The Wonders of the Lodestone, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Of the benefit we have by the use of the Loadstone, that shewes us the North, and a comparison of it with Christ.
BEfore that the vertue of the Loadstone, (that sheweth the North) was revealed unto Mariners, it cannot be spoken, with what uncertaine wandrings men were driven about, following doubtfull conjectures; how they did indirectly floate here and there, rather then sayle the right way: indeed, when the weather was faire, when either the Sunne or starres gave their light, they crept about the coasts of the earth, sometimes by the helpe of lights set in high places, for their direction, sometimes by the helpe of Towers and Trees, not farre from the shoare, yet not without incredible anxiety of mind and great danger of shipwrack; but if the heavens were cloudy, if the starres and Sunne were withdrawne out of sight, and especially a tempest drawing on, they knew not whether to tune themselves, or whither to goe, with what joy then shall we thinke that they were fil'd in every part, with what gladnesse may we suppose, that they did triumph, when first this Magneticke Neptune became the guide of their way, which shewing unto them the path they should trace, through quickesands and rockes, they might discerne and distinguish, even in the darkest night, and most cloudy skie, the severall angles of the North, and the South, the East and the West, and might most certainely judge in what coasts of the world, in what Latitude, yea, and wanting but a litt…e, in what Longitude of places they were, as also into what parts of the earth, and into what Ports they directed the course of their shipping. Lastly by the Divine benefit of this Mercury or Guide, it came to passe, that they not staying for the pleasant gales of the Westerne wind, did fearelesly hoyse up their sayles, and went beyond the Pilars of Hercules, then those Hands, Continents, Nations and Merchants wares, which lay hid, as altogether unknowne, were discovered by us, and often found out, and at length the whole Circumference of this terrestriall Globe, was in our memory severall times sayled about by Francis Drake, Thomas Cavendish, and other noble spirits, which thing in former times, as it was thought impossible, so it was never heard of; Before that the light of the Gospell was revealed unto men, God suffered all people, in the Generations past,Acts 14.16. Eph. 4.18. to wander in their owne wayes, having their cogitations darkened and estranged from the life of God, by reason of the ignorance and vanity of mind that was in them, for Philosophy doth but deceive the children and Schollers she brings up, and vouchsafeth to be their companion and guide of their way in prosperity onelyonly, but vanishing as a blazing starre or lightning, in the time of adversity and perplexity, she forsakes them in the shadow of death, and leaves them destitute of comfort; If it asswage their maladies at any time, it never cures them. If it draw a skinne perchance on their scarres, notwithstanding it heales not within, Christ alone, who is the Light of the world, (the Way, the Life, and the Truth,) delivers those that are his, from wandring and wavering, hee leads them into all truth, reveales unto them, the mysteries of salvation, laies open the secrets of the old Testament, he alone replenisheth his servāts with joy and peace, that surpasseth all understānding, when they are in tribulations & imprisonmens, when they are tormented with fires & racks; he alone brings immortality to light, wherewith he comforts his own people in the point of death, he alone by the lightsome Lanterne of his word, directeth their goings, and their feet in all his wayes, to which they should have well done, if they had taken heed, as unto a light that shineth in a darke place, untill the day dawne,2 Pet. 1. and the daystarre should arise in their hearts:2 Thes. 2. but because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved, therefore God sent them strong delusions, that they should beleeve lyes, old wives tales, and foolish dreams of Monks. And lastly, that taking rooten Traditions, leaden Legends, for Oracles of faith, and the blind leading the blind, they should fall againe into the bottomlesse pit of errours, wherein the whole world lay drowned, for some hundred; of years, untill again it pleased the Father of mercies, almost in the same passage of time, wherein he shewed the use of the Loadstone, to restore the light of his Gospell, to dispell the mists of Popery, to discover the deceits of Antichrist, to reforme his Church upon earth, and in conclusion to kindle againe the light of his Word, which we doe with all humble reverence, beseech him againe, and againe, to conserve unextinguished untill his glorious comming to Judgement.