Hymn XXX. For a Laie-man.
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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,
That, I have guids to rectifie
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.
(And when thy Word I read
(That I may shun offence)
Thy grace vouchsafe me to take heed
Of Errors private sense.
6
That, I may likewise, heed
Truths 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.
