The Holy State, Book 1 – Book 2

The Holy State · Book 1 – Book 2

p. 1The Holy State. THE FIRST BOOK.

CHAP. 1. The good Wife.

S ^t. PAUL to the Colossians chap. 3. vers. 18. first adviseth women to submit themselves to their husbands, and then counselleth men to love their wives. And sure it was fitting that women should first have their lesson given them, because it is hardest to be learned, and therefore they need have the more time to conne it. For the same reason we first begin with the character of a good Wife.

She commandeth her husband in any equall matter, Maxime 1by constant obeying him. It was alwayes observed, that what the English gained of the French in battel by valour, the French regained of the English by cunning in **Comineus lib. 4. cap. 8 & Rodinus. De Repub. lib. 5. p. 782.Treaties: So if the husband should chance by his power in his passion to prejudice his wives right, she wisely knoweth by compounding and complying to recover and rectifie it again.

She never crossetb her husband in the spring-tide of his anger, 2but stayes till it be ebbing-water. And then mildly she argues the matter, not so much to condemn him, as to acquit her self. Surely men, contrary to iron, are worst p. 2to be wrought upon when they are hot; and are farre more tractable in cold bloud. It is an observation of Seamen, **Erasmus Dial. in nausragio.That if a single meteor or fireball falls on their mast, it portends ill luck; but if two come together (which they count Castor and Pollux) they presage good successe: But sure in a family it bodeth most bad, when two firebals (husbands and wives anger) come both together.

3.She keeps home if she hath not her husbands company, or leave for her patent to go abroad: For the house is the womans centre. It is written, Psalm 104.2. The sunne ariseth, —man goeth forth unto his work, and to his labour untill the evening: but it is said of the good woman, Prov. 31.15. She riseth whiles it is yet night: For man in the race of his work starts from the rising of the sunne, because his businesse is without doores, and not to be done without the light of heaven: but the woman hath her work within the house, and therefore can make the sunne rise by lighting of a candle.

4.Her clothes are rather comely then costly, and she makes plain cloth to be velvet by her handsome wearing it. She is none of our dainty dames, who love to appear in variety of sutes every day new, as if a good gown, like a stratageme in warre, were to be used but once: But our good wife sets up a sail according to the keel of her husbands estate; and if of high parentage, she doth not so remember what she was by birth, that she forgets what she is by match.

5.Arcana imperii (her husbands secrets) she will not devulge. Especially she is carefull to conceal his infirmities. If he be none of the wisest, she so orders it that he appears on the publick stage but seldome; and then he hath conn'd his part so well, that he comes off with great applause. If his Forma informans be but bad, she provides him better formas assistentes, gets him wise servants and secretaries.

6.In her husbands absence she is wife and deputy husband, p. 3which makes her double the files of her diligence. At his return he finds all things so well, that he wonders to see himself at home when he was abroad.

Her carriage is so modest, 7.that she dis-heartens wantons not onelyonly to take but even to besiege her chastity. I confesse some desperate men will hope any thing; yea, their shamelesse boldnesse will fasten on impossibilities, measuring other folks badnesse by their own: yet seldome such Salamanders, which live in the fire of lust, dare approch, without seeing the smoke of wantonnesse in looks, words, apparell, or behaviour. And though charity commands me to beleeve, that some women which hang out signes, notwithstanding will not lodge strangers; yet these mock-guests are guilty in tempting others to tempt them.

In her husbands sicknesse she feels more grief then she shews. 8.Partly that she may not dis-hearten him; and partly because she is not at leisure to seem so sorrowfull, that she may be the more serviceable.

Her children, 9.though many in number, are none in noyse, steering them with a look whither she listeth. When they grow up, she teacheth them not pride but painfulnesse, making their hands to clothe their backs, and them to wear the livery of their own industry. She makes not her daughters Gentlewomen before they be women, rather teaching them what they should pay to others, then receive from them.

The heaviest work of her servants she maketh light, 10.by orderly and seasonable enjoyning it: Wherefore her service is counted a preferment, and her teaching better then her wages. Her maids follow the president of their mistresse, live modestly at home. One askt a grave Gentlewoman, How her maids came by so good husbands, and yet seldome went abroad; Oh, said she, good husbands come home to them. So much for this subject: and what is defective in this description shall be supplied by the pattern ensuing.

p. 4MONICA WIFE of Patricivs, and Mother to S^t Augustine. She Died at Ostia in Italye. A^o Do 389. aged 56 yeares. W. Marshall sculp:

CHAP. 2. The life of MONICA.

MONICA is better known by the branch of her issue, then root of her parentage, and was born in or nigh Tagasta in Africk. **August. confess. lib. 9. c. 8.Her parents, whose names we find not, were Christians, and carefull of her education, committing her to the breeding of an old maid in the house, who, though herself crooked with age, was excellent to straighten the manners of youth. She instructed her with holy severity, never p. 5allowing her to drink wine, or between meals. Having out-grown her tuition, she began by degrees to sip, and drink wine, lesser draughts like wedges widening her throat for greater, till at last (ill customes being not knockt, but insensibly scru'd into our souls) she could fetch off her whole ones. Now it happened that a young maid (formerly her partner in potting) fell at variance with her, and (as malice when she shoots draws her arrow to the head) called her Tos-pot, and drunkard; whereupon Monica reformed her self, and turned temperate. Thus bitter taunts sometime make wholesome Physick, when God sanctifies unto us the malice of our enemies to perform the office of good will.

After this was she married to Patricius, one of more honour then wealth, and as yet a pagan; wherein she brake S. Pauls precept, To marry onelyonly in the Lord. Perchance then there was a dearth of husbands, or she did it by her parents importunity, or out of promise of his conversion: and the history herein being but lamely delivered us, it is charity to support it with the most favourable construction. He was of a stern nature, none more lamb when pleased, or lion when angry; and which is worse, his wild **August. confess. lib. 9. c. 9.affections did prey abroad, till she lured them home by her loving behaviour. Not like those wives who by their hideous outcries drive their wandring husbands farther out of the way.

Her own house was to her a house of correction, wherein her husbands mother was bitter unto her, having a quarrell not so much to her person as relation, because a daughter in law. Her servants, to climbe into the favour of their old mistresse, trampled on their young, they bringing tales, and the old woman belief; though the teeth of their malice did but file her innocency the brighter. Yea at last her mother in law, turning her compurgatour, caused her sonne to punish p. 6those maids which causelesly had wronged their mistresse.

When her neighbours, which had husbands of far milder dispositions, would shew her their husbands cruelty legible in their faces, all her pitying was reproving them: and whereas they expected to be praysed for their patience, she condemned them for deserving such punishment. She never had blow from, or jarre with her husband, she so suppled his hard nature with her obedience, and to her great comfort saw him converted to Christianity before his death. Also she saw Augustine her sonne, formerly vitious in life, and erroneous in doctrine (whose soul she bathd in her Tears) become a worthy Christian, who coming to have his eares tickled, had his heart touched, and got Religion in to boot with the eloquence of S. Ambrose. She survived not long after her sonnes conversion (God sends his servants to bed when they have done their work) and her candle was put out, as soon as the day did dawn in S. Augustine.

Take an instance or two of her signall piety. There was a custome in **August. confess. lib. 6. c. 2.Africk to bring pulse bread and wine to the monuments of dead Saints, wherein Monica was as forward as any. But being better instructed that this custome was of heathenish parentage, and that Religion was not so poore as to borrow rites from Pagans, she instantly left off that ceremony: and as for pietie's sake she had done it thus long, so for pietie's sake she would do it no longer. How many old folks now adayes, whose best argument is use, would have flown in their faces, who should stop them in the full career of an ancient custome.

There was one Licentius a novice-convert, who had got these words by the end, Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts: show us the light of thy countenance and we shall be whole. And (as it is the fashion of many mens tongues to echo forth the last sentence they learnt) he said it p. 7in all places he went to. But Monica, over-hearing him to sing it in the house of office, was **August. lib. 1. De ordine, c. 8.highly offended at him: because holy things are to be suted to holy places; and the harmonie could not be sweet where the song did jarre with the place. And although some may say, that a gracious heart consecrateth every place into a Chapell; yet sure though pious things are no where unfitting to be thought on, they may somewhere be improper to be uttered.

Drawing near her death, she sent most pious thoughts as harbingers to heaven, and her soul saw a glimpse of happinesse through the chincks of her sicknesse-broken body. She was so inflamed with zeal, that she turned all objects into fewell to feed it. One day standing with S. Augustine at an East-window, **August. confess. lib. 9. c. 10.she raised her self to consider the light of Gods presence, in respect whereof all corporall light is so farre from being match'd, it deserves not to be mentioned. Thus mounted on heavenly meditations, and from that high pitch surveying earthly things, the great distance made them appear unto her like a little point, scarce to be seen, and lesse to be respected.

She died at Ostia in Italy in the fiftie sixth yeare of her age, Augustine closing her eyes, when through grief he had scarce any himself.

p. 8CHAP. 3. The good Husband.

HAving formerly described a good Wife, she will make a good Husband, whose character we are now to present.

Maxime 1His love to his wife weakeneth not his ruling her, and his ruling lesseneth not his loving her. Wherefore he avoideth all fondnesse, (a sick love, to be praised in none, and pardoned onelyonly in the newly married) whereby more have wilfully betrayed their command, then ever lost it by their wives rebellion. Methinks the he-viper is right enough served, which (as **Plin. Nat. hist. lib. 10. cap. 62.Pliny reports) puts his head into the she-vipers mouth, and she bites it off. And what wonder is it if women take the rule to themselves, which their uxorious husbands first surrender unto them?

2He is constant to his wife, and confident of her. And sure where jealousie is the Jailour, many break the prison, it opening more wayes to wickednesse then it stoppeth; so that where it findeth one, it maketh ten dishonest.

3He alloweth her meet maintenance, but measures it by his own estate: nor will he give lesse, nor can she ask more. Which allowance, if shorter then her deserts and his desire, he lengtheneth it out with his courteous carriage unto her; chiefly in her sicknesse, then not so much word-pitying her, as providing necessaries for her.

4That she may not intrench on his prerogative, he maintains her propriety in feminine affairs: yea, therein he follows her advice: For the soul of a man is planted so high, that he overshoots such low matter as lie levell to a womans eye, and therefore her counsell therein may better hit the mark. Causes that are properly of feminine cognizance he suffers her finally to decide, not so much as p. 9permitting an appeal to himself, that their jurisdictions may not interfere. He will not countenance a stubborn servant against her, but in her maintains his own Authority. Such husbands as bait the mistris with her maids, and clap their hands at the sport, will have cause to wring them afterwards.

Knowing she is the weaker vessell he bears with her infirmities. 5All hard using of her he detests, desiring therein to do not what may be lawfull, but fitting. And grant her to be of a servile nature, such as may be bettered by beating; yet he remembers he hath enfranchised her by marrying her. On her wedding-day she was like S. Paul free born, and priviledged from any servile punishment.

He is carefull that the wounds betwixt them take not ayre, 6and be publickly known. Jarres conceald are half reconciled; which if generally known, 'tis a double task to stop the breach at home, and mens mouths abroad. To this end he never publickly reproves her. An open reproof puts her to do penance before all that are present, after which many rather study revenge then reformation.

He keeps her in the wholsome ignorance of unnecessary secrets. 7They will not be starved with the ignorance, who perchance may surfet with the knowledge of weighty Counsels, too heavy for the weaker sex to bear. He knows little, who will tell his wife all he knows.

He beats not his wife after his death. 8One having a shrewd wife, yet loth to use her hardly in his life time, awed her with telling her that he would beat her when he was dead, meaning that he would leave her no maintenance. This humour is unworthy a worthy man, who will endeavour to provide her a competent estate: yet he that impoverisheth his children to enrich his widow, destroyes a quick hedge to make a dead one.

p. 10CHAP. 4. The Life of ABRAHAM.

I Intend not to range over all his life as he stands threesquare in relation, Husband, Father, Master. We will onelyonly survey and measure his conjugall side, which respecteth his wife.

We reade not that ever he upbraided her for her barrennesse, as knowing that naturall defects are not the creatures fault, but the Creatours pleasure: all which time his love was loyall to her alone. As for his going in to Hagar, it was done not onelyonly with the consent but by the advice of Sarah, who was so ambitious of children she would be made a mother by a proxie. He was not jealous of her (though a grand beauty) in what company soever he came. Indeed he feared the Egyptians, because the Egyptians feared not God; suspecting rather them of force, then her of falsenesse, and beleeving that sooner they might kill him, then corrupt her.

Yet (as well as he loved her) he expected she should do work fit for her calling. Make ready quickly three measures of meal and knead it. Well may Sarah be cook, where Abraham was caterer, yea where God was guest. The print of her fingers still remain in the meal, and of crumbling dow she hath made a lasting monument of her good houswifry.

Being falsely indited by his wife, he never travers'd the bill, but compounded with her on her own terms. The case this. Hagar being with child by Abraham, her pride sweld with her belly, and despiseth her mistresse: Sarah, laying her action wrong, sues Abraham for her maids fault, and appeals to God. I see the Plaintiff hath not alwayes the best cause; nor are they most guilty which are most blamed. However Abraham passes by her peevishnesse, and remits his maid to p. 11stand or fall to her own mistresse. Though he had a great part in Hagar, he would have none in Hagars re…bellion. Masters which protect their faulty servants hinder the proceeding of justice in a family.

He did denie himself to grant his wives will in a matter of great consequence. Sarah desired, Cast out this bondwoman and her sonne. Oh hard word! She might as well have said, Cast out of thy self nature and naturall affection. See how Abraham struggles with Abraham, the Father in him striving with the Husband in him, till God moderated with his casting-voyce, and Abraham was contented to hearken to the counsel of his wife.

Being to sacrifice Isaac, we find not that he made Sarah privie to his project. To tell her, had been to torture her, fearing her affections might be too strong for her faith. Some secrets are to be kept from the weaker sex; not alwayes out of a distrust, lest they hurt the counsel by telling it, but lest the counsel hurt them by keeping it.

The dearest Husband cannot bail his wife when death arrests her. Sarah dies, and Abraham weeps. Tears are a tribute due to the dead. 'Tis fitting that the body when it's sown in corruption should be watered by those that plant it in the earth. The Hittites make him a fair offer, In the chiefest of our sepulchres bury thy dead: But he thinks the best of them too bad for his Sarah. Her chast ashes did love to lie alone; he provides her a virgin tombe in the cave of Machpelah, where her corps sweetly sleep till he himself came to bed to her, and was buried in the same grave.

p. 12CHAP. 5. The good Parent.

HE beginneth his care for his children not at their birth but conception, giving them to God to be, if not (as **1. Sam. 1.11.1 Sam 1:11Hannah did) his Chaplains, at least his Servants. This care he continueth till the day of his death, in their Infancy, Youth, and Mans estate. In all which,

Maxime 1He sheweth them in his own practice what to follow and imitate; and in others, what to shun and avoid. For though The words of the wi…e be as **Eccles 12.11.Eccl 12:11nayles fastened by the masters of the Assemblies, yet sure their examples are the hammer to drive them in to take the deeper hold. A father that whipt his sonne for swearing, and swore himself whilest he whipt him, did more harm by his example then good by his correction.

2He doth not welcome and imbrace the first essayes of sinne in his children. Weeds are counted herbs in the beginning of the spring: nettles are put in pottage, and sallads are made of eldern-buds. Thus fond fathers like the oathes and wanton talk of their little children, and please themselves to heare them displease God. But our wise Parent both instructs his children in Piety, and with correction blasts the first buds of profanenesse in them. He that will not use the rod on his child, his child shall be used as a rod on him.

3He observeth **Give… each child a part, Versteg. O… decayed intell. cap 3.Gavel-kind in dividing his affections, though not his estate. He loves them (though leaves them not) all alike. Indeed his main land he settles on the eldest: for where man takes away the birth-right, God commonly takes away the blessing from a family. But as for his love, therein, like a well-drawn picture, he eyes all his children alike (if there be a parity of deserts) not parching one to drown another. Did not that mother shew little wit in her great partiality, to p. 13whom when her neglected sonne complained that his brother (her darling) had hit and hurt him with a stone, whipt him onelyonly for standing in the way where the stone went which his brother cast? This partiality is tyrannie, when Parents despise those that are deformed, enough to break them whom God had bowed before.

He allows his children maintenance according to their quality:4 Otherwise it will make them base, acquaint them with bad company and sharking tricks; and it makes them surfet the sooner when they come to their estates. It is observed of camels, that having travelled long without water through sandy deserts, **Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 8. c. 18.Implentur cum bibendi est occasio & in praeteritum & in futurum: and so these thirsty heirs soak it when they come to their means, who whilest their fathers were living might not touch the top of his money, and think they shall never feel the bottom of it when they are dead.

In choosing a profession he is directed by his childs disposition:5 whose inclination is the strongest indenture to bind him to a trade. But when they set Abel to till the ground, and send Cain to keep sheep; Jacob to hunt, and Esau to live in tents; drive some to school, and others from it; they commit a rape on nature, and it will thrive accordingly. Yet he humours not his child when he makes an unworthy choice beneath himself, or rather for ease then use, pleasure then profit.

If his sonne prove wild he doth not cast him off so farre, 6but he marks the place where he lights. With the mother of Moses, he doth not suffer his sonne so to sink or swim, but he leaves one to **Exod. 2.4.Exod 2:4stand afarre off to watch what will become of him. He is carefull whilest he quencheth his luxury, not withall to put out his life. The rather, because their souls, who have broken and run out in their youth, have proved the more healthfull for it afterwards.

He moves him to marriage rather by arguments drawn from p. 147his good, then his own authority. It is a style too Princely for a Parent herein, To will and command, but sure he may will and desire. Affections like the conscience are rather to be led then drawn; and 'tis to be feared, They that marry where they do not love, will love where they do not marry.

8He doth not give away his loaf to his children, and then come to them for a piece of bread. He holds the reins (though loosely) in his own hands, and keeps to reward duty, and punish undutifulnesse; yet on good occasion for his childrens advancement he will depart from part of his means. Base is their nature who will not have their branches lopt, till their bodie be fell'd; and will let go none of their goods, as if it presaged their speedy death: whereas it doth not follow that he that puts off his cloke must presently go to bed.

9On his death-bed he bequeaths his blessing to all his children: Nor rejoyceth he so much to leave them great portions, as honestly obtained. OnelyOnly money well and lawfully gotten is good and lawfull money. And if he leaves his children young, he principally nominates God to be their Guardian, and next him is carefull to appoint provident overseers.

CHAP. 6. The Good Child.

Maxime 1HE reverenceth the person of his Parent though old, poore, and froward. As his Parent bare with him when a child, he bears with his Parent if twice a child: nor doth his dignity above him, cancell his duty unto him. When **Stapleton. in vita Tho. Mori, cap. 1.S^r. Thomas More was Lord Chancellour of England, and S^r. John his father one of the Judges of the Kings-Bench, he would in Westminster-Hall beg his blessing of him on his knees.

p. 15He observes his lawfull commands, 2and practiseth his precepts with all obedience. I cannot therefore excuse S. Barbara from undutifulnesse, and occasioning her own death. The matter this. Her father being a pagan commanded his workmen building his house, to make two windows in a room: Barbara, knowing her fathers pleasure, in his absence injoyned them to make **A…phons. Vil…eg. in the …i…e of Barbara on the 4. o… Decemb.three, that seeing them she might the better contemplate the mystery of the holy Trinity. (Methinks two windows might as well have raised her meditations, and the light arising from both, would as properly have minded her of the Holy Spirit proceding from the Father and the Sonne.) Her father enraged at his return, thus came to the knowledge of her religion, and accused her to the magistrate, which cost her her life.

Having practised them himself, 3he entayls his Parents precepts on his posterity. Therefore such instructions are by Solomon, Proverbs 1.9. compared to frontlets and chains (not to a sute of clothes, which serves but one, and quickly weares out, or out of fashion) which have in them a reall lasting worth, and are bequeathed as legacies to another age. The same counsels observed are chains to grace, which neglected prove halters to strangle undutifull children.

He is patient under correction, 4and thankfull after it. When M^r West, formerly Tutour (such I count in loco parentis) to D^r. Whitaker, was by him, then Regius Professor, created Doctour, Whitaker solemnly gave him thanks before the University for giving him correction when his young scholar.

In marriage he first and last consults with his father:5 when propounded, when concluded. He best bowls at the mark of his own contentment, who besides the aim of his own eye, is directed by his father, who is to give him the ground.

He is a stork to his parent, 6and feeds him in his old age. Not onelyonly if his father hath been a pelican, but though p. 16he hath been an estridge unto him, and neglected him in his youth. He confines him not a long way off to a short pension, forfeited if he comes in his presence; but shews piety at home, and learns (as S. Paul saith the 1. Timothy. 5.4.) to requite his Parent. And yet the debt (I mean onelyonly the principall, not counting the interest) cannot fully be paid, and therefore he compounds with his father to accept in good worth the utmost of his endeavour.

7Such a child God commonly rewards with long life in this world. If he chance to die young, yet he lives long that lives well; and time mispent is not lived but lost. Besides, God is better then his promise, if he takes from him a long lease, and gives him a free-hold of better value. As for disobedient children,

8If preserved from the gallows, they are reserved for the rack, to be tortured by their own posterity. One complained, that never father had so undutifull a child as he had. Yes, said his sonne, with lesse grace then truth, my grandfather had.

I conclude this subject with the example of a Pagans sonne, which will shame most Christians. Pomponius **In vita Attici in fine Epist. ad Attic.Atticus, making the funerall oration at the death of his mother, did protest that living with her threescore and seven years, he was never reconciled unto her, Se nunquam cum matre in gratiam rediisse; because (take the comment with the text) there never happened betwixt them the least jarre which needed reconciliation.

p. 17CHAP. 7. The good Master.

HE is the heart in the midst of his houshold, primum vivens et ultimum moriens, first up and last abed, if not in his person yet in his providence. In his carriage he aimeth at his own and his servants good, and to advance both.

He oversees the works of his servants. Maxime 1One said that the dust that fell from the masters shooes was the best compost to manure ground. The lion **Plin. nat. Hist. lib. 8. cap 16.out of state will not run whilst any one looks upon him, but some servants out of slothfulnesse will not run except some do look upon them, spurr'd on with their Masters eye. Chiefly he is carefull exactly to take his servants reckonings. If their Master takes no account of them, they will make small account of him, and care not what they spend who are never brought to an audit.

He provides them victualls, 2wholsome, sufficient and seasonable. He doth not so allay his servants bread to debase it so much as to make that servants meat which is not mans meat. He alloweth them also convenient rest and recreation, whereas some Masters, like a bad conscience, will not suffer them to sleep that have them. He remembers the old law of the Saxon King Ina, **S. H. Spilman in concili…s, An. ch. 692. pag. 188.If a villain work on Sunday by his lords command, he shall be free.

The wages he contracts for he duly and truly payes to his servants. 3The same word in the Greek foreign signifies rust and poyson: and some strong poyson is made of the rust of mettalls, but none more venemous then the rust of money in the rich mans purse unjustly detained from the labourer, which will poyson and infect his whole estate.

He never threatens **Ephes. 6.9.Eph 6:9his servant but rather presently corrects him. 4Indeed conditionall threatnings with promise of pardon on amendment are good and usefull. Absolute p. 18threatnings torment more, reform lesse, making servants keep their faults, and forsake their Masters: wherefore herein he never passeth his word, but makes present paiment, lest the creditour runne away from the debtour.

5In correcting his servant, he becomes not a slave to his own passion. Not cruelly making new indentures of the flesh of his apprentice. To this end he never beats him in the height of his passion. Moses being to fetch water out of the rock, and commanded by God onelyonly to speak to it with his rod in his hand, being transported with anger smote it thrice. Thus some Masters, which might fetch penitent tears from their servants with a chiding word (onelyonly shaking the rod withall for terrour) in their fury strike many blows which might better be spared. If he perceives his servant incorrigible, so that he cannot wash the black-moore, he washeth his hands of him, and fairly puts him away.

6He is tender of his servant in his sicknesse and age. If crippled in his service, his house is his hospitall: yet how many throw away those dry bones out of the which themselves have suckt the marrow? It is as usuall to see a young serving-man an old beggar, as to see a lighthorse first frō the great saddle of a Nobleman to come to the hackney-coach, and at last die in drawing a carre. But the good Master is not like the cruell hunter in the fable, who beat his old dogge because his toothlesse mouth let go the game; he rather imitates the noble nature of our Prince Henrie, who took order for the keeping of an **Hows continuat. of Stows Chron. pag. 836.old English mastiffe which had made a Lion runne away. Good reason good service in age should be rewarded. Who can without pity and pleasure behold that trusty vessell which carried S^r. Francis Drake about the world.

Hitherto our discourse hath proceeded of the carriage of Masters towards free covenant servants, not intermedling with their behaviour towards slaves & vassals, p. 19whereof we onelyonly report this passage: When Charles the fifth Emperour returning with his fleet from Algier was extremely beaten with a tempest, and their ships overloaden, he caused them to cast their best horses into the sea to save the life of many **Pantal…n part. 3. De …llust. Germ. & alii autores.slaves, which according to the market price was not so much worth. Are there not many that in such a case had rather save Jack the horse then Jocky the keeper. And yet those who first called England the Purgatory of servants, sure did us much wrong: Purgatory it self being as false in the application to us, as in the doctrine thereof; servants with us living generally on as good conditions as in any other countrey. And well may masters consider how easie a transposition it had been for God, to have made him to mount into the saddle that holds the stirrop; and him to sit down at the table, who stands by with a trencher.

CHAP. 8. The good Servant.

HE is one that out of conscience serves God in his Master, and so hath the principle of obedience in himself. As for those servants who found their obedience on some externall thing, with engines, they will go no longer then they are wound, or weighed up.

He doth not dispute his Masters lawfull will, Maxime 1but doeth it. Hence it is that simple servants (understand such whose capacity is bare measure, without surplusage equall to the busines he is used in) are more usefull, because more manageable, then abler men, especially in matters wherein not their brains but hands are required. Yet if his Master out of want of experience injoyns him to do what is hurtfull, and prejudiciall p. 20to his own estate, duty herein makes him undutifull (if not to deny, to demurre in his performance) and chusing rather to displease then hurt his master, he humbly represents his reasons to the contrary.

2He loves to go about his busines with cheerfulnesse. One said, He loved to heare his carter though not his cart to sing. God loveth a cheerfull giver; and Christ reproved the Pharisees for disfiguring their faces with a sad countenance. Fools! who to perswade men that Angels lodged in their hearts, hung out a devil for a signe in their faces. Sure cheerfulnesse in doing renders a deed more acceptable. Not like those servants, who doing their work unwillingly, their looks do enter a protestation against what their hands are doing.

