Abuses Stripped and Whipped

ABVSES STRIPT, AND WHIPT. OR SATIRICAL ESSAYES.

By GEORGE WYTHER. Divided into two Books 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

AT LONDON, Printed by G. ELD, for FRANCIS BVRTON, and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Church-yard, at the sign of the Green-Dragon. 1613.

To him-self, G. W. wisheth all hapinesse.

T Hou (even myself) whom next God, my Prince, and Country I am most engaged unto; It is not vnlikelie, but some will wonder, why, contrary to the worlds custom, I have made choice of thy Patronage for this book, rather then the protection of such whose mightiness might seem better able to defend it; especially considering such a Gigantick troupe of adversaries have banded themselves against the Truth, that one of them Goliath -like dares rail upon a whole host of Israel. It may be (I say) some will wonder, and some scoff at me for it; for which cause (though to answer them with sic volo had been sufficient: yet to show I will not like our Great ones stand so much upon my authority as to make my Will my Reason ) I here let you know why, and for what causes I have done it; the first is this: I could not amongst all men find any man, in my opinion, so fitting for this purpose, but either my Work was unworthy, or too worthy his Patronage. Secondly, it is said; Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit: and I doubting my free speech would hardly make a Diapason, pleasing to the ear of a common Mecaenas, thought it best to hold my tongue, or speak to myself, whose disposition I am better acquainted with. Thirdly, seeing I know but what men appear, and not what they are; I had rather endure the Kites tyranny, then with Aesop's Doves make the Sparrow-hauke my Champion. Fourthly, if I have spoken Truth it is able to defend it self; if not, who-ere be my Patron, it is I must answer for it. Fifthly, for as much as I know my own mind best; I purpose, if need be, to become my own Advocate. Sixthly, for my own sake I first made it, and therefore certain I am I myself have most right unto it. But seauently, and lastly (which is indeed the principal Reason ) I have made this Dedication to thee, poor world -despised Self; even to put thee in mind, (seeing thou hast here boldly begun to bid defiance to the Flesh, and upon just causes quarrelled with the World ) that thou take heed to thine own words, and not through baseness of mind or untowardness of Fortune (to thy everlasting disgrace) faintly give over so noble a Combat; If ever adversity (as tis like enough) oppress thee, yet remember thy own sayings, and in despite of outward Destinies have a care to keep an vndeiected heart still free for Virtue. Or on the contrary, if ever (as tis unlikely) unexpected Prosperity be cast upon thee, then look to thyself, take to thee this poor book of thine, wherein thou shalt see the dangers of it, and be, perhaps, thereby staid from many a perilous enterprise, which that estate might else drive thee into. Read it, weekly, daily, yea and howerly toe: what though it be thine own? thou knowest man's nature to be so uncertain, and prone to forgetfulness, even in the best things, that thou canst not have too many Memorandums. The wisest fall, and therefore every day was Philip desirous to be remembered that he was a Man; thou thinkest I know, still to remain what thou art, I desire in some things thou mayest, but unless thou labor it with diligent watchfulness over affection, it is at least much to be doubted, if not altogether to be despaired of; thou hast seen many by an alteration in their estate been so metamorphosed, as if they were not the same men, nor of that Nation.

Nay remember it, thou thyself, and that but upon a bare hope, or imagination of some preferment, hast been puffed up and exalted above measure: consider now then how much more thou hadst been so and what had become of thee if God had not by dashing those hopes called thee to thy self again? Alas! if he had answered thy ambitious expectations to thy desire, thou hadst been by this time past recovery and not thought of this; but delighted in villainy, been over-mastered by passion, rusht into all vanity and presumption; yet never felt any danger, till it were too late to prevent it▪ Thou hast oft wisht thou hadst been borne to the like means that others are, which might it have been so, now thou seest thou shouldst hardly, or never, have come to the knowledge of those things, that are now shown thee. It is true, thou hast lamented to be crossed in thy preferments, but thou seest since that it might have been thy undoing if it had not been so, and mayest persuade thyself, whether it be now or never, it will be to thy good. For tell me, hast thou not often felt, even when thou wert busiest to prevent them; fond love, ambition, revenge, covetousness and such like Passions then to invade thee? Hast thou perceived it I say? How much more then would they have been ready to assail thee, when quite forgetting them, thou hadst wholly addicted thyself to the things of this world? Let me advise my dear-self then, to make use of this thine own work, it will be better to thee then all the world: for this good it may do thee, and to this end I made both • t and the Dedication thereof to thee, that if ever hereafter the temptations of the world, the flesh & the devil, or any occasion should make thee to forget this mind that thou art now in: or so blind thy understanding thou shouldst not perceive thy own and the Worlds follies as thou now dost; That if thou shouldst be in that miserable state as many are, to have no feeling of thy danger: that if thou shouldst be woefully flattered and have no friend that dares, or loves thee so well to put thee in mind of thy transgressions.

Then I have ordained this to show thee what once thou wert, to touch thee again with the feeling of thy miseries, and to be unto thee that true Friend, which, free from all feigned invention, shall plainly tell thee, what perhaps should else have never been brought again to thy remembrance. Look then that for thy own sake thou respect this, how ever to others it may seem a trifle. Be careful of thy actions, for seeing thou knowest the dangerous Passions whereunto Man is subject, hast shown his vanities, laid open his Weakenesse, and sharply taxed his Presumptions: If now thou shouldest willfully run thyself into the same evils, the world would vpraid • thee, this Book, yea thy Conscience accuse thee, God and good-men hate thee, thy fault be more odious and in-excusable, thy judgment more severe, and which is worst, thy punishment most intolerable; I say seek therefore (if for no other cause) so to carry thyself, that at least thou mayest have a good conscience before God, for Si Deus tecum quis contrate, but if now having made the World thine enemy, exposed thyself to the malice thereof, and having so many Legions of foes without thee, thou shouldest also, by thy negligence, suffer the invincible fortress of a sound Conscience to be crazed within thee, the Di • ell, that is always watching such advantages, would quickly possess it with an unmerciful troupe of Horrors, Feares, and Desperations, that without God's miraculous assistance thou wouldest grow wholly past either comfort or recovery.

For all the World cannot defend thee against thy Conscience, but that being with he, thou mayest prevail against all the World. Beware then, do not like the Zibe • hum yield a perfume to sweeten others and be thyself a stinking vermin, but let this thy own work be first confirmed by thy life and conversation, yea let it be a President to thyself, for, Tan • i erit aliis quanti tibi fuerit, but if not, I say if the World mis-esteem either it or thee, yet do not thou therefore esteem the less either of thy book or of thyself, but rather let them know

But now, though for these and diverse oother Reasons, I have to thee my Owne-self committed the protection, and made the Dedication of this book, yet my meaning is not that thou shouldst keep it wholly to thine own use; But rather seeing it is honorable to give, (though none will give thee anything) I have bestowne this o • thee, that if thou canst in this corrupted age, find any, whom desert, and thy love may make so dear unto thee, or whom • thou art persuaded will gratify, or but think well of thy honest endeavors, thou mayest be liberal to them both of these thy labors and expenses. But this I conjure thee to; be they never so great yet flatter not, or if he be a man whom thou knowest the World speaks any way justly ill of; either tell him his fault, or leave him wholly out of thy Catalogue: But because I begin to grow tedious to my own-self, and since I shall have Opportunity enough to consider with thee what is further needful without an Epistle, with my prayers for my Prince, my Country, my friends, and my • wne prosperity, without any leave taking, or Commendations of my Self; I heartily wish my own Soul to fare-well.