Svch pleasant _Flowres_, as here are shadow’d out (Full-grown, well-trim’d, and strongly fenc’d about) At first, perchance, had planting (where they stand) And, husbanding, by some good _Gard’ners_ hand: But, when to perfect ripenesse, they are grown, (And, spread forth leaves, and blossomes, fully blowne) They draw it from the Vertue of the _Sunne_, Which worketh, when the _Gard’ners_ worke is done: For, lost were all his Travaile, and his praise, Vnlesse that _Planet_ cheare them with his rayes. In this our _Pilgrimage_, it fares with us (In all our _hopes_, and all our _labours_) thus. For, whatsoever bus’nesse wee intend, On _God_, our good successes doe depend. Our Hands may build; but, structures vaine we make, Till _God_, to be _Chiefe-builder_, undertake. To wall a _City_, wee may beare the cost; But, he must _guard_ it, or, the _Towne_ is lost: The _Plow-man_ useth diligence to sowe; But, _God_ must blesse it, or, no Corne will grow: Yea, though _Paul_ plant, and, though _Apollo_ water, They spend their sweat, upon a fruitlesse matter, Till _God_, from heaven, their labours please to blesse, And crowne their travailes, with a good increase. Let, therefore, those that flourish, like this _Flowre_, (And, may be wither’d, e’re another houre) Give _God_ the praise, for making of their _Seeds_ Bring forth sweet _Flowres_, that, else, had proved Weeds: And, me despise not, though I thrive not so; For, _when, God pleaseth, I shall flourish too_. _If thou thy =Duties= truely doe, Of thy =Reward=, be hopefull too._ [Illustration: FAC ET SPERA. ILLVSTR. VII. _Book. 3_]