Abuses stript, and whipt. Or Satirical essayes. By George Wyther. Diuided into two bookes

OF PRESVMPTION.

SATYR. 4.

SOft heedlesse Muse thou no aduisement tak'st, Wast not of Men that last of al thou spak'st: It was: and of the weakness•• too of men, Come then with shame now and denie't agen, Reca••t: for so the matter rhou didst handle, Thou maist be curst fort, with Bell Booke & Candle: Is mankind weake? who then can by their powers, Into the Aire hurle Palaces and Towers? And with one blaste'ne in a moment make, Whole Kingdomes and braue Monarchies to shake. Or what are they that dare for toaspire, Into Gods seat; and if it might be higher: That forgiue sinnes as fast as men can do them, And make Iehouah be beholding to them? I'ue heard of such; what are they? would I wist; They can make Saints they say of whom they list: And being made, aboue the Stars cāseat them Yea with their own hands make their Gods & eat thē Ha? are they men; How dar'st thou then to speake, Such B••asphemy to say mankinde is weake? I tell thee this Muse, either Man is strong, And through thy babling thou hast done him wrong, Or else beyond his limits he doth erre, And for presumption puts downe Lucifer:

Ist so? Nay then I prethee Muse goe on, And let vs heare of his presumption: For I doe know, cause I haue heard him vaunt, That he's a Creature proud and Arrogant: And it may be he is not of such might As he makes show for; but vsurps some's right▪ There't goe's indeed, for though he be so base So weake, and in such miserable case, That I want words of a sufficient worth, To paint his most abhorred vilenesse forth: Yet such is also his detested Pride, That I suppose the Diuell is belide By euery man that shall affirme or say He is more proud; for doe but marke I pray: This Creature man; did Natures powerfull King, (God, that of nothing framed eu'ry thing) M••uld out of Clay; a peece which he had rent, E'ne from the Earth the basest Element: And whereas he might haue beene made a Thrall, Yea and the very Vuderling of all; That God with title of Chief Ruler grac't him, And as a Steward ouer all things plac't him: Gaue him a pleasant garden for to till, And Leaue to eate of eu'ry tree at will. Onely of one indeed he did deny him, And peraduenture of that one, to try him; But see his insolence; though God did threat Death if he eate, and though that God was great, And so exceeding Iust, that he well knew, All that he threatned doubtles would ensue:

Thogh God were strōg, & could, had mā bin prouder (Pore clay-bred worm) haue stampt him into pouder•• Yet (not withstanding all this same) did he Presume to tast of that forbidden tree. A rash beginning, but he sped so ill, D'yee thinke he held on this presumption still? To heare he had left that offence 'twere newes, But Cain and Nimrod, Pharaoh and the lewes, Shew'd it continued; and grew much more, Rather then lesser▪ then it was before; Caine in his murther, and his proud replie; Nimrod in that he dar'd to build so high; Pharaoh by boldly tempting God, to shew His sundry plagues to Egypts ouerthrow; And many waies the last; but what need I, Recite examples of Antiquitie? Or for to taxe old ages for that crime, Since there was nere a more presumptuous time Then this that's now; what dare not men to doe, If they haue any list or minde thereto? Their fellow creatures they doe much contemne, Vaunting that all things were ordain'd for them; Yea both the gladsome daies and quiet nights, Sun, Moone, & Heauen, with those glorious lights, Which so be spangle that faire azure roofe, They thinke were onely made for their behoofe: When as alas their poore and weake command Cannot extend so farre for to withstand The least Starres force; and them and their estate, Sunne, Moone, and starres too, do predominate.

Before our fall indded we did excell, All other creatures that on earth did dwell, But now I thinke the very worst that be, Haue iust asmuch to boast vpon as we. Our soule's defil d; And therefore if in Sence We place our worth and cheefe prehemmence, Tis knowne that there be diuers Creatures then VVill haue the vpper hand; for they passe men; And though we still presume vpon't, tis vaine, To challenge our old Soueraingty againe; For when that we from our obedience fell All things against vs also did rebell, Lyons and Beares, and Tigers sought our blood The barren earth deny'd to yeeld vs food: The clouds raignd plagues, and yet dare we go on, We find such pleasure in Presumption. But for because there's some do scarcely know, How we do in that fault offend; Ile shew. First, when that they new worshippings inuent, And cannot hold themselues so well content VVith that which God doth in his word ordaine, As with inuentions of their owne weake braine, It seemes they think their fancies to fulfill, VVould please him better then to haue his will. Next I doe reckon them, that ouer-bold, Gods sacred Legend haue at will contrould, And maugre his grand-curse some places chang'd Added to some, and some againe estrang'd; Then those great masters I presumptuous deeme, That of their knowledge doe so well esteeme,

They will force others, as the Papists doe For to alow of their opinions to, Yea though it be a meere imagination, That neither hath good ground nor iust foundation Some will be prying though they are forbidden, Into those secrets, God ment should be hidden. So doe some students in Astrologie, Though they can make a faire Apologie▪ And so doe those that very vainely trie, To finde our fortunes by their Palmistrie; These doe presume, but much more such as say, At this or that time, comes the iudgement day. Or such as aske, or dare for to relate, What God was doing ere he did create Heauen and Earth; or where he did abide, How and by whom, he then was glorifide. But those that into such deep secrets wind. A slender profit in their labours find; For to make knowne how highly they offend, A desperate madnes is ofttimes their end. Yet such their nature is, theile not beware, But to be prying further still they dare, For sure that longing can no way be flaid, Which well the Poet seemd to know, who said, Man, what he is forbidden still desires, And what he is denide off, most requires. Rather then many will a man gainesay, They dare make bold with God, they thinke they may Because it seems they deeme him not so strong, Or so well able to reuenge a wrong.

Some such great power to themselues assume, And on their owne strength doe so much presume, They seldome doe for Gods assistance craue, As if it were a needlesse thing to haue; Which is the cause that often the conclusion Proues their owne shame, their hindrance & confu∣sion; In Praying, men presume, (Vnlesse they be, With eu'ry one in loue and charitie:) Or if in their Petitions, they desire Such things as are vnlawfull to require; Death's their reward, we know, that break the law, But neither that, nor yet damnations awe Keeps vs from sinne; a thousand God-heads more, Then one we make, and dare for to adore Our owne hand-works; the Sabboth we disdaine, And dreadlesse take the name of God in vaine: If but by his Lords hand an Irish swere, To violate that oath he stands in feare; Least him of both his lands and goods he spoile, For making him the instrument of guile: And yet dare we (poore wormes) before his face, (Respecting whom, the greatest Lords are base) Both sweare, & forsweare; vsing that great Name At pleasure, without any feare of blame: Why should not we as well suppose that he, Who in our hearts would haue no fraud to be, Will miserable, poore, and naked leaue vs, Yea, of those Blessings and Estates bereaue vs We now hold of him, If we thus contemne, And still abuse his sacred name, and him?

But men secure in wickednes per••ist As if they could please God with what they list; If they can, Lord haue mercy on them say, And mumble some few prayers once a day, There needs no more; nay, surely there be such, That thinke it is enough; if not too-much: But what's their reason? God made all the man, Why should he haue but part allow'd him than? He in their seruice nothing doth delight, Vnlesse it be with all their strength and might, With their whole heart, & soule, and that way toe, As he appoints them in his word to doe: Some men their are who hope by honesty, By their Almes-deeds, and works of Charity To win Gods fauour, and for to obtaine Saluation by it; but their hope's in vaine: Also, their's others cause they haue the faith, For to beleeue 'tis true the Scripture saith, Since they haue knowledge in Religion, And make thereof a strict profession: Or doe obserue the outward worship duly, Do think that their in they haue pleas'd God truely. Now these are iust as far as th'other wide, Or they Gods worship doe by halfes diuide, And for his due which is e'ne all the heart, Do dare presume to offer him a part; But th'one must know he will not pleased be, With a Religion that wants honestie: And th'other that as little good will doe, His honest shew without Religion toe;

If this be so, (as so it is indeed) How then wil those presumptuous fellowes speed? Who thinke (forsooth) because that once a yeare, They can afford the poore some slender cheare; Obserue their Country feasts, or Common doles, And entertaine their Christmas wassaile boles, Or else because that for the Churches good, They in defence of Hock-tide custome stood; A Whitsun-ale, or some such goodly motion, The better to procure young mens deuotion: What will they doe, I say, that think to please, Their mighty God with such vaine things as these? Sure very ill; for though that they can mone, And say that Loue and Charity is gone As old folkes do, because their banquetings, Their antient-drunken-summer reuelings Are out of date; though they can say through tea∣ching, And since the Ghospell hath had open preaching, Men are growne worse; though they can soon espy A little mote in their owne neighbours eye Yea though that they their Pater noster can, And call their honest neighbour Puritan; (How ere they in their owne conceits may smile, Yet they are presumptuous, weake, and vile; Also in this abhominable time, It is amongst vs now a common crime, To flout and scoffe at those which we do spy, VVilling to shake off humane Vanity; And those that gladly do themselues enforce, Vnto a strict and more religious course,

Then most men doe; although, they truely know No men are able to pay halfe they owe (thought Vnto their God, (as though their wisedomes He migh be serued better then he ought, They count precise and curious more then needs, They try their sayings and weigh all their deeds: A thousand thinges that they well do shal be, Slightly past ouer as if none did see: But one thing ill done, (though the best does ill) They shal be certaine for to heare of still; Yea not with standing they can daily smother, Millions of ten times greater faults in other: VVho are so hated or so often blam'd? Or so reuil'd, or scorn'd? or so misnam'd? To whom do we now our contentions lay, Who are so much term'd Puritans as they That feare God most? But tis no maruaile men, Presume so much to wrong his children; when As if they fear'd not his reuengefull rod, They can blaspheme and dare to anger God. Now by these wordes to some men it may seeme, That I haue Puritans in high esteeme; Indeed, if by that name you vnderstand, Those that the vulgar Atheists of this land, Do daily terme so; that is such as are Fore-named heere; and haue the greatest care To know and please their maker: then 'tis true, I loue them well; for loue to such is due: But if you meane the busie headed sect, The hollow crew, the counterfeit Elect:

Our D••gmatists, and euer-wrangling spirits, That doe as well contemne good workes, as merits: If you meane those that make their care seem great To get soules food, when 'tis for bodies meate, Or those all whose Religion doe depend, On this, that they know how to discommend A Maygame, or a Summerpole defie, Or shake the head, or else turne vp the eye; If you meane those, how euer they appeare, This I say of them (would they all might heare) Though in a zealous habit they doe wander, Yet they are Gods foes and the Churches slander; And though they humble be in show to many, They are as haughty euery way as any. What need I here the lewd presumptions tell Of Papists in these daies? tis knowne to well: For them there of each peasant now conuinces, In things as well concerning God as Princes, Other▪ I find toe, that doe dare presume, The Office of a Teacher to assume; And being blind themselues and gone astray, Take on them to shew other men the way. Yea some there be, who haue small guifts or spirit, No kind of knowledge, and as little merit; That with the world haue made a firme cōiunctio••▪ Yet dare to vndergoe the sacred function Of Christ his Pas••or. Yea such is their daring, That neither for their Charge nor Duty caring, Insteed of giuing good and sound Instruction, They lead themselues and others to Destruction.

We read that Ieremy and Moses both, To vndertake their charge were wondrous loth: (The greatnes of the same so much appal'd them) Yea though that God himselfe directly cal'd them: But our braue Clarkes as if they did condemne, The two much bashfull backwardnes of them: Or else as if themselues they abler thought; Those Diuine Callings, haue not onely sought Without respect of their Ability, A C••ristian Conscience or Ciuility, But being of old Simon Magus tribe, Purchase it often with a hateful bribe; VVhich showes that they such places do desire, Not for the good of others but their hire: But Patrons feare yee neither God nor hell? Dare ye the Churches patrimony sell For filthy lucre, in despite of Law Sacred or humane? Pedants dare yee? hah? Dare you buy't of them? by Gods help, vnlesse This villany ere long, haue some redresse, Ile find a meanes, or else let me haue blame, To bring some smart, or else eternal shame Vpon you for't; it may be you do sent it, But all your pollicy shall not preuent it: What do you look for Hell and your D••mnation? VVel you shall haue it by Impropriation; I know now you haue enter'd Simony, Youle double damne your selues with Periury. For, they as oft together may be seene, As is the chilling feauer and the spleene,

But oh deare Countrymen be more aduis'd, Thinke what God is he may not be dispis'd. Could you well weigh his Iustice and his power, How many infinites it passeth ouer: And knew his iudgements we would not dissemble An outward fained reuerence; but tremble And shake with horror; you'd not dare to venter Sanctum Sanctorum so vnfit to enter; His Churches good you rather would aduance, Then rob it thus of her inheritance; Or make the same (as men stil vnbeleeuing) Like to a house of Merchandise and Theeuing. You to whom deeds of former times are knowne, Marke to what passe this age of ours is growne, Euen with vs that strictest seeme to be, In the professing Christianity; You know men haue been carefull to augment, The Churches portion and haue beene content To adde vnto it out of their estate; And Sacriledge all Nations did so hate That the meere Irish who seem'd not to care, For God nor Man had the respect to spare The Churches profits; yea their heed was such That in the time of need they would not touch, The knowne prouisions, they daily saw, Stor'd vp in Churches: in such feare and awe The places held them; though that they did know The thinges therein belonged to their foe: But now the world & mans good natures chang'd From this opinion most men are estrang'd;

We rob the Church, and what we can attaine By Sacriledge and theft is our best gaine: In paying dues the refuse of our stock, The barrennest and leanest of our flock Shall serue our Pastor? whom for to deceiue We think no sin; nay further (by your leaue) Men seeke not to impropriate a part Vnto themselues: but they can find in heart T'engross vp all: which vile presumption, Hath brought Church-liuings to a strange consump∣tion And if this strong disease do not abate, 'Twil be the poorest member in the State; No maruaile though in steed of learned Preachers, We haue beene pester'd with such simple Teachers Such poore, mute, tong-tide readers, as scarce know Whether that God made Adam first or no: Thence it proceeds, and ther's the cause that Place And Office at this time incurs disgrace. For men of iudgement or good dispositions, Scorne to be tyde to any base conditions: Like to our hungry Pedants, who'le engage, Their soules for any curtold Vicarage. I say theres none of knowledge, wit, or merit▪ But such as are of a most seruile spirit, That will so wrong the Church as to presume, Some poore-halfe-demi-Parsnage to assume In name of all; no, they had rather quite Be put beside the same, than wrong Gods right, Well, they must entertaine such Pedants then, Fitter to feed swine, then the soules of men:

But Patrons thinke such best, for there's no feare They will speake any thing they loath to heare; They may run foolishly to their owne damnation, Without reproofe or any disturbation; To let them see their vice they may bee bold, And yet not stand in doubt to be contol'd: Those in their houses may keepe priuate Schooles, And either serue for Iesters or for fooles, And will suppose that they are highly grac't, Be they but at their Patrons table plac't: And there if they be cal'd but Priests in scoffe, Straight they duck down and al their caps come off, Supposing it for to be done in kindnes, Which shows their Weaknes & apparant Blindnes. Moreouer 'tis well knowne that former time Held it to be a vild presumptuous crime; Such men in sacred Offices to place, Whom they knew toucht with any foule disgrace: Or to allow those whom they did suspect, To haue an outward bodily defect: But be they now not only crooked, lame, Dismembr'd, and of the vnshapeliest frame That euer Nature form'd; though they be blind, Not in sight onely, but as well in mind, Though they be such who if they come to shreeuin•• Might confess murder, whordom, slander, theeuing And all damb'd villany; yet these men will be Admitted to the sacred Ministry: But most of vs do now disdaine that Place, Accounting it vnworthy, meane, and base;

Yea like to Ieroboams Priests, we see, They of the lowest of the people he: And though we know, the Israelites allow'd God the first-borne for his; we are so proud, Vnlesse they either do want shape or wit, Or seeme for worldly busines vnfit: Few thinke Gods seruice worthy the bestowing Their Child about it; or such duty owing Vnto the same; but rather that Vocation They count a blemish to their reputation. But where's your vnderstanding, oh you men? Turne from your bruitish dulnes once agen, Honour Gods Messengers for why tis true, To them both Reuere••ce and Honour's due; Think what they are and be not still selfe-minded, Suffer not reason to be so much blinded; If not for loue that you to Iustice beare, Yet follow her (although it be) for feare: And see that this presumption you amend, Or looke some heauy plague shal be your end. Then it is also a presumptuous act, With knowledge to commit a sinfull fact Though ne're so small; for sin's a subtill else, That by degrees insinuates it selfe Into our soules; and in a little space, Becomes too-huge a Monster to displace; Yea, it is certaine that one sinne, though small, Will make entrance great enough for all; And what is't but presumption to abuse, And without-feare and reuerence to vse

Gods sacred Word; yet we that Christ professe, Thinke it no fault, or that there's no fault lesse: Else sure we would not in our common talke, Let our loose tongues so much at randome walke, We would not dare our Iests of that to make, At vttering whereof the Heauens shake; For if God had reueal'd his Gospel newes, To vs as heeretofore vnto the Iewes He did the Law; who heard him to their wonder Speaking through fearefull fiery flames and thunder, We would more dread in any euill fashon: To vse that sacred meanes of our suluation Our cursed Pagan vnbeleeuing foe, I meane the Turke, more reuerence doth show In those his dam'nd erroneous Rites then we In the true worship: for 'tis knowne that he Wil not so much as touch his Alcharon, That doth containe his false Religion With vnwasht handes; nor till he hath o'rewent All that his vaine and confus'd rablement Of Ceremonies vs'd; much lesse dares looke, On the Contents of that vnhallowed booke; But we in midst of all our villany, In our pot-conference and ribaldry, Irreuerently can the same apply, As if 'twere some of Pasquils Letany: But soft my Muse in her perambulation Hath hapt vpon an Excomunication: And though that her Commission she wanted Yet she made bold to search wherefore 'twas gran∣ted

Which if you would know too, why it may be, Some were so pleas'd because they lack't a fee: For, had the Officers bin wel contented, They say the matter might haue been preuented▪ But you that haue the wisdomes to discerne When abuse is; pray tel me, I would learne; Misuse we Excommunication? You know it is a Separation From God; and a most fearefull banishment, From the partaking of his Sacrament And good mens fellowship; a sad exile, (Perhaps for euer, at the least a while) From the true Church; and (oh most horrid euill) A giuing of Men ouer to the Diuell. And therefore was ordain'd in better times, Onely for such who in their hainous crimes With hardned obstinacy did persist, As may appeare: but now we at our list, As if the same but some slight matter were, For euery trifle to pronounce it dare; And peraduenture to, on such as be, More honest far, and better much than we: But since my Muse hath her endeauour done To note how men into this fault do run; I will be bold to let you vnderstand, One strange Presumption noted in our land Worth the amending; and indeed 'tis this Readers pray iudge how dangerous it is; We seeing God hath now remooued far, From this our Country his iust plague of war,

