The Hymns and Songs of the Church, Part 1 · Hymns from the hagiographa
The Preface.
PLainely false is their Supposition, who conc…iue that the Hymnes, Songs and Elegies of the Old Testament are impert…ment to these later Ages of the Church. For, neither the Actions, nor writings of the Auncient Israelites, which are recorded by the Holy Spirit, were permitted to be done, or written for their owne sakes, so much as that they might be profitable to warne and instruct vsus of the latter Times; according to Saint Paul, 1. Cor. 10. And indeed, so much is not onelyonly testified by that Apostle in the place afore recited, and throughout the Epistle to the Hebrewes; but the very names of those Persons and Places, mentioned in these Hymnes and Songs, doe manifest it, and farre better expresse the nature of that which they mystically point out, then of what they are litterally applied vntounto; as those who will looke into their proper significations shall apparently discouer. That therefore these parcels of Holy-Scripture (which are for the most part Me…ter in their Original tongue) may be the better remembred, to the glory of God; and the oftner repeated, to those ends for which they were written. They are here disposed into Lyrick-Verse; and doe make the First part of this Booke: Which Booke is called, The Hymnes and Songs of the Church; not for that I would hauehave it thought part of the Churches Liturgie; but because they are made in the person of all the Faithfull, and do (for the most part) treat of those things which concerne the whole Catholike Church.
The first Song of Moses. Exod. 13.
THis Song was composed and sung, to prayse the LORD, for the Israelites miraculous pas…age through the Red-Sea, & for their deliuery from those Egyptians, who were there drowned. It may (and should also) be sung in the Christian Congregations, or by their particular members, both with respect to the Historicall and Mysticall sences thereof. Historically, in commemoration of that particular Deliuerance, which God had so long agoe, and so wondrously vouchsafed to his persecuted and afflicted Church. Mystically, in acknowledgement of our own powerfull Deliuerance from the bondage of those spiri…uall Aduersaries, whereof those were the Types. For, Pharaoh (signifying vengeance) typified Our great Enemie, who with his host of Temptations, A…flictions, &c. pursueth vsus in our passage to the spirituall Canaan. The Red-Sea represented our Baptisme, 1 Cor. 10.2. By the Dukes and Princes of E…om (mentioned in this Song) are prefigured those Powers and Friends of the kingdome of Dark…nesse, which are, or shall be, molested at the newes of our Regeneration. And therefore, this Hymne may very properly be vsed after the Administration of Baptisme.
The first Song.
… NOw shall the praises of the LORD … … be sung; For, hee a most renowned Triumph… … wonne: Both Horse and Man into the Sea… … he flung: And them together there hath ouerthrowne.… … The LORD is He, whose strength… … doth make me strong; And he is my saluation,… … and my Song: My GOD, for whom I will… … a house prepare; My Fathers GOD, whose… … prayse I will declare.…
2
Well kno…es the LORD, to war what doth pertaine;
The LORD-Almighty is his glorious Name:
…e Pharaohs Charrets, and his armed Traine,
Amid the Sea or'ewhelming, ouercame:
Those of his Army, that were most renoun'd,
…e hath together in the Red-sea drown'd;
The Deepes, a couering ouer them were throwne,
And to the bottome sunke they like a stone.
3
LORD, by thy powre thy Right hand famous growes:
Thy Right hand, LORD, thy Foe destroyed hath:
Thy Glory thy Opposers ouerthrowes;
And stubble-like, consumes them in thy wrath.
A blast but from thy nostrils forth did goe,
And vp together did the waters flow;
Yea, rowled vp on heapes; the liquid Flood
Amid the Sea, as if congealed, stood.
4
I will pursue them (their Pursuer cri'd)
I will or'etake them, and the spoile enioy:
My lust vponupon them shalbe satisfi'd:
With sword vnsheath'd my hand shall them destroy.
Then from thy breath a gale of winde was sent;
The billowes of the Sea quite or'e them went:
And they the mighty waters suncke into,
Eu'n as a weighty peece of Lead will do.
5
LORD, who like thee among the GODS is there!
In holinesse so glorious who may be!
Whose prayses so exceeding dreadfull are!
In doing wonders, who can equall thee!
