Good Thoughts in Bad Times, Part 3

Good Thoughts in Bad Times · Part 3

p. 126HISTORICALL Applications.

I

THe English Embassadour some yeers since, prevailed so farre with the Turkish Emperour, as to perswade him to hear some of our English Musick, from which (as from all p. 127other liberal Sciences) both He & his Nation were naturally averse. But it happned that the Musitians were so long in tuning their Instruments, that the Great Turk distasting their Tediousnesse, went away in discontent, before their Musick began. I am affraid, that the differences, and dissentions betwixt Christian Churches, (being so long in p. 128reconciling their discords) will breed in Pagans, such a disrelish of our Religion, as they will not be invited to attend thereunto.

II.

A Sibill came to Tarquinius superbus King of Rome, and ***M. Varro, Solinus, Plinius, Halicar. &c. offered to sell unto him three Tomes of her Oracles: But He, counting the price p. 129too high, refused to buy them. Away she went, and burnt one Tome of them. Returning, she asketh him, whether he would buy the two remaining at the same Rate; He refuseth again, counting her little better then frantick. Thereupon She burns the second Tome. And peremptorily asked him, whether he would give the Summe demanded p. 130for the all three, for the one Tome remaining; Otherwise she would burn that also, and He would dearly repent it. Tarquin, admiring at her constant Resolution, and conceiving some extraordinary worth contained therein, gave her Her Demand. There are three Volumes of M…ns Time; Youth, Mans Estate, and Old Age; and Ministers p. 131advise them, **Ephes. 5.16.Eph 5:16redeem this Time. But men conceive the Rate they must give, to be unreasonable, because it will cost them the Renouncing of their Carnall Delights. Hereupon one Third Part of their Life (Youth) is consumed in the fire of Wantonnesse. Again, Ministers Counsell men to redeem the remaining Volumes of their Life. They are p. 132but derided at for their pa…nes. And Mans Estate is also cast away in the smoak of Vanity. But Preachers ought to presse peremptorily on old People, to redeem, now, or never, the last Volume of their Life. Here is the difference: The Sibill still demanded but the same Rate for the rem…ining Book; But aged Folk (because of their custom in sining) p. 133will find it harder and dearer, to redeem this, the last Volume, then if they had been Chapmen for all three at the first.

III.

IN Merianith Shire in **Giraldus Cambrensis. & Cambder, in the description of th…t shire.Wales, there be many Mountains whose hanging Top come so close together, that shepheards, sitting on severall p. 134Mountains may audibly discourse one with another. And yet they must go many miles, before their Bodies can meet together, by the reason of the vast hollow Valleys which are betwixt them. Our Soveraign, and the Members of his Parliament, at London, seem very neer agreed, in their Generall and Publike Professions; Both are for the Protestant p. 135Religion; Can they draw neerer? Both are for the Priviledges of Parliament; Can they come closer? Both are for the Liberty of the Subject; Can they meet Evener? And yet, alas, there is a great Gulf, and vast distance betwixt them which our sinnes have made, and God grant that our Sorrow may seasonably make it up again.

p. 136IV.

WHen Iohn, King of France, had Communicated the Order of the Knighthood of the Star, to some of his Guard, Men of mean Birth and Extraction, the Nobility ever after disdained to be admitted into that degree, and so that Order in France, was extinguished. Seeing that p. 137now adayes, drinking, and Swea…ing, and Wantonnesse, are grown frequent, even with base beggerly People, It is high Time, for men of Honour, who Consult with their Credit, to desist from such sinnes. Not that I would have Noble Men, invent New vices, to be in Fashion with themselves alone: But forsake Old Sinnes, grown p. 138common with the meanest of People.

V.

LOng was this Land wasted with Civill Warre, betwixt the two Houses of York and Lancaster, till the red Rose became white with the Blood it had lost, and the white Rose, Red, with the Blood it had shed. At last, They were united in a happy p. 139Marriage, and their joynt-Titles are …wisted together in our Gracious Soveraign. Thus there hath been a Great difference betwixt learned Men, wherein the dominion over the Creature is founded. Some putting it in Nature, others placing it in Grace. But the true Servants of God have an unquestioned Right thereunto. Seeing both Nature and p. 140Grace, the first and Second Adam, Creation, and Regeneration are contained in them. Hence their Claime is so clear, their Title is so true, Ignorance cannot doubt it, Impudence dare not deny it.

