The scourge of drunkennes. By William Hornby Gent

THE SCOVRGE OF DRVNKENNES .

By William Hornby Gent.

depiction of andunsavory man-beast with scourge and pipe

LONDON , Printed by G. ELD , for Thomas Bay●ie , and are to be solde at his Shop , in the Middle-Row in Holborne , neere vnto Staple-Inne . 1618.

TO HIS LOVING Kinsman , and approued Friend , Mr. HENRY CHOLMELY Esquire : WILLIAM HORNBY wisheth all health and happinesse . I Haue presum'd to Dedicate this Booke Vnto your selfe ( Kinde Sir , ) vouchsafe to looke Into the same : and with iudicious eyes View here the difference twixt the foole and wise . I count them fooles , which night by night doe sit In Tauernes for to foolifie their wit ; Suffring strong wine to domineire and braue , And so make Reason a poore captiue slaue : Who with Hell-smoaking vapours doe delight To turne night into day , day into night : In which they Time , Wealth , Wit , and all doe wast , Because to beggery they soone would hast . I deeme them wise which can this sinne eschew , And blesse themselues from such a damned crew Of hate full hell-hounds , in all sinnes growne ripe , Which daily daunce before the Diuels Pipe : There 's not a vice , but they 'r expert in all , And ready into Hels wide mouth to fall . At Bacchus Altars they their sinnes deplore : And Venus for their Goddesse doe adore . All vertuous thoughts they from their hearts expell , And neuer thinke of Iudgement , Heauen , or Hell . Then blest are they ( I say ) which sober liue , And not an eare to their inticements giue : Which keepe decorum euer in their wayes , Both to Gods glory , and their endlesse praise : By this they shall preserue their wealth and name From preiudice , from scandall and from shame : By this they shall be honor'd and renown'd , Where speciall vertues in them so abound , 'T is euer best a golden meane to keepe , And not to cl●mbe too high , nor wade too deepe , Lest climbing high , the greater be their fall , And by deepe wading they be drown'd withall . To keepe vs then from falling eyther way , Vpon this staffe let our affections stay Of blessed Golden Meane , there let vsrest ; So liue , so dye ; and dying so , be blest . Thus hoping you will kindely this receiue , The rest vnto your generous thoughts I leaue . Your Kinsman to be commanded , WILLIAM HORNBY .

TO ALL THE IMPIOVS , and relentlesse-harted RVFFIANS and ROYSTERS vnder Bacchus Regiment : Cornu-apes wisheth remorse of Conscience , and more increase of Grace . YOu Roaring-boyes , which vse to drink and sweare As if you straight would cause the Diuell appeare Amongst you , for your execrable crimes , To fetch you vnto hell before your times : View here the farewell of my youths-greene folly , Which breedes my ioy , but your sad melancholy . 'T is ioy to mee , because I now doe leaue them : But griefe to you , that I no more receiue them . Thus 't is my onely comfort , but your sadnesse , That still I ●ill not follow you in badnesse : For they which be composed of all euill , Care not how many goe vnto the Diuell ; That as on earth they all alike doe fare , Euen so in hell like torments they may share . Once I was vaine , yet now I doe abhorre it : But I may blame such wicked tempters for it . Now by the light of Grace my faults I see , How vaine , how vilde , and how corrupt they be . I feele within my brest continuall iarres , My Flesh and Spirit are at mortall warres , By reason of my sinnes so extreame vilde , As hard it is to haue them reconcilde . But now Repentance comes , and shee makes peace , And so the Combitants their warres doe cease . Shee bids me boldly write against that sinne , And horrid wickednesse , I long liu'd in . She bids me spit in Drunkennesse foule face , Deny , defie , and doe it all disgrace : With sharpe inuectiues bitterly to rate it , Reuile , detest , and vtterly to hate it . Thus I of Bacchus seruice am asham'd , Let mee a Coward therefore be proclaim'd At drinking healths : to drinke so out of health They are vilde members in a Common-wealth . Let Drunkards publish this for their owne grace In euery Towne and Corporation place , That where I see pots stand in battle-ray , They make me Coward-like to runne away : With this loud clamour I am well content , 'T will be my praise , but their disparagement . Then they which filthy be , so still remaine , Who toucheth pitch , must needes his finger● staine . I will proceede euen as I haue begun , Vertue shall be the race I meane to run . And so base Drunkards all , I you defie , Thus I will liue , and thus I hope to dye . Yours if you will turne to Grace , else not ; CORNV-APES .

