Ecclesiastes, othervvise called The preacher Containing Salomons sermons or commentaries (as it may probably be collected) vpon the 49. Psalme of Dauid his father. Compendiously abridged, and also paraphrastically dilated in English poesie, according to the analogie of Scripture, and consent of the most approued writer thereof. Composed by H.L. Gentleman. Whereunto are annexed sundrie sonets of Christian passions heretofore printed, and now corrected and augmented, with other affectionate sonets of a feeling conscience of the same authors.

Sundry Psalmes of Dauid translated into verse, as briefly and significantly as the scope of the text will suffer; by the same Author.

Psalme. 27.

1 THe Lord he is my sauing light, whom should I therefore feare? 2 He makes my foes to fall, whose teeth would me in sunder teare. 3 Though hosts of men besiege my soule, my heart shall neuer dread: 4 So that within his Court and sight, my life may still be lead. 5 For in his Church from trouble free, he shall me keepe in hold: 6 In spight of foes his wondrous prayse, my song shall still vnfold. 7 Haue mercie (Lord) therefore on me, and heare me when I cry; 8 Thou badst me looke with hope on thee, for helpe to thee I fly. 9 In wrath therefore hide not thy face, but be thou still my aide; 10 Though parents fayle, thou wilt assist, thy promise so hath said. 11 Teach me thy truth, and thy right path, least that the enemy 12 Preuaile against my life, whose tongues intrap me trecherously. 13 My heart would faint for feare, vnlesse my faith did build on thee, 14 My hope, my God, and comforts strength, who will deliuer mee.

Psalme. 71.

1 IN thee (ô Lord) I trust, therefore from shame deliuer mee; 2 Performe thy promise, saue thou me, who call for helpe to thee. 3 Be thou my rocke of strength and shield, whose powre is great & might. 4 Deliuer me from wicked men, and put my foes to flight. 5 For in thee onely from my youth, haue I my trust reposd; 6 Thou hast had care of me, whilst yet in wombe I was inclosd. 7 Thee will I praise, who art my helpe, when men at me do scorne; 8 My mouth thy mercies still records, who helpst the mind forlorne. 9 In time of age forsake me not, or when my strength doth faile, 10 Least that the counsels of my foes, against my soule preuaile. 11 Who say, my God hath me forgot; they therefore me pursue: 12 But be thou Lord at hand to me, who canst my strength renue. 13 Shame and reproch let be their share, which my destruction seeke; 14 But on thee alwayes will I waite, with humble hart and meeke. 15 My mouth thy mercies shall rehearse, whose measure doth excell▪ 16 And in thy trust my steps shall walke, and tongue thy truth shall tell. 17 Euen from my youth thou hast me taught, thy wonders well I know 18 And whilst I liue, (if thou assist) I will thy iudgements show. 19 Thy iustice Lord I will exalt: whose workes are like to thine? 20 Who threw'st me downe, and raisd me vp, who else in dust had leine. 21 Thou canst mans honor soone increase, and shew thy chearefull faces 22 Vpon the Vyall will I sing thy prayse, ô God, of grace. 23 My lips shall ioy to talke of thee, who hast my safety wrought: 24 My freed soule, shall still confesse, who hath my safety bought.

Psalme. 119.

1 BLessed are those whose wayes are right, and in Gods lawes do walke, 2 Whose heart obeyeth to his will, and lips thereof do talke. 3 Such do not worke iniquitie, but so their wayes direct, 4 That in their life, by straying steps thy lawes they not neglect. 5 O would to God, my deedes therefore, so straightly I might frame, 6 That with regard of thy precepts, I might be free from blame; 7 Then shold I prayse with vpright hart, thy righteous iudgemēts known, 8 Which whilst I study to obserue, Lord let thy helpe be showne.

PART. 2.

9 By looking to thy lawes, most soone a man may perfect grow: 10 Since then my heart hath sought the same, astray let me not go. 11 Thy promises in mind I beare, which me from sinne withdraw: 12 Thou gracious God and blessed guide, teach me thy perfect law▪ 13 My tongue hath testifi'd thy prayse, and iustice thou doest vse: 14 To follow freely thy beheast, I'le worldly wealth refuse. 15 For of thee will I meditate, and studie whilst I liue; 16 And to obey thy iust precepts, my mind will wholly giue.

PART. 3.

17 Be gracious to thy seruant Lord, giue life and powre to mee; 18 Open my eyes, that of thy lawes, I may the wonders see. 19 I am a stranger vpon earth, hide not from me thy will: 20 My heart doth swell with hoat desire to know thy iudgements still. 21 Thou hast destroyd the proud, and curst are they which go astray: 22 Shame and contempt yet take from me, who keepe thy lawes alway. 23 Though Princes hate me for thy truth, yet will I thee obay: 24 Thy lawes shall be my studie still, and comfort night and day.

PART. 4.

25 My soule with sorrow is opprest, giue me thy promist aide: 26 Thou knowst my sinnes I do confesse, thy wrath makes me affraid. 27 But teach thou me thy truth, that I thy wonders may admire: 28 For shame of sinne so••daunts my hope, it dares not helpe desire. 29 If thou redresse my blinded steps, and teach to me thy will, 30 Thy ordinances will I keepe, and looke vpon them still. 31 Thou are the portion I do chuse, ô Lord confound me not; 32 But guide my steps to run that race, the which thy lawes alot.

PART. 5.

33 Teach thou thy statutes vnto me, that I may keepe them all; 34 Giue thou the knowledge of thy will, and turne my hart withall. 35 Direct me in thy path, ô Lord, therein is my delight: 36 Incline my mind vnto thy word, and sinne put thou to flight. 37 Turne thou my eyes from vanities, and do thou quicken mee: 38 Performe thy promise made to me, whose hope depends on thee. 39 Preuent the shame I feare, because thy iudgements all are iust: 40 Behold I would performe thy will, thy grace relieue me must.

PART. 6.

41 Then let th•• promise kindly made (O Lord) fulfilled be. 42 So shall I s••••se my iust rebuke, and giue the praise to thee. 43 Take not away from me thy truth, for on thee I attend; 44 But let my lips speake of thy praise, vntill my life doe end. 45 My feete shall freely follow thee, vntill the truth I find. 46 I will not shame, to Kings thy truth to preach, with constant mind; 47 Yea all my solace shall be still, my loue of thee t'expresse: 48 My lifted handes vnto the heauens, thy glory shall confesse.

PART. 7.

49 Remember then thy promise made, wherein thy seruant trusts; 50 In trouble i•• doth comfort me, my soule thereafter lusts. 51 The wicked haue derided me, thy lawes yet haue I kept: 52 I cald to minde thy iudgements past, whereby in peace I slept. 53 Sorrow and feare afflicted me, to see how wicked men 54 Thy lawes transgresse; in pilgrims life yet sing I to thee then: 55 In darknesse and by night, thy name and lawes I keepe and feare; 56 Which blessing thou bestowe•••• on me, thy will in mind to beare,

PART. 8.

57 O Lord thou art my portion, I thy law will still obserue; 58 My hearty prayers made to thee, and promise thine preserue. 59 I haue reform'd my wayes, and will to thy behests obay: 60 With speed I will my life amend, and make no more delay. 61 The wicked haue inticed me, but I will turne againe: 62 At midnight will I rise to pray, till iustice I attaine. 63 My company shall such be still, as do thy precepts know; 64 Thy mercie fils the earth ô Lord▪ to me thy pleasure show.

PART. 9.

65 According to thy word (ô Lord) thou graciously hast dealt; 66 Teach wisedome to thy seruant Lord, who in thy law hath dwelt: 67 Before I felt thy scourge, as then my ••eete did go astray, 68 But gracious God direct me now, that keepe thy lawes I may. 69 The proud against me worke deceipt, yet will I follow thee: 70 Their hart on folly feedes, thy lawes yet shall my comfort bee. 71 This fruit affliction brought to me, which made me learne thy law, 72 A greater treasure to my mind, then heretofore I saw.

PART. 10.

73 Thy hand hath fashioned me, therefore teach me thy holy will: 74 So shall thy seruants all reioyce; and I obey thee still. 75 Thy iudgements Lord (I graunt) are iust, I did thy wrath deserue; 76 Haue mercie yet and pardon me, thy promise cannot swarue. 77 Lord let me liue I thee beseech, thy law is my delight: 78 Bring thou to shame my foes, and driue the wicked out of sight; 79 And let thy seruants all behold, thy mercies showd to me, 80 Who walking in thy statutes iust, shall not ashamed be.

PART. 11.

81 My soule is almost faint for feare, yet on thy word 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 82 My eyes are dim with looking sore, send me thy comfort iust. 83 My bones are withered with despaire, till thou thy promise pay: 84 My life is short, thy iustice on the wicked Lord be••ray▪ 85 By fraud they seeke to take my life, contrary vnto right; 86 But thou art iust, vniust are they, therefore put them to flight. 87 They had almost consumed me, my faith yet did not faint: 88 Reuiue thou me, and with thy truth, my mouth I will acquaint▪

PART. 12.

89 O Lord thy word immutable in heauen doth still indure: 90 Thy truth from euer was, thou laidst the earths foundation sure. 91 All things continue at a stay, and do thy people serue: 92 Vnlesse thy word did comfort me, my faith with griefe would sterue. 93 I neuer therefore will forget, thy lawes which quicken me; 94 I am thy seruant, saue thou me, who vnto thee do flye. 95 The wicked seeke me to destroy, but in th••e will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rust, 96 Thy truth endures for aye, but else all things returne to dust.

PART. 13.

97 So much I loue thy law ô Lord, I studie on it still: 98 Thy grace beyond my enimies doth me with true knowledge fill. 99 I better vnderstand thy will, then they which do me teach; 100 I better know thy lawes to keepe, then they which should them preach. 101 That I thy word might keepe; my feete refraine each e••ill way: 102 My iudgement grees vnto thy law, which taught me what to say. 103 Then hony combe vnto my tast, thy word is far more sweet, 104 Thereby thy will I learne, and falshood shun as most vnmeet.

PART. 14.

105 Thy word is light vnto my feete, and guides me in my way; 106 My hart hath sworne, I will performe thy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ight and day▪ 107 My soule is sore opprest ô Lord▪ do thou me ioy now send; 108 Teach me thy will, to my request a gratefull ••earing 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 109 Though I in daunger daily be, thy lawes I not forget, 110 But keepe them still, while me to snare, the prowd a bay•• haue se••. 111 They are the portion I haue chose they are my harts delight; 112 My hart is vowd thy lawes to keepe, with all my power and ••••ight.

PART. 15.

113 Thy word I loue, but do detest the vanities of minde▪ 114 My shield thou art, my refuge safe, in whom I trust do finde. 115 Away from me ye wicked men, my God alone I serue; 116 He will performe my hope, his word from truth doth neuer swerue. 117 Support thou me, then am I safe, in thee is all my trust: 118 Thou hast supprest the proud, and such as follow worldly lust. 119 I loue thee Lord, because thou doest from earth the vaine remoue; 120 Yet do I feare thy iudgements Lord, which shall my sinnes reproue.

PART. 16.

121 Let me not then oppressed be, I iustice do obserue: 122 Plead thou my cause gainst wicked men, which frō thy will do swerue. 123 My eyes are dim with longing Lord to see thy promist ayde; 124 Teach me my God, and let thy seruant be with mercy payd. 125 I wait on thee, let me therefore of wisedome thine haue part: 126 Helpe Lord in time, for all the world do from thy lawes depart. 127 Yet do I thy precepts esteeme more then the richest gold: 128 Most iust are they, but such I hate as vnto sinne are sold.

PART. 17.

129 Thy testimonies I admire on them my soule doth muse: 130 The wayes thereto do shine so bright, the simple it may chuse. 131 The zeale I bare vnto thy law, did make my hast to moue▪ 132 Looke on me then in mercy Lord, because thy law I loue. 133 Direct my deedes, so that no sinne may beare in me asway: 134 I keepe thy will▪ to wicked men let me not be a pray. 135 Thy shining face vnto me turne, thy statutes teach thou mee: 136 With teares my eyes do daily flow, because they trespasse thee.

PART. 18.

137 Thou righteous God, most iust indeed thy iudgements all are found; 138 To truth a••d equitie alone, thy lawes thy seruants bound. 139 My zeale doth burne, because my foes thy lawes haue cleane forgot, 140 Thy word we finde most pure, and I haue chose it to my lot. 141 Though I be poore and in contempt, I do remember well, 142 Thy righteous precepts, which for aye, in glorious truth excell. 143 Anguish and eares vpon me come, thy law yet do I loue: 144 Teach me thy truth, that I may liue eternally aboue.

PART. 19.

145 Heare me ô Lord, to thee •• cry, thy ••••atutes I will keepe. 146 Saue me, and graunt that in thy house, I may in safetie sleepe. 147 Before the 〈…〉〈…〉 to thee I call, and wait thy w••ll: 148 By night I watch, to meditate and studie of thee still. 149 Heare me ô gracious God in time, and quicken thou my spright▪ 150 They are at hand that hate thy law, and me pursue with spight. 151 Thy promises assure me Lord, that thou ar•• nigh at hand: 152 I knew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 since thy high decree, should firme for euer stand.

PART. 20.

153 Behold my sorrowes then and helpe: ••••y pleasure I obay; 154 Plead thou 〈…〉〈…〉 me, vpon thy word I stay▪ 155 The wicked they are farre from helpe, which do not thee regard. 156 But for thy seruants we do know, thy mercy is prepard. 157 Many they are tha•• me pursue, yet will I follow thee: 158 I see the wicked scorne thy ••ord, and much it grieueth mee▪ 159 Consider Lord my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 too thee; so quicke 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ my 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 160 For, from for aye, thy word of truth, and righteousnesse I finde.

PART. 21.

161 Princes of might do me pursue, yet onely thee I feare: 162 Thy word delights my hart, as if my richesse great it weare▪ 163 Thy law I loue, but do abhorte all falshood and deceit. 164 Seauen times a day I praise thy name, and on thee alwayes wait. 165 The keepers of thy law, shall stand from danger alwayes free; 166 I keepe thy heasts, because I hope thy sauing health to see. 167 Yea for the loue I beare to them, I will them not transgresse. 168 Thou seest (ô Lord) in all my wayes, thy name I do confesse.

PART. 22.

169 Let then my plaint before thee come, and be thou still my guide: 170 Giue ••are vnto my sute, and let thy promise firme abide. 171 When thou hast me thy statutes taught, my lips shal speake thy praise; 172 My tongue shall tell thy word of truth, and walke thy righteo••s wayes. 173 Helpe with thy hand, for I entend, thy precepts to pursue: 174 Thy sauing helpe and law I seeke, Lord do my faith renue. 175 Let liue my soule, to praise thy name, thy mercie me vphold. 176 I feare thy law, then clense my sinnes, and bring me to thy fold.

Psalme. 121.

1 VNto the hils I lift my eye, from whence my helpe shall grow; 2 Euē to the Lord which fram'd the heauens, & made the deeps below. 3 He will not let my feete to slip, my watchman neither sleepes. 4 Behold the Lord of Israell still his flocke in safety keepes. 5 The Lord is my defence he doth about me shadow cast; 6 By day nor night, the Sunne nor Moone, my limbs shall burne or blast. 7 He shall preserue me from all ill, and me from sinne protect; 8 My going in and comming forth, he euer shall direct.

Psalme. 130.

1 FRom pit of deepe perplexities to thee for helpe I cry, 2 O Lord giue ••are vnto my pla••••t, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me speedily. 3 If strictly thou my sinnes behold, ô Lord, what ••••esh is iust? 4 But mercy proper is to thee, and thereto d•• we trust. 5 Vpon thy promise I attend, thy word is alwayes true, 6 With morning and with euening watch, I will my sute renue. 7 Thy seruant must depend on thee, in thee i•• mercie found, 8 Thou wilt redeeme their ••oules from death, thy grace doth so abound.

Lords Prayer.

OVr Father which in heauen art, Lord halowed be thy name. Thy knigdome come thy will be done, in heauen and earth the same: Giue vs this day our daily bread: our trespasses forgiue, As we for other mens offence, do freely pardon giue: Into temptation leade vs not, but liuer vs from ill. For thine all kingdome, glory, powre, is now and euer will.