A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 89
CHAP. LXXXIX. Prudence, Wisdom, Policy.
IT's spoken of as wordly, Isa. 3. 2. Matth. 11. 25▪ 1 Cor. 1. 19.
As spiritual, 1 Sam. 16. 18.
In opinion, Prov. 3. 7. & 26. 12. & 28. 11. Isa. 5. 21. & 10. 13.
Properties of the prudent: He covereth shame, Prov. 12. 16. concealeth knowledge to utter it seasonably, Prov. 12. 23. dealeth with knowledge, Prov. 13. 16. understands his way, Prov. 14. 8. regards reproof▪ Prov. 15. 1. encreaseth knowledge by his lips, Prov. 16. 21. foresees the evil, and hides himself, Prov. 22. 3.
Scriptural Examples of men: Abraham, Gen. 1…. 9. & 25. 5, 6. Jacob, Gen. 30. 32. & 32. 3, 7. Joseph, Gen. 40. 14. & 41. 33, 38. Jethro, Exod. 18. 19. Jotham, Judg. 9. 7. Gileadites, Judg. 12. 5, 6. David, 1 Sam. 16. 18. & 18. 5, 24. & 21. 13. Solomon, 1 King. 3. 9. 25, &c. Rehoboam's old Counsellors, 1 King. 12. 7. Jehoiadah, 2 King. 11. 42. 2 Chron. 23. 1. Hezekiah, Isa. 36. 21. 2 Chron. 32. 3▪ Nehemiah, Ch. 2. 12. Mordecai, Esth. 4. 13. Ser. Paulus, Act. 13. 7. St. Paul▪ Act. 16. 37. & 21. 25. & 23. 6, 17.
Wise women: Rahab, Jos. 2. 4. Abigail, 1 Sam. 25. 18, 13. the Tekohite, 2 Sam. 14. 2. the Abelite, 2 Sam. 20. 16. Bathsheba, 1 King. 1. 15. Prov. 31. Esther, Ch. 4. 11.
Agesilaus having overthrown the Persians in a great battel, caused all the captives which were bravely clad to be stripped naked, and their garments to be sold on the one side, and the naked persons on the other, that so his Souldiers might see the soft, and …ffeminate bodies of their adversaries, and gather courage thereby, and when his Souldiers bought up all the rich garments, but sl…ighted the persons as uselesse, he said unto them; But these are they against whom ye fight, and the other for which ye fight. Xenoph.
Lysander King of Sparta a gallant General, and very Politick used to say, That where the Lions skin would not suffice, it was meet to put the Foxes skin upon it. Xenoph.
Antipater who was counted the wisest King that then lived, had a daughter called Phila, who was so wise a maid, that her father would oft consult with her about his weightiest affaires, and when she was afterwards married, first to Craterus, and then to Demetrius, she was admired for her wisdom; if the Souldiers at any time mutined in the Camp, she by her wisdome could quiet them. Poor Maids she disposed of in marriage upon her own costs: many that were in danger upon false accusations, she by her prudence set them free, &c. and yet when Demetrius her husband was beaten out of the Kingdome of Macedon, and deserted by his Souldiers, she could not bear the disgrace, but poisoned her self. Justin. Plut.
Pulcheria the sister of Theodosius junior, observing her brothers rashnesse in signing Warrants and Orders without ever reading of them, used this Policy to amend it. She frames a Warrant in the Emperour's name, whereby he makes his wife Eudocia handmaid to his sister Pulcheria; and brings it to him, which he presently sets his hand to: and thereupon she perswades Eudocia to come, and remain with her for a certain time: At last the Emperour sends for his wife; Pulcheria resuses to let her go, challenging her to be her servant by the Emperour's own order: which he reading, repented of his rashnesse, and was made more wary. Hist. Imp.
A stout Souldier under Alexaender M. finding it a very difficult thing to get admission into the King's presence whereby he might make himself known to him, put feathers into his nose, and eares, and danced about the Court in an antick fashion, till the strangenesse of the shew brought the King himself to be a spectator: Then this Mimmick throwing off his disguise; Sir, (said he) I thus at first arrive at your Majesties notice in the fashion of a Fool: But can do you service in the place of a wise man, if you please to imploy me. Holy State.
A certain Duke of Bavaria each morning before he went to his Diet, used to call his servant to bring him water in a Bason in the bottom whereof was stamped in gold the picture of Cato Major, that so he might cause the impression of his Image to be fixed in his mind, the imitation of whose virtues he had prudently proposed for his practice.