Christian Chemistry, Title page – Dedication
Chriſtian Chymiſtrie, EXTRACTING The Honey of inſtruction from variety of OBJECTS.
BEING An handfull of Obſervations Hiſtoricall, Occaſionall, and out of Scripture.
With Applications Theologicall and Morall.
By CALEB TRENCHFIELD, ſometime Miniſter of the Church at Chipſted in Surrey.
Go to the Ant, thou ſluggard, conſider her wayes and be wiſe,
Pro. 6.6.
I went by the field of the ſlothfull, and by the Vineyard of the man voyd of underſtanding.
Then I ſaw, and conſidered it well; I looked upon it, and received inſtruction,
Pro. 24.30, 32.
London; Printed by M. S. for H. Crips, at his ſhop in Popeſ-head Alley next Lombard Street. 1662.
To my ever Honoured Uncle Daniel Shetterden Eſq;
SIR.
Why I ſhould dedicate this ſmall piece to you, will not be askt by thoſe to whom we are both known; why I ſhould not, would. Your great reſpect to a godly faithfull Miniſtry, hath merited to be in this kind confeſt by much abler pens: but your particular favour to me, challenged the firſt fruits of mine. You gave out your hand when I firſt began to go; and your incouragement and aſſiſtancy then (beſides what ſince) requires to be firſt acknowledged now. My capacity extends not to a fatted Calfe, out of the ſtall; I here preſent you with a Bunch of Grapes, like thoſe of our Countrey, comparatively ſower; nay poſitively ſo, for 'tis out of mine own Vine yard, and I dwell in a cold aire, and churliſh ſoile, that would abaſe even a generous Vine, being fitter for perry and ſider. If you can pick out hence any Grape meet for your pallate, that may be for food or phyſick; if not like Wine to cheare the heart, yet as vinegar to whet your ſtomack to what's better, I ſhall be glad if I may be but in this kind ſerviceable to your better thoughts, and intend your heat though per antiperiſtaſin. I know you have candour enough favourably to interpret what admits it, and charity enough to cover what's faulty, and goodneſs enough to accept of, and patronize what is (if any ſuch here be) worthy of it; in confidence whereof I lay theſe before you, in teſtimony of my deſires to ſerve you, and on purpoſe to ſhew that I would do ſome thing to approve my ſelf ſomewhat worthy to be
Your ſo much obliged Nephew, Caleb Trenchfield.
CHRISTIAN Chymiſtrie
(1)
SCypio Africanus being ſhew'd a very rich ſhield, anſwered, that it was the manner of the Romans to truſt more in their right hands, then their left: But moſt of thoſe Champions ſet down in the Lords book of Worthies, are memorized rather for the defenſive then offenſive; and there is uſually more honour got in that field by ſuffering, then doing.
(2)
Ageſilaus playing with his young ſon, and riding upon a reed to make him ſport, was dirided by one of his familiars, as being too vaine; to whom he anſwered, hold thy peace till thou thy ſelf art a father, and then we will heare thy advice. When we meet with infirmities which have befallen ſome of the ſervants of God in their exigencies, we are ready to deride their weakneſſe, or ſuſpect their ſincerity; but let us ſuſpend our Judgements, till our ſoules be in their ſoules ſtead.
(3)
The Miuturnians changing their purpoſe of ſlaying Caius Marius, into purpoſes of conveighing him to the Sea ſide, were in their paſſage thither, either to go a great way about, which his danger would not allow, or to go through a wood which they accounted ſacred, and the higheſt ſacriledge to carry any thing out of it, that had been once brought into it: In this exigency, an old man among them ſteps out, and reſolves the doubt, ſaying, no way was to be ſcrupled whereby Marius might be ſaved. Our dayes have ſhewn us many of that opinion, that nothing ſhould be accounted holy which ſtood in the way of their ambition; but Lord, make me alwayes willing rather to go about for the obtaining of my purpoſes, then to tread over where thou haſt ſet bounds.
(4)
Cardinall Poole being choſen Pope by a free and faire Election; yet either out of an high conceit of his own worth, or too much deſiring to ſhew his moderation and integrity, would not then be confirmed; but willed the Conclave to conſider of it till the next morning; in which time another of the Cardinalls had ſo prevailed with the reſt, that they rejected Poole, and choſe him Pope. Thoſe things which we apprehend our ſelves to be excellent in, we commonly deſire ſo much to make a ſhew of, that (like Phyſitians who willing to appeare richly clad, ſwelter in Pluſh in hot ſummer) by our oſtentation we render that ridiculous and offenſive, which might otherwiſe prove greatly to our reputation and advantage.
