THE Iland ofOf the situation of the Iland. Britaine pla­ced in the bal­lance of the divine poising hand (as they call it) which weigheth the whole world, almost the uttermost bound of this earth towards the South and West; extending it selfe from the South West, [Page 2] out towards the North Pole, eight hundred miles in length, and containing two hundred in bredth, be­sides the farre outstretched Forelands of sundry Pro­montaries, embraced by the embowed bosomes of the Ocean Sea; with whose most spacious, and on every side (saving only the Southerne streights, by which we saile to Gallebelgicke) unpassable enclosure (as I may call it) shee is strongly defended; enriched with the mouths of 2. noble Floods, Thames and Severne, as it were two armes (by which outlandish commodities have in times past beene transported into the same) besides other Ri­vers of lesser account, [Page 3] strengthned with eight and twenty Cities, and some o­ther Castles, not meanely fenced with Fortresses of Wals, embattelled Towers, Gates, & buildings (whose roofes being raised aloft with threatning hugenesse, were mightily in their aspi­ring toppes compacted) a­dorned with her large spreading fields, pleasant seated hils, even framed for good husbandry, which o­vermastereth the ground, and mountaines most con­venient for the changeable Pastures of cattell, (whose flowers of sundry collours, troden by the feete of men, imprint no unseemely pi­cture on the same) as a spouse of choice, decked [Page 4] with divers jewels; wate­red with cleere Fountaines, and sundry Brookes, beating on the snow white sands to­gether with silver streames sliding forth with soft soun­ding noise, and leaving a pledge of sweet savours on their bordering bankes, and lakes gushing out abundant­ly in cold running Rivers.

Of her disobedi­ence.Secondly, this Land with a stiffe proud necke, and stubborne minde from the time since shee was first inhabited, hath ungrateful­ly rebelled sometimes a­gainst God, other whiles a­gainst her owne Country­men, and at other seasons also against outlandish Kings and their Subjects. For what matter of fowler [Page 5] deformity, or what greater injustice can in the attempts of men, either be, or ever be committed, then to de­ny God of that awful feare, honest Countrymen of that charity, and those who are placed in higher authority (without impeachment of faith) of that honour due unto them, to breake allea­geance to divine and hu­mane reason, and casting a­way all dread of Heaven and Earth, to be ruled by their owne inventions and sensualities? Omitting ther­fore those ancient errours common to all nations of the earth, with the which before the comming of Christ in our flesh, all man­kinde was entangled and [Page 6] bound, nor yet recounting up the monstrous Idols of our Country, surpassing al­most in number the very devilish devises themselves of Egypt, (of the which we behold as yet some, both within and without the wals of their forsaken Temples, with deformed portratures, and terrible countenances after the accustomed man­ner, now mouldring away) neither yet crying out, namely one after another on the mountaines them­selves, or hils, or floods, damnable sometimes, as to the which divine honour, by the people then blinded was yeelded, though now truely profitable to the use of mankinde: and letting [Page 7] passe in silence those old outworne ages of our de­testable Tyrants, who in other far remooved regions were infamous (in so much as Porphyrie that outragious easterling dogge, who bar­ked against the Church, hath in the stile of his mad­nesse and vanity also added this; That Britaine is a fruit­full Province of Tyrants.) I will onely endeavour to set forth to the world those mi­series, which in the time of the Romane Emperours she suffered, and likewise hea­ped on the heads of others, as well her Countrymen, as Strangers, and not farther neverthelesse then I am well able to declare, nei­ther yet so much out of the [Page 8] Chronicles of our Country, or the monuments of our owne Authors (for why these truely if any such there have beene, are ei­ther now devoured with the fires of our foes, or be­ing transported into for­raigne Nations by the meanes of our banished Countrymen, are quite va­nished away) as by the re­lation of outlandish writers which broken off with ma­ny interruptions doth not sufficiently appeare.

Of the subjection of the Iland.Thirdly, for when the Rulers of Rome, had obtai­ned the Empire of the world, and now having brought under their go­vernement, all their next neighbours, Nations and I­lands) [Page 9] had towards the East confirmed with the power of their encreasing renown, the first peace of the Par [...]hians who confine on the In­dians) which being finished warres thenceased through out almost the whole earth, the fury in a sort of this flame towards the West, could no [...] with the blewish billows of the cold Ocean Seas be suppressed or extinguish­ed; but passing over without resistance drew our Iland to the lawes of obedience, and subdued absolutely to their command, the weake but unstable people not like other nations so much with sword, fire, and warlike en­gines, as with threats, or amazing their mindes with [Page 10] the superficious frownes of their countenances, so deep­ly were their hearts in­wardly dismayed.

Of her Rebellion▪Fourthly, after whose re­turne unto Rome, which for want of pay (as they said) was present suspecting no­thing lesse then rebellion, the subtil Queene Voadit [...] slew with the power of her Country­men the Britanes threescore and ten or fourescore thousand Romanes. Lioness murthred the Rulers, who were left behinde of purpose more fully to show; or rather to confirme the enterprises of the Romane Empire. Which being so done, when the report thereof was decla­red unto the Senate, and they with a speedy army made all haste to be reven­ged on the crafty foxes cubbs (as they called them) there appeared no warlike [Page 11] Navy on the Seas prepa­red valiantly to encounter for our Country, nor yet a square mustered army, nei­ther the right wing of the battaile, nor other order of fight to withstand on the shore but backes in place of sheilds were turned to the pursuing foes, neckes subjected to the conque­ring swords, cold feare in­vading all their limbs, and supplyant hands stretched out▪ wom [...]n-like▪ to be bound; so that it was bru­ted farre and neere, as a pro­verbe and scornefull re­proach, that Britaine were Neither forward in warre, nor stable in peace. neither valiant in warre, nor faithfull in peace.

Fifthly;Of the second sub­jection of the Nation. many therefore of the rebellious being [Page 12] slaine, and some of the in­thralled for baser workes (least the Land should be wholly brought to desola­tion) left alive, they sailed from our Country (void of wine and oyle) towards I­taly, leaving behinde them some of their Governors, as scourges over our Coun­trymens shoulders, & yokes on their neckes, who should engrave, as it were, on the very ground the name of their subjection to Rome, and chastice not so much with warlike weapons, as with reprochfull punish­ments the subtill people, and if occasion so required, should fashion them (as they say) to weare their naked swords by their sides, so [Page 13] that now it was not reputed as Britania but Romania, and what soever Brasse, Silver, and Gold it could possesse, was stamped with the I­mage of Caesar.

Sixthly,Of her Rebellion. in the meane while, Christ the true Son of God, spreading forth not onely from this temporall firmament, but also from the Castell and Court of Heaven, (which exceedeth all times) throughout the whole world, his most glo­rious light, especially (as we know) in the Raigne of Tiberius Caesar, (whereas in regard that the Emperour) against the will of the Se­nate threatned death to the disturbers of the professors thereof, Religion was most [Page 14] largely without any hinde­rance dispersed of his infi­nite mercy, did first cast on this Iland, starving with frozen cold, and in a farre remote climate from the vi­sible Sunne, his gladsome beames, to wit, his most holy Lawes.

Of the PersecutionSeaventhly, which al­though they were received of the inhabitans, but with lukewarme mindes, remai­ned notwithstanding fully in the soules of some, and in others lesse, untill the nine yeares persecution of the Tyrant Dioclesian, in which the Churches throughout the whole world were o­verthrowne to the ground, all holy Scriptures (that could be found) burned in [Page 15] the streetes, the chosen Priests of the flocke of our Lord, together with the in­nocent Sheepe murthered, to the end that not the least remembrance, truely of Christian Religion (if possi­bly it might be) should in any place of the Provinces be left. How foule the flights were then, how great the slaughters, what torments of sundry deaths, what ruines of Apostataes, what shining Crownes of glorious Martyrs, what fu­rious madnesse of the per­secutors, and on the con­trary, what singular pati­ence of the Saints of God, the Ecclesiasticall History declareth: so as the whole Church, in mighty throng­ing [Page 16] troopes (leaving behind them all worldly darkenes) hastened with speede to the pleasant Pallaces of Hea­ven as to their proper seats.

Of the holy Mar­tyrs of Britaine.Eightly, God therefore whose will is, that all men should be saved, and who calleth no lesse sinners then such as repute themselves just, magnified his mercy with us, who as wee con­jecture of his gracious a­forenamed goodnesse, that Britaine should not be alto­gether overwhelmed with the black cloud of this dark some night, lightned unto us in this time of persecuti­on the most cleare lamps of his Holy Martyrs, the tombes of whose bodies [Page 17] and places of passion (were wee not for our most mani­fold offences through the lamentable interruption of the barbarous, deprived of them) would even now in­kindle in the mindes of the beholders no small fire of the divine charity. I meane S. Alban. St. Alban of Verolamium and Aaron, and Iulius of Carlile up­on Vske in Monmouth­shire. Carlile with others of both Sexes persisting in many places with most singular magnanimity in the battle of Christ. Of whom the first, after he had for chari­ties sake, concealed a Con­fessor, pursued by the perse­cutors, and even now ready to be taken, by hiding him in his house, and then by changing garments with [Page 18] him, and lastly, in the appa­rell of his fore-recited bro­ther, had willingly offered himselfe to the ensuing dan­ger (imitating also in this Christ, who gave his blood for his Sheepe) so pleasing was he found in the sight of God, and betweene his sa­cred confession and Martyr­dome so exceedingly glori­fied with miracles even in the very eies of the wicked, who with fantasticall out­rage presented the ensignes of the authority of Rome, as entring in the fervour of his Prayers, together with a thousand others dry sooted, the Channell of the noble River of Thames, he made a passage through the wa­ters that hung in the meane [Page 19] time as broken mountaines on the one side, & the other. Iosh 3.17 not unlike to that dryed & unworne way of the Israe­lites when the Arke of the Testament remained long on the sands in the midst of the River of Iordan, and by the sight of so miraculous a matter, he changed his first designed executioner, from a Wolfe to a Lambe. Yea & made him together with himselfe most earnestly to thirst, and constantly to at­chieve the triumphant victory of Martyrdome. O­thers also were with such sundry torments tortured, and with such unspeakeable tearing of their limbes rent in peeces, as without delay the glorious conquerours [Page 20] fixed the tropheys of their Martyrdome, in the famous gates (as it were) of Ierusa­lem. For they who remai­ned alive, did hide them­selves in woods, in desarts and in secretdens, expecting when God the rightfull ru­ler of all things would pro­nounce upon their tormen­tors his severe judgements, and grant themselves the safety of their lives. Tenne yeares therefore of the a­bove named tempestuous hurlewinde being not yet fully ended, and these wic­ked decrees by the deaths of their blooddy beginners now withering away, al the Souldiers of Christ with joyfull eyes, doe after this long Winters night, behold [Page 21] the milde season and faire light as it were of the Hea­venly sky. They reedifie their Churches battered downe to the ground, they found, builde, and finish the Temples of holy Martyrs, and display farre and neere in a sort their conquering banners, they celebrate holy dayes, and sacrifice with pure hearts and mouthes, yea all the chil­dren of the Church being now most lovingly embra­ced and tenderly nourished in the bosome (as you may call it) of their mother doe exceedingly rejoyce.Of the divers he­resies.

Ninthly, for this sweete consort of the members of Christ their head remain [...]d inviolable, untill the Arrian [Page 22] treason like an horrible ser­pent, vomitting out upon us his outlandish poysons, brought to mortall discord brethren who dwelt in one, and so all cruell beasts to­gether, making as it were a passage over the Ocean Sea, and spitting the damnable venome of every heresie from their abhominable mouthes, fastened their deadly wounding teeth on our Country, which is ever desirous to heare novelty, and never truely continueth in any certainety.

Of the Tyrants.Tenthly, moreover also at the length, new springs of Tyrants encreasing, and e­ven now growing up into a very wildernesse of wick­ednesse, our Iland which [Page 23] bore as yet the Romane name, but farre degenera­ted from the manners and lawes of the same, yea ra­ther which did cast away the first roote of her most bitter planting, furnished out unto the Galles The Ty­ranny of Maximus. Maxi­mus (not lawfully inve­sted, but Tyrannically u­surping, and advanced by mutinous souldiers) with mighty bands of men to guard him, and ensignes of the Emperiall Majesty, (which never yet did any way become him) who ra­ther first which crafty subtil­ty then any valour, tying and combining together all neere adjoyning Shires and Provinces against the estate of Rom [...], as the nettles of [Page 24] his perjury and falshood for the atchieving of his wicked government, stret­ching out one of his wings to Spaine and the other to Italy, and seating at Trire the Throne of his most un­just Empire, rebelled a­gainst his Lords with so great outrage, as he expel­led two most lawfull Em­perors, the one out of Rome, the other out of his most Religious life; and with­out delay encouraged with such fatall attempts, lost at the City of Aquilege his ac­cursed head, who before in a sort had throwne to the dust the Crowned heads of the whole worlds King­dome.Of two wastfull Nations.

XI. After this Britaine [Page 25] being now dispoyled of all armed Souldiers, of war­like companies, of (though outragious yet) Rulers, and of her brave and valorous youth, (who marching a­long with the afore recited Tyrant, never returned to their home againe) and now absolutely ignorant of all practise of warre, was astonished, and lamentably groaned, as trampled many yeares under the feete of especially two very fierce outlandish Nations, the Scots from the South, and the Pyctes from the North.

XII. Vpon whose inva­sions,Of the defence of the Iland. and most terrible op­pressions, she sent Ambassa­dors furnished with Letters to Rome, humbly besee­ching [Page 26] with pittious prayers an hoast of Souldiers to re­dresse her wrongs, and vowing with the whole power of her minde her e­verlasting subjection to the Romane Empyre, so as these her foes might be once chased further away. In whose behalfe (all forepas­sed injuries being cleane forgotten) a Legion strong­ly provided for the warre, was forthwith mustered: which being Shipped and so transported over the O­cean into our Country, and incountring hand to hand, with our grievous foes, and slaying an huge number of them, drave them all out of the British bounds, and with so blooddy a fight delive­red [Page 27] their friends and sub­jects from that imminent thraldome. Whom they commanded to builde a­crosse over the Iland, from Sea to Sea a wall, which be­ing manned with garrisons of Souldiers, might be a ter­ror to suppresse the enemy, and a safe-guard to defend their friends. But this be­ing without any director made by the people, and unreasonable rout, not so much of stone, as of turfe, prooved to little purpose.

XIII.Of the other spoile of the Country. The army was no sooner with great triumph & rejoycing returned home but their accustomed foes not unlike devouring Wolves, that ravening with extreame hunger, and gree­dy [Page 28] jawes, leape over the fold, in the Shepheards ab­sence, being furthered and furnished with the wings of Oares, and the strength of Rowers, and Sailes filled with too prosperous winds, breake downe all bounds, commit all murthers, and as men who reape the now ripe corne, so tread they under foote, and overrunne them all.

Of the second re­venge ta­ken of the enemy.XIV. And now againe they send supplyant com­playning Embassadors with rented garments (as they say) and heads overspread with ashes, humbly besee­ching assistance from the state of Rome, & shrowding themselves like fearefull chickens under the most [Page 29] trusty wings of their Pa­rents, that their miserable country might not be alto­gether made desolate, nor yet the Romane name (which now was onely left with idle sound of words to fill the empty eare) base­ly vanish away, as consu­med with the reproachfull despights of forraigne Na­tions, whereupon the Ro­manes being mooved (as much as mans nature possi­bly might be) with the de­claration of this so lamen­table a tragedy, advancing forward (as Eagles in their flight) withall speede their troopes of Horse by Land, and Marriners mustred on the Sea, doe sease on the shoulders of their foes, first [Page 30] with the unexpected, and then the terrible tallons of their swords, and slaughte­ring, overthrow them as thicke as leaves, that withe­red Autumn hurleth down. And as the streame that powreth out from the Mountaines, and encreaseth with sundry brookes, that rise of tempestuous raines, which in her roaring fall, surmounteth now all chan­nels, and outragiously fo­meth with her furrowed backe and vehement boy­ling fountaine, and leaping (as they say) to the very clouds with her dashing waters (through whose di­vers circuling wheeles the appels of our eyes, though often refreshed with our [Page 31] twinckling eie-lids are not­withstanding dazled) even with one billow, beareth downe all resisting powers, so our rightworthy assisting friends most speedily cha­sed the troopes of our foes (if any could so escape their hands) beyond the Seas, because beyond the same Seas, they did yeare by yeare in great abundance greedily transport their praises, no man daring with­stand them. The Romanes therefore declaring unto our Country, that they could not endure to be so often troubled with such tedious journeyes, nor yet to weary out the Ensignes of Rome, together with such and so great an army, both [Page 32] by land and Sea, on these wandring wasters; and per­swading them rather by ex­ercise of warfare, and cou­ragious fighting, with their whole powers of them­selves to defend their lands, goods, wives, children, and (which are dearer then all these) their liberties and lives, and not in any case to yeeld unto Nations no way more valiant then themselves (if by sloath and idle cowardlinesse they were not weakened) their disarmed hands to be ma­nacled in bands, but rather to shew them the same hands armed with Targets, Swords, and Speares, and manfully prepared to make slaughter of their foes, doe [Page 33] together with the poore miserable inhabitants by the common charge of all and private helps of many, (because they supposed it would be some advantage to the people, now left to themselves) build a wall as the first, though not weake as the first, by levell, direct­ly from Sea to Sea, along the Cities, which for dread of their [...]oes, were there by chance situate, give manfull admonitions to the feareful people, leave them the art to make armour, and teach them the order of warfare. And moreover on the Sou­therne shore of the Ocean, where their Shippes lay in Harbour (because the lan­ding of the barbarous sa­vage [Page 34] sort, was there most to be feared) they doe in divers and distant conveni­ent places erect watch­towers, to ken over the Seas, and now as never to returne againe, give them their last farewell.

Of the third wast­full spoile of the Land.XV. They were not­withstanding no sooner gone home, but as the brownish bands of wormes and eamots, which in the hieghth of Sommer, and encreasing heate, doe swar­ming breake out of their most straight and darke­some dens, the dreadfull routes of Scots and Pictes, partly dissenting in man­ners, but consenting in one and the selfe same greedy thirst of shedding blood, [Page 35] and shadowing rather their terrible faces, with shag­ging glibes, then hiding the secrets and shame of their bodies with comely gar­ments, doe runne in throngs and mustring troopes, a land out of their Ships, wherein they were transported over their Scithian vale, The Sea betweene England and Ireland called Scy­th [...]ca vallis. and be­ing assuredly informed, as touching the departure of our assisting friends, and their absolute denyall of e­ver returning againe, even now more boldly then at any time before they in­vade, and bereave the inha­bitants of all the Northerne and uttermost bounds of the land, to the very wall it selfe. For the withstan­ding of whose forces was [Page 36] placed on the fortresse a sloathfull garrison, backe­ward to fight, unfit to en­counter, an unprofitable dismayed company, which day and night in amaze­ment wasted away; in the meane while ceaseth not the hooked weapons of the naked enemies, with the which our miserable Coun­trymen were pulled from the wal, and dashed downe to the ground. And yet truely they who lost their lives in this slaughter, rea­ped through the torment of their untimely death, this commodity, that by their suddaine ends they eschew­ed the sight of those lamen­table and imminent plagues and punishments which fell [Page 37] upon their brethren and deere children. What need many words? They left the Cities, they left the high wall, againe they flye, and are againe dispersed in farre more desperate sort then before; and now the enemy pursueth afresh, and afresh he hastneth, and hea­peth slaughters on slaugh­ters, more cruelly then e­ver, and as Lambs by but­chers, so our pittifull Coun­trymen are by their foes hewed in peeces, insomuch as their habitation was like a wildernesse of salvage beasts.

XVI. For even theyOf the famine. themselves did not with­hold their hands from ra­vening on their owne mise­rable [Page 38] Countrymen, yea for a little sustenance of a small deale of food, and so over­throwes from the enemy were enereased with civill sedition, and the reason was because through these such sundry wastefull spoyles, the whole Country was ut­terly disfurnished of all manner of provision of vi­ctuals, that onely excepted which they gat by hun­ting.

Of the Letters to Aeitius.XVII. Wherefore a­gaine the ruthfull remnants of us direct unto Agitius (a man of power, in the state of Rome) their Letters indited to this purpose. The lamentation of the Britanes unto Agitius thrice Consul, and a little after in [Page 39] this sort complaining. The Barbarous beate us to the Seas, the Seas drive us back on the Barbarous, between these two dreadfull kindes of death, we are either slain or drowned; but neverthe­lesse they obtaine no man­ner of aide. In the meane while a cruell and most no­torious famine oppressed the strugling and discom­forted people, which en­forced many of them with­out delay, for the gayning but of a little meate to re­fresh their lives, to yeeld▪ their neckes to the yokes of their terrible spoyling foes, although others would ne­ver be constrayned there­unto, but rather from of the mountaines and from out [Page 40] the dens and defert wood­dy forests made continuall resistance.

Of the victory ob­tained by the Britaines.XVIII. And then first of all they overthrew their foes, who now for many yeares had wasted their Country, yet not trusting in the strength of man, but in the power of God, according to that of Philo. It is necessary to have divine assistanc [...], when humane for­ces faile. A while ceased the attempts of our ene­mies, but yet not ceased the wickednesse of our Coun­trymen, our foes left our people, but our people left not their iniquities.

Of their offences.XIX. For it hath beene still a custome with our Country (as still al [...]s it re­maineth) [Page 41] that she hath been weake to represse the pow­er of their enemies, but strong to raise civil broiles, and beare the burthens of offences; feeble (I say) to execute the lawes of peace and truth, but able enough to sin, falsifie, and deceive. The impudent Irish wasters departed home, as they who not long after deter­mined to returne againe, and then first the Pictes sea­ted themselves (where af­terwards they continued) in the furthest part of the Iland, breaking every while forth in spoyling and defa­cing our Country. Where­fore in such truces as these, the cruell sore of famine (which the desolate people [Page 42] sustained) was now cleare healed, another farre more poysonous secretly arising. For no sooner did the ene­my desist from spoyling the Country, but the Iland a­bounded with so great plenty of all things, as no forepassed age could ever remember the like, where­with all kind of licencious­nesse in like sort encreased. Yea truely it increased with a mighty off-spring; so that very aptly to the same time might be applyed the say­ing which is; To be short, such fornication is heard of, 1 Cor. 3.1. as among the Gentiles there is not the like. Neither yet this vice alone, but all o­thers that to humane frail­ty doe accustomably be­fall, [Page 43] and chiefly (that which now also overthroweth in her the whole estate of goodnesse) hatred of truth with her maintainers, and the love of falshood with the framers thereof, the acceptance of sin for sancti­ty, the worshipping of wickednesse for benignity, the desire of darkenesse for the Sunneshining, the em­bracing of Sathan for an Angell of light. Kings were annointed, not as God ap­pointed, but such as in cru­elty excelled others; and within a while after were they by their Electours without due examination of their deserts murthe­red, other more blooddy Tyrants being in their pla­ces [Page 44] advanced, if any one of them were of a milder dis­position, or seemed to draw any whit nearer to the truth, on him as the subver­ter of Britaine were all mens hatred and vengeance with out respect throwne, and at an equall rate was valued all that displeased and plea­sed God, if that which dis­pleased bore not the high­er price. So as rightly to our Country might be spoken those words of the Pro­phet, which to that people of old were denounced. Esai. 1.5. Children without a law, have ye left God and provoked to anger the holy One of Israel, to what end shall ye be as yet strooken, adding iniquity? every head is languishing, and [Page 45] every heart is grieving, from the sole of the foote even to the very crowne of the head, there is no soundnesse in him. And so they managed all matters, that were contrary to their salvation, as if the true Physition of all things could Minister no medicine to the enfeebled wound: And thus dealt not only the Lay people, but the very flocke of our Lord, and the Pastors thereof, who ought to give all the Commons good example; very many as it were washed in wine did carelessely waste them­selves in drunkennesse, and were moreover attainted with the swelling of pride, the contention of anger, the griping talo [...] of envy, and [Page 46] the indifferent estimation of good and evill; so that apparently (as now also it fareth) there seemed to be powred out Psa. 106 Contempt on the Princes, who caused them to wander astray, and not in the way.

Of the suddaine newes of the enemy.XX. God in the meane while being willing to cleanse his family, and with the onely report of tribula­tion to amend them who were infected with so great a pestilence of mischiefes; the winged flight of no un­certaine fame, peirced the listning eares of all men, concerning the instant ap­proach of their inveterate enemies, even now resol­ved to make a spoile of all, and to possesse after their [Page 47] accustomed manner, the whole Country from the one end to the other. Yet did our Countrymen never­thelesse reape small com­modi [...]y hereby, but like to bransicke beasts, most wil­fully taking (as they say) in the teeth the bit of reason, they left the safe, though straight way, and ranne mainely to the open passage of sundry vices, that leade headlong to deadly de­struction.

XXI. While therefore (as Salomon saith) The stub­borne Servant is not with words amended,Of the faminous Plague.the foole is scourged and feeleth it not. For a pestilent sicknesse did mortally infect the unwise people, which (without any [Page 48] stroake of the sword) did in short time devoure so great a multitude of them, as the living were unneathable to bury; but neither with this were their sinnes correct­ed, that the same of Esay the Prophet might be also in them fulfilled, saying▪ And God hath called to La­mentation, Isai. 22.12. to baldnesse, and to the girdle of sackecloth, and behold they rejoyce to kill calves, and to slaughter Rams, to eate and drinke, and to say, Let us eate, and let us drinke, for to morrow wee shall dye. For why the houre drew on a pace, wherein all their iniquities as those sometimes of the Amor­rheians should be fully ac­complished.

XXII. For a CounsellOf the Counsell. was called to determine what were the best or safest way to repulse and represse such deadly and often inva­sions and spoylings made by the aforesaid Nati­ons.

XXIII. When all the Counsell,Of an enemy far more cruell then the first. together with the proud Tyrant, were blin­ded in finding out this de­fence, nay, offence, and ut­ter destruction of our Coun­try, that those most fierce and detestable people named the Saxons, a Nati­on odious both to God and man, should be sent for in­to the Iland (as wolves into a fold of Sheepe) to beate down the Northerne pow­ers; then which nothing [Page 50] ever befell to this our Country more pernicious and miserable. O most pal­pable darkenesse of their sences! O desperate and blockish dulnesse of their mindes! whom they drea­ded in their absence, more then death it selfe, were now freely and willingly invited to inhabit with them under the roofe (as I may call it) of one selfe same house, by the foolish Princes (as it is said) of Taneos giving undiscreete Counsell to their King Pha­raoh. And then an huge lit­ter of whelpes ramping out of the denne of the barb [...] ­rous Saxony. Lionesse, in three Ciuls (according to their tongue, but (after ours) in [Page 51] three long Shippes or Gal­lies, with prosperous sailes, fortunes and prophesies, through which by a certain Southsayer among them was foretold, that they should three hundred yeare possesse the Country wher­unto they directed their course, and spend an hun­dred and fifty of the same (to wit) the one halfe in of­ten spoyling of the Realme, and landing first in the Ea­sterne part of the Iland, fix­ed there, by the unhappy Tyrants commandement, their cruell clawes, as it were to fight for our Coun­try, but more truely to o­verthrow the same. After whom the aforesaid Saxony. Dam, (finding her first begin­nings [Page 52] had so good successe) sendeth also forth a new and greater supply of her ravening race, which be­ing shipped over, joyne themselves with the for­mer bastardly bands. Here­upon the bud of iniquity, the roote of bitternesse, and the plant of poyson, answe­rable truely to our demirits sprung out from this our na­tive soyle in fierce armes and branches. The Bar­barous therefore being in­vited and admitted into our Iland, demaund and obtain allowance of victuals to be granted them as Souldiers and such as would under­take mighty dangers (as they pretended) for their good hosts, and entertai­ners [Page 53] which being a long time largely bestowed. stopped (as they say) the dogges mouth. Yet after­wards notwithstanding they cavill that they had not suf­ficient victuals and habita­tions appointed them, for­ging thereupon, quarrels of set purpose, and if they found not greater abun­dance of bounty, they pro­test they would breake the league, and sacke the whole Iland, and without delay they make good their threats with following ef­fects.

XXIIII. For the fire of just revenge,Of the overthrow of the Ci­ties. being in regard of our former offen­ces now inkindled, was in­creased and continued from [Page 54] sea to sea, as fed by the hand of the sacrilegious Ea­sterlings, which spoyling and consuming al neere ad­joyning Cities and Coun­tries, when it was once in­flamed, ceased not till bur­ning almost the whole We­sterne face of the Iland, it dipped histerrible red scor­ching tongue into the Oce­an Sea. Wherefore in these assaults, not unlike those which the Assyrians some­times attempted against Iu­dah, the same was also Hi­storically performed in us, which the Prophet lamen­ting said; Psal. 73.7 They have bur­ned with fire thy Sanctuary, they have pollat d in earth, the Tabernacle of thy name. And againe, Psal. 78.1 O God the [Page 55] Gentiles have come into thine inheritance, they have defi­led thy holy Temple. In so much as all the townes with the often beatings of the Rammes, and all the Townes-men, Pastours, Priests, and People, with naked swords that glittred on all sides, and crackling flames were together whir­led to the ground; lamen­table and dreadfull to be­hold, there lay the toppes of lofty Towres now tum­bled downe, the stones of high wals, the holy Altars, and rented peeces of carca­ces covered with distilling & congealed purple blood, confusedly in the midst of the streetes heaped in one, as if they were to be crush­ed [Page 56] together in a certaine horrible winepresse: and now besides the ruines of houses, there remained no grave at all for the dead, but the bellies of beasts and birds; be it spoken with reverence to the sacred soules (if many yet were to be found) which at that time by the blessed Angels were assumpted to the high Heavens; for that vine which was sometimes so good, had as then so dege­nerated into bitternes, that (according unto the Pro­phet) like as when the wine­makers or harvest men have done, there was hardly a grape or eare of corne to be seene.Of the remnant of the Bri­taines.

XXV. Some therefore [Page 57] of the miserable remnants being taken in the moun­taines, were in heapes mur­thered; others constrained by famine, came and yeel­ded themselves to be eter­nall slaves to their foes, if they were not instantly ne­verthelesse slaine, which truely was the greatest fa­vour that could be offered them: some others passed over beyond the Seas, sing­ing or rather sighing with wonderfull lamentation un­der the shadowes of their sailes, in place of the Marri­ners sound, this heavy sen­tence; Psal. 43.12. Thou hast given us as Sheepe to be slaughtered, and among the Gentiles hast thou dispersed us. Others committing the safegard of [Page 58] their lives, in continuall doubtfull dread, to the mounting hils, to the for­tresses of deepe downefals, to most thicke wooddy for­rests, and to the Rockes of the Seas, remained (albeit with trembling hearts) yet still in their Country. But in the meane while, an op­portunity happening, when as these most cruell rob­bers were returned home, the poore remnants of our Nation (to whom do flock from divers places round about our most miserable Countrymen as fast as Bees to their hives, for feare of an insueing storme) being strengthened by God, and with all their hearts calling upon him, and lading (as [Page 59] they say) the Heavens with innumerable vowes, that they might not be now brought to utter distruction take armes under the con­duction of Ambrose the Au­relian a modest man (who of all the Romane Nation was then alone in the con­fusion of so great a tempe­stuous season by chance left alive, his parents who for their honour were ador­ned with purple, being slain in the same broyles, al­though his progeny in these our dayes do foulely dege­nerate from the worthinesse of their Ancestors) and provoke to battaile their cruell Conquerors, and so by the goodnesse of our Lord ob­taine the victory.

Of the last victory granted by God to the Britaines.XXVI. After this some­times our Countrymen, sometimes the Enemy won the field, to the end our Lord might in this Land try after his accustomed man­ner these his now Israelites, whether they loved him or not, untill the yeare of the siege of the mountaine of Bath, and of the last almost though not the least slaugh­ter of our villanous foes, which was (as I am sure) forty foure yeares and one moneth after the landing of the Saxons, and also the time of my Nativity. And yet neither to this day true­ly are the Cities of our Country as before inhabi­ted, but being forsaken and overthrowne doe hitherto [Page 61] lye desolate, our forraigne warres ceasing, but civill remaining. For as well the remembrance of so despe­rate a distruction of the I­land, as also that of the un­expected recovery of the same remained in the minds of them, who were eye wit­nesses of the wonderfull e­vents of both, and in regard thereof, Kings, publicke Magistrates, and private persons, with Priests and Clergy men, did all and e­very of them live orderly according to their severall vocations. But when these departed out of this world, and a new off-spring suc­ceeded, that was ignorant of this troublesome time, and had onely experience [Page 62] of the present prosperity, all the lawes of truth and justice were so shaken and turned upside downe, that I will not say one step, but not so much truely as one little memory of these ver­tues hardly rested to be seene in the fore-recited orders of men, a few, yea a very few excepted, who in respect of the losse of so great a multitude, which rusheth daily head-long downe to hell, are accoun­ted so small a number, that our reverent mother the Church doth in a sort scarce behold them reposing in her bosome, whom shee doth onely accept for her true children; whose wor­thy lives being admirable [Page 63] to all men, and of God be­loved (by the sacred pray­ers of whom, as by certaine pillars and most profitable supporters, our infirmity is sustained up, that it may not utterly fall downe to the ground) I would have no one suppose I goe once a­bout to reprove, if any way enforced by the encreasing heapes of offences I shall more liberally, yea more lamentably not so much de­clare as bewaile the wick­ednesse of those who are become servants not onely to their bellies, but also to the devill rather then to Christ, who is our bles­sed God, world without end.

For why shall their Coun­trymen conceale, what for­raigne Nations round a­bout doe as now not onely know, but also cast in their teethes? Britaine hath Kings but Tyrants, shee hath Iudges but wicked, of­ten spoyling and confoun­ding, but the Innocent; de­fending and protecting but the faulty and Felons; ha­ving very many wives, but queanes and adulteresses, sundry times swearing but forswearing, vowing and almost instantly falsifying the same, making warres, but civill and unjust, migh­tily pursuing robbers a­broad truely in the Coun­try, and yet not only loving but also rewarding such [Page 65] theeves as are with them at their tables; giving almes bountifully, but on the con­trary side heaping upmoun­taines of mischiefes misera­bly, sitting in the throne of Iustice, but seldome see­king out the rules of right­full judgement, disdaining the honest and humble, but extolling (as much as in them lyeth) unto the very starres, the blooddy, the proud, the monstrous mur­therers, the combined and adulterous enemies if so (as they say) they may pre­vaile, of God himselfe, who together with their very names are to be razed absolutely out of the earth; having many fettered in their goales, but lading [Page 66] them with chaines, whom they rather beate downe by deceits, then punish for any due desarts; making solemne oathes on the Al­tars, and presently after­wards despising the same Altars, as if they were but durty stones. The re­prooving of Constantine Of which so horrible a crime, Con­stantine the Tyrannicall whelpe of the uncleane Ly­onesse of Dannonier is not guiltlesse. This selfe same yeare after the taking of a dreadfull oath (whereby he bound himselfe first be­fore God, and by a solemne sworne protestation, then calling all the quires of Saints, and Mother of God to witnesse, that hee would not contrive [Page 67] any deceipts against his Country-men) he did ne­verthelesse in the reverent bosomes of two mothers, the Church, and the car­nall Parent, under the ha­bit of the Saintly Abbot Amphibalus, Amphibol [...]s. amiddest the very holy sacred Altars (as I have sayd) in stead of teeth with his abhomina­ble sword and lavelin, wound and rent the most tender sides of two royall I thinke this shou'd be rather thus. Youths, and cruelly the entrailes of two nurse­lings. Fo [...] it appeareth to be two severall slaughter; the first of two young men, the last of two nurse chil­dren, accor­ding to our Chro [...]icles; children, or cruelly the entrailes of two such nurse­lings, whose armes no way defended with armour (which no man almost as then more stoutly, than these poore babes used) but stretched against the day of Iudgement, to God [Page 68] and the Altar, did hang up (O Christ) at the gates of thy City, the venerable ensignes of their patience and faith: yea so he did it as the purple cloakes (as it were) of congealed blood, did touch the seate of the heavenly sacrifice, neither did he commit this truely after any precedent com­mendable actions: For many yeeres before was he overcome with the often and interchangeable sten­ches of adulteries, having thrust away his lawfull wife against the commandement of Christ, and also the Do­ctor of the Gentiles, saying, Mat. 19 6. Marke 10 9 What God hath joyned, let not man separate; and againe, Eph. 5.28 Colos. 3.19. Husbands love your wives, [Page 69] For why he had planted in the ground of his heart (an unfruitfull soyle for any good seede) a certaine most bitter set of incredu­lity and folly, taken at the first from the Vine of So­dome, which being watred with his vulgar and dome­sticall impieties, as poyso [...]nous kinds of showres, an [...] afterwards to the offence of God more audaciously springing up, hath brought forth into the world the sinne of horrible murder and sacriledge; and not as yet discharged of the en­tangling netts of his former offences, he encreaseth his new wickednesse with old villanies. Goe too now, I reproove thee as present, [Page 70] whom I know as yet to be in this life extant; why standest thou astonished, O thou butcher of thine owne soule? why dost thou wilfully inkindle a­gainst thy selfe the eternall fires of hell: Why dost thou in place of enemies, desperately stabbe thy self with thine owne swords, with thine owne javelins? What cannot those same poysonous cuppes of offen­ces yet satisfie thy sto­mack? Looke backe (I be­seech thee) and come to Christ, (for why thou la­bourest, and art pressed even downe to the earth with this huge burthen) and he himselfe, as he sayd will give thee rest. Come to [Page 71] him who wisheth not Esa. 52.2. The death of a sinner, but that hee should be rather converted and live. Vnlose (accor­ding to the Prophet) the bands of thy necke, Ezech. 33.11. O thou sonne of Sion. Returne (I pray thee) although from the farre remote regions of sinnes,Luc. 15.13. unto the most pyous Father who for his sonne that will despise the filthy foode of swine, and feare the death of cruell famine, and so come backe to him againe, hath with great joy accustomed to kill his fated Calfe, and bring forth for this erronio [...]s wanderer, the first stole and royall ring, and then talking as it were a taste of the heavenly hope thou shalt perceive. Psa. 33.9. How sweete [Page 72] our Lord is. For if thou dost contemn [...] these, be thou assured, thou art almost in­stantly to be for ever tossed and tormented in the inevi­table and darke floods of endlesse fires. What dost thou also thou Lions whelp (as the Prophet saith) Au­relius Conanus?The repro­ving of Aurelius Conanus. Art not thou as the former (if not farre more foulely) to thy utter destruction, swallow­ed up in the filthinesse of horrible murders, fornica­tions and adulteries, as in certaine over-whelming flouds of the sea? Hast not thou by hating, as a deadly serpent, the peace of thy Country, and thirsting un­justly after civill warres, and often frequent spoyles, [Page 73] shut up the gates of heaven­ly peace and repose against thine owne soule? Being now left alone as a withe­ring tree in the middest of a field, remember (I beseech thee) the vaine and idle phancies of thy Parents, and brethren, together with the untimely death that befell them in the prime of their youth; and shalt thou for thy religious deserts, be reserved to live some hundreds of yeares, or to attaine to the age of Methusalem, being now bereft almost of all succee­ding posterity? No sure­ly, but unlesse (as the Psal­mist saith) thou shalt bee more speedily converted unto our Lord, that King [Page 74] will shortly Psal. 7.13. Brandish his sword against thee, who by his Prophet saith Deut. 32.39. I will kill, and I will cause to live, I will strike, and I will heale, and he is not who can deliver out of my hand. Bee thou therefore Esa. 52.2. shaken out of thy filthy dust, and withall thy heart converted to him, who hath created thee, that Psal. 2.12. When his wrath shall short­ly burne out, thou mayest be blessed in hoping on him. But if otherwise, eternall paines will be heaped up for thee, where thou shalt be ever tormented and ne­ver consumed in the cruell jawes of Hell.The repro­ving of Vortiper. Thou also who like to the sundry co­loured Parde art divers in manners and diverse in mis­cheifes, [Page 75] whose head now weareth hoare, who art seated in a Throne full of deceipts, and from the bo­tome even to the very top deflowred with sundry de­testable murders and adul­teries, a naughty sonne of a good King, as another Manasses sprung from Eze­chias, Vortiper thou Tyrant of the Demetians why dost thou astonished stearve a­way? What! doe not such violent gulfes of sinnes (which thou dost swallow up as most pleasant wine, if thou thy selfe art not rather swallowed up by them) is yet satisfie thee, especi­ally since the end of thy life dayly now also approa­cheth? Why dost thou [Page 76] heavily clogge thy misera­ble soule with a lustfull sinne of all others the fou­lest, by putting away thine owne wife, and after her honourable death, with a certaine irrecoverable bur­den of thine impudent daughter? Wast not (I be­seech thee) the residew of thy life in offending God, because as yet an 2 Cor. 6.2. accepta­ble time and day of Salvation shineth on the faces of the repentant, wherein thou mayest worke well, that thy Math. 24.20. Flight may not be made in the Winter, or Sabbath. Psal. 33.15. Turne away (according to the Psalmist) from evill, and doe good, seeke forth blessed peace and follow the same, be­cause the eyes of our Lord [Page 77] will bee cast upon thee, when thou dost righteous­nsse, and his eares will bee then open unto thy prayers, and he will not destroy thy memory out of the land of the living, thou shalt cry and he will heare thee, and out of thy tribulations deliver thee, for Christ doth never despise Psal. 50.19. an heart that is contrite and humbled with his feare. Otherwise Esay 66.24. the worme of thy torture shall not dye, and the fire of thy burning be never extingui­shed. Marc. 9.44. And why art thou tumbled in the old filth of thy naughtinesse,The re­prooving of Cuneglasse. yea since the very first spring of thy tender youth, thou Beare, thou rider and ruler of ma­ny, and guider of the cha­riot [Page 78] which is the Beares bearour, thou contemner of God, and depressour of his lot Cuneglasse, and by interpretation in Latine a yellow or golden butcher? why dost thou raise so great a warre as well against men as also against God himselfe, against men yea thy Country-men with thine especiall powers, a­gainst God with thine infi­nite offences? Why be­sides other thine innumera­ble ruines having throwne out of doores thine owne wife, dost thou with the lustfull love, or rather bloc­kish dulnesse of thy minde, against the Apostles ex­presse prohibition,Galat. 1.21. denoun­cing that no adulterers can [Page 79] be partakers of the King­dome of heaven, esteeme (according to the Poet) as the exceeding dainties of the celestiall nimphes, her detestable sister, who had vowed unto God the ever­lasting continency of her widdowhood? Why dost thou provoke with thine often injuries the lamenta­tions and sighes of Saints, by thy meanes corporally afflicted, which will in time to come like a terrible Lio­nesse, breake thy bones in peeces? Psal. 36.8 Desist (I beseech thee (as the Prophet saith) from wrath, and leave of thy deadly, and (that which will be) thy selfe tormen­ting fury, which thou brea­thest out against heaven [Page 80] and earth which is against God and his flocke: make them rather with altered mindes to pray for thee, who possesse a power of binding over this. world, when in this world they binde the guilty, and of loosing when they loose the penitent. Tim. 6.17. Be not (as the Apostle saith) proudly wise, nor hope thou in the un­certainty of riches, but in God who giveth thee many things abundantly, and by the amendment of thy man­ners purchase unto thy selfe a good foundation for hereaf­ter, and obtaine a [...]rue, and truely everlasting life, and not a transitory one Other­wise thou shalt know and see yea in this very world, [Page 81] how bad and bitter a thing it is for thee to leave thy Lord God, and not have his feare before thine eyes, and in the next, how thou shalt be burned in the foule incompassing flames of endlesse fire, nor yet by any manner of meanes ever dye. For why the soules of the sinfull are as well eternall in perpetuall fire, as the soules of the just in perpetuall joy and glad­nesse.

And likewise O Dragon of the Island,The re­proofe of M [...]glocune. O depriver of many Tyrants, as well from their kingdomes as al­so from their lives, and a­mong the fore-recited the last in my writing, but the first in thine owne mis­chiefe, [Page 82] exceeding many in power, and also in malice, more liberall in giving, more licentious in sinning, boystrous in armes, but stronger in working thine owne foules destruction, Maglocune, to what end art thou (as one Ier. 23.9. Soken in the wine pressed out of the So­domiticall grape) foolishly moyled in that so ugly old deformity of thine offen­ces? Why dost thou wil­fully heape in bands upon thy kingly shoulders, such huge weights of sinnes, not unlike (as I may say) unto the unsupportable burdens of great mountaines? Why dost thou not shew thy selfe unto the King of all kings (who hath made thee [Page 83] as well in kingdome as also in stature of body higher than almost all the Dukes of Britaine besides) better likewise in vertues than the rest; but on the contrary side for thy sinnes much worser? The certaine affir­mation of which sinnes, do thou a while with an in­different eare, heare and listen unto, wherein I will not touch any whitte thy domesticall and higher offences (if yet any of them are light) but onely report those open ones which are spread farre and broade in the knowledge of all men. Didst not thou in the very first entrance of thy youth, most terribly oppresse through sword, [Page 84] speare, and fire, the King thine uncle together with his most couragious bands of Souldiers, whose coun­tenances in battell were not much unlike unto young Li­ons? Little esteeming those words of the Prophet that say; Psal. 54.24. Men of blood and de­ceite shall not accomplish the middle part of their daies: and were not the sequell of thy sinnes such as insued) yet what revenge shouldest thou expect at the hands of the just Iudge for this onely offence; He also saying by his Prophet: Esa. 33.1 Woe be to thee who spoylest, and shalt not thou thy selfe be spoiled? and thou who killest, shall not thy selfe be killed? and when thou shalt make an end of thy [Page 85] spoyling, then shall thy selfe ruinate.

But when the conceit of this usurping raigne had succeeded according to thine owne hearts wishes, didst not thou being taken with a desire of returning to the right way, day and night as then (perhaps through the deepe remorse of thy sinnefull conscience) chaw first of all, the cudde of thy many meditations about the service of God, and the observance of the rules of Monkes, and af­terwards make it knowne to the whole world, and for ever vow thy selfe be­fore Almighty God, and in the sight of Angels and men (breaking as it was thought [Page 86] those most large nets, wherein fat buls of thy sort are wont to be headlong in­tangled, and overcomming all temptations of thirst of Kingdomes, Gold, and Sil­ver, and which is greatest that of thine owne will) and wert professed a Monk without any thought (as thy selfe didst say) of vio­lating the same, and didst not thou being now be­come of a crow a dove, like the same bird, when shee sheareth swiftly with her singing wings the empty aire, and avoideth with her often winding turnes, the fell talons of the ravenous hawke, safely recover thy selfe to the cels, and repo­ses of Saints, as thy most [Page 87] trusty refuge? Oh how great a joy should it have beene to our Mother the Church, if the enemy of all mankind had not lamen­tably pulled thee in a sort out of her bosome! Oh how ample fewell of Hea­venly hope, would have been inkindled in the hearts of desperate sinners, hadst thou remained in thy bles­sed estate! Oh what, and how great rewards in the Kingdome of Christ would have beene laid up for thy soule against the day of judgement, if that crasty wolfe had not caught thee, who of a wolfe, was now become a Lambe (not much against thine owne will) out of the fold of our Lord, and [Page 88] made thee of a Lambe, a wolfe like to himselfe, a­gaine? Oh how great a joy would the conservation of thy salvation have beene to God the holy Father of all Saints, had not the devill the miserable father of all castawaies, as an Eagle of monstrous wings and claws carryed thee captive away against all right and reason, to the unhappy roote of his children? And to be short, as great gladnes and sweet­nesse, did thy conversion to righteousnesse minister to heaven and earth, as now thy detestable returne, af­ter the manner of a sicke mastive unto the horrible vomit againe, breedeth griefe and lamentation: [Page 89] which being done; Rom. 6.13. The members are now become the armours of iniquity for sinne and the devill, which in right sence should have beene busily imployed, as the armours of justice for God: for now with thy li­stening eares are not heard the praises of God sweetly sounded forth by the plea­sant voices of Christs Soul­diers, nor the Organs of ec­clesiasticall melody, but thine owne praises (which are nothing) rung out after the fashion of Bacchus gid­dy rout, by the mouthes of thy villanous followers ful­filled with lies, and also with foming malice, to the utter overthrow of every one of their neighbours, so [Page 90] as the vessell sometimes prepared for the service of God, is now turned to a ves­sell of durt, and what was once reputed worthy of Heavenly honour, is now worthily cast into the bot­tomelesse pit of hell. Nei­ther yet is thy sensuall mind (which is overcome by the excesse of folly) any whit abated or debarred of his course with committing so great sinnes, but hot and prone (like a young colt that coveteth every pleasant pa­sture) runneth▪ headlong forward, with irrecovera­ble fury, through the large fields of offences, in hea­ping new wickednesse on the head of the old. For the former marriage of thy [Page 91] first wife (although after thy violated vow of Reli­gion, she were not lawful­ly thine) yet being some­times thine, was now despi­sed, another, the wife of a man then living, and hee no stranger, but thine own brothers sonne, being in her place beloved. Vpon which occasion that stiffe necke of thine (being al­ready laden with many bur­thens of sinnes) is now moreover with two mon­strous murthers, the one of thy aforesaid Nevew, the other of her who some­times was thy marryed wife (as with the outragi­ous extremity of thy sacri­ledge) from low to lower, and from bad to worser, [Page 92] bowed, bended, and de­pressed downe. Afterwards also didst thou accept her, (by whose deceit and sug­gestion such mighty matter of offences was undergone) publickely, and (as the flat­tring tongues of thy para­sites with faigned, but not faithfull words pronounce) lawfully as a widdow, but (as we) say most wickedly to be thine owne in wed­locke. And therefore what holy man is there, whose bowels being mooved with the narration of such an hi­story, would not presently break out into weeping and lamentations? What Priest (whose heart lyeth open unto God) would not in­stantly upon the hearing of [Page 93] this, with marveilous mour­ning cry out that saying of the Prophet: Ier. 9.1. Who shall give water to my head, and to mine eyes a fountaine of teares, and I will day and night bewaile those of my people, who are slaughtered. For why full little (alas) hast thou with thine eares once heard that reprehension of the Pro­phet speaking in this wise: Eccle. 4 1.11. Woe be unto yee (O wicked men) who have left the Law of the most holy God, and if ye shall be borne, your porti­on shall be to malediction, and if ye die, into malediction shall be your portion, al things that are from the earth, to the earth shall bee converted a­gaine, so shall the wicked from malediction passe to per­dition: [Page 94] (but ever supposed) if they returne not unto our Lord, receiving especially this admonition: Eccle. 21.1. Sonne thou hast offended, adde no farther offence thereunto, but withall, doe thou pray for the forgivenesse of the former. And againe, Eccle. 5.8 Forslow not to be converted unto our Lord, neither yet doe thou put of the same from day to day, for his wrath doth come sud­denly. Because as the Scripture saith: Pro. 29.12 When the King heareth the unjust word, Pro. 29.4 all under his dominion become wicked. And, The just King (according to the Prophet) raiseth up his Region. But warnings truely are not wanting to thee, since thou hast for thine instructor the [Page 95] most eloquent Master, of almost all Britaine. Take heed therefore, lest that which Solomon noteth, be­falleth not to thee, which is: Eccle. 22.8. Even as he who stir­reth up a sleeping man out of his heavy sleepe, so is that person who declareth wisdom unto a foole, for in the end of his speech will he say. What hast thou first spoken? Wash thine heart (as it is written) from malice (Oh Ierusalem) that thou maist be saved. De­spise not (I beseech thee) the unspeakeable mercy of God, calling by his Pro­phet, the wicked in this sort from their offences Iere. 18.7 I will on the suddvine speake to the Nation, and to the King­dome, that I may roote out, [Page 96] and dispearse, and destroy and overthrow. As for the sinner hee doth in this wise exhort him vehemently to pennance. And if the same people shall do pennance from their offence, I will also doe pennance upon the evil which I have said that I would doe against them. And againe, Ier. 18.8. Who will give them such an heart, as they may heare me, and keepe my Comman­dements, and that it may be well with them all the daies of their lives, And also in the Deut. 32.28. Canticle of Deuterono­my, A people without coun­sell and prudence, I wish they would be wise, and under­stand, and foresee the last of all, how one pursueth a thou­sand and two put to flight ten [Page 97] thousands. And againe, our Lord in the Gospell. Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all yee who doe la­bour and are burthened, and I will make ye rest. Take up my yoake upon you, and learne of me, because I am meeke and humble of heart, and yee shall finde repose in your soules. For if thou dost hearken to these admoniti­ons, but with deafe eares, if thou contemnest the Pro­phets, if thou despisest Christ, and (although most base we are) makest no ac­count of us, so long as with sincere pietie and puritie of minde, we observe the same of the Prophet, that we may not bee found, Esa. 56.10 Dumbe dogges, not able to barke (howsoever I for [Page 98] mine own particular am not of that singular fortitude, in the spirit and vertue of our Lord as to declare Esa. 58.1. To the house of Iacob their sins and the house of Israel their offences) and so long as wee shall remember that of Salomon. Pro. 24.24. Who so termeth the wicked to be just, shall be accursed among the people, and odious to nations, for they who reproove shall have bet­ter hopes. Eccle. 24.27 And againe, Re­spect not with reverence thy neighbour in his ruine, nor spare thou to speake in time of Salvation. And as long also as wee forget not this,Pr [...]. 24.11. Withdraw them away by force, who are led to death, and forbeare not to redeeme them who are murthered; [Page 99] because as the same Pro­phet saith Pro. 11.4 Riches shall not profit in the day of wrath, but justice delivereth from death. And Pro. 11.31. 1 Pet. 4.18. If the just true­ly be hardly saved, where shall the wicked, and sinner ap­peare? If thou scornest us and all these, the darke­some flood of hell shall without all doubt eternally drowne thee in that deadly whirlepoole, and those most terrible fiery streames that shall ever torment and never consume thee, and then shall the palpable knowledge of these paines, and sorrow for sinnes bee altogether to late and un­profitable unto him, who as now in this acceptable time and day of Salvation [Page 100] deferreth his conversion unto the righteous way of of life. And here truely if not before was this so dole­full and lamentable an hi­story of the miseries of our time, to have received a conclusion, that our mouth might no further discourse of the workes of men; But that we may not be esteemed fearefull or overwearied, whereby we might the lesse carefully avoyde that saying of Esay, which is, Esa. 5.20. Woe be unto them who call good evill, and evill good, placing darkenesse for light, and light for darkenesse, bit­ter for sweete, and sweete for bitter, Mat. 13.13. who seeing see not and hearing heare not, whose he [...]rts are overshadowed [Page 101] with a certaine thicke and blacke cloud of vices! We will breefely set downe, what and how great threat­nings are denounced (a­gainst these five aforesayd lascivious horses, the fran­ticke followers of Pharaoh, through whom his army is wilfully urged forward to their utter destruction in the red sea, and also against such others) by the sacred Oracles, with whose holy testimonies (as with a faire roofe) the frame of this our little worke, may be most assuredly covered, that it be not subject to the showres of the envious, which o­therwise would be mainely powred thereupon. Let therefore the holy Pro­phets [Page 102] (who have beene un­to mortall men the mouth in a sort) of God, and the Organ of the holy Ghost, forbidding evils, and favou­ring goodnesse) answere for us as well now as in that before, against the stub­borne and proud Princes of this our age, that they may not say we menace them with such threates, and so great terrors, onely of our owne invention, and over­busie talking rashnesse. For to no wise man is it doubt­full how farre more grie­vous the sinnes of this our time are, than those of the first age, the Apostle say­ing Any one transgressing the law, Heb. 10.28. being convicted by two or three witnesses, shall [Page 103] dye, how much worser punish­ments thinke ye then that hee deserveth, who shall trample under his foote the Sonne of God? And he first of all appeareth before us, Samu­el (by the Commandement of God) the stablisher of a lawfull kingdome, dedica­ted to God before his birth, undoubtedly knowne by admirable signes, to bee a true Prophet unto all the people, from Dan even to Bersheba, out of whose mouth the Holy Ghost thundreth to all the Poten­tates of the world, by de­nouncing unto Saul the first king of the Hebrews, onely because he did not accom­plish some matters com­manded him from our [Page 104] Lord in this sort.1 Sam. 13.13. Thou hast done foolishly, neither yet hast thou kept the Commande­ments of our Lord thy God, that he hath given thee in charge; which if thou hadst not commited, even now had our Lord prepared thy raigne over Israel for ever, but thy kingdome shall no farther arise. And what did hee commit adultery, or any ab­hominable murder like to the offences of this time? No truely, but broake in part a Commandement, because as well one of ours noteth; The question is not of the quality of the sinne, but of the violating of the pre­cept. Also when he endea­vored to answere (as hee thought) the objections [Page 105] and after the fashion of men wisely to make defences for his offences on this wise; Yea I have heard the voyce of our Lord, 1 Sam. 15.20 and walked in the way through the which hee hath sent me: with this re­prehension was he corre­cted by him: What will our Lord have burnt offerings or oblations, 1 Sam. 15.22 and not rather that the voyce of our Lord should be obeyed? Obedience is truely better than oblati­ons, and to hearken unto him, better than to offer the fat of Rammes. Because as the sinne of Southsaying, so is it to re­sist, and as the offence of Ido­latry not to obey; in regard therefore thou hast cast away the Word of our Lord, hee hath also cast thee away that [Page 106] thou be not King. And a lit­tle after.1. Sam. 15.28. Our Lord hath this day rent the Kingdome of Israel from thee, and delive­red it up to thy neighbour, a man better than thy selfe. The triumpher of Israel truely will not spare, and will not be bowed with repentance, neither yet is hee a man that he may be penitent doe pennance, (sup­posed ever) upon the hard stony hearts of the wicked: Wherein it is to bee noted how he saith, that to be dis­obedient unto God is the sinne of Idolatry. Let not therefore our wicked trans­gressors (while they doe not openly sacrifice to the gods of the Gentiles) flat­ter themselves that they are not Idolaters, so long [Page 107] as they treade like swine the most precious pearles of Christ under their feete. But although this one ex­ample as an invincible affir­mation might abundantly suffice to correct the wic­ked: Yet, that in the mouthes of many witnesses all the offences of Britaine may bee approved, let us passe to the rest. What chanced to David for num­bring his people, the Pro­phet Gad speaking unto him in this sort? Thus saith our Lord. The choise of three is offered thee, 2 Sam. 24.12. Elect to thee one of these which thou wilt, that I may execute it upon thee. Either shall there befall thee a famine for seaven yeares, or three monethes shalt thou [Page 108] flye thine enemies and they pursue thee, or certainely there shall be three dayes Pe­stilence in thy land. For being brought into great streights upon this conditi­on, and willing rather to fall into the hands of God who is mercifull, than into those of men, he was hum­bled with the slaughter of LXX thousand of his sub­jects, and unlesse with the affection of an Apostolike charity, he had desired to dye himselfe for his Coun­try-men, that the Plague might not further consume them,2 Sam. 24.17. by saying, I am the same person that have offēd [...]d I the sheepheard have dealt unjustly: these who are sheepe what have they sinned? Let [Page 109] thy hand (I beseech thee) be turned against mee, and a­gainst the house of my Fa­ther. He should have pur­ged the unadvised pride of his heart with his owne death. For what doth the Scripture afterwards de­clare of his Sonne.1 Reg. 11.6. And Solomon wrought what was not pleasing before our Lord, and he did not supply in his place, that hee might as his Father follow our Lord. And our Lord said unto him; Because thou hast thus beha­ved thy selfe, 1 Reg. 11.11. and not obser­ved my covenant and pre­cepts, which I have comman­ded thee, breaking it asunder; I will divide thy Kingdome, and give the same unto thy Servant. Heare now like­wise [Page 110] what fell upon the two sacrilegious Kings of Israel, (even such as ours are) Ie­roboam, and Baasa, unto whom the sentence and doome of our Lord, is by the Prophet in this sort di­rected: For what cause have I exalted thee a Prince over Israel, 1 Reg. 14.7. in regard they have provoked me in their vani­ties. 1 Reg. 16.2, 3, 4. Behold I will stirre up after Baasha and after his house, and I will give over his house as the house of Iero­boam the Sonne of Nebat. whoso of his blood shall dye in the City, the dogges shall eate him, and the dead carkasse of his in the field, shall the foules of the aire devoure. What doth hee also threa­ten unto that wicked King [Page 111] of Israel, a fellow souldier of the former band (by whose collusion and his wives deceit, innocent Na­both, was for his Fathers Vineyard oppressed) tal­king by the holy mouth of that Elias, yea the selfe­same mouth that was in­structed with the fiery speech of our Lord. Thou hast killed, 1 Reg▪ 21.19. moreover like­wise thou hast possessed, and after these thou wilt adde yet more. Thus saith our Lord, in this very place, wherein the dogges have licked the blood of Naboth, they shall lick up thy blood also. Which that it fell out afterwards in that very sort we have cer­taine experience. But least perchance (according as it [Page 112] befell unto the aforesaid A­chab) The lying spirit which pronounceth vaine things,1 Reg. 22.22. in the mouthes of your Pro­phets may seduce ye, harken ye to the speeches of the Prophet Michaias. 1 Reg. 22.23. Behold God hath suffered the spirit of lying to poss [...]sse the mouths of all thy Prophets that doe here remaine, and our Lord hath pronounced evil against thee. For even now it is certaine there are some Doctors replenished with a contrary spirit, preaching and affirming rather naugh­ty pleasure then truth: whose words are softer then oyle, Psa. 54.22 Iere. 6.14. &. 8.11. and the selfe same are darts, who say, peace, peace and there shall be no peace to them, who persevere in [Page 113] sinnes, as the Prophet in an­other place, on this wise speaketh. It is not for the wicked to rejoyce saith our Lord. Esa [...] 48.22 & 57.21. Azarias also the sonne of Obed, did speake unto Asa, who returned from the slaughter of the Army of ten hundred thou­sand Ethiopians, 2 Para [...]. 15.2. saying, Our Lord is with yee, while ye re­maine with him, and if yee will seeke him out, he will be found by ye, and if ye will leave him, he will forsake ye. For if Iehoshaphat but yeelding assistance unto a wicked King, was thus re­proved by the Prophet Ie­hu, the sonne of Anany, saying.2 Paral. 19.2. If thou givest aid to a sinner, or lovest them whom our Lord doth hate, [Page 114] the wrath of God doth there­fore hang over thee, what shall become of them, who are fettered in the proper snares of their owne offen­ces? whose sinnes but not whose soulēs, we must of necessity hate, if wee will fight in the Army of our Lord,Psal. 96.10 the Psalmist saying, Hate ye evill, who love our Lord. What was said to the sonne of the afore rēcited Iosaphat, named Ioram, that most horrible murtherer (who being himselfe a ba­stard, slew his noble bre­thren, that hee might pos­sesse the throne in their place) by the Prophet Eli­as, the wagon and wagoner of Israel? 2 Paral. 21 21. Thus speaketh (quoth he) the Lord God of [Page 115] thy Father David. Because thou hast not walked in the way of thy Father Iosaphat, and in the waies of Asa the King of Iudah, but hast made thy passage through the wayes of the Kings of Israel, and in unsensiblenesse according to the behaviour of the house of Achab, and hast moreo­ver killed thy brethren, the sonnes of Iosaphat, men farre better then thy selfe; behold our Lord shall strike thee and thy children with a mighty plague. 2 Paral. 21.25. And a little after­wards. And thou shalt be marveilous sicke, of a disease of thy belly, until the entrailes of thy belly shal together with the malady it selfe from day to day passe forth away from thee? And listen also what [Page 116] the Prophet Zachary the sonne of Ioiades menaced to Ioas the King of Israel, lea­ving our Lord even as ye now do, who arising, spoke in this manner to the Peo­ple; Thus saith our Lord, 2 Paral. 24.20. why doe ye transgresse the Commandements of our Lord and doe not prosper? Because ye have left our Lord, he will also leave you. What shall I mention of Esay, the first and chiefe of the Prophets, who beginneth the proeme and enterance of his Pro­phesie, or rather vision, say­ing in this sort; Heare O yee Heavens, Esa. 1.2. and O thou earth conceive in thine eares, be­cause our Lord hath spoken, I have nourished children, and exalted them, but they [Page 117] themselves have despised me. The Oxe hath knowne his ow­ner, and the Asse the man­ger of his Master, but Isra­el hath not knowne me, and my people hath not under­stood. From this place for­ward all the senten­ces of Esay are omitted in another Booke. Esa. 1.8. And after a few words, framing threatnings answerable to so great a folly, he saith: The Daugh­ter of Sion shall be uterly left as a shelter in the Vineyard, and as a hovell in the Cow­cumber Garden, and a City that is sacked. And especial-conventing and accusing the Princes,Esa. 1.10. he saith, Heare the word of our Lord (O yee Princes of Sodome,) perceive ye the Law of our Lord, O yee people of Gomorrah. Where truely it is to be noted, that unjust Kings are tearmed [Page 118] the Princes of Sodome, for our Lord forbidding sacri­fices and gifts to be offered unto him by such where we with greedy covetousnesse receive those offerings which in all Nations are displeasing unto God, and to our owne destruction suf­fer them not to be bestow­ed on the poore and needy speaketh to them who la­den with abundance of riches, are likewise given to the filth of offences on this wise.Esa. 1.13. Offer not any more your sacrifice in vaine, your incense is abomination unto me. And againe he denoun­ceth.Esa. 1.15. And when yee shall stretch out your hands, I will turne away mine eyes from ye, and when ye shall multi­ply [Page 119] your prayers, I will not heare. And hee declareth wherfore he doth this, say­ing; Your hands are full of blood. And likewise show­ing how he may be appea­sed, he saith,Esa. 1.16. Be ye washed, be ye cleane, take away the e­vill of your thoughts from mine eyes, leave of to deale perversly, learne to doe well, seeke for the judgement, suc­cour the oppressed, doe justice to the pupill or Orphan. And then assuming as it were the part of a reconciling appea­ser, he adding saith,Esa. 1.18. If your sinnes shall be as scarlet, they shall be made white as Snow: & if they shal be as red as the little worme, they shall be as white as wooll. If ye shall be willing and will heare me, ye [Page 120] shall feede on the good things of the Land, but if ye wil not, and shall provoke mee unto wrath, the sword shall de­voure ye. Receive ye, heare the true and publike avou­cher witnessing without a­ny falshood or flattery, the reward of your good and e­vill▪ not like the soothing humble lippes of your Pa­rasites whispering poysons into your eares. And also directing his sentence a­gainst ravenous judges, he saith thus.Esa. 1.23. Thy Princes are unfaithfull, companions of theeves, all love gifts, hunt after rewards, they doe no ju­stice to the Orphan, the wi­dowes cause entreth not unto them. For this saith our Lord God of hosts, the strong one [Page 121] of Israel. Alas, I will take consolation upon my foes, and be revenged upon mine ene­mies, and the hainous sinners shall be broken to powder and offenders together with them and all who have left our Lord, shall be consumed. And afterwards,Esa. 2.11. The eyes of the lofty man shall bee brought low, and the heighth of men hath bowed downe. And a­gaine,Esa. 3.11. Woe be to the wicked, evill be fall him, for he shall be rewarded according to his handy workes. And a little after, Woe be unto ye who a­rise earely to follow drunken­nesse, Esa. 5.11. and to drinke even to the very evening, that ye may vapouring fume with Wine. The Harpe, and the Lyra, and the Taber, and the Pipe, [Page 122] and Wine are in your ban­quets, and the worke of our Lord ye respect not, neither yet consider ye the workes of his hands. Therefore is my people led captive away, be­cause they have not had know­ledge, and their Nobles have perished with famine, and their multitude hath withe­red away with thirst. There­fore hath hell enlarged and dilated his spirit, and without measure opened his mouth, and his strong ones, and his people, and his lofty and glo­rious ones, shal descend down unto him. And afterwards, Woe be unto ye who are migh­ty for the drinking of wine, Esa. 5.22. and strong men for the pro­curing of drunkennesse, who justifie the wicked for re­wards, [Page 123] and deprive the just man of his justice. For this cause even as the tongue of the fire devoureth the stub­bell, and as the heate of the flame burneth up, so shall their roote be as the ashes, and their branch shall rise up us the dust. For they have cast away the law of our Lord of hosts, and despised the speech of the holy one of Israel. In all these the fury of our Lord is not turned away, but as yet his hand is stretched out. And somewhat after debating of the day of judgement and the unspeakeable feare of offendors, he saith. Howle ye out, Esa. 13.6. because the day of our Lord is neere at hand (if then neere, what shall it now be thought to be) in regard [Page 124] destruction shall proceed from God. For this shall all hands be dissolved, and every mans heart shall wither away, and be bruised, small tortures and dolours shall hold them, as a woman in labour so shall they be grieved, every man shall at his neighbour stand asto­nished, burned faces shall be their countenances. Behold, the day of our Lord shal come, cruell and full of indignati­on, and of wrath, and fury, to turne the earth into a de­sert, and breake her sinners in small peeces from off her, because the starres of Heaven and the brightnesse of them, shall not unfold their light, the Sunne in his ri­sing shall bee covered over with darknes, and the Moone [Page 125] shall not shine in her season, and I will visite upon the e­vils of the world, and against the wicked their owne ini­quity, and I will make the pride of the unfaithfull to cease, and the arrogancy of the strong, I will bring full low. And againe, Behold, our Lord will disperse the earth, Esa. 24 1. & he will strip her na­ked, and afflict her face, and scatter her inhabitants, and as the people, so shall be the Priest, and as the slave so shal be his Lord as the hand­maid so shall be her Lady, as the purchaser so shall be the seller, as the usurer, so shall be he that borroweth, as he who demandeth, so shall be he that oweth. With dispersing shall the earth be scattered, [Page 126] and with sacking shall she be spoyled. For our Lord hath spoken this word. The earth hath bewailed, and hath flee­ted away, the world hath run to nothing, she is weakned by her inhabitants, because they have transgressed lawes, changed right, brought to ruine the eternall truce. For this shall malediction devour the earth. And afterwards, They shall lament all of them who doe in heart rejoyce, Esa. 24.7. the delight of the timbrells hath ceased, the sound of the glad [...]some shall be silent, the sweet­nesse of the Harpe shall be hu­shed, they shall not with sing­ing drinke their wine, bitter shall the potion be to the drinkers thereof. The Cittie of vanitie is wasted, every [Page 127] house is shut up, no man en­tring in; an outcry shall be in the streetes upon wine, all gladnesse is forsaken, the joy of the land is transferred, so­litarinesse is left in the town, and calamitie shall oppresse the gates, because these things shall be in the middest of the land, and in the middest of the people. And somewhat afterwards,Esa. 24. [...]6. Swarving from the truth, have they wandred out of the right way, with the stragling of transgressors have they gone astray. Feare and intrapping falls, and a snare upon thee who art the inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to passe: Who so shall flye from the voyce of the feare, shall tumble downe into the intrapping pit, and [Page 128] who so shall deliver himselfe out of the downefall, shall bee caught in the intangling snare: because the flood-gates from aloft shall be ope­ned, and the foundations of the earth shall be shaken. With bruising shall the earth be broken, with commotion shall she be moved, with tos­sing shall she be tottred like to a drunken man, and she shall be taken away as if shee were a pavilion of one nights pitching, and her iniquitie shall hang heavie upon her, and she shall fall done, and shall not attempt to rise a­gaine. And it shall be, that our Lord in the same day shall visit on the warfare of heaven in the high place, and on the Kings of the earth, [Page 129] who are upon the earth, and they shall be gathered toge­ther in the bundle of one bur­then into the Lake, and shall there be shut up in prison, and after many dayes shall they be visited. And the Moone shall blush, and the Sunne be confounded, when our Lord of hosts shall raigne in mount Sion and in Ierusalem, and be glorified in the sight of his Seniors. And after a while, yeelding a reason why hee threatneth in that sort, he saith thus, Behold the hand of our Lord is not shortned that he cannot save, Esay. 59.1. neither yet is his eare made heavy that he may not heare. But your iniquities have divided be­tweene ye and your God, a [...]d your offences have hid his [Page 130] face from yee, that he might not heare. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquitie: Your lippes have spoken ly­ing, and your tongue uttereth iniquity. There is not who calleth on justice, neither is there he who judgeth truely, but they trust in nothing, and speake vanities, and have conceived greefe, and brought forth iniquity. And a little after;Esa. 59.6. Their workes are un­profitable, and the worke of iniquity in their hands, their feete runne into evill, and make haste that they may shed the innocent blood; their thoughts are unprofitable thoughts, spoyle and confusion are in their wayes, and the way of peace they have [Page 131] not knowne, and in their steps there is no judgement, their pathes are made crooked unto them, every one who treadeth in them is ignorant of peace; in this respect is judgment removed farre off from yee, and justice taketh no hold of yee. Esa. 59.14. And after a few words; And judge­ment hath been turned back, and justice hath stoode a farre off, because truth hath fallen down in the streets, & equitie could not enter in, and truth is turned to oblivion, and who so hath departed from e­vill, hath layne open to spoyle. And our Lord hath seene, and it was not pleasing in his eyes, because there is not judgement. And thus farre may it suffice among [Page 132] many, to recite a few sen­tences out of the Prophet Esay.

