[The courte of vertue.]

The Courte of Vertue .

¶ The prayse of vertue . AL men that wyll walke in Gods deuine wayes , To vertue they must geue honor and prayse : For vertue is she by whom they possesse , All good fame and prayse that loue godlynes . There neuer was man that wan godly fame , But doubtles dame vertue was cause of the same . Though Abram by fayth , was only made iuste , By vertue that fay the was knowne and discuste . Ye Isaac and Iacob , were compted lyke wyse , Both faythfull and iuste in their exercise . The patriarkes all from Adam to Christe , With prophetes and kynges , that synne dyd resiste . By vertue the praise of faith did obteyne : Whiche yet to this daie , doth dure & remaine . Ye Christ by the vertue , that in him was sent , Aboue all the holy , that holiest haue bene , To be true Mesias , his flock did him know : Whiche to this daye doth his foes ouerthrowe . And he his disciples then charged eche one , To folowe the steps that he so had gone . Likewyse his Apostles , that since his tyme was , The martyrs and sainctes , to whom he gaue grace , Their light did so shine , before the world here : That by their true vertue , well dyd appere , That they were true seruantes , of Christ their good lord , Whom truly their liues , did preache and recorde . Let vertue therfore be had in all pryse , Whiche styll to goodnes , doth good men entyse . And well doth rewarde , all suche as hir serue , And kepeth nought back , that they doe deserue : But with goodnes styll , doth rychly augmente , All suche as vnto hir seruice be bent . And neuer doth leue them , ne yet forsake , Till ended be all , that they vndertake . She neuer doth sease , to spurre them forwarde , Tyll they be in blysse of heu●ns rewarde . Whiche is the whole thyng they seke for and sue , That serue in the court of Lady vertue . And styll for hir sake , doe suffer and byde , The stumps and the mocks , of suche as deryde . Ye hatred and scorne , and all kynde of spyghte , Of such as in vyce and synne doe delyght . But vertue doth t●ache , to suffer this rage , That we may styll passe on in our pylgrimage . Considering that we but strangers are here . And wander styll towarde our countrey dere . And make ou● selues lyght , from burden and lode , Sythe in this vayne worlde , is no sure abode . No meruaile though then the worlde doth them hate , And euer be styll with them at debate : For Christ vnto his hath made it well knowne , The worlde shall aye loue and fauour his owne . And those from the worlde and sinne that remoue , It is not possible , the worlde should them loue . The cause as sayeth Christe , of all this whole stryfe : Is that from the worlde they differ in lyfe . For as in this worlde no mans lyfe is sure , The vertuous lyfe shall eternally dure . Though here they be murdred and ( sene for to die ) Of suche as all vertue and goodnes denye . Then howe can we counte them short tyme to lyue , To whom lady vertue rewarde doth , gyue . Whom as say●h Gelasius , ought styll to be . From teror and dread , and wrath euer free . Her consolation where she doth bestowe , In ryche or in poore , in hyghe or in lowe , From bondage of sinne she doth them free make : Lo thus are her seruantes safe for hyr sake . Among the good rootes that depely besette , Vertue sayeth Tullie , the chiefe prayse doth getie : The whiche by no kynde of vyolence may Be hurte or destroyde , by nyght or by daye . From wanton desyres her seruantes flee all . And folowe styll iustice , as sayeth saint Paule : Faith loue and vni●ie well doth accorde , In them whiche with cleane hartes ●onor the Lorde . Lactancius also would all men remember , That they the true honor to vertue doe render . With sensing or prayer she honor hath none , Nor yet with an Image , of woodde or of stone : But only with good wyll and purpose true , This honor to vertue , alwayse is due : For he that in Christes fayth doth not remayne , In no wyse to vertue may apertayne . Vertue refreyneth wrath without measure , And also absteyneth from carnall pleasure : The frutes of the spiritie , as true godly loue , Pacience , and peace , and ioy from about . Bounteousnes , goodnes , and longe sufferance , Gentlenes , fayth , and modest , temperance . Sobernes , continence , and chastitie : All these in vertues courte officers be . Therfore the quene vertue , it may well beseme , To were a moste hyghe and ryche diadeine .

¶ The prayse of faithe . Hebre. 11. IF I shall enterpryse to make , A due prayse vnto fayth : I can in no wyse better that , Whiche written is of Paule , In his epistle to the Iues : marke therfore what he saieth , though not eche woord , yet wyll I here resite the summe of all . Fayth is a perfect confidence , Of thynges that hoped are , And a most constant certeintie . Of thynges whiche are not sene . For therby did the fathers olde , ( As scripture doth declare , ) Obteyne a iust and good reporte , That long tyme since hath bene . And we through faythe doe vnderstande , God dyd the worlde ordeyne , By Christe his sonne the blessed worde , That no beginnyng had . By it also howe thynges were wrought , We doe knowledge obteyne : Thynges that are sene by thinges not sene , Were ordeyned and made . By fayth also ( as we doe reade , ) The ryghteous man Abell , Dyd offer vp a sacrifice , More plentyfull then Cayne : And therby had a wytnes true , ( As holy wryte doth tell , ) That he was iust : Though he be dead , His fame doth styll remayne . By fayth Enoch , translated was , That death he should not see , And was not founde : for god therfore Had taken hym awaye . Before whiche tyme he wan the name , A ryghteous man to be , Because he dyd the wyll of god , And pleasde hym nyght and daye . But sure without a lyvly fayth , It can be in no wyse , That any man by any meane , The lyuyng god should please : For all that come to god beleue , ( And their fayth exercyse , ) That he rewardeth them that seke Hym , with eternall ease . By fayth Noe ( beyng warnde of god , ) Vnsene thynges dyd eschue , Preparde an arke , and savde his folke , As holy scripture sayth . Wherby he dyd ccondemne the worlde , That synne dyd styll insue : And became heyre of ryghteousnes , Accordyng vnto fayth . By fayth our father Abraham , When he first called was , To goe into a place most strange , Dyd by and by obeye . Whiche place though he , inherite should , As after came to pas : When he went forth he knewe it not , Nor no part of the waye . By fayth into the promyste lande , I saye he dyd remoue , A strange countrey where he dyd long , In tabernacles dwell : And so dyd Isaac and Iacob , Heyres with him from aboue . All these dyd for a citie looke , Which God had buylded well . Through fayth Sara receiued strength , When she was nowe past age , To conceyue and bryng forth a sonne , That perfect was and pure : Because she iudgde the promyser Both faythfull , true , and sage . Lo thus by fayth there sprang great health , Where thought was no recure . And therfore sprang there forth of one , That dead was to esteme , As many folke in multitude , As are starres in the skye : And as the sand on the sea shore , Hir ofspryng then did seme , The whiche without number to be , No creature can deny . These dyed in fayth , yet the promys None of them dyd receyue : But seyng it as afarre of , They dyd right well beleue , That as many as so it sawe , And to the same dyd cleaue , Salutyng it by livly fayth , None euell should them greue . These faythfull men the fathers olde , As truthe was did confesse , That they strangers and pilgrymes weare , Vpon this earthly vale . For they that see suche thynges before , Of truth declare no lesse , But that they doe a countrey seke , Ryght hygh aboue this dale . Also if they had mynded once , The countrey whence they came , They had leysour to turne agayne , To that whiche they dyd loue : But now it shewes they dyd desyre , A thyng of better fame , That is to saye a heauenly soyle , With God the lorde aboue . Wherfore the lyuing God hym selfe , Estemeth it no shame , To be called the God of these , And suche lyke godly men : For he a citie excellent , Hath builded for the same , And thynketh nothing ill bestowde , That may well pleasure them . Who so the texte wyll farther reade , To folowe there shall fynde . That Isac , Iacob , and Ioseph , And Moses did the lyke : By fayth how the redde sea went back , Contrary to his kynde : As on drye lande howe Israell dyd passe through that drye dyke . The Egiptians when they the lyke Would seme to enterpryse , They lackyng fayth weare drowned all , As for their t●st rewarde . By fayth the walles of Ierico , Did falle downe in lyke wyse , No force or engyn of the warres , Against it once preparde . The harlot Rahab in lyke wyse , Nowe she dyd saue hir lyfe , And perisht not with them that dyd Resist the wyll of god : When she the spies receaued well , In peace without all stryfe : For she beleude , that god would plage , That contrey with his rodde . What should be sayde of Gedeon , Of Barach , and Samson : Iephte , Dauid , and Samuell , And eke the prophetes all . Who dyd by fayth great realmes subdue And myghty kyngdomes wonne : They turnde their enemies to flyght , And gaue their foes a fall . By fayth some stopt the lyons mouthes , Some quencht the rage of fyre : By fayth some wrought out rightousnes , Some promyse dyd obteyne . Some scapie the sworde , some were made strong , Whom weaknes erste dyd tyre : And women dyd their dead receyue , To perfect lyfe agayne . Some racked weare , and would not voyde The danger of that wo , Knowyng that they should ryse agayne , Possessing better ioye . With mockes and scornes and prisonment , Lo some were tryed so : Some were stoned , some were tempted , Thus did the worlde them noye . Some hewed were a sonder quyghte , Some with the sworde were slayne : Some in the skynnes of shepe and gotes Disdeyned not to go , In trouble and necessitie , They were content to reigne In mountaynes , desertes , and in dennes , By fayth this could they doe . These , was the worlde not worthy of , Yet dyd it them despyse . Though they did all ( through lyuly fayth ) Obteyne a good reporte : Yet dyd they not that tyme receyue , That God dyd them promyse : That we with them , and they with vs , myght ioynctly haue comforte . For Christe that holy promyse was , The frute of all our fayth : Without whom none can saued be , No neither we nor they , For in hym all fulfilled is , That holy scripture sayth : Ye Christ is he in whom both we And they our fayth doe staye . For which all honor laude & prayse To God ascribed be , To the father , and to the sonne , And to the holy spyrite : In vnitie , and trinitie . One God and persons three , As hath ben , is and shal be styll , For euer so be it .

¶ The prayse of hope , out of many places of scripture . HOpe ( the medcyn against dreadfull dispayre ) If we should prayse as doth hir well behoue , As holy Paull we nede had to repayre , to the third heuen : or ells God from aboue to sound his voyce , to one that he doth loue : as in the holy mount Moyses dyd here , And to Elias lykewyse did apere . Or as the most blessed Apostles three , At Olyuet , euen Peter , Iames , and Iohn , Where they the glorie of the Lord dyd see , Transfigured that holy mount vpon : Beside which syght , they herde this voyce eche one : This is myne only sonne and worde so bryghte , In whom I fixe and set my whole delyght . Who so I saye myght once haue suche a syghte , Should afterward lacke no knowledge nor skyll , To prayse dame hope , that lady pure and bryght : In whom all good men haue of ioye their fyll . Who could without despayre suffer the ill , That in this worlde we dayly see and byde , If blessed hope stode not on our ryght syde ? Our spirituall foes that dayly vs asaulte , As is the fende , the flesh , and world also , With ignorance and error eke so haulte , Behynde , before , we no where lacke a foe , So that if hope once banyshte were vs fro , Alas who could of gods fauour be sure , That daily sethe his owne wayes so vnpure ? What man doth as god hath commanded playne , That we should doe , or els perysh in hell ? Sith none therfore can there vnto attayne , ( For all doe disobey , synne and rebell : Howe can we thynke in heauen then to dwell , If blessed hope doe not oure fayth directe , That we in Christe are vnto blysse electe . In all the stormes of Sathans cruell rage , Wherwith he seketh mans soule to destroye . If in our soules good hope dyd not aswage , The sorowes that doe seke the same to noye , And comfort them with quietnes and toye , Assuryng them that doe their whole good wyll , That Christ our lorde wyll all our wante fulfyll : Without this hope I saye who could Indure . The boystrous brunte of this moste mortall fyght , Our enmies are no babes I you assure , But very strong in respect of our myght : Wherfore we ought to praye both daye and nyght , To god our lorde , that he woulde graunt vs aye , That blessed hope with vs continue may . Howe apte are we from comfort to decaye , If we hyr helpe had not in our distres . Sith she in Christe doth cause vs for to staye , And to be bolde not fearyng our weaknes . Syth our captayne in his great manlynes , Is able styll our foes for to withstande , If we in hym that battell take in hande . As sayth saynt Paule hope is the geft of god , In whiche we are made safe in all our nede , And takes away of care the heauy lode , An armor strong , and spirituall indede , An helmet sure , wherwith we may procede Against the powres of darknes and of hell , For heauenly thinges that we may wrestle well . In it we ought to ioye and to reioyce , As to the Romanes he doth farther saye : And Peter also , with a feruent voyce , Sayth that we ought without all doubt and staye , To yelde a reason of our hope alway . Hope is the meane that men to God drawe nere , without the whiche none faythfull may apere . Who without hope can truly loue the lorde ? Who without hope can serue god in true feare ? Who without hope can cause his lyfe tacorde To vertues lore , and fylthy synnes forbeare ? Who without hope can praye in true maner ? Who without hope can yelde god laude and prayse ? Who voyde of hope wyll walke in Christen wayes ? The blessed martyrs , by the hope and truste , That they had in the glorious lyfe to come , Dyd from this worlde withdrawe their mynde & luste : And gladly suffred cruell martyrdom , By fyre , by sworde , and briefly all the summe , No kynde of death or tormente dyd despyse , That wicked worldlynges could for them deuyse . By hearyng scripture true hope doth procede , And otherwyse can lyghtly not be had , Confounded shall they neuer be in dede , Whom perfect hope hath once with ioy made glad : Whiche takes away all doubtfull dred so sad . Whose hope in Christe therfore doth staye and reste , We may well call them faithfull folke and bleste . What so before tyme wrytten is sayeth Paule , It written was vs to instructe and learne : That we through comforte of the scriptures all , And pacience : might perfectly deserne The perfect hope , to hope in God eterne . Lo thus doth God in scripture vs procure , Through hope in him of heauen to be sure . We knowe sayeth Paule that tribulacion , Doth bryng forth pacience , that goodly grace , And pacience doth render forth anon Experience , the whiche doth hope purchace : Whiche blessed hope who so that may imbrace , She neuer wyll confound them with no shame , But bryngeth forth a lyfe free from all blame . This pure and perfect hope that we declare The gift is of the Lorde and at his wyll , Whiche none can get by worldly wytte nor care : But with this hope god his electe doth fyll , With whome she doth continue euer styll : Not by mans wyll , but by gods mercy pure : This blessed hope with good men doth indure . The God of hope therfore replenysh vs , With peace and ioye , and with a lyvly fayth , And make vs ryche in hope of Christ Iesus , And t holy ghoste , whose powre all mistruste stayth , Whiche is our comfort as the scripture sayth . This Trimtie be praysed now therfore , As hath been , is , and shal be euermore .

¶ The prayse of Godly loue or charitie out of 1. Cor. 13. & Iohn . 4. OF Charitie or godly loue To make a perfect prayse , This godly loue to prayse I saye , In order good and due . I tooke to me gods word , and wrote What the holy gooste sayes , In diuine Iohn and holy Paule : whose wordes are very true . Attende therfore ye Christians dere , And louers of the Lorde , Harke and geue eare vnto the truthe , And blessed worde of lyfe : And pray to god for perfect loue , Your lyues therto accorde , That ye may lyue in christen peace , Free from all seruyle strife . By office of a lyvly fayth What euer we receyue , Or by the office of our hope , What so we doe retayne : By charitie or godly loue , To gods truthe if we cleaue : The frute therof we must applie , To render well agayne . As faith the firste preferment hath our soules to iustifie , ( For by the same we only doe Receyue our sauyng health : ) So loue of vertues is the chiefe , Wherby we edefie , By it we worke the wyll of god , And seke our neyghbours wealth . Though I coulde speake sayth Paule with tongues Of men orangels bryghte , And had no loue : then were I lyke Vnto the soundyng bras , Or lyke the ●ynklyng simbales sounde , A short and vayne delyght : Whiche beyng gon , men streight forget What maner noyse it was . Ye though that I could prophesie , And secretes vnderstande , All knowledge , or suche mighty fayth , As could mountayns remoue , And set them in the oc●an seas , Or in some other lande : For all these yet I were nothyng If that I had not loue . If I dyd all my goodes bestowe To fede therwith the poore , Or geue my body to the fyre , Therin consumde to be , And finally all that I can , Tyll I could doe no more : If I be destitute of loue , It doth not profite me . Loue suffreth longe , is courteous , And neuer doth enuye , Loue neuer dealeth frowardly , Nor venemously swell . Loue seketh not hyr owne , therby To deale dishonestly . Loue vnto wrath prouoketh not , But alwayes thynketh well . In euels loue doth not reioyce , Nor Ioye in wyckednes , But alwaye doth reioyce in truthe , And suffreth all thynges well : Beleueth all , and hopeth all , And doth indure no les . Thus loue in goodnes doth excede , All that our tongues can tell , Though prophesiyng doe faile , & serue No vse in any case , And tongues to speake , & knoledge to As once they shall I saye : ( After this lyfe these haue no vse , ) Yet loue shall then in place , Remayne , with gods elect in ioyes , And neuer fall awaye . Our knowledge is but vnperfecte , So is oure prophesiyng , When perfectnes doth come in place , Vnperfectnes must flee : For when I was a chylde , my talke Was then chyldysh talkynge : Myne vnderstandyng in lyke case , All then was chyldyshly . And as a chylde also that tyme I dyd imagin playn : But then so sone as manhod came , My chyldishnes was gone . Now see we but as in a glasse By speache moste darke and vayne : But then shall we see face to face , When let there shall be none . My knowledge now vnperfect is , Then shall it not be so , Then shall I knowe as I am knowne , By rule of ryght b●liefe . Faith hope and loue doe nowe abyde Away they will not goe : And of all those after this lyfe , Loue shall abyde as chiefe . Saynt Iohn diuinly counsels vs One an other to loue , For euery one that loues sayeth he , Of God is truly borne . For loue doth euer suerly come From God the lorde aboue : Suche as loue not , doe not knowe god , But rather doe hym scorne . In this the loue of god to vs Doth perfectly apere . He ( but not we ) dyd truly loue And payne for vs did take : For he into thys worlde did sende His only sonne so dere , That for our sinnes he myght therby A full agrement make . Wherfore ( my louyng brethern dere ) If god so loued vs , That we should one another loue , W● certeynly are bounde : If we loue one an other then , Our loue doth playne discusse , That god in vs doth dwell and reygne , And hath a perfect grounde . For god is loue , and who so doth In loue abide or dwell , Dwelle●h in god and god in him , Thus loue in vs is sure : That in the day of iudgement iuste We should in hope excell . For in this worlde we are lyke hym , By loue perfect and pure . By this we knowe the godly loue , That there in is no feare : It casteth out all feare and doubte Wherin is paynfulnes . Wher ●●●or i● the perfect loue In nowyse can be there , For loue doth alwayes fixe hyr selfe On peace and gentylnes . If we loue god , he loude vs fyrst , Then wherof can we boste ? But who so sayeth he loueth God , And doth his brother hate : He is a lyer verely , And none of Christes hoste : And therby doth prouoke the plage To lyght vpon his pa●e . For how can he that loueth not His brother in this lyfe , Whom he may with his eyes beholde , At all tymes when he wyll : Howe can he with the lyuyng god Be other then at stryfe ? Or loue him whiche he can not se● By nature or by skyll ? Therfore hath Christ commaunded v● ▪ That he whiche loueth god , By perfect loue as he forbeares All that god doth abhorre : That he also his brother loue , All hate is hym forbod . All honour prayse and laude to god For this nowe euer more . Amen .

¶ The prayse of Godly wysdome out of the booke of wysdome , called Sapientia . cap. vi . THe worthy wyse kyng Salomon inwysdoms exercyse , The godly wysdome doth commende , And praise hir on this wise . wisdomis a much better thing , Then strengthe orforce to fyght : a wyse man is more worth also , Then strong men of much might . This wysdome O ye myghtie kynges Se that ye conne and learne , To you sith iudgement on this earth Is geuen to decerne . Geue ●are to hyr I saye all you , That rule the multytude , Whiche in much people haue delight . And all thynges should conclude . The god that gaue you powre & strength That lorde I saye most hye , Shall serch out all that ye inuente , And your workes truly trye . Howe that ye beyng officers Vnder his kyngly throne , Ye did not iudgement execute As vnto hym is knowne . And if ye haue not kept the lawe Of ryghtiusnes I saye , Nor haue not done his blessed wyll By walkyng in his waye : Full horribly and that ryght sone To you he shall apere , And right hard iudgement shal they haue By powre that gouerne here . His mercy sure he wyll extende Vnto the innocent , But suche as beare authoritie , Shall haue sore punyshment , For god whiche is the lorde of all , By iudgement iust and ryght Shall stande in awe of no mans powre , Though he be of great myght . For he made both the great and small , And cares for them alyke : But they that be of greatest powre The more he wyll them stryke . Ye kynges eche one take hede therfore , Se that ye ponder this , And guyde your fete by wisdoms scole That ye goe not amysse . All suche as obserue ryghteousnes , Shall iudged be therby , Suche ryghtcousnes who so wyll learne Shall answere readily . On wisdomes lore I saye therfore Set all your loue and luste : To nourture so ye shall atayne , In season due and iuste . For wysdome is a noble thyng . Whiche wyll not flete nor moue , And wyll be sene full easily Of all that doe hyr loue : Suche as vnfaynedly hir seke , She wyll preuent them so , That they shall haue hyr in their syghte . In eche place where they goe . Who so wyll wake to hir betyme Shall haue no great traueyle , For at his dore he shall hir finde , She wyll him neuer fayle . Ryght perfectly they vnderstand That doe thinke hir vpon , And they that watche for hir shal be Ryght safe and that anon . For she alwayse doth goe about And seketh euery where , For suche as for hir schole be mete , And doe god loue and feare : Before th●ir eyes ryght chierfully Hyr selfe she doth forth showe , And meteth them dilygently , Because they should hir knowe . The faythfull and the iust desire Of reformation , Is the beginning and the grounde That wysdome buildeth on . The busye care for wysdom● lore Is loue and pure prudence , And loue doth also kepe the lawes , And that with dilygence . To kepe the lawes is perfectnes , And righ●ly doth accorde . An vncerrupt lyfe maketh man Familiar with th● lorde . Se that your ioye in royall seates And scepters be not sette , Ye kynges that doe the people rule , By myghty powre and great . But set on wysdom your delyght , All folysh thinges abhorre : That ye may reigne in glory great With god for euer more . O loue the lyght , all ye that rule The congregation : And I wyll make of wisdom nowe A declaration . What wisdome is , howe she came vp , I will you tell this tyde , The misteries of god the lorde . From you I wyll not hyde : But I wyll seke hir out in dede , That all men shall it se Ye from the first oryginall Of hyr natiuitie . And bryng the knowledge of hyr lyght . And shewe you all the grounde . And as for keping backe the truthe , In me shall not be founde : Ne yet wyll I haue ought to doe With enuy nor disdayne . For why suche men in no wyse may To wysdome aperteyne . Where many wyse men haue abode The worlde may ioyfull be : And where as kynges by wysdome rule , Their realmes haue equitie . O aprehende hir nurtour then , Let wysdom be your foode : And at my wordes your councell take For it shall doe you good . I am a mortall man my selfe After the common trade , And am of that same very kynde , With hym that first was made : And formed in my mothers wombe In fleshe there was I wrought , And tenne moneths had my nutryment Of bloud that there was brought . Where through the fruitfull seede of man I had my substance thus , In whiche the apetite of sleape , Is moste commodious . When I was borne I tooke lyke ayre , As doe all others lo : I fell on earth whyche was my kynde In wepyng and in wo I wraped was in swadlyng clothes , And brought vp with great care : For why no kyng can in their byrth Haue other kynde of fare . For all men in this wretched worlde As well the kyng as slaue , In entrance , and in goyng forth , No kinde of difference haue . Considryng in my mynde howe that The most rude multitude dyd nothyng differ from my byrth , Nor death whiche doth conclude . I me bethought therfore howe I Myght in my beyng here , Aboue the kynde of common men Ryght excellent apere . For wysdom pure to vnderstande Therfore was my desyre , The spirite of wysdom came to me As my harte dyd requyre , By whom I set more pryce and ioye Then by great kyngdoms fayre : The royall seates or ryches great With hyr shall not compare . And precious stones I neuer did Compare to hir I saie , For gould is g●auell in hyr sight , And syluer is but claye . Wealth and beautie I wayed not , But toke hyr for my light : The beames of wysdome none can quench That shyneth aye so bryghte . By hir all thinges I did possesse , All good thing●s came to me , The ryches without number is That in hir handes styll be . But yet in childyshe ignorance I could not make dyscourse , Of all good thinges howe wysdome is The mother and the nource . But nowe sithe I vnfeynedly Haue learned what she is , Partakers other men to make Of hyr I will not mys . Hyr ryches and hir treasure great From you I wyll not hide : Whiche passeth all infinitly That is in this worlde wyde . Which who so vse , they ioye with god In friendship and great loue : And in his syght excepted are , Through wysdomes giftes aboue . God hath me graunted wisdomes talke In forme conu●nient , To handle all whiche he to me Hath graciously lent . For he it is that to wysdome Doth leade and introduce , And teacheth howe that in hir kynde Men shall hir ryghtly vse . In hym are we , and all our wordes , Our wysdome , and our skyll : Our knowledge , and our science all , Our workes , and all our wyll . For vnto me he geuen hath , The knowledge and the trade Of all those thynges , so that I knowe Howe that the worlde was made : And by his wisdome hath me taught Astronomy to knowe , The elementes , with all their powrs , And wonders whiche they showe . Howe tymes doe both begin and ende , The mydste of tymes I see : Howe tymes alter and doe succede Eche one in his degree . I knowe the order and the ende And course or euery yere , The dispositions of the starres To me doe well appere . In naturall philosophie I haue the perfect arte , I knowe the nature of eche beaste One from other aparte : Howe some be gentill in their kynde , Howe some in fury rage : I knowe the cause , and howe one may By wysdome them aswage . I knowe the wyndes of euery coaste , Theyr natures hotte or colde : And by that arte send shyps with sayles To Ophir for muche goulde , What mans imagination is Some wyse some fonde and vayne : By Adams lyne , and wysdoms lore , The difference sheweth playne . I knowe the natures and degrees Of eche 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 al thynges 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 synge : That with gods honour laude and prayse , All Israell dyd rynge .

Benedicam dominum . I Wyll vnto the lorde Be geuing thankes alwayes , My mouth and tungue shall euer be A speakyng of his prayse . My soule shall make hyr boste , In God the lorde of myght , That poore oppressed men may here The same , them to delighte . Together let vs nowe In honor doe our partes , His name to prayse and magnifie , With meke and humble hartes . For when I him besought , He heard my prayer so , That he did streyght delyuer me , From all my care and wo. Receaue therfore the lyght , And to hym drawe you nere : And so without all shamefastnes Your faces shall appere . For I poore man made once To him my playnte and mone : He heard me crye , and dyd me ryd , From troubles euery one . His angell pytched hath His tente about his shepe , I meane all suche as feare the lorde , In saftie them to kepe . His frendshyp proue and see , And take therof a taste : For they that truste in hym are sure Most happy at the laste . O feare the lorde all ye His saynctes of him electe : For such as feare him lacke nothyng . He doth them well protecte . The lyons ofte doe lacke And hunger for their foode : But they which seke the lord , shal want● Nothyng the whiche is good . Ye children all I saye Come harken to my voyce : I wyll you teache to feare the lorde , And in him to reioyce . If thou to lyue in ioye And see good dayes be fayne , Thy lyppes & tongue from guyle & wrōs See that thou doe refrayne . Se that thou doe none ill , In goodnes neuer cease : But se thou seke and folowe faste On quietnes and peace . The lorde doth fixe his eyes On iust men louingly , And to their prayers openly He doth his eares applye . Contrariwyse the Lord Doth bende his countenance , Of from the earth ill men to moue And their rememberance . But to the iuste the lorde Doth so inclyne his ●are , That when they praye he wyll them ryd From all trouble and feare . The Lorde is nyghe to suche As are in harte contrite , And he wyll saue suche as be meke , And of an humble sprite . Though iust mens troubles be Both manifolde and great , The lord from care wyl make them free , When they doe him intreate . Their bones he wyll defende , And kepe so free from cryme : That not so muche as one of them Shall breake at any tyme . Misfortune or ill happe , The wicked men shall kyll , And suche as doe the iust men hate , Shall peryshe in their ill . The Lorde will saue the soules Of all that doe hym serue , And all that put their trust in hym Shall not in peryll swerue .

¶ An example that God heareth all suche prayers as are made with a faithfull harte , out of the .liiii. Psalme . EVery good phisicien , That doth a medcyne proue To take effecte in curyng well , Is striken streyght with loue , Not only to geue god the prayse For his vertue and grace : But dothe the same in wryting put , To comfort all his race . That all whiche after folowe hym In that moste godly arte , May proue the lyke and prayse the lorde In lyke case for their parte . Noble kyng Dauid in suche wyse Doth godly ioue bestowe , By wryting medcines for the soule , That other men may knowe . As if they doubte at any tyme Howe he dyd health obteyne , He dyd the same declare abrode In wryting to remayne : That when to others lyke distres Here after may betyde , With cleane hartes that they may prepare , And lyke medcines prouide . But I will neuer teache ( quod he ) In darke or doubtfull waye , But suche as I in practice dyd By perfect proofe assaye : And of my selfe probatum est , Suche medicines I bryng : And in example to you all In this wyse wyll I synge .