COme Drunkennesse , vntrusse , and naked strip thee : For without mercy I will soundly whip thee . I haue prepar'd a Scourge I hope will smart , Because I doe abhorre thee with my heart . Then will I pinch , nip , seare , and brand thy skinne , To make thee ( if thou canst ) to feele thy sinne . So serue thee in thy kinde , and let thee passe , For the most vildest Rogue that euer was . I le vse thee like a Dogge , a Iew , a Slaue . Expect no mercy from my hands to haue .

THE SCOVRGE Of DRVNKENNES .

CORNV-APES his Farewell to Folly , or his Metamorphosis , wherein hee doth shew his vnfaigned hatred to euill Company such as bee Drunkards , Swearers , and such like ; which God doth hate : And also , where hee doth briefly display the effects of Drunkennesse , with his Detestation of frequenting Ale-houses : profitable to all , and hurtfull to none .

BItter sweete pleasing vanities adue , Yee subtill Syrens sing vnto your selues , For from your songs , much preiudice ensue , I list no longer for to trust such Elues , Sing , play , pipe , dance , your Gransires Galliard round , Swagger and sweare , dice , drab , and drinke profound . The Crowing Cocke which sharply checked Peter , The Scriech-Owles hideous notes giue more content , The croaking night-Rau'n yeeldeth tunes much sweeter Then the vaine musicke your vild breaths haue spent : These are and haue beene ominous to some , But yours presage a dismall end to come . To damp and quench the heat of all your sport , Let me but tell you the true end of all , You that to brothell houses doe resort , And vnto Dicing and to Drinking fall . I will bee plaine the very truth to tell , Such be the highwayes and the gates to hell . Your eager sports ●o easelesse griefe doe tend , Sweet meat must haue sower sance . Your mirth in mourning , and your blisse in bane , Your weale in woe , your wealth in wrack shall end , Your sweet in sower , your pleasure all in paine : This is the song my dolefull Muse begins , Which doth declare the stipend of foule sins . Then suck Tobacco , and swell vp your iawes , And make your nostrills like to Chimneyes smoake , Still bee rebellious to your makers lawes , If that you will his anger so prouoke : For be you sure though he be slow to ire , His wrath will come , as a consuming fire . Be as you are , if you will not amend , As I haue beene , I will no more bee so , As I haue beene , I was not my owne friend , But to my selfe a very deadly foe : Then as I was , I doe my selfe deny , And all the follies of my youth defie . In bearing of my name , I beare my shame , My name is spotted with my sinnes offence , But true repentance yet will cleare the same , And make for it ( I hope ) a recompence , Then farewell all the follyes of my youth , Which haue beene Traytors for too worke my ruth . Most vaine delights haue hurt me all they can , In doing to me vild and great disgrace , I now will mortifie a sinfull man , Repentance doth thrust folly out of place : Folly therefore for euer fare thee well , For true Repentance in my heart doth dwell . Bacchus thou God of all ebriety , Which dost obtuce and blunt the edge of wit , Thou enemy vnto sobriety , Which mak'st some rage as in a franticke fit , Who so frequents thy Court shall not bee wise , To thee therefore no more I le sacrifice . Thou which dost cause the liquid iuyce of Grape , The diuersity and contrariety of pretty drunken trickes and qualities . That is dance like Alexanders great horse . For to possesse mens seuerall heads with rage , Some for to dance the Anticke like an ape , And some to sing as t were a Bird in Cage : Some Maudlin-drunke doe straight distill downe teares , And some like great Bucephalus , carreares , Some , fall to sweare , blaspheme , to cogge and lye , And some will rattle pots against the wall , Some in Pot valour will his man-hood trye , And some to other pretty feats will fall : Some then will run through fire and water deepe , And some be silent and fall fast asleepe . Some , arm'd in Ale , will stoutly prate of Warres , And some will in an Ale-house draw his dagger , Some will ore looke the Moone and all the starres , And some will in a beastly humor