myghtye hande and power Haste thou not sent by all meanes possyble the experience of thys bryckle lyfe Remembrest thou not that with one only blast Iob. â—â— the dimme lyghte of thy candle of lyfe is vtterlye extincts and put oute And that it is in suche wyse dynged that there remayneth in it no spark of hope for thy light to retourne agayn And that the lyght beyng ones loft the waxe lieth waste the heate abateth the â—nuffe smoketh it corruptly stinketh it quickly consumeth and sodeinely falleth to asshes Haste thou not thus thought of mans mortalitie and falle Eyther haste thou presumed vppon Goddes sufferaunce or wantonly fyxed thyne hart to daliaunce Hast thou not yet aptely prepared thy selfe to God a repentant synner for the multitude of thy sinnes and iniquities Haste thou not in thee the charitie of god Haste thou presently wrath in thee agaynst thy neyghbour Either hast thou maliciouslye of wicked set purpose detracted thy neighboure to the spoylyng of hys good name and same He that is stiffenecked and vvill not yeld to the grace of god and he reformed shal sodainly vvithout helpe bee rooted out and destroyed Prou. 29. losse of goodes losse of frendes or losse of lyfe Haste thou not soughte with a sorowfull harte to bewaile thy wickednesse to God and to be reconciled agayne vnto thy neighbour accordyngs to the wyll of god Hath the deuell so blynded thee or poysoned thine harte wyth pryde malyce contempt or scornefulnes that then wylt contynue in stoughtnesse and be ashamed of well dooynge to knytre thy selfe in the bonde of peace and amitie wyth thy frend or enemy thy poore neighbour thy christeÌ„ brother or sister Hast thou oppressed hym or craftilye deceyued hym Hast thou bene slacke in doynge thy duetie to hym Hast thou ben pittles or vncharitable to hym Hast thou thus sette at naught the preceptes and holye counsailes of God Eyther haste thou so fyred thy selfe to the worlde refusynge the grace of GOD that thou hast not yet found time to be stowe and set in good ordrs to his glorie the vaine things of this world fore seing the sodaine visication of God or the swiftnes cruelty of me deathe Eccle. 24. Eccle. 41 the messenger of god Hast thou not herd that at my commyng I tary not Hast thou not bene taughte to byspase thy goodes and to be charitable vnto thy freende and accordynge to thyne habilytye to reache out thyne hande and geeue vnto the poore and to wourke ryghteousnesse before thy death to the saÌ„ctifieng of thy soule in Iesus christ Examine thy self what thinkest thou Feelest in thy coÌ„science the due iustice of god and the terrour of me deth hys messeÌ„ger Doth the sorows of deth now compasse thee and the huge flouds of iniquity make the afraid hath the paines of hel fastned vpoÌ„ thes the straÌ„gling snares of deathe ouertaken ther Shrinkest thou now at mee Feelests now in thine hart my deadlye gripes Seest thou nowe no waye to flye nor longer dayes to amende thy lyfe And is ther therfore now in thee a feareful hope of ioyful life and condempnatioÌ„ in thy conscience to eternall death for thy leuds folly and forgetfulnes of the wille of God Ah the more accursed and dampnable is thine estate neither do I pitie thee no no lette hell fyre deuoure thee or all the tormentes of hell fasten vpon thee for as I fynde thee so muste I surelye take thee I maye not passe the boundes of my commission And as I thy mortal enemye Death 〈…〉 regarde not thy present state of dampnacion to eternal death so wyll I now not defer so â—â—uruec thy soule from thy body and wyl byolently wyth my force deforme thee waite and consume thy beautye and take from thee my breath of lyfe And as thou hast hath hards and seene or manye that haue sustayned my pâ—â—â—es â—urye and ouerage so wyth 〈◊〉 my moste violent cruetâ—â—â— I new take â—â—om thee thy me O the arear terrour and sharpenes of â—eam 〈…〉 O sodayn and â—â—râ—or crueltie O the mercyles meisenger or the 〈◊〉 most â—euere god than thus in â—oâ—yne cutteth vs thorre from 〈◊〉 curshly reiâ—â—â—e â—eâ— rather wer may â—ny with lamentation We for euer â—ee 〈◊〉 thâ—ie 〈◊〉 and damnnable sowles whose benummed and dull senses hath ben wylfully stopped from the apte seelynge and receiuyng of the diuine grace and voice of god wrootyng and cumblyng lyke swine in the myre of their carnall and filthye affectes wandryng the byepathes of Sathan refusyng the straight wate of Christe and contempnyng the moste pure and vndefiled law of the higheâ—â— Whose byrthe whenne they be borne 〈…〉 shall bee to cursynge and when they dye the curse shal be their portion For horrible is the death of the vnrightuous He shall neuer come our of darknes the flame shall drie vp his braunches and with the blast of the mouthe of god he shal be taken awaâ—e O â—ure wilful and stiffnecked wickednes that hasteneth vpon vs goodes heauy â—â—â—oâ—gnation and wrath heapes of his plagues to torment our flelâ—he the violence of deathe to shorten this lyfe If we aâ—â—er escape euerlasting death For as â—ynne preuaileth against vs to the iustice of God hangeth ouer vs. And because we are the seruauntes of 〈◊〉 we shal also