The Good Christians Admonition
to all Young-Men,
Not to Forget their State of Mortality.
What Man is he that lives, that shall not dye?
Or w[h]o is he that can with Death out-vie?
Our Predecessors dy'd, and shall not we
Prepare for Death, and for Eternity?
To the Tune of, The Fathers Good Counsel.
Entred according to Order.
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ALas! why should we thus lament,
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let's live in love and unity;
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And let us labour for content,
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it is the only remedy.
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Sin is the cause of all this strife,
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as we may plainly understand,
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Let each man strive to mend his life,
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that peace may flourish in the Land.
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Could we but live in Charity,
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we soon should find a blessed state,
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Could we but heartily agree,
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would put an end to all debate.
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O strive to lead a sober life,
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and cast away all kind of Pride,
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Be free from malice and from strife,
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and God will surely be your guide.
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When thou art in the midst of strength,
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and like a flower in the prime,
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Thy days are like a span in length,
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O who would waste their precious time
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Those painted Cheeks of vanity,
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that doth delight thy mortal eye;
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Will bring but ruine unto thee,
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poor soul, when thou shalt come to dye
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Let young-men learn for to be wise,
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be careful what you do or say,
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See that you do good counsel prize,
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and strive Gods Laws for to obey.
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We see how some do vaunt in pride,
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as if there were no God to fear,
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They'l scoff and flout, and will deride,
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at those that make a Conscience here.
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Tho' some are cloath'd in garments brave
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and others are in poor array;
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They'l both be equal in the Grave,
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and also in the latter day.
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There's no respect to rich or poor,
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therefore let piety increase,
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That when this life shall be no more,
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we may lay down our heads in peace.
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Both young and old, and rich and poor,
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hath but a short abiding here,
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I say, prepare for death therefore,
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be just and keep your conscience clear.
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O do not gripe nor grind the poor,
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but pitty those in misery,
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The Lord he will increase thy store,
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and bless thy whole posterity.
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Then let not worldly wealth allure,
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thy heart from love to steal away,
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For who is he that can be sure,
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to live to see another day.
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Though thou hast great possessions here,
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to which thy heart is so inclin'd,
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Although thou lov'st them ne'r so dear,
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yet thou must leave them all behind.
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Believe me Friend, for this is truth,
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death cometh like a nimble page,
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As often in our blooming youth,
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as in the winter of old age.
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Deaths Warrant never will revoke,
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he spareth neither high nor low,
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For when he comes to give the blow,
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he saith it must and shall be so.
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O never envy any man,
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by any thought, word, work, or deed,
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But do you all the good you can,
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for those that truly stand in need.
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Thus let your dealings be upright,
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in whatsoe're you undertake,
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Although the world may you affright,
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yet God will never you forsake.
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