The Christian nauy VVherein is playnely described the perfit course to sayle to the hauen of eternall happinesse. VVritten by Anthony Nixon.

THE CHRISTIAN NAUY . HE that amidst the raging Ocean Seas , With sayling Barke doth seeke the happy Port , No leysure hath to giue himselfe to ease , Nor respite , for due-season-losing sport ; Each time-delaying calme doth him displease , In nothing ioyes , in nothing pleasure sinds , Saue in the blasts of prosperous happie winds . His carefull braine is busied euermore , In viewing well his compasse and his card , And minding still what dangers lye before , What swelling sands , what rocks , what Hauens bard ; With skilfull head he seekes the safest shore , Bringing his Barke , through stormes and tempests great , To happie Port , and long desired seate . The vnskilfull head , and wretchlesse idle mind , Contrariwise doth giue himselfe to rest , Not fearing stormes , nor boystrous blasts of wind , But in the midst of dangers feareth least , And thinks the Hauen happily to find . Thus guided ill , his ship on rocks doth fall , And casts away both fraight and soole , and all . Euen so the will and fancy of vayne man , That through this world his painefull passage makes , Who ought to seeke by all the meanes he can , Through dangers great , and lothesome lowring lakes , That happy Port , for which his course began , In thousand harmes and thousand dangers prest , Doth giue himselfe to carelesse ease and rest . Regarding not the hazzard of himselfe , Nor taking heed his fleshly foyst to guide , Full fraught with sinne , and care of worldly pelfe , Makes no account of weather , winde , or tyde , But blindly strikes himselfe on euery shelfe , Till on the rockes he desperately doth light , And loseth all , for want of guyding right . Within the seas of fond affection blinde , That through the world in euery place doth flow , Sayles euery wight that liueth here by kinde , And runnes the race that Fancy forth doth blow , And keepes the course that best doth please his minde : But of ten thousand that thus brauely fleete , Scarce ten at length doe with the Hauen meete . The Hauen fayre I meane of perfit ioy , Where chiefest pleasure hath her biding place , Where ioy surmounts , where griefs cannot annoy , Where liues the King of euerlasting grace , That well rewards the mind that 's well imployd , And doth condemne to euerlasting payne , All those that him forsake for pleasures vayne . The seas be rough , the passage full of payne , The dangers great , the iourney large and long , The Pilots ill , the coast is nothing playne , The force but weake , the enemies stowt and strong , The lets a number that doe vs detayne : The Strayts of Marrock are not halfe so ill , Nor race of Britayne , nor Charibd , nor Scyll . Wherefore in vayne we striue without a guide , To passe these seas , where thousand dangers bee , With rockes and shelues beset on euery side , Where nought but death the fearefull eye can see ; Now forc't with windes , now driuen back with tyde , Amaz'd with mists , and wandring without light , Except we finde the helpe of holy Sprite : Which Sprite that in our iourney we may haue , With humble heart and earnest prayer made , With knees bow'd downe , his ayde here let vs craue , That he vouchsafe to teach vs the playne trade Of sayling right , and vs from danger saue : With stedfast faith to him thus let vs pray , That he may guide vs through this doubtfull way . Oh sacred Sprite , that all things well doost guide , And bring'st eche good thought to his good desire , And suffrest not an errour to abide , Whereas it likes thy grace for to inspire , That doost for euery humble heart prouide , Powre downe thy grace , direct my feeble hand , That I may shew where perfit blisse doth stand . By thee we may be sure the way to find , That leadeth straight to perfit ioy , and blisse : By thee we shun the rocks , and dangers blind , That make vs oft the Hauen faire to misse : Thou onely art the starre that guid'st the mind ; Then giue thy light , cast down thy beames from hie , That I may shew which way the course doth lie . The wretched Seas of worldly pleasures vayne , The mischiefes , and the harmes that come thereby , The flattering showes , that trouble most the brayne , The noysome lusts , and fancies there that lie , That causers are of euerlasting payne , I will declare , and which way we should runne , What course to keep , what dangers we should shun . Within these Seas , when first we enter in , When first to wind our sayles committed be , When pleasantly on calmed streames we swimme , A mightie rocke we straight at hand may see , All massie gold , all deckt and garnisht trimme : The compasse great with corners out doth lye , The height whereof doth reach the starrie skye . A stately rocke beset with Diamonds fayre , And powldred round about with Rubies red , Where Emeralds greene do glister in the ayre , With mantle blue of Saphyres ouerspred , Where wants no stone that Nature can repayre : Another heauen for the time it seemes , And oft for heauen foolish man it deemes . With swelling sands it lyes encompast round , And many a ragged reach it sendeth out , Whereby a thousand thousands haue bin drown'd , Yet neuer cease they for to sayle about , In gazing still vpon this gorgeous ground , Till on the sands with hasty course they slide , And lose themselues vpon this piere of pride . No danger greater shalt thou lightly find , That more mishap , or mischiefe more doth make , Then this , that plucks away eche mortall minde , And causeth him contrary course to take : Who forward bent with foolish pride-puft winde , Forsakes the way , till keele on sands he knocke , And dasheth all asunder on this rocke . A wretched rocke , that mounting to the skye , ( Contenting not himselfe with earthly spoyle ) Once ouerthrew the Angels sitting hye , And cast them head-long from their happy soyle , To darkest place , where wayling now they lye ; The chiefe Estates and Princes here below Haue right good cause this dangerous place to know . The raging waues doe belching vpwards cast The wretched wracks that round about doe fleet : The silken sayles and glistring golden mast Lyes all to torne and trodden vnder feet , The witlesse throng of women swarming fast , With scarses and feathers like to souldiers drest , With painted haue , and shamelesse bated brest . A monstrous sort of men , there shalt thou see , Not men , but monsters sure that beate the face Of men , that neuer can contented bee With comely garments meete , but ( voyd of grace ) Forgetting quite their ancient old degree , To women chang'd , their manly shapes deface With frizled hayre and womanish disgrace , With count'nance coy , and forehead forced hie , And staring top , as lately frayed with sprites , In rich attire to feede the gazers eye That euermore in glistring shew delights : A sort of beasts , whose chiefest ioy doth lye In decking vp their carkas trimme and gay , Which shall be but ( at last ) for wormes a pray . As paynted Tombes , that stinch and filth contayne , And Arras fayre that rotten walles doth hide : So do these fooles , with all their garments vayne , And fresh attire drest vp in pompe , and pride , Onely nurse vp a selfe-beguiling brayne : For vnderneath their garments glistring braue Lye mindes corrupt , as rotten bones in graue . A sinfull sort that wholly spend their life In setting out their earth-bred carkas heere , Who night and day do passe with care and strife , In studying how they fayrest may appeere : And weary soone of fashions old , and rife , Disguise themselues in new disguised geare , And change their minds as things are chang'd to weare . Fly thou this rocke , and take good heede thereto : For who so keepes this dreadfull dangerous way , Will runne the race that him will quite vndoe , And misse the marke by sayling thus astray , That should him bring this happie Hauen to : No greater harme can hap to mortall kinde , Then for to runne vpon this danger blind . For who so once vpon the same doth fall , Forgetteth God , forgets his owne estate , Of good or vertue makes no count at all , So he may liue aloft without a mate , And for t'attayne a little glory small , He nought esteemes of mighty Ioue his wrath , Though nought haue greater perill , then Pride hath . But to auoyde this rocke and hazzard great , Strike thou thy sayles , and beare thy count'nance low , Shun sumptuous shew , regard not Lordly seate , Nor to be knowne : seeke rather God to know , Who being Lord , and Prince of glory great , In poore attire , and simple shew beside , Came down from hie , to teach vs to shun Pride . Remember still how that the lofty mindes , That in this world doe seeke to glister so , Blowne on this rock by fond vaine glorious winds , Fall headlong downe to euerlasting woe , Where no release of torments they shall finde , But as they wont in colours bright to goe , So bright in flames of fire shall ouerthrowe . Be neuer proud of what so Nature giues ; For what she giues , in time she takes away : The fairest creature , finest wit that liues , In shortest time , we see , doth cleane decay ; Away goeth all , though ne're so sore it grieues . What folly then is it to set delight On fading smoake , and lose the heauens bright ? Be lowly-minded , and of humble cheare , Thinke glory vnmeet for men of base degree : Since God for pride with Angels would not beare , Be well assur'd he will not beare 't in thee . Too late thou shalt repent , when thou shalt see The sober sort to highest heauens flie , And thou thy selfe in fell Auernus lie . The griefe beside is great of troubled minde , That in this world they oftentimes sustayne , As want of wealth that stop ; their fancies blinde , Whereby they fare like Tantalus in payne : When other men they costly clad doe finde , And they cannot attayne the selfe same grace , Oh how themselues with griefes they doe deface . The cristall glasse , wherein they wont to pry With ioyfull heart to see their beauty cleare , Giues out a shape vnpleasant to the eye , Whereas their crabbed count'nance doth appeare , Downe falles the visage then with heauy cheare , And mourning , they from thence apace doe go , As men amazed with some sodayne woe . The pleasant fame for euer now is gone , That wonted was their eares for to delight , Of Marke him well , Loe , yonder goeth one , In whome hath Nature sought to shew her might : A comelier man you cannot looke vpon . Now , no such sound , but scorn'd on euery side , While each one sayth , Behold the end of pride . Therefore take heede that in these Seas doost sayle , Let not this vayne delight deceiue thy mind , But rather striue against it to preuayle , And seeke the Chanell of Lowlinesse to find , Which when thou gett'st , no tempest can thee quaile : For there is harbour safe for euery wight , That in this happie Chanell haps to light .