receiue the reward of 〈◊〉 whiche is death Rom. â— 6 as it was playnely signified vnto vs from the beginnynge by the mouthe of God Gene. 2. when Adam whose children we are disobeied and transgressed the wourde of God We with our forefathers to the destruction of thys lyfe must all drynke of the cuppe of death VVe muste drinke all of the cup of death who dyuersely knocketh before he stryketh to warne vs of our ende But who regardeth that Who harkeneth gladly to the knocke or call of death Eyther who alwaies duely receiueth that monishementes of deathe for a remembrance of his ende by deathe thorough innumerable sygnifications and exaumples of lyuynge thynges whether it hee in their rysynge or fallynge in theyr quicknyng or decaying or in their vncertaine liuyng and moste certain dying besides the fickle course of mans short life felt approued in al times ages eueÌ„ froÌ„ the yong tender infant to the youthful middle age so forth to the gray heded croked old age as also these daily familiar messengers that is Many strange diseases violent plagues great perils hard fortunes sodein deathes with such other like as before mencioned prepared for sinne eyther partly worthily felt vpon his owne flesshe or fully performed before his face vpon others whâ— I therfore consider but a little the forgetfulnes great frailtie and vsual disorder of mankynd in this behalfe and behold to the contrary the great workes of God and the most mercyful order of all his doynges towards man for thvpright conuersation good life and saluation of man As I can not herein but highely magnifie praise the
set man whom he had fourmed to dresse it to keepe it and to enioye all the louely pleasures therof onely one thynge excepted from the which because he wolde ther shuld be signified vnto hym wyth reuerence lowe submission as vnto God his maker and his duetie in obedience he streyghtned the reane of his freely vertie and layed the burdeyne of his greuous commandement vpon his shoulders sayeng vnto him Gene. 5. Eccle. 11. Of al the trees of the gardeyn thou shalt eate and vse at libertie for the accomplisshement of thy full delight and pleasure but of the tree of Knowledge of good and euyll thou shalte not eate and gaue hym further a sharpe and mooste bitter threate saying Take hede and be well ware of this my commandement for the same day thou eatest of that tree thou shalte die the death It is here then to be noted after this straight precept of God what greate daunger through disobedience man stoode in and howe the most subtil and malicious serpent the deuyl and onnemye to mankynde who alwaies and by al meanes possible despightfully seeketh his destruction watched his time and immediatly deuysed to worke his present coÌ„fusion through his sleigh tie sweete sugred tale vnto the weake fraile woman Gene. 3. 2. Cor. 11. tellyng her they should be as goddes and know both good and euyll not withstandyng the commandement of god if they wold eate of that fruite wherby without fearyng god forgetfull of his former loue towardes theim of theyr most blyssefull and high estate and of the place of great plesure where he had planted them neither yet remembryng his straight commandement and most terrible threatenyng of death theyr heartes were sore blynded they were vtterly deceyued they receaued the foule spotte of the serpent they were desyled with disobedience pride and hastened to leaue God theyr maker theyr dere and most louyng fronde and folowed the dyuell and his moste cursed suggestions beeyng theyr mortall and deadly ennemie and to tast of that moste bytter and forbydden fruicte of deathe and euerlastynge dampnation whiche by the iustyce of God and accordyng to the doome of theyr own consciences through theyr most wretched disobedience they had duely deserued Gene 2. for their faultes were thenne opened vnto theym they knewe assuredly they had doone amisse and therfore they sled and ran into corners to couer and hide theÌ„selues with leaues and amonge the trees from the face and presence of god as in themselues already condemned moste disobedient to the voyce of god and wretched synners and durste not appeare nor shewe their faces so lothesome and foule was their spotte apparant in their owne eies And God that created theÌ„ not yet forsaking them Esay 40. Iere. 30. but stil bearyng his tender coÌ„passion mercy towardê maÌ„ wold not yet leaue him but sought him out where he had hidde himselfe he called vnto him he gently talked with him herd the grounde of that most hainous great offence And so consequently according to his diuine wille and iustyce rewarded euery of theim the malicious serpente for his part the fraile woman for hir part Gene. 3. and lykewise the vnhappy manne with the malediction of god vpon th earth and for his parte also depriued from his former most blisseful estate cast out of the gardeyne of pleasure and constrained to labour and to tylle the earthe frome whence he was taken and so myserably with great trauayle and sorow and wyth the sweat of his owne browes to get his breade So that vnto man that sorowful reiected creature ther apered then no hope of redresse in that his present distresse and moste wofull misery but rather vtter desperacion and encreace of all forowe continuall tribulation and trauayle paine and anguish in bodye and soule corporall death and eternall damnation tyll God still renuyng his loue whiche is vnspeakable and infinite made promise vnto man that Christ the seconde Adam Rom. 5. Colos 1. Luc. 11. the seede of the woman and sauior of the world shoulde in time be raysed vppe to ouâ—â— come synne and lyke a valyant most puissaunt conqueror to destroye the anuyll deathe hell and damnation 〈◊〉 that also by hym shal be restorâ—◠〈◊〉 through a liuelye faith the graâ—◠〈…〉 heauenly father peace and 〈…〉 conscience Esay 53. Iohn 3. Act. 10. and eternall saluation 〈◊〉 che he vndoubtedly did then 〈…〉 therfore obteined grace whole 〈◊〉 also we are and spotted impes spryngyng out frome that olde crooked and stoupyng tree a stocke vnstable waueryng and alwaies leanynge and ready with euery storme and tempest of tentation to fall suche is the feblenes therof and corrupted nature whose fruictes continually are none other but rotten and vnsauery wourkes as blynde ignoraÌ„ce disobedience pride stoughtnes mistrust contempt of god and godlie thinges feruent lusting after carnal thynges scornefulnes hatred and malice selfe loue with innumerable suche other odible stuffe and stinkynge store and therefore most worthye the banishmente of all pleasure and the presence of god to wander the earth in misery and to susteyn as rotten braunches the stroke of the axe Math. 7. Luke 3. and to be cast for euer into hell fyre For the which and frome the daunger wherof we also know non other remedy yf we desyre the fauoure of God to be his faithfull seruauntes his obedient children and heires of his kyngdome but to seke our pourgation in Iesus Christe whose name we haue professed whome we acknowledge to come frome aboue the sonne of God Esay 7. and verye God and to be incarnate in the wombe of the virgin Esay 7. Luke 20. Iohn â— Rom. 8. Philip. 2. that he here lyned perfecte man amongest vs in the fleshe immaculate and vnspotted and suffred al kind of affliction in the fleshe yea euen very death and that the most cruell and shameful death of the crosse for the redemption and freedome of vs disobediente and wretched synners to pourge vs Esay 54 and with the effusion of his bloud to wash and make cleane our spotted and moste fylthy soules and so to restore vs agayne to the grace of our heauenly father from whom with our synneful father lyke frayle and vnthaÌ„kful creatures we were sled and through our instabilitie and lightnes lyke ruÌ„nagates rebellious and presumptuous chyldren Esay 23. Psal 119 wandrynge a strate lyke loste shepe falne eueÌ„ into the lap or mouth of the roryng and deuouryng lyon the deuyll whose tearyng teethe and insaciable throte is alwaies wyde strained and firmely fixed impituously to rente deforme and deuoure the beautie of goddes creation vnto whom we were in most bytter thraldom his seruile and very bond slaues the children of sinne and deathe and for euer thunquenchable tyrebrandes of hell From the whiche he hath mercifully delyuered vs restored vs vnto strength peace and quietnes of mynde he hath fylled vs full of ioye he hath made vs to
and folowed Iob. 1. Gala. 6. as the lyuely cleare sparkes of goddes grace to the lyghtnynge of our darkenes to the brydlyng repressing and treading vnder foote oure rancoure our priuye enemitie malyce pryde couetousnes and vncleannesse oure obstinacie and stiffeneckednes our hartes hardenes oure rebellion oure cankred natures and stoughtnes Christ hath taught vs and lefte behynde hym quicke sparkes of his heauenly doctrine amongest vs and as it were lyuelye and euerlasting vaynes of hys moste pure and godlye mynde He hath opened his mynde vnto vs and amongest vs by hys holye worde to pourgeand cleanse our stubburne hartes of all contagion and filthe yf we woulde happily apply with diligence oure affections there vnto enforce our selues by carefull trauell to knowe these sparkes of lyfe to feele and putte in practyse the operacion of theym leauynge the deade synders or smokinge shrubbes of cursednesse wherby it shall then be manyfest vnto vs thorow the light of goddes grace The grace of god is redy at all tymes to enter into vs if vve thorough obstinat maâ—ice â—epe it not backe it is the good gift of god and descendeth frome about eueÌ„ frome the father of light vvhiâ—he shall soone 〈◊〉 coined 〈◊〉 vs 〈◊〉 increased in vs yf we make cure 〈◊〉 and feâ—â—eÌ„t praiet to god for it yea he wyl 〈◊〉 stablishe it in vs for euer shinyng in vs that in the profession of a very christian constancy in loue and godly charitie is also an high and principall vertue whereby we forsake the state of wyckednesse embracynge a godly lyfe and ar loosened from darknes and from the thraldome and bytter bondage of our slye ennemye the prince of this worlde and be frankely sette at libertie in the kyngdeome of Christe th ende of whose course in the shorte race of thys lyfe was to leaue amongest vs thys moste preciouse and heauenly gyfte