A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 39
CHAP. XXXIX. Examples of Fidelity.
COmmended, Mat. 24. 45. & 25. 21. Prov. 25. 13. Psal. 15. 4. & 31. 23. & 101. 6. Prov. 13. 17. & 14. 5. & 28. 20. Luk. 12. 42.
Commanded, 1 Cor. 4. 2. 1 Tim. 3. 11. Jerem. 23. 28.
Highly prized, Psal. 12. 1. Prov. 11. 13. & 20. 6. & 27. 6. Luke 16. 10, &c. & 19. 17.
Scriptural examples: Abrahams servant, Gen. 24. David to Jonathan. 1 Sam. 20. 15. with 2 Sam. 9. 1. Jacob to Laban, Gen. 31. 38, &c. Jonathan to David, 1 Sam. 18. 3, &c. Jehoiadah to Joash, 2 King. 11. 4, &c. Mordecai, Ester. 2. 22. A woman, 2 Sam 17. 19, &c. Rahab with the spies, Ios. 2. 4, &c. The workmen about the Temple, 2 Kings 12. 15. Moses, Num. 12. 7. Nehemiah. chap. 7. 2. Daniel, chap. 6. 4. Onesimus, Col. 4. 9. Timothy, 1 Cor. 4. 17. Tichicus, Eph. 6. 21. Col. 4. 7. Epaphras, Col. 1. 7. Sylvanus, 1 Pet. 5. 12. Josiah's workmen, 2 King. 22. 7. Gains, 3 Iohn 5. Joseph, Gen. 39. 8.
Other examples: The Romanes so highly esteemed of Faith in all their publick affaires, that in their City, they had a Temple dedicated to it, and for more reverence-sake offered sacrifice to the image of Faith.
Attilius Regulus, General of the Romane Army against the Carthaginians, being overcome was taken prisoner, after which being sent to Rome upon his Parole with conditions of peace which he judged dishonourable, he first disswaded his Citizens from accepting of them, and then to keep his oath returned to the Carthaginians, though he was sure to die a painful death. Tul. de offic.
Pontius Centurio, a Captaine of Caesars being taken by Scipio, Pompey's father in Law, had his life offered him with an honourable place in Pompey's Army if he would leave Caesar, and serve Pompey: But he stoutly answered Scipio, that though he thanked him greatly for his kinde offer, yet that he would not accept of life upon such unequal conditions, choosing rather to die then to falsifie his faith to Caesar.
Themistocles being banished Athens by his ungrateful Citizens, was forced to flie to his mortal enemy Artaxerxes for refuge, with whom he found great favour, and having continued a while with him, Artaxerxes went to warre against the Athenians, and would needs have Themistocles to go along with him: Themistocles was content upon condition that the King would sweare to him that without him he would not go into Greece: this Artaxerxes assents to; whereupon Themistocles making a great feast, and inviting his friends to it, the feast being ended, he drank a draught of bulls blood, and so poisoned himself, by this means shewing his faithfulnesse to his City, which had been so ungrateful to him: for he prevented the Kings going against it by reason of his oath, and rather chose death then that himself would act any thing against it. Diodorus.
King Porsenna making peace with the Romanes, amongst other conditions this was one, that the Romans should deliver to him ten young Noble mens sons, and ten of their daughters for hostages, which was accordingly done, and Publicola's daughter called Valeria, was one of them; within few days after these ten Virgins went to the river Tyber to wash themselves: where, being freed from their guard, they had a great desire to escape over the river, though it was very deepe, and ranne with a swift streame, and so to get home; and Caelia venturing first upon her horses back, encouraged the others, and so they gat all safe over, and went, and presented themselves to Publicola; but he was so farre from countenancing them in their escape, that he immediately sent them back to Porsenna: when they came back, Porsenna asked which of them it was that had first adventured to swim the river? and being shewed Caelia, he sent for one of his best horses, and richest furniture, and bestowed it upon her. Plut.
Darius Junior accounted nothing more sacred then faithfully to keep, and performe all his Leagues, Covenants▪ and Promises, Xenophon.
Ptolemy King of Egypt besieging Tyrus, sent to Andronicus the Governour to surrender it to him: Andronicus returned answer, that he would by no meanes be brought to violate his faith given to Antigonus for whom he kept the City, withal adding divers reproachful speeches against Ptolemy: but shortly after his souldiers mu…ining, bound him, and delivered him up to Ptolemy, who instead of punishing him; gave him great gifts for his fidelity, and made him one of his chief friends. Diod Sic.
Fabius Maximus having contracted with Hanibal for the redemption of the Romane Captives, sent to Rome for the money; but the Senate refused to give it: whereupon Fabius sold all his own land, that so he might performe his Covenant with his enemies. Aurel. Victor.
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful in the Land, &c.
Psal. 101. 6.