plante in his kynde All herbes rootes that growe on earth Their vertue I can fynde And howe they differ in degre In qualitie and powre All secrete and vnsought knowledge Doth spryng in wysdoms flowre Whiche he hath geuen vnto me That all this worlde hath made He taught me howe to vse this flowre That dures and doth not fade In hyr is spirite to vnderstande In holy exercyse In knowledge great she doth abounde And all thynges that are wyse I saye that with almyghty God All only she is one Subtyll and full of gentylnes And gracious alone She is courteous and discrete Quycke vndesiide and playne Swete and doth loue all that is good Reiectyng that is vayne She is sharpe yet forbideth not To doe ryghtly and well Kynde sure and free and to be briefe In vertue doth excell In althynges she is circumspecte Wherof she taketh cure All knowyng spirites she doth receyue That are both cleane and pure For wysdom doth in nymblenes All other thynges excell And therby through all thynges to pas She doth atayne full well For of the lyuyng god she is The breath of powre doubtlesse The cleanes of almyghty god Therby she doth expresse Therfore can no defyled thyng Come once within hyr syght For she the very bryghtnes is Of euerlastyng lyght She is the myrror vndefylde Wherin all good men see The Image of almyghty god In his great maiestie And for so muche as she is one All thynges are hyrs as due And beyng stedfast in hyr selfe She doth all thinges renewe Among the multitude of folke She doth hir selfe conuaye And entreth into holy soules In them to byde and staye She maketh god prophetes and frends The truthe to preache and tell For god doth loue none but suche men With whom wysdome doth dwell The sonne and starres may not compare With hir in lyght I saye For why hyr lyght doth farre excede The brightnes of the daye For be the daye neuer so bryght Yet night approcheth faste To quenche the beautie of the same And pattes it out in haste But wisdome can not be subdude I saye by wickednes Nor in hir sight to blemyshe hyr Can byde no folyshnes ¶ An example of a contemplatiue minde in the seruice of God out of the xxv Psalme THe noble king Dauid by name Hauing the spirite of truthe Who euer truly serued God Euen from his very youth He knowyng that by humblenes He sonest should aspyre To haue his prayer heard of God And obteine his desyre Disdeined not vpon his knees Hym selfe to prostrate lowe For sithe the harte must humble be Let outwarde members knowe That they shal not them selues refrain Their dutie to expresse My knees therfore shall doe their due So shall my handes no lesse Myne eyes shall vpwarde also tourne The heauens to beholde With stretched handes and bowed knees My prayer to vnsoulde My voyce I wyll not silent kepe But wyll expresse with tongue The meaning of a faythfull hatte And sing it in a song Debating with him selfe this thing Directing all aryght In this wyse he began to sing To god with all his myght Ad te dominum leuaui TO the oh lorde I lyfte my soule My god I truste in thee O suffer not myne enemies To tryumphe ouer me Ne yet let such as in thee truste Rebuke or shame susteyne But rather confounde scornefull men That spitefully dysdeyne To the I praye my kyng and god O shewe to me thy wayse And teach thy pathes O lord to me Thy name that I may prayse O lorde leade me to speake thy truthe And learne me to be iuste Myne only god and sauyng health All daye in thee I truste Forget not lorde but call to minde Thy tender mercy pure Let not thy louyng kyndnes slacke That euer hath ben sure Forget my sinnes remember not The fraylnes of my youthe For thy goodnes and mercy lorde Thynke vpon me with ruthe O ryghteous lorde with frendlynes Wytsafe to shewe thy myght Wherby thou shalt the sinners teach◠To walke thy waye a ryght The simple thou doest teache guyde Thy perfect wayes to knowe And thou doste suche instructe aright As humble be and lowe Thy wayes O lorde are mercifull Thy faythfulnes is bent To all that kepe thy couenant And faythfull testament For thy names sake therfore O lord◠Be mercifull to me And to my synnes that are so great And myne iniquitie Who so therfore doth feare the lorde He wyll hym shewe I saye His hyghe and his diuine preceptes His pure and chosen waye His soule shall euer be at ease His wayes shal prosper well His sede also shall styll possesse The lande therin to dwell The lorde his secretes dothe shew forth To suche as feare him styll Declaring them his testament His couenant and will O lorde my god to the therfore I wyll myne eyes dyrecte And praye to thee tyll thou haste losde My fete out of the nette O turne thee vnto me therfore Now for thy mercies sake Consider lorde my mysery Howe I am desolate The sorowes of my harte are great Ryght sore they doe me greue O ryd me from these troubles all For in thee I beleue O loke on myne aduersitie And my great