A Godly new Ballad, Intituled, A Douzen of Points.
A Douzen of Points, you here may read,
Whereon each Christian Soul may feed.
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THe gift is small, a Douzen of Points,
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wherewith ide wish you knit your joynts
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Keep well the same and credit me,
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Thy Life more pure and just will be.
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The first points this, ide wish you keep,
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Is that at night before you sleep,
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See still you ask God forgiveness,
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Of all your sins and wickedness.
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The second point is this I say,
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When thou dost see the chearful day,
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Arise and praise the God of might,
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That hath defended thee all night.
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The third is that thou shouldst require,
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And on thy bended knees desire,
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The God of Heaven to be thy stay,
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For to preserve thee night and day.
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The fourth doth bid thee to beware,
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And to avoid the subtile snare,
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For Satan with his crafty power,
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Doth seek Mens soul for to devour,
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The fifth good Councel doth thee give,
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And warn thee well whilst thou dost live,
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To keep thy Conscience clear and pure,
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Then God will bless thee to be sure.
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The sixth of these my Points do will,
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That thou devise no subtile skill:
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Whereby to work thy Neighbours woe,
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Take heed I say, and do not so.
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The seventh saith, defraud no man,
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But deal as justly as you can,
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The Widdow and the Fatherless defend,
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So God will bless thee to the end.
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The eighth doth bid thee more or less,
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Still to beware of Drunkenness,
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For Drunkards are abhord by God,
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On whom he lays his heavy rod,
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The ninth saith fornication flye,
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Those wicked Harlots will make thee dye:
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Thy body theyl consume, I say,
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And bring thy soul unto decay.
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The tenth doth day, do not forswear,
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False witness against no man bear:
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Let no affections sway thy mind,
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The eye of Justice so to blind.
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The eleventh enjoyns thee not to desire,
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Thy Neighbours goods for to require:
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But the ten Commandments observe,
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So thou shalt stand and never swerve,
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The twelfth saith serve the God of might,
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And truly serve him day and night,
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Obey the King as tis thy part,
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And to thy Country bear a faithful heart.
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See these my Points thou dost possess,
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Even when thou thy self doth rest,
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Keep well each one in his degree,
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And knit them fast then credit me.
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