without the felowship wherof no vertue in anye wyse from the hart of man may appeare to be vprighte cleare and perfect For he that lacketh this singular and blessed gifte of god it is not possyble for hym to do any thyng well to the plealure of god neyther is he wourthie amonge the godly to be had in estimation and honest regarde howe hyghelye soeuer of his lyke or amonge the vaynglorious of thys worlde he seeme to be extolled lifted vp and magnified because that he whiche loueth not his brother with singlenes of hart according to the bond of charitie which is the perfectioÌ„ of a christen maÌ„ but respecteth persons is not of god nor to be coÌ„pted among the rightuous therfore the lesse apte to attayne the preseruation blessyng of god which he hath promised to al those that loue hym be obedient to his coÌ„maÌ„demeÌ„tê But alas with what great sorow may we lament in these our vnhappy and moste wretched daies If we consider the sharpenes of goddes late visitation amongest vs Goddes visitation for oure vnthankfulnesse sake diuersely to bee layde vppon vs by withholdynge specially the lyghte of his countenaunce vpoÌ„ vs that wâ—drawiÌ„g of his grace froÌ„ vs to the darknyng of our vnderstaÌ„ding to the plucking back of his loue godly charitie in vs to the makyng of vs hard herted pitiles to that kendlyng amoÌ„gest vs dishonorable warre disceÌ„tion to the supportation also wherof hath risen throughout this coÌ„mon welthe greate meruailous charges importable greuous exactions to thincrease of pouertie great wo and myserye scarcitie and ramine the cursed motion in deede of the dyuell and the fruites of hys malignaunte and wicked membres wherby the christen regions are thus afflicted an opeÌ„ and most manifest shewe of goddes wrathfull indignation agaynst vs namelye vpon this our christen church of EnglaÌ„d whervpon the brightnes of his glorye for the shewe of his mercy in rightuousnes hath heretofore most bright lye shyned and now of late dayes thorough his iust wrath for our vnthank fulnes sake hath wythdrawne it and by wicked and wilfulle warres the swourds of hys vengeaunce not only to sustayne the losse of suche peeces VVarres beyoÌ„d that seas wherof England somtime with honour greatly reioyced but rather amongest vs here wythin the realme greate and intollerable miserye and the destruccion of the people by color Famine famine O how greuously thorough out these whole dominioÌ„s were yet are that poore creatures of god tender meÌ„bres of Iesus Christ most greuouslye therw t afflicted And coÌ„mâ—nly also how the harts of those were yet be hardened agaiÌ„st theÌ„ which iÌ„ their vocatioÌ„ and habilitye being here but stewardes of goddes treasures were bound and ought in conscieÌ„ce Of pitilesse welthy meÌ„ to haue sought their preseruation and naturall comfort soeyng we are not onely borne to our selues wastfully to support our vayne affectes but also accordyng to our duetie state habilitie for others succour helpe and necessite And how they were constrained for want of naturall feedyng and accordynge to the vse of mankynde to be conuerted into the state of brute beastes and to eate for the vpholdyng of their wretched moste wofull lyues acornes grayns and draffe the fylthy swynes refection And howe naturall and deare parentes throughe wretched pouertie weryly wandryng the wastful pathes of lyfe Against nature were inforced agaynst nature to leaue sleapyng in fieldes and vnder hedges or losynge in corners of cities and townes their yonge babes tender infantes the beloued fruit of their bodies tournyng them at aduenture frome theyr owne armes of compassion into the moste vnkynde and pitilesse worlde bycause they coulde not abyde to heare their contynuall mournyng noise their great lamentation theyr pituous coÌ„playntes most heuy countinaunces alwaies fixed for help vpon theim their moost wretched and vnable parentes whose wofull hartes abhorted to see in suche wyse the destruccion of their owne fleshe and the violente crueltie of death by colde and famyne ready to take their liues from them Either how sorowfull a thynge was this to heare and more pitifull to see by the reporte of credible honeste meÌ„ that in Hertford shire beside saint Albons as they passed by the high way side they sawe there lyeng and sitting together a poore woman A pitifull syght with her six or seuen younge children And as they approched nere vnto them to comfort theim with their godlye charitie they see the mother of them lye dead amongest them consumed by famyne to the bones and a younge suckynge infant also dead in her armes another of her children dyeng by her side and the rest pituously making lamentation about her And as I haue here made relacion by credible reporte but onelye of one companye and a fewe personnes that haue sustained through mannes most wretched vnkyndnes this greate wo and miserye so coulde I name of dyuers both men women and children either in villages without the citie or within in backe lanes desolate corners or vppon carraynely stinkynge donghilles
