A00888:70
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.…
The devils banquet described in four sermons [brace], 1. The banquet propounded, begun, 2. The second service, 3. The breaking up of the feast, 4. The shot or reckoning, [and] The sinners passing-bell, together with Physic from heaven / published by Thomas Adams ...The deuills banket described in foure sermons [brace], 1. The banket propounded, begunne, 2. The second seruice, 3. The breaking vp of the feast, 4. The shot or reckoning, [and] The sinners passing-bell, together with Phisicke from heauen / published by Thomas Adams ...
London: printed by Thomas Snodham for Ralph Mab, 1614
Sermon 1: THE DEVILS BANQUET. The first Sermon.Sermon 1: THE DIVELS BANKET. The first Sermon.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1The plurality of these waters prolongs and determines my speech: their nature is not more pernicious then their number numerous: indesinita locutio, infinita turba: an undefined word, an unconfined number. If there were but one cup alone, it would cloy, and satiate, and procure loathing, (as even Manna did to Israel) therefore Satan doth diversify his drinks, to keep the wicked mans appetite fresh and sharp. If he be weary of one sin, behold, another stands at his elbow: hath Dives dined? he may walk up to his study, and tell his Money, his Bags, his Idols: or call for the Key of his Wardrobe, to feed his proud eye with his Silks: for (Divitiae & deliciae) Riches and Pleasures serve one another's turn. If Nabal be weary of counting his Flocks, or laying up their Fleeces, he may go and make himself drunk with his sheep-shearers. Hence it is that (ex malis moribus oriuntur plurim leges) to meet with the multiplicity of sins there is required a multitude of laws; as when Physicians grow rich,2 it is an evident sign of an infected Common-wealth. Sin stood not single in Gods view, when he threatens so fearful a punishment, as the whole Book (again) can not match it.3 Therefore the Land shall mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the Field, with the Fowls of Heaven; yea, the Fishes of the Sea also shall be taken away: an universal vastation:4 but as 1. privately, there was no Truth, yet if there had been Mercy: nay, no Mercy: ⟨p. 27⟩somewhat yet, if Knowledge had stood constant: no Knowledge in the Land. So 2. positively,5 there was Swearing: can swearing be without lying? no, lying too: is the tongue alone set on fire at the Devils Forge? no,6 the hand is also a firebrand of Hell; Killing, Stealing, Adultery join their forces: and to give testimony against their singularity, Blood toucheth blood. How should reprobates else fill up the measure of their sins?