VI.

THe Roman Senators conspired against Iulius Caesar to kill him: That very p. 141next morning Artemido…us, **Plutarch. in Iul. Caesar.Caesar's friend, delivered him a Paper, (desiring him to peruse it,) wherein the whole plot was discovered: But Caesar complemented his life away, being so taken up, to return the salutations of such People as met him in the way, that he pocketed the Paper, among other Petitions, as unconcerned therein, and so going p. 142to the Senate house, was slain. The World, Flesh, and Devill have a designe for the destruction of men. We Ministers, bring our People a Letter, Gods Word, wherein all the Conspiracy is revealed. But who hath believed our Report? Most men are so busie about worldly delights, they are not at leisure to listen to us, or read the Letter, but p. 143thus, alas, runne headlong to their own Ruine and Destruction.

VII.

IT is reported of Philip the Second, King of Spain, That besieging the Town of St. Quintine, and being to make a breach, he was forced with his Cannon to batter down a small Chappell on the p. 144Wall, dedicated to Saint Laurence. In Reparation to which Saint, he afterwards built and Consecrated unto him that famous Chappell in the Escariall in Spain, for workmanship, one of the wonders in the World. How many Churches and Chappels of the God of Saint Laurence, have been laid waste in England, by this wofull Warre. And which is p. 145more, (and more to be lamented) how many living Temples of the Holy Ghost, Christian People, have therein been causelesly and cruelly destroyed. How shall our Nation be ever able to make Recompence for it. God of his Goodnesse forgive us that Dept which we of our selves are not able to satisfie.

p. 146VIII.

IN the dayes of King **Sir Iohn Heywood▪ in the life of Edward the 6.Edward the sixt, the L. Protector march't with a Powerfull Army into Scotland, to demand their young Queen Mary in Marriage to our King, according to their Promises. The Scotch refusing to do it, were beaten by the English in Musl…borough fight. One demanded of a p. 147Scotch Lord, (taken Prisoner in the Battell) Now Sir, how do you like our Kings Marriage with your Queen. I alwayes, (quoth he) did like the Marriage, But I do not like the wooing, that you should fetch a Bride with Fire and Sword. It is not enough for men to propound Pious Proj…cts to themselves, if they go about by indirect Courses to compasse p. 148them. Gods own Work must be done by Gods own wayes. Otherwise we can take no Comfort in obtaining the end, if we cannot justifie the means used thereunto.

IX.

A Sagamore, or petty King in Virginia, guessing the Greatnesse of other Kings by his own, sent a Native hither, who p. 149understood English. Commanding him to score upon a Long Cane (given him of Purpose to be his Register) the number of English men, that thereby his Master might know the strength of this our Nation. Landing at Plimouth, a Populous Place, (and which he mistook for all England) he had no leisure to eat, for notching up the men he met. At p. 150Exeter, the difficulty of his Task was increased; Coming at last to London (that Forest of People) he brake his Cane in Pieces, perceiving the impossibility of his imployment. Some may conceive that they can reckon up the Sinnes they commit in one day. Perchance they may make hard Shifts to Summe up their notorious ill deeds: More difficult it is, to p. 151score up their wicked words. But O how infinite are their idle thoughts! High Time then, to leave off counting, and cry out with **Psal. 19.12.Ps 19:12David, Who can tell how oft he offendeth, Lord cleanse me from my secret sinnes.

X.

MArtin de Golin, **Munsters Cosmography 3. Book. Page 878Master of the Teutonick Order, was taken Prisoner by the Prusians, and delivered p. 152bound, to be beheaded. But he perswaded his Executioner (who had him alone) first to take off his Costly Cloaths, which otherwise would be spoil'd with the sprinckling of his Blood. Now the Prisoner, being partly unbound, to be uncloath'd, and finding his Arms somewhat loos'ned, strake the Executioner to the Ground, kil'd him p. 153afterwards with his own sword, and so regained both his life and Liberty. **Iohn 16 33.John 16:33Christ hath Overcome the World, and delivered it to Us, to destroy it. But we are all Achans by Nature; and the Babylonish Garment is a Bait for our Covetousnesse: Whil'st therefore we seek to take the Plunder of this World's Wardrobe, we let go the Mastery we had formerly p. 154of it. And too often, that which Christ's Passion made our Captive, our Folly makes our Conquerour.

XI.

I Read how Pope **Cambden Brit: in Kent.Pius the fourth, had a great Ship richly Loaden, Landded at Sandwich in Kent, where it suddenly sunck, and so, with the Sands, choaked up the Harbour, that ever p. 155since that place hath been deprived of the benefit thereof. I see that happinesse, doth not alwayes attend the Adventures of his Holinesse. Would he had carried away his Ship, and left us our Harbour. May his Spirituall Merchandize never come more into this Island, But rather sinck in Tiber, then Saile thus farre, bringing so small Good, and so great p. 156Annoyance. Sure he is not so happy in opening the doors of Heaven, as he is unhappy to obstruct Havens on Earth.

XII.

Gualterus Mappaeus de nugis Curialium.IEffery Arch-Bishop of York, and base Son to King Henry the second, used proudly to protest by his faith, and the Royalty of the King his Father. To whom one said, You may sometimes, Sir, p. 157as well remember what was the honesty of your Mother. Good men when puffed up with Pride, for their heavenly Extraction, and Paternall descent, how they are Gods Sonnes by Adoption, may seasonably call to mind, the Corruption which they carry about them. **Iob. 17.14.Job 17:14I have said to the worm, thou art my Mother. And this Consideration, will temper their p. 158Soules with humility.

XIII.

I Could both Sigh, and Smile, at the Simplicity of a Native American, sent by a Spaniard, his Master, with a Basket of Figgs, and a Letter (wherein the Figgs were mentioned) to carry them both to one of his Masters friends. By the way, this Messenger eat up the Figgs, but delivered p. 159the Letter, whereby his deed was discovered, and he soundly punished. Being sent a Second Time on the like Message, he first took the Letter (which he conceived had Eyes, as well as a Tongue) and hid it in the Ground, sitting himself on the place where he put it; and then securely fell to feed on his Figgs, presuming that that Paper which saw nothing, p. 160could tell nothing. Then taking it again out of the ground, he delivered it to his Masters Friend, whereby his fault was perceiv'd, and he worse beaten then before. Men Conceive they can manage their sinnes with Secresie. But they carry about them a Letter, or Book rather, written by Gods Finger, their **Rom. 2.15.Rom 2:15Conscience, bearing witnesse p. 161to all their Actions. But sinners being often detected and accused, hereby grow wary at last, and to prevent this speaking Paper for telling any Tales, do Smother, Stifle and Suppresse it, when they go about the Committing of any Wickednesse. Yet Conscience, (though buried for a time in Silence,) hath afterwards a Resurrection, and discovers all to p. 162their greater Shame, and heavier Punishment.

XIV.

IOhn Courcy, Earl of Vlster in Ireland, endeavoured fifteen severall Times, to saile over thither, and so often was beaten back again, with bad Weather. At last he expostulated his Case with God in a **Annales Hybernici, in Anno 1204. & Cambdens Britt. pag. 797.Vision, Complaining of hard Measure, That having built and repaired so p. 163many Monasteries to God and his Saints, he should have so bad successe. It was answered him, That this was but his just Punishment, because he had formerly put out the Image of the **Lawfully I presume to apply a Popish Vision to confute a Popish Practice.Trinity, out of the Cathedrall Church of Down, and placed the picture of Saint Patrick in the room thereof. Surely, God will not hold them Guiltlesse, who justle p. 164him out of his Temple, and give to Saints that Adoration, due alone to his divine Majesty.

XV.

THe Lybians kept all Woemen in Common. But when a Child was born, they used to send it to that Man to maintain (as Father thereof) whom the Infant most resembled in his Complexion. Satan and p. 165my sinfull Nature enter-Common in my soul, in the causing of Wicked Thoughts. The Sonnes by their Faces speak their Syres. Proud, Wanton, Covetous, Envious, Idle thoughts, I must own to come from my self. God forgive me, it is vain to deny it, those Children are so like to their Father. But as for some hideous horrible Thoughts, such as p. 166I start at the Motion of them, being out of the Road of my Corruption, (and yet which way will not that wander?) So that they smell of Hells Brimstone about them: These fall to Satans lot to Father them. The Swarthy Blacknesse of their Complexion plainly shewes who begat them, not being of Mine Extraction, but His Injection.

p. 167XVI.

MArcus Manlius deserved exceedingly well of the Roman State, having valiantly defended their Capitol. But afterward, falling into disfavour with the People, he was Condemned to death. However the People would not be so unthankfull as to su…fer him to be executed in any place, from p. 168whence the Capitoll might be beheld. For the Prospect thereof prompted them with fresh Remembrance of his former merits. At last, they found a low Place, in the **Livie libro Sexto, Cap. 20.Petiline-Grove, by the River-Gate, where no Pinacle of the Capitoll could be perceived, and there he was put to Death. We may admire how men can find in their hearts to sinne against p. 169God. For we can find no one place in the whole world, which is not markt with a Signall Character of his mercy unto us. It was said properly of the Jews, but is not untrue of all Christians, that they are Gods Vineyard. And **Isai. 5.2.Isa 5:2God fenced it, and gathered out the Stones thereof, and planted it with the choisest Vine, and built a Tower in the middest thereof; and also digg'd a p. 170Wine-presse therein. Which way can men look, and not have their Eyes met with the Remembrance of Gods Favour unto them. Look about the Vineyard, it is fenced, look without it, the Stones are cast out; look within it, it is planted with the choisest Vine; look above it, a Tower is built in the midst thereof; look beneath it, a Wine-presse is digg'd. It is impossible p. 171for one to look any way, and to avoid the beholding of Gods Bounty. Ungratefull man! And as there is no place, so there is no time for us to sin, without being at that instant beholden to him. We owe to him that We are, even when we are Rebellious against him.

XVII.

A Duell was to be fought, by consent p. 172of both **Annales Hybernici, in Anno 1204. & Cambdens Britt. pag. 797.Kings betwixt an English, and a French Lord. The aforesaid Iohn Courcy Earl of Vlster, was chosen Champion for the English: A Man of great Stomack and Strength, but lately much weak'ned by long Imprisonment. Wherefore, to prepare himself before hand, the King allowed him what Plenty and Variety of Meat, he was p. 173pleased to eat. But the Monsieur (who was to encounter him) hearing what great Quantity of Victuals Courcy did daily devour, and thence collecting his unusuall Strength, out of fear, refused to fight with him. If by the Standard of their Cups, and Measure of their drinking, one might truly inferre Souldiers Strength by rules of Proportion, most p. 174vast, and valiant Atchievements, may justly be expected from some Gallants of of these times.

XIII.

I Have heard that the Brook neer Lutterworth in Lestershire into which the Ashes of the burnt Bones of Wickliffe were cast. never since doth drown the Meadow about it. Papists expound p. 175this to be, because God was well pleased with the Sacrifice of the Ashes of such a Heretick. Protestants ascribe it rather to proceed from the vertue of the dust of such a Reverent Martyr. I see tis a Case for Friend. Such Accidents signifie nothing in themselves, but according to the pleasure of Interpreters. Give me such Solid reasons, whereon p. 176I may rest and relye. **Eccles. 10.11.Eccl 10:11Salomon saith, The words of the wise are like nailes, fastned by the Masters of the Assembly. A Naile is firm, and will hold driving in, and will hold driven in. Send me such Arguments. As for these Waxen Topicall devises, I shall never think worse or better of any Religion for their Sake.

p. 177XIX.

ALexander the **Plutarch. in the life of Alex. the Great.Great, when a Child, was check'd by his Governour Leonidas, for being overprofuse in spending Perfumes: Because on a day, being to sacrifice to the Gods, he took both his hands full of Frankinsence, and cast it into the fire. But afterwards, being a man, he conquered the Countrey p. 178of Iudaea, (the Fountaine, whence such Spices did flow) he sent Leonidas a Present of five hundred Talents weight of Frankincense, to shew him, how his former Prodigality, made him thrive the better in Successe, and to advise him to be no more niggardy in Divine Service. Thus they that sow plentifully, shall reap plentifully, I see there is no such way p. 179to have a large heart, as to have a large heart. The free giving of the Branches of our present Estate to God, is the readiest means to have the Root increased for the future.

XX.

THe Poets Fable, that this was one of the Labours imposed on Hercules, to make clean the Augeian Stable, or Stall rather. For therein p. 180(they said) were kept three thousand Kine, and it had not been cleansed for thirty yeers together. But Hercules, by letting the River Alpheus into it, did that with ease, which before was conceived impossible. This Stall, is the pure Embleme of my impure Soul, which hath been defiled with Millions of Sinnes, for more then thirty yeers together. p. 181Oh! that I might by a lively faith, and unfeigned repentance, let the Stream of that fountain into my soul, which is opened for Iuda and Ierusalem. It is impossible by all my pains to purge out my uncleannesse. which is quickly done by the Rivolet of the Blood of my Saviour

XXI.

THe Venetians shewed the Treasure p. 182of their State, being in many great Coffers, full of Gold and Silver to the Spanish Ambassadour. But the Ambassadour peeping under the bottome of those Coffers, demanded, Whether that their Treasure did daily grow, and had a Root for such (saith he) my Masters Treasure hath, meaning both his Indies. Many men have attained to a p. 183great height of Piety, to be very abundant & rich therein. But all theirs is but a Cistern, not Fountain-Grace, onelyonly Gods Goodnesse hath a Spring of it self, in it self.

XXII.

THe **Iustin. lib. 18. Pag. 196.Sidonian Servants agreed amongst themselves, to chuse him to be their King, who that morning, should first see the Sunne. Whil'st p. 184all others were gazing on the East, one alone lookt on the West; Some admir'd, more mock't him, as if he look't on the Feet, there to find the Eye of the Face. But he first of all discovered the light of the Sunne, Shining on the Tops of houses. God is seen sooner, easier, clearer in his Operations, then in his Essence. Best beheld by Reflection in his p. 185Creatures. For the invisible things of him, from the Creation of the **…om. 1.20.World, are cleerly seen being understood by the things that are made.

XXIII.

AN Italian Prince, as much delighted with the Person, as grieved with the Prodigality of his eldest Sonne; commanded his Steward to deliver him no more Money, but what the young p. 186Prince should tell his own self. The young Gallant fretted at his heart, that he must buy Money at so dear a Rate, as to have it for telling it. But, (because there was no Remedy) he set himself to his Task, and being greatly tired with telling a small Summe, he brake off into this Consideration. Money may speedily be spent, but how tedious, and troublesome p. 187is it to tell it. And by Consequence how much more difficult to get it. Men may Commit sinne presently, pleasantly, with much Mirth, in a Moment. But O that they would but seriously consider with themselves how many their offences are, and sadly fall a counting them. And if so hard truly to summe their sinnes, sure harder sincerely to sorrow p. 188for them. If to get their number be so difficult, what is it to get their Pardon?

XXIV.

I Know the Village in Cambridge-shire, **Cotenham.wherein there was a Crosse, full of Imagery; Some of the Images were such, as that People, not foolishly factious, but judiciously conscientious, took just exception at them. Hard by, p. 189the Youths of the Town erected a Maypole, and to make it of Proof, against any that should endeavour to cut it down, they armed it with Iron, as high as any could reach. A violent Wind happened to blow it down, which falling on the Crosse, dashed it to pieces. It is possible, what is Counted Prophanesse, may accidentally correct Superstition. p. 190But I could heartily wish that all pretenders to Reformation, would first labour to be good themselves, before they go about the amending of Others.

XXV.

I Read that Aegaeus the Father of **Plutarch. in TheseoTheseus hid a Sword, & a paire of Shooes, under a great Stone. And left word with his wife, (whom he left p. 191with Child) that when the Sonne she should bear, was able to take up that Stone, weild that Sword, and wear those Shooes, then she should send him to him. For by these Signes, he would own him for his own Sonne. Christ hath left in the Custody of the Church, our Mother, the Sword of the Spirit, and the Shooes of a Christian Conversation, the same, p. 192which he once wore himself, and they must fit our Feet, yea, and we must take up the weight of many heavy Crosses, before we can come at them. But when we shall appear before our Heavenly Father, bringing these Tokens with us, then, and not before, he will acknowledge us to be no Bastards but his True-born Children.