of the end of this world and saieng There shall be signes in the Sunne and in the Moone c. For séeing that this worlde may well be compared vnto Aegypt in sundrie considerations and manifolde cases it commeth to passe that as in old time there were sights and wonders séene whereby the ouerthrowe of Aegypt was threatened should come so in this last end of the world signes tokens are strangely séene in the foure elementes which giue vnderstanding to all the inhabitants of the earth that the end is at hand Now for that we sée in these our daies such signes and tokens multiplied how can we doubt that the end of the world is nie Specially because we sée things that haue increased diminish and things that flourished vanish and at length die and come to an ende Which alteration of the world and the diminishing thereof we shall perceiue to be come if we thinke vpon the daies of old and consider with our selues how many countries nations and Islands in so few yeares haue perished and come to naught how all the elements are growne out of course quite contrarie to their first nature and being meruelously chaunged in themselues kéepe not their accustomed condition and qualitie in due time and season as at the first that the earth hath lost much of her wonted fruitfulnes how painfully so euer it be plowed as wée haue plentifully declared in our Catholikes dedicated to the right renowmed Charles the fift and Ferdinand which to repeate againe in this place were labour superfluous It must therfore be confessed that these so sundrie straunge wonders happening in our daies foretell vs that the end of the world approcheth and prophesieth against it some lamentable destruction as certeine tokens appearing in the bodie of man foreshew the daunger either of sickenes or death ¶ At what day and houre the end of this world shall certeinly be as some hold opinion Chap. 10. THat the end of this world is at hand there is none that can iustly denie because that beside the reasons specified in the last Chapter we sée nothing but it foretelleth vs that the same is like very shortly to be For we may behold according to the prophesies of Christ our Sauiour that there is an alteration and chaunge of the state of all things in a manner that the worlde waxeth worsse and worsse and that with the preuailing of wickednesse it is like to be ouerturned that in these daies of ours iniquitie sinne is growen to the highest degrée that equitie is rare vngodlinesse couetousnes concupiscence and lust common the good a praie spoile to the wicked euery where molested troubled that euill men are rich and wealthie vertuous men in pouertie contempt all iudgement confounded lawes ouerthrowne and that which a man hath be it litle or be it much it must be gotten and also kepte by maine strength that boldnesse and violence haue possession of all thinges that there is no faith no trueth no conscience no honestie among men no peace no méekenesse no shame no rule in themselues nor rest from mischéefe that the whole earth is in an vprore and tumult that warres doe rage in all places that all nations are in armour and assault each other and that Cities nie adioining are at strife betwéene themselues If this be so that these as the Lord himselfe beareth witnesse are forewarnings that the worlde is at an end what remaineth but that we beléeue and looke when it shalbe Now because I thinke there is not a man so shamelesse that will gainesay this it néedeth not that I vse many words in this matter considering that we haue discoursed at large hereof in our Centuries and Catholikes It resteth therefore that we make answere in this place to the obiection of some which demand the question not so necessarily as curiously At what day and houre the end of this world shalbe whereof the scriptures of God haue so profoundly spoken Although I make answere that it is not vnknowne to me that some there are which haue taken in hande to tell by account of yeares when the end of this world shalbe of which sort some haue said that foure hundred yeares some that fiue hundred yéeres some that a thousand yeares should passe and runne out betwéene the ascension of the Lord and his last comming to iudgment before the world should be at an end yet notwithstanding I denie that there is any man able to know or to shewe either the houre or the day of the end of this world as also I hold opinion and certainly beléeue that there is not a man liuing that knoweth the ende of his owne life as the scripture testifieth vnles he be instructed and taught from aboue by some singular reuelation And therefore vpon this certeine beléefe I boldly affirme that the end of this worlde hath alwaies béene euer shalbe altogether vncerteine and that it is not for mortall men as the Lord saith to knowe the times and the seasons which the Lord hath put in his owne will power yea that man cannot comprehende the same by any naturall knowledge as the trueth it selfe prooueth saieng Of that daie or houre no man knoweth no not the Angels of heauen nor the Sonne but the Father because the day of the Lorde as the Apostle saith shall come like a theefe in the night For when they shall say peace and quietnes then shall sudden destruction come vpon them as the sorrowe of a woman in trauell and they shall not escape By which words we are warned that the last ruine and ende of this worlde shall come so suddenly vpon men that when the state of thinges séemeth to be amended and growne from worsse to better famine turned into plentie warre into peace pestilence into securitie then euen then in the twinkling of an eie it shall be consumed with fire Beholde a spectacle in Sodom And this is the reason as I take it why the Lord doth exhort vs euerie where to watch because that as no man is certeine of the ende of his owne life so much more ignorant and doubtfull of the ende of the whole worlde Take heed saith our Sauiour watch and pray because ye know not when the time shall be For you knowe not when the Lord will come in the euening or at midnight or at the cockcrowing or in the morning least when he commeth suddenly he finde you sleeping It is Gods will that as well the ende of our owne life as also the end of the world should be hidden from vs that we might euermore be carefull thereof and setting our mindes vpon it be readie at his comming For the suspicion which the Goodman of the house hath of the comming of the théefe is very profitable though it kéepe him waking when peraduenture otherwise he woulde fall asléepe And surely if it were good for vs to knowe this
