The Hymns and Songs of the Church, Part 2

The Hymns and Songs of the Church · Part 2

p. 128THE SECOND PART of the HYMNES and Songs of the CHVRCH, appropriated to the seuerall Times and Occasions, most obseruable in the Church of ENGLAND.

EVery thing hath his season, saith the Preacher, Eccl. 3. And Saint Paul aduiseth, that all things should be done Honestly, in Order, and to Edification. 1. Cor. 14 Which Counsell the Church religeously …e…ding (and h…w by obseruation of Times, and other circumstances, the memories and capacities of weake people were the better assisted;) It was prouided, that there s…ould be An…uall Commemorations of the principall Mysteries of our redemption: And certaine particular dayes we…e de…cated to that purpose; as nigh as might be gessed (for the most part) …pon those very seesons of the yeare, in which the seuerall M… steries were accomplished. And, in…eede, this is not that heath…n…sh or Idolatrous heeding of Time…, reprehended in Isa…ah 47. Nor such a Iewish or superstitious obse…uation of Dayes, and Mouthes, and Times, an… Yeares, as is reprooued by S Paul. Gal. 4. Nor a …lciation f…r idlenesse, contrary to the fourth Commandement: But a Christian and warrantable Obseruation, profitably ordained, that things might be done in order, that the vnderstanding might be the better ed…fied: that the memory might be the oftner refreshed; and that the Deuotion might be the more stirred vp.

It is true▪ that we ought to watch eueryevery howre: But if p. 129the Church had not by her authority appointed set dayes and hou…es to keepe vsus aw…ke in, some of vsus, would h…ly wat…h one hower. And therefore, those who hauehave zeale according to knowledge, doe not only religiously obserue …he Churches appointed Times; but doe by her example voluntarily also appoint vntounto themselues certaine dayes, an… howers of the day for Christian exercises. Neither can any m…n suppose this commendable obseruation of Feas…s, (neither burthensome by multitude, nor superstitious by in…it…tion) to b… an abridgement of Christian liberty, who, as he ought to doe, beleeueth, that the Seruice of God is perfect freedome. We perswade not, that one day is more holy then anoth…r in his owne nature: But admonish that those bee reuere…tly and Christianly obserued, whi…h are vponupon so good ground, and with prudent moderation dedicated to the worship of God. For, it cannot be denied, that euen those who are but coldly aff… cted to the Churches ordinances in this kinde, doe neuerthelesse ofte… apprehend the mysterie of Christs Natiuity and Passion, vponupon the dayes of commemorating them, much mo…e feelingly th…n at other times; and that they forget also some other mysteries altogether, vntill they are remembred of them by the distinction, and obseruation of times vsed in the Church

These things considered; an… because there be many, w… through ignorance rather then obstina…y, hauehave neglected the Churches ordinance in this poynt, here are added (to those Songs of the Church, which were either taken out of the Canonicall Scripture, or anciently in vse) certaine other spirituall Songs & Hymnes appropriated to those Dayes & Occasions which are most obseruable throughout the yeare. And before each seuerall Hymne is prefixed a breefe Preface also to declare their vse, & the purpose of each Commemoration. That such, who hauehave heretofore through ignorance contemned the Churches discipline therein, might behaue themselues more reuerently hereafter, and learne not to speake euill of those things they vnderstand not.

p. 130Aduent Sunday.

THe Aduent is that for Christmas, which Iohn Baptist was to Christ (…uen a fore-runner for Preparation:) And it is called the Aduent (which signifieth Comming) because the Church did vsually from that time vntill the Natiuity commemorate the seueral commings of Christ, and instruct the people concerning them. Which Commings are these▪ and the like: His Conception, by which he came into the Virgins wombe: His Natiuity, by which he came (as it were) further into the world: His comming to Preach in his own Person: His comming by his Ministers: His comming to Ierusalem: The comming of the Holy Ghost: His spirituall cōming which he vouchsafeth into the heart of eueryevery Regenerate Christian: And finally, that last comming of his, which shall be vntounto Iudgement, &c. All which Commings are comprehended in these three; his comming to men, into men, and against men; to men, by his Incarnation; into men, by Grace; against men, to Iudgement.

Song. 45.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

WHen Iesus Christ incarnate was,

To be our Brother then came He:

When into vsus he comes by grace,

Then his beloued Spouse are we:

When he from Heau'n descends agen,

To be our Iudge returnes he then.

2

And then despaire will those confound,

Tha… his first commings nought regard;

And those, who till the Trumpet sound▪

Consume their Leasures vnprepard:

p. 131Curst be those pleasures cry they may,

Which droue the thought of this away.

3

The Iewes abiected yet remaine,

That his first Aduent heeded not;

And those fiue Virgins knockt in vaine,

Who to prouide them oyle forgot:

But safe and blessed those men are,

Who for his commings doe prepare.

4

O let vsus therefore watch and pray,

His times of visiting to know,

And liue so furnisht, that we may

With him vntounto his wedding goe:

Yea, though at midnight he should call,

Let vsus be ready, Lampes, and all.

5

And so prouide before that Feast,

Which Christ his comming next doth minde,

That He to come, and be a Guest

Within our hearts, may pleasure finde;

And we bid welcome with good cheare

That Comming, which so many feare.

6

Oh come, LORD Iesu, come away;

(Yea, though the world it shall deterre)

Oh let thy Kingdome come we pray,

Whose comming most too much deferre:

And grant vsus thereof such foresight,

It come not like a Theefe by night.

Christmas day.

THis Day is worthily dedicated to be obserued, in remembrance of the blessed Natiuity of our Redeemer Iesus Christ: At which time it pleased the Almighty Father, to send his onelyonly be gotten Sonne into the world p. 132for our sakes; and by an vnspeakeable vnion to ioyne in one person God and Man, without confusion of Natures, or possibility of separation. To expresse therefore our thankefulnesse, and the ioy wee ought to hauehave in this louelove of GOD; there hath beene anciently, and is yet continued in England (aboue other Countries) a neighbourly and plenti…ull hospitality in inuiting, an… (without inuitation) receiuing vntounto our well furnisht Tables our Tennants, Neighbours, Friends, and Strangers; to the honour of our Nation, and encrease of amity and free-hearted kindnesse among vsus. But, most of all, to the refreshing of the bowels of the Poore, being the most Christian vse of such F…stiuals ▪ Which charitable and good English …ustome hath of late beene seasonably re-aduanced by his Maiesties gracious care, in commanding our Nobility and Gentry to repai…e (especially at such times) to their Country Mansions.

Song. 46.

… A Son the Night before this blessed Morne,… … A troupe of Angels vntounto Shepheards told,… p. 133… Where in a Stable hee was poorely borne,… … Whom nor the earth, nor Heau'n of heau'ns can… … hold. Through Bethlem rung this newes at… … their returne; Yea, Angels sung, that GOD… … WITH VSUS was borne: And they made… p. 134… mirth, because we should not mourne.… CHORVS.… His louelove therefore, oh! let vsus all confesse; and to… … the Sonnes of men his workes expresse. …

2

This fauour Christ vouchsafed for our sake:

To buy vsus Throanes He in a Manger lay;

Our weaknesse tooke, tha… we his strength might take,

And was disrob'd that he might vsus aray:

Our flesh he wore,

Our sinne to weare away:

Our curse he bore,

That we escape it may;

And wep… for vsus, that we might sing for aye.

His louelove therefore, oh! let vsus all confesse;

And to the Sonnes of men his workes expresse.

p. 135Song. 47. Another for Christmas day.

Sing this as the 46. Song.

A Song of ioy vntounto the LORD we sing,

And publish forth the fauours he hath showne:

We sing his praise, from whom all ioy doth spring,

And tell abroad the wonders he hath done;

For such were neuer since the world begun.

His louelove therefore, oh! let vsus all confes…e;

And to the sonnes of men his workes expresse.

2

As on this Day the Sonne of God was borne:

The blessed Word was then incarnate made;

The LORD, to be a seruant held no scorne;

The Godhead was with humane nature clad;

And flesh a throne aboue all Angels had.

His louelove therefore, &c.

3

Our sinne and sorrows on himselfe …e tooke,

On vsus his blisse and goodnesse to bestow:

To visite Earth, he Heau'n a while forsooke:

And to aduaunce vsus high, descended low;

But with the sinnefull Angels dealt not so.

His louelove therefore, &c.

4

A Mayd conceiu'd, whom Man had neuer knowne:

The Fleece was moistned where no raine had been:

A Virgine she remaines that had a Sonne:

The Bush did flame that still remained greene;

And this befell, when GOD with vsus was seene.

His louelove therefore, &c.

p. 1365

For sinfull men all this to passe was brought,

As, long before, the Prophets had forespoke:

So, he that first our shame and ruine wrought,

Once bruz…d our heele, but now his Head is broke:

And he hath made vsus whole, who gaue that stroke.

His louelove therefore, &c.

6

The Lambe hath playd deuouring wolues among.

The Morning starre of Iacob doth appeare.

From Ies…s roote our tree of life is sprung,

And all Gods words (in him) fulfilled are:

Yet, we are slacke his prayles to declare.

His louelove therefore, &c.

Circumcision, or Newyeares-Day.

THe Church solemnizeth this Day, commonly called Newyeares-Day, in memoriall of our Sauiours Circumcision; that remembring, how when he was but eight d…yes old he began to smart and shed his blood for vsus, we might praise him for the same: & that with due thankfulnesse considering how easie a Sacrament hee hath left vsus (in sleed of that bloody-one, which the Law inioyned) wee might be prouoked to bring forth the fruites of Regeneration.

Song. 48.

Sing this as the 44 Song.

THis Day thy flesh, oh Christ, did bleed,

Markt by the Circumcision-knife;

…ecause the Law for mans misdeed,

Requir'd that earnest of thy life.

p. 137Those drops diuin'de that showre of bloud,

Which in thine Agonie began:

And that great showre foreshewd the floud,

Which from thy side the next day ran.

2

Then, through that milder Sacrament,

Succeeding this, thy grace inspire;

Yea, let thy smart make vsus repent,

And circumcized hearts desire.

For, he that either is baptiz'd,

Or circumciz'd in flesh alone,

Is but as an vncircumciz'd,

Or as an vnbaptized-one.

3

The yeare anew we now begin,

And outward guifts receiu'd hauehave we;

Renue vsus also LORD within,

And make vsus new-yeares-gifts for thee:

Yea, let vsus with the passed yeare,

Our old affections cast away;

That we new-creatures may appeare,

And to redeeme the Time assay.

Twelfe-day, or the Epiphanie.

TWelfeday, otherwise called the Epiphany, or the day of Manifestation, is celebrated by the Church to the praise of God; and in memoriall of that blessed and admirable discouery of our Sauiours birth, which was vouchsafed vntounto the Gentiles shortly after it came to passe. For as the Shepheards of the Iewes were warned thereof, and directed to the place by an Angell from Heauen. So the Magi… of the Gentiles receiued the same particular notice of it by a Starre in the East, that p. 138both Iewes and Gentiles might be left inexcusable, if they came not to his worship. This day is obserued also in commemoration of our Sauiours Baptisme, and of his first miracle in Canaan, by which he was likewise manifested to be the Sonne of God.

Song. 49.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

THat so thy blessed birth, oh Christ,

Might through the world be spread about,

Thy Starre appeared in the East,

Whereby the Gentiles found thee out;

And offring thee Myrrhe▪ Incense, Gold,

Thy three-fold Office did vnfold.

2

Sweet Iesus, let that Starre of thine,

Thy Grace, which guides to finde out thee,

Within our hearts for euer shine,

That thou of vsus found out mayst be:

And thou shalt be our King therefore,

Our Priest, and Prophet euermore.

3

Teares that from true repentance drop,

Instead of Myrrhe present will wee:

For Incense we will offer vp

Our Prayers, and Praises vntounto Thee;

And bring for …old each pious-deed,

Which doth from sauing-faith proceed.

4

And as those Wise-men neuer went,

To visite Herod any more:

So, finding thee, we will repent

Our courses follow…d heretofore;

And, that we homeward may retire,

The Way by Thee we will enquire.

p. 139The Purification of S. Marie the Virgin.