mysery Forgeue me all my sinnes also Where I offended thee Consider how myne enemies Are many and peruearte That towardes me maliciously Are bent with hatefull hearte Oh preserue thou my soule therfore Within thy kepyng iust And let me not confounded be For in thee doe I truste Let iust dealyng and innocent O god styll with me dwell And from all vyle aduersitie Delyuer Israell ¶ An example how that we should alwayes be thankefull vnto almighty God for his benefites out of the xxxiiii psalme of Dauid AS in our streightes of nede We all are glad and fayne Some comfort at the handes of god By prayer to obtayne So when we haue recevd Of god our whole desyre That we should therfore thankfull be Good reason doth require For who so benefites At mortall men receaue If afterwarde the geuer dothe Ingratitude perceaue The same will streyght withdrawe His liberalitie From suche a stubberne blocke hed beaste As can not frendshyp see If vyle ingratitude To men be suche a cryme That it wyll frendly loue kepe backe Against an other tyme What beastly dogges are they Howe can we call them lesse That for great kyndnes of the lorde Doe paye vnthankfulnesse Whiche asketh nought of vs But honour laude and prayse For all the good he doth bestowe On vs a thousand wayes Wherfore that noble kyng And prophet of the lorde Dauid who dyd after Gods harte Agree and well accorde Gods glorie doth expresse In doyng of his due And for the benefites of God His harte declareth true Not only in hym selfe To flee ingratitude But other also to instructe That are vnlernde and rude In darke obliuion Gods goodnes for to hyde Or to forget his benefites Dyd neuer hym vetyde His harpe he toke in hande And thus began to
But leaped lyke the playing lamines If one myght aske what ayled thee Thou sea that thou dydest so forbeare And Iordan what cause myght there be That draue the backe in suche a feare Ye myghty mountaynes in lyke case Why skipped you lyke rammes I saye Ye little hilles why from your place â—an ye to leape as lammes doe playe All the whole earth it shall behoue When Iacobs God shall be present To tremble shake and muche to moue And in his sight hym reuerent For at his wyll he turned tho The hard rocke in to water clere Conuertyng harde flynte stones also To springyng welles as dyd appere ¶ An example of praier against idolatrous tyraÌ„tes that set vp false worship in the reproche of Gods true worshyp Out of the Cxv. Psalme IF vnto vs poore mortall men No prayse is due of very ryght Howe are they mockte and blynded then How farre are they from perfect sight That to a stocke or dead Image Wil geue such laude as god should haue How vayne is he howe doth he rage That doth Gods glorie so depraue The whiche sinne and most vyle offeÌ„ce Dauid did so abhorre and hate That he a Psalme in Gods defence Compiled hath that eche estate May vnderstande howe farre awrye They wandred be from righteousnes The lyuing God that doe denye By an Image or false lykenes And therfore doth all men exhorte To fearâ— the lorde and in hym truste Whiche is a true and sure comforte To all that in his hope are iust His harpe in hande he therfore tooke And on his knees this noble kyng As it is in the Psalter booke This holy Psalme began to synge Non nobis Domine NOt vnto vs lord not to vs But to thy holy name alwayse For thy mercy truthe done thus Ascribed be all laude and prayse These heathen folke that faythles be Why should they saye to vs in spighte Where is their God let vs hym see In whom these Christians haue delyghte For their false Gods their chiefe best Are nothyng but syluer and goulde The handes of men both most and lest Haue forged them out of the moulde Yet haue they for their idols made Mouthes wherw t they can speak nothing And eyes also wherof the trade Is to be blynde from all seyng Suche eares also in them are wrought As heare nothyng that one can tell And noses whiche are likewyse nought For they with them can nothyng smell Vayne handes haue they and fete also For with their handes they handle not Nor with their feete they can not goe Nor sounde no voyce out of their throte Wherfore suche as doe Idols make Doe their owne workes resemble iust And they also that doe them take For Gods or haue in them their truste Let Israell then in the lorde Set all their truste and confidence And Araons house therto accorde For he is their most sure defence All ye that feare the lorde aright Truste in hym well be not afrayde For he will surely shewe his myght To succoure you and be your ayde The lorde will not forget doubtles But haue vs in his mynde full well The ryghteous houses he wyll bles Of Araon and of Israell Ye that doe feare the lorde therfore Are blessed both the great and small The lorde increase you more and more Both you and eke your children all For sithe ye are his chosen sorte And haue the lord whole in your