this vale of misery in many daÌ„gers of the flesh vncertaine to attaine the hungry delightes of the fleshe and of a few things doutfully attained vnto we do not onely doubtfully kepe theÌ„ therby to enioy the fruites of our trauail to take the sweete with the soure for as we haue the proofe in getting theÌ„ with perils so we often also in perils for go them whych sygnifieth vnto vs most manifest and open misery besides the vncertayne howre of the bodyes most certayne deathe and that as we heere lyue a whyle deliciously we sodaynly departe hense most bitterly but we be also in further daunger by gods sharp and extreame iudgement in the latter daye Esay 52. Apoca. 1. The revvarde of the vvicked of the seconde deathe that is the death of the soule A death most dolorouse A deathe most horrible euerlastyng euer more in tormentes euer dyenge and neuer to dye whose intollerable paynes no hart can thinke nor tonge can expresse In vayne shall we their 〈◊〉 â—â—laine and lament our grieses and wycked state of lyues Sapi. 4. psal 49. Sapi. 4. 4. Esdr 16 psal 49. we shal lye for euer amonge the dead in shame and dishonoure hell shal be our dwellyng we shall for euer be laied waste vnto the highest we shall now mourn for euermore and our memoriall shal peryshe We shall remember our sinnes and our owne wickednes shall euer condempne vs we shall lye in hell lyke sheepe death shal gnawe vpon vs incurable shal be oure woundes most outragyouse and stoughte shal be the strokes of goddes myghtye arme vppon vs to dryue vs downe headlonge into the dolefull dungeon and deepe botomelesse pyite where perpetuallye is stynche darkenesse languysshynge and yellynge endles horrour Math. 13.22.25 2. Pet 2. Iude. 1. and gnashynge of teethe Frome whense wee shall beholde wyth the eyes of oure tormented and most wicked soules the buckled browes and moeste terryble countynaunce of that rightuous and iuste GOD by whose irreuocable sentence thoroughe oure owne wyckednesse we shall for euer lye bourninge in the perdurable lake and vnquencheable fyre of hell Hebre 10. a place prepared for the deuell and hys Aungelles hys moste fylthys and malygnaunte membres the dungehylles of synne the vesselles of venguaunce the chyldren of perdicion and the mooste cursed aduersaries of Chryste and of hys dearelye beloued churche As the blessing toye and saluacion of god shall comme vppon all them that hunger and thirst for ryghtuousenesse and preuayleth in syght agaynste the furiousenes of our bodylye and ghostlye enemyes hauyng the eternall God to be theyr God their onlye waye and theyr onelye strengthe thoroughe hope as the children of hys kyngedome Apoca. 21 so the louers of wyckednes the coÌ„tempners of rightuousnes the fearefull the vnbeleuers and the abhominable and murderers adulterers filthy whoremongers beastlye drunkardes sorcerers deceyuers idolatoures scorners lyars flatterers all wrongefull dealers shal haue their parte in the lake that bourneth wyth tyre and brymstone Psal 89. whyche is the seconde and euerlastynge death Ah terrible is the Lorde our God and greatlye to be feared among his sainctes of whom he must be pleased and reuerenced with godlye feare yea I saye he must be feared his great wrathe thorough his grace preuented for he is against his enemies in cases of reuengemeÌ„t Deut. 4. Psal 105. a terrible coÌ„suming fire whose mighty arme most sharp punishmentes are felt through out the whol world Therfore in â—ope of goddes mercy although we haue committed iniquity haue paumpered our flesh deliciously and withdrawne our godly charitie And therfore haue or doo sustayne in this lyfe greate affliction and miseryeâ— in the fleshe for our whole imperseend truly and vnrightuousenes of lyfe so marueilousely hath iniquity preuailed amongest vs Iere. 〈◊〉 to the hastnyng vpon vs the sharpe Iustice and wrath of god yet let euery of vs yea the most rightuouse of vs wythout seekynge the condempnacion of others straightlye appeale to the iudgemente of our owne coÌ„nsciences and there see Esâ—v â—4 how verye foule and filthye we are as witnesseth the prophet in the sight of god whose most cleare and lyuely quicke eies penetrateth the heues where through he seeth sercheth the secretes of the hartes raines Iere. 1.27 Psal 3 before whoÌ„ also notwithstandinge his diuine counsailes and moste bitter threatnynge often ryngynge in oure tares we shew our selues inflexible stought stonye harted and sturdy vntowarde sloughthful and vnprofitable seruantes And doo the rather merite to haue poured vpon vs the vialles of his heauye indignaion and wrath throughout the race of this shortlyfe and in the ende corporall death yet let vs I saye reuerentlye in tyme Psal 119. Iere. 4. haue peace wyth God seeke to content wel God with troubled spirytes broken contryte and meeke hartes lette vs mourne and weepe let our laughter oure lyghtenesse and oure folitye bee tourned into lamentation and mournyng and our earthly ioies and vaine foolyshenesse in to bytter weepynge and heauines let vs plucke down our pryde Iacob 4. lette vs subdue the lustes of the fleshe and vse temperaunce in all our affectes accordynge to oure honest estate and calling let neither pride nor excesse in suche wise preuayle against vs but that vertue and reason maye partely beare rule lette vs be charitable and loue better one another let vs bee more liberall to the comforte of the poore that GOD may agayne blesse vs and wythorawe hys furye frome vs. And if he will feeme yet further to visite vs then pacientlye wyth repentance to beare al kynde of affliction and the crosse of Chryste Hebro 12. for we maye not despise the chastisinge of the lorde neyther fainte when we are rebuked of hym for whome the lorde loueth hym doothe he chastise yea he scourgeth euery son that he receiueth Prouer. 