English Puritan & Reformed

Three Grains of Spiritual Frankincense

George Wither (1588-1667) · 2,936 words · 13 min

The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A66783.0001.001

Project Note

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The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.

This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.

Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.

However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.

This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.

Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org

THREE GRAINS▪ OF Spiritual Frankincense, Infused into Three Hymns of Praise; AND Humbly offered toward the public Thanksgiving, commanded by Authority of Parliament to be celebrated throughout the Commonwealth of England, the 30. of this present January, 1650.

          IF Scorners
         
         term these
         
          Ballads,
         
         'twill not much
        
         Regarded be, though there be many such:
        
         For, they, perhaps, are
         
          Fools,
         
         or
         
          Children,
         
         yet;
        
         And may be wiser, when they shall have
         
          wit.
         
         If any thinks these
         
          Odes
         
         are over long,
        
         Let him not do his credit so much wrong,
        
         To say it, till he sees what may be spared;
        
         And, pass thereon his judgment, afterward.
        
         There can arise no great
         
          discommendation,
         
         By lengthening out a
         
          pious Recreation:
         
         Nor merit they much heed, that can be weary
        
         To sing of Dangers past, and to be
         
          merry.

LONDON, Printed by R. Austin. 1651.

To the Right Honorable JOHN BRADSHAW Esqu. LORD PRESIDENT OF THE Council of STATE.

My Lord,

THe Parliament having lately graciously considered my humble Suit and long patience? (and I, by the refreshment thereby obtained, getting some leisure to entertain my natural Genius ) an earnest Desire immediately possessed me to perform somewhat, which might show me thankful to God, and to those friends, by whose Mercy, I and my Family have been preserved, from perishing under our late Pressures; and he who wrought that Desire in me, offered therewith to my thought, an Undertaking suitable to my inclination; with hope, that he would enable to the perfecting thereof in due season, though interruptions will be many, and the time, whereto I must confine myself, very short.

The Supreme Authority hath enacted a public Thanksgiving throughout this Common wealth, on the thirtieth of this January (being the last day of the late Kings life, as also the first of England's resuming her long lost Liberty ) a Day, which may by good reason be made an everlasting Anniversary, in remembrance of that, and other great Deliverances. And, therefore I thought it would neither be an impertinent expression of my Gratitude, nor unacceptable where I owe it, to prepare proper Hymns for that days Celebration, with some other brief Commemoration, to keep in mind GOD'S late Mercies to this Republic, when that days solemnity shall be forgotten; and thereupon composed (among other assays, yet unfinished) the three following Hymns, which I thus communicate, before the perfecting of what is further intended; in hope it may be a means to prepare the hearts of some for a more due observation of that Day, by giving them space to consider, how pertinent they are to the duty then required; and that they may be thereby in readiness for those who shall be willing to make use of such helps to Devotion.

Hymns are so proper to public acknowledgements of extraordinary Deliverances, and Mercies (spiritual, or temporal) that by the Primitive Churches, Jewish and Christian, they were this way commemorated, and left upon record even to this day; as appears in Holy Writ, by the Hymns, Songs, and Psalms, of Moses, Deborah, Hannah, David, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Simeon, Zacharias, and Mary, with others. The practice also of Christian Churches, in, and after the Apostles time, makes it evident, that they sung Hymns and Songs upon the several occasions, happening from time to time. And though Scorners, and ignorant persons do in this Age vilisie, or contemn the gift of Poesie; yet the most knowing, and most pious, among all Nations, have always practiced, and do still approve the use of that Faculty, to rouse up spiritual affections in the soul, toward the illustrating of God's Praises: and they who despise it, are dispisers of that Gift, which God hath given for his own glory, with our advantage: For, it is none of those accomplishments, which may be acquired by mere human industry, (though it may be much bettered thereby) but is one of God's Peculiars, and infused in the mothers womb, as is generally confessed by learned and understanding men, many of which have long studied for it in vain, by mere helps of Art.

Upon these considerations, and by the example of many Prophets and Poets, (for in some other languages, one word signifies both) who very well knew that advantages may be made by the right use of that Faculty, upon such occasions of praise as have been vouchsafed to this Nation; I have thereby sought to illustrate God's Mercies; with an assurance, that it shall prepare the hearts of many, to a more cheerful performance of what is commanded, and help to charm down those distempers which trouble the Common Peace, and hinder our reconcilement, both to God, and to each other; and I hope it will not seem Arrogance in me to offer them to that use.

For, though it be no rare thing to see many run on errants before they are sent; and to obtrude their undigested Conceptions upon public Auditories; yet private persons, qualified by their Education, Conversation, and Gifts, may with modesty and submission make tender of that which they conceive edifying; yea, and ought, (as I think) so to do, their consciences persuading it to be their duty: because I find it was a Liberty, Apostolically allowed, and taken for private Christians to communicate their several Gifts in public Congregations; and that he who brought a Hymn, brought that which was acceptable, as appears in that place, where the Apostle prescribes what Order is to be observed at such Meetings. According to that approved practice, I offer the ensuing Hymns, composed and fitted to the Meridian of vulgar capacities; and yet (I hope) not so inartificially composed, as to make them despised of the learned. I have also out of such tunes as the people are acquainted withal, chosen those which are best suitable to the matter and occasion, sitting the first Hymn to a strain, beseeming the beginnings of Exultation: The second, to higher strains of rejoicing, and the last to the fullness of praisefull Thanksgivings; all which I humbly submit to your grave Censure.

And I dedicate, and first send them to your Lordship, for many good Reasons. First, by your approbation of their usefulness, I shall be the more comfortably confirmed in that hope which I have thereof already. Secondly, your exemplary respect may make others perhaps take the more heed of them; and by growing acquainted with them for your sake, respect them afterward for their own. Thirdly, you were one of the most eminent personal instruments under God, of that Justice upon which the many Mercies followed, which are the subject of these Hymns; and I thought they would be the more acceptable unto you, in regard no man had been in greater danger, if God, by not appearing for us, had permitted our Adversaries to prevail. Lastly, an Obligation lies upon me, to give you some visible testimony of my thankfulness for benefits conferred.

For, Sir, notwithstanding it offends your modesty, to hear me make offers of acknowledgements, (though it be in private) yet I will now take the boldness to tell it openly, that, if God by his compassion, moving in the heart of your Lordship, and one other Noble Friend, (whose modesty hath likewise yet stopped my mouth) had not freely vouchsafed supplies during my late straits, I and my Family, (considering in what hazard all my other hopes then lay) had, in probability, long since been quite ruined, or exposed to most despicable wants; as would be manifest, if the circumstances of my suffering should be fully declared, and I should not now perhaps have had courage enough in me to have composed these Hymns, or to have sung a joyful song in the Land of the Living, this day.

They are, therefore, not so much mine, as yours, and his; Take them therefore at your own, and with them my prayers, that God would return your mercies a thousand fold into your bosoms, And make them comfortable unto you, both all the days of your lives, and at the hours of your death. I have nothing else to retribute but Prayers, except it be by adding so much to the honor of your Justice and Mercy, as the single testimony of an honest man (never aspersed with flattering) may confer: If that be anything worth, I can truly say, that I have seen you active in the most eminent prosecution of human publiqke Justice under the Sun; and that I am a witness also of your extraordinary private mercy, by being twice thereby delivered from probable destruction. Upon contemplation whereof, I am warranted to assure you from him who can make it good, that if you persevere (whereof I doubt not) in your heroical progress, all the power, threats, and mischievous practices of your most enraged and malicious Adversaries, shall be but as fire and materials co-operating with better Ingredients to make refined Gold for your immortal Crown; and that their revilings, snarlings, and detractions, shall make it more glorious then Diamonds, Pearls, and Rubies, & shine brighter many Ages hence, then it can now. It shall questionless be so; and therefore if ought happen hereafter, that may seem bitter to the flesh in more then ordinary measure, or threaten any terrible event, be assured, they are but operations of that Fire which is used in preparing the essential Materialls of your expected Crown. He so presageth, whose predictions you have seen verified in more dubious matters; and he is also unfeignedly

Your Lordships most humble servant, GEORGE WITHER.

Hymn 1.

This first Hymn (prepared for the public Thanksgiving, enjoined on the thirtieth of Jan. 1650.) may, most properly, be sung at the beginning of Divine Exercises, public or private, the same day.

Sing this as the 100 Psalm.

       1.
       
        WIth awful
        
         Joy,
        
        and joyful
        
         Fear,
        
        To sanctify, O Lord, this day,
       
        Before thy
        
         Foot-stool
        
        we appear;
       
        And, our
        
         Thank-offerings
        
        here to pay:
       
        Which though it be no other thing,
       
        Then thy
        
         Free-mercies
        
        to confess;
       
        Or,
        
         Songs,
        
        unto thy praise to sing;
       
        Vouchsafe acceptance, nay-the-less.

       2.
       
        Within ourselves, we are so poor,
       
        That, we have nothing of our own,
       
        But, what we had from thee, before;
       
        Which, by our
        
         sins
        
        impaired is grown:
       
        For, our
        
         wit, beauty, strength,
        
        and
        
         health,
        
        (The goods of body, and of mind)
       
        Our time, our honors, and our wealth,
       
        To serve our lusts, have been resigned.

       3.
       
        And, therefore, till thou shalt renew
       
        Thine
        
         Image,
        
        by our fault defaced,
       
        We, and our
        
         Offrings,
        
        from thy view,
       
        Deservedly, may forth be cast.
       
