University of Virginia Library



Benedictus.

O blest be God: of Israell,
The Lorde & guide: we know full well
He visited: hys people all,
He them by grace: redeemd from thrall.
And raisde he hath: saluation,
Most mighty now: for vs eche one:
Of Dauids stocke: so vertuous,
His seruauntes line: and noble house.
As he dyd speake: in tymes of olde,
By holy Prophetes: mouthes so tolde:
Which were his will: to vtter than,
And haue bene since: the world began.
That we should be: in freedome quite,
And saued be: from enmies spite:
To scape the handes: and cruell state,
Of all the men: that vs do hate.
The mercy plight: to fathers sage,
To them performe: from age to age,
And eke recount: hys noble acte,
To call to minde: hys sacred pacte.
His othe to kepe: so sworne and plight,
To Abraham: our fathers right:
Which he in tyme: so bounteous,
Would iust performe: and geue to vs.
That we so rid: from enmies handes,
From cruell yoke: of combrous bandes:
Myght serue hym styll: in ioyfull cheare,
Without all griefe: all care and feare.


In holines and righteousnes,
So hym to serue: in stablenes:
Before hym thus: all voyde of strife,
To passe all dayes: of this our life.
And thou good child: shalt haue the name,
Of Prophet great: most chiefe in fame:
For thou shalt go: before Gods face,
To shew before: hys wayes of grace.
To geue vnto: his people sone,
To knowledge healthes: saluation:
This health to shew: the grace of his,
For all theyr faultes: and sinnes remisse.
Through mercy great: and tender loue,
Of God the Lord: that raignes aboue:
Wherby the day: that spring from hie,
Us visited: so ioyfully.
Them lyght to geue: that placed bee,
In darkenes great: and miserie:
And eke in shade: of death no lesse,
And guide our feete: in wayes of peace.