The Unloveliness of Love-Locks, Author to the reader

The Unloveliness of Love-Locks · Author to the reader

TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.

CHristian Reader, I here present vntounto thy view and censure, a rough and briefe discourse: whose subiect, though it bee but course and vile, consisting of Effeminate, Proud, Lasciuious, Exorbitant, and Fantastique Haires, or Lockes, or LoueLove-lockes, (as they stile them:) which eueryevery Barba… may correct and regulate: Yet the consequence of it may be great, and profitable in these Degenerous, Vnnaturall, and Vnmanly times: wherein as sundry of our Mannish, Impudent, and inconstant Female sexe, are Hermophradit…d, and transformed into men; not onelyonly in their immodest, shamelesse, and audacious carriage, (which is now the very manners and Courtship of the times;) but euen in the **1 Cor 11.5.6.15.1 Cor 11:51 Cor 11:61 Cor 11:15vnnaturall Tonsure, and Odious, if not Whorish Cutting, and aa1 Tim. 2.9. 1 Pet. 3.3.1 Tim 2:91 Pet 3:3Crisping of their Haire, their Naturall vaile, their Feminine glory, and the very badge, and Character of their subiection both to God, and Man: so diuers of our Masculine, and more noble race, bbConuerter… ̄ … in muliebre… toller a…tia… viri, non vsum tantu… atque naturam, sed etiam vultum, incessum, ha…itum, & totu… penit… quicquid aut in sexu est, aut in vsu viri: ade… vers… sunt in diuersum omnia, vt cum viris nihil magis pudori esse opporteat, quā si muliebre aliquid in se habere videantur: nunc nihil turpi… viri… quibusda… videtur, quam si … aliquo viri viderentur. Saluian. De Gubernat. Dei… l. 7. p. 263.264.are wholy degenerated and metamorphosed into women; not in Manners, Gestures, Recreations, Diet, and Apparell onelyonly; but likewise in the Womanish, Sinfull, and Vnmanly, Cr…sp…ig, Cu…ling, Frouncing, Powdring, and nourishing of their Lockes, and Hairie excrements, in which they place their corporall Excellencie, and chiefest Glory. Strange it is to see, and lamentable to consider, how farre our Nation is of late degenerated from what it was in former Ages: how farre their Liues, and their Professions differ. We all profess… our selues t… be Heroicall, Generous, and true-bred English-men, yea Zealous, downe-right, and true-hearted Christians, desirous to conforme our selues to Christ in eueryevery thing: and yet wee are ccPu…e… eos Nationis suae quod non German… aut Galli sint procreati, ita patriam capillo tranferunt… Tertul. de cultu. …aem. c. 4.quite ashamed of our English Guise, and Tonsure, and by our Out-landish, Womanish, and Vnchristian Lockes and Haire, disclaime our very Nation, Countrey, and Religion too: Alas, may I not truely say of too to many, who would be deemed not onelyonly English-men, but Deuout, and faithfull Christians: that the Barber is their Chaplaine: his Shop, their Chappell: the Loo…ing-glasse, their Bible; and their Haire, and Lockes, their ddPro Deo quisque habet quod coli… G… losi, venter, Deus est… Haeretic…, dogma quod fi…xit. Hier. Com. lib. 3. in Ose. 14. & in Amos c. 2. Capilla impudicarū mulierum Idola. Granatensis hom… in Festo. Mariae Magd.Hos 14Amos 2God? that they bestow more cost, more thoughts, more time, and paines vponupon their Hairie Lockes, and B…shes, from day to day, then on their peerelesse… and immortall Soules? that they consult more seriously, and frequently with the G…asse, and Combe, then with the Scriptures? that they conferre more oft…n with their Barbers, about their hairie Excrem…ts; then with their Ministers, about the meanes, and matter of their owne Saluation? Are not most of our young Nobiliti… and Ge…trie, yea, the Elder too, vnderunder the Barbers hand… from day, to day? Are they not in dayly thraldome, and perpetuall bond…ge to their curling Irons, which are as so many chaines, and fetters to their Heads, on which they leaue their Stampe, and Impresse? Good God, may I not truely say of our Gentrie, and Nation, as Sen…ca once did of his: eeQu…d illo… o…tiosos vocas, quibus apud tonsorem multae horae transmittuntur, dū decerpitur si quid proxima nocte succreui… d…m de singulis capillis in consilium itur: dū aut disiectae coma restitu…ut, aut deficiens h… atque illinc in …rontem compell…tur? Quomodo irascuntur si to…or paulo negligentior …uerit, qu …si virum t…nderet? Quomodo excandescunt si quid de i…a sua decisum est, si qu…d extra ordinem i…cu…t, nisi omnia in annulos suos reciderunt. Quis est istorum q… non malit rempublicam turbari, quam com… suam? Qui non sollicitior si… de capitis sui decore, quam de salute? Qui non com…t…or esse mali…, quam hones…ior? &c. De Breu. Vitae. cap. 12.That they are now so vaine and idle, that they hold a Counsell about eueryevery Haire, sometimes Combing it backe, another time Frouncing, and spredding it abroade: a third time Combing it all before: in which, if the Barber be any thing remisse, they will grow exceeding angry, as if they were trimming of the men themselues: doe they not rage excessiuely, if any Haire bee but cut to short, if it lye not to their liking, and fall not readily into its rings, and circles? Would they not rather hauehave the Common-wealth disturbed, th…n their Haire disordered? doe they not sit all day betweene the Combe, and the Glasse? are they not more sollicitous of the neatenesse of their Haire, then of their safetie? and more desirous to be neate, and spruce, then Honest? ffCapillum …rangere, & ad muliebres blanditia… vocē extenu…re, moll…tie corporis certare cum faeminis, & iucundissimis se excolere munditiis nostrorū adolescentium specimen est. Senec. Controuers. l 1. Proaemio … Componit crine… ps… ca… infalix: altera le…um extendit, pectitque co…as, & voluit in orbē: Est in c…nsilio matrona, admota que lanis, emerita qua cessat acu… sententia prima huius erit: post ha… …t…te atque arte minores censebunt: tanquam famae discrimen agatur, aut … nimae: tanti est, quaerendi cura decoris. Iuuenal. Satyr. 6.Is it not now held the accomplished Gallantrie of our youth, to Frizle their Haire like Women: and to become Womanish, not onelyonly in exilitie of Voyce, tendernesse of Body, leuitie of Apparell, wantonnesse of Pace, and Gesture, but euen in the very length, and Culture of their Lockes, and Haire? Are not many now of late degenerated into Virginians, Frenchmen, Ru…ians, nay, Women, in their Crisped-Lockes, and Haire? hauehave they not violated the Gra…e, and A…ent Cut, and decent Tonsure of their Ancestors; and broken the very Ordinance, ggSee 1 Cor. 11…14. Ezech. 44.20. Reu. 9.8.1 Cor 11:14Ezek 44:20Rev 9:8and Law of God, and Nature, by their Womanish, hh1 Tim. 2.9. 1 Pet. ….3. See Mr. Byfields S…rmon on 1 Pet. 3…3.4.1 Tim 2:91 Pet 3:31 Pet 3:4Embroidered, Coloured, False, excessiue Haire, and LoueLove-Lockes? and shall they yet professe themselues to be English-men; or Mortified, Humble, Chaste, and pious Christians? What, did euer any of our English Ancestors; did euer any Christians in former Ages; did euer any Saints of God, that wee can heare, or read of, weare a Locke? or Frizle, Powder, Frounce, Adorne, or Decke their Haire? or wast their thoughts, and time, or lauish out so great expences on their Heads, their Haire, and Lockes, as we doe now? If not, then l…t vsus be as well conceited of our selues, as may be, yet certainely, as long as these new-fangled Lockes, and Badges of our inuirilitie, ggAdhuc in processu vitia sunt… Inuen…t Luxuria aliquid no…, in quod insan…at. Inuenit impudicitia nouam contumeliam sib…. Inuenit del…ciarum dissolutio & tabes aliquid tenerius molliusque quo pereat. Adhuc quicquid est boni moris, extinguimus leuit…te & politura corporis. Muliebres mū ditias antecessimus, colores meretricios, matronis quidem non induendos viri sumi mus. Tenero et moll… ingressu suspendimus gradu…; non ambulamus, sed inceaimus. Exornamus annulis digit…s, in omni articulo gemma disponitur. Quotidie comminiscimur, per quae virilitati fiat iniuria, vt traduc… tur, quia non potest e…i. Seneca. Nat. Quaest. l. 7. c. …1.or more then Womanish, and vnnaturall Effeminacy, which still increase, multiply, and remaine vponupon vsus, we can neither truely challeng the name of English-men, nor stile of Christians. For, hh1 Cor. 6.14.15.16. Iam. 4.4. 1 Iohn 2.15.16.17.1 Cor 6:141 Cor 6:151 Cor 6:16Jas 4:41 John 2:151 John 2:161 John 2:17what part or portion can they hauehave in Christ, who weare the very Badge, and Liuery of the World? who complie themselues to the Guise, and Tonsure of the Deboistest, Rudest, and most licentious Ruffians? or giuegive themselues ouer to the Vanities, Fashions, and Customes of the very scumme, and worst of Men? Is this to be a Christian, to follow eueryevery Guise? to take vp eueryevery new-fangled, Deboist, and Ruffianly fashion? to submit to eueryevery Vaine, and Sinfull humour of the Times? to denie our Selues, and Lusts in nothing; and to goe as farre in all externall Emblems, or Symptomes of Vanitie, Pride, Licentiousn…sse, Effeminacy, and Prophanenesse, as any others: and to exceede euen Turkes, and Pagans in them, who are not yet so Effeminate, Idle, Proude, and Vaine as we? Alas, what is all this, but to be professed Enemies, and Rebels, vntounto Christ? to bee Deuill-Saints, or Bondslaues to the World, the Flesh, and Satan? this is not to be Christians, but Antichristians, Infidels, Pagans, if not monsters: He that is a Christian indeed, is a man of another temper… His iiWisd 2.1….Wis 2:1Life is not like other mens, and His wayes are of another fashion, kkC…loss. 1.10. 1 Thess 2.12. Ephes. 5.8.1 Thess 2:12Eph 5:8answerable to that High, and Holy calling, which He hath vndertaken: llRom. 12.2. Gal. 1 4 Ephes. 2.1 2… Col. 2.20 1 Pet. 1.14. Si… inter ancillas Diaboli & Christs discrimen: vt exemple sitis illis, vt edificentur in vobis: vt magnificetur Deus in corpore vestro: magnificatur autem per pudicitiam, & per habitum pudicitiae competentem. Tertul. De Cultu. Faem. cap. 7.Rom 12:2Gal 1:4Eph 2:1Col 2:201 Pet 1:14He fashions not himselfe to the Customes, Cultur…, Guise, and Vanities of the World, which He hath renounced in His Baptisme: mm1 Pet. 4 2.3.1 Pet 4:21 Pet 4:3He liues not to the will, or lusts of carnal Men: nnRom 13.13.14.Rom 13:13Rom 13:14neither makes He any prouision for the Flesh to fulfill the Lusts thereof: all His desire and labour, is to conforme himselfe to Christ in eueryevery thing: oo1 Iohn 2.6.1 John 2:6to walke as Christ walked; liue as He liued: and to pp1 Pet. 1.15. & 2.21.1 Pet 1:151 Pet 2:21follow His words and footesteps, in all the passages, and turnings of His life: His Life is heauenly, qqPhil. 3.10.Phil 3:10His Conuersation heauenly, rr1 Tim. 2.9.10. 1 Pet. 3.3.4.5. Phil. 1.27. Rom. 26.2.1 Tim 2:91 Tim 2:101 Pet 3:31 Pet 3:41 Pet 3:5Phil 1:27His Haire, and Habit, such as answ…res His profession, and doe well become the Gospel of Christ: ss1 Cor. 10.32 33.1 Cor 10:32not giuing any iust offence, or scandall to the Godly, ttCol. 4.5.Col 4:5nor any encouragement, or ill example to the Wicked: vvNusquam Christia… aliud est. Tertul. De Corona Milit. c. 9.His out-side, is consonant to His in-side, and suitable to His profession: xxMores …eos habitu… pronunciet, … spiritus per aures ab imprudenti… vulneretur. Tertul. De Cultu. Faem. cap. 7. Deus s… fuerit in pectore, cognoscetur & in capite Faeminarum. Tertul. De Velandis Virg. c. 14.His very Head, and Habit, doe, yea, will declare Hi… m…eke, and gracious Heart, and proclaime His Christianitie vntounto others: How then can such approoue themselues to be true, and humble Christians in the sight of God, or Men: who are the onelyonly Minions, Sycophants, and Humourers of the World; following it close at eueryevery turne, and complying themselues so fully, and exactly to its dissolute Fashions, and Lasciuious guises: yyIa… religionis antiquae non solū vn tutem amisimus, sed nec specimen re…inemus: Ecce enim habitus noster qui humilitatis solebat esse insigne, in signum gestatur superbiae. Bernard… ad Gul. Abb. Apol.That they hauehave not onelyonly lost the inward e…icacie, life, and power; but euen the very superficies, and out-side of Religion? What euidence can such produce, to prooue their interest, or title vntounto Christ, who hauehave nothing …lse to shew, or plead for it, but the zzV… habitu negant quod toto suggest… profitentur. Tertul. De veland. Virg. c. 11.Counterpanes, and Indentures, or the Cultures, Pompes, and Vanities of the World, which they hauehave long since in w…rds at least, renounced in their Baptisme? What, will the b…re name of Christi…ns, or the slight, and cold performance of some out-ward dueties of Religion, conuey you safe to Heauen? or will such a cold profession of Religion saue your Soules, which is so farre from changing the in-ward frame, and structure of your Hearts, that it hath not yet so much, as altered your Vaine, and Sinfull guises, and Attires… nor differenced you in out-ward appearance, from the most Gracelesse, Vaine, and Sensuall persons that the World affords? Alas, if we looke vponupon the out-sides of men, aa…. 23.26. Elingua Philosophia vita content… e…t, ipse habitus sonat Si… deni que auditur Philosophus dum videtur, de occursu meo viti… suffundo. Tertul. de Pallio. cap. 8.which would certainely be reformed, if all were right within:) w…at outward difference can you finde between… many young Gentlemen, who professe Religion, and the d…boist…st Ruffians? bbVideo et inter matronas, at que prostibulas nullum de habitu discrimen relictum. Tertul. Apolog. aduers. Gent.betweene many Graue Religious Matrons, or Virgins, who pretend De…otion, and our common Strumpets? betweene vsus Christians and the most Lasciuious Pagans? are they not all alike Vaine, Effeminate, Proud, Fantastique, Prodigall, Immodest, and Vnchristian in their Attires, Fashions, Haire, Apparell, Gesture, Behauiour, Vanitie, and Pride of Life? are they not all so Irregular, and Monstrous in their antique Tonsures, and Disguises, that men can hardly, distinguish Good, from Bad: Continent, from Incontinent: Gracious, from Gracelesse: Beleeuers, from Infidels? ccSee Tertul. De Pallio: & de cultis Faeminarum. Cypr. De Habit: Virginum. Ambros. De Virg. lib. 3. Hierom. Epist. 23. Epist. 7.8.10. Fulgentius ad Probam. Epist. 3. Clem. Alex. Padag. lib. 2. cap. 10. l. 3. …. 2.3.11. Salu. de Guber. Dei. l. 4.There was once a time, when as Christians were differenced from Pagans, and Infid…ls, by the modestie, and meanesse of their Apparell, and their abandoning of those externall Cultures, Ornaments, and Attires, which the vnbeleeuing Gentiles, and themselues before their true conversion, did admire: but alas, these times are now so altered, and inuerted; that wee may better know a Christian, by these Characters, and Badges of Paganisme, then a Pagan: For what Idolatrous, or Heathen Nation is there in the world, so Proud, so Vaine, so Various, so Fantastique, Effeminate, Lasciuious, o… Vnchristian in their Apparell, Fashions, Haire, or Head-attires, as we English, who professe our selues the prime of Christians? Doe we not transcend, and farre surpasse the Persians, Tartars, Indians, Turkes, and all the Pagan Nations in the World, in these? and may they not lay more claime to Christ, and Heauen in all these respects, then wee? Let Christians therefore who are now thus strangely carried away, with the Streame, and Torrent of the Times, and the Vanities, Fashions, Pompes, and Sinfull guises of the World; ddQuid non inuertat consuetud…? quid non assiduitate duretur? quid non vsui ce…at? quantis quod prae amaritudine prius exhorrebant, vsui ipso malè in dulce conuersum est? Primum tibi importabile videbitur aliquid; processis temporis …i assuescas iudicabis non adeò graue; p…ulo post, nec senties: paulo post etiam delectabit. Ita paulatim in cordis duritiam itur, & ex illa in auersionem: Bernard… de Consid. lib. 1. cap. 2.which their owne Hearts, and Consciences condemned at the first, before they were hardned, and inchanted by them, by degrees, and custome:) looke well vntounto their Soules, and to their interest, and right in Christ, in these backe-sliding seasons; when many fall off from Religion by degrees, vntounto the World, the Flesh, and Satan, whose snares, and grand ee2 Pet. 2.11…19, 20.2 Pet 2:11pollutions they had, (at least in out-ward shew:) escaped heretofore; for feare their Euidence for Heauen, prooue counterfeite at last: And if they finde, ffPsal. 24.4.Ps 24:4their Hearts inclined, or lifted vp to vaniti…, or their affections and practise, biassed to these Effemi…ate guises, Lockes, and Cultures of the World: they hauehave reason, and cause enough to feare, ggIn hoc cognoscim… quod seculum diligimus, quia praciosa vestiment… … mamu…. Qui seculum no… diligit, pr…c…sa vest…ment… non quaerit. Quando hom… gaudet de pulchritudi…e c…rporis, mens eiu… elongatur ab amore Creatoris. Quanto amplius in corporis compositione laetaemur, tanto magi… ae superno amore disiungimur. Bernard. De modo bene viuendi. Sermo. 9.that their Hearts are yet deuoted to the world, and quite estranged from the Lord: hhEx cordis Thesauro sine dubio procedit, quicquid foras ap…aret vitiosum. Vanum cor vanitatis notam ingerit corpori, & exterior superfluitas, interioris vanitatis indicium est. Mollia indumenta animi molliciem indicant. Non tanto curaretur corporis cultus, nisi prius fuisset neglect… mens inculta virtutibus. Bernard… ad Gu…ielm. Abbatem. Apolog.that all things are not yet sincere, and right within them, because their out-sides are so Vaine, so Proud, Fantastique, and Vnchristian: and that their claime to Christ, is meerely counterfeite, because his Graces, Stampe, and Image shine not in them, but the Worlds alone. If therefore wee desire to assure our Soules, and Consciences in the sight of God, that wee are true and reall Christians; that wee hauehave any share, or portion in Christ, or any inheritance in the highest Heauens: Let vsus bee sure now at last, iiIames 1.27.Jas 1:27to keepe our selues vnspotted from the World: kkGalat. 5.24.Gal 5:24to crucifie the flesh with the affections, and lusts thereof: ll1 Peter 2.11.1 Pet 2:11to ab…taine from all these fleshly lusts, which warre against our Soules: mmRomans 1….13.14.Rom 1:13Rom 1:14to walke honestly as in the day: not in Chambering, and Wantonnesse; but putting on the Lord Iesus Christ, and making no prouision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof: yea to cut, and cast off all those LoueLove-Lockes, Paintings, Powdrings, Crispings, Curlings, Cultures, and Attires, nnMundicies corporis atque vesti…us, …nimae immunditia: quibus signis animus …ibid… …osus ostenditur: & per ex…e…orem hominem, interi…oris hominis v…tia demon…strantur. Hierom. Tom. 1. Epist. 27. c. 10. Cult…s mu…e bris & luxuriosus, non corpus exornat, sed de…eg…t mē …em. Q…intil. Instit. Orat. l. 8 Proaemio…wh…ch b…wray the great Deformiti…s, …ilth, L…sciu…ousnesse, Pride, and Vanitie of our So…es, b…t are no luster to our bodi…s: that so wee may ad…ne the Gospel of Christ, and beautifie our Christian pro…essi…n, by an humble, lowly, examplary, and corespondent conuersation. And if these Fashions, Lock…s, and Cultures s…m… such Niciti…s, Tr…fl…s, Toyes, or nee…lesse scrupul…sities vntounto any, as may admit an easie disp…nsation, and m…y be still retai…ed without any h…rt, …r da…ger to mens Soules, or scandall to Religion: I answer…; that if they are not Sinfull, and Vnlawfull in themselues, as they ar… prooued in this present Treatise by the consent of all Antiquitie: yet they are but ooSee Caluin: Comment. on Numbers 6. v. 5. Mayer Exposit: on 1 Pet. 3.4.Num 6:51 Pet 3:4E…feminate, Ridicul…us, Vnpro…itable, and Foolish vanities, or Cultures of the World, in their very best acception; which Christians should not dot… vponupon, since they hauehave renounced them in their Baptisme; and since they hauehave farre greater things then these, on which to busie, and impl…y their thoughts and time. Christians hauehave their rich and precious Soules to beautifie, ppTalis misericordia crudelitate ple…a est, qua videlicet it a corpori seruitur vt anima iuguletur. Qua enim charita… est carnem diligere, & spiritum negligere? Quaue discretio totum d…re corpori, & animae nihil? Qualis vero misericordia ancillam reficere, & dominam interficere: Bernard. ad Gul. Abbatem. Apolog. See Perkins Cases of Conscience, lib… 3. Sect. 3. Quaest. 3. Babington on the 7 Commandement. Mr. Byfield on 1. Peter 3.3.1 Pet 3:3which they vnmercifully butcher, and neglect, whiles they are to c…rious, and exa…t in the Culture of their bodies; they hauehave a great, and holy God to serue continually; they hauehave sundry Heauenly graces to procure, cherish, and inlarge: they hauehave a multitude of Christian dueties, and Heauenly ex…rcises to discharge from day to day: they hauehave… qqSee Mr. Perkins T…eatise of Callings.or should hauehave callings, and sundry warrantable imployments, both for their owne, and others good, and Gods owne glory; all which will quite ingrosse their time, rrTamdi… discendum est quem. adm…dum viuas, quandiu viu…. Vi…ere tota vita discendum est; & fortasse quod magis miraberis, tota vita discendum est mori. Seneca. Epist. 76. & De Breu. Vitae. cap 7.their liues, and thoughts, and take them off from all these head-altiring cares, in which too many wast, and spend their dayes: No reason therefore hauehave they to allow themselues in these bewitching, and time-deuouring Vanities, which steale away their Hearts, and Liues from God, and better things. And why should Christians take any libertie to themselues at all, in these nugatorie, and Vnchristian vanities? Is it not exceeding scandalous vntounto others, and d…ngerous to themselues to doe it? doeth it not ssQuam blasphemabile est, si quae sacerdotes pudicitiae aicimur, impudicarum ritu procedatis cul…ae aut expictae Tertul. de cultu. Faem. c. 7.blaspheme, and scandalize Religion, and make it odious vntounto Pagans, who are not halfe so Vaine, so Proud, and Vitious in this kinde as Christians? ttMens Deodicata sic caueat minora vitia vt ma…ora: quia a minimis incipiunt, qui in maxim… proruunt. Bernard. de Ordine vitae. Col. 112…. C.and will it not draw all such, who take this libertie to themselues, to greater, and more scandalous sinnes at last, to the wrecke, and hazard of their Soules? Alas, such is the strange deceitfulnesse of our Hearts, and the inbred prauitie of our Natures: that if we once uuVanitas ad iniquitatem l…bitur, & dum ex al…is ad ali… semper impellitur, suborientibus culpis inquinatur. Ex vanitate ergo, ad iniquitatem ducimur: cum prius per leuia delicta defleuimus, vt vsu cuncta leuigante, …equaquam post commit…ere etiam grauiora timeamus. Na… dum moderari lingua otiosa verbae negligit, audax ad noxia prorumpit: dum gula incumbitur, ad leuitatis protinus ins…niam proditur: cumque mens sub…gere delectationem carnis renui…, plarumque & ad perfidiae voraginem ruit. Si enim curare parua negligimus insensibiliter seducti, audenter etiam maior… perpetramus: quia si vanitatis culpa nequaquam caute compescitur, ab iniquitate protinus mens inca…ta deuoratur. Vanitatis quippe finis est, vt cum peccato mentem sauciat, hanc ex culpa audacem reddat. Et sit plerunque vt prauis d…sideriis seruiens, a …ugo se diuini t…moris excutiat, & quasi in malorum perpetratione iam libera, omne quod volupt…s suggerit, implere conte…dat. Greg. Mag. Moral. l. 10. c. 13.14.15.begin to play, and dandle with small and pettie Vices, yea, though it bee but with Vanities, Toyes, and idle Fashions: they will quickly draw vsus on to scandalous, great, and hainous sinnes at last; and so fetter vsus in the ginnes, and snares of grosse impieties; that we shall sooner sincke downe into Hell vnderunder their weight, and pressure, then shake off their bondage. Hee that beginnes to nourish, or reserue a Locke, or to adorne, set out, and Crispe his Haire but now and then: though he were a Modest, Sober, Chast, Industrious, or some-what Religious person at the first: if he once but slacke the raines of his affections to these vanities, and keepe no stiffe hand ouer them, to curbe them in due season; will soone degenerate into an Idle, Proud, Vaineglorious, Vnchast, Deboist, and gracelesse Ruffian: His Amourous, Frizled, Womanish, and Effeminate Haire, and Locke, will draw him on to Idlenesse, Pride, Effeminacy, Wantonnesse, Sensualitie, and Voluptuousnesse, by degrees; and from thence to Incontinency, Whoredome, Deboistnesse, and all Prophannesse, to the eternall wrecke and ruine of his Soule. This the wofull, and lamentable experi…nce of thousands in our age can testifie, who by giuing way vntounto the outward Culture of their Heads, and Bodies, and yeelding but a little to the sinfull Guises, and Fashions of the Times at first: hauehave beene at last precipitated into the very sinke, and puddle of all dissolutenesse, and vncleanenesse, to the inextricable losse, and hazard, not onelyonly of their Bodies, Goods, Estates, and Credits: but of their rich, and peerelesse Soules. O therefore let vsus looke vntounto our Hearts, and Soules betimes, let vsus keepe, and fence them against the very **Principi…s obsta: sero medi…ina paratur, Cum mala per long…s inualuere moras. Ouid. de Remed Amoris. l. 1.beginnings, seeds, and first appearances of sinne, and Vanitie; against these Vaine, these Ruffianly, and Womanish Cultures, Frizlings, Lockes, and Fashions: xxQui blandien…o dulce nutriu…t m…lum, sero recusat ferre, quod sub…it iugum. Se neca Hyppol. Act. 1. Qui se cupiditati volentes dediderint oppugnanti, voluntatem resisten…i vlterius non habebunt tyrannice dominanti … Et ho… fit iusto Dei iudicio: vt qui cupiditati resistere noluimus ingressurae, iam resistere nequeamus ingressa, &c. Prosper. De vita Contempl. lib. 2. c. 15.Acts 1which if they once get but entertainement, or footing in our affections, will so captiuate, and inthrall vsus; that wee shall hardly disposses, or quite eiect them, till they hauehave made vsus slaues, and vassals to a world of grosse, and crying sinnes: which will sinke our Soules at last… into the very deepest depthes of Hell without recouery. And is it not now high time, yea, hauehave we not now great cause, to abandon, and renounce yyQui… f…cit illa ridicula monstruositas, & mira qu… dam deformis formositas, ac formosa deformitas? Quid ibi monstruosi Centauri? quid s…ms-hom…nes? Videas sub vno capite multa corpor…, & rursus in vno corpore capita mu…ta? Bern. ad Gu… Abb…tem. Apolog.these Monstrous, Strange, Ridiculous, and mishapen Fashions, and Attires: which transforme our Heads, and bodies into a thousand Antique, and Outlandish shapes? to disrobe our selues, of all our Proud, and costly Plumes, which bid de…iance to the Lord of Hoasts, and cause him to vnsheath his glittering Sword against vsus, to our finall ouerthrow, and vtter desolation? and to cut, and cast off all those Lockes, and Emblems of our Vanitie, Pride, Incontinencie, La…ciuiousnesse, and grosse Effeminacy, which Prognosticate some eminent, and fatall iudgement to our Land, and Nation? and hasten to accomplish, and draw it downe vponupon vsus to the full? Hath not the Lord begunne to smite, and ruine vsus for these sinnes already? Hath hee not sent a man-eating Pestilence, and d…populating Plague among vsus, which hath cut off thousands, weeke, by weeke: and is it not now likely to reuiue againe, to sweepe vsus all away? hath hee not oft times zz2 Kings 10. 32 Vulnus habent populi… plus est quam vita salusque, Quod perit: in totum mundi prosternimur aeuum. Lucan. Phars. l. 7. p. 1252 Kgs 10:32cut vsus short, by Sea, and Land, and aaIer. 37.7. 2 King. 19.7.Jer 37:72 Kgs 19:7Blasted all our great Designes for sundry yeeres; so that they hauehave prooued all abortiue, and beene more fatall to our selues, then hurtfull to our enemies? hath hee not laid our Confederates, and Associates round about vsus, wast, and desolate: and bereaued vsus of those forraine Props, and Stayes, on which wee did most rely? hath he not spoiled vsus of our Name, and ancient Glory, which was Great, and Honourable throughout the World; and made vsus the very bbIer. 18 16. & 19.1. & 25 9. Mich. 6.16.Jer 18:16Jer 19:1Jer 25:9Mic 6:16Obloquie, Hissing, Scorne, Reproach, and ccDeut 28.44.Deut 28:44Taile of all the Nations; whereas wee were the Head, and chiefe of People heretofore? hath hee not ddIsay. 3.2.3Isa 3:2Isa 3:3taken away from vsus, the mighty Man, and the Man of Warre, the Iudge, and the Prophet, the Prudent, and the Ancient, the Captaine of fiftie, the Honourable man, and the Counseller? hath hee not bereft vsus of our Ships, and Marriners by Sea: of our Commanders, and expert Souldiers by Land? hath hee not weakned, and impouerished vsus by losses, and ouerthrowes abroad: by decay, and losse of trade: eeLaeta dies populo rapta est: concordia müdo, Nostra perit. Lucan. Phars. l. 9. p. 173by Diuisions, Distractions, Pressures, and Discontents at home? hath hee not ffRom. 1.18. Haec quo que de Coelo vulnera missae pu…es. Ausonius Epigram. Ep. 2.Rom 1:18reuealed his wrath, and indignation against vsus from Heauen, by ggIsay, 28.2. & 22.6.prodigious Thunders, Stormes, and Tempests, and sundry heauy Iudgements? and may wee not yet truely say, hhIsay, 5.25. & 9.12, 17, 21.that for all this his anger is not turned away from vsus, but his hand is stretched out still? Doe wee not yet dayly feare a Chaos, and iiEzra. 9.7. Isay. 34.11.Ezra 9:7Isa 34:11confusion in our Church, and State, and a sodaine surprisall of our Kingdome? doe wee not yet feele, and see the heauy kkDeut. 28.45 2 King. 22.19. Isay, 24.6. & 34.5. & 43 28 I…r. 24.9.Deut 28:452 Kgs 22:19curse, and wrath of God, still cleauing to vsus, and increasing on vsus: yea, working, and contriuing our destruction, more, and more? doe not all the Characters of a dying, and declining State appeare vponupon vsus? and doeth not eueryevery mans owne… Conscience whisper, nay, cry aloud vntounto him: that vnlesse God prooue miraculously Good, and Gracious to vsus, wee are neere some ineuitable, and irrecouerable perdition, which will put a finall period to our former happinesse? And ll2 King. 5.26 Hag. 1 4.2 Kgs 5:26Hag 1:4is this then a time, for vsus poore dust, and ashes; when as wee are thus inuironed with feares, and dangers, and euen destinated, and designed to destruction: when as Gods Ministers, Threatnings, Word, and Iudgements, doe euen summon vsus from Heauen, mmIsay. 22.12. Zeph. 1.2…3… Ier. 4.8. &. 6.26. & 25.34.Isa 22:12Zeph 1:2Jer 4:8Jer 6:26Jer 25:34to humble and abase our Soules, and Bodies: to wallow in the dust, and to abhorre our selues in Sackcloath, and Ashes: nnNonne hoc …uum, monstri genus est, esse aliquos etiam in morte vitiosos. Quis captiui…atem expectans de Circo cogitat? Quis metuit mortem & ridet? Nos & in metu calamitatis ludimus, & positi in mortis t…more ridemus. Salu… De Gub. Deil. 7. p. 227.236.when as our neckes lye all vponupon the blocke, expecting eueryevery moment their last, and fatall blow: to Pranke, and Decke, our Proud, and rotten Carcases? ooBreuissimis loculis patrimonium gran… de pro…ertur, vno lino decies sestertium inseritur: Saltus & insulas tener… cer…ix fert. Graci…es aurium cu…es calendariu… expend…nt, & in sinistra per singulos digi…os de saccis singulis …it. Hae sunt vires ambitionis, tantarum vsurarum subst…ntiam vno & muliebri corpusculo baiulare. Tertul. De hab. Mulieb. c. 5. See Clem. Alexand P…edag. lib. 2. c 10.12. lib 3. c. 2.3. Vxor tua locupletis domus censum a…ribus gerit. Video vniones non singul… s…ngulis aurib…s comparatos: iam enim exerci…ae aures oneri serendo sunt: iunguntur inter se, & in…uper ali… bo…is superponuntur? Non satis mu…e…ris i…sani… viros subiecerat; nisi bina ac ter… patrimonia auribus singulis pependisset. Sen. de …ita Beata. c. 17. De Beneficijs. lib. c. ….to lauish out our Patrimonies on our Heads, and Backes, and hang whole Manners at our Eares, and Neckes at once? to Frizle, Powder, Nourish, and set out our Haire, and Lockes, in the most Lasciuious, Amourous, Proud, Effeminate, Ruffianly, and Vaine-glorious manner, that the quint…scence of our owne, or other mens Vanitie can inuent? to liue in the very ruffe, and height of Pride, and Vanitie? or purposely to sell our selues: yea to educate, and traine vp our children, (who should ppEphes 6.4.Eph 6:4be brought vp in the feare, and nurture of the Lord: as the common custome of our Nobilitie, and Gentrie is;) to Wantonnesse, Idlenesse, Voluptuousnesse, Epicurisme, and all excesse of Sensualitie, Pleasure, Vanitie, Pride, and carnall iolliti…; as if wee tooke delight, and pleasure in our owne destruction; or ment wilfully to incurre the very worst, and vttermost of Gods heauiest Iudgements? What, hauehave wee not …ggreuated, and multiplied our iniquities, and sinnes sufficiently already, but that wee must thus intend, and increase them more, and more? are we not yet deepe enough in Gods displeasure, that we thus pro…oke, and grieue him further eueryevery day? or doe wee thinke to auocate, or diuert Gods Iudgements, or to mooue him to compassionate vsus, by filling vp the measure of our vnmeasurable sinnes against him? or are wee willing, and desirous for to perish, or to bring our selues, and Countrey vntounto speedie ruine, that we are now more vile, more Sinfull, Proud, and desperately wicked, ddEsay ….9.proclaiming our Impudency, Vanitie, Idlenesse, Hautinesse, and Sinne, as Sodome did, not labouring once to hide it, though wee expect, yea feele Gods Plagues, and Iudgements on vsus eueryevery moment? Alas, (my brethren,) what doe you meane to doe, or which wayes will you turne your selues? will you wilfully cast away Gods LoueLove, and Fauour: and subiect your selues, to the very vtmost of his wrath, and vengeance? will you still prouoke the Lord to your destruction, euen beyond recouery? will you subiect vsus to the Spanish yoake, and bondage? to all the miseries that Rome, that Spaine, that Heauen, or Hell can plot against vsus? If this bee your intended resolution; goe on, and take your fill of Sinne, of Pride, and Vanitie: I will not interrupt you.

