A godly new Ballad, Intituled, A dozen of Points.
A dozen of Points you may here read,
Whereon each Christians soul may feed.
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THe gift is smal, a dozen 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 most pure and just shall be.
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The first Points this I wish you keep,
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Is that at night before you sleep:
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Still see 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 this that thou wouldst 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 subtil snare,
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For Satan with his crafty power
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Doth seek mens souls for to devour.
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The fifth good counsel 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 subtle skil,
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Whereby to work thy Neighbors wo,
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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 Widow 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 drunkennesse;
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For drunkenness is abhord of God
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On whom he lays his heavy rod.
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The ninth saith, Fornication fly,
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Those wicked Harlots will make thee die:
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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 say, do not forswear,
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False witness againts no man bear:
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Let no affection sway thy mind
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The eye of Justice for to blind.
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The eleventh enjoyns thee not to desire
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Thy Neighbors goods for to require,
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But the ten Commandements observe,
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So shalt thou stand and never swerve.
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The twelfth saith, fear the God of might,
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And truely serve him day and night:
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Obey the King as tis thy part
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To thy Countrey bear a faithful heart.
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See these my Points thou dost possesse,
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Even when thou thy self dost rest:
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Keep well each one in his degree,
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And knit them fast and credit m[e.]
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