Good Admonition
Or
To al sorts of people this counsell I sing,
That in each ones affaire, to take heed's a faire thing.
To the tune of, Magina-cree.
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TO all christian people,
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this ditty belongs,
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That have the true sense,
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of their ears, eyes, and tongues:
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If well they doe keepe it
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t'will profit them bring,
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I give but this Item:
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take heed's a faire thing.
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Be sure above all things,
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that God thou doe serve,
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That safely from dangers,
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doth still thee preserve:
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Him laud for his mercy,
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and praise to him sing,
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And of that be not slacke:
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take heed's a faire thing.
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See next that thy parents,
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thou love and obey,
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Be rul'd by their counsells
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beleeve what they say:
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If so thou persever,
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in thy tender spring,
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Thy age will be blessed:
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take heed's a faire thing.
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To fawning loose friendship,
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see thou doe not trust,
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Give good words for good words,
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for flattery must
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With truth strive to wrastle,
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but fly thou her sting,
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Beware of her lurches:
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take heed's a faire thing.
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Let not thy kind heart,
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make thy credit to cracke,
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Too prodigall be not,
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nor whats fitting lacke,
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To sheepskin and wax,
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see thy hand never cling
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In thriving observe this,
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take heed's a faire thing.
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Lewd Company see that,
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by no meanes thou keepe,
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Lest shame with disgrace then
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upon thee doe creepe:
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And danger into her
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relaps will thee bring,
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Give care to my counsell,
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take heed's a faire thing.
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Let no tempting harlot
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bewitch or intice,
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To sell that for lust,
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which did cost such a price,
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As his that died for thee,
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to heaven thee to bring,
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If thou wilt goe thither:
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take heed's a faire thing.
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The second part. To the same tune.
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DRinke wine but let temperance,
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measure thy boule,
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Shun dice, and lewd gaming,
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if thou love thy soule.
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Be just in thy calling,
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then consciences sting,
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Shall never oppresse thee,
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take heed's a faire thing.
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Vaine-glory and pride,
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like the devill from fly,
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Foule theft and adultery,
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come thou not nigh,
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Wrath see thou eschew,
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for to murther twill bring,
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Then shamefull death followes:
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take heed's, etc.
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Extortion and covetousnesse,
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see that thou hate,
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If that the white path,
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thou wouldst tread that is straight,
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For the broad way in fury,,
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to hell wil thee bring,
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And too many finde it,
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take heed's, etc.
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If much thou possessest,
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be good to the poore,
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Let Charity never,
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depart from thy doore,
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Then fame of thy bounty,
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and goodnesse shall sing,
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But if thou doo other,
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take heed's, etc.
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Take heed of repining
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at other mens good,
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Beare patiently losses,
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for tis understood,
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That who so continues,
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his conscience will bring
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A peaceable ending,
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take heed's, etc.
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Delight not in popular
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glory as vaine,
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Like April sunshine,
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thats mixed with raine
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But keepe within compasse,
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and plenty will bring,
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The best of her labours.
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take heed's, etc.
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Be awefull ore servants,
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but not too precise:
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Be friendly with friendship,
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and friendly him prise,
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But if thou in danger
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thy selfe for him bring,
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The begger will catch thee,
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take heed's, etc.
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Thus doing content
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with true peace shalt thou find,
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And nothing disturbe thee,
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in body or minde:
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And after death brings thee,
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where Angels doe sing,
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Thou shalt live for ever.
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take heed's a faire thing.
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FINIS.
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