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

To his Christian Brethren Ʋniuersall.

IF any of you haue permitted betraying nature to inact so dead∣ly a sinne as de∣testable Adulterie, let my pre∣sent calamities preuent your fu∣ture miseries; otherwise I shall be certaine to condole your deaths, as I am confident you will curse your births: for when you com∣mit that loathsome sinne of lust, you waken the indignation of

Gods iust iustice; witnesse your owne consciences. VVill yee then persisist in offending, vpon hope of his mercifull suffering? O my deare Brethren, I might sooner beleeue the Deuill should bee called, then any of you cho∣sen without so true a reformati∣on, as your contrition shall ma∣nifest the detestation before God and man. Otherwise, according to my poore iudgement, your conuersion hath no foundation for Christ to consecrate his pious absolution. What your Genius may out of Rhetoricke po∣licie, or selfe-wil'd fidelitie in∣corporate a more easie way of sustentation by his death and passion; Yet I feare those that

depend vpon such Diuinitie, tren∣ches too neere the Diademe of his Sacred Maiestie, for euer re∣ceiuing remission by his miserie, * 1.1 in regard God himselfe assures vs his Mercie and Iustice kisseth each other. But peraduenture, some of you will not deny to reply, the wordes of my wic∣kednesse; That which is bred in ••he bone, will neuer out of the flesh. Howsoeuer I now find the Apostles saying to be true, He that ••ues in the flesh dyes in the spi∣••it; For it speakes death vnto ••ee, and I am perswaded (vpon ••ontinuance) damnation to each ••f you. O then, co-partners, let ••••y too late vicious affection ••use a timely depriuation; for

when I beheld (by diuine pro∣uidence) the naked trueth, there I found his fatherly commisera∣tion had indued man with the facultie of reason to bridle stiffe∣neckt nature. Besides, vpon ex∣treamitie ordain'd him matrimo∣niall vnitie for auoiding incon∣stancie. But searching into the chastitie of sauage beast, I loath'•• my selfe, and hated the inchan∣ters; which so sure as there is a•• God, each of you must doe th•• like either in this life, or bee for•• ced in the other to your con∣demnation without redemption. O then, I beseech you, that an•• the imaginarie creatures of you•• Maker, bee a little more mode•• then the brutish beast, that Go••

may ioy in your creation, and reward your soules with salua∣tion; Otherwise, as your con∣ceptions were wretched in the wombes; * 1.2 so I feare preiudi∣cate torments will follow your tombes. Wherefore then, bap∣tized Christians, will yee bee a∣ny longer deluded with wicked Iesabels, or betraying Abime∣lechs? * 1.3 When GOD himselfe protesteth you may yet bee sa∣ued, if you doe but truely re∣pent. * 1.4 What father could haue said more? * 1.5 What Sauiour would haue demanded lesse without de∣fying his Essence to satisfie your basenesse? I appeale to your own consciences, whether any of you that knowes the danger, and yet

will perseuere in so heinous a sin, can expect remission by his death and passion: Howsoeuer, God forbid, that I should foretell your palace to be in hell. But if spirati∣ons will not penetrate, curtesies nihilate, chastisements mollifie, nor future torments terrifie; giue mee leaue to mistrust, despaire in your atchieuing to the Paradise of Heauen. O, infortunate Sirs, if your greatnesse pleads protection, * 1.6 remember God respecteth no per∣sons, if your customary presidence pleads prescription; * 1.7 remember the burning of Sodome and Gomorrah; and if his mercies confer'd on Mary Magdalene allures your pro∣uocations; remember his Iustice punished legions of your proge∣nitors.

O my beloued brethren, it grieues my verie soule, that our Sauiours compassion towards one offendour, * 1.8 shall be made a shelter for millions to continue in offen∣ding, when his iust Iustice execu∣ted vpon thousands for such trans∣gressions, will hardly bring any to a true cessation, till the vice haue left them, not they it. Therefore I must conclude with Gods owne words, * 1.9 I will exercise Iudge∣ment in weight, and Iustice in measure.

FJNJS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iam. 2.13 Psal. 85.10.
• * 1.2

  Prou. 1.24.
• * 1.3

  Ezek. 18.23.25.
• * 1.4

  Luk. 5.32
• * 1.5

  Matt. 9.13.
• * 1.6

  Act. 10.33, 34.
• * 1.7

  Iudg. 7.
• * 1.8

  Rome. 2.
• * 1.9

  Apoc. 22.12.