Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher Containing Salomons Sermons or Commentaries (as it may probably be collected) vpon the 49. Psalme of Dauid his father. Compendiously abridged, and also paraphrastically dilated in English poesie, according to the analogie of Scripture, and consent of the most approued writer thereof. Composed by H. L. Gentleman [i.e. Henry Lok]. Whereunto are annexed sundrie Sonets of Christian Passions heretofore printed, and now corrected and augmented, with other affectionate Sonets of a feeling conscience of the same Authors |
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| II. |
| 5. | Chap. 5. |
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| III. |
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 | Chap. 5. Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher |  |
Chap. 5.
1. Vse few and pithy words to God, from heauen full well he heares,
2. As busied brains (by dreames) so want of wit, by words appeares.
2. As busied brains (by dreames) so want of wit, by words appeares.
1.
Bethinke thee well ere thou begin to pray,
And so prepare thy humble soule thereto,
That thou thy worthlesse state do duely way,
Gods power beleeue, and will, thee good to do,
And then thy needfull wants craue and commend
To his best pleasure, to restraine or send.
And so prepare thy humble soule thereto,
That thou thy worthlesse state do duely way,
Gods power beleeue, and will, thee good to do,
And then thy needfull wants craue and commend
To his best pleasure, to restraine or send.
For he inthronized in mercies seat,
All-seeing is, all-powerfull, alwayes prest,
To view our wants, to yeeld what we intreat,
If (as they ought) our prayers be addrest;
Few words (if feruent) will to heauen ascend,
He knowes our thoughts ere hart to pray we bend.
All-seeing is, all-powerfull, alwayes prest,
To view our wants, to yeeld what we intreat,
If (as they ought) our prayers be addrest;
Few words (if feruent) will to heauen ascend,
He knowes our thoughts ere hart to pray we bend.
2.
The multitude of numbred words we heare
Some vse in prayer, sheweth want of faith,
Like Balaams Priests their passions do appeare,
Whose hope on their enchaunting fury stayeth,
And doth not (as it should) on God depend,
Who knowes the fittest time thy cares to end.
Some vse in prayer, sheweth want of faith,
Like Balaams Priests their passions do appeare,
Whose hope on their enchaunting fury stayeth,
And doth not (as it should) on God depend,
Who knowes the fittest time thy cares to end.
For looke how cares of passed day do cause,
A swarme of aparitions in the night,
Which on the sleeping senses terror drawes,
And doth the tyred body oft affright:
So folly moues the tongue, which vainely speakes,
And vaine that is, which modest measure breakes.
A swarme of aparitions in the night,
Which on the sleeping senses terror drawes,
And doth the tyred body oft affright:
So folly moues the tongue, which vainely speakes,
And vaine that is, which modest measure breakes.
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3. If ought thou vow, performe it soone, God likes not fond delay,
4. It better were, vow were not made, then deede should it denay.
4. It better were, vow were not made, then deede should it denay.
3.
And as in prayer, so aduise thee well,
When vnto God thou any thing wilt vow,
Earth is his footstoole, heau'n his throne to dwell,
What need hath he then, of thy presents now?
Yet free will offrings he doth kindly take,
If gratefull heart a lawfull promise make.
When vnto God thou any thing wilt vow,
Earth is his footstoole, heau'n his throne to dwell,
What need hath he then, of thy presents now?
Yet free will offrings he doth kindly take,
If gratefull heart a lawfull promise make.
Be therefore sure, thou dally not therein,
But (if thou vow such things) performe the same,
Vntruth with men, but foule defame doth win,
With God it can not then but purchase blame,
Ne ignorance, ne rashnesse may excuse
So foule a fault, refraine it then to vse.
But (if thou vow such things) performe the same,
Vntruth with men, but foule defame doth win,
With God it can not then but purchase blame,
Ne ignorance, ne rashnesse may excuse
So foule a fault, refraine it then to vse.
4.
Thou hadst bene better farre, to haue with-held
Thy promise, when thou first the same didst make:
Thou wast not then by any law compeld
Thereto, but freely didst it vndertake,
Compulsiue promises, no promise bee,
But vow premeditate, it bindeth thee.
