Hymn XLI. When Harvest is come home.
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When we have housed the fruits of the Earth, It becometh
us (in stead of the rude jollities used in
some places) to praise God's mercy for vouchsafing
to us the fruit of our Labours, to pray for continuance
of his blessing both on them; and on us, in
the use of them; Jn which duties this Hymn assisteth.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Some, have a Custome, when they bring
The last of Harvest home,
To make the fields with Ecchoes ring,
And, joyfull to become.
Which was at first (though chang'd we have,
This Joy, to brutish mirth)
A Triumph to his praise, that gave
The Blessings of the Earth.
2
In stead of brutish Clamors, then,
That Custome we renew;
And (as becometh Christian men)
Our selves would thankfull shew.
For, that which we, in hope have sown;
And, till'd with costly pain,
We, by Gods grace, have Reap'd and Mown;
With likelihood of gain.
3
The dangers of cold Winters blast,
Of Springs offensive hours,
And, of that Summers drougth is past,
Which Corn and grasse devours.
The Fruits, for which we delv'd and plough'd,
And, toyled long, with care;
In Barnes and Stacks, are hous'd and mow'd;
Of which right glad we are.
4
When Winds, & Frosts, & Rains, & Snows,
Make barren Grove and Field;
When naught on hill, or valley grows,
Which, food for man, doth yeeld:
We, to relieve our wants, have hope,
By thy free Bounty, Lord;
And, means to raise a future Crop,
By that we up have stor'd.
5
As, when thy Manna downe did fall,
So be it also now:
Let them, whose gath'rings are but small,
Confesse they have enow:
Blesse thou our Basket, and our Store;
And, when refresh't we be;
Let us distribute to the poore,
The portion due to thee.
6
But, let us chiefly mind their need,
Whose Labours were employ'd,
To Till, what them and us must feed;
And what is now injoy'd.
And, let it more our hearts affect,
That we are in thy grace;
Then, great Abundance to collect,
By Corne, or Wine's increase.
