Thrifts Eqvipage Viz. Fiue Diuine and Morall Meditations, of 1. Frugalitie. 2. Prouidence. 3. Diligence. 4. Labour and Care. 5. Death [by Robert Aylett] |
 |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
Meditation 3. Of Diligence.
|
| 4. |
| 5. |
 | Thrifts Eqvipage |  |
24
Meditation 3. Of Diligence.
Who, with a prudent heart, and godly minde,
Wil take a view how things are wrought below,
In all effects shall good and euill find,
As cause is good or ill, from whence they flow;
Thus God first Cause of all thy actions know,
As they be good; thy selfe as they be ill;
Which doth Gods pow'r and goodnesse greater show,
In vsing heere mans vile corrupted will,
As second cause his sound, good purpose to fulfill.
Wil take a view how things are wrought below,
In all effects shall good and euill find,
As cause is good or ill, from whence they flow;
Thus God first Cause of all thy actions know,
As they be good; thy selfe as they be ill;
Which doth Gods pow'r and goodnesse greater show,
In vsing heere mans vile corrupted will,
As second cause his sound, good purpose to fulfill.
All euill then comes from mans vicious will,
Not moou'd thereto by meere necessity,
As senselesse Agents are to good or ill,
But giues consent thereto most willingly:
By Natures Light we good from ill descry,
But this vs onely leaues without excuse,
When seeing better we the worst doe try,
And thus God of mans malice makes good vse,
And he is iustly punished for his abuse.
Not moou'd thereto by meere necessity,
As senselesse Agents are to good or ill,
But giues consent thereto most willingly:
By Natures Light we good from ill descry,
But this vs onely leaues without excuse,
When seeing better we the worst doe try,
And thus God of mans malice makes good vse,
And he is iustly punished for his abuse.
Oh mans peruersenesse! grant him least freewill,
And he becomes vaine, proud and insolent:
Deny him any power to doe or will,
And he growes lazy, slothfull, negligent:
First kinde are meritorious, impudent,
And merit for themselues and others will,
The other Epicure-like, take content
In pleasure, eating, drinking of their fill,
Or in an idle, melancholique sitting still.
And he becomes vaine, proud and insolent:
Deny him any power to doe or will,
And he growes lazy, slothfull, negligent:
First kinde are meritorious, impudent,
And merit for themselues and others will,
The other Epicure-like, take content
In pleasure, eating, drinking of their fill,
Or in an idle, melancholique sitting still.
25
But Diligence, the Grace I next propound,
For this last euill is best remedy,
This Uiper which most dang'rously doth wound
Our soules with senselesse spirituall Lethargy,
And brings too aspish-lazy Accidy:
Most perilous, because we feele least harme.
Oh, this is Satans subtillest Lullaby,
Our soules with stupid lazinesse to charme,
And then of spirituall armes and weapons to disarme.
For this last euill is best remedy,
This Uiper which most dang'rously doth wound
Our soules with senselesse spirituall Lethargy,
And brings too aspish-lazy Accidy:
Most perilous, because we feele least harme.
Oh, this is Satans subtillest Lullaby,
Our soules with stupid lazinesse to charme,
And then of spirituall armes and weapons to disarme.
Thou that hast promis'd endlesse happinesse,
To all which at thy comming thou dost find
Intent vnto their Masters businesse,
And diligent in body and in minde,
Make all my Soules and Bodies powr's inclind
To Diligence, whilst I her praises write,
Vnloose the chaines, the fetters strong vnbind
Of Sloth and Dulnesse, which, to blackest night
Leade blindfold, drowsie soules that take therein delight.
To all which at thy comming thou dost find
Intent vnto their Masters businesse,
And diligent in body and in minde,
Make all my Soules and Bodies powr's inclind
To Diligence, whilst I her praises write,
Vnloose the chaines, the fetters strong vnbind
Of Sloth and Dulnesse, which, to blackest night
Leade blindfold, drowsie soules that take therein delight.
Vigilance, Industry, and Diligence
So like indeed one to another are,
My plainer Muse scarse sees a difference,
And therefore all will but as one declare;
Our soules and bodies powers they prepare,
In eu'ry noble Vertue to transcend,
Nothing on earth that's admirable rare,
Without these can be brought to perfect end,
On these do honest care and labour aye attend.