THis danger past , and left aloofe behind , Before thine eyes doth straight againe appeere A fowle deformed pile , and hazzard blind , That casts away all such as trauell neere . A lothsome rocke , and hurtfull to the mind , Deformed to the eye , yet doth allure , Of earthly men , the earthly minds vnpure . A dangerous place , that numbers doth destroy Of such , as carelesse are of going right , Whose brutish minds haue here no other ioy , Then on the drosse of earth to set delight . This mischiefe great hurts not the heauenly sprite , But greedy mindes and such as are not wise . This lothsome place is called Auarice . A number great of wracks here shalt thou see , That thicke about this place in thousands swarme , That neuer could aliue admonisht bee For to beware of this so great a harme , Nor to eschue this present icoperdy , Nor no aduice could cause them sayle aright , Till on this rocke they wilfully doe light . With count'nance pale and wan thou shalt behold Their carcasses consumed vnto nought , Their wearish limmes with cares congealed cold , Their bloud dri'd vp with sorrow and with thought , Their feeble fingers clasping in of gold , Hang'd round about with bags on euery side , The poyse whereof doth cause them there to bide . Vpon the sands great caskets heaped lye , And coffers stuft with euery kind of coyne , Scrap't vp by fraud , and filthy vsury , Now here , now there , wherese're they could pursoyne , By force , by fraud , or any villany : They wey not where , or how they do it get : For all is fish with them , that comes to net . A filthy mind that trauels to no end , But for to please the still desiring eye , Esteemes no payne , regards no foe , nor frend , Helps not himselfe , nor no man else thereby , In sparing ioyes , and pineth if he spend , When by his death he pleasures with his hoord , As doth the swine when as he comes to boord . A brutish sort that neuer can reioyce While here they liue , for carke , for feare , or toyle , Still dreaming that they heare the dreadfull voyce Of theefe at hand , or souldier them to spoyle , Or else of death , that makes of them no choyce , But rakes them vp in earth enclosed deepe , Where voyd of gayne , and kept for payne , they sleepe . What profits them their heapes of riches great , For which , aliue , they tooke such care , and payne , Oft wanting sleepe , for bearing often meate , With greedy mind t' increase their treasure vayne , When lothsome wormes their carkasses shall eate , Rung downe to hell with cursings of the poore , Whose wiues and children weeping lye at doore ? What helps the wealth , that doth not serue the need ? What good doth gold , that doth but feede the eye ? What gayne but griefe , haue they for all their meed , That labour here for money till they dye , Which long kept in , is spent at length with speede ? A goodly thing to pine for riches so , And know not who shall haue them , when we go . Oh wretched beasts , that neuer haue an end Of this your vile , and couetous desire , Why spare you this that other folkes shall spend ? You toyle and moyle like Bayard in the mire , Your selues to graue before your time you send , Finding at length the fruits of all your gayne , In broyling flames and neuer ceasing payne . The poore opprest , whome in this world you pold , Your selues shall see to glister in the skye , And call , and ball to them for water cold , To coole your heate in torments , where you lye : But all in vayne : this you haue beene foretold . And since by others harmes you take not heede , Blame but your selues in like sort if you speede . God hath himselfe declar'd to you before , That euen as slow , rich men to heauen doe flye , And enter in as hardly at the dore , As doth the Cammell passe a needles eye . Your burden great , extorted from the poore , Doth keepe you down , the gates are very streghit , You cannot enter with so great a weight . Your Factors lye not there to answere you , Your bill of debt , nor no such other geare , Nor by exchange you can haue nothing , due , Your double vsance is but single there , The trade is chang'd , the world is altred new , Your ten in hundreths scarcely then will mount , When for your dealings you shall make account . A thousand actions shall be entred there Against you , for your fraud and vsury , And Lawyer none shall shew his face for feare : Though you retayne him with his double fee ; His Clients cause , and his shall then agree : The Iudge is wise , and easly can espye , If fault or fraud do vnder colours lye . With quaking heart , at barre then shalt thou stand , Without aduice or any other ayde , Hye holding vp thy guilty guilded hand , For feare of sentence vtterly dismaydes Thy whole account shall throughly there be scan'd , And euery penny how it hath beene spent , That vnto thee for purpose good was lent . Therefore who sayleth neere this lothsome place , Fall off betimes , and keepe another way , Haue in thy mind the Hauen faire of grace , And from thy compasse goe not much astray ; Behold thy Card , and keepe a perfit race , No Ankers here beware that thou do cast : For shippe and all will soone be laid vp fast . And if the burthen that thou bear'st begreat , Cast ouer-boord both bagge and baggage quite , Let neuer gold thee of thy ioyes defeate : Safe shalt thou sayle and better trauell light , Then ouer-laden lose the happy seate Of rest and blisse , where free and frankest minds Do shrowd their ship escap't from greedy winds . Well mayst th'imploy the riches here thou hast , And please the King , and Lord of glory hye , If that thou mak'st of them no wanton waste , Nor scrap'st them vp in Coffers close to lye , But lay'st them where they may be safest plaste , Vpon poore soules that comfortlesse remayne . This is the best , and surest kind of gayne . How goodly a thing is it for to relieue Th'afflicted case of men with neede opprest , Whome dayly cares , and troubled mind doth grieue , That scarce can find an houre of quiet rest , Whilst thou hast thousands hanging on thy sleeue ? Remember well , that riches are but lent , And nothing ours , but that which is well spent .

ANother mischiefe in the way doth stand , With vgly shew , and vile deformed sight , Encompast round with quick and quiuering sand , That swallowes vp all such as thereon light : Fowle swarmes of Serpents crawle on euery hand , Whose hissing tongues do yeeld a hurtfull noyse , A lothsome sound , a most vnpleasant voyce . About this rocke in euery place they crawle , And shake their tongues at them that trauell by , Whome enuious windes do cause with them to fall , And spight compels to runne their course awry . Most wretched guides to guide a Barke withall , Who neuer cease till all be ouerthrowne , Till foyst and frayght be vnder surges blowne , Here poyson'd vapours dayly do arise , And yelling noyse , and hatefull crye is heard , The hellish clouds so daze the Saylers eyes , That scarce he sees his Compasse or his Carde , Except he skilfull be , and very wise , And cast about to meete some better wind , That may him bring vnto his Port assign'd . The tyde is strong , that runneth thereabout , The weather great , that beates vpon the coast , The hold too weake , to thinke to rid it out , Whereby at Anker many haue beene lost , That thought it safe , and made thereof no doubt . This harmefull place , Detraction hath to name , An ancient enemy to the Barke of fame . Vpon this rocke , as lost and cast away , All those , whose tongues delight in ill report , And make of slanders but a kind of play , Wherewith themselues most spightfully they sport , Spoyling good name and fame of eu'ry sort , Still charging them with this thing , and with that , And oftentimes they wot not well with what . Of euery man their tongue must runne at large , Nought can be said , but must their iudgement passe , Their Oates must be aboord in euery Barge , With each mans life they mell , and yet ( alas ) Their owne is worst , whereof they take no charge : But looke , in others , what they spye amisse , A pace at that , with hatefull tongue they hisse . Whatse're they see , or whatsoe're they heare , They make much worse then it was sayd , or ment , Their cankred tongues so spightfull do appeare , That still to ill they change the good intent , And make it darke , that of it selfe was cleare : What likes them not , must strayte dispraysed bee : Their eyes be dimme , they can no vertue see . The vertuous't man that can be found aliue , Cannot escape their spightfull poyson'd tung , Although by all the meanes he can , he striue With vertuous life to cease the rumor sprung . No vertuous act these Waspes away can driue , But Harpy-like they file all with their doung , Making ill speech their vsuall Table song . Most lothsome fowles that haue no other foode , But feed vpon the fame of euery man . A filthy race , a cursed beastly broode , Who while themselues no kind of vertue can , Yet in their fond and frantike furious moode , Their enuious hearts are like to breake with spight , To see that any seeke to liue vpright . This wretched sort haue swarmed euermore , And haue continued since the world was made , Encreasing still with poyson kept in store , Haue neuer ceast their former cursed trade . The godliest men in ages here before , Do what they could , could not escape the sting Of slaunderous tongues that more and more did spring . Moyses , who meeke and vertuous still in sprite , Deserued well of euery kind of man , Redressing wrong , and alwayes furth'ring right , Of whome a fame through all the world out-ranne , In whome th' almighty Lord tooke great delight , Could not escape this cankred currish sort , That stayn'd his fame with lewd and ill report , Reporting that he wrought by Sorcery , Such wonders great as at that time they saw , And that he gouern'd all by Tyranny , Misvsing men without all right or law , Oppressing poore men with extremity , Inuenting a Religion fond , and vayne , Deuised onely by his subtill brayne . The righteous Iob , that perfit was , and iust , In whom the deuill himselfe no fault could find , That serued God with earnest faith and trust , Obedient alwayes to his sacred mind , Despis'd the world , despis'd all fleshly lust : Yet felt the tongue , and sting of slandrous fame , That found in him , things worthy still of blame . The holy Prophets , that liu'd long agoe Like Gods on earth , with vertue shining bright , Who planted vertue , whereas vice did flow , And on the heauens set their whole delight , In teaching men the right way here to goe , Were oft reuil'd , and counted bad and nought , And such as all things out of order brought . That happy Messenger of tidings glad , That made the heauy heart for to reioyce , And cast away their dolefull count'nance sad , Reuiued with his healthfull heauenly voyce , While as he preach't with skins of Camell clad : This cursed sort that all things wrong do wrest , Reporteth that the deuill him possest . Th'almightie Lord , that downe from heauen hie , Amongst vs came , to saue such as were lost , In whom no sinne , nor kind of vice did lie , All full of grace and of the holy Ghost , Relieued all that vnto him did crie ; For all his vertue , and his state diuine , Was cal'd a Glutton , drinker deepe in wine . What should I call to mind the lewd report His good Disciples got for all their payne , The infamies that toucht that sacred sort , That gaue their liues t' increase the heauenly raigne , Who made of cruell torments but a sport , The slaunderous tongues yet blaz'd in eu'ry place , How they nor had religion , God , nor grace ? What should I tell the canckred carlish spight , Shew'd openly at this same present day , Of such as boast in Gods behalfe to write , Whose deuillish tongues their hellish hearts bewray ? With blasphemies the heauens hie they smite . Ywis , Christ neuer taught vncourteous stile , Nor seemes a Christian , words so harsh , so vile . His sprite was meeke , his talke was alwayes mild , With words of comfort euermore he spake , All bitter speach from him was quite exil'd . Wherefore he bade all his example take , And that his children should ill words forsake . Vnciuill speach , rude , voyd of courtesie , Sauours of hell , and not of heauens glorie . The Fiends , that low in Pluto's kingdome lie Condemned to perpetuall paine and shame , This cursed speach doe vse continually , And barke and brawle at euery vertuous name , Accusing still the Saints of God with blame . Thus doth hels hatefull minister euer teach , With cursed speach , and poys'ned tongue to preach : For slaunder there , is counted vertue great : In hatefull words they most of all delight ; Foule Infamy hath there the chiefest seat , Accompanide with malice and with spight , Whose hatefull shew , and euill-abounding sight , Repineth still at all men that doe well , And fearing God , doe shun the pit of hell . But thou , that seek'st the happy heauenly seat , Keepe not this course ; Detraction still defye , With spitefull tongue doe thou no man intreat ; On others faults haue neuer too much eye , But on thine owne , that liu'st in dangers great : For why should'st thou of others babble so , When thou thy selfe hast vices many moe ? Let no mans life by thee defaced be , Take not away that thou canst not restore , And looke what faults in others thou doost see , Take heed that in thy selfe there be not more : Report not ill , speake well of eche degree : Good words are still eternized with fame , Whereas ill speach turnes to the speakers shame . The gentle minde doth plainely represent A liuely forme of God himselfe on hye , Whose gracious will to goodnesse alwayes bent , Delights in mildnesse and in clemency , Who chiefly framed man for that intent . But cursed speech this picture out doth race , And sets vp Sathan in the selfe-same place . Auoyd this danger , further from it flye , Let not such mischiefe thy destruction be , For feare of losing all , sayle not too nye : The losse is great , some safer shore go see , Whereas at Anker thou mayst safely lye . In dangers great we may not runne at length , But rest a while to gather further strength .

HOyse vp thy sayles , and giue them to the wind , These dangers past , the fewer do remayne : Take courage good , & shew thy valiant mind , And weight that pleasure followes after payne , As after troubles quiet rest we find : For who so shrinks with painefull things to meete , Is far vnworthy for to taste the sweete . Sayle on thy course , and cast a carefull eye About thy selfe within these Seas so tost , And euer marke what perils neere do lye , For feare thy negligence thee deerely cost , And shunne the place which hath so many crost , That carelesly with vnaduised mind , Haue blindly followed euery puft of wind . Before thy face , at hand thou shalt behold A foule great Flat , most lothsome for to see , All ouer-spred with limmes and bodies cold , And Barkes and Boates that all to broken be , From whence the fraight vpon the sands are rolde , That sprawling lye vpon this wretched place , With pity-pleading looke , and woe-worne face . About the broken Barkes doe scattred lye Great tunnes of wine , of euery kind and sort , And sumptuous tables , dishes heaped hye , And costly banquets paynted with disport , The more to please the greedy Gluttons eye . No kind of fish or flesh there can be got , But may be seene heap't vp vpon this plot . About these dishes round attending stand , Each vile disease that may be nam'd or found : The groning Gowt , with shackled foote and hand , That scarce can stay from falling to the ground : The Dropsy pale stands shaking on the sand : The Feuer hot sits gaping here for wind , Whose scorched toung no taste in meate can find . Quotidians there , and Quartanes shalt thou see , Now shaking cold , now burning all on flame . There paynefull Collicks , bastard Tertians be , And that disease , which Iaundise hath to name , With many more of this fraternity : Whereat Phisicions often make their wealth , More weighing gold , then any Patients health . A number great of sicknesses beside , Languishing here in deaths pale threatning show , May euery where about this place be spide , That in these full-fed fooles do often grow ; As Pleurisies with torments in the side , With Falling-sicknesse that doth foming lye , And Apoplexies , murthering suddenly . Most grieuous paynes , and swimming in the head , With Lethargies , forgetting euerything , And strangling Quinsies , with hote humors fed , That many men vnto their graues do bring : Consuming Ptisicks , lingring long in bed , Both Stone and Strangury lye here in great payne , And many more , that to rehearse were vayne . This fearefull place is called Gluttony , Wherein great numbers haue beene cast away , While as with greedy lust they sayled by , And ranne their course by negligence astray . Shun thou this danger , from this mischiefe flye : Let thousands dying there before thy face , Example be for thee to shun this place . A wretched vice , a sinfull crime it is , To pamper vp the flesh with his delight , Whereby more prone it is to liue amisse , And apter made for to resist the sprite . That creature neuer seekes the place of blisse , That studies here his greedy lust to please , And to consume his time in rest and ease . The flesh will neuer here subdued bee , Nor made obedient to the heauenly minde , While as we farse it vp in this degree , With meats of euery dainty sort , and kinde . These fine-fed folks are bent t'affections blinde : But few of them that vertuous are and chaste , Will haue their guttes thus inwardly bumbaste . As wood heapt vp a high vpon the fyre , Or oyle cast in , doth more augment the heate , So doth this fond insatiate desire Of surfetting , and cramming in of meate , Increase the flame of lecherous desire . The body is vnmeete to followe good , While as it is so cherished with food . The feeble brayne with stinking vapours dazed , That boyling in the stomacke vpward rise , Astonished , and vtterly amazed , Cannot aspire vnto the hughty skyes : So weake it is , and so with surfets crazed , That it is not applide the way to finde , For to restraine th' affections of the minde . Oh , what a sort may at this day be found , That only giue themselues to eate and drinke , Like brutish beasts , that grazing on the ground , Continually on nothing els do thinke ! What greater shame to Christians can redound , Then thus to feed the paunch excessiuely , That to the soule is such an enemy ? What folly greater can committed be , Then where we here may long time liue in health , With moderate diet and sobriety , All voyde of sicknesse , that surmounteth wealth , We rather chuse to liue in misery , Esteeming more a gracelesse pleasure vayne , Then for to keepe our bodies out of payne ? And whereas Nature doth her selfe content With slender diet , and so most delights , Of which God hath sufficient alwayes sent , To serue our neede , and to refresh our sprites , We ceasing not to feede with belly bent , Both God displease , and nature quite destroy , And for our labour lose eternall ioy . Therefore eschue this beastly greedy mind , This gurmandize , this filthy foule delight , For brutish beasts , and not for men assign'd . Helpe not the flesh to ouerthrow the Sprite , But helpe the Sprite to daunt affections blind . So body and soule shall happily agree , To seeke the skies , where thou shalt blessed bee . Eate not too much , but often vse to fast , Both Nature bids , and Christ commaundeth so : Our Fathers old that liu'd in ages past , Found great reliefe by this in present woe , Who striuing long , thus tam'd their flesh at last , While as forbearing meate , and sinne withall , With feruent prayer on God they vsde to call . A vertue great is Abstinence , no doubt , Of euery man to be esteemed much , A helping hand to them that goe about The sacred skies with heauenly mind to touch : No better fence to keepe soules enemy out . Phisicions count it Natures chiefest friend , And God himselfe doth highly it commend .