Now truely doe ye a while with diligent eares hearken unto him (who was foreknowne before he was formed in the belly, sanctified before hee came forth of the wombe, and appointed a Prophet in all Nations) Ieremiah I meane, what he hath pronounced of foolish people and cruell Kings, beginning moderat­ly his Prophesie in this manner.

And the Word of God was spoken unto me say­ing; Ierem. 2.2. Goe and cry in the eares of Ierusalem, and thou shalt pronounce. Heare the Word of our Lord thou house of Ia­cob, [Page 133] and all ye kindreds of the house of Israel; Thus saith our Lord; What iniqui­ty have your fathers found in me, who have beene farre re­moved from me, and walked after vanitie, and are become vaine, and have not sayd, Where is he who made us a­scend out of the Land of Egypt? In ano­ther booke this first sentence of Ieremy is onely men­tioned, and the rest all omitted. Ierem. 2.20. And after a few words; From the beginning of thine Age thou hast bro­ken my yoake, violated my bands, and sayd, I will not serve, I have planted thee my chosen vine, all true seede. How art thou therefore con­verted into naughtinesse O strange Vine? If thou shalt wash thee with Niter, and multiply unto thee the hearbe Borith, thou art spotted in [Page 134] my sight with thine iniquity, saith our Lord. And after­wards; Why will yee contend with me in judgement? Ier. 2.29. Ye have all forsaken me saith our Lord, in vaine have I corrected your children, they have not received discipline. Heare ye the Word of our Lord. Am I made a solita­rinesse unto Israel, or a late­ward Land? why therefore hath my people sayd, we have departed, we will come no more unto thee? What doth the Virgin forget her orna­ment, or the Spouse her gor­get? my people truely hath forgotten mee innumerable dayes. Ier. 4.22. Because my people are foolish, they have not knowne me, they are unwise and mad children. They are wise to doe [Page 135] evill, but to doe well they have beene ignorant. Then the Prophet speaketh in his owne person saying; O Lord thine eyes doe respect faith, thou hast stroken them, and they have not sorrowed, thou hast broken them, and they have refused to receive discipline, they have made their faces harder than the rocke, and will not returne. And also our Lord:Ier. 5.20. De­clare ye this same to the house of Iacob, and make it to bee heard in Iuda, saying: Heare ye foolish people who have no heart, who having eyes see not, and eares heare not. Ye will therefore not dread me saith our Lord, and yee will not conceive griefe from my countenance, who have [Page 136] placed the sand the bound of the sea, an eternall comman­dement which she shall not breake, and her waves shall be moved, and they cannot, and her sourges shall swell, and yet not passe the same. But to this people is framed an incredulous and an exas­perating heart, they have re­tired and gone their wayes, and not in their heart sayd, Let us feare our Lord God. And againe; Because there are found among my people wicked ones, framing wiles to intangell as if they were foulers, Ier. 5.26. setting snares and ginnes to catch men; As a net that is full of birds, so are their houses fullfilled with deceites. Therefore are they magnified and enriched, they [Page 137] are become grosse and fat, and have neglected my speeches most vildly, the orphans cause they have not senten­ced, and the justice of the poore they have not adjudged. What shall I not visit over these saith our Lord? or shall not my soule be reven­ged upon such a nation? But God forbid, that ever shold befall unto you, which fol­loweth, Thou shalt speake all these words unto them, Ier. 7.27. and they shall not heare thee, and thou shalt call them, and they shall not answer thee, and thou shalt say unto them; This is the Nation that hath not heard the voice of their Lord God, nor yet received disci­pline, faith hath perished, and been taken away from out [Page 138] their mouth. And after some few speeches, Whoso falleth doth he not arise againe, Iere. 8.4. and who so is turned away, shall he not returne againe? why therefore is this people in Ie­rusalem, with a contentious aversion alienated? they have apprehended lying, and they will not come backe againe. I have beene attentive, and harkened diligently, no man speaketh what is good. There is none who doth pennance for his sinne, saying, What have I done? All are turned unto their owne course, like a horse passing with violence into battle. The Kite in the sky hath knowne her time, the Turtle and Swallow and Storke have kept the season of their comming, but my peo­ple [Page 139] hath not known the judge­ment of God. And the Pro­phet being strucken into feare, with so wonderfull a blindnesse, and unspeakea­ble drunkennesse of the Sa­crilegious, and lamenting them who did not lament themselves (even according to the present behaviour of these our unfortunate Ty­rants) he beseecheth of our Lord, that an augmentati­on of teares might be gran­ted him, speaking in this manner;Ie [...]e. 8.21. I am contrite upon the contrition of the daugh­ter of my people, astonishment hath possessed me: is there no gumme in Galaad, or is there no Physition there? Why therefore is not the wound of the daughter of my people [Page 140] healed? Who shall give wa­ter unto my head, and to mine eyes a fountaine of teares, and I will day and night bewaile the slaughtered of my people? who will grant me in the wil­dernes the Inne of passengers, and I will utterly leave my people, and depart from them, because they are all of them a­dulterers, a roote of offenders & they have bent their tong as the bow of lying, and not of truth, they are comforted in the earth, because they have passed from evil into evill, & not known me saith our Lord. And againe:Iere. 9.13. And our Lord hath said, Because they have forsaken my law, which I have given them, and not heard my voice, nor walked thereafter, and have wandred away [Page 141] after the wickednesse of their owne heart, in that respect our Lord of hostes the God of Isra­el, saith these words, Behold I will feede this people with wormewood, & give them to drinke the water of gall. And a little after (speaking in the person of God) See there­fore thou doe not pray for this people, Iere. 11.14 nor assume thou for them praise and prayer, be­cause I will not heare in the time of their outcry unto me, and of their affliction. What then shall now our misera­ble Governours doe, these few who found out the nar­row way and left the large, were from God forbiden to powre out their prayers for such as persevered in their evils, & so highly provoked [Page 142] his wrath, against whom on the contrary side when they returned with all their hearts unto God (his divine Majesty being unwilling that the soule of man should perish, but calling backe the castaway that he should not utterly be destroyed) the same Prophets could not procure the Heavenly revenge, because not Ionas, when hee desired the like most earnestly against the Ninevites, could obtaine it. But in the meane while o­mitting our owne words, let us rather heare what the propheticall trumpet soun­deth in our eares speaking thus:Iere. 13.22 If thou shalt say in thy heart, why have these evils befalne? For the multitude [Page 143] of thine iniquities. If the E­thiopian can change his skin, or the Parde his sundry spots, ye may doe also well when ye have learned evill (supposed ever) because ye will not. And afterwards:Iere. 14.10 These words doth our Lord say to this people, who have loved to move their feete, and have not rested, and not pleased our Lord; now shall he remem­ber their iniquities, and visit their offences, and our Lord said unto me, Pray thou not for this people to worke their good, when they shall fast, I will not heare their prayers: [...]nd if they offer burnt sacri­fices and oblations, I will not [...]eceive them. And againe, And our Lord said unto me; Iere. 15.1. [...]f Moses and Samuel shall [Page 144] stand before me, my soule is not bent to this people, cast them out away from my face, and let them depart. And af­ter a few words: Who shall have pitty on thee Ierusalem, Iere. 15.5. or who shall be sorrowfull for thee, or who shall goe to pray for thy peace? Thou hast left me (saith our Lord) and gone away backeward, and I will stretch forth my hand over thee, and kill thee. And somewhat after:Iere. 18.11 Thus saith our Lord, Behold I doe ima­gine a thought against you, let every man returne from his evill course, and direct ye streight your waies and en­deavours, Who said, we de­spaire, we will goe after our owne thoughts, and every one of us doe the naughtinesse of [Page 145] his evill heart. Thus there­fore saith our Lord. Aske the Gentiles, who hath heard such horrible matters, which the Virgin Israel hath too often committed? Shall there faile from the rocke of the field, the snow of Libanus? or can the waters be drawne dry that gush out colde and flowing? because my people hath forgotten me. And somewhat also after this, propounding unto them an election, he speaking saith, Thus saith our Lord, Iere. 22.3. Doe ye judgement and justice, and deliver him who by power is oppressed out of the hand of the malicious accuser; and for the stranger, and orphan, and widdow, doe not provoke their sorrow, neither yet [Page 146] worke ye unjustly the griefe of others, nor shed ye out the innocent blood. For if indeed ye shall accomplish this word, there shall enter in through the gates of this house, Kings of the linage of David, sitting upon his throne. But if ye will not harken unto these words, by my selfe I have sworne (saith our Lord) that this house shall be turned into a desart. And againe,Iere. 22.24 (for he spoke of a wicked King) I live (saith our Lord) if so be that Iechonias shall be a Ring on my right hand, I will plucke him thence away, and give him over into the hands of them who seeke his life. Moreover holy Abraham cryeth out saying:Abac. 2.12 Woe be unto them who build a City in [Page 147] blood, and prepare a towne in iniquities, saying: Are not these things from our Al­mighty Lord? and many peo­ple have failed in fire, and many Nations have beene di­minished. And thus com­plaining, hee beginneth his prophesie:Abac. 1.2. How long (O Lord) shall I call, and thou wilt not heare? shall I cry out unto thee, to what end hast thou given mee labours and griefes, to behold misery and impiety? And on the other side;Abac. 1.3. And judgement was sat upon, and the Iudge hath taken in regard hereof, the Law is rent in peeces, and [...]udgement is not brought ful­ly to his conclusion, because [...]he wicked through power [...]readeth the just underfoote. [Page 148] In this respect hath passed forth perverse judgement. And marke yee also what blessed Osee the Prophet speaketh of Princes saying:Osee 8.1. For that they have trans­gressed my covenant, and or­dained against my Law, and exclaimed out. Wee have knowne thee, because thou art against Israel, they have per­secuted good, as if it were e­vill, Osee 8 4. They have raigned to themselves and not by mee, they have held a Principality, neither yet have they ac­knowledged me. And heare ye likewise the holy Pro­phet Amos, in this sort threatning:Amos 2 4. In three hainous offences of the sons of Iudah, and in foure I will not con­vert them, for that they have [Page 149] cast away the Law of our Lord, and not kept his Com­mandements, but their vani­ties have seduced them. And I will send fire upon Iudah, and it shall eate the foundati­ons of Ierusalem. Amos 2.6. Thus saith our Lord; In three grievous sinnes of Israel, and in foure I will not convert them, for that they have sold the just for money, and the poore man for shooes, which they tread upon the dust of the earth, and with buffets they did beate the heads of the poore, and have eschewed the way of the hum­ble. And after a few words: Seeke our Lord and ye shall live, Amos 5.6. that the house of Ioseph may not shine as fire, and the flame devoure it, and he shall not be, that can extinguish [Page 150] it. Amo. 5.10 The house of Israel hath hated him who rebuketh in the gates, and abhorred the upright word. Which A­mos being forbidden that he should not prophesie in Israel, without any fawning flattery, answering saith: I was not a Prophet, nor yet the sonne of a Prophet, Amos 7.14 but a Goate herd, I was plucking Sicamores, and our Lord tooke me from my herd, and our Lord said unto me, Goe thy way and prophesie against my people of Israel, and now heare thou the Word of our Lord (For hee directed his speech unto the King) Thou sayest, doe not Prophesie a­gainst Israel, and thou shalt not assemble troopes against the house of Iacob. For which [Page 151] cause our Lord saith thus, Thy wife in the City shall play the harlot, and thy sonnes and daughters shall dye by the sword, and thy ground be measured by the cord, and thou in a polluted land shalt end thy life, but for Israel, shee shall be led from his owne Country a captive. And af­terwards:Amos 8.4. Heare therefore these words, ye who doe out­ragiously afflict the poore, and practise your mighty power against the needy of the earth, who say, When shall the moneth passe over that we may purchase, and the Sab­baths that wee may open the treasuries. And within a few words after:Amos 8.7. Our Lord doth sweare against the pride of Iacob, if he shall neglecting [Page 152] forget your actions, and if in these the earth shall not be disturbed, and every inha­bitant thereof fall to lamen­tation, and the finall end as a flood ascend, and I will turn your festivall dayes into wai­ling, and cast on the loynes of every one hairecloth, and on the head of every man baldnesse, and make him as the mourning of one over his beloved, and those who are with him, as the day of sor­row. Amos 9.10. And againe: In the sword shall die all the sinners of my people, who say, Evils shall not approch, nor yet shall light upon us. And li­sten ye likewise, what holy Micheas the Prophet hath spoken saying:Mich. 6.10. Hearken ye Tribes. And what shall a­dorne [Page 153] the City? shall not fire? and the house of the wicked hoording up unjust treasures, and with injury unrighte­ousnesse. If the wrongfull dealer shall be justified in the ballance, & deceitful weights in the scales, by which they have heaped up their riches in ungodlinesse. And hearken also what threates the fa­mous Prophet Sophonias thundereth out together:Sopho. 1.14. Neere draweth on (saith he) the great day of our Lord, neere it is at hand, and very swiftly approcheth. The voice of the day of our Lord is ap­pointed to be bitter and migh­ty, that day, a day of wrath, a day of tribulation and ne­cessity, a day of clouds and mist, a day of the trumpet and [Page 154] outcry, a day of misery and extermination, a day of dark­nesse and dimnesse, upon the strong Cities, and high cor­ners. And I will bring men to tribulation, and they shall goe as if they were blinde, be­cause they have offended our Lord, and I will powre out their blood as dust, and their flesh as the dung of Oxen, and their silver and gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of our Lord. And in the fire of his zeale shall the whole earth be con­sumed, when the Lord shall accomplish his absolute end, and bring solitarinesse upon all the inhabitants of the earth. Come together and be joyned in one, thou Nation without Discipline, before ye [Page 155] be made as the fading flowre, before the wrath of our Lord falleth upon ye. And give eare also unto that which the Prophet Aggeus spea­keth on this wise:Aggei. 2.22 Thus saith our Lord, I will once moove the Heaven, & Earth, & Sea, and dry land, and I wil drive away the Thrones of Kings, and roote out the powre of the Kings of the Gentiles, and I will chase away the chariots of those who mount upon them. Now also behold ye what Zacharias the sonne of Addo, that chosen Pro­phet said, beginning his prophesie on this manner: Returne ye to me, Zach. 1.3. and I will returne unto ye, (saith our Lord) and be not like your Fathers, to whom the former [Page 156] Prophets have imputed say­ing, Thus saith our Almigh­ty Lord, Turne away from your waies, and they have not marked whereby they might obediently heare me. And afterwards: And the Angell asked me, Zach. 5.2. what dost thou see? and I said, I see a flying sythe, which contai­neth in length twenty cubits. The malediction which hath proceeded upon the face of the whole earth: because every one of her theeves shall be pu­nished even to the very death, and I will throw him away saith our Almighty Lord, & he shall enter into the house of fury, and into the house of swearing falshood in my name. Malac. 4.1. Holy Malachy the Prophet also saith, Behold [Page 157] the day of our Lord shal come inflamed as a furnace, and all proud men, and all workers of iniquity shall be as stubble, and the approching day of our Lord of hostes shall set them on fire, which shall not leave a roote nor a bud of them. And hearken ye also what holy Iob debateth of the beginning and end of the ungodly,Iob 21.7. saying: For what purpose doe the wicked live, and have dishonestly worne even to old age, and their issue hath beene according to their owne desire, and their sonnes before their faces, and their houses are fruitfull, and no feare nor yet the scourge of our Lord is upon them. Their Cow hath not beene abortive, their great with young, hath [Page 158] brought forth her young ones and not missed, but remai­neth as an eternall breede: and their children rejoyce, and taking the Psaltery and Harpe, have finished their dayes in felicity, and fal­len peaceable a sleepe downe into hell. Doth God there­fore not behold the workes of the wicked? Not so truely;Iob 21.17. But the can­dle of the ungodly shall be ex­tinguished, [...]d destruction shall fall upon them, and do­lors as of one in childbirth, shall with hold them from wrath; and they shall be as chaffe before the wind, and as the dust which the whirle­wind hath carryed away. Let all goodnes faile his children, let his eyes behold his owne [Page 159] slaughter, nor yet by our Lord let him be redeemed. And a little after he saith of the same men;Iob 24.2. Who have rave­nously taken the flocke with the shepheard, and driven away the beast of the Orphans and engaged the Oxe of the Widdow, and deceiving, have declined from the way of ne­cessity. They have reaped o­ther mens fields before the time, the poore have laboured in the Vineards of the mighty without hyre and meate, they have made many to sleepe na­ked without garments of the covering of their life they have bereaved them. And somewhat afterwards, when hee had throughly understood their workes, he delivered them over to [Page 160] darkenesse. Let therefore his portion be accursed from the earth, Iob 24.18. let his plantings bring forth witherings; let him for this be rewarded ac­cording to his dealings: Iob 24.20. Let every wicked man like the unsound wood be broken in peeces. For arising in his wrath hath he overthrown the impotent. Wherefore truely Iob 24.22 shall he have no trust of his life, when he shall beginne to grow diseased, let him not hope for health, but fall into languishing. For his pride hath beene the hurt of many, and he is become decayed and rotten, as the mallowes in the scorching heate, or as the yeare of corne when it falleth off from his stubble. And af­terwards; If his children [Page 161] shall be many, they shall be turned to the slaughter, Iob 27.14. and if he gather together silver as if it were earth, and like­wise purifie his gold as if it were durt, all these same shall the just obtaine. Heare yee moreover what blessed Es­dras that Library of the Law, threatneth in his dis­course on this wise.4 Esd. 15.22. Thus saith our Lord God; My right hand shall not be spa­ring upon sinners, neither shall the sword cease over them who spill the innocent blood on the earth. Fire shall proceede from out my wrath, and devoure the foundations of the earth, and sinners as if they were inflamed straw. Woe be unto them who offend, and observe not my Comman­dements, [Page 162] saith our Lord, I will not forbeare them. De­part away ye Apostatizing children, and doe not pollute my sanctuarie. God doth know who doe offend against him, and he will therefore deliver them over to death and to slaughter. For now have many evils passed over the round compasse of the earth. 4 Esd. 16.3. A sword of fire is sent out against yee, and who is he that shall restraine it? shall any man repulse a Lyon that hungereth in the wood? or shall any one quench out the fire when the straw is burning? our Lord God will send out evills, and who is he that shall represse them? and fire will passe forth from out his wrath, and who shall ex­tinguish [Page 163] it? it shall brandi­shing shine, and who will not feare it? it shall thunder, and who will not shake with dread? God will threaten all, and who will not be terrified? before his face shall the earth tremble, and the foundations of the sea fleet from the depth. And marke ye also what Ezechiel the renowned Pro­phet, and admirable behol­der of the foure Evangeli­call creatures, speaketh of wicked offendors, unto whom pittifully lamenting before hand, the scourge that hung over Israel, our Lord doth say,Ezek. 9.9. Too farre hath the iniquity of the house of Israel and Iudah prevai­led, because the earth is fully filled with iniquity and un­cleannesse. [Page 164] Ezeck. 5.8. & 11. Behold I am, mine eyes shall not spare, nor yet will I take pitty. And af­terwards,Ezeck. 7.23 Because the earth is replenished with people, and the City fraughted with iniquity, I will also turne a­way the force of their power, and their holy things shall be polluted, prayer shall approach and sue for peace, and it shall not be obtained. And some­what after; The Word of our Lord (quoth he) was spoken unto me saying; Ezeck. 14.12 Thou sonne of man, the land that shall so farre sinne against me as transgressing it shall com­mit an offence, I will streatch forth my hand upon her, and breake in peeces her founda­tion of bread, and send upon her famine, and take away [Page 165] mankind and cattle from her; and if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Iob bee in the midst of her, they shall not deliver her, but they in their justice shall be saved, saith our Lord. If so be that also I shall bring [...] evill beasts upon the land and pu­nish her, she likewise shall be turned to destruction, and there shall not be one who shall have free passage from the face of the beasts, and ad­mit these three men are in the midest of her, I live (saith our Lord) if their sonnes and daughters shall be preserved, but they alone shall be saved, and as for the land it shall fall to confusion. Ezeck. 18.20 And againe; The sonne shall not receive the unrighteous­nesse [Page 166] of the Father, neither yet the Father the sonnes un­righteousnesse. The justice of the just shall be upon him­selfe. And the unjust man, if he turneth him away from all the iniquities which he hath done, and keepeth all my Com­mandements, and doth justice and abundance of mercy, hee shall live in life and shall not dye. All his sinnes, whatsoever he hath commit­ted, shall have no further be­ing; he shall live the life in his owne justice which hee hath performed. Doe I with my will voluntarily wish the death of the unrighteous (saith our Lord) ra [...]her than he should returne from his evill way and live? But when the just shall turne [Page 167] himselfe away from his ju­stice, and doe iniquity, accor­ding to all the iniquities which the unrighteous hath committed, all the just acti­ons (which hee hath done) shall remaine no further in memory. In his offence where­in he hath fallen, and in his sinnes in which hee hath transgressed, he shall dye. And within some words af­terwards:Ezech. 29.23. And all nati­ons shall understand, that the house of Israel are led captive away for their offen­ces, because they have forsa­ken me. And I have tur­ned my face from them, and yeelded them over into the hands of their enemies, and all have perished by the sword; according unto their [Page 168] uncleane sinnes, and after their iniquities have I dealt with them, and turned my face away from them. This which I have spoken may suffice concerning the threates of the holy Pro­phets: onely I have thought it necessary to intermingell in this little worke of mine, as well as the former me­naces, a few words also borrowed out of the wis­dome of Salomon, which declares unto Kings matter of exhortation or instructiō, that they may not say I am willing to lade the shoul­ders of men, with heavie and insupportable burthens of words, but not so much as once with mine owne finger (which is with [Page 169] speech of consolation) to moove the same. Let us therefore heare what the Prophet hath spoken to rule us.Sap. 1.1. Love justice (saith he) yee that judge the earth. This onely testimony (if it were with a full and per­fect heart observed) would abundantly suffice to re­forme the governours of our Country. For if they had loved Iustice, they would also love God, who is in a sort the fountaine and originall of all justice. Serve our Lord in goodnesse, Sap. 1.1. and seeke him in simplicity of heart. Alas who shall live (as one before us hath sayd) to see these things performed by our Coun­trymen, yea if perhaps they [Page 170] may be any where accom­plished▪ Sap. 1.2. Because he is found of those who doe not tempt him, he appeareth truely to them who have faith in him. For these men without re­spect doe tempt God, whose Commandements with stubburne despight they contemne, neither yet doe they keepe to him their faith, unto whose Oracles be they pleasing, or some­what severe, they turne their backes and not their faces.Sap. 1.3. For perverse thoughts doe separate from God, and this in the Tyrants of our time very plainely appea­reth. But why doth our meannesse intermeddle in this so manifest a determi­nation? Let therefore him [Page 171] who is onely true (as wee have sayd) speake for us, the holy Ghost I meane, of whom it is now pro­nounced;Sap. 1.2. The holy Ghost verily will avoyde the coun­terfetting of discipline. And againe.Sap. 1.5. Because the spirit of God hath filled the globe of the earth. And after­wards, (shewing with an evident judgement the end of the evill and righteous) hee saith,Sap. 5.15. How is the hope of the wicked as the doune that is puffed away with the wind, and as the smoake that with the blast is di­spersed, and as the slender froth that with a storme is scattered, and as the memory of a guest who is a passenger [Page 172] of one day. But the just shall live for ever, and with God remaineth their reward, and their cogitation is with the highest. Therefore shall they receive the kingdome of glo­ry, and the crowne of beauty from the hand of our Lord. Because with his right hand he will protect them, and with his holy arme defend them. For very farre unlike in quality are the just and un­godly, as our Lord verily hath spoken saying,1 Sam. 2 30. Them who honour me I will honour, and who so despise me shall be of no estimation. But let us passe over to the rest, Hear­ken (saith he) all yee Kings and understand ye, Sap. 6 2. learne ye Iudges of the bounds of the earth, listen with your eares [Page 173] who conteine multitudes in awe, and please your selves in the troopes of nations. Be­cause power is given unto yee from God, and puissance from the highest, who will examine your actions, and sift your thoughts. For that when ye were ministers of his king­dome, ye have not judged up­rightly, nor kept the law of Iustice, nor yet walked accor­ding to his will. It shall dreadfully and suddenly ap­peare unto yee, that a most severe judgement shall be gi­ven on them who governe. For to the meaner is mercy granted, but the mighty shall mightily sustaine torments. For he shall have no respect of persons, who is the ruler of all, nor yet shall he reverence [Page 174] the greatnesse of any one, be­cause he himselfe hath made both small and great, and care alike he hath of all: but for the stronger is at hand a stronger affliction. Vnto yee therefore (O Kings) are these my speeches, that yee may learne wisdome, and not fall away from her. For who so observe what things are just, shall be justified, and who so learne what things are holy, shall be sanctified. Hitherto have we discoursed no lesse by the Oracles of the Pro­phets, than by our owne speeches with the Kings of our Country, being willing they should know what the Prophet hath spoken say­ing,Ezeck. 21.2. As from the face of a Serpent, so flye thou sinnes: [Page 175] If thou shalt aproach unto them, the teeth of a Lyon will catch thee, their teeth are such as kill the soules of men. Eccles. 17.18. And againe, How mighty is the mercy of our Lord. and his forgivenesse to such as convert themselves unto him. And if wee have not in us that Apostolicall zeale,Rom. 9.3. that wee may say, I did verily desire to he ama­thematised by Christ for my brethren, Notwithstanding we may from the bottome of our hearts speake that Propheticall saying; Alas that a soule perisheth. And againe, Thren. 3.40. Let us search out our wayes, and seeke and re­turne unto our Lord: Let us lift our hearts together with our bands to God in heaven, [Page 176] And also that of the Apo­stle, Phil. 1.8. We covet that every one of yee should bee in the bowels of Christ. And how willingly truely, as one tos­sed on the waves of the sea, and now arrived in a de­sired haven; would I in this place make an end (blu­shing shame forbidding me further to proceede) did I not behold such and so great mountaines of malice advanced against God by Bishops or other Priests, or clearkes, yea some of our owne order, whom as wit­nesses my selfe must of ne­cessity first of all stone (ac­cordi [...]g unto the Law) with the hard blowes of words (least I should be otherwise reproved of partiality to­wards [Page 177] persons) and then af­terwards the people (if as yet they keepe their de­crees) must pursue with their whole powers the same execution upon them, not to their corporall death but to the death of their vices and their eternall life with God. Yet (as before I have sayd) I doe crave pardon of them, whose lives I doe not onely prayse, but also preferre before all earthly treasure, and of the which (if it may be) yet before my death I de­sire and thirst to be a parta­ker: and so having both my sides defended with the double shields of Saints, and by those meanes invin­cibly strengthned to su­staine [Page 178] all that arise against me, arming moreover my head in place of an helmet with the helpe of our Lord, and being most assuredly protected with the sundry assistances of the Prophets, I will boldly proceede not­withstanding the stones of worldly rioters flye never so fast about me.

