A25250:197
Ultima, = the last things in reference to the first and middle things
Ultima, = the last things in reference to the first and middle things: or certain meditations on life, death, judgement, hell, right purgatory, and heaven: delivered by Isaac Ambrose, minister of the Gospel at Preston in Amoundernes in Lancashire.
London: printed for J.A., 1650
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
As on this manner he was speaking he observed (saith my Author) divers flies that came about him, and some lighted on him; whereat, presently remembering how Beelzebub signifies the God of Flies; Behold, said he, now also Beelzebub comes to his Banquet, you shall shortly see my end, and in me an example to many of the justice and judgement of God. Then he began to reckon up what fearful dreams and visions he was continually troubled withal, That he saw the Devils come flocking into his chamber, and about his bed terrifying him with strange noises; and that these were not fancies, but that he saw them as really as the standers by: and that besides these outward terrors, he felt continually a racking torture of his mind, and a continual butchery of his conscience, being the very proper pangs of the damned wights in hell.
As on this manner he was speaking he observed (saith my Authour) divers flies that came about him, and some lighted on him; whereat, presently remembring how Belzeebub signifies the God of Flies; Behold, said he, now also Belzeebub comes to his Banquet, you shall shortly see my end, and in me an example to many of the justice and judgement of God. Then he began to reckon up what fearfull dreams and visions he was continually troubled withall, That he saw the Devils come flocking into his chamber, and about his bed terrifying him with strange noyses; and that these were not fancies, but that he saw them as really as the standers by: and that besides these outward terrours, he felt continually a racking torture of his mind, and a continuall butchery of his conscience, being the very proper pangs of the damned wights in hel.
But of all the rest, most desperate was that last speech of his, when snatching a knife (as intending to mischief himself, but stopped by his friends) he roared with indignation, I would I ⟨p. 81⟩were above God, for I know he will have no mercy on me; and thus living a while, he appeared at length a very perfect anatomy, expressing to the view nothing but sinews, and bones, vehemently raging for drink; ever pining, yet fearful to live long; dreadful of hell, yet coveting death; in a continual torment, yet his own tormentor; consuming himself with grief and horror, impatience and despair, till at last he ended his miserable-miserable life.