lands behind Of rightfull heires to be possest 12 The gracelesse man doth spread his net The good with cunning to ensnare And his enuenom'd tushes whet Chaf'd with despight and fretfull care 13 But God beholds this from his throne And laughes to scorne these threats so vaine For he fore-sees he soone must groane Vpon the rack of tort'ring paine 14 The wicked man doth draw his sword And bends his bow to take his marke At him who 's iust in deed and word The humble Deere in Gods owne parke 15 But his drawne sword with edge reuers'd Shall wound his master with the blow His shaft in vaine made to haue pierc'd Shall breake asunder with his bow 16 Plaine homely stuffe falne to thy lot By a faire course shall grace thee more Then all the lothed spoiles ill-got By rich men pillaging the poore 17 Extortious goods the Iudge of right Shall scatter wide and bring to dust The mountaines of these men of might And with his right hand guard the iust 18 God fosters those who harmlesse be And what they haue his grace assures Their birth-right too by his decree Beyond the date of daies endures 19 When plaguy boiles and furious armes Doe all the world with rage infest Then he whose hand is free from harmes Shall not with pining dearth be prest 20 But impious men ' gainst heauen that fight Shall perish quite without delay And vanish in the smoke so light As fat of Lambes that melt away 21 Vnrighteous men nor giue nor lend But borrow and not pay againe When frugally the lust doe spend And portions for the poore retaine 22 The Iust mans friends shall free dispose Possessions to their hopefull breed When as the seed of his proud foes Shall want a root the stock to feed 23 The Lord loues Iust men and sustaines Their steps in all the wayes of right 24 His right hand them from slips restraines And if they fall they fall not quite 25 I was a childe now aged growne Yet neuer saw in all this space The iust man left nor his haue knowne To beg their bread from place to place 26 The righteous man in time of need Vnto the poore doth lend and giue Yet leaues to them that shall succeed Enough whereby they richly liue 27 Eschew the wrong and winding waies And follow right as heauen shall guide So whilst the Sunne with golden rayes Directs the day thine shall abide 28 The Lord takes truth and right to heart And neuer honest men forsakes But they that from his wayes depart Their fruitlesse seed no rooting takes 29 The Iust man that is faire possest Of lands of goods of hoofe or horne Both he and his shall see it blest While day and night haue euen and morne 30 Wisedome and Truth doe still abide Within the lips of honest men 31 And heauens iust lawes in heart reside To keepe their feet from Errours denne 32 When impious men watch very neere To bring the iust man to his end 33 Then God who sees his cause is cleare From vniust doome will him defend 34 Hope thou in God his lawes ensue Then great in wealth and high in place Hee 'll giue thee helpe and health to view Thy foes to fall before thy face 35 I saw great men as fresh and tall As bayes that growes by 'th riuer ride Who whilst they will or would haue all Goe strouting out with swelling pride 36 I turn'd my eye and loe the shape And substance gone of all their glory Their boundlesse pow'r which naught could scape Left but their fall to tell their story 37 Behold the state and stately traine Of men vpright whose lowly mind Crown'd with content endures no paine And in old age sweet quiet find 38 But factious men for mischiefe prest Their glasse soone's run and pleasure past An end which suites with all the rest Concludes their loathed life at last 39 The iust man casts his anchor deepe Of solid Hope in heau'n aboue Which steddy doth the righteous keepe That earth nor hell can him remoue 40 The Lord giues aid to those that craue And from all harmes he sets them cleare Who him entrust with all they haue What man can doe they need not feare PSAL. XXXVIII COrrect me not Lord in thy burning ire Who mad'st and rul'st the vniuersall masse Though I deserue what Iustice may require Yet let not Fury on my Iudgement passe 2 The arrowes deepe within my entrailes sticke Which thy right hand did leuell at my heart Thy wrath so gaules my conscience so doth pricke And forc'd by them feare seizeth eu'ry part 3 That in my wounded soule no peece is free From mortall sins which so waste all within As that my bones their ioints so loosened be Haue suckt the poison of infecting sin 4 Of sin that doth ingulfe me in the maine And if my head aboue the waues but peepe Or that I doe but striue to rise againe It weighes me like a stone downe to the deepe 5 The new skinn'd skarres of my old wounds renew'd Spue out foule matter and with paine brought low 6 With anguish and long lying vglie hu'd The worst and last of ills surcharge my woe 7 The plague-fore hid within my belly boiles Nor any part without is free from paine 8 So weake am I and broken too with toiles That day and night I am enforc'd to plaine And made to yeeld vnto my pressing ills My heart doth cry and like a Lion roare 9 Thou Monarch of the world whose power all fils Know'st what my soule desires and sighes implore 10 My trembling heart and troubled mind with feare Doe beat and pant the iuice that all parts fed And vigour spent no force is left to cheare My members stricken with a palsie dead My eyes now drawing tow'rds their euening cloud 11 Neere neighbors deere friends neerer bound By deerer linke of blood me disauow'd And all cry'd faugh lothing my parts vnsound 12 But that proud crue still ready for my ill Deuising wrong with vtmost maine and might Spread their slye nets and that they hold on still And impious fraud assaid they day and night 13 14 In the meane while like him was deafe mute I stone-still stood and silence kept as one Who wanted words and reasons to confute Obiected crimes and could reply to none 15 Whose power rules all O guide me with thy grace 16 In thee my hope is fixt then let not pride With scorne insult to see my dolefull case Or foes triumph if foot but slip aside 17 I ready am thy sturdy stroaks to beare My skin swels with the markes still black and blue Rent as a plow share doth the furrowes teare So in long streakes it shewes a bloody hue 18 My sins I know deserue deserue the wound And worthily I all these plagues sustaine 19 But still my foe my cruell foe gets ground The faction too doth strength and courage gaine 20 They liue and liuing sprout and beare
my rest And with sweet sleepes will spend the night With hope from Heauen thou steelst my breast And shieldst me safe Lord with thy might PSAL. V. WHose supreme power o're all extends Benignely Lord my praiers heare And with a calme and facile eare Receiue the plaines which sorrow sends 2 When loud I call attentiue see How my full vaines distend my heart My God and King alone thou art And in distresse I serue but thee 3 Lord heare me when I early cry For while pure vowes cheere hopes within I 'le call on thee ere beames begin To sparkle from the Suns bright eie 4 Thou God who lou'st a pious minde And hat'st the filth of impious rites Let him whose soule in sin delights Hopelesse of thee no fauour finde 5 Arm'd wrong flies from thy dreadfull sight 6 Who art a foe to bloud and fraud The glozing tongue that doth applaud Foule falshood thou wilt cut out quite 7 Since on thy grace I Lord relie Thy sacred gates will I draw neere And to thy Temple goe with feare And send pure vowes to thee on high 8 That I my foese slinets may finde Thou God of Right thy light display And in a darke and doubtfull way Direct my steps which else are blinde 9 Truth shuns the lips of my proud foes Whilst filth and fraud keep th' inner roomes Their throates smell worse than rotten toombes Their tongues with honied poison gloze And inly minde closely to wound 10 O God the source whence all things spring Destroy the wicked Nation bring Their drifts to naught and who dost found And foster all confound the vaine And idle plots they vndertake Quite roote them out who thee forsake And due to sin feele they the paine 11 But by thy grace Lord guarded still Let them be glad who fixe on thee Their hopes alone and fearelesse free Adore thy Name and euer will 12 Pure mindes to Heauen which homage yeeld Thou cheer'st with treasures from thy store And when refresh'd they need no more Thy fauour shades them like a shield PSAL. VI. WHilst anger boiles and rage inflames thy gall Correct me not though sin for vengeance call Whilst fury burnes and runs a swifter pace To bring fell plagues on body soule and all Spare spare me Lord whom griefe doth so appall Lay iustice by and vse thy hand of grace My force is spent my bones the bodies stay â—aile since their nerues are loos'd where vigour lay 3 And care doth vexe my troubled spirit sore â—ow long wilt thou neglect and keep away And leaue me on the rack vext night and day Come now and me from deaths fell iawes restore 5 When he hath once ceaz'd with his griping paw Not leauing one poore puffe of breath to draw Who thinkes on thee Ah no it it too late Wrapt vp in mold made subiect to deaths law Where men are like those births that no Sun saw Who there thy Name shall sing or praise relate 6 When in the night my grieued soule agast Breathes forth deepe sighes as if she breath'd her lasâ— With weeping eies I wash my mournefull bed That all the cloathes which on my couch are cast Are wet with teares which trickle downe so fast As if a shower of raine powr'd from my head 7 My fight once quick her vertue now hath spent With gripes of griefe and pining discontent The liuely vigour of my limmes is gone Whilst that my foes their wiles applauding went And for their plots which nought but mischief men In my fresh checkes now ruddy hue is none 8 The cursed crue Ah you that so delight In gracelesse acts hence hence now take your flight Cast off the hopes which you conceiu'd in vaine 9 God calmely heard the roarings of my spri't And though you grieue and enuy at the sight He heard my vowes and rais'd me vp againe 10 Let sodaine shame mine enemies disgrace The guilty blush let it confound their face Let infamy which them to horror driues Make pale their lookes to shew their dolefull case And in their hearts let tort'ring griefe take place Who fled and left me like base fugitiues PSAL. VII SInce I in thee my safties hope haue plac'd Great Keeper of all things in this our All â—n their fell iawes who alwaies me disgrac'd Lord let not thou let not thy seruant fall Like sauage beasts more like than ciuill men They plot my death deuising how and when If none doe come and take my cause in hand â—s a fierce Lion teares the harmlesse Sheepe Who at first fight affrighted doe disband â—o my fell foe who wakes whilst others sleepe Will rend my limmes whose thirst of blood is suâ—â— He sheds if guiltlesse he cares not how much If he accus'd whose faith had tainelesse stood Nor lying lips had warp'd and wou'n false crimes If I haue wrought them ill who meant but good Or spar'd not those who harm'd me many times 5 Me let my foe pursue and ouertake And taken foile and foild his foot-ball make â—nd let him tread and trample in the mire â—y Diadem the ensigne of my pride But Lord arise let rage and lewd desire Of my proud foes thy mercy laid aside Incense thee to iust ire rise Lord and pay Thy vowd reuenge to those who Truth betray Arise and let thy sacred Maiesty His beames display and all parts ouerspread And let all people to their Parlies hie And thee proclaime their fire and supreme Head Thou whose strong hand holds all the Scepters herâ— 8 And vindicates the sins done eu'ry where Reuenge my wrong if rightly I implore With hallow'd mouth and mind plagues on my foâ—â— 9 O thou iust Iudge who knows our thoughts befoâ—â— We speake or thinke whose eie doth all disclose Batter and bruise lewd mens all-daring lust Whilst grace supports and animates the iust 10 I scorne all foes if God be on my side 11 Who takes delight where Candor takes her seaâ— In mindes that haue nor welts nor guards of pride And godly men protects when dangers threate And not by fits but by a fixt decree Menaceth death to those that impious be 12 If stiffe my foe stands in his vaine pretence 13 Then God soone drawes his sword he bends hiâ— bow He snatcheth vp his dart of more offence Which where it lights doth giue a dang'rous blow He whets his shafts with fury firy red That carries death on the sharp-pointed head 14 Behold who great with sin beings mischief forth And plots against my guiltlesse soule design'd He brought to light things that were little worth Like fancies which affright a sleeping mind 15 He digg'd a pit and closely laide his gin But missing me himselfe was caught therein 16 On his owne head shall all his follies fall And where they heed shall all his mischiefes light 17 Then free from feare and enuies bitter gall I 'le sing of thee and thine impartiall right And glorious name O thou all-ruling Lord With cheerfull mind I will thy praise record
fooles their vainer cares pursue Adore his name of maiesty and might 3 There all conspir'd in mischiefs of all kinds Their foule flagitious lothsome sins he finds Nor was their care in any to do good 4 For how should they do good or how giue eare To sound aduice who still about them beare The plague-sores of foule sin and staines of blood When as a beast his prey so they deuoure My people if they come within their power Nor serue they God who sou'raign rules all things 5 But with chill feare shall horror strike their hearts When the iust God takes guiltlesse iust-mens parts And wounds the impious with sharp words like stings 6 And saies O you made Piety a iest You laugh'd when cares the pious minds opprest And scoff'd at their vowes hopes and silent fears But God in whom the poor their trust repose Their hopes vowes which their sad brests inclose Vnto their wished ends he fairly stears 7 O then that God to his would succour send Which longing they from Sion hill attend For when he breaks their bonds and them acquits Then Abra'ms race shall with a cheerfull brest Ioy and enioy their long desired rest And Is'acs race shall triumph as befits PSAL. XV. WHo sacred Sions temple by thy will Heau'ns supreme Lord inhabit shall with Thee And whom wilt thou place on thy holy hill To liue in sweet repose from dangers free 2 He that delights to haue an honest heart And stiffe in what he vndertakes does right Nor faire in shew with counterfeiting art Hath taught his tongue how to conceale his spight 3 Nor with his lips doth deadly draughts contriue Nor mischiefe to his neighbour doth deuise Nor doth his friend who seems endear'd depriue Of his good name with his opprobrious lies 4 Who casts no eye of fauour on the proud But takes into the closset of his heart The Heauen-grac'd man Who minding what he vow'd Not for a world will from his word depart 5 Who lends not mony nor takes biting vse To make the poore a prey caught in his nets Who for reward will offer no abuse To harmlesse men Who thus his compasse sets To leade his life thus makes his last account Shall euer rest within the holy Mount PSAL. XVI O Thou Creator of all things below And mens safe harbour in their dire distresse Thy seruant saue who doth no Sauiour know But thee alone when instant perills presse 2 Thy seruant I do thee my Lord auow And tell abroad what a great Lord thou art But whom all blesse and to whom all things bow What good to thee can all I do impart 3 I therefore there my vtmost powers appli'dâ— To tend the people with a zealous care The people which of all the world beside Thou took'st to thee for thy peculiar share 4 But they rebell'd vnmindfull of thy grace And to themselues apart new gods did faine Which they ador'd and prostrate on their face Idol'd the dreames of their owne idle braine Their altars stain'd with bloud will I not tuch Nor in their feasts doth my soule take delight Nor shall their names profanely vs'd too much Be witnesse of my words or faith I plight 5 But Gods right hand of lasting loue shall shield The people which his grace to me assign'd And such reward me shall his bounty yeeld As for my paines euen Hope dispair'd to find 6 How beautious are the bounds which I possesse In what a field doth Heauen my lot dispose Seated where pleasure doth her self addresse And feeds my mind with flowers sweet-smiling showes 7 To God eternall be all endlesse praise Whose counsell doth direct me in the light And brings into my soule by priuy waies His Heauen-spir'd motions in the darkest night 8 What so my heart doth think or hand doth act I see the Lord assisting still at hand Guarded before on either side and backt By him and him alone I steaddy stand 9 My trembling heart so quauers in my brest The noates of ioy as that my tongue delights To sing thy praise and so before supprest A lightsome hope my lumpish lims excites 10 For neither wilt thou leaue my soule to bide In hellish vaults where neuer comes thy light Nor let it like a carcasse putrifi'de Resolu'd to ashes be consumed quite 11 Thou to the way of life vnlock'st the gate And from thy face high tides of ioy do spring From thy right hand where bounty keeps her state Thy blessings flow which all delights do bring PSAL. XVII WHo rul'st the world and all things do'st direct Heare righteous Lord what righteously I craue Nor stop thine eares nor do my plaints reiect Which come not from such lips as Liers haue 2 Poore I distrest vnto thy throne do flie Take thou my cause in hand on thee I call Prostrate before thy face with gracefull eie See iust men here vniustly dealt withall 3 Thou often view'st through clouds of silent night With curious search the secrets of my mind And how my heart put in a fearish fright And shaking fit no rest at all could find As fire doth gold so thou my heart do'st trie With crosse euents nor didst thou find the same Conscious of fraud or lawlesse villany To wrong euen such as branded were with shame 4 My mouth and mind agreed my soule and sense My heart vpheld by thy decrees diuine Abhors foule sin that giues so foule offence And flies from pride which doth with wrong combine 5 Thus guide my steps led by thy lawes aduice Lest that my foot slip in a doubtfull way Or in such paths as seeme all pau'd with ice My footing slide where it can find no stay 6 I call to thee and fly vnto thy grace Which I haue often tri'de in dire distresse Attentiue lend thine eare in my sad case When I by praier my plaints to thee addresse 7 With grace good Lord support and bear vp those Whose hope and helpe on thee alone doth stand And curbe the lofty spirits of my foes And iustly mou'd vse thy reuengefull hand 8 But guard me like the apple of thine eye More deare and tender than all parts beside And thou that do'st foresee all dangers nye Vnder thy wings me from proud fury hide 9 The troope of impious men stand ready prest At all assaies to take away my breath 10 And me with force beleguer and infest With swelling words and dart their threats of death 11 They make their barres and turn-pikes in the way And view the places that may most offend Which they designe to make my life their pray And seeming not to minde it worke mine end 12 Like as a lion hunting beasts or men Runs furious on or like vnto his sire The wean'd whelp lurks and glowting in the den Long looks with blood to cool his raging fire 13 Vp Father vp their lewd attempts preuent And whilst the Tyrant trampled lies on ground Free thou me from thy sword to mercy bent Wherewith he now enrag'd doth