The banquetting-house, or, A feast of fat things a divine poem, opening many sacred Scripture mysteries ...
Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704.
HYMN 23.
Heb. 9. 16.
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator.
1
LOrd Christ, thou the Testator art
Of the New Testament;
And hadst much Goods to give away,
Thou to this end was sent:
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And full of thoughts thou wast also
How of them to dispose;
But some there were which thou didst know
Thy Father long had chose
3
To be the only Legatees
Who unto thee were dear;
And unto them thou didst bequeath
All things that thou hadst here
4
Below on Earth, and all above;
They Heirs are made indeed
Of all the Riches of both Worlds,
What more, Lord, can we need?
5
All things were given unto thee,
Thou art thy Fathers Heir;
And we with thee Joynt - Heirs are too,
So much beloved are.
6
The time drew near that thou must die,
And die thou didst likewise;
But first didst make thy Will, O Lord,
Which in thy Gospel lyes.
7
And that is thy last testament,
For thou wilt make no more;
And by thy blood confirm'd it is,
And that, Lord, o're and o're.
8
And for a Sign the Sacraments
Thou didst likewise ordain,
That we might see thy true intent,
And never doubt again.
Page 55The second Part.
1
The former Will didst disannull;
For it was weak we see,
Since nothing perfect it could make,
'Twas took away by thee.
2
Thou the Testator being dead,
(Yet didst revive again,)
Thy Will must not be altered,
Upon eternal pain.
3
Each Precept as by thee 'tis left,
With care we must observe;
And from thy will and testament
We Lord, must, never swerve.
4
If Angels should this thing attempt,
They cursed then must be;
Let Men then tremble who have done
This great iniquity.
Nothing must added be thereto,
Nor nothing from it took;
Then wo to such; What will they do,
Who have thy Word forsook?
6
And thy last Will and Testament
Gives right and title too
Unto thy Saints of all grace here,
And glory, Lord, also.
7
Like a Testator, thou hast nam'd
The Persons who shall have
Page 56The great Possession that's above,
Or who 'tis thou wilt save.
8
They are all such whom God did give,
Dear Saviour unto thee;
Who shall in time on thee believe,
Yea, and new creatures be.
9
O then let's see if we are such,
And sweetly let us sing;
For who is able to conceive
What comfort hence does spring.