But if you would auoid, diuert, and quite escape that ouerrunning flood, and torrent of Gods Iudgements, (which is like to sweepe vsus all away, wee cannot tell how soone,) which our sinnes now call for, and our Hearts presage is neere at hand: if your desire to inioy more Halcyon dayes of Peace, or yeeres of Iubilie, and full prosperitie, which may make your liues a very Paradise, or Heauen vponupon Earth. If you expect any further repriuall at the hands of God, or if you would still retaine his Presence, Face, and Fauour; his Gospel, and Protection, eePsal. 63.3.Ps 63:3which are sweeter, and better th…n life it selfe, or all the Riches, Pleasures, and Contentments, that thi… World can yeeld you: or if you are now vnwilling for to perish: why then ffMal… i…ssabiliter …li… addi…, & peccata peccati… cumulamus: & cu… maxima nostri p…rs ia… perierit, id agim… vt peream… om…es. T… animorum, …el t…nta poti… peccatorum cacit… est, vt cum maxima nostri pars …am pe…ierit, nullus id agit v… ne pereat. Salu. de Gub. Dei. l. 6. p. 200.214.Mal 1doe you multiply, and still increase your sinnes, and post on in those wayes of P…ide, and Vanitie, which will certainely depriue vsus of Gods Face, and Fauour, and all our Earthly comforts, & cause vsus all to perish? Is this the way and m…thod, t…i…ke you, to app…ase Gods anger, diuert …his Iudgem…, … his fauour, to rebell, an… sinne against him mo…, a… …re? to affront, and dare him to his Face, with our bl…h… Imp…de…cy: our monstrous Fashions, a…d A…ires? our ggMulte quo…que eis am… torias salutationes imprimunt, vt vel per terram numero…e incedentes, mere triceos spirit…s in incessu sculpant. Clem. Alex P…ed…g. l. 2. c. 11.…, Whorish, and Lasciuious g…st…s? o…r … …izled, Powdred and Vnmanly L…ck…s, and Haire? or m…re then hhOf whi…h see Diodorus Siculus… Bibl. Hist. l. 2. Sect. 23. Iustin. hist. lib. 1. Athenaeus Dipnos. l. 12. c. 12. Sleidan. l. 1Sardanapalian i…irilitie, which iiIn fortis autem viri vultu …ullum esse …portet signum molliti…, sed …e que vlla parte corporis. Ne que ergo in motu, ne que in …abitu inueniatur v…quam magni animi, & excelsi dedecus. Clem. Alex. Paedag. l. 3. c. 11.…e …e…mes not Christians, o… men of Valo…r? to pr…u…ke him with our Cursing, Swearing, Whored…s, M…rth…rs Vsury, Bribery, Couetousnesse, Oppression, I…iusti…e, Scurrilitie, Ribaldry, and Heathenish conuersati…ns? to disobey his Word, abuse his M…rcies, and Long-suffering towards vsus; and to kkNos vrimur & secamur: sed nec ferr… desectione, nec cauteriorum adu…tione sanamur: imò quod grauius est, cura ips… deteriores sumus. Cunctos prius est interire quam corrigi: Salu. de Gub. Dei. l. 7. p. 226. l. 6. p. 205.grow Incorrigible, and more Sinfull vnderunder all his Iudgements, as wee doe? Are these the meanes to compasse all those Fauours, which wee now expect, or to exempt vsus from those heauie Iudgements, which our Hearts so feare? Is this the course to salue, to settle, or reunite our tottering, and diuided State? to secure our Selues, our Church, or Kingdome here at home, or to make vsus dreadfull to, or Conquerers ouer all our Foes, abroad? O no, these are the onelyonly wayes to l…se our God, our Selues, our Soules, our Church, our Countrey, all Wee hauehave, or all Wee hope for: these are the llQuasi fato quodam i… vitia ruimus, & ex vit…is in calamitates Zonaras Praefat. ad Annales.onelyonly meanes to heape, and hasten that, yea more, vponupon vsus then, We feare: these are the mmA Deo quippe punimur, sed ipsi facimus vt puniamur. Nos ergo aduersum nos omnia facimus. Nos calamitatum nostrorum auctores sumus. Nihil, ita que nihil est in nos crudelius nobis. Nos, inquam, nos etiam Deo nol…nte cruciamus. Salu. de Gub. Dei, l. 8. p. 282.courses by which W…e hauehave wilfully cast our Selues into those present miseries, which Wee feare, or suffer, and which our Friends about vsus hauehave drunke of to the full: and shall Wee yet proceede on in them? HaueHave We not smarted enough already for them? and are Wee yet so strangely stupid, as not to take warning by our former stripes? which nnDeus crudeli… vrit, Quos videt inuit…s succub…isse sibi… Tibul… l 1. Eleg. ….will be doubled, an… trebled yet vponupon vsus, if we still proceed. O therefore, (Christian Readers,) if you hauehave any sence, or feeling of our present miseries: any apprehention of our future dangers, vnderunder the very thoughts, and feare of which We pine, and languish: any Bowels of compassion, to your Selues, your Countrey, or Posteritie: any care at all to Remooue, Diuert, or Anticipate those heauie Iudgements, which We feare, or suffer: or to reuerse that fatall Curse of God, which cleaues to all our publike Enterprises, and Designes: any forwardnesse to regaine our Ancient Glory, Victories, and Renowne abroad: or to establish Vnitie, Safetie, Peace, and welfare in our Church, or State at home: or any Cordiall, and strong Desire, to retaine Gods Word, his Blessing, Face, and Fauour still among vsus, which now withdraw themselues apace, as if they had no pleasure in vsus: Let vsus now, euen now at last, after so many warnings, and Repriualls: so many dayes of Grace, and MercieMercy, so many Milde, and Fatherly Chastisements, in the midest of all ooMag…is i…imicoru… circu…damur agminibus: hostiū plena su…t omnia. Hier. Tom 1. Epist. 22. cap. 1.those Enemies, Feares, and Dangers, which hedge vsus in on eueryevery side: (though ppSopor quippe infunditur, vt perditi… subsequ…tur: Cum … cō pleti… iniqui…bus suis qu… ̄ … meretur vt pereat; pr…identia … tollit…r, ne periturus eu…: dat: Salu. De Gub. Dei: l. 6. p. 234.Wee are almost sencelesse of them, perchance, beca…se God meanes for to destroy vsus:) abandon all our Brauery, Pride, and Vanitie; and all these Cultures, LoueLove-Lockes, and Disguises, which blemish our Profession, and Arme our God, and all our Enemies against vsus, to our iust destruction: If Wee will now lay downe these weapons of Rebellion, which bid defiance to the Lord of Hosts: if Wee will reforme our Heads, and Hearts, qqMorbid… en…m capite, nihil sa… est est: ne que vllu… omnin… membru… officio suo f… gitur, vbi quod est principale non constat: Salu. de Gub. Dei: l. 7. p. 234.which distemper all our other members, with the Flux of sinne; and make them all vnsound: if We wil yet humble our Soules before the Lord for all our sinnes, and turne our Heads, our Hearts, our Hand…s, our Eyes, and Feete vntounto his Testimonies, without any more d…layes: rrZeph. 2.3. Ionah… 3.8.9.10Zeph 2:3Jonah 3:8Jonah 3:9Jonah 3:10it may be there is yet a day of Grace, a time of M…rcy, Peace, and Fauour reserued for vsus in the brest of God, and wee may yet esc…pe those sad, and fatall Iudgements, w…ich God now threatens, and we feele, or feare: But if we still walke on, as in a progresse, in the Effeminacy, Pride, and Vanitie of our Liues, or in the stubbornnesse of our hard, and gracelesse Hearts, from euill, to worse, heaping vp sinne, to sinne, without all stinte, or measure, ssAd mundana gaudia, & temporalia bona multitudo procliuis est. Et quamuis incertum, caducumq, sit quod cupitur, libentius tamen suscipitur labor pro desiderio voluptatis, quā pro amore virtutis: ita cum innumer… sunt, qui visibilia concupiscant: vix in…e…iun…ur, qui temporalibus …terna praepon…nt. Leo de Quadrages. Serm. 11. c. 1.as Wee doe: Let other men expect, and hope what good they will; I for my owne part, can Prognosticke nothing, but our finall ruine. For if wee still goe on in sinne, in despite of all Gods Iudgements, or ttQui beneficiis non intelligitur, vel plagi… intelligatur. Cyprian. Tract. 2. contra Demetria dem.ouercomming F…uours: God will, he must, proceed in wrath, and vengeance: so that uuIer. 15.1.2. Ezech. 14.14.14.18.20. Luke 13.3.5. Leuit. 26. Deut. 28.Jer 15:1Jer 15:2Ezek 14:14Ezek 14:18Ezek 14:20Luke 13:3Luke 13:5Lev 26Deut 28though Moses, Daniel, Noah, Samuell, Iob, and Abraham, should stand before him in the gappe, to diuert his Indign…tion, Wrath, and Iudgements from vsus, yet his minde could not be towards vsus, but hee will cast vsus out of his sight; and send vsus out to Death, to Sword, to Famine, and Captiuitie without Redemption, till we perish. O therefore hearken, and Repent betimes, that so iniquitie may not prooue yo…r ruine. And if you would bee rescued from Gods Iudgements, (especially from that fatall, and deforming sickenesse of the Poxe: which God hath now certainely sent vponupon vsus, but especially, vponupon our Gentrie, who are most visited, and af…licted with it, **Isay 3.16.17.24.Isa 3:16Isa 3:17Isa 3:24as hee did vponupon the hautie Daughters of Zion, for our excessiue Pride, and ouer-curious decking of our Faces, which steale away our Hearts, our Thoughts, and Time from God, and better things:) or else indeared in his Fauour: then wash, your Heads, your Hands, and xxIer. 4.14.Jer 4:14Hearts from all their Vanities, Pride, and Wickednesse, that you may be saued: yyQuid pr…desse poter…t Antidotum cui superfunditur venenum! Salu. de Gub… Dei. l. 5. p. 148.Antidotes will profit nothing, as long as they are besprinkled, with Poyson: all our Wishes, Teares, and Prayers, or the Supplications of others of Gods dearest Children for vsus, cannot auail… to helpe, to succor, or doe vsus any good, as long as they are empoysoned with our sinnes: zzPsal. 66.18.Ps 66:18If wee regard but any iniquitie in our Hearts, (much more when wee practise nothing but Sinne, and all excesse of Pride, and Vanitie in our liues,) the Lord will not heare vsus: aaIsai. 1.15. & 50.3.4 Prou. 1.24. to 33.Isa 1:15Isa 50:3Isa 50:4Prov 1:24–33yea, though wee make many Prayers to him, and adde Fasting to our Prayers, to make them more auaileable; yet, hee will not regard, but quite reiect vsus: bbMal. 1.10.Mal 1:10his Soule shall hauehave no pleasure in vsus. O turne you, turne you, therefore from all the Sinne, and Euill of your doings: from that abundance of Idlenesse, and superfluitie of Pride, and Vanitie which hath ouer…pred our Nation: from all those Antique, Effeminate, ccMeretricii enim pilorum plexus & catenarum nexu… deformes reddunt. Clem. Alex. Paedag. l. 3. c. 11.Deforming, Strange, and Vnchristian Attires, Fashions, and Disguises, which transforme vsus into sundry Monsters, and almost depriue vsus of our Naturall, and Humane s…apes: that so wee may cloathe our selues with Iesus Christ, ddSerico & purpura indutae Chris…u… indu…re non possunt. Cypr. De Habitu. Virg. Proiiciamus ornamē ta terren… si coelesti… optaemus. Tertul. de Cultu. Faem. c. 9.10.who will neuer comply, nor suite with such Attires, or those who are deuoted to them. And if we will be Pranking, and Tricking vp our selues, let vsus deuote our Thoughts, our paines, and Time, to the inward Culture of our Immortall Soules, which now lye quite neglected, whiles our Hairie excrements are so much adored. These Soules of ours, which now we so much vnderualue, as to preferre the very vainest Vanities of the World before them; are the Spouse, and LoueLove of Christ: the very Palace, and Temple of the Sacred Trinitie: the very Wealth, and totall Summe of all we hauehave: O then, let vsus cloathe, and de…ke these Soules of ours, with the robes of Iesus Christ his Righteousnesse: with eePsal. 45.13.14Ps 45:13Ps 45:14the cloathing of wrought Gold; the raiment of Needle-Worke; the transplendent Iewels, and Pearles of Grace, and with the whole Wardrobe, and Cabinet of Heauen; that so wee may euen rauish the very Heart of Christ, ffCant. 2.5. & 5.8Song 2:5Song 5:8and make him sicke of LoueLove: And if we will needes adorne our bodies too: ggProdite vos iaem medicamentis & ornamentis extructae Apostolorum, sumentes de simplicitate candore… de pudicitia ruborem; depictae oculos verecundia: &c. Te…tul: De Cultu. Faem. c. 9. See Cypriā de hab. Virg. Clem. Alex. Paedag. l. 2. cap. 22. l. 3. c. 11.let vsus Paint our Faces with the candor of Simplicitie, and Vermilian-blush of Chastitie: and our Eyes with Modestie: let Silence, or Holy conference, bee the ornament of our Lips; the Word of God our Earings, and the Yoake of Christ our Necke-bracelets: Let vsus submit our Heads to Christ, and then they are sufficiently, adorned: Let our hands bee busied with the Distaffe, or some other honest imployment, of our generall, or speciall callings: and our Feete shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace: which makes them more rich, and louely, then if they were clad in Gold: Let vsus cloathe our selues with the Silke of Honestie, the Laune of Sanctitie, and the Purple of Chastitie: Taliter pigmentatae Deum habebitis amatorem: So shall our God bee inamored with vsus, and attoned towards vsus: so shall his Iudgements bee diuerted, his Fauour regained, his Mercies enlarged, his Gospel continued, our Foes subuerted, our Church reformed, our Kingdome established, our Grieuances redressed, our Feares remooued, our Peace prolonged, and our Soules eternally saued, hhIsay 2.11. to 18.Isa 2:11–18in that Great, and terrible Day of the Lord, wherein the loftie lookes of Man shall be humbled, and the hautinesse of Men shall bee bowed downe, and the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, shall rest vponupon eueryevery Proud, and Loftie person, who is high, and lifted vp, to bring him low, that the Lord alone, may be exalted in that day.

