To his highness Oliver Cromwell, Lord High Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland.  

THou Lord of Hosts, that guidest Sea and Land,  
Out of thy love direct my heart and hand,   

His theme to write, that England's Helm doth steer,  
In thought, in word, and deed keep him sincere:  
Such honour as thou giv'st him here in love;   

His glory let it far exceed above,  
In Paradise, where true joys ever dwell,  
Give him that Crown, that earthly Crowns excel.  
His place is very high, his thoughts keep low,  
None but his Maker let him truly know;  
Even all but Christ, let him count dross and dung,  
So fix his mind, his faith may grow more strong;  
Send Angels blessed, to fetch him to his friend,  
Even when his days by nature's course shall end.   

O English hearts, advance your thoughts on high,  
Land now express to him that rules the Sky,  
In that he doth all errors foul dispel,  
Vile horrid devilish tenants (Broached) from hell:  
Each one extol and praise the living Lord,  
Rightly ruling all Nations by his Word.   

Call friend to mind the danger we were in,  
Raised by some, who lately did begin  
Out of Saul's zeal, the Clergy to expel,  
Mingling the gospel's truth, with Doctrines fell.  
Well may the Tribe of Levi now rejoice,  
Even from the heart, that God hath made a choice,  
Lifting up one, a Nehemiah stout,  
Lewd projects of Sanballat's crew to rout.   

Lord of thyself, (it's not of our desert)  
Out of me●r lover to take poor England's part,  
Raising a Cromwell, God's cause to defend,  
Dreadful to those who would Christ's Church still rend.   

His happy entrance I do remember,  
In the tenth month it was, cold December;  
God gave him power in zeal our hearts to warm,  
Himself with council, us to save from harm.   

Protect Lord, (protect) our Lord Protector,  
Raise his thoughts, t' affront the sly projector:  
On zions good, let him still set his joy,  
Their downfall seek, who seek her to destroy:  
Even as King David still had help from God,  
Contrive so (Lord,) to settle his abode,  
That Sacred truth may flourish, errors fly  
Out of this Commonwealth perpetually.  
Right so Amen, Amen from heart say I.   

Of mercy Lord, bless England's Commonwealth,  
Fence it from foreign and domestic foes;   

Even to all in it give soulsaving health,  
Nor ever let them cast of endless woes:   

Give urim and Thummim to the Clergy,  
Like Trumpets shrill, to sound aloud thy praise:  
Also us join in holy Unity,  
Not only now, but' during all our days.  
Death will approach, there's none that knows how soon;   

Shall we then trifle out our precious time?  
Called many be (by death) ere it be noon,  
O Jacob's ladder let's begin to climb;  
That so our souls the Heavens may ascend,  
Like Christ our Saviour, who is gone before;  
As soon as death our fleeting days shall end,  
None may us stay from joys for evermore.  
Deal gently (Lord God) with thy people all,   

As suffer bondage under Turk or Pope;  
None can them free but thou, from careful thrall  
Deliver those, who on thee fix their hope.   

I notice give to all of Levies Tribe,  
Right to us now, stands our Lord Protector;  
Else we might droop, for some both scoff and gibe.  
Laugh at us too, ah! poor soul neglector;  
And thankless shall we be unto our God:  
No; who of all should praise him more than we?  
Doth he not mind to settle our abode?  
Decree (though) some would all our misery.   

Postscript. Ergo,  

Cantemus Deo canticum,  
Quòd nos non sumus miseri,  
Cantemus Deo canticum,  
Quòd omnes sumus liberi.   

Quòd omnes sumus liberi,  
Cantemus Deo canticum,  
Quòd nos non sumus miseri,  
Cantemus Deo canticum.   

And that ye may this understand,  
And with me all in joy accord,  
The Lord hath by his mighty hand,  
Quite overthrown the threatning Sword.   

Clean overthrown the furbished Sword,  
The Lord hath by his mighty hand,  
Then in a Psalm let us accord,  
For saving us, and eke our Land.   
Your highness in all dutiful observance, and Christian-like humility, John lineal, Minister and Preacher of God's Word, yet now hath neither place nor maintenance, being aged 66. years.