The Dying Tears of a Penitent Sinner,
Which was written as hee lay on his death-bed, according to his own direction;
WHEREIN
Wee may behold how stedfastly hee beleeved in the pretious death and passion
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and how willing hee was to leave this world.
To the Tune of, The Faithful friend, or the Brothers gift.
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DRaw neer kind friends and neighbors all,
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which now are come to see,
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And to bear witnesse of my death,
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give ear a while to mee.
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I doe desire no worldly wealth,
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no treasure nor no store:
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But I desire Gods heavenly grace,
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and I desire no more.
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O gracious God, O Father dear,
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in mercy look on mee:
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And send me comfort from above,
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in my extremity.
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To thee, O Lord, I make my moan,
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to thee I call and cry:
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Strengthen my faith in pangs of death,
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against the Enemy.
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Thou art my only strength and stay,
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my Rock, Defence, and Guide:
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Direct my steps to come to thee,
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so that I may not slide.
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Thy Promise is, good Lord, that when,
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a sinner doth intend,
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Quite to forsake his wicked life,
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wherein he did offend:
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Thou wilt forgive, and pardon grant,
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for his offences all;
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And thou, O Lord, wilt hear my voice,
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when on thee I do call.
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I do confess, my sins are great,
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and loathsome to behold,
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Yet for thy Son Christ Jesus sake,
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bring mee into thy fold.
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Lay not, dear Father, to my charge,
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the things that I have done:
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I have broke thy Commandements
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and been a wicked Son.
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Servants their Masters will obey,
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Children their Parents fear,
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But I have been a stubborn Son
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to thee, O Father dear.
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The second part to the same Tune
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EVer since I was born, I have
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deservd thy wrathful ire;
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Yet, now with true unfeigned tears
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thy mercy I desire.
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And if my daies on earth again
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were present to begin;
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I never would incline to run
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as I have done in sin.
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But time will not recalled be,
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which makes my soul lament,
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That I have lead so vile a life,
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I do in heart repent.
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O heavenly God, O Father sweet,
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in mercy look on mee,
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And send mee comfort from above
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in this my misery.
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Christ Jesus came into the world,
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to save and set us free,
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As many sinful wretches as
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do trust, O Lord, in thee.
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He did indure the punishments
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which unto us was due,
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Because we should shake off our sins,
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and learn to live a new.
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If we consider of his pains,
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and how his time be spent,
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It well may move our stony hearts
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to soften and relent.
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His blessed body for our sins,
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did blood and water sweat,
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His very soul did grieve for us,
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his torments were so great.
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After the Jews had scourged him,
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with many wrongs beside,
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They causd him bear his cross, on which
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hee should be crucifid.
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And there between two theeves they placd
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our blest Redeemer sweet,
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And cruelly upon the Cross
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they nayld his hands and feet.
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A bloody Souldier with his Spear
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did pierce his tender side,
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All which Christ Jesus at that time
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did patiently abide.
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And by his wounds we are made whole,
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his blood hath cleansed mee,
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O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
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all praise be given to thee.
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And now dear wife, and children all,
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I bid you all adieu,
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Serve God, obey the King, and see
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you pay each man his due.
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Let not your eyes shed tears for mee,
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to weep it is in vain,
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I trust in Christ in Heaven we shall
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each other see again.
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As good old Simeon did forsake
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this world, even so do I;
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Come Lord when tis thy blessed will,
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I willing am to dye.
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