The Banqueting House, Part 1
PART I. SACRED HYMNS, Setting forth The Glory and excellent Perfections of GOD the FATHER.
HYMN ….
Math. 5. 16.
Glorifie your Father which is in Heaven.
1
A Father doth his Child beget,
So we begotten are,
By thy own Word and Spirit Lord,
And do thine Image bear.
2
He likewise doth his Children cloath,
And doth them also love;
So thou most richly cloaths all such
That are born from above.
3
A Father feeds and does protect
Such who his Children be:
So thou dost feed and save all those
Who do belong to thee.
4
And also doth delight in them
Who him resemble do:
To such who are most like to thee,
Thou dost chief favour show.
Second Part.
5
A Father loves his Children should
All live in Unity;
So thou delights to see thy Saints
Walk in sweet Harmony.
6
He ever does o'relook the faults,
Which he in them does spy:
So all thy People's faults likewise
Thou dost, O Lord, pass by.
7
'Tis a high honour to descend
From such who Noble be;
Kings Children are all but base born,
To those, Lord, born of thee.
8
Rich Parents may soon poor be made,
And also they do die:
Thou Lord art rich, and so wilt be
Unto Eternity.
9
All praise and glory unto God
Our Father, be therefore:
And unto Christ that ransom'd us,
Be Praise for evermore.
HYMN 2.
Psal. 73. 26.
God the Portion of his People.
1
A Portion Lord thou didst design
On thine for to bestow;
Nought didst thou think was good enough
For them of things below.
2
Nor things in Heaven, which excell,
And therefore dost impart,
Thy self as the Portion alone
Of all upright in Heart.
3
Who then is able to conceive
How rich thy Children are?
For they have all, since they have thee,
And each an equal share.
4
All have a God, all have a Christ,
Nay, all that thou hast too;
Each one hath thee intirely,
This does their Riches show.
5
And they, Lord, never shall have less,
Their Portion can't be spent,
Nor treacherously by wicked ones
From them it can't be rent.
6
Fire can't their bless'd Portion burn,
Nor Thieves steal it away;
Nor Moths, nor Rust, it can't corrupt,
O happy, happy they!
The second Part.
7
All things are theirs who have thee Lord,
Thô under age they be:
But yet that day will quickly come
Of their Felicity.
8
When full possession they shall have
Of all that is their own,
And every one of them thou wilt
With lasting Glory Crown.
9
This Portion, ah, how doth it suit!
And answer every want,
And fully does it satisfie
The Soul of every Saint.
10
All Glory and high praise therefore
Let us together sing,
To God the Father, and the Son,
From whence such Riches spring.
HYMN 2.
Psal. 90. 1.
God the Saints dwelling place.
1
THy Saints Lord have a dwelling strong,
And thou that dwelling art,
No habitation like to this,
Hath any haughty Heart.
2▪
For 'tis the low and humble Soul
That in the Lord does dwell:
Where such do rest, and have repose,
This dwelling doth excell.
3
A house, ah 'tis our home always,
And when we absent be:
How do we long for to return,
So do our Soul till we
4
Return again unto our God,
When we from thee do stray:
O bring us to our bless'd abode,
Christ Jesus is the Way.
5
We here no perfect rest shall find,
Untill we fixed are
In our brave house that is above,
No Palace like to it here.
The second Part.
1
A House preserves from heat and cold,
From Winds and cruel storms;
Those who Lord dwell in thee are bold,
Being safe from fear of harms.
2
And in our House our comforts lie,
And all our chiefest treasure:
God is our Joy, our Souls delight,
In whom is sweetest pleasure.
3
Propriety unto a house
Doth make it valued;
Our interest in our God, alone,
Makes us lift up our head.
4
In a great House are many Rooms
To dine and also lye,
Rare secret Chambers also we
Do in thee clearly spy.
5
Each Attribute is as a Room
Whither thy Saints do go
By precions Acts of Faith, and then
Nothing they fear below.
6
Another house, thô stately tis,
It may be batte…d down;
But thou art such a House, O Lord,
That can't be overthrown.
7
Hast then away to your abode,
Let all with speed hast home,
For dreadful storms you may expect
Will very quickly come.
The Third Part. Chambers of Safety.
1
O come, O come, Gods people all,
With speed hast ye away,
Enter your Chambers great and small,
No longer do you stay:
2
For God, the mighty God above,
Is rising out of's place,
And will the Hills and Mountains move,
And Vengeance pour apace.
3
There is a way found out that ye
May be secured,
When Sinners shall consumed be
Who basely are misled.
4
Doth it not thunder afar off,
It Lightens also sore:
O tremble all, and do not scoff,
For hark 'tis more and more.
5
Children get home, and do not stay,
Hast to your dwelling place;
For if you make the least delay,
Then sad may be your case.
6
All who abroad or in the Fields
Do foolishly remain,
They may as the Egyptians were,
Be ruined and slain.
Isa. 26. 20.
A Storm a coming.
1
O Quake ye who most guilty are,
Who love and live in sin;
For God will suddenly break forth,
As usual hath not been.
2
But sing ye Saints, and joyfull be,
Christs Kingdom does draw near,
Do you leave all Iniquity,
And nothing do you fear.
3
The shaking times that are at hand,
Will bring Great Babel down:
And then will God save this our Land,
And Saints with Blessings Crown.
4
Therefore if ye in Christ are found
To every Duty led,
And have your Hearts sincere and sound,
Look up, lift up your head.
5
For your Redemption does draw near,
Gods praises sing therefore:
Unto his call do you adhere,
Then sing for evermore.
HYMN 4.
Joh. 15. 1. God compared to a Husbandman.
1
RIch Husbandmen have House and Land
Both moist and also dry,
God o're the Earth hath the Command,
And true propriety.
2
The beasts of th' field and fowls of th' Air,
With Silver, and the Gold
Is all the Lords, yea, and what else
Our Eyes can here behold.
3
He may give it to whom he will,
And then take it away:
He makes men rich, and makes them poor,
And none dare him gain-say.
4
Some ground he plows and sows it then
With choice and precious seeds;
Whilst other ground does barren lie,
Eat up and spoil'd with Weeds.
5
And who shall say what doest thou,
He may do what he will;
All are thine own, what e're thou dost,
Yet thou art righteous still.
The second Part.
1
A Husband … … very well,
His ground will barren be,
Unless it is well manured,
No profit he can see.
2
Even so unless the fallow ground
Of thy base wicked heart
Be broken up, it will be found
That thou most barren art.
3
A Husbandman does spare no cost,
Nor grudge at his great pains,
That so he may his ground make good,
When he his end obtains.
4
So God likewise thinks nought too much
Who does great cost bestow
On Souls of men, when they prove such
Who forth his Glory show.
5
A Husbandman his Trees doth prune,
More fruitful them to make,
But branches that unfruitful be,
Such off the Trees does take.
6
And thus doth God by all those men
Who by profession are
In Jesus Christ, who barren prove,
Them long he will not spare.
7
But such that fruitful Branches be,
He purges every one,
And abundantly shall they bring forth,
Before that he has done.
8
As God doth sow, so he likewise
Doth cause the rain to fall,
That so his Vineyard flourish may,
And's Trees be fruitful all.
9
Which other Husbandmen can't do,
Nor can they change the soyl;
But God can make Mens hearts most good
Which naturally were vile.
10
All praise to him therefore let's give,
And set his glory forth,
And fruitfully unto him live,
Whilst we do live on earth.
HYMN 5.
Heb. 3. 4.
God the chief Builder.
1
HE that did build all things is God,
'Tis he and he alone▪
That made the world, and all things in't,
Praise ye the Holy One.
2
And he laid the Foundation sure
Of th' Earth and Heaven too,
Which long have been, and still endure,
Will put them down also.
3
'Tis he that built his Glorions Church,
And laid the corner stone,
In all the Earth there is None-such,
O praise the Holy One.
4
With precious Stones he hath it built,
Yea, living ones they are,
And by his Spirit so compact,
'Tis …ar beyond compare.
5
The Timber, and the Stones by him
Were squared curiously,
That all the Buildings in the World,
With this cannot come nigh.
6
The matter and the form also,
Did he alone ordain,
No alteration must be made,
Upon eternal pain.
7
All other Builders Servants have
To labour with their hands;
Who according to the pattern act,
And just as he commands.
