A paraphrase upon the Psalms of David by George Sandys ; set to new tunes for private devotion and a thorough-base for voice or instrument by Henry Lawes ; and in this edition carefully revised and corrected from many errors which passed in former impressions by John Playford.

A PARAPHRASE Upon the Fourth BOOK OF THE PSALMS of DAVID. (Book 4)

PSALM XC.

* 1.1O Thou the Father of us all, Our refuge from th' Originall; That wert our God, before The a••ry Mountains had their birth, Or Fabrick of the peopled Earth; And art for evermore.

But frail man, daily dying, must▪ At thy Command return to Dust: Or should he Ages last; Ten thousand years are in thy sight But like a quadrant of the Night, Or as a Day that's past.

He by thy Torrent swept from hence; An empty Dream, which mocks the Sense, And from the Phansie flies: Such as the beauty of the Rose, Which in the dewy Morning blows, Then hangs the head and dies.

Through daily anguish we expire: Thy anger a consuming Fire, To our offences due. Our sins (although by Night conceal'd, By shame, and fear) are all reveal'd, And naked to thy view.

Thus in thy wrath our years we spend; And like a sad discourse they end, Nor but to seventy last: Or if to eighty they arrive, We then with Age, and Sickness strive; Cut off with winged hast.

Who knows the terror of thy wrath,* 1.2 Or to thy dreadful anger hath Proportion'd his due fear? Teach us to number our frail Daies, That we our hearts to Thee may raise, And wisely sin forbear.

Lord, O how long! at length relent! And of our miseries repent; Thy Early Mercy shew: That we may unknown comfort taste: For those long daies in sorrow past, As long of joy bestow.

The works of thy accustom'd Grace Shew to thy Servants: on their Race Thy chearful beams reflect, O let on us thy Beauty shine! Bless our attempts with aid divine, And by thy Hand direct.

PSALM XCI.

* 1.3WHo makes th' Almighty his retreat, Shall rest beneath his shady Wings; Free from th' oppression of the Great, The rage of War, or wrath of Kings. Free from the cunning Fowlers train; The tainted airs infectious breath: His Truth in perils shall sustain, And shield thee from the stroke of Death. No terrors shall thy sleeps affright; Nor deadly flying Arrows slay: Nor Pestilence devour by Night, Or Slaughter massacre by Day. A thousand and ten thousand shall Sink on thy Right hand and thy Left: Yet thou secure shall see their fall; By vengeance, of their lives bereft. ••••nce God thou hast thy Refuge made, And do'st to him thy Vows direct; No evil shall thy strength invade, Nor wasting plagues thy roof-infect. Thee shall his Angels safely guide; Upheld by winged Legions, Lest thou at any time shouldst slide. And dash thy Foot against the Stones.

Thou on the Basilisk shalt tread; The Mountain Lion boldly meet, And trample on the Dragons Head; The Leopard prostrate at thy Feet. Since he hath fix'd his love on me, Saith God, and walked in my wayes; I will his Soul from danger free, And from the reach of Envy raise. To him I his desires will give; From danger guard; in honour place: He long, long happily shall live, And flourish in my saving Grace.

PSALM XCII.

THou,* 1.4 who art inthron'd above; Thou, by whom we live, and move; O how sweet, how excellent, Is't with tongue and hearts consent, Thankful hearts and joyful tongues, To renown thy Name in Songs! When the Morning paints the Skies, When the sparkling Stars arise; Thy high favours to rehearse, Thy firm faith, in grateful Verse. Take the Lute, and Violin; Let the solemn Harp begin; Instruments strung with ten strings; While the Silver Cimbal rings. From thy Works my joy proceeds: How I triumph in thy Deeds! Who thy Wonders can express! All thy Thoughts are fathomless;

Hid from Men in Knowledge blind; Hid from Fools to Vice inclin'd. Who that Tyrant Sin obey; Though they spring like Flowers in May; Parch'd with Heat, and nipt with Frost, Soon shall fade, for ever lost.

* 1.5Lord, thou art most Great, most High; Such from all Eternitie. Perish shall thy Enemies, Rebels that against thee rise. All, who in their Sins delight, Shall be scatter'd by thy Might. But thou shalt exalt my Horn, Like a youthful Unicorn; Fresh and fragrant Odors shed On thy crowned Prophets head. I shall see my Foes defeat, Shortly hear of their retreat: But the Just like Palms shall flourish, Which the Plains of Iudah nourish: Like tall Cedars mounted on Cloud ascending Lebanon. Plants set in thy Court, below Spread their roots, and upwards grow; Fruit in their Old-age shall bring; Ever fat and flourishing. This Gods Justice celebrates; He, my Rock, Injustice hates.

