James Shirley

Shirley, James, b. 1596, d. 1666. His "Canst Thou, good Lord, forgive so soon?" (Passiontide) is in common use.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

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Shirley, James, p. 1589, ii. In vol. vi. of Alexander Dyce's ed. of Shirley's Works (1833) there are two pieces which have passed into some modern hymn-books.
1. The glories of our blood and state. [Righteousness Immortal.] In 1833, p. 396, from Shirley's Contention Of Ajax and Ulysses, scene iii. In W. J. Fox's Hymns and Anthems, 1841, and others, it begins "The glories of our mortal state."
2. Canst Thou, dear God, forgive so soon. [Passiontide.] In 1833, p. 502, from a manuscript copy of Shirley's Verses and Poems, made about 1680, and now in the Bodleian (15417 = Rawl. Poet. 88). In the Anglican Hymn Book, 1S71, No. 357, it begins "Canst Thou, good Lord, forgive so soon." [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)