BEate off therefore , and come not neere the place , That all embrude with Gluttons blood doth lye , Whose soules in hell in miserable case , With pitious playnts , and howling noyses crie , Lamenting sore their former lacke of grace . When as thou hast escap't this ieopardy , Before thy face againe thou shalt descry A gorgeous I le , an earthly Paradise , Wherein there wants no kind of pleasant sight , No glistring show , nor costly fine deuice , That may encrease the trauellers delight : The sight hereof reuiues the gazers sprite , Doth please the eye , and doth allure the mind Of men that thinke safe harbor there to find . Of compasse large , and full of beauty faire , The sightly show doth lye before thy face , Which seemes , as Nature there had set her chayre , And chosen that her happy resting place : From whence there comes a sweet perfuming ayre , With sundry Musike , yeelding heauenly sound , That in this place may easily be found . The clyeues are hye , and all of christall shyne , Vpon the toppe whereof in order growes Hye haughty trees with maiestie diuine , That glistring there far off in shadowes shewes : There stately stands the lofty lordly Pyne , There , groues of Mirtles , and of Lawrell greene , With hye-topt Caedars fayre are to be seene . Beyond these same , are mountaines rising hye , Clad round about with trees of diuers kind , That , plac't in order , much delight the eye , And thither drawe the Saylers wandring mind , Who thinke these hilles do touch the starrie skye : There , round about in eu'ry place below , Faire purple Roses ioyn'd with Iasmins grow . In euery place may beautie there be seene , In euery place is pleasure for the eye , Throughout the woods , & pleasant forrests greene , Great flockes of birds of euery sort doe flye , Whose curious notes do pearce the azur'd skye , Collauding heauens with skilfull melodie , Agreeing all in perfit harmonie . No lothsome sight doth any where appeare , No thing disordred any kind of way : But all things shining there with beautie cleare , Alluring vnto sorrow-sending play , That they that once do chaunce to trauell neere , Such pleasure streight way do conceiue in mind , As no where else , saue there , they thinke to find . And round about , in euery place they meet , With shalles of Maremaids swimming here & there , Whose beautie great and pleasant singing sweet , So daunts the eyes and eates of them that heare , That maruell 't is if they do hold their feete : Their beauty's such , their voyce doth so delight , That with their tongues they conquer eu'ry wight . Such is the force of this their melodie , That long time since , and many yeeres agoe , The wise Vlisses , when he passed by , Being tost on Seas , and beaten to and fro , Desirous for to heare this harmonie , Stopt vp his seruants eares with waxe , and fast Caus'd them to bind himselfe vnto the mast . Thus sayling forward , neere this pleasant place , With wished winds , and all things seruing meet , These Maremaids faire appear'd before his face , With shining countenance , and voyces sweet , Their sundry songs they sung with comely grace : Their sweet accord , and passing princely sound , Did from the waues vnto the skies rebound : Which sound when as Vlysses streight did heare , Could not refraine th'affections of his mind , But lowd he calles with griefe and troubled cheare , And willes his men , with haste him to vnbind : Thus calling out , and crying ne're the neere , He wrests to be vnloosed , but in vayne , And beates his head against the mast amayne . His wisedome great could not his fancy guide , Nor rule his mind , nor bridle his delight : But if at liberty he had beene vntide , He would haue leap't amid this pleasant sight , And left the fruits of pleasure at that tide : But so fast bound he could not haue his mind , Till sayling past , it was too farre behind . Yet ne'rethelesse , continually they striue , The Saylers by , who first may come aland , With all their sayles clapt on , apace they driue , And haue no feare of any shore , or sand , But while they trauell on these Seas aliue , They forward sayle with greedy lusting mind , Till torments due to their deserts they find . Alas , how great , and worthy a company Haue here beene lost , and cleerely cast away , Whose wits diuine , of worthy memory , Are talk't on yet vntill this present day , Who had escap't each other misery , And with their vertues rare had glistred bright , If that they could haue shun'd this fowle delight ? The mightie Herc'les that liu'd long agoe , Whose worthy acts deseru'd immortall fame , Who spent his dayes in anguish and in woe , Not bent to pleasure , nor inclin'd to game , But followed vertue , which he sought for so , Could not escape this heart-breake vayne delight , But crost himselfe for lacke of due foresight . The subtill wit , and iudgement so profound , That paynted vertue liuely to the eye , Who shew'd the harmes and hurts of vice vnsound , And op'ned playne the place whereas they lye : The selfe same man , that once such fauour found At Delphos , that he got the soueraignty , Yet ran vpon this danger passing by . A thousand such in Stories old we find : Of sundry like our sacred Volumes tell , That ran amisse vpon this fancy blind , For lacke of good aduice , and guiding well : Yea , though they wholly did apply their mind To euery vertue , yet did this way stray : Example , he , with Vryes wife that lay . Amongst the dangers of these harmefull Seas , No perill like to these there comes in sight , That more doth worke the passengers disease , Or driues them more to shew their force and might , Nor no men more th'Almightie Lord displease . Wherefore we ought with heed , and carefull eye , With might and mayne , from lusts delights to flye , And often weigh the mischiefe that will rise , If we do leaue our happy course to keepe , For vaine delight , that here deludes the eyes , And bringeth men in restlesse rest asleepe . Nay , rather let vs flattring shewes despise , Which for a little trifling pleasure vayne , Do bring vs vnto euerlasting payne . Direct thy ship and course another way ; Remember stil how happy they shall be , That haue not falne vpon this I le astray , Where fleshly ioyes and foolish fancies bee : But do themselues with all their might assay , To put away each storme and troublous winde , That blowes contrary to their vertuous mind : And weigh the paynes and torments they shall haue , That giue themselues to follow fowle delight , And breake the lawes , that God to all men gaue , How they shall wayle , and howle in pitious plight , When that their body 's seu'red from their sprite : Which sprite shall neuer feele release of payne , As long as God doth in the heauens raigne . Although the motions of the flesh be much , And that our nature herein beares some sway : Yet ought the force of reason to be such In man , as well may put such toyes away . The mind diuine must not so basely touch , But mount aloft with wings vnto the skyes , Where perfit ioy , and perfit pleasure lyes . For earthly ioyes and fancies are vnmeete For such as God appoynts with him to liue , Who ought t'al and on all such pleasures sweete , As vse whereof may them offend , or grieue : Not euery shew , nor euery path beleeue : But onely walke in that appointed way , That God himselfe before thine eyes doth lay : And flye the pathes , although they pleasant seeme , That he hath here forbidden to be trode , And cast away all fond affections cleane , The weight whereof the soule so sore doth lode , That languishing vpon the earth with teene , Constrayned is there for to dwell and lye , And neuer can aspire to heauens hye . And as Vlisses passing by this place , Where Maremaids flocke , whereof is spoke before , ( Whose sugred songs , and loue-pretending face , Did seeke to trayne him to that deadly shore ) Withstood ( by wise aduice ) their flattring lore , Causing his men to bind him to the mast , Whereby that danger graciously he past : So in these Seas of pleasures , lest we quayle , We ought to bind our wils to Reason strong , As to the mast , that beares our chiefest sayle , And guides vs best throughout this iourney long : For so we shall escape this deadly song , That hath bewitch't so many vertuous eares , And brought them vnto torments and to teares . But if there doe such punishment remayne For those , which ( while they vertuous seeke to be ) Doe fall into this lake of pleasures vayne , Whereby they come to greatest miserie , Condemned vnto neuer-ceasing payne , Shut out from that faire-shining beautie bright , That farre surmounts all other kind of sight : If those ( I say ) such torments haue to taste , What plagues are due vnto that sinfull sort , That both with mind vncleane , and toung vnchaste , Of lothsome vice make but a play and sport ? And where they ought not spend a word in waste , They vtter out the filthiest words they can , Without respect of either God or man , Contenting not themselues with wicked deeds Alone , to passe away their sinfull race : But with such words as filthily proceeds From out their hearts , defiling eu'ry place . As noysome weeds the freshest flowres deface : So do these beasts with tongue and talke vncleane , Defile eche thing that fayrest may be seene , With words vnseemely , that vncleannesse sound , These harlot-hunters doe themselues delight , Corrupting minds that otherwise were sound , With speach vnpure , and wanton gesture light , Wherein they 're skild , as in their arte profound : Their shamelesse toungs , while as their acts they tell , Doe cause the deuill himselfe to blush in hell . Most wretched men , that lead your liues with shame , And dye like beasts , in miserable plight : The paynes of hell is end of all your gayne . Each damned soule shall feele his torment light , Respecting yours , who for your foule delight , Farre passe them all in torments and in payne : This is your end , and your assured gayne . Let this suffice to giue thee warning here , That saylest neere this care-procuring place , Although the beauty fayre at first appeare , Thou seest the end , how in most wretched case They plagued are , and buy their pleasure deare . Then leaue betimes , and sayle another way . It is not good with dangers for to play . And take good heed : for streight before thy face , Amid these Seas , another danger lyes , That bearing vp his head a little space , Aboue the water , oft deceiues the eyes , By which a number haue complaynd their case . The shew is small , that doth appeare on hye : The chiefest harme doth vnder water lye .

THe top whereof is smoothly polished , And doth not threaten hazzard with the show , By which haue many bene seduc'd and led To trauell neere , the state thereof to know ; Who with their ships haue but in ill sort sped , Being all to torne a pieces , forc't to flye , Their masters sprawling on the surges hye . The lustiest Saylors haue bene drowned here , Whose Barkes haue borne the brauest port on Seas , For manly shew , and stomacks voyd of feare , While as they sayl'd which way them best did please , Who counsell none , nor no aduice would heare , Still trusting to their owne deceiued wit , From whose selfe-wil they would not stirre a whit : Nor cast they here themselues away alone , But cause great numbers more their course to misse , Perswading them , that neere vnto this stone Doth lye the way to euerlasting blisse , Assuring them that danger there is none : By which vayne words they cause the simple men To cast away themselues by following them . This dangerous place that hath so many lost , And thus beguild , is called Heresy : A hurtfull place , a most pernitious coast , A wofull rocke , a wretched ieopardy , And hurts the Nauy of Christianity : Which gorgeous fleet had long time since beene drent , If mighty Ioue had not them succour lent , Who pitying them of his accustom'd grace , When as they were with stormes and tempests tost , And euen at point to fall vpon this place , Whereas they had beene altogether lost , Lamenting , as it were , their wretched case , Rebuk't the winds , and tooke the Helme in hand , And brought them safe vnto th'assured land . A happy guide in these so dreadfull Seas , Whose blessed ayde if all men erst had sought With humble mind , in seeking him to please , And setting all their owne deuice at nought , They had not purchast thus their owne disease , Nor had they left behind them such a fame , As hitherto the world resounds with shame . Cerinthus had not cast himselfe away Vpon this rocke , in such lamented plight : Nor Eutyches had past this wretched way , If seruing God had beene his chiefe delight : Nor had Nouatus on this mischiefe light , Nor Arrius with his Arrians here had dide , Nor all the swarme of Manicheyes beside ; With thousands more , that here I lothe to name , Who might haue scap't this dreadfull place full well , That brought them vnto euerlasting shame , And threw them headlong to the pit of hell , Whereas they wayle in neuer-ceasing flame , If they had sought this safe-assured ayde , And vnto him for helpe had alwayes prayd . Take thou good heed , that trauellest hereby , Lest that thou fall vpon this hurtfull place : Beware of Schisme : Beware of Heresie , And pray to God continually for grace , That he may keepe thee from this misery , In giuing thee a quicke and watchfull eye , Whereby thou mayst such couert dangers flye . Looke well about , and trust not euery sprite , That seemes to teach the safe-assured way , Be well assur'd he teach the way aright , Or walke nor thou else , after him astray . The Deuill himselfe can seeme an Angell bright . But Christ hath left you here his Scriptures playne , A touch-stone true to trye Religion vayne . By these examine eu'ry prating sprite , By these goe trie what vnto thee is taught , Let these be Iudge who teacheth wrong or right , Let these discerne the good things from the nought , Of these in darknesse borrow all thy light : So shalt thou able be thy selfe to trye , Where shaddowes false , and where deceit doth lye . Beleeue not those same slandrous mouthes vntrue , Who make report , how that the Bookes diuine Corrupted are with false translations new : Onely of malice they do thus repine ; They see the Spirit of God will them subdue : And therefore for to bring them in contempt , These slandrous lyes maliciously th' inuent . As he that late such needlesse paynes did take , In culling out the faults he could espy , Of euery tittle straight account doth make , In noting where he thinkes they runne awry . Yet if thou shalt his worthy iudgement trye , Thou well shalt see , his folly-full-fed brayne Hath taken all his trauell here in vayne . Beside , another marke there is to know These wretched sprites , that leade men thus to hell : Though clad in pelts of sheepe , they simple show , And many tales of God and heauen tell , Yet malice doth their minds so ouerflow , Their bloody teeth do still appeare in sight , Wherewith like Wolues continually they fight . Example one , amongst a number more , Let Arrius be , who , whil'st he here did raigne , Of torments great , and tortures had much store , Wherewith he put true Christians still to payne , With sundry deaths , not heard of oft before , As splintars sharp of Reeds , which sore did prick , As twixt the nayles and flesh the same did stick . That deuillish mind that raigneth now in hell , Doth still enuy the happy state of man ; And since the time that first to earth he fell , He laboureth by all the meanes he can , To cause them all in paynes with him to dwell , Continuing still with rancour and with heate , To persecute that happie heauenly seate . Chrysostome he , that long agoe hath tride These brittle Seas , and searched eu'ry place , Who had good proofe of eu'ry wind and tide , And well could sayle to find the port of grace , Declar'd which way these people might be spide , And gaue plaine token how we well should know These Barks of Schisme that on these Seas do row : Did euer yet ( sayth he ) the simple sheepe With bloody mouth the greedie Woolfe pursue ? Not once : But rauening Woolues do neuer sleepe From hunting them : So Cain poore Abel slew : Not Abel him : So Ismael Isaac true Did persecute : not Isaac him . The Iew Thus troubled Christ ; and Heretikes , Christians true . Thus playnely did this skilfull Father old Conclude , that such as beare such hatefull minde Against the flocke , and happy harmelesse fold Of Christ , still following them with malice blind , To be the Wolues , of whome our Sauiour told . The Wolfe by raueuing euermore is ' tride . The Heretike by cruell mind is spide . Then since thou mayst full well discerne this ill , Sayle farre from hence , and steare aduisedly , And guide thy selfe by good and carefull skill ; So shalt thou misse this fearefull ieopardy . Giue not the reynes and bridle vnto will , But make it subiect to the motions hye , That thou mayst saue thy selfe , and dangers flye .

