world to come and that this world may not deceiue you consider it as it is and think no better of it theÌ„ it doth deserue loue it no dearer then you would your enemie for the Apostle saith * 1. Iohn 2.15 if we loue the world or the things in the world the loue of God is not in vs and if you wil say you * Ioh. 14.2.4 loue God and keepe not his commandementes you will prooue your selfe a liar there is no truth in you Know therfore the this world is vaine and al worldlie things are vanitie the righteousnes is perfect blessednes and to know God in truth is the cheefest felicitie and to put away confidence in man or any worldly helpe is to trust to a broken staffe which in th ende will deceiue you thinke no fréedome so to be desired as the seruice of God to know that better it is for you to be Christs Chaplin without a benefice then to haue all the liuinges in the worlde and bee out of his seruice and thinke it not inough to depart with one benefice and keepe two in your hand but if you may be vnburdened of that which you cannot discharge and haue pardon for your former sinnes committed say you are well vsed and finne no more and Christe teacheth vs that he that wil be his disciple * Mat. 16.2 must deny himselfe and take vp his crosse and follow him Now if I should counsel you to keepe any thing that might hurt you or hinder Gods glory I shoulde go beyond my commission and commit sin with you therefore to tel you the troth because you are an vnpreaching Prelate and vnmeet for that office I would wish you to giue ouer the function you haue no skill-of and leaue al your benefices as things that perteine not vnto you Let not so many soules perishe through one mans negligence but haue a care of your selfe as well as of them flatter not your selfe any longer least you your flock perish togeather let suche haue your roome that can teache them better and let such shere the sheepe as can feede the flocke that you may saue your selfe and theÌ„ let not worldly perswasions worke you destruction but let such flatterers goe for lyers that will tell you you are vnwise if you so doe you shall loose your credite you friends wil faile you no man wil regard you let these and such like tales goe for chaffe that is blowne awaye with the winde and whose substaunce will soone haue an ende for if the Lorde will be serued and his iudgement executed for so great a sinne al the world cannot pay your ransome neither shall any man be able to set you free Therfore in this matter deale wisely for your selfe for it is your selfe that shall stand to the stake for the whole depart with this vngodly promotion which this wicked worlde hath brought you and you shall haue treasure in heauen and because it is so that you are not able to take vppon you the charge of soules withoute the destruction of your selfe and them discharge your selfe quite of so great a daunger and keepe not a benefice for feare of displeasure Par. What wil you not haue me keepe one benefice then you deale more hardly with mee then I thought you woulde but there shal be no more adoe of the matter I will kepe my selfe as I am and therefore in vsing these perswasions you doe but loose your labour the charge is mine and I onely shall auswere for it therefore I woulde wish you to looke to your selfe and take no farther care for me Gen. What are you nowe come to this passe and is this the thanke that for my good will I shall receiue I was in good hope when you were once running you would not haue staied before you had come to the goale but oh howe true is that saying nowe fulfilled in you which was spoken so long agone that * 2. Pet. 2 2â— the dogge is turned to his old vomite againe the sow that was washed to her wallowing in that mire Oh couetousnes couetousnes howe well may it be called the roote * 1 Tim. 10.6 of all euil that sendeth so many soules headlong to the diuel Par. What you are farre deceiued gentleman do you thinke that couetousnes is in mee no I abhorre it with al my heart and loue of monie is farre from me Gen. What are you not couetous I pray you what did then moue you to take 3. benefices when as one of them is liuing sufficient for you Par. I perceiue you knowe not what you say for I tel you troth I can not liue with one benefice Gen. No I praye you what is one of your benefices that doth yeelde you leaste worth you by the yeere Par. I thinke it bee woorth me a fortie or fifie pounds Gen. And I pray you what do you giue vnto your Curate by the yeare that doeth serue your benefice Par. I giue him ten pound by the yere Gen. And why can you not liue with fourty or fiftie pounds by the year as well as your Curate that hath but ten pounde by the yeare Par. I see well Gentleman you take all things at the worst but I will tell you and not lye vnto you wherfore one benefice would not content mee and so small a liuing will not satisfie me I did consider my calling how that I was a gentleman and therefore I thought it not ynough for mee to liue as the common sorte doe which are but plaine fellowes of the country and I knew no way how to make any difference but onlie by procuring my self such liuings as might mainteine me like a gentleman and being once a minister you knowe it is not lawful to possesse other liuinges then such as belong to the ministerie and therefore I had no way to make vp the matter or bring my purpose to passe but onelye by hauing two or thrée benefices and now you see the worlde what it is howe that he that hath nothing shal be nothing set by and hauing a good liuing and being able to beare some countenance he may be a companion for a right good Gentleman and I promise you these were the causes that did moue me to take so many liuings not for couetousnes sake as you do imagine Gen. Was it your chiefest regarde to haue greatest respect vnto these vanities I perceiue you are a right worldling and by a wrong dore haue entred into the ministerie you say you did respect your calling and that was how you were a gentleman â—ut I perceiue you had forgotten another calling which al ministers ought to haue regarde vnto and that is that you are no longer called to be a gentleman and to liue at ease but if you will be the man that you ought to be you must forsake your selfe and follow Christ and as neer as you may imitate his steps and then see what examples are
doth tender his owne saluation to leaue no meanes vnsought for that might bring it to passe and to be most carefull for the same as that which doth deserue greatest labor if there be any that will say they would willingly do it if they knewe vvich vvay to beginne let * Iohn 5.39 them bring themselues acquainted vvith the vvorde of God vvhich is able to * 2. Tim. 3.16 make them vvise vnto saluation if they vvill say their knowledge is smal and the scriptures are hard to be vnderstoode let them seeke diligently * Mat. 7.7 pray hartily and knocke hard and the Lorde vvill open the doore of knowledge vnto them and giue them right hearts of a good vnderstanding if any vvill say they haue so much to deale in worldly affayres that they cannot spare one hour in the day to read the vvord of God let theÌ„ knovv except all their actions be measured by the lyne of Gods vvorde their labor is lost their time ill spent their hope is vaine their vvroks vnprofitable and * Deut. 28.17 all that they take in hande accursed if there be any that thinke themselues so well spedde that they need no more teaching let them learn to put their knowledge in practise in framing their liues according lest when they know * Luk. 12.56 much doe little their damnation be the greater if there be any that vvill say there are none so vnwise to do that which they know to be vnlawfull let them know that of that number there are too many and although the most part must of necessitie confesse that there is a God whom they ought to serue yet the diuell doth draw many with great force to liue as those that knovve no God such is the corruption of mans nature and so great are the assaultes of our enemie the diuell that vvhen vve knovv our duetie and see the path way that will lead vs vnto eternall lyfe yet through the suggestions of Satan and the deceitfulnesse of sinne we are drawne to tread the steps of death and euerlasting destruction And some there be to excuse this their fooly will defende their life though neuer so vile and that they may haue the bridle of licentiousnesse to tunne at ran done though against their consciences they will not spare to call euill good and good euill darknesse light and light darknes they that may make a faire shew in the worlde and regard not at all how manifestly they lye before the face of almighty God this fault vvas found in * Act. 5.4 Ananias Saphira his vvife for the vvhich they both lost their liues and this vvickednesse doth still remain amongst vs although the punishment be not so euidently seene of this number are so many as know their dutie and lead a life cleane contrary that knovv lying to bee a faulte and yet vvill not sticke to lye for aduantage that knovv it to be sinne to sweare and yet haue their mouthes full of vayne othes that know adultery to be abominable in the sight of God and yet liue in whordome al the dayes of their life that knovv murther to be a breach of the lavve and yet vvish their brothers throates cut that they may haue their good that know couetousnesse to be the roote of all euil and yet thinke lucre to be godlinesse that knovve the rewarde of sinne to be death and yet liue in vvickednesse al the dayes of their life these men knovve it yea and vvith all their hearts they knovv it and vvith shame ynough vvill not sticke to say it and shut vp al with tushe God is mercifull and vvith this cloake they thinke to couer their shame and by that meanes to set God besides his iudgements but vvhen they shall be arraigned before his iudgement seate to aunswere for the breache of his lavves I feare me this cloake of hypocrisie beeing founde on their backes vvill be taken for the liuery of their maister the diuell vvhom as they haue serued in this worlde vvithout any feare of God so shal they dwell vvith him for euer in fire euerlasting vvhich is prepared for him and his Angels These are the faultes of our time and such punishments doe follow such sinnes and the wickednes of the people is so great that we haue good cause to say vvith Dauid that it is * Psal 119. time O Lorde for thee to lay to thine hand But because these thinges are farre from you vvhich doe so ill like of them that you are an enemye to those that vse them you may thinke your self happie and thrise happie vvhom God hath deliuered from so great euils And for my selfe as I am by duety bounde to do you the best seruice that I may and haue receyued more benefites at your handes then euer I deserued I can but vvishe you that vvhich no man can giue you and pray for that vvhich you may obtaine that you may so serue the Lorde of heauen and earth during the time of your pilgrimage in this shorte and transitory vvorlde that vvhen this life shall cease and all vvorldly helpes shall fayle you you may haue God your father Christ your brother the holy Ghost your comforter the Angels your companions your inheritance aboue the Heauens vvith ioyes vnspeakable in a life that shall last for euer Amen Your worships humble seruant I. B. To the godly Reader THe estate of these our dayes is so dangerous the people so vngratious with sin so abounding vertue so little set by of almost al euery where the it may melt a christiaÌ„ hart to meditate thereon such negligence in Magistrates suche rebellion in subiects such carelesnes in fathers mothers and suche disobedience in sonnes daughters that wheras we looke to receiue the fruits of the earth the blessings of heauen powred out vpon vs according so the prourise of the Lorde vnto his children the maruel is great the the sun doth not skorch vs the water drowne vs the earth gape redy to deuour vs for our disobedience and vnthaÌ„kfulnes for the same What blessings are there which we haue not receiued and what sinn is ther but we haue committed what could a father do more for his owne children then to keepe them as the apple of his eye what tokens of â—asterdly impes can there be greater then to liue as vagabounds the regard not their father oh howe wel may this complaint of the Prophet be applied vnto vs that the * Esai 12. Lord hath brought vp children they haue done vnfaithfully against him ah sinfull nation a people laden with iniquitie a seede of the wicked such as haue forsaken the Lord and proudâ—ed the holy one of Israell to anger and as the Prophet Osee said of Israel so may it â—e sayd of England that * Ose 14.41 ther is no truth no mercy no knowledge of god in the land but swearing lying manslaughter theft adultery haue gotten the vpper
this be sarr from you and the name of shepheard be only to be found you are a Wolfe cloathed in a Sheepes skinne and shall haue your portion with the vngodly in that lake of fire and Brimstone which shall not bee quenched for euer Par. Truely sir it is a harde matter to finde all this in one man and although I haue not this in me yet I trust I shal haue no parte in that fierie lake whereof you speake nor there is no such daunger in the matter Gen. That you may not thinke it to be an vntruth or any inuention of mine own making marke what the scripture sayth which cannot lye Wo * Iere. 48.10 be vnto him that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Againe * Ezek. 34.2 Wo be vnto the Shepheardes that feed themselues shoulde not a Shepheard feede his flocke Paule cryed * Cor. 9.16 Wo vnto him selfe if hee preache not the Gospell and you shall one day cry Wo vnto your selfe if you preache not the Gospel * Ezeck 23.3 Wo vnto the foolishe Prophetes that followe their owne braines * Iere. 23.1 Wo vnto the Shepheardes that destroy and scatter my flocke saith the Lorde and so thruste them out that they once looke not vppon them therfore will I one day visite the wickednes of their vaine imaginations here you haue heard a great many of Woes and al these and a great many more shall fall on you if in time you seeke not some meanes to auoide them Par. In deede Syr I must needes saye you haue told me of many woes and yet I trust what so euer you say there shal none of them light on me Gen. Truely I haue sayde nothing of my selfe but that which I haue tolde you are the reportes of other men which vsed not to lye Par. And doe you thinke in deede that all these woes are pronounced against such ministers as preach not the Gospell and the if they continue in that state they shal haue them in their portion Gen. I pray you master Parson let me first aske you this question do you thinke that the Prophets and Apostles haue spoken any thing in vaine Par. I doe not thinke so but peraduenture it may be true Gen. Nay I will tell you without peraduenture that which they haue spokē is so true * Math. 5.18 that heauen and earth shal fal before that one iot that they haue said shal perish Par. I doe not deny but that the worde of God must needes stand but if you will so conster the scriptures that all ministers that preach not the Gospell shall be cryed Woe vnto you will make a mad peece of worke and sende most of the ministers in these dayes to the deuil Gen. I go not about to send any man to the deuill but I doe what in me lieth to drawe them vnto God and therefore I would wish you and your fellowes to looke to this geare in time vnlesse you repent hereafter when it will bee too late for if your dueties be neglected and this great charge can not be answeared when it shall be examined you and your fellowes shal be sure to smart for it Par. Why what would you haue me to do that you find such fault in vs. Gen. Truly I would wish you to deale no longer in the matter you haue taken vpon you and are not able to go throgh with it out repent for that which is past and amend that is to come and let it not be long a doing but take the councell of the Prophet that would haue vs to * Esay 55.6 seek the Lord while he may be found and call vppon him while he may be heard let the vngodly mā saith he forsake his owne waies and the wicked his vain imaginations and return vnto the Lorde so shall he be mercifull vnto him and vnto our God for he is ready to forgiue Oh refuse not this offer master parson as you loue your owne soule for if you take it not while you may haue it hereafter you may chance to seeke it with teares and goe without it for nowe is the acceptable time and euery tree that bringeth not foorth good fruite the * Math. 13.10 axe is layd to his roote that it may be cut downe and cast into the fire therefore be not leaue off from sinn which without shame you haue greedily committed be no longer amongst the number of thoss whome Paul spcaketh of that they are the enemies of the * Phi. 3.10 crosse of Christe whose end is damnation whose God is their belly glory to their shame which are worldly minded let no longer the loue of this world draw you frō the loue of God but * Iam 4.7 draw neere vnto him and he wil drawe neere vnto you resist the deuill and hee will fly from you purge your handes and clense your heart humble your selfe in the sight of the Lorde and hee shall lift you vp Let the same mind be in you which was in Moses who when hee was great * Heb. 11.2 refused to be called the sonne of Pharaobs daughter and chose rather to suffer aduersity with the children of God then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season esteeming the rebuke of Christe more riches then al the treasure of Egypt And with Sainte Paul saye that you * Phil. 3.8 account al the world but dung that you may win Christ giue ouer your liuings vnlawfully possed in this short and transitory world that you may liue for euer in the world to come Par. What do you mean by al this talk that I shuld giue ouer my benefices so you may chaunce to beginne a peece of worke which you shal neuer finish for I had as leeue loose my life as loose my liuing and I haue not had them this long to forgo thē at last therefore gentleman I shal desirs you to haue me excussd for this matter and I wil here you in any thing saue this ther is no man so vnwise I thinke to forsake his liuing and become a begger when it is in his choise to vse it at his pleasure Gen. In deed master Parson I thinke few men be so wise to doe that which may be best for them Par. What doe you account that wisedome I am sure there are many wise men of the ministerie as you know as well as I that haue more liuings then I haue and yet I thinke you can not tel me of one that doth loue the Gospell so wel that he would depart with any of his benefices to discharge his conscience Gen. In deed as you say a man shall hardly finde one amongest so many double beneficed men that will preferre the truth before their benefices or loue the Lord better then them selues but such deserue not the name of wise men for if their be any wisdome in them it is such as the prophet speaketh of that * Iere. 4.22 are
kinde of dainties and that they may not be behind hand but in their apparel as braue as the proudest themselues in their silkes their wiues in their trench hoodes and their children parinted like puppets that they may a while enioy this geare and liue at ease in this worlde they care neither what shal become of themselues their wiues and their children in the world to come but are contented flock and al shal go to the Diuel for any farther care they take for them Is this to * Iohn 21.15 feede feede feede as Christe said vnto Peter Nay this is rater to kill kil kil as the Sheepe that are led to the slaughter I thinke if the Prophet Ieremy were now liuing and did see the lamentable estate of our time be woulde say for vs as he did for the people in his time that he could finde in his heart to * Iere. 9.1 weepe daie and night for the slaughter of the people Oh that their hearts were circumcised and the vilens of their eies taken from them that they might once see vnderstand the to haue so great a charge that some must needes perishe for wante of looking vnto and to shere the sheepe and not to feede the flocke is to * Iohn 10.10 spoile murther and destroye therefore what euer he bee or by what title so euer he be called whether he be a doctour by name a Parson of manie benefices or Sir Iohn Lacklatin that can saie nothing if hee haue no more regarde but to satisfie his owne greedie desire and is carelesse for the safetie of such as doe paie him for a better worke let him think of himselfe as wel as he list yet these are the titiles that hee doth best deserue doctor Spoiles Parson Theefe and Sir Iohn Murtherer for in taking awaie of the goodes from their Parishioners without doing of their dutie is before the maiestie of God no better then theft and to let their soules perish for want of foode is to be a murtherer and spoiler of the soules of them which Christe did shâ—d his bloude for Par. But mee thinkes you mighte vse milder speeches for ther are manie of these I tel you that are of good wisedome and beare some countenance and therefore wil take it as an offence to haue these names at your hands Gen. Are they ashamed to bear the names and doe they take no shame to deserue the names doe they set more by the countenance of the worlde then by the fauoure of God haue they a more desire to please men then they haue to serue Christe can they with brasen brows commit such faultes in open places are they not ashamed so to offend before the Lorde and his Angels doe they rather chuse to liue at ease a while in this transitorie worlde then to line for euer in the world that neuer should haue endâ—or wil they persecute Christ in his members and yet saie stil they are good Christians If it be true they shew their vnsdome that it is nothing but follie and if they 〈◊〉 to bee offended with him that giueth them these names let them looke in the tenth of Ihon and there they shal find that he that regardeth not his flocke is * Iohn 10. a theefe commeth for nothing but to spoile kil and destroie he that spake the words is Christ himselfe and if because they cannot touch him they wil be offended with mee that haue saide it after him they shal be sure to make a wrong matche for in so good cause I knowe Christ wil take my parte and hauing him on my side I care not though al the worlde were set against me for if the Lord himslef take the matter in hand mark howe his enimies are like to speed he can fight with them form heauen * Iosua 10.11 with hailstones as hee did for his seruant Iosua He can send them as much * Gen. 19.24 fire and Brimston that shal consume them al as he did the Sodomites He can cause the earth to open and * Num. 16.32 swallowe them vp quicke as hee did Corah Dathan and Abiram with theire wicked companions if they thinke themselues so strong so manie in â—nmber that their aduersaries are not able to withstand them God is able in steede of other help to cause one of theÌ„ to kil * Iud. 7.22 another as it fel out amongst the Madianites and if there be any that doe escape the sword and flie vnto houses for succoure God is able to throwe downe the * 3. Kin. 20.30 walles vpon them as he did vpon the Sirians which at one time slewe seuen and twentie thousand if such as are left wil continue stil deriding the seruaunts of God he is able to send as maine shee * 4. Kin. 2.24 Beares oute of the woodes as shal deuour them al as he did for such as mocked his seruant Eliseus and if this bee not ynough there is no mischeefe that they would wish to fal vpon others but God is able to make it fal on theÌ„ selues this can the Lorde doe and greater thinges then these for what is it but that is possible with him but although he doeth with patience endure the wickednesse of his enemies for a while yet he can and wil at length plague them through lie to their vtter destruction and for his owne seruants althoughe theire enemies rage as doe the waues of the sea yet shal they not goe beyonde the boundes that the Lorde hath set them if they would cast them into prisous thinking by that means to vse theÌ„ at their pleasure God is able to send his * Act. 5.16 Angel to open the doores vnto them as he did for his Apostles by the meanes set them at liberty If they wold thrust theÌ„ into the fierie ouen thinking that waie to consume them God is able ynough to keepe them from * Dan. 3.25 burning as he did Sidrach Misach and Abednega If they woulde cast them amongst the Lions thinking that way to destroy them God is able to stop * Dan. 6.22 their mouthes the they shall not hurt them as he did for Daniel If they woulde keepo them from meate that they might kil them with hunger God is able to cause the * 3. Kin. 17.9 Kauens to feede them as he did for Elias If they woulde make a Gallowes to dispatche others God can cause them to bee hanged thereon themselues as it fel oute betweene wicked * Ester 7.9 Haman and good Mardocheus all this can the Lorde doe for suche as serue him faithfully but although he suffer them to be persecuted for a while yet he can and wil at length deliuer them oute of their enemies hands though they were as many in number as al the people in the worlde and as terrible to looke on as al the Diuelles in Hell yet shal they once haue the victory and al their foes
you whome God hath drawne from dangerous dealings your happinesse is more then I can expresse you haue by these meanes gotten heauen and earth on your side the Lord himself doth fauor you the Sunn Moone will shew you a cheereful countenauce the earth shall serue for your pleasure the dew in the morning wil giue you a sweet sauor the flowers in the field wil cast you a pleasant smell The stones in the streetes are at league with you neither is there anye thing vnder the heauens that shal hurt you but all are sworne to your safety the Lorde shall send his Angelles to * Psal 34.7 pitch their tents about you so that al your enemies shal doe you no harme but death it selfe shall giue you the victorie when it commeth to playe his part it shall set you free from a greate many of miseries and * Apoc. 14.13 place you in an euerlasting happinesse But as for suche as continue in their wickednesse woe be vnto them it were better for them that they had neuer bene born for their state is accursed and the best of them is but * Mich. 7.4 as a brier or a rotten stake in a thorny hedge and though they florish a while as doth the flower of that field yet shal they wither as doth the grasse and * Esai 51.8 worms shal eate them euen as moths eat cloth and wool Wo be vnto them that through the stubbernesse of their hearts can not repente but heape vp for them selues wrath against the day of wrath and declaration of the righteous indgement of God * Rom. 2.5 which will rewarde euery man according to his workes Par. Then Woe the vnto all Patrons which buie and sell benefices Gen. Yea and happie are such Patrons as bestow them vpon such as are worthie of them and that take no monie for them but seeke onelie the glorie of God and the saluation of their brethren Parl Are there some such Patrons think you that doth so bestow their benefices Gen. Yea no doubt of it there are some such and that manie although because you haue not found them you think the contrarie Elias thought wheÌ„ ther was a slaughter amongest the prophetes of the Lorde that there had bene none left that did serue the true God but himself beacuse he knew them not but the * 3. Kin. 19. â—4 18 Lorde tolde him that there were seuen thousand which he had reserued that did neuer bowe their knees to Bâ—al So no doubt hath he now a remaant whome he doth preserue from that sinne of simmonie and do leaue it as a thing which doth highlie displease the Lorde the which number I beseech him dailie to encrease that the feete of the ministers â—â—aie be * Esai 52.7 Rom. 10.15 beautiful and themselues messâ—ngers that maie bring glad tidings of peace and tidinges of good things Par. I shall bee counted but a foole amongst my felows for playing of his part and they will make it a game to laugh at for dealing in this maner but the best waie is to giue them leaue and abide their skoffs with patience vntil the Lorde roote them out or giue them heartes of repentance Gen. You saie verie well it is our parts to * Psal 27.16 tarrie the Lords leasure and be contented to bear the railinges of our aduersaries for a while these daies will not continue for euer there will come a laughing time for vs when they shal weepe and howle for the miserie that shal come vpon them and shal be faine one day to saie of you this * VVis 3.5 is he whome we somtimes had in dirision we â—ooles thought his life madnesse and his end without honor but lo how he is counted amongest the Sonnes of God and his portion is amongst the saints these words shal the vngodlie saie with griefe of heart when themselues are tormented and you shal be comforted when you shal haue ioies vnspeakable and they shal be cast into vtter darknesse where shal be weeping and gnashing of téeth And nowe that you may set some order concerning your selfe and suche stuffe as you haue at home I wil send two of my men with you that shal deale for you as they woulde for me and in hope that it shal not be long before I see you againe Par. I thanke you sir moste heartelie and I praise God highlie that haue stirred vp such an instrument to cal mee to repentance I will ride to my benefices and discharge my selfe clean of them and with as much speed as I may I wil waite on you in the meane time I pray God blesse you and yours and continue that good mind in you which now you are of that you and I with al our housholde maie so serue God in this transitorie worlde that wee may ioie with him for euer in the world to come Gen. Amen FINIS A godly and necessary prayer into this booke O ETERNALL and euerlasting God which hast made thy dwellings aboue the heauens by the Scepter of thy mighte doest rule all the powers in the world all which should sound to thy praise and redounde to the honour of thy glorious name we most vile wretches whom thou hast made of the dust of the earth throw down our selues here before thy maiesty as vnworthy to be made thy footestoole submitting our selues vnto thee and acknowledging our sinnes we appeal to thee for mercye VVe confesse O Lorde that our wickednesse is great our misdeedes many our sinnes innumerable and thou art iust thy iudgements are ouer all the worlde and the punishments due for our sinnes are intollerable Forgiue them O Lord forgiue theÌ„ mollifie our hard hearts and gyue vs right spirites that we may see our sinne and learn to tremble before thy maiesty fear to offend any longer Oh be thou fauourable vnto vs or els we are lost for euer If thou be angry what may make vs merry if thou be offended how may we be pleased If vve haue lost thy fauour what friendship can help vs If thou withdraw thy grace from vs what good shal our riches do vs If thou be not on our side what shal we do with the help of man If we be whole in body sick in soule rich in substance poore in godlines haue the worlde at will and know not how to vse it If we haue such liberty to do waht vve vvould any yet so sinfull to do nothing as vve shoulde Oh the finne of so corrupt hearts what miserie vvill it bring vs vvhat vvoe will it vvorke vs howe many plagues are there ordeined for so great sinnes and vvhat a continuall paine vvill our vngodly pleasure purchase for vs O Lorde if thou let vs liue heere a vvhile in wealth ease to the end vve shal liue for euer hereafter in misery wo alasse that euer vve were born to see such woâ—ul days oh far be that froÌ„ vs O Lorde and continue thy
mercy tovvardes vs for euer VVe confesse that our sinnes haue wel deserued thy vvrath and our vvickednesse is great ynough to prouoke thy anger and we know that thy mercies already shewed vnto vs haue beene more then our deseruinges vve haue alwayes felt thy fatherly affection towardes vs vvhen we haue shewed our selues vnnaturall children and revvarded thee euill for good Oh lord forgiue it vs forgiue our vngodly behauiour lay not our sins to our charge but continue thy mercy tovvardes vs still Looke fauourably vppon this Realme blesse va vvith thy goodnesse and defende vs from Sathan and all his ministers ouerthrow their deuelish deuices and bevvray their vngodly pollices preserue our Queene vvhome thou hast placed ouer vs let her rule faithfully in thy feare make her dayes happy and sende her a long life if it be thy good pleasure and vvhen this her earthly princely state shall ceasse giue her a heauenly kingdome where shee may reigne for euer make her counsellers vvise in thy feare to giue such councel as may tende to thy glory let he nobles know that their honors consisteth in thy worship Teach magistrates to humble themselues and seeke the aduancement of thy glory let them know that they are not placed in office by thee to gouern as they list or do that which seemeth good in their owne eyes but to suppresse sinne support vertue let them draw their swordes to cut downe vice and imbrace godlines as that which is onely their worship teach the ministerie to teach the trueth vnto their flocke and seeke the safety of thy people and not their owne priuate gayne let them not be such as can teach others and not them selues that can shere the sheepe and not feed the flocke let not the desire of filthy lucre make them carelesse to do their duety but let the remembrance of thee which wilt call them to an account cause them to haue a care of their charge Teach masters of housholdes mystresses and Dames children and seruauntes to serue thee and lead their liues in thy feare O Lord learne theÌ„ to know that to dwell vnder thy defence is only to be happy and not to obey thee is to be accursed and to heap vp for our selues wrath against the day of wrath vvhen euery man shall be revvarded according to his vvorkes let the power of thy majestie vvhich canst vvith a vvorde shake all the povvers in heauen and earth strike so deepe into our hearts that we may set more by thy fauour then all the fayre countenaunces of the world which are but vaniti let not any thing be our delight but that vvhich may please thee let nothing make vs sory but that which doth offend thy maiesty Also we beseech thee to looke vppon thy vvhole Churche vvheresoeuer with fauour beholde it comfort the afflicted members therof deliuer them with speed or giue them patience to tarry thy leasure let them not faint in that good course they haue begon that suffer for thy truch but be thou their help in trouble and lay no more vppon them then they are able to beare And although we at this time here at home haue not so great cause to complayne as many of our brethren in other countries But thou O Lord hast delt more fauourably vvith vs then with them yet let vs not be proude of our estate but giue vs heartes of humilitie to prostrate our selues before thy maiestie for vve know that our deseruings are not such nor thy hande is not so shortned but that thou canst strike vs as well as them let not so great wickednesse lodge in our brests that our prosperity shoulde make vs to forget thee for although vve sleepe now in secutitie and thinke our selues out of danger yet thou canst quickly set the nations about vs vpon our eares and giue vs ouer to a worse mischeefe euen amongest our selues thou canst soone make a whole man a sicke body and of a liuing body a dead corps and all our pleasures may soone be gone the aduersitie of one howre may make vs to forget all our sinnes haue truly deserued these and greater plagues but that thy mercy tovvardes vs hath beene great vvhich I beseech thee for euer to continue Forgiue vs our sinnes and pardon vs for thy sonne Christs sake quicken vs as thou art wont to do thy chosen giue vs a taste of the ioyes of thy kingdome that vve may knowe it is better to be a dore keeper in thy house then to dwel in the tentes of the wicked vngodly let not the vaine delights of this corrupt world lead vs vnto vanity nor let the alterations of this changeable time turne our harts from thee but teach vs to knovve that thou art alvvayes one and the same dost neuer forget such as doe put their trust in thee VVe know that thy fatherly care ouer thy children is great that they shal not loose a haire of their head but thou wilt knowe how they come forÌ„ it oh learn vs for so gret loue to loue thee againe and feare to offend so deare a Father keep farre from vs the breach of thy laws couetous mindes lying lipes swearing tongues malicious hearts vnchast and vngodly behauiour which doth offend thee and prouoke thine anger againsty vs beate down our stoute stomcks that we may stand in awe feare thy displeasure that the plagues due for our sinnes may be turned away from vs. O Lord make vs wise in time plaÌ„t in our harts a loue to thy iudgements and alwaies haue im minde that thou which madest the eye must needs see which madest the eare must needs heare and thou which seaâ—chest the hearts and reins must needs find out our wickednesse And because of our selues we are not able to doe any thing that is good but prone and apt to all kinde of sinne and wickednesse we beseech thee so to assist vs with the ayde and help of thy holy spirite that we may through the same do those things vvhich of our selues we are not able that it may be to thy glory and for the health of our owne soules Oh let these our praiers pearce the heauens and enter into thine eares and giue vs this and all other things necessary for vs from this time to the end of our liues and after death a life to liue for euer for thy deare sonnes sake in whose name vve beg it of thee in that praier vvhich he himselfe hath taughte vs saying Our father c.
hand and one blood guiltines followeth another Oh that we knew such an estate to be dangerous that such sinnes wil be punished except repentaunce what shall it profite vs to haue â—eace vnder our prince yet liue as rebels vnto our god what good shal a fruitful couÌ„try bring to a faithles people What if wee â—ight liue long in this world abouÌ„ding in â—elth prosperity in the endâ— bee ouerta â—en in our sinne rewarded for our iniquiâ—y what happinesse is ther in mans estate although he might liue as a prince in this world and at last becom a firebrand in hel â—et thus shall it fare with such as feare not God and great plagues are imminent ouer he Palaces of the wicked and such as liue vngodly and it is through the great mercy of our God and not for deseruinges that our eys are not witnessed that this is true â—ut since it is the Lordes pleasure to hee as mercifull vnto vs as euer he was vnto his own children the people of Israel although our rebellioÌ„s be nothing inferior to theirs and do with partience long suffering endure our wickednes although all the day long he call and no man doth hear and still stretch out his arme and no man regards it yet let vs once looke about our selues like wise children though long first yet at last be come obedient to so bountifull a father And because the very * Esai 1.6 heade is sicke and the whole heart is heauy and from the sole of the foote vnto the crowne of the head there is nothing sound but wounds blains putrifying sores let vs all in time seeke some remedy for so daungerous diseases that we grow not rotten in our sinnes and be past cure and that it fare not with vs as it did with the Iews that like as the Lord did call vnto * Zacha. 7.13 them and they woulde no heare so they cried vnto him and he would not heare now is it with vs as it was with them nowe doth the Lorde cry vnto vs by the preachers of his word and call alowd with the sound of his gospel God graunt we neuer see the time in which we may say for our disobedience that like as he did call and we woulde not heare so we shall cry â—ot be hard And that we may not be found guilty of so great sinnes and runne in danâ—er of so many miseries let vs learne to be wise in time and not say with the vngratiâ—us seruant my master wil be long a comming and so fall to surfferting and drunken â—esse and in the ende receiue the wages of vnrighteousnes but let vs be penitent with â—he Publican that we may intreat the Lord â—o haue mercy vpon vs and that the wrath of his countenaunce may be far from vs Let sin be forsaken and mercy will be gotâ—en let repentance be found and forgiuenes â—s at hande let amendment of life be a witnesse of our true repentance and heauen â—arth shal testifie that the Lord wil be merâ—ifull vnto vs but if our sinns remaine stil â—f to haue pleasure in wickednesse be our greatest delighte if vertue bée not regarded but vice hath the highest roome if religion be onely in our lippes and the deuill possesse our hearts if we be wise to do euil and haue no knowledge to doe well if to liue as Bulles of Basan vpon the earth be all we séeke for and the heauenly Ierusaâ—em we nothing care for if to haue the muck of this wolrde we will become bondslaues to the deuil we shal be sure to serue a maste that doth pay his seruants eternal damnation for their wages which wil be receiued with weeping and gnashing of teeth And although this mischeife bee a working for the wicked and great plagues remaine for the vngodly who are as hard hearted as Pharao that neuer wil leaue to do euil before they be ouertaken in their sin yet let not the faithful feare but be alwayes glad * Phil. 44. and reioyce in the Lorde for euer For he will be their father * 2. Cor. 6.18 and they shall be his sonnes and daughters and hee will keepe them as the signet vpon his finger let them be contented to abide with patience a little while and he that wil come * Heb. 10.36 will not tarry long let them suffer a while for Christ and they shall reigne with him for euer let them bee accompted as the abiectes and offscouring of the people yet shall they one day be found the sonnes of God and heires of the kingdome of heauen let them water their Couche a while with weeping and the Lorde will once * Esa 15.6 Apoc. 7.17 wipe all teares from their eyes let them be cast amongest the pottes and the vilest places be thought to good for them yet shal they one day be trimmed as the spouse to méete the brydegrome and be Citizens of that new Hierusalem which shall not war old for euer let them bee as sheepe * Rom. 8.36 that are dayly ledde to the slaughter yet shal they at length be deliuered out of their enemies hands death shal haue no more power ouer them Let them not faint in the waye that haue begon to tread the path that leadeth to eternall life for their troubles will once haue an ende and their reward shall last for euer there is a day comming when al shall be well and they shall see Ierusalem in prosperity and peace vpon Israel Thus much gentle reader haue I thought sufficient for an enterance into the rest which I haue written through intreaty is put in print that the sinnes of our time maye bee knowne and therby the better auoyded And as it is the duety of euery man to seeke by all meanes possibe to bring so waightie a matter to passe so for mine owne parte although as vnable as the least yet as willing as the best haue done what I might though not as I would that vertue might be aduaunced and vice ouerthrowne and do wishe it to be read for the end it was written which was to set foorth the glory of God that our wickednes may be done away and amendment of life embraced but if there be any that would seeke for painted speech or rouling Rhethorike which is not here to bee found when they haue opened the booke I woulde wishe them to goe no further for if they seeke till they haue reade the whole they shall find in the ende that they haue but lost their labour but if they wold know the truth here they shall finde no lyes but many thinges that are too true and I wish it to be a booke in euery mans hand that al estates might learne somewhat and that the sounde of it might ring in the cares of all Popishe Priestes couetous Ministers and vnlearned Pastors that when they sée as in a glasse their sinnes laid before them their duetie shewed them
him that you haue offended and not me Gen. Why is there suche an offence in swearing one little othe as by my faith Gen. Yea no doubt although the othe seeme little in your eies yet the offence is great in the sight of God and I maruaile that you which haue taken vpon you to be a teacher are now to learn that lesson therfore I woulde wishe you either learne to leaue your swearing or leaue your name of teaching for commonly suche a master such schollers and where the blind lead the blinds they both fall into the dike Par. Me thinkes you take vppon you to be master controller and I thinke you haue since our first talke spoken more then you can prooue Gen. No master parson I meane not to Controle you but I seeke by all meanes to amend you and as for that which I haue saide or doe meane to saie I doubt not but I am able to auouch it by the word of God and if you thinke that you can disproue me and proue that you saye by the scripture I am contented to be taught of you Par. Naye I promise you I haue no scripture Gen. What haue you no scripture then you are woorse then the Diuell for he had some scripture when he * Mat. 4.6 tempted Christe he was not without scripture but you say you haue none and therfore in that respect you are inferiour to the diuell Par. Truely Gentleman you make but a homely comparison but I am contented you shal say your pleasure Gen. And you are a very homely minister that you shame not to say you haue no knowledge in the scripture What a pitiful thinge is this that you whiche are in the roome of a master and haue manie schollers to teache and see well brought vp or else a hard an account to make that you are altogeather without knowledge You take it vpon you to be on of them that will giue light as a randell to them that sit in darkenesse and are placed in Moses chaire to shew the law of the Lorde vnto his people but I perceiue you may goe amongste the number of those shepheards whom the * Esai 56.16 Prophet complaineth of that are altogeather without vnderstading that are blind that are dumbe dogges and cannot barke For I see well you are no preacher of the word Par. No in deed it was neuer my bringing vp Gen. What can you say nothing then you maye goe learne of Balaams Asse for he * Nom. 22.27 could saie somewhat and feare before the Angel of the Lorde but you can say nothing nor fear the iudgements of God due for so great a sin although you are in such estimation that you are called master parson yet you are worse then Blaaams Asse in condition Par. I thinke I am so not bad as you make me for I can read the word vnto the people and is not that sufficient Gen. No that will not suffice for one of your calling must not onely read the word but be able to expound the same and suche thinges as are harde to be vnderstoode to make plaine vnto the people for faith commeth by hearing * Rom. 10.14 and hearing by the word of God and howe shall they heare without a Preacher and Solomon sayth where * Pro. 11.14 Gods worde is not preached the people goe to decay so that you may now see if you be not starke blind how farre you are out of the way and how vnfitte you are to haue the charge ouer soules which are vnable to preach and cannot vse that ordinary meanes to saue the people which is ordeined to bring them vnto faluation Par. I perceiue you are a Puritant out right you are one of these new mē that would haue nothing but preaching it was neuer merry world since that sect came first amongst vs for I dare be hold to say that there was more good fellowship in the old time and all thinges were better cheape when wee had little preaching or none at all and a man might haue more for a peny then he can haue now for a groat therfore I think we haue now so much preaching that wee are the worse for it Gen. What master parson are you of that minde that the preaching of the word of God which is the greatest blessing that we haue amongst vs is the cause of our vnhappines Oh in any wise thinke not so for the vngodly people in the time of the Prophet Ieremie were of the same wicked opinion and tolde him the like tale that when they did * Iere. 44.17 seruice vnto the Queene of Heauen they were in prosperity and had all things plemie but when they did leaue such vngodly behauiour all thinges went wrong with them and their estate was vn happy and therefore they though that to serue God was the cause of their punishmentes but the Prophet tolde them as I may tel you that * Iere. 44.22 our sinnes are the cause of our troubles and we are punished for not walking in the waies of the Lord. Therefore master parson you are farre deceiued to thinke that the preaching of the Gospell doth hurt the people and now I well perceiue that there is not that in you which I thought to haue found in a man of your calling therefore to discharge mine owne dutie and for the loue I beare vnto the truth I will according to my small knowledge shew you what is the duetie of true sheepeheardes of the which number I know you would goe for one First it is sayde in the prophesie of Ezechiel that the * Ezek. 33.7 shephard is made a watch man ouer his flocke to giue them warning from the lorde and if they sinne and he shew them not of it that then they shall dye in their sinnes their bloud shall be requyred at the pastors handes but if hee giue them warning and thye amend not they shall die in their sinnes but the minister hath saued his own soule another Prophet saith that the Priests lippes shoulde * Mal. 2.7 keepe sure knowledge that the people may seek the law at his mouth because hee is the messenger of the Lorde of Hostes And the Apostle Paule sayth that a minister * 2. Tim. 3.2 must be baamelesse watching sober apt to teach not greedy of filthy lucre holding the mistery of faith in pure conscience and Peter agreeing with him would haue them to feed * 3. Pet. 5.2 their flocke not as though they were Lords ouer their parishioners but that they giue a good ensample vnto them of wel doing and that of good will and Paule in another place would haue them to be instant in * 2. Tim. 4.2 season and out of season and no time exempted wherein they may be doing good This is your duetie and if this be in you then doe you play the part of a wise seruant whom his master when hee commeth shall finde wel doing but if
wise to doe euill but to doe well they haue no knowledge and if scripture will no serue to perswade you yet let me see what reason may mooue you do you think that our Lord Christ who is heire of heauen and earth whose seruantes we will say we are vnder whose banner we will say we fight if he then being our master and * Phi. 4.21 thought it no robberie to bee equall with God and yet made him selfe of no reputation and refused notto take vpon him the shape of a seruaunt and to humble himselfe vnto the death of the crosse for our sakes that we by his example might learn for his great loue to loue him againe and was taught obedience by the thinges that he suffered to submit himself to his fathers will and was contented for our sakes to beare this heauy burden before hee entred into his glory and do you thinke it reason that a gret many of you which are drawn from the Carts taile and set with Princes that you shall mocke him with the name of seruaunts and yet liue as master and say you fight vnder his banner and strike the stroke with his enemies in the end be accounted as his brethren eate and drinke in his kingdome no no master Parson deceiue not your selfe * Gal. 6.7 he will not be mocked they are those that * 2. Tim. 2.12 suffer with him and such as deny him he will deny them or thinke you that there is any new way to heauen better then Christe him selfe hath found no doubt you not if theer had beene any way easier then through many tribulations to enter into heauen the father wold haue reuealed it to his onely begotten son Therefore master Parson seeing the case standeth as it doth I maruaile that before you meant to be a builder in this woorke you had not first made your account what it would haue cost you for it is such a péece of worke as wil not be done without great charge for experience doth teach vs that it hath coste many a man all that they haue had yea and their liues also the they might be found painfull labourers in so sumptuous a building Par. Truely Gentleman I must needs confesse that the scripture is true and your reasons are verye good and if I thought there were no other sence to bee gathered out of the scripture then you haue shewed me I might chance to do that which some times I neuer thought to haue done but although there be many places that threaten punishment to the greeuous offenders yet I know there are some that teach vs that God is mercifull and I for my part doe not meane to come to heauen by mine owne desertes but I do only hope of the mercy of God Gen. To trust in Gods mercy you doe wel for if you should think to come to heauen by your own merites you should surely be deceiued but so to hope of his mercy as those that care not for it is to trust to a broken staffe and in the ende to be deceiued Par. Tushe I know God is merciful and some there be and that a great many that shal tast of his mercy and why shold not I be one of them as soone as an other Gen. But master Parson in any wise deceiue not your selfe but take the counsel of the wise man which saith * Eccle. 5.6 say not tush the Lorde is mercifull he shall forgiue me my sinnes by they neuer so many for as he is mercifull so departeth wrath from him in the time of vengeance he shal destroy thee but because it is true that God is mercifull and some there be that shall tast of his mercie and you are one of them that woulde faine tast of his mercie I will tell you how you maie get it and also how you shal know when she is sure to haue it The prophet Esay saith * Esay 55.7 Let the vngodly man forsake his owne waies and the wicked his owne imaginations and turne againe vnto the Lorde so shall he be mercifull vnto him so by this you may see that the way to haue Gods mercy is to forsake your sinne and when you find from the bottome of your heart the you do loth your wickednesse and hate your sinnes as the greatest enemies you haue and leaue them as thinges daungerous to bee had in keeping when you finde this in you be sure that the mercy of the Lorde is not farre from you but if a man will not turne he will whette * Psal 7.13 his sworde and bend his bowe to the cutting down and vtter destruction of the wicked and vngodly Par. And must I needes put away my benefices thinke you before I am like to obteine the mercy of God and atteine to his heauenly kingdome Gen. Truly Master Parson I will tell you * Math. 7.14 the way to heauen is very straite and it will be a harde matter for one man with three benefices to passe throughe so narrowe a place therefore if you will bee sure to come thither your selfe I woulde wish you to leaue youre benefices behinde you Par. Why do you think that I meant to carry my benefices with me ther is no mā so vnwise I thinke but knoweth he shall leaue al things behind him when he dieth Gen. But if you bee not discharged of them while you may you shall bee sure to be troubled with them when you wil wish that you had neuer seene them when the bloude of your sheepe shall be required at your handes their sinnes will lie so heauy on your backe that when you are come to the gate ready to enter into heauen I feare me they will plucke you downe as farre as the bottomles pit of hel therefore if you will follow the counsel of him that wisheth you well now so deal with the worlde that hereafter you repent not your bargin and * Math. 5.2 agree with your aduersary while you are in the way least he deliuer you vnto the iudge and the iudge deliuer you vnto the Gailor and he cast you into prison thence not to come out till you haue made good the vtmoste farthing Par. For your good counsel I most heartely thanke you and follow it I would if I thought if best for me the pathes that lead to heauen I would fain tread and the way to hell I wold willingly auoid for I know that these places the one from the other do so farr differ that to know the way to heauen is onely my desire and that I might be sure not to misse the waie I coulde be contented to depart with one of my benefices with all my hart so that I might enioy the rest quietlie Gen. I am glad that you are come one step lower and it putteth me in hope the you will not stick to take a little more paine in this vile and transitorie world the you may rest for euer in the
they rule them Par. Me thinkes there shoulde not be all these faultes in them that you speake of for there are some of them that are very good fellowes and keep good houses which doth deserue great commendations Gen. In deede there are some of them that loue to fare well and can make their guests good cheere but this is not it M. Parson that they ought onelie to bee carefull for nor it is not such sacrifice that pleaseth God for do you thinke that the Lorde will be bolde with your owne inuentions which the vanitie of your own brains hath brought forth with the keeping of a great house for great men and feeding onlie the bodies of the people when as the Lorde doth chieflie require that the soule which is the principallest part should be best fed or will you giue the fruites of your benefices for the sinne of your soule or doe you thinke that the Lorde hath as greate pleasure in burnt offernings as when his voiyce is obeyed No M. Parson know it and knowe it so well that you neuer forget it that to * 1. Sam. 15.22 obey is better then sacrifice and to harken is better then the fat of Rams for rebellion is as the sinne of witchcraft and stubbernesse is as the wickednesse of idolatrie whose rewarde is an euerlasting life full of continuall miserie Par. I marnaile that other men as wise as you can not see these faultes as well as you if these bee faultes I woulde faine know the cause thereof Gen. Truely I can shewe yon no other cause nor knowe not to what and they giue themselues to the loue of so manie liuings but only for the desire of filthie lucre which doth spring of a conetous minde which is the roote of all euill and now may we take vp againe the complaint of the Prophet * Iere 24.2 like priest like people that * Iere. 6.13 from the lest vnto the most they hang all vpon couetousnesse and from the Prophet vnto the priest they go about falshood and lyes the priestes * Miche 3.11 preache for lucre and the Prophetes prophesie for gaine but * Iud. 11. woe be vnto them for they haue gone the way of Caine and are vtterly giuen ouer to the erroure of Balaam for Iucres sake and without amendment shall perishe in the gainesaying of Cora they are such as Paule speaketh of that can * Rom. 2.22 teach others and not them selues they preach that a man shoulde not steale yet they steale they abhorre Idols and yet commit sacriledge they make their boast of the lawe and yet through breaking of the law they dishonour God and cause his name to be euill spoken of Par. What thinke you of these doctors which are men of great learning and of the number of those whome we speake of howe is it possible they should so be deceiued Gen. I pray you M. Parson can you tell mee what was the cause that all the words which Pharaoh heard from the Lord and all the myracles that were wroughte before him coulde not make him to obeye God but still to constinue in his wickednesse before hee was ouergotten in his sinne Par. I haue hearde that it was because his heart was hardened Gen. You say very true for that * Exod. 14.17 was the onely cause therof and the same disease of hardnesse of heart hath taken such holde in the stomackes of these whom we speake of that it hath made them so sicke that I feare me it hath brought many of them to their graues Par. If it be true that they are deceined I maruel why they seek to bear the names of doctors and to couet such promotion as many of them are in Gen. I know not for my part what to thinke them nor what they meane by these glorious titles and great liuings but that they are such as Christe spake of that * Mat. 23.6 loue the vppermost seats at feasts and to sit in the cheefe places of the Sinagogues and loue greetings in the Market places and to be called of men Rabbi Rabbi Par. What can you see nothing else in them but that then I perceiue I can see more then you for suche as they are that heare the names of doctors are in some credite and estimation amongst the people shal the sooner be beléeued in that they say and the worde that they preach will be the better imbraced Gen. Oh M. Parson you are deceiued in your sight I thinke you lack your spectacles that you can see no better if the worde of God should work more in the people being deliuered of great men and such as are in authoritie I maruel that Christe had not foreseene it which was equall with his father in glorie and yet made himselfe of no reputation during the time of his being vpon the earth when he had alwaies a care to goe about his fathers businesse whiche was to preach the gospell that as many as were ordeined vnto eternallife might haue redemption through him in his hloude and why had he not chosen the great and mightie men of the world and made them his Disciples but chose rather poore Fishers men of no estimation in the worlde to be ministers of his word distributers of his misteries but you are deceiued M. Parson and that is true which Sainte Paule saithe that * 1. Cor. 1.27 God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to consound the wise and the weake things of the worlde to confound the mightie and things of no reputation despised to bring to naught those thinges that are highly essteemed that no flesh should reioice in his sight Par. For all this I cannot yet be perswaded but that it is lawful for a preacher to haue as manie benefices as he can get he that cannot preache maie haue three or four and be verie wel dispensed withal for you see that it is so and if it ought not to be so men are worse then madde to doe that which is not lawfull Gen. In deede it is too true that it is so with the most parte although not with all and therein they shewe their madnesse for amongst a great many of them onelye a fewe ercepted which the Lorde dothe reserue to himselfe and hath giuen better heartes vnto if hee be once a minister hee thinkes by and by that hee is made onelye to get him manie liuinges and if hee bee a Preacher and haue a wife and children he hath a conscience large ynough to wish for as many benefices as he can get but if his greedie desire can not so be satisfied yet if it bee possible he will haue three at the least one for himselfe another for his wife and a thirde for his children and that they maye haue these liuinges to maintaine themselues so that they may goe amongst the Gallants of the worlde that their diet may be of the best their tables traught with all
that I shoulde refuse to shewe it you Par. Then I praie you sir what is it Gen. My name is Chistopher Conscience Par. What are you a Gentleman and are you called Conscience mee thinkes it is an vnfit name for you as might be deuised Gen. Whie should you think so M. Parson is it not as meet for a Gentleman as anie other man Par. No for I woulde alwaies haue a man called according to the qualities that are in him Gen. And maie not conscience bee it a Gentleman think you Par. Truely Gentleman it is possible inough but it is so vnlikelie that for mine own part amongst a great number I could neuer finde manie that had anie conscience in them at all Gen. Oh M. Parson I think you speak either of malice or of affection Par. Noe I promise you I speak as I thinke and if it be true that you are a gentleman that doth deserue the name of Conscience I maruel what you doe here in this place Gen. Why M. Parson where shoulde I be Par. Mee thinkes it is a greate maruail that you are not presented to the Queenes Maiestie for the greatest wonder that euer she saw Gen. Why is it such a straunge sight to see a Gentleman with a good conscience Par. What it is in the Court I cannot tel but in the countrie I am sure it is so Gen. Nay M. Parson you are not so sure of it as you make youre felfe for although you haue met with some that haue vsed you hardly yet you may not think but there are other some that a great many that are honest Gentlemen and will chuse rather to loose their credite then crack their conscience Par. I will not deny but that there bee a few but to say there are many of them in a Country I will neuer yéeld to it as long as I liue Gen. You may not * Mat. 7.1 iudge any M. parson but hope the best of all and leaue suche matters vnto the iudgement of God which * Apoc. 2.23 searcheth the heart and raines of al men and knoweth those that are his Par. Wel I am contented to hope well of them although I haue small cause to say wel of any of them for I haue not forgotten what scraps and paringes they haue fetched out of my benefices and yet forsooth they woulde be counted such as will doe no man harme and perswade themselues that they are men of very good consciences but if this be the fruites of a good conscience I had as lieue haue a badde conscience as a good Gen. There is no doubt of it but that a good conscience wil cause a good life and a bad consience will alwaies shewe it selfe Par. That I thinke in deed to he verie true but this grieueth mee that they will say they haue good consciences when they are starke naughte but because you are a Gentleman thinke your selfe to be a man of a good conscience I praye you let mee here according to your promise howe ou doe behaue your selfe that I may knowe how to discern a good conscience from a bad and first let me be so bold to intreat you to shew me your â—rudition from your childehoode vnto this time and what care your Father had of you in your tender yeeres to see you so wel brought vp vntill mans estate Gen. First you muste obserue that my father was a man ordeined to beare the office of a iustice in the common