thought He wyll you blesse with great comforte Both heaueÌ„ earth that made of nought The heauens and the firmament Are his and at his holy wyll But the rounde earth he hath forth lente The sonnes of mortall men vntyll The dead O lorde that are gone hence Can not in graue expresse thy wayes Nor suche as downe are in sylence Can honor thee or geue the prayse But we O lorde that be alyue Thy prayse wyll spreade and ramifye And in our hartes due thankes contryue Vnto thy name eternally ¶ An example of prayer from a repentant harte out of the Cxxx. psalm Sythe in this worlde all men doe fall And none from sinne is free and clere It doth behoue we study all In humblenes for to appere For in this lyfe we dayly see By stoutnes none can wynne nor gayne But rather it in eche degree Doth purchase woe and cruell payne Who is so fonde if he offende To stande hym selfe to iustifie And rather doth not knele and bende Tyll he haue pardon and mercy The noble prynce Dauid therfore Knowyng the frutes of humblenes Did froÌ„ his harte powre forth great store Of teares and contrite gentilnes Because he would all men should lerne The lyke to doe in their great nede He sheweth howe his harte did yerne Tyll he had felte mercy in dede Him selfe prostrating in due wyse For sorowe of his greuous sinne In prayer was his exercise Thus doth his humble sute begynne De profundis clamaui FRom care of harte that caue so depe So hath my soule my sinnes abhorde Repentantly I humbly crepe And call to thee for helpe O lorde O lorde witsafe my voyce to here I thee beseche to bowe thyne eares Suffer my prayer to appere Pourde forth to thee w t piteous teares For if thou wylt for euermore Our wyckednes laye by thy syde Or kepe a note of them in store Oh lorde who then may 〈◊〉 abide Thy mercy lorde then make vs taste Whiche is to thee most naturall That graciously forgeue thou mayste And rayse them whiche by frailtie fall This made me on the lorde to wayte My soule also on hym to byde His promise is without deceyte And from his worde he wyll not slyde My soule hath more earnest delyghte Vpon the lorde to watche and staye Than watchmen whiche wake al y e night And long ryght sore tyll it be daye Let Israell the Lordes electe The iust that godly be and wyse Haue to the lorde their whole respecte For mercy is his exercyse This Israell I saye he shall All wickednes from them expell From sinnes he shall redeme them all Though thei be more then tongue can tel Glory be to our god aboue The father whiche of myght is moste And to the sonne as doth behoue And also to the holy ghoste As it from the beginning was And yet doth to this tyme extende And shall be still as tyme shall pas For euer more worlde without ende ¶ An example that as wel penitent prayer as ioyfull thankes and prayse haue their due tyme and place out of the Cxxxvii Psalme AS eche thinge hath his due tyme herâ— On this earth where we goe So is ther tyme for ioye and glee And eke for care and woe For as we ioye in tyme of welth Praysing the lorde therfore So in the tyme of pensyvnes Of myrth we make no store In one subiecte two contraries Can neuer well agree Both myrth and wo at once in one A strange thyng were to see It would be thought a great madnes In ioye to wayle and
be Vpon vncerteyne staye Their workes as we may se Doe vanysh sone awaye And those contrary wyse That grounde their matter well Their worke shall well aryse And perfectly excell When mariage then is made For ryches or for gouide If goodes and ryches fade The loue doth lose his houlde If beautie eke so gaye The cause be of thy loue When beautie fades away Thy fantsye wyll remoue For if the cause doe quayle Where one the mynde is bent The effect then must fayle What so therin is ment Then vertue shall be best Who so wyll it retayne All other beyng cest She euer doth remayne For beauty beyng gone Whose dwellyng is not sure Dame vertue styll alone For euer wyll endure And when gould hath his ende The causer of muche strife Yet vertue shall extende And garnysh well the lyfe A good rewarde also To louers doth she gyue In kepyng them from wo A quiet lyfe to lyue If mariage then be wrought On vertue buylding loue No suche thing can be sought To stande without remoue Ye that wyll web therfore On vertue set your cure All contraries abhorre So shall your loue be pure For better were the tyme Of death and of the graue Then otherwyse to clyme A wedded loue to haue For goulde doth cause and gayne Contention and vnreste He that hath moste wyll fayne Hym selfe to be the beste And beautie ofte doth brede Mistruste and ielousy But vertue hath no sedâ— Of suche iniquitie Then happy is the loue On vertue whiche is knytte That styll without remoue Continue wyll and sytte Whiche in this lyfe cause is Of prayse and godly fame And also after this Of heauen for the same ⧠Nomen Authoris IN hope I doe endure Of