A subpæna from the high imperiall court of heauen to bee serued vpon all men: vpon an information preferred by iustice against man-kinde. With the answer, and reply from Mercie, and her directions how to come to heauen, if we auoyd sinne. Shrinke not from this subpæna, which is pend; esteeme it well, for sure thou must appeare ... oh sinner, learne to seeke for thy saluation, if thou in heauen wouldst haue eternall ioyes.

A SUBPAENA from the high Imperiall Court of Heauen , to bee serued vpon all men : vpon an Information preferred by IVSTICE against Man-kinde .

With the Answer , and Reply from MERCIE , and her directions how to come to Heauen , if we auoyd Sinne .

SHrinke not from this Subpaena , which is pend ; esteeme it well , for sure thou must appeare : What thou hast been , and how thou do'st offend . each word & thought will be prescribed there . Rightly that Iudge , will thy Records foorth call ; daily therefore prepare vnto thy tryall : None is exempt , all must then prostrate fall at Deaths commaund , no man can make deniall . Now then prouide , on paine of thy damnation , here to amend thy former euill wayes : Oh sinner , learne to seeke for thy saluation , if thou in Heauen wouldst haue eternall loyes .

O Iesu ardens 〈◊〉 .

Imprinted at London by I. White .

1620.

A SVBPAENA .

