, nor West,
Doth honour ebbe or flow;
But, as to thee it seemeth best,
Preferment to bestow.
2
Thou Christ, art that victorious Knight,Whose order we professe;
And our Saint George, to whom in fight
Our Cries, we do addresse.
The Dragon which thou foil'dst is He,
That, would thy Church devour;
And, that faire Princesse, LORD, is She,
Who scaped by thy pow'r.
3
Thou art that Husbandman, whose careMakes Rich our barren soile.
Thou art that valiant Man of War,
Who keeps our Coasts from spoile.
Vouchsafe that we, who by a Band
More bound then heretofore,
May to thy Faith's-Defendor, stand
Fast Friends, for evermore.
[4]
Since, by our Soveraigne, chose we are,This Order to put on;
And, since we Hieroglyphicks wear,
Of that which thou hast done:
372
Why they by us are worn;
And inwardly informe, as well
As outwardly adorn.
5
So shall our Order unto noneA vain Invention seem;
Nor our Solemnities be done
Without their due esteem.
And, they who have the Saint mistook,
On whom, we do rely;
Shall know, we only Thee invoke;
When we Saint George do cry.
George is a Name or Attribute applyed to GOD, Iohn 15. 2. My Father, saith Christ, ο γεοργος εστι is the George, or Husbandman: and the story of Saint George rescuing a Lady from a Dragon, is an Allegory setting forth the Churches deliverance from the Devill by her celestiall champion Iesus Christ. And by this application we avoid the scandall which may else be taken by a seeming to invoke, the assistance of some other divine power beside God-Almighty, when in our warlike expeditions we cry (as the English custome is) GOD and Saint George.
Hymn XII. For Parents hopefull of children.
[_]
In this Hymn Parents are instructed how they should be affected toward their Children; what endowments they should most desire for them, and what Patrimony they should most labour to procure them.
373
Sing this as the 1 Psalme.
[1]
The propagation of our kinde,Our Nature moves us to;
Yet, few of us, can rightly minde,
The end, of what we do.
Like brutish Creatures, most fulfill
What Flesh and blood desires;
But, think not, either good or evill,
Of that, which God inspires.
2
And, when our Children reach the birth;Of most, receiv'd they are,
Like Sons and Daughters, of the Earth,
In whom no Spirit were.
For to their flesh more love we bear,
Then to that blessed Spark,
Which, being gone, their Bodies are
Like Dunghils in the dark.
3
If they be faire, and streightly limb'd,Great pleasure we can take:
To keep their bodies nearly trim'd,
Much needlesse work, we make.
That, Rich, or noble they might be,
No labours we do spare:
And, if of these no hope we see,
We seem opprest with care.
4
But of the Soul (that heav'nly seed)So carelesse, many seem,
As if it were not worthy heed,
Much lesse, of their esteem.
374
His holy Church prepar'd,
To be a Mother to the same,
Full hardly, had it far'd.
5
Blest Father of that blessed-part,My just request receive,
Who beg of thee, with yearning heart,
For that which now I crave;
Let from my Loines, no fruit descend,
That, happy shall not be,
By perseverance to the end,
In dearly loving thee.
6
I beg not for them, wit, or wealth,Nor long, nor easie life;
Nor Beautie, honour, strength, nor health,
Nor Husband, Child, nor Wife;
These, for themselves, let them request,
And, those Requests acquire,
As they in proof, to them, are best
In furthering this desire:
[7]
Though Nature longs for somewhat more,Lord, let thy Will be done.
I cannot now, for ought implore,
Not granted to thy Son;
Some other time, perhaps I may
For, other things, entreat:
And, that obtain, for which I pray,
Because, thy love is great.
375
Hymn XIII. For Parents having Children.
[_]
Parents by this Hymn of praise and prayer, are by the example of holy Job, put in minde to offer daily sacrifices for their Children. A sacrifice of Praise for the Comfort they have of them and a Sacrifice of Prayer for their prosperitie.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Job's custome, well deserveth praise,Who, for his Childrens sake:
Observed solemn offring dayes,
Their peace with God to make.
And, whether Feast or Fast they shall,
The very same, to do,
Is, now, as comely, for us all,
And, still, as needfull too.
2
Of Praise, and Prayer, therefore, to theeAn Offring, Lord, I give:
Accepted let my praises be;
And, my requests receive.
I thank thee that a Parents name,
Thy Servant, yet enjoyes,
And, that the comforts of the same,
No sad mishap destroyes.
3
I praise thee, for the hopes I hold,Of blessings, yet to come,
376
My Sins, might bar me from.
And, I beseech thee, not to heed,
With an aspect severe,
The many sins which in my seed,
May to thy sight appear.
4
From those ill customes, which begetHabituated Sins;
From those ill counsells, which do let
The Works that Grace begins;
From those lewd Mates, who poyson youth,
By sweeting Vices bayts;
Lord, keep my Children by thy Truth,
From these, and their deceits.
5
From Sathans wiles through ev'ry age,Protected let them be;
From crying-sins, from passions rage,
Preserve them all so free.
And, of the worlds prosperities,
Bestow on me and mine;
Nor more nor lesse, then may suffice
To keep us, alwaies, thine.
Hymn XIIII. For Parents who have lost their Children.
[_]
This consolatory Hymn, may be usefull for Parents, who being deprived of all their Children, are nigh oppressed with grief; for, they are hereby remembred,
377
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Qvite lost, are now mine ayerie Joyes,Once promis'd by a fruitfull wombe:
For my Dear-issue, Death destroies;
And, full of grief, I am become.
Those eyes, whereon I lov'd to look;
The Voices, which made glad mine eare;
Are out of sight, and hearing, took:
And, shall no more delight me, here.
2
I am a plant whose leaves are cropt;Whose pleasant fruit is pluck'd away;
Whose hopefull branches, down are lopt;
And left without a living-Spray.
To call me Father none is left;
My Songs, to mournfull tunes are made,
And, all the pleasures are bereft,
Which in a Childe, I might have had.
3
Yet, all rejoycing is not gone;For, in my sorrows, comforts be:
Because, the Soul which I bemone,
Is found of God, though lost to me.
And as those hopes are frustrate made
Wherein I would have took delight;
Even so the Feares I should have had,
Prevented are, and put to flight.
4
By want, by sicknesse, or disgrace,By folly or by wilfull sin,
378
To me great sorrows might have bin.
But I (who now do hope the best
And see the worst that can succeed)
From all such fears, am now releast;
And, from ten thousand doubtings, freed.
5
This, likewise, adds to my contentThat while I militant shall be,
God, his Triumphant-Church, augments,
By, thereto, making use of me:
I, therefore, with a ready Will,
And with our humble heart, resign
To him, (his pleasure to fulfill)
My Seed; my Self; and all that's mine.
Hymn XV. For such as are Barren.
[_]
Barrennesse, is objected by some as a Reproach, and many are much discomforted thereby This Ode hath for their Comfort, therefore, briefly expressed such things as may be helpfull to prevent, or mitigate, their disconsolation.
[1]
You, that, in Children fruitfull are,Vpbraid ye not, the barren-wombe;
As though, the carnall-seed you bear,
Should make you happy to become.
Nor let it much afflict thy heart,
Who canst not of that blessing boast,
379
The, best contentments, quite, were lost.
2
In thinking so, we are beguild:For, blisse depends not thereupon.
Though Hannah joyed in her childe;
By Children, Eli, was undone.
Nay she that bare the blessed-birth,
(Though in so suffring, blest she were)
Had many Sorrows here on earth,
Occasion'd by the Childe she bare.
3
If to prolong their carnall careA blisse therein essentiall, had
Then, Cain more blest then Abel was,
And, Cham a blessed man was made.
Then, he, whom Ravens came to feed;
And, he, that was by him, fore-shown,
Had left behind then carnall seed,
And, this way, blessed, should have grown.
4
Yea, he that us by Grace, begot,Did carnall fruitfulnesse neglect,
And, therefore, sure, it profits not,
The best perfections to effect.
Nay, many times it rather lets,
That happinesse, which here, is sought:
For, man sometimes a childe begets;
By whom, to ruine; he is brought.
5
When outward-things away are worn,They shall to us become as dear,
Whom others have begot or born,
As these whom we beget or bear.
380
Who gives to one, a ghostly birth,
Then he, who gets of flesh and blood,
Enough to people all the earth.
6
I, therefore will not grieve nor pine,That in the flesh, I barren seem:
But, seek an Off-spring, more divine,
And, covet fruit of more esteem.
My minde hereafter, I will give
The seed of Grace, to entertain,
And, that blest issue to conceive,
Which needs not to be born-again.
7
The bread, my Children should have eat,The cloth, I purpos'd they should wear,
May be the needy Orphanes meat;
And, Robes for them, who naked are.
The Tendance which they should have had,
Vpon the sick, may be bestown.
And others may be happy made,
By what (perhaps) had mard mine own.
8
Yea, peradventure, to this end,The Wombe is closed unto me;
That, I on God, might more attend,
And, Parent, to his Children, be.
Wherein, if I perform his will;
He, that knows what befits us best,
Shall then in me his words fulfill;
Who said, the barren should be blest.
381
Hymn XVI. For Children, having Parents living.
[_]
Children consider not as they ought the many benefits which they enjoy by their Parents. Therefore, to beget in them thankfulnesse, dutifulnesse, and a serious heedfulnesse of the blessing, possessed by the life of their Parents, this Hymn is tendred to their use.
Sing this as the 4 Psalme.
[1]
Among these blessings which on me,Thou dost, oh Lord, bestow,
For that, my Parents living be,
Least thanks, I do not owe.
Because, things needfull they provide,
My Body, to sustain;
And, my unruly youth to guide,
Take, hourely, care and pain.
2
As, happie, made, in them, I am;In me, so blesse thou them;
That, them I neither grieve nor shame,
Nor their advise contemn.
But, them so let me still obay,
And, so, in grace, encrease;
That, long, with comfort live they may;
And, end their dayes in peace.
3
The Being, which to me they gave,Do thou, for me, requite;
382
In which they shall delight.
As in my Childhood, kinde they were,
Though often I transgrest)
So, with such frailties, let me bear,
As may Old Age molest.
4
My Body was in them begun;Their Souls, and mine, in thee:
When, therefore, this lifes Round is run,
Divided let's not be.
But in thy Path, so teach our feet,
To travell without blame;
That, we, at last, in thee, may meet,
From whence, at first, we came.
Hymn XVII. For Orphans.
[_]
In this Hymn, Orphans are taught so to consider their losse and disadvantage in being deprived of their Parents, that it may stir them up to a firm dependance on God, and to be thankfull for his mercifull Providence.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Bvt that I may on thee, oh Lord,And, on thy help depend,
(Because I have thy gracious word,
Poor Orphans, to defend)
383
With sorrows, or with fear,
That, of safe-being, or of Rest,
Small hope, would now appear.
2
For, they who should from wrong protect;And, needfull things purvay,
Yea, they who should my Course direct;
Are taken quite away.
And snares, oppressions, and deceits,
Are multiplied so,
That, of their Force, or of their sleights;
I still, in danger go.
3
To thee, therefore, in my distresse,My voice, advanc'd I have,
Thy former Mercies, to confesse,
And, future help to crave.
For, meerely of thy love, it was,
That, I am undestroy'd;
And, that, I thus confesse whose grace,
Is thereunto employ'd.
4
Oh Lord! my Guardian, be thou still;Fill thou, my Parents Roome.
To do me good, and keep from ill;
My Parent, now, become.
And, when thy Children called are
Their heritage, to take;
Let me among them have a-share,
For thy dear mercies sake.
384
Hymn XVIII. For a Lover in generall.
[_]
Most make a jest of that naturall affection which is termed Love; yet, in the well ordering of that Passion, depends the temporall happinesse, or unhappinesse of most men and women. This Hymn was therefore, composed to instruct and remember Lovers how to moderate that Affection, and to invoke divine assistance.
Sing this as the 51. Psalme.
[1]
Take heed my heart, for in my brest;I, kindled feel a warm desire,
Which if not ordred or supprest,
May prove, at length, a banefull fire,
Therewith to play, though few do fear,
Yet, they who safely, scape the same,
By pow'r-divine, preserved are;
As were the Children, in the flame:
2
If (as men call it) Love it be;Love is, me thinks, too much my Foe,
In taking, sleep and rest, from me.
Who know no cause it should do so.
In other thoughts, I spend the day
Then, heretofore, I mus'd upon:
Mine hours, I often sigh away;
I, pleasure take to be alone.
3
And, though, some, this disease deride,Great flouds of teares the same hath cost.
385
And, some, thereby their wits have lost.
Therefore, that I may take no harm
Whilst in my heart, such passions dwell,
With faith in God, I sing this charm:
And, he, I hope, will speed it well.