IT is very aptly said, that sinne creepeth on as a Cancker, for no man in a moment becommeth abso­lutely evill, but even like the Sea that making his en­try first at a little hole, and afterwards enlarging his passage, in the end breaketh downe the bancke, and o­verwhelmeth the whole [Page 179] land; so vice hath her pro­gresses in depraved mindes; the lamentable example whereof, we may in the hi­story of Britaine apparant­ly behold. Our Authour hath already declared the infection of Heresie, the corruption of infidelity, the disorders of warre, and the dissolution of manners, that distempered the body of the Iland, he laid open the sores of the temporall go­vernors to the end that me­dicines might have beene the better applyed for their remedies, and here now he beginneth to discover the grievous imperfections of the Clergy, which are true­ly so much the worse, by how much their lives ought [Page 180] to be more vertuous and exemplar; and yet would I have you to know, that these were defects not of Religion but of life, such as those offences of the Priests, Scribes, and Phari­sees, so often in the word of God recited, whose sins (although too foulely they soiled their owne soules) yet could they never staine the immaculate Church of God, committed unto their charge: Neither yet did Gildas as another Elias complaine that there was not one left but himselfe a­lone who worthily served God, since in sundry places he sheweth how many were yet here in this land whose holy lives deserved most [Page 181] high commendation, even as our Lord spake to the same Elias saying. There remained seven thousand in Israel, who never bowed their knees to Baal. But suppose Britaine had beene wholly drowned in the deepe Seas of offences, yet did Italy, Greece, and Gall. with many other mighty Provinces of the Christian world, flourish at the selfe same time, both in vertuous Life, and true Religion, not unlike the Kingdome of Iu­dah, which in that season, when Elias so complained of Israel, did notwithstan­ding openly maintaine the true worshipping of God; but this insueing Treatise telleth us that in the field of [Page 182] our Lord, there sprung up Cockell, and in his barne of purest Corne, there was found chaffe, and among his wisest Virgins, foolish ones, all which in this world can­not be separated, but re­maine untill the day of judgement, to be severally divided; thus doth he set before our eyes the begin­ning and proceeding of the wickednesse of Britaine, whose blessed soule posses­sed with a true zeale to God, departed to receive a Crowne of eternall glory, before the conclusion of this tragedy of sinne, for (as ye shall reade in venerable Bede) presently after the de­cease of Gildas, they fell to open errors, and then to [Page 183] disobedience of the Church in withstanding the autho­rity of Saint Augustine, the first Arch-bishop of Can­terbury, although within a while afterwards, it pleased God of his singular mercy to recall them backe into his Catholike fold againe: Neither let any man ima­gine I have Translated this worke to disclose the faults of Pastors, and Superiours; For I had rather with Sem and Iaphet conceale, then with Cham reveale the im­perfections of spirituall Fa­thers. But having Englished the former part of Gildas, I did also (because I would not leave the worke maim­ed, and unperfect) adven­ture upon this latter, where­in [Page 184] I would wish the Readers to consider that if this flame of sinne did scorch the Ce­dars of Libanus, no doubt but it may burne the lesser silly shrubs, if it infected (I say) the spiritualty, it may assuredly (unlesse wee be ware) consume us of the Laity.

BRitaine hath Priests, but some shee hath that are unwise; very many that Minister, but many of them impudent; Clearkes shee hath, but certaine of them deceitfull raveners; Pastors (as they are called) but ra­ther wolves prepared for the slaughter of Soules, (for why they provide not for the common peoples com­modity, [Page 185] but covet rather the gluttony of their owne bellies) possessing the hou­ses of the Church, but ob­taining them for filthy lucres sake; instructing the Laity, but shewing withall most vilde examples, vices, and evill manners; seldome sacrificing, and seldome with cleane hearts, standing at the Altars; not correcting the Cominalty for their of­fences, while they commit the same sins themselves; despising the Commande­ments of Christ, and being carefull with their whole hearts to fulfill their owne lustful desires, some of them usurping with uncleane feet the seate of the Apostle Pe­ter; but for the demerit [Page 186] of their covetousnesse fal­ling downe into the pesti­lent chaire of the traitor Iu­das; detracting often, and seldome speaking truely; hating verity as an open e­nemy, and favouring false­hoods, as their most belo­ved brethren; looking on the just, the poore, the im­potent, with sterne coun­tenances, as if they were detested Serpents, and re­verencing the sinne [...]ull rich men without any respect of shame, as if they were hea­venly Angels, Preaching with their outward lips that almes are to be disbursed upon the needy, but of themselves not bestowing one halfepenny, concealing the horrible sinnes of the peo­ple, [Page 187] and amplifying injuries offered unto themselves, as if they were done against our Saviour Christ; expel­ [...]ing out of their houses [...]heir religious mother per­haps, or sisters, and fami­ [...]iarly entertaining with in­decency strange women, as [...]f it were for some more se­ [...]ret office, or rather, to [...]peake truely, though fond­ [...]y, (and yet not fondly to [...]ne, but to such as commit [...]hese matters) debasing [...]hemselves unto such bad [...]reatures; and after all these [...]eeking rather ambitiously [...]or ecclesiasticall dignities, [...]hen for the Kingdome of Heaven; and defending af­ [...]er a tyrannicall fashion [...]heir atchieved prefer­ments, [Page 188] nor ever labouring with lawfull manners, to a­dorne the same; negligent and dull to listen to the pre­cepts of the holy Saints (if ever they did so much as once heare that which full often they ought to heare) but diligent and attentive to the playes and foolish fa­bles of secular men, as i [...] they were the very waye [...] to life, which indeede are but the passages to death▪ being hoarse, after the fa­shion of Bulls, with the a­bundance of fatnesse, and miserably prompt to all un­lawfull actions; bearin [...] their countenances arro [...]gantly a loft, and having ne [...]verthelesse their inwar [...] sences, with tormenting an [...] [Page 189] gnawing consciences, de­pressed downe to the bot­tome, or rather to bottome­lesse hell, with the gaining of one penny glad, and with the losse of the like valew sad, floathfull and dumbe in the Apostolicall decrees (be it for ignorance or ra­ [...]her the burden of their of­fences) and stopping also [...]he mouthes of the learned, but singularly experienced [...]n the decitfull shifts of worldly affaires; and ma­ [...]y of this sort and wicked conversation, violently in­ [...]ruding themselves into the [...]referments of the Church, [...]ea rather buying the same [...] an high rate, then being my way drawne thereunto, [...]nd moreover as unworthy [Page 190] wretches, wallowing (after the fashion of swine) in their old and unhappy puddell of intollerable wickednesse, after they have attained un­to the seate of Priesthood or episcopall dignity, (who neither have been installed or resident on the same) for usurping onely the name of Priesthood, they have not received the orders or apo­stolicall preeminence, bu [...] how can they who are no [...] as yet fully instructed in faith, nor have done pen­nance for their sinnes, be a­ny way supposed meet [...] and convenient to ascend unto any ecclesiasticall de­gree (that I may not speak [...] of the highest) which non [...] but holy and perfect men [Page 191] and followers of the Apo­stles, and (to use the words of the Doctor of the Gen­tiles) persons free from re­prehension, can lawfully and without the foule of­fence of sacriledge under­take. For what is so wicked and so sinnefull as after the example of Simon Magus, Act. 8.18. (yea although with other faults, he were not before hand defiled) for any man with earthly price to pur­chase the office of a Bi­shop or Priest, that onely with holinesse and righte­ous life is lawfully compas­sed? but herein they doe more wilfully, and despe­rately erre in that they buy their deceitfull and unpro­fitable ecclesiasticall de­grees, [Page 192] not of the Apostles or their successours, but of tyrannicall Princes, and their father the devill; yea rather they raise this as a certaine roofe and cove­ring of all offences, over the frame of their former serious life, that being pro­tected under the shaddow thereof, no man should lightly hereafter lay to their charge their old or new wickednesses, and hereupon they build their desires of covetousnesse and gluttony, because being now the rulers of many they may more freely make havocke at their pleasures. For if truely any such offer of purchasing ecclesiasticall promotion [...] [Page 193] were made by these impu­dent sinners, (I will not say with Saint Peter) but to a­ny holy Priest, or godly King, they would doubt­lesse receive the same an­swere which their Father Simon Magus had from the mouth of the Apostle Pe­ter, saying:Act. 8, 20. Thy money be with thee unto thy perdition. But (alas) perhaps they that order and advance these ambitious aspirers (yea they who rather throw them un­der foote, and for a blessing give them a cursing, whilst of sinners, they make them not penitents (which were more consonant to reason) but sacrilegious and despe­rate offendors, and in a sort install Iudas, that traytor to [Page 194] his Master, in the chaire of Peter, and Nicolas the au­thor of that foule heresie in the seate of Saint Stephen the Martyr) it may be did by the same meanes at the first obtaine their Priest­hood themselves, & there­fore doe not greatly dislike in their children, but rather respect the same race, that they their fathers did be­fore hand assuredly runne. And also if finding resist­ance, in obtayning their Diocesses at home, and some, who severely re­nounce this chaffering of Church-livings, they can­not there attaine unto such a pretious pearle, then it doth not so much loathe as delight them, (after they [Page 195] have carefully sent their messengers before hand) to crosse the Seas, and travaile over most large Countries, that so in the end, yea al­though with the saile of their whole substance, they may winne and compasse such a pompe, and such an incomparable glory, or to speake more truely, such a durty and base deceit, and illusion. And afterwards with great show and mag­nificall ostentation, or ra­ther madnesse, returning backe to their owne native soile, they grow from stout­nesse to statelinesse, and be­ing wonted to levell their lookes to the toppes of the mountaines, they now lift up their drowsie eyes [Page 196] streight into the aire, yea to the very highest clouds, and as Novatus that foule hog, and persecutor of our Lords precious jewel, dealt some­times at Rome, so do these intrude themselves againe into their owne Country, as Creatures of a new mould, yea rather as devillish in­struments, being even rea­dy in this state and fashion to stretch out violently their hands (not so worthy of the reverent Altars, as the re­venging flames of hell) up­on Christs most holy Sacri­fices. What doe ye there­fore (O unhappy people) expect from such belly beasts (as the Apostle calleth them?Tit. 1.12.) Shall your man­ners be amended by these, [Page 197] who doe not onely not ap­ply their mindes to any goodnesse, but (according to the upbraiding of the Prophet) also labour to deale wickedly? Iere. 9.5. Shall ye be illu­minated with such eyes as are onely with greedinesse cast on those things that leade headlong to vices (which is to say) to the gates of hell? Nay truely, if according to the saying of our Saviour,Mat. 7.16. ye flie not these mostravenous wolves like those of Arabia, Gen. 19.20 or avoide them as Lot, who ranne most speedily from the fiery showre of Sodome up to the mountaines, then being blinde and led by the blinde,Mat. 15.14 ye will both toge­ther tumble downe into the [Page 198] infernall ditch. But some man perchance will ob­jecting say, that all Bishops, or all Priests, (according to our former exception,) are not so wickedly given, be­cause they are not defiled with the infamy of Scisme, pride, or uncleane life, which neither wee our selves will deny, but albe­it wee know them to bee chaste, and vertuous, yet will wee briefely an­swere.

What did it profit the High Priest Hely, 1 Sam. 2.11. that he alone did not violate the Commandements of our Lord,Examples of the Old Testament. in taking flesh with forkes out of the pots,1 Sam. 4.11. be­fore the fat was offred unto God, while he was puni­shed [Page 199] with the same revenge of death wherewith his sonnes were? what one (I beseech yee) of them whose manners wee have before sufficiently declared hath like Abell upon theAbell. Gen. 4.8. malicious emulation of the more acceptable sacrifice (which with the heavenly fire ascended up into the skies) beene martyred? since they feare the re­proach even of a seely or­dinary word, which of them hath hated the councell of the malicious, Psa. 25.59. and not sate with the ungodly, so that of him as a Prophet, this may be verified which was sayd of Enoch; Enoch. Genes. 5.24 Enoch walked with God and was not to be found in the vanity (forsooth) of the [Page 200] whole world, as then lea­ving our Lord and begin­ginning to halte downe right after Idolatry? which of them like Noah in the time of the Deluge,Noah. Genes. 7 7. hath not admitted into the Arke of Salvation (which is the now present Church) any adversary unto God, that it may be most apparent that none but innocents or sin­gular penitents, ought to remaine in the house of our Lord? Who is he that of­fering sacrifice like Mel­chisedeck, Melchise­deck. hath onely bles­sed the conquerours, and them who delivering in the number of three hundred (which was in the Sacra­ment Gen. 14.18.of the Trinitie) the just man have overthrowne [Page 201] the deadly armies of the five Kings, together with their vanquishing troopes, and not coveted the goods of others?Abraham. Which of them hath like Abraham at the Commandement of God freely offered his owne sonne on the Altar to bee slaine,Genes. 22.1. that hee might ac­complish a precept of Christ,Math. 5.29. agreeable to this saying, thy right eye if it scandalizeth ought,Ier. 48.10. to bee pulled out, and another of the Prophet, that he is accursed who withholdeth his sword from shedding blood?Ioseph. Who is he that as a Ioseph hath rooted out of his heart the remembrance of an offered injury?Gen. 50.15. Who is he that as a Moses spea­king [Page 202] with our Lord in the Mountaine,Moses. Exod. 19.16. and not there­upon terrified with the sounding trumpets, hath in a figurative sence presen­ted unto the incredulous the two tables, and his hor­ned face which they could not endure to see, but trem­ble to behold? Which of them, praying for the offen­ces of the people, did from the very botome of his heart cry out, like unto him saying:Exod. 32 3. O Lord this people hath committed a grievous sinne, which if thou wilt for­give them, forgive it; other­wise blot me guilty out of thy booke? Who inflamed with the admirable zeale of God hath couragiously risen for the revenge of fornication,Phin [...]es. Num. 25.7. [Page 203] curing without delay by the present medecine of pennance, the affection of filthy lust, left the fire of the wrath of God should otherwise consume the people, as Phinees the Priest did,Ps. 105.31. that by this meane ju­stice for ever might be re­puted unto him? Who ve­rily of them hath in a mo­rall understanding imita­ted Iesus Nave either forIesus Nave. the utter rooting forth (e­ven to the slaughter of the last and least of all)Ios. 24.11. the sea­ven Nations out of the land of promise, or for the esta­blishing of spirituall Israel in their places? Which of them hath shewed unto the people of God their finall bounds beyond Iordan [Page 204] (that it may be knowne what to every tribe is con­venient) in such sort as the aforenamed Phinees and Ie­sus have wisely divided the land?Phinees and Iesus. Who is he that to overthrow the innumera­ble thousands of Gentiles, adversaries to the chosen people of God, hath as an­other Iephte, Iephte. for a sacrifice of a votive placation or ap­peasing,Iud. 11.29.34. slaine his onely daughter (which is to be understood his owne pro­per will) immitating also therein the Apostle, saying, (Not seeking what is profita­ble to me, 1 Cor. 10.33. but to many, that they may be saved) which daughter of his, met the conquerours with drummes and daunces (to wit carnall [Page 205] desires?) Which of them that he might disorder, put to flight, and overthrow the campes of the proud Gentiles,Gedeon. by the number of three hundred (being as be­fore we have sayd,Iud. 7.6.16. & 20. the my­stery of the blessed Trinity) and with his men holding in their hands, those noble sounding trumpets (which are Propheticall and Apo­stolicall sences, according as our Lord sayd to the Prophet, Exalt thy voyce as a trumpet, Esay 58.1. and the Psal­mist of the Apostles;Psal. 18.5. Their sound hath passed throughout the whole earth) and bea­ring also those famous fla­gons shining in the night season, with that most glit­tring fiery light (which are [Page 206] to be interpreted the bodies of Saints adjoyned to good workes, and burning with the flame of the holy Ghost, yea having as the Apostle writeth,2 Cor. 4.7. This treasure in earthen vessels) hath after the hewing downe of the Idolatrous grave (which is morrally meant, duske and darke desire) marched on like Gedeon, Iud. 6.25. with an assured faith in the evident signe of the fleece, which to the Iewes was voyde of the heavenly moysture, but to the Gentiles made wet with the dew of the holy Ghost?Iud. 6 36. Who is hee that (earnestly wishing to dye to this world, and live to Christ) hath as another Sampson. Sampson utterly extingui [...]shed [Page 207] such innumerable lux­urious banquetters of the Gentiles,Phil. 1.23. while they pray­sed their gods (which is meant while the sences of men extolled these earthly riches,Iud. 16.30. according to the Apostle speaking thus;Iud. 16.23, 24. And covetousnesse which is the service of Idols) shaking with the power of both his armes the two pillars (which are to bee under­stood,Coloss. 3.5. the naughty plea­sures of the soule and bo­dy) by the which the house of all worldly wickednesse is in a sort compacted,Iud. 16.30. and underpropped?Samuel. Who like Samuel that with prayers and the burnt sacrifice of a sucking lambe,1 Sam. 7.9. drave away the feare of the Philistians, [Page 208] raised unexpected thunder­claps,1 Sam. 12.17 and showring clouds, established without flattery a King,1 Sam. 10.1 & 17. deposed him when he displeased God, and an­nointed another his better in his place and Kingdome,1 Sam. 13.14 & 15.18. & 16.13. when he shall give to the people his last farewell, shall constantly appeare in this sort saying,1 Sam. 12.3. Behold I am ready, speake ye before our Lord and his annointed, whether ever I tooke away the Oxe or Asse of any man. If I have falsely accused any one, if I have oppressed any body, if I have received a bribe from the hands of any? Vn­to whom it was answered by the people; Thou hast not wrongfully charged us, nei­ther yet oppressed, nor taken [Page 209] any thing from the hands of any? Which of them like the famous Prophet Elias, Elias. who consumed with hea­venly fire the hundred proud men, and conserved the fifty that humbled themselves;2 Reg. 1.9.11. & 13. and afterwards denounced without faw­ning dissimulation, unto the unjust King (that sought not the Counsell of God by his Prophets, but of the Idoll Accaron) his immi­nent death, hath utterly overthrowne all the Pro­phets of Baal (which are interpreted worldly senses ever bent (as we have alrea­dy sayd)1 Reg. 18.40. to envie and ava­rice) with the lightning sword (which is the Word of God?) and as the same [Page 210] Elias moved with the zeale of God,1 Reg. 17.1 after the taking a­way of the ayrie showres from the Land of the wic­ked, who were now shut up with famine in a strong pri­son, as it were of penury for three yeeres and sixe moneths, being himselfe ready to dye for thirst in the desert, hath complaining sayd,1 Reg. 19▪10. They have murthered (O Lord) thy Prophets and undermined thine Altars, and I alone am left, and they seeke my life? Which of them like Haeliseus Haeliseus. hath pu­nished his deerely beloved disciple if not with an ever­lasting Leprosie,2 Reg. 5.23 27. yet at least by abandoning him, who was extraordinarily burthe­ned with the weight of [Page 211] worldly coveting, those gifts which his Master be­fore (although very ear­nestly entreated thereunto) dispised to receive?2 Reg. 6.15 & 17. and which of these among us hath like him revealed unto his servant (who was trou­bled with despaire of life, and on a suddaine trembled at the warlike army of the enemies that besieged the City wherein hee was) through the fervency of his prayers, powred out unto God those spirituall visions, so as hee might behold a mountaine replenished with an heavenly assisting army, of warlike chariots & horse­men, who shined with fiery countenances, and also be­leeve that he was stronger [Page 212] to save, then foes to offend? And which of them as the afore-recited Helizeus with the touch of his body, be­ing dead truly to the world, but living unto God,2 Reg. 4.34 shall raise up another course pe­rishing and carried out with a contrary funerall of death undoubtedly to God, but of life to vices, so as instant­ly revived, hee may yeeld humble thankes unto Christ for his unexpected recove­ry from the hellish tor­ments of all mortall offen­ces? which of them hath his lips purified and made cleane with the fiery coale carryed by the tongues of the Cherubin, Esaias. Esa. 6.6.7. from off the Altar (that his sinnes may be quite wiped away with [Page 213] the humility of confession) as it is written of Esay, 2 Reg 19.1. by whose effectuall prayers adjoyned with the ayde ofEsa. 37.1. the godly King Ezechias an hundred fourescore and five thousands of the Assi­rians Army through the stroake of one Angell with­out the least print of any appearing wound, were overthrowne and slaine? which of them like blessed Ieremy Ieremy. for accomplishing the Commandements of God, for denouncing the threates thundred out from heaven, and for preaching the truth even to such as would not heare the same,Ier. 1.17. hath suffered loathsome stinking prisons as momen­tary deaths? And to be breef [Page 214] what one of them (as the Doctor of the Gentils said) hath endured like the holy Prophets to wander in mountaines,Iere. 20. in dennes, and caves of the earth, to bee stoned,Heb. 11.38. to be sawed in sun­der, and attempted with all kindes of death, for the name of our Lord? But why doe wee dwell in ex­amples of the old Testa­ment as if there were none in the new? Let therefore them (who suppose they doe without any labour at all, under the naked pre­tence of the onely name of Priesthood, enter this streight and narrow passage of Christian Religion) hear­ken unto us while we recite and gather in one a few [Page 215] as the highest and cheefest flowers out of the large and pleasant meddow of the Saintly souldiers of the New Testament;Examples of the New Testament. which of ye (who rather sleepe than lawfully sit in the chaire of Priesthood) being cast out of the councell of the wic­ked,Act. 11.50. hath after the stripes of sundry rods,Act. 16.23. as the holy Apostles given from the bottome of his heart,Act. 5.41. thanks to the blessed Trinitie that he was found worthy to suf­fer disgrace for Christs true Deitie? What one for the undoubted testimony of God, having his braines dashed out with the Fullers [...]lubbe;Act. 12.2. hath as Iames the first, a Bishop of the New Testament, suffered corpo­rall [Page 216] death? Which of yee like Iames the brother of Iohn was by the unjust Prince beheaded? Who like the first Deacon and Martyr of the Gospell (having but this onely ac­cusation,Act: 7.57. that he saw God, whom the wicked miscre­ants could not behold) was by the ungodly hands sto­ned to death? What one of ye, like the worthy kee­per of the keyes of the hea­venly Kingdome, being nayled to the crosse with his feete upward, in regard of the reverence of Christ,S. Peter. whom no lesse in his death than in his life, he endeavo­red to honour, hath so breathed out his last gaspe? Which of yee for the con­fession [Page 217] of the true word of Christ, hath like the vessell of election, and chosen Do­ctor of the Gentiles, after suffering the chaines of im­prisonment,S. Paul. sustayning of Shipwracke, after the ter­rible scourges of whips, the continuall dangers of Seas, of theeves, of Gentiles, of Iewes, and of false apostles, after the labours of famine, of fasting, &c. after his in­cessant care had over all the Churches, after his excee­ding trouble, for such as scandalized, after his infir­mity for the weake, after his admirable peregrination o­ver almost the whole world in Preaching the Gospel of Christ, through the stroke of the sword lost his head? [Page 218] which of yee, as the holy Martyr Ignatius, S. Ignatius. Bishop of the City of Antioch, hath after his miraculous actions in Christ, for testi­mony of him beene broken in peeces by the jawes of Lyons, as hee was some­times at Rome? whose words (being now led to his passion) when yee shall heare (if ever your counte­nances were overcome with blushing) ye will not, onely in comparison of him e­steeme your selves no Priests, but not truely so much as the meanest Chri­stians; for in the Epistle which hee sent to the Church of Rome, he writeth thus: From Syria even un­to Rome, I fight with beasts, [Page 219] at Land and Sea, being bound and chained unto tenne Leo­pards, the Souldiers (I meane) appointed for my custody, who for our benefits bestowed upon them become more cruell but I by their wickednesse am the better instructed, neither yet am I in this justified; Oh when shall come those beasts the causers of my Salvation (which are for me prepared)? when shall they be let out loose at me? when shall it be law­full for my carkas to enjoy them? whom I doe most ear­nestly wish to be eagerly in­raged against me, and true­ly [...] will incite them to de­voure me, moreover, I will humbly pray, least perchance they should dread to touch my body (as in some others they [Page 220] have heretofore done) yea al­so if they doubtfully stagger. I will offer violence, I will enforce my selfe upon them. Pardon mee (I beseech ye) I know what is commodious for me, even now I beginne to be the Disciple of Christ; let all envy, be it either of humane affection or else of spirituall wickednesse surcease, that I may diserne to obtaine Christ Iesus, let fires, let crosses, let cruelty of beasts, let breaking of bones, and renting of limbes, with all the paines of the whole body, and all the torments devised by the art of the devill, be altogether powred out on mee alone, so that I may merit to attaine unto Christ Iesus. Why do ye behold these things with [Page 221] the sleepy eyes of your soules? why do ye hear­ken unto them with the deafe eares of your sences? Shake off (I beseech yee) the darkesome and blacke mist of the slothfulnesse of your hearts, that so ye may see the glorious light of truth and humility. A Chri­stian and he not meane, but a perfect one, a Priest not base, but one of the high­est, a Martyr not ordinary, but one of the chiefest, saith: Now I begin [...]o be the Disciple of Christ. And ye like the same Lucifer, who was throwne downe out of Heaven, are puffed up with words not with power, and after a sort doe chaw under the tooth, and make pre­tence [Page 222] in your actions, even as the Authour of this your wickednesse hath expressed saying,Esa. 14 13. I will mount up into the Heavens, and be like un­to the highest: And againe, I have digged and drunk wa­ter, Esa. 37.25. and dryed up with the steppes of my feete all the ri­vers of the bankes. Where more rightly yee should have imitated him and har­kened unto his words (who is doubtlesse the most true example of all goodnesse and humility) saying by his Prophet,Psal. 21.7. I am verily a worm and not a man, the reproch of men, and the outcast of the people. Oh unspeakeable matter! that he called him­selfe the reproach of men, when as he washed quite a­way [Page 223] the reproaches of the whole world. And againe in the Gospel, I of my selfe am not able to doe any thing. Ioh. 5.30. When as he being coeter­nall with the Father, coe­quall with the Holy Ghost, and consubstantiall unto both, Created not by the helpe of another, but by his owne Almighty power, the Heaven and Earth, with all their inestimable Orna­ments, and ye neverthelesse have arrogantly lifted aloft your voyces, notwithstan­ding the Prophet saith,Eccle. 10.9 Why doth earth and ashes swell in prid [...]. But that I may re­turne unto the purpose. which of yee (I say) like the famous Bishop of the Church of Smerna Policar­pus, St. Policar­pus. [Page 224] that witnesse of Christ, hath courteously entertai­ned as guests at his table, those who violently drew him out to be burned, and being for the charity which he did beare unto Christ) brought to the stake sayd, He who gave me grace to en­dure the torment of the fire, will likewise graunt mee without fastning of nayles to suffer constantly the flames. And now overpassing in this my discourse mighty armies of Saints, I will as yet touch but one, for ex­amples sake,S. Basill. Basil, I meane the Bishop of Caesaria, who when hee was thus by the unrighteous Prince threat­ned, that (unlesse he would on the next morrow be as [Page 225] the rest, defiled in the dur­ty dunghill of the Arrian heresie) he was absolutely to be put to death, answe­red (as it is reported) I true­ly will be to morrow the same as to day, and for thee, I wish thou wouldest not change thy determination. And againe, O would I had some worthy reward to bestow on him that would speedily discharge Ba­sil from the bands of this breathing bellowes. What one of ye to daunt the me­naces of Tyrants, doth in­violably keepe the rule of the Apostolicall speech, which in all times and ages when some ever hath beene observed by al holy Priests to suppresse the suggestion of men, when they sought [Page 226] to draw them headlong to naughtinesse, saying in this manner, It behoveth rather to obey God then men. Act. 5.29. Wher­fore after our accustomed manner making our refuge unto the mercy of our Lord, and to the sentences of his holy Prophets, that they on our behalfe may now levell the darts of their Oracles at unperfect Pa­stors (as before at Tyrants) so as thereby receiving compunction they may be cured, let us behold what manner of threates, our Lord doth by his Prophets utter, against slothfull and dishonest Priests, and such as doe not as well by exam­ples as words, rightly in­struct the people. For even [Page 227] Hely the Priest in Silo, for that hee did not severely proceed (with a zeale wor­thy of God) in punishing his sonnes, when they contem­ned our Lord, but (as a man overswayed with a fatherly affection) too mildly and remisly admonished them, was sentenced with this judgement by the Prophet speaking unto him:1 Sam. 2.28 Thus saith our Lord, I have mani­festly shewed my selfe unto the house of thy Father, when they were the servants of Pharaohin Egypt, and have chosen the house of thy Father out of all the Tribes of Israel, for a Priesthood unto me. And a little after,1 Sam. 2.29. Why hast thou looked upon mine incense, and upon my sacrifice, with a dis­honest [Page 228] eye? and hast honored thy children more then mee, that thou mightst blesse them from the beginning in all sa­crifices in my presence? And now so saith our Lord: Be­cause who so honour me I will honour them againe: and who so make no account of me shall be brought to nothing. Behold the dayes shall come and I will destroy thy Name, and the seed [...] of the house of thy Father. And let this be to thee the signe, which shall fall upon thy two sonnes Ophnee and Phinees, in one day shall they both dye by the sword of men. If thus there­fore they shall suffer paines, who correct them that are subjected under their charge, with onely words, [Page 229] and not with condigne pu­nishment, what shall be­come of those who by of­fending exhort ye, and draw others unto wickednesse? It is apparant also what be­fell unto the true Prophet, who was sent from Iudah to prophesie in Bethel and forbidden not once to taste any meate in that place, af­ter the signe which he fore­told, was fulfilled, and af­ter hee had restored the wicked King, his withered hand againe, being decei­ved by another Prophet, (as he was tearmed) and so made to take but a little bread and water, his host speaking in this sort unto him,1 Reg. 13.21. Thus saith our Lord God; Because thou hast beene [Page 230] disobedient to the mouth of our Lord, and not observed the precept which thy Lord God hath commanded, and hast returned, and eaten bread and drunke water in this place, in which I have charged thee that thou shoul­dest neither eate bread nor drinke water, thy body shall not be buried in the Sepulcher of thy forefathers. And so (saith the Scripture) it came to passe, that after he had ea­ten bread and drunke water, he made ready his Asse, and departed, and a Lion found him in the way and slew him. Heare yee also the holy Prophet Esay, Esa. 3.11. how he spea­keth of Priests on this wise. Woe be unto the ungodly, e­vill befall him; for the re­ward [Page 231] of his hands shall light upon him. Her owne exactors have spoyled my people, and women have borne sway over her. O my people who tear me thee blessed, they themselves deceive thee, and destroy the way of thy footesteps. Our Lord standeth to judge, and standeth to judge the people. Our Lord will come unto judgement with the elders of the people and her Princes. Ye have consumed my Vine, the spoile of the poore is in your house. Why doe ye breake in peeces my people, and grinde the faces of the poore, saith our Lord God of Hosts? And also;Esa. 10.1. Woe be unto them who compose ungodly lawes, and writing have written in­justice, that they may oppresse [Page 232] the poore in judgement, and worke violence unto the cause of the lowly of my people, that widdowes, may be their prey, and they make s [...]ile of the Orphans, what will ye doe in the day of visitation and cala­mity approching afarre of? And afterwards, But these also in regard of wine have beene ignorant, Esa. 28.7. and in respect of drunkennesse have wande­red astray, the Priests have not understood, because of drunkennesse, and have beene swallowed up in wine, they have erred in drunkennesse they have not knowne him who seeth, they have beene ig­norant of judgement. For all tables are filled with the vo­mit of their uncleannesse, in so much as there is not any [Page 233] free place to be found. Heare therefore the Word of our Lord (O ye men ye deceivers) who beare authority over my people that [...] in Ierusalem. Esa. 28.14. For ye have sayd, we have en­tred into a truce with death, and with hell we have made a covenant. The overflowing scourge when it shall passe forth shall not fall upon us, because we have placed fals­hood for our hope, and by lying we have beene defended. And somewhat after, And haile shall overthrow the hope of lying, Esay. 28.17. together with the de­fence. Waters shall overflow, and your truce with death shall be destroyed, and your covenant with hell shall not continue, when the overflow­ing scourge shall passe forth, [Page 234] yee shall also be troden under foote, whensoever it shall passe along thorough yee, it shall sweepe ye away withall. And againe, And [...] Lord hath sayd: Esay 29.13 Because this people a­proacheth with their mouth, and with their lippes glorifie me, but their heart is farre removed from me, behold therefore I will cause this peo­ple to admire with a great and amazed wonder. For wisedome shall decay and fall away, from her wisemen, and the understanding of her sages shall be concealed. Woe be unto yee that are profound in heart, to conceale counsell from our Lord, whose workes are in darkenesse, and they say who seeth us? And who hath knowne us? for this thought [Page 235] of yours is perverse. And somewhat afterwards. Thus saith our Lord: Heaven is my seate, and the earth the foote stoole of my feete. Esay 66.1. What is this house that ye will erect unto me, and what place shall be found of my resting re­pose? all these things hath my hand made, and these uni­versally have beene all crea­ted saith our Lord, on whom truely shall I cast mine eye, but on the humble poore man, and the contrite in spirit, and him that dreadeth my spee­ches? he that sacrificeth an Oxe, is as he that killeth a man; he that slaughtereth a beast for sacrifice is like him who beateth out the braines of of a dogge; he that offereth an oblation is as he that offe­reth [Page 236] up the blood of an hogge; he that is mindfull of fran­kincense, is as he that honou­reth an Idoll: Of all these things have th [...]y made choice in their wayes, and in their abominations hath their soule beene delighted. Listen ye also what Ieremy that Virgin and Prophet spea­keth unto the unwise Pa­stors in this sort; Thus saith our Lord: Iere. 2.5. What iniquity have your fathers found in me, be­cause they have removed themselves farre off from me, and walked after vanitie, and are become vaine? And somewhat after;Ier. 2.7. And en­tring in; ye have defiled my Land, and made mine inhe­ritance abomination. The Priests have not sayd, [Page 237] Where is our Lord? and the Rulers of the Law, have not knowne mee, and the Pastours have dealt treache­rously against me. Wherefore I will as yet contend in judge­ment with you, saith our Lord, and debate the matter with your children. And a little afterwards,Iere. 5.30. Astonish­ment and wonders have beene wrought in the land. Pro­phets did Preach lying, and Priests did applaud with their hands, and my people have loved such matters. Iere. 6.10. What therefore shall be done in her last and finall ends? To whom shall I speake and make prote­station that he may heare me? behold their cares are uncir­cumcised, and they cannot heare. Behold the word of our [Page 238] Lord is uttered unto them for their reproach, and they re­ceive it not: because I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the earth, saith our Lord. For why from the lesser even unto the greater, all study avarice, and from the Prophet even unto the Priest, all worke deceit, and they cured the contrition of the daughter of my people, with ignomy, saying, Peace, Peace, and peace there shall not be. Confounded they are, who have wrought abomina­tion: but rather they are not with a confusion confounded, and have not understood how to be ashamed. Wherefore they shall fall among those who are ruinating, in the time of their visitation shall [Page 239] they rush headlong downe to­gether, saith our Lord. And againe, All these Princes of the declining sort, walking fraudulently, Iere. 6.18. being brasse and iron, are universally corrup­ted, the blowing bellowes hath failed in the fire, the Fi­ [...]er of mettals, in vaine hath melted, their malicious acts assuredly are not consumed, [...]all them refuse and repro­ [...]ate silver, because our Lord [...]ath throwne them away. And after a few words, I [...]m, Iere. 7.11. I am, I have scene saith [...]ur Lord. Goe your wayes to [...]y place in Shilo, where my [...]ame hath inhabited from [...]he beginning, and behold [...]hat I have done thereunto [...] the malice of my people of [...]srael. And now because ye [Page 240] have wrought all these works saith our Lord; and I have spoken unto yee, arising in the morning, and talking, and yet ye have not heard me, and have called yee, and yet yee have not answered. I will so deale towards this house, wherein my name is now cal­led upon, and wherein ye have confidence: and to this place which I have given unto y [...]e, and to your fathers, as I have done to Shilo, and I will cast yee away from my coun [...]e­nance. And againe,Iere. 10.20. My children have departed from me, and have no abiding, and there is not he who any more pitcheth my tent, and advan­ceth my Pavillion: because the Pastors have dealt fondl [...] and not sought out our Lord. [Page 241] Wherefore they have not un­derstood, and their flocke hath beene dispersed. And within some words after,Iere. 11.15 What is the matter that my beloved hath in my houses committed many offences? shall the ho­ly flesh take away thy maliti­ousnesse from thee, wherein thou hast gloried? our Lord hath tearmed thy noone a plentifull, faire, fruitfull, goodly olive, at the voyce of the speech a mighty fire hath beene inflamed in her, and her Orchards have beene quite consumed▪ therewith. And againe, Come ye to me, Iere. 12.9. and be ye gathered together all ye beasts of the earth, make ye haste to devoure. Many Pa­stours have throwne downe my vine, they have trampled [Page 242] my part under foote, they have given over my portion which was well worthy to be desired into a desart of solita­rinesse. And againe he spea­keth: Thus saith our Lord unto this people, Iere. 14.10 which have loved to moove their feete, and not rested, nor yet plea­sed our Lord; now shall he re­member their iniquities and visite their offences. Prophets say unto them, ye shall not see the sword, and there shall no famine be among ye, but our Lord shall give true peace unto ye in this place. And our Lord hath said unto me, The Prophets doe falsly foretell in my name, I have not sent them, neither yet laid my Commandement on them, they prophesie unto ye a lying vi­sion, [Page 243] and divination together with deceitfulnesse, and the seducement of their owne hearts. And therefore thus saith our Lord: in sword and famine shall those Prophets be consumed: and the people to whom they have prophesied shall by meanes of the famine and sword be cast out in the waies of Ierusalem, and there shall be none to bury them. And moreover;Iere. 23.1. W [...]e be to the [...]astours who des [...]roy and rent in peeces the floc [...]e of my pasture, saith our Lord. Thus therefore saith our Lord God of Israel unto the Pastours who guide my people, ye have dispersed my flocke, and cast them forth, and not visited them: Behold I will visite upon ye the malice of your en­deavours, [Page 244] saith our Lord. For the Prophet and the Priest are both defiled, and in my house have I found their evill, saith our Lord, and therefore shall their way be as a slippery place in the darke, for they shall be thrust forward, and fall downe toge­ther therein, for I will bring evils upon them, the yeare of their visitation, saith our Lord. And in the Prophets of Samaria, I have seene foo­lishnesse, and they did pro­phesie in Baal, and deceived my people of Israel, and in the Prophets of Ierusalem, have I seene the like resemblance, adultery, and the way of ly­ing, and they have comforted the hands of the vildest of­fendors, that every man may [Page 245] not be converted from his malice: they have beene all made to me as Sodome, and the inhabitants thereof as those of Gomorrha. Thus therefore saith our Lord to the Prophets; Behold, I will give them wormewood for their food, and gall for their drinke. For there hath passed from the Prophet of Ierusa­lem pollution over the whole earth. Thus saith our Lord of hosts; listen not unto the words of Prophets, who pro­phesie unto ye, and deceive ye, for they speake the vision of their owne heart, and not from the mouth of our Lord. For they say unto these who doe blaspheme me, our Lord hath spoken, peace shall be un­to ye; and to all that walke [Page 246] in the wickednesse of their owne hearts, they have said, Evil shal not fall upon them. For who was present in the counsell of our Lord, and hath seene and heard his speech, who hath considered of his word, and hearkened there­unto? Behold, the whirle­winde of the indignation of our Lord passeth out, and a tempest breaking forth, shall fall upon the heads of the wicked, the fury of our Lord shall not returne, untill the time that he worketh and un­till he fulfilleth the cogitati­on of his heart. In the last daies of all shal ye understand his counsell. And little also do [...] ye conceive and put in execution, that which the holy Prophet Ioel hath like­wise [Page 247] spoken in admonish­ment of sloathfull Priests, and Lamentation of the Peoples dammage for their iniquities,Ioel 1.6. saying: Awake ye who are drunke, from your wine, and weepe and bewaile ye all, who have drunke wine even to drunkennesse, because joy and delight are taken a­way from your mouthes. Mourne yee Priests, who serve the Altar, because the fields have beene made miserable. Let the earth mourne, because corne hath become miserable, and wine beene dryed up, oyle dimini­shed, and husbandmen withe­red away. Lament ye possessi­ons, in regard of Wheate and Barly, because the vin­tage hath perished out of the [Page 248] field, the vine withered up, the figges diminished: the pomegranates, and palme, and apple, and all trees of the field are withered away, in respect that the children of men have confounded their joy. All which things are spiritually to be understood by you, that your soules may not wither away with so pestilent a famine, for want of the word of God. And againe, Weepe out yee Priests, Ioel 2.17. who serve our Lord, saying; Spare O Lord thy People, and give not over thine inheritance unto re­proch, and let not Natio [...]s hold dominion over them, that Gentiles may not say, Where is their God? And yet ye yeeld not your eares [Page 249] unto these sayings, but ad­mit of all matters by which the indignation of the fury of God is more vehement­ly inflamed. With dili­gence also attend ye what holy O see the Prophet hath spoken unto Priests of your▪ behavior.Osec 5 1. Heare these words (O yee Priests) and let the house of Israel, together with the Kings house marke them; fast [...]n ye them in your eares, for that unto ye appertaineth judgement, because yee are made an intangling snare to the espying watch, and as a piched n [...]t more and worse then the toyle which the fol­lowers of hunting have fra­med. To ye also, may this kinde of alienation from our Lord, be meant by the [Page 250] Prophet Amos saying, I have hated and rejected your festivall daies, Amos 5.21 and I will not receive the savour in your so­lemne assemblies, because al­beit ye offer our burnt sacri­fices and hosts, I will not ac­cept them, and I will not cast mine eye on the vowes of your declaration. Take away from me the sound of your songs, and the Psalme of your Or­gans I will not heare. For why the famine of the E­vangelicall meate consu­ming, in your abundance of victuals, the very bowels of your soules, rageth vio­lently within ye, according as the aforesaid Prophet hath foretold,Amos 8.11. saying: Be­hold the daies shal come▪ saith our Lord, and I will send out [Page 251] a famine upon the earth, not the famine of bread, nor the thirst of water, but a famine in hearing the word of God, and waters shall be mooved from sea even to sea, and they shal run over from the North even unto the East, seeking out the word of our Lord, and yet shall not find it. Let holy Micheas also pierce your eares, who not unlike a cer­taine heavenly trumpet soundeth shrilly forth a­gainst the deceitfull Princes of the People, saying: Hearken now yee Princes of the house of Iacob, Miche. 3.1. is it not for yee to know judgement, who hate goodnesse, and seeke af­ter mischiefes, who plucke their skinnes from off men, and their flesh from their [Page 252] bones? Even as they have eaten the flesh of my people, and fl [...]yed of their skins from them, broken their bones to peeces, and hewed them small as meate to the pot, they shall cry to God, and he will not heare them, and in that sea­son turne his face away from them, even as they before have wickedly behaved themselves in their inventions. Thus speaketh our Lord of the Prophets who seduce my people, who bite with their teethes, and preach against them peace, and if a man gi­veth nothing to stoppe their mouthes, they raise and san­ctifie a war upon him. Night shall therefore be unto yee in place of a vision, and d [...]rke­nesse unto ye in l [...]we of divi­nation, [Page 253] and the sunne shall set upon your Prophets, and the day shall waxe darke upon them, and seeing droames they shall be confounded, and the diviners shall be derided, and they shall speake ill a­gainst all men, because there shall not be any one that will heare them, but that I myselfe shall doe mine uttermost & strongest endeavour in the spirit of our Lord, in judge­ment and in power, that I may declare unto the house of Ia­cob their impieties, and to Israel their offences. Hearken therefore unto these words ye Captaines of the house of Ia­cob, and ye remnants of the house of Israel, who abhorre judgment, and overthrow all righteousnesse, who build up [Page 254] Sion in blood and Ierusalem in iniquities: her rulers did judge for rewards, and her Priests answered for hire, a [...]d her Prophets did for money divine, and rested on our Lord, saying: And is not our Lord within us? evils shall not fall upon us. For your cause therefore shall Sion be ploughed up as a field, and Ierusalem as a watch cab­bin of a garden, and the mountaine of the house as a place of a wooddy wildernesse. And after some words en­suing,Mich. 7.1. Woe is me for that I am become as [...]e that gathe­reth stubble in the harvest, and a cluster of grapes in the Vintage, when the principle branch is not left to be eaten. Woe is me, that a soule hath [Page 255] perished through earthly a­ctions, the reverence of sin­ners ariseth even reveren­cing from the earth, and hee appeareth not that among men correcteth. All contend injudgement for blood, and every one with tribulation afflicteth his neighbour, for mischiefe hee prepareth his hands. Listen ye likewise how the famous Prophet Sophonias debated also in times past, with your fel­low banqueters (for hee spake of Ierusalem, which is spiritually to be understood the Church or the soule) saying:Sopho. 3.1. O the Citty that was beautifull and set at liberty, the confident Dove hath not obediently hearkened to the voyce, nor yet entertained [Page 256] discipline, she hath not tru­sted in our Lord, and to her God she hath not approached. And he sheweth the reason why,Soph. 3.3. Her Princes have beene like unto roaring Lyons, her Iudges as Wolves of Arabia did not leave towards the mor­ning, her Prophets carrying the spirit of a contemptuous despising man; her Priests did prophane what w [...]s holy, and dealt wickedly in the law, but our Lord is upright in the middest of his people, and no unjust morning will he make, in the morning will he give his judgement. But heare ye also blessed Zachery the Pro­phet, in the Word of God, admonishing yee: For thus saith our Almighty Lord, Zach. 7 9. Iudge ye righteous judgement [Page 257] and worke yee every one to­wards his brother mercy and pitty, and hurt yee not thorough your power the Widdoow, or Orphan, or stranger, or poore man, and let not any man remember in his heart the malice of his bro­ther; and they have beene stubborne not to observe these, and have yeelded their backes to foolishnesse, and made heavie their eares that they might not hearken, and framed their hearts to be not perswasible that they might not listen to my law and words, which our Almigh­ty Lord hath sent in his spi­rit, through the hands of his former Prophets, and mighty wrath hath beene raised by our Almighty Lord. And [Page 258] againe, Because they who have spoken, Zach. 10.1. have spoken molestations, and diviners have uttered false visions and deceitfull dreames, and given vaine consolations; in respect hereof they are made dry as sheepe, and are afflicted because no health was to bee found; my wrath is heaped upon the Shepheards, and upon the Lambes will I visite. And within a few words af­ter, The voyce of lamenting Pastors, because their great­nesse is become miserable. Zach. 11.3. The voyce of roaring Lyons, because the fall of Iordan is become miserable: Thus saith our Almighty Lord; who have possessed have murthe­red, and yet hath it not re­pented them, and who have [Page 259] sold them, have sayd; Our Lord is blessed and we have beene enriched and their Pa­stors have suffered nothing concerning them. For which I will now beare no sparing hand over the inhabitants of the earth, saith our Lord. Heare ye moreover what the holy Prophet Mala­chy denounceth unto yee, saying,Mala. 1.6. Yee Priests who de­spise my name, and have sayd: Wherein doe we despise thy name? in offering on mine Altar polluted bread: and yee have sayd, Wherein have we polluted it? In that ye have sayd: The table of our Lord is as nothing, and have despised such things as have beene placed thereupon; be­cause if yee bring what is [Page 260] blind for an offering, is it not evill? If ye set and apply what is lame or languishing, is it not evill? Offer there­fore the same unto thy gover­nour, if he will receive it, if he will accept of thy person, saith our Almighty Lord. And now doe ye humbly pray before the countenance of your God, and earnestly be­seech him (for in your hands have these things beene com­mitted) if happily he will ac­cept of your persons. And a­gaine, And out of your ra­venous theft ye have brought in the lame and languishing, Mal. 1.13. and brought it in as an offe­ring. Shall I receive the same at your hands, saith our Lord? Accursed is the de­ceitfull man who hath in his [Page 261] flocke one of the male kinde, and yet making his vow offe­reth the feeble unto our Lord, because I am a mighty King, saith our Lord of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles. And now unto yee appertaineth this Com­mandement, O yee Priests, if yee will not heare, and re­solve in your hearts to yeeld glory unto my name, saith our Lord of hosts, I will send upon ye poverty, and accurse your blessings, because ye have not setled these things on your hearts. Behold I will extend out an arme upon yee, and disperse upon your counte­nances the dunge of your so­lemnities. But that ye may in the meane time, with a more thirsting desire pre­pare [Page 262] your Organs and in­struments of mischiefe, to be converted into good­nesse, hearken yee (if there remaineth as yet any so lit­tle inward listening in your hearts) what he speaketh of a holy Priest saying; My covenant of life and peace was with him (for histori­cally he did speake of Levi and Moses) I gave feare unto him, Mala. 2.5. and he was time­rous of me, he dreaded be­fore the countenance of my name, the law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquitie was not found in his lippes, he walked with me in peace and equity, and turned many away from unrighteousnesse. For the lippes of the Priest shall keepe knowledge, and [Page 263] from out his mouth they shall require the law, because hee is the angell of our Lord of hosts. And now againe hee changeth his stile, and de­sisteth not to rebuke and re­prove the unrighteous, saying;Mal. 2.8. Ye have departed from the way, and scandali­zed many in the law, and made voyde my covenant with Levi, saith our Lord of hosts. In regard whereof I have also given ye over as contemptible and abject a­mong my people, according as [...]ee have not observed my [...]ayes, and accepted counte­ [...]ance of men in the law. What is there not one father of us all? What hath not one god created us? Why therefore doth every one despise his [Page 264] brother? And againe, Be­hold our Lord of hosts will come, Mal. 3.2. and who can conceive of the day of his comming, and who shall endure to stand to behold him? For he shall passe forth as a burning fire, and as the fullers hearbe, and shall sit melting and trying silver, and he shall purge the sonnes of Levi, and clense them as gold and as silver. And somewhat afterwards,Mal. 3.13. Your words have growne strong against me, saith our Lord, and ye have spoken thus. He is vaine who ser­veth God, and what profit be­cause we have kept his Com­mandements, and walked sorrowfull before our Lord of hosts. We shall therefore now call the arrogant blessed, for [Page 265] because they are erected and builded up, while they worke iniquity, they have tempted God, and are made safe. But heare ye also what Ezechiel the Prophet hath spoken, saying:Ezec. 7.26. Woe upon woe shall come, and messenger upon messenger shall be, and the vision shall be sought for of the Prophet, and the law shall perish from the Priests, and counsell from the Elders. And againe: Thus saith our Lord; Ezec. 13.8. In respect that your speeches are lying, and your divinations vaine. For this cause, Behold, I my selfe un­to ye saith our Lord; I will stretch out my hand on your Prophets, who see lies, and them who speak vaine things, in the discipline of my people [Page 266] they shall not be, and in the Scripture, of the house of Is­rael, they shall not be written, and into the land of Israel they shall not enter, and yee shal know that I am the Lord, because they have seduced my people, saying, The peace of our Lord, and there is not the peace of our Lord. Here have they built the wall; and they annointed it, and it shall fall, And within some words af­terwards;Ezec. 13.18 Woe be unto these who fashion pillowes, apt for every elbow of the hand, and make veiles upon every head of all ages to the subversion of soules, and the soules of my people are subverted, and they possesse their soules, and con­taminated me unto my people for a handfull of barley, and a [Page 267] peece of bread to the slaugh­ter of the soules, whom it be­hooved not to dye, and to the delivery of the soules, that were not convenient to live, while ye talke unto my people that listeneth after vaine speeches. And afterwards: Say thou sonne of man, Ezec. 22.4. thou art earth which is not wate­red with raine, neither yet hath raine fallen upon thee in the day of wrath, in which thy Princes were in the mid­dest of thee as roring Lions, ravening on their preyes, de­vouring soules in their po­tent might, and receiving re­wards, and thy widd [...]wes were multiplyed in the midst of thee, and her Priests have despised my law, and defiled my holy things. Betweene ho­ly [Page 268] and polluted, they did not distinguish, and divided not equally betweene the uncleane and cleane, and from my Sab­baths they veiled their eies, and in the midst of them they defiled. Eze. 22 30. And againe, And I sought among them a man of upright conversation, and one who should altogether stand before my face, to pre­vent the times that might fal upon the earth, that I should not in the end utterly destroy it, and I found him not. And I powred out upon it, the whole designement of my minde, in the fire of my wrath for the consuming of them: I repaid their waies on their heads, saith our Lord. And somewhat after:Eze 33.1. And the word of our Lord was spoken [Page 269] unto me saying: O Sonne of man, speake to the children of my people, and thou shalt say unto them: The land whereupon I shall bring my sword, and the people of the land shall take some one man among them, and ordaine him to be a watchman over them, and hee shall espie the sword comming upon the land, and sound with his trumpet, and signifie unto the people, who so truely shall then heare the sound of the trumpet, and yet hearing shall not beware: and the sword shal come and catch him, his blood shall light up­on his owne head, because when hee heard the sound of the trumpet, hee was not watchfull, his blood shall be upon him, and this man, for [Page 270] that hee hath preserved his owne soule, hath delivered himselfe. But the watchman if he shall see the sword com­ming, and not give notice with his trumpet, and the people shall not beware; and the sword comming shall take away a soule from among them, both the soule it selfe is caught a captive for her i­niquities, and I will also re­quire her blood at the hand of the watchman. And thou O son of man, I have appoin­ted thee a watchman over the house of Israel, and if thou shalt heare the word from out my mouth, when I shall say to a sinner, Thou shalt die the death, and yet wilt not speake whereby the wicked may re­turne from his way: both the [Page 271] unjust himselfe shall die in his iniquity, and truely I will require his blood also at thy hands. But if thou shalt fore­warne the wicked of his way, that he may avoide the same, and he neverthelesse will not withdraw himselfe from his course, this man shall die in his impiety, and thou hast pre­served thine owne soule. And so let these few among a multitude of Propheticall testimonies suffice, by which the pride or sloath of our stubborne Priests may be repelled, to the end they may not suppose that we doe rather of our owne invention, then by the au­thority of the Lawes, and Saints denounce such threats against them. And [Page 272] now let us also behold what the trumpet of the Gospell, sounding to the whole world, speaketh like­wise to disordered Priests; for as wee have often said, this our discourse tendeth not to treate of them, who obtaine lawfully the Apo­stolicall seate, and such as rightly and skilfully under­stand how to dispose their spirituall foode (in time convenient) unto their fel­low servants (if yet at this time there remaine any great number of these in this our Country) but wee onely talke of ignorant and unexpert Shepherds, who leave their flock, & feed on vaine matters, for learned and good Pastours are free [Page 273] from these vanities. And therefore it is an evident token that hee is not a law­full Pastour, yea not an or­dinary Christian, who re­jecteth and denyeth these sayings, which are not so much ours (who of our selves are very little worth) as the decrees of the old and New Testament; even as one of ours right well doth say, We do exceeding­ly desire that the enemies of the Church should also, with­out any manner of truce, be our adversaries: and that the friends and defendours thereof, should not onely be accounted our confederates, but also our fathers and go­vernours. For let every one with true examination, call [Page 274] his owne conscience unto account, and so shall he ea­sily finde, whether accor­ding unto righteous reason hee possesseth his Priestly chaire or no. Let us see (I say) what the Saviour and Creator of the world hath spoken. Ye are (saith hee the salt of the earth, Math. 5.13 if that the salt vanisheth away, wherein shall it be salted? it prevaileth to no purpose any farther, but that it be cast out of the doores, and tram­pled under the feete of men. This only testimony might abundantly suffice to con­fute all such as are impu­dent, but that it may be yet by the Words of Christ, more evidently prooved, with what huge intollera­ble [Page 275] bands of offences, these false priests, intangle and oppresse themselves, some other sayings are also to be adjoyned; For it followeth: Ye are the light of the world. Math. 5.14 A C [...]ty placed on a mountaine cannot be hid, neither yet doe they light a candle, and put it under a bushell, but upon a candlesticke, that it may shine unto all who are in the house. What Preist therefore of this fashion and time, who is so poss [...]ssed with the blindenesse of ignorance, doth as the light of a most cleere burning candle, shine with the lampe of learning and good workes, in any house, to all that sit in the darkesome night? What one is so accounted a safe [Page 276] publike and apparant re­fuge, to all the children u­niversally of the Church, that he may be to his coun­trimen a most defensible and strong City, situated on the top of an high moun­taine? Moreover, which one of them can accomplish one day together, this that followeth:Mat. 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father who is in Heaven: Since rather a certain most obscure cloud of theirs, and the blacke night of offences, do in that sort hang over the whole I [...]land, that they turne all almost away from the righ­teous course, and make them to wander astray [Page 277] through unpassable and cumbersome paths of wic­kednesse, and so their hea­venly Father is not onely by their workes not magni­fied, but also by the same intollerably blasphemed. And truely I gladly would in some historicall or mor­rall sense how so ever, wil­lingly interpret (as farre forth as our meanenesse could afford) these testi­monies of Holy Scripture, which are either already cited, or hereafter to be in­termixed in this Epistle, but for feare least this our little worke, should be unmea­surably tedious unto those who despise, loathe, and dis­daine, not so much our spee­ches as Gods sayings, I [Page 278] have already alledged, and meane hereafter to affirme these sentences plainely without any circumstance. And to proceed, within a few words after:Mat. 5.19. For who shall breake one of the least of these Commandements, and so instruct men, shall be called the least in the Kingdome of Heaven. Mat. 7.1. And againe, Iudge ye not that ye may not be ad­judged: for in what judge­ment ye shall judge, ye shall be judged. And which one (I pray you) of your Com­pany will regard this same that followeth;Mat. 7.3. But why dost thou see (saith he) the mote in the eye of thy brother, and considerest not the beame in thine owne eye? or how dost thou say to thy brother, suffer [Page 279] me, I will cast the mote out of thine eye, and behold the beame remaineth still in thine owne eye? Or this insueing: Doe ye not give what is holy to dogges, Mat. 7.6. neither yet shall yee cast your pearles before swine, least perchance they tread them under their feete, and [...]urning against ye breake ye asunder, which hath most often befallen unto ye. And admonishing the People, that they should not by de­ceitfull Doctors (such as ye) be seduced hee saith: Keepe your selves carefully from false prophets, Mat. 7.15. who come unto yee in the clothing of sheepe, but inwardly are ra­venous wolves: by their fruite shall ye know them. Do men gather grapes of thornes, [Page 280] or figs of thistles? So every good tree beareth good fruite, and the evill, evill. And somewhat afterward: Not every one who saith unto me, Mat. 7.21. Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, but who so doth the will of my father that is in Heaven, he shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven. And what shall then become of yee, who (as the Prophet hath said) beleeve God onely with your lippes, and not adhere to him with your hearts. And how doe ye fulfill that which followeth;Mat. 10.16 Behold I send yee forth as sheepe a­mong the midst of the wolves. Who doe cleane contrari­wise, proceede as wolves against a flocke of sheepe; [Page 281] or the other ensueing sen­tence; Be ye wise as serpents and simple as doves, Mat. 10.16 since ye are onely wise to bite o­thers, with your deadly mouthes, and not to defend (with the objection and ad­venture of your whole bo­dy) your head, which is Christ, whom with all the endeavours of your evill actions, yee treade under foote; neither yet have ye the simplicity of doves, but the resemblance rather of the blacke Crow, which ta­king her flight out of the Arke, (which is the Church of God) and finding the carren of earthly pleasures, did never with a pure heart returne back thither againe. But let us looke on the rest. [Page 282] Feare ye not (saith he) them who kill the body, Mat. 10.28 but are not able to slay the soule, but feare ye him, who can overthrow both soule and body into hell fire. Receive in your minds which of these ye have per­formed? And what one of yee is not wounded in the very deepe secrets of his heart, with this testimony following, which our Sa­viour uttereth unto his A­postles, of evill prelats, say­ing,Mat. 15.14. Doe ye suffer them, the blinde are leaders of the blinde, but if the blinde be a guide to the blinde, both shall fall into the ditch. But the people doubtlesse whom yee have governed, or ra­ther beguiled, have just oc­casion to listen hereunto. [Page 283] Marke ye also the words of our Lord speaking unto his Apostles and to the people, which words likewise (as I heare) yee your selves are not ashamed to pronounce full often in publicke:Mat. 23.2. Vpon the chaire of Moses have Scribes and Pharisees sate, observe ye therefore and ac­complish, all whatsoever they shall speake unto ye; but doe ye not according unto their workes. For they doe but speake, and they of themselves doe nothing. It is truely un­to Priests a dangerous and superfluous doctrine, which is overclouded with sinfull actions. Woe be unto ye Hy­pocrites, Mat. 23 13. who shut up the Kingdome of Heaven before men, your selves truely enter [Page 284] not in, neither yet doe yee suffer those that are en­tring to passe in. For yee shall with horrible paines bee tormented, not one­ly in respect of the great offences of your wicked­nesse, which ye doe heape up for punishment in the world to come, but also in regard of those who dayly perish through your bad example, whose blood in the day of judgement shall be required at your hands.

