Vanity of pride/Vanity of Pride

THE VANITY OF PRIDE.

MY friends, I've liv'd among you many years,
Mind my words, attend and you shall hear,
For times they grow worse in Britain every ⟨day⟩,
If you'll the reason hear you'll say, Well they may.

Here’s all kind of wickedness doth rule and reign,
Which in short time will prove our dreadful bane,
Tho' God in mercy does a while forbear to frown,
And on us ⟨pour⟩ his angry vengeance down.

Young men & maids good counsel don't despise,
But have the fear of God before your eyes,
While here you flourish in your blooming youth,
Let your delight be in the word of truth.

O let it be your constant rule and guide,
To strive to shun that heinous sin of pride,
On which so many thousands spend their store,
Who scarce will give one farthing to the poor.

By sad experience, this I can boldly say,
Some people they do study night and day,
On what to eat, and drink, and what to wear,
But of their precious souls take little care.

The sin of drunkenness too much is used,
By which God’s creatures they are much abused,
For when a man is in a drunken fit,
He values not what sin he does commit.

The sin of swearing is so common grown,
The like in former times was never known,
For if some people do at variance fall,
Immediately they'll for damnation call.

The paths of whoredom pray at all times shun,
And from the company of harlots run,
For they like painted ⟨snakes⟩ appear in view,
To sting your precious souls and bodies too.

If by Providence you to riches do rise,
Why then be careful that you don't despise,
Your parents dear when they are in distress,
For those that do, the Lord will never bless.

How many thousands do the Day profane!
Some seeking after most ungodly gain;
Others in pleasure are passing the time away,
And quite neglect the duty of the Day.

Taverns and ale-houses they most frequent,
And there, alas! much precious time is spent,
The fields are full, the churches are but thin,
As if that Day were set apart for sin.

How can we think that God will ever bless,
Our native kingdom here with good success,
Or that he'll ever prosper us in this war,
That is begun and carried on so far.

O! may we now reform our lives with speed,
And be good Christians both in word and deed;
O! clean your hearts from all malice and strife,
And seek the paths of everlasting life.

If poverty with thee should pitch her tent,
Do you then learn therewith to be content,
For he who gives, from us can take away,
And can restore't to us another day.

So make your peace with God while time you have,
For there is no repentance in the grave;
Sound this alarm often in thine ear,
Shortly to judgement we must all appear.