BERI ^Y ^ LIBRARY UNIVER ,ITY OF CALIFORNIA . ^fj Digitized by tine Internet Archive in 2008 witii funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation littp://www.arcliive.org/details/fullerstliouglitsOOfullricli Keliflious Hife Sifcits FULLER'S THOUGHTS ^|)e Eeligioujs ILife Series THE CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE Edited by Temple Scott With an Introduction by Alice Meynell Fcap. 8vo, parchment, 3s. 6d. net. {Second Edition.) MEDITATIONS AND VOWS By Joseph Hall Edited by Charles Sayle Fcap. 8vo, parchment and cloth 3s. 6d. net. FULLER'S THOUGHTS Edited by A. R. Waller Fcap. 8vo, parchment and cloth 3s. 6d. net. GRANT RICHARDS 48 LEICESTER SQUARE FULLER'S THOUGHTS EDITED BY A. R. WALLER « LONDON GRANT RICHARDS 1902 LOAN STACK Edinburgh : Printed by T. and A. Constable '4Q^C^ Next to Sbakspeare, I am not certain whether Thomas Fuller, beyond all other writers, does not excite in me the sense and emotion of the marvellous ;— the degree in which any given faculty or combination of faculties is possessed and manifested, so far surpassing what one would have thought possible in a single mind, as to give one's admiration the flavour and quality of wonder! Wit was the stuff and substance of Fuller's Intellect. It was the element, the earthen base, the material which he worked In, and this very circumstance has defrauded him of his due praise for the practical wisdom of the thoughts, for the beauty and variety of the truths, into which he shaped the stuff. Fuller was In- comparably the most sensible, the least prejudiced, great man of an age that boasted a galaxy of great men. tie is a very voluminous writer, and yet in all his numerous volumes on so many different subjects, it is scarcely too much to say, that you will hardly find a page in which some one sentence out of every three does not deserve to be quoted for Itself— as motto or as maxim, Qod bless thee, dear old man! may I meet with thee!— which is tantamount to— may I go to heaven ! Samubl Taylor Colbridqb. July, 1829. /tOC) CONTENTS GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES PAGE DEDICATION, 3 PERSONAL MEDITATIONS, . S SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS, 22 HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS, 37 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS, 54 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIN lES TO THE CHRISTIAN READER, 71 PERSONAL MEDITATIONS- I. Curiosity Curbed, .... 74 II. Deceived, not Hurt, 75 III. Nor Full, nor Fasting, 75 IV. Strange and True, 76 V. Blushing to be Blushed For, 77 VI. A Lash for Laziness, . 78 VII. Root, Branch, and Fruit, . 79 VIII. God Speed the Plough, 8o IX. Cras, Cras 80 X. Green when Gray, 8i XI. Miserere, 82 CONTENTS XII. Monarchy and Mercy, . XIII. What Helps not Hurts, XIV. Always Seen, Never Minded, XV. Not Whence, but Whither, XVI. Storm, Steer On, . XVII. Wit Outwitted, . XVIII. Hereafter, . XIX. Bad at Best, . XX. Compendium Dispendium, SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS— I. Prayer may Preach, II. The Vicious Mean, III. Store no Sore, IV. Line on Line, V. O ! the Depth, VI. Self, Self Hurter, . VII. Gad, Behold a Troop Cometh, VIII. Out Means, in Miracles, IX. Military Mourning;, X. No Stool of Wickedness, . XI. By Degrees, . XII. The Best Bedmaker, XIII. When Begfun, Ended, XIV. Too Late, Too Late, XV. Lawful Stealth, . XVI. Text Improved, . XVII. The Royal Bearing:, XVIII. None to Him, XIX. HumiUty, MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES- I. Name-General, II. Woful Wealth, . III. A New Plot, IV. Providence, . 83 84 84 85 86 87 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 95 96 97 98 99 100 100 lOI 102 103 104 104 105 107 107 108 109 CONTENTS ix PAGE V. Coals for Fagot, .... IIO VI. Fugitives Overtaken, . III VII. Both and Neither, 112 VIII. Fed with Fasting, 112 IX. Bare in Fat Pasture, . . "3 X. Much Good do you, . 114 XI. The Use of the Alphabet, . . "5 XII. The Good Effect of a Bad Cause, . IIS XIII. The Child-Man, .... ii6 XIV. Worse Before Better, . . 117 XV. All Sin, all Suffer, ii8 XVI. Eat Worthily, .... ii8 XVII. Devotions Duplicate, . 120 XVIII. Law to Themselves, . 120 XIX. A New Disease, .... 121 MEDITATIONS ON ALL KIND OF PRAYERS- _ I. Newly Awaked, .... 123 II. Family Prayer, .... 123 III. Self without other Self, 124 IV. Groans, 125 V. Ejaculations, their Use, 126 VI. Their Privilege, .... 127 VII. Extemporary Prayers, . 128 VIII. Their Causeless Scandal, . 128 IX. Night Prayer 129 X. A Nocturnal 130 XI. Set Prayers, 131 XII. The Same Again, 132 XIII. Mixt Prayers, 133 XIV. Take your Company Along, 133 XV. Prayer must be Quotidian, . 134 XVI. The Lord's Prayer, . . . . 13s XVII. AU Best, 136 XVIII. All Manner of Prayer, 137 XIX. To God Alone 137 X CONTENTS OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS— page I. Love and Anger, 139 II. Upwards. Upwards, . 139 III. Beware, Wanton Wit, 140 IV. Ill Done, Undone, 141 V. Apace, Apace, 142 VI. Always the Rising Sun, 143 VII. Charity, Charity, . 144 VIII. The Sensible Plant, . 145 IX. Christ my King, . 146 X. Tribulation, . 146 XI. Beware, 147 XII. The First-Fruits, . 148 XIII. The Recruit, 149 XIV. The Mongrel, . ISO XV. Edification, .... ISO XVI. Mad, not Mad, . iSi XVII. The Deepest Cut, 152 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS IN BETTER TIMES DEDICATION, 157 TO THE COURTEOUS READER, . . IS9 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS ON THESE TIMES— I. Play an After-Game, .... 160 II. Miraculous Cure, . . 161 III. Hand on Mouth, . . 162 IV. At Last, . 163 V. Mistaken, . . 164 VI. Truth, .... . 16S VII. After-Bom, . . 165 VIII. A Heap of Pearls, . 167 IX. Silent Sadness, . . 167 CONTENTS xi PACK X. Lost and Kept, l68 XI. AU, 169 XII. Good Accountant, . 170 XIII. No Tittle of Title, . 171 XIV. Freely, Freely, .... 172 XV. Cry without Cause, and be Whipt . 173 XVI. Spring Began, .... 173 XVII. The Hand is AU, . 175 XVIII. All Tongue and Ears, . 176 XIX. Give and Take, 176 XX. Charity, Charity, . 178 XXI. But one Favourite, . 179 XXII. Calmly, Calmly, 180 XXIII. Try and Trust, .... 180 XXIV. Alike, but Contrary, 181 XXV. Chasma, Phasma, . 182 XXVI. Share and Share-Like, . 183 XXVII. Natale Solum Dulcedine, etc., 184 XXVIII. Seasonable Prevention, . 18S XXIX. Wolf in a Lamb's Skin, . 186 XXX. Various Fancies, 187 XXXI. Made Loyal, .... 188 XXXII. Attend, Attend, 189 XXXIII. No Remedy but Patience, . 190 XXXIV. Pottage for Milk, . 191 XXXV. Moderate may Meet, 192 XXXVI. What, Never Wise ! 192 XXXVII. Recede a TitUe, 193 XXXVIII. Beat Thyself, .... 194 XXXIX. Without Blood, 195 XL. Against the Hair and the Flesh, 195 XLI. A Freewill Offering. 196 XLII. A Good Anchor, 197 XLIII. Eyes Bad, not Object, . 198 XLIV. Ever, Never 198 xii CONTENTS PAGE XLV. Hear me Out, .... . 199 XLVI. Mons Mobilis, .... 200 XLVII. Not Invisible, .... 201 XLVIII. Best Race, .... 201 XLIX. Feed the Lambs, . 202 L. Name and Thing, . 203 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS ON THESE TIMES- | L AU Afore, 205 II. True Text. False Gloss, 206 III. Foul Mouth Stopt, . . 207 IV. Atoms at Last, 208 V. An 111 Match, .... 209 VI. Down, Yet Up, . . . 210 VII. Caleb, all Heart, . 211 VIII. Fie, for Shame, 212 IX. Little Loud Liars, . 213 X. Name General, .... 214 XI. Apt Scholars, .... 215 XII. AU Well Wearied, . 2I6 XIII. O, Inconstancy! 217 XIV. Recovered, .... 217 XV. Gratitude, 2l8 XVI. The Heir, 219 XVII. Sad Transposition, . 220 XVIII. Bird in the Breast, . . 221 XIX. Fair Hopes, .... 222 XX. Riddle Unriddled, . . . 222 XXI. No Record to Remain, . 223 XXII. AU or the Present, ... 224 XXIII. Courtesy Gaineth, . 225 XXIV. Moderation, .... 226 XXV. Preparative, .... 227 XXVI. Revenge with a Witness, . 228 XXVII. A Gnat, no Gnat, . 229 XXVIII. Silence AwhUe, 230 CONTENTS xiii PAGE XXIX. Send Humility, . . 231 XXX. Rather Fold Over than Fall Short, 231 | XXXI. No Man's Work, . 232 XXXII. Three Make up One, . 233 XXXIII. Sero, Sed Serio, . 234 XXXIV. By Degrees, . . . 235 XXXV. Good Augury, . . 236 XXXVI. Subtract Not, but Add, . . 237 XXXVII. Send such Music, . . 237 XXXVIII. By Hook and by Crook, . 238 XXXIX. Without Care no Cure, . 239 XL. Keep your Castle, . . 240 XLI. Too much Beneath, . 241 XLII. Patience AwhUe, . 242 XLIII. In the Middle, . . 243 XLIV. Amending, . 244 XLV. Too much Truth, . 244 XLVI. As it Was, . 245 XLVII. Not So, Long, . . 246 XLVIII. Thank God, . . 247 XLIX. Can Good Come from Ignora lice ? 248 L. Tnisting Maketh One Trusty, 249 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE, . 253 TABLE OF DATES, . 254 NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS, . 256 l«> % GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LADY DALKEITH, Lady Governess to Her Highness the Princess Henrietta. TVyrADAM, it is unsafe in these dangerous days for any to go abroad without a convoy, or, at the least, a psiss ; my book hath both in being dedicated to your honour. The apostle saith. Who planteth a vine- yard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? ^ I am one of your honour's planting, and could heartily wish, that the fruit I bring forth were worthy to be tasted by your judicious peilate. However, accept these grapes, if not for their goodness, for their novelty: though not sweetest relished, they are soonest ripe, being the first fruits of Exeter press, presented unto you. And if ever my ingratitude should forget my obligations to your honour, these black lines will turn red, and blush his unworthiness that wrote them. In this pamphlet your ladyship shall praise whatsoever you are pleased but to pardon. But I am tedious, for your honour can spare no more minutes from looking on a better book, her infant Highness, committed to your charge. Was ever ' X Cor. ix. 7. EPISTLE DEDICATORY more hope of worth in a less volume ? But O ! how excellently will the same, in due time, be set forth, seeing the paper is so pure, and your ladyship the over- seer to correct the press! The continuance and in- crease of whose happiness here, and hereafter, is desired in his daily devotions, who resteth Your honour's in all Christian service, THO. FULLER. GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES PERSONAL MEDITATIONS I T ORD, how near was I to danger, yet escaped ! I was upon the brink of the brink of it, yet fell not in ; they are well kept who are kept by thee. Excellent archer! Thou didst hit thy mark in missing it, as meaning to fright, not hurt me. Let me not now be such a fool as to pay my thanks to blind Fortune for a favour which the eye of Providence hath bestowed upon me. Rather let the narrowness of my escape make my theinkfulness to thy goodness the larger, lest my ingratitude justly cause, that, whereas this arrow but hit my hat, the next pierce my head. II T ORD, when thou shalt visit me with a sharp disease, I fear I shall be impatient ; for I am choleric by my nature, and tender by my temper, and have not been acquainted with sickness all my lifetime. I cannot 6 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES expect any kind usage from that which hath been a stranger unto me. I fear I shall rave and rage. O whither will my mind sail, when distemper shall steer it ? whither will my fancy run, when diseases shall ride it? My tongue, which of itself is a fire,i sure will be a wildfire, when the furnace of my mouth is made seven times hotter with a burning fever. But, Lord, though I should talk idly to my own shame, let me not talk wickedly to thy dishonour. Teach me the art of patience whilst I am well, and give me the use of it when I am sick. In that day either lighten my burden or strengthen my back. Make me, who so often, in my health, have discovered my weakness presuming on my own strength, to be strong in my sickness when I solely rely on thy assistance. Ill T ORD, this morning my unseasonable visiting of a friend disturbed him in the midst of his devotions : unhappy to hinder another man's goodness. If I my- self build not, shall I snatch the axe and hammer from him that doth ? Yet I could willingly have wished, that rather than he should then have cut off the cable of his prayers, I had twisted my cord to it, and had joined with him in his devotions ; however, to make him the best amends I may, I now request of thee for him whatsoever he would have requested for himself. Thus he shall be no loser, if thou be pleased to hear my 1 James iii. 6, PERSONAL MEDITATIONS prayer for him, and to hearken to our Saviour's inter- cession for us both. IV T ORD, since these woful wars began, one, formerly mine intimate acquaintance, is now turned a stranger, yea, an enemy. Teach me how to behave myself towards him. Must the new foe quite justle out the old friend ? May I not with him continue some commerce of kindness ? Though the amity be broken on his side, may not I preserve my counterpart entire ? Yet how can I be kind to him, without being cruel to myself and thy cause ? O guide my shaking hand, to draw so small a line straight; or rather, because I know not how to Ccirry myself towards him in this con- troversy, even be pleased to take away the subject of the question, and speedily to reconcile these unnatural differences. T ORD, my voice by nature is harsh and untuneable, and it is vain to lavish any art to better it. Can my singing of psalms be pleasing to thy ears, which is unpleasant to my own? yet though I cannot chant with the nightingale, or chirp with the blackbird, I had rather chatter with the swallow, i yea, rather croak with the raven, than be altogether silent. Hadst thou given me a better voice, I would have praised thee 1 Isaiah xxxviii. 14. 8 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES with a better voice. Now, what my music wants in sweetness, let it have in sense, singing praises with understanding.! Yea, Lord, create in me a new heart (therein to make melody), 2 and I will be contented with my old voice, until in thy due time, being admitted into the choir of heaven, I have another, more harmonious, bestowed upon me. VI T ORD, within a little time I have heard the same precept in sundry places, and by several preachers, pressed upon me. The doctrine seemeth to haunt my soul ; whithersoever I turn, it meets me. Surely this is from thy providence, and should be for my profit. Is it because I am an ill proficient in this point, that I must not turn over a new leaf, but am still kept to my old lesson: Peter was grieved because our Saviour said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?^ But I will not be offended at thy often inculcating the same precept: but rather conclude, that I am much con- cerned therein, and that it is thy pleasure, that the nail should be soundly fastened in me, which thou hast knocked in with so many hammers. VII T ORD, before I commit a sin, it seems to me so shallow, that I may wade through it dry-shod from any guiltiness : but when I have committed it, it often 1 Psalm xlvii. 7. 2 Ephes. v. 19. 3 John xxi. 17. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS seems so deep that I cannot escape without drowning. Thus I am always in the extremities: either my sins are so small that they need not my repentance, or so great that they cannot obtain thy pardon. Lend me, O Lord, a reed out of thy sanctuary, truly to measure the dimension of my offences. But O ! as thou re- vealest to me more of my misery, reveed also more of thy mercy : lest if my wounds in my apprehension gape wider than thy tents, my soul run out at them. If my badness seem bigger than thy goodness, but one hair's breadth, but one moment, that is room and time enough for me to run to eternal despair. VIII r ORD, I do discover a fallacy, whereby I have long deceived myself. Which is this: I have desired to begin my amendment from my birthday, or from the first day of the year, or from some eminent festival, that so my repentance might bear some remarkable date. But when those days were come, I have adjourned my amendment to some other time. Thus, whilst I could not agree with myself when to start, I have almost lost the running of the race. I am resolved thus to befool myself no longer. I see no day to to-day, the instant time is cdways the fittest time. In Nubuchadnezzar's ^ image, the lower the members, the coarser the metal ; the farther off the time, the more unfit. To-day is the golden opportunity, to-morrow will be the silver season, next day but the brazen one, and so long, till at last I shall 1 Daniel ii. 33. 10 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES come to the toes of clay, and be turned to dust. Grant, therefore, that to-day I may hear thy voice.i And if this day be obscure in the calendar, and remarkable in itself for nothing else, give me to make it memorable in my soul, thereupon, by thy assistance, beginning the reformation of my life. IX T ORD, I saw one, whom I knew to be notoriously bad, in great extremity. It was hard to say whether his former wickedness or present want were the greater; if I could have made the distinction, I could willingly have fed his person, and starved his profaneness. This being impossible, I adventured to relieve him. For I know that amongst many objects, all of them being in extreme miseries, charity, though shooting at random, cannot miss a right mark. Since, Lord, the party, being recovered, is become worse than ever before (thus they are always impaired with affliction who thereby are not improved), Lord, count me not accessary to his badness, because I relieved him. Let me not suffer harm in myself, for my desire to do good to him. Yea, Lord, be pleased to clear my credit amongst men, that they may understand my hands according to the simplicity of my heart. I gave to him, only in hope to keep the stock alive, that so afterwards it might be better grafted. Now, finding myself deceived, my alms shall return into my own bosom. 1 Psalm xcv. 7. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS T ORD, thy servants are now praying: in the church, and I am here staying at home, detained by necesseuy occasions, such as are not of my seeking, but of thy sending : my care could not prevent them, my power could not remove them. Wherefore, though I C2mnot go to church, there to sit down at table with the rest of thy guests, be pleased. Lord, to send me a dish of their meat hither, and feed my soul with holy thoughts. Eldad i and Medad, though staying still in the camp (no doubt on just cause), yet prophesied as well as the other elders. Though they went not out to the spirit, the spirit came home to them. Thus never any dutiful child lost his legacy for being absent at the making of his father's will, if at the same time he were employed about his father's business. I fear too many at church have their bodies there, eind minds at home. Behold, in exchange, my body here and heart there. Though I cannot pray with them, I pray for them. Yea, this comforts me, I am with thy congregation, because I would be with it. XI T ORD, I trust thou hast pardoned the bad examples I have set before others, be pleased also to pardon me the sins which they have committed by my bad examples. (It is the best manners in thy court, to heap requests upon requests.) If thou hast forgiven my 1 Numb. xi. 26. 12 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES sins, the children of my corrupt nature, forgive me my grandchildren also. Let not the transcripts remain, since thou hast blotted out the original. And for the time to come, bless me with barrenness in bad actions, and my bad actions with barrenness in procreation, that they may never beget others according to their likeness. XII T ORD, what faults I correct in my son, I commit myself: I beat him for dabbling in the dirt, whilst my own soul doth wallow in sin : I beat him for crying to cut his own meat, yet am not myself contented with that state thy providence hath carved unto me : I beat him for crying when he is to go to sleep, and yet I fear I myself shall cry when thou callest me to sleep with my fathers. Alas ! I am more childish than my child, and what I inflict on him I justly deserve to receive from thee: only here is the difference: I pray and desire that my correction on my child may do him good ; it is in thy power. Lord, to effect that thy correction on me shall do me good. XIII T ORD, I perceive my soul deeply guilty of envy. By my good will I would have none prophesy but mine own Moses.i I had rather thy work were undone, than done better by another than by myself: 1 Numb. xi. 28. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 13 had rather thy enemies were all alive, than that I should kill but my thousand, and others their ten thousands of them. My corruption repines at other men's better parts, as if what my soul wants of them in substance she would supply in swelling-. Dispossess me. Lord, of this bad spirit, and turn my envy into holy emulation. Let me labour to exceed them in pains, who excel me in parts : and knowing that my sword, in cutting down sin, hath a duller edge, let me strike with the greater force ; yea, make other men's gifts to be mine, by making me thankful to thee for them. It was some comfort to Naomi, that, wanting a son herself, she brought up Ruth's child in her bosom. 1 If my soul be too old to be a mother of g"oodness, Lord, make it but a dry-nurse. Let me feed, and foster, and nourish, and cherish the graces in others, honouring their persons, praising their parts, and glorifying^ thy name, who hath given such gifts unto them. XIV T ORD, when young, I have almost quarrelled with that petition in our Liturgy, Give peace in our time, O Lord ; needless to wish for light at noonday ; for then peace was so plentiful, no fear of famine, but suspicion of a surfeit thereof. And yet how many good comments was this prayer then capable of ! Give peace, that is, continue and preserve it ; give peace, that is, give us hearts worthy of it, and thankful for it. I Ruth iv. 16. 14 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES In our time, that is, all our time: for there is more besides a fair morning^ required to make a fair day. Now I see the mother had more wisdom than her son. The church knew better than I how to pray. Now I am better informed of the necessity of that petition. Yea, with the daughters of the horse-leech,i I have need to cry, Give, give peace in our time, O Lord. XV T ORD, unruly soldiers command poor people to open them their doors, otherwise threatening to break in. But if those in the house knew their own strength, it were easy to keep them out, seeing the doors are threatening-proof, and it is not the breath of their oaths can blow the locks open. Yet silly souls, being affrighted, they obey, and betray themselves to their violence. Thus Satan serves me, or rather, thus I serve myself. When I cannot be forced, I am fooled out of my integrity. He cannot constrain, if I do not consent. If I do but keep possession, all the posse of hell cannot violently eject me: but I cowardly surrender to his summons. Thus there needs no more to my undoing but myself. XVI T ORD, when I am to travel, I never use to provide myself till the very time ; partly out of laziness, loth to be troubled till needs I must ; partly out of 1 Prov. XXX. 15. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 15 pride, as presuming all necessaries for my journey will wait upon me at the instant. (Some say this is scholars' fashion, and it seems by following; it I hope to approve myself to be one.) However, it often comes to pass that my journey is finally stopped, through the narrowness of the time to provide for it. Grant, Lord, that my confessed improvidence in temporal, may make me suspect my providence in spiritual matters. Solomon saith, Man goeth to his long home.i Short preparation will not fit so long a journey. O let me not put it oflF o the last, to have my oil to buy, when I am to burn it.2 But let me so dispose of myself, that when I am to die, I may have nothing to do but to die. XVII T ORD, when in any writing I have occasion to insert these passages, God willing, God lending me life, etc., I observe. Lord, that I can scarce hold my hand from encircling these words in a parenthesis, as if they were not essential to the sentence, but may as well be left out as put in. Whereas, indeed, they are not only of the commission at large, but so of the quorum, that without them all the rest is nothing; wherefore hereafter I will write those words fully and fairly, without any enclosure about them. Let critics censure it for bad grammar, I am sure it is good divinity. 1 Bccles. xii. 5. a Matth. xxv. xo. i6 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES XVIII T ORD, many temporal matters, which I have de- sired, thou hast denied me ; it vexed me for the present that I wanted my will ; since, considering in cold blood, I plainly perceive, had that which I desired been done, I had been undone! Yea, what thou gavest me, instead of those things which I wished, though less toothsome to me, were more wholesome for me. Forgive, I pray, my former anger, and now accept my humble thanks. Lord, grant me one suit, which is this, deny me all suits which are bad for me : when I petition for what is unfitting, O let the King of heaven make use of his negative voice. Rather let me fast than have quails given with intent that I should be choked in eating them.i XIX T ORD, this day I disputed with myself, whether or no I had said my prayers this morning, and I could not call to mind any remarkable passage whence I could certainly conclude that I had offered my prayers unto thee. Frozen affections, which left no spark of remembrance behind them ! Yet at last I hardly re- covered one token, whence I was assured that I had said my prayers. It seems I had said them, and only said them, rather by heart than with my heart. Can I hope that thou wouldst remember my prayers, when I had almost forgotten that I had prayed ? Or rather 1 Numb. xi. 33. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 17 have I not cause to fear that thou rememberest my prayers too well, to punish the coldness and badness of them ? Alas ! are not devotions thus done, in effect left undone ? Well Jacob advised his sons, at their second going- into Egypt, Take double money in your hand ; peradventure it was an oversight. 1 So, Lord, I come with my second morning sacrifice : be pleased to accept it, which I desire, and endeavour to present with a little better devotion than I did the former. XX T ORD, the motions of thy Holy Spirit were formerly frequent in my heart ; but, alas ! of late they have been great strangers. It seems they did not like their last entertainment, they are so loth to come again. I fear they were grieved,^ that either I heard them not attentively, or believed them not fciithfully, or practised them not conscionably. If they be pleased to come again, this is all I dare promise, that they do deserve, and I do desire they should be well used. Let thy Holy Spirit be pleased, not only to stand before the door and knock, but also to come in.^ If I do not open the door, it were too unreasonable to request such a miracle to come in when the doors were shut, as thou didst to the apostles.* Yet let me humbly beg of thee, that thou wouldst make the iron gate of my heart open of its own accord. f^ Then let thy Spirit be pleased to 1 Gen. xliii. xa. 2 Ephet. iv. 30. « Rev. iii. ao. < John XX. 19. 5 Acts xii. xo. i8 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES sup in my heart ; I have given it an invitation, and I hope I shall give it room. But, O thou that sendest the guest, send the meat also ; and if I be so unmannerly as not to make the Holy Spirit welcome, O let thy effectual grace make me to make it welcome. XXI T CRD, I confess this morning I remembered my breakfast, but forgot my prayers. And as I have returned no praise, so thou mightst justly have afforded me no protection. Yet thou hast carefully kept me to the middle of this day, entrusted me with a new debt before I have paid the old score. It is now noon, too late for a morning, too soon for an evening sacrifice. My corrupt heart prompts me to put off my prayers till night ; but I know it too well, or rather too ill, to trust it. I fear, if till night I defer them, at night I shall forget them. Be pleased, therefore, now to accept them. Lord, let not a few hours the later make a breach ; especially seeing (be it spoken not to excuse my negligence, but to implore thy pardon) a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday. I promise hereafter, by thy assistance, to bring forth fruit in due season. See how I am ashamed the sun should shine on me, who now newly start in the race of my devotions, when he like a g^iant hath run more than half his course in the heavens. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 19 XXII T ORD, this day casually I am fallen into a bad com- pany, and know not how I came hither, or how to get hence. Sure I am, not my improvidence hath run me, but thy providence hath led me into this danger. I was not wandering; in any base by-path, but walking in the highway of my vocation ; wherefore. Lord, thou that calledst me hither, keep me here. Stop their mouths, that they speak no blasphemy, or stop my ears, that I hear none ; or open my mouth soberly to reprove what I hear. Give me to guard myself ; but, Lord, guard my guarding of myself. Let not the smoke of their badness put out my eyes, but the shining of my innocency lighten theirs. Let me give physic to them, and not take infection from them. Yea, make me the better for their badness. Then shall their bad company be to me like the dirt of oysters, whose mud hath soap in it, and doth rather scour than defile. XXIII T ORD, often have I thought with myself, I will sin but this one sin more, and then I will repent of it, and of all the rest of my sins together. So foolish was I, and ignorant. As if I should be more able to pay my debts when I owe more : or as if I should say, I will wound my friend once again, and then I will lovingly shake hands with him : but what if my friend will not 20 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES shake hands with me ? Besides, can one commit one sin more, and but one sin more? Unclean creatures went by couples into the ark.i Grant, Lord, at this instant I may break off my badness; otherwise thou mayest justly make the last minute wherein I do sin on earth to be the last minute wherein I shall sin on earth, and the first wherein thou mightst make me suffer in another place. XXIV T ORD, the preacher this day came home to my heart. A left-handed Gibeonite with his sling 2 hit not the mark more sure than he my darling- sins. I could find no fault with his sermon, save only that it had too much truth. But this I quarrelled at, that he went far from his text to come close to me, and so was faulty himself in telling me of my faults. Thus they will creep out at small crannies who have a mind to escape ; and yet I cannot deny, but that that which he spake (though nothing to that portion of scripture which he had for his text), was according to the proportion of scripture. And is not thy word in general the text at large of every preacher? Yea, rather I should have concluded, that if he went from his text, thy goodness sent him to meet me ; for without thy guidance it had been impossible for him so truly to have traced the intricate turnings of my deceitful heart. 1 Gen. vii. 2. 2 Judges xx. 16. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS XXV T ORD, be pleased to shake my clay cottage before thou throwest it down. May it totter a while before it doth tumble. Let me be summoned before I am surprised. Deliver me from sudden death. Not from sudden death in respect of itself, for I care not how short my passage be, so it be safe. Never any weary traveller complained that he came too soon to his journey's end. But let it not be sudden in respect of me. Make me always ready to receive death. Thus no guest comes unawares to him who keeps a constant table. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS T ORD, in the parable of the four sorts of ground whereon the seed was sown, the last alone proved fruitful.! There the bad were more than the good : but amongst the servants two improved their talents,^ or pounds, and only one buried them."^ There the good were more than the bad. Again, amongst the ten virgins, five were wise and five foolish :4 there the good and bad were equal. I see that concerning the number of the saints in comparison to the reprobates, no certainty can be collected from these parables. Good reason, for it is not their principal purpose to meddle with that point. Grant that I may never rack a scripture simile beyond the true intent thereof, lest, instead of sucking milk, I squeeze blood out of it. II T ORD, thou didst intend from all eternity to make Christ the heir of all. No danger of disinheriting him, thy only son, and so well deserving. Yet thou 1 Matt. xiii. 8. 2 Matt. xxv. 16, 17. 3 Luke xix. 20. 4 Matt. xxv. 2. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 23 sayest to him, Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,^ etc. This homage he must do for thy boon, to beg it. I see thy goodness delights to have thy favours sued for, expecting we should crave what thou intendest we should have ; that so, though we cannot give a full price, we may take some pains for thy favours, and obtain them, though not for the merit, by the means of our petitions. Ill T ORD, I find that Ezekiel in his prophecies is styled ninety times, and more, by this appellation. Son of man ; and yet surely not once oftener than there was need for. For he had more visions than any one (not to say than all) of the prophets of his time. It was necessary, therefore, that his mortal extraction should often be sounded in his ears. Son of man, lest his frequent conversing with visions might msike him mistake him- self to be some angel. Amongst other revelations it was therefore needful to reveal him to himself. Son of man, lest seeing many visions might have made him blind with spiritual pride. Lord, as thou increasest thy graces in me, and favours on me, so with them daily increase in my soul the monitors and remembrancers of my mortality. So shall my soul be kept in a good temper, and humble deportment towards thee. 1 Psalm ii. 8. 24 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES IV T ORD, I read how Jacob (then only accompanied with his staff) vowed at Bethel, that if thou gavest him but bread and raiment, he would make that place thy house. i After his return, the condition on thy side was over-performed, but the obligation on his part wholly neglected : for when thou hadst made his staff to swell, and to break into two bands, he, after his return, turned purchaser,^ bought a field in Shalem, intending there to set up his rest. But thou art pleased to be his remembrancer in a new vision, and to spur him afresh, who tired in his promise. Arise, go to Bethel, and make there an altar,^ etc. Lord, if rich Jacob forgot what poor Jacob did promise, no wonder, if I be bountiful to offer thee in my affliction what I am niggardly to perform in my prosperity. But O ! take not advantage of the forfeitures, but be pleased to demand payment once again. Pinch me into the remembrance of my promises, that so I may reinforce my old vows with new resolutions. T ORD, I read when our Saviour was examined in the high priest's hall, that Peter stood without, till John (being his spokesman to the maid that kept the door 4) procured his admission in. John meant to 1 Gen. xxviii. ao-22. 2 Gen. xxxiii. ig. 3 Gen. XXXV. i. * John xviii. i6. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 25 let him out of the cold, and not to let him into a temp- tation ; but his courtesy in intention proved a mischief in event, and the occasion of his denying his master. O let never my kindness concur in the remotest degree to the damage of my friend. May the chain which I sent him for an ornament never prove his fetters. But if I should be unhappy herein, I am sure thou wilt not punish my good will, but pity my ill success. VI T ORD, the apostle saith to the Corinthians, God will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able.i But how comes he to contradict himself, by his own confession in his next epistle ? where, speaking of his own sickness, he saith. We were pressed out of measure above strength. 2 Perchance this will be expounded by propounding another riddle of the same apostle's : who, praising Abraham, ^ saith, That against hope he believed in hope. That is, against carnal hope he believed in spiritual hope. So the same wedge will serve to cleave the former difficulty. Paul was pressed above his human, not above his heavenly strength. Grant, Lord, that I may not mangle and dismember thy word, but study it entirely, comparing one place with another. For diamonds can only cut diamonds, and no such comments on the scripture as the scripture. 1 I Cor. X. 13. 2 a Cor. i. 8. s Rom. iv. 18. 26 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES VII T ORD, I observe that the vulgar translation reads the apostle's precept thus: Give diligence to make your calling and election sure by good works. i But in our English Testaments these words, by good works, are left out. It grieved me at the first to see our translation defective ; but it offended me after- wards, to see the other redundant. For those words are not in the Greek, which is the original. And it is an ill work to put good works in, to the corruption of the scripture. Grant, Lord, that though we leave good works out in the text, we may take them in in our comment. In that exposition which our practice is to make on this precept in our lives and conversations. VIII T ORD, I find the genealogy of my Saviours strangely chequered with four remarkable changes in four immediate generations. 1. Roboam begat Abiam ; that is, a bad father begat a bad son. 2. Abiam begat Asa ; that is, a bad father a good son. 3. Asa begat Josaphat ; that is, a good father a good son. 4. Josaphat begat Joram ; that is, a good father a bad son. 1 2 Peter i. 10. 2 Matt. i. 7, 8. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 27 I see, Lord, from hence, that my father's piety cannot be entailed ; that 's bad news for me. But I see also, that actual impiety is not always hereditary; that's good news for my son. IX T ORD, when in my dciily service I read David's Psalms, give me to alter the accent of my soul according to their several subjects. In such psalms, wherein he confesseth his sins, or requesteth thy pardon, or praiseth for former, or prayeth for future favours, in all these give me to raise my soul to as high a pitch as may be. But when I come to such psalms wherein he curseth his enemies, O there let me bring my soul down to a lower note. For those words were made only to fit David's mouth. I have the like breath, but not the same spirit to pronounce them. Nor let me flatter myself, that it is lawful for me, with David, to curse thine enemies, lest my deceitful heart entitle all mine enemies to be thine, and so what was religion in David, prove malice in me, whilst I act revenge under the pretence of piety. T ORD, I read of the two witnesses. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.^ * Rev. xi. 7. 28 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES They could not be killed whilst they were doing, but when they had done their work ; during their employ- ment they were invincible. No better armour against the darts of death than to be busied in thy service. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul? No malice of man can antedate my end a minute, whilst my Maker hath any work for me to do. And when all my daily task is ended, why should I grudge then to go to bed ? XI T ORD, I read at the transfiguration that Peter,i James, and John were admitted to behold Christ ; but Andrew was excluded. So again at the reviving of the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue,^ these three were let in, and Andrew shut out. Lastly, in the agony' the aforesaid three were called to be witnesses thereof, and still Andrew left behind. Yet he was Peter's brother, and a good man, and an apostle ; why did not Christ take the two pair of brothers? was it not pity to part them? But methinks I seem more offended thereat than Andrew himself was, whom I find to express no discontent, being pleased to be accounted a loyal subject for the general, though he was no favourite in these particulars. Give me to be pleased in myself, and thankful to thee, for what I am, though I be not equal to others in personal perfections. For such peculiar privileges are courtesies from thee when given, and no injuries to us when denied. 1 Matt. xvii. i. 2 Mark v. 37. » Mark xiv. 33. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 29 XII T ORD, St. Paul teacheth the art of heavenly thrift, how to msike a new sermon of an old. Many (saith he) walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping", that they are enemies to the cross of Christ.i Formerly he had told it with his tongue, but now with his tears ; formerly he taught it with his words, but now with his weeping. Thus new affections make an old sermon new. May I not, by the same proportion, make an old prayer new ? Lord, thus long I have offered my prayer dry unto thee, now. Lord, I offer it wet. Then wilt thou own some new addition therein, when, though the sacrifice be the same, yet the dressing of it is different, being- steeped in his tecirs who bringeth it unto thee. XIII T ORD, I read of my Saviour, that when he was in the wilderness, then the devil leaveth him, and behold angels came and ministered unto him.^ A great change in a little time. No twilight betwixt night and day. No purgatory condition betwixt hell and heaven, but instantly, when out devil, in angel. Such is the case of every solitary soul. It will make company for itself. A musing mind will not stand neuter a minute, but presently side with legions of good or bad thoughts. Grant, therefore, that my soul, which ever will have some, may never have bad company. ^ Phil. iii. x8. - Matt. iv. ii. 30 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES XIV T ORD, I read how Cushi and Ahimaaz ran a race, who first should bring- tidings of victory to David. Ahimaaz, though last setting forth, came first to his journey's end ; not that he had the fleeter feet, but the better brains, to choose the way of most advantage. For the text saith. So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overwent Cushi.i Prayers made to God by saints fetch a needless compass about. That is but a rough and uneven way. Besides one steep passage therein, questionable whether it can be climbed up, and saints in heaven made sensible of what we say on earth. The way of the plain, or plain way, both shortest and surest, is. Call upon me in the time of trouble. Such prayers, though starting last, will come first to the mark. XV T ORD, this morning I read a chapter in the Bible, and therein observed a memorable passage, whereof I never took notice before. Why now, and no sooner did I see it ? Formerly my eyes were as open, and the letters as legible. Is there not a thin veil laid over thy word, which is more rarefied by reading, and at last wholly worn away ? Or was it because I came with more appetite than before ? The milk was always there in the breast, but the child till now was not hungry enough to find out the teat. I see the oil of 1 2 Sam. xviii. 23. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 31 thy word will never leave increasing whilst any bring- an empty barrel. The Old Testament will still be a New Testament to him who comes with a fresh desire of information. XVI T ORD, at the first Passover God kept touch with the Hebrews very punctually : at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, in the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out of the land of Egypt ; 1 but at the first Easter God was better than his word. Having promised that Christ should lie but three days in the grave, his fatherly affection did run to relieve him. By a charitable synecdoche, two pieces of days were counted for whole ones. God did cut the work short in righteousness. 2 Thus the measure of his mercy under the law was full, but it ran over in the gospel. XVII T ORD, the apostle dissuadeth the Hebrews from covetousness, with this argument, because God said, I will not leave thee nor forsake thee. Yet I find not that God ever gave this promise to all the Jews, but he spake it only to Joshua 3 when first made com- mander against the Canaanites ; which, without violence to the analogy of faith, the apostle applieth to all good 1 Exod. xii. 41. 3 Rom. ix. 38. ^i Josh. t. 5. 32 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES men in general. Is it so that we are heirs apparent to all promises made to thy servants in scripture? Are the charters of grace granted to them good to me? Then will I say with Jacob, I have enough. i But because I cannot entitle myself to thy promises to them, except I imitate their piety to thee ; grant I may take as much care in following the one, as comfort in the other. XVIII T CRD, I read that thou didst make grass, herbs, and trees the third day.^ As for the sun, moon, and stars,^ thou madest them on the fourth day of the creation. Thus at first thou didst confute the folly of such who maintain that all vegetables, in their growth, are enslaved to a necessary and unavoidable depend- ence on the influences of the stars. Whereas plants were even when planets were not. It is false that the marigold follows the sun, whereas the sun follows the marigold, as made the day before him. Hereafter I will admire thee more, and fear astrologers less; not affrighted with their doleful predictions of dearth and drought, collected from the complexions of the planets. Must the earth of necessity be sad, because some ill- natured star is sullen ? as if the grass could not grow without asking it leave. Whereas thy power, which made herbs before the stars, can preserve them without their propitious, yea, against their malignant aspects. 1 Gen. xlv. 38. 2 Gen. i. ii. 3 Gen. i. 16. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 33 XIX T ORD, I read how Paul, writing: from Rome, spake to Philemon i to prepare him a lodging-, hoping to make use thereof ; yet we find not that he ever did use it, being martyred not long after. However, he was no loser, whom thou didst lodge in a higher mansion in heaven. Let me always be thus deceived to my advantage. I shall have no cause to complain, though I never wear the new clothes fitted for me, if, before I put them on, death clothe me with glorious im- mortality. XX T ORD, when our Saviour sent his apostles abroad to preach, he enjoined them in one gospel, Possess nothing, neither shoes nor stafif.* But it is said in another gospel, And he commanded them, that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only.3 The reconciliation is easy. They might have a staff, to speak them travellers, not soldiers ; one to walk with, not to war with ; a staff which was a wand, not a weapon. But oh I in how doleful days do we live, wherein ministers are not, as formerly, armed with their nakedness, but need staves and swords too to defend them from violence. 1 Philemon vcr. 22. 'J Matt, x. 10. • Mark vi. 8. 34 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES XXI T ORD, I discover an arrant laziness in my soul. For when I am to read a chapter in thy Bible, before I begin it, I look where it endeth. And if it endeth not on the same side, I cannot keep my hands from turning over the leaf, to measure the length thereof on the other side ; if it swells to many verses, I begin to grudge. Surely my heart is not rightly aifected. Were I truly hungry after heavenly food, I would not complain of greatest mess of meat. Scourge, Lord, this laziness out of my soul ; make the reading of thy word not a penance, but a pleasure unto me ; teach me, that as amongst many heaps of gold, all being equally pure, that is the best which is the biggest, so I may esteem that chapter in thy word the best that is the longest. XXII T ORD, I find David making a syllogism, in mood and figure, two propositions he perfected. i8. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.^ 19. But verily God hath heard me, he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Now I expected that David should have concluded thus: Therefore I regard not wickedness in my heart. But far otherwise he concludes : 1 Psalm Ixvi. 18. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 35 20. Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Thus David hath deceived, but not wronged me. I looked that he should have clapped the crown on his own, and he puts it on God's head. I will learn this excellent log^ic ; for I like David's better than Aristotle's syllogisms, that whatsoever the premises be, I make God's glory the conclusion. XXIII T ORD, wise Agur made it his wish, Give me not poverty, lest I steal, and take the name of my God in vain.' He saith not, lest I steal, and be caught in the manner, and then be stocked, or whipped, or branded, or forced to fourfold restitution, or put to any other shameful or pciinful punishment. But he saith, Lest I steal, and take the name of my God in vain : that is, lest professing to serve thee, I confute a good profession with a bad conversation. Thus thy children count sin to be the greatest smart in sin, as being more sensible of the wound they therein give to the glory of God, than of all the stripes that man may lay upon them for punishment. XXIV T ORD, I read that when my Saviour dispossessed the man's son of a devil, he enjoined the evil spirit to come out of him, and enter no more into him.^ ^ Prov. XXX. g. "- Mark ix. 25. 36 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES But I find, that when my Saviour himself was tempted of Satan, ^ the devil departed from him for a season. Retreating-, as it seems, with mind to return. How came it to pass, Lord, that he who expelled him finally out of others did not propel him so from himself? Sure it does not follow, that because he did not, he could not do it. Or that he was less able to help himself, because he was more charitable to relieve others. No ; I see my Saviour was pleased to shew himself a God in other men's matters, and but a man in such cases wherein he himself was concerned. Being contented still to be tempted by Satan, that his sufferings for us might cause our conquering through him. XXV JANNES and Jambres,2 the apes of Moses and Aaron, imitated them in turning their rods into serpents; only here was the diiference: Aaron's rod devoured their rods.^ That which was solid and sub- stantial lasted, when that which was slight, and but seeming, vanished away. Thus an active fancy in all outward expressions may imitate a lively faith. For matter of language there is nothing what grace doth do, but wit can act. Only the difference appears in the continuance : wit is but for fits and flashes, grace holds out, and is lasting ; and, good Lord, of thy goodness, give it to every one that truly desires it. 1 Luke iv. 13. 2 2 Tim. iii. 8. 3 Exod. vii. 12. HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 'T^HE English ambassador some years since prevailed so far with the Turkish emperor, as to persuade him to hear some of our English music, from which (as from other liberal sciences) both he and his nation were naturally averse. But it happened that the musicians were so long- in tuning their instruments, that the great Turk, distasting their tediousness, went away in discontent before their music began. I am afraid that the differences and dissensions betwixt Christian churches (being so long in reconciling their discords) will breed in pagans such a disrelish of our religion, as they will not be invited to attend thereunto. II A SIBYL came to Tarquinius Superbus, king of Rome, and offered to sell unto him three tomes of her Oracles : ^ but he, counting the price too high, refused to buy them. Away she went and burnt one tome of them. Returning, she asketh him, whether he would buy the two remaining at the same rate : he refused again, counting her little better than frantic. Thereupon she burns the second tome ; and peremp- torily asked him, whether he would give the sum 1 M. Varro, Solinus, Plinius, Halicar, etc. 38 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES demanded for all the three for the one tome remaining : otherwise she would burn that also, and he would dearly repent it. Tarquin, admiring at her constant resolution, and conceiving some extraordinary worth contained therein, gave her her demand. There are three volumes of man's time ; youth, man's estate, and old age ; and ministers advise them to redeem this time.i But men conceive the rate they must give to be un- reasonable, because it will cost them the renouncing of their carnal delights. Hereupon one third part of their life (youth) is consumed in the fire of wantonness. Again, ministers counsel men to redeem the remaining volumes of their life. They are but derided at for their pains. And man's estate is also cast away in the smoke of vanity. But preachers ought to press peremp- torily on old people, to redeem, now or never, the last volume of their life. Here is the difference : the sibyl still demanded but the same rate for the remaining book; but aged folk (because of their custom in sinning) will find it harder and dearer to redeem this, the last volume, than if they had been chapmen for all three at the first. Ill TN Merionethshire 2 in Wales there be many moun- tains, whose hanging tops come so close together, that shepherds sitting on several mountains may 1 Ephes. V. i6. 2 Giraldus Cambrensis, and Cambden, in the description of that shire. HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 39 audibly discourse one with another. And yet they must go many miles before their bodies can meet tog-ether, by the reason of the vast hollow valleys which are betwijct them. Our sovereign emd the members of his parliament at London seem very near agreed in their general and public professions; both are for the protestant reUgion ; can they draw nearer ? Both are for the privileges of parliament; can they come closer ? Both are for the liberty of the subject ; can they meet evener ? And yet, alas, there is a great gulf and vast distance betwixt them which our sins have made, and God grant that our sorrow may seasonably make it up again. IV XATHEN John king of France had communicated the order of the knighthood of the star to some of his guard, men of mean birth and extraction, the nobility ever after disdained to be admitted into that degree, and so that order in France was extinguished. Seeing that nowadays drinking, and swearing, and wanton- ness are grown frequent, even with base beggarly people ; it is high time for men of honour, who consult with their credit, to desist from such sins. Not that I would have noblemen invent new vices to be in fashion with themselves alone, but forsake old sins, grown common with the meanest of people. 40 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES T ONG was this land wasted with civil war betwixt the two houses of York and Lancaster, till the red rose became white with the blood it had lost, and the white rose red with the blood it had shed. At last, they were united in a happy marriage, and their joint titles are twisted together in our gracious sovereign. Thus there hath been a great difference betwixt learned men, wherein the dominion over the creature is founded. Some putting it in nature, others placing it in grace. But the true servants of God have an unquestioned right thereunto : seeing both nature and grace, the first and second Adam, creation and regeneration are con- tained in them. Hence their claim is so clear, their title is so true, ignorance cannot doubt it, impudence dare not deny it. VI npHE Roman senators conspired against Julius Caesar to kill him: that very next morning Artemidorus,! Caesar's friend, delivered him a paper (desiring him to peruse it) wherein the whole plot was discovered: but Caesar complimented his life away, being so taken up to return the salutations of such people as met him in the way, that he pocketed the paper, among other petitions, as unconcerned therein ; and so, going to the senate-house, was slain. The world, flesh, and devil have a design for the destruction 1 Plutarch in Julius Caesar. HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 41 of men ; we ministers bring our people a letter, God's word, wherein all the conspiracy is revealed. But who hath believed our report ? Most men are so busy about worldly delights, they are not at leisure to listen to us, or read the letter ; but thus, alas, run headlong to their own ruin and destruction. VII TT is reported of Philip the Second, king of Spain, that besieging the town of St. Quintin, and being to make a breach, he was forced with his cannon to batter down a small chapel on the wall, dedicated to St. Lawrence. In reparation to which saint, he after- wards built and consecrated unto him that famous chapel in the Escurial in Spain, for workmanship, one of the wonders of the world. How many churches and chapels of the God of St. Lawrence have been laid waste in England by this woful war ? And, which is more (and more to be lamented), how many living temples of the Holy Ghost, Christian people, have therein been causelessly and cruelly destroyed ? How shall our nation be ever able to make recompense for it? God of his goodness forgive us that debt which we of ourselves are not ably to satisfy. VIII TN the days of king Edward the Sixth,^ the lord protector marched with a powerful army into Scot- land, to demand their young queen Mary in marriage 1 Sir John Hcywood in the Life of Edward the Sixth. 42 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES to our king, according to their promises. The Scotch refusing- to do it, were beaten by the English in Mussel- borough fight. One demanding of a Scottish Lord (taken prisoner in the battle) * Now, sir, how do you like our king's marriage with your queen ? ' * I always,' quoth he, * did like the marriage, but I do not like the wooing, that you should fetch a bride with fire and sword.' It is not enough for men to propound pious projects to themselves, if they go about by indirect courses to compass them. God's own work must be done by God's own ways. Otherwise we can take no comfort in obtaining the end, if we cannot justify the means used thereunto. IX A SAGAMORE, or petty king in Virginia, guessing the greatness of other kings by his own, sent a native hither, who understood English ; commanding him to score upon a long cane (given him of purpose to be his register) the number of Englishmen, that thereby his master might know the strength of this our nation. Landing at Plymouth, a populous place (and which he mistook for all England), he had no leisure to eat, for notching up the men he met. At Exeter the difficulty of his task was increased ; coming at last to London (that forest of people) he brake his cane in pieces, per- ceiving the impossibility of his employment. Some may conceive that they can reckon up the sins they com- mit in one day. Perchance they may make hard shifts to sum up their notorious ill deeds : more difficult it is HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 43 to score up their wicked words. But O how infinite are their idle thoughts ! High time, then, to leave off counting, and cry out with David, i Who can tell how oft he offendeth? Lord, cleanse me from my secret sins. TWTARTIN DE GOLIN, master of the Teutonic order, 2 was taken prisoner by the Prussians, and delivered bound to be beheaded. But he persuaded his executioner (who had him alone) first to take off his costly clothes, which otherwise would be spoiled with the sprinkling of his blood. Now the prisoner, being partly unbound, to be unclothed, and finding his arms somewhat loosened, struck the executioner to the ground, killed him afterwards with his own sword, and so regained both his life and liberty. Christ hath over- come the world, 3 and delivered it to us to destroy it. But we are all Achaeans by nature, and the Babylonish garment is a bait for our covetousness : whilst, there- fore, we seek to take the plunder of this world's wardrobe, we let go the mastery we had formerly of it. And too often, that which Christ's passion made our captive our folly makes our conqueror. 1 Psalm xix. la. '^ Munster's Cosmography, book iii. p. 878. 3 John xvi. 33. 44 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES XI T READ how pope Pius the Fourth i had a great ship, richly laden, landed at Sandwich in Kent, where it suddenly sunk, and so, with the sands, choked up the harbour, that ever since that place hath been deprived of the benefit thereof. I see that happiness doth not always attend the adventures of his holiness. Would he had carried away his ship, and left us our harbour. May his spiritual merchandise never come more into this island, but rather sink in Tiber than sail thus far, bringing: so small good and so g^reat annoy- ance. Sure he is not so happy in opening the doors of heaven, as he is unhappy to obstruct havens on earth. XII JEFFRY archbishop of York, and base son to king Henry the Second,2 used proudly to protest by his faith, and the royalty of the king his father. To whom one said, you may sometimes, sir, as well remember what was the honesty of your mother. Good men when puffed up with pride, for their heavenly extraction and paternal descent, how they are God's sons by adoption, may seasonably call to mind the corruption which they carry about them. I have said to the worm. Thou art my mother.^ And this consideration will temper their souls with humility. 1 Camb. Britan. in Kent. 2 Gualterus Mappseus de nugis Curialium. 3 Job. xvii. 14. HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 45 XIII T COULD both sigh and smile at the simplicity of a native American, sent by a Spaniard, his master, with a basket of figs, and a letter (wherein the figs were mentioned), to carry them both to one of his master's friends. By the way, this messenger eat up the figs, but delivered the letter, whereby his deed was discovered, and he soundly punished. Being sent a second time on the like message, he first took the letter (which he conceived had eyes as well as a tongue) and hid it in the ground, sitting himself on the place where he put it ; and then securely fell to feed on his figs, presuming that that paper which saw nothing could tell nothing. Then, taking it again out of the ground, he delivered it to his master's friend, whereby his fault was perceived, and he worse beaten than before. Men conceive they can manage their sins with secrecy ; but they carry about them a letter, or book rather, written by God's finger, their conscience bearing witness to all their actions.^ But sinners being often detected and accused, hereby grow wary at last, and, to prevent this speaking paper from telling any tales, do smother, stifle, and suppress it, when they go about the commit- ting of any wickedness. Yet conscience (though buried for a time in silence) hath afterwards a resurrection, and discovers all to their greater shame, and heavier punishment. 1 Rom. H. IS. 46 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES XIV JOHN COURCY, Earl of Ulster, in Ireland, en- deavoured fifteen several times to sail over thither, and so often was beaten back ag;ain with bad weather. At last he expostulated his case with God in a vision, i complaining of hard measure ; that, having built and repaired so many monasteries to God and his saints, he should have so bad success. It was answered him. That this was but his just punishment, because he had formerly put out the image of the Trinity 2 out of the cathedral church of Down, and placed the picture of St. Patrick in the room thereof. Surely God will not hold them guiltless who justle him out of his temple, and give to saints that adoration due alone to his divine majesty. XV nPHE Libyans kept all women in common. But when a child was born, they used to send it to that man to maintain (as father thereof) whom the infant most resembled in his complexion. Satan and my sinful nature enter common in my soul in the causing of wicked thoughts. The sons by their faces speak their sires. Proud, wanton, covetous, envious, 1 Annal. Hibern. in anno 1204; and Cambden's Brit. P- 797- 2 Lawfully, I presume, to apply a popish vision to con- fute a popish practice. HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 47 idle thoughts, I must own to come from myself. God forgive me, it is vain to deny it, those children are so like to their father. But as for some hideous horrible thoughts, such as I start at the motion of them, being out of the road of my corruption (and yet which way will not that wander ?) so that they smell of hell's brim- stone about them: these fall to Satan's lot to father them. The swarthy blackness of their complexion pleiinly shows who begot them ; not being of mine extraction, but his injection. XVI TWTARCUS MAN LI US deserved exceedingly well of the Roman state, having valiantly defended their capitol. But afterward, falling into disfavour with the people, he was condemned to death. How- ever, the people would not be so unthankful as to suffer him to be executed in any place from whence the capitol might be beheld. For the prospect thereof prompted them with fresh remembrance of his former merits. At last, they found a low place in the Petiline grove, by the river gate, where no pinnacle of the capitol could be perceived, and there he was put to death. 1 We may admire how men can find in their hearts to sin against God. For we can find no one place in the whole world which is not marked with a signal character of his mercy unto us. It was said properly of the Jews, but is not untrue of all Christians, that they are God's vineyard. And God fenced it, and gathered out the 1 LiviuB, lib. vi. cap. 20. 48 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst thereof ; and also digged a winepress therein ; i which way can men look, and not have their eyes met with the remembrance of God's favour unto them? Look about the vineyard, it is fenced ; look without it, the stones are cast out ; look within it, it is planted with the choicest vine ; look abut it, a tower is built in the midst thereof; look beneath it, a winepress is digged. It is impossible for one to look any way, and to avoid the beholding of God's bounty. Ungrateful man ! And as there is no place, so there is no time for us to sin, without being at that instant beholden to him ; we owe to him that we are, even when we are rebellious against him. XVII A DUEL was to be fought, by consent of both kings, 2 betwixt an English and a French lord. The aforesaid John Courcy, Earl of Ulster, was chosen champion for the English ; a man of great stomach and strength, but lately much weakened by long imprison- ment. Wherefore, to prepare himself beforehand, the king allowed him what plenty and variety of meat he was pleased to eat. But the monsieur (who was to encounter him) hearing what great quantity of victuals Courcy did daily devour, and thence collecting his unusual strength, out of fear, refused to fight with him. 1 Mark xii. x. 2 Annal. Hibern. in anno 1204; and Cambden's Brit, p. 797- HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 49 If by the standard of their cups, and measure of their drinking:, one might truly infer soldiers' strength by rules of proportion, most vast and valiant achieve- ments may justly be expected from some gallants of these times. XVIII T HAVE heard that the brook near Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, into which the ashes of the burnt bones of Wickliffe were cast, never since doth drown the meadow about it. Papists expound this to be, because God was well pleased with the sacrifice of the ashes of such a heretic. Protestants ascribe it rather to proceed from the virtue of the dust of such a reverend martyr. I see 'tis a case for friend. Such accidents signify nothing in themselves but according to the pleasure of interpreters. Give me such solid reasons, whereon I may rest and rely. Solomon saith, The words of the wise are like nails, fastened by the masters of the assembly.^ A nail is firm, and will hold driving in, and will hold driven in. Send me such arguments. As for these waxen topical devices, I shall never think worse or better of emy religion for their sake. XIX A LEXANDER the Great,2 when a child, was checked by his governor Leonidas for being over- profuse in spending perfumes : because on a day, being 1 Eccles. xii. xi. • Plutarch in the Life of Alexander the Great. so GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES to sacrifice to the g-ods, he took both his hands full of frankincense, and cast it into the fire : but afterwards, being a man, he conquered the country of Judaea (the fountain whence such spices did flow), he sent Leonidas a present of five hundred talents' weight of frankincense, to show him how his former prodigality made him thrive the better in success, and to advise him to be no more niggardly in divine service. Thus they that sow plentifully shall reap plentifully. I see there is no such way to have a large heart as to have a large heart. The free giving of the branches of our present estate to God, is the readiest means to have the root increased for the future. XX 'T^HE poets' fable, that this was one of the labours imposed on Hercules, to make clean the Augean stable, or stall rather. For therein, they said, were kept three thousand kine, and it had not been cleansed for thirty years together. But Hercules, by letting the river Alpheus into it, did that with ease which before was conceived impossible. This stall is the pure emblem of my impure soul, which hath been defiled with millions of sins for more than thirty years together. Oh that I might by a hvely faith, and unfeigned repentance, let the stream of that fountain into my soul, which is opened for Judah and Jerusalem. It is impossible by all my pains to purge out my un- cleanness ; which is quickly done by the rivulet of the blood of my Saviour. HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 51 XXI npHE Venetians showed the treasure of their state, being in many great coffers full of gold and silver, to the Spanish ambassador. But the ambassador, peeping under the bottom of those coffers, demanded whether that their treasure did daily grow, and had a root; for such, saith he, my master's treasure hath: meaning both his Indies. Many men have attained to a great height of piety, to be very abundant and rich therein. But all theirs is but a cistern, not fountain of grace, only God's goodness hath a spring of itself in itself. XXII nPHE Sidonian servants agreed amongst themselves ^ to choose him to be their king who, that morning, should first see the sun. Whilst all others were gazing on the east, one alone looked on the west. Some admired, more mocked him, as if he looked on the feet, there to find the eye of the face. But he first of all discovered the light of the sun shining on the tops of houses. God is seen sooner, easier, clearer in his operations than in his essence. Best beheld by reflec- tion in his creatures. For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.- • Justin, lib. xviii. p. 166. 2 Rom. i. ao. 52 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES XXIII A N Italian prince, as much delighted with the person as grieved with the prodigality of his eldest son, commanded his steward to deliver him no more money but what the young prince should tell his own self. The young gallant fretted at his heart, that he must buy money at so dear a rate, as to have it for telling it, but (because there was no remedy) he set himself to his task, and being greatly tired with telling a small sum, he broke off in this consideration. Money may speedily be spent, but how tedious and trouble- some is it to tell it ! And by consequence how much more difficult to get it! Men may commit sin pre- sently, pleasantly, with much mirth, in a moment. But O that they would but seriously consider with them- selves how many their offences are, and sadly fall accounting them ! And if so hard truly to sum their sins, sure harder sincerely to sorrow for them. If to get their number be so difficult, what is it to get their pardon ? XXIV T KNOW the village in Cambridgeshire i where there was a cross full of imagery. Some of the images were such, as that people, not foolishly factious, but judiciously conscientious, took just exception at them : hard by, the youths of the town erected a Maypole, and to make it of proof against any that should endeavour 1 Cottenham. HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS 53 to cut it down, they armed it with iron as high as any could reach. A violent wind happened to blow it down, which, falling- on the cross, dashed it to pieces. It is possible what is counted profaneness, may accidently correct superstition. But I could heartily wish that all pretenders to reformation would first labour to be good themselves, before they go about the amending of others. XXV T READ that JEgeus, the father of Theseus, i hid a sword and a pair of shoes under a great stone ; and left word with his wife (whom he left with child), that when the son she should bear was able to take up that stone, wield that sword, and wear those shoes, then she should send him to him: for by these signs he would own him for his own son. Christ hath left in the custody of the church our mother the sword of the spirit, and the shoes of a christian conversation, the same which he once wore himself, and they must fit our feet, yea, and we must take up the weight of many heavy crosses, before we can come at them : but when we shall appear before our heavenly Father, bringing these tokens with us, then, and not before, he will acknowledge us to be no bastards, but his truebom children. I Plutarch in Theseo. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS "IXTHEN I look on a leaden bullet, therein I can read both God's mercy and man's malice. God's mercy, whose providence foreseeing that men of lead would make instruments of cruelty, did give that metal a medicinal value ; as it hurts, so it also heals ; and a bullet sent in by man's hatred into a fleshy and no vital part, will (with ordinary care and curing), out of a natural charity, work its own way out. But oh ! how devilish were those men, who, to frustrate and defeat his goodness, and to countermand the healing power of lead, first found the champing and empoisoning of bullets ! Fools, who account themselves honoured with the shameful title of being the inventors of evil things,! endeavouring to out-infinite God's kindness with their cruelty. II T HAVE heard some men, rather causelessly captious than judicially critical, cavil at grammarians for calling some conjunctions disjunctive, as if this were a flat contradiction. Whereas, indeed, the same particle 1 Rom. i. 30. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS $5 may conjoin words, and yet disjoin the sense. But, alas ! how sad is the present condition of Christians, who have a communion disuniting-. The Lord's Supper, ordained by our Saviour to conjoin our affec- tions, hath disjoined our judgments. Yea, it is to be feared, lest our long quarrels about the manner of his presence cause the matter of his absence, for our want of charity to receive him. Ill T HAVE observed that children, when they first put on new shoes, are very curious to keep them clean. Scarce will they set their feet on the ground for fear to dirt the soles of their shoes. Yea, rather they will wipe the leather clean with their coats ; and yet, per- chance, the next day they will trample with the same shoes in the mire up to the ankles. Alas, children's play is our earnest ! On that day wherein we receive the sacrament, we are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. But we, who are more than curious that day, are not so much cis careful the next ; and too often (what shall I say) go on in sin up to the ankles : yea, our sins go over our heads. ^ IV T KNOW some men very desirous to see the devil, because they conceive such an apparition would be a confirmation of their faith. For then, by the logic of 1 Psalm xxxviii. 4. 56 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES opposites, they will conclude there is a God because there is a devil. Thus they will not believe there is a heaven, except hell itself will be deposed for a witness thereof. Surely such men's wishes are vain, and hearts are wicked ; for if they will not believe, having Moses and the prophets, and the apostles, they will not be- lieve, no, if the devil from hell appears unto them. Such apparitions were never ordained by God as the means of faith. Besides, Satan will never show him- self but to his own advantagfe. If as a devil, to fright them, if as an angel of light, to flatter them, how ever to hurt them. For my part, I never desire to see him. And O ! (if it were possible) that I might never feel him in his motions and temptations I I say, let me never see him till the day of judgment, where he shall stand arraigned at the bar, and God's majesty sit judge on the bench ready to condemn him. T OBSERVE that antiquaries, such as prize skill above profit (as being rather curious than covetous), do prefer the brass coins of the Roman emperors before those in gold and silver. Because there is much false- ness and forgery daily detected, and more suspected, in gold and silver medals, as being commonly cast and counterfeited, whereas brass coins are presumed upon as true and ancient, because it will not quit cost for any to counterfeit them. Plain dealing, Lord, what I want in wealth may I have in sincerity. I care not how mean metal my estate be of, if my soul have the MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS 57 true stamp, really impressed with the unfeigned image of the ICing of Heaven. VI T OOKI NG on the chapel of King Henry the Seventh, in Westminster (God grsmt I may once again see it, with the saint who belongs to it, our sovereign, there in a well-conditioned peace), I say, looking on the outside of the chapel, I have much admired the curious workmanship thereof. It added to the wonder, that it is so shadowed with mean houses, well-nigh on edl sides, that one may almost touch it as soon as see it. Such a structure needed no base buildings about it, as foils to set it off. Rather this chapel may pass for the emblem of a great worth living in a private way. How is he pleased with his own obscurity, whilst others of less desert make greater show: and whilst proud people stretch out their plumes in ostentation, he useth their vanity for his shelter ; more pleased to have worth than to have others take notice of it. VII T^HE mariners at sea count it the sweetest perfume when the water in the keel of their ship doth stink. For hence they conclude that it is but little, and long since leaked in ; but it is woful with them when the water is felt before it is smelt, as fresh flowing in 58 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES upon them in abundance. It is the best savour in a Christian soul when his sins are loathsome and offen- sive unto him. An happy token that there hath not been of late in him any insensible supply of heinous offences, because his stale sins are still his new and daily sorrow. VIII T HAVE sometimes considered in what troublesome case is that chamberlain in an inn, who, being- but one, is to give attendance to many guests. For sup- pose them all in one chamber, yet if one shall command him to come to the window, and the other to the table, and another to the bed, and another to the chimney, and another to come up stairs, and another to go down stairs, and all in the same instant, how would he be distracted to please them all. And yet such is the sad condition of my soul by nature, not only a servant, but a slave unto sin. Pride calls me to the window, glut- tony to the table, wantonness to the bed, laziness to the chimney, ambition commands me to go up stairs, and covetousness to come down. Vices, I see, are as well contrary to themselves as to virtue. Free me. Lord, from this distracted case ; fetch me from being sin's servant to be thine, whose service is perfect free- dom ; for thou art but one and ever the same, and always enjoines commands agreeable to themselves, thy glory, and my good. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS $9 IX T HAVE observed, that towns which have been casually burnt, have been built again more beauti- ful than before ; mud walls, afterwards made of stone ; and roofs, formerly but thatched, after advemced to be tiled. The apostle tells me, That I must not think strange concerning the fiery trial which is to happen unto me.i May I likewise prove improved by it. Let my renewed soul, which grows out of the ashes of the old man, be a more firm fabric, and stronger structure : so shall affliction be my advantage. /^UR Saviour saith, When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.2 Yet one may generally observe, that almshouses are commonly built by highway sides, the ready road to ostentation. However, far be it from me to make bad comments on their bounty: I rather interpret it, that they place those houses so publicly, thereby not to gain applause, but imitation. Yea, let those who will plant pious works, have the liberty to choose their own ground. Especially in this age, wherein we are likely, neither in by-ways nor highways, to have any works of mercy, till the whole kingdom be speedily turned into one great hospital, and God's charity only able to relieve us. J X Peter iv. la. 2 Matt. vi. 3. ..jdi. 60 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES XI "LJ OW wrangling and litigious were we in the time of peace ! How many actions were created of nothing ! Suits we had commenced about a mouthful of grass, or a handful of hay. Now he, who formerly would sue his neighbour for pedibus ambulando, can behold his whole field lying waste and must be con- tent. We see our goods taken from us and dare say nothing, not so much as seeking any legal redress, because certain not to find it. May we be restored in due time to our former properties, but not to our former peevishness. And when law shall be again awaked (or rather revived), let us express our thanks to God for so great a gift, by using it not wantonly (as formerly, in vexing our neighbours about trifles), but soberly, to right ourselves in matters of moment. XII A LMOST twenty years since I heard a profane jest, and still remember it. How many pious passages of far later date have I forgotten. It seems my soul is like a filthy pond, wherein fish die soon, and frogs live long. Lord, raze this profane jest out of my memory. Leave not a letter thereof behind, lest my corruption (an apt scholar) guess it out again ; and be pleased to write some pious meditation in the place thereof. And grant. Lord, for the time to come (because such bad guests are easier kept out), that I may be careful not to admit what I find so difficult to expel. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS 6i XIII T PERCEIVE, there is in the world a good-nature, falsely so called, as being nothing else but a facile and flexible disposition, wax for every impression. What others are so bold to beg, they are so bashful as not to deny. Such osiers can never make beams to bear stress in church and state. If this be good- nature, let me always be a clown ; if this be good fellowship, let me always be a churl. Give me to set a sturdy porter before my soul, who may not equally open to every comer. I cannot conceive how he can be a friend to any, who is a friend to all, and the worst foe to himself. XIV TTA is the interjection of laughter; Ah is cin inter- jection of sorrow. The difference betwixt them very small, as consisting only in the transposition of what is no substantial letter, but a bare aspiration. How quickly, in the age of a minute, in the very turning of a breath, is our mirth changed into mourning I XV T HAVE a great friend whom I endeavour and desire to please, but hitherto all in vain : the more I seek, the farther off I am from finding his favour. Whence comes this miscarriage? Are not my applications to man more frequent than my addresses to my Maker? 62 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES Do I not love his smiles more than I fear Heaven's frowns ? I confess, to my shame, that sometimes his anger hath grieved me more than my sins. Hereafter, by thy assistance, I will labour to approve my ways in God's presence ; so shall I either have, or not need his friendship, and either please him with more ease, or displease him with less danger. XVI 'T^HIS nation is scourged with a wasting war. Our sins were ripe ; God could no longer be just if we were prosperous. Blessed be his name that I have suffered my share in the calamities of my country. Had I poised myself so politically betwixt both parties, that I had sufiFered from neither, yet could I have taken no contentment in my safe escaping. For why should I, equally engaged with others in sinning, be exempted above them from the punishment? And seeing the bitter cup, which my brethren have pledged, to pass by me, I should fear it would be filled again, and returned double, for me to drink it. Yea, I should suspect that I were reserved alone for a greater shame and sorrow. It is therefore some comfort that I draw in the same yoke with my neighbours, and with them jointly bear the burden which our sins jointly brought upon us. XVII 'IjiTHEN, in my private prayers, I have been to con- fess my bosom sins unto God, I have been loth to speak them aloud ; fearing (though no man could. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS 63 yet) that the devil would overhear me, and make use of my words against me. It being- probable, that when I have discovered the weakest part of my soul, he would assault me there. Yet since, I have considered that therein I shall tell Satan no news, which he knew not before. Surely I have not managed my secret sins with such privacy, but that he, from some circum- stances, collected what they were. Though the fire was within, he saw some smoke without. Where- fore, for the future, I am resolved to acknowledge my darling faults, though alone, yet aloud ; that the devil, who rejoiced in partly knowing of my sins, may be grieved more by hearing the expression of my sorrow. As for any advantage he may make from my con- fession, this comforts me : God's goodness in assisting me will be above Satan's malice in assaulting me. XVIII T N the midst of my morning prayers I had a good meditation, which since I have forgotten. Thus much I remember of it, that it was pious in itself, but not proper for that time. For it took much from my devotion, and added nothing to my instruction ; and my soul, not able to intend two things at once, abated of its fervency in praying. Thus snatching at two employments, I held neither well. Sure this meditation came not from him who is the God of order ; he useth to fasten all his nails, and not to drive out one with another. If the same meditation return again when I have leisure and room to receive it, I will say it is of his 64 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES sending, who so mustereth and marshalleth all g-ood actions, that, like the soldiers in his army, mentioned in the prophet, they shall not thrust one another, they shall walk every one in his own path.^ XIX "1117 HEN I go speedily in any action. Lord give me to call my soul to an account. It is a shrewd suspicion that my bowl runs downhill, because it runs so fast. And, Lord, when I go in an unlawful way, start some rubs to stop me, let my foot slip or stumble. And give me the grace to understand the language of the lets thou throwest in my way. Thou hast promised, I will hedge up thy way.2 Lord, be pleased to make the hedge high enough and thick enough, that if I be so mad as to adventure to climb over it, I may not only soundly rake my clothes, but rend my flesh ; yea, let me rather be caught, and stick in the hedge, than, breaking in through it, fall on the other side into the deep ditch of eternal damnation. XX ZOOMING hastily into a chamber, I had almost thrown down a crystal hourglass. Fear, lest I had, made me grieve as if I had broken it. But, alas, how much precious time have I cast away without any regret ! The hourglass was but crystal, each hour a pearl; that but like to be broken, this lost outright: 1 Joel ii. 8. 2 Hosea ii. 6. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS 65 that but casually, this done wilfully. A better hour- glass might be bought ; but time lost once, lost ever. Thus we grieve more for toys than for treasure. Lord, give me an hourglass, not to be by me, but to be in me. Teach me to number my days.i An hourglass to turn me, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. XXI \XJ"H.Efi a child, I loved to look on the pictures in the Book of Martjrrs. I thought that there the martyrs at the stake seemed like the three children in the fiery fumace,^ ever since I had known them there, not one hair more of their head was burnt, nor any smell of the fire singeing of their clothes. This made me think martjrrdom was nothing. But O, though the lion be painted fiercer than he is, the fire is fsir fiercer than it is peiinted. Thus it is easy for one to endure an affliction, as he limns it out in his own fancy, and repre- sents it to himself but in a bare speculation. But when it is brought indeed, and laid home to us, there must be the man, yea, there must be more than the man, yea, there must be God to assist the man to undergo it. XXII npRAVELLING on the plain (which notwithstand- ing hath its risings and fallings), I discovered Salisbury steeple many miles off ; coming to a declivity, I lost the sight thereof ; but climbing up the next hill, 1 Psalm xc. xa. 2 Dan. iii. 07. 66 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES the steeple grew out of the ground again. Yea, I often found it and lost it, till at last I came safely to it, and took my lodging near it. It fareth thus with us, whilst we are wayfaring to heaven, mounted on the Pisgah top of some good meditation, we get a glimpse of our celestial Canaan.^ But when, either on the flat of an ordinary temper, or in the fall of an extraordinary temptation, we lose the view thereof. Thus, in the sight of our soul, heaven is discovered covered, and recovered; till, though late, at last, though slowly, surely, we arrive at the haven of our happiness. XXIII X T ORD, I find myself in the latitude of a fever : I am neither well nor ill ; not so well that I have any mind to be merry with my friends, nor so ill that my friends have any cause to condole with me. I am a probationer in point of my health. As I shall behave myself, so I may be either expelled out of it, or admitted into it. Lord, let my distemper stop here and go no farther. Shoot not thy murdering pieces against that clay castle, which surrendereth itself at thy first summons. O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength. I beg not to be forgiven, but to be forborne my debt to nature. And I only crave time for a while, till I am better fitted and furnished to pay it. 1 Deut. xxxiv. i. L MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS 67 XXIV T T seemed strange to me when I was told, that aqua- vitae, which restores life to others, should itself be made of the droppings of dead beer ; and that strong waters should be extracted out of the dregs (almost) of small beer. Surely many other excellent ingredients must concur, and much art must be used in the dis- tillation. Despair not then, O my soul ! No extraction is impossible where the chemist is infinite. He that is all in all, can produce anjrthing out of an3rthing ; and he can make my soul, which by nature is settled on his lees,i and dead in sin, to be quickened by the infusion of his grace, and purified into a pious dis- position. XXV "LJOW easy is pen and paper piety for one to write religiously! I will not say it costeth nothing, but it is far cheaper to work one's head than one's heart to goodness. Some, perchance, may guess me to be good by my writings, and so I shedl deceive my reader. But if I do not desire to be good, I most of all deceive myself. I can make a hundred meditations sooner than subdue the least sin in my soul. Yea, I was once in the mind never to write more ; for fear lest my writings at the last day prove records against 1 Zeph. i. la. 68 GOOD THOUGHTS IN BAD TIMES me. And yet why should I not write ? that by read- ing my own book, the disproportion betwixt my lines and my life, may make me blush myself (if not into goodness) into less badness than I would do other- wise. That so my writings may condemn me, and make me to condemn myself, that so God may be moved to acquit me. GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES TO THE CHRISTIAN READER ^1117 HEN I read the description of the tumult in Ephesus, Acts ix. 32 (wherein they would have their Diana to be jure divino, that it fell down from Jupiter), it appears to me the too methodical character of our present confusions. Some therefore cried one thing;, and some another, for the assembly was con- fused, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. O the distractions of our age ! And how many thousands know as little why the sword was drawn, as when it will be sheathed. In- deed (thanks be to God) we have no more house-burn- ings, but many heart-burnings ; and though outward bleeding be stanched, it is to be feared that the broken vein bleeds inwards, which is more dangerous. This being our sad condition, I perceive controversial writings (sounding somewhat of drums and trumpets) do but make the wound the wider. Meditations are like the minstrel the prophet called for,^ to pacify his mind discomposed with passion, which moved me to adven- 1 2 Kings iii. 15. 72 TO THE CHRISTIAN READER ture on this treatise as the most innocent and inoffensive manner of writing". I confess, a volume of another subject, and larger size, is expected from me. But in London I have learnt the difference betwixt downright breaking, and craving time of their creditors. Many sufficient mer- chants, though not solvable for the present, make use of the latter, whose example I follow. And though I cannot pay the principal, yet I desire such small treatises may be accepted from me, as interest, or consideration money, until I shall, God willing, be enabled to discharge the whole debt. If any wonder that this treatise comes patronless into the world, let such know, that dedications begin now-a-days to grow out of fashion. His policy was commended by many (and proved profitable unto him- self), who, instead of select godfathers, made all the congregation witnesses to his child, as I invite the world to this my book, requesting- each one would patronize therein such parts and passages thereof as please them, so hoping that by several persons the whole will be protected. I have, Christian reader .(so far I dare go, not in- quiring into the surname, of thy side, or sect), nothing more to burden thy patience with. Only I will add, that I find our Saviour in Tertullian, and ancient Latin Fathers, constantly styled a sequestrator,! in the proper notion of the word. For God and man being at odds, the difference was sequestered or referred into Christ his hand to end and umpire it. How it fareth with thy 1 Sequester. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER 73 estate on earth I know not; but I earnestly desire, that in heaven both thou and I may ever be under sequestration in that mediator for God's glory and our g-ood, to whose protection thou art committed by Thy brother in all Christian offices, THO. FULLER. GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES PERSONAL MEDITATIONS I. CURIOSITY CURBED /^FTEN have I thoug^ht with myself, what disease I would be best contented to die of. None please me. The stone, the colic, terrible as expected, intoler- able when felt. The palsy is death before death. The consumption a flattering disease, cozening men into hope of long life at the last gasp. Some sicknesses besot, others enrage men, some are too swift, and others too slow. If I could as easily decline diseases as I could dislike them, I should be immortal. But away with these thoughts. The mark must not choose what arrow shall be shot against it. What God sends I must receive. May I not be so curious to know what weapon shall wound me, as careful to provide the plaster of patience against it. Only thus much in general: commonly that sickness seizeth on men which they least suspect. He that expects to be drowned with a dropsy, may be burnt with a fever ; and she that fears PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 75 to be swoln with a tympany may be shrivelled with a consumption. II. DECEIVED, NOT HURT "LI EARING a passing-bell, I prayed that the sick man might have, through Christ, a safe voyage to his long home. Afterwards I understood that the party was dead some hours before; and it seems in some places of London the tolling of the bell is but a preface of course to the ringing it out. Bells better silent than thus telling lies. What is this but giving a false alarm to men's devotions, to make them to be ready armed with their prayers for the assistance of such who have already fought the good fight, yea, and gotten the conquest? Not to say that men's charity herein may be suspected of superstition in praying for the dead. However, my heart thus poured out was not spilt on the ground. My prayers, too late to do him good, came soon enough to speak my good will. What I freely tendered, God fairly took, according to the integrity of my intention. The party I hope is in Abraham's, and my prayers I am sure are returned into my own bosom. III. NOR FULL, NOR FASTING T IVING in a country village, where a burial was a rarity, I never thought of death, it was so seldom presented unto me. Coming to London, where there 76 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES is plenty of funerals (so that coffins crowd one another, and corpses in the grave justle for elbow room), I slight and neglect death, because gjown an object so constant and common. How foul is my stomach to turn all food into bad humours? Funerals neither few nor frequent, work effectually upon me. London is a library of mortality. Volumes of all sorts and sizes, rich, poor, infants, children, youth, men, old men, daily die ; I see there is more required to make a good scholar than only the having of many books : Lord, be thou my schoolmaster, and teach me to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. IV. STRANGE AND TRUE T READ, in the Revelation, i of a beast, one of whose heads was, as it were, wounded to death. I expected in the next verse that the beast should die, as the most probable consequence, considering : 1. It was not a scratch, but a wound. 2. Not a wound in a fleshy part, or out-limbs of the body, but in the very head, the throne of reason. 3. No light wound, but in outward apparition (hav- ing no other probe but St. John's eyes to search it), it seemed deadly. But mark what immediately follows : And his deadly wound was healed. Who would have suspected this inference from these premises. But is not this the lively emblem of my natural corruption ? Sometimes I 1 Rev. xiii. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 77 conceived that, by God's grace, I have conquered and killed, subdued and slain, maimed and mortified, the deeds of the flesh : never more shcill I be molested or buffeted with such a bosom sin : when, alas ! by the next return, the news is, it is revived and recovered. Thus tenches, thoug-h grievously gashed, presently plaster themselves whole by that slimy and unctuous humour they have in them ; and thus the inherent balsam of badness quickly cures my corruption, not a scar to be seen. I perceive I shall never finally kill it, till first I be dead myself. V. BLUSHING TO BE BLUSHED FOR A PERSON of great quality was pleased to lodge a night in my house. I durst not invite him to my family prayer ; and therefore for that time omitted it : thereby making a breach in a good custom, and giving Satan advantage to assault it. Yea, the loosening of such a link might have endangered the scattering of the chain. Bold bashfulness, which durst offend God whilst it did fear man. Especially considering, that though my guest was never so high, yet by the laws of hospitality, I was above him whilst he was under my roof. Here- after, whosoever cometh within the doors, shall be requested to come within the discipline of my house ; if accepting my homely diet, he will not refuse my home devotion ; and sitting at my table, will be entreated to kneel down by it. 78 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES VI. A LASH FOR LAZINESS OHAMEFUL my sloth, that have deferred my night prayer till I am in bed. This lying along is an improper posture for piety. Indeed there is no contriv- ance of our body, but some good man in scripture hath hanselled it with prayer. The publican standing, Job sitting,! Hezekiah lying on his bed, Elijah with his face between his legs.2 But of all gestures give me St. Paul's : 3 For this cause I bow my knees to the father of my Lord Jesus Christ. Knees, when they may, then they must be bended. I have read a copy of a grant of liberty from queen Mary to Henry Ratchfife earl of Sussex, giving him leave to wear a nightcap or coif in her majesty's pre- sence,^ counted a great favour, because of his infirmity. I know in case of necessity, God would graciously accept my devotion, bound down in a sick dressing ; but now whilst I am in perfect health it is inexcusable. Christ commanded some to take up their bed, in token of their full recovery; my laziness may suspect, lest thus my bed taking me up prove a presage of my ensuing sickness. But may God pardon my idleness this once, I will not again offend in the same kind, by his grace hereafter. 1 Job ii. 8. 3 Ephes. iii. 14. 2 I Kings xviii. 42. 4 Weever's Fun. Mon. p. 635. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 79 VII. ROOT, BRANCH, AND FRUIT A POOR man of Seville in Spain having a fair and fruitful pear tree, one of the fathers of the inquisi- tion desired (such tyrzints' requests are commands) some of the fruit thereof. The poor man, not out of gladness to gratify, but fear to offend, as if it were a sin for him to have better fruit than his betters (suspecting on his denial the tree might be made his own rod, if not his gallows), plucked up tree, roots and all, and gave it unto him. Allured with love to God, and advised by my own advantage, what he was frighted to do, I will freely perform. God calleth on me to present him with fruits meet for repentance.^ Yea, let him take all, soul and body, powers and parts, faculties and members of both, I ofifer a sacrifice unto himself. Good reason; for indeed the tree was his before it was mine, and I give him of his own. Besides, it was doubtful whether the poor man's material tree, being removed, would grow again. Some plants, transplanted (especially when old) become sullen, and do not enjoy themselves in a soil wherewith they were unacquainted. But sure I am when I have given myself to God, the moving of my soul shall be the mending of it, he will so dress atpav and Kadalpeiv,'^ so prune and purge me, that I shall bring forth most fruit in my age. 1 Matt. iii. 8. a John xv. a. 80 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES VIII. GOD SPEED THE PLOUGH T SAW in seedtime a husbandman at plough in a very raining: day ; asking him the reason why he would not rather leave off than labour in such foul weather, his answer was returned me in their country rhyme : Sow beans in the mud, And they'll come up like a wood. This could not but mind me of David's expression, They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. ^ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again vnth rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. These last five years have been a wet and woful seedtime to me, and many of my afflicted brethren. Little hope have we, as yet, to ceme again to our own homes, and in a literal sense, now to bring our sheaves, which we see others daily carry away on their shoulders. But if we shall not share in the former or latter harvest here on earth, the third and last in heaven we hope undoubtedly to receive. IX. CRAS, CRAS f^ REAT was the abundance and boldness of the frogs in Egypt, which went up and came into their bedchambers, and beds, and kneading-troughs, and very ovens.2 Strange that those fen-dwellers 1 Psalm cxxvi. 5, 6. 2 Exod. viii. 3. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 8i should approach the fiery region ; but strang-er that Pharaoh should be so backward to have them removed ; and being demanded of Moses when he would have them sent away, answered, To-morrow.i He could be content with their company one night, at bed and at board, loth, belike, to acknowledge either God's justice in sending, or power in remanding them, but still hoping that they casually came, and might casually depart. Leave I any longer to wonder at Pharaoh, and even admire at myself ; what are my sins but so many toads, spitting of venom and spawning of poison ; croaking in my judgment, creeping into my will, and crawling into my affections. This I see, and suffer, and say with Pharaoh, To-morrow, to-morrow I will amend. Thus as the Hebrew tongue hath no proper present tense, but two future tenses, so all the performances of my reformation are only in promises for the time to come. Grant, Lord, that I may seasonably drown this Pharaoh- like procrastination in the sea of repentance, lest it drown me in the pit of perdition. X. GREEN WHEN GRAY TN September I saw a tree bearing roses, whilst others of the same kind, round about it, were barren; demanding the cause of the gardener, why that tree was an exception from the rule of the rest, this reason weis rendered : because that alone being clipped close in May, was then hindered to spring and sprout, 1 Exod. viii. lo. 82 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES and therefore took this advantage by itself to bud in autumn. Lord, if I were curbed and snipped in my younger years by fear of my parents, from those vicious excres- cences to which that age was subject, give me to have a godly jealousy over my heart, suspecting an autumn- spring, lest corrupt nature (which without thy restram- ing grace will have a vent) break forth in my reduced years into youthful vanities. XI. MISERERE HTHERE goes a tradition of Ovid, that famous poet (receiving some countenance from his own con- fession)! that when his father was about to beat him for following the pleasant but profitless study of poetry, he, under correction, promised his father never more to make a verse, and made a verse in his very promise. Probably the same in sense, but certainly more elegant for composure, than this verse which common credulity hath taken up : Parce precor, genitor, posthac non versijlcabo. Father, on me pity take, Verses I no more will make. When I so solemnly promise my heavenly Father to sin no more, I sin in my very promise; my weak prayers made to procure my pardon, increase my guiltiness. O the dulness and deadness of my heart 1 De Tristibus, lib. ii. eleg. lo. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 83 therein ! I say my prayers as the Jews eat the pass- over,! in haste. And whereas in bodily actions motion is the cause of heat ; clean contrary, the more speed I make in my prayers the colder I am in my devotion. XII. MONARCHY AND MERCY TN reading the Roman (whilst under consuls) and Belgic History of the United Provinces, I remember not any capital offender, being condemned, ever for- given, but always after sentence follows execution. It seems that the very constitution of a multitude is not so inclinable to save as to destroy. Such rulers in aristocracies or popular states cannot so properly be called gods, because, though having the great attri- butes of a deity, power and justice, they want (or will not use) the most godlike property of God's clemency, to forgive. May I die in that government under which I was born, where a monarch doth command. Kings, where they see cause, have graciously granted pardons to men appointed to death ; herein the lively image of God, to whom belongs mercies and forgivenesses.^ And although I will endeavour so to behave myself as not to need my sovereign's favour in this kind, yet, because none can warrant his innocency in all things, it is com- fortable living in such a commonwealth, where pardons heretofore on occasion have been, and hereafter may be procured. 1 Exod. xii. II. - Dan. ix. g. 84 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES XIII. WHAT HELPS NOT HURTS A VAIN thought arose in my heart, instantly my corruption retains itself to be the advocate for it, pleading that the worst that could be said against it was this, that it was a vain thought. And is not this the best that can be said for it? Remember, O my soul, the fig tree was charged not with bearing noxious, but no fruit.i Yea, the barren fig tree bare the fruit of annoyance, cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground ? Vain thoughts do this ill in my heart, that they do no good. Besides, the fig tree pestered but one part of the garden, good grapes might grow at the same time in other places of the vineyard. But seeing my soul is so intent on its object that it cannot attend two things at once, one tree for the time being is all my vineyard. A vain thought engrosseth all the ground of my heart; till that be rooted out no good meditation can grow with it or by it. XIV. ALWAYS SEEN, NEVER MINDED T N the most healthful times, two hundred and upwards was the constant weekly tribute paid to mortality in London. A large bill, but it must be discharged. Can one city spend according to this weekly rate and 1 Luke xiii. 7. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 85 not be bankrupt of people ? At leastwise, must not my shot be called for to make up the reckoning ? When only seven young men, and those chosen by lot, were but yearly taken out of Athens to be devoured by the monster Minotaur, 1 the whole city was in a constant fright, children for themselves, and parents for their children. Yea, their escaping of the first was but an introduction to the next year's lottery. Were the dwellers and lodgers in London weekly to cast lots who should make up this two hundred, how would every one be affrighted? Now none regard it. My security concludes the aforesaid number will amount of infants and old folk. Few men of middle age, and amongst them surely not myself. But oh ! is not this putting the evil day far from me, the ready way to bring it the nearest to me ? The lot is weekly drawn (though not by me) for me, I am therefore concerned seriously to provide, lest that death's prize prove my blank. XV. NOT WHENCE, BUT WHITHER T^ IN DING a bad thought in my heart, I disputed in myself the cause thereof, whether it proceeded from the devil, or my own corruption, examining it by those signs divines in this case recommended. 1. Whether it came in incoherently, or by dependence on some object presented to my senses. 2. Whether the thought was at full age at the first instant, or, infant-like, grew greater by degrees. ^ Plutarch's Lives, in Thcseo. 86 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES 3. Whether out or in the road of my natural inclina- tion. But hath not this inquiry more of curiosity than religion ? Hereafter derive not the pedigree, but make the mittimus of such malefactors. Suppose a con- federacy betwixt thieves without and false servants within, to assault and wound the master of a family : thus wounded, would he discuss from which of them his hurts proceeded ? No, surely ; but speedily send for a surgeon before he bleed to death. I will no more put it to the question, whence my bad thoughts come, but whither I shall send them, lest this curious con- troversy insensibly betray me into a consent unto them. XVI. STORM, STEER ON 'T^HE mariners sailing with St. Paul bare up bravely against the tempest whilst either art or industry could befriend them. Finding both to fail, and that they could not any longer bear up into the wind, they even let their ship drive.i I have endeavoured in these distemperate times to hold up my spirits, and to steer them steadily. An happy peace here was the port whereat I desired to arrive. Now, alas ! the storm grows too sturdy for the pilot. Hereafter all the skill I will use, is no skill at all, but even let my ship sail whither the winds send it. Noah's ark was bound for no other port, but preser- vation for the present (that ship being all the harbour), 1 Acts xxvii. 15. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 87 not intending: to find land, but to float on water. May my soul (though not sailing- to the desired haven) only be kept from sinking in sorrow. This comforts me, that the most weatherbeaten vessel cannot properly be seized on for a wreck which hath any quick cattle remaining therein. My spirits are not as yet forfeited to despair, having one lively spark of hope in my heart, because God is even where he was before. XVII. WIT OUTWITTED JOAB chid the man (unknown in scripture by his name, well known for his wisdom) for not killing Absalom, when he saw him hanged in the tree, pro- mising him for his pains ten shekels and a girdle. But the man, having the king's command to the contrary, refused his proffer. Well he knew that politic statesmen would have dangerous designs fetched out of the fire, but with other men's fingers. His girdle promised might in payment prove a halter. Yea, he added moreover, that had he killed Absalom, Joab himself would have set himself against him.i Satan daily solicits me to sin (point blank against God's word), baiting me with proffers best pleasing my corruption. If I consent, he who last tempted first accuseth me.- The fawning spaniel turns a fierce lion, and roareth out my faults in the ears of heaven. Grant, Lord, when Satan shall next serve me, as 1 3 Sam. xviii. 13. '^ Rev. xii. xo. 88 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES Joab did this nameless Israelite, I may serve him as the nameless Israelite did Joab, flatly refusing his deceitful tenders. XVIII. HEREAFTER "T^AVID fasted and prayed for his sick son, that his life might be prolonged. But when he was dead, this consideration comforted him : I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.^ Peace did long lie languishing in this land. No small contentment that to my poor power. I have prayed and preached for the preservation thereof. See- ing, since it is departed, this supports my soul, having little hope that peace here should return to me, I have some assurance that I shall go to peace hereafter. XIX. BAD AT BEST r ORD, how come wicked thoughts to perplex me in my prayers, when I desire and endeavour only to attend thy service? Now I perceive the cause thereof; at other times I have willingly entertained them, and now they entertain themselves against my will. I acknowledge thy justice, that what formerly I have invited, now I cannot expel. Give me hereafter always to bolt out such ill guests. The best way to be rid of such bad thoughts in my prayers, is not to receive them out of my prayers. 1 2 Sam. xii. 33. PERSONAL MEDITATIONS 89 XX. COMPENDIUM DISPENDIUM pOPE BONIFACE the Ninth, at the end of each hundred years, appointed a jubilee at Rome, wherein people, bringing themselves and money thither, had pardon for their sins. But centenary years returned but seldom, popes were old before, and covetous when they came to their place. Few had the happiness to fill their cofifers with jubilee- coin. Hereupon, Clement the Sixth reduced it to every fiftieth year, Gregory the Eleventh to every three and thirtieth, Paul the Second and Sixtus the Fourth to every twenty-fifth year.i Yea, an agitation is reported in the conclave, to bring down jubilees to fifteen, twelve, or ten years, had not some cardinals (whose policy was above their covetousness) opposed it. I serve my prayers as they their jubilees. Perchance they may extend to a quarter of an hour, when poured out at large. But some days I begrudge this time as too much, and omit the preface of my prayer, with some passages conceived less material, and run two or three petitions into one, so contracting them to half a quarter of an hour. Not long after, this also seems too long; I de- contract and abridge the abridgment of my prayers, yea (be it confessed to my shame and sorrow, that hereafter I may amend it), too often I shrink my prayers to a minute, to a moment, to a Lord have mercy upon me ! J Examcn con. Trident, p. 736, col. a. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS I. PRAYER MAY PREACH T^ATHER, I thank thee (said our Saviour, being ready to raise Lazarus), that thou hast heard me. And I know that thou hearest me always, but because of the people that stand by, I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.^ It is lawful for ministers in their public prayers to insert passages for the edifying- of their auditors, at the same time petitioning God and informing their hearers. For our Saviour glancing his eyes at the people's instruction, did no whit hinder the steadfastness of his looks, lifted up to his Father. When, before sermon, I pray for my sovereign and master, king of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, in all causes, and over all persons, etc., some, who omit it themselves, may censure it in me for superfluous. But never more need to teach men the king's title, and their own duty, that the simple may be informed, the forgetful remembered thereof, and that the affectedly ignorant, who will not take advice, may have all excuse taken from them. 1 John xi. 41, 42. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 91 Wherefore in pouring forth my prayers to God, well may I therein sprinkle some by-drops for the instruction of the people. II. THE VICIOUS MEAN ^OPHAR, the Naamathite, mentioneth a sort of men, in whose mouths wickedness is sweet, they hide it under their tongue, they spare it, and forsake it not, but keep it still in their mouths.^ This fur- nisheth me with a tripartite division of men in the world. The first and best are those who spit sin out, loathing it in their judgements, and leaving it in their practice. The second sort, notoriously wicked, who swallow sin down, actually and openly committing it. The third, endeavouring an expedient betwixt heaven and hell, neither do nor deny their lusts ; neither spitting them out nor swallowing them down, but rolling them under their tongues, epicurising thereon, in their filthy fancies and obscene speculations. If God at the last day of Judgment hath three hands, a right for the sheep, a left for the goats, the middle is most proper for these third sort of men. But both these latter kinds of sinners shall be confounded to- gether. The rather because a sin thus rolled, becomes so soft and supple, and the throat is so short and slippery a passage, that insensibly it may slide down * Job XX. 12, 13. 92 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES from the mouth into the stomach ; and contemplative wantonness quickly turns into practical uncleanness. III. STORE NO SORE JOB had a custom to offer burnt-offerings according to the number of his sons ; for he said, It may be that my sons in their feasting have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.^ It may be, not it must be, he was not certain, but suspected it. But now, what if his sons had not sinned ? was Job's labour lost, and his sacrifice of none effect ? Oh no ! only their property was altered ; in case his sons were found faulty, his sacrifices for them were propitiatory, and through Christ obtained their pardon: in case they were innocent, his offerings were eucharistical, return- ing thanks to God's restraining grace, for keeping his sons from such sins, which otherwise they would have committed. I see in all doubtful matters of devotion, it is wisest to be on the surest side, better both lock, and bolt, and bar it, than leave the least door of danger open. Hast thou done what is disputable whether it be well done ? Is it a measuring cast whether it be lawful or no? So that thy conscience may seem in a manner to stand neuter, sue a conditional pardon out of the court of heaven, the rather because our self-love is more prone to flatter, than our godly jealousy to sus- pect, ourselves without a cause; with such humility 1 Jobi. 5. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 93 heaven is well pleased. For suppose thyself over cautious, needing no forgiveness in that particular, God will interpret the pardon thou prayest for to be the praises presented unto him. IV. LINE ON LINE TWrOSES, in God's name, did counsel Joshua, Deut. xxxi. 23 : Be strong, and of a good courage, for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware to them. God immediately did com- mand him, Josh. i. 6: Be strong, and of a good courage ; and again, ver. 7 : Only be thou strong and very courageous : and again, ver. 9 : Have not I com- manded thee ? be strong and of a good courage ; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. Lastly, the Reubenites and Gadites heartily desired him, ver. 18: Only be strong and of a good courage. Was Joshua a dunce, or a coward ? did his wit or his valour want an edge, that the same precept must so often be pressed upon him? No doubt neither; but God saw it needful that Joshua should have courage of proof, who was to encounter both the froward Jew and the fierce Canaanite. Though metal on metal, colour on colour, be false heraldry ; line on line, precept on precept, 1 is true divinity. Be not therefore offended, O my soul, if the same doctrine be often delivered unto thee by different preachers: if the same precept, like the sword in 1 Is. xxviii. 10. 94 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES Paradise, which turned every way,^ doth hunt and haunt thee, tracing thee which way soever thou turnest, rather conclude that thou art deeply con- cerned in the practice thereof, which God hath thought fit should be so frequently inculcated into thee. V. O ! THE DEPTH TJAD I beheld Sodom in the beauty thereof, and had the angel told me, that the same should be suddenly destroyed by a merciless element, I should certainly have concluded that Sodom should have been drowned ; led thereunto by these considerations : 1. It was situated in the plain of Jordan, a flat, low, level country. 2. It was well watered everywhere ;2 and where always there is water enough, there may sometimes be too much. 3. Jordan had a quality in the first month to overflow all his banks.^ But no drop of moisture is spilt on Sodom, it is burnt to ashes. How wide are our conjectures, when they guess at God's judgments ! How far are his ways above our apprehension ! Especially when wicked men with the Sodomites wander in strange sins, out of the road of common corruption, God meets them with strange punishments, out of the reach of common conception, not coming within the compass of a rational suspicion. 1 Gen. iii. 24. 2 Gen. xiii. 10. 3 i Chron. xii. 15. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 95 VI. SELF, SELF HURTER "lltZHEN God, at the first day of judgment, arraigned Eve, she transferred her fault on the serpent which beguiled her.i This was one of the first-fruits of our depraved nature. But ever after regenerate men in scripture, making the confession of their sins (whereof many precedents), cast all the fault on them- selves alone; yea, David, when he numbered the people, though it be expressed that Satan provoked him thereunto,2 and though David probably might be sensible of his temptation, yet he never accused the devil, but derived all the guilt on himself: I it is that have sinned:^ good reason, for Satan hath no im- pulsive power, he may strike fire till he be weary (if his malice can be weary) ; except man's corruption brings the tinder, the match cannot be lighted. Away, then, with that plea of course : ' THE DEVIL OWED ME A SHAME.' Owe thee he might, but pay thee he could not unless thou wert as willing to take his black money as he to tender it. VII. GAD, BEHOLD A TROOP COMETH 'T^HE Amalekite who brought the tidings to David began with truth, rightly reporting the overthrow of the Israelites ; ^ cheaters must get some credit before 1 Gen. iii. 13. « x Chron. xxi. 1. ' X Chron. xxi. 17. 4 i Sam. i. 96 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES they can cozen, and all falsehood, if not founded in some truth, would not be fixed in any belief. But proceeding- he told six lies successively : 1. That Saul called him. 2. That he came at his call. 3. That Saul demanded who he was. 4. That he returned his answer. 5. That Saul commanded him to kill him. 6. That he killed him accordingly. A wilful falsehood told is a cripple not able to stand by itself, without some to support it ; it is easy to tell a lie, hard to tell but a lie. Lord, if I be so unhappy to relate a falsehood, give me to recall it, or repent of it. It is said of the pis- mires, that to prevent the growing (and so the corrupt- ing) of that corn which they hoard up for their winter provision, they bite off both the ends thereof, wherein the generating power of the grain doth consist. When I have committed a sin, O let me so order it that I may destroy the procreation thereof, and, by a true sorrow, condemn it to a blessed barrenness. VIII. OUT MEANS, IN MIRACLES \X7HEN the angel brought St. Peter out of prison, the iron gate opened of its own accord. But coming to the house of Mary the mother of John, mark, he was fain to stand before the door, and knock. When iron gave obedience, how can wood make opposition ? The answer easy. There was no man to open the _ SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 97 iron gate, but a portress was provided of course to un- lock the door, God would not therefore shew his finger, where men's hands were appointed to do the work. Heaven will not superinstitute a miracle, where ordinary means were formerly in peaceable possession. But if they either depart or resign (ingenuously confessing their insufficiency) there miracles succeed in their vacancy. Lord, if only wooden obstacles (such as Cein be removed by might of man) hindered our hope of peace, the arm of flesh might reheve us. But alas, they are iron obstructions, as come not within human power or policy to take away! No proud flesh shall therefore presumptuously pretend to any part of the praise, but ascribe it solely to thyself, if now thou shouldst be pleased, after seven years' hard apprenticeship in civil wars, miraculously to bum our indentures, and restore us to our former liberty. IX. MILITARY MOURNING O OME may wonder at the strange incoherence in the words and actions, 2 Sam. i. 17 : And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son : also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow. But the connection is excellent. For that is the most soldier-like sorrow, which in midst of grief can give order for revenge on such as have slain their friends. Our general fast was first appointed to bemoan the massacre of our brethren in Ireland. But it is in vain 98 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES to have a finger in the eye, if we have not also a sword in the other hand ; such tame lamenting of lost friends is but lost lamentation. We must bend our bows in the camp, as our knees in the churches, and second our posture of piety with martial provisions. X. NO STOOL OF WICKEDNESS COMETIMES I have disputed with myself, which of the two was most guilty, David, who said in haste. All men are liars, ^ or that wicked man who sat and spake against his brother, and slandered his own mother's son.2 David seems the greater offender ; for mankind might have an action of defamation against him, yea, he might justly be challenged for giving all men the lie. But mark, David was in haste, he spake it in transitu^ when he was passing, or rather posting by ; or if you please, not David, but David's haste rashly vented the words. Whereas the other sat, a sad, solemn, serious, premeditate, deliberate posture, his malice had a full blow, with a steady hand, at the credit of his brother. Not to say that sat carries with it the countenance of a judicial proceeding, as if he made a session or bench- business thereof, as well condemning, as accusing unjustly. Lord, pardon my cursory, and preserve me from sedentary sins. If in haste or heat of passion I wrong any, give me at leisure to ask thee and them forgive- ness. But O let me not sit by it, studiously to plot or 1 Psalm cxvi. ii. 2 Psalm 1. 20. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 99 project mischief to any out of malice prepense. To shed blood in cool blood, is blood with a witness. XI. BY DEGREES OEE by what stairs wicked Ahaz^ did climb up to * the height of profaneness. First, he saw an idolatrous altar at Damascus. 2 Our eyes, when gazing- on sinful objects, are out of their calling and God's keeping. Secondly, he liked it. There is a secret fascination in superstition, and our souls are soon bewitched with the gaudiness of false service from the simplicity of God's worship. Thirdly, he made the like to it. And herein Uriah the priest 3 (patron and chaplain well met) was the midwife to deliver the mother altar of Damascus of a babe, like unto it, at Jerusalem. Fourthly, he sacrificed on it.^ What else could be expected, but that, when he had tuned this new instru- ment of idolatry, he would play upon it. Fifthly, he commanded the people to do the like."* Not content to confine it to his personal impiety. Lastly, he removed God's altar away. That vener- able altar, by divine appointment peaceably possessed of the place for two hundred years and upwards, must now be violently ejected by a usurping upstart. No man can be stark naught at once. Let us stop the progress of sin in our soul at the first stage, for the farther it goes the faster it will increase. 1 2 Kings xvi. 2 Ibid. ver. 10. 3 Ibid. ver. xi. * Ibid. ver. 13. » Ibid. ver. 15. 100 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES XII. THE BEST BEDMAKER TTT'HEN a good man is ill at ease, God promiseth to make all his bed in his sickness. i Pillow, bolster, head, feet, sides, all his bed. Surely that God who made him, knows so well his measure and temper, as to make his bed to please him. Herein his art is excellent, not fitting- the bed to the person, but the person to the bed, infusing patience into him. But O, how shall God make my bed, who have no bed of mine own to make? Thou fool, he can make thy not having a bed to be a bed unto thee. When Jacob slept on the ground,^ who would not have had his hard lodging, therewithal to have his heavenly dream? Yea, the poor woman in Jersey,^ which, in the reign of Queen Mary, was delivered of a child as she was to be burnt at the stake, may be said to be brought to bed in the fire. Why not ? if God's justice threatened to cast Jezebel into a bed of fire,^ why might not his mercy make the very flames a soft bed to that his patient martyr. XIII. WHEN BEGUN, ENDED 'T^HE scripture giveth us a very short account of some battles, as if they Were flights without fights, and the armies parted as soon as met, as Gen. xiv. 10 ; I Sam. xxxi. i ; 2 Chron. xxv. 22. 1 Psalm xli. 3. 2 Gen. xxviii. 12. 3 Fox's Martyrs, vol. 3. 4 Rev. ii. 22. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS loi Some will say the spirit g-ives in only the sum of the success, without any particular passages in achieving: it. But there is more in it that so little is said of the fight. For some time the question of the victory is not disputed at all, but the bare propounding- decides it. The stand of pikes, ofttimes no stand, and the footmen so fitly called as making- more use of their feet than their hands. And when God sends a qualm of fear over the soldiers' hearts, it is not all the skill and valour of their commanders can g^ive them a cordial. Our late war hath given us some instances hereof. Yet let not men tax their armies for cowardice, it being probable that the badness of such as staid at home of their respective sides, had such influence on those in field, that soldiers' hearts might be fear-broken by the score of their sins who were no soldiers. XIV. TOO LATE, TOO LATE T^HE elder brother laid a sharp and true charge against his brother prodigal, for his riot and luxury.i This nothing afifected his father; the mirth, meat, music at the feeist, was, notwithstanding, no whit abated. Why so? Because the elder brother was the younger in this respect, and came too late. The other had got the speed of him, having first accused himself (nine verses before), and already obtained his pardon. Satan (to give him his due) is my brother, and my • Luke XV. 2g. 102 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES elder by creation. Sure I am, he will be my grievous accuser. I will endeavour to prevent him, first con- demning myself to God my Father. So shall I have an act of indemnity before he can enter his action against me. XV. LAWFUL STEALTH T FIND two (husband and wife) both stealing, and but one of them guilty of felony. And Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's, i and Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian. In the former a complication of theft, lying, sacrilege, and idolatry ; in the latter no sin at all. For what our con- science tells us is lawful, and our discretion dangerous, it is both conscience and discretion to do it with all possible secrecy. It was as lawful for Jacob in that case privately to steal away, as it is for that man who finds the sunshine too hot for him, to walk in the shade. God keep us from the guilt of Rachel's stealth. But for Jacob's steahng away, one may confess the fact, but deny the fault therein. Some are said to have gotten their life for a prey, if any, in that sense, have preyed on (or, if you will, plundered) their own liberty, stealing away from the place where they conceived themselves in danger, none can justly condemn them. 1 Gen. xxxi. 19. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 103 XVI. TEXT IMPROVED T HEARD a preacher take for his text: Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I W21S thine unto this day ? was I ever wont to do so unto thee ? ^ I wondered what he would make thereof, fearing he would starve his auditors for want of matter. But hence he observed : 1. The silliest and simplest, being- wronged, may justly speak in their own defence. 2. Worst men have a good title to their own goods. Balaam a sorcerer; yet the ass confesseth twice he was his. 3. They who have done many good offices, and fail in one, are often not only unrewarded for former service, but punished for that one offence. 4. When the creatures, formerly officious to serve us, start from their wonted obedience (as the earth to become barren, and air pestilential) man ought to reflect on his own sin as the sole cause thereof. How fruitful are the seeming barren places of scrip- ture. Bad ploughmen, which make balks of such ground. Wheresoever the surface of God's word doth not laugh and sing with com, there the heart thereof within is merry with mines, affording, where not plain matter, hidden mysteries. 1 Numb. xxii. 30. 104 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES XVII. THE ROYAL BEARING r^ OD is said to have brought the Israelites out of Egypt on eagles' wings.i Now eagles, when removing their young ones, have a different posture from other fowl, proper to themselves (fit it is that there should be a distinction betwixt sovereig^n and subjects), carrying their prey in their talons, but young ones on their backs, so interposing their whole bodies betwixt them and harm. The old eagle's body is the young eagle's shield, and must be shot through before her young ones can be hurt. Thus God, in saving the Jews, put himself betwixt them and danger. Surely God, so loving under the law, is no less gracious in the gospel: our souls are better secured, not only above his wings, but in his body ; your life is hid with Christ in God.2 No fear then of harm, God first must be pierced before we can be prejudiced. XVIII. NONE TO HIM TT is said of our Saviour, his fan is in his hand.3 How well it fits him, and he it! Could Satan's clutches snatch the fan, what work would he make ! He would fan as he doth winnow,-* in a tempest, yea, in a whirlwind, and blow the best away. Had man the fan in his hand, especially in these distracted times, 1 Exod. xix. 4. 2 Col. iii. 3. 3 Matt. iii. 12. * Luke xxii. 31. SCRIPTURE OBSERVATIONS 105 out goes for chaff all opposite to the opinions of his party. Seeming sanctity will carry it away from such, who, with true but weak grace, have ill natures and eminent corruptions. There is a kind of darnel, called lolium murinumy because so counterfeiting com, that even the mice themselves (experience should make them good tasters) are sometimes deceived therewith. Hypocrites in like manner so act holiness, that they pass for Sciints before men, whose censures often barn up the chaff, and bum up the grain. Well then ! Christ for my share. Good luck have he with his honour. The fan is in so good a hand it cannot be mended. Only his hand who knows hearts is proper for that employment. XIX. HUMILITY TT is a strange passage. Rev. vii. 13, 14: And one of the elders answered, saying unto me. What are these who are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him. Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me. These are they who have come out of great tribulation, etc. How comes the elder, when asking a question, to be said to answer ? On good reason : for his query in effect was a resolution. He asked St. John, not be- cause he thought he could, but knew he could not answer ; that John's ingenuous confession of his ignor- ance might invite the elder to inform him. As his question is called cin answer, so God's 106 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES commands are grants. When he enjoins us, Repent, believe, it is only to draw from us a free acknowledg- ment of our impotency to perform his commands. This confession being made by us, what he enjoins he will enable us to do. Man's owning his weakness is the only stock for God thereon to graft the grace of his assistance. MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES I. NAME-GENERAL "PBER had a son born in the days when the earth was divided. 1 Conceive we it just after the con- fusion of tongues, when mankind was psurcelled out into several colonies. Wherefore Eber, to perpetuate the memory of so famous an accident happening: at the birth of his son, called him Peleg, which in the Hebrew tongue signifieth partition, or division. We Uve in a land and age of dissension. Counties, cities, towns, villages, families, all divided in opinions, in affections. Each man almost divided from himself, with fears and distractions. Of all the children born in England within these last five years, and brought to the font (or, if that displease, to the bason) to be baptised, every male may be called Peleg, and female Palgah, in the sad memorial of the time of their nativity. II. WOFUL WEALTH OARBAROUS is the custom of some English people on the seaside to prey on the goods of poor shipwrecked merchants. But more devilish in 1 Gen. X. 25. io8 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES their design, who make false fires to undirect seamen in a tempest, that thereby from the right road they may be misled into danger and destruction. England hath been tossed with a hurricane of a civil war. Some men are said to have gotten great wealth thereby. But it is an ill leap when men grow rich per saltum, taking their rise from the miseries of a land, to which their own sins have contributed their share. Those are far worse (and may not such be found?) who, by cunning insinuations, and false glossings, have, in these dangerous days, trained and betrayed simple men into mischief. Can their pelf prosper, not got by valour or industry, but deceit ? surely it cannot be wholesome, when every morsel of their meat is mummy (good physic but bad food), made of the corses of men's estates. Nor will it prove happy, it being to be feared, that such who have been enriched with other men's ruins will be ruined by their own riches. The child of ten years is old enough to remember the beginning of such men's wealth, and the man of threescore and ten is young enough to see the ending thereof. III. A NEW PLOT "VXTHEN Herod had beheaded John the Baptist some might expect that his disciples would have done some great matter in revenge of their master's death. But see how they behave themselves. And his disciples came and took up the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. And was this all ? and what was all this ? MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES 109 Alas, poor men, it was some solace to their sorrowful souls that they might lament their loss to a fast friend, who, though for the present unable to help, weis willing to pity them. Hast thou thy body unjustly imprisoned, or thy goods violently detained, or thy credit causelessly defamed ? I have a design whereby thou shalt revenge thyself, even go and tell Jesus. Make to him a plain and true report of the manner and measure of thy sufferings : especially there being a g^reat difference betwixt Jesus then clouded in the flesh, and Jesus now shining in glory, having now as much pity and more power to redress thy grievances. I know it is counted but a cowardly trick for boys, when beaten but by their equals, to cry that they will tell their father. But, during the present necessity, it is both the best wisdom and valour, even to complain to thy Father in heaven, who will take thy case into his serious consideration. IV. PROVIDENCE IV/TARVELLOUS is God's goodness in preserving the young ostriches. For the old one leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust, forgetting that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.^ But divine providence so disposeth it, that the bare nest hatcheth the eggs, and the warmth of the sandy ground discloseth them. Many parents, which otherwise would have been loving pelicans, are by these unnatural wars forced to 1 Job xxxix. 14, 15. no GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES be ostriches to their own children, leaving them to the narrow mercy of the wide world. I am confident that these orphans (so may I call them whilst their parents are alive) shall be comfortably provided for, when worthy master Samuel Hern, famous for his living", preaching-, and writing, lay on his death-bed (rich only in goodness and children), his wife made much womanish lamentation, what should hereafter become of her little ones: Peace, sweet heart, said he, that God who feedeth the ravens will not starve the Herns.i A speech censured as light by some, observed by others as prophetical, as, indeed, it came to pass, that they were well disposed of. Despair not, therefore, O thou parent, of God's blessing, for having many of his blessings, a numerous offspring. But depend on his providence for their maintenance : find thou but faith to believe it, he will find means to effect it. V. COALS 2 FOR FAGOT T N the days of King Edward the Sixth, when Bonner was kept in prison, reverend Ridley having his bishopric of London, would never go to dinner at Fulham without the company of Bonner's mother and sister; 3 the former always sitting in a chair at the upper end of the table ; these guests were as constant as bread and salt at the board, no meal could be made without them. O the meekness and mildness of such men as must 1 Psalm cxlvii. g. 2 Prov. xxv. 22. 3 Fox's Martyrol. vol. iii. p. 432. MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES in make martyrs ! Active charity always goes along with passive obedience. How many ministers' wives and children nowadays are outed of house and home, ready to be starved ! How few are invited to their tables who hold the sequestrations of their husbands' or fathers' benefices ! Yea, many of them are so far from being bountiful, that they are not just, denying or detaining from those poor souls that pittance which the parliament hath allotted for their maintenance. VI. FUGITIVES OVERTAKEN 'T^HE city of Geneva is seated in the marches of several dominions, France, Savoy, Switzerland ; now it is a fundamental law in that signiory, to give free access to all offenders, yet so as to punish their offence according to the custom of that place wherein the fault was committed. This necessary severity doth sweep their state from being the sink of sinners, the rendezvous of rogues, and head-quarters of all male- factors, which otherwise would fly thither in hope of indemnity. Herein I highly approve the discipline of Geneva. If we should live to see churches of several govern- ments permitted in England, it is more than probable that many offenders, not out of conscience, but to escape censures, would fly from one congregation to another. What Nabal said sullenly and spitefully, i one may sadly foresee and foresay of this land. Many servants nowadays will break every man from his 1 X Sam. XXV. lo. 112 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES master; many gfuilty persons, abandoning; that dis- cipline under which they were bred and brought up, will shift and shelter themselves under some new model of government. Well were it then if every man, before he be admitted a member of a new congregation, do therein first make satisfaction for such scandalous sins whereof he stands justly charged in that church which he deserted. This would conduce to the advancing of virtue and the retrenching of notorious licentiousness. VII. BOTH AND NEITHER A CITY was built in Germany upon the river Weser, by Charles the emperor and Vuidekind first Chris- tian duke of Saxony ; and because both contributed to the structure thereof, it was called Mine-thine ^ (at this day, by corrupt pronunciation, Minden), to show the joint interest both had in the place. Send, Lord, in thy due time, such a peace in this land as prince and people may share therein ; that the sovereign might have what he justly calls mine, his lawful prerogative: and leave to the subjects their propriety. Such may be truly termed an accommoda- tion which is ad commodum utriusque, — for the benefit of both parties concerned therein. VIII. FED WITH FASTING 'T^HE salmon may pass for the riddle of the river. The oldest fisherman never, as yet, met with any meat in the maw thereof, thereby to advantage his 1 Munster's Cosmog. lib. ill. cap. 450. MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES 113 conjecture on what bill of fare that fish feedeth. It eats not flies with the perch, nor swallows worms with the roach, nor sucketh dew with oysters, nor devoureth his fellow fishes with the pike : what hath it in the water but the water ? yet salmons gprow great, and very fat in their season. How do many (exiles in their own country) subsist nowadays of nothing-, and wandering in a wilderness of want (except they have manna miraculously from heaven), they have no meat on earth from their own means. At what ordinary, or rather extraordinsiry, do they diet, that for all this have cheerful faces, light hearts, and merry countenances? Surely some secret comfort supports their souls. Such never desire but to make one meed all the days of their lives on the con- tinual feast of a good conscience.^ The fattest capons yield but sad merrythoughts to the greedy glutton, in comparison of those delightful dainties which this dish daily affords such as feed upon it. IX. BARE IN FAT PASTURE "PORESTERS have informed me, that out-lodging deer are seldom seen to be so fat as those which keep themselves within the park. Whereof they assign this reeison: that those stragglers, though they have more ground to range over, more grass and grain to tzike their repast upon, yet they are in constant fear, as if conscious that they are trespassers, being out of the protection, because out of the pale of the park. This i Prov. XV. 15. 114 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES makes their eyes and ears always to stand sentinels for their mouths, lest the master of the gfround pursue them for the damage done unto him. Are there any which unjustly possess the houses of others ? Surely such can never with quiet and comfort enjoy either their places or themselves. They always listen to the least noise of news, suspecting the right owner should be re-estated, whose restitution of neces- sity infers the other's ejection. Lord, grant that though my means be never so small, grant they may be my means, not wrongfully detained from others having a truer title unto them. X. MUCH GOOD DO YOU /^NE Nicias a philosopher having his shoes stolen from him. May they, said he, fit his feet that took them away.^ A wish at the first view very harmless, but there was that in it which poisoned his charity into a malicious revenge. For he himself had hurled or crooked feet, so that in effect he wished the thief to be lame. Whosoever hath plundered me of my books and papers, I freely forgive him ; and desire that he may fully understand and make good use thereof, wishing him more joy of them than he hath right to them. Nor is there any snake under my herbs, nor have I (as Nicias) any reservation, or latent sense to myself, but from my heart do desire, that to all purposes and intents, my books may be beneficial unto him. Only 1 Plutarch's Morals. MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES ii5 requesting him, that one passage in his (lately my) Bible [namely, Eph. iv. 28] may be taken into his serious consideration. XI. THE USE OF THE ALPHABET 'T^HERE was, not long since, a devout but ignorant papist dwelling in Spain. He perceived a neces- sity of his own private prayers to God, besides the Pater Nosters, Ave Marias, etc., used of course in the Romish church. But so simple was he, that how to pray he knew not. Only every morning, humbly bend- ing his knees, and lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven, he would deliberately repeat the alphabet. And now, said he, O good God, put these letters together to spell syllables, to spell words, to make such sense as may be most to thy glory and my good. In these distracted times I know what generals to pray for. God's glory, truth, and peace, his majesty's honour, privileges of parliament, hberty of subjects, etc. But when I descend to particulars, when, how, by whom I should desire these things to be effected, I may fall to that poor pious man's A, B, C, D, E, etc. XII. THE GOOD EFFECT OF A BAD CAUSE r^OD, in the Levitical law, gave this reward to the woman causelessly suspected of her jealous hus- band, that the bitter water, which she was to drink in the priest's presence, should not only do her no harm, ii6 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES but also procure her children, if barren before ; i that water (drunk by her to quench the fire of her husband's jealousy) proved like the spa unto her, so famous for causing fruitfulness. Thus her innocence was not only clecired but crowned. His gracious majesty hath been suspected to be popishly inclined. A suspicion like those mushrooms which Pliny recounts amongst the miracles in nature, because growing without a root.2 Well, he hath past his purgation, a bitter morning's draught hath he taken down for many years together. See the operation thereof ; his constancy in the pro- testant religion hath not only been assured to such who unjustly were jealous of him, but also by God's bless- ing, he daily grows greater in men's hearts, pregnant with the love and affection of his subjects. XIII. THE CHILD-MAN JOHN GERSON, the pious and learned chancellor of Paris, beholding and bemoaning the general corruption of his age, in doctrine and manners, was wont to get a choir of little children about him, and to entreat them to pray to God in his behalf.^ Suppos- ing their prayers least defiled with sin, and most acceptable to heaven. Men nowadays are so infected with malice, that little children are the best chaplains to pray for their parents. But O, where shall such be found, not re- 1 Numb. V. 28. 2 Nat. Hist. lib. xix. cap. 2. 3 In his Life, juxta finem. MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES 117 senting of the faults and factions of their fathers? Gerson's plot will not take effect. I will try another way. I will make my address to the holy child Jesus, 1 so is he styled even when glorified in heaven ; not because he is still under age (like popish pictures, placing him in his mother's arms, and keeping him in his constant infancy) but because with the strength and perfection of a man he hath the innocency and humility of a child ; him only will I employ to intercede for me. XIV. WORSE, BEFORE BETTER OTRANGE was the behaviour of our Saviour to- wards his beloved Lazarus ; informed by a mes- senger of his sickness, he abode two days still in the place where he was.2 Why so slow? bad sending him on a dying man's errands. But the cause was, because Lazarus was not bad enough for Christ to cure, intending not to recover him from sickness, but revive him from death, to make the glory of the miracle greater. England doth lie desperately sick of a violent disease in the bowels thereof. Many messengers we dispatch (monthly fasts, weekly sermons, daily prayers) to in- form God of our sad condition. He still stays in the same place, yea, which is worse, seems to go back- ward, for every day less likelihood, less hope of help. May not this be the reason that our land must yet be 1 Acts iv. 27. - John xi. 6. ii8 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES reduced to more extremity, that God may have the higher honour of our deliverance. XV. ALL SIN, ALL SUFFER nPHE mariners that guided the ship in the tempest, Acts xxvii. 32, had a design for their own safety with the ruin of the rest ; intending (under pre- tence of casting out an anchor) to escape in a boat by themselves. But the soldiers prevented their pur- pose, and cut off the cord of the boat, and let it fall into the sea. One and all: all sink, or all save. Herein their martial law did a piece of exemplary justice. Do any intend willingly (without special cause) to leave the land, so to avoid that misery which their sins, with others, have drawn upon it ; might I advise them, better mourn in, than move out of sad Zion. Hang out the scarlet lace at the casement 1 (eyes made red with sorrow for sin), but slide not down out of the window without better warrant. But if they be dis- posed to depart, and leave their native soil, let them take heed their fly-boat meets not with such soldiers as will send them back, with shame and sorrow, into the ship again. XVI. EAT WORTHILY O AUL, being in full pursuit of the flying Philistines, made a law that no Israelite should eat until even- ing.2 But it was the judgment of Jonathan that the 1 Josh. chap. ii. 2 i Sam. xiv. 24. MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES 119 army, if permitted to eat, had done gfreater execution on their enemies. For time so lost was g-ained, being laid out in the necessary refection of their bodies. Yea, mark the issue of their long feasting. The people at night, coming with ravenous appetites, did eat the flesh with the blood, to the provoking of God's anger. 1 Many English people, having conquered some fleshly lusts which fight against their souls, were still chasing them, in hope finally to subdue them. Was it a pious or a politic design to forbid such the receiving of the sacrament, their spiritual food ? I will not positively conclude that such, if suffered to strengthen themselves with that heavenly repast, had thereby been enabled more effectually to cut down their corruptions. Only two things I will desire. First, that such Jonathans who, by breaking this custom, have found benefit to themselves, may not be condemned by others. Secondly, I shall pray that two hungry years make not the third a glutton. That com- municants, two twelvemonths together forbidden the Lord's supper, come not (when admitted thereunto) with better stomach than heart, more greediness than preparation. 