A Preparative to Contention, Table of contents – Poem
The whole booke is diſtinguiſhed into 26. Chapters, the Contents whereof are theſe, vz.
CHap. 1. Of the miſery and diſcontentation of worldly men, with the author and cauſe thereof.
Chap. 2 The practiſe of the enemy trobling the church and the common-wealth of England
The ingratitude and diſcontentation of Engliſh-men
Chap. 3 Themal-contented Papist his practiſe, purand daily expectation: how he must be pacified
Chap. 4 The Papist hath taken a bad cauſe in hand
Chap. 5 The B. of Rome is plainly deciphered to be that very Antichrist, Apo. 13
Chap. 6 Mahomet was not that Beast, which Iohn noted vnderunder the number 666: but the number is founde in, certaine words which concerne the B. of Rome, &c.
Chap. 7 The puniſhment of traiterous Papists is iuſtly inflicted, their ſuffrings, and their confuſion with Antichrist
Chap. 8 The fooliſh zeale and ſingular conceits of certaine which iuſtifie themſelues, and contemne others: their deſire of reformation of that they conceyt to be amiſſe.
Chap. 9 The malepertneſſe of certaine priuate perſons which preſume to cenſure the Prince, the Magistrates, and Ministers
Chap. 10 Of certaine proud, curious and diſcontented heads, which diſdaining the plaine ſence of holy ſcriptures, and the iudgement of all the auncient and learned Fathers and wiſemen, do daily hatch ſtraunge opinions, and thrust them into the Church, which they endeuour to rob & throw downe, &c. yet vnderunder a good pretence. Against Polypragmoſyne.
Chap. 11 VVe may not dreame of better euents of our ſtudies, then others hauehave had before vsus: against Innouaſiōs.
Chap. 12 The ambitious perſons, wanting preferment, begin to ſlaunder, condemne and contemne the Magistracy and the lawes: the Prince is to be honoured, and the lawes to be abeyed of good ſubiects
Chap. 13 Sedition is a vile and noyſomething: eueryevery good man knowing the daunger thereof, doth wiſely fly and eſchue it.
Chap. 14 Stop not one inconuenience with another, be thankfull to God, and preuent miſchiefs timely.
Chap. 15. Happy bee they that protest well, and walke accordingly. Three kindes of Protestants
Chap. 16 The examination of ſome particular parts of title Protestants
Chap. 17 The former Argument is continued. Men, being at peace vnderunder a peaceable Prince, waxe weary of wel doing: contemne Religion, &c. Neyther can they take heed by other mens plagues
Chap. 18 An instruction for all Christians. A caueat for Engliſh-men
Chap. 19 There is no ſtate nor condition of man, free of his croſſes and troubles in this life. Of the Prince, of the Magistrate, and diſcontentation of thoſe high States
Chap. 20 The troubles and afflictions of the Miniſter, of the Houſholder, of the Schoolmaſter, of the Scribe, and of other faculties and conditions of men
Chap. 21 Many men are distrasted in the conſideration of the diſorders of this world. Men are in theſe dayes ingratefull for good deſerts. The neceſsitie of inſtruction and good admonitions
Chap. 22 The beſt medicines for the cure of mans maladies, muſt be made of the word of God.
An eſpeciall Comfortatiue for the Magistrate
Chap. 23 Conſolations and inſtructions for the Paſtor
Ca. 24 Comforts to content the Houſholder, the Scribe, and other perſons, in their ſeuerall places
Chap. 25 EueryEvery man is to take the benefit of Time, to keepe himſelfe within the boundes of his owne vocation: to depend on the diuine Prouidence: the vnlike endes of pietie, and impietie.
Chap. 26. VVe ought to acknowledge and ſubmit our ſelues to the power, mercy, and will of God: to eſchew Contention, to reteine Contentation, and to pray to God for ſtrength and opportunitie to performe our duties.
The Argument of this Preparatiue, compoſed of the words of Chriſt.
The Elder Brother was diſpleaſ'd,
and ſtood without, and freated:
Then therefore came his father foorth,
and gently him entreated.
A Valeto to the Praeparatiue.
God guide thee well my Praepratiue,
to peace and Contentation:
Thus now at length, as needfull is,
compoſ'd in contemplation:
The Turke and Pope will freat and threat,
the glorious Phariſee:
The Sectaries, and Sciſmatikes
will burne and baniſh thee.
The Epicures Cyclopicall
will grunt at thee lyke Hogges:
And all the godleſſe Atheiſts will
againſt thee barke as Dogges:
But feare them not, whiles truth and fayth
and reaſon can thee ſtay:
And for thy good ſucceſſe, to God
the Chriſtians true ſhall pray.
Adieu therefore, prepare the mindes
of men, to Contentation:
Eſpecially my Countrey-men,
I meane, the Engliſh Nation.
Vale.