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[verse 25] Who knowes the vse of plentie more then I, yet this I find,
[verse 26] God makes the iust know ioy, the bad leaue welth for good behind.
25.
For who could eat, and who could hast to outward things more then I.
Of all that I do say, I haue made proofe,
And therefore may the better thee aduise,
Which as I now set downe for thy behoofe:
So thereof make thy profit, be thou wise,
He is a foole that counsell doth despise:
And I who counsell thee, sure best could try,
Earths pleasures, and the fruits that come thereby.
As being King, I all things might commaund,
As being rich, I ech thing might procure,
As being lou'd, to please me all men fawnd:
As being feard, I might my will make sure:
As being wise, I could make choyse most pure,
If any earthlie thing might breed content,
Then may I say, that God me part hath sent.
26.
Surely to a mā that is good in his sight, God giueth wisdom, and knowledg, and ioy: but to the sinner he giueth paine, togather and to heap, to giue to him that is good before God: this is also vanitie, and vexation of the spirit.
And for a full report of my conceit,
I briefly say, as truth requires of mee,
That wisedome as a blessing doth awaight
Vpon the godly, who true knowledge see,
And perfect ioy alone in them can bee:
For God the author of all goodnesse is,
And with his feare associats endlesse blis.
But to the wicked he alotteth griefe,
In getting needfull things great wo and care,
In their possession little sweet reliefe,
In laying vp of wealth, a life still bare,
Which for the godly they doe but prepare:
Rent gathrers for the good, the wicked bee,
Vaine vexers of their soules themselues may see.