it is to to plaine and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible threatnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outwarde man Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their iust deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again let the proude be confouÌ„ded Psal 〈…〉 O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And the prophete also foreseing iÌ„ hiÌ„selfe by the spirite of god how horrible and lothsome this synne of pryde was in the sight of god and how hurtful and daungerous a thyngâ— it was both touching the poisoned nature thereof either raingning in him self or iÌ„ any other persoÌ„ what power also to mischiefe was therein approued ofteÌ„ he cryed in this maned vnto god sayeng O Lord that art my strength keepe me thy seruaunt I beseche thee from the sinnes of presumption O defende me leaste they get the dominion ouer me then shall I O god be cleane innocent and vndefiled end from the great offence O lette not the foute of pride come against me neither lette the hande of vngodly crosse ouerthrowe me and cast me downe Thus this good man of god for his own safegarde and defence and for the auoyding of goddes vengeaunce declareth his owne weakenes and crieth vpon god for hys assistence and strength against this pestilent vyce and against the possessoures thereof leaste by fastnyng specially vpon hymselfe susteining thereby the violence of hys ennemyes he shoulde bee confounded and throwne downe as experience diuerslye hath taught at all tymes and vpon all estates either vpon the proude people them selues by goddes only hand for the proude to be plaged and subuerted by the proude or also vpon anye other that haue sustayned in innocencie the violente crueltie of the proude And because as he him self was a fearer and feruents louer of god and had experience as before meÌ„tioned of this infectuous vyce and woulde haue all men in lyke maner to reuerence God to loue hym and to eschewe the daungers of this vice what the nature therof is what it wourketh in theym that possesseth it and what they coÌ„menlye are that sustayne the violence thereof and what the rewarde also shal be vnto theym that embraceth this euell he him self besides other wrighteth thereof in this maner Pride saith he engendreth forgetfulnes of god Pride wourketh in the hartes of the wicked coÌ„teÌ„pt of god Neither is God in the thoughtes of the proude Their waâ—es are continually greuouse Their mouthes are full of cursing spight bitternes scornefulnes wilines lyeng deceipte fraud vnder their tonges is vngodlines and vanitie they are lurkers they are dyggers of pyttes setters of trappes and layers of snares to catche the rightuous and lowlye they are priuye murtherers of the innocent and they haue their eyes fyxed and full bente to the destruction of the poore Psal 〈…〉 c. What euelles are there that bee noysom vpon the earthe to the hurte of man the springeth not froÌ„ the hart of the wicked proude maÌ„ For pride is the original of al sin wickednes the begynnynge whereof is wickedly to slippe and fall from God his creatoure and maker for his hart is wythdrawne from dym Ecclesi â—â— There is no feare of God before his eyes The proude flatter theimselues in their owne syght euen tyll their abhominable synnes be found out Tush say they in the pride of their heartes we shall neuer bee caste downe there shall no harme happen vnto vs God hath forgotten he hydeth awaye his face and he shall neuer see it Psal 10. But contrarywyse the holy ghost men cloneth of the proude respectyng the affectes of their corrupted hartes that the myghtye hande of God scattereth theim in the imagination of their hartes Luke i. The Lorde shall roote out all wycked and deceiptful lyppes and the tungues also that speakethe suche prowde thynges Psalm 12. Agayne as God beyng moste hygh respecteth gently the humble and lowely so beholdethe he the wyckednesse of the prowde people afarre of Psal 138. And agayne who so hathe a prowde â—oke and an hyghe stomacke hym wyll I not suffer sayeth the Lorde Psal 101. And in an other place The glorye of the Lordes maiestie casteth downe the â—aute and hygh lookes of the presumptuous and bryngeth full lowe the vayne pride of man Esay 2. And this also in an other place All people that are forgetfull of God and of their duetie in humilitie and obedience vnto hym shall bee tourned into hell Note also touchynge pride Psal 9. amonge other places of the scriptures what the prophete Esaye saieth and what the terriblenes of gods wrathe is there mencioned agaynst the same And here also I thynke it not oute of the way Esay 3. that we coÌ„syder and note wel the blyssefull state sometyme of the mosse