Mystical Bedlam, Title page – Dedication
MYSTICAL BEDLAM, OR THE WORLD OF Mad-Men.
BY THO: ADAMS.
2. TIMOTH. 3. 9. Their Madnesse shall be manifest to all men.
AVGVSTIN. de Trinit. Lib. 4. cap. 6. Contrarationem nemo sobrius.
LONDON Printed by George Purslowe, for Clement Knight, and are to be sold at his shoppe in Paules Church-yard, at the Signe of the Holy Lambe. 1615.
TO THE RIGHT Honourable, Sir THOMAS EGERTON, Knight, Baron of Ellesmere, Lord high Chancellor of England, one of his Maiesties right Hon. Priuy Counsell, the true Patterne of vertue, and Patron of good Learning.
RIght Honourable: it is a labor that hath neyther recompence nor thanks, to tell them their madnesse, that faine would thinke themselues sober. Hauing therefore presumed (not to trouble the peace, but) to disquiet the security of our Israel: I durst not but aspire to some noble Patronage, that might shield both my selfe and labours, from the blowes of all maleuolent Censurers. In which thoughts, I was bolde to center my selfe in your Honour; as the indiuiduall point of my refuge, wherein I hauehave beene taught the way by more worthy precedents: your Honourable Name hauing long stoode, as a communis terminus, or Sanctuary of protection, to the labours and persons of many Students. The vn-erring hand of God hath placed your Lordship in the Seate of Iustice, and Chaire of Honour, (especially if it be true, what S. Hieron: sayes, that Sūma apud Deū nobilitas, clarū essevirtutibus: wherby you hauehave power & oportunity, to whet the edge of vertue with encouragements, & to giuegive vice the iust retribution of deserued punishments. Happy influences hauehave beene deriued from you, sitting as a Star in the Star-Chamber: conscionable mitigations of the Lawes rigour in the Court of Chancery. To punish whē you see cause, is not more Iustice then Mercy: Iustice against the offender, Mercy to the Commonwealth. Those punishments are no other then actual Physick ministred to the Inheritance, Liberty, Body, to the bettring of the Conscience, 1. Cor. 5. 5.and sauing of the soule in the day of the Lord Iesus. Behold, my pen hath but writtē after the originall Copy of your Honors actions: desiring rather to learne by your doings, how to say; then to teach you by my sayings, how to do. I hauehave spoken (God knowes with what successe) to these mad times: and he that would bind the franticke, though hee loues him, angers him. The detector of mens much-loued sins, needs a Protector, that is both good & great. I am sure my eleciō is happy; if it shal please your Honor to cast the eye of acceptance on my weake labors. A yong plant may thriue, if the Sunne shall warme it with his beames. That Sunne of righteousnes, that hath sauing health vnderunder his wings, shine for euer on your Lordship, Mal. 4. 2.who hath been so liberal a fauorer to his Church, & among the rest to his vnworthiest seruant, and
Your Honours in all duety and thankefull obseruance bounden THO: ADAMS,