The blacke devil or the apostate Together with the wolfe worrying the lambes. And the spiritual navigator, bound for the Holy Land. In three sermons. By Thomas Adams.

3. Their Cohabitation. They dwel there; all of them, euen together.

1. There is roome enough in one heart for ma∣ny sins. Mary Magdalens heart held seauen deuils: this Apostates eight. There was a whole Legion in another. Math. 8. All the Principalities and powers of darknesse in a fourth. Absolon had treason, ambi∣tion, pride, incest, ingratitude, for his hearts stuf∣fing. Iudas had no fewer turpitudes in his. The heart is so small a piece of flesh, that it will scarce giue a Kite her breakfast: yet, behold, how capaci∣ous and roomthy it is, to giue house-roome to sea∣uen Deuils. He that should reade and obserue the great Physitians dissection of mans heart. Math. 15. Out of the heart proceed euil thoughts, murders, adul∣teries, fornications, thefts, false witnesse, blasphemies;

would blesse himselfe to think, that so little a thing c•…•…uld extend it selfe to such a capacity; or that it could be so full and not burst.

2. Behold a rabble of Deuils agreeing quietly in one man. Glomerantur in vnum Innumer a pestes Erebi. Innumerable plagues of hell are rounded vp together in one; yet they fal not out for roome. On earth among men it often falleth out, as be∣tweene those two ambitious Romanes.

Nec quemquam iam ferre potest Caesarue priorem, Pompeiusue parem.

Caesar must haue no superior, Pompey no riual. Ahab cannot endure, that Naboths vineyard should disfi∣gure his Lordship. Rich men in this world agree like Pikes in a pond, ready to eate vp one another: but howsoeuer; the poore pay for't, they are sure to be deuoured. Tradesinen cannot agree in one City, nor neighbours in one Towne, nor brothers in one house, nor Iacob and Esau in one womb: yet, behold, many Deuils can agree in one man. They know that a Kingdome diuided cannot stand. Wee quarrell and contend, when hell it selfe is at peace.

My iourney drawes to an end: there remaine but two steps; the Conclusion and Application. The Conclusion of the Parable is fearefull. The last state of that man is worse then the first. Is it possible? His state was so bad before, that can you imagine it worse? Yes: there was but one Deuil before, now ther are eight. By reason of this stronger possessiō, his damnation wil be the sooner wroght vp, the cup of his iniquity brim-fill'd, and himselfe hurried to

hell with the greater precipitation. This peiority of his state may be amplified in 6. respects.

1. Whilst this blacke Deuil had a white face, & car∣ried the countenance of religion, he was wrap'd vp in the general prayers of the Church. He seemed of that number, for whom as the friends to christ, there was a continual remembrance in good mens inter∣cessions. If any man see his brother sin a sin, which is not vnto death, he shal aske, and he shal giue him life for them that sin not vnto death. But there is a sinne vnto death: I do not say that he shal pray for it. Samuel will pray for Saul, till he perceiue that he hath giuen o∣uer the Lord, and the Lord him.

But when the white scarffe is plucked off this Moores face, and his blacke leprosie appeares: when the Wolfes sheepskin is stripp'd off, and he is seene to worry the lambes: then is he singled out as an e∣nemy to Christ, and Gods iudgement hastened on him at the intreaty of his seruants. He is so much the worse, as he hath lost the benefit of good mens prayers. When once in this gall of bitternesse, and bond of iniquity, in vaine Simon Magus requests Simon Peter to request God for him. Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which yee haue spoken, come vpon me.

2. Whilst this blacke Deuil mantled his tawny skin, and vlcerous hart with dissimulation of piety, there was outwardly some hopefull likelihood of his re∣formation, and winning to heauen. (Though God knew otherwise in his hidden and reserued counsel) whilst he sate in the congregation of Saints, heard what God spake to them, and spake with them to

God; the Minister did preach to him the tydings of peace with a good opinion, and admitted him to the communication of the Sacrament. But now, his eruption into manifest contempt of sacred things, and despite done to the spirit of truth, hath deaded that hope so that the Minister hath not that confident comfort, that the word will be the fa∣nour of life vnto him. His Hypocrisie hath decei∣ued the world; his Apostacy hath deceiued himselfe: therefore his state is worse.

