A copy of verses made and set forth by Thomas Priest Bell-Man to all my worthy master and mistrisses of the vvard of St. Gile's Cripplegate without and within the freedom.

A Copy of Verses Made and set forth by THOMAS PRIEST BELL-MAN . To all my worthy Masters and Mistrisses of the Ward of St. Giles's Cripplegate without , and within the Freedom .

depiction of Thomas Priest, town crier

Simon and Jude . THis morning in all Churches far and near , Two Heavenly Lamps do gloriously appear , Simon and Jude both Apostolical Planters of Christs Word Evangelical . Both Preachers and Proclaimers of glad news To ignorant Infidels and faithless Jews . Who after many godly Functions done They both received one faith by Martyrdome .

All Saints . THis day presenteth to us the communion Of all the Saints in a most perfect union , For not one Angel in the Heavenly quire Nor human Soul that unto Heaven aspire , But part hath in this day solemnity In praise to God for their integrity , Lord who heavens mansions did on them bestow Look down on us that yet remain below .

For Christmas Day . THe Son of God our blessed Saviour he Into the world did come to set us free , And to rodeem us from the bonds of sin Which until then our Parents lived in : By him we were Redeemed , and let us then Return him thanks that was both God and man ; He ransomed such , at such a mighty price As he himself became a sacrifice , And spared not for our eternal good To part with Life and lose his precious blood .

St. Stephen . T. Steven was the first that lead the Van ●nd dyed for Christ ! O blessed Christian , ●●●se loss was gain , whose death did life beget , ●●w among the Saints in Heaven doth set ●●●n this blessed Martyr came to dye ●heir Remission he to Heaven did cry , ●ho were his Persecutors and did want Soul saving-grace , for they were ignorant And knew not what they did , then let 's take Pattern by him who dy'd for Christ's sake . ST. John the Evangelist Christ loved well The holly Scriptures often doth us tell , Let us like John our Saviour's Love engage , That we may never tast his Fathers rage , But with St. John who did the rest excel Amongst the Saints for evermore may dwell .

Newyears Day . MY Masters all good morning and good Cheer , And welcome to the first of the New year , Which is a preface to the chearful Spring , When all things will be blith and flourishing , The Earth will shortly deck her self a new , And sweetly flourishing her Primrose Hue , Lord with thy Spring of Grace our Souls so cheer , We there may feel the Fleece of a New year . GOd not so much delights in any place As in a Soul that s in a state of Grace , As in a Safer there the Lord doth sit And gives his presence to illustereth it , Not Horeb was so holy to the Lord As is a soul obedient to his word : As to his Temple there he doth retire And feels it with a non-consuming fire , Lord grant each Christians heart may be possest With his glad presence every soul so blest . GOd not so much abhorreth any place As he doth a Soul that s not in a state of grace As Hell to him so loathsome is the sight And gives it over to the Prince of night , For into it the Lord will never enter Till it repents on purpose to persever , Then he is ready , willing to embrace it And will return all favours lost to grace it .

The Belmans Good Counsel , TRust no man , nor no gift refuse In Talk and Diet , Temperance use Foolls and their follies alwaies shun And Quarrels , lest thou be undone : Hear all thou canst , if thou be wise And slip no opportunities . Confer with few , keep truth with all Contend neither with great nor small . Of costly diet sparing be , Interest to pay is bad for thee : Thy Land ingage not , and beware Of Surety-ship , for that 's a snare : Take no mans word , for many know Words are but wind and away they blow ; Love those in whom thou seest good wits , For thou maist learn of them by fits . In company be sociable For that is good and commendable . If humours pass the bounds of reason Break off , and choose some other season , Learn Tongues , converse with strangers , so Of Forrein parts thou maist much know : Flatter no man though ne'r so great , Still keep good cloaths and wear them neat . If possible keep out of debt , Light by thy credit never set , Study how by degrees to rise Refuse no kindness if you 're wise . Thy secrets keep from one whose tongue Is for his mouth an inch too long . Offer not any one thing twice If once refus'd , is my advice . Take notice of mens dispositions Observe their good and bad Conditions , Let thy Expences be but small , Thy carriage courteous unto all . Be circumspect and wary still Gluttons and Drunkards do not fill . THe Rich young gallant to himself doth say , O what a happy time do I enjoy , I want no Riches , I abound in Friends , Courted I am as all my Fame extends , I alwayes feast on High and Curious Fare , Content I have without the least of Care , But one thing troubles and displeaseth me , By Death that one day we must parted be . BUt my young Gallant if from Heaven a voice Should speak to thee , and put thee to his choice , To live One Twenty of six hundred years Chained in a Jayle with miseries and tears , And the rest in thy present happy State , Or else the first in pleasure without Debate , The Twenty years in Chains would I endure , To purchase the five hundred eighty sore .

The Belmans Advice . IF you desire your Houses to see , With Doors and Windows safe to be , And quiet sleep for to enjoy , Not fearing Fire that will destroy , Your Belman saith the safest way Spare your sleep and fall to Pray That God may so preserve and keep Both you and yours may safely sleep . JOseph the Darling of Old Jacob's Heart , Went to seek his Brethren in a void Desert , But when he found them they did Churlish prove , And took away his Partial Coat of love , Sold him a Slave , then dipt in a Kidds blood His Coat , because it should not be understood But some Beast had kill'd him , said Jacob you have Brought my Grey head with sorrow to the Grave . WHen Ahasuerus was the Persian King , Haman great troubles on the Jews did bring And sought to murther them all in one day Because that Mordecay would not obey , And honour him when he went through the Gate Of Ahasuerus in great Pomp and State , Therefore the Jews must dye there is no hope , Yet Mordecay survived , Haman dyed by a Rope . BE mindful of your Servant who takes care That Thieves by no means for you lay a snare , Nor can break open houses in the Night , For why the Belman puts them to the flight , Through Storms and Frost at midnight still he goes To serve his Masters , Villains to oppose . IN this our Age Treason do much abound , And Traytors almost had beset us round , But by the Wisdome of our God above , Who is the Author and the Spring of love , The Popish Plotters he hath all confounded , And in their trenches they themselves are drowned and Snows THrough Winds or Rains , through bitter Frosts Behold my Masters all your Belman goes , When 't is so dark he can't his hand discern , Doth he not then his Money dearly yearn , And since to serve you all he is so free , I hope at Christmas you will Noble be . THou glorious God that Heaven and Earth hast made Grant us thy Servants thy protecting aid , That in this time of Danger we may find Our God is merciful though men unkind , And let not Plotters by Conspiracyes , Destroy our Church so glorious in thine Eyes . THus to conclude till the next year I shall Pray for your happiness my Masters all , Desiring God to have you all in mind , And that your Servant may your Bounty find , I le study how to please my Masters well , My Tongue shall ring your praise , and e'ke my Bell.