swagger , And some will offer to no Creature wrong , Because the Crampe is in his legges and tongue . Some , like an Ape , will featly mumpe and mow , When Drinke hath much deformd his formall face , And some will reele when as hee cannot goe , And some will run and ride the wild-goose chase : And some will shout and hallow like madmen , And some will roare like Lyons in a Den. Some valiant Hercules will imitate , Drinke makes Cowards valiant . To fetch the triple-headed Dog from Hell , And some of great atchiuements then will prate , As if their deeds should Hercules excell : And some will fight vp to the knees in blood , For his friends sake if it will doe him good . Some like an Adiectiue doe props require , For to support their ill distemperd bodies , And some like Swine doe wallow in the mire : And some goe gazing heere and there like noddies , Some hath the ach so grieuous in his head , That hee wants helpe to carry him to bed . Some disobedient rake-hell voyd of grace , When Drinke hath got the maistery of his wit , Will call his father foole before his face , And cheeke by iole by him will boldly sit . And some in drinke will giue a desperate stab , And some not stick to call his mother Drab . Some hath his face most curiously bedeckt , Most admirable rich faces . With Carbuncles and buttry buttons fine , And some will haue his face most strangely sleckt Like Creame and strawberies or Claret wine : And some will haue his nose most rich bespred , With Pearles and Crinkoms mixt with crimson red . Some to maintaine his huge red bottle nose , Least that the fire should bee extinct and dye , Ere hee want cash to drinke hee le paune his cloaths , So make his back , out of his belly crye , And bitterly the same to ban and curse , That by his paunch his back should fare the worse . Some ere he want his quenchlesse thirst to slake , Will Conicatch , and cheat , so liue by 's wit ; And some nere greatly care a purse to take , If opportunity their purpose fit : Thus may wee see , this sin Ebriety Doth linke together much impiety . All these are Bacchus prentises free made Of that foule trade of filthy Drunkennesse , His Liuery is on their fronts displaid , And true deuotion they to him expresse , At 's Altars they Tobacco sacrifice , And honor him in all due quaffing wise . He traines them vp and frames them , makes them fit , For death , destruction , and eternall woe , Their finnes will sinke them to th' infernall pit , Where Drunkards all without Repentance goe : Besides all earthly blessings quite forsake them , And shame and Beggery doe ouertake them . Who euer knew but that some fearefull end , At vnawares these Malt-wormes did surprize , In which God doth his Iustice right extend , As hee is all-vpright , all-iust , all-wise , His menaces they neuer feare at all , Vntill his iudgements on their heads doe fall . But first , being loath for euer they should dye , He warnes them faire , ( as warned folkes may liue ) And with delayes he likewise them doth trye , Deferring still due punishment to giue : But when he sees they will not turne to grace , His Iudgement straight doth mercy quite displace . Then grim-facd Death comes with his Mace in 's fist , And at Gods suit doth suddaine them arrest , There is not resisting against Death When t is in vaine to rescue , or resist , His conquering hand doth euer get the best : He is Gods Sargeant , and no kind of baile Can any whit in all the world preuaile . Not all the costly rich Arabian gold , Can ransome them from Deaths strong Prison place , Nor all the treasure that our eyes behold , No bonds , no baile , can helpe them in this case : No strength of men , no pollicies , no lawes Can once redeeme them out of deaths strong clawes . Thus on these lawlesse liuers hee makes seasure , Not by one way , but by a sundry kind , Which is at Gods appointment , will and pleasure , By his decree their liues are so resign'd , As by examples often doe appeare , Which is enough to strike our hearts with feare . One in the midst of quaffing ends his dayes , Euen by a suddaine stab which he receiues , Such Accidents doe happen many wayes : Another in a ditch lies drunke , and leaues