An excellent Song, wherein thou shalt finde
Great consolation for a troubled minde.
To the tune of, Fortune my Foe.
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AIme not too high in things above thy reach,
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Nor be too wise within thy own conceit,
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As thou hast wealth and wit at will,
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So give him thanks that shall increase it still.
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Beware of pride, the Mother of mishap,
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Whose sugred snares shall seek thee to intrap,
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Be meek in heart, and lowly minded still,
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So shalt thou Gods Commandements fulfill.
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Cast all thy care upon the Lord, and hee
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In thy distresse will send to succour thee,
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Cease not therefore to serve him every day,
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Who with his blood thy ransome once did pay.
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Drive from thy heart ill thoughts that may offend
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Desire of God his holy Spirit to send,
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Which will direct thy life in such a sort,
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As thou thereby shalt finde joy and comfort.
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Expect each day and houre when Christ shall come
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With power to judge the world both all and some:
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Be ready then, and with the Bridegroome Christ,
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Receive reward in Heaven amongst the highest.
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Feare to offend his heavenly Majesty.
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Faith doth confirme true love and loyalty,
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Without which Faith as holy Scriptures say,
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[No] man to Heaven can find the perfect way.
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Great is the Lord, and mercifull doubtlesse,
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To those that with true zeale their faults confesse
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But unto those in mischiefe daily runnes,
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He lets alone to taste what after comes.
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Hope in the Lord, on him repose thy trust,
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Serve him with feare whose judgments are most just,
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Desire of him thy life so to direct
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That to thy soule he may have good respect.
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Injure no man, but love thy enemy,
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Though to thy hurt, yet take it patiently,
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And think the Lord, although he suffers long,
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When time shall serve, will soone revenge thy wrong.
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Keep thou no rancour hidden in thy heart,
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Remember still the Word Christ did impart,
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That is, forgive offences ever past,
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As thou thyselfe wilt be forgiven at last.
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Lay not thy treasure up in hoarding sort,
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But therewithall the poore feed and comfort,
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If thou cold water give in Christ his Name
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Thrice double-fold he will reward the same.
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Misorder not thyselfe in any wise,
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In meat and drink let reason still suffice:
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Moderat thy mind, and keep thyselfe content,
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So shalt thou please the Lord Omnipotent.
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The second part, to the same tune.
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NO man can say that he is void of sinne,
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For if he doe, he's much deceiv'd therein,
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The Lord doth say, the Just seven times a day
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Committeth sinne, and runneth oft astray.
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Obey his will, who to redeem thy losse,
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Did shed his blood for thee upon the Crosse:
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Such was the love that Christ did shew to man,
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Why should we be ungratefull to him than?
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Pitty the poore with such as God hath sent,
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And be not proud with that which God hath lent,
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Remember well what Christ hath said to thee,
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Doe this as though thou didst it unto me[.]
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Quench fond desires and pleasures of the flesh,
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Fly Gluttony, the mother of excesse,
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For whoredome is the very sinke of sinne,
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In which the wicked daily wallow in.
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Root from thy heart malicious thoughts be sure,
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Which are a means Gods judgments to procure:
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For be assur'd when envy beareth sway,
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The feare of God departeth soone away.
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Subdue the selfe, let wisdome be thy guide,
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Suppresse ill thoughts, beware of hatefull pride,
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Despise the world, a vale of vanities,
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Left headlong thou run into miseries.
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Turn unto me, our Saviour Christ doth say,
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And I will heare thy prayers every day,
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If anything thou aske in Christ his Name,
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Be well assur'd thou shalt obtain the same.
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Vaine exercise abolish from thy sight,
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Desire of God his Faith and holy Spirit,
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Who will direct thee in the perfect way
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That leads to life, as holy Scriptures say.
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When Satan seeks to tempt thee any way,
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Call upon God, thy onely strength and stay,
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And be assur'd from out his holy Hill,
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He will preserve thy life from danger still.
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Experience of his love that lends thee life,
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Must make thee seeke to live devoyd of strife,
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Let his love be thy rule, who so lov'd thee,
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That death he underwent to set thee free.
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Yong men and maids, old men and babes repent,
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Lest for your sinnes you at the last be shent,
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Be wise, take heed, doe not the time delay,
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For Christ must be our Judge at the last day.
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Zeale like to fire our good works let make bright,
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That others thereof may behold the light,
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Light up your Lamps and with the Virgins five
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Have oyle in store to keep your Lamps alive.
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