A _Sword unsheathed_, and a _strangling-Snare_, Is figur’d here; which, in _dumbe-shewes_, doe preach, Of what the _Malefactor_ should beware; And, they doe _threaten too_, aswell as _Teach_. For, some there are, (would God, that summe were lesse) Whom, neither good _Advise_, nor, wholesome _Lawe_, Can turne from Pathwaies of _Vnrighteousnesse_, If _Death_, or _Tortures_, keepe them not in awe. These, are not they, whose _Conscience_ for the sake Of _Goodnesse_ onely, _Godlinesse_, pursues; But, these are they, who never scruple make What _Guilt_, but, what great _punishment_ ensues. For such as these, this _Emblem_ was prepar’d: And, for their sakes, in places eminent, Are all our _Gallow-trees_, and _Gibbets_, rear’d; That, by the sight of them, they might repent. Let, therefore, those who feele their hearts inclin’d To any kind of _Death-deserving-Crime_, (When they behold this _Emblem_) change their mind, Lest, they (too late) repent, another time. And, let not those our Counsell, now, contemne, Who, doome _poore Theeves_ to death; yet, guilty be Of more, then most of those whom they Condemne: But, let them Learne their perill to foresee. For, though a little while, they may have hope To seeme upright, (when they are nothing lesse) And, scape the _Sword_, the _Gallowes_, and the _Rope_, There is a _Iudge_, who sees their wickednesse; And, when grim _Death_, shall summon them, from hence, They will be fully plagu’d for their offence. _That =Kingdome= will establish’d bee, Wherein the =People= well agree._ [Illustration: CONSENSV POPVLI REGNṼ SVBSISTIT. ILLVSTR. V. _Book. 2_]