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They are all whote as an ouen, and haue devoured their iudges: all their Kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth vnto me.
A Confirmation of the former description of these Princes ta∣ken from the effects,* 1.1 the which are in this place reckoned vp three in number, and the same most grieuous, and such as doe wit∣nesse a most disordered estate of the common wealth, and a most miserable licentiousnes or ouer great libertie of vices. The first of
these is, a most exceeding great heate and violent sway of al vi∣ces, the which boyleth vp,* 1.2 and heateth in the breasts of these men, as a most hote furnace. And surely experience of things teacheth this to be most true, that nothing can be seene more wanton then the manners of these once forlorne Nobles: nothing more mala∣pert then their lust, nothing more shamelesse then their boldnes, and finally, nothing more hote and earnest then their desires, be they neuer so vniust and vnlawfull, in such sort forsooth doe they abuse the height and glorie of their authoritie and dignitie, as if there ought to be no let vnto them, nothing to hinder their wish∣ings, and as if all things were to be at their becke and commaund. Therefore whatsoeuer enterprise they would haue effected, be it neuer so shamefull, filthie, vngodly, and vniust, they thinke it law∣full to bring it to passe: and therefore in all their actions, their de∣sire of bringing the same about, and of putting them in practise, boyleth and seetheth as it were a most hote and fierie furnace.
* 1.3The second effect is, that these same wicked Courtiers doe con∣sume their Iudges, that is, both their Kings, and also their Princes, whome they ought to maintaine & increase. For partly they emp∣tie and draw drie the treasuries of their Princes, whome they haue at their owne commaund, and doe robbe and spoile the same, craf∣tily getting and stealing the Kings coyne into their owne handes: and partly they doe ouerturne and in the end destroy their Princes, and their most florishing estate with those their wicked counsels. The which thing to be most true, both the historie of all ages, and also this time of ours will most euidently and clearely witnesse. For the Nobles, and these lewd and bad Courtiers doe in the end bring their Lords and masters into such narrow straights for money and other matters, through their most wicked vices, counsels, charges, and priuie whisperings, that their Kings themselues can not after∣wards winde out againe from this pouertie, but lie ouerwhelmed in the same, and perish therein at the last with their kingdome.
* 1.4The third effect, that by the meanes of these Nobles, and badde Courtiers, all feare of God and godlines is in such sort shaken off from the Kings, that when as they perish, they call not vpon God, as namely beeing vtterly vnmindefull and forgetfull of him, the which is great vngodlines, vnto the which notwithstanding those Princes are drawne, which giue care vnto these lewd Courtiers, or beare any fauour or liking towards them. This because it hath ap∣peared sufficiently in the Kings of Israel, many of the which haue
died naturally, or bin slaine violently without the calling vpon of the true God: there is no neede that it should be confirmed or prooued with any more examples. But here out appeareth, vnto what passe in the end that estate groweth of a kingdome or com∣mon-wealth, wherein such Nobles and wicked Courtiers, & moc∣kers of God can doe all things, and haue the Kings at their becke: and what manner of death and life that of their Kings themselues in such a state vseth for to be, such namely as the death and life of Atheists or godlesse and most wicked persons accustomably is. See the Psal 101. in the which Dauid maketh protestation, that he will purge his Court and kingdome of such bad members. And Psal. 75. he complaineth of the like growing of thinges out of square through the badde practises of such kinde of persons, and shew∣eth that he will be carefull to bring things vnto a better course, and that hee was not tongue-tied at such abuses in the wicked, in these wordes: The earth, and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolued: but I will establish the pillers of it I said vnto the foolish, Be not so follish: and to the wicked, Lift not vp the horne. And there is an old saying and a true concerning those Courts, where such wic∣ked Courtiers beare all the rule and sway, Let him get him out of the Court, which hath a desire to be godly.
The former description of the wicked Nobles confir∣med by three effects.
Of their great earnestnes in committing all kind of sinnes.
2 Of their eating vp the Kings treasures and ouerthrowing of the state.
3 Of their dri∣ving away of all feare of God and godimes out of the harts of their kings and rulers.