that whiche I intende Hauing my fantsy sure No false thyng to pretende Hope styll dothe me allure At theyr handes whom I serue Lyke goodnes to procure Lo as I doo deserue A godly warnynge to put all men in remembrance of theyr myserable estate and that they are subiecte to death and corruption Syng this as It truthe maye take no trustye holde c. REmember well ye men mortall From whence ye came go ye shall Of earth god made thy shape formâ— And vnto earth thou shalt returne Remember well O man I say Thou art wormes meaâ—e and very clay Thou art none other thys is iust But earth and ashes dung and dust Remember well though thou be young Thou art nought but a sacke of donng Deferre no tyme tyll thou be old For of long lyfe thou hast no hold Remember well though now thou sâ—me As beautyfull as kyng or quene That when thou shalt departe and dyt Thou shalt rot stynke and putrefye Remember well thou dounghyll dyght With garments gay to please mens syght Remember earth thy first estate Thy lyons harte it wyll abate Remember well that thou shalt come At the last day vnto thy dome Wher if thou doe thy selfe exalt In extreme payne remayne thou shalt Remember well I saye aloude Thou earth and ashes be not proude Suche coste on earth why doste bestowe Leue of thy pryde be meke and lowe Remember and in fyne marke this Who so of hym selfe humble is The lorde wyll hym exalte on hye In heauen aboue the sterry skye The faithfull souldiour of Christe desireth assistance of God against his ghostly enemies HEreout O lorde the right request of him that faine would haue redrest the wronges that are so sore increst with in my soule so sore opprest O lord to thee with wofull crye I call for grace and for mercy And if thou helpe not then truly In deadly wo remayn must I. The world the diuell death and hell With great assaultes against me swell Lorde let thy grace in me excell Against their fury fierce and fell O lorde my God to the I praye Suffer me not to goe astraye And haue in mynde the pryce and day Wherwith thou didste my ransome pay Oh haue in mynde thine own great cost And let not this thy payne be lost In the O lorde my trust is most To dwell among thy holy host Thou knowst wherin my help doth staÌ„d Whereuer I be on sea or lande Good lorde put to thy helping hand Saue me from hell that fierce fyre brand ¶ An exhortacion to brotherly loue and vnitie BEholde it is a ioyfull thyng that brethern should continually together haue their good dwelling in concord and in vnitie This godly loue Dauid lykned Vnto that precious vncâ—ion Which descended vpon the head And into the beard of Aron Whiche being powred on his crowne Was euer more styll descendyng And from his beard it dropped downe Into the skirtes of his clothing And as this precious oyntment swete Did smell all of one swete sauour For Christen brethern it is mete To be all of one behauour He that loues God aboue all thyng His neighbour as him selfe lyke wyfe Fulfyls the lawe in so doyng Whiche Christe would haue vs exercyse For where this godly loue doth byde There present is the lorde Iesus Whiche neuer from his flock wyll slyde It they in loue continue thus Loue not y â— world thus faith S. John Ne any thing conteynde therin For who so settes his loue theron The loue of God is not in hym And none can loue the lorde aboue Whom with our eyes we neuer see If we our brethern doe not loue That alway present with vs be Let loue therfore be among vs And from it let vs neuer swarue As we are lovde of Christ Iesus Muche more then euer we deserue The dewe that fell on Syon hyll The whiche descended plesantly Is nothyng lyke this loue vntill Belovde of god etâ—rnally For god from â—yme to tyme doth geue To this loue his holy blessyng For all that doe with loue beleue Shall reigne in ioye without ending He sayth the lorde that loueth me Doth kepe my lawe and holy lore And vnto him geuen shall be A crowne to reigne for euer more Lorde in this loue we thee beseke To set vs in a quiet staye That we beyng louyng and meke May reigne with thee in hlys for aye The iust and true maÌ„ complaineth that flattery and falshod is more regarded then truthe and reioyseth that he is hated for the truthe IF truth may take no trusty hold nor cleue so fast as flattring sence wel may thy harte poore man be colde for then is gone all sure defence The Nyghtyngale must change her note And of the Cucow learne to syng The modest mynde must learne to dote Or conne some other fayued thyng If meanyng well may take no place Nor dealyng iust haue no regarde Thou must deuyse an other space To fayne suche thyngs as may be heard Shall vertue dwell in such disdayne And honestie be had in hate Then must we learne to glose and fayne Orels remayne in vyle estate But yf there be none other way To purchase fauor and good wyll Better it were I dare well saye In vyle
sede In .iiii. degrees therwith defylde But nowe oh lorde be gracious Vnto thy flocke and their offence And of thy mercy bounteous Remember not our negligence Thy people as thou didst forbeare From Egypt into wyldernes We the beseche in lyke maner That we may taste thy gentylnes ii Esdras .i. ¶ Syng this as O lorde our god we turne to thee c. LOrde god that in the heauens hie Doste kepe thy residence Thou art a god of terrible And great magnificence Thou that hast kept thy couenant And mercy eke in store For them that loue thee and obserue And kepe thy holy lore Oh let thine eares be attendante And marke what I doe saye And let thyne eyes be vigilant Beholde me when I praye For I am bent both daye and nyght To praye before thy face That to thy seruant Israell Thou wilt geue health and grace And to forgeue them all their synne That they did thee transgresse For in the person of them all Their faultes I doe confesse For I my selfe among them all Doe in the number syt My fathers house hath not bene free But did lyke synne commyt Corrupted haue we bene in that Thy lawes we haue not kept Thy wyll and thy commaundementes Because we did reiecte Yet call to mynde thy worde O lorde By Moyses that was sayde Thy seruant whom thou didst commaund For to proclayme thyne ayde The punishment that thou hast made For our transgressions Is for to scatter vs a broade Among the nacions But thou hast sayd and promysed That if we turne agayne Obseruyng thy commaundementes And in thy lawes remayne That though we scattred were abroade Neuer so farre about Yea in the vtmost partes of all Thou wouldst yet fynd vs out And gather vs from thence agayne Inâ—o the very place That thou vs gaue to dwell therin Of thy bountie and grace O heare vs nowe thy seruantes lorde And people of thy lande That were deliuerd by thy powre And by thy myghty hande O lorde nowe let thyne eares attendâ— To marke what we requyre For thee to serue and feare thy name Is nowe our whole desire Tobias .xiii. ¶ Syng this as The. 6. of Mathew If ye reade c. O Lorde our God for euer more Thy greatnes doth extende Thy powre thy kyngdom thy might For euer without end For after scurges helth Insues And pleasure after payne And vnto hell when thou hast brought Thou bringest out againe Wherby thou hast instructed vs That we may vnderstande That there is none by any meanes That may escape thy hande Geue thankes therfore vnto the lorde Ye children of the iuste Before the Heathen let his prayse Be shewed and discuste For therfore hath he scatred you His wondrous workes to showe Among the Heathen and the folke That dyd him neuer knowe That they may knowe and eke confesse That other there is none That is a god omnipotent But our good God alone Whiche hath vs made for our misdedes His chastisment to take And wyll vs saue and helpe agayne For his owne mercies sake Then praye to hym with feare dread And ponder well this thing And magnifie in all your workes The euerlastyng kyng For I will prayse him in the land Of my captiuitie For he dyd shewe the synfull folke His myghty maiestie O turne you vnto God therfore Ye sinners and doe ryghte Ye may be sure with mercy then That he wyll you requite And as for me so wyll I doe In soule and with my voyce For why my god is only he In whome I wyll reioyce O prayse the lorde all ye that be His chosen and electe In ioâ—full dayes geue hym the thankes That still doth you protecte Tobias .iii. ¶ Sing this as the forme of perfect prayer beginnyng The .vi. of Mathewe O Lorde god thou art righteous Thy iudgements all are true Thy iust wayes thy faithfulnes Doth mercy styll ensue Be myndfull nowe O lorde on me And plage not for my sinne Nor haue no mynde of my misdedes Ne of myne elders kynne For we to thy commaundementes Weare not obedient wherfore among all nacions Thou hast vs captiue sent And scattred haste vs them among That dayly vs deryde For dredfull death most vyle shame Doth euer vs betyde In whiche thou hast declard O lorde Thy iudgementes great and hye We did not as thou didste commaunde Nor walkt innocently And therfore now O liuing lorde My prayer shall be styll That thou commaunde deale with me According to thy wyll Receaue O lorde my sprite in peace To thee I doe it gyue For it is more expedient For me do die then lyue Iudith 16. ON tabrets to the lorde let vs our thankfull songes begin Vpon the simbals let vs syng a new songe vnto hym With ioyfull thankes his name to prayse And call vpon the same It is the lorde that warres doth cease Yea the lorde is his name Which pitched hath his tentes of streÌ„gth His people all among Vs to delyuer from the handes Of all our enmies strong For from the mountaynes of the northe Came the Assirian And many thousandes myght we see Within his army than His multitude had shut the streames In all our coastes throughout And with his horsmen couerd were The valleys all about My markes