THE HYMNS AND SONGS OF THE CHURCH; Divided into two parts.  
The first part comprehends the Canonical Hymns, and such parcels of Holy Scripture, as may properly be sung, with some other ancient Songs and Creeds.  
The second part consists of Spiritual Songs, appropriated to the several Times and Occasions observable in the Church of England.  
Translated and Composed, BY G. W.  
LONDON Printed by the Assigns of GEORGE WITHER. Cum Privilegio Regis Regali.   

TO THE HIGH AND Mighty Prince, JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c: Grace, Mercy and Peace, through jesus Christ our Lord.  
THese Hymns (Dread Sovereign) having diverse ways received life from your MAJESTY, (as well as that approbation which the Church alloweth) are now imprinted according to your Royal Privilege, to come abroad under your Gracious Protection. And what I delivered unto your Princely view at several times, I here present again, incorporated into one Volume. The first Part whereof, comprehends those Canonical Hymns, which were written, and left for our instruction, by the Holy Ghost. And those are not only plainly and briefly expressed in Lyric verse: but by their short Prefaces, properly applied also to the Churches particular occasions in these times. Insomuch, that (however some neglect them as impertinent) it is thereby apparent, that they appertain no less to us, then unto those, in whose times they were first composed. And (if the conjecture of many good and learned men deceive them not) the later Part, containing Spiritual Songs, appropriated to the several times and occasions observable in the Church of England (together with brief Arguments, declaring the purpose of those Observations) shall become a means both of increasing Knowledge, and Christian Conformity within your Dominions: Which, no doubt, your MAJESTY wisely foresaw, when you pleased to grant and command, that these Hymns should be annexed to all Psalme-bookes in English Meeter. And I hope, you shall thereby increase both the honour of God, and of your MAJESTY. For, these Hymns, and the knowledge which they offer, could no other way, with such certainty, and so little inconvenience, be conveied to the common people, as by that means which your MAJESTY hath graciously provided.  
And now (maugre their malice, who labour to disparage & suppress these Helps to Devotion) they shall, I trust, have free scope to work that effect which is desired; and to which end, I was encouraged to translate and compose them. For, how meanly soever some men may think of this Endeavour; I trust the success shall make it appear, that the Spirit of God was the first mover of the work. Wherein, as I have endeavoured to make my Expressions such as may not be contemptible to men of best understandings: So I have also laboured to suit them to the nature of the Subject, and the common People's capacities, without regard of catching the vain blasts of Opinion. The same also hath been the aim of Master Orlando Gibbons (your MAJESTY'S servant, and one of the Gentlemen of your Honourable Chapel) in fitting them with tunes. For, he hath chosen to make his music agreeable to the matter, and what the common apprehension can best admit; rather then to the curious Fancies of the Time: Which path both of us could more easily have trodden. Not caring therefore, what any of those shall censure, who are more apt to control, then to consider; I commit this to God's blessing and Your favourable Protection: Humbly beseeching your MAJESTY, to accept of these our Endeavours; and praying God to sanctify both us and this Work to his glory: Wishing also (most unfeignedly) everlasting consolations to your MAJESTY, for those temporal Comforts you have vouchsafed me, and that felicity here, which may advance your happiness in the life to come. Amen.  
Your MAJESTY'S most Loyal Subject, GEORGE WITHER.   

THE FIRST PART OF The HYMNS and SONGS of the CHURCH, containing those which are translated out of the Canonical Scripture, together with such other Hymns and Creeds, as have anciently been sung in the Church of ENGLAND.  


The Preface.  
Plainly false is their Supposition, who conceive that the Hymns, Songs and Elegies of the Old Testament are impert●ment to these later Ages of the Church. For, neither the Actions, nor writings of the Ancient Israelites, which are recorded by the Holy Spirit, were permitted to be done, or written for their own sakes, so much as that they might be profitable to warn and instruct us of the latter Times; according to Saint Paul, 1. Cor. 10. And indeed, so much is not only testified by that Apostle in the place afore recited, and throughout the Epistle to the Hebrews; but the very names of those Persons and Places, mentioned in these Hymns and Songs, do manifest it, and far better express the nature of that which they mystically point out, then of what they are literally applied unto; as those who will look into their proper significations shall apparently discover. That therefore these parcels of Holy-Scripture (which are for the most part Me●ter in their Original tongue) may be the better remembered, to the glory of God; and the oftener repeated, to those ends for which they were written. They are here disposed into Lyrick-Verse; and do make the First part of this Book: Which Book is called, The Hymns and Songs of the Church; not for that I would have it thought part of the Church's Liturgy; but because they are made in the person of all the Faithful, and do (for the most part) treat of those things which concern the whole Catholic Church.   

The first Song of Moses. Exod. 13.  
THis Song was composed and sung, to praise the LORD, for the Israelites miraculous passage through the Red-Sea, & for their delivery from those Egyptians, who were there drowned. It may (and should also) be sung in the Christian Congregations, or by their particular members, both with respect to the Historical and Mystical senses thereof. Historically, in commemoration of that particular Deliverance, which God had so long ago, and so wondrously vouchsafed to his persecuted and afflicted Church. Mystically, in acknowledgement of our own powerful Deliverance from the bondage of those spiritual Adversaries, whereof those were the Types. For, Pharaoh (signifying vengeance) typified Our great Enemy, who with his host of Temptations, Afflictions, etc. pursueth us in our passage to the spiritual Canaan. The Red-Sea represented our Baptism, 1 Cor. 10.2. By the Dukes and Princes of E●om (mentioned in this Song) are prefigured those Powers and Friends of the kingdom of Dark●nesse, which are, or shall be, molested at the news of our Regeneration. And therefore, this Hymn may very properly be used after the Administration of Baptism.  

The first Song.  
NOw shall the praises of the LORD be sung; For, he a most renowned Triumph won: Both Horse and Man into the Sea he flung: And them together there hath overthrown. The LORD is He, whose strength doth make me strong; And he is my salvation, and my Song: My GOD, for whom I will a house prepare; My Father's GOD, whose praise I will declare.  

2  
Well knoles the LORD, to war what doth pertain;  
The LORD-Almighty is his glorious Name:  
●e Pharaohs Charrets, and his armed Train,  
Amid the Sea or'ewhelming, overcame:  
Those of his Army, that were most renowned,  
●e hath together in the Red-sea drowned;  
The Deeps, a covering over them were thrown,  
And to the bottom sunk they like a stone.   

3  
LORD, by thy power thy Right hand famous grows:  
Thy Right hand, LORD, thy Foe destroyed hath:  
Thy Glory thy Opposers overthrows;  
And stubble-like, consumes them in thy wrath.  
A blast but from thy nostrils forth did go,  
And up together did the waters flow;  
Yea, rolled up on heaps; the liquid Flood  
Amid the Sea, as if congealed, stood.   

4  
I will pursue them (their Pursuer cried)  
I will or'etake them, and the spoil enjoy:  
My lust upon them shallbe satisfied:  
With sword unsheathed my hand shall them destroy.  
Then from thy breath a gale of wind was sent;  
The billows of the Sea quite o'er them went:  
And they the mighty waters sunk into,  
e'en as a weighty piece of Lead will do.   

5  
LORD, who like thee among the GOD'S is there!  
In holiness so glorious who may be!  
Whose praises so exceeding dreadful are!  
In doing wonders, who can equal thee!  
Thy glorious Right hand thou on high didst rear,  
And in the earth they quickly swallowed were.  
But thou in mercy onward hast conveyed  
Thy People, whose redemption thou hast paid.   

6  
Them by thy strength thou hast been pleased to bear  
Unto a holy Dwelling place of thine:  
The Nations at report thereof shall fear;  
And grieve shall they that dwell in Palestine.  
On Edom's Princes shall amazement fall:  
The mighty men of Moab tremble shall;  
And such as in the land of canaan dwell  
Shall pine away, of this when they hear tell.   

7  
They shallbe ceased with a dreadful fear:  
Sto●e-quiet thy Right hand shall make them be▪  
Till passed over, LORD, thy People are;  
Till those pass over, that were bought by thee.  
For, thou shalt make them to thy Hill repair,  
And plant them there (oh LORD) where thou art heir:  
e'en there, where thou thy Dwelling hast prepared;  
That Holy place which thine own hands have reared.   

8  
The LORD shall ever and for ever reign.  
(His Sovereignty shall never have an end)  
For, when as Pharaoh did into the Main  
With Charrets and with horsemen down descend,  
The LORD did back again the Sea recall,  
And with those waters overwhelmed them all.  
But, through the very inmost of the same,  
The seed of Israel safe and dryshod came.     

The second Song of Moses. Deut. 23.  
THis Song was given by God himself, to be taught the jews, that it might remain as a witness against them when they should forget his benefits. For, it appears, the divine wisdom knew, that when the Law would be lost, or forgotten, a Song might be remembered to posterity. In this Hymn (Heaven and Earth being c●lled to witness) the Prophet makes first a narration of the jews perverseness, and then delivereth prophetically three principal things; wherein diverse other particulars are considerable. The first is a Predication of the jews Idolatry, with the punishments of it. The second is their hatred to Christ, with their Abjection. And the last, is of the calling of the Gentiles. We therefore, that have by f●ith and experience seen the success of what is herein foretold, aught to sing it often, in remembrance of God's justice and Mercy. And (seeing we are all apt enough to become as forgetful of our Redeemers favour as they) we should by the repetition hereof, seek so to stir up our considerations, that (as Saint Paul counselleth) we might the better meditate the goodness and severity of God, etc. For, if he hath not spared the natural branches, Let us take heed, as the same Apostle adviseth. Rom. 11.24.  

Song. 2.  
Sing this as the first Song.  

TO what I speak an ear ye Heavens lend,  
And hear, thou Earth, what words I utter wil  
Like drops of Rain, my Speeches shall descend,  
And as the Dew, my Doctrine shall distil:  
Like to the smaller Rain on tender flowers;  
And as upon the grass the greater showers.  
For, I the LORDS great Name will publish now;  
That so our GOD may praised be of you.   

2  
He is that Rock, whose works perfection are:  
For, all his ways with judgement guided be.  
A GOD of truth, from all wrong-doing clear:  
A truly just, and righteousone is he;  
Though they themselves defiled unlike his sons.  
And are a crooked race of froward-ones.  
Oh mad and foolish Nation! why dost thou  
Thyself unto the LORD so thankless show?   

3  
Thy Father and Redeemer is not he?  
Hath he not made, and now confirmed thee fast?  
Oh call to mind the days that older be,  
And weigh the years of many ages past.  
For, if thou ask thy Father, he will tell,  
Thy Elders also, can inform thee well,  
How, he (the highest) did Adam's sons divide,  
And shares for every Family provide;   

4  
And how the Nations Bounds he did prepare,  
In number with the Sons of Israel.  
For, in his People had the LORD his share,  
And jacob for his part allotted fell:  
Whom finding in a place possessed of none,  
(A Desert va●●, untilled and unknown)  
He taught them there; he led them far and nigh,  
And kept them as the Apple of his eye.   

5  
e'en as an Eagle, to provoke her young.  
About her nest doth hover here and there,  
Spread forth her wings to train her birds along,  
And sometime on her back● her younglings bear:  
Right so, the LORD conducted them alone,  
When for his aid Strange god with him was none.  
Them on the Highlands of the earth he set,  
Where they the plenties of the field might eat.   

6  
For them he made the Rock with Honey flow:  
He drayned oil from stones, and them did feed  
With milk of Shrepe, with butter of the Cow,  
With Goats, fat Lambs, & Rams of Bashan breed.  
The finest of the wheat he made their food;  
And of the Grape they drunk the purest blood▪  
But, herewithal unthankful Israel  
So fat became, he kicked with his heel.   

7  
Grown ●at, and ●ith their grossness covered o'er.  
Their God, their Maker, they did soon forsake:  
Their Rock of health regarded was no more:  
But with Strange gods him jealous they did make▪  
To move his wrath, they hateful things devised:  
To Devils in his stead they sacrificed:  
To God's unknown, that new invented we●e,  
And such▪ as their Forefathers did not fear.   

8  
They minded not the Rock who them begat,  
But quite forgot the God, that ●orm'd them hath:  
Which when the L●R● perceived, it made him ●ate  
His Sons & Daughters, moving him to wrath.  
To mark their end, said he, I'll hide my face:  
For, they are faithless Sons, of froward race:  
My wrath, with what is not a GOD, they move,  
And my displeasure with their follies prove.   

9  
And I, by those that are no People, yet  
Their wrathful jealousy will move for this;  
And by a foolish Nation make them fret.  
For, in my wrath a fire inflamed is;  
And down to Hell the earth consume it shall,  
e'en to the Mountains bottoms, fruit and all▪  
In heaps upon them mischiefs will I throw;  
And shoot mine arrows till I have no more.   

10  
With hunger parched and consumed with heat,  
I will enforce them to a bitter end:  
The teeth of Beasts upon them will I set,  
And will the poisonous dust-fed Serpent send.  
The sword without, and fear within, shall s●ay  
Ma●ds, youngmen, babes, and him whose hair is grey▪  
Yea, I had vowed to spread them here & there,  
Men might forget, that such a people were.   

11  
But this the Foe compe'ld me to delay;  
Lest tha● their adversaries (prouder grown)  
Should ●when they heard it) thus presume to say;  
This, not the LORD, but our high hand hath done.  
For, in this People no discretion is;  
Nor can their dulness reach to judge of this.  
Oh had they wisdom this to comprehend!  
That so they might bethink them of their end.   

12  
How should one make a thousand run away,  
Or two men put ten thousand to the foil;  
Except their Rock had sold them for a pray,  
And that the LORD had closed them up the while?  
For, though our Foes themselues the judges were,  
Their God they cannot with our GOD compare:  
But, they have vines like those that Sodom yields,  
And such as are within Gomorrha fields.   

13  
They bear the Grapes of gall upon their vine:  
Extremely bitter are their clusters all:  
Yea, made of Dragon's venom is their wine,  
And of the cruel Asps, infectious gall.  
And can this (ever) be forgot of me!  
Or not be sealed where my treasures be?  
Sure, mine is vengeance; and I will repay:  
Their feet shall slide at their appointed day.   

14  
Their time of Ruin near at hand is come:  
Those things that shall befall them haste will make.  
For, then the LORD shall give his People doom,  
And on his Servants kind compassion take:  
When he perceives their strength bereft & gone,  
And that in prison they are left alone;  
Where a●e their Gods become? he then shall say;  
Their Rock on whom affiance they did lay?   

15  
Who ate the fartest of their Sacrifice?  
Who of their Drinke-oblations drank the wine?  
Let those unto their succour now arise,  
And under their protection them enshrine.  
Behold, consider now, that I am He,  
And that there is no other God with me:  
I kill and make alive: I wound, I cure;  
And there is none can from my hand assure.   

16  
For, up to heaven on high my hand I rear.  
And (as I ●●ue for ever) this I say;  
When I my shining sword to whet prepare,  
And shall my hand to acting vengeance lay,  
I will not cease till I my foes requite,  
And am avenge d on all that bear me spite:  
But, in their blood, ●hich I shall make to flow,  
Will steep mine arrows, till they drunken grow.   

17  
My sword shall eat the flesh and blood of those  
Who shallbe either slain or brought in thra●l,  
When I begin this vengeance on my Foes.  
Sing therefore, wi●h his People, Nations all.  
For, he his Servant's blood with blood will pay,  
And due avengement on his Foes will lay.  
But, to his Land compassion he will show;  
And on his People mercy shall bestow.     

The Song of Deborah and Barak. judges. 5.  
THis Hymn was composed to glorify God for the great overthrow given to Sisera: who coming armed with many hundred Chare●s of Iron against the poor oppressed Israelites (when they had not a sword or spear among forty thou●and of them) was nevertheless miraculously discomfited: to show the unbelieving people, that the LORD only is the God of b●ttles; and, that he is both able, an● doth often, deliver his CHURCH without the ordinary means. By the repetition hereof, we praise God, in commemorating one of the great Deliverances heretofore vouchsafed to his Church. And in these times of fear and wavering, we may also by this memorable example of God's providence, strengthen our faith, which is many times weakened by the outward power, prosperity, or vain boastings of the Church's Adversaries: Who shall (doubtless) be at last shamefully ruined (according to the Prophetical imprecation concluding this Song) notwithstanding their many likelihoods of prevailing. Yea, the●, perhaps, shall that destruction come on them, to Gods greater Glory, when our estate seems to be most desperate.  

Song. 3.  
SIng praises Isr'el to the LORD, that thee avenged so: When to the fight with free accord, The people forth did go. You Kings give care; you Princes hear, while to the LORD I raise my voice aloud, and sing to GOD, (the LORD of Isr'el) praise.  

2  
When thou departedst, LORD, from Seir,  
When thou leftest Edom f●eld,  
Earth shook, the heavens dropped there,  
The clouds did water yield.  
LORD, at thy sight  
A trembling fright  
Upon the Mountains fell:  
Eu●n at thy look  
Mount-Sinai shook,  
LORD GOD of Israel.   

3  
Not long ago in Shamghar's days,  
Old Anath's valiant Son;  
And late, in Iael's time; the ways  
Frequented were of none:  
The passengers  
Were wanderers  
In crooked paths unknown:  
And none durst dwell  
Through Israel,  
But in a walled Town.   

4  
Until I Deborah arose  
(Who rose a mother there)  
In Isr'el when new Gods they chose,  
That filled their gates with war.  
And they had there  
Nor shield nor spear  
In their possession, then;  
To arme● for fight)  
One Israelite,  
'Mong forty thousand men.   

5  
To those that Israel's Captains are  
My heart doth much incline;  
To those, I mean, that willing were:  
Oh LORD the praise be thine.  
Sing ye for this,  
Whose use it is  
To ride on Asses grey;  
All ye that yet  
In Middin sit,  
Or travel by the way.   

6  
The place where they their water drew,  
From Archers now is clear.  
The 〈◊〉 uprightness they shall show,  
And ●is just dealing there.  
The Hamlets all,  
Through Isr'el shall  
His righteousness record:  
And down unto  
The Gates shall go  
Th' People of the LORD.   

7  
Arise oh Deborah arise:  
Ri●e, ri●e, and sing a Song.  
Abinoam's son, oh Barak rise:  
Thy Captives lead along.  
Their Prince all,  
By him made thrall  
To the Survivor be.  
To triumph on  
The Mighty one,  
The LOR● vouchsafed me.   

8  
A root, from out of Ephraim  
Gainest Amalek arose:  
And (of the people) next to him  
The Beniamites were those.  
From Machir (where  
Good Leaders are)  
Came well experienced men:  
And they came down  
From Zabulon  
That handle well the Pen.   

9  
Along with Deborah did go  
The Lords of Isachar;  
With Isachar, e'en Barak too,  
Was one among them there.  
He forth was sent,  
And marching went  
On foot the lower-way.  
For Reuben (where  
Divisions were●  
Right thoughtful hearts had they.   

10  
The blea●ing of the flocks to hear.  
Oh wherefore didst thou stay r  
For Reuben (where divisions were)  
Right thoughtful hearts had they▪  
But, why did they  
Of Gilead stay  
On Iordans other side?  
And wherefore than,  
Didst thou oh Dan,  
Within thy Tents abide?   

11  
Among his harbours, lurking by  
The seaside, Asher lay.  
But, Zabulun and Nephthali  
Kept not themselves away.  
They people are,  
Who fearless dare  
Their lives to death expose;  
And did not yield  
The hilly-field,  
Though Kings did them oppose.   

12  
With them the Cananitish Kings  
At Tana'ch fought that day,  
Close by Megiddo's water-springs;  
Yet bore no Prize away.  
For lo, the Stars  
Fought in their Spheres:  
'Gainst Sisera fought they.  
And some (by force)  
The watercourse  
Of Kishon, swept away.   

13  
Even Kishon River, which was long  
A famous Torrent known.  
Oh thou my soul! oh thou, the strong,  
Hast bravely trodden down.  
Their Horse (whose pace  
So lofty was)  
Their hooves with prancing wound;  
Those of the Strong,  
That kicked and flung,  
And fiercely beat the ground.   

14  
A heavy curse on Meroz lay:  
Cursed be her dwellers all.  
The Angel of the LORD doth say,  
That City curse you shall.  
And, therefore, this  
Accursing is:  
They came not to the fight,  
To help the LORD,  
(To help the LORD)  
Against the Men of Might.   

15  
But, blessed be jael, Heber's spouse  
The Kenite; blessed be she,  
More than all women are, of those  
That use in Tents to be.  
To him did she  
Give milk, when he  
Did water only wish;  
And butter set  
For him to eat,  
Upon a lordly dish.   

16  
She, in her left hand took a nail.  
And raised up in the Right  
A workman's hammer; wherewithal  
She Sisera did smite.  
His head she took  
When she had struck  
His pierced Temples through.  
He fell withal:  
And in the fall,  
He at her feet did bow.   

17  
He at her feet did bow his head;  
Fell down, and life forlooke.  
Mean whil● his longing Mother did  
From out her window look:  
Thus, c●ying at  
The Lattice grate,  
Why stays his Chariot so  
From hasting home?  
Oh! wherefore come  
His Chariot wheels so slow?   

18  
As thus she spoke, her Ladies wise  
To her an answer gave.  
Yea, to herself, herself replies;  
Sure, sped (saith she) they have:  
And all this while  
They part the spoil;  
A Damsel, one or two,  
Each homeward bears,  
And Sisera shares  
A particoloured Pray.   

19  
Of needlework, both sides of it  
In diverse colours, are:  
e'en such as doth his neck befit  
That useth Spoils to wear.  
So LORD still so,  
Thy foes o'er throw:  
But, who in thee delight,  
Oh! le● them be  
sun-like, when he  
Ascendeth in his might.     

The Song of Hannah. 1. Sam. 2.1.  
HAnnah the wife of Elkanah, being bar●en (and therefore upbraided ●nd vexed by Pe●innah her hu●bands other wife) prayed unto the Lord for a Son. And having obtained him, glorified God in this Song, for delivering her from the contempt of her adversary. By Hannah (which signifieth Grace or Gracious) was the Church of Christ ●epresented: And by Peninnah (signifying despised or forsaken) was figured the jewish Synagogue. This Song therefore, is to be understood as a mystical Prophecy of that Abjection of the jews and calling of the Gentiles, which was fulfilled upon the birth of jesus Christ, our true Samuel: at whose conception the blessed Virgin Mary, in her Magnificat, acknowledged the verifying of many particulars foretold in this Song; even almost in the same words. In memorial therefore of these Mysteries, we ought to sing this Hymn: to comfort us also, against the pride and arrogancy of those, who, by reason of their multitudes, shall scorn, and upbraid the true Church, as mother only of a few poor and obscure children. And we may use it likewise to praise God for that fruitfulness which he hath given to our Holy mother; who hath lately had many children advanced to be Kings, and to sit on the most eminent thrones of Glory in the earth, according to this Prophetical Song.  

Song. 4.  
NOw in the LORD my heart doth pleasure take: My ho●ne is in the LORD advanced high. And to my Foes an answer I will make; Because in his salvation joyed am I. Like him, there is not any holy-One: And other LORD beside him, there is none:  

2  
Nor like our God another God is there.  
So proudly vaunt not then, as heretofore;  
But, let your tongues from henceforth now forbear▪  
All vain presuming words, for evermore.  
For why? the LORD is God who all things knows,  
And doth each purpose to his end dispose.   

3  
Now broken is their bow, that once were stout:  
And girt with vigour they that stumbled are.  
The Full, themselves for bread have hired out:  
Which now they need not do, that hungry were.  
The Barren-wombe, doth seven children own:  
And she, that once had many, weak is grown.   

4  
The LORD doth slay; and he revives the slain.  
He to the grave doth bring; and back he bears.  
The LORD makes poor; and rich he makes again.  
He throweth down: and up on high he rears.  
He from the dust, and from the dunghill brings  
The Beggar, and the poor, to sit with Kings.   

5  
He rears them to inherit Glories throne.  
For why? the LORD'S the Earth's upholders are:  
The world hath he erected thereupon.  
He to the footing of his Saints hath care.  
But, dumb in darkness, Sinners shall remain:  
For in their strength, shall men be strong in vain.   

6  
The LORD will to destruction bring them all,  
(e'en every one) that shall with him contend.  
From out of heaven he thunder on them shall,  
And judge the world unto the farthest end.  
With strength & power, his King he will supply,  
And raise the Horn of his Anointed, high.     

The Lamentation of David, over Saul, and jonathan his son, 2. Sam. 1. 1●.  
IN this funeral Elegy David bewaileth the Death of Saul and jonathan: from whence these observations may be collected. First, that the slaughter of a valiant Prince is an outward blemish, and just cause of sorrow in the State. Secondly that the insulting of an adversary is not the least affliction. Thirdly, that the Mountains of Gilboa are accursed to this day: For, by Gilb●● (which is interpreted slippery or inconstant) is mystically understood that irresolution or despair, by which men fall into the power of their spiritual adversary. Fourthly, we hence may learn to commemorate those things which ●re ●ra●e-worthy even in our enemy. Lastly it showeth us that wise and good men may tender o●e friend more affectionately than another; and that it misbeseemes them not to bewail their death. This is to be ●ung historically for our instruction in the particulars afore mentioned. And may be observed as a pattern for our funeral Poems.  

Song. 5.  
THy beauty, Israel, is gone; slain in the Places high is he: The Mighty now are overthrown. Oh, thus how cometh it to be!  

Let not this news their streets throughout,  
In Gath, or Askalon, be told  
For fear Philistia's daughters flout:  
Lest vaunt th'uncircumcised should.   

2  
On you, hereafter, let no dew  
You Mountains of Gilboa, fall.  
Let there be neither showers on you,  
Nor fields that breed an offering shall.  
For, there with shame, away was thrown  
The Target of the strong (alas)  
The shield of Saul, e'en as of one  
That ne'er with oil anointed was.   

3  
Nor from their blood that slaughtered lay,  
Nor from the fart of strongmen slain;  
Came jonathan his bow away,  
Nor drew forth Saul his sword in vain▪  
In life time, they were lovely fair;  
In death they undivided are.  
More swift than Eagles of the air,  
And stronger they, than Lions were.   

4  
Weep Isrel's daughters, weep for Saul,  
Who you with scarlet hath arrayed;  
Who clothed you with Pleasures all,  
And on your garments gold hath laid.  
How comes it, he that mighty was,  
The foil in battle doth sustain!  
Thou jonathan, oh thou (alas)  
Upon thy Places-high wert slain.   

5  
And, much distressed is my heart,  
My brother jonathan, for thee,  
My very deare-delight thou wert,  
And wondrous was thy love to me.  
So wondrous, it surpassed far  
The love of women (every way.)  
Oh, how the Mighty fallen are!  
How warlike Instruments, decay!     

David's Thanksgiving. 1. Chro. 29.10.  
KIng David having by persuasions and his own● liberal example, stirred up the people to a bountiful Benevolence toward the building of God's house▪ praised him for that willing and cheerful free-offrin●▪ And in this Thanksgiving, we observe this method. Fir●●▪ he acknowledgeth God's Blessedness, Greatness, Pow●●, Glory, Victory, Majesty, Bounty, with the like: and confesses in general that Honour, Riches, Strength, wi●● all other good things are at the Almighty's disposing. Secondly, he therefore praiseth the Lord; and acknowledgeth also, that his, and the people's willingness 〈◊〉 give, came not of themselves; but was God's ow●● proper gift (as well as that which they had given.) La●●ly, He prayeth for the continuance of God's blessing both upon their purposes and endeavours: and, th●● their Benevolence may be disposed to that End for whic● it was given. This Song, may be very properly used, whensoever among us, there hath been any free an● liberal contributions to good and pious Ends. An● to fit the same the better to such purposes; the Person●▪ and some few circumstances, are a little changed 〈◊〉 this Translation.  

Song. 6.  
Sing this as the fifth Song.  

OH LORD our everlasting GOD,  
Bliss, Greatness, Power, & Praise is thine.  
With thee, have Conquests their abode,  
And glorious Majesty divine.  
All things that earth and heaven afford,  
Thou at thine own disposing haste.  
To thee belongs the Kingdom, LORD,  
And thou, for head, o'er all art plac●t.   

2  
Thou wealth, and Honour dost command,  
To thee, made subject all things be:  
Both strength and power, are in thine hand,  
To be disposed as pleaseth thee.  
And now, to thee our God therefore;  
A Song of thankfulness we frame.  
(That what we owe, we may restore)  
And glorify, thy glorious Name.   

3  
But, what, or who are we (alas)  
That we in giving are so free!  
Thine own before, our Offring'was,  
And all we have, we have from thee.  
For, we are Guests, and Strangers here,  
As were our Fathers in thy sight:  
Our days but shadowlike appear,  
And suddenly they take their flight.   

4  
This offering, LORD our GOD, which thus  
We for thy Name sake have bestown,  
Derived was, from thee, to us;  
And that we give, is all thine own.  
Oh GOD, thou provest the heart, we know,  
And dost affect uprightness there.  
With gladness, therefore, we bestow  
What we have freely offered here.   

5  
Still thus (Oh LORD our GOD) incline  
Their meanings, who thy people be.  
And ever, let the hearts of thine  
Be thus prepared unto Thee.  
Yea, give us perfect hearts, we pray,  
That we thy precepts err not from.  
And grant, our Contribution may  
An honour to thy Name become.     