ACcording to the time appointed in the Law of Moses, the blessed Virgin S. Marie reckoned the days of Purification, which were to be obserued after the birth of a male Childe; And then, as the Law commanded, presented both her Sonne, and her appointed Offring in the Temple. Partly therefore in commemoration of that her true obedience to the Law; and partly to memorize that presentation of our Redeemer (which was performed by his blessed Mother at her Purification) this Anniuersary is worthily obserued.

Song. 50.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

NO doubt but she that had the grace,

Thee in her wombe, oh Christ, to beare,

And did all woman-kinde surpasse,

Was hallow'd by thy being there;

And where the fruite so holy was,

The Birth could no pollution cause.

2

Yet in obedience to thy Law,

Her purifying-Rites were done,

That we might learne to stand in awe,

How from thine ordinance we runne:

For, if we disobedient be,

Unpuri…ed Soules hauehave we.

3

Oh keepe vsus, LORD, from thinking vaine,

What by thy word thou shalt command,

p. 140Let vsus be sparing to complaine,

On what we doe not vnderstand;

And guide thy Church, that she may still,

Command according to thy will.

4

Uouchsafe, that with one ioynt-consent,

We may thy praises euer sing;

Preserue thy seamelesse-Robe vnrent,

For which so many, Lots doe fling;

And grant that being purifide

From sinne, we may in louelove abide.

5

Moreouer, as thy Mother went,

(That holy and thrice-blessed Mayd)

Thee in thy Temple to present,

With perfect humane flesh arrayd:

So, let vsus offerd vp to Thee,

Replenisht with thy spirit be.

6

Yea, let thy Church our Mother deare,

(Within whose wombe new-borne we be)

Before thee at her time appeare,

To giuegive her Children vp to Thee;

And take for purified things

Her, and that offring which she brings.

The first day of Lent.

THe obseruation of Lent is a profitable institution of the Church, not abridging the Christian liberty of meats, but intended for a means to helpe to set the spirit at liberty from the flesh. And therefore this Fast consisteth not altogether in a formall forbearance of this or that food, but in a true mortification of the body: For abstinence from flesh onelyonly (wherein also we ought p. 141to be obedient to the higher Powers,) more tendeth to the encrease of plenty and well-ordering things in the Common-wealth, then to a spirituall Discipline. Because it is apparant wee may ouer-pamper our selues as well with what is permitted as with what is forbidden; this commendable obseruation (which eueryevery man ought to obserue so farre forth as he shall be able, and his spirituall necessity requires) was appointed; partly to commemorate our Sauiours miraculous f…sting, whereby he satisfied for the gluttony of our first Parents; and (at this season) partly to coole our wanton bloud, which at this time of the yeare is aptest to be e…flamed with euill concupiscences; and partly also▪ to prepare vsus the better both to meditate the passion of our Sauiour, which is alwaies commemorated about the end of Lent, and to fit vsus to receiue the blessed Sacrament of his Last Supper, to our greater comfort.

Song. 51.

Sing this as the .44 Song.

THy wondrous Fastin… to record,

And our rebellious flesh to tame,

A holy Fast to thee, oh LORD,

We hauehave intended in thy Name:

Oh sanctifie it, we thee pray,

That we may thereby honour Thee;

And so dispose vsus, that it may

To our aduantage al…o be.

2

Let vsus not grudgingly abstaine,

Nor secretly the gluttons play;

Nor openly for glory vaine,

Thy Churches ordinance obay:

But let vsus fast, as thou hast taught,

p. 142Thy Rule obseruing in each part,

With such intentions as we ought,

And with true singlenesse of heart.

3

So thou shalt our Deuotions blesse,

And make this holy Discipline;

A meanes that longing to suppresse,

Which keeps our Will so crosse to thine:

And though our stricktest fastings faile

To purchase of themselues thy grace;

Yet, they to make for our auaile,

(By thy deseruings) shall hauehave place.

4

True Fasting helpfull oft hath beene,

The wanton flesh to mortifie;

But takes not off the guilt of sinne,

Nor can we merit ought thereby:

It is thine Abstinence, or none,

Which merit fauour for vsus must;

For, when our glorioust workes are done,

We perish, if in them we trust.

The Annuntiation of Marie.

THe Church hath dedicated this Day, to memorize the Annuntiation of the blessed Virgine S. Marie, who was about this time of the yeare saluted by the Angell Gabriel; and we ought to sanctifie it with praising God for that vnexpressable Mysterie of our Sauiours Conception, which was the happy newes the holy Angell brought vntounto his Mother. Nothing in the world is more worthy to be spoken of then this Fauor, and yet nothing more vnspeakeable.

p. 143Song. 52.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

OUr hearts, oh blessed GOD, encline,

Thy true affection to embrace;

And that humility of thi…,

Which for our sakes vouchsafed was,

Thy Goodnesse teach vsus to put on,

As with our Nature thou wert clad;

And so to minde what thou hast done,

That we may praise thee, and be glad.

2

For, thou not only held'st it meet,

To send an Angell from aboue,

An humble Mayd on earth to greet,

And bring the Message of thy LoueLove:

But laying (as it were) aside,

Those Glories none can comprehend,

(Nor any mortall eyes abide)

Into her wombe thou didst descend.

3

Bestow thou also thy respect

On our despis'de and lowe degree;

And LORD, oh, doe not vsus neglect,

Though worthy of contempt we be:

But through thy Messengers prepare,

And hallow so our hearts we pray,

That thou conceaued being there,

The fruits of faith bring forth we may.

Palme-Sunday.

PAlme-Sunday is so called, by reason it was vponupon that day, in which Iesus riding to Ierusalem (according p. 144to the Prophets) the people strewed the way for him with their Garments, and the branches of the Palme-tree. And, indeed, it was in a manner the day of proclaiming him King, as the Friday following was the day of his Coronation. Worthily therefore is it commemorated: And many excellent mysteries are thereby brought to remembrance, which, but for this Anniuersary, most would forget, and many, perhaps, neuer come to know.

Song. 53.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

WHen Iesus to Ierusalem,

(And there to suffer) rode,

The people all the way for him

With Palme and Garments strowde:

And though he did f…l meekely …ide,

And poorely on an Asse,

Hosanna to the King they cride,

As he along did passe.

2

His glory, and his royall right,

Eu'n by a powre diuine)

As if in wordly pompes despight,

Through pouerty did shine;

And though the greater sort did frowne,

He exerciz…d his powre,

Till he himselfe did lay it downe,

At his appointed howre.

3

Possession of his House he got,

The Marchants thence expel'd;

And, though the Priests were madde thereat,

His Lectures there he held.

Oh! how should any be so dull,

p. 145To doubt who this might bee?

When they did things so wonderfull,

And workes so mighty see.

4

LORD, when to vsus thou drawest nigh,

Instruct vsus thee to know;

And to receiue thee ioyfully,

How meane so ere in show:

Yea, though the rich and worldly-wise,

When we thy praises sing,

Both Thee, and vsus, therefore despise,

Be thou approu'd our King.

Thursday before Easter.

AS vponupon this Day our blessed Sauiour, eating the Passeouer with his Disciples, instituted the blessed Sacrament of his Last Supper. Afterward he washed their feet; prayed for them, and for the faithfull generation; instructed them; confuted them; warned them of what should come to passe, both concerning themselues, and his owne death and resurrection; promised to send them a Comforter, and expressed many other excellent things for the confirmation of their faith. Then departing to a Garden, he praying, fell into his most bitter Agony, which hauing ouercome, hee was that night betrayed, and forsaken of all his Disciples. In commemoration of which passages the Church holds this yearely Assembly, that our pious affections towards our Redeemer may be stirred vp, to his glory, and our comfort.

Song. 54.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

A Holy Sacrament this Day

To vsus thou didst, oh LORD, bequeath;

p. 146That by the same preserue we may,

A blest memoriall of thy Death;

Whereof, oh, let vsus so partake,

We may with Thee one body make.

2

Thy Holy-Supper being done,

(The last which thou vouchsafedst here)

By Thee the feet of eu'ry one

Of thy Disciples washed were;

To which Humility of thine,

Our hauty mindes doe thou encline.

3

The rest of that Day thou didst vse,

To pray, to comfort, and aduise:

None might (when thou wert gone) abuse

Thy Friends, or make of them a prize;

Yet, when thy pleasure thou hadst said,

By one of thine thou wert betrayd.

4

And loe, that night they all did flye,

Who sate so kindely by thy side;

Eu'n he, that for thy louelove would dye,

With oathes, and curses, thee denide;

Which to thy soule more nigh did goe,

Then all the wrongs thy Foes could doe.

5

Sweet Iesus teach vsus to conceiue,

How neere vntounto thy heart it strooke,

When thy Beloued thee did leaue,

And thou didst backe vponupon him looke;

We may hereafter nigh thee keepe,

And for our past denials weepe.

6

Yea, let each passage of this Day.

Within our hearts be grauen so,

That minde them we for euer may

p. 147And still thy promise trust vntounto:

So our affections shall to thee,

In life, and death vnchanged be.

Friday before Easter.

THis Day we commemorate the vnsufferable Passion of Iesus Christ, our blessed Redeemer; who was at this season of the yeare despightfully crucified by Pilate, and the Iewes. EueryEvery day we ought seriously to thinke vponupon it by our selues: But this day we ought to meet about it in the publike Assemblies, that wee might prouoke each other to compunction of heart; to renue the memorie of it; and to moue those that hauehave not yet taken notice thereof, to come along with vsus to heare the story of his vnmatchlesse sorrow, who for the louelove of vsus tooke vponupon himselfe those punishments which our wickednesse deserned.

Song. 55.

Sing this as the 24 Song.

YOu that like heedlesse Strangers passe along,

As if nought here concerned you to day;

Draw nigh, and heare the saddest Passion song,

That euer you did meet with in your way:

So sad a Storie ne're was told before,

Nor shall there be she like for euermore.

2

The greatest King that euer wore a Crowne,

More then the basest Vassaile was abus'de;

The truest Louer that was euer knowne,

By them he lou'd was most vnkindly vs'de:

p. 148And …e that liu'd from all transgressions cleare,

Was plagu'd for all the sinnes that euer were.

3

Eu'n They, in pitty of whose fall he wept,

W…ought for his ruine, whilst he sought their good;

And watchet for him, when they should hauehave slept,

That they might quench their malice in his blood:

Yet (whē their bonds frō him he could hauehave thrown)

To saue their liues he daign…d to lose his owne.

4

Those, in whose harts compassion should hauehave been,

Insulted o…re his poore afflicted soule;

And those that nothing ill in him had seen,

(As guilty) him accus d of treason soule:

Nay, him (that neuer had one idle thought)

They for blaspheming vntounto Iudgement brought.

5

Where, some to aske him vaine demands begin;

And some to make a sport with him deuise:

Some at his answeres and behauiour grin;

And some doe spit their filth into his eyes:

Some giuegive him blowes, some mocke, & some reuile;

And he (good heart) sits quiet all the while.

6

Oh, that, where such a throng of men should be,

No heart was found so gentle to relent!

And that so good and meeke a Lambe as He,

Should be so vsus…de, and yet no teare be spent!

Sure, when once malice …ls the heart of man,

Nor stone, nor steele can be so hardned than.

7

For, after this, his clothes from him they stript,

And then, as if some Slaue this LORD had beene,

With cruell rods and scourges him they whipt,

Till wounds were ouer all his body seene:

p. 149In purple clad, and crowned too with thorne,

They set him forth, and honor'd him in scorne.

8

And, when they saw him in so sad a plight,

As might hauehave made a flintie heart to bleed,

They not a whit recanted at the sight;

But in their hellish fury did proceede:

Away with him; Away with him they said;

And Crucifie him, Crucifie him, Cryde.

9

A Crosse of wood, that huge, and heauy was,

Upon his bloudy shoulders next they lay;

Which onward to his Execution-place

He carryd, till he fainted in the way:

And, when he thither weake and tyred came;

To giuegive him rest they nayld him to the same.

10

Oh! could we but the thousand part relate,

Of those Afflictions, which they made him beare,

Our hearts with passion would dissolue thereat,

And we should sit and weepe for euer here;

Nor should we glad againe hereafter be,

But that we hope in glory him to see.