3He dispatcheth his busines with quicknes and expedition. Hence the same English word Speed signifies celerity, and successe; the former in businesse of execution causing the latter. Indeed haste and rashnesse are storms and tempests, breaking and wrecking businesse; but nimblenesse is a fair full wind, blowing it with speed to the haven. As he is good at hand, so is he good at length, continually and constantly carefull in his service. Many servants, as if they had learnd the nature of the besoms they use, are good for a few dayes, and afterwards grow unserviceable.

4He disposeth not of his masters goods without his privity or consent: no not in the smallest matters. Open this wicket, and it will be in vain for masters to shut the doore. If servants presume to dispose small things without their masters allowance (besides that many little leaks may sink a ship) this will widen their consciences to give away greater. But though he hath not alwayes a particular leave, he hath a generall grant, and a warrant dormant from his master to give an almes to the poore in his absence, if in absolute necessity.

5His answers to his master are true, direct, and dutifull. If a dumbe devil possesseth a servant, a winding cane is the p. 21fittest circle, and the master the exorcist to drive it out. Some servants are so talkative, one may as well command the echo as them not to speak last; and then they count themselves conquerours, because last they leave the field. Others, though they seem to yield and go away, yet with the flying Parthians shoot backward over their shoulders, and dart bitter taunts at their masters; yea, though with the clock they have given the last stroke, yet they keep a jarring, muttering to themselves a good while after.

Iust correction he bears patiently, 6and unjust he takes cheerfully; knowing that stripes unjustly given more hurt the master then the man: and the Logick maxime is verified, Agens agendo repatitur, the smart most lights on the striker. Chiefly he disdains the basenesse of running away.

Because charity is so cold, 7his industry is the hotter to provide something for himself, whereby he may be maintained in his old age. If under his master he trades for himself (as an apprentice may do if he hath **Bracton. lib. 5. tract. 2. cap. 3. num. 7.covenanted so before-hand) he provides good bounds and sufficient fences betwixt his own and his masters estate (Iacob Gen. 30.36. set his flock three dayes journey from Labans) that no quarrell may arise about their proprietie, nor suspicion that his remnant hath eaten up his masters whole cloth.

p. 22CHAP. 9. The life of ELIEZER.

ELiezer was Steward of Abrahams houshold, Lieutenant generall over the army of his servants, ruler over all his Master had: the confidence in his loyalty, causing the largenesse of his commission.

But as for those who make him the founder of Damascus, on no other evidence but because he is called Eliezer of Damascus, they build a great city on too narrow a foundation. It argues his goodnesse that Abraham, if dying without a sonne, intended him his heir (a kinsman in grace is nearest by the surest side) till Isaac stepping in stopt out Eliezer, and reverst those resolutions.

The Scripture presents us with a remarkable president of**That the namelesse, servant, Gen. 24 was this Eliezer Abrahams steward, is the opinion of Luther in his comment on that chapter, Rivet on the same, Exercit. 111. with many others.Gen 24 his piety, in a matter of great moment: Abraham, being to send him into Mesopotamia, caused him to swear that he would faithfully fetch Isaac a wife from his own kinred. Eliezer demurr'd awhile before he would swear, carefully surveying the latitude of the oath, lest some unseen ambushes therein should surprise his conscience. The most scrupulous to take an oath will be the most carefull to perform it, whereas those that swear it blindly will do it lamely. He objects, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me. At last being satisfied in this quaere, he takes the oath: as no honest man which means to pay, will refuse to give his bond if lawfully required.

He takes ten camells (then the coaches of the East-countrey) with servants and all things in good equipage, to shew a sample of his Masters greatnesse; and being a stranger in the countrey asked direction of him who best knew the way, God himself. If any object that his craving of a signe was a signe of infidelity, and unmannerly boldnesse to confine God to particulars; p. 23yet perchance Gods spirit prompted him to make the request, who sometimes moves men to ask what he is minded to give, and his petition seemeth just because granted.

Rebecca meets him at the well. The lines drawn from every part of the signe required centre themselves in her. Drink my Lord, said she, and I will draw water for thy camells. Her words Prophesie that she will be a good housewife, and a good housekeeper. Eliezers eyes are dazeled with the beams of Gods providence: Her drawing of water drew more wonder from him; and the more he drinks of her pitcher, the more he is athirst to know the issue of the matter. He questions her of her parentage, and finds all his mysticall expectation historically expounded in her. Then he bowed down his head, and did homage to Gods providence, blessing him for his protection. Many favours which God giveth us ravell out for want of hemming, through our own unthankfulnesse: for though prayer purchaseth blessings, giving praise doth keep the quiet possession of them.

Being come into the house, his first care is for his cattell, whose dumbenesse is oratory to a conscientio…s man; and he that will not be mercifull to his beast, is a beast himself. Then preferring his message before his meat, he empties his mind before he fills his body. No dainties could be digested, whilst his errand like a crudity lay on his stomach.

In delivering his message, first he reads his commission, I am Abrahams servant; then he reports the fulnesse of his Masters wealth without any hyperboles. How many, employed in such a matter, would have made mountains of gold of molehills of silver? not so Eliezer, reporting the bare truth; and a good estate if told, commends it self. As plain also is his narration of the passages of Gods providence, the artificialnesse whereof best appeard in his naturall relation. Then p. 24concludes he, with desiring a direct answer to his motion.

The matter was soon transacted betwixt them; for seeing that heaven did ask the banes, why should earth forbid them? onelyonly her friends desire Rebecca should stay ten dayes with them, which Eliezer would not yield to. He would speedily finish that bargain whereof God had given the happy earnest; and because blest hitherto, make more haste hereafter. If in a dark businesse we perceive God to guide us by the lantern of his providence, it is good to follow the light close, lest we lose it by our lagging behind. He will not truant it now in the afternoon, but with convenient speed returns to Abraham, who onelyonly was worthy of such a Servant, who onelyonly was worthy of such a Master.

CHAP. 10. The good Widow.

SHe is a woman whose head hath been quite cut off, and yet she liveth, and hath the second part of virginity. Conceive her to have buried her Husband decently according to his quality and condition, and let us see how she behaves her self afterwards.

Maxime 1Her grief for her Husband though reall, is moderate. Excessive was the sorrow of King Richard the second beseeming him neither as king, man, or Christian, who so fervently loved Anna of Bohemia his Queen, that when she dyed at Shean in Surrey, he both cursed the place, and also out of madnesse **Weaver fun. monum. p. 473. out of Stows Annals.overthrew the whole house.

2But our widows sorrow is no storm but a still rain. Indeed some foolishly discharge the surplusage of their passions on themselves, tearing their hair, so that their p. 25friends coming to the funerall, know not which most to bemoan the dead husband, or the dying widow. Yet commonly it comes to passe, that such widows grief is quickly emptyed, which streameth out at so large a vent; whilest their tears that but drop, will hold running a long time.

She continues a competent time in her widows estate. 3Anciently they were, at least, to live out their annum luctus, their yeare of sorrow. But as some **vid. August. de c…vitat. Dei lib. 15. cap. 12.erroneously compute the long lives of the Patriarks before the flood not by solary, by lunary years, making a monethmonth a yeare: so many overhasty widows cut their yeare of mourning very short, and within few weeks make post speed to a second marriage.

She doth not onelyonly live sole and single, 4but chaste and honest. We know pesthouses alwayes stand alone, and yet are full of infectious diseases. Solitarinesse is not an infallible argument of sanctity: and it is not enough to be unmarried, but to be undefiled.

Though going abroad sometimes about her businesse, 5she never makes it her businesse to go abroad. Indeed man goeth forth to his labour, and a widow in civill affairs is often forced to act a double part of man and woman, and must go abroad to solicite her businesse in person, what she cannot do by the proxie of her friends. Yet even then she is most carefull of her credit, and tender of her modesty, not impudently thrusting into the society of men. Oh 'tis improper for tinder to strike fire, and for their sexe which are to be sued to, first to intrude, and offer their companie.

She loves to look on her husbands picture, 6in the children he hath left her: not foolishly fond over them for their fathers sake (this were to kill them in honour of the dead) but giveth them carefull education. Her husbands friends are ever her welcomest guests, whom she entertaineth with her best cheer, and with honourable mention of their friends, and her husbands memorie.

p. 267If she can speak little good of him, she speaks but little of him. So handsomely folding up her discourse, that his virtues are shown outwards, and his vices wrapped up in silence, as counting it Barbarisme to throw dirt on his memorie who hath moulds cast on his body. She is a champion for his credit if any speak against him. Foolish is their project who by raking up bad savour against their former husbands think thereby to perfume their bed for a second marriage.

8She putteth her especiall confidence in Gods providence. Surely if he be a father to the fatherlesse, it must needs follow that he is an husband to the widow. And therefore she seeks to gain and keep his love unto her, by her constant prayer and religious life.

