Volume Ii Part 13 (1/2)

O, where is the G.o.dly example, that parents should give Unto their young family by G.o.dly and virtuous living?

Alas! how wickedly[147] do they themselves live, Without any fear of G.o.d or his righteous threatening!

They have no respect unto the dreadful reckoning, Which shall be required of us, when the Lord shall come, As a rightful judge at the day of doom.

O, what a joyful sight was it for to see, When Youth began G.o.d's word to embrace?

Then he promised G.o.dly Knowledge and me, That from our instruction he would never turn his face; But now he walketh, alas! in the unG.o.dly's chase!

Heaping sin upon sin, vice upon vice: [_Here entereth_ JUVENTUS.

He that liveth most unG.o.dly is counted most wise--

JUVENTUS.

Who is here playing at the dice?

I heard one speak of cinque[148] and sice[149]; His words did me entice Hither to come.

GOOD COUNSEL.

Ah, Youth, Youth, whither dost thou run?

Greatly I do bewail thy miserable estate; The terrible plagues, which in G.o.d's law are written, Hang over thy head both early and late: O fleshly Capernite, stubborn and obstinate, Thou hadst liever forsake Christ, thy Saviour and King, Than thy fleshly swinish l.u.s.ts and abhominable living.

JUVENTUS.

What, old wh.o.r.eson, art thou a-chiding?

I will play a spurt, why should I not?

I set not[150] a mite by thy checking: What hast thou to do, and if I lose my coat?

I will trill the bones, while I have one groat; And, when there is no more ink in the pen,[151]

I will make a s.h.i.+ft,[152] as well as other men.

GOOD COUNSEL.

Then I perceive you have forgotten clean The promise, that you made unto Knowledge and me: You said such fleshly fruits should not be seen; But to G.o.d's word your life should agree.

Full true be the words of the prophet Hose, No verity nor knowledge of G.o.d is now in the land, But abhominable vices hath gotten the upper hand.

JUVENTUS.

Your mind therein I do well understand: You go about my living to despise, But you will not see the beams in your own eyes.

GOOD COUNSEL.

The devil hath you deceived, which is the author of lies, And trapped[153] you in his snare of wicked Hypocrisy; Therefore all that ever you do devise, Is to maintain your fleshly liberty.

JUVENTUS.

I marvel, why you do this[154] reprove me; Wherein do I my life abuse?

GOOD COUNSEL.

Your whole conversation I may well accuse, As in my conscience just occasion I find; Therefore be not offended, although I express my mind.

JUVENTUS.

By the ma.s.s, if thou tell not truth, I will not be behind To touch you as well again.

GOOD COUNSEL.

For this thing most chiefly I do complain:[155]

Have you not professed the knowledge of Christ's gospel?

And yet, I think, no more unG.o.dliness doth reign In any wicked heathen, Turk, or infidel; Who can devise that sin or evil, That you practise not from day to day?

Yea, and count it nothing but a jest or a play.

Alas! what wantonness remaineth in your fles.h.!.+

How desirous are you to accomplish your own will!