The Black Devil, Part 20 – Dedication 2
3. Their Cohabitation. They dwel there; all of them, euen together.
1. There is roome enough in one heart for many Obseru.sins. Mary Magdalens heart held seauen deuils: this Apostates eight. There was a whole Legion in another. Math. 8. All the Principalities and powers of darknesse in a fourth. Absolon had treason, ambition, pride, incest, ingratitude, for his hearts stuffing. Iudas had no fewer turpitudes in his. The heart is so small a piece of flesh, that it will scarce giuegive a Kite her breakfast: yet, behold, how capacious and roomthy it is, to giuegive house-roome to seauen Deuils. He that should reade and obserue the great Physitians dissection of mans heart. Math. 15. Out of the heart proceed euil thoughts, murders, adulteries, Math. 15. 19.fornications, thefts, false witnesse, blasphemies; would blesse himselfe to think, that so little a thing c…uld extend it selfe to such a capacity; or that it could be so full and not burst.
2. Behold a rabble of Deuils agreeing quietly in one man. Glomerantur in vnum Innumer a pestes Erebi. Innumerable plagues of hell are rounded vp together in one; yet they fal not out for roome. On earth among men it often falleth out, as betweene those two ambitious Romanes.
Nec quemquam iam ferre potest Caesarue priorem, Pompeiusue parem.
Caesar must hauehave no superior, Pompey no riual. Ahab cannot endure, that Naboths vineyard should disfigure his Lordship. Rich men in this world agree like Pikes in a pond, ready to eate vp one another: but howsoeuer; the poore pay for't, they are sure to be deuoured. Tradesinen cannot agree in one City, nor neighbours in one Towne, nor brothers in one house, nor Iacob and Esau in one womb: yet, behold, many Deuils can agree in one man. They know that a Kingdome diuided cannot stand. Wee quarrell and contend, when hell it selfe is at peace.
My iourney drawes to an end: there remaine but two steps; the Conclusion and Application. The Conclusion of the Parable is fearefull. The last state of that man is worse then the first. Is it possible? His state was so bad before, that can you imagine it worse? Yes: there was but one Deuil before, now ther are eight. By reason of this stronger possessiō, his damnation wil be the sooner wroght vp, the cup of his iniquity brim-fill'd, and himselfe hurried to hell with the greater precipitation. This peiority of his state may be amplified in 6. respects.
1. Whilst this blacke Deuil had a white face, & carried the countenance of religion, he was wrap'd vp in the general prayers of the Church. He seemed of that number, for whom as the friends to christ, there was a continual remembrance in good mens intercessions. If any man see his brother sin a sin, which is 1. Ioh. 5, 16not vntounto death, he shal aske, and he shal giuegive him life for them that sin not vntounto death. But there is a sinne vntounto death: I do not say that he shal pray for it. Samuel will pray for Saul, till he perceiue that he hath giuen ouer the Lord, and the Lord him.
But when the white scarffe is plucked off this Moores face, and his blacke leprosie appeares: when the Wolfes sheepskin is stripp'd off, and he is seene to worry the lambes: then is he singled out as an enemy to Christ, and Gods iudgement hastened on him at the intreaty of his seruants. He is so much the worse, as he hath lost the benefit of good mens prayers. When once in this gall of bitternesse, and bond of iniquity, in vaine Simon Magus requests Acts 8, 24.Simon Peter to request God for him. Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which yee hauehave spoken, come vponupon me.
2. Whilst this blacke Deuil mantled his tawny skin, and vlcerous hart with dissimulation of piety, there was outwardly some hopefull likelihood of his reformation, and winning to heauen. (Though God knew otherwise in his hidden and reserued counsel) whilst he sate in the congregation of Saints, heard what God spake to them, and spake with them to God; the Minister did preach to him the tydings of peace with a good opinion, and admitted him to the communication of the Sacrament. But now, his eruption into manifest contempt of sacred things, and despite done to the spirit of truth, hath deaded that hope so that the Minister hath not that confident comfort, that the word will be the fanour of life vntounto him. His Hypocrisie hath deceiued the world; his Apostacy hath deceiued himselfe: therefore his state is worse.
3. His latter end is worse in regard of himselfe: and this may bee amplified in foure circumstances.
1. Before he was sicke of spiritual drunkennesse, now he is lethargiz'd. VVho knowes not that a continued lethargy is worse then a short ebriety Such is his state.
2. Impenitence hath brought him to impudence: and by often prostitution of his heart to vncleanes, he hath gotten a whores forehead, that cannot blush. Ier. 3. Thou refusedst to be ashamed. And Ier. 8. Were they ashamed when they had committed abhomination? Ieremy 3, 3. 8. 12.Nay, they wer not at al ashamd, neyther could they blush. He hath so little repented for wickednes, that now he thinkes there is no wickednesse standeth in need of repentance. A brasen face, which no foule deed, nor reproofe for it, can make to change colour. How can it be otherwise? For a blacke Deuil can no more blush, then a blacke Dog.
