Christ's certain and sudden appearance to judgment. By Thomas Vincent, sometime Minister of Maudlins…

14. Come forth all ye proud and ambitious persons, you […] have builded your nests on high: that have taken many dirty steps to get into the seat of honour, […] hearts have been lifted up with high towering imaginations▪ and conceits of your own excellencies, unto the scorning: and contempt of others: who have had proud hearts, & […] looks, and proud speeches, and proud carriage towards others, especially towards them that have been of meaner degree, who have looked upon others afar off, and have disdained the converse and company of some, of […] the world hath not been worthy: were you acquainted with no higher honour and dignity, than the world could give unto you: might you not have had seats in Heavenly places, if you had looked after them, and less after the other: did you not know that the highest places on the earth were the most slippery places: did you not foresee […] ⟨p. 84⟩turning of the wheel upon you: did you not believe that God would cast down the mighty from their seats: that the higher you were lifted up in dignity, if your hearts were withal lifted up with pride, the lower and greater would be your fall: And was the favour and the pla•se of men so desirable: was it not an empty breath, an inconstant wind▪ If you had been ambitious, should you not have been ambitious of the favour of the King of glory, which would have been so beneficial and lasting▪ And are You the persons that once were so proud and scornful▪ You proud: had you any such reason: proud, when creatures! depending creatures! who had nothing, but what was borrowed, and received from God! proud, when such mean creatures! proud when fallen into the dirt, and so defiled! proud, when sinners, sinners so vile! so full of sores! when you had such loathsome spirits! when you had such leprous souss! could you lift up the plumes, when you had such black feet: could you be proud when you had lost Gods Image, and were […] […] unto foul devils: proud when such beggarly sinners! clothed in such filthy rags! proud when such slaves and vas••• to the vilest and basest tyrants! proud in chains and fetters of Satan and lust! You had reason indeed to be […] and to look so high, and speak so big, when you were […] odious to God, and such low, mean spirited, miserable wretches, who were drudging in mire and dirt, and were […] by the Devil in chains, like dogs, towards the Prison of […]: