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Origens repentance: after he had sacrificed to the idols of the heathen Gathered from Suidas, Nicephorus, Osiander, and the Greeke and Latine coppies in Origens workes; illustrated and applied to the case of euery poore penitent ... Diuided into three sections: containing 1 Origens fearefull fall. 2 His behauiour in it. 3 His worthy and sound conuersion. Together with Origens life and death, and other materiall obseruations. Written by Stephen Ierom, Master of Arts, and preacher of the towne of Newcastle; first for his owne exercise, and now published for the good of others.

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Title
Origens repentance: after he had sacrificed to the idols of the heathen Gathered from Suidas, Nicephorus, Osiander, and the Greeke and Latine coppies in Origens workes; illustrated and applied to the case of euery poore penitent ... Diuided into three sections: containing 1 Origens fearefull fall. 2 His behauiour in it. 3 His worthy and sound conuersion. Together with Origens life and death, and other materiall obseruations. Written by Stephen Ierom, Master of Arts, and preacher of the towne of Newcastle; first for his owne exercise, and now published for the good of others.
Author
Jerome, Stephen, fl. 1604-1650.
Publication
Printed at London :: By Iohn Beale, for Roger Iackson, and are to be sold at his shop neere Fleet-Conduit,
1619.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/B14220.0001.001
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"Origens repentance: after he had sacrificed to the idols of the heathen Gathered from Suidas, Nicephorus, Osiander, and the Greeke and Latine coppies in Origens workes; illustrated and applied to the case of euery poore penitent ... Diuided into three sections: containing 1 Origens fearefull fall. 2 His behauiour in it. 3 His worthy and sound conuersion. Together with Origens life and death, and other materiall obseruations. Written by Stephen Ierom, Master of Arts, and preacher of the towne of Newcastle; first for his owne exercise, and now published for the good of others." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/B14220.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 17, 2024.

Pages

Page 22

The second Section.

The Argument.
He shewes the cause and cure of hatefull sinne, The dangers which depend vpon the same, The miseries offending Men liue in, And what the guilty conscience doth inflame.
* 1.1I Set faire Coppies, yet my selfe made blots; I prickt true notes, yet kept no tune in singing: I held Truths glasse, yet washt not out my spots; I slept, my bels yet others wak't with ringing; I made, and did perswade ful many a Martyr, Yet brought to'th best, I proued a silly starter.
2
Thus (Skuller-like) I looke not at my rowing, But as the Hare, I glancst aside in running; My words on Heau'n, my workes on hell bestowing, Sinne-wrapt, intrapt, for all my curious cunning; * 1.2I had sweete Iacobs voice, but Esaus hands, My tongue was free, my heart was chain'd in bands.
3
I cookt the meate, the which my soule ne're tasted, I did desire the gooda 1.3 I did not doe: Many to Martyrs Crowne my mouings hasted, Yet I (with Christ) to Caluary fear'd to goe, Beare-like to'th stake, vnwillingly I haled, The thought of fier my soule and flesh apaled.

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4
Willing the Spirit was, the flesh was weake; This Heauenly part went on, this Earth recoiled: Grace marcht like Iehu, Natures heart did breake, My better part was forward, worse was foyled; Resolu'd my Soule, but feare my body chose, Which feare my Palinody* 1.4 did compose.
5
The dire remembrance of this cursed action, As thornes, darts, daggers, as the Serpent stingeth, That to my God I shew'd so weake affection, Each thought of this, blood from my hart veins wringeth, Oh that my griefes and groanes were loude as thunder, To fill the Earth, and cause the Heau'ns to wonder.
6
Oh that my lungs with sighes were worne away, Oh that this marble heart would melt and weepe, Or that this Rocke would rend on which I stay: In sorrowes brine, my soule I then would steepe. Oh would I could out-mourne the Pellican, The Doue, the Cranei 1.5, all Creatures, any Man.
7
Alas that I (a Cedar) straight and tall In Gods owne ground, by hand of grace well planted, Should now be barren, dead, and dried; and fall By him who Edens protaplasts supplanted: No sap of grace, leaues, buds, or blossomes left me, Nak't Man, nak't Swan; my fairest plumes berest me.
8
Alasse that I a Turret towering hie, Should with the ground be now low leuelled, A precious Pearle, soyl'd with impiety; A fruitfull Vine, vntimely withered: A burning Taper, darkned yet so sore, As that I feare it will lend light no more▪

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9
I was a Saint, yet furious in my sinne; A liuing member, rott'n, dismembred, dead: Christs Spouse diuorest, vncleane, without, within; A ioint disiointed from my mysticke Head, A budding bough, broake from the tree of life, A beauteous branch, prun'd by sinnes poysoned knife.
10
Alasse that I bedeckt with grace, should lose it; Gracious with God, should gracelesse, godlesse proue, Like that Disciple, treacherously disposed, Who Diuell turn'dg 1.6, deuoid of faith, feare, loue. So Marcellineh 1.7 with holy orders crown'd, (As Records tell) was Idolizing found.
11
Alasse that I, a sweete wel-springing fountaine, Am now dried vp, like to a Sommers brooke, A fruitfull valley, made a desert mountaine, A watchman in a deadly slumber tooke; A well stockt Trades-man in the wares of Heauen, Now bankerout, vnthrift, talent lost, ship riuen.
12
Ay me my Priesthoodi 1.8, how shall I bewaile thee? Ay me my Ministry, how shall I lament thee? Ay me my Function, fouly haue I fail'd thee, Oh salt vnsauouryk 1.9, fruitlesse haue I spent thee: My brightest lightl 1.10 is lost; temptations puffe, Hath put my Candle out, left nought but snuffe.
13
Oh pitty me my friends thus falne, thus downe; Pitty my woes, my wounds, my sores, my sorrowes: Pitty the losse of my Celestiall Crowne, My crosse, my curse, my backe plow'd vp in furrowes; Pitty my staine, my shame, my ruthfull plight, Pitty me all, the Worlds most wretched wight.

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14
Bewaile me, whom blest Angels haue bewailed; Bewaile me, whom the Saints haue long lamented; Bewaile me, who so fondly, fouly failed; Bewaile me, who so little haue repented: Bewaile me who for grapes yeelds fruits of bryer, Thistles for figges, allotted to hels fier.
15
Now let the Elders mourne, their staffe is broken; Now young Men mourne, your Master is surprized; Now Virgins mourne, of purenesse there's no token In him, by whom you once were patronized: Now Cleargy mourne, since your cleare lampe & light, Is falne from faith, by sinne eclipsed quite.
16
And I my selfe will mourne, and fresh renue My sad laments, vncessantly bemoaning My fact, my fall, with teares vnfained, true; With sighs, with sobs, and with continuall groaning: And with my mouths confession and hearts griefe, Ile breake the chaines of sinne, to get reliefe.
17
Ile take me wordsm 1.11, Ile vp, and to my Fathern 1.12, And throw mee downe before his mercies feete: And though I wrath deserue, he'le pitty rather; For his compassion's great, his goodnesse sweeteo 1.13: Ready to pardon more, then we can pray, To heare, and helpep 1.14, ere we our suites bewray.
18
Ile to my God, my guide, my gracious Sauiour, My Rockeq 1.15, my refuge, and my sure saluation; Acknowledging my wretched, worst behauiour, Most worthy wrath, deseruing blacke damnation;* 1.16 Ile offer on the Altar of Christs merit, Ther 1.17 offring of an humble contrite spirit.

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19
Oh where's my Shepheard? here am I lost sheepes 1.18; Oh where's my Father? here am I lost Son, Awak't at last from den of deadly sleepe; Returning home ragg'd, tatter'd, and vndone: My oyle all spent, fond Virgins-t 1.19 talent wastingu 1.20, My mouth vnrellisht, swinish foode long tasting.
20
Oh where is he best, blest* 1.21 Samaritan? That saw, and sau'd the woe distressed wight, Whom Priests and Leuites, neither helpe, nor can; Yet he relieu'd him in his pitious plight: Lord here's moe wounds, view, rue this soule of mine, Sinne-bleeding, needing mercy, oyle, and wine.
21
Here's a fit obiect for thy loue and merits, A thirsty soule desires thy sweete refreshing, Whose birth-sinnea 1.22 by his Fathers claime inherits Hell as right heire; much more by his transgression: Here yet let mercy triumph, cease thine ire, And plucke me as a brand out of the fire.
22
I know my guilt is great, my fall is grosse, My sinnes yell loude, yet louder speakes thy blood: Me and my guilt, I bring thee and thy crosse; Where in my place thou pledge and surety stood: One drop of that balmeb 1.23 will my conscience cure, Applied by'th hand of grace, and heale me sure.
23
Oh it surmounts all Iulups, all confections, All Cordials, drugs, Bezar, or Vnicorne, All Smaragde, Diamonds, Rubies, Earthes eiections; All Pearle, all Gold, all Mines that ere were torne: They helpe the heart, and body in a swound, But this reuiues the soule, cures Conscience wound.

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24
As sacred oylec 1.24 from Aarons head distilling, Downe to his skirts did speedily descend, So (Lord) with oyle of grace my Soule be filling; Drop downe thy Myrrh, this hard heart cause to bend: Me in thy Gardend 1.25 set to gather spices, Lop off my lusts, and weede out all my vices.
25
Lord speake the worde 1.26, thy seruant shall be whole; Checke my Soules tempests, calmes will then ensue; f 1.27Poure out thy Spirit, Ile poure forth my souleg 1.28; Reflecth 1.29 one glimpse of grace, t'will me renue: Tune thou my tongue, and it shall sing thy prayses, Touch thou my heart, my heart to Heau'n thou raises.
26
Giue thou me grace, and I shall giue thee glory; Lend me thy hand, I shall redeeme my fall: Strike thou my heart, I shall be sinne-sicke sorry;* 1.30 Ope thou mine cares, and I shall heare thy call: Vnloose my lips, and they shall swiftly moue, To vent my hearts diuine thoughts of thy loue.
27
Alas, in me all power to grace or good, Is quite bereft, lost, dull'd, and meerely dead, Sinnes-poyson festering both my soule and blood; Sinnes-canker spreads each part from foote to head: Leaues me as nak't as Adam, yet doth say, The vtmost debt of sinne my soule must pay.
28
My sin-sieg'd soule now won, Hels Prince inuading, Massacring Grace, his owne blacke troopes replacing, Hope faln, Loue coold, Zeale quencht, & Faith disgrading; Presents, proclaimes my fall, my foule abasing: More heartlesse I then Hens, Mice, Doue, or Deare, Since all my strongest Garrison is Feare.

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29
Oh horrid alteration! dismall change; How is my Coyne backe alchimiz'd to Tinne? As when the Tartars, Turkes, or Gotthes did range Within those Coasts, which force or fraude did winne: Mangling their foes, promiscuous blood effusing, Their swords to spare or age or sexe refusing.
30
As some stearne Conquerour no sooner reares His blacke Flagge on the walls of conquer'd foes, Nor old, nor young, nor any kind forbeares; But all like sheepe, pell mell to ruine goes: As armed Greekes did tyrannize in Trey, When Synons craft did Ilium destroy.
31
As is the Ship on Neptunes curled backe, Tost here and there (wind-sporting wooden ball) Till on some dismall Rocke at last shee cracke; Her splitted plankes, lo here, lo there they fall: The wares all lost, the passengers doe downe, Vnlesse helpe come in that same fatall stowne.
32
So faires my Soule: faire Port once well compacted, A Shippe well rigg'd, an Army set in order, Faith, Generall, Pylot, King, had Lawes enacted; Reason Vicegerent, Memory Recorder: Heart, Will, Affections, Subiects yeelding homage, My Microcosme in this time felt no damage.
33
But oh my sinne•• sinne-offring to the diuell, This subtill Diuell, this disturbes my peace: This Greeke, this Synon, this ranke roote of euill, Layes me on Hels racke, makes my Heauen cease: Beheads each grace, makes shipwracke of my soule, Subiects each power to Sathans damn'd controule.

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34
Confounds mine orders, brings an Ataxie; Fires all my roomes, burnes my retiring Harbor, Queene Faith deposeth from her Regen••ie; Shaues off each grace, like Sampsons femall Barbori 1.31: Combustion makes, as Nero did in Romek 1.32, Fires euery streete and place, where it doth come.
35
Oh fearefull Symptomes of most deadly sinnes! Oh dangerous death to eate the fruite forbidden! Who can cast vp th' account our trespasse winnes? Sinnes honie's seene, though still his sting be hidden: Yet stings he hath, which lead likel 1.33, without dout, Lies in our flesh, till sorrow eate it out.
36
Sinne, as false Iudas, murther-minding Ioabm 1.34, Thou hast thy hayles, thy congies, and thy kissings; A seeming Israelite, a reall Moab; A den, a Serpent lurkesn 1.35, yet hides thy hiffings: As doe the blacke-thorne buds, thy flowers seeme faire, Bitter thy fruite as gall, and Aloes are.
37
As Riuer* 1.36 Hipanis, smooth running streames, Thy course to deaths dead Sea is speedy tending, In clouds of death thou sett'st thy glim'ring beames; Faire seeme thy proiects, to perdition bending: Thy Labanso 1.37 promises are faire, not iust, A staffe of Reedes deceiues the leaners trust.
38
As Sodomes Apples, neere th'Asphalticke lake, Of specious shew, yet touch't, to ashes turning, So are sinnes poysons sweete, yet banep 1.38 to take; Like iealousie the guilty bowels burning: Thy Coloquintq 1.39 brings death into the pot, Which till we swallow, we discerne it not.

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39
Oh Hels false Factor! Agent for the Diuell, By what crosse wayes and wiles thou doest delude vs? * 1.40What straines, what traines, baites, stratagems for euill; That Hell may haue vs, Heauen may seclude vs? How neere at each aduantage dost thou watch vs, With Matcheuillian pollicies to catch vs?
40
Like to a cunning Angler, Hell can frame His baites for Soules, of euery seuerall fashion: He knowes each man, his place, face, nature, name; Acts, words, profession, and imagination: Accordingly to which he still is heeding, To baite sinnes hooke, as serues each stomacks feeding.
41
What Syrens tunes? what false Hyenaes cries? What Dalilean curious delusions? What Circes charmes? what grosse Mercurian lies, Thou forging frames to worke our soules confusion? What change of calles? false Fowler to intrap vs, In nets and ginnes, in which our sinnes doe wrap vs.
42
If Iudas will betrayr 1.41, here's ready coyne; If Caine will kills 1.42, thou wrath, words, swords, canst lend: Here's golden wedge, if Achan will purloynet 1.43; If Esau hunt for bloodu 1.44, thou wilt attend: If Herod* 1.45 seeke for whores, he shall haue more; Rome, France, and Spaine, keepe euer Stewes in store.
43
If Ammon burne, vail'd Thamarx 1.46 shal be brought him, Th'hast Pandar-Ionadabs for lusting Peeres: If faire foule Absolony 1.47 haue but bethought him, To sayle for Colchos Crowne, thou Pylot Steeres: His ship of fooles, his youthfull blood sea-boyling, Achitophel shall direct his lusts, his spoyling.

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44
When Eue did longz 1.48, thou didst commend the apple, Which fatall foode soone flatter'd Adam tasts; Ere since sweete sinnes of euery stampe and staple, For euery tooth, cook't, caru'd, drest, prest thou hast: Each act, each fact, each sinnes deede is thy iewell, To euery lustfull fire thou bring'st the fuell.
45
I write my thoughts, my knowledge, and my sence, I faine not lies or libels* 1.49; those are thine, Birds of the night, thine owne darke deeds pretence; Lead'st hand and heart in euery slandring line: But what I know, I speake; mine owne heart vext, Writes feeling Comments on this wofull text.
46
I am that Bird the Fowler subtilly drawes, Caught like the flie in what Hels spider weaued; I am that Lambe falne in the Lyons iawes, Like that young Propheta 1.50 by false friends deceiued: I credulous Hare, catcht vp by Fox-like gaming, Burne like the Flie within the Candles flaming.
47
I now all woe, haue others woes bewailed, And wept* 1.51 their tragicke case, their ruthfull fall, Now act their parts, (so sore hath sinne preuailed:) Oft in my griefes I haue bemoan'd King Saulb 1.52, Of place, grace, peace, yea, hope of Heauen bereft, And to the hands and power of Sathan left.
48
I once bewail'd the wise King Salomonc 1.53, (Mirror of Men, with euery vertue graced,) Yet falne so farre, so foule (vnworthy Sonne Of so sincere a Sire) so sinne defaced, That once I deem'd him damn'd; but that repented, He was Christs type, Truths pen, Gods loue, & sins relented.

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49
I haue lamented strong victorious Sampsone 1.54, Gods Worthy, great Alcides Paralell, (Weake Israels Pillar, and the Churches Champion;) He that by wanton Woman foully fell: Of these, and many mo I mourn'd the fall, Yet I more blotted, spotted then them all.
50
I sympathize and symbolize the last, Most of the three, yea, passe him in his crosse; He lost his haire, my heads chiefe Crowne is cast; He carnall eyes, eyes mentall are my losse: Him, Earths possessions; my spirituall gift, And heauenly riches are by sinne bereft.
51
He to a Woman bowed, to Belial I; He gaue his seede to Moloch, I my soule; Him lust corporeall; me Idolatry, Spirituall fornication, did make foule: He by a Womans wiles, was brought to shame, Me mine own timerous tongue hath brought to blame.
52
As he, so I digressed by degrees, Walking Oxe-like, by steps vnto the shambles: All vertues wine, I turn'd to vices lees; My hearbe of grace, Tyme turn'd, and choak't with brambles: As Waxe with fier, or fat of Rammes consuming, So did I melt, when I did dare presuming.
53
Lastly, as hee was out of Iacobs bound, In Timnaths Coast, among th'vncircumcis'df 1.55, Wandring astray; as Sichemg 1.56 Dinath found; A lustfull fire his enflam'd heart surpris'd: He drunke stolne watersh 1.57 at the Harlots well, Straide from Gods Mount, the Fount of Israel.

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54
So I imprudent, was snar'd by condition Of false Men, that equiuocating speake; (Their crafts conueiance, voide of all suspition;) To them I got soone as the day did breake: Put them in minde of promise; they were slacke, And vrg'd my sacrifice; which done, they brake.
55
Eftsoones these Apes did mowe, Gods Doues did mourn; These Philistines reioicei 1.58, the Church she weeps; Oh Origen! Origen from the Faith doth turne: Thus bleate the Flockes, alasse our Shepheard sleepes. Origen hath sacrific'd, the streetes resound, Our Pillar's falne, our Pastor's in a swound.
56
Oh crimson sinne! oh most accursed deede! Oh maddest Man! infatuatedk 1.59 wretch; Oh, this recording makes my heart to bleede! And fresh againe on th' racke my conscience stretch: For my prophane hand scarse did touch the fire, When on my heart God lighten'd signes of ire.
57
That royall Psalmist did no sooner plucke, The lap from Saul (that was the Lords Annointed;) But with the guilt his conscience foule was struckel 1.60; His body shooke as it had beene disiointed: So I no sooner sinn'd, but through my Liuer, An Earthquake ranne, which made my heart to shiuer.
58
The raging Element no sooner wasts, Th' Idolatrous Incense in her furious fiers; But instantly my Iudge incensed, casts His brands of wrath, which all my spirits tiers; And burnes mine intrals, like the Centaurs shirt, Which lust-burnt Hercules to his loynes begirt.

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59
As he, so I feele hideous, hellish anguish; This dire Megaera, selfe-corroding worme, Still s••••ding, fretting, causing curelesse languish; Sinnes-ghost, feare-frighting with his gastly forme: As that great Magies doggem 1.61, Cornelius crying, Vaunt thou curst curre, cause of my damned dying.
60
The stone of Sisiphus, Ixions wheele, Prometheus vulture, punisher of pride, All such fein'd plagues, as Poets forme, I feele; As Moses* 1.62 bush, selfe-burning fires I bide: Right Salamander, in these flames I liue, A dying life, or liuing death, sinnes giue.
61
Oh curst content, which mortals take in sinning! A pleasing paine, a painefull perillous pleasure, A gainefull losse, a hatefull losing winning: What's wonne is wrath, what's gain'd is Gods displeasure: Storing vp wrathn 1.63, as misers pile their treasure, Til prest downe weighto 1.64 the iust God payes in measure.
62
Oh sinne! oh couchant Foxe! how neere my doore Thou mak'st thy den; which ope, thou entrest to, Like Sampsons Foxes with fire-brands in storep 1.65; Ti'd to their tailes; with thee are fire-brands mo: As needle for the threed, so sinne makes way For woesq 1.66; it's Prologue to the Curses play.
63
Sinne vshers Iudgement, Punishment's her Page, Which close attends, as puny Clerkes their Masters: When sinne hath wrought, Wrath payes deserued wage. Herod, Caine, Iudas, and the Gospels wasters, Haue tri'd this truth; and each dayes practise proues it: Oh let none sinne! who hath a soule and loues it.

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64
For tis an act i'th vpper h••use of Heauen, In Gods Booke writ, and limb'd in each mans life; Who wilfull sinnes (vnlesse by grace forgiuen) Shall die the deaths 1.67, and liue in endlesse strife. As Iacob held his brother Esaus heelest 1.68, So curses follow sinnes fast running wheeles.
65
And oft oretakes it, takes it in the act, As Iudges theeues, Masters their Seruants tripping; Or as the whore tane in her filthy fact, Seldome, or neuer scapes without her whipping: So finds my soule, my sinne like Neroes motheru 1.69, Hath form'd this brat, (selfe-guilt) my peace to smother.
66
Nay more, my iust Iudge, iusta 1.70 proportion keepes, And Iudahs Lyon holds the measures equall; The watch of Israel wakes, not slumbring sleepes; But viewes each sinne and circumstance withall: As we him grieue, so he augments our grieues; Thus Iudges doe to fellons and to theeues.
67
Ifb 1.71 Adonibezecke cut off the thumbes Of seauenty Kings, the like hee's like to find. If Agags Sword deuoure, Iust Samuels doomes The like to himc 1.72. If Sodomites be blind By sensuall lust, depriu'd of th'eyes of reason, God strikes with bodies blindnessed 1.73 in that season.
68
If these most monstrous men doe burne in lust, Against both grace, and natures constant light, For Heau'n to rainee 1.74 vnnaturall fire tis iust, Which may consume these monstrous men outright. Nay, if the Churle doe grudge a crummes reliefe, Tis fit his tongue in hellf 1.75 doe feele the griefe.

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69
Thus tis with me; as I did sinne by fire, As Nadab and Abihu, Aarons sonnesh 1.76; So scorcht am I with fiery flames of ire; And as my sinnes, so God my iudgement doomes: As Candles, Candles light, as fire makes fire, So sinne brings plagues, as like as sonne to sire.
70
Like plagues indeed, yea, all plagues and extreames; Not marching slowly in the reare behind; But linckt as close as theeues in iron chaynes. So Ionas sinnei 1.77 wrath followed swift as wind: Yea, Sea, wind, waues* 1.78, each Creatures bow is bended, To take their great Creators part offended.
71
I am too sure, with me hee is offended, I feele his force, I feare his frownes, his might; His rods are ready, and my stripes intended; His darts are sharpe, his sword vnsheath'd to fight: Nor can my false deluders now bestead me, That to this act by false delusion led me.
72
They cannot me bestead, nor helpe themselues, Nor their indanger'd soules; nor can they saue From splitting on sinnes ruinous rockes and shelues; For dead they are, and buried in sinnes graue: Themselues dead carrions, me they kill'd with stinke, They Sathans slaues, me in their chaines they linke.
73
Thus stood the case; this curst compact was made, That if to Idols I would sacrifice, They willing seem'd, and held them well appaide, To condescend that I should them baptise: In heate of zeale, to gaine them to my God, I serued their's; Oh here's my racke, my rod!

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74
Oh heate vnhallow'd! oh thou wild fire burning! Nor quencht, nor dampt, with waters of discretion; Prepostrous zealeb 1.79, Church, Commonwealth o'returning; Drunke with conceits, deuoide of circumspection: Vntamed Colt, wild Asse, still fondly braying; Torrent broke forth, all drowning, all dismaying.
75
Oh fondling I •• (for sinners all are foolesc 1.80) In seeking others, I haue lost my selfe; In bringing Heathens to the Christians Schooles, I fell from faith, dasht on sinnes dangerous shelfe: To helpe the rest, I drown'd in deepe desire, I burnt in pulling others from the fire.
76
In setting others right, I mist my marke; In sauing others, I haue lost my life; Others to bring to light, my light's made darke; To worke their peace with God, I wrought my strife: Them to present spotlesse before the Lord, I Sathan seru'd, and made my selfe abhorr'd.
77
I euill did, that good might come thereon, In fauouring, furthering good, I acted ill; By good intents and thoughtsd 1.81 I am vndone; In willing well, I lost my blisse of will: I planted thornes, in hope that grapes might grow; That figges might sproute, I thistle seeds did sow.
78
The Pagans to the Faith I sought to turne, That so their silly Soules, as Bees in Hiue, In Heauen might rest: For this my zeale did burne, As me of sleepe it wholly did depriue: For all night Sathan in his sleights expert, Thus laboured my purpose to diuert.

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79
What Origen,* 1.82 and starts thou at the matter, To cast some graines of heath'nish Frankencense; Since hundreds thus thou'lt bring to baptismes water? With pueling conscience canst thou not dispense? What, is the fact so foule? the crime so great? Know'st thou not God is easie to intreate?
80
Hath he not pardon'd greater sinnes then thine, Peter, Manasses, Dauid, Mary, Paul? Fear'st thou on thee his mercies-sunne to shine, When thy deseignes are good, thy sinne so small? Againe, to gaine him soules if thou desire, Thinke what thou winn'st by sprinckling but this fire.
81
Besides, thou little dream'st (demurring man) If thou denie, how hot's the fire to burne thee, Or how the scorching flame thou suffer can. By these deceits, oh Diuell thou did'st suborne me; To doe thy will I; rose by dawne of day, Omitting, nay, forgetting for to pray.
82
Oh blinded heart! why didst thou not remember? Oh foolish mind! why didst thou not bethinke thee? Oh distract braine! hand, tongue vnmindfull member; Oh senses, in sinnes chaines what Diuell did linke ye? No Crane-likee 1.83 Sentinell, mongst all discries This Mercury that charmes your Argus eyes.
83
You saw no hooke within this Fishers baite, You saw no net orespread with Fowlers chaffe, You spied no trickes in Sinons subtill pate; In Sathans trough you fed, yet felt no draffe: So faire a threed this Spiders craft did spinne, You doubted not, nor did detect a sinne.

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In Babels language Sathan casts suggestions, How that my sinne (if any) veniall was; Soone shifted, shrifted, pardon'd by confessionsf 1.84; Almes, Aues, Beads, Workes, Trentals, D••rge; or Masse: But heauier then the lead, sand, stone, I find, Light-seeming sinne, oppressing soule and mind.
85
Oh small, great sinnes! great, little, what's your name? Little in shew, in substance grosly great; Like poysond pricks, smal wounds; yet great's your flame; As smother'd fire, sparkes slow, yet strong the heate: As ranckling sores false heal'd, doe inly rot, So smallest sinne wounds want nor guilt, nor spot.
86
How small the sinne, when Eue the fruite desired? Yet like that little flea which Adrian choaked; Or like some smaller sparkes which Townes haue fired; This sin choakt grace, and Gods strong wrath prouoked: This is Pandoras boxe, the Troian Horse, Whence came ill Greekes, (all grieues which mortals crosse.)
87
What lesser sinne in carnall reasons eye, Then sweare by Heauen, by Earth, by head, by heart? Faith, troth, the siluers crosse, or cocke, or pie? Yet each of these doe act their sinfull part, Come from the Diuell, and descend to hell:* 1.85 Iamesd 1.86 and Christ Iesusd 1.87, both this truth doe tell.
88
To tearme a Brother Racha, Rakehell, Foole, Precise Asse, cocke-braine Man; such libell phrases, Each tongue inflam'd by hell doth vsuall rowle; Besides such oathes as Heauen and Earth amazes: These deem'd small sins, small rockes, yet conscience beating; e Councels confusion, hel is Scriptures threating.

