Evgenia's teares for Great Brittaynes distractions, or, Some slender observations reflecting on those sad times written by E.R. Reynolds, Edward, 1599-1676. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A57134 of text R40628 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing R1247). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 80 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 26 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A57134 Wing R1247 ESTC R40628 19462040 ocm 19462040 108851 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A57134) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 108851) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1677:8) Evgenia's teares for Great Brittaynes distractions, or, Some slender observations reflecting on those sad times written by E.R. Reynolds, Edward, 1599-1676. [4], 46 p. Printed for William Sheares ..., London : 1642. Added illustrated t.p. Error in paging: p. 30 misnumbered 6. Imperfect: tightly bound. Reproduction of original in the British Library. eng Church of England -- History. Church of England -- Apologetic works. Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century. A57134 R40628 (Wing R1247). civilwar no Eugenia's teares for Great Brittaynes distractions or, Some slender observations reflecting on those sad times. Written by E.R. Reynolds, Edward 1642 14874 245 15 0 0 0 0 175 F The rate of 175 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2003-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2004-02 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-04 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2004-04 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-07 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion EVGENIA'S TEARES for great Brittaynes DISTRACTIONS or , Some slender Observations reflecting on those Sad Tymes . Written by E. R. — exuperat Magis aegrescitque medendo . EVGENIA'S TEARES FOR GREAT BRITTAYNES DISTRACTIONS OR , Some slender observations reflecting on those sad Times . Written by E. R. — Exuperat magis aegrescitque medendo . LONDON , Printed for William Sheares , at the signe of the Bible in Covent-garden , 1642. EVGENIAS TEARES FOR GREAT BRITTAYNES DISTRACTIONS . MAn whose inward eyes are still representing him with that great Idêa of Uniuersall nature vewing her adorn'd in her richest Roabes , sitting in the glorious throne of her Majestie , and onely valewing things according to their essentiall proportion and greatnesse , shall quickly reade in her spacious visage , that nothing is so constant as variety ; next he shall see himselfe , and not himselfe alone , but that whole Monarchies , and Kingdomes ▪ are ( in respect of that great Circle of our future happinesse ) but the smallest poynt ; and that this great Globe ( which some multiply as Species under one Genus ) is but the true looking Glasse whence a good stampe should reflect ; behold further in this worlds frame as many strange humours , as sundry sects , as many various judgements as self-will'd opinions , with as many different laws , as fantastical customes which should teach us rightly to determine of our unhappinesse , and instruct our judgments to acknowledge their imperfections , and naturall weaknesse ; which I confesse is no easie taske , since the changes of times are ever subject to affoord us so many innovations of Estates , so many falls of Princes , and so many alterations of publike fortunes ; all which informe us not to make too great account of our selves though never so great ; how many names victories , and conquests have we knowne buried in darke oblivion ; which makes our hopes of pepetuating our memories but ridiculous ; and the forgotten state of so many Gorgious showes ( with the glory of so much passed greatnesse ) what doth it but confirme our resolution undantedly to beare the affronts , and thunder-claps of distempered times , wherein — Nonne videmus Quid Sibi quisque velit nescire et quaerere semper ? Worthy therefore ( or rather lamentable ) is the consideration , to see to what passe things ( euen in this age ) are brought , both in opinion and effect ; and would we imploy some time in sounding our selves through●y , how easily should we perceave that the contexture of the best , is built upon weake and decaying peeces , quos fama obscurd recondit , it being an especiall testimony of our frayltie , that we cannot s●ttle our contentment on any on thing , and that it is even beyond our desire and imagination to chuse what we want , and finde out our Summum b●num ; but are ever uncessantly wheeling in this endlesse Laborinth ; we discerne nothing aright , but by a false light , puft up with art and our own opinionatednesse , wee waver betweene divers indifferences ; each houre produceth new fantacies , every day 〈◊〉 follies ; in so much that whosoever lookes home shall hardly find himselfe twice in one and the same e●ate , ●o various is the visage of our soule , subject to perpetuall contrarieties , and the blast of accidents ; hence we prove the Microcosmos of all infirmities , and ( the soule excepted ) of all creatures the worst ▪ and what is this world but an over-shadowed Picture enter-shining with infinite varieties of false lightes , to exercise our conjectures ? Neither is there any reason but hath another contrary to it in this case what can be pleasing ? since no good can bring us pleasure , except that against whose losse we are prepared : Nam in aequo est dolor amissae re● , et timor am●ttendj : Loe then unto what a rep●atnesse of h●rtfull humors are we subject , it being impossible to finde even ground to rest secure : Yea the very perfection of our health being too strong and joyfull must ( as Physitians observe ) in some ●ort be abated , least by ascending too high they over violently recoyle into disorder : nay farther ( though our evills are essentiall ) the very goods we possesse , are onely in imagination : we goe not , but are carried as things that floate , somtimes gliding gently and somtimes Hulling violently , following the inclination of our appetities according as the winde of occasions doth transport us , and as the times shall prove either stormy or calme : so that in respect of the many intermixtures of our miserable infirmities , who can ●dicate his sincerity whilit he dwells in this house of clay : yea the very soule in her passions will rather frame a fantastical subject , then worke upon nothing ▪ So that with the eyes of contempt we should looke on all sublunary destractions , and never ascribe happinesse to that state which dependeth on the tranquillity and contentment of a well born mind , and the resolution and assurance of a well ordered soule , untill it have acted the last , and ( without doubt ) the hardest part of its Tragedy : be no longer then beguiled with the vaine semblance of the world , since the bubbling breath of man ( whose life hanges on his nostrills ) is but like the dew fallen from some humid cloude and can no way secure it selfe from Titans scorching vew , but ( having past its Meridian and afternoone of age ) is still hastened to the night of nature , thus the more we retyre into our selves from all carnall respects the nearer we soare to a divine nature : let not then thy unlimmited appetite so much covet as con●emne the world ( * Contemn●re enim omnia aliquis potest ) since all our friends , honours , and pleasures like Phisitions leave us when we lye a dying , or like wandering Empericks beguile their credulous patients with great ostentation of counterfeit cures , and like shadowes set with the Sun : and how weake alas are the worlds wonders , when fore-topt time with her wafting winges after so many Myriades of yeares still , still inuolues into its accustomed Circle neither will I instance how those glorious Monarchies and stately Pallaces ( somtimes the seate● and content of Princes ) have become the rejected Ruine of unrepairednesse , since these present times affoord so large & unhappy an experience : at which age of teares Democritus may laugh , Tymon expresse his hatred , but Heraclitus cannot chuse but dissolve , since the blacke Mantelled night makes every thing to be silent , and the glittering Starr● ( affronting the silver Moone ) deny their wonted light to restlesse wanderers ; and O thou fairest of Kingdomes and favorite of Neptune , who art as it were departed from the roundnesse of the world ( as if forbidden to partake not onely of the superstitions but unhappinesse of other Nations ) what 's now become of thy fo●mer glory : what Seas of unequall passions now incompasse thee ? Where are thy ●lowring hill tops , thy sweete smiling spring-tides , and those Golden times when every brooke and bush abounded with Milke and Hony ? Alas how art thou left to the favour of frowning fortune ! thy stately Paradice once comparable to those blessed bowers appointed for Sacred Soules , by destinie departed , is even almost scorched with the displayed Beames of angry Phaebus ; thy charming * melody is ( with the dying Swan ) tuning it's sad farewell , and despaire ( which usually drives off all hope ) is onely left to be thy comfort : Looke on the groaning earth , and see what it hath done against heaven through variety of sinnes : cast thy eyes up to heaven , and behold what it hath lately done upon earth , through unusuall moysture : So that the ground beginns to Rebell , and from a Mother becomes a Step dame , yea the Heavens weepe and are growne Chataracts ; send Noahs Turtle and it will returne thee , that the d●luge is not yet past , and that there is no place left for vertues tracts ▪ that Sun which so long hath shin'de without those black cloudes of ignorance and error beginns now to be Ecclypsed ; mutabillity and disrespect attend the Courts of Princes , the great Ones of the Land are divided , and the poore man rejoyceth not in his greene and flowrishing Medowes , thus the State of the whole body ( through ill humours ) is likely to produce but an ill issue : some fall out with nature for casting them in so grosse a mould , and never leave aspiring till they have attained beyond their worth : So that now bring mee on of a farr fam'd familie , whose Ancestors have spent their bloud to reach unto vertues Diadem , leaving triumphant Trophies of their greatnesse to posterity and this Pyrocles shall meete with a Dametas , who hath lately extracted his Gentillity from a durty soyle ; show me those lofty Caedars whose sollid growth and large experience , might justly seeme to claime priority , which are not affronted by every shrubb , and indevoured to be vaine gloriously over topt by every silly sprig of a few yeares florishing : nay bring me those of that holy calling , which deduce sound conclusions from the Sacred truth , justifying the sober assertions from the undeniable Scriptures , who shall not m●ete with such as dare set their stampe of Divine Authority upon their Counterfeit Mettall , and with an unreverent and uncivill liberty censure the Magistrate : and heare they of their Prince such strange things are Law and Iustice ) as that he is but a Shepheard to them ; the most valiant are now the most unfortunate , for what man can runne with so glorious an envy , or ambitious desire to the Goale of a Combate , but may at last meete with an evident overthrow , and can no more assure himselfe of his well-fare then his ruine ; Alas ! where are yee now O yee valiant Caesars with your Trophaeall chariots ? for on of whose deathes the Sun is reported to inuelop her selfe in a Sable Mantle . Ille etiam extincto miseratus Caesare Romam Cum caput obscura nitidum ferrngine texit . And why weepes learned Athens ? which ( like those young men and D●mosells ) sets mourning under the spreading Mirtle , which was once grac'● with the wearied limbes of their lost l●ves , burning whole piles of Beech-trees under that hallowed shade , and hastning to be sprinkle it with the richest spices which may send sweet perfumes to the Heavens ; and ( fi●ing sacred Tapers on every side ) doe nothing but beat their breasts , and howle Epitaphes to the Ecchoing Groues ; why doth learning and Religion ( like Hypocrates Twinns ) thus weepe and laugh together ? wher 's the plea●g harmony of your well according tunes ? Alas ! that the Militia of Theologie should thus turne to a disaffected multitude ▪ and expresse nothing so much as the imbitternesse of discenting mindes : which with their owne venome are likely to consume themselves and others : and O that those gray-haires which like so many Champions have fought thy Duells against that Idolatrous Key-keeper and his wicked adhaerents , should thus goe downe with sorrow to their grave ▪ it is onely proper for a bloody Herod to take off the innocent with the guilty , neither seemes , it indifferent that if some few have beene faulty in the lightnesse of their ware , there should be no more of the profession : but if any have too much leaned to the Bald-pates of Baalls Priests , darkning the world and casting ●rronious Mists before the eyes of ignorance and with the Athenians erected Altars to the unknowne God , my heart shall not thinke , neither dares my pen write any thing in their behalfe , but digna est tua religio odio ; let one or more suffer as they have beene faulty , but O let there be some to excell others , least humane ignorance Maske , or selfe-wil'd perversnesse dangerously cloud the beauty of that Religion , which is now otherwise likely to be rent into many various parcells : how hath the State beene this way lately sicke of too much repletion , when the very factious appropriate to themselves the name of the true Israelits : certainely it is not for every onezealously to worship his owne opinion , when it savours not of Divine inspiration : in this particular we need not seeke our evills without us : and because we feele our selves not throughly sicke our recovery is likely to be the more difficult : but O unhappy time when the ground of Religion ( which is the prop of our Soule shall thus consist in contradiction ) we have no hopes of gayning Heaven by disputing nicities : for the minde of that assailant which is molested with different allarums is easily dismayed : neither can we be safe by continually floting in the Ocean of divers factions : and if we beginne not by time to secure our selves , Alas ! who shall provide for so many greifes , so many evills : nor will it be almost possible : after ( so much digression ) to reduce divine things to their just ballance that they suffer no impeachment : though it will be but deserved of him ( which is not satisfied with that true light which the Sun by the vertue of its beames doth please to Communicate ) to have his arrogance rewarded with the losse of his sight , And O the fond curiosity of our nature ! amusing it selfe to preoccupate future things : when it hath enough to do to digest the present ; but thou wilt say perchance thou art zealous , sincere , & Religious in thy profession : So far I go with thee , & only wish it were with knowledge , temper ▪ & discretion : for know though no man can be too p● in his life or doctrine , nor with his best indeavours attaine perfection as he should , yet though he offend not against the purity of doctrin , or sincerity of his faith , yet if he rashly seperate himselfe from the Church ( breaking the bond of vnity ) he may incurre the censure of an Schismatick : & most justly , if for any sinister ends private respects , vaine-glory , or temporal commodity , either against the Articles of his faith or Doctrine of the Church grounded upon Gods Word ; which indeed proves too appar●t in these times ; Let such witnesse who are more ignorant then Platoes Phylodoxes , lovers of their own opinions , which ( through their windinesse ) are likely to resolve the world againe into its first Chaos , and make it a Babell not of Languages but Sects : which like Hydraes stuft with poyson , or like old vessels full of new wine , fantacies , and strange revellations , reject every thing as Prophane which is contrary to their opinion : who are too wise in Gods eternall Councells , making such as they fancie or please to be elect , others reprobates : when as how darest thou prie into the secret designes of Gods Divine will , and the incomprehensible motives of his workes ; and O vaine Man how couldst thou thus attaine the depth of his sacred de●rees ? Who hath learned thee his high conceites ? or who can 〈◊〉 ●ee with t● 〈◊〉 ●me thoughts which hee doth possesse ? whil'st in a moment he surrounds those Christall mantled skie● ; surely as the worst things ( well used ) prove good ●o t●e best things ( ill used ) become our evills ; and is not Religion sicke of some Hectick distemper , whe● 〈◊〉 - sick Pamphleters , & giddy headed li●ellors , shal up●aide even Majestie to its face ? audacity leading them ( out of an assumed liberty ) to expresse a● ill govern'd zeale ; & is it consonant to reason , that e●ery illiterate Mechannicke should play with the w●rd ? Nay the weaker sex who are commanded silence , and not to us●pe authority , have also freedome to vent their opinions ( O never so much as now immodest ! ) yea and to threaten reve●g with their tender limbes , when as alas ! hat smal member which proclaimes their vallour is likely to prove the be● ( or rather the worst ) instrument for so weake a combita●t ▪ I deny not but seduced agents may ( as , the Divel at first ) worke on the frailty of their nature , but me thinks the first slip cost us so deare , as that connivance and approbation should not ●ster the second unhappinesse ; but it so be that every sex and sect shall have a severall exposition on the Text , and their fo●d opinions shall incite their intellects to rebell against the true inspirer therof , well may we cry out . O Saeclum insipiens & infacotum ! And certainly where all reverence is thus laid aside , devotion will at last grow cold ; and I thinke in time it will be easier to finde out the ●pecies and kindes of nature , then the Sects of this age ▪ mistake me not , I censure not all 〈◊〉 H●cks , whi● are not O●thodox , neither condemne all to be Schismatickes because some fall out to ●e facti●us in Israel ; but where pride and discontent meet with novelty good parts wi●h imp●dencie , and ignorance with pretended Sanctitie , there division mu●t needes 〈◊〉 defect , as union is the Author of Beauty and blessednesse : no humour ●eing so easily counterfeited as that of devotio● , which 〈◊〉 sports so many Ministers beyond themselves , some flashing in their ma●ter , but confused in their Methode , some being as inuective in their d●livery , as d●eaming in their vtteranc● ; some with the flaming fire of ill tempered & indiscreete zeale , shake their Auditors ( like Earthquakes ) with i● applyed terrors of the Law , oftentimes tending to desperation , * but the Lord is not in that fire , but in the still voice ; stanching the bleeding heart and d●oping the oyle of the Gospel into the wounded conscience ; some pride themselves with the bubble of popular applause ( often as causelesly gotten ) as deservedly lost , soothing the people with such doctrine as may comply with their humours , and thus as the Sun ris●g & declining makes long shadows , but at mid-day being at the highest make ▪ none at all , so oftentation , sincerity , & learning seldommeet in those Pastors ; whic● ( l●ke the Par●redge ) run away with part of the shel on their heads ; and l●aving their unripened learning in those sacred Schooles ( if they vouc●sat't to see them ) ayme at their advantage in the Country , & for a fit treasure become theevs ; hence the vulgar , & disaffected 〈◊〉 , ( wanting the faculty to judge of things by themselues ) are led only with an out ward appearance , & if once possessed with the boldnesse to dispise , & malapertnesse to imp●gne those opinions which were before intertain'd with an awfull reverence , will ( especially if some Articles of their beleife are made questionable ) soone admit an equallitie in all other parts of their Religion , rushing into an inevitable confusion and at last reject ( as a tyranicall yoake ) all impressions formerly received , either by the authority of Lawes , or reverence of custome , and will thence forward allow of nothing , unlesse they have given their voyce and particular consent to the same : thus also are those Professors ( almost out of their wits ) opinionated in their hearing , so that be the Man not after their humour , the matter shall have no honour ; arrogating to the instrument what they derogate from the agent ▪ & let him never so much preach the abortive sigments of his own Braine , his applause shall be * Vox Dei , & non hominis : It is the voyce of God and not of man : certainely , though my hea● abhorre all unnecessary and superstitious Ceremonies . ( earnestly wishing that whatsoever is scandalous , contrary to the truth , and offensive in the exercise of Religion , might be taken off , ) yet am I throughly perswaded that God ought to be intermixed in all our actions with an awfull reverence , and an attention full of respect , his voyce being too Divine to have no other use then to exercise the Lunges and please the fancies : good matter is like a beautiful body , and Eloquence the well fashioned Garment , the one not rudely to be ●lubbered up , nor the other exprest in carelesse words : neither ought wee ( like Bees ) alwaies to resort to those flowers which are faire , and neglect the wholesome hearbes : but O how doth it concerne the reformers of these times , to incourage and approve of none , but such moderate wits , whose depth of knowledge hath not led them ●o by-paths in judgement , but have walked in the trodden way of the truly reformed Church ; esteeming it greater glory to establish an Ancient Truth then ignorantly devise a new opinion : Yet , O yet , there is some hopes that those Bondes wherewith we are fettered may be by you stroken off , then will you preserve that contexture , whose dissolution is so much attempted , which notice importes not so much waight , as it requires speede , least it shortly be said , Heu tantum attriticorporis ossa vides ! Then onely will the Church be most happy when truth and peace shall kisse each other , truth without Peace being but turbulent , and peace without truth but a secure injustice ; the glorified Spirits have but one , uniforme worke , wherein they all ioyne the prayse of their Creator : showing that the beauty of order , and the band of vnity must be our double support : why then should we uncessantly entangle our selves with selfe-will'd extravagancies , which argues a mind full fraught with wind-puft conceites , still floting up and downe the superficies of giddy braynes , which are ever governd by the instabillity of a private fantacie ; and doth not the desease exasperate by the Iealousie of the debate ; like that silly Bird which perceiving fire neere her young ones , seekes to blow it out with her wing● so long till she burn ; and make here selfe a Prey in an unwise pitty , so the wofull experience of those times showes that such as indiscreetly meddle with the flame of discention ( kindled in the Church ) rather increase then quench it ; Some will be nought but Ceremonie , and hold fast the bowes whilst they leave the body ; others out of too high a conceit of themselves ( affecting nothing but singularity ) disdayne to goe in the right roade , and through discontent ( at la● ) reject all contradiction ; both which like indiscree●e ●avellers ) have per●ce taken the fairest , but not the nearest way to the●r jour●ies end ; then doth ●t not highly concerne the present assembled body of this Kingdome to direct , and track out such a way , as on the one side may be strongly hedg'd from all superstition , and on the ot●er fenced from affected ignorance ; the distempers of this sort are almost growne immedicable v●lnus , crying out to all those which passe by , whither ever any sorrow or distraction were like that of this Church , for which there is great greife in Sion ; alas ! ●ow is she discipated , and sitts weeping in the dust , her lovers & her friends have fo●saken her , * She seekes whom her soule loves but find● h●m not ; and is become like some forsaken Nymph whom solitarinesse invites to her gloomy grove ; what but whole rills of teares are perceived in thy streetes , venting nothing but remorsefull songs , and powring out flouds which will no longer be i●viron'd with the drooping Willowes ; thy Harps and Musick lye mute , thy heart is fill'd with feares and Plaints , yea and thy Temples almost forsaken ; thou hast not Aza's sicknesse in thy feet● , but thy heart and art neere ( with Ezekiah ) wounded to death unlesse thou use his Physitian , his remedy ; thou that wert in thy full brightnesse , art now likely to droope into the wane of misery ; and which is worse it will not profit thee to seeke outward cure , whilest thou hast thy * executioners within ; thy Garments ( thus rent ) are subject to be torne with every bryer ; thy glory is defac'd , yet seeke not ( with the Elephant ) fo● muddy channels to hide thy deformity , but some Christall streame as well to delineate , as cure thy malody ; thy greefe then being over-past shall be pleasant to thy remembrance ; till when bite not at the stone and neglect him that threw it , neither in thy suffering evills so farre looke on secondary causes as not to reflect on the highest ; thy abstinence must be thy cure ; and ( like poyson us'd to a good Medicine ) thy sinnes and afflictions must prove thy gaine . In Artes divers subjects have no life or essence , but in the agitation , and disputing ; and as in vertue of two equall effects , we hold that the fairest & worthyest , which affordeth most lets , and wherein are proposed greatest hazards , so who knoweth whither it be not one especiall effect of Gods divine providence , thus to suffer his true Church to be vexed and turmoyled with no fewer blasts then turbulent Stormes , whereby ●orowze , and awaken the godly and Religious ●oules from that Lethall security , and ●upified slumber wherein so long tranquillity hath plunged them ; & O thou supreame director of all things , look down on thy distressed Sion , pitty her teares , support her fears ( bred from the seditious dregs of slimyignorance ) ●eepe her sides from wounding , let her triumph still in her Soveraigne head , and ●et not those whi● lewindes dimme her light ; O how sacred were those teares once cast on Ierusalem deploring their desease , & Prophesying their woes ● far exceeding those spent on the banks of Tygris , or those sower-set Hebraick Plaints powred forth by mournfull Captives ( banisht * from their nation ) into Christall Euphrates , which so sadly incompast the stately station of beautifull Babilon ; thou onely O Lord which involuest the waters in a garment , and commandest the outragious Sea to keepe its boundes ( to whom all nations are but as the dust of the ballance , or the drop of a Bucket , who holdest the winde in thy fist and madst the shadow to goe backward ) canst stay the unrulinesse of those head-strong enemies , which have thus over-spread thy Church ; O refine and purge thy flore , clense this spittle of dis●eased opinions ; there is but on way , on truth ; let not heresie prove errour in the fundamentalls of Religion ; but settle those great and long-continuing al●ercations about the best forme of holinesse , and show that high Assembly which way assiduously to agitate such rules as may be most commodious to vnite our present distractions ; that so succeeding posterity may say our moderne reformation hath beene exact to the oppugning of superstitious errours , sweetly to inchant and allay our Schismes ; and ( concluding a timely peace ) to fill this little point of the world , with as pure a devotion , as requisit obedience ; that so there may be no longer difference amongst the Heards-men , whilst the Cananites are yet in the Land , and the adversaries of the truth are mingled amongst us , who make our discords their sweetest harmony ; & that no scoffing Cham , or deriding Ismael make musick of our miseries ; let them speedily be covered with the cloth of silence , least it be told in Gath , & published in Askelon , and the daughters of the Phy●istims triumph and rejoyce that the beauty of Israel is slaine , & the mighty are fallen ; & that leaving off that old humour of loving new things ; & that mayden-like religion ( who are first won by those by whom they are first wooed ) whilst some Sacrifice their reverence to one admired Preacher , others adore this affected Pastour , whilst some are of Paul , others of Apollo ( affecting a shining appearance ) Gods ordinance is neglected , his word had in respect of persons , and it be justly said , vt omnium rerum , sic literarum quoque intemperantia laboramus , that as by our contempt we seeme too much abounding with all earthly blessings , so have wee surfetted ( through our intemperance ) with the plentifull injoyment of our heavenly Manna ; is not this the age so sadly foretold by that Oracle of Divine Truth , wherin not only one Nation shall rise against another , but be divided in its selfe , yea their worst enemies shall be inclos'd within their own confines ; nay as if the Fabrick of the world should not want any thing to dissolve it , if wars and Tumults sicknesse & famine may not sufficiently shake it , behold with greife , how many Imaginary Christs , are forged in the shops not only of Demetrius the silver Smith , but ( with the help of that great and well * experienced Artist of infernall fire-works ) have bin hammered on the factious Anvells of discenting spirits , who through the crasinesse of their heads and not the soundnesse of their hearts , are so much of late growne the Bellowes of sedition ; he that makes a doubt of the fulfilling of our Saviours prophesie , let him but cast his eyes on the actions of our present Tragedy , and veiw the new wayes of our impious devotion , only reserv'd for this deplored time wherein never any seem'd more fierce for Religion , yet more barren in piety ; this makes pastime for our adversaries : yet if any more sincere & unspotted , be given us from heaven to teach us the true path to those eternall Mansions , bidding those personating sectaries of Christianity to carry more devotion in their hearts then in their countinances , and to be more exemplary in doing , then violent in saying , how shall he be the patient of their contumely , and disparagement : so willing are we to expire our latest breath in this lingting sicknesse of dissimulation ; O that so many discertions should be now so common within the Orchard of the Church ; that Satan should thus transforme himselfe into an Angel of light ● certainly it is bad sinning in a Religious habit , and though there may be a deceiving of our sights on earth , yet is there no way to blanch their haulting corruption before their Creator ; so that never more unhappy were any times then these of the last , into which wee are fallen ; our best writers are now most silent , and all our leaves become libells ; every invective pen takes the power to impart its own spleene , and every unstable head his brainlesse opinion ; nay doe not ou● streetes daily swarme with variety of untruthes fram'd ( for some petty gaine ) by the frothy witt of those whose penns are still dipt , either in the flattering , current of sinister ends , and affection , o● the muddy dreggs of * Rebellious faction and ignorance , so that now many can no sooner speake , but cry , and by lying ( when all trades faile ) are learnt to get their living : but which is worst , to plead Authority for their countenance , though they may not be imagin'd guilty of so great a connivance , whose bloud hath so long swell'd in their veines for the reformation of abuses , & to this end have no lesse tyr'd their spirits , then exhausted their estates , and not onely neglected their affaires , but even adventured their lives ; neither are those the Cisternes to convey the cleare & refreshing streames which may water the unprofitable Corners of this Land , where ( with no lesse dislike then open repining ) it hath bin sufficiently proclaym'd in this nature , that the chaff over-topt the fairest Corne , threatning an untimely Harvest ; neither is this the way to weigh all things in an indifferent ballance , and to quiet the Iealousies of the times ; or the Helme to guide that goulden vessell srought with the incomparable treasure of perfectruth , and pure Religion , so longingly expected into the harbour of every conscionable and relenting soule . But it is rather to be wish't that now those swelling Waves ( with such big Volumes ) threaten her sinking , we should cast over board whatsoever might hinder a good voyage , and so lighten her to undergoe so dangerous a storme , since the combustion of all the Elements threaten a● ensuing tempest , wherein so many smooth Divells waite to disturbe the Aire , and ( being inveloped in the clouds of corrupt vapours ) strive under the colour of grace to confound nature it selfe ; but before I wade further into this Deluge of distempers , let not any thinke ( either through the perversnesse of their affected ignorance , or the known blacknesse of their own thoughts ) that it is my intent here to ay me or invect against the truly Reli●ious or well minded Christian , or to brand any honest man with the name of Puritan , being assured that though many with an ignorant painted and superficiall outside ( deluding our eyes and gulling our Soules ) manifest themselves at last to be but meere Hypocrits , guilded Pills , ●nd the rich coverings of durty walls ; yet the most zealcus and well governed men of these times , who with no lesse paines then detestation , Preach downe sinne and ungodlinesse , expressing the power of the Word by its operation in a Sanctified , pure , and unspo●ted life , and without Hypocri●ie or senister en●s striving both in life and doctrine to suppres●e all sinne , are too often and vnjustly branded with that scandalous title ; such Puritans we must all be which meane to see Heaven , that Character being truly placed when it meetes with the contemners of the Church and State , which ayme at the evertion of doctrine and discipline ; of which though it may now be said as Christ once did of the Damosell , shee is not dead but sleepeth , yet is it not to be doubted , but future time will distinguish betweene those over-mouth'd professors ; whose tongues are in their hearts , and those true Nathaniels whose hearts are in their tongues ; and though none are more bitterly invenomed against Soveraigne Authority , the State Ecclesiasticall , and the lawfull approued decency of the Church ▪ though none are more invective against the flourishing blessings of the time , no mouths more raylingly open with the termes of Reprobate , and the denouncing of Gods judgments upon all the world but himselfe and his Sect , and none more lawlesse nor desirous to have all things in Common ; yet the prayers of Gods Children shall quench their fiery Furnace , Daniel shall not be hurt with their Lyon-like mou●hes ; the seditious Israelites shall be appea●'d for Moses sake ▪ ( and by the powerfull groanes of the truly Religious ) Pauls bands shall be loosed , the barren wombe of ignorance be made more fruitfull , and locked-up Heaven , be for ever and ( more powerfully ) opened ; and I desire it may not savour of too much presumption to tell the hopes of our hearts the supporters of our State , the expectation of our best thoughts , yea and the very life of our Soules , how that the eternall comfort and well-fare of this Kingdome , consists in the suppression of the spreading growth of those and the like extreames , wheresoever apparent , by any impudent carriage or disorderly behaviour ; So shall you be a●l glorious within , when you so sweetly sing of mercy and judgement : having no lesse discretion to free the guil●lesse , then justice to punish the Delinquent ; otherwise so much liberty is assumed ( in those divided times ) by factiously turbulent and disorderly Spirits , as will at last threaten a confusion ; then what valews it i● a ship be sunke with a small leake or a great , and where is our remedy if by avoyding surfetting we kill our selves with abstinence ; how vaine alas ! are the attempts of those men which are drunke with the strength of their owne witts , and guided by what-soever their appetites doe most affect ; like Machiavills they stumble at a Straw , but for their own advantage leape over a blocke , their seeming devotion wants a Saint-like sincerity , their profest conscience an exprest feeling , yea where their faith is so voy'd of workes , let them never so much blesse for Israel● ▪ I know they can curse for Balack ; let them never so much pleade for order , they desire to live without it , let their lives seeme never so holy their hearts alas are too too hollow ; and though they draw neare the Lord with their mouth , and boast of nothing but Religion yet doe they live without the power therof , but pulling down with one hand while they build with the other , they will at last by their dangerous slights , unruly passions , and impetuous attempts , so far expresse their ill dispos'd affections , ( though with never so much gravity in their behaviour , so much Gospell in their mouthes , and so much paintednesse in all their actions ) as to appeare * like counterfeit Glo-wormes and rotten woode , or like high hang'd Mills which make much noyse , but grinde but little , or as ▪ shallow streames raging furiously when they carry least water ; O how doth it stand with the refining of our Religion , ( as to pluck down Idolatry even to the least rag or Relique of superstitious inventions & humane traditions , ( o ) to avoyd that dangerous Rock of faction and Schismes ; which now ( through the low ebbe of true Religion or rather the abounding of so many fals ) gives the whole Kingdome so sufficient a warning ; since both these extreames equally impart a blindfolded ignorance ; let Religion be no longer turn'd into the stalking ●orse of vaine-glory and Hipocrisie , for though a hansome garment may for a time obscure their crooked designs , yet when they have brought their ends to perfection ( God grant the Kingdome not to a generall combustion ) those guilded Cupps will prove full of poyson , and those glittering stones meerely counterfeite ; why should Ioab thus kill with imbracing ! Why should Iudas thus kisse with betraying ? nay why should the Pulpits or rather the unhallowed roomes of our too many Ps●do-zelots with the unlawfull assemblies of illiterate Artists , so freely , though ignorantly , produce nothing but blasphemy , faction , and rebellions ? what alas shall tender consciences in this age conclude to be truth , when those of that ( once reverenced ) habit , with Pilate shall wash their hands but not their heart , with Ca●phas shall beate the Pulpits and rend their garments , yet pretend Blasphemy ; and with the Pharisees shall no sooner cry Master , but crucifie . O that so fowle a matter vented from the breath of so many Sectists in those times should be left to posterity in such faire Characters , that men with their hands should write to condemne their hearts , and without any remorse of conscience or feeling of their owne weakenesse eternize their shame and false hoode ; such weather-cock● certainly ( like Phillips Clisophi ) will halt with the times ; but yet let Iacobs voyce be knowne from the rough hands of Esais , can those Hydra's disgorge nothing but poyson : then let not every Mechannick make his durty shop a consecrated Pulpit , every Libertine vent his scens●esse tenents , and S. Pauls decency be utterly extirpated : surely those things ought not so to be ; the Torrid Zone is too violent for so temperate , and well moderated● climate , and experience acquaintes us with that common Axiome ( though in divers matters of lesse consequence ) nullum violentum est perpetuum ; the incomparable Fabrick of this Church and State , perfected by the assiduous indeavours of Pious Princes , religious Martyrs , & unparralel'd Councells , could never have thus far beene erected ( to the admiration and envy of other Nations ) without the well quallified materialls of stable heades , & the continuall blessing of a Supreame providence , which hath thus long supported it ; and shall we now rent all in a moment ? either through the ambition of discenting , if not discontented spirits , or under the specious pretents of a larger freedome . It is not ( I confesse ) to be denied but that the frame of this Kingdome so admirably supported , and thus long continued , may ( like a distempered body ) want a Physitian , yet ought the Apothecary to quallifie the materialls , or else they will misse of a good operation : some lenitive oyle may soften a sollid matter , when a harder substance will not peirce it , and certainely as that state cannot long subsist which is full of broyles , so what likelihood can there be of a prosperous Church amongst so many divisions : be it so ( and too true it is ) that needlesse Ceremonies have of late too much crept into the Church , in so much that S. Paules complaint might well be in force , * Men and Brethren I see that in all things you are too superstitious ; and with Auerrhoës sit anima mea cum Philosophis quia Christiani adorant id quod edunt ; what though ? have we not sufficiently beene miserable in the one but must we needs make our selves unfortunate in the other ; Oh that Religion were once purged from the Lees of the Romish Grape : and for my owne part I wish that ( as with the Papists ) we make not more account of Ceremonies then the substance of Religion , so on the other side we wrong not our consciences by admitting a disconformity in matters beseeming & indifferent ; ( mistake me not ) I drive not to quench the smallest sparke of zeale against the Romish Midianites ; no , goe on for the Lord and for Gidion , let these assembled Worthies prove happie I●siasses to free the Land of Idolatrous worship , and live for ever to extirpate that broode of bloud-sucking 〈◊〉 , but yet cast back their eyes and reflect on that thousand shap't Proteus , whose cruelty and non-conformity equalizeth their too much superstition ; O let it not be said they have taken away the Lord out of the Church , and wee know not where they have layd him ! let not a Calumniating Libertine in a slovenly habit be more respected then a Religious Aaron in a decent Garment , neither let us more desire some Apostata to spoyle , rather then a Constantine to inrich the Church ; for what better signe ( though not alwayes certaine ) is there of the inward Heavenly calling , then an outward reverend gesture ; though with greefe we too too often behold those ragged and rayling Rabshachies , those blasphemous Sanballets , whose black mouthes are ever venting ( from their durty cels ) volumes of affronts against Government and good order ; yea miserable is it to thinke on , how many Scurrilous tongues boldly dare ( not only in every corner of the streets , but also ) with irreverent and ra●ling language in Gods Sacred Temples to speake amisse of what they ought not ; those are the * cloudes without water carried about with every winde , those are trees without fruite twice deade , pluckt up by the Rootes , those are like raging waves of these● , foaming out their own shame , binding the tender conscience , and leading silly * women Captive ; neither whilst those religious Atheists are permitted can we have hopes , that Baalims curses will reflect on himselfe , that Achitophells wisdome will be turn'd into foolishnesse , that justice shall take place or vice be extinguished ; that the good shall be preferr'd or the ill disgraced , no , nor Christ's Spouse kept spotlesse from the s●ames of division ; how glorious ( like the Apple tree in the mid'st of the forrest ) might this Church render it selfe , how might the sincere word of Christ be zealously taught ● how sweetly might truth and righteousnesse imorace each other ? yea how might our present mourning be turned into joy , and the daughters of Ierusalem rejoyco ? were but those turbulent weedes taken from the fairest flowers ; but alas we are now almost growne the Thistle amongst Roses , Ionah's storme doth not cease , our enemies say so would we have it . Israells distruction is of her selfe , and mournfull Sion sits weeping in the dust ; and all for their sakes , who with the too much exprest ●eruour of faction and false doctrine , strive to build with untempered morter , and like Church Rebells , upon some sudden rapsadie , or miraculous Enthu●asme , affront the Minister , rent his cloathes , spurne at the Prayer booke , scoffe at the Lords Table , deride his ordinances , and with a holy madnesse ▪ and devout Phrenzie strive to cast the whole frame of Religion , and good discipline in the mould of their own fancies and disordered humours , an incivillity worse then Heathenisme how zealously read are they at somtimes , but at other , how may you read all their prophane actions in black characters ; and while they seeme to reject the dotage of superstition , fall into the phrenzie of Schisme and prophanesse , or by avoyding the worshipping of Idols , commit Sacriledge ; shall I say those are they against whom our Saviour denounced so many * Woes , who labour rather for the applause of men then the reward of Heaven ? from whose exorbitant pride ( thinking themselves better gifted then they are ) proceed so many dangerous and unheard of tenents ; hence it is that every discontented and selfeopinionated Artist takes upon him to expound the Scripture , little considering that of our Saviour , to * them it is not given to know the secrets of the Kingdome of God ; Alas it is not the ordinary wisedome of flesh and bloud which can judge of the spirit , sure there is something more in it then for every illiterate and idle braine to undertake so waighty a Taske , grace being an especiall concomitant thereunto . Oh how hard ( and with as much sweat of our browes , as toyle of our mindes ) do we labour for the provision of this ba●er life ! and is it so easie a matter to attaine the foode of a better ? I deny not but as there are diversities of gifts , so they are extraordinarily bestowed , but if all should be Teachers , where would be the Hearers ; Nay in time who would care to heare , if none care to study ; what neede have we to sweate so many drops , watch so many houres , peruse so many Tracts , indure so many perturbances of minde and body , and at last ( like the industrious Bee ) divide the sweetest Hony from the rankest poyson , sealing that long 〈◊〉 for truth with our latest breath , if with so much ease we may attaine heaven ; is learning now become so contemptible ? O charity whither art thou fled ! how do those men fall out with learning & the very name of a Scholler , and raile against all the degrees thereof because they could never attaine to any , including so much unhappinesse therein , when it is not Culpaartis sed utentis , as if the sharpnesse of the Knife , and not the madnesse of the actor were the cause of hurt ; can you account S. Paul Vaine-glorious in saying he knew himself nothing inferior to the most excellent of the Apostles ? away then with those sonnes of ignorance who standing upon the quaintnesse of their owne fancies , discent from the opinions of all the Fathers , and even with contumely reject their reverend authority ; what Rhetorick can disswade , what Logick ●ectifie their bransick humours ? Surgunt hi indocti●t eaelum rapiunt , they take Heaven by violence , yea and if it were possible would deceive the elect ; when as nostra haec in literarum peregrinatio sine supremaluce miserabilis quaedam est erratio , our greatest perfection in this divine Schoole is but apparent weaknesse without the cheifest light ; and how acceptable a service would it be to whisper into the eares of those whited Sepulchers , that a charitable discretion were better then their zealous ignorance : but Oh that we could yet rest here , and without farther griefe resound the Ecchoing groanes of a bleeding State , Nam ut olim flagitijs , sic nunc legibus laboramus , Et patimur long ae pacis mala ▪ Saenior armis Luxuria incumbit . Run this way also but the story of our evills , and see whither our distractions have not prov'd as chargeable as our humours are changeable , & whither our affections are not as different , as the cure is likely to prove difficult : my heartakes to thinke that this Kingdome which was la●ely the Glory & pride of Christendom reformed , when all the world was ready to come over unto her , should thus shamefully run away from her selfe ; fortunate ( with Pirrhus ) hast thou formerly beene in conquering of Kingdomes but unhappy to keepe them ; hard case ! when the Mistrisse of the world shall be thus oppressed by her owne greatnesse ; thy Albion Ch●ts are yet free from those crimson staines , which have so deeply dyed thy Easterne neighbours ; and though that brood of Cadmus have lately turn'd those Westerne Mountaines ( contrary to their nature ) into rebellious Troopes of Loathsome Serpents , filling their Boggs with infernall furies , yet I hope their pretended president from their Northern sister , shall as little advantage their designes , as palliate their intentions ; and ( for their sufferance ) I shall wish any , no other punishment then to pay for the breach , who shall hereafter ( without just occasion and dishonourable termes ) deny to maintaine , what hath beene lately ( God grant happly ordered . ) I am cuncti gens vna sumus , sic simus in aeuum , for if that Kingdome ( so dearely of late revnited unto us ) should againe appeare in its former postures , questionles●e by the ilnesse of the example , though perchance upon lesse groundes , others would so farre learne the same lesson , as to make such rents an occasion of loosing the whole ; but I hope we neede not in our time feare the sight of so strange a Prodigie , since the cause being taken off the effect must necessarily cease ; especially , so glorious a Sun having ( by his benigne influences ) expell'd those vapours and dislocated such ill humours as might swell into the Timpanie of future disaffectednesse ; and it were also to be wish't that those burning emotions ( which have lately beene amongst our selves , and whereof we are hourely likely to be more sencible ) might be diverted else where ; least the offending humours ( at this instant so predominant within the confines of this state ) draw us into the feavour of civil descention ; which will so greatly indanger our ruine ; for how neere have our Enemies subverted our publick peace , introduced inevitable mischiefes , and occasioned the generall corruption of our manners ; and whence proceedes the cause of so many distempers amongst us , but from the likelihoode of some violent alterations which are ever attended with inevitable greevances ; so that when we suffer how justly may we say , Heu patior telis vulnerafactameis ▪ Neither are these onely the impressions of our apprehension , without some reall effects of our feare , though we are so dull to conceive what woefull experience too plainly manifests ; few men dying with the resolution it is their last houre ; and are in nothing more deceiv'd , something or other still ringing in our eares , that many have beene sicker and yet not dyed ; when for the present distempers of this sad state ( stupid as we are ) even the generallity of thing● seeme to suffer , and protend the likelihood of our 〈◊〉 ▪ the Heavens ( through unwonted & unheard of moysture have seem'd to take compassion , the aire bin clouded with unusuall darknesse ▪ the fire produced strange meteors , the water unknown Shipwrack ; nay , have we not lately had blowes from a divine hand more to be admired then disputed ; and shall we thus cast our selves into the Sea with closed eyes ? let us in our sad fortunes looke about us , & compare our estate to those who are better ; our Common-wealth is much craz'd & out of tune , our greevan●es ( by ill applied medicines ) have bin inflamed , and not cured ; and yet ( thus are we bewitched ) we still stand gazing on those burning Lamps ; did we know the attendants of intestine broiles we would ( after so much surfetting ) use some abstinence in hope of remedy ; for alas ! who can discribe the fruites of civill discentions ? who can indure to heare those sad Iudaick Songs ? Mothers weeping for their slaughtered children , widdowes mourning for their husbands ; Maydens bewayling the losse of their chastity , and helpelesse Orphans bursting with starved groanes ; let us not then ( like Lyons sleepe with our eyes open ; ●ther let our too much satiety beget our distast ; and though expectation in weake mindes makes a good lesse and an evill greater , yet in these times , as resolution and sufferance must be thy preservatives , so preparation must be thy advantage ; for be assured it came from that mouth which never err'd , a Kingdome thus divided cannot stand ; how neare likewise are his words accomplish'●I came not to send peace but a sword , & a mans enemies shall be those of his own house ▪ what unparralel'd times of peace , we have injoyed is well known , ( no nation having received the like blessings ) O that we had also ▪ kept our first love ) but what that providence ( which with mercy ever remembers mans miseries ) will doe , who can determine ? our best wisdom being but light if wayed with that eterna●l fore-caster , of all things , though justly we may feare the worst , being likely better to know the worth of those Pearles by loosing them , seeing Hostis adest dextr● , laeu●que a parte timendus Vicinoque malo terret ● trunque l●tus . Neither can it be amisse in thy prosperity to make roome for adversity , that though it come unsent for , yet ( as not undeserved ) so not unlookt for ; hence thy expectation ( though it cannot hinder ) may lessen thy crosses ; long hast thou bin like a Lilly amongst thornes and should thou alwaies abound , it would be hard not ●o grow proud ; thy security hath already bintoo much an enemy to preventiō , otherwise might'st thou have seene thy own fall in thy neighbours , whose sins being the same , it is Gods mercy his judgments are not ; in which he no lesse preacheth then in his word ; for when he strikes offenders it is but to warne them that stand by ; alas ▪ that thou canst only plead to have bin happy too soone , and to have made such bad use of thy blessings ; part not then ( like Herod ) with a Kingdom for a Daunce , but seeing the temper of this age differs not from the Heavens ( threatning a second deluge ) take heede with Peter least thou begin to sincke ; prevent the time wherein ( as the Tragedian told Pompey ) thou shalt fetch deepe sighs because thou sorrowed'st not sooner ; let not thy death-bed smart for those wilfull adjournings of timely repentance , but discharge thy sins be time 〈◊〉 be at peace ; what greater good can happen to a diseased man then Phisick to recure him , long ( though perchance unfit ) hath thy sound body carried about it a sick soule , then hazard not thy life rather then offend thy palate , repay thy thankes & not repine a● the Phisitian ; adversity somtimes best speakes a Christian , neither is it honour to overcome when it is no danger to fight ; every Bird can sing in a tēperate spring ▪ & a cleare Heaven , every Epicure can be merry in the midst of his Cups and Dalliance ; but ( when all things faile ) to stand our ground and expect supply from above , shewes our faith , & becomes only the 3 children in the furnace , Paul and Silas in the stockes , and the Marty●s at the stake ; but me-thinks I heare some say , quo diversus abis ? wher must we seeke this cure , whence shall we expect this remedy ▪ if any should seeme to make this question it is not to be doubted but their own thoughts have likewise resolu'd so needlesse ascruple , especially in these times where the world no lesse hates then admires the Physitian , & where those Saints of the crosse ( for brevities sake now called Crowched Fryars ▪ ) with which our streets so lately swarmd , so much opposed the likelihood of a cure ; Omake not your religion thus from being ridiculous , to be come odious ; forbeare , forbeare , with your Legends and false ▪ miracles ( most proper for the great Prince of ceremonies ) thus to oppose so great an Assembly , least your desperate attempts ( veiwed with an intentive judgement ) exceed● the bounds of pitty ; there is but one Master of Requests i● heaven , who wil assuredly recompence your bad designs ▪ neither think ( with those fond Egyptians ) sufficiently to satisfie divine justice by sacrificing the counterfeit shadowes of some painted creatures , or with some fond invention to appease a substance ●o essential ; no , no , shake off that spirit of slumber which thus deludes you leave o● hatching of such Cockatrice eggs , and thus sinne no more least a worse thing happen unto you ; and what cause have wee by continuall imploring of a supreme power to beg a prosperous event on the great indeavors of that high Assembly , that so it may never be said that the greatest folly should proceed from the subtilest wisedome , the extreamest enmities from the greatest friendship , and that our Phisick should bring infection with it ; too much clearnesse may blinde our sights and too deepe an apprehension may at last bereave us of our sences ; the curious pursuite of divers sciences hath brought many unto sottishnesse , and too much aptitude toward the exercise of the minde hath at last brought many without minde or exercise , but O God! Let not our mortallest diseases proceed from our soundest health , let not distempered & outragious frenzies ensue from the rarest agitations of our mindes , neither let the best spirits be overthrowne by their owne force , least thereby the enemies of thy truth have just cause to rejoyce ; thrice then unhappy shall we be if our plants are thus choaked with over-much moysture , if our Lampes are thus damn'd with too much oyle , and the actions of our minde overwhelm'd with the aboundance of too needlesse a study ; and O that those dissenting spirits were equally ballanced to prevent all turbulent motions , and to measure things with an indifferent poyse ● least the discordance of opinions , and diversity of languages occasion the like confusion in this unhappy state , as it once did in the overthrow of that proudly-rais'd Pile , & heaven-menacing Tower ; but what power but the highest can direct this {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ; we may un-use our selves to the secrets of the Stars , yet still have a continuall bondage before our eyes ▪ or like those Grammarians ( at whom Dionisius scoffeth ) labour to know the Misteries of Vlisses , & yet be ignorant of our own ; and with those Orators we may be derided who study to speak of justice , yet can never frame away of execution , unlesse some director from above teach us Servare modum , finemque tenere ; neither I hope shall we have reason hereafter to mistrust , but that those eminent States-men ( which like discreet Pilots , are now appoynted to steere the weather-beaten vessell of this tottering kingdom ) sufficiently know somtimes how to loose a sayle , now and then hoyst to the mayne , for if they once chance to loose the Helme ( unlesse they be good swimmers ) needs must they be drown'd . As also that by an over ▪ multiplying and subdividing we fall againe into the infinity of Epicurus Atomes , and so by opening of the matter , spill it by distempering the ingredients ; far ▪ be it also from the thoughts of any , that under the pretence of so much exprest loyalty , there should be harboured in any of that grave Sinod the least desire to bring in Innovations into the Church or Common-wealth , to derogate any thing from his Maiesties honour , or just prerogative to have sinister respects , or splinative intentions , to advance their own liberties by exemption from their an ▪ tient priviledges , to allow of any government which might countercheck the Royall dignity of the Crowne , for certainly should they either by private or mallicious ends not concurring with the general good of the states , ayme at their particular advantage , in what sad Characters shall the misery of this kingdom be hereafter recorded , or what mournful pen , or horrid breath will be able to set forth so unparraleld a Treachery ; neither I hope neede we feare that those which are thus imployed for the defence of the lawes , should first enter into 〈◊〉 actual rebellion against their own ordinances , wel knowing that the way to cure sedition is not to be first infected therewith , neither can they seeme to chastice disobedience if they shew the example of it , especially in these times of wildnesse and non-subjection ; being fully assured that those which first shake an estate are commonly first over-thrown by the fall ; & that the chiefe movers thereof r●ape not alwayes the fruites of such troubles , but mud only the waters for others to fish ; and when all other discriptions of policie , whither sained by art or supposition , prove meerly ridiculous and not worthy the practice , their priviledge alone it is to re-erect and range the same anew , who throughly know how far any estate is to be wrested from the accustomed habit and fold it hath taken seing the extreame will discipate all : neither is it likely that some unhappy destinie hath seated those Worthyes on the Theater of this age to be so dissonant & des●erent in proportion from our deplorable troubles : and so far from agreeing with our tumultuous stormes , well considering that nothing doth so nearly touch and overlay an estate as Innovation : for if , one peice be out of Square it may be under p●opt , but ( after the removing the foundation of so vast a frame ) to reedifie so huge a Masse will prove more likely to deface the whole then refine a part , & instead of cleansing , scrape out . This manner of cure alwayes brings death , & such amendment vniversall confusion ; like Caesars Murtherers who brought the common-wealth to so distresfull a plunge that they repented themselves ever to have medled with the same , and experience hath often taught that violent changes still shake and distemper an estate , ordinary evills being more tollerable then an vnexperienced mischiefe 〈◊〉 hence this saying was so often inculcated and that by none of the meanest Medium non deserit unquam , Neither is it possible ( unlesse quos perdere vult Iupiter dementat prius ) that they should forget their loyalty and due respect to their Soveraigne , it being not the least meanes to perpetuate the glory of so high an advancement , especially meeting with such great incouragements of expressing their faithfull alleagiance through the temper , moderation , and religious demeanour , which ( so manifestly ) hath of late showne it selfe to the whole world by his Majesties gracious complyance with his honorable Assembly , his willingnesse not only to assent to matters of an equall indifferency , but to things ( not only ungranted , but ) undesired from any of his Predecessors . Nay from whatsoever hath bin most deare unto him , whereby to manifest his desire of peace ; his care of his Kingdomes , the well-fare of his subjects , and his hearty sincerity towards the profession of the true Protestant Religion ; and whereas many Princes have bin forced to sacrifice their favorites to the fury of the multitude , how willingly nay how freely hath he left those who have expected their greatest shelter from him , to their deserved tryall : and casting away all respects of favour and affection referr'd the suspected to their condigne punishment . No speech being so frequent or so well becomming so Royall an Orator as fiat justitia ; nay perceiving the sad estate of that bleeding Kingdome so neare her ruine through the unheard of cruelties of an unmercifull people , and after many fervent desires , inducements , and commands for the reliefe of their misery ( as being yet not s● throughly sensible and assistant ) how forward and vrgent hath hee beene to adventure his Sacred person ; had his Majestie beene addicted to any more the● ordinary vice , ( Princes not wanting their especiall fault●s wherein they are uncontrollable ) some colour of censure might have beene pleaded by the ignorant , mis-judging , and ill affected multitude , but where hath appeared so much lenity in forgiving ; justnesse inpunishing , so much open profession , and private devotion in the exercises of the true Religion . Whence come the numberlesse Pamphlets of these distracted times , seditious Sermons or rather exclamations , tending to disorder , faction and mutiny ; how come so many leaves to become Libells , venting the invective spleene of their brainlesse fancies , proceeding from filed tongues but defiled hearts ▪ such black-mouth'd Machiauells ( who will stumble at a Straw & for their own advantage leape over a Block ) should know , that Princes whilst they live are Gods , and especially annoynted from above , whom they ought not to touch neither to * curse or revile , no , nor so much as think an ill * thought ; how far then such are from being subject to the higher powers , and from submitting themselves to every ordinance for the Lords sake let the world judge . It being I beleeve no part of their study or profession to feare God , and honour the King ; which makes that great Councell so assiduous for the discovery of these incendiaries , without whose freedom or connivance questionlesse they assume this liberty , they well understanding , that the true Christian Religion which hath all the markes both of extreame justice and profit hath none more apparent then the exact commendation due to authority , and that all their late fractions & griefe of heart ( through so greata distance between them and the breath of their Nostrills ) hath proceeded through the raising and incouragement of turbulent and seditious spirits , disswading tender consciences from yeelding a due obedience to their superiours , with sinister and affected distinctions , which being once harboured , the peace of this Kingdome will speedily be dissolved ; and what is it else after so prosperous and hopefull a beginning , which hath beene the Remora to hinder the waighty imployments now in agitation , and every minute groaning for a speedy event , but the woefull interruptions of Malignant dispositions ? The time was , and not long since , when the Sunne shin'd most clearly in our troubled Horizon , yeelding as sweete an influence of Royall love as ever appear'd in so drooping a Hemisphere , untill the black-cloudes of faction and disobedience obscur'd so glorious a Majesty ; O that there had never beene occasion offered for so great a distance and that those troublesome spirits might at last ( through a condigne punishment ) be truly sencible of so great a fraction ; but it is not the least part of their policie ( by disguising their intents under the glosse of a few smooth speeches ) to avoyd the notice of those grave Censors now assembled ; who well consider , that as children ( striving to reduce a Masse of quick-silver to a certaine number ) the more they presse it to their will , the farther they provoke the liberty of so generous a mettall , which by dispersing it selfe seemes to scorne their art ; even so by ( too violently ) extending and diversifying difficulties ( especially reflecting on so high a nature ) they should rather agravate then contract them ; still taking all opportunities to impart their duty to their supreame head , being well aduis'd that a multitude of opinionated and dissenting governours are for the most part accompanied with confusion ; And O that I could herein wave the mis-suggestions of the vulgar but I cannot deprecate this truth , seeing authority is so much vilified with the comick liberty of the times , Nam verae voces tum demum pectore ab imo eijciuntur . Shall the smallest cinders of a rich matter have its valew , and shall we thus audaciously plucke off the chaine from Sacred authority ? Equallity is the chiefe ground-worke of equity ; and it is our duty to submit our selves to the King as supreame ; nec debemus esse sapientiores legibus , it being not amisse for all to observe the Lawes of the place {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} . which made Varro reply ( upon the invitation of making new lawes ) that if he were to beginne to write of Religion , hee would plainly tell what his beleife were of it ; but being already received , he would speake more of it according to the custome , then the nature ; neither would give admittance for the altering of those things , acted by better judgements contrary to the opinion and gesture of this age , wherin Porters , Pesants and Horse-groomes , shall attribute to them selves the power of reformation , when Barbers shops shall have their Councell-Tables ; when every Mechannick shall be a Iudge and adviser ; Nay the weaker Sex under pretence of Preaching shall prescribe remedies , and tell old-wives-tales : who ( though it seeme neither lawfull nor laudible ) have invoak't so much resolution as approbriously to defame , where they cannot justly reforme ; it being as improper for them to assume this liberty , as for the Physitian to discourse of warre , or a meere Scholler ●at of the secret designes of Princes ; and though it be vndeniable that as amongst the functions of the soule some are meane and base , so in the body of a state some members will be corrupt and seditious ; so certainly as Naturalists observe , that nothing sooner then feare transportes our judgement out of its due seate , nothing will more speedily distract and ruine a Common-wealth , then the dangerous consequence of Teditious heads , from whose outragious stormes even the Diadem of a Prince shall not give him shelter ; whose least policie it is not , to keepe downe the factious that their impotency may affoord security ; and though mercy is the richest Iewell which adorneth his Crowne ( it being proper for Tyrants onely to cut off those Staires by which they climbe ) yet is it not unworthy their notice , alwayes in their proceedings against men in power , either not to strike , or strike home least afterwards they hatch revenge for the disgrace , whence their liberty ( after Delinquency ) may indanger his safety . But woe to that unhappy and untimely birth , who upon any pretended respects whatsoever , shall thus wound the sides , nay the honour of his Soveraign● or having ( through some by-ends , private advantages or willfull malitiousnesse drawne themselves into a state most desperate , shall for the safety of their own lives or wretched fortunes , hazard the ruine of their Prince or Country , sheltering their Serpentine glosses , under the protection of an unwilling ( if not giddy headed ) multitude , surely against such popular domination , a little thing would make me conceive an ( almost ) inexpiable hatred : alas ● Is not this the way to gallop to our owne destruction ? I wish woefull experience may never show it , but if vnfortunate in so sad a Tragedie , well may I say with Laberius , Haec die vna plu● vixi mihi quam vivendum fuit , too long have I lived to be thus miserable ; but I hope such snakes shall cast their skinnes before they be able to disgorge their poyson Tamen hoc genus Demoniorum , in nullo potest exire nisi in oratione et jejunio ; it being good for such men sapere ad sobrietatem , least with those Donatists which Saint Austin speakes of in his retractions , they had rather destroy themselves with fire then returne to the Church ; and doubtlesse such as thus yeeld to their owne arrogancie ( properly called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ) are most destitute of reason , and will at last fall into m●dnesse , like those who formerly would be worshipped for Gods ; though I make the question whither I may say with Agrippa , multae literae hos ad insaniam adegerunt , it be with too much wisedome that they are besides themselves ; for certainely ( like Thales ) thus veiwing the Starrs they may fall into the ditch ; but my charitie suggests mee there are not many who thus Camaelion-like change themselves into all collours , and indeavour to occasion the privation of our health by a willfull sicknesse , for if the tares should thus out-grow the corne we are undone , unlesse some Soveraigne balme ( and that speedily ) heale the faynting pulse of this divided Kingdome ; thus was the Troyan State betrayed with Simons teares : and thus are many weake consciences in this age seduced by Ravening Wolves in a Sheepish habit , by whom their fancies are bound , their purses exhausted , nay their very souls ▪ damn'd unlesse they willingly imbrace their Tenants which often carry with them Treason and rebellion , which is no small way to raise discention in a common-wealth ; and though with an Ancient Father I may say of those men , student plus alta , quam apta proferre , yet wold 〈◊〉 not incurre the sensure of a Libertin , my thoughts being so far from disliking the purity of the primitive patterne , ●s that they chearefully acknowledge too much zeale cannot be exprest in matters which concerne the glory of God , but in some causes discretion must be the Mode●ator when a circumstance may be us'd or omitted , in which respect it often falls out that obedience is better then Sacrifice , especially when it reflects upon matters of government , where Kings are like Planets in their Orbes under the primum mobile , moving by the sweet ●nfluence of love , and unreproveable motion of justice to their subjects , an unmatchable president whereof quo nulla aetas , tulit meliorem ( no age having been blest with the like ) I dare boldly say we are now happy in , & may ●e bequeath'd as a pattern to the greatest Potentat , show●ng so much piety to God both in publike & private , so much hatred of Popery & superstition , in matters of Religion , so much indeavour not to greive his subjects ; & for that more then common blessing which attends the peace-maker , mallice it selfe dares not ( after so late and large an expression ) to withhold the Lawrell ; I deny not but some bad weeds may seek shelter from the fairest flowers , but let not therefore any blea●ed eyes , bemisted with their own fond opinions , or benighted with groundlesse aimes , think to out-view his brighter rayes , though some there are who have habitum falsorum principiorum , et falsarum opinionum , et excaecauit eos malitia eorum , who fix their envious sightes upon wrong objects , and whose mallice hath made them blind ; whose particular reflections may ( without a prevention from heaven ) give an unhappy period to our just & longing expectations , but far be such black-clouds , from troubling our Horizon , withal ill advised heads , which indeavor to undermine the ground-worke of our present State , which build with untempered morter , or with unkindly flashes menace to set Religion & good order in a flame ; let such take heed of vengeance from above . This being the way to exhaust our treasures without signe , to turne our Temples into dens of theeves , to make this kingdome the mirrour of misery , and to render her as odious to the whole world ▪ who was somtimes rich in her private fortunes , happy in the love of her neighbours , stately in her structures ▪ dreadfull to her enemies , and surrounded with an Ocean of all delights . These wil be the events of sudden innovations , & questionlesse those who thus attempt the change of goverment may not be excus'd from distaste at the governours , though never so much cloaked with the pretence of Loyalty ; how safe is it when we are in a goo● way , to avoyd those by paths , which under the show o● neernesse may prove not only difficult but dangerous , tha● policie being no lesse unprofitable then unworthy to be commended which learn's us the hurt of ill councell by experience . And of him who is this way officious we may say , homo curiosus utilior est hostibus quam sibi , he is more helpful to his enemies then himself ; & if any be displea'd with the present condition of their Prince or goverment● let them notwithstanding give Caesar his due , & neglect him not who by no ordinary providence is appoynted their supreame , you ought not to tell him how . You will be governed , let your dispute be turn'd into supplication ▪ and if petitions may not prevaile , O presume not to let your swords come neare the lap of his garment ; so long as his commands are just obey what he injoynes , & were i● so that he sought to deprive you of your lawes or liberties goods or lives , yet should you not curse him in your hart no not speak of him with an unbeseeming respect , but desire him by whom Princes rule to rectifie his heart , & in the mean time give you patience to suffer and obey . And if therebe any which hath more immediatly tasted of his ●ustice , clemency , or favour , O how opprob●ious a thing is ●t & unworthy to be mention'd , that such favorites shold ●urne Apostates , abusing their received kindnes to the in●ury of the giver , retorting those freely bestowed benefits ●ike swords into his brest , certainly amongst all the ungratefullest of the sons of men those are the worst ; & for ●hy part who knowest how preposterous it is for the feet to spurne at the head , being truly sencible what thy sinnes have deserv'd , ( & imbracing the stroak ) ve●west the approaching dangers ( as for some more then ordinary cause proceeding from the first agent ) be not dismayed , when a quiet conscience & preparation for a better life will be thy comfort , then let the world ●osse as it list , and vary it self ( as it ever doth ) in stormes & calmes , thy rest is pitched a loft above the spheare of changeable mortallity , securely relying on the unevitable decree of an all seeing providence , whose ground cannot be crost with second thoughts or unlooked for events . The Lillies then shal be thy comfort against the disasters of the times , & thy repose on those words , man lives not by bread onely , neither comes promotion from the East or West : absence shall make the benefit more acceptable ▪ thy want shall not be thy hell , neither shall thy heart grow heavy with the lightnes of thy fortune , or thy mirth end with thy store ; what though some strange revolutions , and portending Comets seeme to affright thy tender sences ? threatning the speedy annihillation of all things with their streaming flashes ? what though the raging seas exceede their bounds , bending their swelling tydes against the Christal Heaven ? what though dreadfull Bellona , with thundring reports and warlicke rumours invite thy trouble ? yet with chearfulnesse mayest thou looke up to that Star imbroidered Coate ; that Canopy of silver spangles , whence those glorious lights shall not dazell , but direct thee , the rolling axell-tree shall support thee , those orderly Sphearick Planets shall shelter thee , the Ovall Orb with its glassy wall shal defend thee , thy soule being stil furnish● with oyle for the Bridegrooms comming , shall joyfully expect a passage from her teadious aprentiship , & death which is the greatest of thy feares shall be but the rising of thy comforts , and setting of thy crosses , a harbour for thy hope , a Sanctuary for thy sorrow , and a welcome minute to free thee from the wretchednes of this life , to the joyes of heaven . Yea ▪ though Han●bal be ( as it were ) now at our gates , and the warlike allarums of beating Drums and sounding Trumpets ( which are at this present hourely in thy eares ) send death to summon thee , to rest from thy labours , yet thy sins being limited , thy conscience quieted and the world renounced , some glorious star ( directed by a supreame providence ) shall lead thee to a safer condition , where the thought of thy paine shall ease thee , the remembrance of thy death revive thee , the dissolution of thy body unite thee , and having at last soar'd above the clouds of those raging Tempests , disdain'd the Rocks of adversity , triumph't in the tumultuous waves of misery● scorn'd the sulphury vapours of detracting obloquie and ( after this sollitary night of darknes ) taken thy leave of all troublesome accidents , bidding farewell to thy wants & miseries , thy soule shall sweetly solace her selfe in 〈◊〉 everlasting repose and contentment . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A57134e-200 * Sen● Epist ▪ 62. * Is● . 24. 8. Ier. 7. 37 , 〈◊〉 16 : 9 : & 25 ▪ 10 ▪ Eze. 〈◊〉 Hos. 〈◊〉 * 1 Kings 19. 1● . * Acts 12 : 〈◊〉 . * ●ant . 3. 1. Hose● 1● . 〈◊〉 * Luk. 19. 41. 42. * 2 Sam : 19. 10. Mica . 1. 10. * Ephe. 6. 11 , 12. * 1 Tim. 3. 4. * ● Tim. 3. 5. 6. * Acts 17 : ●2 . Iude 8. * Iude ▪ 12. 13. * 2 Tim. 3 6. * Mat. 23 ▪ 2 Tim. 3. ● ▪ 3. * Math. ● ▪ 1. Math. 12 ▪ 2. * Exo. 22. 28. Act. 23. 5. * 10. 20. * 1 Pet. 2. ● . ●7 . * Mat. 11. 21.