Extract from Queen Elizabeth's Injunctions to the Clergy.-A. D. 1559.

For the comforting of such that delight in Music, it may be permitted that in the Beginning or in the End of Common Prayer, either at Morning or Evening, there may be sung an Hymn, or such like Song, to the Praise of Almighty God, in the best Melody and Music, that may be conveniently devised, having respect that the Sense of the Hymn may be understood and perceived.

See Sparrow's Collection of Articles and Canons, page 80, 4to edit. 1684.

COME, Holy Ghost, eternal God,
Proceeding from above,
Both from the Father and the Son,
The God of peace and love.

2 Visit our minds, and into us
Thy heav'nly grace inspire;
That for all truth and godliness
We may have true desire.

3 Thou art the very Comforter
In all grief and distress;
The heav'nly gift of God most high,
Which no tongue can express.

4 The fountain and the living spring
Of joy celestial;

The fire so bright, the love so sweet,
The unction spiritual.

1 HOLY Ghost, into our souls
Send down thy heav'nly light;
Inflame our hearts with fervent love,
To serve God day and night.

2 Our weakness strengthen and confirm Which feeble is and frail ;

That neither devil, world, nor flesh,
Against us may prevail.

3 Grant us, O Lord, through thee to know
The Father of all might;
That of his dear beloved Son
We may attain the sight;

4 And also that with perfect faith
We may acknowledge thee,
Th' Eternal Spirit of them both,
One God in persons three.

The Witnessing and Sealing Spirit.

1 WHY should the children of a King Go mourning all their days?

Great Comforter, descend and bring
Some tokens of thy grace.

Dost thou not dwell in all the saints,
And seal them heirs of heav'n?
When wilt thou banish my complaints,
And show my sins forgiv'n?

Assure my conscience of her part
In the Redeemer's blood;··
And bear thy witness with my heart,
That I am born of God.

Thou art the earnest of his love,
The pledge of joys to come:
And thy soft wings, celestial Dove,
Will safe convey me home.

HYMN IV. C. M.

4 Prayer to the Holy Ghost, proper to be sung before Sermon.

1 COME, Holy Spirit, God of might,
The Comforter of all;

Teach us to know thy word aright,
That we may never fall.

2 O Holy Ghost, visit our land d;
Defend us with thy shield,
Against all sin and wickedness;
Help us to win the field.

3 O Holy Spirit, guide aright
The preachers of thy word;

That thou by them may'st cut down sin
As with a mighty sword.

4 Depart not from thy pastors pure,
But aid them at their need,
Who break to us the bread of life,
Whereon our souls do feed.

5 In our time give thy peace, O Lord,
To nations far and nigh;

And teach them all thy word, that they
May sing to thee Most High.

HYMN V. L. M.

The Sight of God and Christ in Heaven.

1 DESCEND from heav'n, immortal Dove!
Stoop down, and take us on thy wings,
And mount and bear us far above
The reach of these inferior things:

2 Beyond, beyond this lower sky,
Up where eternal ages roll,
Where solid pleasures never die,
And fruits immortal feast the soul.

3 0 for a sight! a pleasing sight,

Of our Almighty Father's throne! There sits our Saviour crown'd with light, Cloth'd in a body like our own.