A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Vi Part 17

No, neither did I once contend from them flesh to refrain.

Behold, therefore, the judgments just of G.o.d doth me annoy, Not for amendment of my life, but me for to destroy.

EUSEBIUS.

We do not altogether like of this your exhortation.

Whereas you warn us not to trust so much unto our faith, But that good works we should prepare unto our preservation: There are two kinds of righteousness, as Paul to Romans saith; The one dependeth of good works, the other hangs of faith.

The former, which the world allows, G.o.d counts it least of twain, As by good proof it shall to you in words be proved plain, For Socrates and Cato both did purchase great renown, And Aristides, surnamed Just, this righteousness fulfilled, Wherefore he was as justest man expell'd his native town; Yet are their souls with infidels in h.e.l.l for ever spilled, Because they sought not righteousness that way that G.o.d them willed.

The other righteousness comes from faith, which G.o.d regards alone, And makes us seem immaculate before his heavenly throne.

Wherefore there is no cause you should send us to outward act, As to the anchor or refuge of our preservation.

THEOLOGUS.

The meaning of Philologus is not here so exact, As do his words make it to seem by your allegation.

He doth not mean between good works and faith to make relation, As though works were equivalent salvation to attain, As is true faith; but what he meant, I will set down more plain.

He did exhort the young men here by him for to beware, Lest, as he did, so they, abuse G.o.d's gospel pure, And without good advice usurp of faith the gift so rare: Whereby they think, whatso they do, themselves from torments free, And by this proud presumption G.o.d's anger should procure: And where they boast and vaunt themselves good faithful men to be, Yet in their lives they do deny their faith in each degree.

Wherefore he saith, as Peter said: see that you do make known Your own election by your works. Again St James doth say, Show me thy faith, and by my works my faith shall thee be shown.

And whereupon his own offence he doth to them bewray, Whereas he did vaingloriously upon a dead faith stay; Which for the inward righteousness he alway did suspect, And hereupon all G.o.dliness of life he did neglect.

PHILOLOGUS.

That was the meaning of my words, however I them spake: The truth, alas! vile wretch, my soul and Conscience too true feel.

THEOLOGUS.

What, do you not, Philologus, with us no comfort take, When all these things so G.o.dlily to you I do reveal.

Especially sith that yourself in them are seen so well?

Some hope unto us of your health and safety yet is left: We do not think that all G.o.d's grace from you is wholly reft.

PHILOLOGUS.

Alas! what comfort can betide unto a d.a.m.ned wretch?

Whatso I hear, see, feel, taste, speak, is turned all to woe.

EUSEBIUS.

Ah, dear Philologus! think not that ought can G.o.d's grace outreach.

Consider David which did sin in l.u.s.t and murther too; Yet was he pardoned of his sins, and so shalt thou also.

PHILOLOGUS.

King David always was elect, but I am reprobate, And therefore I can find small ease by weighing his estate.

He also prayed unto G.o.d which I shall never do: His prayer was that G.o.d would not his spirit take away; But it is gone from me long since, and shall be given no mo.

But what became of Cain, of Cam, of Saul, I do you pray?

Of Judas, and Barehu?--these must my Conscience slay-- Of Julian Apostate, with other of that crew?

The same torments must I abide, which these men did ensue.

THEOLOGUS.

Alas! my friend, take in good part the chastis.e.m.e.nt of the Lord, Who doth correct you in this world, that in the life to come He might you save, for of the like the Scripture bears record.

PHILOLOGUS.

That is not G.o.d's intent with me, though it be so with some, Who after body's punishment have into favour come: But I, alas! in spirit and soul these grievous torments bear: G.o.d hath condemned my conscience to perpetual grief and fear.

I would most gladly choose to live a thousand thousand year.

In all the torments and the grief that d.a.m.ned souls sustain; So that at length I might have ease, it would me greatly cheer: But I, alas! shall in this life in torments still remain, While G.o.d's just anger upon me shall be revealed plain, And I example made to all of G.o.d's just indignation.

O, that my body were at rest, and soul in condemnation!

EUSEBIUS.

I pray you, answer me herein: where you by deep despair Say you are worse here in this life, than if you were in h.e.l.l; And for because to have death come you alway make your prayer, As though your soul and body both in torments great did dwell, If that a man should give to you a sword, I pray you tell, Would you destroy yourself therewith, as do the desperate, Which hang or kill, or into floods themselves precipitate?

PHILOLOGUS.

Give me a sword; then shall you know what is in mine intent.

EUSEBIUS.

Not so, my friend; I only ask what herein were your will?

PHILOLOGUS.

I cannot, neither will I tell, whereto I would be bent.

THEOLOGUS.

These words do nothing edify, but rather fancies fill, Which we would gladly, if we could, endeavour for to kill.

Wherefore I once again request, together let us pray, And so we will leave you to G.o.d, and send you hence away.

PHILOLOGUS.

I cannot pray; my spirit is dead, no faith in me remain.

THEOLOGUS.

Do as you can; no more than might we can ask at your hand.

PHILOLOGUS, My prayer[61] turned is to sin; for G.o.d doth it disdain.

EUSEBIUS.

It is the Falsehood of the Spirit, which do your health withstand, That teach you this: wherefore in time reject his filthy band.

THEOLOGUS.

Come, kneel by me, and let us pray the Lord of Heaven unto.

PHILOLOGUS.

With as good will as did the devil out of the deaf man go. [_Aside_.

O G.o.d, which dwellest in the heavens, &c.

Tush! sirs, you do your labours lose: see, where Belzabub doth come, And doth invite me to a feast: you therefore speak in vain.

Yea, if you ask ought more of me, in answer I will be dumb: I will not waste my tongue for nought; as soon shall one small grain Of mustard-seed fill all the world, as I true faith attain.

THEOLOGUS.

We will no longer stay you now, but let you hence depart.

EUSEBIUS.

Yet will we pray continually that G.o.d would you convert.

THEOLOGUS.

Gisbertus and Paphinitius, conduct him to his place; But see he have good company: let him not be alone.

AMBO.

We shall so do: G.o.d us a.s.sist with his most holy grace!

GISBERTUS.

Come, father, do you not think good that we from hence be gone?