glorious cleare and beautyfull creature Lucyfer that gloried so muche in hym self and sought in his pride beyng but a creature to aduance and to exalte hym selfe vp into heauen and to sette his throne besydes the starres of God his Creator and maker He desired in his proud hart to clyme aboue the cloudes and to bee in comparison lyke vnto the mooste hyghe God But what happened therby vnto hym Receiued he not his reward accordingly wheÌ„ he was wourthily thrown down euen to the verye deapthe of helle where he remayneth in steade of a fair bryghte aungell of heauen an horrible fowle deuell of hell abyding in dampnacion and darkenes wyth hys companions for euer the ryghte father of pride and of al wycked presumptuous persons and the onelye rynge leader high capitaine prince and ruler of all abhomination and iniquitie Esay 14 Seynge then that the apparaunte and iust vengeaunce of god hath bene felt from the begynnynge for such disobedience and pryde and that he hath promised by hys wourd to perfourme truly hys wrathe for suche wycked offences O why woulde pride spring by anye meanes from the harte of man ouer whome hangeth the yrefull power of so terrible a god man beyng of hym selfe most feeble and a frayle creature very corruption earth and asshes Eccle. 10. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ that is lowly meeks spirited the hathe only with
euery common welthe among the degrees of men some naturall frendly and charitable men that seeketh gladly the preferment of their countrey by their vertue and wisdō so to the cōtrary there be many other also that are vnnaturall very vnfrendlye vnlouinge to the same and alwaies seeke the hynderaunce therof by their craste and subtletie Of whome we maye saie with compassion and pitie because worthilie there hāg ouer them the daunger and pricke of misfortune O vnnaturall and strange people peruerse and vntoward to the vse of vertue And vnfrendly for the comfort of your countrey before whom standeth alwaies the vrefull face of goddes iustice For yf in these or such other like thinges offence be committed shall it not then be manyfest of thee what so euer thou bee that the charitie of God abideth not in thee or that an euyl spirite possesseth thee What is this but that the deuyl preuaileth againse thee when thou art rebellious againste the wil of god or hateful to thy countrey Thou hast not sought th aduancement of Goddes glorye Thou haste not directly answered to thy vocation thou hast sought onely thyne owne wealth and commoditie Thou art disobediēt and false to the kyng thou hast craftily deceyued hym and his moste vertuouse counsaylours thou lyuest vnder hym an vnnaturall and wicked subiecte thine hert is vnsounde towardes hym thou art sclaunderous to his personne Thou careste not for hys lawes Thou dishonorest hys nobilitie neyther loueste thou hys people thou haste shutte vp thy compassyon from theym thy poore neyghboures thou haste not soughte theyr commoditye whome thou oughteste to loue as thy selfe but rather haste styrred theym vp as muche as in thee hathe lyne to dispeyre of the grace of god to disobey the wourde of god to breake withoute feare the true peace of god to hasarde in madnes both body soule to make rebellion and vproure agaynste hym theyr annoynted Kynge and naturall prince as in the dayes of darkenes or great ignorāce of god to dāger his person to put in hasarde vnder him his whole dominiō empire although of late dayes the myghtie hande of god thorough the power of his grace to his onely praise hath so stayed the hartes of the people that thy most wicked attempte hath not taken place O blessed therfore be the name of God for euer that hath wrought so mercifully in vs to the lyghtnyng of our darknes and to works in vs his reuerent feare and obedience wherby the people of god the cōmons of this realme hath bene quiete paciently in all thynges to susteyne the sharpe rodde of his iustice whiche he of late hath bitterly layde vpon vs for oure former disobedience and great vnthankfulnes in the daies of his mercyfull visitation amongest vs who in tyme accordynge to the greattenesse of his mercye in Iesus Christ and for the loues sake in hym he to his elect hath and wyll retourne againe his ioyfull countenaunce vppon vs and wourke myghtily for vs contrary to the expectation of his and our moste wicked enemies Psal 89. yea euen in such wise that thei shal se peciue it be ashamed because he our god hath mercifully leaned vnto vs blessed vs holden vs vp and cōforted vs. Thou therfore what so euer thou be the arte a maynteyner of thyne owne only state rather by corrupted auarice vntrewe dealynge or fylthy gayne then truely in the feare of god without dissimulation or doublenes accordynge to the duetie of goddes faithfull seruaunte and the kinges obedient subiect to the prayse of God to the honoure of the kyng and comfort of his people thou playnely approuest thy selfe the verye ennemy of God a disobediente rebellious subiect to the kyng and a wilfull spoyler or murtherer of his people Thou arte wourthy no better to be termed amonge the people in a common wealth before God and to the knowledge of the kyng than an open ennemy a secrete sower of sedition and a priuie worker of rebelliō wherby the kyng the appointed high minister and seruant of God thy liege lorde and soueraigne and his derely beloued people the flocke of Christ may be greatly vexed and in daunger of confusion althoughe I saye suche cursed instrumentes and workers of mischiefe as thou arte God prospereth good ententes ar oftentymes by the grace of GOD swyftely preuented and the iuste confusyon thorough thy very occasion to lyghte vppon thine owne pate Thynges that are well deuised and entended from a good hart to a good ende god prospereth theym bringeth theim well to passe but the wicked deuises and ententes of an euill hart to a wycked ende VVicked de 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 god prenented are often of God preuented and comme not so to passe but as a stone vehemently reboūding from the rocke or hard wall doth stryke or hurte hym that threwe it to his greate perill and danger Reuoke therfore thyne euell ordre to the supportacion of thyne own state Preuēt betimes an incōuenience and beware that thou be not rightly vsed and susteyne the curse of god Feare him and honour thy kynge be obediente to his lawes and loue dearelye his people Bridle I lay thyne vnlauful attemptes least thorow the iustice of god the Kynges auctoritie also fall vpon thee for he beareth not a sword for nought but wourthily for the sharpe punishemente and cuttinge of of suche rotten membres noysome and destroyful caterpillers Roma 13. engendered in the commen wealthe of an euyll wynde and pestilent ayre of the deuil that spileth and deuoureth the louely buddes tender grene leaues faire freshe fleures and plesant frutes plentifully flourishyng ouer all the head the braunches and the beautyful renoumed stocke of this Englishe common wealth And finally what soeuer member thou be or artificer inhabiting within thy cuntrey Artificers and other that bearest the name of a christen subiect and abusest thyne honest estate vocation through corrupted auarice falseboode or subtletie not duely wayeng the true order and frendshyp in a common wealthe appointed and stablyshed by thauctoritie of god and the kynges lawes to the comsorte of the people thou shalt also manifest thy self to be void of grace not to be of Christ not to haue in thee the charitie of god nor to lyue in his feare and vnder the obedience of thy kynge and therfore as a disobedient and wylfull malefactour both to God and the kyng thou shalte wourthyly by due iustice stand in daunger of them bothe to thyne vttre ouerthrowe and destruction th one iustely condempnynge thee and the other mynystrynge his vengeaunce vpon thee For as thou art the very aduersary of god mischeuouse hard harted and euill willynge to goodnes so wyll he by some meanes Eccle. 21. sende the bitternes of his wrath vppon thee and it shall destroye the euen as the stubble Therfore O thou enemy of rightuousnes thou vncharitable vnnaturall wycked man Herken in few wourds vnto the voice of the holy ghost by the
our pleasures other shall enioy our winnings he will leaue vs euill heires vicious wastfull spenders for we oure selues are vniust and corrupted gainers and haue craftily deceiued our neighbors we are gone backe from god uns haue ben disobediēt to the voyce of god Daniel 9 for we haue she wed our selfs vnthankfull a faithles Esav 59. 1. Iohn 3. we are also pitiles our hartes possesseth maliciousnesse we haue brokē that peace of god our hādes are ful of bloude we haue cōmitted murther we haue slaine that innocent we are gyltie of our brothernes death therfore their bloud in that way of reuengemēt crieth from the erth with terrible and shyrle sound for the swifte vengeance of god to come vpon vs who also hath promysed to reuenge the quarel of his deare people louing frendes vpō his and their moste cursed and malicious enemyes Deut 3◠Psal 11◠Rom. 12. Vengeaunce is myne sayth the lord god and I will reuenge I wil rose vp at the exclamation and crye of the poore It is I that wil visit the wickednes of the people vpon them selues and vpon their childres children vnto the third and fourth generation of thē that hate me Exod. 54 Iere. 32. and breake my cōmaundementes And in the parable betwixt the wicked slowe iudge and the poore wydowe that cryeth for vengeaunce against her enemye Luke 18. whiche although at the begynnynge he woulde not harken vnto her to performe shortely her gladde desire yet thorough her importunacie and busye callynge on dydde graunte her her suite in the ende So saithe Christe shall not God also reuenge the quarell of his elected dere people whiche with their extremities and necessities cry day and night vnto hym for succour strength or deliuerance although he seeme somwhat at their fyrst cries to deferre in helpinge thē Yes yes I tell you plainly he will notwithstāding be reuenged for their sakes yea he will poure our the bitternes of his wrath vpon their enemies Abacu 2 that without delay And the prophet Abacuk saith of gods coming to performe his wil If he tar◠saith he loke for him assuredly for he will shortly appere not be slow in coming After this maner in sundry places for dyuers causes that lord in the scriptures thundreth vnto vs his sharpe thretninges most hytter reuengementes to remembre our selues if we coulde happily with due reuerence receiue thē into our hartes O Lord in what dangerous state stande we nowe in if we shuld wourthily ioyne with oure wycked desettes the due iustice of God Math. 25. Rom. 3 14 2. Cor. 5. Hebre. 10 What shal we be able herein in the terrible day before the iudgement state of God to lay for our selues for the escapyng of our damnation to come Howe shall wee then excuse our lyngryng and lyghtenes and our flacknes to tourne vnto god O let vs remembre howe fearefull a thynge it is to fall into the handes of the lyuyng god He is the God whose wrathe and great fury no man mate withstande Iob. 9. but the proudest and most stought of theim all must stoupe vnder hym It shall therfore be moste expedient for vs christen brotherne and louyng frendes accordyng to the mynde of the prophete of God Psal 119. to call to our remembraunce our owne wicked waies and to tourne our selues to the testimonies of god and not to vse dalyaunce and prolongynge the tyme to keepe his lawes The waye of lyfe at any time may not vs neglected It may not slouthefully be applied vnto neither fearefully but with moste assured purpose with all our hartes and with ryghte confident and forwarde myndes The spirite of god calleth vnto vs sayenge Make no caryeng seeke no delayes to tourne vnto the Lorde god put not of frome daye to daye for sodenly shall hys wrathe come and in the tyme of vengeance shall he destroy you Turne in tyme set not your felicitie in vayne thynges mortifie your affectes trust not in wycked riches Eccle. 16. nor in the pleasures of thys fickle lyfe for they shall not helpe you in the terrible day of goddes sharp wrath and ponishment but beinge abused they shall rather stance as witnesses agaynst you to your vtter condemnation for euer Psal 119. We maye not deferre nor dalye wyth the voyce and counsayles of god offered vnto vs at what tyme by whome or by what meane soeuer he shal sende theim our owne consciences beynge iudge least thorowe our slackenes and most beastly negligence there appere wickedly in vs open contempte and so the spyryte of grace bee vtterlye taken frome vs and fall into the like daunger of the obstinate blynde and stiffe-necked Iewes whose vncyreumsised heartes were possessed with the spirite of vnquietnesse instabilitye Iere. 19. and lyghtnesse whyche also whenne they knewe GOD Roma 11. Esay 6. Math. 13. Iohn 12. Act. 28. Rom. 1. glorified hym not as God they were vnthankefull for hys benefyttes they were vaynely addicted in their imaginations their foolish heartes were blynded neyther regarded they their obedience and duetye to the voyee of GOD whose voyce is gloriouse and as the Prophete sayth mighty in operacion Psal 29.81 Prou. 1. and therfore he wythdrewe the swetenes of his grace from theim and gaue them vppe vnto the bytternesse of theyr owne heartes lustes and wyckedly to followe their owne fylthy and vayne fantasies whiche was to leade theyr lyues in al abhomination and vnrightuousenes as the holye ghost by the apostle doth shew vnto vs amonge the whyche he toucheth contempte of god dysobedience maliciousenesse murther enuye debate backebightynge truce breaking vnmercyfull and vnlouynge the fruites of an euill and most wicked spirite whiche their hartes blyndly thorough pryde and obstinacye wylfully possessed whose filthy familiaritie we must hate and not haunt but with an humble and make spirite for the more speedie preuention of gods yre and wrath to yelde vnto hys voyce and wythoute delaye to receyue the diuyne and most neadeful request of the holye ghost Iere. 11. Hebre. 12. by the mouth of the apostle which saieth See that ye despise not hym that speaketh vnto you By whiche heauenly and dyuyne aduertisement although the sentence hee but shorte it comprehendeth yet a greate charge for wee muste therebye learne and consider who it is that the apostle meaneth doth speake vnto vs what a louīg GOD he is a GOD of rightuousnesse a mercyfull GOD an euerlasting god almyghtye iust and terrible and to what good ende be speaketh vnto vs in what danger also we shal stād in If we vnreuersely do neglecte his voyce For if they in those daies in the time of Moses escaped not that wrath of god which thē refused to here hym that spake vpō the earth much more shall we not escape the greate yre of God if we tourne our eares frō him Exod. 19. that speaketh vnto vs from heauen whose terrible and mightye voyce hydde
deceyued brotherne God requireth the very hart For it is not the outwarde shew onely and the name or title of Christ that came dyscharge vs and satisfie rightlye a God of ryghtuousenesse who requireth the very harte the whole suÌ„me of faythefull fruites therein conteyned For as the law is boly and our profession of al other most pure so the puritie of oure liues must in suche wise appeare that the law of god and our profession may shyne aboue all other In vayne to the contrary shall we bost of our holynes of god and Chryste and of their moste holy and vndefiled lawes how so euer in accustom we vse to commend them to beare them in oure handes to haÌ„dle theym to carye theym at our gyrdles in our bosomes talke of them here theÌ„ reuerentlye preached of preachers or at any tyme elles read of our selues For the booke or holye table wherein the law of god shoulde be imprinted or depely grauen are the hartes of men and such as he hath chosen to him self which is according to this sayenge of Dauid Psal 36. The law of god is in their hartes From whense procedeth the very perfection and true meaning of the holy law of god to the good exaumple of the heathen or such as know not god for their coÌ„uersion to that praise of god whereunto we are couÌ„sailed of saincte peter to shew forth that truth of our professioÌ„ that is to lead an holy coÌ„uersacioÌ„ amoÌ„g that heathen strauÌ„g natioÌ„s that they which backbighte vs as euell dooers may behold our holy good workes 1 Pet. 2. that the name of god in that day of his visitatioÌ„ amoÌ„gest vs may be lifted vp magnified Roma 2. Iacob 1. Math. 7. And S. Paul saith Not that herers of the law but that fulfillers of the law shal be iustified before god neither shal euery one that saith lord lord enter into the kingdoÌ„ of heueÌ„ but such as do that wil of our father which is iÌ„ heueÌ„ those are they also whome Dauid speaketh of to be vndefiled in the way of the lorde Psal 119. and that they shal be blessed beecause they keepe hys testimonies they committe no wickednesse neyther are they double faced disseÌ„blers but seeke hym right forth simplye wyth their whole hartes whose heartes are sounde and pure and vnto whome in such wise belongeth the blessynge of god that they shall cleerely see the face of god Math 5. The ioyes whereof no eare hathe herde no tongue can speake nor the hart of man at any tyme can thinke which ioy and euerlasting rewarde god the father in Iesus Chryste hath promised vnto the rightuous for their obedient and holy lyues for the cleannes and puritye of their hartes by the power of hys holye spirit and shal be perfourmed trulye vpon theÌ„ at his gracious and most godly appointed time But if we that haue professed the law of god only beare an outwarde face of loue towardes god confessynge hym wyth oure mouthes and denye hym inwardlye in our hartes thorough oure euell and corrupted conuersation wourke we not then rather oure iust dampnation then saluacion or rather to be cursed of god then blessed The true knowledge and lous of GOD amongeste vs effectuallye consisteth herein that is in wourking in folowynge and in good ordre of lyuynge accordyng to his most perfecte exaumple by the rule of hys wourd rather then in vayne talking â—ayned fauouring or in colde or slipper louing 1. Cor 4â— And touchynge the sayde capital vice of pryde amongest others A poisoned 〈◊〉 of perdicion If we woulde happily enter into our selues 〈◊〉 with sincere iudgemente and secrete examination what we bee of oure selues what substaunce wee are made of of what base matter of how fraile and fylthye flesh what lothsome frutes commeth thereof vnto how many miseryes diseases and daungers we be in subiection vnto lyuyng in the fleshe The misery of makind in this life the filthines of our conception the place and manner of our byrth wyth how great daunger we be borne ryther touchynge our selues or our mothers that beareth vs how naked we also are howe neadye how brutishe how sore how wretched and howe myserablye we creepe into thys chaungeable lyghte of lyfe and that oure race then beynge but shorte death in the ende must of necessitye ouercome vs These few thinges I say among other well noted of vs would some thing mortifie in vs I think our corrupted grosse affects they would be a meane the rather to cleanse in vs among the rest that pestilent insectioÌ„ of pryde a vyce moste ougly hatefull and detestable before God and man the originall of all synne whereby also we are fylled wyth the cursynges of God Eccle. 1â— who hathe promised that greate wretchednes and misery shall come vpoÌ„ vs that in the latter time shal dwel in the worlde for the greatnes sake of that lothsome and cursed vyce And how it aboundeth now in these daâ—es Esdâ—as 8. we maye well note and thinke the appointed tymes of gods vengeaunce to be wourthilye entred amongest vs. And because that in the lyfe and welfare of the proud people of this world dependeth greate and manye mischieues to the griefe and vexation of the poore and rightuous the prophet crieth in this wyse for the hastenynge of Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Psal 9â— Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their just deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again Let the proude be confouÌ„ded O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And tholde sayenge hathe bene from the begynnyng Pride wyl haue a fall Whiche agreeth to the saying of SalomoÌ„ PresuÌ„ptioÌ„ goth before shame destrucitoÌ„ after a proud stomack ther foloweth a fal May we not no we think it at the highest and neuer so like to fall Pro. 21.29 Was there euer sens god created heuen and earth that like abuse abhomination wtout measure reignyng Can it by any meanes more horribly appere amoÌ„gst vs Can it with possibilitie Excesse in pride froÌ„ any faÌ„tastical head that beareth life be more diuersly deuised chargeably to the painting forth setting out of our rotteÌ„ carrainly carcases Or can it be by other more vainly or foÌ„dly deuised thaÌ„ is of our selfs foÌ„dly coÌ„seÌ„ted to receued Of ther coÌ„sider we as we ought in al such our doinges our poore and hase estate or the sleandernes of our habilitie for the supportation of such a chargeable fantasie In pride vve forget poâ—â—â—tie And dothe it not also by oure wourkes appeare that as we are gloriouse gaye and ryche without our hartes are wretched deformed and full of pouertye wythin yes vndoubtedlye both in the presence of god and all godly men
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
mouthe of the prophete who narowly respecteth thyne euell fixed state and wicked vayne lyfe These things saieth he hast thou done Psal 50. And because in thy doynges I staied my tong against thee and haue not presently according to iustice reproued thee and poured my plages vpon thee but haue gently delayed to trye thee after the greatnes of my mercye for thy better amendement thou haste therein contempned me thou haste vnthankfully forsaken me and repined agaynste me thou haste abused this my blissefull state of gentlenesse longe susterynge and pacience and hast styll moste wyckedly contynued and wandred forth in wickednes in vnfaithfulnes pride lieng and deceitfulnes thoughtest me thy creatour thy rightuouse Lorde merciful and omnipotent god to be as no God or to bee euen lyke vnto thy self that ys vnrightuouse verye vaine most feble fantasticall and foolyshe and to be but a sleepinge double faced or drousie god either not to know thy dooinges or wantonly wynkyng at thy wickednes as one that alwaies looketh thorow the fingers at thee as though I were but a dalier with thee forgetfull of thee an hider of my face from thee or without earnest regarde of thy behauour and not recompensing thy condicion in th ende But be thou well assured O thou very worldelyng and most vaine creature that as thou art vtterly deceyued greatly blinded and wilfullye led in the damnable waies of darkenes so shalt thou vtterly be vnexcused For if thou in suche wise thou earthie slime and slipper filthines wilt nedes be ignorant of me not knowynge or rather not regarding the state of myne eternitie greate power and maiestie but styll euyl affected to fondenes and vanitye neyther yet confessing thy faultes before me wyth repentaunce and huÌ„ble submission thou shalt both know and feele that I the onelye omnipotente rightous and most true god do plain lye perceiue thee and as my soule doth abhorre thee so wyll I duelye also reproue thee and vnwares set before thy face to thy confusion the wickednesse whiche thou haste done yea I wyll in deede so visite thee and lay iustly mine hande vpon thee that I wil make thee as the filthy rotteÌ„ duÌ„g vpoÌ„ the erth or as the light flieÌ„g stubble before the face of the wynde For I do thee truely to vnderstaÌ„d that as I the great god of heuen and earth haue sworne by myne holines to kepe faithfully my promises to be merciful vnto the charitable and faithfull christians the generation of the rightuouse that wyllynglye wyll walke in the right waye so will I also vpon all fleshe and al faithles and pitiles generations that leadeth vnkindlye their liues in wickednes performe straightly the rigoure of my iustice in the truth of my promises For as mercye is highly annexed to the exaltatioÌ„ most wourthy aduauncemeÌ„t supportation of myne eternall glorye or the excellency of my diuine maiesty in the incomprehencible state of my deitie among such as loue me treade gladly th appointed plain pathes of piety so the brightnes also of my glory my potent power or omnipoteÌ„cy my wisedoÌ„ godly loue faithfulnes veritie hath ben is and for euer shal be both sene selte knowne embraced aduaunced hyghlye and feared most emdeÌ„tly because iustice is ioyned so aptlye to mine etertistie for the defence of my louing treÌ„des against the ennemye whose lyues hath bene traded euell spent wasted in the hurtefull steppes of impietie The Prophete therfore goeth loorthe with this most gentle and myld exhortation sayeng Regarde and consider this O ye the forget god of what estate or degree so euer ye be whether ye bee hyghe or lowe ryche or poore of the clergy or laitye natural countrey meÌ„ or strangers the haue office auctoritie or any kynde of ministery in the churche of God and in the coÌ„mon wealth of his people least his wrathe be thus kendled against you and that he sodeÌ„ly reÌ„t you pluck you away not one els of powerable to help or deliuer you c. For touchuiÌ„g this point of ingrate fulnes what thiÌ„g is it coÌ„mitted by vs amongest vs vpon th earth through out all degrees that more greuousely offendeth God causeth him to tourn vpon vs the terrible face of his iustice then the want of an vniuersall eare to thvse of gods charitie naturall frendship amite wherby the coÌ„mon welth is vpholden florisheth Hath not the wrath of god falne vpon great cities whole kingdoms couÌ„treis for vsing themselfes to the coÌ„trary Either hath not particularly suche wicked people ben worthily plaged that hath waÌ„ted this vertue of charitie we fele daily if we haue wyll to regarde it the swete fauour of god for chuse of vertue procedyng from the true faith in Christ what displeasure also by his iustice doeth fall vpon vs The 〈◊〉 of god respecteth not 〈…〉 for our incredulitie vice great wickednes The iustice of god haÌ„gith by egal balaÌ„ce nuer aÌ„l flesh that disobeieth his holy preceptes and lawes And lyke as his iustice for oure Ethnike disobedience is ready to fall vpon vs so his mercy for our christen obedience shall euer remayne amongest vs. Looke whiche waie we apply our selues and dispose oure lyues either wickedly or in the waie of godlynes so our rewards with ioy or paine are accordyngly prepared vs and shal assuredly lyght vpon vs at his appointed and most certain tyme Are we not at libertie to sinke or swymme and to ascende or descende through our behauiour to God or to the diuell Either wyll we nedes wylfully walke in the waye of wickednes Let vs leaue god if we lyste Note 〈…〉 let vs set lyght by Christe and his wourd let vs folow the dyuel let vs styll loue the worlde let vs yet leane to our old lewd lustes and flesshly foolishnes with obstinate and hard hartes so to accomplysshe the fulnesse of our moste fickle and vayne affectes through our filthte auarice pride and excesse that we elles regard nothing in this lyfe touching eyther god and chriâ—t or his poore afflicted membres but suffre them without compassion to wander abrode and perysh or to minister occasions whereby the commen wealth shal decay by his iussice I say he wyll also leaue and forsake vs He will wythdrawe his grace frome vs we shal be vnwourthi the ioy of his couÌ„tinaunce Math. 18. Iacob 2. And as we shewed no mercy or comfort vppon his poore people according to his word nor were studious for their naturall preseruation but with drewe our carefull diligence and charitye both to the losse and greate daunger of their bodies and soules so wyll he also withholde his mercy from vs and poure duely his heauy indignation vppon vs he wil be vnmyndeful to doo vs good he wil diuersly visite vs Leuiâ— 26 Deuâ— â—â— Iob. 7. he will not cease his wrath ouâ—r vs he wil vexe our spirites and fyll vs wyth bitternes he will sodenly shorten oure daies he wil plucke vs from