The Hymns and Songs of the Church, Part 1 · Hymns from the books of prophets
The first Song of Esay. Esa. 5.
IN this Song the Prophet, singing of Christ and hi… Vineyard, first sheweth, that notwithstanding his labo… bestowed in fencing and manuring thereof, it brough… forth sowre grapes. Secondly, he summoneth thei… Consciences whom he couertly vprayded, to be Iu…ges of Gods great louelove and their vnprofitablene… Thirdly, he showes, both how he intends to de… with his Vineyard, and who they are whom he pointe… out in this Parable. Now, seeing it hath befallen t… Iewes according to this Propheticall Hymne, we are … make a two-fold vse, in singing it. First, thereby … memorize the Mercy and Iustice of God; both wh… are manifested in this Song: his Mercy in forew…ning, his Iustice in punishing euen his owne peop… Secondly, we are so to medi…ate thereon, that we … be warned to consider what fauours God hath vouc… safed vsus, and what fruits we ought to bring forth; le… he leaue vsus also, to be spoyled of our Aduersaries. For in this Parable the holy Spirit speaketh vntounto eue… Congregation who abuseth his fauours. And doub…lesse, all such (as it hath fallen out in Antioch, Laodi… and many other particular Churches) shall be depriu… of Gods protection, of the dewes of his holy spir… and of the sweete showres of his word, to be left … thornes and bryers, the fruite of their owne natura… Corruptions.
Song. 19.
Sing this as the 14. Song.
A Song of him, whom I louelove best,
And of his Vineyard, sing I will.
A Vineyard, once my LoueLove possest,
Well-seated on a fruitfull hill:
He kept it close-immured still:
The earth, from stones he did refine;
And set it with the choisest vine.
2
He in the midst a Fort did reare;
I win-presse therein also wrought:
But, when he lookt it Grapes should beare,
Those Grapes were wilde-ones that it brought.
Ierusalem, come speake thy thought;
And you of Iudah Iudges be,
Betwixt my vineyard here, and me.
3
VntoUnto my Uineyard what could more
Performed be, then I hauehave done?
Yet, looking it should Grapes hauehave bore,
Saue wilde-ones, it afforded none:
But goe to, (let it now alone)
Resolu'd I am to shew you too,
What with my vineyard I will do… ▪
4
The Hedge I will remooue from thence,
That what so will, deuoure it may:
I do one will breake the Walled-fence,
And through it make a troden way.
Yea, all of it I wast will lay.
To digge or dresse it, none shall care:
But, thornes and bryers it shall beare.
5
The Clouds I also will compell,
That there no raine descend for this.
For loe, the house of Israel
The Lord of Armies Vineyard is:
And, Iudah is that Plant of his;
That Pleasant one, who forth hath brought
Oppression, when he Iudgement sought.
He, seeking Iustice; found therein,
In lieu thereof, a Crying…sinne.
The 2. Song of Esay. Esa. 12.
ISaiah hauing a little before prophecied of the In… nation of Iesus Christ, and the excellencie of his kingdome, doth in this Hymne praise him for his Mercy; and fore…owes the Church also, what her Song should be in that day of her Redemption. The principall co… ten…s hereof are these: A Confession of Gods mercy; A prediction concerning the Sacrament of Baptisme, and an exhortation to a ioyfull Thanksgiuing. This Song the Church should still sing to the honour of Ies… Christ for our Redemption. Yea, in regard the Proph… (foreseeing the good Cause we should hauehave to make vse thereof) hath prophecied it should be the Church… Hymne, it seemeth not vnproper to be vsed on those dayes which are solemnized in memoriall of our Sauiours Natiuitie; Or whensoeuer we shall be mooue… to praise God in memorizing the gra…i…us Comfo… promised vsus by his Prophets, and fulfilled by his owne comming. And to fit the same th… better to that p…pose, I hauehave changed the Person, and the Time, in th… Translation.
Song. 20.
… LOrd ▪ I will s…g to Thee, for thou displeased… … wast: And yet with-drewest thy wrath from… … me, And sent me comfort hast.…
Thou art my health, on whom
A fearelesse Trust, I lay.
For thou oh Lord, thou art become
My Strength, my Song, my Stay.
2
And with reioycing now,
Sweet waters we conuay
Forth of those Springs, whence Life doth flowe:
And, thus, we therefore say,
Oh, sing vntounto the Lord:
His Name and workes proclaime:
Yea, to the People, beare record,
That glorious is his Name.
3
Unto the Lord, oh sing;
For, wonders he hath done:
And many a renowned thing,
Which through the earth is knowne▪
Oh sing aloud, all yee,
On Sion hill that dwell!
For, lo, thy Holy-one in thee,
Is great, oh Israel.
The third Song of Esay. Esay 26.
ESay composed this Song to comfort the Israelites in their ca…tiuity: to strengthen their patience in Affliction: and settle their confidence on the promises of God. First, it remembreth them that Gods protection being eueryevery where as auaileable as a defenced Citty, they ought alwayes to relye on the firme peace which that affordeth. Secondly, he sheweth that the pride of Sinne shall be ouerthrowne; and that the faithfull a…e resolued to fl…e vntounto their Redeemer, and await his pleasure in their chastis…ments. Thirdly, he singeth the vtter desolation of Tyrants; the encrease of the Church; her afflictions; her deliuerance; & the resurrection from death through Christ. Lastly, the Faithfull are exhorted to attend patiently on the Lord their Sauiour, who will come shortly to iudgement, and take account for the blood of his Saints. This Song is made in the person of the Church, and may be sung, to comfort and confirme vsus in all our chastisements and persecutions: by bringing to our consideration, the short time of our endurance, and the certainty of our Redeemers comming. It may be vsed also to praise God both for his Iustice and Mercy.
Song. 21.
Sing this as the 3. Song.
A Citie now we hauehave obtain'd,
Where strong Defences are:
And, God Saluation hath ordain'd▪
For Wals, and Bulwarkes there.
The Gates thereof, wide open Yee,
That such as iustly doe,
(And those that Truth's obseruers be)
May enter thereinto.
2
There, thou in peace wilt keep them sure
Whose thoughts well grounded be;
In peace, …hat euer shall endure,
Because they trusted Thee.
For euer, therefore, on the Lord,
Without distrust, depend.
For, in the Lord, th'eternall Lord,
Is strength that hath no end.
3
He makes the loftie Citie yeeld,
And her proud Dwellers bow:
He lay…s it leuell with the f…eld,
Eu…n with the dust below.
Their feet that are in want and care,
Their feet thereon shall tread:
Their way is right that righteous are,
And thou their path dost heed.
4
Upon thy course of Iudgements, we
Oh LORD, attending were:
And to record thy Name and Thee,
Our soules desirous are.
On Thee, our minds with strong desire
Are fixed in the night:
And after thee our hearts enquire
Before the morning light.
5
For, when thy righteous Iudgements are
Upon the earth discern'd;
By those that doe inhabite there,
Uprightnesse shall be learn'd.
