An excellent Song wherein you shall find  
Great consolation for a troubled mind.   
To the tune of Fortune my Foe.  

 

Aim not too high in things above thy reach,  
Be not too foolish in thine own conceit,  
As thou hast wit and worldly wealth at will,  
So give him thankes that shall increase it still.   

Be ware of pride the mother of mishap,  
Whose sugared snares will seek thee to entrap,  
Be meek in heart, and lowly minded still,  
So shalt thou God's Commandments fulfil.   

Cast all thy care upon the Lord, and he  
In thy distress will send to secure thee,  
Cease not therefore to serve him every day,  
Who with his blood thy ransom once did pay.   

Dri●e from thy heart ill thoughts that may offend,  
Desire of God his holy spirit to send,  
Which will direct thy life in such a sort,  
As thou thereby shalt find joy and comfort,   

Except each day and hour when Christ shall come  
With power to judge the world both all & some:  
Be ready then, and with the Bridegroom Christ,  
Receive reward in heaven among the highest.   

Fear to offend his heavenly Majesty,  
Faith doth confirm true love and loyalty:  
Without which faith, as holy Scriptures say,  
No man to heaven can find the perfect way.   

Great is the Lord and merciful doubtless,  
To those that with true zeal their faults confess,  
But unto those in mischief daily runs,  
He lets alone to cast what after comes.   

Hope in the Lord, on him repose thy trust,  
Serve him with fear, whose judgements are most just  
Desire of him thy life so to direct,  
That to thy soul he may have good respect.   

Injure no man, but love thine enemy,  
Though to thy hurt, yet take it patiently,  
And think the Lord, although he suffer long,  
When time shall serve, will soon revenge thy wrong   

Keep thou no rancour hidden in thy heart,  
Remember well the word Christ did impart,  
That is, forgive offences overpassed,  
As thou thyself wilt be forgiven at last.   

Lay not thy treasure up in hoarding sort,  
But there withal the poor feed and comfort,  
If thou cold water give in Christ his name,  
Thrice double told he will reward the same.   

Misorder not thyself in any wise,  
In meat and drink let reason still suffice:  
Moderate thy mind, and keep thyself content,  
So shalt thou please the Lord Omnipotent,    

The second part  
to the same Tune.  
 

NO man can say that he is void of sin,  
For if he do he's much deceived therein:  
The Lord doth say, the just seven times a day  
Committeth sin, and runneth oft astray.   

Obey his will, who to redeem thy loss  
Did shed his blood for us upon the Cross,  
Such was the love that Christ did show to man,  
Why should we be ungrateful to him than?   

Pity the poor with such as God hath sent,  
And be not proud with that which he hath lent,  
Remember well what Christ hath said to thee,  
Do this as though thou didst it unto me.   

Quench fond desires and pleasures of the flesh,  
Fly gluttony, the Mother of excess,  
For whoredom is the very sink of sin,  
In which the wicked daily wallow in.   

Root from thy heart malicious thoughts be sure,  
Which are a means God's judgements to procure  
For he assured when envy beareth sway,  
The fear of God departeth soon away.   

Subdue thyself, let wisdom be thy guide,  
Suppress ill thoughts, beware of hateful pride,  
Despise the world, a veil of vanities,  
Lest headlong thou run'st on in miseries.   

Turn unto me, our Saviour Christ doth say,  
And I will hear they prayers every day,  
If any thing thou ask in Christ his name,  
Be well assured thou shalt obtain the same.   

Vain exercise abolish from thy sight,  
Desire of God his faith and holy Spirit,  
Who will direct thee in the perfect way,  
That leads to life, as holy Scriptures say.   

When Satan seeks to tempt thee any way,  
Call upon God thy only strength and stay,  
And he assured from out his holy hill  
He will preserve thy life from danger still.   

Experience of his love that lends thee life,  
Must make thee seek to live devoid of strife,  
Let his love be thy rule, who so loved thee,  
That death he underwent to set thee free.   

Young men and maids, old men and babes repent,  
Lest for your sins you at the last be shent:  
Be wise, that heed, do not the time delay,  
For Christ must be our judge at the last day.   

Zeal like to fire our good works let make bright,  
That others thereof may behold the light:  
Light up your Lamps, and with the Virgins five  
Have oil in store to keep your Lamps alive.   
FINIS.    

Printed at London by the Assigns of Thomas Symcocke.