FOUR Choice CAROLS for CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.  

CAROL I. On CHRISTMAS-DAY.  
CAROL II. On St. STEPHEN's-DAY.  
CAROL III. On St. JOHN's-DAY.  
CAROL IV. On INNOCENT's-DAY.   
Being very necessary and proper to be had in all CHRISTIAN FAMILIES.  

St matthew   Mary with Christ child 
St John   

CAROL I. On CHRISTMAS-DAY.  

GOD rest you merry Gentlemen,  
Let nothing you dismay;  
Remember Christ our Saviour,  
Who was born on Christmas-day.  
To save our Souls from Satan's Fold,  
Which long time had gone astray.  
And 'tis Tidings of Comfort and Joy.   

From him that was our Father,  
The Blessed Angel came,  
And to the watchful shepherds brought  
The Tidings of the same:  
That there was born in Bethlehem,  
The Son of God by Name,  
And 'tis Tidings, &c.   

Fear not, then said God's Angels,  
Let nothing you affright,  
This Night is born a Saviour,  
Of a Virgin pure and bright:  
He is able to advance you,  
And throw down Satan quiter.  
And 'tis Tidings, &c.   

The Shepherds at these Tidings,  
Rejoiced much in Mind,  
And left their Flocks a feeding,  
In Tempest, Storm, and Wind:  
Then strait they went to Bethlehem,  
The son of God to find.  
And 'tis Tidings, &c.   

But when they came to Bethlehem,  
Whereas our Saviour lay,  
They found him in a Manger,  
Where Oxen fed on Hay:  
Our blessed Lady Kneeling by,  
Unto the Lord did pray.  
And 'tis Tidings, &c.   

At which the sudden Gladness.  
The Shepherds then were filled,  
When as the Babe of Israel,  
Thus when they had beholded:  
Before his Mother thus to lye,  
The Scripture thus fulfilled.  
And 'tis Tidings, &c.   

Now let me all you entreat,  
That are within this Place,  
That each dear loving Christian,  
The other would embrace;  
For the happy Time of Christmas  
Is drawing on apace.  
With Tidings and Comfort and Joy.    

CAROL II. On St STEPHEN'S-DAY.  

IN friendly Love and Unity,  
For good St Stephen's Sake,  
Let us all this blessed Day,  
To Heaven our Prayers make,  
That we with him the across of Christ,  
May freely undertake.  
And Jesus will sand you his Blessing.   

Those accursed Infidels,  
That stoned him to Death,  
Could not by their Cruelties,  
With-hold him from his Faith,  
In such a godly Martyrdom,  
Seek we all the Paths.  
And Jesus will sand you his Blessing.   

And whilst we sit here banqueting  
Of Dainties having Store,  
Let us not forgetful be,  
To cherish up the Poor,  
And give what is convenient  
To those that ask at Door.  
And Jesus will sand you his Blessing.   

For God hath made you Stewards here,  
Upon the Earth to dwell:  
He that gathereth for himself,  
And will not use it well,  
Lives far worse then Dives did,  
That burneth now in Hell.  
And Jesus will sand you his Blessing.   

And now in Love and Charity,  
See you your Table spread,  
That I may taste of your good cheer,  
Your Christmas Ale and Bread;  
That I may say that I full well.  
For this my Carol sped.  
And Jesus will sand you his Blessing.   

For Bounty is a blessed Gift,  
The Load above it sends,  
And he that gives it from his Hands,  
Deserveth many Friends;  
I see it on my Master's Board,  
And so my Carol ends,  
Lord Jesus sand you his Blessing.    

CAROL III. On St JOHN'S-DAY.  

WHEN bloody Herod reigned King,  
Within Judea's Land,  
Much Wo his Will did bring,  
By bloody fierce Command.  
Among the Rest, with Grief oppressed;  
Was good St John here slain,  
Who at this Day with Sport and Play,  
A martyred Death did gain.   

King Herod being in his Town,  
Herodias dancing' spied,  
As fair as any Summer's Flower,  
In all her painted Pride:  
Clad in bright Gold, which to behold,  
King Herod's Heart admired,  
He bid her crave, and she should have,  
Though she Half his Crown desired.   

A kingly Crown I do not wish,  
But St John's Head, she said,  
Wherefore all bleeding in a Dish,  
Before me be it laid;  
Which was the Thing, she of the King,  
desired with right Goodwill;  
Whose Death was wrought and to be brought,  
Such Minds have Strumpets still,   

Thus Wine and Woman we do see,  
Men's Minds to Folly win;  
For Herod did too soon agree,  
And gave Consent to Sin:  
For on this Day, as Scriptures say,  
St John did lose his Head:  
Whilst he did sing, before the King,  
As he at Table fed.   

Then let us all by him take Heed  
Of Riot and Excess,  
For Fear that soon to us it breed  
As great a Wickedness:  
And let our Sport, in civil Sort,  
Content each merry Mind,  
So shall we all, in this good Hall,  
Much Joy and comfort find.   

Now kindly for my pretty Song,  
Good Butler draw some Beer,  
You know what duties do belong  
To him that sings so clear:  
Holly and i've, Drink will drive ye  
To the brown bowl of Perry,  
apple and Ale, with Christmas Tale,  
Will make the household merry.    

CAROL IV. On INNOCENT'S DAY.  

UPON the Twenty-fifth of December,  
Our blessed messiah he was born:  
Let us with Praise this Day adore,  
To see how he left his Habitation;  
For to redeem poor sinful Men  
Sing Praise unto his most holy Name.   

First. A bright Angel brought the happy Tidings,  
Unto a Virgin pure and chased,  
Hail! blessed Mary, full of Grace,  
The Lord of Life remains with thee,  
The blessed Saviour of all Men.  
Sing Praise unto his most holy Name.   

The blessed Virgin weary was and ti●●ed,  
When she came to Bethlehem,  
There was no Lodging for her then,  
She was delivered of our Saviour,  
That very Night in an Ox's Stall,  
To show that Man's Pride must have a Fall.   

Then came three Wise-men, Kings that were so loya  
All guided by a glorious Star,  
From the East Country came so far,  
To see the blessed Babe sweet Jesus,  
That in a Manger there was laid,  
Sing Praise unto his holy Name.   

But when King Herod found himself deceived,  
He was with Wrath and Anger filled;  
Vowing that all Infants should be killed,  
Thinking to murder our dear Saviour,  
Who came for to redeem us then,  
O cruel, cruel, and most bloody Man!   

Then came the glorious happy Tidings▪  
Unto poor Shepherds feeding Sheep,  
Which made the Shepherds Hearts to leap,  
To hear the blessed Babe sweet Jesus  
That he was born in Bethlehem,  
Sing Praise unto his most gracious Name.