The Song of the Beloved Concerning His Vineyard, Part 3
The third Part, Conteyning An application of the Parable.
CHAP. I.
…he louelove and merciemercy of God to England, and his expectation of good fruites.
WHen the Prophet Iſayah had propoſed his Parable to the men of Iudah and Ieruſalem, & had iudgement in the caſe, hee afterwarde expounded the Parable, and …pplied it vntounto them, ſaying: Surely the Vineyard of the Lord of Hoaſtes, is the houſe of Iſrael: and the man of Iudah his pleaſant plant: And he looked for Iadgement, but behold oppreſſion! for righteouſneſſe, but behold a crying! And ſo, when the Lord in the Goſpel, had taken vp the Parable of the perfidious husbandmen againſt the latter Iewes, eſpecially againſt their Prieſts and rulers, and had of them the ſentence of condemnation againſt themſelues, hee replied and applied the Parable, ſaying: Therefore I ſay vntounto you, the Kingdome of heauen ſhall be taken from you, and ſhall bee giuen to a Nation which ſhall bring forth th… fruites thereof: Mat. 21. 43.
2. As long as both the former and latterMen are more …edy to ſee and cenſure the life and cō dition of others, then to note and iudge them ſelues and their owne. Iewes thought that the Parable poynted not at themſelues, but touched ſome others, they could yeelde it audience, and giuegive their cenſure of the caſe: as the nature of man is, rather to prye into the dealings and faults of other men, and to condemne them, then either to ſee or iudge himſelfe. And ſo long alſo can we heare this of the Iewes, and conſent in iudgement againſt them, whiles wee thinke it toucheth them onelyonly, and not our ſelues a…ſo: wherein …ee rightly reſ…mble that couetous …an, who beholding wretched Tan…lus (of whom the Poets tell) to ſtand … the middes of the water, readie to …e thirſtie: laugh…th at his follie, not …nſidering the whiles, that his owne …ſe is like his; who hauing his Cof…s full ſtuft with ſtore, taketh there… no vſe at all, but is poore in the midſt …his plentie. Therefore to him ſaith the …et:
And laughest thou at this, thou wretch?Mutat… nôie, de to fabula narratur.
But change thy name, and than
…e Fable truly points at thee,
And at none other man.
3 But Saint Paul teacheth vsus the vſe … ſuch examples, when hauing ſpoken … the olde diſobedient Iſraelites, which …e Lord deſtroyed in the Wilder…ſſe, hee turneth to the Corinthians, … whom he then wrote, and thereof ta…th occaſion to inſtruct and admoniſh …em, ſaying. Theſe things verily are our examples, that w… 1. Cor. 10. 6. 11.ſhould not be luſters after euill things, as they alſo luſted and periſhed. Againe: All theſe things came vntounto them for enſamples, an… were written to admoniſh vsus vponupon whom the ends of the world are come, how God will alſo plague vsus, if we be ſubiect to the like vices. After this he ſaid vntounto them, who then thought themſelues ſo ſure as either the Iſraelites did, or we now doo, enioying ſo many rare bleſſings; Wherefore, let him that thinketh he ſtandeth, take heede leaſt hee fall.
4. After this maner, ſuffer me (I pray▪ To Engliſhmen.you) now to turne from the Corinthians, from the Iewes, and from the Iſraelites, to our ſelues; and not onelyonly to ſay vntounto my Countrey-men (as Paul did to the Corinthians), Theſe be our examples: but alſo to apply vntounto our ſelues, thoſe parables and examples which doo rightly touch our ſelues; that wee which thinke our ſelues▪ ſafe and ſure, may yet be moued to conſider the vncertaintie and miſerie of our cō dition, and beware we fall not as did thoſe Corinthians, thoſe Iſraelites, and thoſe Iewes, to our deſtruction.
5. Whatſoeuer is written, is written for …ur learning: and theſe things do as neere…y touch vsus now, as they touched them …hen, their caſe & ours being in all points …o comparable: therefore the Preachers …nd Miniſters of the Lord, hauehave no leſſe …auſe miniſtred vntounto them now, then had …ſayah then, to conuert proſe into ſong, … plaine words into parables: for whoſe …mple Sermons are not contemned? …hoſe plaine dealing is not ſcorned? and …ho beleeueth our report? who will hear…en, but to a ſong? who will be reproued …ithout a parable? Do not men in thoſe …eir choyce diets ſhew themſelues ſick? …ea, and agonized, and ready to dye? O …ord God of mercies, conuert vsus (we beſeech …ee) and we ſhall be conuerted: that thou …lſo mayſt continue fauourable vntounto vsus, that …e may eſcape thine heauie iudgements, and …ue.
6. We cannot deny, but that the LordWe are forced to acknowledge & confeſſe the goodneſſe of God towards vsus. …ath loued vsus: for he hath beſtowed on …s ſo many and ſo great bleſſings, as euer …e beſtowed on the Iſraelites; yea, and …ore then any of the Nations about vsus …aue receiued at his hand: therefore doth he expect no leſſe of vsus, then he did of them. But alas, we do reward him much like as they hauehave rewarded him; we hauehave brought him forth wilde grapes, when wee ſhould hauehave yeelded him good grapes the which will be our vtter confuſion and decay, except we ſpeedely repent. For what ſhould cauſe the Lord to ſpare vsus, when he ſpared not them, ſeeing our ſinnes be as their ſinnes were, and God is now, as God was then. But this is that which hath deceiued many a man,Many men deceiue themſelues in the truſt of mercy when they ſinne. when (notwithſtanding his ſinnes be as the ſinnes of others whom God hath puniſhed before his face) he imagineth, that either God ſeeth him not, or that he will be more fauorable vntounto him, then he was vntounto them, and ſo preſumeth on the merciemercy of God in the time of long ſuffring, in the which he ſhould rather ſtand in awe, and repent.
7. Neyther do they feare, as now (being fat and ſecure) to ſpurne with the heele againſt God, and (as ingratefull wretches) to diſpute as they did in the Prophet, ſaying: Wherein hath God Mal. 1.loued vsus? What benefites hath he powred forth on vsus, beyond that which he hath done …to other nations? To whom, as vntounto …oſe, I ſuffer the Prophet to anſwere: not Iacob Eſaus brother? yet hath he A ſpeciall note of Gods goodneſſe towards vsus. 1. In chooſing vsus.…oſen Iacob, and reiected Eſau. And …e not we Gentiles, as are the Spanyards, …e Italians, the Graecians, the Barbari…s? and are not wee of the ſame fleſh …d bloud deſcended from Noah, from Adam? yet, lo, he hath allured vsus beforeGen. 9. 27. …em, to enter into the Tents of Shem, ſpeake generally of our Nation: for …od hath his people of all nations. In word, the Lord hath called vsus into … Church, and the fellowſhip of his …ints, by the externall preaching of …s word, and made vsus the children of …s kingdome. Is this no benefite? I any Kings and righteous men hauehave …ſired this bleſſing on their people …d countries, which yet they obtay…ed not in their times: and at this day, …ow many thouſands are ſhut out from …is heauenly feaſt, wee may behold, … wee conſider the ſtate and condition, …ot only of all the world, but of that part thereof which is called Chriſtian. In reſpect of whome, (which are as prodigall children eſtranged from the houſe of their parents, and ſterue for want of foode) we are as thoſe ſonnes, who remaining in their fathers houſe, hauehave bread enough. Is this no benefite? no bleſſing? we are too ingratefull, if we confeſſe it not.
8. Next, the Lord hath giuen vntounto vsus2. In the goodneſſe of the land. Iſa. 5. 1. a land, which for fertilitie, pleaſure, and all commodities, is neere comparable to that horne of Oyle in Chanaan, and ſpareth not to yeeld her increaſe in the due times and ſeaſons of the yeare, if our ſinnes and abhominations hinder not the courſe of Gods graces, in his diſpleaſure. And in this land it hath pleaſed the Lord (in the aboundance of his mercies) to make his Vineyard, and to renew the face of his Church, which hath bene ſo ſhadowed and blemiſhed with the tyrannies, ſophiſtries, hereſies, and wicked inuentions of worldly men, whoſe hearts from their youth are ſet on miſchiefe, and are onelyonly bent to do euill eueryevery day.
9. And this hath he ſo compaſſed a…out with the hedge of his fauour & pro…ction,3. In fauouring and protecting vsus. hauing his eyes euer watchfull ouer … from the beginning of the yeare, vntounto the …d of the yeare, (as Moſes teſtified theDeut. 11. 12. …ord had ouer the children of Iſrael) that …either the beaſtly wilde Bores, nor the …uening Wolues, nor the cruell Beares, …or the craftie Foxes, could yet inuade to …noy vsus. And (ſurely) hereof is it, that …us long we hauehave enioyed peace, wealth, …oſperitie and ſafetie, ſitting at home vn…er our vines and figge trees from Dan to …erzeba, as they did all the dayes of Sa…mon.
10. From this place hath the Lord alſo4. The expelling of Antichriſt, and his miniſters, &c. …oted out and expelled the ſtony heared Chanaanites, and thoſe bryars and hornes, the which might any way hinder …he proſperitie of his Church, or grieue …is children, I meane Antichriſt, is aboli…hed, his miniſters are obſerued, & (how…oeuer it be, that ſome Chanaanites ſhewed themſelues vnderunder the broad leaues of …he Vine in the Lords Vineyard) the power of the Biſhop of Rome and his mem…ers weakened eueryevery way, by the prouiſion of thoſe good lawes which it hath pleaſed her Maieſtie by the grace of God to eſtabliſh in theſe her dominions.
11. And in this Vineyard, the Lord5 The planting of good Princes, Magiſtrates and Miniſters in the Realme. hath planted his choyce Sorec, or beſt Vine, as firſt and principally our moſt gratious and excellent Princeſſe Elizabeth, a vine moſt wholſome, ſweete, ſauory, and comfortable to vsus all: and ſuch a Queene, as, without iuſt offence to any, may be compared with thoſe beſt Kings and Princes of Iſrael and Iudah. Next vntounto her, the Lord hath planted in this Vineyard, many ſweete and profitable plants; as namely, the ſtrong man, the man of warre, the Iudge, the Prophet, the prudent, the reuerend, the Captaine of fiftie, the honourable, the Counſeller, the cunning artificer, and the eloquent man: and (chiefely) of theſe, the good Proteſtant, which to his power, promoteth the right ſeruice of God, and holy diſcipline: whereby the ſweete ſap of the Vineyard ſhould be wrung forth to the glory of God, and the comfort of his Saincts in the due time.
12. Theſe and many ſuch like bleſ…ngs hath the Lord in his merciemercy powred …n vsus, to expreſſe his louelove, the which we …ay neither deny nor diſſemble, except …e would ſhew our ſelues too ingratefull.The Lord expecteth our good fruits. Miche. 6 6. 7. And what doeth he expect of vsus a…ter …l theſe his bleſſings? ſurely, not ſiluer …nd gold, nor burnt offrings, nor calues …f a yeare old, nor thouſands of Rammes, or ten thouſands of riuers of oyle, nor …e firſt borne of our bodies (as ſayth the …rophet) but he expecteth that, which …t men (for the moſt part) hau… not bene …ady to yeeld him: he looketh for Iudge…ent and Iustice: that is, an vpright heart, …d true obedience to his lawes in all …ings: he expecteth louelove, mercy, libe…itie, humilitie, honeſtie, faith, and ſuch …dly fruites, as that bleſſed man yeel…th, whoſe delight is in the law of his …od, and in his lawe doth meditate day …d night: Pſal. 1.
13. The Lord would, that the Prin…sWhat he looketh for of the Princes and Iudges. I…ay. 1. 17. and Iudges ſhould do well, ſeeke …dgement, releeue the oppreſſed, help …e fatherleſſe, defend the widowes, as …s will is: that ſuch onelyonly bee preferred and authorized to the ſame, which are perſons couragious, fearing God, dealing truly, hating couetouſneſſe, ſuch a Iethro willed Moſes to chooſe out & prouideExo. 18. 21. among all the people of Iſrael: to thi… purpoſe alſo the Lord would that th… Prophets & miniſters of his word ſhouldWhat, of the Prophets and miniſters. rule well themſelues, rule well their families, and rule well the Church, of th… which the holy Ghoſt hath made the… ouerſeers: that they labour in the word and doctrine, ſtudying and preaching the Goſpell vntounto all the people of God, as thoſe good & faithfull ſeruants, whom their Lord hath made rulers of his houſe, to diſtribute the portions of foode in du… ſeaſon to them of the houſe. Moreouer, the Lord would, that eueryevery man ſhouldWhat is required of eueryevery man whatſoeuer. (as the Prophet ſayth) do iuſtly, louelove merciemercy, and humble himſelfe to walke with his God: for this is good, and this is tha… (indeed) which the Lord requireth vsus t… performe in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe before him all the dayes of our life Remember this ô England!
CHAP. II.
The ingratitude of England. Gods appellation to the conſciences of Engliſhmen, with his complaint and ſentence againſt them.
WE hauehave heard before how many tokens wee hauehave had, and yet hauehave and enioy of the louelove of God towards vsus; and what he doth dayly looke for to be yeelded from vsus vntounto him. But what do we expreſſe towards him? and what do wee yeeld him? ſurely, whereas he hath declared louelove, we declareWhat fruits men yeeld to God. hatred, as ſuch of whom he might ſay, They hauehave ſhewed me hatred for my good will, to the great griefe of my ſoule. And theſe be the fruites we bring forth vntounto him, as from the euill treaſures of an euill heart: in ſtead of Iudgement, Oppreſſion: in ſtead of Iustice, a Crying▪ Men yeeld to the Lord for obedience, rebellion: for merciemercy, crueltie: for true dealing, extortion: for liberalitie, couetouſneſſe: for humilitie, pride: for honeſtie, filthineſſe: for louelove, enuie: for faith, infidelitie: for the feare of God, Epicuriſme: for Godlineſſe, Atheiſme: and for all heauenly vertues, all helliſh vices: yea, and they alſo in a great part, which beare Bibles in their hands, flock to Sermons, talke of the Goſpell, diſpute of Religion, and make glorious ſhewes of holineſſe, doo runne with theeues, partake with adulterers, ſhake hands with mu…therers, and ſit with falſe Iudges: Pſal. 50.
2. Theſe be the fruits which men for the moſt part yeeld now to the Lord. If Moſes were yet liuing, he would not dread to reproue them playnely to their faces, for theſe their abhominations. And Iohn the Baptiſt, if hee were in theſe dayes, would not feare to point at them particularly, as he did to Herod. But now, it is enough, (if it be not too much) that wee reproue them couertlyMen will not be reproued plainely. in parables, as Nathan did, as Dauid, and Iſayah did the Princes, Prophets, and Rulers of Iudah: or ſpeake at randon in generall words of that which ſhould be touched in particulars, if we ſpeake to them at all. If we aduenture farther then this, albeit men are worthely to be reproued, hauing neitherHoſ. 4. 1. 2. 4. truth, nor merciemercy, nor knowledge of God: but are giuen to ſwearing, l…ing, killing, ſtealing, whoring, and ſinne vponupon ſinne: yet (as ſayd the Prophet, ſo we may ſay now) Let none rebuke, nor reproue another: for they are, as they that rebuke the Prieſt: that is, they will not abide to be reproued: but will rather …lame and oppreſſe the Prophet and Miniſter, which by the word of God, …ndeuoureth to correct and amende …hem.
3. But Moſes is dead, ſo is Iohn …he Baptiſt: ſo is Iſayah, ſo is Nathan: …nd all theſe ſinnes and abhominations …o raigne from the head to the footeIſa 1. God ſleepeth not, nor will winke at mens ſinne▪ …as ſayth Iſayah) and in the whole bo…ie (as it were) without controlment: …nd there is a pittifull crying of the …ppreſſed in eueryevery place, without helpe, …ithout ſuccour, without comfort (as Salomon alſo ſayd, Eccleſ. 4. 2.) What then? doth the Lord God ſleepe therefore? and doth he neither heare nor regard it? No, no: but theſe things are in the eares of the Lord of hoasts; he heareth the cry, regardeth the complaint, and euer watcheth ouer his people to keepe them, and to reproue all their enemies: for The Lord (as Chriſt witneſſeth) will auenge his elect that cry day and night vntounto him, and that quickly. In the meane time, the Lord hath not vtterly depriued his Church in the world of ſome ſuch ſingular Prophets and Miniſters, as do not omit in his behalfe to expoſtulate thoſe perfidious and vnthankefull perſons, and call them to a reckoning at the barre of Gods iuſtice, howſoeuer they anſwere for themſelues.
4. But, ſeeing the thing is ſo manifeſt, and in all equitie to be graunted,Appellation to mens cōſciences. what ſhould let me (ô England) to appeale to thine owne conſcience? the Lord himſelfe is contented firſt to ſuffer thee to giuegive the ſentence in this caſe, in the which, thy guiltie conſcience being as a thouſand witneſſes againſt thy ſinfull ſoule, cannot chooſe but condemne thee, as both thoſe former Iewes, to whom the Lord by Iſayah appealed, and alſo theſe latter Iewes, to whome appealed Chriſt, gaue ſentence againſt themſelues: or as Ionah, when he fled from the preſence of the Lord, and perceiuing that it was for his ſinne that both himſelfe, with the Mariners, were troubled on the Seas, and was aſked what they ſhould do vntounto him? He anſwered (his conſcience accuſing and condemning him,) Take me, and caſt me into the Sea, ſo ſhall the Sea be calme vntounto you: for I know, that for my ſake this great tempeſt is come vponupon you.
5. And thus ſayth the Lord: O England, The Lord complayneth, and calleth men into Iudgement.what meaneſt thou? alas, that I ſhould be moued through thine vnkindneſſe to complayne againſt thee. But I pereiue, it is high time, that I both complayne, and call thee into Iudgement, ſeeing thou art neither thankfull to mee for my benefites, nor profitable to my Church in thy fruites. What! art thou all ſo forgetfull of my b…es? and wilt thou not acknowledge them? Who choſe thee? who planted thee? who protected and defended thee? who cleanſed thee? who beawtified thee? who made and appoynted thee to my ſeruice? to my glory? to my vſe? was it not I? Am not I thy Father,Deut. 32. 6. that bought thee, and made thee, and proportioned thee, and exalted thee? And what is the cauſe (ô England) that thou haſt not expreſſed ſome tokens of gratitude and kindneſſe vntounto me? Why haſt thou not anſwered my good expectation, and yeelded me good fruites? What more couldeſt thou deſire that I ſhould hauehave done, which I did not for thee? Why haſt thou bene ſo vngratefull, and vſed me after this ſort?
6. If thou aske me wherein I finde thee ingratefull? then hearken, and IThe cauſe of this expoſtulation and complaint. will tell thee wherein. Haſt thou not brought forth wilde grapes, when I expected good grapes? Haſt thou not yeelded me Oppreſſion for Iudgement? and yeelded me a Crying, for Righteouſneſſe? Is not wickedneſſe ſeene in the place of Iudgement? and iniquitie in the place of Iuſtice? Is not the place of Iudgement often made an hammer to beate downe the poore afflicted, the fatherleſſe, the widowes, the innocents? and the place of Iuſtice, a ſtaffe to ſtay vp and to defend the bribers, the extortioners, the theeues, the murtherers, the adulterers, the flatterers, the blaſphemers, and ſuch like? And wherfore hath it bene ſo?
7. Behold and conſider all ye that come by my vineyard, how many bitter grapes it bringeth me forth, & yet could not find in hart to yeeld me any good fruits! Shall I note ſome particular fruites, though I note not the particular trees that beare them? then harken, and try, and examine the matter, if it be not as I ſay. I hauehaveThe particuler fruits of this nation and time. found Pride to ſpring there, where I expected humilitie, from them that ſhould be humble. I hauehave found Enuie there, where I required louelove, among them that ſhould be charitable. I hauehave found couetouſnes there, where ſhould hauehave bin liberalitie, euen in thē that ſhould be liberall; lo, is it not ſo? Againe, I hauehave ſeene that they which ſhould be mercifull, are cruell: they that ſhould be true men, are become theeues: they that ſhould be diligent, are waxen ſlothfull: they that ſhould be watchfull, are ſleepie: they that ſhould be chaſte, are lecherous: they that ſhould be harmeleſſe as Doues, are hurtfull as Vultures: they that ſhould be holy, are prophane: and (to be ſhort) that which ſhould be good, is ſtarke naught; for they be gone out of the way, & become abhominable, neither is there ſcarce any among them that feareth the Lord; and thoſe few that feare him, are mightily afflicted by the maligne worldlings. Lo, is it not ſo? If it be ſo, as indeed it is, then deny it not; excuſe it, and ſay not that darkneſſe is light, that ſowre is ſweet, that euill is good, for feare of that wo: Iſay. 5.
8. Thus hath the Lord complained, and hardly charged his vineyard, I meane this our Nation (as he ſometime charged the houſe of Iſrael, and the men of Iudah) for many ſins, many abhominatiōs, the which hauehave bin, & are dayly wrought againſt his Maieſtie. Howbeit all theſe enormities …aue not bene perpetrated among vsus, for …he want either of the preaching of the …ord of God, and other his diuine bene…tes (for they hauehave bene moſt plentifully …eſtowed on vsus, as it is ſaid before) nor for …he want of needfull lawes and politicke …roceedings (for nothing hath beene o…itted in this reſpect that hath bene ey…er neceſſarie or profitable) but they …roceed from that bitter roote, which …at enuious man hath planted in the Vineyard, there, whereas the good Vine …hould ſtand; and of the negligent regardMat. 21. …f them to whom the Lord committed …he charge of his Vineyard, who ſhould …aue bene moſt carefull to ſuppreſſe thoſe …ilde Grapes, and not hauehave permitted …hem to ſpring vp: and to hauehave defended …nd maintained the good Vine, and not …o hauehave ſuffered it to ſtarue and wither away.
9. But what meane ye, (my Countreymen)It is bootles for men to ſtriue againſt God. 1. cor. 10. 22. what meane ye, that thus you be…aue your ſelues towards the Lord God? What? Will ye wilfully prouoke him to anger? Will ye ſay, that truth is falſhood? that ſweete is ſowre; that good is bad? Do ye not know, that ye ſhould not temp… him, as they did in the Wilderneſſe? Do ye not conſider, that he is a cōſuming fire, into whoſe hands it is an horrible thing to fall? Is not his voyce a mightie voyce, breaking the Cedars of Lybanus? What,There is both mercy and iuſtice with the Lord. will ye ſtill vrge on him his merciemercy, and doo not ye alſo thinke on his Iuſtice? What thinke ye of your ſelues? are y… ſtronger then hee? are yee able to encounter with him? alas the feebleneſſe of your ſtrength, and greatneſſe of your imbecilitie to compare with God? was not Adam ouerthrowne in this conceit? were not the Iſraelites confounded in the Wilderneſſe, and the Iewes in Ieruſalem? when they made their owne arme their ſtrength, after that the Lord (being diſpleaſed) withdrew his merciemercy from them? The ſtrength of man (being cōpared with God) is as the ſtrength of an hayre: and therefore when ſtrong Sampſon truſted in his hairy locks, hee was confounded by a woman. But the ſtrength of God, is as the ſtrength of Iron: and therefore ſaith the Pſalmiſt, Thou ſhalt bruſe them with a rod of Iron: that is, ſuch as ſeek to reſiſt or ſtriue …gainſt thy diuine Maieſtie. Therefore …t vsus not prouoke him to anger: for he is …ronger then all men, without compari…n. But let vsus heare what the Lord, who … prouoked (indeed) ſaith to England.
10. Tell me, tell me (ſaith the Lord)The Lord threatneth England. …hat thou haſt iuſtly deſerued? ſhew mee …hat I ſhould now doo vntounto thee? Art …ou mute? wilt thou not anſwere mee? …ell maieſt thou put thine hand on thy …outh, and graunt to thy guiltineſſe and … by thy ſilence, when thou art not able … anſwer me one for a thouſand. But I wil …et tell thee, what I will do vntounto thee, and …at ſhortly, except thou repent: that is … ſay, I wil cauſe thee to be deuoured and …onſumed: yet more, I wil make thee to beGod powreth plagues on thē that wil not repent. …oden downe and ſpoyled: yet more, I …il lay thee waſte and deſolate. And al this …e ſooner to further & effect in the time …ppointed, I will depriue thee of all thoſe …leſſings and good things, which before … my louelove & merciemercy I beſtowed on thee. And thus will I do indeed, except thou …mely and vnfainedly repent.
11. If I did once ſweare in mine anger iuſtly conceiued againſt my people the children of Iſrael (when they had prouoked1. Cor. 10. 5. me 40. yeares in the Wilderneſſe) that they ſhould not enter into my reſt, and performed mine oath to their iuſt deſtruction, when they would not repent: what reaſon is it, that I ſhould ſpare thee and not conſume, nor tread downe, nor waſte thee, which haſt had thoſe examples both of them and of many others (beſides the daily admonitions of my ſeruants) laid open before thee, to inſtruct, admoniſh and warne thee? If I hauehave conſtrained2. Chro. 36. 16. 17. Ioſephus. de bello Iudaic. thoſe latter Iewes to couch down vnderunder the heauie burthen of my fierce iudgements for their great vnthankfulnes to me; what ſhould moue me to vphold, ſuſtaine, and preſerue thee? If I hauehave (beyond all expectation) perforce compelled them that be preſently neare neighbours and well knowne vntounto thee, to drinke of the Cup of my heauie diſpleaſure for their horrible tranſgreſſions of my word and of my law, and for their vile abuſe of my myſteries, and Miniſters; ſhould I not likewiſe conſtraine thee, to drinke of the ſame for the like? yes, yes; and that iuſtly and ſhortly; except thou timely and vnfained… repent.
12. Thus ſaith the Lord God to Eng…nd:Vnfained repentance hath remiſſion. Thus do the meſſengers of his grace …et preach and publiſh to England: and …is ſhall the meſſengers of his wrath in …me, execute on England except Englād …pent. Albeit England be a Fig-tree, and …eare faire broad leaues; yet▪ if it yeeld no …igs, it ſhall be cut downe and remoued … a thing vnprofitable: much rather then …all England be reiected, if (in ſtead of …ood fruites) it bring forth (with the vine …f Sodome) nothing but vnpleaſant and …aughtie fruites: yea, if England were as …eare to the Lord, as the Apple of a mans …ye is to the man, yet will he pull it out, …nd caſt it from him, without all regard of …: if Engliſh men continue ſinfull and ob…inate, and will not repent. Thus Chriſt … the Goſpell ſaid to the Iewes: Except Iſa. ….…e repent, ye ſhall all periſh: ſo ſay the Lords …eſſengers now, to England: becauſe England hath tranſgreſſed, & her daugh…ers are proud, and walke with ſtretched …ut necks, and with wandring eyes, wal…ing & minſing as they go, and making a tinkeling with their feet, as did the daughters of Zion of yore; neither will they be reclaimed: therefore the Lord will be auenged, and ſhaue the heads of thoſe daughters of England (as he did of thoſe daughters of Zion) and diſcouer they… ſecret parts, and bring them to ſhame; except they wiſely conſider, and timely repent: for now is the Axe laid to the roote of the tree, that eueryevery tree which bringeth not forth good fruite, ſhall be hewen down and burned in the fire.
14. And to ſay the truth: there belongethWe hauehave deſerued ſhame and confuſion. in right, none other thing vntounto vsus, but ſhame and confuſion; becauſe wee hauehave forſaken the Lord, and hauehave not hearkened to his word, whereby we might walke in his way, to do Iudgement and Iuſtice: howbeit, ſeeing that he who deſirethGod is mercifull and will not the deathe of a repentant Sinner. not the death of a ſinner, but rather that he ſhould repent and liue, hath promiſed both merciemercy and life, (through the merite of his ſonne) to them that turne vntounto him, and yeeld the fruites of repentance: preſuming on the fidelitie & aſſurance of hisLet vsus therfore repent and we ſhal liue. promiſe; I ſay thus, and no more: O England, repent with ſpeed, and bring foorth thoſe fruites which are worthie amendment … life, and thou ſhalt neither be deuoured, nor …oden downe, nor be laide waſte: but thou … ſhalt be encreaſed: thou ſhalt be vpholden: thou ſhalt be maintained in proſperitie, and floriſh for euer.
The end of the third part.
Pſal. 81. 13. 14:
… that my people had hearkened vntounto mee: …nd Iſrael had walked in my waies! I would …one hauehave humbled their enemies, and tur…ed mine hand againſt their aduerſaries.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Carpenter, The Song of the Beloved Concerning His Vineyard (1599)