Deus in nomine tuo . O God I call to thee for helpe In my distresse and nede For thy names sake , & in thy strengthe , Auenge my cause with spede . For strangers full of tyranny Against me ryse and raue : Suche foly she folke as feare not God Doe seke my lyfe to haue . But lo God is my helpe at nede , Yea only it is hee , That doth my soule vpholde and saue , From their iniquitee . And euell shall the lorde rewarde Vpon myne enemyes , And in his truthe destroy them all That vertue doe despyse . With offrynges of an harte most free , Now wyll I prayse thy name : Because O lorde my comfort sty●● Consisteth in the same . For thou lorde didst delyuet me , From troubles manyfolde : So that vpon my foes myne eye Doth his desire beholde . For this to geue glory to god Shall be my hartes delyght , To the father , and to the sonne , And to the holy sprite : As it from the begynnyng was . And at this time is sure , And as it shall worlde without ende Continue and endure .

¶ An example that the thankefull age gaue prayse to god , for al his benefites geuen to his creatures , out of the lxv . Psalme of Dauid . I Herde a preacher once declare , Two partes to be in prayre , The one to god in all our nede For succor to repayre , And aske of hym with stedfast sayth All wherof we haue nede : For Christ hath surely promysed , That therof we shall spede . The second part of perfect prayre Is geuyng thankes and prayse , To God for all his benefites . That we receyue alwayes . This is the lyvly sacrifice , The lyuing God to please : As prayer of the penitent , His anger doth appease . And sure ( quod he ) the very cause That god ofte wyll not here , Is that men for his benefites Vnthankfull doe appere . For when we praye in tyme of ned● For plenty of our foode , Howe can we thinke that God to vs Will geue ought that is good ? If we in tyme of plentie be Vnthankfull and ingrate , To geue him praise and honor both , According to the rate ? Yea I may also farther saye , This lyuing without awe , Ingratitude doth cause the lorde His goodnes to withdrawe . And surely Dauid in this Psalme Lykewyse doth well declare , That to prayse God we neuer should Any tyme cease or spare . But for the goodnes whiche god doth On mortall men bestowe , In prayse of his most holy name , Some thankfull psalme to showe . Howe men shall with a faythfull hart● Gods holy name agnise , He doth instruct all Christen men By synging in this wyse .

Te decet hymnus deus in Sion . TO the O god in Sion still Great prayses are in store : To the also they vowe and , kep● Their promyse euer more . My prayer lorde sithe thou dost hear● , And art my whole comfort : All fleshe to the for succour shall In their due tyme resorte . My mysdedes and my wickednes Against me doth preuayle , Oh to my sinnes be mercifull , That thus doe me asayle . For thei are blest whom thou dost chose , And in thy house retayne : Or doste elect , within thy court To dwell and to remayne . For he shall leade a plesant lyfe Within thy holy place : Thy temple shall hym satisfie With goodnes and with grace . For wonders great thou doest declare In truthe to teache vs ryght : O god of our saluation In the is our delyghte . Of all thynges how thou arte the hope It can not be discuste : All that on earth or sea remayne , In the doe hope and truste . Thou gyrded haste thy selfe also , With myghty strength and powre , And hast the myghty mountaynes setts As they stande at this howre . Thou of the sea stillest the waues , Their roryng and their rage , The madnes of the multitude Thou also canst aswage . The outmoste dwellers on this earth , Thy signes doe see and feare : By the mornyng and euenyng starres , Thy prayses doe appeare . The earth eke howe thou visitest With good it for to blesse , And bryngest plentie on the same , We knowledge and confesse . For the ryuer of god doth flowe So full of water pure , That on the earth plentie of corne For man he doth procure . The forowes he doth water so That clotts doe breake in pece , Swete drops of rayne doth soften them , And causeful great increce . The yere thus doth he crowne & blesse With plentie and goodnes , The clowdes do drop great fatnes down Ingendring plentiousnes , The dwellinges in the wyldernes Are fat in lyke maner : The little hilles on euery syde Doe plesantly appere . The fouldes with shepe , the vales with corne , So ratefie this thing : That in thy prayse for very ioye , All people laughe and synge .

¶ An example howe happye and blessed they are that faythfully feare god , out of the . Cxii . Psalme . SVche good historiographers As wryte the dedes of men , Of kynges & lordes , some good some ill , That reigned nowe and then : As they doe wryte of euell men In rebuke and disprayse , That lyuing men may lerne to flee And voyde suche wicked wayes . So doe they prayse and muche commend Suche men as lyued well , The worthy and the noble actes Wherin in they did excell . That others they myght so prouoke To folowe in lyke wyse , To wynne the spurres of godly fame By vertues exercise . So Dauid to prouoke all men To godlynes and grace , Doth vse the lyke , that all men may The feare of god imbrace . In fayth howe that the feare of god All goodnes styll dothe bryng , He vsed in an holy Psalme In this wyse for to syng .

Beatus vir qui timet . THe man is blest and happy which Doth feare the Lorde aryght , And to kepe his commaundementes , Dothe set his whole delyght . His stre●ne or sede vpon the earth With myght shall be increste , Thus shall the kynde of faythfull men Eternally be bleste . For ryches ioye and plentie great His house shall wynne and gayne , His iust dealyng and ryghteousnes For euer shall remayne . For to the godly in darknes great lyght there doth aryse : Whiche sheweth loue and mercy both In vertuous exercyse . A good man sure is merci●ull And lendeth where is nede , And doth discretly waye his worde● ▪ Before they doe procede . And suche a man for no distres From god wyll moue or flee : Wherfore his ryghteousnes shall haue Eternall memorie . Of ill tydynges or heauy newes , Suche one is not afrayde : His hearte doth stande faste and beleue , The lorde to be his ayde . His harte I saye is stablyshed , And wyll not shrynke , vntyll That he vpon his enemies Hath his desire and wyll . He from his store abundantlye Disperseth to the poore : For righteousnes are all his workes And doynges euer more . With honor shall his horne or strengthe Exaited be on hye : Whiche when the vngodly beholde , They wyll the same enuye Which in their hate shal gnash their teeth And so consume away : Thus in their owne luste wycked folke Shall peryshe and decaye .

¶ An example of the prayse of God , for his omnipotencie . out of the , Cxiii . Psalme . KYng Dauid knowyng well , Howe vertue dyd excell All other worldly thyng : Did chiefly in Gods feare , All wyckednes forbeare , That may gods anger brynge . For god is of suche powre , That nothyng at no howre Can hym withstande or byde : For he may worke his wyll All mortall men vntyll , At euery tyme and tyde . Therfore we are al bownde , That dwell in this worlde rounde , To prayse the lyuing lorde : And in that lorde of myght To set our whole delight , And in his holy worde . Wherfore this noble kyng Studied aboue all thyng His dutie to walke in , To syng Gods laude and prayse , He maketh no delayes , But thus he doth begynne .

Laudate pueri dominum . YE seruantes prayse the lorde , And with hartye accorde Se that ye doe the same : Loke that ye render store Of prayses euer more , Vnto his blessed name . His name that we should prayse He is worthy alwayse , Euen from the rysing tyme Of the sonne fayre and bryght : Vntyll it be in sight , That downe he doth inclyne . The lorde is hie of myght , There is no kynde of wyght , That can with hym compare : His gloris certainly Aboue the heauens hye Remayne and euer are . Who is lyke vnto him , Or wyll presume to clymme Where he so hygh doth dwell ? Yet is this lorde so meke , To beholde and take kepe Of earth and heauen well : Whoe doth the symple take Out of the myery lake , To set them vp agayne : He takes out of the dust All that in him doe truste , To ryd them from their paine . So that he may them sette Among the prynces great , By his great powre and myght : The prynces all among , Whiche gouerne doe the thronge Of people daye and nyght . He doth redeme also The woman from hir wo , That barayne long hath bene : A mother full of blys Of children nowe she is , Hir housholde may be sene .

¶ An example how Dauid praysed God , for his delyueryng of Israell , by great miracles , out of Egypt . Out of the . C. xiiii . Psalme . WHo so in Exodus wyll reade , Shall see what wonders god there wrought : From Egypt when as he dyd leade His people , and from thence them brought . What myracles by Moses hande , To Pharao was expressed playne : That he therby myght vnderstande , No more gods people to restrayne . And how God by his mighty powre And stretched arme did bryng them thence : And howe the red s●a dyd deuoure Kyng Pharao for his recompence . And howe God did in wyldernes , Prouyde his people drynke and meate : So that they lackte in their distres , No kynde o● thynge to drynke or eate . Whiche Dauid bearyng well in mynde Did with a Psalme geue god the prayse : And doth therto all good men bynde , With godly harte lo thus he sayes .

In exitu Israel de Egypto . FRom Egipte lande when Israell , ( where they long tyme weare thraule & bonde ) From among people strange and fell . When Iuda gan to scape the honde : This Iuda then I saye was made His holy people and his flocke , And Israell was in lyke trade Becomde his lordship all the stocke . Whiche when the ragyng sea behelde , It fl●d as one should it desire : And Iordan ●● lyke case dyd yelde , And backwarde did turne , and retyre . The mountaynes at the sight of this , Could not be styll but skipte lyke ramines : The little hylles eke would not mis , 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 ●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 tyrantes , 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 offence . 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 fear● 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 , wherwith 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 heauen & 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 from 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 with 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 the 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 her● , 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 wrynge : Neither can it be coumpted les In sorowe for to synge . As when the Iewes in Babylon Where they were captiue all , Commaunded were to playe and synge , Of suche as made them thrall . Which vaine request of their great foes , These miserable Iewes Would not accomplyshe in no wyse , But did the same refuse . They hangde asyde their instrumentes And laide their songes awaye , And knewe it was not tyme to synge : But rather for to praye , That god would them delyuer once , From that their bondage vyle : Wherin they had bene punyshed A long and wery whyle . But after thre score and tenne yeres , When God them home had broughte , With holy psalmes to prayse his name , They diligently sought . And in remembrance of the wo , And bondage , where they were , And ioye of their deliuerance , They songe as ye shall here .

Super flumina Babilonis . ONce as we by the ryuers sate That runne in Babylon , With bytter teares waylyng our wo , When we thought on Sion : We layde a syde our thankfull tunes , Of honour laude and prayse , And hung our harpes on wylow trees , That grew there in those dayes . Therfore our foes whiche to that land As captiues did vs bryng , ( The more our sorowes to augmente , ) Required vs to sing . Commaunding vs with spightful scorne And great derision : Sing vs ( quod they ) some hebrue songs Of your blessed Sion . As though it were conuenient Contrary to gods wyll , Suche vayne preceptes of wycked men , To felowe or fulfyll . In suche a lande gods laude to singe With songes of his swete worde : Where Images the honor haue That due is to the lorde . If euer we Ierusalem So from our myndes consume : We wysh our right handes might forget Our harpes to touche in tune . And that our tongues within our mouth May cleue we are content , When we should vtter any thyng , That mynde may vs inuente : Thy prayses oh Ierusalem If we preferre not styll , Before the moste or greatest ioye That hap may vs vntyll . These Edomytes our enemyes Oh lorde remember them , Their wyckednes when they destroyde Thyne owne Ierusalem . Among them selues thus gan they say , Our citie to confounde : Destroye and sacke it , down with it , And rase it to the grounde , And thou O daughter Babylon , ( Well worthy of no les ) Thy mirthe shall turne to misery , And thy ioye to distres . And he shall be a happy man That with suche lyke agayne Shall the rewarde , as thou didst vs , With great reprofe and payne . Ye blessed shall he be in dede That shall rewarde the once , In takyng of thy suckyng babes And dashe them to the stones .

¶ An example of Gods prayse , for his great care ouer his elect , in disapointing their enemies & delyueringe them . out of the . Cxl. Psalme . WHat can the mortall man Inuente deuyse or skan , Against the wyll of god ? Or howe can we withstande , Of god the heuy hande , His myghty plague and rod ? What nede we then to care , What wicked men prepare , With crafte vs to destroye ? Sythe god the Lorde of all , Can bryng vs out of thrall , And turne our care to ioye ? The noble kyng Dauid The lyke thyng hath proued , That who so feare the lorde , There shall no wyght preuayle Though they doe vs assayle : With workes of god abhorde . For in his tyme of nede He prayed with all spede , To god for helpe and ayde : As it doth folowe here , And ryght well doth appere , What he therin hath sayde .

Eripe me domine . DEliuer me O Lorde Accordyng to thy worde , Lorde let me not be shent . On me some pitie haue , From subtyle wayghtes me saue , Of enmies violent . In heart they thynke myschiefe , And seke to doe me griefe : Their tongues they whet so sharpe As aders venym vyle : That they may vs begnyle , Full wycked wyles they warpe . Kepe me O lorde therfore , From enmies euer more , Whiche wicked be and ill : Thy helpe let me not wante , For they would me supplante , From doyng of thy wyll . These proude men they haue sette For me a pryuy nette , Where I should out and in : Yea and in my pathwaye My soule for to betraye , They laye bothe snare and gyn . Lorde therfore haue I sayde Thou art myne only ayde , Lorde here my depe desyre : O Lorde thou art my welth , O God my sauing health , Graunt me that I require . Let not these men vnpure On me take their pleasure , Distroye their ill intente : They are so proude and haulte . That they them selues exalte , Therfore let them be shente . I meane suche men as be Of their great subtiltie , At no tyme vnpreparde : Lorde in their owne deceyte , Wherwith they layde suche weyke , 〈◊〉 their owne fete be snarde . Let coles of fyre fall downe , And cast them on their crowne , And throwe them into hell From whence howe for to ryse There is no tongue so wyse , That can them rede or tell . Let nothyng prosper well On earth where suche men dwell , Reproue their ryche renowne : To mischiefe they be wunte . With plages therfore them hunte And hedlong throw them downe . I knowe the lorde will wounde , And viterly confounde , All men to pryde adicte : And wyll auenge in dede The poore that stande in nede , And are thus sore afflicte . The ryghteous verely Shall prayse and magnifie Thy holy name therfore : The heartes of pure pretence , Shall dwell in thy presence , Good lorde for euer more .

¶ An example howe to prayse God for his almyghty powre , and gentylnes . Out of the . Cxlv. Psalme . AS he that would set forth to men , The prayse of some good kyng , To cause his subiectes hym to loue : And obey in all thynge , Doth shew to them his great goodnes , His powre and all his myghte That therby he may cause all folke , In him to haue delyght : And also that his enemies The more may stande in feare , And where perhaps they would rebell To cause them to forbeare : So Dauid doth gods glory shewe , And powre omnipente , To make harde hartes that feare not god , To soften and relente . That they myght come in vnitie Of God and of his lawe , And leaueth no good meanes vnsought , Them to intyse and drawe . That vniformely mortall men , Whiche in this worlde doe dwell : Myght all agree praysinge the lorde , And in vertue excell . Whiche if ye staye or stande in doubte Howe to begynne this game , Take here a Psalme , which will instruct And leade you in the same :

Exaltabo te deus . O God that arte myne only kyng , I wyll thee magnify : and so set forth thy laude & praise To dure eternally . From daye to daye euen euery daye , Great thankes I wyll thee gyue , And prayse thy name for euer more , Whyle I haue tyme to lyue . Great is the Lorde and meruaylous , And worthy of all prayse : There is no ende of his greatnes , Or magnificent wayes . From tyme to tyme for euer more Eche generation To others shall thy powre declare , And thy workes evry one . And as for me myne only talke Shall worshyp styll thy name , Thy glory and thy wondrous workes , And prayse the for the same . Men of thy workes so meruaylous To speake shall haue delyght : And alwayes shall be talkyng of Thy greatnes and thy myght . Of thyne abundant kyndnes we Wyll kepe memoriall , And syng of thy great ryghteousnes From henceforth all men shall . For thou O lorde art gracious Yea mercifull and meke , Long suffring and of great goodnes To them that doe hym seke . To euery man lyberally , The lorde doth shewe his loue , And ouer all his goodly workes , His mercy styll doth moue . And they expresse thy glory great , Thy kyngoome and thy powre : To men that all these myght be knowne At euery tyme and houre , Thy kyngdom euerlastingly A kyngdome is ryght sure , Thy lordshyp shall from age to age Eternaly endure . For in his dedes he faithfull is , ( What so he take in hande ) His workes he all holy and iuste , Both vpon sea and lande . The lorde vpholdeth all that are In danger for to fall , Them that be downe he lyfteth vp When they on hym doe call . The eyes of all on thee O lorde Doe wayte and put their trust , And thou dost geue to them their meate In season due and iuste . Thou openest thy holy hande , Thy powre and thy good wyll , All lyuing thynges plentifully , Therwith that thou mayst fyll . The lorde is righteous in his wayes , His workes be holy all : And he is nyghe to faithfull men , When they on him doe call : Suche as feare him , he will fulfyll To them their whole desire . He will them here and helpe also When they doe hym require . All suche as loue and feare the Lorde , Them styll preserueth he : And he wyll scatter all abroade Suche as vngodly be . My mouth shall speake & prayse the lorde And that abundantly , Let all fleshe thanke his holy name With laude eternally .

¶ The nynth chapiter of Ecclesiasticus : or booke of Iesus the sonne of Sirach . ¶ The argument OF iclousie who so wyll heare , vnto my tune harke & drawe nere , howe ye shall of the harlottes vyle esch●●● the sleyght the fraude and guile . What mischiefe and what hurte they doe To suche as harken them vnto , Howe vayne and vyle adultrie is Howe fonde they are that walke amys . Howe we shoulde kepe , an olde frend true And neuer change hym for no newe , Howe for to leade a godly lyfe , In holynes without all stryfe . How that a kyng by wysdomes lore Should rule and gouerne euermore , Howe eche man should in his degree Se that his worke well vsed be . And howe the folysh talkatyue Are the moste wicked folke on lyue , To Iesus Sirach geue good eare Whiche telles his tale in this maner .

Ecclesiast. Cap. ix . BE not ouer thy wyfe Ielouse , but without strife kepe wel thy house : Lest that she shewe some point of ill , Or wycked sleight the for to spyll . Nor tangle not thy powre nor lyfe : With a false whore which maketh strife : Lest she redounde within thy strength , And so confounde thy soule at length . Beholde not women vayne & nought , Whiche vpon men set all their thought : On suche I saye set not thy care , Lest they betray thee in their snare . Abstayne and flee hir wicked waye , That loues to geste scoffe daunce & playe , To hir consent not in no wyse , Though she the tempte and ofte entyse . Loke not to longe vpon a mayde , Least with hir forme thou be dismayde . Muche lesse on harlotes then haue mynde Nor on women of suche ill kynde : Least thou decaye before thyne age , And so consume thyne heritage . In townes and cities doe not gase , As one whose wittes were in amase : Nor wander not in euery strete , Least with ill men perhappes thou mete . Chiefly of all turne thy face fro , The woman gaye whiche worketh wo. Beholde not muche the great bewtie , Of any one vnknowne to thee : For in tyme past suche fooles haue bene , Which with their fonde eyes as I wene ▪ Did so regarde the beuty fayre Of strangers where they did repayre : That they decayd through their desire , Whiche burned lyke the flaming fyre . Wherfore women adulterous , Should only be regarded thus , As most vyle dounge durte myre & claye , That eche man treads on in his waye . For suche as on them wonder had , Were by their beutie tangled mad . All wysdom they from them did caste : So whot of fonde loue was the blast . Lead thou therfore a godly lyfe : Couet thou not thy neighbours wyfe . Syt not with hir at any sted : Lye not with hir vpon a bed . No talke with hir make thou at wyne● Least thy heart should to hir inclyne . Therby makyng thy bloud to fall : And so destroy thy lyfe and all . Forsake not thou a good olde friende : For suche a newe is harde to fynde . For a newe friende is lyke newe wyne : Whiche is not good tyll it be fyne . But when the wyne is olde and pure , Then mayst y● drynke hym with plesure , Desyre not the honor therfore , That synn●rs gayne and kepe in store . If thou dydst their destruction knowe , Whiche will them once all ouerflowe : To suche honour thou wouldst not haste . Nor of their vayne welth wysh to taste . Of one thyng more warne thee I will , Abstain from such , whose powre may kill . For if with suche thou makest stryfe , He may sone take from thee thy lyfe . Forsee and shurne eche casualtie : So shalt thou scape all ieopardie . Take good hede of an ill neighbour , Least with some crafte he thee deuoure . With wyse men be in company , So shalt thou gayne great honestie . Let iust men be thy gestes alwayes , Ioye in gods name and geue hym prayse . Be courteous gentyll , good and kynde , Haue gods feare euer in thy mynde . Let all thy workes and talke be bent , Vpon the lordes commaundemente . Eche good craftes man shuld set his wil His worke to frame by discrete skyll . Whiche being set before mens eyes , Shall cause hym to be counted wyse . For eche worke brought to gorgeous end , Doth cause all men it to commende , A prynce that rightly gouerne wyll , Lyke wise of wisdom should haue skyll . So well he should wysdom decerne , That at his talke others myght lerne . Hym that doth many fonde wordes vse , A wyse mans parte is to refuse . For suche in towne and in citie . Doe kyndle stryfe and vylainy , They neither weye cause , tyme , nor place : In them is neither wytie nor grace . They are past shame I saye , therfore Refuse suche men and them abhorre .

¶ The maner of true and perfecte prayer instituted by our sauiour Iesus Christe , the only sonne of God , the wisdom of the father , and seconde person in trinitie . THe syxt of mathewe if ye reade example ye may finde . What praier is and how to vse the same in perfecte kynde . For Christ our only mercy seate , So soundly hath vs taughte , That in his gospell we may fynde , Not els where to be sought . When thou doste praye sayth Christe our Lorde Se that thou doe refuse , The vayne glory that hippocrites Doe in their prayers vse . For they wyll in the synagoges , Their prayers to appere , In open stretes or in suche place , As moste men may them here . For whiche their folysh vaynglorie , That would of men be hearde , The prayse of men whiche they desyre , Is only their rewarde . But at suche tyme as thou wylt praye , Into thy chamber go , A faythfull and a contrite harte Prayer must Issue fro . And when thou hast closed thy dore , And shut out wordly care , And vayn thoughtes of this wretched worlde Thy prayer then declare . Vnto thy god and father dere , Whiche is in secrete still : Seing the bothom of eche harte , Eche thought , eche worke and wyll . Whoe will rewarde thee in such wise That it shall well appere , That he hath heard thy hartes requeste , Moste lyke a father dere . But in thy prayer bable not With many wordes and vayne , As Heathen men whiche thinke therby their purpose to obteyne . It is the harte and not the lyppes Wherby thou mayste aspyre , Thy sute to god for to attayne , And to haue thy desyre : The harte I saye both cleane and pure Must be the very meane , For lips doe but prouoke gods wrath Where hartes be founde vncleane . For god doth knowe before you speak● Your nede and all your lacke , And wyll you kepe it you be iuste , That nought shall goe to wracke . And erre thou praye bethynke thy self , Who did the hurt or greue , Refrayne thy wrath in continent And louyngly forgeue If thou forgeue not other men , Their trespasses and cryme , Thinke not that god will thee forgeue , Thy faultes at any time . Contrariwyse if thou forgeue , Suche as did the vnryght , God by his promis wyll thee here And shewe the mercy bryght . And where thou hast done any hurte , It is not worth the whyle To praye before thou make amendes , And thy selfe reconcyle . But when thou art prepared thus , In all pointes as I saye : With pure harte in moste humble wyse . On this sorte see thou praye .

Pater noster . O Lorde that art our only god And father of vs all , In heauen whiche arte resident , To thee we crie and call . Thy holy and thy blessed name , That we may sanctifie : Graunt that we may for euer vse The same . Oh let thy kyngdom downe descende , And alwayes vs protecte : That we may reigne in peace and ioye Whiche are thyne owne electe . Thy worthy wyll let it be done Of worldly wretches here : As it in heauen euer is Among thy saintes moste dere . Our daily bread geue vs this daye , Our bodies to susteyne : And to our soules thy blessed worde , Thy truthe styll to mainteyne . Both for the body and the soule , Relieue vs with thy store : That we therby may taste thy grace , This daye and euer more . Our trespasses & our great sinnes , Redeme and clene forgeue , As we forgeue and mercy take , On them that doe vs greue . O lorde into temptation Aboue our strengthe and powre , Doe not leade vs at any tyme , Least Sathan vs deuowre . But with thy grace defende vs styll , Let not thy goodnes cease : But from all euylles vs defende , Delyuer and release . For onely to thee doth belonge The kyngdome very ryght , The power and gloryous maiestie , For euer so be it .

¶ The abridgement of our Christen beleefe , written as some suppose into .xii. Articles , by the .xii. holy apostels of our sauiour Iesus Chryste . THe .xii. Apostelles of Iesus our lorde , After their holy preachyng a long tyme , And settyng forth of goddes most holy worde , Preaching repentaunce from al synne and cryme Yet not withstandinge all their dilygence , Mistaking of goddes worde dyd make offence . For many heresyes dyd then aryse , And mysbele●e in god our lorde aboue , By mystakyng , and worldely wyt lyke wise , Whiche made from true fayth many to remoue . For carnall reason walketh styll astray , And vnto fayth dothe alwayes disobay . These holy preachers therfore thinkinge best In this turmoyle to set order and staye , Dyd then deuyse bothe vnto most and least , Of true beleefe a breefe and perfect waye , That all men might , as well the younge as o●lde . Sone lerne the same and in memory houlde . Syth then the holy ghost hath taught vs thus , It doth behoue that we dilygently , Do learne the same to knowe and to discusse , And kepe eche parte therof most faythfull , Wherefore the summe of it I wyll reherse As here doth folowe in this kynde of verse .

Credo in deum patrem . I Do beleue with stedfast true intent In God the father which is of all myght , Who made heauen earth and al their whole content The nyght the day the darkenes and the lyght . And I beleue in Iesus Christ our lorde . Hys onely sonne thee uerlastyng worde . Which of the holy ghost conceyued was , And of the most pure virgyn Mary borne , And vnder Ponce Pylat as came to passe Suffred , and on the crosse was rente and torne . And beyng dead , was buryed in the ende , And also downe into hell dyd descende . And the thirde day accordyng to scripture . He rose from death to perfect lyfe agayne : And vp to heauen he ascended sure , On god the fathers ryght hande to remayne : Till at the last he once agayne shall come , Both quicke and deade to iudge by rightfull dome . I also beleue in the holy ghoste , And in the church of chryst catholycall , And of the sayntes the communion moste , The forgeuenes of myne offences all , And this our fleshe shall ryse agayne at last . And I beleue eternall lyfe to taste . Amen .

¶ The songe of prayse and thankesgeuinge of blessed Mary the vyrgyn , mother of our lorde and sauiour Iesus Chryst , after the salutation of the Angell Gabriell , and of Elizabeth mother of blessed Iohn baptist . written . Luke the j. Chapter . Magnificat anima mea . My soule truelye Shall magnifye The lorde , and hym honour : So shall my sprite Ioy and delyghte In god my sauyour . Hys eyes he stayd On hys handmayde , In poore and lowe degree , And kinreds all From henceforth shall Knowe me blessed to be . For he whose myght Excelleth ryght Hath exalted my ●ame : Doynge to me Great thinges and hye , And holy is is name . His mercy sure Doth aye endure , And doth not wast nor weare : In kynredes all Continuall That do hym loue and feare , He in his powre , Hath at this howre His arme put forth at length : The prowde abowght Bringeth to nowght , What so their hartes inuenth . He putteth downe From their renowme The mighty and the stronge : And doth vp set In honour great The meeke that suffer wronge . And he doth styll Both fede and fyll All those that hunger payne : And doth them good When without foode The ryche empty remayne . He hath in minde His mercy kynde , His folke to helpe and saue : His seruantes well Euen Israell , That for his mercy craue . As he like wise Dyd once promyse , To Abraham before : Our fathers olde that fayth dyd holde , And their sede euermore . Glory and prayse And laude alwayes . Vnto the trynitie : With one accorde Prayse we the lorde One god and personnes three . As hath ben aye , And at this daye Continueth as yet : And shall extende Worlde without ende , For euer so be it . Finis .

¶ The songe of prayse and thankes geuinge of holy Zachary , father of Saynct Iohn baptist , beinge restored to his speche , whiche was taken from him at the vision of the angell , written , Luke the fyrst chap. Benedictus dominus deus . BLessed nowe be The almyghtye Lorde God of Israell , Hys people whych Visiteth myche Redemynge them full well . A myghtye horne Of saluation That hath to vs raysed , Euen in the house So ryghteous Of his seruant Dauid . As he spake by The mouthes holy Of hys Prophetes , ech whan , That ay haue bene Among vs sene , Sence the worlde first began . Which sayde that we Shoulde saued be , From our enemyes all : Who euer that Hath vs in hate Eyther the greate or small . To performe ryghte Hys mercy bryght , That he sometyme dyd graunt Our forefathers . And remembers Hys holy couenaunt . Hys othe once sworne For to performe , Vnto our father dere : Euen Abraham That when tyme came To vs it myght appere . That from our foes We beynge lose And cleane delyuered : We myght serue him From tyme to tyme Without all seruy●e drede . In holynes And ryghteousnes With perfect wayes and pure , For euermore Hys face before While our lyfe dayes indure . And thou O chylde That art so mylde Shalt be calld the prophet Of the most hyest , And hys sonne Chryst To shewe hys glory great . The lorde of grace Before hys face , Thou chylde shalte go I say : For to prepare And eke declare his pure and chosen way . To geue knowledge Of this the pledge Of their saluation : his peoples synne , That they are in . The cleane remission . Throughe the mercy Tender and free , Of god , wherby the day Springeth so bright Euen from the hight , Doth visyte vs alway . From deathes shadowe , And darkenes lowe , Suche as syt to release : their feete eche tyde With light to guide , Into the way of peace . Glory and prayse And laude alwayes Vnto the Trinitie , To the father , And the sonne dere , And to the ghost holy . As hath ben aye , And at this day . Continueth as yet : And shall be styll With right good wyll For euer so ●e it . Finis .