that before the last day of this worlde there shall be Earthquakes which are foretokens of vniuersall woes to come vpon all the worlde and specially vpon the wicked whose torments shall be excéeding sharpe and gréeuous And thus we are taught euen out of Gods worde that Earthquakes happening vnto vs not simplie of custome but of purpose do signifie somewhat to insue denounce against vs the wrath of almightie God therewithall admonishing vs to amende our euill life to reforme our wicked conuersation to be renewed in the spirite of the inwarde man and to be heauenly minded otherwise such sorrowes are like to light vpon vs as shall turne to our most miserable ouerthrowe and lamentable destruction and here vpon it came to passe that when our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified the earth quaked and trembled But of what sorrowes to come are Earthquakes foretokens First to beginne of warres whereby it is most certaine pestilence and famine are ingendered pestilence by the aire poisoned with the stinch of dead carcasses lieng vnburied famine by reason of husbandrie when plough landes lie vnmanured besides other calamities full of feare horror and desolation Uerie religiously haue the Saints of God alwaies thought of Earthquakes albert the wisedome of this worlde which is foolishnesse before God dreame of naturall causes And surely such as are well affected and haue in them any féeling or taste of Gods gratious spirit after the happening of an Earthquake will say with the Prophet Dauid Come and behold the workes of the Lord acknowledging in heart that the blessings of God follow the righteous as peace and plentie tranquillitie of minde with other his good graces contrariwise his curses pursue and chase the wicked as warre and scarsitie horrour of conscience and infinite tribulations We sée that the rainebow appeareth in the cloudes euery yeare at diuerse times touching the generation whereof reasons I grant may be giuen but we knowe that the rainebowe being appointed by the ordinance of God hath continued euer since it was first made as a witnesse to the world that God will neuer destroy it againe with water for the trueth of which worde and promise he hath left vs the rainebowe Of Eclipses we know there may be naturall causes alledged but let vs remember that he which in their creation made them glorious in token of his mercie by their defection and losse of light what else doeth he thunder against vs but his iustice and vengeance For the good works of GOD are made as it were to mourne for our sakes who being wilfully blinde cannot sée how néere the day of our visitation approcheth Againe the woordes of our Sauiour are true The Sunne shall be darkened and the Moone shall not giue her light and the starres shall fall from heauen and the powers of heauen shall bee shaken With which wordes of our Sauiour Christ the saiengs of the Prophets accord The starres of Heauen and the Planets thereof shall not giue their light the Sunne shall be darkened in his going forth and the Moone shall not cause her light to shine Another Prophet saith in the person of God I will couer the Sunne with a cloude And a third Prophet saith The Sunne Moone shal be darkned the starres shall withdrawe their light Of Earthquakes also and other visions of fire there may naturall reasons be brought but as the controuersie can be decided by no wiser moderator than Christ our Sauiour and the Prophetes his forerunners so is it our partes to take their authoritie for truth and not to hunt after the vaine speculations of Philosophie Before the end of the world come saith Christ iniquitie shall abound there shalbe rumors of wars there shalbe Earthquakes there shalbe famine troubles all which if they be but the beginnings of sorrowes alas what calamities will followe The Prophet saith that Before the great and terrible daie of the Lord come wonders shalbe seene in the heauens and in the earth bloud and fire pillers of smoke the Sunne darkened and the Moone turned into bloud c. So that béelike Nature hath litle to doe in such secrete maters and as for the counsels of God men ought rather to wonder at them than presumptuously to scan vppon causes supernaturall with whose foolishnes I end this confirmation aduising them to take héede how they meddle in Gods high mysteries least they be destroied by the power of his Maiestie ¶ What mischiefes and euils Earthquakes threaten and denounce Chap. 7. THat the case standeth as we haue alreadie saide yée shall vnderstand by a fewe circumstances which wée haue found and proued partly by vse and experience partly by studie reading Did not I pray you after Earthquakes and tempests which Mardochaeus the sonne of Iaer saw in a dreame all nations rise in an vprore to make warre among themselues and did there not followe a day of darknes danger of tribulation and anguish of sorrow and heauines besides an excéeding great feare ouer the earth Did not likewise the earth tremble and shake out of measure when Ozia the king of Iuda in the pride of his mind had taken vpon him the office charge of another wherwith it became him not to meddle and then insued the iust vengeance of God against him wherof there was a foretoken geuen by the said Earth quake when he was smitten with a leprosie growing ouglie loathsome was compelled to resigne vp his royaltie and in the end miserably dieng he was buried but in a homelie place euen in the field apart by himselfe from the sepulchres of his predecessors the kings of Iuda and this was his rewarde for dealing so vnreuerently in Gods seruice and Temple The accurssed Iewes in like manner euen to their great smart haue fealt what meaning there should be in Earthquakes yea they haue tried by their owne miserie most worthie of memorie what calamities are like to follow after earthquakes the subuersion of the renowmed citie Hierusalem herein giuing proofe the destruction whereof was so lamentable that no penne can expresse it nor tongue declare it to the purpose Of which their ouerthrow they were oftentimes warned as with many strange sights and wonders so among the rest with Earthquakes that they might be sorie for their sinnes by repentance escape the rod which because they neglected to do neither beléeuing that the plagues woulde come vpon them whereof those wonders were foretokens nor redressing themselues in that wherin they were awrie but returning to the filthines of their vomit and of wilfull blindnes and obstinancie setting Gods threatenings from Heauen at naught therefore were they ouertaken with the bitter day of their sharpe visitation What I pray you was foretold to Lucius Martius and Sextus Iulius Consuls of Rome by an Earthquake Euen that notable warre without controuersie which tooke the name to be called ciuill than the which warre a more dangerous and deadlie was
all swéete things be they neuer so toothsome by their often vse are made loathsome yet the reading of this with deliberation and the marking thereof with due aduisement shall increase desire to beginne againe when it is once passed ouer and a comfort to sée the iudgement of God poured out vpon a fewe that many might amende two speciall meanes to cut off the verie conceit of satietie and loathing The late casualties that haue béene séene and felt both in this citie and in sundrie places in this land villages and townes both East West North and South yea beyonde the Seas doe threaten vnto vs some heauie iudgement of God and tell vs that Our sinnes are written with the point of a Diamond and with a penne of iron It is no time now to go a gadding to the weather wise the season serueth not the reason suffereth not For nowe we ought all of vs to looke about séeing that God hath spoken vnto vs these many yeares so many wayes by the troubles of his Church by the slaughter of his Saints beginning correction at his owne house by monstruous birthes by strange shapes by inundations of waters by contagions of the aire by fire in the Element by forreigne warres abroad by tumults at home and now of late by an Earthquake at one instant shaking the whole Realme as may be coniectured by the report of trauellers to and from sundrie coastes of this land And not onely on this side but beyond the Seas as I haue heard reported this Earthquake hath happened with the very quiuering therof doing much harme and farre greater than any that hath chanced among vs. Séeing then this Earthquake so vniuersall for I beleeue the Lord did shake the foundations of the whole earth it was his mercie in that we were not all vtterly vndone I may conclude that it was supernaturall being supernaturall the more wonderfull For neither wind nor water could haue the force with a generall moouing of the whole land to terrifie the peoples hearts Let vs be resolued that there remaineth nothing now but the day of our visitation The Lord will come in his wrath to iudge and punish vs whom in mercie he spared and yet we the worsse For what should we looke for now but a terrible reuenger We haue had the Prophets of God we haue had his lawe we haue had his Sonne his Apostles his Euangelists and Disciples we haue had his Preachers we haue had the Elements we haue had euen dombe creatures preaching vnto vs repentance strange sicknesses sudden deaths and I cannot tell what chances wherevnto this changeable estate of ours is subiect haue forewarned vs to amend we neuerthelesse forsaking the waters of the well of life are contented to wallowe in the puddles of our owne pollusion and filthinesse and being lepers regard not to be clensed What remaineth in this case but that the Lord performe that in his seuere iudgement which he hath spoken in his wrath against Ierusalem saieng Who shall haue pitie vpon thee ô Ierusalem or who shall be sorie for thee or who shall goe to pray for thy peace Thou hast forsaken me and gone backwards therfore will I stretch out mine hande against thee and destroy thee For I am wearie with repenting The proofe wherof God graunt we auoid The effect of all is this that others destruction be our instruction ¶ How long wonders and straunge appearances deferre and put off those effectes whereof they are significations and tokens Chap. 8. BEcause we are taught by many proofes and trials that Eclipses for so they call the diminishing of light in the Sunne and the Moone happening at set times seasons and places appointed by nature when the Sunne by the interposition of the Moone and the Moone by the interposition of the Sunne are so couered and hidden that they are suddenly darkened prolong their effects and operations sometimes more sometimes lesse space herevpon riseth a question how long wonders are said and thought to deferre their effects and workings Unto which demand this answer may be made namely that it is at the will appointment of almightie GOD without whose commandement and sufferance those things come not to passe be they either by nature contrarie to nature or aboue nature For God by the same power wherewith he created all things by the selfe same power he gouerneth all things seing he is the author and maker of al things able by his omnipotencie either to hasten or delay all things according to the pleasure of his will For saith the Prophet he hath made all things whatsoeuer he would in Heauen and in Earth and in all deepes But now that same pleasure of Gods will touching the effects of wonders and their appearances are so hidden and vnknowne to vs that this is all we can doe nothing he houeth vs so well euen deuoutly to crie out with S. Paule ô the depth of the riches of the wisedome and knowledge of God! how vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies past finding out For who hath knowne the mind of the Lord or who hath beene of his counsell or who hath giuen ought to him first and it shall be giuen and paide him backe againe Because of him and through him by him in him is all in all c. Nowe because it is manifest that many wonders haue their cause and originall euen of nature in such sort manner that the very course of nature doeth throughly teach as well the set seasons as also the appointed places of such wonders For it hath pleased GOD to leaue vnto this course of nature whose ministerie and seruice he vouchethsafe to vse oftentimes in naturall things her conditions qualities her operations and workings and hée suffereth nature to beare rule ouer naturall things and naturall thinges to incline and yéelde vnto nature himselfe winking thereat and looking vpon as it were through a lattesse Herevpon it is possible that a man may by certeine coniectures and ghesses gather or by certeine causes and reasons attaine vnto the knowledge both of the times and places when and where the effects of such and such things séeme they neuer so strange and wonderfull shall come to passe To confirme this I bring for example Astronomers skilfull and cunning in their profession who many times know before hand and forshewe likewise the seasons effects of Eclipses neuer failing in their prognostications and yet there are some that holde opinion that an Eclipse is a meruellous matter and such a thing in déede as is monstruous strange and contrarie to the common course of nature Howbeit there is no cause why wée should wonder thereat more than néedes as though it were a rare thing and not to be beléeued seing it is a plaine case that the very naturall eiesight of man doth behold and comprehend as well the causes as the signes appearing aboue him as hée doth the
secret woulde the Lord haue made such a short answere to his Disciples when they put out the question to him their Master For they helde not their peace in the presence of him but put foorth their demande saieng Lorde wilt thou at this time restore the kingdome of Israel But he spake to them againe and said It belongeth not vnto you to know the times which the Father hath put in his owne power This answere had they not asking the question of the houre or of the day or of the yeare but generally of the time Uaine therfore are such séeme they neuer so wise and learned in the eies of the world which make their vaunt that they know the end of their owne life are not ashamed to professe though seduced by signes of birdes flieng by opinions of the weather-wise by the doctrines of Magicians and such like sinister meanes that they can tell when the world shall be at an ende But is not these mens laboure lost whiles they goe about to reckon and cast account how many yeares are to come before the worlde shall ende Séeing we haue heard euen from the mouth of truth it selfe that it is not in vs nor for vs to knowe it and that it passeth our abilitie whatsoeuer wée are to atteine to the certeintie of a secrete which God the father hath reserued vnto himselfe alone And here I can not sufficiently muse at * C. Lactantius and diuerse others not a fewe men I confesse déepely learned in matters touching the Church and verie well practised in those pointes that some of them notwithstanding affirme that foure hundred yeares some that fiue hundred yeares and some that a thousand yeares should be accomplished and fulfilled from the ascension of our Lorde vntill his last comming at doomes day Wherein they are found false and out of the way as verie children can tell And therefore I thinke it not worth paines taking to declare in this behalfe vpon what reasons proofes each of them build their opinions both because I haue confuted them alreadie in place conuenient and also for that they leane wholy to coniectures of mans wit not bringing in any thing that is vpholden by authoritie of Canonicall scripture He saith S. Augustine who spake these wordes It is not for you to knowe the times which 〈◊〉 Father hath put in his owne 〈…〉 all Calculators and 〈…〉 to holde their 〈…〉 meddle no further in this 〈◊〉 A number of triflers therefore verie rashe and presumptuous busie bodies are to be laughed at or rather to be contemned a sort of foolish Heretikes Scismatikes I meane in this our age which seducing the simple people dare openly affirme and teach both at what time in what moment the end and consummation of this worlde shall be notwithstanding the voice of the Gospell which these men haue alwayes in their mouthes doth prooue the flat contrarie saieng Of that day or of that houre no man can tell neither the Angels in heauen nor the Sonne but the Father c. It shall suffice vs therefore to knowe this that there is nothing more certeine than as time passeth away so this world shall perish and that nothing is more vncerteine than the time wherein it shall decay Which ende of the worlde to be at hande and euen at the doores not onely by the holy Scriptures is manifest for as well the preachings of the Prophets as the sermons of our sauiour Christ haue said that it shall be shortly but also by the signes and wonders which haue gone before it and appeared to all the world in euerie place as most assured warnings of the last day and proclamations as it were from God vnto vs as wée haue alreadie declared by many examples is most cléere and euident Now after what maner this consummation or end of the world shall be and what shall become thereof whereto the glorie and pompe of the same shall growe who so is disposed to search the Scriptures shall easily finde But there are Preachers in the worlde whose voices agréeing with the cries of the Prophets tell vs plainly that the ende and ruine of althings will come to passe and that after a while painting before our eies the last age of the worlde as it were wearie and readie to fall I thinke it not necessarie also particularly to repeate those things which haue béene foretolde by the Prophets hereafter to happen before the ende come vpon vs considering that I haue omitted none of them in the worke of our Centuries whither I referre the Reader for the fuller declaration hereof intending God being my guide with a fewe woordes more to make an end of this matter ¶ What all and euerie one of vs ought to doe seeing the ende of this worlde approch Chap. 11. FOrsomuch as it is certeine after the rehearsall of so manie testimonies worthie of credite and warranted by the things themselues which are nowe done in the worlde with such confusion and disorder beside that very manifest euen by the signes and wonders which haue appeared both in heauen and in earth that The most terrible and fearefull day of the Lord is at hande and the end of this world verie nie euen at the doore we sée that there remaineth nothing else but this if we regard our owne safetie namely to exhort one another by all meanes that we may not to abuse the good grace of almightie God not wilfully to winke when we sée such great store of light but to haue our eies open and to behold the strange sights and wonders which we haue séene euen within the compasse of our memorie knowing for a certeintie that these and such like are as it were proclamations made vnto vs from almightie God whereby he calleth vs to repentance and therefore not to be contemned as nothing pertinent or belonging vnto vs. For it is as true as the Gospell that God is long suffering excéeding patient and full of forbearance doing what he can by these signes and wonders to soften the hardnesse of our heart and he had rather shew vs the terrors of his iudgements and the threatnings of his right hand than laie the same vpon vs in his vengeance Let vs not flatter our selues because we are Christians therefore God will forgeue vs though we doe not repent No no he spared not the Angels but when they had transgressed he thrust them downe into hell and therefore doubtles he will not spare or forbeare vs in our sins Againe let vs not deceiue our selues supposing peraduenture that such sorrowes as are to come are not so horrible as we haue set them out in this behalfe For God himselfe hath foretold and said it should be so who neither doeth lie nor can lie swearing with an othe that it should so come to passe Verily verily I say vnto you heauen and earth shall passe but my wordes shall not passe Neither let vs to be
bréefe cocker our selues too much become careles because the woes wherof we are forwarned will not come yet it will be long first ere they take effect For so did many vse to say of the floud in Noes time of the fire brimstone in Lothes time of the destruction of dust and ashes Doe you not thinke that they themselues if they were able to speake would say thus to vs Alas wretches what meane you to runne vp and downe from place to place after the vanities of this worlde Alas why doe you ouerwhelme your selues in the seas of sin and wickednes Looke vppon our bones and let your owne greedines greeue you your owne miserie make you affraid We were once as you be now and as we are so shall you be And therefore to returne thither from whence I haue straied let vs wey with carefull consideration and in weieng let vs tremble at the fearfull end of this world and hauing the day of our owne death continually before our eies let vs hasten as much as we may to amend our life missed Let vs not neglect the time because our good God forbeareth vs vile offenders and his anger commeth forth but slowly to take vengeance for this slownesse shalbe recompensed with gréeuousnes of punishment and his lame legge if I may so speake shall neuer leaue till it haue ouertaken the swift running sinner This is doubtles that how much the longer God looketh for amendement at our handes and we regard it not so much the more gréeuous shall his iudgement be against vs which to be so the Scripture by many examples hath not slenderly proued Now if we thinke which thought be farre from vs that it will be long ere the end of this world come and therevpon euery one of vs set at naught the consideration of our own falles who are more miserable Are we not I beséech you suddenly smitten with death and our soules taken out of our bodies we looking for nothing lesse whiles we very willingly and in the pleasure of our mindes are well content to tarrie in this forsaken worlde and determine with our selues of matters of long continuance But who are happie Euen they that alwaies haue before their eies either their owne death or the ende of this worlde and that make hast to be found in a readines when that houre commeth Let vs therefore be mindfull one with another that we walke in the middes of the snares of the Diuell and in consideration thereof let vs alwaies be prouided that whensoeuer the Lord laieth his commandement vpon vs being set frée from all blottes and blemishes of sinne wée may enter into his rest Let vs not persuade our selues that the time is long which we haue to weare out in this world For it may be that God will call vs vpon such a sudden that we shall not haue an houres respite giuen vs to repent Alas let vs remember the words of our Sauiour saieng Verily verily I say vnto you the houre is come when all that are in their graues shall heare the voice of the Sonne of God and they which haue done well shall come forth into the resurrection of life but they which haue done ill into the resurrection of iudgement Nowe therefore let vs take our choice determine with our selues what to doe in this life that according to our desertes we may either reioice with the godly or be tormented