vi The Spouse to her beloued.
The Argument.
The
yonglinges hauing heard the spouses open declaracion
both of her lyfe passed, and also of her presente
estate, and doubting lest they may be deceiued & seduced
as she before tyme had beene, because they would be sure,
commit themselues to her giding & custody. But ye church
knowlegyng her vnablenes by her owne wit & power to
kepe herselfe, cōmitteth to Christ the cure of altogether.
And to thētent she be not prouoked through the subtil deceite
of false doctrine, to wandre & stray from the trueth,
she desireth her beloued to shew her the right way where
and how to finde him, synging as foloweth.
O Christ my loue beloued of my soule,
I know that thou delyting in the light.
In mid day time, when men in fayth be hole,
Doest feede and rest, through pleasure and delight.
But in what place thou doest thee feede and rest.
I am not sure, wherfore I thee desyre
To teache me that, lest I with al the rest
By wandryng wyde, defyle vs in the myre.
The Churche malignant with her many mockes,
To be thy felow boldly doeth her boast,
And in thy name hath gathered myghty flockes:
Whiche straye abrode wel nygh in euery coast.
Newe foldes, new faythes, she dayly doeth diuice
Her flockes to feede, wherein alas they stray:
And as for thyne she counteth of no price,
Fraying by force, all shepe from them away.
Yet in thy name her office she doeth holde,
Makyng her vaunt that she the true Church is:
Enforcyng all that would be of thy folde,
Suche weedes to eat, as she hath sowen amis.
That I therfore lead not thy yong awrye,
Nor fall among thy fayned felowes flocke,
Enfourme me where thou doest thee feede and lye,
O Christ my lyght, my shepherd, and my rocke.
