shop who was dishing up of meat till his stomach was satisfied with the only smell thereof the cholerick covetous Cook demanded of him to pay for his breakfast the poore man denied it and the controversie was referred to be decided by the next man that went by which chanced to be the most notorious Ideot in the whole City He upon the relation of the whole matter determined that the poore mans money should be put betwixt two empty dishes and the Cook should be recompenced with the gingling of the mans money as he was satisfied only with the smell of the Cooks meat Holy State p. 182. A Courtier having begg'd a rich-landed Fool used to carry him about to waite upon him He coming with his Master to a Gentlemans house where the picture of a foole was wrought in a rich suit of Arras cut the picture out with a penknife and being chidden for so doing You have more cause said he to thank me for if my Master had seen the picture of the Fool he would have begged your hangings of the King as he did my land Eodem The standers by comforting of a Natural that lay on his death-bed telling him that foure proper fellows should carry his body to the Church Yea quoth he but I had rather by half go thither my self and then prayed to God at his last gaspe not to require more of him then he gave him Eodem Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God throw the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart Eph. 4. 18. The times of this ignorance God winked at but now commandeth all men every where to repent Act. 17. 30. CHAP. XLIII Examples of Contempt of the World of Riches Honours c. WE must not love the world 1 John 2. 15. for it passeth away ver 17. Love of the world is a character of the wicked 1 Joh. 2. 15. We must so love it as not to abuse it 1 Cor. 7. 31. All the glory of the world is but a fancy Act. 25. 23. Scriptural examples Abram Gen. 14. 22 c Gideon Jud. 8. 23. Christ Mat. 8. 20. Luk. 9. 58. Iohn 6. 15. Paul Phil. 3. 8. Peter Marke 10. 28 c. â—uk 18. 28 c. After the battel of Marathon wherein the Grecians had overthrown the Persians they found their enemies tents full of gold silver rich apparel and other treasures yet Aristides to whom a great share of them did belong would not touch any of them nor take to himselfe the worth of one farthing Plut. Aristides who by his prudence Policy and valour had exceedingly enriched the Athenians did so contemne riches that when others abounded he only remained poore and when a kinsman of his callâ—d Callias who had exceedingly enriched himself by the Persian treasure was accused to the people for neglecting to relieve him in his wants Aristides himself undertook his defence telling them that Callias had often offered him much but he had alwayes refused it For there are many saith he that abuse their riches but few can bear poverty well Plut When he died he was burâ—ed at the publick charges of the City not leaving so much as would pay for his own funeral Plato thought that amongst all those famous and worthy men that Athens had bread none deserved so much honour as Aristides for that whereas others had filled Athens with stately buildings money and other trifles only Aristides in managing the affairs of the Common-wealth had proposed nothing to himself but the advancement of virtue Pez Mel. Hist. Cimon the sonne of Aristides after his fathers death governing the Common-wealth of Athens would by no means take any bribes but did and spake all things gratis and when a certaine Persian exile with a great Masse of treasures fled to Athens meeting there with some affronts went to the house of Cimon and there set down before him two great goblets full of gold and silver Cimon seeing it laughed and said unto him Whether wouldst thou have me thy friend Gratis or thy Patron hired by a great summe of money Therefore said he take these things away and mâ—ke use of me as thy friend and imploy thy money otherwise as thou pleasest Plut. This Cimon when he had gotten a compeâ—ent estate caused the hedges of his fields to be thrown down that so every one might freely make use of the fruits thereof He kept a frugal Table yet enough for many and so entertained all comers Plut. Epimenides a very wise and good man having taken great paines in reforming Athens when he was to returne home the people offered him great summes of money but he refused all only desiring them to give him a branch of Olive with which he returned into his own countrey See his example in Reformation Plut. Epaminondas that was one of the gallantest men that ever Greece bred who freed his countrey of Thebes from the Lacedemonian slavery and obtained many great and admirable victories yet was he such a contemner of riches that when he died he left not enough to discharge the charge of his funeral Just. The Lacedemonians having freed themselves from those Tyrants that had lorded it over them they sold their houses and goods by which they raised one hundred and twenty Talents then bethinking themselves where to choose a worthy General they at last pitched upon Philopoemen the most accomplished man in all Greece and thereupon resolved to send Ambassadours to make a tender to him of this Masse of money but every one knowing how far he was from being caught with such baits refused that office At last they chose one Timolaus of his ancient acquaintance who wen to him at Megalopolis where being entertained and feasted by Philopoemen observing his gravity frugality and temperance was so discouraged that not daring to deliver his message he returned without effecting any thing the like did a second but a third being sent to him took the boldnesse to tell him how much the Lacedemonians esteemed and honoured his virtues whereby he prevailed with Philopoemen to go to Lacedemon who there in a publick Assembly of the people exhorted shem that they would not go about to buy friends by their gifts who were ready to serve them without them perswading them rather to imploy that money in bribing their turbulent Oratours that disturbed the peace of the City with so high a minde did he despise their money Plut. Agesilaus King of Sparta used to say that he had rather make his souldiers rich then to be rich himself Xenoph. Lysander King of Sparta having overcome the Athenians in a great battel did wonderfully enrich his Countrey with the spoiles yet himself remained poor not enriching himself one penny thereby And when Dionysius the Sicilian Tyrant sent him costly garments for his daughters he returned them back again saying That he feared lest his daughters should be disgraced by them Plut. Xenoph. The King of Persia sending to Epaminondas
A MIRROUR OR Looking-Glasse BOTH For Saints and Sinners Held forth in about two thousand Examples Wherein is presented as Gods wonderful Mercies to the one so his severe Judgments against the other Collected out of the most Classique Authors both Ancient and Modern with some late Examples observed by my self Whereunto are added the Wonders of God in Nature and the Rare Stupendious and Costly Works made by the Art and Industry of Man As the most famous Cities Structures Statues Cabinets of Rarities c. which have been or are in the WORLD By Sa. Clark Pastor in Bennet Fink London The second Edition much enlarged Sancti sunt honorandi propter imitationem August London Printed for Tho. Newberry and are to be sold at his Shop at the three Golden Lions in Corn-hill by the Royal-Exchange 1654. TO His dearly beloved Friends and Neighbours Members of the Church of Christ that meet in Bennet Fink London Dearly beloved Friends I Have much desired and longed for an opportunity to expresse and make known my gratefull heart unto you for those many favours and expressions of love which I have received from you For whereas by reason of the iniquities of the times and the cruelty of the common enemy I was banished from my home and that station wherein the Lord had seated mee with much comfort it pleased God to direct your hearts to make choyse of mee for your Minister and since that time being now eleven years I have never found your affections cooled but rather more and more inflamed and increased towards mee No small mercy in these giddy and unstable times and as a reall demonstration thereof you have been very solicitous to provide for my comfortable subsistence amongst you wherein I may use the Apostles expression 2 Cor. 8. 3. That to your power yea I bear record beyond your power you have been willing But that which especially hath ministred most comfort unto mee is your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ evidenced remarkably in this particular which I desire to speak of to Gods glory your credit and that your zeal may provoke others I never had occasion to move you in any just and honest businesse whether of publique or private concernment wherein I have not found your readinesse and forwardnesse to concur with and answer my expectation My hearts desire and earnest prayer to God for you is that you may yet abound more and more in every good word and work that so fighting the good fight of faith you may finish your course with joy For which end I beseech you in the bowels of Jesus Christ that you mark them which would cause divisions and offences among you contrary to the Doctrine which yee have learned and avoid them For many false Prophets are gone out into the world in Sheeps clothing which yet inwardly are ravening Wolves beguâ—ling unstable soules who like little children are carried about with every wind of Doctrine Ye therefore Beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse 2 Pet. 3. 17. And the God of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory by Jesus Christ after that yee have suffered a while make you perfect strengthen and settle you which shall ever be the hearty prayer and earnest endeavour of him who is Devoted to the service of your Faith Sa. Clark THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Christian Reader THis Book which I now present unto thee is the fruit of my spare houres it having been my recreation for these many years to read the best Histories which I could meet with and for the help of my memory I have collected the eminentest and most remarkable examples which did occur and reduced them under several heads distinguished into severall Chapters which I have found very useful profitable and pleasing unto me and presuming that they may be so to others also I have now this second time published them to the world that so they which neither have money to buy nor leisure to read many Volumes may find in this little Epitome the choisest and chiefest things that are contained in them I have also sometimes set down more pleasant stories which may have their use and prevent tediousnesse to the Reader though in such great variety of History I suppose there is no great danger of nauseousnesse But besides what I have collected out of the Authours themselves I have met with many examples in several Treatises and Sermons which have been lately published but what I have borrowed from them I hope I shall repay with interest by this insuing Collection I have also inserted some memorable examples from my own observation which were never before in Print I presume that it will be superfluous for me to tell thee what great benefit thou mayst reap by acquainting thy self with these Examples Dost thou live in places of danger and times of persecution here thou mayest see how powerful and merciful the Lord is in supporting or delivering his people in such times Doest thou see the enemies of Gods Church to thrive and proâ—per in their malice and cruelty here thou mayest see what the end of them is like to be if they speedily repent not Would'st thou see the amiablenesse and desireablenesse of vertues and Graces here thou mayst see it held forth unto thee in excellent Mirrours or Looking-Glasses Wouldest thou behold the uglinesse and danger of great and horrid sins Behold here Examples of the severity of Gods Judgments against them Would'st thou find out and propose some choyce Patterns and Presidents for thine imitation Here thou shalt find store and variety of them These with divers other uses and benefits may be made of these examples which I freely impart to thee with prayer for Gods blessing upon thee and them and desiring the like courtesie at thy hands I rest Thine in the Lord Sa. Clark From my Study in Thridneedle-street this 1. of April 1654. A Table of the CHAPTERS contained in this Book MIracles of Gods Mercies to his children Pag. 1 Examples fit for Gods Ministers to imitate Pag. 21 Of Christian courage and resolution Pag. 26 Of Gods Judgments upon Persecutors Pag. 35 Of the wicked lives and woful deaths of many Popes and Popelings Pag. 57 Of inhumane cruelties Pag. 68 Of Temperance Abstinence and Sobriety Pag. 84 Of Drunkennesse Pag. 90 Of Prodigality and Excesse Pag. 98 Of Gods Judgments upon Adulterers and unclean persons Pag. 101 Of Chastity and Modesty Pag. 112 Of Charity Pag. 116 Of Liberality Bounty and Munificence Pag. 122 Of Covetousnesse and Avarice Pag. 125 Of Sacriledge Pag. 132 Of Pride Arrogance Ambition and Vain-glory. Pag. 136 Of Humility and Self-denial Pag. 150 Of Anger Wrath Malice Hatred and Revenge Pag. 157 Of Patience Moderation and Meeknesse Pag. 161 Of Gods Judgments upon Apostates and Backsliders Pag. 168 Of Gods Judgments upon Atheists Pag. 180 Of Blasphemy and Gods Judgments
upon Blasphemers Pag. 187 Of Profane Scoffers Pag. 193 Of Perjury and false swearing Pag. 196 Gods Judgments upon common swearers Pag. 206 Gods Judgments upon Cursers Pag. 210 Gods Judgments upon Hereticks and Schismaticks Pag. 214 Gods Judgements upon False-witnesses and Lyers Pag. 239 Childrens Obedience and Love to their Parents Pag. 244 Gods Judgments upon Rebellious and unnatural children Pag. 246 Parents love to and care over their children Pag. 252 Of fond Parents and the mischiefs thereof Pag. 255 Of brethrens love each to other Pag. 258 Of Fortitude Valour and Magnanimity Pag. 261 Gods Judgments upon Sabbath-breakers Pag. 280 Gods Judgments upon Murtherers and Blood-shedders Pag. 285 Of Marriage and Conjugal Love Pag. 298 Of Treachery and Perfidiousnesse Pag. 307 Of Fidelity Pag. 314 Of Deceit Craft Guile and Hypocrisie Pag. 317 Of Friendship Pag. 320 Of grosse Ignorance and Folly 323 Contempt of the World of Riches Honours c. 330 Honour shewed to Gods Word and Ministers 336 Contemners of the Ministry Word and Sacraments 340 Gods Judgments upon Dicers and Card-players 345 Of Justice the Duty of Judges and Magistrates 347 Of Injustice and Bribery 359 Of Restitution 362 Law and Law-givers 364 Tyrants and Tyranny 366 Vanity of all earthly things 372 Of Gratitude and Thanksgiving 386 Ingratitude and Unkindnesse 390 Of Flattery and Parasites 395 Of Deaf and Dumb persons 399 Of Constancy 401 Of Inconstancy and Unstablenesse 405 Of hard Students 407 Enemies to Learning 411 Of Callings Trades 412 Christ preferred before all earthly enjoyments 415 Compassion Sympathy 421 Workings of Conscience Guilty conscience 423 Love to ones Countrey and Countreymen 427 Of Death 429 Detraction Slandering Backbiting 434 Discord Gontention and the evils of it 438 Strange Accidents 440 Strange Providences 443 Of terrible Famines 449 Gods Judgments upon Witches Conjurers Inchanters and Astrologers 453 Apparitions Satanical delusions 458 Of Dissimulation 463 Of Envy 465 Fame Name Renown 468 Incontinence Impudence Rapes 471 Gods Judgments on the Jewes for crucifying Christ 476 Images Idols 481 Of Superstition 483 Long Life Life sweet 485 Mirth Facetious speeches Pithy sentences 487 Poverty Poor 493 Peace Peace-makers 494 Persecution Persecutors 495 Honesty Piety Holinesse Godlinesse 497 Predictions Prophecies 500 The Power and Prevalency of Prayer 502 Prudence Wisdom Policy 507 Strange Prodigies 510 Remuneration Retaliation Requital 520 Gods love to his children and their love to him 522 Reproof Reprehension 524 Repentance and Reformation the way to pacific Gods wrath 526 Scripture proved to be the Word of God Not to be profaned 528 Servants Slaves 534 Sin the fore-runner of Judgment 536 Stratagems 539 Education of children School-masters 545 Memory Art of Memory 547 Qualities of sundry people 549 Wondrous Works of God in Nature 551 The Rare works of God in the Creatures 565 Rare Stupendious and costly works made by man 585 Old Rome and the Rarities thereof described 590 Other great Cities and the Turks Seraglio described 596 Hyspaan in Persia described 605 The Temple of Diana and other admirable places described 616 Pequin in China and other stately Cities described 622 AN Alphabetical TABLE of the common Places and Examples contained in this Book wherein p. stands for Page and c. for Example A ABstinence P. 85. E. 1 c. Accidents strange p. 440 c. See Providence Adultery p. 101. e. 1 c. See Whoredom Almes out of ill-gotten goods rejected p. 363 e. 2 c. See Charity Aloes how made p. 581. e. 66. Ambergreece what it is p. 573 e. 29. Ambition See Pride Angels comfort the Martyrs in their torments p. 6 e. 11. p. 78. e. 37. Anger p. 157 c. How cured p. 158 e. 1 c. p. 165. e. 16. Apollo's Tample destroyed by Lightning p. 457. e. 19. Apostasie dangerous p. 34. e. 28 p. 94 e. 19 p. 179 e. 41 42 43. Apostates p. 169 e. 1 c. Apostasie repented of p. 21. e. 53. Apparitions p. 458 c. Arrogance See Pride Art admired p. 409. e. 11. Asses with hornes p. 582. e. 68. Astrologers deceived p. 62. e. 16. Astrologers p. 453 c. Atheisme p. 63. e. 21 22. p. 137. e. 3. p. 171. e. 6. p. 180 c. Avarice See Covetousnesse B. BAbylon with its Rarities described p. 597 c. Backbiting p. 434 c. See Slandering Backsliders See Apostates Balm tree where it growes p. 566. e. 3. Batts strange p. 581. e. 65. Beasts strange p. 574. e. 34 36 c. p. 576. e. 42 43. p. 580. e. 61. Bezar's stone where found p. 583. e. 70 A Feast for the Translation of the Bible p. 24. e. 14 Birds strange p. 575. e. 40. p. 579. e. 55 Blasphemy p. 49. e. 53 54. p. 50. e. 60. p. 57. p. 65 e. 28. p. 72. e. 15. p. 79. e. 39. p 138. e. 10. p. 171 e. 7. p. 173. e. 17. p. 176. e. 31. p. 183. e. 16 17 p. 185. e. 21 22. p. 186. e. 24 25 26. p. 187 c. Blood shedders See Murtherers Bounty See Liberality Bribery p. 140. e. 16. p. 359 c. Hated p. 331 e. 3. p. 333. e. 10 14. p. 352. e. 14. p. 359. e. 1 c. Brethrens love each to other p. 258. e. 1 c. Brothers unnatural p. 74. e. 22. p. 259. e. 1 c. p. 287. e. 11. p. 289. e. 19. p. 521. e. 3. C. CAiro in Egypt described p. 607. Callings See Trades Camels described p. 566 e. 5. Cantharides what p. 584. e. 73. Card-players punished p. 345 c. Casan in Parthia described p. 606. Caves strange p. 554. e. 16 17. p. 556. e. 27. p. 573 e. 30. Charity p. 117. e. 1 c. Chastity p. 112. e. 1 c. A Child nursed by an old woman p. 16. e. 37. By a man p. 570. e. 17. Children not to marry without Parents consent p. 252 e. 1. Childrens Love and Obedience to Parents p. 244 e. 1 c. Childrens Education See Schoolmasters Childrens Martyrdome p. 5. e. 10. p. 79. e. 38. Many Children at a Birth p. 559. e. 41 Children unnatural p. 73. e. 19. p. 246 c. p. 290 e. 23. p. 308. e. 2. p. 521 e. 1 c. A Child crying in the Womb p. 562 e. 54 Christ our Mediatour p. 420 e. 1 c. Christ why not Deified at Rome p. 341 e. 4 Christ preferred before all earthly things p. 18. e. 43. p. 29. e. 6 c. p. 34. e. 27 28. p. 415 c. Christian courage p. 2. e. 2. p. 4. e. 7. Christians highly honoured p. 338 e. 6 Churches not to be profaned p. 498 e. 4 6. Cinamon trees p. 571 e. 20 Cloves how they grow p. 573 e. 26. Colossus of Rhodes described p. 614. Comfort at Death p. 12 e. 24 p. 13 e. 26 p. 17 e. 41 p. 20 e. 50 51 p. 31 e. 16. Compassion p. 421 c. Conjurers plagued by God p. 58 e. 4 5 6 7. p. 453 c. Conscience with the workings of it p. 423 c.
5. 7. Mat. 5. 28 32. Gal. 5. 19. 2 Pet. 2. 14. Rom. 2. 22. Ier. 13. 27. Prov. 30. 20 Threatened Psal. 50. 18 c. Mal. 3. 5. 1 Cor. 6. 9. Heb. 13. 3. Ier. 29. 23. Hos. 4. 2 c. Hos. 4. 13 14. Iam. 2. 11. Rev. 2. 22. Punished Lev. 20. 10. Prov. 6. 32. Ioh. 8. 3 4. Scripturall examples Iudah Gen. 38. 16 c. Potiphars wife Gen. 39. 7. David 2. Sam. 11. 4. the Benjamites Iud. 19. 25. Amon 2. Sam. 13. 11 c. Mary Magdalen Iohn 8. 4. The Corinthian 1 Cor. 5. 1. Absalon 2 Sam. 16. 22. Reuben Gen. 35. 22. Lot Gen. 19. 36. Herod Mat. 14. 3. Other examples Ninus King of Assyria fell in love with Semiramis wife of Menon one of his Officers and when he could not perswade Menon to deliver his wife to him he threatened to pull out his eyes whereupon Menon hanged himselfe and Ninus married his wife Diod. Sic. Julius Caesar was a great adulterer defiling many of the chief Senators wives for which amongst other things he was murther'd in the Senate-house Sueto Augustus the Emperour was an adulterer and being at a feast he took a Noble woman from the table her husband being by and had her into a chamber and after brought her back her eyes very red and her hair all disordered Ibidem The like adulterer was Tiberius and most of the Romane Emperours C. Caligula was a most impudent and impure adulterer he took many wives from their husbands and when he had satiated his lust with them hated them as much as formerly he had pretended love to them Theat vitae hum He committed Incest with his own sisters and then banished them Messalina the wife of Cladius the Emperour was one of the most impudent adulteresses that ever was in the world She had a chamber in her palace wherein her selfe with many of the Noble women of Rome did commonly prostitute themselves she sent for Appius Sylvanus a Noble young man and solicited him to lie with her and because he refused she accused him to the Emperour her husband as Potiphars wife did Joseph and caused him to be put to death She also would needs be married to Caius Silus made a great feast at her wedding gave him much of the Emperours treasure She caused divers of the Noble women of Rome in her palace to commit adulterie their husbands standing by and looking on rewarding them greatly for the same but if any refused to do it she hated them exceedingly and by all meanes sought their destruction She eagerly doted upon a common dancer and when she could not prevail with him to lie with her she caused her husband to command him to obey her in whatsoever she should require of him and thereby had her desire with him the like she did with many others She went often to the common Stewes to satiate her lust with all comers Striving with the famousest Strumpets in all Rome to exceed them in their divellish art to vie with them in their filthy lusts For which at the complaint of the Nobles she was put to death Lang. Chron. Nero having made a great feast in a publick Theater after supper commanded all his guests to go into some house hard by into which he had gathered abundance of wives virgins maid-servants and harlots and there to defile whom they pleased commanding that none should be denied so that the servant committed wickednesse with his Mistris his Master being by and base fellowes with Noble virgins their fathers being by c. Xiphilinus Romulus ordained a Law amongst the Romanes that a man might put away his wife if she was proved to have committed adultery or consented to the poisoning of her children but if he put her away for any other cause she was to have halfe his goods and the other halfe went to the goddesse Ceres Plut. Artaxerxes Mnemon King of Persia fell in love with his own daughter a beautiful Virgin called Atossa which his own mother Parysatis perceiving perswaded him to marry her and so to make her his wife and though the Persian Lawes had formerly forbidden such incestuous marriages yet taking counsel with his wicked mother and his own lust he married her after which time he never prospered in any thing that he took in hand Diod. Sic. Nero the Emperour when he rode abroad with his mother Agrippina in his horse-litter used ordinarily to commit incest with her Suet. Cleopatra being very young was with her brother Ptolomaeus King of Egypt besieged in Alexandria by Iulius Caesar After a while she caused one Apollidorus to binde her up in cloaths like a bed and so carried her into Caesars tent where being laid down at Caesars feet the man opens his fardel and a Venus comes forth whose beauty Caesar being taken with used her body at his pleasure not long before she had been defiled by Pompey But these were her childish whoredomes Afterwards Mark Anthony being in Asia raising tributes and ready to underake the Parthian Warre sends for Cleopatra to plead her cause before him for assisting Cassius his enemy with money She attires her self after the curiousest and costliest manner that could be and upon the River Cydnus enters into her Galley all guilt with gold the oares covered with silver that kept their stroakes by the sound of Musicians the sailes were of purple silke her self lay under a heaven of gold beset with all sorts of precious stones many Ganimeds stood about her to fanne winde to coole her her Ladies like Nymphs sat up and down the ship burning incense and sweet persumes Being come to the place where Anthony was he to keep the Roman gravity sat in the Tribunal with the Officers and people about him and sends for her thither but she goes straight to her Inne and all the people left Anthony to gaze upon her So that being left alone he returnes to his quarters and sends to invite her to supper She refuses and excuseth herself Anthony could no longer forbear but goes to her sups with her eates and drinks in love her beauty wit and smooth tongue soon bewitched him She could readily speak Hebrew Greek Arabick AEthiopick and Persian language in their own Idiome Anthony being thus taken forgets his Warres his wives and all relations goes with her into Egypt and spends his time in adulteries till vengeance seized on them both which was executed by Octa. Caesar. Lipsius Faustina the wife of M. Anthoninus the Philosopher was insatiable in her lusts She used to prostitute herself in the stews in the baths in the Theaters She used to frequent the places where naked men strove for masteries and there noting those that were greatest of flesh would send for them to commit filthinesse with her She prefered to the Empire Commodus one of her adulterers and the sonne of a sword-player which ruined the Empire Lipsius In France there was one Fredegundis a famous whore who for her beauty was entertained
One who for twelve or sixteen years together used to sweare by Gods Armes In the end his own arme being hurt with a knife could not be healed by any means but wrankled and festered from day to day and at last so rotted that it fell away peece-meale and himself through anguish and paine thereof died Phil. Stubs I my selfe saith a godly Divine that wrote lately knew two most notorious swearers that brake their necks the one with a fall down a paire of staires the other from his horse Another relates of a swearing Courtier at Mansfield who in the middest of his blasphemous oaths was taken up and carried away by the devil At a Village called Benevides in Spaine two young men being together in the field there suddenly arose a terrible tempest and withal so violent a whirlewinde that it amazed the beholders The two young men seeing the fury of it coming towards them ran as fast as possibly they might but yet it overtook them and they fearing to be hoisted up into the Aire by it fell down flat upon the earth where the Whirlewinde whisked round about them for a pretty while and then passed forwards the one of them arose in such an agony that he was scarce able to stand the other lying still and not stirring some other that stood under an hedge a far off went to see how he did and found him stark dead with his bones so crushed that the joynts of his armes and legges turned every way as though his body had been made of Mosse his tongue also was pulled out by the roots and could never be found which was the more remarkable because he was noted to have been an outragious swearer and blasphemer of Gods holy Name Anth. de Torquem At Tubing in Germany a desperate boy used to invent such new oaths as were not common but the Lord sent a Canker or some worse disease that did eat out his tongue the instrument wherewith he blasphemed Gâ—â—m Hist. A certain man who in his life-time was given exceedingly to the fearful sinne of swearing had his heart on his death-bed so exceedingly filled with enraged greedinesse after it that he desperately desired the standers by to help him with oaths and to sweare for him though himself in the mean time swore as fast and furiously as he could Mr. Bolton Destructorium viâ—iorum tells of an Harlot who had three sonnes and told her husband that only one of them was his whereupon at his death he bequeathed his estate to him that should be found to be his true son Upon this the sons contend the Judges to decide it commanded the fathers dead body to be set up against a tree and that he of the three that could shoot nearest to his heart should be his heire The two bastards shot the third refused and was offended with the other for doing it By which natural love they concluded him to be the natural son and gave him the inheritance Surely they are bastards and no sonnes that wound God at heart and teare him in peeces by oaths c. Charilaus a Pagan being asked why the Images of the gods in Sparta were armed To the end saith he that men may fear to blaspheme the gods knowing that are armed to take vengeance upon their enemies Chrysostome whilest he was at Antioch spent most of his Sermons against swearing that if not the fear of God yet his importunity might make them a weary of that sin Philip King of France ordained that whosoever by swearing blasphemed God though in a Tavern yet he should be straightway drowned Maximilian the Emperour decreed that every vain swearer should pay thirteen shillings and four pence which who so refused to pay and repented not of his wickednesse should lose his head Henry the first King of England appointed the payment of fourty shillings twenty shillings ten shillings and three shillings four pence according to the degree of the swearer to be given to the poore Christiâ—649 â—649 about the end of June there was a souldier at Ware going with some others to wash himself in the river but finding the water shallow he asked if there was no deeper a place for him to swim in Some told him that there was not farre off a deep pit but that it was very dangerous and therefore advised him to take heed how he went into it to whom he answered God damn me if it be as deep as hell I will go into it which accordingly he did but immediately sunk to the bottome never rising again but was there drowned To swear by their Faith was the Romanes greatest oath which they kept inviolably Plut. King Charles the ninth of France entertained into his favour one Albertus Tuâ—â—us an Hucksâ—ers sonne to whom in five years space besides other honoures he gave six hundred thousand crownes though all the good the King gat by him was to learn to swear by the Name of God Camerar med Hist. c. 4. But above all things my brethren swear not neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other oath But let your Yea be yea and your Nayâ— nay lest ye fall into condemnation Jam. 5. 12. CHAP. XXVI Examples of Gods judgements upon Cursers IN France a man of good parts and well instructed in Religion yet in his passion cursing and bidding the devil take one of his children the childe was immediately possessed with an evil spirit from which though by the fervent and continual prayers of the Church he was at length released yet ere he had fully recovered his health he died Beza Anno 15â—7 at Forchenum in the Bishoprick of Bamburg a Priest preaching about the Sacrament used these and such like blasphemous speeches O Paul Paul if thy Doctrine touching the receiving of the Sacrament in both kindes be true and if it be a wicked thing to receive it otherwise then let the devil take me and if the Popes Doctrine concerning this point be false then am I the devils bondslave neither do I fear to pawn my soul upon it Presently the devil came indeed in the shape of a tall man black and terrible with a fearful noise and roaring winde took away the old Priest that he was never after heard of Fincelius In Helvetia Anno 1556. a certaine man that earned his living by making cleane foule linnen in his drunkennesse used horrible cursings wishing that the devil might break his neck if he ever went to his old occupation again yet the next day when he was sober he went into the field again about it where the devil attended him in the likenesse of a big swarthy man asking him if he remembred his wish and withal struck him over the shoulders so that his feet and hands presently dried yet the Lord gave not the devil power to do him so much hurt as he wisht to himself Fincelius Henry Earle of Schwartburg used commonly to wish that he might be drowned in a Privy if such and such things
and therein the King Psammenitus and all his family and Nobles after which he kept him prisoner in the suburbs and then caused the daughters of the Nobles and amongst them Psammenitus daughter clad in base apparel to fetch water in tankards from the river which when their parents saw they all brake forth into grievous weeping only Psammenitus with his eyes fixed upon the ground shewed no signe of sorrow Then did Cambyses cause the Noble-mens sonnes and amongst them Psammenitus his sonne to be led to execution tied together by the necks with ropes and bridles put into their mouths hereupon their fathers again brake forth into lamentations only Psammenitus stood quiet as before But presently after seeing an old man his intimate friend begging in the streets he brake forth into grievous lamentations which Cambyses observing sent to him to know what was the reason that he when he saw his daughter so abused and his son led to death mourned not but now when he saw this poor man that was no kin to him begging he made such heavy mone To whom Psammenitus answered My domestick evils were greater then that I could expresse my sorrow for them but the calamity of my friend deserves my teares for that now in his old age from an high estate he is brought to such extreame poverty Herod Darius having escaped a great danger in his returne out of Scythia by the faithful counsel and assistance of Histiaeus the Milesian he sent for him to his Court and made him one of his privy Councel saying Omnium possessionum pretiosissimam esse amicum fide prudentiâ— praestantem That of all possessions the most precious is a friend excelling in fidelity and prudence Pez Mel. Hist. Cyrus Junior was of that friendly disposition that of those many gifts that were presented to him by his Subjects he reserved none to himself but distributed them amongst his friends according to their several qualities and when he had choice apparel sent him he used to say that his own body could not weare it but he thought himself richly adorned in seeing his friends adorned with it When he had excellent wine he would send his friends most of it saying that he beleeved that they could not get better When he had costly cates at his table he would send them a great part with this message Tell them that Cyrus sends you these things because himself liked them exceeding well Xenophon Agesilaus King of Sparta seeing divers of his friends and kindred in poverty and want he divided halfe his patrimony amongst them esteeming his inheritance to be left him rather thereby to purchase friends then to make himself an object of envy to his enemies Xenophon Damon and Pythias two Pithagorean Phylosophers so intirely loved each other that Dionysius the Tyrant having condemned one of them to death the other offered to die for him wherewith the Tyrant was so affected that he pardoned the condemned party and desired to be admitted a third person in their amity Cicero de Offi. In Queen Elizabeths Reigne in a fight between the Earle of Kildare and the Earl of Tir-oâ—en two of the Earl of Kildares Foster brethren were slain whose death he took so heavily that himself shortly after died for grief For there is no love in the world comparable by many degrees to that of Foster-brethren in Ireland Camb. Brit. Iâ—el p. 116. Darius having opened a Pomegranate that was full of seeds his brother Artabanus asked him of what things he would chiefly desire so great a number Darius answered that he would desire so many Magabysuses as there were graines in that fruit for â—aith he Kings can have no treasure of so great worth as faithful friends Herod Under the seventh Persecution Theodora a godly Virgin for her Religion was condemned to the Stews where her chastity was to be a prey to all commers which sentence being executed many wanton young men were ready to presse into the house but one of the brethren called Didymus putting on a souldiers habit would have the first turne and to going in perâ—waded her to change garments with him and so she in the souldiers habit escaped and Didymus being found a man was carried before the President to whom he confessed the whole matter and so was condemned Theodora hearing of it thinking to excuse him came and presented herself as the guilty party desiring that she might die and the other be excused but the mercilesse Iudge caused them both to be put to death See my Gen. Martyr p. 52. Thine own friend and thy fathers friend forsake not Prov. 27. 10. CHAP. XLII Examples of grosse Ignorance and Folly THere were never any former ages which enjoyed the like meanes of knowledge as we which live at this day do for besides the sacred Scriptures in a known tongue how many volumes of heavenly truths dropping from the mounthes and pens both of ancient and moderne Divines hath that most excellent and exquisite Art of Printing conveyed to us how many burning and shining lights do daily waste and consume themselves to propagate saving knowledge unto others therefore to love darkness or to live in darknesse under so great light will much aggravate our condemnation whence it is that we have great cause to bewaile with teares of blood not only that woful ignorance which is still to be found in those kingdomes wherein the more then Egyptian darknesse of Popery hath overspread their Horizons but which also is too rife frequent amongst our selves both which may in part be discerned by these ensuing Examples Ignorance is a sin Lev. 4. 2 13 22 27. 5. 15 18. Num. 15. 24 c. It 's the cause of much sinne Eph. 4. 18. 1 Pet. 1. 14. Isa. 56. 10. Wilful ignorance aggravates sin 2 Pet. 3. 5. Simple ignorance extenuates sin Deut. 19. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 13. Luk. 12 48. Num. 15. 28. Act. 17. 30. 3. 17. David chargeth himself with it Psal. 73. 22. and Agur Prov. 30. 2 3. The Apostles were accounted such Act 4. 13. How fooles are discovered Prov. 10. 8 23. 12. 16. 13. 16 19. 14. 16. 15. 5. 17. 10. 18. 6 7. and 20. 3. and 27. 3 22. and 29. 11. Eccles. 2. 14. and 4. 5. and 5. 3. and 10. 2 14. Prov. 1. 22. Scriptural examples The rich man Luk. 12. 20. Nabal 1 Sam 25. 15. Some Psal. 49. 13. 2 Tim. 3. 9. The Prophet Ezek. 13. 7. Hos. 9. 7. Galatians Chap. 3. 1 3. The Bishop of Dunkelden in Scotland thanked God that he never knew what the Old and New Testament was affirming that he cared to know no more then his Portuis and Pontifical Act. and Mon. At an Assembly of the States in Germany one Albertus a Bishop lighting by chance upon a Bible as he was reading therein one of the States asked him what book it was I know not said the Bishop but this I finde that whatsoever I read in it is utterly
of persons Eus. Alexander Severus the Emperour did so reverence the High Priest that whatsoever sentence he had passed in judgement he suffered the same to be revoked by the Priest if he saw cause for it Lipsius When at the Councel of Nice many Bishops brought complaints and Petitions each against other to Constantine the Great he would not so much as read them but burned them all before their faces saying It 's fit that I should be judged by you and not you by me Euseb. Bread and cheese with the Gospel is good cheere said Greenham Act. Mon. Ingo King of the Venudes at a great feast to shew his love to the Saints of God set his Pagan Nobles in the Hall and certain poor Christians with him in the Parlour A certaine Emperour of Germany coming by chance into a Church upon the Sabbath-day found there a most mis-shapen Priest penè portentum naturae insomuch as the Emperour much scorned and contemned him but when he heard him read those words in the Service For it is he that hath made us and not we our selves the Emperour checked his own proud thoughts and made enquiry into the quality and conditions of the man and finding upon examination that he was a very learned and devout man he made him Archbishop of Collen which place he discharged with much commendations Wâ—l of Malmsb. Queen Elizabeth when she came first to the Crown as she rode through the City of London a childe from a Pageant let down in a silken lace an English Bible to her she kissed her hands took it kissed it laid it to her breast then held it up thanking the City especially for that gift though they had given her some rich presents before promising to be a diligent reader of it See her life in my second Part. Constantine the Great made a decree that all Ministers and such whose vocation was to serve in the Church should be free and exempted from all publick duties taxes and burthens whatsoever that being so priviledged they might the better attend upon Divine administrations Yea so careful was he to nourish and cherish learning and learned men that he enacted a Law which ranne thus Medicos Grammaticos alios Professores literarum legum Doctores c. We will and decree that Physicians Grammarians and other Professors of the liberal Arts shall be free together with their lands and possessions from all civil charges and offices c. as also that their stipends and Salaries shall be well and truly paid them whereby they may the more freely attend upon their offices c. How will this rise up in judgement against those which think they can never lay burthens enough upon Ministers Universities c See his life in my second Part. Our King Edward the sixth was a diligent attender upon Sermons heard them with great reverence and penned them with his owne hand which he diligently studied afterwards See his Life in my second Part. The great love reverence and respect that Master John Bruen of Bruen Stapleford shewed to godly Ministers See his Life in my second Part. Mercurius Trismegistus was in such respect amongst the Egyptians that in reverence of him it was nos lawful to pronounce his name commonly and rashly How much more precious should the Name of God be amongst Christians The greatest delight of Queen Elizabeth was often to reade the Sacred Scriptures and to hear Sermons which she alwayes attended unto with great reverence See her Life in my Second Part. The young Lord Harrington was wondrons attentive in hearing the Word of God preached or read and carried himselfe exceeding reverently therein knowing that he was in the presence of that God who is no respector of persons and that he heard not the words of a man but of God See his Life in my second Part. Robert King of Sicily was so wonderfully affected with the Scriptures that speaking to Fran. Petrarcha he thus said of them Juro tibi Petrarcha multò chariâ—res mihi esse literas quam regnum si alterutro mihi carendum sit aequanimiù◠me diademate quà m literis careturum Corn. è Lapide Theodosius the Emperour wrote out the whole New Testament with his own hand accounting it a great Jewel and reading part of it every day Doctor Cranmer in his journey to Rome learned all the New Testament by heart The like did Doctor Ridley in the walks of Pembrook-Hall See his Life in my first Part. We beseech you brethren to know them which labour amongst you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1. Thes. 5. 12 13. CHAP. XLV Examples of Gods judgements upon contemners of his Ministers Word and Sacraments THe Lord testified against Israel and against Judah by all the Prophets and by all the Seers saying Turne ye from your evil wayes and keep my commandments and my statutes according to all the Law that I commanded your fathers and which I sent to you by my servants the Prophets Notwithstanding they would not hear but hardoned their necks like unto the necks of their fathers c. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight c. 2. King 17. 13 14 18. And the Lord God of their fathers sent unto them by his messengers rising up early and sending because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place But they mocked the messengers of God and despise his Word and misused his Prophets till the wrath of the Lord arose against his people till there was no remedy therefore he brought upon them the King of the Caldees who slew their young men with the sword and had no compassion c. 2 Chron. 36. 15 16 17. For this sinne was Hierusalem destroyed by Titus Mat. 23. 37 c. Heb. 10. 28 29. Pontius Pilate writing unto Tiberius Nero a true report of the Ministery and miracles of the resurrection and ascension of Iesus Christ adding that by good men he was accounted a God the Emperour was so moved therewith that he made a motion in the Senate at Rome that he might be enrolled in the number of their gods but the Senate refused it upon this reason because he was consecrated for a God before the Senate had decreed and approved of the same but what miseries befell the Senate and people of Rome for rejecting him the stories of those times shew Bede in his Ecclesiastical History of England reports that Anno Christi 420. After that the Britanes had been long afflicted by the Picts and Scots the Lord at last gave them rest from all their enemies and sent them such plenty of corne and fruits of the earth as the like was never known before But instead of returning thanks for those mercies they fell to all manner of riot and excesse which was accompanied with many other foul enormities especially with a hatred of the truth
he had made himselfe sweat by some labour Stobaeus Anrelianus the Emperour never suffered day to passe over his head wherein he did not exercise himselfe in some hard labour or military imployment Alex. ab Alex. The City of Casan in Parthia is much to be commended for its civil Government for an idle person is not suffered to live amongst them The childe that is but six years old is set to labour no ill rule disorder or riot is suffered there They have a Law amongst them whereby every person is compelled to give in his name to the Magistrates withall declaring by what course he liveth and if any tell untruly he is either soundly beaten on the feet or imployed in publick slavery P. Pil. v. 1. In China the whole Countrey is well husbanded and though the people generally are great spenders yet they first get it by their hard labour Idle persons are much abhorred in this Countrey and such as will not labour must not eat amongst them for there are none that will give almes to the poore If any be blinde they are put to grinde in horse mills If lame impotent bedrid c. the next of their kin is forced to maintaine them If they be not able the King hath Hospitals in every City wherein they are sufficiently provided for P. Pil. v. 3. CHAP. LXII Examples of such as have preferred Christ before all earthly enjoyments Under the eight Persecution there was one Marinus a Nobleman and valiant Captaine in Caesaria who stood for an honourable office that of right fell to him but his Competitor to prevent him accused him to the Judge for being a Christian The Judge examining him of his faith and finding it true gave him three houres time to deliberate with himselfe whether he would lose his Office and Life or renounce Christ and his profession Marinus being much perplexed what to resolve on a godly Bishop took him by the hand led him into the Church laid before him a sword and a New-Testament bidding him freely take his choice which of them he would have whereupon Marinus ranne to the New Testament and chose that and so being encouraged by the Bishop he went boldly to the Judge by whose sentence he was beheaded Dioclesian that bloody Persecutor first laboured to seduce the Christian souldiers in his Camp commanding them either to sacrifice to his gods or to lay down their places offices and armes To whom they resolutely answered That they were not only ready to lay down their honours and weapons but even their lives if he required it rather then to sinne against God and deny Christ. A Noble Virgin in Portugal called Eulalia under the tenth Persecution seeing the cruelty used against Christians for the cause of Christ went to the Judge and thus bespake him What a shame is it for you thus wickedly to seek to kill mens souls and to break their bodies in pieces seeking thereby to withdraw them from Christ Would you know what I am I am a Christian ana an enemy to your devillish sacrifices I spurne your idols under my feet c. Hereupon the Judge being enraged said unto her O fond and sturdy girle I would faine have thee before thou diest revoke thy wickednesse Remember the Honourable House of which thou art come and thy friends teares Wilt thou cast away thy selfe in the flower of thy youth Wilt thou bereave thy selfe of honourable marriage Doth the glittering pomp of the bride-bed nothing prevaile with thee c. Behold if these things will not move thee I have here variety of engins prepared to put thee to a cruel death c. But our Noble Eulalia having her heart ravished with the love of Christ to whom she desired to be married rejected both his flatteries and threats and chose death rather then to forsake Christ. See my General Martyrology p. 77. In the late Bohemian Persecution a noble Lady of the City of Latium leaving all her riches house and friends crept under the walls through the common sewer the gates being guarded that she might enjoy Christ in his Ordinances elsewhere In the Affrican Persecution under the Arians there was a noble man called Saturus eminent for piety and holinesse whom the Tyrant King laboured to withdraw from Christ and his truth to the Arian Heresie telling him that if he consented not presently he should forfeit his house his Lands his goods his honours that his children and servants should be sold that his wife should be given to one of his basest slaves c. But when threats prevailed not he was cast into prison and when his Lady heard her doom she went to him with her garments rent and her hair disheveled her children at her heeles and a sucking infant in her armes and falling down at her husbands feet she took him about the knees saying Have compassion O my sweetest of me thy poor wife and of these thy children look upon them let them not be made slaves let not me be yoaked in so base a marriage consider that which thou art required to do thou doest it not willingly but art constrained thereto and therefore it will not be laid to thy charge c. But this valiant Souldier of Christ answered her in the words of Job Thou speakest like a foolish woman Thou actest the Devils part If thou truly lovedst thy husband thou wouldest never seek to draw him to sin that may separate him from Christ and expose him to the second death Know assuredly that I am resolved as my Saviour Christ commands me to forsake wife children house lands c. that so I may enjoy him which is best of all One Copin a Merchant in France was apprehended and carried before the Bishop of Ast for his bold asserting of the truth to whom the B. said that he must either recant his opinions or be punished But Copin answered that he would maintain them with his life For saith he I have goods a wife and children and yet have I lost those affections which I formerly bore to them neither are they dear to me so I may gain Christ. See more Examples of this kind before in this Book p. 29 30 31. Anno Christi 1620. in that bloody Persecution in the Valtoline a noble Gentleman having for a while hid himself was at last found out by his Popish adversaries whom he requested to spare him for his childrens sake but they told him that this was no time for pity except he would renounce his Religion and embrace Popery whereupon he said God forbid that to save this temporal life I should deny my Lord Jesus Christ who with his precious blood upon the Crosse redeemed me at so dear a rate c. I say God forbid and so they murthered him See my Gen. Martyrologie p. 327. Anno Christi 1507. one Laurence Guest being in prison for the truth in Salisbury the Bishop because he had good friends laboured by all means to draw him to recant but not
brought them by degrces to much holinesse and devotion to much justice and unity amongst themselves by which means for a time they enjoyed great tranquillity Plut. Alexanders Macedonians being sensible of his displeasure laid by theit Armes put on mourning apparel came running in Troops to his Tent where for almost three daies together they remained with loud cryes and abundance of teares testifying their remorse for offending him and beseeching his pardon which at last they obtained How much more should we repent of and mourn for offending God and implore his pardon c CHAP. XCV Scriptures the Word of God Not to be profaned ALL Scripture is divinely inspired 2 Tim. 3. 16. And holy men spake as they were acted and carried thereunto by the holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 21. God spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets Luke 1. 70. we speak saith Paul not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth 1 Cor. 2. 13. and that both for matter as v. 12. and words These are the very sentences yea notions that were writien of old in the mind of God and are now clothed with his own very terms and expressions though by some of his servants he hath uttered himself more loftily by some in a lower Language according to the several abilities of the speakers and capacity of the hearers Arguments à posteriori to prove the Divinity of the Scriptures are The venerable antiquity matchlesse majesty lively efficacy beautiful harmony incorrigible purity invincible perennity and continuance of them mauger the injury and iniquity of times and Tyrants who have sought to suppressc them Besides the confirmation by Miracles confession of Martyrs destruction of oppugners fulfilling of Prophecies consent of Churches yea assent of adversaries As first of Hereticks who in oppugning of Scriptures do yet alledge Scripture to their own utter destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. Secondly of Jewes Gods Library-keepers as St Augustine cals them who studiously read and curiously kept the Books of the Old Testament by a singular Providence of God for our benefit and behoof 3. Many Heathens have sealed to the truth of the Scripture by their testimonies and confirmed them to be Divine Porphyry testifieth that Moses hath written the History of the Law truly Numenius the Pythagorist recites Moses's History almost word for word testifying that he was a great Divine But we have better testimonies both outward and inward That without us is First The Scripture testifying of it self and we know its testimony is true because it 's the Word of that God that can as soon die as lie Hence Moses so often saith I am the Lord And the Prophets Thus saith the Lord The Evangelists Jesus said The Apostles I have received of the Lord that which I delivered unto you The truth is the best proof of the Scripture is to be fetched out of it self whence also it 's called Light Psal. 119. 105. because it discovers it self and the Testimony of the Lord because it beares witnesse to it self and this it doth not authoritativè onely by an inartificial argument but ratiocinativè by sound reasons whether we look to the Pen-men of the Scripture the subject matter of the Scripture or the admirable effects thereof The Pen-men besides their divine vocation mission and inspiration were plain men poor men shepherds neat-herds fishers Publicans c. neither eloquent Orators nor cunning headed Politicians to art out an Imposture nor witty enough to deceive Act. 4. 13. Adde hereunto their impartial faithfulnesse in relating the naked truth though to the discredit as it might seem of themselves and their best friends Moses repeats the sin and doom of his grandfather Levi of his brother Aâ—ron and sister Miriam nay of himself how he sinned and was sentenced at the waters of strife David shames himself in his preface to the 51. Psalm Isaiah tells the world of the wickednesse of Ahaz and weaknesse of Hezekiah his natural Princes Ezekiel makes honorable mention of Daniel his coetaneous and Peter of Paul though he took him up publickly for halting at Antioch I was a blasphemer an oppressour a persecutor saith that blessed Apostle whereby we see that it 's free from partiality and flattery Secondly For the matter of the Scripture it 's proved to be the Word of God By the Majesty of it which besides the stately plainnesse of the stile far surpasseth the creatures capacity the fathom of flesh and reach of reason There is no jot or tittle of it that savours of earthlinesse Every word of Gods mouth is pure precious and profitable not a syllable superfluous The very majesty of the sentence is such as cannot be conceived and yet it 's alwaies more powerful in matter then in words It sets forth such an admirable concurrence of Gods mercy and Justice in mans Redemption by the man Christ Jesus as no creature could possibly contrive or if they could yet certainly would not Not good men or Angels for they would never have put upon the world such a notorious imposture Not evil men or Devils for it crosseth and controlleth their contrary courses and condemnes them to the pit of hell It utterly overturns the Devils Kingdome who therefore sharply eggeth and edgeth all his instruments against it yea and tempteth better men sometimes to doubt of it whereas if it were forged and false he would like a liar as he is foment and fight for it promote and propagate it as he doth Turcisme and Paganisme and other falshoods abroad in the world though never so absurd and impious Lastly look upon its admirable effects and irresistible power to effect the thing whereunto it 's appointed as to break the stubborn to binde up the broken-hearted c. Not onely to inform as other writings but to reform yea transform the soul from glory to glory till it be wholly conformed to that heavenly pattern Adde hereunto that it 's effectual for the conversion of a sinner from the errour of his way Not from errour of his mind onely but of his manners also For the mind may be thorowly convinced and yet the man not truly converted yea and when the spirit feeles it self dead and decayed as by a relapse into some foul sin this good Word revives it as the breath of God did those dry bones in Ezekiel Humane writings may shew some faults to be avoided but give no power to amend them But Now are ye clean by the Word that I have spoken saith Christ Sanctifié them by thy truth thy Word is truth Philosophie may civilize not sanctifie hide some sins not heal them cover not cure them So then the efficacy and virtue of the Scripture to produce the love of God and our enemies to purifie the heart to pacifie the conscience to rectifie the whole both constitution and conversation of a man to take him off from the delights of the world and the flesh to make him glory in afflictions sing in the flames triumph over