Now this Lord, and God of Blessing, Blesse this poore Treatise, to the Soul…s of many, which I hauehave presumed for to publish, not out of any Singular, or Nouellizing Spirit, (as some may chance to thinke; because it treates of such a Subiect; in which none else hauehave euer trauelled to my knowledge:) or out of any Vaine-glorious humour of purchasing applause from others, or venting of my owne conceites: but out of a sincere, and true desire, of confining English-men, and such as beare the name of Christians, to English, hhNon solum enim pudicos ac tempera… res satis e…t esse puros, sed etiam adhibenda e…t opera vt quod extrinsecus e…t, sit ab omni repraehensione & vituperatione alienum, omni exclus… suspitionis causai vt in summam quandam contrahatur ca…titas, vt non simus solum fideles, sed etiam videamur fide digni: Clē. Alexand. Paedag lib. 3, c. 11and true Christian Fashions, and Attires: to stop the ou…r-flowing Sinnes, and Monstrous vanities of these our Times, (which farre exceed all former Precedents; and finde either none, or little publike Opposition:) and so, as much as in mee lies, to turne away that blacke, and gloomie Cloude of Wrath, and Vengeance, which now hangs houering ouer all our heads, threatning a sodaine Storm of Blood, of Miserie, Ruine, and Desolation to vsus, vnlesse, we thorowly, and speedily Repent: In which if I hauehave erred in any particular, as well I may, because I hauehave walked in an vntroden p…th, and had no foote-steps but mine owne to follow, (though some are so Malicious to report abroad; that my Workes, th…y kkHos ego versiculos feci, tulit alter hono…es, &c. Donatus in vita Virgil. Maron.are some others, not mine owne; because they hauehave little else to carpe against them:) I hope …y good intention shall mitigate my Errors for the present: and my Penne correct th…m, if once informed of them, for the future; so that I neede not feare that Schoole-boyes breeching for th…m, which… some Pedantique Cl…rikes threaten to mee; who for all their out-side Pompe, their Doctorated, llBarba non facit Philosophum Cael…us. Rhod. Antiqu. Lect. l. 5. c. 12.or B…a…d…d-gra…itie, de…rue the Schoole-boyes lash, mmFacinu… quos inquinat, aequat. Lucan. Phars l. 5. p. 79 Opotet vt vna paena teneat …bnoxios, quos similis err…r inuenerit implicaetos. Concil. Tollit. 4. Can. 74.perchance as w…ll as I, who neither regard their causelesse Censures, Scoffes, and Calumnies, nor yet feare their Threates. If I hauehave causlesly nnVitia carpens, scio…e offender… vitiosos. Bern… ad Gul… Abbat. Apologia.stirred vp their Choller, or tongues against Mee, or my Bookes, by gla…cing at their Pride, Pluralities, Idlenesse, **See Athan… si… Con…tant. 8. Epi…tolae, de necessaria Episcoporum Residentia: against this sinne. Bibl. Patrum. Tom 13 p. 487. to. 491.Nonresid…ncie, or Vitious Lines, ooVolumus delinquere, & nolumus verberari: Salu: Gub. Dei. lib 4. p. 99.which are impatient of the lash, though now perchance they need it: or in that I am a Laicke onelyonly, not a Minister, and yet presume to Write in others Silence: (whereas pp1. Pet. 2.5. Reu. 1.6. Nonne & Laici. Sacerdotes sumu…? Scriptum est, nos Sacerdotes Deo & Patri suo ferit: Differentiam inter Ordinem, & plebem con…tituit Ecclesiae authoritas. Sed & vbi tres, Ecclesia est, licet Laici. Tertul. Exhort ad Castitatem. c 5.1 Pet 2:5Rev 1:6eueryevery Christian is in trueth, an holy Priest, to offer vp Spirituall Sacrifices acceptible vntounto God, by Iesus Christ: qqLeuit. 19.17.Lev 19:17to rebuke his neighbour in any wise, and not to suffer sinne vponupon him; (especially, in Dangerous, and sinfull Times, which threaten Desolation, both to Church, and State:) and rrPhil. 1.27. Iude ….Phil 1:27to contend earnestly, for the Faith of the Gospel, which was once deliuered to the Saints: as well, as Clergie men; what euer Papist, or others mutter to the contrary:) or in that I hauehave displayed their Popish, and Arminian Doctrines, Plots, and Proiects to the World, which they would yet keepe vailed till their ends were wrought: or blamed them, ssEcce iam pene nulla est seculi actio, quam non Sacerdotes admini…trent. Dei causaem relinquimu…, ad terrena negotia vacamus. Ad exteriora negotia delapsi sumu…, & aliud ex honore suscipimus, atque aliud ex officio actionis exhibemus. Curis vero secul…ribus intenti, …aento insensibiliores intus efficimur, quanto ad ea quae foris sunt studiosiores videmur. Greg. Mag. Hom. 17. in Euangelia.for neglecting their Ministrie, and merging themselues in Secular affaires: I onelyonly wish them so much Grace, and Wisedome, as to grow angry, and displeased with themselues, and these their Sinnes, and Errors; that so they may in time reforme them: ttMalit quilibet improbus ex…crare legem, quam emendare mentem: malit praecept… odisse quam vitia: Inter haec quid agant quibu… loquendi a Chri…to officia mandantur? Deo displicent si tacent: hominibus si loquuntur. Salu. ad Eccles… Cathol. l. 4. p. 470.not with mee; uuNon aduersum ordinem, sed pro ordine di…putare pu…andus ero, dū non ordinem in hominibus, sed hominum viti… repr…hē do: quae in vestris laudabilia sunt, laudo et prae…ico: si quae repr…hendenda sunt, vt emendentur vobis, & aliis amicis meis suadere soleo: Hoc non est detractio: sed attractio. Bern. ad Gul. Abb. Apologia.who beare no mallice to their persons, (much lesse vntounto their High, and holy Function, which I honour:) but to their Errors, Sinnes; and Vices, which I onelyonly mention to reclaime them, not defame them: that so those Pastors, xxIsay 9.16. Ier. 23.14.15. & 50.6. Hosea 4.9. Nullum put…, ab aliis magis pr…iudicium, quam a Sacerdotibus tolerat Deus; quando eos quos ad aliorum correctionem posuit, dare de se exempla prauitatis cer…it, quando ipsi p…ccamus, qui compescere peccata debemus. Quanto autem mundus gladio feriatur aspicitis: quibus quotidie percussionibus i…tereat populus, videtis. Cuius hoc nisi nostro precipuè peccato agit…r? Ecce depopulata vrbes, euersa castr…, Eccl…siae destructae, in sollitudinem agri redacti sunt. Sed nos pereunt… populo authores mortis existimus, qui esse deb…imus duces ad vitam. Ex nostro enim peccato populi turba prostrat… est, quia nostra faciente negligentiae ad vitam erudita non est. Greg. Mag. Hom. 17. in Euangelia: Which Homily I would our Non-resi…ents and Secular Clergie men would study but a whiles.Isa 9:16Jer 23:14Jer 23:15Jer 50:6Hos 4:9whose ill examples Vitiate, and cause their Flockes to erre, if not all Christendome for to suffer:) being thorowly reformed, both in Life, and Doctrine: the straying Sheepe, (which now are Posting after sundry Sinnes, and Vanities, and those especially, which I hauehave here oppugned:) might be more easily, and speedily, recalled from these wayes of Sinne, which are like to lead both them, and vsus vntounto destruction: and so both Sheepe, and Pastors, our Church, and State; our Zion, and Ierusalem, yet preserued, in despite of all their Enemies: Which exact, and speedy reformation, the God of Mercies grant now vntounto vsus all, for his Sonne, and Mercies sake, Amen.

The vnfained wel-wisher of thy priuate, and the publique welfare. WILLIAM PRYNNE.