A Lesson for all True CHRISTIANS.
[Which] being well observed by old and young,
[And] practised with hand, heart, and tongue:
Great comfort in it at last you'll find,
Then mark it well, and bear it in your mind.
Tune o[f], The Letter for a Christian Family. By J. C.
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ALl you whose minds be high & heavenly bent,
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Observe Gods laws, and strive for to repent,
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[Bear] thou in mind these lines I shall unfold
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[And pr]ize them better far than pearl or gold.
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[BEar] thou in mind that Christ dy'd for thy sin
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Upon the Cross, thy precious soul to win;
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[Be fre]quent still in reading of his word,
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[which]cuts down sin as with a 2 edg'd sword.
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[CO]nsider well the bitter pains & death,
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Our Savious Christ hath suffered on the earth,
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[Unto t]he Cross they nail'd his hands and feet,
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[So for our s]ins he shed his blood most sweet.
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DEfer no time, but pray continually,
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Thy sins against the still for Vengeance cry:
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Pray to the Lord thy sins may be forgiven,
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And that thy soul may live with Christ in heaven.
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ETernal God if it be thy blessed will,
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Comfort all those that now are sick or ill,
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By Land or Sea relieve them of their pain,
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Restore them to their former health again.
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FOrbear to swear you children that are young,
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You parents pray correct them for their wrong
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And bring them up in fear to serve the Lord,
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For fear he scourge them with his heavy Rod.
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GReat oaths in vain too many people swear,
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The Lord in pieces willfully they tear:
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Strange imprecations they too common use,
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with such delights they do themselves abuse.
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HOw many false reports abroad do flie,
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People likewise are givin much to lie:
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Likewise dissemble so with one another,
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We cannot tell how for to trust our Brothe[r]
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IN many places people sudden dye,
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Others again sore sick in bed do lye,
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Lord give them grace in time for to repent,
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And so their grievous sins for to lament.
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KEep thou in mind & Judgement day will come,
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When thou shalt answer for what thou hast done,
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Whilst thou remainest here on the earth
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Therefore prepare thee for the hour of death.
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LEt not malicious thoughts possess thy breast,
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Nor wicked actions in thy conscience rest;
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In any case do not thy Neighbour wrong,
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Neither by thought, word, deed, nor yet by tongue.
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MAny there be that follow drunkenness,
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And make themselves far worse then any beast,
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And many when that they should go to Church
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Do in an Ale-house or a Tavern lurch.
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NOr do they heed, but spend their means in vain,
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Which shou'd their wives & children maintain
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Until they have consum'd their whole estate,
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And ne'r repent before it be too late,
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OThers there be likewise doth rob and kill,
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And many a man and womans blood do spill;
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For money to maintain their grievous sin,
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And think not on the errors they run in.
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PIty it is they have no better care,
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But bring their souls and bodies in a snare;
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Their bodies here to dye in woful shame,
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Their souls to suffer in eternal flame.
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QUere thou after Gods word which is so pure
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Also the Gospel which will still indure;
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Seek thou the place whereas thy soul may rest
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Amongst the Angels whom the Lord hath blest.
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REgard not thou the sin of covet[ousness]
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Seek for to right the [widdow and fatherless;]
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Help to relieve those that in prison ly[e]
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Also remember man that thou must [dye].
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SEt not thy mind upon Adultery,
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But from the beauty of lewd wo[en flye;]
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We find in Scripture that it is forb[id;]
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Then mind it well when as you do [it read.]
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TAke heed that you do not false m[easures use,]
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With such deceit do not thy s[self abuse,]
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Too many use it now, the more's t[he pitty]
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In every place, in Country, Town, [and City].
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UNdone are many by this false d[eceit,]
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Let me advise such people, an[d intreat,]
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To leave it off, and mark what I shal[l say]
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'Twill rise against them at the Judg[ement day[?]]
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WHen thou before thy maker shal[t appear [?]]
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To give account, and eke thy [self to clear,]
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If well thou'st done, then happy shal[t thou be[?]]
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And live with Christ in joy eternally.
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XAmple take I pray both old and [young,]
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By those few lines that's penne[d in this song[?]]
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Bear it in your mind I pray now eve[ry one,]
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And think on it when I am dead and [gone.]
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YOung-men & maidens love your [parents dear]
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Honour them still, and seek the [Lord to fear]
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O mind your Bibles more then all yo[ur pride]
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And then be sure the Lord will be you[r guide]
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ZEalous and faithful to each other [prove,]
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Live not in hatred, but in perfe[ct love,]
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Peace is a vertue passeth gold so pur[e]
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Lord grant it may amongst us still end[ure].
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& Now at last for to conclude and e[nd]
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These lines to all true Christians [I do send,]
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To read them o're, and of them take a [veiw,]
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What here's pen'd you'l find for to be [true.]
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