A discourse upon the nature of eternitie, and the condition of a separated soule, according to the grounds of reason, and principles of Christian religion by William Brent, of Grayes Inne, Esquire ...
         Brent, William, d. 1691.
      
       
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             A discourse upon the nature of eternitie, and the condition of a separated soule, according to the grounds of reason, and principles of Christian religion by William Brent, of Grayes Inne, Esquire ...
             Brent, William, d. 1691.
          
           [8], 96 p.
           
             Printed for Richard Moon ...,
             London :
             1655.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Eternity -- Early works to 1800.
           Future life.
        
      
    
       A29306  R16167  (Wing B4363).  civilwar no A discourse upon the nature of eternitie, and the condition of a separated soule, according to the grounds of reason, and principles of Chri Brent, William 1655    18888 8 0 0 0 0 0 4 B  The  rate of 4 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           UPON
           THE
           NATURE
           OF
           Eternitie
           ,
           And
           the
           Condition
           of
           a
           separated
           Soule
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           grounds
           of
           Reason
           ,
           and
           Principles
           of
           Christian
           RELIGION
           .
        
         
           By
           
             WILLIAM
             BRENT
          
           of
           
             Grayes
             Inne
             ,
          
           Esquire
           ,
           now
           Prisoner
           in
           the
           Gate-House
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Richard
             Moon
             ,
          
           at
           the
           Seven
           
             Stars
          
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-Yard
           ,
           1655.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           The
           Preface
           to
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           
             EMpedocles
          
           of
           
             Agrigentum
          
           being
           demanded
           why
           t
           was
           so
           hard
           to
           finde
           out
           a
           wise
           man
           ,
           gave
           this
           reason
           ;
           because
           (
           said
           he
           )
           none
           can
           finde
           one
           out
           ,
           who
           is
           not
           so
           himselfe
           ;
           therby
           inferring
           ,
           that
           unlesse
           there
           bee
           a
           proportion
           betweene
           the
           object
           and
           the
           power
           ,
           it
           will
           never
           bee
           able
           to
           produce
           the
           effects
           flowing
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           Vpon
           this
           ground
           it
           may
           be
           well
           concluded
           ,
           that
           t'
           is
           impossible
           for
           any
           to
           give
           a
           true
           description
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           who
           hath
           no
           subsistance
           but
           in
           time
           ;
           and
           certainely
           ,
           although
           some
           spirits
           sublimated
           
           by
           the
           dayly
           contemplation
           of
           Eternall
           things
           ;
           may
           perhaps
           bee
           able
           to
           shew
           us
           some
           imperfect
           Ideas
           ,
           of
           those
           perfect
           beauties
           whereon
           they
           are
           enamoured
           ,
           yet
           t'
           is
           a
           meere
           extravagance
           in
           mee
           who
           have
           imployed
           the
           best
           part
           of
           my
           time
           in
           quest
           of
           transitory
           and
           fading
           things
           ,
           to
           undertake
           the
           handling
           of
           a
           subject
           which
           cannot
           bee
           worthily
           expressed
           by
           lesse
           then
           an
           Angell
           ,
           nor
           be
           conceived
           in
           this
           life
           by
           human
           kind
           .
        
         
           Whilest
           
             Hannibal
          
           was
           with
           the
           King
           
             Antiochus
          
           in
           Ephesus
           ,
           where
           they
           were
           busied
           in
           making
           preparation
           for
           a
           war
           against
           the
           Romans
           ,
           he
           was
           invited
           by
           some
           of
           the
           great
           Kings
           favourites
           to
           heare
           one
           
             Phormio
          
           a
           Philosopher
           read
           a
           Lecture
           of
           military
           discipline
           ,
           and
           the
           duty
           of
           a
           Generall
           ,
           and
           having
           performed
           
           it
           with
           the
           applause
           of
           all
           the
           auditory
           ,
           
             HANNIBALL
          
           being
           demanded
           his
           opinion
           of
           the
           man
           ,
           answered
           that
           he
           had
           indeed
           formerly
           seen
           divers
           mad
           men
           ,
           but
           never
           any
           one
           so
           mad
           as
           
             PHORMIO
             ,
          
           who
           having
           ,
           never
           viewed
           troopes
           on
           their
           march
           ,
           never
           spent
           one
           night
           in
           the
           trenches
           ,
           or
           performed
           the
           least
           duty
           of
           a
           Souldier
           ,
           would
           notwithstanding
           take
           upon
           himselfe
           to
           order
           an
           Army
           &
           prescribe
           rules
           unto
           a
           General
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           certainly
           much
           easier
           to
           comprehend
           all
           millitary
           knowledge
           which
           is
           contained
           in
           the
           finite
           number
           of
           some
           precepts
           drawne
           from
           reason
           and
           experience
           ;
           then
           fathom
           the
           bottemless
           Abyss
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           which
           holds
           no
           proportion
           at
           all
           with
           the
           narrow
           limits
           and
           shallownesse
           of
           humane
           reason
           ,
           and
           consequently
           
           to
           undertake
           the
           handling
           of
           this
           subject
           is
           a
           much
           greater
           madnesse
           then
           that
           of
           
             PHORMIO
             .
          
        
         
           This
           being
           so
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           there
           will
           be
           some
           ,
           who
           unsatisfied
           with
           what
           I
           shall
           set
           down
           ,
           will
           question
           upon
           what
           grounds
           I
           have
           adventured
           to
           publish
           my
           conceptions
           upon
           Eternity
           ,
           so
           many
           excellent
           pennes
           having
           already
           imploied
           themselves
           in
           the
           deciphering
           of
           it
           )
           and
           will
           conclude
           ,
           that
           as
           his
           errour
           is
           to
           bee
           pittied
           ,
           who
           contrary
           to
           his
           expectation
           ,
           (
           failes
           )
           by
           the
           weakenesse
           of
           his
           forces
           to
           performe
           what
           hee
           hath
           undertaken
           ;
           so
           his
           madnesse
           is
           unexcusable
           ,
           who
           undertakes
           what
           himselfe
           knowes
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           bee
           performed
           .
        
         
           
             I
          
           will
           not
           goe
           about
           to
           justifie
           my selfe
           
           against
           their
           reprehensions
           ,
           which
           perhaps
           have
           truth
           for
           their
           foundation
           ;
           all
           
             I
          
           shall
           say
           is
           ,
           
             I
          
           have
           written
           this
           onely
           for
           my
           owne
           private
           use
           ,
           that
           
             I
          
           might
           at
           times
           of
           leisure
           view
           the
           discoveries
           
             I
          
           have
           made
           of
           that
           Countrey
           to
           which
           
             I
          
           tend
           ;
           and
           on
           which
           time
           at
           the
           shutting
           in
           of
           my
           lives
           course
           will
           land
           me
           ,
           and
           
             I
          
           have
           published
           it
           not
           as
           conceiving
           
             I
          
           could
           better
           what
           hath
           formerly
           been
           written
           ,
           but
           out
           of
           an
           opinion
           ,
           that
           my
           conceits
           (
           though
           short
           of
           what
           others
           have
           delivered
           )
           might
           hit
           the
           humor
           of
           some
           one
           or
           other
           ,
           and
           waken
           him
           from
           that
           lethargie
           wherein
           the
           World
           holds
           the
           most
           part
           of
           men
           during
           their
           lives
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           look
           about
           in
           time
           and
           provide
           himselfe
           for
           that
           Eternall
           habitation
           ;
           those
           who
           are
           stung
           with
           the
           Tarantula
           ,
           
           cannot
           be
           cured
           but
           by
           Musick
           ,
           and
           
             I
          
           have
           heard
           that
           t'
           is
           not
           alwayes
           the
           best
           Tunes
           help
           the
           diseased
           Patients
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           (
           how
           extravagant
           soever
           )
           simpathize
           most
           with
           their
           inclinations
           .
        
         
           Reader
           !
           having
           given
           thee
           this
           account
           of
           my selfe
           ,
           
             I
          
           proceed
           briefly
           to
           set
           down
           the
           substance
           of
           this
           short
           Treatise
           :
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           
             I
          
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           let
           thee
           know
           what
           Eternity
           is
           ;
           in
           the
           second
           ,
           to
           describe
           what
           our
           condition
           will
           bee
           in
           it
           :
           &
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           to
           set
           down
           such
           Rules
           as
           may
           (
           being
           observed
           )
           render
           us
           perfectly
           happy
           in
           that
           fixed
           condition
           ,
           wherein
           Eternity
           will
           place
           us
           :
           all
           
             I
          
           require
           from
           thee
           is
           ,
           that
           if
           thou
           approve
           not
           what
           I
           write
           ,
           thou
           wilt
           (
           at
           least
           )
           approve
           the
           good
           will
           wherwith
           t
           is
           written
           .
        
         
           Farewell
           .
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           Discourse
           upon
           the
           Nature
           of
           Eternity
           &c.
           
        
         
           ONe
           of
           the
           Maximes
           wherein
           Philosophers
           (
           notwithstanding
           the
           many
           different
           opinions
           among
           them
           )
           doe
           accord
           is
           this
           ;
           
             Nihil
             est
             in
             intellectu
             ,
             quod
             non
             prius
             fuit
             in
             sensu
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           nothing
           is
           in
           our
           understanding
           which
           hath
           not
           first
           gained
           it's
           admittance
           through
           the
           senses
           ;
           our
           soules
           during
           the
           time
           of
           their
           imprisonment
           in
           our
           bodies
           ,
           seeme
           to
           bee
           so
           narrowly
           coopt
           up
           by
           our
           senses
           who
           guard
           all
           the
           avenues
           ,
           by
           which
           any
           intelligence
           of
           the
           great
           workmanships
           of
           nature
           may
           be
           convaied
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           get
           notice
           of
           nothing
           ,
           save
           what
           is
           brought
           them
           by
           their
           mediation
           .
        
         
           Well
           may
           the
           exterior
           objects
           assisted
           by
           the
           Sunns
           light
           fill
           the
           aire
           with
           
           the
           representation
           of
           their
           seveverall
           species
           ,
           but
           the
           understanding
           will
           not
           bee
           able
           to
           know
           any
           thing
           either
           of
           the
           shape
           or
           colour
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           pass
           through
           the
           eye
           into
           the
           common
           sense
           ,
           and
           bee
           transmitted
           to
           the
           fancy
           .
        
         
           The
           warbling
           Choristers
           of
           the
           aire
           ,
           may
           wel
           cause
           both
           the
           woods
           &
           vallies
           ,
           eccho
           ,
           with
           their
           melodious
           soundes
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           famous
           Orators
           display
           the
           utmost
           charmes
           of
           winning
           Rhetoricke
           :
           but
           if
           our
           eares
           deny
           them
           entrance
           to
           the
           braine
           ,
           they
           will
           at
           last
           die
           in
           the
           aire
           where
           they
           were
           formed
           ,
           without
           giving
           us
           the
           last
           information
           ,
           either
           of
           their
           harmony
           ,
           or
           meaning
           .
        
         
           All
           the
           rare
           spices
           of
           the
           East
           may
           well
           evaporate
           themselves
           to
           nothing
           before
           our
           eyes
           ,
           without
           leaving
           any
           other
           sense
           of
           their
           rich
           perfumes
           ,
           but
           what
           our
           smelling
           shall
           convey
           unto
           us
           .
           And
           if
           another
           Monarck
           farr
           surpassing
           
             Assuerus
          
           in
           the
           richesse
           ,
           and
           extent
           of
           his
           Dominions
           ,
           should
           unpeople
           the
           three
           Elements
           ,
           to
           furnish
           out
           a
           sumptuous
           feast
           that
           
           might
           shew
           forth
           the
           greatnesse
           of
           his
           magnificence
           ,
           wee
           were
           not
           able
           to
           distinguish
           any
           of
           those
           exquisite
           dainties
           ,
           and
           delicious
           wines
           ,
           farther
           then
           what
           our
           tasts
           should
           dictate
           unto
           us
           .
        
         
           Infine
           our
           Soules
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           immateriall
           substance
           ,
           and
           the
           faculties
           of
           will
           and
           understanding
           ,
           whereby
           they
           thinke
           themselves
           equall
           to
           the
           Celestiall
           Spirits
           (
           were
           but
           those
           gates
           dammed
           up
           whereof
           our
           senses
           are
           the
           Porters
           )
           would
           (
           like
           the
           Aegyptians
           during
           the
           three
           daies
           darkenesse
           wherewith
           God
           plagued
           them
           )
           bee
           forced
           to
           sit
           stil
           ,
           nor
           could
           the
           Heavenly
           gifts
           of
           reasoning
           and
           resolving
           availe
           them
           ought
           towards
           the
           discovery
           of
           truth
           or
           goodnesse
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           onely
           object
           of
           their
           functions
           .
        
         
           The
           spotts
           wee
           now
           discover
           in
           the
           Sunn
           ,
           the
           vallies
           in
           the
           Moon
           ,
           and
           Starrs
           that
           moove
           in
           an
           Epicycle
           about
           the
           Planet
           
             Jupiter
          
           ;
           had
           been
           Eternally
           concealed
           from
           all
           man-kinde
           ,
           had
           not
           the
           invention
           of
           
             Galileus
          
           perspectives
           by
           aiding
           
           the
           weaknesse
           of
           our
           sight
           ,
           discovered
           them
           unto
           our
           eyes
           and
           I
           am
           verily
           perswaded
           that
           all
           those
           rare
           effects
           of
           nature
           which
           wee
           now
           attribute
           to
           simpathy
           ,
           to
           antipathy
           ,
           or
           other
           occult
           causes
           ,
           are
           indeed
           onely
           materiall
           quallities
           ,
           but
           too
           subtile
           to
           bee
           perceived
           by
           our
           senses
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           cause
           that
           all
           our
           rarest
           wits
           are
           at
           a
           fault
           in
           quest
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           pay
           us
           onely
           with
           obscure
           termes
           instead
           of
           truth
           .
        
         
           Eternity
           alone
           is
           that
           can
           never
           fall
           to
           bee
           the
           object
           of
           our
           senses
           ;
           the
           infinity
           of
           it's
           duration
           cannot
           be
           comprehended
           by
           their
           finite
           powers
           ,
           and
           time
           doth
           hurrie
           us
           away
           so
           fast
           over
           the
           race
           of
           our
           mortallity
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           not
           the
           leasure
           to
           contemplate
           its
           stable
           firmnesse
           ,
           not
           subject
           to
           those
           lawes
           of
           ruine
           by
           which
           Heaven
           and
           earth
           shall
           one
           day
           perish
           .
           This
           truth
           is
           excellently
           confirmed
           unto
           us
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           when
           hee
           saith
           that
           neither
           eye
           hath
           seene
           ,
           eare
           heard
           ,
           nor
           hath
           it
           entred
           into
           the
           heart
           of
           man
           ,
           to
           conceive
           the
           excellencies
           of
           
           what
           God
           hath
           prepared
           in
           store
           for
           those
           that
           feare
           him
           .
           Eternity
           is
           surely
           one
           of
           the
           most
           precious
           of
           all
           those
           blessings
           ,
           and
           the
           Trisagion
           or
           thrice
           holy
           ,
           so
           much
           renowned
           in
           the
           Greeke
           Church
           ,
           as
           a
           Hymne
           delivered
           to
           them
           by
           the
           mouthes
           of
           Angells
           ,
           
             Sanctus
             Deus
             ,
             sanctus
             fortis
             ,
             Sanctis
             immortalis
             ,
          
           puts
           immortallity
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           as
           complement
           of
           the
           Divine
           perfections
           .
        
         
           When
           
             Moses
          
           mooved
           with
           a
           holy
           curiosity
           ,
           desired
           hee
           might
           behold
           the
           face
           of
           God
           ,
           he
           was
           answered
           it
           was
           impossible
           to
           see
           that
           and
           live
           ;
           all
           this
           beloved
           Patriarch
           could
           obtaine
           ,
           was
           licence
           to
           view
           the
           glory
           of
           his
           hinder
           parts
           in
           passing
           by
           ;
           and
           what
           is
           thereby
           meant
           save
           onely
           this
           ;
           that
           wee
           may
           be
           permitted
           here
           on
           Earth
           ,
           to
           contemplate
           the
           Divine
           perfections
           in
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           least
           ,
           and
           meanest
           effects
           of
           his
           power
           ,
           being
           produced
           during
           the
           continuance
           of
           fleeting
           time
           ,
           but
           that
           all
           sollid
           joyes
           ,
           together
           with
           his
           beatificall
           vision
           ,
           are
           reserved
           onely
           for
           such
           as
           fix
           
           their
           habitations
           in
           the
           blest
           dwelling
           of
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           being
           through
           speciall
           favour
           wrapt
           into
           the
           third
           Heaven
           that
           hee
           might
           take
           a
           tast
           of
           those
           Celestiall
           pleasures
           ,
           thinkes
           it
           not
           lawfull
           to
           utter
           the
           
             Arcana
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           sublime
           ,
           and
           hidden
           things
           which
           hee
           learned
           there
           ;
           the
           greatest
           height
           we
           can
           attaine
           unto
           whilest
           wee
           are
           heere
           ,
           is
           to
           contemplate
           the
           mysteries
           which
           shall
           be
           there
           revealed
           ,
           
             per
             speculum
             in
             aenigmate
             ,
          
           through
           a
           glass
           ,
           in
           a
           darke
           riddle
           :
           what
           is
           this
           glasse
           ,
           but
           faith
           ,
           by
           whose
           assistance
           our
           faint
           eyes
           are
           able
           without
           dazeling
           ,
           to
           looke
           upon
           the
           Sunn
           of
           truth
           ,
           even
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           expound
           those
           riddles
           that
           passe
           the
           reach
           of
           humane
           understanding
           ?
        
         
           Relying
           therefore
           upon
           this
           guide
           ,
           I
           shall
           begin
           to
           search
           into
           the
           Nature
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           because
           her
           Maxims
           ,
           are
           like
           a
           clew
           of
           thread
           let
           downe
           from
           Heaven
           to
           lead
           us
           with
           security
           ,
           and
           humblenesse
           into
           the
           understanding
           of
           Divine
           mysteries
           ;
           that
           so
           wee
           may
           not
           stray
           in
           the
           
           wild
           maze
           of
           selfe
           opinion
           ,
           wherein
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           humane
           kinde
           do
           wander
           endlesly
           ,
           and
           lose
           themselves
           ,
           at
           last
           being
           intrapped
           in
           the
           pernicious
           snares
           ,
           of
           overweaning
           pride
           ,
           or
           stupid
           ignorance
           .
        
         
           When
           the
           Divines
           endeavour
           to
           describe
           the
           Deity
           unto
           us
           ,
           they
           make
           us
           of
           three
           sorts
           of
           Attributes
           :
           the
           first
           ,
           as
           they
           call
           them
           negative
           ,
           the
           second
           relative
           ,
           and
           the
           third
           positive
           :
           the
           first
           ,
           shew
           what
           hee
           is
           not
           ,
           and
           the
           second
           what
           hee
           is
           in
           relation
           to
           us
           ,
           or
           to
           some
           other
           being
           ,
           but
           the
           third
           which
           should
           declare
           unto
           us
           ,
           what
           hee
           is
           in
           himselfe
           ,
           faile
           to
           performe
           it
           ,
           because
           all
           tearmes
           Explicate
           onely
           our
           conceptions
           ,
           and
           wee
           can
           conceive
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           infinitely
           short
           of
           his
           perfections
           :
           they
           call
           him
           increated
           and
           immortall
           ,
           that
           wee
           may
           know
           his
           essence
           is
           incompatible
           ,
           with
           whatsoever
           hath
           either
           ending
           or
           beginning
           ;
           they
           terme
           him
           Creator
           and
           Redeemer
           ,
           
           thereby
           informing
           us
           that
           all
           the
           blessings
           we
           enjoy
           here
           or
           expect
           heereafter
           are
           but
           dependancies
           upon
           his
           power
           .
           But
           when
           they
           tell
           us
           of
           his
           vertues
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           wisdome
           ,
           they
           intend
           not
           that
           we
           should
           thereby
           understand
           such
           vertues
           or
           such
           wisdome
           as
           are
           in
           us
           ;
           not
           an
           affection
           ,
           or
           habit
           of
           his
           will
           inclining
           him
           to
           pursue
           alwayes
           the
           dictates
           of
           a
           right
           reason
           ,
           nor
           a
           perspicacity
           of
           judgement
           enabling
           him
           to
           distinguish
           upon
           all
           occasions
           the
           reall
           truths
           ,
           from
           those
           that
           seeme
           so
           ;
           which
           notwithstanding
           is
           the
           proper
           meaning
           of
           those
           tearmes
           ,
           whereas
           the
           Divine
           vertues
           ,
           and
           wisdome
           are
           neither
           qualities
           ,
           nor
           habits
           ,
           but
           the
           very
           essence
           and
           being
           of
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           which
           cannot
           bee
           knowne
           or
           comprehended
           by
           any
           other
           nature
           inferiour
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           It
           being
           therefore
           admitted
           that
           wee
           can
           never
           write
           or
           conceive
           any
           thing
           worthily
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           how
           is
           it
           possible
           ,
           I
           should
           bee
           able
           to
           explicate
           the
           Nature
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           measure
           
           of
           his
           duration
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           the
           most
           excellent
           of
           all
           his
           attributes
           ?
           God
           himselfe
           seemes
           to
           glory
           in
           it
           when
           being
           asked
           his
           name
           by
           the
           great
           Patriarch
           
             Moses
          
           he
           gives
           him
           only
           this
           description
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           
             Ego
             sum
             qui
             sum
             .
          
           I
           am
           he
           that
           am
           ,
           without
           mentioning
           either
           his
           power
           ,
           his
           justice
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           his
           other
           attributes
           ,
           giving
           us
           thereby
           to
           understand
           that
           all
           his
           other
           attributes
           depend
           upon
           his
           being
           (
           according
           to
           the
           order
           of
           our
           conceptions
           )
           as
           their
           foundation
           ;
           that
           other
           things
           have
           an
           existēce
           whose
           beginning
           flowes
           from
           his
           power
           ,
           and
           whose
           continuance
           is
           an
           effect
           only
           of
           his
           wil
           ;
           that
           nothing
           hath
           a
           stable
           independant
           being
           save
           onely
           he
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           fine
           ,
           no
           happinesse
           or
           perfection
           is
           to
           bee
           prised
           ,
           if
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           it
           be
           not
           secured
           unto
           us
           by
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           This
           measure
           of
           Gods
           being
           ,
           cannot
           (
           by
           any
           positive
           terms
           which
           wee
           can
           use
           )
           bee
           comprehended
           ,
           or
           defined
           ,
           nor
           can
           it
           bee
           illustrated
           to
           humane
           understandings
           ,
           by
           other
           meanes
           then
           by
           considering
           the
           nature
           of
           it
           negatively
           ,
           and
           
           comparatively
           ,
           unto
           those
           things
           which
           have
           a
           being
           during
           the
           continuance
           of
           time
           ,
           the
           first
           of
           which
           considerations
           shall
           be
           of
           the
           infinity
           thereof
           ;
           which
           (
           as
           I
           said
           before
           )
           is
           a
           terme
           purely
           negative
           ,
           and
           represents
           nothing
           at
           all
           unto
           our
           imaginations
           ,
           the
           only
           conception
           we
           can
           frame
           upon
           it
           ;
           being
           of
           something
           ,
           not
           circumscribed
           by
           ends
           ,
           or
           bounds
           ,
           as
           are
           all
           the
           objects
           which
           present
           themselves
           unto
           our
           senses
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           astonished
           when
           we
           consider
           the
           vast
           extent
           of
           this
           habitable
           earth
           which
           hath
           sufficed
           to
           the
           production
           and
           nourishment
           of
           the
           innumerable
           number
           of
           men
           now
           living
           ,
           or
           that
           have
           had
           a
           being
           since
           the
           Creation
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           notwithstanding
           satisfied
           both
           by
           the
           demonstrations
           of
           Cosmographers
           ,
           and
           relations
           of
           Navitors
           ,
           that
           a
           ful
           third
           part
           of
           it
           is
           yet
           undiscovered
           .
           The
           immence
           quantity
           of
           waters
           in
           the
           Ocean
           ,
           seemes
           to
           pose
           Arithmeticke
           ,
           to
           number
           all
           the
           severall
           drops
           of
           water
           contained
           in
           it
           :
           but
           above
           all
           the
           
           Heavens
           incircling
           round
           this
           ball
           made
           up
           of
           Earth
           ,
           Water
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           Elements
           ,
           and
           exceeding
           it
           so
           far
           in
           bignesse
           ,
           that
           all
           of
           it
           together
           beares
           in
           comparison
           to
           them
           but
           such
           proportion
           (
           according
           to
           the
           Astronomers
           computation
           )
           as
           a
           point
           in
           midle
           of
           a
           circle
           ,
           to
           the
           circumference
           ,
           doth
           with
           its
           unmeasurable
           greatnesse
           out
           vie
           the
           force
           of
           humane
           understanding
           ,
           to
           conceave
           any
           
             idea
          
           of
           its
           dimensions
           ;
           and
           yet
           when
           wee
           consider
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           least
           attention
           these
           great
           workemanships
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           search
           into
           the
           nature
           of
           them
           ,
           wee
           must
           needs
           be
           satisfied
           they
           are
           not
           infinite
           ;
           for
           that
           consisting
           (
           as
           our
           senses
           can
           informe
           us
           )
           of
           finite
           parts
           ;
           themselves
           must
           likewise
           bee
           of
           the
           same
           nature
           with
           the
           parts
           whereof
           they
           are
           composed
           :
           who
           is
           it
           that
           perceives
           not
           when
           hee
           takes
           up
           a
           shovell
           full
           of
           earth
           from
           the
           ground
           ,
           or
           but
           a
           dish
           of
           water
           out
           of
           the
           Sea
           ,
           that
           those
           portions
           of
           the
           two
           Elements
           are
           finite
           ,
           and
           that
           our
           not
           being
           able
           to
           find
           out
           their
           certaine
           quantity
           ,
           proceeds
           not
           
           from
           any
           contradiction
           in
           their
           natures
           ,
           to
           bee
           surveyd
           or
           measured
           ,
           but
           onely
           from
           the
           weaknesse
           of
           our
           forces
           ?
           who
           is
           it
           that
           can
           doubt
           when
           hee
           perceives
           the
           Sunne
           draw
           neerer
           to
           us
           but
           that
           the
           distance
           betweene
           us
           and
           him
           is
           finite
           ?
           since
           were
           it
           otherwise
           ,
           it
           were
           not
           capable
           of
           increase
           or
           diminution
           .
           And
           who
           in
           fine
           can
           make
           a
           question
           but
           that
           the
           Heavens
           are
           circumscribed
           by
           certaine
           bounds
           ,
           and
           limits
           ,
           when
           hee
           beholds
           them
           to
           bee
           perpetually
           measured
           by
           the
           Sunn
           ,
           Moone
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           Planets
           in
           their
           severall
           motions
           ,
           according
           to
           whose
           different
           races
           ,
           wee
           give
           beginning
           and
           ending
           ,
           unto
           our
           houres
           ,
           dayes
           ,
           months
           ,
           years
           ,
           and
           to
           our
           ages
           .
        
         
           
             Archimedes
          
           was
           of
           opinion
           hee
           could
           have
           mooved
           the
           world
           ,
           had
           there
           been
           any
           other
           place
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           upon
           which
           he
           might
           have
           fixed
           his
           instrument
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           certainly
           perswaded
           that
           when
           wee
           shall
           bee
           freed
           out
           of
           this
           cage
           of
           earth
           wherein
           our
           soules
           are
           inclosed
           during
           this
           life
           ;
           wee
           shall
           with
           ease
           bee
           able
           to
           
           surveigh
           and
           comprehend
           ,
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           other
           workmanships
           of
           nature
           that
           now
           appeare
           to
           bee
           so
           far
           beyond
           the
           reach
           of
           humane
           understanding
           .
           And
           yet
           when
           our
           inlarged
           soules
           shall
           have
           the
           power
           to
           circle
           earth
           ,
           sound
           hell
           ,
           and
           measure
           all
           the
           vast
           extent
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           how
           little
           or
           rather
           nothing
           at
           all
           will
           that
           appeare
           ,
           being
           compared
           unto
           infinity
           ?
           if
           wee
           were
           able
           to
           number
           all
           the
           droppes
           of
           water
           in
           the
           Sea
           ,
           and
           count
           the
           sands
           upon
           the
           shore
           ,
           and
           if
           for
           every
           one
           of
           them
           wee
           were
           to
           live
           an
           age
           before
           wee
           died
           ,
           yet
           were
           this
           terme
           as
           nothing
           being
           compared
           unto
           Eternity
           ,
           since
           time
           would
           at
           last
           consume
           all
           that
           large
           stocke
           of
           our
           subsistance
           ,
           and
           Eternity
           when
           that
           were
           past
           would
           still
           continue
           constant
           in
           the
           full
           possession
           of
           all
           its
           being
           .
        
         
           
             Aristotle
          
           was
           of
           opinion
           the
           world
           wherein
           wee
           live
           had
           no
           beginning
           ,
           and
           should
           never
           have
           an
           ending
           ,
           perswaded
           thereunto
           by
           the
           incessant
           vicissitude
           of
           generation
           ,
           and
           corruption
           ,
           and
           the
           setled
           
           course
           of
           Nature
           which
           perpetuates
           all
           the
           severall
           species
           ,
           or
           kinds
           of
           things
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           continuall
           decay
           of
           the
           individualls
           ,
           whereof
           they
           are
           composed
           ;
           if
           this
           imagination
           of
           his
           were
           true
           ,
           it
           would
           then
           follow
           ,
           that
           the
           duration
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           should
           bee
           indeed
           perpetuall
           ,
           but
           not
           infinite
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           would
           have
           nothing
           in
           it
           approaching
           to
           the
           pure
           simplicity
           of
           an
           Eternall
           being
           .
           For
           if
           time
           be
           divided
           (
           as
           reason
           ,
           experience
           ,
           and
           the
           opinion
           of
           all
           Philosophers
           ,
           assure
           us
           t
           is
           )
           into
           past
           ,
           present
           ,
           and
           to
           come
           ,
           how
           can
           that
           (
           though
           nere
           so
           farr
           extended
           )
           bee
           without
           end
           ?
           whose
           very
           being
           consists
           in
           a
           perpetuall
           fluxe
           of
           ending
           and
           beginning
           ;
           or
           how
           can
           that
           bee
           without
           bounds
           ?
           whose
           two
           parts
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           first
           and
           last
           ,
           are
           not
           at
           all
           ;
           and
           whose
           third
           part
           (
           wherein
           onely
           it
           subsists
           )
           is
           circumscribed
           within
           such
           narrow
           limits
           ,
           that
           we
           can
           hardly
           think
           a
           thought
           ,
           during
           the
           terme
           of
           its
           duration
           :
           and
           what
           resemblance
           can
           there
           bee
           in
           it
           of
           Eternity
           ;
           the
           one
           being
           in
           a
           continuall
           
           motion
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           in
           a
           constant
           quiet
           ;
           the
           one
           perpetually
           changing
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           never
           subject
           to
           alteration
           ,
           and
           the
           one
           in
           fine
           subsisting
           onely
           in
           the
           short
           instants
           of
           the
           present
           time
           ,
           whereas
           the
           other
           comprehends
           all
           times
           past
           ,
           present
           ,
           and
           to
           come
           ,
           in
           the
           pure
           simplicity
           of
           a
           present
           being
           .
           From
           this
           ground
           ,
           there
           ariseth
           another
           consideration
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           that
           is
           of
           the
           indivisibility
           thereof
           ,
           which
           I
           make
           the
           subject
           of
           my
           next
           reflection
           .
        
         
           Indivisibility
           is
           a
           terme
           also
           negative
           ,
           which
           represents
           unto
           us
           onely
           something
           that
           cannot
           bee
           parcelled
           out
           by
           portions
           as
           the
           things
           of
           this
           inferiour
           world
           way
           bee
           .
           
             Divide
             ,
             et
             impera
             ,
          
           that
           is
           divide
           and
           governe
           ,
           is
           a
           maxime
           succesfully
           practised
           by
           the
           Politicians
           ,
           when
           making
           use
           of
           the
           private
           dissentions
           either
           of
           a
           City
           ,
           or
           Common-wealth
           ,
           they
           obtaine
           and
           preserve
           thereby
           their
           Dominion
           over
           all
           the
           differing
           parties
           :
           and
           we
           may
           also
           ,
           with
           the
           same
           
           truth
           affirme
           this
           other
           ,
           
             Divide
             &
             destru●
             ,
          
           divide
           and
           destroy
           ;
           God
           who
           is
           Creator
           of
           whatsoever
           hath
           an
           existence
           ,
           being
           himselfe
           one
           by
           the
           simplicity
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           hath
           placed
           the
           subsistence
           of
           all
           things
           in
           unity
           ,
           and
           hath
           therefore
           by
           a
           working
           peculiar
           onely
           to
           himselfe
           ,
           united
           the
           contraries
           of
           heat
           and
           cold
           ,
           of
           draught
           and
           moisture
           ,
           unto
           the
           making
           up
           of
           all
           the
           severall
           bodies
           ,
           either
           sensible
           or
           insensible
           ,
           which
           are
           contained
           in
           the
           rich
           treasury
           of
           nature
           ;
           whilest
           they
           continue
           united
           by
           this
           bond
           ,
           so
           long
           they
           are
           said
           to
           bee
           ;
           but
           if
           the
           union
           bee
           once
           broken
           ,
           either
           by
           externall
           violence
           ,
           or
           the
           inward
           working
           of
           the
           different
           qualities
           whereof
           the
           body
           is
           composed
           ;
           then
           doth
           it
           forthwith
           lose
           the
           former
           being
           ,
           and
           becomes
           some
           other
           thing
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           new
           form
           which
           it
           acquires
           .
           As
           long
           as
           our
           bodies
           remaine
           fit
           to
           entertaine
           our
           soules
           ,
           by
           the
           due
           temperature
           of
           the
           humors
           ,
           and
           disposition
           of
           the
           Organs
           to
           receive
           her
           operations
           ,
           wee
           continue
           to
           bee
           men
           ;
           
           but
           when
           that
           ceaseth
           either
           by
           inward
           distemper
           or
           outward
           force
           ,
           wee
           then
           leave
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           our
           soules
           becomming
           seperated
           formes
           ,
           and
           our
           bodies
           returning
           to
           the
           common
           masse
           of
           matter
           ,
           from
           whence
           they
           are
           extracted
           ;
           the
           same
           wee
           see
           happens
           in
           beasts
           ,
           plants
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           other
           inanimate
           bodies
           ,
           of
           what
           Nature
           or
           quality
           soever
           :
           so
           as
           there
           can
           bee
           no
           conclusion
           truer
           then
           this
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           is
           allready
           divided
           ,
           hath
           left
           to
           bee
           what
           it
           was
           formerly
           ,
           whatsoever
           may
           bee
           divided
           is
           subject
           to
           decay
           and
           ruine
           ;
           and
           whatsoever
           is
           indivisible
           ,
           must
           also
           of
           necessity
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           simplicity
           of
           its
           Nature
           bee
           Eternall
           .
        
         
           Eternity
           is
           therefore
           indivisible
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           happy
           persons
           who
           have
           gained
           that
           blessed
           part
           ,
           are
           allwaies
           in
           possession
           of
           their
           whole
           being
           ,
           they
           lose
           nothing
           of
           what
           is
           past
           ,
           they
           want
           nothing
           of
           what
           is
           future
           ,
           but
           the
           present
           in
           that
           Celestiall
           Countrey
           doth
           comprehend
           after
           an
           unexpressible
           manner
           ,
           all
           those
           
           three
           different
           ,
           and
           incompatible
           parts
           ,
           into
           which
           time
           is
           divided
           .
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           happinesse
           found
           there
           ,
           is
           true
           ,
           and
           solid
           ;
           because
           those
           different
           goods
           are
           united
           in
           that
           fixed
           Mansion
           ,
           which
           being
           heere
           divided
           ,
           mislead
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           humane
           kinde
           in
           the
           search
           they
           make
           after
           the
           chiefest
           good
           ,
           and
           feed
           us
           onely
           with
           appearances
           instead
           of
           truth
           .
        
         
           Good
           is
           the
           simplest
           of
           all
           other
           beings
           ,
           and
           is
           therefore
           not
           to
           bee
           looked
           for
           heere
           ,
           where
           nothing
           doth
           subsist
           but
           is
           compounded
           ;
           and
           all
           those
           things
           which
           are
           so
           eagerly
           pursued
           by
           men
           ,
           for
           the
           resemblance
           they
           have
           to
           good
           ,
           are
           but
           like
           glowormes
           ,
           which
           cheat
           us
           as
           wee
           wander
           in
           the
           night
           ,
           and
           casting
           forth
           a
           lustre
           equall
           to
           that
           of
           the
           most
           precious
           Gemmes
           ,
           are
           in
           themselves
           naught
           else
           but
           rottenness
           &
           putrefacti●●…
        
         
           ●…ee
           are
           divided
           almost
           into
           as
           many
           〈◊〉
           〈◊〉
           ns
           ,
           as
           persons
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           seeks
           〈◊〉
           〈◊〉
           〈◊〉
           sse
           (
           which
           is
           the
           chiefest
           good
           )
           
           a
           severall
           way
           ,
           in
           the
           variety
           of
           their
           owne
           appetites
           ,
           neglecting
           Eternity
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           onely
           place
           where
           it
           resides
           .
        
         
           Some
           hunt
           after
           power
           and
           soveraign
           command
           ,
           expecting
           to
           find
           true
           contentment
           in
           Authority
           ;
           but
           alas
           !
           how
           infinitely
           are
           they
           misguided
           by
           ambition
           ?
           the
           cares
           of
           governing
           ,
           and
           dangers
           that
           accompany
           a
           Scepter
           ,
           so
           farr
           outwaigh
           the
           happinesse
           found
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           
             Augustus
             Caesar
             ,
          
           who
           enjoyed
           the
           Empire
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           setled
           times
           it
           ever
           saw
           ,
           made
           it
           his
           dayly
           suite
           unto
           the
           Senate
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           bee
           restored
           unto
           the
           quiet
           of
           a
           private
           life
           :
           and
           
             Diocletian
          
           having
           generously
           cast
           off
           the
           yoake
           of
           ruling
           others
           ,
           refused
           to
           returne
           againe
           unto
           the
           glorious
           servitude
           ,
           professing
           that
           hee
           found
           more
           pleasure
           among
           the
           Cabages
           growing
           in
           his
           solitary
           garden
           ,
           then
           twenty
           yeares
           command
           over
           the
           Roman
           Empire
           had
           yielded
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           Others
           there
           are
           ,
           whose
           thoughts
           are
           
           wholly
           taken
           up
           in
           gathering
           wealth
           ,
           as
           if
           that
           were
           the
           onely
           thing
           to
           bee
           desired
           ,
           never
           considering
           (
           so
           grosly
           are
           they
           blinded
           by
           their
           covetousnesse
           )
           that
           the
           content
           of
           riches
           consists
           not
           in
           the
           hoording
           up
           of
           treasures
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           liberall
           distribution
           of
           them
           ;
           that
           the
           sordid
           wayes
           of
           gathering
           money
           ,
           renders
           them
           odious
           to
           others
           ,
           and
           the
           restlesse
           care
           of
           keeping
           it
           ,
           destroyes
           the
           quiet
           they
           would
           establish
           in
           themselves
           ;
           that
           their
           continuall
           negotiation
           about
           gaine
           ,
           hinders
           them
           from
           enjoying
           the
           happinesse
           of
           life
           ;
           and
           that
           in
           fine
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           reaped
           the
           plentiful
           harvest
           of
           al
           their
           labours
           ,
           they
           must
           resigne
           it
           unto
           others
           ,
           who
           longing
           to
           enjoy
           the
           pretious
           spoile
           ,
           thinke
           their
           lives
           tedious
           ,
           and
           their
           deaths
           welcome
           .
           I
           forbeare
           to
           mention
           the
           infinite
           number
           of
           mischiefes
           which
           the
           possession
           of
           riches
           hath
           brought
           upon
           the
           owners
           :
           how
           many
           are
           there
           who
           (
           like
           
             Seneca
          
           )
           have
           in
           hoording
           up
           treasures
           beene
           carefull
           to
           get
           together
           the
           instruments
           of
           their
           owne
           ruine
           ?
           finding
           
           at
           last
           by
           experience
           ,
           that
           to
           be
           the
           occasion
           of
           their
           deaths
           ,
           wherein
           they
           had
           established
           the
           contentment
           of
           their
           lives
           :
           this
           is
           a
           truth
           so
           evidently
           certaine
           ,
           that
           not
           Philosophers
           onely
           and
           votaries
           ,
           have
           beene
           able
           to
           discover
           the
           imposture
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           even
           whole
           Nations
           have
           agreed
           upon
           it
           .
           The
           inhabitants
           of
           the
           Balearicke
           Islands
           (
           now
           called
           
             Majorca
             ,
          
           &
           
             Minorca
          
           )
           drowned
           al
           their
           gold
           and
           silver
           in
           the
           Ocean
           ;
           and
           the
           Spartans
           (
           one
           of
           the
           most
           flourishing
           Common-wealths
           that
           ever
           were
           )
           banished
           those
           mettalls
           out
           of
           the
           confines
           of
           their
           territories
           ,
           forbidding
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           them
           to
           all
           their
           Citizens
           ;
           as
           being
           incompatible
           with
           true
           contentment
           .
        