3. His latter end is worse in regard of him∣selfe: and this may bee amplified in foure circum∣stances.

1. Before he was sicke of spiritual drunkennesse, now he is lethargiz'd. VVho knowes not that a continued lethargy is worse then a short ebriety Such is his state.

2. Impenitence hath brought him to impudence: and by often prostitution of his heart to vncleanes, he hath gotten a whores forehead, that cannot blush. Ier. 3. Thou refusedst to be ashamed. And Ier. 8. Were they ashamed when they had committed abhomination? Nay, they wer not at al ashamd, neyther could they blush. He hath so little repented for wickednes, that now he thinkes there is no wickednesse standeth in need of repentance. A brasen face, which no foule deed, nor reproofe for it, can make to change colour. How can it be otherwise? For a blacke Deuil can no more blush, then a blacke Dog.

3. He is in worse state, by so much as a relapse is more perilous then the first sicknesse. By reason that strength is now spent, and nature made more

weake, and vnable to helpe it selfe, or to receiue be∣nefit by what is ministred. The sparlies of good∣nesse are now dying, or quite extinct, & the flouds of iniquity more violent against him. There be so∣rer assaults, and lesse strength to encounter.

4. Before he was quiet in himselfe, and might haue a flattering hope, that the night would neuer come. But now breaking forthinto palpable con∣tempt and obduracy, he finds his conscience open to condemne him, and hell gates open to receiue him. His vlcer seemed to be fairely skinn'd ouer, and in his owne sense healed; but now to come to a new incision, is greater terror then euer. The sound of feare is now in his eares, the sense of a dagger at his heart. His body would, his mind can∣not rest. The horror of future punishment lyes at Cain's doore, and is at euery noyse ready to wake. There is a fearefull conflict betwixt Sensuality and Reason in him: that he may vse Iobs words, though in a deeper and direr sense. Pactus sum mihimet ipse grauis: I am a burden and trouble to my selfe.

Thus the great Parasite of the soule, that here∣tofore matched the number of Gods threatnings with as many faire promises, & flatter'd this wretch with the paucity of his sinnes; now takes him in the l•…•…rch, and ouer rec•…•…ons him. Hee that so long kept him in a beautifull gallery of hope, now takes him aside, and shewes him the darke dungeon of despaire. He engrosseth his iniquities in text-let∣ters, and hangs them on the Curtaine at his beds f•…•…te, to the racking amasement of his distracted soule. Before the Deuill did put his shoulders vnder

the burthen; but now he shifts it off, and impo∣seth it on the sinner. And as I haue read, the Spa∣nish Index deales with Velcurio: who commenting on Liui saith, that the fift age was decrepite vnder the Popes and Emperors: the Index takes out the Popes, and leaues the Emperors obnoxious to the whole imputation: so the deuill winds out himselfe at last from the wicked, refusing to carry the burden any longer, but leaues it wholy to their supportation.

This ague, or rather agony, is made more vexing by the sting of conscience: which is now Gods bai∣liffe to arrest him; his witnesse against him; his whip to lash him. His Register, that reades ouer the long booke of his offences; and after a terrible aggrauation of their heynousnes, tells him his pe∣nance, direfull and intollerable; and that Coneordat cum actis Curiae, it agrees with the iust decree of Gods Court, neuer to be auoyded.

4. His last state is worse then his first, in respect of God: who will now turne him out of his protecti∣on. When he hath once proclaimed open warre and rebellion against God, and hath manifestly de∣clared himself an outlaw; no maruell, if God throw him out of the circumference of his mercy, & let his Prouidence take no charge ouer him; sauing one∣ly to restraine his sauage fury, from forraging his grace-empaled Church. But for himselfe, the Scrip∣ture giues a renunciation. If he will go into capti∣uity, let him goe. Reuel. 22. 11. If he will be vntust, let him be vniust still. If he will be filthy, let him be filthy still. I will not hinder his course, Abea•…•…, pere∣•…•…t, prafundat, perdat, said that father in the Comedy;

Let him goe, perish, sinke, or swimme. He hath full liberty to swill the cup of his owne damnation vp to the brim.

