%ISOlat1; %ISOlat2; %ISOnum; %ISOpub; ]> A Letter for A Christian Family. / Directed to all true Christians to Read. / Which being sealed up in heart and mind, / Nothing but truth in it you'l find. / Both old and young, both Rich and Poor, / Bear it in mind, keep it in store: / And think upon the time to come, / For time doth pass, the Glass doth run, / Therefore whilst thou hast time and space, / Call to the Lord above for Grace, / Then he will surely thee defend, / And thou shalt make a happy end. University of California - Santa Barbara The Early Modern Center Director Patricia Fumerton 1684-1684 Early Modern Center, University of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 04/20/2011 30707

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Patricia Fumerton Early Modern Center - English Department University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93105 United States of America EMail: pfumer@english.ucsb.edu

R228306 5 UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN The Godly Mans Instruction UNKNOWN The Godly Man's Instruction BOth young and old, both rich and poor give ear, / Unto these verses which I shall declare, Roxburghe Ballads Editor None None None None Information in this section of the Source Description refers to the original ballad manuscript. 2: 249 A Letter for A Christian Family. / Directed to all true Christians to Read. / Which being sealed up in heart and mind, / Nothing but truth in it you'l find. / Both old and young, both Rich and Poor, / Bear it in mind, keep it in store: / And think upon the time to come, / For time doth pass, the Glass doth run, / Therefore whilst thou hast time and space, / Call to the Lord above for Grace, / Then he will surely thee defend, / And thou shalt make a happy end. A Letter for a Christian Family. Directed to all true Christians to Read. Which being-sealed up in heart and mind, Nothing but truth in it you’l find. Both old and young, both Rich and Poor, Bear it in mind, keep it in store: And think upon the time to come, For time doth pass, the Glass doth run, Therefore whilst thou hast time and space, Call to the Lord above for Grace, Then he will surely thee defend, And thou shalt make a happy end. A Letter for a Christian Family. Directed to all true Christians to Read. Which being sealed up in heart and mind, Nothing but truth in it you’ll find. Both old and young, both Rich and Poor, Bear it in mind, keep it in store: And think upon the time to come, For time does pass, the Glass does run, Therefore while you have time and space, Call to the Lord above for Grace, Then he will surely you defend, And you shall make a happy end. 1684-1684 J.C. W.T. and T.P.

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 Early Modern Center Ballad Project Keyword Taxonomy advice affliction/ health alcohol animals/ nature Bible/ biblical figures buildings/ architecture catastrophe children class clothing/ appearance country/ nation crime death economics/ commerce entertainments family folklore gender holidays/ seasons infidelity labor/ craft law London love maritime marriage military/ war monstrosity mythology/ Classical news nobility/ court politics/ government procreation punishment race/ ethnicity religious concepts religious figures religious types & sects royalty rural life servitude sex/ sexuality supernatural/ magic The New World travel trickery/ deceit urban life vice violence virtue vulgarities/ crass humor youth/ age Library of Congress Subject Heading Taxonomy 4/20/2011 Santa Barbara, California, United States of America advice Bible/ biblical figures punishment religious concepts vice virtue Ballads, English 17th century Broadsides, England 17th century 4/20/2011 2:36:51 PM XBallad Shaughnessy, Elizabeth Created XML Version of Ballad 4/20/2011 2:36:51 PM Transcription Supervisor McAbee, Kristina, Nebeker, Eric Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/20/2011 2:36:51 PM Double-Key Comparison and Merging Becker, Charlotte Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/20/2011 2:36:51 PM Transcriptionist Two Nebeker, Eric Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/20/2011 2:36:51 PM Transcriptionist One Megna, Paul Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/4/2011 Checker Shannon Meyer Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 3/29/2011 Checker Bethany Wong Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 3/29/2011 Checker Bethany Wong Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 3/29/2011 Checker Bethany Wong Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 3/29/2011 Checker Bethany Wong Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 2/1/2011 Checker Danielle Davey Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 2/1/2011 Checker Danielle Davey Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 12/1/2008 Bibliographer Shannon Meyer Initial Ballad Catalogue Record Created
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BOth young and old, both rich and poor give ear, Unto these verses which I shall declare, And give good heed to that which here is pend, And strive in time your wicked lives to mend. But yet theres many that doth not regard, Till for their sins they have a just reward: But still goes on their wicked courses run, Until both Soul and body be undone. Therefore good people let us have a care, And unto Christ with speed let us repair; Leave off your sins which now do so abound, For twas for sin that once the world was drownd. How many sins within this land we see? In high and low of every degree; Both rich and poor they now do live at strife, And great debate is betwixt man and wife. Brother and Sister they do disagree, As by experience now we daily see:
And children that have hardly use of tongue, Will swear and curse as they do pass along. And some will curse their parents to their face, Methinks to them it is a foul disgrace, But tis forbidden in the Laws of God, Therefore lets serve him all with one accord. The sin of pride we see doth so excell, In men and women now the truth to tell: And for that sin we read that Satan fell, From an high Angel to a Devil in Hell. Also we read of Dives pomp and state, And of poor Lazarus that lay at his gate, In Abrahams bosome he was nourished, And with sweet comforts he was daily fed. While Dives for one drop did call and cry, To cool his tongue, he did in torments lye, But any comfort could could he not receive, Because poor Lazarus he would not relieve.
IN fashions strange and many a fond delight, We please our fancies now both day & night, And never think upon this day to come, Although our glass have but one hour to run, Theres many now that to the Church do go, Their pomp and pride, and bravery to show; More then to hear the sacred word of God But let all such beware his heavy Rod. Be not too covetous in heart and mind, Nor to that sin be not too much enclind; Remember Judas how he was too bold, For covetousness his Lord and Master sold. Be not too prudent in this thy worldly wealth, Do not trust to it, for it is but pelf, Twill fade away and leave thee in the dust, From thence thou camst, and thither return thou must. Lord give us grace to understand aright, Thy holy laws, and therein take delight: And comfort those the which are comfortless, And help the Widdow in her great distress. Likewise the Fatherless O Lord defend, And thy true grace unto all Christians send: And grant that we thy holy name may fear: And serve thee still with heart most pure and clear.
How many messengers the Lord hath sent, To give us warning that we should repent, But yet our hearts so stubborn are I say, That we Gods holy word will not obey. Sermons on Sermons we do daily hear; By Ministers well learnd as doth appear, To give us warning to repent our sin, Which we so long time now have lived in. All you that read these lines which here is pend, Observe them well and strive your lives to mend. For time doth slide and swiftly pass away One hour or minute for no man will stay. Our time which in this world we have to spend, In prayers and tears unto the Lord lets send, For to defend us from all Satans power, That seeks our souls and bodies to devour. Now, to conclude, the God of peace and love, Grant that our souls may dwell in Heaven above: And grant our King & Queen a prosperous reign, The Gospel pure amongst us to maintain.
By me J.V. Printed for J.C. W.T. and T.P.