Yet, Sinners for no terrour will
Iust dealing vnderstand:
But in their sinnes continue still.
Amid the Holy-Land.
6
To seeke the glory of the LORD,
They vn-regardfull be.
And thy aduanced-hand, Oh LORD,
They will not daigne to see.
But they shall see, and see with shame,
That beare thy People spight:
Yea, from thy Foes shall come a flame,
Which will deuoure them quite.
7
Then, LORD, for vsus thou wilt procure,
That we in peace may be;
Because that eu'ry worke of our,
Is wrought for vsus, by Thee.
And L…RD our GOD ▪ though we are brought
To other Lords in thrall;
Of thee alone shall be our thought,
Upon thy Name to call.
8
They are deceast, and neuer shall
Renewed life obtaine:
They dye, and shall not rise at all.
To tyrannize againe.
For thou didst visit them therefore,
And wide disperst them hast;
That so their Fame for euermore,
May wholly bee defac't.
9
But Lord, encreast thy People are,
Encreast they are by thee;
And thou art glorifi…d as farre,
As earths wide limits bee.
For Lord, in their distresses, when
Thy rod on them was laid;
They vntounto thee did hasten then,
And without ceasing praid.
10
As one with child is paind, when as
Her throwes of bearing bee;
And cries in pangu…s (before thy face)
Oh LORD, so fared wee.
Wee hauehave conceiu'd, and for a birth
Of winde hauehave pained binn.
The world's vnsafe, and still on earth,
They thriue that dwell therein.
11
Thy Dead shall liue and rise againe,
With my dead-Body shall.
Oh you, that in the dust remaine,
Awake and sing you, all!
For, as the deaw doth hearbs renew,
That buried seem'd before:
So, earth shall through thy heauenly deaw
Her Dead aliue restore.
12
My People to thy Chambers fare:
Shut close the doore to thee;
And stay a while (a moment there)
Till past the Fury bee.
For lo, the Lord doth now arise;
Hee commeth from his place,
To punish their impieties,
Who now the world possesse.
13
The earth that blood discouer shall,
Which is in her conceal'd:
And bring to light those murthers all,
Which yet are vnreueal'd.
The Praier of Hezekiah. Esay 37.15.
IN this Praier, Hezekiah hauing first acknowledged Gods Maiestie …nd almighty powe…, desires him, both to heare & consider his Aduersaries blasphemie. Then (to manifest the necessity of his present assistance) vrgeth the power his foe had obtained ouer such as serued not the true God. And as it seemeth, impo…tunes deliuerance, not so much in regard of his owne safety, as that the Blasphemer, and all the world might know the difference betweene the Lords power, and the arrogant bragges of men. This Song may bee vsed whensoeuer the Turke, or any other great Aduersary (preuailing against false Worshippers) shall thereupon growe insolent, and threaten Gods Church also: as if in despight of him, he had formerly preuailed by his owne strength. For the name of Sen…herib may be mystically applyed to any such enemy. We may vse this Hymne also, against those secret Blasphemies, which the Deuill whispers vntounto our soules; or, when by temptations hee seekes to driu… vsus to despaire, by laying before vsus how many others he hath destroied, who seemed to hauehave beene in as good assurance as wee. For, he is indeede, that mysticall Assyrian Prince, who hath ouerthrowne who…e Countries & Nations, with their Gods, in whom they trusted. Such as are these, Temporall power, Riches, Superstitious worship, Carnall wisdome, Idols, &c. which being but the works of men (and yet trusted in as Gods) hee hath power to destroy them.
Song. 22.
… O Lord of Hoasts and God of Israel! Thou,… … who betweene the Cherubins dost dwell; Of… … all the world thou onelyonly art the King, And… … heau'n and earth, vntounto their form didst bring.…
2
LORD bow thine eare; to heare attentiue be.
Lift vp thine eyes, and daigne oh LORD, to set
What words Sennacherib hath cast abroad;
And his proud Message to the liuing GOD.
3
LORD, true it is, that Lands and Kingdomes all,
Are to the King of Ashur brought in thrall:
Yea, he their Gods, into the fire hath throwne:
For, Gods they were not; but of wood & stone.
4
Mans worke they were, & men destroi'd them hauehave.
Us therefore from his power vouchsafe to saue
That all the Kingdomes of the world may see
That thou art GOD, that onelyonly thou art hee.
Hezekiah's Thankesgiuing. Esa. 38.10.
HEzekiah hauing beene sicke and recouered, made this Song of Thankesgiuing; And setteth forth the mercy of God, by considering these particulars. The time of his Age; the feares of his soule; the rooting out of his posteritie; the violence of his disease; and the forgiuenesse of his sinnes, added to the restoring of his health. Then (seeming to hauehave entred into a serious consideration of all this) hee confesseth who are most bound to praise God; and voweth this Deliuerance to euerlasting memorie. This Song may be vsed after deliuerance from temporall sicknesse. But in the principall sense, it is a speciall Thankesgiuing for that cure which Iesus Christ wrought vponupon the humane nature, being in danger of euerlasting perdition. For Hezekiah which signifieth helped of the Lord, typ…fieth Mankinde labouring vnderunder the sicknesse of sinne and death. Isaiah who brought the medicine that cur'd him, (and is interpreted) the saluation of the Lord, figured our blessed Redeemer, by whom the humane nat…e is restored; and whose sending into the world was mystically shewed by the Miracle of the Sunnes retrogradation. To praise God for that mysterie therefore (the Circumstances being well considered) this Hymne seemeth very proper. And doubtlesse for this cause it was partly preserued for these our times, and ought often and heartily to be sung to that purpose.
Song. 23.
Sing this as the fourth Song.
WHen I suppos'd my time was at an end,
Thus, to my selfe, I did my selfe bemo…
Now to the Gates of hell I must descend;
For all the remnant of my yeares are gone.
The Lord ▪ said I) where now the liuing be,
Nor man on earth, shall I for euer see.
2
As when a Sheapheard hath remou'd his Tent,
Or as a weauers shuttle slips away;
Right so, my Dwelling, & my Yeares, were spent:
And so, my sicknesse did my Life decay.
Each day, ere night, my death expected I;
And eu'ry night, ere morning, thought to dye.
3
For, He so Lyon-like my bones did breake,
That I scarce thought to liue another day.
A noyse I did like Cranes or Swallowe… make:
And as the Turtle, I lamenting lay.
Then with vplifted eye-lids, thus I spake;
Oh Lord, on me oppressed, mercy take.
4
What shall I say? he did his promise giuegive;
And as he promist he performed it.
And therefore, I will neuer whilst I liue,
Those bitter passions of my soule forget:
Yea, those that liue, & those vnborne, shall know
What life and rest thou didst on me bestow.
4
My former Pleasures, Sorrowes were become:
But, in that louelove, which to my soule thou hast,
The Graue, that all deuours, thou kep…st me from;
And didst my errors all behind the… cast.