Thy glorious Right hand thou on high didst reare,
And in the earth they quickly swallow'd were.
But thou in mercy on-ward hast conua…d
Thy People, whose redemption thou hast paid.
6
Them by thy strength thou hast bin pleas…d to beare
Unto a holy Dwelling place of thine:
The Nations at report thereof shall feare;
And grieue shall they that dwell in Palestine.
On Edoms Princes shall amazement fall:
The mighty men of Moab tremble shall;
And such as in the land of Cana'n dwell
Shall pine away, of this when they heare tell.
7
They shalbe ceazed with a dreadfull feare:
Sto…e-quiet thy Right hand shall make them be▪
Till passed ouer, LORD, thy People are;
Till those passe ouer, that were bought by thee.
For, thou shalt make thē to thy Hill repaire,
And plant them there (oh LORD) where thou art heire:
Eu'n there, where thou thy Dwelling hast prepar'd;
That Holy place which thine owne hands hauehave rear'd.
8
The LORD shall euer and for euer raigne.
(His Soueraignty shall neuer hauehave an end)
For, when as Pharoh did into the Maine
With Charrets and with horsemen downe descend,
The LORD did backe againe the Sea recall,
And with those waters ouerwhelm'd them all.
But, through the very inmost of the same,
The seed of Israel safe and dry-shod came.
The second Song of Moses. Deut. 23.
THis Song was giuen by God himselfe, to be taught the Iewes, that it might remaine as a witnesse against them when they should forget his benefits. For, it appeares, the diuine wisedome knew, that when the Law would be lost, or forgotten, a Song might be remembred to posteritie. In this Hymne (Heauen and Earth being c…lled to witnesse) the Pr…phet makes first a narration of the Iewes peruersnes, and then deliuereth prophetically three principall things; wherein diuers other particulars are considerable. The first is a Praediction of the Iewes Idolatry, with the punishments of it. The second is their h…tred to Christ, with their Abiection. And the last, is of the calling of the Gentiles. We therefore, that hauehave by f…ith and experience seene the successe of what is herein foretold, ought to sing it often, in remembrance of Gods Iustice and Mercy. And (seeing we are all apt enough to become as forgetfull of our Redeemers fauour as they) we should by the repetition hereof, seeke so to stirre vp our considerations, that (as Saint Paul counselleth) we might the better meditate the goodnesse and seueritie of God, &c. For, if he hath not spared the naturall branches, Let vsus take heed, as the same Apostle aduiseth. Rom. 11.24.
Song. 2.
Sing this as the first Song.
TO what I speake an eare yee Heauens lend,
And heare, thou Earth, what words I vtter wil.
Like drops of Raine, my Speeches shall descend,
And as the Dew, my Doctrine shall distill:
Like to the smaller Raine on tender flowres;
And as vponupon the grasse the greater showres.
For, I the LORDS great Name will publish now;
That so our GOD may praysed be of you.
2
He is that Rocke, whose workes perfection are:
For, all his wayes with iudgement guided be.
A GOD of truth, from all wrong-doing cleere:
A truely iust, and righteous-one is he;
Though they themselues defil'd vnlike his sons.
And are a crooked race of froward-ones.
Oh mad and foolish Nation! why dost thou
Thy selfe vntounto the LORD so thanklesse show?
3
Thy Father and Redeemer is not he?
Hath he not made, and now confirm'd thee fast?
Oh call to mind the dayes that older be,
And weigh the yeares of many ages past.
For, if thou aske thy Father, he will tell,
Thy Elders also, can informe thee well,
How, he (the high'st) did Adams sonnes diuide,
And shares for eu'ry Family prouide;
4
And how the Nations Bounds he did prepare,
In number with the Sonnes of Israel.
For, in his People had the LORD his share,
And Iacob for his part alotted fell:
Whom finding in a place possest of none,
(A Desert va…, vntilled and vnknowne)
He taught them there; he led them farre and nigh,
And kept them as the Apple of his eye.
5
Eu'n as an Eagle, to prouoke her young.
About her nest doth houer here and there,
Spread forth her wings to traine her birds along,
And sometime on her back… her yonglings beare:
Right so, the LORD conducted them alone,
When for his aid Strange god with him was none.