¶ The songe of prayse and thankes geuyng of holy Simeon at the Circumcisyon of our Lorde Iesu Chryste . Luke . ij . Nunc dimittis . THy seruaunt nowe Permyt mayst thowe , For to depart O lorde In quiet peace , from strife to cease , According to thy worde . Myne eyes , our wealth Thy sauyng health haue sene nowe through thy grace , Of thee preparde to be declarde , Before all peoples face . To be a lyght Styll shyning bryght , Guyding the gentylles wel : And for to be the great glory Of thy flocke Israell . Let eury trybe Glory ascrybe Nowe to the deitye . As hath bene , is , And shall not mysse To be continually . Amen .

¶ The r. commaundementes of almighty God written , in ij . tables of stone with the finger of God . The first table conteyning iiij preceptes concerneth our duety towardes God : The second table conteyning the other vjpreceptes concerneth our duetye towardes our neyghbour . written in the xx . Chapiter of Exodus , and in the v. Chapiter Deuteronomium . Argument . The lyuyng God our onely Lorde That all thinges with his word hath made , And ( as the scripture doth recorde ) Doth gouerne all in godly trade , And knowth how apt man is to stray And all good thynges to disobay . Wyth hys fynger ( for mannes behoue ) In tables twayne of stone dyd wryte Commaundementes ten , hys heart to moue From guyle and wrong to truth and right : In godlynes to guyde hys wayes They folow here note what he sayes . I Am thy Lorde and God alone From Egypt land that ▪ brought the ryght . Beholdyng thy distresse and mone : From house of bonde I freede thee quight . Wherefore thou shalte I say to thee None other Goddes haue before mee . Thou shalt no grauen Image make , Nor picture be it greate or smalle , Or fygure that thy minde may take , In heauen earth or waters all : Nor honour them , that shalt not thou , Nor vnto them ne knele nor bowe . For I thy God and onely Lorde A ielouse God am of suche synne , And fathers faultes I haue abhorde Vpon their childern and their kynne : In kynreds iij. or iiij . or mo I vysit them that hate me so . Which iustyce yet doth me not stay From mekenes , mercy , nor from grace : Which I extende to them alway My holy lawes that do embrace : To thousandes though none can deserue , That I commaunde if they obserue , The holy name thou shalt not vse Of me thy lord and God in vayne , Vnlawfull othes thou shalt refuse , Sweare not for false or fylthy gayne : The Lorde will thee not holde vngylt Hys name in vayne if take thou wilt . Remember that in any wyse the Sabaoth day thou sanctifie , Syx dayes thou shalt thee exercise , And labour for necessitie : The seuenth day the Sabaoth is Of god almyght the lorde of blys . Therfore this day beare well in minde No kinde of worke that then thou do , Vnto whiche lawe thy sonne I bynde , Thy daughter shall it kepe also , Thy man thy mayde and eke thy beast : In fyne within thy gate thy geast . For in syx dayes the lorde created Heauen , earthe , sea , and all of noughte , The seuenth day take his rest he dyd : Wherfore the lorde that all hath wrought , The Sabaoth day dyd sanctifie , And blessed it perpetually . Thy father and thy mother dere Se that thou reuerently honour , Let none ingratitude appere In thee to them , but them soccour : So in the lande longe shalt thou lyue , Whiche thy lorde God to thee shall gyue . Thou shalt not kyll note thou it well . Also thou shalt no wedlocke breake . I say also thou shalt not steale . Nor witnes false thou shalt none speake . Against thy neyghbours , them to wrong : But lyue vprightly them amonge . And to conclude of this take hede What my lawes chieflye doe requyre , Not onely to forbere the dede , But also from the heartes desyre , Of that thy neighbour doth possesse , Of any thyng in more or lesse . Particularlye to recite , Thy neyghbours house couet thou not : Nor yet hys wyfe , his heartes delyght , Hys man or mayde whych is his lot : Hys oxe or asse or ought of hys , Couet thou not , thynke wel on thys .

¶ The prayse of God the father sonne and holye ghost . Wrytten in an holy Hymne , by the worthy fathers Augustine and Ambrose . Te Deum laudamus . O God of myghte As it is ryghte We yelde the la●de and prayse . Wyth one accorde To be the Lorde We knoweledge thee alwayse : The earth throughout And all aboute Thy worshyppe doth expresse : Thou doest appere A father dere In euerlastyngnesse . To thee do call The Angelles all And cry wyth a loude dynne : The heauens hye Eternallye And all the powres therin . Both Cherubin And Ceraphin Do in thy prayse reioyce : And thus alwayes Expresse thy prayse Wyth an incessant voyce . Holye , holye , Thou art holye , Lorde God of Sabaoth : Thy maiestye And thy glorye Fylles heauen and earth both . The gloryous sect Of thyne elect Apostles euery one : Thy prayse doth showe , All in a rowe And honour thee alone . The Prophetes all Do on the call So goodly in their kynde : That felow shyppe Doth not let slyppe To kepe thy prayse in mynde . The noble aray Of martyrs aye Thy prayse doth styll expresse : The Church holye Where euer it be The lyke prayse doth confesse . Infinitlye Thy maiestye O father doth endure : And thy Sonne styll We honour wyll , Onely so true and pure . The holye ghost Our comforte most , We do confesse to be : Thou Chryst Iesu , Mesias true Art the kynge of glory . Thou art euer Of the father The euerlastyng sonne : Which we confesse Both more and lesse That in this worlde do wonne . When for our sake Thou dyddest take On thee man to restore : The wombe so cleene Of the Virgin Thou dyddest not abhorre . When thou the darte Of death so sharpe Dydst vanquishe and depriue : Thou dydst vnlose Thy blesse , to those That truelye d● beleue . On the ryghte hande ( We vnderstande ) Of the father so dere , ( In glorye greate ) There art thou set Tyll the last day appere . Then we beleue Iudgemente to geue , That thou from thence shalt come , Most ryghteouslye Our iudge to be And iudge vs all and some . Thy seruauntes pray Thee day by day , Of thee some helpe to haue : Whom wyth thy bloude Precious and good , Thou dydst redeme and saue . Make them indede To be numbred Wyth thy holy sayntes all : For euermore Thy face before In glory eternall . Thy people saue . Whiche on the craue : And blesse thyne heritage , Gouerne them styll , To doe thy wyll , Euer from age to age . For we dayly , Thee magnifie And worshyp styll thy nam● And styll intende Worlde without ende , To continue the same . Vouchsafe we praye O lorde this daye , From sinne vs to defende : For on thyne ayde Oure faith is stayde , And euer doth depend . Mercy O lorde , Haue mercy Lorde , Shewe vs thy mercy iuste : On vs let lyght Thy mercy bright , As we in thee doe truste . And synce alway My truste and staye , In the lorde is fyxed : Oh graunt that I Eternally Be neuer confounded . To the father , And his sonne dere , And to the holy ghoste , Glory and prayse Geue we alwayes , As we are bounden moste . As was and is , And shall not mys , To be eche tyme and when : For euer more Laude and honor To our lorde god . Amen .

¶ To his friend E. H. at whose requeste , the author drue into metre , the songe of the three chyldren , whiche were put into the whot burning ouen , which were called properly in the hebrue tongue , Ananias , Asarias , & Misael : whose names Nebucadnezer changed into Cidrach , Misach , and Abednago , in the Chaldey tongue . Written , Daniel . in . MY louyng friende , Your boune and mynde , Doth seme to me this tyde , As Phaet on vayne , Should once againe The sonne his chariot guide : Who folyshly Immediatly May set the world on fire , Till Ioue almight Most iust and right Doe sley him in his Ire . Or one vnwise Should enterpryse To make or cause tapere , From flynt stones dure Swete fountaynes pure Of waters cristall cler● . Yet for to chuse Or once refuse , Your most frendly request , Is not in me Nor can not be At any time possest . Therfore take well This small cantell Of my due and good will , Though momus secte Then it reiecte , No force it shall not skyll . BLessed be thou O lorde god nowe The god of our fathers : For thou alwayes Arte worthy prayse And of all great honers . The name holy Of thy glory , Worthy to be praysed , Styll in worldes all Continuall Is to be magnified . Be thou blessed In euery sted Of thy temple holy : Whiche doste vs moue All thynges aboue , To set vp thy glory . More then worthy , Thou arte truly Of laude and prayse eche daye : Wherfore euer We wyll preferre And set the vp for aye . Blessed alone In thy hyghe throne Be thou in thy kyngdom : Thee aboue all We styll blesse shall , In worlde of worldes to come . Blessed be thou That lokest throwe The depe : and yet doste syt The Cherubes on , Worthy alone Of prayse , descruing it . The fyrmament And heauens hente Thee prayse which arte worthy , ( For thy fauour ) Of all honoure Vnto eternitie .

Benedicite omnia opera Domini domino . OYe workes all In generall Of god the lyuing Lorde , Se that his prayse Ye shewe alwayes Set vp and it recorde . Ye angels bryghte And heauens lyght And waters all aboue The fyrmament : With one consent Prayse hym as doth behoue . The lorde his powres , Sonne Moone in cours , Tell and shewe forth his prayse : And neuer let Hym vp to set In his due laude alwayes . O all ye sterres , Dewe , and showers , O all ye wynds of God , His prayse tell ye , Hym magnifye , As in his worde he bod . Heate and fyer , Wynter , sommer , Ye dewes and frostes hore : Ye frost and coulde , His prayse be boulde To set forth euermore . O Ise and snowe , His prayse forth showe , Hym laude and magnifye : Ye nyghtes and dayes , With the lyke prayse Laude hym eternally . Lyght and darknes His prayse expresse , Lyghtnyng and cloudes I saye : Let the earth speake And his prayse breake Forth , for euer and aye . Mountaines and hilles With your good wylles , Herbes , grasse , & al grene things Welles , seas , and flood Of hym speake good , And declare his praysyngs . Ye whales that lyue And all that meue , In floodes and waters clere : All soules of th ayre Lykewyse repayre , To make his prayse appere . Bestes and catt●ll His prayse forth tell , Ye chyldren of men pure : Let Israell In prayse excell For euer to endure . With one accorde Prayse ye the lorde , That the lordes seruantes are : Sprites and soules iust His prayse syng must Hym set vp and declare . Let holy men Prayse hym eche when , And humble men of harte , With good pretence Euer from hence , From his prayse neuer starte . Ananias Azarias And Misaell prefer His prayses great , And hym vp set For euer and euer , Whiche hath from hell Vs saued well , And clene delyuered : And hath our breath Kepte safe from death , And also hath vs ryd . From burnyng flame Amydste the same , And made the heate retire : When we dyd craue , He dyd vs saue In the mydst of the fyre . Vnto the lorde Let vs recorde Both prayse and thankes therfore : His hearte is kynde , For we doe fynde His mercy euermore . O all men ryght That are contryte , Speake good and prayse the lorde , For he truly Is almyghtie , And of all gods the God . O geue him prayse With thankes alwayes , Whose mercy doth extende . And doth indure Remayning pure , Euer worlde without ende . Prayse glorious Euer let vs Magnificently moste , Geue the father , And the sonne dere And to the holy ghoste . From beginning Continuyng And nowe doth perseuer : And shall doe aye From daye to daye For euer and euer .

Numeri .xiii. ¶ Sing this as , The dawnyng daye beginnes to glare . &c. LEt now thy powre be great O lorde , Lyke as thy lyps dyd once repeate : And as we fynde it in thy worde , Thy suffrance long , thy mercy great . For as thou doste our synnes forgyue And trespasses , when we repent : So are we sure no man on lyue From synne is free and innocent . And of their father the misdede Thou visitest vpon the childe , His generation and his 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 , In●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 attend● 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 io●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 strength 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 young men 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 them 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 lynnen 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 that thy hande hath made Doth serue thee in his kynde : Thou didst commaunde & straight it was , Thy worde so strong we fynde . Thyne holy sprite thou sentest out , And strayght wayes it was made : For nothyng can resist thy word , Whiche dures and doth not fade . For mountaynes they shall moued be With water from their springes , And in thy sight harde thinges shal melt , As wexe and liquid thynges . And yet to them that doe thee feare Thy mercy doth extende : From the fyrste tyme to this present , And euer without ende .

Iob .i. OVt of my mothers wombe All naked came I loe : And naked shall I turne agayne , To earth that I came fro . The Lorde gaue at the fyrst , As his good plesure was , And at his wyll dyd take agayne , As it is come to pas . The lorde his holy name Be praysed nowe therfore , As it hath bene , as it is nowe , And shall be euermore .

Prouerb . xxx . O Lord two thinges I the require , that thou me not denie , but that I may the frute therof receiue before I die . The first shall be that vanitie Thou wilt from me restrayne , And eke the lips that luste to lye , To flatterglose and fayne . The seconde that thou make me not To poore in any wyse , Ne yet to riche : but meane lyuyng , Of necessary cyse . Least when I am to full of welth I thee forget and saye : What felowe is the lorde ? when I Forgotten haue thy waye . And lyke wyse least that pouertie Constrayne me out of frame , And me prouoke to steale O God And to forsweare thy name .

Ecclesiasticus .xxiii. ¶ Syng this as , I am the man whome God . &c. OH lorde I the desyre Of thyne abundant grace , That pryde & scornefull countenance Appeare not in my face . Thy goodnes nowe extend , Oh for thy mercies sake , Disdeyne and all doluptuousnes Witsafe from me to take . The fylthy fleshly lustes That to our bodies leane , Destroye therof the fyery rage , And make me chaste and cleane . Of pitie oh good Lorde Extincte in me this fyre : And let my mynde be mundifyd Of eche vncleane desyre . Oh leaue me not I saye To myne owne lust and wyll : Thyne ayde doe not from me withdrawe , But be my succour styll : Least wanting of thy helpe , I runne in error blynde : And fall into vnshamfastnes , And obstinate of mynde . Oh be thou my fortres , That I may prayse thy name : So shall I other men exhort Also to doe the same .

¶ The songe of Esechia , Ego dixi in dimidio . &c. Esaie .xxxviii. ¶ Syng this as , I am the man whom● God . &c. VNto the gates of hell I wente I should haue wende , Amid my days when as I thought My yeres were at an ende . With in my selfe I sayde , I neuer shall agayne Visite the Lorde ( the lorde I saye ) In this lyfe whyle I reigne . I neuer loke agayne Before men to appeare , Nor to beholde no worldly wyghtes That haue their dwellyng heare . Myne age is folded vp Together at this daye : As one should from the shepeherd poore His cottage take away . And through my synnes my lyfe Is cut of and vndo , As when the weuers worke is done His webbe he cuttes ato . This pynyng sycknes wyll My lyfe in sunder rende , For in one daye I well perceyu● My lyfe shall haue an ende . Vntyll to morowe yet I thought to lyue so long : But he my bones hath brused sor● Moste lyke a gyant strong . For in one daye thou wylt Myne ende brynge on me lo : As swalowes chatter in their laye , Then gan I to doe so . I cried lyke the crane , And morned as the doue : Directyng euer more myne eyes On hyght to hym aboue . O lord then sayde I tho This sycknes doth me presse : O ease thou me for in thy powre It is , the same to ceasse . What shall I saye , the lorde His pro●●s made to me , And he hym selfe performed hath The same as we may see . All whyle I lyue therfore , It shall not from my mynde , My bytter life , and howe therin I founde hym good and kynde . Beyonde their yeres I see O lorde that men may lyue , Whiche I to all men wyll declare , And knowledge wyll them gyue . In those prolonged yeres Howe I in ioye doe reigne : And that thou causedst me to slepe And gaue me lyse agayne . My pensi●nes beholde , As bytter was as gall : And for my health I longed sor● Out of that wofull thrall . Thy pleasure was to saue Me from the filthy lake : For thou O lorde hast all my sinnes Out trowne behinde thy backe . For hell geues thee no prayse , Nor death magnificence : And in their graue none praise thy truth , That parted be from hence . The lorde hath wrought my health , Our songes we therfore sure Wyll alwayes synge within thy house , Whyle our lyfe dayes indure .

Ieremie .ix. ¶ Syng this as , I am the man whome God . &c. O Who wyll geue my head , Of water perfecte store : And to mine eyes a wel of teares To flow for euer more ? So should myne outward acte Expresse myne inwarde payne , To wepe and wayle both nyght and day , My people that are slayne . Would God I had elswhere A cottage in some place , That from the people I myght be A farre distance and space . That I myght leaue my folke And be from their resorte , Adulterers because they be And eke a shrynkyng sorte . Lyke bowes they bende their tongues , Wherwith they shoote out lyes : And grow on earth , for why the worlde Doth alwayes truthe despyse . From wickednes they goe To wickednes agayne , And wyll not knowe me sayth the lorde , Nor in my lawes remayne : One from an other nowe Abstayn and shurnish muste : For no man in his brother may With saftie put his truste . Men doe their brethern seke , To wrong and vnder mynde : Disemblyng styll they practise guyle , No truthe in them I fynde . Their tongues they exercyse , To lye and eke to fayne : And mischiefe so they may commyt , They force not for great payne . Why doe I then remayne , In this despitfull throng ? Whiche doe dissemble , and nought els But falshod them among . They wyll not knowe the lorde , But wander styll awry : Therfore thus sayth the lorde of hostes , I wyll them melte and try . For what should els be done To suche a people vyle : Whose tongues are like to arowes sharpe , To vtter fraude and guyle . For with their mouthes they speake , As though they ment but peace : To hurte their neyghbour priuily Yet wyll they neuer cease . Should I not punysh them For this thyng ( sayeth the lorde ) Or should not I aduenged be Of people so abhorde ? I shall them cause therfore On mountaynes to lament : The desertes and the plesant playnes To mourning shall be bent . For burned shall they be , Their cattell and their store : Of byrde or beaste there shall no voyce Be heard there any more .

Ieremie . 17. ¶ Syng this as , The sixt of Mathewe if ye reade . &c. O Lorde I shall be whole in dede , It I be healed of the : If thou witsafe nowe me to saue ▪ Then shall I saued be . Thou arte my prayer and my prayse , I haue none other forte : To geue thee thankes for all my helpe , To the I must resorte . Beholde those men that say to me In mockage and in scorne , Where is the worde of God say they ? Let it come vs beforne . Though not withstanding when I led , Thy flocke in godly trayne , Into thy wayes by violence I did them not constrayne . Ne yet the death of any man , I neuer dyd desier , Thou knowste right wel that before thee My tongue was not a lyer . Be not to me to terrible O lorde , but me refrayne : For thou ar●e he in whom I hope In perill and in payne . Confound me not , but confound them That doe my lyfe pursue : Nor feare me not , but make thou them To feare and eke to rue . And powre on them their painful plague When thou shalt see the tyme , And them destroye that haue thee done So detestable cryme .

Ieremie .xxxi. ¶ Syng this as On tabrets to the Lorde . &c. O Lorde thou hast corrected me For my sinfull lyuyng , Though I did as a calf vntame Receyue thy chastening . Conuert me from my sinne , and so Shall I conuerted be : Thou art my God and only Lorde , And others none but thee . So sone as thou hast turned me From sinne , I shall returne : Before whiche tyme I haue no powre My selfe for to reforme . Which when thou madest me perceiue And vnderstande the same : I smo●e my selfe vpon my thyghe In my great zeale and shame . For shamful thinges sure haue I done Oh let my youth therfore Confounded be , with his reproofe : For nowe I them abhorre .

¶ Out of the thirde chapiter of Ieremies lamentations . I Am the man whom God in his wrath and fury , hath with his rodde made right expert , of eury mysery . He droue and led me forth , In darknes to endure : But as for lyght I myght none see , So weare my wayes obscure . He only agaynst me Doth turne his hande and powre , And laith the same vpon me styll At eury tyme and howre . My flesh and skyn waxe olde , My bones are brused all : He buylded round , and closde me in , With trauell and with galle . In darknes he me sette As dead for euer more , He hedgd me in and fettered me With heauy linkes and sore . With clamors pitiously Though I to hym did call , My prayer and my painfull playnt He heareth not at all . My wayes he stopped vp With stones of cubike forme : My pathes are made so crokedly , I not where me to torne . As doth the cruell beare , Lye wayting for his praye , And as the lyon in his hole To take me in my waye . He marred hath my wayes , In peces he me brake : He altogether layde me waste , And brought me all to wrake . And when he bente his bowe , He made his marke of me : The arrowes of his quiuer ●o Into my raynes shot he . I laughed am to scorne , Of people in the throng : They make deridyng songes of me , And mocke me all day long . He fylde my hungry soule , With bale and bitternes : And wormwod was my drynke also In my great thyrstynes . In peces weare my tethe , In dust he did me roule . All good thynges then I cleane forgot , No reste had my poore soule . Then in mynde I thought My selfe vndone to be : For in the lorde I see quod I There is no helpe for me . O yet remember then My misery and wo , The wormwod and the bitter gall And my troubles also . Yea some rememberance I truste and hope thou hast : For why my soule within me lorde Doth melte away and waste . Whyle I dyd these thynges thus Consyder in my harte , I gat some houlde of hope agayne That was so long aparte : How thy mercies oh lorde Are not gone clene awaye And howe thy louyng kyndnes doth Not cease from vs for aye . My faythfulnes is great , And euer doth renewe : As after the most darkest , nyght , The mornyng doth ensue . The lorde quod my soule tho , He is my porcion : Therfore my faythe and perfect hope Is fix●e on hym alone . O howe good is the lorde To them that in hym truste ? And to the soule that seketh hym With feruent mynde and luste ? Lo then howe good it is Vpon the Lorde to staye , And tary for his sauyng health , With stilnes daye by daye . Howe good is it for man , His yoke on hym to take : And from his youth vp weare the same , Whiche wyll hym perfect make ? Suche one alone wyll syt And holde hym selfe ryght styll : Who by hym selfe wyll euer dwell , And quiet be from ill . Hym selfe he doth prostrate , To harke for hope with loue , And offreth styll his cheke , to them That smyte or wyll reproue . In hope thus wyll he reste , And purely styll perseuer : For god the lorde wyll not forsake His chosen flock for euer . But though he seme somtyme To cease of for a space : By multitude of mercies he Receaues agayne to grace . He suffreth sonnes of men Not from his harte to fleete , Nor all the prisners on the earth He treades not vnder feete . He doth not iudgment geue By mans desertes in syght : And to condemne man in his cause , The lorde hath no delyght . What kynde of man is he , How mad is suche a one , Without the lordes commaundment That sayth ought may be done ? Out of the holy mouth Of God the lorde moste hye , Both ill and good doth not procede . What man can this denye ? Why doth the lyuyng man Then grudge and murmur so ? At his owne sinne let him repyne And so commit no mo . Behold we our owne wayes , And eke bethynke vs well , A●d turne agayne vn●o the lorde , From whom we did rebell . To heauen let vs lyfte Our heartes and handes on hye : And to the Lorde that there in is , On this wyse let vs crye . Dissemblers haue we bene And did thee sore offende : O lorde let vs intreat thee yet , That thy wrath now : may ende . We hid are in thy wrath And persecutyng payne , Without all fauor and regard , O lorde thou hast vs slayne . For in a cloude from vs Thy selfe thou hydest so , That through the thicknes of the same Our prayers can not go . For outcastes are we nowe , The Heathen vs despyse : Our enmies all on vs they gape , And mocke in sondry wyse . And subiectes are we made , To feare and to the snare : Destruction on vs is come , And we despysed are . Whole ryuers from myne eyes Of teares doe styll increase , My peoples hurte doth cause myne eyes From wepyng not to cease . For why there is no reste , O lorde consider this : O when wylt thou from heauen loke , And mende that is amys ? Myne eyes haue causde my hearte Insonder for to ryue : The daughters of my citie made , My wo so to reuyne . As foulers seke to haue The byrdes within their pawes Myne enmies sharply hunted me And that without a cause . Into a pit moste depe My lyfe put downe they haue , Because I should not ryse they layde A stone vpon my graue . They powred water then Vpon my head also : Nowe am I quyte and clene vndone To my selfe thoughte I tho . Yet from this pit profounde I called to the lorde , Whiche heard my playnt & pit●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 w● 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 har●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 remor●● ( Sayth God ) and them conuert : I would them heale of all their sores , And loue them with mine hear●e . My wrath I would from them decline , To them that I may be As d●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 c●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 floude● 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 alway● , 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 men 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 ▪ 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 conclude , 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 fla●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 de●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 , and excesse : And none can cause them to conuert , Wherfore I crye in heauines , Lord Christ helpe evry wofull heart . Who reigneth nowe but pryde alone ? Eche man in his owne sight is wyse , And graue councell regardeth none : But rather doth doctrine despyse . Dissimulation and lewde lyes Is nowe excepted as an arte : Whiche made me crye out in this wyse , Lord Christ helpe evry wofull hart . Suche are most wyse and honest now , As sonest can their friendes beguyle : Suche doth the most sorte best allowe , Whose talke is fayre & dedes most vyle . Simplicitie is in exyle , And as for truthe can make no marte : Which made me morne & crie this whyle , Lorde Christ helpe evry wofull harte . Gods worde both to and fro is toste , As men doe with a tenis ball , And wrested from pyller ●o poste , To serue mens tourne for sinne and all : But fewe from wickednes doe fall , In godlynes to doe their parte : Wherfore thus crie I euer shall , Lorde Christe helpe evry wofull hearte . Of wexe they make scripture a nose , To turne and wryng it evry waye , With many a false and filthy glose : Suche as by errors walke astraye The same doe wrythe soules to betraye , And from the truthe doe them peruerte : Wherfore I shall crye day by daye Lord Christ helpe evry wofull hearte . No error synce Christe did ascend , But nowe it starteth stoutly forth : The seamles coate of Christe is tend , And vnitie is nothing worth : Wherfore plentie is tournd to dearth , And many plagues shall make vs smart : Wherfore my crie styll forward goeth . Lorde Christe helpe evry wofull heart . But sure such hartes as here haue wo , And in this worlde doe mone and morne , The lorde Christe hath promysed so , That they shall ioye his face beforne : When suche as here deryde and scorne Shall suffer sorowe for their parte : Which ●ewdly haue them selues forlorne , Lorde Christe helpe evry wofull hearte . Wo be to you that here reioyce . Ye shall hereafter wepe and wayle : For that ye would not heare the voyce Of Gods worde for your owne a●ayle . Which ( although heauen & earth doe falle ) Shall styll remayne and byde in quarte : Wherfore my voyce shall neuer fayle , Lord Christ helpe evry wofull harte For all the byrdes with mery songe . And the bryght shyning of the sonne And plesant floures I went among , From wo my hearte myght not be wonne : To see what worldly men had done : For all doe ryde in sinne his carte . Wherfore I ende as I begonne Lorde Christe helpe evry wofull hearte , Amen .

¶ A ditie named blame not my lute whiche vnder that title toucheth , replieth , and rebuketh , the wycked state and enormities of most people , in these present miserable dapes . BLame not my lute though it doe sounde the rebuke of your wicked sinne , but rather seke as ye are bound to know what case that ye are in : And though this song doe sinne confute , and sharply wyckednes rebuke : blame not my lute . My lute and I sythe truth we tell , ( Meanyng no good man to off●nde ) Methynke of ryght none should refell The godlynes that we intend : But muche rather if they haue grace , They will our good counsell imbrace . Then blame my lute . Although my lute with sentence playn Rebuke all suche as fayne and glose , With flatterers and lyces vayne , That truthe to falshod can transpose : Ye though we sharply speake and syng Against false and craftie wynnyng , Blame not my lute . And if my lute sound in your eare The priuy hate and larke of loue , And howe ye should sclander forbeare , Syth gods word doth ill tongues reproue : Though as saint Iames we doe expresse The same , a worlde of wickednes : Blame not my lute . Though my lute doe expres and show That prayet and holy fasting , Is tourned nowe with hyghe and low To vncleane talke and banqueting : Although we saye that chastitie Be gone , and in place lecherie . Blame not my lute . Though with their own fewe be content , Chastly to lyue with one good make : But rather the moste part be bent Their constant vowe for to forsake : Though some in Sodom rather byde , Then honest mariage to prouide . Blame not my lute . If my lute blame the couetyse , The glottons , and the drunkards vyle , The proud dysdayne of worldly wyse , And howe falshod doth truth exyle : Though vyce and sinne be nowe in place , In sted of vertue and of grace . Blame not my lute . Though wrong in iustice place be set , Committing great iniquitie : Though hipocrites be counted great , That mainteine styll idolatrie : Though some set more by thynges of nought , Then by the lorde that all hath wrought . Blame not my lute . Although eche man finde faulte with other , And no man will him selfe acuse , But eche man blameth his brother : Though he him selfe as great faulte vse . Though we see none their owne fault fynde , Nor call repentance vnto mynde . Blame not my lute . Though my lute say that suche as preache And should men leade in wayes directe Doe lyue amys , though truth they teache , Whiche causeth truth to be suspect , Though my lute say suche cause offence Through their great slouth and negligence . Blame not my lute . Though some gods worde doe still despyse , For beggetly traditions : Aduancing highly fayned lyes Of mens imaginations . Although my lute doe suche accuse , As by errors gods worde abuse , Blame not my lute . Although we see the clergie slack , Wrong wayes by ryght for to redres : Though some also goe rather back , Then procede forth in righteousnes : Although we saye that auarice Doth stop the mouthe , and choke the wyse . Blame not my lute . Though offendors be borne withall , Although the wolues in corners lurke That haue and will the lambes make thrall , And daily doe their false seates worke . Though whispryng treason in the eare Burst out somtyme without all feare . Blame not my lute . Though some also abuse the lute With sinfull songes of lechery : Though some goe forth as beastes brute , In false treason and trechery : Though at eche sermon we may see Gods holy worde scorned to be . Blame not my lute . Blame not my lute I you desyre , But blame the cause that we thus playe : For burnyng heate blame not the fyre , But hym that blowth the cole alway ▪ Blame ye the cause blame ye not vs , That we mens faultes haue touched thus Blame not my lute . Blame not my lute , nor blame not me , Although it sound against your sinne : But rather seeke for to be free , From suche abuse as ye are in . Although we warne you to repent : Whiche grant you God omnipotent . Blame not my lute .

