The prodigals teares. With a heavenly new yeeres gift sent to the soule; contayning many most zealous and comfortable prayers, with deuout meditations: both worthie the acceptance of all Christians, and their expence of time to peruse. By H. G. preacher of the most sacred Word of God Brathwaite, Richard, 1588?-1673. 1620 Approx. 175 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 142 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A68977 STC 3580 ESTC S114442 99849667 99849667 14828 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A68977) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 14828) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1477:07, 1551:09) The prodigals teares. With a heavenly new yeeres gift sent to the soule; contayning many most zealous and comfortable prayers, with deuout meditations: both worthie the acceptance of all Christians, and their expence of time to peruse. By H. G. preacher of the most sacred Word of God Brathwaite, Richard, 1588?-1673. Goodcole, Henry, 1568-1641. [24], 238 [i.e. 258]; [2], 299, 298-313, [1] p. Printed by B. A[lsop] for Iohn Browne, and are to be sold at his shop in Little Brittaine neere Duck Lane end: or else at Bernard Alsop his house, at S. Annes Church, neere Aldersgate, London : 1620. By Richard Brathwait. H. G. = H. Goodcole. Printer's name from STC. The second part, "A heavenly new-yeares gift" has separate dated title page and pagination; register is continuous. The implication that Goodcole wrote Brathwait's portion as well as his own is apparently the publisher's idea--STC. In first part, page 258 misnumbered 238. The second part formerly STC 18488. The second part identified as STC 18488 on UMI microfilm, reel 1551. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. Appears at reel 1477 (first part only) and at reel 1551 (second part only). Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng 2007-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-03 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-05 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2007-05 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE PRODIGALS TEARES . WITH A HEAVENLY New yeeres Gift sent to the Soule ; Contayning many most zealous and comfortable Prayers , with deuout Meditations : Both worthie the acceptance of all Christians , and their expence of time to peruse . By H. G. Preacher of the most sacred Word of God. Psal . 118. We wish you good lucke , ye that be of the House of the Lord. Ouid. Flectitur iratus voce rogante Deus . August . Oratio Coelum penetrat , nubes transit , Dei aures attingit . LONDON , Printed by B. A. for Iohn Browne , and are to be sold at his shop in Little Brittaine neere Duck Lane end : or else at Bernard Alsop his House , at S. Annes Church , neere Aldersgate . 1620. TO THE RIGHT Honourable , Sir William Cokayne , Knight , Lord Maior of the Honourable Citie of London , the Right Worshipfull the Aldermen his Brethren , and Sherifes of the same ; Together with those two splendent Ornaments therein , M. Robert Heath , Esquire , Recorder , and M. Thomas Iones , Esquire , Common Serieant : The God of their Fathers guide , prosper , and defend them in this life , and indue them with that vnexpressible Blessednesse of the life of Glory hereafter . RIght Honourable , and right Worshipfull ; Theologie , Nature , Moralitie , and Heathen Philosophers , do all condemne and brand ( Ingratitude ) and disciplines Man ( gratefull Retribution ) Whence ( Benefits ) receiued and conferred in the seuenteenth Chapter of S. Luke , verse 18. ten Lepers were by Iesus Christ cleansed , and but One returned for to giue God prayse : the Nine are recorded for their Ingratitude , and that One stranger , for his thankefulnesse , commended by Christ for the same , and in holy Scriptures recorded , of all good Christians to be imitated . In the seuenth Chapter of S. Luke , verse 37. is likewise publikely noted , with the brand of Ecce , that all might obserue and take notice , what strange newes should ensue , Behold a Woman in the Citie , which was a sinner . As her sinne did defame her ; likewise her teares and penitent behauiour did wash away and blot out her crime and infamie : for Christ Iesus , her most mercifull Sauiour , to whom shee sued , and wholly applyed , pittied her vnfained Teares , cleansed and remitted her Soule of all her Sinnes , commended her Faith , and recorded her Zeale and Charitie : That wheresoeuer that Gospel should be read , or preached ; that which was done by her vnto him , should likewise be spoken of , and be remembred . Nature instructeth ; and thankfull Dauid blusheth at Man in the 49. Psalme , verse 10. Man being in honour , hath no vnderstanding , but is compared to the Beasts that perish . How farre the Beasts , in whom there is but instinct of Nature , excells many men in gratefulnesse to their Benefactors ; the first Chapter of Isaiah , verse 3. expresseth : The Oxe knoweth his Owner , and the Asse his Masters Cribbe ; but Israel hath not knowne , my people hath not vnderstood . The Horse neigheth , when his Owner commeth to Prouender him ; the Oxe , and Cow , loweth , when their Owner foddereth them : the Sheepe know the Voyce and Whistle of their Shepheard ; for at the Eccho thereof , they looke vp , and flocke together , and then bleat , as an acknowledgement of him . Aesope in his Fables maketh mention of a Lion , out of whose Paw a Shepheard tooke a Thorne ; and gratefully the Lion requited the Shepheard for such his former kindnesse : for when the Shepheard , for a notorious Crime , was adiudged to be put among Lions , of them to be deuoured ; it happened this Lion was one of them , and knew the Shepheard , and came and fawned on him , and saued him from the others : and so his life was thus strangely preserued . Aesope in his 22. Fable thereupon insculped this Motto , Accepti memores nos decet esse boni ; It behooueth vs to be thankefull , and alwayes mindfull of them , that doe good vnto vs. Moralitie iustly exacteth , where kindnesse and courtesies haue been performed , Men to be Reciprocall , in some measure , and not to burie them in obliuion ; no sooner done , but forgotten , and written in the Dust : These kind of People are Sordidum genus hommum , the basest and respectlesse Generation , not worthie to be accounted as a People ; Heathens , not Christians , for they scorne it : and I would that Christians did not too much affect , and disgrace Religion by it . Bias sayth , That two Heads in one Bodie , is a monstrous sight ; but one vnthankfull Heart , in one Bosome , is more odious to behold . Nay , Cui beneficia excidunt , haerent iniuriae ? Some are such Pagans , and Iudas-like to their friends , that they who haue fed them at their Table , cloathed their Nakednesse , harboured them in their Houses , succoured them at all times in all their Distresses , and supplyed their Wants , and Necessities : these , with Iudas , for base Gold and Siluer , will sell and betray an invaluable trustie and louing friend . The Heathen Philosopher Simonides beeing demaunded , What would quickly grow out of date , or bee soone forgotten , and waxe old ? thus answered , Beneficium , a good Turne , or Benefite . Seneca sayth , Memoria Beneficiorum labilis , iniuriarum vero tenax ; Good Turnes done , are soone forgotten , and slide suddenly out of Mens minds ; but reuenge for Iniuries done vnto them , they will hold that in memorie , and for a thousand good Turnes that you haue done to them , requite and repay you with mischiefe , for a small iniurie or trespasse , vnwillingly or not wittingly , committed by you against them . Diogenes sayth the same . Plato sayth , All humane things grow old , and come to the end of their time , except Ingratitude ; for the greater the encrease of mortall man is , the more doth Ingratitude augment . That Heauenly Propheticke Dauid would not be guiltie of this monstrous sinne ; but in his 116. Psalme , verse 11. inquireth , Quid retribuam Domino ? What shall I render vnto the Lord , for all the benefites that he hath done vnto me ? And so proceedeth in others of his Psalmes ; zealously stirring vp his Soule to a recapitulation and remembrance of Gods great Goodnesse towards her : Prayse the Lord , O my Soule , and forget not all his Benefits . Lucian compareth an vnthankefull Man to a Vessell bored full of holes , which is neyther apt to contayne nor receiue any thing . Aurelius sayth , It behooueth a Man , in receiuing of Benefits , to be thankfull , though hee want power to requite them . And Seneca 38. Epist . Beneficia bene soluere , interdum solutio est ipsa confessio ; To repay , and well requite , whence a Benefite was bestowed ; sometimes , the acknowledgement , and confession thereof , is an accepted Solution , and an acknowledged Satisfaction : Which willingly and humbly I pay at this present to your Honor and Worships , and come with the poore Cottager and Tenant at Will , to present , with him , as this Time it is vsuall , a few Lemons , Oranges , or Dish of Pippins ; shewing with him therein my Loue , and the meanenesse of my Estate , who am not able to present Gifts of better value : but therein expressing my duty , and a poore Beads-mans heartie praysing , and praying to God for your Honor and Worships health , and prosperitie : by whose kind permission , and mutuall generall consents , in the Maioraltie of the late deceased graue Senatour , Sir Iohn Swinnerton , which is seuen yeeres and a halfe since ; I was admitted Preacher to the Gaole of Ludgate , and by your Honour and Worships Predecessors , hitherto successiuely therein haue bin continued : And most willingly , long since , your Honour and Worships , in Court , did generally condiscend , the Stipend thereunto belonging , to augment . In acknowledgement , heartie thankefulnesse , & in some lieu thereof , vouchsafe to receiue the first Fruits of my poore Haruest , a Bunch of Grapes , of my first Vintage , a Flower from a Slip of the first growth . I do vnfainedly acknowledge , I owe my self , and mine , by your Hon. and Wor. all to be commanded , who haue been so good and beneuolent lately to me & mine . Continue fauorable still , in receiuing of this my small grown Wheat , & leaue the Chaffe ; my Wine , leaue the Dregges ; my sweete Flower , leaue the vnpleasant sented Earth : nay , I hope , a little Treasure , though in a base Earthen Vessell presented to your view . I am the miserable Sonne of Man , that is subiect vnto Mutabilitie ; but poore & meane , and therefore the more respectlesse , and least regarded , in these dayes , wherein Money is so loued , and Mammonists adored , respected , and of all , capped and crouched vnto with low-bended knee . I am a Vine , whose Branch is weake , young , and tender , and stands in need of supporting : Will your Honour and Worships vouchsafe , with your powerfull hands , to support mee ? I am a new gathered fresh flourishing Flower , which soone fadeth . I am in the Bud , and Bloome , soone blasted : Vouchsafe your carefull Ouersights , and Protections , that the Critikes of this our Age , wherein we liue , may not breake into your Fields , Orchards , or Gardens , which like a wild Boare will extirpate me wholly : and I will , by Gods grace , as by dutie bound , for euer heartily and dayly pray and supplicate vnto the Almightie , for continuance of his great goodnesse , and mercie , towards your Honour and Worships . Now the Lord Almightie , who of his infinite goodnesse feeds you all with the finest Wheat , and cloatheth you with the purest Wooll , continue Peace , Plentie , Prosperitie , Safetie , and Health within the walls of that most famous and Honourable Citie , whereunto God hath elected and made you the prime Gouernour , and eminent Magistrat , next vnder our most gracious Soueraign , and dread Lord , the K. Maiestie ; a place conspicuous to the whole World , and admired at the state and ciuill gouernment thereof . May it still so flourish , in Plentie , Honour , and with discreet vnderstanding Magistrates . The Lord God grant , that all your successors may be such vigilant Watchmen , for the preseruation & maintenance thereof , as now it is ; may that good care be continued still , from generation to generation , from predecessors vnto all successors ; and from this your Lo. time , wherein all things quietly are gouerned , and safely rest . And when ye shal surcease to liue amōg men , your names may liue for euer , and be remembred for the good you haue done ; that as now men do reioyce to heare of your names , whilst you are liuing ; they may lament for the losse of you , when you are gone . May this be an Inheritance bestowed by the Almighty , to cōtinue vnto all your Ho. and Wor. successors , to the Worlds end . Amen . Now that Blessednesse , the Lord vouchsafe your Ho. & Wor. which is mentioned in Psal . 