The seaven trumpets of brother Bartholomevv Saluthius of the holie order of S. Francis; exciting a sinner to repentance. A worke very profitable for the saluation of all such soules, as are bound with sinne. Now lately translated out of the Latin, into the English tongue, by Br. G. P. of the same order and obseruance Sette trombe. English Cambi, Bartolomeo, 1558-1617. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A17731 of text S115141 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4469). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 350 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 226 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A17731 STC 4469 ESTC S115141 99850360 99850360 15556 2240849683

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A17731) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 15556) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1511:02) The seaven trumpets of brother Bartholomevv Saluthius of the holie order of S. Francis; exciting a sinner to repentance. A worke very profitable for the saluation of all such soules, as are bound with sinne. Now lately translated out of the Latin, into the English tongue, by Br. G. P. of the same order and obseruance Sette trombe. English Cambi, Bartolomeo, 1558-1617. Perrot, George, 1601-1670, of the order of S. Francis. 399, [9] p. [By C. Boscard] for Iohn Heigham, with permission of Superiors, At S. Omers : Anno 1626. Bartholomew Salthius = Bartolommeo Cambi--STC. G.P. = George Perrot. Printer's name from STC. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Salvation -- Early works to 1800. eebo The seaven trumpets of brother Bartholomevv Saluthius of the holie order of S. Francis; exciting a sinner to repentance. A worke very profitable for t Cambi, Bartolomeo, 1626 452 65274 34 0 0 0 0 0 5.21 B The rate of 5.21 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2010-10 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-10 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2010-11 Sampled and proofread 2010-11 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

THE SEAVEN TRVMPETS OF BROTHER BARTHOLOMEW SALVTHIVS OF THE holie Order of S. Francis ; Exciting a sinner to repentance . A Worke very profitable for the saluation of all such soules , as are bound with sinne .

NOW Lately translated out of the Latin , into the English tongue , by Br. G P. of the same order and obseruance .

AT S. OMERS , FOR IOHN HEIGHAM , With permission of Superiors . Anno 1626.

THE EPISTLE DEDICATORIE . TO HIS LOVING AND Deare Father , Master H. P. his obedient sonne wisheth health in Iesus Christ . DEARE SIR ,

The intimacie of my euer and all bounden dutie , which I acknowledge , as tributarie due vnto you , with the ardent zeale and desire , of your speedie auersion from these broken cisternes of heresie , and your penitentiall conuersion vnto the liuing waters of eternall life , which are no where contained but in one Holy , Catholique and Apostolique church , haue moued mee often times , to commend some litle treatise vnto you , therein to lay open before your eyes the grieuous threatnings of almightie God against sinne●s , and to admonish you in 〈◊〉 , of the dangerous state wherin you liue , hoping by th s , to disburthen my selfe of the obligatorie duties which I acknowledge as bound by nature ▪ but considering ▪ that touchinge this subiect , many bookes , haue beene learnedly written ( thanks bee giuen to God ) by diuerse good Catholiques , and faithfullie translated into our English toung , I desisted to proceede in so worthy an enterprise , till at length mine enflamed zeale & filiall dutie , it such sort burned a fresh within mee , that I could no longer quench it , by the insurging waues of the seas , nor deferre the aduenturing with this present , to make the same knowne vnto you .

I am nor ignorant , how farre the mouthes of many Gentlemen of your rancke , and neighbourhood , are out of tast , and much more affected to the flesh parts of Aegypt . ( Exod. 16.3 . ) then to the bread of Angells ; I meane rather to the reading of prophane , then spirituall bookes , taking greater delight in perusing strang pleasant histories , therin to solace and recreate them selues , then in the pious workes and wholesome exhortations of deuout , and religious men , who intend nothing but the saluation of your poore sinfull soules : But as the Prophet Dauid . ( Psal. 4.3 . ) sayeth . O yee sonnes of men , how long are yee of heauie hartes ? why loue yee vanities , and seeke after lying ? Did they but know what profitt , and fruite they may reape thereby , doubtlesse they would paint euerie little sentence in the r hartes , and mediate vppon them morninge , and eueninge , and binde them for a signe on their handes , writting them in their entries , and on the dores of their houses , that so they might alwaies haue them in their sight , and remembrance . Deuteronom. 6.6.7.8 .

Truly Deare Sir , I haue endeauored in dressing this meate , to prouoke your appetite . ( Gen. 27.9 . ) and laboured , to sett forth this doctrine in such a stile , that it may moue you , diligently to read the same , which if you doe , I hope by the grace of God , you shall finde that wonderfull chaung in your soule , which others in former ages most happilie haue had , and as that , allmost euery day haue , who by the means of spirituall bookes , haue vtterly detested their former licentious liues , and with great feruour and zeale , begunne anew in Gods holie seruice .

Call to minde the treasurer of the Queene of Aethiopia , who was reading I say the Prophet in his chariot , when God almightie conuerted him , by Saint Philip ; ( Act. 8.30 . ) Remember likewise , that those soe notable , and famous workes , which King Iosias did in all his kingdome , proceeded from the reading of an holie booke , which Helchias the Prophet , gaue vnto Saphan the scribe . ( 4. Regum 22.13 . ) and S. Augustine relateth . ( confess . lib. 8. ) how three noble courtiers walking abroad in the euening with Theodosius the Emperour into the fields , two of them went a litle aside vnto a Monkes cell , and there finding a booke , wherein was written the life of S. Anthony , one of them beganne to read it , & behould in a moment he felt his hart so enkindled with an holie loue , and moued with such a religious shame , that hee , together with his other companion , being in a great agonie with themselues , put off their secular apparell in the verie same place where they stood , and bidding farrewell vnto courtlie pleasures , beganne to erect a spirituall building , and did forsake all thinges of this world , desiring nothinge more then to follow their Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ . Such admirable chaunges and notable alterations , haue holy bookes procured , in these persons , who with due attention considered them .

Accept then ( Deare Sir ) this small guift , and first fruites of my poore endeuours , which may be a means ( as I hope ) to call you into the path of a good life , and induce you forthwith ( by Gods grace ) to make profession of the Catholique faith , which faith vnlesse euery one keepe holy , and inuiolable , without doubt he shall perish euerlastingly . ( S. Atha . creed . ) Come therfore speedily into the foulde of Christ , if you will be preserued from the raueninge wolues . ( Ioh. 10.16 . ) Haue recourse vnto Noahs arke . ( Gen. 6.18 . ) if you will be saued from drowning ; Be a member of the Catholique , and vniuersall church , which according to the Apostle is , Columna & firmamentum veritatis . ( 1. Tim. 3.15 . ) the pillar and ground of truth . And be no longer seduced by the fallacies and deceipts , of death bringing heretiques : Now at the last , as you tender your owne soules health , confesse your sinnes with the Prophet Dauid . ( Psal. 50. ) crie aloud vnto God for mercie , with Saint Marie Magdalen . ( Luc. 7. ) wash the feete of our Sauiour with tears of true contrition : Goe out with S. Peter . ( Math. 26. ) and weepe bitterlie . For now is the acceptable time , now is the day of saluation : The night will come when it will be too late to worke ; ( 2. Cor. 6.2 . ) True it is , that the theefe was saued , and found mercie at the last gaspe , but God forbid ( as a right virtuous sonne said in the like case to his owne Father ) that wee should vse such preposterous pollicie , as , when our senses are astonished , our wittes distracted , our vnderstandinge obscured , when both bodie and minde are tormented with the gripes of mortall sickenes , that then wee should beginne to thinke of the weightie matters of our saluation , and of the suddaine to become Sainctes , when we are fearce able to behaue our selues like reasonable creatures ▪ No ; no , deceaue not your selfe , take time while you may , when it is once past , it is impossible to recall it , according to the old prouerbe : post est occasio calua : feare not persecution , or l●sse of goods , feare not them , that kill the bodie , and are not able to preiudice the soule , but rather feare him , that can precipitate both body and soule , into the infernall abisse of hell . Math 10.28 .

Is it not a most lamentable case , that men who professe themselues to be Christians , should haue a greater care of their worldlie pelfe , honours , and dignities , then of the health , and saluation of their owne soules ? Wee read in prophane authours , that when Crates beganne to studie philosophie , hee cast all his monie into the sea , saying ; Malo te perdere , quam vt tu me perdas , I had rather cast thee away , then thou shouldest cast away mee : intimatinge thereby , that riches are not to be esteemed , but vtterliy to be renounced , and contemned , when they cannot bee kept without the losse and hinderance of vertue . I omitt to speake of Bias and Diogenes , the one whereof being admonished to saue something for himselfe , his answere was , Omnia mea mecum porto , all my substance I carrie with mee ; meaning his vertues : The other made choise of pouertie , & rather to liue in washing of rootes , then with Aristippus to enioy courtlie pleasures , and by flatterie to be in fauour with Princes : Alas shall these heathen philosophers ( which knew not God ) despise treasures , contemne riches , and embrace pouertie , onely for the loue of morall vertues , and shall wee , which professe our selues to be Christians , bought with the pretious blood of Iesus Christ , respect transitorie vanities before the saluation of our soules ? Shall the blessed Apostle S. Paul . ( Phil. 3.8 . ) count all thinges detriment , and esteeme them as dunge , that he might gaine Christ ? And shall we like children be delighted with toyes , and with Esops cocke preferre a barlie corne , before a rich gemme ? shall we dissemble with our consciences for the worlde , for feare that otherwise we should loose our credit ? Woe be vnto vs if we doe so , seeing our Blessed Sauiour hath sayed . ( Math. 10.33 . ) He that shall deny me before men , him wil I denie before my Father which is in heauen : And in an other place , hee sayeth , If any man will come vnto me , and hateth not his Father , and mother , wife , and children , Brother , and sister , yea and his owne life , he cannot be my disciple . Luc. 14.26 .

God forbid that we should delay our conuersion , and with the foolish Virgins haue our oyle to seeke for our lampes , when the bridegroome cometh vnto the marriage , left afterwardes knocking and calling to be receiued in , we be sent backe againe with a , Nescio vos , I know you not , S. Iohn Baptist , when he was in the wildernesse , shewed that his commission , and embassage was to preach pennance vnto the world , how that the axe was now layed to the roote of the tree ; and euerie tree that bringeth not forth good fruite , to bee cut downe , and cast into the fire ; And that his life might bee conformable to his wordes ; he executed in pennance the greatest austerities , his meat was locust , and wilde honie , the food which hee found in the fieldes , his apparell a garment of camels hayre , girt with a rough girdle , and his chamber and lodginge , a caue of some craggic rocke , his boulster , and bedde the hard ground , bearinge with great patience , the colde , heate , hunger , and thirst , and other common iniuries of the ayre : But why did this blessed and glorious forerunner of our Sauiour Christ endure all this ? not in punishment of his sinnes , hee beinge sanctified from his Mothers wombe , but to preserue himselfe the better , euen from the least offences , to tame his flesh , and bring it in subiection to the spirit , and to dispose him selfe the better to receaue the guifts of heauen , which are not ordinarilie obtayned , but by such painfull austerities .

Why then should not wee imitate this Saint and conforme our selues vnto him , wherein hee is imitable ? Why should not wee embrace corporall austerities , as much as wee may , chastising our flesh , and offeringe it as a liuelie hoste , holy and acceptable vnto God almighty in satisfaction for our sinnefull liues past ? ( Rom. 12. ) This path haue all these holie and iust men of the old and new testament formerly trodden ; For in the written law the Apostle affirmeth , how they went in sheeps skinnes , in goates skinnes , wandring in deserts , in mountaines , in dennes , and caues of the earth : and in the law of grace , wee plainlie see , that the whole life of our Blessed Sauiour , the most perfect mirrour of all virtues , was nothing else but a continuall acte of penaunce , spent wholy in watching , praying , fasting , hunger , thirst , and colde , with other like necessities wherunto we are subiect , suffering shamefull ignominies , and reproaches , and all for our example , as witnesse his owne wordes , saying . Ego dedi &c. ( Ioan. 13.15 . ) I haue giuen you example , as I haue done so do you likewise : His prayers were so long , that S. Luke writeth , that he went forth into the mountaine , and there passed the whole night in prayer . ( Luc. 16.12 . ) and that the example of this vertue was not left vs by our Lord for speculation onely , but for our practise also , this place of scripture maketh it plaine . ( Marc. 13.33 . ) Take heed , watch , and pray , and againe , watch yee therefore , for yee know not the houre in which the Lord of the house commeth . He fasted fortie dayes , and fortie nightes , in the desert . ( Marc. 4. ) and one Euangelist addeth . ( Luc. 4.2 . ) that he did eate nothing in those dayes : neither doe we euer read expresselie , that he did euer eate any flesh in all his life , vnlesse the Sacramentall flesh of the old law , which was eaten for deuotion , & not to satisfy hunger , wheras of fish , & bread made of barly , and of drinking of water , many testimonies are not wanting : Besides al this , he was derided ▪ scorned , mocked , counted a foole , and when he did any wonderfull miracles , they would presently say ( Mat. 13.55 . ) Is not this the carpenters sonne ? do we not know all his pedegree , how basely he is descended ? a man that is a glutton , & wine-drinker ( Math. 11.19 . ) a friend of publicans & sinners ? After our Sauiour Christs most bitter death , and passion , consider how the Apostles passed their liues , in much fasting , long watchings , hunger , thirst , cold , heat , & nakednesse ? And since their time , all these which haue safely passed the troublesom sea of this miserable world , and are now arriued at the thrise happy hauen of eternall felicitie , they haue all done the like ; To auoid prolixity , I referre you vnto infinite examples in Egisippus & Eusebius and others ; that haue written the liues of Saints in those ages , as also in S. Athanasius , of the life of S. Paul the first Eremite , and of S. Hilarion & the like , you may see in Ioannes Cassianus , Palladius , Ioannes Climachus ▪ & other holy & authentical authors , which haue recorded things of admiration , in this behalfe : all with most rigorous asperities of life in these ancient Christians , which intended only the mortifying of their bodies , the subduing of their flesh , and sensual tie , repressing the vnlawful motions of their concupiscence , that they might stand more secure in this conflict of resisting sinne .

Is it possible then , that wee , knowing and hearinge these thinges , should , as holy Iob sayeth , drinke vp sinne , as beasts doe water ? where are our witts , reason , and iudgement ? when we heare Christ saying . ( Mat. 16.26 . ) what doth it profit a man , if he gaine the whole world , and suffer detriment of his soule ? And we like swine , wallow our selues in the filth , puddle , & sincke of all iniquitie ? shall we be kindlie inuited to the mariage dinner . ( Math. 22.4 . ) and refuse to come , for some base commoditie , that is complacent vnto our sensualitie ? Certainly such proceeding would argue want of faith in vs , that we should not beleeue , that the diuine iustice will punish sinne , with perpetuall bannishment , out of the celestiall paradise of endlesse blisse , and with euerlasting paines and torments , in the horrible fire of hell .

Let vs then ( as the Apostle aduiseth ) ( Heb. 12.12 . ) shake off from vs , all weight and clogg that may hinder vs , let vs by patience and long animitie , runne and make hast vnto the combat offered vnto vs , with our eyes fixed vppon the authour of our faith , and principall cause therof Christ Iesus , who setting before him the ioyes of heauen , and contemning the confusion ( or worldly shame that thereof might ensue ) sustained the bitter death of the Crosse , and thereby hath obtained to sitt at the right hand of the seat of God his Father .

Lastly , as Gods vnworthy Legate , & your dutiful sonne , I admonish you with the Prophet . ( Psal. 47.13 . ) that out of hand , you compasse Sion ( the Catholique Church , and embrace her ) that you build in her towers ( by considering her fortresses , the holy Doctors and Fathers , which watch , and defend her Walles ) that you sett your hart on her strength ( resting assured of all matters of faith vpon her ( the pillar and foundation of truth ) that you distribute her houses ( by obseruing and marking diligently , how many particular churches were speedilie founded into the world ) th●t you may declare that , in another generation by teaching than to hould fast the same faith , or to returne vnto it , if they be relapsed ; or to receiue it , if they be estranged from it : Because this is God our God for euer , & euer ; Christ God incarnate that worketh a●l this , is our verie God and Sauiour , not for a few yeares , as an hundred , six hundred , a thousand , or millions of thousands , but for euer and euer ; He shall rule as a King , & consequently haue a kingdome , his Catholike church , euermore to endure vnto the end of the world : which church must be your Mother , if you will haue God for your Father : For it is an infallible rule with S. Cyprian and S. Augustin . Non habebit Deum patrem , qui nolit habere Ecclesiam matrem . ( Cypr. simp. prelat . ) he shal not haue God for his Father , who wil not haue the church for his mother .

It may be you shal haue your Scripturarum fures . ( Origen . in 2. ad Rom. ) theeues of the scriptures , your presumptuous heretikes fly through the whole bible , quoting the Psalmes . Prophets , Gospell , Epistles , very readily vnto you , as Vincentius Lirinensis sayth such mens fashion is , but take heed of them , for they giue you the bare text , w●thout the true meaning , and as the Diuell did vnto our Sauiour , they come vnto you , with a , Scriptum est . ( Math. 4.6 . ) couering themselues ouer head & eares with scripture as with the wooll , and fleese of simple sheepe : Beware of such f●lse Prophets which are inwardl● rauening wolues . ( Mat. 7.15 . ) worke out your saluation with feare & trembling , remembring that none shall be crowned , which doth not lawfully fighte . ( 2. Tim. 2. ) Now therfore make ioyfull all the Angels , and court of heauen , with your conuersion strike the stroake with God , say with the Prophet , Nunc cepi . ( Mal. 7.6 . ) now I haue begunne in Gods blessed seruice . Doe you with S. Hierom , although your Mother much lamenting , should show you her brests , with which shee gaue you sucke , and your Father should weepe on his knees before you , hereby to keepe you from the sweet repose and tuition of the Catholique church , runne ouer your Father , cast your Mother aside , and make hast to the standard of the Crosse : Solum pietatis genus est in hac re , esse crudelem , this is the greatest kinde of pietie aboue all other in this point , to shew your selfe cruell : I humbly implore the diuine Maiestie , and lying prostrate at your feete , do begge with teares , that he would so moue and mollifie your hart , that at the sound of these summoning Trumpets , all impediments being incontinently cast aside , you may attentiuely harken to their dreadfull echoe . Sweet Iesus out of his infinite mercy , and by his bitter death and passion , blesse , direct , and confirme you with his principall spirit . ( Psal. 50. ) that when he shall be pleased inwardly to moue you with his diuine inspirations , he may gratiously inuite you to tast of the heauenly waters of his most sweet , and our holy mother , the Catholike church . Contristate not any longer the holy Ghost . ( Ephes. 4.30 . ) by hardning your harte , but thankefully receaue and entertaine the same , with submission , reuerence & respect towards so great a maiestie , and without delay make profession openly of the Catholique faith , and religion of our auncient holy Christian forefathers , that so you may raigne with our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ , and with them in heauen , participating there of such ioyes , as neither eye hath seene , eare hath heard , nor euer hath ascended into the hart of man to conceiue . ( Cor. 2.9 . ) to which , God of his infinite mercie bring vs , who hath so dearly bought vs , that we may there raigne perpetuallie in glorie with him , for euer .

Amen . Your humble and dutifull sonne during life , G.P.
TO THE WORSHIPFVLL HIS DEARE MOTHER Mistris E. P. increase of all spirituall and temporall consolation . TO you deare Mother , doe I offer these , My poore endeuours ; which I doe implore , And begg of God-allmightie , on my knees , At their arriuall , may find ope , the dore . Of your desires , What pittie cannot moue For its one sake , may enter by my loue . Let mee noe longer , frutelesse sacrifice , Vppon the sacred Altar of sinceare Deuotion offe●… with tear-tricklinge eyes Dride vpp with sighs ; redoubled are with feare Which wakes my thoughts , with a perpetuall fright In the dead-silent howers of the night . To thinke , the wombe wherein I was conceau'd ; The louinge Breasts , which first gaue nourishment , Vnto my tender yeares ; whose armes receau'd , Into the bosome of such sweete content , My Infancy ; which tenderly to wrapp They tooke delight ; lay'd prostrat● on the lapp , Of more then common-care ; should : what ? Alas Must I pronounce the sentence ; Perrish ? ô noe , Heauens forbide the fatall howerglasse , Is nott yett runne : Though itt draw too too lowe Returne my dearest Sunamite , returne , Let not in vaine , thy holy off'rings burne . T' was noe small greefe you seem'd for to expres With pittie moueinge plaints , and promises By which you did coniure mee ( no●-Lesse Deare to my soule then yours ) to bannish these Religious enterprises . What will bee ? The Greefe , when wee must part , and neuer see . Each other , thinke you ? Nether is that all , For in the day of wrath and indignation Men shall reioice to see their Parents fall , By the iust iudgement of Gods ordination ▪ Thus much my filiall duty forst mee too The rest I leaue to Iesus Christ and you . Your most dutifull and obedient Sonne G. P.
To the deuout Reader . Iuditious reader if thou seeke to please The fantasie , with Arguments of witt , Curious conceites ; know such fond passages I doe bequeath to lighter subiects fitt To thy deuotion therfore ( as a Frend ) My matter , not my Meathhoode I commend . Thine G. P.
BROTHER BARTHOLOMEW VNWORTHY Seruant of Iesus Christ crucified , to his moste endeared Sister , S. Marie Magdalen glorious spouse of blessed Iesus in heauen .

BEholde my moste deare Sister Magdalen , the spouse of Christ crucified , once as blacke as the tents of Cedar , ( Cant. 1. ) but afterwards as beautifull as the courtaines of Salomon , portresse of loue , and patronesse of all sinners , now blessed with celestiall glorie , beholde I say , I haue finished a little booke , entituled by mee , The Seauen Trumpets , exciting a sinner to repentance ; And because I haue written of thee , being assisted with thy holy prayers , not any that I could find , might with such equitie challenge the patronage of this booke , as thy selfe ; For to whom might I with more conuenience present this little worke , out of which , proceedeth such a sound , that terrifieth the greatest malefactour , and awakneth the securest offender , them to S. Mary Magdalen a sinner ? To whom , I say , rather then vnto thee , should I the most abiect and vnworthiest of all sinners , dedicate this booke , that treateth of the saluation of sinners ? To thee therfore my sister Magdalen , I commend it , that thou beeing a daily assistant therof , mightest cause it to bringe forth its intended frutes , which is the safetie , health , and happinesse of all distressed , wretched , and sinfull soules . Remember , oh blessed Magdalen , that thou wast once a loste sheepe , farre strayed from the folde of Christ , and if our deare Sauiour Iesus the carefull shepheard of thy soule , had not called thee vnto him , thou hadst beene deuoured of the rauening wolfe : thou knowest that our Iesus did vndergoe death for the life of soules . Christas venit in hunc mundum &c. ( 1. Tim. 1.15 . ) Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners , of whom I am the cheefe , and Christ himselfe saith , Non est opus valentibus medico , sed malè habentibus . ( Math 9.12 . ) They that be well neede not the phisitian , but they that be sicke , and thou art not ignorant of that which is written of him , in the Gospell of Saint Luc. Hic peccatores recipit &c. ( Luc. 15.2 . ) This man receaueth sinners , and eateth with them : Oh therfore Magdalen , let thy eyes of pittie be euer watchfull ouer miserable sinners , intercede for the conuersion , and saluation of so many soules , which are running headlong into the abisse of eternall perdition ; Thou seest and knowest , moste deare Magdalen , what a number of soules doe daily and hourely descend into the bottomlesse pitte of hell : succour , aide , and stretch forth thy helping hand therfore to the perishing & languishing soules : remember , oh Sister that all those soules were redeemed and bought with the pretious blood of sweete Iesus , the Sauiour and Redeemer of vs both : Thou knowest right well , the inexcogitable sufferings of our louing Iesus vpon mount Caluarie , for all vs rebellious wretches : I am certaine thou well remembrest that pretious blood which whilest he hanged vpon the crosse , thou sawest distill and runne downe from his sacred bodie , vpon the earth . Remember , oh Magdalen ; the anxiety of his soule , when as thou didst behold him yeelding vp his spirit with such bitter paines vpon the holy wood of the crosse : procure by thy intercession , that these soules which were redeemed with the pretious blood , which did so abundantly flow out of his diuine head being prickt , and goared with an vnheard-of crowne of thornes , may be deliuered from the power of sinne , and brought into the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God : succour those poore soules , which are bought with such an abundance of blood , running like a torrent from the most sacred hands , and feet of thy Master Iesus crucified , obtaine by thy holy prayers that those soules may be presented pure before God , which were washed with that blood and water that issued out of thy Iesus his side , euen vnto his most bitter death ; Thy prayers , oh Magdalen which are enflamed with the burning loue of thy dearest spouse , are of no small virtue to procure the helpe of the Angel of the couenant , to put the diseased soules of miserable sinners into the all curing waters of Bethsaida . Ioan. 5.4 .

To thee therefore in the name of our gratious Iesus , & his blessed Mother , he a louing Father , she a tender Mother of al sinners , I present & offer this litle worke , which I acknowledge to be thine ; In the name of the moste holie Trinitie , Father , Sonne and holie Ghost , in the vertue of the name of Iesus , and the B. V. Marie , together with thy helpe , oh Blessed Magdalen , these my Seauen Trumpets are come to bee sounded abroad , which by the efficacie of the blood , death , and passion of Christ , who is Sonne of God , and also him selfe true God and man I implore , beseech , and desire , that they terrifie , conuert and reduce to repentance an innumerable company of soules , which lie demerged , ouerwhelmed , and plunged in the pitt , of sinne , and iniquitie : Amen : In the name of the Father , Sonne , and holy Ghost , Amen .

Let thy benediction oh my Magdalen , descend vpon the soule and bodie of mee , and all other sinners , which shall peruse this booke , by the vertue of the pretious body and blood of our Blessed Iesus which is contained in the most holy Sacrament of the altar ,

Amen : Pray for mee : From Rome : our place of S. Fran. Transtib . Iun. 14. 1612. Thy most deuoted Brother in our Lord , Brother Bartholomew .
IN THE NAME OF THE Father , and of the Sonne , and of the Holy Ghost Amen :

Here followeth the beginninge of the Seauen Trumpets of the B. F. B. Bartholomew Saluthius , of the holie order of the Frier Minars : of obseru. reform .

THE PROLOGVE .

ET septem Angeli qui habebant septem tubas &c. ( Apoc. 8. ) And the seauen Angels which had the Seauen Trumpets , prepared them selues to sound , saith S. Iohn ; after hee had said in the same place ; Et vidi septem Angelos &c. and I saw seauen Angels standing in the presence of God , and there was giuen vnto them Seauen Trumpets : Oh Brethren sinners , I am not an Angell , but a sinner , not onely like vnto you , but worse then you , who being enflamed with the honour of allmightie God , and also moued with the desire of all your soules healths , I haue presumed to bring to light this little booke , entituled The Seauen Trumpets , that they may found in your eares , and recall you to your most louing God & mercifull Father , and reduce you into the way of saluation . Oh wretches , consider that you haue strayed , and diuerted from the true path , and doe now runne , and persist with a swift pace in the way that leadeth to perdition : ponder well , oh ye vnhappy soules , how that yee stand vpon the brimme of hell , ready euery moment to be caste downe headlong into the abisse of perpetual darknesse : whereupon I being stirred vp with charitie towards you , in this our conuent of S. Iohn Baptist at Font : Palumb now residing , God assisting mee , together with the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God , and of all the Saints and Angels in heauen , but especially of S. Iohn Baptist , and my glorious Father S. Francis , I doe speake vnto all sinners , crying out , and compelling them with these wordes , Oh yee sinners , sinners I say , turne yee to God , forsake your enemie the diuell , amend & correct your euill liues , and departe from the pernicious , and dangerous way , wherin yee walke : turne oh brethren vnto your benigne creatour , prepare the way by the which your sweet , and louing Iesus , is to come to inhabite and make his mansion in your soules ; Expell and driue out , oh yee wretches , those diabolicall vices , which haue prepared for themselues an habitation in your poore soules : Oh yee miserable sinners , do ye not yet perceaue , that your soules are as so many caues full of inhumane serpents , and cruell dragons . Who are al readie to deuoure and teare you in pieces ? These being expelled , and put to flight , let in your most louing Iesus into the closet of your soules , who standeth knocking without , and like a tender Father , & mercifull Sauiour , commiserating your obduratnes , crieth out , open to me : open to me I say my deare children .

Why doe you therfore oh yee miscreants , admit your enemie , and deadly aduersary into your soules , and exclude , and bannish , your louing Sauiour and benigne redeemer ? Open vnto him , oh my Brethren , open vnto him , and at last acknowledge that he alone is your creatour , redeemer , & Sauiour , turne to your selues , and consider oh vnworthy abiects , and know , that this is that Iesus , which bought you with his moste pretious blood , and died for you vpon the holy wood of the Crosse . Contemplate oh sinner , the great loue which thy most sweete Iesus did and doth at this present beare to thee and be vigilant , and carefull least thou againe offend him .

Consider that for the loue of thee , he hangeth contenned , & left of al vpon the crosse : behold him nailed , through his sacred hands and feete vpon the rood , and for thy sake . Behold how for thee his diuine head is girded about with sharpe and cruell thornes , that pricked him euen to the braines , looke vpon him how hee is contemned , vilified , and crucified as a publique malefactour , betwixt two theefs , and onely for thee : heare what opprobries , contumelies , and disgraceful termes hee endured of the passers by , and that for thy sake , giue eare vnto him crying with a loud voice by reason of extreme thirst , Sitio , sitio , I thirst , I thirst , and onely for thee : For this was that ardent thirst ( besides the naturall thirst which was most vehement ) to witt , thy saluation : Heare him , not murmuring one iot , but most ardently praying for his persecutours , and malefactours , Pater ignosce illis &c. ( Luc. 23.34 . ) Father forgiue them , for they know not what they doe : Oh the depth of the loue and mercie of Iesus , oh the Tigre-like cruelty , and obdurate malice of that diabolicall & hellish crue that crucified him ▪ oh yee vngratefull sinners who little esteeming of the vnspeakable affection of Iesus towardes you , doe accompanie , and vnite your selues with diuells , are slaues to diuels , and do eate , drinke , sleepe , and liue in the companie of diuels . who likewise at the last shall be damned with diuels , vnlesse yee turne to your blessed redeemer ! This onely thing , if yee your selues did not resist , is of it selfe sufficient to reduce and conuert you to your louing Iesus ; that is to say , the very remembrance of the fatherly compassion which our Blessed Sauiour did beare towards you , which for you alone did suffer death , and shedd his moste pretious blood : Fidelis sermo & omni acceptione dignus , ( Tim. 1.15 . ) It is a faithfull saving , and worthy of all acceptation , that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners , and in an other place , Empti enim estis pretio magno . Yee are bought with a great price , glorifie therfore God in your bodies .

But you wretches hauinge no respect of him , doe vilifie , contemne , and trample him vnder your feete , he died for you , and yee liue that yee might offend him , he layed downe his soule for you , and you giue your soules to your enemie the diuell : he hath redeemed you from the hand of your aduersarie , and you doe caste , and precipitate your selues into his mouth : hee freed your from the power of death , and you by your vngodly conuersation , bring death vpon your soules , & throw your selues into hell in despight of him : Oh yee vnfortunate wretches , commiserate your owne most woful condition , and if that you will not be moued to serue him , for loue , at least , beginne awhile to serue him for feare , vntill at the last vnderstanding your blinde errours , you may serue him as it is fitting , for loue alone . O my deare Iesu , oh louing and sweete Iesu , open thy bowells of compassion vnto all sinners , regarde not their madnes ; remember not their pertinacious malice , looke vpon the ignominies , & torments which thou hast sufsuffered for vs , beholde that liuelie , and hotte blood which gushed out , and ranne downe from all parts of thy torne body , haue pittie vpon that sinner , that taketh no pittie vpon himselfe , alwaies prouiding that it may be done to the augmenting , and amplifying of thy honour & glorie , heere , and for euer herafter .

Amen .
The diuision of the Seauen Trumpets . THE I. CHAPTER .

ET primus Angelus tubâ cecinit , & the first Angell sounded the trumpet saieth S. Iohn ( Apoc. 8. ) without all doubt oh yee sinners , if yee will vse the benefit of your free will , together with the assistance of diuine grace , and that little exhortation of my prologue , you may very easily as yee ought , abandon sinne , flie your accustomed vices , and leaue the seruitude of Sathan your deadlie enemie , and turne to your sweet and louing Iesus , the deare spouse of your soules ; But being that you sleepe so profoundly , and so securely , that vee doe not , or will not heare the sweet sound of so gratefull & acceptable musicke , I haue determined to send forth a sound of a more shrill , and fearfull trumpet , to make triall , whether I can awake you from the sleepe , and lethar●ie of your sinnes , wherein you lie drowned , & ouerwhelmed , being mindeful of that of the Prophet . Clama , ne cesses ▪ quasi tuba exalta vocem tuam . ( Isay 58.1 . ) crie out and cease not , exalt thy voyce as a trumpet , that a sinner hearing it , he may be conuerted to repentance : But I entreat you my brethren , that . Hodie si audteritis &c. ( Psal. 94. ) if to day you will heare the voyce of our Lord , you would not harden your hartes ; Brethren , I say , in the interim , whilest you heare the sound of these trumpets , obdurate not your hartes , lest God be offended with you .

Et primus Angelus tubâ cecinit : and the first Angel sounded the trumpet . That I may come to my intended purpose , I haue determined with these Seauen Trumpets set downe in this little booke to sound vnto your eares , that at the last you being awaked with the terrour of the same , you may beginne to forsake your flagitious , and sinnefull life , and be reduced to the right way , which will guide and conduct you safe and secure , to the happy and heauenly porte of perpetuall happines : but know for certaine , that if you stoppe your eares at these sounding Trumpets , at the last pointe , and article of your death , you shall be called to a strict accompt for your so great contempt , and neglect , which God forbid , should come to passe , but rather , that the loue , and charitie which did induce me to write this booke for your saluation , may mollifie your stony hartes and tame your vnruly affections , that these trumpets sounding forth your eternall blisse , may penetrate and stirre vp your mindes and soules . The first trumpet soundeth forth the great peruersnes ; and malice of a sinner wherwith he offendeth allmightie God . The second , the filthines of sinne . The third the detriment that sinne causeth in the soule of a sinner in this life . The fourth , the harme ; and losse , that shall appeare in the houre of death . The fift , the damage that it shal cause in the terrible day of iudgement . The sixt , the ineffable punishment , that it doth procure in hell . The seauenth , the societie , and combination which it draweth with it , in this life , in death , and after death .

These , oh my brethren sinners , are the Seauen Trumpets , which to the honour of God , and to your soules health , and the confusion of the diuell , I entend to sound in this little booke : Therfore I beseech you , that when yee shall heare them , like well disciplined , and valiant souldiers , you doe awake presently ; to enter in battaile , with your enemy , and permit not your selues to be vanquished , & trampled vnder foot , but like horses wel exercised , and trained vp in military discipline , which at the sound of drummes and trumpets , proudly shaking their loftie , and magnanimous neckes , couragiously neighing , and beating the earth with their feete , doe stirre vp them selues , and animate their riders , heroically to march against the army , and affronts of the enemie . Soe behaue your selues , oh my Brethren , viriliter agite , take vnto your selues courage , and with an vndaunted spirit oppose the world , the flesh , and the diuell , necessitie vrgeth , Res nostra agitur , it is our cause that is in hand , heere is matter of great importance , namely the saluation , and perdition of your soules : Therfore for Iesus his sake , awake out of that lethargie of vices wherein you lie depriued of all spirituall sence , change your maners , and institutions , lead the life of good Christians , call to minde the promise , which you made vnto your redemer in your baptisme ; Surge qui dormis , awake thou that sleepest , and arise from the spiritual death of sinne , and Christ shall illuminate thee . Oh Brethren , Operamini dum dies est , worke while the day of Gods mercie appeareth , because the night of his iudgement draweth neare , wherein noe man can worke : let vs doe good to all while we haue time , because euerie one shal be rewarded after his death ▪ according to his workes , and deedes : Now is the acceptable time , now is the time wherin we may buy oyle for our lampes : be vigilant therfore with the wise Virgins , to ●…er in with the bridegroome , lest you be depriued of his presence for euer . It is time for vs now , oh sinners , to awake and arise from sinne . Iuxta est dies perditionis , the day of perdition is at hand , and the last night draweth neare .

Therfore my sinfull brethren , seeke our Lord while he may be found , for vnlesse you will turne vnto him , he will shake his sword , he will bend his bow , and prepare the arrowes of death : Returne therfore , oh returne yee miserable and blinded sinners , to the sure refuge of pennance . Nisi penitentiam egaritis , vnlesse ye do penance , ye shal likewise perrish : oh my Brethren , a vehement commination , a fearfull threatning , denounced to that end , that euery one might be vigilant , in matters concerning his saluation , & carefull to preuent future dangers : Christ Iesus which speaketh these wordes vnto you , for his mercies sake , infuse into your soules his diuine grace , that yee may serue him as ye ought , not of constraint , but of a willing mind , not as seruants for feare , but as dutifull children for loue :

Amen .
IN THE NAME OF THE Father , and of the Sonne , and of the Holy Ghost Amen : The first Trumpet of Gods grieuous complaint of a sinner . THE II. CHAPTER .

ET primus Angelus tubâ cecinit . ( Apoc. 8. ) and the first Angell sounded the Trumpet : I would to God , my deare Brethren , that the sound of this first Trumpet would suffice , and that by this he would so powerfully touch your hartes , that you might with internall compunction turne to your creatour , and mercifull Sauiour : I haue not the spirit of Ionas the Prophet , who with fiue wordes only conuerted the great & vaste citie Nineue . Adhuc quadraginta dies & Nineue subuertetur . ( Ion. 3.4 . ) yet fourtie daies and Nineue shall be destroied : Ionas sounded with the shrill Trumpet of his voice , exclamations and threatnings , but I desire not , that at the first you should heare so fearfull a sound , but that you might attend and giue eare a while , to the pittifull complaintes , of your mercifull redeemer , for surely there is noe soule soe frozen in sinne , whom these grieuous complaints would not dissolue into teares , if they them selues did not make resistance .

Giue eare therefore I beseech you , & consider , with what great griefe he bewaileth your ingratitude and vnthankefulnes : Obstupescite coeli , be astonished oh yee heauens , and be yee desolate oh yee gates therof , for my people hath committed two euills , they haue forsaken mee the fountaine of liuing waters , and haue digged to them selues cisterns , broken cisterns that can holde no waters . ( Ierem. 2.12 . ) Oh wretched sinners penetrate , and weigh well your miserie , and see how true it is , that you haue forsaken Christ , the wel of liuing water , and haue druncke of the bitter waters of Mara . ( Exod. 15. ) Know yee not yet , that vices are cisterns , that can holde no spirituall water ? doe yee not perceaue , that couetousnes is a cisterne that containeth not the water of true delight ? because the couetouse man is alwayes sad , & neuer satiated ? doe yee not perceaue that gluttonie , and intemperancy , is a cisterne that holdeth not the water of satietie , because it is neuer filled ? perceaue ye not that lust and concupiscence are cisternes , which receaue not the water of compleat delectation ? for the pleasures therof consume both body and soule : doe yee not perceaue , that ambition is a cisterne , that containeth not the water of a satiated desire , for the ambitious man is continuallie wracked ? Oh ambitio , ambitio erat , quomodo omnes torques , & omnibus places . ( D. Bernard . ) oh ambition , ambition the torture of ambitious persons , how doest thou torment all , and yet art receaued of all ? Which your mercifull and louing Father foreseing , complaineth of your great follie in the precedent wordes of Ieremie : and a little after by the mouth of the same Prophet , Scito & vide . ( Ierem. 2.19 . ) know and see , that it is an euill and bitter thing to haue forsaken the Lord thy God : obserue oh sinner ; with what pittifull wordes full of commiseration the Lord speaketh vnto thee : what Adamantine harte as there soe hard , that these so mercifull words can not mollifie ? With what pittie & clemencie doeth he pronounce them ? he seemeth to speake with his eyes standing full of teares ; trickling downe his sacred cheekes ; Moyses considering the loue and clemencie of God towardes that wicked and vngratefull people of the Hebrews , reprehendeth them in these wordes , Haeccine reddis Domino , popule stulte & insipiens ? ( Deuter. 32.6 . ) doest thou render these things vnto our Lord , thou foolish and vnwise people ? is not he thy Father , that hath possessed thee , and thy creatour , that hath fashioned thee ? oh charitie , oh clemencie of God towards a sinner ! oh foolishnes , oh stupiditie of a sinner , towards so bountifull and louing a God!

Time will not permit me to reuolue the olde and new scripture , for the amplifying of this matter , which is full of the benignitie of God towards a sinner , and the contempt of a sinner towards his creatour : neither did I determine to treat of this at large , but only to insert some few thinges , concerning the health and saluation of soules , almost lost , which lie dailie wallowing in the filth of of their accustomed vices : I will only say , that in the remembrance of the exceedinge great loue which God beareth towards a sinner , which the Euangelist declareth in the parable of the prodigall sonne , Et vidit illum à longè pater ipsius , and when his Father saw him a farre off , he was moued with pittie towards him , and runninge vnto him , he fell vpon his necke and kissed him . ( Luc. 15.20 . ) And which he sayeth else where of the cittie Ierusalem : Videns ciuitatem , fleuit super eam , lookinge vpon the cittie , he wept ouer it , he did foresee the desolation that was to befall the cittie of Ierusalem , the remembrance whereof so pierced his soule , that he wept bitterlie , and seing that prodigall sonne , straying , ragged , and almost famished with hunger , hauing consumed all his patrimony and substance in a riotous course of liuing , notwithstanding all this , seeing him a farre off , and scarse hearing him vttering these wordes , I will arise and goe to my Father , forgetting all his former offences , he went ioyfullie to meet him , and gladly embraced him , fel vpon his necke and kissed him : Oh sinners , sinners , turne vnto our Lord with the sound of this only Trumpet , consider the great affection that Christ beareth vnto you , who if it were lawful so to speake , is sicke with loue , & consumed with charitie . ( Cantic. 25. ) Oh louing and deare Iesu , seeing thou doest soe infinitly loue a sinner , mollifie that obduratnes , wherewith his soule is oppressed , melt and dissolue his frozen harte . I beseech thee ô Iesu , by that liuely blood , that thou sheddest for vs , by that surpassing loue wherewith thou diddest embrace vs , by all the thoughtes , wordes , and actions thou diddest performe for vs , to be mercifull to sinners :

Amen .
Of the infinite wrong wherwith a sinner by sinning , doth offend the diuine Maiestie . THE III. CHAPTER .

BVt what shal I say now of the great iniury wherewith you sinners , doe offend God ? with what toung shall it be related ? with what stile shall it be exaggerated ? with what termes shall it be expressed ? For many reasons ; the offence is vnspeakeable by which God is dishonoured : The first is , in respect of the obiect against which it is committed , to wit God himselfe , who being infinite , it necessarily foloweth , that sinne also be infinite : which , allthough of its owne nature , be not infinite , but nothing , as holy diuines say , peccatum nihil est obiect●… tamen ( that I may vse the schoolmens phrase ) infinitum est , sinne of it selfe is nothing , but in respect of the obiect , it is infinite : consider oh sinner , the greatnes of sinne , when as it is infinite , beholde how great an euill thou committest quicklie , euen in a moment , ponder with thy selfe , what exceeding peruersitie , and malice it is , to oppose thy selfe against an infinite power , examine well how improbous and rebellious thou art , being that thou art aduerse and opposite to God whose goodnes is infinite : Oh malitious and peruerse sinner , what is thy impudency , and audaciousnes , that thou darest contest , and contend with thy God and creatour ? The second reason is , that God being by his nature , presence , and omnipotencie , in all places , in thee which offendest , in the matter wherin thou offendest , in the members , wherby thou offendest him , beholde how great the offence is , thou being so impudent , that in the diuine presence of the infinite maiestie of the Father , the Sonne and the holy Ghost , thou doest commit such vndecent and hainous crimes , which thou desirest to be hidden from the eyes of so many celestial spirits , & of which thou thy self herafter , wilt greatlie repent : For whilest thou doest commit such filthy , and abhominable crimes , seeking obscure places , that thou shouldest not be seene of men , thou liest open to the all-penetrating eye of God : In omni loco , oculi Domini contemplantur bonos & malos . ( Prou. 15.3 . ) In euery place , the eye of our Lord behouldeth the good & the bad : In a word , goe whither thou wilt , hide thy selfe where thou canst , doe what thou mayest , thou canst not auoid the all-seing eye of the diuine maiestie .

Consider with thy selfe , if thou takest any thing , God is at hand in thy soule , in thy harte , in thy vnderstanding in thy will , in thy handes and feete , in the thing it selfe which thou takest , in the house which thou entrest , in the way wherin thou walkest : Weigh seriously with thy selfe , oh blinded sinner , how vnheard of , the impudencie o● offence is of lust , for whilest thou doest commit not only lasciuious , and filthy crimes , but actes proper to beasts , which are vnseemely to be named , God is in thee , in the thing , in the members wherwith thou offendest : Not by his grace , but by his generall influence , and concurse , therfore thou sinnest , in whom God is , in the thinge in which God is , and doest vse those partes , and members , to be instruments of Sathan , in which God dwelleth , and inhabiteth : Nescitis quia membra vestra , sunt templum Spiritus Sancti ? ( 1. Corin. 6.19 . ) know yee not , that your members are the temple of the holy Ghost ? How great therfore is thy madnes , impudencie , and wickednes oh sinner ? How infinite the abuse , and wrong wherwith thou offendest , and displeasest thy God and creatour ? But oh thou angry and malitious sinner , while thou strikest , killest and murderest thy neighbour o● enemy , is not God in thee ▪ is not God I say in the members of thee , of thy neighbour , and of thine enemie ? nothing more certaine , hee is in thy handes wherewith thou killest , in the members of him whom thou killest , in the weapon wherwith thou killest , therfore oh wicked impious , and vngodly wretch , which hauing noe respect , or reuerence to so great & infinite a maiestie , darest commit such thinges in his presence , which thou wouldest feare , and be ashamed to commit in the presence of an earthlie King or Prince , although of meane power and authoritie .

The third reason is : Tell mee , oh yee sinners , what punishment is hee worthy of , who receauing many courtesies & fauours from some noble man of worth , as a ●ouse , ornaments , and clothes , beseeming his qualitie , when before , he was ragged , torne , and meanly cloathed , and being restored to his former dignitie , when as before he was in great disgrace and miserie , and hauing recouered his health , which before was sicke & infirme , & by his meanes made rich and wealthy , which before was a begger and in great want , lastly , promoted , and placed in the cheifest degree of honour who before was contemned , vilified , and despised of all , if this man who is thus infinitly obliged and bound to this his friend , should in stead of giuinge thankes , intend and meditate snares and deceipts for the taking away of the goodes , estimation , and honour , and laste of all , the life of so great a friend and charitable benefactor , and should associate him selfe in the companie of his enemies , to the end that he might abuse , contemne , deride , and kill him ? speake I beseech thee , what penaltie shall this vngratefull wretch deserue ? surely the greatest that can be inuented . Tell mee now , oh moste wicked , rebellious , & adulterous sinner , what punishments , what torments art thou worthy of , when as thou doest disunite and separate thy selfe from thy God which made thee , which created thee , which gaue thee thy soule and body , adorned thee with faculties , and senses correspondent , which produced thee out of nothing , when as thou wert nothing , and conserueth thee in this state in which thou now art , and for thy vse & conseruation , hath ordained an infinite number of creatures , visible , and inuisible , the heauens , sunne , moone , starres , elements , mixt , and composed bodies , for thy sake only , who also exceeding in loue and charitie , for thy sake was made man , visible , and mortall , exposinge himselfe to all wronges and difficulties , when as he was impassible : who last of all , did offer him selfe to be killed , and naked , like a publique malefactour in the middest of two theeues as theire captaine , crucified vpon the wood of the crosse , only that he might free thee from death , sinne , the diuell , and hell , and to bring thee to the eternall blisse of the celestiall paradise : but thou on the contrary , doest oppose and resist with al thy forces this so benigne a God , so indulgent a Father , so gentle , and milde a Lord , this I say so infinite , and great a maiestie , thou doest studie and endeauour with all thy faculties , and powers of body and soule with so odious and detestable crimes to offend , despise and dishonour .

Oh miserable and sinneful soule , what punishment can be thought vpon , & ordained worthy of thy deserts ? oh infinite patience , and clemency of God , which when as thou mightest precipitate , plunge , and caste these sinners into the bottomlesse pitte of hell , and deliuer them into the hand of the diuell to be carried into the abisse of perpetual darknesse , thou doest not only not doe it , but fauorably and patiently expect their returne , calling them by thy diuine inspirations , and heauenly suggestions vnto amendment & repentance : And also hast conserued , protected , and defended such cruell , and malitious enemies , forso many yeares together , as well in thinges appertaininge to the body , as the soule ; thou callest them , thou goest to meet them , thou inuitest them , and doest offer thy selfe vnto them , as if thou wert rauisht with loue towardes them , who art so infinitly offended , and greatly dishonoured by them . Oh immense loue ? oh patience , oh clemency , oh mercy of God , what great reason haddest thou , oh holy Prophet to say ? Misericordias Domini in eternum cantabo . ( Psal. 88.1 . ) Thy mercies oh Lord will I sing for euer , the earth is full of thy mercies oh Lord , & there is no end of thy goodnes .

Let vs come to the fourth reason , which declareth the greatnes of sinne , wherwith a sinner offendeth God : What doe you otherwise , oh sinners , when yea sinne and offend , then ballance in one scale , the infinite maiestie power , and presence of God , and your selues , your vnlawfull desires , and momentary pleasures in the other ? therefore tell mee , oh sinner , whither of these two , is of greater excellency , and worth , & rather to be chosen , God or thy little momentary pleasure ? your opinion is , that this your transitorie pleasure is of greater value , by which meanes , your Sauiour being reiected , you make choise of his creature ; God being left , in whom is the fulnes of all thinges , you take that which is nothing ; the cheifest good beinge contemned , yee doe embrace that which beareth in it selfe noe species , or signe of true good , but superficiall , painted , and transitorie : oh iniurie , oh offence , oh wrong , oh dishonour , wherewith you offend so louing a God , and benigne and clement a Father !

Let vs now proceed to the gift of reason : what doth a miserable sinner , by sinning , but call in question and dispute , whether his or Gods diuine will is better ? whither with more promptitude hee should obey God , or his owne base desire ? He preferreth his own will before Gods , and presently concludeth , that it is more conuenient to obey his owne , making himselfe an other Lucifer , greater then God : Oh execrable Lucifers , oh wicked , and accursed sinners , who when as yee are base filth and dung , are so swollen , and puffed vp with pride , that in as much as lyeth in your powers , you exalt yourselues aboue God : what affliction therefore shall be imposed vpon you in the world to come , when you shall be deliuered , and giuen vp into the handes of that proud Lucifer , of whom ye haue bene such diligent , sectatours , and vigilant seruants ? Oh my deare sinnefull Brethren , I will not be more prolix in this argument , because the disputation calleth mee an other way , it sufficeth mee , and also ought to suffice you , to haue heard the sound of this our first Trumpet , which with a shorte blaste I haue sounded , that detesting , and abhorring sinne , you may be disunited from Sathan , and reioyned to your sweet creatour , Lord , and redeemer , that herafter yee may desist from offering him so great iniuries , and make an end and period of so many foule and detractiue contumelies , wherby yee haue in no small measure offended him . Doe this I beseech you brethren , which I begge , and implore of you by the pretious woundes , and liuely blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ , lyinge prostrate at your feet vpon the earth : I say vnto you oh Brethren , by the bitter passion of Iesus crucified , offend him not so often with so many iniuries , crucifie him not any more with such hainous crimes : desist my Brethren , hereafter to contemne and tread vnder foot the blood of the couenant ; And turning to thee oh my Iesu , I say , oh Iesu , my only loue and ioy , graunt pardon and remission to a sinner ,

Amen .
The second Trumpet of the deformity of sinne . THE IV. CHAPTER .

ET secundus Angelus tubâ cecinit . ( Apoc. 8. ) And the second Angel sounded the trumpet : Giue eare oh sinners vnto the sound of this second trumpet , rowsing & exciting you vp , out of the sleepe of sinne : behold the second Angel soundeth , that he may quicken you , & put to flight all your inordinate dispositions , that you might attentiuely heare him ; For what doeth Angel signify in the Greeke toung , but a messenger , harbinger , and legate , in ours ? who cometh and calleth you that yee may be conuerted to your creatour , returne home to your louing Father , and be reconciled to your mercifull redeemer . Oh my Brethren , if the sound and call of the first trumpet , and counsell and admonition of the first Angell , will not any iot moue you , when it plainely propoundeth vnto you the offence wherby yee offend almighty God , which certainely should be a motiue more then sufficient , at least , let the deformity and filthines of sinne , which this second Angell with a horrid sound denounceth vnto you , be a powerfull reason to induce you : without doubt brethren , if you would but comprehend in your mindes , and ponder with your selues , the vggelines of sinne , it could not be , but that you would detest and loath the deformity of it as you ought to doe : for so great and infinite ( oh Brethren ) is the deformity of sinne , that it is , ex diametro , directly opposite to the beauty and claritie of God : for what other thing is it in it selfe , or in its owne nature , but an auersion from the diuine will ? sinne in it selfe is nothing . Et sine ipso sactum est nihil . ( Ioan. 1.3 . ) and without him was made nothing ( saith S. Iohn ) that is sinne , whose deformity is made without God : because he doth not concurre to the inordination of it , although , as the most subtile Doc. Scotus saith , to the substance of the action God doth concurre , yet not vnto the malice of the same : for examples sake , man stealeth , and sinneth , heere two thinges are to be considered , the one is the substance of the action , which is to extend , put out the hand , and apprehend the thing , to this God concurreth , for vnlesse he did giue power to the handes and feet , this acte could not be performed : furthermore besides this action , there is an inordination which followeth this action , contrary to the diuine will , and law , which contradicteth , & forbiddeth theft , the same hapneth , when adultery , or any other sinne is committed : goe to , consider well , how great the malice of sinne is , that it is opposite , and contrary to the diuine will : Furthermore it is the common opinion of the Doctors , that sinne is an auersion from the creatour , & conuersion to the creature , in so much that so oft as yee commit sinne , ye separate yourselues from your sweet God , and ioyne your selues to the base and corruptible creature , from whence it proceedeth that the eternal and infinite beauty being left , you turne your selues to the extreamest deformitie and foulnes : I beseech yee for Gods sake , that yee doe soe noe more , turne to your selues , oh my my Brethren , being illuminated with the resplendant beames of the sonne of righteousnes , behold your blindnes , and misery , and separate not your selues from this so infinite a good , lest you change the inestimable treasure and riches of the incomprehensible diuinitie , for the drosse of thinges temporall , and transitorie : Quem enim fructum habuistis &c. ( Rom. 6.21 . ) what fruite had yee in those things of which yee are now ashamed . Furthermore if yee desire to see the foulnes of execrable and detestable sinne , giue eare vnto the sequele ; the diuell of himselfe was moste faire , and of his owne nature , next vnto almighty God , excelling al other thinges created in beautie and comelines : Duo fecisti Domine , vnum propè te , & aliud propé nihil : Thou haste made ( oh God ) two things , one neare vnto thee , the other almost nothing : saieth the holy Father S. Augustine : that which cometh nearest vnto thee , and is more perfect then all the rest , is the nature of the Angels , the other which is almost nothing , is the first matter , whose entitie & being is so small , that it hath giuen occasion to the philosophers to say , that it is entitie only in possibilitie , from whence many haue denied matter to be entitie , although the subtill Doctor defendeth the contrarie , contendinge that it is not placed only in possibility , but is an entitie , yet so little and small , that take away one degree , and it is nothing : These I haue said , not without reason , that I might intimate vnto you , the nature of the diuell , who was created of God , the moste perfect and absolute of all thinges , notwithstanding with one only sinne , he is made so fearfull , loathsome , and detestable , that our holy Father S. Francis , being asked of his companion Brother Aegidius concerning this matter , was wont to answere , that it were impossible for any man to see the diuell in his diabolicall shape , and filthines , but for the space of reciting the Pater noster , without losse of life . Therfore oh yee sinners , how great must needes the deformitie of sinne be ? that hath so obfuscated that nature of so excellent a beautie , and made it so filthy and odious ? oh my Brethren , gather your forces together , march with vndaunted spirits , at the sound of this trumpett , against the violence of your enemie , cancell the bond wherin you haue bound your selues as slaues vnto Sathan , breake the truce which yee haue made with your aduersary the diuell : But let vs proceed further , that wee may more clearly behould the filthines of sinne : consider our first parents Adam , and Eue , who were created with compleat stature , and comelines of body , before they had sinned , because they were endued with originall iustice , they were so pure and simple , that like little children they were not ashamed of any thinge that they did , but immediatly after that they had eaten of the forbidden fruite , and transgressed the commandement of God their Father , the holy scripture saith , that aperti sunt oculi eorum . ( Gen. 3.7 . ) their eyes were opened , and they perceaued them selues to be naked , & they sowed together figge leaues , to couer themselues : neither is this all , for the scripture saieth in the same place , Cum audissent vocem Domini &c. hearing the voyce of our Lord God , walking in paradise at the coole of the day , they hidd themselues in the middest of the trees , for the feare of our Lord : And the shame was so great , that perceauing their nakednes , it did not suffice them to couer their members , with figge-tree leaues , but they hidd themselues also in the middest of the trees , and vpon this , God crying vnto them , Adam vbi es ? to whom Adam answered , Domine vocem tuam audius , oh Lord I heard thy voyce , and was afraid , because I was naked ; who did intimate vnto thee , that thou werte naked , but the sinne of disobedience , by eating of the forbidden fruite ? oh execrable , and accursed sinne ? how great and infinite is thy deformitie , filthines , and malice ?

Here followeth the same matter of the deformitie of sinne . THE V. CHAPTER .

SVch & so great ( oh Brethren ) is the deformity of sinne , that if a sinner should see his soule in a deadly sinne , he would be vtterlie confounded with feare and amazement . Wee read of an adulterer , who after that he had committed adultery , returned home , whose wife and children forthwith astonished at the sight of him , ranne away ; for he did appeare vnto them in the likenes of a diuell , with fearfull and huge hornes , this man beholding himselfe in a glasse , and seeing himselfe to be soe deformed , being stroken with an horrible feare , with all expedition , and haste , went forth to confession , and to be reconciled to almightie God : the people that mett him , yea the very brute beastes themselues being affrighted fled away , he seemed so terrible to them in shape and figure , and coming to the preist ( who did stand at the gate of the church , saying his diuine office ) being espied of him to approach neare vnto the church , he did so astonish him , as that it caused him presently to shut the dores : The miserable soule comming to the dore , intimated vnto him , that he was a sinner , and was so deformed , and of so fearfull aspect by reason of his sinne , and desired him not to be afraide : this being related and manifested , the priest being possessed with no smal fear , went out vnto him , who hauing confessed , being penitent and reconciled , was restored to his ordinary & naturall forme . Oh soule , soule , oh vnhappy and wretched soule , if thou couldest but see thy selfe being in a deadly sinne , how exceedingly beyond all apprehension , wouldest thou bee ashamed , astonished , & confounded at thy selfe ? how great a terrour would seaze vpon thee , if thou shouldest see thy selfe so deformed and vggly through sinne , when as before thou wert moste faire , & beautifull ? Furthermore , when yee commit any sinne , lest you should be seene of any one , you seeke obscure places , for the performance of the same , and if by fortune you be apprehended in the acte of your offence , presently you are moste grieuously ashamed , and perplexed , and although the sinne be obscure , and not reuealed , yet for many yeares you dare not appeare in the presence of him who apprehended you . Oh blessed soules , who now rest in the fauour of God , make knowne vnto these sinners ; what basenes and confusion yee perceaue in sinne , when as some time by the diuine permission , endued with heauenly virtues , and illuminated with the celestiall beames of diuine grace , you know , vnderstand , & apprehend , your former blemishes , and offences , and the multitude of soe great iniuries , whereby formerly you haue displeased your moste gracious God : I beseech you oh blessed soules , demonstrate this vnto these sinners , and sollicite your benigne and clement spouse for them , that he would be pleased for his mercies sake , to bestow some measure of those singular graces , wherewith yee your selues were endued , vpon these destressed , desolate , and miserable wretches : effect this I beseeche you , by the loue of him who soe dearly loueth you , and whom you likewise so much reuerence , honour , and esteeme : Doe this , seeing there is nothing more acceptable vnto God , then to intercead for poore sinners , for the pardoning and remission of their sinnes , who were redeemed and bought , with so deare a price as the pretious blood , death , and passion of his deare sonne ; obtaine this therefore I intreat you , while I proceed further , to exaggerate the deformitie of sinne .

Giue eare oh my Brethren sinners , sinne is so odious and abhominable , that it compelled Iob to curse the houre , and day in which he was borne , with that fearfull speech , saying , Pereat dies in qua natus sum . ( Iob. 3.3 . ) let the day perish in which I was borne , & the night , in which it was said , a man childe is conceaued : let darknes , and the shadow of death obscure it , let a miste possesse it , let it bee wrapped vp in bitternes , let a darkesome whirlewinde possesse that night , let that day not be counted with the dayes of the yeare , nor numbred in the monethes : And a little after in the same chapter , he vttereth these words full of misteries ; Quare non in vuluâ mortuus sum , &c. why perished I not in the wombe ? why did the knees beare mee , & the brests giue me sucke ? what doe yee say to this , oh my Brethren , that such an holy , perfect , and iust man , as Iob , should say these thinges ? of whom God with his owne mouth gaue this testimony vnto Sathan , Numquid considerasti seruum meum ( Iob ? Iob. 2.3 . ) hast thou considered my seruant Iob , that there is not the like vnto him in the earth ? a man simple , vpright , fearing God , & retaining innocency ? Wherefore then , and to what end should such fearfull words as the literall sence giueth , proceed out of his mouth , as to curse the day , the night , and houre of his birth ? surely it was only to intimate vnto vs , the greuous and detestable loathsomnes of sinne , in which he was conceaued . Oh this wonderfull , and admirable exaggeration of sinne ? how fully doth it represent vnto vs , the filth and deformity , therof ? God graunt that the terrible sound of this trumpet , may worke in you an abhorring and detestation of vice , and kindle in your soule the fire of diuine loue , that you may die daily to sinne here , & liue with him perpetually herafter ,

Amen .
In what hatred sinne is in the sight of almighty God . THE VI. CHAPTER .

O Dio sunt Deo impius , & impietas eius . ( Wisdom . 14.9 . ) The wicked and his impietie , are abhominable vnto God . Soe great ( Brethren ) is the deformitie of sinne , that God who is nothing , but beauty , splendour , and goodnes , hath it in great hatred , and detestation : and not sinne only , but also the sinner . The wicked , and his impietie , are odious alike in the sight of God saith the holy scripture : By many thinges we may collect the deadlye hatred that God hath towardes sinners , but most especially by two . The first is , that he doth soe sodenlie , out of his seuere iustice punish it : Lucifer , and his associates sinned , but God by no means enduring that insolent pride , precipitated them from the height of their former felicitie , into the abisse of eternall darknes , by Michael the Archangell , prime minister in the celestiall paradise : Our first parents , Adam and Eue sinned , and God forthwith expelled them out of paradise . There are many examples in holy scripture , which doe liuely set before our eyes , the rigorous and soden execution of the iudgement , and seueritie of God vpon sinners : The Israeliticall people sinned , adoring the golden Calfe , presently the fire of Gods wrath was kindled , and he said vnto Moyses . Dimitte me , ut irascatur furor meus contra eos . ( Exod. 32.20 . ) suffer , mee that my fury may arise against them . The same people sinned , in demaunding Quailes in the wildernes . Adhuc escae erant in ore ipsorum . ( Psal. 77.30 . ) Euen when the meat was in their mouth , the iudgements of God descended vpon them .

To be briefe , the scripture is full of such examples , although on the contrary his diuine mercy in expecting the conuersion of a sinner , farre surpasseth his iudgement : and the reason that there are so many examples extant of sinners in the scripture , not punished by God sodenly , is , that he might declare vnto vs the riches of his mercy , according to that saying of the Apostle . Deus autem qui diues est in misericordiâ . ( Eph. 2.4 . ) God who is rich in mercie , would expect them , vntill they were conuerted : he expected the penitencie of the olde worlde an hundred yeares , before he would destroy it with the deluge , in the meane time , he commaunded Noah to preach pennance , allthough according to the custome of the world , they beleeued him not , who were wont very seldome to beleeue Prophets , who did denounce any destruction vnto them , but rather did persecute and torment them with diuerse punishments : The Euangelist declareth this , where Iesus Christ our Lord , threatning Ierusalem , Ierusalem ( inquiens ) Ierusalem quae occidis Prophetas . ( Math. 23.37 . ) Ierusalem , Ierusalem thou which puttest to death the Prophets , and stonnest them which are sent vnto thee .

But let vs omit these , and declare how long time he expected before he would raine downe fire and brimstone , vpon that obscene & contaminated citie of Sodome : and after that he had decreed to consume it , he was soe clement , that he was compelled , & drawne vnto it , as if it were by the eares , wherupon the holy scripture saith . Clamor Sodomorum , & Gomor : multiplicatus est . ( Gen. 18.21 . ) The cry of Sodome & Gomorrha is multiplied , and their sinne aggrauated exceedingly , I will descend and see , whether they haue in act● accomplished the crie which is come vnto me : Notwithstanding though he hath in so full a measure manifested his mercy , yet that he might demonstrate the hate & detestation which he hath towardes sinne , it appeareth by many wonderfull examples , how seuerely and iustly , he hath punished it , euen so soone as it was committed , which is an infallible argument of the great deformitie of sinne .

The second reason , by which we may vnderstand the great displeasure which God conceaueth against sinne , is , that for the subuersion of the same , he would giue his only begotten sonne to die a most ignominious death vpon the crosse , amidst two theeues . Sic enim Deus dilexit mundum &c. ( Ioh. 3.16 . ) so God loued the world , that he gaue his only begotten sonne for the redemption of it : Propter scelus populi mei percussi eum . ( Isay . 53.8 . ) for the sinne of my people , I haue strooke him ; and hee hath laid vpon him all our iniquities , saieth the same holy Prophet . Oh thou sinner , consider wel this place , and let it touch thee to the quicke ; if the eternall Father for the bannishing of sinne , would that his owne sonne should suffer death , who was not man only , but also God , and that so pretious a life should be giuen for the death of sinne , which was prized at soe high a rate , that the holy Apostle saieth . Empti enim estis pretio magn● . ( 1. Cor. 6.20 . ) for yee are bought with a great price , what an infinite then , and immense indignation , and wrath , must God needs conceaue against sinne ? Furthermore , how odious and detestable , must execrable sinne be , when Iesus , Qui erat speciosus prae filijs hominum , who was the fairest amonge the sonnes of men , should soe abase himselfe , that he made himselfe of no reputation , that the Prophet Isay , did say , Vidimus eum &c. ( Isa. 53.2 . ) we haue seene him , and there was moe appearance of beautie in him ▪ we were desirous of him , despised , and most abiect of men , a man of sorrowes , and knowing infirmitie , whereupon , neither haue we esteemed him , but counted him as a leaper , and one striken of God : oh yee Brethren sinners , if the eternall Father would not pardon and remit sinne , without the death of his only sonne , how hatefull must it needes bee in his diuine sight ? and so much the more , that it did not satisfie his infinite , & inscrutable iustice , that his deare sonne should only dy , but that he should suffer vpon the crosse , a death most ignominious , that he should be so oppressed with griefe and so tirannically handled , that his contenance and shape could not bee knowne .

Oh sinne be thou accursed , that wast the cause , that my sweet Sauiour Iesus suffered , and died so shamefull , & vnheard of a death . Oh Iesu , my loue and delight , commiserate and compassionate poore sinneful and wretched soules , the which thou hast redeemed with so great a price , as thy prepretious blood . Neither can yee say , that deare Iesus suffered and was crucified for the fall and sinne of Adam only , when as trulie he died for the sinnes of the whole world . Supra dorsum meum fabricauerunt peccatores . ( Psal. 128.3 . ) sinners haue builded vppon my backe , saieth the Prophet Dauid in the person of Iesus Christ , what need we many words ? Iesus Christ our Lord died for the abolishing and abliterating of all sinnes and offences , generally and particularly , and he suffered no more for all , then for one , yea I say , he offered himselfe to be buffeted and massacred for one only soule , and if it were needfull and necessary , he would doe the same againe for the most abiect soule that liueth .

Oh therfore yee sinners , sinne no more , by your so many offences , and execrable iniquities , crucifie no more your sweet Iesus , & indulgent Father : for what ? of only the Iewes doe yee say he was crucified ? I will tell you brethren , that what time so euer ye commit any sinne , in as much , as in your power lieth , you doe crucifie him againe , and doe cause him with euery one of your mortall sinnes , ( if his death and passion were not already sufficient ) to vndergoe , and suffer the same againe . Rursum crucifigentes sibimetipsis filium Dei . ( Hebr. 6.6 . ) crucifying againe vnto themselues , the sonne of God : oh therefore Brethren abstaine from such infinite & heinous offences , and offend not your louing God any more with such death-bringing iniuries , which loueth you so exceedingly , & mercifully expecteth your penitency , and conuersion , saying . Conuertimini ad me in toto corde vestro . ( Ioel. 2.12 . ) turne to me with your whole harte : oh clemencie , oh benignitie , oh loue of Iesus , oh ingratitude , oh obduracie , oh malice of a sinner ! Oh deare and louing Iesus , haue pittie vpon vs , looke not vpon our iniquities , but remember that infinite mercy , wherewith thou diddest imbrace vs , Et secundum magnam misericordiam tuam . ( Psal. 50. ) and according to the multitude of thy mercies , doe away mine iniquitie ,

Amen .
The third Trumpet , of the detriment that sinne bringeth to a soule in this life . THE VII . CHAPTER .

ET tertius Angelus tubâ cecinit . & . ( Apoc. 8. ) and the third Angell sounded the trumpet . Draw neare my sinfull Brother , and attentiuely giue eare vnto the sound of this trumpet , if thou canst not be moued to the abhorring of sinne , by that deformity which the former trumpet hath sounded vnto thee , at least decree , and resolue with thy selfe to flie from it , for the exceeding detriment that the soule suffereth by it , euen in this world : O wretch that thou art , if thou didst but know what preiudice thou receauest , when thou committest any sinne , I am most certaine , thou wouldest fly from it as from a serpent : Quasi a facie colubri fuge peccata . Flie sinne , as from the face of a Serpent , the teeth of it , are as the teeth of a Lyon , killing the soules of men . All iniquitie is as a two-edged sword , the wound thereof is incurable , saith the wise man . ( Eccles. 21.3 . ) Oh Brethren what a fearfull speech is this , to terrifie you from sinning , and to draw you from offending your God and Redeemer ? how euidently doth it demonstrate , how great , and infinite the detriment is , and how paste cure , the vlcer of sinne is ? how true is it , that sinne is a sting of a venemous serpent , which causeth such a wound in the soule of man , as that without great difficultie it cannot be cured ? Nam peruersi difficulter corriguntur , peruerse men are not easily reformed , and brought to amendment : And , Impius cum in profundum venerit peccatorum contemnit . ( Prou. 18.3 . ) the wicked when he cometh to the height of vngodlines , contemneth : How much violence must a couetous , intemperate , malitious , or angry man , or any sinner , vse to be truly , and cordially conuerted , which for a long time , hath bene inueterated in his accustomed vices ? how true is it , that sinnes are lions teeth , mortally wounding the soules of men ? Lions at one stroke , and moment , kill and deuoure beastes : sinne likewise in one instant butchereth soules : In so much that it peruerteth , and molesteth all the internall , and externall powers , it darkneth and blindeth the vnderstanding , it congealeth the affections , it debillitateth all the faculties , that they are made weake to resist and withstand all oppositions .

I would to God that yee could perceaue , what woundes you giue your soules , euery time that you sinne . I wish from my harte , you could see , how grieuously , and deadly , you strike , stabbe , and murder them , so often as you offend : Therfore the holy scripture saieth very properly , Quasi romphea bis acuta , omnis iniquitas . ( Eccles. 21.4 . ) all iniquitie is a two-edged sword , which may be vnderstood , because it killeth both body and soule ; or therfore it is spoken , to exaggerate , and make knowne vnto vs , the deadly wounds , that it doth inflict vpon a soule . Neither is the scripture content with this , but it goeth farther , and saieth . Illius non est sanitas , there is no remedy for the hurt thereof : neither truly is there found a naturall balme against the wound of sinne , but we must seeke one supernaturall and diuine : Quis potest remittere peccatum , nisi solus Deus ? who can forgiue sinne but God alone ? ( Luc. 5.21 . ) this blemish cannot be taken away , nor this wound cured , vnlesse God himselfe , the heauenly phisitian of soules , applie the salue : Magnus de coelo descendit medicus , quia magnus iacebat egrotus : it was necessary that a grat phisitian should come from heauen , because there was a dangerous wound to be cured vpon earth : In a word , it is only the pretious blood of Christ , that can effect this , Et sine sanguinis effusione , non fit remissio peccatorum . ( Heb. 9.22 . ) and without the effusion of blood , there is no remission of sinne : Blinde & olde Tobias , that he might recouer his lost sight , was compelled to apply the gall of a fish , taken out of the riuer Tigris : and thou inueterated sinner in vices , to receaue thy spirituall sight againe , hast need to apply the bitter gall , of the sacred fish Christ Iesus , taken out of the torrent of his passion , according to that of Ionas . Protecisti me in profundum , in corde maris , & flumen circumdedit me . ( Ion. 2. ) Thou hast cast me into the deepe , and the riuer hath compassed me , about , which truly may be vnderstood of the passion of Christ . Passio Christi est mare propter penalitatis amaritudinem : flumen propter charitatis dulcedinem , S. Bon. proemio sentent .

And therfore if thou desirest to be made whole , thou must haue recourse to the wounds of Christ , & that pretious blood which was powred forth , and distilled from his sacred body , hanging vpon the wood of the crosse : runne with all speed to the whippes , and nailes , blowes & ignominies , which our deare Iesus suffered : to those torments , and sufferinges which he endured : to the paines which he did vndergoe : to the disgracefull crowne which was set vpon his head : to the spittings , buffetings , opprobries , accursed maledictions , and blasphemies , with which thy sweet Iesus was opprest : In a word Brethren , that you may be awakened from the lethargie of sinne , and abandon the societie of the diuell , of necessitie you must make haste to prostrate your selues at the feete of Iesus Christ crucified , there to begge the balme , electuarie , and potion , which may cure your inueterate woundes , poisoned soares , and apostemes : To conclude it is necessary , to caste all our cogitation , into the immense abisse of the passion of Iesus Christ , and that we should assure our selues , that whatsoeuer he hath suffered , hath bene for vs , and that our sinne hath bene the only cause therof : Last of all , that we may recouer our former health , & change our lifes & conuersations , let our Lord illuminate vs , & take pitty , and commiseration vpon vs for his mercies sake ,

Amen .
Other damages and losses which a soule receaueth by reason of sinne . THE VIII . CHAPTER .

SVrge qui dormis . ( Ephes. 5.14 . ) Arise thou that sleepest , and come from amongst the dead , and Christ wil illuminate thee : Marke I beseech you , and giue eare to this saying of the Apostle , if yee desire to know more detriments of sinne , whereby your soules are preiudiced : The Apostle doth demonstrate three harmes in this place , which sinne procureth : The first is , that it dulleth the soule , that it cannot well performe her function : therfore it is said . Surge qui dormis , arise thou that sleepest : The second is , that it killeth the soule : therfore it is said . Surge à mortuis . The third is , that it blindeth it , therfore the Apostle saith . Et illuminabit te Christus , and Christ shall giue thee light : oh ye drowsie and sluggish sinners , how true is it , that you are a sleepe , and possest with the lethargy of sinne ? Et Ionas descendebat ad interiora nauis , & dormiebat sopore graui . ( Ion. 1.5 . ) Ionas descended into the innermoste partes of the shippe , & slept a sound sleepe , he perceaued not the roaring of the sea , nor the violent encountring of the foming waues , nor the great danger to which he was exposed , nor did he heare the cry , and lamentation of the marriners , nor had he awaked , had not the Master of the shippe , stirred him vp , saying vnto him . Quid tu sopore deprimeris ? what doest thou sleepe ? arise and cal vpon the name of thy God .

Oh sinner , how hast thou descended into the interiour parte of the shippe , our holy Mother the church ? thou liest there lulled a sleepe in vices , & iniquities , neither wretch that thou art , doest thou take notice of the troubled state of the shippe , the church , exposed to the danger of shipwrack for thy sinnes , on all sides tossed with turbulent windes , and stormes of most cruell enemies . Arise vnhappy soule , I say , not the Master , or pilot of the shippe , but thy poore Brother , who beinge touched with a desire of the helth of thy soule , and of all other sinners , for the loue of him who shewed such great mercy towardes me , that called me from the sleepe in which I did lie , I say vnto thee , wherefore doest thou lie opprest with sleepe ? sleepe no longer , awake oh sinnefull , and wicked wretch , now is the time , to thinke with thy selfe , what miseries are imminent , now implore the diuine ayde and mercy , Si fort● recogitet de nobis , vt non pereamus . ( Ion. 1.6 . ) if perhappes he will thinke of vs , that we may not perish . Arise now with the holy Prophet Dauid , saying . Illumina oculos meos . ( Psal. 12.5 . ) lighten mine eyes , lest I should sleepe in death , lest that mine enemies should say , I haue preuailed against him .

There are some which snorte & are sound a sleepe in their sinnes , and there be some which be halfe awake : they of the first sorte , be such as daily sinne mortally , and they are in continuall enmitie with God , because as they that snorte , sleepe soundly , neither are they awaked of the sudden , so they that are in mortall sinne , are not easily raised out of the depth thereof : But they of the second sorte , sometimes they fall , sometimes they rise againe out of their sinnes , euen as he that slumbereth , often sleepeth , and often awaketh againe , and this is the lesser euill , although sometimes they are punished with noe lesser penaltie , then they that are soundlie a sleepe : God almighty illuminate you that you may not sleepe , slumber , nor snorte in the depth of sinne , as you haue done vntill now .

The Apostle prosecuteth this matter further , saying . Et exurge à mortuis , and arise from the dead ; Beholde a greater danger , wherby the soule is endamaged by sinning ? for after that a soule for some time hath slept in sinne , it is more negligent in the exercise of good workes , and is so dulled , and in disposed , that it seemeth to be dead : For as the body without the soule is dead : so a soule is dead without God ; as the soule is the life of the body , so God is the life of the soule : know yee ( deare Brethren ) that there is noe dead carcase so stinkinge , or hath a more loathsome smell in the sense of man , as a soule dead in sinne hath , in the nostrills of almighty God . There is an example at hand in the liues of the holy Fathers , of an Angell that did accompanie an Anachoret , to make him vnderstand something of the diuine iudgements : These in the way as they iournied , found a dead body , the Angel passing by , made noe signe of any offensiue smell , but proceeding further , they met with a certaine comely yong man , richly inuested , & bearing about him strong parfumes , at the sight of whome , the Angell forthwith stopped his nostrills , at which thing the Anchoret wonderinge , he demaunded the reason , wherfore he should stoppe his nose , at that comely yong man , wel cloathed , and sending forth acceptable smells , and immmediatly before , made no such signe at the dead body : because said the Angell , youth loaden with sinne stinketh more odiously , then a putrified body : I am fetet , now he stinketh saith Martha of her Brother Lazarus , ( Ioan. 11.39 . ) oh my my Brother sinner how grieuouslie doest thou stinke in the nostrils of God , the Angels , & the Saints in heauen ?

Et illuminabit te Christus , & Christ shall enlighten thee , behold another greeuous effect , and detriment that sinne bringeth vpon the soule : Oh blinded sinners which perceaue not the resplendant lustre and light of diuine grace : Et confestim ceciderunt ab oculis eius tanquam squamae , & visum recepit . ( Act. 9.18 ) and presently there fel from his eyes , as it were scales , and he receaued his sight , saieth S. Luke in the acts of the Apostles , speaking of the conuersion of Saul . Oh sinner , persecutor of Iesus Christ , I would to God , thou couldest see with what great scales , thy eyes are couered , which doe hinder , & blinde thy sight : Oculos suos statuerunt declinare in terram . ( Psal. 16.11 . ) they haue determined to decline their eyes towardes the earth : sinners haue made a compact with the diuell , to haue their eyes alwaies fastned vppon the earth .

Oh blinded sinners , that Iesus might illuminate your eyes , he would permit his diuine eyes to be ridiculously couered , & shamfully blindfolded : How ignorant , and blind art thou , oh ambitious man , which doest so stedfastly fix thine eyes vpon the vanishinge shadow of vaine glory ? Oh thou couetous man , how blinde art thou , to whom a lump of dust & earth , seemeth an incomparable treasure ? How blinde art thou , oh luxurious man , to whom a stinking carcase , seemeth so pretious a thing ? Oh intemperate man , how blinde art thou , to whom transitorie pleasures seeme soe sweete , and inestimable ? Oh all yee sinners how blinde are you , that you cannot perceaue and see your great detriment , and eminent danger ? oh my Iesu , illuminate I beseeche thee these blinded sinners , that they may take notice of their errours , in which they are soe miserablie inuolued : graunt them to repent for theire crimes and offences , and to turne vnto thee , with all their hartes , the sweete fountaine of eternall life , and happines ,

Amen .
That a soule by sinne , looseth the friendship of God . THE IX . CHAPTER .

SI consideremus ( fratres charissimi ) qua & quanta sunt , quae nobis promittuntur in coelis , vilescerent animo omnia quae habentur in terris . Oh dear Brethren , if you would truly consider , what , and how great thinges are promised , and prouided for you in heauen , all things vppon earth would seme contemptible , and base vnto you : saith S. Gregorie : I am not determined at this present to speake of the great losse , which sinne bringeth vpon the soule in the life to come , seeing that I purpose hereafter to take a more oportune occasion , but now I wll intimate only , what , and how great a thing it is , that a soule looseth by sinne in this life : In maleuolam animam non intrabit sapientia , wisedome shall not enter into a malignant soule , saieth the scripture . ( Wisd. 1.4 . ) behold , the first shipwracke of a sinnefull soule , is the want of the taste of true knowledge , for although a sinful soule is endued with an excellent understanding , yet is it depriued of the comfortable tast of the scriptures , and neuer hath the gust of the sweetnes thereof . But this is nothing in respect of that which it looseth , for the soule of a sinner is depriued of the friendship , and amitie of God , which farre exceedeth all other thinges .

Be wife now therefore , oh yee sinners , and know how pretious a iewell you loose ; heare mee I beseech you : Soe long as a soule is void of sinne it is a friend & companion of God , by how much it is intense in his worship , praise , and honour , by so much it is gratious and acceptable vnto him : from whence it cometh to passe , that these great holy men when they were liuing in the worlde , they were called the friendes of God : Loquebatur Deus ad Moysen . ( Exod. 13.11 . ) God spake vnto Moyses , face to face , as a man speaketh to his friend : and Iesus Christ saieth to his disciples . Iam non dicam vos seruos . ( Ioan. 15.15 . ) now I will call you no more seruantes , for the seruant knoweth not the minde of his Master , but you haue I called friends , because whatsoeuer I haue heard of my Father , that I haue manifested vnto you : Behold by what meanes a soule is made a friend and darling of God ? to witt , by obeying his holy will , and obseruing his diuine precepts ; now a sinner refuseth to doe that which is alwaies commaunded by God , and in neglect of this , & performing the contrarie , he witnesseth his malice , and contempt of so omnipotent , and infinite a maiestie : if God saieth vnto him , Non assumes nomen Domini tus in vanum . ( Exod. 20.7 . ) thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine , he is presently breathing forth blasphemies : If God saieth , Obserua diem Sabath , keepe holy the Saboth day , he will little esteeme the prophanation of it : if God saieth , Honora Patrem , honour thy Father , and thy Mother , he will be disobedient to them : hence therfore ariseth a capitall emnitie betwixt the soule & God , Iniquitates vestrae diuiserunt inter vos , & Deum vestrum . ( Isay . 59.2 . ) your iniquities haue made a diuision betwixt you and your God .

Oh vnfortunate soule , what an inexcogitable preiudice hast thou procured , which is the losse of Gods friendship , and to appeare no other wayes in his diuine aspect , then an abiect ? Reprobate , and wretched enemy , perhaps thou thinkest with thy selfe , that thou hast lost but the fauour of some ignoble and vnworthy man or Prince : Oh no , no it is no lesse , then the friendship of almighty God , the creatour , and conseruer of all thinges , and redeemer of all mankinde . Oh miserable soule , if thou wouldest but duly consider , and equally ballance thy vnheard of detriment , what could there be inuented so pleasant , or delightfull , which might retaine thee in the snares of sinne ? what fetters , and chaines of sinne so stronge , that thou wouldest not shake off , and breake in sunder ? oh what damage doe you sinners suffer , when as you loose the loue , fauour , and friendship of so omnipotent , clement , and mercifull a God ? The holy Prophet Dauid consideringe only that he could not be present at the solemnity of the temple , bewailing , and lamenting , he saieth . Fuerunt mihi lachrimae meae &c. ( Psal. 41.4 . ) my teares haue bene my bread day , and night , whilest they doe say vnto me , where is thy God ? Quemadmodum desiderat ceruus euen as the harte panteth after the fountaines of waters , so my soule desireth after thee , oh God , my soule hath thirsted after God the liuing water , when shall I come and appeare before the face of God ? Si ergo inueni gratiam in conspectu tuo , &c. If therefore I haue found fauour in thy eyes , shew mee thy fauourable contenance , saith Moyses to God . Exod. 33.13 .

This is that , that caused the Saints to be so vigilant , and industrious in their prayers , so austere in their fastinges , mortifications , and resignations of their proper wills , and that to no other end , but that they might be counted worthy to be friendes of God : for truly , what other is the end , center , or repose of our soule , but God ? As fire of its owne nature is carried vpward , & as euery ponderous and heauy thing of its nature falleth downewards , euen so the soule is directed towards God , and euen as the waters runne into the sea , so haue our soules recourse vnto almighty God ; now truly from this center , from this end , and from this sweet repose , is the soule hindred by the obstacle of sinne , & no other thing : Oh therfore sinners , enemies of God , where wil you be secure ? To what place will you flie for refuge ? Where will you hide your selues , from the presence of God ? Quò ibo à spiritu tuo ? ( Psal. 138.7 . ) whether shall I go from thy spirit ? or whether shall I flie from thy face ? It was the misery of sinne that made Cayn crie out . Ecce hodie eijcis me à facie terrae , ( Gen. 4.14 . ) behould thou doest cast me this day from the face of the earth , and I shall be hid from thy face , therfore euery man that seeth me , may kill mee : It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God , saith S. Paul : But do ye not tremble , oh you sinners , when your aduersary is so powerfull , & your enemy so potent ? wo be vnto vs , if he were not clement , who is so mighty : Returne therfore , now oh Brethren , vnto him , which so louingly expecteth you . Humiliamini igitur sub potenti manu Dei . ( 1. Pet. 5.6 . ) humble your soules vnder the mighty hand of God , that he might exalt you in the time of his visitation , reconcile your selues vnto him , and agree with your aduersary , whilest you are in the way , that when he shall see you at the point and laste article of your death , taking your farewel of the world , he may not condemne you with the damned soules , and execrable diuells in hell , but of his mercy , extoll and place you in heauen ,

Amen .
That a soule by sinne doth lose the grace of God . THE X. CHAPTER .

GRatiam & gloriam dabit Dominus . ( Psal. 83.4 . ) Our Lord will giue grace and glorie : That I may comprehend the matter in few wordes , our Lord is he that in this life , giueth grace , and in the next , glorie : But you , so long as yee are in mortall sinne , are depriued of that grace , and dying in sinne , shall neuer attaine to that glory ( which God forbid : ) therefore rather turne from your wicked wayes , and learne to liue vnto God , for our Lord saieth : Nolo mortem peccatoris impij &c. ( Ezech. 33.11 . ) I will not the death of a wicked sinner , but had rather that the vniust man would leaue his iniquitie and liue . Therefore Brethren , consider I beseech you , the exceedinge great detriment and losse , that you suffer by the depriuation of grace : which that with fruite , and profit , I may intimate , & demonstrate vnto you , I beseech you , and implore this thing of you , that you would attentiuely heare and with diligence read this that followeth .

I haue formerly declared , how a sinner looseth the friendship of God , and now my intent is to make knowne vnto you , how he looseth his diuine grace , which grace is as it were , an intermediat thing betwixt the soule and God , causing it to be acceptable , and gratefull vnto him : for the grace of God is no other thing , then a certaine ornament , garment , or spirituall vestment of the soule , by which she is made glorious & appeareth beautifull in the eyes and presence of her beloued spouse Christ Iesus . Queene Hester when she would present her selfe vnto the King her husband , the scripture saieth . Circundata est gloriâ suâ . ( Ester . 15.4 . ) she was adorned with all her glory , that shee might find fauour in the fight of the King her spouse : So likewise a soule , that it may become acceptable , in the diuine eyes of the King of heauen and earth , had neede be adorned with that rich garment of diuerse colours . ( Psal. 44. ) which is the varietie of spirituall gifts , and graces .

But before I shall declare what this grace is , it will be needfull to speake of the common diuision of grace , which all Doctors affirme , saying , that grace is two folde . The one is , Gratia gratis data , grace giuen gratis , and for no precedent merit : the other , Gratum faciens , making the party acceptable , vpon whom it is bestowed . Graces of the first sorte , are the fouours , and spiritual gifts which are bestowed vpon men , of which the Apostle speaketh of , when be he saieth , Alij quidem per spiritum datur sermo sapientia &c. ( 1. Cor. 12.8 . ) to one is giuen by the spirit , the word of wisedome , to another the worde of knowledge , to another the grace of doing cures , to another the working of miracles , to another , prophecy , to another , the discerning of spirits , to another diuersitie of tounges , to another interpretation of languages , and all these , worketh one , and the same spirit , diuiding vnto euery one , according as he wil : Grace of the other kind , is a certaine spirituall qualitie , created of God alone , and infused into the soule , which filleth and purifieth her essence : as the subtile Scotus affirmeth , afterwards redoundeth into the powers and faculties , as the angelicall Doctor teacheth : It is not our purpose to dispute of this matter , it will be sufficient for you to know , what you loose by your sinnes .

Now the grace of God being thus vnderstood , that it is a certaine spirituall qualitie created , and infused into the soule , which of its owne nature , is opposite to mortall sinne , in so much that grace by no means , can stand together with mortall sinne , I say mortall sinne : for grace is not excluded by veniall sinne , although a soule should be blemished with a thousand venial sinnes , yet notwithstandinge it might obtain● loue , and fauour in the sight of God , but it is true , that when the soule is thus stained with the blemishes of veniall sinnes , that the mutuall loue and amitie , which intercedeth betweene God & the soule , waxeth more colde and tepidd , that it cannot be eleuated with that ardent feruour of loue towardes God , as it was wonte , neither with that zeale doth shee seeke his honour , and glorie , as is requisite : but so soone as one mortall sinne seaseth vpon the soule , the grace of God immediatly , vpon , that instant , departeth , and leaueth that vnhappy soule , which becometh thereby , an enemie vnto God , and appeareth abhominable in his sight .

Behold now ( Brethren ) your infinite detriment , penetrate your great losse , ponder well with your selues , in what a state you are , when as you are hatefull to almightie God : It is no small thinge to be depriued of the fauour of some earthly King , or to purchase the displeasure of a worldly Prince , but it is a farre greater thing , to be destitute of the grace of God , and to incurre the wrath of the King of Kings : And yet this wretched world , vilifying , and dispising this , seemeth to esteeme of it as a matter of small moment . Oh vnwise , oh foolish , oh blinde world , which folowest butterflies , and fearest the stings of flies , and gnats , but tremblest not to thinke of the euer gnawing worme of conscience , and quakest not at the eternall furie , and consuminge wrath of God . Oh ( Brethren sinners ) feare God , feare God I say , and remember the saying of our B. Sauiour , pronounced with his owne moste sacred mouth . Nolite timere &c. ( Math. 10.28 . ) feare not those that kill the body , but cannot hurte the soule , but rather feare him , that can cast both bodie and soule into hell fire . Christ Iesus our Lord God , for his mercies sake , vouchsafe to infuse into your soules , the holy feare of him , for feare is the beginning & originall of all our good works : Beatus homo qui semper est pauidus . ( Prou. 28.14 . ) blessed is the man that alwaies feareth , saith the wise man : giue vs therefore ( sweet Iesu ) this holy feare of thee , and illuminate , and burne vs in the furnace of diuine loue ,

Amen .
Of the terrible sentence which is giuen vpon a soule , at the instant that it sinneth . THE XI . CHAPTER .

ANima quae peccauerit ipsa morietur . ( Ezech. 18.20 . ) the soule that sinneth , shall die . Oh yee sinners , how fearfull is the sound of this third Trumpet ? It seemeth like vnto the sound of those trumpets , which at the laste leaue behinde them , a fearfull , broken , and terrible note : Oh how horrid , and vnpleasant is it ? giue eare ; The soule that sinneth shall die . Oh fearful sentence : but who pronounceth it ? the holy scripture , the mistresse of truth , in the person of God the Father , the Sonne , and the holy Ghost . But that you may with more attention , giue eare to the sound of this trumpet , know yee , that so soone as yee commit mortall sinne , in the consistorie of heauen , by the mouth of the moste holy and blessed Trinitie , the Father , the Sonne , and the holy Ghost , your sentence is denounced in these wordes . Let this soule be accursed , condemned , and adiudged to death , that shee may be tormented , and burned in the euerlasting flames of hell fire , in the companie of vgglie and terrible diuels , in that detestable & odious place of perdition ; And then all hope and means being taken away of euer returning , if shee die in this state , without penance , contrition , and it may be confession , she is giuen into the hands , and authoritie of diabolicall , and hellish furies , for euer to be consumed in not consuming flames . Oh that fearfull and moste terrible sentence , yet moste right and iust !

But giue eare a little further , oh you sinners , for euery mortall sinne that you commit , the same sentence , in the same heauen , of the same God , Father , Sonne , & holy Ghost , in the presence of the B. V. Marie , Mother of God , and the whole celestiall courte of heauen , is againe pronounced against your soules , and al the Saints and Angels in that celestiall paradise , say Amen . Oh deare Brethren , take this councell of mee , turne vnto almightie God , neither be diffident , or call into doubt , the diuine clemencie , and mercie , for though you were ten thousand times by sentence condemned vnto hell , notwithstanding , so long as yee liue , you haue time to change the sentence : Si autem impius egerit penitentiam &c. ( Ezec 18.21 . ) if the sinner do pennance for all his sinnes , which he hath wrought , all his iniquities shall be done away which he hath committed , saith God by the mouth of his holy Prophet Ezechiel : thus thou seest , oh sinnefull soule , that God can & wil change his sentence , if thou please to change thy wicked course and vngodly maner of liuing .

There be two thinges ( sinners ) that God do●h not remember : to wit , sinnes , and good workes : if one hath liued wel , thirty or fourtie yeares , and hath serued God with much feruour of spirit , and maceration of his body , with fastings , watchings , disciplines , or other such acts , and at last should sinne , and decline from his former institution , and manner of liuing , God blotteth out of his memorie , all his former good workes , and meritorious actes , and if he die in such a state , he is for euer plunged into the pitt of perdition : On the other side , if any one hath liued , thirty or fourtie yeares , in sinnes , be they neuer so great , and at the last should be penitent , and sorrowfull for them , God will forgett them all , & were they as redd as scarlett , he will make them as white as snow , and dying in that estate , without all doubt , he should be made participante of the perpetuall ioyes of heauen : The former ought to strike great feare , trembling , and terrour into the good , but the latter , much confidence , hope , & trust into the wicked .

Therfore I beseech you , and entreat you ( deare Brethren sinners ) for Gods sake , and the honour and loue of him , that died for you , that you would leaue sinning , & be conuerted vnto your clement Redeemer ; not any longer to abuse his mercies , but to giue his diuine maiestie , infinite thankes , for his long suffering , & expecting , euen vntill this instant , of your amendment , and conuersion , and who is alwaies prepared fatherly to receaue you , if euer by amendement of life you shall returne home vnto him : Dixi confitebor aduersum me iniustitiam meam . ( Psal. 31.6 . ) I said , I will confesse against my selfe , mine iniustice vnto our Lord , and thou hast forgiuen the impietie of my sinne , saieth the holy Prophet Dauid : who is he ( oh Brethren ) that would abuse this so great benignitie of God ? doe it not , doe it not , doe it not , for Iesus Christ his loue , and bitter passion , who died vpon the crosse for you , but turne your selues vnto so louing , and fatherly a God , which doth not only expect , but also draw you , that he might pardon , free , and redeeme you from sinne , death and hell . A lasse , oh yee fooles , wherefore do you any longer defer it ? Sweet Iesu Christ , looke downe vppon these blinded wretches , and infuse into their soules , the light of grace , which may bring them to the participation of thy glorie , which ( for thy mercie , and much suffering ) vouchsafe to make them capable of , that they may die , to liue with thee eternally ,

Amen .
That man may easily sinne , but cannot of himselfe rise from thence . THE XII . CHAPTER .

SIne me nihil potestis facere . ( Ioan. 15.5 . ) without me yee can doe nothing , and in another place . Nemo potest venire ad me , &c. ( Ioan. 6.44 . ) no man can come vnto mee , vnlesse my Father who hath sent mee , shall draw him : therfore the spouse in the canticles cried out . Draw me after thee . ( Cantic. 1.3 . ) Now therfore , oh sinner , it is no smal euill , that thou doest incurre by sinning , seeing thou hast power to fall , and that it is in thy free will to sinne , or not , but being once fallen , canst not of thy owne forces rise againe , without the assistance of diuine grace . Tel mee I pray thee ( speaking of thy body ) that by all probability , immediatlye after foote set vppon ground , thou shouldest fall , how careful wouldest thou bee in walking , what diligence wouldest thou vse , for the placing of thy feete , for the auoyding of danger , and if thou chance to fall , how willingly wouldest thou imitate the asse , which with great difficulty i● drawne that way , where hee fo●merly receued any hurt : The case is the same , oh sinner , in respect of thy soule , in the next moment thou art ready to fall dangerouslie , in so much that thou hast not power and abilitie to rise againe , what care oughtest thou to haue then , in ordering thy footsteps ? what vnwillingnes to walke in that path againe , in which formerly thou hast receaued so great hurt and danger ?

But thou neglecting this , perhaps wilt say , God will helpe me : True it is , thou maiest hope , and it is good that thou trust , & confide in his diuine assistance , but with this hope , there must be ioyned an holie feare to offend , or sinne against so great a maiestie , for otherwise thou shalt much aggrauate thy crime , and delict , and procure the displeasure of so benigne , and louing a Father . But who hath , or can assure thee , that the effectuall helpe of God , will alwaies be at hand to assist thee ? Hee can doe , or omitt this , as it shall be thought fitt by his diuine prouidence : and therefore thou hast great reason carefully , and prudently to institute thy life , & to shunne , and abandon all obiects and occasions , that may any way distract or hinder thee , from the vnion of so mighty , & powerfull a Lord .

Furthermore , when as God hath administred vnto thee oftentimes his diuine helpe , and raised thee vp againe , but thou continuing in vices , and still with the dogge , returning to thy former vomit , it may be ( I say ) then he will leaue thee , as long as that sentence of thy damnation may be pronounced in heauen , thou art neuer secure ; why therefore doest thou studie ( as I may say ) to sinne , and to prouoke the diuine goodnes ? Leaue therfore , Brother , leaue I beseech thee , by that life and pretious blood , which Iesus Christ our Lord powred out for vs , hanging vpon the holy wood of the crosse : Brother , sinne no more , for assure thy selfe , that so long as thou art polluted with the blemish of sinne , thou art no other then an adulterate person , and liable to eternall perdition . Beholde vnfortunate soule , if thou shouldest be in daunger to fal into some deepe lake , or into the sea , or any other depth , or into the iawes of some cruel wilde beastes , how vigilant , and carefull wouldest thou bee , for the auoyding of so great , and imminent a perill ? and yet thou seemest nothing at all , to feare or care for falling into hell , out of which there is no redemption .

How good workes , done in sinne , doe perish and are of no merit . THE XIII . CHAPTER .

WHat ? dost thou not know , that all thy good , and meritorious acts , and deeds , shall not auaile thee any thing , if thou but once sinne ? This only thing truly , ought to be a sufficient motiue , if thou wouldest admit it to thy serious cogitation , to excite & rouse thee vp , to amendement , and correction of thy life & manners . Vnderstand how great and ineffable , the loue and benignitie of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ is , towards vs vngratefull soules , who hath ordained & decreed , for the least thing soeuer , done in the honor of him , to giue , and make vs capable of heauen : for one fasting , for one mortification of the body , for one almes , for one penny giuen for the loue of him , for one submission , and inflexion of the body , proceeding and tending to his glory , for pronouncing only of the blessed name of Iesus , if it be done with due reuerence , he will make vs partakers of his celestial kingdome .

Consider now poore wretch , that so long as thou art blemished , & polluted with the spott and contagion of sinne , what soeuer thou doest ( were it to die ) it would not be imputed meritorious , for the obtayning of eternall saluation , and from hence it cometh , that whatsoeuer thou doest , it doth all perish , although thou shouldest doe so much pennance , so austerlie macerate thy body , so often fast , as often as the whole world : if thou shouldest distribute al thy goods to the poore , and giue thy body to be consumed in flames of fire , & performe what soeuer can be done or saide , it doth not any way profit or auaile thee , for the obtaining of eternall life , so long as thou art in mortal sinne : These good workes doe profit thee , but to other endes , as to conseruing of thy health , and procuring and obtaining of temporall goods , & riches , in this life : because God out of his infinite goodnes and iustice , letteth passe no euill vnpunished , and no good thing vnrewarded : Therfore abstaine thou not , hereafter from doing well , & performing those good morall acts , although thou beest guiltie of mortall sinne , because besides that they conduce to that which I haue formerly intimated , it may be also that they auaile so much , that thou being freed from the guilt of sinne , thou mayest be made more fitt and apt , that God may more freely concur with thy soule , and cause in thee penitencie , and satisfaction for thy former sinnes , although of themselues they auaile not to obtaine heauen .

I will here demonstrate vnto thee , a certaine manner of proceeding , that although thou art guiltie of mortall sinne , notwithstanding , God may accept of thy good works , to thy saluation , which is very profitable , and I earnestly desire thee to attend & giue eare vnto it . When thou art about to giue an almes , to fast , to say the Rosary , to heare Masse , or a sermon , or to doe any good worke , being then in mortall sinne , if then thou hast not oportunitie , or leasure , to goe to confession , I will that thou endeauour to gaine that sorrow and penitencie for thy sinnes , that is requisite , with a purpose neuer to sinne more , and confesse them , when there shall be conuenient time , and occasion : which thing being so done , thy good workes shall be gratefull , meritorious , and capable of eternall retribution : But if thou obseruest not this , & remainest guiltie of deadlie sinne , there is no hope , that thou shalt euer gaine heauen , for all thy good deeds , although they were innumerable .

Here I also tell thee , that not a few are deceaued , who suppose , & beleeue , that those good acts , that they doe in mortall sinne , after confession , and reconciliation with God , shall be restored vnto them againe , and by their merits they may gaine heauen , which is is most vntrue : But that thou mayest fully , and truly vnderstand this opinion , I will that thou know ( ô sinner ) accordinge to all the Doctors , that there are three kindes of workes : which are , liue workes , dead workes , mortified workes : Liue workes are those , which are done in grace , and these are meritorious of eternall life : Dead workes are called those , which are done in sinne , which are altogether dead , neither are capable of merit : Mortified workes , are these which are done in the state of grace of any one , but afterwards , he sinneth , and therby , so mortifieth , & obscureth them , that if he should die in mortall sinne , the workes which before were meritorious and liuely , shall perish , and be abolished , because their vertue and force was so debilitated , and weakned by sinne .

Againe these mortified workes , when thou shalt be receaued into grace , they shall haue their former nature , and that mortification being remoued , they shall be reuiued , and of no lesse merit , than they were formerly : But these which were done in sinne , which had no vigour , or life , although thou art admitted into grace , not withstanding , they shall obtaine nothing , vnlesse , as I haue formerly explicated . Iesus Christ for his mercies sake , graunt that he would impresse , the horrible sound of this fearfull trumpet , in your eares , and hartes , and therby so awake you , that you may be alwaies fitt instruments of his diuine grace , and at last to raigne with him , and his eternall Father , in the kingdome of eternall glorie , in blisse and happines , for euer and euer ,

Amen .
The fourth Trumpet , of the losse that a sinner suffereth through sinne at his death . THE XIV . CHAPTER .

ET quartus Angelus tubâ ceciuit . ( Apoc. 8. ) and the fourth Angel sounded the trumpet : Come yee now ( ô sinners ) to the hearing of the fourth trumpett , attend and marke how terrible and fearfull it is : O wretched and blinded soules that you are , consider with your selues , that you must once die ; Dust thou art , and into dust shalt thou returne , said God to Adam , when he was penitent for his offence . ( Gen. 3. ) By the enuie , and malice of the diuell , sinne entred into the world , and those that are of his combination , striue to imitate him . The holy scripture saieth . It is decreed , once for men to die : accordinge to the Apostle , Alasse ( oh yee sinners ) what reason can you haue , to be so proane and facill to sinne , when as it must needes bee , that you are not ignorant of the necessitie of your deathes ? Oh yee harlotes , which make your owne bodies netts of the diuell , to deceaue , and entrap your selues , and make your soules a prey for the furie of the diuell , with them to be burned perpetuallie in hell ? how can it be ( I say ) that beinge mindefull of death , you doe not desist from such malignant offences , and crimes ?

O death , how cometh it to passe , that at the remembrance of thee , sinners are not astonished ? In all thy workes remember thy last end , and thou shalt neuer sinne , saith the wise man . ( Eccles. 7.40 . ) But which are your last and finall ends , oh yee sinners ? doe you know ? They are Death , Iudgement , Hell , & Heauen , we will at this present proceed to treat , and say something of death , and hereafter of the other . O happy soule which now bearest in minde , and appliest to thy harte , the last houre and moment of death . Mors est vltimum terribilium . Death is the last thing of all that are to be feared , saith the philosopher : There can nothing be fained , or thought vpon , more fearful than death , but thou thinking not vpon this matter , studiest continually how to sinne , saying with the impious man . Let vs crowne our selues with roses , before they wither , let there be no pleasant medow , which our riot shall not passe through . ( Wisd. 2.8 . ) Thus thou spendest ten , twenty , thirty , perhaps fourtie yeares , liuing in this irreligious , and vngodly course of life : But tell me I beseech thee sinner , what will all this profit thee ? at last thy life shall draw to an end , at length thy last day shall come , at length whether thou wilt or not , thou must departe , at last , thou must leaue all thy treasures , delightes , recreationes , and pleasures , I say to all these thou must once die .

Thy magnificent glorie must haue an end , thy splendour , beautie , and comelinesse must decay , and thy flesh whyther : that body of thine must turne to dust , and ashes : thou shalt die , shalt be consumed , and depart this present life : But which is most to be lamented , at last thy miserable , and execrable soule ( if thou repent not ) shall depart out of thy filthy and putrified body , to a place of greater misery , then can be expressed : But when shal this be ? when thou thinkest least of it , when thou art least of all prepared , when thou shalt be strangely bound with the chaines , and fetters of thy sinnes , by the diuell : The cordes of my sinnes haue bound mee , saith the Prophet . ( Psal. 118. ) taking vpon him the person of a sinner : Man knoweth not his end , saieth Ecclesiastes , but as fishes are taken with the hooke , and as birds are caught with the snare , so men are taken in the euill time , when it shall sodenly come vpon them . Eccles. 9.

O wretched sinner , giue eare , & receaue the sound of this fearful trumpet ; Thou must once die , ô sinner , and thou , oh harlot , must one day be dissolued : But when , wilt thou say ! The time is vncertaine , the time is concealed from thee , the time is only knowne vnto God himselfe , and it may be , when thou not so much , as thinkest of it : There is nothing more certaine then death , and there is nothing more vncertaine than the houre of death , saith S. Bernard : This yeare , this moneth , this weeke , this day , this hower and moment , thou mayest die , and yeeld vp the Ghost : They spend their dayes in mirth , and in an instant they descend into hell . ( Iob. 2. ) men shall be indulgent to their sensualities , sporte , laugh , and be merrie , and in a moment shall die , and go to hell : For when they shall say peace , and securitie , then shall sodenly destruction come vpon them , as the paine to a woman in childbirth , and they shall not escape , saith the holy Apostle . 1. Thessa . 5.4 .

Of the last and deadly disease , and damage of the soule , and that after this life there is no recouery . THE XV. CHAPTER .

MIserere mei &c. ( Psal. 6.3 . ) haue mercy vpon me oh Lord , because I am weake , heale me oh Lord , because my bones are sore troubled , saith the Prophet Dauid . Consider a while ( ô sinner ) that a little before thy soule depart out of thy vncleane & polluted body , thou shalt be vexed & tormented with some cruell disease or other , vnlesse thou be killed , or die sodenlie ( which God forbid ) from soden & vnprouided death oh Lord deliuer vs , as our holy Mother the church teacheth vs often to repeate . Tell me I pray thee , who hath made thee certaine , that thou shalt not fall downe dead as thou art eating ? who hath secured thee , that thou shalt not departe this life , hauing now the bread in thy mouth , and the cupp in thy hand ? who can tell thee for a certaine , that when thou art in the highest degree of delightes , pleasures , and worldly contentments , that then euen in the midst of these thou shalt not be dissolued , and descend into the abisse of perpetuall darknesse ? ô wretched , and vnhappie sinners , call to minde , and foresee what you doe , and haue respect vnto the end , which most certainly shall come , but when you know not .

Be it , that God , out of his infinite mercy and clemency , will not deale with thee according to thy merits , nor take thee away with a suddaine & vnforseene , but with a common , & ordinary kind of death : In what an astonishment wilt thou then be , when thou shalt see the last messenger of thy life , which shall be an ordinary disease , but deadly , euen in thy flourishing yeares , beauty , strength , or in whatsoeuer gift and endowmen of nature , belonging to a compleate and perfect man ? consider vnfortunate wretch , that thou shalt not depart this life , on a suddaine , without some vehement feauer , or the like disease , which through heat or colde , shall one while , cause thy teeth to chatter , & shake , an other while , with heat & burning , shalt not only be enflamed , & molested with the grief of thy stomacke and head , but thy very harte will tremble , and quake within thee , that all thy nerues , sinewes , iunctures , arturies , and veines , shal be moued , & tremble , and all this through thy intollerable paine and anguish , neither shalt thou haue sleepe , or appetite : last of all , thou shalt take no rest , night , nor day .

What wilt thou doe then , miserable soule , loaden with sinnes , which for the space of soe manie moneths or yeares loste , hast not confessed , nor bene reconciled to God , and thy neighbours , nor agreed with thy aduersarie ? who like an other Sardanapalus , hast runne a moste libidinous course , and lastly seest thy selfe to be defiled , and contaminated with the spott and filth , of thy sinnes and offences ? Tell me , I beseech thee , how great will that anguish bee , and how intollerable that affliction , which then thy sinnes shall cause , and bring vpon thee ? how infinite shall thy doloures be , which shall cruciate thee , when thou shalt cal to mind the iniuries wherewith so many yeares together , thou hast offended almighty God ? Tell me , whether of these greifes will be more vehement , the tormentes of the body , or the sorrow of thy soule ? For when thou shalt beginne to feare death , and to receaue a remuneration according to thy sinnes , which is death , what a present hell will it bee to all the powers , and faculties of thy soule , when as for the hardnes of thy harte , thou canest not repent ? Indurauerunt facies suas &c. ( Ierem. 5.3 . ) They haue hardened their faces more then the rocke , and would not returne , saith the Prophet Ieremie .

Be thou conuerted , oh sinner , and turne with al expedition vnto thy God ; expect not ( blinded soule ) the last howre , in which that vnwelcom messenger of death shall come & intimate vnto thee , thy dissolution ; It is your cause that is now in hand , therefore be well aduised what you doe : it is your suite that is now in action , therefore take counsell , preuent the future , and expect not that latter and perilous time . What ? shall you then be confessed , and brought into the state of grace ? who can make you certaine of that , or promise you that then God will forgiue your crimes & offences , and admitt you into his fauour , who haue all your life time , so exceedingly offended him ? But if God should then assist you , notwithstanding it wil be very painfull and laborious to remember your so innumerable sinnes . By what meanes shall you call to minde so many wronges , wherby you haue dishonoured God , when as you shal be circumuented with so many griefes , and oppressed with so many diseases , and torments ? It may be , you shall not be capable of sense or reason : Last of all , how shall it be manifest vnto you , that you shall be of power , and abilitie , to make a true confession ? or speake or pronounce the words , when you shall be dried vp with heat and debilitated with extremitie of sicknes ?

Alas ( blinde , and miserable wretches ) why prouide you not now for your necessities ? why leaue you not your pernicious and wicked course of life ? why desist you not from offending your gratious God ? why crie you not out with the Prophet Dauid ? Haue mercie vpon mee , oh God , according to thy great mercie , and according to the multitude of thy mercies , doe away mine iniquities ? If you will now implore the diuine assistance , your daungerous woundes may be cured , and you may find grace and mercie , at the handes of God , which at the howre of death it may be , you shall not obtaine ; for then you will with feare , but now you may with loue , inuocate & craue his diuine clemencie ; then you leaue not your sinnes , but your sinnes leaue you .

Wherefore ( Brethren sinners ) be now vigilant and carefull for your soules , begge at this instant with importunity , pardon for your so many heinous offences , and odious delinquences . Turne you to your Lord God with all your hartes , he is exceedingly clement , and his mercies are many , and you shal finde rest vnto your soules : Returne to him with the saying of the prodigal sonne in your mouthes . Father I haue sinned against heauen and against thee , and am not worthy to be called thy sonne , which if you shall so doe , he being moued with compassion towards you , will goe out to meet you , and fall vpon your neckes , and louingly embrace you , pardoning all your former iniuries wherby you haue offended him , euen as a Father taketh pittie of his children , so hath our Lord compassion vpon them that feare him , because he knoweth our making , he remembreth that wee are but dust . ( Psal. 102.13 . ) Our Lord is nothing but clemencie and goodnes , the earth is filled with his mercie , & there is no end therof . ( Psa. 32.5 . ) Breake forth therefore yee sinners into these wordes , sayinge , oh sweet Iesu , our God & Redeemer , grant pardon , mercie , and remission : helpe , aide , succour , and assist vs , perishing soules , for thy bitter passions sake ,

Amen : haue mercy vpon me , oh Lord , haue mercy vpon me , because my soule hath trusted in thee .
Of the separation of the soule from God , in the article of death . THE XVI . CHAPTER .

INiquitates vestrae diuiserunt &c. ( Isay . 59.2 . ) your iniquities haue diuided betweene you and your God , saith the holy Prophet Isay : consider now ( obdurate sinner ) that thou must approach to the last moment of thy death : perswade thy selfe , that thou must come to that terrible and fearfull instant , in which thy soule shall be separated from thy body : oh misery and calamity , what wilt thou then say or doe , when as by no meanes thou canst hinder thy soules departure ; Thy spirit must be then disioyned from thy flesh , which I wish may not bee separated from God : Alas , alas , wretched and miserable sinner , when thou shalt see thy soule to depart from thy body , and eternally to be separated from God , what wilt thou then doe ? oh miserable separation of the soule from the bodie , but oh farre more miserable , the separation of the same from God ? What wilt thou coniecture , when thou shalt see thy selfe to be excluded the presence of God thy Creator ? vnfortunate soule , consider what a seuere iudgement there will be of thee at thy death , which the holy Apostle considering , saieth . For we must all be manifested before the iudgement seat of Christ , that euery one may receaue the proper thinges of his body , according as he h●th done , either good or euill . ( 2. Corin. 5.10 . ) Then , of all thy deedes , euen thy least actions , of all thy vaine wordes , and cogitations , which euer came into thy minde , thou art to giue and yeelde , a strict and seuere account . Then shalt thou be constrained to answere , not only for thy lost time , but for al thy time il spent : Then shalt thou vnderstand , how profitable it would haue bene for thee , to follow the counsell of the wise man , who saieth . Make vse of time , and decline from euill . ( Eccles. 4.23 . ) O miserable humane nature , which runneth to death , as the riuers to the sea . You shall all die and fall as the waters vpon the earth , which do not returne .

Enter therfore into the closet of thy harte , and consider , that thou art not to answere for thy owne crimes only , but also for those , which are committed either by thy fault , consent , counsell , or conniuency , or not hindering them when it was in thy power : Then thou shalt not excuse thy selfe , nor say with Cain . Am I my brothers keeper ? ( Gen. 4.9 . ) for truly he hath commaunded to euery one , the care and charity of his neighbour . Bee vigilant therfore , thou sinner , for there will be a great and difficult matter handled at the moment of thy death . Well , wilt thou then know , how great an offence it is , to vse iestes , tauntes , scoffes , sportes , and other merrie passages , euen although without preiudice , or detriment of thy neighbour ? How perspicuouslie shalt thou then perceaue , what it is to be distracted in time of diuine office , Masse , and other holy Ceremonies , and to be negligent , and indisposed in the church , or in other holy places ? If euery sinne , be it neuer so smal , for its obiect which is God , is most great , therefore also the least iniurie offered to God who is infinite , is likewise infinite .

Now therefore , oh sinner , see how preposterously , and peruerslie , thou doest , when thou wilt not alwaies eleuate , and fix thine eyes vpon God : Be circumspect , least thou displease him , euen in the least thing , because thinges seeming of no moment , are in his diuine presence very great : from little and meane thinges of no account , we easily fall into greater , and more enormous , as the scripture saith . He that despiseth small thinges , by little , and little falleth , saieth the wise man . How truly did Salomon say . The number of fooles is infinite ? because euery sinner is a foole , who for a little vaine , and transitorie pleasure , feareth not to loose an infinite treasure , permanent , and immutable ? Oh sinners turne into your selues , liue in the feare of God , who created you , for this is true wisedome , and solidd prudence . The beginning of wisedome , is the feare of God . Psal. 110.10 .

Oh yee obdurate , and blinded wretches , looke into the state of your soules , & foresee what griefes you shal conceaue , when your soules must departe your bodies , with whom they haue bene with so great affection , conioyned and vnited . Consider that vnwilling , and most dolefull departure , and separation ; no man euer hated his flesh , saith the Apostle . ( Ephes. 5.29 . ) but loueth it with a moste vehement loue , and affection ; whereupon , the philosopher vnderstanding this naturall loue of the soule , saied , that , death is the last of terrible , and fearfull thinges . Know now sinner , that this feare & terrour is to inuade thee , but when this horrour shall seaze vpon thee , the time is vncertaine .

Oh my Trumpet , send foorth thy sound , that thou mayest bee heard in the extreamest , and furthest partes of the world , let thy eccho enter into the eares of the wretched sinner , that hee may know himselfe , & knowing , may turne vnto himselfe , and see the infinite losse & detriment , which sinne bringeth into his soule , at the houre of death , and abhorre it , following the counsell of the wise man ; fly from the face of sinne , as from the face of a serpent , the teeth therof , are the teeth of lyons , killing the soules of men .

O Brethren sinners , by the sacred woundes of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ , I beseech you , earnestly , and entreat you , that you would not imitate the deafe Adder , which that she may not heare the melodious tune of the enchaunter , stoppeth her eares , the one , by couering it with her taile , the other , by laying it , on the ground : doe you not the same , but harken and attend to the sound of this Trumpet , with open & diligent eares , that hereby the diuels stratagemes , and diabolicall inuasions , being put to flight , there may be free accesse for the diuine concourse into your soules ,

Amen .
Of the terrour which the diuell striketh into a soule , in the moment of death . THE XVII . CHAPTER .

THe Dragon whom thou hast made to deceaue him , saieth the Prophet . ( Psal. 103.26 . ) I would to God , thou couldest sufficiently weigh and consider , the intollerable terrour and feare , which the sight of most detestable diuels shall present vnto thee , or that thou couldest comprehend , what an astonishment it will be to behould a diuell , I am certaine thou wouldest chaunge the course of thy life , and arise out of the lethargie of thy sinnes , if not for feare of God , yet for feare of the diuellish and hellish crue . For if the sight of a Wolfe , a Beare , a Lyon , a Dragon , a Serpent , or any loathsome Toade doth strike such terrour , into vs , and doe so astonish , and affright vs , what wil the aspect of the diuels doe , at the point of death ?

Oh you doating , and miserable sinners , if you would with due consideration thinke of these fearfull formes , and sightes , which the diuels will lay before your eyes , at the very instant of your deaths , without doubt you would flie sinne : For if when thou art well in health , strong , and of a good courage , any one of the diuels should appeare vnto thee , in the forme of some cruell and rauenous beast , thou couldest not but tremble , and quake , through all the partes of thy body , what wilt thou doe then vnhappy soule , when thou shalt be debilitated , and opprest with sicknes ? destitute , and depriued of all powre and strength ? when thou canst neither moue , nor helpe thy selfe ? when thou are scarce able to speak ? or hardly to intimate and make knowne thy necessities , by signes , and tokens ? When , last of all , the powers and faculties of thy body , shall be weakened ? What ? when thou art compleate in perfect strength , endued with all the ornaments of nature , which are required to the full perfection of a man , if then thou canest not endure the sight of a fearfull diuell , nor of a diuell appearing in some common shape , as of a dogge , horse , or the like , what will become of thee , when thou shalt behold the diuel , not in the shape of some cruell beast , but in a forme farre more horrible , and that , at the instant of thy death ?

Our holy Father S. Francis , was wont to say , that it were impossible for any one , to see the diuell in his owne proper forme and shape which he hath in hell , but for the space of the reciting of the Pater , or Aue ( allthough he were in perfect health ) without present death : what then ( oh sinner ) will become of thee , yeelding vp thy spirit , when thou shalt plainly see & perceaue , that execrable enemy of thine , in his detestable shape and forme ? Turne and direct all the forces , & powers , of the supreme and intellectuall parte of thy soule , to this reason , abandon thy lasciuious & sinneful life , now begin to feare , that hereafter thou mayest not tremble , when it can no way auaile thee . Consider that , not only one diuell ( to thee then tormented with the paines of death ) but many , yea thousands shall appeare , euery one striuing and endeuoring with their diabolicall actions and gestures , to molest , affright , and astonish thee : whether then wilt thou flie for succour ? or who then will releeue thee ? will S. Mary , whom thou hast despised ? Will Iesus , whom thou hast blasphemed ? Will the Saints and Angels , whom thou hast dishonoured ? Lastly , will God , whom thou hast vilified , & contenned ? Alas miserable wretch , who will assist thee ? or what Saint wilt thou inuocate ? to whom wilt thou flie ? for in the deluge of many waters , none of them wil aproch , or draw neare vnto thee . ( Psal 31. ) no man shall plead thy cause , or recite thy necessities : Oh in what a depth of miseries art thou in , at the houre of death ? when thou canst not soe much as commend thy soule , so agonizing in infirmities , to almighty God , when thou canst not so much as cal vppon thy good Angell , or any of the Saints , which in time of thy health , thou diddest honour with particular deuotion , that they intercede for thee .

Oh sinners , be you now conuerted vnto your God , now importune your sweet Iesus , now salute the Virgin Mary , our blessed Ladie , now it is time to implore the aide of the Archangels , Michael , Gabriell , Raphaell , and of thy Angel keeper , and all the celestial spirits ; Now it is time to craue the assistance of S. Iohn Baptist , S. Peter , S. Paul , S. Iohn . S. Bartholomew , and of the other Apostles ; now it is time to request the helpe of S. Stephen , S. Laurence , S. George and all the other Martyrs , now it is time to commend thy selfe , to S. Benedict , S. Dominike , S. Francis , and the rest of the holy confessors : Lastly , it is now time to cry out , and call , vpon S. Mary Magdalen , who in time past was a sinner , S. Clare , S. Agnes , S. Catharine , S. Lucie , and the rest of the blessed Virgins , Widowes , and Martyrs , now Saints in heauen .

Doest thou not remember , that thou hast read , or heard , how often the diuels haue presented themselues , to sicke men , in their chambers , lying vpon their death-beds , euen them drawing their last breath , & yeelding vp the Ghost , sometimes in the formes of Dogges , Cattes , Hogges , or such like ? one while in one maner , an other while , in an other , alwaies in different formes , when they are not able to helpe themselues ? O wretched , & vnfortunate sinner , how much do I lament thy case , who leadest so detestable a life , as without repentance , infallibly , rendeth to the pitt of hel ? consider that when thou shalt come to that accursed place , no man can helpe thee , not thy Father , not thy Mother , not thy kindred , not thy friendes , not thy wife , not any of them which stand by thee , are of power , to afforde thee any releife , or assistance , only God in the time of thy death , can comfort and succour thee , only S. Mary his blessed Mother , and her sonne Iesus , only the Angels , & the Saints in heauen : in these , amidst thine extreame agonies , thou maiest finde releife , comfort , and consolation .

Therefore why doest thou now offend them ? wherfore doest thou dishonour them ? why doest thou inueigh against the glorious Saints of God , with thy pernicious maledictions ? why blaspheamest thou thy God ? why contemnest thou thy Iesus , and his blessed Mother S. Marie , and doest not rather commende thy selfe vnto them ? chaunge now the institution , and manner of thy life : Doest thou thinke , that thou shalt liue perpetually ? that thou art immortall ? that death shall be afraide of thee ? canst thou be perswaded , that death which exerciseth her fatall function vpon all men , and seazed vpon God himselfe , that it will passe by , or exempt , thee ? Alas wretch , knowest thou not , what the scripture saith . It is decreed , that all must once die . ( Heb. 9.27 . ) Remember therfore thy last end , and turne vnto thy God : Giue eare vnto the sound of this trumpet , if thou intendest , when thou art come to the howre of death , to triumph ouer the diuell : haue confidence in thy God , for in thy name ( saieth the Prophet Dauid ) we will dispise those that rise vp against vs : and the same , in the person of thy God , saieth . Super aspidem , & basilicum ambulabis , &c. ( Psal. 90. ) thou shalt walke vpon the Aspe and Basiliske , and shalt tread vppon the Lyon and Dragon , because he hath giuen his Angels charge of thee , to keepe thee in all thy wayes . There be three waies ( oh sinner ) in which the Angels doe protect , & guard thee ; The first , in thy birth and natiuitie : the second , from thy birth , vntill thy death : the third , from death , to the obtaining of eternall life ; God of his infinite mercie , keepe thee in all these waies , that thou maiest come to raigne with him eternally ,

Amen .
Of the fearfull presence of the Iudge in the instant of death . THE XVIII . CHAPTER .

ALas wicked and miserable sinner , what terrour & feare of necessity must possesse thy soule , when as thou now dying , must behould the angry countenance of that great Iudge , God almightie , whose glorious and pleasing aspect , holy men could not beholde ? for no man shall see me and liue , saieth God to Moyses . ( Exod. 20.19 . ) speake thou to vs , and we will heare thee , let not our Lord speake to vs , least perhappes wee die , saide the children of Israell to Moyses : Saint Peter who loued Christ soe dearlie , and was likewise so well beloued , & esteemed of him , that he deliuered his church to him , to be gouerned & directed , and would that it should relie vpon him as a firme foundation . He ( I say ) vpon a certaine time , when he saw Christ in presence , astonished cried out . Exi à me , quia homo peccator sum , goe from mee , oh Lord , because I am a sinnefull man ; what then wilt thou do in the day of thy death , when thou shalt behold the angry contenance of Iesus , burning with the fire of diuine iustice ? Oh worme what will then become of thee ? where wilt thou hide thy selfe ? whether wilt thou flie ? Non intres in iudicium cum seruo tuo &c. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant , because no man liuing shall be iustified in thy sight , crieth out the Prophet , in the person of a soule , striuing with death .

Giue eare ( I beseech thee ) to that which holy Iob saieth , of the presence of the iudge , verè quod ita sit &c. I know indeed it is so , that man cannot be iustified , compared with God , if he contend with him , he cannot answere him one for a thousand . ( Iob. 9.2 . ) notwithstanding , Iob was of that integrity and sanctity of life , that God him selfe speaking of him said . Vir erat in terra Hus , &c. There was a man in the land of Hus , whose name was Iob , that was simple , and right , and fearing God , departing from euill ( Iob. 1. ) And in the same chapter , God speaking of Iob vnto the diuell , he saied . Hast thou considered my seruant Iob , that there is not the like vnto him in the earth , a man simple , and right , fearing God , and departing from euill , and keeping innocencie ? Alas how terrible , and horrible a thing is it , at the time of death to fall into the handes of the iust iudge ? Truly it would seeme a dreadfull thing , if one should be circumuented , and besett . with a multitude of Serpents , Beares , Dragons , Lyons , or other such like deuouring creatures , yet all the terror which would proceed from these thinges created , compared with the terrour , and astonishment that the contenance and maiesty of the angry and iust iudge , shall strike into a soule , in the instant of death , it is light and nothing .

O miserable soule , commiserate and pitty thine owne case , meditate vpon thine owne necessities , consider what must at last befall thee , consider the last end , and thou shalt not sinne for euer , saieth the wiseman , to forewarne thee : ô how much shouldest thou , and indeed oughtest to feare , and tremble , to thinke vpon that last instant of thy life , in which thy soule must be dissolued , and presented before the maiestie of the angry , and offended iudge ? The iudge ( miserable wretch ) will say vnto thee , giue an account of thy stewardship , render a reason of thy soule , which thou receauedst immaculate , pure and vndefiled , of mee , and which being defiled , and blemished with the contraction and spot of originall sinne , I haue washed , and made cleane with my most pretious blood . Giue an account of thy Reason , Vnderstanding , Memorie , and Will , which thou hast receaued of me : thou wast endued with vnderstanding , that thou shouldest know mee , with thy Will , that thou shouldest loue mee , with a Memorie , that thou shouldest be euer mindfull of mee ; but thou , vngrateful soule hast abused these faculties , by which thou wert like vnto God ; let vs make man after our owne Image , saieth God . ( Gen. 1. ) These endowments , more then diuine , thou hast occupied , and busied about base , humane , transitorie , and vaine subiects , for so much , as thou dost alwaies thinke of them , loue , and embrace them , and exercise thy memorie with them .

Bewaile now and lament thou sinner , for the time will come , in which it will repent thee , that thou hast bene no more sorrowfull ; forget not God now , for there will come a time , when all thy sayings , deedes , cogitations and counsels , shall be reduced to memorie . Now endeuour to loue , and honour God , with all thy force , as he hath commaunded thee in these wordes . Loue the Lord thy God , with all thy soule , and with all thy harte , all thy neighbour , as thy selfe . ( Math. 22.38 . ) Oh miserable , mortall men , who so inconsideratly , vppon the suddaine runne into death : My dayes haue passed more swiftlie , then the webbe that is cut by the weauer , and are consumed without hope . Iob. 7.6 .

Giue vs we beseech thee , thy grace , oh Lord , pardon and remit , oh benigne , and bountifull God , our delictes , crimes , and offences ; Remember that thou art our Father , looke not vpon our ingratitude , but vpon thy mercie , haue respect to mee , and behould me with the eyes of pittie and compassion , for I am alone and poore , the tribulations of my harte are multiplied , deliuer mee , from my necessities . ( Psal. 24.16 ) Oh Marie Mother of indulgent Iesus , by whom I am to be iudged , pray for mee , and for all sinners , that we may so dispose of all our actions in this world , and so direct the course of our liues , according to his holy and diuine law , that so at the last he may show vs , not his seuere , and angry , but pleasing , and amiable countenance .

Oh Marie , looke to the soules of poore distressed sinners , leaue vs not , oh sweet Mary , thou art our Queene , our Patronesse , our Mistresse , our Mother : Marie Mother of grace , Mother of mercie , doe thou defend vs from our enemies , and receaue vs , at the howre of our death ; By the loue of the blessed soule of thy deare Sonne , I beseech , and humbly begg , that thou wouldest be pleased , to accept my poore soule , and the distressed soules of all sinners , vnto thy carefull , and motherly tuition : by the pretious blood of thy deare Sonne , haue compassion vpon sinnefull soules : Remember Marie , that thou art a Mother , and that our soules were redeemed and bought with the sacred blood of thy sonne Iesus . O Iesu be thou now propitious vnto vs , that we may not commit any thing , whereby we may deserue thy angry countenance . Oh Iesu our Father , oh Marie our Mother , graunt that we may be your true children , graunt oh diuine maiestie , that we may amend and correct our manners , & end our liues in the holy feare of thy omnipotent deitie ; That at the houre of our death , we may behould thee as a louing and mercifull Father , & auoide the great terrour , of thy angry countenance ,

Amen .
Of the gnawing of the conscience , which after a terrible manner shall molest a sinner dying . THE XIX . CHAPTER .

AS if a man should flie from the face of a Lyon , & a Beare should meet him , and enter into his house , and leane his hand vpon the wall , and a Serpent should bite him . ( Amos. 5.19 . ) Beholde the similitude of Amos the Prophet , verie fit for this matter ; Oh wretch , what wilt thou doe therfore at the time of thy death ? which way wilt thou flie ? which way wilt thou turne thy self ? there will be imminent daunger on all sides , thou shalt finde no place where to hide or secure thy selfe , in euery way , thou shalt be circumuented , and surprised with terrours , & molestations . If thou wouldest eschew , and flie the furie of the Lion , thou shalt be exposed to the daunger of the Beare : and in flying from the Beare , taking house of some seeming refuge , thou shalt be stunge with a venemous Serpent : for truly what is meant by the Lion , but Iesus Christ the angry iudge , the Lyon of the tribe of Iuda ? ( Apoc. 5.5 . ) what doth the Beare signify , but the diuell ? nothinge else is ment by the Serpent , but the conscience .

Behold therefore , vnworthy wretch , what daunger is to befall thee , at the time of thy death : dost thou desire to auoide the Lyon , the angry iudge , Iesus offended ? then the Beare , the diuell wil meete thee , and with his diabolicall inuentions , infernall forces , and hideous roaringes , wil confound , astonishe , and affright thee , and when thou presumest of thy security within thy selfe , and enterest thine owne house to take rest , there thou shalt find the Serpent , thy conscience , which will permit thee to haue no peace , reste , or quietnes : then thou shalt see in it , as in a glasse , all thy sinnes , & offences , which thou in thy life time , hast thought , said , or done : neither will it only suggest , what thou hast thought , sayed , or committed amisse , but it will also represent vnto thee , all thy good deedes , and actions , which thou hast omitted : then ( oh sinner ) this Serpent , shall bite , and deadlie sting thee , arguing , and accusing thee of all thy crimes , threatning hell , perpetuall death , and damnation vnto thee .

Alas miserable soule , then what a vaste , and profound sea of miserie , shalt thou be plunged in , Omnes persecutores eius &c. all the persecutours apprehended her in the midst of her tribulations : these wordes of the Prophet Ieremie in his lamentations , may be truly spoken of thee , when thou art departing , and at the instant when thy soule shall be separated from thy bodie ; all thine enemies shall then compasse thee , and in the extreamest of thy miseries , and difficulties , thou shalt be enuironed with all thine aduersaries : God , the Diuell , and thine owne Conscience , the Diuell will be at hand , and call to minde all the sinnes which thou hast committed , and will crie out vnto the iudge , for iustice , according to thy merit , and vse all his forces to bring thee to desperation . Thy Conscience shall sting thee , and leaue no parte vnwounded : al thy sinnes shall present them selues vnto thy memory , in the very same manner , and kinde , as thou diddest commit them . The Diuell will delineate and draw them out , in a farre more great and heinous manner , then thou coniecturest , thou didst commit them . The Iudge will demaund , an exact a iust account of all thinges , saying , Render to mee an account of thy stewardship ; then thou mayest trulie crie out with the Prophet Dauid , I am afflicted , and humbled exceedingly , I haue roared for the groanings of my harte . Psal. 37.9 .

O wretched sinners , why doe you not now at this instant amend your liues , and manners ? O rebellious miscreantes , why are you so prompt and ready to sinne and offend , your louing and mercifull Father ? Doe you thinke that you are immortall , that you shall neuer taste of death ? Doe you thinke that the time will neuer come , when you shall giue an account of your whole liues so euilly spent ? you deceaue your selues ( ô wretches . ) Amend your selues therfore ( ô my Brethren ) forsake your former crimes , and offences , least you be like the Horse and Mule , which haue no vnderstandinge . ( Psal. 31.9 . ) O that my wordes were so ardent , and of such efficacie , that they might burne out , al the offences from the hartes of sinnefull men ? To Iesus , ô you sinners , to Iesus : Are you ignorant , that he is your God , Creator , and Father ? know you not that blessed Iesus , for you was made man ? For you he shedd his moste pretious blood vpon the holy wood of the crosse , and burning with the loue of you , was willing to vndergoe all kindes of punishments ? Are you ignorant that he offered him selfe , to die such a bitter death , & only for the loue of you ? Christ came into the world to saue sinners . ( 1. Tim. 1.15 . ) Iesus came not for them that were well , and haue no infirmitie , but for those that are ill and diseased .

Consider sinner , that Christ is thy brother . Goe too , my Brethren , remember that Iesus for you was made man , and the word was made flesh , and dwelt in vs . ( Ioan. 1.14 . ) cease therfore ( oh sinners ) to be any longer offensiue to Iesus your brother : wicked Saul for tenne yeares did pursue Dauid , but you by your wicked liues , and vnheard of offences , for these manie yeares , haue persecuted and pursued your afflicted Iesus : feare at last , poore wretches , to offend so louing a redeemer : behold that infinite iniurie and wrong , wherwith you haue afflicted him , mark and duely penetrate I entreat you the manifold iniuries , which you haue committed , in neglecting , and contemning so deare a Brother , so faithfull a Friend , so louing a Father , so good a God , that God who hath created you , & redeemed you with his owne blood .

O you wretches , behold in what a blindnes you walke and liue , in so much that you persecute your dearest friend , euen God himselfe : if it were to molest , or vexe , some creature , the fault would be more tollerable , but you persecute and blaspheme , euen almighty God himselfe , neuer ceasing to quench the spirit of God , and to resist his sacred inspirations , which if you would know how great an euill it is , giue eare ; I say to you ( saith our blessed Sauiour ) that al sinne , & blasphemy shall be forgiuen men , and who so shall speake a word against the sonne of man , it shal be forgiuen him , but he that shall speake against the holy Ghost , he shall not be forgiuen in this world , nor in the world to come . ( Math. 12. ) If you should cast or spit out your malice , against the face of one of your enemies , which by some heinous crime had offended you , if against one which beareth an aduerse minde , or affection towards you , you might finde , some excuse or euasion ; but you offend God , who of his great bounty , hath bestowed such ample benefits vpon you , which created and redeemed you , which preserueth , and susteineth you , who last of all is ready to giue you eternall life : what an infinite , & heinous crime is this ? how loathsome , & detestable an offence is this ? ( Oh my Brethren ) so much , as that nature it selfe abhorreth , and detesteth it .

I would to God , vnworthy sinner , that thou couldest but see that indignation , with which , so often as thou offendest thy God , the elements , fire , ayre , water , and earth , heauen , starres , sunne , and moone , are inflamed , and moued against thee ? O that thou couldest but perceaue , how much the very brute beasts , voide of reason , are molested , and troubled . I would to God , thou couldest behould , and with due consideration , ponder , how thinges euen without sense , as herbes , plantes , stones themselues , doe stand armed against thee , so often , as they see thee offending their God , and Creator : know therfore thou sinner , and perswade thy selfe , that if it were not for the clemencie and benignitie of thy God , after thou hast sinned & preuaricated , the earth it selfe would open her mouth , and swallow thee , the waters submerge thee , the ayre infect & choake thee , the fire burne and consume thee , the heauens send forth lightninges , and fearfull tempests to kill and destroy thee ; and last of all , what thing soeuer is created , would rise vp against thee , to reuenge the wrong done to their God , and Creator .

O you sinners , know that , for a certaine , all liuing Creatures , as wilde beastes , Serpents , Dragons , also rauening birdes , all trees , & such like , would oppose , & make warre against you , if it were soe permitted by your God : What ? doest not thou thinke , that the house , in which thou sinnest , could fall downe vpon thee , in the very acte wherein thou offendest , if it were not vpholden by God ? What ? doest thou not perswade thy selfe , that the very bedde , wherin thou committest adultery , and dishonourest thy Creator , would be consumed vnder thee , if it were not hindered by the diuine prouidence ? What doest thou not firmely beleue , that the bread which thou eatest , the meate , whereby thou art nourished , the wine that thou drinkest , would presently choake thee , and poysen thee , so that it might cause thy death , did not the goodnes of thy God withstand it ?

Consider therefore ( ô sinner ) that if God would permit it , thou shouldest not liue one moment longer , wherby to offend him any more , because all creatures would rise vp in armes against thee , but he reserueth this , vntill the last day of iudgement , although he permitted many particular sinnes , to be reuenged , and punished , by diuerse creatures , that hee might giue an example to other offenders : God graunt that we may take example at such , & so soone as may be , amend our liues , and be in his grace and fauour so great , that we may be no more enemies to him & his creatures ,

Amen .
Of the separation of the soule from the body , and of the great dolors and afflictions , which follow at that time and instant . THE XX. CHAPTER .

LEt vs proceed further , and goe forward to consider now , the anguishes , dolors , & griefes , which the soule shall feele in the instant , and time of her separation from the body . O poore soule , if thou wouldest seriously examine this , I doubt not , but that thou wouldest giue such charge to thy Will , that it should neuer consent to the sensuall pleasures of the flesh . Consider , ô sinner , that Iesus Christ himselfe , who was God , when he knew he was to approach and draw nigh to his death , he did sweat blood , and being in an agonie , he prayed vntill his sweat became as droppes of blood , trickling downe vpon the earth . ( Luc. 22.44 . ) O wicked wretch , if God considering , that his blessed soule should departe out of his sacred body , did soe much feare death , that such an anguish & sorrow did possesse his soule , what will become of thee ?

Consider obdurate sinner , the great griefe and sorrow that one friend taketh at anothers departure , and separation , they depart , weeping , sighing , and lamenting their separation , neither are able scarse to speake , or take leaue each of the other ; How incomparably will then that griefe bee , which the soule feeleth at the separation from the body , vnto which it hath bene vnited , with such intimate and naturall loue and affection ? O miserable soule how great will thy griefe be ? how intollerable thy anguish and sorrow , when thou shalt be separated from this thy flesh , which thou haste so naturally loued , and neuer denied it any thing ? All the thinges which my eyes desired , I haue giuen them , saieth Salomon : O vnfortunate soule what a penaltie , and punishment will it be vnto thee , to be disunited from thy flesh , which so dearly thou louest , and so highly esteemest of , as that thou wouldest not disobey it in any thing ? No man hath euer hated his owne flesh , but nourisheth and succoureth it , saieth the holy Apostle .

Hearken vnto mee , ô sinner , and at this instant , consider , that the time shall come , when the bondes wherwith thy soule is so strictlie bound & conioyned with thy body , shall be violated , and dissolued ; It shall come , ô vngratefull sinner , that most horrible time , I say , shall come , ô , it shall come ( accursed soule ) I say that ruefull , and dismall moment and instant shall come ? O sinner commiserate and take pittie on thy selfe , and on thy poore soule , by seruing and pleasing God . What will it profit a man ( saieth the holy scripture ) to gaine the whole world , and to loose his owne soule ? Consider therfore ( ô thou improbous sinner ) which art so indulgent , to that flesh of thine , and desistest not to pittie , feed , and nourish it , consider , that thou must be disioyned from it , when thou art to depart this life . Consider that when thou shalt approach and draw nere vnto thy last end , thou shalt be tormented , and afflicted with some disease , that thou shalt not be able to receaue meate , when sweet sleepe shall be wanting vnto thee , when all thinges shall be distastfull vnto thee , when thou canst not endure to heare the voyce , wordes , or speech , of thy Wife , Children , Father , or Mother , or of thy most deare friendes , when thou thy selfe shalt be distastfull vnto thy selfe : O sinner what wilt thou then doe , opprest on euery side with so many infirmities , dolors , and vexations ? when thou maiest truly say with the Prophet ; The sorrowes of death haue compassed me about , the torments of iniquity haue troubled me , the sorrowes of hell haue ouertaken me , the snares of death haue preuented me . Psal. 17.5 .

O wretch , be thou conuerted now vnto thy God , now amend and correct thy life , implore , and craue with al submission , pardon , for thy sinnes past : O you sinners giue an attentiue eare vnto your God , who at this instant calleth you , saying ; Be you conuerted vnto me with all your hartes . ( Ioel. 2.13 . ) O my sweet & louing Iesus , which didest vouchsafe for the saluation of miserable sinners to come into this world , bestow such efficacie , and force vpon my wordes , that offenders therby , knowing themselues , may be conuerted vnto thee . Remember , blessed Iesus , at what a price thou hast bought their soules . Remember what thou hast suffered for the redemption of them . Graunt that the found of these my ( or rather thy ) Trumpetts , may awaken the soules of sinners , and stirre vp their mindes and affections to the embracing of thee , and the seeking of their owne saluation : O Clement Iesu , I know with how great loue thou didest hasten to the ignominious death of the Crosse , for the redemption of sinners , forgett not therfore them which thou hast redeemed with thy moste pretious blood : permitt not , ô Iesu , that those soules which thou hast so dearly bought , doe perish , but rather graunt that they may be raised vp from death , and liue . Deliuer my soule ( ô God ) from the sword , and mine only one from the hand of the Dogge , saue me from the Lions mouth , and my humilitie from the hornes of the Vnicorne . Psal. 21.21 .

Inuocate thy Iesus ( ô poore soule ) with these wordes of the Prophet , placing all thy trust and confidence in him , who desireth nothing more then thy repentance , and health : I thirst , I thirst , cried he , in the time of his bitter passion , which although it may be vnderstood of a corporall thirst , yet more especially is it meant of the spirituall thirst , and ardent desire , which he had for the saluation of soules : O afflicted soule , would to God , thou couldest perceaue that infinite loue , by which thy Iesus is enflamed towardes thee , would to God , thou couldest comprehend that speciall care which thy Iesus from thy first being , hath had ouer thee : O therefore my louing Iesus , how cometh it to passe , that a miserable sinner can be so ingratefull , and vnmindfull of thee , his soe clement , mercifull and louing God ? O my God , can it bee , that the diuell should possesse the harte of a sinner , that hee should become the vassaile of Sathan , thy cheifest , and most opposite enemie .

Alas miserable soule , at thy death , thou shalt perceaue & experience , the diuels plot , and intent , the end of his allurements , and faire profers , which he hath presented vnto thee , inuiting thee to offend thy God , and to follow him so impious and cruel an enemie of thy Sauiour : Then thou shalt see , ô wretched soule , how malitiouslie , and treacherouslie the diuell will handle thee ; In these thy extreame agonies , and afflictions , when thou mayest truly say ; Tribulations are on all sides of me : Thou shalt stand in the presence of the diuell , and all his execrable companions , who so soone as thy soule is departed from thy body , shal carrie it into the infernal abisse of hell , there to liue with the damned soules , in perpetuall torments , and flames of fire . God of his mercie ( ô sinners ) open your eyes , that you may prouide for your soules health , and auoyde those horrible punishments : Heare now ( ô sinner ) I hartily beseech thee , set thine house in order , for thou shalt die , and not liue . ( Isay . 38.2 . ) for , it is apointed for al men to die once . ( Heb. 9.27 . ) Thou shalt die , but to liue in perpetuall tormentes : God graunt that we die , to liue a spirituall and eternal life with Iesus in glorie ,

Amen .
Of the place whether the soule goeth , so soone as it departeth out of the body . THE XXI . CHAPTER .

BEhould the Timbrell , & the Harpe , and reioyce at the sound of the Organe , they lead their dayes in wealth and prosperitie , and in a moment they goe downe into hell . ( Iob. 21.12 . ) It is time now , ô sinner , to draw nere to the consideration and contemplation of thy future estate , and being ; Tell mee I beseech thee , what shall become of thee , when thy soule shall depart thy body ? To what place shall shee betake her selfe , when shee shall be exiled and banished from this flesh , with which , so long as they were conioyned , she committed such execrable sinnes , and so heinouslie offended thy God and redeemer ? Heare what shall be said : Behold miserable sinners your end : Behold the reward of your delights , the hire of your pleasures , the euent of your desires : Behold the end of all your goods , riches , and honours , in a moment you shall forsake them , and goe downe into hell : O sadde and heauie newes , for your delightes must perish , your pleasures shall be expired , your sensuall desires shall for euer cease . Last of all ; your estate shall be taken away by death : Let vs eate and drinke , for to morrow we shall die , sayed they in the persons of all sinners . ( Isay . 22.11 . ) O miserable sinners , fix your cogitations vpon that dreadfull time , when your soules shall bidde adew , & take their last farewell of your corrupted , and loathsome bodies .

There be three places , in which our soules so soone as they are separated from our bodies , may haue their beings , which be these , heauen , hell , purgatorie : Thinke therfore with thy selfe ô sinner , that thou art to depart into one of these places , according to thy merit , or demerit , for our iust Lord hath loued iustice : Et equitatem vidit vultus eius , and his contenance hath seene equitie . ( Psal. 10.8 . ) and therefore he rewardeth euery man according to his works , good or euill : Mine hire is with me to giue vnto euery one according to his workes . ( Rom. 2.6 . ) Those which haue done good workes , shall goe into life euerlastinge , and they which haue done euill , shall goe into euerlasting fire , saieth S. Athanasius .

Consider ( ô sinner ) that when thou art striuing and contending with death , thy soule shall by little and little withdraw it from the inferior parts of thy body , and shall betake her selfe to the harte , where she hath her principall residence ; last of all , when she can finde no place in the body , where she may be receaued , she presentlie flieth away , and leaueth that dead carcase of thine . But aboue all this , consider with thy selfe , what shall become of her , after her departure : for so soone as she is departed from thy body , she presently is receaued by the Angels , to goe to heauen , or purgatorie , or otherwise the diuels with their infernall acclamations , shal take and carrie her into hel , there to remaine in perpetuall punishements , and torments : thinke with thy selfe ( ô thou miserable sinner ) in what a miserable streight will thy soule be , when shee shall see heauen on this side , and hell on the other , and the diuells prepared , suddenly to carry her away by violence , to perpetuall torments .

Alas ô wretched soule , what an alteration is this ? ô thou accursed , doest thou see now that there is an hell ? ô thou malignant Heretike , which hast denied that there is a purgatorie , what sayest thou now , being dimerged , and plunged in the abisseall gulfe of infernall , and endlesse flames and torments ? haddest thou not rather be in purgatorie euen vntill the iudgement day , or the last moment ? what sayest thou , O Iew , which haddest the holie scripture to demonstrate , and intimate vnto thee , the promised Messias ; but thou out of obstinacie , and hardnesse of hart , wouldst neither acknowledge , nor retaine him ? doest thou perceaue the scripture to be true in this sence ? doest thou see now , ô Turke , the vanitie of thy law , the deceipfulnes of thy wicked Prophet Mahomet ? ô sinner , and false Christian , doest thou acknowledge that God can punish ? doest thou vnderstand how much thou wert deceaued , in saying , to excuse thy sinne , God is mercifull , and will pardon mee ? I can not beleeue that he will the death of my soule , which hath redeemed me at so great a price , as his pretious blood , I wil afterwardes amend the course of my life , I will sinne noe more after this yeare , moneth , weeke , or day , deceauing thy selfe with such like perswasions ?

The dayes of man are shorte , the number of his monethes is with thee , saieth Iob , speaking to God . ( Iob. 14.5 . ) here thou mayest marke , ô sinner , that he saieth not , the number of his yeares are with thee , neither doth he say the yeares of man are short , but his dayes and monethes : Behould sinner how much thou deceauest thy selfe , measuring thy life by yeares ? saying so many yeares I shall liue : enter into due consideration with your selues , beare in minde the last end of your liues , consider the shorte computation , of most wise and holy ●ob , which is in moneths and dayes , perswade your selues , that you may euery day and howre , yea , euery moment , and instant , fall downe dead ; Be yee watchfull , for you know not when the time shall be , saieth our Lord . Thinke therfore that the last mom●nt of thy li●e is already come , and 〈…〉 at this instant , thy miserable soule may take her last farrewell of thy stinking body , and consider , to what place shee must goe . Thinke with thy selfe , ô man , although thou shouldest be the most holy , and sanctified man in the world , that thou art not alwaies certaine of thy saluation . They are iust men , and wise , and their workes are in the hands of God , and yet man knoweth not , whether he be worthy of loue or hatred . ( Eccles. 9.2 . ) Accursed be that night , when the soule of a miserable sinner departing without penitencie of her sinnes , shall be giuen into the handes of a thousand diuels , to the dreadfull l●ke that burneth with fire , and brimstone , to be perpetually tormented with the hellish crue : miserable soule , thinkest thou nothing of this matter ? or thinking of it , why doest thou not amend thy life , why permittest thou thy self , to be deceaued by the allurements of the flesh ?

Truly that soule shall be most happy , when departing out of her body , she shall be embraced by the handes of Angels , and carried with iubilations , & hymnes , vnto the celestiall paradise : O vnspeakable felicitie ! O most blessed , and fortunate soule ! Pretious is the death of the Saints in the sight of our Lord . ( Psal. 115.5 . ) Consider ô soule ) that it is the only felicity and beatitude , which the Saints did hope for , and attend ( I beseech thee ) what the psalmist saieth of thy end , and destruction . The death of sinners is most ill . ( Psal. 33.22 . ) marke what wordes the holy Prophet vseth , he doth not say , it is ill , but most ill , in the highest degree , because it is so ill , that it cannot be worse ; deseruedlie ( ô sinner ) is thy death most ill , for if thou shouldest die now presently , the miseries that would accompanie thee , would demonstrate the same , for thou shouldest die guilty of mortal sinne , and dying guilty of mortall sinne , thou shouldest dy hateful to God , and dying hatefull to God , thou diest an enemie to God , them the which , there can be nothing more grieuous for thee , or more abhominable in his sight .

Therefore ( ô sinner ) seriously ponder , and duly consider ( I beseech thee ) thine imminent danger , and great perill , accepting the counsell of S. Peter the Apostle , who saieth , Be vigilant , & carefull , that by your good workes you may make certaine your vocation and election , for doing these thinges , you shall not sinne . ( 2. Pet. 1.10 . ) Mary , Mother of grace , Mother of mercy , protect thou vs from our enemies , and receaue vs at the howre of death ; To thee we flie , most pious Queene , Aduocate , and Mother , we implore thine aide , and assistance , euen vntill that last terrible moment ; Helpe vs gratious Mother , defend vs most sweet , & clement Mary ; Remember o most blessed Virgin , that thou art the patronesse of all sinners ; Therfore I ( the most wicked , & chiefe of all offendors ) doe in the name of all , desire and craue thy succour and intercession for vs , but especially at the last instant , when our soules are to depart out of this world : Helpe vs Mary , and defend vs perishing soules ; thou art our Mother , we thy children , therefore we wretched and afflicted , commend our selues to thy care , for thou art our guide in our last conflict : Haile Mary full of grace , our Lord is with thee , blessed art thou amongst women , and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe Iesus , holy Mary , Mother of God , pray for vs sinners , now , and at the howre of our death ,

Amen .
Of the dead body , and carcase of man , and of the miserie of the same , after the separation of the soule . THE XXII . CHAPTER .

ANd it came to passe , that the begger dyed , and was carried by the Angels , into Abrahams bosome ; and the rich man also died , and was buried in hell . ( Luc. 16.22 . ) Doest thou heare ( ô sinner ) whither the soule of Lazarus the beggar was carried ? and where the soule of the rich Epicure was buried ? The poore beggar , by the handes of Angels , was placed in Abrahams bosome , a place of perpetuall rest , and tranquilitie : the rich man , was precipitated into the infernall lake of hell , a place of weeping , and perpetual misery . Consider now , that the same shall be fall thee , if thou diest not in the fauour , and grace of almighty God : And dying in his fauour , hauing not satisfied for the temporall punishments , which thy sinnes do deserue , thou shalt be carried into purgatorie , and there remaine vntil thou hast paied the last farthing ; But if thou shalt be dissolued , and die in the fauour of God , and hast satisfied for thy temporall punishment , thou shalt be assumed with troupes of Angels , into heauen , there perpetually to enioy the heatificall vision , and ineffable delightes of paradise : But if thou shalt depart without penance for thy sinnes , without confession , or at least contrition , and desire of confession , and reconciliation , when thou canst attaine to the acte of confession , thy soule then , at the instant of her departure out of thy body , presently being seazed vpon , by a companie of diuels , shal be thrust into the loathsome dūgeon of perpetual darknes .

Thinke now , ô miserable , and vnhappy sinner , of the misery of the body , which shal be left destitute of a soule , from which it receaued its forme , beauty , and comelines , and being depriued of this coniunction and vnion , it shall be deformed , loathsome , pale , and wanne : Thinke with thy selfe , it beganne to be filthy , and putrified , euen then when it was first taken with a feauer , consumption , impostume , or any other disease , and from that time , to wax most filthy , & loathsome : Thinke that it doth agonize and sweat , euen vntill the departure of the soule , and continually doth excreate , & spitt forth , fleam , and other corrupted filth , and in this state , and condition , weeping , languisheth , and decayeth : consider , that after the departure of the soule , the eyes will remaine distorted , thy teeth grinning , thy mouth , gaping , and thy countenance which before was faire , beautifull and comely , shal afterwardes become most hideous , and fearfull to behould : consider , what loathsome excrements it will cast forth , and of the suddaine , moste odiously will stink : I haue said to rottennesse , thou arte my Father : my Mother , and sister to the wormes . ( Iob. 17.14 . ) O extreame folly of man , which careth for nothing but to pollish , nourish , adorne , and make much of this putrified flesh , which ( whether thou wilt or no ) must bee eaten , and deuowred vpp by wormes !

We read of a certaine philosopher , that out of curiosity , did visit the toombe of Alexander the great , which beinge opened , he found it , stinking , filled , and couered with wormes , and two Serpents , eating , & tearing his eyes ; whereupon he cried out , saying , O Alexander , how lately is it , since the world could not satisfie , and fill thy desire , but now thou art content with three cubits of earth , and a little toombe ! Yesterday , thou diddest triumph and boast of the number of thy subiects , & dominions , to day thou art filled with filthines , & wormes ! Yesterday , thou wert worshipped , and honoured of the world , this day thou art of the same world , left , and forsaken ! yesterday thou diddest feed vpon exquisite meats , & delicate dainties , this day , thou thy selfe art become meate for wormes !

Alas ( o you sinners ) and especially you , which are giuen to the sensuall desires , & vnlawfull pleasures of the flesh ) set before your eyes , the last misery of your dead , putrified , and corrupted bodies , goe , and consider with your selues , the misery , and deformity of those dead carcases , and perswade your selues , that you must be like vnto them , and more abhominable , it may bee : Behould ô you harlotts , how Queenes , Ladies , and Mistresses doe die , see ô you sinners , how Kings , Lords , and Masters without exception , perish : and consider that the same , yee it may be , worse shall befall you : Behould how men and women , are buried ( sinners , and harlots ) behould I say , in what state they are , which are now buried , & what they were within these few dayes , and be you astonished , absolutly perswading your selues , that the same , it may be worse , shall happen vnto you : And say to your selues , woe Alas to me miserable : N. O wretched : G. O vnhappy : E. Behould into what state we must also one day come ? Heare you , what the dead man saith vnto you . To me yesterday , to thee to day : woe vnto thee , which behouldest mee , saieth the dead man , to euerie one that looketh on him .

Behould ( ô woman ) the miseries of this dead body , which in former times , was thy associate : Behould the mouth , nose , and countenance of it , contemplate the breasts , and golden haires , of which she did so greatly , as thou doest , at this present , boast and glory , consider what an alteration there is . Behould thou proud , and intemperate wretch , & whosoeuer , thou art immerst in the pleasures of the body , smel how odiouslie and grieuouslie this dead body stinketh . Behould that woman , ô lasciuious wanton , and tell me if thou knowest her : Alasse , o yee madd and pertinacious sinners , what is there that can mollify your mindes , & cleaue in sunder your obdurate and stonie hartes , if the misery of your owne bodies , and consideration of the loathsome & hatefull stinch of the same , can no ? Lord he stinketh , for he is now of foure dayes , saieth Martha of her dead brother . ( Ioan. 11.39 . ) O sinner , what smell can be compared to that of an humane dead carcase ? To what end therfore , such diligence ? and such curiositie ? to what end such cost ? odors , paintings , and ornaments ? To what end , so many delightes , pleasures , fancies , or whatsoeuer may seeme delectable to soe corrupted , and deformed a bodie ? I haue seene the offenders , and haue pined away , because they haue not kept thy law , saieth the Prophet . Psal. 118.

O my Brethren and sisters sinners , you compell me to pine away with Dauid , for the extremitie of griefe , when I consider the opprobries , offences , and ignominies whereby you offend your God , and the irrecuperable detriment and dammage , which you procure vnto your owne soules : How long shall sinners , o Lord , how long shall sinners glory ? they shall manifest , and declare their iniquitie : Let God arise , and let his enemies be dispersed , and let them that hate him , flie from his face . As smoake vanisheth , let them vanish away , as wax melteth at the presence of the fire , so let sinners perish at the presence of God , and let the iust make merrie , and reioyce in the sight of God , and let them be delighted in mirth . ( Psal. 67.2 . ) Breake the arme of the sinner , and malignant , his sinne shall be sought , and he shall not be found : saieth the holie Prophet . ( Psal. 10.15 . ) beinge moued with an infinite zeale of the honour of God , and saluation of soules .

O good Lord , I am not Dauid , but of all sinners the most wretched , of all heinous offendors the greatest , of all wicked malefactours , the most pernitious : notwithstanding , ô my God , & deare Iesus , I am incited , and mooued , with such a desire of thine honor , & the saluation of my poore brethren , that from the bowells of my harte , or rather of thine , I implore thy clemency and mercie , in these wordes . Haue mercie vpon vs ô Lord , haue mercie vpon vs , for wee are much filled with contempt , because our soule is much filled , and is made a reproach to the wealthy , and despection to the proud . O God haue mercie vpon vs , haue mercie vppon vs , for wee are all thy children , thy seruantes , and creatures .

Remember , sweete Iesus , my deare Lord , that all poore miserable sinners are thy creatures , thy seruantes , thy children , thy brothers , thy sisters , therfore my Iesus , take compassion , and comiseration vppon thy children , and bretheren , and shew mercie vpon thy daughters and sisters : wee doe confesse , and humblie acknowledge , that wee haue all offended thy diuine , and infinite maiestie , wee doe all desire to amend , and to reforme our liues , and actions , wee doe confesse , ô my Lord Iesu , that thine ineffable clemencie , & benignitie hath beene wronged , and abused , by vs all ; wee confesse our dullnes , and negligence , in cooperating with the diuine concourse of thy grace , and last of all , we confesse , that in all thinges we haue bene most vnprofitable , negligent , and vnworthy seruants , and most vndeseruing of such a clement , louing , and bountifull Father , Lord , and Master .

And therfore we cast our selues downe prostrate at thy feet , submissiuely imploringe thy goodnes , that thou wouldest not haue respect vnto our iniquities , but vnto thy fatherly mercy , & most gratious compassion . Euen as a Father hath mercy vpon his sonne , so God is mercifull vnto those that feare him , because he hath knowne our making ; He hath remembred vs , because we are but dust . ( Psal. 102 15. ) Man is as the hay , his dayes decay , as the flower of the field : Remember therfore my Iesu , that thou art our Father : correct , and instruct vs , as a Father , that we , being moued with thy so great , beniguity , clemency , and charity , may fly and haue recourse vnto thee , like good children , and abandoning all vices , may faithfully serue thee , and loue , honour , and obey thee , as our louing , clement , mercifull , and omnipotent Father , for euer , and euer , world without end ,

Amen .
The fift Trumpet , of the losse that sinne bringeth at the day of Iudgement . THE XXIII . CHAPTER .

ANd the fift Angell sounded the Trumpet : Draw neare , and with attention giue eare vnto the terrible sound of the fift Trumpet , for , there must come a reuolting first , and the man of sinne shall be reuealed , the sonne of perdition , which is an aduersarie , and is extolled aboue all that is called God , or that is worshipped , so that he sitteth in the temple of God , shewing himselfe , as if he were God , and then that wicked one shall be reuealed , whom our Lord Iesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth , and shall destroy with the manifestation of his coming , him , whose coming is according to the operation of Sathan , in all power , and lying signes , and wonders , and with all , seducing to iniquitie those that perish , because they haue not receaued the truth , according to charitie , that they might be saued . 2. Thess. 2.

Heare , ô you sinners , the terrible , and fearfull sound of this Trumpet , be astonished , with all expedition , arise from the sinke of sinne , thinke seriouslie with your selues , what exceeding great detriment & damage , it bringeth with it . Alas thou vnhappie soule , if thou couldest but penetrate the greatnes of the losse , that sinne procureth , how vigilant wouldest thou be , for being ensnared in it , and if thou being depriued of the grace of God , shouldest fall , how dilligently wouldest thou rise againe ? Miserable sinner , if thou wouldest be throughlie mooued with the horrour of sinne , weigh well in thy minde , what thinges shall befall thee , at the last day of iudgement .

And first of all consider that , Antichrist , polluted , and defiled with all kinde of sinne , and vices , must then appeare , who is the chiefest enemie of God , who shall striue by all meanes to seduce the faithfull , & beleeuing Christians , affirming that he is true God : If thou desirest more particularly to know the conditions , and affections , of this hellish and diabolicall vsurper , consider diligently the forementioned wordes ; There shall come reuolt first , and the man of sinne , shall be reuealed &c. Turne your cogitations ( Brethren ) to the names which are attributed vnto him , by S. Paul : A man of sinne ; The sonne of perdition , that wicked man , whose coming is according to this operation of Sathan : O , wretched , and vnhappy shal they bee , which liue at this time , for many of them , shall either be seduced , by his false doctrine , or compelled with the extremity of his torments , and tortures , to follow his diuellish inuentions : Contrarilie , moste happie are they , which shall follow blessed Iesus , keeping his holy law , with purity and integrity of minde , for although they shall be tormented with the diuerse , and many kindes of torments & punishments ; yet they shall be saued , and receaue a crowne of eternall happinesse .

Time will not permit , or suffer me , ô sinners , to insist any longer vpon the improbous impietie of Antichrist , neither did I at the first , intend it , but this , I ardently desire , that you , considering the greatnes , and multitude of euille wherwith your soules are blemished , and deformed , may auoide them , with great detestation abhorre , and loath them : for what other cause is there , wherefore Antichrist should be so impudent , and so wicked , but sinne ? He shall be a most false lyer , borne by the operation of the diuell , who shall haue a shew of sanctity , when he is most wicked : what maketh him be so cruelly minded , against the professors of Christianity , which are the seruantes of God , but sinne ? what other reason shall there be , wherfore so many poore soules , shall be seduced by him , but sinne ? wherfore the holy Apostle saieth ; In all seduction of iniquity , vnto them that perish , for that they haue not receaued the truth in charitie , that they might be saued : Therfore God will send them the opinion of errour , to beleeue a lie .

But who hath secured vs that , that dreadful day shall not come , euen in our time ? Certaine it is , that , Antichrist shall come , but when , there is nothing more vncertaine . O you vnfortunate and wretched soules , what if he should come now ? what would you doe ? which way would you dispose of your selues ? without all doubt , should not God most extraordinarily preserue you , you would vnite , and ioyne your selues vnto him : for because you haue reiected , and refused the truth , which so often hath bene ministred vnto you , by sermons , and other spirituall exercises , and not only , refused it , but in some sorte haue scorned , vilified , and contemned it , how iust would it be with God , if he should permit you to be seduced with the hellish doctrine of that enemie of God ? that you should heare him , obey him , worship him , honour , & follow him , and eternally perish , and be damned with him ?

Consider , o you blinded sinners , with feare and trembling , what , Dauid the holy Prophet saieth of the diuine maiestie , in these wordes . Hee is terrible in his diuine councels , vpon the sonnes of men , how hidden and profound are the diuine iudgements ? Blessed are they which runne the race of their liues with feare , blessed is that man , saieth the wiseman , which is alwaies fearfull . Consider also , ô you wretches , what the holy Prophet speaketh of the righteous , and such as are enflamed with the loue of God . Serue , saieth he , your God in feare , and reioyce in him , with trembling : as if hee should haue said , you which worship God with all your soules , serue him with all feare and reuerence him , & when soeuer you desire inward exultation , doe it with feare and trembling : But you , o wicked sinners who incessantly serue your enemie the diuell , lying plunged in the filth of sinne , liuing so inconsideratly , securely , and confidentlie , as you doe , thinke , and verily perswade your selues ( making no doubt ) that the diuine wrath & iudgement , shal descend from heauen , vpon the suddaine , vnlooked for , and more swift then the lightning : Alas how many vppon the suddaine haue fallen downe dead , which could not so much as say , Iesu helpe me ? Alas how many by negligence , and sloath , haue perished , which neuer thinking of their ends , haue liued in all kinde of concupiscence , and voluptuous delightes ? when they saide , peace and securitie , there came a suddaine destruction vpon them , saieth S. Paul . ( 1. Tim. 3. ) Man knoweth not his end , but as fishes , are taken with the hooke , and birdes with the net , so are men taken in the time of persecution when there shall come , vppon them a suddaine destruction . Eccl. 9.

O you my Brethren , and sisters sinners , looking into your soules , and beholding the imminencie of your present danger , thinke some thing of your ends : consider , o you vnfortunate , and miserable wretches , the vncertainty of your liues : consider the perpetual torments which are prepared for sinners in hell : consider , o you lost soules , that you must once come to the point of death : consider that your delights shal haue an end , your pompes , honours , glorie , and whatsoeuer else , wherin you tooke sensual delight , and you your selues , shall perish , die , and become as nothing , and your soules themselues shall be drawne and separated from your , impure , filthy , & loathsome bodies , wherby you haue so heinouslie , & impiouslie offended your God .

To Christ therfore , o yee sinners , to Iesus Christ , o yee obdurate soules , draw neare , and haue recourse to him : God calleth you by my penne , by that liuely blood of Christ : O sinners by the virtue , and force of the loue , and mercie of God , I beseech you , and speake vnto you in these wordes : Come ô you sinners , death draweth nere , but Iesus Christ died for you , that you might liue for euer : Come ô you sinners vnto Iesus , for the diuell , is at hand to throw you into hell : Turne you to Christ , who calleth you , by the sound of my Trumpet , lest he reiect , and vtterly condemne you with the sound of his seuere , and bitter sentence at the day of iudgement . Woe to you ô sinners , woe I say vnto you , if you refuse to heare the sound of this Trumpet , whereby the diuine clemency calleth you from sinne and perdition , vnto repentance and saluation . O you my Brethren sinners , how cometh it to passe , that your hartes are not mollified , but are deafe , & dumbe at this sound ? God graunt that you be not of the number of those , of whom it is written , they haue obdurated their faces more hard than the rocke , and they would not be conuerted .

Of the fearful signes which shall apeare before the day of iudgement : by the consideration whereof , many sinneful soules may be saued , which otherwise might perish . THE XXIV . CHAPTER .

ANd there shall be signes in the sunne , and in the moone , and in the starres , in the earth distresse of nations , for the confused sound of the waues of the sea , mens hartes fayling them for feare and expectation of those thinges which shall come vpon the whole world . ( Luc. 21.25 . ) And I wil make wonders in heauen and in earth , blood , and fire , and vapour of smoake , the sunne shall be turned into darknes , and the moone into blood , before the great , and terrible day of the Lord doth come . ( Ioel. 2.30 . ) O vnhappy sinners , if you would but settle your cogitations vpon these horrible thinges , and prodigious signes , I doe not doubt but that with feare and terrour , at the very consideration of them , your stony hartes would cleaue a Sunder : What ? when you shall see the sunne obscured , the moone turned into blood , the starres obfuscated , and seeming to fall from heauen , the earth to be moued and tremble , the sea to rage , mountaines to breake , and fall a sunder , and to be leuelled with the vallies , dumbe creatures so affrighted as to runne here and there ; Lions to roare , Beares to make a hideous noise , Wolfes to houle , and other wilde beasts , terrible to sight , by the motion of the earth , to come out of theire dennes and caues , Dragons and Birdes to flie vp and downe the aire : who would not be astonished for feare , and dissolued with horrour ?

O humane miserie , what shall be come of thee ? What a terrour will it be , to see and heare in the fearfull day of iudgement , these strange signes , and vnheard of wonders ? And there shall be a great tribulation , such , as was not since the beginning of the world , euen to this day , saieth our Lord by S. Mathew . ( Math. 24.21 . ) I will not omit ( ô sinners ) to sound my Trumpett in your eares , that I may rouse you , out of the deepe sleepe of your sinnes , being moued with a vehement desire of your saluation , and incited by the loue of my deare Sauiour Iesus : woe bee vnto you , if you stoppe your eares at the sound thereof , but most happy if you attend , and giue eare vnto it , which is sent forth for the saluation of your poore , distressed soules . Many signes there are , which shall goe before the day of iudgement , but fifteene only are remembred by S. Hierom.

The 1. signe is , that the sea shall transcend the mountaines , fourtie cubits . The 2. signe : the same sea shal descend in such a lownesse , as that it shall hardly be perceaued . The 3. signe : All the vnreasonable creatures , especially they that liue in the sea , shall be gathered together into lakes and pooles , there to lament their desolation . The 4. signe : The sea , and all waters shall burne . The 5. signe : All trees and herbes shall droppe blood . The 6. signe : Al the foules of the ayre shall be gathered together , sending forth cries , and lamentations , and abstaining from their vsual meate & drinke . The 7. signe : All houses , & statelie buildinges which are in the world , shall be ruinated to the ground . The 8. signe : Lightnings , and firie dartes , shall flie from the west towardes the east , threatning the heauens , and striking feare , and astonishment into the whole world . The 9. signe : The stones shall contend amongst them selues , and in their conflict , shall be broken . The 10. signe : Earthquakes throughout all partes of the world shall be so great , that neither man , nor beast shall be able to stand on their feete . The 11. signe : All the mountaines shall be turned into dust . The 12. signe : All creatures shall leaue their caues & dennes , and being possest with a kinde of madnes , shall wander abroad . The 13. signe , in all places the graues and toombes shall be opened , and the bones of all the dead , shall stand vpright vppon their graues . The 14. signe : The starres shall fall from heauen . The 15. signe : Euery thing that is endued with life , shall be chaunged , as well beasts , as men , as vpon the suddaine ; those men that now dy , together with them , that haue died since the creation of the world , shall be reuiued and liue againe : Fearfull signes they be ( ô sinner ) which I relate vnto thee , receaue them for thy instruction , and enrich thy soule therby , for thy saluation .

1. The sea shall transcend the mountaines , to contemne thy pride and insolency ( ô arrogant , and fastidious wretch . ) The wicked are as a rageing sea , saieth the scripture . ( Isay . 57.20 . ) But the sea shall ascend in such a height , as that it shall excell the mountaines , and wash away the arrogancy of the proud .

2. The sea shall be depressed to that lownesse , that it shall hardly apeare : wherby , ô proud wretch , it shal be declared vnto thee , that at last , thou must be deposed , and plucked downe by God . Euery man that exalteth himselfe , saieth our Lord , shall be humbled . ( Luc. 14. ) and humility , saieth the wiseman , followeth the proud .

3. The lamentation of the beastes , which is the third signe , what should it demonstrate vnto thee ( o sinner ) but that they , who haue taken much delight in vaine , sensuall , and lasciuious complacencies , shall then be punished , and tormented , with fearfull execrations , and vlulations : Speake vnto the earth , and it shall shew thee , and the fishes of the sea , and they shall declare vnto thee , saieth holy Ioh.

4. The fourth signe shall bee , that of the sea and waters , in that they shall consume with heate , which may instruct thee , ô luxurious sinner : for euen as thou hast burned in this world with the fire of filthy concupiscence , luxurious desires , and adulterous actions , euen so must thou burne in hell with fire , and brimstone ; their part shall be in fire and brimstone , saieth S. Iohn in his Apocalipse . ( Apoc. 21 ) and by this meanes , so much as thou hast abounded in the impious desires of the flesh , so much shalt thou receaue of this punishment in this next world ; How much shee hath delighted her selfe in pleasures , so much punishment giue you vnto her , saieth the iudge in the Apocalipse Apoc. 18.6 .

5. What meaneth that sweat of the herbes and trees , which is the fift signe ? O wretch , that blood , which thou hast shed with thy cruell and vnmercifull handes : Because that murder is one of those capitall crimes which cry vnto heauen for reuenge : The voice of thy brothers blood , crieth out of the earth to mee , saieth God to Cain .

6. That mourning and lamentation with abstinencie from meat and drinke of the birdes , what other thing ( ô thou glutton ) doth it signifie , then the paines & torments , which shall be inflicted vppon thee in hell , for thine intemperancy , and ebriety ? for they that are giuen vnto this vice , shal be fedd in hell with hunger , and dearth ; The portion of drunkards , shall be fire and brimstone , and the spirit of tempest , is parte of their chalice . Psal. 10.7 .

7. The ruine and destruction of all buildings throughout the world , what else doth it demonstrate , but the folly and vanity of those , which placed all their delight , and chiefest felicity , in building sumptuous and spatious pallacies ? Alas how many are there found of these times , which haue more respect of the houses in which their bodies dwell for a time , then of heauen in which their soules should perpetually remaine ? woe be vnto you , which ioyne house to house , & field to field : O miserable wretches how much better would it be for you , if you would studie to pollish , and adorne the celestiall palaces of your soules for heauen , where there are so manie beautifull , and glorious habitations ? In my Fathers house , there ar many mansions . ( Ioan. 14.2 . ) saieth our Lord : O extreme vanitie , and madnes of the world !

8. What do those flaming , and burning dartes , those lighninges running from east to west , what , doe they signify , but the wrath & indignation of the angry iudge against sinners , and those which haue molested or wronged their neighbours , or brothers ? Euery man that is angry with his brother , saieth Iesus Christ , shall be guilty of iudgement . Math. 5.22 .

9. The conflict of the stones , signifieth your Adamantine , and obdurate hartes , which shall be broken a sunder with the iudgements of God , because they are not mollified by repentance : Heauen and spiritual thinges nothing profit you , the promises of Christ will not allure you , the fearfull iudgements of the latter day , the intollerable punishments of hell set before you , doe not any thing moue you : O sinners more obdurate then stones , the stones claue a sunder at Christs passion , but you more hard then they , remaine still in obduracie .

10. The great earthquakes ( ô sinner ) which shall be so terrible , as that S. Iohn saieth in his Apocalipse ; There is made a great earthquake , such an one , as hath not beene since the beginning of the world ; it signifieth this , that you cannot be sustained any longer by the same , and therefore it trembleth , and shaketh , that it may swallow you vp : Or the earth ( as S. Gregorie saieth ) therefore quaketh , because it will not receaue sinners any longer , before they haue heard the sentence of the iudge , pronounced against their crimes , and offences : Alas into how great a streight shal sinners be brought ? if they looke vp , they shal behould the angry contenance of the iudge offended : if they looke downe , they shall see hell gaping , prepared to receaue them : vpon their right hand , they shall behould their sinnes & misdeedes accusing them : vpon the left hand , innumerable diuels in readines to carrie them into euerlastinge flames : Inwardly , the worme of the conscience gnaweth them , outwardly the fire and torments scorch them , and terrifie them . Which way then shall a sinner flie or turne him selfe ? then shall they cry out , O you mountaines fall vpon vs , and hide vs from the face of him that sitteth vpon the throne , and from the wrath of the lambe .

11. The leauellings of hils with vallies , what do you thinke it signifies ( ô sinners ) but the ouerthrow of proud , great , and rich men , which haue trampled the poore and needy vnder their feet ? and then all shall be made a like and equall , euery vally , saieth the Prophet Isay , shall be exalted , and euery mountaine , and hill , shall be brought low .

12. All creatures shall forsake their caues and dennes , & being possessed with a kinde of madnes , shall wander abroad : what meaneth it , thinkest thou ? nothing else , but that no secret corner , no excuse shall be found of any : all succour and releife shall bee taken away from poore sinners , and no place or parte left , wherby they may be relieued . Not any Saint , not any Angell , not the B. V. Saint Mary Mother of God , shal assist them , because God him selfe will be so exceedingly offended with them : Alas ô you wretched , and accursed sinners , what will you then doe ? what will you say , ô miserable soules ? you shall walke , and wander here , & there , outragious , madde , furious , not knowing what to say , or what to doe . Now therfore , now I say , euen at this instant , whilst it is time , doe that , which then ( vnfortunate soules that you are ) you shall not be able to doe .

13. The graues shall be opened , and the dead bones standing vpon them : which shall be the thirteenth signe . Behould I shall open your toumbes , saieth the Prophet Ezechiel : whereby it is intimated vnto thee , o sinner , that then all the filth and corruption of thy sepulcher ( to witt ) of thy defiled , and polluted harte , shall be manifested , and brought to light . There is nothing hid , but it shall be reuealed , and nothing so secret , but shall apeare , saieth our Lord. ( Luc. 12.2 . ) Then all thy hidden and secret sinnes ( o thou adulterate sinner ) shall be layed open to the eyes of the whole worlde : what therfore wilt thou doe , o wretch ? which way will thine vnfortunate soule turne it selfe ?

14. The starres shall fall from heauen , saieth our Lord : that it may strike a feare , and terrour into all sinners , which haue made themselues vnworthy of that celestiall kingdome .

15. Last of all , all men shall be changed . To signifie vnto thee , o sinner , that then all pleasures must haue an end , and that thy selfe shalt cease to offend , iniury , and wrong thy God , and deare Sauiour Iesus Christ .

To conclude : noe man doth walke safe , amongst Serpents , & Scorpions : we are here , enuironed with troupes of enemies : wherfore as often as I thinke , of the daunger of the time now present , and the fearfull signes of the time of the last iudgement , I cannot but tremble , throughout all the partes of my body ; for whether I eate or drinke , or whatsoeuer else I do , I thinke I alwaies heare that terrible trumpet sounding in mine eares . Arise you dead and come to iudgement : for we must all be manifested before the tribunall seat of Christ , that euery one may receaue the proper thinges of his body , as he hath done , either good or euill . ( S. Hieron . ad Eustoc . de cast . Virgin . ) Consider diligently therfore now ô you obdurate & stiffe-necked sinners , and contemplate all these wonders , and prodigies , breaking your hard , and sturdie mindes , and affections , with the consideration thereof vnto your eternall saluations ,

Amen .
Of the resurrection of the dead , and how that all men which are dead from the beginning of the world , doe die , and shal die vnto the end of the same , shall be reuiued againe . THE XXV . CHAPTER .

ANd he shall send ( to witt ) the sonne of man , Iesus Christ at the day of iudgement , his Angell with a Trumpet , and a great voyce , to call the dead to iudgement . ( Math. 24.31 . ) Alas ô you sinners , what will you doe , at that time , when euen the dead in their graues shall heare this terrible sound , arise you dead and come to iudgement ? what will you doe , when the Angell shall gather you to iudgement ? you cannot then withdraw your selues , or steale away : you cannot say , we wil not : for will you or no you must come : Alas miserable soules of condemned sinners , which from the bottomlesse pitt of obscure hell shall heare this fearfull sound , for as soone as the Angel shal haue sounded the Trumpett , the full time of your torments being come , you shall bee most miserably rancked with the execrable diuels your associates , whilst other diabolicall spirits go about to apprehend other accursed soules , saying , come you reprobate , and damned soules , come you with vs , that you may receaue the terrible sentence of condemnation : come and receiue the ful measure of your punishment due vnto body , & soule , and for euer liue with vs in the eternall paines of hell : O fearfull spectacle ! the diuells shall breake forth out of hell , with outragious clamors and roaringes , drawing , and dragging these damned soules along with them , which they shall beat with many stripes , and excruciate with diuerse kindes of punishments , crying out blaspheming , and detesting God : O how great , fearfull , and lamentable a spectacle will it bee , to see such a troupe and multitude of diuells , and damned soules , coming out of secret dennes , and caues of the earth , filling heauen and earth with their hideous out-cries .

Consider ô sinner , that all these diuells , and condemned soules , the number of the which , for the greatnes thereof , cannot be recounted , shall cause a terrour to the whole world , by reason of the fearfull lamentations of soules , and roaring of diuels , which shall be heard in al partes of the world : Alas sinnefull men and woemen , what will you then doe ? Tide and bound to no place you are , and yet you cannot hide your selues , nor flie away , but of necessity vppon that day , must appeare before the Iudge , to receaue your sentence of condemnation : At that day , all the reprobate soules shall goe weeping and wailing to their graues , to receaue their stinking , and loathsome bodies , and to be ioyned againe with them , and to liue with them perpetually in hel .

Consider , ô sinner , that when those accursed soules shall stand at their graues , euery one of them shall crie out vnto their bodies , in this manner : O detestable , and execrable body , thou my associate , and companion , come with mee , to be burned in perpetuall flames , hitherto thou hast slept , and taken thine ease , and I alone haue bine swallowed vp in the depth of misery , it is necessary now , that thou also , come to be rewarded , according to thy merits . Come , ô cursed body , for I was allured by thy polluted desires , to offend the angry Iudge of heauen and earth . Come filthy , and loathsome body , which hast so often procured vomit by thine excesse : thou must now be damned with the innumerable curses of him that created thee , & gaue thee to mee : come you cruell and wicked handes , which haue bine embrued in your neighbors blood , that you may receaue the reward of so many murders , thefts , roberies , and other heinous offences committed by you . Come you execrable feet , that you may receaue the recompense of so many mischiefs , which with great speedines , and celerity , you haue runne to commit . Come my polluted mouth and tounge , that you may receaue the wages of so manie blasphemies , dishonest and obsceane wordes , which you haue vttered . Come my deuowringe throat , which neuer couldest be satisfied with excesse , and druncknesse : The time is now come in which thou must now pay the olde score , for thy intemperancy in eating and drinking . Come you curious , and gazing eyes , which would not be satisfied with any good sight , come you accursed eares , whom nothing , but dishonest wordes and lasciuious songes and speeches would delight . In a a word , come hither , all you filthy , and loathsome members , which , because I tooke care to content you , haue now for euer destroyed me : come for the hire of your beastly excesse , to be burned with me in the darksome lake of fire and brimstome without hope of euer returning from thence againe : Lastly come hither detestable body , which as thou hast bene my companion in comitting of vices , so now in like manner , thou must be partaker , with mee , of all my hellish torments , and that in continuall howling and weeping ; for we shall for euer liue together without hope of returning from this damnable dungeon of hell .

In this manner shal all the soules of the reprobat speake to their bodies in the day of iudgement : In like manner shall your soules ô sinners , speake to your bodies , if you die , burdened with deadlie sinnes , and offences , and you shall be also cast into the burning Tophet , if you be not carefull in time to preuent . Such like words shall the damned soules vtter , when by the diuine power , all the dispersed ashes of their bodies shall be gathered together , and rising out of their loathsome graues , shall be reunited , to their accursed soules . This being done , they shall be presented before the iudge , by the tormenting diuels , that so they may be accursed , and condemned together .

But now sinners , to leaue so pittiful , and horrible considerations , let vs come to the contemplation of the blessed soules in paradise , the very cogitation wherof is sufficient , to stirre vp your mindes and affections to embrace , & practice virtues , and to shunne , and forsake vices : O how delectable and pleasant a sight shall it be , to behould so many blessed soules , descending from heauen , as glorious as the sunne in his ful beautie , that vpon the earth , they may receaue their bodies : O ioyfull spectacle : There shall appeare the soule of the great precursor , S. Iohn Baptist , most resplendant with the beames of glorie , that it may receaue her dispersed , and scattered ashes . There shall appeare S. Peter , and S. Paul , the two chiefe pillars of holy church , with all the other blessed Apostles . Here shall bee seen the soules of the Patriarkes , there of holie Martyrs , and Confessors , as so manie sunnes , & starres , shining in theyr glorie : who singing prayses , to allmighty God , shall fill the ayre with heauenly Alleluiahs , and shall come to theyr sepulchers , in diuerse places and Countries of the earth , to receaue theyr bodies , endued with comlynes and glorie : O worthie sighte ! those blessed soules shall come accompanied with Angels : as contrariwise , the damned soules with diuels , but especiallie with theyr Angell Guardians , who hauing defended , and protected them in this life , at theyr happie state and condition , are filled with all ioy , and heauenlie delight .

Euerie one then of theise blessed Angells , shall speake vnto his most happie soule which he hath protected . Come ( o soule ) blessed of the most holie Trinitie , whom with al thy power thou hast serued , come and take againe this thy bodie , that together with it thou maist bee made partaker of celestiall ioyes ; O what a sight shall it bee to see at Rome , the two most beautifull soules of S. Peter , and S. Paul , comming to theyr sepulchers , that they may resume their most famous reliques , with a companie of so manie blessed Angels ? Then shall the Angells , & happie soules themselues speake vnto their bodies , in these wordes , or the like .

Alas poore bodies of ours , which haue lyen so long time in the dust , without your reward , arise , for now is the time , that you must bee reunited vnto vs , and receaue the reward of so manie molestations , greifes , and labors , which you haue suffered : come hither my feet , which haue gone bare so manie iourneies for the loue of God : come hither my handes , which for the loue of Iesus Christ , haue performed so manie good deedes : come hither my tounge , which hast been dailie preaching of the praises of God , and teaching others , to conforme themselues to his most holie will : come my bellie which hast so often fasted , and abstained from meats : come my loynes which haue borne cordes , & chaines for the loue of Iesus : come my whole bodie which diuerse times , hast mortified , and subdued thy selfe , with hayr-cloaths , whippings , & scourges , and other soare torments , for the loue of thy Sauiour , for now is the time , wherin thou must receaue the recompence of these labors , and sufferinges .

O what a glorious sight will it bee , to behould , throughout the whole world , especiallie at Rome , so great a number of Saints bodies , arising in such wonderful splendour , & brightnes ? O thrise happie then are they , which haue runne the race of their life , in the path of vertue : And if perhaps through humane frailtie they did fall , without delay , they rose againe , doeing also , pennance for the same : These shall bee of that most blessed , and glorious number .

What sayest thou now , ô sinner , wilt thou any longer harden thy hart , and stoppe thine eares at the sound of my Trumpett ? wilt thou still persist in thy lewd , and vngodly courses ? woe , woe bee vnto thee , if thou doest so , for by theise meanes , thou shalt come to bee of the number of those miserable , & damned soules , from which God of his infinite goodnesse , and mercy deliuer thee ,

Amen .
Of the comming of the Iudge to iudgement , and of the great feare which his comming will strike into the hartes of sinners . THE XXVI . CHAPTER .

WHen the sonne of man , shall come in his maiestie , and all his Angels with him : Then shall hee sitt vpon his throne of maiestie , and all nations shall bee gathered together before him . ( Math. 25.31 . ) Alas sinners , returne , forsake your sinnes and accustomed vices : remember that you must bee iudged of almightie God , whom by your lewd liues you haue offended : consider now at length that , after that the angels shall come to cal together all the dead with the sound of a Trumpett , the dead shall rise , and shall bee gathered together , in the valley of Iosaphat ; and in the neere adioyning places : the damned standing on the earth , but the elect remaining in the ayre , in excellent claritie , and brightnes : And last of all , the iudge shall appeare in the same ayre , who shall descend from heauen , accompanied with his most deare and louing mother , attended of all the celestiall quire of Angels . Consider , the ensigne of the holie Crosse that shall goe before him , with all the other trophies of his victorious death and passion , which shall bee carried by the holie Angels , partlie that they may bee an euident testimonie against all sinners , and partly that they shew the lawfullnes of the sentence which the iudge shall pronounce against the damned : and partlie to encourage , and comforte all good men , which by their force & vertue shal bee saued : And then ( sayeth our Lord ) shall appeare the signe of the sonne of man in heauen : and our holy mother , the church singeth ; this signe of the Crosse shall bee in heauen , when our Lord shall come to iudgement .

O wonderfull spectacle , neuer seen in the world before : this most holie signe of the Crosse , shall shine farre more bright then six hundred sunnes , adorned with an innumerable company of celestiall colours : ô happie , and thrise happie are they , who shall behould that crosse , with ioyfull countenance , but contrariwise , most miserable shall bee the reprobate , which against their willes , shal be forced to see the same to their great griefe and sorrow : O what ioy and pleasure , shal vertuous men haue at the presence therof ? and what excessiue lamentations , shall wicked and sinnefull men make , when they see the same ? with what alacrity shal S. Iohn Baptist , S. Peter , S. Paul S. Bartholomew , and all the holie Apostles looke vpon that glorious wodde of the crosse : S. Benedict : S. Charles , S. Dominicke . S. Francis , S. Clare , saint Cecilie , sainte Catharine , Marie Magdalen , and all the other holie Virgins , and Matrones , with what gladnes will they behould it ?

Alas , o wicked and cruell Pilat , which condemnedst our Sauiour to death , how shalt thou bee able to looke vpon this crosse ? O Caiphas , and you Scribes , & Pharises , that moued the people to cry out with an exceeding great clamour to Pilat , away with him , away with him , crucifie him him , crucifie him : what griefe shall you conceaue at the sight of this holie Crosse ? What furie and madnes shall posesse you at the behoulding of it ? O vngodlie Christians , who still remaine in the filth of your sinnes , who haue trampled vnder foot , the pretious blood of Iesus , what will you then say and doe ? Thou proud man , who reiecting all others , wouldest submitt thy selfe to no bodie , with what deiection wilt thou cast thy eyes downewards , lest thou shouldest behould that triumphant signe ? Alas , ô lasciuious man , who wallowing in the mire of all vncleanesse , hast liued in the filth , and mire thereof , hast liued in contempt of the blood and death of Christ , how then darest thou looke vpon that sacred signe ? Alas thou angry man , who wilt forgiue nothing , wherin thou art offended , though in the smallest matter , although thou shouldest be asked pardon for Christs sake , in remembrance of his most bitter death and passion , what then shall become of thee ? how wilt thou looke vpon that signe , when thou shalt see , all hope of obtaining mercie to bee shutt vp from thee ? Alas thou couetous man , who for Christs sake wouldest not giue one morsell of bread to the poore , what shall become of thee , when thou shalt see thy selfe destitute of all celestiall and terrestiall things ? Alas thou wicked woman , that hast killed so many soules , and iniuried the blood , and crosse of Christ , with thy lewed , and dishonest life , what shall then become of thee ? Thou peruerse and obstinate heretike , who dailie reuilest Christe , and his holie church , thou shalt then bee brought to the acknowledgement of thyne errours : Alas damned soules , then you shall behould the fruite of your sinneful life past , when all hope of mercy which you haue despised here vpon earth , shall bee taken away : what will you doe , when , after the crosse , and other signes of the passion , Christ Iesus crucified , shall appeare in his maiesty ?

O happie are they , who shall be able then to looke vpon him : O most sweet woundes of my beloued Iesus , bestow that grace vpon mee , that I may bee worthy to bee of the number of them , which shall behould you with chearfullnes of hart : O most amiable Iesus , graunt me thy grace , that I may bee one of them , who with ioy and gladnes may glorie in thy woundes , with these or the like wordes ; Behould my most louing Iesus , who hath shown so great mercy vnto me , as to draw mee out of the abysse of so many sinnes , and freely pardoned all myne iniquities : Behould those woundes , and pretious blood , by vertue wherof I am saued : Bee you blessed ô glorious woundes , full of loue : Be thou blessed ô my most amiable Iesus , who hast vouchsafed to beestow so great fauours vpon mee . To thee , and to thy sacred woundes , be attributed , all praise , honour , glorie , and benediction : Let all the Angels , and Saints in heauen , sing praises vnto thee : let all faithfull people vpon earth dailie worship thee : let the whole fabrique of heauen and earth , with all creatures contained therin , set foorth thy prayse : God forbid that I should glorie in anie thing , but in the crosse of Iesus Christ , by whom the world is crucified to mee , and I to the world .

Now Brethren and sisters sinners , turne your selues to Christ the iudge , comming in the cloudes with his diuine maiestie , most glorious to behould to the Angels , and all good men , but terrible , and fearfull to the diuels , and all reprobate soules , indeed all shall looke vpon him , shining with his resplendant glory , but with different affections , the damned shal be forced to behold him , to the greater augmentation of their griefe , but the elect to their greater comfort and consolation : Ierusalem wash thy harte from malice , that thou mayest be saued . ( Ier. 4.14 . ) Sinners purge your soules , and consciences , looke into your selues , with a serious consideration of your estate , delay not , vntill the terrible day of iudgement shall aproach , for then it will be too late to prouide your selues , to enter into the place of eternall happines .

Consider now sinner what helpes are prepared for thee , so many teachers to direct thee , so many confessors to instruct thee , so many bookes to cal and admonish thee , so many diuine inspirations to moue and excite thee , so many prayers of the holy Church , so many suffragies of the blessed Saints : thou hast thine Angell keeper to protect & defend thee . Cal to minde the manifould helpes , which thy louing Iesus , out of his fatherly care , hath prouided for thee : He daily teacheth , and instructeth thee , continually prayeth to his heauenly Father for thee , we haue an aduocate with the Father , saieth S. Iohn , Iesus Christ the iust . ( 1. Ioan. 2.1 . ) Consider what helpe the B. V. Marie , Mother of mercy , patronesse of sinners , procureth for thee , who neuer ceaseth to pray for all , before her sonne in heauen .

Consider , on the otherside , if thou continuest , and diest in thy sinnes , thou shalt be destitute of all helpe thou shalt not finde any to plead for thee , not the Saints not the church , nor the Blessed Virgin Mary ; for then the gate of mercy will be shut vp , and no entrance shall be found : sinners looke to your selues , haue recourse to Christ , the fountaine of liuing waters , whilst it standeth open : knocke at the gate of mercy , before it be shut , so you shal receaue pardon , and remission of all your sinnes and offences ; Which God of his mercy graunt that we may all obtaine ,

Amen .
Of the great shame , wherewith all the damned shall be confounded , in the day of iudgement , before almighty God , and the whole world . THE XXVII . CHAPTER .

ANd all nations shall be gathered together , before him , and he shall separate them one from another , as a sheepheard separateth his sheepe from the kiddes , and shall place his sheepe on the right hand , and the kiddes on the left . ( Mat. 25.32 . ) O sinners , what torments and vexations shal you haue in your troubled soules , when you shall stand in the presence of God & the whole world , to be condemned for your iniquities ? what shame will it be to thee , when all thy misdeedes shall appeare , and be manifested vnto all . And I will reueale thy secrets before thee , and will shew thy nakednes to the nations , and thine ignominie to the kingdomes , saith the Prophet Naum . ( Naum. 3.6 . ) Noe means can be vsed to couer thy sinnes , which thou hast committed so closely ; then what vices soeuer thou diddest in secret , endeuouring to hide them , from the eyes of men and Angels , shall be brought to light : Then traitour , all thy treacherous , and bloudy plottes shall be reuealed : Then deceitfull companion , all thy crafty plottes , & fallaces , shall be detected : ô wonderfull , and maruailous thinge , then shall they read one anothers sinnes , in their foreheades , as in bookes ; The husband shall see all the dishonest behauiours of his wife : the wife , all the faultes of her husband , euery one shal haue his vices , and disordered affections plainely knowne : O the iustice of almighty God , which will discouer that , which a sinner thought would haue beene for euer concealed ?

Call to minde , sinner , what shame that will be for thee , to be set before the eyes of the whole world , to be seene of al both within and without ? Alas how many shall there be , who whilst they liued in this world , were reputed Saints , were reuerenced of all for such , but then shall be knowne to be farre otherwise ? How many treacherous and diuellish plottes , how many adulteries , and robberies , shall openly be declared to the eyes of the whole worlde ? O my sweet Iesu , which seest al thinges , that descriest whatsoeuer is committed in priuat , pardon sinners , Iesu helpe them , that doing pennance , they may not be confounded with that last and great shame ; Iesu remember that thou art our Father , our Lord , & God , therfore forsake vs not , but turne thine anger from vs : suffer not the fire of thy wrath to consume vs ; Let not that perish , Lord , which is altogether thine . Haue mercy vpon vs , crying out vnto thee . I haue strayed , as a sheepe that is lost seeke thy seruant , because I haue not forgotten thy law : He hath forsaken mee , and there is none that seeketh after my soule . Psal. 118.

Many poore afflicted soules of sinners , make such lamentations , releeue and succour them Lord , leaue them not , who are thine , they wholly giue vp themselues vnto thee , they flie to thee for refuge , they craue , and looke for helpe of thee alone : Alas sinners , men and women , without doubt , our case is most miserable vnlesse we liue well , and honestly , and be conuerted vnto our Lord God , seeing we yet receaue helpe , wherupon if we perish , it is our owne faultes . The Saints , the Angels , the church , yea , heauen & earth , and euery thing else , is ready to helpe vs , the Blessed Virgin Mary is ready to succour vs : our sweet Iesus to releiue vs , and in a word the Blessed Trinity , is prepared to defend vs , whose wee are , of whom we are created , and preserued : God doth lift vs vp , but we cast our selues downe , procuring to our selues our owne damage , and withall , the infernall pitt of hell : God would haue vs be saued , & our Lord Iesus Christ died for vs all , he is the propitiation for our sinnes , saith S. Iohn , not only for ours , but for the sinnes of the whole world . ( 1. Iohn . 2. ) Therfore sinners if we be damned , we can giue no lawfull excuse , it is our owne mischiefe , and we are the cause & beginning of our owne destruction .

Alas therfore brethren & sisters , let vs shunne and detest our former vices , which if we cannot doe at the first for the loue of God , ( which we ought to beare towards him , as a Father ) yet at the least , let vs doe it , to auoide the shame , which will otherwise befall vs , before the whole world in the day of iudgement ; And thus doing , I hope at last , we shall be brought to forsake them for the loue of God : ô heauenly consideration , ô frutefull and profitable contemplation , I could wish that thou wert engrauen in the hartes of all men , for surely thou wouldest be then a great helpe to miserable , and wretched soules , which now are like to be damned by theire owne foolish madnes . O sinnefull man , what doest thou ? what thinkest thou ? whither goest thou ? why doest thou hasten with such speed vnto thy destruction , ruine , and damnation ? show them a way ô Lord , that so great a number of them may not perish ; preserue Christian soules from destruction , seeing that so many Turkes , heretikes , and other infidels are daily damned , who obstinatly refuse to acknowledge the truth of the holie Catholique church : But there is a meanes found out alreadie ( Christian Bretheren and sisters ) which stil remaine in your sinnes : If you will enter into life , keepe the commaundements . ( Math. 19.17 . ) you know , you are commaunded of God , to lead a life worthy , and beseeming Christian profession : to abstaine from sinne , and flie the apearance of euil , to loue vertue , and embrace godlines : God almighty graunt that we all may performe this , that our soules in the day of accompt may be saued ,

Amen .
Of the fearfull sentence which Iesus Christ will pronounce at the day of iudgement , blessed and happy are they who seriously ponder it in their hartes , and soules , for this is the most compendious way to forsake sinne , and to turne vnto God . THE XXVIII . CHAPTER .

THen shall the King say to those that are on his right hand . Come yee blessed of my Father , possesse the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world . ( Math. 25.34 . ) There are two things , which may moue , and excite you ( sinners ) to forsake your enormous crimes , and vices , and with an vnfained repentance to returne to your God . One is , the consideration of the blessinge which the good shall haue : the other is , the pondering of the fearfull sentence , that Iesus Christ shal pronounce against the damned : to the good he shall say . Come yee blessed of my Father , inheritt the kingdome , prepared for you from the beginning of the world : But to the wicked , Goe into euerlastinge fire , which is prepared for the diuell and his Angells : the one shall be called to a paradise of pleasures , the other shall be sent into a lake of torments : Nothing is more glorious , or beautifull , then paradise , nor any thing more horrible , and loathsome then hell : nothing more delightsome , then heauen , nothing more detestable , then hell : therfore sinner consider well of these two , such contrarie places : Thinke of heauen , that forsaking sinne and doing pennance , thou mayest come to enioy the vnspeakable pleasures of it : Thinke of hell , and learne soe to order thy life , that desisting from thy former courses , thou mayest escape the grieuous punishments of the same .

Wise sinners , and blessed , are they , who chaunge their ill maners , forsake their lewed courses , and satisfy for their misdeeds , for at their death , they shall be saued : but miserable are those , who giue themselues ouer to the filthy lustes of the flesh ; and with greedines doe commit all sinne ; for they after this life , shall finde no redresse : Happy are those who striue here to adorne their soules with virtues , for in the day of iudgement , they shall finde mercy , and obtaine euerlasting ioyes : but wretched are they , who followinge the pleasures of this world , dye in their sinnes , for in the great day of their visitation , they shall be perpetually damned : And they that haue done good saieth S. Athanasius , shall go into life euerlasting , they that haue done ill into euerlasting fire : Happy are the good , to whom God of his bounty , will giue the treasures of heauen : miserable the wicked , whose portion shall bee with the diuells , in torments of hell .

O hard hart , which art not moued with these thinges ! O impietie of a sinner , who doeth not thinke of these thinges , and by harty contrition returne vnto God! thou hast but one poore soule sinner , and that in the day of iudgement , shall either be cursed , or blessed of God , shall either ascend into heauen , to liue for euer in the companie of Saints & Angels , or else descend into hell , to be punished for all eternity with the company of the damned spirits : If thou be wise , thou wilt be wise for thy selfe , saith Salomon . ( Prou. 9.10 . ) Thou wilt be wise ( sinner ) if thou detest , and hate sinne , and turne to God ; Thou wilt be foolish , and worse then madd , if , in continuing in thy wickednesse , thou forgett thy Creator . Alas what a number of peruerse and madd fooles are there , who are hardly corrected ? There is an infinite number of fooles . ( Eccles. 1.15 . ) Wretched sinners , how sottish haue you beene , and yet still remaine so , which for a small temporall pleasure , like a shadow quickly vanishing , you loose so great a substance of eternal good ?

Consider ( sinners ) that there is no day , nor howre , nor moment of time passeth , but many millions of soules , such as yours are , descend thicke into hell : The sinner hath giuen vp himselfe , to a spirituall kinde of sluggishnes , not taking any care for his saluation , he considereth not that death is present , euery howre and moment , to giue him a mortall stroake : Alas how many haue gone to bedd at night , and neuer arose againe in the morning : consider , consider , sinners , your last , endes , which are not farre from you : How fareth it with thee ( ô sinner ? ) in what case is thy poore soule ? full of vices , and hainous crimes , couered ouer with darknes , in the diuels possession , fast bound with many strong chaines , that now thou maiest cry out with the Prophet . I am wrapt round about with the cordes of sinners . ( Psal. 118. ) although thou canst not say that which followeth , and I haue not forgotten thy law .

But let vs returne to the terrible , and fearfull sentence , which Christ Iesus will pronounce against the damned , ponder and seriously consider it , imprint it in your harts , that it may be a spurre and incitement vnto you , for the following of vertue , and auoyding of vice : meditate vpon that saying of worthy S. Hierome , a man admirable in sanctity , and holines of life . Whether I sleepe saieth he , or wake whether I eate , or drinke , write , or read , sitte , or walke , that terrible speech alwaies seemeth to sound in my eares , arise yee dead , and come to iudgement : if men of such innocency and integrity of life , so much feared that horrible day , what will you doe , miserable and blinde sinners , against whom the sentence of condemnation is to be pronounced ?

My God & sweet Sauiour giue that power to my penne , seing it is wanting to my toung , that this short and rude woorke of mine , written without elegancy of wordes , and that the sound of these my Trumpets , may so moue the hartes and mindes , of those that shall read and heare them , that at length they may forsake their former courses , and fully resolue with themselues to turne to their Creator , and Redeemer . My God , and sweet Sauiour , since it hath pleased thee to inspire mee with thy heauenly grace , to set forth this my poore labour , for the saluation of poore soules , redeemed with thy moste pretious blood , graunt mee that fauour , that I may awake sinners , by this my writing , and sound of my Trumpets , from the lethargie of vices , to the glory of thy name , and saluation of their soules : My God and sweet Sauiour , for thy mercies sake , suffer not I beseech thee , this my labour to be read , or these my shrill Trumpets to be heard of any sinner , without profit , and commoditie , but that the noyse of them , may force the diuell to tremble , and the powers of hell to shake .

Bretheren sinners , if you shall perceaue your hartes to be moued with their sound , I pray you despise , contemne , or resist it not , but thankfully acknowledge that motion , and heauenly inspiration to be from God , who calleth you out of his tender mercy : Returne to God , sinners , men , and women , death is at hand , and yet God , as a kinde and louing Father , by the sound of these Trumpetts , gently calleth you : Awake out of your deepe sleepe of sinnes , wherin you haue beene buried so manie yeares , and make him an answere . Sinners , our most mercifull Lord sendeth forth , this sound both pleasant , and harsh of mine , or rather his Trumpetts , that it may be for the good , and saluation of your soules , I pray God it may obtaine the end , for which it was intended : Pray for me , and I will not cease to be mindefull of you all ,

Amen .
Of the going , and departure of the damned to hell in the company of all the diuells . THE XXIX . CHAPTER .

ANd they shall goe into euerlasting punishment , but the iust into euerlasting life . ( Math. 25.46 . ) They that haue done good , vnto the resurrection of life , they that haue done ill , to the resurrection of iudgement , saieth S. Iohn . ( Ioh. 5.29 . ) Sinners stay here awhile , and fasten your soules vpon the cogitation of that horrible spectacle , and seriously consider how the damned persons goe downe into the darke pitt of destruction , with fearful howling and lamentation , in the company of innumerable forlorne diuells : O fearfull thing , whose terrour is able to breake , and cleaue in peeces the hardest marbles ; yet nothing at all moueth the harte of man ! O the misery of humane nature , which is not rent a sunder with so pittifull a spectacle ?

Sinner , consider that as soone as those wretched soules , shall haue the sentence of condemnation pronounced against them , the earth shall cleaue in sunder , and all the diuels , and damned spirits , shall be swallowed vp in one gulfe , and be throwne downe into the obscure abisse of hell : O terrible , and mourneful night , when weeping , and gnashing of teeth , and wofull lamentations of forlorne soules ( now reunited to theire bodies ) shall continue for euer ? O miserable disiunction , and diuision , the husband shall bee separated from the wife , the daughter from the mother , when the one shall go to heauen , a place replenished with all good , the other into hell , a place of all torments !

O God of all mercy , open the eyes of blinde and obstinate sinners , who neuer trouble their mindes with thinking of either heauen or hell , but only deuise how to wallow still in the filth of sinne . Surge , surge , quidormis , arise , arise , thou that sleepest : Neglect not thine owne saluation , that Christ may helpe thee : Behould he calleth now by my penne , he desireth to awake thee out of thy sleepe , by the loud sound of my Trumpetts : Qui fecit te , sine te , non saluabit te , sine te , saieth S. Augustine , he that made thee without thee , will not saue thee without thee , but will , that thou labour to thy power , to dispose , & prepare thy selfe , to entertaine those wholesom counsels , and exhortations , which he of his mercy offereth vnto thee .

Hereupon it is , that God prouideth , that his truth should be made knowne vnto thee by teachers , that thou shouldest be admonished by confessors , & ghostlie Fathers , hereupon he speaketh vnto thee by spirituall bookes , and by the scripture , that thou mayest harken , and giue diligent eare vnto him : This if thou doe , in his good time , he will bestow that grace vpon thee , if thou refuse not to receaue it , which will enable the to forsake thy lewde course of liuing : take heed sinner , how thou behauest thy selfe , for if thou stoppe thine eares at his cal , and running away from him , contemne his vocation , he will turne away from thee , and suffer thee , to continue in thy miserable estate , and condition , and in that shalt thou die , and so dying , shalt be damned .

Alas who is there , which would not be moued at this , and willingly forsake a thousand worldes , that hee might not loose God ? which if he would not doe for the loue of God , at least hee would , that he might not incurre the losse of so great a good as heauen , or procure vnto himselfe so great a mischeife , as is the obtaining of held : The losse of heauen is no trifling matter , or to go into hell , is not of a small moment , that a man should not regard whither he come thither , or no : The damned shall goe , yea , bee cast downe headlong into hell , with the accursed crue of infernall spirits : and yee sinners , vnlesse you doe pennance , you shall all likewise perish : the blessed shall be taken into paradise , and if you amend your liues , you shall be in the number of them . The Saints shall enioy all kinde of good , and you also , if you will , shall be made partakers with them : The damned shall be cast into hell to bee tormented , in euerlasting flames , & you except you alter your purposes , and course of liuing , shall be in the same number .

Good Lord , what gladnes shall the blessed haue , when they shall enter into heauen , exulting and reioycing in the delightfull companie of sweet Iesus , and his Mother , the Blessed Virgin Mary , and of all the Saints , men and women ! Stay here a while ( sinners ) and behould this most beautifull companie , and societie : See how the heauens shine with light : Heare the harmonie of celestiall hymnes : giue care to the musicke of Angelicall voices ; behould the Saints leaping for ioy and gladnes about the throne of God : see how Iesus Christ , and his blessed Mother , embrace , and kindly receaue all the Saints : Behould the Angels triumphing : Harken to the quire of heauen singing most sweetly , to the honour of Iesus , and his Mother , the B. Virgin : O Iubilie , ô gladnes , ô mirth , such as shall neuer be ended ! O excessiue ioy , which shall neuer cease to be in the inhabitants of this paradise ? ô happy are you , and happy againe , you which are there all ready , and you which hasten to come thither : pray for vs , you that haue your soules there , that we may be made capable of your vnspeakable ioy , and gladnes .

O heauenly Queen , Mother of God . O Marie , my Ladie , and Patronesse , pray for me and all sinners , that we by thy merits , and intercession , may deserue to bee reckoned in that blessed number , praising and extolling thy God , and ours , for all eternity : O powerfull God , who hast created vs , despise not our prayers , gratiouslie heare our petitions , and giue vs that grace , that to thy honour and glory , we may refraine from the filthines of sinne : looke not vpon our manifolde misdeedes , which wee haue committed , nor vppon the innumerable iniuries wherewith we haue offended thy sacred Maiestie .

Goe to sinners , and be of good courage , Dulcis & rectus est Dominus , our Lord is sweet and righteous , saieth the Psalmist : Bonus est Dominus , our God is God , to them that trust in him , to a soule that seeketh after him : Endeauour ( sinners ) striue and labour so much as lieth in you , that you may be assured of the mercies of God : Misericordia Domini plena est terra : the earth is full of the mercie of our God : there is no created thing on the earth , vnder heauen wherein the most gratious benignity of God doth not appeare , and except we our selues be in fault , we may be sure of saluation , because of his parte , he is willing to receaue all : Deus vult omnes homines saluos fieri , God will haue all men to be saued . 1. Tim. 2. ●

Alas sinners , purpose , and resolue to forsake the world , with all your hartes ; worship God , who loueth you so dearly , bestoweth so many benefits vpon you , and still desireth to bestow farre greater vpon you . Be not faint harted , doubt not any thing , haue recourse vnto Christ so soone as you can : I dare be your surety , to make you al which are obnoxious to sinne , secure , and safe , if you desire indeede to come to Christ Iesus ; Come hither Brethren and sisters , be not dismaied , come to the most sweet & amiable woundes of sweet Iesus , come to crucified Iesus : Doe you not see , how he standeth with his armes stretched out , to embrace you ? To Iesus Brethren sinners , to Iesus sister sinners : haue recourse to Iesus , who neuer refuseth , or reiecteth any : come to Iesus , full of loue , who expecteth all , calleth all , thirsteth after all : Hic peccatores recipit , this Iesus receaueth sinners . ( Luc. 15.2 . ) Christ Iesus came to the world to saue sinners , saith S. Paul .

O louing Iesu , who wholy giuest thy selfe for sinners : O vnthankefull sinner , who belongest wholy to Iesus : how great is thy mercy ô Iesu ? how great is thy benefit ô sinner ? Propter scelus populi mei , percussi cum , for the wickednes of my people , haue I smitten him , saieth the eternall Father of his sonne . ( Isay . 53.9 . ) He bare our sinnes in his body vpon the wood , saieth the same Prophet : If then Iesus hath bestowed so many great benefits vpon a sinner , and loueth him so tenderly , whence is it sinners , that you feare Iesus , who is become your friend ? do him therfore no wrong sinner , come forth to thy Iesus : behould how he expecteth thee vpon the holy wood of the crosse , his handes and feet being pierced through with sharpe nailes , that he might giue thee hope and confidence to come vnto him . Let this crucified Iesus , be engrauen in my harte , and in the soule of euery sinner , that soe we may chaunge our liues , and reforme our conuersations , to our saluation , and to the honour and glorie , of the most holy Trinity , the Father , the Sonne , & the holie Ghost ,

Amen .
The sixt Trumpett : Of the dammage that sinne bringeth to a soule in hell , and of the most grieuous punishments wherwith the damned are there tormented . THE XXX . CHAPTER .

ET sextus Angelus tubâ ceciuit . And the sixt Angell blew his Trumpet . ( Apoc. 8. ) Sinners giue care vnto the fearfull and terrible sound of this Trumpet , and see whither it be of power to moue your soules . O the misery of mans hart , which destroyeth it selfe , by its obstinacie and hardnesse , and extolleth it selfe to the highest degree of mischiefe , from whence there is noe hope of returning safe ! Behould in this world , there is nothing more pleasing and delightsome to our fight , then the light of the sunne , so in the other world , and in all the celestiall orbes : yea if there were so many worldes , that they should passe numbering , there would be nothing more glorious or amiable to behould , then God almighty . O exceeding delight to behould God , the Father , the Sonne , and the holy Ghost : to behould the diuine essence , which is one and the same in euery one of the three persons , in which , all sweetnesse , and comelinesse , all treasures , and riches , are to be had in abundant maner . Behould God is a thing so sweet , and pleasant to the tast , that the Prophet Dauid when he had lost it , or at least seemed to loose it , cried out , saying . Fuerunt mihi lachrimae meae panes die ac nocte , &c. My teares were vnto mee bread , day and night , whilest they said dailie vnto mee , where is now thy God ? The spouse losing her beloued , can finde no place , wherein to rest , whereupon shee saieth . In lectulo meo , per noctes quaesius , quem diligit anima mea . In my bedd by night , I sought him , whom my soule loueth , I will arise and goe about the citie : by the streetes & high wayes I will seeke him , whom my soule loueth : haue you seene him , whom my soule loueth ? Cant. 3. All Gods seruants and friends , did exceedingly lament , if in this world , at any time , they haue felt the spirit and soule to become drie , and not to haue the accustomed consolations , & vsual sweetnes of their beloued : yea they did languish and pine away with desire to finde him againe , pittifullie wearying themselues , in weepings , watchings , and prayers , supposing themselues to be most vnfortunate for this losse .

The misery of the state of a damned soule is , that it looseth God , not for a small time , not for a day , a yeare , or a thousand yeares , but for all eternitie , so that if the damned soules should be asked in these wordes , what shall you neuer see God ? they would all answere , neuer , neuer , neuer ; And if they should be asked , shall you neuer then see that thing which is , not only most beautifull to behould , but also the best that can be desired , or sought after ? They would presently with one consent , answere , no , no , no. If they should be demaunded , what is the cause of this their losse ? they would with lamentable crying and howling , tell you , sinne , sinne , sinne : But if you should go further with them , and aske them , with how many sinnes they haue lost , so infinite a good , & are depriued of so beautifull a sight , one would say , with a hundred , an other with a thousand , another , with tenne thousand , and lastly , another with innumerable sinnes : But how terrible , and fearfull would it be to you , if one should say , amongst the rest . Alas most miserable , and forlorne wretch that I am , who with one , onely deadly sinne , which endured but for a moment , haue depriued my selfe of all the celestiall benefits ! Alas then vnfortunate catiffe , art thou depriued of the vision of almighty God , for one onely transgression ? his answere would be , I am , I am , I am : Moreouer .

Consider sinner , that there be two kindes of punishments which the damned suffer in hell , the one is , that which we call , pena damni , the punishment of losse : the other is , pena sensus , the punishment of senses we will speake hereafter of the latter , and now something of the first : This , pena damni , punishment of losse , is the greatest euill , of all euills , and the greatest losse of all losses , the greatest priuation that can be imagined , to loose God , and neuer to haue the sight of him : To liue without God , is the most grieuous punishment which the damned can suffer : who doe not so much as hope once to see him , because they be certaine neuer to behould him : O intollerable punishment ! God will send in to the hartes of the damned a desire , and wonderfull thirst of those things , wherof they cannot be partakers , he wil cause in them , that they shall know and vnderstand the admirable good which is contained in him , and the great sweetnes and delight , which ariseth from the contemplation of his diuine maiestie : they shall know that they haue lost all these thinges by their sinnes , hauing no hope at all , euer to enioy him ; He shall make them vnderstand , how the blessed liue in perpetual pleasures which shall neuer faile them ; wherupon the damned shall frett , and pine away with griefe , they shall know how they might haue obtained the same if they had exercised them selues in vertuous actions , and had refrained from sinner & vices ; wherupon they shall runne madd for griefe and paine , seeing they can neuer recouer their great dammage , which by their negligence they haue incurred .

O sweetnes flowing from the diuine sight ! The holy Prophet , when in this life , he did but call to mind his God , languished with a wonderfull kinde of sweetnes , which thereby he did conceiue , Memor fui Dei , &c. I haue bene mindfull , saieth he , of my God , and haue exercised my selfe , and my spirit failed mee . ( Psal. 76.4 . ) The ●…ouse in the canticles cried out for this sweetnes of loue . Fulcite me floribus ; Stay me vp with flowers , confort me with apples , because I languish with loue . ( Cantic. 2.5 . ) O most sweet and pleasant God , how delightful art thou ? Blessed are they , that dwell in thy house , they will alwaies be praising thee : O forlorne , damned wretches ; but moste happy they which liue in heauen , because they alwayes behould the face of God . Videbimus eum sicuti est ( peccatores ) we shall see him as he is , sinners , in the other life , in heauen , euen as the Angells , and all the blessed Saints doe now behould him : But the damned see him in no sort , & haue no hope , at all , euer to see him : Videbimus eum sicuti est , we shal see him as he is . If any one in this world could looke vpon the sunne , and see clearly how it runneth in his orbe and spheare , & not haue his eyes dimmed with the exceeding light and splendour thereof , he would count himselfe in a maner happy ; But if we lead our liues , as it beseemeth Christians , we shall see our God , who in splendour & brightnesse passeth without comparison a thousand , yea innumerable sunnes : Nec oculus vidit &c. Neither eye hath seene , nor care hath heard , nor hath it entered into the harte of man to conceaue , what thinges God hath promised them that loue him , saieth the holy Apostle . ( 1. Corin. 2.9 . ) & before the Prophet Isayas : Beati oculi qui vident , &c. Blessed are the eyes which see those thinges which you see , saieth Iesus Christ to his Apostles , when they saw him but in the flesh , subiect to labours , trauailes , paines , and death it selfe : what blessednes will you thinke it now to behold him , resplendent in all his glory ? What ioy to see him , not only as man , but also as true God , endued with such beautie and brightnes , as that noe man is able to expresse with wordes , and that in the companie of all the Saints , attended with an infinite multitude of Angells ?

I altogether faint and languish in my harte & soule , when I haue but only a bare thought of these thinges : Bretheren , doe you not likewise perceaue , a great delight & comfort when you thinke vppon God ? doe you not consider , when you meditate vpon terrestriall , and created thinges , referring them to God their creatour , and efficient cause , that you receaue a wonderfull sweet content from them ? O what a meditation is here for you , to contemplate the fairenesse , and largenesse of the Emperiall heauen ? O Israell , Magna est domus Domini , & ingens locus possessionis eius &c. O Israell : saieth the Prophet , great is the house of our Lord , and large is the place of his possession , he is great , and hauing no end , high and mightie . ( Baruch . 3.25 . ) In domo Patris mei mansiones multa sunt . In my Fathers house , there are many mansions , saieth our Lord Iesus . ( Ioh. 14.2 . ) O how many diuerse places and seats are there in heauen ? which the Saints enioy . What is it then that now hindereth your will ? what letteth you that you cannot be inhabitants of that heauenly citie ? I am non estis hospites & aduenae &c. ( Ephes. 2.19 . ) You are not now pilgrims and strangers , but you are the citizens with the Saints , and domestickes with God : Our mercifull Lord Iesus Christ ( sinners ) hath reckoned vs amongst the citizens of heauen , by his bitter death , and passion , he hath made vs heires , and coheires , of a kingdome , haeredes quidem Dei , cohaeredes autem Christi , heires truly of God , but as coheires of Christ .

Alas miserable wretches , what mischiefe is it , that depriueth you of so large , and faire an inheritance ? sinne : some small puffe , or blast of pride , some little delight of your polluted bodies , some gredie desire , or thirsting after humane affaires , some light passion of hatred , some foolish plotts to be reuenged , accursed be all those sinnes , which procure such losse and damage vnto vs , as to depriue vs of heauen , and of the beatifical vision of the almightie : of the most pleasant sight of God the Father , and of our Lord Iesus Christ : and this is the portion , which befalleth all the damned in hell : O most louing Father , O blessed Sonne of God , and holy Ghost the comforter , full of loue and charity , for thy mercies sake suffer vs not to be depriued of those thy great and large promises : permit not , Lord God , our mercifull Father , Sonne , and holie Ghost , permit vs not to loose the ioyfull sight of that glory in the life to come , and the comfort of thy grace in this life present ,

Amen .
Of the fire of hell , and the paines of sense which the damned doe suffer in the companie of diuells . THE XXXI . CHAPTER .

PRaeparata est enim ab heri Tophet , &c. for Tophet is prepared since yesterday of the King , deepe , and wide , the nourishment thereof is fire & much wood , the breath of our Lord as a torrent of brimstone kindling it . ( Isay . 30.33 . ) Goe to now sinner , call to thy remembrance those grieuous punishments , which thou shalt endure in hell , vnlesse thou amend thy life ; And first of all consider , that in hell , there is a wonderful denowring fire , euer burning , and yet neuer consumeth those miserable damned : Praeparata est ab heri : It is prepared since yesterday , that is from the beginning of the foundation of the world , there is a place prepared which is called Tophet , which signifieth a misleading , or beguiling , that is hell : whither all the soules misled , and beguiled by the world , the flesh , and the diuell , presently resorte .

This Tophet , and this hel , God the King of Kinges hath prepared , to reuenge and punish those execrable diuels , & all sinners together with them : Prosūdata &c. It is deepe and vaste : hell is large & of great compasse , saith the holy Prophet I say : Nutrimentum eius &c. the fuell of this place is fire , & wood ▪ and God with his breath doth continually kindle and sett it on fire . Whereupon ( sinners ) it is moste cleare , that hell is a very darke place , in the most inward , & deepest partes of the earth , broade and wide , and so ample , that although soules should fall downe therin , as fast as the raine vpon the earth , yet would it neuer be filled : In this place , the fire allwaies burneth , and without ceasing or intermission , cruelly torments the diuells & damned persons , and will so torment and wofully burne them for euer .

The holy Doctors doe hould , that this fire is corporall : Ignem infernalem corporalem esse non ambigo , saieth Saint Gregorie . I doe not doubt , but that the fire of hell is corporall : And although no corporall thing hath power to worke on a spirituall thing , naturally , yet notwithstanding , by the diuine power , that fire which is corporall , & of the same nature with ours , neuer ceaseth after a wonderfull manner , to torment al the diuels , which are pure spirits , and all the damned soules , which likewise are without their bodies , vntill the day of iudgement , & then their bodies also shall burne with them , for all eternity .

Alas miserable sinners , this is the place appointed , and prepared for you , where you shal burne with all the accursed crue of diuells for euer , except you amend your liues , and by repentance turne vnto God : That fire shall burne for euer , and neuer be extinguished : Nutrimenta eius ignis , &c. The nutriment therof is fire and much wood , neither shall there want , one daily to blow it , for the breath of our Lord , like a torrent of brimstone doth kindle it : But you must by no means suppose , or thinke that there is wood in hell , necessary to encrease the fire : but the sacred scripture , speaketh so , to this end , that it may be presented more liuely vnto our understanding , which better comprehends , and perceaueth naturall thinges ; neither can wee but say , the diuells , and soules before iudgement , and the bodies of the damned after iudgement , be vnderstood by wood : for euen as the wood shall be cast into the fire , so the diuels and the damned spirits before the day of iudgement , and their bodies after , shal be cast into the same : O wonderfull miserie , and calamitie , whereinto a sinner falleth , seeing that he must go downe into hell , where he shal burne for euer and euer , and neuer be consumed !

Thinke with thy selfe , that thou cannest not without marueilous paine , hould thy fingar in this our fire , for the space of one Aue Maria : but according to the opinion of the Doctors , this our fire being compared with the fire of hell , is like a painted fire : O ineffable miserie ! Put thy fingar a while to a painted fire , and thou shalt perceaue no sensible paine , but thrust it into a reall fire , and thou shalt not be able to endure the same ; So truly standeth the case here , for so mightie , and so forcible is the fire of hell , and tormenteth the soule in such sort and so intolerably , as that , suppose any one could deliuer , and take a soule out of hell fire , and cast it into some burning furnace of our fire , the soule would imagine it to be , no other thing , then a recreation , or some sweet cooling ayre , in respect of the intollerable burning heate , which before , it did suffer in hell . What saiest thou sinner , if thou denie it to be true , thou art much deceaued , and deluded , neither doest giue eare to that which the scripture affirmeth in many places : And besides , thou shalt alltogether gainsay what we before haue produced out of the Prophet Isay .

But if this doeth not satisfie you , how will you giue credit to that , which the holy Euangelist citeth in the parable of the rich glutton ? Mortuus est autem & diues , & sepultus est in inferno : the rich man also died , and was buried in hell . And being in torments , he saw Abraham a farre off , and Lazarus in his bosome , to whome he cried out saying , Father Abraham haue mercy on me , and send Lazarus , that he may dipp the tipp of his finger in water , and coole my toung , because I am pittifully tormented in this flame . ( Luc. 16.22 . ) doest thou heare wicked sinner , what the holye ghospell saieth , wouldest thou know by what name he calleth that fire , Crucior in hâc flammâ , I am tormented in this fl●me , therefore Christ him selfe saieth in an other place , speaking of hell . Ibi erit flecus , & stridor dentium , there shall be weeping , and gnashing of teeth . ( Math. 8.12 . ) Our Lord in these wordes declareth and setteth downe , two very terrible punishments of hel , when he saieth , fletus , & stridor dentium , weeping , and gnashing of teeth : by weeping , he sheweth that there is fire in hell , for the fire hath alwais smoake mixed with it , which hurteth , and offendeth the eyes , & so consequently procureth weeping : but when he saieth , stridor dentium , gnashing of teeth : hee manifesteth vnto vs , that there is a moste vehement colde in hell , of such efficacie , as it forceth them , who suffer it , to gnash with the teeth . Iob also setteth downe these two kindes of punishments : Ad nimium calorem , transeat ab aquis niuium , &c. Let him passe from the waters of the snow , to excessiue heat . Iob. 24.19 .

Alas wretched sinners , what woefull punishments doe expect you ? your poore wretched soules shall be tossed from one place to another , from cold to heat and scorching , & from thence againe into cold , from flames into snow , from ice and froste in to fire , and all this with ineffable torture , and vnspeakable paine : Herupon you may easily coniecture , what torment , griefe and sorrow it is to be in hell , by going our of fire & heat , into frost and colde , neither is there any of you ignorant , if , vpon some occasion , your hands should become nummed with cold , and afterwards should put them to the fire to warme them , what paine you should feele thereby ; For the maruelous force of the ●eate , which violently piercinge the fingers , endeuoureth to expell and driue out the colde : O the miserable state , and condition of mankinde : what griefe and torment shouldest thou feele , sinner , if in the height of summer , when thou art sweating and burninge with heat , thou shouldest be cast into a cisterne full of snow and cold water ? without question thou couldest not long endure in this affliction .

Alas , thinke , therfore seriouslie with thy selfe , of those horrible , and intollerable paines of colde , and heat , and firie flames , which thou shalt suffer in hell : Discedite à me maledicti , in ignem &c. Departe from mee yee cursed into euerlasting fire . ( Math. 25.41 . ) will Iesus Christ say to the damned , sitting vpon his tribunall seat of iudgement ; whereupon it is manifest , that there is fire in hell ; Discedite à me , departe from mee yee cursed , into euerlasting fire , not at the first prepared for you , but for the diuels , but seeing that now by your sinnes you haue deserued the same punishment , discedite à me , departe from mee , with the company of all the damned spirits , that together with them , you may be punished in euerlasting torments : Sinner , what wilt thou now say ? wilt thou derogate from the credit of the holy ghospell , the wordes of truth , the wordes of Christ , who is truth it selfe ? if thou doest so , thou art in the number of heretiques ; if an heretique , thou shalt haue the punishment of heretiques , and of all them , who will not giue credit to the Catholique faith .

Of the diuersitie of punishments wherwith the damned soules are tormented , without any hope of intermission or mitigation . THE XXXII . CHAPTER .

QVantum glorificauit se &c. As much at she hath glorified her selfe , and hath abounded with delightes , so much giue her of torments ; saieth S. Iohn in his Apocalipse . ( Apocal. 18.7 . ) These wordes the diuine iustice wil vse to you , sinners , in hel : The iustice of God wil cry against you , and commaund the diuells to torture you , according to the measure of your sinnes , and iniquities . Harken , sinners , what diuersitie of punishments is kept for you , vnderstand wretched soules , those manifolde torments which are reserued for your transgressions , you shall be sure , neuer to come out from thence , neuer to obtaine the least rest and repose , that can be imagined , neuer to be freed from any one kinde of these punishmentes : Pater Abraham , &c. Father Abraham , send Lazarus , that he may dippe the tippe of his fingar in water , to coole my toung , because I am tormented in this flame : these be the wordes of the rich glutton .

Many and sundry punishments are there ordained in hell , and all of them very cruell , you shall be continually , & swiftly tossed from one to another ; This , wretched sinners , shall be your recreation , rest and repose : These innumerable punishments , which are prepared for you , forlorne soules , are reduced by the sacred scripture , and holy Doctours of the church , vnto tenn heades : Of the first we haue already spoken , which is the fire of hel , wanting all comfortable light , stinking and burning , and the greater your affection was in this world to commit sinne , so much will God , vse the more , his seueritie and iustice against you : This fire is prouided especially for you , who haue followed the pleasures , and lustes of the flesh : for seeing that you haue giuen way to your sensuall appetites , and haue bene polluted with all maner of vncleanesse , therfore this loathsome fire , and stinking pittes of brimstone , are prepared for you : Quantum hasit amor , tantum affligit dolor . ( S. August . ) how much loue and delight you haue had in sinning , so much sorrow and paine shall you haue to recompense the same .

Thinke with your selues , if you must suffer and endure , such intollerable paines for euery deadlie sinne , how miserable will your case be , who all your life time , haue defiled your soules with the filth of concupiscence ? what will become of you Epicures , who for so many yeares haue made Gods of your bellies ? what will become of thee harlott , which for so long time hast had familiarity with concubines ? what wil become of thee , impudent whore , which hast so many yeares together , allured , inticed , & drawne all passengers , by signes , laughings , gay attire , and deceitfull paintings , to the vnlawfull vse of thy body ? what will become of thee silly woman , which hast stollen away many soules from Christ , and cast them downe headlong into the pitt of destruction ? Alas voluptuous persons , men , and women , where wil you be hereafter , who now daily heape sinne vpon sinne , without remorse of conscience , without shame of men , or feare of God ? what doe you thinke of your selues , who haue done actes against the common course of nature ? what punishments ? what torments ? what miseries doe waite for you in hell ? who is able ( I will not say to number ) but to thinke of the innumerable paines , which are appointed for you ?

Consider sinners , you especiallie , who follow with great delight and diligence , the pleasures , and lustes of the flesh , consider what I am to tell you further , of the fire of hell ? Although in hel , there is but one common fire to torment the diuells , and damned soules , yet in diuerse places , and partes of hell , there shall also be diuerse fires , whereof some shall be greater , then others , burning more , stinking worse , that there , sinners may be punished , according to the diuersitie of their offences : But let vs come now to the second kinde of punishment .

Ponder with thy selfe , that besides this fire , there is a wonderfull intense colde , which some shall feele more , some lesse , according as they be loaden with the burden of their iniquities : Alas you sloathfull , sluggish , and cold Christians , in holy religion , and in God his diuine seruice , this extreame colde , these vnspeakable tortures , and torments , will he inflict vpon you ; congealing you like ice , and causing you to gnash with your teeth , as our Lord saieth , Ibi erit fletus , & stridor dentium , there shall be weeping , and gnashing of teeth .

The third kind of punishment , is , the vggly shape and deformitie of wormes which shall be continually biting , and gnawing of you : vermis eorum non morietur : their their worme shall not die , saieth the Prophet Isay . ( Isay . 66.24 . ) Vindicta carnis impij , ignis & vermis , the reuenge of the flesh , of the wicked , is fire , and the worme , saieth the wise man . ( Eccles. 7.19 . ) Dominus dabit vermes & carnes eorum , the all powerfull Lord , saieth Iudith , will giue wormes to their flesh . ( Iud. 16.21 . ) The more that sinners haue delighted them selues in foule , filthy , and enormous vices and crimes , the more shall they be tormented in hell , with strange vggely monsters , of serpents , toades , dragons , and such like , which indeed are nothing else but diuels , in the forme and shape of these liuing creatures , allthough some Doctours affirme such creatures to be really there , that the torments of the damned soules may be more cruell , and intollerable .

Wo to thee then wretched woman , which placest thy felicitie , in carnall impuritie , thinke how thou shalt be often times compassed about with serpents , dragons , toades , or other some vggely & deformed creatures , worse then the former , all which shall bite thee with their venemous teeth , and teare those partes of thy body , wherein thou tookest greatest pleasure & contentment , with incredible torture : O miserie , and calamitie ! O thing vnheard of ! yet for all this , the wofull sinner doth not consider them : The daintie damsell , and braue citizens wife , do not trouble their thoughts with these thinges : Alas how many are there , which haue wholy giuen them selues to the sinnefull lusts and sensual delightes of the flesh : and in a moment , when they haue the least thought of it , haue descended into the bottomlesse pit : Ducunt in bonis , dies suos : they lead ( saith holie Iob ) their liues in good thinges , but in an instant goe downe into hell : O the calamitie , of the blinde and foolish world , which after such a manner , vtterly ouerthroweth it selfe ?

The fourth punishment is , that intollerable stinch which shal fill the nostrils of the damned , with ineffable vexation : This stinch , of the holy scripture is called . Fetor sulphureus , a stinch mixt with brimstone : ignis & sulphur &c. Fire and brimstone , and the blast of stormes , is the portion of their cupp , saith the psalmist . ( Psal. 10.7 . ) pars iniquorum &c. the portion of the wicked shall be in a lake , or poole burning with fire , & brimstone : The reason wherefore the fire , the colde , and the stinch of hell , are so excessiue , and so insupportable , is , because they can neuer vent forth , but are shutt vp , & kept close within the hollow partes of the earth ; euen as fire in a furnace kept in on euery side , is of greater force to burne , then if it had compasse to dilate it selfe , that the flame and heat thereof might euaporate .

Weigh the matter exactly , and consider awhile , sinner , what an ill sauour thou shouldest smell , if thou wert shut vp close in a sinke , full of all filthines , and corruption , where no ayre can come in , in the which dead carcases lie , where pitch & brimstone is burning : Out of this gather , what ill sauour thou shalt finde in hell , where the damned bodies shall stinke farre worse ( without comparison ) then the carcases of dogges , or of any other filthy carraine : But contrariwise , the bodies of Gods seruants , and blessed in heauen , shal send forth , throughout euery part of the same , most delightsome sauours . Consider sinner , what a stinch , that will be of hell , where so many bodies of damned persons , of men and women , shall be , not for one day , but for eternity : All the damned shall be there kept close prisoners together , one lying vpon another , and one infecting another with his stinch and loathsome sauour . Sicut oues in inferno &c. as sheepe , they are put in hell , death shall feed vpon them , saieth the Prophet . Psal. 48.15 .

Of the fift , sixt , and other aboue mentioned punishments which the damned suffer in hell . THE XXXIII . CHAPTER .

THE fift punishment of hell , shall be the fearfull sight of diuells , and damned persons , who all very deformed , shall appeare with foule and vggely visages to behould , because the damned , both men and women , shall be like the diuels themselues . Ponder a while sinner , how loathsome dead bodies seeme to be in their graues . Consider with what horrour and dread , the dead body of any man or woman doth affright thee , so soone as the soule is departed from it : thinke what an ill smell proceedeth from it , when it remaineth but one day without burying . Weigh with thy selfe , how horriblie stinking are the bodies of those that be dead , which haue beene buried three or foure daies in their graues : Domine iam fetet , quatriduanus est . Lord now he stinketh , he hath beene foure dayes in the graue , saieth Martha of her brother Lazarus .

Alas miserable mortall men , what doe you doe , being cruell , outragious , and vnnaturall against your selues ? Why doe you condemne your selues after such a lamentable manner , and that for iust nothing ? O consider wretched sinners , if the sight of one diuell , striketh such terrour into you , that although he appeare in the shape and likenesse of no vggely creature , you are not able to endure him long , what will become of you then , when you shall see in hel so many diuels , so many men , so many women , all alike in one ill fauorednesse , and horrible aspect ? O Alas miserable sinners , what sight will it be to see in hell , innumerable diuels , foule & vggely , running about hel , with woful noise , and clamours , who with whippes and scourges , shall now vexe this man , another while that woman , and so grieuously torment all , that Dionisius , an approued author saieth . Teterrima quaedam in daemonibus phrenesis & furoris amentia inest : There is a most mischieuous franticknesse , and madnesse of raging anger , in the diuells .

