thereon that we 〈◊〉 be warned to consider what fauours God hath voucâ—safed vs and what fruits we ought to bring forth leâ— he leaue vs also to be spoyled of our Aduersaries For in this Parable the holy Spirit speaketh vnto eueâ—â— Congregation who abuseth his fauours And doubâ—â—lesse all such as it hath fallen out in Antioch Laodiâ—â—â— and many other particular Churches shall be depriuâ— of Gods protection of the dewes of his holy spirâ—â— and of the sweete showres of his word to be left 〈◊〉 thornes and bryers the fruite of their owne naturaâ— Corruptions Song 19. Sing this as the 14. Song A Song of him whom I loue best And of his Vineyard sing I will A Vineyard once my Loue possest Well-seated on a fruitfull hill He kept it close-immured still The earth from stones he did refine And set it with the choisest vine 2 He in the midst a Fort did reare I win-presse therein also wrought But when he lookt it Grapes should beare Those Grapes were wilde-ones that it brought Ierusalem come speake thy thought And you of Iudah Iudges be Betwixt my vineyard here and me 3 Vnto my Uineyard what could more Performed be then I haue done Yet looking it should Grapes haue bore Saue wilde-ones it afforded none But goe to let it now alone Resolu'd I am to shew you too What with my vineyard I will doâ— 4 The Hedge I will remooue from thence That what so will deuoure it may I do one will breake the Walled-fence And through it make a troden way Yea all of it I wast will lay To digge or dresse it none shall care But thornes and bryers it shall beare 5 The Clouds I also will compell That there no raine descend for this For loe the house of Israel The Lord of Armies Vineyard is And Iudah is that Plant of his That Pleasant one who forth hath brought Oppression when he Iudgement sought He seeking Iustice found therein In lieu thereof a Cryingâ—sinne The 2. Song of Esay Esa. 12. ISaiah hauing a little before prophecied of the Inâ—â—â—nation of Iesus Christ and the excellencie of his kingdome doth in this Hymne praise him for his Mercy and foreâ—â—owes the Church also what her Song should be in that day of her Redemption The principall coâ—tenâ—s hereof are these A Confession of Gods mercy A prediction concerning the Sacrament of Baptisme and an exhortation to a ioyfull Thanksgiuing This Song the Church should still sing to the honour of Iesâ—â— Christ for our Redemption Yea in regard the Prophâ—â— foreseeing the good Cause we should haue to make vse thereof hath prophecied it should be the Churchâ— Hymne it seemeth not vnproper to be vsed on those dayes which are solemnized in memoriall of our Sauiours Natiuitie Or whensoeuer we shall be mooueâ— to praise God in memorizing the graâ—iâ—us Comfoâ—â— promised vs by his Prophets and fulfilled by his owne comming And to fit the same thâ— better to that pâ—â—â—pose I haue changed the Person and the Time in thâ—â— Translation Song 20. LOrd I will sâ—â—g to Thee for thou displeased wa st And yet with-drewest thy wrath from me And sent me comfort hast Thou art my health on whom A fearelesse Trust I lay For thou oh Lord thou art become My Strength my Song my Stay 2 And with reioycing now Sweet waters we conuay Forth of those Springs whence Life doth flowe And thus we therefore say Oh sing vnto the Lord His Name and workes proclaime Yea to the People beare record That glorious is his Name 3 Unto the Lord oh sing For wonders he hath done And many a renowned thing Which through the earth is knowne Oh sing aloud all yee On Sion hill that dwell For lo thy Holy-one in thee Is great oh Israel The third Song of Esay Esay 26. ESay composed this Song to comfort the Israelites in their caâ—tiuity to strengthen their patience in Affliction and settle their confidence on the promises of God First it remembreth them that Gods protection being euery where as auaileable as a defenced Citty they ought alwayes to relye on the firme peace which that affordeth Secondly he sheweth that the pride of Sinne shall be ouerthrowne and that the faithfull aâ—e resolued to flâ—e vnto their Redeemer and await his pleasure in their chastisâ—ments Thirdly he singeth the vtter desolation of Tyrants the encrease of the Church her afflictions her deliuerance the resurrection from death through Christ. Lastly the Faithfull are exhorted to attend patiently on the Lord their Sauiour who will come shortly to iudgement and take account for the blood of his Saints This Song is made in the person of the Church and may be sung to comfort and confirme vs in all our chastisements and persecutions by bringing to our consideration the short time of our endurance and the certainty of our Redeemers comming It may be vsed also to praise God both for his Iustice and Mercy Song 21. Sing this as the 3. Song A Citie now we haue obtain'd Where strong Defences are And God Saluation hath ordain'd For Wals and Bulwarkes there The Gates thereof wide open Yee That such as iustly doe And those that Truth 's obseruers be May enter thereinto 2 There thou in peace wilt keep them sure Whose thoughts well grounded be In peace â—hat euer shall endure Because they trusted Thee For euer therefore on the Lord Without distrust depend For in the Lord th' eternall Lord Is strength that hath no end 3 He makes the loftie Citie yeeld And her proud Dwellers bow He layâ—s it leuell with the fâ—eld Euâ—n with the dust below Their feet that are in want and care Their feet thereon shall tread Their way is right that righteous are And thou their path dost heed 4 Upon thy course of Iudgements we Oh LORD attending were And to record thy Name and Thee Our soules desirous are On Thee our minds with strong desire Are fixed in the night And after thee our hearts enquire Before the morning light 5 For when thy righteous Iudgements are Upon the earth discern'd By those that doe inhabite there Uprightnesse shall be learn'd Yet Sinners for no terrour will Iust dealing vnderstand But in their sinnes continue still Amid the Holy-Land 6 To seeke the glory of the LORD They vn-regardfull be And thy aduanced-hand Oh LORD They will not daigne to see But they shall see and see with shame That beare thy People spight Yea from thy Foes shall come a flame Which will deuoure them quite 7 Then LORD for vs thou wilt procure That we in peace may be Because that eu'ry worke of our Is wrought for vs by Thee And Lâ—RD our GOD though we are brought To other Lords in thrall Of thee alone shall be our thought Upon thy Name to call 8 They are deceast and neuer shall Renewed life obtaine They dye and shall not rise at all To tyrannize againe For thou didst visit them therefore And wide disperst them hast That so their Fame for euermore May
wholly bee defac't 9 But Lord encreast thy People are Encreast they are by thee And thou art glorifiâ—d as farre As earths wide limits bee For Lord in their distresses when Thy rod on them was laid They vnto thee did hasten then And without ceasing praid 10 As one with child is paind when as Her throwes of bearing bee And cries in panguâ—s before thy face Oh LORD so fared wee Wee haue conceiu'd and for a birth Of winde haue pained binn The world 's vnsafe and still on earth They thriue that dwell therein 11 Thy Dead shall liue and rise againe With my dead-Body shall Oh you that in the dust remaine Awake and sing you all For as the deaw doth hearbs renew That buried seem'd before So earth shall through thy heauenly deaw Her Dead aliue restore 12 My People to thy Chambers fare Shut close the doore to thee And stay a while a moment there Till past the Fury bee For lo the Lord doth now arise Hee commeth from his place To punish their impieties Who now the world possesse 13 The earth that blood discouer shall Which is in her conceal'd And bring to light those murthers all Which yet are vnreueal'd The Praier of Hezekiah Esay 37.15 IN this Praier Hezekiah hauing first acknowledged Gods Maiestie â—nd almighty poweâ— desires him both to heare consider his Aduersaries blasphemie Then to manifest the necessity of his present assistance vrgeth the power his foe had obtained ouer such as serued not the true God And as it seemeth impoâ—tunes deliuerance not so much in regard of his owne safety as that the Blasphemer and all the world might know the difference betweene the Lords power and the arrogant bragges of men This Song may bee vsed whensoeuer the Turke or any other great Aduersary preuailing against false Worshippers shall thereupon growe insolent and threaten Gods Church also as if in despight of him he had formerly preuailed by his owne strength For the name of Senâ—â—â—herib may be mystically applyed to any such enemy We may vse this Hymne also against those secret Blasphemies which the Deuill whispers vnto our soules or when by temptations hee seekes to driuâ— vs to despaire by laying before vs how many others he hath destroied who seemed to haue beene in as good assurance as wee For he is indeede that mysticall Assyrian Prince who hath ouerthrowne whoâ—e Countries Nations with their Gods in whom they trusted Such as are these Temporall power Riches Superstitious worship Carnall wisdome Idols c. which being but the works of men and yet trusted in as Gods hee hath power to destroy them Song 22. O Lord of Hoasts and God of Israel Thou who betweene the Cherubins dost dwell Of all the world thou onely art the King And heau'n and earth vnto their form didst bring 2 LORD bow thine eare to heare attentiue be Lift vp thine eyes and daigne oh LORD to set What words Sennacherib hath cast abroad And his proud Message to the liuing GOD. 3 LORD true it is that Lands and Kingdomes all Are to the King of Ashur brought in thrall Yea he their Gods into the fire hath throwne For Gods they were not but of wood stone 4 Mans worke they were men destroi'd them haue Us therefore from his power vouchsafe to saue That all the Kingdomes of the world may see That thou art GOD that onely thou art hee Hezekiah's Thankesgiuing Esa. 38.10 HEzekiah hauing beene sicke and recouered made this Song of Thankesgiuing And setteth forth the mercy of God by considering these particulars The time of his Age the feares of his soule the rooting out of his posteritie the violence of his disease and the forgiuenesse of his sinnes added to the restoring of his health Then seeming to haue entred into a serious consideration of all this hee confesseth who are most bound to praise God and voweth this Deliuerance to euerlasting memorie This Song may be vsed after deliuerance from temporall sicknesse But in the principall sense it is a speciall Thankesgiuing for that cure which Iesus Christ wrought vpon the humane nature being in danger of euerlasting perdition For Hezekiah which signifieth helped of the Lord typâ—fieth Mankinde labouring vnder the sicknesse of sinne and death Isaiah who brought the medicine that cur'd him and is interpreted the saluation of the Lord figured our blessed Redeemer by whom the humane natâ—â—e is restored and whose sending into the world was mystically shewed by the Miracle of the Sunnes retrogradation To praise God for that mysterie therefore the Circumstances being well considered this Hymne seemeth very proper And doubtlesse for this cause it was partly preserued for these our times and ought often and heartily to be sung to that purpose Song 23. Sing this as the fourth Song WHen I suppos'd my time was at an end Thus to my selfe I did my selfe bemoâ—â—â— Now to the Gates of hell I must descend For all the remnant of my yeares are gone The Lord said I where now the liuing be Nor man on earth shall I for euer see 2 As when a Sheapheard hath remou'd his Tent Or as a weauers shuttle slips