appear'd Yet they are ioyfull that thou so hast done But thou wilt bring the Time set downe by Thee And then in sorrow they shall equall mee 22 Then shal those foule Offences they haue wrought Before thy presence be remembred all And whatso'ere my Sinnes on me haue brought For their Transgressions vpon them shall fall For so my sighings multiplied be That therewithall my heart is faint in me Lament 2. IN this Elegie the Prophet vseth a very patheticall exordium the better to awaken the peoples consideration and to make them the more sensible of their horrible calamity Which he first illustrateth in generall termes by comparing their estate to the miserable condition of one fallen from the glory of heauen to the lowest earth and in mentioning their being depriued of that glorious Temporall and Ecclesiasticall Gouernment which they formerly enioyed Afterwards he descends to particulars as the destruction of their Pallaces Forts Temple Walls and Gates the prophaning of their Saboths Feasts Rites c. the suspending of their Lawes Priests Prophets The slaughter of young-men and Virgins olde-men and Children with the famine and reproches they sustained c. All which acknowledging to be the iust Iudgements of God hee aduiseth them not to harken to the delusions of their false Prophets but to returne vnto the LORD by teares and hearty repentance For the vse and application see what hath beene said before the former Elegie Song 25. Sing this as the 24. Song HOw darke how be-clowded in his wrath The LORD hath caused Syon to appeare How Isr'els beauty he obscured hath As if throwne downe from Heau'n to Earth he were Oh! why is his displeasure growne so hot And why hath he his Footstoole so forgot 2 The LORD all Syons dwellings hath laid wast And in so doing he no sparing made For in his anger to the ground he cast The strongest Holds that Iudah's-Daughter had Them their Kingdome he to ground doth send And all the Princes of it doth suspend 3 When at the highest his displeasure was From Isâ—â—el all his horne of strength he broke And from before his aduersaries face His Right-hand that restrained him he tooke Yea he in Iacob kindled such a flame As round about hath quite consum'd the same 4 His Bow he as an aduersary bent And by his Right-hand he did plainely shew He drew it with an enemies intent For all that were the fairest Markes he slew In Syons Tabernacle this was done Eu'n there the fire of his displeasure shone 5 The LORD himselfe is he that was the foe By him is Isrâ—el thus to ruine gone His Palaces he ouerturned so And he his Holds of strength hath ouerthrowne Eu'n he it is from whom it doth arise That Isrâ—els Daughter thus lamenting lies 6 His Tabernacle Garden-like that was The LORD with violence hath tooke away He hath destroyed his Assembling-place And there nor Feasts nor Sabbaths now haue they No not in Syon For in his fierce wrath He both their King and Priests reiected hath 7 The LORD his holy Altar doth forgoe His Sanctuary he hath quite despiz'd Yea by his meere assistance hath our Foe The Bulwarkes of our Palaces surpriz'd And in the LORDS owne House rude Noyses are As loud as heretofore his Praises were 8 The LORD his thought did purposely encline The wals of Syon should be ouerthrowne To that intent he stretched forth his â—ine And drew not backe his hand till they were downe And so the Turrets with the bruised Wall Did both together to destruction fall 9 Her Gates in heapes of earth obscured are The Barres of them in pieces broke hath he Her King and those that once her Princes were Now borne away among the Gentiles be The Law is lost and they no Prophet haue That from the LORD a vision doth receiue 10 In silence seated on the lowly ground The Senators of Syons-Daughter are With Ashes they their careful heads haue crown'd And mourning Sackcloth girded on them weare Yea on the earth in a distressed-wise Ierusalemâ—s young Uirgins fixe their eyes 11 And for because my People suffer this Mine eyes with much lamenting dimmed grow Each part within me out of quiet is And on the ground my Liuer forth I throw When as mine Eyes with so sad Obiects meet As Babes halfe dead sprawling in the street 12 For to their Mothers called they for meat Oh where shall we haue meat and drinke they cry And in the Citie while they food entreat They swoune like them that deadly-wounded lie And some of them their soules did breath away As in the Mothers bosome staru'd they lay 13 Ierusalem for thee what can I say Or vnto what maist thou resembled be Oh! whereunto that comfort thee I may Thou Syonâ—-Daughter shall I liken thee For as the Seas so great thy Breaches are And to repaire them then Ah who is there 14 Thou by thy Prophets hast deluded bin And foolish Uisions they for thee haue sought For they reueiled not to thee thy Sinne To turne away the thraldome it hath brought But lying Prophecies they sought for thee Which of thy sad exile the causes be 15 And those thou Daughter of Ierusalem That on occasions passe along this way With clapping hands and hissings thee contemnâ— And nodding at Thee thus in scorne they say Is this the Citie men did once behight The flowre of Beauty and the worlds Delight 16 Thy Aduersaries euery one of them Their mouthes haue op'ned at thee to thy shame They hisse and gnash at Thee Ierusalem We we say they haue quite destroy'd the samâ— This is that day hath long expected beene Now commeth it and we the same haue seene 17 But this the Lord decreed and brought to passe He to make good that word which once he spake And that which long agoe determin'd was Hath hurled downe and did no pitty take He thus hath made thee scorned of thy Foe And rais'd the Horne of them that hate thee so 18 Oh wall of Syons-Daughter cry amaine Eu'n to the Lord set forth a hearty Cry Downe like a Riuer cause thy teares to raine And let them neither day nor night be dry Seeke neither sleepe thy body to suffice Nor slumber for the Apples of thine eyes 19 At night and when the watch is new begun Then rise and to the Lord Almighty Cry Before him let thy Heart like water runne And lift thou vp to him thy hands on high Eu'n for those hunger-starued Babes of thine That in the Corners of the streets doe pine 20 And thou oh Lord Oh be thou pleas'd to see And thinke on whom thy Iudgements thou hast thrown Shal women fed with their own issue be And Children that a span are scarcely growne Shall thus thy Priests Prophets Lord be slaine As in thy Sanctuary they remaine 21 Nor youth nor Age is from the slaughter free For in the streets lye Yong and Old and all My Uirgines and my yong-men murthered be Eu'n both
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
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
beneath the sword together fall Thou in thy day of wrath such hauock mad'st That in deuouring thou no pitty hadst 22 Thou round about hast call'd my feared Foes As if that summon'd to some feast they were Who in thy day of wrath did round enclose And shut me so that none escaped are Yea those that hate me them consumed haue To whom I nourishment and breeding gaue Lament 3. HEre the Prophet Ieremy hauing contemplated his owne afflictions with the destruction of Iudah and Ierusalem seemeth by that materiall Obiect to haue raised his apprehension higher and by the spirit of Prophecy both to foresee the particular suffrings of Iesâ—â— Christ and to become sensible also of those great afflictions which the Church Militant his mysticall body should be exercised withall And in this most passionate Elegy either in his own person bewaileth it or else personates Iesus Christ the head of that Mysticall body taking vpon himselfe those punishments with that heaâ—y burthen of Gods wrath and that vnspeakable sorrow which mankinde had otherwise beene ouerwhelmed withall In briefe this Elegy containes an expression of Gods heauy Anger for our sinne the seuerity and bitternesse of his Iudgements the greatnesse of his mercies the hope and patience of the faithfull in all Afflictions The vnwillingnesse of God to punish The hearty repentance of his people And a Propheticall imprecation concerning the enemies of the spirituall Ierusalem This may be sung to mooue and stirre vs vp with a feeling of our Redeemers passion To remember vs of our miserable condition through sinne To mooue vs to repentance and to comfort and instruct vs amidd our afflictions Song 26. Sing this as the 24. Song I Am the Man who scourged in thy wrath Haue in all sorrowes throughly tyred beene Into obscurity he â—ed me hath He brought me thither where no light is seene And so aduerse himselfe to me he showes That all the day his hand doth me oppose 2 My Flesh and Skinne with age He tyred out He bruiz'd my bones as they had broken bin He with a Wall enclosed me about With cares and labours he hath shut me in And me to such a place of darknesse led As those are in that befor euer dead 3 He shut me where I found no passage out And there my heauy Chaines vpon me laid Moreouer though I loudly cryed out He tooke no heed at all for what I prayd My Way with hewed stones he stopped hath And left me wandring in a winding Path. 4 He was to me like some way-lying Beare Or as a Lyon that doth lurke vnseene My course he hindring me in pieces teare Till I quite ruin'd and layd waste had beene His Bowe he bended and that being bent I was the marke at which his Arrow went 5 His Arrowes from his Quiuer forth he caught And through my very Râ—ines he made them passe Eu'n mine owne people set me then at naught And all the day their sporting song I was From him my fill of bitternesse I had And me with Worm-wood likewise drunke he madâ— 6 With stones my teeth he all to peeces brake He Dust and Ashes ouer me hath strowne All rest he from my weary soule did take As if contentment I had neuer none And then I cryed Oh! I am vndone All my dependance on the Lord is gone 7 Oh minde thou my afflictions and my care My miseries my worm-wood and my gall For they still fresh in my remembrance are And downe in me my humbled soule doth fall I this forget not And when this I minde Some helpe againe I doe begin to finde 8 It is thy mercy Lord that we now be For had thy pitty fail'd not one had liu'd The Faithfulnesse is great that is in Thee And eu'ry morning it is new reuiu'd And Lord such claime my soule vnto thee layâ—â— That shee will euer trust in thee she sayes 9 For thou art kinde to those that waite thy will And to their soules that after thee attend Good therefore is it that in quiet still We hope that safety which thou Lord wilt send And happy he that timely doth enure His youthfull necke the burthen to endure 10 He downe will sit alone and nothing say But since 't is cast vpon him beare it out Yea though his mouth vpon the dust they lay And while there may be hope will not mis-douâ—â— His Cheeke to him that smiteth offers He And is content though he reuiled be 11 For sure is he what euer doth befall The LORD will not forsake for euermore But that he hauing punisht pitty shall Because he many mercies hath in store For God in plaguing take no pleasure can Nor willingly afflicteth any man 12 The LORD delighteth not to trample downe Those men that here on earth enthralled are Or that a Righteous man should be o'rethrowne When he before the Highest doth appeare Nor is the LORD well-pleased in the sight When he beholds the Wrong subuert the Right 13 Let no man mutter then as if he thought Some things were done in spight of GODS decree For all things at his word to passe are brought That either for our good or euill be Why then liues man such murmurs to begin Oh! let him rather murmure at his Sinne. 14 Our owne lewd courses let vs search and trie We may to thee againe oh LORD conuart To GOD that dwelleth in the Heau'ns on high Let vs oh let vs lift both hand and heart For we haue sinned we rebellious were And therefore was it that thou didst not spare 15 For this with wrath o're-shaddow'd thou hast chas't And slaughter made of vs without remorse Thy selfe obscured with a clowd thou hast That so our Prayers might haue no recourse And loe among the Heathen-People we As out-casts and off-â—cowrings reckon'd be 16 Our Aduersaries all and eu'ry where Themselues with open mouth against vs set On vs is faâ—ne a terrour and a snare Where ruine hath with desolation met And for the Daughter of my Peoples cares Mine eyes doth cast forth Rivulets of teares 17 Mine eyes perpetually were ouerflowne And yet there is no ceasing of my Teares For if the LOâ—D in mercy looke not downe That from the Heau'ns he may behold my cares They will not stint But for my Peoples sake Mine eyes will weep vntil my heart doth break 18 As when a Bird is chased too and fro My foes pursued me when cause was none Into the Dungeon they my life did throw And there they rowled ouer me a stone The waters likewise ouerâ—low'd me quite And then me thought I perished out-right 19 Yet on thy Name oh LORD I cal'ed there Eu'n when in that low Dungeon I did lye Whence thou wert pleased my complaint to heare Not sleighting me when I did sighing cry That very day I called thou drew'st neere And said'st vnto me that I should not feare 20 Thou LORD my Soule maintainest in her right My Life by thee alone redeemed was Thou hast oh LORD obserued my
saueth me My Spirit merry-makes For he vouchsafed hath to view His Handmaides poore degree And loe All Ages that ensue Shall blessed reckon me 2 Great things for me Th' Almightie does And holy is his Name From Age to Age he mercy showes On such as feare the same He by his Arme declar'd his might And this to passe hath brought That now the Proud are put to flight By what their hearts haue thought 3 The Mighty plucking from their Seat The Poore he placed there And for the hungrie takes the meate From such as wealâ—hy are But minding Mercy he hath show'd His seruant Isr'el grace As he to our Forefathers vow'd To Abraham and his Race Benedictus Luk. 1.68 ZAchary the Priest being vpon the birth of 〈◊〉 Son inspired with the knowledge of our 〈◊〉 Incarnation sung the second Euangelicall Hymne In which two things are especially considerable First he blesseth God because through the comming of Christ all the promises made vnto the Patriarkes and Prophets were fulfilled for the saluation of his people Secondly he declareth the Office and dutie of his owne sonne who was sent before to prepare the way of the Lord. This Song the Church hath worthily inserted into the Liturgie also and we ought therefore to sing it reuerently in memoriall of our Sauiours incarnation and to praise God for the fulfilling of his promises and that Euangelicall preparation which he vouchsafed by sending his Foreâ—runner Song 33. Sing this as the 3. Song BLest be the GOD of Israel For he has People bought And in his seruant Dauid's house Hath great saluation wrought As by his Prophets he foretold Since Time began to be That from our Foes we might be safe And from our Haters free 2 That he might show our Fathers grace And beare in minde the same Which by an Oath he vow'd vnto Our Father Abraham That from our Aduersaries freed We serue him fearelesse might In righteousnesse and holinesse Our â—â—fe-time in his sight 3 And of the highest thee oh Child The â—rophet I declare Before the LORD his face to goe His comming to prepare To teach his People how they shall That safety come to know Which by remission of their sinnes He doth on them bestowe 4 For it is through the tender Loue Of GOD alone where by That Day-spring hath to visit vs Descended from on high To light them who in darkenesse sit And in Deaths shade abide And in the blessed way of Peaâ—e Their wandring feet to guide Tâ—â— Song of Angels Luk. 2.13 THis is the third Euangelicall Song mentioned in the New Testament and it was sung by a quire of Angels at the birth of our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ whose reâ—oâ—cing shall be mâ—de compleat by the redemption of mâ—nkinde In this Song they first glorifie God and then proclaime that happy â—eaâ—â— and â—econciliation which his Sons Natiuity should bring vnto the world Reioycing therein and in that vnspeakeable good-wiâ—â— and deare Communion which was thereby established betweene the Go head the Manhood and Them We therefore ought to ioyne with them in this Song and sing it often to praise God and quicken Faith and Charitie in our selues Song 34. THus Angels sung and thus sing we To GOD on high all glory be Let him on Earth his Peace bestowe And vnto men his fauour show Nunc Dimittis Luk. â— 29 THe fourth Euangelicall Hymne is this of Simeon who being in expectation of the comming of the Messias which according to Daniels 70. weekes was in those dayes to bee accomplished it was reuealed vnto him that he should noâ—â—ye till he had seene Christ And accordingly he comming into the Temple by the spirits instigation when he was presented there as the Law commanded both beheld and embraced his Redeemer In this Song therefore he glorifieth God for the fulfilling of his promise made vnto him And ioyfully confesseth Iesus Christ before all the People In repeating this Hymne we ought also to confesse our Redeemer For Simeon was as it were the Churches speaker and hath for vs expressed that thankfull Ioy wherewithall wee should be filled when God enlightensâ—vs with the knowledge and spirituall vision of our Sauiour Song 35. Sing this as the â— Song GRant now in peace that by thy leaue I may depart oh LORD For thy Saluation seene I haue According to thy word That which prepared was by Thee Before all Peoples sight Thy Israels renowne to be And to the Gentiles light The Song of Moses and the Lambe Reuel 15.3 THe fifth and last Song recorded in the New Testament is this called by S. Iohn The Song of Moses and the Lambe being indeede the effect of that triumph Song which the Saints and blessed Martyrs shal sing vnto the honour of that Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world when they haue gotten the victory ouer Antichrist This Hyâ—â—e the members of the true Church may sing to Gods gâ—â—â—y and the encrease of their owne comfort when they perceiue the power of the Almighty any way manifested vpon that Aduersarie It may be repeated also amid our greatest persecutionâ— to strengthen our Faith and remember vs that whatsoeuer we suffer there will come a day wherein we shall haue cause to make vse of this Hymne with a perfect reioycing Song 36. Sing this as the 13. Song OH thou LORD thou GOD of might Who do'st all things worke aright Whatsoe're is done by thee Great and wondrous proues to be 2 True thy waies are and direct Holy King of Saints elect And oh therefore who is there That of thee retaines no feare 3 Who is there that shall deny Thy great Name to glorifie For thou LORD and thou alone Art the perfect Holy-one 4 In thy presence Nations all â—hall to adoration fall For thy Iudgementâ— now appeare Unto all men what they are Here end the Hymnes of the New Testament The X Commandements Exod. 20. ALthough the Decalogue be not originally in verse yet among vs it hath beene heretofore vsually sung Because therefore it may be a meanes to present these Precepts somewhat the oftner to remembrance make them the more frequently