         
           Some
           place
           their
           happinesse
           in
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           shunning
           whatsoever
           hath
           the
           shew
           of
           trouble
           ,
           give
           themselves
           wholly
           up
           to
           sensuall
           delights
           ;
           fond
           fooles
           ,
           who
           blinded
           by
           their
           bestiall
           appetites
           ,
           thinke
           themselves
           happy
           men
           in
           practising
           those
           actions
           ,
           which
           deprive
           them
           
           of
           the
           dignity
           of
           being
           reasonable
           creatures
           ,
           and
           cast
           them
           down
           into
           the
           rank
           of
           beasts
           ;
           unworthy
           of
           enjoying
           soules
           made
           after
           the
           Divine
           likenesse
           ,
           since
           they
           imploy
           their
           whole
           time
           in
           giving
           satisfaction
           to
           their
           bodies
           .
           And
           yet
           how
           short
           are
           those
           few
           minutes
           of
           contentment
           which
           they
           enjoy
           ,
           whilest
           they
           abandon
           themselves
           to
           their
           debauches
           ,
           being
           compared
           to
           those
           of
           trouble
           ,
           which
           necessarily
           accompany
           the
           pleasures
           they
           hunt
           after
           ?
           the
           drunkard
           will
           assure
           us
           that
           the
           paine
           hee
           suffers
           in
           his
           head
           ,
           and
           stomacke
           ,
           is
           of
           much
           longer
           continuance
           ,
           then
           was
           the
           tast
           of
           that
           delicious
           wine
           wherein
           hee
           made
           a
           shipwrack
           of
           his
           reason
           ;
           the
           passion
           whether
           fained
           ,
           or
           reall
           ,
           which
           a
           libidinous
           man
           acts
           ,
           or
           suffers
           for
           a
           desired
           beauty
           ,
           and
           the
           solicitous
           endeavours
           ,
           used
           by
           him
           for
           obtaining
           of
           his
           prey
           ,
           farr
           outwaigh
           the
           momentary
           pleasure
           hee
           enjoyes
           ,
           which
           notwithstanding
           is
           attended
           with
           remorse
           of
           conscience
           from
           within
           ,
           and
           the
           apprehensions
           of
           danger
           ,
           and
           dishonour
           
           from
           abroad
           .
           Diseases
           (
           the
           effect
           of
           their
           disorders
           )
           take
           up
           a
           setled
           quarter
           in
           their
           bodies
           ,
           and
           render
           that
           the
           constant
           mansion
           of
           griefe
           ,
           and
           paine
           ,
           where
           they
           intended
           to
           have
           given
           admittance
           unto
           nought
           but
           joy
           ,
           and
           pleasure
           ;
           and
           for
           a
           complement
           of
           their
           misfortunes
           ,
           their
           vices
           like
           a
           raging
           fire
           ,
           consuming
           all
           those
           excellencies
           which
           God
           and
           Nature
           have
           bestowed
           upon
           them
           ;
           brand
           them
           with
           a
           perpetuall
           blot
           of
           infamy
           to
           all
           posterity
           ,
           and
           fixe
           an
           everlasting
           guilt
           upon
           their
           soules
           .
        
         
           
             Sampson
          
           had
           a
           prodigious
           strength
           infinitely
           surpassing
           that
           of
           other
           men
           ,
           seconded
           by
           an
           excesse
           of
           courage
           ,
           which
           rendred
           him
           victorious
           over
           Lyons
           ,
           and
           triumphant
           in
           the
           discomfiture
           of
           an
           hoast
           of
           men
           ;
           his
           single
           person
           was
           of
           more
           value
           then
           an
           army
           ,
           but
           when
           hee
           suffered
           himselfe
           to
           bee
           conducted
           by
           his
           passion
           ,
           the
           love
           of
           
             Dalila
          
           having
           first
           blindfolded
           his
           reasons
           eyes
           ,
           deprived
           him
           after
           of
           his
           corporeall
           sight
           ,
           betrayd
           him
           to
           his
           enemies
           ,
           and
           reduced
           
           him
           to
           so
           great
           a
           height
           of
           misery
           ,
           that
           to
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           contempt
           to
           which
           he
           was
           exposed
           ,
           hee
           was
           constrained
           to
           employ
           his
           matchlesse
           force
           ,
           in
           working
           his
           revenge
           by
           his
           owne
           ruine
           .
        
         
           
             Sardanapalus
          
           (
           last
           of
           the
           Assyrian
           Monarches
           )
           saw
           himselfe
           peaceably
           setled
           in
           the
           chiefe
           Empire
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           but
           having
           once
           given
           himselfe
           over
           to
           his
           effeminate
           pleasures
           ,
           the
           fire
           of
           lust
           first
           kindled
           in
           his
           owne
           heart
           ,
           quickly
           destroyed
           the
           respect
           of
           him
           in
           the
           mindes
           of
           neighbour
           Princes
           ,
           and
           his
           owne
           subjects
           ,
           and
           after
           taking
           hold
           on
           the
           magnificent
           
             Pile
          
           hee
           had
           caused
           to
           bee
           erected
           ,
           reduced
           to
           ashes
           both
           his
           person
           and
           his
           Empire
           .
        
         
           
             Alexander
          
           (
           justly
           surnamed
           the
           great
           ,
           for
           his
           unparalleld
           courage
           ,
           conduct
           ,
           and
           fortun
           )
           was
           mounted
           to
           so
           great
           a
           height
           of
           glory
           ,
           that
           he
           despised
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           a
           place
           too
           narrow
           to
           bound
           the
           limits
           of
           his
           conquests
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           murther
           of
           his
           friend
           
             Clitus
             ,
          
           which
           hee
           committed
           in
           his
           drunkennesse
           ,
           rendred
           all
           these
           prosperities
           
           so
           unsavory
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           attempted
           the
           killing
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           begate
           such
           an
           aversion
           against
           him
           in
           the
           mindes
           of
           divers
           of
           his
           subjects
           ,
           that
           they
           prepared
           a
           poyson
           for
           him
           ,
           which
           cutting
           short
           the
           course
           of
           all
           his
           victories
           ,
           buried
           his
           triumphs
           ,
           together
           with
           his
           carcasse
           in
           the
           grave
           .
        
         
           
             Salomon
          
           received
           from
           God
           the
           gift
           of
           an
           incomparable
           wisedome
           ,
           above
           all
           the
           men
           that
           ever
           were
           ,
           and
           with
           it
           a
           confluence
           of
           all
           those
           blessings
           ,
           which
           might
           raise
           humane
           nature
           unto
           the
           greatest
           height
           of
           happinesse
           ,
           whereof
           t'
           is
           capable
           during
           this
           mortall
           life
           ;
           but
           the
           inordinate
           love
           of
           women
           ,
           to
           which
           he
           was
           addicted
           in
           his
           latter
           time
           ,
           deprived
           his
           issue
           of
           the
           greater
           part
           of
           his
           terrestiall
           kingdome
           ,
           and
           himselfe
           (
           as
           some
           doe
           probably
           conjecture
           )
           of
           the
           Eternall
           ioyes
           of
           heaven
           .
        
         
           Why
           should
           I
           farther
           instance
           the
           single
           punishments
           of
           particular
           voluptuous
           persons
           ?
           t
           is
           so
           prodigious
           a
           madnesse
           for
           man
           to
           place
           his
           chiefest
           good
           
           in
           sensuall
           lust
           ,
           that
           it
           hath
           drawn
           down
           fire
           from
           heaven
           for
           the
           consuming
           of
           whole
           Cities
           ,
           and
           water
           from
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           firmaments
           ,
           which
           was
           upon
           the
           point
           to
           have
           extirpated
           mankind
           ,
           all
           the
           different
           Elements
           conspiring
           to
           revenge
           that
           insufferable
           wrong
           is
           done
           to
           their
           Creator
           ,
           when
           wee
           neglect
           his
           image
           ingraven
           in
           our
           soules
           ,
           to
           satisfie
           the
           fleshly
           part
           of
           us
           ,
           which
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           dust
           and
           ashes
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           conclude
           ,
           even
           
             Epicurus
          
           the
           Philosopher
           ,
           who
           placed
           the
           chiefest
           good
           of
           man
           in
           pleasure
           ,
           did
           notwithstanding
           (
           if
           we
           believe
           
             Seneca
             ,
          
           rather
           then
           some
           others
           who
           have
           slandered
           him
           )
           esteeme
           ,
           that
           pleasure
           to
           consist
           i'
           th
           golden
           meane
           of
           temperance
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           the
           exorbitant
           use
           of
           wine
           ,
           of
           play
           ,
           of
           gluttony
           ,
           and
           women
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           exceeded
           in
           handling
           this
           perticular
           the
           brevity
           I
           had
           proposed
           unto
           my selfe
           ,
           because
           these
           are
           the
           Meteors
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           glittering
           brightnesse
           of
           their
           deceitfull
           light
           ,
           dazle
           the
           eyes
           of
           
           our
           unweary
           youth
           ,
           and
           like
           so
           many
           wandring
           fires
           mislead
           us
           in
           our
           search
           for
           happinesse
           ,
           through
           the
           blind
           paths
           of
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           folly
           ,
           untill
           at
           last
           they
           traine
           us
           into
           the
           dangerous
           precipies
           of
           wickednesse
           ,
           and
           infamy
           ,
           from
           whence
           wee
           are
           not
           able
           (
           without
           particular
           assistance
           of
           the
           Divine
           grace
           )
           to
           free
           our selves
           ,
           for
           all
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           All
           other
           things
           so
           greedily
           grasped
           at
           by
           worldly
           men
           ,
           may
           be
           reduced
           unto
           the
           before
           mentioned
           heads
           ,
           of
           power
           ,
           of
           riches
           ,
           and
           of
           pleasure
           ,
           nobility
           ,
           fame
           ,
           and
           respect
           ,
           are
           the
           attendants
           upon
           power
           ,
           sufficiency
           ,
           and
           plenty
           ,
           waite
           upon
           riches
           ,
           health
           ,
           strength
           ,
           and
           beauty
           ,
           are
           necessarily
           required
           to
           the
           compleating
           of
           our
           pleasures
           ,
           and
           therefore
           what
           false
           appearance
           soever
           of
           happinesse
           ,
           they
           may
           hold
           forth
           to
           our
           deluded
           mindes
           ,
           they
           cannot
           possibly
           give
           us
           that
           true
           content
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           to
           be
           found
           in
           these
           principall
           things
           ,
           whereunto
           they
           are
           but
           accessories
           .
        
         
           Power
           ,
           riches
           ,
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           ,
           
           have
           indeed
           some
           resemblance
           of
           good
           ,
           but
           are
           not
           that
           which
           they
           resemble
           for
           good
           ;
           or
           happinesse
           (
           being
           the
           same
           )
           consists
           not
           in
           possessing
           many
           different
           things
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           union
           of
           all
           together
           ,
           whereas
           they
           are
           so
           farr
           from
           being
           one
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           inconsistent
           with
           each
           other
           .
        
         
           The
           waight
           of
           businesse
           ,
           and
           distance
           kept
           by
           Soveraigne
           Princes
           ,
           for
           maintaining
           the
           reverence
           due
           to
           their
           calling
           ,
           permits
           them
           not
           the
           sweet
           delights
           of
           pleasure
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           freedome
           of
           equality
           is
           requisite
           ,
           and
           the
           vastnesse
           of
           their
           expence
           ,
           in
           warrs
           ,
           in
           treaties
           ,
           for
           intelligence
           ,
           and
           other
           things
           incident
           to
           their
           Authority
           makes
           them
           the
           neediest
           almost
           of
           all
           other
           men
           .
           The
           wary
           closenesse
           of
           the
           rich
           miser
           ,
           inconsistent
           with
           popularity
           ,
           hinders
           him
           from
           being
           powerfull
           ,
           and
           his
           daily
           imployment
           about
           the
           encreasing
           of
           his
           store
           ,
           debarrs
           him
           from
           the
           use
           of
           pleasure
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           had
           without
           the
           expence
           of
           time
           ,
           and
           money
           .
           The
           seriousnesse
           of
           great
           
           affaires
           disturbes
           the
           quietnesse
           of
           pleasures
           ,
           and
           the
           prodigality
           of
           luxury
           ,
           wasts
           the
           estates
           of
           those
           that
           are
           addicted
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           In
           fine
           ,
           which
           way
           soever
           wee
           turne
           our selves
           ,
           to
           seeke
           contentment
           in
           satisfaction
           of
           our
           lustfull
           appetites
           ,
           these
           divided
           goods
           which
           cannot
           dwell
           together
           in
           one
           subject
           frustrate
           our
           expectations
           ,
           and
           enforce
           us
           to
           confesse
           with
           the
           wiseman
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           hath
           a
           subsistence
           during
           the
           continuance
           of
           time
           ,
           is
           vanity
           ,
           of
           vanities
           ,
           and
           naught
           but
           vanity
           .
           For
           if
           by
           a
           particular
           indulgence
           ,
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Nature
           ,
           these
           divided
           (
           and
           as
           I
           have
           already
           shewed
           )
           incompatible
           blessings
           ,
           of
           power
           ,
           riches
           ,
           pleasure
           ,
           respect
           ,
           nobility
           ,
           fame
           ,
           plenty
           ,
           beauty
           ,
           health
           ,
           and
           strength
           ,
           should
           fall
           to
           bee
           the
           portion
           of
           one
           man
           ;
           what
           were
           all
           these
           advantages
           without
           security
           in
           the
           injoyment
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           vanity
           ,
           and
           meere
           vexation
           of
           our
           spirits
           ?
           and
           what
           security
           can
           this
           life
           possibly
           afford
           ,
           amid
           the
           dayly
           apprehensions
           of
           being
           deprived
           of
           them
           before
           wee
           die
           ,
           and
           certainty
           
           to
           lose
           them
           ,
           when
           wee
           descend
           into
           the
           grave
           ?
        
         
           Our
           blessed
           Saviour
           therefore
           adviseth
           
             Martha
          
           not
           to
           divide
           her
           thoughts
           ,
           in
           the
           sollicitous
           quest
           of
           many
           things
           ,
           since
           what
           was
           necessary
           was
           onely
           one
           ,
           And
           that
           we
           might
           not
           be
           to
           seeke
           ,
           what
           that
           one
           ,
           single
           ,
           necessary
           thing
           should
           bee
           ,
           himselfe
           informes
           us
           in
           another
           place
           what
           t'
           is
           ,
           when
           he
           commands
           us
           ,
           to
           seek
           first
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Heaven
           by
           just
           and
           righteous
           actions
           ,
           which
           being
           once
           obtained
           ,
           we
           shall
           enjoy
           all
           other
           blessings
           as
           coessentiall
           with
           it
           .
        
         
           Is
           power
           the
           object
           of
           thy
           wishes
           ?
           thou
           shalt
           bee
           there
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           assures
           )
           coheire
           with
           him
           ,
           to
           whom
           all
           power
           in
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           is
           given
           .
           Is
           honour
           or
           command
           thy
           chiefest
           good
           ?
           it
           is
           so
           liberally
           dispensed
           to
           all
           the
           inhabitants
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           that
           the
           Prophet
           
             David
          
           seemes
           to
           charge
           God
           with
           prodigallity
           in
           that
           perticular
           ,
           when
           he
           cries
           out
           ,
           
             Nimis
             honorati
             sunt
             amici
             tui
             Deus
             ;
             nimis
             confortatus
             est
             principatus
             eorum
             !
          
           my
           God!
           
           thy
           friends
           are
           too
           much
           honoured
           ,
           their
           principallity
           is
           too
           much
           strengthened
           ,
           or
           established
           .
           Doest
           thou
           desire
           fame
           or
           riches
           ?
           behold
           the
           same
           Prophet
           telleth
           thee
           ,
           
             Gloria
             ,
             et
             divitiae
             ,
             in
             domo
             Domini
             ,
          
           glory
           ,
           and
           riches
           ,
           are
           in
           the
           house
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
           Art
           thou
           delighted
           with
           the
           magnificence
           of
           royall
           feasts
           ?
           the
           King
           of
           Kings
           hath
           by
           his
           onely
           Sonne
           sent
           downe
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           invited
           all
           mankind
           to
           a
           delicious
           banquet
           in
           his
           eternall
           pallace
           ,
           where
           having
           seated
           all
           the
           guests
           that
           come
           upon
           his
           invitation
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           severall
           degrees
           ,
           himselfe
           will
           minister
           unto
           them
           .
           Is
           thy
           heart
           ravished
           at
           the
           sight
           of
           some
           accomplished
           beauty
           ?
           those
           who
           reside
           in
           that
           Eternall
           mansion
           ,
           out
           shine
           the
           Sunn
           in
           greatest
           height
           of
           all
           his
           glory
           .
        
         
           In
           fine
           ,
           whatever
           else
           it
           is
           that
           doth
           delight
           thee
           shall
           there
           bee
           present
           ;
           because
           all
           thy
           soules
           faculties
           which
           can
           find
           nothing
           in
           this
           inferiour
           world
           but
           is
           too
           meane
           &
           narrow
           for
           them
           ,
           shal
           there
           bee
           fully
           satisfied
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           large
           
           extent
           of
           all
           their
           powers
           ,
           being
           absorpt
           in
           contemplation
           of
           the
           first
           truth
           ,
           and
           the
           injoyment
           of
           the
           chiefest
           good
           ;
           and
           yet
           all
           this
           shall
           bee
           ,
           not
           by
           the
           various
           diversity
           of
           severall
           objects
           ,
           but
           by
           their
           blessed
           admission
           to
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           who
           being
           the
           first
           cause
           ,
           containes
           emminently
           the
           perfection
           of
           all
           other
           beings
           ,
           in
           the
           simplicity
           of
           his
           owne
           nature
           ,
           communicating
           freely
           all
           his
           excellencies
           to
           those
           happy
           persons
           ,
           who
           are
           made
           pertakers
           with
           him
           in
           the
           infinite
           ,
           and
           indivisible
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           Having
           cōsidered
           the
           vast
           diversity
           there
           is
           between
           Eternity
           &
           time
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           infinity
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           &
           the
           strait
           limits
           wherein
           the
           other
           is
           shut
           up
           ▪
           and
           circumscribed
           ;
           the
           entire
           firmnesse
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           the
           minute
           parts
           whereinto
           the
           other
           is
           divided
           ,
           it
           followes
           that
           wee
           should
           raise
           our
           thoughts
           unto
           the
           contemplation
           of
           those
           excellencies
           ,
           which
           an
           Eternall
           being
           hath
           ,
           by
           the
           comparing
           of
           it
           unto
           that
           which
           wee
           enjoy
           ,
           during
           the
           succession
           of
           time
           .
        
         
         
           Those
           who
           imploy
           themselves
           in
           quest
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           wee
           vulgarly
           call
           the
           Philosophers
           Stone
           ,
           have
           not
           as
           yet
           found
           out
           the
           way
           of
           fixing
           
             Mercury
             ,
          
           which
           is
           the
           caus
           they
           fail
           in
           their
           attempts
           of
           making
           gold
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           many
           laborious
           ,
           and
           chargeable
           experiments
           ,
           have
           beene
           used
           for
           the
           effecting
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           all
           that
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           establish
           their
           contentment
           ,
           in
           the
           perishable
           goods
           of
           this
           inferiour
           world
           ,
           have
           found
           themselves
           deluded
           by
           their
           hopes
           ,
           because
           they
           were
           not
           able
           ,
           to
           fixe
           the
           fleeting
           instants
           of
           the
           present
           time
           ;
           whose
           continuall
           motion
           ,
           is
           of
           all
           other
           things
           ,
           most
           destructive
           unto
           the
           happinesse
           of
           life
           .
        
         
           What
           an
           uncomfortable
           voyage
           would
           that
           man
           have
           ,
           who
           were
           bound
           out
           in
           quest
           of
           some
           particular
           wave
           ,
           i'
           th
           middest
           of
           the
           Atlanticke
           Ocean
           ,
           how
           improbable
           that
           hee
           should
           make
           discovery
           of
           what
           hee
           sought
           for
           ?
           and
           how
           impossible
           to
           settle
           there
           ,
           considering
           the
           perpetuall
           agitation
           of
           the
           waters
           ,
           
           in
           that
           restlesse
           Element
           ?
           And
           yet
           such
           is
           the
           fatall
           blindnesse
           which
           possesseth
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           humane
           kind
           ,
           that
           wee
           consume
           our
           lives
           in
           seeking
           to
           find
           out
           a
           permanent
           blisse
           ,
           amid
           the
           various
           diversity
           of
           worldly
           things
           ;
           though
           all
           our
           predecessors
           for
           above
           fifty
           ages
           past
           ,
           who
           have
           preceded
           us
           in
           that
           designe
           ,
           have
           perished
           in
           it
           ,
           without
           being
           able
           to
           informe
           us
           any
           thing
           ,
           save
           onely
           this
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           met
           with
           nothing
           in
           their
           severall
           wandrings
           but
           vanity
           ,
           nor
           reaped
           ought
           but
           the
           vexation
           of
           their
           spirits
           ;
           and
           that
           times
           course
           (
           as
           certain
           ,
           though
           not
           so
           rapid
           as
           that
           of
           the
           Ocean
           )
           faileth
           not
           to
           ravish
           from
           us
           all
           those
           pleasing
           objects
           ,
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           which
           ,
           wee
           entertaine
           our
           lives
           ;
           and
           fancy
           in
           the
           obtaining
           of
           them
           ,
           a
           contentment
           ,
           which
           is
           no where
           to
           bee
           found
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           happy
           region
           of
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           That
           harmelesse
           innocence
           which
           is
           the
           precious
           treasure
           of
           our
           Childhood
           ,
           is
           violently
           snatched
           from
           us
           by
           the
           heat
           of
           youth
           ,
           that
           inconsiderately
           ingageth
           
           us
           ,
           to
           seeke
           contentment
           in
           satisfaction
           of
           our
           lustfull
           appetites
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           accesse
           of
           yeares
           and
           judgement
           at
           mans
           estate
           ,
           hath
           made
           us
           see
           the
           vanity
           of
           that
           employment
           ,
           ambition
           ,
           pride
           ,
           and
           covetousnesse
           ,
           present
           us
           with
           the
           specious
           baits
           of
           honour
           ,
           power
           ,
           and
           riches
           ,
           and
           traine
           us
           by
           those
           sweet
           allurements
           from
           contemplation
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           to
           employ
           the
           strength
           ,
           and
           vigour
           of
           our
           age
           in
           purchase
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           could
           bestow
           true
           happinesse
           on
           their
           possessors
           ;
           untill
           at
           last
           (
           if
           death
           prevent
           us
           not
           before
           )
           wee
           finde
           our selves
           arrived
           at
           the
           utmost
           period
           of
           life
           ,
           (
           old
           age
           )
           where
           though
           experience
           discover
           to
           us
           the
           true
           nature
           of
           those
           transitory
           things
           wee
           first
           admired
           ,
           yet
           we
           can
           reape
           no
           other
           fruit
           of
           all
           her
           counsels
           ,
           but
           only
           sorrow
           ,
           and
           dispaire
           ,
           when
           we
           consider
           the
           grosnesse
           of
           our
           errours
           ,
           and
           miscarriages
           for
           the
           time
           past
           ,
           and
           the
           impossibility
           of
           amending
           them
           in
           that
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           the
           royall
           Prophet
           
             David
          
           takes
           occasion
           to
           reproach
           mankind
           
           of
           dulnesse
           ,
           and
           heavinesse
           of
           heart
           ,
           that
           forsaking
           the
           onely
           necessary
           thought
           and
           study
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           give
           themselves
           over
           unto
           the
           love
           of
           vanity
           and
           the
           pursuit
           of
           lies
           ;
           
             filii
             hominum
             usque
             quo
             gravi
             corde
             ;
             ut
             quid
             diligitis
             vanitatem
             et
             quaeritis
             mendacium
             ?
          
           as
           who
           should
           say
           ,
           you
           sons
           of
           men
           ,
           how
           long
           will
           you
           permit
           your
           hearts
           and
           your
           affections
           to
           bee
           waighed
           downe
           by
           the
           inordinate
           sollitude
           for
           earthly
           things
           ?
           behold
           ,
           the
           pleasures
           which
           you
           love
           and
           court
           for
           satisfaction
           of
           your
           youth
           ,
           are
           onely
           vanity
           ,
           and
           those
           more
           sollid
           imployments
           you
           search
           after
           for
           the
           entertainment
           of
           your
           elder
           yeares
           ,
           are
           but
           a
           lie
           ;
           promising
           contentment
           ,
           and
           giving
           nought
           but
           care
           ,
           vexation
           ,
           and
           repentance
           .
        
         
           If
           
             Julius
             Caesar
          
           could
           have
           foreseene
           that
           all
           his
           victories
           ,
           and
           triumphs
           whereby
           hee
           subjected
           unto
           himselfe
           the
           Roman
           State
           .
           (
           That
           proud
           mistresse
           of
           the
           knowne
           world
           )
           would
           but
           have
           served
           to
           make
           him
           fall
           a
           glorious
           victime
           in
           the
           Senate
           house
           ;
           hee
           had
           not
           prosecuted
           
           certainly
           with
           so
           much
           ardour
           as
           hee
           did
           ,
           the
           cutting
           off
           all
           those
           ,
           who
           opposed
           themselves
           to
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           his
           ambitious
           designes
           .
           King
           
             Pirrhus
          
           had
           sure
           followed
           the
           councell
           of
           his
           friend
           ,
           and
           betaken
           himselfe
           unto
           the
           quiet
           pleasures
           of
           a
           peacefull
           life
           ,
           had
           he
           beene
           well
           informed
           that
           all
           his
           thoughts
           of
           conquests
           and
           the
           inlargment
           of
           his
           Empire
           ,
           should
           perish
           together
           with
           himselfe
           ,
           by
           the
           hands
           of
           a
           weake
           woman
           ,
           in
           the
           attempt
           hee
           made
           to
           surprise
           the
           Citty
           
             Argos
             .
             Saladine
          
           (
           that
           great
           victorious
           Sultan
           of
           the
           East
           )
           would
           not
           have
           spent
           his
           life
           amid
           the
           toile
           ,
           and
           dangers
           that
           attend
           a
           martiall
           employment
           ,
           had
           he
           but
           thought
           at
           first
           ,
           as
           hee
           did
           afterwards
           ,
           at
           the
           houre
           of
           death
           ,
           that
           hee
           should
           carry
           nothing
           of
           all
           the
           spoiles
           and
           riches
           hee
           had
           gotten
           away
           with
           him
           ,
           but
           onely
           a
           poore
           shirt
           to
           shroud
           his
           carkasse
           .
        
         
           The
           rich
           man
           in
           the
           Gospell
           would
           not
           have
           joyed
           in
           his
           full
           barnes
           ,
           and
           store
           houses
           sufficient
           for
           the
           expence
           of
           
           many
           yeares
           ,
           had
           hee
           but
           knowne
           that
           hee
           should
           never
           live
           to
           see
           the
           birth
           of
           the
           succeeding
           morne
           .
        
         
           In
           fine
           ,
           the
           businesse
           of
           the
           world
           would
           cease
           ,
           and
           we
           should
           looke
           with
           horror
           ,
           and
           aversion
           ,
           upon
           those
           gilded
           follies
           ,
           and
           pleasing
           vanities
           ,
           in
           quest
           whereof
           wee
           spend
           our
           lives
           ,
           disturbe
           the
           Elements
           ,
           and
           alter
           the
           whole
           frame
           of
           nature
           ,
           were
           but
           their
           maske
           pulled
           off
           ,
           and
           wee
           made
           sensible
           of
           that
           which
           is
           confirmed
           unto
           us
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           all
           our
           predecessors
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           this
           inferiour
           world
           can
           give
           a
           satisfaction
           to
           our
           soule
           ,
           whose
           frame
           is
           equall
           unto
           that
           of
           the
           celestiall
           spirits
           ;
           and
           that
           allthough
           by
           an
           excesse
           of
           bestiallity
           ,
           wee
           could
           so
           plunge
           our
           soules
           into
           the
           masse
           of
           our
           terrestiall
           bodies
           ,
           as
           to
           set
           up
           our
           rests
           upon
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           those
           things
           which
           are
           the
           object
           of
           our
           senses
           ,
           yet
           age
           and
           sicknesse
           ,
           would
           like
           unbidden
           guests
           ,
           trouble
           the
           mirth
           of
           all
           our
           entertainments
           ;
           and
           time
           (
           the
           absolute
           commander
           of
           all
           sublunary
           
           things
           )
           consuming
           by
           degrees
           the
           matter
           of
           them
           ,
           would
           violently
           snatch
           us
           from
           their
           embraces
           ,
           and
           put
           in
           execution
           that
           irrevocable
           decree
           pronounced
           by
           God
           against
           materiall
           things
           ,
           to
           wit
           that
           whatsoever
           is
           composed
           of
           dust
           and
           ashes
           shall
           againe
           returne
           unto
           it
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           if
           wee
           examine
           the
           true
           cause
           of
           things
           ,
           wee
           must
           conclude
           ,
           that
           the
           ill
           conduct
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           miseries
           ,
           vices
           ,
           and
           disorders
           ,
           that
           flow
           from
           thence
           ;
           are
           an
           effect
           of
           the
           continuall
           motion
           of
           time
           ,
           which
           representing
           unto
           us
           these
           exteriour
           objects
           ,
           under
           severall
           disguises
           ,
           keeps
           us
           from
           penetrating
           into
           the
           true
           Nature
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           suggesting
           to
           our
           deluded
           mindes
           vaine
           hopes
           ,
           and
           feares
           ,
           doth
           by
           those
           false
           alarmes
           disturbe
           our
           reason
           ,
           and
           brings
           upon
           us
           a
           forgetfullnesse
           of
           what
           is
           past
           ,
           a
           mistake
           of
           what
           is
           present
           ,
           and
           a
           grosse
           negligence
           ,
           in
           not
           providing
           of
           our selves
           for
           what
           's
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           For
           remedy
           heereof
           ,
           antiquity
           was
           used
           
           to
           set
           up
           trophies
           and
           monuments
           of
           all
           great
           ,
           and
           vertuous
           actions
           ,
           as
           also
           to
           expose
           the
           bodies
           of
           Malefactors
           who
           were
           executed
           ,
           unto
           the
           publicke
           view
           on
           poles
           ,
           or
           gibbets
           ,
           that
           so
           posterity
           being
           put
           in
           minde
           of
           what
           had
           past
           ,
           might
           be
           invited
           to
           imitate
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           avoid
           the
           other
           .
           King
           
             Phillip
          
           (
           Father
           of
           the
           great
           
             Alexander
          
           )
           gave
           command
           unto
           a
           Page
           of
           his
           to
           wake
           him
           dayly
           with
           this
           admonition
           ,
           that
           hee
           should
           call
           to
           minde
           hee
           was
           a
           man
           ,
           fearing
           lest
           hee
           might
           otherwise
           bee
           transported
           by
           the
           false
           lustre
           of
           his
           greatnesse
           ,
           and
           prosperities
           ,
           as
           to
           mistake
           (
           which
           his
           Sonn
           after
           did
           )
           what
           himselfe
           was
           ,
           and
           forget
           the
           condition
           of
           humanity
           ,
           wherein
           hee
           had
           beene
           placed
           by
           God
           ,
           and
           Nature
           .
           And
           (
           the
           great
           Doctor
           of
           the
           Church
           )
           Saint
           
             Jerome
          
           thinkes
           it
           a
           matter
           of
           that
           consequence
           for
           us
           to
           imploy
           our selves
           in
           the
           consideration
           of
           what
           is
           future
           ,
           that
           hee
           assures
           us
           confidently
           (
           by
           warrant
           of
           the
           sacred
           Scripture
           )
           wee
           should
           never
           sin
           ,
           did
           wee
           but
           carefully
           ruminate
           
           on
           the
           last
           things
           that
           doe
           attend
           us
           .
           
             Memorare
             novissima
             tua
             et
             in
             aeternum
             non
             peccabis
             .
          
        
         
           See
           here
           the
           true
           condition
           of
           our
           being
           during
           the
           succession
           of
           time
           .
           Let
           us
           now
           alter
           the
           Scene
           and
           from
           this
           theater
           of
           confusion
           ,
           and
           disorder
           ,
           raise
           up
           our
           thoughts
           unto
           the
           contemplation
           of
           Eternity
           .
           It
           is
           an
           instant
           alwayes
           present
           ,
           never
           decaying
           ,
           whose
           infinity
           comprehends
           all
           times
           past
           ,
           present
           ,
           and
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           whose
           simplicity
           presenting
           us
           at
           once
           with
           whatsoever
           can
           be
           good
           or
           perfect
           ,
           united
           in
           their
           first
           cause
           ,
           whereof
           (
           unlesse
           our
           sinns
           debar
           us
           from
           his
           sight
           )
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           wee
           shall
           be
           then
           made
           glad
           beholders
           ;
           cleares
           up
           the
           foggy
           mists
           of
           ignorance
           ,
           of
           forgetfullnesse
           ,
           and
           of
           mistake
           ,
           which
           hang
           betweene
           our
           understandings
           and
           the
           truth
           of
           things
           ;
           fills
           all
           the
           powers
           and
           faculties
           of
           our
           soules
           with
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           their
           desired
           objects
           ,
           and
           doth
           establish
           us
           in
           the
           secure
           possession
           of
           our
           blisse
           beyond
           the
           reach
           of
           fortune
           ,
           
           or
           of
           time
           which
           shall
           not
           there
           have
           power
           to
           traverse
           our
           contentments
           with
           the
           desire
           of
           ought
           that
           's
           past
           ,
           or
           the
           apprehension
           of
           ought
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           When
           we
           have
           once
           maturely
           waighed
           these
           sollid
           truths
           ,
           wee
           shall
           begin
           to
           loath
           this
           prison
           of
           our
           bodies
           subject
           to
           the
           perpetuall
           injuries
           of
           time
           ,
           and
           death
           ,
           and
           shall
           cry
           out
           with
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             Infaelix
             ego
             homo
             :
             quis
             me
             liberabit
             de
             corpore
             mortis
             hujus
          
           ?
           unhappy
           man
           that
           I
           am
           ,
           who
           shall
           deliver
           mee
           from
           this
           body
           which
           belongs
           to
           death
           ?
           and
           with
           the
           same
           Apostle
           ,
           fixing
           all
           our
           affections
           and
           thoughts
           upon
           Eternity
           ,
           wee
           shall
           continually
           desire
           to
           bee
           dissolved
           that
           we
           may
           live
           with
           Christ
           in
           his
           Eternall
           habitation
           :
           and
           when
           wee
           shall
           receive
           the
           summons
           to
           dislodge
           hence
           ,
           brought
           us
           by
           age
           ,
           diseases
           ,
           war
           ,
           famine
           ,
           pestilence
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           officer
           ,
           of
           time
           ,
           clad
           in
           the
           hideousest
           dresse
           that
           death
           can
           weare
           ;
           wee
           shall
           with
           joy
           prepare
           our selves
           unto
           the
           journey
           ;
           and
           with
           the
           Prophet
           
             David
          
           say
           ,
           
             Laetatus
             sum
             in
             
             his
             quae
             dicta
             sunt
             mihi
             ,
             in
             domum
             domini
             ibimus
             .
          
           I
           am
           rejoyced
           in
           that
           which
           hath
           beene
           said
           unto
           me
           ,
           we
           will
           goe
           into
           the
           house
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
        
         
           It
           seemes
           (
           being
           a
           man
           according
           unto
           Gods
           owne
           heart
           )
           hee
           had
           well
           studied
           the
           Nature
           of
           that
           celestiall
           mansion
           ,
           whose
           quallities
           ,
           hee
           doth
           so
           excellenty
           describe
           in
           the
           2
           following
           verses
           .
           
             Stantes
             erant
             pedes
             nostri
             ,
             in
             atriis
             tuis
             Jerusalem
             ,
             Jerusalem
             quae
             aedificatur
             ut
             civitas
             ,
             cujus
             participatio
             ejus
             in
             idipsum
             .
          
           Our
           feete
           were
           standing
           in
           thy
           Courts
           Jerusalem
           .
           Here
           they
           are
           running
           ,
           forced
           to
           accompany
           the
           motion
           of
           time
           ,
           but
           they
           shall
           there
           be
           fixed
           in
           an
           Eternal
           rest
           ,
           never
           to
           bee
           disturbed
           by
           time
           ,
           or
           fortune
           ,
           Jerusalem
           that
           is
           builded
           as
           a
           City
           ,
           whose
           portion
           consisteth
           in
           the
           thing
           it selfe
           .
           All
           other
           places
           are
           but
           Innes
           ,
           where
           we
           are
           entertained
           as
           passengers
           during
           our
           pilgrimage
           ,
           and
           therfore
           have
           their
           buildings
           subject
           (
           as
           are
           those
           they
           harbour
           )
           unto
           decay
           ,
           and
           ruine
           ,
           but
           this
           City
           being
           the
           permanent
           place
           of
           our
           
           aboade
           ,
           hath
           its
           foundations
           laid
           upon
           the
           never
           fading
           basis
           of
           Eternity
           .
           And
           if
           you
           aske
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           stocke
           or
           treasure
           of
           the
           inhabitants
           in
           that
           blessed
           country
           ?
           he
           forth
           with
           tells
           us
           that
           their
           portion
           consisteth
           in
           the
           thing
           it selfe
           ;
           what
           is
           the
           thing
           it selfe
           ?
           but
           that
           which
           is
           without
           dependance
           upon
           any
           other
           ;
           and
           what
           is
           that
           ?
           but
           hee
           who
           being
           to
           declare
           himselfe
           unto
           the
           Patriarch
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           saith
           hee
           is
           ,
           hee
           that
           is
           ,
           even
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           in
           whom
           is
           comprehended
           the
           fulnesse
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           without
           whom
           is
           nothing
           ,
           but
           the
           privation
           of
           good
           and
           happinesse
        
         
           Let
           us
           endeavour
           then
           so
           to
           comport
           our selves
           that
           wee
           bee
           not
           engaged
           amid
           these
           fading
           transitory
           things
           ,
           but
           may
           bee
           able
           to
           say
           with
           the
           Apostle
           ;
           our
           life
           is
           laid
           up
           with
           Christ
           in
           God
           ;
           and
           let
           our
           onely
           trafficke
           ,
           and
           negotiation
           ,
           be
           to
           hoord
           up
           treasures
           (
           according
           to
           the
           counsell
           of
           our
           blessed
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           )
           where
           neither
           rust
           ,
           nor
           mothes
           ,
           can
           come
           to
           wast
           them
           ,
           nor
           thieves
           ,
           
           breake
           in
           to
           steale
           them
           from
           us
           .
           Wee
           neede
           not
           be
           to
           seeke
           where
           that
           should
           bee
           ,
           since
           hee
           informeth
           us
           that
           t
           is
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           onely
           proper
           seat
           and
           mansion
           of
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           precedent
           discourse
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           describe
           (
           although
           imperfectly
           )
           the
           Nature
           and
           condition
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           true
           and
           proper
           habitation
           of
           our
           soules
           ,
           who
           have
           no
           commerce
           with
           time
           ,
           but
           onely
           by
           their
           union
           with
           our
           bodies
           .
           A
           blessed
           country
           ,
           but
           such
           a
           one
           as
           doth
           not
           equally
           agree
           with
           all
           constitutions
           ,
           to
           some
           it
           is
           an
           Ocean
           of
           pleasure
           ,
           rest
           ,
           and
           happiness
           ;
           to
           others
           ,
           an
           abisse
           of
           everlasting
           horrour
           ,
           trouble
           ,
           and
           confusion
           ;
           the
           reason
           of
           which
           difference
           ,
           proceedes
           from
           the
           diversity
           of
           those
           severall
           dispositions
           and
           affections
           wee
           carry
           with
           us
           at
           our
           parting
           hence
           .
           For
           the
           cleare
           understanding
           whereof
           ,
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           wee
           consider
           the
           Nature
           of
           our
           Soules
           ,
           and
           examine
           what
           are
           those
           things
           which
           subsist
           in
           ,
           and
           together
           with
           them
           ,
           after
           
           the
           dissolution
           of
           our
           bodies
           .
        
