The first part of youths errors. Written by Thomas Bushel, the superlatiue prodigall

To his louing brother Edward Bushel Esquire.

BEst beloued, to anni∣hilate your least sus∣pition of my fidelitie or selfe-wild imbecili∣tie in this my retirde pleasing life, I ingenuously ac∣knowledge that mutuall fraterni∣tie ioyned with inward spiration to glorifie God is best pleasing, most accepted, and greatest rewar∣ded. So that I am confident a publique religious life is better than any monasticke priuate li∣uing,

by how much virginitie is esteemed aboue mariage; yet the leaw warranted to be honourable, according to the Apostles words. If thou doest marry thou doest well, but if thou canst abstaine, 'tis better. So likewise if tho•• canst liue priuate without wilfull sinne, it is well, but if thou canst pub∣lique, it were better. And where he saith, better to marry then to burne; * 1.1 euen so my conscience as∣sures me that it is better to liue pri∣uately without sinne, than burne publiquely in sinne; for you know in the one there is hope of saluati∣on, but in the other certaintie of damnation. Which reduc'de mee to apply for experiment this soli∣••ary course to prohibite mee from

former follies, and preuent futur•• perils. For you know from min•• infancie I so much naturally de∣lighted in a male-contented life, a•• our parents disciplinde gentle cor∣rection to withdraw me, fearing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was bewitched. Likewise in the height of my prodigallity, both your selfe and others were wit∣nesses how I then made triall at a poore fishers habitation, which God knowes would haue long continued had not my popula•• name beene knowne; yet in those dayes such was my childishnesse, that more fear'd the preiudice of my base reputation then the dis∣pleasure of my Sauiour: like ie∣sting Pilate which beleeued the innocencie of Christ, howsoeuer

to satisfie the Iewes, crucified him. * 1.2 Besides, for almost three yeeres, you know, I was tost vpon the waues of time in expectation of a familiar companion, who at last to my great griefe vnfriendly left mee, for no other reason I could imagine, but that he would verifie our Sauiours speech; * 1.3 Many that are first shall be last, and the last first. So that it is no new fantasie, but hatching from my cradle as God knowes & some particular friends that my determination was long agoe bent to leaue the world, de∣ny my selfe, regaine the time, and follow him, were it within the caues of the earth, if his Diuine pleasure allotted mee; But what through the rawnesse of yeeres,

natures frailtie, and instigation of others, I remain'd so long with taking leaue of my houshold, and striuing to satisfie the humours of mortall friends, that almost my vi∣tall hope was turned into despaire of immortall glory. But thankes be to the Diuine prouidence, my own conscience is enlightened by the Gospel of Christ to warrant mee his mercies, will heare my supplications from a poore Cell, as hee did Ionas in the Whales belly. * 1.4 So that, if now I should reuolt, ha∣uing had a yere of vnparallel'd ex∣perience, for either temporall for∣tune or fear of corporal affliction, I must account the offence vnpar∣donable; when the pensill of holy Ghost hath dictated the same by

these irremarkeable fatall words; If wee sinne wilfully, * 1.5 after the recei∣uing the knowledge of the truth, there remaines no more sacrifice for sinne, but a fearefull looking for iudgement. Therfore I hope by Gods permis∣sion, your beliefe of my fidelitie will expell all doubts, scruples, or feares, knowing that I haue be∣queathed these lines to ensuing memorie as a recorded wit∣nesse on the contrarie against mee at the Day of Iudgement. * 1.6 In the meane time let him that is tied to loue you as his owne soule, perswade your diligent search into the world without par∣tialitie, and then I dare boldly say, you will find nought worth lo∣uing, no fortune worth valuing,

nor no pleasure worth following but he that first made you: in con∣science then, he ought onely to be lou'd, valu'd, and seru'd. For my owne part, I by woefull experi∣ence haue found it; you by tradi∣tion from a brother may shun it. Let not then others ends, set a•• end to your owne happinesse, no natures frailtie barre the fruition of your future felicity; but be sur•• to curbe the one, and scorne the o∣ther; in so doing your conscience shall say, I was your friend, no•• your flatterer, as mine must al∣waies acknowledge you a father more then a brother. Yet giue me leaue louingly to chide your wil∣fulnesse; since by Diuine proui∣dence I haue rebuked my igno∣rance.

Your causes of discontents its knowne rise early; will you therefore keepe them in perpetu∣all waking? Those crosses that stand betwixt you and happines, are mortall; must you then make your sorrowes perpetuall and im∣mortal? The way to shorten them is to sleight them, and the best meanes to mitigate them is not to minde them. I by experience doe sensibly feele it, you by practise may bee sure to finde it. O then, gentle brother, let not griefe for a wildernesse, * 1.7 preuent your birth∣right in Paradise; for vnder cor∣rection (deerest Sir) if you cannot brooke a temporall misfortune, in my conscience you will neuer at∣taine

to a spirituall blessing: when our Sauiour and all his Elect are witnesses against you; * 1.8 yet I must confesse your afflictions are grea∣ter then mine, though my sinnes are a thousand for one of yours. Howsoeuer not equall in deme∣rites, nor disasters to the A∣postles, therefore ioy as they did in calamities, that you may bee found a Cosin-germane to Iob, shewing alwaies true Faith by your Workes, otherwise were you my Father, as you are my Brother, I should forget nature, and greatly feare you haue no share in Christs death. Pardon, dearest heart, if I haue soared too high, it is in your power to clip

the wings: but God knowes I e∣steeme your soules safetie, more then man or mortall felicitie. All which I leaue to his Diuine pro∣uidence and your perseuering goodnesse.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Cor. 7.9.
• * 1.2

  Luk. 23.14.
• * 1.3

  Mat. 20.16.
• * 1.4

  Ion. 2.1.
• * 1.5

  Heb. 10.26.
• * 1.6

  2 Pet. 2.21.
• * 1.7

  Mar. 8.36.
• * 1.8

  Mar. 10.24.