YEt once againe thou needst to take good heed : For hereabouts an Iland fayre doth lye , That to the Saylers mischiefe great doth breed , That flames farre off , like Phoebus in the skye . Which glistring sight the gazers mind doth feede , Perswading them some worthy sight is there , That so encompast is with shining cleere . In euery place Pyramides here rise , With costly stones compact of gorgeous show , Whose stately toppes do seeme to touch the skyes : The bases square are framed fayre below , With such proportions as best please the eyes , Adorned braue with Torches flaming bright , That seeme to spoyle the day it selfe of light . A thousand Altars garnisht here do stand , With cloth of gold , and purple passing fayre , And fires burning hie on eu'ry hand , Where Incense cast , doth cause a pleasant ayre ; And thither blinded men make their repayre . On eu'ry Altar Images appeare , Of sundry gods , that people worship there . There Saturne stands with enuious count'nance sad , And next to him hath Iupiter his place , And Venus smiling fayre with beautie glad , And fuming Mars with hote and fiery face , And Dian with her siluer-shining grace : Swift Mercury amongst them here doth stand , With flickring wings , and golden rod in hand . Great Bacchus heere is plac't with Maiestie , And neere to him Dame Ceres may be seene , And Proserpine that low beneath doth lye , And Iuno once of heauen counted Queene , And Berecynthya , mother of the skye : Here Castor ioyn'd with Pollux fayre doth stand , And Esculapius with his Snakes in hand . On other Altars ioyning thereto neere , A number great of pictures placed be , That monstrous to the lookers on appeare ; As one , that pourtrayde is with faces three , Another holding in his hand a tree , And wading ouer riuers easily , With monstrous legs , & shoulders shameful hye . But most of all , that makes men there to muse , There stands a Saint in strange disguised sort , To take 't for man or woman , you may chuse : For of them both it seemes to beare a port , Arrayde in gownes , as women most doe vse , And thus disguis'd in strange and masking coates , Esteemes no other offring here , then Oates . A number great of such strange pictures vayne Here mayst thou see , of whom it needs not tell , That vnto Priests haue alwayes bene a gayne , And led such as them worshipt , vnto hell ; Here are the Saints to whom the Turke doth yell : As Vanus and Sedichasis , that victorie doth bring , With Mircichinus and Ascichum , & Chiderell the King . Before eche image , Tapers burning bright , And Odours sweete doe fume continually , The people kneeling round about in sight , With hands held vp , and voyces lowd doe cry ; Eche one complayning of his wretched plight , Doe call vpon their gods with feruent minde , Supposing thus a perfit helpe to finde . This dangerous place is cal'd Idolatry , Whereon are lost the Turks and Pagans all , That hither still in swarming flocks doe flye , Not fearing mischiefe that may them befall : And numbers great of Christians here doe dye , That leauing Christ , to Idoles fast do sing , Which is detested of th' Almighty King : For nothing doth so much the mind offend Of that most sacred Maiestie diuine ; Nor nothing makes him more his plagues to send , Then when he sees his seruants to decline From seruing him , to seeke another friend : This more doth him displease assuredly , Then any whore dome , theft , or robbery . Him liketh to be worshipped alone , With earnest mind , and with vnfayned heart : Who worships him , must worship others none . It is not meet for any to giue part Of honour due to him , vnto a stone : For who so doth , shall feele his torments due , For worshipping false gods , and gods vntrue . This only cause did make him oft forsake His chosen flocke , the ancient Israelites , Who , though with mouth he often to them spake , Appoynting to them sacred lawes and rites , Yet euermore his ord'nances they brake : In eu'ry groue , on eu'ry wood and hill , They Idols plac't contrarie to his will : For which , he often gaue them ouer quite Into the hands of cruell enemies , Who dealt with them in payne-inflicting plight , Vexing them still with fearefull tyrannies , Compeld to suffer thousand cruelties , Accounted slaues and abiects clearely lost , That erst of all men were esteemed most . For this , poore Christians oftentimes haue felt The vsage vile , and force of Turkish hands , That many yeeres haue with them euill delt , Depriuing them of children , wife , and lands , Since first of Idoles they the seruice smelt , Decayd their vertues , lost their ancient fame , And made them to the world an open shame . Therefore beware , and shun this filthy place . Let Paul thy Pilot be vpon these Seas , Who sayth , Idolaters shall not the face Of God , or see , or find the Port of ease : For Idole-seruers are depriu'd of grace : Such kind of seruants onely he desires , As seeke to serue him as himselfe requires . All other seruice he esteemes as vayne ; And most he hates such fond religion blind , As is deuis'd by dreame of foolish brayne : That worship onely doth delight his mind , That he himselfe hath taught in Scriptures playne : He suffers not to honour this or that ; But playnely hath himselfe appoynted what . Serue thou him therefore , as he liketh best ; With all thy heart , with all thy mind him loue ; Let him be highest alwayes in thy brest : Take heed that none be placed him aboue . Esteeme no creature so aboue the rest , That loue thereof shall him from thee remoue : For that he doth in all his word reproue . Not onely Image-seruers haue the name Of blind Idolaters , but eu'ry such , That inwardly with feruent loue doth flame , Esteeming fading fancies here , too much , Preferring them before all feare , or shame : These kind of loues , when in the heart they lye , Are surest signes of vile Idolatry . Farre off from this see therefore that thou flye , If thou intend the Hauen fayre to finde : For who so toucheth on this same , shall dye , In suffring ship-wracke , through his folly blinde . Keepe then the ioyfull Hauen still in minde , Whose pleasures great shall fully thee reward , For all thy paynes , and all thy trauels hard .

ANother danger lyes there in the way , That seemeth good and safe vnto the eye , Whereat a number great of Shippes doe stay , That here are lost , or put in ieopardy , With colour false of good it doth betray , And most allures such men as seeke for fame : Hypocrisy this mischiefe hath to name . A rocke but soft and simple to the eye , That pleaseth much the mind of worldly sight , Whereas deceit doth closly couered lye , Which hindreth men from trauelling aright : Vpon the top whereof in open place , There stands an Image couered all of stone , That there was placed many yeeres agone . Which Image here I would describe to thee , But that long since it hath bene paynted playne By learned Chancer , gemme of Poetry , Who past the reach of any English brayne : A folly therefore were it here for me , To touch that he did often vse to say , Writ in the Romant of his Roses gay . ANother thing was done , they write , That seemed like an Hypocrite , And it was cleeped Pope holy , That ill is she that priuily , Ne spareth neuer a wicked deed , When men of her taken none heed , And maketh her outward precious , With pale visage , and pitious , And seemeth a simple creature : But there nys no misaduenture , That she ne thinketh in her courage . Full like to her was thilke Image , That maked was byt her semblance , She was full simple of count'nance , And she was clothed and eke shod , As she were for the loue of God , Youlden to Religion , Such seemed her deuotion . A Psalter held she fast in hond , And busily she gan to fond , To make many a faint prayer To God , and to his Saints deare . Ne she was gay , fresh , and iolliff , But seem'd to be full intentiff To good workes , and to faire , And thereto she had on a hayre , Ne certes she was fat nothing , But seemed weary for fasting : Of colour pale , and dead was shee , From her the gates aye warned be , Of Paradice , the blisfull place . For such folke maken leane their grace , As Christ saith in his Euangile , To get their praise in towne a while , And for a little glorie vayne , They leesen God , and eke his raigne . THus hath the golden pen of Chaucer old , The Image playne described to the eye : Who passing by long since , did it behold , And tooke a note thereof aduisedly , And left the same to his posterity , That each man passing by , might playnely know The perfit substance of that flattring show . An enemy great vnto the Christian fleete , It this fowle rocke of false Hypocrisie , That vs depriueth of the pleasure sweete , And brings our soules to greatest misery : A vice vnmeete for Christianity . Eschew it then , and farre off from him flye , Let not such blind affections bleare thine eye . Seeke rather good to be , then good to seeme ; Seeke so to liue , as thou doest here professe : So shall both God and man thee best esteeme ; So shalt thou perfit Christian life expresse . What good doth it , when men thee godly deeme ? Although thou mayst dissemble for a while , Yet God thou canst not long time thus beguile . His eye doth still discerne thy inward thought ; Thy secret dealings well he doth behold , And all thy deeds in hucker-mucker wrought , At length before the world he shall vnfold : To what a misery shalt thou then be brought , When all thy filthy vices there shall smoake , That here were hidden vnder godly cloake ? Christ hath vs taught for to abhorre this crime , When as he curs'd the Scribes and Pharises , Who seem'd the godliest liuers at that time , All garnisht outward with Hypocrisies , As though they dayly staffe by staffe did clime , By godly life to reach the haughtie skies , Whereas their hearts were full of villaynies . Oh , what a number at this present day , Doe swarme in eu'ry towne , in eu'ry place , That , God be thank'd , and God be prais'd , can say , With gesture mild , and fayned godly grace , Who crowching low before men , fast can pray ! And yet for all this shew and goodly geare , Deceitfull knaues at length they doe appeare , Beguiling men , that put in them their trust , Oppressing poore men by sinister wayes , Without all conscience , words and deeds vniust ; Yet would they seeme , as though they God did praise ; Whereas ( in deed ) these cursed cast-awayes Doe neuer worship any God in minde , But alwayes serue their owne affections blinde . Oh , sinfull men , what meane you thus to deale So couertly before the face of God ? Be well assur'd you cannot long conceale ; Be well assur'd you cannot scape his rod ; Your wretched deeds in time he will reueale , When as your masking garments , so long worne , Shall all be rent , and from your shoulders torne . Your paynted vizard shall be pluckt away , Wherewith so many here you did deceaue , And all your curious counterfet array , You shall be forc't , against your will , to leaue : Those purple garments , which make you so gay , Shall off be pluckt , and all things else beside , And then the bare-arst Ape shall playne be spide . Sayle thou not neere this cursed wretched place , That seekst the happie Hauen for to find ; Cry out to God , and call for better grace ; Commit thy sayles vnto a better wind ; Eschew the looke of false dissembling face : So shalt thou sooner find the Port of blisse , Which cursed Hypocrites shall surely misse .