3. Whereby we doo and shall feele the loue of God in Christ and his fatherlye kyndenesse towardes vs who by hys sharpe rodde of iustice Iacob 4. Iob. 13. Psal 32. Luke 15. 1. Iohn 1. putteth vs in remembraunce of oure iniquitye a way to prepare vs vnto repentance wyth all lowlynesse also and humble submission to fall prostrate beefore hym to confesse from our hartes oure synnes to acknowledge our weaknes and to appeale to his grace for mercy and forgeuenes that by hastnyng his heauenlye benediction and the wourkynge of his spiryte in vs we tourne from presumption to humilitie To be tourned frome oure vvyeâ—ednes and sinne is the gift of god Iere. 31. from carnall fooolyshenes to cleannes and puritye frome vayne superfiuitie to temperaunce and modestie from vnmercifulnes to compassioÌ„ pity froÌ„ enemity to amitie from discorde discentioÌ„ to peace vnitie and so foorthe froÌ„ streÌ„gth to streÌ„gth to the happy ameÌ„d meÌ„t of our vntoward most peruerse liues Iere. 3â— And though we haue long tyme heretofore stopped our eares Let
that hath ben bothe quicke and deade wrapped in dust and horselytter amonge the dogges pygges and fylthye swyne O howe lamentable is it to heare and vnderstande of the greate fall of Englande from the grace of God O the hardnesse of our hartes that hasteneth vnto vs the wrathe of God O howe greattely appeareth the yre of God to hange ouer vs Yea howe heauyly already layeth he is hande vpon vs Math. 18. O cursed be the occasion by synne for euer that goddes heauy indignation should so lyght vpon vs and his grace so clerely withdrawen from vs that we haue no pity vpon our poore neighbours but suffre theim in suche wyse to wourke desperatelye agaynste nature the parentes to forsake theyr chylderne and the childerne to bewaile the losse of theyr parentes lamentablye sorowynge crying yellyng sighing sobbyng and groning on both sides the one for the other the one not able to help thether but abide to the death the bitternesse or their hard most wretched fortune O dolefull desteny most heuy adueÌ„ture O lameÌ„table losse and most greuouse departure O pitifull parentes O forsaken comfortlesse infantes O reÌ„der meÌ„bres of Iesus Christ feâ—ly creping always for lyfe and findyng in theno nothing but death whose irremediable and moste wofull signes ye beare Miserable pouerue apparaunt pearcynge lookes pale faces leane chekes wanne lippes torne coates gante bealies withered skins bodies consumed to the bones and waightynge alwayes deathes mooste deadly brunt for the banefull breache of lyfe O lorde if we now lyuyng in these daies in the â—yme also of lyght and knowledge of the gospell shonsds but in this one onely point coÌ„pare our selues with the good disposition of the people in other ages past although in the daies of vtter darknes and ignoraÌ„ce for the great pitie tender coÌ„passion that was amongst them towardê the coÌ„mon welthe for thadusidyng of suche vnnaturall most horrible and monstrouse sightes amonge the poore membres of Christ and of the commoÌ„ wealth what an vntowarde most pitt les and vnnaturall generation shuld we now thinke our selues to be in coÌ„parison of the other but rather muche more wicked moste wourthie also the wrath of god most wourthie reproche among the very Infidelles yea to be reproued also of the vnreasonable and very brutishe wilde beastes of the field whiche against nature to the reprofe of their owne beastelye natures committeth not at any time any one suche wretched euyll but wylle naturally seke to nourishe saue and defend that thinge which nature hath naturallye in their owne kynde most gladly desyred most aptlye framed inwardly preserued tenderly nourished brought vp in tyme amongest theim by whose vertue also constancie and tendernes in their rude natures the name of god their maker or is or should be praised magnified by mankynde the only reasonable creature and Lord of all creatures nexte vnder hym as by the chiefe louer and speciall maynteyner of all causes necessarye to natures good affecte O what natural good man then or man of god except he were the verye deuell hym selfe or the diuelles owne dearelynge in whome restethend possibilitie of pitye or good nature but woulde lamente and haue compassion vpon these good creatures of god in such necessitie namely of mankinde theyr owne flesshd and bloude whom God hym selfe so derely loueth for our example whome he so blesseth and vpon whome he poureth so abundantly his good graces and gyftes aboue all other his