away Right so my Dwelling my Yeares were spent And so my sicknesse did my Life decay Each day ere night my death expected I And eu'ry night ere morning thought to dye 3 For He so Lyon-like my bones did breake That I scarce thought to liue another day A noyse I did like Cranes or Swalloweâ— make And as the Turtle I lamenting lay Then with vplifted eye-lids thus I spake Oh Lord on me oppressed mercy take 4 What shall I say he did his promise giue And as he promist he performed it And therefore I will neuer whilst I liue Those bitter passions of my soule forget Yea those that liue those vnborne shall know What life and rest thou didst on me bestow 4 My former Pleasures Sorrowes were become But in that loue which to my soule thou hast The Graue that all deuours thou kepâ—st me from And didst my errors all behind theâ— cast For nor the Graue nor Death can honor Thee Nor hope they for thy Truth that buried be 5 Oh! he that liues that liues as I doe now Eu'n he it is that shall thy praise declare Thy Truth the Father to his Seed shall showe And how thou me oh Lord hast daing'd to spare Yea Lord for this I will throughout my dayes Make musicke in thy house vnto thy praise The Lamentations of Ieremie As vsefull as any part of the old Testament for these present times â—igh fallen asleep in security are these Elegiacall Odes For they bring many things to our consideration 〈◊〉 what wee may and should lament for Secondly how carefull wee ought to bee of the Common-wealths prosperitie because if that goe to ruine the particular Church therein cherished must needes bee afflicted also and Gods worship hinâ—red Thirdly they teach vs that the ouerthrow of Kingdomes and Empires followes the abuse and nâ—glect of
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 vs to His disaduantage let it be Yea make those very sinnes we do The meanes to bring vs nearer thee Yet let vs 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 the same and the story of his Martyrdome the oftneâ— 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 loue 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 paâ—ience he did keepe He diâ—de as if he had but faine asâ—eepe 3 Our luke-warme harts with his hot Zeale enflame So Constant and so Louing let vs be So let vs liuing glorifie thy Name So let vs dying â—iâ—e our eyes on Thee And â—hen the â—leepe of Death shall vs oâ—retake With him to life eternall vs 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 glorie 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 vs 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 vs also in thy grace And on thy sacred bosome rest 2 Into vs breath that Life diuine Whose Testimony he intends About vs cause thy Light to shine That which no Daâ—knesse comprehends And let that euer-blessed Word Which all things did create of nought Anew create vs now oh LORD Whose ruine sinne hath almost wrought 3 Thy holy Faith we doe professe Us to thy Fellowship receaue Our Sinnes â—e hartily confesse Thy Pardon therefore let vs haue And as to vs thy Seruant giues Occasion thus to honour Thee So also let our words and liues As lights and guides to others be Innocents Day KIng Herod vnderstanding thâ—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 haue slaine Iesus Christ But he was â—ent into Egypt by Gods speciall apâ—ointment and so the Tyâ—ants fury prooued vaine In honoâ—r therefore of the Almighties prouidence the Church celebrateth this Day To put vs 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 Martyâ—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 Gâ—ntiles growne so mad Appeard in part vpon 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 haue slaine Who all their Counsels ouerthrew 2 Thus still vouchsafe thou to resâ—raine All Tyrants LORD pursuing Thee Thus let our vast desires be slaine That thou maist liuing in vs be So whilst we shall enioy our breath We of thy loue our Songs will frame And with those Innocents our death Shall also glorifie thy Name 3 In Type those Many diâ—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 vs 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 Song 66. Sing this as the 44. Song A Blest Conueâ—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 vs in the way And then thy Will to vs reuâ—ale That Brightnesse shew vs from aboue Which proues the sensuall eye-sight blinde And from our eyes those Scales remoue That hinder vs thy way to finde 3 And as thy blessed seruant Paul When he a Conuert once became Exceeded thy Apostleâ— all In painefull preaching of thy Name So grant that those who haue in Sinne Exceeded others heretofore The start of them in Faith may winne Loue serue and honour thee the more S. Matthias MAtthias was the Disciple which was chosen in the rooâ—e of Iudas Iscariot And his anniuersary is commanded to be obserued that it might giue vs continuall occasion to praise God for his Iustice and Fauor For his Iustice shewed in discoueâ—ing and not sparing Iudas the traytouâ— abusing his Apostleship For his Fauour declared in elecâ—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 thâ—ir heads who shall abuse the diuine callings c. Song 67. WHen one among the Twelue there was That did thy Grace abuse Thou leftâ—st him LORD and in his place did'st iust Matthias chuse So if a Traytour doe remaine Within thy Church to day To 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 vs his Dragon language know And Wooluish nature see Yea cause the Loâ— to fall on those The charge of thine to take That shall their Actions well dispose And conscience of them make 3 Let vs 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 haue beene purposed to an Idolatrous end Song 68. Sing this as the 44. Song FOr those blest Pen-men of thy Word Who haue 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 othâ—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 giue him eare 3 Our Resolutions LORD arâ— such But in performance â—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 haue S. Philip and Iacob THis Day is celebrated to the honour of God and the Christian memoriall of the two blessed Apostles Philip and Iacob At which time the Church taketh occasion to offer to our remembrance such Mysteries as Christ deliuered vnto them that wee might the oftner consider them receiue fuâ—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 vnto others made it knowne And those haue tolde it vs. 