The Holy State, Book 3 · Chapter 21
CHAP. 21. Of Gravity.
GRavity is the ballast of the soul, which keeps the mind steddy. It is either true, or counterfeit.
Naturall dulnesse, Maxime 1and heavinesse of temper, is sometimes mistaken for true Gravity. In such men in whose constitutions one of the tetrarch Elements fire may seem to be omitted. These sometimes not onelyonly cover their defects, but get praise:
Saepe latet vitium proximitate boni.
They do wisely to counterfeit a reservednesse, and to keep their chests alwayes lock'd, not for fear any should steal treasure thence, but lest some should look in, and see that there is nothing within them. But they who are born Eunuchs deserve no such great commendation for their chastity. Wonder not so much that such men are grave, but wonder at them if they be not grave.
Affected Gravity passes often for that which is true:2 I mean with dull eyes, for in it self nothing is more ridiculous. When one shall use the preface of a mile, to bring in a furlong of matter, set his face and speech in a frame, and to make men believe it is some pretious liquour, their words come out drop by drop: Such mens visards do sometimes fall from them, not without the laughter of the beholders. One was called Gravity for his affected solemnesse, who afterwards being catch'd in a light prank was ever after to the day of his death called Gravity-levity.
True Gravity expresseth it self in Gate, 3Gesture, Apparell, and Speech. Vox *Ambros. de offic. lib. 1. cap. 18.quaedam est animi, corporis motus. As for Speech, Gravity enjoyns it,
1 Not to be over much. In *Prov 10 19.the multitude of words there wanteth not sinne. For of necessity many of them must be idle, whose best commendation is that they are good for nothing. Besides, *Greg moral. l…b. 7. cap. 17.Dum otiosa verba cavere negligimus, ad noxia pervenimus. And great talkers discharge too thick to take alwayes true aim; besides, it is odious in a company. A man full of words, who took himself to be a Grand wit, made his brag that he was the leader of the discourse in what company soever he came, and None, said he, dare speak in my presence, if I hold my peace. No wonder, answered one, for they are all struck dumbe at the miracle of your silence.
2 To be wise and discreet, Colossians 4.6. Let your speech be alwayes with grace, seasoned with salt. Alwayes, not onelyonly sometimes in the company of godly men. *Fox Martyrs, pag. 1079.Tindals being in the room hindred a juggler that he could not play his feats: (A Saints presence stops the devils elbow-room to do his tricks) and so some wicked men are awed into good discourse, whilest pious people are present. But it must be alwayes seasoned with salt, which is the primum vivens & ultimum moriens at a feast, first brought, and last taken away, and set in the midst as most necessary thereunto. With salt, that is with wisdome and discretion, non salibus, sed sale; nor yet with smarting jeeres, like those whose discourse is fire-salt, speaking constant satyrs to the disgrace of others.
4That may be done privately without breach of Gravity, which may not be done publickly. As when a father makes himself his childs rattle, sporting with him till the father hath devour'd the wiseman in him.
Equitans in arundine longa.
In stead of stately steed,
Riding upon a reed.
Making play unto him, that one would think he kill'd his own discretion, to bring his child asleep. Such cases are no trespasse on Gravity, and married men may claim their priviledge, to be judged by their Peeres, and may herein appeal from the censuring verdict of batchelours.
Nature in men is sometimes unjustly taxed for a trespasse against Gravity. 5Some have active spirits, yea their ordinary pace is a race. Others have so scornfull a carriage, that he who seeth them once may think them to be all pride, whilest he that seeth them often knows them to have none. Others have perchance a misbeseeming garb in gesture which they cannot amend; that fork needing strong tines wherewith one must thrust away nature. A fourth sort are of a merry cheerfull disposition; and God forbid all such should be condemned for lightnesse. O let not any envious eye disinherit men of that which is their *Eccles 7.18.Portion in this life, comfortably to enjoy the blessings thereof. Yet Gravity must prune though not root out our mirth.
Gratious deportment may sometimes unjustly be accused of lightnesse. 6Had one seen David *2. Sam 6.16.dancing before the Ark, *1. Kings 18.42.Eliah in his praying-posture when he put his head betwixt his legs, perchance he might have condemn'd them of unfitting behaviour. Had he seen *Iohn 20.14.Peter and John posting to Christs grave, *Acts. 12.14Rhodia running into the house, he would have thought they had left their Gravity behind them. But let none blame them for their speed untill he knows what were their spurres, and what were the motives that urged them to make such haste. These their actions were the true conclusions, following from some inward premisses in their own souls; and that may be a syllogisme in grace, which appears a solecisme in manners.
In some persons Gravity is most necessary. 7Viz. in Magistrates and Ministers. One *Scaliger de subtil. pag 18.Palevizine an Italian Gentleman, and kinsman to Scaliger, had in one night all his haire chang'd from black to gray. Such an alteration ought there to be in the heads of every one that enters into Holy Orders, or Publick Office, metamorphos'd from all lightnesse to Gravity.
8God alone is the giver of true Gravity. No man wants so much of any grace as he hath to spare; and a constant impression of Gods omnipresence is an excellent way to fix mens souls. Bishop Andrews ever placed the picture of *Vid. in the funerall serm. on him, pag. 18.Mulcaster his Schoolmaster over the doore of his study (whereas in all the rest of his house you should scarce see a picture) as to be his Tutour and Supervisour. Let us constantly apprehend Gods being in presence, and this will fright us into staied behaviour.