A sinfvll Mans Solace Most sweete and comfortable, for the sicke and sorowful Soule: Contriued, into seuen seuerall Daies Conference, betweene Christ and a carelesse Sinner. Wherin, euerie man, from the highest, to the lowest: from the Richest, to the poorest: and aboue all, the sorowfull Sinner: maye take such sweet repaste of Resolution, to amendment of lyfe, and confirmation of Fayth: that (in respect of the Heauenlie Solace, therin faithfully remembred:) all the pompes and pleasures of this wicked worlde, shall be plainely perceiued to be meere miserie. Writeen by Iohn Norden |
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 | A sinfvll Mans Solace |  |
1
A SINFVLL Mans Solace.
Contriued into seuen daies Conference betweene Christ and a wordly-minded Rich-man.
[The Monday, or first daies conference]
The Argvment.
A certaine coueitous Rich man, hauing his Cofers full of gold and siluer: And so great aboundance of all thinges about him, that he thought himselfe so farre in fortunes fauour, that (being blinded with his greedy desires of gaine, and loue of himselfe) he fell into this foolish conceit following.
Oh Corps of mine, take now thine ease,
betake thy lymbs to rest:
I haue enough to keepe thee now,
as dainty as the best.
[1]
now is my store house full:
I will the same enlarge in hast,
and downe my barnes Ile pull.
And build them bigger for my grain,
whose great encrease is such:
That all my house ne Garners can,
contain in them so much,
My Staules likewise I, must augment,
wherein I may conueie,
Mine Oxen and my Cattle store,
my fodder and mine Hay,
I must prouide me greater Chests,
and Locks in stronger wise,
Where to conuey my bagges of gold,
with strong and curious Keyes.
And Seruants both of men & maids
I must likewise prouide:
To waite on me and on my wife,
where so we goe or ride.
My Plough & other husband works,
for want of Seruants more,
Are idle and lie quite vndone,
but I will get me store.
My flocks of sheep doe so abound,
my sheepheards are so few,
2
they cannot rightly shew.
Whereby my profite goes to wrack,
I will prouide in hast,
To keep my substance from annoy,
and from such spoyling waste.
And when these things prouided be,
I then will take mine ease:
And carke for nothing else at all,
but how to shun disease.
And to maintain mine health so long,
that I may see my store,
To be as great as Cresus wealth,
ye, (if I can) and more,
Yet first I will erect in hast,
a sumptuous Pallace hie;
Wherin like Prince in passing pomp,
my friends and I may lie:
With each delight & pleasant sport,
to please my dainty mind,
Set forth with caruings & conceits,
as curious head can finde.
With goodly Gallaries aloft,
of prospect far and neere:
With Garden walks, and pleasant springs:
& princely parks of deere.
[2]
my Pallace shalbe set,
With plants of price, of sweetest smel,
that I for coyne can get.
Wherein, to passe my pleasaunt daies,
I will my solace take:
With melodie and musicke sweet,
and all things else forsake.
But loe, where should I finde a seat,
thus to content my minde?
It must be where some plesaunt spring
and woods do grow by kind.
Where eccoes with resounding voice,
may answere Cornet shrill:
The Trumpet and Recorder sweet,
to please my fancy still.
Which might it be, where Wheary boat
could passe the Theams with oare,
Where I might take my like repaste,
with Citron and Bandoare.
It were a wished seate indeede,
a pleasant place for mee:
To take my solace at my will,
and passe my time with glee.
And as I gesse I haue a place,
within a Manour neare,
3
and place my Palace there.
I thinke my Tenant wilbe glad,
to yelde to my request:
If not, he shall be sure to sit,
therein with litle rest.
Goe footboye, goe thy way in haste,
to Simple of the Grange,
And bid him come to me as fast,
as he can hither range.
Thou shalt not need to shew ye cause,
but bid him come in haste:
And tell him if he tarry long,
his stay will breed him waste.
The Footboye.
I haue bin there, loe Simple coms
he is at hand, I see
Him come: loe here he is, say on,
whatso your pleasure be.
Simple.
God saue you sir, loe here I am,
your message I obey:
Both I and mine to your commaund
as subiects here this day.
[3]
I thank thee Simple, welcome now,
I thank thee for thy payn,
I sent for thee, come walke with me,
thou shalt goe soone againe.
Good Simple, doe one thing for me,
and I will be thy friend.
It is (indeede) a small request:
in brief Ile make an end.
And thus it is: the Grange thou hast,
and lands by lease of me.
It wilbe eighteene yeares and more,
before it ended be.
I must request the same in hand,
And I will set thee, where
Thou shalt be sure, to liue as wel
as euer thou didst there.
It is a place so fit for me,
thou maiest not me withstand,
But graunt me back my state again,
ile build there out of hand.
Simple.
Oh Sir, I trust, you will not so
oppresse me seely man:
If I forgoe my Farme, I must
seeke dwelling where I can,
4
on knees I doe request:
I came with willing minde to you,
but now with griefe opprest.
I humblie pray you be content,
craue not my liuing so:
It makes my heart with bitter sighes,
to burst it selfe for woe.
The Rich-man.
Wherefore? I will bestowe on thee,
A place as good as that:
And stand thy faithful friend at need,
thou doest thou knowest not what,
Denying me so small a thing:
which gentlie I request,
But yeeld it vp I say or else,
thou shalt haue little rest.
Simple.
Where shall mine wofull wife become?
what shall my childrē doe?
Ten tender Infantes, all vndone,
this fact of thine shall rue.
Haue some remorce, therefore on vs,
let pitie pearce your brest.
Seeke not to suck, your sweete of me,
alreadie thus opprest.
[4]
and yearly rent, not small,
To pinch at euery quarter daye,
my carefull heart withall.
And gape you yet, for greater gayn?
to greeue me more & more?
Nay, gaine is past, & now you seeke
to get me out of dore.
Good landlord let these words suffise,
let mercy moue you so,
That I may now departe againe,
worke not my further woe.
It greeues me to forgoe the thinge
concerning me so neere.
Content your selfe therefore, I may
not buy your loue so deere.
The Rich-man.
Ah, are you at this point indeede,
hath scripture taught you this
To vse such taunting words at him
that farre your better is?
Yet law hath twenty trickes again,
which I haue learnd of late:
To make such beggers as thou arte,
to forfaite their estate.
5
according to the day
Or else be sure I will not slacke
to thrust thee cleane away.
And other Couenants there are,
(although thou haue enioiyde
Thy lease with quiet; which may soone
make all thy {time} voide.
And if I finde a hole therein,
what law may doe, be sure,
To feele the smarte, if golde or fee,
thy torments may procure.
Content thy selfe therefore & yelde
vnto my small request:
And I will stand, at need, thy friend,
and when thou arte opprest.
Simple.
Alas, is there no shift to shun,
this forced cause of woe?
