The Approaching Judgment of the Lord, To the reader
¶An admonition to the Christian Readers, inferred vponupon the two straunge Stratagems before passed.
WE may beholde (Christian Reader) with no lyttle gréefe of minde, the great looue of our God, and the lyttle regarde of our selues, his fatherlie motions, and in vsus no signe of amendment. Referring the innumerable examples, happening not onelyonly to our Fathers, but in our tyme also: let vsus onelyonly consider these twaine, the one of an abhominable swearer, the other of a wicked Woman, that would not forgiue. If we consider the wickednesse of the time, growen into a contumely, bothe of God & good things. we may enter into a secrete conferring with our selues, how, or by what meanes, we shall lay claime to the merciemercy of God, béeing altogether voide, and shewing no signe of humilitie, wherby he may perceiue any sorrow for our sinnes, or in vsus any desire to be pardoned. We abuse his name daylie, in euerie lyght and trifling matter: we goe to heare his woord, rather for a fashion, then any affection we beare to it. Looue is exiled amongst vsus, neighbourhood nothing regarded, pitty vtterly subuerted, and remorse of conscience nothing estéemed, what shall become of vsus? Remember we not, there is a life to come, a ioy, a blisse, a crowne of glorie? Would we be partakers thereof? no, if we would enioye that heauenlie happinesse, our life and conuersation, would shewe some meanes, how we séeke to deserue it. And shall we then wilfully lose it? oh no, take holde of Faith, embarce Repentaunce▪ humble your soules to the throne of merciemercy: that albeit the Lord perceyue we are vnprofitable labourers in his Uineyard: Yet that he may beholde in vsus a desire, a good will, and a faithfull intention, to put our selues foorth: and though sinne so gréeuouslie presse vsus downe (that our weaknesse cannot resist him,) yet that we are armed with Faith, and entire Hope, in that swéete Sacrifice once offered vp for vsus all, euen the precious body and blood of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus, in his merites, to foyle our enemie, comfort our féeble soules: and with a repentaunt heart, enter into the bosome of rest, prepared for vsus, since the beginning of the world. To the which that we may come, and leaue this wickednesse of lyfe: Assist vsus most mercifull Father, with thy continuall grace, and arme our soules with faithfull patience, so shall we triumphe ouer our foe, and reioyce in glory world without end: which God graunt vsus, for Christes sake. Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · Philip Stubbes, The Approaching Judgment of the Lord (1581)