For, nor the Graue, nor Death can honor Thee;
Nor hope they for thy Truth that buried be.
5
Oh! he that liues; that liues as I doe now:
Eu'n he it is that shall thy praise declare.
Thy Truth the Father to his Seed shall showe.
And how, thou me, oh Lord, hast daing'd to spare.
Yea Lord, for this, I will throughout my dayes
Make musicke in thy house; vntounto thy praise.
The Lamentations of Ieremie.
As vsefull as any part of the old Testament, for these present times (…igh fallen asleep in security) are these Elegiacall Odes: For, they bring many things to our consideration. …, what wee may and should lament for. Secondly, how carefull wee ought to bee of the Common-wealths prosperitie; because, if that goe to ruine, the particular Church therein cherished, must needes bee afflicted also; and Gods worship hin…red. Thirdly, they teach vsus, that the ouerthrow of Kingdomes and Empires, followes the abuse and n…glect of Religion; and that (Sinne being the onelyonly cause thereof) wee ought to endure our chastisements without murmuring against God. Fourthly, they warne vsus, not to abuse Gods mercifull long-suffering. Fiftly, they perswa…e vsus to commiserate and pray for the Church, and our brethren in calamitie; and not to despise them in their humiliations. Sixtly, they learne vsus not to iudge the truth of Professions, by those afflictions God laies vponupon particular Churches, seeing the Iewish Religion was the Truth; and those Idolaters, who led them into Captiuity. Seuenthly, they shew vsus, that neither the Antiquity, Strength, Fame, or formall Sanctitie of any place (…onor Gods former respect thereunto) shall priuiledge it from destruction, if it continue in abusing his Grace. And lastly, they (as it were limiting our sorrowes) mind vsus to cast our …es on the mercies of God: and to make such vse of his chastisements, as may turne our Lamentations into Songs of Ioy.
Lament. 1.
THis Elegie, first bewaileth in generall tearmes, that calamitie and destruction of Iudah and Ierusalem, which is afte…wards more particularly mentioned. Secondly, it makes a confession of their manifold sinnes committed; and is full of many pa…sionate aud penitentiall complaints, Iustifying the Lord in his Iudgements, and confessing the vanitie of humane Consolations. Lastly, it containeth a short prayer for Gods mercy, and a diuine prediction of those Iudgements which will fall on them, by whom his people hauehave beene afflicted. This Elegy may be sung, whensoeuer any generall Calamitie falleth on the Commonwealth in which we liue; we hauing first considered and applyed the particular Circumstances, as there shall be cause. We may sing it also Hystorically, to memorize the Iustice of God, and the miserable desolations of Iuda and Ierusalem, recorded for our example.
Song. 24.
… HOw sad and solitary now (alas,) Is that… … well-peopled Citie come to be! Which once… … so great among the Nations was, And oh how… … widdow-like appeareth she! She rule of all the… … Prouinces hath had, And now her selfe is… … tributary made.…
2
All night shee maketh such excessiue mone,
That downe her cheekes a flood of teares doth flow
And yet, among her Louers there is none,
That consolation doth on her bestow.
For they that once her Louer did appeare,
Now turned foes, and faithlesse to her are.
3
Now Iudah in captiuity complaines,
That (others) heretofore so much opprest.
For her false seruice, shee her selfe remaines
Among those Heathens, where shee findes no rest.
And apprehended in a Straite, is shee,
By those that persecuters of her bee.
4
The very waies of Sion doe lament.
The Gates thereof their lonelinesse deplore:
Because that no man commeth to frequent
Her solemne Festiualls as heretofore.
Her Priests doe sigh; her tender Virgins bee
Uncomfortable left, and so is Shee.
5
Her Aduersaries are become her Chiefes:
On high exalted, those that hate her are:
And God hath brought vponupon her all those griefes,
Because so many her transgressions were.
Her Children driuen from her by the Foe,
Before him, into loathed thraldome goe.
6
From Sions-Daughter (once without compare)
Now all her matchlesse louelinesse is gone.
And like those chased Harts her Princes fare,
Who seeke for pasture and can finde out none.
So (of their strength depriu'd, and fainting nigh)
Before their ab…er foes, they feebly flye.
7
Ierusalem now thinkes vponupon her crymes;
And calls to minde (amid her present woes)
The pleasure shee enioy'd in former times,
Till first shee was surprized by her foes:
And how (when they perceiued her forlorne)
They at her holy Sabbaths made a scorne.
8
Ierusalems transgressions many were;
And therefore is it shee disdained lies:
Those, who in former time hauehave honour'd her;
Her basenesse now behold, and her despise:
Yea, shee her selfe doth sit bewailing this;
And of her selfe her selfe ashamed is.
9
Her owne vncleannesse in her Skirt shee bore;
Not then beleeuing what her end would bee.
This great destruction falls on her therefore:
And none to helpe or comfort her hath shee.
Oh, heede thou Lord, and pittie thou my woes,
For I am triumph't-ouer by my foes.
10
Her Foe hath touch'd with his polluted hand,
Her things that Sacred were, before her face:
And, they whose entrance thou didst countermand,
Intruded hauehave into her Holy-place:
Those; that were not so much approu'd by thee,
As, of thy Congregation held to be.
11
Her People, doe with sighes, and sorrowes, get
That little bread which for …eleefe they hauehave.
And, giuegive away their precious things for meat,
So to procure wherewith their life to saue.
Oh Lord consider this; and ponder Thou,
How vile, and how detected I am now.
12
No pitty, in you Passengers is there?
Your eyes oh somewhat hitherward encline;
And marke, if euer any griefe there were
Or sorrow that did equall this of mine:
This, which the Lord on me inflicted hath,
Upon the day of his incensed wrath.
13
He from aboue, a Flame hath hurled downe;
That kindles in my bones preuailing fire.
A Net, he ouer both my feet hath throwne;
By which, I am compelled to retyre.
And he hath made me a …orsaken-one,
To sit, and weepe out all the day alone.
14
The heauy yoke of my Transgressions, now,
His hand hath wreathed, and vponupon me laid;
Beneath the same my tyred necke doth bow:
And all my strength is totally decay'd.
For, me to those, the LORD hath giuen o're,
Whose hands will hold me fast for euermore.
15
The LORD hath trampled vnderneath their feet,
Eu'n all the mighty, in the midst of me.
A great Assembly he hath caus'd to meet,
That all my ablest men might slaughtred be.
And Iudah's Uirgin-daughter treads vponupon,
As in a wine-presse Grapes are trodden on.
16
For this (alas) thus weepe I; and mine eyes,
Mine eyes drop water thus; because that He,
On whose assistance, my sad soule relies,
In my distresse is farre away from me.
Eu'n while, (because of my preuailing Foe,)
My Children are compel'd from me to goe.
17
In vaine hath Syon stretched forth her hand;
For, none vntounto her succour draweth nigh:
Because, the LORD hath giuen in command,
That Iacobs Foes should round about her lye.
And poore Ierusalem among them there;
Like some def…led woman doth appeare.
18
The LORD is iustified, nay-the-lesse,
Because I did not his commands obay.
All Nations therefore, heare my heauinesse,
And heed it (for your warning) you I pray.
For, into thraldome (through my follies) be
My Virgins, and my Young-men, borne from me.
19
Upon my Louers I hauehave cryed out,
But, they my groundlesse hopes deceiued all.
I for my reu'rend Priests enquir'd about;
I, also, did vponupon mine Elders call:
But in the City, vp the ghost they gaue,
As they were seeking meat their liues to saue.
20
Oh LORD, take pitty now on my distresse:
For loe my soule distemper'd is in me.
My heart is ouercome with heauinesse;
Because I hauehave so much offended thee.
Thy Sword abroad my ruine doth become.
And Death doth also threaten me at home.
21
And of my sad complaints my Foes hauehave heard:
But to afford me comfort there is none.
My troubles hauehave at full to them appear'd;
Yet they are ioyfull that thou so hast done.
But, thou wilt bring the Time set downe by Thee;
And then in sorrow they shall equall mee.
22
Then, shal those foule Offences they hauehave wrought,
Before thy presence be remembred all:
And whatso'ere my Sinnes on me hauehave brought,
(For their Transgressions) vponupon them shall fall.
For, so my sighings multiplied be;
That therewithall, my heart is faint in me.
Lament. 2.
IN this Elegie, the Prophet vseth a very patheticall exordium, the better to awaken the peoples consideration; and to make them the more sensible of their horrible calamity. Which he first illustrateth in generall termes, by comparing their estate to the miserable condition of one fallen from the glory of heauen, to the lowest earth: and in mentioning, their being depriued of that glorious Temporall and Ecclesiasticall Gouernment, which they formerly enioyed. Afterwards, he descends to particulars; as the destruction of their Pallaces, Forts, Temple, Walls, and Gates: the prophaning of their Saboths, Feasts, Rites, &c. the suspending of their Lawes, Priests, Prophets: The slaughter of young-men, and Virgins, olde-men, and Children, with the famine and reproches they sustained, &c. All which acknowledging to be the iust Iudgements of God, hee aduiseth them not to harken to the delusions of their false Prophets, but to returne vntounto the LORD by teares and hearty repentance. For the vse and application, see what hath beene said, before the former Elegie.
Song. 25.
Sing this as the 24. Song.
HOw darke, & how be-clowded (in his wrath)
The LORD hath caused Syon to appeare!
How Isr'els beauty he obscured hath!
As if throwne downe from Heau'n to Earth he were.
Oh! why is his displeasure growne so hot?
And why hath he his Footstoole so forgot?
2
The LORD all Syons dwellings hath laid wast;
And, in so doing, he no sparing made:
For in his anger to the ground he cast,
The strongest Holds that Iudah's-Daughter had.
Them, & their Kingdome, he to ground doth send;
And all the Princes of it doth suspend.
3
When at the highest his displeasure was,
From Is…el all his horne of strength he broke.
And from before his aduersaries face,
His Right-hand (that restrained him) he tooke.
Yea, he in Iacob kindled such a flame,
As, round about, hath quite consum'd the same.
4
His Bow he as an aduersary bent,
And by his Right-hand he did plainely shew,
He drew it with an enemies intent:
For all that were the fairest Markes he slew.
In Syons Tabernacle this was done;
Eu'n there the fire of his displeasure shone.
5
The LORD himselfe is he that was the foe,
By him is Isr…el thus to ruine gone.
His Palaces, he ouerturned so:
And he, his Holds of strength hath ouerthrowne:
Eu'n he it is, from whom it doth arise,
That Isr…els Daughter thus lamenting lies.
6
His Tabernacle Garden-like that was,
The LORD with violence hath tooke away.
He hath destroyed his Assembling-place:
And there nor Feasts nor Sabbaths now hauehave they:
No, not in Syon. For in his fierce wrath,
He both their King and Priests reiected hath.
7
The LORD his holy Altar doth forgoe;
His Sanctuary he hath quite despiz'd.
Yea, by his meere assistance hath our Foe,
The Bulwarkes of our Palaces surpriz'd.
And in the LORDS owne House, rude Noyses are
As loud, as heretofore his Praises were.
8
The LORD his thought did purposely encline,
The wals of Syon should be ouerthrowne.
To that intent he stretched forth his …ine,
And drew not backe his hand till they were downe.
And so, the Turrets with the bruised Wall,
Did both together to destruction fall.
9
Her Gates in heapes of earth obscured are;
The Barres of them in pieces broke hath he:
Her King, and those that once her Princes were,
Now borne away among the Gentiles be.
The Law is lost, and they no Prophet hauehave,
That from the LORD a vision doth receiue.
10
In silence, seated on the lowly ground,
The Senators of Syons-Daughter are:
With Ashes, they their careful heads hauehave crown'd,
And mourning Sackcloth girded on them weare.
Yea, on the earth in a distressed-wise,
Ierusalem…s young Uirgins fixe their eyes.
11
And, for because my People suffer this,
Mine eyes with much lamenting dimmed grow:
Each part within me out of quiet is.
And on the ground my Liuer forth I throw;
When as mine Eyes with so sad Obiects meet;
As Babes halfe dead, & sprawling in the street.
12
For, to their Mothers called they for meat.
Oh where shall we hauehave meat and drinke! they cry.
And in the Citie, while they food entreat,
They swoune, like them that deadly-wounded lie.
And some of them, their soules did breath away,
As in the Mothers bosome, staru'd they lay.
13
Ierusalem! for thee what can I say?
Or vntounto what maist thou resembled be?
Oh! whereunto that comfort thee I may,
Thou Syon…-Daughter, shall I liken thee?
For, as the Seas, so great thy Breaches are:
And to repaire them then; Ah, who is there!
14
Thou, by thy Prophets hast deluded bin:
And foolish Uisions they for thee hauehave sought.
For, they reueiled not, to thee thy Sinne,
To turne away the thraldome it hath brought.
But, lying Prophecies they sought for thee;
Which of thy sad exile, the causes be.
15
And those, thou Daughter of Ierusalem
That on occasions passe along this way,
With clapping hands, and hissings, thee contemn…:
And, nodding at Thee, thus in scorne they say:
Is this the Citie, men did once behight
The flowre of Beauty, and the worlds Delight?
16
Thy Aduersaries, (eueryevery one of them)
Their mouthes hauehave op'ned at thee, to thy shame.
They hisse, and gnash at Thee, Ierusalem;
We; we (say they) hauehave quite destroy'd the sam…:
This, is that day hath long expected beene;
Now commeth it, and we the same hauehave seene.
17
But, this the Lord decreed, and brought to passe,
He, to make good that word which once he spake,
(And that which long agoe determin'd was)
Hath hurled downe, and did no pitty take.
