Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell,…Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell,…

Neither will I here take up a complaint of the much lamented degeneration of our modern Nobility and Gentry (I ever except the truly worthy and noble) from even the civill worthiness, military valour, and noble deportment of former times. Now adays, if a man look big, be first in the fashions, shake his shag-hair in a boisterous and ruffian-like manner, carry himself with a disdainful neglect and proud bravery, and with an affected, and artificial haughtiness of countenance, outbrave others, and brow-beat his brethren, better than himself, he is the man. But alas! How far distant is this, and degenerating from true generousness, and that sweet amiable courtesy and affability which is wont to dwell in the gentle breasts of the ancient English Nobles? I am afraid if we go on, our posterity will find in the next age the basest generation of English that ever breathed in this famous Kingdom. Sir Walter Rawleigh, I confess in his excellent Work having discoursed and discussed of this Question,¹ whether the Romans could have rectified the Great Alexander, makes good in a second place to the matchless honour of this Nation, that neither the Macedonian nor the Roman soldier was of equal valour to the English. But when were those times? When his Father sent to the Black Prince, fighting (as it were) in blood to the knees, and in great distress this message: Let him² either vanquish or die. When Warwick, Bedford, and that famous Talbot, and such other victorious English Commanders with their valiant ⟨p. 218⟩armies walked up and down France, like so many invincible Lions. But oh the mighty, and unconquerable manhood and magnanimity of the ancient English! Whether art thou gone, and where art thou buried, that we might visit thy Tomb? But I say, to let these pass, I only lay hold upon that which is most pregnant and punctual to my purpose. These Nobles in my text, and ordinarily in all times swallow down so many bai•s from the Devils hands, are so surrounded with variety and strength of temptations: so ill brought up, and so vainly puffed up with insolency and self-estimation because they are lifted up above others: They are so lined with inextricable ensnarements, by pleasures, riches, honours, ease, liberty, earthly splendour, bravery, applause of the world, and pride of life;