¶ A song of the lute in the prayse of God , and disprayse of Idolatrie . ¶ Syng this as , My pen obey . &c. MY lute awake and prayse the lord , My heart and handes therto accord : Agreing as we haue begon , To syng out of gods holy worde . And so procede tyll we haue done . Prayse we the lord in this our song . And syng it Christen men among , That in a godly race doe ronne : The whiche although it be not long , Shall be right good or it be donne . This plesant song shall not song be , To the goddesse of lechery : Nor to nothyng vnder the Sunne , But praysing of the almyghty , My lute and I tyll we haue done . This teacheth vs Dauid the kyng , With harpe and lute geue God praysyng , All men that in this worlde doe wonne To God therfore geue prayse and synge , As my lute and I haue begonne . This lord first made al things of nought , And when against his lawe we wrought From heauen he sent downe his sonne : Whiche with his gospell vs all taught , After the whiche we haue not donne . Although in man weare nothyng good Hym to redeme Christ shed his blood , with thrones the Iu●s our lord did crown , He suffred death vpon the roode : Lo thus our sauyng health was donne . On this therfore we fix our fayth , That Iesus Christ ( as scriptur sayth ) Is only our saluation . Vpon this rocke who so him stayth , Thus sayth the lord it is well don . But one thing sore my harte doth greue That hipocrites made vs beleue In Idols both of wodde and stone : From Christ our rock they did vs dryue , Wo be to them what haue they done . Whiche canker still within their heartes , Doth yet remayne and fewe conuertes : For at gods worde they frete and frown , Therfore my lute it is our partes Them to rebuke as we haue done . God sent his worde vnto this ende , That we our synfull lyues should mende : And yet repenteth fewe or none : My lute therfore let vs intende To say the truthe tyll we haue done . If in our songe we should recyte . Nowe eche estate doth not vpright : ( Whiche will be their confusion , ) Whiche knowe the truthe and do not ryght . My lute when should our song be done . But to be short my hartes intent , Is to prayse God omnipotent , Whoe of our helth the thred hath spunne , And hath his worde to vs nowe sent , To mende our lyues tyll we haue done . Mans soule to saue Christ died therfore , Who of vs men doth aske no more : But this lesson to lerne and conne , With loue to kepe his holy lore : In whiche all perfect workes are donne . Lorde graunt vs to thy worde to cleane , That no man other doe deceaue : And in that zeale that I begunne , Lauding our lorde God here I leaue , Be styll my lute my song is done .

¶ A ditie shewyng the office of all estates : warnyng them to repent , & walke euery estate accordyng to their callyng . LEt heauen harke & earth geue eare , let mountains bowe with humblenes : let waters all their rage forbeare , and once growe to some stablenes . wauer no more with evry wynde but once cleane to a constant mynde , In fayth and loue , for why the lord him self doth speake , and will you els in sonder breake , euen from aboue . Let not god speake now to deafe eares , Nor vnto hartes made of flynt stone : But rather with repentant teares Bewayle your synnes now evry one . And let a godly lyfe all newe Shew forth frutes of repentance true , And them expresse . That from henceforth in such new lyfe , We may remayn without all stryfe , In righteousnes . Let suche as shewe the heauenly muse Haue godly conuersation , Least through their vyle and great abuse They worke abhomination : When as in synfull wayes they walke , Contrary to their outwarde talke , And gods true worde . For who that sclandreth so the truthe . Their myrth shall turne to wo and ruthe Before the lorde . Let kynges that mountains sygnifie , In iustice doe styll their due part : Supporte no more iniquitie , Nor mainteyne suche as areperuart . Se that henceforth with all your myght Ye put downe wrong & mainteine right . Or els surely The lord God whiche is kyng of all , Your glory ▪ turne to shame he shall Moste ryghteously . Let nowe the waueryng multitude , That signifyd is by the sea , Oh let I saye this rable rude Still henceforth cleaue to constancie . And not them selues as waters showe , Vnstable for to ebbe and flowe : But styll depende , Vpon the churche to lerne their due , And serue their kyng with hartes most true , Euen styll an ende . Let not the churche be temporall , Let not rulers ●e rude and vayne : Let no man from his calling fall , But eche man in his state remayne : Let not the common people deale With matters highe of common weale ▪ For why I saye , If one anothers callyng vs● , All equitie they doo refuse From day to daye . Let all men nowe repent therfore , And leaue theyr synne without delay , And henceforth vse the same no more : Least by theyr goyng thus astray , Gods wrathe in hast they doo procure : For this theyr doyngs so vnpure In synfull trade . Knowe that the Lorde his mercy styll , Dothe offer all with ryght good wyll , That he hath made . Let men whyle mercy then doothe last , Haue mynde of this theyr onely meane , Abhorre theyr yll lyfe that is past : Lyftyng their eyes vp into heauen . Lokyng from thence for theyr reliefe : Whiche is a salue for all our griefe , Swete Christe Iesu . Your hartes and eares I say attend , That you to blysse without all end , May hence insue .

¶ A Ditie declaringe the daungerous abuse of all degrees , whyche go astraye from theyr vocation . PErforme O penne I thee desyre , The thyng that we dyd late deuyse : Blowe to this cole , kyndle thys fyre : That suche may know as truth despise That darknes shall no more them hyde : No secrete place shall they prouyde To couer guyle : For now the lyght shall them bewray , That secretly haue gone astray , A ryght long whyle . Suche Princes as the poore oppresse . Vnder titie of gouernance , And wyll no poore mans cause redresse , But all theyr ioye and fyne pastance , Is howe with craft in couerture , They may in theyr yll wayes indure , And styll remayne . It shall appeare at the laste day , That they haue wrongly gone astray , Vnto theyr payne . Suche prelates as for fylthy gayne , With errors doo mens soules destroy , And on theyr flock lyke lordes wyll raigne , Wherin Gods woorde they doo anoy : The fleece to take is all theyr care , And for the soule no foode prepare , But venym vyle . Suche prelates shall once know , I say , That they haue falsly gone astray With fraude and guyle . Suche men of lawe as wyll for golde Make thyngs seme right the which at wrong And wyll for gayne with falshode hold , And eke delaye the tyme to long : Suche as in Iudgement wrest the lawe , And wrongly doe the sentence drawe : Wrong to supporte . Poore innocentes for to betraye , For brybes they goe from ryght astraye , In wicked sorte . Suche marchantes as are not content , With right and reason for to wynne , But daily doe false fraude inuent , To gayne by wickednes and synne , ●nlawfull gayne , and vsury , And counterfetyng wyckedly Muche marchandyse , In hell they shall once fele I saye , Howe they by fraude haue gone astraye . In vntust wyse . Suche leches as wyckedly vse Medicines arte , but not aryght . But fasly doe the same abuse , And to that arte doth wrong and spyght : They rob and murder where they go . From place to place , workyng muche w● Without cunnyng , The Diuell shall them fetche away , By suche deceyte that goe astraye , With false wynnyng . Suche as in any kynde of arte Doe worke both slyghtly and vnsure , For to deceyue with a false harte His neighbour , by his worke vnpure : slightly they worke and all for haste , wherin this day is wrong and waste : Yea hatefull wrong . Syth now ther is no faith nor fay But all from truth are gone astray , Wo be our songe . Suche as breake vnitie and loue , Suche as by couetyse contende , Such as wyll sweare & great othes moue Suche as on whordom doe depende , Suche as in pryde doe leade their lyfe , Suche as by wrath doe lyue in stryfe , And great debate : Satan with suche must make afraye , For their walkyng so farre astraye , Whiche god doth hate . God for his mercie graunt therfore , That men may nowe repent their ill , And that they may their synnes abhorre , Wherin they walked with their wyll : It is hyghe tyme for to redres , And to absteyne from wyckednes , For feare of payne . And for Gods mercy call and praye , That we through grace from this our stray Come home agayne .

¶ A voyce from heauen to you shall come , Venite ad iudicium . O Man amend defer no tyme but be alwayes in redines : For if thou dwell in sinne and crime it wyll thee bryng in great distres for why a voyce from heauen shall come venite ad iudicium . Then blessed shall that seruant de Whom God shall fynde in perfect mynde , To doe his due in eche degree : For great reward then shall be fynde . When that a voyce from heauen shall come , Venite ad iudicium . Contrary wyse the seruant yll , That walked in offences great , Contrary to his maisters wyll , With many strypes he shal be beate : When that a voyce from ●●●uen shall come , Venite ad iudicium . For God shall come ryght sodeynly In the mydst of your wyckednes , When you thynke least appeare wyll he : From whose face none can you releace . When that a voyce from heauen shall come , Venite ad iudicium . Eche lorde and lady , Kyng and quene , Before that lorde muste bowe theyr knee : And then shall theyr rewarde be sene , Lyke as their dedes and lyfe hath bee . When that a voyce from heauen shall come , Venite ad iudicium . What shall anayle you then your pryde , Your welthy pompe and dignitie : Your ryches then must stande asyde , And not helpe your necessitie . When that a voyce from heauen shall co●● , Venite ad iudicium . The shynyng face of God the Lorde , Your stony hearts shall then appall : Because that ye so muche abhorde , His preceptes euangelicall . When that a voyce from heauen shall come , Venite ad iudicium . Then shall ye say , Wo worthe the tyme , Your lawes agaynst the Lorde of blis , That you made in despyte of hym , And all that hys true members is : When that a voyce from heauen shall come , Venite ad iudicium . And you shall gnashe your tethe and saye , Lo 〈◊〉 whom w● did hate and mocke : We see them sytte in quiet staye , Beyng the l●●des elected flocke . For nowe a voyce from heauen is come , Venite ad iudicium . And we lyke fooles haue erred styll , O●● worldly wyt is nowe all spent : To pl●ad our cause we haue no skyll , Before the lorde omnipotent : For nowe a voyce from heauen is come , Venite ad iudicium . The sonne of wisdom and of lyght , Of vnderstanding , end of grace , Did geue to vs no kynde of lyght : We are vndone alas alas . For nowe a voyce from heauen is come , Venite ad iudicium . In payns of hell thus shall they crye That nowe doe Christ his flocke oppresse , Tormented styll eternally With diuels for their wyckednes : When that a voyce from heauen shal come , Venite ad iudicium . Therfore let vs defer no tyme , But be alwayes in readynes : That we may all to heauen clyme , Wi●h Christ the kyng of ryghteousnes : When that a voyce from heauen shal come , Venite ad iudicium .

¶ Against pryde . YOu proud men all I saye abyde , and banishe pryde out of your hart : if climing high ye haply slyde , then are ye like to fele some smart . therfore I saye in tyme conuert repent and turne , for that is best , yer dredfull death doe you areste Study therfore in holy wryte . And knowe howe that lucifer fell . Whiche beyng once an angell bryghte : God for his pryde dyd hym expell Out of all lyght , downe into hell . Lo here you see the frute of pryde , I say therfore laye it asyde . Before your eyes fixe also this , Howe Nebucadneza● the kyng , ( Whose dedes in Daniell wrytten is ) Who praisde him selfe aboue all thyng , And gaue not God his due praysing Was made an oxe and did eate haye Seuen yeres , his great pryde to alaye . And kyng Hetod ( as sayth scripture ) As he was clad in proude a●aye , His owne honor for to procure , To his own praise great wordes did say : Therf●re Gods angell that same day Dyd stryke him for his harte vnwyse . Who vn●o death was eate with lyce . Lo if God would such kings not space To punysh , for ambition , What shall we thinke he wyll prepare To plague our sinfull nacion : Whiche forsake , their vocation , And will in no wyse pryde eschue , Nor seke to serue swete dame vertue . For Salomon in sentence play ne C●lles fauor a de●eynyng thyng : Yea beautie is a thing moste vayne , Wherin some haue suche delygh●yng : Which in ill case once wyll them bryng , Gods heauy wrath they so procure : Through their proude hartes vayn & vnpure . For from the course of reason true They seme to be vnknowne and strange , That doe delyght in the vayne hewe , Of beautie , that so sone wyll change : For that wherin their rude wittes range , To muche more britle then is glasse , And fades as doth in sieldes the grasse . More inconstant it is also , That vnto pryde doth you prouoke . Then wynde that wandreth to and fro : Yea much more vain than smothring smoke Lo thus of vyce you beare the yoke . Of beautie proude more vyle then slyine , And fleteth faster then tyme . A thousand thynges may beauty fade . As wyse men dayly see and saye : For if a feuer you inuade . And shake you but one simple daye : Is not your beauty gone strayghtwaye ? Your colour shewes your substance ●ust . Euen earth and ashes doung and dust . If men were bent the truth to tell , Is beauty any other thyng . Then color in the skyn or fell ? Wherin some haue suche reiosing ? But if as well were appearing Their inwarde partes , then myght we see A sacke , stufte full of doung fylthy . What syght more strange may there apeare , Vnto our eyes so fantsy full , Then see one bewtifull and clere , Declare it selfe so vnfrutfull ? And cause hym whose wites be not dull Hym self to knowe , a dounghill dyght As with a cloth purple and whyght . What impudence , yea what madnes Is it in beutie to glorie ? Forsakyng all sober sadnes . For thynges that bene transitorie ? Sythe more delectabilitie , It is to some that see the same , Then those that therof beare the name ? I leue of here , for to recite What other hurtes your bewtie doth . With your apparell proude and lyght , Tempting the Irailtie of weake youth : Therefore vse nowe meknes and truth . This olde sayde sawe may warne you all , That pryde wyll surely 〈◊〉 a fall .

¶ An inuectiue against the most hatefull vyce enuy . ¶ Syng this as Let nowe thy power he great O Lorde . &c. ALl they that will of enuy here , Vnto my song let th●●● attend : If you will ●erne , then draw you nere , Let enuious men their mysse amend . Vnto my lippes haue good respect , And marke what shall from them insue : Enuy with blyndnes dothe infect , And styll disprayseth dame vertue . Within this worlde so full of sinne , It is a scabbe sayth Tullius , If that suche men as be therin To vertue shall be enuious . Oh wicked worlde , full of ●nuy , Polluted with despight and hate : Receiue agayne simplicitie , Take loue , and banysh all debate . Salomon sayth in sap●ence , I wyll none enuy nor disdeyne : Banysh them cleane from my presence , Wisdom wyll none suche enterteyne . For hatefull enuie is mother Of wycked wordes , fond , ferce , and fell : Contrary wyse loue doth couer The wordes whiche are not spoken well . Sythe loue then is the remedy Against enuy that wycked vyce : Take loue to you continually , It is a treasure of great pryce .

¶ Agaynst slouthe . Syng this as , Of Ielousye who so wyll heare . MArke and geue eare ye slouthful men , And to my song geue good respect : Aryse out of your drousy dell , To Idlenes that are subiect . Ryght truly sayde kyng Salomon , As smoke the tender eyes offende : So slouthfull men are wrathe anon , Wyth suche as moue them to amend . Go to ( sayth he ) thou slouthfull beast , Go to and slumber out thy fyll , Wyth folded armes lye downe to rest , Accordyng to thyne idle wyll . As one that iourneyth all day long , So pouertie shall on thee lyght : And as a souldier fierce and strong : Necessitie shall sh●w her myght . But who so is industrious , And wyll his labour well apply : His increace shall be pl●ntious , And he shall haue abundantly . In slouthfull soules , thus saith the Lord , My wysedome it can ta●● no peace : Oh be conuerted by , Gods word , Ye slouthfull men , and call● for grace . Who so to worke no payne wyll take , Bu● liues in slou●h ( thus saith S. Paul ) His company we must forsake , And g●ue to hym no meate at all . Thus sayth the lord , therfore awake Thou that dost slepe , and stande vpright : Stande vp from death , for Christes sake : And Christ the ●or● shall geue thee lyght .

¶ A description of auarice . SAint Bernard saith the chariot of auarice is borne , on fower wheles of vic●s in : through which the poore are torne . The first is courag●●aynt and fonde , The next vngentylnes , The thirde contempt , of God , the fourth Of death forgetfulnes . And horses two this chariot drawes , That is as muche to saye , As Raueny and Nygardshyp : Whiche are in it alwaye . The Carter whiche dooth dryue them bothe , He is a greedye knaue : And who so would hys name were knowen , It is Desyre to haue , That Carter dryueth with a whyp , Whych whyp of cord●s hath twayne : That is , Great appetite to get , And Lothe to yeld agayne . Ryght many of the cart haue scorne , And them that cartes doo dryue : Yet moste men for to dryue thys cart , Thys daye contende and stryue . And they that take in most yll part , Of carters to beare name : Doo dryue thys car●e of co●etyse , And muche delyght the same . And suche as weare bothe sylke and golde , ( That strange is for to see ) Doo sue to master Auarice , His carters for to bee . Where some were wont with spe●●● & shield , Theyr countrey to defend : Haue layde asyde theyr armour quight , And to this carte attend . The Clergy whych should preache and teache If they dyd playe theyr parte , Doo laye asyde the worde of God , And dayly dryue thys carte . The Merchant and the learned leche , And eke the man of lawe , Forsake theyr artes , and dayly doo This carte bothe dryue and drawe . And they that common carters be , ( O● moste men called so ) Doo knowe least how to dryue this cart And farthest are therfro , Our money ( as sayth Seneca ) Ought ay to be our drudge , To serue for our necessitie , And at our wyll to trudge . But yf we ( as a lady d●re ) Make her our souerayne : She wyll not mysse to bryng our soules Into eternall payne . God of hys mercy therfore graun● , This cartynge we may leaue , To loue and lyberalytie , That we may alway cleaue . Free from the thefe and from the mo●he That we may horde our store : Forsakyng gredy auarice , And dryue hys carte no more .

¶ A dittie of the pen inueiyng against vsury and false dealyng . MY pen obey my wyll a whyle till I see good to ende this stile : for if all men would sinne abhorre such songs we nede not to compile , nor my pen should write so no more . If all men of their worde were true , Promis to kepe and paye their due : What ●●de had pennes to worke therfore ? But sythe no whyght wyll truthe ensue : Pennes were as good to wryte no more . Pennes are abusde , and that dayly , About all craft and vsury : We may well say alas therfore . And yet least we make them angry It semes as good to wryte no more . Yet let vs shewe the lordes intent , Howe tha● for gaynes nought should be lent , All fashod God wyll plage ryght sore . And yet my penne least we be shent , It semes as good to wryte no more . For all in vayne we speake scripture , To suche as wyll in synne endure : For they amende neuer the more , But hate all godly counsayle pure , That warneth them to synne no more . Yet if all men with suche pretence , Should cease to shewe their conscience , They should transgresse gods holy wre . Yet sythe none wyll it reuerence , It semes as good to wryte no more . The scripture thus doth specifie In Dauids psalmee , bl●ssed is he , That lendeth freely ryche and poore . Without all gayne of vsury : Yet doe they vse it styll the more . Though some for writing wyl vs blame . These crafty men , whome we not name , These false got 〈…〉 they must 〈◊〉 , To those of whom they got the same , Or els be damnde for 〈…〉 . For though some men haue bene ●● thys . In vsury that dyd amys , And haue bene warnde of it before : That doo repent yet fewe there ys , But rather vse it more and more . But sure in hell theyr bed is 〈◊〉 , And all that vse of crafte the trade Are lyke the same to rue ryght ●ore : In crafte and guyle yet syth they w●de , It were as good to wryce ●● more . God graunt as in this song is me●● , We may amende all and rep●nt : Rootyng out vyce to the harde core , To serue the lorde omnipotent , In loue and truthe for euermore .

¶ An exhortation to wrathfull men . Syng this as , I am the man whom God . &c. IF wrathe were paynted out In perfect lyuely hue , As coulde Apelles in hys lyfe , Wyth colours ●yne and true . Or as Demosthenes . Deserybe it coulde with ●en : As it is yll it would appere , Vnto these wrathfull men . Or he that cunnyng had In me●re to recite , Both soule and body how it noy●s , As sheweth holy write . Then should these wrathfull men , That anger wyll sustayne , Perceaue the incommodities That therwith doo remayne . Concernyng body fyrste , Diseases it doth bryng , As f●uers vyle of euery kynd , Whiche mortally doo styng . It causeth phrenesie , And madnes of the brayne● Of visage great deformyrie , And palscys this is playne . Concernyng soule also , ( The whiche is worste of all ) It maketh men blaspheme their ●rendes , And euell them to call . Outrage and wycked othes , And loue put out of place : Reuengement is theyr whole desyre That banysht be from grace . All benefytes forgot , That to thee dyd thy frende : Obedience true and reuerence , Wrathe putteth out of mynde . Wherof succedeth oft , Contention full of cost : By trouble and vnquiet mynde , Thyne appetite is lost . To scorne dysdeyne and hate , Ye thynke it is no shame : All though nothyng can hynder more , A good report or name . These wycked fruites of wrathe , Remember he that can : Full lytle haste ( as I suppose ) To wrathe they would haue than . Harke and geue eare ye men That thus to wrath are bent , Attend a whyle vnto my tune , And holde your selfe content . For as thou art a man , Thynke also so ●● he : With whom thou doest conceiue such cause So wrathfull for to be . Is it not laufull then , And as conuenyent , That he with thee should be as wrathe , And as muche discontent ? Leaue of your wrath therfore , I saye to you agayne : Assure your selues that angry men , Doo alway lyue in payne . And calle to mynde howe Christ The sonne of God moste hye : Whyche in a moment by hys pow●● Hys enmies myght destroye . How dyd the Iewes hym greue ▪ Hauyng no cause wherwre : Hys most swete face they strake in spight And buffeted hym sore . It nothyng irked them , At hym to spyt in scorne , Wyth wytnesse wrong accusyng hym , And crowned hym with thorne . Hys vertous body lo. They haled to and fro : An heauy Crosse on hym they layd● , The more to doo hym wo. All faultlesse as a lambe , To suffer deathe he went : They dyd hys body all to beate , And yet was he content . They naylde hym on the crosse , Thys shoulde we beare in mynde : Thys suffred he of his good wyll , For Moses in this zeale , The Tables brake of stone : In whych God with hys fynger wrote , His ten precepts eche one . As Dauid ment when he . Ryght holyly dyd saye : Be angery , but doo not synne , By no maner of way . It was in Christe also , ( As holy wryt dothe tell : ) When he out of the temple whyp● Those that dyd buye and sell . Within his holy place , Where nothyng els should be . But prayer to the lyuyng God , In secrete that doeth see . And at an other tyme , It shewde in hym agayne , The hypocrites when he rebuk● , As Mathew telleth playne . This symple song all ye , That heare or doo it reade : It is enough to cause you all , Of wrathe to take good hede . Of synfull wycked wrathe . Beware in any wyse : To all men that haue wyt in store , Let this as nowe suffyse . In hearyng of theyr faultes , That they may mend them soone . And aft●r stand at Gods ryght hand , When they receyue theyr doome .

¶ An Inuectiue agaynst wrathe ▪ Syng thys as , The lyuyng God our only Lorde , that . &c. SAlomon sayth , A foole his guyse , Is to be wrath immediatly : But he is to be counted wyse , That well can hyde hys iniury , Therfore saynt Paule doth say of trauth Let not the sunne rest on your wrath . And Plato beyng demaunded , Wherby a wise man knowne should be : Sayd , yf wyse men be rebuked , Therwith they wyll not be angry . Therfore saint Paule doth say of trauth Let not the sonne rest on your wrath . By as also dothe ryght well shewe , Of wrath the discommoditie : Saying that it in hygh and lowe , To counsayle is chiefe enemye : Therfore saint Paule doth say of trauth , Let not the sonne rest on your wrathe . The chiefest helpe agaynst the same , Seneca dothe describe ryght playne : Take Pacience that godly dame : In her syght wrath can not remayne , Therfore saint Paule doth saye of trauth , Let not the sonne reste on your wrath . Of wrathfull men it is the wunt To sowe discorde with eche estate : But pacience doth alwayes hunte For to appease strife and debate . Therfore saint Paule doth say of trauth , Let not the sonne reste on your wrath . Therfore with men replete with ire Vse no familiaritie , And those whom wrath sone settes on fyre , Byde thou not in their company : But as saint Paule doth saye of trauth , Let not the sonne reste on thy wrath . As sayth saint Iames be swyft to heare The thyng that may thee edifie , Be slowe in speache in lyke maner , But slowe to wrath especially : For why saint Paule doth say of trauth , Let not the sonne reste on your wrath . By wrath as sayth saint Gregory , Wysdome is hid and out of syght , And puts all out of memory That should be done by wisdomes myght . Therfore saynt Paule doth saye of trauth , Let not the sonne reste on your wrath . My brethern here to make an ende , I you commit to pacience . As seruantes true doe you intende To serue hyr grace with diligence . Because saynt Paule doth say of trauth , Let not the sonne reste on your wrath .

¶ Against drunkennes and gluttony . ¶ Syng this as , Of Ielousy who so wyll heare . &c. ADrunken workeman certeynly By labour neuer getteth ought : A lyttle he settes nothyng by , But from a litle commes to nought . For learned men howe may suffice , Their wyne in litle quantitie : So in their reste and exercise , It doth none incommoditie . Wo be to those that early ryse ( The prophet sayth ) to make great haste , And drynke tyll nyght ( as is their guyse ) Tyll reason banysht be at laste . A drunkard ( as saint Austen sayth ) Offendeth nature very sore , Castyng asyde both grace and fayth , He hedlong runnes to hell therfore . The moderate vse of drynke and meate , No wyse man hateth , this is true : But luste inordinate and great , Ought euery good man to eschue . Saynt Ierome sayth , Cursed be they , That in theyr meate haue suche delyte . That reason can not cease nor stay Theyr vyle and gredy appetite . Saynt Ambrose playnly doth expresse , A worse to serue can none inuent Then gluttony , that yll maystresse : Desyryng styll , and nere content . Nor nothyng more infaciate Then glottons bellyes most lyke hell , For that whych they receyued late . Ryght early they agayne expell . These farsted panches aye abhorre , Good continence and chastitie : Before digestion they craue more , Forsakyng vertue fyithyly . All Christians therfore I exhort , Voluptuous excesse to forbeare : To moderation now resorte , And frugally lyue in gods feare .

¶ Lecherie rebuked . Syng this as , On tabrets to the Lorde . &c. LIke as the fow●er wyth hys bayte . Soone brynges the byrd in snate , So are mens soules through lechery , Destroyde yer they be ware . For lechery ( Gods ennemy ) With vertue is not plaste : Of present lust a fowle delyght , And of substance a waste . It blyndeth men , that they thynke not On dreadfull pouertie : Whych from great vse of lechery , Long absent can not be . To bryng a man to beggers state , Of harlots is the trade : Therfore absteyne from lechery , Let it not thee inuade . For yf we shall consyder well , Mans nature excellent : The hyghnes and the dygnitie , That God therto hath lente . It is a fowle and wycked synne , To vse it wantonly : Resoluyng it vnhonestly , In fylthy lechery . How honest and howe beautyfull To lyue contrary wyse , In continence and temperance , Sobrrnes to deuyse . For lechery and synfull lust In youth who so doth vse : Shall wythred be with feblenes , In age for thys abuse . Take hede therfore , let not your hartes In harlots snares be caught : Absteyne from them , frequent them not , Theyr pathes be very naught . The houses of suche harlots are , Of helie the very snare : Theyr chambers vnto dredfull death , Full well we may compare . For grace therfore pray we to God , And vnto wedlocke cleaue : Of lechery and synfull lust That we may take our leaue .