(5)
Philip King of Macedon being importun'd by a poor widdow to do her juſtice, anſwered, that he was not at leaſure; to whom ſhe replyed, then ceaſe to be a King; for to do juſtice is that you are a King for: which he hearing, apprehended himſelf ſo homely ſpoken to, that he took care of her cauſe incontinently. Lord, thou requireſt of us that we ſhould do thee ſervice, but we are ready to ſay we cannot intend it: but it may well be replyed to us, then ceaſe to live, for therefore gaveſt thou us our lives, that we might lay them out in thy ſervice.
(6)
Hipponicus intending to dedicate a coſtly ſtatue, was adviſed by a friend to imploy Policletus a famous workman in the making of it; but he ſaid, That he would not make uſe of ſuch an one in that buſineſſe, whoſe Art ſhould be rather regarded then his coſt. When in preaching the great truths of Goſpell Salvation, the enticing words which mans wit teacheth art ſought out, the art is ſo much lookt upon by the auditors, that the matter is for the moſt part loſt.
(7)
A Limner being deſired by a certain perſon to draw for him an Horſe tumbling, which he miſtaking, drew one running; which when he had brought home, the perſon imploying him grew angry, that, according as he had appoynted, he had not repreſented him tumbling; to whom he anſwered, Turne the piece, and your running Horſe is a tumbling one. Many differences have been among us, wherein we have been very angry that others have not concur'd with our apprehenſions, when the difference hath been onelyonly the different way of repreſenting.
(8)
Diogenes ſeeing ſome Rhodians gorgeouſly apparelled, while others admired them, ſaid, Tuſh, That's nothing but pride; and ſeeing ſome Spartans by, in their thred-bare Caps, ſaid, That's but another ſort of pride. When the vaine men of the world apply to a fantaſtick gallantry, tis manifeſt that it is nothing but pride: Oh would that when religious perſons appeare to deny the world, they did not give cauſe to ſay, that theirs is pride too.
(9)
Scypio the Conquerour of Hanniball and ſcourge of Carthage, though by many triumphs he had repleniſhed the common treaſury, yet in all his life never bought one acre of ground for himſelf, nor left money enough in his Coffers to bury him. How many men have damned their ſouls that they might dye rich, and to that end, like overflowing Rivers, have growne great by the ruins of their Countrey, upon this account chiefly, that they may go out of the world wealthy; when Scypio's moderation and abſtinence, have reared him up a more glorious Monument then his Conqueſts.
(10)
Philoſtratus being imployed by Ptolomy in building that famous Pharos neer Alexandria, engraved in the ſolid and durable Marble his own name, and in plaiſter over it, the Kings; that his in time being worne off, his own might be ſeen to perpetuity. Sin imprinteth in my fancy favourable and ſpecious conceits of it, but there are characters in my conſcience of another tenour, which will abide there, when the other are vaniſht, and no more to be remembred.
(11)
William Wickham being appoynted by King Edward in building a ſtately Church, wrote in in the windows, This work made William Wickham; for which being charged by the King, as aſſuming the honour of that work to himſelf, as the author being onelyonly overſeet, he anſwered, that, He meant not he made the work, but that the worke made him, being before but beggarly, and then in great credit. Lord, when we read in thy Word that we muſt work out our own Salvation, thy meaning is not, that our Salvation ſhould be the effect of our work, but our work the evidence of thy Salvation.
(12)
The Empreſſe Maud being cloſely beſet by her enemies neere Wincheſter, cauſed her ſelfe to be put into a Coffin, and as one dead, was ſafely conveighed through their Troupes. Evill concupiſcences beſet my ſoul with an almoſt impoſſibility of eſcaping, but the way to avoid them, is, by becoming dead to ſin, not to live any longer therein.
(13)
They tell of a Tree in Japan, that flouriſheth, and is fruitfull, if kept in a dry earth; but with moyſture (which cauſeth other trees to flouriſh) withereth. Such is the ſincere Chriſtian, to whom the croſſe is a crutch, affliction raiſeth up his affection, and the heate of perſecution makes his graces flouriſh, and fruitfull; but the gentle ſhowers of proſperity decayeth his greenneſſe, and uſually makes his graces torpid, if not liveleſſe.
(14)
Among the Turks, every one is of ſome Trade, the Grand Seignior himſelf (though Lord of ſo many Countries, yet) daily imployes himſelfe in ſome choſen Occupation: becauſe even Adam in Paradiſe was by divine appointment not left idle: An huge condemnation to thoſe of our times; who think it a diſgrace to be ingaged in any profitable imployment, whereby they may promote the common good, and their own; being almoſt all onelyonly of the trade of that Aſſirian, whoſe Motto was, Ede, bibe, lude.
(15)
Herbert in his travells tells of Fowle, which if you ſhoote ſome, the reſt fly not away, but render themſelves an eaſie prey to him that will kill them. How many ſuch fooliſh men are there, whom others harmes make not wary, but are intangled in the ſame fetters of luſt and miſery, wherein they have ſeen others, and themſelves have been formerly enſnared?
(16)
The River Tigris paſſing through the Lake Arethuſa, mingleth not his waters with it, but retaines its taſt and colour different from that of the Lake. Such ſhould the Chriſtian be, though converſing in the world, yet reſerving the ſavour of Godlineſſe, and colour of religious profeſſion unallayed.
(17)
The Virgins of Miletus through an unkind Melancholy being their own executioners, and that miſchief much encreaſing, there was a Law made, that thoſe ſo dying ſhould be carryed naked, & expoſed to view through the City, upon which that evill ceaſed; modeſty and the ſhame of being ſo laid open, though after death, prevailing more, then all other conſiderations could. How ſad is it, that among us profeſſing Chriſtianity, there ſhould be of the ſhamefacer ſex ſtraining healths through their Smocks, &c. and proſtituting that vertue, which by the heathen was eſtimated at ſo high a rate?
(18)
The Hircanians do uſe to banquet under the falls of their Rivers, as in the ſhade, which are ſo ſteep, that they ſhoote over their heads. It often is, that wretched ſinners riot it under the guilt of thoſe ſinnes, that a tender conſcienced perſon would tremble to think of.
(19)
They have Trunks in India called Sampatans, through which they ſhoot arrows ſo invenomed, that if they prick the skin, it is very dangerous, but if they draw bloud, it is irrecoverably deadly. The firſt motions to ſin, ariſing from that root of bitterneſſe, appeare never without ſad effects; but Lord, let them never draw bloud by conſent from my will, that their deadly venome ſhould ſeize my vitalls.
(20)
Demetrius King of Syria, being taken priſoner by the King of Parthia, and by him marryed to his own ſiſter, and with all deſirable things entertained, oft attempted, and at laft effected an eſcape into his own Countrey. Lord, with what enjoyments ſoever I am derained from thee, yet let the deſire of my ſoule be to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee, and at laſt let me obtaine an happy eſcape to thee.
(21)
Maud the Empreſſe being beſieged by the forces of King Stephen in Oxford, when the ſnow covered the ground, made her eſcape thence, by arraying her ſelf and followers in white ſheets. Lord, I am beſieged by thy juſtice, and the guilt of ſin compaſſeth me about on every ſide; but Oh cloath me with the white Robe of thy Sons Righteouſneſſe, that I may eſcape the execution of thy vengeance.
(22)
Sixtus Quintus being a great abettor of the Spaniſh Faction when a Cardinall, was the greateſt enemy of it when choſen Pope, the Papall dignity not being compatible with the Spaniſh greatneſſe in Italy. Lord, how far ſoever I abetted the reigne of ſin in my heart, before I received thy Spirit of adoption; yet now let me ever be a zealous oppoſer of it, the Kingdome of ſin being ſo inconſiſtent with the dignity of a ſon.
(23)
The Papiſts ſay, that their pictures of the Virgin Mary are exactly like her, being begun by Angels, and finiſhed by Saint Luke; though 'tis to be ſeen, that in them the Painters have uſed their wonted liberty, not two of them being in all things alike, and one of them of no ſmall fame, repreſenting a blackmore: Nay there was a fellow of them, that (like Apelles with his Hellen) from the beauties of ſeverall courtiſans before him, drew the picture of this Virgine. How ſafe, and to our credit is it, to continue in the truth, for the children of the father of lyes at one time or other, will ſhew their cloven feet, and to our ſhame diſcover their breed.
(24)
Though the Northern people have made many irreſiſtible irruptions into the South, like a torrent bearing all before them; yet 'tis obſerved, that they never obtained any durable Empire, the Southern wit being an overmatch for the Northern ſtrength. If concupiſcence break forth, and hurry into ſin, exerciſing ſome ſudden acts of tyranny, yet let it not get any ſtable dominion: let the efficacy of thy grace every day weare out the ſtrength of ſin.
(25)
William Wickham begging of King Edward the Biſhoprick of Wincheſter, was told by him, It was not fit for him, he being no learned man; to which he anſwered, That in recompence thereof, if his Majeſty pleaſed to beſtow it, he would make many learned men; which he effected by erecting Wincheſter Colledge. How many of thoſe goods dedicated to the incouragement of the learned, have ſince the dayes of Henry the Eighth, fallen into illiterate mens hands? 'twere well if they had ſo much of Wickhams conſcience, as to reimburſe ſome of them at leaſt, to thoſe primitive pious ends.
(26)
A certaine perſon of that Parliament, wherein the Statute for the releife of the poor paſſed, and a great indeavourer for the procuring of that Act, coming down into the Countrey, askt his Steward what the people ſaid of that Statute? who anſwered, that he heard a labouring man ſay, that whereas formerly he was wont to worke ſix dayes in the week, now he would worke but four; which abuſe of that good proviſion, ſo affected that pious Patriot, that it drew teares from his eyes in abundance. Lord, thou haſt made many proviſions in thy Word for my ſupportation and comfort, and haſt promiſed in my neceſſities thy ſupply and protection; but let not my preſumption of help from thee, cauſe my neglect of any of thoſe meanes, for my Spirituall or temporall preſervation, which thou haſt injoyned.