PSALM XCIII.

NOw great Jehovah reigns,* 1.6 With Majesty aray'd; His Power all powers restraines, By men and gods obey'd. The round Earth hung In liquid Air; Establish'd there But by his Tongue.

Thy Throne more old than Time, And after, as before. The Floods in billows clime, And foming loudly rore. With horrid Noise The Ocean raves, And breaks his Waves Against the Skies.

But thou more to be fear'd, More terrible than these: Thy Voice in Thunder heard; Thy Nod rebukes the Seas. Thee Truth renowns; Pure Sanctity Eternally Thy Temple crowns.

PSALM XCIV.

* 1.7GReat God of Hosts, revenge our Wrong On those, who are in Mischief strong. Upon thy Foes Inflict our woes: For Vengeance doth to Thee belong. Judge of the World, prevent The Proud and Insolent.

How long shall they the Just oppress, And triumph in their Wickedness! How long supplant! Ah! how long vaunt, And glory in their dire success! Thy Saints asunder break, Insulting o're the Weak!

Who Strangers, and poor Widows kill; The blood of wretched Orphans spill: And say, Can he Or hear, or see? Doth God regard what's good or ill? Brute Beasts, without a mind! O Fools in knowledge blind!

Shall not th' Almighty see and hear, Who form'd the Eye, and fram'd the Ear? Who Nations slew, Not punish you? Who taught, not know? to him appear Dark Counsels, secret Fires, Vain Hopes, and vast Desires▪

But O!* 1.8 thrice blessed he, whom God Chastiseth with his gentle Rod; Informs, and aws By sacred Laws. In storms brought to a safe aboad: While the Unrighteous shall By winged Vengeance fall.

For he will not forsake th' Elect; Nor who adore his Name reject: But Judgement then Shall turn again To Justice, and her Throne Erect: Who are in Heart upright Shall follow that clear Light.

What mortal will th' Afflicted aid? Defend when impious Foes invade? Lord, hadst not thou, My Soul e're now In silent shades of Death had laid: For he my Out-cries heard; And from the Centre rear'd.

When Grief my labouring Soul confounds; Thou powrest Balm into her wounds. Shall Tyranny With thee comply? Who Mischief for a Law propounds? Who swarm to circumvent, And doom the Innocent.

But thou, O Lord, art my Defence, My Refuge, and my Recompence. The Vicious shall By Vices fall; By their own Sins be swept from hence. God shall cut off their breath, And give them up to Death.

PSALM XCV.

* 1.9COme Sing the great Jehovah's Praise, Whose Mercies have prolong'd our Dayes; Sing with a joyful voyce. With bending Knees, and raised Eyes Adore your God: O sacrifice; In sacred Hymns rejoyce.

Great is the God of our Defence, Transcending all in eminence: His Hand the Earth sustains; The Depths, the lofty Mountains made; The Land and liquid Plains displaid, And curbs them with his Reins.

O come, before his Foot-stool fall, Our only God, who form'd us all; Through Storms of danger led. He is our Shepherd, we his Sheep; His Hands from Wolves and Rapine keep, In pleasant Pastures fed.

The Voice of God thus spake this Day; Repine not as at Meribah,

As in the Wilderness: Where your Fore-fathers tempted me; Who did my Works of Wonder see, And to their shame confess.

When vex'd for forty years, I said; This People in their hearts have stray'd; Rebellious to command: To whom I in my Anger swore, That Death should seise on them, before They knew this pleasant Land.

PSALM XCVI.

NEw composed Ditties sing* 1.10 To our Everlasting King: You, all you of Humane birth, Fed and nourish'd by the Earth, Celebrate Jehovah's Praise, Daily his Deliveries blase. His Glory let the Gentiles know; To the World his wonders show. O how gracious! O how great! Earth his Foot-stool, Heaven his Seat. To be fear'd and honour'd more Than those gods, whom Fools adore; Idols by their Servants made: But our God the Heavens display'd. Honour, Beauty, Power Divine, In his Sanctuary shine. All, who by his Favour live, Glory to Jehovah give; Glory due unto his Name, And his Mighty Deeds proclame.

