A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 57 – Chapter 58
CHAP. LVII. Examples of Constancy.
COmmanded, 1 Chron. 28. 7. …it. 3. 8. Gal. 5. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 1. Heb. 13. 9. Jam. 1. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2 Pet. 3. 17. 2 Tim. 3. 14. Rev. 2. 10.
Commended, Prov. 21. 28. Heb. 12. 3. Rom. 11. 22.
Exhorted to, 1 Cor. 16. 13. Eph. 4. 14, 15. … Tim. 3 14. Heb. 12. 1. & 13. 9. Mat. 10. 22. & 24. 13. Phil. 4. 1. Rev. 3. 11.
Scriptural Examples, Joshua, ch. 24 15. Ruth, ch. 1. 15. Levites, 2 Chron. 11. 13. Josiah, 2 Chron. 34. 2. Jewes, Ezra 3. 3. David, Psal. 119. 157. John Baptist, Mat. 11. 7. Luke 7. 24. Paul, Acts 20. 23, 24. 2 Tim. 4. 7. Antipas, Rev. 2. 13. Angel Rev. 2. 13. Disciples, Luke 22. 28. Hebrews, chap. 10. 32, 34. Dionysius, &c. Acts 17. 34. Jewes and Proselytes, Acts 13. 43.
Other Examples: Aristides is an admirable example of constancy, of whom Phlutarch writes that amidst all the changes which befell the Athenians in his time, he remained alwayes the same; for honours never puffed him up with pride, nor adversity never made him impatient: For when AEschylus the Poet in the publick Amphytheater made verses in his commendation, and thereupon the eyes of all the people were fixed upon him, he was nothing affected, or puffed up with it: neither at other times was he afflicted at the reproaches, and indignities of his enemies: He used to say, That it was the part of a good Citizen, only to rejoyce in his good speeches, and actions. Plut.
Nero being weary of his wife Octavia the daughter of Claudius, by whom he had the Empire, charged her with adultery, and Pythias one of her women, was miserably tormented upon the rack, to extort a confession against her imperial Lady, but she left this memorable Example of loyal constancy: Tigellinus, Nero's instrument of cruelty, sitting in Commission at the rack, demanded of her some immodest▪ questions about her Lady Octavia: But she being raised above fear, or paine by honest courage, did spit into his face, saying, that Octavia was honester in her womans parts, then his mouth. Suet.
Phocion the Athenian was semper idem▪ alwayes the same, neither favour, nor fear altering him: the Oracle declaring that there was one man that was an enemy to the concord of the City: when the enraged people enquired after him, he said, Pray you be quiet, I am the man whom ye seek, for there are none of your doings that please me: Athens was at this time in her dotage. Afterwards being chosen Captaine of the Athenians against the Macedonians: he seeing that his cowardly souldiers were only valiant in their tongues, wisely forbore fighting, and made a peace: afterwards being upbraided, as if he had done it through cowardice, he answered: You are happy that you had a Captaine that knew you well enough, otherwise you had all perished before this. At another time, when Demosthenes that rode the people by his flattery, told Phocion, that the Athenians would kill him, when they began to be mad. But, said Phocion, they will kill thee, when they begin to be wise. Lipsius.
Saint Ambrose Bishop of Millaine being besieged in his Church by the Emperour Valentinian junior, at the instigation of Justina his mother, an Arian, the Emperour commanded him to come forth of the Church, intending▪ to deliver it to the Arians: But Ambrose told him that he would never come out of it willingly, neither would betray his sheepfold to the wolvs, nor his Church to such as were blasphemers of God; Therefore (saith he) if thou wilt kill me, come in, and thrust me through, either with thy sword, or speare, which death will be very grateful unto me. Theod.
Valerianus Bishop of H…benza in Africa being commanded by Genserick an Arian King of the Vandals, to deliver up to him the books of the Sacred Scripture, and other vessels belonging to the Church, he rather chose, being eighty years old, to be stripped naked, and driven out of the City where he lay amongst the dunghills till he perished. Sige. Chron.
Hormisdas a Nobleman of Persia professing Christianity in the time of a great persecution, was called before the King Varanes, who sharply chid him, threatening him with death, if he persisted therein: To whom Hormisdas, constantly answered: That which you command me (O King) is wicked, and therefore I may not abjure the God of the whole world, to procure your Majesties favour: For a crime committed against his Majesty, is farre greater then disobedience to you. Niceph.
Constance the third could neither prevaile by promises, nor threats, with Martin Bishop of Rome to confirme the heresie of the Monothelites, he choosing banishment rather then thus to sinne against God. Fulgos.
Publius Rutilius shewed his excellent constancy, when being requested by a friend to do for him a thing which was unjust, he refused to do it, whereupon his friend said, What am I the better for thy friendship, if thou wilt not do for me so small a courtesie, when it is desired of thee? To whom he answered: And what am I the better for such a friend, as requests of me such unjust things. Val. l. 6. c. 4.
Pomponius a Knight of Rome fighting in the Army of Lucullus against Mithridates was wounded, and taken prisoner, and being brought before Mithridates, he said to him, If I take care for the cure of thy wounds, wilt thou be my friend? To whom Pomponius answered, Not except thou beest a friend to the people of Rome. Fulgos.
Marc. Brutus warring in Lusitania, when he had conquered almost the whole Countrey, only the City of Cyania stood out against him, he sent Ambassadours to them, proffering them a great summe of gold to deliver up their City to him: To whom they answered with admirable constancy: Our fathers left us swords wherewith to defend our liberty, not gold, nor rich gifts wherewith to redeem our selves from our enemies. Eras. Apoth.
C. Mevius a Captaine of Augustus Caesars, having often fought valiantly against Mark Anthony, was at last circumvented, taken prisoner, and carried before Anthony, who asked him, what he would have him to determine about him? To whom Mevius most constantly answered: Command my throat to be cut, seeing I am resolved neither for the hope of life, nor for the fear of death to forsake Caesar, nor to serve thee. Val. Max.
See more in the Chapter of Valour and Magnanimity.
CHAP. LVIII. Examples of Inconstancy, Unstableness.
SPoken of, Jam. 1. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 14. & 3. 16.
Reuben is said to be so, Gen. 49. 4.
The Athenians who a little before had given divine honours to King Demetrius, and in a most base manner flattered him, during his great victories: when they heard of his overthrow by Ptolemy King of Egypt, and that he was coming to them for succour, they sent some to meet him, to charge him that he should not, come neere their coasts, for that they had made a decree that no King should come into Athens. Plut. Justin.
Caius Caligula the Romane Emperour was of such an inconstant nature, that none knew how to carry themselves towards him. Sometimes he delighted in multitude of society: other sometimes in solitarinesse. Sometimes he used to be angry when any thing was begged of him, other times because nothing. Many wicked men he suffered to go unpunished, when in the meane time he was extreme cruel to the good, and innocent. To his enemies he would be merciful, and to his friends inexorable, &c. Sueto.
Ratholdus Captaine of the Frisons being converted to the knowledge of the truth by the Ministery of Wolfranius Bistop of Seanes, was contented to be baptized by him: But when he had one foot in the Font; He asked the Bishop, where his ancestors were? whether in heaven or hell? the Bishop answered, that no doubt they were in hell, for that none of them had the knowledge of Christ: Hereupon Wolfranius pulled his foot out of the Font, saying, I also will then go to hell where my predecessors are, choosing rather to be in that place where are most, then where are fewest. Fulgos.
Tertullian who had been famous both for his life, and learning, and had written many things excellently in defence of the truth: At the last being disgraced by some of the Romane Clergy, took such offence at it, that he forsook the truth, and imbraced the Heresie of Montanus, and wrote against the truth. See his life in my first Part.
See the example of Pendleton in my English Martyrology. And of Doctor Perne.
Pausanias King of the Lacedemonians, fought many succesful battels in Asia against Xerxes: yet at last through inconstancy, degenerated into the Asian luxury, and proffered to deliver up the government of Sparta into Xerxes his hands, if he would give him his daughter in marriage. Val. Max.
M. Otho the Emperour in his younger dayes was given to all manner of loosenesse, and licentiousnesse: But when he was made Governour of Lusitania, he ruled it with admirable justice, which made all men to wonder at him: But afterwards being chosen Emperour, he returned to his former debauchery, yet before his death, reformed it again. Fulgos.
Seneca that wrote so excellently in the commendation of moral virtues, yet himself allowed his Scholar Nero to commit incest with his own mother Agrippina: And when he wrote against Tyranny, himselfe was Schoolmaster to a Tyrant: And when he reproved others for frequenting the Emperours Court, himself was scarce ever out of it: And when he reproached flatterers, himself practised it in a shameful manner towards the Queens, and Freedmen: whilst he inveighed against riches, and rich men, he heaped together infinite riches by usury, and unjust dealings: And whilst he condemned Luxury in others, himself had five hundred costly chaires made of Cedar, their feet of Ivory, and all other things answerable. Xiphil. in vita Neromis.