ADuaunce thy tops , hang out thy Flags abroad , The greatest danger thou hast trauel'd by , And neere thou art vnto the happy Road : The other perils in the way that lye , May well be past , and well be ouertrode : For none doe perish here in any place , But such as are both voyd of wit and grace . Cast feare away , and take a lustie heart ; Reuiue thy sprite with gladnesse , and with ioy ; Cheere vp thy mind , and comfort eu'ry part ; Remoue eche griefe , that may thy sence annoy : For neere vnto the Hauen now thou art , Whereas thou shalt th'Almightie Father see , The spring and head of all felicitie . Although these dangers hereabouts that lye , Doe neuer hurt the godly carefull mind : Yet for their safeties that shall trauell by , I briefly will declare their names and kind , That sooner so they may such mischiefes flye , And keeping still the safe-assured Seas , They may the readier find the Port of ease .

THe first , and worst of these same dangers great , Is Blasphemy , a blacke sin-spotted crime , Which barketh still against the heauenly seat , And most offends the Maiestie diuine , With fearefull othes , sworne out in furious heat ; Of Reprobates the most assured token , Whereby the wrath of God is still prouoken .

NExt this , hath churlish Cruelty the place , A mischiefe that doth hellish minds assayle With gastly count'nance , and death-boding face , Whereon a number great of ships doe quayle , That wanting gentle winds , all voyd of grace , Vpon this danger hastily doe light , And neuer find the blisfull Hauen bright .

THen Hatred shewes his hurtfull head aloft , A cankred harme , contagious vnto many , Which ouerthrowes the subtill Sayler oft , And drowpeth deepe the spightfull company ; Who while they deeme the bed of Hatred soft , Doe rest themselues vpon this misery , Brought here asleepe by enuious heart-swolne folly .

HEere Murther , all embrude with blood doth stand , That giues vnto the eye a fearefull sight , On top whereof , with shaking sword in hand , Is Fury plac't , a terrour-threatning sprite , Who suffers none t'attayne the happy land , That once vpon this mischiefe haps to light , Or is possest with murther-causing spight .

HEereby stands Theft , a deepe sin-swallowing ill , That doth allure the greedy gracelesse mind , Train'd vp from youth in witlesse wretched will ; And Robbery sister to this vice by kind , May here be seene about her swarming still : These lustie bloods that here at anker lye , Will sooner find a pound , then lose a penny .

NOt farre from hence stands sinfull Sorcery , A mischiefe founded by the Deuill first , With Charmes , Enchantments , and Astrology , The practisers whereof are all accurst . And ioyn'd with this , stands Infidelity : The one deemes , all things by the starres are done : The other thinkes , that all at randon runne . To this apace our learned Masters hye , That teach vs what shall happen yeare by yeare , And what sore plagues are threatned from the skye , As famine , warres , and other pitious geare . Great Clarkes ( forsooth ) and such as seldome lye , Who fayne would be esteemed cunning men , While as they steale the fruits of others pen .

NOw last of all , two dangers great appeere , Betweene the which thou canst not chuse but runne . Therefore thou must looke circumspecty heere , As other Saylers heretofore haue done . Sayle iust betweene them both , sayle not too neere To any of them : for strong the tide doth runne , And often driues the heedelesse Barkes thereon . The one of them with lofty looke doth rise , And seemes to touch the place where Saints do dwell ; All blacke the other lyes before the eyes , The plat-forme playne , and Image right of hell . There shalt thou heare continuall shrikes and cries Of damned soules , that wofully doe yell , Whose lothsome shapes no mortall tongue can tell .

PResumption hath the one of these to name , That makes men like their doings here too wel , The other Desperation full of blame , That throwes men headlong to the pit of hell : Two mischiefes great , that mans destruction frame . These are the hurts that in these Seas do lye : Regard them well , and shun them warily .

REmayneth nothing for thee now behind , But gracious marks that lead the Sayler right , That comfort much the godly vertuous mind , And teach them to find out the Port of light , ( The chiefest succour for the weary sprite . ) For who so runnes by these , shall neuer misse The Hauen fayre of euerlasting blisse . The formost of these sure and happy guides , Is earnest Prayer , that giues a goodly show , And keepeth safe the Barke from troublous tides , That mou'd with hellish tides , contrary flow . In safety here the wandring vessell rides . Though deuill , world , and flesh against it striue , Yet vnder sayle it safely here may driue . A thousand happy hands may here be seene , Held vp with heart vnfeyn'd vnto the skyes , Washt in the waters of Repentance cleane , And purged pure with teares of weeping eyes : A thousand toungs , from minds that well do meane , Yeeld vp to God their seruent suites , and cry At morne , at noone , at night , continually .

THe next , is Peace , a qulet happy place , Whereas no strife nor rankour can be found . Rest thou thy Barke within this Road of grace , And trauell for to touch vpon this ground . They alwayes come to God , that runne this race , For those that here most peaceably remayne , Haue dayly traffike with the heauenly raygne .

HEreby doth Loue , another beauty , stand , That brings thee streight vnto the Road of rest , And poynteth out directly with her hand , The perfit way , by which thou mayst be blest . No harmefull Boat may euer here take land , But onely those that please th'Almighties will . This Loue doth all the hests of God fulfill .

NExt , Mercy stands , a vertuous work and playne , That leadeth streight vnto the blissefull port , And is possessed of the heauenly trayne , And most frequented of the godly sort : To which our Sauiour did the Iewes exhort , Assuring those that mercy shew'd to men , That mercy should be shew'd agayne to them .

NOt farre from hence , may Patience be seene , The Bulwarke strong against all iniury , The soueraigne Lady , and victorious Queene , In troubles toyles , and worldly misery , The buttresse chiefe of Christianity : By which , the soules of vertuous men haue sayl'd , That neuer yet in storme or tempest quail'd .

HEere liuely Fayth may well discerned be , The Channel safe that leads to heauenly blisse , Whereby the Fathers old attaynd to see The Hauen fayre of perfit happinesse : This made the Martyrs flame in such degree , By which they knew , assuredly to find The blissefull place conceiued in their mind . These are the marks whereby thou must take heed ; By these thou mayst thy selfe in voyage guide , If that thou seekest happily to speed , And passe the Flats , and scape the raging Tyde : Vpon this course the holyest haue agreed : No other way they here haue left behind , Whereby we may the heauenly Harbour find . Sayle therefore as the perfit course doth lye , And runne the race that is to thee assign'd : For whoso runneth otherwise awry , The Hauen faire of blisse shall neuer find , But drown'd in Seas , for euermore shall dye : Where they that keepe the course that Christ hath taught , Shall vnto euerlasting ioyes be brought . Here would I plaine set out before thine eyes This happie place , wherein thy Barke shall rest , What shew it hath , and in what sort it lyes ; But that it can by no man be exprest . That place of ioy aboue the starrie skies , By any wit cannot be throughly scand , Nor can be blaz'd by any mortall hand . The ioyes are such , as cannot here be told , No pen can paynt , nor tongue can tell the kind , The gorgeous sight , that Saints shall here behold , Surmounts the reach of any earthly mind , And all the pleasures in this world we find : No eye hath seene , nor eare hath euer heard , The ioyes , that are for godly men prepar'd . Apply thy mind to seeke this happy place , Put all thy strength , and all thy force thereto ; Call vnto God continually for grace ; As Christ hath taught , seeke alwayes so to doe ; Set alwayes him , and his before thy face : So thou thy selfe with eyes shalt playnely see , What ioyes , what pleasures are prepar'd for thee .

FINIS .