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What Gods cals foule, ler no man cleanly call; God saith each sinne's vncleane, let none defend it; Each sinne which God calles greatk 1.88, let none count small: But leaue it, loath it, end it, and amend it: For his pure eyes hates that which is impure, But most the stupid, sensuall, and secure.
90
No concord is there twixt chiefe good and euill; Twixt th'Arkel 1.89 and Dagon, Christm 1.90, and Belial; Twixt God and Mammonn 1.91, Michaelo 1.92 and the Diuell; Twixt hony sweete, and Aloes or Gall: As oyle with dregs, or Eagles plumes with rest, Mixe not; no more should bad be mixt with best.
91
Oh these, these bad ones, were my soules betrayers; Agents for Hell, fit Factors for all ill; The Prince of darkenesse, buisie, base purueyers; These witcht my mind, inueagled my willo 1.93: These like rot Apples, did corrupt me sound, These high shelu'd sands, soon broght my ship on groūd.
92
Ill company, oh cause of many woes! The sugred baite, that hideth poysoned hooke; The rocke vnseene, which shipwrackt soules orethrowes; The poysoned Basiliske that kils with looke c: The easiest step to ruine and decay, Graces confounder, and Hels smoothest way.
93
Oh that I were confin'd to some close caue, Where all alone retir'd from Earths delight, I might with Peter, teares vntroubled haue, And neuer come in wretched worldlings sight; Whose ill-bewitching company still brings, Deepe prouocation, whence great danger springs.

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This, well fore-saw good men of ancient time, Which made them shun th'occasion of foule sinne; Knowing it was the Nurse of euery crime; And Siren-like would traine fond worldlings in: Alluring them with musicks rarest sound, But poysoning them with many a deadly wound.
95
This made those ancient Hermits* 1.94 liue retired, In vaults, in rockes, in deserts, dennes, and caues; Herbes, rootes, and waters, were the foods desired, Dead to the World, mewed vp in liuing graues: Beasts, Birds, their fellowes: Creatures, all their bookes; This course they held t'auoid sinnes snaring hookes.
96
Yet now hee's held no sociable man, In this corrupting age, that shall refuse T'associate wicked persons now and than; Nay, vild, precise, vnlesse their wayes he chuse: Frequent good fellowship, and giue such place, As vildest liue, and furthest off from grace.
97
But better tis (beleeue each wise mans triall,) To flie such good-bad fellowes, rockes of euilla 1.95, And leaue them fretting, fuming at deniall; Then with such wild geese flie vnto the Diuell: For who like Iacobs sonnes doe ioine in ill, The brandisht sword of vengeance shall them kill.
98
Oh flie these Impes of hell, all you that feare, Or sinnes, or plagues; or loue God, and your quiet; Each Christian Pilot learne at last to steare Farre from these rockes, runne not their course of riot: Let euery Lot be out of Sodome hastingb 1.96, Leaue Babilonc 1.97, lest you her plagues be tasting.

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Tread not the ground where Corah curst doth standd 1.98, Dathan, Abirame 1.99, with their complices; Lest that you be deuoured out of hand, Partaking wrath with their most vaine deuices: Let euery louing Christs beloued Iohn, Leaue wretcht Cerinthusf 1.100 in his bath alone.
100
Why shold Christs sheep go graze amōgst the goats? Mongst bloody Wolues, Lambes cannot be delightingg 1.101: Gods harmelesse Doues had better keepe their coates, Then flie with Hawkes, or feele the Vultures griping: Good Chickens by the Glead were neuer had, Or Bees by droanes, or godly by the bad.

Notes

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