Halelviah or, Britans Second Remembrancer, bringing to Remembrance (in praisefull and Poenitentiall Hymns, Spirituall Songs, and Morall-Odes): Meditations, advancing the glory of God, in the practise of Pietie and Vertue; and applyed to easie Tunes, to be Sung in Families, &c. Composed in a three-fold Volume, by George Wither. The first, contains Hymns-Occasionall. The second, Hymns-Temporary. The third, Hymns-Personall. That all Persons, according to their Degrees, and Qualities, may at all Times, and upon all eminent Occasions, be remembred to praise God; and to be mindfull of their Duties |
 | 1. | The first part consisting of Hymns Occasionall |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IIII. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIIII. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIIII. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIIII. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIIII. |
| XLV. |
| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
| L. |
| LI. |
| LII. |
| LIII. |
| LIIII. |
| LV. |
| LVI. |
| LVII. |
| LVIII. |
| LIX. |
| LX. |
| LXI. |
| LXII. |
| LXIII. |
| LXIIII. |
| LXV. |
| LXVI. |
| LXVII. |
| LXVIII. |
| LXIX. |
| LXX. |
| LXXI. |
| LXXII. |
| LXXIII. |
| LXXIV. |
| LXXV. |
| LXXVI. |
| LXXVII. |
| LXXVIII. |
| LXXIX. |
| LXXX. |
| LXXXI. |
| LXXXVII. |
| LXXXIII. |
| LXXXIIII. |
| LXXXV. |
| LXXXVI. |
| LXXXVII. |
| LXXXVIII. |
| LXXXIX. |
| XC. |
| XCI. |
| XCII. |
| XCIII. |
| XCIIII. |
| XCV. |
| XCVI. |
| XCVII. |
| XCVIII. |
| XCIX. |
| C. |
| CI. |
| CII. |
| CIII. |
| CIIII. |
| CV. |
| CVI. |
| CVII. |
| CVIII. |
| CIX. |
| CX. |
| CXI. |
 | 2. |
| 3. |
 | Halelviah |  |
1
1. The first part consisting of Hymns Occasionall
Hymne. I. A generall Invitation to praise God.
[_]
This Hymn stirreth up to the praise of God, by a Poeticall Invitation of the Creatures to the performance of that Dutie according to their severall Faculties and Dignities. And, it is a preamble to the following Hymns.
[1]
Come, oh come in pious Laies,Sound we God-Almighti's praise.
Hither bring in one Consent,
Heart, and Voice, and Instrument.
2
Sound the Trump, the Cornet winde.
Strike the Violl, touch the Lute.
Let nor Tongue, nor String be mute:
Nor a Creature dumb be found,
That hath either Voice or Sound.
2
Let those Things which do not liveIn Still-Musick, praises give.
Lowly pipe, ye Wormes that creep,
On the Earth, or in the Deep.
Loud-aloft, your Voices strain,
Beasts, and Monsters of the Main.
Birds, your warbling Treble sing.
Clouds, your Peales of Thunders ring.
Sun and Moon, exalted higher,
And bright Stars, augment this Quire.
3
Come ye Sons of Humane-Race,In this Chorus take a place;
And, amid the mortall-Throng,
Be you Masters of the Song.
Angels, and supernall Powr's,
Be the noblest Tenor yours.
Let in praise of God, the sound
Run a never-ending Round;
That our Song of praise may be
Everlasting as is HE.
4
From Earths vast and hollow wombe,Musicks deepest Base may come.
Seas and Flouds, from shore to shoare,
Shall their Counter-Tenors roare.
3
Whistling Winds your Descants bring.
That our Song may over clime,
All the Bounds of Place and Time,
And ascend from Sphere to Sphere,
To the great All-mightie's eare.
5
So, from Heaven, on Earth, he shallLet his gracious Blessings fall:
And this huge wide Orbe, we see
Shall one Quire, one Temple be;
Where, in such a Praise, full Tone
We will sing, what he hath done,
That the cursed Fiends below,
Shall thereat impatient grow.
Then, oh Come, in pious Laies,
Sound we God-Almighties praise.
Hymne. II. When we first awake.
[_]
It is Gods mercy that our Sleep is not to Death: and, therefore whensoever we awake, it becometh us to lift up our hearts to God in this, or in the like Meditation.
Sing this as the 25. or 67. Psalmes.
[1]
Dear God! that watch dost keepRound all that honour Thee.
Vouchsafing thy Beloved sleep,
When Rest shall needfull be:
4
That thus refresh'd I am;
And that my tongue a voice can raise,
To praise thee for the same.
2
As now my Soul doth shakeDull Sleep, out of her eies;
So let thy Spirit me awake,
That I from sin may rise.
The Night, is past away,
Which fill'd us full of fears;
And we enjoy the glorious Day,
Wherein thy Grace appears.
3
Oh! let me, therefore, shunAll Errors of the Night.
Thy Righteousnesse let me put on,
An walk as in the Light.
And guard me from his powre,
(Since I on thee relie)
Who walks in darknesse to devour
When our Long-sleep draws nigh.
4
Yea, when the Trump shall soundOur Summons from the Grave,
Let this my Body from the ground,
A blessed Rising have.
That (whatsoe're the Dreames,
Of my Corruption be)
The Vision of thy Glorie's Beames,
May bring full Joyes to me.
5
Hymne III. When Day-light appears.
[_]
When we first behold the renewed Light, our thoughts should be lifted up to the Father of Lights, by whose mercy we escape the perils of Darknesse: And it would become us, otherwhile to praise him, and instruct our selves, in this, or the like Meditation.
Sing this as the 51 Psal. or the Lamentation, &c.
[1]
Look forth mine eye; look up and viewHow bright the Day-light shines on me.
And as the Morning doth renew,
Mark how renew'd Gods mercies be.
Behold, the Splendors of the Day,
Disperse the shadows of the Night;
And, they who late in Darknesse lay,
Have now the comforts of the Light.
2
Nor Twilight-plagues, nor Midnight-Fears,Nor mortall, nor immortall Foes,
Had powre to take us in their snares;
But safe we slept, and safe arose.
And to those Daies which we have had,
He that is Lord of Day and Night,
Another Day vouchsafes to add,
That our lost houres redeeme we might.
3
It is too much to have made voideSo many daies already past:
6
As if we knew it were our last.
Most Creatures, now, themselves advance,
Their Morning-Sacrifice to bring;
The Heards do skip, the Flocks do dance,
The windes do pipe, the Birds do sing.
4
Lord, why should these, who were decreed,To serve thee in a lower-place,
In thankfull-Duties, us exceed,
Who have obtain'd the highest grace?
We are oblig'd much more then those
Our voice in thankfull Sounds to raise:
Therefore oh God! our lips unclose;
And teach our Tongues to sing thy praise.
5
Let heart, and hand, and voice accord,This Day, to magnifie thy Name:
And let us ev'ry Day, oh Lord!
Continue to performe the same.
So when that Morning doth appear,
In which thou shalt all Flesh destroy;
We shall not be awak'd with fear,
But, rise and meet thy Son with Joy.
Hymne IIII. When we put on our Apparell
[_]
The putting on of our Apparell, may occasion many considerations, helpfull to keep us mindfull of our Frailties; of our Wants; and of some Caveats preventing errors and snares, whereinto we may, els, fall er'e the Day be past.
7
Sing this as the Magnificat, or Te Deum.
[1]
Lord , had not man sought out by sin,What should have been unknown;
His nakednesse unfelt had bin,
And, wiser he had grown.
But, in the stead, of what he thought
By lawlesse means, to know,
The knowledge of that want, was taught,
Which brings the sense of woe.
2
Had he as forward striv'd to be,The Fruit of Life, to taste,
As on the Death-procuring-Tree,
A lustfull Eye to cast;
The Blesse which was for him prepar'd,
In Soul, he had obtain'd:
And in his Body, also shar'd
The Blessing, preordain'd.
3
But, since the Flesh, did presse to seeHer wants before the time;
Both Soul and Flesh afflicted be
For that presumptuous Crime:
And, cumbred so, with pains and care,
To purchase Cloth and Food;
That little their endeavours are,
To seek their Chiefest-Good.
4
Lord! with a Robe of Innocence,Thy Servant so aray,
That, it may take the painfull sense,
Of outward wants away.
8
That I incurre no blame;
Nor through my sin so naked grow,
As to augment my shame.
5
And let the Garments which I weare,My tender Flesh to hide,
Be neither made a lustfull-snare,
Nor Ensignes of my pride.
But, rather be a means to show
The folly of that Deed,
By which man fell; and fell so low,
As these poore Toyes to need.
Hymne V. A morning Hymne.
[_]
Many dangers hang over us all the Day. Therefore, before we adventure forth to follow our Affaires we might be the more safe, if we were first charmed by such Invocations as these.
Sing this as the Pater-noster.
[1]
Since thou hast added, now, ô God!Vnto my life, another Day;
And giv'st me leave to walk abroad,
And labour in my lawfull way:
My Walks and Works, with me begin;
Conduct me forth, and bring me, in.
2
In ev'ry powre my Soul injoyesInternall Vertues to improve;
9
In her externall Works to move,
Blesse her ô God! and keep me sound,
From outward harme, and inward wound.
3
Let Sin nor Sathans fraud prevaile,To make mine eye of Reason blind,
Or Faith, or Hope, or Love to faile,
Or any Vertues of the Minde;
But, more and more, let them encrease;
And bring me to mine end, in peace.
4
Lewd Courses, let my Feet forbeare;Keep thou my Hands from doing wrong:
Let nor Ill-Counsels pierce mine Eare,
Nor Wicked-words defile my Tongue.
And keep the windows of each Eye
That no strange Lust climbe in thereby.
5
But, guard thou safe my Heart, in chief,That neither Hate, Revenge, nor Feare;
Nor vain-Desire, vain-Joy, or Grief,
Obtain Command or Dwelling, there:
And Lord, with ev'ry saving-Grace,
Still, true to thee, maintain that Place.
6
From open-wrongs, from secret-hates,Preserve me, likewise Lord this Day:
From slandrous Tongues, from wicked Mates,
From ev'ry Danger in my Way:
My Goods to me, secure thou, too;
And prosper all the Works I do.
So, till the Evening of this Morn,
My Time shall then so well be spent,
10
I may enjoy it with content;
And to thy praise, and honour say,
That this hath prov'd a happy-Day.
Hymne VI. A Hymne whilst we are washing.
[_]
Though Water be a common Blessing; yet we receive many great Benefits thereby, and cannot live conveniently without it. If, therefore, we sometimes remember to be thankfull in the use of it, and to sanctifie it with such like Meditations, as these, it will become Holy-water unto us.
Sing this as the 1. 4. or 30. Psalmes.
[1]
As we by Water wash awayVncleannesse from our flesh,
And, sometimes, often in a day,
Our selves are faine to wash:
So, ev'ry Day, Thoughts, Words, or Deeds,
The Soul do sully, so,
That often, ev'ry day, she needs
Vnto her Cleanser go.
2
Our Sins purgation doth require,Sometime, a Flond of Teares;
Sometime the painfull purging-Fire,
Of Torments, Griefs, or Fears:
And all this Cleansing will be lost,
(When we our best shall do)
11
May be baptized too.
3
Lord, by thy Sanctifying-Spirit,And, through my Faith in thee,
(Made acceptable by thy Merit)
Purge, Wash and Cleanse thou mee.
And, as this Water purifies
My Bodies outward blots,
So, cleanse thou, by thy Blood, likewise,
My Souls internall spots.
4
And, since this usefull Element,Thou freely dost afford,
(In using it) let me present
Due thanks to thee ô Lord!
And, then, accept that Sacrifice,
(Though cheap, and mean it be.)
And, do not those Requests despise,
Which I preferre to thee.
Hymne VII. When we enjoy the benefit of the Fire.
[_]
Fire is a Creature, both beneficiall and harmfull, (according to our heedfulnesse, and Gods blessing.) Therefore, this Hymne serves both to remember us to be thankfull for the good received; and to beseech Gods protection from the dangers of it.
Sing this as the 2. 6. or 7. Psalmes.
[1]
Bvt that, no wonders, Things appear,Which ev'ry Day we see,
12
A wondrous-thing would be:
For, while by Fewell it is fed,
(Which we therefore provide)
Arayd in shining White and Red,
It will with us abide.
2
But, when the same we do neglect,It quickly flies away;
And sometime (for our disrespect)
Vpon our Goods, doth prey.
If guided well, it is a Friend:
If not; it proves a Foe,
Which bringeth Cities to an end,
And Realmes may overthrow.
3
Lord, since this Creature, much we need,And harm'd thereby may be,
(Vnlesse we take thereof good heed)
From harmes, preserve us free.
Yea, thankfull make, for that which warms,
And which we now enjoy:
And keep us ever from the harms,
Of that, which doth destroy.
Hymne VIII. Before we begin our Work.
[_]
When we are preparing towards our daily employments, their Beginnings, would finde the better successefull endings, if we did otherwhile, Sing, Say, or Think somewhat to this purpose.
13
Sing this as the 10. Commandements.
[1]
Since thou hast Lord, appointed so,That Man by labour must be fed;
Loe, with a chearefull mind I go
To labour for my daily-bread.
I doe not at my Lot repine,
(Though others live much more at ease)
But, I subject my Will to thine;
And thy Good pleasure me shall please.
2
Let what I purpose now to doe,Be fully pleasing unto Thee;
And give a good successe thereto,
That profit thence may spring to mee.
Be thou the Author of each Deed,
VVhich now by me shall be begun:
VVith me throughout my works proceed;
And perfect them, when I have done.
Hymne IX. VVhen we are at our Labour.
[_]
Many use to mitigate the tediousnesse of their Lobours by singing. Therefore (to encourage labouring men at their Works) some Priviledges of a laborious life; and some Petitions, befitting such as live by Labour, are the subject of this Hymn.
Sing this as the 14. or 15. Psalmes.
[1]
VVhy should I grieve that I was made(VVhil'st others take no paine)
14
My body to maintaine?
And, that to compasse Cloth and Meat,
My Lot no meanes doth grant,
Vntill my Browes or Braines do sweat
To get me what I want?
2
Or, wherefore, by a murm'ring Tongue,Should I augment my Care,
Because I am not rang'd among
Those Drones that Idlers are?
For, Labour yeelds me true content,
(Though few the same doe see)
And, when my toyling houres are spent,
My Sleeps the sweeter be.
3
Though Labour was enjoin'd at first,To be a Curse for Sin,
Yet Man, by being so accurst,
May skrew a Blessing in.
And, He that with a patient minde,
This pennance doth sustaine,
Shall by his paines true pleasures finde,
And many comforts gaine.
4
Whilst honest Labours are applide,We vexe our Ghostly Foe;
And in our hearts, he is denide,
His harmfull Tares, to sowe.
A thousand mischiefes we avoyd,
When he would us intrap:
Which they, who are not so imployd,
But rarely do escape.
15
5
It makes our Bread more sweet then theirs,Who idly spend their wealth:
We seldome have so many Cares,
And live in better health.
If we, at Night, begin to tire,
Next Morning, fresh we grow;
And for our Meat, or for our hire,
To worke againe we go.
6
Men seldome heare us crying out(As Idler Folk have done)
By reason of the lazie Gout,
The Collick, or the Stone:
But, when our strength consum'd we have,
That Ripenes doth increase,
Which makes us ready for the Grave,
And there, we rest in peace.
7
Lord grant me health, and strength to beareThe Labours laid on me;
And in those Works to persevere,
Whereto I call'd shall be.
And let me finde, by what thy Grace
Hath for my Soul prepar'd,
That, he who works in meanest Place,
May gaine the best Reward.
Hymne. X. After our Worke is done.
[_]
Lest (when we have accomplished our intended Works) we lose the benefit of our Labours, by Jmprovidence
16
Sing this as the 100. Psalme.
[1]
That I unthankfull may not be,Now this my worke is fully done,
VVith Praises Lord, I come to thee,
In whom it was at first begun:
For if my Pains hath compast ought,
From whence, a profit may redound;
Thy Grace, the same in me hath wrought:
Else, fruitlesse, had my deeds been found.
2
Let not my Folly, nor my Foe,Nor past, nor future sins, destroy
The Labours, which I did bestow
An honest profit to enjoy.
But, make my Paines, and their Effect,
To me, still, prosp'rously succeed;
And let me never Lord, neglect
To praise thee, both in Will and Deed.
Hymne. XI. VVhen we depart from home.
[_]
When we depart from home, every step is attended with some Hazzard, or Temptation, whereby we may be endangered, if God prevent not. To him therefore, we should lift up our hearts to this effect.
Sing this as the 16. or 18 Psalmes, &c.
17
[1]
VVho knows, when he to go from home,Departeth from his dore,
Or when, or how, he back shall come?
Or, whether never more?
For, some, who walk abroad in health,
In sicknesse, back are brought:
And, some, who forth have gone with wealth,
Have back-return'd with nought.
2
Lord, therefore now I goe abroad,My Guard, I thee confesse;
And humbly beg of thee ô God!
My going-forth to blesse.
Go with me, whether I would go;
Stay with me, where I stay:
Do for me, what I ought to do;
Speake Thou, what I should say.
3
From taking wrong, from doing harme,From Thoughts and Speeches ill;
From Passions rage, from pleasures charme,
Vouchsafe to keep me still.
Let me abroad, some Blessing finde;
And let no curse the while,
Befall to that I leave behinde,
My honest Hopes to spoile.
4
But let my Going-out and In,My Thoughts, my Words, and Waies,
Be alway safe; Still, free from Sin,
And, ever to thy praise.
And, when my pains effect shall take;
Or, Times of stay are spent;
18
With Comfort and Content.
Hymne. XII. When we returne Home.
[_]
Though our Affaires may not permit us to sing upon all such occasions, yet we ought at all times to be thankfull: and we have, at least, leisure enough to Meditate to this purpose, when we returne home.
Sing this as the former Hymne.
[1]
Since, Lord thou hast well pleased bin,(As now it may appeare)
To beare me forth, to bring me in,
And set me safely here;
I, who deserved not this Grace,
Should far lesse worthy be,
If I repay not in this place,
The thanks I owe to thee.
2
My Tongue therfore, Oh Lord (my King)Now soundeth out thy praise:
My heart the self same strain doth sing;
And, thus to thee it sayes:
Thou art my God; and never shall
Another God be mine;
And Kingdomes, Powers, and Glories, all
For ever shall be thine.
19
Hymne. XIII. At Noone-tide.
[_]
We have usually some refreshings as well at Noone-tide, as in the Mornings and Evenings. Therefore, the singing of a Meridian-Hymne, to this, or the like purpose is not impertinent.
Sing this as the former Hymne.
[1]
Now that the Sun is at his height,And brightest Beames displaies;
We to the Father of this Light
Will sing a song of praise:
For since that Lampe can shine so cleare,
And guild so large a Skye,
VVhat Splendor doth in him appeare,
VVho made that glorious Eye!
2
How happy in the Light, we beVVhich from this Planet flowes,
Inform'd we are (in some degree)
VVhen from our view he goes:
For, Blessings, at the full, receiv'd,
Appear not so, at best,
As when we are, awhile, depriv'd
Of that which was possest.
3
Both for this meanes of outward sight,VVe praise thee Lord, therefore,
And, for those Beames of Inward Light,
VVhich make that Blessing, more.
20
Of double-grace doth last,
My feet may travell in the way
Which thou commanded hast.
4
Those works of Darknesse make me shun,Which my chiefe practise were:
Those Armes of Light, let me put on,
Which I am bound to beare.
That when the Night of Death shall close
The Daylight of mine Eies,
I may without affrights repose;
And with true Joyes arise.
Hymne. XIIII. At Sun-setting.
[_]
The singing or meditating to such purposes as are intimated in this Hymne (when we see the Sun declining) may perhaps expell unprofitable musings, and arme against the Terrors of approaching darknesse.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Behold, the Sun that seem'd, but now,Enthroned over-head,
Beginneth to decline below
This Globe, whereon we tread:
And, he whom, yet, we looke upon
VVith comfort and delight;
VVill quite depart from hence, anon,
And leave us to the Night.
21
2
Thus Time (unheeded) steales awayThe life which Nature gave.
Thus, are our Bodies ev'ry Day
Declining to the Grave.
Thus, from us all those Pleasures flie,
VVhereon we set our hart:
And, when the Night of death draws nigh,
Thus will they all depart.
3
Lord! though the Sun forsake our sight,And mortall hopes are vain,
Let, still, thine Everlasting Light,
VVithin our Soules remain.
And in the Nights of our Distresse
Vouchsafe those Raies-divine
VVhich from the Sun of Righteousnesse,
For ever brightly shine.
Hymne XV. In cleare Starry Night.
[_]
By contemplating the Beauty of the Stars (which were created for the service of Man) we are taught to consider the speciall and unspeakable Mercies of God, vouchsafed in Christ Iesv.
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Lord! when those glorious Lights I seeVVith which thou hast adorn'd the Skies;
(Observing how they moved bee,
And how their Splendor fils mine Eies)
22
(But that thy Love ordain'd it so)
That Creatures in so high a Place,
Should servants be to Man below.
2
The meanest Lampe, now shining there,In size, and luster doth exceed
The noblest of thy Creatures, here;
And of our friendship hath no need.
Yet, These, upon Mankinde attend,
For secret Ayde, or publike Light:
And, from the Worlds extreamest end,
Repaire unto us, ev'ry Night.
3
Oh! had that Stampe been undefac'dVVhich, first, on us thy hand had set,
How highly should we have been grac'd!
Since, we are so much honour'd, yet?
Good God! for what, but for the sake
Of thy Belov'd, and Only-Sonne,
(VVho did on him, our nature take)
VVere these exceeding Favours done?
4
As we by Him, have honour'd bin,Let us to Him, due honours give:
Let His uprightnesse hide our Sin;
And let us Worth from Him receive.
Yea, so let us by Grace improve
VVhat thou by Nature, dost bestow;
That, to thy Dwelling place above,
VVe may be raised from below.
23
Hymne XVI. In a darke Night.
[_]
Darknes is uncomfortable to all, and very dreadfull to many: Therefore, we prepared this Hymne, that such as are fearefull, may have wherewith to comfort their hearts against the terrors of Darknes.
Sing this as the 19, 20, or 21. Psalmes.
[1]
VVhat though the comforts of the Light,This gloomy Night denies?
Though me to trouble, and affright,
Vnwelcome Darknes tries.
VVhat should I doubt? whom should I feare?
Or why disheartned be,
Since thou ô God! art ev'ry where,
And present, still, with me?
2
VVhat mischiefes hath a Midnight howre,My Terror to procure?
VVhat warrant hath a Noon-tide powre
My safety to assure?
I finde no comforts in the Day,
If thou thy presence hid'st;
Nor can the Darknes me dismay
If near me, thou abid'st.
3
Indeed, the F[illeg.]a that hates the light,Doth oft occasion take,
24
This Bugge-beare showes, to make:
Yet, sure, the Darknesse of our Minds
Is that, whereby this Foe,
Most frequently, occasions finds,
The greatest harmes to doe.
4
Me, from that Darknesse to defendThy Grace, ô Lord afford.
To me th'enlightening Spirit lend,
And Lanthorne of thy Word.
For then, though Egypts Darknesse had
Inclos'd me round about;
(Yea, though I sate in Death's blacke Shade)
That Light should guide me out.
Hymne XVII. An Evening Hymne.
[_]
Lest Bruit-creatures rise in judgement against us for neglect of thankfulnesse. This Hymne of Praise is tendred to be a Remembrancer, and a Help for the better performance of that Duty.
Sing this as the Prayer after the Commandements.
[1]
Lord, should we oft forget to singA thankfull Evening-Song of praise;
This Duty, they to mind might bring,
VVho chirpe among the bushy-spraies.
For, to their Pearches they retire,
VVhen first the twilight waxeth dim;
25
Shuts up the Day-light with a Hymn.
2
Ten thousand fold more cause have we,To close each Day with praisefull voice;
To offer thankfull hearts to thee;
And in thy Mercies, to rejoice.
For, from thy Ward-robe cloth'd we are:
Our Health we do by thee retaine:
Our Dayly-bread thou do'st prepare;
And givest Ease, when we have paine.
3
Thou mak'st us Glad, when we are greev'd:When we are tir'd, thou bringest Rest:
In wants we are by the Releev'd;
And Succour'd when we are opprest.
These favours, Lord, and many moe,
(Ev'n moe then here we can recite)
Thou ev'ry Morning do'st bestowe;
And them renewest ev'ry Night.
4
Therefore, for all thy Mercies past;For those this Evening doth afford;
And which for times to come, thou hast;
We give thee hearty thanks, ô Lord!
Continu'd let thy Bounties be;
And, from our Ghostly Foes despight,
(Though we deserve it not from thee)
Defend us this ensuing-night.
5
When we shut up, in darknesse, lie,Let not the guilt of any Sin,
Appeare, our Soules to terrifie
With Frights, which bring Despairings in.
26
Let us a Peacefull Rest obtaine;
That when the Morning shall appeare
We may renew thy Praise againe.
Hymne XVIII. Another Evening Hymn.
[_]
In this Hymne, God is praised, and his protecting and preventing Grace implored, to secure us from the dangers and Temptations of the Night, and it is intended for an Evening-Hymn.
[1]
Now the cheerfull Day is past,And the Beauties of the Light,
Are with shadowes, overcast,
By the Mantle of the Night.
Thanks to thee, ô Lord! I pay
For each Blessing of this Day;
Asking Grace for ev'ry Sin,
Whereby err'd I have therein.
2
Though the Sun hath left us now,And withholds his Light from me;
Lord, From hence depart not thou,
Nor in Darknesse, let me be.
But the Raies of grace divine,
Cause thou round me still to shine;
And, with Mercy overspred
Both my Person, and my Bed.
3
Chase all wicked Fiends, from hence,That they doe me no despight,
By deluding of the Sense,
Through the Darknesse of the Night.
27
Let thine Angels me enclose;
And protect me in my sleep,
When my selfe I cannot keep.
4
Whil'st my Body taketh rest,Let my Soule attend on thee.
Let no dreame to me suggest
Fancies that unchaste may be.
Whether I shall wake or sleep,
Me in Mind and Body keep,
Not from Acts of Sin alone,
But, from dreaming they are done.
5
And since Death and Sleep are said,Some resemblances to have;
In my Bed ere I am laid
So prepare me for my Grave;
That with comfort wake I may,
To enjoy the following day,
Or, (if Death close up mine eies)
Rest in Hope, till all shall rise.
Hymne XIX. When we put off our Apparell.
[_]
Whilest we are putting off our Apparell, the singing of this briefe Hymne, will be neither tedious nor unprofitable; seeing we may thereby prepare aswell our Minds as our Bodies for the better enjoying of a comfortable Rest.
Sing this as the 33, or 34. Psalmes.
28
[1]
As e're I downe am couched there,Where, now I hope to rest;
I, first, from what I daily weare,
Begin to be undrest.
So, in my Grave, e're I shall be
In blest reposure layd,
Of many Rags, yet worne by me,
I must be disarayd.
2
My fruitlesse Hopes, my foolish Feares,My Lust, my lofty Pride,
My fleshly-Joyes, my needlesse-Cares,
Must quite be laid aside.
Yea that Selfe-Love, which yet I weare
More neare me then my skin,
Must off be pluck'd, e're I shall dare
My last-long-sleep begin.
3
Of These, and all such Rags as these,When I am disarayd
My Soule and Body shall have ease,
Where ever I am layd:
For Feares of Death, nor Cares of Life,
Shall then disquiet me;
Nor dreaming-Joyes, nor waking Griefe
My Sleeps disturbance be.
4
Therefore, instruct thou me ô God!And give me grace, to heed
With what vaine things, our selves we lode;
And what we rather need.
Oh! help me teare those Clouts away,
And let them so be loth'd,
29
With Glory may be cloth'd.
5
And, now, when I am naked layd,Vouchsafe me so to arme;
That nothing make my heart afrayd,
Or doe my Body harme.
And guard me so when downe I lie,
And when I rise againe;
That (sleep, or wake, or live, or die)
I, still, may safe remaine.
Hymne XX. When we cannot sleep.
[_]
When we cannot sleep at seasonable times, vaine muzings, and want of right meditating on God is frequently chiefe cause of unrest. Therefore this Meditation directeth to the remedy of such untimely watchfulnesse.
Sing this as the former Hymne.
[1]
VVhat ayles my Heart, that in my brestIt thus unquiet lies?
And that it, now, of needfull Rest
Deprives my tired eies?
Let not vaine Hopes, griefs, doubts, or feares
Distemper so my mind;
But, cast on God, thy thoughtfull cares,
And comfort thou shalt find.
2
In vaine that Soule attempteth ought,(And spends her thoughts in vaine)
30
Desired peace to gain.
In vain, as rising in the morne,
Before the Day appeare:
In vain, to Bed we late returne,
And lye unquiet, there:
3
For, when of Rest, our Sin deprives,When Cares do waking keep,
Tis God (and he alone) that gives
To his Beloved, sleep.
On thee, ô Lord, on thee, therefore,
My musings, now I place:
Thy free remission, I implore,
And thy refreshing grace.
4
Forgive thou me, that when my mindOpprest begun to be,
I sought elsewhere, my peace to find,
Before I came to thee.
And, gracious God, vouchsafe to grant,
(Vnworthy though I am)
The needfull rest which now I want,
That I may praise thy Name.
Hymne XXI. A generall thanksgiving.
[_]
Because the particular Benefits which we receive of God, are so many, that we cannot sing particular Hymns for every Mercy, this generall Thanksgiving is provided for those who need such helps.
31
Sing this as the 100. Psalme.
[1]
O Lord I faine would sing thy praise,But, know not where I should begin;
So often, and so many waies,
Thy Favours have conferred bin.
No blessing needfull to be had,
Are we, by thee debarred from
Whereby we happy may be made,
On earth; or, in the world to come.
2
I, for my Being, thanke thee first,And, that when I the same possest,
I was no Creature of the worst;
But, had Endowments of the best.
And thy eternall-Providence,
I praise, with all the pow'rs in mee,
For ev'ry grace vouchsaf'd me since
I first receiv'd my life from thee.
3
For ev'ry Sense, for all my Limbs;And, for each Gift, I praise returne,
Which outwardly my body trims;
Or, me doth inwardly adorne.
I praise thee, for my Strength, my Health,
My Shape; and also for that share
Which I have had of worldly-Wealth,
And, of some honest-Pleasures here.
4
I praise thee for my Friends and Foes;(For, both have usefull been to mee)
Yea, for thy just-correcting blowes,
I render hearty thanks to thee.
32
Thy wisedome, for that goodly Frame,
Which over us thou spread'st abroad;
And, for this Globe on which I am.
5
For all things in this lower-World;For ev'ry Star, in ev'ry Sphere,
Which round about this Orbe is whirld,
I praise thee with a heart sincere.
But, most of all, I praise thee, Lord,
For pardoning what is done amisse;
And, for the meanes thou dost afford
To bring me to Eternall Blisse.
6
For chusing me, e're time was made;For thy Creating me, in Time;
For my Redemption, when I had
Well-being lost, by Adams crime.
For me inlightning, by those Rayes,
Whereby the Paths of Truth I see;
For bringing me from Errors wayes;
For these things, Lord, I honour thee.
7
I blesse thy Name, that by thy GraceI freely justified am;
And, that, when I polluted was,
I thereby sanctifide became.
I praise thee too, that I abide
Preserved in the State of Blisse;
And, that, of being Glorifide,
My wofull Soule, kept hopefull is.
8
Oh Lord, to sum up all, in One,(In One, which ev'ry Blisse containes)
33
Who all these gracious Favours daignes.
To Him, for whatsoever Hee
Hath suffred, said, or done, be praise.
And, to that Spirit, who to mee,
The meanes of all this Grace convayes.
Hymne XXII. When we ride for Pleasure.
[_]
We make use of God's Creatures, aswell for pleasure, as for necessity. Therefore when we ride forth for pleasure, it will become us to mix, now and then such thankfull Meditations with our lawfull Pleasures, as are in this Hymne.
Sing this as the 10. Commandements.
[1]
My God, how kind? how good art thou?Of Man, how great is thy regard?
Who do'st all needfull things allow,
And, some for Pleasure, hast prepar'd?
With what great Speed? with how much ease?
On this thy Creature, am I borne,
Which at my will, and when I please
Doth forward goe, and backe returne?
2
Why should not I, ô gracious God!More plyant be to thy command,
When I am guided by thy word,
And gently reined by thy hand.
Asham'd I may become to see
The Beast (which knowes nor good, nor ill)
34
Then I have been, to do thy will.
3
From him therefore, Lord, let me learnTo serve thee, better then I do;
And minde how much it may concern
My welfare to endeavour so.
And, though I know, this Creature lent
Aswell for Pleasure, as for need;
That I the wrong thereof prevent,
Let me, still, carefully take heed.
4
For, he that, wilfully shall dareThat Creature, to oppresse or grieve,
Which God to serve him doth prepare,
Himselfe of mercy doth deprive.
And He, or His (unlesse in time
They doe repent of that abuse)
Shall one day suffer for his Crime;
And want such Creatures, for their use.
Hymne XXIII. For him that undertakes a long-voyage.
[_]
Many are the Casualties and Hazzards of long-voyages. Therefore, this Hymn puts Travellers in minde of some things pertinent to their safety; and remembers them, whose Protection they ought to seeke.
Sing this as the 4. Psalme, &c.
[1]
Hee that a Voyage undertakes,Had need be well prepar'd;
35
Procure an able Gard:
For, perils are so rife become,
That (e're we be aware)
They often ceaze on us at home,
When we most watchfull are.
2
My Journey, therefore, in thy Name,I, now ô Lord, begin;
That thou maist guide me through the same,
And prosper me therein.
Be thou my Pilot and my Guide,
My Guard, my Staffe, my Stay;
And, ev'ry thing for me provide,
That's needfull in my way.
3
To Pilgrims, thou, in Ages past,Approv'dst thy selfe a Friend;
And, to their Pilgrimages, hast
Vouchsaf'd a blessed end.
The Father of the Faithfull Race,
His Son, and Grand-childe too,
Removed oft from place to place,
And, Thou didst with them goe.
4
The Patriarchs in Marchantwise,For Food, to Egypt went;
Endev'ring their necessities,
By Travell, to prevent.
Thy blest Apostles (whom the Spheres,
Did, therefore figure out)
Were universall Travellers,
To preach thy Truth about.
36
5
Yea, when thy blessed Son, ô God!Did in our flesh appeare,
(And made amongst us his abode)
His Travels, many were.
To Egypt, he a voyage made,
Ev'n in his tendrest age;
And other painfull Journeyes had,
To scape the Peoples rage.
6
Lord, make a voyage now with me;Conduct, and guide me, so,
As Jsr'el guided was, by thee,
In Ages long agoe.
Like Iacobs Voyage, make thou mine,
With me thine Angell send;
And let thy face upon me shine,
Vntill my Journies end.
7
Twixt me and ev'ry perill stand,That shall my life assaile
Vpon the Water or the Land,
And let them not prevaile.
Protect from Poyson, Fire, and Sword,
From theeves and beasts of prey:
From unexpected Sicknesse, Lord,
And Stormes upon the way.
8
From all extreames of Cold and Heat;From all Infectious Aires;
From Wants or Torments overgreat;
From Bondage, and Despaires:
From their Despight that Goodnesse hate,
And mischiefes doe intend:
37
Thy Servant, Lord, defend.
9
Preserve me sober, and Discreet,Just, humble, meek and kind;
That, such as would ensnare my feet,
No powre thereto may finde.
Make cleane my heart, and keep my Tongue,
That I nor think, nor say,
What may be to anothers wrong;
Or mine own life betray.
10
Throughout my Travels give me graceDiscreetly to avoyd,
The Sins, and Errors of the Place,
wherein, I am employ'd.
And, let me those things only learn,
Which to thy praise may be,
My Countrys good, someway, concern,
Or truly profit me.
11
To these intents, thine Ayd afford;Thy daily blessing, daign,
And, bring me in due time, ô Lord,
In safetie back again.
That, I may joyfull praises give
Vnto thy holy Name;
And others, (who thy love perceive)
Assist me in the same.
38
Hymne XXIIII. For safe return, from a Voyage.
[_]
Men that are in want and danger (farre from their homes) have many longings for a safe return; But, being arived where they would be, a vain Jollitie, or negligence, puts (oftentimes) out of minde all remembrance of due thankfulnesse; which we desired to prevent by this Hymn.
Sing this as the 100. Psalme.
[1]
How great! how gracious have I foundThy Favours, Lord my God, to mee!
How, for thy mercies, am I bound,
With all my Powr's, to honour thee?
For, that whereto my wish aspir'd,
To me thou, timely, granted hast,
(As fully as my heart desir'd)
And, all my Fears are gone and past.
2
Me, thou hast hither, from a far,Through many Streights and perils brought;
And, now, in presence, those things are,
Whose Absence, overlong I thought.
How often! hath my heart been sad,
Whilst Hope did suffer by delay?
And, ô! how faine would I have had
A sight of what I view this day.
3
The Place desir'd, the Friends belov'd,And, many wished pleasures more,
39
Thy Mercie doth to me restore.
Nor didst thou, only, thus preserve
And blesse me, Lord, beyond desart;
But, when disfavour I deserve,
My kinde, and constant Friend thou art.
4
Permit not, ô permit thou notThese overflowings of thy grace,
To be abused or forgot,
In any future Time, or Place.
But, let me all my life time-long,
My Will, my Wits, and Strength bestow
As well in Action, as in Song,
Thy Wisdome, Powre, and Love to show.
5
And, when those Travels have an end,Which for mine own advantage, here,
(Or for thy service) I attend,
Make my last Voyage without fear.
Yea, when my Iourney I shall take
Vnto my last, and longest-Home;
A Joyfull Passage, let me make,
And, blessed in thy Rest, become.
Hymne XXV. When we are upon the Seas.
[_]
Death is alwaies within a few ynches of those who continue on Ship-bord: yet, most men, in their Sea-passages, are vainly employed, & insensible of their perils. This Hymn, therefore, offers their Condition, and Dutie, to consideration.
40
Sing this as the 48. Psalme &c.
[1]
On those Great Waters now I amOf which I have bin told,
That whosoever thither came,
Should Wonders there behold.
In this unsteadie place of feare
Be present Lord with mee,
For, in these Depths of water here,
I depths of Danger see.
2
A stirring-Courser now I sit;A headstrong-Steed I ride,
That champs and fomes upon the Bit,
Which curbs his loftie pride.
The softest whistling of the winds,
Doth make him gallop fast,
And, as their breath increas'd he finds
The more he maketh hast.
3
Take thou ô Lord, the Reines in hand;Assume our Masters roome:
Vouchsafe thou at our Healme to stand;
And Pilot to become.
Trim thou the Sailes, and let good-speed
Accompany our hast:
Sound thou the Channells at our need,
And anchor for us cast.
4
A fit and favourable windTo further us, provide;
And, let it waite on us behind,
Or lacky by our side.
41
And from the raging-wave,
From Shallowes, Rockes, and Pirates hands,
Men, Goods, and Vessell, save.
5
Preserve us from the wants, the feare,And Sicknesse of the Seas;
But, chiefly from our Sins, which are
A Danger worse then these.
Lord, let us, also safe arive
Where we desire to be;
And, for thy Mercies, let us give
Due thanks, and praise to thee.
Hymne XXVI. In a Storme at Sea.
[_]
Passionate expressions of Fear, intermixt with reasonable considerations do help mitigate our passions in great Extreames; and Lamentations are as properly exprest in Song, as mirth: Therefore this Hymne may profitably, be said or Sung, in a terrible Tempest to beget Courage, and strengthen our Faith.
[1]
Lord, how dreadfull is this howre?And how sad is ev'ry Eie?
Clouds dissolve, the Skies do lowre,
Waves are fierce, and windes are high:
Wrath, above us frowning sits,
Danger, hath enclos'd us round;
42
And, beneath us, Death is found.
Lord, awake! awake we pray;
Chase this raging Storme away:
Els, we perish all to Day.
2
Lord, we know that thou art nigh,Though, as yet, thou seem not near;
And are sure thou hear'st our cry,
Though asleep, thou dost appear.
Let, ô let not any Crime,
(Past or present) come in place,
To condemn us, in a time,
When, so much, we need thy grace:
But, ô send us, now, thine ayde;
Let not Mercy be delayd:
For, thy Servants are afraid.
3
If our Vessell bear ô Lord!Wicked Fraught, or Crying Sin;
Help to heave it over-boord,
That, Salvation may come in.
Bid the Seas, more calme become;
Bid the Waves more lowly grow;
Check the Winds, and call them home:
That, the Deeps they stir not so.
Hear, whilst call on thee we may:
For, if Thou the Word but say,
Winds and Waves will thee obay.
4
More this Tempest doth not rage,Then when Ionah shunn'd thy Face:
But, that Storme thou didst asswage,
43
When in Dangers, like to these,
Thy Disciples, grew afraid;
Thou didst Then the Winds appease,
And, the Tempest was alayd.
They for help, invoked Thee.
Lord! they Cryde; and so do we:
Therefore, saved let us be.
5
Though our Lives, we value dear,And our Goods, too highly rate:
Death is not our chiefest Fear,
Nor the losse of our estate.
More we fear to loose thy Love;
More we fear thy wrathfull Frown:
For, our Conscience doth reprove;
And, to us, our Guilt hath shown.
Sense, and Conscience, of our Sin,
Is more terrible, within;
Then the Storme, without, hath bin.
6
These internall Stormes controul:And, (how er'e our Bodies fare)
Speak thou kindly to the Soul,
Thy sweet Calmes, vouchsafing there.
Then, the Tempest rais'd without,
Shall, to us, no Danger bring:
But, (repreev'd from Fear, and Doubt)
We thy praise, ô Lord! will sing.
Yea, though Winds and Waters roare,
(Rend the Rocks, and tear the Shore)
We will sing thy Praise the more.
44
Hymne XXVII. When a Storme is past, at Sea.
[_]
Fear compells most men, in times of Danger, to call upon God, whom they seldome remember before they are troubled; and when the perills are past, few return thanks for their Deliverances. Therefore, this Hymne offers it self, to remedy that Forgetfulnesse.
Sing this as the 100. Psalme.
[1]
See, see, the Skie from stormes is clear;More smoothly, now the Waves do flow:
The Billows, that above us were,
Contented seeme, to lie below.
The furious Winds are much alayd;
More sober, now, the Ship appears:
And, we, who lately were afrayd,
To Hopes, have changed all our Fears.
2
Our Vowes, our Prayers, and our Crie,With God, have good acceptance had.
He saw our danger, from on hie
And, speed to save us, he hath made.
Come, let us therefore to his praise,
(With joyfull hearts, and hands upheav'd)
In thankfull Songs, our Voices raise;
And sing of what we have receiv'd.
3
The Fears of Death, inclos'd us round;The Sins of Life, increast that Fear:
45
Nor did in us, much hope appear.
Above our heads, the waves did roul:
The Winds did make our Tacklings crack.
The Deeps had nigh o'rewhelm'd our Soul:
Both Skill and Courage we did lack.
4
Some did the losse of Goods, deplore,(Of which depriv'd they thought to be)
Some griev'd, through fear, lest they no more,
Should their lov'd Friends, or Country see.
Some seeming nigh Destructions brink,
(And seeing Danger gape so wide)
Opprest with fear, began to think,
In how ill-state, they might have dide.
5
There was no Soul among us, here,But, feared more then did befall:
For, God, in mercy, doth appeare;
And shows compassion to us all.
Therefore, let us (now Fear is past)
Consider what small Joy or ease,
Those things, whereon our hearts were plast,
Afford, in dangers, like to these.
6
And, let us purchase, whilst we may,That Grace, whereby we may be fraught
With Courage, in a Dreadfull-Day,
To set the Worldlings Fears at naught.
And, as we joyntly do partake
The Mercy, which we now possesse;
So, let us joynt-Confession make
And thus to thee, our God, confesse.
46
7
O Lord! our safetie is of Thee.It was thy Powre and love, alone,
By which we now secured be;
And other Helper, we have none.
To Thee, from whom we did receive
This Grace (and thousands heretofore)
Our Tongues, our Hands, and Hearts we give,
To serve and praise thee evermore.
Hymne XXVIII. When we come a Shore.
[_]
It is a Mercy worth acknowledging, when God hath brought us to fixe our feet on firm land again; and that the Winds and Tides have been made serviceable unto us: Therefore, in this Hymn God is praised for that Benefit.
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
I thank thee Lord, I thee adore,With humbled heart, and bended knee,
That, thus upon the Stable Shore
My Feet in safetie fixed be.
I praise thee, that the fickle Seas,
For me a Pathway, have been made,
Through which unharmed, and at ease,
A Passage, hither, I have had.
2
I thank thee that thou didst provide,And serviceable make to mee,
The motions both of Winde and Tide;
Though I am slack in serving thee
47
No Splitting-Rock, no Gulph, or Bar,
No Storme, or Bloody Pyrats hands,
To ruine me permitted were.
3
For This, and ev'ry other thing,Which by thy Favour I possesse,
I thank thee Lord; Thy praise I sing;
And thy abounding love confesse.
O let thy Grace (which fixed hath
My Feet in-safetie on the Land)
Preserve me constant in thy Path
And, ever true, to thy Command.
Hymne XXIX. When we Journey by Boat or Barge.
[_]
Some who Travell in Boats or Barges, are delighted to employ the time of their Passage in stirring up good Affections in themselves and other Passengers by Hymns, and Spirituall Songs; we have therefore prepared a proper Hymn for that Occasion.
Sing this as the 4 Psalme.
[1]
How are ô God! we Sinners boundTo give thee thanks and praise?
Who to prevent our pains, hast found
And shown us, many waies.
By Horse and Coach we at our ease,
Ore Hils and Dales may ride;
48
In Boates, and Ships, we glide.
2
The Waters which unruly are,To serve us, may be won;
And forc'd our Burthens home to bear,
Which way so e're they run.
The Windes, to give our Courser breath,
From ev'ry Quarter blow;
And, we, within a foot of Death,
In ease and safetie go.
3
Vpon the Water, now we passe,And, safe we hope to be,
By thy Protection, and thy Grace,
Because we trust in Thee.
Continue with us, all the way:
(Though we are full of Sin)
Preserve us, and our Boat, we pray,
With ev'ry thing therein.
4
Guide thou this Vessell, trim our Sails;In Danger hear our Cry:
And, when our skill, or Courage fails,
Those failings Lord, supply.
No Passengers, Oresights, or Crime,
Lord, (whether great or small)
Within this Vessell, at this Time,
To question, do thou call.
5
The Foolish Tales, the Lies, and Oathes,That passe among us, here;
(And, which the well affected loathes)
To mark, be not severe:
49
The more unsafely passe,
Because this Boat, perhaps, doth bear
Despisers of thy Grace.
6
And, when that Key or Port, we gain,Whereat we would arive;
To Thee, (that safe we may remain)
Due Praises let us give.
And, while in progresse, thitherward,
We are in motion, here,
Let us, (if we expect Regard)
Continue in thy Fear.
Hymne XXX. When we are Walking in a Garden.
[_]
The Garden is a Place of Delight; and we may take Many Occasions, whilst we are there walking, to meditate things pertinent to God's glorie, and our own Instruction, both to the prevention of Sin, (which may els be committed) and to the sanctifying of our honest pleasures, there: which is intimated by this Hymn.
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
To yeeld us profit with Delights,The Garden was ordain'd:
To many Pleasures it invites,
Not ev'ry-where obtain'd.
50
How we converse therein,
The Serpent, still, is lurking there,
To tempt us unto Sin.
2
Within a Garden, he beganHis Engines first to lay.
There, first he brought a Curse on man;
There, he did Christ betray.
And, in our Gardens, many times,
(Whilst Pleasure we pursue)
We are allured to those Crimes,
Which afterward we rue.
3
Lord, therefore, sanctifie to me,The Pleasures of this Place;
That they may raise my heart to thee,
And, minde me of thy Grace.
Whilst, here I seek Delights to take,
Let me in thought retain,
What in a Garden, for my sake,
My Saviour did sustain.
4
His Agony, and Bloody-sweat,Shall, then, prevent my pain;
His Grief, my Pleasure shall beget,
And, ease for me obtain:
Of those Requests I shall partake,
By which he sought thy grace.
And, thou shalt sweet, and harmlesse, make
The Pleasures of this Place.
51
Hymn XXXI. When we are walking in the Fields.
[_]
The Fields are oft frequented both for Pleasure and Profit; and, many times, Idle musings make those things dangerous, which might, els, bring a double Advantage. This Hymn, therefore, offers these profitable Meditations, which become the leisure of that Place.
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
The Fields, for prayer, Isa'ck chose:And, they who trie, shall finde,
That for Devotion, they dispose
A well-devoted minde.
The Blessings which we there espie,
Occasions are of praise:
The loftie Prospects of the Skie,
Are helps our Hearts to raise.
2
When I ô God! behold this Frame,Which is above me plast;
How richly thou dost deck the same,
How ordred it thou hast:
And therewith call to minde, for whom,
This Work, by thee, was wrought;
Amaz'd it makes me to become,
And, thus it moves my thought.
3
Lord, can it be that thou should rearFor such poore Wormes as we,
52
Such Glories, as I see?
And that there be, (as I have heard)
Above that Spatious-Round,
Things, far more excellent, prepar'd,
Then, here by Sight are found.
4
If so it be, as (without doubt)I do beleeve it so;
Why are my Thoughts employ'd about,
My vain Designes below?
Why do I Fear? why do I love,
Or Covet, ought but Thee?
And hazard things, in heav'n above,
For those that earthly be?
5
O! from these Dung-hils, raise my minde,And, teach it so to mount,
That I may best Contentments finde,
In things of best Account.
Yea, teach me so to raise my Thought,
That I may, by Degrees,
And, in due time, be thither brought,
Where Faith my Place foresees.
Hymn XXXII. Before, or at a Feast.
[_]
Feasts are usefull to cheere our mindes, by a plentifull enjoying of the Creatures, in a neighbourly Societie, when Times, and good Occasions allow the same.
53
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
What Plenties (ô thrice gracious Lord!)Before us, now, appear?
How hast thou furnish'd out this Boord,
For us, thy Servants here?
Thy Fruits are pull'd, Thy Flocks are kill'd,
Thy Foules displum'd we see:
And by thy bountie, over-fill'd;
Our Bowles and Dishes be.
2
Lord, let this meeting now be blest,And, what prepar'd thou hast.
In ev'ry morsell of this Feast,
Let us thy sweetnesse tast.
Grant also, lest our health it marr,
That we excesse may shun:
And, let among us, neither Jarr,
Nor Discord be begun.
3
Chase all prophane Discourse away;Let honest Mirth appear:
Let none of us, an evill say,
Of those that are not here.
But, let each Word, and ev'ry Deed,
That shall be said, or done,
Be meant, true Mirth and love to breed;
And grieve, or injure none.
4
Yea, let us all, so heed those ends,For which good Feasts are made;
54
And make us, wisely, glad.
And, (being filled) let us cheer,
The hungry, with supplies:
So, shall this Feast, be (as it were)
A holy Sacrifice.
Hymn XXXIII. A Hymn after a Feast.
[_]
We are here remembred to be thankfull for our Refreshments; to acknowledge God's Bountie in giving his Creatures as well for Delight as Necessitie; and to use his good blessings with Temperance.
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
VVhen is it fitter to beginThe Song intended, now,
Then when our Table spread hath bin
And Cups did overflow?
For, lo; those things which God prepar'd
The hearts of men to chear;
Have those effects on us declar'd
For which, ordain'd they were.
2
Our Wants we now remember not;No Cares oppresse the minde:
Our Sorrows, all are quite forgot,
No Feares in us we finde.
And, if we stay in this Degree
Of good and sober mirth,
55
These Blessings of the Earth.
3
As well for Pleasure, as for need,Thy Creatures are bestown;
As, heretofore, by his own Deed,
Thy blessed Son hath shown:
For, at a Wedding, where each Guest,
Of wine, had drunk, before;
It pleas'd him, to inlarge the Feast;
And, adde a great deal more.
4
The more thy Bounties we shall see,The more we should beware,
That, neither they abused be;
Nor we unthankfull are.
And, therefore, lest our Appetites,
Our Iudgements may confound;
To that, in which our Flesh delights,
We now impose a Bound.
5
For all Refreshments of this Day,We praise thy blessed Name;
We honour it, in all we may,
We Sanctifie the same:
And, that we may depart in peace,
Of thee we humbly crave
That, what was done or said amisse,
This Day, may pardon have.
56
Hymn XXXIIII. A Hymn before Meat.
[_]
God is praised for furnishing our Table: he is also pray'd that his good Creatures may be received of us to the enabling of us in performing our Christian duties; and that when we are full, we may be mindfull of the Poore.
Sing this as the Magnificat.
[1]
For spreading Lord, our Table, thus,To thee we thankfull are:
O! let it not be unto us,
A mischiefe, or a Snare.
But, these thy Creatures blesse thou so
(Whereon we hope to feed)
That we our Duties well may do
And gain the Strength we need.
2
Let not thy Plenties make us dull,Or wantonly inclinde:
And, Lord, when we ourselves are full,
The emptie, let us minde.
Preserve thy Church, protect our King,
And, all his Kingdomes blesse:
That, at our Tables, we may sing,
And, eat our Bread in Peace.
57
Hymn XXXV. A Hymn after Meat.
[_]
God-Almightie having fed our Bodies; is here besought to feed our Soules also; and desired that whether we Feed or Fast, he may be glorified thereby.
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
We praise ô God! we honour Thee,By whom we now are fed!
And, we acknowledge, that from Thee,
We have our Daily-bread.
As with externall Food, ô Lord!
Thou fedd'st our Bodies, now;
Ev'n so, thy Blest Incarnate-word,
Vpon our Souls bestow.
2
And, whilst the Flesh her nourishment,From thy good Creatures takes;
Let not, into our Souls, be sent,
What, there, a leannesse makes.
But, whether want, or thrive we shall,
Or Fast, or take our Food;
Vnto thy praise, convert it all:
And all things to our Good.
3
With Health and Plentie, blesse this Place;From Error keep us free:
And, let thy Gospel, and thy Grace
Our Portion alwayes be.
58
And all his Kingdomes blesse:
That, we may at our Table sing,
And eat our Bread in Peace.
Hymn XXXVI. When we walke to the Church.
[_]
Such as dwell in the Countrey, a good distance from the Church, may shorten the way, by singing, otherwhile, this Hymn, to praise God for the free libertie of coming to his House; and to prepare their mindes for the Place and Service, toward which they walk.
Sing this as the 117. Psalme.
[1]
How blest are we! who may repaireIn peace, and safetie Lord,
Vnto thy blessed House of Prayre,
And hear thy holy Word?
Such Times, thy Saints have lived in,
That, thus they could not do;
Vnlesse, it had with hazard bin;
Of Goods, and Freedome too.
2
Continue, still, through these our Dayes,The Grace which, now, thou show'st;
And make us mindfull, thee to praise,
For that, which thou bestow'st.
Thy Voice so let us hear to Day,
And so meek hearted be
59
And, give us Rest in thee.
3
When we into thy House do come,Lord, minde us, evermore,
To leave our Worldly Thoughts, at home,
And, send our hearts before.
Vnto our Footing, let us all
Take heed, when we come there,
And; on the Pavement, humbly fall
Before thy Face, with Fear.
4
Our Sins, there, let us open lay,And, there, our State condole;
Till thou shalt pleased be to say,
Your Faith hath made you whole.
In Peace, then send us back again,
And, give us powre to see,
That, in thy presence we remain,
Where ere our Bodies be.
Hymn XXXVII. When we walk from Church.
[_]
We are hereby put in Remembrance that we endeavour to become profitable Hearers, by practising in our lives that which we are taught; and to beseech God, to enable us thereto.
Sing this as the former Hymn, or as the 4 Ps.
[1]
Lord, let the Words we heard this dayThe Heart so deeply peirce;
60
Their meanings to reherse
Let not thy holy Seed, be found
Dispers'd abroad in vain;
By falling on a Stony-ground,
That yeelds no lasting-gain.
2
Permit thou not those Aiery-hopes,Which Ill-suggestions breeds,
To rob us of celestiall crops,
By rav'ning up the seeds:
Nor, let the Thornes of Worldly Cares
So choke them up, we pray,
That, they produce unfruitfull eares,
Or wither, quite away.
3
But, teach us to receive thy Word,Like such a fruitfull mold,
As to the Sower doth afford,
Sometime, a hundred fold.
And, let us none of those become,
Who formall Hearers are;
But seldome practise that, at home,
Which in the Church they hear.
Hymn XXXVIII. When kindred meet together.
[_]
The love of kindred is grown cold; and many unkindnesses and neglects are among them. Therefore, when they visite each other, this Hymn being sung,
61
Sing this as the 133. Psalme.
[1]
How happy is it, and how sweet,When Kindred kind appeare!
And, when in Vnity we meet,
As we obliged are?
Each Blessing, which on One doth fall,
Will multiplied be;
And prove a Blessing to us All,
As long as we agree.
2
As from high Hils, a show'r of RaineAlong the vallies trils;
And, as they vapour up againe
A moystning for those Hils:
So, Kindred (whether poore or rich)
If truly kind they prove;
Each other may advantage much,
By interchange of Love.
3
The slendrest Threds together wound,Will make the strongest Band;
And, smallest Rods, if closely bound,
The Benders force withstand.
But, if we those asunder take,
Their strength departs away;
And, what a Gyant could not breake;
A little Infant may.
4
So, if in Concord, we abide,(If true in heart we prove)
62
By interchange of Love.
Let us, therefore, who now have met,
Observe this Lesson, so,
That we do not the same forget,
When we apart shall go.
5
Let none of us delight to tell,Or pleasure take to heare,
Wherein his kinsman doth not well;
Or, faulty may appeare:
But, let each of us, our owne Crimes,
With others Errors weigh;
And, seek the fittest means, and Times,
To mend them what we may.
6
If Malice injure any One,To whom allide we are,
Let us repute the wrong as done
To ev'ry Person here.
Yea, if a Grief, a Losse, a shame,
To one of us befall:
Let us be tender of the same,
As grievous to us all.
7
So, we that are, but linked, yet,In Bands of common kind;
Shall, at the last, be nearer knit,
By Vertues of the Mind.
And, when the Ties of carnall-kin,
By death, shall be undone;
We, that have so allied bin,
Shall be, for ever, One.
63
Hymn XXXIX. When Kindred depart from each other.
[_]
Kindred having visited each other, and being to returne to their severall habitations, doe in this Hymn praise God for their Meeting; and pray him to blesse them in their separation.
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
To bid each other now adueTime, warnes us to prepare;
And, that those Callings we pursue
To which oblig'd we are.
To thee therefore, by whom we came
Each others weal to know:
We render praise: And in thy Name,
Asunder Lord, we go.
2
Though us, ô Lord! to live apart,Our Fortunes do compell;
Keep us united, still, in hart,
Where ever we shall dwell.
A Dweller, in our Dwellings be:
Vs, there, depart not from.
And let us meet againe, in Thee;
When we together come.
3
Alliances are seldome good;And, rarely kind they are,
Who nothing have, but Flesh and Blood,
To make, and keep them Deare.
64
That we, by Grace, may be
More nearly knit, and thereby grow,
Vnited all to thee.
4
Preserve among us honest Mirth:At least, when we shall mourne,
Make Sorrow midwife to the Birth,
At which, true Joyes are borne.
And, of our Meetings, here below,
If this the last shall prove;
Our Conversation, forme Thou so,
That we may meet above.
Hymne XL. A Hymn at Seed-time.
[_]
Husbandmen when sowing-time is ended, have (in some places) their seed-Cake, or some other extraordinary Allowance to refresh them in their Labours, and it would not be without profit if they sanctified those Refreshings with this or the like Meditation.
Sing this as the 4 Psalme, &c.
[1]
No Time, to trifle forth, in wast,For us, allow'd hath bin;
But, alwaies, when one work is past,
Another doth begin.
Each day, a daily labour brings,
For us to work upon:
65
That must be yearly done.
2
Assoon as Harvest in is borne,The Seed-time doth insue;
And, they, in order, still, returne,
Our Labour to renewe.
That, which the Season doth befit,
We, now (in hope) have sown:
And Lord! we unto thee commit,
What we abroad have thrown.
3
When Isa'ck tilled in that place,Where, he a Stranger liv'd;
A hundred-fold, the profit was
Which he from thee receiv'd.
Then, since it is as easie, Lord,
As pleasing let it be,
A Benediction to afford
Vpon my Pains and me.
4
To us, a Pow'r thou dost allowTo water and to plant;
But, thou a Blessing must bestow,
Or, we our Hope shall want.
Vnto our Labour, therefore adde
The Supplement, it needs;
Lest (missing that) the Soile be made
A Stepdame, to our Seeds.
5
Command the Earth to wrap them close;Let Moisture, Warmth and Aire,
Their vertues into them dispose;
That, nothing them impaire.
66
Them, likewise blesse thou so,
That no disasters do them wrong;
Till they to ripenesse grow.
6
Then grant that me (or they to whomOur portion shall descend)
May fetch their Crops, with gladnesse, home;
And, them with comfort spend.
Grant, also, that the seeds of Grace,
(Sown in our hearts, by Thee)
Prove not lesse fruitfull in their place,
Then Earthly Fruits may be.
Hymn XLI. When Harvest is come home.
[_]
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 bringThe last of Harvest home,
To make the fields with Ecchoes ring,
And, joyfull to become.
67
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:
68
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.
Hymne XLII. For a Sheep-shearing.
[_]
Sheep-shearing, is a Time of rurall Merriment, in which good-cheare is afforded to neighbors and servants; among whose Refreshings, if this or the like Meditation were sometime sung; both Knowledge and Piety, might be increased thereby.
Sing this as the 23. Psalme.
[1]
Vnworthy, though, ô Lord, we are,Of that which thou dost give:
Yet, we much more unworthy were,
Of what we do receive;
69
For which, we do not pay,
Such cheap Oblations of the Lip,
As we present this day.
2
We, through thy favour now have hadThe Fleeces of our Sheep;
And, they are almost naked made,
Our Bodies warme to keep.
Before their shearers, dumb they lay,
Whil'st from their backs were shorne,
Their finest Wooll; and we now may
Possesse what they have worne.
3
Deare Lambe of God to thee be praise,Who dost refreshings give,
So freely, and so many waies,
Thy Servants to relieve.
O! let our thankfulnesse appeare,
Not in bare Words alone;
But, in those Works, which reall are
And, needfull to be done:
4
When any of thy Members lacksA Coat his flesh to gard;
Let us bestow, ev'n from our backs,
As much as may be spar'd.
And, as our Sheep do skip, as glad,
When they their Fleeces give;
So, let us joy that means we had
Our Brethren to relieve.
5
Vs, let their Meeknesse mindfull make,(By thinking thereupon)
70
Which, were to Thee, misdone.
That, all we suffer, say, or do,
May grow, in some Degree,
Reform'd, by thine Example, so,
That Blamelesse we may be.
Hymn XLIII. A Hymn for a House-warming.
[_]
The ancient and laudable use of House-warmings is here insinuated: For, in this Hymn, the Friends assembled, are taught to beseech God Almighty to make that habitation prosperous and comfortable to them, and theirs who are newly come thither to dwell.
[1]
Among those points of neighbourhood,Which our Forefathers did allow;
That Custome in esteeme hath stood,
Which we do put in practise now.
For, when their Friends new-dwellings had,
Them, thus they welcome thither made:
That, they the sooner might be free,
From Strangenesse, where they Strangers be.
2
To this good End, we partly came;And, partly, Friendship to augment.
But, if we faile not in the same,
This is the prime of our intent:
71
The House, our Friends, do now possesse.
In Hope, that God, Amen will say,
To that, for which we now shall pray.
2
Lord, keep this place, we thee desire,To these new-Commers ever free
From raging Winds; from harmfull Fire;
From Waters that offensive be.
From gracelesse-Childe, from Servants-ill;
From Neighbours, bearing no good-will;
And, from the chiefest Plagues of Life,
A Husband-false, a faithlesse-Wife.
3
Let neither Theeves, that Rove by Night,Nor those, that sneake about by Day,
Have pow'r their persons to affright;
Or to purloine their Goods away.
Let nothing here, be seen or heard,
To make by Day or Night afeard:
No sudden Cryes, no fearfull Noise;
No Vision grim, or dreadfull Voice.
5
Let on this House, no Curse remain,If any on the same be laid.
Let no Imposture pow'r obtain
To make the meanest wit afraid.
Let here nor Zim, nor Jim be seen;
The fabled Fai'rie King or Queen;
Nor such Delusions, as are said,
To make the former Age afraid.
6
Keep, also, Lord, we pray, from hence,(As much as frailty will allow)
72
Which to a Crying-Sin may grow.
Let, no more Want, Wealth, Hope, or Feare,
Nor greater Griefs or Joyes be here,
Then, may still keep them in thy grace,
Who, shall be dwellers, in this place.
7
But, that just measure let them haveOf ev'ry means, which may acquire
The Blessednesse, which they most crave,
Who to the truest Blisse aspire.
And if Well-wishers absent be,
Who better wish them can, then we,
To make this Blessing up intire,
We thereto adde what they desire.
Hymne XLIIII. For a Contract.
[_]
This Hymn is tendred to those who purpose a Contract of Marriage; in hope it may so remember them, to consider what they intend; that it shall keep them from proceeding farther then they lawfull may; and from professing more then they mean.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
Lord, in thy Name, and in thy Feare,Our Faith we plighted have;
And, that our meanings are sincere,
Thy witnesse, now, we crave.
73
Our Vowes, before thy face;
But, that we may likewise intreat
Thy Favour, and thy Grace.
2
For, mutuall helpers whil'st we live,(According to our might)
Our selves, we to each other give,
So far, as we have right.
And, we professe that free we are,
(For ought that we do know)
To be each others wedded Peer,
If thou permit it so.
3
We see no contradicting Cause,But, that we may be join'd,
Without infringment of the Laws,
Whereby we are confin'd.
Nor any such Infirmity
In us do we suspect,
As that our Marriage-Band, thereby,
Shall prove of no effect.
4
We have no guilefull Dealings us'd,Our purpose to acquire:
Nor one anothers Trust abus'd,
To gaine what we desire.
But, our Affections are sincere,
And, as they have been true,
Vpright those Courses likewise are,
By which, we them pursue.
5
If both have, now, ô Lord! profestWhat may not be denide;
74
That, nothing us divide.
Let nor by Beauty, Wit or Wealth,
By high, or low Degree,
By want of Riches, or of Health,
Our Hearts estranged be.
6
But if that either of us, now,Hath trod a faithlesse Way;
Or, shall infringe this holy Vow,
Before our Wedding day;
Lord, let the party Innocent,
From blame and guilt be free:
For, Truth a Contract, never ment,
Where, nought but Falshoods be.
Hymn XLV. For a Marriage.
[_]
God is hereby besought to blesse the Marriage solemnized to all there present; and so to prosper the Bridegroome, and Bride, in their Desires and Affections, that the Waters of their Carnall Contentment, may be turned into the Wine of spirituall Delighis.
Sing this as the former Hymn.
[1]
To grace (ô Lord) a marriage Feast,(In Cana, long ago)
It pleased thee to be a Guest,
And there, thy pow'r to show.
75
(When they their Wine had spent)
Thou changedst Water into Wine,
Which did their want prevent.
2
Lord, let the brightnesse of thy FaceAmong us now appeare:
So let the Bounties of thy Grace,
Be manifested here;
That neither Bridegroome, Bride, nor Guest,
In body, or in mind,
Of lesse content may be possest,
Then they have hope to find.
3
All Joyes which in a married-life,Well-matched Couples know.
On this new-wedded Man and Wife,
Vouchsafe thou to bestow.
Fulfill their Hopes, prevent their Feares,
Grant them their just Desires:
Increase that Love, which keeps off Cares,
And warmes with lawfull Fires.
4
To Wine, those hartlesse Waters turn,Which in their Vessels be;
To give them Comfort when they mourn;
And make them glad in thee.
And though the pleasures of their Love,
Have yet a pleasing tast;
Yet, let them daily sweeter prove,
And best of all, at last.
76
Hymn XLVI. When a Woman hath conceived.
[_]
We are all conceived in sinne: yet some have been sanctified in the wombe. Therefore, we cannot begin too early, to pray for the sanctification of the fruit of our Bodies; and that it may be borne to Gods glory, to our comfort, and to a happy being in it selfe: which is desired in this Hymn.
Sing this as the 10. Commandements.
[1]
Lord, if the Signes may trusted be,That Symptomes of Conception are;
A living-Soul deriv'd from thee,
Within my wombe, I now do bear.
Therefore (by her example, taught
Who was the Mother of thy Son
It well beseeming me I thought,
To magnifie what thou hast done.
2
If so it be, as I beleeve;Lord, sanctify, I humbly pray,
That, which in Sin I did conceive:
And, grant that grace obtain it may.
Let not the Part which thou hast made,
Subjected to pollution grow,
By what it from the Parents had:
But let it keep the flesh below.
77
3
In ev'ry Sense, in ev'ry Part,Perfection to this Creature give;
And, sow those graces in the heart,
By which the Soul doth truly live.
Whil'st I shall bear it in my wombe,
Let me likewise, my part fulfill:
And, when it forth to light shall come,
Instruct it how to do thy Will.
4
O! let me not a Mother be,To fructifie for Hell and Sin;
But, let my Fruit be born to Thee,
In whom Well-beings do begin.
So, whether it shall be design'd
Short time, or long, on Earth to stay;
A happy portion it shall finde,
And give thee all the praise, it may.
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.
78
[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 pastThe 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:
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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.
Hymn XLVIII. When a Childe is baptized.
[_]
God, is here praised for the great Priviledges vouchsafed by Baptisme: He is prayed also, to enable the Childe Baptized to Do and Beleeve, according to the Conditions of the Covenant made; And he is likewise acknowledged the Author and Finisher of every Holy-Desire, and laudable Performance.
[1]
Dear God! how great, how large a Grace,Vnto that Soul, this Day, is done,
Who, in thy Church, admitted was,
To be a Member of thy Son?
For, he which was the Childe of wrath,
And borne to nothing, but Despaire;
The Comforts of thy Favour hath,
And of thy Kingdome, is an Heire.
80
2
Of that great City, where no Sum,A Freedome for him, could have bought,
To be admitted, he is come;
And, by meer favour thereto brought.
Of Christ's most holy Order, now,
The faire, and famous Badge he beares;
Which will right happy make him grow,
If to the Grave, the same he weares.
3
Lord, blessed be thy holy-Name,That thou this Mercy hast bestown:
We praise, and love thee for the same,
As if the good were all our own.
In this estate, preserve him fast,
Vntill he fully understands
The Covenant, betwixt you past,
Thy Promises, and thy Commands.
4
Then, also, leave him not, ô Lord!But grant him thy Assisting-might
Thy loving-presence, and thy Word,
With ev'ry means to keep him right.
To make his Happinesse intire,
Be pleased to vouchsafe him too,
A Renovation in Desire;
And, chearfulnesse thy will, to do.
81
Hymn XLIX. When publike Thanks hath been given for safe deliverance in Child-birth.
[_]
Though Thanksgivings are publikely exhibited for such Deliverances; yet, the same ought to be privately acknowledged also: and, perhaps, there may be some private Deliverances accompanying the former, which ought to be considered, as this Hymn implyes.
Sing this as the 101 Psalme.
[1]
Although, my God! that Sacrifice,I tendred have to Thee,
Which to be made in publike wise,
This Church enjoins to me.
Yet, if in secret, I forget
My private Thanks to Day,
A Duty (doubtlesse) I omit,
Which I am bound to pay.
2
Besides, the Mercies lately shown,(And which confest have been)
Thou, Favours hast on me bestown,
Which others have not seen.
From Sins within my heart conceiv'd,
May greater mischiefs come,
Then can be, otherwise, deriv'd,
From any Childing-wombe.
3
Lord, therefore, by my Selfe alone,To thee I now repaire,
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In Praises, and in Pray'r.
I praise thee, that escap'd I have
The Danger, lately past;
And, that my Body from the Grave,
Thou, yet, preserved hast.
4
I praise thee, that my Tongue I findNow sounding of thy praise:
And pray thee, that my heart may mind
This Duty, all my Daies.
I pray thee too, that from all Sin,
I may be purifide;
A stricter Course of Life begin;
And, in thy Fear abide.
Hymn L. A Rocking Hymn.
[_]
Nurses usually sing their Children asleep; and through want of pertinent matter, they oft make use of unprofitable (if not worse) Songs. This was therefore prepared, that it might help acquaint them, and their Nurse-Children, with the loving Care and Kindnesse of their heavenly Father.
[1]
Sweet Baby sleep: what ailes my Dear?What ailes my Darling thus to cry?
Be still, my Childe, and lend thine ear,
To heare me sing thy Lullaby.
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Be still my Dear; sweet Babie sleep.
2
Thou blessed Soul, what canst thou fear?What thing, to thee, can mischief do?
Thy God, is now thy Father dear;
His holy Spouse, thy Mother too.
Sweet Babie then, forbear to weep;
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
3
Though thy Conception was in Sin,A sacred Bathing thou hast had.
And, though thy Birth, unclean hath bin,
A blamelesse Babe, thou now art made.
Sweet Babie then, forbear to weep;
Be still my Dear; sweet Babie sleep.
4
Whil'st thus, thy Lullabie, I sing,For thee, great Blessings ripening be:
Thine Eldest Brother is a King;
And hath a Kingdome bought for thee.
Sweet Babie then, forbear to weep;
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
5
Sweet Babie sleep; and nothing fear;For, whosoever thee offends,
By thy Protector threatned are,
And God, and Angels are thy Friends.
Sweet Babie then, forbear to weep;
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
6
When God-with-us, was dwelling here,In little Babes, he took delight.
Such Jnnocents, as Thou, my Dear!
Are ever precious in his sight.
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Be still my Babe, sweet Babie sleep.
7
A little Infant, once was Hee:And Strength, in Weaknesse, then was laid
Vpon his Virgin-Mothers knee;
That, Pow'r to thee, might be convai'd.
Sweet Babie, then, forbeare to weep;
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
8
In this thy frailty, and thy need,He friends and helpers doth prepare,
Which thee shall cherish, clothe, and feed:
For, of thy weal, they tender are.
Sweet Babie, then, forbeare to weep:
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
9
The King of Kings when he was born,Had not so much for outward ease:
By Him, such Dressings were not worn;
Nor such like swadling-clothes as these.
Sweet Babie, then, forbeare to weep;
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
10
Within a Manger lodg'd thy Lord,Where Oxen lay, and Asses fed.
Warm rooms we do to thee afford,
An easie Cradle, or a Bed.
Sweet Babie, then forbeare to weep;
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
11
The wants that he did then sustain,Have purchas'd Wealth, my Babe, for thee:
And, by his Torments, and his pain,
Thy Rest and Ease, secured be.
85
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
12
Thou hast (yet more) to perfect this,A promise and an earnest got,
Of gaining everlasting Blisse,
Though thou my Babe perceiv'st it not.
Sweet Babie, then, forbeare to weep;
Be still my Babe; sweet Babie sleep.
Hymn LI. Another Rocking Hymn.
[_]
The Nurse is here taught a forme of Blessing, whereby (she may by faithfully singing, or saying the same) call downe Gods Benediction, both upon her selfe, and her Infant, to the prevention of temporall and spirituall mischiefs.
Sing this as Te Deum, or the 1 Psalme.
[1]
Since now, my Babe, of sleep possest,His lovely eies hath clos'd;
To praise the Author of his rest,
My heart is well-dispos'd:
And, to implore, that God, who makes
My Darling, thus to sleep;
Would present be, when he awakes,
And, him in sleeping keep.
2
Thou, praises from an Infants tongue,Disdainest not to hear:
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But, Lord, decline thine ear.
For, though a single voice I raise,
My Offrings, triple be.
My Self, my Babie, and my praise,
I offer up to Thee.
3
Dear Son of God! who thoughtst no scorn,(To leave thy Throne on high)
Of lowly parents to be born,
And, in a Crib to lie:
On this my Babe, thy Grace reflect;
Infold him in thine Armes.
From outward perils, him protect,
And from internall Harmes.
4
Let not that Feind which ev'ry howre,Doth watch and hover here,
To mischiefe us, obtain the Powre;
Or cause my Childe to fear.
But, let an Angell-guard be nigh,
To put that Foe to flight:
And, round about his cradle flye,
To keep him from despight.
5
As Time, his Body shall increase,Increase his knowledge too;
And cause him, ev'ry day in grace
With God, and Man, to grow.
Preserve him streight in ev'ry Limbe,
And sound in ev'ry Sense:
Yea, all his life time, keep thou him,
From ev'ry grosse offence.
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6
To thee, let him be alwayes true,And, ever kinde to those,
Who kindnesses to him do shew
Er'e Good, or Ill, he knows.
And, let not, (for thy passion sake)
This Babie (now, so dear)
Those vaine, or evill Courses take,
Whose end, we justly fear.
7
Oh let not him, whose meanest pain,We can with tears deplore,
Be one of those, who shall remain
In torments, evermore.
But, so to live, and so to die,
Vouchsafe him grace, ô God!
That, he may rise to live on high,
Where thou hast thine abode.
Hymn LII. When we receive the Lords Supper.
[_]
God, is hereby magnified for the great honour, and favour vouchsafed, by the blessed Sacrament of his Body and Blood; and humbly desired thereby to conferre and continue to us his especiall Grace.
Sing this as the 148. Psalme.
[1]
Ovr Voice how should we raise!How should our Songs excell!
If God-Almighties praise
Our Tongues could fully tell?
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The Starry-Round, of that glad sound,
Would loudly ring.
2
That, at thy princely Boord,This Day we feasted be,
How great a favour, Lord?
Have we obtain'd from thee?
And who is able
Himself to make fit to partake
Of this thy Table?
3
We, whom thy Bountie Feasts,(And, who now sing thy praise)
Were called to be Guests,
From hedges and high-wayes:
And, till we came
To taste this chear, we wretched were,
Poore, blind, and Lame.
4
But, from our low estates,Now, so advanc'd are we,
That, Princes are our Mates,
And, Kings our Fellows be,
One Cup we have,
And, Angels eat no better meat,
Then we receive.
5
Perfection of Delights,Is by this Feast bestown.
With Him, that us invites
The Food, and Guests are One!
Faith works it thus,
That, thereby, we are found in Thee;
And thou in us.
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6
And, though our Natures areVnequall and Distinct;
By true beleeving, here,
They really are linkt.
And, while we bide
In Faith, and Love, nought can remove,
Or, us divide.
7
Yea, such our Vnion isThat, all our Sins are thine;
And, ours, thy Righteousnesse
Is made by grace divine.
Yet, from all staines
(Through our Offence) thine Excellence
Still, free remaines.
8
Lord, for this love to Man,Pow'r, glory, praise, and Fame,
(As fully, as we can)
Ascribe we to thy Name.
And, we emplore,
That, this rich Grace, we may embrace
For evermore.
Hymn LIII. Another Hymn for the Lords Supper.
[_]
Gods unspeakable Favour vouchsafed in the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, is acknowledged: The unexpressiblenesse of that Mysterious Communion is Confessed; and those
90
Sing this as the Magnificat, or Te Deum.
[1]
The Favour Lord, which by thy grace,We have this day possest,
Doth our best merits, far surpasse;
And, cannot be exprest.
Because, we not alone obtain
A common-grace from thee;
But, thou thy Self dost, also, daign
Our food of Life, to be.
2
For which, we nothing have to give,Whereof, thou dost approve
So much, as when we do receive
Thy kindnesses with love.
Therefore, ô Lord! we, now do make
This Offring for the same:
The Cup of Saving health we take;
And, Magnifie thy Name.
3
O! teach us to receive aright,What thou dost here, bestow.
And, give us an Informing-light
Of what we ought to know.
And, when we cannot wade the Deep
Of thy unfathom'd Word;
Let us a Course, with safetie keep,
Along the shallow Foord.
4
This Mysterie we must confesse,Our Compasse to exceed;
91
Then grains of Mustard-seed
Therefore, ô Lord! improve it so,
That, growth it may receive:
And, that we modestly may know;
And knowingly Beleeve.
5
Forgive to us our many crimes,Offensive unto thee.
Vouchsafe we may in future times
More just, more pious be.
Vs, render gracious in thy Sight;
And, that, which now we do;
That, thou maist therein take Delight,
And, we have love thereto.
6
No new Oblation, we deviseFor Sin, preferr'd to be.
Propitiatorie-Sacrifice
Was made, at full, by thee.
The Sacrifice of Thanks, is that
(And all) which thou dost crave:
And, we our selves, are part, of what
We Sacrificed have.
7
In this, no grosse Realities,We carnally conceive;
Or, that their proper Qualities,
The Bread, or Wine do leave.
But, in this holy Eucharist,
(By Faith and Grace Divine)
We know, we feed on thee, ô Christ!
Receiving Bread and Wine.
92
8
Thy Reall-presence, we avow:But, so; that, we confesse
Meere carnall-Reason knows not how
That Presence to expresse:
Because, thy Flesh we feed on, thus;
(Though strange it may appear)
That, we in Thee; and thou in Vs;
At once, and truly, are.
9
No marvell few can well agree,How this, they should unfold:
For, Mysteries, Faiths objects be;
Not things at Pleasure told.
And, he that would, by Reason, sound
The Depths, which Faith perceives,
May both himself, and those, confound;
To whom, his Rules he Gives.
10
Let us, therefore, our Faith erect,On what thy Word doth say;
And, hold their knowledge in suspect,
Who new Foundations lay.
For, thereby some a cursed Rent
Within thy Church have left;
And, by thy Peacefull Sacrament,
The world of peace bereft,
11
Yea that, which thou to cherish Love,Didst graciously ordain;
Contention wrests, debates to move;
And Quarrels to maintain.
Oh! let us not hereafter so,
About meere words contend;
93
Procures his cursed end.
12
But, if in Essence, we agree,Let us, in Love assay
To erring Souls, true Guids to be,
And to the weake, a Stay.
For, Love is that strong Cyment, Lord,
Which us must reunite.
In bitter Speeches, Fire, and Sword;
It never takes delight.
13
Meere carnall Instruments, these are;And, they are much beguild;
Who dreame that these ordained were,
Our Breaches to rebuild.
Therefore, we pray thee, by that love
Which us together brought,
That thou all Christian-men wouldst move
To love, as Christians ought.
14
Let not Self-will our hearts bewitchWith pride, or private hate;
Or cherish those Contentions, which
Disturbe a quiet State.
Nor suffer Avaritious ends,
Or ignorant despight,
To hinder those from being Friends,
Whom Love should fast unite.
15
Let those, who (heedlesse of thy word)Suppose, that Fleshly-powre,
Or, that the temporary Sword,
Can ghostly Foes devoure:
94
No such as they do fain;
Or, that it is a carnall warre,
Which must thy Truth maintain.
16
Confessors, Martyrs, Preachers, Lord,Thy Battailes fight for thee.
Thy Holy-Spirit, and thy Word,
Their proper weapons be.
Faith, Hope, Long-suffering, Praire, and Love,
For Bulworks are prepar'd;
And, will their fittest Engines prove,
To Conquer, and to Guard.
17
For, Babel, doubtlesse, may as wellThereby, be overthrown,
As those accursed walls, which fell
When Rams-horne-Trumps were blown.
This, if we credit; we shall cease
The worldlings parts to play,
Or, to beleeve Gods blessed peace,
Shall come the Devils way.
18
Lord, let thy Flesh and Blood divine(Which now receiv'd hath bin)
Our hearts, to Charitie incline:
Our Souls refine from Sin.
And by this holy Sacrament
Make us in minde retain,
What thou didst suffer, to prevent
Our everlasting-pain.
19
Moreover, let us for thy sake,With one another bear,
95
That, thine we may appear.
And, that, when hence we called be,
We thither, may ascend;
(To live, and be belov'd, of thee)
Where Love, nor Life, have end.
Hymn LIIII. For Deliverance from Sicknesse.
[_]
God is hereby praised for delivering us from those Distempers which deprived us of health; he is besought also, to give us grace to employ our future health to his glory, and to the health of our Souls.
Sing this as the 4 Psalme.
[1]
VVhilst we endeavour to obayOur blessed Makers will;
All Creatures do the best they may,
Our Pleasures to fulfill:
But, when we negligent become,
In doing what we ought,
All things to us are troublesome,
And, bring our hopes, to nought.
2
Ev'n that, which is a part of man,(Or, in his Bowels bred)
Makes insurrections, now and than,
Which wound, or strike him dead.
Within my Self, experiment
Of this, I lately found;
96
My Body, to the ground.
3
But Drougth, and Moisture, Heat and Cold,Now reconciled be;
And, such an equall Temper hold,
As, health restores, to me.
My fainting Spirits be releev'd;
My Tast regain'd I have:
My weakned Body is repreev'd,
And, ransom'd from the grave.
4
For which, a Sacrifice of praiseTo thee, ô God! I bring;
And unto thee, my voice I raise,
A thankfull Hymn, to sing:
Confessing, that by thee, ô Lord!
And by thy grace, alone,
The health and vigour is restor'd,
Which I have now put on.
5
So long as here, I do enjoyThe Being, I have got,
Let me, my Health and Strength employ,
Thine honour, to promote:
And, when my Life hath reach'd that houre,
Past which, I must not stay,
Through weaknesse, bring me to that powre,
Which, never will decay.
97
Hymn LV. A thanksgiving, for setled Health.
[_]
It is a great temporall Benefit, to be delivered from Sicknesse, but, it is a greater (if we be not unthankfull) to have a continued Health, yet few men remember to praise God, particularly, for the same. Therefore, to put us in minde of that Dutie this Hymn is tendred.
Sing this as the 22. Psalme.
[1]
In times of Want, we feele what blisse,Our yeers of Plentie be.
When War doth rage; the sweets of Peace,
The meanest wit can see.
And, when with Sicknesse we are pain'd
We know it just, ô Lord!
To render Praise and Thanks unfain'd;
When Health shall be restor'd.
2
Sure then, the many healthfull Daies,And yeers, which I have had,
Deserve, that heartie Songs of Praise,
Should for the same be made:
And, that whilst health and Strength do last,
I should the same employ
To memorize the Mercies past,
And those which I injoy.
3
Whilst others grone with aking bonesWith wounds, or inward pains;
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VVhich fret and rend the Reines:
Yea, while ten thousands feele the smart,
VVhich on the Sick doth cease:
In Head, in Body, and in Heart,
I am at perfect ease.
4
Lord! ever blessed be thy nameFor this externall-Grace.
Preserve me thankfull for the same,
Whilst thou prolongst my Race.
And, if to my immortall Blisse,
It shall not hindrance be;
(Nor Thou thereby, due Glory misse)
Thus healthfull, keep thou me.
5
But, if my Patience must be tride,By Sicknesse, and by Pain;
Let Sin, thereby be mortifide;
And, Vertue strength obtain.
Be pleas'd, likewise, that whatsoere
Thy Wisdome shall impose,
It be no more then I can bear;
Though strong, and sharp it grows.
Hymn LVI. A Hymn putting us in remembrance of Death.
[_]
The Remembrance of Death, is judged a good
means to make us heedfull so to live in this world,
that we may live happily in the world to come;
and to that purpose this Memento mori, is provided.
99
[1]
Remember Death: For, now my TongueTo sing of Death, shall tuned be.
Remember Death, which els, ere long,
Will to thy pain remember Thee.
Remember Death, whose voice doth say,
This night a man, to morrow clay.
2
If Lucre shall thy heart intise,Thy needy neighbour to oppresse:
If Pride shall tempt thee to despise,
Or sleight thy Brother in distresse.
Remember Death: And, then, I know
More Just, more humble thou wilt grow.
3
When Lust shall woo thee to commit,What, Soul and Body may defile:
VVhen Sloth shall make thee lazie sit,
(And let thy Talent rust the while)
Remember Death, of old hath bin
And is, the wages due to Sin.
4
VVhen Envie shall thy heart possesse;VVhen thou shalt Cheat, curse, sweare, or lye,
VVhen thou shalt wallow in Excesse;
Thy faith abuse, or God deny:
Remember Death, and what attends,
On wilfull Sinners latter-ends.
5
Remember, Death no truce hath made,A yeer, a moneth, or weeke to stay.
100
And, how thy Time doth steal away.
Remember, Death, will neither spare
Wit, Wealth, nor those that lovely are.
6
Remember, Death foregoes the DoomesWhich due to thy Deservings be.
Remember this, before it comes.
And, (that, Despaire oppresse not thee.)
Remembring Death, remember Him;
Who doth from Death, and Hell, redeeme.
Hymn LVII. A Hymn of Life-eternall.
[_]
That we may not be deluded by the vain pleasures, or discouraged by the afflictions of this life; The excellencies of Life-eternall are here illustrated, and the Desireablenesse thereof is in some degree expressed by this Hymn.
Sing this as In Sad and Ashy weeds.
[1]
VVhy live I mudling here,In base and fruitlesse works employ'd?
As if I knew not where
A better Life might be injoy'd?
Since I have sought
And have been taught,
The noblest things to know;
Why should I still,
Retain a Will,
To spend more time below?
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2
My Soul, that was not made,Of flitting Aire, or mouldring clay;
Intelligence hath had,
Of more, then words can well display.
The things we see,
But shaddows be,
Of those, which will appear:
Are nothing els
But Tipes and Shells,
Which Time away will weare.
3
There is a blessed-Place,(If Place, eternall things contain)
Whereto, I hope to passe,
When here I must no more remain.
There is a Life,
In which no griefe,
No pain, no Fear, is found;
And (more then this)
It yeelds that Blisse,
Which doth admit no Bound.
4
My Hope, and my BeliefThat of this Life I shall partake,
Cures all my present Grief,
And, of my Pains, doth Pleasures make.
The thought of it,
Makes me remit
The Spights of those poore-things,
Who Dominere
On mole-hils, here
Like foolish Pettie-kings.
102
5
VVhen, thither I am gone,The Love of Worldlings, or their Hate,
VVill not be thought upon;
Nor marr, nor better my estate.
To misse, or have,
What most men crave,
(Who love this lothed Place,)
Will, there, to me
No Pleasure be;
No Honour, or Disgrace.
6
That Life, who ever lives,Not only, blessed therein, is,
But, thereby, also, gives
Perfection to the Common-blisse.
It, open sets
The Cabanets,
VVherein contained be
Those Rarities,
Which mortall eies,
Shall never come to see.
7
In One, to sum up all,Which of that life, we may declare;
Him, there, behold we shall,
In, and By whom, all Creatures are:
And, not alone,
Then, look upon
That, most-beloved Sight:
But, gain by Grace,
His free embrace;
With fulnesse, of Delight.
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8
Oh! thither; thither, Lord!And to this Life, my Soul convay;
From this, which is abhord,
And, unto Death, a tedious way.
I have gone wrong,
From thee, too long;
For which I grieved am:
And, I shall mourn,
Till I return,
To thee from whom I came.
Hymn LVIII. A Thanksgiving after a dangerous Sicknesse; by one, who was unprepared for Death.
[_]
This Hymn serves to bring to minde, how terrible Death will be to those who are not ready for it; and personates, by exemplary expressions of Fear and Thankfulnesse, what may be the condition of others, who live unprepared; and how thankfull they ought to be for mercy obtained.
[1]
Lord! from Death's forgetfull shade,Since I had
By thy pow'r, my preservation;
I will both with Heart and Tongue,
Tune a Song,
To thy mercies, exaltation.
For, to Thankfulnesse inclinde,
So I minde
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That, thy Favour, shall of me,
Ever be
With my chiefest cunning, praised.
2
And, my Fellow-Creatures, all,When you shall
Heare what grace, to me, he showeth;
Daign, your Thankfulnesse, to joyn,
Vnto mine,
To discharge the dues it oweth.
And, ô Lord! enable mee
Vnto Thee,
So to render praises-giving;
That, all may, who heare the same
Blesse thy name,
That I breath'd among the living.
3
For, (as yet) me thinks, I seeLife in mee,
In Her powrs and Senses failing:
And my shortned-panting Breath,
Yeelding Death,
All the Symptoms of prevailing.
But, for Death, not well prepared,
So I fared,
That, much terrour I sustained:
And, Vain-longings having, still,
Thrall'd my Will;
Thus, I fearefully complained.
4
VVhere is now? where is, alas?Time, that was?
105
And those pleasing Dayes, wherein,
I have bin
Youths beguiling Pleasure showed?
Must I! must I, now (thought I)
Helplesse Die?
And, be carelesse left, to morrow;
In a dark, and lonely grave?
VVhere none have
Sense of Comfort, Joy, or Sorrow?
5
VVill no mortall Wit, or Powre,From this Howre,
My Despairing Soul, release?
But must ev'ry earthly Thought,
Come to nought,
And my Hopes for ever cease?
Shall I never! never-more,
(As before)
View the Daies approching Glory?
But, must this black Night, nigh past,
Be my last?
And conclude my mortall-Story?
6
Such, my foolish fancies were,As you hear;
And, thus fruitlesly I mourned.
But, at last (by Terrors taught)
Him I sought,
Whose free Grace my Death adjourned.
Lord! said I; observe the grones,
Hear the moanes,
106
And, my humble suit allow,
Lest I, now,
In an endlesse terror languish.
7
Sins, I have, which numberlesse,Me oppresse.
And, so strongly overlay me:
That, if yet I should appear,
Much I fear
Down to Hell, their weight might weigh me.
And, Alas! can trembling Dust,
So unjust,
Stand before the Lord of Thunder?
Whilst that Guiltinesse abides,
Which divides,
Me, and Comforts, far asunder?
8
Lord! I dare not to appear,Till I hear
That I am to favour taken.
Therefore, thy sad Servant, now,
Comfort Thou,
Whom all Comfort hath forsaken.
Let not thy Compassion, be
Lesse to me,
Then my Foes despight hath proved.
But, oh! let my Fear, and Pain,
Once again,
Be abated, and removed.
9
Iesu, for thy passion-sake,Daigne to take,
107
That, my naturall estate
I may hate
And delight in thy perfections.
Spare; ô blest Redeemer, spare!
Let my Fear
To so firm a Faith be turned,
That it may true Joyes beget;
And, oh! let
Death be, till that houre, adjourned.
10
Lord! if this, for which I pray,Gain I may;
(If to health I may be raised)
Of thy Love, my Song shall be:
Thou, of me,
Shalt, for evermore, be praised.
In deep sighs (that spake aloud)
Thus I vow'd;
With a heart, at large distressed;
And, the Spirit, help'd my mones,
With such Grones,
As may never be expressed.
11
Those Complaints my Saviour heardWith regard:
As I pray'd, right so befell it:
From those Fears, which on me ceas'd,
I was eas'd.
And, alive I am to tell it.
For which Mercy, let no day
Passe away,
108
But till I in earth embra'st,
Sleep my last,
Let thy Goodnesse be my Ditty.
12
And, although a Slave to Sin,I have bin,
Make me truly now abhor it.
And, when Death next summons me,
Let me be
Ev'ry way prepared for it.
So, no false, no vain delight,
No Affright,
From her blisse, my Soul shall sever:
But, so love, so live shall I,
(Live or die)
That, I blest shall be for ever.
Hymn LIX. A Hymn encouraging sicke persons to be willing to dye.
[_]
Sicke-persons are not usually disposed to sing; yet some are somtime desirous to chear up their hearts, and strengthen themselves against the feares of Death, by considering the Priviledges of Life-eternall: And, perhaps they who want strength to sing this Hymn, shall receive comfort to heare these Meditations sung by others in their presence.
Sing this as the Pater-noster.
109
[1]
If by the Signes foresee we may,When our short Lease of Life is done;
Now neer unto me seems the day,
In which my Glasse will quite be run:
And, I that here, yet lie, and grone,
Shall to my resting place be gone.
2
My moisture, and my vitall heat,In me, do now begin to cease.
My pulses out of Order beat;
Strength failes, and Weaknesse doth increase.
Therefore, ere Death all sense bereave,
Thus, of the World, I take my leave.
3
First, my Deare Friends, farewell to you,Live blessed in a true belief.
Disturbe you not my last adieu,
By fruitlesse Teares, or needlesse grief:
For, from a prison full of woe,
To Bowres of Joy, and Rest I goe.
4
For aye, adue my hopes of health;Farewell to all my vain Desires.
I have no pleasure now in wealth:
My Soul to better things, aspires.
All earthly pleasures are untrue:
I, therefore bid them all adue.
5
My flesh, oh! be not thou afraid,To let my Soul depart from thee.
Or, when thou all alone art laid,
Where thou must quite corrupted be,
For since my Saviour lodged there,
He from the Grave hath banish'd fear.
110
6
What though within that lonely place,In darknesse, and in stench thou lie,
Where wormes thy feature shall deface,
And make thee lothsome to the eie?
Thou shalt to life again arise;
Renewed in a glorious wise.
7
Thy Soul (of which thou art so fain)Although from thee it shall depart;
Will come and find thee out again,
However hid, or chang'd thou art.
You shall be joined, as before;
And, never be divided more.
8
What pleasure in thy life appears,As thou art now deform'd and pain'd?
What get'st thou but renewed cares,
If Life with Health might be regain'd?
This Life is nought but pain and grief:
Yea, pain, somtime, without relief.
9
My Flesh then goe; yea, gladly goOf thy last Bed, to be possest.
O! wherefore dost thou linger so,
In Torments, when thou may'st have rest?
Know'st thou, what followes after Death,
Thou could'st not love this aiërie Breath.
10
Thou shalt in Beauty passe the Stars;And no defect on thee shall rest.
Thou shalt be swifter then the Sphears;
And wear perfections of the best.
Death is a Gate (though somwhat low)
Through which to highest Blisse we go.
111
11
In Thee, now, Sins and Sicknes dwels,Vncertain hopes, and certain pain:
And thou art fit for nothing els,
But, thy Corruptions to retain.
Thy Mates by Death, shall Angels be,
And God himself, shall dwell in Thee.
12
Since nothing more thou canst desire,Now give thy Soul, a free release.
To thy Great-Grandames wombe, retire;
There, take thy rest, in Hope and Peace:
And, God (who formed thee of Clay)
Grant thee a Ioyfull rising-Day.
Hymn LX. Another Hymn encouraging against the feare of Death.
[_]
The Sick, are here taught to encourage their Soules to be willing to leave this Life, and enjoy the perfections of the next world. And, to that end, some Jnconveniences of this Life; and some of the Benefits, which the Faithfull enjoy by Immortality, are mentioned in this Hymn.
Sing this, as I loved once.
[1]
My Soul, why dost thou linger so,And in thy prison, seeke to stay?
112
By Sicknesse, which prepares thy way?
VVhy would'st thou loyter longer here
Perplext with pains, and vext with Fear?
God cals us hence, Come, come along,
And, let us meet him with a Song.
2
VVhy, on this Carkasse dost thou dote,VVherewith, too long thou hast been cloth'd?
VVhat have you by your Friendships got,
But Sin and Sorrowes to be loth'd?
Since, thou hast Licence to be free,
No longer now, inthralled be;
But, come away; come, come along,
And meet thy Maker with a Song.
3
Thy wanton flesh (to thee so Dear)By searching where thy strength was laid;
Hath oft (though friendly she appear)
Vnto thy Passions, thee betraid.
This Troup, with her, still watching lies,
To put out Faith's and Reasons eies.
These Foes, then stay thou not among;
But, fly thou from them with a Song.
4
Consider this unhappie place,How full it is of discontent.
Remember well thy noble Race,
And from whose Bosome, thou wast sent.
There is a place reserv'd for Thee,
Where endlesse Joyes and Pleasures be:
From thence thou tarriest over-long,
Fly, fly thou thither with a Song:
113
5
Thine Essence, here, becomes impure:But, there, it shall refined grow.
Thy knowledge, here, is but obscure:
There, ev'ry Secret thou shalt know.
Though poore thou art, and sleighted here;
Thou shalt be rich, and honor'd there.
Therefore, thy Blisse no more prolong:
But, fly thou thither with a Song.
6
Here, spightfull men, and wicked Fiends,To marre thy Quiet are inclin'd.
There, for thy Fellowes, and thy Friends,
Both Saints and Angels thou shalt find.
There, thou shalt both behold and know,
Thy pious Friends dead long agoe;
And Hallelujah, those among,
Shall be, thine Everlasting-Song.
7
Moreover, there, thou shalt behold,Those Worthies, whose deserved praise,
For vertuous Deeds, in times of old,
Hath made them famous in those daies.
And, more then this; thou there shalt see
The Son of God, who dide for thee.
Then, do not here thy stay prolong;
But, goe, and praise him in a Song.
8
Go, view the glorie of his face;Go, kisse his wounds for thee receiv'd;
Go, and his blessed feet embrace:
Go, and possesse what was beleev'd.
Go, and confesse with Saba's Queen,
That lesse is told, then may be seen:
114
Enlarge his Glory in thy Song.
9
Go, and in God, those Ioyes possesse,And, that well-being (without end)
Which language never could expresse,
Nor Heart of mortall apprehend.
There, praise the Founder of that Blisse.
And, when thy Body raised is;
(Which, God will bring to passe ere long)
Praise Him, together in one Song.
Hymn LXI. A Lamentation in times of excessive Rain.
[_]
In this Hymn we lament the miseries like to befall in by excessive Rains and Waters, confessing that plague justly inflicted for our sins; beseeching it may beget in us true penetency; that upon Repentance the plague may be removed; and, that the same being removed, we may be thankfull.
Sing this as the Lamentation.
[1]
Although Transgressors, Lord, we be,(And, thy Displeasure justly fear)
To sing a mournfull-Song to thee,
Before thy Presence, we appear.
Oh! mind thou not our follies past;
But, our Submission, daigne to heed.
115
Both hear, and help us at our need.
2
For, now ô God! that Aiery-Sphear(Which is to bound the upper Deeps
From those that underneath us are)
Continuall vapours, on us, weeps.
The Floods-beneath do swell more high
Then their accustom'd Limits goe;
And they which are above the Skie,
Do presse, to meet the Deeps below.
3
Thy Servants, therefore, are afraid,That, if thou send not thy Command,
Whereby their daring may be staid,
Our whole undoing is at hand.
For, Lord, by these excessive rains,
We lose, not only Time and Cost,
But, therewith our laborious pains,
And, means of Life, is, likewise lost.
4
Thou wilt we know, permit no more,An universall Over-flowing;
Nor frustrate make, as heretofore,
The Times of Harvest, or of Sowing.
But, Lord! to us what profits it,
That, so it promis'd was by Thee;
If now the Waters thou permit,
The present Spoile of us to be?
5
Or, what to live will it availe,If Raine and Moisture in excesse,
Shall make the means of Life to faile,
And keep us lingring in distresse?
116
Which this Affliction may procure,
We gain Repentance by the losse,
And make some Future Blessing sure.
6
For these great Rains, perhaps are sentTo make us heedfull of our Sin,
And, with compunction to lament
The waies which we have erred in.
O! teach us Lord, if it be so,
Our grosse offences to bemone:
And, let a pleasant Season show
That, thy Displeasure quite is gone.
7
Let not thine Vniversall-GraceTo us, in speciall be denide:
For speciall-Favour, here is place:
O! let that also be applide.
Dry up, or chase the Clouds away,
Whose vapours breed corrupted Aire.
Disperse those Fogs, which dim the day,
Make thou the Weather clear and faire.
8
To us, vouchsafe, likewise, ô God!The Drought-desired, to prolong;
That, we may change this mournfull-Ode,
Into a praisefull, Joyfull-Song.
And, when the Soile, so dry shall grow,
That show'rs will needful be again;
In season, Lord! on us bestow
The Former, and the latter-Rain.
117
Hymn LXII. A thanksgiving after excessive Raines.
[_]
When we are delivered from the plague of excessive Rains and Waters; they who desire to sing a Song of Thanksgiving for the same, may musically expresse their gratitude in this briefe Hymn.
Sing this as the 4. Psalme.
[1]
The show'rs which wash'd away almost,The Comfort of our pains;
(And fruitlesse made our hopes and Cost)
Thy mercy, Lord! restrains,
Thy Breath hath purg'd the foggie Aire:
The Sun, doth bright appear.
The Fields waxe dry, The wayes grow faire;
The Skie, from Clouds is clear.
2
We, therefore, turn our mournfull Songs,Into a thankfull Ode,
And, we confesse, the praise belongt,
To none, but thee, ô God!
Accept the service we professe,
And, give us grace, ô Lord!
To manifest our Thankfulnesse,
As well in Deed, as Word.
118
Hymn LXIII. For times of extreame Drougth.
[_]
Many afflictions accompany excessive Drougths, as may appear by this Lamentation, whereby they who are unsensible of such a Judgement, may be made more sensible of Gods Visitation in that kinde; and such as have a true feeling thereof, may have words whereby to expresse the same to the stirring up of penitence in their hearts.
[1]
Hear! oh great Almighty King!Who from Earth's extreamest part,
Lightnings, Winds, and Rains do'st bring:
And, commander of them, art.
Thou art he, who sends the Rils,
To refresh the fruitfull plains;
And bedewes the thirsty Hils,
With sweet Show'rs, and wholsome Rains.
Hear, and heed thou from on high,
This, our loud and wofull cry:
For, from thee, we seek relief;
Who, hast Cures, for ev'ry Grief.
2
By a wastfull scortching Drougth,We, now Lord, afflicted be;
And, the Earth with gaping mouth,
Makes a sad Complaint to Thee.
119
Robes of Sorrow have put on;
And in mourning-Ruslet Gowns,
Our Distresses do bemone.
For (unlesse thou gracious be)
Bird, and Beast, and Herb, and Tree,
And what e're doth Breathe or Spring,
To decay; this Drougth will bring.
3
Lo, the Branch that leaved was,Is become a wither'd Spray.
Medowes, lately cloth'd with grasse,
Now, are short unmowed-hay.
Where much Corne did freshly sprout,
All is now consum'd with Heat.
And, the Flocks that skipt about,
Now do pine, for want of meat.
Pain'd by Thirst, the Heards do rore;
Hunger makes our cattell poore:
And, unlesse thou Mercy show,
They that owne them, poore will grow.
4
Earth (whose ever-teeming wombe,Many Births, at once could bear)
Now, unfertile is become;
And, her Fruits abortive are.
At her Brest, the late green plant,
Starv'd, by lack of Sap, doth lie.
Moisture, now her Furrowes want;
And her Clods are stark and drie.
Clouds of Dust, in stead of Rain,
Overspread both Hill and Plain:
120
And the standing-water stinks.
5
Lord! with pitty now behold,How distrest thy Creatures be.
At such needs, in times of old,
Help hath bin vouchsaf'd by Thee
When the People thirsty was,
Thou from Rocks didst water bring.
In the Jaw-bone of an Asse,
Thou for Sampson mad'st a Spring.
When Elias thee besought,
Needfull Rain, was timely brought:
And, thou mad'st the water sweet,
Which for usage was unmeet.
6
In the Floods, thy Chambers are;They with Clouds be roof'd and wall'd.
To attend thy pleasure, there,
Dewes and show'rs are still exhal'd.
When we serve thee, they are sent.
To refresh us in our needs.
When we merit to be shent,
Thence Correction then proceeds.
When thou frown'st, the weather low'rs;
And, by Stormes or Drougth devours:
When thou smilest, we obtain,
Kindly Warmth, and timely Rain:
7
Lord, forgive us that offenceVVhich hath stir'd thine Anger thus:
Take this wasting Drougth from hence;
VVith calme show'rs recomfort us.
121
That it may refresh the Aire.
Drop thy fatnesse on the plain;
And the parched Hils repaire.
Mark what mone the Fowles do make;
On the beasts, compassion take:
Think upon the Widowes need;
And, the wants of Orphanes, heed.
8
By the moisture of thy Dew,To the Plants new vigour give.
The decayed Herbs renew;
And the scorched seeds revive.
That the grasse anew may grow,
Where withall our Beasts are fed:
That, there may be Corn enow,
To supply our daily bread.
That, to make us also glad,
Wine, and oyle may still be had:
And, that these Lamenting Laies
May be chang'd to Songs of praise.
Hymn LXIIII. A Thanksgiving after a Drougth.
[_]
God is hereby praised for vouchsafing to refresh the scorched Fields with needfull dewes, and showers upon the humble petition of his Servants who had been afflicted by an excessive Drougth.
Sing this as the 23. Psalme.
122
[1]
So pow'rfull are the faithfull Cries,Which men afflicted raise;
That, to ascend the starry Skies,
They find out secret waies.
And, thou hast Lord, an open ear
To ev'ry Soul distrest,
Which with a due regard will hear
The meanest mans request.
2
The Clouds, oh God! at thy Commands,Did needfull show'rs distill;
Whereby the dry and thirsty lands,
Have sweetly drunk their fill.
That scorching Drougth is now alayd,
Which Grasse and Corne destroyes;
And, that for which we humbly pray'd,
Thine heritage injoyes.
3
As well as to the Just, oh Lord!To us, that wicked be.
Thou Raine and Sun-shine dost afford
When suit is made to thee.
To thee, Love, Wisdome, Pow'r and Fame,
Ascribed be therefore.
And blessed be thy holy-Name,
Both, now, and evermore.
123
Hymn LXV. A Thanksgiving for seasonable Weather in generall.
[_]
This is a Hymn of Praise for that seasonable Weather whereby we are inabled to receive the fruits of the earth, or continued hopefull of that blessing.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
Lord! should the Sun, the Clouds, the Wind,The Aire and Seasons be
To us as froward, and unkind,
As we are false to thee;
Our Labours would, by Winds or Storms,
By Drougth or else by Rain;
By Heat, or Cold, by Weeds, or Wormes,
Prove Labours all in vain.
2
But, from our Duties, though we swerve,Thou, still, do'st Mercy show;
And, us and ours from spoile preserve,
That we might thankfull grow.
Yea, though from day to day we sin,
And thy disfavour gain;
Assoon as we to cry begin,
Forgivenesse, we obtain.
3
The Weather now, thou changed hast,Which lately made us fear:
And, when our hopes were almost past,
Sweet comforts did appear.
124
They reconciled be:
And, thou such weather hast prepar'd,
As we desir'd of thee.
4
For which, with up rais'd hands and eres,(As purely as we may)
The due, and easie Sacrifice
Of Thanks, we now repay.
And since the Aire thou changest thus,
That we thereby are eas'd:
We pray thee work that change in us,
Whereby thou maist be pleas'd.
Hymn LXVI. A Thanksgiving after Thunder and Lightning.
[_]
Thunder and Lightning are terrible in their owne nature; and have oft-times very dreadfull effects: Therefore, we ought to praise God, when we have heard and seene him, in those works of his without the destruction of our Goods & Persons.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
No earthly Terror, Lord, can makeA Sinner more to fear
Then when in Thunder thou do'st speak,
Loud threatnings in his ear.
Thee, therefore, we did humbly pray,
Thy Stormes aside to blow;
125
As is vouchsafed now.
2
The dreadfull Sounds, and fiery darts,Which lately us appal'd;
And greatly terrifide our hearts,
Thy Mercy hath recall'd.
Yea, from the scorching sulphurie Blast,
Which from those Engines came;
Thou us, oh Lord! preserved hast,
For which we praise thy Name.
3
In Language, filling us with awe,Thou needest not to speak,
If of thy Prophets, and thy Law,
More notice we would take.
Oh! give us grace, the loving voice
Of Mercy, so to hear;
That Justice make not such a noise
As fils with servile Fear.
Hymn LXVII. After a great Winde.
[_]
The Winde is a serviceable Spirit, which being set at liberty to punish us for our Sins, produceth many terrible effects; Therefore, when the tempestuous fury is alayed, whereby it sometimes threateneth us, we shall doe well to acknowledge Gods mercy for the same.
Sing this, as the former.
126
[1]
VVhen hearty thanks we render not,For what we do obtain;
We merit well to be forgot,
When we shall next complain.
The blust'ring Winds that fiercely rag'd,
And Bowres, and Buildings tore;
Are by thy Mercy, Lord, asswag'd,
And ruffle now no more.
2
Calm gales they breath; and make it plain,(By these effects we see)
That, He who in the Aire doth raign,
Subjected is to thee.
We magnifie thy Name, therefore,
And, will in thee repose
Our Trust, and Hope, for evermore,
What Winde soever blowes.
Hymn LXVIII. After a great Frost or Snow.
[_]
Great Frosts and Snowes are somtime made the executioners of Gods Justice upon a sinfull Land, that frozen Charity may be unthawed by Repentance: And this Hymn remembers us to be thankfull when God shall remove such a Iudgement from us.
Sing this as the former.
127
[1]
From Colds, late nipping Herbs and Trees,(Afflicting Man and Beast)
And making Lakes and Rivers freeze,
Thou, Lord! hast us releast.
The Clods are thaw'd; The Ice doth melt;
The Creatures, lately griev'd
Are eased of the pains they felt;
And, from their Fears repriev'd.
2
We praise thee, for this blessed change;And thankfull are to thee,
That thou thy help do'st not estrange,
When we afflicted be.
Let thy Compassion us dispose,
(Where we shall need behold)
To melt in pitty, towards those
To whom our Love is cold.
Hymn LXIX. In a Time of Famine.
[_]
Famine is one of the three great Plagues whereby God usually corrects a sinfull Nation; and by this Hymn we are taught how to addresse our complaints to God, in this Visitation, &c.
Sing this as the 22. Psalme.
[1]
By Mercies and by Iudgements, Lord!We have bin often tride,
128
How constant we abide:
For, when we gently are chastis'd,
We stubborn-hearted be;
And, when our longings are suffic'd,
We kick, and spurn at Thee.
2
For, which thou quite might'st us refuse,And, say, as heretofore
Thou say'st unto the stubborn Jewes:
J will correct no more.
But, still, thy Love to us is true;
And, ev'ry means doth find
By which thou maist compassion shew,
And, be both Iust and Kind.
3
The Plenties which we lately had,By us, abused were.
And, Thou a Scarcenesse now hast made,
By which we pinched are.
If thou hadst left us to our Sin,
By feeding our Excesse;
That Vengeance had the greater bin,
Though it had seemed lesse.
4
Thou, still, proceed'st with ChastisementIn such a loving wise;
That we may be the Punishment,
Find where our Error lies.
And, if we be not hardned quite,
We by the Stripes may see
That, thou in Mercy hast delight;
Though strokes inflicted be.
129
5
Yea, though this Famine pincheth sore,Good Symptomes we may find,
That, thou in Anger evermore
Remembrest to be kind,
And, still, some blessings are injoy'd,
By which we hope retain,
That, quite we shall not be destroid,
Though we in want, remain.
6
Where Milk and Hony overflow'dLean Famine breaketh in,
When Plenty, late her Bounty shew'd,
A Dearth doth now begin.
And, they who had the finest bread,
The fattest of thy Meat;
And were with many dainties fed,
Have little now to eat.
7
But Lord, once more to us return,Though we unworthy are:
Consider how the poore do mourn,
And what the Rich may fear.
Forgive the Sins which have bereft,
The Plenties which we had;
And, let the portion which is left,
By thee, be larger made.
8
Oh! hear us, though we still offend,Augment our wasted store:
Into this Land, that Plenty send,
Which fil'd it heretofore.
Then, give us grace, to use it so,
That thou mai'st pleased be;
130
We think not lesse on Thee.
Hymn. LXX. A Thanksgiving for Plenty.
[_]
Plenty is the cure of Famine; and a Blessing, for which we much labour; yet when it is obtained, we many times become so wanton thereby, that we not only abuse that Benefit, but many other Mercies accompanying the same, to prevent which unthankfulnesse, this Hymn was composed.
Sing this as the 4. Psalme.
[1]
How oft, and by how many Crimes,Thee Jealous have we made?
And, blessed God! how many times,
Have we forgivenes had?
If we with teares, to bed, at night,
For our Transgressions go;
To us, before the Morning light,
Thou Comforts dost bestow.
2
This pleasant Land, which for our SinWas, lately, barren made,
Her fruitfulnesse doth new begin,
And we our Hopes have had.
For which in praisefull Songs, to thee,
We raise our voices Lord!
131
For what, thou dost afford.
3
Vouchsafe we wast not by excesse,Thy Blessings like the swine;
Or into gracelesse wantonnes,
Convert this Grace of thine.
But, so let us thy Gifts imploy;
And, so refresh the poore:
That, in this Land, we may enjoy
These Plenties, evermore.
Hymn LXXI. In times of Pestilence, or other infectious Sicknesse.
[_]
This Hymn putteth us in mind (by professing our dependance upon God) that we make him our sole Refuge in times of danger. Confession, is here made also, that our Sins are the Cause of Sicknesse or infectious diseases: and God is humbly besought to be our protector in this danger.
Sing this as the 51. Psalme.
[1]
By trusting unto thee, oh God!And, by reposing in thy shade;
A Shelter, and a safe-Abode,
In many Dangers, we have had.
And, good Assurances we have,
That, while on thee we do depend,
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And from all private harmes defend.
2
In Thee, this trust we have repos'd:Thy Succour, therefore, we expect,
Now perill hath our Souls inclos'd;
And, our Destruction, seems to threat.
For, Sins Infections have bin spred,
By lewd Examples, now, so far,
That those Contagions they have bred,
Whereby our lives endanger'd are.
3
Lord! let thy Spirit, from on high,On us, those healthfull Breathings blow,
Which may our Climate purifie;
And, wholsome Aire on us bestow.
And, let our Flesh and Blood, become
So purged, by thy sacred Word;
That, we may be secured from
The strokes of this devouring Sword.
4
Oh! call thy slaughtring Angell home.And (though we merit not such grace)
Compassionate, and kind become
To us, in this distressed Case.
Vouchsafe us hearts that may repent,
Those Courses, which do thee displease:
And, give us wisdome to prevent
The violence of this Disease.
5
Let not the shaft which flies by day,Nor that, which terrifies by night,
To slaughter, wound, or to dismay
Within our Dwellings, Lord, alight.
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About our Persons, ev'ry how'r,
A shelter, for us, to provide,
Against this plagues malignant pow'r.
6
Or, if this Harbinger of Death,Must in our Flesh, prepare him Room;
Let not the losse of Health, or Breath,
A mischief, or a plague become.
And, let both Death and Sicknes prove
A means of everlasting Blisse;
And, from these Dangers, us remove
To live where no Corruption is.
Hymn LXXII. For Deliverance from publike Sicknes.
[_]
When an infectious Pestilence breaketh in upon us, it is an extraordinary Mercy that we are not all rooted out. Therefore, when God removes the same, we are hereby remembred to acknowledge it to his praise.
Sing this as the Pater-noster.
[1]
Lord, when a Nation thee offends,And when thou would'st correct their lāds;
An Army, still, on Thee attends,
To execute thy just Commands.
Yea, Famine, Sicknesse, Fire, and Sword;
Stand ready to fulfill thy word.
134
2
And, here, among us for our Sin,A strong Infection lately raign'd
Whose Rage hath so malignant bin,
As that it could not be restrain'd
By any care, or Art of our,
Or by a lesse, then heav'nly pow'r.
3
To thee, therefore, our Cries we sent,Thy wonted Clemency to prove:
And, our misdoings did lament
That Visitation to remove.
And, thou thine Angell didst command,
To stay his Death-inflicting hand.
4
For which to thee, in humble wise,Both heart, and hand, oh LORD! we raise;
And, have exchang'd our former Cries,
To Joyfull Songs of thankfull praise:
Confessing, that, by Thee, we have
Escap'd the Dungeon of the Grave.
Hymn LXXIII. A Lamentation in time of War.
[_]
War, is the last and worst of those Temporall-Plagues, whereby God scourgeth a wicked Nation, and it includeth all other miseries. Therefore, when that Iudgement is sent forth against us, we are warned hereby, so to consider what is fallen upon us; and to become so penitent, that God may be intreated to withdraw that Plague.
Sing this as the 51. Psalme.
135
[1]
Of all those Judgements which thy Word,For Sin, oh Lord! denounced hath,
None are more dreadfull then the Sword;
Or, more inform us of thy wrath.
Except it be, when men are, quite,
To Sin, without Correction left;
Expos'd to Sathans worst despight;
Or, of a quiet minde bereft.
2
For, when by other plagues we smart,By thine own hand, chastiz'd we be:
And, Lord! so pitifull thou art,
That, Mercy, still abounds in thee.
But, when our Faults thou dost correct,
By tyranous and cruell men,
A sad event, we may expect;
And, hope for little Mercy, then.
3
Oh God! this dreadfull Plague of War,All other earthly Plagues includes:
For Dearths, and all Diseases are
Attending where this Feind intrudes,
Oppressions, and continuall Fears,
Wounds, Watchings, Dangers, and unrest,
Incessant Griefs, and endlesse cares,
By warfare, Kingdomes do molest.
4
War, from the Childe, his Parents takes;And robs the Father of his Childe:
Of old, and young, it havoke makes;
And, thereby Matrons are defilde.
War turns, the Freeman to a Slave:
It bringeth Nobles to distresse:
136
With what great Princes did possesse.
5
It goodly Temples overturns;And Acteth Ill, where Good was taught.
The fairest Buildings, down it burns;
And, sets both God, and Man at naught.
Yea, quite it ruins in one day,
What many Ages could not rear;
And bringeth Cities to decay,
Which through the World, renowned were.
6
Chase thou oh Lord! this Tyrant hence:Permit thou not, his hand of Blood,
To beare the Scourge of our offence;
But, take it to thy Self, oh God!
Though many wayes, we have misdone,
We none have wrong'd, so much as Thee:
Therefore, oh Lord! by Thee alone,
Corrected for it, let us be.
7
When but the sounds of War, they hear,The hearts of many, so are strook,
That they are overcome with Fear.
How, then, Wars presence can they brook?
Lord, let thy mercy so provide
That, from our Coasts he may be chas'd:
That, Peace may in our Borders bide;
And, keep our Dwellings undefac'd.
8
And, Lord! since War, such Terrors brings;Such mischieves, and so much distresse;
And since perpetually there Springs,
Joy, wealth, and ease, from blessed Peace,
137
This Peace, by what good means we may,
And if the same we reobtain
Take heed, we fool it not away.
Hymn LXXIV. A thanksgiving for Peace.
[_]
Peace is the nurse of Plentie, and the means of so many other blessings that God cannot be sufficiently praised for it. This therefore is composed, that we who have enjoyed this blessing more then most other Nations might be more thankfull for it here after.
Sing this as the 4. Psalme.
[1]
So cause us, Lord! to think uponThe Blessing we possesse,
That we may praise what thou hast done,
And thy great love confesse.
For, we whose Fields in Ages past,
With bloodshed were distain'd,
Whilst Fire and Sword layd others waste,
In safetie, have remain'd.
2
No armed Bands, the Plough-man fears,No Towr's are overturn'd;
No Temple shakes about our ears;
No Townships now are burn'd.
No Father hears his little Childe,
In vain, for succour cry:
138
Whilst he doth wounded lye.
3
Dear God! vouchsafe to pittie thoseWho thus distressed be:
That, to defend them from their Foes
They may have help from thee.
For, by thy Mercy we obtain'd
These calme and peacefull Dayes;
And for this Peace, with hearts unfain'd
We, now, do Sing thy Praise.
4
Aswell for our internall Peace,As for that outward Rest,
Which by thy Favour we possesse
Thy goodnesse, is confest,
Oh take not, Lord! this grace away,
But, let it still endure
And, grant thy mercies make us may,
More thankfull, not secure.
Hymn LXXV. For Victorie.
[_]
All Victorie is of God, who is the Lord of Hoasts: therefore to him only belongs the glory of those victories which we shall obtain; and this Hymn remembers us to ascribe all our prevailings to his power and mercy.
Sing this as the X. Commandements.
139
[1]
Oh Lord! we magnifie thy Might,By whose prevailing grace and pow'r,
We are preserv'd from their despight
Who sought, that they might us devour.
Thou art our Joyfull Triumph-song;
Thou art the Comfort of our heart:
To thee all Victories belong;
And, thou the God of Armies art.
2
It was, alone, thy ProvidenceWhich made us Masters of the Field:
Thou art our Castle of defence;
Our Fort, our Bulwark, and our Shield.
Thou taughtst our Hands & Arms to fight;
By thee, undaunted we were made:
By thee, our Foes were put to flight;
By Thee the conquest we have had.
3
For, on what hand soere we went,Great perils, us did round enclose:
Our little strength, was almost spent,
And fierce and bloody, were our Foes.
That, hadst not thou our Captain been,
To lead us on, and off again;
This happie day we had not seen,
But in the Bed of Death had lain.
4
This Hymn, we therefore Sing to Thee:And pray thee, that, as heretofore,
Thou wouldst our gracious Refuge be,
And our Protector evermore.
Yea, to our Foes let it be shown,
How to our Cause thou dost incline;
140
That, such as are our Foes are thine.
Hymn LXXVI. For Publike Deliverances.
[_]
God hath vouchsafed unto these kingdomes, many publike Deliverances, which ought never to be forgotten, especially those on the fift of November, and 1588. And this Hymn was intended, to bring those, and such like, oftner to remembrance.
Sing this as the Pater-noster.
[1]
With Isr'el, we may truly sayIf on our side, God had not been;
Of us, our Foes had made a prey,
And, we this Light, had never seen
The Pit was dig'd, The Snare was laid;
And, we with ease, had been betray'd.
2
But, our Opposers, undertookWhat they did faile to bring to passe.
For, he that all things doth or'e look,
Prevented what conspired was.
We found the Pit; we scap'd the Gin,
And saw their Makers caught therein.
3
By Favour undeserved shownFrom God, this means of safetie came;
And, by no wisdome of our own:
Oh! let us therefore, praise his name.
Oh! praise his Name: for, it was He,
That broke the Net, and set us free.
141
4
With praises let our Temples ring;Let on our Lips, thanksgivings dwell.
Let us, unto his honour sing,
And, Stories of his Mercies tell.
While Sun, and Moon, do rise, or set;
His kindnesse, let us not forget.
5
Oh! let us now redeeme the Time:Let us begin to live anew.
Let us repent of ev'ry crime,
Whereby, displeasure may ensue:
Lest he that plagues from us hath took;
Return them, with a doubled strook.
6
A true Repentance takes delightTo memorize what God hath done:
When passed Favours, we recite,
It adds more Grace, to grace begun.
And, when such vertues do encrease;
They promise everlasting peace.
7
But, where Ingratitude we see;And, when so wicked we are grown,
That sleighted those protections be,
Which God hath formerly bestown,
It shall betoken, to this Land
That her Destruction is at hand.
8
Lord! let us not be hardned so:Nor let thine Anger so return:
But, grant we may our duties do;
And for our sinfull Follies mourn:
That from our Sorrows, joy may Spring;
And we thy praises, gladly Sing.
142
Hymn LXXVII. When we are merry-hearted.
[_]
Sometimes we are more then ordinarily inclined to cheerfulnesse, and what we should then doe, we are advised by the Apostle Iames. And lest our mirth corrupt into vanity, rather then invite us to sing Psalmes, this Hymn offereth somewhat to consideration, which may preserve, and sanctifie our cheerfulnesse.
[1]
Methinks I feele more perfect Rest,Refreshing now, my mind;
And more contentment in my breast,
Then ev'ry day I find.
Such Notions there,
Begotten are,
And forth such thoughts they bring;
That though I would
My voice withhold,
I cannot chuse but sing.
2
Too oft vain musings do disposeMy heart, to fruitlesse Mirth.
And fill it with such fumes as those
Which vapour from the earth.
On such a Fit,
Sometime, I hit,
I know nor how, nor why:
And, as the same
Vnlook'd for came,
143
3
Oh LORD! if this be such a Toy,Let some well-guided thought,
Translate it to a better Joy;
Or, bring the same to nought.
For, such Delights,
Are like some Sights,
Which in the dark appear:
At their first view,
They comfort shew,
At last, they make us fear.
4
Let those Delights which Fancie fains,To please a crased mind;
And, that which Folly entertains
With me, no liking find.
But, let in me,
Increased be,
Those Comforts, and those Joyes,
Which do not flow
From things below:
And, which no time destroyes.
Hymn LXXVIII. A Lamentation and Petition of the Soule, for and against her flesh.
[_]
By this Hymn, we are put in mind to be so watchfull over the Infirmities and Corruptions of our
144
Sing this as the 43. Psalme.
[1]
Ah me! where may I seek a Friend?Or, where have hopes to finde
One that is Faithfull to the end;
And never proves unkinde?
Since mine own Flesh, (and for whose sake,
My Self I oft forget)
Doth with my cruelst Foe partake;
And, is against me set?
2
She, in whose Bosome, I have laid,And, who hath slept in mine;
She, with whom, I have often plaid,
And, lov'd with Love-divine:
She that made show, as if my Grief,
Her greatest Grief would be;
(And called me, her Ioy, her Life)
Is carelesse, now, of me.
3
The more I trust, the more I love,The more my love I show;
The more unfaithfull She doth prove:
The more she works my woe.
Yet, still, my heart upon her dotes;
And (through her wanton wiles)
My Reason, still, she so besots,
That, still, She me beguiles.
145
4
Sometime, these wrongs I so revolve,That, her I much condemn:
And, in my Iudgement, can resolve,
Her Fawnings to contemn.
I take her Pleasant-things away,
Her Longings I restrain;
I make her watch, and fast and pray,
Vntill she Teares doth fain.
5
To see her grieve, then grieve I too,And loving words apply;
Lest to her self, she wrongs may do,
Or of the Sullens, dye.
And, She no sooner feels my heart
Her Freedome to restore;
But, she begins to play her part,
As falsly, as before.
6
Teach me, my God! teach me the wayTo make her more sincere;
Lest, She, her Selfe, and Me, betray
To Him, whose Hate I fear.
For, so I love (though plain I see
Of me, she carelesse is)
That Heav'n would seem a Hell to me,
If Her, I there should misse.
7
To be my Darling, she was born:And Nature did provide
That, t'wixt us, Friendship should be sworn,
Which, nothing shall divide;
And, therefore, on each other, so
Our welfare doth depend;
146
Such is the Others end.
8
Therefore, oh Lord! unlesse thy lovePrevent what much I fear,
We, to each other, Foes may prove,
The worst that ever were.
Because, if they who love as we,
Their Passions guid not well:
On Earth each others plagues they be,
And greater plagues in Hell.
9
My God! therefore, thy help again,Thy help, I do implore,
That I my Fleshly part, to rein,
May be inabled more.
My Soul, instruct thou so to guid;
So make my flesh obey;
That, we true-Lovers may abide,
In Vertues harmles Way.
10
And, though all Vertues we had got(Where of the best may boast)
Vnto our selves, Lord, leave us not:
Lest all, again, be lost.
For, till the Flesh be mortifi'd,
Her nature, will return;
Though she was partly sanctifi'd,
When she, anew, was born.
147
Hymn LXXIX. Of the vanity and insufficiency of temporall things.
[_]
That we may not be evermuch delighted with such Things as perish, to the losse of our portion in things of most Excellency. We are hereby remembred to consider the Vanitie and Insufficiency of Temporall Things.
Sing this as a Hermit-poore.
[1]
What is there LordWithin this Lower Orbe,
Which doth afford,
A pleasure or content?
But may disease,
Discomfort or disturbe,
Vnlesse thou please
Their mischiefs to prevent?
No marvell, tho
The worst do sorrows bring;
Since there is woe,
In ev'ry pleasant thing.
2
Wealth bringeth CareSometimes, as much as Want.
Our Honours are
Attended with disgrace.
When Hopes are best,
Our Hearts with Fears do pant.
148
Is marr'd with btiter sawce.
Distrust, to lose
The Pleasure, we possesse,
Them overthrowes,
Or makes their sweetnes lesse.
3
Our Beauties fade,Assoon as they are blown.
We Weak are made,
E're we are fully strong.
We often dote,
When wisest we are grown.
Youth, frees us not
From Griefs, whil'st we are yong.
No Age, or State,
Condition, or Degree,
Can promise that,
In which no Changes be.
4
That, which we sought,With all our pow'rs, to win
As if we thought,
Our chiefest Blisse it were:
That, which esteem'd
Above our lives, hath hin;
And, which hath seem'd
Beyond Salvation, dear.
That is at last,
A thing unpleasing made;
And leaves no tast,
Of those Contents, it had.
149
5
They, who in meTheir chief Delights did place;
Now, senslesse be
That e're so fond they were.
They, in whose love,
I, no lesse pleased was;
No liking, move;
And Strangers now they are.
Yea, what with pain,
I sought; I now do lothe,
Oh God! how vain
Was that, or I, or both.
6
What we despise,Anon, is precious thought.
What, we now prize,
E're long, we much disdain.
This Day we love,
Whom, next we set at nought.
And fickle prove,
Yet shamelesly complain.
Their Vanitie,
Things mortall publish thus;
And certaintie,
Ther's none, in them, or Vs.
7
Oh Lord! since we,And, all that here we love,
Things changing be;
Let us on Thee depend.
From Things below,
(To reach the things above)
150
Which way he should ascend.
And, let me there,
Live, Love, and loved be;
Where Pleasures are,
Whose end I shall not see.
Hymn LXXX. When a deare Freind is deceased.
[_]
Some, are so sensible of losing their dearly beloved Friends, that, they are almost swallowed up with grief. Therefore this Hymn was prepared to mitigate their sorrow, by directing them for consolation to Him, in whom they may find againe their deceased friends, and better comforts then they lost.
Sing this as, In sad and Ashie weeds.
[1]
Now my Dear Friend is gon,Ah me! how faint my heart appears!
How sad! and how alone!
How swoln with sighs, how drown'd with tears!
Fain would I tell,
What Griefs, what Hell,
Is now within my breast.
But who doth live,
That ease can give?
Or bring me wished Rest?
151
2
Those eares which I would fain,Should once more hear what I would say,
Shall never, now again,
Vnto their Heart, my Thoughts convay.
Nor shall that Tongue,
Whose Tones, were Song,
And, musick, still to me;
To please, or chear,
My drouping ear;
Hereafter tuned be.
3
Oh Dear! oh gracious God!If in our selves, we blisse had sought;
Of Passions, what a lode,
Vpon my Soul, had now been brought!
How had I found,
Within that Round,
Wherein, I should have run?
The joyfull end,
Which doth befriend,
Affections well, begun.
4
Had we our Love confin'dTo that, which mortall proves to be:
Or, had we been so blind,
That we death's pow'r could not foresee.
Where had been found,
When under ground,
My Dear-companion lay,
A fit Relief,
To cure that Grief,
Which wounds my Heart, this Day?
152
5
But, while we liv'd and lov'd,In Thee, each other up we stor'd,
My Friend (by Death remov'd)
In thee, therefore, I seek, oh Lord!
My Losse, by none,
But, Thee alone,
Repaired, now, can be.
What I endure,
Admits nor Cure,
Nor Ease, except by thee.
6
Be thou to my sad heart,A sweet Relief, now I am griev'd.
Be to it as thou wert,
When, here with me, my Dearest liv'd.
That which I lov'd,
Is but remov'd,
To Thee, our Perfect Blisse.
And that I had
Was but the shade
Of what my Darling is.
7
In Thee, Behold I shall;In Thee, I shall again enjoy;
What thou away didst call,
And what thou didst by Death destroy.
We, by thy Grace,
Shall there, embrace,
Where Friends do never part.
Which, now I mind,
Methinks, I find
Sweet hope, relieve my heart.
153
8
I feel it more, and more,My Soul of Comfort to assure.
And, now, for ev'ry sore,
I know, and feel, thou hast a Cure.
For which my Tongue,
Shall change her Song,
Thy Goodnes to commend.
And, thou art he
Who, still, shalt be
My best affected Friend.
Hymn LXXXI. For Deliverance from Temptation.
[_]
To be delivered from Temptation, is one of the six petitions in the Lord's Prayer, which we daily repeat; and therefore that God may deliver us from the evill thereof, we shall do well to invoke him by a speciall Jnvocation according as this Hymn putteth us in mind.
Sing this as the 4. Psalme.
[1]
How hard is it for Flesh and Blood,When Lusts the Heart assaile,
To wish that Vice, may be withstood;
And, Vertue, still prevaile!
How hard is it, when we do burn,
With evill-kindled Fires,
154
Or quench our loose Desires?
2
So hard oh Lord! so hard it is;That few can truly say,
They for thy timely ayd (in this)
With true Devotion pray.
But, rather, many are afraid,
(When they to pray are mov'd)
Lest by thy Grace, they should be staid,
From Sins, too well belov'd.
3
Of this, if others have been free,Thy Mercy, let them blesse:
For, that this fault hath been in me,
I freely do confesse:
And, (seeing better thoughts, I have)
Occasion, thereupon,
I, now, assume, thine ayd to crave,
Before, this Mind be gon.
4
Thy Grace, oh Lord, in me did breedThis motion, not in vain.
Oh! let it be the blessed Seed
Of an immortall Gain.
And, Grant, that getting somwhat loose,
From Sins imperious hand;
My heart with willingnes, may chuse
The wayes of thy Command.
5
From Sathans Baits, from Follies Lures,From ev'ry cause of Ill,
Preserve me clean, whil'st life endures,
In Action, and in Will.
155
Protect thy Servant so,
That, evill overcome not me;
But, Victor let me grow.
6
Vaile then mine Eies, till She be past,When Folly tempts my sight:
Keep thou my Pallet, and my Tast,
From Gluttonous Delight.
Stop thou mine Ear, from Syrens Songs:
My Tongue from Lies restrain.
Withhold my Hands, from doing wrongs;
My Feet, from courses vain.
7
Teach, likewise, ev'ry other Sense,To Act an honest part;
But, chiefly settle Jnnocence,
And purenes in my Heart:
So, nought without me, or within,
Shall work an ill effect;
By tempting me to act a Sin,
Or, Vertues to neglect.
Hymn LXXXVII. A Thanksgiving for the Gospell.
[_]
The Gospell of Iesus Christ, is a meanes of the greatest Blessing, which was ever conferred on Mankinde. Therefore, that we might be more thankfull for it, then we have been heretofore, we are moved thereunto, by this Hymn.
156
Sing this as the 10. Commandments.
[1]
Somtime, oh Lord! at least, in show,A thankfull heart, we do professe,
When thou such Blessings dost bestow
As outward Riches, Health, or Peace.
But, for that meanes which may conduce
Our Soules, to their true-Blisse, to raise,
We make, not verie frequent use
Of thankfull words, or Hymns of praise.
2
When Meads are drown'd, or Fields are dry;When Sword, or Sicknesse, harme hath done,
To thee for help, sometimes we cry;
And thank thee, when those plagues are gone.
But, for that Blessed meanes of Grace,
Which we have long, at full enjoy'd;
(In publike, or in private place)
Few Thankfull voices are employ'd.
3
How many soules, in Errors night,Sit sighing their sad hour's away!
Whilst we enjoy, the Gospels light,
And, therewithall, the wantons play!
How many Nations be at strife,
For that which we enjoy, at will?
How many want that Bread of life,
Which we do surfet on and spill?
4
Oh God! Forgive this crying Sin.More wise, more thankfull let us grow,
To mend this fault, let us begin:
And, Grace obtain, more Grace to show.
157
A Body-sound; a wittie-braine;
A free Estate; an outward Peace;
Without this Blessing, were in vaine.
5
They, who observe the same shall see,That, where these Tidings do not sound;
(Or where they shall abused be)
Inhumane cruelties abound:
Yea, we, who often have been school'd,
For hearing this blest Voice, in vaine,
Shall see our hopes, and wisdomes fool'd;
If unrepentant we remaine.
6
Our feares therfore Deare God! prevent;Keep thou thy Gospell in our Land:
Our Thanklesnesse, let us repent;
And stedfast in thy worship, stand.
For, that thy blessed Saving-word,
Is purely preached in our Daies
We confesse it a mercie, Lord,
Which merits, endlesse Hymns of praise.
Hymn LXXXIII. For deliverance from persecution, and false Doctrine.
[_]
The blind and bloody Times, in which our Fathers lived, begin to be forgotten, at least to be so little considered on, that some indeavour to make our deliverance from them, of little moment. To prevent
158
Sing this as the. 22. Psalme.
[1]
A time so cursed once was here,That, Error bore the sway;
And would not let the Truth appeare,
Her falshoods to gainsay.
But whensoever, she was view'd
Her purenesse to disclose;
With Fire, and sword, she was pursu'd,
By her malicious Foes.
2
By cruell and ungodly men,The Wells of Life, were hid;
Or, by corruption poysned, then,
Or, at the best forbid.
And, they who took the greatest paine,
To keep those Fountaines pure,
Were either doomed to be slain
Or thraldome to endure.
3
We praise thee, Lord, that freed thou hastThis Land, from such a curse
We praise thee that the dayes are past,
Which those Things did inforce,
And, humbly we, oh God, implore,
Those plagues may not returne,
Which vext this Nation heretofore,
And made our Fathers mourne.
4
For Senslesnes of mercyes pastVnheeded ushers in,
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Obduratnesse in sin.
Then, doth Obduratenesse beget
That damned, scornfull pride,
Which will at naught, Gods mercy set;
And, good-advise, deride.
Hymn LXXXIIII. A Coronation Hymn.
[_]
God is hereby glorified for the Kings exaltation, and implored to perfect his temporall dignitie, by making it, a step to his eternall Glory, and by keeping him a patron of Pietie and Vertue.
[1]
Lord, let thy pow'r protect the King;Make him his Trust on thee to place:
Of thy large Favours let him sing;
And, build his Glories, on thy Grace.
Confirme him on the Royall-Seat,
Whereto, advanced him thou hast;
Let thy Salvation make him great;
Vnto thy Truth, preserve him fast:
And, make oh God! his earthly Throne,
An earnest of a heavenly Crowne.
2
Him, over us, for Good, appoint;Ground all his Lawes, on Truth-divine:
Let thy good Spirit him anoint;
And, his Commands, conforme to Thine.
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Of Peace, let him the Scepter bear:
Make Holinesse, his royall Robe:
The wreathes of Iustice, let him wear:
And in upright, and pious waies,
Observe, and serve thee, all his dayes.
3
Him, honour so; and him so crown;Him, so invest; and him so arme:
Him, so anoint,; him, so inthrone;
And by thy word, him so informe:
That to thy Glorie, he may Raigne;
To his content, and for our peace:
That wickednesse he may restraine,
To virtuous Pieties encrease:
And, that our King, oh Lord! and we
May to each other, Blessings be.
Hymn LXXXV. A Funerall Song.
[_]
This Hymn is intended to comfort the living, (whose Friends are deceased) by putting them in mind of the Resurrection, and of the happie Rest of those who die in the Faith of Christ.
Sing this as the 10. Commandments.
[1]
Forbear to shed excessive tears,Or mourne, as hopelesse Heathens do:
For though this Body lost appears,
Assured be, it is not so,
161
In incorruption, shall arise.
2
I am the Life (our Saviour saith)The Resurrection, is through me;
And whosoer'e in me hath Faith,
Shall live againe, though dead he be:
For, no man shall, for ever die;
Who doth upon my word relie.
3
He that Redeemed me, doth live.(By Faith, I know that this is true)
My God, this Body shall revive;
And in my Flesh, I shall him view.
Ev'n these mine eyes; these eyes of mine,
Shall see his glory brightly shine.
4
We to the world do naked come,We back again unclothed go,
And, it is God, alone, by whom
We poore are made, or wealthy grow.
And, we ascribe unto his name,
Pow'r, praise, and glory, for the same.
5
From Heav'n, a Voice came down to me,And, this it will'd me to record;
From this time forward Blessed be
The Dead departing in the Lord.
For, (as the Spirit hath exprest)
They, from their Labours, are at rest.
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Hymn LXXXVI. When a Soul is newly departed.
[_]
This Hymn comforts us in the death of our friends by offering to consideration the Miseries of this Life, and the happinesse of the next. God is hereby praised also, for calling the Soul departed from this wretched Being; and besought to hasten the accomplishment of our felicity by the generall Resurrection.
Sing this as the 23. Psalme.
[1]
If Joy be made, when men are born,To live on earth below,
Why should we vainly weep and mourn,
When up to Heav'n they go?
To Pains and Griefs, they hither come;
And when they hence are gone,
Those Troubles they are eased from,
Which here they did bemone.
2
Impris'ned in a Living Grave,The Soul, departed, lay:
And, ease or quiet, could not have,
Till call'd it was away.
But, we, now, hope it is at rest,
In Him, from whom it came;
And, of eternall Joyes possest:
For which we praise his Name.
163
3
We praise thee, for that Being, Lord,And for that means of grace,
Which to that Soul thou didst afford,
In this inferiour place.
And, we, moreover, praise thee, now,
That, thou hast set it free,
From those Afflictions which below,
Avoided cannot be.
4
Oh Lord! be speedy to collect,And hasten, full to make
The number of the Souls Elect,
That shall of Blisse partake.
That we and they, who in thy Fear,
And Faith, have liv'd and di'de;
In Soul and Body, may appear
Where thou art Glorifi'd.
Hymn LXXXVII. A Hymn of Instruction for Youth.
[_]
This is a pious Descant upon the 12. Chap. of Ecclesiastes, and wherein the young man is put in mind to Remember his Creator, before decrepit Age disables him: It offers to consideration the vanity and Transitorinesse of the Beauty, Strength, and Pleasure, wherein youth delights.
[1]
To those that in Folly,Their youth do mispend,
164
Till life shall have end;
A Song Instruction,
We now have begun,
To warn them, and learn them,
Destruction to shun.
Lord, send them, to mend them,
The gift of thy Grace;
And Reason, to season
A Reasonlesse Race.
2
Thou Yongling, whose glories,And Beauties, appear
Like Sun-shine, or Blossomes,
In Spring of the year;
Whose vigorous Body,
Whose Courage, and Wit,
Are Jolly, and wholly
Vnperished, yet;
Come neer me, and hear me
Things future foretell;
Then, learn thou, Discern thou,
The way to do well.
3
Misspend not a MorningSo lovely, so faire,
A moment may rarest
Perfections impaire.
The Noon-tide of Life-time,
Yeelds little delight;
And, Sorrow, on Sorrow,
May follow ere Night.
165
What now I declare;
Attend me, and lend me
A diligent ear.
4
Thy Beauties, and Features,That grace thee this day,
To morrow, may perish,
And vanish away.
Thy Riches, and Pleasures,
Now precious to Thee,
My leave thee, deceive thee,
And comfortles be.
Now come then; oh, Come then!
And learn to eschew
Those Errors, and Terrors,
Which else may ensue.
5
Thy Joints are yet nimble,Thy Sinewes unslack;
Thy Marrow unwasted,
Yet, strengthens thy back.
Youth! keepeth Diseases
From crazing thy Brain;
Blood rilleth and swelleth,
In every vein.
Imploy then, enjoy then
This vigour of thine,
In willing, fulfilling,
What God shall injoin.
6
Believe me, it will notFor ever be so.
166
Will staggering go.
Thy Shoulders well shaped,
And strong enough now,
Vncomely, and homely,
And weaker will grow.
Then lengthen, and strengthen,
Thy gifts by right use;
Possessing each Blessing,
Still, free from abuse.
7
Thy Beautifull ForeheadWhereon we may view,
Neat smoothnes and whitenes,
Enamel'd with blew,
Shall change that perfection
Which youth yet maintains,
To sallownes, hallownes,
Wrinckles and Stains.
Thy liking, and seeking
Then, learn to bestow
On Pleasures, and Treasures,
That perish not so.
8
Thine Eares are now list'ningFor Heaven on Earth,
And, nothing will please them
But Musick and Mirth.
And, to thy Corruption
No Passage, or Strain,
Seems better, or sweeter,
Then that which is vain.
167
Some penitent dew;
Lest, after much laughter,
More Sadnes ensue.
9
Those Tresses, whose curlingThy Temples adornes,
Will Hassocks resemble
In winterly mornes.
And, where fresh Vermilion
Is mixed with Snow,
A sallow, and yellow
Complexion will flow.
The fuller the Colour,
The fouler the Stain.
Then boast not; and trust not
In things that are vain.
10
Thine Eies, whose bright sparklings,Thy Lovers admire,
(And, which with vain longings
Set thousands on fire)
Shall closed in darknes
Vnusefull remain;
And, never for ever,
See day-light again.
Then mind thou, oh mind thou
Thy Maker above:
Observe him, and serve him
If safety thou love.
11
Thy Mouth, whose fair portallBoth wears, and incloses
168
Of Rubies and Roses,
Shall so be transformed,
That no man will care,
Perceive, or believe,
What perfection was there.
Vain Creature, thy feature
Then value not so,
Take pleasure, in measure,
As wisdome will do.
12
Thy Teeth, that stand firmlyLike Pearles on a Row,
Will rotten, and scatter'd,
Disorderly grow.
Thy Lips, whose neat motions,
Great wonders have wrought;
Shall slaver, and quaver,
And, lothsome be thought.
Then, ever endeavor
Those things to eschew;
Whence, nothing, but lothing,
At last, will ensue.
13
Thy Fancie, that sings theeVain Dreams of delight;
Hereafter, will bring thee
A comfortlesse night:
And, thou, who yet heedst not
How Time, comes, or goes.
(With care) wilt give ear,
To each Cockrell that crowes.
169
Then do not misspend;
Foreslowing, well-doing,
Till Time hath an end.
14
Then, Thou who to thousandsDo'st gracious appear,
To no man shalt either
Be welcome or dear.
Which, when thou perceivest,
Thy Life, unto Thee
Vnpeacefull, diseasefull,
And lothsome will be.
No pow'r of our,
This Judgement can shun;
Till duly, and truly
Our Duties be done.
15
Thy Lusts, and thy Pleasures,(Yet, hard to forgoe)
Will leave thee, and leave thee,
In sorrow and woe.
And, then, in what pleasure
Content canst thou have?
Of what Rest, be possest,
But a desolate Grave?
Youths Folly, unholy
Learn, therefore, to shun,
And ever persever
In what should be done.
16
For, when this Lifes vapoursAre breathed away,
170
Will rot into clay.
And, thy best beloved
Thy Body may throw,
Where none, thereupon,
Compassion bestow.
Then, leaving, deceiving
Contentments to tast,
Prevent and Repent
What affected thou hast.
17
A worse thing remaineth,Then, yet, hath been said;
If reall Amendment
Too long be delai'd.
The pains which hereafter,
On Sinners attend,
Last ever, and ever,
And, never have end.
Then approving, and loving,
The Truth, I have sung,
Remember thy Maker,
Ev'n whil'st thou art yong.
Hymn LXXXVIII. For our Benefactors.
[_]
We are hereby put in mind to consider why God is otherwhile pleased to make us beholding to the charity of other men for necessary things; and God is
171
Sing this as the 100. Psalme.
[1]
VVhen we have all things of our own,Whereby our Wants may be suppli'd;
Much carelesnes is often shown,
And, far lesse thankfulnes then pride.
More humble, therefore, me to make;
(And that I more discreet may grow)
Things needfull, I somtimes do lack,
Till others them on me bestow.
2
And when my temper, Lord, I heed,(Though Flesh and Blood thereat repine)
I find that I did greatly need
This loving providence of thine.
Yea, peradventure, if lesse poore,
In outward things I had been made;
I, other waies, had wanted more,
And much lesse comfort might have had.
3
I thank thee, therefore, that my share,Thou hast committed to their Trust,
Who so good husbands of it are,
And, in their Stewardship so just.
Preserve them, Lord, for ever such;
And, as my Comforters they be,
So, when they need, be thou as much
To them, as they have been to me.
4
Their liberality repayWith such endowments of the mind,
172
That, they true Blessednes may find.
And, Lord, of thine especiall grace,
This, pleased be, likewise to grant;
That, I in Vertues, may possesse,
What, I in things-externall, want.
Hymn LXXXIX. A Hymn against Pride.
[_]
Pride is one of the spirituall-wickednesses, which aspires to high-places; and is most dangerous, because it usually enters when the house is cleansed from the grosser corruptions that pollute the Flesh. If this Charme be not strong enough to expell it, use Prayer and Fasting.
Sing this as the 4. Psalme.
[1]
Beware my Heart, thou cherish notThis high aspiring Sin,
By which that Devill was begot,
Who brought all mischiefs in.
For, first by Pride those Angels fell,
Who (not with Heav'n content)
Inhabit, now the Depths of Hell,
By Justice, thither sent.
2
Lord, thou thy self didst them oppose,Who lofty-minded be.
173
And, they are Foes to thee.
Their Pride, therefore, thou do'st abase,
Their Plumes thou pullest down:
And set'st the humble in that place
From which their Pride is thrown.
3
My God! possession of my heart,If this foul Fiend hath gain'd,
(Which I much fear he hath in part,
Through my default obtain'd)
Displace him thence, and let that Room,
Be hallow'd so by Thee,
That, he no more may thither come,
Nor any such as he.
Hymn XC. Against Feare.
[_]
Feare, is a Passion, which being moderated, is very necessary: And if it exceed the meane, becomes a Plague depriving of many Comforts; and beginning our miseries before their time. This Hymn therefore acquaints us with the nature of this Passion, and imploreth assistance against the same.
Sing this as the 25. Psalme.
[1]
Dve Fear, becomes us well;And God ordain'd the same
174
To watch what perils came.
A Heart, that feels no Fear
Lies ope to many harmes;
And, they that over-fearfull are,
Are kil'd by false Alarm's.
2
Lord, be thou pleas'd, therefore,My Heart to temper so,
That, I may fear, nor lesse, nor more,
Then wise men ought to do.
So (being nor amaz'd,
Nor dull, through want of Sense)
Nought shall omitted be, or caus'd,
To hinder my Defence.
3
By false, and servile Fear,Afflictions we begin
Before their time; and mischiefs rear,
Which else had never bin.
Yea, what might wear away,
Or, be with ease endur'd;
Growes thereby, more then beare we may,
And, hardly to be cur'd.
4
For, when the heart of ManIs, once thereby possest,
No mortall Pow'r expell it can,
Or give that Party rest.
Thy Pow'r, oh Lord above,
Can from this Tirant save;
That, me therefore, he ceaze not on,
Thine Aid, alone, I crave.
175
Hymn XCI. Against Despaire.
[_]
Sometime good Christians (though not overcome of such an evill) are strongly tempted unto Despaire. Therefore, that such as feel any motions, this way, may be warned and assisted, to resist the Devill in his first attempts, inclining to this hellish Passion; We prepared this Hymn.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
What hellish Doubt! what cursed Fear,Is that which now begins,
Vnto my Conscience to appear?
And threats me for my Sins?
In me methinks I somwhat feel,
My heart, oppressing so,
That Faith and Hope begin to reel,
And faint my Spirits grow.
2
Assist me, Lord! for I perceiveMy Ghostly-Foe intends
Of that Assurance to bereave,
Whereon my Soul depends.
He whispers to my troubled mind,
Suggestions of Despaire;
And, sayes, I shall no mercy find,
Though I to thee repair.
176
3
But all untruth in him is found,And Truth it selfe doth say;
That, Thou in Mercy dost abound
And heareft those that pray.
Oh ! hear me, Lord! oh hear me now,
And (since my God, thou art)
Against Despaire, enable Thou,
My much oppressed heart.
4
Say to my Soul, thou art her Friend,Her Comfort, and her Aide.
From those Distresses me defend,
Which make me now afraid.
For, weake, and sick, and faint, alas!
My Faith begins to be;
And LORD, without thy saving-grace,
There is no hope for me.
5
My Sinns before my face appear,In their most lothsome Dresse,
My Conscience tells me when, and where,
And how I did transgresse.
Thy Law declares, what for my sins,
Thy Justice did foredoome;
And, Sathan layes a thousand Gins,
That snar'd, I may become.
6
That Hell which in my soule I find,Is to my friends unknowne.
The world her owne affaires doth mind
And leaves me oft alone;
And, but that I to Thee, as yet,
Remember to repaire.
177
A mercilesse Despaire.
7
Preserve, oh Lord! preserve in me,(And all men, thus opprest)
A hopefull heart to seek from thee,
Our much desired Rest.
And, still, when Satan snares doth lay,
To work our overthrow,
Still, frustrate what he doth assay;
And, stronger make us grow.
Hymn XCII. VVhen Oppressors and wicked men flourish.
[_]
Many Godly men (as was David) are much troubled and offended to see Tyrants and wicked persons prosper in the world, to the oppressing of Innocents, &c. Therefore this Hymn is provided to comfort such; and to preserve them patient in times of Oppression.
[1]
My heart, why art thou sad?VVhy art thou pierced thorow?
And wherefore art thou Joylesse made,
By causelesse Fear and Sorrow?
Or why should'st thou repine,
(As helplesse, and unblessed)
Because in Honours Orbe, they shine,
By whom thou art oppressed?
178
2
What though thou hast perceiv'dThat Ryot, Pride, and Folly,
Have of their needfull dues bereav'd
Endevours Good, and Holy?
And, what though thou observe
Vnworthy men ennobled?
When they which better things deserve,
Are for well-doing troubled?
3
Thereat, repine thou not;Nor this vain Fancie cherish;
That Righteousnes, is quite forgot,
Because the wicked flourish.
But, with a constant mind,
In doing-well persever;
And, profit, thou, e're long shalt find
In thy upright endeavour.
4
The Righteous for a space,By troubles are depressed;
That, so the precious Fruits of Grace,
May be the more increased.
And, carnall men obtain,
The Portions they have chused;
That, they, at last, may know with pain,
What Blessings they refused.
5
To seek, thou shalt not need,By searching Times preceding,
Or ghesse what will on them succeed,
By hear-say, or by Reading:
For, if thou patient be,
By Sight shall proof be gained,
179
What is for such ordain'd.
6
Perdition, they bestride;Yet can they not perceive it:
Therefore, Good-Counsell they deride,
And, injure them who give it.
For which, ev'n in their height,
Of Glories, and of Pow'r,
They see their Hope, destroyed quite,
And perish't in one hou'r.
7
This day (like Phar'ohs Hoast:(Poore harmles men pursuing)
Of their large pow'rs they proudly boast,
No sign of terror shewing.
Anon (with fear enough)
They feel their kingdome falling.
Their Plumes, and Charriot-Wheels fly off,
And, they in mud, are sprawling.
8
Then, vexe no more my heart,Because a Tyrant thriveth.
And, that whil'st thou oppressed art,
Thy Foe, in Honour liveth.
But, thine own waies observe;
And, so let them be fram'd,
That whatsoever some deserve,
We may remain unblam'd.
9
For what will it availeIn Courses to persever;
Whereby men Joy but for a while,
And then lament for ever?
180
Who, for a scratch, procureth
That health and saftie to obtaine,
Which evermore endureth?
Hymn XCIII. For remission of a particular Sin.
[_]
This penitentiall-Ode expresseth a hearty and passionate sorrow, for a particular sin, with an humble, and earnest desire of pardon; and is offred to help stirre up those affections, when occasion is offred.
[1]
Oh Lord! in sorrow and Distresse,To thee, I now draw neer;
My late offences to confesse,
In humble hope, and fear.
Mine Errors,
With Terrors,
Perplexe,
And vexe
Me so
That, to Thee
Or, fro Thee,
I know
Not how
To go.
2
But, having heard, and often found,That, thou art he, in whom
Compassion, alwaies doth abound;
To sue for Grace, I come.
Nor chide thou,
Nor hide thou,
Thy face
Or Grace
From me.
But, hear me,
And clear me;
Now I
Thus cry
To thee.
181
3
Till fully pleas'd with me thou art;And till I may obtaine
A Look to re-assure my heart,
That, thou art pleas'd again:
Nor Treasure,
Nor pleasure,
Will ease
Or please
Me more.
But, double
The Trouble,
Which made
Me sad
Before.
4
What needst Thou Lord, prolong thy wrath,To barr me of my Rest?
Enough, a guiltie conscience hath,
My Torments to encrease.
It smites me,
It frights me,
Oh Lord,
Afforde
Releefe.
Releeve me;
And, give me
Thy peace,
To cease
My Griefe.
5
I have too often heretofore,Been many wayes to blame;
And, have obtained, evermore,
Remission for the same.
Yea, wholly,
And fully,
Thou hast
Releast
My Sin;
When blamed,
And shamed,
I might
(By right)
Have bin.
182
6
Yet Lord, Forgive; forgive againe,Though I unworthy be:
For, Mercy doth to thee pertaine,
As much as wrath to me.
Remit thou,
Forget thou
My crime,
This time,
Therfore.
The greater
The debter
Thy praise
Hee'l raise
The more.
Hymn XCIIII. For Remission of sin in generall.
[_]
This Hymn is a brief confession of sin, and a prayer for pardon for the same. And it was prepared, to assist their devotion who need such helps; and to be a Remembrancer to those who need them not.
Sing this as the .22. Psalme.
[1]
How many Lord! how foule! how great!Do my offences grow?
How have I multipli'd the debt,
Which unto Thee I owe?
Though ev'ry day thou dost forgive,
And wipe great Summs away,
Yet, ev'ry day, I do perceive
New Summs, new Scores to pay.
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2
A Debt my Parents left on me,Which (far) my Stock exceeds:
And, though it pardned were by Thee,
Much Trouble, still, it breeds.
For, thence, my flesh occasion takes,
That Fancies to admit;
Which, of those Longings, guiltie makes,
That Active-Sins, beget.
3
And, when a Sin is once begun,That sin brings others on,
The punishments or shame, to shun,
Which follow'd thereupon:
Till so encreast Offences are,
And, Grace defaced so
That we have neither Shame nor Fear,
Nor sense, of what we do.
4
Lord, that my Sins may never come,To this accursed height;
And, at the last, exclude me from
Thy Grace, and Favour, quite
I come to Thee (while Time I have,
And Leave, and heart to pray)
Discharge, for all those faults to crave,
Wherein I walke astray.
5
By nature, so unsound, and base,My State; my Tenures be;
That, for a new estate of Grace,
I, now, petition Thee.
Ev'n that which my Redeemer bought;
And sealed with his Blood.
184
This Deed, I know, is good.
6
This Deed I plead; and by this Deed,Would that Estate renew,
Which through my Deeds, is forfeited,
Vnlesse, Thou Favour shew.
Lord, now, and whensoe're I shall
Plead, what is mention'd now:
With a Release of Errors, all,
My Plea, do thou allow.
7
I guilty am, of many Crimes,Which I did fore-intend:
And, twenty thousand, Thousand Times,
I heedlesly offend:
But, since my self I do condemn,
And seek my Peace in Thee;
Oh! let compassion cover them,
That, they condemn not me.
8
Blot all my Sins out of the Book,By my Accusers writ.
Vpon my Follies do not look;
My youthfull Crimes remit.
My publike Faults remember not;
My Secret Failings, hide:
And, let not Mercy be forgot,
Thy Servant, though thou chide.
9
Yea, though small feeling of my Sins,My Fleshly-Nature hath,
Till she by some event begins
To feel, or fear thy wrath:
185
Lamenting for the same,
Impute not unto me that Ill,
For which, I merit blame.
Hymn. XCV. Against the World, the Flesh, and the Devill,
[_]
This Hymn craveth assistance against the VVorld, the Flesh, and the Devill, our most pernitious Adversaries: And perhaps the devout use thereof may be a means to make us become so heedfull of their Natures, that their Temptations may be the better avoided.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
Blest Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,One God, in Persons-three,
VVhat is there, whereof man can boast?
Except thy Love it be?
And, save this Anti-trinitie,
The World, the Flesh, the Devill,
VVhat Foe, on our Humanitie,
Hath pow'r to bring an Evill?
2
Those, though on them, three Names they take(And, things Distinct appear)
Do but one Perfect-evill make,
And, Fellow-workers are.
186
And, then, the other two,
Accomplish not, what else, they may
By their damn'd-Vnion, do.
3
To curb the Flesh, and to controuleThe World, and all things there,
Was no great hardship to the Soul,
Till Satan did appear.
Yea, Satan, and the World had plaid
Their pranks on Man, in vain;
Had they not by his Flesh assaid,
Their purpose to obtain.
4
Without that wanton Dalilah,(Our nearest dearest kin)
Their Cunning is not worth a Straw,
Their hoped prize to win.
And, if she may, by Grace, be brought
Her Falshoods to repent,
The other two, shall harme us nought,
What ever they invent.
5
Lord, Arme us by thy Triple-pow'r;So charme us by thy Grace;
So watch their practise ev'ry hou'r,
(In ev'ry secret place)
That, they may no Advantage have
To take us in their Gin;
To fright, to mischief, or deceive,
By tempting us to Sin.
6
The World reform, the Devill restrain,The Flesh so mortifie;
187
From which, they put us by.
Let not our Frailties, or the Spight
Of our malicious Foe,
Act more against us, then thy Might,
And Love, shall for us do.
7
But, since that Grace from thee proceeds,Which doth renew our Will;
Lord, ripen it, into those Deeds,
Which thy Commands fulfill.
At least, let this our Willingnes,
Accepted be so well;
That, thy Imputed-Righteousnes,
Our Failings may conceal.
Hymn XCVI. Against Sin, and the first suggestions thereunto.
[_]
This Hymn putteth us in mind to kill the Cocatrice in the Egge, and not to give willing way to the least appearances, or beginnings of evill, lest, an unresistable Deluge of Sin, break in upon us.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Take heed, my Heart, how thou let in,(With approbation or Delight)
188
Or, count the smallest Error, sleight.
For, Entrance if that any shall
Vnto those Vipers heads permit;
(Without perchance) their Bodies all
Soon after, in, with ease will get.
2
If Avarice begin to sprout,(Though first it crave but needfull things)
The Root and Branch it will put out,
From whence all Sin, and mischief springs.
And, they who, at the first, had thought
A Competence alone to crave;
To vast Desires, at last are brought:
And, know not when enough they have.
3
With wanton Thoughts, if thou shalt play,(Though thou as Good as David art)
Adulteries, and Murthers, may
Obtain possession of thy heart.
For, Lustfull-musings will proceed
To words-unclean; and they do soon
Alure to ev'ry lothsome Deed,
Which by Vnchastity is done.
4
If Sloth begin on us to ceaze,At first, perhaps, it will pretend,
But to desire, a needfull ease,
The tired Body to befriend.
Yet, if unheedfull we shall grow,
We peradventure, may e're long,
Or lose, or hide, or misbestow,
Our Talents, to our Masters wrong.
189
5
Moreover, if we take not careAright, our Liberties to use;
The Creatures, which our hearts may chear,
We, to our mischief shall abuse.
For, he whose Robes are alwaies gay,
Doth probably oppresse the more;
And, He that feasteth ev'ry day,
VVill give but little to the poore.
6
VVhen to be Froward, we begin,A slender fault we reckon that:
Yet, Anger thereby, enters in;
And, somtime Anger lets in Hate.
From Hate, we quickly do commence,
Maliciously inclin'd to be;
And, may become, by that offence,
Offenders, in the high'st Degree.
7
If we our Brethrens gifts envy,We may (as Josephs brethren did)
Our own Indowments lose thereby:
And, from bad things, to worse proceed.
Yea, those Affections which restrain'd
VVithin their Bounds Praise-worthy be,
Let loose, or overslackly rain'd
May by degrees, our mischief be.
8
Therefore, my Soul, fast, watch and pray,The Sins and Engines to avoid,
VVhich to intrap thee, in the way
Thine Adversary hath imploy'd.
And take thou heed, thou let not in,
VVith approbation, or delight,
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Or, count the smallest Error sleight.
Hymn XCVII. When our Fancies affright us, with Illusions, or dreadfull Apparitions.
[_]
Though few are disposed to sing, when they are terrified with fearfull Visions; yet, some have that Christian Stoutnesse: and they who attain not to it, may perhaps be strengthened by meditating this Charme, either amidst their Terrors, or before they appeare.
[1]
Blesse me, oh God! and be thou nearTo help me at this dreadfull hou'r.
My Heart confirm against my Fear,
And, guard me by thy Saving pow'r.
I feel my Flesh begins to quake;
But, thou my Spirit strengthned hast;
My Heart in Thee doth Courage take;
Vnto thy Grace, it cleaveth fast.
Whereof, since I assured am,
My Foe, thus charge I, in thy Name.
2
Foul Fiend avoid, and carry hence,Those vain Impostures, wherewithall
Thou seekest to delude my Sense,
And bring my Reason into thrall.
191
(One blessed God, in Persons three)
Whose Favour, justly, thou hast lost,
Commands thy absence, now by me.
Depart, and for thy frightfull showes,
Expresse his wrath unto his Foes.
3
By that great God, who did not scornOur Nature; but the same hath took:
By Him, that of a Maid was born;
By Him, whose pow'r thy head hath broke:
By Him, that for my Ransome di'de;
By Him, that conquer'd Death, and Hell;
By Him, who now is glorifi'd,
Where all the blessed Holies dwell:
By Him, I charge that thou forbear
To Harm, or put my Heart in Fear.
4
Depart with all those Bug-bear Sighs,Whereby thou do'st abuse our Sense,
Depart, with all the cursed Sleights,
Whereby thou givest us offence.
Depart, with all those craftie Gins,
Whereby thy malice doth assay,
To tempt us to those damned Sins,
Which, to destruction, are the way.
Depart thou to thy Heards of Swine;
And, trouble thou, nor me, nor mine.
192
Hymn XCVIII. For one that hears himself much praised.
[_]
As Praise is a spurre to Vertue; so it may poyson us with pride, and puffe us up with selfe-conceit, if it be not warily and modestly entertained. Therefore, this Hymn, sheweth with what musings, we should prevent such effects, when we are commended.
Sing this as the 4. Psalme.
[1]
My Sins, and Follies, Lord, by thee,From others hidden are,
That, such good words are spoke of me,
As, now and then I hear:
For sure if others knew me such,
Such as my Self, I know;
I should have bin disprais'd as much
As I am praised, now.
2
By me, some Good, perhaps hath binPerform'd in publike view:
But, what corruptions are within,
Asham'd I am to shew.
My brutish Lusts, my secret Pride,
My Follies, yet unshown;
(Which from thy sight, I cannot hide)
To others, are unknown.
3
The Praise, therefore, which I have heardDelights not so my mind,
193
Which in my self I find.
And, I had rather to be blam'd,
So I were blameles made,
Then for much Vertue to be fam'd,
When I no Vertues had.
4
Though Slanders to an Innocent,Sometimes do bitter grow,
Their bitternes procures content,
If clear himself he know.
