Songs VII and IX
A Song of Praise for Health Health is a Jewel dropt from Heav'n, Which Money cannot buy, The Life of Life, the Bodies' Peace, And pleasant Harmony. Lord, who hath Tun'd my outward Man To such a lively Frame, Screw up my Heart-strings all, to make Sweet Melody to thy Name, Whilst others in God's Prisons lie, Bound with Affliction's Chains, I walk at large, secure and free From Sickness and from Pains; Their Life is Death, their Language Groans, Their Meat is Juice of Galls; Their Friends but Strangers; wealth but want; Their Houses, Prison-walls. Their earnest Cries do pierce the Skies, And shall I silent be? Lord, were I sick, as I am well, Thou should'st have heard from me. The Sick have not more Cause to pray, Than I to praise my King: Since Nature teaches them to groan, Let Grace teach me to sing. I see my Friends, I taste my Meat, I'm free for mine Employ: But when I do enjoy my God, Then I my self enjoy. Lord, who dost set me on my Feet, Direct me in thy Ways: O Crown thy Gift of Health with Grace, And turn it to thy Praise. | A Song of Praise for good Success in honest Affairs Is not the Hand of God in this? Is not this End divine? Lord of Success, Thee will I bless, Who on my Paths do'st shine. I reap the Fruit of God Divine, By him it was foreseen; He thought of this as well as I, Or it had never been. I blindly guess'd, but he foreknew; I wish'd, he did command; Wherefore I praise his careful Eye, And his unerring Hand. The Bow is drawn by feeble Arms, Aim taken in the Dark, A providential Hand doth guide The Arrow to the Mark. Except the Lord the City keep, The Watchman will be slain; Except the Lord do build the House, The Builder builds in vain. Buildings are Babels, Cities Heaps, When thou send'st Curse or Flame: And lab'ring Heads that promise Fruit, Oft bring forth Wind and Shame. But thou hast Crown'd my Actions, Lord, With good Success today; This Crown, together with my self, At thy blest Feet I lay. Lord, who art pleas'd to prosper me, To bless me in my Ways; Prosper my weak endeavouring Heart, Which aimeth at thy Praise. |