Theol. It is so infinite a matter, that I know not where to begin, or where to make an end of it. It is a bottomless sink of most grievous enormities. I shall enter into a Labyrinth, where I shall not know how to get out again. But sith you are desirous to hear something of it, this I say; That it is a most cruel monster, a bloody vice, a most ugly and ⟨p. 198⟩hideous fiend of hell. The Scriptures in very many places do •ry our upon it, arraigning it, adjudging it, and condemning it down to hell. They do also thunder and lighten upon all those which are stained and corrupted with this vice, calling them by such names, and giving them such titles, as are taken from the effects of this sin, and most fit for oppressors: as namely,1 that They grind the faces of the poor; that They pluck off their skins from them, and their flesh from their bones: that, They eat them up as they eat bread. These are they which strive to devour all (like savage beasts) and to get the whole earth into their hands,2 either by hook or by crook, by right or by wrong; by oppression, fraud and violence. These Caterpillars and Cormorants of the earth, are like unto the Whale fish, that swalloweth up quick other little fishes. They are like a Lion that devoureth other beasts. They are like the Falcon, which seizeth, plumeth, and preyeth upon other fowls. These greedy Wolves devour all, and swallow up the poor of the Land. Therefore the Prophets of God do thunder out many great woes against them.
First, the Prophet Isaiah saith, chapt. 5.8. Woe unto them that join ho•se to ⟨p. 199⟩house, and field to field, till there be no place for the poor to dwell in, that they may be placed by themselves in the midst of the earth.
Secondly, the Prophet Jeremiah saith,3 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers without equity.
Thirdly, the Prophet Micah saith,4 Woe unto them that covet fields, and take them by violence; and so oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Fourthly,5 the Prophet Habakkuk crieth out, saying, Woe unto him •hat buildeth a Town with blood, and erecteth a City by iniquity. Saint James also most terribly threateneth these kind of men, saying, Go to now, ye rich men, 6weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your gold and silver is cankered:
Theol. It is so infinite a matter, that I know not where to begin, or where to make an end of it. It is a bottomelesse sinke of most grievous enormities. I shall enter into a Labyrinth, where I shall not know how to get out againe. But sith you are desirous to heare something of it, this I say; That it is a most cruell monster, a bloudy vice, a most ugly and ⟨p. 198⟩hideous fiend of hell. The Scriptures in very many places doe •ry our upon it, arraigning it, adjudging it, and condemning it downe to hell. They doe also thunder and lighten upon all those which are stained and corrupted with this vice, calling them by such names, and giving them such titles, as are taken from the effects of this sinne, and most fit for oppressors: as namely,1 that They g•ind the faces of the poore; that They plucke off their skins from them, and their flesh from their bones: that, They eat them up as they eat bread. These are they which strive to devoure all (like savage beasts) and to get the whole earth into their hands,2 either by hook or by crook, by right or by wrong; by oppression, fraud and violence. These Caterpillers and Cormorants of the earth, are like unto the Whale fish, that swalloweth up quicke other little fishes. They are like a Lion that devoureth other beasts. They are like the Falcon, which seizeth, plumeth, and preyeth upon other fowles. These greedy Wolves devoure all, and swallow up the poore of the Land. Therefore the Prophets of God doe thunder out many great woes against them.
First, the Prophet Esay saith, chapt. 5.8. Woe unto them that joyne ho•se to ⟨p. 199⟩house, and field to field, till there be no place for the poore to dwell in, that they may be placed by themselves in the midst of the earth.
Secondly, the Prophet Jeremy saith,3 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers without equity.
Thirdly, the Prophet Micah saith,4 Wo unto them that covet fields, and take them by violence; and so oppresse a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Fourthly,5
- 1Isa. 3.15. Amos 8.6. Micah 3.2.
- 2Psal. 14.4.
- 3Jer. 12.13.
- 4Mich. 2.2.
- 5Hab. 2.12.
- 6James 5.1, 2
