<p>Marke well this Emblem ; and, (when in a thread,<lb/> You see the Globe, there, hang above their head,<lb/> Who in securitie, beneath it sit)<lb/> Observe likewise, the Knife, that threatens it;<lb/> The smallnesse of the Twine ; and, what a death<lb/> Would follow, should it fall on those beneath:<lb/> And (having well observ'd it) mind, I pray,<lb/> That, which the word about it, there, doth say:<lb/> For, it includes a Caveat, which wee need<lb/> To entertaine, with a continuall heed.<lb/> Though few consider it, wee finde it thus<lb/> (Throughout our lives) with ev'ry one of us.<lb/> Destruction hangeth in a single thread,<lb/> Directly over every Sinner's head.<lb/> That Sentence is gone forth, by which wee stand<lb/> Condemn'd to suffer death. The dreadfull hand,<lb/> Of God's impartiall Iustice, holds a Knife,<lb/> Still ready, to cut off our thread of life ;<lb/> And, 'tis his mercie, that keepes up the Ball<lb/> From falling, to the ruine of us all.<lb/> Oh! let us minde, how often wee have bin,<lb/> Ev'n in the very act of Deadly-sinne,<lb/> Whilst this hung over us; and, let us praise,<lb/> And love him, who hath yet prolong'd our dayes:<lb/> Yea, let our thankfulnesse, bring forth such fruit,<lb/> As, to the benefit may somewhat suit:<lb/> For, though a sudden Death may not ensue,<lb/> Yet, (since Times Axe, doth every minute hew<lb/> The Root of Life ) the Tree, e're long, must fall;<lb/> And, then perhaps, too late, repent wee shall.<lb/> </p>

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155

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emblem pictura

emblempictura

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GUL

EMBLEMS

ILL_BOOK

One hand from the clouds holds a knife against the thread from which an orb is hanging, held by another hand; beneath the orb a group of people is listening to the preaching of St. John the Baptist, who is standing behind a small stile

embstma_1903.xml

embstma_1903_fac209

<p>ABRUMPAM.</p>

GUL

EMBLEMS

ILL_BOOK

11Q03

25A13

25H155

31A32

31A2512(+933)

41A541(+0)

41A543(+0)

44B193

47H352:31A32

47C31

47D8(KNIFE)

51EE1:53A1

54DD51

73C11

86(ABRUMPAM)

<p>Repent, or God will breake the thread,<lb/> By which, thy doome hangs o're thy head.</p>

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Abrumpam