And made vs through his mercy so much blest, VVe do in spight of all our foes yet rest Exempt from danger; by vs it appeares, Through the great blessing of these quiet yeares, We are so feare-lesse care-lesse and secure In this our happy peace and so cock-sure As if we did suppose or heard it sed, Oul•• Mars were strangled or the Diuel dead; Else can I not beleeue we would so lightly, Esteeme our safely and let passe so slightly Our former care of Martiall discipline, For excercises meerely Feminine: VVe would not see our Armes so soild in dust, Nor our bright blades eat vp with cankred rust, As now they be; our Bowes they lye and rot, Both Musket and Caliuer is forgot, And we lye open to all Forraine dangers For want of Discipline 'tis knowne to Strangers Though weel'e not see't; Alas will not our pleasure, Let vs be once in seauen yeares at leasure To take a muster and to giue instruction? No rather Pleasure will be our destruction; For That first caus'd the Law, that now preuents, And barres the vse of Pouder-instruments To be enacted; why? for to preserue An idle Game, the which I wish might sterue Amids our plenty, so that with their curse, The land and people might be nothing worse, Cause for that trifle to the Realmes abuse, The hand-gun hath been so much out of vse

Scarce one in forty if to proofe it came, Dares or knowes how for to discharge the same: Oh valiant English we are like to hold The glory that our fathers had of old. But sure I think some vndermining hand, That studies for the ruine of the land, Is cause of this, in hope thereby at length, To weaken ours and let in forraine strength; What, do we think cause theirs a truce with Spaine, That we are safe? Alas that thought is vaine, Our dangers rather more; for while they dar'd, To proffer wrong they found vs still prepar'd; The profitable feare that we were in Preuented danger that might else haue bin. But now the cause of former feare is gone, We haue not only let all care alone, But also are so drunken with delights, And drownd in pleasure that our dulled sprites Are so o'reclog'd with Luxury; we droope, More fit for Venus then for Mars his troope; That if our foes should now so ventrous be, For to inuade the lan••, vnlesse that wee, With speed amend this error, heeres my mind, The way to worke our ruine thei'le soone find; For iust the Troians last nights watch wee keepe, Who then were buried all in ••ine and sleepe. We read when Cato should a Captaine chuse, For the Panonian fight, he did refuse His kins-man Publius, cause that from the war He often had return'd without a scar,

And went perfum'd; but if such faults as these, Displeasd the Censor, sure then in our dayes He scarcely would in towne or country find, A man with vs according to his mind, Such is our daintinesse; Besides to strangers, (As if there were no cause to doubt of dangers) We do not only our great ritches show, (A shrewd temptation to allure a foe:) But we moreouer plainely do declare, By fond apparell, too superfluous fare, Much idlenesse and other wanton parts, That we haue weake effeminated hearts; Which being knowne are sure a great perswasion, Vnto our enemies to make inuasion. But we do say in God's our only trust, On him we do depend; well so we must, And yet we ought not therefore to disdaine, The lawfull meanes by which he doth ordaine, To worke our safety then, for thats a signe, We rather lou'd to tempt the powers deuine, Then trust vnto them; worthy Brittaines then, Leaue this presumption, once againe be men, Not weake Sardanapali; leaue those toyes To idle women, wanton Girles and boyes: Vnto your foes I wish you could betake them, Or vnto any so you would forsake them. Let Martialists that long haue beene disgrac't Be lou'd againe and in our fauours plac't: Count not them rogues; but rather such as can So much degenerate themselues from Man,

In tire and gesture both, to womanize, Goc call a Parlament and there deuise An act to haue them whipt now; oh 'twere good, A deed well worthy such a noble brood, Meane while let's trim our rusty armes and scoure, Those long vn-vsed well-steeld blades of our: We shal not do the spiders any wrong, For they haue rent-free held their house-room long In Morians, Helmets, Gauntlets, Bandileres; Displace them thence, they haue had all their years: And giue it such a lustre that the light, May dimme the Mooncshine in a winters night; Away with idle Cithernes, Lutes, and Tabers, Let knocks requite the fidlers for their labours, Bring in the Warlike Drum, 'twill musicke make ye, That from your drousie pleasures will awake yee: Or else the hartning trumpet, that from farre, May sound vnto you all the points of warre: Let Dances turne to Marches; you ere long, May know what doth to rankes and files belong, And let your thundring shot so smoke and rore, Stangers may tremble to behold the shoare, And know you sleep not; But now to what end Do you suppose that I these words do spend? Beleeue me I'me not male content with Peace. Or do desire this happy time might cease, I would not haue you foule Seditions make, Or any vniust warres to vndertake; But I desire you leaue those idle fashions, That haue beene the iust fall of many nations;

Looke well vnto your selues and not suppose, Cause theres a league with Spaine you haue no foes: For if VVarres euer make this land complaine, It wil be through some Truce it had with Spaine: But heere I bid you once againe beware, Delay not time but with all speed prepare, Repaire your forts againe, and manne them well, Place better Captaines in them; I can tell Some are growne Couetous and there's no trust To such as they; that vice makes men vniust: They pocket vp the wages of their men, And One poore soldier serues alone for Ten: Look to the Nauy-royall, wer't wel scan'd, I doubt it will be found but simply man'd: The Pursers study (if some not belie them) Onely which way they may haue profit by them; But see vnto it you to whom 't belongs, See the Abuses done, redresse the wrongs: And oh! renew the forces of this land, For there's a fearefull bloudy day at hand, Though not foreseene, a bloudy day for some, Nor wil the same be long before it come. There is a tempest brewing in the So••th, A horrid Vapor forc't from hell's owne mouth. 'Tis spread already far into the VVest, And now begins to gather to the East; When 'tis at full once it will straight come forth To shoure downe all it Vengeance on the North: But feare not little Ile thy cause is right, And if thou hast not cast all care off quite,

Nor art secure, why by that token then Thou shalt driue back that threatning storme agen▪ Through Cods assistance for to ruine those, By, and amongst whom, first of all it rose: But if that still thou carelesse snorting lye In thy presuming blind security, Tak't for a signe that now thy sinnes are ripe, And thou shalt surely feele the death-full stripe Of that ensuing ill, vnto thy shame, And extirpation of thy former fame: But yet I hope this ouer-fight will end, And we shall this presumptuous fault amend: I hope I say and yet I hope no harmes, To see our English youth trick't vp in armes; And so well train'd that all their foes shall heare No newes from them but Horror, Death, and Feare; Yea and their march, like Iehues King of Iury, Shal shew they come with vengeance speed & fury, I would we could as easily forsake, Other Presumptions, and that we could take But halfe the care and dilligence to arme Our soules, in danger of a greater harme: Would we the holy weapons could assume Of Christian war-fare, and not stil presume To leaue our better parts all open so, For the aduantage of the greater foe Then Rome or Spaine: oh would wee could begin, To feele the danger of Presumptuous sinne! Which soon would be, if we would once be brought For to consider with an equall thought,

Our base Beginning and infirmity, Our wauering and wondrous misery: And with this wretched poore estate of our, Gods infinite and al-sufficient power: His Iustice, with his hatred vnto ill, And threatnings if we disobey his will. Or else remember he did still behold And see vs when we sin'd; for who so bold, Vnlesse depriu'd of grace then to offend? But it should seeme we our endeauors bend To anger God, for we of sinne complaine, Yet with our will sinne in his sight againe. Say, wer't not a presumption very great, If comming to a King one should intreat A pardon for some murther, and yet bring The bloudy blade with which he did that thing He would haue mercy for? & whilst hee's speaking, Sheath it againe with bloud and gore yet reaking, In the Kings sonne before his fathers face, And yet stil bide as if he hop't for Grace: Should we not thinke him mad? sure yes; yet we Cannot that madnes in our owne selues see: For we dare come before th' almighty King To sue for pardon for our sinnes; yet bring The selfe same bad mind still, conceiuing murther Against his children to prouoke him further. And looke what ill is but in thought begun, With him's all one as if the same were done, It is no maruaile that no humane law, Can keepe our ouer-daring hearts in awe:

Since that we do so little dread the rod, Of such a powerfull and so iust a God: And if in mans and Gods owne sight we dare, So searelesse sinne without respect or care, It seemes that we do little conscience make What mischeifes by our selues we vndertake: Or think it no Presumption to commit, Somthing alone in our owne sight vnfit; Oh grosle and ignorant! why thats the worst, Of all presumptions the most accurst And fulst of Danger. Silly man take heed, Do not before thy selfe an euill deed; For when God wil forgiue and man forget, Thy owne ill Conscience will oppose and set Her selfe against thee; tell thee thine offending, And keep thee back from euer apprehending Grace of forgiuenesse; neither wil affoord The smallest comfort of the sacred word: But rather to thy sad remembrance call, Each saying that may serue to prooue thy fall: And though that fire wondrous torture brings Vnto the body, yet when conscience stings Nor fire nor sword, nor hell it selfe can yeeld, Aworser to ment; God defend and shield Me from the like; and giue me grace to feare, So, that I may preserue my Conscience cleare In all my actions: And then I shall be, In better case a thousand fold then he That vnto wealth and honour hath obtaind, With a craz'd Conscience that is blurd and stain'd:

Alas how easie wert to climbe or mount To worldly Reputation and Account? How soone could I if I had an intention For to contriue or plot a damn'd inuention Get golden heapes? yea and so priuily, That though twere done by craft and villany, I by the blinded World would yet be deem'd Perhaps more honest; but much more esteem'd Then now I am; But God forbid that I Such base vaine trash and dunghil stuffe should buy At such a rate; for there's no Iewell dearer, Nor any losse a man can haue goe nearer Then peace of Conscience; which for to be true, The ancient Poets very wisely knew, And therefore fain'd their F••ries, with intent, For to declare the inward punishment Of guilty mindes; which sure they might do well, For there is in them Diuels, yea and hell, With all her torture; what else was the cause, Nero who knew no God nor feared lawes, When he had kil'd his mother tooke no rest, But thought he saw her comming to molest And plague him for't? What made him to surmise He was still tortur'd in such hellish wise That furies did to his appearance scorch His liuing body with a burning torch? Wast not his Conscience that had priuy beene Vnto the fact? was not the cause within His owne bad selfe? If twere let's to amending, Of our presumptuous sinnes, aud bold offending,

If neither in regard of God nor men, Oh lets for feare of our owne Conscience then. Yet there's another thing which wert wel weighd Our rash presumption would be som-what staid. The End of life; with the ne're-ending paine, God for presumptuous sinners doth ordaine, Could we note that, with deaths vncertaine times, And how it takes men acting of the crimes Euen in the very nick of their offence, And beares them, ere they can repent them, hence, To such a place where nothing shall appeare, But all the Gastly obiects of grimme feare: Whereas each sense shall seuerally sustaine, The miserable smart of endlesse paine: The tender feeling shall in euery part, Be subiect to th' intollerable smart Of hellish flames, commixt with chilling cold, Tortures beyond conceit, not to be told; The dainty mouth, that had the Curioust tast, And of the choysest cates still made repast, Shall be fild vp, yea belly, throat and all, With filth more loath-some then the bitterest gall The once perfumed Nostrill, there shall drinke, Foule noysome smels: beside the sulpherous stinke Of choaking flames; and there the listning eare, Fed with the sound of pleasing Musicke heare, Shall change it for the wofull screeching cry Of Damned soules, that in hels torture lye; VVhose hydeous howlings can by no defence, Be kept from percing that amazed sence:

And then while they shal trembling thinke to flye From those amazements that do seeme so nigh, To there the feareful'st obiects of the sight, Their quite despairing mindes shall more affright, For garish formes of foule mishapen fiendes, And vgly Bugs for euermore attends, To thwhart each looke. But if this do not make, Thy ouer hardened heart (oh man) to quake: If this relation be too weake to win, Or to reclaime thee from thy wonted sinne; Reader, if this do no impression leaue, So that thou canst not any feare conceiue Through this description; thinke vpont at night Soone in thy bed when earth's depriu'd of light I say at mid-night when thou wak'st from sleepe, And lonely darknesse doth in silence keep The Grim-fac't night. And but immagine then, Thou wert borne all alone to some darke den And there set naked; though thou felts no paine, Yet seeing no way to get out againe, If thou shouldst in that naked loneness heare, Some yelling voyce, or some strange noyse drawne•••• VVith threatning; or but calling on thy name; Oh with what Patience couldst thou bide the sam•• But if withall, thy wandring eyes should marke, And now and then see pearing through the dar•• Some monstrous visages, or vgly faces VVhich shold make proffer of some rude embr•••••• And smetime seeme as if they would begin VVith griping pawes to ceize thy trembling ski••

Or, but suppose that in thy Chamber there, Where cannot be the hundreth part of feare: (Because to thee the place well knowne will be And thou must haue wherewith to couer thee) Yet there I say suppose thou shouldst behold Nor such grim obiects as are heere foretold, But Onely heare the dolefull voyce of men Complaining in the darke; And now and then Behold the ghastly shape of friends long dead, Wrapt in their sheetes as they were buried, Or else from out thy Chamber floore to rise A troupe of bony, pickt Anatomies Come pointing to thee, as if thou wert he That must ere long their bare companion be: Then thou wouldst feare I know, and think on him Whose might & fearful power thou didst contemn Thou wouldst consider better of the feare, And hellish horror I haue mention'd heare. That Dungeons estate thou would'st conceiue, And somewhat thy presumptuous actions leaue; Thou wouldst not so cast all thy care behind thee, But watch thy self for feare least death shold finde thee, Doing some il; nor wouldst thou thus delay, Times of repentance still from day to day: But oh! show should I hope that this I plead, Will worke in them that shall but barely read What I haue writ? Since I my selfe that know, And haue some inward seeling of that woe For get my selfe; I thought when I shall be From such, and such like cares and troubles free,

Then wil I all my vanities forsake, A better course of life Ile vndertake, And only seeke the glory of his name By whom I liue; That day ere long time came; Then I had other lets; but if that they, As I did seeke they might were once away, I would indeed my duty better doe: Well, so it pleas'd God I orepast them too; Yet somthing hindred still that I could neuer In my intended Christian course perseuer. But euer found vnto my griefe and sorrow, That I was bad to day and worse to morrow: But oh! thou God that knowst my hearts desire, Do not; oh do not at my handes require My youthfull sinnes; though that my flesh be fraile, And my affections often do preuaile: Seeing thou knowest the weake estate of man, And what a little his small power can; Accept my will, and let thy blood suffice, To quit the rest of mine iniquities, But now, because I haue obseru'd such store, I needs must tell a few presumptions more. Some in contemning others wisdome, show, That they presume themselues do all things, kno•• But that vile selfe-conceit nere raised any, Certaine I am it is the fall of many: Others (and they in this kind too offend,) On their owne Memories too much depend: Such I haue heard so confidently speake, As if they had no thought that men were wea••

Yea those though twenty men haue all gaine-said What they affirmed, were not yet affraid, Their owne bare affirmation to out-face, With sundry oathes: such wondrous trust they place In their remembrance; yea my selfe ere now Haue beene oft-times more rash for to anow What I thought truth; then ere Ile be againe: For what I deemd to be so sure and plaine, That I not onely stood in't to my might, But would haue paun'd my life 'thad been the right That to my shame, I haue my selfe alone, Found to be false when all the rest were gone. VVhich greeu'd me so that Ile nere more rely Or trust so much to mine owne memory. But what may I terme those, who for a name, Or for to get some vile prepostrous fame; VVill desperately for the nonce begin, To put in action some vngodly sinne That all men loath; and only as they say, For to be talkt of. VVhat are such I pray? Presumptuous, vaine, or weake, or all that's bad, The last I thinke and ten-times more then mad; Yet we haue gallants, and great store of such, That in their great Brauadoes care not much VVhat villanies they doe; But 'tis their humor, Only to fill mens mouthes with idle Rumor. And cause they know the Vulgar sort do deeme them, Youths of great Spirit, and do much esteeme them, But amongst wise-men they are sure to gaine. Reprochfull shame and wel deseru'd disdaine,

Yet for to adde some fame vnto this story: We will be queath them Erostratus glory. Nor haue our old men left that humor yet, For though through feeblenesse they are vnfit To put in practise their old tricks againe, Yet for to show they like them, and would faine, Thei'le often with a lie or two recite them, And the rememberance doth so much delight them That whereas they ought rather to repent, And with a grieued heart for to lament Their former follie; They with Ioy and Laughter Seeme to approu't in those that shall come after. Yet there's a crew the which my Muse wel knows, To them she here a Memorandum owes And yet no Commendations, for they are But busie fellowes that doe boldly dare Take on them in their comments, for to finde The secret meaning of each Authors minde. And to apply that in particular That should extend to all in generall: And in this little booke perhaps they can, Say here I ment one, there another man; And by their names they wil not stick to shew them, When as perhaps I nere so much as knew them. So from my honest meaning they will reare them A slander for some priuat grudge they beare them But though these are so bold, yet I beleeue, Or hope at least▪ no men of wisedome giue Credit to any such interpretations, That are but false imaginations;

Since each of these what stile soere he craue, Doth show him a presumptuous foole and knaue, But heare all you that are quite voyd of care, VVhat you presume in: chiefly you that dare, Maugre Gods threates, go foreward to fulfill, Your naughty, rash, vnbridled hare-braine will; As if you thought that you your selues made all, And that indeed there were no God at al. Know this, ere long time it shall come to passe, That you shall houling sit and cry, alas: Cursing your births and miserable state, VVith sad repentance when it is too late, Vnlesse you now take time. Oh wormes! oh men! Forsake your sollies, oh forsake them then, VVhat wil you do else when that seiz'd by death, Ready to draw the latest gaspe of breath: VVhen as you are so weak that you would faine, But cannot mooue your tongues for to complaine? VVhat would you do if then their should appeare The Authors of most miserable feare, Your guilty Consciences, and there vnroll To your remembrances the dreadfull scroll, Of your Presumptions, and with all present, •• vision of th 'infernall punishment, ••repar'd for such? And if in that bad case, You should behold him you esteemd so base ••t with such power, that at each frown he makes ••he earth doth tremble and the heauen shakes: VVhat would you doe? Oh any thing I'me sure, ••o paine there is but you would then endure

To scape his wrath if you do not dispaire, Then wil you beg, entreat, and promise faire; Or any thing, if so it were you might Returne to life againe; then you would quite Alter your doings, then forsooth you'l be A patterne vnto all posterity. You would be humble, meeke, deuout and chaste But now theres time, and then it may be past: Yet I my selfe haue heard those that haue vow'd, Much in their anguish, and God hath allow'd A longer time, yea hath vouchsaft to saue And giue them life againe e'ne at the graue: And yet haue these forgot their former paine And turnd vnto their owne ill wayes againe: Which hauing seene, this for vs men I'le speake, Not without griefe; though nothing be so weake: Yet we are in our owne conceits so tall, That for presumption we do out-passe all: And if so be that this same hardning sinne Do seaze vpon the heart once and get in; My mind is this 'twill nere be purg'd thence well, No not with all the feares and pangs of Hell.