University of Virginia Library

The repentant sinner in durance and aduersitie.

Vnto the liuyng Lord for pardon do I pray,
From whō I graunt euen frō the shell, I haue run styl astray.
And other liues there none (my death shall well declare)
On whom I ought to grate for grace, as faulty folkes do fare.
But thee O Lorde alone, I haue offended so,
That this small scourge is much to scant for mine offence I know
I ranne without returne, the way the world liekt best
And what I ought most to regard, that I respected lest
The throng wherin I thrust, hath throwen me in such case
That Lorde my soule is sore beset without thy greater grace
My giltes are growen so great, my power doth so appayre
That with great force they argue oft, and mercy much dispayre.
But then with fayth I flee to thy prepared store
Where there lieth help for euery hurt, and salue for euery sore.
My loste time to lament, my vaine waies to bewaile,
No day no night no place no houre no moment I shall faile
My soule shall neuer cease with an assured faith
To knock, to craue, to call, to cry to thee for helpe which sayth
Knocke and it shalbe heard, but aske and geuen it is
And all that like to kepe this course, of mercy shal not misse
For when I call to minde how the one wandryng shepe,
Did bring more ioye with his returne, then all the flocke did kepe.
It yeldes full hope and trust my strayed and wandryng ghost
Shalbe receiued and held more dere then those were neuer lost.
O Lord my hope beholde, and for my helpe make haste
To pardon the forpassed race that carelesse I haue past.
And but the day draw neare that death must pay the det,
For lone of life which thou hast lent and time of payment set.
From this sharpe shower me shilde which threatened is at hand,
Wherby thou shalt great power declare & I the storme withstand.
Not my will lord but thyne, fulfilde be in ech case,
To whose gret wil & mighty power al powers shal once geue place
My fayth my hope my trust, my God and eke my guide
Stretch forth thy hand to saue the soule, what so the body bide.
Refuse not to receiue that thou so dere hast bought,
For but by thee alone I know all safety in vaine is sought.
I know and knowledge eke albeit very late,
That thou it is I ought to loue and dreade in ech estate.
And with repentant hart do laude thee Lord on hye,
That hast so gently set me straight, that erst walkt so awry.
Now graunt me grace my God to stand thine strong in sprite,
And let ye world thē work such wayes, as to the world semes mete.