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 haue knowne Whom thou descendedst from And vnto him by thee alone We haue 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 Thou wouldst giue eare vnto the same And grant vs our desire 4 Of thee oh LORD we therefore craue Which thou wilt daigne we know The good Beleefe which now we haue We neuer may forgoe And that thy sacred Truth which we Thy Word haue 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 Then cam'st thy selfe and in thy Traine Apostles for attendants were 2 For Legâ—ir when thou wentâ—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 ordainâ—d That to make good what those haue 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 giue thee thankes as they for vs 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 Haue 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 wâ—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 Song 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 vs what we should belieue His Life declar'd what must be done If Thee we purpose to receiue His Liâ—e our patterne therefore make That we the Course he tooke may take 3 Let vs 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 vs 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 vs hereafter feed vpon The Hony of thy Word diuine Let vs the Worlds entisement shun Her Drugs and her
despight Uouchsafe thy Iudgement also in my cause For all the grudge they beare me thou hast seen And all their plots 〈◊〉 haue against me been 21 Thou heard'st what â—landers they against me laid And all those mischiefes they deuiz'd for me Thou notest what their Lips of me haue said Eu'n what their daily closest whisperings be And how when ere they rise or downe do lye Their Song and Subiect of their mirth am I. 22 But LORD thou shalt reward and pay them all That meed their Actions merit to receiue Thy heauy maiediction ceaze them shall Eu'n this sad hearts they shall for euer haue And by thy wrath pursude they shall be driuen Till they are chased out from vnder Heauen Lament 4. AS in the two first Elegies the Prophet here begins by way of exclamation and most passionately sets forth the cause of his complayning by a threefold explication First by expressing the Dignity Sex Age of the persons miserably perishing in this calamity as Princes Priests Men Women and Children Secondly by paralelling their estate with that of bruite Creatures and their punishment with Sodoms Thirdly by shewing the horrible effects which followed this Calamity as the Nobility being driuen to cloath themselues from the dunghill and Women to feed on their owne Children c. After this he sheweth what are the causes of all that misery which hee bewaileth Secondly declareth the vanity of relying on temporall consolations Thirdly setteth forth the power and fiercenesse of the Churches Aduersaries Fourthly prophecieth that euen Christ was to suffer the fury of their malice befoâ—â— Gods wrath could be apâ—â—â—sed And lastly assured that the Church shall be at length deliuered and 〈◊〉 enemies rewarded according to their wickednesse Tâ—â— Song may be sung to set before our eyes the seuerity 〈◊〉 Gods wrath against sinne to winne vs to repentanâ—â— and to comfort vs vpon our conuersions Song 27. Sing this as the 5. Song HOw dimme the Gold doth now appeare That Gold which once so brightly shone About the Citie here and there The Sanctuary-Stones art throwne The Sonnes of Syon late compar'd To Gold the richest in esteeme Like Potsheards are without regard And base as earthen vessels seeme 2 The Monsters of the Sea haue care The breasts vnto their young to giue But crueller my people are And Estridge-like in Deserts liue With thirst the Sucklings tongues are dry And to their parched roofes they cleaâ—e For bread young Children also cry But none at all they can receaue 3 Those that were vs'd to dainty fare Now in the streets halfe starued lye And they that once did Scarlet weare Now dunghill rags about them tye Yea greater plagues my Peoples crime Hath brought on them then Sodoms were For that was sunke in little time And no prolonged death was there 4 Her Nazarites whose whitenesse was More pure then either milke or snow Whose ruddinesse did Rubies passe Whose veines did like the Saphir show Now blacker then the Cole are growne And in the streets vnknowne are they Their flesh is clung vnto the bone And like a sticke is dry'd away 5 Such therefore as the sword hath slaine Are farre in better Case then those Who death for want of food sustaine Whilst in the fruitfull field it growes For when my people were distrest Eu'n women that should pittie take With their owne hands their Children drest That so their hâ—nger they might sâ—ake 6 The LORD accomplisht hath his wrath His fierce displeasure forth is powrd A fire on Sion set he hath Which eu'n her ground-worke hath deuour'd When there was neither earthly King Nor through the whole world one of all Thought any Foe to passe could bring That thus Ierusalem should fall 7 But this hath happened for the guilt Of those that haue her Prophets bin And those her wicked Priests that spilt The blood of Innocents therein Along the streets they sâ—umbling