The Prayer of Nehemiah. Nehem. 1.5.  
NEhemiah, determining (as the story showeth) to move Artaxerxes for the repair of the City and house of the Lord, first made this prayer. Wherein having acknowledged the Majesty, justice, and Mercy of God, he confesseth the heinousness of his and his people's sins; desireth forgiveness; entreateth for the people's deliverance from captivity; and requesteth h● may find favour in the sight of the King his Master. Now, we who by regeneration are the sons of Israel (and such as in a spiritual sense, may be said also, to be dispersed among the heathen, as often ●s we are carried captive by the heathenish concupiscences and vanities of the world) even we may in a literal sense make use of this excellent form of confession, before our several Petitions. And doubtless a faithful using o● these the Holy Ghosts ow●e words (with remembrance of the happy success they heretofore had) will much strengthen and increase the hope, confidence, and comfort of him that prayeth. Who changing the two last lines only, may appropriate it to any necessity. For example, if it be to be sung before labour, conclude it thus; And be thou pleased, O LORD▪ to bless; Our Labours with a good success If before a journey, thus; And LORD all dangers keep us f●om; Both going forth, and coming home. If before a battle thus; And be thou pleased, in the fight, To make us victors by thy might. If in the time of famine, thus; And, LORD vouchsafe thou, in this need, Our souls and bodies both to feed. If before a Sermon, etc. thus; And grant, that we, LORD, in thy fear, May to our profit speak and hear. And the like, as occasion requires.  

Song. 7.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

LORD GOD of Heaven, who only art  
The mighty God, and full of fear;  
Who never promise▪ breaker wert,  
But ever showing mercy there  
Where men affection bear to thee,  
And of thy Law's observers be.   

2  
Give ear, and open thine eyes, I pray,  
That heard thy seruan●s suit may be,  
Made in thy presence night and day,  
For Israel's Seed, that serveth thee:  
For Israel's seed, who (I confess)  
Against thee grievously transgress.   

3  
ay, and my Father's house did sin,  
Corrupted all our actions be:  
And disrespective we have been  
Of Statutes, judgements, and Decree;  
Of those, which to retain so fast,  
Thy servant Moses charged thou hast.   

4  
Oh yet, remember thou, I pray,  
These words, which thou didst heretofore  
Unto thy servant Moses say.  
If ere (saidst thou) they vex me more,  
I will disperse them every where,  
Among the Nations here and there.   

5  
But, if to me they shall convert,  
To do those things my Law contain;  
Though spread to Heaven's extremest part,  
I would collect them thence again,  
And bring them there to make repose,  
Where I to place my Name have chose.   

6  
Now, these thy People are (of right)  
Thy servants, who to thee belong;  
Whom thou hast purchased by thy Might,  
And by thine Arm exceeding strong:  
Oh! let thine ear, Lord, I thee pray,  
Attentive be to what I say.   

7  
The prayer of thy servant hear;  
Oh, hear thy servants when they pray,  
(Who willing are thy Name to fear)  
Thy servant prosper thou to day:  
And be thou pleased to grant that he  
May favoured in thy presence be.     

The Song of King Lemuel. Prou 31.10.  
THis Song is Alphabetical in the original. It containeth an admirable description of a good Wife: And these three things are here principally considerable; the advantage her Husband receiveth by her; the commendable virtues she hath in herself; And the reward th●● follows her. Her Husband's advantages are these: A quiet heart free from jealousy or distrust of her; a ric● estate without oppressing others; and place of hono●● in the Commonwealth. Her virtues are, Industry, Providence, Cheerfulness, Courage, and Vnweariednesse in providing for, & disposing of her temporal affairs: Moreover continual love to her Husband; liberality to the poor; government of her tongue; and heedfulness to those courses her household takes. Her reward is this: Her Husband is confident in her; she shall have comfort of her labours; her posterity shall bless her; her Husband shall praise her above other women: she shall be honoured in life, and have joy at her death. It is indeed, an excellent Marriage-Song, fit to be used at the solemnising of those Rites. For it ministereth instruction becoming that occasion. Yea perhaps, the Music of it would stir up good affections also (where unpleasing discords are now heard) if it were often sung in private Families.  

Song. VIII.  
Sing this as the sixth Song.  

WHo finds a Woman good and wise,  
A gem more worth than Pearls hath got;  
Her Husband's heart on her relies:  
To live by spoil he needeth not.  
His comfort all his life is she.  
No wrong she willingly will do:  
For Wool and Flax her searches be:  
And cheerful hands she puts thereto.   

2  
The Merchant-ship resembling right,  
Her food she from a far doth fet.  
ere day she wakes, that give she might  
Her maids their task, her household meat.  
A field she views, and that she buys;  
Her hand doth plant a vineyard there,  
Her loins with courage up she ties;  
Her Arms with vigour strengthened are.   

3  
If in her work she profit feel,  
By night her Candle goes not out:  
She puts her finger to the wheel,  
Her hand the spindle twirls about.  
To such as poor and needy are,  
Her hand (yea, both hands) reacheth she:  
The Winter none of hers doth fear,  
For, double cloth d her household be.   

4  
She Mantles maketh, wrought by hand▪  
And silk and purple clothing gets:  
Among the Rulers of the Land  
(Known in the Gate) her Husband sits.  
For sale, fine Linen weaveth she,  
And girdles to th● Marchant se●ds:  
Renown and strength her clothings be,  
And joy her later time, attends.   

5  
She speaks discreetly when she talks;  
The law of Grace her tongue hath learned:  
She heeds the way her household walks,  
And feedeth not on bread vn-eatn●d.  
Her Children ris●, and blest her call:  
Her Husband thus applaudeth her;  
Oh! thou hast far surpassed them all,  
Though many Daughter's thriving are.   

6  
Deceitful Favour quickly wears,  
And Beauty suddenly decays:  
But, if the LORD she truly fear●s  
That Woman well deserveth praise.  
The fruit her handy work obtains,  
Without repining grant her that;  
And yield her what her labour gains,  
To do her honour in the Gate,      

THE SONG OF SONGS.  

The Preface.  
Such is the mercy of God, that he taketh advantage even of our natural affections, to beget in our souls an apprehension of his love, and of the mysteries which tend to our true happiness; so, fitting his divine expressions to the several inclinations of men, that means might be provided to win some of all. For, otherwhile he doth it by comparing the same to the glories of a temporal Kingdom, to win such as are most desirous of honours. Sometime he illustrates it by Treasures, Gold, and precious Stones, etc. the better to allure such as are tempted with things of that nature. And diverse other ways also, as appears throughout the Book of God. But in this Song of Solomon (wherein is mystically expressed the mutual affection betwixt Christ and his Church, with the chief passages thereof throughout all Ages from Abel to the last judgement; at which time their blessed marriage shall be fully consummated) he doth most movingly impart unto us, the ravishing contentments of the divine-love; by comparing it to that delight which is conceived in the strongest, the commonest, the most pleasing, the most natural and the most commendable of our Affections. And doubtless, it powerfully prevaileth to the enflaming of their spiritual Love, who seek rightly to understand and apply the mysteries & expressions herein contained. Let no man therefore presume to sing, or repeat, in a carnal sense, what is here spiritually intended; upon pain of God's heavy indignation. Nor let the wisdom of flesh and blood vainly neglect God's favour, in offering this for the comfort of such as will rightly apply the same; because some Atheists and Sensual men, shall perhaps turn this grace of God into wantonness, to their own condemnation.   

The first Canticle.  
IN this Canticle, is first expressed that longing which the whole Catholic Church had for the embraces of her Redeemer, (from the time of Abel, till his first coming) with her acknowledgement of his ravishing Excellencies; her desire to be drawn after him; and her confession of that joyful happiness which will arise from his favours. Secondly, the particular Church of the Gentiles is brought in, entreating an undespised vn●on with the Synagogue of the jews, both confessing and excusing her blemishes. Thirdly, the whole Catholike-Church is again introduced, as desiring to be fed and guided by her beloved Shepherd. Fourthly, her Petition is most graciously answered, and she directed to follow the steps of the holy patriarchs and Prophets. Finally, Christ setteth forth the power and rich graces of his Spouse, with what other ornaments he will prepare for her. This Canticle w● may sing to the stirring up of our spiritual Love; having first seriously meditated th●se things: to wit; That desire we ought to have in our souls to be joined to Christ; the excellency of his perfections; the backwardness of our humane Nature to entertain his love; the deformity and damage we sustain till we be received into the communion of Saints; the readiness of Christ to receive and direct us; the pleasure he will take in our love; and the provision he will make for the further beautifying of our souls.  

Song. 9  
COme kiss me with those lips of thine; For, better are thy Loves then wine. And, as the poured Ointments be, Such is the savour of thy Name: And, for the sweetness of the same, The Virgins are in love with thee.  

2  
Begin but thou to draw me on,  
And th●n, we after Thee will run.  
Oh, King, thy Chambers bring me to:  
So, we in thee delight shall find,  
And more than ●ine thy Love will mind;  
And love thee as the Righteous do.   

3  
And Daughters of jerusalem,  
I pray you do not me contemn,  
Because that black I now appear.  
For, I as lovely am (I know)  
As Kedar Tents (appear in show)  
Or Solomon his Curtains are.   

4  
Though black I am, regard it not:  
It is but Sunne-burne I have got;  
Whereof my Mother's Sons were cause:  
Their Uineyard keeper me they made,  
(Through envy which to me they had)  
So, mine own vine neglected was.   

5  
Thou, whom my soul doth best affect,  
U●●o thy pastures me direct,  
Where thou at Noon art stretched along:  
For, why should I be straggling spied  
Like her that loves to turn aside,  
Thy fellow●shepheards flocks among?   

6  
Oh fairest of all Woman kind!  
(If him thou know not where to find)  
Go where the paths of cattle are:  
Their tract of footsteps stray not from,  
Till to the Shepherd Tents thou come,  
And feed thy tender Kidling there.   

7  
My Love, thou art of greater force,  
Then Pharaoh's troops of Cha●ret-hor●e.  
Thy cheeks and neck, made lovely be  
With rows of stone, and many a chain:  
And, we gold-borders will ordain,  
Beset with silver studs▪ for thee.     

The second Canticle.  
THis Song seemeth to set forth the mystery of Christ his Incarnation, whereby the Churches first Petition (mentioned in the former Canticle) is accomplished. And herein, these particulars appear to be mystically expressed. His Birth and repose between the two Testaments, with his sweet and sanctifying operations. Secondly, the Church's acknowledgement of her Redeemers beauty, innocency, and delightfulness; with how pleasant and incorruptible an habitation, is prepared for those Lovers; and what excellent privileges she hath by his favour. Thirdly, Christ and his Church do (as two Lovers) interchangeably prefer one another before all others, by way of comparison. Fourthly, the Spouses spiritual lovesick passions are expressed. And lastly (she having declared how she is enclosed in his embraces) there is warning given that their sweet union be not disturbed. This Canticle may be properly sung upon the Feast of Christ's Nativity, or at any other time; we having first prepared ourselves by a fruitful meditating the particular mysteries of the Song.  

Song. 10.  
Sing this as the ninth Song.  

WHile that the King was at repast,  
My Spikenard his perfumings cast;  
And 'twixt my breasts reposed my Dear:  
My Love, who is as sweet to me  
As Myrrh● or Camphire bundles be,  
Which at Engaddi Uineyards are.   

2  
Lo, thou art fair; lo, thou my Love  
Art fair, and eyed like the Dove:  
Thou fair, and pleasant art my Dear.  
And lo, our Bed with flowers is strowed:  
Our House is beamed with Cedar-wood;  
And of the Fir our Rafters are.   

3  
I am the Rose that Sharon yields,  
The Rose and Lily of the fields,  
And flower of all the Dales below.  
My Love among the Daughter's shows,  
As when a sweet and beauteous Rose  
Amid her bush of thorns doth grow.   

4  
Among the Sons, such is my Dear,  
As doth an Appletree appear,  
Within a shrubby Forest placed.  
I sat me downn beneath his shade,  
(Whereto a great desire I had)  
And sweet his fruit was to my taste.   

5  
Me, to his banquet-house he bore,  
e'en where his wine-provisions are:  
And there his Love my banner was.  
With Flagons me from fainting stay:  
With Apples comfort me, I pray;  
For I am sick of Love (alas.)   

6  
My head with his left hand he stayed:  
His right-hand over me he laid.  
And by the Hearts and Roes (said he)  
You Daughters of jerusalem  
Stir not (for you I charge by them)  
Nor wake my Love till pleased she be.     

The third Canticle.  
BY contemplating this Canticle, we may be mystically informed of Christ's calling his Church in the Apostles, and of her estate in the beginning of Christianity, when he went from place to place (as a Hind over the Mountains) to further the work of our Redemption; wooing his Disciples (and in them his Church) to follow him, by showing his Divinity a little and a little (as it were) through the Grate, and from behind the Wall of his Humanity. Moreover, the springlike season of the Gospel, after the cloudy and winter-like time under the Law, is here set forth. And then the Church having petitioned that the Curtains of the Ceremonial Law might be so drawn away, as that she may both hear and see her Beloved in his unveiled perfections; she requesteth also, that the sly enemies of his Vineyard may be destroyed. She rejoiceth likewise in their mutual loves; and prayeth him that whilst the day of Grace lasteth, she may on all occasions enjoy his speedy Consolations. Lastly, the Church confesseth how blindly she sought Christ during the Night of the Law; how diligently (and through what afflictions) she searched after him; how at length she found him; where also, & with what affections she entertained him: And so concludes, as in the former Canticle. It ought therefore to be sung with Reverence, and consideration of the Mysteries therein contained.  

Song. XI.  
Sing this as the fifth Song.  

I Hear my Love: and him I see  
Come leaping by the Mountains there.  
Lo, o'er the Hillocks trippeth He;  
And Roe, or Stag-like, doth appear.  
L●e, from behind the wall he pries:  
Now, at the window-grate is he.  
Now speaks my Dear, and says, arise  
My Love, my Fair, and come with me.   

2  
Lo, Winter's past, and com●e the Spring,  
The Rain is gone, the Wether clear:  
The season woos the Birds to sing:  
And on the Earth the flowers appear.  
The Turtle croweth in our Field:  
Young Figs the Figtree down doth weigh:  
The blossomed vines a savour yield,  
Rise Love, my Fair, and come away.   

3  
My Dove, that art obscured, where  
The Rocks dark stairs do thee enfold:  
Thy voice, (thy sweet voice) let me hear,  
And Thee (that lovely sight) behold.  
Those Fox's cubs the vines that mar,  
Go take us, whilst the Grapes be young:  
My Love's am I; and mine●s my Dear,  
Who feeds the ●illy flowers among.   

4  
While break of Day, when shades depart,  
Return my Wellbeloved One;  
e'en as a Roe, or lusty Hart,  
That doth on Bether Mountains run.  
For him, that to my soul is dear,  
Within my bed, by night I sought:  
I sought; but him I found not there▪  
Thus therefore, with myself I thought:   

5  
I le rise, and round the City wend,  
Through Lanes, and open ways I'll go,  
That I my soules-delight may find.  
So there I sought, and missed him too.  
The Citty-watch, me lighted on;  
Them asked I for my soules-delight:  
And somewhat past them being gone,  
My soules-beloved found I strait.   

6  
Whom there in my embrace I caught:  
And him forsook I not, till he  
Into my Mother's house I brought,  
Her Chamber who conceived me.  
You Daughters of Ie●usalem,  
Surre not (by field-bred Harts and Roes;  
For you I do adiute by them)  
Nor wake my Love till she dispose.     

The fourth Canticle.  
HEre, the Royal Prophet first singeth Christ his going forth to preach the Gospel; metaphorically expressing it (and as it were) by way of ●dmira●●o●, at the excellent manner thereof. Next he mentioneth his Couch (or resting place) meaning either the Church, or else that Bed of his Humanity which the Holy Fathers and Pastors of the Church (as her valiant Champions) defended by the Sword of God's Word, against Infidels, Heretics, and all the Powers and Terrors of the Kingdom of Darkness Than he mystically describeth that Palace, Throne, or abiding place of Christ, together with the Glory of it, as well in regard of the precious matter of each several part, as in respect of the form and beauty of the whole Fabric. And lastly, he exhort●th 〈◊〉 the Faithful (under the name of the Daughters of Zion) to contemplate seriously, the excellent Glory of Christ, when (by his Incarnation) the Deity was espoused to the Humanity. In singing this we are to meditate in what security and glorious contentment we shall enjoy the embraces of our Redeemer; seeing his Bed and place for entertainment of the Daughters of jerusalem (that is the Souls of the Faithful) is so excellently built and furnished, as this Allegory implieth.  

Song. 12.  
Sing this as the fifth Song.  

WHat's he that from the Desert, there,  
Doth like those smoky pillars come,  
Which from the Incense, and the Myr●he,  
And, all the Merchant-spices fume?  
His bed (which lo is Solomon's)  
Threescore stout men about it stand:  
They are of Israel's valiant Ones;  
And all of them with Swords in hand.   

2  
All those are men expert in fight:  
And each one on his thigh doth wear  
A Sword; that terrors of the night  
May be forbid from coming there.  
King Solomon a goodly place  
With trees of Libanon did rear:  
Each Pillar of it Silver was;  
And Gold, the bases of them were.   

3  
With purple covered he the same:  
And all the pavement (throughout.)  
Oh Daughters of jerusalem,  
For you, which Charity is wrought.  
Come Zion daughter●, come away:  
And crowned with his Diadem  
King Solomon behold you may.  
That crown, his Mother set on him,  
When he a married man was made,  
And in his heart contentment had.     

The fifth Canticle.  
THat loveliness which is found in the most beautiful body, endowed with the riches of the mind, and adorned with the goods of Fortune (being of all objects the most powerful over humane affections.) The Holy Ghost in this Song of Songs, hath thereby mystically expressed the Church's estate in her several Ages: That so it might the better work into our souls an apprehension both of those excellent perfections Christ hath bestowed on his Church; and the better inform us also of that unspeakable affection which he beareth unto her. And it seemeth (the Metaphors in this Allegory being expounded) that the state of the Church in her several members is here described; with her Lover's affection showed towards her, about the time of the Gospel's entrance; even when our blessed Saviour was abiding on the earth. But the explanation of each several Metaphor will be too large for this place▪ Nor will every Capacity reach unto the particular application of them. It may suffice therefore, ifsuch do (by an implicit Faith) sing these Mysteries with a general application of them to Christ and his Church; believing themselves members of that Spouse; And that jesus Christ is he, who in this Song professeth an entire affection, not only to the whole Mystical body of the faithful, but even to every member of it in particular.  

Song. 13.  
OH my Love, how comely now, and how beautiful art thou! Thou of Dovelike eyes apaire, shining hast within thy hair: And thy loc●● like Kidling be, which from Gilead hill we see.  

2  
Like those Ewes thy Teeth do show,  
Which in rows from washing go;  
When among them there is none  
Twinlesse, nor a barren-one.  
And thy Lips are of a red;  
Like the Rosy-coloured thread.   

3  
Speech becoming thee thou hast.  
Underneath thy Tresses placed  
Are thy Temples (matchless fair)  
Which o're-shadowed with thy hair:  
Like Pomgranats do appear,  
When they cut asunder are.   

4  
To that Fort, thy Necke's compared,  
Which with Bulwarks David reared.  
Where a thousand shields are hung;  
All the Targets of the Strong.  
Breasts, thou hast like twinned Roes,  
Feeding where the Lily grows.   

5  
While day break, and shades are gone,  
To the Mountains I will ruane:  
To that hill whence Myrrh doth come,  
And to that of Libanum.  
Thou my Love, all beauty art,  
Spotlesse-faire in every part.   

6  
Come my Spouse from Libanum:  
Come with me from Libanum.  
From Amana turn thy sight,  
Shenir's top, and Hermons' height;  
From the dens of Lions fell,  
And the hills, where Leopards dwell.   

7  
Thou, my Sister, thou art she,  
Of my hart that robbeth me,  
Thou my Spouse▪ oh thou art she  
Of my hart that robbeth me,  
With one of thine eyes aspect,  
And with one lock of thy neck.   

8  
Sister▪ and espoused-peere,  
Those thy Breasts how fair they are!  
Better be those Dugs of thine  
Then the mo●t deli●ious wine:  
And, thine ointments odours are  
Sweeter than all spices far.   

9  
Love, thy Lip● drop sweetness, so  
As the Combs of honey do.  
Thou hast underneath thy Tongue,  
Hony mixed with milk among.  
And thy Robes do sent, as well  
As the Frankincense doth smell.   

10  
Thou, my Sister and espoused,  
Art a Garden, fast enclosed;  
Walled-Spring, a Fountain sealed;  
And the plants thy Orchard yield,  
Are of the Pomegranat-tree,  
With those fruits that pleasant be.   

11  
Camphire, there, with Nard doth grow,  
Nard, commixed with Crocus too,  
Calamus, and cinnamon,  
With all trees of Libanum;  
Sweetest Aloes and Myrrh,  
And all spice that precious are.   

12  
All the Gardens every where,  
Take their first beginning there.  
There, the precious Fountain lies,  
Whence all living-waters rise:  
e'en all those Streams that come  
Running down from Libanum.     

The sixth Canticle.  
IN this Canticle is mystically set forth the death and passion of jesus Christ; from whence all the Sacraments and spiritual graces bestowed on the Church took their beginning First; Christ desireth that by the blowing of those two contrary winds, the Charitable will of God, a●d the malicious will of his Adversaries, the work of our redemption might be wrought. To which purpose the Church also addeth her request. Secondly, Christ showeth, that he hath accomplished his own, with the Churches desire therein: and (expressing the fulfilling of his Bitter-sweet-passion) inviteth all the faithful to come and take benefit thereof. Thirdly, here is wondrous moovingly intimated, both our Redeemers watchfulness to secure us (even while he slept in the grave) and those Love-passages of his, wherewith he came to woo us in his humane nature (as it were a lover knocking and calling at his Beloved's window) in the dark-night of his Passion, and unheeded Afflictions. Lastly, here is described the Church's readiness to open to her Beloved; with that love distemperature which appeared in her, when the women and the Disciples misled him in the grave; and when, through fear of the high Priests, they were for a time despoiled of their Robe and veil of Faith. This Canticle may properly be sung in commemoration of our Redeemers sufferings; And of his Spouses fear and sorrow before his Resurrection.  

Song. 14.  
ARise thou Northwind from the North, And from the South, thou Southwinde blow, Upon my Garden breathe ye forth, That so my Spices (there that grow,) From thence abundantly may flow. And to thy Garden come my Dear, To eat thy fruits of pleasure there.  

2  
My Sister and espoused-peere,  
Unto my Garden I am come;  
My Spice I gathered, with my Myrrh,  
I ate my honey in the Comb,  
And drunk my wine with milk among.  
Come Friends and best-beloved of me;  
Come eat, and drink, and merry be.   

3  
I slept, but yet my heart did wake.  
It is my Love I knocking hear.  
It was his voice: and thus he spoke;  
Come open unto me my Dear,  
My Love, my Dove, my spotlesse-peere.  
For, with the dew my head is dight:  
My locks with droppings of the night.   

4  
Lo, I have now undressed me;  
Why should I cloth me as before?  
And since my feet clean washed be,  
Why should I soil them any more?  
Then through the crevice of the door  
Appeared the hand of my Beloved;  
And towards him, my ●●art was moved.   

5  
I rose unto my Love to open,  
And from my hands distilled Myrrh:  
Pure Myrrh did from my finger's drop,  
Upon the handles of the Bar.  
But then departed was my Dear.  
When by his voice I knew 'twas he,  
My heart was like to faint in me.   

6  
I sought; but seen he could not be.  
I calid but heard no answer sound.  
The Citty-watchmen met with me,  
As they were walking of the Round,  
And gave me stripes that made a wound:  
Yea, they that watch and ward the wall,  
e'en, they have taken away my veil.     

The seaventh Canticle.  
HEre is allegorically expressed the Majesty, power, & excellency of Christ; & is the effect of that which was evangelically ●ung of him after his Resurrection, & Ascension. First, the Bride is introduced adjuring the faithful Israelites, that when they have attained the knowledge of Christ her Spouse, they should profess and teach him to the rest of their Members. Secondly, those who lon● to find him, desire again of the Church, to know the excellencies of that Beloved of hers: and (by doubling the question) seem to imply a twofold Excellency. Thirdly, the Church speedily answers tho●e tha● inquire after her Spouse; and (by describing his excellency in his ten principal Members) mystically notif●●eth his tenfold spiritual perfection: whereupon to insist, were not here convenient. Lastly, the faithful crave the Church's direction to help her find him ou●▪ and receive her gracious answer to that purpose.  

Song. 15.  
Sing this as the 13. Song.  

OH! ●f him you happen on,  
Who is my Beloved-one,  
Daughters of jerusalem;  
I adjure you, seriously,  
To inform him, how that I  
Sick am grown of love, for him.   

2  
Fairest of all women, tell  
How thy Lover doth excel,  
More than other Lovers do.  
Thy Beloved, what is he  
More than other Lovers be,  
That thou dost adjure us so?   

3  
He, in whom I so delight,  
Is the purest red and white:  
Of ten thousands chief is he.  
Like fine gold, his head doth show,  
Whereon curled Locks do grow;  
And a Raven-blacke they be.   

4  
Like the milky Doves that bide  
By the Rivers, He is Eyed:  
Full, and fitly set they are.  
Cheeks like spicy-beds hath he;  
Or like flowers that fairest be.  
Lips, like Lilies, dropping Myrrh.   

5  
Hands, like rings of gold, beset  
With the precious Chrysolet.  
Bellied, like white ivory  
Wrought about with Saphir's rich.  
Legs like Marble-Pillers, which  
Set on golden Bases be.   

6  
Faced like Libanus is Herald  
Goodly, as the Cedar-tree;  
Sweetness breathing out of him.  
He is lovely, every where.  
This my Friend is, this my Dear,  
Daughters of jerusalem.   

7  
Oh thou Fairest (every way)  
Of all women! whither may  
Thy Beloved turned be?  
Tell us whither he is gone,  
Who is thy Beloved-one,  
That we seek him may with Thee?   

8  
To his Garden went my Dear,  
To the beds of spices there;  
Where he Feeds, and Lilies gets.  
ay, my Love's am, and (alone)  
Mine, is my Beloved-one,  
Who among the Lyllies eats.     

The eight Canticle.  
HErein is contained a continuation of the Praises of the Bride, and of that ardent affection expressed by her B●loued in the fifth Canticle: yet, it is no unnecessary repetition. For, it seemeth to have respect to the Church's estate, and the passages between her and Christ in another Age; even when the Gentiles began to be called and united unto the Church of the jews, according to what is desired in the first Canticle. And therefore, she is here compared to Tyrzah and jerusalem for loveliness. Her glorious increase, her singular purity, her extraordinary applause, the splendour of her Majesty, and the powrefulnesse of her Authority is here also described. Moreover, the fears and hindrances sustained in her first persecutions are here Mystically shown. And, Lastly, they who through fear or obstinacy are separated from her, are called to return, in regard of her apparent power. This, we may sing to remember us of those grace's God hath bestowed on his Church. To comfort our souls also, with that dearness which Christ expres●eth towards her, of whom we are members. And on divers other occasions, according as he that useth it, hath capacity to understand and apply the same.  

Song. 16.  
Sing this as the 13. Song.  

Beautiful art thou my Dear:  
Thou as lovely art, as are  
Tirzah or jerusalem  
(As the beautiful'st of them)  
And as much thou mak'st afraid,  
As armed Troops with flags displayed.   

2  
Turn away those eyes of thine▪  
Do not fix them so, on mine:  
For, there beam forth (from thy sight,)  
Sweets, that overcome me quite:  
And, thy Locks, like kidling be,  
Which f●om Gilead hill we see.   

3  
Like those Ewes thy Teeth do show  
Which in rows from washing go,  
When among them there is none  
Twinlesse nor a barren-one.  
And (within thy locks) thy Brows  
Like the cut- Pomegranate shows.   

4  
There are with her sixty Queens;  
There are eighty Concubines:  
And, the damsels, they possess,  
Are in number numberless:  
But, my Dove is all alone,  
And an undefiled-one.   

5  
she's her Mother's only Dear;  
And, her joy that her did bear.  
When the Daughters her surveyed,  
That she blessed was, they said:  
She was praised of the Queens,  
And among the Concubines.   

6  
Who is she (when forth she goes)  
That so like the Morning shows?  
Beautiful, as is the Moon,  
Purely bright as is the Sun;  
And appearing full of dread,  
Like an Host with ensigns spread?   

7  
To the Nut-yard down went I;  
(And the Uales increase to spy)  
To behold the Uine-buds come,  
And to see Pomegranates bloom:  
But, the Prince's Charrets did  
Uexe me so, I nought could heed.   

8  
Turn, oh turn, thou Shulamite,  
Turn, oh turn thee to our sight.  
What I pray is that, which you  
In the ●hulamite would view,  
But that (to appearance) she  
Shows like Troops that armed be?     

The ninth Canticle.  
SOlomon in the first part of this Canticle, commending the Churches universal beauty in her several parts, is understood to have respect to that time after the Conversion from Paganism, wherein she was endowed and made lovely by the variety of those Offices, States, & Degrees, into which her members were for order's sake distinguished; as well as by the addition of those ●ther Graces formally received. Which States and Degrees are here Mystically understood by the parts of a beautiful Woman: (as doth excellently appear, the Allegory being particularly expounded.) The second part of this Hymn expres●eth the mutual interchange of affections between the Bridegroom and his Bride; and those sweet contentments they enjoy in each others Loves. Lastly, here is set forth both the Churches desire to be freed from those persecutions, which hinder her open, and full fruition of her beloved; and mention is here made also, of those public and undisturbed embraces, which they shall at length enjoy. The first part hereof we ought so to sing, that it may remember us to shun their blindness who discern not the beauty of Order and Degrees in the Church. The second part puts us in mind, that she is the treasure●●e both of those graces which cause contentment within ourselves, and make us 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, merely for the love of him.  

Song. 17.  
Sing this as the ninth Song.  

THou Daughter of the Royal Line,  
How comely are those Feet of thine,  
When their beseeming Shoes they wear▪  
The curious knitting of thy Thighs,  
Is like the costly Gemi●es of prize,  
Which wrought by skilful workmen are.   

2  
Thy Navel, is a Goblet round,  
Where Liquor evermore is found.  
Thy fair and fruitful Belly shows  
As doth a goodly heap of Wheat  
With Lilies round about beset;  
And thy two Breasts like twinned Roes.   

