Two sermons preached at Northampton at two several assizes there The one in the…Two sermons preached at Northampton at two severall assises there The one in the…

But as a bitter tempestuous storm, doth with its unresistable impetuousness and violence, beat down, and tear, deface, and bruise: So a Sh•b•a, ⟨p. 2⟩or Haman, unworthily mounted on horse-back, and haled by the cords of corruption, against the hair into some high place, undoes all by his domineering; fastens the bloody fangs of cruelty and hate upon the face of the fairest virtues; and, which is an inexpiable villainy, makes the hearts of honest men to bleed. And, that which is an equal mischief, sets the sons of Belial on foot; and causes good fellows (as they call them,) I mean brethren in iniquity, Ale-houses hunters, drunkards, and such refuse and riff raff of the Devil, to lift up their heads.

But as a bitter tempestuous storme, doth with its unresistable impetuousnesse and violence, beat downe, and teare, deface, and bruise: So a Sh•b•a, ⟨p. 2⟩or Haman, unworthily mounted on horse-backe, and haled by the cords of corruption, against the haire into some high place, undoes all by his domineering; fastens the bloody fangs of cruelty and hate upon the face of the fairest vertues; and, which is an inexpiable villany, makes the hearts of honest men to bleed. And, that which is an equall mischiefe, sets the sonnes of Belial on foot; and causes good fellowes (as they call them,) I meane brethren in iniquity, Ale-houses hunters, drunkards, and such refuse and riffe raffe of the Devil, to lift up their heads.

It is incredible to consider what a deal of hurt is done, and mischief many times wrought insensibly and unobservedly; when a wicked wit and wide conscience welds the sword of Authority. For it is easy to a man so mounted, by Legal sleights, and pretence of deeper reach to compass his own ends, either for promotion of iniquity, or oppression of innocency. For the latter; there is some truth in that Hyperbolical speech of a great Moralist. Let any man present me, saith he, with the most excellent and blameless action, I will oppose it with so vicious and bad intentions, all which shall carry a face of likelihood. What may he do then, who besides the habitual malice of his own heart, and wit at will, hath power & a pretended mystery of government, to plague a man with in this kind? Especially sith he knows himself backed with that principle in policy. It is not safe so to reverse transactions of State, though tainted perhaps with some manifest impressions of miscarriage