9She will not morgage her first husbands pawns, thereby to purchase the good will of a second. If she marrieth (for which she hath the Apostles licence, not to say mandate, I will that the younger widows marry) she will not abridge her children of that which justly belongs unto them. Surely a broken faith to the former is but a weak foundation to build thereon a loyall affection to a latter love. Yet if she becomes a mother in law, there is no difference betwixt her carriage to her own and her second husbands children, save that she is severest to her own, over whom she hath the sole jurisdiction. And if her second husbands children by a former wife commit a fault, she had rather bind them over to answer for it before their own father, then to correct them her self, to avoid all suspicion of hard using of them.

p. 27PAVLA Widdow of Toxotius, and Mother to Evstochium. She Died at Bethlehem, An^o doni 404 Aged 56 yeares 8 mon…ths 21 dayes W.M. ….

CHAP. 11. The life of the Lady PAULA.

WHat? (will some say) having a wood of widows of upright conversation, must you needs gather one crooked with superstition to be pattern to all the rest? must Paula be their president? whose life was a very masse-book, so that if every point of popery were lost, they might be found in her practice.

Nothing lesse. Indeed Paula lived in an age which was, as I may say, in the knuckle and bending betwixt p. 28the primitive times and superstition, popery being then a hatching, but farre from being fledg'd. Yea no Papist (though picking out here and there some passages which make to his purpose) will make her practice in grosse the square of his own: for where she embraces some superstitions with her left hand, she thrusts away more with her right. I have therefore principally made choice to write her life, that I may acquaint both my self and the reader with the garb of that age in Church-matters▪ wherein were many remarkable passages, otherwise I might and would have taken a farre fitter example.

I know two trades together are too much for one man to thrive upon, and too much it is for me to be an Historian and a Critick, to relate and to judge: yet since Paula, though a gratious woman, was guilty of some great errours, give me leave to hold a pencil in one hand, and a spunge in the other, both to draw her life and dash it where it is faultie. And let us that live in purer times be thankfull to God for our light, and use our quicker sight to guide our feet in Gods paths, lest we reel from one extremitie to another.

To come to the Lady Paula's birth: the Noblest blood in the world by a confluence ran in her veins. I must confesse the most Ancient Nobilitie is junior to no Nobilitie, when all men were equall. Yet give others leave to see Moses his face to shine, when he knew it not himself; and seeing Paula was pleased not to know, but to neglect and trample on her high birth, we are bound to take notice thereof. She was descended from **Hieron. Epist. ad Eustoch. pag. 185.Agamemnon, Scipio, and the Gracchi's, and her husband Toxotius from **Idem in eadem epist. p. 172.Aeneas, and the Julian familie; so that in their marriage the warres of the Grecians and Trojanes were reconciled.

Some years they lived together in the Citie of Rome, in holy and happy wedlock, and to her husband she bare foure daughters, Blesilla, Paulina, Eustochium, and p. 29Ruffina. Yet still her husband long'd for posteritie, like those who are so covetous of a male heir, they count none children but sonnes: and at last God, who keeps the best for the close, bestowed Toxotius, a young sonne upon her.

But commonly after a great blessing comes a great crosse: scarce was she made a mother to a sonne, when she was made a widow, which to her was a great and grievous affliction. But as a rubbe to an overthrown bowl proves an help by hindering it; so afflictions bring the souls of Gods Saints to the mark, which otherwise would be gone and transported with too much earthly happinesse. However Paula grieved little lesse then excessively hereat, she being a woman that in all her actions (to be sure to do enough) made alwayes measure with advantage.

Yet in time she overcame her sorrow, herein being assisted by the counsel and comfort of S. Hierome, whose constant frequenting of her, commented upon by his enemies malice (which will pry narrowly and talk broadly) gave occasion to the report, that he accompanied with her for dishonest intents. Surely if the accusations of slanderous tongues be proofs, the primitive times had no Churches but stews. It is to be suspected that **Erasmus in scholia in epitaphium Paulae p. 193.Ruffin his sworn enemie raised the report; and if the Lady Paula's memorie wanted a compurgatour, I would be one my self, it being improbable that those her eyes would burn with lust which were constantly drownd with tears. But the reader may find S. Hierome purging **In epistola quae incipit, Si tibiputem, tom. 2. sol. 368.himself; and he who had his tongue and an innocent heart needed no body else to speak for him.

It happened that the Bishops of the East and West were summoned by the **Hier…nym. Epist. praedict. pag. 172.Emperours letters to appear at Rome for the according of some differences in the Church. (It seemes by this that the Pope did not so command in chief at Rome, but that the power of p. 30congregating Synods still resided in the Emperour.) Hither came Paulinus Bishop of Antioch, and Epiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus, who lodged at the Lady Paula's, and his virtues so wrought upon her, that she determined to leave her native countrey, and to travel into the East, and in Judea to spend the remainder of her life. The reasons that moved her to remove, was because Rome was a place of riot and luxury, her soul being almost stifled with the frequencie of Ladyes visits; and she feared courtesie in her would justle out piety, she being fain to crowd up her devotions to make room for civill entertainments. Besides, of her own nature she ever loved privacie and a sequestred life, being of the Pelicans nature, which use not to flie in flocks. Lastly, she conceived that the sight of those holy places would be the best comment on the History of the Bible, and fasten the passages thereof in her mind. Wherefore she intended to survey all Palestine, and at last to go to Bethlehem, making Christs inne her home, and to die there where he was born, leaving three of her daughters, and her poore infant Toxotius behind her.

For mine own part, I think she had done as acceptable a deed to God, in staying behind to rock her child in the cradle, as to visit Christs manger, seeing Grace doth not cut of the affections of nature but ripen them: the rather, because Christianity is not naild to Christs crosse and mount Calvary, nor Piety fastned (as we may say) to the freehold of the land of Palestine. But if any Papist make her a pattern for pilgrimages, let them remember that she went from Rome: and was it not an unnaturall motion in her to move from that centre of Sanctitie?

She with her daughter Eustochium began her journie, and taking Cyprus in her way, where she visited Epiphanius, she came at last to Judea. She measured p. 31that countrey with her travelling, and drew the truest mappe thereof with her own feet, so accurately that she left out no particular place of importance. At last she was fixed at Bethlehem, where she built one monasterie for men, and three for women. It will be worth our pains to take notice of some principall of the orders she made in those feminine Academies; because Paula's practice herein was a leading case, though those that came after her went beyond her. For in the rules of monasticall life, Paula stood at the head game, and the Papists in after ages, desirous to better her hand, drew themselves quite out.

Each monasterie had a chief matrone, whilst Paula was Principall over all. These societies were severd at their meat and work, but met together at their prayers: they were carefully kept apart from men, not like those Epicoene monasteries not long since invented by Joan Queen of Sweden, wherein men and women lived under one roof, not to speak of worse libertines. Well were Nunnes called Recluses, which according to the true meaning of the word signifie those which are set wide open, or left at libertie, though that Barbarous age mistook the sense of the word, for such as were shut up, and might not stirre out of their **Littleton fol. 92.Cloyster.

They used to sing Halelujah, which serv'd them both for a psalm, and a bell to call them all together. In the **Mane, horâ tertiâ, sextâ, nonâ, vesperi. Hieron. in praefat. Epist. p. 180. surely living in Palestine he meaneth the Iewish computation of houres.morning, at nine a clock, at noon, at three a clock in the afternoon, and at night they had prayers, and sang the psalmes in order. This I believe gave originall to canonicall houres. The Apostles precept is the plain song, Pray continually; and thus mens inventions ran their descants upon it, and confin'd it to certain houres. A practice in it self not so bad for those who have leisure to observe it, save that when devotion is thus artificially plaited into houres it may take up mens minds in formalities to neglect the substance.

p. 32They rose also at midnight to sing psalmes. A custome begun before in the time of persecution, when the Christians were forced to be Antipodes to other men, so that when it was night with others, it was day with them, and they then began their devotions. These night-prayers, begun in necessitie, were continued in Paula's time in gratefull remembrance, and since corrupted with superstition: the best is, their rising at midnight breaks none of our sleep.

These virgins did every day learn some part of the holy Scriptures; whereas those Nunnes which pretend to succeed them learn onelyonly with post-horses to run over the stage of their beads (so many Ave Maries, and Pater nosters) and are ignorant in all the Scripture besides. Such as were faultie, she caused to take their meat apart from others at the entrance of the dining-room; with which mild severitie she reclaimed many: shame in ingenuous natures making a deeper impression then pain. Mean time I find amongst them no vow of virginitie, no tyrannicall Penance, no whipping themselves; as if not content to interre their sinnes in Christs grave, they had rather bury them in furrows digg'd in their own backs. They wrought hard to get their living, and on the Lords day alone went out of their monasterie to hear Gods word.

Yet was she more rigid and severe towards her self, then to any of them, macerating her body with fasting, and refusing to drink any wine, when advised thereto by Physicians for her health. So that (as an **Bernard. devot. devotisholy man complained of himself, whilest he went about to subdue an enemie he kild a subject) she overturned the state of her bodie, and whilest she thought to snuff the candle put it quite out. Yea S. Hierome himself, what his Eloquence herein doth commend in her, his Charity doth excuse, and his Judgement doth **Haec refero, non quòd inconsideranter & ultra vires sumta onera probem, p. 181.condemne. But we must Charitably believe that these her fastings proceeded out of true humiliation and sorrow p. 33for her sinnes; otherwise where opinion of merit is annexed to them, they are good onelyonly to fill the body with wind, and the soul with pride. Certainly prodigious Popish self-penance is will-worship, and the purest Epicurisme, wherein pain is pleasant: for as long as people impose it on themselves, they do not deny their own will, but fulfill it; and whilst they beat down the body they may puff up the flesh.