(27)
The Sea called Sargaſſo, though four hundred miles from any land, and ſo deep as no ground is to be found by ſounding, yet abounds with an herb called Sargaſſo like Samper, ſo thick that a Ship without a ſtrong Gale can hardly make her way. Lord, if temptation from without be never ſo far removed, yet the corruption of my heart doth continually ſend forth the bitter fruits of evill thoughts, ſo that good purpoſes find very difficult paſſage; but blow thou with the freſh gales of thy Spirit, that my reſolutions to ſerve thee may have a free courſe notwithſtanding.
(28)
A certain perſon pretending himſelf borne blind, and cured of that defect by viſiting the ſhrine of Saint Albon, with great concourſe of people admiring the Saint, and praiſing his faith, was brought before Humphrey called the good Duke of Gloceſter, being at that place the very day of the cure; who ſeeming to deſire ſatisfaction on the perfectneſſe of the cure, askt the man What colour his gown was of? he anſwered, Purple, and in that rightly, and ſo of the colour of any other thing of which he was askt; where by he diſcovered his own hypocriſie: for ſaid the Duke, If the Saint hath given you your ſight, he hath not withall given you the knowledge of colours, which is not attained but by experience. Lord, thou haſt wrought a cure upon the eyes of my mind, by enlightning them with thy truth; but let me not render thy cure ſuſpected, by undertaking to diſcerne thoſe Myſteries, which are onelyonly to be knowne by experience in heaven.
(29)
Sir Edwin Sandys reporteth upon his own knowledge of devout Papiſts, who have dared to perjure themſelves in judgement, preſuming upon the preſent and eaſie remedy of confeſſion. Lord, thou haſt in thy Word diſcovered repentance and faith in the Bloud of thy Son, as the meanes of blotting out of the ſins of my ſoule: and how apt is my heart to take liberty to ſin, with purpoſe of applying this remedy againſt the evill conſequences of it? but let me not ſo trample under my feet the Bloud of thy Covenant as an unholy thing, but keepe me that ſuch preſumption may not prevaile over me.
(30)
Upon the Coaſt of Norway the ayre is ſo ſubtilly peircing, that it inſenſibly benums the members, chills the bloud, and brings certain death, if not with ſpeed prevented; as our King James had experience, when there he was a Royall Suiter to Queen Anne. The ayre of ill company with a peſtilent contagion doth ſeize the heart, if not with a diligent and conſtant reſiſtancy repelled. Lord, I would not willingly be where ſuch a breath rageth, leſt like Joſeph I learne to ſweare by the Life of Pharoah; but if by thy providence I am caſt into ſuch company, let me be like Salt to ſeaſon them, and not be leavened by them.
(31)
In the King of Perſia's Court, there was an allowance of ſeverall Countries for the maintenance of his wives apparell, one Countrey for the tire of their heads, another for their necks, and other for other parts of their bodies. The Engliſh nation wants little now of being at that paſſe; for if a Gentleman have twenty Farmes, how many of them muſt be parcelled out for his wife? one of them, unleſſe of good revenue, not ſufficing to furniſh her with laced ſhooes, and other tingling ornaments belonging to them: And truly this vanity hath ſo far prevailed on both ſexes, that it ſtarved the poore, and driven all good hoſpitallity out of doores.
(32)
Malhamut the King of Cambaia, accuſtomed himſelf ſo to the eating of poyſon, that his breath was venomous to thoſe that ſpake with him; and thoſe women which he uſed for his luſt, were never the ſubjects of a ſecond dalliance, but dyed in the congreſſion. Thoſe that accuſtome themſelves to ſin, their very company is contagious, but a ſtrict familiarity with them cannot be had, without the greateſt danger.
(33)
Bajazet the great Turke, being in his March againſt Tamerlane overheard a Shepherd ſweetly tuning his Oaten pipe; to whom he ſaid, Happy thou that art not diſtracted with theſe ſolicitous, and weighty cares. We oft admire the peace and contentedneſs of the meane eſtate, but are more in love with the pomps and vanities of the wealthier; like Alexander, who ſaid, Vellem Diogenes eſſe, ſi Alexander non eſſem.
(34)
Apelles coming to the houſe of Protogenes, and not finding him at home, was by the ſervant required his name, that he might tell his Maſter who was there to ſpeake with him; in anſwer to whom, he askt for a pencill, and therewith drew a line on a tablet there ſtanding, and bid him ſhew that to his Maſter when he came home, at ſight whereof by the Art expreſt therein, Protogenes knew none but Apelles hand did it. Lord, the impulſes of thy Spirit, of Satan, and my own corruption, make their acceſſes to my heart, but without a name, by which they may be knowne whoſe they be; but if the lines drawne on the tablet of my heart, be holy, regular, and conformable to the rules of thy Word, I know then 'tis thy hand that did it: but if they impreſſe other Characters, let them be diſdained as none of thine, and the doore ſhut againſt them, as thoſe that are minded to deſtroy.
(35)
The Romane State never met with ſuch diſaſterous fortune, as when aſſailed at their own doores; The Gaules and Hanniball afterward Warring upon them in Italy, bringing their Common-wealth almoſt to an utter expiration; becauſe in forraigne Wars they fought much with Auxilliary ſtrength, beſide their own: In the Italian they were left to reſt upon their own leggs. Lord, I find my ſelfe indifferently able to reſiſt temptation from without, thy grace being aſſiſted with ſhame, feare, and other helps which reaſon bringeth; But the difficulty is, then to ſtand when aſſailed by unruly paſſions, of which no eye is witneſſe but thine own: therefore aſſiſt thou that inſuſed principle, with ſuch freſh ſupplies from thy ſelfe, that though the combate be more arduous, yet the victory may be certaine.
(36)
There being a great mutiny among the Souldiers of Alexander the Great, he beſpake them with the moſt pacifying language that he might; but obſerving that rather to exaſperate then allay their fury, he leaped from his Throne, and with his own hands ran his ſword through ſome of the moſt mutinous; upon which the reſt relented, and begging his pardon, complyed with his commands. When my affections prove mutinous, and rebell againſt grace, there's no arguing of the caſe with them, for they gather ſtrength by treaty: but the way is, to fly in the face of them by an immediate deteſtation, there being no expedient in this caſe, like a ſpeedy reſolution.
(37)
A Grecian Ambaſſador being at the Perſian Court, where 'tis expected that reverence be done to the King, by proſtrating the body upon the ground, (a thing ſo abhor'd by the Grecians that they executed ſome of their Ambaſſadors at their returne for ſo doing) he purpoſely let fall his Ring at his entrance, that by ſtooping downe to take it up, he might ſeeme to do that reverence which they expected, and yet preſerve his own thoughts, by directing his intention to another purpoſe. Lord, how many have found out bolder and balder inventions, wherewith to cheat their conſciences, for the accompliſhing of their ends, acting, though more plauſibly, yet no leſſe certainly contrary to their principles? but do thou aſſiſt me, that I may exerciſe my ſelfe alwayes to have a conſcience voyd of offence, firſt towards thy ſelfe, and then towards men.
(38)
The Lacedemonians had two ſtaves exactly like, one of which the Generall had to the Wars, the other remained with the Ephori: meſſages of importance and ſecrecy, were written upon ſlips of Parchment, rouled upon one of theſe ſtaves; wch being taken off, could not be read, (the lines anſwering unequally) till rouled upon the other ſtaffe of the ſame ſize. Lord, the booke of thy eternall decrees is the ſtaffe kept by thee, that of thy Word, the ſtaffe delivered to me; if the characters of thy Election written upon my heart are legible applyed to thy Word, I am certaine they are ſuch as will be acknowledged by thee, when at that day, they ſhall be applyed to thy eternall decrees.
(39)
Under the Papacy, any ſins find eaſie abſolution, if the perſon be not ſuſpected of Proteſtaniſme; and any opinions have tolerable favour, if not derogatory from Papall authority. How often (beſides by Jehu) hath that queſtion been put, who is on my ſide, who? and if the party have been right for that cauſe, if his religion be that of Mahomet, or his life like that of Apicius, he need not doubt but he ſhall find fair entertainment.
(40)
The Perſian being invaded by the Great Turke, burnes up all which may be of any uſe to ſuſtaine man or beaſt; that thoſe who could not be overcome by force, might be weakened with famine. Sine cerere & Bacchofriget Venus, and not to make proviſion for the fleſh, is not the leaſt help to abate the ſtrength of luſt.
(41)
Philonides Alexanders Currier paſſing from Scicion to Elis, accompliſhed his journey thither in much more day-light, then he could returne back againe; becauſe in his paſſage Weſtward, he accompanied the Sun, in his returne Eaſtward, contrarily: Lord, in ſeeking after the things that are ſpirituall I find the comfort long abiding after thoſe purſuits, becauſe in ſuch actions thy Spirit the Comforter beares me company; but the pleaſure of the things of this life is quickly benighted, becauſe thy Spirit leads another courſe.
(42)
At that memorable battel between the Carthaginians and Romanes at the Thraſimene Lake, a very great earthquake (at the ſame time happening) was not apprehended by either Army. The moſt important and ſhaking conſiderations, never ſo earneſtly preſt, ſeldome obtaine audience from hearts taken up with the immoderate cares after things of this life.
(43)
'Tis a tradition that the elder Church uſed the recitation of two Creeds, that called the Apoſtles, and the Nicene, the one with a low, the other with a loud voice; becauſe the firſt was compoſed in the times of perſecution, when the Church durſt but as it were whiſper its Confeſſion; the other in the time of peace, when it might make a bolder profeſſion. Lord, if it be thy will, give us peace, that thy Truth may be ſpoken loud, and profeſſed publickly; if otherwiſe, give us that foreign not to whiſper it, but profeſſe it boldly.
(44)
There was a Beugalan not long ſince, who is ſaid to live three hundred and thirty years, but in that time had his hoary head changed to its originall blackneſſe, and his decayed teeth ſupplyed with new ones. There's none ſhall live that life which never endeth, but are firſt new borne, and reſtored, as to thoſe decayes which Adams fall brought, putting off the old man which is corrupt, with his deeds, and putting on the new, which after God is created in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe.
(45)
I have hugely wondred, that Biſhop ſhould be cenſured by the Pope as an Heretick, for affirming Antipodes; the aſſertion being ſo rationall, and Pliny long before having with ſo much evidence of reaſon, diſcourſt of it. But, Lord, this is thy juſt Judgement, that if we ſhut our eyes againſt ſupernaturall light, we ſhould be fooles in that which is humane.
(46)
The Great Mogull for his recreation, is ſaid, to cauſe his Huntſmen to ride forth on a tame Elephant, till they find a wild one; with whom the tame committing fight, and both engaged faſt by their trunks, men (to that purpoſe attending) bind the hinder feet of the wild one, and ſo ſecure him. In like manner Harts are taken, by faſtning a net to the hornes of a tame one, who fighting with the wild, ſo ſurely entangleth his craggy hornes, that he eaſily becomes a prey to them that waite that opportunity. How often is it, that the diſſentions of Chriſtian Brethren, have not onelyonly made them ſerviceable to the luſts and paſſions of wicked men, but a prey alſo to their cruelty?
(47)
In a skirmiſh between the Proteſtants and Papiſts in thoſe civill Wars in France, a ſouldier of the Proteſtants party gained an horſe, much eſteemed of by the enemy; for the redemption of which, they offered three priſoners (that day taken) in exchange; but that offer being rejected, they inraged ſlew the men immediatly before his eyes: a few dayes after, the ſame ſouldier being engaged on that very horſe, was by his fiery headſtrongneſſe carried ſo far into the enemies Troups, that he could not be brought off, but was there ſlaine, and the horſe recovered. Lord, in that valuation which my heart ſets upon the things here, let me obſerve that due ſubordination, leaſt while I too much prize the things I love much, thoſe very things procure the loſſe of thoſe things I love more.
(48)
At Boghar a Citie of the Zagaethaian Tartars, there is a River which cauſeth to them that drinke thereof a worme in the legge, which if not pul'd out, or partially, proves certainly deadly. Such is ſin if entertained in the ſoule, begetting a guilt, and fearfull expectation of Gods vengeance, and ſurely damnable, if not cleanſed out by faith in the Bloud of Jeſus.
(49)
The Germans knowing themſelves no matches for the Italian, in reſpect of their craft and ſubtilty, make amends for that want, by a peremptory ſticking to thoſe reſolutions which they had before conſiderately taken up. I find my ſelfe no wayes able to deale with that old Serpent, who hath ſo many methods of deceit; but let him ſay what he will, or can, Lord, do thou fix me irremovably on this reſolution, I have ſaid I will keep thy Commandements alwayes, even to the end.
(50)
The Inns of Poland give no entertainment to the traveller, but bare walls, without bed, or board, or other accommodation whatſoever: Alas how oft is my heart ſuch a gueſtchamber to good thoughts and pious deſignes, where they find ſuch welcome, as decayed perſons have from their wealthier friends.
(51)
In Peru a man may paſſe from Summer to Winter in a few houres, there being in the plaines a louring skie, continually ſtormes, and everdropping clouds; when at the ſame time, the mountaines have a ſerene heaven, and a verdure in all reſpects ſuitable to a Summer ſeaſon. Such variety doth my heart afford, where the old man rageth with unruly paſſions, and diſorderly affections, and irregular concupiſcences; But bleſſed be God, within a little ſpace a better face of things is to be ſeen, the regenerate part bringing in that calmneſſe, meekneſſe, and regularity agreable to a Goſpel Sunſhine: yea, even then the ſpirit is willing, when the fleſh is weake.
(52)
When Cyrus beſieged the Citie of Babilon, the River Euphrates was the greateſt obſtruction to his deſigne, till he cut out many channels, and diverted the ſtreame into them; which before, when united, was deeply Navigable, but now divided, became in every place fordable. The diffuſion of the mind into variety of thoughts and ſubjects, renders it uncapable of any deepe ſearch; but he is like to be profound, that ſums his thoughts to one purpoſe till obtained: Ʋnite my heart to the feare of thy Name.
(53)
There is a Plant in Sumbrero (an Iland of India) which is locomotive, the roote being a worme, like an houſe ſnaile; if this Plant be taken up, it dryeth into a ſolid ſtone: by how much it had exceeded other Plants in ſenſe, and motion, by ſo much more (degenerating into a ſtone) it exceeded in hardneſs. Thus it is with thoſe who being once enlightned, and by a taſt of the powers of the world to come, tranſported beyond the common ſort of inconſiderate ſoules; if they apoſtatize, they become the worſt, and moſt ſtony hearted of men, bitter ſcoffers, or cruel perſecutors.
(54)
The City Weinſpurg of the Guelphian Faction, being beſieged by the Emperour, and cruelly threatned, the women of the City beſought him they might have leave to depart, taking with them only what they could carry on their backs; to which he conſenting, they each paſt forth, bearing on their backs their husbands. If love could procure a compliance between married couples, in thoſe things not ſo eaſily, nor (in ſome reſpects) poſſibly ſo ſeemely, yet for generall advantage, it would be found an expedient oftentimes conducing, not to the comfort onelyonly, but ſafety of both.
(55)
Peter Walde a rich Merchant in Lyons, walking the ſtreets with ſome of his friends, one of them fell ſuddenly downe dead: with which ſpectacle he was ſo affected, that he immediately reformed his life, & became the beginner of the Waldenſes, which for ſo many ages have ſtood forth couragious Confeſſors of the Truth. Lord, how ſuddenly and unexpectedly mayeſt thou call for this breath that is in theſe noſtrils, and time to me ſhall be no more: let me therefore improve the preſent time to do thee ſervice, and ſecure my ſoul, being the time to come depends upon ſo much uncertainty.
(56)
There is a tree in Mindanao, the halfe of which Eaſterly ſited, is a great Antipoiſon; but that part reſpecting the Weſt, the greateſt poyſon in the world. So is it in the regenerate, where the fleſhly part perpetually brings forth the venomous offſpring of vile luſts, but the ſpirituall part is in a conſtant reſiſtancy againſt thoſe poyſonfull effects.
(57)
There are a ſort of fiſhes in the Southern Ocean, which when purſued by other fiſhes in the Sea, fly into the ayre, but are then made a prey to a Sea fowle, which continually watcheth that opportunity. Lord, if I am in private, my own unruly paſſions diſquiet me; if in publick, temptations from without aſſault me: but Oh, let thy grace be ſufficient for me; that though I be Concuſſus, I may not be Excuſſus, though on every ſide and ever aſſailed, yet never overcome.
(58)
There is an Idoll in Madure (a part of the Eaſt-Indies) called Chocanada, which (they ſay) in a viſion willed a Prieſt to ſignifie to the King of Madure, that one of they two muſt abide in his houſe: upon which he (unwilling there ſhould be any competition between him and his Idoll) reſigned his Palace to him. How is it that we are leſſe complying with our God, not expelling that worſt part of our ſelves, our luſts, that he may be intempled in our hearts.
(59)
A certain Noble man of France was wont, when his Armor was buckled on, and approaches made to battell, to be taken with ſuch a trembling, that it looſed the retentive faculty of his body; yet valourous in the face of his enemy, and with much courage loſt his life at the battle of Pavye. Lord, the very thought of what perſecutions may befall becauſe of thy truth, makes my heart tremble; but if thou ingage me in that combate, ſupply me with thy aſſiſting grace, that like that Saunders, my preſent weakneſſe, may be ſucceeded with a moſt ſtout conteſtation againſt thy moſt inveterate, and bittereſt enemies.
(60)
The Aegyptians were wont with great coſt and enquiry to ſearch out a Bull to be their Apis; whom having worſhipped for a time, after their ſuperſtition they drowned in a fountaine, and then with great lamentation for his loſſe, they imployed the like coſt, and queſt for the finding of another. Oh the hazards, and hardſhips, wherewith the things of this world are ſought by us, which being had, we as fooliſhly ſpend, as if indeed Satius eſſet quaerere, quam quaeſiſſe, when like the Hawke we leave the killed Quarry, and purſue that which flyes away.
(61)
The people of Numidia are ſaid, not to waſh their hands in ſome yeares, an excuſable fault, for they have not water in thoſe Deſerts wherewith to do it. If the poor Indian be an irreligious, prophane, unmortified ſinner, he will be in ſome reſpect, or comparatively excuſable, the Fountaine opened for ſin and for uncleanneſſe, being ſet far off from him; but what Apology will be found for ſuch in our Weſtern world, where that fountaine is Prae manibus.
(62)
There is a Poole in Comogena, that ſends forth a mud that burneth, and is not to be quenched, but with earth. Lord, my heart emits burning deſires after worldly things, which will be quenched in the grave at laſt; Oh that the conſideration of my latter end might do it now.
(63)
The ſame yeare that Saguntum was deſtroyed by Hanniball, a child was borne there, which forthwith returned back againe into his mothers womb. Lord, the miſeries undergone by us in this vale of teares, might make us of his mind, who faid, that they were happieſt who were never borne, and they next which dyed ſooneſt; but if it be thy will that they ſhall be ſuffered by us, yet let them by thy grace be ſanctified to us, that what is neceſſary may yet be profitable, and what cannot be avoided, may yet be the better by patience endured.
(64)
They tell of an huge golden Idoll among the Eaſt-Indians borne in a maſſy chariot, drawn by foure Elephants in proceſſion, under the wheels of which many perſons (ſomtimes to the number of five hundred at once) put themſelves, and are ſo ſqueezed to death: at which times alſo, many cut off gobbets of their fleſh, and offer them to the Idoll, ſlaying themſelves at length in like devotion. Hey me, that ſuch ſhould be the effects of a blind zeale to a blinder Deity, and that we ſhould ſhrink from the ſervice of the living God for feare of the loſſe of profit, or credit; yea, that thoſe our luſts ſo peremptorily required, ſhould not be cut off in devotion to him.
(65)
You may behold the Aegyptian temples on the outſide glorious with all poſſible magnificence, but within no other Deity then ſome vile Cat, or other ſuch contemptible creature. So is it with the outward pomp of Papiſticall devotion, yea, and with the hypocriticall formalities of an onelyonly ourſide Religion, wherein nothing is more ſolemne, then the furniture of ceremonies, nothing leſſe then the devotion of hearts.
(66)
At Segelmeſſe a City in Numidia they have no Fleas, (a priviledge they much boaſt of) but are miſerably infeſted with ſcorpions. Wicked men think they are greatly happy in being free from the preciſeneſſe, and troubleſome limitations which the godly comply with, a poore priviledge, if compared with thoſe ſcorpions, aſſured guilt, and terror of conſcience which every act of ſin brings along with it.
(67)
Captaine Saris ſailing to Japan, divers of the Japanenſes by a Religion the Jeſuits had taught them, fell down on their knees to the pictures of Venus and Cupid, in the Captaines Cabbin, ſuppoſing them to be the Images of Jeſus and his Mother: this the Jeſuits will excuſe and ſay, though the object be erroneous, yet the worſhip was good, the intention being aright directed. Lord, if my charity have been miſtaken, thinking I have relieved the truly neceſſitous, when I have given to a ſturdy vag bond; yet accept I pray thee the ſincerity of my intentions to do good to thy diſtreſſed members, and for the time to come, let my miſtakes be on the right hand, like thoſe who inſtead of being Hoſts to ſtrangers, entertained Angels unawares.
(68)
There is a Well formerly dedicated to Jupiter Ammon, which is very warme in the dawning of the day, but cooleth as the Sun gets to his height, and after recovers its warmth as the Sun beams decline from it. So is it with the heat of ſpirituall zeal of pious ſouls, which the Sunſhine of proſperity uſually makes languid, and well were it, if it could be againe recovered as that declineth.
(69)
A certain Merchant travelling through the Lybian Deſerts, being oppreſſed with thirſt, gave ten thouſand Duckets for a Cup of water. How ſenſible are men of their bodily wants? and how expenſive in ſupplying them? but how many would dye eternally, through the ſpirituall thirſt of water of life, before they would be at the thouſandth part of that coſt for ſupply?
(70)
The Indian King of Mexico, in his Coronation was cloathed with a garment painted with Skulls, and dead mens bones; thoſe rude people intending to admoniſh him in his new Soveraignty, of his own mortality. And how well were it, if with us of more knowledge, there would be more remembrance of thoſe chambers of death, where the pomps and vanities of this world ſhall paſſe, but a long reckoning ſhall remaine to be accounted for.
(71)
The Iſle of Saint Thomas upon the coaſt of Africk, is ſo exceſſively hot, that European bodyes are not able to walke there, and the earth perpetually drie, there being neither Rivers nor raines; but in the mid'ſt of the Iſle, there is a mountaine, ſtored with Wood, over which a cloud continually hangeth, that diſtilleth ſo large a dew upon theſe trees, as runneth downe thence ſo plenrifully as ſupplyeth the thirſt of men, and beaſts, and plants. Lord, this heart of mine is as a barren and thirſty land, where no water is, and the heat of inordinate deſires ſo rageth, that reſolutions of well doing are languid, and the exerciſes of thy grace faint: But Oh, let the cloud of thy preſence be upon the mount of my retirement, that from thence may flow plentifull diſtillations of thy grace, for the remedying this barrenneſs, and relieving this faintneſſe: I will run the way of thy Commandements, when thou ſhalt enlarge my heart.
(72)
A certaine perſon falling into the hands of the Indian Caniballs, being ſicke and faint, was by them diſmiſſed without farther harme, as being judged by them unwholſome food. How often is it that thoſe very things which we lament, and trouble us, by God wiſe and gracious diſpenſation become preſervations to us.