Offerings on his Altar lay; There your Vows devoutly pay.

* 1.11In his beauteous Holiness To the Lord your Prayer address. All, whom Earths round shoulders bear, Serve the Lord with Joy and Fear. Tell Mankind, Jehovah reigns: He shall bind the world in Chains, So as it shall never slide; And with sacred Justice guide. Let the smiling Heavens rejoyce; Joyful Earth exalt her Voice: Let the dancing Billows rore; Ecchoes answer from the Shore: Fields their flowry Mantles shake; All shall in their Joy partake: While the Woods Musicians sing To the ever-youthful Spring. Fill his Courts with sacred Mirth; He, He comes to judge the Earth. Justly He the World shall sway, And his Truth to men display.

PSALM XCVII.

* 1.12O Earth! joy in Jehovah's Reign; You numerous Isles, clasp'd by the Main. Him rolling Clouds and Shades infold. Judgement and Truth his Throne uphold. Who fiery Darts before him throws; With winged flames consumes his Foes. His Lightning made a day of night; Earth trembled at so fear'd a sight.

The Mountains at his Presence sweat, Like pliant Wax dissolv'd with Heat; At his Descension from the Skie, Who rules the Worlds great Monarchie. The Heavens declare his Righteousness; His Glory wondering men confess. Let those with shame to Hell descend, Whose Knees to cursed Idols bend; Whose rocks for Deities implore: O all you gods, our God adore. Rejoycing Sion heard her King: Her Daughters of his Judgements sing. Thou art exalted above all Mankind, and Pow'rs Angelicall. Those Saints thy shady Wings protect, Who Sin abhor, and thee affect. For thou hast sown the Seeds of Light, And joy, which shall invest th' Upright. You Just, your joyful Hearts elate; His blest Memorial celebrate.

PSALM XCVIII.

SIng to the King of kings,* 1.13 Sing in unusual Laies; That hath wrought wondrous things, His Conquest crown with Praise: Whose Arms alone, And sacred Hands, Their impious Bands Have overthrown.

He ••ustice brings to light; His saving Truth extends, Even in the Gentiles sight, To Earths remotest Ends. His Heavenly Grace At full display'd, And promise made To Iacobs Race.

Let all that dwell on Earth Their high Affections raise, With universal Mirth, And loudly sing his Praise: To Musick joyn The warbling Voice, Let all rejoyce With Joy divine.

The sprightly Trumpet sound; The shrill-voic'd Cornet bring•• Let all with Joy abound Before the Lord our King. Rore out you Seas, You spangled Skies, All you comprise, Rejoyce with these.

Floods clap your thronging waves, You Hills exalt your mirth: He, who his People saves, Now comes to judge the Earth: The round World shall With Justice trie; His Equitie Dispenst to all.

PSALM XCIX.

LEt our Foes with terrour quake;* 1.14 Let the Earths Foundations shake: Now the Lord his Reign begins, Thron'd between the Cherubins. O how great in Sions Towers! High above all Mortal Powers. Great and terrible his Name: Since so holy, praise the same. Judgement his great Power affects; Yet by Equity directs. These celestial Twins imbrace; These reflect on Iacobs Race. O how holy! above all Honour; at his Foot-stool fall, Moses; Aaron heretofore Among those who Mitres wore: Samuel by Vow desir'd, Among those who were inspir'd. These to him their Prayers preferr'd, These by him as soon were heard. These his Statutes rarely brake: Unto these th' Almighty spake In the Pillar of a Cloud: To his Service ever vow'd. He did their Petitions hear, Merciful, and yet severe. The Holy on his Holy Hill Glorifie, and worship still.

PSALM C.

* 1.15ALL from the Suns uprise, Unto his Setting Raies, Resound in Jubilees The great Jehovah's Praise. Him serve alone; In triumph bring Your Gifts, and sing Before his Throne.

Man drew from Man his Birth, But God his noble Frame Built of the ruddy Earth, Fill'd with caelestial Flame. His Sons we are; Sheep by him led, Preserv'd, and fed With tender care.

O, to his Portals press In your divine resorts: With Thanks his Power profess, And praise him in his Courts. How good! how pure! His Mercies last: His Promise past For ever sure.

PSALM CI.

OF Justice I and Mercy sing,* 1.16 Which, Lord, from thee, their Fountain spring; The Graces that adorn a King.

Grave Wisdom shall my steps direct, No Vice my heart nor Roof infect. When wilt thou visit thine Elect!

No pleasure shall mine eyes misguide: Who from the Tract of Virtue slide, Just Hate shall from my Soul divide.

Who mischief in their Hearts contrive, Delight in Wrong, in Factions strive, I from my peaceful Court will drive.

Who hath his Friend with Slander strook, I will cut off; nor ever brook A proud Heart, and a haughty Look.

Mine Eyes the Faithful shall observe; Those in my Family shall serve, Who never from pure Virtue swerve.

But who are exercis'd in Guile, Whose Tongues malicious Lies defile, I from my Presence will exile.

And all the Wicked in the Land Will cut off with a timely Hand; Nor shall they in Gods City stand.

PSALM CII.

ACcept my Prayers, nor to the Cry * 1.17Of my Afflictions stop thine Ear: Lord, in the time of Misery And sad restraint serene appear: The Sighings of my Spirit hear; And when I call, with speed reply.

As Smoak, so fleets my Soul away; My marrow dry'd, as Hearths with heat: My heart struck down, like withered Hay; Through Sorrow I forsake my meat, While meagre cares my Liver eat: The clinging Skin my Bones display.

Like Desert-haunting Pelicans; In Cities not less desolate: Like Screech-Owls, who with ominous strains Disturb the Night, and day-light hate: A Sparrow, which hath lost his Mate, And on a Pinacle complains.

Reviling Foes my Honour blast, And frantick men my ruin swear. For Bread, I roll'd-on ashes tast; Each drop I drink mixt with a tear. For, Lord, O who thy Wrath can bear, Thou raisest, and dost head-long cast.

My Dayes short, as the Evening shade; As Morning dew consume away: As G••ass cut down with Sithes, I fade,

Or like a flower crop'd yesterday: But, Lord, thou suffer'st no decay: Thy Promises shall never vade.

For thou shalt from thy Rest arise, (Since now th' appointed time draws near) And look on Sions miseries, Her Walls and batter'd Buildings rear; Whose ruins to thy Saints are dear; For they her Dust as sacred prise.

Thy Name then shall the Gentiles praise;* 1.18 All Kings thy Honour celebrate: For when the Lord shall Sion raise, His Glory shall ascend in State: So prone to hear the Desolate, And succour them in all assaies.

Unto eternal Memory Our Histories shall this record; And all that are created by His pow'rful Hand, shall fear the Lord, Who doth such Grace to his afford, And on the Earth looks from on high;

To hear the pensive Captives grone; The Sons of Death by him unbound: His Name again in Sion known, That Salem may his Praise resound: When in his Service all the Round Of Earth shall there be joyn'd in one.

Yet, Lord, amidst these Hopes thou hast Consum'd my strength, abridg'd my years: Before my Noon of Life be past

Let me not die thus drown'd in tears. Time wasts not thee, which all out-wears; Thy happy Daies for ever last.

Thou mad'st the Earth, thou didst display The Heavens in various motion roll'd: These and their Glories shall decay; But thou shalt thy existence hold: They like a Garment shall grow old, And in their changes pass away.

But thou art still the same: before The World, and after shalt remain. You blessed Souls, who God adore, With Patient Hope your harms sustain: For you shall prosper in his Reign And yours, subsist for evermore.

PSALM CIII.

* 1.19MY Soul, and all my Faculties Jehovah praise; sing till the Skies Re-eccho his ascending Fame: My Soul, O celebrate his Name! Nor ever let the memory Of his surpassing Favours die. He gently pardons our misdeeds, And cures the Wounds which inward bleeds. Hath from the Chains of Death unbound; With Clemency and Mercy crown'd. With Food our Hunger he subdues: And Eagle-like our Youth renues. His Justice he extends to all; Oppressors by his Vengeance fall.

His sacred Paths to Moses shown; His Miracles to Israel known: From Him the Springs of Mercy flow; Swift to forgive, to anger slow. For he will not for ever chide; Nor constant to his Wrath abide: But mildly from his Rage relents, And shortens our due Punishments. For as the Heavens in amplitude Exceed the Centre they include: So ample is his Clemency To all who on his Grace rely.

As far as the bright Orient* 1.20 Is distant from the Suns Descent; So far he sets from his Aspect Their Guilt, who him with fear affect. And as a Father to his Child, So soft, so quickly reconcil'd. He knows the Fabrick of us all; That dust is our Original. Man flourisheth like Grass, a Flower That blows and withers in an hour: By scorching heat, by blasting Wind Deflower'd, and leaves no print behind. But his firm Mercy shall imbrace His Saints for ever, and their Race: Those who his equal Laws fulfill, Remember, and perform his Will. In Heaven the great Jehovah reigns, And governs all that Earth contains: You Angels, who in strength exceed, Who him obey with winged speed; You ordred Hosts of radiant Stars; O you his flaming Ministers;

All, whom his Wisdom did create; Through his large Empire celebrate His glorious Name with sweet accord: Joyn thou, my Soul, to praise the Lord.

PSALM CIV.

* 1.21MY ravish'd Soul, great God, thy praises sings; Whom Glory circles with her radiant Wings, And Majesty invests: then Day more bright; Cloth'd with the beams of new-created Light. He, like an all-infolding Canopy, Fram'd the vast concave of the spangled Skie: And in the Air-imbraced Waters set The Basis of his hanging Cabinet. Who on the Clouds, as on a Chariot, rides; And with a reign the flying Tempest guides. Bright Angels his attendant Spirits made; By flame-dispersing Seraphims obey'd. The ever-fixed Earth cloth'd with the Flood; In whose calm bosome unseen Mountains stood; At his rebuke it shrunk with suddain dread, And from his voices Thunder swiftly fled. Then Hills their late concealed Heads extend, And sinking Vallies to their Feet descend. The trembling Waters through their bottoms wind, Till they the Sea, their Nurse and Mother, find. He to the swelling Waves prescribes a bound, Lest Earth again should by their rage be drown'd.

Springs through the pleasant Medows pour their drills, Which Snake-like glide between the bordring Hills; Till they to Rivers grow; where beasts of prey Their thirst asswage, and such as man obey.

In neighbouring Groves the Ayr's Musicians sing,* 1.22 And with their Musick entertain the Spring. He from coelestial Casement showers distills, And with renew'd increase his Creatures fills. He makes the food-full Earth her fruit produce; For Cattel Grass, and Herbs for humane use. The spreading Vine long purple clusters bears, Whose juyce the hearts of pensive Mortals chears: Fat Olives smooth our brows with suppling Oyl; And strengthning Corn rewards the Reapers toil. His Fruit affording trees with sap abound. The Lord hath Lebanon with Cedars crown'd: They to the warbling Birds a shelter yield, And wandring Storks in lofty Fir-trees build. Wild Goats to craggy Cliffs for refuge flie; And Conies in the Rocks dark entrails lie. He guides the changing Moons alternate face: The Suns diurnal and his annual Race. 'Twas he that made the all-informing Light; And with dark shadows cloaths the aged Night. Then Beasts of prey break from their Mountain Caves; The roaring Lion pinch'd with hunger craves Food from his hand. But when Heavens greatest Fire Obscures the Stars, they to their Dens retire. Men with the Morning rise, to labour prest; Toil all the Day, at Night return to rest.

* 1.23Great God! how manifold, how infinite Are all thy Works! with what a clear fore-sight Didst thou create and multiply their birth! Thy riches fill the far extended Earth. The ample Sea; in whose unfathom'd Deep Innumerable sorts of Creatures creep: Bright scaled Fishes in her Entrails glide, And high-built Ships upon her bosome ride: About whose sides the crooked Dolphin plays, And monstrous Whales huge spouts of water raise. All on the Land, or in the Ocean bred, On Thee depend; in their due season fed. They gather what thy bounteous Hands bestow, And in the Summer of thy Favour grow. When thou contract'st thy clouded Brows, they mourn; And dying, to their former dust return. Again created by thy quickning breath, To re-supply the Massacres of Death. No Tract of Time his Glory shall destroy: He in th' Obedience of his Works shall joy: But when their wild revolts his Wrath provoke, Earth trembles, and the airy Mountains smoke. I all my life will my Creator praise; And to his Service dedicate my Daies. May he accept the Musick of my Voice, While I with sacred Harmony rejoyce. Hence you profane, who in your Sins delight; God shall extirp, and cast you from his Sight. My Soul, bless thou this all-commanding King: You Saints and Angels, Hallelujah sing.

PSALM CV.

