lviii. The Spouse to her Beloued.
Whan
the Churche hath wel instructed the
younglynges and hath still an earnest desier to preache, she consydereth
that abrode in the worlde, whiche here is called a fyelde
and countrey, there are many that know not Christe, whiche
neuertheles thorough good instruccion, woulde soone becum
good Christians: wherfore she hath a desier to go preache to
them. But because she knoweth that all her endeuoures can
profit nothyng without Christe hymself be present, and helpe
with the secrete callyng of his grace and spirite, she desyreth
hym to goe with her, and declareth what she would haue hym
to doe there, syngyng.
Now that my young sufficiently are taught,
Cum my Beloued, assist me with thy power:
And to the fyelde where yet the men know naught
Of thee nor thyne, together let vs walke.
That they bedewed with grace thy pleasaunt shower,
May cum to thee, and hearken to my talke.
And in the townes and villages so bruite,
In whiche no wurde nor mencion is of thee,
Let vs two lodge together, and get fruite
Whiche may hereafter glorifie thy name:
And of thy churche the perfect membres be,
By knowyng truthe, and wurkyng of the same.
Whan this is doen, than early wyll we ryse,
And goe to see yf our olde vineyardes bud,
To see yf that our young do exercise
Theyr fruitfull fayth, and gyftes of godly grace,
Whether theyr dedes and doctrine bothe be good,
Or yf the wedes, or foxes them disgrace.
To see also yf our Pomegranades sprede,
Suche witnesses as wyl theyr lyues bestowe,
Thy truth to auaunce: for there loe wyll I shede
My Loue all whole that I to thee doe beare:
There wyll I spende the talentes that I owe,
To thee my Loue, to bryng them out of feare.