So like indeed one to another are,
My plainer Muse scarse sees a difference,
And therefore all will but as one declare;
Our soules and bodies powers they prepare,
In eu'ry noble Vertue to transcend,
Nothing on earth that's admirable rare,
Without these can be brought to perfect end,
On these do honest care and labour aye attend.
For godly, iust and necessary cares
Are parts substantiall of Diligence,
And as she for the future thus prepares,
Hauing to Truth and Iustice reference,
She is a Grace of wondrous excellence:
But if she spring from Enuy, emulation,
Ambition, Feare, or other base pretence,
She is a curious base abomination,
The busie vice that author is of desolation.
Are parts substantiall of Diligence,
And as she for the future thus prepares,
Hauing to Truth and Iustice reference,
She is a Grace of wondrous excellence:
But if she spring from Enuy, emulation,
Ambition, Feare, or other base pretence,
She is a curious base abomination,
The busie vice that author is of desolation.
22
Industry best agreeth to the mind,
In which she frames a quicke Dexterity,
In Arts and Sciences the right to find,
And they that know her wondrous energy,
In Phisicke, Law, and in Diuinity,
Know, that she tends the neerest to perfection,
And is to humane imbecillity
Most sound defence, secure, and safe protection,
'Gainst Satans Malice, their owne Lusts, & worlds infection.
In which she frames a quicke Dexterity,
In Arts and Sciences the right to find,
And they that know her wondrous energy,
In Phisicke, Law, and in Diuinity,
Know, that she tends the neerest to perfection,
And is to humane imbecillity
Most sound defence, secure, and safe protection,
'Gainst Satans Malice, their owne Lusts, & worlds infection.
We well Dame Nature may the Mother name
Of noble Industry and Diligence,
Yet oft we see their wondrous force doth tame,
Things against Nature, without violence;
All other Vertues glorious excellence,
Which we in Heroes iustly do admire,
Haue their Beginning and Perfection thence:
Where Jndustry and Diligence conspire,
Wants nothing that we can in mortall man desire.
Of noble Industry and Diligence,
Yet oft we see their wondrous force doth tame,
Things against Nature, without violence;
All other Vertues glorious excellence,
Which we in Heroes iustly do admire,
Haue their Beginning and Perfection thence:
Where Jndustry and Diligence conspire,
Wants nothing that we can in mortall man desire.
For as she many euill things amends,
So is she of all good the consummation,
Most dissolute base manners she commends
Soone, vnto honest thrifty reformation.
An infirme body by exercitation,
And Diligence, becommeth strong and sound:
She frees old-Age from grieuous molestation
Of painefull sharpe Diseases that abound.
Fields of the diligent are fruitfull euer found.
So is she of all good the consummation,
Most dissolute base manners she commends
Soone, vnto honest thrifty reformation.
An infirme body by exercitation,
And Diligence, becommeth strong and sound:
She frees old-Age from grieuous molestation
Of painefull sharpe Diseases that abound.
Fields of the diligent are fruitfull euer found.
For by this Diligence all well succeed,
No idle hower on her head doth shine,
She her best howers spends with prudent heed,
And all her businesse aright doth line,
She finds to all things an appointed time,
Except it be for Slouth and Idlenesse.
If idle words be iudged such a crime,
Much more the losse of times high preciousnesse,
Which cannot be regain'd with cost and carefulnesse.
No idle hower on her head doth shine,
She her best howers spends with prudent heed,
And all her businesse aright doth line,
She finds to all things an appointed time,
Except it be for Slouth and Idlenesse.
If idle words be iudged such a crime,
Much more the losse of times high preciousnesse,
Which cannot be regain'd with cost and carefulnesse.
23
Wherefore good fathers of a Family,
First rise, and latest go to bed at night:
And those that loue the Muses company,
Do vse their eyes to read by Candle-light.
Artificer, good-Husband, Merchant, Knight,
And Magistrate, this Vertue doth defend.
Nothing so difficult, but by the might
Of Diligence, is conquer'd in the end,
Therefore in all affaires she is our surest friend.
First rise, and latest go to bed at night:
And those that loue the Muses company,
Do vse their eyes to read by Candle-light.
Artificer, good-Husband, Merchant, Knight,
And Magistrate, this Vertue doth defend.
Nothing so difficult, but by the might
Of Diligence, is conquer'd in the end,
Therefore in all affaires she is our surest friend.
But none more enemies than Negligence,
Slouth, Dulnesse, Carelesnesse, and Idlenesse,
Impurest mire of foule Concupiscence,
The forge of Lust, and draught of filthinesse;
Whence come all Vices, Sinne and Wickednes,
Which turne men into Beasts, like Sirens charmes.
Oh Slouth! the nurse and mother of excesse,
Like Statue standing still with folded armes,
And neuer moues to good, for feare of future harmes.
Slouth, Dulnesse, Carelesnesse, and Idlenesse,
Impurest mire of foule Concupiscence,
The forge of Lust, and draught of filthinesse;
Whence come all Vices, Sinne and Wickednes,
Which turne men into Beasts, like Sirens charmes.
Oh Slouth! the nurse and mother of excesse,
Like Statue standing still with folded armes,
And neuer moues to good, for feare of future harmes.
Vnnecessary Burthen on the ground,
Who when he hath consumed all his owne,
Deuoures his friends, and then a theefe is found,
More false, yea, than a begger bolder growne;
For though the beggers-bodies hands are sown,
And's mind is all on flouth and idlenesse,
Yet often in his mouth Gods Name is knowne:
But God all honesty and shamefastnesse,
He loaths that is possest of slouth and sluggishnesse.
Who when he hath consumed all his owne,
Deuoures his friends, and then a theefe is found,
More false, yea, than a begger bolder growne;
For though the beggers-bodies hands are sown,
And's mind is all on flouth and idlenesse,
Yet often in his mouth Gods Name is knowne:
But God all honesty and shamefastnesse,
He loaths that is possest of slouth and sluggishnesse.
A Sluggard is vnto himselfe, and all
A most pernicious wicked enemy,
By Slouth his mind and body soone do fall
To sicknesses, and all impurity:
He is the bane to all good company,
The stinking Sepulchre of one aliue,
Shadowes of men! Tunnes of Iniquity,
Whose soules base ease, of Reason doth depriue,
Whilst, as a Swine with Mast, their bodies fat and thriue.
A most pernicious wicked enemy,
By Slouth his mind and body soone do fall
To sicknesses, and all impurity:
He is the bane to all good company,
The stinking Sepulchre of one aliue,
Shadowes of men! Tunnes of Iniquity,
Whose soules base ease, of Reason doth depriue,
Whilst, as a Swine with Mast, their bodies fat and thriue.
28
We Sloth, like Lazy Asse, at home do finde:
But listen out, you lowd shall beare him bray,
Just like a coward dogge of currish kinde,
That doth at harmelesse Pilgrims barke and bay;
But comes a Wolfe, for feare he runnes away:
Like fearefull Hart, when as he comes to fight,
But as a Lyon greedy of the prey;
All day asleepe, but in the dead of night,
He woorrieth the fould, for hunger and despight.
But listen out, you lowd shall beare him bray,
Just like a coward dogge of currish kinde,
That doth at harmelesse Pilgrims barke and bay;
But comes a Wolfe, for feare he runnes away:
Like fearefull Hart, when as he comes to fight,
But as a Lyon greedy of the prey;
All day asleepe, but in the dead of night,
He woorrieth the fould, for hunger and despight.
Oh Diligence! perfection of all,
When as thou dost with truth and vertue dwell,
But if to Vice and errour thou doe fall,
Thou passest Haggs and Furies all of Hell;
Hels waking Cerberus is not so fell,
As popish priests, who compasse Sea and Land,
Into Cymmerian darknesse to compell
Those that in Sun-shine of the Gospel stand:
Thus diligently they obey their Lords command.
When as thou dost with truth and vertue dwell,
But if to Vice and errour thou doe fall,
Thou passest Haggs and Furies all of Hell;
Hels waking Cerberus is not so fell,
As popish priests, who compasse Sea and Land,
Into Cymmerian darknesse to compell
Those that in Sun-shine of the Gospel stand:
Thus diligently they obey their Lords command.
Oh would we be for Truth as diligent,
As they for errours and traditions vaine!
But I haue too much of my hower spent,
Against the Vice, the Vertue to maintaine.
To Diligence I now returne againe,
Which like heau'ns glorious Sun doth neuer rest,
But like a gyant runnes his Course amaine,
Vntill she of the garland be possest.
This life's no mansion, but a way to heau'nly rest.
As they for errours and traditions vaine!
But I haue too much of my hower spent,
Against the Vice, the Vertue to maintaine.
To Diligence I now returne againe,
Which like heau'ns glorious Sun doth neuer rest,
But like a gyant runnes his Course amaine,
Vntill she of the garland be possest.
This life's no mansion, but a way to heau'nly rest.
In heau'n are many Mansions, heere we stay
Onely to finish that for which we come,
If trewantlike we spend our time in play,
And be with drinke, or sleeping ouercome:
Oh! when our fatall hower-glasse is runne,
And we are call'd to render our account,
Of good and euill in the body done;
Our debts, alas! will all our wealth surmount,
And our Omissions more than numbers vp can count.
Onely to finish that for which we come,
If trewantlike we spend our time in play,
And be with drinke, or sleeping ouercome:
Oh! when our fatall hower-glasse is runne,
And we are call'd to render our account,
Of good and euill in the body done;
Our debts, alas! will all our wealth surmount,
And our Omissions more than numbers vp can count.
29
This Diligence is like one in a Myne,
That digges much earth a little gold to find;
Like Silkeworme, who her slendrest silken twine,
By Diligence doth on a bottome wind:
Like husbandman, who little sheaues doth bind,
Wherewith he fils his Barnes and Garners full:
Like little stones by Morter fast combin'd,
Raisd to a Temple large and beautifull:
Like mighty hostes which Dukes of single men do cull.
That digges much earth a little gold to find;
Like Silkeworme, who her slendrest silken twine,
By Diligence doth on a bottome wind:
Like husbandman, who little sheaues doth bind,
Wherewith he fils his Barnes and Garners full:
Like little stones by Morter fast combin'd,
Raisd to a Temple large and beautifull:
Like mighty hostes which Dukes of single men do cull.
Some by a night-Owle, and a Dragons eyes,
This vertue Diligence haue figured,
And therefore Poets Fables do deuise,
The Golden-fleece so highly valued,
Kept by a Dragons diligence and heed.
The Golden-fleece, the Kingdomes Peace I call:
The Dragon, him by whom all's ordered:
For on whose shoulders such a charge doth fall,
He must be vigilant, and diligent in all.
This vertue Diligence haue figured,
And therefore Poets Fables do deuise,
The Golden-fleece so highly valued,
Kept by a Dragons diligence and heed.
The Golden-fleece, the Kingdomes Peace I call:
The Dragon, him by whom all's ordered:
For on whose shoulders such a charge doth fall,
He must be vigilant, and diligent in all.
This Vertue is indeed most soueraigne,
In highest Rulers which the Publique sway,
Who are set ouer vs for our owne gaine,
If them as Gods Vicegerents we obay:
They keepe continuall watch both night & day
For all our goods, so they be diligent:
God grant such Rulers euer gouerne may
His little Fold within this Jland pent,
To ioy of all our friends, and foes astonishment.
In highest Rulers which the Publique sway,
Who are set ouer vs for our owne gaine,
If them as Gods Vicegerents we obay:
They keepe continuall watch both night & day
For all our goods, so they be diligent:
God grant such Rulers euer gouerne may
His little Fold within this Jland pent,
To ioy of all our friends, and foes astonishment.
The Latines, Diligence deriue from Loue:
For he that loueth, doth eu'n all fulfill,
Yea nothing hard or difficult doth proue
To him, that knowes 'tis his beloueds will;
Whose hearts this glorious Grace of Loue doth fil,
They here despise all losses, griefe, and paine:
Let heau'nly loue into mine heart distill,
I worlds discouragements will all disdaine:
For Diligence on earth, I loue in heau'n shall gaine.
For he that loueth, doth eu'n all fulfill,
Yea nothing hard or difficult doth proue
To him, that knowes 'tis his beloueds will;
Whose hearts this glorious Grace of Loue doth fil,
They here despise all losses, griefe, and paine:
Let heau'nly loue into mine heart distill,
I worlds discouragements will all disdaine:
For Diligence on earth, I loue in heau'n shall gaine.
30
This loue in Dauids heart doth so abound,
It from his eyes and eye-lids did expell
All sleepe, till he a resting place had found,
Wherein the Lord of life might alwaies dwell,
This made the Mount of Sion so excell,
That it the glory of the earth became.
This diligence makes all to prosper well,
Though but a sparke of Loues celestiall flame,
It gaines vs loue in heau'n, on earth eternall fame.
It from his eyes and eye-lids did expell
All sleepe, till he a resting place had found,
Wherein the Lord of life might alwaies dwell,
This made the Mount of Sion so excell,
That it the glory of the earth became.
This diligence makes all to prosper well,
Though but a sparke of Loues celestiall flame,
It gaines vs loue in heau'n, on earth eternall fame.
Oh blessed Paul! had I thy eloquence,
Thy indefatigable paines to sound,
Thy wondrous trauell, care, and diligence,
Thy Masters will to know, do, and propound.
How many Sees of Bishops didst thou found?
How didst thou preach by day, and work by night?
How diligently Heretickes confound?
And eu'n in Hels, Worlds, Tyrants, Iewes despight,
By Diligence declare the power of Loues might.
Thy indefatigable paines to sound,
Thy wondrous trauell, care, and diligence,
Thy Masters will to know, do, and propound.
How many Sees of Bishops didst thou found?
How didst thou preach by day, and work by night?
How diligently Heretickes confound?
And eu'n in Hels, Worlds, Tyrants, Iewes despight,
By Diligence declare the power of Loues might.
Should I the Fathers liues trace to the Floud,
And into Egypt, follow them from thence;
From thence, through wildernesse to their abode,
By Iordans bankes, in Houses, Cities, Tents,
They all are Maps to vs of Diligence:
From Genesis vnto the Reuelation,
Their Pilgrimages all haue reference,
To new Ierusalem, Saints habitation:
And we all stones, and Builders on that one foundation.
And into Egypt, follow them from thence;
From thence, through wildernesse to their abode,
By Iordans bankes, in Houses, Cities, Tents,
They all are Maps to vs of Diligence:
From Genesis vnto the Reuelation,
Their Pilgrimages all haue reference,
To new Ierusalem, Saints habitation:
And we all stones, and Builders on that one foundation.
As God, so we must worke before we rest,
We may not cease till all be finished:
In heau'n we shall enioy eternall Rest,
Which by the Sabbaoth was prefigured.
The Spouse may seeke, but finds not in the Bed
Her Bridegroome: he is like the nimble Hind,
He must be diligently followed:
But if by Diligence we once him find,
He skipping comes o're hils, and mountains like the wind.
We may not cease till all be finished:
In heau'n we shall enioy eternall Rest,
Which by the Sabbaoth was prefigured.
The Spouse may seeke, but finds not in the Bed
Her Bridegroome: he is like the nimble Hind,
He must be diligently followed:
But if by Diligence we once him find,
He skipping comes o're hils, and mountains like the wind.
31
But if I onely speake of Diligence,
And image-like to others point out-right,
Yet liue in Carelesnesse, and Negligence:
I, like the blind, may others Lampes in light,
But stray and wander all the while in night.
Our life's a moment here, if we regard
Eternity: A cloud to heau'nly light:
Like drop vnto the Ocean compar'd,
Is earthly Ioy, to that which is in Heau'n prepar'd.
And image-like to others point out-right,
Yet liue in Carelesnesse, and Negligence:
I, like the blind, may others Lampes in light,
But stray and wander all the while in night.
Our life's a moment here, if we regard
Eternity: A cloud to heau'nly light:
Like drop vnto the Ocean compar'd,
Is earthly Ioy, to that which is in Heau'n prepar'd.
The Ayer without motion putrifies:
The standing-Poole becomes vnsauourie:
The hottest Fier without blowing dies:
The Land with thornes and weeds doth barren lie,
That is not exercis'd with husbandry.
Thy house and houshold-stuffe do soone decay,
Except they be emploid continually:
Thy lockt-vp garments are to Moth's a prey:
All things not vs'd, like Steele by rust, consume away.
The standing-Poole becomes vnsauourie:
The hottest Fier without blowing dies:
The Land with thornes and weeds doth barren lie,
That is not exercis'd with husbandry.
Thy house and houshold-stuffe do soone decay,
Except they be emploid continually:
Thy lockt-vp garments are to Moth's a prey:
All things not vs'd, like Steele by rust, consume away.
Looke on the nimble Motions of the skie,
How all moue diligently to their end:
Looke on the Beasts that creepe; the Birds that fly,
How they no time to Idlenesse will lend:
Earth, though the dullest Element doth spend
Her strength, for all the Creatures preseruation:
The Creatures eu'n their bloud and life do send
To man, for Life's and Bodies sustentation.
Thus all are diligent here in their occupation.
How all moue diligently to their end:
Looke on the Beasts that creepe; the Birds that fly,
How they no time to Idlenesse will lend:
Earth, though the dullest Element doth spend
Her strength, for all the Creatures preseruation:
The Creatures eu'n their bloud and life do send
To man, for Life's and Bodies sustentation.
Thus all are diligent here in their occupation.
Oh man! though Lord of all, who yet art borne
To labour, as the Sparkes do vpward flie,
To learne here of thy Vassals do not scorne,
But eate thy Bread in sweat continually.
In Labour did the Fathers liue and die,
To do Gods will was Christ his drinke and food,
Not to dispute thereof with subtilty,
And nice distinctions, which do little good,
But make things easie erst, now hardlier vnderstood.
To labour, as the Sparkes do vpward flie,
To learne here of thy Vassals do not scorne,
But eate thy Bread in sweat continually.
In Labour did the Fathers liue and die,
To do Gods will was Christ his drinke and food,
Not to dispute thereof with subtilty,
And nice distinctions, which do little good,
But make things easie erst, now hardlier vnderstood.
32
One thing is necessary, doe and liue:
Practice and Knowledge, must goe hand in hand:
The gods for labours, blessings here do giue,
Not curious knowledge: They that vnderstand,
And yet forbeare to doe their Lords command,
Thereby most inexcusable become,
When all before the dreaded Iudge shall stand,
More then shall heare the finall dreadfull doome,
For things omitted here, than things which they haue done.
Practice and Knowledge, must goe hand in hand:
The gods for labours, blessings here do giue,
Not curious knowledge: They that vnderstand,
And yet forbeare to doe their Lords command,
Thereby most inexcusable become,
When all before the dreaded Iudge shall stand,
More then shall heare the finall dreadfull doome,
For things omitted here, than things which they haue done.
Like Plutarchs Lamiæ, we are quicke of sight
Abroad, at home we lay aside our eyes:
If each his owne affaires could order right,
That town would soone to wealth and honour rise:
The street, where ech his dore sweeps, cleanly lies.
I do not here forbid all forraine care:
To paire of Compasses I like the wise,
Halfe of their thoughts at their hearts center are,
The other, round about, do for the publique care.
Abroad, at home we lay aside our eyes:
If each his owne affaires could order right,
That town would soone to wealth and honour rise:
The street, where ech his dore sweeps, cleanly lies.
I do not here forbid all forraine care:
To paire of Compasses I like the wise,
Halfe of their thoughts at their hearts center are,
The other, round about, do for the publique care.
The Cynicke, that he might his hate expresse
To Slouth, would often tumble vp and downe
His Tunne, to keepe himselfe from Jdlenesse.
Base Commodus, of all the Cæsars knowne
To be most wicked, was not of his owne
Nature so vile: but when his youth by ease,
Into contempt of Businesse was growne,
This was the Empires fatall last disease,
Which lost the Cæsars all their fathers did increase.
To Slouth, would often tumble vp and downe
His Tunne, to keepe himselfe from Jdlenesse.
Base Commodus, of all the Cæsars knowne
To be most wicked, was not of his owne
Nature so vile: but when his youth by ease,
Into contempt of Businesse was growne,
This was the Empires fatall last disease,
Which lost the Cæsars all their fathers did increase.
Oh cursed Negligence! that dost confound
Soules, Bodies, Churches, Cities, Families;
No gracious Thrift will grow vpon thy ground,
Thy field like wildernesse all barren lies.
It Soules, like deadly Opium, stupifies:
It with diseases doth our Bodies fill,
Puls downe our Temples, which did dare the skies,
Layes ope the City walls to Victors will,
And thorow houses roofes rain-droppings makes distill.
Soules, Bodies, Churches, Cities, Families;
No gracious Thrift will grow vpon thy ground,
Thy field like wildernesse all barren lies.
It Soules, like deadly Opium, stupifies:
It with diseases doth our Bodies fill,
Puls downe our Temples, which did dare the skies,
Layes ope the City walls to Victors will,
And thorow houses roofes rain-droppings makes distill.
33
Bewaile with me the ruthfull Tragedy,
That Slouth hath made within this holy Land,
I meane, those Houses faire of Sanctity,
Which like so many Pyrami'ds did stand,
Erected first by holy Founders hand:
First raisd by Diligence, now raz'd to ground
By Slouth, those lazie-belly-gods to brand
With shame, whose Jdlenesse did thus confound
Those Places, where Gods holy Worship should abound.
That Slouth hath made within this holy Land,
I meane, those Houses faire of Sanctity,
Which like so many Pyrami'ds did stand,
Erected first by holy Founders hand:
First raisd by Diligence, now raz'd to ground
By Slouth, those lazie-belly-gods to brand
With shame, whose Jdlenesse did thus confound
Those Places, where Gods holy Worship should abound.
Behold, with Salomon, the sluggards field,
Which all ore-growne with Mosse and Bushes lies,
Whilst Rents and Sales to him abundance yeeld,
He lookes not after Industries supplies,
Like Grasse-hopper, he skipping liues, and dies,
Or sterues, if Winter bringeth Pouerty:
Th' industrious Ant, and Bee he doth despise.
Oh Slouth! the sinke of all iniquitie,
That changest men to swinish Bestiality.
Which all ore-growne with Mosse and Bushes lies,
Whilst Rents and Sales to him abundance yeeld,
He lookes not after Industries supplies,
Like Grasse-hopper, he skipping liues, and dies,
Or sterues, if Winter bringeth Pouerty:
Th' industrious Ant, and Bee he doth despise.
Oh Slouth! the sinke of all iniquitie,
That changest men to swinish Bestiality.
Awake you sluggards, you that powre in wine,
The day's at hand, when you account shall make;
As of your workes, so of your idle time:
To some employment do your selues betake,
And sayle not alwaies on the idle Lake:
It is a filthy, muddy, standing poole,
No good, or honest mind can pleasure take,
To row at ease in such a muddy hole,
Though there his vessel's subiect to no winds controule.
The day's at hand, when you account shall make;
As of your workes, so of your idle time:
To some employment do your selues betake,
And sayle not alwaies on the idle Lake:
It is a filthy, muddy, standing poole,
No good, or honest mind can pleasure take,
To row at ease in such a muddy hole,
Though there his vessel's subiect to no winds controule.
Oh you, whom God, eu'n gods on earth, doth style,
Withdraw not from the weight of gouernement
Your shoulders, nor let Ease your soules beguile
Of time, which should be in deuotion spent:
Rulers must most of all be diligent,
All euill cleaues on them by Idlenes.
Looke on all States, and forraine Regiment,
They all corrupt by Ease and slouthfulnes,
But flourish, and grow strong by frequent Busines.
Withdraw not from the weight of gouernement
Your shoulders, nor let Ease your soules beguile
Of time, which should be in deuotion spent:
Rulers must most of all be diligent,
All euill cleaues on them by Idlenes.
Looke on all States, and forraine Regiment,
They all corrupt by Ease and slouthfulnes,
But flourish, and grow strong by frequent Busines.
34
You heau'nly-Watchmen, of whom I desire
Rather to learne, than teach you ought to mend,
Marke onely what Paul doth of you require,
With diligence your selues and flockes attend;
God made you ouerseers for that end:
As nought more than assiduous Exercise
Of Soule and Body, doth from sinnes defend,
So nothing fills them with iniquities,
More than this sluggish slouth, and idle vanities.
Rather to learne, than teach you ought to mend,
Marke onely what Paul doth of you require,
With diligence your selues and flockes attend;
God made you ouerseers for that end:
As nought more than assiduous Exercise
Of Soule and Body, doth from sinnes defend,
So nothing fills them with iniquities,
More than this sluggish slouth, and idle vanities.
Elian doth of th' Egyptian Dogge report,
That when he drinkes, he neuer standeth still
By Riuers side, lest poysonous beasts him hurt,
Who lie in waite, him whilst he drinks, to kill:
Oh could we see the poysoning serpent still,
Waiting occasion with invenom'd sting,
Our bones with Lust, and Luxury to fill,
And vs by slouth, and idlenesse to bring
To carelesnesse of God, and any holy thing.
That when he drinkes, he neuer standeth still
By Riuers side, lest poysonous beasts him hurt,
Who lie in waite, him whilst he drinks, to kill:
Oh could we see the poysoning serpent still,
Waiting occasion with invenom'd sting,
Our bones with Lust, and Luxury to fill,
And vs by slouth, and idlenesse to bring
To carelesnesse of God, and any holy thing.
That thus would wind vs from all Diligence,
Like lazie Sluggards, onely to rely
Vpon th' Almighties care and Prouidence;
But lo, the Jsraelites send first to spie
The earthly Canaan, which did typifie
That heau'nly; whither, through this Wildernesse,
We must not hope to passe so easily;
They wanne the cities which they do possesse,
With paines and Diligence, not slouth and idlenesse.
Like lazie Sluggards, onely to rely
Vpon th' Almighties care and Prouidence;
But lo, the Jsraelites send first to spie
The earthly Canaan, which did typifie
That heau'nly; whither, through this Wildernesse,
We must not hope to passe so easily;
They wanne the cities which they do possesse,
With paines and Diligence, not slouth and idlenesse.
This was their way, this also must be ours;
Priests feet the flouds of Iordane may diuide,
Their trumpets throw downe Iericho's proud towres:
But Ai will many bloudy blowes abide.
He little thinkes Hels force, that neuer tride.
Th' Amalekites, and Moab will assay
To stop thy course to Iordans fruitfull side:
Thou must with Diligence maintaine thy way,
And fight with hardy resolution night and day.
Priests feet the flouds of Iordane may diuide,
Their trumpets throw downe Iericho's proud towres:
But Ai will many bloudy blowes abide.
He little thinkes Hels force, that neuer tride.
Th' Amalekites, and Moab will assay
To stop thy course to Iordans fruitfull side:
Thou must with Diligence maintaine thy way,
And fight with hardy resolution night and day.
35
Lord grant I may, like Paul, be diligent,
Who wrought his owne, and all the Soules to saue,
That with him in the ship to Cæsar went:
And though he knew, that God, who to him gaue
Eu'n all their liues, his promise would not waue:
Yet see, he leaues not any meanes vntride.
Lord grant me Diligence aright to craue,
And Patience thy leasure to abide,
So nothing that I aske, shall be to me denide.
Who wrought his owne, and all the Soules to saue,
That with him in the ship to Cæsar went:
And though he knew, that God, who to him gaue
Eu'n all their liues, his promise would not waue:
Yet see, he leaues not any meanes vntride.
Lord grant me Diligence aright to craue,
And Patience thy leasure to abide,
So nothing that I aske, shall be to me denide.
My Muse would faine aboord, but Diligence
Would neuer let my Meditation end,
And blames me sore, that I with Negligence,
Too briefe the story of her Praise haue pen'd;
But Care and Labour next I must attend;
Which two, with Diligence, go hand in hand:
God, better lucke, me in their praises send!
I now will driue my little Boat to land,
And rest, that I more stoutly may to labour stand.
Would neuer let my Meditation end,
And blames me sore, that I with Negligence,
Too briefe the story of her Praise haue pen'd;
But Care and Labour next I must attend;
Which two, with Diligence, go hand in hand:
God, better lucke, me in their praises send!
I now will driue my little Boat to land,
And rest, that I more stoutly may to labour stand.
| Thrifts Eqvipage | |