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

To my Christian Brethren Ʋniuersall.

IF any of you, my beloued, hath ingendred with the roote of that originall sinne, * 1.1 called Pride; let mee, the fatall vassall of the Christian world, perswade a suruey in the whole fabricke of your Microcosmos; for that now the prodigall pleasing pride of my youth sounds the dolefull tune of deadly damnation, as I feare your

selues continuing will equall my maladie, if not exceed my mise∣rie; which to mee will rather ag∣grauate sorrow, then extenuate my dolour. Wherefore, I beseech you for Gods cause, and safetie of your owne soules, bee no longer stiffe-necked, nor selfe-will-con∣ceited in so high an offence, as not onely depriues you from all eter∣nitie, but bequeaths you to end∣lesse miserie; which if the spectacle of my irrecouerable calamity, can∣not mollifie your detestable ini∣quitie: Search but the pensill o•• holy Writ and there you will fin•• legions of Angelles abdicated o•• their dignities for the same offence Besides; * 1.2 millions of your progen••∣tors. Nay more, my adopted bre∣thren,

I dare boldly say not one man that sprang from the loynes of our first Parents, was euer ad∣mitted into Gods kingdome, with∣out his humilitie verified our Sa∣••iours words, to become so inno∣••tent of pride as a little child. * 1.3 How ••hen, dearest Sirs, can wee that are ••he branches expect more mercie ••hen our forefathers, * 1.4 when Christ ••ot onely confirm'd the contrary ••n his life of humanitie, but re∣••eal'd the same by his sacred Word to all his Apostles, as an as∣••red marke of those that shall bee ••ected his seruants. O then, hope∣•••• belou'd, let not fraile nature de∣••de, intising world bewitch, nor ••nishing honour seduce you; ••hen your tortured brother fore∣warnes,

warnes, humane reason prohi∣bites, and God himselfe forbids vpon penaltie of eternall damna∣tion. Who then will saue you, when Christs death, your owne consciences, and all his Elect are Iudge, Iuror, and witnesse a∣gainst you; None (my belou'd) but Lord haue mercie vpon you I by woefull experience groan•• vnder the burthen, though God knowes my outward ornament alwayes exceeded my inward fa∣culties; yet so much consenting, a I feare daily repenting will hard•••• extinguish hellish tormenting. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then, you (clayie tabernacles) mak•• my miseries your timely pres••∣dents, and be not so in loue wit•• a Wildernesse, * 1.5 as to lose a Paradis••

nor so much dishonour your Ma∣ker, as any longer to crucifie your Redeemer. But let innocent Hu∣militie raise you, pious Prayers re∣store you, that Christs death may be effectuall for you. In so doing my afflictions may be mitigated, your dangers preuented, and all our shipwrackt soules saued.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Ioh. 3.8.
• * 1.2

  Iudg. 1.6.
• * 1.3

  Mat. 18.4, 7.
• * 1.4

  Rom. 11.21.
• * 1.5

  Mark. 8.36.