Them on the High-lands of the earth he set,
Where they the plenties of the field might eat.
6
For them he made the Rocke with Hony flow:
He drayned oyle from stones, and them did feed
With milke of Sh…epe, with butter of the Cow,
With Goats, fat Lambs, & Rams of Bashan breed.
The finest of the wheat he made their food;
And of the Grape they drunke the purest blood▪
But, herewithall vnthankfull Israel
So fat became, he kicked with his heel.
7
Growne …at, and …ith their grossenesse couerd or'e.
Their God, their Maker, they did soone forsake:
Their Rock of health regarded was no more:
But with Strange gods him iealous they did make▪
To moue his wrath, they hatefull things deuiz'd:
To Diuels in his stead they sacrifiz'd:
To Gods vnknowne, that new inuented we…e,
And such▪ as their Fore-fathers did not feare.
8
They minded not the Rocke who them begate,
But quite forgot the God, that …orm'd them hath:
Which when the L…R… perceiu'd, it made him …ate
His Sonnes & Daughters, mouing him to wrath.
To marke their end, said he, Ile hide my face:
For, they are faithlesse Sonnes, of froward race:
My wrath, with what is not a GOD, they moue,
And my displeasure with their follies proue.
9
And I, by those that are no People, yet
Their …rathfull ielousie will moue for this;
And by a foolish Nation make them fret.
For, in my wrath a fire inflamed is;
And down to Hell the earth consume it shall,
Eu'n to the Mountains bottoms, fruit and all▪
In heapes vponupon them mischiefes will I throw;
And shoot mine arrowes till I hauehave no moe.
10
With hunger parched and consum…d with heat,
I will enforce them to a bitter end:
The teeth of Beasts vponupon them will I set,
And will the poys'nous dust-fed Serpent send.
The sword without, and feare within, shall s…ay
Ma…ds, yongmen, babes, and him whose haire is gray▪
Yea, I had vow…d to spread thē here & there,
Men might forget, that such a people were.
11
But this the Foe compe'ld me to delay;
Lest tha… their aduersaries (prouder growne)
Should …when they heard it) thus presume to say;
This, not the LORD, but our high hand hath done.
For, in this People no discretion is;
Nor can their dulnesse reach to iudge of this.
Oh had they wisedome this to comprehend!
That so they might bethinke them of their end.
12
How should one make a thousand run away,
Or two men put ten thousand to the foile;
Except their Rocke had sold them for a pray,
And that the LORD had clos'd them vp the while?
For, though our Foes thēselues the Iudges were,
Their God they cannot with our GOD compare:
But, they hauehave vines like those that Sodom yeelds,
And such as are within Gomorrha fields.
13
They beare the Grapes of gall vponupon their vine:
Extreamely bitter are their clusters all:
Yea, made of Dragons venom is their wine,
And of the cruell Aspes, infectious gall.
And can this (euer) be forgot of me!
Or not be sealed where my treasures be?
Sure, mine is vengeance; and I will repay:
Their feet shall slide at their appointed day.
14
Their time of Ruine neere at hand is come:
Those things that shall befall them hast will make.
For, then the LORD shall giuegive his People doome,
And on his Seruants kind compassion take:
When he perceiues their strength bereft & gone,
And that in prison they are left alone;
Where a…e their Gods become? he then shall say;
Their Rocke on whom affiance they did lay?
15
Who ate the fartest of their Sacrifice?
Who of their Drinke-oblations dranke the wine?
Let those vntounto their succour now arise,
And vnderunder their protection them enshrine.
Behold, consider now, that I am He,
And that there is no other God with me:
I kill and make aliue: I wound, I cure;
And there is none can from my hand assure.
16
For, vp to heau'n on high my hand I reare.
And (as I …ue for euer) this I say;
When I my shining sword to whet prepare,
And shall my hand to acting vengeance lay,
I will not c…ase till I my foes requite,
And am aueng d on all that beare me spite:
But, in their blood, …hich I shall make to flow,
Will steepe mine arrowes, till they drunken grow.
17
My sword shall eat the flesh and blood of those
Who shalbe either slaine or brought in thra…l,
When I begin this vengeance on my Foes.
Sing therefore, wi…h his P…ople, Nations all.
For, he his Seruants blood with blood will pay,
And due auengement on his Foes will lay.
But, to his Land compassion he will show;
And on his People mercy shall bestow.
The Song of Deborah and Barak. Iudges. 5.
THis Hymne was composed to glorifie God for the great ouerthrow giuen to Sisera: who comming armed with many hundred Chare…s of Iron against the poore oppressed Israelites (when they had not a sword or speare among forty thou…and of them) was neuerthelesse miraculously discomfited: to shew the vnbeleeuing people, that the LORD onelyonly is the God of b…ttles; and, that he is both able, an… doth often, deliuer his CHVRCH without the ordinary meanes. By the repetition hereof, we prayse God, in commemorating one of the great Deliuerance… heretofore vouchsafed to his Church. And in these times of feare and wauering, we may also by this memorable example of God's prouidence, strengthen our faith, which is many times weakned by the outward power, prosperitie, or vaine boastings of the Churches Aduersaries: Who shall (doubtlesse) be at last shamefully ruined (according to the Propheticall imprecation concluding this Song) notwithstanding their many likelihoods of preuailing. Yea, the…, perhaps, shall that destruction come on them, to Gods greater Glory, when our estate seemes to be most desperate.
Song. 3.
… SIng praises Isr'el to the LORD, that thee… … auenged so: When to the fight with free accord,… … The people forth did go. You Kings giuegive care;… … you Princes heare, while to the LORD I raise… … my voice aloud, and sing to GOD, (the LORD … … of Isr'el) praise.…
2
When thou departedst, LORD, from Seir,
When thou leftst Edom f…eld,
Earth shooke, the heauens dropped there,
The clouds did water yeeld.
LORD, at thy sight
A trembling fright
Upon the Mountaines fell:
Eu…n at thy looke
Mount-Sinai shooke,
LORD GOD of Israel.
3
Not long agoe in Shamghar's dayes,
Old Anath's valiant Sonne;
And late, in Iael's time; the wayes
Frequented were of none:
The passengers
Were wanderers
In crooked paths vnknowne:
And none durst dwell
Through Israel,
But in a walled Towne.
4
Untill I Deborah arose
(Who rose a mother there)
In Isr'el when new Gods they chose,
That fild their gates with warre.
And they had there
Nor shield nor speare
In their possession, then;
To arme… for fight)
One Israelite,
Mong forty thousand men.
5
To those that Isr'els Captaines are
My heart doth much incline;
To those, I meane, that willing were:
Oh LORD the prayse be thine.
Sing ye for this,
Whose vse it is
To ride on Asses gray;
All ye that yet
In Middin sit,
Or trauell by the way.
6
The place where they their water drew,
From Archers now is cleare.
The … vprightnesse they shall shew,
And …is iust dealing there.
The Hamlets all,
Through Isr'el shall
His righteousnesse record:
And downe vntounto
The Gates shall goe
Th People of the LORD.
7
Arise oh Deborah arise:
Ri…e, ri…e, and sing a Song.
Abinoam's sonne, oh Barak rise:
Thy Captiues lead along.
Their Prince all,
By him made thrall
To the Suruiuor be.
To triumph on
The Mighty one,
The LOR… vouchsafed me.
8
A root, from out of Ephraim
Gain'st Amalek arose:
And (of the people) next to him
The Beniamites were those.
From Machir (where
Good Leaders are)
Came well experienc't men:
And they came downe
From Zabulon
That handle well the Pen.
9
Along with Deborah did goe
The Lords of Isachar;
With Isachar, eu'n Barak too,
Was one among them there.
He foorth was sent,
And marching went
On foot the lower-way.
For Reuben (where
Diuisions were…
Right thought-full hearts had they.
10
The blea…ing of the flockes to heare.
Oh wherefore didst thou stay r
For Reuben (where diuisions were)
Right thought-full hearts had they▪
But, why did they
Of Gilead stay
On Iordans other side?
And wherefore than,
Didst thou oh Dan,
Within thy Tents abide?
11
Among his harbours, lurking by
The seaside, Asher lay.
But, Zabulun and Nephthali
Kept not themselues away.
They people are,
Who fearelesse dare
Their liues to death expose;
And did not yeeld
The hilly-field,
Though Kings did them oppose.
