Song 46 (As on that night)

Words: George Wither
Music: Orlando Gibbons, ed. David Skinner

As on that night before this blessèd morn,
A troop of angels unto shepherds told,
Where in a stable he was poorly born,
Whom nor the earth, nor heav'n of heav'ns can hold.
Through Bethlem rung this news at their return;
Yea, angels sung, that GOD WITH US was born:
And they made mirth, because we should not mourn.

His love therefore, oh! Let us all confess;
And to the sons of men his works express.

This favour Christ vouchsafèd for our sake:
To buy us thrones he in a manger lay;
Our weakness took, that we his strength might take,
And was disrobed that he might us array:
Our flesh he wore, our sin to wear away:
Our cure he bore, that we escape it may;
And wept for us, that we might sing for aye.

His love therefore, oh! Let us all confess;
And to the sons of men his works express.