         
           The
           Heathen
           Philosophers
           guided
           only
           by
           the
           light
           of
           nature
           ,
           did
           (
           some
           of
           them
           )
           believe
           the
           soule
           of
           man
           ,
           to
           bee
           immortall
           ,
           they
           perceived
           well
           that
           shee
           was
           capable
           of
           many
           operations
           ,
           even
           in
           this
           life
           ,
           without
           the
           mediation
           of
           the
           bodie
           ;
           that
           shee
           gave
           a
           being
           within
           her selfe
           ,
           unto
           an
           infinite
           number
           of
           thinges
           ,
           abstracted
           from
           the
           severall
           notions
           of
           time
           ,
           place
           ,
           figure
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           property
           incident
           unto
           materiall
           things
           ;
           which
           kinde
           of
           being
           because
           it
           sorted
           not
           unto
           the
           things
           themselves
           in
           their
           owne
           Nature
           ,
           they
           must
           necessarily
           receive
           from
           her
           ,
           and
           they
           did
           thence
           inferr
           ,
           that
           shee
           could
           not
           communicate
           such
           a
           being
           unto
           them
           ,
           unlesse
           shee
           had
           an
           immateriall
           being
           in
           her selfe
           .
           They
           saw
           the
           act
           of
           judging
           ,
           was
           an
           action
           purely
           her
           own
           ,
           whereby
           she
           produced
           severall
           conclusions
           (
           which
           are
           new
           beings
           )
           out
           of
           those
           premises
           that
           present
           themselves
           to
           our
           imaginations
           ;
           and
           knowing
           the
           infallibility
           of
           this
           argument
           ,
           
           
             ex
             nihilo
             nihil
             fit
             ,
          
           that
           of
           nothing
           there
           comes
           nothing
           ,
           they
           were
           fully
           satisfied
           the
           soule
           had
           a
           being
           ,
           independant
           from
           the
           body
           ,
           since
           it
           was
           able
           to
           communicate
           a
           being
           unto
           other
           things
           ,
           without
           the
           helpe
           of
           any
           Organes
           which
           depend
           upon
           her
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           assurance
           of
           her
           being
           ,
           they
           collected
           also
           her
           immortallity
           ;
           for
           having
           by
           the
           strict
           observation
           of
           all
           naturall
           causes
           ,
           found
           out
           that
           nothing
           whatsoever
           could
           lose
           its
           former
           being
           ,
           and
           acquire
           a
           new
           one
           (
           which
           wee
           terme
           death
           in
           living
           creatures
           )
           but
           by
           division
           ,
           and
           that
           ,
           that
           same
           could
           happen
           but
           two
           wayes
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           either
           by
           dividing
           the
           matter
           from
           the
           forme
           ,
           or
           by
           dividing
           the
           matter
           within
           it selfe
           ,
           they
           inferred
           thence
           ;
           that
           since
           both
           these
           wayes
           were
           incompatible
           with
           the
           soule
           ,
           shee
           was
           not
           capable
           of
           a
           reall
           change
           ,
           and
           consequently
           not
           of
           death
           (
           which
           of
           all
           others
           is
           the
           greatest
           )
           not
           the
           first
           ,
           because
           that
           shee
           is
           immateriall
           ,
           nor
           the
           second
           ,
           because
           she
           is
           a
           pure
           forme
           ,
           and
           
           that
           all
           formes
           are
           by
           their
           being
           so
           incapable
           of
           division
           ,
           of
           increase
           ,
           or
           diminution
           ,
           according
           unto
           these
           two
           Maxims
           among
           them
           ,
           
             forma
             non
             suscipit
             majus
             &
             minus
             ,
          
           and
           this
           other
           
             in
             indivisibili
             non
             fit
             mutatio
             .
          
        
         
           Upon
           the
           same
           grounds
           also
           they
           inferred
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           resolutions
           ,
           or
           judgments
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           Sciences
           ,
           and
           Arts
           ,
           whether
           speculative
           ,
           or
           practicke
           ,
           which
           are
           in
           the
           soule
           during
           this
           life
           ,
           shall
           remaine
           also
           in
           her
           after
           her
           seperation
           from
           the
           body
           ;
           these
           being
           things
           which
           depend
           onely
           on
           her
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           (
           in
           a
           kind
           )
           part
           of
           her selfe
           ,
           so
           as
           without
           them
           she
           would
           lose
           something
           of
           the
           perfection
           of
           her
           being
           .
           And
           to
           conclude
           ,
           because
           they
           saw
           nothing
           among
           all
           the
           workes
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           did
           not
           at
           some
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           unlesse
           (
           t'
           were
           hindred
           by
           exteriour
           causes
           )
           attaine
           unto
           a
           fulnesse
           ,
           and
           maturity
           wherby
           it
           was
           enabled
           to
           reach
           that
           end
           for
           which
           it
           was
           ordained
           ,
           and
           found
           the
           reasonable
           soule
           alone
           ,
           which
           hath
           for
           
           the
           object
           of
           her
           understanding
           the
           truth
           of
           all
           naturall
           causes
           ,
           and
           their
           effects
           ,
           was
           not
           able
           at
           any
           time
           during
           this
           life
           ,
           wherein
           shee
           is
           united
           with
           the
           body
           to
           comprehend
           the
           utmost
           truth
           may
           bee
           discovered
           in
           any
           art
           ,
           or
           science
           whatsoever
           ;
           they
           thence
           inferred
           ,
           that
           shee
           was
           to
           enjoy
           a
           being
           after
           the
           dissolution
           of
           the
           body
           ,
           wherein
           she
           might
           at
           freedom
           exercise
           the
           power
           of
           reasoning
           ,
           wherwith
           shee
           is
           endued
           ,
           and
           not
           onely
           retaine
           those
           sciences
           shee
           hath
           acquired
           heere
           ,
           but
           also
           bee
           able
           to
           conceive
           all
           other
           truth
           ,
           and
           knowledge
           whatsoever
           ,
           which
           may
           bee
           deduced
           out
           of
           them
           ,
           by
           that
           concatenation
           and
           dependance
           ,
           which
           the
           verity
           of
           one
           proposition
           ,
           hath
           upon
           that
           of
           another
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           delivered
           these
           speculations
           of
           the
           Philosophers
           with
           this
           brevity
           ,
           without
           setting
           downe
           the
           many
           arguments
           used
           by
           them
           for
           proofe
           of
           their
           assertions
           ,
           and
           answer
           of
           the
           objections
           have
           beene
           framed
           in
           opposition
           to
           them
           (
           wherewith
           whole
           volumes
           might
           bee
           
           filled
           )
           because
           they
           have
           beene
           since
           the
           most
           part
           of
           them
           confirmed
           unto
           us
           by
           the
           tenets
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           the
           truth
           whereof
           (
           being
           revealed
           by
           God
           himselfe
           )
           is
           not
           to
           bee
           disputed
           by
           mankind
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           taken
           this
           short
           view
           of
           the
           condition
           of
           our
           soules
           ,
           onely
           to
           this
           intent
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           sequell
           of
           the
           ensuing
           Discourse
           wee
           may
           upon
           these
           grounds
           bee
           able
           the
           better
           to
           discover
           ,
           how
           farr
           the
           ordinary
           working
           of
           naturall
           causes
           ,
           doth
           cooperate
           with
           the
           Divine
           justice
           in
           the
           reward
           of
           vertuous
           ,
           and
           the
           punishment
           of
           vitious
           persons
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           clear
           understanding
           whereof
           wee
           must
           know
           that
           all
           living
           creatures
           whatsoever
           (
           except
           man
           )
           being
           destitute
           of
           reason
           ,
           suffer
           themselves
           without
           repugnance
           to
           bee
           directed
           by
           the
           rules
           of
           Nature
           .
           (
           That
           is
           ,
           the
           ordinary
           power
           used
           by
           God
           in
           governing
           the
           world
           )
           which
           doth
           sweetly
           guide
           them
           to
           the
           performance
           of
           those
           actions
           ,
           and
           the
           obtaining
           of
           that
           end
           ,
           whereunto
           they
           are
           ordained
           .
           But
           man
           (
           whose
           portion
           is
           a
           
           reasonable
           soule
           )
           assumes
           the
           conduct
           of
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           blinded
           by
           selfe
           love
           ,
           or
           overweaning
           pride
           ,
           forsakes
           the
           generall
           end
           of
           other
           things
           (
           which
           is
           the
           honour
           and
           glory
           of
           their
           Maker
           )
           to
           pursue
           his
           owne
           particular
           good
           and
           follow
           the
           inordinate
           affections
           of
           his
           owne
           corrupted
           Nature
           ;
           the
           true
           cause
           of
           which
           mistake
           is
           this
           that
           followes
           .
        
         
           Those
           who
           have
           curiously
           searched
           into
           the
           composition
           of
           man
           ,
           observe
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           be
           considered
           in
           a
           triple
           capacity
           ,
           according
           unto
           every
           one
           of
           which
           hee
           hath
           a
           severall
           good
           ,
           that
           hee
           proposeth
           unto
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           endeavoureth
           to
           attaine
           unto
           during
           this
           life
           .
           The
           first
           is
           ,
           that
           of
           a
           living
           creature
           composed
           of
           a
           materiall
           body
           ,
           and
           a
           forme
           that
           doth
           communicate
           unto
           it
           life
           and
           motion
           .
           The
           second
           as
           he
           is
           indued
           with
           a
           reasonable
           soule
           ,
           capable
           of
           Discourse
           ,
           and
           knowledge
           ,
           participating
           thereby
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           intellectuall
           spirits
           ,
           which
           plaseth
           him
           in
           a
           ranke
           above
           all
           the
           materiall
           creatures
           of
           this
           inferior
           world
           .
           And
           
           the
           third
           ,
           as
           hee
           is
           the
           workemanship
           of
           God
           created
           by
           him
           out
           of
           nothing
           ,
           after
           his
           owne
           likenesse
           ,
           that
           hee
           might
           serve
           him
           with
           obedience
           and
           perseverance
           ,
           during
           his
           temporall
           being
           ,
           and
           be
           the
           witnesse
           ,
           and
           pertaker
           of
           his
           glory
           in
           Eternity
           .
           The
           chiefest
           good
           of
           man
           according
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           are
           riches
           ,
           and
           corporeall
           pleasures
           ,
           called
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             Concupiscentia
             carnis
             ,
             &
             oculorum
          
           ;
           Concupiscence
           of
           the
           flesh
           and
           eyes
           .
        
         
           According
           to
           the
           second
           the
           vanity
           of
           humane
           knowledge
           accompanied
           with
           the
           forgetfulnesse
           of
           God
           ;
           or
           the
           ambitious
           desire
           of
           obtaining
           Power
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           and
           command
           ,
           called
           by
           the
           same
           Apostle
           ,
           
             superbia
             vitae
             ,
          
           pride
           of
           life
           ;
           those
           who
           consider
           him
           according
           to
           the
           third
           capacity
           ,
           esteeme
           their
           chiefest
           good
           to
           consist
           in
           the
           uniting
           of
           their
           wills
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           procuring
           the
           advancement
           of
           his
           glorious
           Name
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           vast
           distance
           there
           is
           betweene
           these
           ends
           which
           men
           propos●…
           unto
           themselves
           ,
           causeth
           the
           great
           diversity
           
           wee
           see
           dayly
           betweene
           them
           in
           the
           direction
           and
           conduct
           of
           their
           lives
           ,
           each
           one
           desiring
           to
           obtaine
           the
           object
           of
           his
           wishes
           ,
           by
           actions
           suitable
           unto
           it
           .
           Those
           of
           the
           first
           rank
           ,
           abandoning
           themselves
           to
           sensuall
           lusts
           forget
           the
           dignity
           of
           humane
           Nature
           :
           and
           abase
           themselves
           into
           the
           ranke
           of
           beasts
           .
           Those
           of
           the
           second
           ,
           denying
           to
           acknowledge
           him
           from
           whom
           they
           have
           received
           all
           those
           advantages
           wherein
           they
           glory
           ,
           imitate
           the
           Divels
           in
           their
           pride
           ,
           ungratitude
           ,
           and
           rebellion
           against
           their
           maker
           .
           Those
           onely
           of
           the
           third
           ranke
           ,
           entring
           into
           the
           true
           knowledge
           of
           themselves
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           end
           for
           which
           they
           were
           created
           ,
           submit
           their
           wills
           unto
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           and
           endeavoring
           to
           imitate
           the
           Angells
           in
           their
           prompt
           obedience
           ,
           make
           themselves
           during
           this
           life
           ,
           fit
           to
           enjoy
           their
           society
           after
           the
           dissolution
           of
           their
           bodies
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           great
           contrariety
           of
           mens
           judgments
           ,
           resolutions
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           actions
           and
           habits
           ,
           that
           flow
           from
           ,
           and
           are
           acquired
           
           by
           them
           ,
           ariseth
           the
           different
           condition
           of
           our
           soules
           when
           they
           are
           seperated
           from
           our
           bodies
           .
           The
           Corall
           we
           see
           daily
           ,
           growes
           in
           the
           Sea
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           read
           ,
           that
           being
           under
           water
           it
           may
           (
           by
           reason
           of
           its
           softnesse
           )
           bee
           moulded
           into
           any
           shape
           ,
           or
           figure
           whatsoever
           ;
           but
           being
           once
           exposed
           unto
           the
           open
           aire
           ,
           it
           forthwith
           hardens
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           more
           capable
           of
           change
           ,
           and
           alteration
           :
           the
           like
           happeneth
           unto
           our
           soules
           ,
           who
           while
           they
           do
           continue
           in
           this
           Sea
           ,
           o'
           th'
           world
           ,
           are
           susceptible
           of
           the
           different
           affections
           of
           good
           ,
           and
           bad
           ;
           according
           to
           the
           severall
           appearances
           of
           things
           ,
           which
           working
           on
           our
           fancies
           ,
           incline
           our
           wills
           unto
           the
           following
           ,
           or
           forsaking
           of
           them
           ;
           but
           having
           once
           finished
           their
           voyage
           heere
           ,
           must
           alwayes
           weare
           the
           dresse
           of
           those
           affections
           they
           have
           at
           parting
           hence
           ,
           and
           reape
           their
           harvest
           in
           Eternity
           suitable
           unto
           the
           seeds
           they
           have
           sowed
           heere
           ;
           according
           to
           that
           saying
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ;
           
             quaecunque
             seminaverit
             homo
             ,
             eadem
             &
             metet
             ,
          
           whatsoever
           a
           man
           
           hath
           sowed
           ,
           the
           same
           also
           he
           shall
           reap
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           examine
           the
           condition
           of
           one
           who
           hath
           abandoned
           himselfe
           unto
           his
           sensuall
           lusts
           ,
           and
           placing
           his
           chiefe
           good
           in
           them
           ,
           hath
           imploied
           all
           the
           affections
           and
           faculties
           of
           his
           Soule
           ,
           in
           compassing
           those
           objects
           of
           his
           wishes
           ,
           his
           stock
           of
           time
           is
           now
           exhausted
           whilest
           hee
           endeavoured
           onely
           to
           beguile
           it
           with
           the
           variety
           of
           choise
           delights
           ;
           and
           death
           finding
           him
           busie
           in
           the
           caressing
           of
           his
           body
           ,
           hath
           violently
           snatched
           it
           from
           him
           .
           The
           stately
           Pallaces
           ,
           vast
           Treasures
           ,
           and
           ravishing
           beauties
           ,
           whereof
           he
           thought
           himselfe
           the
           owner
           ,
           are
           now
           in
           the
           possession
           of
           another
           ,
           and
           the
           poore
           Soule
           is
           exposed
           naked
           upon
           the
           confines
           of
           Eternity
           .
           Let
           us
           with
           the
           eyes
           of
           contemplation
           accompany
           her
           thither
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           are
           her
           thoughts
           ,
           what
           are
           her
           entertainments
           in
           that
           Countrey
           wherein
           as
           yet
           she
           is
           a
           stranger
           .
           This
           rude
           alarme
           hath
           rous'd
           her
           now
           out
           of
           that
           pleasing
           slumber
           ,
           wherein
           she
           retchlessely
           consumed
           the
           time
           allotted
           her
           to
           labour
           ,
           
           and
           shee
           is
           come
           unto
           the
           land
           of
           rest
           ,
           wherein
           shee
           must
           for
           all
           Eternity
           ,
           subsist
           upon
           the
           stocke
           shee
           hath
           brought
           with
           her
           :
           she
           now
           begins
           to
           take
           a
           view
           thereof
           ,
           and
           summing
           her
           accounts
           ,
           she
           findes
           that
           all
           her
           large
           possessions
           ,
           sumptuous
           Buildings
           ,
           Friends
           ,
           and
           Riches
           ,
           have
           parted
           with
           her
           at
           the
           houre
           of
           Death
           ,
           that
           all
           her
           pleasures
           are
           vanished
           like
           a
           Dreame
           ,
           that
           her
           body
           for
           whose
           solace
           and
           delight
           all
           these
           were
           coveted
           ,
           is
           mouldring
           into
           dust
           ,
           and
           ashes
           ;
           and
           that
           in
           fine
           of
           all
           that
           shee
           hath
           done
           ;
           of
           all
           that
           shee
           hath
           seene
           ,
           suffered
           ,
           or
           enjoyed
           ,
           there
           remaines
           nothing
           with
           her
           but
           her
           owne
           inordinate
           judgements
           ,
           and
           affections
           ,
           which
           like
           a
           raging
           fire
           burne
           her
           without
           consuming
           ,
           whilest
           all
           her
           powers
           and
           faculties
           are
           racked
           incessantly
           ,
           when
           shee
           considers
           the
           excellencie
           of
           what
           shee
           hath
           forgone
           ,
           the
           unworthinesse
           of
           what
           she
           hath
           pursued
           ,
           and
           the
           impossibility
           to
           retract
           her
           choice
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           which
           a
           most
           violent
           passion
           
           is
           able
           to
           produce
           in
           the
           most
           capable
           subject
           ,
           is
           nothing
           in
           comparison
           of
           her
           afflictions
           .
           Wee
           read
           that
           
             Pompeys
          
           wife
           (
           shee
           who
           was
           daughter
           unto
           
             Julius
             Caesar
             )
          
           died
           suddenly
           with
           the
           excesse
           of
           griefe
           caused
           by
           the
           love
           she
           bare
           unto
           her
           husband
           ,
           upon
           the
           sight
           but
           of
           a
           bloudy
           garment
           ;
           which
           shee
           knew
           had
           beene
           that
           day
           worne
           by
           him
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           may
           believe
           the
           Poets
           ,
           that
           same
           passion
           drew
           
             Orpheus
          
           to
           Hell
           among
           the
           Ghosts
           ,
           and
           Fiends
           in
           search
           of
           his
           
             Euridice
             ,
          
           as
           being
           company
           much
           more
           supportable
           unto
           him
           ,
           then
           were
           his
           cares
           ,
           and
           sorrowes
           occasioned
           by
           her
           absence
           :
           but
           alas
           !
           what
           comparison
           is
           there
           betweene
           the
           cause
           of
           their
           afflictions
           ?
           they
           sorrowed
           for
           their
           seperation
           from
           those
           they
           loved
           but
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           as
           being
           well
           assured
           ,
           that
           although
           time
           would
           not
           restore
           life
           to
           those
           had
           lost
           it
           :
           yet
           hee
           would
           certainly
           unite
           them
           to
           their
           loves
           by
           giving
           death
           to
           those
           that
           sought
           it
           :
           whereas
           Eternity
           (
           though
           infinite
           and
           boundlesse
           )
           cannot
           in
           all
           the
           vastnesse
           ,
           of
           
           extension
           ,
           furnish
           this
           soule
           with
           the
           least
           ray
           of
           hope
           ,
           that
           she
           shal
           meet
           again
           with
           those
           deceitfull
           pleasures
           ,
           wherin
           she
           had
           established
           her
           contentment
           .
        
         
           The
           miseries
           wee
           suffer
           during
           our
           union
           with
           our
           bodies
           ,
           have
           ever
           with
           them
           this
           double
           comfort
           :
           
             viz.
          
           that
           either
           they
           themselves
           wil
           change
           their
           Nature
           ,
           or
           wee
           change
           our
           opinions
           touching
           the
           Nature
           of
           them
           .
           The
           course
           of
           things
           wee
           see
           is
           variable
           ,
           and
           wee
           may
           probably
           imagine
           that
           as
           our
           joyes
           have
           passed
           ,
           so
           also
           will
           those
           things
           that
           do
           afflict
           us
           ;
           or
           else
           ;
           that
           the
           acquaintance
           wee
           shall
           make
           with
           misery
           ;
           will
           in
           time
           so
           farre
           alter
           the
           Nature
           thereof
           ,
           that
           wee
           shall
           bee
           no
           longer
           troubled
           at
           it
           .
           The
           strongest
           Poysons
           ,
           do
           in
           tract
           of
           time
           ,
           become
           naturall
           food
           to
           those
           that
           are
           accustomed
           to
           them
           ;
           as
           heeretofore
           ,
           wee
           read
           ,
           it
           happened
           unto
           that
           King
           ,
           from
           whom
           we
           have
           the
           name
           and
           use
           of
           Mithridate
           ;
           whereas
           the
           miseries
           of
           an
           Eternall
           condition
           ,
           can
           never
           receive
           ease
           by
           any
           alteration
           ,
           either
           in
           the
           things
           themselves
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           mindes
           
           of
           those
           that
           suffer
           them
           :
           Because
           Eternity
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           fixed
           instant
           allwayes
           permanent
           ;
           and
           time
           is
           so
           essentially
           necessary
           unto
           change
           ,
           that
           it
           cannot
           bee
           wrought
           but
           by
           his
           meanes
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           before
           recited
           Maxime
           .
           
             In
             instanti
             non
             fit
             mutatio
             .
          
        
         
           The
           torment
           which
           
             Mazentius
          
           mentioned
           (
           by
           
             Virgil
          
           in
           his
           Aeniods
           )
           used
           to
           his
           captives
           ,
           hath
           some
           imperfect
           weake
           resemblance
           of
           this
           poore
           soules
           condition
           ;
           that
           Tyrant
           used
           to
           fasten
           them
           unto
           dead
           bodies
           ioyning
           their
           hands
           ,
           their
           feet
           ,
           their
           mouths
           ,
           their
           eyes
           ,
           and
           all
           their
           other
           parts
           with
           those
           of
           putrid
           carcasses
           .
           Let
           us
           consider
           what
           were
           the
           thoughts
           of
           those
           poor
           miserable
           wretches
           ,
           who
           though
           living
           in
           themselves
           were
           by
           this
           union
           hindred
           from
           exercising
           any
           the
           actions
           of
           life
           ;
           and
           notwithstanding
           their
           natural
           aversion
           from
           stench
           ,
           from
           rottenness
           and
           from
           corruption
           ,
           were
           yet
           forced
           to
           converse
           onely
           with
           them
           ,
           exchanging
           all
           the
           happinesse
           of
           life
           ,
           to
           entertaine
           those
           dismall
           objects
           ,
           
           which
           presented
           them
           with
           nought
           but
           ghastlienesse
           ,
           and
           terrour
           .
        
         
           That
           unto
           which
           those
           wretches
           were
           compelled
           by
           outward
           violence
           is
           an
           imperfect
           representation
           of
           what
           happens
           to
           this
           soule
           by
           her
           depraved
           habits
           ,
           and
           affections
           ,
           shee
           hath
           made
           choice
           of
           bodily
           delights
           ,
           and
           pleasures
           ,
           as
           her
           chiefest
           good
           ;
           she
           hath
           imployed
           during
           her
           life
           the
           faculty
           of
           her
           understanding
           in
           the
           contemplating
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           her
           will
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           them
           ;
           the
           often
           reiteration
           of
           these
           acts
           ,
           and
           judgements
           ,
           have
           powerfully
           imprinted
           them
           within
           her
           ,
           and
           being
           thus
           disposed
           her
           temporall
           union
           with
           the
           bodie
           hath
           beene
           dissolved
           ;
           and
           shee
           s
           becom
           a
           dweller
           in
           Eternity
           ;
           where
           (
           as
           I
           have
           already
           shewed
           )
           shee
           is
           not
           capable
           of
           alteration
           ,
           shee
           very
           well
           perceives
           the
           base
           unworthinesse
           ,
           and
           vanity
           of
           those
           delights
           ;
           and
           the
           impossibility
           of
           ever
           comming
           to
           enjoy
           them
           ,
           but
           cannot
           quit
           her
           inclinations
           to
           them
           ,
           which
           not
           permitting
           her
           to
           exercise
           her
           faculties
           on
           objects
           worthy
           
           her selfe
           ,
           fill
           her
           with
           notions
           of
           earthly
           ,
           fading
           ,
           and
           corruptible
           things
           :
           whereon
           (
           beginning
           to
           bee
           now
           sensible
           of
           her
           owne
           naturall
           perfections
           )
           shee
           cannot
           cast
           a
           thought
           ,
           but
           doth
           replenish
           her
           with
           horrour
           ,
           with
           confusion
           and
           afrightment
           .
        
         
           The
           condition
           of
           a
           soule
           puffed
           up
           with
           pride
           of
           humane
           knowledge
           ,
           or
           the
           ambitious
           desire
           of
           Power
           ,
           and
           Command
           ,
           after
           her
           seperation
           from
           the
           bodie
           ,
           is
           yet
           much
           more
           deplorable
           ,
           then
           that
           of
           the
           other
           .
           The
           failings
           of
           the
           one
           have
           proceeded
           from
           a
           grosse
           ignorance
           of
           the
           true
           good
           was
           to
           be
           followed
           ,
           and
           from
           a
           soft
           compliance
           with
           the
           bodie
           ;
           whereas
           this
           other
           hath
           offended
           out
           of
           malice
           ,
           and
           contempt
           of
           the
           first
           cause
           ,
           from
           whom
           shee
           hath
           received
           her
           being
           ;
           the
           one
           is
           to
           bee
           looked
           on
           as
           a
           simple
           Malefactor
           ,
           whereas
           this
           other
           cannot
           be
           considered
           but
           as
           a
           Traytor
           ,
           and
           a
           Rebell
           ,
           who
           hath
           attempted
           to
           invade
           the
           rights
           of
           her
           Creator
           ;
           and
           indeavoured
           to
           find
           out
           a
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           establish
           
           a
           power
           which
           should
           bee
           independant
           of
           him
           .
           Their
           passions
           are
           proportionable
           unto
           the
           causes
           from
           whence
           they
           spring
           ,
           so
           as
           if
           the
           one
           give
           her selfe
           over
           to
           the
           weake
           passions
           of
           griefe
           ,
           and
           lamentation
           ,
           this
           other
           falling
           from
           the
           height
           of
           her
           ambitious
           pretences
           ,
           must
           needs
           abandon
           her selfe
           unto
           despairer
           to
           rage
           ,
           and
           fury
           ;
           shee
           hath
           beene
           so
           far
           blinded
           during
           this
           life
           by
           the
           opinion
           of
           her
           owne
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           sufficiency
           ,
           or
           dazeled
           with
           the
           false
           lustre
           of
           her
           dignities
           ,
           and
           Power
           ,
           that
           she
           refused
           to
           stoop
           to
           the
           Divinity
           ,
           and
           acknowledge
           him
           the
           onely
           giver
           of
           them
           :
           she
           hath
           therefore
           proposed
           her selfe
           unto
           her selfe
           as
           the
           maine
           end
           of
           all
           her
           actions
           ,
           and
           having
           thus
           established
           a
           chiefe
           good
           opposite
           unto
           that
           of
           all
           the
           other
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           setled
           in
           her selfe
           the
           notions
           ,
           and
           affections
           thereof
           ,
           shee
           hath
           beene
           seperated
           from
           the
           bodie
           .
           When
           comming
           to
           discover
           the
           true
           Nature
           and
           cause
           of
           things
           ,
           shee
           findes
           that
           whatsoever
           hath
           a
           being
           ,
           depends
           on
           God
           ,
           as
           the
           first
           
           cause
           ,
           and
           are
           willingly
           subordinate
           unto
           him
           as
           the
           end
           ,
           for
           which
           they
           were
           created
           ;
           that
           her selfe
           is
           like
           a
           Prodigie
           in
           Nature
           ,
           whom
           all
           the
           other
           Creatures
           exprobrate
           with
           this
           her
           vile
           ungratitude
           ,
           Treason
           ,
           and
           Rebellion
           against
           their
           Maker
           ;
           what
           can
           shee
           doe
           having
           thus
           proudly
           contemned
           her
           God
           ?
           &
           being
           her selfe
           forsaken
           and
           detested
           by
           all
           other
           things
           ,
           but
           seeke
           out
           a
           retirement
           in
           her selfe
           ,
           where
           her
           proud
           thoughts
           despoyled
           of
           that
           false
           greatnesse
           they
           had
           fancied
           ;
           feed
           her
           continually
           with
           envy
           ,
           rancour
           ,
           and
           dispite
           ,
           against
           her
           fellow
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           the
           Deity
           .
        
         
           Her
           case
           (
           in
           my
           opinion
           )
           hath
           some
           resemblance
           with
           that
           of
           
             Baiazet
          
           King
           of
           the
           Turkes
           ,
           hee
           who
           was
           overcome
           and
           taken
           Prisoner
           by
           the
           great
           
             Tamerlane
          
           :
           this
           proud
           Prince
           saw
           himselfe
           master
           of
           the
           better
           part
           of
           
             Asia
             ,
          
           and
           having
           swallowed
           in
           his
           ambitious
           thoughts
           the
           Monarchy
           of
           the
           whole
           World
           ,
           had
           besieged
           the
           Grecian
           Emperour
           in
           his
           Emperiall
           City
           which
           hee
           was
           upon
           the
           point
           
           of
           taking
           :
           but
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           all
           his
           flattering
           prosperities
           he
           was
           invaded
           by
           this
           
             Tamerlane
             ,
          
           who
           having
           defeated
           him
           in
           a
           great
           battle
           ,
           caused
           him
           to
           bee
           shut
           up
           within
           an
           iron
           cage
           ,
           in
           which
           being
           inclosed
           ,
           he
           exposed
           him
           unto
           the
           mockery
           of
           all
           his
           Army
           ,
           and
           used
           him
           as
           a
           footstoole
           to
           tread
           upon
           ,
           whensoever
           he
           had
           occasion
           to
           get
           on
           horsebacke
           ;
           what
           were
           the
           thoughts
           of
           this
           proud
           Tyrant
           who
           haveing
           lately
           had
           the
           disposall
           of
           a
           World
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           being
           regarded
           by
           them
           as
           a
           Deity
           ;
           was
           suddenly
           become
           the
           scorne
           of
           Boies
           ,
           and
           Lackies
           ?
           and
           having
           formerly
           fancied
           to
           himselfe
           the
           Empire
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           was
           forced
           to
           serve
           another
           as
           his
           footstoole
           ?
           All
           his
           past
           greatnesse
           ,
           Power
           ,
           and
           Prosperities
           ,
           had
           now
           no
           other
           subsistance
           ,
           but
           in
           his
           Memory
           ,
           where
           they
           were
           alwayes
           present
           ,
           not
           to
           give
           ease
           to
           his
           afflictions
           ,
           but
           to
           encrease
           the
           anguish
           and
           the
           trouble
           of
           them
           ,
           by
           inspiring
           him
           with
           thoughts
           of
           rage
           ,
           and
           fury
           against
           God
           and
           men
           ,
           by
           whom
           his
           expectations
           had
           
           beene
           so
           foulely
           disappointed
           .
        
         
           Such
           we
           may
           fancy
           to
           our selves
           are
           the
           ravings
           of
           this
           poore
           soule
           ;
           though
           with
           this
           difference
           ,
           that
           
             Bajazet
          
           was
           able
           to
           avoid
           the
           trouble
           of
           them
           ,
           by
           dashing
           out
           his
           braines
           against
           the
           iorn
           barres
           of
           that
           his
           Prison
           ,
           whereas
           this
           soule
           can
           never
           quit
           her selfe
           from
           being
           persecuted
           by
           those
           stings
           of
           conscience
           she
           carries
           with
           her
           as
           her
           torturers
           for
           all
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           Alas
           !
           how
           imperfect
           is
           that
           apprehension
           wee
           have
           of
           the
           acts
           which
           a
           soule
           exerciseth
           after
           her
           seperation
           from
           the
           bodie
           ;
           by
           comparing
           them
           unto
           those
           wee
           are
           capable
           of
           during
           this
           life
           ?
           hee
           that
           should
           estimate
           the
           motion
           of
           the
           
             primum
             mobile
          
           ;
           according
           unto
           what
           hee
           sees
           performed
           heere
           by
           a
           snaile
           ;
           would
           not
           fall
           shorter
           in
           his
           conception
           of
           the
           Rapid
           swiftness
           ,
           wherewith
           that
           Sphear
           is
           whirled
           about
           this
           Globe
           of
           Earth
           ,
           then
           wee
           shall
           doe
           in
           ours
           ,
           if
           wee
           resemble
           the
           affections
           of
           joy
           ,
           and
           griefe
           ,
           which
           wee
           have
           heere
           during
           the
           union
           
           with
           our
           materiall
           bodies
           ,
           to
           those
           a
           soule
           hath
           when
           shee
           is
           severed
           from
           it
           ;
           whether
           we
           shall
           consider
           her
           huge
           activity
           ,
           when
           she
           is
           purely
           an
           immateriall
           substance
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           what
           shee
           hath
           when
           shee
           is
           clogged
           with
           flesh
           and
           bloud
           ;
           or
           the
           perfection
           of
           her
           operations
           ,
           when
           she
           beholds
           clearly
           the
           things
           themselves
           in
           their
           owne
           Natures
           ,
           without
           helpe
           of
           those
           
             Ideas
             ,
          
           or
           imperfect
           represent
           aions
           of
           them
           in
           our
           fancies
           ,
           which
           wee
           are
           forced
           to
           use
           during
           this
           life
           :
           or
           lastly
           ,
           the
           exemption
           from
           time
           ,
           and
           place
           ,
           by
           which
           our
           actions
           heere
           are
           all
           restrained
           ,
           but
           can
           have
           no
           commerce
           at
           all
           with
           her
           ,
           who
           is
           above
           the
           reach
           of
           time
           because
           of
           her
           Eternall
           being
           ;
           nor
           can
           bee
           circumscribed
           in
           place
           ,
           as
           having
           neither
           quantity
           nor
           matter
           ,
           The
           affections
           of
           joy
           ,
           and
           griefe
           ,
           as
           they-reside
           in
           the
           intellectuall
           appetite
           of
           man
           ,
           are
           but
           impulses
           of
           our
           wills
           upon
           our
           other
           faculties
           ,
           which
           carry
           us
           on
           to
           the
           enjoying
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           or
           shunning
           the
           other
           ,
           with
           more
           ,
           or
           lesse
           violence
           ,
           according
           
           to
           the
           measure
           of
           the
           impression
           wee
           receive
           touching
           the
           good
           ,
           or
           evill
           of
           them
           ;
           the
           force
           whereof
           depends
           upon
           the
           active
           motion
           of
           the
           soule
           ,
           and
           therein
           that
           of
           one
           seperated
           ,
           hugely
           surpasseth
           what
           shee
           hath
           heere
           ,
           while
           shee
           is
           mingled
           with
           the
           masse
           of
           our
           terrestriall
           bodies
           ;
           powder
           whereof
           wee
           have
           the
           dayly
           use
           ,
           when
           it
           remaines
           united
           in
           the
           Masse
           whereof
           it
           is
           composed
           ,
           is
           easily
           restrained
           by
           the
           weake
           closure
           of
           a
           Tunne
           ,
           or
           Barrell
           ;
           but
           if
           it
           once
           take
           fire
           will
           cause
           an
           Earthquake
           ,
           and
           shake
           the
           frame
           of
           Nature
           if
           it
           bee
           hindred
           in
           its
           course
           towards
           the
           region
           of
           fire
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           proper
           center
           ,
           whereunto
           it
           tends
           .
           The
           soul
           hath
           some
           resemblance
           unto
           this
           her
           passions
           ,
           or
           impulses
           ;
           during
           her
           union
           with
           the
           bodie
           ,
           are
           weake
           ,
           and
           feeble
           ;
           but
           being
           once
           devided
           from
           it
           ,
           shee
           then
           hath
           an
           activity
           surpassing
           that
           of
           fire
           ,
           which
           makes
           her
           passions
           or
           impulses
           ,
           become
           so
           strong
           and
           violent
           ,
           that
           they
           bear
           no
           proportion
           at
           all
           with
           those
           which
           we
           have
           heere
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           nothing
           
           common
           with
           them
           ,
           but
           their
           appellation
           .
           Their
           force
           is
           also
           very
           much
           encreased
           ,
           by
           the
           cleare
           sight
           she
           hath
           of
           things
           in
           their
           own
           Natures
           ,
           without
           the
           helpe
           of
           any
           Species
           ,
           drawne
           from
           the
           things
           ,
           or
           the
           conversion
           of
           her selfe
           unto
           the
           Phantasmes
           ,
           from
           whence
           ariseth
           the
           certainty
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           incompatible
           with
           doubt
           ,
           or
           with
           opinion
           (
           which
           are
           the
           greatest
           enemies
           to
           action
           )
           since
           no
           man
           ever
           vehemently
           covets
           ,
           or
           feares
           a
           thing
           ,
           of
           whose
           Nature
           hee
           is
           uncertain
           .
           And
           ,
           lastly
           they
           are
           beyond
           measure
           heightened
           ,
           by
           the
           exemption
           from
           time
           ,
           and
           place
           ,
           which
           shee
           enjoyes
           during
           her
           state
           of
           seperation
           ;
           whereby
           shee
           comprehends
           (
           after
           a
           sort
           )
           all
           time
           and
           place
           ,
           within
           her selfe
           .
           A
           little
           time
           ,
           and
           a
           small
           place
           ,
           are
           capable
           onely
           of
           little
           alterations
           ,
           wee
           are
           not
           sensible
           of
           the
           falling
           of
           one
           drop
           of
           water
           ,
           whereas
           in
           time
           it
           hath
           the
           force
           to
           pierce
           the
           hardest
           Marble
           ;
           and
           the
           Sunes
           beames
           ,
           which
           being
           divided
           into
           sundry
           places
           ,
           have
           scarce
           the
           Power
           to
           warme
           us
           ,
           doe
           
           (
           when
           they
           are
           united
           ,
           by
           a
           glasse
           )
           become
           a
           fire
           that
           burnes
           and
           scorceth
           .
           What
           shall
           wee
           say
           then
           of
           a
           passion
           ,
           which
           hath
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           an
           infinity
           of
           place
           for
           bounds
           of
           its
           continuance
           ,
           and
           situation
           ?
           all
           degrees
           of
           comparison
           are
           heere
           exceeded
           ,
           and
           wee
           must
           needs
           acknowledge
           that
           all
           the
           miseries
           whereof
           a
           man
           is
           capable
           during
           this
           life
           ,
           are
           a
           meere
           nothing
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           what
           these
           wretched
           ,
           wretched
           ,
           soules
           ,
           are
           forced
           to
           suffer
           towardes
           the
           expiation
           of
           their
           crimes
           ,
           for
           all
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           What
           I
           have
           heere
           set
           downe
           hath
           beene
           to
           explicate
           the
           miserable
           state
           of
           those
           unhappy
           soules
           during
           Eternity
           (
           according
           to
           the
           ordinary
           course
           of
           naturall
           causes
           )
           who
           deviating
           from
           the
           true
           good
           for
           the
           enjoyment
           whereof
           they
           were
           created
           ,
           have
           pursued
           their
           owne
           vitious
           inclinations
           ,
           and
           affections
           ,
           in
           stead
           thereof
           .
           But
           who
           is
           hee
           that
           can
           bee
           able
           to
           discover
           the
           immense
           greatness
           of
           those
           punishmēts
           ,
           which
           the
           strict
           justice
           of
           an
           offended
           Deity
           ,
           will
           inflict
           
           upon
           them
           ,
           for
           their
           ungratitude
           against
           him
           ?
           heere
           all
           expression
           is
           dumb
           ;
           and
           wee
           must
           needs
           acknowledge
           our
           hearts
           are
           too
           too
           narrow
           to
           comprehend
           the
           vast
           abisses
           of
           his
           judgements
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           ouerflowing
           torrents
           of
           his
           mercies
           .
           Yet
           since
           himselfe
           hath
           by
           his
           onely
           Sonne
           beene
           pleased
           to
           communicate
           something
           concerning
           them
           unto
           mankind
           ;
           I
           shall
           with
           reverence
           draw
           neere
           ;
           and
           without
           prying
           curiously
           into
           the
           hidden
           secrets
           of
           them
           ,
           attempt
           to
           take
           a
           short
           imperfect
           view
           of
           the
           proceedings
           ,
           which
           the
           Divine
           iustice
           will
           order
           to
           bee
           made
           against
           these
           Malefactors
           for
           the
           condigne
           punishment
           of
           their
           offences
           .
        
         
           How
           deplorable
           is
           the
           condition
           of
           these
           soules
           according
           unto
           what
           I
           have
           described
           already
           ?
           and
           yet
           how
           happy
           were
           it
           in
           respect
           of
           what
           it
           is
           ,
           were
           they
           but
           left
           alone
           to
           bee
           tormented
           onely
           by
           themselves
           ?
           for
           they
           have
           scarce
           begun
           to
           make
           a
           sad
           acquaintance
           with
           their
           miseries
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           suddenly
           invironed
           
           with
           a
           multitude
           of
           Divells
           ;
           whose
           ugly
           shapes
           cause
           an
           affrightment
           in
           them
           equall
           to
           that
           of
           the
           imployment
           upon
           which
           they
           come
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           to
           convey
           them
           unto
           the
           dreadfull
           judgement
           seat
           of
           God
           .
           These
           fiends
           do
           now
           begin
           to
           glory
           in
           the
           successe
           of
           their
           temptations
           ,
           and
           whilest
           they
           drag
           them
           to
           the
           place
           where
           they
           are
           to
           receive
           the
           sentence
           of
           their
           condemnation
           ,
           practise
           upon
           them
           all
           those
           barbarous
           cruelties
           ,
           which
           an
           insulting
           mercilesse
           enemy
           ,
           can
           use
           against
           a
           Captived
           wretch
           delivered
           over
           to
           his
           rage
           ,
           and
           fury
           .
           They
           now
           have
           executed
           their
           commission
           ,
           and
           these
           poore
           guilty
           soules
           tremble
           with
           horrour
           to
           see
           themselves
           presented
           before
           the
           dreaded
           ▪
           majesty
           of
           him
           ,
           whom
           having
           formerly
           rejected
           for
           their
           Advocate
           and
           their
           Redeemer
           ,
           they
           must
           now
           submit
           unto
           ,
           as
           Judge
           of
           all
           their
           actions
           ,
           and
           deportments
           ;
           those
           rayes
           of
           glory
           which
           streaming
           from
           his
           sacred
           person
           ,
           replenish
           all
           the
           Saints
           and
           Angells
           with
           unspeakeable
           content
           ,
           and
           
           rleasure
           ,
           fill
           them
           with
           an
           excesse
           of
           horour
           ,
           and
           despaire
           ,
           by
           making
           them
           reflect
           upon
           the
           innocence
           wherein
           they
           were
           created
           ,
           the
           happinesse
           for
           which
           they
           were
           ordained
           ,
           the
           base
           unworthynesse
           of
           that
           for
           love
           whereof
           they
           have
           cast
           off
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           forfeited
           the
           latter
           ;
           the
           prodigious
           uglinesse
           of
           those
           affections
           wherewith
           they
           now
           are
           filled
           instead
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           lastly
           ,
           that
           all
           this
           must
           bee
           proclaimed
           and
           justified
           against
           them
           before
           the
           dreadfull
           Majesty
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           presence
           of
           the
           Saints
           and
           Angells
           ,
           by
           their
           owne
           consciences
           ,
           produced
           as
           witnesses
           against
           them
           to
           their
           Eternall
           shame
           and
           infamy
           ;
           so
           that
           incompassed
           with
           a
           Legion
           of
           these
           torturing
           thoughts
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Divells
           ;
           they
           know
           not
           whether
           of
           the
           two
           hath
           greater
           torment
           ,
           either
           the
           expectation
           of
           the
           sentence
           ,
           or
           the
           Execution
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           that
           same
           is
           wonderfully
           terrible
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           thereby
           banished
           from
           the
           presence
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           and
           doomed
           to
           live
           in
           Everlasting
           Fire
           provided
           
           for
           the
           Divell
           and
           his
           Angells
           ,
           from
           all
           Eternity
           .
           A
           dismall
           mansion
           ,
           whether
           wee
           shall
           consider
           the
           place
           it selfe
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           Region
           belching
           out
           perpetuall
           flames
           ,
           and
           yet
           covered
           with
           an
           impenetrable
           darkenesse
           ,
           or
           the
           society
           of
           the
           inhabitants
           thereof
           (
           who
           are
           the
           Divels
           ,
           implacable
           enemies
           of
           humane
           kinde
           )
           whose
           malice
           keepes
           them
           perpetually
           busied
           in
           the
           invention
           of
           new
           torments
           ,
           whereby
           to
           ad
           unto
           the
           greatness
           of
           their
           afflictions
           ;
           or
           lastly
           ,
           their
           entertainments
           whilest
           they
           abide
           there
           ,
           which
           (
           as
           the
           Sonne
           of
           God
           himselfe
           informes
           us
           )
           are
           weeping
           ,
           &
           gnashing
           of
           their
           teeth
           for
           all
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           goe
           about
           to
           reckon
           up
           the
           sundry
           kindes
           of
           punishments
           inflicted
           there
           ,
           on
           severall
           persons
           according
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           their
           severall
           crimes
           ;
           the
           sulphurous
           potions
           which
           the
           drunkard
           shall
           there
           bee
           forced
           to
           swallow
           downe
           instead
           of
           the
           delicious
           wines
           ,
           wherein
           hee
           placed
           his
           greatest
           happinesse
           ;
           the
           loathsome
           food
           wherewith
           the
           glutton
           
           shall
           there
           bee
           crammed
           ,
           in
           lieu
           of
           his
           choice
           feasts
           ,
           and
           sumptuous
           banquets
           ,
           the
           scornes
           ,
           indignities
           ,
           and
           contempts
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           proud
           ambitious
           man
           shall
           bee
           exposed
           ,
           in
           exchange
           of
           of
           that
           respect
           ,
           and
           honour
           hee
           sought
           for
           heere
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           different
           kindes
           of
           tortures
           which
           the
           Divine
           justice
           ,
           dispenseth
           with
           an
           admirable
           order
           ,
           amid
           that
           horrour
           ,
           and
           confusion
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           different
           crimes
           whereof
           those
           soules
           have
           heere
           beene
           guilty
           ;
           these
           have
           already
           beene
           copiously
           deciphered
           by
           other
           excellent
           pennes
           ,
           and
           cannot
           bee
           comprisde
           by
           mee
           within
           the
           compasse
           of
           this
           short
           discourse
           ,
           nor
           doe
           I
           comprehend
           ,
           how
           these
           materiall
           things
           may
           (
           by
           the
           ordinary
           course
           of
           Nature
           )
           worke
           any
           alteration
           in
           the
           immateriall
           soule
           ,
           when
           she
           is
           seperated
           from
           the
           body
           (
           for
           I
           speake
           nothing
           of
           her
           condition
           after
           the
           resurrection
           ,
           when
           she
           shall
           bee
           againe
           united
           to
           it
           )
           but
           I
           must
           needs
           conclude
           her
           torments
           farr
           exceed
           the
           force
           of
           humane
           and
           understanding
           to
           conceive
           ;
           
           when
           I
           consider
           ,
           the
           infinite
           Majesty
           of
           that
           God
           ,
           for
           satisfaction
           of
           whose
           justice
           they
           are
           appointed
           ;
           the
           absolute
           unlimited
           Power
           of
           him
           by
           whose
           order
           they
           are
           inflicted
           ;
           the
           huge
           activity
           of
           a
           seperated
           soule
           by
           whom
           they
           are
           suffered
           ;
           and
           the
           endlesse
           continuance
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           during
           all
           which
           they
           are
           to
           be
           endured
           .
        
         
           We
           have
           accompanied
           these
           miserable
           soules
           unto
           the
           brinke
           of
           that
           infernall
           lake
           ,
           wherein
           who
           ever
           falles
           is
           irrecoverably
           lost
           for
           all
           Eternity
           ;
           unhappy
           persons
           ,
           to
           have
           at
           all
           received
           a
           being
           ,
           since
           they
           must
           there
           exchang
           the
           momētary
           pleasures
           they
           have
           enjoyd
           in
           giving
           satisfaction
           to
           their
           own
           unbrideled
           appetites
           ,
           to
           live
           in
           everlasting
           flames
           ,
           tormented
           by
           the
           Divells
           ,
           and
           the
           sting
           of
           their
           owne
           consciences
           ,
           more
           cruell
           to
           them
           then
           those
           hellish
           monsters
           ,
           amongst
           whom
           they
           are
           confined
           by
           the
           Divine
           justice
           ,
           for
           their
           punishment
           ,
           and
           our
           example
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           now
           alter
           the
           Scene
           ,
           and
           quitting
           
           these
           sad
           spectacles
           of
           horrour
           ,
           and
           affrightment
           ,
           turne
           all
           our
           thoughts
           upon
           the
           contemplation
           of
           a
           soule
           ,
           who
           during
           life
           hath
           proposed
           God
           unto
           her selfe
           as
           her
           chiefe
           good
           ,
           and
           entring
           into
           a
           serious
           consideration
           of
           the
           unspekable
           benefits
           shee
           hath
           received
           from
           him
           ,
           in
           her
           creation
           ,
           in
           her
           redemption
           ,
           and
           continuall
           preservation
           ,
           hath
           by
           an
           act
           of
           generous
           gratitude
           cast
           off
           all
           thoughts
           of
           Lust
           ,
           of
           Vanity
           ,
           or
           Pride
           ,
           whereunto
           she
           was
           inclined
           by
           her
           concupiscences
           ,
           and
           affections
           ,
           to
           sacrifice
           her selfe
           intirely
           unto
           the
           performance
           of
           his
           will
           ,
           and
           pleasure
           ;
           the
           Divine
           grace
           seconding
           these
           good
           dispositions
           ,
           hath
           so
           illuminated
           her
           with
           the
           resplendent
           beames
           of
           Heavenly
           light
           ,
           that
           shee
           hath
           beene
           enabled
           to
           discover
           some
           little
           glimps
           of
           those
           admirable
           perfections
           of
           her
           Creator
           ,
           the
           sight
           whereof
           hath
           ravished
           all
           her
           Powers
           ,
           so
           that
           enamored
           on
           his
           Celestiall
           beauty
           she
           hath
           conversed
           during
           her
           union
           with
           the
           body
           onely
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           all
           her
           thoughts
           ,
           wishes
           and
           affections
           
           being
           continually
           present
           there
           where
           she
           had
           placed
           her
           onely
           treasure
           .
           Death
           ,
           whose
           grim
           visage
           affrights
           the
           most
           couragious
           spirits
           ,
           is
           welcome
           to
           her
           ,
           and
           shee
           doth
           quit
           with
           joy
           the
           base
           attire
           of
           flesh
           ,
           and
           of
           corruption
           ,
           that
           she
           may
           put
           on
           immortallity
           .
           Let
           us
           a
           little
           consider
           the
           blessednesse
           of
           her
           condition
           in
           this
           state
           of
           seperation
           .
        
         
           Knowledge
           ,
           whose
           object
           is
           the
           true
           Nature
           ,
           and
           cause
           of
           things
           ,
           is
           so
           hard
           to
           be
           attained
           unto
           during
           this
           life
           ,
           that
           the
           Philosophers
           (
           who
           have
           imployed
           themselves
           in
           search
           of
           it
           )
           have
           a
           great
           part
           of
           them
           despaired
           of
           being
           able
           to
           find
           it
           out
           .
           The
           Academicks
           (
           a
           sect
           of
           them
           much
           renowned
           in
           antient
           time
           )
           pronounced
           boldly
           that
           there
           was
           nothing
           whatsoever
           ,
           could
           be
           knowne
           ;
           the
           Scepticks
           (
           proceeding
           something
           more
           warily
           )
           held
           that
           no
           demonstration
           could
           bee
           made
           ,
           and
           did
           therefore
           continue
           doubtfull
           ,
           denying
           their
           assent
           unto
           the
           truth
           of
           any
           proposition
           .
           And
           those
           Philosophers
           (
           who
           following
           
             Aristotle
          
           )
           
           have
           established
           in
           our
           Schooles
           a
           forme
           of
           learning
           ,
           doe
           (
           by
           a
           tyranny
           they
           exercise
           over
           our
           reason
           )
           command
           us
           to
           admit
           without
           proofe
           so
           many
           grounds
           ,
           or
           principles
           ;
           upon
           which
           they
           establish
           the
           Doctrine
           they
           deliver
           ,
           that
           divers
           of
           our
           choicest
           modern
           wits
           ,
           have
           thence
           taken
           occasion
           to
           dispute
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           endeavour
           the
           overthrowing
           of
           all
           that
           structure
           they
           have
           built
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           This
           inextricable
           laberinth
           wherein
           truth
           is
           shut
           up
           ,
           being
           impervious
           by
           mortall
           men
           ,
           caused
           
             Socrates
          
           after
           all
           his
           study
           in
           search
           of
           her
           ,
           conclude
           ,
           that
           hee
           was
           ignorant
           of
           all
           things
           else
           save
           onely
           this
           ,
           that
           hee
           knew
           nothing
           ,
           and
           the
           despaire
           of
           being
           able
           to
           find
           her
           out
           ,
           made
           
             Aristotle
          
           throw
           himselfe
           headlong
           into
           the
           Ocean
           ,
           after
           hee
           had
           long
           sought
           in
           vaine
           to
           find
           the
           reason
           of
           its
           Ebbs
           and
           flowings
           .
        
         
           But
           she
           who
           doth
           so
           carefully
           conceale
           her selfe
           from
           those
           that
           live
           ,
           exposeth
           freely
           all
           her
           beauties
           to
           bee
           viewed
           over
           
           by
           this
           seperated
           soule
           ,
           and
           fills
           her
           with
           the
           fulnesse
           of
           that
           knowledge
           in
           one
           instant
           ,
           whose
           smallest
           portion
           wee
           scarcely
           gaine
           by
           the
           continuall
           study
           of
           many
           ages
           ;
           the
           contemplation
           whereof
           is
           a
           contentment
           infinitely
           surpassing
           all
           those
           pleasures
           which
           wee
           are
           capable
           of
           during
           this
           life
           .
           The
           Queene
           of
           
             Sheba
             ,
          
           upon
           the
           fame
           onely
           of
           
             Salomons
          
           great
           wisedome
           ,
           thought
           it
           well
           worth
           her
           labour
           to
           quit
           the
           pleasures
           of
           her
           Court
           ,
           and
           exposing
           her selfe
           unto
           the
           trouble
           ,
           toile
           ,
           and
           dangers
           incident
           to
           a
           long
           voyage
           ,
           came
           from
           the
           farthest
           part
           of
           all
           the
           East
           to
           finde
           him
           out
           ,
           that
           she
           might
           have
           the
           satisfaction
           to
           become
           a
           hearer
           of
           it
           .
           
             Alexander
          
           the
           great
           ,
           prised
           at
           so
           high
           a
           rate
           those
           notions
           of
           Philosophy
           he
           had
           received
           from
           
             Aristotle
          
           during
           the
           time
           he
           was
           his
           Pupill
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           used
           to
           say
           ,
           hee
           had
           a
           greater
           obligation
           to
           his
           Tutor
           then
           to
           his
           Father
           
             Phillip
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           he
           had
           from
           him
           received
           his
           being
           ,
           &
           power
           ,
           sufficient
           to
           make
           himselfe
           the
           wonder
           of
           succeeding
           ages
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           his
           glorious
           
           victories
           ,
           and
           conquests
           :
           and
           
             Archimedes
          
           (
           the
           great
           Artist
           )
           had
           all
           his
           powers
           ,
           and
           faculties
           ,
           so
           wholly
           taken
           up
           ,
           by
           the
           contentment
           hee
           found
           in
           speculating
           of
           those
           demonstrations
           he
           had
           invented
           touching
           the
           Symetry
           and
           proportion
           of
           bodies
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           rage
           ,
           and
           fury
           ,
           was
           practised
           ,
           at
           the
           taking
           in
           of
           
             Siracusa
             ,
          
           &
           the
           destruction
           of
           these
           innocent
           inhabitants
           ,
           which
           peopled
           that
           unlucky
           City
           (
           whereof
           himselfe
           was
           one
           )
           could
           not
           divert
           him
           from
           the
           pleasure
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           once
           afford
           him
           leasure
           to
           make
           answer
           unto
           a
           Souldier
           ,
           who
           asked
           his
           name
           ,
           with
           an
           intention
           to
           have
           presreved
           him
           .
        
         
           If
           this
           small
           dawne
           of
           knowledge
           hath
           appeared
           unto
           the
           eyes
           of
           the
           beholders
           with
           so
           glorious
           a
           luster
           ,
           as
           made
           it
           preferrable
           before
           the
           sumptuous
           magnificences
           of
           a
           splendid
           Court
           ,
           the
           glittering
           brightnesse
           of
           a
           Crowne
           ,
           and
           Scepter
           ,
           or
           life
           it selfe
           ,
           what
           shall
           we
           say
           of
           that
           excesse
           of
           pleasure
           wherewith
           this
           soule
           is
           filled
           ,
           when
           shee
           enjoyes
           the
           fullnesse
           of
           all
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           clearely
           sees
           the
           causes
           ,
           
           Nature
           ,
           properties
           ,
           and
           qualities
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           workmanships
           of
           God
           ?
           when
           she
           beholds
           his
           admirable
           Wisdome
           ,
           Power
           ,
           and
           Providence
           ,
           exercised
           in
           the
           continuall
           upholding
           of
           this
           huge
           fabrick
           ?
           and
           how
           from
           the
           great
           contrariety
           and
           strife
           there
           is
           betweene
           the
           parts
           whereof
           it
           is
           composed
           ,
           he
           drawes
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           by
           a
           perpetuall
           Series
           of
           generation
           ,
           and
           corruption
           :
           how
           death
           which
           seemes
           to
           bee
           ordained
           for
           destroying
           the
           society
           of
           humane
           kinde
           ,
           is
           the
           maine
           Basis
           whereupon
           it
           restes
           ;
           because
           the
           feare
           thereof
           witholds
           vitious
           persons
           from
           falling
           headlong
           into
           the
           depth
           of
           wickednesse
           ,
           and
           the
           hope
           of
           it
           animates
           vertuous
           men
           to
           persist
           constantly
           ,
           in
           the
           rough
           craggy
           wayes
           of
           good
           ,
           and
           vertue
           .
           Those
           rare
           effects
           of
           Nature
           that
           puzzle
           all
           our
           choicest
           wits
           in
           searching
           out
           their
           hidden
           causes
           ,
           are
           then
           made
           easie
           to
           her
           ,
           and
           shee
           doth
           plainly
           understand
           ,
           whether
           the
           fluxes
           and
           refluxes
           of
           the
           Ocean
           ,
           are
           guided
           by
           the
           motion
           of
           the
           Moone
           ,
           or
           the
           impulse
           
           of
           that
           continuall
           winde
           ,
           raised
           under
           the
           Equator
           by
           the
           Sunne
           ,
           whether
           that
           constant
           inclination
           of
           the
           Loadstone
           towards
           the
           North
           ,
           whereby
           wee
           are
           enabled
           to
           make
           discoveries
           of
           the
           remotest
           creekes
           and
           corners
           of
           the
           Sea
           ,
           is
           caused
           by
           an
           attractive
           quallity
           residing
           in
           the
           poles
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           which
           being
           somwhat
           different
           from
           those
           wee
           fancy
           in
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           produceth
           that
           small
           variation
           we
           observe
           dayly
           in
           the
           Compasse
           ,
           or
           by
           those
           streames
           of
           atomes
           ,
           drawne
           by
           the
           Sunnes
           great
           heate
           betweene
           the
           Tropickes
           ,
           which
           flowing
           ever
           more
           from
           North
           to
           South
           ,
           and
           penetrating
           all
           the
           subtile
           pores
           ,
           whereof
           the
           stone
           is
           full
           while
           it
           remaines
           within
           the
           Earth
           in
           that
           position
           ,
           doth
           in
           continuance
           of
           time
           beget
           this
           property
           ,
           which
           wee
           can
           imitate
           by
           often
           heating
           of
           an
           iron
           ,
           and
           placing
           it
           to
           coole
           (
           while
           yet
           the
           por●…
           thereof
           are
           opened
           by
           the
           fire
           )
           d●●…
           North
           ,
           and
           South
           .
           Or
           lastly
           ,
           whether
           that
           quallity
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           power
           whereby
           the
           same
           is
           by
           a
           touch
           communicated
           
           to
           the
           needle
           ,
           and
           that
           whereby
           it
           attracts
           iron
           to
           it selfe
           ,
           depend
           on
           causes
           whereof
           as
           yet
           mankinde
           is
           ignorant
           ,
           whose
           knowledge
           is
           by
           providence
           reserved
           to
           the
           discovery
           of
           posterity
           in
           that
           age
           which
           shall
           succeede
           us
           ,
           as
           the
           experience
           was
           to
           those
           in
           that
           which
           went
           before
           us
           .
           Whether
           the
           cherefull
           light
           ,
           which
           wee
           see
           darted
           by
           the
           Sunne
           from
           East
           ,
           to
           West
           ,
           is
           but
           a
           quallity
           communicated
           by
           him
           in
           an
           instant
           to
           all
           the
           aire
           ,
           throughout
           the
           vast
           extent
           of
           our
           horison
           ,
           or
           is
           the
           body
           of
           the
           fire
           it selfe
           ,
           which
           being
           the
           most
           active
           Element
           ,
           and
           flowing
           from
           the
           Sunne
           ,
           as
           from
           its
           fountaine
           ,
           into
           the
           liquid
           Element
           of
           aire
           ,
           prevents
           by
           its
           vast
           distance
           from
           us
           ,
           huge
           expansion
           ,
           and
           active
           swiftnesse
           ,
           our
           feeling
           ,
           and
           our
           sight
           ,
           from
           being
           sensible
           of
           any
           thing
           which
           might
           informe
           our
           understanding
           ,
           touching
           the
           measure
           of
           its
           heat
           and
           motion
           .
           Whether
           the
           never
           ceasing
           turnes
           we
           have
           of
           day
           ,
           and
           night
           ,
           proceed
           from
           the
           perpetuall
           motion
           of
           all
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           carried
           
           about
           by
           the
           great
           violence
           of
           the
           
             primum
             mobile
             ,
          
           or
           from
           the
           motion
           of
           the
           Earth
           on
           its
           owne
           Axis
           ,
           exposing
           all
           the
           severall
           partes
           of
           it
           successively
           ,
           to
           be
           inlightened
           by
           the
           Sunne
           ;
           Whether
           the
           Planets
           are
           fixed
           ;
           each
           of
           them
           in
           a
           severall
           Spheare
           ,
           whose
           motion
           doth
           direct
           their
           courses
           ;
           or
           (
           which
           some
           think
           they
           can
           demonstrate
           of
           the
           Sunne
           )
           moove
           all
           of
           them
           (
           except
           the
           moone
           )
           upon
           their
           severall
           Axes
           like
           the
           Earth
           .
           How
           far
           their
           different
           influences
           ,
           and
           aspects
           ,
           governe
           all
           sublunary
           bodies
           ,
           causing
           the
           birthes
           and
           periods
           ,
           of
           States
           ,
           and
           Monarchies
           ,
           and
           the
           perticular
           happinesse
           and
           miseries
           of
           private
           men
           .
        
         
           But
           above
           all
           shee
           is
           intirely
           satisfied
           with
           seeing
           ,
           how
           the
           infalibillity
           of
           Gods
           prescience
           ,
           infringeth
           not
           the
           liberty
           of
           mans
           free
           will
           .
           How
           nothing
           heere
           below
           ,
           happens
           by
           chance
           ,
           but
           that
           his
           providence
           disposing
           sweetly
           all
           those
           things
           which
           he
           hath
           wrought
           ,
           permits
           the
           miseries
           of
           good
           ,
           and
           prosperities
           of
           wicked
           men
           for
           the
           advantage
           of
           his
           service
           ;
           
           by
           exercising
           and
           instructing
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           by
           reclaiming
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           how
           in
           fine
           by
           the
           inscrutable
           Meanders
           of
           his
           judgements
           hee
           ordereth
           so
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           villany
           ,
           and
           wickednesse
           is
           practised
           heere
           ,
           cooperates
           unto
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Elect
           ,
           and
           the
           increase
           of
           his
           owne
           glory
           .
        
         
           In
           these
           imployments
           she
           might
           with
           joy
           spend
           an
           infinity
           of
           time
           ,
           were
           shee
           not
           taken
           off
           by
           others
           of
           much
           more
           delight
           ,
           and
           consequence
           .
           For
           shee
           no
           sooner
           leaves
           times
           region
           and
           comes
           uppon
           the
           confines
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           but
           shee
           s
           attended
           by
           a
           troope
           of
           Angels
           ,
           appointed
           to
           convoy
           her
           unto
           the
           glorious
           Court
           of
           her
           Creator
           ,
           and
           shee
           receives
           by
           them
           an
           invitation
           is
           sent
           unto
           her
           by
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           like
           unto
           that
           wee
           read
           of
           in
           the
           Canticles
           .
           
             I
             am
             hiems
             transiit
             imber
             abiit
             ,
             &
             recessit
             sunge
             amica
             mea
             &
             veni
             .
          
           My
           friend
           the
           winter
           of
           thy
           chilling
           cares
           ,
           and
           feares
           ,
           is
           past
           ,
           the
           showers
           of
           all
           thy
           teares
           are
           now
           blowne
           over
           ,
           arise
           therefore
           and
           mount
           up
           unto
           the
           ever
           
           blessed
           dwelling
           of
           Eternity
           .
           Who
           can
           expresse
           those
           extasies
           of
           joy
           this
           summons
           causeth
           ?
           or
           fancy
           to
           himselfe
           the
           least
           Idea
           of
           those
           pleasing
           raptures
           wherewith
           she
           is
           possessed
           ,
           when
           she
           beholds
           the
           beauties
           of
           the
           imperiall
           Heaven
           ,
           which
           now
           stands
           open
           to
           receive
           her
           ?
        
         
           Those
           holy
           Saints
           and
           pious
           men
           ,
           who
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           inflame
           us
           with
           the
           love
           of
           vertue
           by
           hope
           of
           the
           reward
           to
           come
           ;
           accommodating
           their
           expressions
           to
           our
           conceits
           ,
           describe
           it
           to
           us
           like
           a
           spacious
           Citty
           ,
           built
           all
           of
           Gold
           and
           precious
           stones
           ,
           whose
           gates
           are
           each
           of
           them
           composed
           of
           one
           entire
           Pearle
           ,
           whose
           walles
           are
           made
           not
           for
           defence
           but
           ornament
           ,
           because
           her
           enemies
           are
           all
           destroyed
           ,
           and
           shee
           established
           in
           security
           ,
           above
           the
           reach
           of
           time
           or
           fortune
           whose
           houses
           are
           of
           Jasper
           ,
           and
           of
           Porphyrie
           ,
           inlaid
           with
           Rubies
           ,
           Diamonds
           ,
           and
           Carbuncles
           ,
           where
           Gold
           and
           pollished
           Marble
           ,
           are
           not
           imployed
           but
           for
           the
           meanest
           uses
           .
           Every
           of
           whose
           inhabitants
           is
           a
           
           great
           King
           ,
           and
           hath
           Dominion
           over
           all
           the
           workes
           of
           Nature
           ,
           a
           beauty
           that
           out
           shines
           the
           Sun
           in
           greatest
           height
           of
           all
           his
           glory
           ,
           an
           activity
           surpassing
           that
           of
           lightning
           ,
           accompanied
           with
           youth
           ,
           and
           health
           ,
           which
           never
           shall
           decay
           for
           all
           Eternity
           .
           Within
           the
           circuit
           of
           those
           walles
           ,
           they
           represent
           unto
           us
           a
           large
           field
           ,
           beautified
           with
           all
           the
           choise
           variety
           of
           flowers
           that
           can
           bee
           thought
           on
           ,
           whose
           fragrant
           smell
           sends
           forth
           a
           most
           delicious
           perfume
           to
           the
           senses
           ;
           in
           middest
           whereof
           passeth
           a
           purling
           streame
           of
           living
           waters
           ,
           which
           who
           so
           tasts
           ,
           shall
           never
           thirst
           for
           all
           Eternity
           :
           where
           a
           continuall
           spring
           preserves
           all
           plants
           ,
           in
           the
           full
           freshnesse
           of
           their
           prime
           and
           verdure
           ,
           where
           an
           Eternall
           day
           suffers
           not
           the
           least
           Eclips
           of
           night
           ,
           or
           darkenesse
           ,
           there
           all
           the
           blessed
           dwellers
           in
           this
           Heavenly
           Country
           doe
           entertaine
           each
           other
           in
           perfect
           love
           ,
           and
           concord
           ,
           with
           fulness
           of
           all
           joyes
           ,
           and
           pleasures
           ,
           whose
           compleate
           happinesse
           can
           never
           be
           disturbed
           ,
           by
           the
           unwelcome
           presence
           of
           an
           enemy
           ,
           
           or
           the
           sad
           parting
           of
           a
           friend
           .
        
         
           What
           a
           meere
           nothing
           ,
           are
           all
           the
           flattering
           shadowes
           of
           content
           we
           graspe
           at
           during
           life
           ,
           being
           compared
           to
           those
           of
           this
           Celestiall
           mansion
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           heere
           described
           ?
           yet
           these
           are
           the
           outside
           onely
           of
           their
           joyes
           ,
           not
           to
           bee
           prised
           at
           all
           ,
           if
           once
           compared
           to
           that
           wherin
           consists
           the
           Essence
           ,
           of
           their
           perfect
           bliss
           ,
           and
           happinesse
           .
           Gold
           ,
           Marble
           ,
           precious
           stones
           ,
           faire
           fields
           ,
           coole
           springs
           the
           company
           of
           Saints
           and
           Angells
           ,
           Soveraigne
           power
           ,
           beauty
           ,
           activity
           ,
           youth
           ,
           health
           ,
           impassibility
           ,
           and
           immortallity
           it selfe
           can
           never
           satisfie
           the
           immateriall
           soule
           ,
           without
           the
           vision
           of
           her
           Lord
           and
           maker
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           center
           whereunto
           shee
           sendes
           ,
           the
           object
           of
           her
           powers
           ,
           and
           faculties
           ;
           this
           being
           once
           obtained
           ,
           brings
           with
           it
           full
           repose
           ,
           and
           quietnesse
           ,
           which
           all
           created
           things
           can
           never
           doe
           .
           And
           this
           is
           heere
           communicated
           freely
           to
           her
           ,
           whereby
           her
           understanding
           is
           fully
           satisfied
           ,
           with
           the
           cleare
           knowledge
           of
           all
           thinges
           ,
           by
           sight
           of
           him
           who
           is
           both
           the
           
           first
           cause
           ,
           and
           truth
           it selfe
           .
           Her
           will
           finds
           also
           heere
           what
           ever
           object
           it
           desireth
           ,
           in
           the
           secure
           possession
           of
           all
           good
           thinges
           ,
           which
           are
           united
           in
           his
           Nature
           who
           is
           good
           it selfe
           .
        
         
           Who
           can
           describe
           the
           infinite
           advantages
           ,
           prerogatives
           ,
           and
           dignities
           ,
           that
           doe
           accompany
           this
           blessed
           vision
           ?
           words
           are
           too
           feeble
           to
           expresse
           ,
           and
           humane
           hearts
           (
           though
           nere
           so
           large
           )
           are
           too
           too
           narrow
           to
           conceive
           them
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           conclude
           ;
           that
           as
           that
           man
           who
           doth
           pertake
           of
           wisedome
           is
           truly
           wise
           ,
           and
           who
           hath
           courage
           becommeth
           valiant
           ,
           even
           so
           this
           blessed
           soule
           ,
           being
           ingulf'd
           in
           contemplation
           of
           the
           diety
           ,
           by
           the
           strict
           union
           which
           that
           causeth
           of
           all
           her
           faculties
           to
           him
           ,
           is
           in
           some
           sort
           a
           God
           ,
           enjoying
           all
           perfections
           by
           participation
           ,
           which
           God
           himselfe
           hath
           by
           propriety
           .
        
      
       
         
           The
           Conclusion
           .
        
         
           Reader
           having
           finished
           these
           two
           first
           heads
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           a
           description
           of
           what
           Eternity
           is
           ,
           and
           what
           our
           
           condition
           will
           be
           when
           we
           shall
           come
           to
           be
           pertakers
           of
           it
           ;
           there
           remained
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           that
           I
           should
           according
           to
           my
           promise
           ,
           have
           set
           downe
           such
           rules
           for
           the
           conduct
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           whilest
           wee
           are
           heere
           ,
           as
           might
           (
           being
           observed
           )
           render
           us
           perfectly
           happy
           when
           we
           should
           come
           to
           be
           inhabitants
           in
           that
           our
           country
           .
        
         
           These
           rules
           I
           meaned
           should
           have
           comprised
           within
           them
           all
           the
           vertues
           ,
           which
           may
           bee
           well
           reduced
           into
           two
           heads
           ;
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           those
           which
           have
           for
           their
           object
           the
           Divinity
           it selfe
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           serve
           for
           the
           well
           ordering
           ,
           and
           disposing
           of
           our
           actions
           .
        
         
           The
           principall
           ones
           of
           the
           first
           kinde
           ,
           are
           those
           wee
           call
           the
           Theologicall
           vertues
           ,
           Faith
           ,
           Hope
           ,
           and
           Charity
           ,
           whereof
           ,
           the
           first
           breeds
           in
           us
           a
           perfect
           resignation
           of
           our
           understandings
           unto
           God
           ,
           by
           assenting
           with
           humillity
           and
           constancy
           ,
           without
           doubt
           ,
           or
           hesitation
           ,
           unto
           those
           truths
           which
           hee
           hath
           pleased
           to
           reveale
           to
           us
           for
           the
           salvation
           of
           our
           soules
           :
           the
           second
           makes
           us
           with
           patience
           and
           perseverance
           ,
           
           continue
           in
           the
           way
           of
           vertue
           ;
           expecting
           to
           bee
           made
           pertakers
           of
           all
           those
           blessings
           hee
           hath
           promised
           to
           his
           servants
           ;
           and
           the
           third
           causeth
           ,
           an
           entire
           union
           of
           our
           will
           with
           his
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           greatest
           heigth
           of
           Christian
           perfection
           ,
           and
           the
           assured
           meanes
           to
           attaine
           unto
           an
           everlasting
           blisse
           .
        
         
           Among
           those
           of
           the
           second
           kinde
           (
           being
           the
           morall
           vertues
           )
           the
           chiefest
           are
           ,
           Prudence
           ,
           Justice
           ,
           Fortitude
           ,
           and
           Temperance
           ,
           (
           commonly
           called
           the
           Cardinall
           Vertues
           )
           which
           serve
           for
           the
           well
           ordering
           and
           disposing
           of
           all
           the
           faculties
           ,
           passions
           ,
           and
           affections
           ,
           of
           our
           Soules
           .
           Prudence
           ,
           which
           ought
           to
           preside
           in
           all
           the
           consultations
           of
           our
           understanding
           ;
           Justice
           ,
           to
           governe
           all
           the
           resolutions
           of
           our
           will
           ;
           Fortitude
           ,
           to
           keepe
           in
           due
           subjection
           the
           passions
           comprised
           under
           the
           generall
           notion
           of
           the
           irascible
           part
           of
           man
           ;
           and
           Temperance
           ,
           to
           bridle
           the
           exorbitancie
           of
           our
           concupiscences
           ,
           and
           affections
           .
        
         
           I
           had
           intended
           to
           have
           described
           at
           
           large
           the
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           quallities
           ,
           of
           all
           these
           vertues
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           shewed
           ,
           how
           all
           the
           other
           may
           be
           deduced
           out
           of
           these
           seven
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           connexion
           ,
           and
           relation
           they
           have
           unto
           each
           other
           ;
           and
           I
           had
           meant
           ,
           in
           the
           contexture
           of
           that
           Discourse
           ,
           to
           have
           set
           downe
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           meanes
           ,
           to
           purge
           our
           Soules
           from
           all
           the
           depraved
           inclinations
           ,
           and
           habits
           ,
           which
           are
           opposite
           unto
           them
           ,
           that
           being
           thereby
           cleansed
           ,
           from
           all
           the
           rust
           and
           filth
           of
           sin
           ,
           they
           might
           become
           capable
           subjects
           of
           being
           illuminated
           by
           the
           Divine
           grace
           ,
           and
           bee
           enabled
           to
           discover
           his
           admirable
           goodnesse
           ,
           and
           perfections
           ,
           whereon
           being
           enamoured
           ,
           they
           might
           by
           fervent
           acts
           of
           charity
           unite
           their
           wills
           entirely
           unto
           his
           ,
           and
           thereby
           mount
           unto
           the
           top
           of
           Christian
           perfection
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           assured
           meanes
           of
           being
           happy
           in
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           I
           say
           I
           had
           intended
           ,
           for
           (
           although
           I
           had
           spent
           some
           time
           in
           the
           digesting
           ,
           and
           ordring
           of
           this
           matter
           )
           yet
           I
           was
           put
           unto
           a
           stand
           in
           that
           designe
           ,
           by
           a
           reflexion
           
           which
           I
           chanced
           to
           make
           upon
           a
           saying
           of
           that
           glorious
           Saint
           ,
           and
           Doctor
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           Saint
           
             Cyprian
             ,
          
           who
           writing
           unto
           some
           of
           the
           
             Ethnicks
             ,
          
           touching
           the
           lives
           and
           studies
           of
           the
           Christians
           speakes
           thus
           ,
           
             Philosophi
             factis
             no
             verbis
             sumus
             ,
             nec
             magna
             loquimur
             ,
             sed
             vivimus
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           wee
           are
           Philosophers
           in
           our
           actions
           ,
           not
           in
           our
           wordes
           ,
           nor
           do
           we
           speake
           great
           things
           but
           practise
           them
           .
           It
           seemes
           this
           holy
           man
           thought
           it
           much
           fitter
           for
           a
           Christian
           ,
           to
           exercise
           himselfe
           in
           vertuous
           actions
           then
           in
           describing
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           vertues
           .
        
         
           Now
           this
           opinion
           of
           so
           grave
           and
           reverend
           a
           Father
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           having
           at
           first
           caused
           mee
           to
           doubt
           ,
           whether
           I
           should
           proceed
           to
           perfecting
           the
           worke
           I
           had
           in
           hand
           ;
           I
           tooke
           a
           resolution
           sometime
           after
           to
           give
           it
           over
           ,
           upon
           the
           reading
           of
           a
           passage
           ,
           reported
           by
           some
           writers
           in
           the
           life
           of
           
             Origen
             ,
          
           (
           that
           prodigy
           of
           wit
           and
           learning
           )
           they
           set
           downe
           that
           being
           in
           his
           old
           Age
           sensible
           of
           divers
           errours
           he
           had
           runne
           into
           (
           which
           made
           his
           
           followers
           be
           condemned
           as
           Hereticks
           )
           he
           came
           into
           the
           Church
           with
           an
           intention
           to
           expound
           some
           passage
           out
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           for
           the
           instruction
           of
           the
           people
           ;
           and
           to
           that
           purpose
           opening
           the
           booke
           ,
           hee
           chanced
           to
           light
           upon
           a
           passage
           in
           the
           Psalmes
           of
           
             David
          
           ;
           wherein
           the
           holy
           Prophet
           speaking
           of
           God
           ,
           saith
           thus
           ,
           
             Peccatori
             dixit
             ,
             quare
             tu
             enarras
             gloriam
             meam
             ,
             &
             assumis
             testamentum
             meum
             ,
             in
             os
             tuum
             .
          
           In
           English
           thus
           ,
           He
           (
           meaning
           God
           )
           said
           unto
           the
           sinner
           ,
           wherefore
           dost
           thou
           shew
           forth
           my
           glory
           and
           doest
           assume
           my
           testament
           into
           thy
           mouth
           .
           The
           pennitent
           old
           man
           ,
           taking
           this
           reproofe
           as
           spoken
           to
           himselfe
           ,
           burst
           forth
           into
           a
           floud
           of
           teares
           ,
           which
           tooke
           from
           him
           the
           use
           of
           speech
           ,
           and
           retiring
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           abandoned
           all
           the
           thoughts
           of
           teaching
           others
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           spend
           the
           short
           remainder
           of
           his
           life
           in
           the
           reforming
           of
           himselfe
           .
        
         
           The
           reasons
           which
           prevailed
           with
           this
           great
           Doctor
           ,
           have
           wrought
           the
           same
           effect
           with
           mee
           ,
           and
           I
           resolved
           to
           quit
           the
           
           farther
           busying
           of
           myselfe
           in
           an
           imployment
           ,
           wherein
           I
           was
           forbidden
           to
           meddle
           by
           reason
           of
           my
           sinnes
           ;
           and
           which
           I
           was
           unable
           to
           performe
           ,
           because
           I
           am
           a
           stranger
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           those
           vertues
           I
           should
           write
           of
           ,
           and
           so
           might
           justly
           feare
           that
           inconvenience
           would
           thereby
           happen
           ,
           whereof
           wee
           are
           forewarned
           by
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           in
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           blind
           shall
           lead
           the
           blind
           ,
           they
           both
           will
           fall
           together
           in
           the
           pit
           .
        
         
           Heere
           therefore
           I
           give
           end
           to
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           with
           this
           advertisment
           onely
           unto
           the
           pious
           Reader
           ,
           that
           if
           he
           shall
           desire
           to
           have
           his
           heart
           enflamed
           with
           the
           Divine
           love
           ,
           he
           must
           first
           necessarily
           cleanse
           it
           from
           all
           affections
           unto
           fading
           ,
           and
           transitory
           things
           .
           
             Suetonius
          
           in
           the
           lives
           of
           the
           twelve
           first
           
             Caesars
             ,
          
           relates
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           body
           of
           the
           Emperour
           
             Titus
          
           was
           placed
           in
           the
           Funerall
           pile
           ,
           to
           be
           consumed
           with
           fire
           (
           according
           to
           the
           custome
           of
           those
           times
           )
           his
           heart
           (
           after
           his
           body
           was
           reduced
           into
           ashes
           )
           did
           many
           times
           spring
           
           out
           of
           the
           flames
           ,
           and
           being
           at
           last
           opened
           by
           those
           who
           wondred
           at
           the
           strangnesse
           of
           the
           accident
           ,
           it
           was
           found
           to
           bee
           full
           of
           poyson
           ;
           which
           hindred
           the
           operation
           of
           the
           fire
           upon
           it
           .
           Even
           so
           our
           Soules
           ,
           while
           they
           continue
           fraught
           with
           the
           inordinate
           love
           of
           earthly
           things
           (
           which
           are
           the
           mortall
           poison
           of
           the
           Soule
           )
           resist
           the
           inspiration
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           suffer
           not
           themselves
           to
           be
           inflamed
           by
           the
           Celestiall
           fire
           of
           charity
           ,
           which
           he
           doth
           never
           faile
           to
           kindle
           in
           those
           hearts
           are
           fitted
           to
           receive
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           readiest
           way
           for
           the
           devout
           Reader
           to
           effect
           this
           ,
           is
           wholly
           to
           imploy
           his
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           studies
           ,
           in
           the
           continuall
           meditation
           upon
           Eternity
           ,
           wherin
           if
           he
           be
           farthered
           by
           any
           thing
           which
           I
           have
           heere
           set
           downe
           ,
           I
           then
           desire
           ,
           that
           as
           I
           have
           made
           him
           partaker
           of
           my
           meditations
           ,
           so
           hee
           would
           also
           make
           mee
           pertaker
           with
           him
           in
           his
           Prayers
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .