forc't for refuge to one Town They in that one cast Dice for all their Crown 178. Rather must they by providence unite All parties so as none may gage their state Or in their private ends withdraw from might But give their greatest such a yielding rate As like the Earth plow'd up they must not groan Though greedy pow'r exhaust more then their own 179. For Faction else lurking in hopes and fears When it awakes by opportunity Straight Hydra-like in many foreheads bears Horror division multiplicity Nor safe unto it self nor to those Kings That unto mean birds will lend Eagles wings 180. Therefore should this well masked Cockatrice Be carefully even in the egg supprest Before the venome of her poisoning vice Against the Prince and Kingdom be addrest It being not safe for strong-witted might To give subjection any regal right 181. For as we see in deep corrupted airs Each petty sickness turns to pestilence And by infection common ruine bears So in the Orb of Kings omnipotence Faction oft makes each private discontent Swell above Law to plague the government 182. For to make bodies strong proves heads are weak And so two Sects prepared in one Realm Which doth the beauty of obedience break By tempting discontented minds to glean And so force Thrones to one side for protection Whose being is to keep both in subjection 183. Nor holds our rule alike with weak and strong Since weak Kings raigns do very seldom raise Such spirits as dare shuffle right aud wrong At least what breeds them breeds their counterpeaze Corruptions weak birth therefore yielding many Lest Liberty should be ingrost by any 184. Whereas this other Princely stirring stuff Oft by example gives new Laws to Kings With danger to Soveraignity enough By those new fashions which they give to things Therefore are factions here to be supprest Which in mild times support weak Princes best 185. Now how pow'r so should ballance things and minds As all dissentions may in her unite Or from what place Pow'r arguments should find To make the crooked undergo the right How it should pierce the skin of passion And yet in these wounds instantly give fashion 186. Strong hearts learn out of Practick wisdom must Which knowing how to pay each with his own By mixing good and ill with fear and Lust Reap among Thorns Seeds by them never sown And make the people yield up their Estate To add more still to government they hate 187. Which artificial steerage of affection Having but small affinity with good No Essence but an Essence like reflection Will best by opposites be understood The soul excess of ill being only that Which to avoid in Pow'r I level at 188. Therefore as little Bridles to restrain Mans climing mind in Princes boundless might Let Tyrants that think all their acts remain Spread like Apollo's beams in each mans sight Which by the divers fate of good or ill Either produce scorn malice or good will 189. Lastly this Tyrant-pow'r veil of the Man In peoples eyes must not assiduous be What hath respect appears but now and then Reservedness that Art of Tyranny Equally graceth both pain and reward Demission works remission not regard 190. Thus much in brief to temper head-strong vice Which thorow Princes often wounds the Crown To shun which dangerous racking precipice Tyrants should all signs of their selfness drown And yet by odds of place work every man To serve them with the best and worst they can 191. But if Pow'r will exceed then then let Mankind Receive oppression as fruits of their error Let them again live in their duties shrin'd As their safe Haven from the winds of terror Till he that rais'd Pow'r to mow mans sins down Please for Pow'rs own sins to pluck off her Crown Of Church SECT VI 192. THus having in few Images exprest The effect which each extremity brings forth Within Mans nature to disturb mans rest What enemies again they be to worth As either Gyves which freedom doe restrain Or Jubiles which let confusion raign 193. There rests to shew what these degrees of vice Work when they fixt be to the moulds of might As what relation to the prejudice Or help they yeeld of universal right Vice getting forces far above her own When it spreads from a perfon to a Throne 194. For as in Princes natures if there be An Audit taken what each kind of passion Works and by what usurp't authority Order and reason's peace they do disfashion Within mans little world it proves the same Which of pow'rs great world doth confound the frame 195. Whence spread Kings self-love into Church or Law Pulpit and Bar streight feel corrupted might Which bounded will not be much less in awe Of Heavenly censure or of Earthly right Besides Creation and each other part Withers When Pow'r turns Nature into Art 196. For as between the object and our sence Look where the mediums do prove dim or cleer Mens minds receive forms of intelligence Which makes things either fair or foul appear So between powers lust and peoples right The mediums help to cleer or dazel light 197. Therefore to let down these high pillar'd Thrones To lower Orbs where Prince and People mixe As Church Laws Commerce Rights well temper'd Zones Where neither part extremity can fixe Either to bind Transcendence by constraint Or spoil mankind of all rights but complaint 198. And where by this well-ballancing of Might Regalities of Crowns stand undeclin'd Whose beings are not to be infinite And so of greater price then all mankind But in desire and function temper'd so As they may current with their people go 199. When Theopompus Lacedemons King Had rais'd up a Plebean Magistrate Like Roman Tribunes which the soaring wing Of Soveraign excesses might abate He therein saw although he bound his Child Yet in a less room he did surer build 200. For infinite ambition to extend The bounds of pow'r which finite pow'rs must weld As vain is as desire to comprehend And plant Eternity in natures field Whereby the idle and the over-doing Alike run on their own destruction woing 201. Active then yet without excess of Spirit Strong Princes must be in their Government Their influence in every thing of merit Not with an idle glorious name content But quick in nimble use and change of wombs Which else prove Peoples snares and Princes tombs 202. Placing the first foundation of their Raigns Upon that frame which all frames else exceeds Religion by whose name the Scepter gains More of the world and greater reverence breeds In Forrainer and home-bred subjects too Then much expence of blood and wealth can do 203. For with what force Gods true Religion spreads Is by her shadow superstition known When Midas having over Phrygia shed Seeds of this Ceremony till then unknown Made Asia safer by that empty word Then his forefathers had done by the sword 204. And is not Mahomets forg'd Alcoran Both with the Heathen in Authority And to
Imprimatur W. MORICE THE REMAINS OF Sir FULK GREVILL Lord Brooke BEING POEMS OF MONARCHY AND RELIGION Never before Printed LONDON Printed by T. N. for Henry Herringman at the sign of the Blew Anchor in the Lower Walk of the New Exchange 1670. AN ADVERTISEMENT THe Author having dedicated all his Monuments to the Memory of Sir Philip Sidney whose Life he did write as an intended Preface to these it will not be fit to add any other then a brief Advertisement to acquaint the Reader he was that Sir Fulk Grevill whose Noble Line by Matches with the Honourable Families of Nevil Beauchamp and Willoughby Lord Brooke make good the observation of Hereditary advantages of Mind as well as Body by Descents purely derived from Noble Ancestors the Excellency of his Qualities rendring him an eminent Courtier in Queen Elizabeths Raign and in King James's time under whom he had the Honourable emploiments of Chancellour of the Exchequer and Privy Counceller and was by Letters Patent of that King in consideration of services done to the Crown made Lord Brooke to the Title of which Barony by Descent from Willoughby he had right and having always lived a Batchelor which was no small advantage to the freedom of his mind He died in the Seventy fourth year of his Age Ann. Dom. 1628. having been also Counsellor of State for about Three years to King CHARLES the First When he grew old he revised the Poems and Treatises he had writ long before and at his death committed them to his friend Mr. Michael Malet an aged Gentleman in whom he most confided who intended what the Author purposed to have had them Printed altogether but by Copies of some parts of them which happened into other hands some of them came first abroad each of his Works having had their fate as they singly merit particular esteem so to come into the World at several times he to whom they were first delivered being dead the trust of these remaining pieces devolved on Sir J. M. who hath given me the Licensed Coppy of them and that the Reader may be more fully informed of the Author and his Writings and how they are related to each other we must refer to that wherein besides his friend Sidneys Life he gives account of his own and of what he had written H. H. A TREATISE OF MONARCHY By Sir FULK GREVILL Lord BROOK Of the beginning of Monarchie SECT I. 1. THere was a time before the times of Story When Nature raign'd instead of Laws or Arts And mortal Gods with Men made up the Glory Of one Republick by united Hearts Earth was the common seat their Conversation In saving Love and ours in Adoration 2. For in those Golden days with Natures Chains Both King and People seem'd conjoyn'd in one Both nurst alike with mutual feeding veins Transcendency of either side unknown Princes with Men using no other Arts But by good dealing to obtain good hearts 3. Power then maintaind it self even by those Arts By which it grew as Justice Labor Love Reserved sweetness did it self impart Even unto Slaves yet kept it self above And by a meek descending to the least Enviless swayd and govern'd all the rest 4. Order there equal was Time Courts ordain'd To hear to judge to execute and make Few and good Rules for all griefs that complain'd Such care did Princes of their people take Before this Art of Power allay'd the Truth So Glorious of Mans greatness is the Youth 5. What wonder was it then if those Thrones found Thanks as exorbitant as was their Merit Wit to give highest Tributes being bound And wound up by a Princely ruling Spirit To worship them for their Gods after death Who in their life exceeded humane faith 6. And shall it Error nay Impiety In Heathen Souls be thought to recompence The Absent with immortal Memory Goodness with Praise and Benefit with Sence Or rather such a Golden natur'd vein As in the World might Golden days maintain 7. For where should thankful Ingenuity Think the Fear-thundring Scepter fit to rest With Knowledge Vertue and Felicity But in mild Jupiter's well-doing brest Or where but in Olympus Heaven to be Which was his dwelling place in Thessaly 8. And if departed souls must rise again Severely to become examined And bide the Judgement of Reward or Pain What Chancelors seem fitter for the dead Then Rhadamanthus and stern Minos were True Types of Justice while they lived here 9. Thus Kings may see while greatness did descend And Care as far spread as Authority Grace did restrain and disgrace did amend The Vice was hateful and the Majesty Of Justice held up for a common good A work by Kings and Men well understood 10. Kings creatures then were no vain Favorites But Guardians of the poor Eyes of the Crown Lest height of place should oversee the right And help the proud to pull the humble down All Laws like Cobwebs catching little Flies But never great ones without Princes Eyes 11. Under Euristus that brave Prince of Greece No Pallas no Narcissus delicate Were minions whose Lusts did the people Fleece Nor could sufficed be with Midas State And whose effeminate unactivevness To make themselves great still made Scepters less 12. But Hercules a brave laborious Spirit Who having freed Greece from home-Tyranny As born of more then his own soyl to merit Was sent to purge the Earths iniquity Egypt of Busyre Diomedes of Thrace Italy of Cacus Spain of Gerions Race 13. Nor could a Goddess spite which Juno veils Under emploiments specious pretences Change Nature or make true worth strike her sails One God appeasing other Gods offences When she that by his Labour sought his doom There made him Trophies where she meant his Tomb. 14. Yet did he raise no Pyramis for pain But his Republick's good his Masters Fame As thinking selfness but a trivial gain To him that builds an universal frame No Trophies fit for worth but Love and Praise Which shadow-like still follow active Rays 15. Jason again who serv'd Thessalia's King What else did he affect from dangers past When he the Pleece of Colchos home did bring Then in the Rolls of large time to be plac't For undertaking passages unknown Through which the wealth of many states have grown 16. Now whilst pow'r did thus really proceed Not on advantage Humor Slight or Will Her Zeal with Honour mixt peaz'd every deed Time did not yet encline to mask her ill Words grew in hearts Mens hearts were large free Bondage had then not brought in Flattery 17. But by decree of Fate this Corporation Is alter'd since and Earths fair Globe miscarried Mans Craft above these Gods in estimation And by it wisdomes constant Standard varied Whereby the sway of many years are gone Since any Godhead rul'd an earthly Throne 18. Whether it were Mans false Pygmean wit Captiving Envy or the Giants pride Which forc't these Worthies to abandon it I know not but some disproportion'd Tyde Of Times
times makes pow'r exceed This safe equality of old foundations Rather with temperance qualifie that need Then strain old words to modern intimation And thereby wrack men to provide for more Excess then all those ages knew before 448. Of which excess whether the root proceed From humours naturally unsatiate Or Casually made violent by need Odious those cures are which equivocate As did Caligula when by quirks of Law Sibi suis he to Sons did draw 449. And though it for a wisdom of estate Enrolled be in the Senate house of Rome When they with Carthage did capitulate That she must from her old sea-nurses come Inferring City signified no wall But Laws which men obey and rule withal 450. Whereby although more got was then was meant And by advantage evil acts made good Yet what this adds to any government Is in dishonour ever understood Since crafty webs which oft serve present turn To warn times coming do like Beacons burn 451. Besides if pomp of Princes must exceed In those kinds rather let their riot be Whose natures though they leave the Crown in need And so embase the State of Majesty Yet keep the Bullion still within the Land And go and grow like fame from hand to hand 452. Yet as a spring for ever feed the Crown By making people able to relieve Where riots that transport pull Scepters down Give Kings and People mutual cause to grieve At that extreme and fatal consequence Of Coin trans ported by misgovernment 453. Among whose many heads though of the chief Is that most idle and unmeasured charge Of Leager Agents sent to take a brief How forrain Princes alter or enlarge Alliance Councels Undertakings Trade Provisions to defend or to invade 454. Which indigested pomp was never known Nor us'd of old but in the Factorage Of Merchants States to pass away their own By making Princes Marts their proper stage Whereby exchange want folly or desire To self ends they let fall or raise things higher 455. Else springs it from improper imitation Of that long breath'd incroaching Court of Rome Which to give her stain'd wares deer valuation And govern all by superstitious doom From her false Ark these Cormorants sends forth To prey on every thing they find of worth 456. And to that end retaineth every where A spy promoter treasurer and Mint Whose charge those humble provinces must bear That are besides exhausted without stint By Priests who cherish for their pride and gain Those sins the very heathen did restrain 457. The narrow Center of which Cloister wit As it seeks to contract the Deity In finite frames of Arts contriv'd by it So are the large acts of humanity Shut up in Dungeons by their muddy sence That except error nothing comes from thence 458. Now what affinity can other Kings Assume with this that only spend to know Which feathers soar in forraign Eagles wings From whence there can no other profit grow But vainly by expence of wealth to buy The vicious forms of forrain Tyranny 459. And so by these mistrained instruments Bring Faction home among the liberal arts With her unequal moulds of Government To traffick or distract the peoples hearts Free denizing that practical deceit By which not small but great States gather weight 460. Out of the insight of which error many Wise Kings this modern course have alter'd And rarely either sent or taken any Unless for present good occasioned To treat of Marriage Commerce Peace or War In which returns the expences answered are 461. Again since as of duties so expence There is a divers nature and degree Kings in the choice of their magnificence Though absolute they seem yet cannot be But bound amongst the many heads of charge Chiefly their Fame or Empire to enlarge 462. Nay even in these expences which be founded Upon the Laws of Nature Honor State Wise Princes with their fortunes must be bounded Since all excesses be unfortunate And do not onely prejudice a Throne But leave no creature master of his own 463. Of this kind charge of Children buildings be House-keeping Furnitures Gifts and Rewards All lively shadows of authority To multiply obedience and regard Wherein yet Kings should therefore keep a measure As in things fram'd to live and die with treasure 464. Whence I conclude it for a Monarchy Wisdome in her expences and creations To use a spare discreet frugality Which gives the work and workmen reputation And so again by all ingenious ways Descending Rents not impositions raise 465. And when with these fair cautions Princes have Forrain Revenues and their native Rents Disposed thus both to beget and save They may with costless grace or disgrace vent Mens thoughts and frame their due obedience More then can be wrought in them by expence 466. For Kings are Types of Heavenly excellence How be it drawn in finite colours mixt With Pow'r and wit both earthly influence Yet were but these Arts in our Princes fixt How to be strong by others Love and Might Their States would soon clime far above their Right Of Peace SECT XI 467. PEace is the next in Order first in end As the most perfect State of Government Where Art and Nature each to other friend Enlarge the Crowe by giving men content And what by Laws within and Leagues without Leaves nothing but prosperity to doubt 468. So that in her Orbe there is left for Kings Great undertakings far beyond the flight Or pitch of any lower feather'd wings The Charge Care Council being infinite As undertaking rage of time and seas Which Tyrant-like to ruine else finds ways 469. Ordering of Boats and Bridges to be placed Upon advantage for the trade of men Rebuilding Monuments or Towns defaced Cleansing of Havens draining dry of Fenns Fitting out Brooks and Mears for navigation All works of Princely Art Charge Reputation 470. Such was the cleansing of the AEgyptian sluces Which got Augustus Ornament and Food For his Praetorian bands and peoples uses In this kind prov'd the Appian high-way good Those publick works which active States bring forth Shewing the stranger Maps of wealth and worth 471. Therefore Kings providence should still adorn Natures producements by the pow'r of Art But to subvert her frames proves Scepters scorn Through Athos who yet sails in any part Is Corinths Istmus from the main Land torn Caesars vain dreams as if fall'n flattering Rome Over the free made Elements had doome 472. The Base of great works and the Majesty Is when the the workers Pow'r and wisdom shew Both in the use and possibility So over Ister Trajan's bridge did goe Amasis and Cheops how can time forgive Who in their useless Pyramids would live 473. Next and of more refined policy The founding is of these sweet nurseries Where knowledge and obedience multiply The Fame and Sinews of great Monarchies As Schools which finely do between the Sence And natures large forms frame intelligence 474. Unto which end in Achai Athens Creet Rhodes Lacedemon and more
Counterpeaze Of humours temper'd happily to please 125. But their best help indeed is happy choice Of under Ministers of every kind By whom discreetly Thrones may judge the voice Of Images projected to their mind And so by weak but wakeful jealousie The true of false scope of propounders see 126. Whence mark how that young unexperienc'd spirit Alexander who was after nam'd Severe During his youth did of his people merit By help of Council uncorrupt to bear The practice of his publick government Under good Laws which gave good men content 127. Now though pow'r hardly can fit spirits to place Which must want Judgement wanting industry And so as rarely well dispose of Grace Having but Chance no true Nobility Yet kinless Fame helps weakness what to judge Till from an eccho she become a drudge 128. For as the Painter curious in his Art Extream ill features easily represents And by deformity in every part Express the life and likeness to content As he in â—atures good proportions shews That in her pride Art equal with her goes 129. So Fame this Quintescence of humane spirit Brings unto light the divers states of men And seldome to unworthiness gives merit Or lets Perfection languish in a Den But on her wings alike brings either forth The one as good the other nothing worth 130. Thus may Fames many Eyes Heads Wings and Heart Instruct weak pow'r to keep her state upright And as to rule these is a Masters Art So to rule by these is one way of Might Wherein the Crown can feel no great distress And for the People they must sure find less 131. Besides the help of Fame weak Thrones shall find The wit of Time and selfness in mens hearts Will teach how one man many men may bind And raise the head by counterpoize of parts All having charge and subaltern degree To ease the audits of Authority 132. Where else weak hands in mighty works must fail And all transform'd be to Usurpers passion Thrones then reserve your selves choice and appeal Greatness her way must with some labor fashion With many Eyes he must see wrong and Right That Finite being would rule Infinite 133. Or if Pow'rs tender thoughts will needs make pleasure The end of Crowns which God made publick good Yet give your seconds scope in such a measure As may for Chiefs still make you understood Which one poor priviledge you may reserve By thinking more then one can well deserve 134. For as in bodies living though decay'd If all parts equally chance to be stain'd The whole is by an AEquilibrium sway'd As where no odds can easily be gain'd And so Mortality adjourn'd as far Oft as in those all whose parts sounder are 135. So these weak Pow'rs in whom States are diseas'd By equal disproportion in each part May scape great fits and happily be eas'd Keeping her tottering Ballance up by Art In making Faction which destroys the strong By peazing weak Pow'rs to preserve them long 136. What had become of Romes vast Monarchy When Galienus buried was in Lust Sloth Riot and Excess of vanity Even while the Barbars swarm'd like barren dust Had not the Thirty Rivals to each other From one Mans Tyranny preserv'd their Mother 137. Let Place then Rule let Favor raign not Merit And each in his Predicament be King Do of a head use neither pow'r nor spirit To audit question or judge any thing Onely let Faction multiply her seed Two bodies headless seldom danger breed 138. For equals soon each other will oppose And both in Thrones as suddenly unite To it they pray they travel they disclose Creation only ballanceth their Might Reserve distribute that in jealous measure Then Crowns may stand and Kings may take their pleasure 139. These partial wits which Faction works withal Though fatal Judges yet good Sisters be Which while they strive each other to enthral Cleer up the dimme lights of authority And shew weak Crowns what weight of hope or fear The State or mind of every man can bear 140. Besides Thrones have all moulds of their forefathers Safe under-buildings of the wisdoms dead Exchequers that Revenues Judge and gather Courts that examine Treason to the head Parliaments Councel-seats Tripods of Law Engines of pow'r to keep desire in awe 141. For forain practice they have spies of time And place to which intelligence is due For Church inferior functions and sublime To teach men God and take a spiritual view Of Schisme in Doctrine and in life of sin That neither Sect nor scandal enter in 142. Onely let not weak pow'rs lay new foundations Who cannot judge how time works on the old But keep the ancient forms in reputation To which Mans freedom is already sold Since Order over-worn is yet a frame Wherein Confusion rarely weavs her name 143. Thus much for weakness in that Royal part Which doth concern Justice that is supreme Whose Golden Links though forg'd by powers Art Safe Circles are to compass every Realm And keep out all thoughts of irreverence As bearing in it every mans defence 144. Where frailty else ever unfortunate Wanting true cales between Place Wit and Heart Scatters the strength and honour of a State By suffering more to play one Tyrants part And blows the people ike louds here and there As till exhausted objects of their fear 145. Lastly if these mild Cautions fail to stay These frailties which disease-like turn and toss And so for that change every where make way Which Change unguided still begetteth loss Then he who cannot take must taken be Such sharp points hath frail mans Supremacy Of Strong Tyrants SECT V 146. NOw from the setting of this evening Star Ascends that morning Planets influence Which both in Light and Glory passeth far These Comets of strong pow'r in feeble sence And who from inequality of state Strive to make all for one unfortunate 147. I mean such confident imperious Spirits As over act with restless Scepter-wit Thinking the world inferior to their merits And brook no other bounds or laws in it Then to make all their own thoughts words and deeds Receiv'd of people not as Rules but Creeds 148. Which souls thus over-swoln with windy vice Must wisely be allay'd and moulded be Lest Torrent-like they with the prejudice Of People wast their own transcendency And thus by cutting real grounds too thin Have their ambitions ever to begin 149. For though Throne-vice be publick like her State And therefore must of force wound many ways Yet some move scorn some faults men wonder at Others harm not so many as they please Ill chosen vices vanish in despair Well chosen still leave somthing after fair 150. Vitellius vertueless in Life and Raign Yet by a gluttons familiarity The German Armies did so finely gain As against Otho he had victory Brake the Praetorian forces and in vain Vespatian had aspir'd his Monarchy But that each vice fits not all times and states For what one age affects another hates 151.
estate affects So from within man to work out the right As his Will need not limit or allay The liberties of Gods immortal way 232. Where Tyrants discipline is never free But ballanced proportioned and bounded So with the temporal ends of Tyranny And ways whereon pow'rs greatnesses are founded As in Creation Fame Life Death or War Or any other heads that Soveraign are 233. Pow'r may not be opposed or confounded But each inferior Orb command or serve With proper latitudes distinctly bounded To censure all States that presume to swerve Whereby the common people and the Throne May mutually protected be in one 234. Not rent asunder by sophistication Of one frail sinner whose supremacy Stands by prophane or under-valuation Of Gods anointed Soveraignity And by dividing subjects from their Kings Soars above those Thrones which first gave them wings 235. Affecting such irrevocable might With us as to their Mufty Turks liv'd under Or rather sacriledge more infinite From Jove to wrest away the fearful Thunder Salmoneus pride as if the truth then fell When he alone rul'd not Earth Heav'n and Hell 236. Salmoneus who while he his Carroach drave Over the brazen Bridge of Elis stream And did with artificial Thunder brave Jove till he pierc't him with a lightning beam From which example who will an Idol be Must rest assur'd to feel a Deity 237. Thus much to shew the outward Churches use In framing up the superstitious sphear Subject alike to order or abuse Chain'd with immortal seeming hopes and fear Which shadow-like their beings yet bereave By trusting to be when their bodies leave 238. Whereif that outward work which pow'r pretends Were life indeed not frail Hypocrisie Monarchs should need no other Laws to friend Conscience being Base of their authority By whose want frailty flashing out mans error Makes Thrones enwall themselves with Laws of terror Of Laws SECT VII 239. HEnce when these ancient friending Gods foresaw Schism and division would creep into Nations By this subjecting subtilty of Law Which yet did yield their makers reputation They out of Grace sent down their progeny To keep men as they were created free 240. Were not to this end Ceres well fram'd Laws As proper for Mankind as was her Corn Unto which cleer-ey'd Nature gives applause By mutual Duties to which man is born And from which no soul can delivered be By time discretion or authority 241. Which Laws were not engrav'd in Stones or Brass Because these Mettals must corrupt with time Mans understanding that impression was Which did contain these Images Divine Where Conscience seal'd with horror plagueth those That against these born-duties doe oppose 242. But after Mankinds hard and thankless heart Had banisht mild Astraea from the Earth Then came this Sophistry of humane Arts Pictures not life of that Celestial birth Falling from Laws of Heav'n-like harmony To Mans Laws which but corrupt reason be 243. Of this kind Solon was in Athens one Lycurgus Cobwebs over Sparta spread The Locrians by Seleucus Nets were known By Zoroasters Bactria was misled Numa was he that first enthralled Rome And Natures freedom under legal doom 244. After which Change men have liv'd more divide By Laws then they at first by Language were For who before by reasons light were guided Since fondly worship to such Idols bear As those new masters stir up in mans heart Who seldom find truth in the weaker part 245. A Master-piece of pow'r which hath extinct That former light of nature men liv'd in Holding the world to crown opinions linke Who simply prize not good nor punish sin But whatsoever doth withstand their Will That bar as if by nature it were ill 246. Yet in Mans darkness since Church rites alone Cannot guard all the parts of Government Lest by disorder States he overthrown Pow'r must use Laws as her best instrument Laws being Maps and Councellors that do Shew forth diseases and redress them too 247. For though perhaps at first sight Laws appear Like prisons unto Tyrants Soveraign Might Yet are they secrets which pow'r should hold dear Since envyless they make her infinite And set so faira gloss upon her Will As under this veil pow'r cannot do ill 248. After Augustus had by civil sword Made that large Empire thrall to his ambition Men yet retain'd their priviledge in words And freely censur'd every mans condition Till by the Laws of wounded Majesty Nor words nor looks nor thoughts were left them free 249. For then was this reproof of publick vice And censure of their Emperours misdeeds Made Treason and maintain'd with prejudice Of men inforc't to nurse destroying weeds I mean that Vice which Tyranny protected And by example all the Earth infected 250. Hence was it not a Trespass Capital For men to say vain Nero sang not well In nature then what Latitude at all If o're Mans freedom Tyranny thus swell Whether by Law men root or ruine take Sure am I Scepters it doth Sacred make 251. Besides Laws fixe the bents of peoples minds From prying up while selfness doth intend Other mens faults and therein heedless binds That common freedom which they would extend Laying an impost upon every vice To spread the Crown by peoples prejudice 252. This was that Apple fatally cast down By Momus to set Goddesses at war Which erst too busie were with Joves high Crown And Cabinet where all dooms fixed are Judg'd by a shepheard for it was thought due That to inferiors they submit that sue 253. Old Rome again was never out of strise Between the People and the Magistrates Till Appius brought from Athens rules of life Which are call'd Laws in every other state Whetting their edges so against their own As none found leisure to restrain a Throne 254. Since then by Laws the best and worst affections Of Pride-born-Tyrants form'd and disform'd be To give for them some general directions As stays against confounding Liberty I think were fit as wel to shew the abuse In making as their good effect in use 255. Therefore if sometimes pow'r do Laws apply To humors or occasions time or place Yet those are found of most equality Which bear a careful universal face Whereas particular and present Laws Diseases oft in time succeeding cause 256. Again those Laws which universal be And thereby freely currant every where Doe with the grounds of nature best agree And so with Man most reputation bear As reason cast in frames to mould his passion Which kept in bounds keeps all his acts in fashion 257. But the true ground of all our humane Laws Ought to be that Law which is ever true His Light that is of every being cause Beyond whose providence what can be new Therefore as means betwixt these two extreams Laws should take light at least from those sweet beams 258. Yet by the violence of superiors passion And wandring visions of inferior spirits Pow'r to make up it self strives to disfashion Creating error new aswel as merits In hope to form
Mans outward vice by Laws Whose por'r can never reach the inward cause 259. Yet do these Laws make spirits of their profession Or such as unto them subject their state Publickly wiser warier of transgression Fitter to traffick or negotiate Both in all other Countreys and their own Far more respected and much better known 260. For as the Man that means to write or draw If he unperfect be in hand or head Makes his straight lines unto himself a Law By which his after-works are governed So be these lines of life in every Realm To weigh mens acts a well-contenting Beam 261. Hence must their Aphorismes which do comprise The summe of Law be published and stil'd In such a common Language as is priz'd And us'd abroad not from the World exil'd Lest being both in Text and Language thrall They prove not Coyns for traffick general 262. For is it meet that Laws which ought to be Rules unto all men should rest known to few Since then how can powr's Soveraignity Of universal justice bear a shew Reform the Judge correct the Advocate Who knowing Law alone command the State 263. After the infancy of glorious Rome Laws were with Church rites secretly enshrin'd Poor people knowing nothing of their doom But that all rights were in the Judges mind Flavius reveal'd this snaring mistery Great men repin'd but Rome it self grew free 264. So with the crafty priesthood was the year Made short or large by their intercalation Selling the time to publicans more dear Till Caesar did reform this computation And brake these threads of a varice they spun Measuring swift time by due course of the Sun 265. Hard is it therefore for men to decree Whether it better were to have no Law Or Law kept onely as a mystery In their breasts that revenue from it draw Whether to bar all Mandates be not one With spreading them in Dialects unknown 266. For as when Liturgies are published In forrain tongues and poor souls forc't to pray The tongue is trusted without heart or head To tell the Lord they know not what they say But only that this Priest-obedience 'Twixt Grace and Reason damns th' intelligence 267. So when our Law the beams of Life and Light Under a cloud or bushel shall burn out The forrain accents which are infinite Obscuring sence and multiplying doubt We blinded in our ways by this Eclipse Must needs Apologize for many slips 268. Again Laws order'd must be and set down So cleerly as each man may understand Wherein for him and wherein for the Crown Their rigor or equality doth stand For Rocks not Seamarks else they prove to be Fearful to men no friends to Tyranny 269. As making Judges and not Princes great Because that doubtful sence which they expound Raiseth them up above the Princes seat By offring Strength Form Matter and a Ground To fashion all degrees unto their end Through mens desires which covet Law to friend 270. For as the Papists do by Exposition Of double sences in Gods testament Claim to their Chair a Soveraign condition So will these Legists in their Element Get above Truth and Thrones raising the Barr As high as those unerring proud chairs are 271. All which just ballancing of Judge and Law Be matks of wise and understanding Might As it is under Orders Lines to draw These Courts Supream which manage wrong right Well auditing ill Councels of Estate And giving each degree his proper rate 272. Prohibiting those lawless Marts of place Which by permission of a careless Crown Corrupt and give the Magistrate disgrace With servile purchase of a selling Gown And so rate Justice at as vile a price As if her state were peoples prejudice 273. Again the length and strange variety Of Processes and Trials Princes must Reform for whether their excesses be Founded upon Judges or Pleaders Lust The effect of either ever proveth one Unto the humble Subjects overthrown 274. In course of Law beside pow'r must advise Whether for tryal of mens private right It will be found just equal fit or wise To give the Judges any other light Then in mens Titles by cleer evidence In case of Crime by testimony of sence 275. Again if common justice of the King Delay'd dishonor'd or corrupted be And so the subject rackt in every thing By these word-mongers and their liberty Whether Gods Government amongst his own Was not more wise which Advocates had none 276. The warlike Lacedemon snffered not In her Republick any Advocate The Learned Athens neither used Lot Nor Plea but party and their Magistrate As if these Courts would never stainless be Which did allow that gaining mistery 277. Because their end being meerly Avarice Winds up their wits to such a nimble strain As helps to blind the Judge not give him eyes And when successively these come to Raign Their old acquainted traffick makes them see Wrong hath more Clyents then Sincerity 278. Hence these new Judges made sometimes adhere Unto the plain words sometimes sence of Law Then bind it to the Makers of their chair And now the whole Text into one part draw So that from home who shall but four years be Will think Laws travell'd have aswell as he 279. Moreover to give Justice ready eyes Kings here and there in Provinces remote Should to establish proper Courts devise That their poor Subjects might not live by vote Nor yet by charge of Cares far fetched right Give more advantage to oppressing might 280. Such be those Seven Sinews mystical In the French Monarchy sent from the Brain To spread both sence and motion thorough all And over sence opinion custome raign Paris Grenoble Tolous Bourdeaux Rone Dijon and Aix Seven pillars of a Throne 281. Which were they not oft subject to infection From noisome Mists beyond the Alpes arising Would keep the health of that State in perfection As well from falling as from tyrannizing But fate leaves no man longer quiet here Then blessed peace is to his neighbor dear 282. Pow'r then stretch no grounds for grace spleen or gain But leave the Subject to the Subjects Law Since equals over equals glad to raign Will by advantage more advantage draw For Throne-examples are but seldom lost And follow'd ever at the publick cost 283. People by nature love not to obey By force and use yet grow their humours mixt Now soft like wax now hardned like the clay And so to make or marre soon mov'd or fixt As these two Moderators Wit and Might To their ends wave or let them stand upright 284 Craft though unpunished in Majesty Yet never Governs but works by deceit Base instrument of Humane frailty Which Audits not by Standard Number Weight But with false Lights makes Tyranny descend To do and hide by which stairs none ascend 285. Crowns therefore keep your oaths of Coronation Succession frees no Tyranny from those Faith is the Ballance of pow'rs reputation That Circle broken where can man repose Since Scepter pledges which should be
were erect Illustrious States and Paedagogies meet By reason and example to protect The coming ages from that Barbarisme Which first breeds Ignorance and after Schisme 475. Whence again Rome in all her Colonies Even while her Eagles march't had yet a care To plant the Muses in the soldiers Eyes Such means to move or qualifie they are Where in the Turks excess of Tiranny These dainty Nymphs excel'd for ever be 476. And to give more faith to this Sympathy Which between Mars and Muses ought to rest The Poets in Idea's far more free Then any other Arts of mortal breast Have in their fables ever shew'd them mixt As if divided neither could be fixt 477. Hence feign they when Jove sent his Daughters Nine To polish Greece he would not have them pass Alone expos'd to every savage Myne Or rage where in the earth abundant was But gave them Hercules for such defence As active vertue is to innocence 478. Have not again these Muses when they sing The Jo Paean of their thundering Father Apollo with his shafts nock't in the string For Consort of their Quire or Master rather To shew where Truth chains not men by the ear There Savage nature must be rul'd by fear 479. Whence amongst all the famous victories Which old Rome frome the East did triumph on Even that of Fulvius did deserve the prize Who for a Trophy of Pow'r overthrown Brought home the Statues of these Sisters Nine And that of Hercules alike Divine 480. For which the City did a Temple build As spoils that their God Mars did better fit Then all those dainties which fine Asia yield Or curious Cobwebs of AEgyptian wit Plenties of Nylus wealth of Macedone Which helpt not to raise up but wain a Ihrone 481. Hard by which Temple Rome built up two more The one to Worth the other unto Fame From Worth to Fame there was an open door From Fame to Worth she did no passage frame The mind of which brave Nation was in this To shew that Fame but Vertue 's shadow is 482. Now though it rarely be to be expected That all Kings perfect should like Caesar be Who in himself both Muse and Mars erected At least with Trajans ingenuity Let them that do in either branch excel Still in the other cherish doing well 483. And as the Elephant who not created To swim yet loves and haunts the waters shoar So let wise Pow'r in Mighty Empires stated Though boast they cannot in the Muses store Yet honor spirits of Parnassus free As knowing best what fits humanity 484. Nor is the building of the Muses Cell Pow'rs chief work but to manage every spirit And frame each Science so to doing well As States and Men may multiply by merit All Arts prefer'd by odds of practick use The meer Contemplative scorn'd as abuse 485. Chiefly this Cell-Art of the wrangling Monks Captiving both Mans Reason and his Sence In dreams of yesterday wherewith these Trunks Strive to corrupt Divine intelligence Their nominal and real Pedigrees Being but descents of curious Vanities 486. And hence it is the acts of Peace and War Never recorded here so bravely were As when these abstract wits liv'd not to mar By making their fond visions Characts bear Of these mens deeds who what by sword they wan By Pen as lively Registred to man 487. For as that active Worth was then admir'd The effects it wrought being of large extent So in those times less actively inspir'd The stiles of that time seem Magnificent As if God made them Trumpets fit for Fame Who by their Deeds deserv'd to bear her name 488. Meaning that when times iron days should blast That Manly discipline of doing well The Art of Writing should no longer last Like Natures Twinns that must together dwell Doing and Writing being each to other As Bodies be of their own shadows Mother 489. This was the Form the Birth the Education And Art of that Age which did train her own To keep up great estates in reputation Making them stand by Worth as they had grown And drawing men from visions of abuse To Arts whereof both War and Peace find use 490. In which account of objects still are Life Speech Manners Scepter Sphear Earth Shield Sea All Reasons Children by the Sence his wife Fram'd to guide Nature in an active way Whether she would be rich or serve her need Raising no Trophies for her but by deed 491. Now when of Monarchies the Mother seat On these chief pillars thus shall setled be Then active Princes may grow rich and great By striving under one self-policy Their Provinces divided to unite As worths addition unto native right 492. Which union must all divers things attone As Councils Laws Church Commerce Language Coin Degrees and Forces so that in the Throne As in one head they may like Members joyn Intirely without any reservation Which Union is all else but Combination 493. A State like unto Coats with many seams Subject to all the rents of Time and Chance As floating high upon occasions streams Which one by harming others doth advance The witty selfness of each humour hiding That which in common traffick proves dividing 494. Whereas that first and well united frame With Head and Members joyned to one end Can bring forth nothing to divide the same Each in the whole to it self being friend Whereby no inward storm can easily rise Nor outward forces do it prejudice 495. And though of these the Rights divided be Some into hands of People some of Kings Yet must not Scepters by Transcendencie Draw home their own Right with Imperial strings But by applause to make up this new Chain Rather perswade the people then constrain 496. More tenderly of force ought Thrones to deal With those where men prescribe by right or use For common liking must to common weal Be wonne or Man his profit will refuse And turn his waxen Mettal into Steel Which harming others self-harm cannot feel 497. And when unto a true equality All inequalities pow'r hath reduced Leaving her subjects no regality Lest divers minds should easily be seduced They that enjoy them to restrain a Throne And they again to mutiny that have none 498. Then yet all wandring Titles of succession Wise Princes must with Providence unite Else will these Crown-rights leave a deep impression That no set course can long continue right Since when the one line shall become extinct All Union built on that Base lies unlinckt 499. Moreover Realms of natural descent When they with those which Chance or Conquest win Shall be united in one government Then Scepters may more famous works begin Planting new Colonies in savage parts There to spread Wisdom Pow'r Laws Worth and Arts 500. Following for guide of this establishment Either the common standard of Mans reason Or else the second light of government Which stories yield and no time can disseason Drawn from those Monarcies which overran In little time all this known world of Man
501. Whose bent ambition still to conquer more Compell'd them wisely to dispose their own And by that discipline they us'd before Work nations conquer'd neer as soon as known To live in Order and by Trade get wealth With equal justice keeping both in health 502. By which mild wisdome they grew Lords of Fame As well as Crowns and rather wanted Men Then Stages Means or Models how to frame Ruines mishaps to better form again Building upon the Barbarous conquered The uttermost of ill well governed 503. See we not even among the brutish Nations If men to them transport Civility Those Colonies are dear in reputation And soon link't with them in affinity Their comings construed not to spoil or take But as come from their dwellings for their sake 504. So Athens with Jonian Colonies Did people Asia Lacedemon spread Her Dorian Tribes thorough fertile Italy And so by her that Euxine barbarous sea Made hospitable is unto this day 505. This the chief Pillar is of Policy That ever by the Romans was invented Envyless to uphold their Monarchy And make the stranger with their yoke contented Prodigal of Rome they to their neighbors were Whereby her own womb did the Empire bear 506. For by the long breath'd course it came to pass That all States did not onely stand in awe Of Rome as Mistriss but all the whole world was Link't unto her in Traffick League and Law And did so much adore the Romans Fame As they forsook their own to bear her Name 507. Where in this crafty worlds declining age Those large spread roots are withered or dead All spirits of Worth to present Pow'r engage And there so master'd dull'd or measured As while men fear their litle toys to loose Worth they choose rather to suppress then use 508. From whence it is that we find of erecting Decay d Estates or Colonies deriving Or proper Laws the present time directing Examples few but many Princes striving Through fear of change and fatal hate of pains With publick loss to bring in private gains 509. Which privatenefs forgets Times glory past And useth Time to come but to despise Her narrow ends being on the present plac'd And so in narrow selfness onely wise No undertaking Empire to extend To purchase Fame or any Noble end 510. But felfly to root out our Enemies Deface fair Monuments spoil civil places Dispeople Realms of Men and Earth of Trees Spoiling to varnish Tyrannies disgraces And bring the World to those days back again Where Pow'r did over Beasts not People Raign 511. Again this Art of Tyrant Cittadel Not suffering free Citizens but slaves What is it but a Council out of Hell Making the Princes Triumphs Peoples graves And sorts it not well with the Sultans word Who vaunts Grass grows not where his horse hath stood 512. This is the cause the Holy Prophet spake And wrote but of four Monarchies alone As if the rest these Lights did rather take To be on slaves a strict Dominion Not Empire but a crafty violence Whose Ruines never raise Magnificence 513. For that indeed is no true Monarchy Which makes Kings more then Men Men less then Beasts But that which works a perfect Unity Where Kings as heads and Men as members rest With mutual ends like Twinns each helping other In service of the Common-wealth their Mother 514. Thus unto Kings their Provinces remote Which oft else grudge at subaltern Subjection May with good government be kept devote Men do ascribe so much unto Protection And oft adore most what they least do know Like specious things which far off fairest shew 515. And as Mans heart though in one place confin'd Yet to remote Limbs sends forth vital pow'rs With ease or disease to affect the mind According to her good or evil hours Whence sometimes Arms have of her Pulse more sence Then other Members less far off from thence 516. Even so that providence of Heavenly love Which holds the opposing Elements in awe Though in her Thronè advanced far above The finite reach of any mortal Law Yet never rests confin'd to any seat But by far spreading proves her own pow'r great 517. Therefore since wisdom works both far and nigh As boundless not restrain'd to time or place Ador'd when absent honour'd in our Eye The more assiduous still the more in grace Repressing Mans ambition with his fear A Ballance Kings must use and People bear 518. On these States what true judgement can we lay Which by the arts of crafty Tyranny So to their ends do peoples humours sway As Thrones rights grow a kind of mistery Whence Mahomet himself an Idol makes And draws Mankind to Mecha for his sake 519. Thus did the Caliph of great Babilon In former times bewitch the Barbarous nations With sight of rich Robes fhadows of his Throne Reserv'd Magnificence gives such reputation Adding to arts of pow'r which still seem more By making those souls less that must adore 520. But to conclude as Modern Tyranny Hath not in any kind established A State by peace unto prosperity Of people or of honor to the head But rather to the prejudice or shame Of both like torrents spread abroad ill name 521. So against this Pow'r absolute should strain In their Estates to settle such a Péace As People pleas'd Kings might with pleasure Raign By making mens wealth to their use increase Which so will link all members to the head As Change shall there find all her movers dead Of War SECT XII 522. MAn's error having fram'd his Mind and Sence So divers as no real works long please Is justly scourg'd by that Omnipotence Which never in it self lets Vice find ease Whence the vicissitudes of Peace and War Pow'rs punishments as well as Glories are 523. Yet since excess in some bounds must subsist And War have bounds from other heads then Might Because her torrents else run where they list And in desire raise titles infinite Right and Defence must therefore be her Base Which yet may varied be in many a case 524. Among which let Protection be a chief When weak Crowns threatened are to be opprest An Image of the Deities relief Shewing that Thrones at once can move and rest And so grow greater by that aid they give As in whose pow'r more then their own States live 525. Crown-right again which natively descends Claiming Estates in other Crowns possession Must not neglected be in Princes ends And yet have curious Audits in progression Wealth Right Occasion from the Barr of words In Princes States appealing to their swords 526. In petty Rights therefore proportion'd care Doth well become the Royal States of Pow'r But that indeed by which Crowns honour'd are Is care no one Throne may the rest devour So that to wain a growing Empires Might Infallibly is every Princes Right 527. Lastly it much more danger will be found Where Princes shall be thought adverse to war Out of the hearts Effiminatish ground Then to be held as Wit and
minds Not making Tyrants Gods to unmake Kings With flattering air for over-soaring wings 662. And though the ways of wit be infinite Not to be cast in any Mould or Art Like shadows changing shape with every light Ever and never still the same in part Yet by this Model wiser men may see That there is choice even in the vanity 663. And forms establisht which must be obey'd As levels for the world to guide her own Foundations against Anarchy well laid Whose Being is but Beings overthrown Where Thrones as mortal shrines with mortal fear Must be ador'd and worshipt every where 664. Therefore I thus conclude this fruitless dream That if the body have imperfect features Or swim like AEsops wife against the stream Each age must adde to all the works of Creatures And perfect things unperfectly begun Or else in vain sure I have roul'd this Tun. A TREATISE OF RELIGION By Sir FULK GREVILL Lord BROOK 1. WHat make these many laws these rains of pow'r Where with Mankind thus fetter'd is and bound These divers worships which mens souis deflow'r Nature and God with novelty confound 'T is ignorance Sin Infidelity By which we fall'n from our Creation be 2. What is the Chain which draws us back again And lifts Man up unto his first Creation Nothing in him his own heart can restrain His reason lives a Captive to Temptation Example is corrupt precepts are mixt All fleshly knowledge frail and never fixt 3. It is a Light a Gift a Grace inspir'd A spark of Pow'r a goodness of the Good Desire in him that never is desir'd An Unity where desolation stood In us not of us a Spirit not of earth Fashioning the mortal to immortal birth 4. His Image that first made us in perfection From Angels differing most in time and place They fell by Pride and we by their Infection Their doom is past we yet stand under Grace They would be Gods we would their evil know Man finds a Christ these Angels did not so 5. Sence of this God by fear the sensual have Distressed Nature crying unto Grace For Soveraign reason then becomes a slave And yields to servile sence her Soveraign place When more or other she affects to be Then seat or shrine of this Eternity 6. Yea Prince of Earth let Man assume to be Nay more of Man let Man himself be God Yet without God a Slave of Slaves is he To others Wonder to himself a Rod Restless despair desire and desolation The more secure the more abomination 7. Then by affecting pow'r we cannot know him By knowing all things else we know him less Nature contains him not Art cannot shew him Opinions Idols and not God express Without in Pow'r we see him every where Within we rest not till we find him there 8. Then seek we must that course is natural For owned fouls to find their owner out Our free remorses when our Natures fall When we do well our hearts made free from doubt Prove service due to one omnipotence And Nature of Religion to have sence 9. Questions again which in our hearts arise Since loving knowledge not humility Though they be Curious Godless and Unwise Yet prove our Nature feels a Deity For if these strifes rose out of other grounds Man were to God as deafness is to sounds 10. Religion thus we naturally profess Knowledge of God is likewise universal Which divers Nations diversly express For Truth Pow'r Goodness Men do worship all Duties to Parent Child Time Men and Place All known by Nature but observ'd by Grace 11. And that these are no positive made Laws Appears in this since no consent of Nations No Custome Time or any other Cause Can unto Vice give Vertues estimation Or root out those impressions from our hearts Which God by Nature unto Man imparts 12. Yea these impressions are so finely fixt In understanding and the Conscience too That if our nature were not strangely mixt But what we knew it could as easily do Men should even by this spirit in flesh and blood Grow happily Adorers of the Good 13. But there remains such natural corruption In all our Pow'rs even from our Parents seed As to the good gives native interruption Sence stains affection that Will and Will Deed So that what 's good in us and other too We praise but what is evil that we do 14. Our knowledge thus corrupted in our lives Serves to convince our Consciences within Which sentence of Record with self-love strives Leads us for rest and remedy of sin To seek God and Religion from without And free this condemnation which we doubt 15. Yet in this strife this natural remorse If we could bend the force of Pow'r and Wit To work upon the heart and make divorce There from the evil which perverteth it In judgement of the Truth we should not doubt Good Life would find a good Religion out 16. But our infirmity which cannot brook This strong intestine and rebellious war In wit and our affections makes us look For such Religions as there imag'd are Hence grow these many Worships Gods and Sects Wherewith mans error all the world infects 17. For when the Conscience this Religion fashions In blind affections there it straight begets Gross superstition when in witty passions It moulded is a Luster there it sets On hearts prophane by politick pretence Both buying shadows with the souls expence 18. For they Gods true Religion which a State And being is not taken on but in To bottomless hypocrisie translate The superstitious doth with fear begin And so deceiv'd deceives and under-rates His God and makes an idol of his sin The politick with Craft inthralls Mankind And makes his body sacrifice his Mind 19. Both in our selves make us seek out a God Both take self-love and fear for Scale and measure They both become their own and others rod The one takes care the other wrong for pleasure As many minds as many Gods they make Men easily change all they easily take 20. This superstitious Ignorance and Fear Is false Religion offring sacred things Either to whom it should not or elsewhere The manner to the Godhead scandal brings It fears Sea Earth Skie Silence Darkness Light And in the weak soul still hath greatest Might 21. Which natural disease of mortal Wit Begets our Magick and our Star-Divines Wizards Impostors Visions stand by it For what Fear comprehends not it enclines To make a God whose nature it believes Much more enclin'd to punish then relieve 22. The reason is when fears dim eyes look in They guilt discern when upwards justice there Reflects self-horror back upon the sin Where outward dangers threaten every where Flesh the foundation is Fancy the work Where rak'd up and unquencht the evils lurk 23. For Fear whose motion still it self improves Hopes not for Grace but prays to shun the Rod Not to do ill more then do well it loves Fashions God unto Man not Man to God And to that Deity gives
Which infinite those hearts desire to please While to the world they leave her wickedness Sect and division cannot here arise Where every Man in God is only wise 101. Can it then be a Doctrine of despair To use the words or Councils of our God As they stand in him though they seem severe Health of the chosen is the lost childs rod. Though flesh cannot believe yet God is true And onely known where he creates a new 102. Things possible with man are yet in question Gods pow'r Gifts Will here faith's true Bases be All Mediums else are but the sins suggestion The mover onely makes our nature free Faith and obedience he that asketh gives And without these Gods spirit never lives 103. Again in this strange war this wilderness These AEgypt Brick-kills from our straw depriv'd God ever liveliest doth himself express Help being here from Heavenly pow'r deriv'd Affliction of the Spirit made mans true Glass To shew him God brings what he will to pass 104. Now in this fight wherein the man despairs Between the sin and his regeneration Faith upon Credit never takes her Heirs Gods wonder in us works her adoration Who from the Heaven sends his graces down To work the same obedience he will Crown 105. This leads us to our Saviour who no more Doth ask then he enables us to do The rest he frees and takes upon his score Faith and obedience onely binds us to All other Latitudes are Flesh and Devil To stain our knowledge and enlarge our evil 106. Offer these Truths to Pow'r will she obey It prunes her pomp perchance ploughs up the root It pride of Tyrants humors doth allay Makes God their Lord and casts them at his foot This Truth they cannot wave yet will not do And fear to know because that binds them too 107. Shew these to Arts those Riddles of the sin Which error first creates and then inherits This Light consumes those Mists they flourish in At once deprives their Glory and their Merit Those mortal forms moulded of humane error Dissolve themselves by looking in this mirror 108. Shew it to Laws Gods Law the true foundation Proves how they build up earth and loose the Heaven Give things Eternal mortal limitation O're-ruling him from whom thair Laws were given Gods Laws are right just wise and so would make us Mans captious divers false and so they take us 109. Shew it the outward Church strange speculation For that Hypocrisie to see the Life They that sell God for earthly estimation Are here divorc't from that adulterous wife For this truth teacheth Mankind to despise them While God more justly for his own denies them 110. Offer these Truths to flesh in General God in his pow'r and Truth they do confess But want of faith that venome of their fall Despairs to undergo his righteousness They think God good and so his Mercy trust Yet hold good life impossible to dust 111. Onely that little flock Gods own elect Who living in the world yet of it are not God is the wealth Will Empire they affect His Law their wisdom for the rest they care not Among all floods this Ark is still preserv'd Storms of the world are for her own reserv'd 112. For their sake God doth give restraining Grace To his seen Church and to the Heathen too Sets sin her Latitude of time and place That onely she her own may still undoe And where the sin is free to all as one He binds temptation to preserve his own 113. So as though still in wilderness they live As gone from AEgypt suffer Israels care Yet Food and Clothes that wear not out he gives Of them that hate them they preserved are This Grace restraining bounds the Hypocrites Whose ravine else might spoil the world of Lights 114. Then Man rest on this feeling from above Plant thou thy faith on this Celestial way The world is made for use God is for Love Sorrow for sin Knowledge but to obey Fear and Temptation to refine and prove The Heaven for Joy desire thou that it may Find peace in endless boundless Heavenly things Place it else where it desolation brings FINIS Duke of Alva These were the places of residence of the Caliphes Constantinople Cairo Aleppo Queen Eliz. Queen Eliz. Livius lib. 2 Velleius Paterculus lib. 2. Charo Timotheus Iphicrates Emil. Prob 9. in vita Timothei Iustin. lib. 4. Isocrates in nicocles Terentius Varro Paulas Emilius Livius Cic. de lege Agraria contra Rutilium Ptolomoeus Florus lib. 3. Polybius lib. 1. 245 years Livy lib 5. Plutarch in vita Camilli