Hymn IX. For a Servant.
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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,
(Though I am now despis'd and poore)
I shall become as great as they.
3
The Lord of heav'n and earth was pleas'd
A 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.
And, when those works dispatch I shall,
Wherein I must this life imploy,
My Lord and Master, me will call,
To be a partner of his Joy.