¶ An earnest complaint agaynste Idolatry . Syng this as , In my trouble and payne . SOmetyme that I haue sene , To see agayne were strange , In place where I haue bene , In hope no more to range . In wyckednes and synne , And in Idolatrye : Whyche who so vse , shall wynne Helle euerlastyngly . For from the face of GOD There can be nothyng hyd : Who hath full oft forbod , That we agaynst hym dyd , To worshyp an Image , The Lord dothe most abhorte : But in our pylgremage , We honoured great store . That tyme I trust be past , For custome made vs blynde : And Iam sore agast , Lest worse be lefte behynde . Beware whyle you haue space , That Idoll of the harte : Leste at the laste it chace , Your soules in hell to smart . Beware and take good hede : Leste that er ye be ware , Ye doo so farre procede , That ye no more repayre . Example ye may see : As Salomon doth saye , Take tyme whyle tyme may bee , For tyme wyll soone away . Repent therfore in space , Whyle tyme to you is lent , And call to God for grace , With true heart and intent . Least when ye would ryght fayn● There shall no grace be sent , As subiect to hell payne In sorowe to be shent .

¶ An inuectiue against sclanderous tongues . ¶ Syng this as , If truthe may take no trusty hold . &c. IN sadnes set with wo opprest , Oft did I sighe by my constraynt : From depnes of a pensiue brest , Thus carefully came forth my playnt . O sclander vyle and tongues vntrue , Vnbridled lo thus ye procede , And cause the carefull harte to rue , That did no faulte by worde or dede . Not all for nought ( I well perceyue , ) Kyng Dauid did on you complayne : Sythe nought may let you to deceyue , And vtter frutes of your disdayne . Delyuer lorde my soule sayeth he , From lyps that lye for me in weyght ▪ And from suche tongues as euer be , In vse with falshod and deceyt . What rewarde then may we deuyse , For tongues quod he that speake vnright , The whottest coles in burnyng wyse , With arrowes sharpe and full of myght . Among men mortall on this mould , I thynke there is no vyce nor cryme , So wycked by a thousand fould : As ill tongues are this present tyme . Whiche ernestly hath geuen me cause , If Dauid ment not fyre of hell , That I may ad therto this clause , With lucifer that they may dwell . For nothyng in this lyfe certayne , We may so well to hell compare , As enuious tongues that not refrayne , To gender styll both stryfe and care . For as they are a punyshment , A hell to good men and a stryfe : So may in hell be their torment , When they departe out of this lyfe . And as they burne till they burst out In wicked wordes and sclander vyle : In hell so may they beare a rou●● , From heauen hauing their exile .

¶ A complaint against euel tunges ¶ Syng this as . I am the man whom God . &c. WEll may the wyse deteste The frutes of tongues vntrue : Whiche neuer cease but styll prouyde Their malyce to renewe There is no tyme nor place , That may them ones refrayne , No vertuous mynde nor exercise , That may their vice restrayne . To sclaunder and detract And vlab the same about : A wycked thyng when they conceyue , They streyght waye put it out . As Socrates hath sayd , No worse thyng can be found , Then wycked tongues , from whom deceyt And falshode doth redound . What wyckednes is there , That maye compared bee : Vnto the false and fylthy tongue , In any one degree ? For where all other hurtes By death are vanquisht quite : Euen after death the wycked tongues Doo vtter theyr despite ? Whych causeth me to thynke As Chilon dyd yet whyle : No sworde that cutteth halfe so kene , As wycked tongues and vyle . Of which most wycked vyce , I neuer yet could fynd : Not hai●●●o muche in any wyght , As in the female kynde . In whom it doth abounde , With detestable rage : That no deuice nor yet constraynte May cause it to aswage . O detestable tongues , O fylthy sinkes of hell , O wycked vnce whose hatefulnes All other doth excell . Ryght aptly was it calde , A world of wickednes : Syth nothyng in this lyfe so muche Doth innocentes oppres . By paynfull profe I founde Suche frute , that wrought me wo : For wycked tongues haue caused me My playnt to vtter so . Do me not blame therefore , That I on them complayne : The simple worme when ye him treade , Wyll turne his tayle agayne .

¶ A ditie made in the tyme of the the swearyng plague . Anno. 1552. O Plague possest with mortall myght . ( so farre as god doth geue precin●t ) Well mayst thou moue the christian right Vpon his lorde and God to thinke : And shew him well by tokens playne , How that he shall from sinne refrayne . My flesh is frayle and shakes for feare , My soule is strange and hath no doubt , And hopes for health , and seketh where It may be had , to fynde it out , The scripture saith be strong in fayth : And then be not afrayd of death . In this my nede thy helpe to haue To thee O god I crye and call , I thee beseche my soule to saue , From Satan synne and hell and all , Though I O god haue done amysse : Thy death shall me directe to blysse . Then welcom plague the guide to helth And death also the porte of lyfe . Sythe that this change is perfect welth , Out of this vale of moste vyle stryfe : Why should we then thus feare to dye , And end our fatall destenie . Oh folysh flesh so fonde and frayle To rage against all ryghteousnes , I wyll that thou shalt not peruayle , To folow thyne own filthynes : For I wyll set my whole delyght , To fight against thee with my sprite .

That vertue excelleth both ryches and beautie . SIth nothyng can be sure , that hath no perfect ground : how can the thyng endure , vncerteyne that is founde . What so begynning had Must haue his fatall ende : And nothyng good or bad Hath other waye to bende . All those that buylders 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 sed● 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 & form● And vnto earth thou shalt returne . Remember well . O man I say , Thou art wormes mea●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 s●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 stand . 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 vnc●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 the 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 et●rnally . For god from ●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 man 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 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 strong . 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 saynt Paule , Membres of one body : Of Christe Iesu , ● 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 cold● : 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 ●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 d●o ye vnwyse , Prudence despyse ? Prudence despyse ? that should so well L●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 sayl● ▪ 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 hed● , 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 s●ule alway , Rei●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 sw●●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 burn● , 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 , In it we take our ende . The Sommer whiche doth repe Our sede , both corne and frute , Alas to hot , this heate to hot , With men thus goeth the brute . And as with sommers heate We doe complayne and scoulde : So do we wayle on wynters there , And blame hym for his coulde . No welth without some wo , No Ioy without some care , No blysse without his dolefull bale : Thus wretched men doe fare . We seke for sugred welth , As we should aye dwell here , The bytter galle of mysery , Therfore doth strayte appere . The wyne that cheres the hearte , Doth ofte tymes vexe the brayne : And woman made was for mans helpe , Who doth hym ofte great payne . Sometyme we call for dryth , Some tyme we aske for rayne : Some tyme we saye we haue to much , Of eche thus we complayne . In musyke we delyght , And calle for it some tyme : Wherof we sone be wery lo , And blame our selues of cryme . And iudge our selues to be Both vayne , fonde , and vnpure : Because our myrth without sorowe , No long tyme doth indure . And whyle this dredfull care Had fraughted thus my breste , I me bethought what myght be founde , To purchase here moste rest . And that we myght let passe , With lesse disease of mynde : These contraries that vs assaulte , Of so repugnant kynde . And temperance was the thyng , That then came to my thought : A better ayde in suche a case , Is no where to be sought . And therin seke to fynde The wyll of God aboue : And doe the dedes prescribed vs , Within the lawe of loue .

¶ The iust innocent complayneth on sclanderous tongues . LIke as the larke within the marlions foote from solace supplanted it were with me , if thou lord wert not my buckler and boote : at whose hand I hope saluacion to see . My hope and helth lord is only in thee , My castell of comfort my shylde and defence : From sclanderous tongues Lorde delyuer me , That thei no iust cause haue through myne offence . So shall their deceites turne to their own shame Although for a tyme they chance to preuayle : When truthe shall be tryde , and vtred by fame , Their falshod may faynte and vtterly quayle . For they doe reporte that I neuer did , My iudgement and cause I yelde vnto thee , That out of this wo ryght fayne would be ryd , And neuer did why so sclandred to be . Oh mercifull lord creator of all , I doe remember men sclandered thee : Great diuell and Belzebub they did the call , Thy myracles dayly though they did see . If thou se it good thy seruant to trie By sclander of tongues and vntrue reporte : For pacience thy gifte , to suffer I crye , Rememberyng thee , my selfe to comforte . For helpe at thy hande I only resorte , Resolue their harde hartes and cause them relent : For they that loue euell doe alwayes suporte All suche as to lyes and sclaunder are bent . Yet if thy wyll weare that they myght repent Confessing their fault , their falshod and guyle : To comfort somwhat the poore innocent , That falshod and lyes hath put in exyle . Thy glory so should we largely expresse And teache it to men , and cause them to feare , Whiche were for this crime a perfect redresse : For nothyng so much could make them forbeare . Thus all my whole cause to thee I commit , My matters with thee I alway decyse : Iustly in iudgement because thou doest syt , And ryghteousnes is thy whole exercyse . O lord geue them grace , to leaue ther great crime , And me for to suffer , & walke without blame : So wyll I endeuor from tyme to tyme , To blesse and to prayse thy most holy name .

The innocent sclaundered complaineth praying for the conuertion of his enemies . AL confortles lo without any ayd , now shuld I remayn if God wer not he , which in the defence of good men hath sayd , in all their distresse their helper to be . My hope is therfore sure fixed O lorde , That thou dost abhorre all vntrue reporte : And as thou dost byd in thy holy worde , All only for helpe to thee I resorte . From thee O good lord ther is nothyng hyd , Prouoke them by force their lyfe to refrayne : For they doe reporte that I neuer dyd , Accepted of suche as lyes doe maynteyne . Good lord let not them their purpose obteyn , Which in these my days wold turn me to shame Not that I refuse to suffer the peyne , But only that it turne not to their blame . My harmes be heinous when they me defame But yet the moste harme to them doth returne , When they vpon me doe reporte the same , That they can not proue , it maketh me morne . Lo thus am I bent in good part to take , The sclander of tongues , rememberyng thee , Contented to suffer all thynges for thy sake , For vengeance only belongeth to thee . Oh mercifull Lord I render therfore To thee condygne thanks , which art my defence O strengthen me then good lorde euer more , That I may styll suffer with pure pacience : And finally graunt oh mercifull lorde , That these false lyers may turne and conuert And being instructed by thy swete worde , They may be ryght sad and sory in heart . To God our Creator and lord omnipotent , The Father , the Sonne , and the holy ghost , Thre persons and one God most excellent , Be all prayse and honour as worthy most .

¶ The complaint of Christ our sauiour agaynst the Ingratitude of mankynde . THys of the Lord is the complaynt , Of man , how he was sold and bought : And thus he sayd hym to attaynt , Myne own people what haue I wroght ? For towards me thou art so faynt , And I thy loue so dere haue bought . Thy answer loke thou nothyng paynt To me , for why I knowe thy thought : Haue not I done all that I ought ? Or els what haue I left behynd ? Thou sterst my wrathe , I hurt thee nought , Why art thou to thy frend vnkynd ? I sought thy loue it was well sene , When I thee made so lyke to me , Myne earthly workes both quicke and grene , To thee I gaue bothe fruite and tree : From Pharao that was fierce and kene , Out of Egypt delyueryng thee , I kylled hym and all hys men , And the redde sea in twayne dyd fl●e : Which I commaunded drye to bee . The water serude thee and the wynde , From bondage so I made thee free . Why art thou to thy frend vnkynd ? Full forty yeares in wyldernes , To wyn thy loue I dyd the lead , Toward a land of great ryches , With Manna also I thee fed : To thee to shewe my great kyndnes , Thy kynde to take I had no drede . I left my myght , and toke mekenes , Myne owne heart bloud for thee I bled : To buy thy soule my selfe I led , And bound my selfe thee to vnbynde . Thus with great p●yne thy turne I sped ▪ Why art thou then to me vnkynde ? For thee I ordeynd Paradyse , And shewde to thee my Testament , And thou agayne dydst me despyse , In breakyng my commaundement . Thy synnes were great in dyuers wyse , For to my foes thou dydst consent : Downe I thee thrust , thou couldst not ryse , Thy wyts from thee away they went , A naked wretche poore , shamd , and shent : And as for frendes thou couldest none fynd , But I whych on a crosse was rent , Why art thou to thy frend vnkynd ? Thus I lovde thee , but whom lovst thou ? I am thy frend , why wylt thou fayn ? I gaue thee lyfe , and thou me slew . Who parted thus our loue in twayn ? Turne thee to me , bethynke thee how Thou hast done yll , come home agayne . And thou shalt be as welcome now , As he that free from synne dyd raigne , Thynke howe dyd Mary Magdaleyn . What sayd I to Thomas of Inde ? I grant the blysse , why wylt thou payne ? And art thus to thy frend vnkynde . Of frends I am the beste and chiefe , Thou wylt me neyther dreade nor please , Of thy true loue to se a prefe , My loue to thee would much increase , For thy mysdedes I suffred grefe , And thou dydst me that same disease , Hanged I was most lyke a thefe . I suffred death thy payne to cease : Yet to loue me thou dost not prease , Nor bearest not my payn in mynde : But seekst Idols in thy dysease . To me why art thou so vnkynde ? Vnkynd , for thou hast slayn thy Lord , And euery day dost wound hym newe : If thou be brought vnto accord , Of couenant made , thou art vntrue : To thy old synne thou dost resorte , Thou louest vyce hatyng vertue . All false Idols that I abborde To honour thou wylt not eschue : But to my lyuely Image true , The poore , the halt , the lame and blynd , To offer thou wyle not insue . But rather art to them vnkynd . Thryse dyd the fiend tempt me truly , And thou doste tempt me day by day , Wyth syane and vyce most wyckedly , To stirre my wrath thou wylt assay . Thou dost as who so would me buye , As false Iudas dyd me betraye : For at my workes thou hast enuye . There is nothyng that would thee stay , If thou on me myghtst as I may . Full cruelly thou wouldest me bynd : If I forgyue thee thou sayste nay , Why art thou to thy frend vnkynd .

¶ A Ditie warnyng all townes and liberties to chose theyr gouernours for vertue wysedom and lernyng : and by all meanes laudable , to kepe from rule the proude enuious and wylfull wycked men : lest the prince be dishonored , and they them selues abused and oppressed . ¶ Syng this as , If truth may take no trusty hold . &c. Wher pride doth hold the helme in hand The shyp to rule by wylfull wyll , Oft tymes we see on rocke or sand , Both shyp and goods do ioyntly spyll As Phaeton prowde , most wylfully . Hys father Phebus charyot , Would prease to rule , tyll foolyshly He nygh spylde all , suche was hys lot . Wherby as Ouide playne doth tell , The wrathe of Ioue he did proueke , In floud of Po hym downe to fell , Wyth dreadfull dynt of thunder stroke . The lyke thyng may be sene ●●he day , In shyp of publike gouernance , Where onely pryde and wyll beare sway , Sekyng all discorde to aduance . For reason there is ca●tiuate , Re●ect and cast cut as a slaue , Tyll theyr owne swynge doth bring the quade Whose end doth shew how much they r●ue . Wherfore yf I myght counsell geue , When as the matter lyes in choyce , Blynde ignorance should not acheue , To wyn to rule by common voyce . For by theyr rude and ●onde abuse , The prince they doo dishonor muche , And subiectes poore they muche mysuse , Of pryde and wyll the fruites are suche . Then best it is for to reiect , The blynde the ignorant and rude , And vertues chiefly to respect , And wysely so your choyce conclude . If that ye knewe the difference , Betwene the wyse and learned men , And rude vnlearned negligence , Muche more respect ye would haue then . For loke howe farre a lusty wyght , That can doo all actiuitie , As go , runne , wrestle , playe and fyght , Dothe styll surmount in eche degree The infant yong that can not go , But muste of force be led or borne , So farre extendeth learnyng lo , The rude and ignorant forlorne . He that in all his lyfe and dayes , His owne affections can not rule , But beastly is in all his wayes , As any saluage horse or mule . Or he that hys house howe to guyde Or household yet coulde neuer tell , Can such be mete at any tyde , A towne of folke to gouerne well ? Haue this therfore before your eyes , Whom hencefoorth ye doo chose or take , Vertue imbrace , and vyce despyse , A ryght good choyce so shall ye make . Esteme hym euer as moste yll , Whiche by his froward mynde vniust , Despysyng lawe wyll maynteyue wyll , To lay good order in the dust . If any man perceaue this case , Or haue experience of this cry me , Vertue hencefoorth let hym imbrace , And take more hede an other tyme .

¶ A briefe description of wysedom and folly in gouernance . WHere wysedome beareth sayle , In shyp of common wealth , Lyke are they not to fayle , Lawe , loue , good hope and : health , Iustyce shall there auayle , All wrong to ouerthrowe , Mendyng both hygh and lowe . In lyke wyse and maner , Of folly to defyne , Ryght may no rule beare there , Debate so doth enclyne : And peace can there be none , Ye may therof be sure : Nothyng but payne and mone . Euer doo fooles procure .

¶ A briefe Description of truthe and falsehode . TRuthe shall triumph and falshode fayle , Hope in the Lord so hath vs taught : Of falshode shall the cunnyng quayle , Most , when she hath her malice wrought : As of the truth it is the guyse , Suppresiyng wrong , and then to ryse . Why then doth falshode make her bost , Of her dedes as they should endure : Only a whyle they rule the rost , Doubtles theyr buyldynges are not sure . Myschief to doo they men allure : And yet is all that they inuent , Nothyng stable ne permanent .

¶ An exhortation to truthe , fayth and vertue . EXamyn well thyne inward spryte , Directe thy wayes with perfectnes : Make streyght the thynges that are not right Vexe not thy frend with vnkyndnes . No lye for gayne see that thou make , Do nothyng yll for frendshyp sake . Haue styll in mynde the truth , which sayth , All thynges are vayne that haue an ende . Let all thy workes be done in fayth , Lyke that whpch Christ doth most commend .

¶ A description of mans lyfe both in his owne affections and vertues . WE may by profe behold and see , In thys world what is mans delyghte , Lewde is our lyfe naturally , Lacke yf we doo gods holy sprite , Iniurie , hate , wrath , and despyghte . All that to payne shall vs procure , Most we frequent and put in vre . In vertue y●t those that doo dwell . Occasyons yll they wyll eschue , Remembryng that suche as doo well , Doubtles the Lorde wyll them endue , All goodnes that they may ensue . Yea and them kepe so safe and sound , None ill shall them hurte or embrace , Endeuoryng styll iust to be found .

A frendly aduertisement . REioyce in him that did thee make , In weith and we haue him in mynde , Conceaue none ill , all vyce forsake : Helth in thy soule so shalt thou fynde . And wh●re thou art a louyng frynde , Reuoke it not , but stay thee there , Decaye no loue but hate forbere . To proued frendes commit thy trust , And ●lee from suche as fayne and glose , Note one thing well , and kepe it iuste , No secret of thy frende disclose , Except counsell disdaine it not , Repent thou mayst els well I wot .

That selfe loue and auarice , weare neuer true friendes . MAruell not , though the faunyng tongue All other doth excede in guile , Rather thinke howe the foulers song In to the net doth byrdes bewyle . In couetise or in self loue , S● that ye put no stedfast trust : Leste confused your fansie moue , Euer complainyng of th uniust .

A description of frendship . IN frendship true there surely is Of nothyng lacke , or scarcetie , He whiche is frendly doth not mys , No tyme his frende to gratefye . Neuer therfore was frendshyp found , In selfe loue , or in auarice : Contrarily it doth abound , Occasion shewde in exercise , Loue neuer doth his frende despyse , Sure frendshyp knoweth not hir owne . Of this description to the wyse , Now henceforth may frendship be knowne .

An opening of the rude peoples inconstancie . REade who so wyll in wyse wryting , It shall be easy to conclude , Commonly how the rashe doynges , Haue of the moste fonde multitude Alwayes bene vayne and very rude . Rauyng they doe reuers certayne , Deuise of wyse men to disdayne . Haue in their mynd therfore this feare , Of their dedes be suspicious : Out of all doubt theyr fond maner Can not be but pernicious . At all tymes therfore let the wyse Reuoke their wayes and enterpryse .

That flattery and sclaunder are of all wyse men to be taken hede of . RIfe in this life is rude reporte , Of suche as order doe disdaine : But who so wyll to blysse resort , Auoyde must all their scouldinges vayne : Regardyng in his mynde all whole , To runne a pace and wynne the gole . Trust not to much the faynt frendshyp In suche as flatter for a gayn , Ne yet the leude and lying lyp , Lyke one lyke other is certayn . Ye therfore ought him well to proue , Endeuor that ye doe to loue .

That a constant mynde is a great pyller of bodily health . HEalth of body for to procure Expediente a constant mynde : Nothyng doth better be you sure , Dircet you helth and welth to fynde : Remember that the lyfe vnstable , Is founde in no man commendable . For custome ( Aristotle sayth ) Is lyke to an other nature , So that he whiche him therin staith . Hath good assurance long to dure , And who the same to rente is ryfe , Regardeth neither helth nor lyfe . REspect euer and haue regarde , Ill men from good for to deuide , Constantly kepe both watche and warde Hate ill mens dedes on euery syde . Agayne with iust men at eche tyde , Regarde to dwell , and them frequent , Decyse with them your whole intent . Beneuolence se you bestowe Alwayes on suche as loue vertue , Regarde also to ouerthrowe Hatefull synners , who vice ensue , And alwayes company the wyse : Make spede from vyce and fooles despise .

A commendacion of vertuous exercise . INuention of the mynd ingenious Of godly thyngs and of humane science , Hath & shall be with men good & righteous , Noted styll as a poynt of excellence . Continue styll then in thy diligence . Let not the world pluck back thy good intent , And sure god wyll alwayes be thy defence Regardyng thee and thy doynges decente . Know that the lord is styl the good mans guide , Enuyronyng his ways on euery syde .

Against vndecent busy medlers in other mens vocation neglecting their owne . REason would that in the publique estate , Of evry realme , where order would be had , Because therby the better to voyde hate , All suche should be estemed to be mad , Rudly that wyll his own calling forsake , To vse others , hym self a f●ole to make . Better it were that eche in their degree , Endeuour would to folow their own art , Then fondly as experience we may se , In breaking order cause the selues to smarte . Nothing on earth , the which hath vndone mo , God for their plage hath wylde it to be so . For c●rteynly the vncontented mynde , Extreamly doth hym selfe therby torment , Lyuing ●o get they do many fetes fynde , Dotyng in all that euer they inuent , Euer therfore to constancie be bent .

Of fortune . WHo so would know what fortune is To Chilons answer take goo hede . When lyke demande as nowe is this To hym was put , he sayde in dede : A leche right leude , they did hir fynde That trusted hyr : she made them blynde .

Or thus out of Iustinus . EXamples great were without ende , Vneth possible to be toulde , I myght vnto the mynde commend , Therin to stay if now I should : Howe changeable howe frayle and fond Is fortune for to vnderstonde . Whiche neuer yet made any ioye But sorowe strayght ensude the same , And doth hir selfe prepare to noye Moste when the semes to noryshe fame : Nor neuer strake the sorow stroke , But where she first with ioye did mocke .

Of honor out of Tully . HOnor as Tully doth wysly repete In , wyse men doth norysh both wisdom & skill , And prayse in the wyttes doth kyndle a heate , And also to study doth sturre vp the wyll .

Of glory . IN thre thinges it doth well appeare Where perfect glory doth remayne . The first is where as far and nere The multitude in loue doth reygne , The second is as I perceaue , Where they to good opinion cleaue . The thyrd is where they maruel much At vs , and doe vs well esteme , And thynke vs able to be suche As they of worshyp worthy deme : And so with loue and good pretence Doe gladly geue vs reuerence .

Of vain glory . Of this vyle worlde the vayn glory Is a swetnes full of deceit , A feare fyxed continually , Aduancement bydyng dangers bayte : A thyng begon without foresyght , And endes without repentance quight .

¶ Or thus . By clymyng hyghe did neuer ioye So swyftly yet ensue , As ( in the fallyng downe to wo ) Our sorowes doe vs rue . Nor yet renoume by victory , Doth not so muche inflame : As doth in ruyne vyle reproch● Of follye , vs to shame .

Of grace out of S. Bernarde . In three thinges lo consisteth grace ▪ Ryght well to knowe as I doe thynke , Of faultes nowe paste abhor the trace , And present ioyes despyse and shrynke : Desyryng only thynges to come , Prepared for vs all and some .

Of temperance out of Plutarche . WHat may we thynke that man to lack In any one degree , To lyue in ioye and perfect welth , And pure felicitie . Whose vertue lo doth hym discharge From sorowe and from feare , His temperance constreigneth hym All extremes to forbeare : And calleth hym from carnall luste , In thoughte , in worde and dede , That in reioycing folyshly He neuer doth excede .

Of tale bearers out of saynt Hierome . The tale bearer that wicked man Whiche by his synfull sleyght , Doth mynysh loue betwene true frendes , Through his most vyle deceyte , Offendeth in muche worse degree , Then he that would constrayne The meate out of the beggers mouth , Whom hunger sore doth payne , For loke howe muche the soule excedes This mortall body here : So is the foode that fedes the soule More precious and more dere , And much more ought estemde to be , Then that whiche here doth fede Oure carein vyle , that dayly doth Offende in worde and dede .

Of virginitie . THe holy man faynt Ciprian In praysing of virginitie . Syster of angels cald it than , To vanquysh lustes valiently : Of vertues lo she is prynces All good thinges eke she doth possesse . A maydens speache should be therfore , In sobernes ryght circumspect . Let bashfulnes also be more Then eloquence in all respect , Apperyng seld , few tymes and rare , Vse well the eares , the tongue to spare . When that ye speake , speake so that men , May wonder at your shamfastnesse , When ye speake not prouyd that then , They may lykewyse your sobernesse . Lo these fewe thyngs that I haue sayd , Should be the garments of a mayd .

¶ Of Arrogancie in studentes . ALl arrogancie from study seclude , Lest thou remayn styll vnlerned and rude , For all that the best learned man doth know , Would make a baren and very bare showe , His knowyng with vnknowing , if wer in sight , For why hys ignorance is infinit , Wherfore the cumbrance of arrogancy , The greatest hyndrance is vnto study . For many myght haue come to wysdoms lore , If they had not thought themselues there before

¶ Of reuerence to age . AGe and discretion in any wyse , Loke that thou reuerence , and therto arise : Geue place and hede therto with diligence . For therin consysteth great exyerience . For if thou wilt here an vpryght lyfe lyue , At theyr handes thou shalt that knowlege atchiue : Wyth godly lyfe , and true felicitie , In graue iudgement and worldly policy .

¶ Of truth and falshode . Truthe doth wyth truth for euer consent , But falshode with falshode nor truth no● content . ¶ Of Inhumanitie . OF great rudenes it is an argument , And that he is both proude and insolent , In stout disdeyn that wyll styll remayn mute . To those that gently hym greete and salute . Or yf that we should not agayne for our part , Shew the ryght fruite of a gentyll heart , To wyshe well to them that wyshe well to vs : We might wel be thought beastly and barbarous .

¶ Of constant temperance . Though fortune her face turne from the & fayle , Be of good chere , let not thy hearte quayle , For oft after mornyngs carefull and sad , Succedeth euenyngs both mery and glad .

Of truth and lying . As profyt by lying is vncertayne gayne , Which can not long dure , nor stedfast remayn : So damage that men by truth get among : Such trouble I say can not hynder long .

Of the errors of the common rude multitude . LOdouicus Viues in sentence playn , With words that be wyse affirmeth certayn , That th opinions of people tumultous , Is commonly hurtfull and pernicious . Theyr braynes and heads so grossly vnderstond , That all theyr iudgements are foolysh and fond . For truly the vulgar people ay is , Scholemaister of errores , and thynges amys . There is nothyng vpon this earth therfore , That in our study we should seke for more , Then hym to bryng that knowlege would obteyn , By wysedomes rule , in which he taketh peyn , That he eschewe the iudgement vayn and rude Of the most waywarde wauryng multitude . Fyrst therfore that he then be not infect , It doth behoue hym styll for to suspect , What so the multitude with great assent , Seme to allow with theyr common consent : By suche wyse mens rules tyll he them well try Whose measure is vertue , to proue matters by .

¶ Agaynst vayne apparell , out of Lodouicus Viues . GArmentes of profyt to couer the body , Were fyrst inuented by necessitie , Ryches and ryot found garments precious , Which vanitie formde with trycks superfluous . Thus in vestures the dyuers inuention , Hath drawne folke to prowd and folish contention And brought them to toyes hurtfull and vayne : For eche one would now great honor attayne , By that whych sheweth most our infirmitie , Our folly weakenes and great miserie .

¶ Agaynst anger out of the same Author . THe angry man for his countenance fell , His sharpe words and his dedes fierce & cruell , Doth ●ft lose much of his authoritie , Men from hym withdraw beneuolencie , His frends him forsake , and no man therfore Will gladly him mete , but all hym abhorre : Wherfore all wyse men of graue experience , Eschue nothyng more , nor more diligence Do vse in ought , then theyr anger to cloke , And all workes of yre to shunne and reuoke , In so much that they wrastle not only , Agaynst theyr nature and infirmitie , But spyght of her beard they put her to flyght . Ye gyue her the fall , and banyshe her quyght .

¶ Of frendes , out of the same Author . CHose them for no frendes in dede nor in woord , That wyll at thy lyfe styll gest mocke or boord , And suche as passe lyttle to scoffe at eche tyde , At that which most secrete thou woldest hyde : But yet most of all auoyde shun and flee The frendshyp of suche as quyckly wyll bee , For thynges of naught streyght at defyance , With theyr best trendes , kyndred and alyance , Reuengyng also them selues muche more Vpon suche as they haue loued before , Then on those foes whych they always dyd hate , And with whome they styll haue ben at debate , Persuadyng them selues most barbarously , That of theyr most frend the small iniury . It is to be forborne or suffred lesse , Then of theyr chief foe the most wickednes , Which vayne & vile wordes do shew forth & moue Declaryng most playn they neuer dyd loue , Sure yf they had , loue would haue extended , That they could not so much haue ben offende Make neuer no frendes of suche as be those , For better it were to haue them for foes .

Dulce bellum inexpertis . As flyes oft tymes in candle flame . Doo play tyll they be burnt and dye : So many thynke the warres but game , Wyth danger tyll the truth they trye .

Or thus . As Flyes delyght is oft to play , In candell flame tyll death they tast , So many wyll the warres assay , That after soone repent theyr hast .

That the riche and myghtie should not hate the poore and lowly . AS the grape beatyng vyne lyuely , The lyttle tree doth not despyse That doth hym beare , so should perdye , No great estate yf they be wyse , Dysdeyn the subiect or seruant , Whose ayde of force they may not want .

Or thus . Lyke as the vyne that flourysheth , With lyuely grapes and leaues moste g●●er The small tree neuer despyseth : That beares hym vp as it is seene . So ought no ryche nor hygh estate . The poore or symple wyght to hate .

¶ Of formed fyllets and disformed forheds . A Lady had a forhed fayre , Formed very feateously . For in the mydst a typ of heare Came downe before ryght proprely . Bothe sydes were bare and cowlyckt hye . Wherfore she dyd in hast deuyse , As in her glasse she late dyd prye . To forme her geare after that guyse . Her forhead clothes and other tyre , Were altred streyght vnto that lyke , On both sydes crokyng lyke a wyre , And downe before a prety pyke . All other women great and small , That dyd this trym newe trycke behold , Olde , yong , yea ryche and poore and all , Theyr forhed clothes so cut and fold . But some that fayne would so be drest , Dame Nature streyght denyd them that , They could not be trym lyke the rest , Theyr forheds lowe weare lyke a cat . To that whiche was to some decent , To others dyd as muche disgrace : Whiche caused them str●yght to inuent , So plucke the heare of from theyr face . Wherfore fyrst as the fayre lady , Her fyllet lyke her forhead formde , Some worked the cleane contrary , Theyr forheds lyke fyllets deformde .

¶ Sentences of the wyse Plato . OF all thynges the newest is best for behoue , Saue only of frendshyp and of frendly loue . Whych euer the elder and longer it dure , Is so muche the better more perfect and sure , Seneca . Wel may he be counted right valient in dede In ioye nor in sorow that doth not excede : The temperate man possesseth this treasure , Whose modesty moues hym styl to mynd measure . Socrates . Socrates calles it a great poynt of madnes , To be without measure in ioy or in sadnes . Plato . Idlenes doth ignorance as her fruite render . And ignorance euer doth error ingender . Aristoteles . Auarice doth gentlenesse styll away chase , Whiche good liberalitie ay doth purchase . Bias. Of Flatterers Byas dothe byd vs beware , And sayth that theyr speach is a hony swete snare . Salomon . As vnmete is honor fooles to assayle , As snowe in the sommer , or in harnest hayle Plato . Small errors not stayd at the fyrst but proced ▪ Wyl grow to great and huge mischefes in de● Plutarchus . The wyts which in age wyll excellent byde , By honest delyghtes in youth wyll be spyde . Chilon . Who can deny that man enuious to be . That sory is at good mens prosperitie , Socrates . An ignorant foole he is without mys , By counsell of women that gouerned is . Aristippus . He is without doubt a ryche man in dede , To borow or flatter that neuer had nede . Cicero . Wysdome as Tully doth wysely defyne , Is knowlege in thynges humane and deuirie . Xenophon . For worldly ryches be not to studient , Syth God hath prouided for eche man sufficient . Plutarche . For su●ficient thynges ought no man to pray , 〈…〉 doth God geue vnasked alway : But praye that thy selfe mayst alwayes be bent , With that whiche God geueth to be styll content . Pithagoras . Do ryght in your dedes to serue God if you lyst , In workes not in words doth Gods worship consist Socrates . Speake euer of God whyle talke doth endure , And God in thy mouth wyll good words procure . Solon . The soule that is iust , and purely doth meane , Doth neuer delyght in matters vncleane . Seneca . The good soules plant goodnes whose frute is saluation The wicked plante vices , their fruite is damnation . Truste not this world I saye in no wyse , Whiche neuer doth paye that it doth promyse . Pithagoras True frendship and frendes , ye surely shal finde : Where many pure hartes are made in one mynde . Xenophon . There neuer was frendshyp nor iustice certayne , Where nothyng among them in common doth rayne . To lyue without frendes would no man be glad , Of all kynd of welthe though plenty he had . Theyr frendshyp was neuer yet perfect and sure , That did become frendes for profite or pleasure . Socrates . Let wyse men aske counsell for that is good skyll . Lest somtyme theyr wits be myxed with wyll . To the wrathfull man or dronkard infect , Or he that is to a woman subiect , Commyt no secretes to any of those . For surely they can no counsell kepe close , Isocrates . He which to others good councell doth geue , Hym self to profyt begyns to atchieue . Seneca . He ( sayth Seneca ) is ryche and welthy , Which is contented with his pouertie . None in this lyfe lyue more certayn and sure , Then those that doo lacke ryches and treasure . Hermes . Receyue with pacience the wordes of correction , Though they seme greuous in thyne intellection . Discipline my sonne see thou apprehend , To grace and vertue so shalt thou extend . Plutarchus . Forget sone thy wrath , quench quickly that fyre , And to be reuenged haue no desyre . Socrates . A man well brought vp that doth so procede , Increasyng mo vertues , is perfect in dede . Shame and dyshonour , yll end , and damnatio● Doth lyght vpon ●●cherous abhomination . Socrates . I ryght good gyft is eloquence , Whyche doth in truthe shyne bryghtly styll : But vsed in falshodes defence : It doth corrupt and worke muche yll . Pythagoras . They which to sclander or to rob The dead haue theyr delyghte : Are lyke such dogges in fury that It stones do barke and byte , Plutarchus . Nothyng so muche dysprayseth one As dothe a mans owne prayse , And chiefly when he bosteth of His owne good dedes and wayes . Hermes . He that dothe good vnto hys frendes , Is counted wyse therfore : But who so dothe his enmy good , He is a man and more . As well men ought that benefytes In mynde shoulde euer cleaue , As they are glad in tyme of nede , Wyth handes them to reccaue . The gyftes of a frynde , Whose loue is not colde , Ought neuer in mynde To weare or waxe olde . The good wyll of the geuer ought To be regarded more , Then ys the value of the gyft Though it be great and store . Seneca . Of welth he shall haue no , That can not suffer wo. Smalle knowledge is in suche As vse to babble muche . Seneca . The wyse in deede , Dothe nothyng neede . Hermes . Beware well of spy●s , And tellers of lyes . Aristoteles . To delyght in treasure , Is a dangerous pleasure . Seneca . In a lyer doubtlesse , There neuer was goodnesse .

¶ A description of dignitie or true Noblenesse . IF thou a noble man wylt knowe , A great estate and honorable , He is ( as Chrysostome doth showe ) To vices nothyng seruisable : But dothe detest and muche disdayne , Subiect to be , to vyces vayne . If thou ( as Seneca doth tell ) A man wylt in sure wyse esteme , Or knowe hym perfectly and well , What he is , and so truely deme : Thou must hym see in fashion rare , That is to say naked and bare . Possessions let hym laye asyde , And put from hym authoritie : And let nothyng wyth hym abyde , But natures gyft and propretie : All fortunes fables in lykewyse Thou must in this thy serche despyse . In fyne and last of all the rest , Let hym put of hys owne body : And then beh●ld wythin his brest His soule , and vewe it certaynly : For so shall it be truely knowne . What he hath of his very owne . For it in me deserues no prayse . That I of others do receiue , For looke what nature me denayes , I can not haue , but doo deceiue , As wyth a false and fayned synne . Bragging with that which is not mine . He that can vices ouercome . Is then the chiefest conquerour . He that wyth vertue beareth roome , He is a man of great honour . He is noble and of great myght , That shunnyng wrong imbraceth ryght .

¶ The anotomy or particular description of a byrchen broome or besome : In the composition or makyng wherof , are conteyned .iii. notable Iustices or purgers of vices . A Byrchen besome that ye a broome calle . Is made of a wyth , a staffe , and twygs smalle : By whych all folke of eche age and estate , May gouerned be , yf nourture they hate , As fyrst the smalle twygges do serue a good shyft , The buttockes of boyes to hoyse vp or lyft . From which it is sometymes nedefull to draw , Abundance of bloud to kepe them in awe . The haft of the broome lyke purpose shall serue , To shrub well theyr backs that strypes do deserue And namely such knaues that are growne so bygge That they nothyng set by any small twygge . Therfore is the staffe a toole for the nones , To canuys theyr backes , or kydgell theyr bones . Then thyrdly the wyth wyll hang by the necke Such theues as feare not the strype nor the checke ▪ Thus in euery house .iii. Iustices reigne , Whyche the byrchen besom well doth conteyne : The hygh and the meane , and also the lowe , Th●yr offices all , ought eche man to know : By whom al such men must nedes passe theyr way The rules of reason that wyll dysobaye , The highest Iustice the necke wyll out stretche , The low from buttockes wyl skyn & bloud fetche , The meane must nedes shrobin the shoulders stout Of eche stubbern varlet lubber or loute , The lowe Iustyce nowe he that wyll reiect , Nor his lyfe by rule and compas direct , Neglec●yng the small , he stireth the great , The ha●te of the broome the shoulders ●must beat , By which back beatyng yf he wyll not mend The with must hym hang , and so hys lyfe end . Lo thus may they see that wisely behold , The besome hath vses many a folde , Besides that for which most men do them kepe , Namely theyr kitch●ns or houses to swepe : For he hath office mens vic●s to purge , By thre Iustice rules , that sharply wyll scurge . For who so euer they doo in hand take , Either good or dead they wyll hym sure ma●● : Good , if by vertue from vyce they wyll v●●y , Dead , yf by vyces they doo the contrary .

¶ The description & declaration of a monstrous chyld , borne in the towne of Maydston in the Countie of Rent , in the yeare of oure Saluation . 1561. the .xxix. daye of September , beynge Say●cte Mychaell the Archangels day , betwene two & thre of the clock in the mornyng , SIth monsters as some lerned men declare , Doo demonstrate , to vs oure monstrous lyfe , Repentantly let vs our hartes prepare , Synne to aduoyde , wherin our fete be ryse : For why we walke deuoyde of loue in stryfe , And for the most part councell men doo scorne , Which monstrous ways cause monsters to be borne Behold those eyes which monstrously strout out Which typeth foorth our boldnes to doo yll , And where it hath no forhead without doubt , The lacke of shame ryght playnly shew it wyll : Suche shameles grace we se frequented styll , Whyles we stoutly our naughty ways defend , And seme gods word to mocke and reprehend . It hath no necke , whych may also expresse , That lacke of loue doth reigne in euery wyght . No paps nor te●ts whiche signifieth no l●sse . But that we doo regard no truth nor ryght : To nouryshe vertue few haue nowe delyght , But pryde , and foolyshe fondeand vayn attyre . Of women chiefely nowe is the desyre , Such ruffes , such rolles , such folysh tricks beside , More heathenlyke then any Turke doth vse : In wycked waies thus bodly do we glyde , And holsom counsell most folke do refuse , Thus monstrously we walke in great abuse , As God by tokens dothe to vs declare , That paynfull plagues he doth for vs prepare . A hole it hath depe in the head behynd , Couered ouer with a fleshy flappe , Thus were these partes contrary vnto kynde : Which may declare and signify perhap , With feigned maners how we do vs wrap , Apperyng outwarde honest fayre and gay , Corrupted inward with most wycked way . The buttockes also ioyned are in one , Without a twyst the same for to deuyde , Yet some there were that looked it vpon , That toke great payne the matter for to hyde , Astribyng it to chaunce that myght betyde Vnto the woman , whyle she therwith went , As hurt or bruse , so vayn heads dyd inuent . But who that wyll discretely the same vewe , Shal fynd that God therin hath wrought his will And their surmyse to be false and vntrue , With lies that would our eares and wyt so fyll , That we shoulde not repent vs of the yll , That caused God therby vs to amend , Thys token great before our eyes to sende . Presumpteous boldnes in vnshamfast wayes , Is termes courage or au● aciue , But shame to sinne is counted now a dayes Great folyshnes , and dollysh dastardy . So ryfe so rype is nowe iniquitie , That fearful signes must faine be vs to teache , That no man els can doe although he preache . Let vs therfore haue sufficient regarde To these great workes of God shewed to vs : Least death and hell doe shortly vs rewarde , For these our sinnes that we committed thus , Let learned wits now more at large discusse , By these great monstrous tokens what is ment But in the meane space let vs all repent .

¶ An exhortation to al preachers of the Gospell , that they ought to preache as well in workes as with wordes : if they wyll preache profitably , namely to the conuertion of soules to the truthe . THe first mouer from easte to weste . That turnes the star●y sphere , Vnder the whiche the seuerall orbes The wandryng lyghts doe beare . By endles turnyng in that course That all men doe perceyue , Contrary to their stryuing waye , Whiche f●w folke can conceaue . Twelue thousand tymes hath borne the sonne This endles halle about , Beshyning all our hemisphere With beames ▪ most clere and stoute . ( Which cutting crosse our horizon The night away did dryue , And from this arke by glistryng light , Dyd darkenes styll depryue . ) Synce parentes procreation My lyfe did fyrst beginne , And nutriment performyng it , Tyll that I breth did wynne . And yet in this number of dayes I neuer could espie , Or on that wyght once fyx my looke , Or see hym with myne eye , That cary could a good report Vnto his finall graue , Whiche in this lyfe dyd not subdue The fleshe when it dyd raue : Or could not with a moste sharp byt The heady synnes refrayne , Subduyng frayle affections , As with a brydle rayne . No though he could well prophesis And profitably preache : And as a heauenly messenger , The gospell purely teache , If lyfe and conuersation Doth not therto accorde , His labours are abandoned , His preaching is adhorde . For in bare wordes doth not consist The pure sinceritie : But perfect works doth chiefly shew The Christian veritie . And only wyt in speakyng well , Doth shewe his force and myght : But wysdome euer is exprest , In dealyng iust and ryght . Thus wyt can say , but wisdom doth All thynges godly and iust . Wit in good words , wisdom in dedes Is knowne and well discust . As workes then doe all wordes excede , And doyng speache excell : Though wit may make a glorious shew , Yet wysdom beares the bell . How many preachers haue ben staynde That spake eloquently , Which wanting wisdom , could not work Therwith accordingly . Wherfore the wyse philosopher Vnhappy dyd them call , Whiche had a wyt , and neuer could Attayne wisdom withall . For wytte doth serue wisdom to learne , In eche reasnable wyght : Wherfore they are but beastes , who not In wisdoms schole delyght , If wysdoms worke then folowe not O● wy● what is th effecte : To what ende are these goodly wordes , If good workes be reiect . What are the frutes of lyvly fayth ? Whiche are the tokens true , Of those whom God in Christ our helth With grace doth styll reuewe ? Is it not lyfe agreable To that ye teache and saye ? Howe can ye otherwyse with glose These verities denaye ? To what end speake ye all these wordes Wherin ye so glory ? Is t not as good of godly dedes To tell an history ? Who best think you should me perswade Their churche and fayth to loue ? Or who to folow or beleue Should the moste mens hartes moue ? Of him that sayde , and no good dyd , Or he that helde his peace , Walkyng a go●● and Christian lyfe Among the 〈◊〉 prease ? Though faith by hearing come in dede , Whiche I will not denye : Wordes voyde of workes did neuer yet Worke halfe effectually . It is but lyke the flowers gaye That floryshe fayre and grene , And wyther streyght as sone as sonne Doth whot vpon them shyne . Lyke wytherd haye vpon house tops , That many tymes doth growe : Whiche sodeynly doth spring and spreade , Makyng a braggyng showe : But streyght for lack of perfect roote Or grounde wheron to staye , It wytherd is , that no man can His handfull beare away . Wherfore vnles ye preach with works The frutes of wysdom pure , Your wytty wordes are vanitie , Your ground is nothyng sure . Howe some haue geuen vyle offence I nede not here to name , For wyse men wyll my meanyng see And doe but reade this same . And who so by an others fall Can staye and take good hede , That man to be wytty and wyse We shall beleue in dede . A buylder wyse vpon the rocke Christ doth hym ryghtly call , That doth the gospell heare or reade , And doe therafter shall . Contrarywyse the negligent That gods worde vnderstande , Are lykned to the folysh man That buylded on the sande . Of whiche he fyrst was able well All stormes for to abyde : Where as the last vnconstant was And subiect styll to slyde . Wherfore for Christes bloud I saye , Ye preachers all beware . And that your lyfe make none offence Se that ye set your care . For cursed are ye , if ye doe Gods worke negligently : And here I ende syth ye do knowe The same as well as I. But he that knowes his maisters w●● , ( Take this for your fare well ) And doth it not : with many stripes Shall beaten be in hell .

¶ Against the dissimulacion , craft , vn constancie , false dealing , gredy couetousnes , vntemperate eatynge and drynkyng , and incontinencie of an old man , and the cause why the author & others forsoke & refused the societie of suche one . O Monstrous satyre Of insaciat mynde , Whose fylthy desyre All vertue doth blynde . Can neyther thyne age Nor experience , The vyle lust aswage Of concupicence : Can not the balde hed , With bearde and heare whyte , Once stande thee in sted To brydle delight ? Can not the dimme eyes And nere foure score yeres , Once make the despyse That in thee apperes ? How shall the young man His wayes reforme then , As Dauid doth scan : When suche are ould men ? If learnyng nor tyme , Nor number of dayes , Can scoure away cryme , The cause of disprayse ? Nor scripture studie In suche a long space , Made at hande redy Assistance of grace ? How canst thou thy self● Gods messenger name ? Syth in this vyle pelfe , Thou semest past shame ? But what man hath sene As yet other frute , In suche as haue bene So beastly and brute ? With God and man to Dissemblyng to lye : Where all that they doe Is Hipocrisye . For he that wyll cloke The enmies of God , And saye they reuoke , ( That God hath forbod ) To shelde them from lawe , And danger of cryme , By crafte for to drawe And detract the tyme : How shall we hym thinke The brydgroms true frende , That falsly doth shrynke From hym to the fende ? And that to make truse Betwene wolues & shepe , Good men to misuse That dyd the flock kepe , Betwene saynctes & dogs What feloshyp is : Betwene fylthy hogges And chyldren of blis ? Betwene the elect ▪ And vyle reprobate ? Betwene the reiect , And blessed estate . Betwene good and bad , Betwene heauen and hell ? Betwene subiect sad And traytrous rebell ? Then those that proteste , Suche vyce to forsake , Howe can they requeste , A peace for to make ? Making but one churche Of vertue and vyce ? How falsly suche lurche , Is knowne to the wyse : If riotously To lashe out and waste , Moste prodigally Of deynties to taste . The redyest waye be , To please God aryght , And Gods face to se And serue hym in spryte . If to be careles , To burden ones frende , And to make redres Haue neuer in mynde , Borowyng frankly , No caryng to pay : And somtyme falsly To shyft so away : If to be wandryng So fugitiuly . Leauyng the lyuyng Sure and constantly . Intendyng therby With sl●yghtes to deceaue● , With sub●iltie slye , Both to take and leaue . If bybbyng of wyne Tyll belkyng boyle out , Be the true ryght lyne , To fynde heauen out . If lasciuious talke , Prouokyng to synne , Be the way to walke Heuen blysse for to wynne . Then fare well saye I All workes and vertue , We may well defie All good dealyng true . But wo worth that suche Had euer the place , That so and so muche The truthe doe disgrace . Why takste in thy mouthe My worde sayth the lord ? That hast from thy youth All vertue abhord . Thy lyfe to accord , Doste also despyse : Myxyng with my word , Papystry and lyes . If these causes nowe , Be full sufficient , Suche to dysallowe , And from hym discent . Also to abstayne Hym to hyde or cloke , Hys doynges refrayne , And also reuoke : My frendes I desyre , That they beare wyth me , Though I doo retyre , And from suche one flee . For I thynke the pot Scant whole wyll appere , Nor from fylthy spots The water be clere . And rather I sure Had lyfe to forgo , Then with mynde vnpure , Affectionat so . With suche one to beare , In suche confusion , That can not forbeare His frayle affection .

¶ A song against the sinful time wherin all thynges are out of order , and synne groweth nere vnto rypnes . IT is not tyme That synne and cryme , Myght cease that ye might mend ? Can plague nor payne Make you refrayne , Nor from wickednes wende ? Shall eche brother Malyce other ? Can nothyng you perswade , Once to tender Eche good member Whom Christ hath bought & made ? Syth ye professe Of faythe no lesse Then the Apostles all : Should you d●spyse Thus eche good guyse , With lyues most sensuall ? Can one vessell At once expell From hym both swete and sowre ? Or can a man Any tyme whan At once both laughe and loure ? As wolues wroth Your selues ye cloth In lambe skinnes to seme good , Hipocrites subtill Haue hartes styll britle , Two faces in one whoode . Commend they wyll Gods swete worde styll , As though they lovd it well : Yet they vary Most contrary Vnto that pure gospell . In psalmes saying And in praying They seme to haue perfection : Yet their delyght , Is all in spyght , Whiche is a great infection . In wrathe and pryde , From grace they slyde , Wyth fylthy fornication : Enuy and hate , Excesse , debate , And all abhomination . In auarice , Beyond all cyse , And arrogant ambition , Although they feyne , An other veyne , They maynteyne superstition . And he is well , That can excell , In vice and fylthynes : Suche stryfe to wynne The price of synne , Was neuer sene I gesse . Fylthy l●cur , Dothe them procure , To parcialytie : For worldly gayne , They all are fayne , To worke iniquitie . They prate and pray , And well can say , To purchas them promotion , The worlde to wynne , They susteyne synne , So vayne is theyr deuotion . Flattryng they fleare , Eche other in theare , To worke theyr wycked mynd . They sclandryng s●ay , Good men eche ●ay . As beastes that passe theyr kynd . They f●yne a face . To runne the race , As men of Christ elect : And yet in d●de . They do● procede Wyth ●yues synfull infect , They flatter can , With e●ery man , Where gayne may so be wonne : Longer then gayne , They not remayne , Their frendshyp streight is done . They wyll be meke , And humbly crepe , Where they no frendshyp beare : Tyll theyr purpose , They may vp close , And thēstreight ways they ●care On promyse they , No farther stay , Then lucre doth extende : No fayth nor truthe , In age nor youth , But falshode all attende . Muche they pretende , Fautes to amende , And doe for common welth : Wher in the end They nought intend , But priuate gayne and stelth . Ca me ca thee , This styll we see , They wynke at wyckednes : None but the poore Doth wrynge therfore , And suffer the distres . With hartes moste stout , They snuffe the snout , Lyke swyne that smell their swyll , With haulty harte , And mynde peruarte , To worke their wicked wyll . Suche they oppresse As in distresse , Do wante both helpe and ayde : Their cruell myndes , As fierce as fyndes . By no meanes can be stayde . No fayth we see , On earth to bee , Nor yet iustice or ryght : But bearyng out Of falshod stout By office poure and myght . Wherfore the day , At hande I say , Of force muste nedes appere , This worlde to burne , That thus dothe turne , To worse from yere to yere .

¶ A meruavlous dreame of the Author : Anno. 1561. WHen in the lyon Phebus had , Obteynde the seuententh grade , And on the bulles necke , Ioue ridyng The twyns for to inuade . And Saturne slow had in the Crab Then entred one degree , Mars from the waterman regre●t , The goate agayn to see . And Venus by coniunction , Wyth Phebus late had lyne , By backward course as she returnde In Leone the sygne . And Mercury the messenger , In May last past , was sent , By myghty Ioue , from out the bull , And nowe in vyrgyn went . Dyrectly walkyng through that sygne . The balance to pervse , And in September turne and shew To Phebus all the newes . Diana , rydyng on the ramme , Dyd on her brother looke : Wyth tryne aspect , as wyth the lyke Dame Venus late she tooke . Intollerable was the heate , That Titans burnyng beames Gaue on the earth when he put foorth His bryght and shynyng leames , Which parching heat , had made the corne Eche where to change hy● hewe , Whych warning gaue , that husbandmen Wyth sythes and sycles newe . Should nowe prepare to cut and bynd , And in theyr barnes preserue , Suche necessary foode as myght , For wynters nede well serue . What was the cause I leaue to say But sodeynly that nyght , Suche tempest rose of wynd and rayne , And lyghtenyng in syght . With thunder strokes most terrible , And hasty stormes of hayle , As though God wyth destruction , Would then the world assayle . When. iii , long howres this sturdy storme Had hys continuance , It dyd asswage , and gan to go , In farre other dystance . And the deepe nyght approchyng fast , From prayre to slepe I fell , And suche a dreame to me apperde , As strange is for to tell . Me thought I stoode vpon a hyll Where I hard by myght see , In a lowe playne of all estates , A multitude to bee . Where euery sort and eche estate , Dyd stryue and muche contend , The gredy gayn of gold to wyn Theyr hunger had none end . So muche to gold theyr loue ape●de , That nought els myght he founde , To wyn or please , or to haue fame , Or in wealth to abounde . There saw I kyngs and rulers great By tyranny to reigne : Wheras the great consuinde the small , And wysedom dyd disdeyne . Theyr subiects when they had opprest By heapyng of muche golde : They straight became ambicious , Yea arrogant and bolde . Theyr own realms could not then content , Theyr spendynges to discharge : But they must conquere others ryght , Dominions to enlarge . And so wyth bloudy victory , Great terrour and dystresse , Of many poore , at last by force They others lande posseste . Which notwythstandyng of .iii. heyres Was not inherited : But was agayne wyth losse and shame Forgone and home rendred . And others as ready agayne , Wyth lyke them to acquite , As they before weare for to wynne , And conquere others ryght . There sawe I iudges in lyke case , Whose mynde dyd whole depende , For hym to doo that most w●lo geue , And plentyfully spende . For brybes & giftes bare all the sway , In matters of the lawe , For gayne of golde , and for no ryght , All matters dyd they drawe . All officers I dyd beholde From moste vnto the least : Whych without brybes had no regard , To any mans request . Yea offices were solde and bought And not for vertue gaynde : But all for gould , thus went the world , For gould were all retaynde . A foole as sone should haue to doo , To rule a common weale : As should the wyse : vules by mede He dyd his offyce steale . Yet some desyre ( I not denye ) Of gold was to this ende : The glutton gutte of Epicure , To fyll full and extende , For in some place no dronkard can So ofte yll rule repayre . Nor yet frequent the tauerne more , Then shryfe Iustyce or Mayre . The spectacle of all excesse , And mysrule to infect , Was sene of them that ought of due , Suche vyces to correct . The ryche dyd poore men vndermynd , To make them trauell sore : And yet drue backe beneuolence , And wages not the more . But rather dyd wythdrawe the due , They ought to haue of ryght : For pryuate gayue thus waded they , Wyth all theyr powre and myght . To promyse or to counant made , There no man had regarde : For gayne of golde all thynges vndyd , Theyr doynges well declarde . No lease so good had any man , Nor bonde so surely made : But golde was able to vndoo , And vtterly to quade . Who had no gold , vnable was , Hys owne ryght to retayne : Ne without gayne no kynde of force Myght permanent remayne . Ryght many that good science had Vpryghtly wyth to lyue : To tauerne and to typple fell , Therto them selues to gyue . Estemyng gayne therby to ryse , Muche more abundantly , Then by the former trade they vsde , With lyuyng decently . And dyuers artes theyr trade did leaue , Wyth hurt of common weale : Forstallyng corne and v●ctuals all , Vyle gayne therby to steale . The cobler , tynker , and the smyth , Theyr labour gan to leaue : More gold to gayne by phisykes art , And therwyth dyd deceaue . So leapt foorth Loy the loyterer , That no man myght hym let , To be a priest or mynister , An ydle gayne to get . Wyth gold some bought theyr benefice In hope more gold to reache : Whych to attayne is all theyr cure , For nothyng els they preache . Vnlearned though they latine lappe Before the symple folcke , As yf a sowe should spyn and twyst Of from a lynn●n rocke . The byshops once confirmde in see , Regarded idell thryft : To preache or teache they toke no care , For golde was all theyr dryft . The superstitious hipocrite , Styll helde antiquitie , In hope to gayne if change may hay To buylde iniquitie , Eche varlet in hys brauery , Affyrme may what he lyste : Yea openly agaynst the lawes , They dayly doo resyst . Thus gayn of gold hath made the lawes Voyde , and of noue effect , The godly preachers rayled on , And theyr doctrine reiect . Thus is theyr golde or Mammon vsle Theyr onely lorde and God : For it they onely seke and serue , Though Christ haue it forbod . The laboryng man would for his payn , Be wagde with double hyre , Or els would loyter , and not worke At any mans desyre . For whiche at last some did pretend To make a quick redres : But all their dedes did rather turne Vnto double distres . For as the common saying went , Who so a tree would fell , Hard to the roote must put his axe , If he wyll doe it well : And not begyn small toppes to shred , And let the stock alone : For so mo twygs wyll growe agayne , ●o thus dyd poore men grone . The pryce of fermes must fyrst fal down Vnto their ancient rate , Or t is ye shall reforme to ryght No degree or estate . If ye meane right , first ba●e the pryce Of that whiche is your owne : So howe to mende after that rate Shall easyly be knowne . But whylst your selues wil not debate Your rentes and gredy gayne , Your study of amendement In others is but vayne . Of takers and commyssioners , There myght one see a sort , For gayne of gold begyle theyr prince And his subiectes extort . Of all thyngs would they double take , And sell the resydue : Thus bothe to prince and people to , These wretches were vntrue . In lyke sort bayliffes playd theyr part In gettyng gold with wrong : And somners whyche causde many one To syng a sory song . These could make one wryte double seru● As many mo as nede : And for a brybe the same discharge : Thus falshode hath decrede . All marchants ther me thought I saw Wyth many a subtyll shyfte , The gredy gayne of gold to wyn , By false and theuysh dryfte . So saw I crafts men leaue theyr art , And fall to husbandry : Leases ouer theyr neyghbors head , To that intent they buye . Whiche made the rent of lands to ryse , From fyue vnto a score : Suche great enormitie as thys , Euen Nature doth abhore . Vnlawfull gayne and vsury That execrable vse I sawe frequented commonly : Whyche was a great abuse . Ryght many heyres full rychely left Were therby cleane vndone , By craft and guyle therin conteynd , Wyth crafte thus haue they done . Some gafyng vp vpon the sterres , Wyth vayne deludyng Iapes , Deceaued many symple folkes , And mocked them lyke apes . Theyr learnyng in Astronomye , Was scarsely worth a myte : Although of it was all theyr boste To blynde the peoples syght . The dyuels arte they do frequent , And therwith tell muche newes : The christen flocke thus they peruert , Wyth moste hatefull abuse . For chyldren now are scarsly borne But streyght they wyll apply , Theyr goodes to spend on such as bost They can well domifye . And calculate what shall become Hereafter of that chylde : Wyth vanitie for gayne of gould Thus was that place defylde . When things were lost or stolue by theues These hypocrites dyd gase , Vpon the sterres , and sometymes told That dyd the people mase . For easy sure by suche deceyght , Among the people rude It is , with counterfeatyng face , Them to mocke and delude . And hatefull wytches euery where , With hurtfull wordes and charme , Both men and cattell dyd destroy , Committyng endlesse harme . And thys they dyd , that dayly men Myght seke that trade vnto : The grysly grefes by wytches done , By wytche crafte to vndoo , And in thys wyse some gayned so , That nought were worthe of late , That they could buy and trymly buylde , At thys present estate . And some for gayn wyth the lyke arts , Diuyne and prophecie , And promyse many thyngs to come By suche fals trechery . From crowned kyng to pesant poore , No degree or estate , Escape could , that they would not ●e , With them vold to checke mate . Noble printes that diademe And scepters iustly heare , To Iudge theyr endes most hatefully , These dyuels doo not feare . Suche trayterous kynd of prophesies , Wherin they closely mell , And dayly doo the same frequent , A strange thyng were to tell . For which cause some by coniuryng , The wycked spirites rayse , And trouble all the elementes In these moste hatefull dayes . Howe they doo offer sacrifice Vnto the fende of hell : Sometyme of theyr owne flesh & bloud Whyche therfore they doo quell . And how they cast theyr soules away . In most damnable wyse , By felowshyp with damned sprites , Is knowne vnto the wyse . I sawe also lyke fugitiues , Ryght many foorth dyd straye , With beastly gau●es & makyng shiftes , with fonde and theuyshe playe . Of these many were Iuglers lewde , And some had apes and beares , And some had fo●●yshe puppet playes . And therby great gayne reares . Some throw ● houpe would trimly daunce , And some with hoby nagge For gayne of gold wold play trim tricks , With turne round kycke and wag . And many mynstreis there I sawe , Whych money to attayne , For eche mans fansy had a song , Though they were naught and vayne . Yea popysh songes for popyshe folke , And eke for men demure , They wold haue songs that framed were Out of the gospell pure . And fylthy songes for fylthy folke , That therin had delyght , And gold to wyn they would not shunne To doo all thynges vnryght . And some agayn by palmestry , Mens fortunes would disclose : As beggers throng vnto a dole , So many went to those . And gaue them money liberally , To tell them lying tales : Of which these wreches haue great store When they vndoo theyr males . To these vayne women much resort , The chiefe cause is to heare , Howe many husbandes they shall haue As it dothe oft appeare . And robbe theyr husbands on this ●ort Suche lewde men to reward : So muche to change and gayn therby , It semeth they regard . These knaues would whyster in theyr eares And would dysclose eche marke . That on theyr bodyes these folkes had In secrete place or darke . O mystresse ye haue suche a mol● Or marke in suche a place : And suche a wart I know it well By lookyng on your face . Vpon your belly is a marke , A wart vpon your brest , And on your foote a lyttle mole , ( I know them most and lest . ) And more then thys iwys I know , If all I should you tell : Then would ye blushe and be abasht , Therfore I wyll not mell . But wyll be sylent in all thynges , Saue that you do require , In whych I shall my mystresse fayre , Accomplyshe your desyre . Lo streyght these folks are mad in lust And most beastly affection , To heare these lyes of crafty theues , O most hatefull infection . How long shall suche consumyng ●ot hes , And hatefull caterpyllers , Be suffred thus ●o hurt and spyll , The fruits of honest iyuers , How longe shall they be maynteyned , And scape all punyshment ? Suche theues I mean as gather gold , By craftes that they inuent . From shyre to shyre , from towne to towne And styll from place to place , These theues dyd flecte vupunyshed , And none dyd them deface . The rable rune of ruffyen roges , Dyd furnyshe vp the trayne Of such as lyude by robbery , Gold to gette or obtaync . Of these some cut the poore mans purfe , An other dothe conuaye : And worse then this they cut mens throtes To gette that wycked pray . Some in a bushe would closely lurke For thys most fylthy gaynes , And wyth a club most murderously , Knocke out the true mans braynes . But others in more stoute order In companyes would wayght , Of suche as trauayle by the way , To make theyr golden bayght . Stand sayth the thefe , and streyght his ma●e Sayth , Delyuer thy purse : Lo thus they snatche that others get , Among them to disburs . There sawe I also rat catchers , And suche as teethe dyd drawe , Lyke fugitiues and vagabundes , Contrary vnto lawe . Cloke ouer many shyftyng mates , That lyue by rape and spoyle . Among that flocke I you assure , They kept a shamefull coyle : And many wyth a pedlers packe ▪ To sell bothe pynnes and lace , Resorted to eche cockbeld fayre : Onely but for a face . To make folk thinke they come to sell , Where they come but to steale : What nede I say , how hurtfull these Be to a common weale ? When some of these were spyde & take And before Iustyce brought : Then theyr moste wonder was of all , What wyckednes gold wrought . For golden brybes there myght a man See false theues lette slyp go : And where no gold was , pickery Enough was them to sio . Where golde hare rule wylful murder Was made but chaunce medlye , And chaunce ●●dlye was murder made : Where golde was but skantye . Thus lyfe & death , yea yapne and ●ase . Hong all on wycked mede : For the attaynyng of the same , All mens maners agrede . For gredyly they gryped it . By hooke or crooke eche where : And to be brie●e none other thyng Authoritie could beare . For God nor kyng none dyd regarde In respect of the same : And other ende saue onely it , Had neyther worke nor game . For some there were with testyng tricks That laughter coulde prouoke : And golde to gayne wyth thys theyr art , They had a ready stroke . Some were so vayne to laugh at suche That measure cleane they mys , As though they had wyth myrre & wyne Dronke G●lothophilis . Yea wyse men wold them surely d●●e Cleane gone besyde theyr wyltes , If they should see them gape and laugh , And gygle so by fyttes . Corne , lether , leade , wood , and falte hyd●●● By stealthe some dyd conuaye , For priuate gayne they brake the lawes , To common wealthes decay . Suche wayes to wyn , and goulde to gayn , No othes but they were sworne : Thus as they myght the lorde hym selfe , Wyth othes was all to torne . Some by the foote , some by the handes Some by the head , and harte : Some by hys guts , some by hys ●yes , Some by his deathe and sinarte . Some by the fayth they owe to God , Would sweare and falsly lye : And some as God should be theyr iudge , Dyd vse theyr falshode slye . Eche science eke in theyr degree , I sawe tosse and turmoyle , Falsly to wyn they counterfete , In theyr trauayle and toyle . True workmanshyp was turnde to slyght , Wyth falshode to beguyle : The trusty trade eche man refusde For gayne of gold so vyle . No man myght at hys ▪ worde be trust , For vnder sugred talke , Deceyt was ment and subtiltie , In falshode thus they walke . Eche man to hys inferiou● A cruell Cyclops seinde : The great the small dyd quite confume , Wherfore hell I it deinde . With balance false , and weyghtes vntrue And measure of lyke cyfe , Eche one an other dyd deceaue , And truthe all dyd despyse . The husbandman and other lyke , Dyd benefyces buye : Wherby the man should lyue that taught The people faythfully . So were the people all vntaught , And blyndly were they led , Whyche made them irreligious , For fayth was from them fled . Thus simony and sacrilege , And all extortion , Was laufull gayn , naught came amys , That profyte hanged on , Wyth colour of symplicitie , And fayned holynesse . Me thought I sawe muche gold was go● , Oh wofull wyckednes . False wytnes , whordome and excesse Were vsde for gayn of golde : And fynally all wyckednesse , For lucre was extolde . Great murder , theft , and robbery , Thys gredy hunger bred : Rauyn , dysdeyne , and periurye , For golde was commytted . I well perc●●●●●● kynd of folk● , There were , but all were bent To brybe● and to vnlaufull gayne , Wyth moste wycked intent . What shall I say , yf I should her● Theyr whole deceytes reherse ? An huge long boke I myght well ●yll , Wyth thys my ragged verse . If some of them in theyr desyre , Theyr gredy wyshe myght haue , All that they touche shold turne to gould , As Midas once dyd craue . Who sterued had because his meate , Dyd all to golde conuert , If Bacchus had not then wytsaft That sentence to reuert . Who taught hym then for remedy , Pactolus to washe in , Whyche is a streame in Lydia , Wyth golden grauell fyne . I musyng muche at theyr vsance , It caused me to feare , ( Theyr mynds so beastly semde to be ) That Ci●ce had ben there . Who ●eygned was , that she by craft Of sorcerye coulde change , Bothe formes & myndes of men to beastes Whyche was a matter strange . For neuer tygre was more fierce , Then some dyd there appere , No swyne so fylthy nor so drunke , Nor glutton nothyng nere . In lechery they passe the Goate , And in theyr pompous pryde : The Lyon stoute they muche excede And that on euery syde . The subtyll foxe , the rauenyng wolfe , The enuyous serpent , The gredy Gryppe , the hasty Hounde , His game that fayne would hent , The cruell beare , the foolyshe asse , The harmefull mockyng ape , The gryffon , or the Antilope . Or Bygorne that dothe gape . The goryng Bull , the buttyng ramm● The scratchyng cat wyth clawe , In beastly ac●es may not compare , Wyth those that there I sawe . O God ( quod I ) what place is thys ? Is hell more odious ? My heart in great perplexitie , My clamor made I thus . Ye Muses nyne my comfort swete , Take pitie and drawe nere , Coequally by one consent , Lette come Arete dere . That she thys doubt may me dissolue , And that she may me learne , Howe I may knowe what place is this , And all this folke decerne . Of mercy oh my dere delyght , Arete I thee calle : Approche vnto thy seruant poore , Or peryshe els I shall . O dulcet dere Arete fayre , Thy pro●ys nowe fulfyll , With me made when that I me bound To serue thee at thy wyll . Wyth thys me thought a thunder clay Made all the earth to shake : That I ab●sht and muche afrayde Dyd tremble sore and quake . Wherwith me thought Arete bryght , From heuen dyd descende : As swyft as is the arrow flyght , The ayre can she rende , My seruant dere quod she to me , What happe is thee befall , That thou in suche lamentyng wyse To me dydst crye and call ? Was Satan lyke to vanquyshe thee , Or dryue thee to dispayre ? Or what myght cause thy voyce so shrill Thus to deuyde the ayre ? My dyamonde moste dere , quod I , Myne onely luste and wyll , Is that thou lose me from thys doubt , Through openyng of my skyll . What name myght haue thys present hyll Where desolate I stande ? What kynde of folke are they alow , And of what vncouth lande ? That valey lowe should seme to be , Some vyle vnhappy soyle : What hyll is thys , where thought so strang My mynde doth thus turmoyle ? The hyll ( quod she ) that thou art on , Is an hygh diuine mynde , From whyche all worldly wyckednes , Is separate by kynde . And as eche thynge by contraryes , I● best knowne and decernde : So on thys hylle the vyle estate Of worldlynges lowe are lernde . The chyldren of thys wretched world , Be those in yonder vale , Whyche gredyly doo payne them selues , In sekyng paynfull vale . Know they not God ( quod I , ) nor doo They nothyng feare hys force ? No not all ( quod she no more Then dothe the mule or horse . They feare God as the dyutis feare , But fayth or loue is none : Philargery they onely serue , And set theyr myndes vpon . Who as the poets haue feynd doth li●● By fedyng styll of golde : And therwith neuer satisfied He wasteth manyfolde . Although he dayly doo consume , And euer styll deuoure : Yet craueth on hys clyents styll To fede hym euery houre . Whose labour ●ke is infinite , Theyr hunger hath no ho Abundance can not slake theyr thyrst , So wycked is theyr wo. Wyth hauyng is not satisfied , The heart of auaryce : For as the ryches doth increase , So dothe the couetyse . A hell wythout all order is , That realme where suche do wonne , A flocke of folke vngodly vent , In synfull pathes to ronne . A packe of people sekyng gayne , And priuate welthe prefer : And common wealth doth none seke for , But eche dothe it hynder . Eche man is there all for hym s●lfe , The dyuell is for all : Hys kyngdome onely doo they seke , And thyther shall they fall . Saynt Paule hath called couetyse The only roote of synne : How then can those men be but yll , That walke so farre therin ? So vnrepentant is theyr hartes , As hard as any flynt : Nought can resolue or moll●ye , Or make them once to stynt . Great tokens from the Lord aboue , Ryght many ha●h ben sent , At London , and at Hungerforde , And in some place of Rent . The elementes to repentance , Wyth dyuers tokens calles , As hath ben ●ene , when fyre consumde The piramid of Paules . And other places haue well felt Theyr rage , whome I not name : Yet se we few whose hartes relent , Or repent by the same . Whych manyfestly dothe declare , That greater plagues then those , God hath preparde and redy bent , For to consume his foes . So lytle fayth is found on earth , Whyche sheweth certaynly , That the last day is not farre hence , But wyll come sodeynly . Whych reprobates most damnable , Haue cause to doubt and feare : But Gods elect doo dayly wysh● To see the same appeare . Farewell ( quod she ) I must departe , I haue done thy request : As swyft as thought she perst the clouds To wynne eternall rest . And I wyth care for her absence , And sodeyne presence change , A woke from sieape , much meruaylyng At thys my sweuen strange .

¶ A Poesis in forme of a Visyon , briefly inueying against the most hate full and prodigious Ar●es of Necromancie , Wytchcraft , sorcery , Incantations , and diuers other detestable & dyuelyshe practis●s , dayly vsed vnder colour of Iudiciall Astrologie . FRom out the Ramm● into the Bull As Titan last gan crall : By order in hys endles pathe . Ecliptike that men call . Whyche pathe dothe so the z●diak , Iust in the myddest deuyde : That syxe degrees therof are founde , From it on euery syde . When day was fled , and night in plate As was natures request : I went to bed full hopyng there , To take some quiet rest . Whyche long before I lacked so Through trouble of myne hart , That thus I made my playnt to God Who only knewe my smart . Almyghty Ioue , graunt now that I. Wyth sleape thys nyght begyle : As dyd Vlysses , when from care . He ●ased was a whyle . When most frendly Alcinous , Good kyng of Phaeacea , Hym sent in shyp tyll he sayid home To hys owne Ithaca . Who slcapyng styll was from the shyp Layd foorthe vpon the 〈◊〉 : Which when he woke , what place it wa● Dyd nothyng vnderstande . Vntyll Minerua hym informde , And gaue hym perfect viewe : Howe soone he myght in presence be Of Penelope true , Hys wyfe most chast which fortune strange To hys great griefe of mynde : By dyuers lucke , long tyme with held , In Homer as we synde . But Philomela busyly , Recorded so her song : That all my shyf●es could wyn no slep● , That would contynue long . For as they feyne the thorne so sharpe , Dyd seme to touche hyr brest , For hyr shryll notes so perst myne eares , That long I could not rest . Yet in short slepes suche dredfull dremes I gan to thynke and met : That when I wakt besyde my wyt It had me almost set . Me thought I dyd in medowes walke For my sport and solas : Where sylu●r drops of dewe most swete Dyd cleaue to euery grasse . Wherby there ran & ryuer fayre , Wyth streames so Chrystall clere : That at the bothom myght be sene The pe●l● stones appere . Aboue the medow was a rock , And on that rocke a wood : From whiche ran many pleasant springs Into that ryuer good . Crossyng the medes , they trickled downe As lyfe bloud in the veynes Dothe from the heart tyll eche member Comfort therby atteynes . Aboue thys woddy rocke there was A Fielde most plesant grene : Where the beautie of natures workes Ryght aptly myght be sene . There was no her be nor plesant flowre In suche a Fyeld to know : But myght be sene most fruitfully Within thys fielde to grow . What should I name the Hyacinthe , Or soote Verbasculy : The Clouer swete of dyuers kyndes , That caulde are trifoly . The Brunell and the Bugle blewe , Wyth fayre Hieracium : The Synkfoyle and the Betony , And swete Origanum . The Tutsane and Hipericon , Asciron , and Paunsye : The Vyolet and Simphiton . And the doubt Daysye . The Haries ease , and the Paciente , And crimsen Pimpernell , The Cammocke , and the Camomille , And Canterbury bell . Rosecampany , Maudlen , and Cost , And London touft so red : Agrimony and Lyons tooth , That Chyldren call Pysbed . Odoriferous Serpillum , And lady Traces fyne : With Yarow , Torne twyse , Strawberyes , And Burnet good with wyne . The Lunary , the Serpents tongue , And Procerpinaca : The Adder grasse , the Saxifrage , And eke Veronica . It hedged was wyth H●nysutkes , Or periclimenum : Well myxed wyth small Co●nus trees , Swete bryer , and Ligustrum . The whyte thorne , and the black● thorne bothe , Wyth boxe , and maple fyne : In whyche br●u●●●ed the Bri●ny , The Iuy , and wylde vyne . To long I should the tyme detr●●● And from my purpose str●y : If I should ●ecken all the thyngs Within the Fielde so gay . Besyde the good prospect for those , That knowe Astronomy : I thynke no platforme in the worlde , Where one myght more aptly . The rysyng see , and settynges bothe , That Cosmike haue to name : Acronyke to , and Helyak , Of starres of noble fame . About our Artick pole ye myght The lyttle Beare fyrst see : That called are , the guardes of those That cunnyng saylers be . The great Beare also in the whych Charles wayne appeareth stoute : Whych wyth the small Beare euermore , Dothe walke the pole about . Which Beares the Dragon dothe inuolue , Then Bootes , and the North Crowne : And after knelynge Hercules , Is sene with great renowne . Harpe , falling gryp , goate , swan , and he That vse to dryue the cart : The man that dothe the serpent beare , The Egle and the dart . Dolphin , forthers , and thother hors That flyes caulde pegasus : The tryangle , and Androwede , As some men doo discusse . The zodiake wyth hys .xii. sygnes Where Planets haue theyr waye : Wyth all aspects that may bechance To any , nyght or day . The Bulls eye , with the rest of sterres , That caulde are Hyades ▪ Myght there be sent wyth the brood henne , That some name Pleiades . The Manger and the Asses twayne , The Lyons hart , and tayle : The virgins spyke , the scorpyons harte And Water potte all hayle . Whale , Oryon , and Golden yarde , That ladyes Elle some call : The ryuer , hare , and bothe the dogges , As well the great as small . The serpent of the southe , the Cuppe , The Rauen , and Centaure : The Centaures speare , & then the wolfe And also the altare . The South crowne also may be sen● , Wyth many other there , As Tricars Constellation , Or ●erenices heare . The shyppe that Argo poetes do name , There myght a man beholde : And many mo then I can name , An hundred thousande folde . There myght ye see ascensions , Bothe oblique and ryght : No secretes of Astron●mye , That were not there in syght . And to be briefe it was the ioye , Of Lady Vranie Wherin to walke she dyd frequent Wyth all her famylie . But as I clymed vp the rocke , As I had oft before : Of that swete fielde to take the ayre Whyche doth mans sprites restore . I mette a m●n in garments long Most decent to beholde : His long beard gray , so was hys head Which dyd declare hym old . His countenance in sobernes , All others dyd excell : His gate and g●sture semd ynough All vyces to expell . For from the rule of honestye , In hym was nothyng sene : His outward workes dyd explicate , An inwarde conscience cleane . He toke me by the hand , and sayd , Dere frende howe farre away ? To yonder field father ( I sayd ) A whyle my selfe to play . My frend alas ( quod he ) bewar● Howe ye henceforth come there : It wyll you els in hell confound , Therfore I say forbeare . What is your name my father fayre , ( Sayd I ) doo it disclose : Theologus I am ( quod he ) Wyth thee I wyll not glose . Why then ( sayd I ) do ye me warne , From yonder plesant place ? Because ( quod he ) it late receaude A chance of great disgrace . Howe so ( sayd I● then harke ( quod he ) I doo not vse to lye : I wyll the sh●we howe it befell , And that ryght orderly . A Heron foule , that hunger gutte , Of all fowles at hys foode : Most rauenous , insaciate . And of most gredy moode . Hard by the dolefull banks of Styx , That fowle infernall flood , To fyll hys gut , or take hys pray , Styll watchyng late he stoode . Where at the last , a serpent yong , Of Plutos hatefull kynde , Came craulyng out , whych gredy gut Coulde very quickly fynde . And thynkyng it had ben an ●ele , He cobde hym vp at ones : And wyth that pray away he flewe And made therof no bones . Whyche crepyng in hys belly , dyd To hym suche extreme payne , Tyll in thys Field at last he lyght , Thynkyng there to remayne . And foorth wyth at hys fundament , Put foorth hys for sayd meate , Thynkyng as he was wont wyth ecl●s The same agayne to eate . But beyng quy●ke , the serpent streight , Dyd crepe among the grasse , Whyche long necke ●ould no more espy , N● yet fynde where she was . Wherfore to Styx he went agayne , And lykewyse swalowed mo , And to this Fielde styll toke hys flyght , And there dyd let them go . Tyll he at last so many brought , Through thys hys frequent vse , That now thys Field is marred quight , Through most hatefull abuse . And suche a numbre of serpents In it doo dayly breede , Whych on these herbes & pleasant gras , Continually doo feede . That nowe it is not onely robde Of euery plesant flowre , But hatefull stynche may there be fel● At euery tyme and howre . And Vranie hath it forsoke , With holsome pleasant showres : And naturall Astronomie , With all her fauoroures . And true Phisyke forsakes it to , For why , clowdes infernall , Are dayly blowne from Lethes floud To water it wythall . Which causeth nothing there to grow But Superstition : Of learnyng pure , and science good The vyle obliuion . Astrologye Iudiciall . Therfore dothe it possesse : Whiche is a strumpet counterfet . And yet neuerthelesse , Because some learned men to hy● Do cast their myndes and loue : That she is true Astronomie , Ryght many she doth moue . And vnder colour of that name They vse Necromancye : Wyth hatefull incantations , And vyle Geomancye . Of Magikes artes there are great store , And Augures arte perdye : Foredemyng as Aruspices , And some as Pyrethi . All wytchecrafte vyle , and Sor●ery , Of false phytonicus , Although they geue themselues the name Of graue Philonicus . These are the fruites of phlegiae , Or Sathans wycked broode , That in thys Fyeld the Heron shy● To ease hym when he stoode . Alas , ( quod I ) hath this vncleane And hatefull byrde done so : And natures dearlyng thus defa●t ? To hym Vae , Vae , wo wo. Then am I of my fantasy , And my plesant delyght : And holsome recreation Robde , and depryued quyght . Wyth hangyng head , and bathfull face I turned backe agayne , For grayberds counsell durst I no● Refuse or once dysdayne . But with most lowly reuerence , Wyth thanks and condigne prayse , I serued hym , when as we went Eche one hys sundry wayes . But sorowfull syghyng I , Went wyth my sory newes , Enformyng my famyliar frendes Wyth whome I dyd peruse My study small , wherwyth I do● My wytte styll occupy , And doo with them communicat● My mynde continually . Of whyche some dyd sorowfully Wyth me thys chance lament , And other some would not beleue , But to the place they went . Nor would not here Theologus That frendly dyd them warne : But nedes would go presumptuously , The matter to decearne . Whiche hath them so infected now , And that most diuelyshly : They are content to graunt it styll To be Astronomye . And necessary wyll it call , Though by the diuels worke , Vnder cloke of Astronomye , These foule false faytors lork● . So I be holpe of griefe ( say they ) Or fynde that whiche I loste : Or know my desteny to come , Why should I count it coste ? God would not suffer ( other sayd ) Suche thynges for to be wrought : If he dyd not allowe the same , Or knewe it to be naught . It is a good worke ( other sayd ) Men to health to restore : Although it be by dyuels worke , What nede I passe therfore ? To helpe a true man to hys goods , Wherof he was depryude , By fals theues and vyle barators , That wrongly it atchieude . It can not be but a good worke , Thus beastly men and fond , Do answer them that would instruct Or make them vnderstand . Not regardyng the law of God , Nor hys commanndement : That no yll thyng ought to be doue , Vpon a good intent . Also yf Gods permission , Were a laufull defence . So were it for all kynd of synne , And most wycked offence . As whoredome , homicide and theft , Wyth vyle Idolatry : For treason , couetyse , and pryde , And moste vyle simony . May I not say , all these be good . Sythe God dothe them permyt : As well as those whom ye defende . Oh men of beastly wyt : His sufferance is to let your synn● Vnto full rypenes growe : That in the lake of sulphure he Most iustly may you throwe . And so declare hys glory great Vnto hys flocke electe : That do by grace these wycked artes Cleane from theyr heartes reiect . Their counsels all at God they aske , And doo at hym require , Theyr sauyng health , and he doth geue To them theyr whole desyre . For why one heare shall neuer fall From of theyr heads no tyme Wythout hys wyll , whych doth impute , To them no synne nor cryme . For why they aske in lyuely ●ayth All wherof they haue nede : Whiche causeth them assuredly ▪ Of theyr purpose to spede . Therfore it must of force procede , Of Infidelitie : That ye at dyuels seke suche helpe Through moste vyie sorcery . As dyd kyng Saule that damned man , When Gods sprite hym forsoke : When God would hym no answer make For wytchecraft gan he loke . Which faithles shift , how much it dyd Hym in his nede auayle Dyd well appere : he slewe hym selfe When foes dyd hym assayle . And so do ye your selues declare , Of that same very sect : Whyle ye at Sathan seke your helpe , And do Gods powre suspect . For as to dyuels here ye sought , As reprobates forelorne : So shall ye be hys porcion , Syth God ye haue forswortie . Vnlesse in tyme ye may repent , Whiche yf it be gods will , He graunt ye all that ye may hate , And shonny she thys great yll . For though on prudent Salomon They father this theyr art : They are the workes of wickednes , And of eternall smart The very cause : for why saint Iohn As God dyd hym reueale , Hath found their place to be in hell , Where tormentes are eche deale . Confounded are these coniurers Wyth conscience vncleane : And all that vnto sorcery , Or wycked wytchecraft lean● . For in theyr art they doo no dout , The lyuyng God forsake : Cleauyng to condemnation , And therof hold doo take . What nede I here recyte scripture , Syth all men well do knowe : That god so deadly doth it hate , That neyther hygh nor lowe . The same may vse , but that it wyll To Sathan his soule gyue : Or if Gods lawe obserued were , Not one of them should lyue That charmers are , or coniurers , Wyth wytches sorcery : Or suche as chosers are of dayes , Markyng the byrdes that slye . For why the faythfull that do feare God ryghtly and beleue , Assuredly do know that no Suche thyng can once them greue , And as for that Astrologie , Iudicial that ye name : Let learned Caluine satisfie , All wyse men of the same , But Phisike and Astronomy , Alas is nowe the cloke , For euery kynde of tr●chery , That goodnes dothe reuoke . For wycked wandryng fugitiues Or vagabundes most l●wde : Do now a dayes from shyre to shyr● , Wyth shyftes both false and shrew●● . Vnder colour of Phisikes arte , And noble Surgery , D●lude the common multitude Wyth shamefull sorcery . All secrete markes they wyll disclose , And thynges long done and paste : Whych doth with admiration The people make agast . In suche wise , that they streight beleue That nothyng vnder sonne , Dothe stande to hard or difficill , Of suche men to be donne . So that partly wyth Palmestry , Or Chyromancies gaude : And foolysh Physiognomye , And wytchery that fraude . Vnto theyr wycked false purpose , The people they allure : More then can any godly art , That perfect is and pure . For Bedlem baudes , & hatefull hoores This is a common shyft : Of ruffyen theues and murderers It also is the dryft . Vnder suche cloke their companies Together oft they drawe : Free from danger of officers , And punyshement of lawe . Alas that thys myght be sene to With Iustice , powre , and myght , That Vranie and Medicine , Agayn myght haue theyr ryght . That nowe is by extorcion , So fraudulently kept : That for most true possession●rs The most part them accept . For how theyr Field was put them fro Before I haue you sayd : Desyryng now all learned men In this to adde theyr ayde . That from the fylthy fruites of hell It may once be purged : That there the ryght inheritours Agayne myght be lodged . That now be fayne to seke els where , Some holsome place to dwell : Where of the wyse they are accept And entertayned well . Among these thoughtes most troublesome , At laste I dyd awake : Fyndyng my body sweatyng sore , And all my synewes shake . Where I long tyme lay syghyng sore , Thynkyng of thys strange dreame : Wyshyng for some interpretour If any in thys Realme Were full expert therin as was Ferdinand Ponzetus : Or Artemidor , whose syrname Is sayd Daldianus . But as eche thyng doth weare by time So other thoughtes at last , Abated this perplexitie , And it began to wast . And I agayne came to my selfe , That I dyd shortly heare : The warbiyng notes & song so swete , Of Philomela cleare . Which counsayld me that slouthfulnes I should from me expell : Wherfore I rose , and wyth all spede , I lyghted a candell . So serude my turne my tynder boxe , Whych stoode in my chamber : Then toke I foorth my standyshe to , Wyth pen , ynke , and paper . Where I carude foorth yll fauoredly Thys rough and ragged verse : Wherin th effect of thys my dreame , I ●udely doo reherse . Desyryng yet my readers dere , To bear● it paciently : Syth it is but the buddyng flowre , Of my poore infancy . Whych as rypenes of knowledge growes I shall be glad t amend : If any man shall me informe , And thus I make an ende . Esay . 1● .