Must I be forst against my will,
my liuing to forgoe?
Well, then I know my wife and I
with all our children, must
Goe beg our bread, goe steale, or sterue,
to satisfie your lust.
[5]
No, no, thou shalt not begge thy bread,
thy wife, ne Children shall
Goe steale, nor starue for want of foode,
nor be opprest with thrall:
If thou wilt yeeld thy lease againe,
Of all the Grange to me:
I will doe any thing in deede,
wherein to pleasure thee.
By word, or deede, to ride, or goe,
to lend, or giue, be sure,
I will be ready at thy neede,
while life, and lymbs indure.
Simple.
Thus if you doe, I am content
to satisfie your will:
But if I thought the contrarie,
I would retaine it still.
The Rich-man.
Doubt not the contrarie, but fetch
thy Lease in hast to me:
Ile cancell that, and then I will,
doe what I can for thee.
Simple.
Then graunt that I may keepe the same
this quarter, that I may:
6
some other where to stay.
The Rich-man.
Wel, bring thy Lease I wil not stand,
vppon a thing so small:
I will doe any thing I can,
to pleasure thee withall.
Simple.
Here is the Lease, doe what you wil,
therewith, I am content,
But sure my wife dooth sigh so sore,
as though her heart would rent.
And all her children crie to see,
their Mother in that case:
Would God you would vouchsafe to show
me wofull man some grace.
To let me haue my Lease againe,
and I will pray for you:
Or else no flintie heart, but may,
mine happe, to heauie rue.
The Rich-man.
Nay, nay, pray not for me at all,
these wordes be but in vaine:
Tis nought to me, although thy wife
and children, waile amaine.
[6]
packe from the Grange in hast:
Thou shalt not tarie there (in deed)
if this weeke once were past.
I wil not slack my building so,
nor spend the time so long:
Hence, hence, thy peeuish prattle doth,
my weightie causes wrong.
For I will presently in hand,
t-accomplish my desire:
I haue laid baggs enough in store,
to paye the workemens hyre.
I would it were now finisht faire,
according to my will:
In finest wise as might be done,
by mans inuentiue skil.
But long it shall not be I trowe,
Till it be brought to passe:
That I may sit therein and say,
a brauer neuer was.
And in delight to passe my dayes,
in such a princely place.
Who would not be in pleasant plight
to stand in such a case.
7
Oh foolish man, oh mortall wight,
in wofull state art thou,
Thy soule accurst, a thousand times,
for sinne, vnlesse thou bowe.
Hath Sathan thus be-witched thee?
hath worldly wealth vndone?
That sacred threed, that Iesus for
thy sweete Saluation spun?
Then, thē, wo worth the daies wherin
thy cancred corps doe liue
Through foolish wil, to fond delight,
such rash consent to giue.
The Rich-man
Why, what art thou, that tauntest thus
and thus controulest me?
I know thee not, nor Iesus, whome
thou saiest my friend to be.
Let for thy wealth or his, I know
cannot my wealth surpasse,
My riches are as great (I trowe)
as Iobs aboundance was:
And yet to see thy taunting termes,
thy carping crakes at mee,
Doe make me muze, yt thou wilt not
bow to mine high degree.
[7]
my state vnknowen thee,
Makes thee so rash: I pray thee shew,
thy wealth and name to mee.
Solace.
My wealth is a contented minde,
my name, a name of blisse:
No sweeter or more wholsome name
in all the earth there is,
My will it is lykewise to wyn,
thy sinfull soule from woe,
To kill these wicked weedes in thee,
that in aboundance growe.
The Rich-man.
Canst thou redeeme the soule from woe,
that is in passing ioy?
Whom nothing can oppresse at all,
or worke the same annoy?
If furious foe, should seeke to spill:
my bloud, or worke my thrall:
My goods are great, I haue enough,
to purchase helpe withall.
If health of bodie doe impaire,
and sicknes doe possesse
My Corps with grief, my goods can get,
best Phisick for redresse.
8
to pinch the poorer men?
Then were the time, for me to make,
of euery penny ten.
For I haue store of euery thing,
that would be present gayn:
As Sheep and Oxen, fruict and wul,
and euery kind of graine.
Which ten yeeres dearth could neuer spend,
what can annoy me then?
I liue secure, I am at ease,
I stand no dreade of men.
What saist thou now, am I in case
to seeke for ayde of thee?
No, no, goe packe, a thousand maye
haue their reliefe of mee.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[8]
What, what, you run at random, sir
your wits are not your owne:
I think poore man with tauntinge termes
your wits are ouerflowen
Doe I possesse that is not mine?
whose wealth is that I haue?
Whose is the substance of the store,
which friendly fortune gaue?
Is not the golde that I haue got,
mine Oxen faire and fat?
My flocks of sheepe mine own? pore man
thou saist, yu knowst not, what.
9
in better sorte to mee:
Take other mates for thine estate,
I am no mate, for thee.
Solace.
Alas that sillie soule of thine,
dooth rest in wofull case:
It can not choose but rue to see,
thee runne so retchles race.
What though thy bodie liue at ease,
and wealth abound at will?
Wilt thou lyke witles wretch giue thanks
for foolish fortunes skill?
In fickle state (alas) art thou,
dame fortunes wheele vnsure:
Can turne thy wealth to wante agayne
when thou art most secure.
Thy sillie soule is sunck in sinne,
whose due deserte is woe,
Wherefore returne againe in time
to friend, and flye thy foe.
The Rich-man.
What should I flie, oh foolish wight,
my Landes, mine onely stay?
My store, my stuffe, my bagges of gold,
and cast my wealth away?
[9]
thy name, thy force and will:
Before thy cunning shall conuert,
my Conscience to thy skill.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
10
This answers not to my demaund,
I aske thy name, and why
[10]
a care to liue haue I.
I will avouch and verefie,
which I haue said before
I am not yet afraid: I knowe
such preachers are there store,
That crye in euery pulpit still,
woe worth the wealthie ones,
They threaten with the plagues of hell
yea all the plagues at once.
But seeke not thou, euen so to set,
my stately state at naught,
Bee not too bold, I am no babe,
I see what sleightes are sought.
To sucke the sweete of such as I,
that haue such wealth at will,
But showe thy name perchaunce I may,
attend vnto thy skill.
Solace.
My name as earst before I said,
Is wholesome, pure, and sweete:
True Solace, for a sinfull Soule,
whome Sathan luls a sleepe.
The Rich-man.
Is Solace then your name in deede?
for thee then I haue sought,
11
with all my will and thought:
And wandred farre and neere about,
my countrie here and there.
To settle me in sweetest soyle,
good Solace showe me where.
And what may beste delight the minde
of him who hath in store
A world of wealth, yet still I wish,
with all my heart for more.
Solace.
Thy sences foolish man doe erre,
thy fancie flies too fast,
Thou feedst thy follie like the flie,
that fryes in flame at last.
Doest thou suppose my comming is,
to solace thee with sinne?
No, no, it is to call thee from,
the error thou art in,
The Rich-man.
Why saist thou so? Solace I seeke,
If thou be Solace, say,
I am: and I am he that will,
all pleasaunt thinges obey.
Want not for gold nor siluer deare,
ask what thou wilt, for fee,
[11]
and I will giue it thee.
Solace.
I craue not gold nor siluer man,
thy fees I doe defy:
These profers doe thy wicked heart,
oh Sinfull man discry.
I see thou sauourest all of sinne,
true Solace, is no share,
For thee, nor for such wicked ones,
that thus affected are.
Leaue of, Leaue of, therefore in hast,
these fond conceits of thine.
And to mine healthfull counsaile see,
thine heart thou doe incline.
Let Sathan sit no more within,
thy brest to rule thy will.
Feeding thy fancie with delightes,
of worldly pleasures ill.
Looke thou into the Gospell true,
the word of life and light,
And thou shalt see (as in a glasse,)
thy selfe in sinfull plight.
The Rich-man.
What? what? is this, the Solace which
thou wilt reuiue withall:
12
from paine and pinching thrall.
Quite contrarie to my request,
yea, to my sodaine woe,
I thought thou hadst bin for my tooth
but loe thou art my foe.
Solace.
No, no, I am thy faithfull friend,
and thou a foe to me,
Which thou shalt well in fine perceaue
was cause I came to thee.
The Rich-man
Well, well, say on, proceede to shewe
thine whole intent in hast,
Be breefe, I pray, the euening comes
on vs, thou seest full fast.
Solace.
Attend thee then, let pleasure passe,
and hearken what I say,
My Solace shall be sweete, in fine,
if thou my wordes obay.
and hearken what I say,
My Solace shall be sweete, in fine,
if thou my wordes obay.
[OMITTED]
[13]
This soundeth not lyke Solace man
this fils my heart with woe:
This is to driue them to dispaire,
that with aboundance floe.
Solace.
No, no, but hearken thou a while,
what I shall say to thee:
For euery man is not accurst,
that is of rich degree:
As shall appeare hereafter plaine,
examples here ensue.
Of Dauid, Iobe, and Abraham,
belieue them, they be true.
what I shall say to thee:
For euery man is not accurst,
that is of rich degree:
As shall appeare hereafter plaine,
examples here ensue.
Of Dauid, Iobe, and Abraham,
belieue them, they be true.
[OMITTED]
23
Oh hold thy peace, and say no more,
my wittes are cleane bereft:
Thy words haue sackt my sences so,
I haue no comfort lefte.
Solace,
Well then, adue, farewell, I will
too morrow come againe:
Sith night is come, farewell, doe not
these words of mine disdaine.
But think vpon thy former waies
which thou hast past in sinne:
In fine, my solace shall be sweet
for thee to solace in.
Godly meditations for him whose heart is infected with coueitousnes.
Incline mine heart O Lord vnto thy testimonies and not to couetousnes. Psal. 119.
Oh tvrne awaie my eyes, least they behold vanitie and quicken me in thy way. Eodem. 14.
Take away the rebuke that I am affraid of, for thy iudgements are great. Eodem. 42.
25
THE TVESDAY,
or second daies conference betweene Solace and the sinfull man.
VVherein (after long perswasion) & (vnderstāding by many examples of the iust iudgement of God against worldly minded men, and the greedy desire of wicked gaine,) beginnes to consider that hee hath greatly erred, in reposing his trust in transitorie riches, and in his aboundance, to sell the ende of all happines: And falles into a kinde of dispaire, wherein he vttereth his griefe, and afterward receiueth comfort, Solace, shewing himselfe to be Christ, &c.
Oh sinfull soule of mine sing forth,
the dolefull tunes of woe:
Let sobs & sighs, let trickling teares
from thee like fountaines floe.
[25]
let sorrow beare ye swaie:
Let Solace passe, for thou hast loste,
thine health and wonne decaie.
Oh worth, oh worth mee, wicked wretch
wo worth ye day wherein,
That my rebellious mind did giue
the first consent to sinne.
Wo worth the day wherein I was,
seene first of womans eye:
Would God my life had ended when
I first began to crie.
Then should not thus my silly soule
bene wrapt in irkesome woe,
Nor it haue felt the carefull thrall
that now is forste to showe.
My heart should not haue harborde woe
nor cōscience cause to weepe:
That nowe in griefe doth groane to see,
it selfe in torments deepe.
But then, ten thousand times I had
bene happie in my death:
Ten thousand times vnhappy now
that I enioy my breath.
Wherefore prepare oh graue in hast
to take thy share of mee:
26
I yeeld mee now to thee:
For all my pleasures now are gone
my mirth to mourning cheere
Is chaūged quite: my ioyes are past,
now gryping griefes drawe neer:
That greeue my silly soule so sore,
my corps consume full fast.
Oh death deny mee not therefore,
but take mee hence in haste:
The God that sits in Christal skies
hath cast mee cleane away.
No hope of helpe, no hold I haue,
good death make no delay,
No pardon due for my desert,
my sinnes deserue to die:
I linger like a lothsome wretch,
in deepe dispaire I crie.
Come death, & end my doleful daies,
deferre it not, make haste,
I loth to liue, yet dread to die
all hope of helpe is past.
Solace.
Oh wretched man, what is ye cause
thou mournest thus in woe?
[26]
why doste thou sorrowe so?
The thrall is great that thou poore wretch
doste seeme to sorrow in,
Shew me ye cause: be of good cheare
I sollace men in sinne.
The sinful-man.
See the corruptiō of nature that imputeth the cause of his griefe to him that would cure his deadly disease.
was yeasterday with mee:
He was the cause of this dispaire,
Yea, none the cause but hee.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[27]
Oh, say no more, I am vndone,
I crie, but all in vaine:
In deede I am in darkenesse deepe,
thy words augment my paine.
Solace.
Thou art deceiued, in deede I am,
the Solace that will ease:
This doleful plight of thine wt speed
and wrath of God appease.
I am that lambe of God that came,
by God my fathers heste:
By death for true repenting soules,
to purchase lasting reste.
Although thy sinne the Scarlet doe
in rednes farre surpasse,
My death shall make thy soule as white
as whitnes euer was.
Wherefore, returne to me in haste
amend what is amisse:
I am the God that pardons him,
that true repentant is.
Therefore giue care attend vnto,
these comforts of my will:
Beleeue, amend, doe not dispayre,
conuert thy selfe from ill.
the Solace that will ease:
This doleful plight of thine wt speed
and wrath of God appease.
I am that lambe of God that came,
by God my fathers heste:
By death for true repenting soules,
to purchase lasting reste.
Although thy sinne the Scarlet doe
in rednes farre surpasse,
My death shall make thy soule as white
as whitnes euer was.
Wherefore, returne to me in haste
amend what is amisse:
28
that true repentant is.
Therefore giue care attend vnto,
these comforts of my will:
Beleeue, amend, doe not dispayre,
conuert thy selfe from ill.
[OMITTED]
29
Art thou in deed that Christ so pure,
whome Iudas did betray:
[29]
as sacred scripture say?
Solace.
Ye I am he that hung on crosse,
fast nayled to the tree:
A sacrifice, to pacifie,
my fathers wrath for thee.
The sinfull man.
Wo worth me then, for thou art hee,
whome I offended soe:
That in dispaire I languish here,
a wicked wretch in woe.
Oh let the mountaines fall on mee,
to hide my sinne from thee:
Let death approach, let gaping graue,
take nowe their due of mee:
I dare not looke on thee, whom that
my sinne offended so,
No, no, thou wilt not pardon mee,
thou art (of right) my fo.
And Sathan seekes as erst yu saydst,
to winne my soule from thee:
I am content, to his request,
I willingly agree.
I can not now reuoke againe,
my promise readie past:
30
I must be his at last.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
A great conflict I feele in deede,
a fight of furious fiends,
Within my minde: a troope of foes,
whome subtile Sathan sends.
Who with dispayre doe so beset,
and ransacke all my will:
That nothing can appease the rage,
that pricks mee forth to ill.
Wherfore (I know) no boote to seeke
to shunne my raging thrall:
For Sathan binds mee to attend,
when he or his doe call.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[30]
Oh, worth mee wretch: then I am none
of whom saluation came:
For I haue disobeyd thy will,
and led my life in blame.
And rest in Sathans bands a slaue,
by due desert I die:
Oh death make haste, my Soule, in sinne,
for thee is forste to crie.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
34
Oh what should I poore sinner doe?
whose sinnes surpasse the sand
In number, which the surging seas
and waues haue cast on land.
No wit, no wisedome, or good will,
doth rest within my brest,
Thy wordes are all in vaine to me,
I am bereft of rest.
And know not how to winne again
thy fauour which is lost:
In dolefull plight I striue in vaine,
to yeeld vp guiltie ghost:
[34]
of which it first begun:
My soule where it deserues to be,
an wofull ghost vndun.
Solace.
Wilt thou (oh man) continue still
so hard of heart in woe?
Refusing so the fruites of grace,
that from my mercie floe?
Whereby thou mayst, at libertie
be set, from force of foe:
Reclaimd from sinne and Sathans will,
to rest no more in woe.
Repent therefore (I say) repent,
turne thou to me in haste:
Giue eare vnto me once againe,
be yet reformde at last.
Thou shalt perceiue that I forgiue
all sinners when they crye:
Not wishing any sinfull soule
in such dispaire to dye.
so hard of heart in woe?
Refusing so the fruites of grace,
that from my mercie floe?
Whereby thou mayst, at libertie
be set, from force of foe:
Reclaimd from sinne and Sathans will,
to rest no more in woe.
Repent therefore (I say) repent,
turne thou to me in haste:
Giue eare vnto me once againe,
be yet reformde at last.
Thou shalt perceiue that I forgiue
all sinners when they crye:
Not wishing any sinfull soule
in such dispaire to dye.
[OMITTED]
[35]
Oh Solace doth thy mercy, so
abound to pardon me?
Although like stinking filthie cloath
my life appeare to thee.
If Sathan held me not in band,
fast linckt in fetters fell:
Who roares like raging Lyon, whē
I doe determine well.
Full faine I would returne to thee,
whose mercy now I see:
36
the meanes to murther me.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
38
Oh Solace, I appeale to thee,
in heart I doe request:
That yu wilt shewe the perfect path,
to thy surpassing rest.
I doe perceiue from Sathan thou,
by death hast set mee free:
But tell me what I must beleeue,
and doe to come to thee.
He labours yet within my brest,
and faine would haue me gone:
[38]
in fine, wilt shewe me none.
For I am his, (he sayes) and he
will haue me in the end,
Good Solace (if thou can) doe thou,
this cause of mine defend.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[40]
Oh passing comfort now I feele
renue in me againe:
Me thinkes I heare that Sathan saies,
now is my labour vaine:
Which I and mine haue had wt him,
that now conuerted is.
Me thinkes I heare him rage, yt I
should take the way to blisse:
But let him fret and fume his fill,
and doe his worst to me:
I doe not force: my sure refuge
good Solace is in thee.
True comfort doth begin I see:
encrease it more and more:
41
to vexe my soule so sore.
And shew what I must doe in haste,
because the night is nye:
For I intend to follow thee
good Solace, till I dye.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[41]
The ende of the Tuesdayes Conference.
44
THE VVEDNESDAY, or third daies Conference, betweene Solace and the sinfull man
Whereas the sinfull man was yesterday striken with dispayre of being saued, by reason of his manifold offences, which Solace proued, and his conscience confessed him to bee guiltie of: receiuing some comforte againe, by the sweete counsaile of Solace. Now Solace beginneth to prescribe him the way that he must begin to take to become a newe man.
Loe Solace here I am to day,
as thou appointest mee:
Thy counsaile is so passing sweete,
I long full sore for thee.
Solace.
Then here am I attend, giue care,
imbrace my counsaile deare:
If thou be sorie for thy sinne,
it will full soone appeare.
[44]
the Solace which I showe:
Repenting truely all thy sinnes:
on me lay all thyne woe.
And cast the burthen of thy sinne
on me, without delay:
Be strong in faith, attend to me,
and gad no more astray.
The sinfull man.
Oh, Solace art thou readie here,
loe, I attend thy will:
But for repentaunce and for faith,
as yet doe passe my skill.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
Yes, with good wil, good Solace shew
at large what thou hast sayd:
Proceede to finish in mine heart,
the plat which thou hast layd.
45
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
Oh rare and passing thing is this,
a glasse of heauenly skill:
Whereby on earth I may behold
in thee, thy fathers will.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[47]
A sharp cōclusion, which doth seeme
the summe of all: whereby,
The faithfull ones shall liue for aye:
and vnbeleeuers die.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
50
Oh Solace, should my whole beleefe,
be grounded on you three?
Then shewe I pray thee more at large,
What my beliefe must bee.
I doe alreadie vnderstand,
that faith must be the eye:
Whereby I must expect to haue,
saluation from on hye.
I doe belieue: helpe vnbeliefe,
and shewe thy selfe to mee:
I doe repose my confidence,
and all my trust in thee.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[54]
Would GOD the night were not so neere,
thy talke delighteth mee:
Encrease my fayth: to morrowe I,
will waite againe on thee.
The ende of the VVednesdaye, or third dayes Conference.
60
THE THVRSDAY,
or fourth daies Conference, betweene Solace and the sinfull Man.
Wherein the sinfull man confesseth his Fayth, and is instructed by Solace, what repentaunce is, and what are the fruites thereof, and the things that hinder it.