The sixt punishment of the damned , shall be in an insatiable , and most vehement hunger , wherwith gluttons , and all those shall bee tormented , who like brute beasts , place their felicity in banquets , iunketts , and merrie meetinges , without any feare of God , or remorce of conscience , who breake the fasts instituted by our holy Mother the church , neither doe they regard Lent , and other times of pennance , which she hath carefully ordained for their soules health & saluation . They eate often , deuowre and consume not only their goods and estate , but that also which should maintaine and relieue poore widdowes , and fatherlesse children : Herupon our B. Sauiour threatneth them in the Gospell , in these wordes : Va vobis qui saturati estis , &c. Woe bee to you that are now filled , because you shall be hungrie . ( Luc. 6.23 . ) In like manner God speaketh by the mouth of the Prophet Isaias , saying . Serui mei comedent , & vos esurietis &c. Behould my seruants shall eate , and you shal be hungrie . ( Isai. 65. ) Behould my seruants shall drinke , and you shall be thirstie , my seruants shall reioyce , and you shall be confounded , my seruants shall praise with ioyfulnes of harte , & you shall crie for sorrow , and for contrition of spirit you shal howle : And the wise man giueth vs this counsel : Ante obitum tuum , operare bonum , &c. Before death , worke thy good , because thou shalt finde no meate with them in hel . Eccl. 14.

Alas thou gluttonous companion , consider that extreame hunger , and thirst , which thou shalt endure in hell , where thou shalt haue nothing , but thine own flesh to feed vpon , Vnusquisque carnem brachij sui vorabit , &c. ( Isay . 9. ) Euery one shall deuowre the flesh of his owne arme , saith the Prophet Isay . Speaking of the damned : Doest thou know miserable glutton , what thy fare shall be in hell ? wormewood and gall : Ecce ego cibabo vos absynthio &c. Behould I will feed you with wormewood , and will giue you gall to drinke : saith the Prophet Ieremie . ( Ierem. 23.15 . ) Doest thou know sinner , for whom thou shalt bee meate ? for death it selfe : Sicut oues in inferno &c. They are put in hell like sheepe , death shalt feed vpon them . ( Psal. 48. ) Alas foolish and madd gluttons , what will you doe then , when hauing nothing to refresh your selues with all , you shall perish for hunger , but although you might haue all the dainty dishes , which the world could afford you , they would in no wise , satisfie your appetite .

The seauenth punishment , shall be an intollerable thirst : As wee read , the rich glutton was her with cruelly tormented , when he cried out ; Father Abraham &c. ( Luc. 16. ) And it foloweth ; that I may coole my toung , for I am tormented grieuously in this flame : Vae qui consurgitis ad ebrietatem &c. Woe to you that rise vp early to follow drunkennesse , and to drinke , euen vntil euening , that you may be enflamed with wine . ( Isay . 5. ) and Salomon saith . Be not in the feasts of great drinkers , nor in their meetings , which take flesh together to eate , for they that are giuen to drinking , and that pay shotts , shall be consumed : Alas wretched and couetous persons , which would neuer giue so much as a cup of cold water to him that was thirstie , nor a smal morsel of bread to the poore , needy , and hungry : this hunger , and thirst shall molest , vex and torment you , aboue all others , Fili recordare &c. Sonne remember , that thou hast receaued good thinges in thy life time , and Lazarus euill thinges : Thus doeth Abraham speake to the rich glutton : The same I may say to you rich couetous men , who will not show pittie or commiseration to any : Alas , how wofully shall all those pine away with hunger , who in this world haue gorged themselues with wine and sugred soppes , and haue enlarged their possessions with the goods of the needie , and distressed , with the rents and liuing belonging to te church ? Fumus tormentorum &c. The smoke of their torments shall ascend for euer , and they shall haue no rest day or night , saieth S. Iohn in his Apocalipse . ( Apoc. 14.11 . ) And the Psalmist saieth . Laborabit in eternum , hee shall labour for all eternitie , and shall liue yet vnto the end . Psal. 48.9 .

The eight punishment of the damned shall be , to be fast bound and chained : Our Lord affirmeth it in the Gospell : Ligatis manibus : Binde him hands , and feet , and cast him into vtter darknesse : Iniquitates capient impium , his owne iniquities shall ouertake the wicked , and hee shall bee linked with the cordes of his sinnes , saieth Salomon . ( Prou. 5.22 . ) Congregabuntur congregatione vnius fascis : They shall be gathered together , in the gathering of one bundle , and shall be shut there in prison . ( Isay . 24.22 . ) Alligate eos in fasciculos , &c. Binde them into bundels to burne , saith our Lord , speakinge of the Tares of the field , ( Math. 13.30 . ) whereby the damned & reprobate are vnderstood : Consider sinner what a multitude of bundles of men and women , shall be in hel , for they that haue beene participant of the same crimes , and defiled themselues in the like offences , shall be gathered together , into the same bundle , to receaue most cruell torments ▪ woe to you , who will not pardon , nor so much as looke vpon your enemies , what will you doe then , when you shall be fast chained to those , to whom in this world , you did beare deadly malice and hatred ?

The ninth punishment , shall be obscure darknes , and thicke smoake : Terra miseriae , & tenebraerum : A land of miserie and darknes , where the shadow of death is , and no order , but euerlasting horrour inhabiteth . Although indeed there shall be great darknesse , yet the diuine iustice hath so ordained , that one damned shall clearly see another : That of this mutuall behoulding of one another , their torments may be the more encreased and augmented .

The tenth punishment is , an intollerable filthines of that foule , horrible , and stinking hel , that nothing can possiblie be compa-with it : Goe to now sinner , consider how thou shalt be shutt vp and bound fast , in this place , hauing no hope at all , euer to come out againe : O the calamity , and miserie of mortall men ? who cast themselues headlong downe thither , for iust nothing : Quae videntur temporalia sunt , quae non videntur eterna . The thinges that are seene , are temporall , and transitorie : but those thinges that are not seene , are eternall , and euerlasting , saith the holy Apostle . ( 2. Corin. 4.18 . ) Your delightes , and pleasures ( sinners ) are verie short : but the torments of hel , to which you hasten , are of long continuance : your pasttimes vanish away , like smoake , but your punishments shal be permanent : your sportes & merry conceipts , quickly consume , and passe away like a cloud , but your troubles & afflictions , shal neuer haue an end .

Alas therfore , sinners , returne at length to God , why doe you not forsake your iniquities , and transgressions ? why doe you not flie the diuell , your cruell , and deadly enemie ? woe to you sinners , men , and women , who liue as if you should neuer die ? who take no care for the time to come , but pursue your wicked and sinfull course of life , euen as if you had no soules to saue , neither were there any hell to torment you : Sweet Iesus , for his clemency , and tender mercy , open your eyes : Sweet Iesus for his moste bitter death and passion sake , chaunge and turne your hartes : Iesus the true sonne of almightie God , and the B.V. Marie , his deare beloued Mother , bring you backe againe into the right path of saluation , that you may not be damned in the bottomlesse pitt of destruction ,

Amen .
The Seuenth Trumpett , of the society , and companie , which a sinner draweth with him , in life , death , and after death . THE XXXIV . CHAPTER .

ET septimus Angelus tubâ cecinit . And the seuenth Angell sounded the Trumpett . ( Apoc. 8. ) Heare now at length , the last Trumpet sounding , which if it shall nothing , moue thee , thou giuest mee but smal hope of thy saluation : Consider a while , sinner , whose companion thou shalt be , so long as thou liuest : Afterwardes wee will speake of thy company in death , and after death : Et societas nostra &c. And our societie is with the Father , and the Sonne , saieth S. Iohn , speaking of good men . ( 1. Iohn . 1.3 ) O happy and fortunate men , wheresoeuer they goe , they haue the Angels , and God himselfe , in their company , for where two or three , are gathered together in my name , there am I in the midst of them , ( Math. 18.20 . ) But sinner , who shall associate thee ? Alas wretch , the diuell , shal be thy daily companion , and attendant ; For what end and purpose ? That he may tumble , & fling thee downe headlong , that he may kill , and murther thee , that he may enforce thee to commit all kindes of vices , and lastly , that he may carry thee with him into hell : The Doctors affirme , a certaine diuell to be assigned to euery man , who doth continually watch , and follow him , nor euer leaueth him while he liueth , that he may entrapp and ensnare his soule : What then sinners doe you ? can you for all this , sleepe , and shorte , seeing , that the diuel euery day watcheth so narrowly for your destruction ? Can you so carelesly neglect your owne saluation , and suffer the diuell alwaies to busie himselfe in the worke of your damnation ? wil you not yet take any thought vppon this matter ? Are you still delighted with so mischieuous a companion ? Madd men , and cruell against your owne sinnefull soules ! O wicked and senslesse creatures , which are so in humane against your selues .

Ponder , sinner , that withersoeuer thou walkest , there is a diuell ready to be thy lackie : Thinke how sometimes , he goeth before , sometimes he followeth , one time on the right hand , another time on the left hand , now he goeth before to ouerthrow thee , now he followeth , prouiding snares to catch thee , now he standeth at thy left hand , by calamities , and distresses , to bring thee to despaire : and by , and by , he is on thy right hand , by honours , and dignities to puffe thee vp with pride , and arrogancy , thereby to giue thee a greater fal . Consider when thou eatest , he is about thee , to make thee exceede by gluttonie . When thou speakest , that thou mayest stumble , & faulter in thy speech : Thinke that when thou awakest , he causeth thee to be drowsy , when thou sleepest , he deludeth thee by strange visions , and deceipts , manie subtil deuices , many deceipts , and craftie sleights doth he imagine : How many netts , how many snares doth that tirant lay for the miserable soules of sinneful men ? In how many wayes and comers , doth that enemy sitt lurking , to spoile , robbe , and murder all passengers ? Fratres sobrij estote &c Brethren be you sobre and watch , because your aduersary , the diuell , as a roaring lyon , goeth about , seeking whome he may deuoure , saieth the holy Apostle S. Peter . ( 1. Pet. 5.8 . ) which worthy sentence , our holy Mother the church , hath apointed to be daily sung at Compline in al places , where the diuine office is said : Circuiui terram , &c. I haue compassed about the earth , and walked along through it , saieth the diuel to God , asking of him , from whence he came . Iob. 2.2 .

What is the reason , why the diuell so vieweth the world ? why he walketh through the earth so diligently ? for your soules , for your soules I say ; God & his Angells , seeke to saue your soules , the diuell with all greedines thirsteth after your damnation : Da mihi animas &c. Giue me the soules , take thou the rest , saith Abraham . ( Gen. 14.21 . ) The diuell saith the like to man ; the true seruants and worshippers of God , are enflamed with desire to winne soules : so likewise all the diuels hate them with extreame indignation , neuer ceasing vntill they haue brought them , as low as hel : The Angells and good men , and the diuells are marchants of soules , but after a different manner . For the first , by all means endeauour to conduct them into heauen , but the latter to make shipwracke of them , in the bottomlesse pitt of hell : That soule maketh an ill , and an vnluckie iourney , which taketh the diuell for her companion , seruing him daily by sinne , contemning God , and reiecting his most sacred law : But on the other side , that soule maketh a prosperous iourney , which followeth the Angels , and Gods seruants , for they will assuredly lead her into paradise , shewinge her the way which they haue trodden , namely the keeping , and true obseruing of the diuine precepts , & commaundements . Thine Angel Guardian ( sinner ) will neuer forsake thee , so long as thy soule remaineth in thy body , exciting thee to shunne euill , and to chose that which is good : The diuell a most cruell tyrant , thy companion , will not be idle about thee , but wil prouoke thee vnto all sortes of wickednesse , & tragression .

Now then ( sinner ) how doest thou behaue thy selfe towardes thy good Angell ? how doest entertaine this thy most faithfull , and louing keeper ? Alas sillie miscreant thou refusest thy good Angell , and thy blessed Sauiour , to ioyne thy selfe to the infernall Prince of darknesse , whom thou seruest with all homage , diligence , and industrie . Consider ( sinner ) with what streight obligation thou art bound to God , and thy good Angell , who continually defendeth , and accompanieth thee , & keepeth thee from the assaults , and snares of innumerable damned spirits : Thinke how many yeares are passed , wherein thou hast liued in the sure custody of infernall enemies , offending , dishonouring , and dispising thy God , who al this time hath expected thee , ready to embrace thee in his armes stretched out vpon the crosse , there manifesting his benignity , mercy , loue , and charitie towardes thee : It is not long since , sinners , that the diuel would haue quite destroyed you , and haue carried you hence , had not the goodnesse and clemency of our most sweet , and milde Iesus , hindered , & withstood him , who gently preserued you aliue , expecting , & looking that you should doe pennance , calling you by inward motions , and inspirations , and admonishing you , by wholesome instructions of deuout preachers , and spirituall bookes .

Consider wicked , and forlorne sinner , how great thine ingratitude hath bene against God , who so earnestly desireth thy conuersion , saying . Conuertimini ad me , turne to mee , in your whole harte . ( Ioel. 2. ) Turne to mee , and I will turne vnto you , saieth God . ( Zach 1. ) Turne then speedilie vnto him , as to your louing God , sinners , seeing that his tender mercie so kindely inuites you . Wilt thou leaue him ( sinner ) to take the diuell ? take heed what thou doest . Nunquid non ipse est Pater tuus ? Is not he thy Father , that hath possessed thee ? hath not he made thee , and created thee ? It is a nation without counsell , and wisedome : O that they were wise , and would prouide for their last end , saieth the holy scripture . ( Deut. 32. ) O the blindnesse of man ! O the madnesse of a sinner ! who forsaketh his God to follow a most terrible diuell . Remember well , and call to minde , sinner , that he is thy God , that hath created thee , that alone hath redeemed thee , with his most pretious blood .

Tell me I pray thee ( sinner ) whose ayre is this wherewith thou breathest ? Whose earth is this which sustaineth thee , and houldeth thee vp ? The water which washeth thee , the fire which warmeth thee , whose I say , are all these , but Gods ? who gaue thee cloathing , wherewith thou coueredst thy nakednesse ? hadst thou not it from God ? from thy Iesus ? Who giueth thee bread to eate , water to drinke , but onely thy God ? wilt thou then be vnthankfull vnto him , who bestoweth so liberally these benefits vpon thee ? who affordeth thee health ? Who maintaineth thy life ? is it not God that gaue the same vnto thee ? My God and sweet Sauiour , my benigne , clement , mercifull , & louing God , what iustice , and equitie is it , that we should all be conuerted vnto thee ? It is good for mee to cleaue to God , to put my hope in our Lord my God , saied the holy Prophet , who knew how many great good things proceeded to him from his God . ( Psal. 72. ) but you , forlorne sinners , and sillie miscreants , are so farre from desiring to come to God , who is willing & able to purge and sanctifie you , that willingly , and with free consents , you associate your selues with the diuel , who will make you diuelish , like vnto himselfe , when as otherwise you might be made one with God by the ardor of loue and charitie : Deus charitas , est &c. ( Ioan. 4. ) God is charitie , and he that abideth in charity , abideth in God , and God in him , saieth S. Iohn : If any man loue mee , he will keepe my wordes , and my Father will loue him , and we will come to him , and make our mansion with him . ( Ioan. 14. ) Delitiae meae &c. My delight is to be with the sonnes of men . Behould here the inexcogitable felicity of the good , & the ineffable miserie and calamitie of the wicked : for the good shall remaine in the blessed companie of allmightie God , but the wicked , and transgressors , shall for euer be shut vp amongst the damned crew of infernall diuels .

To conclude , assure thy selfe ( sinner ) that whether thou eatest , or drinkest , whether thou sitt , or walke , whether thou sleepe , or wake , or what thing soeuer thou dost , thou art alwaies in the company of innumerable diuells , who daily stand attending thee , ready to carry thee along with them into hell . And againe , perswade thy selfe , that they would not be long without the prey of thy poore soule , if Gods clemency , and the custodie of Angels were not present to defend it from them : Our Lord by the merits of S. Marie Magdalen ( in remembrance of whose conuersion , the church euerie yeare solemnly celebrateth her festiual day ) so chaunge the mindes of sinners , but especially , of those , who are to read this little worke , that , vtterly forsaking the familiaritie of the wretched diuells , and damned spirits , they may obtaine a heauenly societie , and friendship , with Iesus Christ , their God , their Father & Creator , world without end , Amen . And I humbly beseech euery one , that shall read this booke , that he would pray for mee miserable sinner , liuing or dead : Sweet Iesus blesse vs all :

Amen .
IN THE NAME OF THE Father , and of the Sonne , and of the Holy Ghost Amen : Of the societie which sinners haue in their death , and how dangerous their state is about the houre of their death . THE XXXV . CHAPTER .

IT is an olde Prouerbe ( sinner ) well knowne vnto thee . Qui malè viuit , malè moritur . He that liues ill , dieth ill : What then doest thou suppose will become of thee , who hast lead so wicked a life so many yeares ? It may be , thou wilt say , with S. Paul , diues est in misericordia &c. ( Ephes. 2. ) God is rich in mercie , and wil shew singular clemencie vnto mee in death : But this befalleth but to very few , for although some sinners haue bene saued at the last gaspe , as it happened to the good theefe , yet woe to them who sinne , presuming vpon such a confidence ; Paenitentiam in extremis nec damnamus , nec approbamus , we neither approue of , nor condemne repentance deferred to the last end , saieth S. Augustin : It is only knowne to God , what such mens cases shall be : This is most certaine , that all sinners , that are saued , must haue an exceeding great , and perfect sorrow for all their offences , and iniuries , wherby they haue offended his diuine Maiestie : But who is he that shall be assured to haue this consideration with himselfe , how he hath formerly liued , in sinne and iniquity , to haue a sufficient contrition & sorrow for offending God , at the time of his death ? Let no man seduce you by idle , and friuolous wordes , saieth S. Paul . Ephes. 5.

What then sinner , canst thou be so foolish , as once to harbour such a thought in thy mind , that the diuell , thine aduersary , who hath bene thy companion all the course of thy life , will leaue and forsake thee at thy death ? be wiser then so , for otherwise thou wilt be farre deceaued , yea rather , at that time he will shew all his malice , and vse the greatest care and diligence that he can , to obtaine the victory , so longe desired of him : Then shalt thou behold the vggely shape of thy infernall companion , then shalt thou clearly see , how horrible his countenan e is , for then God will permit thee to discerne him whom thou hast serued , and to whom thou hast bound thy selfe as slaue for so manie yeares .

Alas ( sinner ) what wilt thou say , when the diuell , boasting & exulting ouer thee , will terrifie thee with his fearfull deformed face ? If happily thou purpose to go from him , and to returne to Christ by doing pennance for thy former lewed life , then he will demonstrate , and lay open before thine eyes , some subtill deceipts , and fallacies which before he kept secret : Alas wretch , with how many difficulties will he then circumuent thee ? and the more , because thou shalt not know what to answere in thine owne behalfe : thou shalt be sore besett on euery side , and preuaile nothing at all , thou shalt be cast headlong into the gulfe of eternall perdition : Alas miserable , vnfortunate , and forlorne sinners , you will then haue no time to take an inward hatred of your hainous crimes , and misdeedes : The diuell will stand in your presence , alleadging , and reciting al your enormous faultes , and offences , declaring them to the full : to the which you will not know what to answere , or to make any excuse , for your selues .

Harken ( sinners ) to a terrible example , which maketh for our purpose , and is related of Iohn Climachus , in the eight sermon of his booke of sermons , the historie is thus : A certaine Monke called Stephen , dwelling in mount Sinay , was wonderfully delighted with the tranquillity of a solitary life , who ( as this authour reporteth ) was adorned with rare vertues , learning for many yeares together , to become a valiant souldier of Iesus Christ : This religious man , the day before he died , would some times looke on the right side , other times on the left side of his bed , as though there were some present , that demaunded a very strict account of all the thinges which euer hee had done : We indeed , saw no body saieth he , to talke thus with him , yet sometimes he would say , Trulie so it is , againe he would say , I graunt it , but this I haue confessed , and for the same , I haue fasted , & lamented so long a time : Another while , he would say , it is true , and presently after , you belie mee , it is not so , I neuer committed any such crime , them shortlie after , he would tell them , verily , you accuse me vniustly , and lay this infamy vndeseruedly vppon mee ; But this most of all amazed vs , when he sayed , I yeeld , that it is true , neither doe I know what to replie , or answere for my selfe : yet I put my trust in God who is mercifull : so that this obscure iudgement which none there present did vnderstand , was most terrible to relate , but especially in this , that the diuels should accuse him of thinges which he neuer did : O wretch , that I am , to what streight was that Anachoret brought into , a true louer of a solitarie , and an heremiticall life ! who after that he had continued a monke for fourty yeares , and had shedd forth many profitable teares , yet after all this , he affirmed that he could not say any thing for him selfe , or giue a sufficient answer to excuse his offences : Woe , woe then to vs : where was that large promise which allmighty God had made by the mouth of his holy Prophet Ezechiell ? Si impius egerit paenitentiam . ( Ezech. 18.27 . ) If the wicked shall doe pennance for all the sinnes which he hath wrought ; all his iniquities which he hath done , I will not remember : He could answere nothing , nor alleadge this in his behalfe , whereupon , God is onely to be praised and extolled , who knoweth the cause and reason of all thinges : And so much the more , for that some monkes affirmed , that this Stephen so long as he liued in the desert , fedd and nourished a Leopard with his owne hands : yet this Heremit , of such fame , and note in the world , being called to giue an account of his life , left no certainty behinde him , what sentence passed on him , whither he was accepted before God or no. This history Climachus relateth .

Haue you giuen eare to this , sinners ? how is it then , that you liue so securely , being contaminated with vices and loathsome sinnes , supposing that you shall die well enough , when Alas you heare that so famous an Heremit , a man of such notable sanctitie , who did great pennance ful fourtie yeares , now dying , had nothing to answere , when a reckoning was to be made ? O how narrowly shall our life be discussed , and examined , when we shall be summoned by death , to appeare before the tribunall seate of allmightie God , to render a strict account of the same ?

We read in the Chronicles of our sacred order , that when a certaine brother died , who had liued well , and deuoutly , and giuen good example to all the comunitie , a Doctor of diuinity beinge slacke in perfourming his office , which was , to say Masse for this dead brother , according to his obligation , thinking indeed , that seeing he had liued so vertuously , he did not stand in any need therof ; Hereupon , one day , betimes in the morning , this deceased religious , appeared vnto him , and sayed . Salue Magister , vbi est illa charitas , quâ te sacrificium pro me facturum promiseras ? God saue you Sir , what is become of your charitie , in that you promised to offer , the holy sacrifice of the Masse for my soule ? I thought ( replied the diuine ) you had no need thereof ; No need of it , saied the other ? Vtinam scires quàm seueré negotium in morte transigatur . I would to God thou knewest how seuerely our busines is handled after death ? Know thou , that I am punished in purgatorie , with most grieuous paines and torments , for which if thou wilt offer this holy sacrifice for me , forthwith I shal be freed : when he had sayed this , he departed , and the Doctor fulfilled his promise .

Alas therfore sinners , take heed what you doe , refraine from your mischieuous acts , doe pennance for your former offences , delay not , diligently to caste vp your account : Lord God almightie , cleaue in sunder the stonie hartes of wandering sinners , that thou mayest be worshipped , and poore soules redeemed with thy moste pretious bloud , may be saued : Take away Lord Iesu , and vtterlie destroy the power of Sathan , which he so long hath exercised with all cruelty , against the miserable soules of men , that so this damned spirit may be put to vtter shame , and confusion : thy holy name be praised and glorified , and sinnefull soules deliuered ,

Amen .
Of the societie which the soule of a sinner hath after death . THE XXXVI . CHAPTER .

ITe maledicti &c. Goe yee cursed into euerlasting fire prepared for the diuell and his Angells : Is not this the sentence ( sinners ) which Iesus Christ the iudge , will pronounce in the last iudgement , against the reprobate , who haue died in mortall sinne ? goe yee cursed into euerlasting fire , in the companie of all the diuels : Consider therfore what associates you shall haue after death , thinke that you shall be amongst the most cruell enemies of your soules : But how long shall you tarry with that cursed crew ? for one ? tenn ? or a thousand yeares ? yea for euer , miscreants , and for all eternitie : Alas what miserie ? Alas what torments and paine will you haue to continue , imprisoned in that infernall darke dungeon ? Ponder that after death thou shalt be wholie in the diuels custodie , where thou mayest bee sure , that these deadly enemies of God , and of mankinde , will vse all cruelty to afflict thee , which possibly they can deuise : When , I pray thee will the diuel beginne his dominion ouer thee , in respect of thy soule ? In the very day of thy death , and departure out of this life : for so soone as thy soule shall leaue thy stinking and vile body , presently will these cruell fiendes lay hold vpon her , and entertaine her with store of tortures : Consider with what fury , and madnes , they will take possession of thy soule : Thinke what straunge kindes of torments they will inuent to punish her ? O there is nothing which we can excogitate so horrible as this : Know for certaine , that after death & iudgement , the diuell may dispose of thee , as he listeth , as well for thy body , as thy soule .

Alas obdurate sinner , cannest thou imagine , that thou hast no need to doe pennance , seeing that thou hast delighted thy selfe with all carnall pleasures , and lasciuiousnes , euen to the full ? Thou art deceaued wretch , if thou suppose , that thy body , which for so many yeares together , hath bene exposed to al abhominable vices , shall not at last receaue recompence for its former lewednes : Thou greedy glutton which Epicure-like , makest a God of thy belly , doest thou not expect the wages which thou hast deserued ? Thou bloudy companion , which desirest nothing more then to be reuenged of thine enemies , mangling their bodies at thy pleasure , doest thou thinke to goe vnpunished , or that , infernall fiendes , shall not in the same sorte , dilacerate and disioint all the partes , and members of thy body ? O the madnesse , and blindnesse of mankinde ? which vnawares , casteth it selfe downe headlong into hell ? what wilt thou doe wretched sinner , when thou shalt be brought from one companie of diuells to another , farre worse , and more furious ? What wilt thou say , lasciuious maide , when thou shalt be tortured in one part of hell , and from thence in a sudden be thrust into another , where an infinite multitude of executioners expecteth thee ? What course will you take sinnefull men and women , when you shall see your selues dailie to be punished with new , and straunge deuised punishments ?

Consider sinner , that thy pleasures and pastimes are but transitorie : call to minde , wanton woman , how that beautie will decay , thy comely countenance be consumed , and thy body become a prey for diuells : Tell me I pray thee lewed woman , hast thou neuer seene any one possessed in all thy life ? dost thou remember how the damned spirits tosse those miserable creatures , & torture their bodies in most pittifull manner ? Goe to then , and consider , how they will deale with thee , when they shall get thee , in their regiment , when by the diuine iustice , thou shalt be deliuered vp into their handes , to be afflicted both in body and soule : Consider seriouslie , if those which the diuels possesse , ar handled of them , in this sorte , vpon whom as yet , they haue no power at all , but only so farre as God doth giue them leaue , for they haue power ouer the bodie alone , but nothing to do with the soule : what will then become of thee , when both in body , and soule , thou shalt be wholy deliuered vp to their cruelty ? which is not the same case with possessed persons , because they are very seldome tormented of more diuells then one at the same time : woe to you men and women , which now disquiet not your thoughts with these thinges ? for afterwards you will feele the smarte , for your negligence .

What ( sinner ) dost thou thinke , that it will profit thee any thing , if thou complaine and say ; Alas you afflict mee , leaue off , punish mee no longer , and commiserate my poore case ? Noe , noe , it is otherwise , yea the more thou shalt bewaile , the greater blowes shall they lay vpon thee . What canst thou replie , that thy griefe and torments might be diminished ? The time wil neuer come in which these grieuous paines shall cease : Ite in ignem , &c. goe ( saieth our Sauiour ) into eternall fire , who shall reiect thee with terrible sentence , and adiudge thee to these perpetuall flames . What punishment will it be vnto thee , when thou shalt call to minde the angry countenan e of Christ Iesus , whom after death thou didest behould in iudgement ? Good God ; Numquid qui cadit , non resurget ? Shall not he that falleth , rise againe ? and he that is turned away , shall he not turne againe ? why then is this people turned away with a contentious reuolting ( saieth the Prophet Ieremie 8.4 . ) ? It is mans frailtie to fall , angelicall puritie to amend , and diuelish malice to perseuere in sinne , as a certaine Doctour affirmeth .

Alas Brethren and sisters , sinners , be not so carelesse of the time to come , returne to your God , be sorry for your offences committed , & earnestly begg pardon for them of the diuine clemency , whose property , is to forgiue sinners ; Deus cui proprium est misereri &c. God whose proprietie , is , to haue mercy , and to spare , saieth our holy Mother the church , receaue our humble petitions , that the pittifulnes of thy mercie , may gently absolue vs , and all thy seruants , whom the chaines of their offences haue fast bound : Returne to your Lord God , and get againe into fauour with your sweet Iesus : Are you afraide ( sinners ) that he will not receaue you ? thinke not so sinners : Misericordia Domini plena est terra , the earth is full of the mercy of our Lord , and his tender compassions are ouer all his workes , saith the holie Prophet Dauid ; Fidelis sermo , &c. This is a faithfull saying , and worthy of all acceptance , that Iesus Christ came into the world to saue sinners . ( 1. Tim. 1.15 . ) Meditate a while vpon the great loue wherwith thy God was moued to come downe from heauen , and to dwell vpon the earth for thee , he was made man for thee , and for thy sake after thirtie-three yeares spent in austerities , contempts and reproaches , he shedd his most pretious bloud vpon the crosse : Alas this alone ought to be sufficient , to breake in pieces your stony hartes , to bring you backe againe into the right path .

O Iesu my loue , through vertue of thy holy name , conuert sinners and those that goe astray , take commiseration of their sinnefull state : pardon them , and be reconciled with them , that they may auoide and shunne the tiranny of the diuell ; Graunt this , my sweet Iesu I humbly beseech thee , through the merits of thy death , and passion , through thy most pretious bloud , which thou diddest shedd for mee , and for all sinners vppon the holy wood of the crosse : Graunt this I beseech thee , for the loue of thy most sacred passion , for the loue of thy moste deare , and pure Mother : Graunt this mercy , my beloued Iesu , to all sinners , for thy exceeding great clemency , giue them pardon , and forgiuenesse , in honour of thy Angels and blessed Saints ,

Amen .
IN THE NAME OF THE Father , and of the Sonne , and of the Holy Ghost Amen : FINIS .
A TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS . THE diuision of the Seauen Trumpets . The first Trumpet of Gods grieuous complaint of a sinner . Of the infinite wrong wherewith a sinner by sinning , doth offend the diuine Maiestie . The second Trumpet of the deformitie of sinne . Here followeth the same matter of the deformitie of sinne . In what hatred sinne is , in the sight of almighty God . The third Trumpett , of the detriment that sinne bringeth to a soule in this life . Other damages and losses , which a soule receaueth by reason of sinne . That a soule by sinne , looseth the friendship of God . That a soule by sinne , doth lose the grace of God . Of the terrible sentence which is giuen vpon a soule , at the instant that it sinneth . That man may easily sinne , but cannot of himselfe rise from thence . How good workes , done in sinne , doe perish and are of no merit . The fourth Trumpet , of the losse that a sinner suffereth through sinne at his death . Of the last and deadly disease , and damage of the soule , and that after this life , there is no recouery . Of the separation of the soule from God , in the article of death . Of the terrour which the diuell striketh into a soule , in the moment of death . Of the fearfull presence of the Iudge in the instant of death . Of the gnawing of the conscience , which after a terrible manner shall molest a sinner dying . Of the separation of the soule from the body , and of the great dolors and afflictions , which follow at that time and instant . Of the place whether the soule goeth , so soone as it departeth out of the body . Of the dead body , & carcase of man , and of the miserie of the same , after the separation of the soule . The fift Trumpet , of the losse that sinne bringeth at the day of iudgement . Of the fearful signes which shall appeare before the day of iudgement : by the consideration whereof , many sinnefull soules may be saued , which otherwise might perish . Of the resurrection of the dead , and how that all men which are dead from the beginning of the world , doe die , and shall die vnto the end of the same , shall be reuiued againe . Of the comming of the Iudge to iudgement , and of the great feare which his comming will strike into the hartes of sinners . Of the great shame , wherewith all the damned shall be confounded , in the day of iudgement , before almighty God , and the whole world . Of the fearfull sentence which Iesus Christ will pronounce at the day of iudgement , blessed and happy are they who seriously ponder it in their hartes , and soules , for this is the most compendious way to forsake sinne , and to turne vnto God . Of the going , and departure of the damned to hell , in the company of all the diuells . The sixt Trumpett : Of the dammage that sinne bringeth to a soule in hell , and of the most grieuous punishments wherwith the damned are ther tormented . Of the fire of hell , and the paines of sense which the damned doe suffer in the companie of diuells . Of the diuersitie of punishmentes , wherewith the damned soules are tormented , without any hope of intermission or mitigation . Of the fift , sixt , and other aboue mentioned punishments , which the damned suffer in hell . The Seuenth Trumpet , of the societie , and companie , which a sinner draweth with him , in life , death , and after death . Of the societie which sinners haue in theire death : and how dangerous their state is about the houre of their death . Of the societie which the soule of a sinner hath after death .
APPROBATIO .

EX mandato Reuerendi admodum Patris nistri Fatris Ioannis Genings , Prouincia Angliae satrum Minorum Ministri Custodis , diligentius perlegi has septem Tubas , Reuerendi Patris Frat. Bartholomei Saluthij , è lingua Latina in Anglicam fideliter transpositam , quas peccatorum auribus insufflandas iudico .

Datum Duaci 23. Nouemb. 1625. Fr. Franciscus à S. Clara Sacrae Theol. Lector , & Conuentus Duaceni Guard . indig .

VIsa approbatione Reuerendi Patris Fratris Francisci à S. Clara Sacrae Theol. Lector , obseruatis obseruandis secundum institutionem sacrorum canonum , per me imprimi liceat , in Collegio nostro ,

Duac . S. Bonauentura 23. Nouemb. 1625. Fr. Ioannis Genings Prouinciae Angliae Min. Custos .
The Approbation .

BY command of our Reuerend Father , Brother Iohn Geninges , Superior of the Prouince of England , of the holy Order of S. Francis , I haue diligently perused these Seauen Trumpets , of the Re. Fa. Bro. Saluthius , translated out of Latin into English ; which I iudge most necessary , to excite sinners to repentance .

Bro. Francis of S. Clare Reader of Diuinitie .

HAuing seene the Approbation of the Reuerend Father Bro. Francis of S. Clare , Reader of Diuinitie , supposing that the ordinations of the holy Canons be obserued , I giue my leaue for the Impression .

Bro. Iohn Geninges , Minister Custos of the English Prouince .