3  
Thy Neck, like some white Tower doth rise.  
Like Heshbon Fishpools, are thine Eyes▪  
Which near the Gate Bathrabbim lie.  
Thy Nose (which thee doth wel-become)  
Is like the Tower of Libanum,  
That, on Damascus hath an eye.   

4  
Thy Head like Scarlet doth appear:  
The Hair▪ thereof, like purple are:  
And in those Threads the King is bound.  
Oh Love! how wondrous far art Thou!  
How perfect do thy pleasures show!  
And, how thy joys in them abound!   

5  
Thou Statured art in Palme-tree-wise.  
Thy Breasts like Clusters do arise.  
I said, into this Palm I'll go;  
My hold shall on her branches be:  
And those thy Breasts shall be to me  
Like clusters that on vines do grow.   

6  
Thy Nostrils savour shall aswell  
As newly-gathered fruits do smell.  
Thy Speech shall also relish so,  
As purest wine, th●t for my Deal  
Is ●itting dringe, and able were,  
To cause an old man's lips to go.   

7  
ay, my Beloued's am; And, he  
Hath his affection set on me:  
Come well-beloved, come away,  
Into the Fields, let's walk along;  
And there the Villages among,  
e'en in the Country we will stay.   

8  
We to the Vines betimes will go,  
And see if they do spring or no;  
Or, if the tender Grapes appear:  
We will, moreover go, and see,  
If the Pomegranates blossomed be:  
And I my Love will give thee ●here.   

9  
Sweet smells the Mandrakes do afford:  
And we within our Gates, are stored,  
Of all things that delightful be.  
Yea, whether new or old they are,  
Prepared they be for my Dear:  
And I have laid them up for thee.   

10  
Would, as my Brother, thou mightst be,  
That sucked my Mother's breast with me:  
Oh would it were no otherwise!  
In public then I thee would meet.  
And give thee kisses in the street;  
And none there is should thee despise.   

11  
Then I myself would for thee come,  
And bring thee to my Mother's home:  
Thou likewise shouldst instruct me there.  
And wine that is commixed with Spice,  
(Sweet wine of the Pomegranate juice)  
I would for thee to drink prepare.   

12  
My Head with his lefthand he stayed;  
His right-hand over me he laid,  
And (being so embraced by him)  
Said he, I charge you, not disease  
Nor wake my Love until she please,  
You Daughters of jerusalem.     

The tenth Canticle.  
IN this last part of Solomon's Song, he first singeth that sweet peace, and extraordinary prosperity vouchsafed unto the Church after her great persecutions: and expresseth it by putting the question who she was that came out of the wilderness leaning on her Beloved. Secondly, he 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, vnqu●nc●ablenesse, and inestimable value of his love. Thirdly, having remembered the Church of the affection due to him, Christ teacheth her the charitable care she ought to h●ue of others; and th●t she being brought into his favour and protection, should seek the preferment of her younger Sister also; even the people who have not yet the breasts of Gods two Testaments to nourish their souls. Fourthly, the Churches true Solomon or Peacemaker (meaning jesus Christ) having a Vineyard in Baal-hammon (that is) wheresoever there are p●●ple; Herein is declared, th● reward of such as are profitably employed in that Vineyard. And lastly, the confirmation of Christ's marriage upon the Hills of Spice (meaning Heaven) is hastened. In singing this Canticle, we ought to meditate what estate God hath raised us from; what love he hath vouchsafed; what our charity should be to others; what we should mind concerning this life; and what desire we should have to the comforts of the world to come.  

Song. 18.  
WHo's this, that leaning on her Friend, Doth from the Wilderness ascend? Mind how I raised thee, e'en where thy Mother thee conceived, where she that brought th●e forth conceived, beneath an Appletree.  

2  
Me in thy heart engraven bear,  
And Seale-like on thy hand-wrist wear:  
For Love is strong as Death.  
Fierce as the Grave is jealousy:  
The coals thereof do burning lie;  
And furious flames it hath.   

3  
Much Water, cannot cool Love's flame:  
No floods have power to quench the same.  
For Love so high is prized;  
That, who to buy it would assay,  
Though all his wealth he gave away,  
it would be all despised.   

4  
We have A Sister scarcely grown,  
For she is such a little one,  
That yet no Breasts hath she.  
What thing shall we now undertake,  
To do for this our Sister's sake,  
If spoken for she be?   

5  
If, that a wall she do appear,  
We Turret's upon her will rear,  
And Palaces of Plate:  
And then with boards of Cedar-tree  
Enclose, and fence her in, will we,  
If that she be a Gate.   

6  
A wall already built I am:  
And now my Breasts upon the same  
Do Turretlike arise.  
Since when, as one that findeth rest,  
(And, is of settled peace possessed)  
I seemed in his eyes.   

7  
A Vineyard hath King Solomon,  
This Uineyard is at Baal-hamon,  
Which he to Keepers put:  
And every one that therein wrought,  
A thousand siluer-pieces brought,  
And gave him for the fruit.   

8  
My Vineyard which belongs to me,  
e'en I myself do oversee.  
To thee, oh Solomon,  
A thousand-fold doth appertain:  
And, those that keep the same, shall gain  
Two hundred-fold for one.   

9  
Thou, whose abode the Gardens are,  
(Thy Fellows unto thee give ear)  
Cause me to hear thy voice:  
And let my Love as swiftly go,  
As doth a Hart or nimble Roe,  
Upon the Hills of Spice.      


The first Song of Esay. Esa. 5.  
IN this Song the Prophet, singing of Christ and hi● Vineyard, first showeth, that notwithstanding his labo● bestowed in fencing and manuring thereof, it brought forth sour grapes. Secondly, he summoneth thei● Consciences whom he covertly uprayded, to be Iu●●ges of God's great love and their unprofitableness Thirdly, he shows, both how he intends to de●● with his Vineyard, and who they are whom he pointe● out in this Parable. Now, seeing it hath befallen t●● Iewes according to this Prophetical Hymn, we are 〈◊〉 make a twofold use, in singing it. First, thereby 〈◊〉 memorise the Mercy and justice of God; both wh●●● are manifested in this Song: his Mercy in forew●●●ning, his justice in punishing even his own people Secondly, we are so to medi●ate thereon, that we 〈◊〉 be warned to consider what favours God hath vouchsafed us, and what fruits we ought to bring forth; le● he leave us also, to be spoilt of our Adversaries. For in this Parable the holy Spirit speaketh unto every Congregation who abuseth his favours. And doub●●lesse, all such (as it hath fallen out in Antioch, Laodi●●● and many other particular Churches) shall be depriu● of God's protection, of the dews of his holy spir●● and of the sweet showers of his word, to be left 〈◊〉 thorns and briers, the fruit of their own natural Corruptions.  

Song. 19  
Sing this as the 14. Song.  

A Song of him, whom I love best,  
And of his Vineyard, sing I will.  
A Vineyard, once my Love possessed,  
Well-seated on a fruitful hill:  
He kept it close-immured still:  
The earth, from stones he did refine;  
And set it with the choicest vine.   

2  
He in the midst a Fort did rear;  
I win-presse therein also wrought:  
But, when he looked it Grapes should bear,  
Those Grapes were wilde-ones that it brought.  
jerusalem, come speak thy thought;  
And you of judah judges be,  
Betwixt my vineyard here, and me.   

3  
Unto my Uineyard what could more  
Performed be, than I have done?  
Yet, looking it should Grapes have boar,  
Save wilde-ones, it afforded none:  
But go to, (let it now alone)  
Resolved I am to show you too,  
What with my vineyard I will do●▪   

4  
The Hedge I will remove from thence,  
That what so will, devour it may:  
I do one will break the Walled-fence,  
And through it make a trodden way.  
Yea, all of it I wast will lay.  
To dig or dress it, none shall care:  
But, thorns and briers it shall bear.   

5  
The Clouds I also will compel,  
That there no rain descend for this.  
For lo, the house of Israel  
The Lord of Army's Vineyard is:  
And, judah is that Plant of his;  
That Pleasant one, who forth hath brought  
Oppression, when he judgement sought.  
He, seeking justice; found therein,  
In lieu thereof, a Crying●sinne.     

The 2. Song of Esay. Esa. 12.  
ISaiah having a little before prophesied of the In●●●nation of jesus Christ, and the excellency of his kingdom, doth in this Hymn praise him for his Mercy; and fore●●owes the Church also, what her Song should be in that day of her Redemption. The principal co●ten●s hereof are these: A Confession of God's mercy; A prediction concerning the Sacrament of Baptism, and an exhortation to a joyful Thanksgiving. This Song the Church should still sing to the honour of Ies●● Christ for our Redemption. Yea, in regard the Proph●● (foreseeing the good Cause we should have to make use thereof) hath prophesied it should be the Church● Hymn, it seemeth not unproper to be used on those days which are solemnised in memorial of our Saviour's Nativity; Or whensoever we shall be mooue● to praise God in memorizing the gra●i●us Comfort promised us by his Prophets, and fulfilled by his own coming. And to fit the same th● better to that p●●●pose, I have changed the Person, and the Time, in th●● Translation.  

Song. 20.  
LOrd▪ I will s●●g to Thee, for thou displeased waste: And yet withdrewest thy wrath from me, And sent me comfort haste.  

Thou art my health, on whom  
A fearless Trust, I lay.  
For thou oh Lord, thou art become  
My Strength, my Song, my Stay.   

2  
And with rejoicing now,  
Sweet waters we convey  
Forth of those Springs, whence Life doth flow:  
And, thus, we therefore say,  
Oh, sing unto the Lord:  
His Name and works proclaim:  
Yea, to the People, bear 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 known▪  
Oh sing aloud, all ye,  
On Zion 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 captivity: to strengthen their patience in Affliction: and settle their confidence on the promises of God. First, it remembreth them that God's protection being every where as available as a defenced City, they ought always to rely on the firm peace which that affordeth. Secondly, he showeth that the pride of Sin shall be overthrown; and that the faithful a●e resolved to fl●e unto their Redeemer, and await his pleasure in their chastisements. Thirdly, he singeth the utter desolation of Tyrants; the increase of the Church; her afflictions; her deliverance; & the resurrection from death through Christ. Lastly, the Faithful are exhorted to attend patiently on the Lord their Saviour, who will come shortly to judgement, 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 confirm us in all our chastisements and persecutions: by bringing to our consideration, the short time of our endurance, and the certainty of our Redeemers coming. It may be used also to praise God both for his justice and Mercy.  

Song. 21.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

A City now we have obtained,  
Where strong Defences are:  
And, God Salvation hath ordained▪  
For Walls, and Bulwarks there.  
The Gates thereof, wide open Ye,  
That such as justly do,  
(And those that Truth's observers be)  
May enter thereinto.   

2  
There, thou in peace wilt keep them sure  
Whose thoughts well grounded be;  
In peace, ●hat ever shall endure,  
Because they trusted Thee.  
For ever, therefore, on the Lord,  
Without distrust, depend.  
For, in the Lord, th'eternal Lord,  
Is strength that hath no end.   

3  
He makes the lofty City yield,  
And her proud Dwellers bow:  
He lays it level with the f●eld,  
Eu●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 judgements, we  
Oh LORD, attending were:  
And to record thy Name and Thee,  
Our souls desirous are.  
On Thee, our minds with strong desire  
Are fixed in the night:  
And after thee our hearts inquire  
Before the morning light.   

5  
For, when thy righteous judgements are  
Upon the earth discerned;  
By those that do inhabit there,  
Uprightness shall be learned.  
Yet, Sinners for no terror will  
Just dealing understand:  
But in their sins continue still.  
Amid the Holy-Land.   

6  
To seek the glory of the LORD,  
They unregardfull be.  
And thy advanced-hand, Oh LORD,  
They will not deign to see.  
But they shall see, and see with shame,  
That bear thy People spite:  
Yea, from thy Foes shall come a flame,  
Which will devour them quite.   

7  
Then, LORD, for us thou wilt procure,  
That we in peace may be;  
Because that every work of our,  
Is wrought for us, by Thee.  
And L●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 deceased, and never shall  
Renewed life obtain:  
They die, and shall not rise at all.  
To tyrannize again.  
For thou didst visit them therefore,  
And wide dispersed them haste;  
That so their Fame for evermore,  
May wholly be defaced.   

9  
But Lord, increased thy People are,  
Increased they are by thee;  
And thou art glorified as far,  
As earth's wide limits be.  
For Lord, in their distresses, when  
Thy rod on them was laid;  
They unto thee did hasten then,  
And without ceasing prayed.   

10  
As one with child is pain, when as  
Her throws of bearing be;  
And cries in pangs (before thy face)  
Oh LORD, so fared we.  
We have conceived, and for a birth  
Of wind have pained been.  
The world's unsafe, and still on earth,  
They thrive that dwell therein.   

11  
Thy Dead shall live and rise again,  
With my deadbody shall.  
Oh you, that in the dust remain,  
Awake and sing you, all!  
For, as the dew doth herbs renew,  
That buried seemed before:  
So, earth shall through thy heavenly dew  
Her Dead alive restore.   

12  
My People to thy Chambers fare:  
Shut close the door to thee;  
And stay a while (a moment there)  
Till past the Fury be.  
For lo, the Lord doth now arise;  
He cometh from his place,  
To punish their impieties,  
Who now the world possess.   

13  
The earth that blood discover shall,  
Which is in her concealed:  
And bring to light those murders all,  
Which yet are unrevealed.     

The Prayer of Hezekiah. Esay 37.15.  
IN this Prayer, Hezekiah having first acknowledged God's Majesty ●nd almighty powe●, desires him, both to hear & consider his Adversary's blasphemy. Then (to manifest the necessity of his present assistance) urgeth the power his foe had obtained over such as served not the true God. And as it seemeth, impo●tunes deliverance, not so much in regard of his own safety, as that the Blasphemer, and all the world might know the difference between the Lord's power, and the arrogant brags of men. This Song may be used whensoever the Turk, or any other great Adversary (prevailing against false Worshippers) shall thereupon grow insolent, and threaten God's Church also: as if in despite of him, he had formerly prevailed by his own strength. For the name of Sen●●●herib may be mystically applied to any such enemy. We may use this Hymn also, against those secret Blasphemies, which the Devil whispers unto our souls; or, when by temptations he seeks to drive us to despair, by laying before us how many others he hath destroyed, who seemed to have been in as good assurance as we. For, he is indeed, that mystical Assyrian Prince, who hath overthrown who●e Countries & Nations, with their Gods, in whom they trusted. Such as are these, Temporal power, Riches, Superstitious worship, Carnal wisdom, Idols, etc. which being but the works of men (and yet trusted in as Gods) he hath power to destroy them.  

Song. 22.  
O Lord of Hosts and God of Israel! Thou, who between the Cherubins dost dwell; Of all the world thou only art the King, And heaven and earth, unto their form didst bring.  

2  
LORD bow thine ear; to hear attentive be.  
Lift up thine eyes, and deign oh LORD, to set  
What words Sennacherib hath cast abroad;  
And his proud Message to the living GOD.   

3  
LORD, true it is, that Lands and Kingdoms all,  
Are to the King of Ashur brought in thrall:  
Yea, he their Gods, into the fire hath thrown:  
For, Gods they were not; but of wood & stone.   

4  
Man's work they were, & men destroyed them have.  
Us therefore from his power vouchsafe to save  
That all the Kingdoms of the world may see  
That thou art GOD, that only thou art he.     

Hezekiah's Thanksgiving. Esa. 38.10.  
HEzekiah having been sick and recovered, made this Song of Thanksgiving; And setteth forth the mercy of God, by considering these particulars. The time of his Age; the fears of his soul; the rooting out of his posterity; the violence of his disease; and the forgiveness of his sins, added to the restoring of his health. Then (seeming to have entered into a serious consideration of all this) he confesseth who are most bound to praise God; and voweth this Deliverance to everlasting memory. This Song may be used after deliverance from temporal sickness. But in the principal sense, it is a special Thanksgiving for that cure which jesus Christ wrought upon the humane nature, being in danger of everlasting perdition. For Hezekiah which signifieth helped of the Lord, typ●fieth Mankind labouring under the sickness of sin and death. Isaiah who brought the medicine that cured him, (and is interpreted) the salvation of the Lord, figured our blessed Redeemer, by whom the humane nat●●e is restored; and whose sending into the world was mystically showed by the Miracle of the Sun's retrogradation. To praise God for that mystery therefore (the Circumstances being well considered) this Hymn seemeth very proper. And doubtless for this cause it was partly preserved for these our times, and aught often and heartily to be sung to that purpose.  

Song. 23.  
Sing this as the fourth Song.  

WHen I supposed my time was at an end,  
Thus, to myself, I did myself bemo●●●  
Now to the Gates of hell I must descend;  
For all the remnant of my years are gone.  
The Lord▪ said I) where now the living be,  
Nor man on earth, shall I for ever see.   

2  
As when a Shepherd hath removed his Tent,  
Or as a weaver's shuttle slips away;  
Right so, my Dwelling, & my Years, were spent:  
And so, my sickness did my Life decay.  
Each day, ere night, my death expected I;  
And every night, ere morning, thought to dye.   

3  
For, He so Lion-like my bones did break,  
That I scarce thought to live another day.  
A noise I did like Cranes or Swallowe● make:  
And as the Turtle, I lamenting lay.  
Then with uplifted eyelids, thus I spoke;  
Oh Lord, on me oppressed, mercy take.   

4  
What shall I say? he did his promise give;  
And as he promised he performed it.  
And therefore, I will never whilst I live,  
Those bitter passions of my soul forget:  
Yea, those that live, & those unborn, shall know  
What life and rest thou didst on me bestow.   

4  
My former Pleasures, Sorrows were become:  
But, in that love, which to my soul thou hast,  
The Grave, that all devours, thou keepest me from;  
And didst my errors all behind the● cast.  
For, nor the Grave, nor Death can honour Thee;  
Nor hope they for thy Truth that buried be.   

5  
Oh! he that lives; that lives as I do now:  
e'en he it is that shall thy praise declare.  
Thy Truth the Father to his Seed shall show.  
And how, thou me, oh Lord, hast dainged to spare.  
Yea Lord, for this, I will throughout my days  
Make music in thy house; unto thy praise.     

The Lamentations of jeremy.  
As useful as any part of the old Testament, for these present times (●igh fallen asleep in security) are these elegiacal Odes: For, they bring many things to our consideration. 〈◊〉, what we may and should lament for. Secondly, how careful we ought to be of the Commonwealth's prosperity; because, if that go to ruin, the particular Church therein cherished, must needs be afflicted also; and Gods worship hindered. Thirdly, they teach us, that the overthrow of Kingdoms and Empires, follows the abuse and neglect of Religion; and that (Sin being the only cause thereof) we ought to endure our chastisements without murmuring against God. Fourthly, they warn us, not to abuse Gods merciful long-suffering. Fiftly, they perswage us to commiserate and pray for the Church, and our brethren in calamity; and not to despise them in their humiliations. Sixtly, they learn us not to judge the truth of Professions, by those afflictions God lays upon particular Churches, seeing the jewish Religion was the Truth; and those Idolaters, who led them into Captivity. Seventhly, they show us, that neither the Antiquity, Strength, Fame, or formal Sanctity of any place (●onor Gods former respect thereunto) shall privilege it from destruction, if it continue in abusing his Grace. And lastly, they (as it were limiting our sorrows) mind us to cast our ●●es on the mercies of God: and to make such use of his chastisements, as may turn our Lamentations into Songs of joy..   

Lament. 1.  
THis Elegy, first bewaileth in general terms, that calamity and destruction of judah and jerusalem, which is afterwards more particularly mentioned. Secondly, it makes a confession of their manifold sins committed; and is full of many passionate and penitential complaints, justifying the Lord in his judgements, and confessing the vanity of humane Consolations. Lastly, it containeth a short prayer for God's mercy, and a divine prediction of those judgements which will fall on them, by whom his people have been afflicted. This Elegy may be sung, whensoever any general Calamity falleth on the Commonwealth in which we live; we having first considered and applied the particular Circumstances, as there shall be cause. We may sing it also Hystorically, to memorise the justice of God, and the miserable desolations of juda and jerusalem, recorded for our example.  

Song. 24.  
HOw sad and solitary now (alas,) Is that well-peopled City come to be! Which once so great among the Nations was, And oh how widdow-like appeareth she! She rule of all the Provinces hath had, And now herself is tributary made.  

2  
All night she maketh such excessive moan,  
That down her cheeks a flood of tears doth flow  
And yet, among her Lovers there is none,  
That consolation doth on her bestow.  
For they that once her Lover did appear,  
Now turned foes, and faithless to her are.   

3  
Now judah in captivity complains,  
That (others) heretofore so much oppressed.  
For her false service, she herself remains  
Among those Heathens, where she finds no rest.  
And apprehended in a Straight, is she,  
By those that persecuters of her be.   

4  
The very ways of Zion do lament.  
The Gates thereof their loneliness deplore:  
Because that no man cometh to frequent  
Her solemn Festivals as heretofore.  
Her Priests do sigh; her tender Virgins be  
Uncomfortable left, and so is She.   

5  
Her Adversaries are become her Chiefs:  
On high exalted, those that hate her are:  
And God hath brought upon her all those griefs,  
Because so many her transgressions were.  
Her Children driven from her by the Foe,  
Before him, into loathed thraldom go.   

6  
From Sions-Daughter (once without compare)  
Now all her matchless loveliness is gone.  
And like those chased Hearts her Prince's fare,  
Who seek for pasture and can find out none.  
So (of their strength deprived, and fainting nigh)  
Before their ab●er foes, they feebly fly.   

7  
jerusalem now thinks upon her crimes;  
And calls to mind (amid her present woes)  
The pleasure she enjoyed in former times,  
Till first she was surprised by her foes:  
And how (when they perceived her forlorn)  
They at her holy Sabbaths made a scorn.   

8  
jerusalem's transgressions many were;  
And therefore is it she disdained lies:  
Those, who in former time have honoured her;  
Her baseness now behold, and her despise:  
Yea, she herself doth sit bewailing this;  
And of herself her self ashamed is.   

9  
Her own uncleanness in her Skirt she bore;  
Not then believing what her end would be.  
This great destruction falls on her therefore:  
And none to help or comfort her hath she.  
Oh, heed thou Lord, and pity thou my woes,  
For I am triumph't-ouer by my foes.   

10  
Her Foe hath touched with his polluted hand,  
Her things that Sacred were, before her face:  
And, they whose entrance thou didst countermand,  
Intruded have into her Holy-place:  
Those; that were not so much approved by thee,  
As, of thy Congregation held to be.   

11  
Her People, do with sighs, and sorrows, get  
That little bread which for ●eleefe they have.  
And, give away their precious things for meat,  
So to procure wherewith their life to save.  
Oh Lord consider this; and ponder Thou,  
How vile, and how detected I am now.   

12  
No pity, in you Passengers is there?  
Your eyes oh somewhat hitherward incline;  
And mark, if ever any grief there were  
Or sorrow that did equal this of mine:  
This, which the Lord on me inflicted hath,  
Upon the day of his incensed wrath.   

13  
He from above, a Flame hath hurled down;  
That kindles in my bones prevailing fire.  
A Net, he over both my feet hath thrown;  
By which, I am compelled to retire.  
And he hath made me a ●orsaken-one,  
To sit, and weep out all the day alone.   

14  
The heavy yoke of my Transgressions, now,  
His hand hath wreathed, and upon me laid;  
Beneath the same my tired neck doth bow:  
And all my strength is totally decayed.  
For, me to those, the LORD hath given o'er,  
Whose hands will hold me fast for evermore.   

15  
The LORD hath trampled underneath their feet,  
e'en all the mighty, in the midst of me.  
A great Assembly he hath caused to meet,  
That all my ablest men might slaughtered be.  
And Iudah's Uirgin-daughter treads upon,  
As in a winepress Grapes are trodden on.   

16  
For this (alas) thus weep I; and mine eyes,  
Mine eyes drop water thus; because that He,  
On whose assistance, my sad soul relies,  
In my distress is far away from me.  
e'en while, (because of my prevailing Foe,)  
My Children are compelled from me to go.   

17  
In vain hath Zion stretched forth her hand;  
For, none unto her succour draweth nigh:  
Because, the LORD hath given in command,  
That Jacob's Foes should round about her lie.  
And poor jerusalem among them there;  
Like some defiled woman doth appear.   

18  
The LORD is justified, naytheless,  
Because I did not his commands obey.  
All Nations therefore, hear my heaviness,  
And heed it (for your warning) you I pray.  
For, into thraldom (through my follies) be  
My Virgins, and my Youngmen, borne from me.   

19  
Upon my Lovers I have cried out,  
But, they my groundless hopes deceived all.  
I for my reverend Priests enquired about;  
I, also, did upon mine Elders call:  
But in the City, up the ghost they gave,  
As they were seeking meat their lives to save.   

20  
Oh LORD, take pity now on my distress:  
For lo my soul distempered is in me.  
My heart is overcome with heaviness;  
Because I have so much offended thee.  
Thy Sword abroad my ruin doth become.  
And Death doth also threaten me at home.   

21  
And of my sad complaints my Foes have heard:  
But to afford me comfort there is none.  
My troubles have at full to them appeared;  
Yet they are joyful that thou so hast done.  
But, thou wilt bring the Time set down by Thee;  
And then in sorrow they shall equal me.   

22  
Then, shall those foul Offences they have wrought,  
Before thy presence be remembered all:  
And whatsoever my Sins on me have brought,  
(For their Transgressions) upon them shall fall.  
For, so my sigh multiplied be;  
That therewithal, my heart is faint in me.     

Lament. 2.  
IN this Elegy, the Prophet useth a very pathetical exordium, the better to awaken the people's consideration; and to make them the more sensible of their horrible calamity. Which he first illustrateth in general terms, by comparing their estate to the miserable condition of one fallen from the glory of heaven, to the lowest earth: and in mentioning, their being deprived of that glorious Temporal and Ecclesiastical Government, which they formerly enjoyed. Afterwards, he descends to particulars; as the destruction of their Palaces, Forts, Temple, Walls, and Gates: the profaning of their Saboths', Feasts, Rites, etc. the suspending of their Laws, Priests, Prophets: The slaughter of youngmen, and Virgins, olde-men, and Children, with the famine and reproaches they sustained, etc. All which acknowledging to be the just judgements of God, he adviseth them not to hearken to the delusions of their false Prophets, but to return unto the LORD by tears and hearty repentance. For the use and application, see what hath been said, before the former Elegy.  

Song. 25.  
Sing this as the 24. Song.  

HOw dark, & how beclowded (in his wrath)  
The LORD hath caused Zion to appear!  
How Israel's beauty he obscured hath!  
As if thrown down from Heaven to Earth he were.  
Oh! why is his displeasure grown so hot?  
And why hath he his Footstool so forgot?   

2  
The LORD all Zion's dwellings hath laid waist;  
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 Kingdom, he to ground doth send;  
And all the Princes of it doth suspend.   

3  
When at the highest his displeasure was,  
From Is●●el all his horn of strength he broke.  
And from before his adversary's face,  
His Right-hand (that restrained him) he took.  
Yea, he in jacob kindled such a flame,  
As, round about, hath quite consumed the same.   

4  
His Bow he as an adversary bend,  
And by his Right-hand he did plainly show,  
He drew it with an enemy's intent:  
For all that were the fairest Marks he slew.  
In Zion's Tabernacle this was done;  
e'en there the fire of his displeasure shone.   

5  
The LORD himself is he that was the foe,  
By him is Isr●el thus to ruin gone.  
His Palaces, he overturned so:  
And he, his Holds of strength hath overthrown:  
e'en he it is, from whom it doth arise,  
That Isr●els Daughter thus lamenting lies.   

6  
His Tabernacle Garden-like that was,  
The LORD with violence hath taken away.  
He hath destroyed his Assembling-place:  
And there nor Feasts nor Sabbaths now have they:  
No, not in Zion. For in his fierce wrath,  
He both their King and Priests rejected hath.   

7  
The LORD his holy Altar doth forgo;  
His Sanctuary he hath quite despized.  
Yea, by his mere assistance hath our Foe,  
The Bulwarks of our Palaces surprised.  
And in the LORDS own House, rude Noises are  
As loud, as heretofore his Praises were.   

8  
The LORD his thought did purposely incline,  
The walls of Zion should be overthrown.  
To that intent he stretched forth his ●ine,  
And drew not back his hand till they were down.  
And so, the Turrets with the bruised Wall,  
Did both together to destruction fall.   

9  
Her Gates in heaps of earth obscured are;  
The Bars 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 have,  
That from the LORD a vision doth receive.   

10  
In silence, seated on the lowly ground,  
The Senators of Syons-Daughter are:  
With Ashes, they their careful heads have crowned,  
And mourning Sackcloth girded on them wear.  
Yea, on the earth in a distressed-wise,  
Jerusalem's young Virgins fix 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 Liver forth I throw;  
When as mine Eyes with so sad Objects meet;  
As Babes half dead, & sprawling in the street.   

12  
For, to their Mothers called they for meat.  
Oh where shall we have meat and drink! they cry.  
And in the City, while they food entreat,  
They swoon, like them that deadlywounded lie.  
And some of them, their souls did breath away,  
As in the Mother's bosom, starved they lay.   

13  
jerusalem! for thee what can I say?  
Or unto what mayst thou resembled be?  
Oh! whereunto that comfort thee I may,  
Thou Syon●-Daughter, shall I liken thee?  
For, as the Seas, so great thy Breaches are:  
And to repair them then; Ah, who is there!   

14  
Thou, by thy Prophets hast deluded been:  
And foolish visions they for thee have sought.  
For, they revealed not, to thee thy Sin,  
To turn away the thraldom it hath brought.  
But, lying Prophecies they sought for thee;  
Which of thy sad exile, the causes be.   

15  
And those, thou Daughter of jerusalem  
That on occasions pass along this way,  
With clapping hands, and hissings, thee contemns:  
And, nodding at Thee, thus in scorn they say:  
Is this the City, men did once behight  
The flower of Beauty, and the world's Delight?   