Where art thou man, that yesterday,
didst promise to be here:
Come forth, attend, beleue in mee,
let fruitfull faith appeare.
The sinfull man:
Oh, Solace, art thou here so soone,
this day to meete with mee:
Say what thou wilt, I doe beleeue,
attendant here on thee.
[60]
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
I doe remember yesterday,
thou didst define to mee:
That faith ye fountaine of my weale
was confidence in thee.
Whereby I might behold before,
what after should appeare:
63
of my saluation here.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
First, I doe beleeue
in God my maker deare,
Who framde of nought the Land and Seas:
the heauens high and cleare.
The Sunne, the Moone, the firmament,
the crystall starry skies:
The things that are inuisible,
and eke before our eyes.
And of the dust who framed man,
in perfect shape and pure:
In image as he is himselfe,
for aye so to endure.
Of him he formed Eue to be,
a comfort to the man:
And placed them in state of blisse,
in Eden Garden, than.
There to remayne without distresse,
in perfect blisse for aye:
But that the subtile Serpent did,
most falsely them betray.
And they like disobedient wights,
did yeeld vnto his wyle:
[63]
from their estate exile.
And all that come of Adams line,
through Adams sinne do fall:
Deseruing death by due desert,
and thus came first our thrall.
And then our God of passing loue,
most sory for our sinne:
Did promise that the womans seede,
should our saluation winne.
And promised to Abraham,
to giue his sonne to saue
Mankind, from Sathans tyrannie
as I beleeue he gaue.
Thy selfe sweete Iesus, I beleeue,
who were coequall than:
With God thy father were content,
to be both God and man:
To come into this vale of woe,
and walke amongst vs here:
To shewe for our saluation,
thy fathers wisdome clere.
Borne of the virgine Marie pure,
as was before decreede:
That thou that shouldest saue vs all,
shouldest come of womans seede.
Whose Godhead and humayne state,
should linke them selues in one:
Inuisible and visible,
and not be here alone.
62
thy selfe as man to dye:
And as a God againe for vs,
exalt thy selfe on hye.
And when thou here in earthly soyle,
in humaine weedes belowe:
Didst wander: I beleeue thee then,
like other men to growe.
To shewe thy selfe as man to vs,
in humayne state to be:
In eche respect a man in deede,
from sinne yet onely free.
And wast content, to beare reproch,
to suffer cruell Iewes,
To buffet thee, to spit at thee,
and thee full vilely vse.
Who sought by many wylie meanes
to take thy life from thee,
Procuring wicked ministers,
to punish thee for mee.
False witnesses vniustly came,
accusing thee of ill:
And thou a lambe most innocent,
were well contented still.
And when the time appointed came,
wherein thou shouldest die:
Thy torments were so terrible,
were forst as man to crie.
My God my God in my distresse,
Why haste thou leaft mee thus?
[62]
which thou hadst then for vs.
Wherein thou gauest vp the ghost,
vnto thy father deere:
Discending to the deepe of hell,
to clense vs sinners here.
The wrath of God thy father was,
to Adams sinne so great:
That nothing could but thou his sonne,
his loue againe intreat.
Who on the Crosse I doe beleeue,
with heart and tongue confesse:
That thou for all offenders then,
didst purchase due redresse.
For our offences willingly,
thou didst accept to dye:
And to be layd in graue as man,
and seene with humayne eye.
The third day after to aryse,
againe out of the graue:
And to ascend aboue the Skies,
to whome, thy father gaue
Thy former glory and the seate,
at his right hand againe:
Where thou as Lord of all and some,
doste with him now remayne.
And there a Mediator true,
for sinners here belowe:
Thy selfe in mercie merueilous,
vnto thy father showe.
65
from thence I doe beleeue:
In iudgement thou wilt come againe,
to all mankind, to giue
Their iust reward of life or death
as they deserue to haue,
Who then shall take the flesh againe,
they caried to the graue.
And those that doe remayne aliue,
shall quickly changed be:
The wicked to their endlesse woe,
and iust shall goe with thee.
Into that seate of passing blisse,
that neuer shall haue end:
And those that thou shalt find vniust
thou wilt with Sathan send.
The holy ghost I doe likewise,
in heart confesse to be:
Whome I doe faithfully beleeue,
to be all one with thee.
And with the father, who are three,
in parson, but (in deede)
In substance one, a Trinitie,
in vnitie decreede,
Which holy ghost doth sanctifie,
thy chosen ones to liue:
Assuring all men to be thine,
that faithfully beleeue.
And those to be an holy church,
a congregation pure
[65]
from thy precepts allure.
Dispersed through the world so wide,
yet faithfully agree:
In faith, in baptisme, and good will,
vnited all in thee.
As to their head and chiefe defence
on whome they doe depend:
And whome with mightie hand thou doste,
most graciously defend.
And they like faithfull children doe
communicate in one:
And doe not vse thy benefites,
eche man by him alone.
But what thou dost on one bestowe
he doth impart to all,
And eche in godly loue supports
another, least he fall.
Whose sinne I faithfully beleeue
is pardoned in thee,
Who by thy death I doe beleeue:
hast made mee likewise free.
And that our bodies now corrupt
shall rise againe in fine,
In purerest wise, and them into
thine hands againe resigne.
And that our soules and bodies shall,
the heauenly ioyes possesse:
For euer more encrease my faith,
that I beleeue no lesse.
64
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
Increase my faith, I am corrupt,
which keepes mee dull perforce:
[64]
good Solace shewe remorse:
And what, as yet, doth want in mee,
vnfold the same in hast:
That I a sinner may repent,
of all offences past.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
Say on (good Solace) I attend,
I long in heart to heare:
The course of this thy purpose pure,
which is to mee so deere.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
75
All this I can, and will performe,
yea, what thou wilt I shall:
I yeeld my self with willing mind,
for thee to beare it all.
[75]
[OMITTED]
[76]
Alas what must I sinner doe?
whereto poore wretch must I
Imploye my self? I thinke there be
no shift but I must dye.
I will like wofull wight in hast,
of hayre-cloth make my bed:
And clad my carefull corps in sacke,
and cast dust on my head.
In mourning wise to pas my daies,
and pinch my self with fast,
77
may purchase blisse at last.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
79
But must I not sometimes abstaine
my careles corpes from meate?
Or is it lawfull when I list,
all kindes of meate to eate?
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[80]
Alas must I restore againe
the things I doe possesse,
Which I haue gotten heretofore,
or am remedilesse?
Then, woe is mee, I am vndone,
my state, will then decay:
Good Solace pardon that, and I
will all things els obey.
81
[OMITTED]
[82]
Then loe I will restore in hast,
the landes and Graunge againe:
83
shall losse by me sustaine.
But will the poore, and needy man,
releeue that are opprest:
And then I trust, I shal possesse,
at last eternall rest.
Solace,
[OMITTED]
[84]
Alas my conscience dooth accuse,
me guiltie of them all:
I must confesse my carelesse life,
hath well deserued thrall.
85
my sinnes I will declare
To thee, who dooth already see,
that they corrupted are.
Wherein I liued long secure,
bewrapt in wealth at will.
I runne a race, that now I rue:
and lingred long in ill:
Uouchsafe that I with heart & hand,
may now restore againe:
The things which I by fraud haue had,
of any man for gaine.
And shewe what further dooth belong,
to traine me to thy blisse:
Uouchsafe to shew that I may come,
where all true Solace is.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[85]
Then will I hasten me away,
to finish it in haste:
85
againe to thee as fast.
The end of the Thursday or fourth dayes conference
88
The Fryday, or fifth dayes cōferēce, between Solace, and the sinful man
That were the sinful man being yesterday perswaded, to redeliuer those things vnto Simple, his Tenaunt, which he had by flatterye & threatning gottē of him: As also to make restitution of all his wrongful gotten goods to other men, hee did it accordingly: And when hee had giuen euerye Birde his Feather; hee became so naked, and his estate so bare, that for his suddayne chaunge, he cryeth out in great heauines, on this wise: Solace comforting him, and willeth him to beare the matter with patience and to confesse his sinnes. &c.
Alas , the life that late I did
in precious price imbrace,
Is past and gone, and poore estate
hath taken riches place,
[88]
that flickred erst so hie.
Mine hautie harte in heauie chere,
doth wonted ioyes deny.
Where riches did ere while abound,
and bagges of golde were store:
Now want hath wonne the field again
wo worth me wretch therfore.
Solace.
What is the matter, oh sinfull man, that this morning, thou beginnest thus, as a man best laughted, shewing thy self yet subiect to frailty, which thou yesterday diddest promise manfully to withstanay
The sinfull man.
Oh (Solace) helpe, I am vndone,
now past are pleasant daies,
What thou didst will is done, & nowe
my stately state decaies.
My substance all, alas is gone,
now Simple and the rest
Haue had their shares of all my store,
my share alas is least.
I am vndone, I know not how,
to maintaine mee and mine:
I doubt I shall be sore opprest,
with poore estate, in fine.
89
for want, to begge their bread,
Why should we liue in this distresse?
wold they and I were dead.
This hard estate of mine, I know
would break an hearte of stone:
For that in my distresse, I haue
no wher to make my mone.
For those, that did before acquaint
themselues as friends to be.
Will now disdaine my poore estate,
and looke awry on mee.
Unles it be for my reproch
to say, loe, this is hee,
That was aloft but now is lowe,
what shall mine answere bee.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
91
Alas my poore estate is such,
I am so sore decayde:
No man can blame mine heauines,
if mine ill hap were wayde.
[91]
[OMITTED]
[92]
Oh how could he with patience,
these cruell crosses beare:
It can not be but that he did,
in griefe himselfe beteare.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[100]
Thē shewe me how I should cōfesse,
and how I ought to pray:
I doe repent my sinfull life,
That I haue led astray.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[101]
Before I doe confesse to thee
my sinne, thou doest beholde
102
my sinnes thus to vnfolde.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[103]
Thē what auaile good works? are they
of none effect in deede?
And bootes it not to keepe the lawes
that Moses first decreede?
104
[OMITTED]
105
Then Lorde of lords, oh Solace sweet
Oh loving Iesu deere:
Whose passing power, by word of trueth
created heauens cleere:
The Sea, that surgeth too and fro,
the earth and Creatures all:
Thy wisdome, is surpassyng high,
thy mercies great withall.
So that, the workes which thou hast done,
doo all depend on thee:
And I among them all, the woorst,
crye, come Lorde, come to mee.
Who am a Uessell, fraught with wo,
whose dayes are past in sinne:
My nature proane to wickednesse,
reteines mee yet therin.
But thou that art the God of blisse
extende thy mercie meere:
[105]
against thy Creatures, heere:
Thou canst attend, before I crie,
support, before I fall:
Thou canst relieue, before I craue,
forgiue, before I call.
Thy grace, is of so great effect,
thy counsaile (Lord) so pure,
That whome thou wilt preserue and keepe,
remaineth most secure.
Thou art of grace, the giuer true,
the God of mercie meere:
Who wouldest not that Sinners die,
but turne to thee in feare.
So that (Oh Lord) abounding so,
with loue and mercie store:
Thou didst vouchsafe to send a salue,
to cure my cruell sore.
Thy onely Sonne, delight and ioy,
who came in humaine weede:
Into this vale of deepe annoy,
to kyll the Serpents seede.
Who did betray, and bryng to woe,
our former Parentes twaine,
Whom thou hadst set in blessed state,
for aye there to remaine.
106
so subiect unto yll:
Haue swerued from ye word of trueth
and sore transgrest thy wyll.
Imbracing with great greedinesse,
my substance and my store:
Which I, by couin and deceit,
haue gotten heretofore.
And in delight haue past my dayes
as Sathan rulde my will,
I framde my fancies all and some.
to thinges peruers and ill.
Haue mercie, mercie, Lord on mee
whoe haue deserued thrall.
Refuse mee not, though I be dust,
by nature proane to fall.
Blot out of thine accompting Booke,
what I haue done amisse:
Oh, pardon my Offences all,
and place my soule in blisse.
Wash me from all vngodlinesse,
make soule and body cleene:
That not a spot of filthinesse,
in neither may be seene.
I doo confesse (O Lord) to thee,
I doo confesse my sinne:
[106]
that I haue liued in:
I am a frowarde Childe to thee,
prouokyng thee to Ire:
But, Lord, vouchsafe, call mee againe
I would full faine retire.
From wandring in such vanities.
to walke the wayes of light,
Extend thy loue, Lorde, let me liue,
from hence, a life upright.
I disobeyed thy Preceptes,
and did what Nature would:
I did not that, that Uertue wyld:
and what, of right, I should.
Most wickedly I walked, in
the wayes that were vniust:
Esteeming filthy Carcase so,
as it had not ben dust.
Oh Lorde, I stood no feare of thee,
nor reverenst thy name:
But, as a disobedient wretche.
haue lead my life in blame.
Thy Lawes, I cast behinde my back
and doo not them fulfyll:
I follow with all greedinesse,
mine owne corrupted wyll.
107
without remorce of minde:
Neglecting true repentance styll,
to wickednes inclinde.
I roue at randone, too and fro,
from sinne to sinne I runne:
And therin wallow, as the Sow,
in durtie soyle, in Sunne.
The Solace, whiche I should haue shund
I sought with gredinesse:
And shund the Solace, which I shuld
haue held, as happinesse.
Which thou (O lord) thou doost behold
yea, what I thinke or saye:
What I haue done, and what I doo,
and how I gad astraye.
How I despised thy commaund,
and how I breake thy wyll,
How like a senceles man I run,
by rash conceit to yll:
Wherfore, I neede to say no more,
my sinnes, my soule annoy,
Mine heart, doeth harbour such conflict,
that gone is all my ioy.
[107]
Dispaire not man, let sorrow passe,
take solace now of mee:
I am the God, that neuer was,
nor wyll vnfaithfull bee:
My mercie, is a thousand fould,
to him that doth repent:
Repent (therfore) saye on, be bould,
the contrite is not shent.
What? if thou be a sinfull man,
in hart, repent, therfore:
Be sure, thou shalt haue pardon then
but see thou sinne no more.
The Thiefe, that hung on tree wt mee,
as he gaue vp the Ghost:
Did craue, that he might saued bee.
whose praiers were not lost:
And Marie Magdaline, that was,
a sinfull woman, came
To mee, in heart, repenting sinne,
and I forgaue the same.
By death (I say) I ouerthrew
the Serpent, and his trayne,
Mine heauenly fathers wyll, I dyd
obey without disdaine.
108
my Corps were nayled fast:
Not as a Sinner, but for thee,
when helpe of hope was past:
Proceede therfore, confesse in haste,
what thou hast done amisse:
For Sinne, I know, remains in thee,
as in all men there is.
The sinfull man.
Then Lorde, I see, thou doest beholde
with thy supernall eye:
The creaturs which in thraldome bee,
and hearest when they crie:
I sinfull soule, distressed sore,
in plungyng pangues of woe:
Doo craue the crūmes of mercie store
which from thy Table floe.
For, Lorde, I see that thou art prest,
to ease my sinfull sore:
Refuse me not, vouchsafe mee rest,
in heart, that call therfore.
Who by my sinfull lyfe, haue lost,
thy loue: and purchast thrall:
Extende vnto mee, wretched wight,
thy light, and loue withall.
[108]
hyde not thy selfe from mee:
Although my flesh do striue to keepe,
my syllie soule from thee:
Showe not thyne anger, as a foe,
let mercy be my staye:
It is no profite (Lord) for thee,
to cast my soule awaye.
Denie mee not, a contrite heart:
a pensiue person poore:
An wofull wretch, a sinfull soule,
that knocke here at thy doore.
Uouchsafe, to turne thy face to mee,
forgiue my deedes amisse:
In feare, I doo appeale to thee,
as one that guiltie is:
Deale not, as my deserts doo craue,
but as of mercie, thou,
Doost will, and still delight to haue,
all sinfull heartes to bow:
Showe not thy force against thy foe,
that faine would come to thee:
And pardon my Offences all,
though Death be due to mee.
Oh, plague mee not (good Lord so sore
I haue no force, I fall.
109
if thou vouchsafe to call,
My soule from sinne, and to affoord,
mee Solace sweete againe.
Loe, here, I doo against my selfe,
a sinfull wretch complaine:
Shame dooth beset mee round about
my selfe consume in woe:
I am corrupt, mine heart throughout
I wander too and fro.
From sinne to sinne, I run perforce,
I wander styll astraye.
Wherfore, without thy due remorce,
I can not but decaye.
Since first I suckt my Mothersbrest
yea, since I sawe the daye:
The subtill Serpent, hath not ceast,
to wrest mine heart astraye.
In sinne, my mother did conceaue,
this cankred Corps of mine:
And Sathan seekes (Lord) to bereaue,
all that (of right) is thine:
He soweth vaine and wicked seedes,
in mine vnstaid brest:
Wherof doo grow pernitious deedes,
which breede my soule vnrest.
[109]
they fixe so fast one mee:
That frō my youth they haue anoid,
and keepe me (Lord) from thee.
So that I am full bought and sould,
betwene the Feend and synne:
And wickednes a thousand foulde,
myne heart doth lodge within.
The good I cannot which I would,
my nature proane to ill:
Withdraws myne harte frō what it should
imbrace wt heauenly skil.
But (Lord) in sinne why should I dye,
syth thy good will is so:
To heare poor synners whē they crie,
and them redeeme from woe
And giuest them, repaste againe,
from heauens high aboue:
And to repentant hearts full faine,
thou showest thy selfe in loue.
Ye, thou doest saue through mercie meere
those that deserue to dye,
When they to thee returne in feare,
(oh Lorde) now so doe I:
A thousand times before this date,
thy mercies from aboue.
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to showe thy zealous loue:
Our fathers, who were longe agoe,
when they were in dystresse:
Fell prostrate on their harts, and loe,
thou gauest them redresse:
Ye, whē they were incompast round
and no hope to auoyde:
Thy mercye Lord did so abounde,
that they were not destroyed:
Haue mercie therfore (Lord) on mee,
oh god on whome I call.
I wretched synner here to thee,
on prostrate heart doe fall:
Ease mee againe, let mercie thine,
myne woefull hearte releeue.
And let not synne all goodnes mine,
through loosenes thus bereaue:
My soule alas, in dolefull plight,
in hope of helpe doth crie:
Oh Lord extend thy louelie light,
that shines from heauen hye:
To guide my silly soule to blisse,
by shunnyng what is ill.
High time, alas, good Lord it is,
to frame mee to thy will.
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put foorth thy helpyng hand:
Let it reuiue, what sinne hath slaine,
and loosen Sathans bande.
Lorde Iesus come, oh come in haste,
Let Heauens Bowe come down
That I a wretched wight at last,
maye ioye that passing Crowne.
Which yu by dreadful death hast won
through plūging panges on tree:
In loue, to giue the same to those,
that feare to fall from thee.
Come, come, I say, thou Solace true
and fill mine hart with ioye:
My sinfull soule, with grace renue,
whom Sathan would destroye,
No daye, no time, no minute is,
deuoyde of wo, to mee:
But (oh alas,) the cause is this,
I hold mee not by thee:
If thou absent thy selfe, my soule,
my bones, my bodie dust:
Corrupt, with carke of wicked will,
as Iron doeth with rust:
If thou absent thy selfe, my soule
runnes headiong into yll:
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and kickes against thy wyll:
Yf thou absent thy selfe, my soule,
like wretched wight opprest:
Fast fettred in the boultes of sinne,
lyes groaning voyde of rest:
Yf thou absent thy selfe, my soule,
sinckes into darkesome thrall:
But (Lord) driue darknes far frō mee
sende light and loue withall:
So sinne shal passe, and vertue flow
within my dolefull brest:
Oh Iesu, come, Oh, come in haste,
to set my soule at rest.
And thus, my soule I doo commende,
into thy bosome sweete:
On whome, I doo in heart depende,
heere prostrate, at thy feete.
Solace.
Take heed, take heed, Oh sinful man,
let heart and tongue agree:
Leaue off to sinne, repent foorthwith
and I wyll dwell with thee.
Cast of the Cloake, that is the cause,
to hinder thine intent:
Thy sinne, and then, in deede, I wyll,
to my request consent.
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How shuld mine heart & toong agree?
what meanest thou therin?
I haue (at large, thou maist perceiue)
vnfoulded all my sinne.
Solace,
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man
Show mee therfore, what must I doe
and what must I obeye?
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my gaddyng longe astray:
Solace.
[OMITTED]
The Ende of the Frydaye, or Fyfth Dayes Conference.
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The Saturdaye, or sixth Dayes Conference, betweene Solace and the Sinfull man.
Wherin, Solace, sheweth him, what is to bee done, and what left vndone, to attaine to the perfection of Christianytie.
Good Solace, loe, here I attende
as one that longes to heare:
What I must doo and leaue vndone:
I giue attentiue care:
Solace.
[OMITTED]
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Good Solace, then proceede in hast,
true comforte now appeares:
This comforte doth abandon woe,
and wipe off all my teares.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[117]
Uouchsafe, good Solace, to declare,
now, more at large to mee:
These ten Precepts, which doe set foorth
the way to come to thee.
Solace
[OMITTED]
126
This sweete conclusion cōforts me,
who can not but confesse:
That these thy Lawes like wicked wretch,
I daily doe transgresse.
But sith thou freely doest obtaine,
the loue of God for me:
Uouchsafe me grace to mortifie,
my sinnes to come to thee.
And sith the night drawes on so fast,
passe to the rest in haste,
I will attend vnto the ende,
forgiue offences paste.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[141]
Alas, then in what case am I:
if death be due to mee:
What doth auaile, yt I haue heard
so many things of thee?
What shal I do, mine heart impleat
with fearefull pangs of woe:
Had bene as good at first as now,
to yeeld vnto my foe.
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[OMITTED]
[142]
Now doth that Solace sweet appeare
which thou hast promist mee:
And that mine owne deserts are not
the meane to come to thee.
Thy merites are mine onely stay,
thy mercie meere extende:
Let faith in thee direct my life,
my words and thoughts amend.
The darkesome night is come, I see
there is no longer stay:
Tell mee, good Solace, neede I not
come yet another day.
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[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
With willing minde I will attende,
mine heart doth long to see
Those heauenly ioyes, wherein I trust
at last to liue with thee.
The ende of the Saterdaies Conference,
betweene Solace and the sinfull man.
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THE SVNDAYE, and last dayes Conference, betweene Solace and the sinfull Man.
VVherein Solace directeth him in prayer, which is the principall and last work, belonging to the attainement of eternall life, by faith in Christ.
[OMITTED]
The sinfull man.
Ye, Solace, loe I looke for thee,
mine onely comfort deare:
Whose comfort now I find, in deed,
proceede from heauens cleare.
And therefore I attend on thee,
mine only guide and stay:
Whom thou doest call, I see cannot
gad like a wretch astray.
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(through thee) yt guides to blisse:
Whereby I shall at last possesse
the ioye, that perfect is:
Which I in heart by faith doe feele,
though in this vale of woe:
Where Sathās forces fell abound,
and sinnes by custome growe.
Which vale, I long to leaue in haste,
to take my rest with thee:
In heauens hye, where only ioye
and nothing els can bee.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
146
Alas I knowe not how to aske,
nor what true prayer is:
I long to learne so sweete a meane,
to bring my soule to blisse.
Wherefore, declare to me in haste,
how I must pray aright:
Mine heart is set to seeke the thing,
so pleasaunt in thy sight.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[151]
What are the thinges, for which I ought
most specially to pray:
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thy sacred will obey.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
153
Declare thou these thinges more at large,
(good Solace) that I may:
In faith be stirred vp in thee,
for what, and when to pray.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[158]
Loe then I see that praier is,
through thee, the meane to haue:
What so I want, if that in faith,
and trueth, the same I craue.
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giue, for his passing loue:
Wherein he doth vouchsafe releefe,
from heauens high aboue.
Solace.
[OMITTED]
[159]
Al thanks & praise oh Lord I doe
in humble wise commende:
To thee who doest such solace sweet
vnto poore sinners sende.
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my sinfull soule from woe:
That tongue cānot thy praises due,
for want of wisedome showe.
But yet as farre as heart and tōgue
can giue, I yeeld to thee:
Accept it Lord, though passing thankes
thou doe deserue I see.
For when I was in sinfull plight,
in Sathans bands opprest:
Thy tender Sonne came downe to mee
to shewe the way to rest.
My soule did harbor all that was
vnto my soule annoye:
But he hath fraught ye same againe,
with all surpassing ioye.
My darknes he hath turnd to light,
wherein I see the way
That leades to life & how to shunne
what led me long astray.
The pleasant shewes and fawning cheere
of worldly wealth, I see,
The fond delightes & peeuish toyes,
did worke but ill for mee.
Therewith I was puft vp aloft,
with plumes of pride so hye:
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but iust desert to dye.
For, sinne a thousand folde, I did
within myne heart retaine:
A burning zeale there was in me,
to heape vp foolish gaine.
My heart was led wt deepe delight,
myne eyes did gaze awrye:
My truethles tongue within myne head,
for greedie gaine did lye.
No pittie or compassion was,
within my careles breast:
A thousand cares of worldly wealth
my wicked heart possest.
I thought not on an others woe,
I passe not for his paine:
I spared not to pinch the poore,
to reape my selfe the gaine.
And thus I liued long secure,
in sinfull soyle a sleepe:
Till Solace came and did awake
me, out of slumber deepe.
And set before my blinded eyes,
the reckles race I runne:
Which now I see I must forsake,
or rest (for aye) vndone.
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oh Lord of Lords to thee:
Unto thy Sonne, and holy Ghost,
for thus receiuing mee.
Oh how sweete are thy wordes vnto my throate, yea, sweeter then honie vnto my mouth. Psal. 119.
Death where is thy sting? hel where is thy victorie? the sting of death is sinne, and the strength of sinne is the law. But thankes be vnto God, who hath giuen vs victorie, thorowe our Lord Iesus Christ. 1. Cor. 15.
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A farewell to the Booke.
I If thou (oh sillie Booke) doe chaunceto light into the hand
O Of any, such as takes delight,
ech others worke to scand:
H Heare with good will what they will say:
take not in greefe, disdaine.
N No Booke so good, but gets reproofe,
and trifeling toyes the gaine.
N No praise exspect, way not dispraise:
ech man will verdict giue
O Of thee and me, but haue regarde
how he or they doe liue.
R Rash iudgement doth vnstayed mindes,
in ech degree bewray:
D Disdaine thou not the deadly doomes,
therefore of such as they.
E Euen so, farewell, in ragged shewe,
thou must depart from mee:
N Not pullisht as some pleasaunt Bookes,
that profite lesse then thee.
Si Deus nobiscum quis contra nos.
FINIS.
| A sinfvll Mans Solace | |