with the wicked worldes without end If rewardes will not win vs to béecome better let punishments make vs affraide to waxe worsse and if it be not in our power to despise this present world and to ceasse from the custome of sinning yet let vs at the least doe what we can to redresse our selues by righteousnes If we haue wandered like wantons in our youth let vs nowe repent and be reformed in our age and the euill déedes which wée haue done in sinning let vs renownce and forsake by amending For beholde how the world not by litle and litle but as I said altogether beginneth to come to ruine and decay yea it hath failed already many waies and at this present it draweth néerer and néerer to his last destruction as wée haue béen taught by many tokens al which with one consent agrée vppon that matter euery thing that wée sée vanisheth like a clowde passeth away like the euening shadow Behold the euents of things which were foretold vs long ago by the very trueth it selfe are nowe in these daies of oures more than apparantly perceiued All goodnesse as wée plainely sée is taken away and banished all mischéefe and euill day by day doth more and more abound in such sort manner that there is not a man able to open his mouth and so bold as once to gainesay that the last times are come vpon vs considering that the workes fruites of these dangerous daies are so rise among vs in cōtinuall vse practise For in the latter daies saith the Apostle shall be perillous seasons and men shall loue themselues they shall be couetous high minded proude blasphemers stubburne against their parents vnthankfull mischeeuous void of loue without peace faultfinders accusers dishonest vnkinde cruell traitors froward ambitious louers of pleasures more than of God hauing a shewe in deed of godlines but yet vtterly denieng the force and power thereof in their life Is not euerie place of the earth I pray you full of such men Doe not all corners of the worlde swarme with them in such maner that the wordes of the Lorde are more verified in vs of this latter age than of anie people of olde saieng All haue gone backe and started aside all are become vnprofitable there is not one that doth good no not one For now doubtlesse is that houre come according to the testimonie of eternall trueth wherein Iniquitie doeth abounde and the charitie of a great manie is waxed colde For which cause the Lord threateneth against vs his kindled wrath and indignation and foretelleth vs by horrible signes strange wonders maruellous visions monstrous shapes and such like fearefull appearances as it were by proclamations made from heauen that he is comming to iudgement and admonisheth vs earnestly to repent and amend still shaking his right hand of reuengement ouer vs but sparing to smite telling vs neuerthelesse that except we repent we shall all perish And God graunt that hauing so many warnings both in heauen and in earth by the voices and outcries of such strange wonders we woulde at length shake off slouth and awake not setting at naught the soundes of these trumpets these true proclamations from heauen heauie threatnings of God whereby we are called compelled to repent God grant we may so do to whom be all laude praise dominion power and maiestie now and euermore Amen ¶ A contemplation of wonderfull accidents and principally of Earthquaks as well particular as generall which haue happened in the realmes
the wéeke before Easter 1185. in the reigne of the said King Henrie the second there happened a generall Earthquake thoroughout all England yea such a one as the like had not beene heard of in this realme since the beginning of the world This Earthquake was so violent that stones which were couched fast in the earth and driuen in with rammars were remooued out of their places buildings of lime and stone ouerturned houses of timber shaken in shiuers and among the rest the great Church of Lincolne was rent from the toppe to the bottome After this Earthquake there followed a vniuersall Eclipse of the Sunne and such terrible thunder lightening and tempestes that both men and beasts were destroied houses burned vp and much harme done very lamentable to report Our Earthquake chanced on Wednesday in Easter wéeke about the same time of the yeare whereby though the like dangers fortuned not as by the other yet being more generall for the frame of the whole earth as it is thought trembled therewith I may not so boldly as truly affirme that the like was neuer heard of since the creation The euents of which Earthquake wée leaue to the secrete counsell of God to bring to passe by his prouidence beséeching him to powre into our hearts the spirit of true repentance that by conuerting turning from our wicked waies wée may escape the plagues which otherwise we are like to féele Moreouer in Scotland at what time king William surnamed Lion ware the crowne from the Twelftide till Februarie in the yeare of our Lord 1199. there chanced continuall and terrible Earthquakes incessantly day by day not onely there but elsewhere to the great ruine of many buildings besides diuerse other inconueniences which may be presupposed to followe such tremblings But to come néerer home in the reigne of King Henrie the third in the yeare of our Lord 1222. there was an Earthquake in Warwickshire a generall thunder throughout the whole realme a blasing starre and great dearth of corne all which plagues concurring and running together into what perplexities the minds of people were driuen I leaue to the contemplation of the well aduised reader Againe in the reigne of the saide King Henrie the third there happened in diuerse places of England and namely about London in the yeare of our Lord 1247. a terrible Earthquake wherewith as in such chaunces is commonly séene houses went to wracke c. A litle before this Earthquake the sea by the space of thrée moneths together ceassed from ebbing flowing and shortly after this Earthquake in like manner such vnseasonable weather insued that the quarters of the yeare did varie from their naturall ordinarie course the Springtime vnpleasant changed into Winter Furthermore to knit one to another and so to make an end of these tragicall reports in the West countrie about Bath and Welles there was such an Earthquake that some buildings were turned topsie turuie and some sore shaken the tops specially vpper partes of stéeples turrets chimnies c. came tottering downe this Earthquake was in the reigne of the said King Henrie the third in the yeare of our Lord 1248. Againe in the reigne of the self same King Henrie the third in the yeare of our Lord 1250. there happened an Earthquake at S. Albons the quarters there abouts with a great noise rumbling vnder the ground as though it had thundered In which very yeare a note worthie the marking euen vpon Christmas day it thundered and lightened out of measure in Northfolke and Suffolke Here you sée in the reigne of one King foure Earthquaks particular generall wherevnto if I should ad the innumerable wonders that appeared otherwise the miseries that followed after and the outragious troubles which were in his daies I should meddle with a long a wearisome labour and lament to behold the calamities which haue fallen vpon this land Moreouer I find that in Ireland in the yeare of our Lord 1266. there chanced an Earthquake which did not a litle hurt to that countrie more harme in processe of time did insue therevpon than was done at the instant For besides the present perils within a while after the very effects of Earthquakes and the plagues whereof they are foretokens fell vppon the people namely dearth and mortalitie To come a steppe or two forward in the reigne of King Edward the first of that name in the yeare of our Lord 1274. there chanced such an Earthquake in diuers places of England such terrible lightening and thunder the vision of a burning Drake and a blasing Starre that the people being at their wittes end thought Doomes day to haue béene come vpon them and the yeare next and immediatly insuing being 1275. there happened * a generall Earthquake throughout all this realme wherewith among other hurts that were done the Church of S. Michael on the hill without Glastenburie was throwne downe to the ground not long after which chance it rained bloud in the countrie of Wales a bloudie token of bloudie battels which shortly after followed Againe in the reigne of King Richard the second in the yeare of our Lord 1382. it is recorded that in one wéeke two Earthquakes happened in sundrie places of this realme and namely in Kent the first being so vehement that it ouerthrewe Churches other buildings of timber and stone the second so violent both vpon land and water that euen shippes in hauens by knocking one against another were so bruised that the repairing of them cost much monie Thus farre wée haue runne through the reignes of the Kings of this land and we sée still by contemplation that God hath neuer withheld his hande from working wonders in the worlde Now let vs marke what Earthquakes haue ben heard felt and séene of late memorie euen since the fortunate aduancement of our most gratious souereigne Ladie ELIZABETH by the grace and prouidence of almightie God of England France and Ireland Quéene c. Gathering by them such necessarie doctrines as may redound to the benefit of vs all In the time therfore of the great plague when God with the broome of his iustice swept manie a house in this citie cleane not leauing so much as an innocent childe aliue such was his wrath against vs for sinne when the pestilence was so common and contagious that in one yeares space there died twentie thousande thrée hundred thrée score and twelue persons euen then beside other crosses which it pleased God to lay vpon vs as dearth of victuals and pouertie then I say an Earthquake happened in diuerse places of this realme specially in the shires of Lincolne and Northampton where as in such chances we sée come to passe much harme could not choose but be done Shortly after in comparison from the first of December till the twelfth of the same moneth it thundered and lightned continually but on the last day at night so
terribly as no man liuing yet no place can comprehend it that our posteritie if it please God to prolong their pilgrimage in this life may tell their ofspring what woonders GOD hath wrought in these times and that he is able when it is his blessed will to do greater things among the people and nations of the earth I will register this wonder To leaue London therefore as néedelesse to be named the falling of chimnies the cracking of houses the shaking of windowes the trembling of tables the quiuering of chanels the maruelling of men the wondering of women the astonishment of both the talking of Gods iudgements the fearing of his vengeance the suspecting of great daunger the prophesieng of Doomes day the confessing of sinne the blaming of all estates the complaining against pride the exclaming against enuie the crieng out against the abuse of the Sabbaoth day the finding fault with a thousand enormities for the peoples mouthes were full of common places at that instant but alas that sudden zeale being vehement could not be permanent deuotion died when daunger ceased and all was counted but a nine daies wonder the inueieng against diuerse disorders in these daies the wishing of all well some saieng Lorde haue mercie vpon vs some Jesus saue vs some praieng in the Church some plaieng in the fieldes some merrie at home some sporting abrode some busie about their affaires some looking ouer their accountes some leaping some dansing some tumbling some vawting some piping some singing some bowling some dicing some carding some shooting some wooing some surfetting some sléeping some eating some drinking some ieasting some gibing some scoffing some taunting some bralling some fighting c. that I thinke if the generall day of iudgement had come vpon vs as this was but a forewarning of it we had all béene founde no lesse vnprouided than were they in Noes floud we had all stoode in the state of condemnation and therefore exalt and magnifie Gods mercie which is aboue all his workes and endureth from generation to generation To be certein of this Earthquake how farre it was effectuall to what Countries it stretched what people it amazed I haue had conference with diuerse some saieng that it was generall some that it was extraordinarie some that it was in Cales Antwerpe and Brabant some that it was in sundrie places of Flanders some that it was in Northfolke and Suffolke some that it was at the Isle of Elie a soile as it were cut off from all the Countrie by reason of waters lieng round about it and yet comming thither it shooke all the townes and made a stone or two of great bignesse to fall from the Minster some that it was general some that it was supernatural some that the like was neuer séene and I am of that opinion some saieng this and some that according as they were mooued vpō the sudden chance Among a number that haue complained what hurts their houses haue susteined some that XX. poundes XXX poundes nay an C. poundes will not repaire the ruines of the same I cannot heare of one that lamenting the decay of conscience equitie righteousnesse honestie charitablenesse c. doeth one good déed towarde their restitution A strange ouersight or rather a senselesse securitie among men Here I coulde largely discourse vpon the particular enormities of this our wicked age as pride ambition couetousnesse extortion vsurie dissention oppression iniurie blasphemie slander fornication briberie subtiltie euill talking and worse walking of all degrées in their calling but because this point is alreadie touched in place conuenient and diuerse diuersly haue discoursed vpon this our late sudden Earthquake whose names are rehearsed in the beginning of this booke one among all sufficient to report the truth of so terrible a trembling but all iointly though many yet too too few by penne and inke to set out so maruellous a matter to the worlde that the hearing of Gods wonderfull workes might bréede a feare of his heauie iudgements I conclude with this praier following ¶ A praier for repentance being the onely thing that must mitigate the wrath and indignation of God which how hot and heauie it is the signes and wonders aboue mentioned are forewarnings Chap. 13. O Almightie God thou iust iudge and seuere punisher of sinne which hast not spared thine owne people being the lot of thine inheritance but hast for their transgressions executed thy sharpe and bitter iudgements vpon them somtimes by sworde sometimes by samine somtimes by pestilence sometimes by captiuitie according as it pleased thée vnder whose rod of correction they often lay groning we the sinfull people of this realme of England perceiuing by most apparant tokens that thou art highly displeased with vs and by the remembrance of thy manifold visitations in times past called to an acknowledgment and confession of our sinnes our vile sinnes our abhominable sinnes our damnable sinnes beséech thée with all submission to haue mercie vpon vs and not to procéede in iudgement against vs for alas we are then vtterly vndone We are not able to answere in our owne behalfe for the least offence which wée haue committed there is no pleading before thy Maiestie for our excuse thou wilt admit no shift thou wilt allowe no proofe whereby to maintaine our owne cause for thou art righteous in thy iudgements vncorrupt in thy procéedings and vnuariable in pronouncing sentence Lo most mercifull Father wée wretches subiect vnto death damnation through sinne fall prostrate before thy face and being penitent and heauie for our misdéedes most humbly beséech thée to be fauourable vnto vs and vpon triall of our amendement by the assistance of thy spirit to withdraw the whippe of thy wrath wherewith thou forewarnest vs we are like to be scourged Wée haue kicked vp the héele against thée like vnbroken Coltes the Oxe hath knowne his maisters stall and the Asse his owners cribbe we haue not regarded thy waie but farre inferiour vnto them in due performance of seruice haue neglected all care of obedience to thy Maiestie Our vnthankfulnesse O Lord we confesse is wonderfull our contempt vnmeasurable and our securitie monstruous neuerthelesse thou that hast power to renew our secret cogitations and thoughts to make that streight which is crooked the hard soft the rough smooth the sowre swéete the sicke sound the dead aliue vouchsafe to turne this ingratitude and vnthankfulnes of ours into the contrarie vertue our contempt into obedience our securitie into carefulnes that séeing the signs of thy wrath and indignation kindled to consume vs we may be sorie for our sinnes and be saued It is not Adrammelech nor Anammelech whome we haue offended it is not Ashima nor Ashtaroth whome we haue dishonored it is not Baalim nor Chemosh whome wée haue prouoked it is not Dagon nor Milcom whome we haue despised it is not Molech nor Nergal whome we haue forsaken it is not Niohaz nor Nisroch whom we
inuisible incomprehensible only wise God be all laude praise honour power maiestie and dominion world without ende Amen Giue GOD the glorie FINIS 1580. OS HOMINI SVBLIME DEDIT ¶ Imprinted at London by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater noster rowe at the signe of the Starre * By suppressing the Poets name it appeareth y t hee ouershot himselfe through vncertaintie But I thinke hee meaneth Palingenius in whose works I haue read y e like words in effect * The Heathen and Pagan people may teach vs what belongeth to our dutie The Translaters application of this Hethenish denotion for our instruction * The measure of our sinnes runneth ouer and crieth out for vengeance against vs. * Windes the cause of Earth quakes in what sort and manner * The generation of an Earthquake the effectes which it worketh at that instant * The opinion of some concerning the sudden trembling of the earth The Translators admonition vpoÌ„ these coniecturall reasons * The denial of Gods diuinitie insueth the derogitation of the propertie of his workes * The wit of man meere vanitie if it be not tempered with the deaw of Gods spirit * The effectes which haue followed after Earthquakes declared by examples * The Translatours illation vpon the particulars before going * We do after a sort iustifie our selues when we referre the signes of Gods iudgements to sinâ—ster causes * The presumption of man in seking after the secret counsels of God * This reason of contraries is certaine and infallible * For God vseth a mediocritie and proportion in the execution of his iudgements * The ceasing of windes in y â— hollow caues of the ground causeth Earth quakes to cease * The continuance of Earthquakes proued by experience * The Translators collection by the former doctrine * The sudden and short visitation of God sent vppon vs by an Earthquake forewarneth vs of sharper tribulations * By whome is meant all such as lay blockes in the way of the people to stoppe them from coÌ„ming vnto God * By these speeches of comparison the righteousnes and integritie of God in iudging all offenders is declared * Earthquakes some more dangerous dreadfull some lesse perillous and fearfull * Where he was Preacher at that instant before he was called to be Bishop * The Translators comparison inferred vpon the premisses for our priuate admonition * A particular example a general warning to beware * The sound of a watch word or AlaruÌ„ bell to all prophaners of Gods sacred Sabbaoth and specially to players plaiemakers and all such as fauour that damnable facultie * As much is God glorified in the pulling downe of polluted places as in the building vp of holie temples * Something is ment by the happening of Earthquakes though it passe our capacitie to comprise * Earthquakes are denuntiations and threatnings of gods wrath against vs. * Warres fimine and pestilence the effectes of Earthquakes * The Translatours confirmation of the wordes aboue written * Reasons of comparison to proue that Earthquakes are not alwaies to be referred to naturall causes * The creatures of God mourne ouer vs for our sinnes which deserue a heauie day of visitation * Earthquakes reckoned among y e number of signes that shall be seene before the end of the world * Particular examples drawne out of the Canonicall Scripture touching this necessarie doctrine of Earthquakes * Namely the Priestes whose charge it was only to burne incense Ozia taking y e office vppon him * Among all other warnings from God to the Iewes of their destruction Earthquakes was in y e number * Examples of later time setting forth the fearful effects of Earthquakes * This continued course of examples biddeth vs by others harmes to take heed * He posteth ouer many examples vntouched for y â— auoiding of tediousnesse * Little good followeth after Earthquakes as by the euents of them in times past hath bene obserued * All thinges come to passe either at the commandement of God or by his permission and sufferance * The profitable doctrine which we haue to gather by Earthquakes happening in former ages * Signes of the end of this world vttered by the mouth of our Sauiour Christ himselfe * The Translators exhortation touching the contemplation of the particular examples before specified * Repentance the meanes to appease Gods wrath conceiued against vs for our sins * The double profite that shall redound vnto vs by the diligent reading and considering of the premisses * The sundrie and manifold meanes which God from age to age hath vsed to put Englande in mind of her visitation * By which reason it is probable that this last earthquake in our time 1580 was generall thoroughout all this land and like inough vniuersal ouer the whole worlde * The neglect of Gods mercie is the hastening of his iustice * Applie this threatning O England to thy selfe and be ashamed and sorie for thy sinne * The definition or description of an eclipse either in the Sunne or the Moone * The effectes of signes and wonders at y e pleasure and appointment of God * We are taught hauing S. Paule for a paterne to stand rather amased at the wonders that God worketh than curiously to search out the reson of their being * God vouchethsafe to vse the ministerie and seruice of Nature in sundrie thinges y t come to passe * Some Astronomers faile not in the prognostication or foreteliing of things to come Starres discerne the seasons y e times the daies and the yeares so that vpoÌ„ them dependeth a necessarie doctrine * The Sphere of fire aire haue a contiguitie or neerenesse * Wonders supernaturall are wonders in deede and come not of causes naturall * Sometimes the effectes of wonders doe followe after sometimes they happen at the instant so y t their euent is doubtfull vncerteine this is proued by examples * The doctrine touching the time place where wonders worke their effects is doubtfull * More strange signes wonders neuer appeared in any age than now in these our daungerous daies the Lord haue mercie vpon vs. * Many wonders haue happened in the worlde which neuer came to our knowledge * A question why more signes are shewed vnto vs in these later times both from heauen vpon earth than haue bene seene in the daies of our forefathers * This worlde compared very fitly vnto a man whereby the state therof is liuely represented * The effectes denounced threatned by strange signes and wonders are the sicknesses y t shall wast and consume y e world * The aire altered semblably affected as the Sunne departeth from or draweth neere to vs. c. * The humors of our bodies abound and are spread through euery part member of our bodies at the beginnings of Monethes * The aire subiect to the influences or operations of y e Sunne Moone and Starres *
Signes in the sicke wherby to know whether he shall liue or die * Vndoubted tokens either of death or of extreme sicknes or of life and recouerie in the diseased according to the rules of Hippocrates * From whence strange sights monstrous shapes c. haue their generation and being * The more strange sights and appearances the more strange significations and meanings * Wonders haue beene seene euen since the very beginning of the world in a manner * For the heart cannot safely consist without the ministerie and due seruice of the inferiour meÌ„bers though it selfe be the principall * The stare of y â— worlde comparable to the state of Aegypt for what reasons and considerations * The chaunge of this worlde set downe by contemplation of other countries * A worke so intituled and named and of this Authors owne writing * The alteration change of this world declared vnto vs by particular circumstances * Men must hold fast now a daies many times more than their owne such is the iniquitie of these times * Workes of his own compiling and so named as is declared before * They are coÌ„futed and put to silence which by coÌ„putation of yeares gather the certeine end of the world * All y e knowledge of y e end of this world quite cut off in man by the testimonie of Scripture * An argument or reason drawne from the lesser to the greater * An allusion made to the example which Christ himselfe vseth in the Gospell * The shamelesnes of some which vpoÌ„ no sure ground will warrant y e certeintie of things most vncerteine Lactantius and others of his opinion reproued for their precise computations * A notable speach wherby all Calculators Reckoners of yeares therby to come to y e knowledge of the worldes end are controlled * For the Lord as the Scripture testifieth hath reserued this to his own counsell and secret knowledge * Search the Scriptures and be answered * Workes and treatises of his owne penning and intituled by the name of Centuries * The mutuall seruice duties required of vs and thought most conuenient for vs to prosecute in these latter daies of the worlde * Herein appereth how iust and vnparciall a iudge God is in the execution of his punishments * Examples of Gods iudgemeÌ„ts powred vpoÌ„ vnrepen * A supposed or imagined speach * The danger of this cogitation is set forth in a parable of the Gospell by our Sauiour himselfe to shew what a shrewd sinne securitie is * The furniture which S. Paul setteth downe by parcels in the 6. chapter to y e Ephesians is necessarie for euerie Christian in this case * Whole some admonitions if we haue the grace to followe them which y â— Lord God grant vnto vs. * Manifest proofes of y e latter day to be at hand neerer than we think The Lorde God amend vs that we be not ouerwhelmed in our wickednesse and sinne vppon the sudden * Very children in comparison can say no lesse the iniquitie of these our dayes are so spred through out all places * The Authors conclusion of this necessarie treatise written for the benefite of vs in this age God giue vs grace well to vse it * The determination and purpose of the Translator in this 12. Chapter being the conclusion * Examples represent vnto vs the good or bad estate of our forefathers * This is not the first time that God hath spoken vnto vs by Earthquakes * Many houses swallowed vp and sunke in Cheapside by a gaping of the earth * A generall Earthquake ouer y e whole realme of England * A particular Earthquake and yet supernaturall the reason may be read in the rehearsall of the historie * The craftiest man accounted the wisest as the worlde goeth nowe a daies * These examples may be loking glasses for vs if we had any grace * The second general Earth quake that I reade to haue happened in England * A breefe note giuen of our Earthquake 1580. by way of digression * A viewe of wonders in Warwikshire elsewhere * An Earthquake at Bath and Welles in the West countrie * An Earthquake at S. Albons the quarters there aboutes also terrible thunder lightenings vpon Christmas day c. * An Earthquake with other strange and fearefull sightes to the astonishment of people * also a third generall Earthquake ouer all England * An Earthquake Waterquake both at one instant * The great plague wherwith this citie of London was lamentably visited * A particular Erthquake in the reigne of our gratious Queene Elizabeth * A leape from London to other places of this realme where y e Earthquake was forceable * We wonder no longer at Gods workeâ— than whiles we see them present * Our vnreadinesse if God had come to iudgement at that instant when he fraid vs with an Earthquake * The Isle of Elie shaken notwithstanding y c rounde compasse of waters about it * Some crieng sinnes of England named by them to iudge the abhomination of the residue * This praier is necessarie for euerie priuate housholdeâ— â—o vse with his familie * We cannot excuse the least sinne y r we haue committed * For the reward of sinne as S. Paule saith is death and except that Gods mercie set in foote eternall damnation * Here would be reckoned vp all such sinnes as our owne consciences cast before vs. with a set purpose to amend * The names of the idolatrous Gods whome the superstitious Gentiles worshipped * This confession must be made with a zeale and fernencie of spirit * The mercie of God hath shewed it self by sundrie signes to all ages * It is the mercie of God his long sufferance that we haue not been destroied in our sinnes * Our offences and misdeedes are more than the haires of our heades * God must be heartily praied vnto for in him it resteth onely to reforme all disorders in vs who of our selues are able to do nothing that is good * The meanes and waies to be reconciled vnto God out of whose fauour and loue we are fallen * For the word of God beside temporall blessinges whith it bringeth to them that follow it in life conuersation is the sauour of life vnto life c. * For in these two pointes consisteth the summe of the lawe and so by sequele the fruition and enioieng of euerlasting life