12
With them the Cananitish Kings
At Tana'ch fought that day,
Close by Megiddo's water-springs;
Yet bore no Prize away.
For loe, the Starres
Fought in their Spheares:
Gainst Sisera fought they.
And some (by force)
The water-course
Of Kishon, swept away.
13
Eu'n Kishon Riuer, which was long
A famous Torrent knowne.
Oh thou my soule! oh thou, the strong,
Hast brauely trodden downe.
Their Horse (whose pace
So lofty was)
Their hoofes with prancing wound;
Those of the Strong,
That kickt and flung,
And fiercely beat the ground.
14
A heauy curse on Meroz lay:
Curst be her dwellers all.
The Angell of the LORD doth say,
That Citie curse you shall.
And, therefore, this
Accursing is:
They came not to the fight,
To helpe the LORD,
(To helpe the LORD)
Against the Men of Might.
15
But, blest be Iael, Heber's spouse
The Kenite; blest be she,
More then all women are, of those
That vse in Tents to be.
To him did she
GiueGive milke, when he
Did water onelyonly wish;
And butter set
For him to eat,
Upon a lordly dish.
16
She, in her left hand tooke a naile.
And rais'd vp in the Right
A workemans hammer; wherewithall
She Sisera did smite.
His head she tooke
When she had strooke
His pierced Temples through.
He fell withall:
And in the fall,
He at her feet did bow.
17
He at her feet did bow his head;
Fell downe, and life forlooke.
Meane whil… his longing Mother did
From out her window looke:
Thus, c…ying at
The Lattice grate,
Why stayes his Chariot so
From hasting home?
Oh! wherefore come
His Chariot wheeles so slow?
18
As thus she spake, her Ladies wise
To her an answere gaue.
Yea, to herselfe, her selfe replies;
Sure, sped (saith she) they hauehave:
And all this while
They part the spoyle;
A Damsell, one or twaie,
Each homeward beares,
And Sisera shares
A party-colour'd Pray.
19
Of needle-worke, both sides of it
In diuers colours, are:
Eu'n such as doth his necke befit
That vseth Spoyles to weare.
So LORD still so,
Thy foes or'e throwe:
But, who in thee delight,
Oh! le… them be
Sunne-like, when he
Ascendeth in his might.
The Song of Hannah. 1. Sam. 2.1.
HAnnah the wife of Elkanah, being bar…en (and therefore vpbraided …nd vexed by Pe…innah her hu…bands other wife) prayed vntounto the Lord for a Sonne. And hauing obtained him, glorified God in this Song, for deliuering her from the contempt of her aduer…ary. By Hannah (which signifieth Grace or Gratious) was the Church of Christ …epresented: And by Peninnah (signifying despised or forsaken) was figured the Iewish Synagogue. This Song therefore, is to be vnderstood as a mysticall Prophesie of that Abiection of the Iewes and calling of the Gentiles, which was fulfilled vponupon the birth of Iesus Christ, our true Samuel: at whose conception the blessed Virgine Mary, in her Magnificat, acknowledged the verifying of many particulars foretold in this Song; euen almost in the same words. In memoriall therefore of these Mysteries, we ought to sing this Hymne: to comfort vsus also, against the pride and arrogancie of those, who, by reason of their multitudes, shall scorne, and vpbraid the true Church, as mother only of a few poore and obscure children. And we may vse it likewise to prayse God for that fruitfulnesse which he hath giuen to our Holy mother; who hath lately had many children aduanced to be Kings, and to sit on the most eminent thrones of Glory in the earth, according to this Propheticall Song.
Song. 4.
… NOw in the LORD my heart doth pleasure take:… … My ho…ne is in the LORD aduanced high.… … And to my Foes an answere I will make;… … Because in his saluation ioy'd am I.… … Like him, there is not any holy-One:… … And other LORD beside him, there is none:…
2
Nor like our God another God is there.
So proudly vaunt not then, as heretofore;
But, let your tongues from henceforth now forbeare▪
All vaine presuming words, for euermore.
For why? the LORD is God who all things knows,
And doth each purpose to his end dispose.
3
Now broken is their bow, that once were stout:
And girt with vigor they that stumbled are.
The Full, themselues for bread hauehave hired out:
Which now they need not do, that hungry were.
The Barren-wombe, doth seuen children owne:
And she, that once had many, weake is growne.
4
The LORD doth slay; and he reuiues the slaine.
He to the graue doth bring; and backe he beares.
The LORD makes poore; and rich he makes againe.
He throweth downe: and vp on high he reares.
He from the dust, and from the dunghill brings
The Begger, and the poore, to sit with Kings.
5
He reares them to inherit Glories throne.
For why? the LORD'S the Earth's vpholders are:
The world hath he erected therevpon.
He to the footing of his Saints hath care.
But, dumb in darknesse, Sinners shall remaine:
For in their strength, shall men be strong in vain.
6
The LORD will to destruction bring them all,
(Eu'n eu'ry one) that shall with him contend.
From out of heau'n he thunder on them shall,
And iudge the world vntounto the farthest end.
With strength & power, his King he will supply,
And raise the Horne of his Anointed, high.
The Lamentation of Dauid, ouer Saul, and Ionathan his sonne, 2. Sam. 1.1….
IN this fune…all Elegie Dauid bewaileth the Death of Saul and Ionathan: from whence these obseruations may be collected. First, that the slaughter of a valiant Prince is an outward blemish, and iust cause of sorrow in the State. Secōdly that the insulting of an aduersary is not the least affliction. Thirdly, that the Mountaines of Gilboa are accursed to this day: For, by Gilb… (which is interpreted slippery or inconstant) is mystically vnderstood that irresolution or despaire, by which men fall into the power of their spirituall aduersary. Fourthly, we hence may learne to commemorate those things which …re …ra…e-worthy euen in our enemie. Lastly it sheweth vsus that wise and good men may tender o…e friend more affectionately then another; and that it misbeseemes them not to bewaile their death. This is to be …ung historically for our instruction in the particulars afore mentioned. And may be obserued as a patterne for our funerall Poemes.
Song. 5.
… THy beauty, Israel, is gone; slaine in the Places… … high is he: The Mighty now are ouerthrowne.… … Oh, thus how commeth it to be!…
Let not this newes their streets throughout,
In Gath, or Askalon, be told
For feare Philistia's daughters flout:
Lest vaunt th'vncircumcized should.
2
On you, hereafter, let no dewe
You Mountaines of Gilboa, fall.
Let there be neither showers on you,
Nor fields that breed an offring shall.
For, there with shame, away was throwne
The Target of the strong (alas)
The shield of Saul, eu'n as of one
That neu'r with oyle anoynted was.
3
Nor from their blood that slaughter'd lay,
Nor from the fart of strong-men slaine;
Came Ionathan his bow away,
Nor drew forth Saul his sword in vaine▪
In life time, they were louely faire;
In death they vndiuided are.
More swift then Eagles of the ayre,
And stronger they, then Lyons were.
4
Weepe Isrel's daughters, weepe for Saul,
Who you with skarlet hath arayd;
Who clothed you with Pleasures all,
And on your garments gold hath layd.
How comes it, he that mighty was,
The foyle in battell doth sustaine!
Thou Ionathan, oh thou (alas)
Upon thy Places-high wert slaine.
5
And, much distressed is my heart,
My brother Ionathan, for thee,
My very deare-delight thou wert,
And wondrous was thy louelove to me.
So wondrous, it surpassed farre
The louelove of women (eu'ry way.)
Oh, how the Mighty fallen are!
How warlike Instruments, decay!
Dauids Thankesgiuing. 1. Chro. 29.10.
KIng Dauid hauing by perswasions and his own… liberall example, stirred vp the people to a bou… tifull Beneuolence toward the building of Gods house▪ praysed him for that willing and cheereful free-offrin… ▪ And in this Thanksgiuing, we obserue this method. Fir… ▪ he acknowledgeth Gods Blessednesse, Greatnesse, Pow…, Glory, Victory, Maiestie, Bountie, with the like: and co… fesseth in generall that Honour, Riches, Strength, wi… all other good things are at the Almighties disposing. Secondly, he therefore prayseth the Lord; and acknowledgeth also, that his, and the peoples willingnesse … giuegive, came not of themselues; but was Gods ow… proper gift (as well as that which they had giuen.) La… ly, He prayeth for the continuance of Gods blessin… both vponupon their purposes and endeauours: and, th… their Beneuolence may be disposed to that End for whic… it was giuen. This Song, may be very properly vsed, whensoeuer among vsus, there hath beene any free an… liberall contributions to good and pious Ends. An… to fit the same the better to such purposes; the Person… ▪ and some few circumstances, are a little changed … this Translation.
Song. 6.
Sing this as the fifth Song.
OH LORD our euerlasting GOD,
Blisse, Greatnesse, Power, & Praise is thine.
With thee, hauehave Conquests their abode,
And glorious Maiestie diuine.
All things that earth and heau'n afford,
Thou at thine owne disposing hast.
To thee belongs the Kingdome, LORD,
And thou, for head, or'e all art plac…t.
2
Thou wealth, and Honour dost command,
To thee, made subiect all things be:
Both strength and power, are in thine hand,
To be dispos'd as pleaseth thee.
And now, to thee our God therefore;
A Song of thankfulnesse we frame.
(That what we owe, we may restore)
And glorifie, thy glorious Name.
3
But, what, or who are we (alas)
That we in giuing are so free!
Thine own before, our Offring'was,
And all we hauehave, we hauehave from thee.
For, we are Ghuests, and Strangers here,
As were our Fathers in thy sight:
Our dayes but shadow-like appeare,
And suddenly they take their flight.
4
This offring, LORD our GOD, which thus
We for thy Name sake hauehave bestowne,
Deriued was, from thee, to vsus;
And that we giuegive, is all thine owne.
Oh GOD, thou proou'st the heart, we know,
And dost affect vprightnesse there.
With gladnesse, therefore, we bestow
What we hauehave freely offerd here.
5
Still thus (Oh LORD our GOD) incline
Their meanings, who thy people be.
And euer, let the hearts of thine
Be thus prepared vntounto Thee.
Yea, giuegive vsus perfit hearts, we pray,
That we thy p…ecepts erre not from.
And grant, our Contribution may
An honour to thy Name become.
The Prayer of Nehemiah. Nehem. 1.5.
NEhemiah, determining (as the story sheweth) to moue Artaxerxes for the repaire of the Citie and house of the Lord, first made this prayer. Wherein hauing acknowledged the Maiestie, Iustice, and Mercy of God, he confesseth the haynousnes…e of his and his peoples sinnes; desireth forgiuenesse; entreateth for the peoples deliuerance from captiuitie; and requesteth h… may find fauour in the sight of the King his Master. Now, we who by regeneration are the sonnes of Israel (and such as in a spirituall sence, may be said also, to be dispersed among the heathen, as often …s we are carried captiue by the heathenish con…upiscences and vanities of the wor…d) euen we may in a litterall sence make vse of this excellent forme of confession, before our seuerall Petitions. And doubtles…e a faithfull vsing o… these the Holy Ghosts ow…e words (with remembrance of the h…ppie successe they her…tofore had) will much strengthen and encrease the hope, confidence, and comfort of him that prayeth. Who changing the two last lines onelyonly, may appropriate it to any nec…ssity. For example, if it be to be sung before labour, conclud… it thus; And be thou pleas'd, O LORD▪ to blesse; Our Labours with a good successe If before a iourney, thus; And LORD all dangers keepe vsus f…om; Both go…g foorth, and comming home. If before a battel thus; And be thou pleased, in the fight, To make vsus victors by thy might. If in the time of famine, thus; And, LORD vouchsafe thou, in this need, Our soules and bodies both to feed. If before a Sermon, &c. thus; And grant, that we, LORD, in thy feare, May to our profit speake and heare. And the like, as occasion requires.
Song. 7.
Sing this as the 9. Song.
LORD GOD of Heau'n, who onelyonly art
The mighty God, and full of feare;
Who neuer promise▪ breaker wert,
But euer shewing mercy there
Where men affection beare to thee,
And of thy Lawes obseruers be.
2
GiueGive eare, and ope thine eyes, I pray,
That heard thy seruan…s suit may be,
Made in thy presence night and day,
For Israels Seed, that serueth thee:
For Israels seed, who (I confesse)
Against thee grieuously transgresse.