When they aske councell at theyr Gods , at their Prophets , at theyr Sothsayers and Witches , them wyll I bryng theyr counsels to nought .

Hieremie . 10.

Ye shall not lerne after the maner of the heathen , and ye shall not feare the tokens of heauen : for the heathen are afrayd of such . yea all the customes and lawes of the Gentiles are nothyng but vanitie .

Esay . 47.

Go now to thy coniurers , and to the multitude of thy wytches , whom thou hast ben acquaynted with all from thy youthe , yf they may heare thee or strengthen thee : Thou hast hytherto had many counsels of them . So let the heauen gasers & beholders of starres , come on nowe and deliuer thee : yea and l●t them shew , when these new things shall come vppon thee . Behold they shal be lyke straw , which if it be kyndied with fyre , no man may rid it for the vehemency of the flame . And yet it gyueth no synders to warme a man by , nor clere fyre to sit by . Euen so shall they be whom from thy youth thou hast frequented . Euery one shall shewe thee hys erronious waye , yet shall none of them defend thee .

¶ A Ditie declaryng the risyng and setting of the .xii. sygnes of the zodiake : one always opposite and goyng down at the same instant that an other ryseth . THe Sygnes do ryse and sette At iust instant of tyme , Eche hydyng hym selfe when His opposyt dothe clyme . For why the Ramme so soone , Appeares not in the east , But streyght the balance be Gone downe then in the west . The Scorpion rysyng , The Bull euen then doth fall : When twynnes come , the Arche● , On thother syde the Ball Doth passe from vs , and so The Crabbe and Goate lykewyse The Lyon and the Water potte , Eche fall when thother ryse , The Vyrgin in the east , No sooner shewes hir face , But in Weste the Fyshes Them hyde , and so gyue place , Thus in lyke order as One in East dothe appere , The Opposite sygne then , Abstaynes from tarying here . Ne yet can one of them Declare hym selfe so bolde , Aboue the Horizon , His contrary beholde .

¶ A Ditie made to the prayse of God , by the Author , for a pacient to vse after helth attayned , who contrary to all mens expectation , was in hys handes by the goodnes of God cured . Syng thys as , Of Ielousye who so wyll heare . O Louyng God and myghty Lorde , My maker and my gouernour , My mouth and heart shall now accorde , Thee to worshyp laude and honour . As Moses sung thy laude and prayse , When through the red sea he had past , And Pharao drownde as Scripture sayes , As he pursude thy people fast . In many Psalmes as Dauid dyd That kyngly Prophet prayse thy name : When out of sorowes he was ryd , He sung thy prayses for the same . As dyd good kyng Ezechias , When thou dydst hym to helth restore , Makyng hym whole as earst he was , To lyue yet full fyftene yeares more . As Ionas brought from poynt of death , Hym selfe adressed by and by , As soone as he could drawe his breathe Thy holy name to magnify . And as thy Prophet Daniell , From lyons mouthe delyuered , For ioye thy prayse and powre dyd tell , And Darius the worshipped . So doo I wretched synner nowe , Hauyng a cause as great as those , In thys case execute my vowe , Thy mercyes great Lord to disclose . Thou bryngest downe to depth of wo , Suche as thou myndest to correct , And yet thou doste not leaue them so , But doste to knowledge them direct . As connyes myne , and theyr holes make , In bankes where they delyght to brede , Lyke order dyd my sycknes take , Wythin my fleshe so dyd it fede . Tyll at last I was consumed , And nothyng left but bone and skynne . My synncwes shrunke , my veynes were fled , Not once possyble to be sene . Incredible was my weakenes , Consumed cleane wyth peyne and griefe , But in greatest of my dystres , Thy grace was sent to my reliefe . Wherfore whyle breath within my breast , May moue , I shall thy prayse declare : And wyll shewe foorth to most and least , Howe swete thy grace and mercies are . And howe at nede thou art hand To helpe all that in thee doo trust , And makest vs to vnderstand . Howe faythfull thou art and how iust . My holowe caues are fyllde agayn , Those runnyngsores are whole and drye . And I in ease ryd out of payne , In health and strength ryght perfectly . All honour prayse and great glory . To thee therfore I styll shall gyue : And wyll not put from memory , Thy grace and mercyes whyle I lyue . But wyll all other folke exhorte , By all occasyons as I may : To trust in thee , to theyr comforte , And faythfully moue them to pray . All honour therfore I render To thee God , that of myght hast most , O Father with thy sonne so dere , And also to the holy ghost . As hath ben is and shal be styll , To worlde of worldes for euermore , Where angels euer with good wyll , Doo prayse thee styll out of theyr stor● .

¶ An other Ditie to the same purpose and vse . IF any man front wo , And payne restorde to ease , When griefe is gone hym fro , With sycknesse and dysease , Haue cause with prayse , To laude thy name , And shewe the same , Wyth thankes always . Then I most wretched wyght , Of all folke most am bounde , To cause bothe daye and nyght , Hys prayses to abounde , Whyche at thys day , Haue had reliefe From all my griefe , Wherin I lay . My pynyng payne and sore Incomparable was , As beastes in payne doo rore , So dyd I wretche alas : Almoste tyll death , Would me haue caught , At me he raught , To stoppe my breath . For as a carkas dead , I lay in wo and care : I coulde not eate my bread , So faynt was I ●nd bare : But nowe beholde , Howe God my Lorde , Hath me restorde , A thousand folde . For where before his rod I carelesse was and wylde , Forgettyng my swete God , With all his mercies myld I nowe am taught , To prayse hys powre , And kepe eche howre The same in thought . Thus may we dayly see , He scurgeth vs for loue , True christians to be , His mercie dothe vs moue , And euer styll , Dothe vs procure , Ay to indure , To doo hys wyll . Wherfore I wyll not cease , On earthe here whyle I dwell , Hys kyndnes to rehearse , And of hys mercyes tell : And howe that he , When hope was past , Yet at the last , Restored me . All godly men therfore , That in hym hope and truste , Prayse hym with all honour , For he is true and iuste , And wyll not mysse To helpe at nede , And that wyth spede , All that are hys . Se that both day and nyght , Whether ye worke or rest , Ye prayse hym for hys myght , All creatures moste and least : Whether ye play , Lye downe or ryse , Styll exercise , His prayse alway . Whether ye syt or stande , Whether ye ryde or go , On sea or on the lande What so euer ye doo . Whether therfore , Ye drynke or eate After your meate And eke before All honour to hym gyue , For he vs wrought and made , And causeth vs to lyue , Eche ereature in his trade : And dothe gouerne , As shypmayster , Dothe guyde and stere , His shyppe wyth sterne . With all our myght and strength , Let vs hym magnifie , Whych saueth all at length , That loue hym faythfully : Wherfore all thyng , Wyth hart and voyce , In hym reioyce , And thys wyse syng . Glory to the father , God that of myght hath moste , And to the sonne so dere , And to the holy ghoste : As hath ben y●re , Is and styll shall Be ouer all , For euermore . Amen .

¶ A ditie to be sung of musiciens in the mornyng , at theyr lord or masters chamber doore , orels where of hym to be heard . THe hauning day begins to glare , And Lucifer doth shine on hie : And saith that Phebus doth prepare , To show him selfe immediatly . And the most darke tenebrous nyght , Is fayne to flee and turne her backe , Whyche can in no wyse bbyde the lyght . But beares away hir mantle blacke . Wherfore in tyme let vs aryse , And slouthfulnes doo cleane away : Doyng some godly exercyse , As seruantes true whyle it is day . Let vs in no wyse tyme abuse , Whyche is gods creature excellent , All slouthfull sleape let vs refuse , To vertuous workes let vs be beat . Let vs commyt our selues to Christ Wyth thankes & prayse him first to serue Whyche dothe out deadly foes resyst , And from all dangers vs preserue . And then thys type se that you mynde , That lyke as you in nyght doo rest : And in the mornyng your selues fynde , Awake and redy to be brest . So shall our bodyes slepe by death , And after be to lyfe restorde , When Christ shall come & restore breth , And Iudge vs all as sayth his worde . Then mekely let vs hym desyre , That it may be hys blessed wyll , That we thys day may well aspire , By grace his seruyce to fulfyll . So that we may do hurt to none , Nor of none other hurt receaue But styll be kept by Christe alone , That Sathan neuer vs deceaue . But styll in christen godlynes , By grace we may our selues prepare , Of all offence and wyckednes , For to escape the nette or snate . Thys graunt vs Lord omnipotent , For Christ his sake our mercy seate , That we may tast ioyes permanent , Before thy throne of glory great . Amen .

¶ A ditie to be sung at nyght when men go to bed . Syng this as , In sommer time when flowres gan spryng . &c. NOwe that the day is wasted cleane , And Phebus dothe hym self absent , And Hesperus dothe downward leane : And lurkyng nyght with darknes bent , Her mantle darke abrode to spreade , And hyde from vs the welkyn cleare , The starres also are prepared , With glystryng lyght nowe to appeare . Therfore of force we must nedes yelde In bed to sleape and take our rest : Forsakyng cleane both strete and field , And other workes bothe most and least . Wherfore to Christ now let vs call , In thys our nede vs to assist , From drede and feare and dangers all , Defend our sely soules O Christ . O Lord defend vs wyth thy grace , In thys our nede when we do slepe , Syth we are able at no space , Ourselues from dangers small to keepe , O Lord that styll hast wakyng eyes , And knowst no sleape nor felest nyght , Out humble sute do not despyse , But vs defende now by thy myght . Defende vs wyth thy grace and powre To helpe our selues syth we ne can , Nor haue no strength at any howre , The same to doo so weake is man . O let thy powre out feblenes , Wyth helpe of grace this nyght supply , O way our myserablenes , And comfort vs wyth thy mercy . O let vs then with mynde contrit With prayse and prayer to Iesus , Lye downe to rest , and so commyt Our selues to hym that saueth vs . O Lord forgeue vs all our synne , And plant true fayth wythin our brest And after cares that we are in , Let vs ones tast eternall rest . Amen .

¶ A ditie to be sung at dyner tyme and meales . Syng thys as , If truth may take no trusty holde . &c. AS roote of tree dothe of the grounde , Take moysture named radicall , And causeth branches to abounde , Wyth that he geues them ouer all . And suffreth no small twyg to want , But naturally doth dispose Suche as he hath plentie or scant , Vnto the nutriment of those . As Nature by thys industry . Dothe cause thynges vegitall to grow , In other sort shee dothe apply On animals good to bestowe . Among the whych we men mortall , That formed are to Gods Image : Wyth meate and drynke nutrimentall , We maintaynde are from age to age . The myghty maker of all thynges . Hys creatures leaues not destitute . An that they haue is hys geuyng , As well to man as beastes brute . Leste therfore we appere vnkynde , Vnto this God that all dothe sende , To prayse his name with thankful mynd And gratfull harts now let vs bende . Let vs not one morcell receyue , Wyth forgetfull ingratitude : Least to our owne lustes god vs leaue , More wretched then brute beastes rude . Ne yet let vs in any wyse . Forget the nedy brethern poore , The sycke and lame do not despyse , Nor hym that goes from doore to doore , For God hath made vs ministers , That one an others nede should serue , Wherfore we are but murderers , If in our fault our neyghbours sterue . And may be to that dogge comparde , That lay vpon an heape of haye . Spying the oxe come thitherward● , Wyth barkyng draue the same away . Whyche nedes must be churly she enuy Syth he hym selfe no haye could eate , To stand at baye so frowerdly , And kepe the poore oxe from hys meate . Let vs therfore doo otherwyse , And from our bellies somwhat spare , In loue to shewe some exercyse , To brethern poore that nedy are . For who so to the poore dooth geue Dothe lend to God on vsury , And shall receyue for hys releue , Great gayne agayne abundantly . To hym therfore most gratefully , Geue honour glory thankes and prayse , To hym as one in Trinitie , All honour be nowe and all ways .

¶ An other to the same purpose . Syng thys as , Heare out O Lord the ryght request . &c. WHen ye take foode at any tyme , Your bodyes to refreshe with ought Remember Gods infynite powre Which all hath made & formde of nought , Remember eke his prudent reygne , His mercy and benignitie , Who all his workes doth aye susteyne , And gouerne styll continually . And consequently call to mynde , Hys clemency and great mekenes , Whych all creatures dothe fede & fynde , Yea hys most foes in theyr dystresse . Pander also the great meruayle , How many great gyftes he ordeynes , Sufficient foode and all victayle , For all that this whole world conteines . Haue mynde how fast we do declyn●e , How apt we are styll to decay , Whiche only he by powre diuine , Preserues els were we gone away . No mans wysedom nor angell bryght , Were able this to take in hand , In any wyse : or thyng more lyght , The way howe once to vnderstande Sythe of hys gyftes therfore we lyue Were it not cursed vnkyndnes , That we due praise shold hym not geue ? Oh hatefull vile vnthankfulnes . At thy table let sobernesse , And wysedome be wyth talke most chast Myndyng styll his pure holynes , Whose gyftes this time in hand thou hast Let bytter wordes and backbytyng From thy table secluded be , Hys loue to thee rememberyng Whole kyndnes is great towardes thee . This place therfore contaminate , Not , wyth dysprayse of any man , Syth thou feciste here for thyne estate , Gods fauour , that no wyght want can . Let therfore here no hate appere , Where God so greatly shewes his loue , But rather loue thy brother dere , As gods great giftes here doo the moue . Lorde graunt vs grace for euermore , That we thy mercyes so muche mynde , That hatred our heartes may abhore , And neuer shewe our selues vnkynde . Amen .

¶ An other grace . ALl folke that lyue in lyuely fayth , Confesse wyth one accorde , That all creatures are fed of God , And prayse therfore the Lorde . Lest then we shewe ingratitude And mere vnthankfulnesse , By lawe of loue graft in our heartes , Let vs our fayth expresse . And prayse the Lord for thys our foode Here present to vs sent , And for our helth whyche he to vs Mercyfully hath lent . And for hys worde to fede our soules , We also ought to pray : So shall we neuer dye , but lyue Wyth God in blysse for aye . Through Christ his death , who in thys worlde Dyd take our fleshe therfore : To whome be honour , prayse and laude , Bothe nowe and euermore . Amen .

¶ A sonnet inueyinge agaynst the abuses and pryde that reyg●●th among vayne women . YE women and maydes of Citie & country , Leue your leude lightnes , lerne som honesty If an of you the truth wyll regarde , Spoke wyth simplicitie , let it be hearde . And heare not only , but folowe the same , Lest God discouer you to your great shame . Remember your synnes , and rufully rue , Lest after this barker a byter insuc . In Esay the prophete there may you fynde , The plages that for proude women God hath assignde The daughters of Syon ( sayth he in that place ) Do tryp on theyr toes , wyth counterfayt pace , Wyth stretched out necks , and nyce wanton ●ies But now wil I plage them for theyr proude gu●se They wold not my voyce here when that I cald , Therfore for fayre heare they now shal be bald . For gyrdles of gold , they shall haue lose bandes , Theyr husbandes shall fall in thene●ies handes . Theyr beautie shall fade , & they shall waxe dunne , Theyr faces shall wyther , all burnt wyth sunne . In stede of gay stomachers that thei now weare They shall weare sackloth in greate dread & feare . Theyr brooches and ouches and garlandes gay . Theyr partlets and pynnes I wyll take away . Theyr hookes and hedbāds wherin they delight . Hearlace and fyllets their heades wyth to dyght , Perles & precious stones , gold wroght by mans ar● Gold rings & iewels , wheron was theyr hart . Theyr spangs & their chains , their coll●●s & hooues , Theyr vales and theyr glasses , & theyr gay gloues , Bonets and taches , and slyppers so thyn , Settyng foorth beautie , and shewyng whyteskyn . Theyr smockes , theyr kerchers , & bracelets also , And euery thyng els I wyll take them fro . And for the swete smell that they do now vse , They shall haue stynkyng that all men refuse . For theyr great ryches and rayment costly , They shall be naked and in pouertie . But leste ye should thynk this is but my mynde , Reade Esay the third , and there shall ye fynde . Whether that your lyfe from vertue rebell , Or if it accord to Christ his gospell . For I can not thynke but then ye shall see , That ten tymes as prowde as they were you be : For whyche ye deserue ( ye can not deney ) To be plagued ten tymes as muche as they . For Christ in the Gospell playnly discust , Who so dothe a woman s●e , and doth hee lust . Hath presently in adultery done synne . Then wo be to suche as trayne men therin . For yf a mans eyes to lust do hym moue , The woman dothe cause it , as I can proue . For Christ in the gospell also doth say , Offences must nedes be , thys is no nay , But wo be to them , through whom they be brought , That is to say , suche as make men do nought . Let women in haet then ryghtly recorde , If they cause not men to offend the Lord : Whych all their whole lyfe for naught els prouide But paynt out them selues of men to be spyde . As men are adulterers , so are they whores , That these wais mens souls consumes & deuoures If they commyt synne that doo but desyre , Much more do those women through theyr attyre . Whych curlyng theyr hear , & painting their face Tempt and entice men , vayne loue to imbrace , To daly and dance , suche women delyght , Inuentyng newe tricks , from mornyng to nyght : In pastyme and play theyr pleasure styll is , And all the long day to clyp and kisse . No good wyll suche doo wythin or wythout , But dasse on theyr tayle , & pricke through a clout . And some to be small , so streyneth theyr lace , That they cleane depriue from colour their face The ryght course of bloud , so stoppyng wythall , That often they faynt , and to the ground fall . Yet though theyr smal wast ful oft make them swound Theyr froks must haue buttocks most monstrously round Lyke dancyng gyantes they go in the strete , As though theyr hung houpes about theyr fine fete That Salomon sayth ryght true styll is it , That recheles women doo by the way syt , For suche as go by , they styll doo prepare , The vnwyse to snarle in theyr wycked snare . For women and maydens syt now adayes , In wyndowes and doores , theyr beautie to praise , The eyes of suche women thys is no nay , Dooe wounde foolyshe men that passe by the way : Whyche is the whole cause ( as semeth to me ) That men report of them worse then they be . For why the scripture doth clerely preferre , Our gate and behauour to teache what we are . A tree by hys fruite men truly shall knowe , And dedes what man is , doo perfectly showe . When suche perceaue men theyr pryde to despyse : They leaue theyr old toyes , and new tricks deuise . The fashion is changed , but streyght they wyll Haue other newe fangles , worse or as yll : When I was a bey , I nowe well remember , ( Though I at that tyme of age were but tender ) That women theyr breastes dyd shew & lay out . And wel was that mayd whose dugs then wer stoute Which vsance at fyrst came vp in the stues . Which mens wyues and daughters after dyd vse . The preachers at that , then gan out to crye , And honest men dyd it lothe and defye : Wherfore they left of that foule synfull guyse , But streight thei laid down their hear to their eies So as fast as gods word one synne doth blame , They deuyse other as yil as the same . And this varietie of Englyshe solke , Dothe cause all wyse people vs for to mocke . For all discrete nations vnder the sonne , Do vse at thys day as they fyrst begonne : And neuer doo change , but styll doo frequent , Theyr old guyse , what euer fond folkes do inuent . But we here in England lyke fooles and apes , Do by our vayne fangles deserue mocks and iapes , For all kynde of countreys dooe vs deryde , In no constant custome sythe we abyde . For we neuer knowe howe in our aray , We may in fyrme fashion stedfastly stay . But nowe to my purpose , I mynde not to put , In no womans head to become a slut . For though God to pryde haue geuen his curse , I 〈◊〉 slutty shenes to be muche worse . For cleannes is vertue none can denaye , If pryde and excesse be banysht away . But change of proude rayment now dayly vsed , Ought of all good women to be refused . Thys day my cassocke , to morow my frocke , Next day my vardy gue nyghest my smocke . Thys day my kyrtell , wyth partlet and gowne , To morowe a furred cap iust on my crowne , Next day a veluet cap , or a frenche h●●de . Who can beleue that suche women be good ? Some weare a cheyne , and some a blacke lace , And colours also to paynt with theyr face : Wherwith they doo make theyr faces to shyne . Since god made the world such pride was nere sene In doyng of the whyche this is no dout , The Image of God they blot and put out . Lo thus are they paynted out to be sold , With many mo gaudes then here can be told : Forgettyng obedience , hatyng Gods lawe , And lyue with theyr makes , without loue or awe . And many oppressors thys day doth reygne , That robbe & pyll poore men , wiues to maynteyn . And fearyng least theyr great pride shold be lesse , The poore mans cause they wyll neuer redresse To mayntayne theyr wiues that proud are & nyse , Lewde ●ubbers sometyme doo rebell and ryse . A lowie with a lorde wyll proudely checkmate , And is not content wyth hys poore estate . Agaynst men of honour , the person vyle . Prowdly presumeth , wo worth the whyle , Boyes agaynst elders preferment dyd take , And at theyr own wyl wold magistrates make : For by theyr apparell none can now know , The hygh estate from the most poore and low . Eche lasse lyke a lady is clothed in sylke , That dayly doth go to market with mylke . Whych neuer theyr port could yet maynteyn well . Vnlesse they were whores , & their husbands steale Besyde the vndecent maner to see , That eche one doth go in others degree , Vayne women loue not the men graue and sage , But rufflers that rudely ●aue can , and rage : Whose seruent desyre must always prouyde , To set foorth theyr wyues in pompe and in pryde . For so that suche women may haue theyr wyll , They passe not although theyr husbdāes doo spyll . Such wepe when theyr husbands be sick in dead , And turne it to laughter when they be dead . Wherfore suche proude women are lyke in hell , To be rewarded with proude Iesabell : Vnlesse they repent , and shortly amend : Whyche God gyue them grace yet once to intend , That I myght haue cause yet once in my dayes : As muche for to wryte to theyr laude and prayse . For blessed be they that hold them content . With cleane apparell , honest and decent , And women bearyng of beautie the name , Without discrete maners ioynde with the same Salomon dothe them no better allowe , Then a gold ryng in the nose of a sowe . Therfore let old women honestly lyue , And good examples to yong women gyue . That one by an others conuersation , May learne to leaue theyr abhomination , That vertuous dedes in those of the Citie , May be example vnto the countrey . For they of the countrey euer take hede , How they of the citie doo weare theyr wede : Therfore I may say , and so I say wyll , The Citie is fyrst the Author of yll My prayer therfore shal be day and nyght , That eche parte may mende and walk here aright , That I may report the maydes of my countrey , Thankes be to God haue lerned honestye : Whyche God graunt me grace , to see in my tyme , Thus make I an ende , of thys symple ryme .

¶ The complaynte of a certayne famous town for the death of an honest matron , wyfe to one of th inhabitantes of the same , wyth an answer to the sayd complayn : & in fyne a generall prayse of all honest & vertuous women . FOorth as I went my way of late , ( Whych was of Iune the .xvi. day ) After my due and wonted rate , To set my worke in quyete stay : A sodeyne voyce there dyd me fray , And muche to muse dyd me constrayne , So greuously it dyd complayne . Merueylyng then . I gan to saye , What are you that doo sygh and grone ? Answere it made without delaye : A famous towne dothe make thys mon● , For suche a losse as I haue one : I thynke there hath in no place dwelt , As Christes members haue well felt . And why ( quod I ) what is the case ? What cause haue you thus to complayne ? Wyth greuous syghes it sayd alas , Oh cruell death full of dysdayne : Why dydst thou not a whyle refrayn ? But lyke a scadell vermyne styll , Thou takste the good , and leavst the yll . What gyrlyshe gylls , what wanton scoldes , In me dothe reigne , to my great shame : Whom honest men that them beholdes , Reporteth in hurt of my fame : Suche in his rage Death wyll not tame , But modest matrons good and true , In all the haste he dothe subdue . For of the best the lest of all , He hath not taken manerly , But snatched hath the principall , In all my ioy moste cruelly , And turned to calamitie , My staye , my health , and my delyght , Whych reigned in that godly wyght . She bare suche fauour to the truthe , And beneficiall to the poore , Hyr goodly traynyng vp of youthe : As maydens sobre and demure , And honest wyues some be you sure , To whom she was a godly lyght , And to theyr fete a lanterne bryght . Her good constant womanlynes , Hir obedience in her duetye , Her lemtie and gentylnes Her hate of vice in lyke degree Her better sure I neuer see , Her fayth was good , her lyfe also : Her lyke there are not many ●no . She loued truthe and godlyuesse , She gaue the hungry meate and drynke She lethed vyce and wyekednes , She was without all fault I thynke , She holpe the poore , and dyd not shrynk , She clothed the naked and colde , She holpe the sycke many a folde . Thus death hath taken hir away , That mother was of modestye : And none can tell the truthe to saye , The losse that I susteyne therby . Therfore I may well wepe and cry , And say Alas wo worth the tyme , That brought to me this wofull cryme . Be styll thou towne thus sayd I then , Beware , and harke , what I shall tell : Thou maynte●nest all wycked men , Agaynst the good thou doste rebell , Yea suche as preache the Lordes gospell . Therfore no doubte come is the day , God turnes his face from thee away . Syth thou in tyme refusedst grace , Thou shalte be left as one confusde , Sythe thou doste wyckednes imbrace , And godlynes thou hast refusde : Before the Lord thou art accusde , And he it is that in his wrathe . Wyll take away thy frendes by death . Therfore leaue of , thus death to blame , And blame for it thyne owne offence : And thyn inhabitantes by name , Be of good there I saye to you , Though I expresse you not by name : For knowne is your indenor true , To those that wyll set forth the same , So that immortall is your fame : Example as ye haue by this Your syster , that departed is . Whose worthy prayse shall neuer die , But like is to indute for euer : For why she lyued worthyly , And to the ende she did perscuer : God graunt vs all so to endeuour , That we may liue whyle we be here , With God in glory to appere .

●●nen authoris . If any maruell , that the name Of towne or corps , I not reherse : Hatefull enuy causde the same , Nought els kept them out of my verle . Hate therfore here shall haue no cause At any person to disdeyne : Let all men flee from enuies clawes , Lest she doo them some grefe and peyne .

¶ An exhortacion for vertuous men to perciste in vertue and to prayse Christ the authour of vertue , to whom be all honour and glory . Amen . Triplex . AL vertuous men that vertue loue in vertue still reioyce , and for those gifts praise Christ our lorde with one hart minde and voyce with one hart minde and voyce . Contra tenor . ALl vertuous men that vertue loue in vertue still reioyce , and for those gifts praise Christ our lord praise Christ our lorde with one hart mind and voyce , with one hart mind & voice . Tenor. ALl vertuous men that vertu loue in vertu still reioyce , and for those giftes praise Christ our lord with one hart mind & voyce with one hart mind and voice . Bassus . ALl vertuous men that vertue loue in vertue still reioyce and for those giftes praise Christ our lord prayse Christ our lorde with one hart minde & voyce with one hart mind and voyce . For if as truthe is one good thought Can not in vs ouce growe . Without his grace that alwayes doth his mercies to vs shewe . How can there any vertuous deed At any time appere In vs that are but vayne and nought Saue for his mercies dere . Wherfore let none of vertue boste As of his owne pure wayes , But mekly thanke Christ for his giftes , And geue him condigne prayse . Praise him therfore that first all made And formed man of slime And doth his worke most intri●●te Preserue from time to time . Whiche also when as sinfull man By fault fell into thrall , Ordeined Christ our sauing helth By death to heale vs all . Immortall thankes eternall prayse Euer now let vs giue Vnto this lord of whom we are And of whose grace we liue . Glory and prayse for euer more . Therfore be to his name , That vertue made for men to knowe And to walke in the same .

FINIS .