Yeeld ye in like sort dili­gent attention unto the mi­sery, which the Parable setteth before your eyes that is spoken of the ser­vant, who saith, Mat. 24.48. in his heart, my Lord maketh de­lay [Page 285] in his comming, and up­on this occasion perchance, hath begunne to strike his fel­low servants, eating and quaffing with drunkards. The Lord of the same ser­vant therefore (saith hee) will come on a day when hee doth not expect him, and in an houre whereof hee is igno­rant, and will divide him (from holy Priests undou­tedly) and will place his portion with hypocrites (with them certainely who under the pretence of Priesthood doe shadow much iniqui­ty) affirming that there shall bee weeping and gnash­ing of teeth; Which sor­row in this present life, neither for the daily ruines of the children of our holy [Page 287] Mother the Church, nor yet for the desire of the Kingdome of Heaven, they have often sustained. But let us see what Paul, the true Schollar of Christ, and Ma­ster of the Gentiles (who is a mirrour of every ecclesia­sticall Doctor,1 Cor. 11.1. Even as I (saith he) am the Disciple of Christ) speaketh about a worke of such importance in his first Epistle on this wise: Because when they have knowne God, Rom. 1.25. they have not magnified him as God, or given thankes unto him; but vanished in their owne cogitations, and their fool [...]sh heart is blinded, affirming themselves to be wise, they are made fooles. Although this seemeth to be spoken [Page 286] unto the Gentiles; looke in­to it notwithstanding, be­cause it may conveniently be applyed unto the Priests and people of this age. And after a few words; Who have changed (saith he) the truth of God into lying, Rom. 1.25. and have reverenced and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed for e­ver: therefore hath God gi­ven them over unto the passi­ons of ignominy. And againe,Rom. 1.28. And even as they have not approved themselves to have God in their knowledge, so God hath yeelded them up un­to a reprobate sence, that they may doe such things as are not convenient, being replenished with all iniquitie, malice, un­cleannesse of life, fornication, [Page 288] covetousnesse, naughtinesse, full of envie, murther, (of the soules truely of the peo­ple) contention, deceipt, wic­kednesse, backbiters detra­cters, hatefull to God, spite­full, proud, puffed up, devi­sers of mischiefes, disobedient to their Parents, senselesse, disordered, without mercy, without affection, who when they had knowne the justice of God, understood not that they who commit such things, are worthy of death. And now what one of the afore­cited sort hath indeede beene voyde of all these? And if he were, yet per­haps hee may be caught in the sense of the ensuing sen­tence, wherein hee saith; Not onely who doe these [Page 289] things, but also who consent unto the doers, Rom. 1.31. to wit, that none of them truely are free from this wickednesse. And afterwards; But thou according to thy hardinesse, Rom. 2.5. and impenitent heart, dost lay up for thy selfe wrath, a­gainst the day of wrath, and revelation of the just judge­ment of God, who will yeeld unto every one according un­to his workes. And againe, For there is no acceptation of persons with God. Rom. 2.11. For who­soever have offended without the Law, shall also without the law perish: whosoever have offended in the Law, shall by the Law be judged. For not the hearers of the Law, shall with God be ac­counted just, but the dooers [Page 290] of the law shall be justified. How severe a sentence shall they therfore sustaine, who not onely leave undone, what they ought to accom­plish, and forbeare not what they are forbidden, but also flie as an hideous snake, the very hearing of the word of God, though lightly sounding in their eares. But let us passe over to that which followeth to this effect:Rom. 6.1. What shall wee therefore say, shall we conti­nue still in our sinne, that grace may abound? God for­bid, for we who are dead in sinne, how shall wee againe live in the same? And some­what afterwards,Rom. 8.35 Who shall separate us (saith hee) from the charity of Christ? tribu­lation, [Page 291] or distresse, or perse­cution, or famine, or naked­nesse, or danger, or the sword? What one (I pray you) of all you, shall with such an affection be possessed in the inward secret of his heart, since ye doe not only labor for atchieving of piety, but also indure many things for the working of impiety, and offending of Christ? Or who hath respected this that followeth:Rom. 13. [...]2 The night hath passed, and the day ap­preached. Let us therefore cast of the workes of darke­nesse, and put on the armour of light, even as in the day, let us honestly walke, not in banqueting, and drunkennes, not in couches, and wanton­nesse, not in contention, and [Page 292] emulation, but put ye on our Lord Iesus Christ, and make no care to bestow your flesh in concupiscences. And againe, in the first Epistle to the Co­rinthians, hee saith: As a wise workemaster have I laid the foundation, 1 Cor. 3.10. another buil­deth thereupon, but let eve­ry man consider how he buil­deth thereon. For no man can lay any other foundation be­sides that which is Christ Ie­sus. But if any man buildeth upon this, gold, and silver, pretious stones, hay, wood, stubble, every ones worke shall be manifests; for the day of our Lord shall declare the same, because it shall be revea­led in fire, and the fire shall prove what every mans work is. If any mans worke shall [Page 293] remaine, all by the fire shall be adjudged. Who so shall build thereupon, shall receive reward. If any mans worke shall burne, he shall suffer de­triment. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God inha­biteth in ye? but if any man violate the Temple of God, God will destroy him. And againe,1 Cor. 3.18. If any man seemeth among yee to be wise in this world, let him be made a foole that he may become wise. For the wisedome of this world, is foolishnesse with God. And within some words after­wards: Your glorying is not good. 1 Cor. 5.6. Know ye not, that a lit­tle leaven corrupteth the whole masse? Purge ye there­fore the old leaven, that ye [Page 294] may be a new sprinkling. How shall the old leaven, (which is sinne) be purged away, that from day to day with your uttermost endea­vours is encreased. And yet againe.1. Cor. 5.9. I have written unto ye in mine Epistle, that ye be not intermingled with forni­cators, not truely the forni­cators of this world, or the avaritious, ravenous, or ido­latrous, otherwise ye ought to depart out of this world. But now have I written unto ye, that ye be not intermingled, if any one is named a brother, and be a fornicator, or ava­ritious, or an idolator, or a slaunderer, or a drunkard, or ravenous, with such an one, ye should not so much as eate. But a felon condemneth not [Page 295] his fellow theefe for stea­ling, or other open robbe­ry, whom he rather liketh, defendeth, and loveth, as a companion of his offence. Also in his second Epistle unto the Corinthians; Ha­ving therefore (saith he) this administration, 2 Cor. 4.2. according to that we have obtained mercy, let us not faile, but let us cast away the secrets of shame, not walking in subtilty, nor yet corrupting the word of God, (that is by evil example and flattery.) And in that which followeth, he doth thus dis­course of wicked Doctors, saying: For such false apo­stles are deceitful workemen, 2 Cor. 11.13 transfiguring themselves in­to the Apostles of Christ. And no wonder. For Sathan [Page 296] himselfe transfigureth him into an Angel of light. It is not much therefore if his ministers are transfigured as ministers of justice, whose end will be according unto their workes. Listen yee likewise what hee speaketh unto the Ephesians? and consider if ye find not your consciences attainted as culpable of this that fol­loweth? where he denoun­ceth thus;Ephes. 4.17 I say and testifie this in our Lord, that ye doe not as now walke like the Gen­tiles in the vanity of their owne sence, having their un­derstanding obscured with darkenesse, alienated from the way of God, through igno­rance, which remaineth in them in regard of the blind­nesse [Page 297] of their heart, who de­spairing, have yeelded them­selves over to uncleannesse of life, for the working of all filthinesse and avarice. And which of ye hath willingly fulfilled this that next ensu­eth;Ephes. 5.17 Therefore be ye not made unwise, but understanding what is the will of God, and be ye not drunke with wine, wherein there is riotousnesse, but bee yee fulfilled with the holy Ghost. Or that which he saith to the Thessaloni­ans. 1 Thess. 2.5 For neither have wee beene with ye at any time in the speech of flattery, as your selves doe know; neither up­on occasion of avarice, neither seeking to be glorified by men, neither by ye, nor any others, when as wee might be honou­red [Page 298] as other Apostles of Christ. But wee have beene made as little ones in the midst of ye, or even as the nurse cherisheth her small tender children, so desiring yee, we would very gladly de­liver unto yee, not onely the Gospel, but also our very lives. If in all things yee retained this affection of the Apo­stle, then might ye be like­wise assured, that ye lawful­ly possessed his chaire. Or how have ye observed this that followeth: Yee know (saith hee) what precepts I have delivered unto yee. 1 Thess. 4.2 This is the will of our Lord, your sanctification, that ye abstaine your selves from fornication, and that every one of ye know to possesse his owne vessell, in [Page 299] honour and sanctification, not in the passion of desire, like to the Gentiles who are ignorant of God, and that none of you doe encroach upon or circum­vent his brother in his busi­nesse, because our Lord is the revenger of all these. For God hath not called us into uncleannesse; but unto sancti­fication. Therefore who de­spiseth these, doth not despise man, but God. What one also among you hath advi­sedly and warily kept this that insueth: Mortifie there­fore your members which are upon the earth, Colos. 5.3. fornication, uncleannesse of life, lust, and evill concupiscence, for the which the wrath of God hath come upon the children of dis­fidence. Ye perceive there­fore [Page 300] upon what offences the wrath of God doth chiefe­ly arise, in which respect do ye likewise heare what the same holy Apostle with a Propheticall spirit, fore­telleth of you, and such as your selves, writing plaine­ly in this sort to Timothy; For know you this, 2 Tim. 3.1 that in the last daies there shall be dan­gerous times at hand. For men shall be selfelovers, co­vetous, puffed up, proud, blas­phemous, disobedient to their parents, ungratefull, wicked, without affection, inconti­nent, unmeeke, without be­nignity, betrayers, froward, lofty▪ rather lovers of sensu­all pleasures, then of God, having truely a show of piety, but renouncing the vertue [Page 301] thereof, and avoide thou these men. Even as the Prophet saith; I have hated the con­gregation of the malitious, Psal. 25.5. and with the wicked I will not sit. And a little after, he ut­tereth that (which in our age we behold to encrease) saying: Ever learning, and never attaining unto the knowledge of truth:2 Tim. 3.7 For e­ven as Iannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so doe these also withstand the truth: men corrupted in minde, re­probate against faith, but they shall prosper no further; for their folly shall be manifest unto all, as theirs likewise was. And evidently doth he also declare how Priests in their office ought to behave themselves, writing thus [Page 302] to Titus, Shew thy selfe an example of good workes, Tit. 2.7. in learning, in integrity, in gra­vity, having thy word sound without offence, that he who standeth on the adverse part, may be afraid, having [...]o evill to speake of us. And moreo­ver hee saith unto Timothy; Labour thou as a good Soul­dier of Christ Iesus, 2 Tim. 2.3. no man fighting in Gods quarrell in­tangleth himselfe in worldly businesses, that he may please him unto whom hee hath ap­prooved himselfe, for who so striveth in the lists for the mastery, receiveth not the crowne, unlesse he hath law­fully cont [...]nded. This is un­doubtedly his exhortation given to the good. Other matter also which the same [Page 303] Epistles contain, is a threat­ning advertisement unto the wicked (such as your selves, in the judgment of al under­standing persons, appeare to be.) If any one (saith he) teacheth otherwise, 1 Tim. 6.3. and doth not peaceably assent to the sound sayings of our Lord Ie­sus Christ, and that doctrine which is according unto piety, he is proud, having no know­ledge, but languishing about questions, and contentions of words, out of the which doe springing arise, envies, de­bates blasphemies, evill suspi­cions, conflicts of men cor­rupted in minde, who are de­prived of truth, esteeming commodity to be piety. But why in using these testimo­nies, here and there disper­sed, [Page 304] are we any longer (as it were) tossed up and down in the silly boate of our sim­ple understanding, on the waves of sundry interpreta­tions? We have now there­fore at the length thought it necessary, to have re­course even unto those les­sons, which are worthily gathered out of almost all Texts of holy Scriptures, to the end they should not onely be rehearsed, but al­so be assenting and assisting unto the benediction, where with the hands of Priests, and others of inferiour sa­cred orders, are first conse­crated, and that therby they may continually be warned never by degenerating from their Priestly dignity, [Page 305] to digresse from the Com­mandements, which are faithfully contained in the same; so as it may be plaine and apparant unto all, that everlasting torments are re­served for them, that they are not Priests, or the ser­vants of God, who doe not with their uttermost power follow and fulfill these in­structions and precepts. Wherefore let us hearken what the Prince of the A­postles, Saint Peter, hath signified about this so weighty a matter saying: Blessed be God, 1 Pet. 1.3. and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, who through his mercy hath rege­nerated us into the hope of e­ternall life, by the resurrecti­on of our Lord Iesus Christ [Page 306] from the dead, into an inheri­tance w^ch can never corrupt, never wither, neither be defi­led, conserved in heaven for yee, who are kept in the ver­tue of God; Why then doe ye fondly violate such an inheritance, which is not as an earthly one, transitory, but immortall and eternall? And somewhat afterwards; For which cause be ye girded in the loynes of your minde, 1 Pet. 1.13. sober, perfectly hoping in that grace which is offered ye in the revelation of Iesus Christ: Examine ye now the depths of your hearts, whether yee be sober and doe perfectly conserve the grace of Priesthood, which shall bee duely discussed and decided in the Revela­tion [Page 307] of our Lord. And a­gaine he saith,1 Pet. 1.4. As children of the benediction, not confi­guring your selves to those former desires of your igno­rance, but according unto him who hath called yee holy, be ye also holy in all conver­sation. For which cause it is written; Be ye holy because I am holy. Which one of ye (I pray) hath with the bur­ning desire of the-whole minde, so pursued sanctitie, that he hath earnestly ha­stened, as much as in him lay, to fulfill the same? But let us behold what in the second lesson of the same Apostle is conteined,1 Pet. 1.22. My deerest (saith he) san­cti [...]ie your soules for the obe­dience of faith through the [Page 308] spirit in charitie, in brother­hood, loving one another out of a true heart perpetually, as borne againe not of corrup­tible seede, but of incorrup­tible, through the Word of God, living and remaining for ever. These are truely the Commandements of the Apostle; and read in the day of your ordination, to the end ye should invio­lably observe the same, but they are not fulfilled by ye in discretion and judge­ment, nay not so much as duely considered or under­stood. And afterwards, Lay­ing therefore aside all malice, 1 Pet. 2.1. & al deceipt, & dissemblings, and envie, and detractions, as infants now newly borne, reasonable and without guile [Page 309] covet ye milke, that ye may thereby grow to salvation, because our Lord is sweet. Re­count yee also in your mindes, if these sayings which have sounded in your deafe eares, have not often likewise bin troden by ye underfoote; And againe, Ye truely are the chosen li­nage, 2 Pet. 2.9. the royall Priesthood, the holy nation, the people for adoption, that ye may declare his vertues, who hath called yee out of darkenesse into that his so mervoilous light. But truely by yee are not onely the vertues of God not de­clared and made more glo­rious but also through your wicked examples are they (by such as have not perfect beleefe) despised. Ye have [Page 310] perchance at the same time likewise heard, what is read in the lesson of the Acts, on this wise; Peter arising in the middest of the Disci­ples sayd; Act. 1.15. Yee men my bre­thren, it is expedient the Scripture be fulfilled, which the holy Ghost hath by the mouth of David foretold of Iudas. And a little after, This man hath therefore purchased afield, Act. 1.18. of the reward of iniqui­tie. This have yee heard with a carelesse or rather blockish heart, as though the reading thereof had nothing at all apperteined unto your selves. What one of yee (I pray yee) doth not seeke the fielde of the reward of iniquitie? For Iudas robbed and pilled the [Page 311] purse, and yee spoyle and waste the sacred gifts and treasures of the Church, together with the soules of her children. Hee went to the Iewes to make a Mar­ket of God, ye passe to the Tyrants, and their father the Devill that ye may de­spise Christ. He did set to sale the Saviour of the world for thirty pence, and yee even for one poore half-penny; what neede many words? The exam­ple of Matthias is appa­rently layd before yee for your confusion, who was chosen into his place, not by his owne proper will, but by the election of the holy Apostles, or rather the judgement of Christ, wher­at [Page 312] ye being blinded, doe not perceive how farre yee run astray from his merits, while yee fall wilfully and headlong, into the manners and affection of Iudas the traytor. It is therefore ma­nifest that he who wittingly from his heart, tearmeth ye Priests, is not himselfe true­ly a worthy Christian. And now I will assuredly speake what I thinke: This repre­hension might have beene framed after a milder fashi­on, but what availeth it to touch onely with the hand, or dresse with a gentle oyntment, that wound which with impostumation or stinking corruption, groweth now in it selfe so horrible, as it requireth the [Page 313] searing iron, or the ordinary helpe of the fire, if happily by any meanes it may bee recured, the diseased in the meane while not seeking a medicine, and the Physiti­an much erring from a rightfull remedy? O yee enemies of God, and not Priests; O yee traders of wickednesse and not Bi­shops, O yee betrayers and not successours of the holy Apostles, O ye adversaries and not servants of Christ! Yee have certainely heard at the least, the sound of the words, which are in the se­cond lesson taken out of the Apostle Saint Paul, although ye have no way observed the admonitions and vertue of them, but even as sta­tues [Page 314] (that doe neither see nor heare) stood that day at the Altar, while both then and continualy since he hath thundred in your eares saying; Brethren it is a faith­full speech, 1 Tim. 3.1. and worthy of all acceptance. Hee called it faithfull and worthy, but ye have despised it, as unfaith­full and unworthy. If any man coveteth a Bishopricke, 1 Tim. 3.1. he de [...]ireth a goodworke. Ye doe mightily covet a Bi­shopricke in respect of ava­rice, but not upon occasion of spirituall commoditie, and for the good worke which is convenient for the place; ye want it. It beho­veth therefore such an one, 1 Tim. [...].2. to be voyde of all cause of re­prehension. At this saying [Page 315] we have more neede to shed teares than utter words; for it is as much as if the Apostle had sayd, He ought to be of all others most free from occasion of rebuke.1 Tim. 3.2. The husband of one wife, which is lkewise so contemned among us, as if that word had never pro­ceeded from him;1 Tim. 3.2. Sober, Wise, Yea which of ye hath once desired to have these vertues ingrafted in him, Vsing hospitality. For this, if perchance it hath beene found among ye,Ibidem. yet being neverthelesse rather done to purchase the favour of the people, then to accom­plish the Commandement, it is of none availe, our Lord and Saviour saying [Page 316] thus; Verely I say unto yee, they have received their reward. Mat. 6.2. Moreover, A man adorned, 1 Tim. 3.2. not given to wine; no fighter; but modest; not contentius, not cove­tous: O lamentable change! O horrible contempt of the heavenly Com­mandements! And doe ye not continually use the force of your words and actions, for the overthrow­ing or rather overwhel­ming of these, for whose defence and confirmation (if neede had required) yee ought to have suffered paines, yea and to have lost your very lives. But let us see what followeth; Well governing (saith he) his house, Ibidem. having his children [Page 317] subjected with all chastity. Imperfect therefore is the chastity of the Parents, if the children be not also in­dued with the same. But how shall it be, where nei­ther the father, nor yet the sonne as depraved by the example of his evill parent, is found to be chaste?1 Tim. 3.5. But if any one knoweth not how to rule over his owne house, how shall hee imploy his care over the Church of God? These are the words, that with apparant effects, shold be made good and approo­ved.1 Tim. 3.8. Deacons in like man­ner, that they should be chast, not double tongued, not o­vergiven much to wine, not followers of filthy gaine, ha­ving the mystery of faith in [Page 318] a pure conscience, and let these also be first approoved, and so let them administer, having no offence. And now trem­bling truely to make any longer stay on these mat­ters, I can for a conclusion affirme one thing certaine­ly, which is; that all these are changed into contrary actions, in so much that Clarkes, (which not with­out griefe of heart, I doe here confesse) are shame­lesse and deceitfull in their speeches, given to drinking, covetous of filthy commo­dity, having faith (or to say more truely) unfaithfulnesse in an unpure conscience, mi­nistring not upon probati­on of their good workes, but upon foreknowledge of [Page 319] their evill actions, and be­ing thus defiled with innu­merable offences, they are notwithstanding admitted unto the holy function, ye have likewise heard on the same day (wherin ye should with farre more right and reason have beene drawne to prison or punishment, then preferred unto Priest­hood) when our Lord de­manded whom his Disci­ples supposed him to be, how Peter answered; Thou art Christ, Mat. 16.16 the Sonne of the li­ving God, and our Lord in respect of such his confessi­on, said unto him: Blessed art thou Simon Ba [...]jonas, Mat. 16.17. be­cause flesh and blood hath not revealed unto thee, but my Father who is in Heaven. Pe­ter [Page 320] therefore instructed by God the Father, doth right­ly confesse Christ; but ye being taught by the devill your father, doe with your lewd actions, wickedly de­ny our Saviour. It is said to the true Priest, Thou art Peter, Mat. 16.18 and upon this rocke will I build my Church: But ye are resembled unto the foolish man, Mat. 7.26. who hath buil­ded his house upon the sand. And verily it is to be noted, that God joyneth not in workemanship with the un­wise, when they build their house upon the deceitfull uncertainty of the sands, ac­cording unto that saying: They have made Kings unto themselves▪ and not by me. Semblably that (which fol­loweth) [Page 321] soundeth in like sort,Mat. 16.17 speaking thus: And the Gates of hell (whereby the infernall sins are to be understood) shall not pre­vaile. But of your fraile and deadly frame, marke what is pronounced? The floods came, Mat. 7.25. and the winds blew, & have mainely dashed upon that house and it sell, and great was the ruine thereof. To Peter and his successors our Lord doth say: And I will give unto thee the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven:Ma [...] ▪t 16.18 But unto ye; I know yee not, depart from me ye workers of iniquity, that being separa­ted with the goates of the left hand, ye may together with them, go into eternall fire. It is also promised un­to [Page 322] every good Priest;Mat. 16.18. He speakes not of the power and jurisdiction but of the decency and [...]itnes [...]ince no Priest but may absolve another though in sinne him­self, neither can he ex­cummuni­cate him­selfe. Prov. 5.22. What soever thou shalt loose upon earth, shall be likewise loosed in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt binde upon earth, shall be in like sort bound in Heaven. But how shall ye loose any thing, that it may be loosed also in Heaven, since your selves for your sins are severed from Hea­ven, and hampred in the bands of your owne hai­nous offences, As Solomon saith: With the cords of his sins, every one is tyed? And with what reason shall ye binde any thing on this earth, that above this world may be likewise bound, un­lesse it be your only selves, who intangled in your ini­quities, are so detained on [Page 323] this earth, as ye cannot as­cend into Heaven, but with­out your conversion unto our Lord in this life, will fall downe into the misera­ble prison of hell? Neither yet let any Priest flatter himselfe upon the know­ledge of the particular cleannenesse of his owne body, since their soules (o­ver whom he hath govern­ment) shall in the day of Iudgement be required at his hands as the murtherer of them, if any through his ignorance, [...]loth, or faw­ning adulation have perish­ed, because the stroke of death is not lesse terrible, that is given by a good man then which is inflicted by an evill person: Otherwise [Page 324] would the Apostle never have said that which he left unto his successors, as a fa­therly Legacy; I am cleare and cleane from the blood of all: Act. 20.26. for I have not forborne to declare unto ye al the coun­sell of God. Being therefore mightily drunken with the use and custome of sinnes, and extreamely overwhel­med with the waves, (as it were) of encreasing offen­ces, seek ye now forthwith the uttermost endeavours of your mindes, (after this your shipwrake) that one borde of pennance, which is onely left, whereby ye may escape and swimme to the land of the living, that from yee may be turned a­way the wrath of our Lord, [Page 327] who saith: I will not the death of a sinner: Ezec. 33.11 but that he may bee converted and live. And the same Almighty God, of all consolation and mercy preserve his few good Pastors from all evill, and (the common enemy being overcome) make them free inhabitants of the heavenly City of Ierusalem, which is the congregation of all Saints, grant this, O Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, to whom be honor and glory, world without end, Amen.