Audite hæc omnes.
Psal. xlix.
T.S.
The holy Ghost calleth all mē to the consideration of mans lyfe, shewwing
them not to be most happye, that are most wealthy, and therefore
not to be feared: but contrariwyse he lifteth vp our mindes to consider
how al thinges are ruled by gods prouidence, who as he iudgeth
these worldly miseryes to euerlastyng torments: so doeth he preserue
his, & will rewarde them in the day of the resurrection. i. Thes. i.
[_]
Sing this as the .xlv. psalme.
[The first parte.]
All
people herken and geue eare,
To that that I shall tell:
Both high and low, both riche and poore
that in the worlde doo dwell.
For why? my mouth shall make discourse,
of many thynges right wise:
In vnderstanding shall my hart,
his study exercise.
I will inclyne myne eare to knowe,
the parables so darke.
And open all my doubtfull speache,
in metre on my harpe.
Why should I feare afflictions,
or any carefull toyle?
Or els my foes whiche at my heles,
are prest my life to spoyle?
For as for suche as ryches haue,
wherin their trust is most:
And they which of their treasures greate,
them selues doo bragge and boast:
There is not one of them that can,
his brothers death redeme:
Or that can geue a price to God,
sufficient for hym.
It is to great a pryce to pay,
none can therto attayne:
Or that he might his lyfe prolong,
or not in graue remayne.
They see wise men as well as foles,
subiect vnto deathes handes:
And beyng dead, straungers possesse,
theyr goods, theyr rentes, their lāds
Theyr care is to builde houses fayre,
and so determine sure:
To make their name right great in earth
for euer to endure.
Yet shall no man alwayes enioy,
high honor, wealth and rest:
But shall at length fast of deathes cup,
as well as the brute beast.
The seconde parte.
And though they try these folish thoughts
to be most leud and vayne:
Theyr children yet approue theyr talke,
and in like sinne remayne.
As shepe into the folde are brought,
so shall they into graue:
Death shall them eate, and in that day
the iust shall Lordship haue.
Their image, and theyr royall port,
shall fade and quite decay:
When as from house to pit they passe,
with wo, and weale away.
But God will surely preserue me,
from death and endles payne:
Because he will of his good grace,
my soule receyue agayne.
If any man waxe wonderous riche,
feare not, I say, therfore,
Although the glory of his house,
increaseth more and more,
For when he dieth, of all these thinges,
nothing shall he receyue:
His glory will not folow hym,
his pompe will take her leaue.
Yet in this lyfe he takth him selfe,
the happiest vnder sunne:
And others likewise flatter him,
saying, all is well done.
And presuppose he liue as long,
as did his fathers olde:
Yet must he nedes at length geue place:
and be brought to deathes fold.
Thus man to honor God hath calde,
yet doth he not consider:
But like brute beastes so dothe he lyue,
whiche turne to dust and pouder.