11

For, while vponupon the Crosse he payned hung,

And was with soule tormentings also greeu'd;

(Farre more, then can be told by any tongue,

Or in the hearts of mortals be conceau'd)

Those, for whose sake he vnderwent such paine,

Reioyc'd thereat, and held him in disdaine.

12

One offerd to him vineger, and gall:

A second did his pious workes deride:

To dicing for his Robes did others fall;

And many mockt him when to GOD he cry'd.

p. 150Yet, he as they his paine still more procur'd,

Still lou'd, and for their good the more endur'd.

13

But, though his matchlesse LoueLove immortall were,

It was a mortall Body he had on,

That could no more then mortall Bodies beare;

Their malice therefore did preuaile thereon:

And loe, their vtmost furie hauing tri'de,

This Lambe of God gaue vp the ghost, & dy'de.

14

Whose Death, though cruell vnrelenting Man

Could view, without bewailing, or affright;

The Sunne grew darke, the Earth to quake began,

The Temple-vaile did rend asunder quite:

Yea, hardest Rockes there wi…h in peeces brake,

And graues did open, and the Dead awake.

15

Oh therefore, let vsus all that present be,

This Innocent with moued soules embrace;

For, this was our Redeemer, this was he,

Who thus for our vnkindnesse vsed was:

Eu'n He, the cursed Iewes and Pilate slew,

Is he alone, of whom all this is true.

16

Our sinnes of spight were part of those that day,

Whose cruell whips & thornes did make him smart;

Our Lusts were those that tyr'de him in the way;

Our want of louelove was that which pierc't his heart:

And still when we forget, or sleight his paine,

We crucifie and torture him againe.

Easter day.

THis Day is solemnized in memoriall of our Sauiours blessed Resurrection frō the dead; vponupon which (as the p. 151mēbers with their head) the Church began her triumph ouer Sinne, Death, and the Diuell: And hath therefore appointed, that to record this mysterie, and to stirre vp thankfull reioycings in our hearts, there should be an annuall Commemoration thereof; That wee might in charitable Feasts and Christian glee, expresse the ioy of our hearts to the glory of God, to the comfort of our brethren, to the encrease of charity one towards another, and to the confirmation of a true ioy in our selues.

Song. 56.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

THis is the Day the LORD hath made,

And therein ioyfull we will be;

For, from the blacke infernall shade,

In triumph backe return'de is He:

The snares of Satan, and of Death,

He hath victoriously vndone,

And fast in chaines he bound them hath,

His triumph to attend vponupon.

2

The Graue, which all men did detest,

And held a dungeon full of feare,

Is now become a Bed of rest,

And no such terrors find we there.

For, Iesus Christ hath tooke away

The horror of that loathed Pit;

Eu'n euer since that glorious day,

In which himselfe came out of it.

3

His Mockings, and his bitter smarts,

He to our praise and ease doth turne,

And all things to our ioy conuarts,

Which he with heauy heart hath borne:

p. 152His broken flesh is now our food,

His blood he shed, is euer since,

That drinke, which doth our soules most good,

And that which shall our foulnesse clense.

4

Those wo…nds so deepe, and torne so wide,

As in a Rocke our shelters are▪

And that they pierced through his side,

Is made a Doue-hole for his Deare;

Yea, now we know, as was foretolde,

His flesh did no corruption le…;

And that Hell wanted strength to hold

So strong, and one so blest as He.

5

Oh let vsus praise his Name therefore,

(Who thus the vpperhand hath woune)

For, we had else, for euermore,

Beene lost, and vtterly vndon:

Whereas this Fauour dot… allow,

That we with boldnesse thus may sing;

Oh Hell, where is thy conquest now?

And thou (oh Death) where is thy sting?

Ascension day.

AFter Iesus Christ was risen from the dead, and had many times shewed himselfe vntounto his Disciples, he was lifted from among them, and they beheld him …scending vp into heauen, till a cloud tooke him out of their sight: In memory of which Ascension, and to praise God for so exalting the humane Nature to his owne glory, and our adu…ntage; the Church worthily celebrated this Day, and hath commended the obseruation thereof to her Children.

p. 153Song. 57.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

TO GOD, with heart and cheerefull voyce,

A Triumph-Song we sing;

And with true thankefull hearts reioyce,

In our Almighty King;

Yea, to his glory we record,

(Who were but dust and clay)

What honour he did vsus afford,

On his Ascending day.

2

The Humane Nature, which of late,

Beneath the Angels was;

Now raised from that meaner state,

Aboue them hath a place.

And at mans feet all Creatures bowe,

Which through the whole world be;

For, at GODS right-hand throaned now,

In glory sitteth He.

3

Our LORD, and Brother, who hath on

Such flesh, as this we weare;

Before vsus vntounto heauen is gone,

To get vsus places there:

Captiuity was captiu…d then,

And he doth from aboue

Send ghostly presents downe to men,

For tokens of his louelove.

4

Each Dore and euerlasting Gate,

To him hath lifted bin;

And in a glorious wise thereat,

Our King is entred in.

p. 154Whom if to follow we regard,

With ease we safely may;

For he hath all the meanes prepar'd,

And made an open way.

5

Then follow, follow on a pace,

And let vsus not forgoe

Our Captaine, till we winne the place,

That hee hath scalde vntounto:

And for his honour, let our voyce

A shoute so hearty make,

The Heau…ns may at our mirth reioyce,

And Earth, and Hell may shake.

Pentecost, or Whitsunday.

AFter our Sauiour was ascended, the fiftieth day of his Resurrection, and iust at the Iewes Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost (our promised Comforter) was sent downe vponupon the Disciples assembled in Ierusalem, appearing in a visible forme, & miraculously filling them with all manner of spirituall gifts, and knowledge, tending to the diuine worke they had in hand: Whereby, they being formerly weake, and simple men, were immediately enabled to resist all the powers of the kingdome of Darknesse, and to lay those strong foundations, vponupon which the Catholike Church now standeth, both to the Glory of GOD, and our safety. In remembrance therefore of that great miraculous mysterie this Day is solemnized.

Song. 58.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

EXceeding faithfull in thy word,

And iust in all thy wayes,

p. 155We doe acknowledge thee, oh LORD,

And therefore giuegive thee praise:

For, as thy promise thou didst passe,

(Before thou went'st away)

Sent downe thy Holy-Spirit was,

At his appoynted day.

2

While thy Disciples in thy Name,

Together did retire,

The Holy Ghost vponupon them came,

In Clouen tongues of fire,

That in their calling they might bee

Confirmed from aboue,

As thou wert, when hee came on thee,

Descending like a Doue.

3

Whereby those men that simple were,

And fearefull till that howre.

Had knowledge at an instant there,

And boldnesse arm'd with powre,

Receiuing gifts so manifold,

That (since the world begun)

A wonder seldome hath beene told,

That could exceede this one.

4

Now also, blessed Spirit, come;

Unto our Soules appeare.

And of thy Graces showre thou some

On this Assembly here:

To vsus thy Doue-like meekenesse …nd,

That humble wee may bee,

And on thy siluer wings ascend,

Our Sauiour Christ to see.

5

Oh, let thy Clouen tongues, wee pray.

So rest on vsus agen,

p. 156That both thy truth confesse we may,

And teach it other men.

Moreouer, let thy heauenly …ire

(Enflamed from aboue)

Burne vp in vsus each vaine desire,

And warme our hearts with louelove.

6

Uouchsafe thou likewise to bestow

On vsus thy sacred Peace,

We stronger may in vnion grow,

And in debates decrease:

Which …ace though many yet contemne,

Reformed let them be,

That we may (LORD) hauehave part in them,

And they hauehave part in thee.

Trinitie Sunday.

AFter Arrius, and other heret…kes had bro…ched their damnable fancies, whereby the faith of many concerning the mysterie of the blessed Trinity was s…aken, diuers good men laboured in the rooting out of those p…stilent opinions: And it was agreed vponupon by the Church, that some particular Sunday in the yeare should be dedicated to the memory of the holy Trinitie, and called Trinitie-Sunday, that the Name might giuegive the people …ccasion to enquire after the Mysterie And moreouer, (that the Pastor of each seuerall Congregation might be yearely remembred to treat thereof, as necessity required) certaine portions of the holy Scripture, proper to that end, were appointed to be read publikely that Day. In some Countries they obserued this Institution on the Sunday next before the Aduent; and in other places the Sunday following Whitsunday, as in the Church of England.

p. 157Song. 59.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

THose, oh, thrise holy Three in one,

Who …e…ke thy Nature to explaine,

By rules to humane Reason knowne,

Shall finde their labour all in vaine;

And in a shell they may intend,

The Sea, as well, to comprehend.

2

What therefore no man can conceaue,

Let vsus not curious be to know;

But, when thou bid…st vsus to beleeue,

Let vsus obey, Let Reason goe:

Faith's obiects true, and surer bee,

Then those that Reasons eyes doe see.

3

Yet, as by looking on the Sunne,

(Though to his substance we are blinde)

And by the course we see him runne,

Some Notions we of him may finde:

So, what thy Brightnesse doth conceale,

Thy word, and workes in part reueale.

4

Most glorious Essence, we confesse

In Thee (whom by our faith we view)

Three Persons, neither moe nor lesse,

Whose workings them distinctly shew:

And sure we are, those persons Three

Make but one GOD, and thou art Hee.

5

The Sunne a Motion hath we know,

Which Motion doth beget vsus Light;

The Heat proceedeth from those two,

And each doth proper acts delight:

p. 158The Motion drawes out Time a line,

The Heate doth warme, the Light doth shine.

6

Yet, though this Motion▪ Light, and Hea…e,

Distinctly by themselues we take;

Each in the other hath his seat,

And but one Sunne we see they make:

For what…o…ere the One will doe,

He workes it with the other two.

7

So, in the God-head there is knit

A wondrous threefold True-louelove-knot,

And perfect Vnion fastens it,

Though flesh and blood perceaue it not;

And what each Person doth alone,

By all the Trinity is done.

8

Their Worke they ioyntly doe pursue,

Though they their Offices diuide;

And each one by himselfe hath due

His proper Attributes beside:

But one in Substance they are still,

In Vertue one, and one in Will.

9

Eternall all the Persons be,

And yet …ternall there…s but One;

So likewise Infinite all three,

Yet Infinite but One alone:

And neither Person aught doth misse,

That of the God-heads essence is,

10

In Vnity and Trinity,

Thus, oh Creator, we adore

Thy euer-praised Deity,

p. 159And thee confesse for euermore,

One Father, one begotten Sonne,

One Holy-Ghost, in God-head one.

Sunday in generall.

SVnday is our naturall appellation, the Sabbath the Hebrew terme, and the Lords day the Christian Name, whereby we entitle Gods Seauenth day; and (if wilfull affectation be auoyded) either Name is allowable. It is a portion of Time sanctified by God, immediately after the Worlds creation, and by the diuine Law dedicated to be perpetually obserued to the honour of our Creator: And though some things accidentally pertinent to the obseruation thereof, hauehave bee…e changed; yet that which is essentiall thereunto is for euer immutable Our Sauiour hath by his Resurrection hallowed for vsus that which we now obse…ue instead of the Iewish Sabbath; which being the day whereon he rested in the Graue, the obseruation thereof, and of all other Iewish Ceremonies was buried with him: because they were to continue but till the accomplishment of those things whereof they were Types. This is that day wherein our Redeemer began (as it were) his Eternall rest, after hee had finished the worke of our Reparation and conquered death, the last that was to be destroyed. This Day we ought therefore to sanctifie, according to Gods first institution: Not Iewishly, that is, by a strict or meere outward abstaining from the seruile workes of the body onelyonly, according to the letter: But Christianly; to wit, in spirit and truth, both inwardly, and outwardly, so recreating our bodies and soules, that wee may with a sanctified pleasure, (and as p. 160much as may be without wearinesse) spend that day to the glory of God, according to his commād, & the Churches direction; euen to the vse of bodily labours & exercises, whensoeuer (without respect to sensuall, or couetous ends) a rectified conscience shall perswade vsus, that the honor of God, the charity we owe to our Neighbours, or an vnfained necessity requires them to be done.

Song. 60.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

SIx dayes, oh LORD, the world to make,

And set all Creatures in aray,

Was all the lea…ure thou would'st take,

And then did…st rest the seauenth day:

That day thou there…ore hallowed hast,

And ri…htly, by a law diuine

(Which till the end of time shall last)

The seauenth part of Time is thine.

2

Then, teach vsus willingly to giuegive

The tribute of our dayes to Thee;

By whom we new bo…h moue, and liue,

And hauehave attain…d to what we be.

For, of that Rest, which by thy Word

Thou hast beene pleased to enioyne,

The profit all is ours▪ oh L…R…,

And but the praise alone is thine.

3

Oh, therefore let vsus not consent,

To rob thee of thy Sabbath day;

Nor rest with carnall Rest content,

But sanctifie it all w… may▪

Yea, grant that we from sinnefull strife,

And all those workes thou do'st detest,

p. 161May keepe a Sabbath all our life,

And enter thy Eternall rest.

S. Andrewes day.

THe holy Church celebrateth this day to glorifie God for that fauour which hee vouchs…fed vntounto her by the calling and ministry of blessed Andrew his Apostle; and, that by the remembrance of his readinesse to follo…, and preach Christ, both the honourable and Christian memorial, due to an Apostle, might be preserued, and we stirred vp al…o to the imitation of his forwardnesse in our seuerall callings, aduancing Gods honour and Gospell: In which generall sence eueryevery the meanest Christian hath a kinde of Apostleship, to build vp (not only in himselfe, but in others also) the Temple of the liuing God, and to encrease and establish the kingdome of Christ.

Song. 61.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

AS blessed Andrew on a day,

By fishing did his liuing earne,

Christ cam…, and called him away,

That he to fish for men might learne;

And no delay thereat he made,

Nor questions fram'd of his intent,

But quite forsaking all he had,

Along with him, that calld, he went.

2

Oh, that we could so ready be,

To follow Christ when he doth call!

p. 162And that we could forsake, as he,

Those N…ts, that we are snar'd withall:

Or would this Fisherman of men,

(Who set by all he had so light)

By his obedience shewed then,

(And his example) winne vsus might.

3

But Precepts and Examples faile,

Till thou thy grace, LORD, adde thereto;

Oh grant it, and we shall preuaile,

In whatso'ere thou bidd'st vsus do:

Yea, we sha…l then that blisse conceiue,

Which in thy seruice we may finde;

And for thy sake be glad to leaue

Our Nets, and all we hauehave behinde.

S. Thomas day.

THis Day was set apart by the Church, that it might be sanctified to the praise of God for his holy Apostle S. Thomas, by whose preaching the Christian generation was multiplyed: and that we might strengthen the beliefe we hauehave of our Sauiours vndeniable Resurrection, by taking an yearely occasion to refresh our memories with that part of the Euangelicall sto…ie, which mentioneth both this Apostles doubting, and the confirmation of his faith by a sensible demonstration.

Song. 62.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

WHen Christ was risen from the dead,

And Thomas of the same was told,

p. 163He would not credit it, he sed,

Though he himselfe should him… behold,

Till he his wounded hands had eyde,

And th…ust his fingers in his side.

2

Which triall he did vndertake,

And Christ his frailty did permit,

By his distrusting sure to make

Such others, as might doubt of it:

So we had right, and he no wrong;

For by his weaknesse both are strong.

3

Oh blessed GOD, how wise thou art!

And how confoundest thou thy Foes!

Who their temptations dost conuart,

To worke those ends which they oppose:

When Sathan seekes our faith to shake,

The firmer he the same doth make.

4

Thus whatso'ere he tempts vsus to,

His disaduantage let it be;

Yea, make those very sinnes we do,

The meanes to bring vsus nearer thee:

Yet let vsus not to ill consent,

Though colour'd with a good intent.

S. Stephens day.

STephen was one of the seauen Deacons, mentioned Acts 6. and the first Martyr of Iesus Christ; whose Truth hauing powerfully maintained by dispute, he constantly sealed it with his blood. The Church therefore hath appointed this Anniuersarie in remembrance thereof, that so God might perpetually be glorified for p. 164the same; and the story of his Martyrdome the oftne… mentioned, to the encouragement and direction of other men in their Trials.

Song. 63.

Sing this as the 4 Song.

LORD, with what zeale did thy first Martyr breath

Thy blessed Truth, to such as him withstood!

With what stout mind embraced he his death!

A holy witnesse sealing with his bloud!

The praise is thine, that him so strong did'st make,

And blest is he, that dyed for thy sake.

2

Unquenched louelove in him appear'd to be,

When for his murth'rous Foes he did entreat:

A piercing eye made bright by faith had he;

For he beheld thee in thy Glory set;

And so vnmou'd his pa…ience he did keepe,

He di…de, as if he had but faine as…eepe.

3

Our luke-warme harts with his hot Zeale enflame,

So Constant, and so Louing▪ let vsus be;

So let vsus liuing glorifie thy Name;

So let vsus dying …i…e our eyes on Thee:

And …hen the …leepe of Death shall vsus o…retake,

With him to life eternall vsus awake.

S. Iohn the Euangelist.

THis Day is celebrated by the Church, to praise God for his blessed Euangelist, and beloued Disciple Saint Iohn, who hath beene an admirable instrument of his p. 165glorie, and the Churches instruction; For, the Mystery of the sacred Trinity, and the Diuinity of Christ, is by him most plainely exprest in his writings, among many other great Mysteries and excellent Doctrines concerning our Redemption; for which wee are bound particularly to honour God, and worthily stirred vp therevnto by this annuall Commemoration.

Song. 64.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

TEach vsus by his example, LORD,

For whom we honour thee to Day,

And grant his witnesse of thy Word,

Thy Church enlighten euer may:

And, as belou'd, oh Christ, he was,

And therefore leaned on thy breast;

So let vsus also in thy grace,

And on thy sacred bosome rest.

2

Into vsus breath that Life diuine,

Whose Testimony he intends;

About vsus cause thy Light to shine,

That which no Da…knesse comprehends:

And let that euer-blessed Word,

Which all things did create of nought,

Anew create vsus now, oh LORD,

Whose ruine sinne hath almost wrought.

3

Thy holy Faith we doe professe,

Us to thy Fellowship receaue;

Our Sinnes …e hartily confesse,

Thy Pardon therefore let vsus hauehave:

And, as to vsus thy Seruant giues,

Occasion thus to honour Thee▪

p. 166So also let our words and liues,

As lights and guides, to others be.

Innocents Day.

KIng Herod vnderstanding th…t a king of the Iewes was borne in Bethlem-Iuda; (& fearing that by him he might be dispossessed) he murthered all the yong infants of that Circuit, in hope among them to hauehave slaine Iesus Christ: But he was …ent into Egypt by Gods speciall ap…ointment, and so the Ty…ants fury prooued vaine. In hono…r therefore of the Almighties prouidence, the Church celebrateth this Day; To put vsus in minde also, how vainely the Diuell and his members rage against Gods decree; and, that the cruell slaughter of those poore Infants may neuer be forgotten; Which, in a large sense, may be called a Marty…dome; As in the generality of the cause (being for Christ) & in the passion of the body▪ though not in the intention of the minde: And so in proper sence doth S. Stephen hold still the place of the first Captaine of that Band.

Song. 65.

Sing this as the 44. Song. 1

THat rage whereof the Psalme doth say,

Why are the G…ntiles growne so mad?

Appeard in part vponupon that day,

When Herod slaine the Infants had;

Yet (as it saith they stormd in vaine;

(Though many Innocents they slew)

For, Christ they purposd to hauehave slaine,

Who all their Counsels ouerthrew.

p. 1672

Thus still vouchsafe thou to res…raine

All Tyrants, LORD, pursuing Thee;

Thus, let our vast desires be slaine;

That thou maist liuing in vsus be:

So, whilst we shall enioy our breath,

We of thy louelove our Songs will frame;

And with those Innocents, our death

Shall also glorifie thy Name.

3

In Type those Many di…de for One;

That One for many moe was slaine:

And what they felt in Act alone,

He did in will, and Act sustaine.

LORD grant, that what thou hast decreed.

In Will, and Act, we may fulfill;

And, though we reach not to the Deede,

From vsus, oh GOD, accept the Will.

The conuersion of S. Paul.

SAint Paul, as appeares, Acts 9. hauing beene a great persecutor of the Christian faith before his conuersion, was extraordinarily called to embrace the same profession; euen as he proceeded in a Iourney purposely vndertaken to suppresse the Truth: And so, of a Woolfe became afterward a Pastor, & the most laborious Preacher of Iesus Christ: Which mercy of GOD that we may still remember it to the praise of his name, and our owne comfort, the Church hath appointed an yearely Commemoration thereof.

p. 168Song. 66.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

A Blest Conue…sion, and a strange,

Was that, when Saul a Paul became;

And, LORD, for making such a change,

We praise and glorifie thy Name:

For whilst he went from place to place,

To persecute thy Truth and Thee;

(And running to perdition was)

By powerfull grace cal'd backe was hee.

2

When from thy Truth we goe astray.

(Or wrong it through our blinded zeale)

Oh come, and stop vsus in the way,

And then thy Will to vsus reu…ale;

That Brightnesse shew vsus from aboue,

Which proues the sensuall eye-sight blinde;

And from our eyes those Scales remoue,

That hinder vsus thy way to finde.

3

And as thy blessed seruant Paul,

When he a Conuert once became,

Exceeded thy Apostle… all,

In painefull preaching of thy Name:

So grant that those who hauehave in Sinne

Exceeded others heretofore,

The start of them in Faith may winne,

LoueLove, serue, and honour thee the more.

S. Matthias.

MAtthias was the Disciple which was chosen in the roo…e of Iudas Iscariot; And his anniuersary is p. 169commanded to be obserued, that it might giuegive vsus continuall occasion to praise God for his Iustice and Fauor: For his Iustice shewed in discoue…ing, and not sparing Iudas the traytou…, abusing his Apostleship. For his Fauour, declared in elec…ing Matthias a faithfull Pastor of the Church. Moreouer, the remembrance of diuers other Mysteries are renued by the obseruation of this Day. And by taking occasion to reade publikely the Storie of Iudas his Apostacie, men are that day put in minde, to consider what Iudgements hang ouer th…ir heads, who shall abuse the diuine callings, &c.

Song. 67.

… WHen one among the Twelue there was,… … That did thy Grace abuse; Thou left…st him,… … LORD, and in his place, did'st iust Matthias chuse:…

So, if a Traytour doe remaine

Within thy Church to day;

p. 170To grant him true repentance daigne;

Or cast him out, we pray.

2

Though horned like the Lambe he show,

Or Sheepe-like clad he be,

Let vsus his Dragon language know,

And Wooluish nature see;

Yea, cause the Lo… to fall on those,

The charge of thine to take,

That shall their Actions well dispose,

And conscience of them make.

3

Let vsus moreouer minde his fall,

Whose roome Matthias got;

So to beleeue, and feare withall,

That we forsake thee not:

For, Titles, be they ne're so high,

Or great, or sacred Place,

Can no mans Person sanctifie,

Without thy speciall grace.

Saint Markes Day.

SAint Marke, being one of the foure blessed Euangelists, by whose pen the Gospell of Iesus Christ was recorded; this day is purposely appointed, to praise God for those glad tydings he brought, and that wee might honour him also with such a Christian Memoriall, as becommeth the Ambassadour of so great a King as our Redeemer: Which ciuill honour, due to the Saints of God, it is hoped none will deny them; nor conceiue such Institutions superstitious, or to hauehave beene purposed to an Idolatrous end.

p. 171Song. 68.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

FOr those blest Pen-men of thy Word,

Who hauehave thy holy Gospel writ,

We praise and honour Thee, oh LORD,

And our beleefe we build on it:

Those happy Tydings which it brings,

With ioyfull hearts we doe embrace,

And prize, aboue all oth…r things,

That precious Token of thy grace.

2

To purchase what we hope thereby,

Our vtmost wealth we will bestow;

Yea, we our pleasures will denie,

And let our liues, and honours goe:

And, whomsoe're it commeth from,

No other Gospel we will heare;

No, though an Angel downe should come

From heau'n, we would not giuegive him eare.

3

Our Resolutions, LORD, ar… such,

But in performance …eake are we;

And the Deceauers craft is much;

Our Second therefore, thou must be:

So we assuredly shall know,

When any Doctrines we receaue,

If they agreeing be, or no,

To those, which we professed hauehave.

S. Philip and Iacob.

THis Day is celebrated to the honour of God, and the Christian memoriall of the two blessed Apostles, p. 172Philip and Iacob: At which time the Church taketh occasion to offer to our remembrance such Mysteries, as Christ deliuered vntounto them, that wee might the oftner consider them, receiue fu…ther instruction concerning them, and praise God, both for such his fauours, and for those instruments of his glory.

Song. 69.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

TO thy Apostles thou hast taught,

What they, oh Christ, should do;

And those things which belieue they ought,

Of thee they learned to:

And that which thou to them hast showne,

Hath beene disposed thus;

They vntounto others made it knowne,

And those hauehave tolde it vsus.

2

With them we doe confesse and say,

(What shall not be denide)

Thou art the Truth, the Life, the Way,

And we in thee will bide:

By thee the Father we hauehave knowne,

Whom thou descendedst from;

And vntounto him, by thee alone,

We hauehave our hope to come,

3

For, thou to Philip didst impart,

(Which our beleefe shall be)

That thou within the Father art,

And, that he is in Thee;

And saydst, what euer in thy Name

We should with faith require,

p. 173Thou wouldst giuegive eare vntounto the same,

And grant vsus our desire.

4

Of thee, oh LORD, we therefore craue,

(Which thou wilt daigne, we know)

The good Beleefe which now we hauehave,

We neuer may forgoe;

And that thy sacred Truth, which we

Thy Word hauehave learned from,

From Age to Age deriu'd may be,

Untill thy Kingdome come.

S. Barnabas day.

THis Day is solemnized in commemoration of Saint Barnabas, a faithfull Disciple of Iesus Christ; and to honour God for the benefit vouchsafed to the Church by his Ministry: For he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith, as S. Luke testifieth, Acts 11.24. He was also by the Holy Ghosts immediate appointment (together with Paul) separated for the Ministry of the Gospell, and confirmed in the Apostleship by the laying on of hands. Acts 13.2.

Song. 70.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

THy gifts and graces manifold,

To many men thou, LORD, hast lent;

Both now, and in the dayes of olde,

To teach them faith, and to repent:

Thy Prophets thou didst first ordaine,

And they as Legats did appeare;

p. 174Then cam'st thy selfe, and in thy Traine,

Apostles for attendants were.

2

For Leg…ir, when thou went…st away,

The Holy-Ghost thou didst appoint;

And here, Successions, till this day,

Remaine of those he did annoynt;

Yea, thou hast likewise so ordain…d,

That to make good what those hauehave taught▪

An Army-Royall was maintain'd

Of Martyrs, who thy Battailes fought.

3

For those, and Him for whom we thus

Are met, to praise thy Name to day,

We giuegive thee thankes, as they for vsus,

That should come after them, did pray;

And by this duty we declare,

Our Faith assures, that they and we,

(In Times diuided though we are)

HaueHave one Communion still with Thee.

S. Iohn Baptist.

IOhn, called the Baptist, was he (as Christ himselfe testifieth) who was promised to be sent before him to prepare his way, Luke 7.27. and by his Preaching and Baptisme the People were accordingly prepared to receiue him that was to follow. He w…s the true expected Elias, and slaine by Herod, for reprouing the Incest which the said Herod committed in taking his Brothers wife: That we might praise God therefore for this Fore-runner of our Sauiour (and by his example remember to prouide for his entertainement) the Church hath set apart this Day.

p. 175Song. 71.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

BEcause the world might not pretend,

It knew not of thy Comming-day,

Thou didst, oh Christ, before thee send

A Cryer, to prepare thy way:

Thy Kingdome was the Blisse he brought▪

Repentance was the Way he taught.

2

And, that his Voice might not alone

Informe vsus what we should belieue,

His Life declar'd what must be done,

If Thee we purpose to receiue:

His Li…e our patterne therefore make,

That we the Course he tooke, may take.

3

Let vsus not gad to Pleasures Court,

With fruitlesse Toyes to feed the mind;

Nor to that Wildernesse resort,

Where Reeds are shaken with the wind:

But treade the Path he trod before,

That both a Prophet was, and more.

4

Clad in repentant Cloath of Haire,

Let vsus, oh Christ, (to seeke out Thee)

To those forsaken-Walkes repaire,

Which of so few frequented be;

And true Repentance so intend,

That we our courses may amend.

5

Let vsus hereafter feed vponupon

The Hony of thy Word diuine;

Let vsus the Worlds entisement shun,

p. 176Her Drugs, and her bewitching Wine;

And on our loynes (so loose that are)

The Leather-belt of Temp'rance weare.

6

Thus from thy Cryer let vsus learne,

For thee, sweet Iesus, to prepare,

And others of their sinnes to warne,

How-euer for the same we fare:

So thou to VsUs, and we to Thee

Shall when thou commest welcome be.

S. Peters day.

WE obserue this Day to the honor of God, and to the pious memory of his blessed Apostle S. Peter, that we may be thereby put in minde to be thankfull for those continuing fauours receiued by his ministry; That Pastors also may make him their patterne in discharging the charge Christ committeth vntounto them; That by considering his weaknesse wee may all learne not to presume on our owne strength; And that by his christian example we may be taught to bewaile our escapes with bitter teares of true Repentance.

Song. 72.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

HOw watchfull neede we to become,

And how deuoutly pray,

That thee, oh LORD, we fall not from,

Upon our Tryall-day?

For, if thy great Apostle said,

He would not thee denie,

p. 177Whom he that very Night denayd,

On what shall we relie?

2

For of our selues we cannot leaue

One pleasure for thy sake;

No, not one vertuous thought conceiue,

Till vsus thou able make:

Nay, we not onelyonly Thee denie,

When persecutions be;

But, or forget, or from Thee …lie,

When peace attends on Thee.

3

Oh! let those Prayers vsus auaile,

Thou didst for Peter daigne,

That when our Foe shall vsus assaile▪

His labour may be vaine;

Yea, cast on vsus those powerfull eyes,

That mou'd him to lament,

We may bemoane with bitter cries

Our Follies, and repent.

4

And grant, that such as Him succeed,

For Pastors of thy fold,

Thy Sheepe, and Lambes may guide and feede,

As thou appoint'st they should,

By his example speaking what

They ought in truth to say,

And in their liues confirming that

They teach them to obay.

S. Iames his day.

THis Day we praise God for his blessed Apostle Saint Iames, the sonne of Zebedeus, who was one of those two that desired of Christ they might sit at his right-hand, p. 178and at his left, in his kingdome, as the Gospell for the D…y declareth: And by occasion of that ignorant petition (proceeding from their carnall weakenes…e) Christ taught both them, and the rest of the Apostles, and all other Christians also, what Greatnesse best becommeth his Followers; and that we are to taste the Cup of his Passion, befo…e we can be glorified with him: So this holy Apostle did; For he was slaine by Herod, as it is declared in the Epistle appointed for the Day.

Song. 73.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

HE that his Father had forsooke,

And followed Christ at his commands,

By humane frailty ouertooke,

For Place and vaine preferment stands.

Till by his Master he was taught,

Of what he rather should hauehave care;

How vndiscreetly he had sought,

And what his Seruants honours are.

2

Whereby we finde how much adoe,

The best men hauehave this world to leaue;

How, when they wealth & Friends forgoe,

Ambitious a…mes to them will cleaue:

And sure this Angell-sinne aspires,

In such men chiefly to reside,

That hauehave exilde those bruite desires,

Which in the vulgar sort abide.

3

To thee oh GOD, we therefore pray,

Th… humbl… minde in vsus may dwell;

A…d cha…me that Fiend of Pride away,

Which would thy Graces quite expell:

p. 179But, of all other th…se men keepe,

From this delusion of the …oe,

Who are the Shepheards of thy sheepe,

And should each good example show.

4

For, such as still pursuing be

That Grea…nesse, which the world respects,

Their seruile basenesse neither see,

Nor feele thy Spirits rare effects:

And doubtlesse, they, who most of all

Descend to serue both Thee, and thine,

Are those, who in thy Kingdome shall

In Seat… of greatest glory shine.

S. Bartholomew.

THis Day is consecrated to the honour of God, and the pious memorie of his blessed Apostle S. Bartholomew, that (as appeareth in the Epistle appoynted for the Day) we might take occasion to praise our Redeemer, for those many wonders which were wrought by his Apostles, to the great encrease of the Christian Faith, and open confusion of the Churches Aduersaries.

Song. 74.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

EXceeding gracious fauours, LORD,

To thy Apostles hast thou …howne;

And many wonders by thy Word,

And in thy Name ▪ by them were done:

The Blind did see, the Dumbe could talke,

The Deafe did heare, the Lame did walke:

p. 1802

They all diseases tooke away,

The dead to life they did restore;

Foule Spirits dispossessed they,

And Preach'd the Gospell to the poore:

The Church grew strong, thy Faith grew plaine,

Their Foes grew madde, and madde in vaine.

3

Oh! let their workes for euer be

An honour to thy glorious Name;

And by thy powre vouchsafe that we,

(Whom sinne makes deafe, blinde, dumbe, & lame)

May heare thy word ▪ and see thy Light,

And speake thy Truth, and walke aright.

4

Each deadly sicknesse of the soule,

Let thy Apostles doctrines cure:

Let them expell those Spirits foule,

Which makes vsus loathsome and impure,

That we the life of Faith may gaine,

Who long time dead in sinne hauehave laine.

S. Mathew.

S. Mathew, otherwise called Leui, was a Publican, that is, a Custome-Gatherer: From which cou…se of life (being hatefull in those Countries) he was called to the Apostleship, and became also one of the foure Euangelists. To his religious memorie therefore, and to honou… God ▪ for the fauour vouchsafed (both to him and vsus) by his Ministrie, this Day is obserued by the Churches Authoritie.

p. 181Song. 75.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

WHy should vnchristian censures passe

On men, or that which they professe?

A Publican Saint Mathew was,

Yet GODS beloued ne're-the-lesse,

And was elected one of Christs

Apostles, and Euangelists:

2

For, GOD doth not a whit respect

Profession, Person, or degree;

But maketh choice of his elect,

From eueryevery sort of men that be,

That none might of his louelove despaire,

But all men vntounto him repaire.

3

For those, oh let vsus therefore pray,

Who seeme vncalled to remaine;

Not shunning them, as cast away,

GODS fauour neuer to obtaine:

For some a while neglected are,

To stirre in vsus more louing care.

4

And for our selues, let vsus desire,

That we our Auarice may shunne,

When GOD our seruice shall require,

As this Euangelist hath done,

And spend the remnant of our dayes,

In setting forth our Makers praise.

p. 182S. Michael, and all Angels.

THis Day we glo…ifie God for the victory S. Michael, …nd his Angels obtained ouer the Dragon, and his Angels: Whereby the Church is freed from being preuailed against by the furious attempts, or malitious accusations of the Deuill. This Commemoration is appointed also, to minde vsus thankfully to acknowledge Gods mercy towards vsus, in the daily ministry of his Angels, who are said to pitch their Tents about his Children, and to defend them from the tem…tations and mischieuous practises of euill Spirits, watching eueryevery moment for aduantage to destroy them: Which, if wee oftner considered, and how there be armies of Angels and Deuils, night and day fighting for vsus, and round about vsus, we would become more carefull how wee grieued those good Spirits, (who attend vsus for our safety) to the reioycing of them that seeke our destruction. By S. Michael, who was Prince of the good Angels (and termed by S Iude an Arch-Angell) some vnderstand Iesus Christ: For hee is indeed the principall Messenger, or Angell of our saluation, and the chiefe of the Princes, as holy Daniel called him; yea, to him alone this Name Michael (which signifieth, who is like God) doth most properly appertaine, seeing he onelyonly is the perfect image of his Father.

Song. 76.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

TO praise, oh GOD, and honour thee,

For all thy glorious Triumphs wonne,

p. 183Assembled here this Day are we,

And to declare thy Fauours done:

Thou took'st that great Arch-Angels part,

With whom in Heau'n the Dragon fought,

And that good Armies Friend thou wert,

That cast Him, and his Angels out:

2

Whereby we now in safety are,

Our dangers all secured from;

For to encrease thy glory here,

Thy Kingdome with great power is come:

And we need stand in dread no more,

Of that enraged Fiends despight,

Who, in thy presence heretofore,

Accused vsus both day and night.

3

In honour of thy blessed Name,

This Hymne of thanks wee therefore sing;

And to thine euerlasting fame,

Through Heau…n thine endlesse praise shall ring:

We praise thee for thy proper might,

And, LORD, for all those Angels to,

Who in thy Battels came to fight,

Or hauehave beene sent thy will to do.

4

For, many of that glorious Troope,

To bring vsus Messages from Thee,

From Heau'n vouchsafed hauehave to stoope,

And clad in humane shape to be;

Yea, we beleeue they watch and ward,

About our persons euermore,

From euill Spirit… vsus to guard;

And we returne thee praise therefore.

p. 184S. Luke.

THis Day we memorize the benefit the Church receiued by the blessed Euangelist S. Luke, a Physitian both for soule and body, and the first Ecclesiasticall Historiographer: For he was Authour, not onelyonly of that Gospell which beareth his Name; but also of that Booke called the Acts of the Apostles, and an Eye-witnesse of most part of that which hee hath written, remaining a constant companion of S. Paul in his tribulations. Worthily therefore ought we to honour him with a Christian memoriall, and praise God for the grace vouchsafed vsus by his meanes.

Song. 77.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

IF those Physitians honour'd be,

That doe the bodies health procure;

Then worthy double praise is He,

Who can both soule and body cure.

In life time both wayes Luke exceld,

And those Receipts hath also left,

Which many soule-sicke Patients heald,

Since from the world he was bereft.

2

And to his honour this beside,

A blessed Witnesse hath declar'd,

That constant he did still abide,

When others from the Truth were scar'd:

For which the glory, LORD, be thine;

For of thy grace those gifts had he,

p. 185And thou his Actions did'st encline,

Our profit, and his good to be.

3

By his example therefore, LORD,

Uphold vsus, that we fall not from

The true profession of thy Word,

Nor by this world be ouercome;

And let his wholesome doctrine heale

That leprous sicknesse of the soule,

Which more and more would on her steale,

And make her languish and growe foule.

Simon and Iude, Apostles.

THis Day is dedicated to the praise of God, and the pious memory of the two blessed Apostles of Iesus Christ, Simon called Zelotes, or the Cananite, and Iude the brother of Iames. And in this solemnity we are among other things, principally put in mind of that louelove which Christ commandeth to be continued among vsus, and of that heed we ought to hauehave vntounto our abiding in that state of grace, whereunto God hath called vsus, as appeareth in the Epistle and Gospell appointed for the day.

Song. 78.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

NO outward marke we hauehave to know,

Who thine, oh Christ, may be,

Untill a Christian LoueLove doth show,

Who appertaines to Thee:

For, knowledge may be reach'd vntounto

And formall Iustice gain'd▪

p. 186But, till each other louelove we do,

Both Faith and Workes are faign'd.

2

Lou… is the summe of those commands,

Which thou with thine dost leaue;

And for a marke on them it stands,

Which neuer can deceaue:

For when our knowledge Folly turnes,

When Showes no show retaine,

And Zeale it selfe to nothing burnes;

Then LoueLove shall still remaine.

3

By this were thy Apostles knit,

And ioyned so in one,

Their True-louelove-knot could neuer yet

Be broken, nor vndone.

Oh let vsus, L…RD, receiued be

Into that sacred knot,

And One become with them and thee,

That sinne vndoe vsus not.

4

Yea, lest when we thy grace possesse,

We fall againe away,

Or turne it into wantonnesse,

Assist thou vsus, we pray:

And, that we may the better finde,

What heed there should be learn'd,

Let vsus the fall of Angels minde,

As blessed Iude hath warn'd.

All-Saints day.

THis Day the Church hath appointed, that, to the praise of God, and our comfort, we should commemorate that excellent Mystery of the Communion of p. 187Saints, (which is one of the twelue Articles of Christian beleefe:) And that (considering how admirably the diuine wisedome hath knit all his elect into one body for their more perfect enioying, both of his louelove, and the louelove of one another) wee might he…e receiue a taste of the pleasure we shall hauehave in the full fruition of that felicity, and be stirred vp also to such mutuall louelove and vnity as ought to be betwixt vsus in this life. This is the last Saints day in the Ecclesiast…ck Circuite of the yeare, generally obseruable by the auncient ordinance of the Church; And it seemeth to hauehave a mystery in it; shewing, that when the Circle of tyme is come about, we shall in one euerlasting holy-day honor that blessed Communion and mysticall Body, which shall be made perfect, when all those (whom we hauehave memorized apart) are vnited into One; that is, when the Father, the Sonne, the Holy Ghost, the Angels, and all the holy Elect of God shall be incorporated together into a ioyfull, vnspeakable, and inseparable Vnion in the Kingdome of Heauen; which the Almighty hasten, Amen.

Song. 79.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

NO Blisse can so contenting proue▪

As vniuersall LoueLove to gaine,

Could we with full requiting LoueLove,

All mens affections entertaine:

But such a LoueLove, the heart of man,

Nor well-containe, nor merit can.

2

For though to all we might be deare,

(Which cannot in this life befall)

We discontented should appeare,

Because we had not hearts for all:

p. 188That we might all men louelove, as we

Beloued would of all men be.

3

For LoueLove in louing ioyes as much,

As Lo…e for louing to obtaine;

Yea, …oue vnfaign'd is likewise such,

It cannot part it selfe in twaine:

The Riuals friendship soone is gone,

And LoueLove diuided loueth none.

4

Which causeth that with Passions pain'd,

So many men on earth we see;

And had not GOD a meanes ordain'd,

This discontent in Heau…n would be:

For all the Saints would iealous proue,

Of GO…S, and of each others LoueLove.

5

But he whose, wisedome hath contriu'd

His Glory, with their full Contents,

Hath from himselfe to them deriu'd

This Fauour (which that strife preuents)

One Body all his Saints …e makes,

And for his Spouse this one he takes.

6

So, each one of them shall obtaine

Full LoueLove from All, returning to

Full LoueLove to All of them againe,

As members of one Body doe:

None …ealous, but all striuing how

Most LoueLove to others to allow.

7

For, as the Soule is All in All,

And All through eueryevery Member to;

LoueLove in that Body Mysticall

Is as the Soule, and …ils it so;

p. 189Uniting them to GOD as neare,

As to each other they are deare.

8

Yea, what they want to entertaine

Such ouerflowing LoueLove as his,

He will supply, and likewise daigne

What for his full Delight they misse,

That he may all his LoueLove employ,

And they returne his fill of Ioy.

9

The seed of this Content was sowne,

When GOD the spatious world did frame,

And euer since the same hath growne,

To be an honour to his Name;

And when his Saints are sealed all,

This Mysterie vnseale he shall.

10

Meanewhile (as we in Landskip viewe

Fields, Riuers, Cities, Woods, & Seas,

And (though but little they can shew)

Doe therewithall our fancies please;)

Let Contemplation Maps contriue,

To shew vsus where we shall arriue.

11

And though our hearts too shallow bee,

That blest Communion to conceaue,

Of which we shall in Heau'n be free,

Let vsus on Earth together cleaue:

For those, who keepe in vnion here,

Shall know by faith what will be there.

12

Where all those Angels we admir'd,

With eueryevery Saint since time begun,

(Whose sight and louelove we hauehave desir'd)

Shall be with vsus conioyn'd in One;

p. 190And We and They and They and We,

To GOD himselfe espoused be.

13

Oh happie wedding ▪ where the Guests,

The Bride and Bridegroome shall be one;

Where Songs, Emb…aces, Triumphes, Feasts,

And Ioyes of LoueLove are neuer done:

But thrice accurst are those that misse

Their Garment when this Wedding is.

14

Sweet Iesus, seal'd, and clad therefore,

For that great meeting let vsus be,

(Where People, Tongues, and kinreds, more

Then can be tolde, attend on Thee)

To make those shoutes of Ioy and praise,

Which to thine honour they shall raise.

Rogation weeke.

THis is called Rogation week…, being so tearmed by A…tiquity … Rogando, from the publike Supplications. …or then the L…tany which is full of humble Petitions and e…t…ea…ies, was with solemne Procession vsually repeated; becau…e there be about that se…son, most occasions of pu…ike Prayer, in reg…rd Princes goe then forth to batt…ile; the F…uites and hope of plenty are in the…r …; the Ay…e is most subiect to contagions & Infections; and there is most labouring and trauail…g, both by Land, and Sea also, from that time of the yeare for…a…d. Which laud…ble custome (though it be lately much decayed, and in some Countries abused from the right end, and mingled with superstitious Ce…emonies) is in many places orderly retained, according as the Church of England approueth it: And wee p. 191yearely make vse also of those Processions, to keepe knowledge of the t…ue Bounds of our seuerall Parishes, for auoyding of strife. And those Perambulations were yearely appointed likewise, that, viewing Gods yearely blessing vponupon the …rasse, the Co…ne, …nd other fruites of the Earth, we might be the more prouoked to praise him.

Song. 80.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

IT was thy pleasure, LORD, to say,

That whatsoeuer in thy Name

We pray'd for, as we ought to pray,

Thou would'st vouchsafe to grant the same.

Oh, therefore we beseech thee now,

To these our Prayers, which we make,

Thy gracious eare in fauour bowe,

And grant them for thy mercies sake.

2

Let not the Seasons of this yeare,

(As they their Courses doe obserue)

Engender those Contagions here,

Which our transgressions doe deserue:

Let not the Summer wormes impaire

Those bloomings of the Earth we see;

Nor Blastin…s, or distemper'd Ay…e

Destroy those Fruites that hopefull be.

3

Domesticke Brawles expell thou farre,

And be thou pleas…d our Coast to guard,

The dreadfull …ounds of in-brought Warre,

Within our Confines be not heard:

Continue also here thy word,

And make vsus thankefull (we thee pray)

p. 192The Pestilence, Dearth, and the Sword

HaueHave beene so long with-held away.

4

And, as we heedfully obserue

The certaine limits of our Grounds,

And outward quiet to preserue,

About them walke our yearely Rounds:

So let vsus also hauehave a care,

Our soules possessions, LORD, to know,

That no encroachments on vsus there,

Be gained by our subtill …oe.

5

What pleasant Groues, what goodly Fields!

How fruitfull …ils, and Dales hauehave we!

How sweet an Ayre our Climate yeelds!

How …oar…d with Flockes, and Heards are we!

How Milke ▪ and Honey doth o reflowe!

How cleare and wholesome are our Springs!

How safe from rauenous Beasts we goe!

And oh, how free from Poysnous things!

6

For these, and for our Grasse, our Corne;

For all that springs from Blade, or Bo…gh;

For all those blessings that adorne

Or Wood or Field this Kingdome through:

For all of these, thy praise we sing,

And humbly (LORD) entreat thee too,

That Fruite to thee we forth may bring,

As vntounto Us thy Creatures doe.

7

So, in the sweet refreshing shade

Of thy Protection sitting downe,

Those gracious Fauours we hauehave had,

Relate we will to thy renowne;

Yea, other men, when we are gone,

p. 193Shall for thy mercies honour Thee,

And famous make what thou hast done,

To such as after them shall be.

S. George his Day.

THis may be called the Court Holy-Day; for with vsus it is solemnized vponupon command, in the Court-royall of the Maiesty of Great Britaine onelyonly, or in the Families of those Knights of the Order, who are constrained to b…e absent from the solemnity there held, which is vsually on the day anciently dedicated to George the Martyr. Neuerthelesse, we beleeue not that it was he whom they anciently chose to be the Patron of the fore-named Order: For the relation of him who deliuered the Lady frō the Dragon is onelyonly a Christian Allegory, inuented to set forth the better the Churches deliuerance. Iesus Christ is the true S. George, and our English …utelary Saint; Euen he that commeth armed vponupon the White Horse, Reu. 19.11 The Dragon hee ouerthrowes is the Beast mentioned in the s…me Chapter, and called (a little before) the Dragon with seauen heads and ten hornes: The Lady he deliuers is that woman whom the Dragon persecutes, Reu. 12. And to the honour of him I conceiue the most honourable Order of S. George to be continued, and this Day consecr…ted. Nor is there any irreuerence in imposing this Name on our Redeemer; for George signifieth a Husbandman, which is a Name or Attribute that euen Christ applyed to his Father, Iohn 15.2. My Father (saith hee) foreign, is the George, or the Husbandman. And indeed, very properly may this Nation call GOD their George or Husbandman: For hee hath (as it were) mo…ed this Island with the Sea, walled it with naturall Bulwarkes, built Towers in it, planted p. 194his truth here, weeded, dressed, and replenished it like a Garden; and, in a word, eueryevery way done the part of a good Husbandman thereon. Howsoeuer therefore the first occasion of this Dayes great solemnity seeme but meane (as the beginnings of many noble inuentions were) yet I conceaue that Institution to hauehave beene ordained to weighty and Christian purposes: Euen to oblige the Peeres of this Kingdome by the new and strict bands of an honourable Order, to imitate their Patrons care ouer his Vineyard, to remember them, that they are the Band-Royall, to whom the Guard thereof is committed, to stirre vp in them vertuous emulations, and to shew them how to make vse of their temporall dignities to the glorie of God. For, beside many other re…end Officers, there belongs a Prelate also to these Sole…nities: And me thinkes, we should not imagine, that the Founder of it (being a Christian Prince, assisted by a wise and religious Counsel) would hauehave so prophaned the most excellent dignity of the Church, as to make it waite on Ceremonies ordained for ostentation, or some other vaine ends. More discreetly they deale who apprehend the contrary, and are not in danger of this sentence; Euill to him that euill thinketh.

Song. 81.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

ALl praise and glorie that we may,

Ascribe we, LORD, to Thee,

From whom the triumphs of this Day,

And all our glories be:

For of it …elfe, nor East, nor West,

Doth Honour ebbe or flowe;

But as to Thee it seemeth best,

Preferments to bestowe:

p. 1952

Thou art, oh Christ, that valiant Knight,

Whose Order we professe,

And that Saint George, who oft doth fight

For England in distresse:

The Dragon thou o'rethrew'st is He,

That would thy Church deuoure,

And that faire Lady (…ORD) is she,

Thou sauest from his power.

3

Thou like a Husbandman prepar'd

Our Fields, yea sowne them hast;

And, Knight-like with a warlike guard,

From spoile enclos'd them fast.

Oh daigne, that those, who in a Band

More strict then heretofore,

Are for this Vineyard bound to stand,

May watch it now the more:

4

Yea grant, since they elected are,

New Orders to put on,

And sacred Hirogliphickes weare

Of thy great Conquest wonne,

That those (when they forget) may tell,

Why those of them are worne,

And inwardly informe as well,

As outwardly adorne;

5

That so their Christian-Knighthood may

No Pagan…Order seeme;

Nor they their Meetings passe away,

As things of vaine esteeme;

And, that we may our triumphs all

To thy renowne apply,

Who art that Saint, on whom we call,

When we Saint George doe cry.

p. 196For publike Deliuerances.

GOd hath vouchsafed vntounto this Kingdome many publike deliuerances, which ought neuer to be forgotten; but rather should be celebrated by VsUs, as the daies Purim by the Israelites, Hester 9.26. Especially that of the fift of Nouember; for the celebration whereof there is a Statute enacted: And it is hoped we shall neuer neglect, or be ashamed to praise God for that Deliuery, according to prouision made to that purpose. For that, & the like occasions therefore this Hymne is composed.

Song. 82.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

WIth Isr'el we may truely say,

If on our side GOD had not beene,

Our Foes had made of vsus their pray,

And we this Light had neuer seene:

The Pit was digg'd, the snare was …aid,

And we with ease had beene betrai'd.

2

But they that hate vsus vndertooke

A Plot they could not bring to passe;

For, he that all doth ouerlooke,

Preuented what intended was:

We found the Pit, & scap'd the Gin,

And saw their Makers caught therein.

3

The meanes of helpe was not our owne,

But from the LORD alone it came;

(A fauour vndeserued showne)

And therefore let vsus praise his Name:

p. 197Oh, praise his Name; for it was He,

That broke the Net, and set vsus free.

4

Unto his honour let vsus sing,

And Stories of his Mercy tell;

With praises let our Temples ring,

And on our Lips thankesgiuing dwell:

Yea, let vsus not his louelove forget,

While Sunne, or Moone doth rise or set.

5

Let vsus redeeme againe the Times,

Let vsus begin to liue anew,

And not reuiue those hainous crimes,

That dangers past so neere vsus drew;

Lest he that did his hand reuoke,

Returne it with a double stroke.

6

A true Repentance takes delight

To minde GODS Fauours heretofore;

So, when his mercies men recite,

It makes a true Repentance more:

And where those vertues doe encrease,

They are the certaine signes of Peace.

7

But where encreasing Sinnes we see,

And to such dulnesse men are growne,

That sleighted those Protections bee,

Which GOD in former time hath showne,

It shall betoken to that …and

Some Desolation neere at hand.

8

Our hearts, oh, neuer harden so,

Nor let thine Anger so returne;

But with desire thy will to do,

For our offences let vsus mourne:

p. 198And mind to praise (eu'n teares among)

Thy Mercies in a ioyfull Song.

For the Communion.

WEe hauehave a custome among vsus, that, during the time of administring the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper, there is some Psalme or Hymne sung, the better to keepe the thoughts of the Communicants from wandring after vaine obiects: This Song therefore (expressing a true thankfulnesse, together with what ought to be our faith concerning that Mysterie, in such manner as the vulgar capacity may be capable thereof) is offered vp to their deuotion, who shall please to receiue it.

Song. 83.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

THat fauour, LORD, which of thy grace

We doe receiue to day,

Is greater then our merit was,

And more then praise we may:

For, of all things that can be told,

That which least comfort hath

Is more, then e're deserue we could,

Except it were thy wrath:

2

Yet we, not onelyonly hauehave obtain'd

This worlds best gifts of thee;

But thou thy flesh hast also daign'd,

Our Food of Life to be:

For which, since we no mends can make,

(And thou requir'st no more)

p. 199The Cup of sauing health we take,

And praise thy Name therefore.

3

Oh teach vsus rightly to receiue,

What thou dost here bestow;

And learne vsus truely to conceiue,

What we are bound to know,

That such as cannot wade the deepe

Of thy vnfathom'd Word,

May by thy grace safe courses keepe

Along the shallow Ford.

4

This Mysterie, we must confesse,

Our reach doth farre exceede,

And some of our weake Faiths are lesse

Then graines of Mustard-…eed:

Oh therefore, LORD, encrease it so,

We fruite may beare to Thee,

And that implicite faith may grow,

Explicite faith to be.

5

With hands we see not, as with Eyes:

Eyes thinke not as the Heart;

But each retaines what doth suffize,

To act his proper part:

And in the Bodie while it bides,

The meanest Member shares

That blisse, which to the best betides,

And as the same it fares:

6

So, if in vnion vntounto thee

United we remaine,

The Faith of those that stronger be,

The weaker shall sustaine:

Our Christian LoueLove shall that supply,

Which we in knowledge misse,

p. 200And humble thoughts shall mount vsus hie,

Eu'n to eternall blisse.

7

Oh pardon all those hainous crimes,

Whereof we guilty are;

To serue thee more in future times,

Our hearts doe thou prepare;

And make thou gracious in thy sight,

Both vsus, and this we do,

That thou therein mayst take delight,

And we hauehave louelove thereto.

8

No new Oblation we deuise,

For sinnes prefer'd to be;

Propitiatory sacrifice

Was made at full by Thee:

The Sacrifice of Thankes is that,

And all that thou dost craue,

And we our s…lues are part of what

We sacrificed hauehave.

9

We doe no grosse Realities

Of Flesh in this conceaue;

Or, that their proper qualities

The …read or Wine doe leaue:

Yet, in this holy Eucharist,

We (by a meanes diuine)

Know we are fed with thee, oh Christ,

Receiuing Bread and Wine.

10

And though the outward Elements

For signes acknowledg'd be,

We cannot say thy Sacraments,

Things onelyonly signall be:

Because, who e're thereof partakes,

In those this powre it hath;

p. 201It either them thy Members makes,

Or slaues of Sinne and Death.

11

Nor vntounto those doe we encline,

(But from them are estrang'd)

Who yeeld the forme of Bread and Wine,

Yet thinke the Substance chang'd:

For we beleeue each Element

Is what it seemes indeed,

Although that in thy Sacrament,

Therewith on thee we feed.

12

Thy Real-presence we auowe,

And know it so diuine,

That carnall Reason knowes not how,

That presence to define:

For, when thy Flesh we feed on thus,

(Though strange it doe appeare)

Both we in thee and thou in vsus,

Eu'n at one instant are.

13

No maruaile many troubled were,

This Secret to vnfold;

For Mysteries Faiths obects are,

Not things at pleasure told.

And he that would by Reason sound,

What Faiths deepe reach conceaues▪

May both himselfe and them confound,

To whom his Rules he leaues.

14

Let vsus therefore our Faith erect,

On what thy Word doth say,

And hold their knowledge in suspect,

That new Foundations lay:

For, such full many a grieuous Rend

Within thy Church hauehave left;

p. 202And by thy peacefull Sacrament,

The world of Peace bereft:

15

Yea, what thy pledge and seale of LoueLove,

Was first ordain'd to be

Doth great and hateful Quarrels moue,

Where wrangling spirits be:

And many men hauehave lost their blood,

(Who did thy Name professe)

Because they hardly vnderstood

What others would expresse.

16

Oh, let vsus not hereafter so,

About meere words contend,

The while our crafty common Foe,

Procures on vsus his end:

But if in Essence we agree,

Let all with LoueLove assay,

A helpe vntounto: he weake to bee,

And for each other pray.

17

LoueLove is that blessed Cymment, LORD,

Which must vsus re-vnite;

In bitter speeches, f…re and sword,

It neuer tooke delight:

The Weapons those of Malice are,

And they themselu…s beguile,

Who dreame, that such ordained were

Thy Church to reconcile.

18

LoueLove brought vsus hither and that LoueLove

Pers…ad…s vsus to implore,

That thou all Christians hearts would'st moue,

To seeke it more and more;

And that Selfe will no more bewitch

Our minds with foule debate;

p. 203Nor fill vsus with that malice, which

Disturbes a quiet state:

19

But this especially we craue,

That perfect Peace may be

Mong those that disagreed hauehave,

In show of louelove to thee;

That they with vsus, and we with them,

May Christian Peace retaine,

And both in new Ierusalem

With thee for euer raigne.

20

No longer let ambit…ous Ends,

Blinde Zeale, or cankred Spight,

Those Churche… keep from being friends,

Whom LoueLove should fast vnite:

But let thy glory shine among

Those Candlestickes, we pray,

We may behold what hath so long

Exil…d thy Peace away:

21

That those, who (heeding not thy word)

Expect an earthly Powre,

And vainly thinke, some temp'rall Sword

Shall Antichrist deuoure;

That those may know, thy weapons are

No such, as they doe faigne,

And that it is no carnall warre,

Which we must entertaine.

22

Confessors, Martyrs, Preachers strike

The Blowes, that gaine this Field:

Thanks, Prayre, Instructions, and the like,

Those weapons are they weild:

Long-suffering, Patience, Prudent-care,

Must be the Court-of-Guard;

p. 204And Faith and Innocencie are

Instead of Walles prepard.

23

For these (no question) may as well

Great Babel ouerthrow,

As Ierichoes large Bulwarkes fell,

When men did Rams-hornes blowe:

Which could wee credit, wee should cease

All bloody plots to lay,

And to suppose, Gods holy peace

Should come the Deuils way.

24

LORD, let that flesh, and bloud of thine,

Which fed vsus hath to day,

Our hearts to thy True-louelove encline,

And driue ill thoughts away:

Let vsus remember what thou hast

For our meere louelove endur…de▪

Eu'n, when of vsus despis'de thou wast,

And we thy death procur'de:

25

And with each other, for thy sake,

So truely let vsus beare,

Our patience may vsus dearer make,

When reconcil'd we are:

So, when our courses finisht be,

We shall ascend aboue

Sunne, Moone, and Starres, to liue with Thee,

That art the God of LoueLove.

Ember weeke.

