The Old Gentlewomans last Legacy
[T]o her Sons and Daughters upon her Death-Bed, a little before she departed out
of this World. With her good Instructions, that she gave them to live a godly sober Life, for the good
of their own Souls, till God call them out of this World.
Tune of My bleeding Heart.
Licensed according to Order.
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MY own dear Children understand,
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I would wish you to obey your Mother's command
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You see my Sickness in my Bed,
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Think on my words when I am dead;
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Fear God and keep up his Command,
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All things will prosper you take in hand.
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Avoid bad company and make no strife,
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And be careful how you lead your life;
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And be charitable to the poor,
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Then God's Blessing will ne'er depart your door,
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Fear God, etc.
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Keep God's Commandments night and day,
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Then you'll be out of danger every way,
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And serve him truly in your heart,
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Then of Heaven you'll have your part.
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Fear God, etc.
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In your Maker ever put your trust,
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And forsake all works that are unjust,
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And defraud not any man I say,
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But know your own then every way.
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Fear God, etc.
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Keep a clear Conscience that is pure,
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Then Gods mercy will to you endure,
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Slander no man in any case,
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For a lying tongue is ever base.
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Fear God, etc.
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Be not pufft up with that Sin of Pride,
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That Evil the Lord cannot abide:
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If ye do any good to any man,
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Do not hit him i'th' teeth with it agen.
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But fear God, etc.
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Do not be drunk in anything,
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The Scripture says it's a wicked Sin,
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And serve the Lord and lose no time,
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While you are in your youth and prime:
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But fear God, etc.
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Wrong not the Widow nor the Fatherless,
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But relieve them in their weak distress,
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The Lord will repay you ten times more,
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'Tis a step to Heaven to relieve the poor:
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But fear God and be at his command,
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All things will prosper you take in hand.
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TRust not your own will everyday,
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Nor of your Neighbour make a prey,
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But what God Almighty he doth send,
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My own dear Children be content:
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Fear God, and keep his true Command,
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All things will prosper you take in hand,
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Don't be too proud in your own ways,
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Nor seek not for to get a praise,
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Do not a flattering Tongue believe,
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'Twill fail you, and will you deceive:
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But fear God, etc.
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Give reverence to the Ancient sort;
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For by that you'll gain and get report;
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And do not use to mock and jeer,
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It's a cursed thing, pray have a care:
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Fear God, etc.
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Be carefull of the Sabbath-day,
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And be sure you go to Church and pray,
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And mind the preaching of the word,
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Great comfort it will you afford:
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But be sure to keep the Lords Command,
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All things will prosper you take in hand.
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Do not Blaspheme the Lord of might,
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To swear and lye it will sink you streight;
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Take counsel of your dying Mother,
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That has care of you above all other:
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But be sure, etc.
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Be not too fluent of your Tongue,
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Vain speeches they will do you wrong,
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He's a wise man that speaks the least,
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Till a Man be call'd, that is the best:
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Fear God, etc.
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He's a fool that hates good counsel sure,
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That with itching ears will not endure:
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There's but one way that we can have,
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And but one true way our souls to save:
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Take Counsel of your Mother dear,
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My own dear Children have a care.
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Now at the last be sure stand fast,
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that Gods Words may be your chiefest guide,
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And have a care you be not cast,
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for our manifold sins we must be try'd:
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And fear God, etc.
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My Children I'll bid you adieu,
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these words I speak pray bear in mind,
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Love one another, and to God be true,
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then you need not fear what Man is unkind,
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And obey Gods Word and his Command,
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Then he'll bless all things you take in hand.
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