The sacrifice of thankfulness A sermon preached at Pauls Cross, the third of December,…The sacrifice of thankefulnesse A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse, the third of December,…

I should now tell you, that as these three fair Sisters come down from heaven; so in a cross contrariety, the Devil sends up three foul fiends from hell. Against Faith, Infidelity: against Hope, Desperation: Against Charity, malice. He that entertains the elder sister, unbelief, I quake to speak his doom, yet I must; He is already condemned. He that embraceth the second ugly Hag,¹ Despair, bars up against himself the possibility of all comfort: because he offends so precious a nature, the mercy of God, & tramples under his desperate feet that blood, which is held out to his unaccepting hand. He that welcomes malice; welcomes the Devil himself: he is called the Envious, and loves extremely to lodge himself in an envious heart. These be fearful, prodigious sisters; fly them, and their embraces: and remember, O ye whom Christ concerns, the commandment of your Saviour; Love one another.

I should now tell you, that as these three fayre Sisters come downe from heaven; so in a crosse contrariety, the Devill sends vp three foule fiends from hell. Against Faith, Infidelity: against Hope, Desperation: Against Charity, malice. He that entertaines the elder sister, vnbeleefe, I quake to speake his doome, yet I must; Hee is already condemned. Hee that embraceth the second vgly Hagge,¹ Despaire, barres vp against himselfe the possibility of all comfort: because hee offends so precious a nature, the mercy of God, & tramples vnder his desperate feete that bloud, which is helde out to his vnaccepting hand. He that welcomes malice; welcomes the Devill himselfe: hee is called the Envious, and loues extremely to lodge himselfe in an envious heart. These be fearefull, prodigious sisters; flie them, and their embraces: and remember, O yee whom Christ concernes, the commandement of your Saviour; Loue one another.

1. 1Joh. 3. 18.Ioh. 3. 18.