Song I

1

When Christ was crown'd with Thorns,
And smitten with a Reed
Upon the Thorns, to wound his Head
And for to make him bleed;
The world did hide think
This was the King of Glory:
So when we speak of Crowns for Thorns,
They think it's but a story

2

But as our Lord doth now
His Crown of Glory wear;
Who for our sake did wear those Thorns,
And such abuses bear;
So shall th' Afflicted Saints
That suffer for his sake
E're long be Crowned like their Head,
And of his Joyes partake

3

Those that for doing well,
For keeping Christ's Commands,
For bearing witness to his Truth
Suffer Reproach or Bands,
Or any other Pain
To keep their Conscience pure;
Such of a glorious Recompence
And rich Reward are sure.

4

Those that are persecuted
Because of Righteousness,
Are Blessed ones, saith Christ, for they
Heav'ns Kingdom shall possess
And Blest are ye whom men
Revile and persecute,
To whom for my sake heinous Crimes
They wrongfully impute.

5

Rejoyce and be ye glad
Hereat exceedingly;
Because there is a great Reward
Laid up for you on high
For thus they persecuted
The Prophets that of old
Reprov'd their sins, and faithfully
God's Counsel to them told

6

Who Father, Mother, Wife,
For love of Christ forsakes
Or of his houses, Lands, Estate,
For him small reckoning makes,
Shall here an hundred fold
With persecutions gain;
And in the world that is to come
Eternal Life obtain

7

If in a suff'ring state
Of Christ we followers be
We shall be unto him conform'd
In Royal dignitie.
Those that have stuck to Christ
In Tribulations great
Shall reign with Christ, and sit with him
Upon his Judgment seat.

8

But those that suffer pain
Foul Errours to defend,
That for vile Fancies of their own
Dread not their lives to spend
Such do in vain suppose
They suffer for Christ's sake
'Tis not the Suff'ring but the cause
That doth a Martyr make.