Hitherto Unpublished Poems.

That man is blest which hath not walkt aside, Takeinge ungodly counsell for his guide; Nor in the way of synners stood and staied, Nor in the couch of Scorners downe him layed, But in God's Lawe hath plac't his whole delight, And studieth to performe it, day and night: Hee, like a plant which by a streame doth growe, His timely fruite shall in due season showe; Whose leafe shall not decay but flourish euer, And all thinges prosper which hee doth endeauour But with th' vngodly it shall not bee soe, But as the dust, which as the whirlewindes to and fro Uppon the surface of the earth doth driue, They shall a restless life and fruitles liue; Nor shall they stand vpright when they are tride, Nor in the assembly of the just abide: But in his way God doth the good man cherish, When wicked men in their bad way shall perish.

Why doe the nations thus in furie rise? Why doe the people such vaine plotts deuise? Monarches stand vp and Princes doe conspire Against the Lord, and His Annoynted Heire: 'Let vs in sunder breake their bandes,' say they, 'And let vs lightly cast their yokes away.' But Hee that sitts in Heauen shall them deride, And laugh to scorne their follie and their pride; And in His wrath He shall reproue them sore, And vex them in His anger, more and more: Sayinge, 'I sett on Sion hill My Kinge, To preache my Lawe, and shew this heauenly thinge; Thou art My Sonne, this day I Thee begott, Aske, and I will assigne thee for Thy Lott Of heritage the Landes and Nations all, Betweene the Sunne's vprisinge & his fall.' Thou with an iron rodd shall keepe them vnder, And breake them like an earthen pott in sunder, Bee wise, yee Monarches, and yee Princes then; Be learnèd, yee that judge the sonnes of men; Serue yee the Lord, with humble feare Him serue; Rejoyce in Him, yet tremblinge Him obserue; Kisse yee the Sonne, lest yee Him angrie make, And perish, while His just wayes yee forsake, If His just wrath but once enkinled bee: Who trust in Him, a blessed man is hee.

Lord! how my foes in number doe encrease, That rise against mee, to disturbe my peace! Many there are which to my soule haue said, His God to him not safety yeilds nor aid; But God is my defence, my Succour nigh, My glory, and my head Hee lifteth High: To Him with earnest praier appealèd I, And from His Holy Hill Hee heard my crie: I layed mee downe and slept, and rose againe, For mee the Lord doth euermore sustaine: Though Thousand of my foes besett mee round, Noe feare of them my courage shall confound: Rise Lord! and saue mee; Thou hast giuen a stroke On my foes cheeke, that all his teeth are broke: Saluation cometh from this Lord of ours, Who blessings on His people daily powers.

O God! whose righteousnes by grace is mine, A gracious eare vnto my voyce encline: Thou that hast set mee free when I was thrall, Bee mercifull, and heare my prayer withall. Vaine, worldly men, how long will yee dispise God's honnour, and His truth, and trust in lies? God for Himselfe, the good man doth select, And when I crie Hee doth not mee reject. Bee angrie, but be angrie without synne; Try your owne hearts in silence, close within. To God, of godly workes, an offeringe make, Then trust in Him that will not His forsake. For that which good is, many seeke and pray, 'And who shall shew the same to vs'? say they, Lord! shew to vs thy countenance diuine, And cause the Beames thereof on vs to shyne: Soe shall my heart more joyfull bee and glad, Then if encrease of corne and wine I had. To peace therefore lye downe will I and sleepe[183] For God alone doth mee in safetie keepe.

Lord weigh my words, and take consideration Of my sad thoughts and silent meditation: My God, my Kinge, bowe downe Thine eare to mee, While I send vp mine humble prayer to Thee. Early, before the morne doth bringe the day, I will O Lord, look vp to Thee and pray: For Thou with synne art neuer pleasèd well, Nor any[184] ill may with Thy goodnes dwell: The foole may not before Thy wisdome stand, Nor shall the impious scape Thy wrathfull hand: Thou wilt destroy all such as vtter lies; Blood and deceit are odious in Thine eyes; But, trustinge in Thy manie mercies deare, I will approch Thy house with holy feare. Teach me Thy plaine and righteous way to goe, That I may neuer fall before my foe, Whose flatteringe tongue is false and heart jmpure, And throat, an open place of SEPULTURE. Destroy them, Lord, and frustrate their devices, Cast out those Rebells for their manie vices; But all that trust in Thee and loue Thy name, Make them rejoyce and rescue them from shame. Thou wilt thy blessinge to the righteous yeild And guard them with Thy grace as with a SHEILD.

To iudge me, Lord, in Thy just wrath forbeare, To punish mee in thy displeasure spare; O! I am weake: haue mercie, Lord, therefore, And heale my bruisèd bones which payne mee sore. My soule is alsoe trubled and dismayed; But, Lord, how long shall I expect Thine aid! Turne Thee, O Lord, my soule from death deliuer, Euen for Thy mercie's sake which lasteth euer: They which are dead remember not Thy name, Nor doth the silent Graue thy praise proclaime; I faint and melt away with greifes and feares, And euery night my bed doth swymme with teares. Myne eyes are suncke and weaknèd is my sight; My foes haue vexèd mee with such dispight. Away from mee, yee sinfull men, away! The Lord of Heauen doth heare mee when I pray. The Lord hath my petition heard indeed: Receaue my prayer and I shall surely speed; But shame and sorrow on my foes shall light, They shall be turn'd and put to suddaine flight.

O Lord, my God! I put my trust in Thee, From all my Persecutors rescue mee: Lest my proud foe doth like a lyon rend mee, While there is non to succour and defend mee: Lord God! if I bee guilty found in this, Wherewith my foes haue chargèd mee amisse, If I did vse my freind vnfreindly soe, Nay, if I did not helpe my causlesse foe, Let him preuaile, although my cause bee just, And lay my life and honnour in the dust. Vp, Lord! and stand against my furious foes, Thy judgement against them for mee disclose; Soe shall Thy People flocke about Thee nigh, For their sakes therefore lift Thy selfe on high. Judge of the world, giue sentence on my parte, Accordinge to the cleannes of my heart: Let wickednes be brought vnto an end, And guide the just, that they may not offend. Thou God art just, and Thou Searcher art Of hart and raynes, and euery inward part: My helpe proceedeth from the Lord of Might, Who saueth those which are of hart vpright; A powerfull and a patient Judge is Hee, Though euery day His wrath prouokèd bee: But, if men will not turne, His sword Hee whets, And bends His bowe, and to the stringe Hee setts The instruments of death, His arrowes keene, Gainst such as rebells to His will haue beene. The jmpious man conceaues jniquity, Trauailes with mischief, and brings forth a ly: The Righteous to entrapp hee digs a pitt, But hee himselfe first falls and sinks in it. The wicked plotts his workinge braine doth cast, Light with a mischeife on himselfe at last. My thankes with God's great justice shall accord, and I will highly praise the highest Lord.

O God, our Lord! how large is the extent Of Thy great name and glorie excellent! It fills this world, but it doth shyne most bright Aboue the heauens, in th' vnapproachèd light. By suckinge Babes thou dost thy strength disclose, And by their mouth to silence put Thy foes. When I see Heauen wrought by Thy mighty hand, And all those glorious lights in order stand, Lord! what is man that Thou on him dost looke! Or of the Sonne of Man such care hast tooke! Next Angells in degree Thou hast him plac't, And with a crowne of honour hast him grac't: Thou hast him made lord of Thy Creatures all, Subjectinge them to his commaund and call; All birds and aiery fowles are vnder him, And fishes all which in the Sea doe swymme. O Lord, our God! how large is the extent Of Thy great name and glorie excellent!

Thee will I thanke euer with my hart entire, And make the world Thy wondrous workes admire; In Thee rejoyce, in Thee trihumph will I, My songs shall praise Thy name, O God, most High! While my proud foes are put to shamefull flight, And fall and perish at Thy dreadfull sight. Thou, righteous Judge, dost sitt vpon Thy Throne And dost maintaine my rightfull cause alone; Thou checkst the Heathen; and the wicked race Thou dost destroy, and all their names deface. O Enemy! behould thy finall fall, Thy Citties perish and their names withall; But God, our Lord, for euer shall endure, His judgement Seate, Hee hath establisht sure, Where Hee judges the World with equall right, And measures Justice vnto euery weight:[185] He likewise will become a Bulwarke strong And tymely aide to them that suffer wrong. Who knowes Thy name in Thee His trust will place, Who neuer failest them that seeke Thy face. O, praise the Lord! you that in Sion dwell, His noble Acts among the Nations tell; When of oppression Hee enquiry makes, Of euery poore man's plaint Hee notice takes. Haue mercy, Lord! and take into Thy thought My trubles, which my hatefull foes haue wrought. Thou from the gates of death my Soule dost raise, That I in Sion's Gates may sing Thy praise; The sweet saluation which Thou dost jmpart Shall bee the joy and comfort of my heart. The Infidells make pitts, and sinke therein, Their feet are caught in their owne proper synne; Thy judgement Lord, Thou hast thereby declar'd When wicked men in their owne workes are snar'd: Hell is a place for impious men assign'd And such as doe cast God out of their minde; But poore men shall not bee forgotten euer Nor meeke mens' patience, if they doe perseuer. Rise Lord! and let [not][186] man aboue Thee rise And judge the Infidel with angrie eyes: Strike them with feare, that, though they know not Thee, Yet they may know that mortall men they bee.

Why standest Thou O Lord! so farr away And hids't Thy face when trubles mee dismay? The wicked for his lust the poore man spoyles; Lord! take him in the trap of his owne wiles. Hee makes his boaste of his profane desires Contemninge God, while hee himselfe admires: Hee is soe proud, that God hee setts at naught, Nay rather, God comes neuer in his thought. Thy judgements Lord, are farr aboue his sight This makes him to esteeme his foes soe light, And in his hart to say, I cannot fall, Nor can misfortune light on mee at all: His mouth is full of execrat[i]ons vile; Under his tongue doth sit ungodly guile; Close in the corners of the waies he lies, And lurkes, and waits, the simple to surprize: Euen as a lyon lurkinge in his den, To assault and murther innocent poore men; Gainst whom his eyes maliciously are sett, To catch them when they fall into his nett. Himselfe hee humbles, bowes, and crouchinge stands Till poore men fall into his powerfull hands; Then, in his heart hee sayth 'God hath forgott: Hee turnes away his face and sees it not.' Arise O Lord! and lift Thy hand on high, The poore forgett not which oppressèd ly: For why should wicked men blaspheme Thee thus 'Tush! God is carelesse and regards not us'? Surely Thou seest the wronge which they haue done, And all oppressions underneath the sunne; To Thee alone the poore his cause commends As th' only freind of him that wanteth freinds. Lord! breake the power of the malicious minde Take ill away, and Thou not ill shalt finde. The Lord is kinge, and doth for euer raigne, Nor miscreants shall within His Land remaine; Hee hearkeneth to the poore, but first prepareth Their hearts to pray; then their petition heareth: That Hee poore orphans, may both help and saue, That worldly men on them no power may haue.

I trust in God: to mee why should you say, 'Fly like a bird to mountaines farr away'? Their bowes and arrowes wicked men prepare, To peirce the hearts of them that faithfull are: Euen him whome God hath made a corner-stone They haue cast downe; but what hath Hee misdone? God in His holy temple doth remaine, The heauen of Heauens: where Hee doth sitt and raigne. Upon the poore He casteth downe His eye, The sonnes of Men He doth discerne and trie; The just and righteous men Hee doth approue, But hateth synners which their sinnes doe loue; On them He rayneth snares, brimstone and fire, This is their cup, their wages, and their hire; The righteous God loues him whose way is right, And on the just His gracious eye doth light.

Helpe Lord! for all the godly men are gon, And of the faithfull, fewe there are, or non; Each man to other doth vaine things jmpart, With lipps deceiptfull, and with double hart; The Lord will soone cutt of the lipps that lie, And root out tongues that speake proud words and high. 'With mighty words wee will preuale' say they: What Lord is Hee that dareth us gainesay? 'Now for the trubles and oppressions sore The gronings and the sighings of the poore, I will arise' sayth God, 'and quell their foes That swell with pride; and them in rest repose.' God's words are pure, and chaste, like siluer tride Which hath with seauen fires bene purified. Thou wilt preserue them Lord! and guard them still, From this vile race of men which wish them ill. The ungodly walke in circles, yet goe free When such as feare not God, exalted bee.

How long O Lord! shall I forgotten bee? How long wilt Thou Thy bright Face hide from mee? How long shall I my thoughts tosse to and fro And bee thus vext by my insultinge foe? Giue ease, O Lord; giue light unto mine eyes, Lest death in endlesse sleepe doth mee surprise; Lest my proud foe vaunt that hee doth preuaile, And laugh at mee when I shall faint or faile; But in Thy mercie all my trust is pight[187] And thy saluation is my hearte's delight; Of Thy sweet kindnes therefore sing will I, And highly praise the name of God, Most High.

'There is noe God,' the foole sayth in his heart, Yet dares not with his tongue his thought impart; All are corrupt and odious in God's sight, Not one doth good, not one doth well, vpright. God cast His eyes from Heauen on all mankinde, And lookt if Hee one righteous man could finde; But all were wicked, all from God were gone, Not one did good, in all the world, not one; Their throat an open graue, their flattering tongue And lyinge lips, like stinge of wasps haue stung. With bitter cursing, they their mouthes doe fill; Their feet are swift the guiltles blood to spill; Sad, wretched mischeife, in their wayes doth lye But for the wayes of peace they passe them by; Noe feare of God haue they before their eyes, Nor knowledge, while these mischeifes they devise; While they God's people doe with might oppresse And eat them up like bread with greedines; And since on God they neuer vse to call, They fear'd when cause of feare was non at all. But to the righteous man and to his race, God present is with His protectinge grace; Though fooles doe mocke the counsell of the poore, Because in God hee trusted euermore. Who shall saluation out of Sion giue To Israell but God? Who shall releiue His people and of Captiues make them free: Thou Jacob joyfull, Israell glad shall bee.

Lord! who shall dwell in thy bright tent with Thee And of Thy rest in heauen pertaker bee? Euen hee that is vpright in all his wayes[188] And from his hart speakes[189] truth in all hee sayes; Who hath forborne to doe his neighbour wrong Nor him deceau'd or slaunderèd with his tong; Who of himselfe an humble thought doth beare But highly valewes them which God doe feare; Who of his promis doth himselfe acquitt, Though losse hee suffer by performinge it; Nor hath for bitinge vse his monie lent, Nor tooke reward against the innocent; Who shall obserue these poynts, and doe them all, Assuredly that man can neuer fall.

Mee thy poore seruant Lord! preserue and saue, For all my trust in Thee repos'd I haue: Lord! said my soule, Thou art my God, to Thee My goods are nothinge when they offered bee; But my delight[s] are in those saints of Thine, Which liue on Earth, and doe in vertue shine; But they which runn to worshipp idolls vaine, Shall multiply their sorrow and their paine. Of their blood offerings will I not pertake, Nor of their names shall my lipps mention make. The portion of mine heritage and cupp Is God Himselfe who houlds and keepes[190] mee upp; In a faire ground to mee my lott did chance, Soe I possesse a rich Inheritance: Thankes[191] bee to God His warninge giues mee light, My raynes with paine doe chasten me by night; I looke to God in my endeauors all, Hee stands soe neare mee that I cannot fall; This hath my heart and tongue with joyes possest, And now my flesh in hope to rise, shall rest; My soule shall not be buryed in the graue, Nor shall Thy Holy One corruption haue; Shew mee the path of life; for in Thy sight Doth endles pleasure rest and full delight.

Heare my just cause Lord! heare my prayer and crie, Which come from lipps not vs'd to faine or lie: Lord, let my sentence from Thy mouth be giuen, For Thou regards't things only just and euen;[192] In the darke night of my aduersitie, Thou did'st my heart examine, proue and trie; And yet vpon this triall did'st not finde My heart or tongue to any ill enclinde: For that their workes against Thy Word are done I doe their wayes which tende to ruine, shunn. Lord! in Thy pathes doe Thou my goings guide, Lest in this slippery life my footstepps slide: Thy name haue I invok't, Thou shalt mee heare And to my humble words incline Thy eare; O Sauiour! of all those that trust in Thee Thy mercies full of wonder shew to mee; Preserue mee as the apple of Thine eye, Under Thy winges in safetie let me lie; Saue mee from them which Thy right hand oppose, And from my ungodly circumuenting foes; Their fatt estates doe them soe fortifie As they presume to speake proud words and high; In all my wayes in wait for mee hee lies, To cast mee downe hee downewards casts his eyes Euen like a lyon, watching for his prey, Or lyon's whelpes which lurke beside the way. Vp Lord! defeat, defeat this foe of mine, That wicked man who is a sword of Thyne; From wordly men vouchsafe my soule to saue, Who in their mortall life their portion haue; Whose bellies with Thy treasure Thou dost fill, Who children haue, and leaue them wealth at will; But I Thy face in righteousnes shall see And with Thy presence shall contented bee.

Thou art my strength, O Lord! Thee will I loue, Thou art my Rocke, which nothing can remoue: My God, in Whome my trust I will repose, My Sauiour, sheild and horne, against my foes; Lord, most praise worthy, pray will I to Thee Soe shall I from my foes protected bee; When deadly sorrowes did besett mee round, And floods of wickednes did mee surhound[193] When paines of hell I felt in my desease, And pangs of death upon my soule did sease; On God I callèd in that instant truble, And my complaints unto the Lord did dubble: But when His wrath and vengeance kindled were, The Earth did quake, and mountaines shooke for feare, And coles grew redd with His inflaminge jre; Hee bowed the heauens, and did descend withall, And shadowes darke beneath His feet did fall: Hee ridinge on the Cherubins did fly, And with the wingèd windes was borne on high; Darkness His clossett, His pauilion wide Made of blacke clouds, His face a while did hide; But at His presence right away they flew When haile and coles of fire abroad Hee threw; The Lord from heauen did send His thunder lowd With fire and haile from out the broken cloud; A shower of arrowes on His foes did fall, His thunderboults and lightenings slewe them all; Fountaines were dride and the earthe's foundation mou'd When synners, in His wrath, the Lord reprou'd; But Hee from heauen shall send His angell's downe And take mee vp when waters would mee drowne; Hee from my foe, too mightie and too strong, Shall saue mee when Hee doth mee mightie wrong, Preuentinge mee [in] my disastrous day: But then the Lord was my support and stay; When I was captiue, Hee did sett mee free, And brought mee forth because Hee fauoured mee. He shall reward mee as my dayes bee right, And hands be cleane[194]: soe shall Hee mee requite; For I still kept his pathes, and did not shunn To walke therein, as other men haue done: But euer sett[195] His lawes before mine eyes, And neuer did His holy words dispise. My heart was vncorrupt before Him still, Pursuinge goodnes and eschewinge ill; Hee shall reward mee as my deeds bee right, And hands bee cleane: soe shall He mee requite. Unto the good Thou wilt Thy goodnes show, And righteous men Thy righteousnes shall know; The pure of heart shall Thee behold most pure But froward men Thy curses shall endure; Them will God raise, which under pressures ly, And proud men humble which doe looke soe high; Hee shall sett up for mee a candle bright, My God shall turne my darkness vnto light. Through Thee, an host of men, I conquere shall, And with Thy helpe transcend the highest wal;[196] God's way is pure, His word is tride with fire;[197] Hee heals all them which unto Him retire; For who is God? or who hath strength and power Except our Lord, our God and only our? Hee girdeth mee with furniture to fight, And guideth mee, and houldeth mee upright; My feet as swift as hart's feet Hee doth make, And vp to honnor's tower Hee doth mee take; Hee giues such strength unto my fingers weake, As that my arme a bowe of steele shall breake. Thy hands shall bee my safety and protection, Thou shalt aduance mee with Thy sweet correction; Thou for my feet shalt make a passage wide, Soe as my steps shall neuer goe aside; I shall pursue, and in pursuite outgoe, And neuer turne till I haue quelld my foe; When I him smite[198] he shall not rise at all, If once at my victorious feet hee fall. Thou hast girded mee with a sword of strength, Wherewith I shall subdue my foes at length; For thou shalt turne the stubburne necke about Of them that hate mee till, I root them out; Then shall they crie (but helpe there shall be non) Euen to the Lord, Who shall not heare their mone. My foes to powder I shall breake and bray And tread them down like mire amid the way. Thou my rebellious subjects shalt accord, And ouer Heathen Nations make mee Lord; A people whome I knowe not shall mee serue, And with base adulation mee obserue; These Aliens all, shall faint and bee dismaied And in their strongest Castles bee afraid. Liue Lord! my strength: and blessed bee therefore And praisèd bee my Sauiour euermore, Who doth repay my foes with vengeance due, And unto mee my vassals doth subdue; Who doth not only saue but sett mee high Aboue my foes, and there[199] feirce crueltie. For this, both of my thanks and praise to Thee, The Heathen Nations witneses shall bee; For wealth and power and blessings manie moe, On Dauid and his race Thou shalt bestowe.

The workmanship of heauen soe bright and faire, Thy power O Lord, and glorie doth declare; One day Thy praise doth to another preach, One night another doth in order teach; Where euer any tongue or voyce doth sound, In all the world their speech is heard around. In middest of heauen, the hands of God hath pight[200] For the sunne's lodgeinge, a pauilion bright; Who as a bridegroome from his chamber goes; Or Giant, marchinge forth against his foes, Hee issues; and from East to West doth runne: His peircinge heat noe liueinge weight[201] can shun. God's lawe is perfect and man's soule renues, And simple mindes with knowledge it endues; Right are His statutes and rejoyce the heart, Light to the eyes His precepts pure impart; His feare is cleane and soe endures for aye; His judgements true and righteous euery way; More sweet then honie, to bee valewed more Then many heapes of finest goulden oare. They rectifie withall Thy seruants minde, And who soe keeps them, great reward shall finde; But Lord who knowes how oft hee doth transgresse? O clense mee from my secret wickednes! Nor let presumptuous sinns beare rule in mee, Soe shall I from the great offence bee free; And Lord! my strength and Sauiour! soe direct My words and thoughts as Thou maiest them accept.

The Lord giue eare to thee in thy distresse! And bee thy Sheilde, when trubles thee oppresse! And let His help come downe from heauen for thee! And strength from Syon Hill imparted bee! Let Him remember, and accept withall, Thine offerings and thy sacrifices all; And of His bountie euermore fulfill Thy hearts desire; and satisfie thy will. But wee will glory in our great God's name And joy in our saluation through the same; And pray unto the Lord our God, that Hee The effect of all thy prayers will graunt to thee. Hee now I know will heare, and helpe will bringe, With His strong hand to His annoynted Kinge; On chariots some, on horses some, rely, But wee inuoke the name of God Most High. Those others are bowed downe and fall full lowe, When wee are risen and vpright doe goe. Saue us O Lord of Heauen! and heare us thence, When wee inuoke Thy name for our defence.

Glad is the kinge, and joyfull is his hart, That Thou O Lord, his strength and safety art; That Thou hast giuen him what his heart desired, And not denied him what his lipps required; Preuentinge him with blessings manifould, And crowninge him with pure refinèd gould. Hee askt Thee life, Thou gauest him length of daies, Euen endlesse life, to giue Thee endlesse praise; His safety, through Thy prouidence deuine With honour great and glorie makes him shine; Blisse without end Thou wilt to him jmpart, The sunn-beames of Thy face will cheare his hart: For in Thy mercy hee doth trust withall, Which stayes his stepps that hee shall neuer fall; But Thy long hand shall reach Thy flyinge foe And finde him when he most secure doth goe; Thine enimies shall (when kindled is Thine ire) As in a furnace be consumed with fire; Their ofspringe from the Earth shall rotted bee, Their second generation non shall see: For against Thee and Thine their councell was, Yet could not bringe their wicked plott to passe, But turn'd their backes and put themselues to chase, When Thou hadst bent Thy bowe against their face; Bee pleased in Thine owne strength Thyselfe to raise, Soe shall wee Lord, Thy power and mercie praise.

My God! my God! why leauest Thou mee? and why Dost Thou soe farr withdraw Thee from my crie? I cry all day, but Thou dost not giue eare; At night I cease not, yet Thou wilt not heare; Yet Thou art holy still, Thou God of might, Thy people's great renowne and glory bright; When our forefathers plac't their hope in Thee From cruell bondage Thou didst sett them free; In Thee they trusted, and to Thee they prayed, And neuer faild of Thy celestiall aid; But as for mee, a worme not man, am I; A scorne to euery man that passeth by; They laugh and mocke, my poore estate to see; They draw their mouth and shake their heads at mee; And say, 'hee hop't in God, that Hee should saue him, Now let God rescue him if Hee will haue him.' But Thou Lord from my mother's wombe didst take mee, And when I suck't her brest, didst not forsake mee; Euen from my birth I was to Thee bequeathèd, And Thou hast bene my God since first I breathèd. O leaue mee not when trubles doe mee presse, And there is non to helpe mee in distresse; Many strong beasts haue mee invironèd As fatt and feirce as bulls in Bashan fedd; They runne on mee with open mouthes and wide; Like hungry lyons rampinge in their pride. My soule, like water on the earth is spilt, My joynts are loosed, my heart like wax doth melt, My synewes shrunke are, like a potsheard drie, My tongue cleaues to my jawes, dead dust am I. For many doggs haue compast me about, I am besett with a malitious rout; They peirce My hands and feet, and stare on Mee, And euery ribb of My leane bodie see; They spoyle Mee of My garments, and beside, The parts thereof by lotts they doe deuide. Lord! bee not farr, when I Thy help shall need, Thou art My strength, O succour Mee with speed! And sheild Mee from the sword, and from the power Of doggs, which would My dearest Soule deuoure! And from the lyon's mouth, and from the hornes Of many, fearce, insultinge unicornes! Among My kinn will I declare Thy name, And in the great Assembly spread the same. Yee that feare Him His praise and glory tell, And honnour Him yee seed of Israell; Hee scorneth not the poore, nor hides His face, But heares his suit when hee laments his case. When all Thy faithfull folke assembled bee, I sound Thy praise and pay my vowes to Thee. The Lord shall fully satisfie the meeke, Their soule shall liue which His light face doe seeke; The East and West shall turne to their right minde, And to the true God's worshipp be inclinde; Who doth, of all the world the Scepter beare, Rules and commaunds the nations euery where; The fatt shall eate and worshipp Him therefore, And they that lye in dust shall Him adore. Euen hee which cannot his own life preserue, Nor quicken his owne soule, the Lord shall serue. Their seed, O Lord! shall serue to worshipp Thee, And with Thy chosen people numbred bee; And to their children's children, shall expresse Thine euerlasting truth and righteousnes.

The Lord my Sheaperd is, Hee doth mee feed, His bounty euermore supplies my need; When I in pastures greene my fill haue tooke, He leads mee forth into the siluer brooke; Hee turnes my soule, when it is gon astray, For His name's glory, to His right[eous][202] way; Therefore although my soule detruded were, Euen to Hell's gates, yet I not ill should feare; When Thou art with mee, what should mee dismay? Thy crooke, my comfort is; Thy staffe, my stay; My table Thou hast spread and furnisht soe, As glads my heart, and greiues my enuious foe; Thy balme powr'd on my head, doth sweetly smell; Thou makst my cup aboue the brimme to swell. Thy mercy, while I breathe, shall follow mee, And in Thy house my dwellinge-place shall bee.

The Earth, and all things which on the Earth remaine, Euen all the world, doth to the Lord pertaine; Amid the Sea, Hee founded hath the Land And made this Globe aboue the floods to stand. Who shall unto Jehouah's Mount ascend? Or who shall in His holy place attend? Euen hee whose hands are cleane, whose heart is pure, Whose tongue is true, whose oath is just and sure. He shall receaue both righteousnes and blisse From God, Whose mercy his saluation is. Such are the seed of Jacob's faithfull race, Which seeke the Lord, and loue to see His face; Ye euerlasting Gates, your heads upreare, And let the King of Glory enter there. That glorious name, to Whome doth it belong? To God Most Mightie and in warr most stronge. Eternall dores, lift [up] your heads, I say That there, the King of Glorie enter may. The King of Glory enters, what is Hee? The Lord of Hosts is knowne that Kinge to bee.

Mine humble soule O Lord! I lift to Thee, On Whome my trust shall euer fixèd bee; O suffer not my cheekes with shame to glowe, Nor make me slaue to my insultinge foe; For they which hope in Thee incurr noe blame, But wilfull synners shall bee clothed with shame. To mee, O Lord! vouchsafe Thy wayes to show, And Thy right pathes, that I therein may goe; Teach mee the way of truth, direct my will; Thou art my Sauior, I attend Thee still; Receaue mee Lord, and to remembrance call Thy ould compassions, and Thy mercies all; But of Thy wonted grace to mee, O Lord Of the errours of my youth keep noe record; The Lord is good, and for His goodnes' sake Hee teaches sinners, godly wayes to take; Yet Hee His learninge doth to non impart But to the meeke and to the humble hart; His pathes are grace and truth; that only way Hee leads all those which doe His will obey. For Thy name's glorie, I doe Thee intreat To my great sinns, extend Thy mercie great To him which feares the Lord, the Lord doth showe How in his callinge hee may safely goe; His soule shall bee at ease and all his race, Shall in the Land possesse a blessed place; His couenant and His counselles neare,[203] God shewes to them in whome Hee plants His feare; My looke to Him shall euer raisèd bee, Who from the nett my captiue feet doth free. Haue mercy Lord on mee! and turne Thy face To see my desolate and wither'd case; Enlargèd is my greife and heauines, But Lord, enlarge Thou mee from my distresse! Looke on the wofull State that I am in; Remitt the cause thereof, which is my synne; My foes consider, and their multitude Which mee with deadly hatred hath pursude; And keepe my soule[204] from sinne,[205] my face from shame, Who trust in Thee and call upon Thy name. Let truth and righteousnes without deceipt Still wait on mee, because on Thee I wait; And sett Thy faithfull Israell at rest From all the trubles which doe him molest.

Bee thou my Iudge, O Lord! my cause is just; I shall not stagger while in Thee I trust. Weigh and examine mee, search all my vaines, The bottom of my heart and inward raines; I sett Thy goodnes euer in my sight, Which in Thy truth doth guide my stepps aright; I use not to conuerse with persons vaine, Nor with dissemblers fellowship retaine; My soule the assembly of the wicked hates. Nor will I sitt among ungodly mates; Repentence haueing made my conscience cleare, Then will I Lord, approach Thine Alter neare; That I may thanke [Thee] both with harte and voyce, And tellinge of Thy wondrous workes rejoyce Thy temple Lord, I loue exceeding well, Wherein Thy Majestie and Glorie dwell. O let not sinfull men my soule enclose, Nor of my life let sinfull men dispose; Whose hands are foule, their sinnes them foule doe make, And full of guifts which they coruptly take; But I to leaue a blamelesse life entend: O Lord therein with mercie mee defend. My foot stands right and therefore all my dayes In all assemblies I the Lord will praise.

God is my light, saluation, strength and aid, Of whome and what shall I then bee afraid? The wicked came to haue devour'd mee quite, But stumbled in their way, and fell downe-right. Though mighty armies in my wayes were laid, I stand secure, I cannot bee dismaid. One thinge I wish, euen while I liue to dwell, In God's faire House, where beauty doth excell; His tent, in time of truble, shall mee hide, And I shall on His rocke of safety bide; Now shall Hee lift my head aboue my foes, Which mee with armèd multitudes, enclose; And now will I His praise in trihumph singe, And joyfull offerings to His temple bringe; And let my cries approach Thy gracious eare, Vouchsafe in mercie my complaints to heare; My heart doth tell that Thou bidst mee still Thy face to seeke: Lord! seek Thy face I will. Then doe not hide from mee Thy face soe bright, Nor in Thy wrath exclude mee from Thy sight; Thou euer wast mine aid, since I was borne: God of my safety leaue me not forlorne. My father and my mother both forsooke mee, But then the Lord to his tuition tooke mee; Teach mee the way that I therein may goe, Soe shall I neuer fall before my foe; Nor fall into their power which doe me hate, And brought false oathes against mee in the gate. My heart had fail'd but that my hope to see God's endlesse blisse in heauen, did comfort mee. Then stay God's time, Hee shall thee stay at length, And Hee till then shall arme thy heart with strength.

Heare (Lord my strength!) the crie I make to Thee! I am but dead, if Thou seeme deafe to mee: Heare, when with humble prayer, I Thee entreat, With lifted hands before Thy mercy seate. But rancke me not with those which wicked are, Whose lipps speake peace, whose hearts are full of warr; Accordinge to their actions let them speed, And as their merrit is, soe make their need; For that they see Thy workes, and yet neglect them, Thou shall destroy and neuer more erect them: The Lord bee praisd Who hath vouchsaft to heare, And lend unto my prayer a gracious eare; His sheild protects, His strength doth mee aduance; My tongue shall sing His praise, my heart shall dance; Hee to His seruants, force, and vertue, giues; Through Him in safetie His annoynted liues. Saue Thy peculier people, Lord! and blesse them, And lift their heads aboue them that oppresse them.

Yee kings, since by God's power and grace, yee raigne, Glory and power ascribe to Him againe; Yeild Him the honnour due to His great name, And in His glorious Courts, His praise proclaime; His voyce doth cause the Seas, to swell and shake, And in the heauens the dreadfull thunder make; Jehouah's voice, effects of power doth breed, It is a stronge and glorious voyce indeed; His voyce the cedar doth in sunder teare, The Cedars which Mount Lebanus doth beare; Makes Lebanus, and Hermon hill, to tremble And skippinge Calues and Unicornes, resemble; Doth breake the clouds, and flames of fire deuide, The deserts shake, euen Cades[206] desert wide; Makes hindes to calue, for feare makes forrests bare, While in His temple wee His praise declare; The Lord vpon the water-floods doth raigne, The Lord a Kinge for euer doth remaine; The Lord shall still His people's strength encrease, And giue to them the blessinge of His peace.

Highly the Lord I praise Who setts mee high Aboue my proud insultinge enimie; Sicke to the death, I cried to God for ease, And Hee hath cur'd my dangerous disease; Hee from the graue hath lifted up my head And hath reduc't[207] mee from among the dead. Yee saints of His in songs His praise expresse, With thankes[208] make mention of His holines; For momentarie His displeasure is, When in His fauour there is life and blisse; Sad sorrow may continue for a night, But joy returneth with the morninge light. When my estate did prosper, then said I I shall not fall, my seat is fixt on high. But when Thou Lord, didst turne Thy face aside, Then was I trubled, and to Thee I cride; To Thee began I then againe to pray, And in my humble prayer thus did say: What profit can there by my death arise, When buried in the graue my body lies? Shall dust and ashes celebrate Thy name? Or shall the silent Toombe Thy truth proclaime? Lord, heare my prayer, and then Thy mercie show In aidinge mee against my cruell foe! Loe now to dancinge,[209] Thou hast turn'd my sadnes, Out[210] of my sackloth girded mee with gladnes. For this shall euerie good man singe Thy praise, And I shall thanke and blesse Thee all my dayes.