He; thus hath made thee scorned of thy Foe;
And, rais'd the Horne of them that hate thee so.
18
Oh wall of Syons-Daughter, cry amaine,
Eu'n to the Lord set forth a hearty Cry:
Downe like a Riuer, cause thy teares to raine,
And, let them neither day nor night be dry.
Seeke neither sleepe, thy body to suffice;
Nor slumber, for the Apples of thine eyes.
19
At night and when the watch is new begun;
Then rise, and to the Lord Almighty Cry.
Before him, let thy Heart like water runne;
And lift thou vp to him thy hands, on high.
Eu'n for those hunger-starued Babes of thine,
That in the Corners of the streets doe pine.
20
And thou oh Lord; Oh be thou pleas'd to see,
And thinke on whom, thy Iudgements thou hast thrown.
Shal women fed with their own issue be,
And Children, that a span are scarcely growne?
Shall thus, thy Priests & Prophets, Lord, be slaine,
As in thy Sanctuary they remaine?
21
Nor youth, nor Age, is from the slaughter free;
For, in the streets, lye Yong, and Old, and all.
My Uirgines and my yong-men, murthered be;
Eu'n both, beneath the sword, together fall.
Thou, in thy day of wrath, such hauock mad'st;
That in deuouring thou no pitty hadst.
22
Thou, round about hast call'd my feared Foes,
As if that summon'd to some feast they were:
Who in thy day of wrath, did round enclose,
And shut me so, that none escaped are.
Yea, those that hate me, them consumed hauehave,
To whom, I nourishment, and breeding gaue.
Lament. 3.
HEre the Prophet Ieremy, hauing contemplated his owne afflictions with the destruction of Iudah and Ierusalem, seemeth by that materiall Obiect to hauehave raised his apprehension higher, and by the spirit of Prophecy both to foresee the particular suffrings of Ies… Christ, and to become sensible also of those great afflictions which the Church Militant (his mysticall body) should be exercised withall. And in this most passionate Elegy, either in his own person bewaileth it, or else personates Iesus Christ, the head of that Mysticall body, taking vponupon himselfe those punishments; with that hea…y burthen of Gods wrath, and that vnspeakable sorrow which mankinde had otherwise beene ouerwhelmed withall. In briefe, this Elegy containes an expression of Gods heauy Anger for our sinne; the seuerity and bitternesse of his Iudgements; the greatnesse of his mercies; the hope and patience of the faithfull in all Afflictions; The vnwillingnesse of God to punish; The hearty repentance of his people; And a Propheticall imprecation concerning the enemies of the spirituall Ierusalem. This may be sung, to mooue and stirre vsus vp with a feeling of our Redeemers passion: To remember vsus of our miserable condition through sinne: To mooue vsus to repentance: and to comfort and instruct vsus amidd our afflictions.
Song. 26.
Sing this as the 24. Song.
I Am the Man who (scourged in thy wrath)
HaueHave in all sorrowes throughly tyred beene:
Into obscurity, he …ed me hath;
He brought me thither, where no light is seene:
And so aduerse himselfe to me he showes,
That all the day his hand doth me oppose.
2
My Flesh and Skinne with age, He tyred out.
He bruiz'd my bones, as they had broken bin.
He with a Wall enclosed me about.
With cares and labours he hath shut me in.
And me to such a place of darknesse led,
As those are in, that befor euer dead.
3
He shut me where I found no passage out,
And there my heauy Chaines vponupon me laid.
Moreouer, though I loudly cryed out,
He tooke no heed at all for what I prayd:
My Way with hewed stones he stopped hath▪
And left me wandring in a winding Path.
4
He was to me like some way-lying Beare.
Or as a Lyon that doth lurke vnseene.
My course he hindring, me in pieces teare,
Till I quite ruin'd, and layd waste had beene.
His Bowe he bended, and that being bent▪
I, was the marke at which his Arrow went.
5
His Arrowes from his Quiuer forth he caught,
And through my very R…ines he made them passe.
Eu'n mine owne people set me then at naught;
And, all the day; their sporting song I was.
From him, my fill of bitternesse I had;
And, me, with Worm-wood likewise, drunke he mad… ▪
6
With stones, my teeth he all to peeces brake;
He, Dust and Ashes ouer me hath strowne;
All rest, he from my weary soule did take,
As if, contentment I had neuer none▪
And then, I cryed; Oh! I am vndone;
All my dependance on the Lord is gone.
7
Oh minde thou my afflictions, and my care;
My miseries, my worm-wood, and my gall:
For, they still fresh in my remembrance are,
And downe in me my humbled soule doth fall.
I, this forget not; And when this I minde,
Some helpe againe, I doe begin to finde.
8
It is thy mercy Lord, that we now be;
For, had thy pitty fail'd, not one had liu'd.
The Faithfulnesse is great, that is in Thee,
And eu'ry morning it is new reuiu'd.
And Lord such claime my soule vntounto thee lay… ▪
That shee will euer trust in thee, she sayes.
9
For, thou art kinde to those that waite thy will;
And, to their soules that after thee attend.
Good therefore is it, that in quiet still,
We hope that safety, which thou Lord wilt send.
And happy he, that timely doth enure,
His youthfull necke the burthen to endure.
10
He downe will sit alone, and nothing say;
But, since 'tis cast vponupon him, beare it out.
(Yea, though his mouth vponupon the dust they lay)
And while there may be hope, will not mis-dou… ▪
His Cheeke to him that smiteth, offers He;
And is content, though he reuiled be.
11
For, sure is he (what euer doth befall)
The LORD will not forsake for euermore:
But that he hauing punisht, pitty shall,
Because he many mercies hath in store.
For, God in plaguing, take no pleasure can;
Nor willingly afflicteth any man.
12
The LORD delighteth not to trample downe,
Those men that here on earth enthralled are:
Or that a Righteous man should be o'rethrowne,
When he before the Highest doth appeare.
Nor is the LORD well-pleased in the sight,
When he beholds the Wrong, subuert the Right.
13
Let no man mutter then, as if he thought
Some things were done in spight of GODS decree:
For, all things at his word to passe are brought
That either for our good, or euill be.
Why then liues man, such murmurs to begin?
Oh! let him rather murmure at his Sinne.
14
Our owne lewd courses, let vsus search and trie,
We may to thee againe, oh LORD, conuart.
To GOD, that dwelleth in the Heau'ns on high,
Let vsus (oh let vsus) lift both hand and heart.
For, we hauehave sinned; we rebellious were:
And therefore was it, that thou didst not spare.
15
For this (with wrath o're-shaddow'd) thou hast chas't,
And slaughter made of vsus, without remorse.
Thy selfe obscured with a clowd thou hast;
That so our Prayers might hauehave no recourse.
And loe, among the Heathen-People, we
As out-casts, and off-…cowrings reckon'd be.
16
Our Aduersaries all (and eu'ry where)
Themselues with open mouth against vsus set;
On vsus, is fa…ne a terrour, and a snare,
Where ruine hath with desolation met:
And for the Daughter of my Peoples cares,
Mine eyes doth cast forth Rivulets of teares.
17
Mine eyes perpetually were ouerflowne:
And yet there is no ceasing of my Teares.
For, if the LO…D in mercy looke not downe,
That from the Heau'ns he may behold my cares;
They will not stint. But for my Peoples sake,
Mine eyes will weep vntil my heart doth break.
18
As when a Bird is chased too and fro,
My foes pursued me, when cause was none.
Into the Dungeon they my life did throw,
And there they rowled ouer me a stone.
The waters likewise, ouer…low'd me quite:
And then, me thought, I perished out-right.
19
Yet, on thy Name oh LORD, I cal'ed there,
(Eu'n when in that low Dungeon I did lye)
Whence thou wert pleased my complaint to heare,
Not sleighting me, when I did sighing cry.
That very day I called, thou drew'st neere,
And said'st vntounto me, that I should not feare.
20
Thou LORD, my Soule maintainest in her right.
My Life by thee alone, redeemed was.
Thou hast oh LORD, obserued my despight.
Uouchsafe thy Iudgement also, in my cause.
For, all the grudge they beare me, thou hast seen.
And all their plots … hauehave against me been.
21
Thou heard'st what …landers they against me laid,
And all those mischiefes they deuiz'd for me.
Thou notest what their Lips of me hauehave said;
Eu'n what their daily closest whisperings be:
And how, when ere they rise, or downe do lye,
Their Song, and Subiect of their mirth am I.
22
But LORD, thou shalt reward and pay them all,
That meed, their Actions merit to receiue▪
Thy heauy maiediction ceaze them shall:
Eu'n this, sad hearts they shall for euer hauehave.
And by thy wrath pursude they shall be driuen,
Till they are chased out, from vnderunder Heauen.
Lament. 4.
AS in the two first Elegies, the Prophet here begins by way of exclamation, and most passionately sets forth the cause of his complayning, by a threefold explication. First, by expressing the Dignity, Sex, & Age of the persons miserably perishing in this calamity: as, Princes, Priests, Men, Women, and Children. Secondly, by paralelling their estate with that of bruite Creatures; and their punishment with Sodoms. Thirdly, by shewing the horrible effects which followed this Calamity; as the Nobility being driuen to cloath themselues from the dunghill, and Women to feed on their owne Children, &c. After this, he sheweth what are the causes of all that misery which hee bewaileth. Secondly, declareth the vanity of relying on temporall consolations. Thirdly, setteth forth the power and fiercenesse of the Churches Aduersaries. Fourthly, prophecieth that euen Christ was to suffer the fury of their malice, befo… Gods wrath could be ap…sed. And lastly, assured that the Church shall be at length deliuered, and … enemies rewarded according to their wickednesse. T… Song may be sung to set before our eyes, the seuerity … Gods wrath against sinne, to winne vsus to repentan… and to comfort vsus vponupon our conuersions.
Song. 27.
Sing this as the 5. Song.
HOw dimme the Gold doth now appeare!
(That Gold, which once so brightly shone)
About the Citie, here and there,
The Sanctuary-Stones art throwne.
The Sonnes of Syon, late compar'd,
To Gold, (the richest in esteeme)
Like Potsheards, are without regard,
And base as earthen vessels seeme.
2
The Monsters of the Sea hauehave care
The breasts vntounto their young to giuegive:
But crueller my people are;
And Estridge-like in Deserts liue.
With thirst the Sucklings tongues are dry;
And to their parched roofes they clea…e.
For bread young Children also cry;
But none at all they can receaue.
3
Those that were vs'd to dainty fare,
Now in the streets halfe starued lye.
And they that once did Scarlet weare,
Now dunghill rags about them tye.
Yea, greater plagues my Peoples crime,
Hath brought on them, then Sodoms were.
For, that was sunke in little time,
And no prolonged death was there.
4
Her Nazarites, whose whitenesse was
More pure then either milke or snow;
Whose ruddinesse did Rubies passe;
Whose veines did like the Saphir show:
Now blacker then the Cole are growne;
And in the streets vnknowne are they:
Their flesh is clung vntounto the bone,
And like a sticke is dry'd away.
5
Such therefore as the sword hath slaine,
Are farre in better Case then those;
Who death for want of food sustaine,
Whilst in the fruitfull field it growes.
For when my people were distrest,
Eu'n women (that should pittie take)
With their owne hands their Children drest,
That so their h…nger they might s…ake.
6
The LORD accomplisht hath his wrath;
His fierce displeasure forth is powrd;
A fire on Sion set he hath,
Which eu'n her ground-worke hath deuour'd;
When there was neither earthly King;
Nor, through the whole world, one of all
Thought any Foe to passe could bring,
That thus Ierusalem should fall.
7
But this hath happened for the guilt
Of those that hauehave her Prophets bin,
And those her wicked Priests, that spilt
The blood of Innocents therein.
Along the streets they s…umbling went;
(The blindnesse of these men was such.)
And, so with bloud they were be-sprent,
That no man would their Garments touch,
8
Depart, depart; (…twas therefore sed)
From these pollutions get ye farre.
So, wandring to the Heathen, fled,
And said, there was no biding there.
And them the LORD hath now in wrath
Exilde, and made despi…ed liue:
Yea, sent their Priests and Elders hath,
Where none doth honour to them giuegive.
9
And, as for vsus, our eyes decay'd,
With watching vaine Releefes, we hauehave:
Cause, we expect a Nations ayde,
That is vnable vsus to saue.
For, at our heeles so close they be,
We dare not in the streetes appeare.
Our end we therefore, comming see,
And know our rooting-out is neare.
10
Our Persecutors follow on,
As swift as Aegles of the Skie.
They o're the Mountaines make vsus runne;
And in the Deserts, for vsus lye.
Yea, they hauehave Christ (our life) betray'd,
And caus'd him in their pits to fall.
(Eu'n him) beneath whose shade, we sa… ▪
We liue among the …eathen shall.
11
O Edom, in the land of Huz,
(Though yet o're vsus triumph thou may)
Thou shalt receaue this Cup from vsus;
Be drunke, and hurle thy cloaths away.
For, when thy punishments for sinnes,
Accomplished oh Syon be;
To visit Edom he beginnes;
And publike make her shame, will be.
Lament. 5.
IN this Elegie, the Prophet prayeth vntounto the Lord to remember and consider his peoples afflictions, acknowledging before him their miseries, and presenting them vntounto him, as destressed Orphanes, widdowes, and Captiues (by such humiliation) …o winne his compassion. Hee mooueth him also, by repetition of the miserable ruine they werefallen into: by the noble Possessions and Digni…ies they had lost; by the base Condition of those vnderunder whose tyranny they were brought: And by the generalitie of their Calamitie, from which no s…x…, age, nor degree, escaped. Then (ingenuously confessing their sin to be the iust Cause of all this) glorifieth God, and concludeth this Petitionary Ode, with desiring that he would both giuegive them grace to repent, and restore them to that peace which they formerly enioyed. This Elegiacall Song, we may sing vntounto God in the behalfe of many particular Churches, euen in these Times; especially if we consider that mysticall bondage which the Diuell hath brought them into; and apply these Complaints to those spirituall Calamities, which hauehave befallen them for their sinnes.