His liuelesse Corpes there , grieuous to bee found , To witnesse he was drunke ere hee was drownd . Another doth receiue a wofull check , His braines round whirling with distempering drinke , Downe from his horse doth fall and breake his neck , All these are heauy Iudgements we may thinke , Another surfetting in great excesse , Dyes suddaine in the midst of Drunkennesse . Another hauing spent his onely meanes , In a most drunken loose lasciuious vaine , Vpon base Panders , filthy Whores and Queanes , Which wealth might well him else in age sustaine : Hauing thus vainely spent a good estate , By a sad swing his dayes doe end their date . He departeth out of this World in a halter . Oh are not these faire warnings to take heed ! And yet alas men cannot warned bee , For still they doe in drunkennesse exceed , Wee are so blind our faults wee cannot see : Drunkards , each where doe swarme as thick , at least , As flyes on some dead putrified beast . Sodome did not in greater sin abound , Then doth this wicked world wee now enioy , Whereas ten righteous men could not be found , For which the Lord with fire did it destroy : That in so much we now may plainly see , Sodome was burn'd , her sinnes escaped be . For he which will not take his Lap downe free , The Drunkards terme their Drinke Lap , a good currish comparison fit enough for such dogges as they bee . Lap , so they terme it , such as dogs doe vse , And dogs with such indeed doe best agree , Because Gods Creatures they so vild abuse : Hee 's a base fellow that will this denye , When as most basenes in themselues doth lye . And he that will not drinke off his whole scowre , Is a Bench-whistler , and a peasant slaue , Oh they will raile vpon him euery hower , And tell him hee s not worthy for to haue A boone companion or good fellowes name , If that he rightly cannot shew the same . But hee which brauely will carouse and quaffe , And drinke downe-drunke euen to the depth of Hell , And spend his money , as it were but chaffe , Oh that s the man that beares away the bell , He shall be praisd , for taking of his due , And call'd a Captaine of the Drunken crew . But if to pledge a slash hee doth refuse ; They 'l take the pot , and throw the drinke in 's face , And with broad scoffs , most grossely him abuse , Thus will they vrge him to his great disgrace : So vpon this , they must goe try their tooles , Then out they goe to fight like drunken fooles , When as they cannot goe , nor stand alone . Then most of all their hearts with fury swell , They 'l make great brags to haue their valour showne , That they will fight euen with the Diuell of Hell : Whilst that their reputation quite doth sinke , Base is the quarrell that begins in drinke . But of all other he is truely wise , That from these ill-good-fellowes can refraine , Though scoffingly they say he is precise , Yet Drunkards tongues his credit cannot staine : For blest are they which haue an euill report , By them which are right of the Diuells consort . 'T is great impeachment to a generous mind , A base and paltry Ale-house to frequent , It best befits a Tinker in his kinde , Then any man of vertues eminent , Goe to an Ale-house to quaffe and carouse , T is Cousin German to a Baudy-house . It is the receptacle of all vices , An Ale-house rightly decyphered . Where Tinkers and their Tibs do oft repaire , Where theeues and Iugglers with their sleight deuises , Their false got booties , at a night doe share , Where Rogues and Runagates doe still resort , And euery Knaue which is of euill report . It is a Cage of all base Villany , Where Swearers , Dicers , Cutpurses and Cheators , Bull-wards and Beare-wards with like company , Of Fidlers , Farriers , Conycatching creatures , Bauds , Pedlers , Panders , and such Bride-well stuffe , As Mistris Meritrix with t'flaunting Ruffe . It is a harbor for iniquity , It is the very sinke of horrid sin , It is a Den of all impiety , And well is he that doth not fall therein : It is a place of pleasure bitter-sweet , Where Knaues and Whores doe oft together meet . There euery saucy Iack will haue his Gyll , And euery knaue will with his mate be bold , Naught euermore with naught frequenteth still , Birds of a feather will together hold : Where stinking carion doth corrupted lye , There greedy Kytes doe all together flye . Thus where an Ale-house is decyphered right , Me thinke a Gentleman should scorne to staine , His vertues , which might else giue splendor bright , So basely in an Ale-house to remaine : Goe to an Ale-house , why then goe to Hell ; For there all sin and villany doth dwell . There euery vpstart , base-condition'd slaue , If that he haue but money in his bagge , A Gentleman vnto his teeth will braue , And in his pots most malapertly bragge : Confront him too with termes most grosse and vild : Who toucheth pitch of force shall be defilde . Oh is 't not pitty Gentlemen should drownd Their wealth , their wits , and vertues , all in drinke , When such good qualities in them are found , They should ( alas ) so much i' th wetting shrinke ? For though they be well read , and highly borne , Yet th' are but held in base contempt and scorne . How much , Oh how much , doe they dimme I say Their Orient vertues which might else appeare , As bright as Cynthia in her glorious ray , When gentle windes the night from Clouds do cleare : Ay me , that Vertue should lie so obscure , And Prisoner-like such pennance great indure . Then Gentlemen let me you this perswade , From what you be doe not degenerate , God a degree you aboue others made , That chiefely Vertue you might imitate : For Gentlemen from Swains should differ farre , As doth the Moone from the least twinkling starre . As for the vulgar let them still be vicious , Let them be drunke and altogether vaine , Let them be wicked Swearers and malicious , If no perswasions can their wills restraine : A rusticke humour fits a rusticke mind , Onely be you from such grosse ills refinde . Once did I see , I would I had not so , A thing not strange , yet strange I would it were , A Vicar was so drunke hee could not goe , With drinking of Tobacco , Ale , and Beere : Needs must the People then goe far astray , When as the guide doth reele out of the way . Another time I saw as bad a sight , A Iustice that did rule a corporation , Would to the people bid at noone good-night , By reason of strong liquors operation : Ill can hee keepe a Towne in good subiection , When as he cannot rule his owne affection . And is not this a lamentable case , They which should be as Lanthornes shining bright , To guide each one to run a vertuous race , Doe more eclipse their wayes then make them light , Vnreuerend Sirs , your places fit you ill , Because you cherish Vice and Vertue kill . I knew a Vicar was as free a man , Behold a swaggering Vicar . As euer to this day Tobacco nosed : He would not sticke to drinke off his whole Can , If in an humour he was so disposed : For a full cup he would be no mans debter , Ther 's not a Roaring-boy could pledge him better . A Constable which lack't both wit and law , ( As of them such Lack-iudgements there be many ) Would drinke himselfe as witlesse as a Daw , So breake the peace and braule and fight with any , Infringe his oath , and oft be changing knockes , Iudge then if he deserue not best the Stockes . Act●nke Attourney likewise I haue knowne , Which would carouse as deepe as any other , Vntill by drinke he would be ouerthrowne : For to good fellowship he was sworne brother : But may not he euen for an Ideot passe , Will trust his Case with such a drunken Asse . Thus they which should ciuillity imbrace , Obserue good order , and preserue the peace , Doe altogether erre in such a case , Which doth their endlesse infamy increase : For when such faults by these , men vnderstand , Who 'le put a sword into a mad mans hand . Thus they which should be perfect presidents Of glorious vertue and a godly life , Doe euen become accursed instruments , To foster drunkennesse now growne too rise . The Cleargy do● instruct , admonish , preach , Yet seldome follow that which they doe teach . But though their hearts be vaine , prophane and vilde , And for Gods word too bad and base a place To dwell in ; yet most sure t' is vndefilde , Nor can it dimne the lustre of it's grace : 'T is farre vnfit indeed , becaue so pure , In such foule filthy vessels to indure . So ne'rethelesse their doctrine may be sound , Though they two maisters , God and Bacchus serue : But this in sacred Writ is certaine found , Who serues two Maisters needs from one must swerue : Then where in such foule hearts such vices breeds , Respect their doctrine , but reiect their deeds . But by the way , before I further goe , Though I affirme the Cleargy to be nought , In Generall yet I doe not taxe them so , Oh God forbid I should haue such a thought , No , there be some most sacred and diuine , Whose light aright like glorious starres doe shine . These cherish vertues , vices doe suppresse , These are vnfaigned haters of foule sinne : These sharpely doe reproue vile drunkennesse , And other wickednesse that men liue in , Yea these be they which onely do endeauour , To cure sicke soules that they may liue for euer . God graunt their doctrine I may right imbrace , And imitate the liues which they doe lead : Then shall I gaine an euer-blessed place , Which is deuoid of sorrow , griefe and dread : God graunt ( I say ) I such may imitate , Vntill my latest dayes doe end their date . I onely this and nothing more desire , For the Worlds follyes I haue knowne too long , And doe repent , recant , and quite retire From those vaine wayes in which I haue gone wrong ? A better taske I now will vndergoe , With hearty sorrow for my erring so . And as I did begin , I heere conclude , To vaine delights , I now doe bid farewell , And to the rascall drunken multitude , Whose portions for them are reseru'd in Hell , For these God hath ordained endlesse terrours , If that they soone doe not repent their errors . Vertue is she which aboue all I loue , Vertue that leads vnto eternall blisse , Vertue my faith and loyalty shall proue , For her I doe adore , imbrace and kisse : She is my comfort and my onely pleasure , My Loue my Doue , inestimable treasure . She is my solace , and my sweet delight , She is my ioy euen in my great extreames , With her I will conuerse both day and night , Shee 'l banish all vaine thoughs , and idle dreames Quite from my heart , for vertue is most pure , And can no filthy wickednesse indure . Thus with this resolution I doe end , No more to be by folly so misled , The remnant of my dayes I le better spend , To Vertue onely I am truely wed , Shee is my Spouse I le haue no other wife , Till death doth come and take away my life .

A MEDITATION OF the FLESH and SPIRIT . OH what strong oppositions doe arise , Within my fraile , weake and vnstable brest ! My Flesh and Spirit are mortall enemies , Excluding peace , procuring my vnrest : I like , dislike , I hate and yet I loue Those sins which to me doe salse Traytors proue . Which doe betray my Soule to endlesse woe , With all deceitfull pleasures vilde and vaine , I faine would leaue this sin yet on I goe , Surcease a while and then returne againe , My Spirit 's willing often for to leaue it , But then my Flesh againe bids her receiue it . My Spirit freely longeth after grace , And doth by grace in Heauen desire to dwell , Yet stubborne Flesh would intercept the place , Of my Soules rest , to cast it downe to Hell , Thus they within me striue like those two twins , Iacob and Esau : yet cannot be friends . Rebellious Flesh doth sore it selfe oppose , Against my Spirit fraught with fearefulnesse , And enters armes with sinnes insulting foes , Weake nature downe by violence to presse : Feare of Gods wrath doth make me cease from sin , Then that forgot , a new I doe begin . Three mighty Gyants doe my soule assaile , ( Great ods , my poore weake spirit to resist ) The World , the Flesh , the Diuell , all these preuaile And by their force doe conquer as they list : To kill and rob me of each vertuous thought , Plots of false pleasure they haue howerly wrought . When as good motions enter in my brest , And I bethinke me of the state of Man , How farre through sin I am from being blest , And that my life is short and but a span , The Diuell he then doth to false doctrine fall , And sayth , Sin on ; thy sinnes are Veniall . The World , it 's fraught with execrable sin , And doth stirre vp my Appetite to lust , Vnto