A divine herbal together with a forrest of thorns In five sermons. ... By…A divine herball together with a forrest of thornes In five sermons. ... By…

1. Some there are that purpose to amend their lives. But purpose without performance is like a Cloud without rain; not unlike Hercules Club in the Tragedy, of a great bulk, but the stuffing is moss and rubbish. If the tree be fairly blossomed, and naked of fruit, it may speed as the Fig-tree in the Gospel. be cursed: or at least (it is as the evil ground here) nigh unto cursing. Many that purposed to repent, are now in hell, as the five foolish Virgins, that intended to go in with the Bridegroom; but before the time their lights dropped out.

1. Some there are that purpose to amend their liues. But purpose without performance is like a Cloud without raine; not vnlike Hercules Clubbe in the Tragedy, of a great bulke, but the stuffing is mosse and rubbish. If the tree bee fairely blossom'd, and naked of fruite, it may speed as the Figge-tree in the Gospell. be curseo: or at least (it is as the euill ground here) nigh vnto cursing. Many that purposed to repent, are now in hell, as the fiue foolish Virgins, that intended to goe in with the Bridegroome; but before the time their lights dropp'd out.

One said, that hell is like to be full of good purposes, but heaven of good works. If a bare Intention would serve, Gods Church on earth would be fuller of Saints, and his Court in heaven fuller of souls. Ignorance and Sloth adulterating, bring forth this lank brood, this abortive embryon, Purpose. Such a man is like an ill debtor, who will not pay God his due of devotion till he is old: and then he cannot pay for want of (time & money) space and grace to repent. We make (in these days) our purposes like our Eves, and our performances like the holy-days: servants work hard upon the Eves, that they may ⟨p. 151⟩have the more liberty to play upon the Holidays: so we are earnest, and labour hard on our purposes; but are idle and play upon our performances. But Resolution without action, is a golden couch to a leaden Jewell.

One sayd, that hell is like to bee full of good purposes, but heauen of good workes. If a bare Intention would serue, Gods Church on earth would bee fuller of Saints, and his Court in heauen fuller of soules. Ignorance and Sloth adulterating, bring forth this lanke brood, this abortiue embrion, Purpose. Such a man is like an ill debtor, who will not pay God his due of deuotion till hee is old: and then hee cannot pay for want of (time & mony) space and grace to repent. We make (in these daies) our purposes like our Eeues, and our performances like the holy-daies: seruants work hard vpō the Eeues, that they may