Thy promise, when thou first the same didst make:
Thou wast not then by any law compeld
Thereto, but freely didst it vndertake,
Compulsiue promises, no promise bee,
But vow premeditate, it bindeth thee.
It bindeth thee, euen by the highest band,
That heauen and earth affordeth vnto man,
Thy hart (as spokes-man) for thee long doth stand,
And God the hearer, who conceiue it can,
Thy selfe (faith breaker) vnto God art found,
If thou performe not then, what vow hath bound.
That heauen and earth affordeth vnto man,
Thy hart (as spokes-man) for thee long doth stand,
And God the hearer, who conceiue it can,
Thy selfe (faith breaker) vnto God art found,
If thou performe not then, what vow hath bound.
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5. Sin not by words, ne ignorance plead, least God thy works cōfound,
6. But feare thou God, & count as dreams, those vaine words which abound.
6. But feare thou God, & count as dreams, those vaine words which abound.
5.
Yet if thy promise were, to do the thing,
Which is contrary to his holy law,
I rather wish thee it forbeare, then bring
The price of sinne that should more iudgements draw:
Of euils two, the least the wise do chuse,
If vow were wicked, rather it refuse.
Which is contrary to his holy law,
I rather wish thee it forbeare, then bring
The price of sinne that should more iudgements draw:
Of euils two, the least the wise do chuse,
If vow were wicked, rather it refuse.
And first beware (as I before did say)
That thou no euill thing in vow pretend,
Then how thou canst performe it, see thou way,
And freely then, with speed performe intend,
Least God and Angels witnesse thee vntrew,
And thou and thine, with vengeance for it rew.
That thou no euill thing in vow pretend,
Then how thou canst performe it, see thou way,
And freely then, with speed performe intend,
Least God and Angels witnesse thee vntrew,
And thou and thine, with vengeance for it rew.
6.
Thus (in a word) I haue informed thee,
How vaine a rash and foolish prayer is,
How daungerous, a heape of words that bee
Impertinent, and vowes that are amisse:
Euen fruitlesse vapors of corrupted braine,
Which like vaine dreames, the rest of soule do staine.
How vaine a rash and foolish prayer is,
How daungerous, a heape of words that bee
Impertinent, and vowes that are amisse:
Euen fruitlesse vapors of corrupted braine,
Which like vaine dreames, the rest of soule do staine.
Leaue them therefore, and do thou wholly bend
Thy holy thoughts to please thy God aright,
In word and deed, and pray him grace to send,
That thy weake workes be pleasing in his sight,
So (though the world, with wrong and woe abound)
Thy faith and peace of conscience, shall be sound.
Thy holy thoughts to please thy God aright,
In word and deed, and pray him grace to send,
That thy weake workes be pleasing in his sight,
So (though the world, with wrong and woe abound)
Thy faith and peace of conscience, shall be sound.
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7. If poore oppressed be, feare not: one sits in heauen it seeth,
8. Earths plenty passeth all the rest, and kings are fed therewith.
8. Earths plenty passeth all the rest, and kings are fed therewith.
7.
What if the wicked age where in we liue,
Or lawlesse place wherein thou hapst to dwell,
Do sacred Iustice from her Scepter driue,
And make the poore mans life seeme worse then hell,
As though there were no God, nor prouidence
To punish sinne, or yeeld the iust defence?
Or lawlesse place wherein thou hapst to dwell,
Do sacred Iustice from her Scepter driue,
And make the poore mans life seeme worse then hell,
As though there were no God, nor prouidence
To punish sinne, or yeeld the iust defence?
Yet be thou sure, God seeth all full well,
And though he pacient be, yet (moued long)
He will dismount from heauen where he doth dwell,
To do thee right, and wreke thee of their wrong,
With hoast of Angels, and earths meanes beside,
To powre his wrath on them for lawlesse pride.
And though he pacient be, yet (moued long)
He will dismount from heauen where he doth dwell,
To do thee right, and wreke thee of their wrong,
With hoast of Angels, and earths meanes beside,
To powre his wrath on them for lawlesse pride.
8.
When happie shall be held their blessed state,
Who humbly yeelded vnto Gods decree,
Who with the sweat of browes their liuing gate,
And with liues needfull food contented bee,
Whose trauell on this earth of mans vnrest,
With fruitfull crop, from God aboue is blest.
Who humbly yeelded vnto Gods decree,
Who with the sweat of browes their liuing gate,
And with liues needfull food contented bee,
Whose trauell on this earth of mans vnrest,
With fruitfull crop, from God aboue is blest.
Thrise blest (thou silly swaine) that tilst the ground,
Voide of the crafts and cares in Courts that bee,
More honest profit, or content not found
In Princes pallace, then in cot with thee,
Kings (without thee) ne liue, ne can be kings,
Thy paine to Court and Countrey plently brings.
Voide of the crafts and cares in Courts that bee,
More honest profit, or content not found
In Princes pallace, then in cot with thee,
Kings (without thee) ne liue, ne can be kings,
Thy paine to Court and Countrey plently brings.
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9. Who loueth gold shall lacke, and he who couets much want store,
10. With wealth charge growes, the owner but, increaseth paine the more.
10. With wealth charge growes, the owner but, increaseth paine the more.
9.
What though the world (through hateful lust of gold)
Be thus transported with a greedy mind,
To purchase wealth, which makes the coward bold,
To search land, sea, and hell, the same to find?
Yet (as it doth increase) so doth desire,
And soone consume as oyle amidst the fire.
Be thus transported with a greedy mind,
To purchase wealth, which makes the coward bold,
To search land, sea, and hell, the same to find?
Yet (as it doth increase) so doth desire,
And soone consume as oyle amidst the fire.
A iust reward of so vnworthy trade,
As doth debase nobilitie of soule,
Which (made immortal) scornes those things that vade,
And in the wise should earthly' affects controule:
But mouldwarp like, these blindfold grope in vaine,
Vaine their desires, more vaine the fruit they gaine.
As doth debase nobilitie of soule,
Which (made immortal) scornes those things that vade,
And in the wise should earthly' affects controule:
But mouldwarp like, these blindfold grope in vaine,
Vaine their desires, more vaine the fruit they gaine.
10.
If honor, wealth, and calling do excell
The common sort, so charge doth grow with all:
Few with a little sure, may liue as well,
As many may, though greater wealth befall:
It is not wealth, to haue of goods great store,
But wealth to be suffisd and need no more.
The common sort, so charge doth grow with all:
Few with a little sure, may liue as well,
As many may, though greater wealth befall:
It is not wealth, to haue of goods great store,
But wealth to be suffisd and need no more.
Who hath aboundance, and it vseth well,
Is but a steward to his family,
A purse-bearer for such as neare him dwell,
An Amner to the poore (that helplessely)
He but his share doth spend (though somwhat better)
And what he leaues, he is to world a detter.
Is but a steward to his family,
A purse-bearer for such as neare him dwell,
An Amner to the poore (that helplessely)
He but his share doth spend (though somwhat better)
And what he leaues, he is to world a detter.
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11. Poore labourers (empty mawd) sleep sound, whilst gluttons want their sleepe,
12. This plague I see, some with their wealth, their proper mischiefe keepe.
12. This plague I see, some with their wealth, their proper mischiefe keepe.
11.
The labouring man, that in his lawfull trade,
Hath past the toylesome day to gaine to liue,
No surfet hath his stomacke to vpbrayd,
Nor fearefull dreames, which into horror driue
His fraudlesse soule, whilst he the longsome night
Doth rest, and rise (to worke) as day doth light.
Hath past the toylesome day to gaine to liue,
No surfet hath his stomacke to vpbrayd,
Nor fearefull dreames, which into horror driue
His fraudlesse soule, whilst he the longsome night
Doth rest, and rise (to worke) as day doth light.
When as the glutton after crammed gorge,
Whose surfets vpon surfets buried bee
In his insatiat maw of hellish forge,
In bed no rest can find, but slumbering see
A swarme of visions breed by vapours vaine,
Which from a putride stomacke rise to braine.
Whose surfets vpon surfets buried bee
In his insatiat maw of hellish forge,
In bed no rest can find, but slumbering see
A swarme of visions breed by vapours vaine,
Which from a putride stomacke rise to braine.
