An abridgeme[n]t of all the canonical books of the olde Testament written in Sternholds meter by VV. Samuel minister. The names of the books are in the next leaf following.

The Canticles of Salomon.

The i. Chapiter.

A Frēdly talke the Churche dooth vse to Christe her loue so déer: And he again so sets her out, as now to bée her péer. Though foes doo fume to sée their looue, and fault{is} in her there be: Yet by his fauour and his grace, they bothe doo wel agrée.

The ii. Chapiter.

BEautifully as Lilly fair, her song forthe on shée sings And shade shée took to rest her self, euen vnderneath his wings. Shée heares his voice as dooue ful milde, and dooth thereto incline: The Fory foes they are forbod, from hurting of the vine.

The iii. Chapiter.

CAst care shée did her loue to finde, and sought in euery ground: Shée ceased not to séek and aske vntil shée had him found.

How shée did passe from wildernes, with smoky pillers smelt: How Prince like eke King Salomon, within his Pallaice dwelt.

The iiii. Chapiter.

DOutles ful fair thou art my loue and blemishe hast thou none: Thy téeth, thy lips, thy neck and brest{is} are comely euery one. My sister déer hée dooth her call, and looue on her he showes: Commaunding windes to doo her good though contrary it blowes.

The v. Chapiter.

EChe thing that Christ hath of his own vnto his Churche he giues: For to perfourm his tresures great to her, it not him gréeues. His voice shée heares and dooth confes her self to be but bare: How beautiful her husband is, shée dooth at large declare.

The vi. Chapiter.

FUl sure shée is of Christes looue, and he of hers ful sure:

Whose comely state is painted out to be ful fair and pure. Shée is but one and vndefilde, by Christe who made her cleane: Where puritie of her is spoke, none other dooth it mean.

The vii. Chapiter.

GO on shée dooth in comely wise ful séemly to beholde: Of all her parts so beautiful, héer vnto you is tolde. From top to toe shée is describde, of Christe the onely spouse: Who like a palme dooth growe ful trim, with Christe vpon her bowes.

The viii. Chapiter.

HIm dooth shée chuse her for to teache, by him shée is vpholde: The looue that hée to her dooth bear, with tung can not be tolde. Shée is again that plesant vine, that foorth her frute dooth bring: For Christe her looue forefigured, by Salomon the King.

FINIS.

¶This song ful hard to vnderstand, dooth end with Chapters eyght. VVith iudgement great it woold be red, it is of mickle weight. Though fooles doo laugh and toy thereat, yet be you sure of this: The ioyfull'st song in Bible book, assuredly it is. Now shall ye hear what Esay saith, he tolde of Christe to fore: Ful Gospel like he telth his tale, now harken to his lore.