Eternal power from whose allseeing eye
Nothing though masqued can remain unknown
Thou that regardest sinners when they cry
Be pleased to look on me as on thine own
Vouchsafe t'accept this exercise of mine
Not for my sake but for that Son of thine
I fear I confess I am and have been such
That had Thou not still loved me more than
much
I now with little hope my state might rue.
But Thy abounding mercy more than sin
Hath freed me from the slavery I was in.
Dear God, what love is this Thou hast showed me
In giving life when death my soul did chase
And wanting power, nay will to come too
Thee
Thou gavest both of Thee I might not lose
And with such sweetness hast me happy made
That where Thou mightst compel Thou didst
persuade.
My righteousness could be no gain to Thee
My wickedness could purchase Thee no loss
Mine own is the gain godly too be
If wicked I am mine only is the cross,
In this Thy mercy then did most appear
That only for my good Thou heldst new dear
For all Thy goodness now what may I render
That may be gracious in Thy acceptation
Even of Thine own I here make tender
Which will be pleasing in Thy estimation
That thankfulness which Thou hast given to
me
I here unfeignedly return to Thee.
And now I crave what only Thou canst grant
The grace I have received increase it still
In each respect so as I never want
Sufficient power, to execute Thy will.
This I ambitiously aspire unto
O bless my ambition that aspireth so.
Baptina Cromwell (c.1595-1618)
Sir Oliver was not the future Lord Protector (1599-1658); this seems to be her: https://www.geni.com/people/Baptina-Cromwell/6000000017598090125
Verse by the Princess Elizabeth, given to Lord Harington, of Exton, her preceptor
This is joy, this is true pleasure
If we best things make our treasure,
And enjoy them at full leisure,
Evermore in richest measure.
Good, most holy, high and great,
Our delight doth make complete;
When in us He takes His seat,
Only then are we replete.t
Thy affections shall increase,
Growing forward without cease,
Even until thou diest in peace,
And enjoyed eternal ease.
When Thy breast is fullest fraught
With heaven's love, it shall be caught
to the place it loved and sought,
Which Christ's precious blood hath bought.
Joys of those which there shall dwell,
No heart think, no tongue can tell;
Wonderfully they excel,
Those Thy soul shall fully swell.
Doth not that surpassing joy,
Ever freed from all annoy,
me inflame? and quite destroy
Love of every earthly toy.
O, my God for Christ his sake,
Quite from me this dullness take;
Cause me earth's love to forsake,
And of heaven my realm to make.
What care I for lofty place,
If Lord Grant Me His grace,
Showing me His pleasant face,
And with joy I end my race.
O Lord, glorious, yet most kind,
Thou hast these thoughts put in my mind
Let me grace increasing find,
Me too Thee more firmly bind.I
To God glory, thanks and praise,
I will render all my days,
Who hath blessed me many ways,
Shedding on me gracious rays.
To me grace, O Father, send,
On Thee wholly to depend,
That all may to Thy glory tend,
So let me live, so let me end.
Now to the eternal King,
Not seen with human eye,
The immortal only wise true God,
Be praise perpetually!
Selected verses
Elizabeth Stuart, later Queen of Bohemia
1596-1660