        There is no music in our
        
         Songs,
        
        That's worthy to be heard of thee;
       
        Because, our
        
         hearts, eyes, ears,
        
        and
        
         tongues,
        
        Prophaned, and untuned be,

       4.
       
        Yet, by those favors, heartened on;
       
        Which were on us bestowed,of late,
       
         A Hymn,
        
        we jointly have begun,
       
        To sing this Day, at
        
         Mercies gate.
        
        Lord! those
        
         eternal doors
        
        unclose,
       
        Through which thy special graces flow;
       
        The cords of our Corruption lose,
       
        And, let thy Spirit on us blow.

       5.
       
        Then, every word, we hear, or say,
       
        With ey'ry thing, that's done, or thought
       
        (In celebrating of this Day)
       
        Shall do thee honor, as it ought:
       
        And, they that study public harms,
       
        Or, flout, what we are doing here,
       
        Shall be so bound up, by these Charms,
       
        That when they flout us, they shall fear.

Hymn 2.

This other Hymn (composed for the same Day) may be sung before the Sermon (or, between the Sermons, where two are preached) or, before the second Chapter; or, after any pause (or change of Exercises) in Devotion.

Sing this as the 113. Psalm.

       1.
       
        OH God! how good! how kind art thou!
       
        What help, what grace, dost thou bestow
       
        On us, in our distrest estate!
       
        Our
        
         tears
        
        to
        
         triumphs,
        
        thou hast turned,
       
        We now do sing, who lately
        
         mourned,
        
        And, by our Foes, were jeered at.
       
        When we were weak, poor and forlorn,
       
        Expos'd to dangers, fears and scorn,
       
        Our
        
         Comforter,
        
        thou didst become:
       
        And, when we dreaded
        
         shame of face;
        
        Spoils, death, or wounds, join'd with disgrace;
       
        Those fears, we were delivered from.

       2.
       
        As thou, from base and servile bands,
       
        And out of cruel
        
         Pharaoh's
        
        hands,
       
        Thine Heritage redeemd'st of old:
       
        Even so, from those, who sought our harm,
       
        Thou broughtest us off, without-stretched arm,
       
        With
        
         signs
        
        and
        
         wonders
        
        manifold.
       
        They so, were blinded, Lord, by thee,
       
        Who, might have
        
         seen,
        
        but would not see;
       
        Nor hear when they were counsel'd well:
       
        And He that fraud, and force employ'd,
       
        To make our Laws, and Freedomes void;
       
        In our own view, like
        
         Pharaoh,
        
        fell.

       3.
       
        This is the
        
         Day,
        
        whereon our
        
         Yoke
        
        Of
        
         Norman Bondage,
        
        first was broke;
       
        And,
        
         England
        
        from her chains made free.
       
        This is the Day, whereon the Lord,
       
        Did manumit us by the
        
         sword,
        
        And, 'tis now
        
         signal,
        
        by decree.
       
         Slaves,
        
        they deserve to be, therefore,
       
        And to be barred for evermore,
       
        The
        
         Freedoms
        
        of this
        
         Commonweal,
        
        Who shall not thankful, now appear,
       
        And vindicate with sword and spear,
       
         God's
        
        just Replies, to our Appeal.

       4.
       
        By thee, our Freedoms, Lord, we got;
       
        Oh! to our keeping, leave them not:
       
        But, still their
        
         Guardianship
        
        retain.
       
        And, let not those, who under thee,
       
         Sub-keepers,
        
        of those
        
         Freedoms
        
        be,
       
        Nor, our sins, forfeit them, again:
       
        On those alone, that are unjust
       
        Or shall be traytrous to their trust,
       
        To this
        
         Republic,
        
        or to
        
         Thee,
        
        Let thy avenging justice fall;
       
        And, on all those who hinder shall,
       
        That
        
         Peace,
        
        with
        
         Truth,
        
        may settled be:

       5.
       
        Write in our hearts, thy sacred Law;
       
        And, let no
        
         future failings,
        
        draw
       
        Our former cursed bondage back:
       
        But, our
        
         depraved wills
        
        renew,
       
        And, to thy
        
         service,
        
        keep us true;
       
        Which, will our
        
         Freedoms
        
        perfect make.
       
        The
        
         Kingdom, Power,
        
        and
        
         Praise
        
        be thine,
       
        As long as Moon, and Sun shall shine:
       
        Be, likewise, thou our
        
         Heritage:
        
        And, in this
        
         Nation,
        
        let there be
       
        No other King, or GOD, but thee,
       
        What e're they are, who thereat rage.

Hymn 3.

This third Hymn, may most properly be sung the same day, after the conclusion of the last Sermon; or, at the consummation of any other Devotion.

Sing this as the 148. Psalm, doubling the last strain of the Tune.

       1.
       
        ALl you, that present are,
       
        Come, let our
        
         hearts,
        
        and
        
         tongues,
        
        The
        
         Praise
        
        of God declare,
       
        In
        
         new-Thanksgiving songs;
        
        Come, let us sing
       
        Strains, that may make, the walls to shake,
       
        The Roofs to ring:
       
        Still sounding higher,
       
        Till thereby, we, with
        
         Angels, be
        
        Join'd in one Choir.

       2.
       
        Related, we have heard,
       
        What he, for us, hath done;
       
        With how much disregard,
       
        Our Foes, he looks upon:
       
        And, we have seen,
       
        How, he befriends, when
        
         righteous ends
        
        Pursu'd have been
       
        We, likewise view
       
        What will befall, to those that shall
       
        Their lust pursue.

       3.
       
        We see, or may behold,
       
        That, he our
        
         Armies
        
        leads;
       
        And (as in times of old)
       
        His Banner over them spreads,
       
        And for our sakes,
       
        Through threats and spights, through depths and heights,
       
        Their passage makes,
       
        Whilst, to his praise
       
        Their Foes to naught, are justly brought,
       
        In plainer ways.

       4.
       
        He, made both
        
         Seas
        
        and
        
         Wind,
        
        To them assistance lend;
       
        And, what they had designed,
       
         Sun, Moon,
        
        and
        
         Clouds
        
        befriend.
       
        Force, he repells;
       
        He makes them bold, to march where cold,
       
        And hunger dwells:
       
        And, when their
        
         fear
        
        Did most abound, they mercy found,
       
        And
        
         Victors
        
        were.

       5.
       
        To him doth
        
         Praise
        
        belong;
       
        For, he did them subdue,
       
        Who num'rous were, and strong,
       
        When we were weak, and few;
       
        And, when our Foes
       
        Came bragging on, and thought all won,
       
        They all did lose.
       
        Still, be it thus;
       
        Lord! always, so, them overthrow
Who malice us.

       6.
       
        His wise-foresight prevents,
       
        The
        
         Politicians
        
        wiles:
       
        He, crosses their intents,
       
        He, at their
        
         Projects
        
        smiles:
       
        In his due time,
       
         〈1 line〉
        
        Contrived by them:
       
        And, in that snare,
       
        Which, for our feet, they closely set,
       
        Still caught they are.

       7.
       
        Vain
        
         sons of men,
        
        therefore,
       
        Your brutish grumbling cease;
       
        Pursue false hopes no more,
       
        But follow after peace.
       
        More prudent grow;
       
        Reform your ways, and sing his Praise
       
        As now we do:
       
        Oh! whilst you may
       
        In
        
         God
        
        rejoice, and hear his
        
         Voice
        
        While 'tis today.

       8.
       
        Let all men do the same,
       
        Of whatsoever degrees;
       
        And magnify his Name,
       
        As all obliged be.
       
        His Righteousness,
       
        His
        
         Power
        
        and
        
         Grace,
        
        in every place
       
        Let all confess:
       
        And lay aside
       
        Their own deserts, their selfish hearts,
       
        Their stinking pride.

       9.
       
        Your strength to him submit,
       
        You, that have conquests won:
       
        Wise men ascribe your wit,
       
        To him, even him alone.
       
        For, he supplies
       
        The Fool with skill, and, when he will
       
        Befools the wise.
       
        And, certainly,
       
        Unto to your Foes, he, gives the blows
       
        By which they die.

       10.
       
        Rich-men, your precious things
       
        Bring forth, your Thanks to show;
       
        Before him, (Oh'ye Kings)
       
        Your
        
         Heads,
        
        and
        
         Scepters
        
        bow;
       
        And, as 'tis meet,
       
        Come from your
        
         Thrones,
        
        and cast your
        
         Crown:
        
        Beneath his feet:
       
        For,
        
         Kingdoms
        
        all
       
        To him pertain, and he again
       
        Resume them shall.

       11.
       
        Oh! let all things that
        
         were,
        
        That
        
         are,
        
        or shall
        
         ensue;
        
        (Or, but in
        
         thought
        
        appear)
       
        Thy
        
         Praise,
        
        O God, forth-show;
       
        Till
        
         Times
        
        last bound:
       
        And, let it run, when time is done,
       
        An endless
        
         Round;
        
        Where, needs not be
       
         Privations Night,
        
        that we true Light
       
        May better see.

       12.
       
        Mean time, let not his praise
       
        Be merely, in our Voice,
       
        As if we thought to raise
       
        A
        
         Trophy,
        
        out of Noise:
       
        But, let us more
       
        Our Thanks express, in Righteousness,
       
        Then heretofore:
       
        Els (this is plain)
       
         False shows
        
        we make, and, do but take
       
        GOD'S
        
         Name
        
        in vain.

FINIS.