THe Ember weekes are foure Fasts, anciently solemnized at the foure principall Seasons of the yeare, and by an Institu…ion appointed to bee obserued for diuers p. 205good purposes. First, to humble our selues by Fasting and Prayer, that God might, vponupon our humiliation, be mooued to grant vsus the blessings belonging to those seasons. Secondly, that it might please God to strengthen our Constitutions, against the distemperatures occasioned by the seuerall humors predominate at those Times, to the endangering of our bodily healths. Thirdly, that we might be remembred to dedicate a part of eueryevery season to Gods glory. And lastly, that there might be a publike Fasting and Prayers made for those (according to the Apost…es vse) who by the laying on of hands were to bee confirmed in the Ministery of the Gospell: For the Sunday next after …hese Fasts is the time ordinarily appointed for the ordination of such as are called to those Offices.

Song. 84.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

THou dost from eu'ry season, LORD,

To profit vsus, aduantage take,

And at their fittest Times afford

Thy Blessings for thy mercy sake:

At Winter, Summer, Fall, or Spring,

We furnish'd are of eu'ry thing.

2

A part therefore from each of these,

With one consent reseru'd hauehave we,

In Prayer and Fasting to appease

That wrath our sinnes hauehave moou'd in thee,

And that thou mayst not for our crimes,

Destroy the blessings of the Times.

3

Oh grant, that our Deuotions may

With true sincerenesse be perform'd,

And that our liues, not for a day,

But may for euer be reform'd:

p. 206Lest we remaine as fast in sinne,

As if we neu'r had fasting byn.

4

Our Constitution… temper so,

Those Humors, which this season raine,

May not hauehave powre to ouerthrowe

That health, which yet we doe retaine:

Else, through that weaknesse which it brings,

LORD, make vsus strong in better things.

5

And, since thy holy Church appoints

These times, thy Workemen forth to send,

And those for Pastors now anoynts,

Who on thy …olde are to attend;

Blesse thou, where they who (should ordaine)

With Pray…e and Fasting hands hauehave laine.

6

Oh, blesse them, euer-blessed LORD,

Whom for thy worke the Church doth chuse;

Instruct them by thy sacred Word,

And with thy spirit them infuse,

That liue, and teach aright they may,

And we their teaching well obay,

These that follow are thankesgiuings for publike benefites. For seasonable weather.

IT is our duty to giuegive God thanks, & praise him, both publikely, and priuately for all his mercies; especially, for such as tend to the generall good. And therefore the Church hath in her Lithurgie ordained set formes of p. 207Thankesgiuing for such ends: In imitation whereof these following Hymnes are composed, that we might the oftner, and with more delight exercise this duty, which is most properly done in Song: And therby also the formes of Thankesgiuing are much the more easily learned of the common people, to be sung of them amid their labours. This, that next followes, is a thankesgiuing for seasonable weather; …y meanes whereof we enioying the blessings of the earth, ought at all times to praise God for the same.

Song. 85.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

LORD, should the Sunne, the Clowds, the Wind,

The Ayre, and Seasons be

To vsus so froward, and vnkinde,

As we are false to Thee;

All fruites would quite a way be burn'd,

Or lye in water drown'd,

Or blasted be, or ouerturn'd,

Or chilled on the ground.

2

But, from our duty though we swarue,

Thou still dost mercy show,

And daigne thy Creatures to preserue,

That men might thankfull grow;

Yea, though from day to day we sinne,

And thy displeasure gaine,

No sooner we to cry beginne,

But pitty we obtaine.

3

The weather now thou changed hast,

That put vsus late to feare,

And when our hopes were almost past,

Then comfort did appeare.

p. 208The Heau'n the Earths Complaints hath heard;

They reconciled be,

And thou such weather hast prepar'd,

As we desir'd of thee:

4

For which with lifted hands and eyes,

To thee we doe repay

The due, and willing sacrifize

Of giuing thanks to day;

Because, such Offrings we should not

To render thee be slowe;

Nor let that merciemercy be forgot,

Which thou art pleas'd to showe.

For Plenty.

PLenty is the cure of Famine, and a blessing which, aboue all other, we labour and trauaile for; yet, when we hauehave obtained the same, it makes vsus many times so wanton insteed of being thankfull, that wee forget not onelyonly Gods mercy in that, but abuse all other benefits. To put vsus therefore in minde of our duty, and to expresse the better a continuall thankefulnesse to the Almighty, this Hymne is composed.

Song. 86.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

HOw oft, and in how many crimes,

Thee Iealous hauehave we made?

And, blessed GOD, how many times

HaueHave we forgiuenesse had?

If we with teares to bed at night

For our transgressions goe,

p. 209To vsus thou dost, by morning-light,

Some comfort daigne to show.

2

This pleasant Land, which for our sinne

Was lately barren made,

Her fruitfulnesse doth new begin,

And we are therefore glad:

We for those Creatures thankfull be,

Which thou bestowest, LORD,

And for that Plenty honour Thee,

Which thou dost now afford.

3

Oh, let vsus therewith in excesse

Not wallow like to Swine;

Nor into gracelesse wantonnesse

Conuert this grace of thine;

But so reuiue our feebled powres,

And so refresh the poore,

That thou mayst crowne this Land of ours,

With plenties euermore.

For Peace.

PEace is the Nurse of Plenty, and the meanes of so many other blessings, both publike and priuate, that God can neuer be sufficiently praised for it; yet insteed of glorifying him, men most commonly abuse it to the dishonour of God, and their ruine. This Hymne therefore is composed, that it may giuegive occasion to vsus more often to meditate Gods mercy, & to glorifie his Name, who aboue all other Nations hauehave tasted the sweetnesse of this benefit.

p. 210Song. 87.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

SO cause vsus, LORD, to thinke vponupon

Those blessings we possesse,

That what is for our safety done,

We truely may confesse:

For we, whose Fields, in time forepast,

Most bloody warre did staine,

(Whil'st Fire and Sword doth others wast)

In safety now remaine.

2

No armed troupes the Ploughman feares;

No shot our Wals o'returne▪

No Temple shakes about our eares;

No Village here doth burne;

No Father heares his pretty Child

In vaine for succour cry;

Nor Husband sees his Wife defil'd,

Whil…st he halfe dead doth lye.

3

Deare GOD, vouchsafe to pitty those,

In this distresse that be,

They, to protect them from their Foes,

May hauehave a Friend of Thee:

For, by thy Friendship we obtaine

These gladsome peacefull dayes,

And (somewhat to returne againe)

We thus doe sing thy praise.

4

We praise thee for that inward Peace,

And for that outward Rest,

Wherewith vntounto our Ioyes encrease,

This Kingdome thou hast blest:

p. 211Oh, neuer take the same away,

But let it still endure;

And grant (oh LORD) it make vsus may

More thankefull, not Secure.

For Victory.

OVr God is the Lord of Hosts, and the God of Battles: whensoeuer therefore wee hauehave gotten the vpper hand ouer our enemies, wee ought not to glory in our owne strength, Policy, or Valour, but to ascribe the glory of it to him only, and returne him publike thankes for making vsus victorious ouer our enemies: And this Hymne serueth to helpe their deuotion, who are willing to performe that duty.

Song. 88.

Sing this as the 44. Song.

WE louelove thee, LORD, we praise thy Name,

Who, by thy great Almighty arme,

Hast kept vsus from the spoile, and shame

Of those, that sought our causelesse harme:

Thou art our Life, or Triumph-Song,

The Ioy and Comfort of our heart;

To thee all praises doe belong,

And thou the LORD of Armies art.

2

We must confesse it is thy powre,

That made vsus Masters of the Field;

Thou art our B…lwarke and our Towre,

Our …ocke of refuge, and our Shield:

Thou taught'st our hands and Armes to fight;

With vigour thou did'st gird vsus round;

Thou mad'st our Foes to take their flight,

And thou did'st b…ate them to the ground.

p. 2123

With fury came our armed Foes,

To bloud and slaughter fiercely bent,

And perils round did vsus inclose,

By whatsoeuer way we went,

That hadst not thou our Captaine beene,

(To leade vsus on, and off againe)

We on the place had dead beene seene,

Or mask'd in blood and wounds had laine.

4

This Song we therefore sing to Thee,

And pray, that thou for euermore

Would'st our Protector daigne to be,

As at this time▪ and heretofore;

That thy continuall fauour showne,

May cause vsus more to Thee encline,

And make it through the world be knowne,

That such as are our Foes, are thine.

For deliuerance from a publike Sicknesse.

THe Pestilence, and other publike sicknesses are those Arrowes of the Almighty wherewith hee punisheth publike transgressions: This Hymne therefore is to praise him, when he shal vnslack the Bow which was bent against vsus; and the longer he with-holds his hand, the more constantly ought wee to continue our publike Thanksgiuings; for when we forget to perseuere in praising God for his mercies past, we vsually reuiue those sinnes that will renue his Iudgements.

p. 213Song. 89.

Sing this as the 9. Song.

WHen thou would'st, LORD, afflict a Land,

Or scourge thy People that offend,

To put in pra…ise thy command,

Thy Creatures all on thee attend;

And thou, to execute thy Word,

Hast Famine, Sicknesse, Fire, and Sword.

2

And here among vsus, for our sinne,

A sore Disease hath lately raign'd,

Whose fury so vnstayd hath bin,

It could by nothing be restrain'd;

But ouerthrew both weake & strong,

And tooke away both old and young.

3

To thee our cries we therefore sent,

Thy wonted Pitty, LORD, to proue;

Our wicked wayes we did repent,

Thy Visitation to remoue;

And thou thine Angell didst command,

To stay his wrath-inflicting hand.

4

For which thy louelove, in thankfull wise,

Both hearts and hands to thee we raise,

And in the stead of former cries,

Doe sing thee now a Song of Praise;

By whom the fauour yet we hauehave,

To scape the neuer-filled Graue.

For the Kings day.

THe first day of KINGS Raigne, hath beene anciently obserued in most Kingdomes: And with vsus p. 214that custome is worthily retained; partly, for ciuill ends; and partly, that the people might assemble together, to praise God for the benefit the Common-wealth receiueth by the Prince; To pray for his preseruation also, and to desire a blessing vponupon him and his Gouernment: To which purpose this Song is composed.

Song. 90.

Sing this as the 3. Song.

WHen (LORD) we call to minde those things,

That should be sought of Thee,

Remembring that the hearts of Kings

At thy disposing be,

And how of all those blessings, which

Are outwardly possest,

To make a Kingdome safe and rich,

Good Princes are the best;

2

We thus are mou'd to sing thy praise,

For Him thou daigned hast,

And humbly beg, that all our dayes

Thy care of vsus may last.

Oh, blesse our King, and let him raigne,

In peacefull safety long,

The Faith's Defender to remaine,

And sheild the Truth from wrong.

3

With awfull LoueLove, and louing Dread,

Let vsus obserue him, LORD,

And, as the Members with their Head,

In Christian peace accord:

And fill him with such royall care,

To cherish vsus for this;

As if his heart did feele we are

Some liuing parts of his.

p. 2154

Let neither Party struggle from

That duty should be showne,

Lest each to other plagues become,

And both be ouerthrowne:

For, o're a disobedient Land

Thou dost a Tyrant set;

And those, that Tyrant-like command,

HaueHave still with Rebels met.

5

Oh, neuer let so sad a doome

Upon these Kingdomes fall;

And to assure it may not come▪

Our sinnes forgiue vsus all:

Yea, let the Parties innocent

Some dammage rather share,

Then, by vnchristian discontent,

A double curse to beare.

6

Make vsus (that placed are belowe,

Our callings to apply)

Not ouer-curious be to know,

What he intends on high:

But, teach him iustly to command,

Us rightly to obay;

So, both shall safe together stand,

And doubts shall flie away.

7

When hearts of Kings we pry into,

Our owne we doe beguile,

And what we ought our selues to doe,

We leaue vndone the while:

Whereas, if each man would attend

The way he hath to liue,

And all the rest to thee commend,

Then all should better thriue.

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Oh, make vsus, LORD, disposed thus,

And our dread Soueraigne saue;

Blesse vsus in him, and him in vsus,

We both may blessings hauehave;

That many yeares for him we may

This Song deuoutly sing,

And marke it for a happy day,

When he became our King.

Here endeth the Hymnes, and Songs of the Church.