A Warning-Piece for all Wickd Livers,
OR,
A Caviet for all People to remember their Latter End.
Being very good instructions for Old and young, Rich and Poor, to a-
mend their Lives, and repent before it be too late.
To the Tune of, The Rich Merchant Man.
|
TO you both Old and Young,
|
these Lines I do indite,
|
Desiring you them to observe,
|
and not good Counsel slight:
|
Take notice well I pray,
|
what's here pen'd in this Song,
|
Unto the General Judgement-Day,
|
I think the time's not long:
|
Then fear God and Repent,
|
spend not your time in waste,
|
For old and young, both rich and poor,
|
must yield to Death at last.
|
HOw many wicked Sins,
|
are Reigning in our Land?
|
Which are by men & women us'd
|
against the Lords command:
|
Hateful Pride is in use,
|
and also Blasphemy,
|
Many run on in wickedness,
|
and think they ne'r shall dye:
|
Then fear, etc.
|
O Would men did but think
|
upon their latter end,
|
Then then would flye all vanity,
|
and strive their lives to mend:
|
O Wretched Mortal Man,
|
keep still, and bear in mind,
|
Though thou tak'st pleasure in this Life,
|
yet thou'lt leave them behind:
|
Then fear, etc.
|
MInd not this Worldly Wealth,
|
on it set not thy heart,
|
For when that death doth stop thy breath,
|
thy Gold and thee must part,
|
Mans Life is like a Flower,
|
that groweth fresh and brave,
|
We are here today, tomorrow we may
|
be laid within our Grave:
|
Then fear, etc.
|
ABhor and also shun,
|
from Drunkenness alway,
|
'Twill bring thy Soul & body both
|
to ruine and decay:
|
Abomination it is,
|
before the sight of God,
|
Then use it not, lest that he scourge
|
thee with his heavy Rod:
|
Then fear, etc.
|
SWear thou not by the Lord,
|
take not his name in Vain,
|
In Moses Law it is forbid
|
as Scripture shews it plain,
|
Some men now in these days,
|
will upon their Sins boast,
|
He is counted the bravest Blade
|
that can curse and swear most:
|
Then fear God and Repent,
|
spend not your time in waste,
|
For old and young, both rich and poor,
|
must yield to Death at last.
|
LEt not thy mind be bent,
|
to do thy Neighbour wrong,
|
But see thou give all men their due
|
which doth to them belong:
|
Pray Love the Fatherless,
|
to the Widdow be a Friend,
|
Relieve those that are in distress,
|
then God will thee defend:
|
Then fear God and Repent,
|
spend not your time in waste,
|
For old and young, both rich and poor,
|
must yield to Death at last.
|
A Covetous mind don't bear,
|
if thou art blest with store,
|
But spare some part of what thou hast,
|
for the help of the poor:
|
although that wealth thou hast,
|
yet it is but lent to thee,
|
Then comfort and give alms to those
|
that are in misery.
|
Then fear, etc.
|
NOw to Young people likewise,
|
good counsel I will give,
|
If thou'lt it take, 'twill do thee good,
|
so long as thou dost live?
|
Neglect not Gods Holy Word,
|
but keep his Laws truly,
|
Mind not the pleasure of this world,
|
for it is but Vanity.
|
Then fear, etc.
|
FOrget not you this rule,
|
bear it in mind alway,
|
Unto your Parents reverence give,
|
and duely them obey:
|
For those Children that doth
|
their Father and Mother scorn,
|
The curse of God hangs on their head
|
better they'd ne'r been born:
|
Then fear, etc.
|
IDleness and Sloth shun,
|
labour as God allows;
|
Strive always for to get your bread
|
by the sweat of your brows,
|
Indeavour and get in Youth
|
to keep you when you are old
|
For if Poverty doth come you'l find,
|
that Charity will be cold,
|
Then fear, etc.
|
REfuse no good counsel
|
that's given unto thee;
|
But shew respect unto all men
|
and not high-minded be:
|
Remember that thou keep,
|
the Sabbath of the Lord,
|
For that's a day ordain'd for us,
|
to meditate on his Word:
|
Then fear, etc.
|
EVery one that doth
|
these Verses hear or see
|
Example take, and learn by them,
|
for to live righteously:
|
Enter not into Sin,
|
repent without delay;
|
For time and tide doth slip along,
|
it will for no man stay:
|
Then fear God and repent,
|
spend not your time in waste,
|
For old and young, both rich and poor
|
must yield to Death at last.
|
|
|
|
|
|