16  
Thy Adversaries, (every one of them)  
Their mouths have oped at thee, to thy shame.  
They hisse, and gnash at Thee, jerusalem;  
We; we (say they) have quite destroyed the sam●:  
This, is that day hath long expected been;  
Now cometh it, and we the same have seen.   

17  
But, this the Lord decreed, and brought to pass,  
He, to make good that word which once he spoke,  
(And that which long ago determined was)  
Hath hurled down, and did no pity take.  
He; thus hath made thee scorned of thy Foe;  
And, raised the Horn of them that hate thee so.   

18  
Oh wall of Syons-Daughter, cry amain,  
e'en to the Lord set forth a hearty Cry:  
Down like a River, cause thy tears to rain,  
And, let them neither day nor night be dry.  
Seek neither sleep, 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 run;  
And lift thou up to him thy hands, on high.  
e'en for those hunger-starved Babes of thine,  
That in the Corners of the streets do pine.   

20  
And thou oh Lord; Oh be thou pleased to see,  
And think on whom, thy judgements thou hast thrown.  
Shall women fed with their own issue be,  
And Children, that a span are scarcely grown?  
Shall thus, thy Priests & Prophets, Lord, be slain,  
As in thy Sanctuary they remain?   

21  
Nor youth, nor Age, is from the slaughter free;  
For, in the streets, lie Young, and Old, and all.  
My Uirgines and my youngmen, murdered be;  
e'en both, beneath the sword, together fall.  
Thou, in thy day of wrath, such havoc mad'st;  
That in devouring thou no pity hadst.   

22  
Thou, round about hast called my feared Foes,  
As if that summoned 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 have,  
To whom, I nourishment, and breeding gave.     

Lament. 3.  
HEre the Prophet jeremy, having contemplated his own afflictions with the destruction of judah and jerusalem, seemeth by that material Object to have raised his apprehension higher, and by the spirit of Prophecy both to foresee the particular sufferings of Ies●● Christ, and to become sensible also of those great afflictions which the Church Militant (his mystical body) should be exercised withal. And in this most passionate Elegy, either in his own person bewaileth it, or else personates jesus Christ, the head of that Mystical body, taking upon himself those punishments; with that hea●y burden of God's wrath, and that unspeakable sorrow which mankind had otherwise been overwhelmed withal. In brief, this Elegy contains an expression of God's heavy Anger for our sin; the severity and bitterness of his judgements; the greatness of his mercies; the hope and patience of the faithful in all Afflictions; The unwillingness of God to punish; The hearty repentance of his people; And a Prophetical imprecation concerning the enemies of the spiritual jerusalem. This may be sung, to move and stir us up with a feeling of our Redeemers passion: To remember us of our miserable condition through sin: To move us to repentance: and to comfort and instruct us amidd our afflictions.  

Song. 26.  
Sing this as the 24. Song.  

I Am the Man who (scourged in thy wrath)  
Have in all sorrows throughly tired been:  
Into obscurity, he ●ed me hath;  
He brought me thither, where no light is seen:  
And so adverse himself to me he shows,  
That all the day his hand doth me oppose.   

2  
My Flesh and Skin with age, He tired out.  
He bruised my bones, as they had broken been.  
He with a Wall enclosed me about.  
With cares and labours he hath shut me in.  
And me to such a place of darkness led,  
As those are in, that before ever dead.   

3  
He shut me where I found no passage out,  
And there my heavy Chains upon me laid.  
Moreover, though I loudly cried out,  
He took no heed at all for what I prayed:  
My Way with hewed stones he stopped hath▪  
And left me wand'ring in a winding Path.   

4  
He was to me like some way-lying Bear.  
Or as a Lion that doth lurk unseen.  
My course he hindering, me in pieces tear,  
Till I quite ruined, and laid waste had been.  
His Bow he bended, and that being bend▪  
I, was the mark at which his Arrow went.   

5  
His Arrows from his Quiver forth he caught,  
And through my very R●ines he made them pass.  
e'en mine own people set me then at naught;  
And, all the day; their sporting song I was.  
From him, my fill of bitterness I had;  
And, me, with Wormwood likewise, drunk he mad●▪   

6  
With stones, my teeth he all to pieces broke;  
He, Dust and Ashes over me hath strowne;  
All rest, he from my weary soul did take,  
As if, contentment I had never none▪  
And then, I cried; Oh! I am undone;  
All my dependence on the Lord is gone.   

7  
Oh mind thou my afflictions, and my care;  
My miseries, my wormwood, and my gall:  
For, they still fresh in my remembrance are,  
And down in me my humbled soul doth fall.  
ay, this forget not; And when this I mind,  
Some help again, I do begin to find.   

8  
It is thy mercy Lord, that we now be;  
For, had thy pity failed, not one had lived.  
The Faithfulness is great, that is in Thee,  
And every morning it is new revived.  
And Lord such claim my soul unto thee lay●●▪  
That she will ever trust in thee, she says.   

9  
For, thou art kind to those that wait thy will;  
And, to their souls 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 youthful neck the burden to endure.   

10  
He down will sit alone, and nothing say;  
But, since 'tis cast upon him, bear it out.  
(Yea, though his mouth upon the dust they lay)  
And while there may be hope, will not misdoubt▪  
His Cheek to him that smiteth, offers He;  
And is content, though he reviled be.   

11  
For, sure is he (what ever doth befall)  
The LORD will not forsake for evermore:  
But that he having punished, pity 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 down,  
Those men that here on earth enthralled are:  
Or that a Righteous man should be o'erthrown,  
When he before the Highest doth appear.  
Nor is the LORD well-pleased in the sight,  
When he beholds the Wrong, subvert the Right.   

13  
Let no man mutter then, as if he thought  
Some things were done in spite of GOD'S decree:  
For, all things at his word to pass are brought  
That either for our good, or evil be.  
Why then lives man, such murmurs to begin?  
Oh! let him rather murmur at his Sinne.   

14  
Our own lewd courses, let us search and try,  
We may to thee again, oh LORD, convert.  
To GOD, that dwelleth in the Heavens on high,  
Let us (oh let us) lift both hand and heart.  
For, we have sinned; we rebellious were:  
And therefore was it, that thou didst not spare.   

15  
For this (with wrath o're-shaddowed) thou hast chased,  
And slaughter made of us, without remorse.  
Thyself obscured with a cloud thou hast;  
That so our Prayers might have no recourse.  
And lo, among the Heathen-People, we  
As outcasts, and off-●cowrings reckoned be.   

16  
Our Adversaries all (and every where)  
Themselves with open mouth against us set;  
On us, is fa●ne a terror, and a snare,  
Where ruin hath with desolation met:  
And for the Daughter of my People's cares,  
Mine eyes doth cast forth Rivulets of tears.   

17  
Mine eyes perpetually were overflown:  
And yet there is no ceasing of my Tears.  
For, if the LO●D in mercy look not down,  
That from the Heavens he may behold my cares;  
They will not stint. But for my People's sake,  
Mine eyes will weep until 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 rolled over me a stone.  
The waters likewise, overflowed me quite:  
And then, me thought, I perished outright.   

19  
Yet, on thy Name oh LORD, I cal'ed there,  
(e'en when in that low Dungeon I did lie)  
Whence thou wert pleased my complaint to hear,  
Not slighting me, when I did sighing cry.  
That very day I called, thou drewest near,  
And saidst unto me, that I should not fear.   

20  
Thou LORD, my Soul maintainest in her right.  
My Life by thee alone, redeemed was.  
Thou hast oh LORD, observed my despite.  
Vouchsafe thy judgement also, in my cause.  
For, all the grudge they bear me, thou hast seen.  
And all their plots 〈◊〉 have against me been.   

21  
Thou heard'st what ●landers they against me laid,  
And all those mischiefs they devised for me.  
Thou notest what their Lips of me have said;  
e'en what their daily closest whisperings be:  
And how, when ere they rise, or down do lie,  
Their Song, and Subject of their mirth am I   

22  
But LORD, thou shalt reward and pay them all,  
That meed, their Actions merit to receive▪  
Thy heavy maiediction cease them shall:  
e'en this, sad hearts they shall for ever have.  
And by thy wrath pursued they shall be driven,  
Till they are chased out, from under Heaven.     

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 complaining, 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 paralleling their estate with that of bruit Creatures; and their punishment with Sodoms'. Thirdly, by showing the horrible effects which followed this Calamity; as the Nobility being driven to clothe themselves from the dunghill, and Women to feed on their own Children, etc. After this, he sheweth what are the causes of all that misery which he bewaileth. Secondly, declareth the vanity of relying on temporal consolations. Thirdly, setteth forth the power and fierceness of the Church's Adversaries. Fourthly, prophesieth that even Christ was to suffer the fury of their malice, befo●● God's wrath could be ap●●●sed. And lastly, assured that the Church shall be at length delivered, and 〈◊〉 enemies rewarded according to their wickedness. T●● Song may be sung to set before our eyes, the severity 〈◊〉 God's wrath against sin, to win us to repentance and to comfort us upon our conversions.  

Song. 27.  
Sing this as the 5. Song.  

HOw dim the Gold doth now appear!  
(That Gold, which once so brightly shone)  
About the City, here and there,  
The Sanctuary-Stones art thrown.  
The Sons of Zion, late compared,  
To Gold, (the richest in esteem)  
Like Potsherds, are without regard,  
And base as earthen vessels seem.   

2  
The Monsters of the Sea have care  
The breasts unto their young to give:  
But crueler my people are;  
And Ostrich-like in Deserts live.  
With thirst the Sucklings tongues are dry;  
And to their parched roofs they clea●e.  
For bread young Children also cry;  
But none at all they can receive.   

3  
Those that were used to dainty fare,  
Now in the streets half starved lie.  
And they that once did Scarlet wear,  
Now dunghill rags about them tie.  
Yea, greater plagues my People's crime,  
Hath brought on them, than Sodoms' were.  
For, that was sunk in little time,  
And no prolonged death was there.   

4  
Her Nazarites, whose whiteness was  
More pure than either milk or snow;  
Whose ruddiness did Rubies pass;  
Whose veins did like the Saphir show:  
Now blacker than the Coal are grown;  
And in the streets unknown are they:  
Their flesh is clung unto the bone,  
And like a stick is dried away.   

5  
Such therefore as the sword hath slain,  
Are far in better Case than those;  
Who death for want of food sustain,  
Whilst in the fruitful field it grows.  
For when my people were distressed,  
e'en women (that should pity take)  
With their own hands their Children dressed,  
That so their h●nger they might s●ake.   

6  
The LORD accomplished hath his wrath;  
His fierce displeasure forth is poured;  
A fire on Zion set he hath,  
Which e'en her groundwork hath devoured;  
When there was neither earthly King;  
Nor, through the whole world, one of all  
Thought any Foe to pass could bring,  
That thus jerusalem should fall.   

7  
But this hath happened for the guilt  
Of those that have her Prophets been,  
And those her wicked Priests, that spilt  
The blood of Innocents' therein.  
Along the streets they s●umbling went;  
(The blindness of these men was such.)  
And, so with blood they were be-sprent,  
That no man would their Garments touch,   

8  
Depart, depart; (●twas therefore said)  
From these pollutions get ye far.  
So, wand'ring to the Heathen, fled,  
And said, there was no biding there.  
And them the LORD hath now in wrath  
Exiled, and made despi●ed live:  
Yea, sent their Priests and Elders hath,  
Where none doth honour to them give.   

9  
And, as for us, our eyes decayed,  
With watching vain Releefes, we have:  
Cause, we expect a Nations aid,  
That is unable us to save.  
For, at our heels so close they be,  
We dare not in the streets appear.  
Our end we therefore, coming see,  
And know our rooting-out is near.   

10  
Our Persecutors follow on,  
As swift as Aegle of the Sky.  
They o'er the Mountains make us run;  
And in the Deserts, for us lie.  
Yea, they have Christ (our life) betrayed,  
And caused him in their pits to fall.  
(Even him) beneath whose shade, we sa●●▪  
We live among the heathen shall.   

11  
O Edom, in the land of Huz,  
(Though yet o'er us triumph thou may)  
Thou shalt receive this Cup from us;  
Be drunk, and hurl thy clothes away.  
For, when thy punishments for sins,  
Accomplished oh Zion be;  
To visit Edom he begins;  
And public make her shame, will be.     

Lament. 5.  
IN this Elegy, the Prophet prayeth unto the Lord to remember and consider his people's afflictions, acknowledging before him their miseries, and presenting them unto him, as distressed Orphans, widows, and Captives (by such humiliation) ●o win his compassion. He moveth him also, by repetition of the miserable ruin they werefallen into: by the noble Possessions and Dignities they had lost; by the base Condition of those under whose tyranny they were brought: And by the generality of their Calamity, from which no s●x●, age, nor degree, escaped. Then (ingenuously confessing their sin to be the just Cause of all this) glorifieth God, and concludeth this Petitionary Ode, with desiring that he would both give them grace to repent, and restore them to that peace which they formerly enjoyed. This elegiacal Song, we may sing unto God in the behalf of many particular Churches, even in these Times; especially if we consider that mystical bondage which the Devil hath brought them into; and apply these Complaints to those spiritual Calamities, which have befallen them for their sins.  

Song. 28.  
Sing this as the fifth Song.  

OH mind thou LORD, our sad distress▪  
Behold, and think on our reproach.  
Our houses, Strangers do possess;  
And on our heritage encroach.  
Our Mothers for their Husbands grieve,  
And of our Father's robed are we;  
Yea, money we compelled to give  
For our own wood and water, be.   

2  
In persecution we remain,  
Where endless labour tire us doth;  
And, we to serve for bread are fain,  
To Egypt and to Ashur both.  
Our Fathers erred, and being gone,  
The burden of their sin we bear:  
e'en Slaves the rule o'er us have won;  
And none to set us free is there.   

3  
For bread our lives we hazard in  
The perils, which the Deserts threat;  
And like an Oven is our skin,  
Both soiled and parched for want of meat.  
In Zion Wives defiled were;  
Deflowered were the Virgin's young,  
(Through Iudah's Cities every where)  
And Princes by their hands were hung.   

4  
Her Elders disrespected stood:  
Her Youngmen, they for ● rinding took▪  
Her Children fell beneath the wood,  
And Magistrates the Gates forsook.  
Their Music, youngmen have forborn:  
Rejoicing in their hearts is none:  
To mourning doth our dancing turn;  
And from our head the Crown is gone.   

5  
Alas that ever we did sin!  
For, therefore feels our heart these cares:  
For that our eyes have dimmed been;  
And thus the Hill of Zion fares.  
Such desolation there is seen,  
That now the Foxes play thereon:  
But thou for ever LORD hast been;  
And without ending is thy Chrone▪   

6  
Oh, why are we forgotten thus?  
So long time wherefore absent art?  
Convert thyself, oh LORD, to us;  
And we to thee shall soon convert.  
Renew, oh LORD, those Ages past,  
In which thy favour we have seen.  
For, we extremely are debased,  
And bitter hath thine anger been.     

The Prayer of Daniel. Dan. 9.4.  
THe Prophet Daniel, in this Prayer beseecheth God to be merciful unto his people in Captivity; And these four things are principally considerable therein. First, an acknowledgement of God's Power, justice, and Mercy, with a confession, that from the highest to the lowest they had broken his Commandments, and were therefore justly punished. Secondly, it is confessed that as their punishment is that which they deserved; so it is also the same that was foretold should come upon them. Thirdly, he beseecheth that God for his own mercy's sake, and the sake of his Messias, would (nevertheless) ●e merciful unto them; aswell in regard he had heretofore gotten glory by delivering them; as in respect they were his own elected people, and were already become a reproach unto their Neighbours This may be sung whensoever any of those judgements are poured out on the Commonwealth, which the Prophets have threatened for sin; or in our particular afflictions, we having first applied it by our Meditations.  

Song. 29.  
Sing this as the 22. Song.  

LORD GOD Almighty, great, & full of fear,  
Who always art from breach of promise free,  
And never falling to have mercy there,  
Where they observe thy laws and honour Thee:  
We have transgressed, and amiss have done;  
We disobedient and rebellious were.  
For, from thy Precepts we astray are gone;  
And we departed from thy judgements are.   

2  
We did thy Servant's Prophecies withstand,  
Who to our Dukes, our Kings, and Fathers came;  
When they to all the People of the Land,  
Proclaimed forth their message in thy Name.  
In thee oh LORD, all righteousness appears,  
But public shame to us doth appertain;  
e'en as with them of judah now it fares,  
And those that in jerusalem remain:   

3  
Yea, as to Isr'el now it doth befall;  
Throughout those Lands in which they scattered be,  
For that their great Transgression, wherewithal  
They have transgressed, and offended Thee.  
To Us, our Kings, our Dukes, and Fathers, doth  
Disgrace pertain (oh LORD) for angering Thee:  
Yet, mercy, LORD our GOD, and pardon both,  
To Thee belong, though we rebellious be.   

4  
We, did (indeed) perversely disobey  
Thy voice (oh LORD our GOD) & would not heart,  
To keep those Laws thou didst before us lay,  
By those thy Servants, who thy Prophets were.  
e'en all that of the race of Isra'el be,  
Against thy Law, have grievously misdone:  
And that they might not listen unto thee,  
They backward from thy voice oh LORD, are gone.   

5  
On them therefore, that Curse, & Oath descended,  
Which in the Law of Moses written was;  
(The Servant of that God whom we offended)  
And now his speeches he hath brought to pass.  
On us, and on our judges, he doth bring  
That Plague, wherewith he threatened us & them.  
For, under Heaven was never such a thing,  
As now is fain upon jerusalem.   

6  
As Moses written-Law doth bear record,  
Now all this mischief upon them is brought.  
And yet we prayed not before the LORD,  
That leaving Sin, we might his Truth be taught.  
For which respect, the LORD in wait hath laid,  
That he, on us inflict this Mischief, might.  
And sith his holy Word we disobeyed.  
In all his doings he remains upright.   

7  
But now, oh LORD our GOD, who from the Land  
Of cruel Egypt, brought thy People haste;  
And by the power of thy Almighty hand,  
Achieved a Name, which to this day doth last:  
Though we have sinned in committing ill,  
Yet LORD by that pure Righteousness in thee,  
From thy jerusalem, thy Holy-hill,  
Oh! let thy wrathful anger turned be.   

8  
For, through the guilt of our displeasing sin,  
And for our Father's faults; jerusalem,  
(Thy chosen people) hath despised been:  
And are the scorn of all that neighbour them.  
Now therefore to thy Servant's prayer incline:  
Hear thou his suit, oh GOD, and let thy face,  
(e'en for the LORDS dear sake) vouchsafe to shine  
Upon thy (now forsaken) Holy place.   

9  
Thine ears incline thou (oh my God) and hear:  
Lift up thine eyes, and us, oh look upon;  
Us, who forsaken with thy City are;  
That City, where thy Name is called on.  
For, we upon ourselves presume not thus.  
Before thy presence our request to make▪  
For aught that righteous can be found in us;  
But for thy great and tender Mercies sake.   

10  
LORD hear (forgive oh LORD) & weigh the same▪  
Oh LORD perform it, and no more defer,  
For thine own sake, my GOD; For by thy Name,  
Thy City and thy People called are.     

The Prayer of jonah. jonah 2.  
IOnah flying from God, and being preserved in a Fish's belly, when he was cast into the Sea; made this prayer to praise God for delivering him in so great an extremity. And the principal things remarkable therein are these. First, the place where he prayed. Secondly, th● terrible danger that enclosed him. Thirdly, the despair he was nigh falling into. Fourthly, God's mercy, with the Prophet's timely application thereof, & the comfort it infused into him. Fiftly, the occasions drawing men into such perils. Sixtly, the vow made upon his deliverance, and the reason of that vow. This burial of jonas in the Fish's belly, and his deliverance from thence, was a type of the burial and Resurrection of our blessed Saviour, Matth. 12.4. This Prayer therefore we ought, not only to sing hystorically, to memorise this wondrous work of God; but to praise him also for the Resurrection of Christ, and raising mankind from that fearful and bottomless gulf of perdition, wherein it lay swallowed up, without possibility of redeeming itself.  

Song. 30.  
Sing this as the 24 Song.  

IN my distress to thee I cri●de, oh LORD;  
And thou wert pleased my complaint to hear:  
Out from the bowels of the Grave I roared;  
And to my voice thou didst incline thine care:  
For, I amid the raging Sea was cast;  
And to the bottom there thou plunged me haste.   

2  
The Floods did round about me Circles make:  
Thy waves and Billows overflowed me quite;  
And then unto myself (alas) I said,  
I am for evermore deprived thy sight:  
Yet once again thou pleased art, that I  
Should to thy holy Temple lift mine eye.   

3  
Even to my Soul the waters closed me had:  
O're-swallowed by the Deeps I fast was penned:  
About my head the weeds a wreath had made:  
Unto the Mountain's bottoms down I went;  
And so, that forth again I could not get,  
The Earth an everlasting Bar had set.   

4  
Then thou, oh LORD my GOD; then thou wert he,  
That from corruption didst my Life defend.  
For, when my Soul was like to faint in me,  
Thou thither didst into my thought descend.  
And LORD, my prayer thence to thee I sent,  
Which upward to thy holy Temple went.   

5  
Those who believe in vain and foolish lies,  
Despisers of their own good safety be.  
But, I will offer up the Sacrifice  
Of singing praises, with my voice, to thee.  
And I will that perform, which vowed I have:  
For, unto thee belongs it, LORD, to save.     

The Prayer of Habakuk. Habak. 3.  
IN this Petitionary and Prophetical Hymn, the Deliverer of mankind, is first prayed for. Secondly, the glorious Majesty of his coming is described by excellent Allegories, and by Allusions to former deliverances, vouchsafed to the jews. Thirdly, here is foretold, the overthrow of Antichrist; who shall be destroyed by the Brightness of our Saviour's coming. Fourthly, here is set forth the state of the latter times. Fiftly, he expresseth the joy, confidence, and safety of the Elect of God, even amid those terrors that shall await upon their Redeemers coming. This Song is to be sung hystorically, in commemoration of the Church's deliverance by the first coming of jesus Christ. And prophetically, to comfort us concerning that perfect Delivery, assured at his second coming. For, though the Prophet had some respect to the jews temporal deliverance, that he might comfort the Church in those Times. Yet the Holy-Ghost had principal regard to the spiritual deliverance of his spiritual Kingdom, the holy Catholicke-Church. And to her, & her enemies do the Names (of the Church's enemies) here mentioned, very properly agree. Nay, Cushan, signifying dark, black, or cloudy; And Midian which is interpreted, Condemnation, or judgement; better suit unto the Nature of those spiritual Adversaries, whom they prefigured, then to those People who were literally so called. For, none are so fitly termed People of Darkness, or of Condemnation, as the members of Antichrist, and the spiritual Babylon.  

Song. 31.  
LORD, thy answer I did hear, And I grew therewith afeared. When the Times at fullest are, Let thy Work be then declared. When the Time, LORD, full doth grow, Then in Anger, Mercy show.  

2  
God Almighty, he came down;  
Down he came from Theman-ward:  
And the matchless Holy-one,  
From Mount Paran forth appeared,  
Heaven o'erspreading with his Rays,  
And Earth filling with his praise.   

3  
sun-like was his glorious Light:  
From his Side there did appear  
Beaming Rays that shined bright;  
And his Power he shrouded there:  
Plagues before his face he sent:  
At his Feet hot Coals there went▪   

4  
Where he stood he measure taken  
Of the Earth, and viewed it well:  
Nations vanished at his look;  
Ancient Hills to powder fell:  
Mountains old cast lower were:  
For, his ways eternal are.   

5  
Cushan Tents I saw diseased,  
And the Midian Curtains quake.  
Have the Floods, Lord, thee displeased?  
Did the Floods thee angry make?  
Was it else the Sea that hath  
Thus provoked thee to wrath?   

6  
For, thou rod'st thy Horses there,  
And thy saving-charrets through:  
Thou didst make thy ●ow appear;  
And thou didst perform thy Vow:  
Yea, thine Oath and Promise past  
(To the Tribes) fulfilled haste.   

7  
Through the Earth thou rifts didst make.  
And the Rivers there did flow:  
Mountains, seeing thee, did shake;  
And away the Floods did go.  
From the Deep a voice was heard;  
And his hands on high he reared.   

8  
Both the Sun and Moon made stay,  
And removed not in their Spheres:  
By thine Arrows light went they,  
By thy brightly shining Spears:  
Thou in wrath the Land didst crush,  
And in rage the Nations thresh.   

9  
For thy People's safe relief,  
With thy Christ for aid went'st thou:  
Thou hast also pierced the Chief  
Of the sinful Household through;  
And displayed them, till made bare  
From the Foot to Neck they were.   

10  
Thou, with javelines of their own,  
Didst their Army's Leader strike.  
For, against me they came down,  
To devour me, wherle-winde like.  
And they joy in nothing more,  
Then unseen to spoil the Poor.   

11  
Through the Sea thou mad'st a way,  
And didst ride thy Horses there,  
Where great heaps of water lay.  
ay, the news thereof did hear:  
And the voice my bowels shook;  
Yea, my lips a qui●'ring took.   

12  
Rottenness my bones possessed:  
Trembling fear possessed me,  
I that troublous day might rest.  
For, when his approaches be  
Onward to the People made,  
His strong Troops will them invade.   

13  
Bloomelesse shall the Figtree be:  
And the Vine no fruit shall yield:  
Fade shall, then, the Olive tree:  
Meat shall none be, in the Field.  
Neither in the Fold, or S●all,  
Flock or Herd continue shall.   

14  
Yet, the LORD my joy shall be:  
And, in him I will delight:  
In my GOD that saveth me;  
GOD the LORD, my only might,  
Who, my feet so guides, that I  
Hinde-like, place my Places-high.      

THE HYMNS OF THE New-Testament.  
THese five that next follow, are the Hymns of the New-Testament. Between which, and the Songs of the Old Testament, there is great difference. For, the Songs of the Old Testament were either thank●sgiuings for temporal benefits, typifying and signifying future Benefits touching our Redemption: Or else, Hymns prophetically foreshowing those Mysteries which were to be accomplished at the coming of Christ. But, these evangelical Songs were composed, not for temporal, but for spiritual things, promised and figured by those temporal Benefits, mentioned in the Old Testament, and perfectly fulfilled in the New. Therefore, these evangelical Hymns are more excellent than such as are merely Prophetical; In regard, the Possession is to be preferred before the Hope; and the End, before the Means of obtaining it.  

Magnificat. Luk. 1.46.  
THE blessed Virgin Mary being saluted by the Angel Gabriel, & having by the holy-Ghost conceived our Redeemer jesus Christ in her womb; was made fruitful also, in her Soul, by the overshadowing of that Holy Spirit: and thereupon, brought forth this evangelical and Prophetical Hymn. Wherein, three things are principally observable. First, she praiseth God for his particular mercies and favour towards her. Secondly, she glorifies God for the general benefit of our Redemption. Thirdly, she Magnifies God for the particular grace vouchsafed unto the seed of Israel, according to what was promised to Abraham. This is the first evangelical Song. And was indicted by the holy Ghost, not only to be the Blessed Virgin's Thanksgiving; but to be sung by the whole Catholic Church (whom she typically personated) to praise God for our Redemption and Exaltation. And therefore, it is worthily inserted into the Liturgy, that it may be perpetually, and reverently sung.  

Song. 32.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

THat magnifi'de the LORD may be,  
My Soul now undertakes;  
And in the God that saveth me,  
My Spirit merry-makes.  
For, he vouchsafed hath to view  
His Handmaids poor degree.  
And lo, All Ages that ensue,  
Shall blessed reckon me.   

2  
Great things for me Th'almighty does,  
And holy is his Name:  
From Age to Age he mercy shows  
On such as fear the same.  
He, by his Arm declared his might:  
And this to pass hath brought,  
That now the Proud are put to flight,  
By what their hearts have thought.   

3  
The Mighty plucking from their Seat;  
The Poor he placed there:  
And for the hungry takes the meat  
From such, as wealth are.  
But, minding Mercy, he hath showed  
His servant Isr'el grace:  
As he to our Forefathers vowed;  
To Abraham, and his Race.     

Benedictus Luk. 1.68.  
ZAchary the Priest, being (upon the birth of 〈◊〉 Son) inspired with the knowledge of our 〈◊〉 Incarnation; sung the second evangelical Hymn: In which, two things are especially considerable. First, he blesseth God, because through the coming of Christ, all the promises made unto the patriarchs and Prophets were fulfilled, for the salvation of his people. Secondly, he declareth the Office and duty of his own son, who was sent before to prepare the way of the Lord. This Song, the Church hath worthily inserted into the Liturgy also, and we ought therefore to sing it reverently in memorial of our Saviour's incarnation; and to praise God for the fulfilling of his promises, and that evangelical preparation, which he vouchsafed, by sending his Forerunner.  

Song. 33.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

Blessed be the GOD of Israel:  
For, he has People bought,  
And in his servant david's house  
Hath great salvation 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 Father's grace  
And bear in mind the same,  
Which by an Oath he vowed unto  
Our Father Abraham;  
That from our Adversaries freed,  
We serve him fearless might,  
In righteousness, and holiness,  
Our life-time in his sight.   

3  
And (of the highest) thee, oh Child!  
The prophet I declare,  
Before the LORD his face to go;  
His coming to prepare;  
To teach his People, how they shall  
That safety come to know,  
Which by remission of their sins,  
He doth on them bestow.   

4  
For it is through the tender Love  
Of GOD alone, where by  
That Dayspring hath to visit us,  
Descended from on high;  
To light them who in darkness sit,  
(And in Death's shade abide)  
And in the blessed way of Pea●e  
Their wand'ring feet to guide.     

T●● Song of Angels. Luk. 2.13.  
THis is the third evangelical Song mentioned in the New Testament; and it was sung by a choir of Angels (at the birth of our blessed Saviour jesus Christ) whose rejoicing shall be m●de complete by the redemption of m●nkinde. In this Song they first glorify God; and then proclaim that happy ●ea●● and reconciliation which his Son's Nativity should bring unto the world, Rejoicing therein, and in that unspeakable good-wi●● and dear- Communion which was thereby established between the Go head, the Manhood, and Them. We therefore ought to join with them in this Song, and sing it often, to praise God, and quicken Faith and Charity in ourselves.  

Song. 34.  
THus Angels sung, and thus sing we; To GOD on high all glory be: Let him on Earth his Peace bestow, And unto men his favour show.    

Nunc Dimittis. Luk. ●. 29.  
THe fourth evangelical Hymn is this of Simeon; who being in expectation of the coming of the Messias (which according to daniel's 70. weeks was in those days to be accomplished) it was revealed unto him, that he should noddy till he had seen Christ: And, accordingly he coming 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 unto him; And joyfully confesseth jesus Christ before all the People. In repeating this Hymn, we ought also to confess our Redeemer. For Simeon was, as it were, the Church's speaker; and hath for us expressed that thankful joy, wherewithal we should be filled, when God enlightens●vs with the knowledge and spiritual vision of our Saviour.  

Song. 35.  
Sing this as the ●. Song.  

GRant now in peace, (that by thy leave)  
I may depart, oh LORD:  
For, thy Salvation seen I have,  
According to thy word.  
That which prepared was by Thee,  
Before all People's sight,  
Thy Israel's renown to be,  
And to the Gentiles light.     

The Song of Moses and the Lamb. Revel 15.3.  
THe fifth and last Song recorded in the New Testament is this, called by S. john, The Song of Moses and the Lamb; being indeed the effect of that triumph Song, which the Saints, and blessed Martyrs shall sing unto the honour of that Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world, when they have gotten the victory over Antichrist. This Hy●●e the members of the true Church may sing to God's g●●●y, and the increase of their own comfort, when they perceive the power of the Almighty any way manifested upon that Adversary. It may be repeated also, amid our greatest persecutions, to strengthen our Faith, and remember us, that whatsoever we suffer, there will come a day, wherein we shall have cause to make use of this Hymn with a perfect rejoicing.  

Song. 36.  
Sing this as the 13. Song.  

OH thou LORD, thou GOD of might;  
(Who dost all things work aright)  
Whatsoever is done by thee,  
Great, and wondrous proves to be:   

2  
True thy ways are, and direct,  
Holy King of Saints elect.  
And (oh therefore) who is there,  
That of thee retains no fear?   

3  
Who is there that shall deny,  
Thy great Name to glorify▪  
For thou, LORD, and thou alone:  
Art the perfect Holy-one:   

4  
In thy presence Nations all  
●hall to adoration fall.  
For thy Iudgement● now appear  
Unto all men what they are.   
Here end the Hymns of the New Testament.     


The X Commandments Exod. 20.  
ALthough the Decalogue be not originally in verse, yet among us it hath been heretofore usually sung: Because therefore it may be a means to present these Precepts somewhat the oftener to remembrance, make them the more frequently repeated, and stir up those who sing and hear 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 spoke; And thus said he;  
I am the LORD thy GOD; And I alone  
From cruel Ae●ypts thraldom set thee free:  
And other G●DS but Me thou shalt have none.   

Have mercy LORD, and so our hearts incline,  
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine.   

Thou shalt not make an Image, to adore,  
Of aught on earth above it, or below:  
A Carved Work thou shalt not ●●w before;  
Nor any worship on the same bestow.   

For, I thy GOD, a jealous GOD am known;  
And on their Seed the Father's sins correct;  
Until the third, and fourth Descent be gone:  
But them I always love, that me affect.   

Have mercy LORD, and so our hearts incline,  
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine.   

The Name of GOD thou never shalt abuse,  
By Swearing, or repeating it in vain:  
For, him that doth his Name profanely use,  
The LORD will as a guiltie-one arraign.   

Have mercy LORD, and so our hearts incline,  
That we may kee●e this blessed Law of thine.   

To keep the Sabbath holy, bear in mind.  
Six days thine own affairs apply thou to:  
The Seau'nth is GOD'S own day for rest assigned,  
And thou no kind of work therein shalt do.   

Thou, nor thy Child, thy Servants, nor th● Beast;  
Nor he that Guestwise with thee doth abide:  
For, after six days labour GOD did rest:  
And therefore he that day hath sanctifi'de.   

Have mercy LORD, and so our hearts incline,  
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine.   

See, that unto thy Parents thou do give  
Such honour, as the Child by duty owes,  
That thou a long and blessed life mayst live  
Within the Land, the LORD thy GOD bestows.   

Have mercy LORD, and so our hearts incline,  
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine.   

Thou shalt be wary, that thou no man slay:  
Thou shalt from all Adultery be clear:  
Thou shalt not Steal another's good away:  
Nor witnesse-false against thy Neighbour bear.   

Have mercy LORD, and so our hearts incline,  
That we may keep this blessed Law of thine.   

With what is thine remaining well paid:  
Thou shalt not cover what thy Neighbours is,  
His House, nor Wife, his Servant, Man, nor Maid,  
His Ox, nor Ass, nor any thing of his.   

Thy mercy Lord, thy mercy let us have,  
And in our hearts these Laws of thine engrave.     

The Lord's Prayer. Mat. 6.7.  
THe Lord's Prayer hath been anciently, and usually sung also; and to that purpose was heretofore both translated and paraphrased in verse; which way of expression (howsoever some weak judgements have condemned it) doth no whit disparage or misbeseeme a Prayer. For, David made many prayers in verse● And, indeed, measured words were first devised and used to express the praises of God, and petitions made to him. Yea, those are the ancient and proper subjects of Poesy, as appears throughout the Sacred writ, & in the first humane Antiquities. Verse, therefore, dishonours not divine Subjects; but those men do profane and dishonour Verse, who abuse it on vain and mere profane expressions. The scope and use of this prayer is so frequently treated of, that I think I shall not need to insist thereon in this place.  

Song. 38.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

OUr Father which in heaven art;  
We sanctify thy Name:  
Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done  
In heaven and earth the same:  
Give us this day our Daily bread:  
And us Forgive thou so;  
As we on them that us offend,  
Forgiveness do bestow:  
Into Temptation lead us not;  
But us from evil free.  
For, thine the Kingdom, power, and praise,  
Is, and shall ever be.     

The Apostles Creed.  
THe effect and use of this Creed is so generally taught, that this Preface need not be enlarged: And as touching the singing and versifying of it, that which is said in the Preface to the Lords Prayer may serve for both.  

Song. 39  

IN God the Father I believe;  
Who made all Creatures by his word;  
And true belief I likewise have  
In jesus Christ, his Son, our LORD:  
Who by the Holy Ghost conceived,  
Was of the virgin Mary borne:  
Who meekly Pilat's wrongs recei'ud,  
And crucified was with scorn.   

2  
Who Died, and in the Grave hath lain:  
Who did the lowest Pit descend:  
Who on the third day rose again,  
And up to Heaven did ascend.  
Who at his Father's right-hand there,  
Now throaned sits; and thence shall come,  
To take his seat of judgement here▪  
And give both quick, and dead their doom.   

3  
I in the Holy Ghost believe,  
The holy Church-Catholike too,  
(And that the Saints Communion have,)  
Undoubtedly believe I do.  
I well assured am likewise,  
A pardon for my s●nnes to gain;  
And that my Flesh from death shall rise,  
And everlasting life obtain.     

A Funeral Song.  
THe first Stanza of this Song is taken out of S. Iohn● Gospel Cap. 11. Ver. 25.26. The second Stanza, job 19.25, 26, 27. The third Stanza, 1 Tim. 6.7. and job 1.21. The last Stanza, Reu. 14.13. And in the order of Burial appointed by the Church of England, it is appointed to be sung or read, as the Minister pleaseth: That therefore it may be the more conveniently used either way, according to the Church's appointment, it is here turned into Lyric Verse. It was ordained to comfort the Living, by putting them in mind of the Resurrection, and of the happiness of those, who die in the faith of Christ jesus.  

Song. 40.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

I Am the Life (the LORD thus saith)  
The Resurrection is through me;  
And whosoe'er in me hath faith,  
Shall live, yea though now dead he be●  
And he for ever shall not dye,  
That living doth on me rely.   

2  
That my Redeemer lives I ween,  
And that at last I raised shall be  
From earth, and, covered with my skin  
In this my flesh, my GOD shall see.  
Yea, with these eyes, and these alone,  
e'en I my GOD shall look upon.   

3  
Into the world we naked come,  
And naked back again we go:  
The LORD our wealth receive we from,  
And he doth take it from us too:  
The LORD both wills, and works the same;  
And blessed therefore be his Name.   

4  
From Heaven there came a voice to me,  
And this it wiled me to record;  
The Dead from henceforth blessed be,  
The Dead that dyeth in the LORD:  
The Spirit thus doth likewise say;  
For, from their Works at rest are they.     

The Song of the three Children.  
THis Song hath been anciently used in the Liturgy of the Church, as profitable to the stirring up of Devotion, and for the praise of God. For, it earnestly calleth upon all creatures, to set forth the glory of their Creator, even Angels, Spirits, and reasonable Creatures, with those also that are unreasonable, and unsensible. And this speaking to things without Life, is not to intimate that they are capable of such like exhortations; but rather, that upon consideration of the obedience which Beasts, and insensible Creatures continue towards God, according to the law imposed at their Creation; men might be provoked to remember the honour and praise, which they ought to ascribe unto their Almighty Creator, as well as all his other Creatures.  

Song. 41.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

OH all you Creatures of the LORD;  
You Angels of the God most high;  
You Heavens, with what you do afford;  
And Waters all above the sky:  
Bless ye the LORD, him praise, adore,  
And magnify him evermore.   

2  
Of God you everlasting Powers,  
Sun, Moon, and Stars, so bright that show;  
You soaking Dews, you dropping Showers;  
And all you Winds of God that blow:  
Bless ye the LORD, him praise, adore,  
And magnify him evermore.   

3  
Thou Fire, and what doth heat contain;  
Cold Winter, and thou Summer fair;  
You blustering Storms of Hail, and Rain;  
And thou the Frost-congealing- Air:  
Bless ye the LORD, him praise, adore,  
And magnify him evermore.   

4  
Oh praise him both you Ice and Snow;  
You Nights and Days, do you the same,  
With what or Dark or Light doth show;  
You Clouds, and every shining Flame:  
Bless ye the LORD, him praise, adore,  
And magnify him evermore.   

5  
Thou Earth, you Mountains, and you Hills,  
And whatsoever thereon grows;  
You Fountains, Rivers, Springs, and Rills;  
You Seas, and all that ebbs, or flows:  
Bless ye the LORD, him praise, adore,  
And magnify him evermore.   

6  
You Whales, and all the Water yields;  
You of the Feathered airy-breed;  
You Beasts and cattle of the fields;  
And you that are of humane seed:  
Bless ye the LORD, him praise, adore,  
And magnify him evermore.   

7  
Let Israel the LORD confess;  
So let his Priests, that in him trust;  
Him let his Servants also bless;  
Yea, Souls and Spirits of the Just:  
Bless ye the LORD, him praise, adore,  
And magnify him evermore.   

8  
You blessed Saints, his praises tell▪  
And you that are of humble heart,  
With Ananias, Misael;  
And Azarias (bearing part)  
Bless you the LORD, him praise adore,  
And magnify him evermore.     

The Song of S. Ambrose, or Te Deum.  
THis Song, commonly called Te Deum, or the Song of S. Ambrose, was repeated at the baptising of S. Augustine: And (as it is recorded) was composed at that very time by those two Reverend Fathers, answering one another, as it were by immediate inspiration. It is one of the most ancient Hymns of the Christian Church, excellently praising and confessing the blessed Trinity: and therefore is daily and worthily made use of in our Liturgy, and reckoned among the Sacred Hymns.  

Song. 42.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

WE praise Thee GOD, we knowledge Thee,  
To be the LORD, for evermore:  
And the eternal Father we,  
Throughout the earth, do thee adore:  
All Angels, with all powers within  
The compass of the heaven's high;  
Both Cherubin, and Seraphin,  
To Thee perpetually do cry.   

2  
Oh holy, holy, holy-one;  
Thou LORD, and GOD of Sabbath art;  
Whose praise, and Majesty alone  
Fills heaven and earth, in every part:  
The glorious Troop Apostolic;  
The Prophet's worthy Company;  
The Martyr's army-royal eke  
Are those, whom thou art praised by.   

3  
Thou through the holy Church art known,  
The Father of unbounded power:  
Thy worthy, true, and only Son:  
The Holy Ghost the comforter:  
Of Glory thou, oh Christ, art King;  
The Father's Son, for evermore;  
Who men from endless Death to bring,  
The Virgin's womb didst not abhor.   

4  
When Conqueror of Death thou wert,  
Heaven to the Faithful openedst thou;  
And in the Father's glory art  
At God's right-hand enthroned now:  
Whence we believe, that thou shalt come,  
To judge us in the day of wrath.  
Oh, therefore help thy Servants, whom  
Thy precious blood Redeemed hath.   

5  
Them with those Saints do Thou record,  
That gain eternal glory may▪  
Thine Heritage, and People LORD,  
Save, bless, guide, and advance for aye:  
By us thou daily praised haste been;  
And we will praise Thee without end.  
Oh, keep us, LORD, this day from sin▪  
And let thy mercy us defend.   

6  
Thy mercy, LORD, let us receive,  
As we our trust repose in thee:  
Oh LORD, in thee I trusted have;  
Confounded never let me be.     

Athanasius Creed, or Quicunque vult.  
THis Creed was composed by Athanasius (after the wicked heresy of Arrius had spread itself through the world) that so the faith of the Catholic Church, concerning the Mystery of the blessed Trinity, might be the better understood, and professed, to the overthrow and preventing of arianism, or the like heresies. And to the same purpose it is appointed to be said or sung upon certain days of the year in the Church of England.  

Song. 43.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

THose that will saved be must hold,  
The true Catholic Faith,  
And keep it wholly, if they would  
Escape eternal death.  
Which Faith a Trinity adores  
In One; and One in Three:  
So, as the Substance being one,  
Distinct the Persons be.   

2  
One Person of the Father is,  
Another of the Son;  
Another of the Holy-Ghost,  
And yet their Godhead one:  
Alike in glory; and in their  
Eternity as much:  
For, as the Father, both the Son,  
And Holy-Ghost is such.   

3  
The Father vncreate, and so  
The Son, and Spirit be:  
The Father he is Infinite;  
The other two as Herald  
The Father an Eternal is,  
Eternal is the Son:  
So is the Holy-Ghost; yet, these  
Eternally but One.   

4  
Nor say we there are Infinites,  
Or uncreated Three.  
For, there can but one Infinite,  
Or uncreated be.  
So Father, Son, and Holy-Ghost,  
All three Almighty's are;  
And yet not three Almighty's though,  
But only One is there.   

5  
The Father likewise GOD and LORD;  
And GOD and LORD the Son;  
And GOD and LORD the Holy Ghost,  
Yet GOD and LORD but One.  
For though each Person by himself,  
We GOD and LORD confess:  
Yet Christian Faith forbids that we  
Three GOD'S or LORDS profess.   

6  
The Father nor begot, nor made;  
Begot, (not made) the Son;  
Made, nor begot, the Holy-Ghost,  
But a Proceeding-One.  
One Father, not three Fathers then;  
One only Son, not three;  
One Holy-Ghost we do confess,  
And that no more they be.   

7  
And less, or greater than the rest,  
This Trinity hath none;  
But they both coeternal be,  
And equal every one.  
He therefore that will saved be,  
(As we have said before)  
Mu One in Three, and Three in One,  
Believe, and still adore.   

8  
That jesus Christ incarnate was,  
He must believe with this  
And how that both the Son of GOD,  
And GOD and Man 〈◊〉 is▪  
GOD, of his Father's substance pure,  
Begot ere Time was made:  
Man of his Mother's substance borne,  
When Time his fullness had.   

9  
Both perfect God, and perfect Man,  
In Soul, and flesh, as we:  
The ●athers equal being God:  
Is Man, beneath is ●e.  
Though God & Man; yet but one Christ:  
And ●o dispose it so,  
The Godhead was not turned to flesh,  
But Manhood took thereto.   

10  
The Substance vn-confus●d; He one  
In Person doth subsist:  
As Soul and Body make one Man;  
So God, and Man is Christ:  
Who suffered, and went down to Hell,  
That we might saved be;  
The third day he arose again,  
And heaven ascended he.   

11  
At God the Father's right-hand, there  
He 〈◊〉; and at the Doom,  
He to adjudge both quick and dead,  
From thence again shall come.  
Then all men with their flesh shall rise,  
And he account require.  
Well-doers into bliss shall go,  
The Bad to endless F●re.     

Veni Creator.  
TH●s is a very ancient Hymn composed in Latin 〈◊〉, and commonly called Veni Creator; because those are the first words of it. By the Cannons of our Church it is commanded to be said or sung at the Consecration of Bishops, and at the Ordination of Ministers, etc. It is therefore here translated syllable for syllable, & in the same kind of measure which it hath in the Latin.  

Song. 44.  
COme Holy-Ghost, the Maker, come; Take in the souls of thine thy place; Thou whom our hearts had being from, Oh, fill them with thy heavenly grace. Thou art that Comfort from above, The Highest doth by gift impart; Thou▪ spring of Life, a fire of Love, And the anointing Spirit art:  

2  
Thou in thy Gifts art manifold,  
GOD'S right-hand finger thou art, LORD●  
The Father's promise made of old;  
Our tongues enriching by the Word.  
Oh! give our blinded Senses Light;  
Shed Love into each heart of our,  
And grant the bodies' feeble-plight,  
May be enabled, by thy power.   

3  
far from us drive away the Foe,  
And let a speedy Peace ensue:  
Our Leader also be, that so  
We eu●ry danger may eschew.  
Let us be taught the blessed Creed  
Of ●ather, and of Son, by Thee:  
And how from both thou dost proceed,  
That our belief it still may be.   

To Thee, the Father, and the Son;  
(Whom past, and present Times adore)  
The One in Three, and Three in One,  
All glory be for evermore.      
Here ends the first part of the Hymns, and Songs of the Church.   

THE SECOND PART of the HYMNS and Songs of the CHURCH, appropriated to the several Times and Occasions, most observable in the Church of ENGLAND.  
EVery thing hath his season, saith the Preacher, Eccl. 3. And Saint Paul adviseth, that all things should be done Honestly, in Order, and to Edification. 1. Cor. 14 Which Counsel the Church religeously ●e●ding (and h●w by observation of Times, and other circumstances, the memories and capacities of weak people were the better assisted;) It was provided, that there s●ould be Annual Commemorations of the principal Mysteries of our redemption: And certain particular days we●e de●●cated to that purpose; as nigh as might be guessed (for the most part) ●pon those very seesons of the year, in which the several M●steries were accomplished. And, indeed, this is not that heathenish or Idolatrous heeding of Time●, reprehended in Isa●ah 47. Nor such a jewish or superstitious observation of Days, and Mouths, and Times, an● Years, as is reproved by S Paul. Gal. 4. Nor a ●●lciation f●r idleness, contrary to the fourth Commandment: But a Christian and warrantable Observation, profitably ordained, that things might be done in order, that the understanding might be the better edified: that the memory might be the oftener refreshed; and that the Devotion might be the more stirred up.  
It is true▪ that we ought to watch every hour: But if the Church had not by her authority appointed set days and house's to keep us aw●ke in, some of us, would h●●●ly wat●h one hour. And therefore, those who have zeal according to knowledge, do not only religiously observe ●he Churches appointed Times; but do by her example voluntarily also appoint unto themselves certain days, an● hours of the day for Christian exercises. Neither can any m●n suppose this commendable observation of Feasts, (neither burdensome by multitude, nor superstitious by in●it●tion) to b● an abridgement of Christian liberty, who, as he ought to do, believeth, that the Service of God is perfect freedom. We persuade not, that one day is more holy than another in his own nature: But admonish that those be reverently and Christianly observed, whi●h are upon so good ground, and with prudent moderation dedicated to the worship of God. For, it cannot be denied, that even those who are but coldly affected to the Church's ordinances in this kind, do nevertheless ofte● apprehend the mystery of Christ's Nativity and Passion, upon the days of commemorating them, much mo●e feelingly th●n at other times; and that they forget also some other mysteries altogether, until they are remembered of them by the distinction, and observation of times used in the Church  
These things considered; an● because there be many, w●● through ignorance rather than obstinacy, have neglected the Church's ordinance in this point, here are added (to those Songs of the Church, which were either taken out of the Canonical Scripture, or anciently in use) certain other spiritual Songs & Hymns appropriated to those Days & Occasions which are most observable throughout the year. And before each several Hymn is prefixed a brief Preface also to declare their use, & the purpose of each Commemoration. That such, who have heretofore through ignorance contemned the Church's discipline therein, might behave themselves more reverently hereafter, and learn not to speak evil of those things they understand not.  

advent Sunday.  
THe Advent is that for Christmas, which john Baptist was to Christ (●uen a forerunner for Preparation:) And it is called the advent (which signifieth Coming) because the Church did usually from that time until the Nativity commemorate the several comings of Christ, and instruct the people concerning them. Which Commings are these▪ and the like: His Conception, by which he came into the Virgin's womb: His Nativity, by which he came (as it were) further into the world: His coming to Preach in his own Person: His coming by his Ministers: His coming to jerusalem: The coming of the Holy Ghost: His spiritual coming which he vouchsafeth into the heart of every Regenerate Christian: And finally, that last coming of his, which shall be unto judgement, etc. All which Commings are comprehended in these three; his coming to men, into men, and against men; to men, by his Incarnation; into men, by Grace; against men, to judgement.  

Song. 45.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

WHen jesus Christ incarnate was,  
To be our Brother then came He:  
When into us he comes by grace,  
Then his beloved Spouse are we:  
When he from Heaven descends again,  
To be our judge returns he then.   

2  
And then despair will those confound,  
Tha● his first comings nought regard;  
And those, who till the Trumpet sound▪  
Consume their Leisures unprepared:  
Cursed be those pleasures cry they may,  
Which drove the thought of this away.   

3  
The jews abjected yet remain,  
That his first advent heeded not;  
And those five Virgins knocked in vain,  
Who to provide them oil forgot:  
But safe and blessed those men are,  
Who for his comings do prepare.   

4  
O let us therefore watch and pray,  
His times of visiting to know,  
And live so furnished, that we may  
With him unto his wedding go:  
Yea, though at midnight he should call,  
Let us be ready, Lamps, and all.   

5  
And so provide before that Feast,  
Which Christ his coming next doth mind,  
That He to come, and be a Guest  
Within our hearts, may pleasure find;  
And we bid welcome with good cheer  
That Coming, which so many fear.   

6  
Oh come, LORD jesus, come away;  
(Yea, though the world it shall deter)  
Oh let thy Kingdom come we pray,  
Whose coming most too much defer:  
And grant us thereof such foresight,  
It come not like a Thief by night.     

Christmas day.  
THis Day is worthily dedicated to be observed, in remembrance of the blessed Nativity of our Redeemer jesus Christ: At which time it pleased the Almighty Father, to send his only be gotten Son into the world for our sakes; and by an unspeakable union to join in one person God and Man, without confusion of Natures, or possibility of separation. To express therefore our thankfulness, and the joy we ought to have in this love of GOD; there hath been anciently, and is yet continued in England (above other Countries) a neighbourly and plentiful hospitality in inviting, an● (without invitation) receiving unto our well furnished Tables our Tenants, Neighbours, Friends, and Strangers; to the honour of our Nation, and increase of amity and freehearted kindness among us. But, most of all, to the refreshing of the bowels of the Poor, being the most Christian use of such Festivals▪ Which charitable and good English ●ustome hath of late been seasonably readvanced by his Majesty's gracious care, in commanding our Nobility and Gentry to repai●e (especially at such times) to their Country Mansions.  

Song. 46.  
A Son the Night before this blessed Morn, A troop of Angels unto Shepherds told, Where in a Stable he was poorly borne, Whom nor the earth, nor Heaven of heavens can hold. Through Bethlem rung this news at their return; Yea, Angels sung, that GOD WITH US was borne: And they made mirth, because we should not mourn. CHORUS. His love therefore, oh! let us all confess; and to the Sons of men his works express.  

2  
This favour Christ vouchsafed for our sake:  
To buy us Thrones He in a Manger lay;  
Our weakness took, tha● we his strength might take,  
And was disrobed that he might us array:  
Our flesh he wore,  
Our sin to wear away:  
Our curse he bore,  
That we escape it may;  
And wept for us, that we might sing for aye.   

His love therefore, oh! let us all confess;  
And to the Sons of men his works express.     

Song. 47. Another for Christmas day.  
Sing this as the 46. Song.  

A Song of joy unto the LORD we sing,  
And publish forth the favours he hath shown:  
We sing his praise, from whom all joy doth spring,  
And tell abroad the wonders he hath done;  
For such were never since the world begun.   

His love therefore, oh! let us all confess;  
And to the sons of men his works express.   

2  
As on this Day the Son of God was borne:  
The blessed Word was then incarnate made;  
The LORD, to be a servant held no scorn;  
The Godhead was with humane nature clad;  
And flesh a throne above all Angels had.   

His love therefore, etc.   

3  
Our sin and sorrows on himself ●e taken,  
On us his bliss and goodness to bestow:  
To visit Earth, he Heaven a while forsook:  
And to advance us high, descended low;  
But with the sinful Angels dealt not so.   

His love therefore, etc.   

4  
A Maid conceived, whom Man had never known:  
The Fleece was moistened where no rain had been:  
A Virgin she remains that had a Son:  
The Bush did flame that still remained green;  
And this befell, when GOD with us was seen.   

His love therefore, etc.   

5  
For sinful men all this to pass was brought,  
As, long before, the Prophets had forespoke:  
So, he that first our shame and ruin wrought,  
Once bruz●d our heel, but now his Head is broke:  
And he hath made us whole, who gave that stroke.   

His love therefore, etc.   

6  
The Lamb hath played devouring wolves among.  
The Morning star of jacob doth appear.  
From Ies●●s root our tree of life is sprung,  
And all God's words (in him) fulfilled are:  
Yet, we are slack his praises to declare.   

His love therefore, etc.    

Circumcision, or Newyeares-Day.  
THe Church solemnizeth this Day, commonly called Newyeares-Day, in memorial of our Saviour's Circumcision; that remembering, how when he was but eight d●yes old he began to smart and shed his blood for us, we might praise him for the same: & that with due thankfulness considering how easy a Sacrament he hath left us (in sleed of that bloody-one, which the Law enjoined) we might be provoked to bring forth the fruits of Regeneration.  

Song. 48.  
Sing this as the 44 Song.  

THis Day thy flesh, oh Christ, did bleed,  
Marked by the Circumcision-knife;  
because the Law for man's misdeed,  
Required that earnest of thy life.  
Those drops diuin'de that shower of blood,  
Which in thine Agony began:  
And that great shower foreshewd the flood,  
Which from thy side the next day ran.   

2  
Then, through that milder Sacrament,  
Succeeding this, thy grace inspire;  
Yea, let thy smart make us repent,  
And circumcised hearts desire.  
For, he that either is baptised,  
Or circumcised in flesh alone,  
Is but as an uncircumcised,  
Or as an unbaptized-one.   

3  
The year anew we now begin,  
And outward gifts received have we;  
Renew us also LORD within,  
And make us new-yeares-gifts for thee:  
Yea, let us with the passed year,  
Our old affections cast away;  
That we new-creatures may appear,  
And to redeem the Time assay.     

Twelve-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 memorial of that blessed and admirable discovery of our Saviour's birth, which was vouchsafed unto the Gentiles shortly after it came to pass. For as the Shepherds of the jews were warned thereof, and directed to the place by an Angel from Heaven. So the Magi● of the Gentiles received the same particular notice of it by a Star in the East, that both jews and Gentiles might be left inexcusable, if they came not to his worship. This day is observed also in commemoration of our Saviour's Baptism, and of his first miracle in Canaan, by which he was likewise manifested to be the Son 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 Star appeared in the East,  
Whereby the Gentiles found thee out;  
And offering thee Myrrh▪ Incense, Gold,  
Thy threefold Office did unfold.   

2  
Sweet jesus, let that Star of thine,  
Thy Grace, which guides to find out thee,  
Within our hearts for ever shine,  
That thou of us found out mayst be:  
And thou shalt be our King therefore,  
Our Priest, and Prophet evermore.   

3  
Tears that from true repentance drop,  
Instead of Myrrh present will we:  
For Incense we will offer up  
Our Prayers, and Praises unto Thee;  
And bring for ●old each pious-deed,  
Which doth from saving-faith proceed.   

4  
And as those Wisemen never went,  
To visit Herod any more:  
So, finding thee, we will repent  
Our courses followed heretofore;  
And, that we homeward may retire,  
The Way by Thee we will inquire.     

The Purification of S. Marry 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 observed after the birth of a male Child; And then, as the Law commanded, presented both her Son, and her appointed Offering in the Temple. Partly therefore in commemoration of that her true obedience to the Law; and partly to memorise that presentation of our Redeemer (which was performed by his blessed Mother at her Purification) this Anniversary is worthily observed.  

Song. 50.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

NO doubt but she that had the grace,  
Thee in her womb, oh Christ, to bear,  
And did all womankind surpass,  
Was hallowed by thy being there;  
And where the fruit so holy was,  
The Birth could no pollution cause.   

2  
Yet in obedience to thy Law,  
Her purifying-Rites were done,  
That we might learn to stand in awe,  
How from thine ordinance we run:  
For, if we disobedient be,  
Unpurified Souls have we.   

3  
Oh keep us, LORD, from thinking vain,  
What by thy word thou shalt command,  
Let us be sparing to complain,  
On what we do not understand;  
And guide thy Church, that she may still,  
Command according to thy will.   