went The blindnesse of these men was such And so with bloud they were be-sprent That no man would their Garments touch 8 Depart depart â—twas therefore sed From these pollutions get ye farre So wandring to the Heathen fled And said there was no biding there And them the LORD hath now in wrath Exilde and made despiâ—ed liue Yea sent their Priests and Elders hath Where none doth honour to them giue 9 And as for vs our eyes decay'd With watching vaine Releefes we haue Cause we expect a Nations ayde That is vnable vs to saue For at our heeles so close they be We dare not in the streetes appeare Our end we therefore comming see And know our rooting-out is neare 10 Our Persecutors follow on As swift as Aegles of the Skie They o're the Mountaines make vs runne And in the Deserts for vs lye Yea they haue Christ our life betray'd And caus'd him in their pits to fall Eu'n him beneath whose shade we saâ—â— We liue among the â—eathen shall 11 O Edom in the land of Huz Though yet o're vs triumph thou may Thou shalt receaue this Cup from vs Be drunke and hurle thy cloaths away For when thy punishments for sinnes Accomplished oh Syon be To visit Edom he beginnes And publike make her shame will be Lament 5. IN this Elegie the Prophet prayeth vnto the Lord to remember and consider his peoples afflictions acknowledging before him their miseries and presenting them vnto him as destressed Orphanes widdowes and Captiues by such humiliation â—o winne his compassion Hee mooueth him also by repetition of the miserable ruine they werefallen into by the noble Possessions and Digniâ—ies they had lost by the base Condition of those vnder whose tyranny they were brought And by the generalitie of their Calamitie from which no sâ—xâ— age nor degree escaped Then ingenuously confessing their sin to be the iust Cause of all this glorifieth God and concludeth this Petitionary Ode with desiring that he would both giue them grace to repent and restore them to that peace which they formerly enioyed This Elegiacall Song we may sing vnto God in the behalfe of many particular Churches euen in these Times especially if we consider that mysticall bondage which the Diuell hath brought them into and apply these Complaints to those spirituall Calamities which haue befallen them for their sinnes Song 28. Sing this as the fifth Song OH mind thou LORD our sad distresse Behold and thinke on our reproach Our houses Strangers do possesse And on our heritage encroach Our Mothers for their Husbands grieue And of our Fathers robâ—d are we Yea money we compel'd to giue For our owne wood and water be 2 In persecution we remaine Where endlesse labour tyre vs doth And we to serue for bread are faine To Aegypt and to Ashur both Our Fathers errâ—d and being gone The burthen of their sinne we beare Eu'n Slaues the rule o're vs haue wone And none to set vs free is there 3 For bread our liues we hazard in The perils which the Deserts threat And like an Ouen is our skinne
any more Then through the creuice of the dore Appear'd the hand of my Belou'd And towards him my â—â—art was moou'd 5 I rose vnto my Loue to ope And from my hands distilled Myrrhe Pure Myrrhe did from my fingers drop Upon the handles of the Barre But then departed was my Deare When by his voice I knew 't was he My heart was like to faint in me 6 I sought but seene he could not be I calâ—d but heard no answere sound The Citty-watchmen met with me As they were walking of the Round And gaue me stripes that made a wound Yea they that watch and ward the wall Eu'n they haue tooke away my vaile The seauenth Canticle HEre is allegorically expressed the Maiesty power excellency of Christ is the effect of that which was Euangelically â—ung of him after his Resurrâ—ction AscensioÌ„ First the Bride is introduced adâ—uring the faithâ—â—â— Israelites that when they haue attained the knowledge of Christ her Spouse they should professe and teach him to the rest of their Members Secondly those who lonâ— to finde him desire againe of the Church to know the excellencies of that Beloued of hers and by doubling the question seeme to imply a two-fold Excellency Thirdly the Church speedily answeres thoâ—e thaâ— enquire after her Spouse and by describing his excellency in his ten principall Members mystically notifâ—â—eth his ten-fold spirituall perfection whereupon to insist were not heere conuenient Lastly the faithfâ—â— craue the Churches direction to helpe her finde him ouâ— and receaue her gracious answere to that purpose Song 15. Sing this as the 13. Song OH â—f him you happen on Who is my Beloued-One Daughters of Ierusalem I adiure you seriously To informe him how that I Sicke am growne of loue for him 2 Fairest of all women tell How thy Louer doth excell More then other Louers doe Thy Beloued what is he More then other Louers be That thou dost adiure vs so 3 He in whom I so delight Is the purest red and white Of tenne thousands chiefe is he Like fine gold his head doth show Whereon curled Lockes doe grow And a Rauen-blacke they be 4 Like the milky Doues that bide By the Riuers He is Ey'd Full and fitly set they are Cheekes like spicy-beds hath he Or like flowres that fairest be Lips like Lillies dropping Myrrhe 5 Hands like rings of gold beset With the pretious Chrysolet Belly'd like white Iuorie Wrought about with Saphir's rich Legs like Marble-Pillers which Set on golden Bases be 6 Fac'd like Libanus is He. Goodly as the Cedar-tree Sweetnesse breathing out of him He is louely eu'ry where This my Friend is this my Deare Daughters of Ierusalem 7 Oh thou Fairest eu'ry way Of all women whither may Thy Beloued turned be Tell vs whither he is gone Who is thy Beloued-one That we seeke him may with Thee 8 To his Garden went my Deare To the beds of spices there Where he Feeds and Lillies gets I my Loues am and alone Mine is my Beloued-one Who among the Lyllies eates The eight Canticle HErein is contained a continuation of the Praises of the Bride and of that ardent affection expressed by her Bâ—loued in the fifth Canticle yet it is no vnnecessary repetition For it seemeth to haue respect to the Churches estate and the passages betweene her and Christ in another Age euen when the Gentiles began to be called and vnited vnto the Church of the Iewes according to what is desired in the first Canticle And thâ—refore shee is here compared to Tyrzah and Ierusalem for louelinesse Her glorious encrease her singuler puritie her extraordinary applause the splendor of her Maiestie and the powrefulnesse of her Authoritie is here also described Moreouer the feares and hindrances sustained in her first persecutions are here Mystically showne And Lastly they who through feare or obstinacy are separated from her are called to returne in regard of her apparant power This we may sing to remember vs of those graces God hath bestowed on his Church To comfort our soules also with that dearenesâ—e which Christ expresâ—eth towards her of whom we are members And on diuerse other occasions according as he that vseth it hath capacitie to vnderstand and apply the same Song 16. Sing this as the 13. Song BEautifull art thou my Deare Thou as louely art as are Tirzah or Ierusalem As the beautiful'st of them And as much thou mak'st afraid As arm'd Troupes with flaggs displaid 2 Turne away those eyes of thine Doe not fixe them so on mine For there beame forth from thy sight Sweets that ouercome me quite And thy Lockes like kidlings be Which fâ—om Gilead hill we see 3 Like those Ewes thy Teeth doe show Which in rowes from washing goe When among them there is none Twinlesse nor a barren-one And within thy lockes thy Browes Like the cut Pomegranat showes 4 There are with her sixtie Queenes There are eighty Concubines And the Dam'sels they possesse Are in number number-lesse But my Doue is all alone And an vndefiled-one 5 Shee 's her Mothers only Deare And her ioy that her did beare When the Daughters her surueyd That she blessed was they said Shee was praysed of the Queenes And among the Concubines 6 Who is shee when forth shee goes That so like the Morning showes Beautifull as is the Moone Purely bright as is the Sunne And appearing full of dread Like an Host with ensignes spread 7 To the Nut-yard downe went I And the Uales encrease to spie To behold the Uine-buds come And to see Pomegranats bloome But the Princes Charrets did Uexe me so I nought could heed 8 Turne oh turne thou Shulamite Turne oh turne thee to our sight What I pray is that which you In the â—hulamite would view But that to appearance shee Shewes like Troupes that armed be The ninth Canticle SOlomon in the first part of this Canticle commending the Churches vniuersall beauty in her seuerall parts is vnderstood to haue respect to that time after the Conuersion from Paganisme wherein she was endowed and made louely by the varietie of those Offices States Degrees into which her members were for orders sake distinguished as well as by the addition of those â—ther Graces formally receiued Which States and Degrees are here Mystically vnderstood by the parts of a beautifull Woman as doth excellently appeare the Allegory being particularly expounded The second part of this Hymne expresâ—eth the mutuall interchange of affections betweene the Bridegroome and his Bride and those sweet contentments they enioy in each others Loues Lastly here is set forth both the Churches desire to bee freed from those persecutions which hinder her open and full fruition of her beloued and mention is here made also of those publike and vndisturbed embraces which they shall at length enioy The first part hereof we ought so to sing that it may remember vs to shunne their blindnesse who discerne not the beauty of Order and Degrees in the Church The second part puts vs
in minde that she is the treasureâ—â—e both of those graces which cause contentment within our selues and make vs acceptable to God By the last part we may apprehend the comfort that will follow when we desire that the open profession of Christ may be granted meerely for the loue of him Song 17. Sing this as the ninth Song THou Daughter of the Royall Line How comely are those Feet of thine When their beseeming Shooes they weare The curious knitting of thy Thighes Is like the costly Gemiâ—es of prize Which wrought by skilfull workmen are 2 Thy Nauell is a Goblet round Where Liquor euermore is found Thy faire and fruitfull Belly showes As doth a goodly heape of Wheat With Lillies round about beset And thy two Brests like twinned Roes 3 Thy Necke like some white Towre doth rise Like Heshbon Fish-pooles are thine Eyes Which neere the Gate Bath-rabbim lye Thy Nose which thee doth wel-become Is like the Towre of Libanum That on Damascus hath an eye 4 Thy Head like Scarlet doth appeare The Hayre thereof like purple are And in those Threads the King is bound Oh Loue how wondrous farre art Thou How perfect doe thy pleasures show And how thy Ioyes in them abound 5 Thou Statur'd art in Palme-tree-wise Thy Breasts like Clusters doe arise I said into this Palme I 'le goe My hold shall on her branches be And those thy Breasts shall be to me Like clusters that on Uines doe growe 6 Thy Nostrils sauour shall aswell As newly-gathered fruits doe smell Thy Speech shall also relish so As purest wine thâ—t for my Deale Is â—itting drinâ—e and able were To cause an old mans lippes to goe 7 I my Beloued's am And he Hath his affection set on me Come well-beloued come away Into the Fields let 's walke along And there the Villages among Eu'n in the Country we will stay 8 We to the Vines betimes will goe And see if they doe spring or no Or if the tender Grapes appeare We will moreouer goe and see If the Pomegranats blossom'd be And I my Loue will giue thee â—here 9 Sweet smels the Mandrakes doe afford And we within our Gates are stor'd Of all things that delightfull be Yea whether new or olde they are Prepared they be for my Deare And I haue layd them vp for thee 10 Would as my Brother thou might'st be That suckt my Mothers breast with me Oh would it were no otherwise In publike then I thee would meet And giue thee kisses in the street And none there is should thee despise 11 Then I my selfe would for thee come And bring thee to my Mothers home Thou likewise shouldst instruct me there And wine that is commixt with Spice Sweet wine of the Pomgranat iuyce I would for thee to drinke prepare 12 My Head with his left-hand he stayd His right-hand ouer me he laid And being so imbrac'd by him Said he I charge you not disease Nor wake my Loue vntill she please You Daughters of Ierusalem The tenth Canticle IN this last part of Solomons Song he first singeth that sweet peace and extraordinary prosperity vouchsafed vnto the Church after her great persecutions and expresseth it by putting the question who she was that came out of the wildernesse leaning on her Beloued Secondly hee introduceth Christ putting the humane Nature in remembrance from what estate he had raised it and requiring the dearest of our affections in regard of the ardency vnquâ—ncâ—ablenesse and inestimâ—ble value of his loue Thirdly hâ—uing remembred the Church of the affection due to him Christ teacheth her the charitable care she ought to hâ—ue of others and thâ—t she being brought into his fauour and protection should seeke the preferment of her younger Sister also euen the people who haue not yet the breasts of Gods two Testaments to nourish their soules Fourthly the Churches true Solomon or Peace-maker meaning Iesus Christ hauing a Vineyard in Baal-hammon that is wheresoeuer there are pâ—â—ple Herein is declared thâ— reward of such as are profitably employed in that Vineyard And lastly the confirmation of Christs marriage vpon the Hils of Spice meaning Heauen is hastned In singing this Canticle wee ought to meditate what estate God hath raised vs from what loue hee hath vouchsafed what our charity should be to others what we should minde concerning this life and what desire we should haue to the comforts of the world to come Song 18. WHo 's this that leaning on her Friend Doth from the Wildernesse ascend Minde how I raised thee Eu'n where thy Mother thee conceiu'd where she that brought thâ—e forth conceiu'd beneath an Apple-tree 2 Me in thy heart engrauen beare And Seale-like on thy handâ—wrist weare For Loue is strong as Death Fierce as the Graue is Iealousie The coales thereof doe burning lye And furious flames it hath 3 Much Water cannot coole Loues flame No floods haue power to quench the same For Loue so high is prizâ—d That who to buy it would assay Though all his wealth he gaue away it would be all despis'd 4 We haue A Sister scarcely growne For she is such a little one That yet no Breasts hath shee What thing shall we now vndertake To doe for this our Sisters sake If spoken for shee be 5 If that a wall she doe appeare We Tuâ—retâ— vpon her will reare And Pallaces of Plate And then with boords of Cedar-tâ—ee Enclose and fence her in will we If that she be a Gate 6 A wall already built I am And now my Breasts vpon the same Doe Turret-like arise Since when as one that findeth rest And is of setled peace possest I seemed in his eyes 7 A Vineyard hath King Solomon This Uineyard is at Baal-hamon Which he to Keepers put And eu'ry one that therein wrought A thousand siluer-pieces brought And gaue him for the fruite 8 My Vineyard which belongs to me Eu'n I my selfe doe ouersee To thee oh Solomon A thousand-fold doth appertaine And those that keep the same shall gaine Two hundred-fold for one 9 Thou whose abode the Gardens are Thy Fellowes vnto thee giue eare Cause me to heare thy voice And let my Loue as swiftly goe As doth a Hart or nimble Roe Upon the Hils of Spice The first Song of Esay Esa. 5. IN this Song the Prophet singing of Christ and hiâ— Vineyard first sheweth that notwithstanding his laboâ— bestowed in fencing and manuring thereof it broughâ— forth sowre grapes Secondly he summoneth theiâ— Consciences whom he couertly vprayded to be Iuâ—â—ges of Gods great loue and their vnprofitableneâ—â— Thirdly he showes both how he intends to deâ—â— with his Vineyard and who they are whom he pointeâ— out in this Parable Now seeing it hath befallen tâ—â— Iewes according to this Propheticall Hymne we are 〈◊〉 make a two-fold vse in singing it First thereby 〈◊〉 memorize the Mercy and Iustice of God both whâ—â—â— are manifested in this Song his Mercy in forewâ—â—â—ning his Iustice in punishing euen his owne peopâ—â— Secondly we are so to mediâ—ate
Religion and that Sinne being the onely cause thereof wee ought to endure our chastisements without murmuring against God Fourthly they warne vs not to abuse Gods mercifull long-suffering Fiftly they perswaâ—e vs to commiserate and pray for the Church and our brethren in calamitie and not to despise them in their humiliations Sixtly they learne vs not to iudge the truth of Professions by those afflictions God laies vpon particular Churches seeing the Iewish Religion was the Truth and those Idolaters who led them into Captiuity Seuenthly they shew vs that neither the Antiquity Strength Fame or formall Sanctitie of any place â—onor Gods former respect thereunto shall priuiledge it from destruction if it continue in abusing his Grace And lastly they as it were limiting our sorrowes mind vs to cast our â—â—es on the mercies of God and to make such vse of his chastisements as may turne our Lamentations into Songs of Ioy. Lament 1. THis Elegie first bewaileth in generall tearmes that calamitie and destruction of Iudah and Ierusalem which is afteâ—wards more particularly mentioned Secondly it makes a confession of their manifold sinnes committed and is full of many paâ—sionate aud penitentiall complaints Iustifying the Lord in his Iudgements and confessing the vanitie of humane Consolations Lastly it containeth a short prayer for Gods mercy and a diuine prediction of those Iudgements which will fall on them by whom his people haue beene afflicted This Elegy may be sung whensoeuer any generall Calamitie falleth on the Common-wealth in which we liue we hauing first considered and applyed the particular Circumstances as there shall be cause We may sing it also Hystorically to memorize the Iustice of God and the miserable desolations of Iuda and Ierusalem recorded for our example Song 24. HOw sad and solitary now alas Is that well-peopled Citie come to be Which once so great among the Nations was And oh how widdow-like appeareth she She rule of all the Prouinces hath had And now her selfe is tributary made 2 All night shee maketh such excessiue mone That downe her cheekes a flood of teares doth flow And yet among her Louers there is none That consolation doth on her bestow For they that once her Louer did appeare Now turned foes and faithlesse to her are 3 Now Iudah in captiuity complaines That others heretofore so much opprest For her false seruice shee her selfe remaines Among those Heathens where shee findes no rest And apprehended in a Straite is shee By those that persecuters of her bee 4 The very waies of Sion doe lament The Gates thereof their lonelinesse deplore Because that no man commeth to frequent Her solemne Festiualls as heretofore Her Priests doe sigh her tender Virgins bee Uncomfortable left and so is Shee 5 Her Aduersaries are become her Chiefes On high exalted those that hate her are And God hath brought vpon her all those griefes Because so many her transgressions were Her Children driuen from her by the Foe Before him into loathed thraldome goe 6 From Sions-Daughter once without compare Now all her matchlesse louelinesse is gone And like those chased Harts her Princes fare Who seeke for pasture and can finde out none So of their strength depriu'd and fainting nigh Before their abâ—er foes they feebly flye 7 Ierusalem now thinkes vpon her crymes And calls to minde amid her present woes The pleasure shee enioy'd in former times Till first shee was surprized by her foes And how when they perceiued her forlorne They at her holy Sabbaths made a scorne 8 Ierusalems transgressions many were And therefore is it shee disdained lies Those who in former time haue honour'd her Her basenesse now behold and her despise Yea shee her selfe doth sit bewailing this And of her selfe her selfe ashamed is 9 Her owne vncleannesse in her Skirt shee bore Not then beleeuing what her end would bee This great destruction falls on her therefore And none to helpe or comfort her hath shee Oh heede thou Lord and pittie thou my woes For I am triumph't-ouer by my foes 10 Her Foe hath touch'd with his polluted hand Her things that Sacred were before her face And they whose entrance thou didst countermand Intruded haue into her Holy-place Those that were not so much approu'd by thee As of thy Congregation held to be 11 Her People doe with sighes and sorrowes get That little bread which for â—eleefe they haue And giue away their precious things for meat So to procure wherewith their life to saue Oh Lord consider this and ponder Thou How vile and how detected I am now 12 No pitty in you Passengers is there Your eyes oh somewhat hitherward encline And marke if euer any griefe there were Or sorrow that did equall this of mine This which the Lord on me inflicted hath Upon the day of his incensed wrath 13 He from aboue a Flame hath hurled downe That kindles in my bones preuailing fire A Net he ouer both my feet hath throwne By which I am compelled to retyre And he hath made me a â—orsaken-one To sit and weepe out all the day alone 14 The heauy yoke of my Transgressions now His hand hath wreathed and vpon me laid Beneath the same my tyred necke doth bow And all my strength is totally decay'd For me to those the LORD hath giuen o're Whose hands will hold me fast for euermore 15 The LORD hath trampled vnderneath their feet Eu'n all the mighty in the midst of me A great Assembly he hath caus'd to meet That all my ablest men might slaughtred be And Iudah's Uirgin-daughter treads vpon As in a wine-presse Grapes are trodden on 16 For this alas thus weepe I and mine eyes Mine eyes drop water thus because that He On whose assistance my sad soule relies In my distresse is farre away from me Eu'n while because of my preuailing Foe My Children are compel'd from me to goe 17 In vaine hath Syon stretched forth her hand For none vnto her succour draweth nigh Because the LORD hath giuen in command That Iacobs Foes should round about her lye And poore Ierusalem among them there Like some defâ—led woman doth appeare 18 The LORD is iustified nay-the-lesse Because I did not his commands obay All Nations therefore heare my heauinesse And heed it for your warning you I pray For into thraldome through my follies be My Virgins and my Young-men borne from me 19 Upon my Louers I haue cryed out But they my groundlesse hopes deceiued all I for my reu'rend Priests enquir'd about I also did vpon mine Elders call But in the City vp the ghost they gaue As they were seeking meat their liues to saue 20 Oh LORD take pitty now on my distresse For loe my soule distemper'd is in me My heart is ouercome with heauinesse Because I haue so much offended thee Thy Sword abroad my ruine doth become And Death doth also threaten me at home 21 And of my sad complaints my Foes haue heard But to afford me comfort there is none My troubles haue at full to them