Nor can her immoderate bounty be excused, who gave all and more then all away, taking up money at interest to give to the poore, and leaving Eustochium her daughter deep in debt, a great charge, and nothing to maintain it. Sure none need be more bountifull in giving then the Sunne is in shining, which though freely bestowing his beams on the world keeps notwithstanding the body of light to himself. Yea it is necessary that Liberality should as well have banks as a stream.

She was an excellent text-woman, yea could say the holy Scriptures by heart, and attained to understand and speak the Hebrew tongue, a language which Hierome himself got with great difficultie, and kept with constant use (skill in Hebrew will quickly go out, and burn no longer then 'tis blown) yet she in her old age did speedily learn it. She diligently heard Hierome expounding the old and new Testament, asking him many doubts, and Quaeres in difficult places (such constant scouring makes our knowledge brighter) and would not suffer his judgement to stand neuter in hard points, but made him expresse the probable opinion.

Most naturally flie from death; Gods Saints stand still till death comes to them; Paula went out to meet it, not to say, call'd death unto her by consuming her self in fasting: she died in the fiftie sixth yeare of her age, and was solemnly buried in Bethlehem. People of all countreys flockt to her funerall: Bishops carried her p. 34corps to the grave: others carried torches and lamps before it, which though some may condemne to be but burning of day was no more then needed, she being buried in a cave or grot as an **G. Sandys Travells, pag. 179.eyewitnesse doth testifie. Psalmes were sung at her buriall in the Hebrew, Greek, Latine, and Syriack tongue, it being fit there should be a key for every lock, and languages to be understood by all the miscelany company there present.

Eustochium her daughter had little comfort to be Executrix or Administratrix unto her, leaving her not a pennie of monie, great debts, and many brothers and sisters to provide for, quos sustentare arduum, abjicere impium. I like not this charitie reversed, when it begins farre off & neglects those at home.

To conclude, I can do her memorie no better right, then to confesse she was wrong in somethings. Yet surely Gods Glory was the mark she shot at, though herein the hand of her practice did sometimes shake, and oftener the eye of her judgement did take wrong aim.

CHAP. 12. The constant Virgin

IS one who hath made a resolution with herself to live chaste, and unmarryed. Now there is a grand difference betwixt a Resolution and a Vow. The former is a covenant drawn up betwixt the party and herself; and commonly runs with this clause, durante nostro beneplacito, as long as we shall think fitting; and therefore on just occasion she may give a release to herself. But in a vow God is interested as the Creditour, so that except he be pleased to give up the band, none can give an acquittance to themselves. Being now to describe the Virgin, let the reader know that virginity belongs to both sexes; and though in Courtesie p. 35we make our Maid a female, let not my pen be chalenged of improprietie, if casually sometimes it light on the Masculine Gender.

She chooseth not a single life solely for its self, Maxime 1but in reference to the better serving of God. I know none but beggars that desire the Church-Porch to lye in, which others onelyonly use as a passage into the Church. Virginity is none of those things to be desired in and for it self, but because it leads a more convenient way to the worshipping of God, especially in time of persecution. For then if Christians be forced to run races for their lives, the unmarryed have the advantage, lighter by many ounces, and freed from much encumbrance, which the married are subject to; who, though private Persons, herein are like Princes, they must have their train follow them.

She improveth her single life therewith to serve God the more constantly. 2Housekeepers cannot so exactly mark all their family-affairs, but that sometimes their ranks will be broken; which disorder by necessary consequence will disturb their duties of pietie, to make them contracted, omitted; or unseasonably performed. The Apostle saith, Such shall have troubles in the flesh; and grant them sanctified troubles, yet even Holy-thistle and Sweet-brier have their prickles. But the Virgin is freed from these encumbrances. No lording Husband shall at the same time command her presence and distance, to be alwayes near in constant attendance, and alwayes to stand aloof off in an awfull observance; so that providing his break-fast hazards her soul to fast a meal of morning prayer: No crying Children shall drown her singing of psalmes, and put her devotion out of tune: No unfaithfull Servants shall force her to divide her eyes betwixt lifting them up to God and casting them down to oversee their work; but making her Closet her Chappell, she freely enjoyeth God and good thoughts at what time she pleaseth.

p. 363Yet in all her discourse she maketh an honourable mention of marriage. And good reason that virginity should pay a chief rent of honour unto it, as acknowledging her selfe to be a colonia deducta from it. Unworthy is the practice of those who in their discourse plant all their arguments point-blank to batter down the married estate, bitterly inveighing against it; yea base is the behaviour of some young men, who can speak nothing but Satyres against Gods ordinance of Matrimony, and the whole sex of women. This they do either out of deep dissimulation, to divert supicion, that they may prey the farthest from their holes; or else they do it out of revenge: having themselves formerly lighted on bad women (yet no worse then they deserved) they curse all adventures because of their own shipwrack; or lastly they do it out of mere spight to nature and God himself: and pity it is but that their fathers had been of the same opinion. Yet it may be tolerable if onelyonly in harmlesse mirth they chance to bestow a jest upon the follyes of married people. Thus when a Gentlewoman told an ancient Batchelour who lookd very young, that she thought he had eaten a snake; No mistris (said he) it is because I never meddled with any snakes which maketh me look so young.

4She counts her self better lost in a modest silence then found in a bold discourse. Divinity permits not women to speak in the Church; morality forbids maids to talk in the House, where their betters are present. She is farre from the humours of those, who (more bridling in their chinnes then their tongues) love in their constant prating to make sweet musick to their own ears, and harsh jarring to all the rest of the company: yea as some report of sheep, that when they runne they are afraid of the noise of their own feet; so our Virgin is afraid to heare her own tongue runne in the presence of graver persons. She conceives the bold maintaining of any argument concludes against her own civil p. 37behaviour; and yet she will give a good account of any thing whereof she is questioned, sufficient to shew her silence is her choice, not her refuge. In speaking she studiously avoids all suspicious expressions, which wanton apprehensions may colourably comment into obscenity.

She blusheth at the wanton discourse of others in her company. 5As fearing that being in the presence where treason against modesty is spoken, all in the place will be arraigned for principalls: yea if silent, she is afraid to be taken to consent; if offering to confute it, she fears lest by stirring a dunghill, the savour may be more noysome. Wherefore that she may not suffer in her title to modesty, to preserve her right she enters a silent caveat by a blush in her cheeks, and embraceth the next opportunity to get a gaole-delivery out of that company where she was detained in durance. Now because we have mentioned Blushing, which is so frequent with virgins that it is called a maidens blush, (as if they alone had a patent to die this colour) give us leave a little to enlarge our selves on this subject.

1 Blushing oftentimes proceeds from guiltines; when the offender being pursued after seeks as it were to hide himself under the visard of a new face.

2 Blushing is othertimes rather a compurgatour then an accuser; not arising from guiltinesse in our Virgin, but from one of these reasons: First because she is surprised with a sudden accusation, and though armed with innocency, that she cannot be pierced, yet may she be amazed with so unexpected a charge. Secondly from sensiblenesse of disgrace, ashamed, though innocent, to be within the suspicion of such faults, and that she hath carried her self so that any tongue durst be so impudent as to lay it to her charge. Thirdly from a disability to acquit her self at the instant (her integrity wanting rather clearing then clearnesse) and perchance p. 38she wants boldnesse to traverse the action, and so non-suiting her self, she fears her cause will suffer in the judgements of all that be present: and although accused but in jest, she is jealous the accusation will be believed in earnest; and edg'd tools thrown in merriment may wound reputations. Fourthly out of mere anger: for as in fear the blood makes not an orderly retreat but a confused flight to the heart; so in blushing the blood sallies out into our Virgins cheeks, and seems as a champion to challenge the accuser for wronging her.

3 Where small faults are committed blushing obtaines a pardon of course with ingenuous beholders. As if she be guilty of casuall incivilities, or soloecismes in manners occasioned by invincible ignorance, and unavoidable mistakes, in such a case blushing is a sufficient penance to restore her to her state of innocencie.

6She imprisons not her self with a solemn vow never to marry. For first, none know their own strength herein. Who hath sailed about the world of his own heart, sounded each creek, surveied each corner, but that still there remains therein much terra incognita to himself? Junius, at the first little better then a **Iunius in his life writ by himself.Misogynist, was afterwards so altered from himself, that he successively married foure wives. Secondly, fleshly corruption being pent will swell the more, and Shemei being confin'd to Jerusalem will have the greater mind to gad to Gath. Thirdly, the devil will have a fairer set mark to shoot at, and will be most busie to make people break their vow. Fourthly, God may justly desert people for snatching that to themselves, which is most proper for him to give, I mean, Continency. Object not, that thou wilt pray to him to take from thee all desire of marriage, it being madnesse to vow that one will not eat, and then pray to God that he may p. 39not be hungry. Neither say that now thou may'st presume on thy self, because thou art well stricken in years, for there may happen an autume-spring in thy soul; and lust is an unmannerly guest, we know not how late in the evening of our lives it may intrude into us for a lodging.

She counts it virginitie to be unspotted, not unmarried. 7Or else even in old age, when nature hath given an inhibition, they may be strong in desiring who are weak in acting of wickednesse; yea they may keep stews in their hearts, and be so pregnant and ingravidated with lustfull thoughts, that they may as it were die in travail because they cannot be delivered. And though there be no fire seen outwardly; as in the English chymnies, it may be hotter within, as in the Dutch stoves; and as well the devils as the Angels in heaven, neither marry nor are given in marriage.

As she lives with lesse care, 8so she dies with more cheerfulnesse. Indeed she was rather a sojourner, then an inhabitant in this world, and therefore forsakes it with the lesse grief. In a word, the way to heaven is alike narrow to all estates, but farre smoother to the Virgin then to the married. Now the great advantage Virgins have to serve God above others, & high favours he hath bestowed on some of them, shall appear in this Virgin prophetesse, whose life we come to present.

p. 40HILDEGARDIS a Virgin Prophetess Abbess of S^t Rvperts Nunnerye. She died at Bingen A^o Do: 1180. Aged 82 yeares. W. Marshall sculpsit.

CHAP. 13. The life of HILDEGARDIS.

HIldegardis was born in Germany, in the County of Spanheim, in the yeare 1098. So that she lived in an age which we may call the first cock-crowing after the midnight of Ignorance and Superstition.

Her parents (Hidebert, and Mechtilda) dedicated her to God from her infancie: And surely those whose Childhood, with Hildegardis, hath had the advantage of pious education may be said to have p. 41been good time out of mind, as not able to remember the beginning of their own goodnesse. At eight years of age she became a Nunne under S. Jutta sister to Megenhard, Earl of Spanheim, and afterwards she was made Abbesse of S. Ruperts Nunnery in Bingen on Rhene in the Palatinate.

Men commonly do beat and bruise their links before they light them, to make them burn the brighter: God first humbles and afflicts whom he intends to illuminate with more then ordinary grace. Poore Hildegardis was constantly and continually sick, and so **Fuerunt ei ab ipsa penè infantia crebri ac ferè continui languorum dolores, ità ut pedum incessu petraro uteretur, Theod. Abbas in vita Hildegardis, lib. 1. cap. 2.weak that she very seldome was strong enough to go. But God who denied her legs, gave her wings, and raised her high-mounted soul in Visions and Revelations.

I know a generall scandall is cast on Revelations in this ignorant age: first, because many therein intitled the Meteors of their own brain to be Starres at least, and afterwards their Revelations have been revealed to be forgeries: secondly, because that night-raven did change his black feathers into the silver wings of a dove, and transforming himself into an Angel of light deluded many with strange raptures and visions, though in their nature farre different from those in the Bible. For S. Paul in his Revelations was caught up into the third heaven; whereas most Monks with a contrary motion were carried into hell and purgatorie, and there saw apparitions of strange torments. Also S. Johns Revelation forbids all additions to the Bible, under heavie penalties; their visions are commonly on purpose to piece out the Scripture, and to establish such superstitions as have no footing in Gods word.

However all held Hildegardis for a Prophet, being induced thereunto by the piety of her life: no breck was ever found in her veil, so spotlesse was her conversation; by the sanctity of her writings, and by the p. 42generall approbation the Church gave unto her. For Pope Eugenius the third, after exact examination of the matter, did in the Councell of Trevers (wherein S. Bernard was present) allow and priviledge her Revelations for authenticall. She was of the Popes Conclave, and Emperours Counsel, to whom they had recourse in difficulties: yea the greatest torches of the Church lighted themselves at her candle. The Patriach of Jerusalem, the Bishops of Mentz, Colen, Breme, Trevers sent such knots as posed their own fingers to our Hildegardis to untie.

She never learn'd word of Latine; and yet **Trithemius de Scriptor. Eccles. fol. 92.therein would she fluently expresse her Revelations to those notaries that took them from her mouth; so that throwing words at randome she never brake Priscian's head: as if the Latine had learn'd to make it self true without the speakers care. And no doubt, he that brought the single parties to her married them also in her mouth, so that the same Spirit which furnished her with Latine words, made also the true Syntaxis. Let none object that her very writing of fifty eight Homilies on the Gospel is false construction, where the feminine Gender assumes an employment proper to men: for though S. Paul silenceth women for speaking in the Church, I know no Scripture forbids them from writing on Scripture.

Such infused skill she had also of Musick, whereof she was naturally ignorant, and wrote a whole book of verses very good according to those times. Indeed in that age the trumpet of the warlike Heroick, and the sweet harp of the Lyrick verse, were all turned into the gingling of Cymballs, tinckling with rhythmes, and like-sounding cadencies.

But let us heare a few lines of her Prophecies, and thence guesse the rest. In those dayes there shall rise up a people without understanding, proud, covetous, and deceitfull, the which shall eat the sins of the people, holding a certain order of foolish devotion p. 43under the feigned cloke of beggery. Also they shall instantly preach without devotion or example of the holy Martyrs, and shall detract from the secular Princes, taking away the Sacraments of the Church from the true pastours, receiving almes of the poore, having familiarity with women, instructing them how they shall deceive their husbands, and rob their husbands to give it unto them, **See much more to this purpose in Catalog. Testium veritatis in Hildegard…: Also in F…es Acts and monuments, p. 461.&c. What could be said more plain to draw out to the life those Mendicant friers (rogues by Gods statutes) which afterwards swarm'd in the world.

Heare also how she foretold the low water of Tiber, whilest as yet it was full tide there. The Kings and other Rulers of the world, being stirred up by the just judgement of God, shall set themselves against them, and run upon them, saying, We will not have these men to reigne over us with their rich houses, and great possessions, and other worldly riches, over the which we are ordained to be Lords and Rulers: and how is it meet or comely that those shavelings with their stoles and chesils should have more souldiers or richer armour and artillery then we? wherefore let us take away from them what they do not justly but wrongfully possesse.

It is well the Index expurgatorius was not up in those dayes, nor the Inquisition on foot, otherwise dame Hildegardis must have been call'd to an after account. I will onelyonly ask a Romanist this question, This Prophesie of Hildegardis, was it from heaven or from men? If from heaven, why did ye not believe it? If from men, why did the Pope allow it, & canonize her?

As for miracles, which she wrought in her life time, their number is as admirable as their nature. I must confesse at my first reading **In Liponian. in vitis Sanct. Tom. 5 fol. 91. & sequen.of them, my belief digested some, but surfeted on the rest: for she made no more to cast out a devil, then a barber to draw a tooth, and with lesse pain to the patient. I never heard of a great feast made all of Cordialls: and it seems improbable that miracles (which in Scripture are used sparingly, and chiefly for conversion of unbelievers) p. 44should be heaped so many together, made every dayes work, and by her commonly, constantly, and ordinarily, wrought. And I pray why is the Popish Church so barren of true works nowadayes here wrought at home amongst us? For as for those reported to be done farre of, it were ill for some if the gold from the Indies would abide the touch no better then the miracles.

However Hildegardis was a gratious Virgin, and God might perform some great wonders by her hand; but these piae fraudes with their painting have spoyled the naturall complexion of many a good face, and have made Truth it self suspected. She dyed in the 82. yeare of her age, was afterwards Sainted by the Pope, and the 17 day of September assign'd to her memory.

I cannot forget how Udalrick Abbat of Kempten in Germany made a most **Bruschius Demonaster. & Centuriatores, Centur. 11. Col. 350.courteous law for the weaker sexe, That no woman, guilty of what crime soever, should ever be put to death in his dominions, because two women condemn'd to die were miraculously delivered out of the prison by praying to S. Hildegardis.

CHAP. 14. The Elder Brother

IS one who made hast to come into the world to bring his Parents the first news of male-posterity, and is well rewarded for his tidings. His composition is then accounted most pretious when made of the losse of a double Virginitie.

Maxime 1He is thankfull for the advantage God gave him at the starting in the race into this world. When twinnes have been even match'd, one hath gained the gole but by his length. S. **Questionibus ex utroque mix…im Tom. 40 Col. 874.Augustine saith, That it is every mans p. 45bounden duty solemnly to celebrate his birth-day. If so, Elder Brothers may best afford good cheer on the festivall.

He counts not his inheritance a Writ of ease to free him from industry: 2As if onelyonly the Younger Brothers came into the world to work, the Elder to complement. These are the Toppes of their houses indeed, like cotlofts, highest and emptiest. Rather he laboureth to furnish himself with all gentile accomplishment, being best able to go to the cost of learning. He need not fear to be served as Ulrick Fugger was (chief of the noble family of the Fuggers in Auspurg) who was disinherited of a great patrimony onelyonly for his **Thua…. de obit. vi…. do. l. in Ann. 1584.studiousnesse, and expensivenesse in buying costly Manuscripts.

He doth not so remember he is an Heire, 3that he forgets he is a Sonne. Wherefore his carriage to his Parents is alwayes respectfull. It may chance that his father may be kept in a charitable Prison, whereof his Sonne hath the keyes; the old man being onelyonly Tenant for life, and the lands entaild on our young Gentleman. In such a case when it is in his power, if necessity requires, he enlargeth his father to such a reasonable proportion of liberty as may not be injurious to himself.

He rather desires his fathers Life then his Living. 4This was one of the principall reasons (but God knows how true) why Philip the second, King of Spain, caused in the yeare 1568. Charles his Eldest Sonne to be executed for plotting his fathers death, as was pretended. And a **Op…rerus was the Authour thereof: Famianus Strada de bello Belg…ro lib. 7. pag. 432.Wit in such difficult toyes accommodated the numerall letters in Ovids verse to the yeare wherein the Prince suffered.

FILIVs ante DIeM patrIos InqVIrIt In annos.

1568.

Before the tIMe, the oVer-hasty sonne

Seeks forth hoVV near the fathers LIfe Is Done.

1568.

p. 46But if they had no better evidence against him but this poeticall Synchronisme, we might well count him a martyr.

5His fathers deeds and grants he ratifies and confirms. If a stitch be fallen in a lease, he will not widen it into an hole by cavilling, till the whole strength of the grant run out thereat; or take advantage of the default of the Clark in writing where the deed appears really done, and on a valuable consideration: He counts himself bound in honour to perform what by marks and signes he plainly understands his father meant, though he spake it not out.

6He reflecteth his lustre to grace and credit his younger brethren. Thus Scipio Africanus, after his great victories against the Carthaginians and conquering of Hannibal, was content to serve as a **Plutar. in the life of Scipio.Lieutenant in the warres of Asia, under Lucius Scipio his younger Brother.

7He relieveth his distressed kinred, yet so as he continues them in their calling. Otherwise they would all make his house their hospitall, his kinred their calling. When one being an Husbandman challenged kinred of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, and thereupon requested favour of him to bestow an office on him, Cousen (quoth the Bishop) if your cart be broken, I'le mend it; if your plough old, I'le give you a new one, and seed to sow your land: but an Husbandman I found you, and an Husbandman I'le leave you. It is better to ease poore kinred in their Profession, then to ease them from their Profession.

8He is carefull to support the credit and dignity of his family: neither wasting his paternall estate by his unthriftinesse, nor marring it by parcelling his ancient mannours and demesnes amongst his younger children, whom he provides for by annuities, pensions, moneys, leases, and purchased lands. He remembers how when our King Alfred divided the river of Lee (which parts Hartfordshire and Essex) into three p. 47streams, it became so shallow that boats could not row, where formerly ships did ride. Thus the ancient family of the Woodfords (which had long continued in Leicestershire and elsewhere in England in great account, estate and livelihood) is at this day quite extinct. For when S^r. Thomas Woodford in the reigne of King Henrie the sixth made almost an even partition of his means betwixt his five Grandchildren, the House in short space utterly decay'd; not any part of his lands now in the **Burton in his descrip. of Leicestershire, p. 264.tenure or name of any of his male line, some whereof lived to be brought to a low ebbe of fortune. Yet on the other side to leave all to the eldest, and make no provision for the rest of their children, is against all rules of religion, forgetting their Christian-name to remember their Sir-name.

CHAP. 15. The Younger Brother.

SOme account him the better Gentleman of the two, because sonne to the more ancient Gentleman. Wherein his Elder Brother can give him the hearing, and a smile into the bargain. He shares equally with his Elder Brother in the education, but differs from him in his portion, and though he giveth also his Fathers Armes, yet to use the Herauld's language, he may say,

This to my Elder Brother I must yield,

I have the Charge but he hath all the Field.

Like herein to a young nephew of Tarquines in Rome, who was called **Livi. lib. 1.Egereus, from wanting of maintenance, because his Grandfather left him nothing. It was therefore a mannerly answer which a young Gentleman gave to King James, when he asked him what kinne he was to such a Lord of his name: Please your Majestie (said he) my Elder Brother is his Cousen german.

p. 48Maxime 1He repines not at the Providence of God in ordering his birth. Heirs are made, even where matches are, both in heaven. Even in twinnes God will have one next the doore to come first into the world.

2He labours by his endeavours to date himself an Elder Brother. Nature makes but one; Industry doth make all the sonnes of the same man Heirs. The fourth Brother gives a Martilet for the difference of his Armes: a bird **Gerard Leigh in his 9. differences of Brothers Armes.observed to build either in Castles, Steeples, or Ships; shewing that the bearer hereof, being debarr'd from all hopes of his fathers inheritance, must seek by warre, learning, or merchandize to advance his estate.

3In warre he cuts out his fortunes with his own sword. William the Conquerour, when he first landed his forces in England, burnt all his ships; that despair to return might make his men the more valiant. Younger Brothers, being cut off at home frō all hopes, are more zealous to purchase an honourable support abroad. Their small Arteries with great Spirits have wrought miracles, & their resolution hath driven successe before it. Many of them have adventured to cheapen dear enterprises, & were onelyonly abel to pay the earnest, yet fortune hath accepted them for chapmen, and hath freely forgiven thē the rest of the payment for their boldnes.

4Nor are they lesse happy if applying themselves to their book. Nature generally giving them good wits, which because they want room to burnish may the better afford to soar high.

5But he gaineth more wealth if betaking himself to merchandize. Whence often he riseth to the greatest annuall honour in the kingdome. Many families in England though not first raised frō the City, yet thence have been so restored and enriched that it may seem to amount to an originall raising. Neither doth an apprentiship extinguish native, nor disinable to acquisitive Gentry; and they are much mistaken who hold it to be in the nature of bondage. For first, his indenture is a civill p. 49contract, whereof a bondman is uncapable: secondly, no work can be base prescribed in reference to a noble end, as theirs is that learn an honest mystery to inable them for the service of God and the Countrey: thirdly, they give round summes of money to be bound. Now if apprentiship be a servitude, it is either a pleasing bondage, or strange madnesse to purchase it at so dear a rate. Gentry therefore may be suspended perchance, & asleep during the apprentiship, but it awakens afterwards.

Sometimes he raiseth his estate by applying himself to the Court. 6A pasture wherein Elder Brothers are observed to grow lean, and Younger Brothers fat. The reasons whereof may be these.

1 Younger Brothers, being but slender in estate, are easier bowed to a Court-complyance then Elder Brothers, who stand more stiff on their means, and think scorn to crave what may be a Princes pleasure to grant, and their profit to receive.

2 They make the Court their calling, and studie the mysterie thereof, whilest Elder Brothers, divided betwixt the Court and the Countrey, can have their endeavours deep in neither, which run in a double channell.

3 Elder Brothers spend highly in proportion to their estates, expecting afterwards a return with increase, which notwithstanding never payes the principall: and whilest they thus build so stately a stair-case to their preferment, the Younger Brothers get up by the back stairs in a private silent way, little expence being expected from them that have little.

Sometimes he lighteth on a wealthy match to advance him. 7If meeting with one that is Pilot of her own affections, to steer them without guidance of her friends, and such as disdaineth her marriage should be contracted in an exchange, where joynture must weigh every grain even to the portion. Rather she counts it an act both of love and charity to affect one rich in deserts, p. 50who commonly hath the advantage of birth, as she hath of means, and so it's made levell betwixt them. And thus many a young Gentleman hath gotten honourable maintenance by an Heiresse, especially when the crying of the child hath caused the laughing of the father.

8His means the more hardly gotten are the more carefully kept. Heat gotten by degrees, with motion and exercise, is more naturall and stayes longer by one, then what is gotten all at once by coming to the fire. Goods acquired by industry prove commonly more lasting then lands by descent.

9He ever owneth his Elder Brother with dutifull respect: yea though God should so blesse his endeavours as to go beyond him in wealth and honour. The pride of the Jesuites is generally taxed, who being the youngest of all other Orders, and therefore by canon to go last, will never go in **Vid. Preface to the Iesuites Catechism.Procession with other Orders, because they will not come behind them.

10Sometimes the Paternall inheritance falls to them who never hoped to rise to it. Thus John, sirnamed Sans-terre, or, Without land, having five Elder Brothers came to the kingdome of England, death levelling those which stood betwixt him and the Crown. It is observ'd of the **Carew Survey of Cornwall, fol. 117.Coringtons, an ancient familie in Cornwall, that for eight lineall descents never any one that was born heir had the land, but it ever fell to Younger Brothers.

To conclude, there is a hill in Voitland (a small countrey in Germany) called Feitchtelberg, out of which arise foure rivers running foure severall wayes, viz. 1. Eger, East, 2. Menus, West, 3. Sala, North, & 4. Nabus, South: so that he that sees their fountains so near together would admire at their falls so farre asunder. Thus the younger sons issuing out of the same mothers wombe and fathers loyns, and afterwards embracing different courses to trie their fortunes abroad in the world, chance often to die farre off, at great distance, which were all born in the same place.

p. 51The Holy State. THE SECOND BOOK.