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the_o repentance_n of_o robert_n greene_n master_n of_o artes._n wherein_o by_o himself_o be_v lay_v open_v his_o loose_a life_n with_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o death_n at_o london_n print_v for_o cuthbert_n burbie_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o the_o middle_a shop_n in_o the_o poultry_n under_o saint_n mildred_n church_n 1592._o the_o printer_n to_o the_o gentleman_n reader_n gentleman_n i_o know_v you_o be_v not_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o death_n of_o robert_n greene_n who_o pen_n in_o his_o life_n time_n please_v you_o as_o well_o on_o the_o stage_n as_o in_o the_o stationer_n shop_n and_o to_o speak_v truth_n although_o his_o loose_a life_n be_v odious_a to_o god_n and_o offensive_a to_o man_n yet_o forasmuch_o as_o at_o his_o last_o end_n he_o find_v it_o most_o grievous_a to_o himself_o as_o appear_v by_o this_o his_o repentant_a discourse_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o shall_v for_o the_o same_o deserve_v favour_n both_o of_o god_n and_o man_n and_o consider_v 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incurable_a and_o the_o only_a sin_n that_o in_o this_o life_n lead_v unto_o shame_n and_o after_o death_n unto_o hell_n fire_n for_o he_o that_o give_v himself_o over_o to_o harlot_n sell_v his_o soul_n to_o destruction_n and_o make_v his_o body_n subject_a to_o all_o incurable_a disease_n these_o two_o vice_n do_v not_o only_o waste_v a_o man_n substance_n but_o also_o consume_v his_o body_n and_o soul_n and_o make_v he_o attempt_v to_o do_v any_o mischief_n for_o his_o maintenance_n therein_o if_o happy_o the_o young_a man_n have_v any_o grace_n and_o be_v loath_a to_o take_v any_o unlawful_a way_n the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o his_o copesmate_n be_v straight_o to_o call_v he_o coward_n and_o cast_v he_o out_o of_o their_o favour_n or_o else_o by_o sweet_a persuasion_n and_o flatter_a word_n make_v he_o forsake_v god_n and_o all_o good_a mean_n of_o life_n whatsoever_o this_o be_v the_o manner_n life_n and_o course_n of_o such_o as_o will_v not_o listen_v to_o the_o grave_a advice_n of_o their_o parent_n but_o seek_v thereby_o to_o bring_v their_o grey_a hair_n with_o grief_n unto_o their_o grave_n this_o ensue_a discourse_n gentle_a reader_n do_v lay_v open_a the_o graceless_a endeavour_n of_o myself_o who_o although_o i_o be_v for_o a_o long_a time_n give_v over_o to_o the_o lust_n of_o my_o own_o hart_n yet_o in_o the_o end_n god_n grace_n do_v so_o favourablie_o work_v in_o i_o that_o i_o trust_v herein_o thou_o shall_v perceive_v my_o true_a and_o unfeigned_a repentance_n accept_v it_o in_o good_a part_n and_o if_o it_o may_v profit_v any_o i_o have_v my_o desire_n farewell_n r._n g._n the_o repentance_n of_o robert_n greene_n master_n of_o arts._n as_o there_o be_v no_o steel_n so_o stiff_o but_o the_o stamp_n will_v pierce_v no_o flint_n
sure_a so_o to_o behave_v myself_o towards_o he_o that_o he_o shall_v ever_o after_o profess_v to_o be_v my_o utter_a enemy_n or_o else_o vow_v never_o after_o to_o come_v in_o my_o company_n thus_o my_o misdemeanour_n too_o many_o to_o be_v recite_v cause_v the_o most_o part_n of_o those_o so_o much_o to_o despise_v i_o that_o in_o the_o end_n i_o become_v friendless_a except_o it_o be_v in_o a_o few_o alehouse_n who_o common_o for_o my_o inordinate_a expense_n will_v make_v much_o of_o i_o until_o i_o be_v on_o the_o score_n far_o more_o than_o ever_o i_o mean_v to_o pay_v by_o twenty_o noble_n thick_a after_o i_o have_v whole_o betake_v i_o to_o the_o pen_n of_o play_n which_o be_v my_o continual_a exercise_n i_o be_v so_o far_o from_o call_v upon_o god_n that_o i_o seldom_o think_v on_o god_n but_o take_v such_o delight_n in_o swear_v and_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o god_n that_o none_o can_v think_v otherwise_o of_o i_o than_o that_o i_o be_v the_o child_n of_o perdition_n these_o vanity_n and_o other_o trifle_a pamphlet_n i_o pen_v of_o love_n and_o vain_a fantasy_n be_v my_o chief_a stay_n of_o live_v and_o for_o those_o my_o vain_a discourse_n i_o be_v belove_v of_o the_o more_o vain_a sort_n of_o people_n who_o be_v my_o continual_a companion_n come_v still_o to_o my_o lodging_n and_o there_o will_v continue_v quaff_v carouse_a and_o surfeit_v with_o i_o all_o the_o day_n long_o but_o i_o thank_v god_n that_o he_o put_v it_o in_o my_o head_n to_o lay_v open_a the_o most_o horrible_a cozenage_n of_o the_o common_a conny-catcher_n coosener_n and_o crosse-biter_n which_o i_o have_v indifferent_o handle_v in_o those_o my_o several_a discourse_n already_o imprint_v and_o my_o trust_n be_v that_o those_o discourse_n will_v do_v great_a good_a and_o be_v very_o beneficial_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o england_n but_o oh_o my_o dear_a wife_n who_o company_n and_o sight_n i_o have_v refrain_v these_o six_o year_n i_o ask_v god_n and_o thou_o forgiveness_n for_o so_o great_o wrong_v thou_o of_o who_o i_o seldom_o or_o never_o think_v until_o now_o pardon_v i_o i_o pray_v thou_o where_o soever_o thou_o be_v and_o god_n forgive_v i_o all_o my_o offence_n and_o now_o to_o you_o all_o that_o live_v and_o revel_v in_o such_o wickedness_n as_o i_o have_v do_v to_o you_o i_o write_v and_o in_o god_n name_n wish_v you_o to_o look_v to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o reform_v yourselves_o for_o the_o safeguard_n of_o your_o own_o soul_n dissemble_v not_o with_o god_n but_o seek_v grace_n at_o his_o hand_n he_o have_v promise_v it_o and_o he_o will_v perform_v it_o god_n do_v sundry_a time_n defer_v his_o punishment_n unto_o those_o that_o run_v a_o wicked_a race_n but_o quod_fw-la defertur_fw-la non_fw-la aufertur_fw-la that_o which_o be_v defer_v be_v not_o quittan_v a_o day_n of_o reckon_n will_v come_v when_o the_o lord_n will_v say_v come_v give_v account_n of_o thy_o stewardship_n what_o god_n determine_v man_n can_v prevent_v he_o that_o bind_v two_o sin_n together_o can_v go_v unpunished_a in_o the_o one_o so_o long_o the_o pot_n go_v to_o the_o pit_n that_o at_o last_o it_o come_v break_v home_o therefore_o all_o my_o good_a friend_n hope_v not_o in_o money_n nor_o in_o friend_n in_o favour_n in_o kindred_n they_o be_v all_o uncertain_a and_o they_o be_v further_a off_o when_o man_n think_v they_o most_o nigh_o oh_o be_v i_o now_o to_o begin_v the_o flower_n of_o my_o youth_n be_v i_o now_o in_o the_o prime_n of_o my_o year_n how_o far_o will_v i_o be_v from_o my_o former_a folly_n what_o a_o reform_a course_n of_o life_n will_v i_o take_v but_o it_o be_v too_o late_o only_o now_o the_o comfortable_a mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v leave_v i_o to_o hope_v in_o it_o be_v bootless_a for_o i_o to_o make_v any_o long_a discourse_n to_o such_o as_o be_v graceless_a as_o i_o have_v be_v all_o wholesome_a warning_n be_v