5. In respect of the Deuil, his latter state is worse. Which may be demonstrated by a familiar smili∣tude. A man is committed to prison for debt, or some light trespasse; is there indifferently wel vsed, hath (for his money) all the liberty that the layle and layer can affoord him; nay, is permitted to go abroad with keepers. At last, he spies opportunity, and breaks away: then the layler fumes and fomes and rageth; and perhaps, sweares away that little share of his owne soule, which he had left. The prisoner had need looke to himselfe: if the layler catch him, he had better neuer haue stirr'd. At last he is taken; now bolts, and lockes, and heauy yrons, a strong guard, and a vigilant watch; til he be made safe for stirring againe. This bondage is far worse then the first.

The sinner in the deuils keeping is let alone to enioy the liberty of the prison, that is, this world; he may feed his eye with vanities, his hand with extor∣tions, his belly with iunkets, his spleene with laugh∣ter, his eares with musicke, his heart with iollity, his flesh with lustes; and all this without controll. But if he be wonne by the Gospell preached to break pri∣son; and thereupon giue the deuill the slippe: let him take heed, Satan doe not catch him againe. If he once recouers him into his prison, he will dun∣geon him; remoue from him all meanes, whereby he might be saued; let him see, heare, feele, vnder∣stand nothing but temptations and snares; blinde

his soule, harden his heart; loade him with heauy irons, and locke him vp in bolts and fetters of euer∣lasting perdition.

6. Then lastly, his end shal be worse at the last; when the least parcell of Gods wrath shall be hea∣uier, then all the anguish he felt before. When his Almond tree shall be turned to his yron rod; his af∣flictions to Scorpions. VVhen the short and mo∣mentany vexations of this world shall no sooner cease to him, then the eternall torments of Hell shall begin, and (which is most fearefull) shall ne∣uer end. Be his body burned to death in fire, yet those flames shall go out with his ashes: but come his flesh and soule to that infernall fire, and when they haue beene burned myriads of yeares, yet it shall not be quenched.

The Application doth immediately concerne the Iewes; which hath before beene plentifully in∣stanced. For our selues. 1. The vncleane spirit hath by Gods holy Gospell beene cast out of vs. 2. Doe you thinke, he is at quiet? No: he esteemes al places dry and barren, till he get into vs againe. 3. He resolues to try for entrance. 4. Now is it e∣nough, that we leaue ourselues empty of faith and good workes? for all our abhominable sinnes swepe with an ouerly repentance? and garnished with hy∣pocrisie, and with our old affections to sinne still? 5. Take we heed; he will come with seauen spirits, more wicked then the former, and giue vs a fiercer as∣sault.

But our helpe is in the name of GOD, who hath made heauen and earth: in whose mercy we trust, be∣cause

his compassions faile not. Our owne strength is no confidence for vs; but the grace of that stron∣gest man, who is alone able to keepe out Satan. Let vs adhere to Him by a true faith; and serue him in an holy integrity of conuersation: and our latter end shall bee better then our beginning. Marke the vpright man, and behold the iust; for the end of that man is peace. Our end shall bee better heereafter; when GOD shall wipe away all teares from our eyes: when sorrow, and sicknesse, and death shall bee no more: when Senacherib cannot rage, nor the Leuia∣than of hell assault vs. Peace shall enuiron vs, Heauen shall containe vs, Glory shall crowne vs. Our trouble, woe, mourning, haue beene momen∣tany: but our ioyes, peace, blisse, shall haue no in∣termission, no mutation, no end. Now He that per∣fects all good workes, make our latter end better then our beginning. To whom, three persons, one eternall God, be all prais•…•… and glory, for euer and for euer.

Amen.

Notes

• Obseru.
• Math. 15. 19.
• 1. Ioh. 5, 16
• Acts 8, 24.
• Ieremy 3, 3. 8. 12.
• Iob. 7. 20.
• Ind. Hisp. s. 158
• Psal. 37, 37.