1 I Sam. xiv. 3a. 120 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES XVII. DEVOTIONS DUPLICATE T XTHEN the Jewish Sabbath, in the primitive times, was newly changed into the Christian's Lord's day, many devout people twisted both together in their observation, abstaining- from servile works, and keeping both Saturday and Sunday wholly for holy employments. During these civil wars, Wednesday and Friday fasts have been appointed by different authorities. What harm had it been if they had been both generally observed. But alas ! when two messengers, being sent together on the same errand, fall out and fight by the way, will not the work be worse done than if none were employed ? In such a pair of fasts it is to be feared that the divisions of our affections rather would increase than abate God's anger against us. Two negatives make an affirmative. Days of humilia- tion are appointed for men to deny themselves and their sinful lusts. But do not our two fasts more peremp- torily affirm and avouch our mutual malice and hatred ? God forgive us, we have cause enough to keep ten, but not care enough to keep one monthly day of humiliation. XVIII. LAW TO THEMSELVES OOME sixty years since, in the university of Cam- bridge, it was solemnly debated betwixt the heads, to debar young scholars of that liberty allowed them MEDITATIONS ON THE TIMES 121 in Christmas, as inconsistent with the discipline of students. But some grave governors maintained the good use thereof, because thereby in twelve days they may more discover the dispositions of scholars than in twelve months before. That a vigilant virtue indeed, which would be early up at prayers and study, when all authority to punish lay asleep. Vice, these late years, hath kept open house in England. Welcome all comers without any examina- tion. No penance for the adulterer, stocks for the drunkard, whip for the petty larcener, brand for the felon, gallows for the murderer. God all this time tries us as he did Hezekiah, that he might know all that is in our hccirts. 1 Such as now are chaste, sober, just, true, show themselves acted with a higher principle of piety than the bare avoiding of punishment. XIX. A NEW DISEASE 'T'HERE is a disease of infants (and an infant disease, having scarcely as yet gotten a proper name in Latin) called the rickets ; wherein the head waxeth too great, whilst the legs and lower parts wain too little. A woman in the west hath happily healed many, by cauterizing the vein behind the ear. How proper the remedy for the malady I engage not, experience ofttimes outdoing art, whilst we behold the cure easily effected, and the natural cause thereof hardly assigned. Have not many nowadays the same sickness in their ^ 2 Chron. xxxii. 31. 122 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES souls? their heads swelling to a vast proportion and they wonderfully enabled with knowledge to discourse? But, alas, how little their legs, poor their practice, and lazy their walking in a godly conversation? Shall I say that such may be cured by searing the vein in their head, not to hurt their hearing, but hinder the itching of their ears. Indeed his tongue deserves to be burnt that talks of searing the ears of others ; for faith cometh by hearing. But I would have men not to hear fewer sermons, but hear more in hearing fewer sermons. Less preaching better heard (reader, lay the emphasis not on the word lessj but on the word better)^ would make a wiser and stronger Christian, digesting the word from his head into his heart to practise it in his conversation. MEDITATIONS ON ALL KIND OF PRAYERS I. NEWLY AWAKED jyy the Levitical law, the firstling of every clean creature which opened the matrix was holy to God.i By the moral analog^y thereof, this first glance of mine eyes is due to him. By the custom of this kingdom there accrueth to the landlord a fine and heriot from his tenant taking a farther estate in his lease. I hold from God this clay cottage of my body (an homely tenement, but may I in some measure be assured of a better before outed of this). Now, being raised from last night's sleep, I may seem to renew a life. What shall I pay to my landlord ? even the best quick creature which is to be found on my barren copyhold, namely, the calves of my lips, praising him for his protection over me. More he doth not ask, less I cannot give ; yea, such is his goodness and my wecikness, that before I can give him thanks he giveth me to be thankful. II. FAMILY PRAYER T ONG have I searched the scriptures to find a posi- tive precept enjoining, or precedent observing, daily prayer in a family ; yet hitherto have found none 1 Bxod. xxxiv. 19. 124 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES proper for my purpose. Indeed I read that there was a yearly sacrifice offered at Bethlehem for the family of Jesse;! but if hence we should infer household holy duties, others would conclude they should only be annual. And whereas it is said, Pour out thine indig-- nation on the heathen, and on the families which have not called on thy name ; the word taken there in a large acception, reproveth rather the want of national, than domestical service of God. But let not profaneness improve itself, or censure family prayer for will-worship, as wanting a warrant in God's word. For where God enjoineth a general duty, as to serve and fear him, there all particular means (whereof prayer a principal), tending thereunto are commanded. And surely the pious households of Abraham,^ Joshua,^ and Cornelius,^ had some holy exercises to themselves, as broader than their personal devotion, so narrower than the public service, just adequate to their own private family. III. SELF WITHOUT OTHER SELF OOME loving wife may perchance be (though not angry with) grieved at her husband for excluding her from his private prayers ; thus thinking with her- self: Must I be discommuned from my husband's devotion ? what, several closet-chapels for those of the same bed and board ? Are not our credits embarked in the same bottom, so that they swim or sink together ? 1 I Sam. XX. 2g. 2 Gen. xviii. ig. 3 Josh. xxiv. 15. 4 Acts x. 2. MEDITATIONS ON PRAYERS 125 May I not be admitted an auditor at his petitions, were it only to say Amen thereunto ? But let such a one seriously consider what the prophet saith : The family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart.i Personal private faults must be privately confessed. It is not meet she should know all the bosom sins of him in whose bosom she lieth. Perchance being; now offended for not hear- ing- her husband's prayers, she would be more offended if she heard them. Nor hath she just cause to com- plain, seeing herein Nathan's wife is equal with Nathan himself ; what liberty she alloweth is allowed her, and may as well as her husband claim the privilege privately and apart to pour forth her soul unto God in her daily devotions. Yet man and wife at other times ought to communi- cate in their prayers, all other excluded. IV. GROANS LJOW comes it to pass that groans, made in men by God's spirit, cannot be uttered? I find two reasons thereof. First, because those groans are so low and little, so faint, frail, and feeble, so next to nothing, these still-born babes only breathe without crying. Secondly, because so much diversity, yea, contrariety of passion, is crowded within the compass of a groan. 1 Zech. xii. la. 126 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES In it is comprized sorrow for our sins, joy in Christ, fear of hell, hope of heaven, love of God, hatred of sin. Now as when many men at the same time pressing out at a narrow wicket, all stick, and stop each other, so no wonder if so many passions at the same time, striving to vent themselves at the narrow outlet of a groan, are stayed from being expressive, and the groans become unutterable. How happy is their condition who have God for their interpreter ? who not only understands what they do, but what they would say. Daniel could tell the meaning of the dream which Nebuchadnez£ar had forgotten. God knows the meaning of those groans which never as yet knew their own meaning, and understands the sense of those sighs which never understood themselves. V. EJACULATIONS, THEIR USE PJACULATIONS are short prayers darted up to God on emergent occasions. If no other artillery had been used these last seven years in England, I will not affirm more souls had been in heaven, but fewer corses had been buried in earth. O that with David we might have said, My heart is fixed,i being less busied about fixing of muskets. The principal use of ejaculations is against the fiery darts of the devil. 2 Our adversary injects (how he doth it God knows, that he doth it we know) bad motions into our hearts, and that we may be as nimble 1 Psalm Ivii. 7. 2 Ephes. vi. 16. MEDITATIONS ON PRAYERS 127 with our antidotes as he with his poisons, such short prayers are proper and necessary. In barred havens, so choked up with the envious sands, that great ships, drawing many feet of water, cannot come near, lighter and lesser pinnaces may freely and safely arrive. When we are time-bound, place-bound, or person- bound, so that we cannot compose ourselves to make a large solemn prayer, this is the right instant for ejaculations, whether orally uttered, or only poured forth inwardly in the heart. VI. THEIR PRIVILEGE P JACULATIONS take not up any room in the soul. They give liberty of callings, so that at the same instant one may follow his proper vocation. The husbandman may dart forth an ejaculation and not make a balk the more. The seaman nevertheless steer his ship right in the darkest night. Yea, the soldier at the same time may shoot out his prayer to God, and aim his pistol at his enemy, the one better hitting the mark for the other. The field wherein bees feed is no whit the barer for their biting ; when they have taken their full repast on flowers or grass, the ox may feed, the sheep fat, on their reversions. The reason is because those little chemists distil only the refined part of the flower, leav- ing the grosser substance thereof. So ejaculations bind not men to any bodily observance, only busy the spiritual half, which maketh them consistent with the prosecution of any other employment. 128 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES VII. EXTEMPORARY PRAYERS T N extemporary prayer, what men most admire God least regardeth. Namely, the volubility of the tongue. Herein a TertuUus may equal, yea, exceed, Saint Paul himself, whose speech was but mean.i O, it is the heart keeping time and tune with the voice which God listeneth unto. Otherwise the nimblest tongue tires, and loudest voice grows dumb before it comes half way to heaven. Make it, said God to Moses, in all things like the pattern in the mount.2 Only the conformity of the words with the mind, mounted up in heavenly thoughts, is acceptable to God. The gift of extemporary prayer, ready utter- ance, may be bestowed on a reprobate, but the grace thereof (religious affections) is only given to God's servants. VIII. THEIR CAUSELESS SCANDAL OOME lay it to the charge of extemporary prayers, as if it were a diminution to God's majesty to offer them unto him, because (alluding to David's expression to Ornan the Jebusite)^ they cost nothing, but come without any pains or industry to provide them. A most false aspersion. Surely preparation of the heart (though not premedi- tation of every word) is required thereunto. And grant the party praying at that very instant fore-studieth not every expression, yet surely he hath formerly 1 alCor. X. lo. 2 Heb. viii. 5. ^2 Sam. xxiv. 24. MEDITATIONS ON PRAYERS 129 laboured with his heart and tongue too, before he attained that dexterity of utterance, properly and readily to express himself. Many hours in night no doubt he is waking, and was by himself practising scripture phrase, and the language of Canaan, whilst such as censure him for his laziness were fast asleep in their beds. Suppose one should make an entertainment for strangers with flesh, fish, fowl, venison, fruit, all out of his own fold, field, ponds, park, orchard, will any say that this feast cost him nothing who made it? Surely, although all grew on the same, and for the present he bought nothing by the penny, yet he, or his ancestors for him, did at first dearly purchase these home-accommodations, whence that this entertain- ment did arise. So the party who hath attained the faculty and facility of extemporary prayer (the easy act of a laborious habit, though at the instant not appearing to take pains), hath been formerly industrious with himself, or his parents with him (in giving him pious education), or else he had never acquired so great per- fection, seeing only long practice makes the pen of a ready writer. IX. NIGHT PRAYER TPVEATH in scripture is compared to sleep. Well then may my night prayer be resembled to making my will. I will be careful not to die intestate ; as also not to defer my will-making till I am not 130 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES compos mentis, till the lethargy of drowziness seize upon me. But, being in perfect memory, I bequeath my soul to God; the rather because I am sure the devil will accuse me when sleeping. O the advantage of spirits above bodies ! If our clay cottage be not cooled with rest, the roof falls a fire. Satan hath no such need: the night is his fittest time.i Thus man's vacation is the term for the beasts of the forest, they move most whilst he lies quiet in his bed. Lest, therefore, whilst sleeping I be outlawed for want of appearance to Satan's charge, I commit my cause to him who neither slumbers nor sleeps : Answer for me, O my God. X. A NOCTURNAL T^AVID, surveying the firmament, brake forth into this consideration : When I consider the heavens the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast created ; what is man, 2 etc. How Cometh he to mention the moon and stars, and omit the sun. The other being but his pensioners, shining with that exhibition of light which the bounty of the sun allots them. It is answered, This was David's night meditation, when the sun, departing to the other world, left the lesser lights only visible in heaven ; and as the sky is best beheld by day in the glory thereof, so it is best surveyed by night in the variety of the same. 1 Rev. xii 10. 2 Psalm viii. 3. MEDITATIONS ON PRAYERS 131 Night Weis made for man to rest in. But when I cannot sleep, may I with this psalmist entertain my waking- with good thoughts. Not to use them as opium, to invite my corrupt nature to slumber, but to bolt out bad thoughts, which otherwise would possess my soul. XI. SET PRAYERS O ET prayers are prescript forms of our own or other's composing ; such are lawful for any, and needful for some to use. Lawful for any. Otherwise God would not have appointed the priest (presumed of themselves best able to pray) a form of blessing the people ; nor would our Saviour have set us his prayers, which (as the town- bushel is the standard both to measure corn and other bushels by) is both a prayer in itself, and a pattern or platform of prayer. Such as accuse set forms to be pinioning the wings of the dove, will by the next return afi&rm, that girdles and garters, made to strengthen and adorn, are so many shackles and fetters, which hurt and hinder men's free motion. Needful for some. Namely, for such who as yet have not attained (what all should endeavour) to pray extem- pore by the spirit. But as little children, to whom the plainest and evenest room at first is a labjrrinth, are so ambitious of going alone, that they scorn to take the guidance of a form or bench to direct them, but will adventure by themselves, though often to the cost of a knock and a fall. So many confess their weakness in denying to confess it, who, refusing to be beholden to 132 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES a set form of prayer, prefer to say nonsense rather than nothing- in their extempore expressions. More modesty, and no less piety, it had been for such men to have prayed longer with set forms, that they might pray better without them. XII. THE SAME AGAIN T T is no base and beggarly shift (arguing a narrow and necessitous heart), but a piece of holy and heavenly thrift, often to use the same prayer ag-ain. Christ's practice is my directory herein, who the third time said the same words. i A good prayer is not like a stratagem in war, to be used but once. No, the oftener the better. The clothes of the Israelites, whilst they wandered forty years in the wilderness, never waxed old, as if made of perpefuano indeed. So a good prayer, though often used, is still fresh and fair in the ears and eyes of heaven. Despair not then thou simple soul, who hast no exchange of raiment, whose prayers cannot appear every day at heaven's court in new clothes. Thou may est be as good a subject, though not so great a gallant, coming always in the same suit. Yea, per- chance the very same which was thy father's and grandfather's before thee (a well-composed prayer is a good heir-loom in a family, and may hereditarily be descended to many generations), but know thy comfort, thy prayer is well known to heaven, to which it is a constant customer. Only add new, or new degrees of 1 Matt. xxvi. 44. MEDITATIONS ON PRAYERS 133 old affections thereunto, and it will be acceptable to God thus repaired, as if new erected. XIII. MIXT PRAYERS TWriXT prayers are a methodical composition (no casual confusion) of extempore and premeditate prayers put tog-ether. Wherein the standers still are the same, and the essential parts (confession of sin, beg-ging of pardon, craving grace for the future, thank- ing God for former favours, etc.), like the bones of the prayer, remsiin always unaltered. Whilst the moveable petitions (like the flesh and colour of thy prayers) are added, abridged, or altered, as God's spirit adviseth and enableth us, according to the emergencies of present occasions. In the midland sea, galleys are found to be most useful, which partly run on the legs of oars, and partly fly with the wings of sails, whereby they become serviceable both in a wind and in a calm. Such the con- veniency of mixt prayer, wherein infused and acquired graces meet together, and men partly move with the breath of the Holy Spirit, partly row on by their own industry. Such medley prayers are most useful, as having the steadiness of premeditate, and the activity of extemporsiry prayer joined together. XIV. TAKE YOUR COMPANY ALONG T T is no disgrace for such who have the gift and grace of extemporary prayer sometimes to use a set form, for the benefit and behoof of others. Jacob, though he 134 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES could have marched on a man's pace, yet was careful not to over-drive the children and ewes big with young. 1 Let ministers remember to bring up the rear in their congregations, that the meanest may go along with them in their devotions. God could have created the world extempore, in a moment, but was pleased (as I may say) to make it pre- meditately, in a set method of six days, not for his own ease, but our instruction, that our heads and hearts might the better keep pace with his hands, to behold and consider his workmanship. Let no man disdain to set his own nimbleness back- ward, that others may go along with him. Such degrading one's self is the quickest proceeding in piety, when men prefer the edification of others before their own credit and esteem. XV. PRAYER MUST BE QUOTIDIAN A MO N GST other arguments enforcing the necessity of daily prayer, this not the least, that Christ enjoins us to petition for daily bread. New bread we know is best; and in a spiritual sense, our bread, though in itself as stale and mouldy as that of the Gibeonites, is every day new, because a new and hot blessing, as I might say, is daily begged, and bestowed of God upon it. Manna must daily be gathered, and not provisionally be hoarded up. God expects that men every day address themselves unto him, by petitioning him for sustenance. 1 Gen. xxxiii. 13. MEDITATIONS ON PRAYERS 135 How contrary is this to the common practice of many. As camels in sandy countries are said to drink but once in seven days, and then in prcesens, prceteritum, et futurum, for time past, present, and to come, so many fumble this, last, and next week's devotion all in a prayer. Yea, some defer all their prajring till the la§t day. Constantine had a conceit, that because baptism washed away all sins, he would not be baptised till his death-bed, that so his soul mig^ht never lose the purity thereof, but immediately mount to heaven. But sudden death preventing him, he was not baptised at all, as some say, or only by an Arian bishop, as others affirm. If any erroneously, on the same supposition, put off their prayers to the last, let them take heed, lest long delayed, at last they prove either none at all or none in effect. XVI. THE LORD'S PRAYER T N this age we begin to think meanly of the Lord's prayer, oh how basely may the Lord think of our prayers ! Some will not forgive the Lord's prayer for that passage therein, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Others play the witches on this prayer. Witches are reported (amongst many other hellish observations, whereby they oblige themselves to Satan) to say the Lord's prayer backwards. Are there not many, who, though they do not pronounce the syllables of the Lord's prayer retrograde (their discretion will not suffer 136 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES them to be betrayed to such a nonsense sin), yet they transpose it in effect, desiring their daily bread before God's kingdom come, preferring: temporal benefits before heavenly blessings. Oh ! if every one by this mark should be tried for a witch, how hard would it go with all of us. Lamiarum plena sunt omnia. XVII. ALL BEST A T the siege and taking of New Carthage in Spain, there was dissension betwixt the soldiers, about the crown mural due to him who first footed the walls of the city. Two pretended to the crown : parts were taken, and the Roman army, siding in factions, was likely to fall foul, and mutually fight against itself. Scipio the general prevented the danger by providing two mural crowns, ^ giving one to each who claimed it, affirming that, on the examination of the proofs, both did appear to him at the same instant to climb the wall. let us not set several kinds of prayers at variance betwixt themselves which of them should be most useful, most honourable. All are most excellent at several times, crown - groans, crown - ejaculations, crown-extemporary, crown-set, crown-mixed prayer; 1 dare boldly say, he that in some measure loves not all kind of lawful prayers, loves no kind of lawful prayers. For if we love God the Father, we can hate no ordi- nance, his child, though perchance an occasion may affect one above another. 1 Plutarch in Scipio's Life, p. 187. MEDITATIONS ON PRAYERS 137 XVIII. ALL MANNER OF PRAYER T T is an ancient stratagem of Satan (yet still he useth it, still men are cheated by it), to set God's ordinance at variance, as the disciples fell out amongst themselves, which of them should be the greatest. How hath the reader's pew been clashed against the preacher's pulpit, to the shaking almost of the whole church, whether that the word preached or read be most effectual to Seilvation. Also, whether the word preached or catechised most useful. But no ordi- nance so abused as prayer. Prayer hath been set up against preaching, against catechising, against itself. Whether public or private, church or closet, set or extempore prayer the best. See how St. Paul deter- mines the controversy, irda-y irpoaevxv with all manner of prayer (so the Geneva translation) and supplication in the spirit. 1 Preferring none, commending all lawful prayer to our practice. XIX. TO GOD ALONE A MONGST all manner of prayer to God, I find in scripture neither promise, precept, nor precedent to warrant prayers to saints. And were there no other reason, this would encourage me to pray to Christ alone, because St. Paul struck Elimas blind ; Christ made blind Bartemeus see. St. Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira 1 Ephes. vi. 18. 138 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES with his word ; Christ with his word revived dead Lazarus. The disciples forbade the Syrophcenician woman to call after Christ, Christ called unto her after they had forbidden her. All my Saviour's works are saving: works, none extending to the death of mankind. Surely Christ, being now in heaven, hath not less goodness because he hath more glory, his bowels still yearn on us. I will therefore rather present my prayers to him who always did heal, than to those who some- times did hurt. And though this be no convincing argument to papists, it is a comfortable motive to protestants. A good third, where so good firsts and seconds have been laid before. OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS I. LOVE AND ANGER T SAW two children fighting- together in the street. The father of the one passing by, fetched his son away and corrected him ; the other lad was left without any check, though both were equally faulty in the fray. I was h£ilf offended, that being guilty alike, they were not punished alike : but the parent would only meddle with him over whom he had an undoubted dominion, to whom he bare an unfeigned affection. The wicked sin, the godly smart most in this world. God singleth out his own sons, and beateth them by themselves: whom he loveth he chasteneth.i Whilst the ungodly, preserved from affliction, are reserved for destruction. It being needless that their hair should be shaved with a hired razor ^ whose heads are intended for the axe of divine justice.^ II. UPWARDS, UPWARDS TT O W large houses do they build in London on little ground ! Revenging themselves on the narrow- ness of their room with store of stories. Excellent ' Heb. xii. 6. - Is. vii. ao. :* Matt, iii. lo. 140 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES arithmetic! from the root of one floor to multiply so many chambers. And though painful the climbing up, pleasant the staying there, the higher the healthfuUer, with clearer light and sweeter air. Small are my means on earth. May I mount my soul the higher in heavenly meditations, relying on divine providence; he that fed many thousands with five loaves,! may feed me and mine with the fifth part of that one loaf, that once was all mine. Higher, my soul ! higher ! In bodily buildings, commonly the garrets are most empty, but my mind, the higher mounted, will be the better furnished. Let perseverance to death be my uppermost chamber, the roof of which grace is the pavement of glory. III. BEWARE, WANTON WIT T SAW an indenture too fairly engrossed; for the writer (better scrivener than clerk) had so filled it with flourishes that it hindered my reading thereof ; the wantonness of his pen made a new alphabet, and I was subject to mistake his dashes for real letters. What damage hath unwary rhetoric done to religion ? Many an innocent reader hath taken Damascene emd Theophilact at their word, counting their eloquent hyperboles of Christ's presence in the sacrament, the exact standards of their judgment, whence after ages brought in transubstantiation. Yea, from the Fathers' 1 Matt. xiv. 17. OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS 141 elegant apostrophes to the dead (lively pictures by hasty eyes may be taken for living* persons), prayers to saints took their original. I see that truth's secre- tary must use a set hand in writing important points of divinity. Ill dancing for nimble wits on the precipices of dangerous doctrines. For though they escape by their agility, others (encouraged by their examples) may be brought to destruction. IV. ILL DONE, UNDONE T SAW one, whether out of haste or want of skill, put up his sword the wrong way ; it cut even when it was sheathed, the edge being transposed where the back should have been ; so that, perceiving his error, he was fain to draw it out, that he might put it up again. Wearied and wasted With civil war, we that formerly loathed the manna of peace, because common, could now be content to feed on it, though full of worms and putrified : some so desirous thereof, that they care not on what terms the war be ended, so it be ended : but such a peace would be but a truce, and the conditions thereof would no longer be in force than whilst they are in force. Let us pray that the sword be sheathed the right way, with God's glory; and without the dangerous dislocation of prince and people's right: otherwise it may justly be suspected, that the sword put up, will be drawn out again, and the articles of an ill agreement, though engrossed in parchment, not take effect so long as paper would continue. 142 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES V. APACE, APACE O OWING on the Thames, the waterman confirmed me in what formerly I had learnt from the maps ; how that river, westward, runs so crooked, as likely to lose itself in a labyrinth of its own making. From Reading to London by land, thirty ; by water a hundred miles. So wantonly that stream disporteth itself, as if as yet unresolved whether to advance to the sea or retreat to its fountain. But the same being past London (as if sensible of its former laziness, and fearing to be checked of the ocean, the mother of all rivers, for so long loitering ; or else, as if weary with wandering, and loth to lose more way ; or lastly, as if conceiving such wildness incon- sistent with the gravity of his channel, now grown old, and ready to be buried in the sea), runs in so direct a line, that from London to Gravesend the number of the miles are equally twenty both by land and by water. Alas! how much of my life is lavished away? Oh the intricacies, windings, vranderings, turnings, ter- g^iversations, of my deceitful youth ! I have lived in the midst of a crooked generation, i and with them have turned aside unto crooked ways.^ High time it is now for me to make straight paths for my feet,^ and to redeem what is past by amending what is present and to come. Flux, flux (in the German tongue quick, quick) was a motto of bishop Jewers,^ presaging the 1 Phil. ii. 15. 2 Psalm cxxv. 5. 3 Heb. xii. 13. 4 in his Life, p. 10, OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS 143 approach of his death. May I make good use thereof ; make haste, meike haste, God knows how little time is left me, and may I be a good husband to improve the short remnant thereof. VI. ALWAYS THE RISING SUN T HAVE wondered why the Romish church do not pray to Saint Abraham, Saint David, Saint Hezekiah, etc., as well as to the apostles and their successors since Christ's time ; for those ancient patri- archs, by the confession of papists, were long since relieved out of limbo (soon out who were never in), and admitted to the sight and presence of God. Especially Abraham, being father of the faithful, as well Gentile as Jew, would (according to their principles) be a proper patron for their petitions. But it seems that modem saints rob the old ones of their honour ; a Garnet, or late Bernard of Paris, have severally more prayers made unto them than many old saints have together. New besoms sweep clean ; new cisterns of fond men's own hewing most likely to hold water. 1 Protestants, in some kind, serve their living ministers as papists their dead saints. For aged pastors, who have borne the heat of the day in our church, are justled out of respect by young preachers, not having half their age, nor a quarter of their learning and religion. Yet let not the former be disheartened, for thus it ever was I Jcr. ii. 13. 144 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES and will be : English Athenians, all for novelties, new sects, new schisms, new doctrines, new disciplines, new prayers, new preachers. VII. CHARITY, CHARITY /^HURCH story reports of Saint John, that being grown very aged (well nigh a hundred years old), wanting strength and voice to make a long sermon, he was wont to go up into the pulpit, and often repeat these words: Babes, keep yourselves from idols; brethren, love one another. Our age may seem sufficiently to have provided against the growth of idolatry in England. O that some order were taken for the increase of charity ! It were liberty enough, if for the next seven years all sermons were bound to keep residence on this text: Brethren, love one another. But would not some fall out with themselves, if appointed to preach unity to others ? Vindictive spirits, if confined to this text, would confine the text to their passion ; by brethren understanding only such of their own party. But O ! seeing other monopolies are dis- solved, let not this remain against the fundamental law of charity. Let all bend their heads, hearts, and hands, to make up the breaches in church and state. But too many nowadays are Hke Pharaoh's magicians, who could conjure up with their charms more new frogs, ^ but could not remove or drive away those multitudes of frogs which were there before. Unhappily happy in 1 Exod. viii. 7. OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS 145 making: more rents and dissensions, but unable or unwilling: to compose our former differences. VIII. THE SENSIBLE PLANT T HEARD much of a sensible plant, and counted it a senseless relation (a rational beast, carrying as little contradiction), until, beholding- it, mine eyes ushered my judgment into a belief thereof. My comprehension thereof is this. God having made three great stairs (vegetable, sensible, and reasonable creatures), that men thereby might climb up into the knowledge of a Deity, hath placed some things of a middle nature as half paces betwixt the stairs, so to make the step less, and the ascent more easy for our meditations. Thus this active plant, with visible motion, doth border and confine on sensible creatures. Thus in Afric, some most agile and intelligent marmasites may seem to shake (fore feet shall I say, or) hands with the rudest savages of that country, as not much more than one remove from them in knowledge and civility. But by the same proportion may not man, by custom and improvement of piety, mount himself near to an angelical nature. Such was Enoch, who, whilst living on earth, walked with God.i O may our conversation be in heaven.2 For shall a plant take a new degree and proceed sensible, and shall man have his grace stayed for want of sufficiency, and not whilst living here commence angel, in his holy and heavenly affections ? 1 Gen. V. aa. 2 Phil. iii. ao. 146 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES IX. CHRIST MY KING T READ how king Edward the First ingeniously surprised the Welsh into subjection, proffering them such a prince as should be, 1. The son of a king. 2. Born in their own country. 3. Whom none could tax for any fault. The Welsh accepted the conditions, and the king tendered them his son Edward, an infant, newly born in the castle of Carnarvon. Do not all these qualifications mystically centre themselves in my Saviour ? 1. The King of heaven saith unto him, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.i 2. Our true countryman, real flesh, whereas he took not on him the nature of angels. 3. Without spot or blemish, like to us in all things, sin only excepted. Away, then, with those wicked men who will not have this king to rule over them.2 May he have dominion in and over me. Thy kingdom come. Heaven and earth cannot afford a more proper prince for the pur- pose, exactly accomplished with all these comfortable qualifications. X. TRIBULATION T FIND two sad etymologies of tribulation. One from tribulus, a three-forked thorn, which intimates that such affiictions, which are as full of pain and 1 Psalm ii. 7. 2 Luke xix. 14. OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS 147 anguish unto the soul as a thorn thrust into a tender part of the flesh is unto the body, may properly be termed tribulations. The other from tribtUust the head of a flail, or flagel, knaggy and knotty (made commonly, as I take it, of a thick black thorn) and then it imports, that afflictions falling upon us as heavy as the flail threshing the com, are styled tribulations. I am in a strait which deduction to embrace, from the sharp or from the heavy thorn. But, which is the worst, though I may choose whence to derive the word, I cannot choose so as to decline the thing, I must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.i Therefore I *will labour not to be like a young colt, first set to plough, which more tires himself out with his own untowardness (whipping himself with his mis- spent mettle) than with the weight of what he draws ; and will labour patiently to bear what is imposed upon me. XI. BEWARE T SAW a cannon shot off. The men at whom it was levelled fell flat on the ground, and so escaped the bullet. Against such blows, falling is all the fencing, and prostration all the armour of proof. But that which gave them notice to fall down, was their perceiving of the fire before the ordnance was discharged. Oh the mercy of that fire I which, as it 1 Acts xiv. 32. 148 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES were, repenting of the mischief it had done, and the murder it might make, ran a race, and outstript the bullet, that men (at the sight thereof) might be pro- vided, when they could not resist, to prevent it. Thus every murdering piece is also a warning piece against itself. God, in like manner, warns before he wounds ; frights before he fights. Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be destroyed. O let us fall down before the Lord our maker ; then shall his anger be pleased to make in us a daily passover, and his bullets, levelled at us, shall fly above us. XII. THE FIRST-FRUITS pAPISTS observe (such are curious priers into pro- testants' carriage) that charity in England lay in a swoon from the dissolution of abbeys, in the reign of king Henry the Eighth, till about the tenth of queen Elizabeth. As if in that age of ruin, none durst raise religious buildings, and as if the axe and hammer, so long taught to beat down, had forgot their former use to build up for pious intents. At last comes William Lambert, i esquire, and first founds an hospital at Greenwich in Kent, calling that his society (like politic Joab, after David's name 2), the poor people of queen Elizabeth. And after this worthy man followed many, that we may almost dazzle papists' i See Camden's Brit, in Kent, p. 327. 2 2 Sam. xii. 28. OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS 149 eyes with the light of protestant good works. The same papists, perchance, may now conceive charity so disheartened in our days by these civil wars and the consequences thereof, that no protestants hereafter should be so desperate as to adventure upon a pubUc good deed. O for a Lambert junior (and I hope some of his lineage are left heirs to his lands and virtues), who shall break through the ranks of all discourage- ments ; so that now English protestants, being to begin a new score of good works, might from him date their epoch. Such a charity deserves to be knighted for the valour thereof. XIII. THE RECRUIT T READ how one main argument which the apostle Paul enforceth on Timothy, to make full proof of his ministry, is this : For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.^ Thus the dying saints, drawing near to heaven, their mark is the best spur for the surviving to make the more speed in their race. How many excellent divines have these sad times hastened to their long home^ (so called in scripture, not because long going thither, but long [ever] tarry- ing there) I How many have been sorrow-shot to their heart! O that this would edge the endeavours of our generation, to succeed in the dead places of worthy men I Shall the papists curiously observe and I 2 Tim. iv. 6. 2 Ecclcs. xii. 5. ISO GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES sufficiently boast, that their Stapleton i was born on the same day on which Sir Thomas More was beheaded (as if his cradle made of the other's coffin), and shall not our nurseries of learning- supply the void rooms of our worthies deceased? No sin, I hope, to pray that our Timothies come not short of our Pauls ; as in time, so in learning and religion. XIV. THE MONGREL T FIND the natural philosopher, making a character of the lion's disposition, amongst other his qualities reporteth, that first the lion feedeth on men, and afterwards, if forced with extremity of hunger, on women.2 Satan is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Only he inverts the method, and in his bill of fare takes the second course first. Ever since he over-tempted our grandmother Eve, encouraged with success, he hath preyed first on the weaker sex. It seems he hath all the vices, not the virtues, of that king- of beasts ; a wolf-lion, having his cruelty without his generosity. XV. EDIFICATION T READ in a learned physician how our provident mother. Nature, foreseeing men (her wanton chil- dren) would be tampering with the edgetools of 1 Pitzeus in Vita Stapletoni. 2 In viros priusquam in feminas saevit. Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. viii. cap. lo. OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS 151 minerals, hid them far from them, in the bowels of the earth ; whereas she exposed plants and herbs more obvious to their eye, as fitter for their use. But some bold empirics, neglecting- the latter as too common, have adventured on those hidden minerals, ofttimes (through want of skill) to the hurt of many, and hazard of more. God, in the New Testament, hath placed all his- torical and practical matter (needful for Christians to know and believe) in the beginning of the gospel. All such truths lie above ground, plainly visible in the literal sense. The prophetical and difficult part comes in the close. But though the Testament was written in Greek, too many read it like Hebrew, beginning at the end thereof. How many trouble themselves about the Revelation, who might be better busied in plain divinity! Safer prescribing to others, and practising in themselves, positive piety; leaving such mystical minerals to men of more judgment to prepare them. XVI. MAD, NOT MAD T FIND St. Paul in the same chapter confess and deny madness in himself: Acts xxvi. 11. And being exceeding mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities, ver. 25. When Festus challenged him to be beside himself, I am not mad, most noble Festus. Whilst he was mad indeed, then none did suspect or accuse him to be distracted ; but 152 GOOD THOUGHTS IN WORSE TIMES when converted, and in his right mind, then Festus taxeth him of madness. There is a country in Africa,i wherein all the natives have pendulous lips, hanging down like dogs' ears, always raw and sore. Here only such as are hand- some are pointed at for monsters in this age, wherein polluted and unclean lips are grown epidemical; if any refrain their tongues from common sins, alone are gazed at as strange spectacles. XVII. THE DEEPEST CUT T BEHELD a lapidary cutting a diamond with a diamond hammer and anvil, both of the same kind. God in scripture styled his servants his jewels.^ His diamonds they are ; but alas ! rude, rough, un- polished, without shape or fashion, as they arise naked out of the bed of the earth, before art hath dressed them. See how God, by rubbing one rough diamond against another, maketh both smooth. Barnabas afilicts Paul,^ and Paul afflicts Barnabas, by their hot falling out: Jerome occasioneth trouble to Rufinus, and Rufinus to Jerome. In our unnatural war none I hope so weak and wilful as to deny many good men (though misled) engaged on both sides. O how have they scratched, and rased, and pierced, and bruised, and broken one another! 1 Munst. Cosmog. 2 Mai. iii. 17. 3 Acts xv. 39. OCCASIONAL MEDITATIONS 153 Behold heaven's hand grating one diamond with an- other; as for all those who uncharitably deny any good on that party which they dislike, such show themselves diamonds indeed in their hardness (cruel censuring), but none in any commendable quality in their conditions. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS IN BETTER TIMES LET YOUR MODERATION BE KKOWN TO ALL MEN THE LORD IS AT HAND TO THE TRULY HONOURABLE AND MOST VIRTUOUS LADY, THE LADY MONCK lyyr ADAM, I had the happiness, some sixteen years since, to be minister of that parish wherein your ladyship had your nativity, and this I humbly con- ceive doth afford me some title to dedicate my weak endeavours to your honour. It is notoriously known in our English Chronicles, that there was an ill may-day, Anno Dom. 1517, in the ninth year of King Henry the Eighth, wherein much mischief was done in London, the lives of many lost, and estates of more confounded. This last good may-day hath made plentiful amends for that evil one, and hath laid a foundation for the happiness of an almost ruined church and state ; which as under God it was efiTected by the prudence and valour of your noble and most renowned husband, so you are eminently known to have had a finger, yea, an hand, yea, an arm happily instrumental therein. God 158 EPISTLE DEDICATORY reward you with honour here, and glory hereafter, which is the desire of millions in the three nations, and amongst them of Your Honour's most humble Servant, THOMAS FULLER. Zion Col., May 2, 1660. TO THE COURTEOUS READER T JUSTLY presume thee too much Christian and gentleman to trample on him who prostrates him- self. I confess myself subject to just censure, that I have not severally sorted these contemplations, setting such which are, i. Of Scripture; 2. Historical; 3. Occeisional; 4. Personal; distinctly by themselves, which now are confusedly heaped, or rather huddled together. This I confess was caused by my haste, the press hourly craving with the daughter of the horseleech, give, give. However, such a confused medley may pass for the lively emblem of these times, the subject of this our book. And when these times shall be reduced into better order, my book, at the next impression, may be digested into better method, mean time I remain Thy Servant in Christ Jesus, THOMAS FULLER. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS IN BETTER TIMES MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS ON THESE TIMES I. PLAY AN AFTER-GAME "1 X 7E read how at the rebuilding of the wails of Jeru- salem, Neh. iii. 12: Next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, he and his daughters. Was it woman's work to handle a trowel? Did it consist with the modesty of that sex to clamber scaffolds ? Surely those females did only repair by the proxy of their purses, in which sense Solomon is said to have built the temple. Our weaker sex hath been overstrong in making and widening the breaches in our English Zion, both by their purses and persuasions. To redeem their credit, let them hereafter be as active in building as heretofore they were in breaking down. Such wives, who not only lie in the bosoms, but lodge in the affections of loving husbands, who are em- powered with places of command, joining importunity ON THESE TIMES i6i to their opportunity, may be marvellously instrumental to the happiness of our nation. We read of Ahab, i Kings xxi. 25, that none was like him, who sold himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. By the same proportion that person will prove peerless in piety, who hath a godly consort in his bosom, season- ably to incite him, who is so forward in himself to all honourable actions. II. MIRACULOUS CURE \K7^ read, Luke xiii. 11, of a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in nowise lift up herself. This woman may pass for the lively emblem of the English nation ; from the year of our Lord 1642 (when our wars first began) unto this present 1660, are eighteen years in my arithmetic ; all which time our land hath been bowed together, past possibility of standing upright. Some will say that the weight of heavy taxes have caused this crookedness. But alas! this is the least and lightest of all things I reflect at in this illusion. It is chiefly the weight of our sins, Heb. xii. i, which doth so easily beset us. Our mutual malice and animosities which have caused this incurvation. A pitiful posture wherein the face is made to touch the feet, and the back is set above the head. God in due time set us right, and keep us right, that the head may be in its proper place. Next the neck of the i62 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS nobility, then the breast of the gentry, the loins of the merchants and citizens, the thighs of the yeomanry, the legs and feet of artificers and day-labourers. As for the clergy (here by me purposely omitted) what place soever shall be assigned them ; if low, God grant patience ; if high, give humility unto them. When thus our land in God's leisure shall be restored to its former rectitude, and set upright again, then I hope she may leave off her steel bodies, which have galled her with wearing them so long, and return again to her peaceable condition. III. HAND ON MOUTH T T is said. Gen. vi. ii, how before the flood the earth was filled with violence. Some will say (with Nicodemus), How can these things be ; violence being relative, and requiring a counterpart. Though such tyrants were hammers, others must be patient anvils for them to smite upon. Such persons, purely passive in oppression, were to be pitied, not punished ; to be delivered, not drowned in the flood. But the answer is easy, seeing we read in the same chapter, ver. 5, that God saw that the imaginations of the thoughts of man was only evil continually. God plainly perceived that the sufferers of violence would have been offerers of it, if empowered with might equal to their malice. Their cursedness was as sharp, though their horns were not so long ; and what they lacked in deed and actions, they made up in desires and endeavours. So that in sending a general deluge ON THESE TIMES 163 over all, God was clearly just, and men justly miser- able. Let such Englishmen who have been of the de- pressed party during our civil wars, enter into a scrutiny and serious search of their own souls, whether ,or no (if armed with power) they would not have laid as great load on others as themselves underwent. Yea, let them out of a godly jealousy suspect more cruelty in themselves than they can conceive. Then will they find just cause to take the blame and shame on themselves, and give God the glory that he hath not drowned all in a general deluge of destruction. IV. AT LAST A LADY of quality, formerly forward to promote our civil wars, and whose well intending zeal had sent in all her plate to Guildhall, was earnestly discoursing with a divine concerning these times, a little before dinner ; her face respecting the cupboard in the room, which was furnished with plenty of pure Venice glasses: 'Now,' said she, *I plainly perceive, that I and many of my judgment have been abused with the specious pretences of liberty and religion, till in the indiscreet pursuance thereof we are almost fallen into slavery and atheism.' To whom the other, betwixt jest and earnest, re- plied : ' Madam, it is no wonder that now your eyes are opened ; for so long as this cupboard was full of thick and massy plate, you could perceive nothing through them ; but now so many clear and transparent glasses i64 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS are substituted in their room, all things are become obvious to your intuition.' The possessing of superfluous wealth sometimes doth hinder our clear apprehensions of matters ; like a pearl in the eye of the soul, prejudicing the sight thereof; whilst poverty may prove a good coUyrium, or eye- salve unto us, to make a true discovery of those things we knew not before. V. MISTAKEN T BEHELD honour as of a mounting and aspiring nature, and therefore I expected (rationally enough as I conceive), to have found it ascending to the clouds. I looked upon wealth as what was massy, ponderous, and by consequence probable to settle and be firmly fixed on the earth. But oh ! how much is my expectation frustrated and defeated! For David, Psalm vii. 5, maketh mention of honour lying in the dust ; and Solomon his son, Prov. xxiii. 5, informeth me, how riches certainly make themselves wings, and flee away as an eagle toward heaven : what I looked for below is towered aloft, and what I expected above is fallen below. Our age hath afforded plentiful experiments of both : honour was near the dust, when a new nobility of a later stamp were in a fair likelihood to have outshined those of a purer standard. The wealth of the land doth begin (to use the falconer's phrase), to fly to lessen. And if these taxes continue, will soon fly out of sight. ON THESE TIMES 165 So uncertain and unsafe it is for men to bottom their happiness on any earthly perfection. VI. TRUTH T SAW a traveller in a terrible tempest take his seasonable shelter under a fair and thick tree: it afforded him protection for a good time, and secured him from the rain. But, after that it held up, and was fair round about, he unhappily continued under the tree so long till the droppings thereof made him soundly wet, and he found more to condemn his weakness than pity his wetting. A parliament is known to be the best refuge and sanctuary to shelter us from the tempest of violence and oppression. It is sometimes the sole, and always the surest remedy in that kind. But alas! the late parliament lasted so long, that it began to be the grievance of the nation, after that the most and best members thereof were violently excluded. The remedy turned the malady of the land, and we were in fear to be drowned by the droppings of that tree, if God of his gracious goodness had not put an unexpected period to their power. VII. AFTER-BORN A LADY big with child was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, and in the dungeon was delivered of a son, who continued with her till a boy of some i66 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS bigness. It happened that one time he heard his mother (for see neither of them could, as to discern in so dark a place) bemoan her condition. Why, mother (said the child), do you complain, see- ing you want nothing you can wish, having clothes, meat, and drink sufficient ; alas ! child (returned the mother), I lack liberty, converse with Christians, the light of the sun, and many things more, which thou, being prison-born, neither art or can be sensible of in thy condition. The post-natiy understand thereby such striplings born in England since the death of monarchy therein, conceive this land, their mother, to be in a good estate. For one fruitful harvest foUoweth another, commodi- ties are sold at reasonable rates, abundance of brave clothes are worn in the city, though not by such persons whose birth doth best become, but whose purses can best bestow them. But their mother— England, doth justly bemoan the sad difference betwixt her present and former con- dition, when she enjoyed full and free trade without payment of taxes, save so small they seemed rather an acknowledgment of their allegiance than a burden to their estate ; when she had the court of a king, the house of lords, yea, and the Lord's house, decently kept, constantly frequented, without falsehood in doc- trine, or faction in discipline. God of his goodness restore unto us so much of these things, as may consist with his glory and our good. ON THESE TIMES 167 VIII. A HEAP OF PEARLS T SAW a servant maid, at the command of her mis- tress, make, kindle, and blow a fire. Which done, she was posted away about other business, whilst her mistress enjoyed the benefit of the fire. Yet I observed that this servant, whilst industriously employed in the kindling thereof, got a more general, kindly, and con- tinuing" heat, than her mistress herself. Her heat was only by her, and not in her, staying with her no longer than she stayed by the chimney; whilst the warmth of the maid was inlaid, and equally diffused through the whole body. An estate suddenly gotten is not so lasting to the owner thereof, as what is duly got by industry. The substance of the diligent, saith Solomon, Prov. xii. 27, is precious. He cannot be counted poor that hath so many pearls, precious brown bread, precious small beer, precious plain clothes, etc. A comfortable con- sideration in this our age, wherein many hands have learned their lesson of labour, who were neither born or bred unto it. IX. SILENT SADNESS T^WO captains on the same side in our civil wars, dis- coursing together, one of them (with small cause and without any measure) did intolerably boast of his personal performances, as if he had been of the quorum in all considerable actions ; at last, not ashamed of, but i68 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS weaned with his own loquacity, he desired the other captain to relate what service he had done in these wars ; to whom he returned, * other men can tell you of that.' We meet with many (living at the sign of the Royalist), who much brag of their passive services (I mean their sufferings) in the late war. But that spoke in the wheel which creaketh most doth not bear the greatest burden in the cart. The loudest criers are not always the largest losers. How much hath Sir John Stowel lost? How many new gentlemen have started up out of the estate of that ancient knight? What hath the Lord Craven lost? Whether more, or more unjustly, hard to decide? Others can tell of their and many other men's sufferings, whilst they themselves hold their peace. Here we dare not speak of him who, though the greatest loser of all, speaketh nothing of himself ; and therefore his silence putteth a greater obligation on us, both to pity him here on earth, and pray for him to heaven. X. LOST AND KEPT 'T^HIS seeming paradox will on examination prove a real truth, viz. that though Job lost his seven thousand sheep consumed by fire of God, Job i. i6 (understand it, by his permission, and Satan's im- mission), yet he still kept the wool of many of them. For Job, in the vindication of his integrity (not to praise but purge himself) doth relate, how the loins of ON THESE TIMES 169 the poor blessed him, being warmed with the fleece of his sheep (Job xxxi. 20). So much of his wool (in the cloth made thereof) he secured in a safe hand, lending it to God (in poor people), Prov. xix. 17, as the best of debtors, being most able and willing to repay it. Such as have been plundered of their estates in these wars may content and comfort themselves with this consideration, that so long as they enjoyed plenty they freely parted with a proportion thereof to the relief of the poor: what they gave, that they have; it still remaineth theirs, and is safely laid up for them in a place where rust and moth do not corrupt, and thieves break through and steal. XI. ALL 'T^HE Magdeburgenses, out of a spirit of opposition to the papists, over-prizing the person and actions of St. Peter, do in my mind, on the other side too much decry him, causelessly cavilling at his words to our Saviour [Mark x. 28] : Ecce reliquimus omnia, Behold, we have left all and followed thee. What, say they, had he left? He maketh as if he had left great matters, and a mighty estate ; whereas this his all was not more than an old ship, some few rotten nets, and such-like inconsiderable accommo- dations. But Bellarmine (always ingenuous, sometimes satirical) payeth them home for their causeless excep- tion against that apostle : What ! saith he, would they have him have left more them he had ? All was all, how little soever it was. 170 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS Dififerent, I confess, is the standard and measure of men's losses in this time. Some, in preserving of their consciences, have lost manners; others farms, others cottages. Some have had a hin, others a homer y others an ephah of afflictions. However, those men must on all hands be allowed the greatest losers who have lost all (how small soever that their all was), and who, with the widow [Mark xii. 44], have parted with oKov rbv ^lov avTuvj all their livelihood. XII. GOOD ACCOUNTANT T WAS present in the west country some twenty-five years since, when a bishop made a partage of money collected by a brief amongst such who in a village had been sufferers by a casual fire ; one of whom brought in the inventory of his losses far above all belief. Being demanded how he could make out his losses to so improbable a proportion, he alleged the burning of a pear tree (growing hard by his house), valuing the same at twenty years' purchase, and the pears at twenty shillings per annum (presuming every one would be a bearing year) ; and by such windy particulars did blow up his losses to the sum by him nominated. Some pretend in these wars to have lost more thousands than ever they were possessed of hundreds. These reckon in, not only what they had, but what they might, yea, would have had. They compute not only their possessions, but reversions, yea, their proba- ON THESE TIMES 171 bilities, possibilities, and impossibiKties also, which they might desire, but could never hope to obtain. The worst is, I might term many of these men anti- Mephiboshets, who, out of his loyalty to David, 2 Sam. xix. 30, Let them take all, said he, forasmuch as my Iprd the king is come home again in peace unto his own house. But these, except they may have all, and more than all they ever possessed, care not a whit whether or no the king ever return ; so unconcerned are they in his condition. XIII. NO TITTLE OF TITLE 'T^WO young gentlemen were comparing their revenues together, vying which of them were the best. My demesnes, saith the one, is worth two, but mine, saith the other, is worth four hundred pounds a year. My farms, saith the one, are worth four, but mine, saith the other, are worth eight hundred pounds a year. My estate, saith the one, is my own, to which the other returned no answer, as conscious to himself that he kept what lawfully belonged to another. I care not how small my means be, so they be my means : I mean my own without any injury to others. What is truly gotten may be comfortably kept. What is otherwise may be possessed, but not enjoyed. Upon the question, what is the worst bread which is eaten? One answered, in respect of the coarseness thereof. Bread made of beans. Another said, Bread made of acorns. But the third hit the truth, who said, 172 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS Bread taken out of other men's mouths, who are the true proprietaries thereof. Such bread may be sweet in the mouth to taste, but is not wholesome in the stomach to digfest. XIV. FREELY, FREELY A GRAVE divine in the west country (familiarly known unto me), conceiving- himself over-taxed, repaired to one of the governors of the king's garrisons for to move for some mitigation. The governor perceiving the satin cap of this divine to be torn, Fie, fie, said he, that a man of your quality should wear such a cap ; the rats have gnawed it. Oh no, sir, answered he, the rates have gnawed it. The print or impression of the teeth of taxes is visible in the clothes of many men, yea, it hath corroded holes in many men's estates. Yea, as Hatto archbishop of Mentz is reported to have been eaten up by rats,i so the vermin of taxes, if continuing, is likely to devour our nation. However, let us not in the least degree now grudge the payment thereof. Let us now pay taxes that we may never pay taxes ; for, as matters now stand, our freeness at the present may cause our freedom at the future, if once the arrears of the army and navy were discharged. I care not how much I am let blood, so it be not by the adventure of an empiric, but advice of a physician, who I am sure will take no more ounces from me than 1 Munster's Cosmog. in German. ON THESE TIMES 173 may consist with my safety, and need doth require. Such the piety and policy of the present parliament, they will impose no more payments than the necessity of the estate doth extort. The rather because they are persons (blessed be God) of the primest quality in the nation, and let us blood through their own veins, the greatest part of the payments they impose lighting first on their own estates. XV. CRY WITHOUT CAUSE, AND BE WHIPT T HAVE known the city of London almost forty years, their shops did ever sing the same tune, that trading was dead. Even in the reign of King James (when they wanted nothing but thankfulness) this was their complaint. It is just with God, that they who complained with- out cause should have just cause to complain. Trading, which then was quick, and in health, hath since been sick, yea, in a swoon, yea, dead, yea, buried. There is a vacation in the shops in the midst of high term ; and if shops be in a consumption, ships will not be long in good health. Yet I know not whether to call this decay of trade in London a mishap or a happy miss. Probably the city, if not pinched with poverty, had never regained her wealth. XVI. SPRING BEGAN T MEET with two etymologies of bonfires. Some deduce it from fires made of bones, relating it to the burning of martyrs, first fashionable in England in the 174 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS reign of king Henry the Fourth. But others derive the word (more truly in my mind) from boon, that is, good, and fires ; whether good be taken here for great, or for merry and cheerful, such fires being always made on welcome occasions. Such an occasion happened at London last February, 1659. I confess the nth of March is generally beheld as the first day of the spring, but hereafter London (and in it all England) may date its vernal heat (after a long winter of woes and war) from the nth of February. On which day so many boon-fires (the best new lights I ever saw in that city) were made ; although I believe the fagots themselves knew as much as some who laid them on for what purpose those fires were made. The best is, such fires were rather prophetical than historical, not so much telling as foretelling the con- dition of that city and our nation, which, by God's gracious goodness, is daily bettered and improved. But oh the excellent boon-fire which the converted Ephesians made, Acts xix. 19: Many also of them which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men : and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. What was a pint of ashes worth, according to that proportion. But oh ! in the imitation of the Ephesians, let us Englishmen labour to find out our bosom sin, and burn it (how dear soever unto us) in the flames of holy anger and indignation. Such boon-fires would be most profitable to us, and acceptable to God, inviting ON THESE TIMES I75 him to perfect and complete the good which he had begun to our nation. XVII. THE HAND IS ALL A GENTLEWOMAN some sixty years since came to Winchester school, where she had a son, and where Dr. Love (one eminent in his profession) was then schoolmaster. This tender mother, seeing the terrible rods (the properties of that school), began with tears to bemoan the condition of her son, subject to so cruel correction. To whom the schoolmaster replied : Mistress, content yourself, it matters not how big the rod be, so it be in the hand of Love to manage it. Alas ! he was only Love in his surname ; but what saith the apostle, i John iv. i6 : God is love, even in his own essence emd nature. What then, though the wicked be not only a rod in the hand of God, but what is worse, a sword, Psalm xvii. 13, the wicked which is thy sword, they shall do no hurt as long as God hath the ordering of them. A pregnant experiment hereof we have in (the, call it, rod or sioord of) our late civil war which lasted so long in our land, yet left so little signs behind it. Such who consider how much was destroyed in the war, may justly wonder that any provision was left, whilst such who behold the plenty we have left, will more admire that any was ever destroyed. 176 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS XVIII. ALL TONGUE AND EARS WT^ read, Acts xvii. 21, All the Athenians, and strangers which were there, spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. How Cometh this transposition? tell and hear; it should be hear and tell ; they must hear it before they could tell it ; and in the very method of nature, those that are deaf are dumb. But know, it is more than probable that many Athenians told what they never heard, being- them- selves the first finders, founders, and forgers of false reports, therewith merely to entertain the itching curiosity of others. England aboundeth with many such Athenians ; it is hard to say whether more false coin or false news be minted in our days. One side is not more pleased with their own factions than the other is with their own fictions. Some pretend to intelligence without understanding, whose relations are their own confutations. I know some who repair to such novelants on purpose to know what news is false by their reporting thereof. XIX. GIVE AND TAKE T^HE archbishop of Spalato, when dean of Windsor, very affectionately moved the prebendaries there- of to contribute bountifully towards the relieving of a ON THESE TIMES 177 distressed foreigner, reporting; him a person of much worth and want ; to whom one of the company rephed : Qui suadet sua det: Let him who persuadeth others give something of his own. But the archbishop, who was as covetous as ambitious, and whose charity had a tongue without hands, would not pcirt with a penny. The episcopal party doth desire and expect that the presbyterian should remit of his rigidness in order to an expedient betwixt them. The presbyterians require that the episcopal side abate of their austerity to advance an accommodation. But some on both sides are so wedded to their wilful- ness, stand so stiff in their judgments, are so high and hot in their passions, they will not part with the least punctilio in their opinions and practices. Such men's judgments cannot pretend to the exact- ness of the Gibeonites, Judges xx. 16, that they hit the mark of the truth at a hair's breadth, and fail not, yet will they not abate a hair's breadth in order to unity ; they will take all, but tender nothing ; make motions with their mouths, but none with their feet, for peace, not stirring a step towards it. O that we could see some proffers and performances of condescension on either side, and then let others who remain obstinate, and will embrace no peace, be branded with Pharez, Gen. xxxviii. 29, the breach be upon them. 178 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS XX. CHARITY, CHARITY TN my father's time, there was a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, a native of Carlton in Lei- cestershire,! where the people (through some occult cause) are troubled with a wharling in their throats, so that they cannot plainly pronounce the letter R. This scholar, being conscious of his infirmity, made a Latin oration of the usual expected length, without an R therein ; and yet did he not only select words fit for his mouth, easy for pronunciation, but also as pure and expressive for signification, to show that men might speak, without being beholden to the dog's letter. Our English pulpits, for these last eighteen years, have had in them too much caninal anger, vented by snapping and snarling spirits on both sides. But if you bite and devour one another (saith the apostle. Gal. v. 15), take heed ye be not devoured one of another. Think not that our sermons must be silent if not satirical, as if divinity did not afford smooth subjects enough to be seasonably insisted on in this juncture of time ; let us try our skill whether we cannot preach without any dog letter or biting word : the art is half learned by intending, and wholly by serious endeavour- ing it. I am sure that such soft sermons will be more easy for the tongue of the preacher in pronouncing them, less grating to the ears of pious people that hear them, and most edifying to the heart of both speaker and hearers of them. 1 Camd. Brit, in Leicestershire. ON THESE TIMES 179 XXI. BUT ONE FAVOURITE \KT'E' read how Abraham [Gen. xxv. 5,] gave all he had unto Isaac. As for his six sons, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishback, and Shuah, which he had by Keturah his concubine, he only gave them gifts, and sent them away into the east country. England hath but one Isaac, or legitimate religion of the church, namely the protestant, as the doctrine thereof is established in the Thirty-nine Articles. But how many spurious ones she hath (whether six, sixty, or six score) I neither do know nor will inquire, nor will I load my book and trouble the reader with their new, numerous, and hard names. Oh may the state be pleased so far to reflect on this Isaac, as to settle the solid inheritance upon him ! Let the protestant religion only be countenanced by the law, be owned and acknowledged for the received religion of the nation. As for other sects (the sons of Keturah), we grudge not that gifts be bestowed upon them. Let them have a toleration (and that I assure you is a great gift in- deed) and be permitted peaceably and privately to enjoy their consciences both in opinions and practices. Such favour may safely not to say ought justly to be afforded unto them so long as they continue peaceably in our Israel, and disturb not the estate. This gift granted unto them, they need not to be sent away into the east (or any other) country. If they dislike their condition they will either leave the land, i8o MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS and go over seas of their own accord, or else (which is rather to be desired and hoped for) they will blush themselves out of their former follies, and by degrees cordially reconcile themselves to the Church of Eng- land. XXII. CALMLY, CALMLY \X rE read. Gen. iii. 8, that when God solemnly proceeded in the sentencing of our first parents, he was heard walking in the garden in the cool of the day; to teach men, when they go about matters of moment (wherein not only the present age but posterity is also concerned) to becalm their souls of all passion. But alas! much reformation made (rather under than) by king Charles, was done in the heat of the day, in the dog-days of our civil discords, and midsummer moon of our military distractions. So that possibly, when that which was done in the heat of the day shall be reviewed, even by the self- same persons in the cool of the day, they will perceive something by them so reformed, now to need a new reformation. But this motion (and all that follow) I humbly lay down at their feet who have power and place to reform, who may either trample upon it or take it up, as their wisdoms shall see just occasion. XXIII. TRY AND TRUST TT was wisely requested by the children of the cap- tivity, Dan. i., and warily granted by the king's chamberlain unto them, that, by way of trial, they ON THESE TIMES i8i should feed on pulse for ten days, and then an inspec- tion to be made on their countenances, whether the lilies therein did look as white and roses as red as before, that so their bill of fare might be either changed or continued as they saw just occasion. Let such new practices as are to be brought into our church be for a time candidates and probationers on their good behaviour, to see how the temper of the people will fit them, and they fadge with it, before they be publicly enjoined. Let them be like St. Paul's deacons, i Tim. iii. lO, first be proved, then be used if found blameless. I cannot therefore but commend the discretion of such statesmen, who, knowing the Directory to be but a stranger, and considering the great inclination the generality of our nation had to the Common Prayer, made their temporary act to stand in force but for three years. XXIV. ALIKE, BUT CONTRARY T OBSERVE in scripture, that power to do some deeds is a sufficient authority to do them. Thus Samson's power to pluck down the two fundamental pillars of Dagon's temple was authority enough for him to do it. Elijah's power to make fire to come at his call on the two captains was authority enough to do it, because such deeds were above the strength, stature, and standard of human proportion. However, hence it doth not follow that it is lawful i82 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS for a private man with axes and hammers to beat down a Christian church, because Samson plucked down Dagon's temple ; nor doth it follow that men may burn their brethren with fagot and fire, because Elijah called for fire from heaven; these being acts not miraculous but mischievous, and no might from heaven, but mere malice from hell, required for the achieving thereof. Here it is hard to say which of these two things have done most mischief in England ; public persons having private souls and narrow hearts, consulting their own ease and advantage, or private persons having vast designs to invade public employments. This is most sure, that betwixt them both they have almost undone the most flourishing church and state in the Christian world. XXV. CHASMA, PHASMA. "LJOW bluntly and abruptly doth the seventy-third Psalm begin ! Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. Truly is a term of continuation, not inception of a speech. The head or top of this psalm seems lost or cut off, and the neck only remaining in the room thereof. But know that this psalm hath two moieties; one unwritten, made only in the tyring-house of David's heart : the other written visible on the theatre, begin- ning as is aforesaid. Thomas Aquinas, sitting silent in a musing posture ON THESE TIMES 183 at the table of the king of France, at last brake forth into these words, Conclusum est contra ManichcEos, it is concluded against the Manichaeans; which speech, though nonsense to the persons in the place, at the best independent, without any connection to the dis- course at table, had its necessary coherence in the mind of that great schoolman. David, newly awaking in this psalm out of the sweet slumber of his meditation, openeth his eyes with the good handsel of these words. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. A maxim of undoubted truth, and a firm anchor to those who have been tossed in the tempest of these times. XXVI. SHARE AND SHARE-LIKE r^ HESHIRE hath formerly been called chief of men. Indeed no county in England of the same great- ness, or (if you will rather) of the same littleness, can produce so many families of ancient gentry. Now let it break the stomachs but not the hearts, abate the pride, not destroy the courage of the inhabi- tants of this shire, that they miscarried in their late undertakings, not so much by any defect in them as default in others. If ten men together be to lift a log, all must jointly n^Q vidit. 204 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS Ut mala quern scabies aut morbus regius urget Aut fanaticus error. — Hor. in Poet. It will be said we have already (more than a good) many nicknames of parties, which doth but inflame the difference, and make the breach the wider betwixt us. It is confessed ; but withal it is promised, that when they withdraw the thing we will substract the name. Let them leave off their wild fancies, inconsistent with scripture, antiquity, and reason itself, and then we will endeavour to bury the fanatic, and all other names, in perpetual oblivion. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS ON THESE TIMES I. ALL AFORE A DEAR friend of mine (now I hope with God) was much troubled with an impertinent and impor- tunate fellow, desirous to tell him his fortune. For things to come, said my friend, I desire not to know them, but am contented to attend divine providence ; tell me, if you can, some remarkable passages of my life past. But the cunning man was nothing for the preter tense (where his falsehood might be discovered), but all for the future, counting himself therein without the reach of confutation. There are in our age a generation of people who are the best of prophets, and worst of historians ; Daniel and the Revelation are as easy to them as the ten commandments and the Lord's prayer: they pretend exactly to know the time of Christ's actual reign on earth, of the ruin of the Romish antichrist, yea, of the day of judgment itself. But these oracles are struck quite dumb, if demanded anything concerning the time past ; about the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt and Babylon, 206 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS the original increase and ruin of the four monarchies ; of these and the like they can give no more account than the child in the cradle. They are all for things to come, but have gotten (through a great cold of ignor- ance) such a crick in their neck, they cannot look backward on what was behind them. II. TRUE TEXT. FALSE GLOSS A HUSBANDMAN, anabaptistically inclined, in a pleasant humour came to his minister, and told him, with much cheerfulness, that this very seeds-time the words of the apostle, i Cor. ix. lo, were fulfilled: That he that plougheth may plough in hope. Being desired farther to explain himself; I mean, said he, we husbandmen now plough in hope, that at harvest we shall never pay tithes, but be eased from that antichristian yoke for the time to come. It seemeth he had received such intelligence from some of his own party, who reported what they desired. He might plough in hope to reach his nine parts, but in despair to have the tenth ; especially since God hath blessed us ^vith so wise a parliament, consisting not only of men chosen, but of persons truly the choice of the nation, who will be as, if not more, tender of the church's right than their own interest. They have read how Pharaoh king of Egypt, Gen. xlvii. 22, would in no case alienate the lands of the priests. The very gipsies, who generally have no good name (condemned for crafty cheaters and cozeners), were ON THESE TIMES 207 conscientiously precise in this particular, and they would not take away what was given to their God in his ministers. III. FOUL MOUTH STOPT AMBITIOUS Absalom endeavoured to bring a scandal on his father's government, complaining, the petitioners who repaired to his court for justice were slighted and neglected. 2 Sam. xv. 3 : See, thy matters are good and right, but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. But we know the English proverb, 111 will never speaketh well. Let us do that justice to David, yea, to our own judgments, not to believe a graceless son and subject, against a gracious father and sovereign. Some malecontents (Ishmaels, whose swords are against every one) seek to bring a false report on the parliament, as if the clergy must expect no favour, not to say justice, from them, because there are none in the house elected and deputed either to speak for them or hear them speak for themselves. Time was, say they, when the clergy was repre- sented in the house of lords by two archbishops and four and twenty bishops. Time was, when the clergy had their own convocation, granting subsidies for them, so that their purses were only opened by the hands of their own proxies ; but now, though our matters be good and right, there is no man deputed to hear us. 208 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS I am, and ever will be, deaf to such false and scandalous suggestions ; if there be four hundred and odd (because variously reckoned up) in the house of parliament, I am confident we clergymen have four hundred and odd advocates for us therein. What civil christian would not plead for a dumb man ? See- ing the clergy hath lately lost their voice they so long had in parliaments; honour and honesty will engage those pious persons therein to plead for our just con- cernments. IV. ATOMS AT LAST T MEET not, either in sacred or profane writ, with so terrible a rout as Saul gave unto the host of the Ammonites, under Nahash their king, i Sam. xi. II : And it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together. And yet we have daily experience of greater scatterings and dissipations of men in their opinions. Suppose ten men, out of pretended purity, but real pride and peevishness, make a wilful separation from the Church of England, possibly they may continue some competent time in tolerable unity together. Afterwards upon a new discovery of a higher and holier way of divine service, these ten will split asunder into five and five, and the purer moiety divide from the other, as more drossy and feculent. Then the five in process of time, upon the like ON THESE TIMES 209 occasion of clearer illumination, will cleave themselves into three and two. Some short time after, the three will crumble into two and one, and the two part into one and one, till they come into the condition of the Ammonites, so scattered that two of them were not left together. I am sad, that I may add with too much truth, that one man will at last be divided in himself, distracted often in his judgment betwixt many opinions; that, what is reported of Tostatus, lying on his death-bed, in Tfiultitudine controversiarwm non hdbuit, quod crederet ; amongst the multitude of persuasions through which he had passed, he knoweth not where to cast anchor and fix himself at the last. V. AN ILL MATCH "pvIVINE providence is remarkable in ordering, that a fog and a tempest never did, nor can, meet together in nature. For as soon as a fog is fixed the tempest is allayed ; and as soon as a tempest doth arise the fog is dispersed. This is a great mercy ; for other- wise such small vessels as boats and barges, which want the conduct of the card and compass, would irrecoverably be lost. How sad, then, is the condition of many sectaries in our age ; which in the same instant have a fog of ignorance in their judgments, and a tempest of violence in their affections, being too blind to go right, and yet too active to stand still. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS VI. DOWN, YET UP TTYPOCRITE, in the native etymology of the word, as it is used by ancient Greek authors, sig^ifieth such a one, qui alienee personce in comcedia aut tragcedia est effector et reprcesentator, who in comedy or tragedy doth feign and represent the person of another ; in plain English, hypocrite is neither more nor less than a stage-player. We all know that stage-players some years since were put down by public authority ; and though some- thing may be said for them, more may be brought against them, who are rather in an employment than a vocation. But let me safely utter my too just fears ; I suspect the fire was quenched in the chimney, and in another respect scattered about the house. Never more strange stage-players than now, who wear the vizards of piety and holiness, that under that covert they may more securely commit sacrilege, oppression, and what not? In the days of Queen Elizabeth, a person of honour or worship would as patiently have digested the lie as to have been told that they did wear false pendents, or any counterfeit pearl or jewels about them, so usual in our age ; yet would it were the worst piece of hypocrisy in fashion. Oh, let us all labour for in- tegrity of heart, and either appear what we are, or be what we appear. ON THESE TIMES VII. CALEB, ALL HEART T WAS lately satisfied in what I heard of before, by the confession of an excellent artist (the most skilful in any kind are most willing to acknowledge their ignorance), that the mystery of annealing of glass, that is, baking it so that the colour may go clean through it, is now by some casualty quite lost in England, if not in Europe. Break a piece of red glass, painted some four hundred years since, and it will be found as red in the middle as in the outsides, the colour is not only on it, but in it and through it. Whereas, now all art can perform is only to fix the red on one side of the glass, and that ofttime so faint and fading, that within few years it falleth off, and looketh piebald to the eye. I suspect a more important mystery is much lost in our age, viz. the transmitting of piety clean through the heart, that a man become inside and outside alike. Oh the sincerity of the ancient patriarchs, inspired prophets, holy apostles, patient martyrs, and pious fathers of the primitive church, whereas only outside sanctity is too usual in our age. Happy the man on whose monument that character of Asa [i Kings xv. 14] may be truly inscribed for his epitaph: Here lieth the man whose heart was perfect with the Lord all his days. Heart perfect, oh the finest of wares ! All his days, oh the largest of measures ! MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS VIII. FIE, FOR SHAME /CONSIDERING with myself the causes of the growth and increase of impiety and profaneness in our land, amongst others this seemeth to me not the least, viz. the late many false and erroneous im- pressions of the Bible. Now know, what is but carelessness in other books is impiety in setting forth of the Bible. As Noah in all unclean creatures preserved but two of a kind, so among some hundreds in several editions we will insist only on two instances. In the Bible printed at London, 1653, we read, I Cor. vi. 9: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall inherit the kingdom of God ? for not inherit. Now, when a reverend doctor in divinity did mildly reprove some libertines for their licentious life, they did produce this text, from the authority of this corrupt edition, in justification of their vicious and inordinate conversations. The next instance shall be in the Bible printed at London in quarto (forbearing the name of the printer, because not done wilfully by him) in the singing Psalms, Ps. Ixvii. 2 : That all the earth may know The way to worldly wealth, for godly wealth. It is too probable that too many have perused and practised this erroneous impression, namely, such who ON THESE TIMES 213 by plundering-, oppression, cozening-, force, and fraud, have in our age suddenly advanced vast estates. IX. LITTLE LOUD LIARS T REMEMBER one in the university gave for his question, Artis compendium artis dispendiumf the contracting of arts is the corrupting of them. Sure I am, the truth hereof appeareth too plainly in the pearl Bible printed at London, 1653, in the volume of twenty- four ; for therein all the dedications and titles of David's Psalms are wholly left out, being part of the original text in Hebrew, and intimating the cause and the occasion of the writing and composing those psalms, whereby the matter may be better illustrated. The design may be good to reduce the Bible to so small a volume, partly to make it the more portable in men's pockets, partly to bring down the price of them, that the poor people may the better compass them. But know that vilisy in the Latin tongue, in the first sense signifieth what is cheap, in the second sense what is base. The small price of the Bible hath caused the small prizing of the Bible, especially since so many damnable and pernicious mistakes have escaped therein. I cannot omit another edition in a large X2mo mak- ing the Book of Truth to begin with a loud lie, pretending this title, Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, etc., Anno 1638. whereas, indeed, they were imported from Holland 214 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS 1656, and that contrary to our statutes. What can be expected from so lying- a frontispiece but suitable falsehoods, wherewith it aboundeth. Oh ! that men in power and place would take these things into their serious considerations ; a caution too late to amend what is past, but early enough for the future to prevent the importing of foreign, and mis- printing of home-made Bibles. X. NAME GENERAL \\T^ read of Joseph (when advanced in the court of Pharaoh), that he called his eldest son. Gen. xli. SI, Manasseh ; for God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and my father's house. Forget his father's house! the more unnatural and undutiful son he (may some say), for his ungodly oblivion. O no; Joseph never historically forgot his father's house, nor lost the affection he bare thereunto, only he forgot it both to the sad and to the vindictive part of his memory; he kept no grudge against his brethren for their cruel usage of him. If God should be pleased to settle a general peace betwixt all parties in our land, let us all name our next born child, (it will fit both sexes) Manasseh. That is, forgetting ; let us forget all our plunderings, sequestra- tions, injuries offered unto us, or suffered by us; the best oil is said to have no taste, that is, no tang. Though we carry a simple and single remembrance of our losses unto the grave, it being impossible to do ON THESE TIMES 215 otherwise (except we rase the faculty of memory, root and branch, out of our mind), yet let us not keep any record of them with the least reflection of revenge. XI. APT SCHOLARS IWT OTHERS generally teach their children three sins before they be full two years old. First, pride; Point, child, where are you fine? Where are you fine ? Secondly, lying ; It was not A that cried, it Weis B that cried. Thirdly, revenge; Give me a blow and I will beat him. Give me a blow and I will beat him. Surely children would not be so bad, nor so soon bad, but partly for bad precedents set before them, partly for bad precepts taught unto them. As all three lessons have taken too deep impressions in our hearts, so chiefly the last of revenge. How many blows have been given on that account within our remembrance, and yet I can make it good, that we in our age are more bound to pardon our enemies than our fathers and grandfathers in their generation. For charity consisteth in two main parts ; in donando ft condonandoy in giving and forgiving. Give we can- not so much as those before us, our estates being so much impaired and impoverished with taxes unknown to former ages. Seeing, therefore, one channel of charity must be the less, the stream thereof ought to run broader and deeper in the other. The less we can give, the more 2i6 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS we should forgive : but alas ! this is the worst of all, that giving goeth not so much against our covetous- ness, but forgiving goeth more against our pride and ambition. XII. ALL WELL WEARIED npWO gentlemen, father and son, both of great quality, lived together ; the son on a time. Father, said he, I would fain be satisfied how it cometh to pass, that of such agreements which I make betwixt neighbours fallen out, not one of twenty doth last and continue. Whereas not one of twenty fails wherein you are made arbitrator. The reason, answered the other, is plain. No sooner do two friends fall out, but presently you offer yourself to compromise the difference, wherein I more commend your charity than your discretion. Whereas I always stay till the parties send or come to me, after both sides, being well wearied by spending much money in law, are mutually desirous of an agreement. Had any endeavoured, some sixteen years since, to have advanced a firm peace betwixt the two opposite parties in our land, their success would not have answered their intentions, men's veins were then so full of blood, and purses of money. But since there hath been so large an evacuation of both, and men begin soberly to consider that either side may (by woful experience) make other miserable, but it is only our union can make both happy, some hope there is that a peace, if now made, may probably last ON THESE TIMES 217 and continue, which God in his mercy make us worthy of, that we may in due time receive it. XIII. O, INCONSTANCY! T EARNED master Camden, treating- in an astro- logical way under what planet 1 Britain is seated, allegeth but one author, viz. Johannes de Muris, who placeth our island under Saturn, whilst he produceth three, viz. the friar Perscrutator, Esquidius, and Henry Silen, which place Britain under the moon. It will add much (in the g-eneral apprehension of people) to the judgment of the latter, that so many changes and vicissitudes in so short a time have befell our nation ; we have been in twelve years a kingdom, commonwealth, protectordom, afterwards under an army, parliament, etc. Such inconstancy doth speak us under the moon indeed ; but the best is, if we be under the moon, the moon is under God, and nothing shall happen unto us but what shall be for his glory, and, we hope, for our good ; and that we may in due time be under the sun ageiin. XIV. RECOVERED T^YRANNUS was a good word at first, importing no more than a king; the pride and cruelty of some made the word to bear ill, as it doth in the modem acceptation thereof. Providence, as good a word as any in divinity, hath 1 In his Brit. p. 8a. 2i8 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS suffered so much in the modern abusing thereof, that conscientious people begin to loathe and hate it. For God's providence hath been alleged against God's precepts. King's bare word was never in our land produced against his broad seal. Yet success (an argu- ment borrowed from the Turks) hath been pleaded as the voice of God's approbation against his positive and express will in his word. But God hath been pleased to vindicate his own honour, and to assert the credit of providence, which is now become a good word again. If impulsive provi- dence (a new coined phrase) hath given the late army their greatness, expulsive providence (a newer phrase) hath given them their smallness : being now set by, laid aside as useless ; and not set by, so far from terrifying of any, by few they are regarded. XV. GRATITUDE TVTEWCASTLE on Tyne is, without corrival, the richest town in England, which before the Conquest was usually known by the name of Monk- Chester.'^ Exeter must be allowed of all, one of the neatest and sweetest cities of England, which anciently by the Saxons was called Monk-To^vn,'^ both which names are now utterly out of use, and known only to antiquaries. God hath done great things already, whereof we rejoice, by the hand of our great general, in order to 1 Camden's Brit, in Northumb. 2 idem in Devon. ON THESE TIMES 219 the settlement of our nation. When the same (as we hope in due time) shall be completed, not only New- castle and Exeter shall have just cause, with comfort, to remember their old names, but every county, city, market-town, parish, and village in England, may have the name of Monk put upon them. But oh, the modesty of this worthy person is as much as his merit, who hath learned from valiant, wise, and loyal Joab,i to do nothing prejudicial to David, and de- hghteth not so much in having a great name, as in deserving it. XVI. THE HEIR T EVER beheld Somersetshire, in one respect, as the most ancient and honourable shire in England. For Glastonbury in that county was the British Antioch, where the Britons were first called Christians, by the preaching of Joseph of Arimathea, though the truth of the story be much swoln by the leaven of legendary fictions. But hereafter Somersetshire, in another respect, must be allowed the eldest county in England ; as Chris- tianity first grew there, so charity first sprang thence, in that their sober, serious, and seasonable declaration, wherein they renounce all future animosities in relation to their former sufferings. Now, as the zeal of Achaia^ provoked very many, so the example of Somersetshire hath been pre- cedential to other counties to follow it. Kent and 1 2 Sam. xii. 25. 2 2 Cor. ix. 2. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS Essex since have done, and other shires are daily doing- the same ; yea, and I hope that those counties which lag the last in writing-, will be as forward as the first in performing their solemn promises therein, XVII. SAD TRANSPOSITION TT seemeth marvellous to me that many mechanics (few able to read, and fewer to write their names), turning soldiers and captains in our wars, should be so soon and so much improved. They seemed to me to have commenced per saltum in their understandings. I profess, without flouting or flattering, I have much admired with what facility and fluentness, how per- tinently and properly they have expressed themselves, in language which they were never born nor bred to, but have industriously acquired by conversing with their betters. What a shame would it be, if such who have been of genteel extraction, and have had liberal education, should (as if it were by exchange of souls) relapse into ignorance and barbarism. What an ignominy would it be for them to be buried in idleness, and in the immoderate pursuit of pleasures and vicious courses, till they besot their understand- ings, when they see soldiers arrived at such an im- provement, who were bred tailors, shoemakers, cobblers, etc. Not that I write this (God knoweth my heart) in disgrace of them, because they were bred in so mean callings, which are both honest in themselves and ON THESE TIMES 221 useful in the commonwealth; yea, I am so far from thinking- ill of them for being- bred in so poor trades, that I should think better of them for returning unto them again. * XVIII. BIRD IN THE BREAST T SAW two men fighting together, till a third, casually passing by, interposed himself to part them ; the blows of the one fell on his face, of the other on his back, of both on his body, being the screen be- twixt the fiery anger of the two fighters. Some of the beholders laughed at him, as well enough served for meddling with matters which belonged not to him. Others pitied him, conceiving every man concerned to prevent bloodshed betwixt neighbours, and Chris- tianity itself was commission enough to interest him therein. However, this is the sad fate which attended all moderate persons, which will mediate betwixt opposite parties. They may complain with David, They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my good will. Yet let not such hereby be disheartened, but know that (besides the reward in heaven) the very work of moderation is the wages of moderation. For it carrieth with it a marvellous contentment in his con- science who hath endeavoured his utmost in order to unity, though unhappy in his success. MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS XIX. FAIR HOPES A TRAVELLER who had been newly robbed in- quired of the first gentleman he met, who also was in a melancholy humour (a cause having- lately gone against him), where he might find a justice of peace, to whom the gentleman replied: You ask for two things together, which singly and severally are not to be had. I neither know where justice is, nor yet where peace is to be found. Let us not make the condition of our land worse than it was ; Westminster-hall was ever open, though the proceedings of justice therein were much inter- rupted and obstructed with military impressions. Peace, we confess, hath been a stranger unto us a long time, heart-burnings remaining when house- burnings are quenched; but now, blessed be God, we are in a fair probability of recovering both, if our sins and ingratitude blast not our most hopeful ex- pectations. XX. RIDDLE UNRIDDLED AA/E read [2 Sam. xv. 11] that when Absalom aspired to his father's kingdom, with him went two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called, and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything. If any have so little charity as to call these persons traitors, I will have so much confidence as to ON THESE TIMES 223 term them loyal traitors, and (God willing) justify the seeming- contradiction. For they lodged not in their hearts the least dis- loyal thought against the person and power of King David. But alas! when these two hundred were mixed among two thousand, ten thousand, twenty thousand of active and designing traitors ; these poor men might in the violent multitude be hurried on, not only beyond their intentions, but even against their resolutions. Such as are sensible with sorrow that their well- intending simplicity hath been imposed on, abused, and deluded by the subtlety of others, may comfort and content themselves in the sincerity of their own souls; God, no doubt, hath already forgiven them, and therefore men ought to revoke their uncharitable censures of them. And yet divine justice will have its full tale of intended stripes, taking so many off from the back of the deceived, and laying them on the shoulders of the deceivers. XXI. NO RECORD TO REMAIN T NEVER did read, nor can learn from any, that ever Queen Elizabeth had any ship-royal, which in the name thereof carried the memorial of any particular conquest she got either by land or by water. Yet was she as victorious as any prince in her age, and (which is mainly material) her conquests were mostly achieved against foreign enemies. The ships of her navy had only honest and wholesome 224 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS names, the Endeavour, the Bonaventure, the Return, the Unity, etc. Some of our modern ships carry a very great burden in their names; I mean the memorial of some fatal fights in the civil wars in our own nation, and the con- querors ought not to take much joy, as the conquered must take grief in the remembrance thereof. I am utterly against the rebaptizing of Christians, but I am for the redipping of ships, that not only some inoffensive, but ingratiating names may be put upon them ; the Unity, the Reconciliation, the Agreement, the Concord, and healing titles (I speak more like a bookman than a seaman), and others to that purpose. T XXII. ALL FOR THE PRESENT HERE is a pernicious humour, of a catching nature, wherewith the mouths of many, and hearts of more are infected. Some there are that are so covetous to see the settlement of church and state according to their own desires, that if it be not done in our days, say they, we care not whether it be done at all or no. Such men's souls live in a lane, having weak heads and narrow hearts, their faith being little, and charity less, being all for themselves and nothing for posterity. These men, living in India, would prove ill common- wealth's-men, and would lay no foundation for porce- lain or china dishes, because despairing to reap benefit thereby, as not ripened to perfection in a hundred years. ON THESE TIMES 225 Oh ! give me that good man's gracious temper, who earnestly desired the prosperity of the church, what- soever became of himself, whose verses I will offer to translate : * Seu me terra tegit, seu vastv/m contegit ceqvor ; Exoptata piis scecvla fausta precor.' Buried in earth, or drown'd in the main, Eat up by worms or fishes ; I pray the pious may obtain For happy times their wishes. And if we ourselves, with aged Barzillai,i be super- annuated to behold the happy establishment of church and state, may we, dying in faith, 2 though not having received the promises, bequeath the certain reversions of our Chimhams, I mean the next generation which shall rise up after us. XXIII. COURTESY GAINETH T HAVE heard the royal party (would I could say without any cause) complained of, that they have not charity enough for converts, who came off unto them from the opposite side ; who, though they express a sense of and sorrow for their mistakes, and have given testimony (though perchance not so plain and public as others expected), of their sincerity, yet still they are suspected as unsound ; and such as frown not on, look but asquint at them. This hath done much mischief, and retarded the return of many to their side ; for had these their van- 1 a Sam. xix. 32. - Hcb. xi. 13. 226 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS couriers been but kindly entertained, possibly ere now their whole army had come over unto us ; which now are disheartened by the cold welcome of these converts. Let this fault be mended for the future, that such proselytes may meet with nothing to discourage, all things to comfort and content them. Let us give them not only the right hand of fellow- ship, but even the upper hand of superiority. One asked a mother who had brought up many children to a marriageable age, what arts she used to breed up so numerous an issue ; * None other,' said she, * save only, I always made the most of the youngest.' Let the Benjamins ever be darlings, and the last born, whose eyes were newest opened with the sight of their errors, be treated with the greatest affection. XXIV. MODERATION ARTHUR PLANTAGENET Viscount Lisle, natural son to king Edward the Fourth, and (which is the greatest honour to his memory) direct ancestor, in the fifth degree, to the right honourable and most renowned lord general George Monk, was, for a fault of his servants (intending to betray Calais to the king of France), committed to the Tower by king Henry the Eighth, where, well knowing the fury and fierceness of that king, he daily expected death. But the innocence of this lord appearing after much search, the king sent him a rich ring off his own finger, with so comfortable words that, at the hearing thereof, ON THESE TIMES 227 a sudden joy overcharged his heart, whereof he died that night ; 1 so fatal was not only the anger but the love of that king. England for these many years hath been in a lan- guishing condition, whose case hath been so much the sadder than this lord's was, because conscious of a great guilt, whereby she hath justly incurred God's displeasure. If God of his goodness should be pleased to restore her to his favour, may he also give her mode- ration safely to digest and concoct her own happiness, that she may not run from one extreme to another, and excessive joy prove more destructive unto her than grief hath been hitherto. XXV. PREPARATIVE 'T^WILIGHT is a great blessing of God to mankind : for, should our eyes be instantly posted out of darkness into light, out of midnight into morning, so sudden a surprisal would blind us. God, therefore, of his goodness hath made the intermediate twilight to prepare our eyes for the reception of the light. Such is his dealing with our English nation. We were lately in the midnight of misery. It was question- able whether the law should first draw up the will and testament of dying divinity, or divinity first make a funeral sermon for expiring law. Violence stood ready to invade our property, heresies and schisms to oppress religion. Blessed be God, we are now brought into a better 1 Speed, Chron. p. 69a. 228 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS condition, yea, we are past the equilibrium ; the beam beginning to break on the better side, and our hopes to have the mastery of our despairs. God grant this twilight may prove crepusculum rnatutinum, fore- running the rising of the sun, and increase of our happiness. XXVI. REVENGE WITH A WITNESS "PREDERICi the Second, emperor of Germany, being at Pisa in Italy, and distressed for want of money to pay his army, sent for Petrus de Vineis, an able man, who formerly had been his secretary, but whose eyes he had caused to be bored out for some misdemeanour. Being demanded of the emperor which way he might most speedily and safely (as to outward danger) recruit his treasury, his secretary gave him counsel to seize on the plate of all the churches and monasteries of that city, which he did accordingly, and amongst the rest he took zonam auream, or the golden girdle, out of one church, of inestimable value. This blind secretary, returning home to his wife, told her. Now I am even with the emperor for putting out my eyes, having put him on such a project which I hope he will pursue to his own destruction. He hath made me a spectacle to men, but I have made him a monster unto God. 1 Swinger's Theat. vol. vii. lib. 5. p. 1959, sub titulo Ultionis. ON THESE TIMES 229 Let such who are concerned herein see what success the emperor had in this his expedition, founded on sacrilege ; and the longer they look thereon the worse I am sure they will like it, to bar farther application. XXVII. A GNAT, NO GNAT /^NE, needlessly precise, took causeless exception at a gentleman for using the word ' in troth ' in his discourse, as if it had been a kind of an oath. The gentleman pleaded for himself, that *in truth' was a word inoffensive, even in his judgment who accused him. Secondly, that he was bom far north, where their broad and Doric dialect pronounced truth, troth, and he did humbly conceive the tone of the tongue was no fault of the heart. Lastly, he alleged the twenty-fifth psalm, as it is translated in metre : To them that keep his testament, The witness of his troth. And thus at last, with much ado, his seeming fault was remitted. I am afraid if one should declare for troth and peace, and not for truth and peace, it would occasion some offence ; however, rather than it should make any difference, the former will be as acceptable to the north of Trent, as the latter will please all good people south thereof. 230 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS XXVIII. SILENCE AWHILE TTAD not mine eyes (as any other man's may), read it in the printed proclamations of king Edward the Sixth (when the pulpits, generally popish, sounded the alarm to Kett's rebellion, and the Devonshire com- motion), I would not have believed what foUoweth : 2 Edw. VI. Sept. 13. By these presents, Wee inhibite generally all manner of Preachers whatsoever they be, to preache in this meane space,i to the intent that the whole Clergy might apply themselves in prayer to Almightie God, for the better atchieving of the same most Godlie intent, and purpose of Reformation. What hurt were it if in this juncture of time all our preaching were turned into praying for one month together, that God would settle a happy peace in this nation ? However, if this be offensive to any, and giveth cause of distaste, the second motion may be embraced : That for a year, at least, all pulpits may be silent as to any part of differences relating to our times, and only deliver what belongeth to faith and good works. 1 This lasted in full force but for some few weeks. ON THESE TIMES 231 XXIX. SEND HUMILITY T DO not remember that the word infinite is in scrip- ture attributed to any creature save to the city of Nineveh, Nahum iii. 9 : Ethiopia and Eg^ypt were her strengfth, and it was infinite. But what is now become of Nineveh? It is even buried in its own ruins, and may have this epitaph upon it: HIC JACET FINIS INFINITI. Here lieth the end of what was endless. He who beheld the multitude of actors and beholders at the mustering in Hyde Park on the twenty-fourth of April last, will say that there was an infinite number of people therein. Some would hardly believe that the whole nation could afford so many as the city of London alone did then produce. My prayer shall ever be, that this great city may be kept either in the wholesome ignorance or humble knowledge of its own strength, lest the people number- less prove masterless therein. And let them remember (God forefend the parallel) what is become of great Nineveh at this day, annihilated for the pride thereof. XXX. RATHER FOLD OVER, THAN FALL SHORT OOLOMON'S temple was seven years in building, I Kings vi. 38. And such who seriously consider the magnificence thereof, will more wonder that it was done so soon than doing so long. 232 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS Now had Solomon at the beg-inning of this building abolished the tabernacle made by Moses (because too mean and little for so mighty and so numerous a nation), God had been seven years without any place of public service. But that wise prince continued the tabernacle to all uses and purposes until the temple was finished, and then, i Kings viii. 4, They brought up the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the con- gregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up. And as it followeth afterwards, ver. 6: They brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, into the oracle of the house. And certainly all the rest of the tabernacle (con- sisting- of such materials as may be taken down and kept in chests and coffers), were deposited in the temple, though it may be no use was made thereof. It had been well if, before the old government of the church was taken down, a new one had first been settled. Yea, rather let God have two houses to- gether, than none at all ; lest piety be starved to death with cold, by lying out of doors in the interval betwixt the demolishing of an old and the erecting of a new church discipline. XXXI. NO MAN'S WORK /^HRIST when on earth cured many a spot (especi- ally of leprosy), but never smoothed any wrinkle ; never made any old man young again. ON THESE TIMES 233 But in heaven he will do both, Eph. v. 27 : When he shedl present it to himself a g^lorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Triumphant perfection is not to be hoped for in the militant church ; there will be in it many spots and wrinkles as long as it consisteth of sinful mortal men, the members thereof: it is Christ's work, not man's work, to make a perfect reformation. Such, therefore, are no good politicians who will make a sore to mend a spot, cause a wound to plain a wrinkle, do a great and certain mischief, when a small and uncertain benefit will thereby redound. XXXII. THREE MAKE UP ONE 'W'OUNG king Jehoash had only a lease of piety, and not for his own but his uncle's life, 2 Kings xii. 2 : He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days, wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. Jehu was good in the midst of his life and a zealous reformer to the utter abolishing of Baal out of Israel, but in his old age, 2 Kings x. 31, he returned to the politic sins of Jeroboam, worshipping the calves in Dan and Bethel. Manasseh was bad in the beginning and middle of his life, filling Jerusalem with idolatry ; only towards the end thereof, when carried into a strange land,^ he 1 a Chron. xxxiii. 11. 234 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS came home to himself, and destroyed the profane altars he had erected. These three put tog-ether make one perfect servant of God. Take the morning and rise with Jehoash, the noon and shine with Jehu, the night and set with Manasseh. Begin with youth-Jehoash, continue with man-Jehu, conclude with old-man-Manasseh, and all put together will spell one good Christian, yea, one good perfect reformer. XXXIII. SERO, SED SERIO VTEBUCHADNEZZAR observed three gradations in plundering the temple ; first, he mannerly sipped and took but a taste of the wealth thereof, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 7 ; He carried off the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon. Next, he mended his draught, and drank very deep, ver. 10 : When the year was expired, Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought Jehoiachin to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the Lord. Lastly, he emptied the cup, not leaving one drop behind, ver. i8 : And all the vessels of the house of the Lord, gjeat and small, brought he to Babylon. It was the mercy of God to allow his people space to repent: had they made their seasonable composition with God after the first inroad, they had prevented the second ; if after the second, they had prevented the last and final destruction. God hath suffered our civil wars some sixteen years since, first to taste of the wealth of our nation ; and ON THESE TIMES 23S we met not God with suitable humiliation. His justice then went farther, and the sword took the goodly vessels, the gallantry and gaiety of England from us ; I. Our massy plate; 2. Pleasant pictures; 3. Precious jewels ; 4. Rare libraries ; and 5. Magnificent pcdaces {Holdenby, Theobalds, Richmond] ; carrying majesty in their structure ; i. Melted down ; 2. Sold ; 3. Lost, or drowned ; 4. Transported ; 5. Levelled to the ground. God grant that we may sue out our pardon by serious repentance, before all the vessels, great and small, be taken away in a renewed war, that the remnant of wealth which is left in the land may be continued therein. XXXIV. BY DEGREES \A7E read that the nails in the holy of holies, 2 Chron. iii. 8 and 9, were of fine gold. Hence ariseth a question, how such nails could be useful ? pure gold being so flexible that a nail made thereof will bow and not drive. Now, I was present at the debate hereof, betwixt the best working - goldsmiths in London, where (among many other ingenious answers), this carried away the credit for the greatest probability thereof, viz. that they were screwnails, which had holes pre- pared for their reception, and so were wound in by degrees. God's work must not be done lazily, but leisurely : haste maketh waste in this kind. In reformations 236 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS of great importance, the violent driving in of the nail will either break the head, or bow the point thereof, or rive and split that which should be fastened there- with. That may insensibly be screwed which cannot suddenly be knocked into people. Fair and softly goeth far ; but, alas ! we have too many fiery spirits, who, with Jehu, drive on so furiously they will over- turn all in church and state, if their fierceness be not seasonably retrenched. XXXV. GOOD AUGURY T WAS much affected with reading that distich in Ovid, as having somewhat extraordinary therein ; ' Tarpeia quondam prcedixit ah ilice comix. Est, bene non potuit dicere, dixit, erit. ' The crow sometimes did sit and spelll On top of Tarpie-hall ; She could not say, All 's well, all 's well, But said, It shall, it shall. But what, do I listen to the language of the crow, whose black colour hath a cast of hell therein, in super- stitious soothsaying ? Let us hearken to what the dove of the Holy Spirit saith, promising God's servants, though the present times be bad, the future will be better. Psalm xxxvii. ii : The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 1 To foretell; hence Spelman. ON THESE TIMES 237 XXXVI. SUBSTRACT NOT, BUT ADD A COVETOUS courtier complained to king Edward the Sixth, of Christ CoUegfe in Cambridge, that it was a superstitious foundation, consisting of a master and twelve fellows, in imitation of Christ and his twelve apostles. He advised the king also, to take away one or two fellowships, so to discompose that superstitious number. Oh no, said the king, I have a better way than that to mar their conceit, I will add a thirteenth fellow- ship unto them ; which he did accordingly, and so it remaineth to this day. Well fare their hearts who will not only wear out their shoes, but also their feet in God's service, and yet gain not a shoe latchet thereby. When our Saviour drove the sheep and oxen out of the temple, he did not drive them into his own pasture, nor swept the coin into his own pockets when he over- turned the tables of the money-changers. But we have in our days many who are forward to offer to God such zeal which not only cost them nothing, but wherewith they have gained great estates. XXXVII. SEND SUCH MUSIC \\T^ read, i Kings viii. 55, that Solomon, when he had ended his excellent prayer, he blessed the people. But was not this invading the sacerdotal 238 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS function? seeing it was not crown work, but mitre work to do it.i No, surely, Solomon's act therein was lawful and laudable, there being- a threefold blessing. 1. Imperative; so God only blessed his people, who commandeth deliverances for Israel. 2. Indicative ; solemnly to declare God's blessing to, and put his name upon the people, and this was the priest's work. 3. Optative ; wishing and desiring God's blessing on the people, and this was done by Solomon. Yea, it is remarkable that, in the same chapter, ver. 66, the people blessed the king. O happy recipro- cation betwixt them! when the king blesseth his people (if his words be rightly understood), all may be well. But when a people blesseth their king, all is well. XXXVIII. BY HOOK AND BY CROOK TWr ARVELLOUS was the confidence of those mer- chants, James iv. 13: Go to now, ye that say. To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain. What false heraldry have we here, presumption on presumption ! What insurance office had they been at to secure their lives for a twelvemonth ! But, this being granted, how could they certainly promise themselves that they this year should get gain, except they had surely known what would have been 1 Num. vi. 23. ON THESE TIMES 239 dear the next year? Merchandizing is a ticklish matter, seeing many buy and sell, and live by the loss. Either then, trading in those times was quicker and better than in ours, or (which is most probable) they were all resolved on the point, to cheat, cozen, he, swear and forswear, and to gain by what means soever. Our age and land affordeth many of their temper, and of such Saint Paul speaketh, i Tim. vi. 9: They will be rich. Will, whether God will or will not; will, though it cost them the forfeiture of their conscience to compass their designs. XXXIX. WITHOUT CARE NO CURE A WOMAN, when newly delivered of a child, her pain is ended, her peril is but new begun ; a little distemper in diet, or a small cold taken, may inflame her into a fever, and endanger her Hfe. Wherefore when the welfare of such a person is inquired after, this answer- general is returned, She is well for one in her condition ; the third, fifth, and ninth days (all critical) must be expected, till which time bene-male is all the health which the Latin tongue will allow her. England is this green woman, lately brought to bed of a long-expected child. Liberty. Many wise men suspected that she would have died in travail, and both child and mother misceirry. But God be thanked for a good midwife, who would not prevent, but attend the date of nature. However, all, yea, most of the danger is not yet past. 240 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS Numerous is the multitude of malecontents, and many difficulties must be encountered before our peace can be settled. God grant the woman be not wilful in fits of her distemper, to be ordered by the discretion of her nurses, which now in parliament most carefully attend her recovery. XL. KEEP YOUR CASTLE OOON after the king's death I preached in a church near London, and a person then in great power (now levelled with his fellows), was present at my sermon. Now, I had this passage in my prayer, God in his due time settle our nation on the true foundation thereof. The [then] great man demanded of me, what I meant by true foundation. I answered. That I was no lawyer, nor statesman, and therefore skill in such matters was not to be expected from me. He pressed me farther to express myself, whether thereby I did not intend the king, lords, and commons. I returned that it was a part of my prayer to God, who had more knowledge than I had ignorance in all things, that he knew what was the true foundation, and I remitted all to his wisdom and goodness. When men come with nets in their ears it is good for the preacher to have neither fish nor fowl in his tongue. But, blessed be God, now we need not lie at so close a guard. Let the gentleman now know, that what he ON THESE TIMES 241 suspected I then intended in my words ; amd let him make what improvement he pleaseth thereof. XLI. TOO MUCH BENEATH T^ING Henry the Seventh was much troubled (as he was wont to say) with idols, scenecal royaletts, poor, petty, pitiful persons, who pretended themselves princes. One of these was called Lambert Simnel, whom the king at last with much care and cost, some expense of blood, but more of money, reduced into his power and got his person into his possession. Then, instead of other punishment, he made him a turn-broach, and afterwards (on his peaceable behaviour) he was pre- ferred one of the king's under-falconers,i and, as one tartly said, a fit place for the buzzard, to keep hawks, who would have been an eagle. The king perceived that this Lambert was no daring, dangerous, and designing person, and therefore he would not make him (who was contemptible in himself), considerable for any noble punishment imposed upon him. Royed revenge will not stoop to a low object ; some malefactors are too mean to be made public examples. Let them live, that the pointing of people's fingers may be so many arrows to pierce them. See, there goes ingratitude to his master ; there walks, etc. 1 Lord Bacon, in the Life of King Henry VIL 242 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS Such a life will smart as death ; and such a death may be sanctified for life unto them: I mean, may occasion their serious sorrow, and cordial repentance, whereby God's pardon and their eternal salvation may be obtained ; which ought to be the desire of all good Christians, as well for others as themselves. XLII. PATIENCE AWHILE 'T^HE soldiers asked of John Baptist, Luke iii. 14, etc. : And what shall we do ? Every man ought (not curiously to inquire into the duty of others, but) to attend his own concernments. The Baptist returned. Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely ; and be content with your wages. Good counsel to the soldiers of this age. Do violence to no man, plunder no man, accuse no man falsely. Make no men malignants by wrongful information, and be content with your wages. But I have heard some of the most moderate of the soldiers, not without cause, to complain. He is a mutineer indeed who will not be content with his wages ; but alas ! we must be content without our wages, having so much of our arrears due unto us, this is a hard chapter indeed. And John Baptist himself (though feeding hardly on locusts and wild honey), could not live without any food. Indeed their case is to be pitied, and yet such as are ingenuous amongst them will be persuaded to have ON THESE TIMES 243 patience but awhile, the nation being- now in fermenta- tion, and tending to a consistency. The wisdom of the peirliament is such, they will find out the most speedy and esisy means to pay them ; and such their justice, no intent is there to defraud them of a farthing, whatsoever ill-affected malecontents may suggest to the contrary. XLIII. IN THE MIDDLE f^OD in his providence fixed my nativity in a re- markable place. I was born at Aldwinkle in Northamptonshire, where my father was the painful preacher of St. Peter's. This village was distanced one good mile west from Achurch, where Mr. Brown, founder of the Brownists, did dwell, whom, out of curiosity, when a youth, I often visited. It was likewise a mile and a half distant east from Lavenden, where Francis Tresham, esquire, so active in the Gunpowder Treason, had a large demesne and ancient habitation. My nativity may mind me of moderation, whose cradle was rocked betwixt two rocks. Now, seeing I was never such a churl as to desire to eat my morsel alone, let such who like my prayer join with me therein. God grant we may hit the golden mean, and en- deavour to avoid all extremes ; the fanatic anabaptist on the one side, and the fiery zeal of the Jesuit on the 244 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS other, that so we may^be true protestants, or, which is a far better name, real Christians indeed. XLIV. AMENDING A LL generally hate a sluttish house, wherein nasti- ness hath not only taken livery and seizin, but also hath been a long time in the peaceable possession thereof. However, reasonable men will be contented with a house belittered with straw, and will dispense with dust itself, whilst the house is sweeping, because it hath uncleanness in order to cleanness. Many things in England are out of joint for the present, and a strange confusion there is in church and state ; but let this comfort us, we trust it is confusion in tendency to order. And, therefore, let us for a time more patiently comport therewith. XLV. TOO MUCH TRUTH OOME, perchance, will smile, though I am sure all should sigh, at the following story : A minister of these times sharply chid one of his parish for having a base child, and told him, he must take order for the keeping thereof. * Why, sir,' answered the man, * I conceive it more reasonable that you should maintain it. For I am not book-learned, and ken not a letter in the Bible ; yea, I have been your parishioner this seven years, present every Lord's day at the church, yet did I never there ON THESE TIMES 245 hear you read the ten commandments ; I never heard that precept read, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Probably, had you told me my duty, I had not com- mitted this folly.' It is an abominable shame, and a cr3ring' sin of this land, that poor people hear not in their churches the sum of what they should pray for, believe, and practise ; many mock-ministers having banished out of divine service the use of the Lord's prayer, creed, and ten commandments. XLVI. AS IT WAS OOME alive will be deposed for the truth of this strange accident, though I forbear the naming of place or persons. A careless maid, which attended a gentleman's child, fell asleep whilst the rest of the family were at church ; an ape, taking the child out of the cradle, carried it to the roof of the house, and there (according to his rude manner) fell a dancing and dandling thereof, down head, up heels, as it happened. The father of the child, returning (with his family) from the church, commented with his own eyes on his child's sad condition. Bemoan he might, help it, he could not. Dangerous to shoot the ape where the bullet might hit the babe ; all fall to their prayers as their last and best refuge, that the innocent child (whose precipice they suspected) might be preserved. But when the ape was well wearied with its own 246 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS activity, he fairly went down, and formally laid the child where he found it, in the cradle. Fanatics have pleased their fancies these late years with turning and tossing and tumbling of religion, upward and downward, and backward and forward, they have cast and contrived it into a hundred antic postures of their own imagining. However, it is now to be hoped, that after they have tired themselves out with doing of nothing, but only trying and tampering this and that way to no purpose, they may at last return and leave religion in the same condition wherein they found it. XLVII. NOT SO, LONG OOLOMON was the riddle of the world, being the richest and poorest of princes. Richest, for once in three years the land of Ophir sailed to Jerusalem, and caused such plenty of gold therein. Poorest, as appeareth by his imposing so intolerable taxes on his subjects, the refusal of the mitigation whereof caused the defection of the ten tribes from the house of David. But how came Solomon to be so much behind hand ? Some I know score it on the account of his building of the temple, as if so magnificent a structure had impaired and exhausted his estate. But in very deed, it was his keeping of seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, and his concubines in all probability more expensive than ON THESE TIMES 247 his wives (as the thief in the candle wasteth more wax than the wick thereof). All these had their several courts, which must needs amount to a vast expense. How Cometh the great treasure of our land to be low, and the debts thereof so high? Surely it is not by building of churches, all the world will be her com- purgators therein. It is rather because we maintain (and must for a time for our safety) such a numerous army of soldiers. Well it had been both for the profit, credit, and conscience of Solomon, to have reduced his wives to a smaller number, as we hope in due time our standing army shall be epitomized to a more moderate pro- portion. XLVIII. THANK GOD A NUNCIO of the pope's was treated at Sienna, by a prime person, with a great feast. It happened there was present thereat a syndick of the city (being a magistrate, parallel in his place to one of our aldermen) who, as full of words as empty of wit, engrossed all the discourse at the table to himself, who might with as good manners have eaten all the meat at the supper. The entertainer, sorry to see him discover so much weakness to the disgrace of himself, endeavoured to stop the superfluity of his talk. All in vain : the leaks in a rotten ship might sooner be stanched. At last, to 248 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS excuse the matter (as well as he might) he told the nuncio privately, You, I am sure, have some weak men at Rome, as well as we have at Sienna. We have so, said the nuncio, but we make them no syndicks. It cannot be otherwise, but that in so spacious a land, so numerous a people as England is, we must have many weak men, and some of them of great wealth and estates. Yea, such who are not only guilty of plain and simple ignorance, but of ignorance guarded and embroidered with their own conceitedness. But, blessed be God, they are not chosen parliament men ; the diffusive nation was never more careful in their elections of their representatives. God grant, that as the several days' works in the creation were singly by God pronounced good, but the last day's work (being the collection and complica- tion of them all) very good,^ so these persons, good as single instruments, may be best in a concert as met together. XLIX. CAN GOOD COME FROM IGNORANCE? T^ING James was no less dexterous at, than desirous of, the discovery of such who belied the father of lies, and falsely pretended themselves possessed with a devil. Now a maid dissembled such a possession, and for 1 Gen. i. 31. ON THESE TIMES 249 the better colour thereof, when the first verses of the gospel of St. John were read in her hearing, she would fall into strange fits of fuming and foaming, to the amazement of the beholders. But when the king caused one of his chaplains to read the same in the original, the same mciid (possessed it seems with an English devil, who understood not a word of Greek) was tame and quiet, without any impression upon her. I know a factious parish, wherein, if the minister in his pulpit had but named the word kingdom, the people would have been ready to have petitioned against him for a malignant. But as for realm, the same in French, he might safely use it in his sermons as oft as he plecised. Ignorance, which generally infiameth, some- times, by good hap, abateth men's malice. The best is, that now one may, without danger, use either word, seeing England was a kingdom a thousand years ago, and may be one (if the world last so long) a thousand years hereeifter. L. TRUSTING MAKETH ONE TRUSTY /^HARLES the Second,^ king of the Scots, when a child, was much troubled with a weakness in his legs, and was appointed to wear steel boots for the strengthening of them. The weight of these so clogged the child, that he enjoyed not himself in any degree, but moaned himself, 1 From the mouth of my worthy friend, now gone to God, D. Clare, chaplain then to his highness. 250 MIXT CONTEMPLATIONS fasting at feasts, yea, his very play being work unto him, he may be said to be a prisoner in his own palace. It happened that an aged rocker, which waited on him, took the steel boots from his legs, and cast them in a place where it was hard to find them there, and impossible to fetch them thence, promising the countess of Dorset (governess of the prince) that if any anger arised thereof, she would take all the blame on herself. Not long after, the king, coming into the nursery, and beholding the boots taken from his legs, was offended thereat, demanding, in some anger, who had done it. * It was I, sir,' said the rocker, * who had the honour, (some thirty years since), to attend on your highness in your infancy, when you had the same infirmity where- with now the prince (your very own son), is troubled. And then the lady Cary (afterwards countess of Mon- mouth) commanded your steel boots to be taken off, who, blessed be God, since have gathered strength, and arrived at a good stature.' The nation is too noble, when his majesty (who hitherto hath had a short course, but a long pilgrimage) shall return from foreign parts, to impose any other steel boots upon him than the observing the laws of the land (which are his own stockings), that so with joy and comfort he may enter on what was his own inheritance. But I remember, when Luther began first to mislike some errors in the Romish church, and complained ON THESE TIMES 251 thereof to Staupitius his confessor, he used to say unto him, Ahi in celkim et or a. Get you g^one into your cell and pray. So will I do (who have now done), and leave the managing of the rest to those to whom it is most proper to advance God's glory and f their country's good. Amen. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE 253 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE The first edition of Good Thoughts in Bad Times, . . . by Thomas Fuller, was published at Exeter in 1645, •Printed for Thomas Hunt.' It is a small i6mo (4J X 2f inches) of 260 pages. A quotation from Psalm iv. 4, 'Commune with your hearts in your Chamber, and be still,' appears on the title-page. Good Thoughts in Worse Times, ... by The. Fuller, B.D., a book practically the same size as the above (i2mo), but with a few less pages, was published in London in 1647, ' Printed by W. W. for John Williams at the Crowne in St. Pauls Church-yard.' Mixt Contemplations in Better Times, by Thomas Fuller, B.D., 8vo (5J x 3J), was published in London in 1660, * Printed by R. D. for lohn Williams, at the Signe of the Crown, in St. Paul's Church-yard.* The text ' Let your moderation be known to all men the Lord is at Hand' is given on the title-page. The book contains 164 pages, divided into two separately paged portions of fifty ' Contemplations ' each. Since the present edition is intended primarily for daily use, the spelling, punctuation and type-differences are modernised, except in the case of some interesting words. 2S4 TABLE OF DATES A FEW DATES CONCERNING FULLER AND HIS WORKS 1608. Thomas Fuller born at St. Peter's Vicarage, Ald- winckle, Northamptonshire. 1616. Death of Shakespeare. 1621, June 29. Entered at Queen's College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1624-5, M.A. in 1628, and B.D. on June 11, 1635. 1625. Charles the First, King. 1630. Appointed perpetual curate of St. Benet's, Cam- bridge, and, on June 18, 1631, to the prebend of Netherbury in Ecclesia in Salisbury. 1631. Published his first work, a poem, David's Heinous Sin, Hearty Repentance and Heavy Punisliment. 1634. Presented to the rectory of Broadwindsor, Dorset- shire. 1638. Before January he married for the first time. 1639. History of tlie Holy War, a history of the Crusades. 1640. Joseph's Parti 'Coloured Coat, a comment on i Cor. xi. 18-31. 1641. His son John, who survived him, was baptized at Broadwindsor, June 6. His wife died late in this year. 1642. The Holy and Profane States. 1642-4. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, he was faith- ful to the royal cause, and more or less followed its fortunes. His living and prebend were given up, he settled first in London (where he was curate of the Savoy), and then in Oxford (about August 1643), finally undertaking an army chaplaincy to Sir Ralph Hopton and his men in the west country, TABLE OF DATES 255 and then being appointed chaplain to the infant daughter of King Charles, born at Exeter. 1645. While at Exeter he published the first part of the Thoughts here reprinted : Good Thoughts In Bad Times* These were followed in 1647 by Good Thoughts in Worse Times and The Cause and Cure of a Wounded Conscience. He left Exeter on its surrender (April g, 1646), and lived a more or less unsettled life in London for a time. 1648-9. Appointed perpetual curate at Waltham Abbey. 1649. Execution of Charles the First. 1650. A Pisgah Sight of Palestine: a survey of Biblical lands and antiquities, interspersed with 'thoughts.' 1651. Abel Redivivus : a series of lives of divines, of which Fuller wrote seven and the Epistle to the Reader. He married a second time. 1655. The Church History of Great Britain from the Birth of Jesus Christ until the year 1648. 1658, March. Appointed to the rectorship of Cranford, near Hounslow. 1660. Charles the Second, King. At the Restoration, Fuller's fortunes brightened : the period of the Commonwealth had been more or less one of compulsory abstention from parochial duties, the result of which is seen in the above list of works. He had undertaken sundry lectureships in London, and upon the return of King Charles II. he resumed the prebend of Salisbury, was ap- pointed chaplain-in-extraordinary to the king, and created D.D. at Cambridge by royal mandate. MIxt Contemplations In Better Times. 1661. He died in lodgings in Covent Garden, London, August 16, probably of typhus, calling out * for his pen and ink to the last,' and was buried the next day in Cranford Church, Middlesex. He wished his epitaph to be ' Here lies Fuller's earth.' Eighteen years later (May 19, 1679), his wife, who died at Enfield, was laid by his side. x663. The History of the Worthies of Baglmnd, left unfinished, was published by his ■00, John Puller. X667. Milton's Paradise Lost. 2S6 NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS 3. The Lady Dalkeith, Princess Henrietta Anne, the child of King Charles the First and Queen Mary, was born at Exeter, June 16, 1644, and placed under the care of Lady Dalkeith upon the flight of the Queen to France to escape the Parliamentary forces. Fuller was military chaplain to a part of the King's army in Exeter, and, through the influence of the Lady Dalkeith, he was appointed chaplain to the infant princess. Bxeter press. Good Thoughtswas printed by Thomas Hunt at Exeter. 26. vulgar, Vulgate. 30. fetch a needless compass about, go a roundabout way. 31. synecdoche, a figure of speech wherein the part is taken for the whole, as here, or the whole for the part. 41. Philip II. St. Lawrence's Day, August 10, 1557. The Escorial was built partly to commemorate this victory. 43. Achaeans . . . garment. Josh. vii. 20-21. 49. waxen topical devices, images of the saints. 52. etc. presently, immediately. 54. champing, bullets given a jagged edge to do more damage. 55. etc. curious, nice, careful. 56. quit cost, cover the cost, pay any one. 60. pedibus ambulando, trespassing. NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS 257 64. rubs, impediments. lets, hindrances. 65. Book of Martyrs, Foxe's • History of the Acts and Monuments of the Church,' known as ' Foxe's Book of Martyrs,' published in Latin 1554, and in English in 1563. 67. aqua-vltsB, formerly a term applied to alcohol, and, specifically, to spirits distilled from malt. 72. a volume of another subject, probably his Cbarcb History of Great Britain, published in 1655. solvable, solvent. 74. etc. cozening, cheating. besots enfeeble, render stupid. 75. tympany, a kind of * dry' dropsy. 78. hanselled, made experiment of. In a sick dressing, in the bands or clothing of sick- ness. 80. eras, eras, to-morrow, to-morrow. 8x. leave, cease. 85. shot, contribution. 86. dlstemperate, disordered. 87. quick, living. 8g. compendium dlspendlum. Cf. MIxt Contempla' tions, ix. Little Loud Liars, for the source of this title. 91. by'drops, drops by the way, i.e. seed by the wayside, hints (to help the people). 91. eplcurlslng, gloating. 92. a measuring cast, a doubtful experiment. 94. had a quality, was accustomed. 95. derived . . . on, diverted ... to, i.e. undertook all the blame. Impulsive, impelling. 96. pismires, ants. 97. superinstitute, ordain in addition. vacancy, absence. the massacre of our brethren la Ireland, The re- bellion of 1641, during which it is said that 154,000 Protestants were massacred. 98. cursory, wandering. X03. etc. balks, unploughed, or unturned-up furrows. 258 NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS 105. lolium murinum, the tares of Scripture, now known as lolium temulentum. barn up, treasure up. X07. bason, basin, font. 108. per saltum, by overleaping. mummy, a liquor distilled from mummies (dried carcases), formerly thought to possess medicinal qualities. Z09. discloseth them, bursts them open. loving pelicans, a reference to the legend that pelicans nourished their young with blood from their own breasts. III. outed, turned out. signiory, province : Geneva maintained for long an independent life. 118. ffy'boat, a boat intended for a rapid journey, iig. two hungry years, the Book of Common Prayer was suppressed in 1645. 121. rickets, a softening of the bones, owing to lack of nutriment and of lime. 123. matrix, mould, w^omb. heriot, * a tribute of goods and chattels, payable to the lord of the fee on the decease of the owner of the land.*— Blackstone. 126. emergent, urgent. 132. directory, rule, guide. 133. midland sea, Mediterranean. 134. that of the Oibeonites, Josh. ix. 6. 135. fumble, stammer. Constantine . . . baptism, Constantine was baptized a little while before he died Ouly 22, 337) by Busebius, an Arian bishop. 136. Lamiarum plena sunt omnia. We are all witches [in this respect]. crown mural, the crown given, by the Romans, to him who first scaled the walls of a town that was being attacked. 140. scrivener, a professional writer; one who drew up contracts. Damascene, Joannes Damascenus, fl. c. 676-754, a theologian of the Eastern Church. NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS 259 Tbeopbilact, a Greek archbishop, and writer of Com- mentaries on the Bible, fl. eleventh century. 142. Bishop Jewel (1522-1571), Bishop of Salisbury under Elizabeth, author of ' An Apology for the Church of England.' 143. a good husband, a thrifty worker. Oamet. Henry Garnet, an English Jesuit, whose name is associated with the Gunpowder Plot. He was executed May 3, 1606. He ^vas proposed for Beatification as a martyr to the seal of confession, but the cause was delayed. Bernard of Paris. ? Claude Bernard (1588- 1641), a priest whose life was spent in unremitting benevolence towards the sick and poor. fond, foolish. 144. English Athenians* See Acts xvii. 21. sensible plant, the sensitive plant or mimosa, whose leaves collapse when touched. 145. marmasites, the marmoset is a native of Central and South America. Fuller had probably a man-like ape in mind. 146. tribulation, from * tribulum, a sledge for rubbing out corn, consisting of a wooden frame with iron spikes beneath it.'— Slrea^. 148. carriage, manners, bearing. 152. Rufinus . . . Jerome. Rufinus was a fourth -century priest, at first much attached to St. Jerome, later estranged from him by his version of Origen, which bitterly offended St. Jerome. 157. Lady Monck, the wife of George Monk, soldier of fortune, and, later, Duke of Albemarle, who restored the English throne to Charles II. She was born in the Strand, hence the aptness of Puller's allusion to his ministry in Savoy Chapel. an ill Mayday. When the London 'prentices re- volted, on account of foreigners being permitted to trade in England. this last good May-day. Charles II. landed at Dover, May 23, x66o. 158. Zioa College =Sion College, founded 1623, in London Wall, for the benefit of London clergy. It was much 260 NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS frequented by Fuller, and its library must have been welcome to him. The college and library are now on the Embankment. 159. the daughter of the horse- leech, Prov. xxx. 15. 162. steel bodies, steel bodice. 164. coUyrium, an eye-wash. to lessen, to soar up almost out of sight. 165. the late parliament lasted so long. The Long Parlia- ment (1640- 1660). 167. of the quorum, one of the essential. 168. Sir John Stowel, Stawell, or Stowell (1599-1662). He lost his estates in the service of King Charles I., but they were restored upon the accession of Charles II. the Lord Craven, William, Earl of Craven (1606-1697). He was a generous subject of Kings Charles I. and II. Much of what he lost during the Civil War was, however, restored to him later. 169. Magdeburgenses, The first great Protestant Church history was begun at Magdeburg. Bellarmine, Cardinal (1542-1621), one of the greatest Catholic theologians. 170. hin, a Hebrew measure for liquids = 288 cubic inches; homer, a Hebrew dry measure =44 or 87 gal. = ten ephahs : omer is also a Hebrew measure =the tenth part of an ephah : ephab, a Hebrew dry measure = 10 omers = i986 cubic inches. partage, division. brief, a letter patent authorising a collection for charity. 173. empiric, a quack. 173. iboxi/ires= bone -fires. 174. nth of March, first day of the spring. The Gregorian Calendar (' new style ') was not adopted in England until 1752. 11th of February, 1659. Possibly this should be 1660, when the London mob cried out for a ' Free Parlia- ment,' and Monk, the restorer of Charles II., entered London unopposed. 175. the terrible rods, the * bibling rod,' formerly in use at Winchester, consisted of four apple-tree twigs. 176. novelants, inventors of * new ' things. NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS 261 178. wbarling, burr, said of those who have difficulty in pronouncing the letter R. the dog's letter. R, so called from its sound. caninalf dog-like. 181. Directory, the service-book which took the place of the Book of Common Prayer upon the suppression of the latter by the "Westminster Assembly in 1645. 182. Cbasma, Pbaama, 'gaps and phantasms.' tyring-bouse, the dressing-place of actors. Tbomas Aquinas, the Angelic doctor, greatest of the Schoolmen, born 1224, died 1274, canonised 1323. 183. tbe Manicbaeans, a religion which sprang up in the third century, based upon belief in the dual powers of Light and Darkness. It has been called a per- verted Christianity, but more correctly a natural religion, modified by the teachings of the New Testament. bandsel, a first gift. Cbesbire . . . tbey miscarried in tbeir late under- takings. Sir George Booth's royalist rising, which was suppressed, in August 1659, by Lambert. 184. natale solum dulcedine, etc. Ovid, Epis. ex Ponto : • Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine captos Ducit et immemores non sinit esse sui.' Our native land charms us with a grace that cannot be expressed, and we may not forget that we are its children. stump. Fuller, an inveterate punster, thus veils the Rump Parliament. 185. proprietary, owner. 186. dogsleep, a sleep easily disturbed. anabaptist, a fanatical sect of the sixteenth century, who carried to excess the principles of the Reforma- tion. X87. tiftb monarcby men, a sect which flourished in the time of Cromwell. The fifth monarchy was to be under the personal rule of King Jesus, and no per- sonal ruler was to be permitted until it was estab- lished. The four previous monarchies were supposed to be Assyria, Persia, Greece, and Rome. 189. congSing, bowing. 262 NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS 190. gait-rents, rent paid in lieu of service, here used in the sense of rent due. Brownistf a sect which followed the congregationalist views of Robert Browne (1550-1633). 191- parcel-gilt, partially gilt. 192. Peripatetics, the followers of Aristotle. Academics, the followers of Plato. 194. violented to, in such a hurry as to. 196. complexions, natures. concoction, digestion. 197' gratis dictum, a gratuitous remark. 198. arras, tapestry. thrums, yarn ends. 199. bomonymy, ambiguity. 300. mons mobilis, a moveable mountain. grandized, enlarged. tympany, a kind of * dry ' dropsy. 201. conceited, believed. 202. givetb tbe fixation to, fixes. 203. ut fanaticus oestro, Juv. Sat. iv. 123-125. 204. Ut mala quem scabies. Hor. De Arte Poetica, 453-454. 208. feculent, foul. 209. Tostatus. A Spanish theologian (1400-1445). 210. stage-players . . . put down. The acting of stage- plays was prohibited during the Puritan regime. vizards, masks. 211. annealing, heating and cooling slowly to enable colours to be fixed. 214, tang, a strong specific flavour. 218. Monk, a reference of course to the general who brought back Charles II. 222. Westminster- ball, the ancient site of the Law Courts. 228. crepusculum matutinum, the darkness before dawn. 231. ibe mustering in Hyde-park, In 1660, when 'the trained bands, volunteers, and the auxiliaries raised in the city, passed before the general [Monk].' — Lingard, 234. sero, sed serio, late but earnestly. mannerly, in good taste. 235. Holdenby, Tbeobalds, Richmond, Holdenby, Holmby, a Tudor house 6J miles N.W. of NOTES AND INDEX OF WORDS 263 Northampton, dismantled in 1652. In 1647 it was the prison of Charles I. Theobalds, Hertfordshire, the favourite palace of James I., destroyed in 1650. Richmond, Surrey, the palace at Sheen, dismantled in 1648, the home of many kings and queens of England. 236. a cast of bell f a shade or tinge of hell. 239. benc'tnale, i.e. good in a bad condition, well in an ill state. prevent f forestall. attend, await. 241. sceaecal royaletts, petty stage kings. turn' broach, turn -spit, kitchen -boy. 242. concernments, affairs. hardly, frugally. 243. painful, careful. 244. livery of seizin, * delivery of corporeal possession of the land or tenement, which was held absolutely necessary to complete the donation.'— B/acl^s^oJie. a base child, an illegitimate child. 247. the thief in the candle, an excrescence in the candle. compurgators, those who bear testimony to the truth of anything. 248. the diffusive nation, the widely spread [the whole] nation. complication, interweaving. 250. rocker, nurse. ■^ ,1^^ U.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES CD3fl7EbSDa