odious_a unto_o they_o for_o they_o with_o the_o spider_n suck_v poison_n out_o of_o the_o most_o precious_a flower_n &_o to_o such_o as_o god_n have_v in_o his_o secret_a council_n elect_v few_o word_n will_v suffice_v but_o howsoever_o my_o life_n have_v be_v let_v my_o repentant_a end_n be_v a_o general_a example_n to_o all_o the_o youth_n in_o england_n to_o obey_v their_o parent_n to_o fly_v whoredom_n drunkenness_n swear_v blaspheme_a contempt_n of_o the_o word_n and_o such_o greéuous_a and_o gross_a sin_n lest_o they_o bring_v their_o parent_n head_n with_o sorrow_n to_o their_o grave_n and_o least_o with_o i_o they_o be_v a_o blemish_n to_o their_o kindred_n and_o to_o their_o posterity_n for_o ever_o thus_o may_v you_o see_v how_o god_n have_v secret_a to_o himself_o the_o time_n of_o call_v and_o when_o he_o will_v have_v they_o into_o his_o vineyard_n some_o he_o call_v in_o the_o morning_n some_o at_o noon_n and_o some_o in_o the_o evening_n and_o yet_o have_v the_o last_o his_o wage_n aswell_o as_o the_o first_o for_o as_o his_o judgement_n be_v inscrutable_a so_o be_v his_o mercy_n incomprehensible_a and_o therefore_o let_v all_o man_n learn_v these_o two_o lesson_n not_o to_o despair_v because_o god_n may_v work_v in_o they_o through_o his_o spirit_n at_o the_o last_o hour_n nor_o to_o presume_v lest_o god_n give_v they_o over_o for_o their_o presumption_n and_o deny_v they_o repentance_n and_o so_o they_o die_v impenitent_a which_o finalis_fw-la impenitentia_fw-la be_v a_o manifest_a sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o this_o do_v that_o golden_a sentence_n of_o s._n augustine_n allude_v which_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o thief_n hang_v on_o the_o crosse._n there_o be_v say_v he_o one_o thief_n save_v and_o no_o more_o therefore_o presume_v not_o and_o there_o be_v one_o save_v and_o therefore_o despair_v not_o and_o to_o conclude_v take_v these_o caveat_n hereafter_o follow_v certain_a caviat_n send_v by_o robert_n green_a to_o a_o friend_n of_o his_o as_o a_o farewell_n write_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n 1_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o wisdom_n therefore_o serve_v god_n lest_o he_o suffer_v thou_o to_o be_v lead_v into_o temptation_n 2_o despise_v neither_o his_o word_n nor_o his_o minister_n for_o she_o that_o hear_v not_o can_n have_v no_o faith_n &_o without_o faith_n no_o man_n can_v be_v save_v 3_o obey_v thy_o prince_n for_o he_o that_o lift_v his_o hand_n against_o the_o lord_n anoint_v shall_v be_v like_a unto_o a_o wither_a plant_n 4_o despise_v not_o the_o counsel_n of_o thy_o father_n nor_o the_o wholesome_a admonition_n of_o thy_o mother_n for_o he_o that_o listen_v not_o to_o their_o lesson_n shall_v be_v cut_v off_o in_o his_o youth_n 5_o spend_v the_o prime_n of_o thy_o year_n in_o virtue_n so_o do_v thou_o lay_v a_o earnest_a penny_n of_o honourable_a age_n 6_o fly_v the_o sweetness_n of_o the_o grape_n for_o a_o man_n that_o be_v give_v to_o much_o wine_n shall_v never_o be_v rich_a 7_o take_v not_o the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o vain_a for_o than_o thou_o shall_v not_o be_v guiltless_a nor_o shall_v the_o curse_n of_o god_n come_v near_o thy_o house_n 8_o a_o man_n that_o delight_v in_o harlot_n shall_v heap_v sin_n upon_o his_o soul_n he_o shall_v be_v a_o open_a shame_n in_o the_o street_n and_o his_o place_n shall_v not_o be_v know_v 9_o he_o that_o rob_v from_o his_o neighbour_n purchase_v discredit_n to_o himself_o and_o his_o kindred_n and_o he_o shall_v not_o go_v to_o his_o grave_n with_o honour_n 10_o who_o meddle_v with_o pitch_n shall_v be_v defile_v and_o he_o that_o eat_v the_o bread_n of_o robber_n fatn_v himself_o against_o the_o day_n of_o vengeance_n 11_o give_v not_o thy_o youth_n over_o to_o the_o devil_n neither_o vow_n the_o dregs_n of_o thy_o old_a age_n unto_o god_n for_o a_o repentant_a mind_n come_v from_o god_n 12_o remember_v thy_o end_n and_o thou_o shall_v never_o do_v amiss_o and_o let_v the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v a_o lantern_n to_o thy_o foot_n so_o shall_v thy_o path_n be_v aright_o and_o thou_o die_v with_o honour_n robert_n greene._n the_o manner_n of_o the_o death_n and_o last_o end_n of_o robert_n greene_n master_n of_o artes._n after_o that_o he_o have_v pen_v the_o former_a discourse_n then_o lie_v sore_o sick_a of_o a_o surfeit_n which_o he_o have_v take_v with_o drink_v he_o continue_v most_o patient_a and_o penitent_a yea_o he_o do_v with_o tear_n forsake_v the_o world_n renounce_v swear_v and_o desire_a forgiveness_n of_o god_n and_o the_o world_n for_o all_o his_o offence_n so_o that_o during_o all_o the_o time_n of_o his_o sickness_n which_o be_v about_o a_o month_n space_n he_o be_v never_o hear_v to_o swear_v rave_v or_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o god_n as_o he_o be_v accustom_v
be_v the_o day_n wherein_o i_o be_v bear_v and_o hapless_a be_v the_o breast_n that_o give_v i_o suck_v why_o do_v god_n create_v i_o to_o be_v a_o vessel_n of_o wrath_n why_o do_v he_o breath_n life_n into_o i_o thus_o to_o make_v i_o a_o lose_a sheep_n oh_o i_o feel_v a_o hell_n already_o in_o my_o conscience_n the_o number_n of_o my_o sin_n do_v muster_v before_o my_o eye_n the_o poor_a man_n plaint_n that_o i_o have_v wrong_v cry_v out_o in_o my_o ear_n and_o say_v robin_n greene_n thou_o be_v damn_v nay_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n tell_v i_o i_o can_v be_v save_v now_o i_o do_v remember_v though_o too_o late_o that_o i_o have_v read_v in_o the_o scripture_n how_o neither_o adulterer_n swearer_n thief_n nor_o murderer_n shall_v inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n what_o hope_v then_o can_v i_o have_v of_o any_o grace_n when_o give_v over_o from_o all_o grace_n i_o exceed_v all_o other_o in_o these_o kind_n of_o sin_n if_o thus_o upon_o earth_n and_o alive_a i_o feel_v a_o hell_n oh_o what_o a_o thing_n be_v that_o hell_n where_o my_o soul_n shall_v everlasting_o live_v in_o torment_n i_o be_o teach_v by_o the_o scripture_n to_o pray_v but_o to_o who_o shall_v i_o pray_v to_o he_o that_o i_o have_v blaspheme_v to_o he_o that_o i_o have_v contemn_v and_o despise_v who_o name_n i_o have_v take_v in_o vain_a no_o no_o i_o be_o in_o a_o hell_n oh_o that_o my_o last_o gasp_n be_v come_v that_o i_o may_v be_v with_o judas_n or_o cain_n for_o their_o place_n be_v better_a than_o i_o or_o that_o i_o may_v have_v power_n with_o these_o hand_n to_o unlose_v my_o soul_n from_o this_o wretched_a carcase_n that_o have_v imprison_v so_o many_o wicked_a villainy_n within_o it_o oh_o i_o have_v sin_v not_o against_o the_o father_n nor_o against_o the_o son_n but_o against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n for_o i_o presume_v upon_o grace_n and_o when_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n cry_v in_o my_o mind_n &_o think_n and_o say_v drunkenness_n be_v a_o vice_n whoredom_n be_v a_o vice_n i_o careless_o in_o contempt_n resist_v this_o motion_n and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o bravery_n commit_v these_o sin_n with_o greediness_n oh_o now_o i_o shall_v cry_v with_o dives_fw-la to_o have_v one_o drop_n of_o water_n for_o my_o tongue_n but_o shall_v not_o be_v hear_v i_o have_v sin_v against_o my_o own_o soul_n and_o therefore_o be_v cast_v into_o utter_a darkness_n and_o further_o i_o shall_v not_o come_v till_o i_o have_v pay_v the_o uttermost_a farthing_n which_o i_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v o_o happy_a be_v you_o that_o feel_v the_o spark_n of_o god_n favour_n in_o your_o heart_n happy_a be_v you_o that_o have_v hope_n in_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n happy_a be_v you_o that_o believe_v that_o god_n die_v for_o you_o happy_a be_v you_o that_o can_v pray_v oh_o why_o do_v not_o god_n show_v the_o like_a mercy_n unto_o i_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o in_o all_o my_o life_n i_o never_o do_v any_o good_a i_o always_o glory_v in_o sin_n and_o despise_v they_o that_o embrace_a virtue_n god_n be_v just_a and_o can_v pardon_v my_o offence_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v i_o be_v out_o of_o this_o earthly_a hell_n so_o i_o be_v in_o that_o second_o hell_n that_o my_o soul_n may_v suffer_v torment_n for_o now_o i_o be_o vex_v both_o in_o soul_n and_o body_n in_o this_o despair_a humour_n search_v further_o into_o the_o say_a book_n of_o resolution_n i_o find_v a_o place_n that_o great_o do_v comfort_v i_o &_o lay_v before_o i_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n mercy_n show_v i_o that_o although_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n be_v great_a to_o punish_v sinner_n yet_o his_o mercy_n do_v exceed_v his_o work_n and_o though_o my_o fault_n be_v as_o red_a as_o scarlet_a yet_o wash_v with_o his_o blood_n they_o shall_v be_v make_v as_o white_a as_o snow_n therein_o be_v lay_v before_o my_o eye_n that_o david_n who_o be_v call_v a_o man_n after_o his_o own_o heart_n do_v both_o commit_v adultery_n and_o seal_v it_o with_o murder_n yet_o when_o he_o do_v repent_v god_n hear_v he_o and_o admit_v he_o to_o his_o favour_n therein_o be_v lay_v before_o i_o the_o obstinate_a sin_n of_o peter_n that_o not_o only_o deny_v his_o master_n christ_n but_o also_o forswear_v himself_o yet_o so_o soon_o as_o he_o shed_v tear_n and_o do_v hearty_o repent_v he_o his_o offence_n be_v pardon_v therein_o be_v lay_v open_a the_o thief_n that_o have_v live_v licentious_o and_o have_v scarce_o in_o all_o his_o life_n do_v one_o good_a deed_n and_o yet_o he_o be_v save_v by_o hope_n in_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n therein_o be_v also_o lay_v open_a how_o the_o severity_n of_o the_o law_n be_v mitigate_v with_o the_o sweet_a and_o comfortable_a promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n insomuch_o that_o i_o begin_v to_o be_v somewhat_o pacify_v &_o a_o little_a quiet_v in_o mind_n take_v great_a joy_n and_o comfort_n in_o the_o pithy_a persuasion_n and_o promise_n of_o god_n mercy_n allege_v in_o that_o book_n and_o yet_o i_o be_v not_o present_o resolve_v in_o my_o conscience_n that_o god_n will_v deal_v so_o favourable_o with_o i_o for_o that_o still_o the_o multitude_n of_o my_o sin_n present_v i_o with_o his_o justice_n and_o will_v therefore_o reason_v thus_o with_o myself_o why_o those_o man_n