7
And will oppoſe thee in thy way.
to that moſt bleſſed land.
Its profits and its pleaſures do,
prove great impediments,
Unto the moſt, ſince they themſelves
do therewith reſt content.
The greateſt part do fooliſhly,
place all their heaven here,
Theſe gliſtering ſhadows unto them,
of ſo much worth appear
Poor mortal man, as eager is,
theſe vanities to gain.
As if forſooth they were with him,
for ever to remain.
Theſe things do alſo ſometimes clog,
the godly in their way,
And heavily do cauſe them drive,
when mired with this clay.
It is but ſeldom that the world,
upon the godly ſmiles,
But when it doth, lo, very oft,
it ſomeway them beguiles
But though it ſhould not here prevail,
to flatter and entiſe,
Thee with its baits, and making thee,
that good land to deſpiſe.
Beware leſt it ſhould yet prevail,
another way with thee:
When it the evil repreſents,
of pinching poverty
Of ſcant and want, diſgrace, reproach
of troubles, trials, loſs,
Of ſuffering afflictions,
and bearing of the croſs.
