CONTENTATION

From the Heavenly man I cannot be long absent, Which in Gods promises hath his consolation: Considering that he always is content, Patiently to suffer Gods visitation. For understand you? my name is Contentation. Whom the worldly man doth mock and deride: And will not suffer him once in his mind to abide. Nothing but truth Sir, certainly I have said, Oft times I have cou ̄ celled you your covetousness to leave But my words as feathers in the wind you have waid, And stuck to them as Glue to the water doth cleave. But take heed the reward thereof you shall receive. Once again I advertise Thee to be content: And give thanks to God for that he hath Thee sent. When Solon was asked of Cressus the King, What man was most happy in this vale terrestrial: To the end he seemed to attribute that thing, When men be associate with treasures selestiall. The treasure of this world we may well compare, To Circe's the Witch with her crafty cawtilitie: Wherewith many men's minds so poisoned are, That quite they are carried to all infidelity, They are conjured so in deed and bewitched so soar, That treasure is their trust, yea, hope and delight: Enough serveth them not till that they have more, So against Contentation they still strive and fight. It is true, and therefore a mind well content, Is great riches as wise king Salomon doth say: For we have seen of late days this canker pestilent Corrupting our Realm to our utter decay. Ambition I mean which chiefly doth reign, Amongst those who should have been example to other: Yea we see how the Bréethern they did disdain, And burned with fire, the Child with the mother. It is often seen that such monstrous Ambition, As spares not to spil the blood of the innocent: Will not greatly stick to fallen to sedition, The determinations of God thereby to prevent, But God I trust shall disappoint their intent. And overthrown the power of fading treasure: And cause us all to wish for the heavenly pleasure. Do you speak as you think? and as you mind do you say? Could you be content to led the rules of a godly life? He that touches pitch, shall be defiled with the same, And he that keepeth company with those that be vicious: Shall at the length grow Like unto the same, Working things wicked and pernicious, Even so it is also to be associate with the righteous. For he that haunteth and keepeth honest company: Cannot choose but live according to the same actually. Example, the Jews being conversant with the Heathen, Drank of their superstition and idolatry: And by that means fell from the true God of Heaven, To worshipping of Blocks which was mere blasphemy. Likewise it is at this day verily, Christian men are seduced by keeping of ill company: And brought from the very truth to hypocrisy. And who are those that are thus deceived? Even such as are not content when to are well: They be not thankful for that they have received, But ever they think still more and more to excel, Contentation from their minds they do expel. And under the pretence of reason, wit and policy: They covet to run to mischief and sin hedely. Pithagoras says, that a man of Covetous desire, Cannot be contented neither with abundance: For the more he hath, the more still he doth require, Wherefore such persons provoke God to vengeance, Example of the worldly man, late of remembrance. Whose wicked life offended the Lord so exceedingly. That his heavy plagues came upon him suddenly. First let us call to God for Jesu Christ's sake, Long to preserve Elizabeth our most noble Queen Good Lord grant her highness the heavenly path to take, And that all buy ways, of her highness may be seen. Increase her wealth, prolong her health, preserve her life: That long she may rule this realm, w to out debate or strife.