University of Virginia Library

FOR EARLY RISING ON A Lords day Morning.

This day our blessed Lord did early rise,
Let all his pious Servants do likewise;
His good Disciples rose before the light,
That his dead Body they with spices might
And tears embalm: then let devotion raise
Us up to give our God and Saviour praise.
Thus let our Songs of praise shorten the night,
Till we shall come into that heavenly light,
When we shall hear no more of nights and days,
No more shall cease to love, rejoyce and praise.
O blest employments, these Saints truly blest,
Who thus emploi'd enjoy eternal rest!
This holy Rest let me this day begin;
Resting to God from business, care and Sin.
And let me in thy day and service find,
Such pleasure and such profit to my mind,
As may excite me all the following Week,
And my whole Life my dearest Lord to seek.
Not in a Garden, or a Cave of Stone;
But in the Heavens, where on his glorious Throne,
He doth exalted sit at God's right Hand;
Thousands of Angels round about him stand.
There free from sin and sorrow, sloth and sleep,
There let me an eternal Sabbath keep.