[?]s Darling:
OR,
[?] worth liking;
[?]nen, abroad and at home, at bed and
[?]mpany.
[?]ell mee so; Or, Loves Tide.
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If thy estate be took from thee
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And thou art brought to poverty
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By crosses or afflictions strong
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Murmure nor grieve at any wrong
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'Tis God that hath a hand o're all
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To raise thee up, or let thee fall
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Perhaps the Lord would try to finde
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If thou hadst Jobs contented mind.
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If honours or preferments great
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Shall raise thee up on Justice seat
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Or that by place or dignity
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A Judge of Causes thou must be
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Think that Heavens Court of Justice high
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O're all your actions casts an eye
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That mighty Judge be sure can finde
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The secrets of your heart and mind.
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If that Gods Laws thou break be sure
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Or by oppression wrong the poor
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Or if of men thou stands in fear
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To do what they will have thee heer
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Or let the mighty bear the sway
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And turn the poor mans cause away
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He that doth this be sure will finde
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A troubled discontented [m]i[n]d.
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The second Part to the same Tune.
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IF otherwise thou seems to be
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A Judge of right and equity,
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And will the poor mans cause defend
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As well as his that hath means to spend,
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And rig[ht] the wro[n]gs of fatherless:
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Likewi[se] the Wid[o]w in distress
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A reward in Heaven thou then shalt finde
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And on earth a sweet contented minde.
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If thou art rich, thou poor mayest be;
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If thou art poor, wealth mayest thou see;
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If thou to honour rise or fall,
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Be sure thou be content with all;
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This world is subject still to change,
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Then let not thine affections range,
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Nothing on earth be sure thou'lt finde
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Compared to a contented minde.
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If God hath sent thee children store;
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And yet perhaps thou art but poor;
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Despair not, but contented be,
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He will provide for them and thee;
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To every mouth he bread will send,
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An[d s]till will stand the poor mans friend,
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Relief from him thou sure shalt finde,
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If thou hast a contented mind.
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What if this world doth frown on thee,
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For thy faith and fidelity,
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Or that thou beest in prison cast,
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The Lord may bring thee out at last;
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If not thou hadst better there to dye
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Than from the true Religion fly:
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Keep but thy faith, and thou shalt finde
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In prison a sweet contented minde.
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If that thy conscience tells to thee
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Thy cause is just, be rul'd by me,
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Let not the threats of mighty men
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Take thy good conscience from thee then
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[?]ey of thy body shall have power,
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[?] sure thy soule they can't devour:
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[?] a quiet conscience thou shalt finde
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[C]ontinual feasts to feed thy minde.
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If that thou think a God there be,
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That rules the Heaven and Earth we see,
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Then think he hath a hand o're all,
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To raise men up, or let them fall:
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All Rulers great, by Sea and Land
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Must stoop, if once he gives command
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He must protect you, else youl finde
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A sad and discontented minde.
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Content is a Jewel, and a Feast,
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Content is a rich and welcome Guest,
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Content is of such high renown,
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'Tis better than an earthly Crown,
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Content is such a precious store
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That he that hath it needs no more:
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If you can gaine it, you shall finde
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No joyes like a contented minde.
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But [?] content you needs will gaine
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Ile tell you where it doth remain[?]
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Inquire where Conscience keeps [?]
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And where plaine dealing doth re[?]
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Then truth will lead you by the ha[?]
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And bring you where Content doth [?]
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Imbrace him then and you shall finde
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No wealth like a contented minde.
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