alluring baites it doth me win , Seducing vnto vanities vniust : And carelesse saith , let Melancholly flye , Eate , drinke and sleepe , to morrow thou shalt dye . The Flesh to pleasures doth it selfe betake , And steales good motions from my heart away , So Grace and Goodnesse it doth quite forsake , Vaine Pride and Luxury , for to obay , Accounting sin no sin , and deeming hell , To be a tale , which some old wiue , doe tell . It saith , that Pride is but a decent thing , And Auarice , is good frugality , It saith that Swearing doth from valour spring , Which doth declare mans Magnanimity : It saith to quaffe is fellowship , right good To maintaine friendship , and to nourish blood . It tels me bounty argues a braue mind , And Venus sport is but a youthfull tricke , Whilst penury comes posting fast behind , And with wants spurs doth touch me to the quick : Thus still the flesh doth make my sinnes seeme small , By false opinion for to worke my fall . Fond flesh , why dost thou thus thy selfe abuse ? ( Which art the onely Mansion of thy Soule , ) All gratious proffers dayly to refuse , By rash repulse , and rigorous controule ; Yeeld sinfull Flesh , yeeld for thy after good , And liue in peace , in loue , in brother-hood . Resist not still , for feare of future smart , Delayes breed danger , as experience proue , One time the Spirit from the Flesh shall part , How loth wilt thou be then it should remoue : And such a deare companion to forsake , When as Death comes away thy soule to take . For Soule and Body cannot euer hold Together , but must needs a parting make , Th' one to the Earth to be inclos'd in mold , Tho'other to rest or vnrest doth betake , Vntill the last and dreadfull day of doome , When quick and dead shall vnto iudgement come . Each Soule her body then shall repossesse , And they that haue done well shall Heauen inherit , But they which still Gods sacred Lawes transgresse , They shall haue Hell , iust stipend for their merit . For God doth all mens secret sinnes behold , Which are in 's Booke of great accompts inrold . Then how shall I ( poore wormes meat , wretched Man ) Be able for to stand before his sight , Who me like Chaffe will winnow with his Fanne , From the pure Wheat his chosen and delight : Is no hope left me from despaire to keepe ? Yes sure ; for Christ is Shepheard of his Sheepe . Oh , there 's a Iewell for my Soules content , Since it is so , I neuer will distrust : My Sauiour puts Despayre to banishment , Hee dy'd for mee , a sinner and vniust : And by his Death and Passion , I belieue , That vnto mercy he will me receiue . Although my sinnes , were euen as Scarlet , red ; And with vaine thoughts my heart was filled full ; Though in corruption I was borne and bred ; By Christ I yet am made as white as wooll : So dearely hee hath all the world esteem'd , That by his death the ( faithfull ) hee redeem'd . Christ is the onely Shepheard of renowne , Who loue 's his sheepe so truely and so deare , That for their sakes his life he did lay downe , That they by him might Crownes of Glory weare In that celestiall place , prepar'd for those Which true Repentance from their hearts disclose . ( Sweet Iesus ) I haue often gone astray , And erred both in thought , in word , and deed : O , lead me now into the perfect way ! Though great my sinnes , thy mercies great exceed . With mercy ( Lord ) me straying sheepe behold , And bring me backe againe into thy Fold . Grant ( gracious Father ) I thy Lawes may keepe , And that thy Statutes I may right obey : That when the Goates are seuer'd from the Sheepe , At thy right hand I may with comfort stay , Where I shall heare that blessed voyce Venite , So neuer feare that cursed sentence Ite . In Iustice ( Lord ) doe not behold my sinne , To take thereof a strict and strait accompt : Nor in iust iudgement doe not once begin To punish mee , because my sinnes surmount All other sinners , whatsoere they be ; In Mercy , not in Iustice looke on mee . Lord keepe mee euer from presumptuous sinne , So guide , direct , and order all my wayes , That I regenerate may a new begin To serue thee right , and giue thee perfect prayse : For who can magnifie thee in