boundes he sayd he wold Consume with burning fyre To kyll my young men with the sworde Was also his desyre To brayne my suckyng babes and geue Myne infantes for a praye My maydens and my virgins pure He thought to dryue awaye But through the lorde omnipotent Suche grace we vnderstande Of their purpose they are decevd Euen by a womans hande For with the handes of youÌ„g meÌ„ strong He truly was not slayne Nor they that were of Tytan borne To kyll hym toke no payne Nor gyant great but Indith lo Daughter of Merari For with hyr face she scattred them And with hyr great beutye Hir wydowes clothes hir morninge wede She gan theÌ„ to forbeare And did on suche as she was wonie On holy dayes to weare To helpe the wofull Israelites Whom ieopardie had hent Hir vertuous face she did anoynte With oyntment excellent And with an houe she trimde hyr heare Hir worke thus could she weaue She ware a lyÌ„nen stole also Thus did She him deceaue Hir slypers rauished his eyes Hir beutie eke his mynde And through his necke his own sworde went Suche ende lo did he fynde The Persians weare in doubt feare At hir audacitie The Medes dyd maruell very muche Hir bouldnes suche to be The humble folke reioyced then They Ioyde that erste dyd crye And they dyd feare that bragd before And fayne were nowe to flye Our womens sonnes then killed them Lyke slaues they ran away The seruantes of the lorde my God Thus caused them to straye A song of prayse vnto the Lorde To syng I will procure Thy glory lorde and strength also Inuincible and pure For eche thing y â— thy hande hath made Doth serue thee in his kynde
pitâ—ous crie And hath my lyfe restorde When I did syghe and crie And for redemption praye Thou heardst my voyce and turnedst not Thyne eares from me away Thy selfe thou didst inclyne Thy name when I dyd call And vnto me thus hast thou sayde Haue thou no feare at all For thou O lorde arte he That dyd my soule mayntayne And hast from death redemed me And gavst me lyfe agayne O lorde auenge my cause On them that me blaspheme Thou knowst how thei would worke me wâ— Against me what they meane Thou knowest lorde their spyghte And all that they inuent Against me what their lyps deuyse And their moste vyle intent Howe they syt downe and ryse O lorde thou doest beholde And how all day in songes on me They nothyng els but scoulde According to their workes Their rewarde them disburse And geue them that their harâ—es doe feare That is to saye thy curse O lorde persecute them With indignation From vnder heauen roote them out And leaue of them not one Oseas .xiiii. O Lord our God we turne to the thy word we doe embrace Forgeue vs our iniquitie receyue vs vnto grace To offer then in Godly wyse Shall be out whole intent Our lyps the lyvly sacrifice Of prayse shall the present To man for helpe and fortitude We wyll not seke therfore And strength of horse we wyll conclude To trust in them no more The workes eke that our handes dyd make That vayn are must fall We doe determine to forsake No more on them to call For it is thou that art our God And euer shalt remayne For mercy at thy fatherhod The fatherles attayne O that they would haue this remorâ—â— Sayth God and them conuert I would them heale of all their sores And loue them with mine hearâ—e My wrath I would from theÌ„ decline To them that I may be As dâ—w doth make the lylye shyne So beutifull to se Their roote lyke vnto Libanus Shall breake out of the ground And as the olyfe bewtious Their branches shall abound As Libanus so excellent Theyr swetnes shall excell Wherof as all men doe assent Ryght plesant is the smell For as the câ—rne vnder that tree Doth flory she well and growe So are they shadowed by me From hurte and ouerthrowe And as the growyng of the vyne So shall they spryng in dede Of Libanus as doth the wyne So shall their name excede Propose I wyll this thee vnto O Ephraim therfore From henceforth what haue I to doe With I dols any more I wyll thee heare and geue thee grace And leade thee forth aryght And I wyll be to thee lyke as The grene fyrre tree in syghte On me set thy foundation Whiche am to the so kynde Thy lyvly frutes then evry one Vpon me shalt thou fynde This vnderstand the godlywyse That repe for this rewarde The ryght instruct wyll exercyse The same with good regarde The lorde his wayes be iust and ryght The godly walke the same The wycked folke doe stumble guyte And fall out of the frame Ionas Cap. ii IN my trouble and payne to thee lord I did call my plaint thou heardest plain broughst me out of thrall Out of the womb of hell To the when I did crye My voyce thou heardest well And holpe me louyngly Thou threwst me downe as dead Full depe into the sea And made about my head The floudeâ— to compas me The water waues in haste Went ouer me with myght I thought I had ben cast Away out of thy syght But yet agayne shall I Go to thy holy place