3. He is in worse state, by so much as a relapse is more perilous then the first sicknesse. By reason that strength is now spent, and nature made more weake, and vnable to helpe it selfe, or to receiue benefit by what is ministred. The sparlies of goodnesse are now dying, or quite extinct, & the flouds of iniquity more violent against him. There be sorer assaults, and lesse strength to encounter.
4. Before he was quiet in himselfe, and might hauehave a flattering hope, that the night would neuer come. But now breaking forthinto palpable contempt and obduracy, he finds his conscience open to condemne him, and hell gates open to receiue him. His vlcer seemed to be fairely skinn'd ouer, and in his owne sense healed; but now to come to a new incision, is greater terror then euer. The sound of feare is now in his eares, the sense of a dagger at his heart. His body would, his mind cannot rest. The horror of future punishment lyes at Cain's doore, and is at eueryevery noyse ready to wake. There is a fearefull conflict betwixt Sensuality and Reason in him: that he may vse Iobs words, though in a deeper and direr sense. Pactus sum mihimet Iob. 7. 20.ipse grauis: I am a burden and trouble to my selfe.
Thus the great Parasite of the soule, that heretofore matched the number of Gods threatnings with as many faire promises, & flatter'd this wretch with the paucity of his sinnes; now takes him in the l…rch, and ouer rec…ons him. Hee that so long kept him in a beautifull gallery of hope, now takes him aside, and shewes him the darke dungeon of despaire. He engrosseth his iniquities in text-letters, and hangs them on the Curtaine at his beds f…te, to the racking amasement of his distracted soule. Before the Deuill did put his shoulders vnderunder the burthen; but now he shifts it off, and imposeth it on the sinner. And as I hauehave read, the Spanish Index deales with Velcurio: who commenting on Liui saith, that the fift age was decrepite vnderunder the Ind. Hisp. s. 158Popes and Emperors: the Index takes out the Popes, and leaues the Emperors obnoxious to the whole imputation: so the deuill winds out himselfe at last from the wicked, refusing to carry the burden any longer, but leaues it wholy to their supportation.
This ague, or rather agony, is made more vexing by the sting of conscience: which is now Gods bailiffe to arrest him; his witnesse against him; his whip to lash him. His Register, that reades ouer the long booke of his offences; and after a terrible aggrauation of their heynousnes, tells him his penance, direfull and intollerable; and that Coneordat cum actis Curiae, it agrees with the iust decree of Gods Court, neuer to be auoyded.
4. His last state is worse then his first, in respect of God: who will now turne him out of his protection. When he hath once proclaimed open warre and rebellion against God, and hath manifestly declared himself an outlaw; no maruell, if God throw him out of the circumference of his mercy, & let his Prouidence take no charge ouer him; sauing onelyonly to restraine his sauage fury, from forraging his grace-empaled Church. But for himselfe, the Scripture giues a renunciation. If he will go into captiuity, let him goe. Reuel. 22. 11. If he will be vntust, let him be vniust still. If he will be filthy, let him be filthy still. I will not hinder his course, Abea…, pere…t, prafundat, perdat, said that father in the Comedy; Let him goe, perish, sinke, or swimme. He hath full liberty to swill the cup of his owne damnation vp to the brim.
5. In respect of the Deuil, his latter state is worse. Which may be demonstrated by a familiar smilitude. A man is committed to prison for debt, or some light trespasse; is there indifferently wel vsed, hath (for his money) all the liberty that the layle and layer can affoord him; nay, is permitted to go abroad with keepers. At last, he spies opportunity, and breaks away: then the layler fumes and fomes and rageth; and perhaps, sweares away that little share of his owne soule, which he had left. The prisoner had need looke to himselfe: if the layler catch him, he had better neuer hauehave stirr'd. At last he is taken; now bolts, and lockes, and heauy yrons, a strong guard, and a vigilant watch; til he be made safe for stirring againe. This bondage is far worse then the first.
The sinner in the deuils keeping is let alone to enioy the liberty of the prison, that is, this world; he may feed his eye with vanities, his hand with extortions, his belly with iunkets, his spleene with laughter, his eares with musicke, his heart with iollity, his flesh with lustes; and all this without controll. But if he be wonne by the Gospell preached to break prison; and thereupon giuegive the deuill the slippe: let him take heed, Satan doe not catch him againe. If he once recouers him into his prison, he will dungeon him; remoue from him all meanes, whereby he might be saued; let him see, heare, feele, vnderstand nothing but temptations and snares; blinde his soule, harden his heart; loade him with heauy irons, and locke him vp in bolts and fetters of euerlasting perdition.
6. Then lastly, his end shal be worse at the last; when the least parcell of Gods wrath shall be heauier, then all the anguish he felt before. When his Almond tree shall be turned to his yron rod; his afflictions to Scorpions. VVhen the short and momentany vexations of this world shall no sooner cease to him, then the eternall torments of Hell shall begin, and (which is most fearefull) shall neuer end. Be his body burned to death in fire, yet those flames shall go out with his ashes: but come his flesh and soule to that infernall fire, and when they hauehave beene burned myriads of yeares, yet it shall not be quenched.
The Application doth immediately concerne the Iewes; which hath before beene plentifully instanced. For our selues. 1. The vncleane spirit hath by Gods holy Gospell beene cast out of vsus. 2. Doe you thinke, he is at quiet? No: he esteemes al places dry and barren, till he get into vsus againe. 3. He resolues to try for entrance. 4. Now is it enough, that we leaue ourselues empty of faith and good workes? for all our abhominable sinnes swepe with an ouerly repentance? and garnished with hypocrisie, and with our old affections to sinne still? 5. Take we heed; he will come with seauen spirits, more wicked then the former, and giuegive vsus a fiercer assault.
But our helpe is in the name of GOD, who hath made heauen and earth: in whose mercy we trust, because his compassions faile not. Our owne strength is no confidence for vsus; but the grace of that strongest man, who is alone able to keepe out Satan. Let vsus adhere to Him by a true faith; and serue him in an holy integrity of conuersation: and our latter end shall bee better then our beginning. Marke the vpright man, and behold the iust; for the end of that man is peace. Our end shall bee better heereafter; Psal. 37, 37.when GOD shall wipe away all teares from our eyes: when sorrow, and sicknesse, and death shall bee no more: when Senacherib cannot rage, nor the Leuiathan of hell assault vsus. Peace shall enuiron vsus, Heauen shall containe vsus, Glory shall crowne vsus. Our trouble, woe, mourning, hauehave beene momentany: but our ioyes, peace, blisse, shall hauehave no intermission, no mutation, no end. Now He that perfects all good workes, make our latter end better then our beginning. To whom, three persons, one eternall God, be all prais… and glory, for euer and for euer.
Amen.
FINIS.
LYCANTHROPY, OR THE WOLFE worrying THE LAMBES.
By THOMAS ADAMS.
Matthew 7. 15.
Beware of false Prophets which come to you in sheepes cloathing, but inwardly they are rauening Wolues.
TERTVLL.
Quaenam sunt istae pelles ovium, nisi nominis
Christiani extrinsecus superficies?
Hic dolus est magnus; Lupus est qui creditur agnus.
LONDON, Printed by William Iaggard, 1615.
TO THE TRVEly vvorthy Gentleman M. HENRY FORTESCVE, Esquire, a fauourer of vertue and good Learning.
SIR, I hauehave put vp the VVolfe, though not hunted him; as iudging my selfe too weake for that sport-earnest. It is no desertlesse Office to discouer that subtle and insatiate Beast; to pull the Sheepe-skinne of Hypocrisie ouer his eares; and to expose his feming malice and sanguisugous cruelty to mens censure and detestation. Let those hands strike him, that hauehave darts of authority put into their Quiuers. Our Land is no Forrest, literally or metaphorically vnderstood: but whether for Church or Common-wealth, profession or soile, an Orchard of Gods owne planting; fruitefull in goods and good workes. VVolues we hauehave none, but some Mystical ones; whose ferocity is yet hidden vnderunder the habites and cases of those Lambes, they hauehave deuoured. These I hauehave set in view, or at least meant my best to do it. I hauehave seldome pretended that common poyse, that (by their owne report) sets so many mad pens, like wheeles, a running, Importunacy of friends. I hauehave willingly published, what I had hope would do good published. OnelyOnly this I feared to keep from the Presse, lest it should steale thither another way. Being there, I could not with better confidence fasten vponupon a knowne Patron, then your selfe: who can both vnderstand it, and will reade it: not onelyonly the Epistle, but the whole Booke. Though that fashion with many patrons, of perusing more then their owne Titles, bee now as a Sute of the old make. I know you spend some houres of all dayes in such good exercises; abandoning those idle and excessiue customes, wherein too many will please themselues, and none else.
It is an vnthrifty spending of time, and a sorry successe will conclude it, when we are curious in plotting a method for our inferior delights; and leaue our Saluation vnwrought vp. Wee striue to settle our Lands, to secure our monies, to confirme our estates; but to conforme our liues, or to make sure our Election is vilipended. And yet when all is done; braines hauehave plotted, meanes hauehave seconded, bonds and lawes hauehave established; nothing can be made Sure but onelyonly our Saluation. But goe you forward to adorne your eternall mind; and to plant your soule full of those Flowers, which giuegive already a pleasant odour on earth, and shall one day be stucke like glories in Heauen. So shall your memory be sweet in the mouths and hearts of future generations; whiles the vicious, euen aliue, doe not escape the Satyre. Thus with true thankfull louelove I behight you in my prayers, a happy Progresse in Grace, till you shall come to your Standinghouse of Glory.
Your Worships in my best seruices, Tho: Adams.