A Godly Song, intitul'd, The Earnest Petition of a
Faithful Christian, Clark of Bodnam, made upon his Death-
bed, at the Instant of his Transmutation. To a solemn Tune.
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NOw my painful Eyes lies rowling,
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and my Passing bell is towling,
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Towling, sweetly, I lie dying,
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And my Life is from me flying.
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Grant me strength, O gracious God,
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For to indure thy heavy Rod:
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Then shall I rejoyce and sing,
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With Psalms unto our heavenly King.
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Simeon that blesssed Man,
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Believed Christ when he was come;
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And then he did desire to dye,
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To live with him eternally.
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Christ wrought me a strong Salvation,
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By his Death and bitter Passion:
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He hath washt and made me clean,
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That I should never sin again.
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Grievous Pains doth call and cry,
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O Man prepare thyself to dye;
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All my Sins I have lamented;
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And to die I am contented.
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Silly Soul, the Lord receive thee,
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Death is come, and Life must leave thee,
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Death will tarry no Man's leasure;
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Then farewel all earthly Pleasure.
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In this World I nothing crave,
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But to bring me to my Grave:
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In my Grave while I lye sleeping,
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Angel have my Soul in keeping.
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When the Bells are for me ringing,
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Lord, receive my Soul with singing;
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Then shall I be free from Pain,
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To live, and never dye again.
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While the Worms corrupting breed on,
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Wait my noisom Corps to feed on,
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My fervent Soul this Prison loathing,
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Craves a Robe of Angel's clothing.
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Farewel World, and Worldly Glory,
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Farewel all things transitory;
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Sihon Hill my Soul ascendeth,
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And God's royal Throne attendeth.
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Farewel Wife, and Children small,
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For I must go when Christ doth call;
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And for my death be ye content,
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When I am gone do not lament.
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Now the Bell doth cease to towl,
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Sweet Jesus Christ receive my Soul
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O God which did the World create,
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Hear a poor sinner at the Gate,
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Thou that from Death did'st set me free,
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Remit my Sins, and shew Mercy.
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O thou that caus'd thy blessed Son,
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Into this Universe to come,
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The Gospel true for to fulfil,
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And to subdue Sin, Death, and Hell;
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Grant for his sake, that dy'd on tree,
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On the blest Mount of Calvary,
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That I being grieved for my Sin,
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May by Repentance Heaven win.
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The Gospel saith, who so believe,
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To them thou wilt a Blessing give;
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Amongst which Number, grant me Faith,
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That to believe the Gospel saith.
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Which to believe, grant that I may,
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Though here I die, yet live for aye;
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Then Saviour sweet, remit my Sin,
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And grant me Faith that life to win.
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And since thy Death a Price so great,
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Hath brought us here, I do intreat,
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To give me grace thy Name to praise,
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Both now and evermore always.
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For by thy Death my Soul is free
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From Hell, which still by thy Decree,
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To Sinners all for Sin is due,
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Until thy Son, our Saviour true,
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Did vanquish, by Almighty Power,
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Death, Hell, and all that could devour;
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My sins, O Lord, I do confess,
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Like Sands in Seas, are Numberless.
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Yet though my Sins as Scarlet show,
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Their Whiteness may exceed the Snow,
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If thou thy Mercy do extend,
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That I my sinful Life may mend.
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Which Mercy thy blest Word doth say,
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At any time obtain I may;
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If Power and Grace on me remain,
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From carnal Sin for to refrain.
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Then give me Grace, O Lord, to abstain
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From Sin, that I may still remain
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With thee in Heaven were Angels sing
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Most joyfully to thee, our King.
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God grant, O Christ, that when I die,
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My Soul with thee immediately
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May have abode among the Blest,
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And live forever in true Rest.
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