And when a vertuous man hath err'd;
If prais'd himself, he hear,
It makes him grieve, and more affeard,
Then if he slandred were.
5
Lord, therefore, make my Heart upright,What e're my Deeds do seem;
And, righteous rather, in thy sight;
Then in the World's esteem:
And, if ought good appear to be
In any Act of mine;
Let thankfulnes be found in me,
And, all the praise be thine.
Hymn XCIX. For one being Slandred.
[_]
Herein the bitternesse of a slanderous Tongue is perfectly illustrated, and the party grieved is put in mind to whom he should seek for comfort; and by what means he may be best comforted in such an Affliction.
194
Sing this as the former.
[1]
So sharp and bitter be the wrongsWhich I do now, sustain
By slandrous and malicious Tongues,
That, needs I must complaine.
The keenest Razour cuts not so:
The Vipers poysned sting,
If that it be compar'd thereto,
Will seeme a harmlesse thing.
2
For, these can but the Body slay;The other (more to blame)
Therewith, oft likewise, takes away,
The life of honest Fame.
Yea, many times it makes a Saint,
Impatient to appear;
And, in his Trials, almost faint,
Their stinging words to hear.
3
How then oh God! how can I chuse,But fear, or faint out-right?
When slandrous Tongues my name abuse
Through malice, and despight?
Since, though of that, I guiltlesse am,
Which to my charge they lay;
My Conscience finds I was to blame,
As much, another way.
4
Lord, hide me from their bitter Tongues,Els, hidden let me be
From mine own Self, and from the wrongs
Which have been done by me.
195
(In earnest or in Jest)
I utter things of other men,
Not fit to be exprest.
5
Sometime, through lightnesse, I relate,What Love would not reveal;
And pleased am, to here out that,
Which Malice, loves to tell.
Nay, more then once, or twice, (I fear)
Through Envie, I have spoke,
Invicious things, which doubtfull were,
And, up, on Trust, were tooke.
6
Repay not Lord, my Guiltinesse,According to desart;
Since, now, mine errors I confesse,
With true repenting heart.
But, let the slanders and disgrace,
Which causelesse, He did bide,
Who by no Sin defiled was;
My Shame, and Follies hide.
7
So, by his meeke Example taught,And, by his Justice, clear'd;
These Rumors I shall set at naught,
Which I have greatly fear'd:
And, rather labour to retain
Vprightnesse, in my wayes,
Then, care to take, what Fooles will fame;
Or, what a Villain sayes.
196
Hymn C. For one delivered from deserved Shame.
[_]
Jt is not one of the least Mercies to be delivered from open Shame, as appears by those, who have heaped one Sin upon another, and at last laid violent hands on themselves, to avoid Shame. Therefore, we ought to be more thankfull for this Favour, and to remember us thereof, this Hymn is tendred.
Sing this as the 25. Psalme.
[1]
Had not, oh Lord, thy Grace,Vouchsafe'd my Vaile to be,
Shame and confusion of my Face,
Had overwhelmed me.
For, though thy Mercies hid
The Follies, I have wrought;
I do confesse, those things I did
Which me to Shame had brought.
2
For, sometimes, all alone,Sometimes, with others, too
Those wicked things, by me are done,
Which few suspect I do.
Nay, otherwhile, perchance,
Of Crimes I guiltie am,
Where by, my credit I advance,
Whil'st others bear the blame.
197
3
Just cause have I to grieveThat by my secret Sin,
I those deceive, who do believe
My hands have cleaner bin.
And, though my Fault none know;
Thereat I am so griev'd;
That, I the Shame could undergo,
From Guilt, to be repriev'd.
4
But, doubtles, to revealWhat thou do'st overpasse;
And, what thy Mercy doth conceal,
Were to despise thy Grace.
Therefore, I doe accept,
(With meek, and thankfull heart)
The Credit, thou for me hast kept,
Beyond my due Desart.
5
And for thy Favour-sakeVouchsaf'd, in this to me;
I will more heed, hereafter, take
How, clear I ought to be.
Oh! help me to fulfill,
This purpose of my mind;
And, though I fail to do thy Will,
Lord, fail not to be kind.
198
Hymn CI. For one whose Beautie is much praised.
[_]
Beautie is a temporarie Blessing, which bringeth advantages and disadvantages, according to their disposition, who possesse it. Therefore this Hymn remembers those, who are beloved or commended, for that endowment; so to behave themselves that God may receive glory thereby, and that it may not become harmfull to themselves, or others.
Sing this as the Magnificat.
[1]
I well perceive, that God hath limb'dMy brittle Body, so,
And, so my Face with Features trim'd,
That, thanks, therefore, I owe:
For, though my self to overprize,
I, apt enough may be;
Yet, what I am, (by others eies)
I, somewhat rightly, see.
2
I do confesse, it cheeres my minde,That, I those Beauties have,
Whereby my Self belov'd I finde,
Where love, my heart would crave:
And, I suspect the grief had been
Too great for me to bear,
Had I my self, so loathed seen,
As, oft, my Betters are.
199
3
Therefore, my God! I were too blame.If Thee I praised not,
For making me, the same I am;
And, pleased with my Lot.
It is no blessing of the least:
Nor unbeseems it me
That, thus in private, I confesse,
What I receiv'd from Thee.
4
For Beautie, is an Oratour,Which pleads with so much grace,
That, to prevaile, it hath a pow'r,
Almost, in ev'ry place.
It creeping through the Lovers eies,
Takes prisoner, now and than,
A greater, and a fairer prize,
Then Wealth, and Wisdome can.
5
I boast of no such Braves as these;But, this I truly say,
It makes me with more Joy, and ease,
To passe my Youth away.
And, yet, I know, tis but a Flowre,
Now, faire to look upon;
And, in the compasse of an houre,
Defaced quite, and gone.
6
Lord, give me grace to prize it so,(And neither more nor lesse)
As wisdome would; and hallow, too,
The Features I possesse;
That, I may minde how fraile, and thin,
Those outward Beauties are,
200
Nor long continue there.
7
My Reason, teach thou, to applyHer utmost pow'r, and wit,
Mine Inside, so to beautifie,
That, I thy love may get.
Let me not proudly tirannize,
Where I belov'd shall be;
Nor those discomfort, or despise,
Who lesse adorned be.
8
Let not my Beauties be a meanMine own base Lusts to feed;
Nor others tempt, to an unclean,
Or an uncomely deed.
But, make my Conversation such,
Oh Lord! (I thee implore)
That, they, who like my Beauty, much,
May love my Vertues, more.
9
So, when my Fleshly Form doth fade,It shall not grieve my Heart,
That, things, but for a season made,
In their due Time depart.
But, I shall rather joyfull grow,
To feel my Soul put on
That, which, will make a fairer show,
Then Flesh and Blood have done.
201
Hymn. CII. For one upbraided with Deformitie.
[_]
To some this is a very great Affliction, and they who are sensible of other mens Passions, will not thinke it impertinently added; if this Hymn be inserted, to comfort such as are upbraided, or afflicted through their bodily defects, in this kind; and to instruct their Despisers.
Sing this, as the former.
[1]
Lord, though I murmur not, at thee,For that in others Eies,
I, so deformed, seem to be,
That, me, they do despise:
Yet, their contempt, and their disdain
My heart afflicteth so,
That for mine ease, I now complain,
My secret grief, to show.
2
Thou know'st, oh God! it was not I,Who did this Bodie frame,
On which they cast a scornfull eie;
By whom I flouted am.
Thou know'st likewise, it was not they,
VVho did their Bodies make;
Although on my defects to play,
Occasions, oft they take.
202
3
Then, why should they have Love, or Fame,For what they have not done?
Or, why should I have scorn or shame,
For what I could not shun?
Thy workmanship, I am, oh Lord,
Though they do me deride:
And, thou, by what they have abhorr'd,
Are, some way, glorifide.
4
Therefore, since thou this way hast chose,To humble me on Earth.
My Imperfections now dispose,
To help my second Birth.
Let me in Thee contentment find:
And, lovely make thou me,
By those perfections of the Mind,
Which dearest are to Thee.
5
Since, Features none, in me appear,To win a fleshly Love;
Let those, which priz'd by others are,
My passions never move.
But, quench thou, all those youthfull Fires,
Which in my brest do burn;
And, all my Lusts, and vain Desires,
To sacred motions, turn.
6
So, though in secret grief, I spendThe Life that nature gave;
I, shall have comforts, in the end,
And, gain a blessed Grave;
From whence, the Flesh which now I wear,
In glory, shall arise;
203
In all beholders eyes.
Hymn CIII. For one Legally censured, whether justly or unjustly.
[_]
This Hymn instructeth us to beare patiently our Legall Censures, whether justly or unjustly pronounced; because to Godward, we are alwaies offenders, though sometimes we are unjustly condemned by Men.
Sing this as the 4 Psalme.
[1]
Why should my heart repine at those,By whom I censur'd am?
Why should I take them as my Foes,
By whom I suffer blame?
Were they lesse Just, and, I more cleare,
Yet, Righteous were my doome;
Since, greater plagues deserved are,
Then are upon me come.
2
If God should bring my secret Crimes,And all my faults to sight;
My Censure doubled fortie times,
Were fiftie times, too light.
And, therefore, I with patience bear
The pain upon me brought:
And, will hereafter, more beware
To do the things I ought.
204
3
For whether they who urg'd the Lawes,Vpright or partiall were,
They are not, LORD, th'Efficient-cause,
Of that, which I do bear.
They are but Instruments for Thee,
Thy righteous Will, to doe.
I pardon Them. To them, and me,
Vouchsafe thy pardon too.
If the party be guilty, let this following verse be sung next after the second verse.
Lord, I confesse, I have abus'd
Thy Justice and thy grace;
And, was deservedly accus'd,
For what, condemn'd I was.
Yet, since my Faults I do repent,
Accepted let me be:
And, having born the punishment,
The Guilt forgive to me.
Thy Justice and thy grace;
And, was deservedly accus'd,
For what, condemn'd I was.
Yet, since my Faults I do repent,
Accepted let me be:
And, having born the punishment,
The Guilt forgive to me.
If the party be guiltlesse, let this last verse be left out, and this repeated in stead thereof.
I am not guiltie of the Deed
For which accus'd I stood:
Yet, of Correction I had need,
And, this may do me good.
Affliction is not sent in vain;
Nor, causlesly begins;
But, strives to keep off greater pains,
Or, to prevent some Sins.
For which accus'd I stood:
Yet, of Correction I had need,
And, this may do me good.
Affliction is not sent in vain;
Nor, causlesly begins;
But, strives to keep off greater pains,
Or, to prevent some Sins.
205
Hymn CIIII. After a great Losse.
[_]
We are hereby remembred to take our Losses patiently, considering that we deserve not thatwhich is left: and (trusting in-Gods providence and love) we leave all things to his good pleasure, without repining.
Sing this as, In sad and Ashie weeds.
[1]
The Talents we possesse,By God's free bountie, we enjoy,
And, he doth curse or blesse,
As, Well, or Jll, we them imploy.
He gives and takes,
As best it makes
To further his intents.
And, to fulfill
His blessed Will,
Each faithfull Soul assents.
2
In part, I am bereftOf what his Love on me bestow'd:
And, yet, in what is left,
Great Favour, he to me hath show'd.
For, if my Store
Should be no more
Then my deserts have been.
One in distresse
More comfortlesse,
On earth should not be seen.
206
3
Which when my heart well weighs,There is no grudging in my mind:
But, God I rather praise
For what remaineth yet behind,
Yea, though for all,
He please to call,
I'le freely let it go;
And trust, that He
(As need shall be)
Will usefull things bestow.
4
Thus am I now enclin'dTo me oh God! assistance grant,
That, I may keep this mind,
And, thee to friend, in ev'ry want.
So, whether I,
Sit low, or high,
Or, shall be poore or Rich.
It shall not keep
Mine eie from sleep,
Nor discontent me much.
Hymn CV. For one that is promoted.
[_]
We may be made heedfull, and kept mindfull, hereby, from whom Promotion commeth: to what end we should effect it; and with what humility, and thankfulnesse we should possesse it.
Sing this as the 4. Psalme.
207
[1]
By his Endeavours no man mayHis own Preferment make;
Although, he both an Eastward-way,
And Westward-Courses take:
For, having used all his Art,
His longings to obtain;
His Pow'r, his Wisedome, and Desart,
Imploy'd may be in vain.
2
Ev'n Kings, who are those Hils, from whom,Promotion seems to flow;
And from whose Heights, most Honours come,
To those that are below;
Ev'n they, who (in supremest place)
Preferments use to give;
Can us, nor honour, or disgrace,
Till God vouchsafes them leave.
3
That, therefore, in this Place, I amWhereto, I, late was rais'd;
Who should, but God, from whom it came,
For that, by me be prais'd?
To whose renowne should I my Place,
And new-got pow'r imploy?
But unto His, by whose meer Grace,
This Favour, I enjoy?
4
Lord, give me wit, both to perceive,And heed (all times) to take,
That, I this Grace, did not receive,
For mine own Vertue sake:
Or, my Ambition to fulfill;
But rather, that I might
208
In doing things upright.
5
Let not my heart be puft with pride;Or, brutishly forget
By whom I have bin dignifi'd,
And, on this height am set:
But make me for it, ev'ry day,
So thankfull unto Thee,
That from things earthly climb I may,
To those that heav'nly be.
Hymn CVI. When our Hopes are obtained.
[_]
When our Hopes are accomplished, we are well pleased thereby; and yet are seldome thankfull to him, by whom they are obtained; but ascribe overmuch to our owne wit or Industry. Therefore, to prevent that ingratitude and impiety, this Hymn is rendred.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
My Hope; and those endeavours, now,Which I have us'd therein;
Such good effects begin to show,
As have expected bin,
Therefore, my Thoughts, which many waies
Were busie to that end,
209
Who did my Hopes befriend.
2
It was not mine own Strength, or Wit,Whereby the same I gain'd:
Deservings, which may challenge it,
I have not, yet attain'd.
For, if my Ill-deserts were weigh'd,
With what hath well bin done;
The first would prove (I am afraid)
More heavie, ten to One,
3
It is, oh Lord, of thy meer Grace,That, what I have desir'd,
So happily effected was,
And, in due time acquir'd.
Since thou art pleas'd, it should be so;
Be, likewise pleas'd in this;
That, nothing which thou do'st bestow,
May be emploi'd amisse.
4
And, as my Vertue did not win,What is conferr'd on me,
So, let me not by any Sin,
Thereof deprived be.
But, whensoever, by Offence,
I, Forfeits thereof make;
Vouchsafe, to give me Penitence;
And, me to Mercy take.
210
Hymn CVII. When our Hopes and Endeavours are made void.
[_]
This Hymn informeth, that when God frustrates our common and vain hopes, we should not be discouraged, but rather be thankfull for the comfort they were unto us when we had them; and learne to fixe our confidence and Hope on God only.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Although that Hope is frustrate made,Which lately flatter'd me;
I have not lost the Hope I had;
Oh Lord, my God in Thee.
Nor were those Hopings quite in vain,
Which now seem wholy void;
For, while in me, they did remain,
They kept my mind imploi'd.
2
By that likewise, which is bereft,I have this knowledge won,
That many Comforts may be left,
When, some one Hope is gone:
And, that by Hopes, which profit most,
Disprofits are acrew'd.
(With great disquiet, pains and cost)
If not aright pursu'd.
211
3
He that will chase with all his might,Each Hope, or new-Desire;
Is like to Him, who in the Night
Pursues a wandring-Fire.
The last, is like to lose his way,
(And happie, if no worse)
The first, if so escape he may,
Shall find an emptie purse.
4
Lord, grant me still (though few succeed)Some Hopes, my Heart to please:
For, to have Hopes of what we need,
Is, for the Time, an ease.
Vouchsafe me Grace, to know how far,
Such Hopes may trusted be.
And wit likewise, to have a care,
Their failings harm not me.
5
So, whether they succeed or not,This, will to passe be brought,
That, still some profit will be got,
Though, lesse then first I sought.
And, by Degrees, I shall attain,
To hope in thee, alone.
Who makest no mans hopes in vain,
If Thee he trust upon.
212
Hymn CVIII. For Deliverance from private Danger.
[_]
So many visible and invisible Dangers, we are daily liable unto, that without God's continuall protection, we could be not safe one minute. Therefore, that we may be remembred to be thankfull for our infinite Deliverances, this Hymn, is made a Remembrancer.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
A thousand perils, ev'ry day,Ten thousand, ev'ry night,
Are over us, and in our way,
Which are not in our sight:
And us, didst thou not Lord, inclose,
And, for our safeties watch;
Our Earthly, or our Hellish Foes,
Our lives, would soon dispatch.
2
From one apparant perill now,I have bin lately freed.
Because, compassion thou do'st show,
In ev'ry time of need:
For which (since I no Gift can bring
More pleasing unto Thee)
A Song of Praise, my Tongue shall sing;
My Heart, shall thankfull be.
213
3
Oh! let thine Eie be still uponMy purpose and my waies;
Lest by my Foes I be undone;
Or, by mine own Assayes.
For, I confesse, that nothing needs
To harme, or work me woe,
Save mine own Follies, and the Deeds,
Which, I my self, may do.
Hymn CIX. When we are oppressed by extream Sorrow.
[_]
When our Souls are much oppressed with Sorrow, we vainly seeke our Consolation in transitorie things; and they rather more enrage then asswage our Passion, we are hereby therefore, remembred by what means, and by whom, we shall best be comforted.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
My Soul, why do'st thou in my breast,With griefs afflicted grow?
Why are my Thoughts, to my unrest,
In me, increased so?
And in thy Self, by musings vain,
Why do'st thou seek for ease?
Since, thou still more augment'st thy pain,
By such like means as these?
2
When Passion hath enslav'd thy heart,Why seek'st thou Comfort there?
214
What Reas'ning cureth Care?
The more thy mind by musing thinks
From Sorrow's Depths to rise;
The further downward still it sinks;
The nearer Hell, it lies.
3
Let therefore, hence with speed be thrownThose Thoughts, which thee attend.
Before, they thither, presse thee down,
Whence, no man can ascend.
And let on Him, thy musings dwell
Who (in meer love to Thee)
Hath div'd the Depths of Death and Hell,
That thou might'st eased be.
4
The Sorrowes, he sustain'd, were such,As no mans ever were.
His weakest pang, had been to much,
For strongest Hearts to bear.
His bitter Passion, made him sweat,
No lesse then drops of Blood:
And, He, when Suff'rings were most great,
Seem'd left of Man, and God.
5
Yet, was not He, as (Thou hast bin)The Cause, of his own woe:
But, thy Transgression, and thy Sin,
In Sorrow's plung'd him so.
For shame, therefore bewail thou not
The Scratch which thee hath pain'd,
And leave those mortall wounds forgot,
Which He for thee sustain'd.
215
6
If his Afflictions, thou shalt mind;Thy griefs, he will regard:
And, ease and comfort, thou shalt find,
At ev'ry need prepar'd.
For, they who thus affected stand,
And, cast their cares on him;
Have his compassion still at hand,
To help and succour them.
7
Sweet Iesu! for thy Passion sake,This Favour shew to me:
Out of my heart, the Sorrowes take,
Which therein raging be.
My Passion calme; my Soul direct,
Her thoughts, on Thee, to place:
On my much troubled mind, reflect,
The brightnes of thy Face.
8
Yea, let Contrition, for my Sin,So purge out carnall grief,
That, Ioy-cœlestiall may bring in
The fulnes of Relief.
So, this my Sorrow shall but adde
A relish to my Joy;
And, cause contentments to be had,
Which nothing can destroy.
216
Hymn CX. For Deliverance from Sorrow.
[_]
Gods Readinesse to afford Consolation to all that call on him faithfully in their Sorrowes, is here acknowledged. His Deliverance of us from a particular Sorrow, is here also confessed, to his praise; and he is prayed to vouchsafe us the Joyes of the holy-Ghost.
Sing this as the former.
[1]
Experiment, I now have had,Of what I oft have heard;
That such as over-night are sad,
Next Morrow may be cheer'd.
For, I that was with Grief opprest,
And overcharged so,
That, I had neither Hope, nor Rest,
Light-hearted now do grow.
2
My drooping Soul, begins to findMy comforts, to increase:
Sweet Hopes have repossest my mind:
From Teares, and Sighs, I cease.
My mournfull Odes, to Hymns of Praise,
Shall, therefore, changed be;
And, I my voice, oh Lord, will raise,
In thankfull Sounds, to Thee.
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3
For, Thou hast Cures, for ev'ry Grief;Fit Salves for ev'ry pain:
And, wilt vouchsafe them, due relief,
Who shall to Thee complain.
To me (who lately did lament)
A comforter thou art;
And, hast a cheerfull Spirit, sent
Into my drooping Heart.
4
I wish'd for Death, and could perceive,In Life, no hope of ease:
But, now content I am to live
Whilst thou, oh Lord, shalt please.
And in my Songs I will confesse,
(Whilst I have Tongue to sing)
That, all the comforts I possesse,
From Thee, alone, do spring.
5
That this new-Joy, may not be lost,Those Joyes vouchsafe to me,
Which flowing from the Holy-Ghost
To all the Faithfull be.
So, whatso'ere externall-Grief,
My Pilgrimage attends;
I shall within, feel that Relief
In which, all Sorrow, ends.
218
Hymn CXI. For them who are afflicted by the unkindnesses of their Friends.
[_]
To them who are of a gentle nature, this is a very great Affliction; therefore, to comfort them who suffer by it; and to take advantage from unkindnesses suffered, to make them sensible of the greater unkindnesses which they offer to Him who suffred for us, this Hymn is prepared.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
Alas! my Heart, what meanest thouWith Passion, thus to Ake?
Thy Friends unkindnesse, wherefore, now,
So sadly dost thou take?
Oh! why afflictest thou thy minde,
For their neglect of Thee;
Since to thy Self, thou art lesse kinde,
Then all thy Foes can be.
2
The Follies, which thy conscience knew,Thy ruine would effect;
With greedinesse, thou dost pursue;
And, safer waies, neglect.
And when thy Lovers have advis'd,
What, to thy weal pertains.
Their kindnesse, thou hast oft despis'd;
And scoft them, for their pains.
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3
If they whom thou dost well esteemeHave ought unkindly done;
Or, if but harsh their words do seem,
Thy Case thou dost bemone.
Yet, thou forgetst, that thou hast wrong'd
Affection, far more true;
And, One to whom more love belong'd,
Then to all them, is due.
4
Thou hast a Friend, who from thy birth,To Thee hath faithfull been:
A better never liv'd on Earth;
Nor shall his Peer be seen.
From vile estate, he raised thee
To that which now thou art;
And, by his Death did set thee free,
When thou condemned wert.
5
To thee, great Favours he did shew,No other Meed to finde,
But, that thy weal thou mightst pursue,
And, to thy selfe, be kinde.
To this intent, sweet words he said,
And, thee, long time did woe;
For thee he wept; and, thee, he pray'd
Thy Self, not to undoe.
6
Yet, froward, thou to him dost prove,Who this Affection shews;
Thy Heart, thy Longings, and thy Love
Thou placest on his Foes.
And, though he daily seek thy good,
(Thy faults forgiving, still)
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And, bear'st him small good will.
7
My God! if thus I be to blame(Which justly I suspect)
No marvell if I grieved, am
By those, whom I affect.
For why should I from others, looke
Firme Love, on earth to finde;
Since all my vowes, I oft have broke,
To one, so truly kinde?
8
Sweet Jesu let my flinty heart,More tender waxe to Thee.
Of thy Afflictions, and thy smart,
More feeling grant thou me.
Yea, let my Friends unkindnesse bring,
Those Griefs unto my minde,
Which did thy heart, with sorrow sting,
When Man did prove unkinde.
9
For, when that he who eat thy bread,Thy precious life betray'd:
When all thy Servants from thee fled;
When Peter thee denay'd;
And, when thy Father hid his face,
From Thee, in thy distresse:
Ten thousand times more grief it was,
Then Tongue shall ere expresse.
10
Lord, for that great Vnkindnesse sake,Which thou didst then sustaine,
Those thoughts to me more easie make
Which now my heart do pain,
221
So bitter, to my Tast;
Teach me, to fixe my heart on thee,
Whose Love, still, firm, doth last.
11
For, if our hearts it almost breakesWhen friends do prove unkinde;
What feeleth he, whom God forsakes?
What comfort can he finde?
Lord! that I never may bewaile
This losse; thy Love, still daign;
So, though all other Friendships faile,
I shall not long complain.
FINIS.
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