S. Iohn Baptist

BEcause the world might not pretend,
It knew not of thy Comming-day,
Thou didst, oh Christ, before thee send
A Cryer, to prepare thy way:
Thy Kingdome was the Blisse he brought.
Repentance was the Way he taught.

And, that his Voice might not alone
Informe vs what we should belieue,
His Life declar'd what must be done,
If Thee we purpose to receiue:
His Life our patterne therefore make,
That we the Course he tooke, may take.

Let vs not gad to Pleasures Court,
With fruitlesse Toyes to feed the mind;
Nor to that Wildernesse resort,
Where Reeds are shaken with the wind:
But treade the Path he trod before,
That both a Prophet was, and more.

Clad in repentant Cloath of Haire,
Let vs, oh Christ, (to seeke out Thee)
To those forsaken-Walkes repaire,
Which of so few frequented be;
And true Repentance so intend,
That we our courses may amend.

Let vs hereafter feed vpon
The Hony of thy Word diuine;
Let vs the Worlds entisement shun,
Her Drugs, and her bewitching Wine;
And on our loynes (so loose that are)
The Leather-belt of Temp'rance weare.

Thus from thy Cryer let vs learne,
For thee, sweet Iesus, to prepare,
And others of their sinnes to warne,
How-euer for the same we fare:
So thou to Vs, and we to Thee
Shall when thou commest welcome be.