creatures Doo not as I sayd the lyke of kynd helpe their lyke The loue of beastes Are there anye so brute beastes vnder the sonne or vyle crepyng wormes vpon thearthe but wold in their kynd loue one an other and ioyn their hartes in amitie to withstand to their power the crueltie of vnnaturall and straunge aduersaries Are there amoÌ„g wourmes and beastes of the earthe more cruell or vnnatural aduersaries one strang beast or worm against another then is either nakednes colde or famine against mankynd whose furious and deadly force we oughte euery of vs myghtily withstand accordyng to the wyll of god for one an others preseruation Dishonour to mannekinde Can there be greatter shame and dishonour to mankynd the lorde ruler ouer al vnder god thaÌ„ to be reproued in this special point of natural amitie of most inferiour base creatures Truly I am of this opinioÌ„ before heauen and earthe and thynke in coscience I offed not that as god neuer sent his sharpe plages cruel chastismentes vniustly vpon the earth but wourthili by his iustice for the punishment of synne and that vpon all estates and degrees of men whether it be by warres pestilence or famine all or some at ones as hys iustice notwythstanding hys greate mercy respecteth the stonye and harde heapes of synne whereby hys wrath is the more largelye kendled vpon this or other regios so wyth the greate and moste wycked offendours The innoâ—â—â—â— vvith the 〈…〉 are plagâ—d And vvhy the innocentes I so term them in respect of the other offendors are also then plaged to this good ende and purpose that the godly and repentaunte synners and suche as are of sufficient habilitie shoulde wyth prayer and fastinge bountifully and freelye reache forthe their hande of compassioÌ„ to the poore and nedy personnes whiche by warres are eyther wounded or maimed by dyuers diseases visited or elleâ— greuously by famine afflicted to the asswagynge of goddes greate furye and wrath and that the spirit of desperation therby put a parte the good creature of god maye haue pacience in pouertie and thankfully reioice in his mercye which aboundantly spreadeth ouer all fleshe whereas the onely compassioÌ„ and mercy of maÌ„ so to succour helpe his poore and neady neighbour vpon whome our eies with compassion ought to be euer fixed Eccle. 28. that God in our charitie maye bee blessed O howe faire a thing is mercy pitie in that time of necessitie in the tyme of heauynes Eccle. 25. anguyshe and trouble Is it not lyke a cloude of rayne that commeth in the time of drought But alas how greatlye to the contrary hath the diuel now bliÌ„ded our eies robbed vs of our good vnderstandyng and memory and hath also stripte vs naked and bare of all compassion and charitie What pitiles seedes hath he sowen in our harts What scornefulnesse and contempte What nicetie leude wantonnesse and foly O what may we thynke of oure selues that glory so muche to be called christians that cannot abide the name of hereticke turke scismaticke or papist that so muche deny Christ in conuersacion beynge vtterlye conuerted into wourse state and behauioure then the most vyle estate of Ethnickes and infidelles and suffre our selues to bee reproued of beastes and ouercomme with these most horrible monsters fylthie couetousnesse pride and excesse to be blyndelye ledde in suche singuler and vaine affectes that we regard not but rather contempne the most gloriouse and lyuelye Images of God
good name of god for such his fauorable most gracious doinges So again I must most greuously lament bewaile sorowfullye the fraile state of man through vnthankfulnes disorder of lyfe and great forgetfulnesâ— namely of goodes determination touchyng our short and familiar passage or th end of this life wherby with godly good vnderstanding we should alwais the better frame our selues in liuynge and with the more ioyfulnes peace quietnes of conscience that the terror of deth also shuld euer the lesse molest vs by whome we feele in oure selues that moste horrible and poysoned bitter stinge which so defileth and woundeth oure weake consciences drawynge vs to enemitye to impaciencie and rebellion to forgetfulnes to incredulitie and distruste of gods mercye wyth suche other euen the spottes and foule deformities of synne and iniquitie whereby also we muste iudge that iustly of our selues to be but the seruaÌ„tes of sin stand therfore in dauÌ„ger of gods wrathfull iudgemeÌ„t to eternal death and occasion therfore geuen to expresse wyth sorow and wo our most wretched and frayle estate feelinge in oure selues iuste reproche shame and confusion of face fearefull trembling deadly sighing bitter wayling most harty and inwarde gronynge for thys our weakenes and greate imperfection These thynges I saye thus consydered of vs how caÌ„ we in suche distres but lamente all the sorte of vs and say wyth groninge desires for grace and better memorye as subiectes continuallye in handes to the slaughter vnder suche a careles most pitiles and publique enemy O death deth thou most cruell and deadly aduersarye seeynge we are not at any tyme of power able to preuayl bodily against thee