The devils banquet described in four sermons [brace], 1. The banquet propounded, begun, 2.…The deuills banket described in foure sermons [brace], 1. The banket propounded, begunne, 2.…

When man hath done all in ploughing, tilling, sowing; if either the clouds of Heaven deny their rain, or give too much, how soon is all lost? The Husbandman, that was wont to wait for the early and latter showers, ¹now casts up trembling eyes to the clouds for a ne noceant. For, your Barnes full of weeds, rather then grain,² testify, that this blow did not only spoil the glory and benefit of your Meadows, but even by rebound your Corn-fields also. Be not Atheists, look higher then the clouds: It was no less, then the angry hand of God. Thus can God ⟨p. 247⟩every way punish us. It was for a time the speech of all tongues, amazement of all eyes, wonder of all hearts, to see the showers of wrath so fast pouring on us; as if the course of nature were inverted, our Summer coming out in the robes of Winter. But as a Father writes of such a year:³ Our devotions begun and ended with the shower. Nocte pluit tota, redeunt spectacula manè.⁴ It rains, and we lament. But the Sun did not sooner break out through the clouds, then we broke out into our former licentiousness. We were humbled, but n•t humble: dressed of God, not cured. Though God with-hold plenty, we with-hold not gluttony. Pride leaves off none of her vanities. Usury bates not a cross of his Interest. The rioter is still as drunken with Wine, as the earth was with Water. And the Covetous had still rather eat up the poor as bread, then they should eat of his bread: keeping his barns full, though their maws be empty: as if he would not let the vermin fast, though the poor starve. No marvel, if heaven it self turns into languishment for these impieties.

When man hath done all in plowing, tilling, sowing; if either the cloudes of Heauen denie their raine, or giue too much, how soone is all lost? The Husbandman, that was wont to waite for the early and latter showres, ¹