3
I, and my Fathers house did sinne,
Corrupted all our actions bee:
And disrespectiue we hauehave bin
Of Statutes, Iudgements, and Decree;
Of those, which to retaine so fast,
Thy seruant Moses charg'd thou hast.
4
Oh yet, remember thou, I pray,
These words, which thou didst heretofore
Unto thy seruant Moses say.
If ere (saidst thou) they vexe me more,
I will disperse them eu'ry where,
Among the Nations here and there.
5
But, if to me they shall conuert,
To doe those things my Law containe;
Though spread to Heau'ns extreamest part,
I would collect them thence againe,
And bring them there to make repose,
Where I to place my Name hauehave chose.
6
Now, these thy People are (of right)
Thy seruants, who to thee belong;
Whom thou hast purchas'd by thy Might,
And by thine Arme exceeding strong:
Oh! let thine eare, Lord, I thee pray,
Attentiue be to what I say.
7
The prayer of thy seruant heare;
Oh, heare thy seruants when they pray,
(Who willing are thy Name to feare)
Thy seruant prosper thou to day:
And be thou pleas'd to grant that he
May fauour'd in thy presence be.
The Song of King Lemuel. Prou 31.10.
THis Song is Alphabeticall in the originall. It containeth an admirable description of a good Wife: And these three things are here principally considerable; the aduantage her Husband receiueth by her; the commendable vertues she hath in her selfe; And the reward th… followes her. Her Husbands aduantages are these: A quiet heartfree from iealousie or distrust of her; a ric… estate without oppressing others; and place of hono… in the Common-wealth. Her vertues are, Industry, Pr… uidence, Chearefulnesse, Courage, and Vnweariednesse in prouiding for, & disposing of her temporall affaires: Moreouer continuall louelove to her Husband; liberality to the poore; gouernment of her tongue; and heedfulnesse to those courses her houshold takes. Her reward is this: Her Husband is confident in her; she shall hauehave comfort of her labours; her posterity shall blesse her; her Husband shall praise her aboue other women: she shall be honoured in life, and hauehave ioy at her death. It is indeed, an excellent Marriage-Song, fit to be vsed at the solemnizing of those Rites. For it ministreth instruction becomming that occasion. Yea perhaps, the Musicke of it would stirre vp good affections also (where vnpleasing discords are now heard) if it were often sung in priuate Families.
Song. VIII.
Sing this as the sixt Song.
WHo findes a Woman good and wise,
A gemme more worth then Pearls hath got;
Her Husbands heart on her relies:
To liue by spoyle he needeth not.
His comfort all his life is she.
No wrong she willingly will doe:
For Wooll and Flax her searches be:
And cheerefull hands she puts thereto.
2
The Merchant-ship resembling right,
Her food she from a farre doth fet.
E're day she wakes, that giuegive she might
Her maids their taske, her houshold meat.
A field she viewes, and that she buyes;
Her hand doth plant a vineyard there,
Her loynes with courage vp she tyes;
Her Armes with vigor strengthned are.
3
If in her worke she profit feele,
By night her Candle goes not out:
She puts her finger to the wheele,
Her hand the spindle twirles about.
To such as poore and needy are,
Her hand (yea, both hands) reacheth she:
The Winter none of hers doth feare,
For, double cloath d her houshold be.
4
She Mantles maketh, wrought by hand▪
And silke and purple clothing gets:
Among the Rulers of the Land
(Knowne in the Gate) her Husband sits.
For sale, fine Linnen weaueth she,
And …irdles to th… Marchant se…ds:
Renowne and strength her clothings be,
And ioy her later time, attends.
5
She speakes discreetly when she talkes;
The law of Grace her tongue hath learn…d:
She heeds the way her houshold walkes,
And feedeth not on bread vn-eatn…d.
Her Children ris…, and blest her call:
Her Husband thus applaudeth her;
Oh! thou hast farre surpast them all,
Though many Daughters thriuing are.
6
Deceitfull Fauour quickly weares,
And Beauty suddenly decayes:
But, if the LORD she truly fear…s
That Woman well deserueth praise.
The fruit her handy worke obtaines,
Without repining grant her that;
And yeeld her what her labour gaines,
To doe her honour in the Gate,