or with force to wythstande thee Iere. 13. Act. 12. nor can finde fauoure in thy sight to staye thee neyther canne wage thee by anye meanes to deferre thy doynges I woulde most ioyefully wyshe that we were at least so happye alwayes to remember thee for our health and felicitie as we continually haue experieÌ„ce of thee Prou. 1. Iohn 3. seeing we must assuredly and vnwares abide thy dint I say therfore how it is ordeined that we shal al die neither may we escape in the ende the force of deathe Iacob 5. For we plainly se from tyme to tyme that goddes power by death shal styfle our breath and fynyshe our ende Ah what shall we then sale Seynge there is no resystence agaynste the violente force of thys messenger deathe Psal 147. what shall we then vnreuerentlye agaynste god esteeme of our selues What shal then auaile amongest vs 1. Cor. 1. our vnprofitaÌ„ble and vayne studies and our busied heades for fantasies Where shall then become our nice and light affections our solitie our deyntie desires earthelye delyghtes What shall wee then gaine by our haught courage the moste foolyshe and vayne brute of stoughtnesse Where shall thenne lye our lifted vp heades our hygh lookes our forged canntynaunces our fayre faces and our stretched out neckes Euen there full lowely truely where our â—â—mble and fyne feete oure tripping toes and the whole body of erth shallye By the order and decaye of all things mâ—nes deathe is signified The ordre and state of al thinges vpon the earth beynge or lyuyng in theyr kynde vppon the earth dothe playnelye signifie vnto thee O thou man or woman euen in the middest of she ruste and folitie what thou arte and whereunto also thou shalte For as they are altogether but earthly verie vanitie transitorious and flitting sommetime beautifull and seemelye frethely in floures flourishyng youthfull frutefull and well pleasynge the eye healthfull puissaunte fortunate and happy to the contrarye in tyme foule and vnseemelye wythered and deformed â—loe and vnfrutefull infected enfebled Man is in the number of vayne thynges infortunate vnhappy So thou also in the numbre of vaine thinges although of greater estimation and price before god who hath endued thee wyth hys good graces and gyftes aboue all the rest of his creatures to hys prayse and thy ioye if thou well note it haste thine order and turnes in tymes prescribed thee nothyng auaileable to grounde vpon nothyng certain or sure nor neuer abide in one state God Goddes immortalitie is not more certayne then the mortalitie of man is certaine touchynge the state of hys most pure immortall and incomprehensible maiesty is not more certaine by hys own power for euer to endure and raigne in glory wyth his aungels and blessed sainctes in heauen worlde wythout ende then thou corruptible mortall and earthelye creature shalt here holde thy felicity but earthly and at aduenture nothynge certayne nor stable nothyng pleasaunte or sweete nor nothynge wourthye any hungrys delyghte whereunto thou maiest happily cleaue or leaue of assuraÌ„ce but altogether shal be vnto the but vnstable lightnes vanity very foÌ„dnes misery and most certainlye to ende It maye well bee sayth of those that onely seke this lyfe and glory in the pleasures of thys worlde they folowe but fantasies and a vayne shad owe Whyche when they thynke to be surest of vanyssheth away and is nothynge For let vs nener so muche applye to thys lyfe beewrappe oure selues Vayne trauell frame fashion and flatter oure selues wyth the vayns delyghtes thereof and seeke by al meanes possyble to now sell and stablysâ—he oure selues therein in vayne and most foolyshe shall be our trauaile we haue our tymes prescribed to dye we are al planted within the limits of death all flesshe is but as grasse death muste be oure ende frome the earthe we came yea verye earth we are And as we beynge but earthe were bredde in the entrayles of the earth and are nourished vppon the earthe and by the earthe so are we also cyted by deathe to retourne to the earthe agayne For the graue muste bee oure house Eccle. 11. Psal 104. Iob. 16. Iob. 7. and from whense also wee shall neuer retourne agayne vntill the day of Christes generall iudgemente Neyther shall oure eyes see any more the vayne piâ—asures of the earthe O full well described Ieremy of oure vnstable lumpysshe and moste grosse nature Iere. 22. and of the shorte contynuaunce of our lyues when he called vnto vs in fewe wourdes faleng O thou earth earth earth And as we earthlye creatures are not able to saye that we holde any thynge certaine in this lyfe whether it be life yt selfe tymes belongynge to lyfe or thinges necessary for this life so there is nothynge so certayne against life Luke 12. as death though the times of death be vn certayne in what kynde so euer we sustayne hys force either in bedde or out of bedde by force of lawe by dinte of swourd by rage of fyre by peril of water or by innumerable other wais and casuall chaunces vnder all whiche Roma 5. Hebre. 9. we liue in subiection to dye And notwithstandinge that wyth greate griefe and careful studies in the fiesh we rub thorough