4
Lord! since in me, a youthfull heat,Those kindly motions, hath begun,
Which nature doth in us beget;
And, humane-Reason cannot shun:
Grant me thy gracious ayd, I pray;
And, for my safegaurd, so provide;
That, what I cannot quite allay,
I may (through thy assistance) guide.
5
To understand, instruct my wit,How far I may my fancie please:
Or, how far forth I should admit,
A future pain, for present ease.
Let not my heart, be made a prize;
To them, who true affections wrong;
To wanton smiles, or lustfull eyes,
Or, to a tempting Syrens tongue.
6
Let me be neither fool'd nor catch'd;By honour, wealth, or painted skin.
Nor with unseemly yeers be match'd;
Nor with an evill famed kin.
But, chuse thou forth for me a mate,
Which, truly, may my equall be
In birth, in yeers, and in estate;
Or, have what wants suppli'd by thee.
386
7
Yea, let me my Affections, place,Where, like Affection, may be found;
Where, Vertue may be joyn'd with Grace;
And, both with equall voice be crown'd,
That, thou maist in our love, delight,
And, that we may, by Love, ascend,
In our Affections, to that height;
And, to that Love, which hath an end.
Hymn XIX. For Lovers being constrained to be absent from each other.
[_]
Though this, and the like passions, are little heeded, and lesse pitied, by such as think themselves wise; yet, through want of counsell and means to direct or qualifie such affections, many inconveniences follow, which might be prevented, by this, or some such meditation, as are tendred in this Hymn.
[1]
Now, that thou and I must part,And, since parting is a pain,
Which in ev'ry loving heart,
Will, in Loves despight, remain:
Charmes of grief, let us provide,
Whilst together we abide.
And, as gladly as we may,
Strive, to sing our care away.
387
2
Dearest, weep not, sigh not so:For, it is nor Time nor place,
That, can much divide us two,
Though, it part us, for a space.
Neither shall be left alone,
When, asunder, we are gone:
I, in thee, and thou in me,
Shall, for ever, dwelling be.
3
In our flesh, indeed, we findeSense of that, which we shall misse;
But, it is within the minde,
Where, the essence of it is.
Mindes, may with each other stay,
When their Bodies are away;
And, since our the same can do,
Whither from thee can I do?
4
If thou fear, lest death may bar,From that meeting we desire;
Know, that, thou and I (my Dear)
Shall, thereby, be brought the nigher:
Since, in God, our hearts have met,
Death, our meetings, cannot let.
Nor can love, like our, begun;
Be in life, or death, undone.
5
Therefore, now no more, lament;What avoyded cannot be:
But, in him, remain content,
Who endear'd me first to thee.
To his Armes I thee bequeath,
To be found in life, or death:
388
Rest, my Dear, in his embrace.
Hymn XX. For Lovers tempted by carnall desires.
[_]
From those carnall suggestions, whereby wantons are incouraged to fulfill unchast longings; occasion is here taken, to cherish in true Lovers, rather such affections as beget and continue an everlasting-love.
[1]
Come, sweet-heart, come, let us prove,Whilst we may the joyes of Love.
To each other, let us give
All our longings, whilst we live:
For, what most we fear to lose,
Slowly comes, and swiftly goes;
And, the pleasure we delay,
May be lost, anon, for aye.
2
Those faire Lamps, which trim the skies,Daily set, and daily rise:
But, when we have lost our Light,
Everlasting, is our night.
We, shall see nor Torch, nor Star,
To informe us, where, we are.
Therefore, come; come, let us prove,
While we may, the Joyes of Love.
3
Thus, the carnall-dotard sings;Woing shades, as reall things:
389
Sicknesse, Age, or death destroyes,
Fancies-vain, and Foolish-fires,
Are the Guides of his Desires:
And, his blisse, and chiefest good,
Builded is, on Flesh and Blood.
4
But, my Dear, and I, do clime;To Affections, more sublime.
Neither wellfare, nor distresse,
Makes our love the more, or lesse;
Nor have outward things the pow'r,
To mislead such love as our;
And, it still abides the same,
Whether praise it hath or blame.
5
When the Beauties, which adornFlesh and Blood, away are worn;
From those Ruins, which will raise
Objects worth more love, and praise:
Yea, when Sicknesse, Age or Death,
Shall deprive of health and breath,
Youthfull Strength, could never yet;
Gain the blisse, we then shall get.
6
Therefore, Stars, and Moon, and Sun,Vnenvi'd, your Courses run.
We, without distrust or feare,
Keep our motions in our Sphere:
For, we know, we shall arise,
After death puts out our eyes;
And, obtain a light Divine,
Which will Moon and Sun out shine.
390
Hymn XXI. For one contentedly married.
[_]
The intent of this Ode is to shew that our naturall Affections are never fully satisfied in the choise of our helpers, untill God bring man and wife together by (as it were) making the one out of the other, through a frequent conversing together, and by observing and approving each others condition; which is never done till these passions are cast into a sleep, which make them dote on wealth, honour, beautie, and such unfit marriage-makers.
Sing this as I loved thee once, &c.
[1]
Since they in singing, take delight,Who, in their love, unhappy be;
Why should not I ïn song delight,
Who, from their sorrow, now, are free?
That, such as can beleeve, may know,
What comforts are on earth below.
And, prove what blessings may be won,
By loving, so, as I have done.
2
When first Affection warm'd my blood,Which was, ere Wit could ripened be;
(And, ere I fully understood,
What fire it was that warmed me)
My youthfull heat, a Love begat;
That Love did love, I know not what;
391
Then many a broken heart sustains.
3
When yeers, inform'd me how to seeWhat had such wandring passions wrought;
The more my knowledge grew to be,
The greater torment, still, it brought.
Then, sought I means to cure loves wound;
The more I sought, lesse ease I found;
And, milder pangs then I have had,
Makes many Lovers, sick and mad.
4
I have a deep indented heart,Which, no content would let me finde,
Vntill her proper Counterpart,
Should thereunto, be firmly joyn'd.
Er'e far I sought, or searched much,
I many found, who seemed such:
But, them, when I did neerly view,
Not one, in heart, was fully true.
5
Alas! thought I; To what I seekWhy should so many draw so neer,
And, at the last, prove nothing like,
To what, at first, they did appear?
So much, why do so many please,
Since, I was made for none of these?
And, why in show, have I been one,
Beloved much, yet lov'd of none?
6
Could wealth have bought my marra'ge-bed,Or honour brought me true delight;
I could, these wayes, have better sped,
Then many do beleeve I might.
392
Nor proffred Loves, though I had store,
Could make me think, now, found is she,
That proves a Helper, fit for me.
7
Nor Ease, nor Pleasure could I finde,In Beautie, honour, love, or pelfe;
Nor means, to gain a setled minde,
Till I had found my second-self.
Thus, till our Grandame Eve was made,
No helper our first Parent had:
Which proves a Wife, in value, more
Then all the Creatures, made before.
8
Half tir'd, in seeking what I sought,I fell into a sleep at last:
And, God, for me, my wishes wrought,
When hope of them, were almost past.
With Adam, I this favour had,
That, out of Me, my Wife was made:
And, when I waked, I espide;
That, God for me had found a Bride.
9
How he this Riddle, brought to passe,This curious-world shall never heare.
A secret Work, of his, it was,
Not fit for ev'ry vulgar eare.
Out of each-other, form'd were we;
Within a third, our Beings be:
And, our Well-being was begun,
By being in our selves, undone.
10
I have the height of my desire;In secret, no dislike I finde.
393
No Jealous pangs, torment my minde.
I breath no sigh, I make no mone,
As others do, and I have done;
Nor do I mark, nor do I care,
How faire, or lovely, others are.
11
My heart, at quiet, lets me lie,And moves no passions, in my brest:
Nor tempting-tongue, nor speaking-eye,
Nor smiling-lip, can break my rest.
The Peer I sought, by me, is found:
My earthly hopes, by thee are crown'd;
And, I in one, all pleasures finde,
That may be found, in women-kinde.
12
Each hath, of other like esteem;And, what that is, we need not tell:
For, we are one, though two, we seem;
And, in each others heart, we dwell.
There, dwels he too embracing us,
By whom, we were endeared, thus.
He, makes us rich, though seeming poor;
And, when we want, will give us more.
13
Lord, let our Love in thee begun,In thee, likewise, continuance have:
And, if thy Will may so be done,
Together, lodge us in one grave.
Thence, on the Lambs great wedding-day,
Raise us together, from the clay:
And, where the Bridegroom doth remain,
Let us both live, and love, again.
394
Hymn XXII. For a Husband.
[_]
The Knowledge, Conscience, Prudence, and Affection becoming a husband, is here partly expressed in hope, that by the perusall and use of this Hymn; some shall be the better continued in their conjugall amitie; and some become better husbands then they were.
Sing this as the 1 Psalme.
[1]
Confession of the same I owe,And, thanks, oh Lord, to thee.
That, thou art pleased to bestow
A helper, fitting me.
For, they that wed, and then repent,
(Though others they condemn)
Were cause of their own discontent,
And, had what fitted them.
2
A wife sometime, is thought a curse,(And therefore disesteem'd)
When, he that ownes her had been worse,
If she had better seem'd.
As, good examples breed, in some,
More vertues, then they had;
Some, likewise, better do become,
By finding others bad.
3
Lord, let me alwaies mannage wellThe blessing, I have got;
395
That, her, I injure not.
Preserve us, to each other kinde,
With so much true respect,
That, we may no occasions finde,
Of doubtings, or neglect.
4
Let me not yeeld up my command,To her, that should obay;
Nor, on my pow'r, more strictly stand,
Then Love, with Reason may.
But, let me still so act my part,
And, be so well advis'd;
That, I may neither grieve her heart,
Nor make my self despis'd.
5
Though other Women may be thought,With more endowments blest,
Let me beleeve, that mine hath brought,
What shall befit me best.
And, at her frailties, if I shall,
In word, or thought, repine;
Let me consider there withall;
What she may think of mine.
6
When other women shall appear,More pleasurefull, to be,
Make me suspect that Sathan there,
Hath laid a baite for me:
And, give me grace the same to shun,
And, earnestly to pray,
That, ere a folly may be done,
Thy Love, prevent it may.
396
7
Our Saviour Christ, hath signifide,What love, a husband owes,
By that, which on his holy-Bride,
He graciously bestows.
Therefore, so neer, as unto that,
Imperfect Love may reach,
Lord, give me grace to imitate
What his examples teach.
Hymn XXIII. For a Wife.
[_]
Wives, are hereby taught, to seek in and from God, the perfection of their conjugall Amitie; this Hymn endeavours also, to insinuate the Affection and Obedience beseeming, pious and vertuous wives, by teaching their tongues to confesse, and expresse their duties.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Except, when kindest we appear,(And faithfullest are thought)
Our Loves, in God, confirmed are,
They quickly come to nought.
For, our own Vertue, at the best,
Is but a guilded-sin.
And, when most friendship is profest,
Much falshood, lurks therein.
[2]
No Joy, or grief, can in this life,More sweet, or bitter be;
397
Shall well, or ill agree.
Where they shall rightly simpathize,
The dearest friendship growes:
And, if betwixt them, strifes arise,
They prove the greatest foes.
3
Lord, rectifie our hearts, therefore,And sanctifie them so,
That, to each other more and more,
Endeared we may grow;
Vntill our fraile imperfect Love,
By steps, up-raised be.
From things below, to things above;
And, perfected in thee.
4
Betwixt us let no Jarr's be found,Or breach of faith befear'd:
Within our walks, let not the sound
Of bitter words be heard:
But, let the peacefull Turtle dove,
In quiet, nestle there,
Learn out the Songs of blamelesse-Love,
And sing them all the year.
5
Preserve me from those peevish-tricks,Which merit scorn or hate;
From all those humours of my sexe,
Which wise mens love abate.
From gaming-hands, from wandring-feet,
From fond and vain attires;
From eyes that rowle about the street,
And, bring home loose desires.
398
6
Let this in mind be alwaies had(My husband to prefer)
The Woman for the Man was made,
And, not the Man, for her.
Yea, since thy holy word hath said,
The Wife should him obay,
As Christ is of his Church obayd;
Lord, grant that so I may.
7
And, that my heart may not despiseHis pleasure to fulfill;
Let his commands be just and wise,
Discreet, and loving still:
For, when the Husband loves the Wife,
As Christ example gives;
Subjection, yeelds the sweetest life,
That any creature lives.
8
It causeth him that is above,The kinder still to grow.
It drawes him by the cords of love,
To set himself below:
And She that his Inferiour was,
By Order, and Degree;
Through Love, Humilitie, and Grace,
His equall, stoops to be.
399
Hymn XXIIII. For a Man in generall.
[_]
Few men so consider the Priviledges of their Sexe as to be thankfull for the same, by which neglect they sometime abuse their Prerogatives. The amendment of which oversights was aymed at by offering this Hymn to be sometime used.