Whiche is thy churche holy And thanke therfore thy grace In depnes where I laye The water sude my lyfe The wedes were wrapte always About my head with stryfe Into the helles depnes Descendyng did perseuer In wo and great distresse Barde in with earth for euer But thou oh God my lorde Hast brough my lyfe agayne And hast my soule restorde From corruptible payne When that my soule did faint Vpon the lorde I thought My prayer and my playnt Was to thy temple brought Therfore they that delyght In vanitie so vayne For sake his helpe and myght That mercy doth retayne But I wyll prayse and paye That I hym vowed haue And thanke the lorde alwayâ— That did me helpe and saue ¶ A consideration of the vnryghteousnes of the vayne miserable world ¶ Syng this as Of Ielousy who so wyll heare DIrectly who so nowe wyl walke In pathes of plain perfect way whose hartes mouthes together talke Not glosing by deceit astray That flatter none for mede nor loue Nor ruled by affection Nor wyll for worldly glory moue Nor yet for brybes infection Such meÌ„ had nede their countes to cast In what maner to thriue and gayne For here let them be sure and fast No frendshyp doth for suche remayne â–ª Requisitly they doe regarde The ioyes layde vp in lyfe to come And that is only the rewarde Wheron their mynde is all and summe Wherfore we may with truthe coÌ„clude That suche as loue this worldly pelfe From heauen doe them selues seclude As doth that wretch who kylles him self And those agayne that doe despyse These mundane gandes as vyle vayne May well be called godly wyse For heauens blysse they shall obtayne ¶ A ditie of lamentation against the dissemblyng and hipocriticall false dealynge vsed of moste folke in these dayes that is to saye holy and honest talke myxed with wicked and vicious dedes IN sommer time when flowrs gan spryng and evry bough bent to his kind Phebus shone bright the birdes did sing as natures order hath assignd I walked to recreat my mynde which out of sorowe might not starte but saide as duty did me bind lord Christ help evry wofull hart My wittes were tossed to and fro That truthe is preached sincerly Yet wycked lyuers neuer mo Were in this worlde ryght sikarly Wherfore I wepte full bitterly None but God only knew my smarte Whiche me constrayned lowd to cry Lorde Christ helpe evry wofull harte None doth in his vocation walke But eche estate wandreth awry Yet haue the moste part godly talke And commit deedes cleane contrary Thus walke they in hypocrisie In well doyng none doth his part Wherfore I cryde ryght hartily Lorde Christ helpe evry wofull hart The man that is most couetyse Wyll talke most against wrongful gayne Thinkyng by speakyng in suche wyse His subtill purpose to obtayne As though perfection did remayne In flaâ—tring tongues myndes peruert This caused me to crye agayne Lorde Christe helpe evry wofull heart How doth the ryche oppresse the poore Punyshing them that therof tell Howe doth the wolfe the lambe deâ—oute And enuy in his venym swell Howe falsly doe men buye and sell To speake of this it is my part For sure these frutes came out of hell Lord Christ helpe evry wofull heart In dronkenes they haue no pere That conterfet moste sobernes Their talke is often chaste and clere That moste frequent lasciuiousnes Whordom adultrye
estate to tary styll What call ye then the vyle estate As some doo iudge this is the thyng If my superior doo me hate And would me to displeasure bryng And that also without desert If reason may the cause decerne And haue disdeyn for my true heart Wherfore to please I am to lerne Yet is myn heart determind sure If truth and reason take no place Of suche disdeyne to take no cure But wyse men rather wyll imbrace For yf wysedome were noblenes As noble byrthe and ryches is Then should not truth be in dystres And flattrye should of fauor mis. So flattrye and bland eloquence Should as they are be compted vyle And truth should then make none offence Nor vertue reigne in suche exyle Blamd but not shamd the prouerbe is And truth can haue none other wrong So may they hap theyr marke to mys That thinke them selues in falshod stroÌ„g Then hated lo I must reioyce And fonde regarde despyse as vayne Closing my mouth stoppyng my voyce From speache in presence of disdayne ¶ An holsome warning for all men that beare the name of Christians to lyue Christianly O Harke a whyle vnto my style all ye that Christians be that beare that name and doe not frame your liues accordingly Is Fayth in syche As beyng ryche Though they doo Christ professe That euery houre Do Christe deuoure And his poore flocke oppresse For we are all As sayth saynâ— Paule Membres of one body Of Christe Iesu â— round of vertue And of all veritie Then the poore man As proue I can Is Christ his member true As well as he What so he be That ryches doth endue Why should ye then To symple men Beare suche despight and hate Syth they be all In Christ equall With you in all estate Christ his kyngdome Was neuer wonne By wealth or hygh degree All though that here Some doo appere To reygne in dignitie Then let none thynke That Christ wyll shrynke When he shall iudge vs all Of all your wealth So got by stelthe You to accompt to call When yf he fynde Ye were vnkynde To your poore brethern dere Then wyll he say Go from me aye Into eternall fyre When I lackt meate And fayne would eate In sycknes thyrst and coldâ— In all my nede Not one good dede That you to me doo wold Then wyll ye say Wythout delay Lord when dyd we thee see Lacke any foode To doo thee good And dyd it not to thee And he agayne Shall answer playne I truely say to you Ye styll oppreste And muche detest The poore my members true When ye therfore Did them abhorre That â—re of lowe degree To me alone And other none Ye did that iniury Saint Iohn doth proue We can not loue God whom we doe not see If we doe hate Our brethern that Are present to our eye Nowe call for grace Whyle ye haue space Your wycked lyues amende And so procede In worde and dede True Christians to the ende ¶ A short song exhorting all men to abstayne from the vse of false weyghtes and measures MY harte constraines my mouth to tell the dutie of eche worldly wight howe they be taught in the gospell one with other to deale vpright with euen weightes ballance iust so doe we must So doe we must this is no naye Also with measure iust and true Who so doth not at the last day Ryght sore are lyke for it to rue When he shall goe for wante of breath Vnto his death Vnto his death when he must goe With painful panges and torment strong Then is he lyke to suffer wo For that his dealyng false and wrong Suche one is lyke in extreme payne For to remayne For to remayne wo worth the whyle That any man so fond should fare With othes his neighbour to beguyle When he should truly sell his ware O wherfore then dâ—o ye vnwyse Prudence despyse Prudence despyse that should so well Lâ—ade you in Godly wayes and ryght And teache you also how to deale With your neyghbours iustly vpryght For he that to amend denayes Thus the Lorde sayes Thus the Lord sayth very certayn Such measure as ye mete to other Suche measure shall ye haue agayn How then yf you deceyue your brother Thynk you that God wyll forget thys No no Iwys No no Iwys ye may be sure For heauen and earth shall ioyntly saylâ— â–ª But Gods word shall for euer dure In force and strength styll to preuayle All false dealers for to expell Downe in to hell Down in to hell therfore take hedâ— And call for gods grace and mercy Amend your wycked lyues with spede Lamentyng them repentantly God geue vs grace so to intende And there an ende ¶ A Ditie declarynge the sted fast hope and trust that the faythfull afflicted soule hath in Christ Iesu LIke as certain the hart wold faine of the fountain obtain the spring so hath my sprite his whole delight in God almight aboue all thing Myne enmies strong All the daye long To doe me wrong Is their intent Euery howre On me they loure Me to deuoure They doe inuent This doe I see For to myne eye It is truly Alwayes obiect With might and mayne Them selues they strayne My soule to gayne And to infect My soule therfore Doth tremble sore And euermore Doth stande in feare And all the whyle Myne enmies smyle Me to beguyle They not forbeare Therfore I say My sâ—ule alway Reiâ—yce and stay Thy selfe in Christ Though men extold Agaynst thee hold In Christ be bold Them to resyst Who is alyue That dareth stryue Strong dyuels fyue Although they were Thys can I proue O Lorde aboue If thou me loue I nede not feare O God of myght Strengthen my spryte That doth delyght Only in thee O holy Lord Let thy swâ—â—e word Wyth one accord Styll be wyth me O Christ Iesu Ground of vertue Messias true As sayth Scripture To thee I pray Graunt that I may In heauen aye With thee indure ¶ A song shewing that no commoditie is without a discommoditie ¶ Syng this as I am the man whome God c. AS I dyd sytte and muse Once by my selfe alone The wretched state of worldly wights The mind was fixed on Howe no commoditie May here with man indure Without some discommoditie To shewe it selfe vnpure By fyre we haue great ayde In colde vs for to warme Whiche in an houre somtime doth burnâ— Rewarding vs with harme We may lyue certayne dayes Without both drinke and meate But without ayre not one moment The lack would be so great Yet somtyme by his rage We mortall men doe fynde That trees houses and cattell eke Are ouerthrowne with wynde The water who can lack That in this worlde doth byde Yet many one therin is drownde By great aboundyng tyde The earth wheron we dwell And seke great welth to fynde In sekyng to possesse the same With iudgement vayne and blynde When we thynke to possesse This earth that we attende Behold the same possesseth vs