the pit ? Or giue thee praise which doe in darknesse sit ? O Lord , to thee I sue , I beg , intreat , Not for my merits , but thy mercies sake , To grant me mercy from thy mercy seate : For my deseruings me accursed make ; Which if thou shouldst no better me regard , Death and Hell-fire would be my iust reward . With Sinne and Shame I am inuiron'd round ; Sinne at my right hand , Shame stands at my left , And vice and folly in me so abound , That of thy graces I am quite bereft : I sinne , still shame at sinne ; I leese and win : Thus daily walke I circuler in sinne . I leese heauens blessed and all-glorious place , In running head-long into sinne and errour : I winne Prince Plutoes Court of blacke disgrace , All fraught with dread , with torment and with terrour : This is my iust desert , my due , my meede , If thou ( O Lord ) in Iustice should'st proceede . Since then I am so wicked and so vaine , So vilde , so wretched in thy gracious fight : My impure heart , which filthy sinne doth staine , Make pure ( O Lord , ) and so reforme aright The inward man ; that being dead to sinne , I may to righteousnesse anew begin . And so to liue ; and liuing so , to dye ; That dying so , I so may liue againe ; And so to liue , to all eternitie Amongst thy glorious Saints in heauen to raigne . A sinners death thou ( Lord ) dost not desire , If he repent , and from his sinnes retyre . Repentance then shall be the onely course To bring me into fauour with my God : From Folly quite I will my selfe deuorce , To which I haue beene wed twelue yeares and odde : Twelue yeares and odde , I haue beene vainely led , More oft then there be hayres vpon my head . I will begin my nunquam sera now , And spend the remnant of my dayes in grace : I haue confirm'd it with a solemne vow , A life more godly euer to imbrace : For God hath said ; from 's word he will not flee , Who true repents , shall truely pardon'd bee . To this , by word , be firme himselfe hath tide , Which stronger is then couenant , bond or bill ; Yea , better farre then all the world beside : For hee all-faithfull is , and euer will : Then sinke Despayre into the depth of hell , I le trust in God , with whom I hope to dwell .

A PRAYER AGAINST TEMPTATION . I Now haue vow'd from vanitie to flee , To dedicate my life and loue to thee , O ( gracious God ) grant I my vow may keepe , Till Death close vp mine eyes with his dead sleepe : For vnlesse thou be an assistant to it , I , of my selfe , vnable am to doe it . My nature is so sinfull , weake , and fraile , That when that Sathan doth my thoughts assayle , Hee oft of me the Victory doth winne , So beares me head-long into grieuous sinne , With Sathans boystrous and contagious blast Of great temptations here and there I 'me cast , Vpon the Rockes of Feare , Distresse , and Woe , Hope and Despayre doe oft to warring goe : Sometimes I say that I will cease from sinne , And yet through weaknesse I againe begin . Sometimes , this sinne I doe , and then abhorre it : And sometimes that , then straight craue pardon for it . I sinne , and for my sinnes doe begge remission : As if to sinne still I would haue commission . Thus Sathan doth against my soule conspire , In making of mee to my sinnes retyre ; Thy gracious aide I therefore doe deplore , ( Good God ) that I may euer thee adore , With feruent zeale and with an vpright heart , Laying foule vice and vanity apart : Infuse into my minde thy holy grace , Make it for thee a sacred mansion place . With holy weapons arme my brest within , That I of Sathan may the conquest winne . With Faith in thee , with Hope and Confidence . Let all these weapons ( Lord ) be my defence : For what am I without thy gracious aide , But euen a filthy , loathsome sinner made ? What strength haue I the Diuell to withstand , If thou be wanting with thy powerfull hand ? For that same great old enemy to man , Goes still about to murther whom he can : Defend mee ( Lord ) from his deuouring iawes , And make me truely to obserue thy Lawes . And as thy selfe mine onely maker art ; So frame my minde , and so direct my heart , That alway still may harbour in my brest Vnfained hate of that I now detest . FINIS .