[1]
Great (oh Lord) thy favour was,That, a Being I have gain'd.
Greater was in this thy Grace,
That, therewith I life obtain'd.
But, in that, the Soul I had
Thou with Reason, hast endow'd;
And, to Reason, Faith didst add,
Greater Mercy hath bin show'd.
2
These large favours, I confesse;And, consider their esteem.
Yet, I value nev'rtheles,
Those that lower-prized seem.
Therefore, Lord, (in what I can)
Thanks I now to thee return,
That, I was brought forth a Man,
Rather, then a Woman born.
3
Not that I their Sexe despise;Or, too much exalt mine own:
400
And, more Pride, then Thanks had shown.
But (the Truth to thee I'le speak)
Though men strongest counted are)
I confesse myself too weak,
Female Suff'rings well to bear.
4
For, when I observe the pains,Which, pursue a childing-wombe,
And, the torments it sustains
When the hour of Birth is come;
When I heed the nightlie care,
Which the nursing-mouths procure,
Grievous things, methinks they are,
Which a Woman doth endure.
5
To submit my knowing-Soul,(As they oft are fain to doe)
To a churl, a fools controul,
And perhaps dishonest too.
There my Bodie to subject,
Where I loath to draw my breath;
And, by Nature disaffect,
Would be worse to me then death.
6
I will thankfull therefore be,That, at better ease I seem;
And, expresse my thanks to thee,
In a due respect of them:
For, as first a womans blame,
Was occasion of our Fall:
So; first, by a Woman came
That, which makes amends for all.
401
Hymn XXV. For a Woman in generall.
[_]
Women are otherwhile uncivilly upbraided by imprudent men of the frailties of their Sexe. To comfort against such Reproaches, some things illustrating the worthinesse of their Sexe, are here expressed, and mixt with divine consolations.
Sing this as the 1. Psalme.
[1]
My Grandame Eve, I curst not Lord,Nor vilifie her Name;
Though, for her Sin upon record,
Her Sons our Sexe defame:
For, what without my fault was lost,
I may again possesse
Repurcha'st at anothers cost,
Without my Righteousnes.
2
Our Sexe was first in that offence,For which Mankinde was shent;
And, we have suff'red ever since,
The greatest punishment.
The vilest of our humane race,
Vpbrayd us for that Sin,
So aggravating our disgrace,
As if they cleare had bin.
3
For, giving passage, to our Lust,Thy Curse abideth still.
402
Vnto anothers will.
In sorrow, our conceptions are;
And, oftentimes in vain.
With sicknes were our children bore;
And bring them forth with Pain.
4
Yet, LORD, we have a Joy in thee,Which none can take away.
And Hopes, which cannot frustrate be,
Till we our selves betray.
The greater Crosses we sustain,
(Whil'st in the Flesh we bide)
The greater honour, we shall gain,
When we are glorifide.
5
Thy meanest Hand-maid in distresse,If she in Faith complains;
Shall in her sorrowes find redresse,
And, ease for all her pains.
Both Hannahs plaints, and Hagars cries,
Thou graciously didst heed.
And ev'ry Woman, who relies
On thee in time of need.
6
Though foolish men our Sexe despise,And hold us in contempt;
From thy most holy Mysteries
We never were exempt.
By some of us, thy Messages,
Have to thy Church bin sent;
And, men have born with good successe,
A Womans government.
403
7
Yea, by the Womanside he came,Whose grace hath means procur'd
To free us from the death and shame,
Which all had else endur'd.
What e're, to others we may seem,
With Him, nor Bond, nor Free,
Nor Male, nor Female want esteem,
If they shall faithfull be.
Hymn XXVI. For Virgins.
[_]
This Hymn teacheth Virgins to behave themselves with discreet and chaste moderation, according to the gift they have received; neither striving for the Garland of perpetuall Virginity, beyond their power, nor shunning it, being made capable thereof; but, rather submitting both mind and bodie, to what God calls them unto.
[1]
Zeal to God-Almighties praise,And, his worship to attend,
Hallow'd some in former daies,
To be Virgins to their end:
Virgins, firme in Age and Youth,
To the love of spotlesse-Truth:
Nor defil'd, nor drawn aside
By the baits of Lust, or Pride.
404
2
These, are they whom Grace ordainesTo be present day and night,
Where the blessed Lambe remains;
And, to wear long Robes of white.
Robes, more white then mountain snow;
Or, the Lillies, where they grow:
Robes more glorious, then those are,
Which Earth's greatest Princes wear.
3
LORD, my Bodie yet is free,From a wanton fleshlie touch;
Happie will my portion be,
If I still may say as much.
For, when toyous we begin,
Lust will quickly enter in:
And though first, the breach be small,
That, at last, will ruine all.
4
If a Virgin to remain,For thy service, may be best;
Make me able to contain;
That no Longings me molest.
Let our Pride, nor causlesse Fears,
Dread of Want, or outward Cares,
To that life, a motive be;
But meer Love of serving thee.
5
Though, some skoffingly, upbraydThose that aged Virgins are;
Let not that which fools have said,
From a praisefull course deter.
Neither let a Virgins name,
Make me dote upon the same,
405
Which provoke to deadly-Sin.
6
To keep chast the marriage-bed,Is a virtue more of worth,
Then to keep a maiden-head;
Though, some set it fairer forth.
ANGELS, Virgins are, they say,
So, are Flowers, as well as they;
And, as much (for ought I know)
Merit praise for being so.
7
If a Helper, help me may,Better to perform thy Will;
Such a one, for me purvay,
And, be then our Helper still.
I desire not to obtain,
What meer Fancie seeks to gain;
But, in that would spend my daies,
Which may most advance thy praise.
8
Some, unfit for Wedlock seem,Others, Virgins cannot live:
Ev'ry gift should have esteem,
Which it pleases thee to give.
Whatsoe're, therefore, it be
Which thy Love confers on me,
Make me, so my gift to prize,
That, no other, I despise.
9
To what state so e're thou hastMe, for time to come, design'd;
Keep thy servant ever chast,
Both in Body, and in Mind.
406
Both estates made equall are:
And, ev'n that, which best is thought,
Wanting this, proves worse then naught.
Hymn XXVII. For a Widower, or a Widow deprived of a loving Yoke-fellow.
[_]
That such as be deprived of their most deare companions, may not be swallowed up in excessive griefe, and so forget their Christian hopes and duties, this Hymn teacheth a moderate expressing of their naturall Passions; and remembers them of things not to be forgotten in their sorrow.
Sing this, as I loved thee once.
[1]
How neer me, came the hand of Death,When at my side, he struck my Dear!
And took away the precious breath,
Which quick'ned my beloved Peer?
How helplesse, am I thereby made!
By day, how griev'd! by night, how sad!
And, now my lifes delight is gone,
Alas! how am I left alone!
2
The Voice, which I did more esteem,Then musick in her sweetest key;
407
More comfortable then the day:
Those, now by me (as they have been)
Shall never more be heard or seen;
But, what I once enjoy'd in them,
Shall seem hereafter as a dream.
3
All earthlie comforts vanish thus:So little hold of them have we,
That, we from them, or they from us,
May in a moment ravish'd be.
Yet, we are neither just nor wise,
If present mercies we despise;
Or mind not, how there may be made
A thankfull use of what we had.
4
I therefore, do not so bemoan(Though these beseeming tears I drop)
The losse of my beloved-One,
As they that are depriv'd of hope;
But, in expressing of my grief,
My heart receiveth some relief;
And, joyeth in the good I had,
Although my sweets, are bitter made.
5
LORD, keep me faithfull to the trust,Which my dear Spouse repos'd in me.
To him now dead, preserve me just;
In all, that should performed be:
For, though our being Man and Wife,
Extendeth only to this life;
Yet, neither Life nor Death, should end
The being of a faithfull-Friend.
408
6
Those helps which I through him enjoy'd,Let thine continuall ayd supplie;
That, though some hopes in him are voyd,
I, alwaies may on thee relie.
And, whether I shall wed again,
Or, in a single-state remain,
Vnto thine honour, let it be;
And, for a blessing unto me.
Hymn XXVIII. For a Widower, or a Widow delivered from a troublesome Yoke-fellow.
[_]
Because deliverance from a troublesome Yoke-fellow, is a benefit neither to be despised nor undiscreetly rejoyced in; this Hymn teacheth with what moderation, with what tendernesse of heart, and with what desire we should be affected in such cases.
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Rejoice not without fear, my heart,That, thou by death's impartiall stroke,
Discharged from thy Partner art,
And, freed from an unequall Yoke.
Yea, though by means of this divorce,
Thou may'st escape much discontent;
Yet, both with pittie and remorse,
Consider well, of this event.
409
2
For, as when first the Jewish-Lawes,Divorcements, tolerable made
The hardnes of their heart was cause,
That such a Course permission had.
So, an obduratenes of thine,
Some cause might peradventure, be
That God, (who sees when men repine)
Hath from thy Mate, released thee.
3
Triumph not, therefore, in thy lot,As if thy merits were the more;
But, use the freedome thou hast got,
With meeknes; and thy Sins deplore.
For, if Gods eye had bin severe
In marking how I gave offence,
He had prolong'd my torment here;
Or else, in wrath remov'd me hence.
4
When Man and Wife shall disagree,Though one of them lesse guiltie prove,
Yet, neither of them, quite are free
From breaking of the Law of Love.
And, to be blamelesse, doth sometimes
Those proud, or foolish thoughts infuse,
Which make more guiltie, then the crimes,
For which we others do accuse.
5
Vnto the Soul-departed, Lord,(Although it often hath transgrest)
I hope, thy mercy doth afford,
Well-being, in a place of rest.
And, for each wrong sustain'd by me,
Whil'st in the Flesh it did remain,
410
I beg thy pardon to obtain.
6
And, that I may conclude my raceWith lesse offence, and more content;
Vouchsafe me thy assisting-grace,
Ensuing errors to prevent,
And, if thy providence allowes
Another helper unto me;
LORD, keep us faithfull in our vowes,
Both to each other, and to thee.
Hymn XXIX. For a Cleargie-man.
[_]
Though most Cleargie-men know well enough what meditations are pertinent to their Callings; yet, some of them being otherwhile forgetfull of what they know, we have inserted this Hymn to remember them, who shall not despise to be remembred thereby.
[1]
Whatsoe're my motives were,When this Calling I assum'd,
Many times, I greatly fear,
Lest I overmuch presum'd:
For, whose ablenes of wit,
Oh most glorious King of Kings!
Or, whose holines, is fit
To dispence thy sacred things;
411
2
When those honours I perceive,Whereto some of us ascend;
And, what portions thou do'st give
On thine Altar to attend.
When I mind my private charge,
And, what Audit I must yeeld.
For my Calling, LORD, at large,
With sad thoughts, my heart is fill'd!
3
Dreadfull is that servants doom,And, accursed is his case,
Whom his LORD, when he shall come,
Finds unfaithfull in his place.
For, at ev'ry Shepherds hand,
Who neglects his Flock to keep;
Thou wilt strict accounts demand,
For the blood, of ev'ry Sheep.
4
Therefore, LORD, for thine own sake,In thy feare, preserve me so,
That, I still may conscience make,
Of the work thou call'st me to.
Yea, preserve me from their sin,
Who by fleecing of thy flock,
Have both cloth'd and fatted bin,
And, thy threat'ned Judgements mock.
5
Let the Doctrines which I preach,Be from errors alwaies free:
Let the Truth which I shall teach,
By good-life confirmed be.
Let me evermore have care,
True Devotion, true increase;
412
Which may break the band of Peace.
6
Pardon all which merits blame,In my entrance to this Place;
My great failings in the same,
Lord, forgive me of thy grace:
And, that none of these be lost
Which to me committed were,
Let his ayd, whose life they cost,
Help me, where my failings are.
Hymn XXX. For a Laie-man.
[_]
God usually blesseth a pious and obedient Laitie, with discreet and godly Pastors, and froward Sheep are justly committed to negligent Shepherds. The Laitie, therefore, are by this Hymn instructed to praise God for their faithfull Pastors, to pray for them; and to yeeld them all due honour, obedience and necessary supplies.
Sing this as the 25. Psalme.
[1]
Not in a mean degree,Am I obliged, LORD,
For thy enlight'ning grace to me,
Vouchsafed by thy Word:
Nor lesse oblig'd am I,
To sing thy daily praise,
413
My knowledge, and my waies.
2
For, through each Age, oh God,Thy Priests thou hast ordain'd,
To spread that saving-Truth abrode,
Whereby our blisse is gain'd.
Yea, they thy Shepherds be,
Thy Flocks to feed and keep;
And, home to bring, again to thee,
Thy weak, and wandring Sheep.
3
LORD, fit them for that place,Which they are call'd unto,
By giving them both gifts and grace,
Their duties well to do.
And, forme in us, we pray,
Such fruits of true belief,
That, their Accounts they render may,
With Joy, and not with Grief.
4
As Messengers from thee,Let me their errants hear,
And of their place respective be,
Though mean their persons are.
And, let me not refuse,
Or murmur, to bestow
Those honours, or those other dues
Which I to them shall owe.
5
Lest Vzzah-like I fare,Let me no medler be,
In things that consecrated are;
But, as beseemeth thee.
414
(That I may shun offence)
Thy grace vouchsafe me to take heed
Of Errors private sense.
6
That, I may likewise, heedTruths Path, let me have care,
To find their Tents, who feed thy Sheep;
And, to continue there.
Yea, that to them and thee,
The Way be not mistook;
Let me still walk, where I may see
The Footsteps of thy Flock.
Hymn XXXI. For a Lawyer.
[_]
A Lawyer conscionably affected is a publike blessing, that therefore the use or perusall of this Hymn, may help remember that which most of them very know, we have added this Meditation.
Sing this as the 10. Commandements.
[1]
Keep me throughout my life, oh Lord;In such a Son-like dread of thee,
That to the Cannon of thy Word,
My practise alwaies may agree.
And, since the studie of the Lawes,
For my profession was design'd;
415
Preserve in me a willing mind.
2
Let nor the gaining of a Fee,Nor Foes despight, nor Friends desart,
Nor fear, nor want, enveagle me
From faithfull Counsell to depart.
Nor let my Practise be like theirs,
Who turn the means of righting wrong,
Into vexations gins, and snares,
Contentious pleadings to prolong.
3
From their base mind preserve me clear,To whom Iudiciall-Courts do seem,
As if they only raised were,
To help enrich and honour them.
And, from their Guilt, preserve me too,
Who, their preferments to increase,
Forbear not publike wrongs to do,
Nor, to infringe the common-peace.
4
Yea, teach me so to know, and minde,How much displeased, Lord! thou art,
With him that's wilfully inclinde
The Course of Iustice to pervert;
That I may never do or say
That, which averse to Truth may be;
Or, set my Clyent in a way,
Which may not well approved be.
416
Hymn XXXII. For a Clyent.
[_]
Clyents are oft times through wilfulnesse, or indiscretion, needlesse occasions of their owne and other mens molestations. Here therefore, they are put in minde with what sinceritie, warinesse, and prudence they should wage Law, and of whom this temper is to be sought.
Sing this as the 23. Psalme.
[1]
So oft as neighbours disagree,At least, one partie still,
Blame worthie shall be found to be,
In Judgement, or in Will.
Nay, many times, on either side,
Law-suits are so begun;
That, neither can be justifide
In that, which they have done.
2
Self-Love, and Self-conceit, pervertThe most approved Lawes;
They make, sometimes, an honest heart,
Befriend an evill-Cause.
And, few men so inclined are
Their errors to behold,
As when in others names they hear
Their own offences told.
417
3
Therefore, since now engag'd I am,A Clyent to become;
And must abide with gain or blame,
The Lawes impartiall doom.
LORD, grant me grace, to be content
The Truth should alway thrive;
And, to accept of that event,
Which thou art pleas'd to give.
4
Let neither peevishnes, nor hate,Nor pride, my Will deprave:
Nor, thirsting to enlarge my state,
Endanger what I have.
But, grant me wisdome to foresee,
(Before I be undone)
How mischievous a Suit may be,
Which rashly is begun.
5
Preserve me from the mind of those,Who seek by fraud or force,
The Acts of Justice to expose;
Or interrupt her course.
And, lest this mind may me undoe,
Assisted let me be,
With Lawyers, and with Judges too,
From Bribes, and Falshood free.
418
Hymn XXXIII. For a Physitian.
[_]
It may be some Physitians will not despise to preserve in themselves a Remembrance of their duties, by such a means as this Hymn: howsoever, it is here inserted, that it may purposely or accidentally performe that office.
[1]
Oh my God! what helpeth lesseTo preserve us from the Grave,
Then that Art which I professe,
If it please not thee to save?
And, when sicknes I oppose,
By what cunning, could I see
In what secret path it goes;
If I had not light from thee?
2
By thine ayd I must discernWhere my Patients grief doth lie;
I, from thee must also learn,
What, thereto I should apply:
And, when such weak things as these,
Leaves, and Roots, of Plants, and Weeds,
Shall remove a strong disease,
From thy Virtue, it proceeds.
3
Therefore, let thy blessing still,With my Practise, go along;
419
That no Patient may have wrong.
And, their boldnes let me shun,
Who, when Art is at a pawse;
Desp'rate Courses dare to run,
For their profit, or applause.
[4]
Let the grievance of the Poore,Be, for Charitie, of me
As much tendred, evermore,
As the Rich-man's for a Fee.
And in me, their mind prevent,
Who prolong an easie Cure:
And, their profits to augment,
Make men griev'd, more grief endure.
5
But, such Conscience let me make(In the Calling I professe)
What I give, and what I take,
That my Practise thou may'st blesse.
And, that when I sick shall be,
I no cause may have, to fear
That, Revenge will ceaze on me,
For neglect of love, or care.
Hymn XXXIIII. For a Patient.
[_]
One cause that sick persons have so little benefit by the Physitians ayd, is their neglect of their own duties to God, and themselves; and for prevention of these negligences, this Hymn was composed.
420
Sing this as, VVe praise thee God .
[1]
Lord, from the noisome sink of sin,Which through our nature goes,
All Suff'rings do at first begin;
Thence all our sicknes flowes.
And, till the streams of Grace thou daign,
To wash that filth away,
We labour for that Health in vain,
Which else obtain we may.
2
Most wise Physician of my Soul!To purge now, therefore, please
That vicious Fount, of humors-foul,
Which breedeth my disease.
And, when remov'd those Causes be,
Which my distempers bring,
Cure also those effects in me,
Whence my disease doth spring.
3
Thy blessing on that means bestow,Which, now I do intend;
And, let my heart in all I doe,
On thee, alone depend.
Yea, that the means which I receive,
May bring my hopes to passe;
Give me the due preparative
Of penitentiall-grace.
4
For, he that on his Leaches Art,Doth over-much relie:
Or, with an unrepentant heart,
The means of health, doth trie;
421
Which to obtain, he thought,
Or, gain by health, a worse disease,
Then that, whose cure, he sought.
Hymn XXXV. For a Merchant, or Chapman.
[_]
By the use of this Hymn, Merchants may be kept heedfull of the snares and temptations which they become lyable unto by their negotiations; and, what peace, and profit, will ensue if they be just and mercifull in their Dealings.
Sing this as the 4, 5, or 6. Psalmes.
[1]
Vnlesse, oh Lord, thy grace thou lend,To be mine hourely guide,
In ev'ry Word I do offend;
In ev'ry step, I slide.
For, earth, us lawfull Course affords,
That makes men more to blame,
(In fraudfull deeds, and guilefull words)
Then that, whereof I am.
2
When strong desires of being rich,With means thereto, are joyn'd;
Good-conscience is endanger'd much,
And, often, cast behind.
Yea, to great wealth men seldom rise
Through what, they sell and buy,
422
They, sometime, cheat and lie.
3
The sins, oh Lord, forgive thou me,Which to my trading cleave.
Vpright, let all my dealings be;
That, I may none deceive.
All my Affaires, instruct me so
(By prudence) to contrive;
That others may, by what I do,
See, honest waies, to thrive.
4
Permit, not, Greedinesse of gain,My Conscience to ensnare,
Or, lode me, with employments vain,
Or, fill my heart with care.
Nor make my Goods, a prey to those
Who, by dishonest waies,
(Or, by pretending all to lose)
Themselves, to riches raise.
5
To those, who poor are that way made,Which they could not prevent,
Let me no cruell burthens add,
In craving what I lent:
But, let me do for men distrest,
(As my estate may bear)
What, at their hands, I might request,
If in their plight I were.
6
So, though to povertie I fall,And, needy seem to be;
A quiet minde, possesse I shall,
With full content, in thee.
423
It will not wast away,
Like brushie Fewell in the fire,
But, with mine Off-spring, stay.
Hymn XXXVI. For a Souldier.
[_]
The Souldier being taught by this Hymn, to nourish in his heart, the contempt of Bodily perils is withall instructed, or put in minde to be carefull to avoyd the sins usually defiling that profession; to consider the duties of his Calling, and take God for his Leader and Defence.
[1]
Now, in my self, I notice take,What life we Souldiers lead,
My haire stands up, my heart doth ake,
My Soul is full of Dread;
And, to declare
This horrid fear,
Throughout my bones, I feel
A shiv'ring cold,
On me lay hold,
And, run from head, to heel.
2
It is not losse of limbes or breath,Which hath me so dismay'd.
Nor mortall wounds, nor grones of Death,
Have made me thus afray'd.
424
I start no more,
Then mountains, from their place,
Nor feel I fears,
Though swords and spears,
Are darted at my face.
3
A Souldier it would ill become,Such common things to feare:
The shouts of war, the thundring drum,
His Courage up doth cheere.
Though dust and smoke,
His passage choke,
He boldly marcheth on,
And thinketh scorn,
His back to turn,
Till all be lost or won.
4
The flashing Fires, the whizzing shot,Distemper not his wits:
The barbed Steed, he dreadeth not,
Nor him, who thereon sits.
But, through the field,
With sword and shield,
He cutteth forth his way,
And, through a flood,
Of reaking blood,
Wades on, without dismay.
5
That, whereupon, the dread begins,Which, thus appaleth me,
Is that huge troop of crying-sins,
Which rife in Souldiers be.
425
Wherewith I finde,
Into the field they go;
More terror hath,
Then all the wrath,
And Engines of the Foe.
6
The Rapes, the Spoiles, and Acts unjust,Which are in Souldiers rife,
Their damned Oathes, their brutish lust,
Their cursed course of life,
More dreadfull are,
When death draws neer,
Then Death it self can be;
And, he that knows
The fear of those,
The mouth of Hell, doth see.
7
Defend me Lord, from those misdeeds,Which my profession shame;
And, from the veng'ance that succeeeds,
When we are so to blame.
Preserve me far,
From Acts of War;
Where, thou dost peace command;
And, in my brest,
Let mercy rest,
Though Justice use my hand.
8
Those, let me willingly obay,Who my commanders be.
Both with my Place, and with my pay,
Contented make thou me:
426
To meet my Foe,
Let no beloved Sin,
In me be found,
To make a wound,
Without me, or within.
9
Let me no help to those afford,That have a wicked cause;
Nor take up Armes, but, where her sword
Impartiall Justice draws.
Yet, as a blot,
Impute thou not,
The wast of humane blood;
Shed by my hands,
At their commands,
Who must not be withstood.
10
Be thou my Leader to the Field;My head, in battell arme.
Be thou a brestplate, and a shield,
To keep my Soul from harme:
For, live or dye,
I will relye
On thee, oh Lord, alone.
And in this trust,
(Though fall I must)
I, cannot be undone.
427
Hymn XXXVII. For a Seaman.
[_]
The Seaman is here personated instructing himself, by expressing the pleasures; profits, and perils of his calling; and petitioning God to keep him thankfull for his deliverances, and mindfull to performe the vows, he made in times of extream danger.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
We, whom affaires employed keep,Where mightie-waters be,
There view the terrors of the Deep;
Great wonders, there, we see.
And, in that place,
Gods helping grace,
We tast, so many waies,
That none are bound
More oft, to sound
Their dear Protectors praise.
2
The barren Flood, which Landmen dread,To us, doth pleasures yield;
And, we thereby, are cloth'd and fed,
As from a fruitfull field.
That, we, likewise,
Might rightly prize,
The blessings we receive;
428
To watch and pray,
Some, just occasions have.
3
To cheer us in our painfull trade,The Sea, sometime, doth smile:
Strange prospects, there, a means are made,
Long journyes, to beguile.
A loftie Course,
As on a Horse,
Vpon the waves we ride;
And, then the wind,
Attends behind,
Or, lackies, by our side.
4
Sometime, again, that, heed we mayGods mercies, and our sin;
Black stormes, the skies do overlay;
The Seas, to swell begin.
The Billows roare,
And, on the shoare,
They Spit their Snowie-fome,
And, perils great,
The passage get,
Betwixt us, and our home.
5
The raging Winds our tacklings breaksAnd rends both shrouds and sailes,
Our bruized vessell, sprinketh Leaks,
And, then, our courage failes.
One while, we plow
The Sands below;
Anon, aloft we rise,
429
With an intent,
To saile above the skies.
6
Opprest with dangers and with fear,Then, loud we call on God:
Who doth vouchsafe our cries to hear,
And, calmes the raging Flood.
From death and wrack,
He plucks us back,
By his Almightie hand;
And (having lost
Our hope, almost)
VVe, safe are brought to land.
7
For thy protections Lord, therefore,Still thankfull keep thou me;
As well, when I am safe on shore,
As where great perils be.
Let me not breake,
The vows I make,
VVhile times of danger last;
And, new begin
My Course of Sin,
Assoone as fears are past.
8
For, he who taketh no regard,What, in distresse he vow'd;
Shall cry at length, and not be heard,
Nor finde compassion show'd.
When, wave nor storme,
Can us reform;
Nor Mercy, daily shown;
430
Far greater fears,
To bring presumption, down.
Hymn XXXVIII. For a Musician.
[_]
Many Musicians are more out of order then their Instruments: such as are so, may by singing this Ode, become reprovers of their own untuneable affections. They who are better tempered, are hereby remembred what Musick is most acceptable to God, and most profitable to themselves.
[1]
What helps it those,Who, skill in Song have found;
Well, to compose
(Of disagreeing notes)
By artfull choice
A sweetly pleasing sound;
To fit their Voice,
And their melodious throats?
What, helps it them,
That they this cunning know;
If most condemn
The way, in which, they go?
2
What will he gainBy touching well his Lute,
Who shall disdain
A grave advise to hear?
431
Of Organ, Fife, or Lute,
To him redounds,
Who doth no sin forbear?
A mean respect,
By tuning strings, he hath,
Who doth neglect,
A rectified-path.
3
Therefore, oh Lord,So tuned, let me be
Vnto thy word,
And, thy ten-stringed-law,
That in each part,
I may thereto agree;
And, feel my heart
Inspir'd, with loving awe:
He sings and plaies,
The Songs which best thou lovest,
Who does and sayes,
The things which thou approvest.
4
Teach me the skill,Of him, whose Harp asswag'd
Those passions ill,
Which oft afflicted Saul.
Teach me the strain
Which calmeth mindes enrag'd;
And, which from vain
Affections, doth recall.
So, to the Quire,
Where Angels musicke make,
432
When I this life forsake.
Hymn XXXIX. For a Husbandman.
[_]
Vpon the Husbandmans labour the temporall wellfare of all common-weales depends: this Hymn, therefore, teacheth him to sanctifie his endeavours by prayer, and thanksgiving: To seek his profit by Gods, blessing, and so to care for the Body, that the Soul be not neglected.
Sing this as the 25. Psalme.
[1]
Prevent, Lord, by thy grace,The curse that entred in,
And on the earth, continued was,
For Adams wilfull sin.
Let not thy Love permit
My cost, my time, or pain,
In digging, and in dressing it,
To be employ'd in vain.
2
Though thornes and bryers, beThe natives of our fields;
Yet, when the earth is blest by thee,
A pleasant crop it yields.
The hils rich pasture, bear;
Deep grasse, the meads adorn;
The trees with fruits arayed are;
The dales are full of corn.
433
3
Lord, that it may be so,My honest labours blesse;
And, grant that what I set and sow,
May yeeld a due increase:
From Vermine, Fouls, and Weeds;
From those who spoil or steal,
Both Plants and Fruits, and Crops, and Seeds,
Preserve thou for my Weal.
4
From blasting-Ayres defendFrom Colds, Heats, Droughts, and Rains,
Which may deprive me of the end,
And, comfort of my pains.
And, let in season still,
Thy dewes, and fruitfull drops,
Vpon the thirstie clods distill,
Which else will fail my hopes.
5
What ever thou shalt give,My labours to requite;
That, let me thankfully receive,
And, in thy love delight.
Not seeking (for my gain)
A Famine to augment;
By needlesse hording up of gain,
When hungrie times are sent.
6
And though the Plough and Spade,Dung-Dust, and Miery-clay
Are Instruments, and Objects made,
My Body to imploy.
Yet, suffer not my Soul
Affection to bestow,
434
In fading, and so low.
7
But, while my hands do move,In works that earthlie be;
Advance my heart, to things above;
And, fixe my love on thee:
That, when my Flesh, must lie
In Earth, from whence it came;
My Soul, may to those mansions fly,
VVhere, Spirits praise thy name.
Hymn XL. For a Labourer.
[_]
Labouring-men have many discouragements; and if they faint under their burthens, other will feele the weight of it. This Hymn therefore cheares them up in their painfull Calling; and stirs them up also to seek Gods blessing upon their labours.
[1]
You that enjoy both goods and lands,And, are not forc'd by sweat,
And, by the labour of your hands,
To earn the Food you eat;
Give thanks for this your easie lot
And, do not us disdain;
VVhose Bread, and Raiment must be got
By taking daily pains.
435
2
For, though our portions mean appear,Contentments, they procure;
Whereby, we still, enabled are
Our labours to endure.
And no man, ever those yet knew,
In aged yeers forsook;
Who were in youth, to labour true,
And honest Courses took.
3
When sicknesse or those wants do come,Wherein we comfort need;
God, alwaies moves the hearts of some,
Our secret wants to heed.
And, without shame, we then receive
What charitie bestows:
Because, what, at such times men give;
The common Treasure, owes.
4
They, who delight from doore to doore,Of hunger to complain;
Meere want of honestie, made poore;
Or, want of taking pain.
They, therefore, lack what needfull is,
Their flesh to cloth, and feed:
Whereas, we nothing greatly misse;
But, what we do not need.
5
Rich men, in this, we do surpasse;To us, our labours are
A portion, which in ev'ry place,
Things needfull may prepare.
Yea, were we rob'd of all today,
Or, chas'd from where we dwell;
436
They will maintain us well.
6
Make me without repining, Lord!My lot, to under-go,
Till thou shalt larger means afford;
And, easie dayes bestow.
In health, and strength, preserve thou me,
My lively-hood to get;
And, when I sick or old shall be,
Provide me, cloth and meat.
7
Keep me, (although thou keep me poor)In word, and action, true:
And, give me grace, if I have more,
That, sloth I may eschew.
So, whether povertie or pain,
Or wealth, or ease, thou send;
Through thee, a passage, I shall gain
To blessings, without end.
Hymn XLI. For a Shepherd.
[_]
That Shepherds, might not muse altogether on Drudgerie or impertinent vanities, while they are, all alone, attending their Flocks, we have prepared, for them, a Pastorall-Song, to acquaint and exercise them, with nobler Meditations.
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Renowned men their Herds to keep,Delighted much in elder dayes:
437
Great Princes thought is no dispraise.
And, while they so employed were,
Sometime, oh God! it pleased thee
In wondrous manner, to appear,
And, gracious unto them to be.
2
The Joyfullest-news, that ere was told,Was unto Shepherds, first declar'd,
And, they did also, first behold
The blessing, whereof they, first, heard.
Lord! I am thine, as much as they,
(Although unworthy such respect)
Oh, let thy mercies, glorious Ray,
Vpon my low-estate, reflect.
3
Whilst all alone, I here attendThis harmlesse Flock; let, into me
Thy holy-Ghost, oh Christ! descend;
That, I may therewith filled be.
And, though my heart a Stall hath bin,
Where, Vice at Rack and manger, lay;
Vouchsafe thou, to be born, therein:
That, better guests possesse it may.
4
Lest Idle-musings, Thoughts beget,That, stir up longings, which are ill;
And, make me my endeavour set,
Forbidden Actions, to fulfill.
Vpon thy Love, and on thy Law,
Let me, my lovely houres, employ.
That, I may serve with Joy-full-awe;
And, love thee, with an awfull-Joy.
438
5
When I my stragling-sheep behold,Let me conceive, what I had bin;
Hadst thou not brought me to thy Fold,
And, fed and succour'd me, therein.
And, when I well consider those,
Who Spoilers, of those creatures be;
Me, let it mindfull make, what Foes
Do seek, to make a spoile of me.
6
When, likewise, I behold them shorn,And, meekly yeelding up their fleece;
Or, when to slaughter they are born,
How patiently, their lives they leese:
That holy-Lambe, let me, I pray,
Thereby, in thankfull minding have,
Who, dumbe-before the Shearer lay;
And, slaughtred was my life to save.
7
Yea, whilst I watch and guide my sheep;Be thou my Shepherd, and my Guide,
Both me, and them, from harm to keep;
And, all things needfull, to provide.
That, when both Goats, and Sheep, shall stand
Before thy face, their doomes to bear;
I, may be plac'd at thy Right-hand,
And, Joy when I my Sentence hear.
Hymn XLII. For a Handicrafts man.
[_]
All handicrafts being gifts of the holy Ghost, it
were fit men did better know it, and more often
praise him for it. To that end, this Hymn was
devised; and, perhaps, if it were devoutly, and
frequently used, Crafts-men, would be more
thriftie, and lesse deceitfull, in manufactures then they now are.
439
[1]
Thy Gifts most, holy-Spirit, beSo great, so manifold,
That, what we have receiv'd from thee,
No language, can unfold.
The meanest Sciences in use,
As well as famous Arts,
Thy Prudence, did, at first produce;
And, still, to men imparts.
2
Embrodry thy Invention was,(Though many think it vain)
The skill to Grave in steel, and brasse,
We did from thee, obtain.
For not Bezalaels hands, alone,
Didst thou with cunning fill;
But, yet, instructest ev'ry one,
That is endow'd with skill.
3
That little which my hand can do,Was learned first, from thee:
Thou, first enabled me thereto;
And, alwaies work'st with me.
My knowledge, more and more encrease,
Till perfect it appear:
And, let the Science I professe,
My needfull Charges bear.
442
4
Preserve in me, an honest minde,That, well my work be wrought.
For, them, whose wares false made, we finde,
An evill spirit taught.
It may a while encrease their store,
But, mischiefs it will breed;
And, leave men both defam'd, and poore,
In times of greatest need.
5
For all thy Gifts I give thee praise,And, I acknowledge will,
That, thou dost ayd me many waies,
In my Mechanick skill;
Yet, since those Arts vouchsafed be
Alike, to Good and Bad;
Of thy more speciall-Grace, let me
Partaker, Lord! be made.
6
Oh blessed-Spirit, alwaies, daign,That, through thine ayd, I may
The sanctifying gifts obtain,
Which thine Elect enjoy.
Yea, though my Works be not so pure,
Thy Censures to abide,
Yet let my Faith, so firm endure,
That, Grace, be not denide.
Hymn XLIII. For a School-master or Tutor.
[_]
School-masters and Tutors, being sometime more
arrogant then learned; and more covetous then
industrious; many are much hindred thereby. By
this Hymn therefore, they may be remembred to
judge themselves, and to seek of God a due qualification, by prayer.
442
[1]
Beware my heart,Lest thou too highly deem,
Of that small art,
Which may appear in me;
And, proud become,
As Pedants use to be,
Because, to some
A knowing-man I seem:
For, though good-lessons I have taught,
Yet, in my self, if I be naught;
And, marre Doctrines, by my Waies,
Reproofs I merit, more then Praise.
2
If I presumeTo know, beyond my reach;
Or shall assume
Large pay, for slender pain:
If I neglect
Whom I am bound to teach,
Or, lesse affect
My Dutie, then my gain;
I for those wrongs can make small mends,
Because, whoever thus offends,
Injurious is to Age, and Youth,
And guiltie of the worst untruth.
3
My God, therefore,A conscience let me make;
442
Then well perform, I may.
But, so well heed
For what, reward I take;
That, I in Deed,
May practise what I say.
And, lest my labours fruit may want;
So water thou, what I shall plant;
That, from the pains which I bestow,
Both comfort, and increase, may grow.
Hymn XLIIII. For Schollers and Pupils.
[_]
Schollers, and Pupils, are here personated illustrating the Priviledges of learning, and the basenesse of ignorance, praising God for the means of encreasing their knowledge; and praying him, to season and endow them with profitable Sciences.
Sing this as the 10. Commandements.
[1]
Though knowledge must be got with pain,And, seemeth bitter in the Root;
It brings, at last, a matchlesse gain;
And yeeldeth forth most pleasant fruit.
It is the richest kinde of trim,
That noble persons can put on;
It Reason keeps, from growing dim;
It sets a lustre, thereupon.
443
Out of the lowest Rancks of men.
2
But, such as do this Jem neglect,Or, seek it not whilst they are young;
Grow old in yeers, without respect,
And, perish in the vulgar throng.
Like brutish beasts, they little know,
Save how their bellies they may fill.
When others rise they sit below,
They see no choice twixt good and ill.
And, that which best commends their state,
Is, they repent when 'tis too late.
3
I therefore now, do sing thy praise,And give thee thanks, thrice blessed-Lord,
That thou in these my youthfull dayes,
The means of knowledge, dost afford.
Compelled many others are
(That knowing men they might become)
To pay great sums, and travel far,
For that which I may gain at home;
Or where, supplyed all things are,
As well, as if at home, I were.
4
Vouchsafe me, therefore so much grace,As to endeavour what I may;
Whilst I have leisure, means, and space,
And wits, to bear this prize away.
Be pleas'd, likewise, to season so
The knowledge, which I shall attain;
That, puffed up I may not grow,
Nor fooled be, with Science vain.
444
To know my Self, thy will, and thee.
Hymn XLV. For young Persons.
[_]
By using this Hymn, young-persons are made reprovers of their own follies; and taught to affect, and pray for such things as are laudable, profitable, holy, and to the glory of God, &c.
[1]
Youth is a wild, a wanton thing,Which few can govern well;
For when our Blood is in the Spring
Our wits are in the shell.
We up and ride,
Er'e we can guide
The Charret of our Will;
And, thereupon
We hurry on,
Ev'n down Perditions hill.
2
When we our Friends lamenting here,The giddy Course we take,
We think, that, through a needlesse-care,
A causlesse-coyle they make.
But, when we view
That we pursue
What, shame or losse hath brought;
We sneaking go,
445
And say, We had not thought.
3
In virtuous Actions, we are weak;In Vices we are strong:
We soon are tir'd, if wisedome speak;
And, think vain-tales not long.
Lest Tutors may,
Our Wills gainsay,
Tis now our greatest Fear:
And, to provide
For Lust and Pride,
Is most of all our care.
4
LORD, teach me, therefore, to beleeveWhat wisedome doth foretell.
E're I do smart, or make them grieve,
Who truly wish me well.
Since, ev'rie day,
Behold I may,
How evill Courses thrive;
Let me forbear,
To fleight, or Jeer,
Those, who good-counsell give.
5
Vouchsafe me grace and strength to reinMy wild and head-strong Will;
And all those longings to restrain,
Which tempt us unto ill.
The Flowrie prime,
Of youthfull time,
Let me not vainly spend
In follow'ng Sin,
446
Perdition without end.
6
But sanctifie unto thy praise,My Soul and Bodie, Lord:
And purifie my youthfull waies,
Through thy all-cleansing word.
That young and old,
When they behold,
Thy work of grace in me;
May glorifie
Thy Majestie,
From whom, all blessings be.
Hymn XLVI. For old Persons.
[_]
It is a curse to have youthfull Affections in an aged Body; and a great blessing it is to be wained from the world, as Youth decayes. This Hymn, therefore personates an aged Person rejoycing in the nearnesse of his dissolution, despising the pleasures of Youth; and desiring to be invested with immortalitie.
Sing this, as I loved thee once.
[1]
Now, glad and happie may I be,And carroll forth a Song of praise:
For that, so neer at hand I see,
The wished harvest of my daies,
447
What I in Youth could never view.
And fading-Sense instructs me more
Then perfect-Senses heretofore.
2
Right blest am I, that I have past,The perils of those youthfull times,
Which we in fruitles Follies wast,
Or (which is worse) in hainous crimes.
From Jealous Loves, from Lustfull Foes,
From raging fits, from loose desires,
Which heretofore tormented me,
I now am hopefull to be free.
3
Oh Lord! vouchsafe it may be so:In me let youthfull Follie cease.
As I in years more aged grow,
Let Virtue more and more increase.
Let all my Passions me become,
And their base fondnes keep me from,
Who youthfull pleasures dote upon,
When pleasing Youth, and strength is gon.
4
These Jollie times, which most men praise,(And sorrow when they passe away)
Increas'd my torments many waies;
And perils in my path did lay.
Yea, but for thy assisting-grace,
I had bin ruin'd in that race:
And therefore, now I praise thy Name,
That I have overliv'd the same.
5
As did Lots wife, let not my heartVnto that Sodome of mine age.
448
Nor thereunto my Soul engage.
But make these times as loth'd of me,
As aged years of Wantons be.
That grace in me, may ev'rie day,
Increase as Flesh and Blood decay.
6
Forbid thou then, that (when I have spentMy Lust and Love to youthfull Sin)
I should make semblance to repent;
And, other Follies then begin.
At youths escapes let me not rail,
Because, that way my strength doth fail;
Yet, practise whil'st I them gainsay,
Worse evils in a graver-way.
7
Let me not change my vain Excesse,Into an over-sparing-mind,
Nor in Old-age grow mercilesse,
Because, my Youth was ever kind.
Nor let me love, as many do,
To make vain brags (with lying too)
Of youthfull tricks now I am old,
Which are not seemlie to be told.
8
But, such let my endeavours be,As may my place and years beseem;
That Youth may good example see;
And Age continue my esteem;
For, when a comely part we play,
It keeps in Age, contempt away.
And (though but weak, our Bodies are)
Our Looks will keep strong men in fear.
449
9
As this my carnall-Robe growes old,(Soil'd, rent, and worn, by length of years)
Let me, on that, by Faith, lay hold,
Which man in life immortall wears.
So sanctifie my daies behind;
So let my manners be refinde;
That when my Soul and Flesh must part,
There lurk no terrors in my heart.
10
So shall my Rest be safe and sweet,When I am lodged in my grave;
And, when my Soul and Bodie meet,
A joifull meeting they shall have.
Their Essence, then, shall be divine;
This muddie Flesh will star-like shine:
And, God, shall that fresh-Youth restore,
Which will abide for evermore.
Hymn XLVII. For a blind Person.
[_]
To mitigate their discomforts who are deprived of Bodilie-Sight, this Hymn intimates the furtherance which that defect may be to their everlasting Felicitie; and a spirituall Illumination is implored to supply that corporall defect.
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Fain would I view that pleasing sight,And lovelie splendor of the Skies,
450
And gladdeth all Beholders eies;
But, since God pleased is, to hide
That spark of Common-grace from me;
Content I am to be denide
The Gift, which may not granted be.
2
For it proceeds not still from wrath,When God of those things doth deprive,
Which he on most conferred hath;
And without which, diseas'd men live.
Sometime our Good; sometime his Praise;
And many times, ev'n both of these,
Are Cause, that he upon us layes
Discomfort, Blemish, or Disease.
3
Perhaps, if I the Light had seen,The way to ruine I had gone;
Or, guiltie of offence had been,
Which me for ever had undone.
Perhaps in darknes here I bide,
Because if I had light enjoy'd,
Mine Eye had left mine Heart aside,
And made my best endeavours void.
4
What e're the cause thereof hath been,Thou LORD, art pleas'd it should be so;
And with thy Justice, I have seen
Thy Mercy, hand in hand, to goe.
In thy good pleasure, I therefore,
With our repining am content;
And, will be thankfull evermore,
For whatsoever thou hast lent.
451
5
My want of an externall-sight,With inward-light, supplie thou so,
That I may walk that path aright,
In which thy Children ought to go.
Yea, be my Watchman, and my Guide,
My Mind and Body to direct;
That nothing lead my heart aside;
Or injure me through this defect.
Hymn XLVIII. For a Criple.
[_]
The Criple is here taught to comfort himselfe in his infirmities, by taking notice that Bodily Crosses may may be furtherances to our spirituall performances; and pledges of Gods favour, &c.
Sing this as the Lords Prayer.
[1]
Though in my limbs I cripl'd am,(Which for some works disableth me)
My Tongue as yet, is not so lame,
But that my Voice may tuned be.
In Song I may Gods love advance;
Though him I praise not in the dance.
2
And cause I have, to sing his praise,Who humbled me by this defect:
For where he loves, the Rod he laies,
And all his children doth correct.
452
No Children are by him begot.
3
Some Crosse, all humane Flesh must bearThe Spur, or Clog, we all do need:
For slow, or else too rash we are;
And, of our duties take no heed.
Yea, sweetest blessings we contemn,
Till some affliction sharpens them.
4
(God shrunk a sinew in his thigh,And sent him halting to his grave)
Whose prai'r he did not then denie,
But, therewithall a blessing gave.
Oh! if such Faith were found in me,
My Lamenesse might a Blessing be.
5
Therefore, oh Lord, increase thou soThe little Faith which I retain;
That, more believing I may grow,
That in thy grace, I may remain;
And, that my Frailtie keep me may
From erring far out of thy way.
6
Be thou my Staffe; be thou my Prop;(As from the cradle thou hast bin)
And still maintain in me, the hope
Which I, till now have lived in.
So shall I misse my Limbs the lesse,
And thy free-mercy still confesse.
453
Hymn XLIX. For a Nurse.
[_]
Nurses by ill diet, distempered affections, or want of heedfulnesse, may be hurtfull to their Nurse-Children. Therefore, when they sing to quiet their Nurslings, the repetition of this Song may perhaps remember them how to order themselves, and what care to take of their charge.
[1]
When Sampsons Mother was foretold,What Son she in her wōb should bear;
A Dyet, she was taught to hold,
And warn'd whereof she would beware:
Whereby, their foll'wing good effects,
To him, who did from her proceed:
Discretion from the same collects,
That Nurses warilie should feed.
2
For though it is thy blessing, LORD!Which gives the temper we desire;
Thou, thereunto do'st means afford;
And, heedfulnes in us require.
That knowledge, therefore, grant thou me,
That love, that conscience, and that care,
VVhich in those Women ought to be,
VVho chose for Foster-Mothers are.
454
3
Crown thou my Pains with good successe,That comfort therein may be found.
My Babe from fire, from water blesse,
Preserve him quiet, safe and sound.
Let not my Milke, thereto convay
Those humors, which may either bend
The mind unto a vitious way;
Or else, the Bodies health offend.
4
But let my Body and my mind,Be tempred still, and ord'red so;
That helps thereby this Childe may find,
In virtue, and in strength to grow.
And lest, when I my best have done,
From me more Ill then Good, he drawes;
Vouchsafe Him grace my sins to shun,
And to be govern'd by thy Lawes.
Hymn L. For a Almesman or Woman.
[_]
Almes-men for whom Charitie hath provided, have leasure, and speciall cause to praise God for his loving providence: And this Hymn is prepared to remember them, with what thankfulnesse they should be alwaies affected.
Sing this as the 25. Psalme.
[1]
It is Lord, of thy grace,That when we needie were,
455
Thou didst for us prepare.
For when we were afraid,
Through want, opprest to be;
We had relief, and timelie-aid,
To us vouchsafed by thee:
2
When means nor pow'r we had,Things needfull to provide;
Then Strangers were our helpers made,
And have our want supplide.
Yea, some that heretofore,
Did earn their bread with sweat;
Now labour lesse, and yet have more,
Then they were wont to eat.
3
Warm-clothed ev'rie day,Well-hous'd we likewise be;
For which we nothing are to pay,
But hearty-thanks to thee.
Lord, thankfulnes is all
Which thou of us do'st crave:
And that Rent-service is but small,
In liew of what we have.
4
Much better men, are fain(And some lesse able too)
For coursest bread, to take more pain,
And oft without it go.
Sometime, when far from home
They seek their dailie hire,
Wet, cold, and hungrie, back they come;
And find nor bread, nor fire.
456
5
Mean while at ease we bide,In lodgings warme and dry:
And, others do those things provide,
VVhich may our want supplie.
So that, if heed we give,
To what we do enjoy,
The quiet'st kind of life we live,
And freest from anoy.
6
VVe praise thee, LORD, therefore,And thee most humblie pray,
To keep us thankfull evermore,
And faithfull in thy way.
That in this leasure, now,
For Heav'n we may prepare,
And not in Soul, more wretched grow,
Then we in Body were.
7
Them, LORD, vouchsafe to blesse,By whom, those helps we have;
And let them still in thee possesse,
The fruit of what they gave;
And since they did befriend
The poore in time of need;
Let still thy Mercy down descend,
On them, and on their seed.
457
Hymn LI. For a Rich-man.
[_]
This Hymn was composed, that it might occasion Rich men to be more often mindfull what hinderance their wealth maybe to their best happines, the same being immoderately affected, ill gotten, or misimployed, &c.
[1]
Said (not causlesse) it hath bin,That a man of large estate,
Doth an entrance hardlie win,
Through the blest cœlestiall gate.
For as Riches do increase,
Wants abound, Contents are lesse;
Great Affaires augmenting care,
For the Soul no leasure spare.
2
Leasurelesse if he did seem,Who had taken but one Farme;
If the purchase of one Teem
May occasion so much harm,
As to keep away a guest,
From that great Almighties Feast;
When at leasure will he be,
That hath twentie Farmes to see?
3
Rich I am suppos'd, oh LORD!By that wealth which I possesse;
458
Thy free Bountie I confesse.
Yet such wants I find therein,
That I get not all I win:
And what once our Saviour said,
Makes my heart sometime afraid.
4
For when wealth exceeds the bound,Which doth answer our degree,
Snares, and baits, therein are found,
Whereby choaked we may be.
Yea, I find it ev'rie day,
Wooing so my heart away,
That unlesse thou keep me true,
I may bid thy love adue.
5
Therefore, LORD, thy grace augment,As my Riches are increast;
Those insertions to prevent,
Wherewithall they may infest.
Let them nor possesse my heart,
Nor afflict it when we part.
Nor be purcha'st at their cost,
Who themselves for wealth have lost.
6
Though a Rich man hardlie mayFind an entrance into blisse;
Yet through thee, oh LORD, the way,
And the passage easie is.
If we can but willing be,
To forsake our wealth for thee,
Or bestow it on the poore;
'Twill inlarge heav'ns narrow Doore.
459
7
Let, oh! let me still have care,So to husband what I have;
That I lose not what I spare,
Nor grow poore by what I save;
Only what I need is mine;
All the rest, oh LORD! is thine;
Which if I misuse or wast,
Must be answer'd for at last.
8
To that Audit, e're I come,Let me reckon by my self,
How I gain'd, or parted from,
Ev'rie parcell of my pelfe.
Goods-misgot let me restore;
Wealth-mispent let me deplore;
And before I Judgement have,
Judge my Self; and pardon crave.
Hymn LII. For a Poore man.
[_]
Povertie needeth Counsell and Consolation, therefore that (when it is wanting from others) Poore men may administer comfort to themselves, and be assisted by expressing their wants to the supplier of all necessities; this Hymn is offered unto them to be sung to that purpose.
Sing this as the 15. Psalme.
460
[1]
Some think there is no earthlie state,To be abhorred more;
Or more deserving feare or hate,
Then to be mean and poore.
Yet such a Portion I have got,
That I am needy made:
Yea, this is fallen to my Lot;
And yet I am not sad.
2
For Earth, and all that therein is,The LORDS possessions be:
Both he is mine, and I am his,
Who hath enough for me.
The Rich their own Providers are;
Yet sometimes they have need.
But God hath of the poore a care,
And them doth alwaies feed.
3
Though Povertie seem grievous may,(And much afflicteth some)
It is the best and safest way,
Vnto the World to come.
For, Poverty in her extream,
Nor tempts, nor so perverts,
As great Abundance tempteth them,
Who thereon set their hearts.
4
Therefore, that ev'rie man might growWith his estate content;
Thy Son, oh God! this way did go,
When through this world he went.
He wealth and honour prized not.
(Though we now prize it high)
461
By tempting him thereby.
5
LORD, though I do sometime complain,That outward means are scant,
And would assume that luggage fain,
Which I but think I want;
Yet when I mind how poore a life,
My Saviour liv'd on earth;
Wealth I condemne, and all my grief,
Is changed into mirth.
6
Let still my heart be pleased so,What e're betide me shall:
Yea, make me (though I poorer grow)
Contented therewithall.
And, let me not be one of them,
Who (in profession poore)
Seem Wealth and Pleasure to contemn,
That they may cheat the more.
7
The works my Calling doth propose,Let me not idlie shun;
For, he whom Idlenesse undoes,
Is more then twice undone.
If my estate enlarge I may;
Enlarge my love to thee.
And, though I more and more decay;
Yet, let me thankfull be.
8
For, be we poore, or be we rich,If well imploi'd we are,
It neither helps, nor hinders much,
Things needfull to prepare.
462
As Manna heretofore,
The feeblest gath'rer got enow,
The strongest got no more.
9
Nor Poverty nor Wealth, is thatWhereby we may acquire
That blessed and most happie state,
Whereto we should aspire.
But if thy Spirit make me wise,
And strive to do my best;
There may be in the worst of these,
A means of being blest.
10
The Rich in Love obtain from thee,Thy speciall gifts of grace;
The poore in Spirit, those men be
Who shall behold thy face.
Lord, grant I may be one of these,
Thus poore, or else thus rich;
Ev'n whether of the two, thou please,
I care not greatly which.
Hymn LIII. For an Inne-keeper or Taverne.
[_]
By the hearing, singing, or perusall of this Hymn, it is hoped that discreet Inne-keepers will be encouraged to continue Civilitie and good order in their Innes; and that some who have heretofore neglected the same shall be hereby provoked to be more orderly hereafter.
463
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Most men repute a Common Inn,For ev'rie person free
To set up there a Stage; where Sin
May boldly acted be.
And when prophane and rude excesse,
Their prizes there may play,
The Civill Guest is welcomlesse;
And wished then away.
2
Inns were to better ends ordain'd;And better were imploy'd:
For Virtue there was entertain'd;
And needfull Rest enjoy'd.
Yea, though our Calling many scorn,
And brand it with disgrace,
Our Saviour in an Hostry born,
Hath sanctifide the place.
3
His Grandame Rahab kept an Inn;And blessed Paul thought fit,
His Hoast should have remembred him,
Ev'n in the sacred-writ.
There Sanctitie her lodging had,
With Piety-divine;
Their Inns were holy-Chappels made,
And so I wish may mine.
4
A drunken and a prating Hoast,To Fools yeelds much delight;
And by his wiles, their needlesse Cost,
Is doubled ev'rie night.
464
A better Lot attends.
He, Credit, health, and wealth shall have;
Good Guests, and heartie friends.
5
For, when a Sober-Guest shall comeAbode with such, to make;
He knows he may, as if at home,
His ease, in safetie take.
But, on the former, if he light,
(Mistrusting dangers, there)
He hides his purse, and all the night,
Doth wake, or sleep, in feare.
6
Discretion, Lord! vouchsafe thou me,My Calling, so to use,
That, I, by none may injur'd be;
Nor, any, me abuse.
Yea, let mine Inne a Schoole be made,
To teach (without offence)
Those Guests, that evill manners had;
To go more civill, thence.
7
And, though I cannot all prevent,Which Guests may there misdo;
Yet, neither let me shew consent,
Nor liking, thereunto.
Let me, for no advantage, make
A brothell, of mine Inne:
Nor, by connivancie, partake
In any wilfull Sin.
8
So, at mine Inne thy blessed SonHis Lodging Lord, shall take;
465
Him, welcome I will make.
For, not a Stable, but my breast,
Shall be his lodging Roome.
And, mine own heart, to give him rest,
A pallet, shall become.
Hymn LIIII. For, Taylors, Millers, and Weavers.
[_]
Most men of these Trades, are either greatly slandered, or very guiltie of deceit and falshood: Therefore, that such as be faultie may reprove themselves; and, that such are innocent may be cherished in their honesty; this Hymn was composed.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
It is too much, that, in my heart,Corruptions I retain,
Which make me from those waies depart,
Wherein, I should remain.
Yet, in my Calling; Stumblings are
By other men espide,
Whereof, unlesse I can beware,
I, soon may swarve aside.
2
Occasions of a shamefull sin,Are offred, ev'ry day.
And, few of us have backward bin,
To put the same away.
466
Opinion and belief.
That 'tis no fault, or else not great,
To be a daily-Thief.
3
The Devill finds excuses out,Which being used long,
Perswade us to become in doubt,
If thieving be a wrong.
And at the length, so impudent,
It causeth us to grow;
That we do fearleslie assent
To act what ill we know.
4
From this degree of guiltinesse,Preserved let me be;
From Sins by custome seeming lesse,
Oh Lord deliver me.
If I be good, no trade so bad,
But yeelds an honest gain:
And him that's naught, no course or trade,
Will honestlie maintain.
5
If love to Goodnes, move me notVprightly still to deal;
Make me observe their Lowsie-lot,
Who use to filch and steal:
For they are beggers in the end;
Or if they wealth obtain,
On lust and pride, their children spend,
What they by thieving gain:
6
For love of Righteousnes therefore,Let me be still upright.
467
In Truth let me delight.
So shall to me my Trade, become
A Calling without blame:
And though it be abus'd by some,
Shall never bring me shame.
Hymn LV. For Shrieves, Baylies, Sergeants, &c.
[_]
Some of these Officers may perhaps become better in their condition, and prevent some scandals (which they are lyable unto) if they otherwhile remember themselves of their duties by the repetition of this, or the like Meditation.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
What ever Equitie commands,To punish things misdone,
Hath execution by our hands;
By whomsoe're begun.
We are that Arme, whereby the Law
Doth hold on sinners lay:
And few thereof would stand in awe;
If we were took away.
2
To Death, to torments, or to thrall,We do Offenders bear:
468
We oft confessed here.
Yet otherwhile, our conscience may
(While we perform our part)
To us in secret truly say,
Their doom is our desart.
3
If we therefore, who often viewWhat Sin on Sinners drawes;
And are the men who do pursue,
The sentence of the Lawes;
If we our dangers will not see,
By what on others lights;
The greater will Gods vengeance be,
When he in anger smites.
4
LORD, so inspire my heart with grace,Reform, renew me so;
That with good conscience in my place,
My duties I may do.
From being partiallie inclinde,
For gain, for love, or fear;
From harshnes where I may be kind,
Preserve me ever clear.
5
So when to call me to my doom,Thy Sergeant thou shalt send;
I need not be afraid to come,
But gladlie thither wend.
For though no Righteousnes of mine,
Thy Censure may abide:
It being vailed ore, by thine
I safelie may be tride.
469
Hymn LVI. For a Jayler.
[_]
Jaylors have at one Time or other, men of all estates and conditions in their custody, as well good as bad; Therefore, it is not impertinent to encrease the means whereby they may be made or preserved honest and mercifull men; which may be somewhat furthered, by this Meditation.
Sing this as the X. Commandements.
[1]
Though, we have got an evill-name,And, cruell-men reputed are;
We may not be so much to blame,
As, to the vulgar, we appear.
With such as have not well been taught,
We chiefly deal; and, such as they
On us, an Ill-report, have brought;
Which, will not soon be blown away.
2
If we be kinde, to such as these;They, for our kindnesse, us undo:
If then, we give them little-ease,
They, raile at us, for doing so.
And, most, who their just suffring see,
(Misjudging that, which they perceive)
Suppose us mercilesse to be;
When, better things, they should beleeve.
3
The Common-wealth doth alwaies needThat service, which it calls us to,
470
Should all men, unrestrained go.
Good-men, have this way, been employ'd:
And, by the tender hearts, of such,
Good-men, have, likewise, ease enjoy'd;
And, comforts, which they needed much.
4
Yea, though fooles count it, no disgraceOffenders, thus, to keep in hold;
An Office, of that Trust, it was,
And honourable, thought of old.
And, if we be not men of trust,
To whom, such places, now, belong:
They, who conferd them, are unjust;
And, much, the Common-wealth, may wrong.
5
When Joseph was in prison bound,(Though great he were, who laid him there)
He, kindnesse in the Jayler, found;
Because, he guiltlesse did appear.
Yea, many blessed Saints of God,
When they by Tyrants, were opprest;
(And no compassion found abroad)
Found mercy, in a Jaylers breast.
6
Oh Lord! let mercy never faileWithin my heart, a place to finde.
Though I be Keeper of a Jayle,
Yet, let me keep, an honest-minde.
Discretion give me, to perceive
What men, I strictly should restrain:
And, when I libertie may give,
Yet, in my place, upright remain.
471
7
Keep me, for evermore, a friendTo those, that are sincerely thine;
And, thy compassion, Lord! extend
In life, and death; to me, and mine.
And, let my Servants, all, I pray
Be faithfull-Servants unto thee:
That, at the great Assizes-day;
I, and my houshold, sav'd may be.
Hymn LVII. For a Prisoner.
[_]
Men in Affliction are somewhat cased when they can finde words whereby to expresse their sufferings; To help them who want expression of their endurance, in imprisonment; and, to remember prisoners, of such Meditations as are pertinent to their condition, is the intent of this Hymn.
[1]
I, whom of lateNo thraldome did molest;
Of that estate,
am, wholly, dispossest.
My feet, once free,
Are, strictly now confin'd;
Which, breeds in me,
A discontented mind.
2
Those prospects faire,Which I was wont to have;
472
Which fields and medows, gave;
Are changed, now,
For close unpleasant cells:
Where secret woe,
And, open-sorrow, dwels.
3
Insteed of Strains,Delightfull to mine eare,
Gives, bolts and Chains
Are all my musick, here:
And, er'e I get
Those things, for which I pay,
I must entreat,
With patience, in delay.
4
To feed, or sleep,To work, or take mine ease;
I, now, must keep
Such houres, as others please.
To make me sad,
Complaints are likewise heard;
And, often made,
Of wrongs, without regard.
5
Lord! as I ought,My freedome had I us'd;
Of this, (no doubt)
I might have been excus'd.
But, I confesse,
The merit of my sin,
Deserves no lesse,
Then hath inflicted bin.
473
6
Let not, oh God!My sin, thine anger move:
But, let this Rod,
Correct my faults in love.
With patient minde,
Let me thy stripes endure;
And, freedome finde,
When they have wrought their cure.
7
Whilst, here, I bide(Though I unworthy be)
Do thou provide
All needfull things, for me.
And, though friends grow
Vnkinde, in my distresse;
Yet, leave not thou
Thy servant, comfortlesse.
8
So, though in thrallMy body must remain;
In minde, I shall
Some freedome, still, retain?
And, wiser made
By this restraint, shall be,
Then, if I had
Vntill my death, been free.
Hymn LVIII. For a Prisoner condemned.
[_]
I have often observed that prisoners condemned, for want of good counsell, have Ill spent the short
474
Sing this as, VVe praise thee God .
[1]
Now, I perceive a God there isThat searcheth out my wayes;
And that when ere I do amisse,
His eye the same survayes.
Yea, now, I know, he knows that thing
Which I thought known of none:
And, can to light those actions bring,
Which are in darknesse done.
2
As thou, oh Lord! hast found me out,So, let me finde out thee:
That, of thy grace, I may not doubt,
Though gracelesse yet I be.
And, to the Crosse, though I was brought,
Ere I my guilt could rue;
Since, now, thy mercy, is besought,
To me, thy Mercy shew:
[3]
Touch thou my heart with true remorse,For what, I have misdone:
That, it may truly hate the Course,
Which I till now have run.
And, let, oh Lord! some recompence
From thy free hand, be daign'd;
To all, who have, by my offence,
Wrong, losse, or grief, sustain'd.
475
4
Let not the horror of my fact,My guiltie Soul oppresse;
Nor fear, nor hope, my minde distract;
Nor sorrow, me oppresse.
But, let me with, true penitence,
Before thy throne repaire;
Emploring grace, for my offence,
With fasting, and with pray'r.
5
And, though the Sinners way, I trod,Whilst I had freedome here;
Let, unto me, in death, oh God!
The Gate of Life, appear;
That, when the Law shall stop my breath,
As Justice doth decree,
I, through the dreadfull shades of Death,
May finde, a path to thee.
Hymn LIX. For a Prisoner at the place of Execution.
[_]
It is usuall for Prisoners brought to suffer for death, to Sing at the place of their execution, that they may testifie their hope of a joyfull Resurrection; and of mercy in the world to come; in the expression of which hope, this Hymn assisteth, and intimateth with what Meditations, they should be exercised at their suffering.
476
Sing this as the former.
[1]
VVhen Achan for his lawlesse-prize,A censure should receive,
His pious Judge, did him advize,
To God, the praise to give.
For, when our sins we do confesse,
We make his Justice known;
And, praise the wayes of Righteousnesse,
By blaming of our own.
2
Lord! I have well deserv'd the doome,By which condemn'd I am:
And, to this place, I now am come,
To suffer for the same:
In hope, through my firme faith in thee,
And for thy mercies cause;
That, this, shall my last-suffring, be
For breaking of thy laws.
3
Behold not Lord! behold, thou notWith Countenance austeer,
The Crimes, which do my Soul bespot,
And fill my heart with fear:
But, since I have repented them;
Since, I, in thee beleeve;
And do likewise my self condemn,
Do thou oh Lord! forgive.
4
Though with disgrace, cast forth I am,And, thrust from living-men;
Lord! Let me not appear with shame,
When I appear, agen.
477
And, have my Lot mispent,
Thy wastfull-Childe, receive thou home;
Since, he doth now repent.
5
Them comfort who are fild with grief,This end of mine to see.
Let my sad fall, and my lewd life,
To others, warnings be.
Oh! let all those, who see me clime
This mountain of disgrace,
Amend their lives whilst they have time,
And, Vertues path embrace.
6
Once more, I, for my self, oh Lord!Of thee do humbly crave,
That, thou the mercy wouldst afford,
Which, now, I seek to have.
But, longer why do I delay
This bitter Cup to drink?
Thou knowest Lord! what I would say;
Thou knowst what I can think.
7
My heart speaks more then words expresse,And, thoughts, the language be,
By which the sinner, in distresse,
Speaks loudest unto thee.
The world, therefore, thus, turning from;
Of her, I take my leave:
And, Lord! to thee; to thee I come;
My Spirit, now, receive.
478
Hymn LX. For a Poet.
[_]
Poets are prophets; not only in the vulgar acception, among humane Authors, but so called also by Saint Paul, Tit. 1. 12. By this Hymn therefore, such Poets as are not past grace, may be remembred to exercise their facultie to that end, for which it was given unto them, by God.
[1]
By Art, a Poet is not made.For (though by Art, some better'd be)
Immediatlie his gift he had
From thee, oh God! from none but thee.
And fitted in the wombe he was,
To be (by what thou didst inspire)
In extraordinarie place,
A Chaplain of this Lower-Quire.
Most Poets future things declare;
And Prophets (true or false) they are.
2
They who with meeknes, entertainAnd, with an humble Soul, admit
Those Raptures, which thy grace doth daign,
Become, for thy true service fit.
And, though the scapes which we condemn,
In these may otherwhile be found;
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And mak'st their tongues thy praise to sound.
Such Moses was; such David prov'd;
Men famous, holy, and belov'd.
3
And, such (though lower in degree)Are some, who live among us yet;
And, they with truth inspired be,
By musing on thy holy-Writ.
In Ordinarie, some of those,
Vpon thy service do attend;
Divulging forth in holy-Prose,
The Messages which thou do'st send:
And some of these, thy Truths display;
Not in an ordinarie way.
4
But where this Gift puffs up with pride,The Devill enters in thereby;
And through the same, doth means provide,
To raise his own Inventions high.
Blasphemous-Fancies are infus'd;
All holy new-things are expel'd.
He that hath most prophanelie muz'd,
Is fam'd, as having most excel'd;
And those are Priests and Prophets made
To him, from whom their Strains they had.
5
Such were those Poets, who of old,To heathen Gods, their Hymns did frame;
Or have blasphemous-Fables told,
To Truths abuse, and Virtues blame.
Such are these Poets, in these daies,
Who vent the fumes of Lust and Wine:
280
As if their Poems, were divine.
And, such, (though they some Truths foresee)
False-hearted, and false prophets be.
6
Therefore, since I reputed amAmong these few, on whom the times,
Imposed have, a Poets name;
Lord! give me grace to shun their crimes:
My precious gift, let me employ
Not (as imprudent Poets use)
That Grace, and Vertue, to destroy,
Which I should strengthen, by my Muse:
But help to free them of the wrongs,
Sustain'd by Drunkards Rymes, and Songs.
7
Yea, whilst thou shalt prolong my dayes,Lord, all the musings of my heart,
To be advancements of thy praise,
And, to the publique-weal, convert:
That, when to dust I must return,
It may not justly be my thought,
That, to a blessing, I was born,
Which by abuse, a Curse hath brought.
But, let my, conscience, truly say,
My Soul in peace departs away.
481
Hymn LXI. For them who intend to settle in Virginia, New-England, or the like places.
[_]
Many depart every yeare from this Ile, to settle in Virginia, New-England, and other parts of America, whose happinesse I heartily desire; and whose contented well-being in those places, might perhaps be somewhat furthered by such Meditations as these: And therefore, to those who please to accept thereof, I have recommended my love in this Hymn.
Sing this as, We praise thee God .
[1]
Lord, many times thou pleased art,Thy servants to command
From their owne Countries do depart,
Into another Land;
That thou maist there, a dwelling place
Vpon their seed bestow;
Or else to bring thy saving-Grace,
To those to whom they go.
2
To whatsoever end it were,That hither I am sent;
To do thy Will, and serve thee here,
It is my true intent.
And humbly I of thee require,
That as thy Will to do,
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Then grant performance too.
3
From old acquaintance, from my kin,And from my native home,
My life anew, here to begin,
I by thy leave am come:
And now, the place of my abode,
Appeareth unto me
Another World; yet here oh God!
My God thou still shalt be.
4
This Land is thine, aswell as that,From which I lately came:
Thy holy Word this Light begat;
The Heav'ns are here the same.
Sun, Moon, and Stars, as well as there,
The Seasons do renew:
The Vapors drop their fatnes here;
And thy refreshing dew.
5
Oh! let the Sun of Righteousnes,Thy Truth, and Grace divine,
Within ths uncouth Wildernes
With brightnes also shine.
That we and they whom here we find,
May live together so,
That one in Faith, and one in mind,
We by thy Grace may grow.
6
Since to that place, we seem as dead,From whence we be remov'd;
The Follies which with us were bred,
The Sins which there we lov'd;
483
That they may not be seen,
And learn'd by those, that heretofore,
So wicked have not been.
7
But innocent, oh Lord, and wise,Let our Demeanors be;
That they, whose rudenesse we despise,
No ill example see.
But, taught aswell by Deed, as Word,
So let their Good be sought,
That they may Room to us afford,
As due for what we brought.
8
And let the Place, from whence we came,To us be still so dear;
That we nor injure, nor defame
Church, Prince, or People there.
But let us passe our Censures now,
Vpon our selves alone;
And, by our Conversation, show
What best is to be done.
9
Make us contented with that Lot,To which we now are brought.
Let that which may not here be got,
A needles thing be thought.
For this he may suppose with ease,
Who by the Natives heeds,
With how few things their minds they please,
How little Nature needs.
10
Let all our Labours be for Life;Our Life unto thy Praise;
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Or Paine, by vain Assaies.
That though our Trash, be not so much,
As other Countries have,
We may in Graces, be as rich,
And inwardly, as brave.
11
So when the course of Time is run,And, God shall gather all
That liv'd betwixt the rising-Sun,
And Places of his fall;
Our friends that farthest from us are,
Shall meet with Joy again;
And they and we, who now are here,
Together still remain.
Hymn LXII. The Authors Hymn for himselfe.
[_]
He praiseth God for converting his many troubles and afflictions to his advantage; desiring those Meditations may not be prophaned by his failings; but that he may live so in this life, that he may be admitted to the Quire of Angels in the life to come.
[1]
Great Almighty King of Heav'n!And One-God, in Persons-three;
Honour, Praise, and Thanks be giv'n,
Now, and evermore to thee.
485
Then by words can be declar'd.
2
By thy Mercies I was takenFrom the pits of mirie clay;
Wherein, wretched and forsaken,
Helples, hopeles, too I lay.
And, those comforts thou didst give me,
Whereof no man can deprive me.
3
By thy grace, the Passions, troubles.And what most my heart opprest,
Have appear'd as aierie bubles,
Dreams or suff'rings but in jest:
And with profit that hath ended,
Which my Foes for harm intended.
4
Those afflictions, and those terrors,Which did Plagues at first appear;
Did but shew me what mine errors,
And mine imperfections were.
But they wretched could not make me;
Nor from thy Affection shake me.
5
Therefore, as thy blessed Psalmist,When his warfares had an end,
(And his dayes were at the calmest)
Psalms, and Hymns of Praises pend;
So my rest, by thee enjoy'd,
To thy Praise I have imploy'd.
6
Lord, accept my poore endeavour;And assist thy Servant so,
In well-doing to persever,
That more perfect I may grow;
486
And of thee a Faithfull-seeker.
Let no passed sin or folly,
Nor future fault in me
Make unfruitfull or unholy,
What I offer now to thee:
But with favour and compassion,
Cure and cover each transgression.
Nor future fault in me
Make unfruitfull or unholy,
What I offer now to thee:
But with favour and compassion,
Cure and cover each transgression.
8
And with Isr'ls Royall Singer,Teach me so Faith's Hymns to sing;
So thy ten string'd Law, to finger;
And such musick thence to bring,
That by Grace I may aspire,
To thy blessed Angell-Quire.
487
[Although my Muse flies yet far short of those]
Although my Muse flies yet far short of those,
Who perfect Hallelviahs can compose:
Here to affirme, I am not now afraid,
What once (in part) a Heathen Prophet said,
With sleighter warrant (when to end was brought
What he for meaner purposes had wrought.)
Who perfect Hallelviahs can compose:
Here to affirme, I am not now afraid,
What once (in part) a Heathen Prophet said,
With sleighter warrant (when to end was brought
What he for meaner purposes had wrought.)
The work is finish'd, which nor humane pow'r,
Nor Flames, nor Time, nor Envy shall devour.
But with Devotion, to GODS praise be sung,
As long as Britan speaks her English-tongue,
Or, shall that Christian-Saving-Faith professe,
Which will preserve these Iles in happines.
And (if Conjectures faile not) some that speak
In other Languages, shall notice take
Of what my humble Musings have compos'd;
And by these Helps, more often be dispos'd
To celebrate his Praises in their Songs;
To whom all Honour, and all Praise belongs.
Nor Flames, nor Time, nor Envy shall devour.
But with Devotion, to GODS praise be sung,
As long as Britan speaks her English-tongue,
Or, shall that Christian-Saving-Faith professe,
Which will preserve these Iles in happines.
And (if Conjectures faile not) some that speak
In other Languages, shall notice take
Of what my humble Musings have compos'd;
And by these Helps, more often be dispos'd
To celebrate his Praises in their Songs;
To whom all Honour, and all Praise belongs.
FINIS.
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