4  
Vouchsafe, that with one joint-consent,  
We may thy praises ever sing;  
Preserve thy seamelesse-Robe unrent,  
For which so many, Lots do fling;  
And grant that being purified  
From sin, we may in love abide.   

5  
Moreover, as thy Mother went,  
(That holy and thrice-blessed Maid)  
Thee in thy Temple to present,  
With perfect humane flesh arrayed:  
So, let us offered up to Thee,  
Replenished with thy spirit be.   

6  
Yea, let thy Church our Mother dear,  
(Within whose womb newborn we be)  
Before thee at her time appear,  
To give her Children up to Thee;  
And take for purified things  
Her, and that offering which she brings.     

The first day of Lent.  
THe observation of Lent is a profitable institution of the Church, not abridging the Christian liberty of meats, but intended for a means to help to set the spirit at liberty from the flesh. And therefore this Fast consisteth not altogether in a formal forbearance of this or that food, but in a true mortification of the body: For abstinence from flesh only (wherein also we ought to be obedient to the higher Powers,) more tendeth to the increase of plenty and well-ordering things in the Commonwealth, then to a spiritual Discipline. Because it is apparent we may over-pamper ourselves as well with what is permitted as with what is forbidden; this commendable observation (which every man ought to observe so far forth as he shall be able, and his spiritual necessity requires) was appointed; partly to commemorate our Saviour's miraculous f●sting, whereby he satisfied for the gluttony of our first Parents; and (at this season) partly to cool our wanton blood, which at this time of the year is aptest to be inflamed with evil concupiscences; and partly also▪ to prepare us the better both to meditate the passion of our Saviour, which is always commemorated about the end of Lent, and to fit us to receive the blessed Sacrament of his Last Supper, to our greater comfort.  

Song. 51.  
Sing this as the .44 Song.  

THy wondrous Fasting to record,  
And our rebellious flesh to tame,  
A holy Fast to thee, oh LORD,  
We have intended in thy Name:  
Oh sanctify it, we thee pray,  
That we may thereby honour Thee;  
And so dispose us, that it may  
To our advantage al●o be.   

2  
Let us not grudgingly abstain,  
Nor secretly the glutton's play;  
Nor openly for glory vain,  
Thy Church's ordinance obey:  
But let us fast, as thou hast taught,  
Thy Rule observing in each part,  
With such intentions as we ought,  
And with true singleness of heart.   

3  
So thou shalt our Devotions bless,  
And make this holy Discipline;  
A means that longing to suppress,  
Which keeps our Will so cross to thine:  
And though our strictest fastings fail  
To purchase of themselves thy grace;  
Yet, they to make for our avail,  
(By thy deservings) shall have place.   

4  
True Fasting helpful oft hath been,  
The wanton flesh to mortify;  
But takes not off the guilt of sin,  
Nor can we merit aught thereby:  
It is thine Abstinence, or none,  
Which merit favour for us must;  
For, when our glorioust works are done,  
We perish, if in them we trust.     

The Annunciation of Marie.  
THe Church hath dedicated this Day, to memorise the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin S. Marry, who was about this time of the year saluted by the Angel Gabriel; and we ought to sanctify it with praising God for that unexpressable Mystery of our Saviour's Conception, which was the happy news the holy Angel brought unto his Mother. Nothing in the world is more worthy to be spoken of then this Favour, and yet nothing more unspeakable.  

Song. 52.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

OUr hearts, oh blessed GOD, incline,  
Thy true affection to embrace;  
And that humility of thi●●,  
Which for our sakes vouchsafed was,  
Thy Goodness teach us to put on,  
As with our Nature thou wert clad;  
And so to mind what thou hast done,  
That we may praise thee, and be glad.   

2  
For, thou not only held'st it meet,  
To send an Angel from above,  
An humble Maid on earth to greet,  
And bring the Message of thy Love:  
But laying (as it were) aside,  
Those Glories none can comprehend,  
(Nor any mortal eyes abide)  
Into her womb thou didst descend.   

3  
Bestow thou also thy respect  
On our despised and low degree;  
And LORD, oh, do not us neglect,  
Though worthy of contempt we be:  
But through thy Messengers prepare,  
And hollow so our hearts we pray,  
That thou conceived being there,  
The fruits of faith bring forth we may.     

Palme-Sunday.  
PAlme-Sunday is so called, by reason it was upon that day, in which jesus riding to jerusalem (according to the Prophets) the people strewed the way for him with their Garments, and the branches of the Palmtree. 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 Anniversary, most would forget, and many, perhaps, never come to know.  

Song. 53.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

WHen jesus to jerusalem,  
(And there to suffer) road,  
The people all the way for him  
With Palm and Garments strowde:  
And though he did f●●l meekly ●ide,  
And poorly on an Ass,  
Hosanna to the King they cried,  
As he along did pass.   

2  
His glory, and his royal right,  
e'en by a power divine)  
As if in worldly pomp's despite,  
Through poverty did shine;  
And though the greater sort did frown,  
He exerciz●d his power,  
Till he himself did lay it down,  
At his appointed hour.   

3  
Possession of his House he got,  
The Merchants thence expelled;  
And, though the Priests were mad thereat,  
His Lectures there he held.  
Oh! how should any be so dull,  
To doubt who this might be?  
When they did things so wonderful,  
And works so mighty see.   

4  
LORD, when to us thou drawest nigh,  
Instruct us thee to know;  
And to receive thee joyfully,  
How mean so ere in show:  
Yea, though the rich and worldly-wise,  
When we thy praises sing,  
Both Thee, and us, therefore despise,  
Be thou approved our King.     

Thursday before Easter.  
AS upon this Day our blessed Saviour, eating the passover with his Disciples, instituted the blessed Sacrament of his Last Supper. Afterward he washed their feet; prayed for them, and for the faithful generation; instructed them; confuted them; warned them of what should come to pass, both concerning themselves, and his own 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 having overcome, he was that night betrayed, and forsaken of all his Disciples. In commemoration of which passages the Church holds this yearly Assembly, that our pious affections towards our Redeemer may be stirred up, to his glory, and our comfort.  

Song. 54.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

A Holy Sacrament this Day  
To us thou didst, oh LORD, bequeath;  
That by the same preserve we may,  
A blessed memorial of thy Death;  
Whereof, oh, let us so partake,  
We may with Thee one body make.   

2  
Thy Holy-Supper being done,  
(The last which thou vouchsafedst hear)  
By Thee the feet of every one  
Of thy Disciples washed were;  
To which Humility of thine,  
Our haughty minds do thou incline.   

3  
The rest of that Day thou didst use,  
To pray, to comfort, and advise:  
None might (when thou wert gone) abuse  
Thy Friends, or make of them a prize;  
Yet, when thy pleasure thou hadst said,  
By one of thine thou wert betrayed.   

4  
And lo, that night they all did fly,  
Who sat so kindly by thy side;  
e'en he, that for thy love would dye,  
With oaths, and curses, thee denied;  
Which to thy soul more nigh did go,  
Then all the wrongs thy Foes could do.   

5  
Sweet jesus teach us to conceive,  
How near unto thy heart it struck,  
When thy Beloved thee did leave,  
And thou didst back upon him look;  
We may hereafter nigh thee keep,  
And for our past denials weep.   

6  
Yea, let each passage of this Day.  
Within our hearts be graven so,  
That mind them we for ever may  
And still thy promise trust unto:  
So our affections shall to thee,  
In life, and death unchanged be.     

Friday before Easter.  
THis Day we commemorate the unsufferable Passion of jesus Christ, our blessed Redeemer; who was at this season of the year despitefully crucified by Pilate, and the jews. Every day we ought seriously to think upon it by ourselves: But this day we ought to meet about it in the public Assemblies, that we might provoke each other to compunction of heart; to renew the memory of it; and to move those that have not yet taken notice thereof, to come along with us to hear the story of his unmatchless sorrow, who for the love of us took upon himself those punishments which our wickedness discerned.  

Song. 55.  
Sing this as the 24 Song.  

YOu that like heedless Strangers pass along,  
As if nought here concerned you to day;  
Draw nigh, and hear the saddest Passion song,  
That ever you did meet with in your way:  
So sad a Story ne'er was told before,  
Nor shall there be she like for evermore.   

2  
The greatest King that ever wore a Crown,  
More than the basest Vassal was abused;  
The truest Lover that was ever known,  
By them he loved was most unkindly used:  
And ●e that lived from all transgressions clear,  
Was plagued for all the sins that ever were.   

3  
e'en They, in pity of whose fall he wept,  
Wrought for his ruin, whilst he sought their good;  
And watchet for him, when they should have slept,  
That they might quench their malice in his blood:  
Yet (when their bonds from him he could have thrown)  
To save their lives he deigned to lose his own.   

4  
Those, in whose hearts compassion should have been,  
Insulted o●re his poor afflicted soul;  
And those that nothing ill in him had seen,  
(As guilty) him accus d of treason soul:  
Nay, him (that never had one idle thought)  
They for blaspheming unto judgement brought.   

5  
Where, some to ask him vain demands begin;  
And some to make a sport with him devose:  
Some at his answers and behaviour grin;  
And some do spit their filth into his eyes:  
Some give him blows, some mock, & some revile;  
And he (good heart) sits quiet all the while.   

6  
Oh, that, where such a throng of men should be,  
No heart was found so gentle to relent!  
And that so good and meek a Lamb as He,  
Should be so vs●de, and yet no tear be spent!  
Sure, when once malice ●●ls the heart of man,  
Nor stone, nor steel can be so hardened than.   

7  
For, after this, his clothes from him they stripped,  
And then, as if some Slave this LORD had been,  
With cruel rods and scourges him they whipped,  
Till wounds were over all his body seen:  
In purple clad, and crowned too with thorn,  
They set him forth, and honoured him in scorn.   

8  
And, when they saw him in so sad a plight,  
As might have made a flinty heart to bleed,  
They not a whit recanted at the sight;  
But in their hellish fury did proceed:  
Away with him; Away with him they said;  
And Crucify him, Crucify him, Cried.   

9  
A Cross of wood, that huge, and heavy was,  
Upon his bloody shoulders next they lay;  
Which onward to his Execution-place  
He carried, till he fainted in the way:  
And, when he thither weak and tired came;  
To give him rest they nailed him to the same.   

10  
Oh! could we but the thousand part relate,  
Of those Afflictions, which they made him bear,  
Our hearts with passion would dissolve thereat,  
And we should sit and weep for ever here;  
Nor should we glad again hereafter be,  
But that we hope in glory him to see.   

11  
For, while upon the Cross he pained hung,  
And was with soul torment also grieved;  
(far more, then can be told by any tongue,  
Or in the hearts of mortals be conceived)  
Those, for whose sake he underwent such pain,  
Rejoiced thereat, and held him in disdain.   

12  
One offered to him vinegar, and gall:  
A second did his pious works deride:  
To dicing for his Robes did others fall;  
And many mocked him when to GOD he cried.  
Yet, he as they his pain still more procured,  
Still loved, and for their good the more endured.   

13  
But, though his matchless Love immortal were,  
It was a mortal Body he had on,  
That could no more then mortal Bodies bear;  
Their malice therefore did prevail thereon:  
And lo, their utmost fury having tried,  
This Lamb of God gave up the ghost, & died.   

14  
Whose Death, though cruel unrelenting Man  
Could view, without bewailing, or affright;  
The Sun grew dark, the Earth to quake began,  
The Temple-vaile did rend asunder quite:  
Yea, hardest Rocks there wi●h in pieces broke,  
And graves did open, and the Dead awake.   

15  
Oh therefore, let us all that present be,  
This Innocent with moved souls embrace;  
For, this was our Redeemer, this was he,  
Who thus for our unkindness used was:  
e'en He, the cursed jews and Pilate slew,  
Is he alone, of whom all this is true.   

16  
Our sins of spite were part of those that day,  
Whose cruel whips & thorns did make him smart;  
Our Lusts were those that tired him in the way;  
Our want of love was that which pierced his heart:  
And still when we forget, or slight his pain,  
We crucify and torture him again.     

Easter day.  
THis Day is solemnised in memorial of our Saviour's blessed Resurrection from the dead; upon which (as the members with their head) the Church began her triumph over Sin, Death, and the Devil: And hath therefore appointed, that to record this mystery, and to stir up thankful rejoicings in our hearts, there should be an annual Commemoration thereof; That we might in charitable Feasts and Christian glee, express the joy of our hearts to the glory of God, to the comfort of our brethren, to the increase of charity one towards another, and to the confirmation of a true joy in ourselves.  

Song. 56.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

THis is the Day the LORD hath made,  
And therein joyful we will be;  
For, from the black infernal shade,  
In triumph back returned is He:  
The snares of Satan, and of Death,  
He hath victoriously undone,  
And fast in chains he bound them hath,  
His triumph to attend upon.   

2  
The Grave, which all men did detest,  
And held a dungeon full of fear,  
Is now become a Bed of rest,  
And no such terrors find we there.  
For, jesus Christ hath taken away  
The horror of that loathed Pit;  
e'en ever since that glorious day,  
In which himself came out of it.   

3  
His Mockings, and his bitter smarts,  
He to our praise and ease doth turn,  
And all things to our joy convarts,  
Which he with heavy heart hath borne:  
His broken flesh is now our food,  
His blood he shed, is ever since,  
That drink, which doth our soul's most good,  
And that which shall our foulness cleanse.   

4  
Those wounds so deep, and torn so wide,  
As in a Rock our shelters are▪  
And that they pierced through his side,  
Is made a Dove-hole for his Dear;  
Yea, now we know, as was foretold,  
His flesh did no corruption le●;  
And that Hell wanted strength to hold  
So strong, and one so blest as Herald   

5  
Oh let us praise his Name therefore,  
(Who thus the upperhand hath won)  
For, we had else, for evermore,  
Been lost, and utterly undone:  
Whereas this Favour dot● allow,  
That we with boldness thus may sing;  
Oh Hell, where is thy conquest now?  
And thou (oh Death) where is thy sting?     

Ascension day.  
AFter jesus Christ was risen from the dead, and had many times showed himself unto his Disciples, he was lifted from among them, and they beheld him ascending up into heaven, till a cloud took him out of their sight: In memory of which Ascension, and to praise God for so exalting the humane Nature to his own glory, and our advantage; the Church worthily celebrated this Day, and hath commended the observation thereof to her Children.  

Song. 57  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

TO GOD, with heart and cheerful voice,  
A Triumph-Song we sing;  
And with true thankful hearts rejoice,  
In our Almighty King;  
Yea, to his glory we record,  
(Who were but dust and clay)  
What honour he did us afford,  
On his Ascending day.   

2  
The Humane Nature, which of late,  
Beneath the Angels was;  
Now raised from that meaner state,  
Above them hath a place.  
And at man's feet all Creatures bow,  
Which through the whole world be;  
For, at GOD'S right-hand throaned now,  
In glory sitteth Herald   

3  
Our LORD, and Brother, who hath on  
Such flesh, as this we wear;  
Before us unto heaven is gone,  
To get us places there:  
Captivity was captiu●d then,  
And he doth from above  
Send ghostly presents down to men,  
For tokens of his love.   

4  
Each Door and everlasting Gate,  
To him hath lifted been;  
And in a glorious wise thereat,  
Our King is entered in.  
Whom if to follow we regard,  
With ease we safely may;  
For he hath all the means prepared,  
And made an open way.   

5  
Then follow, follow on a pace,  
And let us not forgo  
Our Captain, till we win the place,  
That he hath scaled unto:  
And for his honour, let our voice  
A shout so hearty make,  
The Heau●ns may at our mirth rejoice,  
And Earth, and Hell may shake.     

Pentecost, or Whitsunday.  
AFter our Saviour was ascended, the fiftieth day of his Resurrection, and just at the jews Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost (our promised Comforter) was sent down upon the Disciples assembled in jerusalem, appearing in a visible form, & miraculously filling them with all manner of spiritual gifts, and knowledge, tending to the divine work they had in hand: Whereby, they being formerly weak, and simple men, were immediately enabled to resist all the powers of the kingdom of Darkness, and to lay those strong foundations, upon which the Catholic Church now standeth, both to the Glory of GOD, and our safety. In remembrance therefore of that great miraculous mystery this Day is solemnised.  

Song. 58.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

EXceeding faithful in thy word,  
And just in all thy ways,  
We do acknowledge thee, oh LORD,  
And therefore give thee praise:  
For, as thy promise thou didst pass,  
(Before thou wentest away)  
Sent down thy Holy-Spirit was,  
At his appointed day.   

2  
While thy Disciples in thy Name,  
Together did retire,  
The Holy Ghost upon them came,  
In Cloven tongues of fire,  
That in their calling they might be  
Confirmed from above,  
As thou wert, when he came on thee,  
Descending like a Dove.   

3  
Whereby those men that simple were,  
And fearful till that hour.  
Had knowledge at an instant there,  
And boldness armed with power,  
Receiving gifts so manifold,  
That (since the world begun)  
A wonder seldom hath been told,  
That could exceed this one.   

4  
Now also, blessed Spirit, come;  
Unto our Souls appear.  
And of thy Grace's shower thou some  
On this Assembly here:  
To us thy Dovelike meekness ●●nd,  
That humble we may be,  
And on thy silver wings ascend,  
Our Saviour Christ to see.   

5  
Oh, let thy Cloven tongues, we pray.  
So rest on us again,  
That both thy truth confess we may,  
And teach it other men.  
Moreover, let thy heavenly ●ire  
(Inflamed from above)  
Burn up in us each vain desire,  
And warm our hearts with love.   

6  
Vouchsafe thou likewise to bestow  
On us thy sacred Peace,  
We stronger may in union grow,  
And in debates decrease:  
Which ●●ace though many yet contemn,  
Reformed let them be,  
That we may (LORD) have part in them,  
And they have part in thee.     

Trinity Sunday.  
AFter Arrius, and other heretics had broached their damnable fancies, whereby the faith of many concerning the mystery of the blessed Trinity was s●aken, diverse good men laboured in the rooting out of those pestilent opinions: And it was agreed upon by the Church, that some particular Sunday in the year should be dedicated to the memory of the holy Trinity, and called Trinitie-Sunday, that the Name might give the people ●ccasion to inquire after the Mystery And moreover, (that the Pastor of each several Congregation might be yearly remembered to treat thereof, as necessity required) certain portions of the holy Scripture, proper to that end, were appointed to be read publicly that Day. In some Countries they observed this Institution on the Sunday next before the advent; and in other places the Sunday following Whitsunday, as in the Church of England.  

Song. 59  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

THose, oh, thrice holy Three in one,  
Who ●e●ke thy Nature to explain,  
By rules to humane Reason known,  
Shall find their labour all in vain;  
And in a shell they may intend,  
The Sea, as well, to comprehend.   

2  
What therefore no man can conceive,  
Let us not curious be to know;  
But, when thou bid'st us to believe,  
Let us obey, Let Reason go:  
Faith's objects true, and surer be,  
Then those that Reason's eyes do see.   

3  
Yet, as by looking on the Sun,  
(Though to his substance we are blind)  
And by the course we see him run,  
Some Notions we of him may find:  
So, what thy Brightness doth conceal,  
Thy word, and works in part reveal.   

4  
Most glorious Essence, we confess  
In Thee (whom by our faith we view)  
Three Persons, neither more nor less,  
Whose workings them distinctly show:  
And sure we are, those persons Three  
Make but one GOD, and thou art He.   

5  
The Sun a Motion hath we know,  
Which Motion doth beget us Light;  
The Heat proceedeth from those two,  
And each doth proper acts delight:  
The Motion draws out Time a line,  
The Heat doth warm, the Light doth shine.   

6  
Yet, though this Motion▪ Light, and Hea●e,  
Distinctly by themselves we take;  
Each in the other hath his seat,  
And but one Sun we see they make:  
For whatsoever the One will do,  
He works it with the other two.   

7  
So, in the Godhead there is knit  
A wondrous threefold True-love-knot,  
And perfect Union fastens it,  
Though flesh and blood perceive it not;  
And what each Person doth alone,  
By all the Trinity is done.   

8  
Their Work they jointly do pursue,  
Though they their Offices divide;  
And each one by himself hath due  
His proper Attributes beside:  
But one in Substance they are still,  
In Virtue one, and one in Will.   

9  
Eternal all the Persons be,  
And yet eternal there●s but One;  
So likewise Infinite all three,  
Yet Infinite but One alone:  
And neither Person aught doth miss,  
That of the Godheads essence is,   

10  
In Unity and Trinity,  
Thus, oh Creator, we adore  
Thy ever-praised Deity,  
And thee confess for evermore,  
One Father, one begotten Son,  
One Holy-Ghost, in Godhead one.     

Sunday in general.  
SVnday is our natural appellation, the Sabbath the Hebrew term, and the Lords day the Christian Name, whereby we entitle Gods Seaventh day; and (if wilful affectation be avoided) either Name is allowable. It is a portion of Time sanctified by God, immediately after the World's creation, and by the divine Law dedicated to be perpetually observed to the honour of our Creator: And though some things accidentally pertinent to the observation thereof, have bee●e changed; yet that which is essential thereunto is for ever immutable Our Saviour hath by his Resurrection hallowed for us that which we now obseque instead of the jewish Sabbath; which being the day whereon he rested in the Grave, the observation thereof, and of all other jewish Ceremonies was buried with him: because they were to continue but till the accomplishment of those things whereof they were Types. This is that day wherein our Redeemer began (as it were) his Eternal rest, after he had finished the work of our Reparation and conquered death, the last that was to be destroyed. This Day we ought therefore to sanctify, according to Gods first institution: Not jewishly, that is, by a strict or mere outward abstaining from the servile works of the body only, according to the letter: But Christianly; to wit, in spirit and truth, both inwardly, and outwardly, so recreating our bodies and souls, that we may with a sanctified pleasure, (and as much as may be without weariness) spend that day to the glory of God, according to his command, & the Church's direction; even to the use of bodily labours & exercises, whensoever (without respect to sensual, or covetous ends) a rectified conscience shall persuade us, that the honour of God, the charity we owe to our Neighbours, or an unfeigned necessity requires them to be done.  

Song. 60.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

Fix days, oh LORD, the world to make,  
And set all Creatures in array,  
Was all the leisure thou wouldst take,  
And then did●st rest the seaventh day:  
That day thou therefore hallowed haste,  
And rightly, by a law divine  
(Which till the end of time shall last)  
The seaventh part of Time is thine.   

2  
Then, teach us willingly to give  
The tribute of our days to Thee;  
By whom we new bo●h move, and live,  
And have attained to what we be.  
For, of that Rest, which by thy Word  
Thou hast been pleased to enjoin,  
The profit all is ours▪ oh L●R●,  
And but the praise alone is thine.   

3  
Oh, therefore let us not consent,  
To rob thee of thy Sabbath day;  
Nor rest with carnal Rest content,  
But sanctify it all w● may▪  
Yea, grant that we from sinful strife,  
And all those works thou dost detest,  
May keep a Sabbath all our life,  
And enter thy Eternal rest.     

S. Andrew's day.  
THe holy Church celebrateth this day to glorify God for that favour which he vouchsafed unto her by the calling and ministry of blessed Andrew his Apostle; and, that by the remembrance of his readiness to follow, and preach Christ, both the honourable and Christian memorial, due to an Apostle, might be preserved, and we stirred up al●o to the imitation of his forwardness in our several callings, advancing God's honour and Gospel: In which general sense every the meanest Christian hath a kind of Apostleship, to build up (not only in himself, but in others also) the Temple of the living God, and to increase and establish the kingdom of Christ.  

Song. 61.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

AS blessed Andrew on a day,  
By fishing did his living earn,  
Christ cam●, and called him away,  
That he to fish for men might learn;  
And no delay thereat he made,  
Nor questions framed of his intent,  
But quite forsaking all he had,  
Along with him, that called, he went.   

2  
Oh, that we could so ready be,  
To follow Christ when he doth call!  
And that we could forsake, as he,  
Those N●ts, that we are snared withal:  
Or would this Fisherman of men,  
(Who set by all he had so light)  
By his obedience showed then,  
(And his example) win us might.   

3  
But Precepts and Examples fail,  
Till thou thy grace, LORD, add thereto;  
Oh grant it, and we shall prevail,  
In whatsoever thou bid'st us do:  
Yea, we sha●l then that bliss conceive,  
Which in thy service we may find;  
And for thy sake be glad to leave  
Our Nets, and all we have behind.     

S. Thomas day.  
THis Day was set apart by the Church, that it might be sanctified to the praise of God for his holy Apostle S. Thomas, by whose preaching the Christian generation was multiplied: and that we might strengthen the belief we have of our Saviour's undeniable Resurrection, by taking an yearly occasion to refresh our memories with that part of the evangelical sto●ie, which mentioneth both this Apostles doubting, and the confirmation of his faith by a sensible demonstration.  

Song. 62.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

WHen Christ was risen from the dead,  
And Thomas of the same was told,  
He would not credit it, he said,  
Though he himself should him● behold,  
Till he his wounded hands had eyed,  
And thrust his fingers in his side.   

2  
Which trial he did undertake,  
And Christ his frailty did permit,  
By his distrusting sure to make  
Such others, as might doubt of it:  
So we had right, and he no wrong;  
For by his weakness both are strong.   

3  
Oh blessed GOD, how wise thou art!  
And how confoundest thou thy Foes!  
Who their temptations dost convert,  
To work those ends which they oppose:  
When Satan seeks our faith to shake,  
The firmer he the same doth make.   

4  
Thus whatsoever he tempts us to,  
His disadvantage let it be;  
Yea, make those very sins we do,  
The means to bring us nearer thee:  
Yet let us not to ill consent,  
Though coloured with a good intent.     

S. Stephen's day.  
STephen was one of the seven Deacons, mentioned Acts 6. and the first Martyr of jesus Christ; whose Truth having powerfully maintained by dispute, he constantly sealed it with his blood. The Church therefore hath appointed this Anniversarie in remembrance thereof, that so God might perpetually be glorified for the same; and the story of his martyrdom the oftener mentioned, to the encouragement and direction of other men in their Trials.  

Song. 63.  
Sing this as the 4 Song.  

LORD, with what zeal did thy first Martyr breath  
Thy blessed Truth, to such as him withstood!  
With what stout mind embraced he his death!  
A holy witness sealing with his blood!  
The praise is thine, that him so strong didst make,  
And blest is he, that died for thy sake.   

2  
Unquenched love in him appeared to be,  
When for his murderous Foes he did entreat:  
A piercing eye made bright by faith had he;  
For he beheld thee in thy Glory set;  
And so unmoved his pa●ience he did keep,  
He di●de, as if he had but fain asleep.   

3  
Our lukewarm hearts with his hot Zeal inflame,  
So Constant, and so Loving▪ let us be;  
So let us living glorify thy Name;  
So let us dying ●i●e our eyes on Thee:  
And ●hen the ●leepe of Death shall us o'ertake,  
With him to life eternal us awake.     

S. john the Evangelist.  
THis Day is celebrated by the Church, to praise God for his blessed Evangelist, and beloved Disciple Saint john, who hath been an admirable instrument of his glory, and the Church's instruction; For, the Mystery of the sacred Trinity, and the Divinity of Christ, is by him most plainly expressed in his writings, among many other great Mysteries and excellent Doctrines concerning our Redemption; for which we are bound particularly to honour God, and worthily stirred up thereunto by this annual Commemoration.  

Song. 64.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

TEach us by his example, LORD,  
For whom we honour thee to Day,  
And grant his witness of thy Word,  
Thy Church enlighten ever may:  
And, as beloved, oh Christ, he was,  
And therefore leaned on thy breast;  
So let us also in thy grace,  
And on thy sacred bosom rest.   

2  
Into us breathe that Life divine,  
Whose Testimony he intends;  
About us cause thy Light to shine,  
That which no darkness comprehends:  
And let that ever-blessed Word,  
Which all things did create of nought,  
Anew create us now, oh LORD,  
Whose ruin sin hath almost wrought.   

3  
Thy holy Faith we do profess,  
Us to thy Fellowship receive;  
Our Sins ●e heartily confess,  
Thy Pardon therefore let us have:  
And, as to us thy Servant gives,  
Occasion thus to honour Thee▪  
So also let our words and lives,  
As lights and guides, to others be.     

Innocents' Day.  
KIng Herod understanding th●t a king of the jews was borne in Bethlem-Iuda; (& fearing that by him he might be dispossessed) he murdered all the young infants of that Circuit, in hope among them to have slain jesus Christ: But he was ●ent into Egypt by God's special appointment, and so the Tyrant's fury proved vain. In honour therefore of the Almighty's providence, the Church celebrateth this Day; To put us in mind also, how vainly the Devil and his members rage against God's decree; and, that the cruel slaughter of those poor Infants may never be forgotten; Which, in a large sense, may be called a Martyrdom; As in the generality of the cause (being for Christ) & in the passion of the body▪ though not in the intention of the mind: And so in proper sense doth S. Stephen hold still the place of the first Captain of that Band.  

Song. 65.  
Sing this as the 44. Song. 1  

THat rage whereof the Psalm doth say,  
Why are the Gentiles grown so mad?  
Appeared in part upon that day,  
When Herod slain the Infants had;  
Yet (as it saith they stormed in vain;  
(Though many Innocents' they slew)  
For, Christ they purposed to have slain,  
Who all their Counsels overthrew.   

2  
Thus still vouchsafe thou to restrain  
All Tyrants, LORD, pursuing Thee;  
Thus, let our vast desires be slain;  
That thou mayst living in us be:  
So, whilst we shall enjoy our breath,  
We of thy love our Songs will frame;  
And with those Innocents', our death  
Shall also glorify thy Name.   

3  
In Type those Many di●de for One;  
That One for many more was slain:  
And what they felt in Act alone,  
He did in will, and Act sustain.  
LORD grant, that what thou hast decreed.  
In Will, and Act, we may fulfil;  
And, though we reach not to the Deed,  
From us, oh GOD, accept the Will.     

The conversion of S. Paul.  
SAint Paul, as appears, Acts 9 having been a great persecutor of the Christian faith before his conversion, was extraordinarily called to embrace the same profession; even as he proceeded in a journey purposely undertaken to suppress the Truth: And so, of a Wolf became afterward a Pastor, & the most laborious Preacher of jesus Christ: Which mercy of GOD that we may still remember it to the praise of his name, and our own comfort, the Church hath appointed an yearly Commemoration thereof.  

Song. 66.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

A Blessed Conversion, and a strange,  
Was that, when Saul a Paul became;  
And, LORD, for making such a change,  
We praise and glorify thy Name:  
For whilst he went from place to place,  
To persecute thy Truth and Thee;  
(And running to perdition was)  
By powerful grace called back was he.   

2  
When from thy Truth we go astray.  
(Or wrong it through our blinded zeal)  
Oh come, and stop us in the way,  
And then thy Will to us reu●ale;  
That Brightness show us from above,  
Which proves the sensual eyesight blind;  
And from our eyes those Scales remove,  
That hinder us thy way to find.   

3  
And as thy blessed servant Paul,  
When he a Convert once became,  
Exceeded thy Apostles all,  
In painful preaching of thy Name:  
So grant that those who have in Sin  
Exceeded others heretofore,  
The start of them in Faith may win,  
Love, serve, and honour thee the more.     

S. Mathias.  
MAtthias was the Disciple which was chosen in the roo●e of judas Iscariot; And his anniversary is commanded to be observed, that it might give us continual occasion to praise God for his justice and favor: For his justice showed in discovering, and not sparing judas the traitor, abusing his Apostleship. For his Favour, declared in electing Mathias a faithful Pastor of the Church. Moreover, the remembrance of diverse other Mysteries are renewed by the observation of this Day. And by taking occasion to read publicly the Story of judas his Apostasy, men are that day put in mind, to consider what judgements hang over th●ir heads, who shall abuse the divine callings, etc.  

Song. 67.  
WHen one among the Twelve there was, That did thy Grace abuse; Thou leftest him, LORD, and in his place, didst just Mathias choose:  

So, if a Traitor do remain  
Within thy Church to day;  
To grant him true repentance deign;  
Or cast him out, we pray.   

2  
Though horned like the Lamb he show,  
Or Sheepe-like clad he be,  
Let us his Dragon language know,  
And Wolvish nature see;  
Yea, cause the Lo● to fall on those,  
The charge of thine to take,  
That shall their Actions well dispose,  
And conscience of them make.   

3  
Let us moreover mind his fall,  
Whose room Mathias got;  
So to believe, and fear withal,  
That we forsake thee not:  
For, Titles, be they ne'er so high,  
Or great, or sacred Place,  
Can no man's Person sanctify,  
Without thy special grace.     

Saint Marks Day.  
SAint Mark, being one of the four blessed Evangelists, by whose pen the Gospel of jesus Christ was recorded; this day is purposely appointed, to praise God for those glad tidings he brought, and that we might honour him also with such a Christian Memorial, as becometh the Ambassador of so great a King as our Redeemer: Which civil honour, due to the Saints of God, it is hoped none will deny them; nor conceive such Institutions superstitious, or to have been purposed to an Idolatrous end.  

Song. 68  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

FOr those blessed Penmen of thy Word,  
Who have thy holy Gospel writ,  
We praise and honour Thee, oh LORD,  
And our belief we build on it:  
Those happy Tidings which it brings,  
With joyful hearts we do embrace,  
And prize, above all other things,  
That precious Token of thy grace.   

2  
To purchase what we hope thereby,  
Our utmost wealth we will bestow;  
Yea, we our pleasures will deny,  
And let our lives, and honours go:  
And, whomsoever it cometh from,  
No other Gospel we will hear;  
No, though an Angel down should come  
From heaven, we would not give him ear.   

3  
Our Resolutions, LORD, ar● such,  
But in performance ●eake are we;  
And the Deceavers craft is much;  
Our Second therefore, thou must be:  
So we assuredly shall know,  
When any Doctrines we receive,  
If they agreeing be, or no,  
To those, which we professed have.     

S. Philip and jacob.  
THis Day is celebrated to the honour of God, and the Christian memorial of the two blessed Apostles, Philip and jacob: At which time the Church taketh occasion to offer to our remembrance such Mysteries, as Christ delivered unto them, that we might the oftener consider them, receive further instruction concerning them, and praise God, both for such his favours, 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 believe they ought,  
Of thee they learned to:  
And that which thou to them hast shown,  
Hath been disposed thus;  
They unto others made it known,  
And those have told it us.   

2  
With them we do confess and say,  
(What shall not be denied)  
Thou art the Truth, the Life, the Way,  
And we in thee will bide:  
By thee the Father we have known,  
Whom thou descendedst from;  
And unto him, by thee alone,  
We have our hope to come,   

3  
For, thou to Philip didst impart,  
(Which our belief shall be)  
That thou within the Father art,  
And, that he is in Thee;  
And saidst, what ever in thy Name  
We should with faith require,  
Thou wouldst give ear unto the same,  
And grant us our desire.   

4  
Of thee, oh LORD, we therefore crave,  
(Which thou wilt deign, we know)  
The good Belief which now we have,  
We never may forgo;  
And that thy sacred Truth, which we  
Thy Word have learned from,  
From Age to Age derived may be,  
Until thy Kingdom come.     

S. Barnabas day.  
THis Day is solemnised in commemoration of Saint Barnabas, a faithful Disciple of jesus 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 Gospel, 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 days of old,  
To teach them faith, and to repent:  
Thy Prophets thou didst first ordain,  
And they as Legates did appear;  
Then cam'st thy self, and in thy Train,  
Apostles for attendants were.   

2  
For Leg●ir, when thou went●st away,  
The Holy-Ghost thou didst appoint;  
And here, Successions, till this day,  
Remain of those he did anoint;  
Yea, thou hast likewise so ordained,  
That to make good what those have taught▪  
An army-royal was maintained  
Of Martyrs, who thy Battles fought.   

3  
For those, and Him for whom we thus  
Are met, to praise thy Name to day,  
We give thee thanks, as they for us,  
That should come after them, did pray;  
And by this duty we declare,  
Our Faith assures, that they and we,  
(In Times divided though we are)  
Have one Communion still with Thee.     

S. john Baptist.  
IOhn, called the Baptist, was he (as Christ himself testifieth) who was promised to be sent before him to prepare his way, Luke 7.27. and by his Preaching and Baptism the People were accordingly prepared to receive him that was to follow. He w●s the true expected Elias, and slain by Herod, for reproving the Incest which the said Herod committed in taking his Brother's wife: That we might praise God therefore for this Forerunner of our Saviour (and by his example remember to provide for his entertainment) 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 Crier, to prepare thy way:  
Thy Kingdom was the Bliss he brought▪  
Repentance was the Way he taught.   

2  
And, that his Voice might not alone  
Inform us what we should believe,  
His Life declared what must be done,  
If Thee we purpose to receive:  
His Li●e our pattern therefore make,  
That we the Course he took, may take.   

3  
Let us not gad to Pleasure's Court,  
With fruitless Toys to feed the mind;  
Nor to that Wilderness resort,  
Where Reeds are shaken with the wind:  
But tread the Path he trod before,  
That both a Prophet was, and more.   

4  
Clad in repentant Cloth of Hair,  
Let us, oh Christ, (to seek out Thee)  
To those forsaken- Walks repair,  
Which of so few frequented be;  
And true Repentance so intent,  
That we our courses may amend.   

5  
Let us hereafter feed upon  
The Honey of thy Word divine;  
Let us the World's enticement shun,  
Her Drugs, and her bewitching Wine;  
And on our loins (so loose that are)  
The Leather-belt of Temperance wear.   

6  
Thus from thy Crier let us learn,  
For thee, sweet jesus, to prepare,  
And others of their sins to warn,  
However for the same we fare:  
So thou to Us, and we to Thee  
Shall when thou comest welcome be.     

S. Peter's day.  
WE observe this Day to the honour of God, and to the pious memory of his blessed Apostle S. Peter, that we may be thereby put in mind to be thankful for those continuing favours received by his ministry; That Pastors also may make him their pattern in discharging the charge Christ committeth unto them; That by considering his weakness we may all learn not to presume on our own strength; And that by his christian example we may be taught to bewail our escapes with bitter tears of true Repentance.  

Song. 72.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

HOw watchful need we to become,  
And how devoutly pray,  
That thee, oh LORD, we fall not from,  
Upon our Tryall-day?  
For, if thy great Apostle said,  
He would not thee deny,  
Whom he that very Night denayed,  
On what shall we rely?   

2  
For of ourselves we cannot leave  
One pleasure for thy sake;  
No, not one virtuous thought conceive,  
Till us thou able make:  
Nay, we not only Thee deny,  
When persecutions be;  
But, or forget, or from Thee ●lie,  
When peace attends on Thee.   

3  
Oh! let those Prayers us avail,  
Thou didst for Peter deign,  
That when our Foe shall us assail▪  
His labour may be vain;  
Yea, cast on us those powerful eyes,  
That moved him to lament,  
We may bemoan with bitter cries  
Our Follies, and repent.   

4  
And grant, that such as Him succeed,  
For Pastors of thy fold,  
Thy Sheep, and Lambs may guide and feed,  
As thou appoint'st they should,  
By his example speaking what  
They ought in truth to say,  
And in their lives confirming that  
They teach them to obey.     

S. james his day.  
THis Day we praise God for his blessed Apostle Saint james, the son of Zebedeus, who was one of those two that desired of Christ they might sit at his right-hand, and at his left, in his kingdom, as the Gospel for the D●y declareth: And by occasion of that ignorant petition (proceeding from their carnal weakness) Christ taught both them, and the rest of the Apostles, and all other Christians also, what Greatness best becometh his Followers; and that we are to taste the Cup of his Passion, before we can be glorified with him: So this holy Apostle did; For he was slain by Herod, as it is declared in the Epistle appointed for the Day.  

Song. 73.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

HE that his Father had forsook,  
And followed Christ at his commands,  
By humane frailty overtook,  
For Place and vain preferment stands.  
Till by his Master he was taught,  
Of what he rather should have care;  
How undiscreetly he had sought,  
And what his Servants honours are.   

2  
Whereby we find how much ado,  
The best men have this world to leave;  
How, when they wealth & Friends forgo,  
Ambitious a●mes to them will cleave:  
And sure this Angell-sinne aspires,  
In such men chiefly to reside,  
That have exiled those bruit desires,  
Which in the vulgar sort abide.   

3  
To thee oh GOD, we therefore pray,  
Th● humbl● mind in us may dwell;  
A●d cha●me that Fiend of Pride away,  
Which would thy Graces quite expel:  
But, of all other th●se men keep,  
From this delusion of the ●oe,  
Who are the Shepherds of thy sheep,  
And should each good example show.   

4  
For, such as still pursuing be  
That Greatness, which the world respects,  
Their servile baseness neither see,  
Nor feel thy Spirits rare effects:  
And doubtless, they, who most of all  
Descend to serve both Thee, and thine,  
Are those, who in thy Kingdom shall  
In Seat● of greatest glory shine.     

S. Bartholomew.  
THis Day is consecrated to the honour of God, and the pious memory of his blessed Apostle S. Bartholomew, that (as appeareth in the Epistle apppointed for the Day) we might take occasion to praise our Redeemer, for those many wonders which were wrought by his Apostles, to the great increase of the Christian Faith, and open confusion of the Church's Adversaries.  

Song. 74.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

EXceeding gracious favours, LORD,  
To thy Apostles hast thou shown;  
And many wonders by thy Word,  
And in thy Name▪ by them were done:  
The Blind did see, the Dumb could talk,  
The Deaf did hear, the Lame did walk:   

2  
They all diseases took away,  
The dead to life they did restore;  
Fowl Spirits dispossessed they,  
And Preached the Gospel to the poor:  
The Church grew strong, thy Faith grew plain,  
Their Foes grew mad, and mad in vain.   

3  
Oh! let their works for ever be  
An honour to thy glorious Name;  
And by thy power vouchsafe that we,  
(Whom sin makes deaf, blind, dumb, & lame)  
May hear thy word▪ and see thy Light,  
And speak thy Truth, and walk aright.   

4  
Each deadly sickness of the soul,  
Let thy Apostles doctrines cure:  
Let them expel those Spirits foul,  
Which makes us loathsome and impure,  
That we the life of Faith may gain,  
Who long time dead in sin have lain.     

S. Matthew.  
S. Matthew, otherwise called Levi, was a Publican, that is, a Custome-Gatherer: From which cou●se of life (being hateful in those Countries) he was called to the Apostleship, and became also one of the four Evangelists. To his religious memory therefore, and to honour God▪ for the favour vouchsafed (both to him and us) by his Ministry, this Day is observed by the Church's Authority.  

Song. 75.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

WHy should unchristian censures pass  
On men, or that which they profess?  
A Publican Saint Matthew was,  
Yet GOD'S beloved ne'rethelesse,  
And was elected one of Christ's  
Apostles, and Evangelists:   

2  
For, GOD doth not a whit respect  
Profession, Person, or degree;  
But maketh choice of his elect,  
From every sort of men that be,  
That none might of his love despair,  
But all men unto him repair.   

3  
For those, oh let us therefore pray,  
Who seem uncalled to remain;  
Not shunning them, as cast away,  
GOD'S favour never to obtain:  
For some a while neglected are,  
To stir in us more loving care.   

4  
And for ourselves, let us desire,  
That we our Avarice may shun,  
When GOD our service shall require,  
As this Evangelist hath done,  
And spend the remnant of our days,  
In setting forth our Maker's praise.     

S. Michael, and all Angels.  
THis Day we glorify God for the victory S. Michael, ●nd his Angels obtained over the Dragon, and his Angels: Whereby the Church is freed from being prevailed against by the furious attempts, or malicious accusations of the Devil. This Commemoration is appointed also, to mind us thankfully to acknowledge God's mercy towards us, in the daily ministry of his Angels, who are said to pitch their Tents about his Children, and to defend them from the tem●tations and mischievous practices of evil Spirits, watching every moment for advantage to destroy them: Which, if we oftener considered, and how there be armies of Angels and Devils, night and day fight for us, and round about us, we would become more careful how we grieved those good Spirits, (who attend us for our safety) to the rejoicing of them that seek our destruction. By S. Michael, who was Prince of the good Angels (and termed by S jude an Archangel) some understand jesus Christ: For he is indeed the principal Messenger, or Angel of our salvation, and the chief of the Princes, as holy Daniel called him; yea, to him alone this Name Michael (which signifieth, who is like God) doth most properly appertain, seeing he only is the perfect image of his Father.  

Song. 76.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

TO praise, oh GOD, and honour thee,  
For all thy glorious Triumphs won,  
Assembled here this Day are we,  
And to declare thy Favours done:  
Thou took'st that great Arch-Angels part,  
With whom in Heaven the Dragon fought,  
And that good Army's Friend thou wert,  
That cast Him, and his Angels out:   

2  
Whereby we now in safety are,  
Our dangers all secured from;  
For to increase thy glory here,  
Thy Kingdom with great power is come:  
And we need stand in dread no more,  
Of that enraged Fiends despite,  
Who, in thy presence heretofore,  
Accused us both day and night.   

3  
In honour of thy blessed Name,  
This Hymn of thanks we therefore sing;  
And to thine everlasting fame,  
Through Heau●n thine endless praise shall ring:  
We praise thee for thy proper might,  
And, LORD, for all those Angels to,  
Who in thy Battles came to fight,  
Or have been sent thy will to do.   

4  
For, many of that glorious Troop,  
To bring us Messages from Thee,  
From Heaven vouchsafed have to stoop,  
And clad in humane shape to be;  
Yea, we believe they watch and ward,  
About our persons evermore,  
From evil Spirit● us to guard;  
And we return thee praise therefore.     

S. Luke.  
THis Day we memorise the benefit the Church received by the blessed Evangelist S. Luke, a Physician both for soul and body, and the first Ecclesiastical Historiographer: For he was Author, not only of that Gospel which beareth his Name; but also of that Book called the Acts of the Apostles, and an Eyewitness of most part of that which he hath written, remaining a constant companion of S. Paul in his tribulations. Worthily therefore ought we to honour him with a Christian memorial, and praise God for the grace vouchsafed us by his means.  

Song. 77.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

IF those Physicians honoured be,  
That do the body's health procure;  
Then worthy double praise is He,  
Who can both soul and body cure.  
In life time both ways Luke excelled,  
And those Receipts hath also left,  
Which many soul-sick Patients healed,  
Since from the world he was bereft.   

2  
And to his honour this beside,  
A blessed Witness hath declared,  
That constant he did still abide,  
When others from the Truth were scared:  
For which the glory, LORD, be thine;  
For of thy grace those gifts had he,  
And thou his Actions didst incline,  
Our profit, and his good to be.   

3  
By his example therefore, LORD,  
Uphold us, that we fall not from  
The true profession of thy Word,  
Nor by this world be overcome;  
And let his wholesome doctrine heal  
That leprous sickness of the soul,  
Which more and more would on her steale,  
And make her languish and grow foul.     

Simon and jude, Apostles.  
THis Day is dedicated to the praise of God, and the pious memory of the two blessed Apostles of jesus Christ, Simon called zealots, or the Cananite, and jude the brother of james. And in this solemnity we are among other things, principally put in mind of that love which Christ commandeth to be continued among us, and of that heed we ought to have unto our abiding in that state of grace, whereunto God hath called us, as appeareth in the Epistle and Gospel appointed for the day.  

Song. 78.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

NO outward mark we have to know,  
Who thine, oh Christ, may be,  
Until a Christian Love doth show,  
Who appertains to Thee:  
For, knowledge may be reached unto  
And formal justice gained▪  
But, till each other love we do,  
Both Faith and Works are feigned.   

2  
Lou● is the sum of those commands,  
Which thou with thine dost leave;  
And for a mark on them it stands,  
Which never can deceive:  
For when our knowledge Folly turns,  
When Shows no show retain,  
And Zeal itself to nothing burns;  
Then Love shall still remain.   

3  
By this were thy Apostles knit,  
And joined so in one,  
Their True-love-knot could never yet  
Be broken, nor undone.  
Oh let us, L●RD, received be  
Into that sacred knot,  
And One become with them and thee,  
That sin undo us not.   

4  
Yea, lest when we thy grace possess,  
We fall again away,  
Or turn it into wantonness,  
Assist thou us, we pray:  
And, that we may the better find,  
What heed there should be learned,  
Let us the fall of Angel's mind,  
As blessed jude hath warned.     

All-Saints day.  
THis Day the Church hath appointed, that, to the praise of God, and our comfort, we should commemorate that excellent Mystery of the Communion of Saints, (which is one of the twelve Articles of Christian belief:) And that (considering how admirably the divine wisdom hath knit all his elect into one body for their more perfect enjoying, both of his love, and the love of one another) we might he●e receive a taste of the pleasure we shall have in the full fruition of that felicity, and be stirred up also to such mutual love and unity as aught to be betwixt us in this life. This is the last Saint's day in the Ecclesiastic Circuit of the year, generally observable by the ancient ordinance of the Church; And it seemeth to have a mystery in it; showing, that when the Circle of time is come about, we shall in one everlasting holiday honour that blessed Communion and mystical Body, which shall be made perfect, when all those (whom we have memorised apart) are united into One; that is, when the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, the Angels, and all the holy Elect of God shall be incorporated together into a joyful, unspeakable, and inseparable Union in the Kingdom of Heaven; which the Almighty hasten, Amen.  

Song. 79.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

NO Bliss can so contenting prove▪  
As universal Love to gain,  
Could we with full requiting Love,  
All men's affections entertain:  
But such a Love, the heart of man,  
Nor well-containe, nor merit can.   

2  
For though to all we might be dear,  
(Which cannot in this life befall)  
We discontented should appear,  
Because we had not hearts for all:  
That we might all men love, as we  
Beloved would of all men be.   

3  
For Love in loving joys as much,  
As Lo●e for loving to obtain;  
Yea, ●oue unfeigned is likewise such,  
It cannot part itself in twain:  
The Rival's friendship soon is gone,  
And Love divided loveth none.   

4  
Which causeth that with Passions pained,  
So many men on earth we see;  
And had not GOD a means ordained,  
This discontent in Heau●n would be:  
For all the Saints would jealous prove,  
Of GO●S, and of each others Love..   

5  
But he whose, wisdom hath contrived  
His Glory, with their full Contents,  
Hath from himself to them derived  
This Favour (which that strife prevents)  
One Body all his Saints ●e makes,  
And for his Spouse this one he takes.   

6  
So, each one of them shall obtain  
Full Love from All, returning to  
Full Love to All of them again,  
As members of one Body do:  
None ●ealous, but all striving how  
Most Love to others to allow.   

7  
For, as the Soul is All in All,  
And All through every Member to;  
Love in that Body Mystical  
Is as the Soul, and ●ils it so;  
Uniting them to GOD as near,  
As to each other they are dear.   

8  
Yea, what they want to entertain  
Such overflowing Love as his,  
He will supply, and likewise deign  
What for his full Delight they miss,  
That he may all his Love employ,  
And they return his fill of joy..   

9  
The seed of this Content was sown,  
When GOD the spacious world did frame,  
And ever since the same hath grown,  
To be an honour to his Name;  
And when his Saints are sealed all,  
This Mystery unseal he shall.   

10  
Meanwhile (as we in Landscape view  
Fields, Rivers, Cities, Woods, & Seas,  
And (though but little they can show)  
Do therewithal our fancies please;)  
Let Contemplation Maps contrive,  
To show us where we shall arrive.   

11  
And though our hearts too shallow be,  
That blessed Communion to conceive,  
Of which we shall in Heaven be free,  
Let us on Earth together cleave:  
For those, who keep in union here,  
Shall know by faith what will be there.   

12  
Where all those Angels we admired,  
With every Saint since time begun,  
(Whose sight and love we have desired)  
Shall be with us conjoined in One;  
And We and They and They and We,  
To GOD himself espoused be.   

13  
Oh happy wedding▪ where the Guests,  
The Bride and Bridegroom shall be one;  
Where Songs, Embraces, Triumphs, Feasts,  
And joys of Love are never done:  
But thrice accursed are those that miss  
Their Garment when this Wedding is.   

14  
Sweet jesus, sealed, and clad therefore,  
For that great meeting let us be,  
(Where People, Tongues, and kindreds, more  
Than can be told, attend on Thee)  
To make those shouts of joy and praise,  
Which to thine honour they shall raise.     

Rogation week.  
THis is called Rogation week's, being so termed by Antiquity ● Rogando, from the public Supplications. ●or than the L●tany which is full of humble Petitions and entreaties, was with solemn Procession usually repeated; because there be about that se●son, most occasions of public Prayer, in regard Princes go then forth to battle; the F●uites and hope of plenty are in the●r 〈◊〉; the Ay●e is most subject to contagions & Infections; and there is most labouring and travailing, both by Land, and Sea also, from that time of the year for●a●d. Which laud●ble custom (though it be lately much decayed, and in some Countries abused from the right end, and mingled with superstitious Ceremonies) is in many places orderly retained, according as the Church of England approveth it: And we yearly make use also of those Processions, to keep knowledge of the true Bounds of our several Parishes, for avoiding of strife. And those Perambulations were yearly appointed likewise, that, viewing Gods yearly blessing upon the ●rasse, the Co●ne, ●nd other fruits of the Earth, we might be the more provoked to praise him.  

Song. 80.  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

IT was thy pleasure, LORD, to say,  
That whatsoever in thy Name  
We prayed for, as we ought to pray,  
Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant the same.  
Oh, therefore we beseech thee now,  
To these our Prayers, which we make,  
Thy gracious ear in favour bow,  
And grant them for thy mercy's sake.   

2  
Let not the Seasons of this year,  
(As they their Courses do observe)  
Engender those Contagions here,  
Which our transgressions do deserve:  
Let not the Summer worms impair  
Those bloomings of the Earth we see;  
Nor Blastin●s, or distempered Ay●e  
Destroy those Fruits that hopeful be.   

3  
Domestic Brawls expel thou far,  
And be thou pleased our Coast to guard,  
The dreadful ●ounds of inbrought War,  
Within our Confines be not heard:  
Continue also here thy word,  
And make us thankful (we thee pray)  
The Pestilence, Dearth, and the Sword  
Have been so long withheld away.   

4  
And, as we heedfully observe  
The certain limits of our Grounds,  
And outward quiet to preserve,  
About them walk our yearly Rounds:  
So let us also have a care,  
Our soul's possessions, LORD, to know,  
That no encroachments on us there,  
Be gained by our subtle ●oe.   

5  
What pleasant Groves, what goodly Fields!  
How fruitful ●ils, and Dales have we!  
How sweet an Air our Climate yields!  
How ●●oar●d with Flocks, and Herds are we!  
How Milk▪ and Honey doth o reflowe!  
How clear and wholesome are our Springs!  
How safe from ravenous Beasts we go!  
And oh, how free from Poisonous things!   

6  
For these, and for our Grass, our Corn;  
For all that springs from Blade, or Bo●gh;  
For all those blessings that adorn  
Or Wood or Field this Kingdom through:  
For all of these, thy praise we sing,  
And humbly (LORD) entreat thee too,  
That Fruit to thee we forth may bring,  
As unto Us thy Creatures do.   

7  
So, in the sweet refreshing shade  
Of thy Protection sitting down,  
Those gracious Favours we have had,  
Relate we will to thy renown;  
Yea, other men, when we are gone,  
Shall for thy mercy's honour Thee,  
And famous make what thou hast done,  
To such as after them shall be.     

S. George his Day.  
THis may be called the Court Holiday; for with us it is solemnised upon command, in the Court-royall of the Majesty of Great Britain only, or in the Families of those Knights of the Order, who are constrained to b●e absent from the solemnity there held, which is usually on the day anciently dedicated to George the Martyr. Nevertheless, we believe not that it was he whom they anciently chose to be the Patron of the forenamed Order: For the relation of him who delivered the Lady from the Dragon is only a Christian Allegory, invented to set forth the better the Church's deliverance. jesus Christ is the true S. George, and our English ●utelary Saint; Even he that cometh armed upon the White Horse, Reu. 19.11 The Dragon he overthrows is the Beast mentioned in the s●me Chapter, and called (a little before) the Dragon with seven heads and ten horns: The Lady he delivers is that woman whom the Dragon persecutes, Reu. 12. And to the honour of him I conceive the most honourable Order of S. George to be continued, and this Day consecrated. Nor is there any irreverence in imposing this Name on our Redeemer; for George signifieth a Husbandman, which is a Name or Attribute that even Christ applied to his Father, john 15.2. My Father (saith he) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, is the George, or the Husbandman. And indeed, very properly may this Nation call GOD their George or Husbandman: For he hath (as it were) mo●ed this Island with the Sea, walled it with natural Bulwarks, built Towers in it, planted his truth here, weeded, dressed, and replenished it like a Garden; and, in a word, every way done the part of a good Husbandman thereon. Howsoever therefore the first occasion of this Days great solemnity seem but mean (as the beginnings of many noble inventions were) yet I conceive that Institution to have been ordained to weighty and Christian purposes: Even to oblige the Peers of this Kingdom by the new and strict bands of an honourable Order, to imitate their Patrons care over his Vineyard, to remember them, that they are the Band-Royall, to whom the Guard thereof is committed, to stir up in them virtuous emulations, and to show them how to make use of their temporal dignities to the glory of God. For, beside many other re●●●end Officers, there belongs a Prelate also to these Solemnities: And me thinks, we should not imagine, that the Founder of it (being a Christian Prince, assisted by a wise and religious Counsel) would have so profaned the most excellent dignity of the Church, as to make it wait on Ceremonies ordained for ostentation, or some other vain ends. More discreetly they deal who apprehend the contrary, and are not in danger of this sentence; Evil to him that evil thinketh.  

Song. 81.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

ALl praise and glory that we may,  
Ascribe we, LORD, to Thee,  
From whom the triumphs of this Day,  
And all our glories be:  
For of it ●elfe, nor East, nor West,  
Doth Honour ebb or flow;  
But as to Thee it seemeth best,  
Preferments to bestow:   

2  
Thou art, oh Christ, that valiant Knight,  
Whose Order we profess,  
And that Saint George, who oft doth fight  
For England in distress:  
The Dragon thou o'rethrew'st is He,  
That would thy Church devour,  
And that fair Lady (●ORD) is she,  
Thou savest from his power.   

3  
Thou like a Husbandman prepared  
Our Fields, yea sown them haste;  
And, Knight-like with a warlike guard,  
From spoil enclosed them fast.  
Oh deign, that those, who in a Band  
More strict than heretofore,  
Are for this Vineyard bound to stand,  
May watch it now the more:   

4  
Yea grant, since they elected are,  
New Orders to put on,  
And sacred Hirogliphickes wear  
Of thy great Conquest won,  
That those (when they forget) may tell,  
Why those of them are worn,  
And inwardly inform as well,  
As outwardly adorn;   

5  
That so their Christian-Knighthood may  
No Pagan●Order seem;  
Nor they their Meetings pass away,  
As things of vain esteem;  
And, that we may our triumphs all  
To thy renown apply,  
Who art that Saint, on whom we call,  
When we Saint George do cry.     

For public Deliverances.  
GOd hath vouchsafed unto this Kingdom many public deliverances, which ought never to be forgotten; but rather should be celebrated by Us, as the days Purim by the Israelites, Hester 9.26. Especially that of the fifth of November; for the celebration whereof there is a Statute enacted: And it is hoped we shall never neglect, or be ashamed to praise God for that Delivery, according to provision made to that purpose. For that, & the like occasions therefore this Hymn is composed.  

Song. 82.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

WIth Isr'el we may truly say,  
If on our side GOD had not been,  
Our Foes had made of us their prey,  
And we this Light had never seen:  
The Pit was digged, the snare was ●aid,  
And we with ease had been betrayed.   

2  
But they that hate us undertook  
A Plot they could not bring to pass;  
For, he that all doth overlook,  
Prevented what intended was:  
We found the Pit, & scaped the Gin,  
And saw their Makers caught therein.   

3  
The means of help was not our own,  
But from the LORD alone it came;  
(A favour undeserved shown)  
And therefore let us praise his Name:  
Oh, praise his Name; for it was He,  
That broke the Net, and set us free.   

4  
Unto his honour let us sing,  
And Stories of his Mercy tell;  
With praises let our Temple's ring,  
And on our Lips thanksgiving dwell:  
Yea, let us not his love forget,  
While Sun, or Moon doth rise or set.   

5  
Let us redeem again the Times,  
Let us begin to live anew,  
And not revive those heinous crimes,  
That dangers passed so near us drew;  
Lest he that did his hand revoke,  
Return it with a double stroke.   

6  
A true Repentance takes delight  
To mind GOD'S Favours heretofore;  
So, when his mercy's men recite,  
It makes a true Repentance more:  
And where those virtues do increase,  
They are the certain signs of Peace.   

7  
But where increasing Sins we see,  
And to such dulness men are grown,  
That slighted those Protections be,  
Which GOD in former time hath shown,  
It shall betoken to that ●and  
Some Desolation near at hand.   

8  
Our hearts, oh, never harden so,  
Nor let thine Anger so return;  
But with desire thy will to do,  
For our offences let us mourn:  
And mind to praise (e'en tears among)  
Thy Mercies in a joyful Song.     

For the Communion.  
We have a custom among us, that, during the time of administering the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper, there is some Psalm or Hymn sung, the better to keep the thoughts of the Communicants from wand'ring after vain objects: This Song therefore (expressing a true thankfulness, together with what ought to be our faith concerning that Mystery, in such manner as the vulgar capacity may be capable thereof) is offered up to their devotion, who shall please to receive it.  

Song. 83.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

THat favour, LORD, which of thy grace  
We do receive to day,  
Is greater than our merit was,  
And more than praise we may:  
For, of all things that can be told,  
That which least comfort hath  
Is more, then ere deserve we could,  
Except it were thy wrath:   

2  
Yet we, not only have obtained  
This world's best gifts of thee;  
But thou thy flesh hast also deigned,  
Our Food of Life to be:  
For which, since we no mends can make,  
(And thou requirest no more)  
The Cup of saving health we take,  
And praise thy Name therefore.   

3  
Oh teach us rightly to receive,  
What thou dost here bestow;  
And learn us truly to conceive,  
What we are bound to know,  
That such as cannot wade the deep  
Of thy unfathomed Word,  
May by thy grace safe courses keep  
Along the shallow Ford.   

4  
This Mystery, we must confess,  
Our reach doth far exceed,  
And some of our weak Faiths are less  
Than grains of Mustardseed:  
Oh therefore, LORD, increase it so,  
We fruit may bear to Thee,  
And that implicit faith may grow,  
Explicite faith to be.   

5  
With hands we see not, as with Eyes:  
Eyes think not as the Heart;  
But each retains what doth suffice,  
To act his proper part:  
And in the Body while it bides,  
The meanest Member shares  
That bliss, which to the best betides,  
And as the same it fares:   

6  
So, if in union unto thee  
United we remain,  
The Faith of those that stronger be,  
The weaker shall sustain:  
Our Christian Love shall that supply,  
Which we in knowledge miss,  
And humble thoughts shall mount us high,  
e'en to eternal bliss.   

7  
Oh pardon all those heinous crimes,  
Whereof we guilty are;  
To serve thee more in future times,  
Our hearts do thou prepare;  
And make thou gracious in thy sight,  
Both us, and this we do,  
That thou therein mayst take delight,  
And we have love thereto.   

8  
No new Oblation we device,  
For sins preferred to be;  
Propitiatory sacrifice  
Was made at full by Thee:  
The Sacrifice of Thanks is that,  
And all that thou dost crave,  
And we our s●lues are part of what  
We sacrificed have.   

9  
We do no gross Realities  
Of Flesh in this conceive;  
Or, that their proper qualities  
The ●read or Wine do leave:  
Yet, in this holy Eucharist,  
We (by a means divine)  
Know we are fed with thee, oh Christ,  
Receiving Bread and Wine.   

10  
And though the outward Elements  
For signs acknowledged be,  
We cannot say thy Sacraments,  
Things only signal be:  
Because, who e'er thereof partakes,  
In those this power it hath;  
It either them thy Members makes,  
Or slaves of Sin and Death.   

11  
Nor unto those do we incline,  
(But from them are estranged)  
Who yield the form of Bread and Wine,  
Yet think the Substance changed:  
For we believe each Element  
Is what it seems indeed,  
Although that in thy Sacrament,  
Therewith on thee we feed.   

12  
Thy Real-presence we avow,  
And know it so divine,  
That carnal Reason knows not how,  
That presence to define:  
For, when thy Flesh we feed on thus,  
(Though strange it do appear)  
Both we in thee and thou in us,  
e'en at one instant are.   

13  
No marvel many troubled were,  
This Secret to unfold;  
For Mysteries Faiths obects are,  
Not things at pleasure told.  
And he that would by Reason sound,  
What Faiths deep reach conceives▪  
May both himself and them confound,  
To whom his Rules he leaves.   

14  
Let us therefore our Faith erect,  
On what thy Word doth say,  
And hold their knowledge in suspect,  
That new Foundations lay:  
For, such full many a grievous Rend  
Within thy Church have left;  
And by thy peaceful Sacrament,  
The world of Peace bereft:   

15  
Yea, what thy pledge and seal of Love,  
Was first ordained to be  
Doth great and hateful Quarrels move,  
Where wrangling spirits be:  
And many men have lost their blood,  
(Who did thy Name profess)  
Because they hardly understood  
What others would express.   

16  
Oh, let us not hereafter so,  
About mere words contend,  
The while our crafty common Foe,  
Procures on us his end:  
But if in Essence we agree,  
Let all with Love assay,  
A help unto: he weak to be,  
And for each other pray.   

17  
Love is that blessed Cymment, LORD,  
Which must us reunite;  
In bitter speeches, f●re and sword,  
It never took delight:  
The Weapons those of Malice are,  
And they themselu●s beguile,  
Who dream, that such ordained were  
Thy Church to reconcile.   

18  
Love brought us hither and that Love  
Pers●●ad●s us to implore,  
That thou all Christians hearts wouldst move,  
To seek it more and more;  
And that Self will no more bewitch  
Our minds with foul debate;  
Nor fill us with that malice, which  
Disturbs a quiet state:   

19  
But this especially we crave,  
That perfect Peace may be  
'Mong those that disagreed have,  
In show of love to thee;  
That they with us, and we with them,  
May Christian Peace retain,  
And both in new jerusalem  
With thee for ever reign.   

20  
No longer let ambitious Ends,  
Blind Zeal, or cankered Spite,  
Those Churche● keep from being friends,  
Whom Love should fast unite:  
But let thy glory shine among  
Those Candlesticks, we pray,  
We may behold what hath so long  
Exiled thy Peace away:   

21  
That those, who (heeding not thy word)  
Expect an earthly Powre,  
And vainly think, some temporal Sword  
Shall Antichrist devour;  
That those may know, thy weapons are  
No such, as they do feign,  
And that it is no carnal war,  
Which we must entertain.   

22  
Confessors, Martyrs, Preachers strike  
The Blows, that gain this Field:  
Thanks, Prayer, Instructions, and the like,  
Those weapons are they wield:  
Long-suffering, Patience, Prudent-care,  
Must be the Court-of-Guard;  
And Faith and Innocence are  
Instead of Walls prepared.   

23  
For these (no question) may as well  
Great Babel overthrow,  
As Ierichoes large Bulwarks fell,  
When men did Rams-hornes blow:  
Which could we credit, we should cease  
All bloody plots to lay,  
And to suppose, God's holy peace  
Should come the Devil's way.   

24  
LORD, let that flesh, and blood of thine,  
Which fed us hath to day,  
Our hearts to thy True-love incline,  
And drive ill thoughts away:  
Let us remember what thou hast  
For our mere love endured▪  
e'en, when of us despised thou wast,  
And we thy death procured:   

25  
And with each other, for thy sake,  
So truly let us bear,  
Our patience may us dearer make,  
When reconciled we are:  
So, when our courses finished be,  
We shall ascend above  
Sun, Moon, and Stars, to live with Thee,  
That art the God of Love..     

Ember week.  
THe Ember weeks are four Fasts, anciently solemnised at the four principal Seasons of the year, and by an Institution appointed to be observed for diverse good purposes. First, to humble ourselves by Fasting and Prayer, that God might, upon our humiliation, be moved to grant us the blessings belonging to those seasons. Secondly, that it might please God to strengthen our Constitutions, against the distemperatures occasioned by the several humours predominate at those Times, to the endangering of our bodily healths. Thirdly, that we might be remembered to dedicate a part of every season to God's glory. And lastly, that there might be a public Fasting and Prayers made for those (according to the Apostles use) who by the laying on of hands were to be confirmed in the Ministry of the Gospel: For the Sunday next after ●hese Fasts is the time ordinarily appointed for the ordination of such as are called to those Offices.  

Song. 84.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

THou dost from every season, LORD,  
To profit us, advantage take,  
And at their fittest Times afford  
Thy Blessings for thy mercy sake:  
At Winter, Summer, Fall, or Spring,  
We furnished are of every thing.   

2  
A part therefore from each of these,  
With one consent reserved have we,  
In Prayer and Fasting to appease  
That wrath our sins have moved in thee,  
And that thou mayst not for our crimes,  
Destroy the blessings of the Times.   

3  
Oh grant, that our Devotions may  
With true sincereness be performed,  
And that our lives, not for a day,  
But may for ever be reformed:  
Lest we remain as fast in sin,  
As if we ne'er had fasting been.   

4  
Our Constitutions temper so,  
Those Humours, which this season rain,  
May not have power to overthrow  
That health, which yet we do retain:  
Else, through that weakness which it brings,  
LORD, make us strong in better things.   

5  
And, since thy holy Church appoints  
These times, thy Workmen forth to send,  
And those for Pastors now anoints,  
Who on thy ●olde are to attend;  
Bless thou, where they who (should ordain)  
With Pray●e and Fasting hands have lain.   

6  
Oh, bless them, ever-blessed LORD,  
Whom for thy work the Church doth choose;  
Instruct them by thy sacred Word,  
And with thy spirit them infuse,  
That live, and teach aright they may,  
And we their teaching well obey,     

These that follow are thanksgivings for public benefits. For seasonable weather.  
IT is our duty to give God thanks, & praise him, both publicly, and privately for all his mercies; especially, for such as tend to the general good. And therefore the Church hath in her liturgy ordained set forms of Thanksgiving for such ends: In imitation whereof these following Hymns are composed, that we might the oftener, and with more delight exercise this duty, which is most properly done in Song: And thereby also the forms of Thanksgiving are much the more easily learned of the common people, to be sung of them amid their labours. This, that next follows, is a thanksgiving for seasonable weather; ●y means whereof we enjoying the blessings of the earth, aught at all times to praise God for the same.  

Song. 85.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

LORD, should the Sun, the Clouds, the Wind,  
The Air, and Seasons be  
To us so froward, and unkind,  
As we are false to Thee;  
All fruits would quite a way be burned,  
Or lie in water drowned,  
Or blasted be, or overturned,  
Or chilled on the ground.   

2  
But, from our duty though we swerve,  
Thou still dost mercy show,  
And deign thy Creatures to preserve,  
That men might thankful grow;  
Yea, though from day to day we sin,  
And thy displeasure gain,  
No sooner we to cry begin,  
But pity we obtain.   

3  
The weather now thou changed haste,  
That put us late to fear,  
And when our hopes were almost past,  
Then comfort did appear.  
The Heaven the Earth's Complaints hath heard;  
They reconciled be,  
And thou such weather hast prepared,  
As we desired of thee:   

4  
For which with lifted hands and eyes,  
To thee we do repay  
The due, and willing sacrifice  
Of giving thanks to day;  
Because, such Offerings we should not  
To render thee be slow;  
Nor let that mercy be forgot,  
Which thou art pleased to show.     

For Plenty.  
PLenty is the cure of Famine, and a blessing which, above all other, we labour and travail for; yet, when we have obtained the same, it makes us many times so wanton instead of being thankful, that we forget not only God's mercy in that, but abuse all other benefits. To put us therefore in mind of our duty, and to express the better a continual thankfulness to the Almighty, this Hymn is composed.  

Song. 86.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

HOw oft, and in how many crimes,  
Thee jealous have we made?  
And, blessed GOD, how many times  
Have we forgiveness had?  
If we with tears to bed at night  
For our transgressions go,  
To us thou dost, by morning-light,  
Some comfort deign to show.   

2  
This pleasant Land, which for our sin  
Was lately barren made,  
Her fruitfulness doth new begin,  
And we are therefore glad:  
We for those Creatures thankful be,  
Which thou bestowest, LORD,  
And for that Plenty honour Thee,  
Which thou dost now afford.   

3  
Oh, let us therewith in excess  
Not wallow like to Swine;  
Nor into graceless wantonness  
Convert this grace of thine;  
But so revive our feebled powers,  
And so refresh the poor,  
That thou mayst crown this Land of ours,  
With plenties evermore.     

For Peace.  
PEace is the Nurse of Plenty, and the means of so many other blessings, both public and private, that God can never be sufficiently praised for it; yet instead of glorifying him, men most commonly abuse it to the dishonour of God, and their ruin. This Hymn therefore is composed, that it may give occasion to us more often to meditate God's mercy, & to glorify his Name, who above all other Nations have tasted the sweetness of this benefit.  

Song. 87.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

SO cause us, LORD, to think upon  
Those blessings we possess,  
That what is for our safety done,  
We truly may confess:  
For we, whose Fields, in time forepast,  
Most bloody war did stain,  
(Whilst Fire and Sword doth others waist)  
In safety now remain.   

2  
No armed troops the Ploughman fears;  
No shot our Walls o'erturn▪  
No Temple shakes about our ears;  
No Village here doth burn;  
No Father hears his pretty Child  
In vain for succour cry;  
Nor Husband sees his Wife defiled,  
Whilst he half dead doth lie.   

3  
Dear GOD, vouchsafe to pity those,  
In this distress that be,  
They, to protect them from their Foes,  
May have a Friend of Thee:  
For, by thy Friendship we obtain  
These gladsome peaceful days,  
And (somewhat to return again)  
We thus do sing thy praise.   

4  
We praise thee for that inward Peace,  
And for that outward Rest,  
Wherewith unto our joys increase,  
This Kingdom thou hast blest:  
Oh, never take the same away,  
But let it still endure;  
And grant (oh LORD) it make us may  
More thankful, not Secure.     

For Victory.  
Our God is the Lord of Hosts, and the God of Battles: whensoever therefore we have gotten the upper hand over our enemies, we ought not to glory in our own strength, Policy, or Valour, but to ascribe the glory of it to him only, and return him public thanks for making us victorious over our enemies: And this Hymn serveth to help their devotion, who are willing to perform that duty.  

Song. 88  
Sing this as the 44. Song.  

WE love thee, LORD, we praise thy Name,  
Who, by thy great Almighty arm,  
Hast kept us from the spoil, and shame  
Of those, that sought our causeless harm:  
Thou art our Life, or Triumph-Song,  
The joy and Comfort of our heart;  
To thee all praises do belong,  
And thou the LORD of Army's art.   

2  
We must confess it is thy power,  
That made us Masters of the Field;  
Thou art our Bulwark and our Tower,  
Our ●ocke of refuge, and our Shield:  
Thou taught'st our hands and Arms to fight;  
With vigour thou didst gird us round;  
Thou mad'st our Foes to take their flight,  
And thou didst b●ate them to the ground.   

3  
With fury came our armed Foes,  
To blood and slaughter fiercely bend,  
And perils round did us enclose,  
By whatsoever way we went,  
That hadst not thou our Captain been,  
(To lead us on, and off again)  
We on the place had dead been seen,  
Or masked in blood and wounds had lain.   

4  
This Song we therefore sing to Thee,  
And pray, that thou for evermore  
Wouldst our Protector deign to be,  
As at this time▪ and heretofore;  
That thy continual favour shown,  
May cause us more to Thee incline,  
And make it through the world be known,  
That such as are our Foes, are thine.     

For deliverance from a public Sickness.  
THe Pestilence, and other public sicknesses are those Arrows of the Almighty wherewith he punisheth public transgressions: This Hymn therefore is to praise him, when he shall unslack the Bow which was bend against us; and the longer he withholds his hand, the more constantly ought we to continue our public Thanksgiuings; for when we forget to persevere in praising God for his mercies past, we usually revive those sins that will renew his judgements.  

Song. 89.  
Sing this as the 9 Song.  

WHen thou wouldst, LORD, afflict a Land,  
Or scourge thy People that offend,  
To put in practice thy command,  
Thy Creatures all on thee attend;  
And thou, to execute thy Word,  
Hast Famine, Sickness, Fire, and Sword.   

2  
And here among us, for our sin,  
A sore Disease hath lately reigned,  
Whose fury so vnstayd hath been,  
It could by nothing be restrained;  
But overthrew both weak & strong,  
And took away both old and young.   

3  
To thee our cries we therefore sent,  
Thy wont Pity, LORD, to prove;  
Our wicked ways we did repent,  
Thy Visitation to remove;  
And thou thine Angel didst command,  
To stay his wrath-inflicting hand.   

4  
For which thy love, in thankful wise,  
Both hearts and hands to thee we raise,  
And in the stead of former cries,  
Do sing thee now a Song of Praise;  
By whom the favour yet we have,  
To scape the never-filled Grave.     

For the King's day.  
THe first day of KING'S Reign, hath been anciently observed in most Kingdoms: And with us that custom is worthily retained; partly, for civil ends; and partly, that the people might assemble together, to praise God for the benefit the Commonwealth receiveth by the Prince; To pray for his preservation also, and to desire a blessing upon him and his Government: To which purpose this Song is composed.  

Song. 90.  
Sing this as the 3. Song.  

WHen (LORD) we call to mind those things,  
That should be sought of Thee,  
Remembering that the hearts of Kings  
At thy disposing be,  
And how of all those blessings, which  
Are outwardly possessed,  
To make a Kingdom safe and rich,  
Good Princes are the best;   

2  
We thus are moved to sing thy praise,  
For Him thou daigned haste,  
And humbly beg, that all our days  
Thy care of us may last.  
Oh, bless our King, and let him reign,  
In peaceful safety long,  
The Faith's Defender to remain,  
And shield the Truth from wrong.   

3  
With awful Love, and loving Dread,  
Let us observe him, LORD,  
And, as the Members with their Head,  
In Christian peace accord:  
And fill him with such royal care,  
To cherish us for this;  
As if his heart did feel we are  
Some living parts of his.   

4  
Let neither Party struggle from  
That duty should be shown,  
Lest each to other plagues become,  
And both be overthrown:  
For, o'er a disobedient Land  
Thou dost a Tyrant set;  
And those, that Tyrantlike command,  
Have still with Rebels met.   

5  
Oh, never let so sad a doom  
Upon these Kingdom's fall;  
And to assure it may not come▪  
Our sins forgive us all:  
Yea, let the Parties innocent  
Some damage rather share,  
Then, by unchristian discontent,  
A double curse to bear.   

6  
Make us (that placed are below,  
Our callings to apply)  
Not overcurious be to know,  
What he intends on high:  
But, teach him justly to command,  
Us rightly to obey;  
So, both shall safe together stand,  
And doubts shall fly away.   

7  
When hearts of Kings we pry into,  
Our own we do beguile,  
And what we ought ourselves to do,  
We leave undone the while:  
Whereas, if each man would attend  
The way he hath to live,  
And all the rest to thee commend,  
Then all should better thrive.   

8  
Oh, make us, LORD, disposed thus,  
And our dread Sovereign save;  
Bless us in him, and him in us,  
We both may blessings have;  
That many years for him we may  
This Song devoutly sing,  
And mark it for a happy day,  
When he became our King.     
Here endeth the Hymns, and Songs of the Church.   

A Table of the Hymns and Songs, contained both in the first and second part of this Book; the first number declaring the Song, the second the Page.  

Hymns found in the Books of Moses, and in the other Books of holy Scripture, called Hagiographa.  Song. 
Page.  1 THe first Song of Moses. 
3  2 The second Song of Moses. 
7  3 The Song of Deborah, etc. 
11  4 The Song of Hannah. 
19  5 The Lamentation of David. 
21  6 David's thanksgiving. 
24  7 Nehemiahs' Prayer. 
27  8 The Song of Lemuel. 
29   

The Song of Solomon, divided into ten Canticles.  9 The first Canticle. 
33  10 The second Canticle. 
35  11 The third Canticle. 
37  12 The fourth Canticle. 
40  13 The fifth Canticle. 
42  14 The sixth Canticle. 
46  15 The seaventh Canticle. 
48  16 The eight Canticle. 
51  17 The ninth Canticle. 
54  18 The tenth Canticle. 
57   

The Hymns found in the Books of the Prophets, with the Lamentations of jeremy.  19 The first Song of Esay. 
60  20 The second Song of Esay. 
62  21 The third Song of Esay. 
64  22 The Prayer of Hezekiah. 
69  23 Hezekiahs' thanksgiving. 
78  24 The first Lamentation of jeremy. 
73  25 The second Lamentation. 
79  26 The third Lamentation. 
85  27 The fourth Lamentation. 
98  28 The fifth Lamentation. 
93  29 The Prayer of Daniel. 
96  30 The Prayer of jonah. 
99  31 The Prayer of Habakuk. 
101   

The Hymns of the New Testament.  32 The Song of our Lady, or Magnificat. 
106  33 The Song of Zacharie, or Benedictus. 
107  34 The Song of Angels. 
109  35 The Song of Simeon. 
110  36 The Song of the Lamb. 
111   

The rest that make up the first Part are these.  37 The ten Commmandements. 
112  38 The Lords Prayer. 
114  39 The Apostles Creed. 
115  40 A Funeral Song. 
116  41 The Song of the three Children. 
118  42 The Song of S. Ambrose. 
120  43 The Creed of Athanasius. 
122  44 Come Holy Ghost, or Veni Creator. 
125   

The second Part of the HYMNS and Songs of the Church. Spiritual Songs, appropriated to those Times, in which are commemorated the principal Mysteries of Christian RELIGION.  Song. 
Page.  45 The Song for advent. 
130  46 For Christmas. 
132  47 Another for Christmas. 
135  48 For the Circumcision. 
136  49 For Twelve-day. 
138  50 For the Purification. 
139  51 The first day of Len●. 
141  52 The Annunciation. 
143  53 Palme-Sunday. 
144  54 Thursday before Easter. 
145  55 Good-Friday. 
147  56 Easter day. 
151  57 Ascension day. 
153  58 Whitsunday. 
154  59 Trinity Sunday. 
157  60 Sunday. 
160   

Spiritual Songs appropriated to the Saints days, most observable throughout the year.  61 For S. Andrew's day. 
161  62 For S. Thomas day. 
162  63 S. Stevens day. 
163  64 S. john the Evangelist. 
165  65 Innocent's day. 
166  66 The Conversion of S. Paul. 
168  67 S▪ Mathias day. 
169  68 S. Marks day. 
171  69 S. Philip and Jacob's day. 
172  70 S. Barnabas day. 
173  71 S. john Baptists day. 
175  72 S. Peter's day. 
176  73 S. james day. 
178  74 S. Bartholomewes' day. 
179  75 S. Mathewes day. 
181  76 S. Michael's day. 
182  77 S. Luke's day. 
184  78 Simon and judes' day. 
185  79 All Saints day. 
186   

Spiritual Songs fitted for other Solemnities, and to praise God for public Benefits.  80 For Rogation week. 
190  81 S. George his day. 
194  82 For public Deliverances. 
196  83 For the Communion. 
198  84 For Ember weeks. 
204  85 For seasonable weather. 
206  86 For Plenty. 
208  87 For Peace. 
209  88 For Victory. 
211  89 For Deliverance from public Sickness. 
212  90 For the King. 
213    

The Author's Hymn.  

GReat Almighty, GOD of Heaven,  
Honour, praise, and glory be  
Now, and still hereafter given,  
For thy blessings daigned me:  
Who hast granted and prepared,  
More than can be well declared.   

By thy mercy thou didst raise me,  
From below the pits of clay;  
Thou hast taught my lips to praise thee,  
Where thy love confess I may:  
And those blessed hopes dost leave me,  
Whereof no man can bereave me.   

By thy grace, those passions, troubles,  
And those wants that me oppressed;  
Have appeared as water-bubbles,  
Or as dreams, and things in jest:  
For (thy leisure still attending)  
I with pleasure saw their ending.   

Those afflictions, and those terrors,  
Which to others grim appear,  
Did but show me where my errors,  
And my imperfections were:  
But distrustful could not make me  
Of thy love; nor fright, nor shake me.   

When in public to defame me,  
A design was brought to pass,  
On their heads that meant to shame me,  
Their own malice turned was;  
And that day, most grace was shown me,  
Which they thought should have undone me.   

Therefore, as thy blessed Psalmist,  
When he saw, his wars had end,  
(And his days were at the calmest)  
Psalms and Hymns of praises penned:  
So, my rest by thee enjoyed,  
To thy praise I have employed.   

Yea, remembering what I vowed,  
When enclosed from all but thee,  
I thy presence was allowed,  
While the world neglected me:  
This, my Muse hath taken upon her,  
That she might advance thine honour.   

LORD, accept my poor endeavour,  
And assist thy servant so,  
In good Studies to persever,  
That more fruitful he may grow:  
And become thereby the meeker;  
Not his own vain Glory seeker.   

Grant my frailties and my folly,  
(And those daily Sins I do;)  
May not make this Work unholy,  
Nor a blemish bring thereto:  
But, let all my faults committed,  
With compassion be remitted.   

Those base hopes that would possess m●;  
And, those thoughts of vain repute,  
Which do now and then oppress me,  
Do not, LORD, to me impute:  
And, though part they will not from me,  
Let them never overcome me.   

Till this present, from obsceneness,  
Thou, oh LORD, hast kept my Pen,  
And my Verse abhorred uncleanness,  
Though it vain were, now, and then:  
My loose thoughts it ne'er inflamed:  
But, I thereby them have tamed.   

Still withhold me from delighting  
That, which thine may misbeseeme;  
And from every kind of Writing,  
Whereby this may lose esteem,  
That I may with Faith and Reason,  
Every future Volume season.   

Oh, preserve me from committing  
Aught that●s heinously amiss;  
From all speeches him unfitting,  
That hath been employed on this:  
Yea, as much as may be daigned,  
Keep my very Thoughts unstained.   

That these Helps unto Devotion,  
May no scandal have at all,  
LORD, I make to thee this motion,  
For their sakes that use them shall:  
Of the world I am not fearful,  
Nor of mine own glory careful.   

Whilst thy favours thou dost deign me,  
I despise the world's respect,  
And most comforts entertain me,  
When I suffer most neglect:  
Yea, I then am best rewarded,  
When I seem the least regarded.   

For (oh) when I mind my Saviour,  
And how many a spiteful tongue,  
Slandered his most pure behaviour,  
And his pioused works did wrong:  
I contented am, and care not,  
Though my life, Detraction spare not▪   

Therefore, when that I shall blamed,  
Or with cause, or causeless be;  
So thy Truth be not defamed,  
Fall what can befall on me:  
Let my fame of none be friended,  
So thy Saints be not offended.   

That is most my fear (oh Father)  
Thy assistance therefore send;  
And, oh let me perish, rather  
Than thy little ones offend:  
Let my life some honour do thee,  
Or by death return me to thee.   

For, thy praise I wish, and love it;  
And (oh) let my end be shame,  
If for mine own sake, I covet  
Either life, or death, or fame:  
So it may be to thy glory,  
Let Detraction write my story.   

But to thee which way availing,  
Can my shame or honour be?  
Truth shall ever be prevailing,  
Whatsoever is thought of me:  
Thou nought losest through my folly,  
Nor gainest aught by the most holy.   

And I know, that whosoever  
Hath thy glory in esteem,  
Will accept this good endeavour,  
Whatsoever the Workman seem,  
Let (oh therefore) be fulfilled,  
That which thou (oh LORD) hast willed.   

And when I with Israel's Singer,  
To these Songs of Faith, shall learn,  
Thy tenstringed Law to finger,  
And that Music to discern:  
Lift me to that Angell-quire,  
Whereunto thy Saints aspire.   
FINIS.   

To the Reader.  
THat such as have skill and are delighted with music, may have the more variety, to stir up the soon cloyed affections, these Hymns are fitted with many new tunes; nevertheless all (but some few of them) may be sung to such tunes as have been heretofore in use; For the benefit therefore of those who have no experience in Music, I have here set down which Songs they be; and to what old tunes they may be sung.  
To the tune of the 1.2.3. and of an hundred other Psalms may be sung. Song the 3.21.32.33.35.38.43.53.57.58.67.69.72.78.81.83.85.86.87.90.  
To the tune of the 51.100.125. Psalms and the ten Commandments, etc. may be sung Song the 5.6.8.11.12.27.28.34.42.44.48.51.52.56.60.61.64.65.66.68 70.73.76.77.80.88.  
To the tune of the 112.127. Psalms & the Lords Prayer, etc. may be sung, Song the 7.40.41.45.49.50.54.59 62.71.74.75.79.82.84.89.  
To the tune of the 113. Psalm may be sung. Song the 9.10.17.  
To the tune of the 25. Psalm may be sung, Song the 20.  
To the tune of the 124. Psalm may be sung, Song the 47.  
FINIS.   

Errata.  
PAge 2, in the Title of the Song, read Exod. 15. p. 6. in the Title of the Song, read Deut. 32. pa. 40. li. 26 read the pavement of it, li. 43. read with Charity, pa. 42. in the direction, for Thy, read Underneath, pa 67. li. 18. for alive read to life, pa. 110. li. 17. read to the Gentiles, pa. 138. in the direction, for And read The, pa. 145. li. 17. for confuted read comforted.