Staffords Niobe: or His age of teares A treatise no lesse profitable, and comfortable, then the times damnable. Wherein deaths visard is pulled off, and her face discouered not to be so fearefull as the vulgar makes it: and withall it is shewed that death is only bad to the bad, good to the good. Stafford, Anthony. 1611 Approx. 134 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 112 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A12821 STC 23129 ESTC S106303 99842021 99842021 6644 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. A12821) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 6644) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 773:12) Staffords Niobe: or His age of teares A treatise no lesse profitable, and comfortable, then the times damnable. Wherein deaths visard is pulled off, and her face discouered not to be so fearefull as the vulgar makes it: and withall it is shewed that death is only bad to the bad, good to the good. Stafford, Anthony. [20], 201, [1] p. Printed by Humfrey Lownes, At London : 1611. Page 134 misnumbered 116. Considerable print show-through. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Devotional literature -- Early works to 1800. 2005-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-11 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-01 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2006-03 Apex CoVantage Rekeyed and resubmitted 2006-04 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2006-04 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Staffords NIOBE : Or HIS AGE OF TEARES . A Treatise no lesse profita ble , and comfortable , then the times damnable . Wherein Deaths visard is pulled off , and her face discouered not to be so feare full as the vulgar makes it : and withall it is shewed that death is only bad to the bad , good to the good . AT LONDON Printed by Humfrey Lownes , 1611. TO THE RIGHT Honourable , Robert Earle of Salisbury , Knight of the most honourable Order of the Garter , Vicount Cranborne , Lord Cecil of Essindon , Lord high Threasurer of England , Chancelour of the Vniuersitie of Cambridge , and one of his Maiesties most Ho nourable priuie Councel , A. S. wisheth the pleasures of the Kingdome of Heauen , for his paines taken in this Kingdome of the Earth . IT may seem strange vnto you ( truely honourable Lorde ) that a stranger should dedicate a Booke vnto you : but , wonder not . For , though I be not knowen to your Honour , yet your Honor is wel knowen vnto me : and ( indeed ) to whom not ? I haue no small time ( be it spoken without blasphemie ) euen worshipt your Worth ; and therefore now offer vp vnto it , all the reuenewes of my reuerence . I was the rather induced to dedicate it to your Honour , by reason that my father was a neighbour to your Father , being much obliged vnto him ; and my whole Family vnto your selfe . And next of all , to giue you thankes in the behalfe of all Gentrie ; which is daylie bettered by your Lordships directions , and furtherances in all honest courses . Desert was fled into the Desert , before your Lordship called her home from exile , & clad hir weather-beaten limmes . And ( which draweth neere vnto a miracle ) your Lordship doth not imitate the greatest part of the hodiernall Nobilitie , Qui beneficia in calendario seribunt . But whether goe I ? knowing that your monosyllables , as also short speeches , are pleasing to GOD sometimes , and to Great-men at all times . Accept then this Leafe rather then Booke , together with my vowed and owed seruice : which though I offer serò , tamen seriò , my euer honoured Lord. Your Lordships most humble seruant : to be commanded , ANTHONIE STAFFORD . TO THE Reader . Different , or indifferent READER , Health to thy Soule and Bodie . Knoweing vertue to bee of the nature of the Sun , that is , she shines as well vpon the bad , as vpon the good ; I thought the badde would claime interest in her , as well as the good . To preuent which , I wrote this treatise : in which I haue layed my selfe open to the world ; to the intent , that I may attract the loue of the vertuous , and the hate of all those who continue vitious : for , I hold him to be no honest man , that is beloued of all men . For , in that , he sheweth that he can apply himselfe to the time , be it neuer so vitious , to the place be it neuer so infamous , to the person , be it neuer so odious . Wherfore I giue all men to vnderstand , that I am a servant to Vertue : which I proclaime to the world , by this booke , my Heraulde ; and giue defiance to her foes and mine . And howsoeuer I seeme , now and then , to lend an eare to lewdnesse ; it is not that I take pleasure in it , but because I am loth to diplease the harbourers and diu●lgers of it . What soeuer the world thinkes of me , or thinketh me to be : yet this I am . For , being throughly acquainted with myselfe , I doe not aske another man what I am . I protest it againe and againe , that I depend on Vertue . And , if I wax poore in her seruice , I shall account my selfe richer , then all this wicked worlds wealth can make me : and , if I growe rich without her , I shall esteeme my self poorer then pouerty her selfe can make me . I speake not this , like a Politiciā , to purchase my selfe a greater fame then mine owne worth ; No , no ▪ We doe not dissemble in those things , in which he first deceiues himselfe , that would others . Wherefore he is iniurious to me , who wicked in himselfe frameth a minde to me out of his owne . If my inward man excuse me , what care I , who accuse me ? yet doe I not despise an honest report ; but , onely warne you this , that it is not in my power to tye loose tongues . And therefore Fame is to be reckoned amongst these externall accidents ; as of no moment to the accomplishment of a quiet and a blessed life . What to be , consisteth on my part ; what I am said to be , on the vaine vulgars . Fame and Conscience are of two differing properties : the one blazeth a mans deserts ; yet makes him neuer the better : the other , the better ; yet neuer the more renowned . I knowe , that my beliefe in God , and not the worlds beliefe of me , shall saue me : yet ( by the way ) would I not haue any man thinke , that I write this by constraint ; that is , to cleare my selfe of any imputed Crime : for , I write it not to dispossesse , but to possesse the world of a good opinion of me . I verily thinke , that I haue layed my selfe too open , & dealt too plainely in some things contained in this insuing treatise : but , I passe not much . For , as my birth styled me a gentleman ; so I would haue my death stile me generous . Prying Policy telleth me , that it is farre 〈◊〉 to knowe what a man speaks , then to speak what he knowes : but my harmelesse heart dictates to my pen , not what the world would , but what it should heare of . My soule is an Antipode , & treads opposite to the present world . My intent , in writing this book , is twofolde : first , to purchase to my selfe , not so much the title of a learned , as of an honest man ; and secondly ( because I knowe not whether my vnfortunate fortunes , and vnstaied youth may leade me ) that the world may be acquainted with the secrets of my soule , and may receiue from me a testimonie of my liuely faith ; that so it may iudge the more charitably of mee being dead . Thus much for my selfe . Now , gentle or vngentle Reader ; concerning thee , I diuide thee into Learned , and Vnlearned : and the Learned I subdiuide into Iudicial , and Not-indiciall . Seneca saith , that Summū bonum in iudicio est , that mans chief felicity is in iudgement : and Sealiger calleth it Animamsapientiae , the soule of wisedome . And therefore he that hath this Wisedomes soule to be the Centre of his soule , I doe not so much feare , as reuerence his censure . But hee that hath read neuer so much , and in his discourse will shoote whole Volleis of Volumes at a man , and yet wanteth iudgemente , my Booke turnes his posteriours to him , and bids him shoote there , as a marke too faire for his carping mouth , to aime at . The Vnlearned I rediuide into Prudent , and Impudent . The Prudent will not let his censure flie aboue his knowledge ; but , what he vnderstands not , he will with modestie either passe it ouer , or with discretion enquire after it , of some better-knowing spirits . As for impudent asses , who will reprehende vvhat their shallowe vvits can neither apprehende , nor comprehende , and so turne despaire into iudgement , I hold them fitter to read bills , and ballads , then my Booke . And withall I must needes adde this , that I neither feare a Stage , nor the censure of a Woman . And against the Learned , and Vnlearned , Iudiciall and Not-iudiciall , Prudent and Impudent , Women , and the worlds wide Theater , I bandy that of Iob , Behold my signe , that the Almightie will witness for mee ; although mine Adnersarie write a booke against mee . Errata . Page Line   81. 10. ioy-forioyne . 81. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 99. 13. perfect imperfect , for perfect or imperfect . 142. 8. present for presents . 154. 2. Iesuites for Iesuitas . 166. 2. these for those . 195. 1. gift for guest . In some fewe Books , Pag. 10. li. 11. men for mens . STAFFORDS NIOBE , OR His age of teares . SAd to the very Soule , bearing in my minde a discōtent , that I could bee no more discontented ; in a worde , wearie of my selfe , I on a time walked forth , hoping by some diuine meditation to abandon , and expell this hellish disposition . And being com to the place ordained by my selfe to this solemne exercise , I first lifted vp mine eies to heauen , to see what heauen would haue done vpon earth : and then again I cast them down vpon earth , to see what earth hadde done against heauen . But loe , in the entrance 〈◊〉 to this my sanctified contemplation , my olde agonie came vpon me ; I meane , a conflict betwixt mine vnequall , disagreeing passions : which forced mee to call backe the better of my thoughts , to driue back the worse . But , finding no way , whereby I might appease these implacable furies of my minde , leauing my meditation , I thus spake vnto my soule . Soule , saide I , how chaunceth it , that nothing can content thee so much as discontent ? Is not this rotten body , this all corruption , this worst of earth , a sufficient prison vnto thee , but that thou thy selfe must become a prison to thy selfe ? To these my demaunds shee thus makes answer ; that the diuell , as shee thinkes , hath committed incest with his daughter , World , who is now deliuered of an Age , frō the which the sooner it should please God to deliuer her , the better . Then soule , said I , take thy flight , & with the sharp pearcing eyes of contemplation pry into the corners of the Vniverse ; and see if within this spacious Round thou canst finde out some place , where thou maiest inioy a pure conuersation till the houre com wherin thou shalt leaue this thine impure mansion . Shee obeyed , and after long , & teadious search , shee returned like Noahs turtle , and told mee that such a deluge of sinne had ouerspread the face of the earthe , that there was no place free where vertue might treade in sa●etie . If earth then , said I , affoorde thee no comfort , lett thy conuersation be in heauen , laugh at the idle pleasures of these daies , and let not thine vnlimited appetite so much couet as contemne them ; following that rule , of Seneca , Contemnere omnia aliquis potest ; omnia habere nemo potest . Some one man , saith hee ▪ may contemne all things ; but no man 〈◊〉 haue all things . And indeed what is there in this world , on the which Enuy may not iustlie spend all her gall ? For whosoeuer shal with an inten●ine and rectified Iudgem●nt , look into this worst of ages , shall finde , that the lasciuious heathen Poets were but as wicked prophets of the wickednes to come in these accursed times ; wee hauing turned their lewde inuentions into more lewd actions . So that it seemes wee haue anatomized vice , and laied those parts of her to the open viewe , which they in modesty let lie vndiscouered . From the highest to the lowest , from the youngest to the oldest , from the Eagle to the Wren , all haue corrupted their waies , and are becom degenerate from the purity of their ancestours . Vice hath supplanted vertue : and he now a-dayes is helde the most absolute man , who is the most dissolute liuer . As now and then the humours of the whole bodie fall downe into the legges , and there make an issue : So hath the corruption of times past slidde down into the present , to the annoiance , and choaking of all that is good . This is the time foretolde by Seneca , Hab●bitur aliquando ebrietati honor ; et plurimummeri cepisse virtus erit , The time shall come , saith hee , when honour shall be ascribed to drunkennes ; and to drinke much wine shall bee helde a vertue . Pride , luxury , and ribauldry haue now their reigne , and his happinesse is greatest who followeth them the soonest . As for pride , she hath so many feathers added to her wings , that shee couereth all the earth with her shadowe . Our men are growen so effeminate , and our women so man-like ▪ that ( if it might bee ) I thinke they woulde exchange genders . What modest eye can with patience beholde the immodest gestures ▪ and attires of our women ? No sooner with them is insancie put off , but impudency is put on : they haue turned nature into art ; so that a man can hardlie discerne a woman from her image . Their bodies they pinch in , as if they were angrie with nature for casting them in so gross a mould : but as for their looser parts , them they let loose to preie vpon whatsoeuer their lustdarting eyes shalseize-vpon . Their brests they laye to the open viewe , like two faire apples : of which who●oeuer tasteth , shall be sure of the knowledge of euill ; of good I dare not warrant him . As for our men , they equall , if not surpasse this female frailtie , the qualities of their mindes being as light as the substance of their bodies is heauie . Light clothes , and a light behauior is now your onely weare , and hee your greatest gallant who canne whiffe off his gallon . O , that iniquitie were here limited ! but alas , it is not . For mens tongues are now beecome trumpets or rather strumpets to their mindes : so that what soeuer they conceiue , they not onely tell others of it , but also intice them to doe it . Lust , saith Ambrose , is feade with banquets , nourished with delights , kindled with wine , enflamed with drunkennesse ; but streight addeth , peiora tamen his sunt fomenta verborum , quae vino quodam Sodomitanae vit is mentē inebriant . But worse then all these , saith hee , is that impurity of speach , which makes drunk the minde with the sweet tasting wine of the Sodomiticall vine . Sodome , thy sinnes were fewe in respect of ours , and our iust men fewe in respect of thine . Thou peraduenture hadst three , or foure : but happy is that citty with vs that can yeelde one ; yet wee raile at thee , and seeke to be opposite to thee in al things : but in one thing wee iump with thee by following the literal sense ; to weet , that because one of thy sinnes was fulnes●e of bread , we hold it no sinne to be full of drinke . I cannot with methode proceed in this confusiō of wickednes ; nor with order , in that wher●n is so much disorder . My pen , following my hearts motiō , trembleth , the paper waxeth wan , & pale , & the inke putteth on melancholies sad hewe , when ● go about to relate , that in the mouthes of our youth , Talassio becomes a watch-word . And to put fier to this quick kindling fewell our poets haue put-to their helping hands : who therefore are rightly taxed by that last , & euerlasting Worthie of the French , diuine du Bartas . P●u te regretter oy la perte de leur● ans , Si par ces vers pipeurs leur muse trop d●serte Se perdant , ne tra not● des auditeurs la perte . Sous les mielleus appas●s de leur doctes●scrits , Ils cachent le venin , q●e lesieunes esprits Aualent a longs traicts , et du vin ●'amour yvres . Leur mauuais estomach aime les mauvais viures . In English thus . Yet would I grieue their losse of time the lesse , If by their guilefull verse their too much Art Made not their hearers share with them a part . The sugred baits of those their learned writs , Due shroude that poyson which the younger wits , Quaffe downwith breathless draughtes , & loues hot wine ( Making them homage do at Bacchus shrine ) Distempereth so their stomachs , that they feed● On such ill meates as no good humours breed . But belike our Poets think by disguising their lasciuiousnesse , vnder a veile of smooth running words , to take awaie not onelie the inquination , but the very essence of it ; which they cannot doe . For , as whether a man writeth with a coale , with chaulke , or inke , it is neuerthelesse writing : So is vice vice , vnder what words soeuer it be conueied . And these men , saith Scaliger , call vpon Phoebus , Iupiter , Pallas , together with the Muses , and inuoke diuels in stead of the true God. And the same Scaliger dooth reprehend Bembus ▪ because in a certain verse which he made , he called Iesus Christ , Heroa . That Bembus is also censured by I. Lipsius . Ipse deus rarò in stilo , aut animo , sed prisco ritu , dij immortales : idque in se●ijs maximè sententijs , aut rebus . GOD himselfe , saith Lipsius , is seldome in his stile , mouth , or minde ; but according to the ancient rights of speech , the immortall gods : and this doth he in his most serious sentences . If for everie idle , for euery vnaduised word wee shall gine account , what shall we answer for premeditated sin ? ouer which the heart a long time sitteth ho●ering as if it were vnwilling to hatch so vgly a monster . To thinke euill , is a sin ; & that mortal : to speak euill , is yet a greater : but to write euill , is in it selfe both matchlesse , and namelesse ; no word being fit to express so vnfit a worke . O that so foule a matter should be left to posteritie in so faire characters ! or that a man should with his owne hand write a confession , to condemne his own heart ! What should I say , or rather what should I not saie in so hopelesse , so haplesse a case ? onelie this then I will saie , that for shame men should haue som feeling , some remorse in eternising their owne shame , as also consider that their bodies , nay the faire frame of this spacious Rounde , shall be subiect to ruine : onlie the soule , and her actions are eternall . For , the soule being eternall , the actions proceeding from her , participate of the same eternity . The bodie , being spotted , is quickly mundified : but the soule , once branded with infamy , euer keeps her mark , and neuer becommeth immaculate . O dangerous age ! thou seducest many to errour ; but reducest none to truth : thou causest manie to fall ; but raisest vp none . And indeede , how should they stand firme , when their footting is so slipperie ? How should they resolue , when euerie thing giues them occasion of doubt ? What shal a man decree to bee truth , when hee shall see Pontius Pilate washing his handes , but not his heart ? Caiphas , pretending blasphemie , to rent his garments ? the new Scribes and Pharisies crying out to Iesus , master thou art good , though they thinke him to bee most had ? Simon Iudas selling , Simon Magus buying GOD for money ? holding a trinitie of benefices in vnitie of person : and these three are , for the most part , foure . Those who should tell Israell of her sins , and Iuda of her transgressions , doe now sooth her vp in her iniquitie ; nay , flatter the dead to please the liuing : in so much that Durus de Pascalo makes it one of his precepts , that the courtier ought to giue credit neither to funerall sermons , nor to Gallobelgicus , or other such idle fablers . I must confesse that the worde lye is vndecent , to giue to a minister ; but verie aptly applyed to Gallobelgicus , who lyeth of set purpose , and telleth truth at aduenture . Sure I am , he hath not learned , or ( if learned ) not practised that first , and chiefest lawe of a lawefull historian , which is , Vt ne quid falsi audeat , nequid veri dicere non audeat . But to my purpose , it were to be wished , that this abuse of preaching might bee reformed ; that so the laudable vse of it , might bee with the more applause , and profit continued . Mercy should be in the Preachers mouth , not flatterie : he should pronounce pardon to others ( not craue it from others ) and pronounce ( nay , denounce ) vengeance against those who renounce the ordained meanes of their saluation . Flattery , thou base , creeping sinne , thou seducer of Princes , thou obseruer of noddes , thou impudencie clad in modesty , thou fawning diuell , when shall thy dominion haue an ende ? I would my ende might procure thine . But what should I talke of thine ende , who art now in thy prime ? We haue our Clisophi , who will imitate Philip whether hee halt in minde , or in bodie : neither want we Courtiers , who though they see that Dionisius cannot see , yet they counterfait the like infirmity . Temporibusque Augusti dicendis ( they bee the words of Tacitus ) non defuere decora ingenia , donec gliscente adulatione deterrerentur . Neither wanted there , saith he , worthy , and singular wits to deliuer Augustus exploits , vntill they were by the ouerswarming of flatterers vtterly discouraged . But what base meanes will not ambition vse , where the proposed end is honour ? with her there is no impossibilitie , no difficultie : with her , things to come are as present : and what shee aspires to , she makes no doubt to attaine to . Thou mother of discontent , thou Goddesse of m●tabilitie , dwell still in the Courts of Princes ; but insinuate not thy selfe into the hearts of Prophets ; for , if they be tainted , all the worlde is deceiued . Their tongues perswade , where force cannot auaile : if in a bad cause , then mischiefe followeth . From their tongues , for the most part , Princes frame their actions : so that the former being bad , the latter are worse ▪ in as much as a bad deede out-strippeth a bad word . Yet shal they one daie answere , both for the word , & deed , of which they were procurers . Is it possible that a man should looke vp to heauen , & not thinke who gouernes earth , and heauen ? or who is so foolish , as to thinke that God wil answere an eye of dissimulatiō with the eye of mercie ? No , no : a true God cannot awaie with a false heart . Lord , that a man should think with all his ●ratory , to perswade others 〈◊〉 that which hee cannot perswade himselfe to ▪ or who is such an idiot , as to thinke to haue an army well gouerned or guided , without a good conductor ? Why , this is meere , and absurde equiuocation : as for example ; I say to another , Follow me : he straight obeyes ; when forthwith I tell him , that he must no● trace my steps , but my words . These men are worse then the Scribes , and Pharisies , whom Christreprehended for saying , and not doing : for , these men doe not onely saie and not doe , but also doe and not say ; as being indeede ashamed to saie what they doe . All other things they know : onelie what is most worthie to be knowen , they knowe not ; which is , to knowe themselues . Yet how is it possible they should not know themselues , since they know that God knoweth & searcheth both the heart , and reines ? though some of them , I feare , would be content that God should search their hearts , so hee would lett their reines alone . Oh prophanenesse ! that the same hand which lifteth vp the Cupp in the Communion , should lift vp pot after pot in an Alehouse ; and offer more sacrifice to Bacchus , then to Iehoua : a vice which whosoeuer giues him selfe ouer to , God giues him ouer to execute the inuentions of a dist●●bed Intellect . Which I think the Lowecountry men allude to , in calling their strongest beere double Pharaoh ; their strong beere , in a lower degree , 〈◊〉 Phar●o● ▪ and their small beere Israel ; intimating thereby that the stronger the beere is , the more it makes a man to rebell against God ; and the smaller it is , the more it leaues the soule to her selfe , and renders her freer from the sen●ualitie of the bodie , and makes a true child of Israell . Looke how a passenger in a thicke darke mist is sad , as doubtfull which waie to turn : euen so Reason being blinded by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wines hot vapo●●● , 〈◊〉 pensiue , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 knowing whether she should ●ncline to vice , o● 〈◊〉 till at length shee● 〈◊〉 from vertue to vice . I haue heard a reuerend english Diuine , often compare a drunk arde to Mare mortu●m : for , as no fish by report can liue in the one ; so no vertue in the other . Amongst the very Turkes , this vice is so odious , that they reward it in whomesoeuer they finde it with 8o . stripes , making it the most detestable sinne of all , next to adultery ; to which , they a lot a hundred stripes . If heathen people do this ( whom errour leades hood-winked in ignorance , or rather ignorance in errour ) what should a Christian doe ? why should not hee leade a good , and sober life , whose name is written in the booke of life ? But ( alas ! ) for want of consideration this is not looked into . Vpon this vice depend three other ( as vgly seruants vpon a deformed master ) to wit , Quarelling , Whooring , and Swearing . The first of which hath more by tongue , then sworde , purchased to it selfe the name of valour ; which indeeds is no neerer to valour , then phrensie to wisedome . True valour biddeth a man fight pro patria , et patre patriae ; this bastarde courage incites a man to fight cum fratre , cum patre : the former perswadeth a man to be carefull not onelie that he take no iniury , but ( euen religious ) that he doe none ; the latter saith , that hee is worthy of iniury , that offers none . The one saith , Fight being prouoked ; the other sayes , Prouoke to fight . And therefore I think , that Seneca spake rather out of the greatnesse of his mind , then the depth of his wisedome , when he defined fortitude , to bee Scientia periculorum repellendorum , excipiendorum , prouocandorum : that is , a Science of repelling , of receiuing , and prouoking dangers . The latter of which is false ; seeing there is no man wisely valiant , who will not rather inuoke helpe against danger , then prouoke it . Is it not a lamentable case , to see two men christned with one Baptisme , bought with one redemption , for whom the blood of Christ was indifferentlie shedde , vppon euerye slight , and light occasion , to shedde the bloud one of another ? Or is it not a harde case , for one that pro●esseth the name of Christ Iesus , to digge for honour in the heart of a Christian ▪ And this forsooth they do for reputation . What blemish is it to my reputation to denye that in sobrietie , which I affirmed in drunkennes ? that is , to recall that as a man , which I spake as a beast ? Yet these roaring gentlemen , whatsoeuer they speake , be it neuer so bad , will make it good . Surelie , I am of opiniō , that the word duel , is deriued from the French word dueil , by reason that it makes so manie parents mourne for the vntimely death of their children , and one friend lament the decease of another . But by the way , I will giue this caution , that no man misconstrue mee , and thinke that I perswade men to cowardise : for , I am so farre from that , that I thinke a cowarde to be the basest of all creatures : & A Coward I call him , who slauishlie feareth any thing but God. For , if my Prince allow me combate , vpon dishonourable imputation of treason , and I be drawen into the lifts with a chaine of foul , disgracefull words linked together , which will so sticke to my Familie , & Race , that no time can raze them out ; the iniurie here becommeth more then priuate , ( wherof only , I take it , Christ speaks , when he saieth ; He that giueth thee a boxe on the one care , turne to him the other &c. ) For , in this case the iniurie is publike , and not mineowne : and therefore I say , standing vppon these tearmes , God refuse mee , if I refuse any man. Wherefore I could not , without much applause , reade that Motto in the Scottish armes ; In defence . For , if a man be driuen to maintaine his honour , and cleare his wronged name from perpetuall infamy ; let him then with an vndaunted spirit , and alacrity of heart sing the Psalm of Dauid , If ten thousand hemme me ●o●nde about , yet will I not feare , &c. resting confident in this , that hee hath God , and so good ● cause on his side . For , this infamie neuer leaues a man : insomuch that when his flesh forsaketh his bones , this cleaues fast to them , and the Sexton , digging vp his scull , saith , This was the head of a Traitour , & a Cowarde . But for a frowne , the trippe of the tongue , or the slip of a word , to quarrell , dominere , and sweare oathes , Que pulmo anima pralarg●s anhelet , this is far from valour : for , valour is an enemie to no vertue ; this to euery vertue , and a friend to all vice . Neither can I be indueed otherwise to belieue , but that there are many gentlemen , whose modest , ingenuous faces are free from scouls , and furrowes of wrath ; in whose hearts , notwithstanding , maiestical magnanimitie sitteth richlier clad , then in those of your roaring , angry boyes of London ; and peraduenture would giue them iust cause both to roare , and houl too . The second daughter to drunkennes is whooring , the deflourer of many a virgin , and defiler of many a wife ; a sinne which most men are addicted to by nature , and fewest freed from by grace . For though God hath separated the male frō the female , and disioyned them ; yet , I know not how , they will still desire a coniunction . The Cedars of Libanus haue fallen this way : the Patriarehs , Prophets , Fathers , and our forefathers haue here gone astray . Many a Saint hath fallen at the feet of these saints , and hath adored their adorned beautie . Yet , for men to prostrate their bodies to euerie dung-hill , and sinke into euerie sink-hole , was neuer so common , as in these later licentious times ; wherein money can buy affection , Beautie offering her selfe to hire . But , to keepe yout seruant brisk , and spruse , that the towne maie take notice of him , for a neate , compleate gentleman ; and to feede vpon the answerable report the world giues of him ; tush , this is no sinne . No no : it is no offence at all to allow him so much for euerie course ; so causing him to spend flesh for siluer , till he become so lank , and leane , that his legs are scarce able to support their late portly young master ; going still , as if hee were sitting ( occasioned through the imbecillitie of his hamme-strings ) and so dry , that a marrow-bone-man , if hee should boile his bones , could scarce get out two droppes of moisture : his eyes so hollow , that they runne backe to salute his memory , least she should forget them ▪ and his cheekes , dentingin , as if he were still sucking at a bottle . And now my braue slaue beeing a neighbour to death , beginneth to find , that all this while he hath mistaken , and worshipped a false deity , for a true : and that therefore ( though ceasing , through weaknes , to burne here in lust ) hee shal euer burne in neuer consuming fire . Where is his mistresse now ? whose praises should bee written with pennes of Angels wings ; whose drinke should bee Nectar , and Ambrosia . Hee now must leaue her behinde him , common to men , that shall one day bee common to diuels . It breedeth astonishment in mee to heare a man stile a woman , Diuine creature of a heauenlie feature , goddess of my thoughts , natures vtter most indeuour , &c. whose body he knoweth to bee compos'd of putrefaction , and shall one day come to that degree of rottennels , that ( as she now , in the nostri's of God ) it shall stink in the nostrils both of men , and beastes . Reason and Religion teach a man ( as her remembrancer ) thus to court his Mistress : Faire Queene of dust and durt , will it please your eueryhower-decaying maiestie , after some fewe yeares , or moneths , or daies , to haue th●se star-shining eyes of yours eaten out with wormes , and the holes become cages for cankers ? when your delicate , ( mooth body shall be enfolded in earths rugged armes ; and your soft , swelling , moist , ruby lippes be kissed by her mouldy mouth ; whē your pure red , and white , shall be turned into poore browne , and blacke ; and that face which hath driuen so many into consumptions , shall it selfe bee consumed to nothing . Yet , for all this , our young gentlemen will not forbeare their amorous profane louediscourses ; but yeelde as much honour to women , as to their Maker . These men are rightly taxed by a late writer , where he saith , Quorum sermonis venus ipsa Venus . Reason , thou bright star which directest the wise man to the god of wisedom , thou eye of the soule , why dost thou suppress thy clear-shining beames , and leauest the soule of man in darknes . Wert thou truelie mistress of the minde , thou wouldest neuer suffer a commandresse of elaie and clods , to subdue and conquer it . For , take this for an infallible position , that Sinne neuer enters the will of man , till defect his reason . Mens liues , together with the states of their soules , now-adaies , depend vpon the voice of a woman : and they are more penitent for one duty omitted towards her , then for a thousand offences committed against God. For the one they craue mercie : for the other they care not , but mock at iustice . Mors , et vita , saith Salomon , in manibus linguae : death , and life , saith he , are in the hands of the tongue . Surely , saye these doating doltes , Salomon in this place m●an●th the tongue of a womā . O stupidity of man ! to come at the becke of a woman , stoop at her frownes , hold his 〈◊〉 ●rom ●ence 〈◊〉 those 〈…〉 For the first , they ( finding through their daily discourse with men , that their words are esteemed Oracles , nay , articles of faith ) do challenge to themselues such a freedome of speach , as to vtter that without shame , which the standers-by are both ashamed & abashed to hea● . You shall see a wench , a● thirteene , haue more au●●city then a man , at thirtie , 〈◊〉 him to the encounter , and 〈◊〉 ●●thes with him by the douzen . They haue so little grace , that they 〈…〉 it a great disgrace to blush ▪ and that which in those formor , purer times was the badge of modesty , is now thought to bee the onely marke to knowe a foole by . Besides this , there is a lasciuious impudency , or rather vndecency , borne and bred in this our natiue soil , which no other Nation is acquainted with ; I meane , a wanton sport in publike , betweene man , and wife . Let mee perish , if more soules of our youth perish any other way ; then this . For , there are but two estates of men : the one married , the other vnmarried ▪ the one bound , the other free : so that the one cannot abuse his owne calling , without giuing the other occasion on to transgresse in his . But whether this kissing , and lap-dalliance be through the default of the husband , or the wife , it is a great offence in either . It pleaseth not me , though spoken by an Emperour , Giue me leaue by the lust of others , to exercise mine owne ; though a witty , yet a wicked speech . Wife is not onelie a name of pleasure , but of honour : though our men cannot discerne this ; but rather answere with Aristippus , who being tolde that Lais loued him not ; no more , saith he , doth ●●in● nor fish , and yet I 〈◊〉 be vvithout them . A true beast , respecting more the sensuall pleasure , and appetite of the body , then the harmonie , and vnion of the minde . A man ought not to imbrace his wife , without a flattering kinde of s●●●●itie : for , this publike billing sheweth the way , to vnexperienced youth , to commit riot in priuate . And Cato accused one before the Senate , for that he had kissed his wife , before his neighbours daughter : A short , yet wise speech and of a hidden vse . Neither by this often , and open smacking is shame onelie diminished ; but by little , and little chastitie abolished . The verie Elephāts crie-out against them ; who , as Pliny writeth , make not the least loue one to another , except they be couered with boughes . Wherefore when the scripture saith , Therefore shall a man leaue his father , and his mother , and shall cleaue to his wife , and they shall bee one flesh ; the literall and sensuall sense is not here to bee followed : for , beasts can cleaue to one another in this obscene maner , as well as man and wife . But , if the woman be culpable in this behalfe , it is so much the more intollerable , by how much ( of the twaine ) shee should bee the more shamefaste . She ought euer to prize a bashful countenaunce , before a paynted one that cannot blush : and should be so farre from proffering these vnseemely loue-trickes ; as rather , at the least lewde looke , or touch , to present the beholders eyes , with modesties red badge , in waie of mislike . To the same ende did the Romanes of olde , carrie before the married couple , fier , and water ( the former representing the man ; the later , the woman ) what else signifying , then that the woman should expect till heate bee infused into her by her husband ? it being as much against the nature of an honest spouse , as of the coldest water , to boile of her selfe ; and on the contrarie side , that the bridegroome should distill warmth into his water , and heate it , but not ouer-heate it . The bashfull , and well disposed wife should repose her selfe on her pallet , and there with emulation contemplate that answer of the Lacedemonian lasse , who being asked in the morning by her friend , whether , or no , in the night she had infolded her husband in her armes , replied ; Good words , good man : not I him , but he me . Oh diuine song of a refined creature ! whose tongue vnlocked the treasure of her hearts chastiric . The next vice in women is pride , arising from the lauish , and lasciuious praises of men ; which , women knowing too well how to applie to themselues , becom so proud that they scorne earth , and are scorned by heauen . For euery one that is proude in heart , i● abhomination to the Lord. And in another place it is said , The Lord will destroy the house of the proude . But hearken , you miserable vnfortunate Dames , to that which the Lord saith in the third of Esay : Because the daughters of Sion are hautie , and walk with stretched-out necks , and with wandering eyes , walking , and minsing as they goe , and make a tink●ing with their feete ; therefore shall the heads of the daughters of Sion be balde , and the Lord shall discouer their secret parts . In that day shall the Lord take-away the ornament of the slippers , and the calls , and the round tiers , the sweete balls , and the bracelets , and the bonets , the tires of the head , and the slops , the headbands and the tablets , the eare-rings , the rings , and the mufflers , the costly apparel , and the veiles , and the wimples , and the crisping pinnes , and the glasses , and the fine linnen , and the hoodes , and the lawnes ; and in stead of sweet sauour , there shall be stink ; & in stead of a girdle , a rent , and in stead of dressing of the haire , baldenesse : and in stead of a stomacher , a girdle of sackecloth ; and burning , in stead of beauty . Then shall her gates mourne , & lament ; and she being desolate shall sitte vppon the ground . Amongst these menaces of GOD , some haue already lighted vpon our women , as baldenesse , and burning ; many of our men gaining burning in stead of beautie : and the restare as yet to fall ; whose weight will bee so heauie , as that it will crush these tender offenders . O! I could lash pride , and bee bitter towards these sweets , but that I knowe my words would goe into winde , and be rather scoffed at , then regarded . I could tell them of setting borrowed teeth into their pale , bloudless gums ; how they ouerlaie yellowe with white , in so much that in an howres space they will make a man belieue that the yellowe Iaundies is turned into the greene sickenesse ; how they turne their blacke bloud ● into faire crimson , and set that Baude , Art , to bedaube Nature . I could tel them also of their prodigalitie in apparell , but that it concerneth not all in generall , but onely some in particular . Honour , as of her selfe shee is bright , and glorious ; so wee allow her like raiment correspondent to her splendour , to the end that shee may be discerned from the base vulgar . But that euerye blurt ( who is only a gentlewoman of two moneths standing ) should be clad like a Queene ; this ( I thinke ) is more then any wise man will yeeld to . Another kinde of base pride hath possessed our womē , so that they think a man poor in spirit , that is not rich in cloathing . Bring me a gentleman of a great , far-famed family , whose mightie ancestours haue spent their bloud to crowne their bloud with vertues diademe , and left behinde them triumphant trophees of their vncontrouled greatnes : and , to associate this Pirocles , bring mee a Dametas , who hath of late extracted gentility out of dung ; if this foist be more fine then the former , his entertainement shal bee rich , and sumptuous , the others poore and beggerly . But this is not onelie a fault in this frailer sexe , but also in men of eminency ; who though they should be the eyes of our Iland , yet their sight is dimmed with this foggy mist . If one man excell another as farre in height of knowledge , as heauen earth in distance ; yet hee that is the best able in purse shall be iudged worthiest of preferment , and imployment . Seneca had lied in his throate if he had saide in our time , Nemo sapientiam paupertate damnauit : for , as the world goes now , the inversion would be most true , Quiuis sapientiam opulentia approba●it . Pouerty , thou veile of wisedome , curbe to the minde , thou common enemie to vertue , through thee Natures greatest gifts passe vnrespected , and the best deserts vnrewarded . How many braue spirits ●urke , and become pliable to wretched seruitude , and all for want of meanes to declare their meaning ? I haue seene a decayed merchant put-on the spurs of him who in times past made clean his shooes ▪ & man him whose master hee was once : but he did it not without an eye of indignation . Why , pouertie fashioneth a man to any thing ; Nobilium familiarum posteros egestate venales in seenam de duxit , saith Tacitus . Wherefore I cannot but meruaile at the sottishnesse of the Papists , who teach men to vow pouertie : which in it selfe is euill , as Beckermane a late dutch writer very wittilie proueth against the Stoickes ; where he saith , that a free prae●lection , is not but of good , nor a free shunning but of euil . If then they grant , saith hee ( as indeede they doe ) that health , riches , libertie are to be chosen , and ( on the contrary ) diseases , pouertie , griefe to bee auoided ; they yeeld perforce , these to bee bad , those to be good . For my part , would riches come for the vowing , it should be the first vow I would make , and bless God for them as blessings bestow'd vpon the blessed ; the want of them being as a punishment laied vppon man to bring him vnto God , and to the knowledge of himselfe : which if a man do attain-to in prosperitie , what needeth humiliation ? O penury ! through thy perswasions , kings think Cottages Kingdomes , and subiect themselues to their owne subiects . Thou monster , thou cunning Artist , thou transformer of men ( that of a gentleman , canst make a scullian , of a prince a pesant ) craule along with plebeians ; but mount not the backe of vnsaddled honour , nor goe about to iade the generous : for , if thou doest hee will fling thee , though himselfe lye by it . Thus haue I assaied to swim against the current of swift , vnstaied humors : and if my labour may amend others , it shall sufficientlie commende itselfe . Yet , whether it do , or doe not , I must and will write , because my spleene is swollen . To this purpose speaketh Seneca , Quare verbis parcam ? gratuita sunt . Non possam scire an eiprofiturus sim , quem admoneo : illud scio , alicui me profiturum , si multos admonuero . Spargenda est manus . Non potest fieri vt non aliquando succedat , multa tentanti Why should I spare wordes ? saith he . I know not whether , or no , I shal profit him to whom I write : this I am sure of , that in warning many , I shall doe good to some . Much happeneth to him that trieth much and if this hand sprinkle , it cannot bee but other hands will gleane . By whose counsell being hartned I will proceede , & scourge the hard-hearted world , and so I descend to womens third frailtie , to weet , losse of chastititie . A losse , said I ? a losse to her that loseth it , and a losse to him that gaines it . For , when a man hath with much losse of time , expense of mony , neglect of friends , chased this tame game , and made a preye of it ; then , I saie , satietie of one makes him loue varietie of all , and he thinkes her easie to be lost who is no harder to bee wonne . O what seas of vnequall passions keepe their dailie ebbe , and flow in him ? To-day hee coueteth what to-morrow he loatheth : his minde is with a little thing erected , with a less deiected : hee pursueth that with a great desire , which once obtained hee abandons with a greater : one and the same thing in one , and the selfe same houre bringeth him content , and discontent : he laughs , he weeps , hee pines , hee repines , not knowing ( himselfe ) why . At last , he learneth , that praise is the Pandar to lust ; and therefore with mellifluous speeches charmes her listning eares : and the fortresse of her eares being wonne , the bulwarke of her heart is conquered . And now he hath her , hee cannot keepe her long , hee must haue sharers ; for , her eares are open to flattery : and who knowes not , that complement is a sure friend to copulation ? His onelie course therefore would be , to change his mistresse into a master , who is yesterday , to-day , & the same for euer . But the best iest is , that some of our young novices , our guls passiue , are so cheated , as that they spend the best remainder of their daies in courting mercenary whoores , and make a long sute before they can obtaine . It is not onely flesh will make one of these haukes stoope to the lure ; but she must haue siluer too : which , my young practician not being acquainted with , maketh his request in vaine . When hee speakes of loue , she lookes so strangely as if shee heard a miracle , swearing shee neuer as yet sawe any man who could gaine the least corner of her heart . He belieues all ; and ( like a kinde natured man ) presents her with rich gifts , desiring no gift from her but her selfe : which she ( with a pittifull looke ) condescends to , exclaiming against Fortune for subduing her to man ; when God he knowes shee hath beene as common as a Retraict . And now my plaine , downe-right squire ( who neuer before was further then his fathers winde-mill ) in taking is taken himselfe with a hooke that will not easily let him goe ; and many a land-knaue , and sea-gull shall feede vpon the reuenewes of his purse , and he shall be called patron till all his patrimonie bee spent . Their soule dieth in youth , saith Iob , and their life among the whooremongers . But it were good heere to spurre a question , and aske whether a whoore hiring , or hired , is the more detestable in the sight of God ? The scripture determines , and iudgeth , that a woman , taking money for prostituting her body to men , is infamous ; but she that giueth money to enioye her louer , is most infamous of all others . All are abhominable before the Lord : and therefore Salomon in his Prouerbes saith , that the mouth of a strange woman , or an harlot , is as a deepe pit : hee that is a detestation to the Lord shall fall therein . And in another place , hee saith ; A whoore is as a deepe ditch , and a narrowe pit . Noting thereby , that if a man be once in with an harlot , hee shall as hardly get out againe , as a man that is plunged into a very deepe , and narrowe pit , where he can hardlie stirre himselfe . The same Salomon , in the booke of Ecclesiastes , yeeldeth vs the reason heereof ; namely , because shee is as nets , snares , & bands ; where if a man be once in , he is fast enough for getting out . I finde , saith he , more bitter then death , the woman , whose heart is as nets , and snares , and her hands as bands : hee that is good before God , shall be deliuered from her ; but the sinner shall be taken by her . O that flesh , and bloud would listen to the aduise of the spirite , and follow the counsell of the wise man ! Desire not , saith he , her beautie in thine heart ; neither let her eye-lids catch thee : for , by a who●rish woman a man is brought to a morsell of bread : and the adultresse hanteth for life which is pretious . Again he saith ; Albeit the lippes of an harlot droppe as an hony combe , and the roofe of her mouth be softer then oyle ; yet her latter end is bitter as wormewood , and as sharpe as a two-edged sword . Chastitie , art thou fledde from Christians to Pagans ? Virginity ( thou , in whom Antiquity did glorie ) canst thou finde no moderne person worthy thy presence ? The ancients honoured the very title of virgine , so much , that they thought virgo to be named ● virtute : that as Vertue is vnspotted ; so Virginitie should bee vncorrupted . They all concurred in applause of this estate : but they differed in degrees of praise ; some of them thinking virgo to bee deriued ● vir● ; because they hauing passed their tender yeeres , desire the societie of man. Others thought virgo to be so nominated a vigore , because they flourish most in those yeeres . Others deduced virgo à virga : not because they are scourges to men ; but they called them so ab atate viridiori : because that as greennesse is a token of the spring ; so those green , tender yeeres are markes of virginity . Some compared a virgin to a Lilly : the similitude was this ; they thought the six leaues of the Lillie did represent the heart and the fiue senses in a virgin , which ( like the former six ) should be kept fresh , hauing no sauour of euill : and that as those leaues are spread abroade ; so maiden-actions should be open : not close , nor secret ; but secure , as able to indure the most searching eye . How manie plantes , riuers , springs , temples , cities did they consecrate to the name Virgine , and gaue them that name ! They thought the same difference to bee between matrimonie , and virginity , that is betwixt to sin , and not to sinne , good , and better . And therefore Hierome in his exposition of the Psal . Homines et iumenta saluabis domine ; Per homines , inquit , intelliguntur solae virgines , per iumenta reliqui omnes . Him followes Albertus Magnus . Continentia , inquit , habet fructum triplicem : scilicet , ●entesim●m in virginibus , sexagesimum in viduis , et tricesimum in coniugatis . Continence , saith he , hath a threefolde degree , or condition : i● virgins it bringeth forth a● hundred , in widdowes threescore , and in the wedded thirtie . Scripture runneth cleane , and cleare on our side : which the passages following demonstrate . 1. Corinthians , 7. 1. Kings 2. Wisedome the 3. Matth. 19. Esay 56. Syrach . 26. But , amongst all these places , this one in the Reuelatiō is most of all to be noted . And they sung as it were a new song before the throne , and before the foure beasts , and the elders : and no man could learn that song , but the hundreth , forty , and foure thousand which were bought from the earth . These are they which are not defiled with women , for they are virgins : these followe the Lambe wheresoeuer he goeth ; these are bought from men , beeing the first fruits to GOD and to the Lambe . And in their mo●ths was found no guile : for , they are without spot before the throne of God. These are words that would inforce any sober soule to imbrace that single , simple , and sincere kinde of life , approued by God , Saints , and Angels ; as beeing free from all vncleannesse , and voide of all cankering cares . Yet how many now-adaies , would be ranked among virgins , who indeede are ranke whoores ? how manie are courted , who deserue to be carted ? Had Iob liued in our houres , he neuer should haue needed to haue made a couenant with his eyes , least at any time they should looke vpon a maide ; for , he should scarce haue found any to looke vppon . So farre is Chastitity exiled , so much is shame empaired , as that impudency and women are almost become Relatiues . And the cause of this , is vaine periured man ; who , notvsing his tongue to glorifie him that made it , imployes it to flatter , deceiue , dissemble . And when hee hath obtained his purpose , what is his victory ? That he hath seduced a woman ? A hot conquest surely , to enter and ouercome a citty whose gates stand open day , and night . Yet barre I not anie man , from admiring the Creatour in the creature ; nor from beholding beauty : which , as one saith , is radius di●inae pulchritudinis , a be●●e darted into man from that diuine beautie . The Platonians were so enamoured of this amiable goddess , that they thought beautie to bee like a circle , whose center they made goodness : and they were of opinion that as a circle cannot bee without a center , no more can a faire , and comely bodie be without a maiesticall mind . The Hebricians confound fairenesse with goodnesse , in calling that faire which is good , that good which is faire . And therefore when it is said , that Sara seemed very good in the eies of the Aegyptians , the meaning of the text is that shee seemed very faire . Neither did the Graecians separate this beautifull yoke , but ioy ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . August . saith , Consuetudo scripturae est etiam speciosos corpore bonos vocare . It is an ordinary thing in the holie scripture , saith he , to call the faire of body good of minde . Columella saith , that the Bees choose the fairest , and the best formed to be their king . Pythagoras was led by beautie beyond reason : so that he falsely imagined the frame of the bodie to represent the state of the minde , and that the crookednesse of the body was a signe of a wracked conscience ; so that he could not be of an vpright minde who was not vpright of body : and therefore hee caused to bee written ouer his schoole , that no disproportioned fellow should enter there ; for , he would not giue countenance to any deformed countenance . Which sentence of his is wiselie , and iudicially contradicted by S. Bernarde . Est , inquit , nigredo quaedam foelix , quae mentis candorem coniunctū habet . There is , saith he , a certaine foulenesse of complexion which is accompanied with fairenesse of disposition . I , I : the gifts of the minde are able to shadowe the defects of the bodie ; but the perfection of the bodie is no way able to hide the imperfections of the minde . Although I thinke obstinacie her selfe will confesse , that that of virgill is most true , Gratior est pulchro veniens è corpore virtus : Yet , as true it is , that virtus et forma rarò cōueniunt : vertue , & beauty seldom shake hands . One onlie haue I seene ( since first I could see ) admirable for both ; in whome they so sweetly kissed each other , as that it would make Hatred her selfe loue to see them . When I first beheld this glorious Architecture , this Natures choisest Art , I straight concluded , that heauens fairest Iewell was there locked vp in earths richest cabinet . Now resteth it , after a long digression , that we examine the third property of a drunkard , to weet Swearing . This vice , of all other , carrieth the most detestation with it ; because it bringeth least delight of all other . For all other vices , a man may wring out some excuse from Nature , to lessen their greatnesse : but , this admitteth no veile at all . What a desperate case is it , for a man in mirth to sweare by that bloud , the remembraunce of which would strike sorrow to the most obdurate hearts ! that bloud , I say , the losse of which gained redemption to the whole world . A good Christiā would shed teares , to thinke that that bloud was shedde , a drop whereof is able to clarifie an Ocean of disturbed sinne . Mee thinkes , relenting thoughts should wound the heart of a Christian , in naming the wounds of Christ . But , where reuerence is laied aside , there deuotion is cold . God saith , that if we doe not feare ; and dread his glorious , and fearefull name Iehoua , he will make our plagues wonderfull . Hee saith also by his Prophet Malachy , that he will be a swift witnesse against swearers . The Prophet Zachary saith , that the flying booke of Gods curse and vengeance shall enter into the house of the swearer , and he shall be cut off : Wee may well take vp the olde complaint of the Prophet Ieremy , who saith , that in his time the Land did mourn because of oathes . The tongue alone of man is able to worke mans condemnation , without any notorious action . And let vs consider the ingratitude of man to God. God blesseth man ; man curseth God : God blesseth the earth to man ; man blasphemeth against God , and heauen : God reuealeth himselfe to man ; man reuileth the name of God : in a word , God made not man in vaine ; man taketh Gods name in vaine . And yet these swearers , when they haue searched the very entrailes of God for an oath , they can hardly gaine beliefe , except it be from some plaine meaning man , or weake woman . They may couzen all sorts of men with this their damned Art , but one ; and him they cannot cheate . Lett them sweare to an vsurer , that it lyeth in his power to oblige them to him ; he will reply againe , that it lyeth not in his power to doe it without an obligation : for , he will haue a gage , and yet engage them too . This man is too wise to be caught by his neighbour ; and yet hee catcheth at his neighbours substance . Co●etonsnes , saith Saint Paul , is the roote of all euill . The same Apostle saith , that the ende of all such as minde earthly things , is damnation . They doe not rightlie vnderstande those words of Christ , when hee saith , Though a man hath aboundance , yet his life consisteth not in the things that he hath . Doubtlesse , saith the Prophet Dauid , man walketh in a shadowe , and disquieteth himselfe in vaine : he heapeth vp riches , and cannot tel who shal gather them . But , they haue a sufficient torment laied vpon them heere in this world : which is implied in these wordes ; Hee that loueth Siluer , shall not bee satisfied with siluer . Hee carkes and cares , hee hoordes and rakes-vp ; yet no satietie can cloy him . He hath wealth : yet hee will scarce vse it , though to purchase his owne health ; but sterues his poor hide-bound carcasse , and impouerisheth his bodie to enrich his purse . He is neuer secure ; hee cannot heare the winde whistle , but he thinks it to bee the call of a thiefe ; & if a storme com , he straight diuines the ruine of his ship at sea , or of his house on land . But , God were not iust , if he should giue content to that conscience , which makes warre against Widdowes , and Orphanes , and insults ouer pouertie . Thou sterne-fronted , hard-hearted man , thou terrour of the poore , thou that sufferest the image of God to decay when one penny of thine may repaire it , thou that lettest one of those little ones sterue for a morsell of bread ; thou little thinkest that their Angels behold the face of their heauenly Father , and pleade for iustice against thee vniust . The voice of the beggar beggeth for reuenge against thee : Which God will heare , and pay thee with Sulphur , whē that bodie of thine shall render-vp it selfe to neuer-consuming flames ; & thy mercilesse soule ( which being voide of pittie , did depriue the needie of comfort ) shall be depriued of the presence of him , whose absence possesseth the soule with more horrour , then the fier can the bodye with torment . Who shall receiue then the Interest of thy money ? these that laugh at thee , for keeping thy coyne that they might inioie it ? It is better bestowed vpon them , then vpon thee : for , they reioice in it ; thou hadst not it , but it had thee . Vsurie , thou bane to manie a distressed gentleman , thou deuourer of the oppressed , thou nipper of mirth , thou vnpleasant toyle , thy sinne is so weightie , that it makes passage for it selfe , through earth into hell . Yet knowe I their common caution , with which they vse to cloake these their intolerable wrongs ; to weet , that a man may let out money to vse , so he giue it not in morsum ; when I le be sworne they giue it in dorsum , and laye on such loade that they breake the backes of manie decayed men . Sure , it was auarice which first made theft so capitall a crime ; it hauing in this our Land a greater punishment allotted to it then adultery , and many more enormous , hainous crimes . I knowe no reason why adulterie should not be rewarded with death , as well as theft , but onelie this ; that whereas man accounts of his wife , but onely as flesh of his flesh , and bone of his bone , he esteems of his coyne , as soule of his soule . It is Auarice , that makes greedie fathers force their children to seeme to like what indeed they loath , and to take vnto them one for better for worse , then whome ( indeede ) they can like nothing worse . From hence it comes to passe , that age is matched with youth , fairenes with foulnes , beautie with deformitie ; which doubtlesse is farre from the first institution ; for , In the beginning ( as Christ replyed , concerning wiues , to the Scribes , and Pharisies ) it was not so . GOD at first created man , and woman , in their full vigour , that they might be full of loue one to the other . What an vnseemlie sight is it , to see an olde grandsire as frostie in flesh as haire ( whose eyes are readie to set in his head , and whose rotten lungs scarce afford him breath ) march to the Church with his young spouse , whose eyes roule in her head , whose marrow burnes in her bones , whose heate scornes colde , and in whose heart disdaine of age dooeth breede desire of youth ! According to GODs ordinance , Youth should honour , and reuerence Age : but wee no where reade , that Youth should solace it selfe in Age , or affect it . Those women , that thus marry , in my iudgement differ little or nothing from common ones : for , both sel their affection . What wil you giue me ? saies one : what will you giue me ? sayes the other . Hauing now traced Vice by her footing as farre ●s hell , we will there leaue her , to accompanie her blacke , sinnefull sire . And now let vs suppose man to be without all notorious actuall transgressions , onely considering him in his originall corruption : and wee shall finde that for all he is thus eased , hee is yet miserable euough ; and that for one comfort , he hath millions of crosses . Hearken to Salomon . I my selfe , saith he , am also mortall , and a man like all other , and am come of him that was first made of the earth . And in my mothers wombe was I fashioned to be flesh in tenne moneths : I was brought together into bloud , of the seede of man , and with the pleasure that commeth with sleepe . And when I was borne , I receiued the common ayre , and fell vpon the earth , which is of like nature , crying and weeping at the first as all other doe . I was nourished in swadling clothes , & with cares : for there is no King that had any other beginning of birth . All men , then , haue one entrance into life & a like going out . Thus farre Salomon . It were too tedious a thing here to vnfolde the mystery of mans conception , which in Philosophy is no lesse pleasing , then strange , and wonderfull . The first gift man receiues from Nature after his conception , is feeling ; the next is moouing : and after he hath receiued the vttermost of his perfect , imperfect forme , shee giues him birth . He is no sooner borne , but his reasonablesoule ( as di uining his troubles to com ) makes him bawl and crie : and , hauing nothing but humour wherewith to vent his passion , he sheddeth teares . Well , as comming from a woman , he is referred to the care of a woman ; who spends all her time ( yet all little enough ) to dresse him , to still him , to watch him , and to wipe awaie the excrements of this excrement . The first word hee speakes bewraies vanitie : and as soone as his legs are able to vnderprop the burthen of his body , he goes to vanitie . He waxeth Idolatrous , and beholdes a baby made of clouts , a woodden puppie , or a paper birde , with an eye of worship & adoration . He liued in his mothers wombe like a plant , came out from thence like a beast , and so still remaines , till institution fashion his Intellect , and make it capable of reason . Hauing now left to crie of himselfe , he is sent to school ; where he is forced to continue , and exercise this weeping trade : and there hee spendes the third part of his life , in teares , sighes , and sobs . Being thus bound in obedience , and seruitude , he desires to shake off captiuity , and will bee no more commanded , but obeyed . Hauing rule ouer others , hee cannot gouerne himselfe ; but pursues whatsoeuer passion , and humour , lead him to . Ifhe haue plenty , hee is riotous , luxurious , prodigall , not accounting of the accounts hee shall one daie giue for it . If hee liue in scarcitie , he accuseth his parents , curseth the houre of his birth , and longeth for his buriall ; and as ( in his owne opinion ) he came into the worlde , before his time ; so hee seeketh by all meanes to goe out before his time appointed . But , this by the waie is certaine , that aboundance choaketh more with riot then want killeth with despaire . Man receiues more detriment from this middle age , then either from his precedent , or subsequent . In this age he is vnruly , head-strong , violent ; neither will hee hearken to information , the begetter of reformation . And therefore the ages of man may aptly be compared to the sea : his youth may bee likened to the weather-shore , stormy : his olde age , to the lee shore , calme : and his middle age , to the middest of the Ocean ; where rough , vnmeasured , Skymounting billowes carrie this light balanced Barke , now hither , now thither ; and now and then driue her into helles harbour ( from whence sometimes the treader of waters , the commander of windes , the drier-vp of cloudes , prouidences great pilot , bringeth her back into heauēs happy hauen . For , now being come to liue of himselfe , hee cannot tell how to dispose of himselfe , nor where to spend the remnant of his dayes . If in the Court , he sees that he must crouch , bow , dissemble , put on a smooth front to his enemies , and euen lick the feete of the great . His generous minde telleth him , that a gentleman ( who is therefore called so , because hee should not degenerate from his own nature ) should not fawne , nor bend his knee when his heart rises ; but ( as Seneca saith ) induere animi sui val●um . Hee apprehends what basenesse it is , to put on a doggish propertie ; and ( as the same Seneca saith ) in consummationem dignitat is per mille indignitates erepere ; that is , to creepe vp to honour , through a thousand dishonours . Hee perceiues , a courtier must pocket vppe many a great wrong , to come to greatness ; and serue all men , that hee maie commaund all men . Fame whispers in his eare , that the Court is a Baude that will doe nothing without money , a mint of fashions , an exchange of complements , a shame to shamefastnesse , and a Scene of all obscene actions . And now he thinkes that Machiauell was vnfortunat , only in this that he divulged his villanie to the world : for , in this place more is acted then euer hee inuented . Hee was for the Theorick ; these men for the Practique . Experience telleth him , that the time is long that hangs vpon desert ; and the rewarde like to a womans fauour ; then farthest off , when it is most expected . These poore deluded men , make me call to minde an olde Christmas gambole , contriued with a thredde , which being fastned to some beame hath at the nether end of it a sticke , at the one ende of which is tied a candle , and at the other ende an apple ; so that when a man comes to bite at the apple , the candle burnes his nose . The application is as easie as the trick common ; we hauing before our eyes dailie examples of men discarded for their seruice done . After his soule hath ruminated these inconueniences , he manifestly sees that the Court is not a place suting with his disposition . Well , the Court being displeasing , he goeth into the countrey ; where he discouers Solitude ( Melancholies mute mother ) sitting in a forsaken weede , stroking her child Absence on the head . Being here , he feeles this dumbe , silent life , to be a still kinde of death vnto him . Hee is heere in the world , as if he were out of the world : hee liues more like a beast then a man ; pampring his body : but his nobler part ( for which only he breathes ) is barred from the mindes nurse , Conuersation ; and from the knowledge of strange euents , the confirmers and conformers of the minde . He learneth here , to preferre corporall exercise , before the soules recreation . The Papists are forced to goe to Church , and to receiue the Sacrament once in a yeere , or else to vndergoe the penaltie ; vvhen these voluptuous countrey-protestants neuer frequent the Church or receiue the Sacrament once in their life time . O that anie reasonable soule should valewe the pleasures of the body , aboue those of the minde ! betweene which there is as much inequalitie , as is betweene the substances they issue from . These pleasing motions of the soule , proceede from the Intellect : those brutish ones of the bodie , haue their birth from Sense , by which they are nourished . The former of vvhich , are by so much more noble then the latter , by how much the quicke , swift Intellect bettereth , & surpasseth the slowe , and dull Sense . A touch , or a taste with the body is but momentary , and abideth not a whit : but with the soule the rellish of the thing receiued remaineth for euer . The beasts thēselues haue sense : nay they haue appearing ( though not apparent ) vertues ; but none of them euer yet mounted one degree of Contemplations rising scale : by which the wise man with an aspiring zeale , ascendes the throne of God ; and seeing most things there inscrutable , in humilitie descendes again vpon his foote-stoole . O! but Gentry now degenerates : Nobility is now come to bee nuda relatio , a meere , bare relation , and nothing else . How manie Players haue I seene vpon a stage , fit indeede to be Noblemen ? how many that bee Noblemen , fit only to represent them ? Why ? this can Fortune doe ; who makes some companions of her Chariot , who for desert should be lackies to her Ladiship . Let me want pittie , if I dissolue not into pittie , when I see such poore stuffe , vnder rich stuffe ; that is , a bodie richly cladde , whose minde is capable of nothing but a hunting match , a racket-court , or a cock-pit , or at the most the story of Susanna in an alehouse . Rise , Sidney , rise : thou Englands eternall honour , reuiue , and leade the reuolting spirits of thy countrey-men , against the soules basest foe , Ignorance . But what talke I of thee ? heauen hath not left earth thy equall : neither do I thinke that ab orbe condito , since Nature first was , any man hath beene , in whome Genus and Genius met so right . Thou Atlas to all vertues , thou Hercules to the Muses , thou Patron to the poor , thou deseruest a Quire of ancient Bardi to sing thy praises ; who , with their musickes melody , might expresse thy soules harmonie . Were the transmigration of soules certaine ( which opinion as Caesar saith , the ancient Brittish Druidae imbraced ) I would thy soule had flitted into my body , or would thou wert aliue again that we might leade an indididuall life together . Thou wast not more admired at home , then famous abroade ; thy pen , and sworde being the Heraldes of thy Heroicke deedes . A worthy witnesse of thy worth , was Lipsius ; when in amazement he cried out , Nihil tibi deest , quod aut naturae , aut Fortunae adest : nothing , saith he , to thee is absent , that either to Nature , or Fortune is present . And in another place he addeth , O tu Britanniae tuae clarum sidus , cui certatim lucem affundunt Virtus , Musa , Gratia , Fortuna : O , saith he , thou bright star of thy Brittany , whose light is fedde by Vertue , the Muses , Fortune , and all graces . The verses which are extant in S. Pauls Quire at London , made in a gratefull memory of this king of knights , sufficiently declare his deserts : which verses , valour , and honour command me heere to insert . England , Netherland , the heauens , and the Arts , The souldiers , & the world haue made sixe parts Of the Noble Sydney : for , who will suppose That a small heap of stones can Sydney inclose ? England hath his body ; for , she it fedde : Netherlande , his bloud , in her defense shed . The Heauens haue his soule : the Arts haue his fame : All souldiers the griefe : the World , his good name . Lord , I haue sinned against thee , and heauen , and I am not worthy to be called thy childe : yet lett thy mercy obtaine this Boone for me , from thee ; that when it shall please thee that my name bee no more , it may ende in such a man , as was that Sidus Sydneyorum . What grace is it to me , when men report that a grasier of the same name ( the very sound of whom leaues rust behind it in Fames trumpet ) scraped vp together thousands a yeere ? whose greasy dignity in some two generations wii be Fly-blowne . And therefore I doe not enuie , but emulate , the happinesse of the late Iosephus Scaliger : who being descended from Princes , and hauing all his race in his reines , fledde the societie of wanton women ; fearing least he should beget one , who might one day destroy his family , and take from the lustre of it : and so he himselfe , like a Semi-god , gaue a Period to his Parentage . O! if a man had all his linage in his loines , it were braue smothering it there , rather then hereafter to let any crooked branch deform the beauty of the whole stocke ; or any disorderlie person either in 〈◊〉 or death to purchase infamy to his whole family . Yet doe not I cleerely see , how a man by neuer so hainous a fact cantaint his whole bloud , or kindred ; since it is euident to all men of vnderstanding that alia est cognatio culpae , alia sanguinis : neither could Esau any way disparage Iacob . But it is not a thing any way strange , if the yong gentlemen of this kingdom leaue dishonor in their houses , since their maintenance is too little to maintaine any honest course . You shall see an elder brother stalke before his traine , like Pharaoh before his host ; and his younger brother ( of the same bloud , and of a greater spirit ) come sneaking after him , as if hee were the basest of his brothers retinue . What minde can frame it selfe to such meanes ? what will not a daring spirit vndertake , rather then bee a bondslaue to his owne brother ? Non seruiam , said that Laconian lad ; et praecipitem se dedit : vpon which , Seneca , writing , saith , Qui mori didicit , seruire dedidicit , he that hath learned to die , saith hee , hath forgot to serue . And the same Seneca saith , Sapiens viuit quantum debet , non quantum potest . Epictetus , talking of the care men haue how they shall liue hereafter , crieth-out , Mancipium ! si habuer is , habeb is , si non habuer is , abibis . Aperta est ianua . Which sētences we will not English , because the doctrine is not safe , and sound . No , no : that soule which leaues her tabernacle without a licence from her Emperour , merits condemnation . As a man who escapeth out of prison , doth not thereby cleer himselfe of his fault done , but augmenteth his punishmēt : euen so that soule , which stealeth out of her fleshy Iaile without a cōmand frō that supreame magistrate , in flying temporall miserie falleth into eternall anguish , and layeth her selfe open to all that seueritie can inflict . Hoc fecit illa , saith Augustine , illa sic praedicata Lueretia ; innocentem , castam , vim perpessam Lucretiam Lucretia insuper interemit . Proferte sententiam , leges , iudicesque Romani : This did , saith he , that so much renowned Lucretia ; innocent , chast , violated Lucretia murthered Lucretia . Giue sentence , O yee lawes , and Iudges of Rome . Hauing a little wandered , let vs now at last take a view of man in his last , & oldestage . As he brought diseases with him from his last mother : so he must carry them with him to his first mother , the earth . Now commeth the Physician with his mish , mash , an hundred Simples in one Compound , and powreth it into this leaking vessell . If hee recouer , he standeth bound to his Doctour , for his life ; and acknowledgeth him , next vnder God , his preseruer . Good Iesus ! that a man should bee obliged to him for breathing , who deteines the breath in bondage , and prolongeth the houre of the soules releasement . Seneca saith , that there are some men , who though they saue another mans life , yet they doe not any way engage him whome they saue : amongst which hee placeth Physicians , and maketh this his reason ; Quia ad alienum commodum , pro suo veniunt ; because they seeke another mans profit , for their owne . Moreouer , an olde man groweth a young childe againe ; his limbs faile him ; and all the faculties of his body fade . Nay , which is worse , his diuine part beginneth to nodde , and is depriued of that subtility which runneth through all things , in , and aboue nature ; that is , conceiueth all that is not inconceiueable . And therefore Seneca thought , that it was lawfull for an aged man of an imperfect minde to kill himselfe . Non relinquam senectutem , si me totum mihi reseruabit : totum autem ab illa parte meliore . At si coeperit concutere mentem , si partes eius conuellere , si mihi non vitam reliquerit , sed animam ; prosiliam ex aedificio p●trido , a● ruenti . I will not leaue Age , saith he , if it leaue me whole , and entire to my selfe ; that is , perfect in my better , and perfecter part . But if age distract my minde , and deface her fairest parts , if it leaue me a soule , and ( as I may so saie ) no life to solace that soule : I will then leape out of this ruined , and lothsome lodging . But this is more acutely handled in Stobaeus ; where Musonius , or some other saith in this manner ; Sicut è domo exigi videmur cum locator pensione non acceptâ fores reuellit , tegulas aufert , puteum obstruit : it● et hoccorpusculo pelli videor , cùm natura , quae locauit , oculos adimit , aures , manus , pedes . Non moror igitur ampliùs : sed velut è conviuio discedo , nihil aegrescens . As , saith he , an angry vnpayed Land-lord seemeth to enforce his Tenants departure , when hee taketh away the doores of the house , vntileth the whole building , stoppeth vp the Well , and barreth him from all necessaries : euenso I seeme to bee driuen out of this body , when Nature , who lent me eyes , eares , hands , feete , taketh awaie the vertue and vse of them , so that I canne neither see , heare , handle , nor goe . I will not therefore abide any longer ; but will goe away , as from a banquet , being no way sicke , and diseased . Besides this feeblenesse of body and minde , there is another inconuenience incident to old age : to weet , that it maketh a man lesse pleasing , not sociable ; but so peeuish , curst , and crabbed , as that mildenesse it selfe cannot keepe him company . His very children are wearie of him , and wish him a portion in heauen , that so they maie haue their portions on earth into their owne hands . Yet he endureth all this patientlie , till at last his professed foe , Death , assaulteth him : to whom ( after he hath in vaine striued to maintaine life against death ) hee yeeldeth vp himselfe . Thus wee see the whole droues of calamities , which man meets with in this his earthlie pilgrimage : in which hee prooues by experience , that nothing is more true then that Italian Prouerbe , Questo mondo è fatto a scale , Chi le scende , et chi le sale . This same world is made with steppes : One falls downe , one vp leapes . Who would think , that misery wanted so much as an inch of her height ? Nay , who would imagine , that this brittle , earthen vessell could stand so many knockes , and not be broken ? yes , yes ▪ there is yet an addition to extreamity , & a plague is yet left behinde , which all the former cannot counteruaile . Religion , Religion , thou sower of dissension , and reaper of hatred , thou settest soule against soule , and bodie against bodie . Man , who by thee doth excell beastes in knowledge , by thee also doth surpasse them in enuie . Christ is diuided from Christ : that is , Christianitie is parted into sectes ▪ But , this is not contrarie to Christs fore-warning . Think not , saith he , that I am come to send peace into the earth , but the sword . For , I am come to set a man at variance against his father , and the daughter against her mother in law &c. If Christ would haue descended into particulars , he would haue mentioned also the setting of subiects against their Princes ; then which , nothing is more common with the Romish Religion . This made Parsons , that false fugitiue , that Romish runnagate , raile against his royall Queene , and Mistresse . A faire equalitie : the basest man on earth to write against a GOD , on earth ; Gods cursed , against Gods anointed . That tongue ( I dare pronounce it boldly ) shall burne in neuer quenching fire , that defames his Princes name . This detracting Traitour , with his fellowes , would haue all vertues in that , which in it selfe is nothing but sinne . Omnia vitia sunt in omnibus , saith Seneca : yet those prying malitious men would haue omnes virtutes in singulis . Detractions eyes reflect still vpon her selfe : and shee regardeth euer what is to bee approoued in her selfe , and reprooued in others : whereas indeede she should runne this race cleane backwarde , and haue an eye to those vertues which lie hid and suppressed in others , and to those vices which are most eminent in her selfe . These reproachefull Reprobates should winke at the small faults in great persons , and beare away that sentence of Austine : Non statim malum , quod minus bonum , together with that other saying of a late Writer ; Genus humanū diuinum facimus , si vitijs carens . If our Elizabeth should haue vttered those blasphemies , which some of their Popish Princes haue belched forth , they would haue thought , that the earth could not stand with her vpon it . What if she should haue saide with Fridericke , the Second , tres fuisse insignes impostores , qui humanum genus seduxerunt ; Moysem , Christum , Mahumetem ? That there were three wonderfull impostours , which seduced Mankinde ; to weet , Moyses ; Christ , and Mahomete ? What if shee should haue saied with Alphonsus , the tenth , of Spaine : Si in principio mundi ipse Deo adfuisset , multa meliùs , ordinatiúsque condenda fuisse ; That if hee had beene with God at the beginning of the world , many things should haue beene better disposed of , and with lesse confusion ! No , no : our peerelesse Princesse had nothing so horrid to lie vpon her conscience . Elizabeth , thou glorie of thy sexe , thou mirrour of Maiestie and modestie , thou resemblance of that sacred Elizabeth , look down through those thy Crystal spectacles , vpō thy meanest of subiects , who in defence of thine honor wold oppose himself againstal mortality , & expose his life to death for thee . I loued thee more then I did all the world , or more then all the world could loue thee . Incōparable , immutable , inimitable Queene ! I am not affraid to say , that generations shall call thee Blessed , although a generation of Vipers not forewarned of the vengeance to come sting thy reputation , and seeke to debase thy euer exalted name . The Queene of the South came to see Salomon : had Salomon liued in thy time , or thou in his , hee would himselfe haue come to visit the Queene of the North ; and being the wisest of men , would haue wondered to finde so much wisedome in Woman . Blessed Virgine , thou restest from thy labours , and we labour for thy rest , & with ceasseless paine striue to attaine to that endlesse pleasure which now thou enioyest . Thou abidest now farre enough out of the reach of contumelious tongues , and art secure from all , that pale enuie , or meager malice can charge thee with . There is no greater signe that thou wast vertuous , then that thou art maligned of all who are vitious . For , as a great bodie is not without a like shadow : no more is any eminent vertue without imminent detraction . Mee thinkes , that Calumny should ende with the carkasse of her subiect , and not haunt the graue till the last bone be consumed . Which to effect , Solō made a law , that no man should speake ill of the dead : and his reason was , for feare of immortall enemies . But they will not sticke to write against the dead , who are not affraid to write against the liuing . The same forenamed perfidious Parsons , hath , with little reuerence , written a booke against his liuing King. O , for some coniuring lawes , to lay these rouing , rauing tongues ! Is it not a madde world thinke you , when euery braine-sick , giddie-headed , pamphleting companiō shal presume to vpbraide & beard mighty Monarchs ? Wherefore hot spirited Luther ( though otherwise a stout souldier in Christs Church militant ) is not to bee excused for his vnreuerent speeches of Henrie the eight of England . The mildest tearmes hee vseth , are , Momus , mimus , and stultus : nay , at the length , his presumption swelleth so big , that he changeth the name Henry into Pharaoh , and calles all his Courtiers , Iannes and Iambres . Vnlimited Luther , thou verities chiefe champion , I am altogether as vnable to censure thee , as to equall thee : yet my neuer dying zeale to my euer liuing Princes● forceth mee to tell thee , that these thy misse-beseeming words did not proceede from diuine inspiration , but from humane passion . This is a thing rare with Luther , and vnexpected from him : but nothing is more vsuall with the defenders of the Papacie . They not onlie allow to reuile and mocke a a King , but also to murther him . Which damnable doctrine François de Verone Constantine mainetaineth , when he saies : L'Action de Clement est loysible , et le coup qu'il a donnè à Henrie 3. estoit du mesme endroict , que celuy de lulian l'apostat , c'est a dire du ciel . The Actiō , saies he , of Clement is lawful : & the blowe which he gaue to Henry the 3. was sent from whence that of Iulian the Apostate ; that is , frō heauen . Is there then no difference to be put betweene a persecutour and a professour of Christ ? Of the former of which , it is said , Iaculabatur sanguinem in Galilaeum : of the latter it may besaid , effusit sanguinem pro Galilaeo . The same Writer after he hath railed his fill at Henry the 4. in saying , that he was not l'oingt de Dieu , who was loing de Dieu , nor more rightly king of France , then he who in the Gospell is called Prince of this World ; at last he bursteth out into these wordes , which point at murther , C'est vne chose louable , de sauuer tant de milliers d'hommes tant presents , qu'auenir , de la damnation eternelle . It is , saith he , a thing praise worthy , to saue so many millions of men , as well present as to come , from eternall damnation . Hee saith also , that Gerard who killed the Prince of Orange did that act , Pour le bien de la vertu , for vertues good : and againe he saies , Gerard , le coeur luy estant arrachè , rendit ainsi son ame à Dieu : Gerard , saith he , his heart being torne frō out of his body , rēdred his soule vp vnto god . But , what will not this author vndertake ? whose book is written in defence of Chastelet , who essayed to slaye the late murthered King of France . What odious enterprise will not a bad impudent spirite seeke to make good ? I thinke , there would not bee wanting a seditious turbulent soule , to write against GOD , for his vniust throwing downe of Lucifer . Surely , some penne or other wil paint forth that accursed Rauilliake for a Saint on earth , and of a monster make a Martyr . That rauenous Rauilliake glutted himselfe with the bloud of that king , in whom were eminently contained all the vertues of all the French kinges since Pharamond . The minutes of that houre , the houre of that day , the day of that weeke , the weeke of that moneth , the moneth of that yeere , wherin that nothing-fearing Phaetō had his downfal , France shall euer holde both ominous and odious . Griefe gripes my heart when I think , that the Mars of men receiued his deaths blowe from a pen-maker , a Pedagogue . A late French Writer hath composed a short Treatise to prooue that the sword is more proper to the French Nation , than to any other . Which though I deny ; yet I would easily yeelde vnto him , that the sworde was more proper to the late French king , then to any of his ancestors , or to his liuing equalls . He was a king of the sword , and of his word ; whose word was his sword , & whose sword was his word : for , where his word could not warrant , his sword bore sway . Out of the ashes of this Phoenix another bird is risen ; whose feathers , I feare me , will not bee able to beare him the flight and pitch his Sire sored . Well , France hath lost her Soueraigne : & we were neere losing ours . How often hath God pulled our King , out of Treason's murthering mouth , and out of the iawes of death ? When that Powder-plot ( a treason , at the which , Fiction her selfe stoode affrighted ) was readie to lay holde on him , then God deliuered him . But I do not think , if Faux , or rather Fax , had giuen fire to the powder , that it could haue deuoured that sacred assembly . What ? he that deliuered the children of Israell out of Egypt ; hee that led them through the red sea , without wetting of their feete ; he that fed them without any ordinary bread for the space of fortie yeares in the wildernesse ; he that caused the Sunne to stand still ; hee that caused the Sun to goe backewardes at the prayers of king Hezechiah ; he that raised the dead ; hee that did so many wonders and miracles ; could not hee also haue changed the propertie of Powder ? No doubt , but hee could and would haue sent the force of it down-wards , making a passage through the earths hollow wombe into hell , & there haue blasted the black Diuell with his vnhallowed Senate of Popes , the inuentours and fautours of this vnheard-of attempt . It can be none other but the diuel , that biddeth a traitour pick out GODS chosen to butcher . If the Diuell ( vpon my soules altar I sweare it ) would take me vp to the pinacle , as hee did my heauenly Maister , and saie to me , all this will I giue thee to kill thy earthly Maister ; had hee power to performe his promise , I would not doe it : but , rather then tentation should win this fraile flesh to spill the numbred drops of that royall bloud , I would first let out all mine owne . Me thinks my Sauiour whispereth in mine eare , and telleth mee , that his bloud shall not cleanse the polluted soule of that man , that dies with that bloudy thought . But the Iesuites are the ring-leaders to this troop of king-slayers : which , whosoeuer readeth their bookes shall soon perceiue . For mine owne part , I had with no small paines gathered together their doctrines , concerning this point ; meaning indeed to printit : but I was preuented by Anticoton ; who made a discouerie of the slaughtering ambush they lay for Princes . Which book is turned into English ; the Translatour being in nothing inferiour to the Authour . But , it is nothing strange if these Iesuites bee bloudy ; seeing the first of their Order was a souldier . He was a Spaniard by birth ( which makes them loue that soile so well ) his name Ignatius , so called ab igne , as one that should incense subiects against their Soueraignes , and set the whole world on fire with sedition and dissension . Incredible things are reported of this man , by those of his owne coat . Ribadeneira , who hath written his life , sayes , that this Ignatius kneeling on a certaine daie before the Image of the spotlesse Virgin Mary , there arose an earthquake . Surely , the earth trembled to feele the weight of such a Monster . One thing the Authour reports of this Ignatius ; whereunto I giue credit , since his succeeders do the same : & this it is ; Ignatius disputauit cum Mauro de Maria Virgine : & cùm ex verbo Dei hominem refutare non potuit , pugione confodere voluit aduersari●m . Ignatius , saith he , disputed with a Moore concerning the Virgin Marie : but , when he saw , that hee could not refute him out of the word of God , he sought with his poniard to conquer his aduersarie . This holds not onelie with the women , but also with the men of this religion : for , what they cannot haue with disputing , they take out in railing and fighting . The Authour yet goes farther , and saies , Inter h●● rursus vehementissima hominē invadebat cogitatio , vt ex cellula , vbi erat , sese praecipitem daret . In the middest , faith he , of these occurrences , Ignatius was assaulted by a strong temptation , to cast himselfe headlong from the place where he was . I would to GOD , he had done it , and shiuered his necke , the prop to his false hèad , into a thousand peeces , so that Christendom might not haue had so deare a tr●all of the trecherie of his followers . They leaue a poysonous leauen in the lawlesse lumpe of their doctrine : so that whosoeuer swallowes it , his minde is infected and enuenomed . The Iesuites haue set-out Martialem Castratum : and it were a worthy work for some industrious wit , to set-out Iesuit●s Castratos , and gelde them of their guiltie doctrine . Yee liue like Gods , saith the Prophet ; but yee shall die like men : you liue like Gods , saith the Iesuite , but you shall dye by men . What should moue them to set a-broach their hogsheads , & make youth drunk with their new inuented liquor ? Why breake they their sleepes , to breake the bond of peace betweene the people and their Prince ? Why do they all this ? That their seruice may bee acceptable to the Pope their Maister ; whom they exalt , aboucthrones and principalities , and all that is called God : nay , I might almost say , that is GOD. Crux , saith Baronius , antecellit aquilas Caesaris ; gladius Petri , gladium Constantini ; & Apostolica sedes praeiudicat imperatoriae potestati . The crosse , saith hee , excelleth the eagles of Caesar ; the sword of Peter , the sword of Constantine ; and the Apostolike See out-strippeth the imperiall power . In my simple iudgement , common sense should giue a man this , that if Christ commanded his Apostles not to beare rule sicut reges gētium ; without doubt , then , non ▪ supr● Reges Iudae . And therefore Princes , learning that the Pope seeketh nothing else , but to make them his vassals , haue reiected his power and authoritie ; as finding a great difference betweene his yoak , and that of Christ . For , Christ saith , my yoake is easie , and my burthen light : whereas it may truely bee said of the Pope , that his yoake is vneasie , and his burthen not to be borne . The king our Maister seemes to yeeld him more , then Saint Austin would , were he aliue ; Neque enim quisquis nostrûm , saith he , episcopūse esse episco porū cōstituit , atque tyrannico terrore ad obsequendi necessitatem collegas suos adigit ; quando habet omnis Episcopus , pro licentia libertatis & potestatis suae , arbitrium proprium , tanquam iudicari ab alio nō possit , quomodo nee ipse potest alterumiudicare ; sed expectemus vniuersi iudicium Domini nostri Ies● Christi , qui vnus est , solus habens potestatem & praeponendi nos in Ecclesiae suae gubernatione , et de actu nostro iudicandi . But , if the Pope would be content onely to insulte ouer Bishops , it were well enough ; or if hee would but onelie take the place of Kings , hee were ( though hardly ) to bee endured : but , that he should haue the disposing of their liues , and reuenewes , no man of iudgement and honesty will allow . It cannot sinke into my head , how superstition should so bleare the eyes of so many learned men , so many yeeres together , as that they should not spy out this vsurper , and seeke to depriue him of his stollen supremacie : But ( alas ! ) in Rome now , new superstition supplies the place of ancient valour . Were Saint Paul in Rome to-day , he would vtter the same words in Campo Martio , that hee did in Mars street at Athens ; Men and brethren , I see that in all things you are too superstitious . The Church of Rome is built vpon superstition ; and maketh more of ceremonies , then of the substance of religion . Some of these ceremonies are so absurd , as I think they onely stay the Iewes conuersion . For , as Auerrhoes , in derisiō of them , said , Sit anima mea cum Philosophis , quia Christiani adorant id quod edunt ; Let my soule be with the Philosophers , seeing the Christians adore that which they eate : So maie the lewes iustly say , Let our soules bee with the olde ceremonies , since the new ones are so foolish and ridiculous . Others againe of those ceremonies are so impious , that it is a wonder that heauen doth not blast , or earth swallow-vppe the profane obseruers of them . They picture GOD the father , like an olde decrepite man ; and make him visible to the eye of the bodie , whom the eye of the cleerest minde cannot truely discerne . God made Man according to his owne image , one way : and Man , in waie of recompense , makes God according to his image , another way . I am so great an enemy to ceremonies , as that I would onelie wish , to haue that one ceremonie at my buriall , which I had at my birth ; I mean , swadling : and yet I am indifferent for that too . Tacitus saide , in his time , that Christianitie was Super stitio exitiabilis : had he liued in our time , he would haue added execrabilis . Oh that religion were once purged from the lees of the Romish grape ! that so euery thir sting soule might drinke out of the fountaine of the written Word . I would not be so presumptuous as to wish to sit either at the right , or at the left hand of my Redeemer : But , if I coulde obtaine my request at the hands of God , I would onely desire to see my natiue countrey voide of erronious doctrine , and flourish vnder a liuely , well grounded faith . Oh! but this vnion of religions is a harder thing to effect , then an vnion of kingdomes . For , in this businesse of the soule euery priuate man is a Senatour , and passeth his iudgement : No man in this can bee compelled to tread in the kings high way ; but hee will ( if it stand with his liking ) haue a path-way of his owne . That man would merite eternitie , that could reconcile the long seuered Protestants & Papists . But it is a bootlesse endeuour to essay it ; since that of Cyprian is most true : Nulla societas fidei et perfidiae potest esse . The learned , on both sides , set the ignorant together by the eares ; and-cast in boanes , to make them snarle one at another : their long studied distinctions , doe as much dull zeale , as they whet subtiltie . They teach the people to talke well , not to liue well ; alluring them to delight in controuersies , the onelie Seminaries of Heresies . They abuse that knowledge and light , which they haue , infused into thē by the father of lights : and whereas they should turn it into actions , they turne it into factions . Is it not glory enough to them , that their learning placeth them almost as farre aboue ordinarie men , as ordinarie men aboue beasts ; but that they must also clip truth , to enlarge their triumphes ? They inueigh deadly one against another , as being at deadly enmity , and striue to draw others to their parties ; employing inuention , onely to feede contention . Their reasons would make a reasonable man to laugh : and their Motiues would moue a man to be of no religion , and think Christianity a meere delusion . The Papist firmely affirmes that the Protestant is dāned ; the protestant doubts of the saluation of the papist : yet in my weake opinion , it should not bee so with the latter . For , though the papists iudge vncharitablie of vs ; yet wee should censure more fauourably of them . It is a dangerous doctrine , which the purer sort of our diuines haue of late diuulged to the world ; to weet , that all these are blotted out of the book of life , that die absolute papists . To this end saith an Eng. writer of the forementioned sect ; where is , saith he , Cyrus , Darius , Xerxes , Alexander , Caesar , Pompey , Seipio and Haniball ? Where are the Valiant Henries and Noble Edwards of England ? The wormes eat them : and what is become of their soules , is most of all to be feared . See the indiscretion of this man , in mingling Christianitie and Paganisme together . The Valiant Henries , and Noble Edwardes of England are with him in no better taking , then Cyrus , Darius , &c. and hee maketh their case common . GOD send the poore idle man to come to the place , which the Valiant Henries , and the Noble Edwards of England inhabite . Hee and the rest of his faction , need not as they doe , complaine of their pouertie ; since their owne rashnesse procures it . Rash in Hebrewe , signifieth Pauper in Latin , in English A poor man. For my part , I neuer knew a rash man ▪ that dyed rich . Their tongues are theirs : who shall controll them ? Audacitie leads them : and out of an assumed libertie , or an ill gouerned zeale , they speake they care not what , without either feare or wit. Many things are spoken ( GOD hee knowes ) from the heart , which neuer came neere the head ; and many things are thought to be vttered ex animo , which indeede issue ex animi morbo ▪ That most of our auncestours are damned , I dare not beleeue : but , I had rather determine of my successours , who liuing in the later times are more subiect to sinne , the reward of temporall and eternall death . Though our ancestours were gally-slaues to the pope , as being chained fast to Ignorance ; yet their Works leaue a sufficient testimonie of their faith . Sunt , saith Cambden , vi audio , qui monasteria , et eorum fundatores à me memorari indignantur ; dolenter audio : sed cum bona illorum gratia dixerim , ijdem indignētur , imò fortasse obliuisci velint , et Maiores nostros Christianos fuisse , & nos esse . They had fidem formatam ; we , fidem informem : they did more then they knew ; we know more then wee doe . Their ignorance was the greatest fault they had : which if it did condemne them , woe be to little knowing , yet well meaning mindes . If Christ prayed for those that crucified him , saying ; Father forgiue them : they know not what they doe ; will hee not pray for them also that praise , magnifie , and glorifie his euer-glorious name , yet in so doing , know not what they doe ? Those that teach them , shall answere for it ; according to those words of Christ : Whosoeuer therefore shall breake one of these least commandements , and teach men so , hee shall bee called the least in the kingdome of heauen , &c. where we see a punishment alloted to false teaching . Let vs defer then to censure , what shall become of them , till wee know what shall become of our selues ; which is onelie knowen to GOD. If all the Diuines in the world auouch that Hell is my portion , if That Diuinity whisper to me the contrarie , I will deride them . It were a braue thing , if one man could dispose of anothers soule , and reward it with either paine , or pleasure , according to his owne will. Yet I must confesse this ingenuously ; that I put so great a difference betweene the ancient and moderne papists , as that I resolue rather that the former are taken to mercy , then that the later either are , or shall be . The former instructed no men to destruction , with king-killing doctrine : the later teache● to make-away an Hereticke ( yet an Hereticke of their owne brain ) by any meanes whatsoeuer . God renounce me , if I had not rather bee an Heathen , then a Christiā and holde this mercilesse Axiome for currant : for , I had rather bee an honest Turke , then a knauish Christian . Papistrie and Treason now are growen to be Accidentia concomitantia ; and they giue mutuall attendaunce one on the other . Neither did the auncient Priests so worke vpon the frailtie of silly women , as these doe : neither were they so lecherous , as these are . These are they whom Saint Paul pointeth at , saying ; For of this sort , are they which creepe into houses , and leade captiue simple women laden with sinnes , and led with diuers lusts . Yet , for all this , our Puritans ought not to giue definitiue sentence against them ; but referre it to him , who will haue mercie on whom he will haue mercie . These men , whose puritie hath made them vnconformable to the present Discipline of the Church , though they bee guiltie of Schisme , yet they are not dangerous ; but liue , and dye , without thought of slaughter : yet is there a tatling Treatise , entituled Herode and Pilate reconciled , wherein the author striueth very hard , to proue that the Papists & Puritans are both alike dangerous ; as holding the same treacherous tenents . He spetteth-out the venome of his tongue in the faces of Caluin , and Beza ; men , whose names his mouth should not vsurpe , without reuerence . Hee may well wrest their speeches : but , well I know , hee can neuer inferre any pretended treason , from them . His booke is well laboured ; and hee manifesteth to the world , that hee hath read some thing : hee lacketh nothing but the iudgement of Tertullian ; that is , that a man ought to imploy all hee hath or knoweth , in testimonium veri , non in adiutorium falsi . Sir Francis Bacon saith , that the way to dimmish bad bookes , is not not to burne , or teare them ; but with plentie of good bookes , to make scarcitie of bad : whereas I for my part thinke , that the dailie encrease of triuiall trifling books , wil at the length consume and annihilate the weighty and serious ones . Now-a-daies , almost euery Sect hath a seueral exposition of the Text , and a diuerse application . We may well crie-out with the Prophet Dauid , O God thou hast cast vs out ; thou hast scattered vs : thou hast beene angry ; turne againe vnto vs. Thou hast made the Land to tremble , and hast made it to gape : heale the breaches thereof ; for it is shaken . Thou hast shewed thy people heauy things : thou hast made vs to drinke the wine of Giddines . It fatteth the soule of the Iewe , to see Christianitie torne in peeces by schisme and heresie . He scorneth the head the more , because hee sees the members of the bodie so wound one the other . Oh , that wee could , with the harmony of an vnseparable vnion , charme the eares of this Christianities serpent ! But surely hee will stop his eares to our charming , who disobeyeth the voice of that great charmer , charme hee neuer so wiselie . Thou seede of Abraham , thou house of Iacob , thou disposer of the graces and promises of the all-puissant , I bewaile from my soule thy heauie condition , and lament that thou canst not repent . What grosse absurdities haue seized on thee , of the which beliefe is not capable ? As , for example , that God before he built this world , exercised himselfe a long time in setting-vp and pulling-downe , before hee could learne to finish the frame hee hadde conceiued . Thou further sayest , that God hath certaine appointed daies , wherein he afflicteth himselfe , because in choler he defaced thy citty , with thy temple : and tokens of this his felt sorrow , thou makest to be lightning and thunder . Thou saiest also , that God ordeined a sacrifice amongst the Iewes euery new Moone , to recompence the wrong he did to the Moone , in taking light from her to giue it to the Sunne . Thou farther sayest , that he is angrie once a day , and then the crimson combes of the Cookes waxe pale and bloudlesse . Thou hast also a prophane fable , that on a day there being a disputation betweene certaine Rabbins , and R. Eliezer , God gaue sentence on Eliezers side : for which the Rabbins excōmunicated him ; and then God smiling , said , My children haue ouercome me . Thou sayest also , that he that gainsayeth the words of the Scribes , deserues more to be punished , then he that contradicts the Law of Moses : the one may be absolued ; the other must absolutely die . Thou saiest also , that he is no good Rabbin which doth not hate his enemy ; nay , that doth not pursue reuenge euen vntill death . And hee that disalloweth of any thing in these bookes , denieth God himselfe . What God will doe with thee , I know not : this I know , that no Nation hath kept her integritie but thou . Oh , would thou hadst also kept thy sinceritie in religion ! It is more then a miracle to mee , that feare doth not weigh-downe the eye-lids of the Iewe , when he offers to looke-vp to heauen . Neque enim , saith Origen , deberent vltra coelum aspicere , qui in creatorem coeli pe●●auerunt , et dominum Maiestatis . Neither indeed , saith he , ought they to beholde heauen , who haue sinned against the Creatour of heauen , and the Lord of Maiesty . The Turke conceiueth more reuerently of Christ , then the Iewe : for , he accounteth of him as of a great Prophet ; the Iew , as of a false Prophet . Neither hath the Turke so grosse abuses and absurdities , as hath the Iewe : which ▪ whosoeuer listeth to compare , shall finde . The Turke hath many riddles , which rather merite laughter then loathing : and , for example sake , we will set-down some fewe of them . What is that , which is first wood , and afterwards receiueth a spirit into it ? It is there answered , Moses Rod. What woman is that which onely came from a man ? and what man is that which onely came from a woman ? It is there saide , the former to be Eue , the later to be Christ . The rehearsall of more of these friuolous fooleries would cost mee much time , and yeeld the Reader little profit : and therefore I will onelie heere insert one or two things remarqueable in the Turkish Phisiques . They hold , that the starres hang by golden chaines : Againe , they saie , that a Bull beares the earth vpon his hornes ; so that when the Bull shakes his head , an earth-quake ensues . Modesty wil not let me enter into the Turkes paradise ; where all things are vncleane , and beyond measure baudy . Oh my God! who is there that rightlie vnderstandes the courses of mans life ; the curses due to it for the vices of it ; and withall considereth the variances of religion ; as also that Turkes inhabite the better halfe part of the world ; Iewes and Atheists a quarter of the other halfe ; Schismatickes & Heretickes three quarters of that quarter : who is there , I say , that weighing all these things , will not welcome , if not inuite death ▪ specially in this age ; in which , that of Tacitus is right true : et propter virtutes certissimum exitium : And vertues , saith he , are rewarded with certaine destruction . Vertue , looke to thy Essence ; for , thou hast almost lost thy Existence : thou hast a Being of thy self ; but , scarce any Being in any other . Wherefore I exhort all those , who either haue or loue vertue , to desire to bee dissolued , and to bee with Christ . Let them contemplate this , that death is the Orient of Weale , and the Occident of Woe ; that is , the rising of all comforts , and the fall and setting of all crosses . Death is the sole sanctuary for sorrowe , the freedome from feare , hope 's harbour , faith's faire field , the ending of a bad & beginning of a better life . Death is not so vgly as the world would make her ; her lookes are louely : and when all the world disdaines desert , shee rewardes it . Wherefore , wee should not with such a fond childish griefe bewaile the death of our friends , whom mercy hath taken from miserie . As when we see the sunne eclipsed , wee grieue not ; knowing it shall come to his former forme againe : euen so 〈◊〉 it is heere ; we should not fall into womanish lamentations for the losse of them , whose bodies wee know shall rise againe ; who shal see God with those eyes , with which they leaue to see the world : For , though they die to vs , they liue to the Lord. Wherefore , wee must not thinke , that Dauid lamēted the temporal death of his sonne Absolon ; but , that his propheticke soule fore-sawe that eternall death due to Diuells and their ministers : for , to them , death bringes damnation . The wicked man dares not , in his greatest passion , call to God for compassion ; but hides himself from his face , hauing all his time beene glutted with forbidden fruite . If hee looke vp , hee sees Gods iudgement hang ouer him : if downeward , he meditates his graue vnder him ; and hell vnder it : if on both sides of him , at each hand sitteth horrour , and confusion : if before him , he beholdeth Perdition , his hangman , dragging him on to his slaughter : if behinde him , Vengeance doggeth him at the heeles ; the least noise makes him expect his pursiuants : At last , he withdraweth himselfe into his cabine , thinking to lock-out Death ; who , in a moment , locketh-vp his eye-lids , neuer more to open , till they shall see heauen gates shut against their master . Oh foole ! reuolt from thy irreligious superstition , to a religious pietie ; neither quake at that , whose power it is in thy power to conquer by an heartie penitence , and feruent prayer . Shrinke not at thy fatale blowe : thy death shall be life ; and that , a blessed and eternall one . I , for my part , will account of death as of that which helps me to an vnualued bargaine ; things eternall , for things momentarie : things truelie delightfull , for things falsely deceitfull . Oh welcome minute , that shall free this body from so long an apprentiseship of woe . And , indeede , what is there that should holde or delight me heere ? except to satisfie the vnordred appetites of the body , and vnlawfull desires of the soule . But perhaps some wil vrge , that I am as yet in my spring of youth ; which I grant : Yet am I glutted , and tired as much with the troubles of this Age , as a Priam , as a Nestor . The dayes are alreadie come vpon mee , wherein I may truely say , I take no pleasure in them . But , others will reply , that I haue friends for whose sake I should desire to liue . It is true indeede , that I haue friends ; but , with-all , such friends as Tacitus speaketh of ; Et quibus deer at inimicus , ab amicis sunt oppressi : and they , saith he , to whom enemies were wanting were oppressed by their friends . I long to bee acquainted with my neerer kinred , to whom I shall say , Corruption thou art my father , and to the worme thou art my mother & my sister . Salomontelleth vs , All pleasures vnder the sunne are vanity : I take his word ; and therefore long to see what pleasures are aboue the sunne , where the Son of God sitteth at the right hand of his father , making intercession for mee and all sinners . And thou , Lord of hosts , grant , that when this my last and best day shall come , and those harbingers of death summon me to appeare , that then I may bee readie : and grant also , that as , at the first , my body was willing to receiue my soule ; so , at the last , my soule maie be willing to leaue my body . Thou louer of soules , be thou mercifull to my soule : and when mine eyes shall grow dimme , my lips black , my mouth drawen-vp , my browes knit , my eares deaf , my hands and feerebenummed with cold , my pulse beating yet weakely , and when all my senses faile me , then giue me some sense of life euerlas●ing . My good God , let me at that houre thinke as I do now , that it is a thing no more strange to die , the● to be borne ▪ ●being it is an equal law of Nature , which bindeth ouer all alike , to their first and last appearance . I knowe , there is some paine in death : but , withal I knowe , that I owe that paine with the vantage to my mother . Who , as she endured as great paine , us euer woman did , to bring me into the world ▪ so must I endure some paine to rid my selfe of this painefull life , of the which I am as weary , a● a 〈◊〉 of his ●are . I shallneuer be truely merry , till that day of mi●th and releasement commeth . All ioy h●ere belowe is sinfull ; and almost all delights vnlaw 〈◊〉 according to that of Austin ▪ 〈◊〉 l●titia est imp●●it a 〈◊〉 The ioy , saith he , of this Age is nothing else bu● 〈◊〉 ●●punished . Ye● will I not seeke to hasten the hour●● of my deare deliuery ; but will attend Gods 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of life as of a gift . If it will tarrie , I will not thrust it soorth of doors : if it make haste to be gone , I will not be he that shall intreate it to abide . The time I haue to liue , deuotion shall dispose of : and my chiefer pleasure shall bee in prayer . I will first pray for Christs church militāt , that it would please him to shorten the time of her warfare , that so the time of her triumphing may approach . Next of all , I will pray for all Gods anointed , ouer what Kingdomes , or Nations , soeuer they bee placed ; and in particular ( as by the duty of a subiect I am bound ) for my gratious Soueraigne , Faiths great defender . Thou Ancient of daies , crown his dayes with happinesse : and as he raignes by thee ; so let him raigne for thee : and , while he defends thy Truth , defend thou him from those porte-couteaux . For , in these treacherous times , it is to be feared , that his greatest enemies are those of his own● house . And , as for his succeeder in the throne , gratious God let him be successeful in al his approued proceedings : that so , succeeding ages may sing & say his praises . Lord , shield him rather from secret flatterers , then from open enemies : and , hauing all things , let him not want this one ; A truth-teller . I will wish the same to him , which Thomas Walsing hamus reporteth of Henry the fift : that as he is Modest us 〈◊〉 so he may be Magnanimus in actu . Last of all , I will pray for my selfe ; that hee that made me , would vouchsafe to haue mercy vpon mee . Thou , that art able to throw an Angell down , ar● able to raise a sinner vp : Lord , then , raise me , 〈◊〉 fal●e 〈◊〉 the gul●● of sin . Thou into Lambe of OOD , which dyed●t once for the 〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉 mercy vpon me : and , seeing thou hast suffered for my wickednes , let not me suffer for it too , nor cry for my crying sinnes . lesus , at thy Name my ●●ee shall bowe , my heart bend , and all my soule and body be transformed into reuerence . Oh blessed , comfortable , allpromising Nome ! in which , the olde Age of new names , and ( if you will haue it so ) the newe Age of olde names may be included Christ●● ▪ 〈◊〉 Origen , qui 〈◊〉 ill is or is , 〈◊〉 ap●d 〈…〉 Christ , saith he , who is in those 〈…〉 of the earth , ●●en amongst the Britannes . Amen , Lord Iesus : and bee with vs still to the ends of the world . Mercifull maister , let mee with my last gaspe pronounce in confidence those words of dying Luther ; I haue serued thee , I haue belieued thee , and now I come to thee . And because there is no other way to come to thee but by death , Lord let me expect death euery where , and alwaies ; not knowing where , or whē it will expect me ▪ and 〈◊〉 me thinke of that often , which I must doe once . Blessed Maister , my will is thine : but , if it bee thy blessed will , take me out of this Age , before I bee aged : and let this corruption put-on incorruption , this mortalitie immortality , imperfectiō perfection ; and then this impotency shal see omnipotency ; this nothing all things . Oh inconceiueable ioy , to behold the Apostles , Patriarks , and Prophets , together with the Kings of the Earth , doing homage to the King of Heauen and Earth ! And till this ioyfull appointed time come , the greatest comfort I can yeeld my selfe and others , is an allusion which I tooke out of an 〈◊〉 French Writer : to weer , that as GOD laboured six dayes , and rested the seuenth ; so man , after hee hath turmoiled himselfe through-out all the sex ages of the world , shall in the seuenth Age repose himselfe in a better world . Which , he that created the world , grant , for his sake that redeemed the world , Amen . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A12821-e300 Iob. 31. 35. Notes for div A12821-e820 Sen Epist . 62. Sen. de benef . lib. 1. cap. 10 Ambros . de poenit . lib. 1. cap. 34. I Scalig. lib. 1. poetic . cap. 2 Scal. lib. 6. poetic . pa. 800. 801. Lip. cent . Epist . 5● . Mat. 27 24 Athenaeus lib. 6 Ibidem . Ann●l . li. 1 Mat. 23. 3 In Alcor . Turc . pag. 191. Sen. de benef . li. ● cap. 34. A Coward who ? Mat. 5. 39. ●er●ins . Gen. 2. 24 Prou : 16 Prou. 15 24 ▪ Tacit. Annal . lib. 14. Sen. Epist . 29. Heb. 13. 8 Iob. 36. 14. Deut. 23. 18. Ezech. 16. 33. Prou. 22. 14. Prou. 23. 17. Prou. 26. 5 Albert. Mag. de mulier . fort . Reuel . 14. Iob. 31. 1 Castilionaeus , in suo Aulico . lib. 4 De ciuit . 15. 100. 23. Bernha● . Serm. 25 super canticum canticorum . Deut. 28 53. Mal. 3. 3 Zach 5. 2. Ier. 23. 20 1. Tim●t . 6. 10. Phil. 3. 19 Lu. 12. 15 Psal . 39. 6 Eccl. 5. 9 Mat. 18. 10. Mat. 19 ▪ 8 Wis . 7 Sen. de beat . vita ▪ cap. vlt. Sen. Epist . 26. Sen. Epist . 7. 1. Disser● . cap. 9. August . de ciu . cap. 19. Sen. lib. 4. de ben . cap. 13. Sen. Epist . 58. Serm. 1. Mat. 10 34 & 35 De Benif . lib. 4. cap. 26. & 27. Lipsius in ex●mp . po . lib. 1. cap. 4. Idem ibidem . Luk. 1. Luk. 1. Mat. 3. v. 7 Franc. de ver . Con. par . 2. ca. 2 Socr. in vita Iul. Baronius in paraenes . ad venet . pag. 9● Colin . ●●ditionis . Agust . de baptis . contra Donat. lib. 2. cap. 20. Acts. 17 22. Auer . in 12. Metaphysi . Tacit. Annal . lib. 14. Ma. 20. 22 55. episto . Cambdenus epist . ad lectorem . Mat. 5. 19 1. Ti. 3. 6 Tert. de resur . carn . Psal . 60. 1. 2. & 3. See the quotatiōs of Monsieur du Plessis vpon their Thalmud , in his book entituled Aduertissement aux Iu●fs . In Alcor . Turc . Tacit. hist . lib. 1. Ecclesiastes . 12. 1. Tacit. hist . lib. 1. Iob. 17. 14. Eccles. 1. August . in Euang. seeun . Lucam , serm . ●7 . Mat. 10. 36