8
So Ministers God does imploy,
Who must the pattern know,
And if they alter any thing,
They do their folly show.
9
The Rule it is Gods Holy Word,
Would you the Pattern view,
'Tis the first Church the Lord did build,
As th' Apostles Acts do shew.
The second Part.
1
Nothing but precious Stones must be
On the foundation plac'd,
By such who wood or stubble build
This fabrick is disgrac'd.
2
And they will suffer loss thereby
When it comes to be try'd,
Because such stuff cannot endure,
Their work will not abide.
3
Then see all ye who are call'd Saints,
That you are precious Gold,
I mean sincere and godly ones,
Whom God loves to behold.
4
And see that you his building are,
And in you he does dwell,
If in you he has no abode,
Down you must go to Hell.
HYMN 6.
Exod. 15. 3.
God a Man of War.
1
GOD is a man of war, and he
Has many …rmies, who
Almighty are in strength, therefore
Down shall his Foes all go.
2
The Enemies who do ingage
Against this Man of war,
…re all infernal pow'rs below,
And such who wicked are.
3
God is a Warriour just and good,
And mighty skill he hath,
Before him never any stood
In Hell, much less on Earth.
'Tis for his Glory he does take▪
The Sword into his hand,
And wo to such who head do make
Against his dread Command.
5
In war he is most terrible,
If he sets in array,
The Battel once against his Foes,
They'll soon melt all away.
6
He'll make the earth to tremble when
He does gird on his Sword,
And cause all proud and haughty men
To fall at his own word.
6
If he the Trumpet once does sound,
And like a Lion roar,
The wicked he will all confound,
And Vengeance on them pour.
8
An Armory and Weapons too
Of Indignation hath,
With Fire and Smoke, and Hail also,
He soon can spoil the Earth.
9
If man provoke him to arise,
And stir up Jealousy,
He like a travailling Woman will
Break forth, and loudly cry.
10
A Banner he hath to display,
A white Flag he puts out,
To see if Sinners will submit,
Whose Courage seems so stout.
11
If they will not lay down their Arms,
And with him make their peace,
Then let them tremble, they shall see
Incensed wrath increase.
12
And out his bloody Flag will go,
No quarter will he give,
But down they fall both great and small,
And Vengeance shall receive.
The second Part.
1
Wo, wo to all ungodly ones,
Who are his bitter Foes;
But happy are all Friends of his,
And such who with him close.
2
Fear not, ye Saints, this Man of war
Is always on your side,
And in your quarrel he'll appear,
And equally divide
3
To every man his own just Right,
And Sion's Cause he'll plead,
And will destroy the cursed Whore
That long has flourished.
4
Put hark again, for you must know,
God's patience near is gone,
A warning piece he has let off,
The Battel is begun.
5
O sing, ye Saints, God is come forth,
An alarm he does sound,
The Trumpets blow, and it is heard
In every quarter round.
6
The Beast and cursed Babylon,
Amazed are to hear
What God in England …te has done,
But stranger things draw near.
7
God forth is coming with a shout,
Sing praises, sing praises,
He will all his Enemies rout,
And g…d mens hope it raises.
HYMN 7.
God a strong Tower.
1
THou art, O Lord, a Tower strong,
And Refuge for the Poor,
And that we might all hide in thee,
Hast opened a door.
2
Christ is the Door that does let us
Into this Tower, where
We may be safe, and we all know
No other Door is there.
3
Our defence is in the Lord,
The high and lofty one,
And in thee we most safe shall be,
Till all the trouble's gone.
4
Thou art our Shield and Hiding place,
To thee we haste away,
Fore-seeing Dangers very …igh,
Dare now no longer slay.
5
In thee is safety if we fly,
Our Tower is so strong,
We fear no Siege, no Mines can hurt,
Nor do our Tower wrong.
6
Nor can we starve whilst here we ly,
Thy Stores cannot be spent, …
In thee is Bread, and all supply,
No ways can Foes invent
7
To take our Fort, we fear no Bombs
Nor Cannon though they roar,
But from our Tower the cruel Foes
To pieces shall be tore.
The second Part.
