The whole duty of man in all his stages in a plain and familiar heroick verse, with variety of cuts proper to the several chapters thereof, with several private prayers and Thanksgivings annexed to it, both for the pleasure and benefit of youth / by W. Beck.

CHAPTER I.

(1.) The Necessity of caring for the Soul. (2.) The Worth of the Soul. (3.) The Misery of the Soul. (4.) The dan∣ger of the Loss of the Soul.

[illustration] woodcut of angel flying over flaming mouth

(1.)

THE chief Intent of this Book is to show, Those things which each Person is now to do, Being in as plain and familiar way, That Old and Young should never go astray,

And in the end of all most happy be, And from Eternal Burnings then set free. So to be happy let all Mankind strive To run the Race of Vertue whilst alive, And practise only what's herein laid down, That after Death he may receive the Crown That's glorious, and of immortal weight, Which God doth give to those that lives the height Of this their Duty, and likewise do run The Race before them that is now begun.

(2.)

How noble also is the Soul of Man, He ought therefore to take what care he can Of it, being so precious, and so dear, Seeing God's lovely Image it does bear, He breathing into Man the Breath of Life, Which must endure in spight of Satan's Strife, Being so good, so pure, and excellent, It must remain when Ages all are spent. So like to God it is, being made to be Blessed with him to all Eternity. Why do we then such noble Souls defile, As with the splendor of this World beguile, And with all foul, and sad polluted Sin, Let e'en the dreadful'st Foes to enter in: Pray then slight Worldly Wealth, and Honours too, And Satan's gilded Baits, which will undo.

(3.)

How many Men now stand in greatest fear, Of keeping, and of losing Treasure here, Which will not spare to be at any Charges To keep a float these their crazy Barges. For if an Eye, or any part endure Aching, or Pain, they streight seek for a Cure; As first to know the Cause of the Disease, And then what things can Cure; or give them ease; But why should any take so great a car•• Of Body more than of his Soul most dear? Which is of purer Essence, and by Birth Innocent; but the other's from the Earth,

Base, and corrupt, whose Loss some more condole Here then the better part their precious Soul Which never can fade, perish, or decay, Tho' Satan it invade, 'twill force its way: But who can dwell in that Eternal Fire, Where is not granted them the least Desire, Either of asswaging present pain, or grief, Or any to come to for their relief, But there to languish, and therein to lie, And burn in Flames to all Eternity: And since we can't one Spark of Fire endure, Should on our tender Bodies lie, be sure W'had better to our God betimes return, Than evermore in scorching Flames to burn.

(4.)

The World, the Flesh, and Devil, all do strive Poor Man of Happiness for to deprive. Oh then let all call on that mighty Power For Grace, & strength, 'gainst those which would devour Their precious Souls, and let them always stand Fast, whiles Breath, obeying God's just command:

For he has always promised to those Which keep'm, and on Providence repose, To give them that good thing which they have chose.

Then for your holy help, learn, and read o'er This foll'wing Book, your Sins for to disco'er, And practise to be happy for your part, The whole which done, to others it impart; For Verse may find him whom a Sermon flies, And turn delight into a Sacrifice, And make him open, tho' h' has shut his Eyes.