Sion and Parnassus, or, Epigrams on severall texts of the Old and New Testament to which are added [brace] A poem on the Passion, A hymn on the resurrection, ascention, and feast of Pentecost / by Iohn Hoddesdon.

ECCLESIASTES.

157. In much wisdome there is much sorrow. ch. 1. v. 18.

IT grieves me much to heare of this; can grief Be got in getting wisedome? past belief! And yet 'tis true: the more we know, the more We grieve our knowledge doth no higher soar: Wisdomes Arithmetick contains but one Grand head, and that's Multiplication Of sorrow: She and I, I see, must part; What profit comes from such a sorry art?

158. A good name is better then pretious ointment. ch. 7. v. 1.

Give't others: let their curious nostrills dwell, On precious ointments aromatick smell. Besmear them with those liquid odours; me Set out with those oyl'd arts, let no man see: Let me a good name keep; better by farre, An holy good-man is, then greater are. The box of ointment broke, sents sweet'st; but this, Kept whole, most redolent and fragrant is.

159. Truly the light is sweet. ch. 11. v. 7.

Though Sols refulgent rayes dazle our sight, Those beams are better then the shade of night:

For who but darknesse children fancy it? A time onely for Bats and Screetch-owls fit. I'll look to th' sunne, and looking may I be Exhal'd a meteor to heav'ns axle-tree.

160. Remember thy Creatour. ch. 12. v. 1.

In youthfull dayes do not forgetfull be Of God, who alwayes doth remember thee; And though thy years be green, yet humbly bring Thy firstlings; make an Autumn in thy Spring: Thy spritefull bloud, as yet, is hot. O why Should zeal, amidst so great flames, frozen die! Think on thy Maker; husband well thy time: In the prime service, O bestow thy prime; And thou who giv'st thy youth to God, wilt see, That God will likewise give old age to thee.

161. God shall bring every work into judgement. ch. 12. v. 14.

God is the judge, who, at the last grand day, Shall the just guerdon of our labours pay: All works shall into light be brought, though none To light eternall, but good works alone.