lxi. The Spouse to the Younglynges
The Argument.
Christ
seyng his Younglynges so earnestly set to receyue
hym, that they promys to ieoberd theyr lyfe for the profession
of his name, cummeth to them, and geuyng them his
kysse of peace, taketh them to his Spouse: & than as he dyd
to the other Churches before, he cūmeth to her with his dew
and nyght droppes, to proue and trye her: wherfore she beyng
sore afflicted of her mothers houshold, that such as are weak
fall not from her, declareth that Christ hath not forsaken her
but hath purposely brought that crosse vpon her, and that at
length she shall haue the victorye of all her aduersaries, and
persecutours, syngyng.
Vnder my head the chief men of my flocke,
That to the truth must stycke styll vnafrayed,
Of Christe my Spouse, my anker, and my rocke,
The lefte hande of aduersitie is layed.
Yet for all that, nothyng can me deface,
Though for a tyme harme doe preuayle through hate:
For why at length Christs ryght hande shall embrace
My body whole, with prosperous estate.