1▪
We in this Tower vent…e may
All that to us is dear,
… can exceed our precious Souls,
Let them be lodged there.
2
Strong Parties garrison within,
Who oft make …allies out;
And one of them can in a night
A mighty Army rout.
3
An hundred eighty thousand men,
Did one of these destroy,
Of cursed Foes who did strive then,
Gods Israel to annoy.
4
A Tower strong is compass'd round
With a thick mighty wall,
For to keep off such Foes who do
Pell mell upon it fall.
5
For Bul warks God Salvation hath
Appointed for the Poor,
And he a wall of fire is round
About us evermore.
6
Can such who in this Tower are,
Be any time afraid,
All such who know the strength of it,
Can never be dismaid.
7
Take up your Lodging then within,
Haste quickly, don't delay,
Cast off base Habits, leave your Sin,
Christ Jesus is the way.
8
Those who would enter into it,
And not by the right Door,
Will see themselves without the walls,
Before this day▪ is o're.
HYMN 8.
Job 16. 14.
He runneth upon me like a Giant.
1
A Giant is a man of strength,
Both fierce and swift also,
When like a Giant God appears,
He is provok'd we know,
2
By our great sins which grievous are▪
In his most blessed sight,
On us therefore as Giants do,
Does he break forth with might.
3
As if he would to pieces tear
Such, whom his Soul doth love,
Yet in his Heart affections dear,
Toward us then does move.
4
'Tis to convince our Souls of sin,
And us to humble too,
And fit us for some glorious work
He has for us to do.
5
And crucifie us to the world,
And to each earthly thing,
…at we might see from him alone,
Our chiefest Joy does spring.
6
To exercise our Graces too,
This is another end,
…hat they might their great Lustre show,
For this does tryals send.
7
And Satan might be silenced,
Who does Gods Jobs accuse,
…om hence, as you have heard and read,
God thus his Saints does use.
8
And that Examples God might have
Of patience, to sustain
…me others of his Children, who
May meet with such like pain.
9
Then do not mourn, ye godly ones,
When on you God does run,
…e pities you, and hears your moans,
In mercy will return
10
Again to you, and you shall see
His sweet and lovely face;
Therefore sing ye his praises forth,
And prize his glorious Grace.
HYMN 9.
Rom. 9. 21.
Hath not the Potter power over the Clay▪
1
A Potter does prepare his Clay,
Then does the Vessel make,
So thou prepares thy work, O Lord,
Which thou dost undertake.
2
The Earth thou didst, O Lord, form fi…
Of which we formed were,
Thou didst project also before,
What Image we should bear.
3
A Potter divers Vessels makes,
VVhichWhich of different sizes are,
Some of one▪ form; and others do
Another fashion bare.
4
So thou hast different Vessels too,
Some noble and some base,
Some curiously are wrought within,
Adorned with thy Grace.
5
Some for Honour, and some likewise
They for dishonour be,
But who shall to the Potter say,
VVhy is this done by thee?
6
Mayst thou not like the Potter do
VVhat seems good in thy sight?
Thou mayst give Grace, or it deny,
Yet all thou dost is right.
7
O let us then such Vessels be,
Most lovely to behold,
And gloriously to shine within,
Being covered o're with Gold.
8
That we thy praises may set forth,
As being all new made:
Once we were marr'd, but never more
Let our rare Beauty fade.
9
And we will sing to thee, O Lord,
And raise thy name on high,
For we shall glorious Vessels be
To all eternity.
HYMN 10.
Hos. 5. 14. God compared to a Lion.
1
I Will like to a Lion be,
I'le tear and will devour,
Thus dost thou say▪ O holy One,
To shew thy wrathful pow'r
2
Against the wicked, who provoke
Thee grievously each day,
When patience does to fury turn,
Thou'lt sweep them all away.
3
Who can the prey deliver from
A hungry Lion? so
VVho is't can save or rescue such
Thou sayst thou willt o're▪throw?
4
A Lion when enrag'd is fierce,
And all before him fly,
So at thy frowns and dreadful wrath,
How will the wicked cry!
5
VVhen once the Lion's heard to roar,
The Beasts of th' Forest quake,
So when thou dost in wrath arise,
Sad tremblings thou wilt make.
6
But if before a Lion one
Himself does prostrate lie
The Lion will not touch his Life,
But leave him, and pass by.
7
So thou, O Lord, wilt such forgive,
VVho do themselves submit,
And by Repentance humbly
Lie prostrate at thy feet.
8
The Lion does sometimes couch down,
As if asleep he lay,
But soon does rise with wrathful frowns,
As greedy of his prey.
9
And thus, O Lord, thou seem'st to sleep,
And wicked men don't fear,
But as a Lion wilt rouze up,
And them to pieces tear.
…0
Then happy you for whom Christ made
With God a lasting peace,
▪Tis you may sing, for still you'll find
Your Comforts shall increase.
HYMN 11.
Hos. 5. 12.
I will be a Moth to Ephraim.
1
MOths secretly do seize and eat,
And spoil fair Garments quite;
So many times thy Judgments are
Hid from most peoples sight.
2
Moths often spoil things rich and rare,
As well as of small worth,
So thou, O Lord, wilt neither spare
The poor nor rich of th' earth:
3
All are alike, O Lord, to thee,
If wrath on them do seize,
Unsensibly thou canst them spoil
Like Moths, if thou dost please.
4
A Moth does eat things by degrees,
A little now and then;
…o gradually thou dost destroy
Sometimes vile wicked men.
5
Thou like a Moth, art sometimes, Lord,
In Councels Princes trust,
Who Plots of Enemies can't see
Till out they fiercely burst.
6
And likewise in Estates of men
Thou as a Moth does come,
Their hopes are great, and much earn they▪
But bring but little home.
7
Thou dost it blast, and it consumes,
Because they don't it nse
To righteous ends, but basely it
To their own Lusts abuse.
8
Strength thus oft-times does wast away▪
In Soul and Body too,
And Treasures of Nations decay,
Tho few that mind it do.
9
Take heed ye Saints of private sins,
Lest God does secretly
Bring Judgments on you till he hath
Consum'd you utterly.
HYMN 12.
Isa. 42. 14.
Now will I cry like a travailing woman.
1
LIke as a Woman travailing
Does cry out in her pain,
So thou dost say Lord thou wilt do,
To pour forth wrath amain.
2
Thy Patience and sweet Lenity
Is almost gone, no doubt,
And therefore thou most bitterly
Wilt quickly now cry out.
3
A Woman when her travel comes
From crying can't refrain,
So thou wilt cry for Sions sake
Like her in grievous pain.
4
A woman in her travel strives
Her Child for to bring forth,
So thou deliverance for thy Church
Wilt work throughout the Earth.
5
Afflicted thou dost seem to be
For thy poor Sions sake,
And therefore on her Enemies
Dread Vengeance thou wilt take.
6
When pa…gs do on a Woman seize,
Deliverance is near.
So of thy Foes thou▪ soon wilt ease
Thy self it does appear.
7
Behold, ye Saints, Gods Love to you,
And sing his glorious praise,
Your Enemy he will o'rethrow,
And that in these last dayes.
HYMN 13.
Heb. 12. 29.
For our God is a consuming Fire.
1
A Consuming Fire dismal is,
And terrible to see,
So is that wrath of thine, O Lord,
If kindled once it be.
2
Before thy indignation fierce,
What mortal Soul can stand?
Thy wrath is poured out like Fire,
Which none can countermand.
3
The Mountains are thrown down by thee▪
Thy wrath doth fiercely burn,
And all before thee, thou Lord wilt
To Ashes quickly turn.
4
Fire breaks forth sometimes we do see,
When men are not aware,
So shall thy wrath surprize the Earth
When men secure are.
5
Like to the writing with the hand
On proud Belshazzar's wall,
So when thou dost give the Command,
Sinners shall tremble all.
6
Fire breaks forth oft times i'th' night,
When men are fast asleep,
Which does poor people strangely fright,
And sorrows on them heap.
7
So in the night of ignorance,
Whilst Men lye on their beds,
They hear the cry of Fire, Fire,
Just burning o▪re their heads.
The Second Part.
1
A fire also consumes amain,
It famous Cities spoyl;
So thou wilt desolations make
Of Sinners who are vile.
2
Can stubble stand before fierce flames,
And not consumed be?
Then may proud wicked Ones likewise
Secure themselves from thee.
3
None can abide thy dreadful wrath,
There is no way to fly;
For thou wilt them destroy, O God,
As stubble fully dry.
4
Some fires may be quenched quite,
But thine will always burn;
Thy wrath, O Lord, eternal is,
It never will be gone.
5
Fire torments most cruelly
Such who into't are cast;
So will thy wrath all Enemies,
Which they shall feel at last.
6
Tremble, you vile and wicked Ones,
Consider what you do;
On you this fire soon shall seize,
And burn for ever too.
7
But all ye Saints rejoyce and sing,
God is to you, ye see,
A fire to warm, and to give light,
By which you quickn'd be.
8
Ah! happy such behold therefore
The difference between
A wicked and a godly Man,
And praise the Lord agen.
HYMN 14.
Deut. 33. 27.
Underneath are the everlasting Arms.
1
THou art our Arm of Help, O God
Shall we thy mercy see?
An Arm stretch'd out of the thick Cloud,
To strenghen such as we.
2
How usefull is an Arm to us,
The body to defend?
So is thy love and power, Lord,
On which we do depend.
3
The Arm bears up and does support
Such who most feeble be;
Thy weak and seeble Saints also,
Are, Lord, born up by thee.
4
The Arm the Body does protect,
And save it from all harms;
So thou dost us defend and save
By thy Almighty Arms.
5
We with our Arms embrace our Friend,
And hug such we do love;
We by th…e Arms of power and grace
Embra…'d are from above.
6
Thy Arm, O Lord is very strong,
The vilest Soul can'st save▪
Not shortned, but very long,
Thy help let Sinners have.
7
Wo, wo to them, this Arm of thine
In wrath is laid upon;
But happy such who it upholds,
Thrice happy such a one.
8
Remember Saints when you are low,
Whose Arms are under you;
And sing God's praise continually,
Who will Salvation show.
HYMN 15.
Psal. 8…. 11.
The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield..
1
THe Lord he is our Sun and Shield,
Our Buckler and Safeguard;
And hence we stand, and will not yield,
Though Enemies press hard.
2
Like as a Shield the blow keeps off
The Enemy lays on;
So thou keeps off all hurt from us,
And saves us every one.
3
Let Foes strike at us as they please,
On the head, or the heart;
This precious Shield which we do use,
Secureth every part.
4
From Sin, from Satan, and the World,
No Dart we need to fear;
Since thou art such a Shield to us,
O God, and Saviour dear.
5
Our Shield, and our great Reward,
To thee all praise be given;
Who wilt thy saving-help afford,
Until we come to Heaven.
HYMN 16.
Psal. 46. 1.
God is our Refuge.
1
O Holy and Eternal One,
Thou art a Refuge sure;
Help us to fly to thee alone,
Whose Mercies do endure.
2
A Refuge strong thou art, O Lord,
Help us to fly to thee:
Shall we take hold of thy blest Word,
And safe for ever be?
3
O Lord we bless and praise thy Name,
There is a Refuge found;
For us who are pursued hard,
This is a joyful sound.
4
O Souls, then see with speed we pray
To Jesus Christ to fly,
Lest th'Avenger, through delay,
O retake you, and you die.
5
The way is easie to find out,
All stumbling blocks are gone;
O haste with speed, and look about,
Dangers are coming on.
6
God like a Refuge does give ease,
And fortifie the Mind;
When horror does on others seize,
Security we find.
7
This Refuge never will us fail,
All others will not do;
God never will leave us so …rail,
But present help will shew.
8
Of every sin let us get clear,
Yea, freedom from each guilt;
To Christ by Faith let us adhere,
To wash away all filth.
The Second Part.
1
O Lord to thee, to thee we sly,
A dismal day's at ha…d;
But if we leave iniquity,
In safety shall we stand.
2
Under thy Wings with speed we pray
Hide us, Lord, every one;
Then safe shall we be day and night,
Till all the trouble's gone.
3
And we will thy praises sing forth,
And life thy Name on high;
And also triumph on earth,
Whilst others howl and cry.
4
All glory unto God, that we
Have such a hiding-place;
Always shall we rejoyce in thee,
when we behold thy face.