I said I will bee wary in my way; Lest I offend in that my tongue should say, I will my mouth as with a bridle hould, While wicked men with enuy mee behould: I dumb did stand and from all speech refraine, Euen from good words, which was to mee a paine: My heart was hott: while I such doubts did cast, The fire brake out, and thus I spake at last: 'Lord of my life reueale to mee the end, The period showe, to which my dayes doe tend'! My life is but the measure of a spann, Nought as to Thee, so vaine a thinge is man: Who dreaminge walks, and toyles for wealth in vaine, And doth not know to whome it shall remaine. But what doe I expect? what is my hope! Of my desires Thou art the only scope. Lord! from my synnes Thine indignation turne And make mee not to wicked fooles a scorne, When Thou didst strike I silent was and dum[b] Because I knewe the blowe from Thee did come. Remoue Thy hand, withdrawe Thy plague from me Wherewith my vitall spirrits consumèd bee: Thy plagues for sinne doth like a moth consume Man's beauty vaine, which is nought else but fume. Lord! heare my prayer, and listen to my cries, Let not Thy gracious eye my teares dispise: For I am but Thy guest, and sojourne heare, On earth a pilgrim as my fathers were; O spare a little, and my strength restore Before I goe from hence to come noe more. PSALM XL. Long on the Lord, I waited patiently, Till He enclin'd His eare, and heard my cry: Drew mee from out the pitt of mire and clay Did sett mee on firme ground and guide my way: Put in my mouth a new and joyfull song Of thankes[223] and praise, that to Himselfe belong. Of His great mercie, many shall haue sense, And of the Lord haue feare and confidence. Blest is the man who hath on God relide, Not turninge vnto lies or worldly pride; O Lord! Thy works of wonder, they are such Thy care and loue to vsward is soe much, They are soe great, they are soe numberlesse, As if I would, I could not them expresse. My sacrifice of meates Thou would'st not take, But Thou mine eare didst peirce and open make. Thou didst not aske burnt-offerings at my hand Then LORD said I 'I come at Thy commaund; Thy Booke eternall, doth of mee record, That I should come to doe Thy will O Lord! To doe Thy will, my heart is pleasèd well, For in my heart Thy lawe doth euer dwell; Thy truth I haue to all Thy people tould, Therein Thou knowest my tongue I cannot hould: Thy justice in my heart is not conceal'd, Thy mercy to the world I haue reueal'd; I haue not spar'd to make Thy bounty knowne, But in the Great Assembly haue it showne. Take not Thy wonted mercy Lord, from mee, But let Thy goodnes still my safety bee. My trubles numberlesse such hould haue tooke On my weake soule, as vp I cannot looke: