The Hymns and Songs of the Church, Part 1 · Hymns of the new testament
THE HYMNES OF THE New-Testament.
THese fiue that next follow, are the Hymnes of the New-Testament. Betweene which, and the Songs of the Old Testament, there is great difference. For, the Songs of the Old Testament were either thank…sgiuings for temporall benefits, typifying and signifying future Benefits touching our Redemption: Or else, Hymnes prophetically foreshewing those Mysteries which were to be accomplished at the comming of Christ. But, these Euangelicall Songs were composed, not for temporall, but for spirituall things, promised and figured by those temporall Benefits, mentioned in the Old Testament, and perfectly fulfilled in the New. Therefore, these Euangelicall Hymnes are more excellent then such as are meerely Propheticall; In regard, the Possession is to be preferred before the Hope; and the End, before the Meanes of obtaining it.
Magnificat. Luk. 1.46.
THE blessed Virgin Mary being saluted by the Angel Gabriel, & hauing by the holy-Ghost conceiued our Redeemer Iesus Christ in her wombe; was made fruitfull also, in her Soule, by the ouershaddowing of that Holy Spirit: and thereupon, brought sorth this Euangelicall and Propheticall Hymne. Wherein, three things are principally obserueable. First, she praiseth God for his particular mercies and fauour towards her. Secondly, she glorifies God for the generall benefit of our Redemption. Thirdly, she Magnifies God for the particular grace vouchsafed vntounto the seed of Israel, according to what was promised to Abraham. This is the first Euangelicall Song. And was indited by the holy Ghost, not only to bee the Blessed Virgines Thanksgiuing; but to be sung by the whole Catholike Church (whom she typically personated) to praise God for our Redemption and Exaltation. And therefore, it is worthily inserted into the Liturgie, that it may be perpetually, and reuerently sung.
Song. 32.
Sing this as the 3. Song.
THat magnifi'de the LORD may be,
My Soule now vndertakes;
And in the God that saueth me,
My Spirit merry-makes.
For, he vouchsafed hath to view
His Handmaides poore degree.
And loe, All Ages that ensue,
Shall blessed reckon me.
2
Great things for me Th'Almightie does,
And holy is his Name:
From Age to Age he mercy showes
On such as feare the same.
He, by his Arme declar'd his might:
And this to passe hath brought,
That now the Proud are put to flight,
By what their hearts hauehave thought.
3
The Mighty plucking from their Seat;
The Poore he placed there:
And for the hungrie takes the meate
From such, as weal…hy are.
But, minding Mercy, he hath show'd
His seruant Isr'el grace:
As he to our Forefathers vow'd;
To Abraham, and his Race.
Benedictus Luk. 1.68.
ZAchary the Priest, being (vponupon the birth of … Son) inspired with the knowledge of our … Incarnation; sung the second Euangelicall Hymne: In which, two things are especially considerable. First, he blesseth God, because through the comming of Christ, all the promises made vntounto the Patriarkes and Prophets were fulfilled, for the saluation of his people. Secondly, he declareth the Office and dutie of his owne sonne, who was sent before to prepare the way of the Lord. This Song, the Church hath worthily inserted into the Liturgie also, and we ought therefore to sing it reuerently in memoriall of our Sauiours incarnation; and to praise God for the fulfilling of his promises, and that Euangelicall preparation, which he vouchsafed, by sending his Fore…runner.
Song. 33.
Sing this as the 3. Song.
BLest be the GOD of Israel:
For, he has People bought,
And in his seruant Dauid's house
Hath great saluation wrought;
As by his Prophets, he foretold,
Since Time began to be;
That from our Foes we might be safe,
And from our Haters free.
2
That he might show our Fathers grace
And beare in minde the same,
Which by an Oath he vow'd vntounto
Our Father Abraham;
That from our Aduersaries freed,
We serue him fearelesse might,
In righteousnesse, and holinesse,
Our …fe-time in his sight.