The Information of Iustice . ALmighty GOD , thou Monarch of all might . Who made the Sea , the Earth , the Heauens and all : Whose Malestie , whose power is infinite : at whose command all powers do prostrare foll : By whom all Monarchs of the world doe raigne ; who setteth vp , and pulleth downe againe . Instice complaines , whereas our of thy Grace , thou mad'st a Creature of the earthly frame , And put him in a most delightfull place , with all aboundance richly in the same , Where nothing wanted to content desire , which heart or soule for solace might require . His Will and Wish were ioyned both in one , his libertie was absolute in minde : No feare of Death ; for sinning there was none , he had restraint but onely in one kinde : On paine of Death , he was forbid to tast the Fruite in midst of Paradise was plast . Beeing alone thy Maiestie thought good to make a Woman for his more delight , Which should be of the selfe same slesh & blood ; his consort and his comfort day and night : But at her motion he forthwith rebelled , and iustly was from Paradise expelled . By disobedience he did thus begin to bring Man-kind in bondage to the Deuill He was the first originall of sinne , which brought in death with all succeeding cu● That by his fall , posteritie was stayned , both Hell and Death by disobedience , gained Now did he see his nakednesse and sinne . and might detest the cause of such a fall , He lost that state he was created in , to bring in Death vpon himselfe and all , He lost thy fauonr being so beloued : to cast him off in Iustice thou wast moued . But thou ( although by so rebellious deed , he was to death and iust damnation brought ) Didst make a promise , by the Womans seed , death and damnation should be ouer wrought : And what he lost by his committed crime , both that and more , should be regain'd in time : In the meane space , thou leftst him Natures law , a Chancerie within his secret brest : Which Conscience might keepe his flesh in awe , in flying sinne , and following what was best : But weake or wilfull whether was the cause , he flyeth out and breaketh Natures lawes . A second Law thou didst by Moses giue , more full and which did Natures law expresse : But after neither of them he doth liue , his sinfull actions euermore increase : He doth complaine and saies , they Lawes are such his weaknesse great , their burthen is too much . Fulnesse of time brings in the Law of Grace , the promis'd Seed to Eua was foretold , Should cleare the guilt , and helpe all Adams race , is now perform'd ; and what hath been in hold , In debted thrals to death , to Hel for sinne , Iesus frees all , and calls the reckoning in . This Law of Grace , which as himselfe hath said , the burden's light , and easie for to beare : Who beares this yoake , was neuer ouerlaid , when loue beares all , and not inforced feare ; But for this law , as all-the rest he careth , for loue or feare , the breach of neither spareth . For heauenly ioyes thou did'st man create , Though Lucisor through pride from thence did fal Thou wouldst aduance him to that glorious state what Angels lost , man should attains to all : Where Angels fell , they had no reparation , their fall was wilfull , and without temptation . But man was tempted by a potent foe , who most enuying that an earthly wight Should by his Maker be aduanced so : sought by all meanes with hate of malice might To wrest him our of fauour and of grace . to put him from that euerlasting place . Man that did fal through Adams strong temptatio● him to redeeme , thou sent'st thy only Sonne , Resoring him to fauour and saluation : What Adam lost , the Womans seede hath wonne Who fell not tempted , is adiud'gd to Hell : Man is redeem'd , who by temptation fell . Eternall God , what should thy Mercie mooue , for to forbeare this deadly sinner so ? He yeelds no shew of thankes for all thy loue , no benefits make him his sinne forgoe : What thou dost hate , that wicked life he follows ; as Hogs in dirt , in silthy wayes he wallowes . Thy Lawes can not his sinfull life restraine , his care is for thy benefits but small : His life declares thy threats he holds but vaine : his workes doe shew he loues thee not at all ; Long suffering Mercie makes him so to trust , that he forgets that thou art also Iust . Like as the Child cares not for Fathers threats , words are but wind , he followes on his play : This creature so himselfe and thee forgets , till thou thy Rodde of Iustice on him lay : In all his pleasures , from thee he doth flie , he seekes thee not , but when he feares to die . What is that seeking , forced by constraint , all youthfull dayes to run it out in pleasure , And when that Death , or sicknes makes him faint , then he seeks homeward ; thou must wait his leasure : Not like to Abel , offering thee the best , but like to Cain , the worst of all the rest . His prime of Youth , and all his golden yeares , his wits and , wealth , all giuen to the Deuill : When fe●ble age drawen on , with hoary Hayres , that now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to practise former euill : When sinne 〈◊〉 him that he can sinne no more ▪ hee seekes to thee , who seru'd thy foe before . Caust thou in Iustice such presumption like , the benefite thou giu'st him out of Grace , To draw him , home , before thy hand would strike to turne all to a cleane contrary case ? Gods Mercy passeth all his Workes ( he sayeth , ) therefore presuming , he his sinne delayeth , Thy Mercy is to such as doe repent ; but not to sinners , which remaine in sinne : Who was a sinner , if he haue intent to change his life , he may thy Mercy winne : But who presuming , sinneth in that kind , by Iustice , he may neuer Mercy find . Hee runneth on , such arguments are rise , with him who takes in sinne so great delight , They may giue colour to a sinfull life , presuming thou in Iustice wilt not smite : A damned life doth euermore inuent , such reasons which may further his intent . This creature cares not that thy Sonne was slaine , the onely cause such paines he did abide , To pay his debts , and bring him home againe ; wounded in hands , in heart , head , feet , and side : Though for his sinne , thy dearest Sonne did die ; his howrely sinnes doe still him crucifie . Vertue● 〈◊〉 fled and banished away . what vertue now at all is put in vre ? All deadly sinnes doe each where beare the swaye Oh great Iehouah , how canst thou indure ? Fulnesse of sinne doth now so much abound , it anoyes the heauens , & ouercharge the ground . Behold my case , O God , I may be bould to say , my Sword and ballance are sore shaken : Canst thou indure I should be bought and sould , that poore mens sutes for bribs shold be forsaken : Descend , O God , to earth downe from the skies , for none but thou , redresseth poore mens cries . Who cares for poore ? yet poore as deare to thee , as is the greatest Monarch which doth raigne ; His ransome like , and Heauen for him as free : yet pouerty is held in great disdaine : So did the Glutton Lazarus dispise , but now this ioyes , and he in torment lies . Doe they loue thee , when thou thy selfe hast said , who doth releiue and giueth to the Poore , Doth all to me , and they shall be repayd full waight and measure , yea an hundred more ? They shew their trust and loue to thee is small , the Poore get nothing , though thou giuest all . Thy Creatures made for man in thy creation , in Sea , on Land , in and aboue the Skies , They all agree in making exclamation , they still powre out for Iustice gricuous cries : Thou gau'st them Man , for to be rightly vsed ; but cleane contrary they are all abused . For natures vse , Apparell is charged quite , all is conuerted to excessiue pride : The Sun , the Moone , the Stars , the day , and night . cry their abuse may be in Iustice tride ; Thy meats & drinks , thy Gold & earthly treasure are all abus'd in Iust and fleshly pleasure . Shorten the time ( Almighty : ) t is too long that man runs on in wickeanes and sinne : Hastenin Iustise to reuenge thy wrong , send Death abroad to call all sinners in ; Graunt out Subp●nass , let not Death make stay , but to thy Iudgemeus bring all flesh away .

A Subpaena from the Court Imperiall . THE GOD of Gods , who all the world hath wrought , And out of Nothing , made the worlds wide frame : Who mans saluation by all meanes hath sought , and by his blood hath ransomed the same : By this Subpaena giueth charge to thee , thou faile not at his Iudgement feat to bee . And that thou faile not for to bring in place , all those Records thy Conscience doth hold ; That Chauncery can best declare thy case , what it is now , what it hath been of old : Of this thy charge thou mayst not make deniall , for that 's the day appointed for thy triall . Faile not vpon the hope of thy saluation , to cleare thy reckoning at that dreadfull day : Prouide thy selfe on paine of thy damnation , to free thy charge ; and answere as thou may : Within this world thou mayst to Mercy trust , but I haue sworne that day I will be Iust . Witnesse my selfe , who at thy first creation , made thee a Man ; the Heauens and all for thee , Witnesse my selfe , who to worke thy Saluation , sent my deare Somie , by Blood to set thee free , Doc not refuse these Mercies , which are mine , least Hels damnation fall out to be thine .

The Speaches of Death , prouided to execute the Subpaenae . IAm at hand ( full well I know my charge ) with all post hast I le make a quicke dispatch But let me haue Commission at large , then shall I frustrate many a sinfull match : Then God by man shall not be so offended , for with my Dart , all flesh shall soone be ended . I le make the proud to stoope , for all his pride : Ile'bring the Rich for all his Gold away : The Leecher shall not in his silth abide : the Glutton shall not for his dainties stay : They are now carelesse , but when I doe wound , I terrifie the loftiest liues on ground . Oh how they offer to redeeme their daies , they would giue all so death would set them free ; If Death would be corrupted any wayes , not all the world so rich as Death might be : In health and youth , who value Death but small , when death doth strike , to Death they offer all . But what sayes Mercie , she doth looke as if she would indeauour to procure my stay : She loues me not , she holds me as a thelfe , who would so soone her dearling bring away , If she begin to speake , I know her minde , out of her loue , she pleadeth for Man-kinde .

Mercy her speech for Man-kinde . GReat King of Heauen , Iustice speaketh true , Man iustly doth prouoke thy wrath and ire : If thou in Iustice shouldst pay him his due , he hath deserued euerlasting fire ; But in this World thy Mercie thou hast plast , whilst it indures , so let thy Mercie last . Send out Subp●●●s that I grant it fit . to let men know they haue a reckoning day , For execution , stay thy Iustice yet , their liues amend perhaps some sinners may ; T' is knowne thy Mercy yeelds the more content ; then Iustica can , if sinners would repent . T' is not the sinners death thou do'st desire , t' is his conuersion thou hast euer sought : If man receiue for sinne a sinners hire , it comes from that which he himself hath wrought : Grace and Saluation thy desire is knowne : if Hell and Death , the sinne and fault his owne . Respite the time , that I may doe my best , to let men know the danger they stand in : Thy hate to sinne , by Iustice is exprest : I le try if Loue may mooue him from his sinne . Iustice is sterne , Seueritie playes his part , Mercie ( perhaps ) may sooner moue the heart .

The speach of Mercy to Mankind . WHen all Mankind by Adams fall had lost both Paradise , the hope of Heauen & all : In those distresses , then I helped most ; I promised vpon that grieuous fall , In time a Fruite should spring from Womans seed , should cleare the guilt , and cancell Adams deed . What I did promise , I performed truely , the precious choice I tooke for mankinds sake Gods dearest Sonne , who did performe it duely , for mans saluation , did mans Nature take ; And by his Passion , whereas man was thrall to Death and Hell , he freed him out of all . Iustice doth now as euer heretofore , call on that sinners may receiue their due ; And I indeauour now as euermore , for mans repentance , and Saluation sue : At Mercies sute , God euer granteth Grace , and for repentance giueth sinners space . O that I might make sute , with that successe to mortall men , as when I doe to God ; That they would yeeld to me that readinesse , to flie the danger of his heauie rod : I euer found God ready vpon triall , why then should man giue Mercies sure deniall ? I sue not for my selfe , but for thy gaine , to make them heyren of Heauen & those ioyes : I le shew them how they may thereto attaine , and reasone why to sly all worldly toyes , If Man will put what I direct in ●●e , of Heauenly blisse and ioyes he shall be sure .

The true state of a Sinner . FIrst let me shew what is his grieuous state , who doth in sinne , and sinfull life delight : Which miserie may force a man to hate the causes which doe worke that wofull plight : What mischiefe more , then liue in feare and greife , when heauen or earth can yeeld him no releefe ? If to the Heauens he dare lift vp his eyes , his hart & soule with trembling feare do grudge His Bird in breast most heauie on him lyes , and tels him thence he must look for his Iudge : Whose terrour is to all which runne astray , most dreadfull at the maine tribunall day . If he the World and all her creatures view vpon the earth which creepe , that flie , or swim , Their thought & sight will make his heart to rue , that all were made for him , abus'd by him , No thought that is , will sinners more dismay , then things abused , at their dying day . The Vsurer how is he rackt with Gold when he is dying , gasping out his breath ? What torment hath the Leacher to behold faire Dames , when he is yeelding vnto death ? In life , what did delight the sinner cheife , at Death , doth force the greatest woe and griefe . To heare of Death , the sinners hart doth shrinke , the day of Doome doth rent his soule in twaine Ti 's terrible to call to minde , and thinke how Death and Iudgement hast to him amaine : No day nor night the sinner findeth quiet a spotted soule and conscience doth deny it , Those blacke Records within the dismall booke , fast lockt within the closet of the Breast , When as the sinner thereupon doth looke , with feares and terrours then is he opprest : In all the world no torment , greife , or paine , are like the thoughts which doe the conscience staine . These are the foes which inwardly doe dwell which sinners doe about them euer beare , Who still torment them in their inward Hell . racking and rending of them euery where , When others laugh they make a pleasant show , with face dissembling in the mainest woe . Let mortall men consider in this case , thinke of the time they are to tarry heere ; Behold the Sunne how swift he runs his race ; so doe mans daies , their death approcheth neere : Forfeit not Heauen for the flowers of May , what are they worth once withered away ? Let man consider in his Conscience thi● , when he hath rashly done some deadly sinne , And comes to thinke that he hath done amisse , what greife of mind he foorth with falleth in : But when the time of doing good is spent , those thoughts doe yeeld him ioy & all content . Man was prouided for eternall ioyes , his proper Country is with God aboue : Why should he dote vpon these worldly toyes ? what is the gaine of all this worldly loue ? A Conscience cloyd , and naked sent away , a sore accuser at the latter day . Consider on the worke of thy Creation , how farre thou art in debt to God therefore , Then thinke vpon the worke of thy Redemption , in which thy debt is multiplied more : Let these two things thy heart & conscience moue vrge not his wrath who thou art bound to loue . When wicked thoughts , or motions breeding sin within thy heart temptations doe inflame : When that thou findest Reason doth begin to yeeld consent to execute the same ; Then haue recourse to meditate on this , and hardly thou shalt dare to doe amisse .

A daily Meditation , which Mercy offereth to Man-kind .

The day of Death . THinke now thou lyest on thy dying bed , thy heart , thy head , thy Sences all doe falle , Striuing for life , each member gastly spred , trembling at death , which makes so fierce assaile : If at Deaths houre , thy sinnes thou dost desie , then dare not liue , in state thou darst not die . Think furthermore thou hast all worldly pleasure , and euery thing which may the flesh delight : Suppose thou hast thy fill of worldly treasure , what is all worth , when death shal claim his right : What was once sweet , is turned now to sowre , the case quite altered in this dreadfull howre . For now those things that were thy harte content thy wealth and pleasure , force thy bitter woe : With trembling conscience , now thou dost repent the day , the houre , thou didst abuse them so .

The Iudgement day . THinke furthermore , thou heardst the dreadfull sound , The Trumpet calling of the dead to rise : And all the world of flaming fire round , the Iudge appearing dreadfull in the skies : Aske now thy conscience , durst it in bad thought 〈◊〉 wicked life before that seate be brought ? If that thy conscience tremble for to thinke vpon the terrour of that dreadfull day : If that Tribunall make thy heart to shrinke , let them this thought driue sinfull thoughts away And dare not doe those wicked actions here in which thou darst not at that day appeare . Conside thou who now in health dost liue , the day of death , & dreadfull houre will come , Of all thy debts thou must a reckoning giue , thou canst not void this dreadful day of doom : No wit , no wealth , no beauty , force , nor strength , but must come to this Iudgement at the length .

The paines of Hell . THe paines of Hell they must indured be , most infinite for torment and for date ; For sinne is wrought gainst infinite degree , gainst God whose power exceeds all estimate : When infinite that God-head is offended , those paines in Iustice , neuer shall be ended . Eternall torments correspond the Will : shouldst thou liue euer , thou wouldst euer sinn : Thou iustly then deseruest torments still , who would still run that course thou liuest in ? Eternall torments iustly doe agree , where Will and Sinne would both eternall be . No thought , no tongue , can comprehend or tell what are the torments of that damned Fire : The plagues , the scourges , tortures are in Hell , which Iustice doth prouide for sinners hire : A rufull noyse , when damned Soules forlorne , cry euer , woe the howre we were borne .

The ioyes of Heauen . THinke what it is to come to heauenly blisse ; to liue with God , where Saints & angels dwel Those glorious ioyes which God prouides for his no heart , no tongue , can comprehend or tell : No care hath heard , or eye did euer see the heauenly blisse , or ioyes of that degree . Where Maiestie so infinite excelleth , hath all aboundance Maiestie may haue : Where the omnipotent in glorie dwelleth , with those elect whom Iesus blood did saue , All Ioyes must be still flowing in that place , where Saints behold the glory of his face . These heauenly ioyes are certaine , without date , Old-age renewes to youth without decaying : Eternall health and treasures without rate : no feare of crosse or trouble ouerswaying . Who would doat on the worldly pleasures so , for loue of them to let the Heauenly goe ? Loe heere 's the end of euery mortall man , which he comes to at first or at the last : There 's no avoydance since the world began , Time flies away , and Death approacheth fast : Consider then of things that shall indure , take Mercies offer , and thy Soule is sure . The young man saies , these are too graue for me , the old man saies , these thoughts do charge me sore To please their humors each of these agree , to slight them off , and thinke of them no more , Shift as they will and let them take their pleasure : but let them know Death staieth no mans leasure .

Counsell to prepare our selues to returne to God , before the day of our Death ; for after death there is no repentance . IF yee loue God , or feare yee Hels damnation ; O then repent , deferre the time no more : Heere in this life you may obtaine saluation , now seeke , O seeke , for heauenly ioyes therefore After that Death thy soule away hath taken , none can repent the time is then too late : Duly therefore let since away be shaken , remooue thy selfe from wicked sinners states ▪ Each day or night , ye● 〈◊〉 the time doth know when Christ our Iudge , in iudgment seat wil stand Euer doe thinke thou hearst his trumpet blow sure the time is euen now at hand .

The Books to the Reader . THis debt is due vpon Doomes day , which you are summoned to pay : Wherefore my Author well content , because he warnes you to repent : Repentance true God doth require , it keepes you from eternall fire . FINIS . Vi veneranda Sones .