Hymn LIX. For a Prisoner at the place of Execution.
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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.
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 not
With 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.
Yea, though this way, to thee I come,
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.
