First, Reproof to all unrighteous Rulers, Ministers, Magistrates, or whatsoever they be. Many now a days run a madding after promotions, and serve themselves, Vijs & modis, into Offices, Benefices, preferments, high rooms, and being most unworthily advanced, they hold in a special happiness to have an hand over men, far worthier then themselves. Let them alone, this is their day, a day of domineering, and of their fools Paradise, and serving themselves ⟨p. 79⟩sensually, but assuredly without speedy repentance, turning on the better side, taking GODS Children's part, There is a day a coming upon them, it is near, 1it is near, it hasteneth greatly, saith the Prophet, when the mighty man shall cry bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble, and distress, a day of wasteness, and desolation, a day of darkness, and gloominess, a day of clouds, and thick darkness; (they are the words of the holy Ghost,) which no earthly glory, no glittering of outward pomp, no shining heaps of gold and silver, not the Prince of all the lights in heaven, nor the whole starry Firmament shall ever be able to enlighten, or refresh; though they swell never so big with pride, and disdain, look they never so high, should they exalt themselves as the Eagle, and set their nest among the stars, they shall certainly down with a vengeance, GOD shall suddenly shoot at them with a swift arrow, it is already in the Bow; even a Bow of steel shall send forth an arrow, that shall strike them through, shive off their gall, as Job speaketh, throw them down into the dust. Their pride, and their power shall be overthrown in the turning of an hand, then must they lay down their cold carcasses among the stones of the pit, at the roots of the rock, and their poor sinful souls, must presently be presented at that last, and strictest Tribunal, where never bribe, or big look, gold or greatness, bears any sway.
First, Reprofe to all unrighteous Rulers, Ministers, Magistrates, or whatsoever they be. Many now a dayes runne a madding after promotions, and serve themselves, Vijs & modis, into Offices, Benefices, preferments, high roomes, and being most unworthily advanced, they hold in a speciall happinesse to have an hand over men, farre worthyer then themselves. Let them alone, this is their day, a day of domineering, and of their fooles Paradise, and serving themselves ⟨p. 79⟩sensually, but assuredly without speedy repentance, turning on the better side, taking GODS Childrens part, There is a day a comming upon them, it is neere, 1it is neere, it hasteneth greatly, saith the Prophet, when the mighty man shall cry bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble, and distresse, a day of wastnesse, and desolation, a day of darknesse, and gloominesse, a day of clouds, and thicke darkenes; (they are the words of the holy Ghost,) which no earthly glory, no glittering of outward pompe, no shining heapes of gold and silver, not the Prince of all the lights in heaven, nor the whole starry Firmament shall ever be able to enlighten, or refresh; though they swell never so bigge with pride, and disdaine, looke they never so high, should they exalt themselves as the Eagle, and set their nest among the starres, they shall certainely downe with a vengeance, GOD shall suddenly shoote at them with a swift arrow, it is already in the Bow; even a Bow of steele shall send forth an arrow, that shall strike them thorow, shive off their gall, as Iob speaketh, throw them downe into the dust. Their pride, and their power shall be overthrowne in the turning of an hand, then must they lay downe their cold carkases among the stones of the pit, at the rootes of the rocke, and their poore sinfull soules, must presently be presented at that last, and stricktest Tribunall, where never bribe, or bigge looke, gold or greatnesse, beares any sway.
- 1Zeph. 1.14.15
