A perfume against the noysome pestilence prescribed by Moses vnto Aaron. Num. 16. 46. Written by Roger Fenton, preacher of Grayes Inne.

1.

The word which commonly is vsed in Scripture for the pe∣stilence, is deriued from a verbe that signifieth to speake, as some thinke, because, where it is, euery one speaketh of it, en∣quireth after it, how it encrea∣seth, what remedies there be for it, what preseruatiues a∣gainst it, what be the symp∣tomes, & qualities of it: wher∣fore since it is a thing so well knowne, as euery one is able to discourse of it; I shall need to speake the lesse. Onely thus much in a word: since we haue so long hardened our harts a∣gainst the voice of God, speak∣ing vnto vs; it seemeth now

that hee will indeede speake with vs, in a iudgement so quick, that vnlesse some spee∣die atonement be made with all expedition; hee is but a worde and a blow: that since we would not heare him, we shall now feele him, for the word which Moses here vseth (properly translated Plague) signifieth Smiting: and such a smiting as is fearefull and ter∣rible for impenitent sinners to thinke vpon. Fearfull, because it brings death with it: and without repentance a second death. Fearefull, in regarde of the terrours which accompany the same: for which cause Da∣uid calleth it The Pestilence that walketh in the darkenesse; taking vs vnawares when we cannot see to auoide it: cau∣sing such wofull lamentations

of distressed soules, that perish for want of succour; such dole∣full griping, and towling of Bels, as would make a sluggard watchfull, or a sound man sicke to heare. Fearfull for the noy∣somnesse of it, which depri∣ueth men of the comforte of that friendly and neighbour∣like visitation, which other∣wise they might enioy. Feare∣full, because it strikes suddenly (which made Aaron make such hast) disappointing vs thereby of many blessings, which a deliberate death would endowe vs withall; for the perfitting of our repen∣tance; for the better triall and exercise of our faith and pati∣ence; for the blessing of our posteritie, and the more effec∣tuall enforming of others, by the last words which make the

deepest impression; for the li∣bertie of our minds, in setting our houses in order, & making choise of the fittest soile where the last seed of charitie might be sowne. Fearefull, in regarde of the vniuersality of it; spare∣ing neither place nor person: for as it is a sword pointing to the citie & cutting neere hand; so is it an arrow flying into the country and smiting a farre of. And if any be so sencelesse as not to be mooued with this fearefull iudgement, let them remember that Christ recko∣neth this but amongst the be∣ginnings of sorrow, Math. 24. 8. signifying that God hath yet moe arrowes in his quiuer, and greater vengeance in store to make an end of such wretches as make no vse of these begin∣nings.

Notes

• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Leuit. 16. 25. Num. 14. 12. Deut. 28. 21. 2. Sam. 24 13.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Psal. 91. 5
• Luk. 16. 9
• 1. Sam. 24 ver. 19. Psal. 91. vers. 5.
• Mat. 24. 8