Excessive worldy Greife the Soule devouers

And spoyles the activnesse of all the Powers,

Through indisposing them to exercise

What should demonstrate their abilities,

By practicall improvment of the same

Unto the Glory of the givers name.

Though Envy wait to blast the Blossoms green

Of any Vertu soon as they are seen,

Yet none may therfore just occasion take

To shun what Vertu manifest should make,

For like the Sun shall Vertu be beheld

VVhen Clouds of Envy shall be quite dispeld;

Though there be some of no disart at all

Who no degree in worth can lower fall,

Prefer’d before the Verteous whom they taunt

Onely because of some apparent want,

Which is as if a Weed without defect

Before the Damask Rose should have respect,

Because the Rose a leafe or two hath lost,

And this the Weed of all his parts can boast;

Or elce as if a monstrous Clout should be

Prefer’d before the purest Lawn to see,

Because the Lawn hath spots and this the Clout

Is equally polluted thoroughout

Therefore let such whose vertu favours merits,

Shew their divinly magnanimious spirits

By disregarding such their approbacion

Who have the worthlesse most in estimacion,

For who loves God above all things, not one

Who understands not that in him alone

All causes that may move affection are,

Glimpses wherof his creatures doe declare,

This being so, who can be troubled

When as his gifts are undervalued,

Seeing the giver of all things likewise

For want of knowledg many underprise.