Song. 28.
Sing this as the fifth Song.
OH mind thou LORD, our sad distresse▪
Behold, and thinke on our reproach.
Our houses, Strangers do possesse;
And on our heritage encroach.
Our Mothers for their Husbands grieue,
And of our Fathers rob…d are we;
Yea, money we compel'd to giuegive
For our owne wood and water, be.
2
In persecution we remaine,
Where endlesse labour tyre vsus doth;
And, we to serue for bread are faine,
To Aegypt and to Ashur both.
Our Fathers err…d, and being gone,
The burthen of their sinne we beare:
Eu'n Slaues the rule o're vsus hauehave wone;
And none to set vsus free is there.
3
For bread our liues we hazard in
The perils, which the Deserts threat;
And like an Ouen is our skinne,
Both soil…d and parcht for want of meat.
In Sion Wiues defiled were;
Deflowred were the Virgins young,
(Through Iudah's Cities eueryevery where)
And Princes by their hands were hung.
4
Her Elders disrespected stood:
Her Young-men, they for … rinding tooke▪
Her Children fell beneath the wood,
And Ma…istrates the Gates forsooke.
Their Musicke, young-men hauehave forborne:
Reioycing in their hearts is none:
To mourning doth our dauncing turne;
And from our head the Crowne is gone.
5
Alas that euer we did sinne!
For, therefore feeles our heart these cares:
For that our eyes hauehave dimmed beene;
And thus the Hill of Syon fares.
Such desolation there is seene,
That now the Foxes play thereon:
But thou for euer LORD hast beene;
And without ending is thy Chrone▪
6
Oh, why are we forgotten thus?
So long time wherefore absent art?
Conuert thy selfe, oh LORD, to vsus;
And we to thee shall soone conuart.
Renue, oh LORD, those Ages past,
In which thy fauour we hauehave seene.
For, we extreamely are debas't,
And bitter hath thine anger beene.
The Prayer of Daniel. Dan. 9.4.
THe Prophet Daniel, in this Prayer beseecheth God to be mercifull vntounto his people in Captiuity; And these foure things are principally considerable therein. First, an acknowledgement of Gods Power, Iustice, and Mercy, with a confession, that from the highest to the lowest they had broken his Commandements, and were therfore iustly punished. Secondly, it is confessed that as their punishment is that which they deserued; so it is also the same that was foretold should come vponupon thē. Thirdly, he beseecheth that God for his owne mercies sake, and the sake of his Messias, would (neuertheles) …e merciful vntounto them; aswell in r…g…rd he had heretofore gotten glory by deliuering them; as in respect they were his owne elected people, and were already become a repro…ch vntounto their Neighbours This may be sung whensoeuer any of those iudgements are powred out on the Common-wealth, which the Prophets hauehave threatned for sinne; or in our particular afflictions, we hauing first applyed it by our Meditations.
Song. 29.
Sing this as the 22. Song.
LORD GOD Almighty, great, & full of feare,
Who alwaies art from breach of promise free,
And neuer falling to hauehave mercy there,
Where they obserue thy lawes and honour Thee:
We hauehave transgressed, and amisse hauehave done;
We disobedient and rebellious were.
For, from thy Precepts we astray are gone;
And we departed from thy Iudgements are.
2
We did thy Seruants Prophecies withstand,
Who to our Dukes, our Kings, and Fathers came;
When they to all the People of the Land,
Proclaimed forth their message in thy Name.
In thee oh LORD, all righteousnesse appeares,
But publike shame to vsus doth appertaine;
Eu'n as with them of Iudah now it fares,
And those that in Ierusalem remaine:
3
Yea, as to Isr'el now it doth befall;
Throughout those Lands in which they scatt'red be,
For that their great Transgression, wherewithall
They hauehave transgressed, and offended Thee.
To VsUs, our Kings, our Dukes, and Fathers, doth
Disgrace pertaine (oh LORD) for angring Thee:
Yet, mercy, LORD our GOD, and pardon both,
To Thee belong, though we rebellious be.
4
We, did (indeed) peruersly disobey
Thy voyce (oh LORD our GOD) & would not heart,
To keepe those Lawes thou didst before vsus lay,
By those thy Seruants, who thy Prophets were.
Eu'n all that of the race of Isra'el be,
Against thy Law, hauehave grieuously mis-done:
And that they might not listen vntounto thee,
They backward from thy voyce oh LORD, are gone.
5
On them therefore, that Curse, & Oath descended,
Which in the Law of Moses written was;
(The Seruant of that God whom we offended)
And now his speeches he hath brought to passe.
On vsus, and on our Iudges, he doth bring
That Plague, wherewith he threatned vsus & them.
For, vnderunder Heau'n was neuer such a thing,
As now is faine vponupon Ierusalem.
6
As Moses written-Law doth beare record,
Now all this mischiefe vponupon them is brought.
And yet we prayed not before the LORD,
That leauing Sin, we might his Truth be taught.
For which respect, the LORD in wait hath laid,
That he, on vsus inflict this Mischiefe, might.
And sith his holy Word we disobeyd.
In all his doings he remaines vpright.
7
But now, oh LORD our GOD, who from the Land
Of cruell Aegypt, brought thy People hast;
And by the power of thy Almighty hand,
Atchieu'd a Name, which to this day doth last:
Though we hauehave sinned in committing ill,
Yet LORD by that pure Righteousnesse in thee,
From thy Ierusalem, thy Holy-hill,
Oh! let thy wrathfull anger turned be.
8
For, through the guilt of our displeasing sinne,
And for our Fathers faults; Ierusalem,
(Thy chosen people) hath despised bin:
And are the scorne of all that neighbour them.
Now therefore to thy Seruants pray'r incline:
Heare thou his suite, oh GOD, and let thy face,
(Eu'n for the LORDS deare sake) vouchsafe to shine
Upon thy (now forsaken) Holy place.
9
Thine eares encline thou (oh my God) and heare:
Lift vp thine eyes, and vsus, oh looke vponupon;
Us, who forsaken with thy Citie are;
That Citie, where thy Name is called on.
For, we vponupon our selues presume not thus.
Before thy presence our request to make▪
For ought that righteous can be found in vsus;
But for thy great and tender Mercies sake.
10
LORD heare (forgiue oh LORD) & weigh the same▪
Oh LORD performe it, and no more deferre,
For thine owne sake, my GOD; For by thy Name,
Thy Citie and thy People called are.
The Prayer of Ionah. Ionah 2.
IOnah flying from God, and being preserued in a Fishes belly, when he was cast into the Sea; made this prayer to praise God for deliuering him in so great an extreamitie. And the principall things remarkeable therein are these. First, the place where he prayed. Secondly, th… terrible danger that enclosed him. Thirdly, the despaire he was nigh falling into. Fourthly, Gods mercy, with the Prophets timely application thereof, & the comfort it infused into him. Fiftly, the occasio… drawing men into such perills. Sixtly, the vowe made vponupon his deliuerance, and the reason of that vowe. This buriall of Ionas in the Fishes belly, and his deliuerance from thence, was a type of the buriall and Resurrection of our blessed Sauiour, Matth. 12.4. This Prayer therefore we ought, not only to sing hystorically, to memorize this wondrous worke of God; but to praise him also for the Resurrection of Christ, and raising mankinde from that fearefull and bottomlesse gulfe of perdition, wherein it lay swallowed vp, without possibility of redeeming it selfe.
Song. 30.
Sing this as the 24 Song.
IN my distresse to thee I cri…de, oh LORD;
And thou wert pleased my complaint to heare:
Out from the bowels of the Graue I roar'd;
And to my voyce thou didst incline thine care:
For, I amid the raging Sea was cast;
And to the bottome there thou plung…d me hast.
2
The Flouds did round about me Circles make:
Thy waues and Billowes ouer-flow'd me quite;
And then vntounto my selfe (alas) I said,
I am for euermore depriu'd thy sight:
Yet once againe thou pleased art, that I
Should to thy holy Temple lift mine eye.
3
Eu'n to my Soule the waters clos'd me had:
O're-swallow'd by the Deepes I fast was pent:
About my head the weeds a wreath had made:
Unto the Mountaines bottomes downe I went;
And so, that forth againe I could not get,
The Earth an euerlasting Barre had set.
4
Then thou, oh LORD my GOD; then thou wert he,
That from corruption didst my Life defend.
For, when my Soule was like to faint in me,
Thou thither didst into my thought descend.
And LORD, my prayer thence to thee I sent,
Which vpward to thy holy Temple went.
5
Those who beleeue in vaine and foolish lyes,
Despisers of their owne good safety be.
But, I will offer vp the Sacrifice
Of singing praises, with my voyce, to thee.
And I will that performe, which vow'd I hauehave:
For, vntounto thee belongs it, LORD, to saue.
The Prayer of Habakuk. Habak. 3.
IN this Petitiona…y and Propheticall Hymne, the Deliuerer of mankind, is first prayed for. Secondly, the glorious Maiesty of his comming is described by excellent Allegories, and by Allusions to former deliuerances, vouchsafed to the Iewes. Thirdly, here is foretold, the ouerthrowe of Antichrist; who shall be destroyed by the Brightnes of our Sauiours comming. Fourthly, here is set forth the state of the latter times. Fiftly, he expresseth the ioy, confidence, and safety of the Elect of God, euen amid those terrors that shall awayt vponupon their R… deemers cōming. This Song is to be sung hystorically, in commemoration of the Churches deliuerance by the first comming of Iesus Christ. And prophetically, to comfort vsus concerning that perfect Deliuery, as…ured at his second comming. For, though the Prophet had some respect to the Iewes temporall deliuerance, that hee might comfort the Church in those Times. Yet the Holy-Ghost had principall regard to the spirituall deliuerance of his spirituall Kingdome, the holy Catholicke-Church. And to her, & her enemies doe the Names (of the Churches enemies) here mentioned, very properly agree. Nay, Cushan, signifying darke, blacke, or cloudy; And Midian which is interpreted, Condemnation, or Iudgement; better suite vntounto the Nature of those spirituall Aduersaries, whom they p…efigured, then to those People who were literally so called. For, none are so fitly tearmed People of Darknesse, or of Condemnation, as the members of Antichrist, and the spirituall Babilon.
Song. 31.
… LORD, thy answere I did heare, And I… … grew therewith afear'd. When the Times at… … fullest are, Let thy Worke be then declar'd.… … When the Time, LORD, full doth grow, Then… … in Anger, Mercy show.…
2
God Almightie, he came downe;
Downe he came from Theman-ward:
And the matchlesse Holy-one,
From Mount Paran forth appear'd,
Heau'n ore-spreading with his Rayes,
And Earth filling with his praise.
3
Sunne-like was his glorious Light:
From his Side there did appeare
Beaming Rayes that shined bright;
And his Pow'r he shrowded there:
Plagues before his face he sent:
At his Feete hot Coales there went▪
4
Where he stood he measure tooke
Of the Earth, and view…d it well:
Nations vanisht at his looke;
Auncient Hils to powder fell:
Mountaines old cast lower were:
For, his waies eternall are.
5
Cushan Tents I saw diseas'd,
And the Midian Curtaines quake.
HaueHave the Flouds, Lord, thee displeas'd?
Did the Flouds thee angry make?
Was it else the Sea that hath
Thus prouoked thee to wrath?
6
For, thou rod'st thy Horses there,
And thy sauing-Charrets through:
Thou didst make thy …ow appeare;
And thou didst performe thy Uowe:
Yea, thine Oath and Promise past
(To the Tribes) fulfilled hast.
7
Through the Earth thou riftes didst make.
And the Riuers there did flow:
Mountaines, seeing thee, did shake;
And away the Flouds did goe.
From the Deepe a voyce was heard;
And his hands on high he rear'd.
8
Both the Sunne and Moone made stay,
And remoou'd not in their Spheares:
By thine Arrowes light went they,
By thy brightly shining Speares:
Thou in wrath the Land didst crush,
And in rage the Nations thresh.
9
For thy Peoples safe releefe,
With thy Christ for ayd wentst thou:
Thou hast also pierc't the Chiefe
Of the sinfull Houshold through;
And displayd them, till made bare
From the Foot to Necke they were.
10
Thou, with Iauelines of their owne,
Didst their Armies Leader strike.
For, against me they came downe,
To deuoure me, wherle-winde like.
And they ioy in nothing more,
Then vnseene to spoile the Poore.
11
Through the Sea thou madst a way,
And didst ride thy Horses there,
Where great heapes of water lay.
I, the newes thereof did heare:
And the voyce my bowels shooke;
Yea, my lips a qui…'ring tooke.
12
Rottennesse my bones possest:
Trembling feare possessed me,
I that troublous day might rest.
For, when his approches be
Onward to the People made,
His strong Troups will them inuade.
13
Bloomelesse shall the Fig-tree bee:
And the Vine no fruit shall yeeld:
Fade shall, then, the Oliue tree:
Meat shall none be, in the Field.
Neither in the Fold, or S…all,
Flocke or Heard continue shall.
14
Yet, the LORD my ioy shall be:
And, in him I will delight:
In my GOD that saueth me;
GOD the LORD, my only might,
Who, my feete so guides, that I
Hinde-like, pace my Places-high.