The first day of Lent

THy wondrous Fasting to record,
And our rebellious flesh to tame,
A holy Fast to thee, oh LORD,
We haue intended in thy Name:
Oh sanctifie it, we thee pray,
That we may thereby honour Thee;
And so dispose vs, that it may
To our aduantage also be.

Let vs not grudgingly abstaine,
Nor secretly the gluttons play;
Nor openly for glory vaine,
Thy Churches ordinance obay:
But let vs fast, as thou hast taught,
Thy Rule obseruing in each part,
With such intentions as we ought,
And with true singlenesse of heart.

So thou shalt our Deuotions blesse,
And make this holy Discipline;
A meanes that longing to suppresse,
Which keeps our Will so crosse to thine:
And though our stricktest fastings faile
To purchase of themselues thy grace;
Yet, they to make for our auaile,
(By thy deseruings) shall haue place.

True Fasting helpfull oft hath beene,
The wanton flesh to mortifie;
But takes not off the guilt of sinne,
Nor can we merit ought thereby:
It is thine Abstinence, or none,
Which merit fauour for vs must;
For, when our glorioust workes are done,
We perish, if in them we trust.