Hymn XLVII. When a Woman is safe delivered.
[_]
God is hereby praised for that Miracle in our Nature,
which is wrought when a Woman is delivered
safely of her Childe; and the Continuance of
his Mercy is desired in vouchsafing the Newbirth
of Grace, to perfect and felicitate the life of Nature.
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
Among those wonders here on Earth,
Which brought to passe, by Nature be,
(If rightly, we observe our Birth)
In this, her greatest marvels be.
Yea, they who fully can conceive,
What passe into this World we have,
May find it easie to beleeve
The Bodies, rising from the Grave.
2
A breathlesse Life, a Living-Tombe,
Within our Mothers wombe we had.
Through Gates of Death, to Life we come,
And, Strength, is out of Weaknesse made.
She who in bitter Pangs remains,
Disheartned is when they do cease;
And they who most bewayle her pains,
Desirous are they should increase.
3
Of this thy great Mysterious worke,
Experienced, this Day, are we:
And, will confesse, that therein lurke
More secrets, then our eies can see.
But this, ô Lord! we see and know:
It was thy Mercy, and thy Pow'r,
Which did the timely Ayd bestow,
That holp us, in the hoped hou'r.
4
To thee be praise, that now are past
The pangs which made us lately sad:
To thee be praise, that sent thou hast,
These Comforts, which now make us glad.
Lord, perfect thou the Grace begun.
Give Strength, where Weaknesse yet is found:
And, let the Race this Babe shall run,
With Everlasting Life, be crown'd.
5
The Life of Nature he hath had:
But, let it be new-borne again;
The Life of Grace, to Nature adde,
And, make him, in that state remain.
So (whether, here, an Age he stay,
Or, whether Thou translate him, from
This Life, within a shorter day)
In Christ, he perfect shall become.