3
And (of the highest) thee, oh Child!
The …rophet I declare,
Before the LORD his face to goe;
His comming to prepare;
To teach his People, how they shall
That safety come to know,
Which by remission of their sinnes,
He doth on them bestowe.
4
For it is through the tender LoueLove
Of GOD alone, where by
That Day-spring hath to visit vsus,
Descended from on high;
To light them who in darkenesse sit,
(And in Deaths shade abide)
And in the blessed way of Pea…e
Their wandring feet to guide.
T… Song of Angels. Luk. 2.13.
THis is the third Euangelicall Song mentioned in the New Testament; and it was sung by a quire of Angels (at the birth of our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ) whose re…o…cing shall be m…de compleat by the redemption of m…nkinde. In this Song they first glorifie God; and then proclaime that happy …ea… and …econciliation which his Sons Natiuity should bring vntounto the world, Reioycing therein, and in that vnspeakeable good-wi… and deare-Communion which was thereby established betweene the Go head, the Manhood, and Them. We therefore ought to ioyne with them in this Song, and sing it often, to praise God, and quicken Faith and Charitie in our selues.
Song. 34.
… THus Angels sung, and thus sing we; To GOD … … on high all glory be: Let him on Earth his… … Peace bestowe, And vntounto men his fauour show.…
Nunc Dimittis. Luk. ….29.
THe fourth Euangelicall Hymne is this of Simeon; who being in expectation of the comming of the Messias (which according to Daniels 70. weekes was in those dayes to bee accomplished) it was reuealed vntounto him, that he should no…ye till he had seene Christ: And, accordingly he comming into the Temple by the spirits instigation (when he was presented there as the Law commanded) both beheld, and embraced his Redeemer. In this Song therefore he glorifieth God, for the fulfilling of his promise made vntounto him; And ioyfully confesseth Iesus Christ before all the People. In repeating this Hymne, we ought also to confesse our Redeemer. For Simeon was, as it were, the Churches speaker; and hath for vsus expressed that thankfull Ioy, wherewithall wee should be filled, when God enlightens…vsus with the knowledge and spirituall vision of our Sauiour.
Song. 35.
Sing this as the …. Song.
GRant now in peace, (that by thy leaue)
I may depart, oh LORD:
For, thy Saluation seene I hauehave,
According to thy word.
That which prepared was by Thee,
Before all Peoples sight,
Thy Israels renowne to be,
And to the Gentiles light.
The Song of Moses and the Lambe. Reuel. 15.3.
THe fifth and last Song recorded in the New Testament is this, called by S. Iohn, The Song of Moses and the Lambe; being indeede the effect of that triumph Song, which the Saints, and blessed Martyrs shal sing vntounto the honour of that Lambe of God, which taketh away the sinnes of the world, when they hauehave gotten the victory ouer Antichrist. This Hy…e the members of the true Church may sing to Gods g…y, and the encrease of their owne comfort, when they perceiue the power of the Almighty any way manifested vponupon that Aduersarie. It may be repeated also, amid our greatest persecution…, to strengthen our Faith, and remember vsus, that whatsoeuer we suffer, there will come a day, wherein we shall hauehave cause to make vse of this Hymne with a perfect reioycing.
Song. 36.
Sing this as the 13. Song.
OH thou LORD, thou GOD of might;
(Who do'st all things worke aright)
Whatsoe're is done by thee,
Great, and wondrous proues to be:
2
True thy waies are, and direct,
Holy King of Saints elect.
And (oh therefore) who is there,
That of thee retaines no feare?
3
Who is there that shall deny,
Thy great Name to glorifie▪
For thou, LORD, and thou alone:
Art the perfect Holy-one:
4
In thy presence Nations all
…hall to adoration fall.
For thy Iudgement… now appeare
Unto all men what they are.
Here end the Hymnes of the New Testament.