128. To feare him , & walke in his wayes , & quietly to eat the fruit of your endeuours , the fatted Oxe in your Stalls , the Sheepe of your Fould , and the Doue that flyeth about the Courts of your owne Houses . The Lord make your Wiues like Dauids Vine , fruitfull ; make your Children like Oliue Branches , decking and standing round about your Tables ; and may they drop sweetnesse and goodnesse to the Church , and Common-wealth , wherein they are borne , bred , and brought vp . O Lord let them vestigiate the steppes of their Fathers , to be an honour vnto their Posteritie & Linage , a godly President vnto successiue Posterities , and Generations ; that many hundred yeeres hereafter it may be spoken both of you and your Children : Loe these are the Men that feared the Lord ; and therefore God did so blesse them , that they did see their Childrens children , vnto the third and fourth generation , to flourish , prosper , graciously and vertuously to liue ; and in Magistracie , & doing good , their Parents to succeede . Furthermore , the Lord Iesus giue vnto your Honour and Worships , from the first day of this New yeere , at the expiration of your dayes , the New Heauens , and the New Man , Christ Iesus , in the immortalitie of your Soules ; and of his infinite mercie graunt , that as here on Earth yee feast like Princes , yee may be partakers of that most Royall Feast and Banquet of Iesus Christ , the Prince of Glorie , and Light of the whole World , who came a Light at this time into the World , to light all thither . And this blessednesse , I will dayly and heartily pray vnto Almightie God , to bestow on you all , at the end of this your mortall liues . The Lord Iesus , with that blessed Life of Glory , indow you and all your Posterities for euermore . Amen . Your Honor and Worships much bounden , and in the seruice of my Lord and Master Iesus Christ , at all times to be commanded . Henry Goodcole . TO ALL GODLY , zealous , religious , sanctified , and Christian-minded People , who expect and vnfainedly desire the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ , fruition thereof , to the euerlasting ioy of their Soules . PEruse mee , Will you please ? Then finde helpe for each Disease : Soule and Body I apply , And cure both their Maladie . Such good meanes not disdaine , When to thee so friendly sent ; Lest in sicknesse thou remaine , And thy folly doe repent . Had I wist , breedes much woe , Gentle Patient be no foe To the health and happie states Of such peerelesse louing Mates . Farewell , good Soule , till wee meet In Heauens Blisse , each to greet : Expect wee doe , and dayly pray ; Lord graunt to vs that happie day . CHristian and conscionable Reader , thou mayest now iustly , with Apelles , reprooue and deride me , who thus haue presumed to diuulge and diue into the height of all Learning , Arts , Sciences , Knowledge , Wit and Skill , whose vnskilfulnesse in all of them recommands me to the lowest degree that may be to be abased . I know it is but lost labour to cast water into the Ocean ; an vnthankefull respectlesse Gift , to cast a Sheaue of Wheat into a rich mans Garner , or to put a small Bunch of Grapes into a vaste Wine-presse , small encrease thereof can issue . Yet seeing I am called and sent into my Heauenly Lord and Masters Haruest , hired and sent to his Vineyard , in both to worke , and not to loyter ; That I haue in both endeuoured , I present thee good Christian friends , this little of my hard labour , and gleaned Corne , obtained by following others of my fellow Labourers : Though theirs was pure , yet mine not without Chaffe : receiue my Grapes , though not without some soure and sharpe distaste , altogether disliking your Pallat , and disappointing your expectation . The Lord of the Vineyard hath sent by me some Bread and Wine , to strengthen and comfort you withall : eate a morsell thereof , and draw out your Wine , for his sake that sent it , and doe not refuse or dislike both , for the meanenesse of the Messenger , that brings & now presents his Lords affected loue expressed to you therein . If you accept thereof thankefully and gladly , I shall returne my Master intelligence , and thinke my paines well bestowed , rest well satisfied , and account my selfe most bountifully by you to be rewarded , if my suit be graunted ; namely , your kind acceptance therof from my vnworthy hands . Thine at all times , to bring thee to my Lord and Master Iesus Christ his Courts . H. G. THE PRODIGALS Teares . The Prodigals testimony of his conuersion , manifested in the detestation of his former follies . HEare , O heare , you that walk after the lusts of your hearts : you that spend your time in vanitie , deferring the time of Repentance ; from Infancie to youth , and from youth to Age ; not caring to turne from you the euill day , which draweth neere , nor applying your hearts to wisedome , but how to satisfie the inordinate lusts & affections of the flesh you draw on sinne after sinne , multiplying trāsgressions : you are become a stiff-necked people , hardning your hearts against the sweete and comfortable motions of Gods Spirite , ready to awake you from this sleepe of sinne , and to renewe in you that image which was well-neere defaced in you , by meanes of your transgressions . Heare the teares and attende the complaint of a conuerted peruert : one that hath wandred too login the field of vanitie . And now after the taste of those bitter huskes of penurie , returnes home with blubbered face , contrite heart , and humbled spirit , crying Peccaui , I haue sinned , I haue sinned ; walking in the foolishnes of mine owne heart , and like the wilde Asse , shifting the wind , so haue I shut mine eares to the words of discipline and correction . And what did the Prodigall in the Gospell , which I did not ? He receiued his portion , and consumed it ; and haue not I receyued the portion of Gods loue in as ample manner as any , euen the portion of my heauenly Father , which hee no sooner bestowed on me , then I in the height of my heart wasted ? Nor did the prodigall goe further from his Father , then I from the Instructions of my heauenly Father . Departing from Bethel the house of God , to Bethauen the house of iniquitie . Oh miserable Exile ! From the mansions of peace , concord , and tranquillitie , to the receptacles of sinne , horrour , and impietie . From the smooth running streames of Syloe , to the waters of bitternes , from the tower of my strength , to the vale of desolation . Vnhappie exchange , to depriue my selfe of so glorious inheritance , so exquisite blessings , so incomparable bounties , for the vaine flourish of a little worldly delight , which in the ende conuerted to bitternesse : for a momentanie pleasure ( to forfeite an eternall Treasure ) not subiect to the change or mutability of Time , nor exposed to the violence of any perturbations , nor engaged to popular respect : but in it selfe , & of it selfe perfectly refined ; deriuing her best luster from none other subject , then the originall of all Beauties : the Idaea of all perfections , the mirrour of all lustres , God himself . And this to loose for any Earthly respect : how much were the eies of my vnderstanding eclipsed ? to conceyue no better of an infinite goodnes , then of a floting pleasure , producing none other Fruite then bitternes , anguish , and sorrow . And what remedie ? Esau could not regaine his Byrth-right , with many teares . And can my vnfayned repentance ( though I should blinde mine Eyes with weeping , and groane in the heauines of my heart ) repossesse me of all that I haue lost ? Can the sighes of a troubled spirite and the extreame heauinesse which I sustaine , by reason of the burden of my sinnes preuayle with the Lord , who poyseth the sinnes of men , and hath sworne in his wrath to be euenged of the wicked ? Yes Lord , yes : as I haue found grace and fauour in thy sight , suffer mee to speake a word vnto thee , be not displeased with me . The Prodigals comfortable and vndoubted assurance , that God will accept his teares and contrition , relying and trusting in the mercies and promises of God. REmember not my sinnes passed , let thy mercies preuent them : I am weakened and cleane out-worne , and go mourning euery day . I shall remember all my yeares vnto thee with bitternesse of heart . I know Lord , that Peter wept , and was pardoned , and shal I that knocke at the gate of thy mercie bee excluded ? Marie Magdalene had in her manie legions of Diuells , yet with teares of vnfained repentance , she was assoyled , and made a Temple of the Holie-Ghost : Behold Lord my teares are vnfayned , my anguish of heart aboundant , and my griefes bee not hid from thee . Thou hast promised to looke to him that is poore , that is broken in spirit , and that trembleth at thy wordes . Beholde Oh Lord , I am poore , depriued of thy fauour , broken in spirite to haue offended so benigne a Sauiour , and I tremble at thy words , as at iudgements of terror , worthily deseruing to be eternally thrust from thy presence , and to haue my beeing with the reprobate : Yet Lord wilt thou bee good vnto Israel : thou wilt wash mee from my filthynes , and cure my infirmities : thou wilt binde vp my wounds with that good Samaritane , powring the oyle of thy Diuine comforts into them : For this ( Lord ) will I thanke thee and for this badge of thy loue will I sing praise vnto thee . I will make melodie in my heart to the Lorde : For it is a good thing to bee thankefull ; These teares which I shed shall witnes my contrition , the prayses which I sing to thee : shall expresse my affection : and the speedie renewing of my wayes , shall shew my conuersion . The prodigals confession of the manner of his vanities , with a feeling of Gods great goodnesse . FAther , I haue fed too long vppon the huskes of Vanitie , I haue strayed too farre from thy Temple , and walked in vnknowne wayes , where I was famished for want of Spirituall foode : all athirst for want of Spirituall drinke : For the well was deepe , and I had not wherwithall to draw : but now , since my returne I am replenished with all things , thou hast put on me a new Garment , so as I haue layde away all my olde affections , and betaken me to a new spirituall Schoole : Thou hast put vpon my finger a Ring , to intimate that I am married and affianced to thee ; thou hast feasted me with thy choicest dainties , expressing the ioy thou conceyuest at my conuersion : I will stay therefore no longer in the Tents of Kedar , nor with the inhabitants of M●loch . I am now for my Fathers houshold : for my Father hath many seruants , and in my Fathers house there bee manie mansions . I haue fedde too long with the Hogge , eating Akornes vnder the Tree , but neuer looking vp , from whence they came . When thy greatest benefits , O Lord , were multiplyed vppon mee , and thy Fatherly kindnes was shewne in aboundance I was as one that had not receiued , or as one that had not tasted them . For why , the vanityes of the world had bewitched me , and the deluding Objects of seeming happines had captiuated me : But now Lord , I am escaped the snare of the Fowler , the Net is broken , and my soule is deliuered : or as a brand from the fire : so haue I bin preuented by thy mercies . The Prodigals bequest to God. ANd what shall I giue vnto the Lord , for all that hee hath giuen vnto mee ? Sacrifices and burnt-offerings thou wilt not haue , but a contrite and broken hart ( O Lord ) thou wilt not despise : My heart is prepared , my heart is prepared : I will giue thee what thou hast so long time asked . And if thou say as thou sayedst vnto Dauid , Giue mee thy heart : I will answer with Dauid , I will giue thee my heart : It is thine , O Lord , it is thine : for thou sufferedst thine owne heart to be pierced for it : and should I then detaine it from thee , that hast so dearely purchased it ? I will reserue it only for thee : thou shalt make it thine owne Temple ; for the heart is the Temple of God. To whom fitter may I bequeath my heart , then to thee , who hast giuen thy selfe for a ransome , thy Spirit for a pledge , thy word for a guide , the world for a walke , and reserues a kingdome for my inheritance ? To whom fitter then to thee that createdst mee after thine owne forme , renewed it when I had defaced that forme , illuminated mee with thy Spirit , inuested mee with thy grace , and ministreth whatsoeuer thou knowest to be necessary for the conseruation of Nature ? Who fitter then thou , whose mercy preuenteth mee falling , whose grace conducteth me walking , and whose comforts raise me drowping ? I will therefore with vnfained repentannce returne to thee ; for I shall find fauour in thy fight . My heart will I sacrifice vnto thee , for more acceptable it is vnto thee then many burnt offerings : I will not suffer it to stray from thee ( O Lord : ) for I feare as Dina was defloured when she strained from home ; so my heart by gadding from thee , her best home and surest Sanctuary , may chance to be corrupted with the filthinesse of this world . Shee hath many suiters , and all hope to haue her . Giue her mee sayeth the Tempter ; giue her mee saith riches ; giue her mee saith pleasure ; but none of these shall haue her : for what is riches that I should set my minde vpon them ? or pleasure , that I should giue my selfe ouer vnto her ? Haue I not tasted the vanitie of the one , and the perill of the other : For wherein can the Epicure glory , or the sensuall man please himselfe ? hee hath tasted of pleasures in aboundance , and slaued his best affections to vnworthiest obiects . Hee hath drunke deepe of the Babylonian Cup , exposed himselfe to the places of publique shame , and made himselfe heire of beggary . What delights were vpon Earth , which this licentious man embraced not ? what consorts hee embraced not ? what meanes of spending houres , and that without tediousnes he vsed not ? And is there any thing so vaine ? Behold , his time is expired , the period and date of his dayes extended , and all his former delights like a vapour vanished . And great is his account : when it shall be demaunded of him , Where is thy talent ? What aduantage hast thou made of it ? O quam amar a est ea voluptas , &c. saith a blessed father , which ruines thy soule , depriues thee of an inheritaunce , driues thee from heauen , presseth thee to hell , and makes thee eternally wretched : what fruits then of so many idle houres ? What comfort in the vaile of bitternesse , or by the riuer wherein repent thou wouldest , but no time is admitted ; weepe thou wouldst , but teares are fruitles : suffer thou wouldest , but sufferings are effectlesse : There is no ioy left which may any way solace thy poore forlorne spirit . Being placed there , where neither the Saints can come vnto thee , or thou to the Saints . O misery aboue miseries ! to loose , and to loose that irrecouerably , which should haue beene kept eternally : instead of felicitie to gaine misery , instead of comfort and spirituall consolation , death , ruine , and perdition . Shall then pleasures haue my heart , that produce no better fruits then bitter repentance ? No , no : leaue me all delights , and all outwardly-seeming comforts , goe farre from mee : You cannot content me ; for I am of a more incircumscribed nature . Once I confesse were you too much possessed of my heart : for my affections were deuoted , my vnderstanding darkened , and all my intellectuall powers and faculties so exposed to your seruice , as I walked in darknesse ; and yet which was more miserable , imagined that I was in light : I was blind , and knew it not : in darknes , & perceiued it no : naked , and felt it not . But the Lord hath giuen me sight , that I may see his glory : light , that I may walke in his light ; and apparrelled me with the best ornaments of his diuine Spirit , a defence against the inclemency of all seasons , taking vppon me the whole spirituall armour of a Christian to discomfit Sathan , subdue the flesh , renew the spirit , and confirme in me the power of the Almighty . The Prodigall describeth , how the things in this present world , doe hinder man in his best deuotions & seruice vnto God , and his forsaking of them ▪ YEt honour , with her ambitious and elated titles challengeth a part in me : it is a fine thing to haue store of attendance , to be great in the eye of the world , to haue the chiefe place in Feasts , to be admired &c. once it is mortally dangerous , and as the world goes , of a thousand least meritorious : Euer to be gaping with the fish , and with a greedinesse to apprehend euery occasion , lest while the water is in troubling , the meanes of obtaining be cut off . Deserts in precedencies of this kind least obserued : where all Arts be oft-times exiled , learning discountenanced , and ignorance for a purple Magistrate honoured — vt pueri Iunonis auem : alas poore honour ! when merite seldome possesseth thee : The Laconians would not haue honour hereditarie , from the father to the sonne , without the demerits of the sonne . Alas then how many of Iuuenalls Blockes should we see represented vpon the Theatre of Honour ? Braue descents basely disparaged , and prodigality without one prodigalls teare in greatest families . Farewell then Honour , thy name is onely worthy , because onely men of name possesse thee : thou art not a fit harbor for the poore Prodigall to lodge his heart in . Yet riches be faire inducements , and worthy a heart of gold . True , they are so , but many Mammons haue them : They build on a weake foundation : they know how to enlarge their Barnes , but not to communicate to the necessity of the Saints . They can sing a Requiem to their soules , with , Now soule take thy ease ; but they remember not what the Prophet saith : There is no rest to the vngodly . Then must my heart plant my pauillion else-where : for she would gladly haue a resting place , that when the deluge of sinne is past , she may bring one Oliue braunch vnto the Arke of her Soule , to expresse her peace is made . The Prodigall expresseth , that nothing can content the Soule , or hath any right in the Soule , but God , only and alone . GIue vnto God that which is Gods. It is he that deserueth thee , O my heart ! and there is none fit to possesse thee , but he . He it is that can onely satisfie thee , he it is that can onely suffice thee ; thou requirest peace , he will giue it thee , as hee gaue it vnto such as followed him . Hee is the God of peace , who then can establish my heart in peace , but he that is the God of peace . Teneat te cor meum quia perfodisti eor tuum vt saluares meum : It is not pleasure shall transport me , nor riches ensnare me , or honour inflame mee , I am wholy prest for my Sauiour : I will take vp his Crosse willingly , with Simon of Cyrene , and on my shoulders beare it : where , though I faint vnder my burden ; yet will hee support me with his mercies : for his loue is more strong then wine . What afflictions can separate me from the loue of my God ? No Lord , I haue sinned , I haue sinned , and in the abundance of my sorrowes doe I flie vnto thee for refuge ; neither hunger nor nakednes shall take me from thee , I haue tasted thy exceeding mercies towards me , and thy compassions haue beene from generation to generation . For who euer came vnto thee for sight , and went away blind ? for hearing , and went away deafe ? for speech , and went away dumbe ? for health , and went away sicke ? for comfort , and went away sorrowfull ? for the forgiuenesse of sinnes , and went away a sinner ? O inexplicable mercy ! O inscrutable pietie ! O ineffable clemencie ! I that haue euer offended , and neuer till now repented : I that haue multiplied trangression vpon transgression , making league with my sinnes : I that haue beene a rebellious childe , and haue turned my eare from thy discipline and instruction . I that neuer felt remorce of conscience , neuer made recourse to thy Temple , neuer brake the bread of comfort to the hunger-starued soule . To bee short , I that gloried in my sinnes , and made light of my offences , deferring repentance from day to day ; am now heard in thy mercy , comforted in my misery , and promised an inheritance of glory . Cyrus , that renowned Prince of Persia , promised such as aided him against his grandsire Ast yages , that if they were footemen , he would make them horsemen , if horsemen , they should ride in their Charriots . But the King of Hostes that rideth in the clouds , for things temporall , things eternall , for things of no valew , bounties of incomparable esteeme . No , hee will do more , euen whilest we soiourne heere in this tabernacle of clay ; for he will helpe vs fainting , exhort and excite vs fighting , and crowne vs vanquishing . Hence it is ( poore Prodigall ) that I reape comfort : seeing his mercy vpon all flesh , readier to saue then to kill , willinger to heare then wee to aske , and as forward to crowne as we to fight . The prodigals earnest desire . THough Father , I haue euer retired my selfe , in the heate of the day , and haue not laboured in thy Vineyard ; yet comming in the euening of my dayes , the Sunne-set of my life , it is thy fatherly will , that I shall haue my penny . Suffer mee , at least ( Father ) to feede vpon the crummes vnder thy Table : or as the Prodigall sonne , let me be one of my fathers meiny . I desire no great place in thy house , for I am vnworthy of thy acceptance : yet Father , speake but comfortably to thy Seruaunt , and my soule will be glad . Thou hast promised , that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinnes , thou wilt put all his offences out of thy remembrancr . Behold Lord , I present my selfe vnto thee prostrate vpon the ground , desiring remission and pardon of all my sinnes ; nor be these teares I shed dissembling , for thou knowest the secrets of al hearts , and examinest the reins : and I know thou hast denounced a double woe , vpon the Hypocrite and Pharisee . It is not my prayer , but my harty praier , not my tears , but my harty teares , not my conuersion , but my harty conuersion which pleaseth thee . For the Pharises praier , the harlots vow , the traitors kisse , the sacrifice of Caine , the fast of Iezabel , the oblation of Ananias , theteares of Esau are nothing ; they are not accepted , because not heartily offered ; but this sacrifice which I offer proceeds from my heart , otherwise ( Father ) had I not giuen it thee . For I know thou art iust and righteous , and considerest all the wayes of man , whether they be straight or crooked . How long Lord , how long , ere thy fury will be appeased ? that my wayes may be directed to thee , my hope erected by thee , and my confidence planted in thee ; so may the tempests rage , but not dismay mee , the flouds rise , but not come neare mee , the winds blow , but not remoue me : for my foundation is built on a rocke , a rocke impregnable , a mount in accessible , a fort irremoueable : Blessed fort where the Saints be enthroned , glorious mount with Gods presence beautified , and puissant rocke , which against the gates of hell hath preuailed . O that I might be but a doore-keeper in the house of the Lord , singing Songs of mirth and spirituall melody , to inhabite there all the dayes of my life . Happy Cittizens which bee enfranchised there ioyfull Quiristers that may sing there , and victorious souldiours , that for the Church millitant , are transplanted to a Church Triumphant : Heere they beginne to fight , there to raigne : Heere they were in Tents of Clay , now in Campes of Immortality . Now in heauen , heere on earth : In heauen to receiue their reward , in earth to sustaine all Afflictions . For whosoeuer will pertake of consolations , must likewise haue his share of tribulations : And that which the Poet saith is true . Pati noncesset , Qui regnare cupit ; Fit it is ( deere Father ) that thy Children suffer here , to raigne els-where : that no punishment , how intollerable soeuer , may seeme worthy of the infinite loue which is borne vnto vs in CHRIST our Lord. For is the maister inferiour to the Seruant ? Thy Sonne ( blessed Father ) whose foot steps we ought to folow , was whipped that we might be exempted : scourged , that wee might bee spared : Crowned with Thornes , that wee might be crowned with a Crowne of pure golde : Crucified , that wee might be glorified . Farre be it from me to refuse thy Crosse , which bore that Crosse , that I should haue borne so willingly : Thy Crosse was my gayne , thy death my life : thy wonndes , my cures ; thy Caluarie where thou wast hanged , my place of Glorie , whereto I shall be aduanced . Woe is mee , that I should so long wander from the folde of the true Sheepheard : Hee that is the great Sheepheard of our Soules : Long haue I strayed from these green and flourishing pastures of true consolation , following mine owne vanities erring in the pricking brakes of sensuality , briars and brambles of all inordinate affections . Serote amaui Deus meus , serote amaui pulchritudo mea . But now my repentance purchased with much experience : my portion of comfort , obtained with a great portion of Teares , my misereis ended by the sweetnesse of thy mercyes diffused , respites my griefe relisheth my distaste , and giues me hope , as one addressed to conuersion , so to taste the fruites of thy ineffable consolations . The Prodigals Faith strengthened , and ioy expressed , in the rembrance of Gods moste louing receyuing , and accepting of Sinners , into his fauour . I Know ( LORD , ) the greatest Conuerts haue beene grieuons sinners : Paul a persecutor , Peter a denyer : Thomas incredulous : litle Zaccheus couetous : Magdalene , an adultresse : yet Paul strucken blinde , leaues persecting : Peter put in minde by a Cocke , bewayles his denying : Thomas by his finger becoms a belieuer : Zacheus from the figge tree becomes Christs receiuer , and Magdalen becomes a conuert by hearing her Sauiour . Sinners vse to be touched , before they be conuerted : Manasses must bee in prison before hee feele himselfe , Ionah in the depth , before hee find himselfe : Dauid must find some discomforts , or hee will be aboue himselfe : Na●man strucken with leprosie , ere hee be conuerted : Nabuchadnezzar must feede amongst beasts , ere Gods power must be acknowledged : Pharaoh must haue many plagues sent him , ere Gods people be dismissed . Yea Lord , and wherefore should sinners murmure or repine at thy Iudgements pronounced against them ? Should the pot aske the Potter , why he breaketh it in peeces ? Or should man expostulate the cause with GOD ? Oh farre bee it , that I which am but dust and ashes ▪ conceiued in nothing but sinne , drinking iniquitie like water , should spurne at the will and pleasure of GOD ? No Lord , though thou leaue mee at Deaths doore , yet know I , thou wilt haue mercy vpon me : For thou art euer gracious to thy seruants . Touch me gently ( O Lord ) and let mee feele thy correction , as thy childe , to saluation , not as the reprobate to confusion : and though my many transgressions haue deserued thy iust ire and indignation against mee , yet Lord , intuere filium tuum toto corpore extensum : Beholde thy Sonne suffering , and consider fot whom hee suffereth : not for himselfe , for hee was innocent , but for me ( miserable wretch ) that by my sinnes nayled my Sauiour to the Crosse ; yet behold , I haue re-crucified him , adding wound vpon wound , by multiplying sinne vpon sinne : It was not sufficient for me to crucifie my Sauiour vpon earth , but I must moue his indignation in heauen : It was not enough for mee to cast lots vpon his garments : but I must make large rents in that garment of righteousnesse , which hee cloathed mee withall at his passion . Hence is it that I haue lost Felicity , for which I was created , and purchased my selfe misery , for which I was not created : And how is it possible for mee to redeeme the time I haue so vainely consumed , my Talent so carelesly neglected , and those comfortable motions of thy diuine Spirit euer moouing and in flaming mee to goodnes : and I peruerting those excellent motions ▪ prostituting my selfe vnto the sensuall pleasures of the flesh , altogether respectlesse of my soules health : so presently I may satisfie the inordinate lusts and affections of the flesh . The prodigall soules pennance , or mourning weede . WEepe , weepe , disconsolate soule , let those many houres which thou hast spent in feasting , be redeemed by fasting : let thy sensuall meetings , nightly carowsings , and thy daily rioting , bee now supplied with incessant praying , continuall weeping , and charitable distributing First , render what thou hast taken by violence from any man : Oppression is a crying sinne , and will be heard . Make restitution with good Zacheus , diuide thy goods , and giue vnto the poore : For` better is one pennie in the life time , then an hundred on thy death-bed . Large testaments little auaile the giuer , they proceede from a miserable spirit , that hee cannot vse it , is content to giue it : But wee are taught to doe all things hartily : not to delay our charitie to our end , lest we be preuented of our purpose before our end , It is little to giue vnto the poore , whē it is not in our power to detain it frō them . And why be good wills , ( since they proceede not frō good wil ) so highly cōmended ? The best of our rich worldlings giue but a part , and they bee praysed : The worst worldling that euer was , the Traytour Iudas gaue all , and he is condemned . The Prodigals conclusion . I Will distribute to the poore ; For , who can indure ro see CHRITS Image contemned ? I am but Gods Almoner ; I will then make vse of mine owne , and get Friendes by mine vnrighteous Mammon . A Christian like conclusion fitting the obseruance of the greatest mannager of States , who oftentimes heare the crie of the poor obturatis Auribus : not imitating that excellent vse of Phillip Prince of Macedon : Qui alteram semper seruat aurem : A good Eare that is applied in the hearing of Iustice : emploied in the discussion of Trueth , and exercised in performing due Iudgement . Sylambris his skinne , was a good Caueat to temporizing justices , it was the onely memorable acte that euer Cambyses did , and more worthie in him , because worthlesse in all Actes saue it : May that Princesse of all Vertues , long sit as President ouer the Princes of all Iles. So may Albyon , as her name is deriued from Whitenesse , receyue a greater luster , by the colour of Iustice . This Vertue is resembled by the Phylosopher , vnto the Euening-Starre , and rightly so shee may : Shee shynes the brightest when the Sable clowdes of all vices crawle the thickest : shee expelleth darknes , makes the intellectuall parte more piercing , giues vs now to distinguish betwixt the Cymerian cloudes of errour , and the true portraiture of Honour : teaching vs to descend ere we ascend , and that Scala Iacobi is , Hnmilitas Animi . The Poet in the description of Tideus , who in the right of Polynices , discomfited Etecles , and many valiant Thebes , to his immortall glorie , wryteth , that on the right hand of his Shielde hee had the Image of Iustice , and a paire of Scales in her Hand , with this Motto ; — Et causa pensare iuuat : And on the lefte hand a Lyon fierce and couragious , with this imprease : Vincere qui nescit , pereat . Heere was one to discusse the cause , & an other to manage it : Equity poising , Fortitude vanquishing , auspicious attendants for the brauest Champions . The Prodigall condemning his Iudgement . BVt alas ( poore Prodigall ) thou art , me thinkes , running as farre from thy wit , as thou rannest before from grace ; what hast thou to doe with cardinall vertues , that canst truly distinguish of nothing but vices ? These bee fitter obiects for Statists , and best guardians of Thrones . I will discend into my selfe , and vnrip mine owne vanities , that the source dried from whence they were deryued , the Characters of Vertue may bee imprinted , where vice was cockered . Nothing easeth a melancholy soule bteter then comfort ; Let the Physician but say , his bodie is strong , and he is reuiued : the state of himselfe depends on anothers word , hee is not his owne , for why hee is slaued to his owne indigested passions . But my disease hath bin much otherwise ; I was sicke , and knewe it not : had Vlceres running and felt them not : For I was obdurate , and became as one that heard not . Custome in sinne , tooke away from mee all sence of sinne . Oft hearde I the Lord inuiting , and his holy spirit inducing me to returne with the Shunamite ; But beholde , I cryed with the Sluggard : Yet a little , and then a little : presuming on mercie , and deferring my returne . There was no portion of sacred Scripture mentioning mercie , but I had it : no sentence of Iustice , but I would turne from it : making the arme of his mercie longer then the arme of his justice , I delayd from this day till tomorow , and I found my selfe more vnapt too morrow then today : For I was bound to the yoke of seruile affections , and turned my minde from correction ; pampering my selfe with , Sure God will bee mercifull ; Am not I his Image ? And will hee see his owne similitude defaced ? Did he not creatc mee ? and framed hee mee to destroy me ? Though I haue worthily incensed my Creator , I can be no lesse then his creature . Tush , tush . God hath forgotten it : Let vs eate , and drinke , and be merry . Miserable foode that famisheth the eater : vncomfortable drinke that poysons the taster : and harsh melodie that confounds the hearer . The prodigals Resolution . NOw ( Father ) will I change my diet : it shall be meate and drinke to mee to doe thy will : The melody which I make shall be in my heart vnto the Lord : and if I daunce , it shall be as Dauid did before the Arke : and if I sing in this strang land , in this place of my pilgrimage , it shall be the Lords Song . Thus will I conuert my selfe vnto the Lord , and regaine my inheritance with many teares . I will weepe and weepe bitterly , iudicium enim est quod ille teneat qui pro amissione tui amare flebit : Is it a light thing for thee , O my Soule , to be bereft of that soueraigne Good which ruleth thee , and conducteth thy feete in the wayes of Peace ? O no : Sell all thou hast : heere is a gemme of an incomparable valew : loose this , and thou makest shipwracke of thy Soule , depriues thee of all hope : the tempest is great , nor can the Port be attained , except the Anker be fixed . Rise then poore disconsolate spirit , and meete thy Sauiour , that is walking vpon the Sea as vpon drie places , meete him , and entertain him : for both Seas and winds obey him : hee is the best Pilote : though thy shippe sincke , he will preserue thee . For hee came not to wound , but to heale , to saue , not to kill . Hee it is that is protection to the fatherlesse , a Castle of defence to the desolate . For , who euer trusted in him and was left succourlesse ? though my friends forsake mee , yet the Lord taketh mee vp : Hence it is that my soule reapeth comfort . It is not the high-towring Cedar of this world that expresseth his minde by his looke , his spirt by his gate , shall depriue me of this prerogatiue : he was ambitious heere , hee will be as despicable there . Humility is the best step and directest path to this honour : she thinkes none worse then her selfe , and in that shewes her owne eminency : she neuer entertaines comparison , confessing herselfe the miserablest of all creatures , without comparison . The prodigall desireth Humility , to accompany him in his way to God. SOueraignesse of Vertues , let me haue thy company , I shall more delight in thy aspect then the obiect of Beautie . Thou hast perfection in thee , and not knowing thy selfe , thou knowest farre aboue thy selfe . Blessed Attendant , may thou liue in the Court , free , without a writ of Protection , at Princes instalments , may thou euer bee in their Election : may thou be ( as thou shouldest be ) worne , but not out worne by greatnes . Thou art the best seruitour of Honour : elated mindes can not possesse thee , because their sphere is farre aboue thee . I wish ( admiration of ages ) that thou might ride on thy foote-cloth : but I doubt it thou wouldst change thy nature ( with thy honour ) it is dangerous sitting in a poysoned saddle : Humility can ride without stirrops . Thou it was presented thy selfe , when I was not my selfe : Ambition had puffed me vp , Wantonnesse brought me on my knees , Selfe-conceit made mee admire my selfe , Emulation ( not in vertue , for seldome appeares it in the vitious , but in the corriualship ) possest me of a phrensie , aloue-sicke fancy . I was made a Cage of vncleane Birdes ; no impiety to which I was not slaued . Humility , I thanke thee , thou readst a Lecture of Mortification vnto mee : before I knew not what Mortality meaned : Thou Anatomizedst to me my Constitution : keepe me but company a little while longer , and I will answere thy hopes . But let mee rip vp mine owne errors a little further : I know he deserues not Humilities conuoy , that Apologizeth his sinnes . Two causes I haue of inward sorrow ; one of outward . The two inward haue relation to my selfe onely , the outward to others generally . The first in my selfe instanced , the second to others traduced . The inward motiue causes of sorrow of sinnes committed , vertuous workes omitted . Many come into my remembrance which I am ashamed to expresse , yet because maladies concealed are most augmented , I will augment my shame , that the Lord may couer my sinne . The Prodigals hearty suite vnto God , to pardon the sinnes of his youth . FOrgiue ( O Lord ) my secret sinnes , and race out of thy memorie the exorbitances of my youth Spare the sprigge ( O Lord ) for it was tender , soone wreasted from the primarie seedes of goodnes , and drawne into the mazie labyrinth of all errours . May not my crooked wayes be once made streight , that the oblation that I offer , might be accepted with Abel , and I find fauour in thy sight ? Yes Lord , these penitent teares I offer will be able to appease thy wrath : It is recorded , that Antipater on a time , charging in a Letter which hee wrote to Alexander , his mother Olympias , with great crimes was answered againe by Alexander , One mothers teare will race out many of these Letters . Though the mother should forgether childe , or the child the mother that bare him : yet Lord , wilt thou be mindfull of our teares , and cancell that great Bill thou hast against vs , if we returne vnfainedly to thee , and in the sorrow of our heart make confession of all our sinnes . Behold , Lord , I haue committed great folly ; and from the bortome of my heart confesse that I haue worthily deserued thy displeasure . My commissions and omissions , like two heauy poises weigh me downe : Erect my hope , ( O Lord ) for I haue none to flie vnto but thee . Woe is me , what excellent works of mercy haue I ommitted ? and what shall I answere ( O Lord ) when thou shalt aske me , where is the naked thou clothed ? the afflicted which thou visited , the succourlesse which thou releiued , the hungar-starued which thou fed ? alas Lord I shall not be able to answer one for a thousand . I haue fared with the rich Glutton deliciously euery day : I haue abounded with all dainties , replenished my heart with all delights , whilst my poore brother , ( silly Lazarus ) cryed at my gate for one small Almes . I shut my eares to his cry , and comforted my selfe with Musicke , sicke , and heart-sicke was Lazarus , and I visited not him : hungry , yea hunger-starued was he , & naked I did not cloath him : Impudent Beggar , was the best Liuery I gaue him . Me thinks I see my selfe seconded in Antinous : he was angry with poore Vlisses , comming in the forme of a Beggar to his owne house , giuing him no better entertainement then a knock with a footstoole : alas poore Vlisses , Irus hath better welcome and reason good , my pernicious Beggar can play the officious Pander . Christian charitie growes like a small brooke in a drie Summer : not the least refreshing for the wearied passenger , or comfort for the smothered traueller . The dayes of hospitalitie runne out : The Great mans chimny , that vsed to steame vp with English smoake , is transplanted to his Nose , and that like to a second AEtna , breaths nought but Indian smoake . And where art thou , poore beggar , all this while ? thou maist see monuments of honour , remaines of hospitality : but comming to his house , you shall find the Romane Aphorisme to proue true , Pater patriae , is become Parasitus Curiae : no matter , a good outside will beare it . But returne my soule to thy owne character : Hypparchion was strucken blinde , for saying there were moates in the Sun. And great mens errours must be wouen vp , or the spider will throw her web ouer them . Thy outward motiues of sorrow be traduced from thy selfe to others , as thy inward were engrossed to thy selfe . These motiues be exemplarie , giuing occasion of offence to others , or instructing others how to offend : of great force be examples , and farre more powerfull then precepts : and excellent is the definition which that generally generous Knight maketh of Imitation , saying , it is a Globe of precepts , much am I ashamed , that in the casting vp of my accompts , I can find nothing , through all the progresse of my time worthy obseruation , deseruing this Inscription at my death , that merited no better in my life . Hic vir diu fuit : This man was long , onely being without liuing . And hence is it which Seneca sayth . There is no sight more vnseemely , then to see a man in Age , that hath no other argument that hee hath liued long , saue his Age. Manie be olde in yeares , that are young in houres : which moued the Cinique to answer , vnto a miserable fellow , that saide hee had liued so many yeares : No my friend thou hast scarce liued so many houres . This remembrance moueth mee to incessant lamentations , & inforceth mee with the Prophet , to roare out amaine in the consideration of my manie mis-spent howres : both employed and idle , and worse when employed then when idle ; For , worse is not to doe , then not to doe well : as it is better to doe well , then to doe good : For , a man cannot offend in dooing well , but hee may offend in doing good : if he do not well , the Intention making the Action absolute . But ( woe is mee ) I am neither for the Primitiue nor Diriuitiue , neyther doe I well nor good : But if Iacob sayde vnto Pharaoh : Few and euill haue my dayes beene : How much more I , that haue passed my dayes altogether in vanitie , may I say , Few be my houres of vertue , many the yeares of vanity : which though fewe in number , yet many in respect of my crimes . How many might I haue instructed , how many wained from the loue of this world , if I had spent my Oyle , in the seruice of my Creatour ? What excellent Obseruations drawne from the liues of others , exemplified in my selfe , communicated to others , with my selfe , might I haue contracted vnto one head , to establish the inconstancie of humaine frailty , & make the Image of my owne life the representation of another . The Pagan would in any case liue for his Countrey , but I , a Christian , neither liue for my selfe , my Creator , nor my Countrey : nor as it seemes , doe I know my Creation : from whence , or to what end : Man is ex terra , but not ad terram : But I liue as one secure of Gods ordinance , planting ▪ my selfe on earth , as one euer made to dwell on earth : All tongues ( euen from the Etimology of earth ) teach mee whereto I should trust , and of what weake and infirme subsistence I am : yet neither Tongue not Nation , neither Precept nor Example , can rightly teach me to know my selfe : but I must be euer soaring , euer aspiring , raising my minde aboue my meanes . Alasse of vanitie : What to this houre can I demonstrate in my selfe deseruing immitation ? That worthy Prince Titus , the loue and Darling of mankind , thought that day to be lost , wherein hee had not in some measure expressed the royaltie of his disposition by the bountie of his minde . The very same rule should euery Christian man obserue ; confirmed by the word of Almighty God : Actes , the twentith Chap. and the fiue & thirtie verse , It is more blessed to giue then to take . Then cursed it is , euer to take , and not to giue . He expresseth his minde by his hand : If the one were as open as the other there were hope in him , though his pouerty could not away with bountie : for the Widdowes-Mite is accepted . A Gardner offering a Rape-roote , ( beeing the best present the poor man had ) to the Duke of Burgundie , was bountifully rewarded by the Duke : which his Steward obseruing , thought to make vse of his bountie , presenting him with a very faire Horse : the Duke , vt perspicaci erat ingenio , presently conceyues his Stewards purpose : wherefore hee thought good to receiue the horse , and frustrate his hopes , giuing him nothing . A singular rewarde , and accommodate vnto your auariciously bountifull man : who as the Comike sayth , Semper in dando versatur , vt priuatas opes augeat . But ( miserable wretch that I am ) what can I giue vnto my CREATOR , in lieu of his manyfolde Fauours ? Shall I weepe ? little enough , hee is Sencelesse of himselfe , that will not weepe for himselfe . How should I ( LORD ) reconcile my poor distracted soule vnto thee ? with what face cā I require for mercie ? I haue offred the prime of my dayes to the seruice of Belial : my first Fruites be gone already : and wilt thou be content with the gleanings ? My yeares of abilitie , wherein I could haue laboured in the Vineyard , and earned my pennie , are gone ouer mee , and I in the pensiuenesse of mine owne heart , seeing my disability , am forced to crie out with Mylo ; at hi lacerti iam mortui sunt : Once was I apt for thy seruice : but behold , my sinewes are weakened , my strength impaired , and my eyes bedimmed , not for that men keepe not thy Law , but for that I haue walked in vnknowne wayes , and with the Sodomites stumbled in the Lake : euery night will I therefore wash my couch with teares , and fall downe before thy foote-stoole . For what am I that I should persist in my sinnes ? or whence came I that I should promise to my selfe continuance ? Esau compareth mans life to the Grasse that soone withereth : Iob , to a Post , a Shuttle , a Breath , a Vapour . Dauid lengthens his dayes but to a Spanne : if then as Grasse , it must of necessitie fade : if a Post , it must runne : if a Shuttle , it must passe : if a Breath , sonne blowne ouer : if a Vapour , soone vanished : if a Spanne , soone shortened . O that my feet were as hinds feet , that I might walke the way of thy statutes ; not looking backe like Lots wife , nor behind the plow-stilt with the sluggard , for cursed is he that doth the busines of God negligently . Heerein , Lord , haue I grieuously offended , repairing to thy Temple , but without reuerence ; praying but with small seruencie , trusting in thee but with a doubtfulnesse . And how can these many obliquities be streightned , but by the leuell of thy Word , that can make all things streight ? It is true Lord , it is true : that the generall deprauednesse of all the World giues sinne , vpon earth , a Pasport : But thou , O Lord , seest thou the sinnes of men , and wilt be auenged . Thou carriest thy Fanne in thine hand , to sweepe the vngodly from off the face of the earth : And where then shall be a place for all the Inhabitants of the earth ? Loe all shall then become ( saieth the Prophet Ieremie in the same place ) as a naked Tree in the wildernesse , bereft of both flowers and fruit : because like to the wilde Figge-tree it brought foorth no fruit when thou expectedst it should . Lord I pray thee , though mine haruest bee but yet in the blade , accept my slender indeuours , and so ripen them that they may bring a plentifull croppe to thee , in propagating thy Glory , the Churches Vnitie , and the benefit of such as thou hast ioyned to mee in neighborhood , affection or affiance . Much adoe ( thou knowest Lord ) there was in the building of the materiall Temple : and euery one was enioyned to bring in something towards the erection of it : My portion , O Lord , is but small , yet is my loue with the greatest . Though I can not bring Gold from Ophyr , nor the Cedar and Firre from Lebanon , yet will I offer my prayers in thy Temple , confessing thee before much people . Marie reioyced that she had a little oyle to sprinckle vpon Christ the widdow of Zareptah was ioyfull that she had a little food for the Prophet . I will likewise be glad , and reioyce , if I can reserue but one small moity for the Saints of God : for workes of this nature neuer passe vnrewarded . A cup of colde water is as acceptable as the silkes of Tyre , or the Treasures of Aegypt : happy then am I if rich in spirit ( though poore in state ) purchasing for a Cup of colde water , the water of Life . But there must euer be something done by man , before the promise bee performed by God. The battell must be fought , ere the victory be atchieued : the tree must bee planted ere it bring forth fruit : and the seede must bee throwne into the ground before it multiply . We must haue a perfect knowledge of God , ere we can dedicate our members seruants to righteousnes , offering them to GOD. But how should wee know God ? there is an harbinger which goes alwayes before the knowledge of God , to prepare his house , and that is Loue , the bond of perfection . Now how should we loue him whom wee haue not seene , being at enmitie amongst our selues whom we daily see ? So good is our loue now a dayes , as the Italian Prouerbe may be verified of it : Tanto buon , che val niente . So good as it is , good for nothing . Yet how poore and fruitlesse soener God desires it , let him then haue it , for hee onely deserues it . I will loue thee ( my Lord ) and will consecrate my vowes vnto thee , where I meane thus to expresse them . In the humblenes of my spirit ( without deiection ) and in the confidence of my heart , without presumption , will I humble my selfe before thee with reuerence , and offer vp my vowes vnto thee with affiance . I will come nearer thee in spirit , because remoued from thee by the veile of my flesh : the one shall caution mee of my shame , the other put me in minde of my glory . Hagar shal not get the vpperhand ouer her mistris : my flesh shall bee taught to obey , that if neede were , she might safely gouerne . As there is but one Sunne to giue light to the vniuersall World , so there shall be but one Sonne to enlighten my little world : and that is , the Sunne of my Soule . This Sonne shall obserue the same course which the naturall Sunne obserueth . Her two Tropickes shall be reduced to two remembrances of my birth , and of my death . That as the Sunne , by these two equall circles equally distant , turneth either higher , hauing bin at the lowest , or lower , hauing beene at the highest : so my Soule , transported too high with the remembrance of her dissolution ( to wit ) her liberty , may be brought backe to the remembrance of her birth , the very originall of her miserie . I will not haue my flesh to intermeddle in these considerations : for shee is like an harsh Instrument that soundeth nothing but discord : when the Soule tels the flesh of a dissolution , she trembles and feares her accounts , like an Vsurer at the sight of deaths head : or as Felix hearing Paul dispute of the last Iudgement : Many obiects of delight there be which captiuate the flesh , being conuersant only in outward thinges . I will haue the flesh therfore be put to silence , lest my soule conceiue a difficulty in departing when so harsh and disconsonant musicke sounds in her eare , the sunne of my soule shall purifie the corruptions of my body : which impure mettall must of necessitie be refined , or it will blemish the excellencie and beauty of that is contained in it . I know a mirtle is a mirtle though planted amongst nettles : and at one time or other the soules beautie will shew it selfe , enlightning the poore case which couers it . I know also that the cause of my long straying hath proceeded from my indirect disposing , preferring the bodies aduice before the iudgement of the soule . But the Prouerbe shall be confirmed in my flesh ; Euill councell shall be worse for the Councellour . I will chastise my flesh for her rash and indiscreete aduising , and admire the resolution of my spirit , that euer stoode in opposition against her . Recollect your selues , you wandring & vnsetled thoghts of mine , fixe your intention , where there is no further extension , the fruition of perfit content . I knowe the time hath beene when vanity so betwitched you , as like poore Vlysses companions , you were forced ( too willing a force ) to heare the inchanted harmony of euery Syren . But now you haue that Moli , that hearbe of experience , that will charme the inchantresse , and teach you true resolution . Shall a little taste , or distaste rather of voluptuous affections , withdraw you from your primarie essence ? you proceed from the soule , and shall any extrinsecall obiect draw you from her ? alas it were pitie : your founder the soule is imprisoned already , and one that beares her small good will , a domesticall enemy , that euer plants her battery to ouerthrow the faire and beautifull structures of the said impudencie it is , and shameles boldnes for the handmaide to dominiere ouer her Mistris : for the case to bee better esteemed then the instrument is in it : alas ! what harmony would a faire and curious case make without her instrument ? silent musicke : if Arion had played on such , hee had neuer inchanted fishes , but had beene as mute as any fish . But the Body vseth to say to the Soule , as our gallant to the simple plaine man : He is a good soule : seeming to disparage Goodnesse with the Epethite of Simplicitie . But these braue cutters are deceiued : that disparagement maketh them worthy ; It is the truest badge of a Christian to walke in Trueth and simplicitie . These simple shrubbes will find footing in the narrow wayes , when our lofty Cedars shall seeke for broader passages . And whence I pray you commeth this haughtinesse of minde , but from the corruption of the bodie ? Alas ! if man would but consider , his composition : How weake in his birth , how naked in his life , how perplexed , and in his Death ofte-times how irresolued , he would fashion himselfe to an other forme , neyther how to imitate the Apish fashions of the Spanyarde or Italian , but how to expresse himselfe in the duty of a Christian . The Prodigals contempt of the world , declared in condemning the multiplicities , and varieties of fashions in the same . IF GOD were in loue with fashions , he could neuer bee better serued , then in these our dayes : For , our World is like a Pageant , where euery mans Apparrell is better then himselfe , where if our bodyes did chaunge formes , so often as our Apparrell changeth fashions , they should haue more shapes then fingers or toes , Miserable Age , when our best parte is dis-valued , and the worst of man , like Esaps Crow , so ridiculously varied with all colours . The soule being of more tempered judgmēt , cā no way chuse but laugh at the bodies foolery : and ask her as the philosopher did Scylla . Whereto doe all these tend ? must these euer be stript off thee ? Dare death affront one of such eminencie ? Surely no : she will disspence with thee for a time , if it be but to instruct the World in new vanities . O silly man ! how much imputation thou aspersest on thy selfe in affecting such trumperies ? Goe but vnto the first ordinance , and how farre are these fashions altered from the letherne coats which God made in Paradise ? There were none of these vanities , but the corruptions of these times haue introduced many errours of no lesse occurrence : When in reuolutions of times , we euer haue obserued the following age to be worse then the precedent , and that of Homer to be true : Pauci nunc similes patribus nascuntur bonestis . I will wish a better cloathing for my bodie ; not so obseruant to the eye , but better fitting for her state : These outward couers ofte times make vs forget our imperfections , caring for no more then to garnish the body , whilest we all together stand neglectfull of the state and condition of the soule . The Ancients that were sequestred from the world , and onely meditated of their ends , though superstitiously deuoted , yet in this respect to be admired . They stoode not vpon earthly pompe , nor on outward garish vanities : their refectory was a Cell , their companion a deathshead their remembrancer , an hour-glasse , and their studie how to dye . And death certainely could not bee terrible to such : fixing their mindes on nothing heere in this life , which might trouble them in departure vnto a better life . It is true , the pompe of death more terrifieth then Death it selfe . Obiects of vanitie make our dissolution heauie : and some I haue seene passe away with an indifferencie of life : others , before representment of death merry , but at their approach , when Resolution should haue shewne her selfe best , prowde recreants to themselues . Causes I haue conceyued two-fold ; eyther for that their minde were seated on Earthly affaires , and could not pierce into the excellencie of their future hopes : or that oppressed with the heauie remembrāce of their sinnes they trembled to appeare so vnprouided or grieuously loaden before a throane of iustice , where they must of necessity answer : theyr meditation , at the instant of death , is all of his Iustice , without recourse to his mercie . O these ( if they might ) would sue a repriue at Deaths hands , with many intreaties . I obserued this ( poore soule that I am , ) & it hath bin an especial , motiue to my conuersion admonishing my selfe by their conuersion & life , to preuēt their miserable end I will therfore first desire to liue well , before I will wish to die will : for hard it is for him that will not liue the life of the righteous , to die the death of the righteous , life and death beeing in this nature concomitants , the cōclusions euer seconding the begining . I must obserue S. Ieroms rule , who whither he slept or wakt , euer thoght that sūmons to be sounding in his eare , Arise ye dead , and come vnto Iudgement : This preparation will addresse me to thinke of my end , before I come to it : and the more welcome will it be when I come to it . I haue wondred at men , when they desired one time after an other : for it makes me weepe , when I see my houre glasse beside mee , and see euery drop of sand follow other so speedily . How precious is that treasure which can neuer be redeemed ? and so precious is Time , shewing State in himselfe , for he will stay for no man : but offering his opportunity , ( which accepted ) yeeldes remedie to any malady : if thou be sicke in minde , no time so sinister or akward but will shewe in some season , a cordiall to thy discomforts : if in body , euery day is not canicular , there be some promising helpes , euen in dayes , if not to cure , yet to allay thy infirmities . Change of Fortune , the worldlings greatest sickenesse ; is soone taken away by continuance , either by respect to our selues , or to others ; to our selues , considering they were but lent vs , to others , seeing the like accidents common vnto them with vs. The Prodigall condemning the spent thrifts of time . O That our worldling would but call to minde the preciousnesse of the Time ! Hee would not desire so speedyrunning horses for his pleasure , to soake the poore , grate vpon the bons of the needy , making spunges of them to inrich himselfe : nor the ambitious wholly exposed to the insatiare desire of honour , would abuse so inestimable good , with so indefinite an euill , in Courtiers applause , spending the beauty of the day with the complements of an oylie tongue . That holy Father well obserued this , who to put himselfe in minde of his dayes taske , would euer sommon himselfe in the Euening with this account : O my soule ! what hast thou done to day ? Hast thou employed thy time in studies well fitting Gods glory , thy brothers benefit , and thine owne soules health ? Whom hast thou oppressed ? Whom hast thou iniured ? O! these commemorations are able to rowse vp the sluggish soule from the sleepe of sinne and securitie , and to bring him to the knowledge of himselfe and his owne infirmities . Alas ! how many vaine houres wee spend with Nabuchadnezzar in walking vainly in the pride of our hearts : nay euen in the royall places of Babel ? strowting in the very height of our hearts , as vessels not composed of ordinary substance , but admiring our owne demerites , beginne to boast of our owne actions : Heere we glory in gorgeous buildings , when indeede our houses should be like Obadiahs , temples dedicated to Gods worship . There of our learning , yet for all our learning , we are but Agrippaes halfe-christians . Heere of the applause of people , and amidst our glory , with Herod , become miserable . There of policie , but Haman like , it becomes starke folly : vaine be the imaginations of man , full of vanities , falshood , and vntrueths : and wherein can we glory of our owne strength ? O then ! since our times is so short , our houres so few , and our constitution so weake : let vs become respectiue of the time , lest hauing lost it , we be neuer able to recall it againe . The Prodigalls care , to redeeme his expence of time past . O My soule ! thinke thou of this : redeeme that time thou hast spent , if not in houres ( for many haue beene the houres of my vanity ) yet in teares , that the Lord God beholding thy contrition , may take thy repentance , in lieu of thy times expence : Thou hast a reckoning ( O Lord , of all my idle houres ; how vainely I haue consumed my daies in the affections of vanity : O that I might redeeme the time with sorrowing ! and yet there is some comfort appearing . For as thou hast a booke of accounts , wherin my sinnes are set downe , so I know thou hast a bottle wherein to put my teares : albeit I be vnworthy to lift vp mine eyes to heauen , to pray to thee ; yet am I not vnworthy by blinding mine eies with teares to weepe before thee . True it is , that teares be the best and soueraignest Balme , to cure the wounds of a sin-bleeding Soule , and neuer came teares from the heart , which cured not the poison of sinne . Mine eyes therefore , like plentifull fountaines , shall euer be sending forth water to rince the vlcers of my soule , and fire of zeale to consume the thorny cares , in which I haue beene too long enwrapped . There shall be no impediment now , if the progresse of my pilgrimage doe hinder mee from so heauenly an expedition . O that I had not eyes to see my follies before this time ! or hauing eies , woe is me , I directed them not to the line and leuell of wisdome : yet my comfort is , though , poenitentia sera raro est vera , yet , poenitentia vera nunquam est sera : Neuer too late vnfainedly to forsake my euill wayes : for thou wilt receiue the thiefe , rather then faile , euen at the last houre , to expresse thy mercies and fatherly compassion to penitent sinners : yet that example Ministers mee a double vse ; not to despaire at the last , because there was one ; nor to deferre my repentance to the last , because there was but one . Happy thiefe , happy theft , the thiefe an heire in heauen , the thiefe an inheritance in heauen . Amongest the Scythians , no fact was with such seueritie punished as theft : for ( saith the Historian ) if it had beene lawfull to steale amongest them , what had beene safe amongst them : But I say no theft ( in this kind ) was lawful to this good thiefe , for without it nothing at all had beene safe vnto him . The Prodigals description , of the diuersities of theft . THe oppressors of the poore steale : for they sucke the blood of the Orphanes , and treasure vp vengeance for themselues . The Monopolists steale , for they doe ingrosse to themselues a peculiar gaine , inlarging the Garnars with the Rich man , to make their punishments the greater . The Lawyer with his mentall reseruations , for he who should procure his Clients peace , prolongs his suite , because he hath an Action to his purse , as his aduersary had to his land . The proud Pharisee steales , for he meanes to steale Gods glory from him , attributing that to his owne merites , which is none of his ; making himselfe the Author and accomplisher of euery deseruing worke ; let mee be none of these ( good Father ) I see their miserable ends by their sinister meanes : For how should vicious beginnings haue vertuous ends ? They peruerted the wayes of Iustice , walking in crooked by paths , where the Saints of God neuer traced ; Be it farre from me , to be said to steale thy glory with the Pharisie , or protract the poore widdowes cause with the trifling Lawyer , or hoord vp vengeance for my selfe with the couetous ingroser , or sucke the blood of the needy with the remorcelesse oppressor . The Prodigall sheweth , wherein true content consisteth . I Will desire one thing of thee , O my GOD , and that shall bee all : to taste true contentation , and not the worldlings seeming content , who professe themselues to be fully satisfied , yet crie still more and more : that content proceedes enforced , I would haue mine enfranchised : let it be riches to mee to possesse thee : cloathing to me to put on my Lord Iesus : foode unto mee to feede on the bread of his word : and life vnto mee to liue for my Sauiours glory : So shall my riches be eternall , not subiect to the casualties of Fortune or Chance , for no moates can corrupt that treasure which is reserued in Heauen for the Elected : So shall my cloathing neuer be worne out , but like the Israelites garments , continue euermore new : For they which put on Christ , shall continually haue their raiments renewed : So shall my foode , for it is Spirituall Manna , feede my soule with holy and heauenly meditations nourished : so shall my life neuer fade , being by the Almighty preserued . Alasse ( Lord ) if I should continue in my old transgressions , and in the hardnesse of my heart , assay to clime vp to heauen ( with the Gyants ) should not I be soone destroyed ? yea Lord , what am I , that I should be able to stand against thee ? Or is my house of Clay so firme , that it can support it selfe without thee ? When the King of Iuda proclaimed warre against the King of Israel , the King of Israel returned answere , That the Thistle rebelled against the Cedar . And should I , that am lighter then vanitie , oppose my selfe against the Eternall power of the Almightie ? No Lord , I will rather humble my selfe before thy Throane , and with teares of heartie remorce , purchase pardon . Thou hast hung the white banner out , to expresse thy mercie vnto all such as will submit themselues . I will descend therfore before the red signall of thy wrath , denounce bloud and vengeaunce . I haue fore-slowed my returne ( O Lord ) too long , sleeping on the bedde of securitie : I haue carowsed Balthazar-like , ●n the vessells of the Temple , prophaning thy most Holie Name : till thy terrible Hand appeared . I haue Dauid-like feasted on Beauty , and drunke deepe in bloud , till by a Nathan , rowzed , and by a taste of thy iudgements throughly awaked . I haue Manasses-like erected High-places , although not publiquely in the streete , yet secretly in my heart , till by captiuitie and bondage tamed , Lastly , like the Prodigall as I am , haue I wandered from my Fathers house , the house of my spirituall-Father , till by penurie I was inforced to return home againe . And what were the pleasures which drew mee from the obedience of my Father ? Nothing but bitternesse , anguish , & sorrow . How tedious were those houres of my choycest delights , hauing euer for one minutes sweetnes an houres distaste : For what earthly ioyes bee not attended by repentance ? and farre worse bee those ioyes , which be not attended by repentance . Different be the sorrows of the iust and vniust : as their ioyes , the one continuate , the other abridged . The righteous man may be sorrowfull for a night , but ioy cōmeth in the morning . But the wicked sustaine an Eternall torment : their rest is but a seeming rest : their comfortes meere shadowes , but no reall comcomforts . They haue euer a worme gnawing and consuming them , the reason is , their hearts be not fixed on the desire of Eternitie , hut on momentarie delights : which as they be short in continuance , so in the ende they yeeld repentance . The Continent ( saith the Phylosopher ) must of necessitie be greater then the contained : For otherwise , how should it comprehend a substance ampler then it selfe ? But man planting the affections of his Soule vppon a mundane delight : hoping to satisfie her large Circumference with so straight a Centre , erreth both in Diuine and humane phylosophie . Of a thing so little in seeming , nothing so extended as the nature of the soule : for it aspires higher and higher till it attaine to that height , then which nothing can bee higher : the reason wherefore she can not come to her expected , and indeed limited end , is the heauy masse & burthen which she carrieth euer about her , to wit , this vnbrideled Flesh , the which not brought into subiection , like vnto a turbulent and factious Souldier , maketh head against her Captaine : and although shee cannot vtterly vanquish him , ( yet by her two Confederates . ) The Prodigall sheweth , how the Soule is annoyed with the Flesh , and her two Confederates , the Worlde ▪ and the Diuell , &c. THe Worlde and the Diuell , shee is euer annoying the Soule , now moouing her to elation of minde , presently to despaire : now to forget her Creator , by rep●esenting her owne beautie , presently she expresseth the seueritie of GODS iudgments , his wrath to sinners , and the multitude of her owne transgressions . And if the Soule doe desire , dissolution with Paul , then commeth the flesh , and presenteth her with the deluding obiects of Vanitie , seeking to captiuate her Guardian with new temptations . This mooued that deuout Father to weepe bitterly , who walking one day in the field , chanced to espie a Sheepheards boy , who had catched a Bird , and tied a threed to the legge of her : The Bird was euermore flickering , and endeuoured to soare vp , but the threed kept her backe that shee could not . This poore Bird is my soule ( saith he ) that desireth to mount vp , and liue with her Creator ; but this threed , the