JUSTUS NOAH. Most Mighty Maker, ere I from hence depart, I must give thee praise from the bottom of my heart. Whom may we thank, Lord, for our health and salvation, But thy great mercy and goodness undeserved? Thy promise in faith is our justification, As it was Adam's, when his heart therein rested, And as it was theirs, which therein also trusted. This faith was grounded in Adam's memory, And clearly declared in Abel's innocency. Faith in that promise old Adam did justify, In that promise faith made Eve to prophecy. Faith in that promise proved Abel innocent, In that promise faith made Seth full obedient. That faith taught Enos on God's name first to call, And made Methuselah the oldest man of all. That faith brought Enoch to so high exercise, That God took him up with him into paradise. Of that faith the want made Cain to hate the good, And all his offspring to perish in the flood. Faith in that promise preserved both me and mine. So will it all them which follow the same line. Not only this gift thou hast given me, sweet Lord, But with it also thine everlasting covenant, Of trust for ever, thy rainbow bearing record, Nevermore to drown the world by flood inconstant, Making the waters more peaceable and pleasant, Alas! I cannot to thee give praise condign, Yet will I sing here with heart meek and benign. _Magna tunc voce Antiphonam incipit_, O oriens splendor, _&c., in genua cadens; quam chorus prosequetur cum organis ut supra_. _Vel Anglicè sub eodem tono_. O most orient clearness, and light shining of the sempiternal brightness! O clear sun of justice and heavenly righteousness, come hither and illumine the prisoner sitting now in the dark prison and shadow of eternal death. _Finit Actus secundus_. INCIPIT ACTUS TERTIUS. PATER COELESTIS. Mine high displeasure must needs return to man, Considering the sin that he doth day by day; For neither kindness nor extreme handling can Make him to know me by any faithful way, But still in mischief he walketh to his decay. If he do not soon his wickedness consider, He is like, doubtless, to perish altogether. In my sight he is more venom than the spider, Through such abuses as he hath exercised, From the time of Noah to this same season hither. An uncomely act without shame Ham commised, When he of his father the secret parts revealed. In like case Nimrod against me wrought abusion, As he raised up the castle of confusion. Ninus hath also, and all by the devil's illusion, Through image-making upraised idolatry, Me to dishonour. And now in the conclusion The vile Sodomites live so unnaturally, That their sin vengeance asketh continually, For my covenant's sake I will not drown with water, Yet shall I visit their sins with other matter.