repeated and stirre vp those who sing and heare them to the better performance of their duties They are here also inserted and fitted to be sung Song 37. Sing this as the 4. Song THe great Almighty spake And thus said he I am the LORD thy GOD And I alone From cruell Aeâ—ypts thraldome set thee free And other Gâ—DS but Me thou shalt haue none Haue mercy LORD and so our hearts encline That we may keepe this blessed Law of thine Thou shalt not make an Image to adore Of ought on earth aboue it or below A Carued Worke thou shalt not â—â—w before Nor any worship on the same â—estowe For I thy GOD a Iealous GOD am knowne And on their Seed the Fathers sinnes correct Untill the third and fourth Descent be gone But them I alwaies loue that me affect Haue mercy LORD and
obedience to thy Law Her purifying-Rites were done That we might learne to stand in awe How from thine ordinance we runne For if we disobedient be Unpuriâ—â—ed Soules haue we 3 Oh keepe vs LORD from thinking vaine What by thy word thou shalt command Let vs be sparing to complaine On what we doe not vnderstand And guide thy Church that she may still Command according to thy will 4 Uouchsafe that with one ioynt-consent We may thy praises euer sing Preserue thy seamelesse-Robe vnrent For which so many Lots doe fling And grant that being purifide From sinne we may in loue abide 5 Moreouer as thy Mother went That holy and thrice-blessed Mayd Thee in thy Temple to present With perfect humane flesh arrayd So let vs offerd vp to Thee Replenisht with thy spirit be 6 Yea let thy Church our Mother deare Within whose wombe new-borne we be Before thee at her time appeare To giue her Children vp to Thee And take for purified things Her and that offring which she brings The first day of Lent THe obseruation of Lent is a profitable institution of the Church not abridging the Christian liberty of meats but intended for a means to helpe to set the spirit at liberty from the flesh And therefore this Fast consisteth not altogether in a formall forbearance of this or that food but in a true mortification of the body For abstinence from flesh onely wherein also we ought to be obedient to the higher Powers more tendeth to the encrease of plenty and well-ordering things in the Common-wealth then to a spirituall Discipline Because it is apparant wee may ouer-pamper our selues as well with what is permitted as with what is forbidden this commendable obseruation which euery man ought to obserue so farre forth as he shall be able and his spirituall necessity requires was appointed partly to commemorate our Sauiours miraculous fâ—sting whereby he satisfied for the gluttony of our first Parents and at this season partly to coole our wanton bloud which at this time of the yeare is aptest to be eâ—flamed with euill concupiscences and partly also to prepare vs the better both to meditate the passion of our Sauiour which is alwaies commemorated about the end of Lent and to fit vs to receiue the blessed Sacrament of his Last Supper to our greater comfort Song 51. Sing this as the .44 Song THy wondrous Fastinâ— to record And our rebellious flesh to tame A holy Fast to thee oh LORD We haue intended in thy Name Oh sanctifie it we thee pray That we may thereby honour Thee And so dispose vs that it may To our aduantage alâ—o be 2 Let vs not grudgingly abstaine Nor secretly the gluttons play Nor openly for glory vaine Thy Churches ordinance obay But let vs fast as thou hast taught Thy Rule obseruing in each part With such intentions as we ought And with true singlenesse of heart 3 So thou shalt our Deuotions blesse And make this holy Discipline A meanes that longing to suppresse Which keeps our Will so crosse to thine And though our stricktest fastings faile To purchase of themselues thy grace Yet they to make for our auaile By thy deseruings shall haue place 4 True Fasting helpfull oft hath beene The wanton flesh to mortifie But takes not off the guilt of sinne Nor can we merit ought thereby It is thine Abstinence or none Which merit fauour for vs must For when our glorioust workes are done We perish if in them we trust The Annuntiation of Marie THe Church hath dedicated this Day to memorize the Annuntiation of the blessed Virgine S. Marie who was about this time of the yeare saluted by the Angell Gabriel and we ought to sanctifie it with praising God for that vnexpressable Mysterie of our Sauiours Conception which was the happy newes the holy Angell brought vnto his Mother Nothing in the world is more worthy to be spoken of then this Fauor and yet nothing more vnspeakeable Song 52. Sing this as the 44. Song OUr hearts oh blessed GOD encline Thy true affection to embrace And that humility of thiâ—â— Which for our sakes vouchsafed was Thy Goodnesse teach vs to put on As with our Nature thou wert clad And so to minde what thou hast done That we may praise thee and be glad 2 For thou not only held'st it meet To send an Angell from aboue An humble Mayd on earth to greet And bring the Message of thy Loue But laying as it were aside Those Glories none can comprehend Nor any mortall eyes abide Into her wombe thou didst descend 3 Bestow thou also thy respect On our despis'de and lowe degree And LORD oh doe not vs neglect Though worthy of contempt we be But through thy Messengers prepare And hallow so our hearts we pray That thou conceaued being there The fruits of faith bring forth we may Palme-Sunday PAlme-Sunday is so called by reason it was vpon that day in which Iesus riding to Ierusalem according to the Prophets the people strewed the way for him with their Garments and the branches of the Palme-tree And indeed it was in a manner the day of proclaiming him King as the Friday following was the day of his Coronation Worthily therefore is it commemorated And many excellent mysteries are thereby brought to remembrance which but for this Anniuersary most would forget and many perhaps neuer come to know Song 53. Sing this as the 3. Song WHen Iesus to Ierusalem And there to suffer rode The people all the way for him With Palme and Garments strowde And though he did fâ—â—l meekely â—ide And poorely on an Asse Hosanna to the King they cride As he along did passe 2 His glory and his royall right Eu'n by a powre diuine As if in wordly pompes despight Through pouerty did shine And though the greater sort did frowne He exercizâ—d his powre Till he himselfe did lay it downe At his appointed howre 3 Possession of his House he got The Marchants thence expel'd And though the Priests were madde thereat His Lectures there he held Oh! how should any be so dull To doubt who this might bee When they did things so wonderfull And workes so mighty see 4 LORD when to vs thou drawest nigh Instruct vs thee to know And to receiue thee ioyfully How meane so ere in show Yea though the rich and worldly-wise When we thy praises sing Both Thee and vs therefore despise Be thou approu'd our King Thursday before Easter AS vpon this Day our blessed Sauiour eating the Passeouer with his Disciples instituted the blessed Sacrament of his Last Supper Afterward he washed their feet prayed for them and for the faithfull generation instructed them confuted them warned them of what should come to passe both concerning themselues and his owne death and resurrection promised to send them a Comforter and expressed many other excellent things for the confirmation of their faith Then departing to a Garden he praying fell into his most bitter Agony which hauing ouercome hee was that night
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
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
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
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
and is yet continued in England aboue other Countries a neighbourly and plentiâ—ull hospitality in inuiting anâ— without inuitation receiuing vnto our well furnisht Tables our Tennants Neighbours Friends and Strangers to the honour of our Nation and encrease of amity and free-hearted kindnesse among vs. But most of all to the refreshing of the bowels of the Poore being the most Christian vse of such Fâ—stiuals Which charitable and good English â—ustome hath of late beene seasonably re-aduanced by his Maiesties gracious care in commanding our Nobility and Gentry to repaiâ—e especially at such times to their Country Mansions Song 46. A Son the Night before this blessed Morne A troupe of Angels vnto Shepheards told Where in a Stable hee was poorely borne Whom nor the earth nor Heau'n of heau'ns can hold Through Bethlem rung this newes at their returne Yea Angels sung that GOD WITH VS was borne And they made mirth because we should not mourne CHORVS His loue therefore oh let vs all confesse and to the Sonnes of men his workes expresse 2 This fauour Christ vouchsafed for our sake To buy vs Throanes He in a Manger lay Our weaknesse tooke thaâ— we his strength might take And was disrob'd that he might vs aray Our flesh he wore Our sinne to weare away Our curse he bore That we escape it may And wepâ— for vs that we might sing for aye His loue therefore oh let vs all confesse And to the Sonnes of men his workes expresse Song 47. Another for Christmas day Sing this as the 46. Song A Song of ioy vnto the LORD we sing And publish forth the fauours he hath showne We sing his praise from whom all ioy doth spring And tell abroad the wonders he hath done For such were neuer since the world begun His loue therefore oh let vs all confesâ—e And to the sonnes of men his workes expresse 2 As on this Day the Sonne of God was borne The blessed Word was then incarnate made The LORD to be a seruant held no scorne The Godhead was with humane nature clad And flesh a throne aboue all Angels had His loue therefore c. 3 Our sinne and sorrows on himselfe â—e tooke On vs his blisse and goodnesse to bestow To visite Earth he Heau'n a while forsooke And to aduaunce vs high descended low But with the sinnefull Angels dealt not so His loue therefore c. 4 A Mayd conceiu'd whom Man had neuer knowne The Fleece was moistned where no raine had been A Virgine she remaines that had a Sonne The Bush did flame that still remained greene And this befell when GOD with vs was seene His loue therefore c. 5 For sinfull men all this to passe was brought As long before the Prophets had forespoke So he that first our shame and ruine wrought Once bruzâ—d our heele but now his Head is broke And he hath made vs whole who gaue that stroke His loue therefore c. 6 The Lambe hath playd deuouring wolues among The Morning starre of Iacob doth appeare From Iesâ—â—s roote our tree of life is sprung And all Gods words in him fulfilled are Yet we are slacke his prayles to declare His loue therefore c. Circumcision or Newyeares-Day THe Church solemnizeth this Day commonly called Newyeares-Day in memoriall of our Sauiours Circumcision that remembring how when he was but eight dâ—yes old he began to smart and shed his blood for vs we might praise him for the same that with due thankfulnesse considering how easie a Sacrament hee hath left vs in sleed of that bloody-one which the Law inioyned wee might be prouoked to bring forth the fruites of Regeneration Song 48. Sing this as the 44 Song THis Day thy flesh oh Christ did bleed Markt by the Circumcision-knife â—ecause the Law for mans misdeed Requir'd that earnest of thy life Those drops diuin'de that showre of bloud Which in thine Agonie began And that great showre foreshewd the floud Which from thy side the next day ran 2 Then through that milder Sacrament Succeeding this thy grace inspire Yea let thy smart make vs repent And circumcized hearts desire For he that either is baptiz'd Or circumciz'd in flesh alone Is but as an vncircumciz'd Or as an vnbaptized-one 3 The yeare anew we now begin And outward guifts receiu'd haue we Renue vs also LORD within And make vs new-yeares-gifts for thee Yea let vs with the passed yeare Our old affections cast away That we new-creatures may appeare And to redeeme the Time assay Twelfe-day or the Epiphanie TWelfeday otherwise called the Epiphany or the day of Manifestation is celebrated by the Church to the praise of God and in memoriall of that blessed and admirable discouery of our Sauiours birth which was vouchsafed vnto the Gentiles shortly after it came to passe For as the Shepheards of the Iewes were warned thereof and directed to the place by an Angell from Heauen So the Magiâ— of the Gentiles receiued the same particular notice of it by a Starre in the East that both Iewes and Gentiles might be left inexcusable if they came not to his worship This day is obserued also in commemoration of our Sauiours Baptisme and of his first miracle in Canaan by which he was likewise manifested to be the Sonne of God Song 49. Sing this as the 9. Song THat so thy blessed birth oh Christ Might through the world be spread about Thy Starre appeared in the East Whereby the Gentiles found thee out And offring thee Myrrhe Incense Gold Thy three-fold Office did vnfold 2 Sweet Iesus let that Starre of thine Thy Grace which guides to finde out thee Within our hearts for euer shine That thou of vs found out mayst be And thou shalt be our King therefore Our Priest and Prophet euermore 3 Teares that from true repentance drop Instead of Myrrhe present will wee For Incense we will offer vp Our Prayers and Praises vnto Thee And bring for â—old each pious-deed Which doth from sauing-faith proceed 4 And as those Wise-men neuer went To visite Herod any more So finding thee we will repent Our courses followâ—d heretofore And that we homeward may retire The Way by Thee we will enquire The Purification of S. Marie the Virgin ACcording to the time appointed in the Law of Moses the blessed Virgin S. Marie reckoned the days of Purification which were to be obserued after the birth of a male Childe And then as the Law commanded presented both her Sonne and her appointed Offring in the Temple Partly therefore in commemoration of that her true obedience to the Law and partly to memorize that presentation of our Redeemer which was performed by his blessed Mother at her Purification this Anniuersary is worthily obserued Song 50. Sing this as the 9. Song NO doubt but she that had the grace Thee in her wombe oh Christ to beare And did all woman-kinde surpasse Was hallow'd by thy being there And where the fruite so holy was The Birth could no pollution cause 2 Yet in