them new spirit and life to his honour and their abundant felicity not seeming at all to desire their comfort and conversation in this world since that satisfaction could endure but a short time but onely wished to possesse their companies in an eternal and heavenly mansion where they might enjoy one another for ever before the face of God by way of an infinite blessednesse and to this purpose after she had joyfully beheld the last catastrophe of her sons constancy and most violent sufferings their dead bodies being exposed to her view as bloody sacrifices of humane cruelty she offered up her own life most couragiously to be consumed also by torments as a full period to the Hecatomb in confirmation of her own faith and as a worthy example for her Nation to all eternity which heavenly Tragedy I hope is more then a sufficient testimony to shew that these people could not have been drawn away contrary to their duties by the fond and idle vanities of these times that renders so many now carelesse either of belief or manners Neither can we say these onely have given patterns to the world of their holy and admirable constancy since the Primitive Church after our Saviours passion hath produced some stories of the same nature that were acted also by heroical persons of the female sexe The wonderful life of Saint John the Baptist. LAst of all we shall mention Saint Iohn the Baptist whose sins certainly could no way make him deservedly liable to those austerities he exercised upon himself though it should seem God Almighty neverthelesse thought it necessary that the forerunner of his dear son should make plain the steps of his Saviours Passion with wonderful examples of penance in his person as a cleerer testimony that it is unpossible but by such means to please God or at leastwise to have an absolute intention so to do if the occasion be presented in this humane life for we must be assured this world was not created for a Paradise but for our pilgrimage neither did ever yet any person go to Heaven but either through the fire of tribulation or by the practice of mortification exampled by Jesus Christ himself upon earth and imitated by all the glorious Saints and Martyrs of his Church from the very first beginning of times and must so continue unto the end of the world however lesse and more according to the blessed pleasure of Almighty God who will have such testimonies from his servants for more assured marks of their own interiour affection to himself in regard of the benefits they have received from his eternal Majesty not onely for their Creation but preservation and Redemption To which purpose as I say we may consider the life of this great Prophet who as it should seem notwithstanding his supream priviledge of being the greatest that was ever born of a woman could not be exempted from the mortifications belonging to humane condition which in his own person he performed most rigorously not onely in debarring himself from all youthful delights but in abstaining from his necessary acquaintance that should have administred to his conveniency and subsistence for as we reade he went at seven yeers old into the Desart where he could not have lived but that he was supported and relieved by the special grace and assistance of Almighty God beyond the ordinary course of nature Besides he was onely cloathed in Camels haire and fed upon Locusts and wild honey neither drinking wine nor strong drink which being in my opinion the highest expressions of a mortified life are sufficient examples to shew that this very course was ordained him from Heaven to teach the world pregnant documents of voluntary affliction towards the fulfilling of that new Law that was to be established shortly after by our Saviour since neither his Senses nor his understanding seemed to entertain any earthly satisfaction according to the custom of other people which manner of living notwithstanding he continued many yeers wherin was spent and wasted the chief flower of his age as being by a prophetical spirit no doubt foretold before he came to any seeming or competent yeers of discretion that it was not onely most necessary for his masters service but absolutely agreeing with Gods will that he should exercise the same Authority which Jesus Christ determined both to teach and practice in his conversation amongst men and to this purpose our Saviour was never mentioned by holy Scripture to laugh in all the time of his being here though frequently he shed teares for the sins and miseries of the world most plain and evident testimonies that at leastwise he expects from us a convenient suppression of all inordinate passions and appetites Furthermore when this great Saint came to the full period of that time for what he was designed he not onely instructed the people without any manner of flattery or connivency in those high mysteries belonging to his calling but most earnestly preached still penance to their cares and considerations as if nothing but a proportionable measure of that wholesom salve was to be applyed And did neverthelesse maintain his own profound humility in such an excellent nature that notwithstanding the largenesse of his Commission and dignity of his office he would not be brought by all the admiration and almost adoration of such persons as came to hear him in the wildernesse to confesse any power or good belonging to himself though his words and actions seemed to the vulgar and rude multitude most miraculous but alwayes referred the honour and praise to him which was to follow And to that purpose sent his own Disciples to be instructed by our blessed Saviour whom also in the flesh he would not have baptized meerly out of a trembling reverence at the deep consideration of his divine person though he was onely sent into the world for that effect if he had not been urged thereunto by an absolute necessity as fearing further to offend by reason his obedience might have been brought in question And last of all may be considered that whereas he might probably have received what honour he had pleased from Herod if he would any way have complyed with his wifes unlawful ambition and his own violent lust yet he was so far from giving of any manner of countenance to either that he told the incestuous King publiquely with a most bold courage and zealous intention that he could not by the Lawes of God keep his brothers wife In prosecution of which admonition he willingly laid down his life for the exact maintenance of Religion and Justice And thus ended that most glorious champion and Herald of Christ his happy dayes to our example and benefit if we concur also with the same supernatural Grace offered from Heaven to suppresse inordinate passions and fleshly appetites which onely keep the Soul from acting nobly according to the intention of our Creation The small satisfaction of earthly pleasures considered NOw we have done with
one Country and therefore could not so easily differ in points of Faith or be corrupted in manners for want of due information yet neverthelesse we see God Almighty held it so necessary a thing with those few people though united and circumscribed as I say into a most narrow and small circuit of ground and Territorie that he had alwayes his Church and High Priest amongst them unto whose Decrees our Saviour Christ himself commanded the Jewes to be obedient however the men at that present that governed were most corrupt and wicked onely because they sat in Moses chair and enjoyed of right a supernatural prerogative by way of an orderly succession which he intended should onely continue until after his passion that he might establish his more lasting and holy Church which by his own promise is to indure without interruption until the end of the world being invisibly to be alwayes governed by the Holy Ghost for the more assuredness of infallibility which plainly shewes that such a thing must be upon earth Whereunto are annexed also these marks of power and perspicuity since it is said he would not onely place his Tabernacle in the Son figuratively meaning his Church but we are admonished in holy Scripture from our Saviours own mouth that whosoever will not hear his Church shall be esteemed no better then a Heathen and a Publican which truly would seem to any man a most impertinent saying if there were no such Assembly upon earth to be heard and listened unto For it is not to be supposed we should upon all occasions mount into Heaven either to be instructed in our doubts or to give information against our neighbour erring so that of necessity there must be some Congregation or Tribunal on earth established to that purpose besides by the very Articles of our Creed we are to believe the Holy Catholick Church which implies a certainty of there being such a thing before we can believe what it sayes So that we may conclude it a most ridiculous madnesse to think there is no visible and real place or Chair upon earth where men may go to receive true and undoubted information concerning matters of Religion especially when it is not credible that every particular person should have sufficient direction by Revelation since the greatest Prophets that were ever sent into the world were constrained to fetch their instructions oftentimes from others In the next place it is as necessary to believe that this established Assembly must be infallible as that it is at all since if it should be otherwise our directions would sometimes misse and so consequently we might ignorantly contract errours in our wayes and endeavours instead of running surely in the direct path of Almighty Gods principles and commandments towards our future salvation For it is evident by the rules of reason upon all intended certainties there ought to be some means prescribed us whereby we may be sure we are right As for the purpose in all humane matters we are accustomed to use the benefit of weight measure or some other experience before we have sufficient assurance any thing is just according to our intention much more are we to believe that our Saviour Jesus Christ after having shewed such a mystical love in our redemption would not have carelesly exposed us to a dark Labyrinth of confusion and incertainty concerning the knowledge of his Law of such a consequence to be observed nay rather it is to be supposed he would have written it in brasse for our better instruction if he had not ordained an Assembly onely for that effect but for a greater confirmation of our purpose we may remember what the holy Scriptures tell us that the Church is the pillar of Truth and therefore consequently cannot be false neither could Gods revealed will and pleasure in an ordinary way and without miracle come to be known to our humane understandings but by the Records delivered unto us by the unquestionable Authority of the Churches tradition that renders them Authentical to our belief without which they have no seal of exemplification or testimony since it is not enough to say that one place of Scripture is perfectly able to interpret another without a more assured rule when as we do not know by our own reading and particular Science what places are true Scripture and which not having onely the letter of the book to look upon and as little can we be assured that we do expound those writings right as they were intended because it belongs not to any private spirit so to do of the contrary it may be feared according to the words of Saint Peter especially if we use too much presumption that being unlearned and unstable we may wrest the Text to our own damnation So that of necessity there must be something above our selves not onely to be the interpreter of this Law but also to tell and shew us the Law it self that was ordained so that I must leave it to any common understanding to consider what can be more proper for this then the Church of God that he hath promised to be withal until the consummation of the world We may also extract another assurance out of the old Testament which is that God Almighty said in time to come he would chuse such an Assembly by orderly succession whose spirits as it is written should conserve knowledge and the true Spirit should be put into their mouths from generation to generation for ever Wherefore I say as this must needs be meant onely by the universal Church so of the other side such persons cannot be but esteemed most ridiculous in their opinions that will not allow this Assembly the prerogative of knowledge and interpretation and yet do assume to themselves perhaps being ignorant in a high nature a most infallible way of understanding as well what books are Divine Scripture as also what interpretation ought truly to be given to every Text though they are plainly forewarned of the danger by those very Epistles that they themselves have judged to be true Scripture but as these few proofes may be sufficient as I said before to perswade any reasonable and competent understanding concerning the infallibility of this Assembly instituted by our Saviour and governed by the Holy Ghost this being granted that of necessity we must believe the Assembly we cannot by any reason deny our obedience to the Authority But here perhaps may come a new question according to some Athiestical Tenents of these times whether or no God Almighty have appointed man any other rules then the Law of nature measured out only by his own private judgement which certainly are most grosse and absurd opinions for by these maxims there should be no difference between men and beasts in their course of living since the latter have a kinde of order allowed them to use by the meer instinct of nature though they want reason As for example they ingender seasonably procure to
living creatures without some intention either to supply his necessities or please his senses Much more ridiculous to think God Almighty that is not subject at all to error should create and preserve what he did not intend for some purpose Wherefore I say this divine Essence as he cannot be capable of these or any other Passions and Defects so would he not have made this world without an intention conducing to eternity for their sakes to whose use the earth was ordained at the first Since all his operations can tend to no lower an end in every of his Works which must be infinite like to himself of the other side certainly this Object of his can be no other then the Soul of man he onely of all other creatures being indued with a reasonable and noble Understanding and therefore pleased it should participate of a Glory out of his infinite mercy that could not be created because his sublime goodness never intended any thing directly for destruction but by way of accident or rather provoked thereunto by his necessary Justice for his eternal Honour But if mans reasonable Soul should be Mortal as some Fools perhaps may ridiculously suppose what priviledge hath his excellent creation above other inferiour creatures over whom he is ordained Lord and Master nay rather I may say apparent disadvantages since not onely most living things exceed him in the Faculties and Use of their Senses but also in not being subject to the unhappiness of the perturbation of the minde upon the arival of worldly accidents which may be esteemed the greatest afflictions of this Life for that foreknowledge and apprehension of Death or Miseries before they come are a continual discomforture to all present Delights and an interruption to that content which should render him happy and pleased within himself Whereas unreasonable creatures want those perturbations of thought and apprehension to afflict them So that if man had not Immortality to expect in lieu of such sufferings I might truly affirm his Creator had done him much injury in giving him a reasonable Soul to his further disquiet and vexation and might justly conclude him more unfortunate in his creation then all those creatures over whom he is designed to govern which certainly his good and wise God never intended him since he was pleased to make him so excellent in his understanding And so I end with Atheism though I must again fall upon a new Dispute concerning Infidelity which is no other then to doubt something of the Person or Passion of our Saviour That our Saviour was the true Messias WE shall begin with the time of Christs coming in the Flesh which apparently was foretold should be when the Jews Scepter was to be taken away from the right Line and a general Peace proclaimed over the face of the Earth Both these I say were punctually fulfilled at his Blessed Birth insomuch as not onely Herod who then wore the Diadem of Jury was a meer stranger as well by Extraction as by Nation but also the Temple of Ianus was then shut up in Rome the accustomed Ceremony belonging to such a Iubily of Pacification Next it was plainly Prophesied by many places in Holy Scripture that the Iews in time to come should be discarded for their impiety and the Gentiles to be Elected in their Rooms All which we see at this day so exactly performed that they are not onely scattered over the Earth without Honour or Dominion being a Scandal and Reproach to all other Countries but have not so much as either Temple or Priest to offer their Sacrifice or exercise their Rights whilst of the contrary we behold the Christian Religion most gloriously to flourish amongst the Gentiles almost over the whole world to the absolute abolishing of all the ancient Idols which in the Primitive times were so generally esteemed and worshipped that whosoever refused their adorations were to undergo the worst of torments for their contempt however this Faith of ours had no visible encouragement to humane eyes but of the contrary was frighted by horrid terrours received from the blood of Martyrs and yet these people were onely perswaded to their constant and admirable belief by the poor and simple Preaching of a few unlearned and contemptible Fishermen insomuch as great and wise Doctors in a manner in an instant gave up their lives willingly to most exasperated and cruel Tyranny in witness and confirmation of that blessed Truth notwithstanding the opinions themselves that they were taught were against all appetites and Sense of man which of necessity must imply that these strange and suddain opperationses could proceed from no other thing but divine instigation Besides we see according to many Predictions of the Prophets that Kings and Queens are become nursing fathers and mothers to this holy Faith with so much alacrity that they are not onely content to submit to the Churches jurisdiction but in a manner lay down their glorious Crowns and Scepters with the more humility to prostrate their persons at the steps of this Tribunal which certainly is beyond all humane apprehension to conceive since neither honour profit nor worldly felicity seems to attend the intention of their practices Neither had the Doctrine at the first as I say any probability to be believed for that it taught such strange and unheard of mysteries that could not come almost within the compass of any brain to invent And surely if man onely had been the Author of this change he would have devised some more easie way to have pleased flesh and blood or to have better satisfied peoples understandings much less would Jesus Christ in the very infancy of this belief have subjected not onely himself but all his Disciples to such penurions want and most intolerable torments accompanyed with nothing else but contempt and scorn without any hope at all either of benefit honour or reward if as an Impostor onely he had intended the deceiving of the people for his own vain glory Next if we consider the most woful and lamentable destruction of Ierusalem to happen so directly according to our Saviours saying though that City was then at the present in an extraordinary flourishing condition and in a perfect subjection to the Romans whose Emperour the inhabitants professed to serve love and honour before all the world we may easily perceive that no less then a Divine Spirit could have uttered those Prophesies as also hapning immediately after his death and passion it was most apparant a heavenly hand onely punished their impiety both for the cruelty used towards his person as in regard of their obstinacy in refusing his Doctrine denying him to be their spiritual King which curse also hath continued ever since upon their condition as a remarkable plague for their ingratitude whilst of the contrary as we see God Almighty hath advanced his own glory every where by striking dumb all the Oracles of the Divel notwithstanding they have been violently supported by the Art and
severity of God Almighties justice when he would not fall upon any other means for our Redemption however we see that although the Son of God was designed to perform this mysterious service to his Father for our benefit which goodness is not to be comprehended by all the mortal thoughts in the world much less to be requited by any humane action or endeavour yet for all this excessive love expressed to mankind God was not pleased presently to bring him into Heaven or place him again in his earthly Paradise but on the contrary enjoyned him a continual penance which was to get his living all the days of his life by the sweat of his brows and withal ordained his wife to bring forth children with pain and travail as temporal punishments designed to each whereby they might also in their own persons satisfie Gods justice in regard of their own first disobedience over and besides the sufferings of our Saviour which playnly demonstrateth that this great God of ours will not be so easily pacified however the presumption and lunatick fancies of many may suggest to their overweening appetites a hope to enter into heaven accompanied with all the delights of the world as if we were here only for our pleasures and not for the necessary maintenance of a pilgrimage upon earth which is to work forth our salvation with industry care and trembling Again we may consider Cain the first man that was born of a woman who however his sin was extraordinary yet the original proceeded from a kind of penuriousness in his nature onely to preserve his best things from the consuming fire of Sacrifice which notwithstanding was so resented by his Lord and Maker that he not onely permitted him to fall into those horrid crimes of envy and murther but presently chased him from the society of all good people with a kinde of a loathing terrour to himself laying a general curse upon his whole posterity who after were totally destroyed in the universal stood with those they had corrupted for whose punishment that deluge was sent upon the face of the earth as an apparant mark of Gods indignation against wicked persons who are not alwayes alone chastised for the offences they commit but also oftentimes in their posterity since it is not to be doubted but some of those that perished in the general destruction pleased God in their actions as is intimated by the second Epistle of St. Peter Next we will remember Cham the unfortunate son of Noah who onely for his irreverence to his fathers frailty was eternally punished upon which occasion receiving his curse he was instantly banished from his presence and for his offence became the father of a most impious and rebellious Nation both against God and man insomuch as tyrannical Nimrod his grandchild after he had presumptuously made war against heaven in the building of that stupendious Tower of Babel where his proud works were confounded by the diversity of languages he set up the first Idolatry causing himself to be worshipped as a God from whence hath proceeded errour wickedness and damnation ever since to people until the force of our blessed Saviours bitter Passion absolutely destroyed all those lying Oracles that so long deluded the earth with the false opinions of that pretended true Religion Here we must introduce the story of the Jewes A people particularly elected out of mankinde to be the objects of Gods love and care as another example of his justice for however their punishments were but proportionable to their knowledge of his Divine essence in regard they were not so perfect as Adam to understand his will and pleasure who in Paradise had absolute power to forbear sin and do good so were their chastisements for the most part but temporary and worldly not imposed upon them and their posterity eternally as his was yet if we look upon their many sufferings and captivities we shall finde notwithstanding that God Almighty did not forget their offences permitting but two of all that numerous Army that came out of Aegypt to enter into the Land of Promise the onely hope and desired period of all their tedious travels in which number Moses that most excellent servant of God and indefatigable Captain also was included by reason of some small defect in the execution of his Office which not onely shews the impartiality of God Almighties justice as well towards those he loves as to them he hates but may very cleerly admonish us against the fancy of presumption in that our Creator can no more comply with sin or pardon it without our repentance and satisfaction then he can leave off the Attributes of his own Divinity and Omnipotency Again we may consider the rigid severity of his justice in the further progresse of this story however to avoid prolixity we shall onely name a few examples of those particular persons he seemed most to favour and to this purpose passing by many others most exemplar we will begin with Eli Samuels master who was a man neither of an ill inclination or visibly much defective in his Office yet we read that by reason of that remissnesse he used in not punishing and reforming his children and those Priests under his charge being admonished thereunto he not onely was chastised with the lamentable news of the death of both his sons the taking of the Ark by the Philistins according as it was foretold but suddenly broke his neck falling from his seat as the report was made unto him of those misfortunes next we may reflect upon King Saul whom God Almighty had onely pickt out to be the Prince of his people though afterwards he became the subject of his wrath for not enduring to hear the praises of David whom he seemed to envy preferring his own vain-glory before the will of God in a short time he fell to be such a â—â— wards became a also monument of destruction in only looking back upon that dreadful spectacle contrary to Gods commandment perhaps with some repining appetites in regard of those pleasures she was unwillingly forced to foregoe Again it is to be noted that the children of Israel having freed themselves from their intolerable slavery of Egypt by their miraculous passing the Red Sea under the conduct of Moses yet because in their journey with too much sensuality they called to minde the flesh pots they had left behinde were not onely continued wandring in the Desarts of Arabia for forty yeers together bitten with Serpents and often times pined with hunger but at last lost their lives and wasted out their dayes in that peregrination insomuch as but two persons onely of the whole numerous company as I said before born in Egypt were permitted by the just judgement of Almighty God to enter into the Land of Promise which flowed with milk and honey notwithstanding God Almighty had designed them to be his elected people and whose posterity afterward accordingly did supplant other
talking with his innocent son to the place designed for his execution where after some circumstances and as it may be thought other discourses of patience and consolation being ready to lift up his fatal though pious hand for the slaughter he was suddainly hindred by the administration of an Angel from Heaven that not onely gladded his heart but approved his faith by the shewing him another acceptable Sacrifice ready prepared for the offering And last of all to make a full period of his glorious and most pious life being prepared to rest his bones in his wives Sepulcher constrained thereunto by the extremity of age he called his trusty servant unto him and there taking his oath between his thighes conjured him never to take a wife for his son but from his own kindred however he might have advanced his fortunes with huge sums of mony as it may be supposed in the place where he then remained in the Land of strangers by reason of the general fame he had personally purchased in their Country however as I say this good man chose rather to send the hope of his house far from home with the losse of all his worldly substance then that he should be in danger to mixe with the Gentiles or contract marriage amongst uncircumcised people all which testimonies evidently shew how much Abraham preferred the service of his Creator before all other considerations besides it is to be noted in his whole life he never ended or begun any of his important actions as is recorded for the most part in holy Scripture but either with Thanks Prayers Obediences or other pious devotions performed to his great and omnipotent Creator who remains certainly still the same God in Heaven and earth and therefore cannot but expect the like duty from our actions and endeavours though our corrupt manners and most slow intentions seem at present to put a difference between our own condition and this holy mans The Patience and sufferings of Job NOw that we have in some sort past over the perfections of Abraham for it is unpossible by humane art sufficiently to describe his excellency we must remember Iob the true Patient as I may say of God Almightie since he gave the devil full power to try his goodnesse by the very force of all his malice T is true we cannot well know his extraction onely we are assured he was a great Prince dwelling in the Land of Huz abounding in every worldly prosperity however none of those entisements could any way withdraw his heart from the service and love of his Creator For notwithstanding his sons and daughters continually feasted with delight and satisfaction yet in the interim he offered Sacrifice and made Prayers that his children might not commit sin in their jovialty until his goodnesse not onely flew up with swift wings before his Maker into Heaven but his perfections became objects of envy as I said before to Hell itself in so much as God Almighty was induced for the further demonstration of his own glory by reason of the devils insolent challenge to heap all earthly afflictions upon him and to this purpose in one day received intelligence of the losse of all he possest with the lamentable destruction and death of his numerous children yet these afflictions only procured this mild reply from his sad apprehension that as God had given him the use of abundance so might he again dispose of them as he pleased for not coming into the world as he said with any thing he could not expect to go out of it otherwise then naked But in this patience was not alone shewed his confidence and humility for being struck with a most loathsome leprosie all over his body which forced him for something his better ease to sit upon a base and vile dunghil where he was upbraided for his too much mildness and patience by his insulting though perhaps compassionate wife who bid him Curse God and die rather then endure such ignominy shame and sorrow in falling from the estate and Dignity of a Prince to so low and miserable a condition however he made her no other answer then this that she was a foolish woman for if good things they had received from Gods hands why should they not also participate of bad if it were his will and pleasure Until at last there came to his reproof as well as his consolation his neerest and dearest friends though at the first sight they knew not perfectly his person by reason of his extraordinary change and deformity which caused them for some time with pittiful eys to stand amazed without opening their mouths to speak one word according to their first intention whereupon the good man himself finding their perplexity began to make a large discourse not onely of his own miseries but Gods justice wherein however he seemed to comon understandings to have uttered some speeches of too much passion bitterly complaining of his Creators dealing with him and in that particular perhaps over-justifying his own actions and innocency yet were his words and discourses all seasoned with such high mysteries having such an absolute reference to Gods honour that by the sequel of the story we finde he erred not but of the contrary confounded all the Athiestical Arguments of his friends by his discourses who in the end were compelled to beg his Prayers to God for the pardon of their provocation The Vertues of Moses NExt we shal mention Moses that great charitable and indefatigable Captain of God Almighties who however he was preserved by Pharoahs daughter and by that means adopted her son and so consequently as it may be believed made the heir of most if not all her wealth and substance yet was he so far from forgetting the distressed condition of his miserable Country men being in a manner consumed with their hard labour of the Egyptian slavery that he not onely kept them daily company whereby the better to honour them with his presence but most passionately revenged their injuries upon all just occasions insomuch as to that purpose he slew an insolent enemy of theirs with his own hands to the provocation of Pharoah and all his Court for which fact he was forced to flie from all his prosperity and dignity into a strange Country where he remained not onely a poor shepheard but a most diligent servant to his surly father-in Law for a long season defending in the mean time with his personal valour the causes and rights of simple virgins that wanted other assistance until God Almighty was pleased to call him to the deliverance of his people with strong conjurations since his humility was unwilling to accept of so great an Office professing himself to be rude of speech and therefore not capable of such an imployment but being as I say both commanded and strengthned by Gods Divine illumination he went with a bold courage to the King of Aegypt notwithstanding those multitudes of pernitious Magicians about his Throne and
pleasure in us as Moses declared in the profession of the Canticle The first therfore being dead they brought the next to make him a mocking stock where the skin of his head being also drawn off with the haires they asked him if he would yet eat before he were punished through the whole body in every member But he answered in his Country language that he would not do it so receiving the torments of the first and being at the last gasp said Thou indeed a most wicked man in this present life destroys us but the King of the world wâ—ll raise up those that dyed for his Laws in the resurrection of eternal life After him the third is had in derision and being demanded his tongue he quickly put it forth and constantly stretched out his hands saying with confidence From God do I possesse these members but for the Lawes of God I do now contemn the same because I hope I shall again receive them of him To the amazement both of the King and standers by by by reason of the young mans courage that seemed to esteem the torments as nothing who being dead the fourth they vexed in the same manner with tormenting him and now when he was also ready to die he said It is better for them that are put to death by men to expect hope of God that they shall be raised up again by him for to thee there shall not be Resurrection unto life So bringing the fifth they tormented him but he looking upon the King said Thou having power amongst men whereas thou art corruptible doest what thou wilt but think not that our stock is forsaken of God wherefore do thou patiently abide and thou shalt see his great power in what sort he will torment thee and thy seed After him they brought the sixth who being ready to dye said thus Be not deceived vainly for we suffer this for our own sakes sinning against our God and things worthy of admiration are done in us for that thou hast attempted to sight against God But the Mother above measure marvellous and worthy of good mens memorie which beholding her seven sons perishing in one dayes space bare it with a good heart for the hope that she had in God exhorting every one in their Country language manfully being replenished with wisdom and joyning a mans heart to a womans cogitation she said unto them I know not how you appeared in my womb for neither did I give you Spirit soule or life and the members of every one I framed not but indeed the Creator of the world that hath formed the nativity of man and that invented the Original of all he will again restore with mercy unto you Spirit and life as now you despise your selves for his Lawes But Antiochus by these actions thinking himself contemned and withal disdaining the voice of the upbraider when the youngest was yet alive he did not onely exhort with words but also withal affirmed that he would make him rich and happy and being turned from the Lawes of his fathers he would account him a friend But the young man being not inclined to these things the king called the Mother and counselled her to deal with her son for the saving of his life wherupon she promised him to advise her child so bending towards him as mocking the cruel Tyrant she said thus in her Country language My son have pitty of me that have born thee in my womb nine moneths and gave thee milk for three yeers nourishing thee and bringing thee to this age I beseech thee my son look to heaven and earth and all things that are in them and understand that God of nothing made them and mankinde So it shall come to passe that thou wilt not fear this tormenter but being made a worthy partaker with thy brethren take thou death that I may again receive thee with them When she was yet delivering these things the yong man said For whom stay you I obey not the commandment of the King but the ordination of the Law which was given by Moses But thou that art become the inventer of al malice against the Hebrews shalt not escape the hand of God though we for our sins do suffer those things and if the Lord our God hath been angry with us a little for rebuke and correction yet he will be reconciled again to his servants But thou O wicked and of all men most flagitious be not idly extolled with vain hopes for thou hast not escaped the judgements of Almighty God who beholdeth all things My Brethren having sustained short pains are become under the Testament of eternal life but thou by the judgement of Almighty God shalt receive punishment for thy pride And I also as my brethren do yeeld my life and my body for the Lawes of our fathers invocating God to be propitious to our Nation quickly and that thou with torments and stripes mayest confesse that he is onely God but in me and my brethren shall the wrath of the Almighty cease which hath justly been brought upon all our stock Then the King incensed with anger raged against him more cruelly above all the rest taking it grievously that he was mocked so this also dyed unspotted wholly trusting in the Lord where last of all after the sons the Mother was consumed and thus ended these most glorious sufferings wherein may be considered these following particulars That seven goodly young men in the very flower of their age should with such courage and fortitude not onely willingly deprive themselves of all worldly honour meerly for the love of God since the Tyrant offered them what preferments they could almost desire quitting their Law but to endure with such admirable constancy the cruellest of torments personally whilest in the interim their vettuous and most magnanimous Mother with religious though grieved eyes stood by like a heavenly rock to behold her children dismembred and torn in pieces by the violence of stripes scourges and other exquisite devised tortures never almost invented before by humane malice and subtility wherein appeared not the least signe of wavering or vain-glory But of the contrary were so far from justifying either their actions deservings or sanctity that they professed openly they suffered those punishments justly for their own sins as they hoped in expiation of the general faults of the whole Nation of the Jews and to that purpose comforted and confirmed each other with godly pious and valiant exhortations full of comfortable assurances in the mercies and goodnesse of Almighty God who would raise them up at the last day to the comfort of themselves and the absolute confounding of all his enemies where also may be remembred the Pathetical grave and wise conjurations of their most brave and holy Mother that however she did not know how she had framed their members in her natural womb yet she was assured that their supernatural father if they continued constant to the end would again give
and honour at last she was demanded by that inhumane monster something concerning her mistresses deportment in uncivill tearmes not becomming the modesty of her womanly eares to heare or her bashfull tongue to answer however being violently prest notwithstanding unto a direct and present reply she told him in some passion that her Ladies secret parts were farre more chaste and free from corruption then his mouth and in this conflict yeelded up her life to their cruelty as a testimony of Octavias innocency By this magnanimous suffering may be noted the extream fidelity of this poore though couragious wench who was so farre from betraying her mistris that in the very heat of her torments she rather chose to exasperate the malice of those Tyrants to her further punishment then she would endure to hear so much as one dishonourable passage to be mentioned that concerned the dignity of her Ladies person as I may say disdaining that so much as one uncivil or unbeseeming word should be spoke that concerned her honour though at that time she was forced to entertain such a combat as might have gained the victory over the stoutest and most couragious men that ever yet breathed Which being considered in each particular may be thought extraordinary effects of that love and duty that belong to the condition of service for however she could not without some impiety accuse innocency though many by meer force of tortures have been constrained to it in their own cause yet if she had not been so much transported with her affection to her Mistresse by which means she apparently exasperated her Judges she might probably have obtained more favour or lesse rigour in her own behalf and concernment wherein consisted the chief magnanimity of the action But as I have now briefly run through these extravagancies of nature and corruptions of manners from whence probably proceed all humane wickednesse whereby people are carried on for the most part to be unjust to others and injurious to themselves not onely against Religion belonging to God but even contrary to morality appertaining to men and conversation So of the otherside ought we to expect by the exact rule of justice after this life either punishment or reward according to our comportments in these particulars which however it be a principle most believe in the general yet perhaps many may not seriously enough reflect upon the true consideration of their qualities for if they did but apprehend the punishment and rewards with a competent understanding belonging to good and evil it were impossible upon every slight occasion to be carried away so much with preposterous practises as experience in this latter age tells us men are Wherefore that we may come somethidg neerer our thoughts by a collection of some circumstances of these particulars as the Church of God tells us there is a Hell and a Heaven which must by consequence follow if there be a God and a Devil so may we in a sort measure out their natures and properties by some humane descriptions and comparisons although in no other manner then the twilight resembles the day or the least star in the firmament the bright Sun And first we will begin with Hell Some kinde of demonstrations of the supernatural torments of Hell T Is true as I have intimated already notwithstanding it be unpossable to comprehend sufficiently the intollerable torments of this infernal habitation by the meer apprehension of man that proceeds no further then humane capacity when as these infinite miseries being instituted by Almighty God in the greatest fury of his wrath must needs be spiritual and consequently supernatural to satisfie his judgement wherefore neither confined to place nor subject to mitigation yet being computed with worldly sufferings we may in some sort he sensible of their effects if not of their natures and qualities For which purpose let a man but set before his consideration and apprehension the miserable condition of a person cast into a deep and dark Dungeon without hope of redemption full of nothing but horrid dispaire and stinking vapour there to have his naked body laid upon a broiling Gridiron over a most sulpherous and scorching fire whilst his tender flesh by piece meals should be continually torn from the bones by hot pincers with all the violence and cruelty that could be imagined whether or no it can be supposed that this miserable wretch would not redeem his deplorable captivity if it lay in his power with the greatest pennance and austeritie that were ever yet suffered upon earth by any mortal creatures however these punishments were only designed for some few yeers so that let what man soever consider but the shortnesse of humane life in this world wherein any thing can be acted or suffered by an equal estimate and then tell me whether that person be not a most intolerable fool that seems so bewitched with momentary painted delights that he cannot in any kind reflect upon those torments that shall neither be confined to him or can admit of any manner of comparison for if all the tortures that were ever yet invented by the most cruellest and subtilest Tyrants were to be laid upon a sufferer with the greatest art and violence could be devised to cause despair and increase affliction yet were they no more to be esteemed in regard of the infernal torments then the least biting of a flea is to be compared to those punishments we have mentioned though executed as I say with what worldly power soever or then is the ordinary fire we use to be likned to the Suns brightnesse or the lightnings effect that in an instant procures both fear and amazement Since we must expect the torments in the other life to be so far from being understood or comprehended by any humane imagination that they are created not onely by God Almighties omnipotency not a natural way as earthly things are but as it were in the very spirit of his indignation against sin that is more opposite to his Majesty a million of times then light is to darknesse For as we must suppose them ordained onely to prosecute a divine vengeance never more to be pacifyed by what mediation soever and as little the Executioners to be won to any manner of compassion so ought we to be assured that both soul and body shall endure not onely one common and particular torment but multitudes of every kinde answerable to each nature For as the soul shall be continually tormented with the thought of that loss it hath sustained being debarred from Heaven and being brought into a most despairing condition never to be redeemed by any care or endeavour so shall every sense of the body and member a part be sensible of distinct punishments as well as of the whole though each insufferable in every particular and yet not withstanding must be endured altogether without either relaxation or intermission As for example our eyes will be deprived of all light and faculty of
incomprehensible miseries I say we doe more then hazzard to undergoe onely because we cannot finde in our hearts to forbeare the violent carreere of all passions and affections in every thing However without doubt enjoyed any way in the greatest perfection can be devised in the world and most agreeing with naturall sense and appetite yet in effect they will prove but like the seeming beautifull apples growing upon the bankes of Sodome which being gathered containe nothing within them but dust and ashes Nay further I dare boldly and with confidence affirm that men for the most part undergoe more labour paines and vexation both in minde and body in procuring their own damnations then others that make earthly things more indifferent in their desires doe in purchasing the joyes of Heaven Wherefore I must conclude those persons to be wonderfull strange creatures that continue in so stupid a madnesse incompassed about with such infinite hazzards onely to maintaine the possession or I may say rather an appetite to purchase those things which truly in themselves well considered are not at all essentiall to any manner of apprehension or fruition which infallibly demonstrateth that mans faith is defective or his judgement not competent since either he must not believe what the Church and Scriptures tell him or wants ability in his nature truly to comprehend the valew and waight of such principles and in this respect may be said to resemble the foot or rato exceed him in insensibility that chose to be a King onely for one yeere and afterward all daies of his life to endure nothing but hunger beggery and misery For certainly as mans continuance in this world is no more to be thought of in comparison of eternity then one yeere to be valued with the longest age so are all the afflictions upon earth that were ever yet endured by flesh and blood no more to be esteemed with those torments of Hell then dreams are to be reckoned with realities Neither in truth can they admit of any manner of humane similitude But now that we have brought into our remembrance some kind of representation of these fearfull expectations from the severe justice of Almighty God his Majesty being exasperated against sinners we will a little endeavour to sweeten these apprehensions by some estimats of those blessings which his mercy hath prepared in Heaven for his friends However they are much more difficult to be described then the torments of hell by reason the soules fruition chiefly consists in speculation that is in beholding the beatified vision of God with knowledge and security which as I may say is not at all to be comprehended by our humane senses and little more by the conceptions of our soule being accompanied with the body unrefined Which was the cause that Mahomet onely instituted a Paradise of sense more probably to take the appetites of his Disciples and followers craftily conceiving that if he should have preached to them such high mysteries and promised to them rewards past their capacities naturally to conceive or apprehend it would have quickly beat down the new foundation of his wicked building since the common people might not have been so ready to have followed his enticements and entertained his doctrine For truly hidden and supernaturall things are not so plausible to humane nature as such as are more visible to the eyes eares and fleshly senses which seem better to perswade common and not illuminated understandings Neither is it possible to procure a competent proportion of this illumination necessary to salvation without some speciall grace first purchased from Almighty God gained as I may say by our earnest desires and diligent endeavours to serve him both with our hearts and actions according to the Churches directions But now to our purpose concerning our heavenly representations The wonderfull properties and infinite felicities of Heaven in some sort described according to humane apprehension AS Heaven certainly was ordained by Almighty God for the comfort and felicity not onely of his good servants but for the further declaration of his Majesty and glory so may it be very well supposed to be the prime piece of his creation when as it is illustrated as I may say by his own presence that could not be created and he being wonderfull and omnipotent in all his works no doubt hath appointed that celestiall mansion to be fully replenished with all manner of satisfactory varieties and beauties beyond any kind of conception For if we with our naturall eyes cannot behold the Sun without amazement especially when we consider and know it to be by evident demonstration above a hundred times bigger then the whole earth shining and casting his light in such an admirable manner to the benefit of the whole world and yet must be at last changed or brought to nothing as a contemptible creature onely for a time made for mans use and commodity without any manner of intention of eternity what may we thinke of that refulgent habitation where God himselfe hath placed his Throne not onely to endure for ever and ever but where he hath designed particularly his glory goodness and omnipotency to be worshipped and adored in a full and open prospect by us after the clouds of our fraile nature are dispersed from before our soules view that darken her light and understanding whilst she walkes here upon earth cloathed with flesh and blood O that it should be possible that people can be taken with the representations of dainty maskes and the like where onely fained Gods seem to be drawn in golden Chariots through the ayre in which entertainment oftentimes our senses are so transported that in our hearts we could wish to enjoy no other happinesse but to be alwaies in such company where delicious gardens and fountaines might still afford our appetites varieties of earthly pleasures and yet when any discourses are offered to our eares of these supernaturall and incomprehensible delights both certain and permanent we appeare altogether as it were dead and insensible of the least apprehension of such perfections Alasse how we may perceive our selves to be overcome but with the reading of idle Romances or hearing other stories that tell us with a world of fictions of admirable places of pleasure wherein remaine nothing but Nymphes and Ganemedes Yet when we understand these true beatitudes to be described in Scripture and set forth by other religious Authours they seem not at all either to move our desires or stir our appetites The reason of which I say is nothing but a certain kind of stupidity engrafted in our dispositions by custom in regard we have not procured so much grace from Almighty God for want of diligence in his service as should cleare our mentall speculation and elevate our soule to our proper sphere there to converse knowingly for such religious persons as have in a manner any way mortified themselves to the world I dare be bold to affirme take more delight and felicity in one
heavenly rapture then we can possibly in a thousand of these fantasticall imaginations that doe but leave the soule darkned in her understanding without any reall satisfaction at all enjoyed But let us come as neere as we can by sense to the apprehension of these heavenly excellencies as I may say by naturall and humane comparisons since it is unpossible altogether to shake off the appetites of this grosse clay that will downward doe what we can especially leading our manner of lives To this purpose we will begin first with the wonderfull extent of Paradise being certainly one of the chiefe properties belonging to the beauty of any place or habitation for which effect we may reflect upon the consideration of the round ball of the earth being of no penurious dimension to be covered over with a large and vast Canopy of what matter we know not though most admirably contrived and besprinkled clean through with multitudes of bright Starres some equalling the whole world in greatnesse and yet seem to possesse in a manner no place at all in the firmament by which comparison we may in some sort give a roving conjecture of the hugenesse and capacity of the Heaven of Heavens wherein God Almighties chiefe glory is placed which is so farre above all these transitory Spheres both in height and greatnesse that we may imagine it to increase as one circle doth within another from this lower Heaven untill it come not onely unto an unmeasurable but an unconceivable vastnesse and infinity So that without any more dispute we may very well conclude that the Paradise of the blessed is great without limitation and so consequently must exceed all proportion answerable to mans conception The next benefit that may be thought to belong to this glorious habitation is Clarity which certainly is so exceedingly illustrious in this place beyond expression that as we may suppose the whole frame of the Heaven to be made of a transparent and Chrystalline matter so is every soule therein remaining qualified or adorned with a particular light or shining according to the degree of its happy estate which neverthelesse in each doth exceedingly out-doe the brightnesse of the naturall Sunne in his greatest splendour For that Planet however created with admirable properties for mans commodity yet being not ordained for eternity the effects thereof cannot be perfect in any kind because it selfe wants also an absolute perfection in nature Wherefore putting together so many excellent lights wonderfull in brightnesse and delightfull in aspect what may we conceive of the glory of the Celestiall habitation especially when the refulgent rayes proceeding from the blessed countenance of every Saint and Angell can reflect upon nothing as I said before but upon a certaine Chrystaline matter transparent without all comparison beyond all the Diamonds of the world reverberating in that manner backe againe with more Charity through the whole And as the period and Crown of this admirable lustre remaines eternally the continuall presence of the Sonne of God in whom all things are transparently beheld without obstacle whose Majesty outshines these created and lesser lights a million of times more then doth the great Candle of the Element darken the smallest twinkling Starre that can be perceived by any eye whose aspect is of such an infinite brightnesse that the blessed Spirits themselves were not able to behold his own and fathers Divinity unlesse they were impowered by their goodnesse to such a perfection which renders them not onely capable of that happinesse but also of the understanding and perfect knowledge of what they are permitted to see so that there can be no doubt at all made but that the Clarity of Heaven doth equall every way the capacity thereof and the rather so to be believed for that by most expressions in holy Scripture the joyes of Paradise are figured by that denomination of light and brightnesse In the third place we may reflect upon those infinite and innumerable beauties that adorne this mentioned splendour the least of which is not onely capable to ravish all our worldly senses if our natures were capaable to entertaine such divine happinesse but also would be able to create in the very understanding a true tast and fruition of their excellencies which our mortall frailty now doth not suffer us to possess in those earthly things we have though they are farre from containing the least perfection whatsoever If the spacious Ovall room in Neroes Palace wherein were placed bright looking-glasses in every Angle that represented some humane varieties of flourishing gardens bedeckt with beautifully Flowers and magnificent fountaines at whose cleare streams many sorts of creatures seemed to take refreshment could attract every spectators eye to wonder and amazement which onely was contrived by earthly art and industry what may we conceive this heavenly place to be that had not onely a divine Majesty but omnipotency for its founder Besides that it is designed for a perpetuall habitation of his own glory Certainly if Tempe in Greece afforded such plentifull matter for poeticall fictions which was onely a small valley of naturall delights in so much as it almost gave opinion to the rude multitude of the station of blessed and happy soules after this life why should not the least consideration of these eternall beauties transport our thoughts and desires beyond all rest and quiet untill we had purchased the possession to our selves though bought at never so deare a rate by the crucifying of all inordinate passions and affections I must confesse it is more then difficulty to represent however but to the imagination onely beauties when neither the matter hath been seen or the form is to be comprehended neverthelesse we are to conceive by faith that Heaven being God Almighties perfectest building is in all parts furnished with infinities of pleasant and delightfull objects to the view especially if we consider that an Angell is more glorious in his own proper nature then all the beauties of the world put together and those being in a manner innumerable and distinct in forme and excellencies though all to be beheld at one instant what a representation must that be to a capacity that is not onely divinely enabled to distinguish of varieties but to judge of perfection which properties certainly we shall fully enjoy being there happily placed but above all if we enter into the consideration of God himselfe who is the great maker of every beauty sitting in his Throne of honour with all his glorious Courtiers about him cloathed with a ravishing splendour O what a sight of satisfaction will that be to the cleare faculty of our soules neither dull'd by obstructions nor hindered by interpositions and more infinitely taking shall it be for that as through a transparent and admirable glasse in him we shall evidently see not onely our own happinesse to the best advantage but all other beauties that are made by himselfe both with a perfect science and absolute fruition Again if we conceive
varieties to be another perfection we may consider what a multitude of severall degrees of glories there are in that bright and blessed Palace when every order of Angels and each Angell in his own particular seat and place is distinguished both in office and lustre though all united in their wils and obedience that makes the greater harmony which number for ought I know may be above a million of millions whom as I say we shall all know and see without corruption or impediment not as we doe now people of this world subject to inconstancy and imperfections but alwaies united with sweet countenances and pleasind dispositions producing variety of new delights to our imaginations that cannot be deceived with any false objects Besides we shall behold all the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and Martyrs that ever have been in the world bearing about with them the honourable Ensignes of their sufferings and vertues to our most unspeakable delight in every particular but above all we shall be more then transported with a heavenly satisfaction to contemplate the diversity of favours bestowed upon the blessed and incomparable Virgin by the love and power of the holy Trinity who is placed as we may suppose upon a Throne of one intire Carbuncle clothed in a garment wrought all over with such heavenly varieties that nature never knew or Angels can imitate bearing also upon her head a Crown of stars enterwoven with rich stones of all colours and beauties in comparison of which Diamonds and Rubies are more base then the roughest pibles are to the most rarest Jewels that were ever yet worn by Princes upon earth with a thousand other excellencies no more to be numbred then to be described Truly if the severall and variable fancies of this world have so much power to intoxicate our brains towards a perpetuall confusion and eternall damnation I see no reason why these excessive and satisfactory varieties of Heaven well considered should not oftentimes if not continually settle our judgements to more profitable and more necessary considerations for certainly it is no other thing then diversity of earthly Chymeras that couzen our appetites to so disorderly and extreame prejudice suggests to our imagination strange and impossible frutions both against reason and contrary to faith But as certainly these varieties of Paradise are more then numerous so may we conceive the society to be answerably excellent thereunto in every respect in regard there is none can be thither admitted but those who have been extraordinary and I may say in some sort admirable for their vertues and goodnesse in this world and being there glorified and refined their excellencies of nature and dispositions appeare as through a transparent glasse not onely to themselves but to each one of the blessed in particular to an infinity of satisfaction in society and conversation though it be not exercised by the tongue or senses according to humane practises but rather in a concordancy of wils and affections wherein charity and love principally predominates by which means every soule is induced to desire and covet the good prosperity of each other equall with his own so that not onely every appetite of envy is absolutely banished from that glorious and heavenly society but the least repining is taken away at any others preferment and advancement however it is not to be doubted but that there are severall degrees of happinesse in that blessed mansion which must needs render the conversation admirably sweet and delightfull by reason of so absolute an unity in affections For as none shall be lead away with any manner of passion of self-love and as little will he conceive that he wanteth an absolute perfection in his own state and condition so the chiefe felicity any soule shall possesse in that heavenly habitation is to see God and by that consequence must accompany her fellows in the honour and worship which is not onely due to his divinity but shall be thought the greatest increase of her own glory can possibly be enjoyed since from that infinite Majesty each blessed Spirit doth extract all pleasure content and satisfaction as from a vast Ocean of blessednesse resembling our naturall Sea here upon earth that bestows benefits and vertues upon every great River and little Brook according to its property and capacity whilst in the interim our blessed and all powerfull Saviour resembling also in some sort the resplendent Sunne that hath the domination of every earthly thing by his influence exhales from his fathers goodnesse and lustre a convenient proportion of all heavenly graces to bestow what quantity he pleaseth of consolations in every respect upon those of his perpetuall Kingdome united as I may say in so harmonious a society as can never be severed in the least kinde either by distance or disaffection Last of all we may reflect upon the absolute security of this happy Assembly not onely so in effect but also assured in their owne knowledges which renders any condition satisfied beyond measure for it seems to be a triumphant Crown that makes all endeavours majesticall by reason of the confidence in the conclusion since without such an opinion new perturbations will continually arise to disquiet the possession of any felicity and delight enjoyed which as I say is so absolutely purchased in this celestiall Paradise that God Almighty neither will nor can loose his subjects and friends And as little is it possible he should be deficient in his own mercies and goodnesse so that being once placed in his sight we shall not need to feare either circumvention or inconstancy for all actions will be the same and every thought free from variation In like manner as our State will be intirely perfect so cannot our wils be any way perverted since those sensuall imperfections of surfeit and desire must be all taken from our natures as dependant only upon earthly transitory possessions for that however there will appeare in that glorious station severall degrees of beatitudes all disposed to nothing but to God Almighties will and pleasure though with a reference to each particular desert yet none of any degree but will be fully contented with his own proportion abundantly without coveting more or doubting what he hath since in beholding God he enjoyes what he can wish in whom is contained all knowledge happinesse and security Now if all these particulars be well considered with competent understanding not onely concerning this celestiall being of the blessed but of the miserable condition of the damned sice the principles cannot be denied by any Christian faith certainly the thoughts thereof cannot chuse but stirre up in people either some sparkles of devotion or at leastwise procure much abatement of vice especially if it be also remembred with any manner of contemplation that perpetuity infallibly appertains to both these places Certain consideration of Eternity A Vast Sea of amazement may eternity be esteemed that neither can be bounded for its extent or fathomed in its
depth For if a man were enjoyned but to drive a Snaile to the furthest part of the Indies over a thousand interposing Rocks and Mountaines or should be obliged to drie all the waters upon earth onely by one drop after another giving to each a yeeres space yet might there be some hope in time to accomplish those stupendious labours But this never to be ended season carries with it such an incomprehensible extent that all the art and knowledge of the world can procure no other definition thereof but onely to give it a name whilst the consideration may be said to stupifie all memories and capacities So that I say miserable man may be the subject of all compassion and the very object of every wonder that to purchase the possession of some few trifles here upon earth which in truth are rather nothing at all onely for one minuts space or breath of time in consideration of Eternity doth not onely lose the fruition of these excellent and everlasting benefits so largely mentioned but also most inconsiderately and desperately doth cast himselfe headlong into a darke and deepe Dungeon where there is nothing to be expected but everlasting sorrow and not any thing to be felt and endured but infinite torments and that not for a yeere or an age but for ever and ever without end Since the walke of eternity may be said to resemble a person going round about continually in a circle wherein is to be found no termination or hope at any time to finish the journey for if we could number every sand of the Sea and reduce them distinctly by way of Arithmetick severally into so many ages yet altogether being computed with Eternity they will not admit of so neere a comparison as the least graine of mustard-seed in magnitude with the huge circumference of the whole world Much lesse are twenty or forty yeare of mans life to be valued in consideration of that infinity of time or rather that time that is not at all finite either in effect or apprehension Besides if we had our own wishes to sit alwaies proudly upon a commanding Throne beyond either the reach of envy or the hazard of accidents in the interim pulling down this man and exalting whom we please with each single word as also accompanied entirely with all other worldly felicities could be devised yet a little sleepe when it were necessary which is no other then a figure of death must again retire us into our solitary chamber there to converse with privacy which certainly in that necessity would give us more content and satisfaction then the apprehension of our excessive greatnesse and power Wherefore I say if all that we can desire will not prove constantly pleasing upon earth what may we think of the small time we have to enjoy any thing here our lives being but as a flash of Lightning that appeares for a moment and afterwards goes out for ever Certainly if that great Egyptian Monarch were mortified in his thoughts by the turning only of his Chariot wheele reflecting by that motion upon the inconstancy of fortune there is no doubt but much more he did consider the shortnesse of the space any thing could be enjoyed in this world T is true however time shall never be finished yet our selves must be quickly at an end our lives continually wasting like a Candle though with a seeming kinde of security we take our rest and never thinke upon it for every day if we would but seriously consult our looking-glasse to that purpose we should to our griefe no doubt perceive new gray haires and wrinkles to encrease both without our privity and against our wils When we look back to our yeares past we think them nothing yet are we so foolishly transported with the vanity of present possessions that although we have not neere so many behinde to come yet for that short time onely to enjoy a few painted pleasures though in our decrepit age we are perswaded to hazard or rather to leave in desperation our eternall condition hereafter Nay put case it might be something doubtfull whether there be any Hell or Heaven or no yet certainly it cannot be but an extraordinary madnesse to venture upon such an experience in the future especially when in the present we gaine so small a benefit to our selves as are the possessions of all these worldly vanities we ayme at that have in them neither reality nor continuance neither doe they so much as assure us here what part of them we shall be able quietly to enjoy for oftentimes we finde our state so miserable by reason of some accidents or other that not seldome we are provoked to wish our selves dead as being weary of life and yet all this while we have not so much wise foresight as to consider that probably we are in danger to enter into such a condition presently after the breath is out of our body that is intolerable to be indured being alike lasting as violent Another kind of preposterous and deplorable vanity I must speake of which is to see how many people will venture through raging flames with almost no possibility of escaping death onely to gaine a little idle fame in the future or some small breath of praise in the present and yet when they should offer themselves to any manner of austerity or hardnesse for the gaining of eternity they seeme to be either without courage or motion O insensible stupidity and weake faith wholly directed by sensuality and ignorance to the greatest confusion and folly can be imagined when as after one minute that the last gaspe is past we shall be no more mindefull of what fame we purchased in this world then if we had never been born at all unlesse it be to our further punishment for that in our life-time we did not rightly make use of those naturall faculties that God Almighty had bestowed upon us for our own good and his service which being discreetly employed might have been beneficiall both to our selves and posterity what shall we thinke also of some men reputed Philosophers that have pretended to a certaine kinde of eternity in shew however they thought of nothing lesse in effect which appetite appeared apparently in the disposition of Murcus Aurelius that great and esteemed wise Emperour who in his life time and prosperity seemed to contemne all earthly concernments as most vaine and idle considerations and to that purpose often wished for death as he said to free him from the accidentall miseries of this world though when he was really arrested by that unwelcome messenger his faithfull trusty secretary had much labour to perswade him to any convenient fortitude at all which plainely shewes he was more vain-gloriously taken with his professed opinion before men conceiving it belike for his greater honour to seeme to contemne death then that either his heart was free from naturall affections of living longer here or that his thoughts were any way transported with
that in a word to sum up all this whole discourse whosoever seeks any thing but Heaven for his utmost and eternall period is either a foole or a mad man since as I said before not onely all other things are defective but the very time it selfe when they can be enjoyed in regard of eternity is not so much as the least moment compared with a million of ages Besides I may affirm that all worldly actions at the best must be buried in obscurity and at the worst they end in misery and confusion for though honour fame riches and the like are convenient benefits to be sought by noble dispositions as well for examples to encourage vertue and goodnesse as to avoid sloth and idlenesse yet must they notwithstanding be joyned with absolute intentions to procure something more then either earthly satisfaction during this life or a bare hope of a fantasticall opinion afterwards since eternity will reach beyond the worlds dissolution when all things of flesh and blood must end being so ordained by an omnipotend decree before either nature or time was created But now that we haue as I suppose spoke sufficiently of Hell Heaven and Eternity Let us a little take a view of this earthly life of ours that we seem so exceedingly much to value and esteem in this world since for it we hazzard all these before-mentioned good and evils Considerations upon the shortnesse of mans life upon earth with many other inconveniencies thereunto belonging IN the first place we may consider the shortnesse of our time here upon earth according to the computation of the best knowing judgements since by way of purchase in any estate there is no Lawyer that reckons another persons life at above ten yeeres let his complexion and constitution be never so strong and healthfull considering the diversity of accidents that belong to our humane condition so that dividing this ten yeares space into three parts we must confesse one of them is wholly taken up in sleepe wherein we possesse no pleasure at all however some necessary satisfaction may be reaped thereby to our tyred and wearied nature for we remaine as I may say all that while both uselesse to our selves and to others Another third part of this time we may give to the crostes and vexations of the world with other imployments that must be personned though perhaps we receive neither delight or content by actions of that nature All which being indifferently calculated there will remaine to our own proper share and commodity entirely but a very few yeares wherein can be fully and totally enjoyed these violent desired felicities of the earth that so much contrary to all reason bewitch our soules and senses as onely for the fruition and possession of them we in a manner cast away the very thought of this great and infinite eternity already so largly described accompanied by all those incomprehensible pleasures of heaven and runne desperatly into the danger of enduring such horrid torments as no Pen can write or tongue can utter But put case notwithstanding we have allotted but ten yeares to mans life considering all casualties as I said before of this world either by plague famine warre feavours sicknesse or the like we could enjoy a hundred yeares of durance which I will be bold to say not one man in an hundred thousand doth arrive unto by any Physicke and temperance can be practised yet dividing this terme also into three parts as we have done the former we shall finde that very little of it will bring us that satisfaction we may suppose As for example the first season of our infancy is wholly spent in ignorance and instruction wherein for the most part we live according to our apprehension under such subjections that we receive no contented satisfaction in our present condition however I may affirme it to be the best time of our delight If we consider the middle of our age we shall finde it perpetually accompanied with such care vexations and troubles that they prove continually interruptions and impediments to any content or satisfaction our soules can entertaine since at the best we are alwayes in feare to be deprived of what we have or too much solicitous to gaine what we have not And for the latter part of our time we have enough to doe instead of expecting delights to thinke of curing our infirmities and patching up the breaches and decayes of nature that are daily made in our bodies by age like old leaking vessels who however they may for sometime be preserved with much care and paynes yet can never be made for any use of long continuance Truly if we well observe our concernments after fifty which is the age allotted by that wise Philosopher Marcus Aurelius the Emperour for man chiefly to begin his misery we shall finde it wholly debarred from any manner of constant felicity as for example if we have no children to succeed us in those worldly fortunes and honour which we so much labour for in this humane life certainly it cannot but be esteemed no small defect to our condition neither are those apprehensions to be blamed in us when as we have for a patterne the example of that holy man Abraham who complained being extreamly sensible of such a crosse that the steward of his house was to be his heire for want of naturall posterity I for if this good person apprehended it as a cause of affliction to his thoughts much more must our exceeding weake frailty be moved with the consideration of the other side if we have children given us by God Almighty according to our wishes yet want we not daily perturbations in our minds left they might miscarry at one time or other by reason of worldly accidents considering the many chances that hourely happen to all manner of conditions and of the contrary if they prove untoward and disobedient answerable to the customes of the age what greater crosse can possibly afflict our thoughts or torment our rest which perpetuall vexation at last may constraine us perhaps a thousand times to wish they had never beene borne to their own destruction and our griefe Of the other side if our delights be chiefly in friendship and conversation how soone may that esteemed felicity be taken from our possession either by suddain jealousies or froward accidents when we least expect the unhappinesse if the gaining of riches best please our appetites though we have imployed many yeares in the acquisition of golden mountaines either warre oppression or some law-suite or other may soone deprive us of all we have and cast us into an unrecoverable and desperate poverty since our affaires depend upon the will and intentions of men wicked and uncertaine For truly either our owne servants may betray us corrupt judges undoe us or our debtors prove banckrupt all which often happen and then quickly vanisheth away all our esteem Besides a hundred other casualties that cannot be mentioned at present because not
may be without envy though envy cannot be without Pride therefore may be likened to extracted poyson from a dangerous Plant for that Pride is not deadly of it self but by way of use and application retaining the capacity though not always working the effect But envy of the contrary ever hurts either a mans self or others And remains like a concealed flame at the best seeking occasion to burst forth to the destruction of some good thing and in the interim consumes where it lies hid Neither can it at all be satisfied because it ayms not onely at unreasonable but unpossible periods that is to darken the Sun-shine of vertue which will now and then appear in spight of what black clouds soever of malice for that it is of a pure and prevailing substance by nature whereas those of grosser and more ignoble composures are dispersed by every winde or little rain of discovery for although false and counterfeit stones sometimes with false and sophisticated art may shew fair to the view of ignorant persons yet when the Diamond is produced in competition they soon lose their luster and belief Most commonly this appetite is ingendred in those persons who are defective in themselves though they do not sufficiently perceive their own infirmity and lesse the capacity of others to discern and by that means in a wrong posture go about to set up their particular esteem or violently seek to pull down others to their own level This humour truly is so much practised in this age as I have heard some say that shortly it would be esteemed a crime to laugh for fear of being held to enjoy too much innocent content though without other eminency Which makes me in my thoughts to cry out for Academies to instruct youth in vertue and morality For if people would but strive by a noble industry to render themselves deserved patterns of emulation and not examples of envy to others there would be no time left them to entertain so unprofitable a disposition from whence proceeds nothing but falsenesse in conversation distraction in absence and revenge in actions without any benefit at all purchased therby either to present content or future satisfaction As envy may be said to be a corroding mineral drawn from that huge mountain Pride so revenge may be compared to hot and firy vapours that often break from thence to a kinde of ominous destruction Or rather may be termed Prides worst executioner bloody servant But however it aims always at dangerous and unhappy periods yet certainly the progresse it makes for the most part is sweet and pleasant to depraved natures since it affords not onely delight by reason of that victory it alwayes hopes for but prove extreamly pleased and satisfied being obtained however I must confesse the joy indures not long for most commonly some kinde of despair followes soon after yet neverthelesse in the interim during the prosecution a wicked man is not much tormented in his thoughts for that the passion of revenge doth alwayes transcend the apprehension of danger which is the reason that so unhappy a resolution is continued for notwithstanding it proceeds no further then intention wanting time and conveniency to execute yet the determination all the while is so strongly accompanyed with hope of effecting and so busied in seeking the best opportunity that it never gives a person of a malicious nature leasure to be sad or melancholly Whereas of the contrary envy seems still to oppresse with a cold despair that never affords any manner of content or satisfaction Although envy be the less dangerous properly yet certainly revenge is the more noble humour for that it is still accompanyed with some hazard whereas the other seems ever to bark afar off or whisper privately in the dark though perchance neither have hearts good enough to forgive or great enough to forget revenge is justifiable in none but in the supreme power who is pleased to call his divine justice by that name for he may onely revenge injuries with rutribution whilst we alone can but consider them with an intention of prevention since if we go further we do but usurp his office and condemn our selves Neverthelesse we may safely punish having lawful Commission derived from his heavenly sword of Justice established here upon earth for our more honest and regular conversation though this too must be put in execution without all partiality lest revenge happen to be encreased by hypocrisie under the pretence of justice The next imperfection of the Soul I will mention shall be Vain-glory which in truth is no other then a certain kind of weak lunacy or fantastical madnesse ingendred between pride and want of judgement for that instead of perswading our actions to be esteemed by others thereby we make our own persons become ridiculous since for the most part we dream that every extravagancy should procure belief and opinion in those that have no cause to be partial Besides the humour or vanity is accompanied with some species of ill nature as well as folly for they that possesse these fancies in their dispositions look so much upon thir own passions that they altogether passe by anothers deserts by which means they fall oftentimes to be hated by all instead of being valued by any as it were never seeing but through a perspective glasse at both ends where they either behold too much or apprehend too little not being able to judge rightly of their own wants or others perfections By which means they appeare most commonly like men half drunk that are readier for expression though unfitter for action Which I may say again is a passion so much in fashion in these times that people seem to be transported with certain thoughts as if they had been onely their own creators scarce allowing God Almighty any share at all in their being and fortunes To cure this disease men ought to look upon God not onely as the Author of every good but also to conceive each reasonable Creature to be framed by the same hand wherein no difference hath been made and intended but by accident or Grace For as the Diamond and the Flint are not of equal vertues in every respect so each is profitable in its kinde the one bearing price as the other produceth fire wherein the latter seemes notwithstanding better to comply with mans commodity though the former rather procures admiration So that if we have parts above others in our own apprehensions let us make use of them with modesty and they will appear more illustrious to the eye of the world if we want such abilities though we may in some sort cover our defects we ought rather make them up with our goodnesse then render our selves worse by assuming what is none of our own to the injury of others Disobedience is not onely another effect of Pride but was the first sin that ever was committed upon earth by humanity wherein God Almighty was so
displeased against man that nothing but the death of his own Son could asswage his wrath Besides the contrary is so necessary a property to be continued ed in all conditions that the world cannot subsist without it However I may boldly say this latter age hath not onely created strange thoughts concerning this duty but almost hourely produceth wonderful examples against the maxime however we shall set down only three common duties of this kinde proceeding from the first infancy of the world which have been made good eversince both by the Commandments of God and all Moral Documents We will first begin with that obedience that is due from Children to their Parents which setting aside Gods own immediate Precepts is an obligation challenged by way of natural right for having brought us into the world that else should have been nothing Children are bound to afford their Parents at all times and upon every fitting occasion an obsequious reverence though never so much under anothers jurisdiction as also another duty of gratitude for their education and preservation in their infancy which neverthelesse is to be esteemed more or lesse according to the care was had of their persons when they were not able to provide for themselves insomuch as no deficiency of the Parents part in my opinion can take away altogether that humane respect and honour that is due by nature As for example When a daughter is bestowed in marriage although by that means she becometh under anothers jurisdiction and in that regard cannot dispose of her self without her husbands leave towards their service yet certainly she is still obliged to afford them upon all convenient occasions a dutiful reverence neverthelesse I must confesse in these times we hold it sufficient satisfaction if children become not wholly reprobates to their own destruction without having any consideration of their Parents particular The next obligation of obedience is due from servants to their Masters which however it be limited to time and contract is not onely to be observed in Conscience according to the conditions agreed upon but also there is a civil duty of respect to be observed after the time is expired unlesse some just cause hath been given to the contrary But for that I intend to speak something more hereof in another place I shall mention onely now the last obedience which is due from the Subjects to their Prince instituted as I may say in the beginning of the world which may be divided into three kinds The first was that purchased by Nimrod being wholly usurped and therefore might have been cast off again upon the first opportunity however the continuance did perhaps render it lawful to posterity The second was domestick or voluntary verified in the person af Abraham over his pious and godly family which was approved no doubt by God Almighty when he commanded them to fight with those who had taken unjustly Lot prisoner again Abrahams Dominion was justified when he tyed his servant by an oath to provide a wife for his son and the last is that of compact and agreement which makes subjects by their own consent become under the power of rule as may be testified by Pharoah and his people which work was brought about by Ioseph when his subjects changed their liberty for subsistence and livelihood And this being contracted for and afterward confirmed by proscription could not again be cast off without incurring the penalties belonging to Rebellion For the Jews could not have avoided the lawfulnesse of the jurisdiction notwithstanding their cruel persecution and slavery but that it was the declared will of God revealed particularly to Moses this by that means they should be freed from their misery under whose power are rightly contained all the governments of the earth Ingratitude is not onely another effect of Pride but may be said to be a most ignoble property since it doth not onely defraud goodnesse of its due but seems not willingly to encourage vertue in any kind which was the reason that the wise and brave Romans ranked it amongst the worst of vices and to that purpose appointed punishments for the offehders God Almighty first fell out with Cain for his ingratitude though he afterwards condemned him for his hypocrisie Truly I may affirm this vice appears to have gotten a particular jurisdiction in this Nation at present since many of those most obliged prove the greatest Traytors to their benefactors neither is this done covertly and in the dark but most commonly is owned as a piece of excellent wit and so consequently esteemed a kinde of vertue for servants to be unfaithful in their duty or friends to deceive trusts committed unto them and so far hath private interest taken possession of honour good nature and conscience that every person that walks according to these old maxims is either esteemed a fool or a Heretick Certainly God punished the devils with the greater indignation for that in their thoughts they were unwilling to be thankful for his benefits whereas man had a condition annexed to his condemnation because it was frailty rather then an intention of ingratitude that caused him to offend however he seemed more really and punctually to have broken his Commandment For my part I hold those as worthy that raise monuments to vertue as those which good fortune hath made famous since however they may have wanted the opportunity and conveniency of acting yet neverthelesse they retain in their minds a certain intention of honour The next appetite of Pride is ambition however it is onely it but by accident or intention since nothing renders that name unlawful but either too much passion in the prosecution or over much desire by way of private interest yet some perhaps will quarrel with the name onely which I cannot but except against for as the too much coveting of honour and preferment out of a personal respect renders the desire unjustifiable and so by consequence proves to be a meer ambition so of the other side a moderate seeking of a just esteem is no more then a natural indulgency warrantable in our humane condition since without this hope for the most part our noble endeavours should want recompence whereby mens vertuous intentions would cool in the prosecution before they could come to a ripenesse fit for use or example For if our frail natures had no other object to behold then barely that reward we are to expect in the next world it is to be much feared that people would grow so slack in endeavouring of laudable nay I may say necessary things that at last all honour and vertue would be in danger to be wholly neglected by which means unworthy persons should com to be of equal Authority with the best and no priviledge at all given to industry As for example What souldier would expose himself willingly to the hazard of the Cannon without some expectation of recompence from his General or if a baser man then he were to be esteemed