Marke well this _Emblem_; and, (when in a _thread_, You see the _Globe_, there, hang above their head, Who in securitie, beneath it sit) Observe likewise, the _Knife_, that threatens it; The smallnesse of the _Twine_; and, what a death Would follow, should it fall on those beneath: And (having well observ’d it) mind, I pray, That, which the word about it, there, doth say: For, it includes a _Caveat_, which wee need To entertaine, with a continuall heed. Though few consider it, wee finde it thus (Throughout our lives) with ev’ry one of us. _Destruction_ hangeth in a _single thread_, Directly over every _Sinner’s_ head. That _Sentence_ is gone forth, by which wee stand Condemn’d to suffer death. The dreadfull hand, Of God’s impartiall _Iustice_, holds a _Knife_, Still ready, to cut off our _thread of life_; And, 'tis his _mercie_, that keepes up the _Ball_ From falling, to the ruine of us all. Oh! let us minde, how often wee have bin, Ev’n in the very act of _Deadly-sinne_, Whilst this hung over us; and, let us praise, And love him, who hath yet prolong’d our dayes: Yea, let our thankfulnesse, bring forth such fruit, As, to the benefit may somewhat suit: For, though a _sudden-Death_ may not ensue, Yet, (since _Times_ Axe, doth every minute hew The _Root of Life_) the Tree, e’re long, must fall; And, then perhaps, too late, repent wee shall. _When =woe= is in our selves begun, Then, whither from it, can wee run?_ [Illustration: HINC DOLOR INDE FUGA. ILLVSTR. VI. _Book. 4_]