TO God,* 1.24 O pay your vows; invoke his Name, And to the World his noble Acts proclame! O sing his praises in immortal Verse, And his stupendious Miracles rehearse! You Saints, rejoyce, and glory in his Grace; His power adore; for ever seek his Face. Old Abrahams Seed, you Sons of the Elect; You Israelites; O you, who God affect, Report the Wonders by his finger wrought, When in your cause th' inferiour creatures fought. Jehovah rules the many-peopled Earth; His judgement known to all of humane birth. He never will forget his Promise past; His Covenants inviolable last, Which he to faithful Abraham made before, And after to the holy Isaac swore: To Iacob sign'd, confirm'd to Israel; That their large Off-spring should in Canaan dwell. When they, but few in number, wandered In unknown Regions, and their Cattel fed: He did their lives from violence protect, And for their sakes even mighty Princes checkt. Touch not, said he, my Anointed; fear to wrong Those sacred Prophets, who to Me belong.

When raging Famine in these Climates reign'd,* 1.25 He broke the Staff of Bread, which life sustain'd: But Ioseph sent before them; sold to save His Brethren, by whose envy made a slave. There for th' Accusers guilt in prison thrown; With galling fetters bound, for crimes unknown;

Try'd with affliction, at the time decreed, At once by Pharoah both advanc'd and freed. He of his Houshold gave him the command, And made him Ruler over all his Land: His Princes to his government Subjects. The prudent Youth grave Senators directs. Then aged Iacob into Egypt came, And sojourn'd in the fruitful Fields of Ham. God in that Land his people multiply'd; Their Foes, which now their greater strength envy'd, Hate what they fear; he alienates their hearts, To seek their ruin by deceitful Arts.

* 1.26Then Moses on a sacred Embassie And Aaron sent; th' Elect of the most High. There wrought his dreadful Wonders; from the Isle Of Sea-girt Pharo's, to the Falls of Nile. He bade Cimmerian darkness dim the Day: Th' assembled Vapours his commands obey. He their seven chanell'd Waters turn'd to Blood; The Fishes strangled in their native Flood. Frogs from the slimy Earth in Millions spring; And skip about the Chambers of the King. All parts with swarms of noisome Flies abound: And Lice, like quickned dust, crawl on the ground. He storms of killing Hail, for Showers, bestows; And from the breaking clouds his lightning throws: Blasts all the Vines, and Fig-trees in the Land; The Woods, with Tempests torn, or naked stand. Innumerable Locusts these succeed; And Caterpillars on their leavings feed: They bite the tender Herb, the bud, and flower; And all the verdure of the Earth Devour.

Their Strength (the First-born) slew: which fill'd their ears With Female screeches, and their hearts with fears.

Then He the Hebrews out of Goshen brought,* 1.27 In able health, with Gold and Silver fraught. Th' Inhabitants, whose tears augment the Nile, At their departure Joy, and Fear exile. A Cloud to shade them from the Sun was spread; And Nightly by a flaming Pillar led. At their request he sends them showers of Quails; And Bread from Heaven, like Coriander, hails▪ Cleaves the hard Rocks, from whence a Fountain flows, And unknown Rivers to those Deserts shows: For he his sacred Promise call'd to mind, To Abraham his Friend and Servant sign'd. Thus he his People brought from servitude, Whose long-felt miseries in joy conclude. From hence the Heathen by our Weapons chac'd; And us his sons in their possessions plac'd: That from his Statutes we might never swerve. O praise the Lord, and him devoutly serve!

PSALM CVI.

WIth grateful hearts Jehovahs praise re∣sound;* 1.28 In goodness great; whose Mercy hath no bound. What Language can express his mighty deeds, Or utter his due praise, which words exceeds! Thrice blessed they, who his commands observe, Nor ever from the tract of Justice swerve.

Great God, O with benevolent aspect (Even with the love thou bear'st to thine Elect) Behold and succour; That my ravish'd Eyes May see a period of their miseries, Who Thee adore: that I may give a voice To thy great Acts, and in their joy rejoyce. We as our Fathers, have thy Grace exil'd; Revolted, and our Souls with Sin defil'd. They, of thy Miracles in Egypt wrought So full of Fear and Wonder, never thought; Thy Mercies, than their hairs in number, more: But murmur'd on the Erythraean Shore. Yet for his Honour sav'd them from the Foe, That all the World his wondrous Power might know. There the commanded Sea asunder rent, While Israel through his dusty Chanel went▪ Whom He from Phaeroah and his Army saves; The swift-returning Floods their fatal Graves.

* 1.29Then they his Word believ'd, and sung his Praise; Yet soon forgot: and wandred from his Waies. Who long for flesh to pamper their excess; And tempt him in the barren Wilderness. He grants their wish, and with a Flight of Fowls, Sent meager Death into their hungry Souls. They, Moses gentle Government oppose; And envy Aaron, whom the Lord had chose. The yawning Earth then in her silent womb Did Dathan and Abirams Troops intomb. A swiftly-spreading Fire among them burns, And tho••e Conspirators to Ashes turns. Yet they, the slaves of Sin, in Horeb made A Calf of Gold, and to an Idol pray'd.

The Lord, their Glory, thus exchanged they For th' Image of a Beast that feeds on Hey: Forgot their Saviour, all his Wonders shown In Zoan, and the Plains by Nile o're-flown; The Wonders acted by his pow'rful Hand; Where the Red-Sea obey'd his stern Command. God hath pronounc'd their ruin: Moses then, His Servant Moses, and the best of Men, Stood in the Breach, which their Rebellion made; And by his Prayer the hand of Vengeance staid.

Yea they this fruitful Paradise despis'd,* 1.30 Nor his so-oft-confirmed Promise priz'd: But mutined against their faithful Guide, And basely wish'd, they had in Aegypt dy'd. For this, the Lord advanc'd his dreadful Hand, To overthrow them on th' Arabian Sand; To scatter their rebellious Seed among Their Foes; expos'd to poverty and Wrong. Besides; Baal-Peor they ador'd, and fed On Sacrifices offer'd to the Dead. Thus their Impieties the Lord incense, Who smote them with devouring Pestilence. But when with noble anger Phineas slew The bold Offenders, He his Plagues with-drew. This was reputed for a righteous Deed, Which should for ever consecrate his Seed. So they at Meribah his Anger mov'd; The sacred Prophet for their sakes reprov'd: Their Cries his Saint-like sufferance provoke; Who rashly in his Souls distemper spoke, Nor ever entred the affected Land. They, still rebellious to divine Command, Preserv'd those Nations by his Wrath subdu'd; Mixt with the Heathen, and their Sins pursu'd.

Their cursed Idols serve with Rites profane, (Snares to their Soul) and from no Crime abstain.

* 1.31Their Sons and Virgin daughters sacrifice To Devils; and look on with tearless eyes. Defil'd the Land with innocent blood, which sprung From their own loins, on flaming Altars flung. Unto adulterate Deities they pray'd, And worshipped those Gods their hands had made. These crying Sins exasperate the Lord; Who now his own Inheritance abhorr'd: Given up unto the Heathen for a Prey; Slaves to their Foes; who hate them most, obey. Deliver'd oft; as oft his Wrath provoke, And with increasing Sins renew their Yoke. Yet he compassionates their miseries, And with soft pity hears their mournful Cries: His former Promise calls to mind, relents; And in his Mercy, of his Wrath repents. In salvage Hearts unknown Compassion bred, By whom but lately into thraldome led. Great God of gods, thy Votaries protect, And from among the Barbarous recollect: That we to Thee may dedicate our Daies, And joyntly triumph in thy glorious Praise. Blest, O for ever blest, be Israels King: All you his People, Halelujah sing.

Amen, Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  As the 34.
• * 1.2

  Part 2.
• * 1.3

  As the 9.
• * 1.4

  As the 29.
• * 1.5

  Part 2.
• * 1.6

  As the 47.
• * 1.7

  As the 10.
• * 1.8

  Part 2.
• * 1.9

  As the 34.
• * 1.10

  As the 29.
• * 1.11

  Part 2.
• * 1.12

  As the 8.
• * 1.13

  As the 47.
• * 1.14

  As the 29.
• * 1.15

  As the 47.
• * 1.16

  As the 46.
• * 1.17

  As the 22.
• * 1.18

  Part 2.
• * 1.19

  As the 8.
• * 1.20

  Part 2.
• * 1.21

  As the 72.
• * 1.22

  Part 2.
• * 1.23

  Part 3.
• * 1.24

  As the 72.
• * 1.25

  Part 2.
• * 1.26

  Part 3.
• * 1.27

  Part 4.
• * 1.28

  As th•• 72.
• * 1.29

  Part 2.
• * 1.30

  Part 3.
• * 1.31

  Part 4.