12.
And which I further see doth oft ensew
The wealthier sort, and which I much lament,
Is that they often times themselues do rew
Their euill gotten wealth, with time mispent
As meanes (for so it proues) of greater care,
And which in end, doth leaue them poore and bare.
The wealthier sort, and which I much lament,
Is that they often times themselues do rew
Their euill gotten wealth, with time mispent
As meanes (for so it proues) of greater care,
And which in end, doth leaue them poore and bare.
Like to a spunge, which store of sap hath suckt,
Or to the Bee, that hony hath in hyue:
Their wealth is wrong, their hony combe is pluckt
Out of their hord, by which they thought to thryue,
Their liues do for their goods, fare oft the worse,
For enuious eyes pursue the plenteous purse.
Or to the Bee, that hony hath in hyue:
Their wealth is wrong, their hony combe is pluckt
Out of their hord, by which they thought to thryue,
Their liues do for their goods, fare oft the worse,
For enuious eyes pursue the plenteous purse.
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13. Their riches perish with their pains, their childrē poore remaine,
14. As naked buried, as were borne, leaue all their trauels gaine.
14. As naked buried, as were borne, leaue all their trauels gaine.
13.
Which though they hap to scape, yet many wayes
There are besides, which doth their ioyes bereaue,
Ill gotten goods (we say) not longtime stayes,
And hastie wealth few heires, to heires do leaue:
The getters faults or follies all may lose,
And chance or change of times it new dispose.
There are besides, which doth their ioyes bereaue,
Ill gotten goods (we say) not longtime stayes,
And hastie wealth few heires, to heires do leaue:
The getters faults or follies all may lose,
And chance or change of times it new dispose.
So that the of-spring of these mightie men,
By due vicisitude do oft descend
From their aspired greatnesse, hoped then
Vnto the meanest ranke from whence they wend,
Each Crow his feather hath, and naked they,
Their parents sinnes by their mishaps bewray.
By due vicisitude do oft descend
From their aspired greatnesse, hoped then
Vnto the meanest ranke from whence they wend,
Each Crow his feather hath, and naked they,
Their parents sinnes by their mishaps bewray.
14.
The Father he, all naked went before
Vnto the earth, whence first he naked came:
The sonne (as readie) standeth at the dore
To follow fathers steps, and with the same,
Poore, naked, helplesse state, that borne he was
From all his pompe, vnto his graue to pas.
Vnto the earth, whence first he naked came:
The sonne (as readie) standeth at the dore
To follow fathers steps, and with the same,
Poore, naked, helplesse state, that borne he was
From all his pompe, vnto his graue to pas.
Not any thing with him, from hence to beare,
Of earthly substance that he did possesse,
The soule immortall is, and may not weare,
Nor any vertues that our way addresse
To heauen, they shall suruiue vs after death,
Whē death shal liue, by liues soone smothred breath.
Of earthly substance that he did possesse,
The soule immortall is, and may not weare,
Nor any vertues that our way addresse
To heauen, they shall suruiue vs after death,
Whē death shal liue, by liues soone smothred breath.
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15. Gone as they came (ô griefe of griefes) his trauels paid with wind,
16. His daies in darknes spent, his bread consumd with grief of mind.
16. His daies in darknes spent, his bread consumd with grief of mind.
15.
If so it be (alas what woe is this)
That not alone (as poorest man beside)
All naked vnto graue he posting is,
But euen the common pangs must him betide,
That to all flesh at houre of death is rife,
When soule and bodie (parting) finish life.
That not alone (as poorest man beside)
All naked vnto graue he posting is,
But euen the common pangs must him betide,
That to all flesh at houre of death is rife,
When soule and bodie (parting) finish life.
And that with him his trauels fruits do end,
Who hath no share in all his former gaine,
But what soeuer blisse he did pretend,
His haps (as others chance) do voide remaine:
His hopes (like dust) dispersed with the wind,
Or sownd on sea, where they no root could find.
Who hath no share in all his former gaine,
But what soeuer blisse he did pretend,
His haps (as others chance) do voide remaine:
His hopes (like dust) dispersed with the wind,
Or sownd on sea, where they no root could find.
16.
Which when he doth fore-think with heauy cheare,
He pines away the remnant of his dayes,
How much the more he happie did appeare,
The more vnhappy he his state bewrayes,
For contraries, by contraries are showne,
As blacke from white, so good by ill is knowne.
He pines away the remnant of his dayes,
How much the more he happie did appeare,
The more vnhappy he his state bewrayes,
For contraries, by contraries are showne,
As blacke from white, so good by ill is knowne.
As one that for some passed publike crime
Is scandaled, and pointed at of all,
With shame retyres himselfe in future time,
Least into more disgrace he yet should fall:
And hanging downe his head, doth sigh (alas)
And rage with griefe, so he his dayes doth pas.
Is scandaled, and pointed at of all,
With shame retyres himselfe in future time,
Least into more disgrace he yet should fall:
And hanging downe his head, doth sigh (alas)
And rage with griefe, so he his dayes doth pas.
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17. These hold I good, with ioy to feed, on portion God doth giue,
18. And whom God giues (with this) his grace, he in Gods loue doth liue.
18. And whom God giues (with this) his grace, he in Gods loue doth liue.
17.
Then this (for earthly good) I count the best,
(For other good, I scarcely any know)
That with those goods thou hast, thou pleased rest,
And for thy owne behoofe thou them bestow,
Such part (I meane) as nature craues to vse,
Euen plenteously: so thou it not abuse.
(For other good, I scarcely any know)
That with those goods thou hast, thou pleased rest,
And for thy owne behoofe thou them bestow,
Such part (I meane) as nature craues to vse,
Euen plenteously: so thou it not abuse.
And hold this all thou hast, of that is thine,
For that is left, thou seest may be lost:
God gaue the plentie of both corne and wine,
To cheere mans troubled soule, with combers tost:
This if thou hast, and grace to vse it right,
Thou hast earths good, the most on thee may light.
For that is left, thou seest may be lost:
God gaue the plentie of both corne and wine,
To cheere mans troubled soule, with combers tost:
This if thou hast, and grace to vse it right,
Thou hast earths good, the most on thee may light.
18.
And they are rightly vsde, when vsde they bee
As he ordaines, that did them first bestow:
God was the author of all good to thee,
To him thy life all thankfulnesse doth owe:
So vsing them, they to thee blessings are,
Else wealth breeds woe, peace proues as ill as warre.
As he ordaines, that did them first bestow:
God was the author of all good to thee,
To him thy life all thankfulnesse doth owe:
So vsing them, they to thee blessings are,
Else wealth breeds woe, peace proues as ill as warre.
Thou seest many starue, in plenteous place,
Thou seest lusty youth suruyu'd by age,
Thou seest honour stoope to foule disgrace,
And heauy cheere the greatest ioyes asswage,
And (for men do not yeeld the praise of all
To God) these mischiefes do vpon them fall.
Thou seest lusty youth suruyu'd by age,
Thou seest honour stoope to foule disgrace,
And heauy cheere the greatest ioyes asswage,
And (for men do not yeeld the praise of all
To God) these mischiefes do vpon them fall.
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19. He need not sure, thinke long his daies, of pilgrimage on earth,
Since God doth answere harts desire, to him with ioy and myrth.
Since God doth answere harts desire, to him with ioy and myrth.
19.
O rare and happie they, that God doth blesse
With grace, to know and vse his gifts aright,
Sure they more easly may support (I gesse)
The common cares that do to all men light,
For present comforts, cancell passed care,
As pleasures past, do way to woe prepare.
With grace, to know and vse his gifts aright,
Sure they more easly may support (I gesse)
The common cares that do to all men light,
For present comforts, cancell passed care,
As pleasures past, do way to woe prepare.
Such season so the actions of their life,
That common cares, seeme but the needfull sauce,
To quicken tast, as peace insuing strife,
More gratefull is, and hath the more applause,
They God in wealth and woe, a father find,
And vnto him will not appeare vnkind.
That common cares, seeme but the needfull sauce,
To quicken tast, as peace insuing strife,
More gratefull is, and hath the more applause,
They God in wealth and woe, a father find,
And vnto him will not appeare vnkind.
| Chap. 5. Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher | |