The Last Battle of the Soul, Religious tract 1 · Part 10

The Last Battle of the Soul · Religious tract 1 · Part 10

p. 1184Michael and the Deuils dispute for the 'Soule of the sicke Man alittle before its departure out of the Body.

Sathan.▪

I HaueHave many things to lay to this mans charge: I am the Lordes Proctor and Acturney appointed to p. 1185plead for his justice: I hauehave alreadie sifted his life: Of force this Soule must bee damned: None Assise can cleanse it: It is now taken red hand in the path and passage of sinne.

The Angel Michael.

I will not vse against thee a railing accusation, neither darre I for myIud. v. 9.Judg 5:9 Master the God of merciemercy and of meekenesse: It hath pleased his royall Majestie to license thee to accuse the soules of men: Thine accusations are euer most bitter and most bloodie: I am heere standing on my Masters side for to defend this Soule which hee hath bought with his blood.

But what can thou say against this man whose Soule is committed to me for to be carried vntounto Paradise: I know thee of olde to bee the accuser Reuel. 12. 10Rev 12:10of the brethren: I remember well how once I contended & grappled with Iud. v. 9.Judg 5:9thee for the bodie of Moses which was buried sore against thy will: It is likelie that of it thou thought to make an idole.

p. 1186Loose now thy leach and let all thy hell-hounds come forward: Come, come with thy most foule mouthed objections: what cā thou now alledge against the soule of this man before that it come out of this bodie: Thou art heere a Lyon against a Lambe: Declare now what thou can in this Assise: Thou can say no more than he hath alreadie said against himselfe: But come on, f…aime thine inditement against him: Discharge thy fie…ie dartes with the outmost of thy force.

Sathan.

Knowest thou not that there is a large haruest for Hell, manie called but few chosen.

Hee is my Vassall, I require but Iustice: Let him receiue but according to his deseruinges: Heere is a Bill of inditement able to conuinee him: In his wickednes he turned to his course as the horse rusheth into the Ier. 8. 6.Jer 8:6battell: Both fiercelie and feareleslie p. 1187marching vnderunder my collours in the pursute of his pleasures hee ranne ryote in the way of wickednesse.

The Angel Michael.

Is not God a God of merciemercy, able to forgiue? But what hath hee done?

Sathan.

Beholde, the pieces of Euidence which I produce against him: Let all the actions of his life bee brought to a true touch, and it shall appeare what a monster hee hath beene.

In his youth hee scorned at the Thunder of Gods word, counting it but Paper shot: His soule was neuer grieued to grieue the Spirit of grace: seldome came hee to the Church, hee was of the kinred of Noahs Raùen delighting to flie about the Arke, not willing to enter into it: Gods hony word of vnspeakable sweetnesse was vineger to his teeth: The pure commandement of the Lord which inlightened the eys was lik smok vntounto his p. 1188Psal. 19. 8.Ps 19:8eyes the cause of blearednesse.

In all pointes he was disloyall vntounto his God: Hee misregarded his Parents: He burned with lust likeHos. 7. 4.Hos 7:4 an Ouen heated by the baker: Hee so loued his lust that it was his law: His hands were full of pickerie, his eyes were full of adulterie, and his heart was full of guile and his tongue full of lyes, euer gaggling like a Goose. He was a cunning clawbacke & a paunchpike thanke: His custome was to defile the aire with most filthie belghs of blasphemie: Hee sported at all reproofes: O the noble jugling.Psal. 35. 26Ps 35:26

There, there, this geare goeth trimme.

By hooke & by crooke he sought for gaine: Howe hee wanne it hee cared not if men perceiued not his fraude: With Iudas hee was whollie giuen to the bagge and baggage of his couetousnesse.

Shall this man come where God is▪ who neuer walked in his way? In all p. 1189his wayes he did euer goe awry lik a Childe that scribleth without a rule: All his good intentions were but like false conceptions which are buried before their birth: let me now tread him vnderunder foote, that I may lay him dead straight like a worme: O the infamous man whose name doeth goe with a brand vponupon it like Cains marke: Hee followed Christ for loaues: But O when the corne was spent the Rate left the Barne.

His whole life was but a myre of mischiefe: All men can tell that hee was but an vntrustie Pilferer, a foole hardie fellon rushing in rebellion against God & man: If so bee that he was exalted, he cared not that God was dishonoured: In the pride of life he walked like Nebuchadnezar strouting in his Palace with bragging words Dan. 4. 30Dan 4:30boasting of his Babel: Gods patience hath long suffered. In his sufferings hee hath comforted himselfe in this, When I see a conuenient time p. 1190then will I execute judgement: Nowe is the time of execution come: Either now or neuer, for his sinne is now ripe and readie for the sickle.

I am wearied with accusing, what shall I say? His heart was euer swelled with pride: By costlie apparell he gaue euill example: With his pleasures hee was tyed like a dog in a leach: He could neither suffer a Superiour nor comport with à Companion: The blue enuie in his heart made him hate to see others thriue besides him: The praise of other mens vertues, was as who had dispraised himselfe in his face: Hee was euer malcontent at Gods graces into others: He was like a Swine vnderunder an Oake feeding, and foiling Gods benefites lik Acorns: But who euer saw his face lifted vp with thankes to the shaker of the tree? Hee was full of peppered sausinesse, sporting himselfe with checkes and taunts: As hee had a babling tongue to speake euill, so had p. 1191hee a bibulous eare thirstie after false reportes.

O what filthy dung hilles & heapes of sinnes were hoodred in his heart: If hee did not any euill, it was not for lacke of will, like the frozen serpent hee hissed when hee could not hurt, but so soone as hee beganne, hee lustilie lashed on. All his meditations were mould in malice.

As for his Religion hee vsed his libertie as a cloake of maliciousnesse: 1 F…t, 2. 16While hee come to the Church it was but for the fāshion, for to shew the frindges of his hypocrisie: Hee thought a long Sermon a surfet, as Iudas thought the oyle spent that was powred vponupon Christ, so thought hee all the time alloted to Gods seruice: Hee was euer cold in well doing as one of y^e frozen generation: A proude man was he in his own conceit while he found himselfe inlightned with some cāfused glimmerings of light glauncing vponupon his heart thorow p. 1192the deceiuing glasse of a temporarie faith: His necke was an yron sinew and his brow brasse: In a wordIsa. 48. 4.Isa 48:4 all his affections were out of order as bones beside the joynt.

It were more easie to count the sand than his sinnes of omission and of commission with excesse of riot.

I seeke but Iustice, now his life is neere an ende, let Gods vengeance take him at the rebound.

The Angel Michael.

That is a bloodie Lybell, if all be true that is said by the father of lyes: Though his sinnes were thus bloodyIoh. 8▪ 44.John 8:44 as thou accuses, there is a redeeming Blood in Iesus for his ransome, his wounds are the holes of the Rocke of refuge: All that accusation is but founded vponupon surmise.

But though hee were guiltie as thou affirmes, is there anie sinne so great that God cannot forgiue? There is no sinne so red but Christs Blood can make it white: Gods word p. 1193is true, sinne dyed in Scarlet-red lik crimsin, may by God be made white Isa. 1. 18.Isa 1:18lik the wooll & snow: Thou cryeth for Iustice, Christs Blood cryeth for mercy; which of you two shall best bee heard?

Sathan.

But can Gods merciemercy bee against his justice? shall merciemercy against justice plead for the whitnesse of a Rauen? shall a most vile sinner escape damnation? shall not Iustice bee his bane? Let mee now giuegive him a knocke with the barre of judgement: While hee had strength to walke hee left the narrow path, for to goe croude with the wicked in the broad waye: Now let him suffer for all his riotes, let the doors of heauē be bared in his teeth, Gods mercies must not bee against his justice: Let mee now giuegive him a yercke with my whippe.

The Angel Michael

Auoide, there is no breach in justice while his sinnes are pardoned, p. 1194for Christ his Lord hath suffered for him, he hath satisfied for all his debts at the b…rre of justice, and that to the vtmost farthing: When all was payed, Christ cryed with a loud voice that heauen and earth might heare Consummatum est, that is, A…l is payed,Ioh. 19. 30John 19:30 the whole worke of mans Redemption is finish…d This was h…ard by the deuils themselues, & not one durst stand vp to say the contrarie.

Thou c…yeth for Iustice, … is Iustice, heere is Iustice: Christ his Cautioner hath payed all his d…bts: **NoteIt is against Iustice to require one debt to bee twise payed: By Iustice then hee must be saued, because Christ in great merciemercy towards him hath made full satisfaction to the Iustice of God: **NoteHis Lords passion is his pardon, for the droppes of his Blood his Father hath giuen him in exchange life euerlasting for all repenting sinners, what needes him to feare who hath Christ for his Cautioner.

p. 1195Sathan.

Christ would neuer be Cautioner for such a Reprobate goate as hee: In wickednesse he hath out-stripped all others, he put on Christ like an Hat which goeth off to eueryevery one that wee meete: The wine pynt and Tobacca Pype with sneesing pouder prouoking sneuell were his heartes delight. His life hath beene a stumbling blocke vntounto manie: His best vertues were but splendida peccata glistering sinnes: His most precious pearles are but of pewter.

Away with this Child of Belial, out vponupon him with all his faire wordes, all his Religion was but scroofe and scumme: Would Christ euer bee Cautioner for such a Banquerupt as hee, who all his dayes hath beene a boisterous reueller, the chiefe of a knot of knaues.

The Angel Michael.

Hee who is not in debt needethMatth. 9. 13Matt 9:13 not a Cautioner: I came, said Christ, p. 1196to call sinners to repentance: Though his sins were manie as thou objectes, no miserie in man can ouer-reach the merciemercy of his God: Christ in all will bee answerable for him.

Sathan.

What hath Christ to doe with this stubburne and steele-necked Bebell who was in his whole conuersation both hote & hardie? The voyce of his Conscience within was outcryed, & all honestie out-faced by his corruptions: After y^• euill turne was done he had his excuse readie at his fingers ends. Thinke ye that Christ will bee Cationer for all men, or that all men shall bee saued?

The Angel Michael.

Not for all, neither shall all men bee saued: But this man is one of Gods because of his Faith.

Sathan.

How could he hauehave Faith? Faith is by the Word. The Word had none abode in him a pettie-fogger a trouble p. 1197towne: What could such a smatterer as hee learne at the hearing of the Word? Hee hath beene but a Bungler delighting into gewgowes: Hee was a leaking vessell, letting thinges runne out as fast as they came in, his Faith was euer fained.

The Angel Michael.

Though his Faith was weake, yet was it neuer fained, God quencheth Isa 42. 3.Isa 42:3not the smoking fl…xe: **NoteHee looketh not so much to the strength as to the trueth thereof: Thou art fertile in foolish words which are the summe of the Deuils dictionarie.

Sathan.

I heare thee bragge much of his Faith, but who did euer see it? IH…b. 11. 1, know not what the euidence of things not seene signifi…th: I could neuer vnderstand that Theologie: I vnderstand S. Iames better, shewe mee thy Iam. 2, 13.Jas 2:13Faith, saith hee: If hee had Faith let it bee seene: To say that hee had Faith, is but a vaine blast: What p. 1198hath his life bene but a web of vices? What hath hee beene but a fruitlesse shrubbe in the Lords garden, where hee but marred the ground? What hath hee beene but a …luttish sluggard a Gore-bellie, a Bellie-god, petting himselfe with paunch-pleasures, his mouth like a Bung-hole was for nothing but for the filling of his bellie among his drunken Gosips: Hypocrisie hath so enwouen it selfe into his heart, that all his thoughtes are become as blacke as hell: His heart was euer voyde of all Charitie: If he was well hee cared not for others in their calamities: This was his ordinarie speach concerning the afflicted: What hauehave I to doe whether they sink or they swim? EueryEvery vessell must stand on its owne bottome: Let euerie man shift for himselfe: the well & wealth of others was to him an eyesore: curse now this barren ground which hath beene a soyle onelie fitte for weedes.

The Angel Michael.

These bee but accusations or rather p. 1199cauillations without any groūd. The Godlie saw that he was among them a fruitfull tree, whose branches were bowed downe that men might pull the fruites with their hand.

Sathan.

What fruites Could such a thorne as hee beare grapes? Could such a Thistle as hee beare figges? Where are these fruites of his Faith? What was hee euer but a monstruous person all mouth, tongue, and voyce, without heart or hand to thinke or doe good: he seemed to bee wise while indeede all his actions were contriued but by quirkes of vvite: Hee could giuegive God his lips in stead of his heart: He had many faire sweete wordes like the sounding of golden Bells, but vvhere are his Pomgranates fruites worthie amendement of life? All might see that hee was like that cursed ground vvhere Thistles growe in Iob. 31. 40Job 31:40stead of Wheat, and Cockle instead of Barley: Let him nowe cracke of his Cockle and boast of his Barley.

p. 1200The Angel Michael.

These bee but calumnies and …orged slaunder and detractions: He was indeede like a tree planted by the psal. 1. 3.riuers of water that bringeth foorth the fruite in his season.

Sathan.

What was hee but a knottie, barren, rotten scrubbe, marring the groūd? Shew mee his Faith if thou can? make search of his workes: Try them and tell me what they are in thy best s…raphicall discourse.

The Angel Michael.

This and this and this hee did: And if God had spared his dayes he was well minded to doe more: God euer preferreth the willingnesse of mans minde to the worthinesse of his wo…ke: For if there bee first a willing 2 Cor. 8, 122 Cor 8:12minde, it is acceptable according to that a man hath, and not according to that hee hath not.

Sathan.

All that was but hypocrisie for to p. 1201bee seene and praised of men: His chiefest care in that was fool shlie to gaine an opinion of more than ordinarie pietie, as if hee had beene a Rabbi in Israel: But O inwa…dlie in his Soule hee jested at hell not caring for Heauen: Gods boaste seemed to him but Bugges thinges made to feare Children. His heart was a verie Vice of vices turning from euill to worse.

The Angel Michael.

God alone knoweth the heart: Mala mens malus animus: Thou judgest others to be like vntounto thy selfe: **NoteBecause when thou art Lucifer an Angel of light a white deuill in appearance, then art thou most set on blackest darknesse, thou thinkest others to bee likewise disposed for to juggle.

Sathan.

But can he denye his sinnes? Are they not all written into mine accusation Booke? His debts are so hudge p. 1202that he cannot be able to pay: A way to prison with this Banquerupt, neuer pleade more for him, for his sinnes are so manifest that they cannot bee couered: Did not his open scandals strike the Drum of rebellion against the heauens? Who can denye his sinnes? Let mee nowe sheath this dagger in his bowels: The pleasures of his sinnes are past, nowe let him finde the sting of guilt.

The Angel Michael.

It is trueth that hee hath sinned, but also thou cannot denye but that hee hath confessed his sinnes: By the blessed blood of Iesus they are cancelled and blotted out of the Booke of Gods rememberance. O despightfull Spirit thou art first … craftie tempter and after a cruell tormenter: Thou are euer picking quarrells with Gods redeemed ones. What euer hee hath done amisse, hee hath sore repented it.

p. 1203Sathan.

Hee but seemed to repent: His heart which men thought to bee a seate of sinceritie was but a sinke of sinne: If it were vncased and laid open this should clearelie appeare: At preaching, the word without and the dumbe choppes of his Conscience within could not moue him to doe well: At his prayers, before men hee could chirppe like a gras-hopper: But wher are the teares of his Repentance?

The Angel Michael.

His prayers were not chirping, but crouding euen the crouding of the Doue: As for his teares the holie water of grace, & most pleasant dewe of Repentance, the Lord hath put them into his Bottalls: Manie a teare since this Battell began hath trickled down his cheekes for the grieuing of his God His eyes like two water sluces runing continuallie.

Sathan.

W…at is that? Hypocrites which p. 1204are but peeuish hyrlings and miserable wretches with their deceitfull rubbinges can wring water from their eyes: By such craftie conueyances they cūningly bleare the eyes of mē who can see nothing but outward appearance: There be manie counterfeit teares in the world.

The Angel Michael.

The teares of Iacob while hee wept Ios. 12. 4.Josh 12:4made supplications were not the worse because prophane Esau could shedHeb. 12. 17Heb 12:17 teares. The teares of the Godlie are like precious pearles, in Gods eyes.

Sathan.

I know his treacherie better than yee, hee was cunning in the arte of seeming: I euer knew him a doubling & dissembling C…mpanion; a Dragon with Lambes hornes: Well could hee straine the vtmost veane of his wittes for to bleare the eyes of men: The way of godlinesse in his heart was as the way of a man with a Prou. 30. 19Prov 30:19maide most close from all accesse:

p. 1205Manie a time could this craf…ie Bible-carier wring out a teare in the Church for to catch the applause and vaine breath of mans praise: But in secret he could prophanelie laugh in his sleeue and scorne at sinceritie: Among such as himselfe his mouth was blotted with blasphemies, among the Godlie againe hee could pratle much of pietie: His chiefe studie was to dawbe the outward man withfaire shewes like a Rogue in a stage with the apparell of a Prince: While he did heare the word and his Bible before him, it was but of course and custome and not of Conscience: He like Nimrod was a mightie hunter not of beastes but of vaine praise and applause: When hee gaue almes, hee caused blow the Trumpet that others might know when he did any good in appearance: Hee in his bragges was like the Hen which cackleth at euerie egge shee lay…th: To his lusts hee was a voluntarie vassell: Among p. 1206his neighbours hee was like a Cormorant: Hee was like an emptie boxe with a faire title written vponupon it, an …smaelite in the coate of an Israelite: All his religion was but an outward aperie of profession, a signe hanging without, hauing nothing within: When hee hang downe his head lik Isa. 58. 5.Isa 58:5a Bulrush, it was but for a day, so soone as the morrow came and hee to his olde byas againe: His best thoughtes were like a false conception which is buried in the birth; like a stalled Oxe hee set vp himselfe a fatting after his fasting: For the great treasures of Gods graces he neuer returned the tribute of glorie; such was his vnthankfulnesse: Now let me dri…e him to my denne, that I may flash fire into the face of this most wretched forlorne sinner, who in his heart hath hatched all sortes of mischiefe.

The Angel Michael.

Well hast thou bene called y^e accuser of the brethren: away with thy slanderous p. 1207lybell, not worthie that I shuld shape it an answere: what this poore man hath done amise deare hath he bought it, with manie a sore sigh and groane to his God, hath he both loathed and lamented his faultes: God hath heard him & hath sealed vp his pardon with the blood of his Sonne: The sweete & soft breath of Iesus hath refreshed him with comforts, and now his Spirit which vvas once sore troubled and distempered is made free from all his feares, God in his fauour hath seasoned his heart with a sauing grace: Thine hid malice hitherto confined vvithin the bounds of thy bosome, is now broken out into great distemper of vvordes.

Sathan.

Behold, behold, the great velumes of the compt bookes of his conscience: Look vponupon these scarlet & crimsin letters of his transgressions: Shall this short and abrupt deuotion of p. 1208his in his sicknesse, bee counted Repentance? Will not the most vvicked vvaile vnderunder Gods hand vvhile it is vveightie vponupon them? **NoteThere is no Crowne of life for carnall liuers: How easie is it to hang downe the head Isa. 58. 5.Isa 58:5like a bulrush for a day? While hee had time to doe vvell hee vvas both colde and coward in well doing: All his good vvorkes were but in externall forme, shewes without substance: Cunninglie could he tricke and trim Psal. 51. 6.Ps 51:6the outward man: But hee neither loued the trueth in y^e inward partes: As he was double minded so had he a heart Iam. 4. 8.Jas 4:8& a heart, which he did apparell with faire Mantles of godlie appearance.

While vnderunder faire collours of Religion hee did heare the world in hand that he stood for God, & vvas zealous for the good cause, he in his priuie practise vvas my close factor, seruing mee for his profites and his pleasures: Glad was hee to gogge the worlds eyes with the distinctions: Of p. 1209v…urie he made a byting & a toothlesse: lyes, hee diui-ded in Officio…s and pernicious: His greatest faultes he could well cloake with mincing and excusing.

O the deepe dungeon of hypocrisie that is within that breast: O how cunninglie hath all his wickednesse beene concealed hitherto? None hath beene vponupon his priuie counsell but I and his owne corruptions: O that heart of his a pit and a puddle, a denne and a dungeon both darke and deepe! Who can see it? who can sound it? But why spend I time in y^e vnsauorie raking of this dung-hill. Good Lord, it is a strange thing how thou whose clearest eye hath seene him most perfectlie in the inmost closet of his heart, shouldest sende downe an Angel to plead for him: O how cunningly could he with his fists beate the breast with the Publican, beeing no lesse in his heart presumptuous than the Pharisee! Here p. 1210lyes in this bed a painted Tombe faire without: But O what rottennesse is within his heart? none eye could abide to see it, if it were perced with a gimlet. Shall this man come where God is, who neuer walked in Gods wayes? Like a blinde horse he stammered & rushed in euerie myre: His heart was nothing but a kneding …rough of wickednesse, yea, a gulfe and groope of vncleannesse: Let nowe the heauens cry shame on him.

The Angel Michael.

Thou art shamelesse in thine accusations and dogged in thy malice: Thou with thy bellowes, of temptations fi…st bloweth at the coale of si…ne, and after that thou cryeth for judgement which should chieflie be directed against thy selfe, the father of all mischiefe.

But in this last point of thine accusation thou hast plainlie bewray…d thy murthering malice in taking vpō thee to judge of the sinceritie of the p. 1211inward partes: Thou presumeth far aboue the reach of thy knowledge: God alone is the searcher of mens hearts: **NoteIt is hee alone who hath an eye witnesse within vsus.

Sathan.

Though God onelie knoweth the heart, yet by the fruits the tree is known: Matth. 7. 16Matt 7:16It is easie to gesse of his heart by the copie of his countenance, hee had a swift & a souple tongue: But his hand was heauie to practise: What hath hee beene all his life-time but a bag of imbred malice, a most filthie excrement into the Church? Behold how hee is altogether berayed vvith ordure: Let mee now vvith the besome of iustice sweepe him outat Shel… coth the dirt porte of Gods house: What shame shall it bee to the heauens to receiue such a dunge hill & lump of filthin…sse whose disbanded corruptions hauehave defiled the aire? It shall bee justice that now hee bee washed in the Kettle of Hell.

p. 1212The Angel Michael.

What God hath cleansed that call thou Act. 10. 15Acts 10:15not common: Christ by his blessed Blood hath made him cleane: The Lord of glory vvho openeth and no man steeketh, hath opened the euerlasting doores for to let in his soule: I am heere waiting on for to carie it to glory: It is in vaine that now thou sets thy temptations on foote & on fire: By thy craftie cosening thou shalt not be able to robbe or to filch from him the least graine of grace.

Sathan.

What? shall this bastard professour and runnagate escape the doome that is due to his villanie? While hee had time hee liued in pleasures, and feasted while others fasted: His seuen yeares of plentie are past, now let him smart vvith the Glutton into hell: Let him there bee refused of a drop by him to vvhom heere hee refused a crumme: Can God looke vponupon his iniquities and not kindle a consuming fire in his vvrath against such a p. 1113varnished hypocrite, vvhose vvhole religion vvas in a mouth filled with great swelling words of vanitie? In such deceitfull cunning colouring, hee among all did carrie away the Bell.

The Angel Michael.

God will neuer looke vponupon his iniquities, for hee hath cast them all behind his backe: God beholdeth none Numb. 23. 21Num 23:21iniquitie in Iacob; neither doeth hee see peruersenesse in Israel: **NoteThe Lord judgeth not his Children by the remnant of their olde corruptions, but by the beginnings of his renewing grace: **NoteThe mercifull God is more pleased vvith a dram of grace, then prouoked with a pound of iniquitie: Sinnes are not sinnes before God, except that they bee done vvith pleasure: That which I say is from that trueth: Hee that is borne 1 Ioh. 3. 9.1 John 3:9of God sinneth not.

Auoyde Sathan: Thou art euer couered vvith rage as vvith a rayment: p. 1214When thou seest anger kindled thou art euer readie to adde tinder to that fyre: Thou art cunning and craftie to clok thy bloodie massacres vvith pretences of seeking justice.

Sathan.

What say I but trueth; His whole delight vvas in sinne: While he was in health and strength, he did weare my Liuerie: Who did euer see him beare Christes cognisance? All his godlinesse vvas but cloake and colour vvithout life and vigou…: Thogh hee sinne not now there vvhere h…e lyeth, he hath not left sin, but sin hath left him: If his tongue could speake. hee could not for his heart denye it: Scribitur in facie: Beholde his fierce and kill-bucke countenance: While he had youth and vigour hee obeyed no lawe but his lawlesse appetits: Was hee challenged? Then hee fathered his sinnes vponupon mee.

p. 1215The Angel Michael.

Thou in thy fond humour hast euer byting corrasiues, for bleeding Consciences: In his members I confesse there was a lawlesse law indeed, but in his minde vvas Gods Lawe warring against the law of his members: From his heart hee hated that law of his members: But his whole delight was in the Law of the Spirit: **NoteAfter that hee had sinned he … cast the first stone at him selfe.

Sathan.

All these be but faire cloakes and couers for to hide his transgressions: But they will not preuaile: The heauens know that he was but y^e carrion of a Christian, aglozing hypocri…, hauing the carkase of knowledge without the life of louelove & the power of practise, euer fickle lik a Chameleon: Hee is nowe in his good moode, but if he shuld yet liue a space, all shuld soone see y^t in his heart is nothing soūd settled & sincere: what need I more? this p. 1216Soule must bee mine, hee hath sinned, and therefore hee muste bee cursed, and so hee must bee mine: Behold his Band and Obligation: By the Lawe of God hee is mine: Now must hee runne into ruine: Let mee giuegive him a girke with my rodde.

The Angel Michael.

Avoid that bloody Bande hath bene cancelled by the blood of God, that Obligation long since hath beene …uen with the nailes of the Crosse of Iesus: That which the Law had …, hath beene loosed by the Gospel: What his workes could not doe, Gods grace hath perfected: By fauour the mercifull Lord hath chosen him out of the lost masse of mankind: Seeing his ransome hath cost God his blood, all accusations must bee sealed with silence: In despite of the vtmost rage of all infernall force this Soule shall bee saued: Though all the powers of hell prodigiouslie p. 1217madde should rage, rampe, and roare, they shall not be able to vn…ye the knot of Faith and LoueLove where with hee is vnited vntounto his Sauiour.

Sathan.

I feare fore now that hee slippe the collar and goe from mee: At least seeing in his whole life I hauehave beene his Master, let him bee diuided, let mee hauehave any part and let God take his choice in the partner-ship.

The Angel Michael.

Auoyde Sathan with thy wittie wickednesse, whereby woluishlle thou woulde worrie this red…emed Lambe. Thy shaire is not with God: Thou hast neither parte nor lot in this matter: The whole man is Christes who hath bought him with a price.

Away with thy gun-pudered humour: Attempt no more to touch him: Thou shalt neuer grippe him any more within thy cruell clouthes, nor inwrap him in thy snaires: Wo… p. 1218to that Soule that serueth thee: **NoteIt is like a Bird on a bush which is smitten in her song of the Archer for whom shee had tuned her song: In the vtmost of all crueltie thou hast discharged the vtmost of thy gall vponupon this wearied heart: I will enter no more in parley with thee.

Now come our thou fillie Soule vntounto him that breathed thee in that bodie: Come to thy rightfull owner: Come into mine armes that I may carrie thee vp the Ladder of Iaacob vntounto blesse: Christ thine Advocat hath pleaded for thee, and hath winne the cause: Come now Soule out of that body, flie like an Eagle vp to the blessed Carcase of thy Lord, where is constant peace, vnmixed joye, and blessed immortalitie: Now thou art Christs & Christ is thine: Hearkē & heare the cry of thy Spouse, Rise Cant. 2. 10Song 2:10vp my LoueLove, my faire One, and come away: Rejoyce wearied Soule, lift vp thine head, Saluation is come: p. 1219The Heauens are opened goe enter into thy rest.

The Battell of the Soule is now ended: Now deare Soule come out to eternity, come out to thy Bridegrome who now calleth thee: Bee clothed with royall apparell: Put on the massie & bright crowne of immortalitie with y^e glorious Garland of celestial Lawrels spangled with Iemmes of joye: Come out wearied Traueller from doole, dolour and distresse, for to enter intoPsal, 16. 11 pleasures for euermore.

FINIS.