wealth and amongst manie children I was his eldeste sonne and my father being one that feared God had no desire so greate as to bring vp his children in the same feare and because of them al I was by nature most able to beare the greatest charge his cheefest care was to see mee wel brought vp the I might thereby learne to discharge my dutie and the better to bring this to passe I was from my infancy trained vp in learning when I came to bee of discretion I was sente to the Vniuersitie that I might the sooner attaine to that which was his desire and I being but young of yeares and wanton by nature my father for so long time wold not suffer mee to haue the bridle but spared no charge to keepe me vnder Masters and tutors that might inforce me to that which of my self I was vnwilling of al times I thoughte those daies moste greeuous wherein they wrought best for me and did like of no companie so wel as of theirs whiche did moste hurt me in this case I continued the space of my childish yeares but when I was able to discerne good from euill and my dearest friends from my greatest enemies and thought those that feared God could giue me best counsel I was neuer before so vnwilling to take their instruction as I was desirous at laste to follow their admonition and coulde like of no companie so well as theirs that were conuersant with such as were faithfull so that at length through the prouidence of God their good instructions and gentle perswasions I was gotten so far in loue with the law of the Lord that I coulde saie with the Prophet Dauid that his word was * Psal 119. sweeter vnto my soule then hony vnto my throte and I founde suche pleasure in the reading thereof that all the day long my studie was in it and the more I read the better I learned and the deeper I tasted the sweeter I felt it so that from that time to this I haue alwaies loued the lawe of the Lorde aboue golde or precious stone and am as gladde when I see it as those that haue fouÌ„d great spoiles and when it pleaseth God to take awaie my father and place me in his roome to beare the like office that he did I knâ—we there was * VVis 6.4 Rom. 13.1 no power but was ordeined of God and that it was my duetie aboue all thinges to seeke his glorie I was taught by the example of Iosua that * Ios 1.8 the lawe of the Lorde ought not to departe oute of my mouth but that I shoulde studie in it day night that I might do al thinges that were written therein Thus did I begin and so doe I continue and no longer doe I desire to liue then this may be found in me for I know that right * Psal 116.13 deare in the sight of the Lorde is the death of his saintes and that the * VVis 3.11 hope of the vngodlie is vaine their labours vnfruitfull and their workes vnprofitable though they * VVis 3.17 liue long yet their end shal be without honor Par. If all this bee true that you haue saide you haue told me of a strange matter for it is as hard a thing to finde this which you haue spoken of in a man of youre calling as it is to obteine that which is past hope of finding for you being a magistrate and placed in so high a roome
al the Phisitians in England are not able to cure this disease Gen. Why M. Parson where dothe it greeue you Par Oh at the heart at the heart Gen I maruell what it shoulde bee that doth take you so suddenly haue you not ben so troubled with it before Par. Oh no I neuer was in this case since I was borne before Gen. Be contented to tarrie the Lordes leasure a little while and you shall see that it will mend anon Par. Oh Lord help me oh Iesu help me God and our Lady helpe me Gen. Oh M. Parson that is very ill sayde do you not thinke that God can helpe you of himselfe but that you must intreate our Ladie to do somwhat for you in so saying you haue greatly dishonored God Par. Oh the Lord forgiue it me I confesse I haue offended him in it Gen. God bee praised that you are so soone reformed But I maruaile what it thoulde bee that doth trouble you so at this time Par. Oh it lieth heauie at my heart Gen. What should it be thinke you that doth lye so heauy Par. Oh it is my sinnes which are more then I am able to beare for now I feel my selfe pricked at the heart with griefe of my former life Oh Lord be merâ—ifull vnto me a sinner Howe greeuously haue I offended so louing a father how wickedly did I enter into the ministery howe negligently haue I taught how vitiously haue I liued how many soules through my negligence haue gone to the Diuell and I haue bene carelesse and taken no thought for them oh forgiue me these mine offences or take mee out of this vale of miserye that I sinne no more Gen. Oh comfort your selfe and knowe that with the * Psal 130.7 lord ther is mercy and with him ther is plenteous redemption yea like * Psal 103.13 as a father pitieth his owne child so is the Lord mercifull to them that feare him Par. Oh how comfortable are these sayings nowe vnto me which sometime I loued not to heare thereof Oh my benefices my benefices that haue wrought mee this wo Fye vpon them fye vpon them fye vppon them Oh I was neuer so farre in loue with them as I do now detest and abhorre them Oh that al dumb doggs vnpreaching prelates popish priests non residentes and vnlearned ministers would learn by mine example to be wise in time Oh that such as can preach woulde preach and such as can say nothing would giue ouer the place whiche is vnméete for them Oh that suche as are set as Cyties vpon a high hill woulde preach Christe the Lorde and them selues seruants oh that this saying were not to true * Phil. 2.21 that euery man seeketh his owne no man that which is Christes oh that labourers might be sent into the Lordes haruest and loiteres might bee rooted out Oh that such as know nothing but to shear the Sheepe and feede themselues did nowe knowe so much as I doe for I neuer had such pleasure in keeping my benefices as I doe nowe finde ioy being willing to forgoe them You tolde me Gentleman that you thought your self happy to come in my company but I may blesse the time that euer I saw you Oh how much am I bounde to the Lorde the hath ordeined such a means to worke mee my saluation praised be his name therefore Gen. Oh the Lorde bee praised for euer that now I finde that in you which long I haue sought for My minde did giue mee that the Lord had his worke in you now experience doth teach mee that it is vnfeinedly true and I doubte not but you are now willing to forsake your benefices and to goe home with me Par. I am more willing to depart with them then euer I was to haue them and am so out of loue with theÌ„ that it gréeueth me to think on them and my desire is that I were so cleane discharged of them that I might neuer here more of them Gen. You shall not neede to take anye further care but â—â—ntent your selfe and you shal haue that which is yours and be troubled no longer Par. But thinke you not that I maye haue my monye againe that I paied for them vnto my Patrons Gen. That question is not woroth the asking for they wil be farre from making a restitution that they wil not be knowen you paide any thing for them But I pray you what did your beâ—e sires cost you Par. I thinke my three benefices did stande me one way or another aboute a fiue hundred pounds Gen. What did they so Oh vnsatiable Symmonie I praie you in what order did they deale with you and with what shame lesse faces coulde they dâ—nâ—aunde monie for them Par. I haue of a long time kept secrete their counsell but now I will disclose their pollicie First you must obserue that my three benefices I had of three Patrons â— the first after sute made vnto him saide hee was contented that I should haue it before another on this condition that I would be thankful for the same and it should cost me nothing but my friends he said were contented to bestow the same vpon me and I should not be priuy of a peny that was giuen before the mony came to be paid and then I should reape the fruites of my benefice in two or three yeares after Another of my patrons would take no mony for hee knew it to be vnlawfull but if I would bestow a dish of Angels of Apples I shoulde saie vppon him when the time of the yeare did serue hee was contented I shoulde bee heard before another but the apples muste be very ripe and as yellowe as golde My third patron was counted a man of a very good conscience and he woulde no mony at any hand but his wife must haue a gowne and that made of Satten laid with a siluer lace and the coller stiffened with as manie olde angels as came to a hundred pounde and she was so in loue with the same that if it laâ—e in her she would neuer were other fashion and when her husband saw it he liked the stuffe so wel that he woulde haue a suite of apparell of the same making so that to make them this gorgeous suite of apparel I was faine my selfe to weare a thred bare coate I knowe not how long Gen. Oh most wicked and Diuelish deuises is there such chopping and changing buying and selling of mens souls but that the mercy of the Lord is aboue al workes the for so wicked an abhomination the earth doth not grone vnder vs as being wery to beare vs. Haue they such shifts to dazle the eies of meÌ„ or do they think by such means to escape the iudgements of God Let them know that when the Lord wil make inquisition for sinne and the secretes os al hearts shal be opened this their wickednesse shall shew it selfe and without amendment shal not go vnpunished Oh how happy are