before_o mention_v be_v elect_v and_o predestinate_v to_o be_v choose_v vessel_n of_o god_n glory_n &_o therefore_o though_o they_o do_v fall_v yet_o they_o rise_v again_o &_o do_v show_v it_o in_o time_n with_o some_o other_o fruit_n of_o their_o election_n but_o contrariwise_o i_o the_o most_o wicked_a of_o all_o man_n be_v even_o bring_v up_o from_o my_o swaddle_a clout_n in_o wickedness_n my_o infancy_n be_v sin_n &_o my_o ripe_a age_n increase_v in_o wickedness_n i_o take_v no_o pleasure_n but_o in_o ill_a neither_o be_v my_o mind_n set_v upon_o any_o thing_n but_o upon_o the_o spoil_n then_o see_v all_o my_o life_n be_v lead_v in_o lewdness_n and_o i_o never_o but_o once_o feel_v any_o remorse_n of_o conscience_n how_o can_v god_n pardon_v i_o that_o repent_v rather_o for_o fear_v than_o for_o love_n yet_o call_v unto_o mind_n the_o word_n of_o esay_n that_o at_o what_o time_n soever_o a_o sinner_n do_v repent_v he_o from_o the_o bottom_n of_o his_o heart_n the_o lord_n will_v wipe_v away_o all_o his_o wickedness_n out_o of_o his_o remembrance_n thus_o be_v at_o a_o battle_n between_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o flesh_n i_o beggane_n to_o feel_v a_o great_a comfort_n in_o my_o mind_n so_o that_o i_o do_v tear_n confess_v and_o acknowledge_v that_o although_o i_o be_v a_o most_o miserable_a sinner_n yet_o the_o anguish_n that_o christ_n suffer_v on_o the_o cross_n be_v able_a to_o purge_v and_o cleanse_v i_o from_o all_o my_o offence_n so_o that_o take_v hold_v with_o faith_n upon_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o wax_v strong_a in_o spirit_n and_o become_v able_a to_o resist_v and_o withstand_v all_o the_o desperate_a attempt_n that_o satan_n have_v give_v before_o to_o my_o weak_a and_o feéble_a conscience_n when_o thus_o i_o have_v considerate_o think_v on_o the_o wretchedness_n of_o my_o life_n and_o therewithal_o look_v into_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o death_n i_o think_v good_a to_o write_v a_o short_a discourse_n of_o my_o the_o same_o which_o i_o have_v join_v to_o this_o treatise_n contain_v as_o follow_v the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o robert_n greene_n master_n of_o artes._n i_o need_v not_o make_v long_a discourse_n of_o my_o parent_n who_o for_o their_o gravity_n and_o honest_a life_n be_v well_o know_v and_o esteem_v among_o their_o neighbour_n namely_o in_o the_o city_n of_o norwitch_n where_o i_o be_v breed_v and_o bear_v but_o as_o out_o of_o oneself_o same_o clod_n of_o clay_n there_o sprout_n both_o stink_a weed_n and_o delightful_a flower_n so_o from_o honest_a parent_n often_o grow_v most_o dishonest_a child_n for_o my_o father_n have_v care_n to_o have_v i_o in_o my_o nonage_n bring_v up_o at_o school_n that_o i_o may_v through_o the_o study_n of_o good_a letter_n grow_v to_o be_v a_o friend_n to_o myself_o a_o profitable_a member_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o a_o comfort_n to_o he_o in_o his_o age_n but_o as_o early_o prick_v the_o tree_n that_o will_v prove_v a_o thorn_n so_o even_o in_o my_o first_o year_n i_o begin_v to_o follow_v the_o filthiness_n of_o my_o own_o desire_n and_o neither_o to_o listen_v to_o the_o wholesome_a advertisement_n of_o my_o parent_n nor_o be_v rule_v by_o the_o careful_a correction_n of_o my_o master_n for_o be_v at_o the_o university_n of_o cambridge_n i_o light_v among_o wag_n as_o lewd_a as_o myself_o with_o who_o i_o consume_v the_o flower_n of_o