In Thee, O Lord! haue I put all my trust, Then rescue mee from shame, as Thou art just; Giue eare, and soone from perill sett mee free; Bee Thou a Rocke and stronge defence to mee; Thou art my Rocke and Castle when I stray; Bee Thou my Guide, and leade mee in the way. Thou art my strength; O cleare mee from that net Which priuily my foes for mee haue sett! Into Thy hands[211] my soule I doe committ: Lord God of truth Thou hast redeemèd it. I hate all those which in vain lies delight, For all my trust is in the Lord of might. Thy mercies glad my heart: for in my woe Thou hast vouchsaft my [weary] soule to knowe. Thou hast not left mee prisoner with my foe, But sett me free that I at large may goe. Yeild to my trubles mercifull releife, My eares waxe deafe, my heart doth melt with greife. Few are my yeares, in number to be tould, Yet sorrow, care, and greife, hath made mee ould; My strength with prayer and anguish doth decay, My joynts growe weake, my bones consume away; I am a scorne to all my enimies, But specially my Neighbours mee dispise; My very presence did my friends affright, And all my ould acquaintance shun my sight. I am forgott as if I buried lay, And viler then a broken pott of clay. I heard the waylings of the multitude And trembled while they did my death conclude; But all my hope hath beene O Lord in Thee, Whome I professe my only Lord to bee; My tyme is in Thy hand, O doe not leaue Mee in their hands which would my life bereue. O turne to mee the brightnes of Thy face, And saue mee through Thy mercy and Thy grace; Make not mee blush which did invoke Thy name, But put my foes to silence and to shame; And let the lipps bee dumbe which vtter lyes Against the righteous in spightfull-wise. O what blessings, dost Thou keepe in store For them that feare and loue Thee euermore; Thou shalt protect them from the great men's pride, And in Thy Tent from stormes of tongues them hide. Blest bee the Lord Whose mercies manifold Doe keepe mee safer then the strongest hold; When I with passion was transported quite, I said I was sequester'd from His sight; And yet for all my weaknes, heard was I, When to my Maker I did make my crie. Loue Him yee Saints of His who guardeth those Who trust in Him: and pay'st[212] their proudest foes. Yee that rely on Him be strong of hart And Hee to you shall heauenly strength jmpart.

Happie indeed and truly blest is hee Whose sinnes remitted and faults couerèd bee; To whome the Lord doth not jmpute his sinne, Whose single heart hath not deceipt therein. When I was silent I consum'd away, And pyninge greife did waste mee day by day; Thy hand on mee was heauy still, whereby My moisture grewe like draught in Summer drie. My sinne I will acknowledge Lord to Thee, My secret faults shall not concealèd bee; I said, I will my synnes to God confesse, And God forthwith forgaue my wickednesse. If good men seeke Him when Hee may be found, The world's high waues shall neuer them surround; Thou hid'st mee close and sauest mee from annoy, And dost enuirone mee with songs of joy; When Thou hast sett mee in Thyne owne right way, Thine eye doth guide mee that I doe not stray. Then must I not be brute, as horse and mule, Which men with bitt and bridle only rule. With many whipps, God doth the wicked chase But doth with mercies faithfull men embrace; Bee glad, rejoyce, and glory in the Lord All yee whose hearts doth with His will accord.

Rejoyce yee righteous in the Lord, and singe; To giue God thankes, it is a comely thinge: Singe prayses unto Him and sett your songs To harpe and lute, that speaketh with ten tongues; Singe to the Lord a new composèd songe, With chearefull heart and with affection stronge; For His most holy Word is euer true, And all His workes His constancie doe shew. Hee loueth right and justice euermore, And with His blessinge Hee the earth doth store; For by His word the heauens created were; His breath made euery Starr and euery sp'ere;[213] The Seas, as in a Storehouse Hee doth keepe, And heapes them up as treasures in the deepe; The earth before the Lord shall quake for feare, And all that dwell on His round Center here: Hee spake, and they were made; at His commaund The heauens began to moue, the earth to stand. Counsells of princes and of Nations great, And peoples' plotts, His wisdome doth defeat; But God's owne counsell, purpose and decree, Eternall stand, and cannot frustrate bee. That Nation hath true happines and blisse, Whose God and Lord, the Lord Jehouah is; Downe from the highest heauen the Lord did looke, And of all men a full suruey Hee tooke; From Heauen aboue the Lord did cast His eye, And all mens wayes and wanderings did espie. Hee formèd all their hearts, and understands Their thoughts, their words, and workes of all their hands. The greatest armies cannot saue a Kinge, Nor strength unto a stronge man safety bringe; His trust is vaine who trusteth in his horse, And seekes deliuerance by soe small a force; With gracious eye the Lord behoulds the just, Which Him doe feare and in His mercie trust: In tyme of dearth their hungrie soules to feed And from deathe's jawes to rescue them with speed. Our soules with patience for the Lord haue staid, Who is our only sheild, support and aid; Our hearts shall Him as our true joy embrace, For wee our only trust in Him doe place. Thy mercie Lord to us exceeded bee, According to the hope wee haue in Thee.

Lord euermore will I giue thankes to Thee, And in my mouth Thy praise shall euer bee; My soule shall boast that shee Thy seruant is, The humble shall be glad to heare of this; Come then, O come, and let vs praise the Lord, And magnifie His name with sweet accord. I sought the Lord by prayer which He did heare, And saued mee from that ill my soule did feare. Looke towards God, thou shalt enlightenèd bee, And no foule shame shall euer light on thee. The poor man's crie, the Lord doth quickly heare, And doth for all his trubles quitt him cleare; Such as feare God His Angell guards them all, From euery mischeife that may them befall. O taste the Lord, and see how sweet Hee is, The man that trusts in Him liues still in bliss. O feare the Lord, yee that are saints of His, Who feare the Lord noe needfull thinge shall misse. Rich become poore, and lyons hungrie bee, But such as feare the Lord noe want shall see. Come then yee children, listen and giue eare, And I will teach you this religious feare: What man art thou that longest long to liue, And wouldst that God to thee good dayes should giue; Refraine thy tongue from speaking ill the while, And from thy lipps let there proceed noe guile; Doe that is good, decline from that is ill, Seeke peace with God and men, and hould it still. Upon good men God casts a gentle eye, And bends a gentle eare unto their crye. But to the wicked shewes an angrie browe, Till they bee quite exterpèd, root and bow;[214] But when the righteous cry, the Lord doth heare them And from all trubles absolutely cleare them; God's present helpe the Lord['s own folk] doth finde, And such Hee saues as are of humble minde. The righteous into many trubles fall, But God's sweet mercy brings them out of all; Their very bones so keepe and count doth Hee, As not one broken nor one lost, shall bee. But some foule death shall on the wicked light, And they which hate the just, shall perish quite; But of his seruants, God the Sauiour is; They trust in Him, their hope they cannot misse.

Plead Thou my cause, O Lord my Advocate! Against all those with whome I haue debate; Fight against them that doe against mee fight, Take up Thy shield, and helpe mee with Thy might; Lift up Thy launce, stopp them which mee pursue, Say to my soule, I am Thy Sauiour true; Let shame on them which seeke my ruin light, And with confusion turne them all to flight. Let them bee like the dust before the winde, With God's feirce angell followinge them behinde; Set them in slipperie wayes, and darke withall, And let God's Angell smite them as they fall; For they have spred a nett and dig'd a pitt, Euen without cause to catch my soule in it: But in that pitt let them fall vnawares, And bee entangled in their proper snares; But thou my soule, whom God[215] thus guides from ill, Rejoyce in Him, and His saluation still; My bones shall say, Lord who is like to Thee? Who poore weake men from their strong foe dost free: False witnesses arose with oathes untrue, And chargèd mee with things I neuer knew; They to my greife did ill for good requite, And recompenc't my kindnes with dispight; Yet in their sicknes I did sackcloth weare,[216] And fast and pray with many a secret teare; I could not more for friend or brother mourne, Or if my mother to her graue were borne: But in my woe they made great mirth and glee, The very abjects mockt and mowde[217] at mee; Base flatterers and jesters came withall, [And] gnasht their teeth to show their bitter gall. How long shall this bee Lord? my soule withdraw From these men's wrongs, and from the lyon's jaw: Soe in Thy Church shall I my thankes proclaime, And in our Great Assembly praise Thy name; Let not my foes trihumph[218] on mee againe, Nor with their mockinge eyes shew their disdaine; They meet and parte, but peace they doe not seeke But to supplant the peaceable and meeke; They gape and drawe their mouthes in scornefull wise, And cry, fie, fie, wee sawe it with our eyes. But Thou their deed (O Lord!) dost alsoe see; Then bee not silent soe, nor farr from mee. Awake, stand up O God and Lord of Might, Auenge my quarrell, judge my cause aright; To Thy doome rather lett mee fall or stand Then subject bee to their insultinge hand; Then they should say, soe, soe, these things goe right, We haue our will, and haue deuour'd him quite. Shame bee to them that joy in my mischance, And which to cast mee downe themselues aduance; Let them bee glad that my wellwishers bee, And blesse the Lord that hath soe blessèd mee. As for my tongue it shall sett forth Thy praise, And celebrate Thy justice all my dayes.

The wicked man's bould sinnes my heart doe tell, Noe feare of God before his eyes doth dwell; Yet flattereth hee himselfe in his owne sight, Untill his hatefull deeds bee brought to light; His words are lies, and most deceiptfull too, He leaues of[f] quite all honest deeds to doe; Hee on his bed doth nought but mischeife muse, Hee shunns noe ill and noe good way doth choose; Thy mercie Lord doth to the heauens extend, Thy faithfullnes doth to the Cloudes assend; Thy justice stedfast as a mountaine is, Thy judgements deepe as is the great Abisse; Thy noble mercirs saue all liueinge thinges, The sonnes of men creepe underneath Thy winges: With Thy great plenty they are fedd at will, And of Thy pleasure's streame they drinke their fill; For euen the well of life remaines with Thee, And in Thy glorious light wee light shall see; To them that know Thee, Lord, bee loveinge still, And just to them whose heart intends noe ill; Let not the foot of pride tread on my Crowne Nor the hand of the vngodly cast mee downe: False are the wicked in their slippery wayes, And haue no power againe themselues to raise.

If ill men prosper doe not Thou repine, Nor enuy them though they[219] in glory shyne; For as the grasse they shall be mowen away, And as greene hearbes shall turne to withered hay: Trust thou in God and still bee doinge good, And thou shalt neuer want noe house nor food; Delight in Him, Hee shall to thee jmparte, The full desires and wishes of Thy heart; On Him rely, to Him thy way commend, And Hee shall bringe it to a blessed end; Thine vpright light shall shine like the morninge light; And Thy just dealinge like the noone-day bright; Bee still and frett not, but God's leasure stay Though wicked men doe prosper in their way; Suppresse Thine anger, let offences die, Lest thou be mouèd to offend thereby; Expect a while, obserue what will befall; Th' ungodly shall bee gon, their place and all. The Lord shall root out sinners out of hand, When good men and their heires shall hould their Land. Meeke persons shall enjoy the earthe's encrease, And shall abound in plentie and in peace; Against the just the wicked haue combin'd, And in dispight their teeth at them they grinde; But God with scorne behoulds them from the skie, For that Hee sees their day of ruin nigh; The vngodly drawes his sword and bends his bowe To slay the just, the weake to ouerthrowe: But his bent bowe shall breake and make him start, And his owne sword shall peirce his wicked heart; That little which the just enioyes with peace, 'Tis better then th' ungodlie's great encrease; For th' armes of jmpious men the Lord will breake, And giue the righteous strength when they are weake; The just man's dayes the Lord doth know and see, That his inheritance shall endlessse bee; The tymes of danger shall not him confound, And in the dayes of dearth, hee shall abound; Thy foes O Lord, shall perish and consume Like fatt of lambes, and vanish into fume; Th' ungodly want and borrow, but repay not The good men frankly giue, [and] yet decay not; Their seat is firme whom God hath best belou'd But such as Hee doth[220] curse shall bee remou'd. The good man's goings soe directeth Hee As it most pleasinge to Himselfe may bee; Oft falls the just, yet is not cast away, For God's owne hand is his support and stay; Though I am ould, the just man or his seed I neuer sawe forsaken or in need; Hee doth giue daily almes, and frankly lend, Which makes his offspringe blessèd in the end; Shun to doe ill, bee euer doinge well, And euermore thou shalt in safety dwell; The Lord who loueth right, forsaketh neuer, Those that are His, but keepeth them for euer; His children Hee correcteth now and then, But roots out quite the race of wicked men. As long as Heauen shall moue and Earth shall stand, The righteous men inherit shall the Land; The just man's mouth is wisedome's flowinge well, His tongue, of truth and judgement loues to tell; And in his heart the lawe of God doth bide, Which makes him walke vpright and neuer slide; The wicked sees the just with enuious eye, And lies in waite to wound him mortally; But God will neuer leaue him to his hands, Nor him condemne when hee in judgement stands: Then wait thou on the Lord, and keepe His way, Hee shall thy patience with promotion pay; Thy dwellinge in the Land shall stablisht bee, When thou the fall shalt of the wicked see. The vngodly in great power myselfe haue seene, Soe that he flourisht like a bay-tree greene; But soone's[221] I passèd by, and gon was hee, His place I sought, but noe where could it see; Keepe a cleare conscience, right and truth intend, For that brings peace and comfort in the end; When sinners shall at once together fall, And in the end shall be extèrpèd all; But good mens' safety doth from God proceed, Who is their strength in truble, helpe at need; Against the wicked Hee assists the just, And recues them, because in Him they trust.

If for my sinnes Thine anger kindled bee, Lord! let not then Thy justice chastise mee; Thine arrowes fixèd in my fleshe doe stand, I feele the pressure of Thy heauie hand; I haue noe health Thine anger is soe much, My bones noe rest; my greiuous synne is such, My wickednes doth mount aboue my head And fallinge presse mee like a load of lead; My ulcers are corrupted and doe smell, Caus'd by my folly, which I blush to tell. I am with greife soe broken and soe torne, As I all day in heart and habit mourne. My loynes are fillèd with a sore desease, Noe parte of all my bodie feeleth ease; I am soe faint, soe feeble, and soe sore, As paine and anguish make mee crie and roare; Thou Lord! the longings of my heart dost see, My sighes and groanings are not hidd from Thee. My heart doth pant, my sinewes faile mee quite, My weepinge eyes haue lost their power of sight; Meane while, my freinds and neighbours they looke on, My nearest kinsmen farthest of[f] are gon: And they which seeke my life haue layed their snares And sett their trapps, to catch mee vnawares. They that to doe mee mischeife lye in wait, Doe plott and practise nothinge but deceit; But as for mee in silent patience I seemèd deafe and dumbe and voyde of sence; As one whose eare admitts not any sound, And in whose mouth there[222] is noe answeare found. For on the Lord I euermore rely, Though I stand mute, Thou shalt for mee replie: My suite is that my foes may not preuaile Who greatly joy to see my footinge faile; For in a place of stumblinge sett am I, My sad estate is still before mine eye; But I with sorrow will confesse my synne, And grieue that I offend my God therein; And yet my foes do liue and grow in might, They grow in numbers which do beare me spight. They which doe ill for good, doe hate mee too, Because I loue good turnes for ill to doe: Lord leaue mee not nor from mee farr depart, Saue mee with speede: for Thou my safety art.

I said I will bee wary in my way; Lest I offend in that my tongue should say, I will my mouth as with a bridle hould, While wicked men with enuy mee behould: I dumb did stand and from all speech refraine, Euen from good words, which was to mee a paine: My heart was hott: while I such doubts did cast, The fire brake out, and thus I spake at last: 'Lord of my life reueale to mee the end, The period showe, to which my dayes doe tend'! My life is but the measure of a spann, Nought as to Thee, so vaine a thinge is man: Who dreaminge walks, and toyles for wealth in vaine, And doth not know to whome it shall remaine. But what doe I expect? what is my hope! Of my desires Thou art the only scope. Lord! from my synnes Thine indignation turne And make mee not to wicked fooles a scorne, When Thou didst strike I silent was and dum[b] Because I knewe the blowe from Thee did come. Remoue Thy hand, withdrawe Thy plague from me Wherewith my vitall spirrits consumèd bee: Thy plagues for sinne doth like a moth consume Man's beauty vaine, which is nought else but fume. Lord! heare my prayer, and listen to my cries, Let not Thy gracious eye my teares dispise: For I am but Thy guest, and sojourne heare, On earth a pilgrim as my fathers were; O spare a little, and my strength restore Before I goe from hence to come noe more.

Long on the Lord, I waited patiently, Till He enclin'd His eare, and heard my cry: Drew mee from out the pitt of mire and clay Did sett mee on firme ground and guide my way: Put in my mouth a new and joyfull song Of thankes[223] and praise, that to Himselfe belong. Of His great mercie, many shall haue sense, And of the Lord haue feare and confidence. Blest is the man who hath on God relide, Not turninge vnto lies or worldly pride; O Lord! Thy works of wonder, they are such Thy care and loue to vsward is soe much, They are soe great, they are soe numberlesse, As if I would, I could not them expresse. My sacrifice of meates Thou would'st not take, But Thou mine eare didst peirce and open make. Thou didst not aske burnt-offerings at my hand Then Lord said I 'I come at Thy commaund; Thy Booke eternall, doth of mee record, That I should come to doe Thy will O Lord! To doe Thy will, my heart is pleasèd well, For in my heart Thy lawe doth euer dwell; Thy truth I haue to all Thy people tould, Therein Thou knowest my tongue I cannot hould: Thy justice in my heart is not conceal'd, Thy mercy to the world I haue reueal'd; I haue not spar'd to make Thy bounty knowne, But in the Great Assembly haue it showne. Take not Thy wonted mercy Lord, from mee, But let Thy goodnes still my safety bee. My trubles numberlesse such hould haue tooke On my weake soule, as vp I cannot looke: My sinnes beinge more then[224] haires upon my head, Make my heart faint and vitall spirrits dead: But bee it Lord, Thy pleasure and Thy will, With speed to saue and rescue mee from ill: Bringe them to shame that would my life destroy, Reproue them Lord, that wish my soule's annoy: Let them bee left to scorne and pride, which blame Which scorninge say to me, fie, fie, for shame. But let all those that seeke their blisse, in Thee Rejoyce and say, the Lord's name praisèd bee'. For mee who am contemtible and poore, The Lord takes care, and feeds mee euermore: Thou Lord art my protection, and my aid, Let not Thy gracious helpe bee long delay'd.

That man is blest who doth the poore regard; In tymes of truble God shall him reward, Prolong his life, and blesse him in the Land, And free him from his foes' oppressing hand: Shall comfort him, when sicke and weake hee lies, And make his bedd till hee in health doe rise: My synne hath giuen my soule a greiuous wound, Apply Thy mercy Lord, and make it sound; Thus speakes my foe of mee to show his spight, 'When shall his life and honnour perish quite'? Hee vissitts mee, but with false heart and tongue And thereof vaunts, his complices amonge: Euen all my foes against mee doe conspire, And with one minde my ruin doe desire; 'Let him,' say they of mee, 'in judgement fall And when hee once is downe not rise at all.' The freind I trusted, which did eat my bread, Hath lifted vp his heele against my head. Thy mercie's winges on mee O Lord display; Raise mee againe, and I shall them repay. By this I doe Thy gracious fauour see, In that my foe doth not trihumph on mee. Thou in my health uphouldst mee with Thy hand, And in Thy presence I shall euer stand. The name of Jacob's God bee blessèd then, From age to age for euermore: Amen.

As for the streames the hunted hart doth bray, Soe for God's grace my heart doth pant and pray. My soule doth thirst (O God of life!) for Thee, When shall I come Thy blessed[225] face to see? My teares are all my food both night and day, While 'where is now thy God?' the wicked say. I powrèd out my hart, while thus I thought And to God's House the multitude I brought: With songs of praise and thankfullnes withall, To celebrate the Lord's great festiuall: Then why art thou my soule soe full of woe, Vnquiet in thyselfe and vexèd soe? O put thy trust in God and thankfull bee, For his sweet helpe His presence yields to Thee. My soule is greiu'd remembringe all the ill I felt in Jordan's vale and Hermon hill. One depth of sorrow doth to another call, Thy waves O God haue ouergon mee all: I prais'd at night God's bounty of the day, And vnto Him that giues mee life did pray. God of my strength, why hast Thou left mee soe, With heauy hart oppressèd by my foe? My foe doth cut my bones as with a sword, While hee in scorne repeats this bitter word, 'Where is thy God?' his speech to mee is such: 'Where is thy God, of which thou talk'st soe much?' But why art thou my soule dejected soe? Why art thou trubled and soe full of woe? Trust thou in God, and giue Him thankfull praise[226] Who is Thy present helpe in all thy wayes.

Judge thou my[227] cause, [O God!] and right mee then, Against vngodly and deceiptfull men. O God, my strength, why sett'st Thou mee aside And leau'st mee to my foes' oppressinge pride? Send forth Thy light and truth and guide mee still, In the right way to Thy most holy hill. God of my[228] joy, before Thine Alter high, My thankfull harte, my harpe shall justifie. Then why art thou my soule dejected soe? Why art thou trubled and soe full of woe? O put thy trust in God and thankfull bee, For that sweete aide His presence giues to thee.

Lord! of Thy workes, our fathers haue vs tould, Some in their dayes, and former times of ould; How Thou hast rooted out the Pagan race, And Thy choice people planted in their place: Who did not with their owne sword winne the Land, Nor make the conquest with their proper hand; But by Thine Arme, Thy fauour and Thy grace, Thy countenance and brightnesse of Thy face; Thou art my Kinge, O God, and royal Guide, And Thou for Jacob's safety dost prouide. Wee through Thine aid our foes doe bouldly meet, And by Thy vertue[229] cast them at our feet; Therefore my trust I place not in my bowe, Nor in my sword, to saue mee from my foe. Thou only sau'st vs from our enimies, Confoundinge them that doe against vs rise. Wee boast and glory in our strength therefore, And to Thy name singe praises euermore; But now Thou standest of[f] and leau'st vs quite, And dost not lead our armies out to fight; Thou mak'st vs fly before our foes with feare, While they from vs rich spoyles away doe beare; Like sheepe, to feed them Thy poore flock is giuen, Or scatterèd into seuerall Nations driuen. Thyne owne deare people Thou dost sell for naught, And setts on them noe price when they are bought; Thou hast vs made vnto our Neighbours all, An object of reproch and scorne withall: To Nations which doe worship Idolls dumbe, Wee are[230] a byword of contempt become; All the day long my shame is in my sight, Which makes me hide my face and shun the light, Not able to endure the blasphemies And scornes of my reuengefull enimies. For all these ills wee doe not Thee forgett, Thy blessed Couenant wee renounce not yet. Our hearts recede not from the Lawe deuine, Nor doe our footsteps from Thy pathes declyne; Though wee in dennes of dragons haue bene plac't, And with death's fearefull shadowes[231] ouercast. If wee the name of our true God forgett, And Idolls false wee in His place doe sett, Shall not Hee search [it] out, Whose eye doth see The heart of man whose thoughts most trubled bee? But for Thy cause Lord wee are martir'd still, Like sheep which slaughter-men cull out to kill. Up Lord! why dost Thou seeme to slumber thus? Awake and bee not alwayes farr from vs: Why hidest Thou from vs Thy blessed face, Forgettinge our distresse and wretched case? Our soules euen to the dust are humbled lowe, Our prostrate bodies to the ground doe growe. Arise and helpe vs Lord! defend vs still, And saue vs for Thy mercie's sake from ill.

My heart is mou'd to vtter some good thinge, Which I entend to offer to the kinge. My tougue shall bee the pen, and swiftly write What in my heart deuotion doth endite. Fairest of men, whose lipps with grace abound, Whom with eternall blessings God hath crown'd; Gird Thy sharp sword vpon Thine armèd thigh, And shew Thyselfe in power and majestie. Ride on with Thy great honnour prosperously, Raigne and trihumph, and bee Thou mounted high, Borne vp with justice, truth and meeknes' wings: And Thy right hand shall teach Thee dreadfull things; Thine arrowes sharpe, shall make Thy foes to fall, Which Thou shalt shoote and peirce their hearts withall. Eternall is Thy judgement-seat O God! Thy scepter is a true directinge rod; Right hast Thou lou'd and loth'st vnrighteousnes, And therefore God Thy God Who doth Thee blesse, Hath powr'd on Thee O Prince of Princes best, More oyle of gladnes then on all the rest: Thy garments, which Thy person shall aray, Brought out of Iuory wardrobes where they lay, Of Myrrh, of Alloes, and of Casha smell; Which odours doe refresh and please Thee well. The queene, all cladd in gould at Thy right hand, Daughters of Kings attendinge her, shall stand. Attend faire daughter, listen and giue eare, Forgett thy father's house and Cuntry deare. Soe shall the Kinge take pleasure in thy beautie; Hee is thy Lord, yield Him both loue and duty. The Tyrian virgins shall bringe guifts to thee, And merchants rich, thy suppliants shall bee. The daughter of the Kinge is rich without, Her gownes embroidered all with gould about; And yet within, shee is more glorious farr, The jewells of her minde more precious are. In finest dressinge, with the needle wrought, Shee with her fellow virgins shall bee brought. They shall with joy, O Kinge bee brought to Thee, And in Thy princely Courte receauvèd bee. Thou in thy father's stead, O Bride shall gaine Sonnes, which in sundry Prouinces shall raigne. Thee Lord, will I remember, all my dayes, And all the world shall giue Thee endlesse praise.

God is our hope and strength, which neuer failes; Our present helpe, when mischeife vs assailes. Though the earth remouèd, and the mountaines were Amid the Ocean cast, wee would not feare. Though raginge seas a dreadfull noise doe make, Thou[gh] floodes and tempestes [roaring,] hills doe shake, There is a streame, which though it bee not great, Makes glad God's Cittie, and His holy seate. God in her Center dwells, and makes His place Unmoueable, by His preuentinge grace. They were[232] enrag'd which heathen kingdomes sway, But when God spake, the Earth did melt away. The Lord of Hosts assists vs with His power, And Jacob's God to vs becomes a Tower. Come, and behould what workes the Lord hath wrought, And Hee, His foes hath to destruction brought. In all the world Hee warr to peace doth turne, The bowe and speare doe breake and chariotts burne; Bee quiet then and still, and know that I Am Lord of the world and God Most High: The Lord of Hosts assists vs with His power, And Jacob's God to vs becomes a Tower.

Clap hands yee people, with applause rejoyce, Singe to the Lord with loud and chearfull voyce; His throne is high, His judgement breedeth feare, On all the earth Hee doth the Scepter beare. Hee makes much people our commaund obey, And many Nations at our feet doth lay; And hath for vs an heritage in store, Euen Jacob's portion whom Hee lou'd before. In glorious trihumph God is mounted high, The Lord with trumpet's sound ascends the skie. Singe, singe, vnto our God, vnto our Kinge, All praises due, euen all due praises singe. All Kingdomes of the earth to Him belonge, Singe wisely then, and vnderstand your song. In all the heathen Hee doth raigne alone, And sitts in judgment in His holy throne. And heathen princes which were seuerd farr, To Abraham's faithfull seed now joinèd are. And God, Whose highnes doth the heauens transcend, As with a buckler doth the earth defend.

Great is the Lord and highly to bee praised, In God's owne Cittie, Syon hill is rays'd; The beautie and the joy of all the Land, The great king's Cittie on the North doth stand; In his faire Pallaces God's name is knowne, Where Hee doth cherish and protect His owne. Though manie kings against her gathred bee, They stand astonisht her great strength to see. As when a woman doth in trauell fall, A suddaine feare and tremblinge takes them all; And God shall breake them though they bee combin'd, As shipps are broken with an Easterne winde. What wee haue heard, wee see Thou dost fullfill, Thou God of Hosts vphoulds't Thy Cittie still: Amidst Thy Temple Lord, wee doe attend Till Thou to vs Thy grace and fauour send. Great is Thy name, O God, Thy praise noe lesse, And Thy right hand is full of righteousnes. Rejoyce O Sion, and your joyes renew, Daughters of Judah,[233] for His judgements true. About the walls of Sion walke yee round, And tell the towers wherewith that forte is crownd; Obserue her bulwarks and her turrets high, And tell the same to your posterity. This euer liuinge God our God is Hee, And shall our Guide while we haue liuinge, bee.[234]

Heare this yee people, all yee people heare; Listen to[235] mee and giue attentiue eare, All yee that in the world residinge bee, Both rich and poore, of high and low degree: My mouth shall vtter, and my heart deuise, Matters of greatest skill, profound and wise. Mine eares to parables will I encline, And singe vnto my harpe, of things deuine. Then why should I in ill times fearfull bee, When mischeife at my heeles doth follow mee. Howbeit, some doe in their riches trust, And glory in their wealth, which is but dust; Yet non from death his brother's life can stay, Nor vnto God for Him a ransome pay. For it cost more the soule of man to saue, Then all the wealth is worth, which worldlyngs haue. Nor may men hope to liue on earth for euer, Though long they last, ere soule and body seuer. That fooles and wise men die alike they finde, And vnto strangers leaue their wealth behinde. Their houses yet they thinke shall euer stand, They giue their proper names vnto their land; Yet noe man can in honnour euer bee, But as the brute beast dies, euen so does hee. This is their follie, this their stumblinge wayes; And yet the children doe their fathers praise. They[236] are shut vp in graues as sheepe in folde, And hungry Death feeds on their bodies cold, The just shall rule them when the sunne doth rise, With them their pride and beauty buried lies; But God shall from Deathe's power my soule deliuer, When Hee shall take it to Himselfe for euer. Then let not feare and enuy thee surprize, When thou seest men in wealth and honnour rise, For to their graues they naught away shall beare, Nor shall their glory waite vpon them there; Yet they themselues thought happie all their dayes, For him who helps himselfe others will praise: As his forefathers all are gon before, Soe shall hee die and see the light noe more. Soe man on honnour little doth foresee, But as brute beasts doe perish, soe dies hee.

The Lord, the God of Gods, the world doth call, Euen from the sunn's vprisinge to his fall; From out of Sion doth the Lord appeare, And shewes the brightnes of His beauty cleare. In trihumph, not in silence come shall Hee, His vsher fire, His guard a storme shall bee. Hee by His summons heauen and earth will call, That Hee [may][237] judge at once his creatures all. To Mee, saith Hee, let all My saints repaire, Which worshipp Mee with sacrifice and prayer; God's justice shall from heauen declarèd bee, For Who is judge of all the world but Hee? Harke Israell! I am Thy God, giue eare; I will against thee speake and witnes beare. Not for the dailie taske of sacrifice, Or that burnt-offerings shine not in Mine eyes: I want them not, nor will I take at all, Goat from thy fould or bullocke from thy stall; All beasts are Mine within the forrest wide, And cattle on a thousand hills beside; I knowe all fowles which in the aire doe fly, And see all beasts which in the feild doe lye. If I were hungrie would I begg of thee, When all things in the world belong to Mee? Art thou O man, soe simple as to thinke That bulls' flesh is My meat, goats' blood My drinke?[238]

Shew us Thy mercy, Lord, and grace diuine: Turne Thy bright face that it on vs may shine, That all the men on Earth enlight'ned so Theire owne saluation and Thy wayes may know. O let Thy people praise Thy blessed name, And let all tongues and nations doe the same; And let all mortall men rejoyce in this, That God['s] their judge, and iust His iudgment, is. O let Thy people praise Thy blessed name, And let all tongues and nations doe the same: Then shall the Earth[239] bringe forth a rich encrease, And God shall blesse vs with a fruitfull peace. Euen God shall bless vs and[240] His holy feare, Possesse the harts of all men euery where.

1 Who vnder the Most High Himselfe doth hide, In most assurèd safety shall abide. 2 Thou art, O Lord, my hope and my defence, My God, in Thee is all my confidence. 3 Hee shall preserue thee from the hunter's snare, And from the pestilent contagious aier. 4 His winges shall both protect and cherish thee, His faithfull promise shall thy buckler bee. 5 Noe terror of the night shall thee dismay, Nor Satan's arrow flyinge in the day, 6 Nor mortall plague, which in the darke annoyes, Nor that ill angell which at none[241] destroyes.[242] 7 Thousands, ten thousands shall about thee fall, Yet noe such ill shall thee approach at all; 8 Yea with thine eyes thou shalt behould and see, The iust reward of such as impious bee; 9 Thou art my hope, I will on Thee rely, Thy tower of safety, Lord, is sett soe high. 10 Noe mischeefe, noe mischance shall thee betide No plague come near the place where Thou shalt bide. 11 The Lord His angells will Thy keepers make, In all Thy righteous wayes which thou shalte take; 12 They in their hands shall thee sustaine and stay That Thou shalt neuer stumble in thy way. 13 Uppon the basilisk and adder's head, Dragon and lyon thou shalt safely tread. 14 Thy loue to Mee shall saue thee from mischance, Thy knowledge of My name shall thee aduance. 15 I will him hear, and help him in His trouble; I will protect him and his honour duble. With length of dayes, hee satisfied shall bee, And hee at last shall My saluation see.

Come let vs hartily reioyce and singe To God our mightie Sauiour, and our Kinge; Present the prayse which doth to Him belonge, And show our gladnes in a cheerfull songe; For God our Lord, the greatest God is Hee, And Monarch of all gods that worshipt bee. The Earth's round globe, Hee holdeth in His hand: And th' highest mountaynes are at His command. The sea is His, Hee hath it made of old, And the dry land His blessed hands did mould: Come let vs worship then, and humble fall Before our mightie God which made vs all. Hee is our Lord, and wee His people bee; Our shepheard, and His proper sheep are wee. This day yf you His holy voice will heare, Let not your hearts bee hardned as they were, When in the desert you His wrath did moue, And temptinge Him His mightie power did proue. Full forty yeeres this nation greeud mee so, Their erringe harts My wayes would neuer know; Therefore displeas'd by oath I did protest They neuer should possesse my Land of rest.

Bee ioyfull in the Lord, yee nations all, Cheer vp your harts in mirth, and songs withall; The Lord is God, not wee but Hee alone Hath made vs all, and feeds vs euery one. Then enter yee His gates and courts with prayse, And striue with hart and voice His name to raise. For why? the Lord is sweet, His mercy rare, His truth for euer constant shall endure.

My soule with all thy powers thy Maker praise; Forget not all His benefits to thee, Who pardons all thy sinnes, and doth thee rayse When thou art fal'n through any infirmitie: Who doth thee saue from mischeifs that would kill thee, And crowneth thee with mercies euer more. And with the best of thinges doth feed and fill thee, And egle-like thy youth and strength restore. When men oppressèd doe to Him appeale, Hee righteth euery one against his foe; Hee vnto Moses did His lawes reueale, And vnto Jacob's eare His workes did show. Hee is more full of grace then wee of sinne; To anger slowe, compassionate and kind; Hee doth not euer chide, and never linne,[244] Nor keepes displeasure alwayes in His minde, Nor after our misdeedes doth Hee vs charge; Nor takes Hee of our faults a strict account, But as the space from earth to heauen is large, So farr His mercy doth our sinnes surmount. As east from west is distant farr away, Soe farr doth Hee from us our sinnes remoue: As fathers, kindnes to their sonnes bewray, Soe God to them that feare Him, showes His loue. For Hee that made vs and knowes all, doth know The matter whereof man was made of old; That wee were formèd heer on earth below Of dust and clay, and of noe better mold. Man's age doth wither as the fadinge grasse; He flourisheth, but as y^e flower in May, Which when the South-wind ouer it doth passe Is gone; and where it grew no man can say. But God's sweet kindnes[245] euer doth consist; His truth, from age to age, continew shall, To them that in His righteous lawes persist, And thinke vppon them to performe them all. Heauen is God's seat; there doth His glorie dwell, But ouer all, His empire doth extend; Praise Him yee angells which in strength excell, And His command doe euermore attend. Praise Him yee hosts of heauen which serue Him there, Whose seruice with His pleasure doth accord; And praise Him all His creatures euery where; And thou my soule for thy part, praise the Lord.

To Him with trumpets and with flutes, With cornets, clarions and with lutes; With harpes, with organs and with shawmes, With holy anthems and with psalmes; With voice of angells and of men Sing! Aleluyia! Amen, Amen.