flesh , holds her backe that she can not . An obseruation worthy of our consideration that lie manacled with the fetters of sinne , subiected to the slauish delights of the flesh , and exposed to miserable seruitude , by reason of the corruptions of our flesh . The best remedy I could euer find , to set my soule at liberty , was the taming and macerating of my body , to giue her as litle countenance as may be , lest whilest her fancie be satisfied , the fortresse of my soule be razed . The Laconians euer had their gouernement most flourishing , when their diet was most sparing : I must deale so with my body , temper and moderate her affections , if shee suggest any thing into the eare of my Soule , presently to reprooue her for her boldnesse . It is not for the Maide to professe her selfe a Councellour to her Mistresse . If she present vnto her eye the sundry moouing delights of the world , to chastice her sharply , daring to seduce her Mistresse from her allegeance towards her Creator . No assay should passe vnpunished : for impunitie confirmeth sinne , strengthening the meanes of sinning , through the want of punishing . Choose not thou with Martha the worser part : set all houshold affaires aside , let temporary delights vanish , and let such as set their mindes vpon them , perish . I haue but one soueraigne end , at which my soule aymeth , let her obtaine that and it sufficeth . The Prodigals relation of the destruction of the wicked . THe candle of the wicked shal be soone put out , but the light of the Righteous shall remaine for euer , their flourishing shall abide , when the other fadeth : for behold , though the wicked flourish like a greene palme tree , and seeme happy in all outward blessings ; though his Garnars be full , his fields fruitfull , his creatures aboundant : though his pastures be fat , and his children ( mans greatest blessing ) be like the Oliue-branches about his table : yet doe I know his faire buildings shall be destroyed , his Garnars , which he enlargedd , consumed : his faire and fruitfull fields laid waste , his treasures rifled , his pastures with all his hierds dispersed , and his children vtterly rooted out and extinguished . But the Righteous man , whose gaine is godlinesse , whose profession is vprightnes , and conuersation holinesse : prouideth for himselfe an estate of an other nature : Hee hath his eye euer fixed vpon his end : he will not enrich himselfe by oppression , or inhaunce his meanes by his brothers ruine . For hee knoweth that the Lord will see a conuenient time to execute iudgement . He noteth how many haue bin taken tripping in their wickednes : Balthasar in his mirth , Herod in his pride , the Philistines in their banquetting , the men of Ziglag in their feasting , the Israelites in their rioting , with Manna and Quailes , Iobs children in their drunkennes , the Sodomites in their filthinesse , the Steward in his security , the churle in his plenty , the old world in their marrying , the Aramites in their sensuall liuing . Miserable end when men-end in their sinne , where iudgement must receiue them , where sinne left them : woe and alas shal be their best melody : sorrow and vexation their inseparable attendants : call to minde this ( O my soule ) and tremble ; sleepe not in thy sinnes , lest the sleepe of death surprize thee ; cast vp thy accounts each Euening , let not thy soule take her rest , till by the free confession of thy sinnes , thou find rest of conscience : for when the night commeth none can worke , I will worke therefore while it is day . The day hath resemblance to mans life , as the night hath to death : I will imitate the Sunne , that shineth euer brightest when it setteth , making the period of my dayes a happy concluder of many toylsome houres which I haue spent in this vale of teares , that the remnant of my time may redeeme the vanitie of my youth , lamenting to haue committed that in the prime of my yeeres , which makes mee grieue in the winter of mine age . Yet in the very extent of my griefe , there is one thing that comforteth me : I know Lord. The Prodigals harmony , to the afflicted children of God. THou neuer forsookst the man that resposed his confidence in thee , but when the faithfull Soule is plunged in greatest afflictions , contrary to all humane expectation , thou forthwith deliuerest him . Thou neuer shewedst thy selfe more mercifull to Daniel , then in the Lyons denne : nor to Dauid , then when persecuted , and pursued by Saul : nor to Susanna , then when she was falsely accused by the Elders : nor to thy chosen people the Bethulians , then in the defeat of Holofernes Army Gods mercy is neuer better expressed , then by the character of mans misery , where euents aboue expectance , make Gods people most blessed , where they were supposed to be most wretched . Hence is it ( Lord ) that I admire thy mercies : I haue wandered , and thou diddest guide mee , yea thou reducedst mee to thine owne sheepefold , when I had lost my selfe in the desarts of sinne : I was sicke , and sicke to death , for I laboured of the lethargie of sinne , and thou camest to the caue of my Sepulchre , the place where I had beene long sleeping in the graue of sinne , and awaked my soule , bidding her follow thee . Shee shall follow thee like the goate vpon the mountaines , she shall not stay in the brakes of vanitie , for thou hast reuiued my soule from death , and hast renewed her like the Eagles feathers . It is said , that the Eagles feathers consume all feathers that lie with them : So shall the diuine motions of my soule fixed vpon the brasen Serpent , a type of Christ curing all infirmities , dispell the vnstable and wauering representments of earths vanity , no comfort shall seeme perfect , no delight pleasant , no meditation Concordant to the eare of my soule , but the meditation of my Christ crucified , that in imitation of his humility , I may not onely submit my selfe to the Crosse , but make it both bread and drinke to doe my Fathers will ; so in the very comfort of my spirit , I may truly say ; my yoake is easie , and my burden light . For well doe I know ( Lord ) though thy seruants be tempted , they cannot be tainted , though assaulted , neuer surprized : and though the Cittie of God be alwayes besieged , yet neuer ruined . Christians and persecutions close together like Christ and his Crosse . The Israelites before they came to their Land of Promise , their temporall Canaan , endured many difficulties : and shall I that am in my iourney to a spirituall Canaan , suffer impatiently any affliction , any difficulty , or anxiety whatsoeuer ? No Lord , I know the more I suffer in this life , the greater shall be my victory ; for impediments attending a Conquest , maketh the Conquest more glorious . A Cittie lightly assaulted may long hold out : but that Citty is to be commended , that inuironed on euery side , hemmed in with troupes of Assailants , inclosed with violent opponents , yet maugre the fury of warre or hostile incursions , fortifies her selfe with courage instead of wals , and assures her selfe either of victory or a glorious end . The Prodigals admonition to resolution , and constancie in the Battell , and seruice of the Lord Iesus Christ . REsolution must be a Christians best cognisance ; he should not be amazed at any opposition , but in the sincerity of his owne cause , the integritie of his profession remaine constant , without wauering , resolued without dismaying , and patient in enduring any occurrence that can any way befall him . Such was the resolution of those three children , who rather then they would fall downe before false gods , willingly submitted themselues to the extreamest torments , which either tyranny could inflict , or flesh and blood endure . Such was the resolution and magnanimity of all the Apostles , who went to death willingly to propagate Gods glory . Yea euen in all those persecutions , mentioned in the Ecclesiasticall Historie , We shall manifestly see portraied the patience of Martires continually suffering , and the cruelty of Tyrants with all inhumanity punishing . Rasis is renowned for his resolution in the Machabees , pulling out his owne bowells to intimate his contempt of life , which is taxed by Saint Augustine , saying ; That this fact was done Magne , non Bene , But alas ( Lord ) where is that Christian fortitude ? we are now shaken with euery wind of contrarily working passion : euery shadow , euery feare , euery perturbation doth now dismay vs. Wee feare death , because we haue deserued Death after death : wee reade of the constancie of the Apostles , Martyrs , and Confessors , and reading admire them , but are loath to imitate them : We say , they are good Records , excellent Annalls , and worthie memorie : yet those memorials be quickly extinguished , those Annalls soone raced out of our memorie . Manie suffer in minde , if they loose their goods : or if defamed , they will endeuour to repurchase heir good name , with the expence of their bloud . These be imputations so impropriate to thēselues , as they cannot heare them . Alas ! if man would consider the deprauednes of his own nature what aspersions , how scandalous soeuer : what reproches , how contumelious soeuer : or what inuectiōs how bitter soeuer , cā giue him a Title due , in regard of his naturall vilenesse . Heyres of sinne , slaues of sinne , and champions of sinne ; what can such heyres haue , but an inheritance of shame ? What can such slaues haue , but the hire of shame ? And what can such champions glorie of , but that they are boulsterers of shame ? But if wee will fight the Lords battell , for heyres of sinne , wee shall become heyres of righteousnesse : For slaues of sinne , seruants in Christes Familie : and for Champions of sinne , Armourers , in the Lords Army . Were not this a Battell worth fighting ? when our Earthly Tents should be trāslated to heauenly mansions , our tabernacles of clay , to sanctuaries of eternitie : where we putting on the whole cōpleat armour of resolued Christians , may say with the Apostle , Wee haue fought a good fight , and thanks be to the Lord that hath giuen vs victorie , through our Lord Iesus Christ . Iesus Christ , a most happy name indeede , where I neuer heare the name of Iesus , but I heare the name of Saluation : nor of Christ , but I heare in it the name of Vnction . Who would not fight vnder this name , to purchase to himselfe an eternall name of glory , not on earth , for that is vaine , and temporary , but in heauen , for that endureth perpetually . Ranke mee ( O Christ amongst thy squadrons : Set me in the forefront of the battell , and let mee fight with that resolution , as no fury of Antichrist , though neuer so violent , may daunt me , but as one prepared against the extreamest of perills , not to loose ground , nor play recreant to my faith , which I haue alwayes professed , but to stand vnto it manfully , till I haue gotten the victory . Cato tearmed it Nobile lethum , to die in the defence of ones Countries libertie : And is it not a farre more Noble and glorious death to die in defence of our owne Soule ? where many temptations be daily & hourely assaulting , perpetuall inducemēts ensnaring , & also not violent siege lying , we had need haue expert Captains to marshall our Troups : to wit , our passions ; prepared mindes , to wit , all afflictions , and impregnable Bulwarkes , to withstand the violence of siege . To wit , preparatiues against all inducements . A Soule thus Fortified , cannot well be surprized : The Enemie may well lye at the gates , but it will be matter of greater difficultie for him to enter ; A poore man had need haue no trayterous passions or motions within him , to render vp the castle and Fortresse of his Soule . He hath enemies enow without , all should bee faithful vnto him at home : Hee must haue no effeminate appetite , lest like another Tarpeia , it seek to ruinate her possessour , as that wantonly-amourous Maide would haue betraied the Capitoll to an Hostile vsurper . We should therefore haue our passions in subjection , our illimited desires in bondage : lest they ( beeing as they are ) boundlesse in themselues , enforce the Soule , to passe the bounds of discreete moderation . It was excellently obserued by that father of Moralitie Plutarch , esteeming him that could moderate his affections , to be halfe vertuous , but hee that had soueraigne command ouer his passions , to bee a perfit man. But as these dayes goe , we take such to be good men , with Cicero , as haue onely appearance of vertue in them . Perfection is too absolute for this time : and inferiour vertues , saith one , be good enough for yron Ages . If with Balaam wee desire to die the death of the righteous , it is enough . No matter for the interim of our life : we ground vpon an infalliable Axiome , A good end is euer attended with a good life : it is true : But an euill life seldome or neuer produceth a good end : he therefore that meanes to die in Gods fauour , must liue in his feare , for hee that on the stage of this world , makes not his entrance in his feare , seldome makes his Exit in his fauour . But I will dedicate my heart to God , that hee who requires it may possesse it : so shall both his feare and fauour lodge in the harbour of my heart : and blessed is such a Temple as shall be thought worthy to receiue so comfortable a guest ; hee that hath his heart possessed of God , can find no discordant passion transporting him , no exhorbitant affection raigning in him , all things be safe , all all secure : for the God of peace liueth in him , the holy Spirit wholly possesseth him , and the Angells as ministring seruants are deputed by GOD to attend him , O then ! let my heart enioy thee , that the rest of my members may follow thee whither soeuer thou goest : For like as the poize of a clock turneth the wheeles one way : so the heart , being the maine poize of euery humaine Composition , what manner of way soeuer it doth turne , draweth ( by an attractiue power ) all the corporall motions with it . Or like as the yron is drawne by the Adamant , the Strawe by the Ieate , and the Helyo trophic by the Sunne : Euen so bee the faculties of the body drawne by the attractiue power of the heart : For , as they receiue all life by her , so , like loyal subiects , they render , as to their soueraigne , their legeance vnto her . The Prodigals offering . GOe then ▪ ( O my hart ) I giue ▪ thee to my Maker , he craneth thee , and he onely shall haue thee . Whilest thou wast mine , thou wast a wandering heart , a faithlesse heart , a secure and carnall heart , a remorcelesse and impenitent heart ; but being now thy Creators , he will apparell thee anew , adorning thee with the excelent gifts of his Spirit , that being cloathed heere with the ornaments of his grace , thou mayest bee transplanted hence to the Kingdome of Glory . And what gift better or more acceptable then my heart , to my Maker that made my heart ? I will say with that blessed father , My heart ( O Lord ) was created by thee , and it can find no rest till it come vnto thee ; no rest indeede . For what rest or peace in this world ? what comfort in this life : Quaequanto ▪ magis procedit , tanto magis ad mortem accedit : Where there is of that side feare , of this side trembling : heere hunger , there thirst : heere heate , there cold : heere griefe , there anguish of minde aboundeth : and to all these succeedeth importunate death : which with a thousand kinds of diseases , daily and sodainly seaseth vpon wretched man : why then should man so attentiuely set his heart vpon the vaine delights of this world ? let him but consider the certainty of it , and hee shall confesse nothing more inconstant , light , and wauering : let him obserue the vanity of it , and hee will acknowledge nothing so foolish , contemptuous or vndeseruing . Well might Democritus laugh in these dayes , where the world , as that Philosopher imagined , seemes to be made of nothing but discords . Many discords indeed , where there is no vnity betwixt man and his conscience , policy and religion , Church and Common-wealth , youth and age , and that I may vse the Churches very annexion , man and wife : where some esteeme wife and children as billes of charges . Which moued the wisemans answere , being demaunded when a man should marry ? A yong man not yet , an old man not at all . Wherefore Arminus a Ruler of Carthage being importunately perswaded to marry , answered : I dare not : for if I chance to light vpon one that is wise , she will be wilfull , if wealthy , then wanton : if poore , then peeuish : if beautifull , then proud : if deformed , then loathsome : and the least of these is able to kill a thousand men . A strange age , when our greatest comforts be oftentimes peruerted and made the indefinitest euills . What concord in so maine oppositions ? Esteeme this for a life , let him that pleaseth : I haue seene in my fewe yeeres expense , and many houres bitter experience , that the very greatest comforts were but appearances , and where a promising euent shewed it selfe , there some sinister occurrent euer thwarted the effect . I will so resolue to liue , that I may die cheerefully : without looking backe to what I leaue behind : I will iudge of delights as impertinences , auailing little to my heauenly voyage . What I haue , I will vse freely , without profusenesse , and without sparing , to shew I am Maister of mine owne . Lauishly to consume what I may with reputation keepe , I will not : and to spare where Discretion bids mee spend , I scorne it : the one implies a Prodigall humour , exposed to obseruance : the other a niggardlinesse indiscreetely parcimonious : for the pleasures of this life ( I thus resolue ) if they had more permanence , and not such motiue causes of repentance , I should welneare as much doate on them , as I now loath them . But to haue delights immixed with such interchangeable courses of discontent , falling to their ebbe , before euer they come to their flowe : I thinke euery wise man will conclude with that wisest of men : Vanity of vanities , and all is but vanitie . The Prodigall describeth the manifold passions , and distractions of the heart and minde . LEt me descant on euery passion ( for I my selfe am not ignorant of these distractions ) which are subiects of the minde , and in some mindes soueraignesses : that in their description , and those attending inconueniences , which euer wait on them , man may learne to be wise , cautioning himselfe by others miseries . I will beginne with that passion which ( in the purity of her owne nature ) is the perfection of all vertues , the Accomplisher of the law , and the mysticall Vnion betwixt Christ and his members : yet peruerted , an vnmatched euill , laying open a breach to the enemie ( in the fortresse of the Soule ) and exposing it vnto all illimited and vndisciplined affections . It is the sensuall mans loue , who transported with the vnbrideled desires of his flesh , seekes the essence of the refinest vertue , to wit , loue vnder the pretence of the detestablest vice , to wit , lust . This is hee that makes his heires , heires of Beggary : consumes his estate vppon painted Sepulchres : degenerates from himselfe , in hanting pleasures vnworthy of himselfe . This man respecteth not his good Name , which Salomon preferreth before great riches , and whose beauty hee esteemeth more of then gold or siluer . And yet what account maketh the sensuall louer of this so inestimable a good , pawning it to harlots , letting out his house to shame , and that body which should be the Temple of the holy Ghost , become a cage for vncleane Birds . Miserable blindnes ! when man falleth with open eyes into the pit of perdition , slauing his vnderstanding , the best part of man , to appetite , which hee hath common with beasts . Hee considereth not a two-folde inconuenience rising from this inordinate passion . First , Repentance heere , and if not entire , confusion else-where : Repentaunce is neuer there entire , where we commit that againe , and with a willingnesse , which we desired before might be forgiuen vs with a seeming pensiuenesse . This repentance is onely a lippe-labour ; farre from the heart , for hee that returneth to his olde vomite , strengtheneth the arme of sinne . Sickenesse at the heart wee know to be best cured by cordialls applied to the heart : externall remedies little auaile inward maladies : The salue and the sore must be of one nature : Pray therefore with Dauid , that they eyes may not looke after a woman : but if thou canst not preuent thine eyes , but they must looke after a woman ; at least pray , that thou maist so preuent thine eyes , that thy heart lust not after a woman : so may thy lustfull affections be restrained , and thy vnderstanding restored , which thou wast so long berest off , as thou frequentedst the house of the strange woman ; bee her house estranged to thee , and to thy steppes : for ( saith Salomon ) Can a man hide fire in his bosome , and his clothes not burned ? Or , can a man walke vpon coales , and not burne his feete ? euen so hee that entreth the house of his neighbour , shall not be cleane when hee hath toutched her . Thou knowest , whatsoeuer thou be , that hauntest these vicious and odious consorts , that the Adage which was written vpon Lais , that famous strumpet of Corinth , is verified in thy English Curtezan : He commeth on a bootelesse errand to Lais of Corinth , that hath not to giue so much as shee requireth . Hence then by an vnbrideled appetite mayest thou sustaine a double wracke : Ruine of soule and body . Thy soule made the hire of basenesse : thy body , which was created for the seruice of her Creator , becommeth seruant ( no vassall ) to the dispicablest of all his Creatures , let the Prodigalles Teares warne thee , who wisheth from his heart thy returne with him ; that is the best parte of Beautie , which a picture can not expresse . Looke at the rare and exquisite workmanship of thy soule , and thou wilt be loath to staine it , with the refuse of a painted beautie . Ambition is the great mans passion , who builds imaginarie kingdomes in the ayre , and climing for most part breaks his owne necke , he is insatiate of honor , nor can hee cease from soaring , vntill his wings be singed . This is an hereditary euill to great persons , and though they see by daily experience , that the loftiest Cedars are subject to tempests , yet , rather then they wil loose honor , they will oppose themselues against all perills . These men are euer for the greatest designes : managements of warre , to raise their glorie , they vndertake willingly , & growing once popular , they apprehēd euery occasiō that may answer their hopes . T is strange to see how vainly they bee carryed aboue thēselues ; how they admire their owne demerites , none be so fit followers for them as factious and turbulent spirites : for Catiline must not want his Cethegas , How great is this Frensie , when man by striuing to outstrippe him selfe , vtterly ouerthrowes himselfe . Who is safe , and would be in danger ? who at rest , and would subiect themselues vnto the force of publique dissentions ? These Absolon-like neyther regarde Nature nor Sexe : they see the hooks of honour hung out , and they are euer nibling , till they be choaked . There be alwayes Achitophels that suggest matter of innouation , in these ambitious heads , but the Councell perisheth with the councellour . These men naturally speak much and doe little , and not with Iugurth , Speake little , and doe much : for if they ouer-valewed not themselues , they could neuer fall to such admiration of themselues . These spirits had neede be cooled : til they tast the bitter pill of repentance . He portrayed the ambitious man rightly , that pictured him snatching at a Crowne , & falling , with this Motto , Sic mea fata sequor . It is very true : For the Ambitious man euer followeth himselfe to his owne end : the best remedie can bee ministred , is consideration , drawne from themselues , or experience from others : From themselues , in regard of their owne frailty : from others , in hauing an eye to their fall . We are aptest to be moued to consideration of our selues , when wee haue an eye rather to such as are below vs , then aboue vs : for the one doth as much humble and abase vs , as the other doeth transporte vs aboue our selues . CHRIST seeing his Disciples to striue among themselues , for preheminence said : He that is the least amongst you , shal be as the greatest : and taking vp a Childe , exhorteth them to bee humble , like that Childe . Alas ! what hath man to be prowde on , that he so sets forth himselfe ? Is hee of rarer composition then earth , that he should esteeme of himselfe aboue Earth ? Many inferiours he hath of lesse dignitie then himselfe , manie poorer : yet which of these not equall to him in deserts ? And shall there bee but one Sunne , and like another indiscreet Phaeton , will he striue to haue the regimēt of it ? Remember thine ende , and thou wilt make it thy greatest honour , to Attribute all Honour to thy Creator . Consideration , drawne from others , I would haue thee thus to applie to thy selfe : Thou hast seene , heard , or read , of manie who haue attained the end of their hopes , & became soueraignes of their wishes : They desired a Kingdome , and they possesse it : Yet if thou consider those manie indirect means , by which they possest it , thou wilt prefer the subiect that liueth on a poore Farme , rightfully possessed , before that King who enioyeth a Diadem wrongfully vsurped : For the one is ingaged to great accounts , the other free of all after reckonings : But if this will not humble thee , goe to the ambitious mans graue , and see ( as Diogenes said ) if the dust of honour haue a better lustre then the dust of the ignoble : Nay , this also is vanity and vexation of Spirit . Draw in then thy pie-coulored , Sailes , and now retire in harbour : Humility though shee goe behind Ambition on earth , she shall goe before her in heauen : and better t is to be a dore-keeper in the house of the Lord , then to bee conuersant with Princes : Vse so thy honour in this life , that thou maist haue honour in the life to come aboue measure : for God hath said , I will honour them , that honour mee . The miserable I would caution too : Vertue keepes a direct course ( as in an euen diameter ) betwixt excesse and defect : the one inclining to Prodigality , the other to Parcimony : of these two my opinion in briefe is : That Prodigality is a vice more transitiue , Auarice a vice of firmer and deeper roote , and therfore hardlier supplanted : We haue an example of the Prodigals returne in Holy Scripture : but we reade in the eighteenth of Saint Lukes Gospell , when CHRIST willed the rich-man to sell all that he had , and destribute to the poore , he went away sorrowfull : For ( saith the Euanglist , Hee was very rich : this Sell all was a hard speach , he could not digest it : this was the cause why those that were inuited could not come to the marriage-feast : they had their affections planted on an other obiect ; one had a wife to marry , an other a yoake of oxen to trie , an other is for his farme : earthly respects must bee first sought after , for what can earthly mindes rellish , but earthly affaires ? he is blinded with the loue of money , that setteth his soule at sale for money . Gehezi will haue the leaprosie with it , rather then he will loose it : Iudas will betray his Maister , or haue it : Long liue Diana of the Ephesians , ( say the Siluer-smiths ) so long as they gaine by Diana of Ephesus . Of all afflictions incident to the minde , for I may well tearme auarice , with the Philosopher , an affliction , none so insupportable as this , yet none more common . He charactered him rightly , that said ; the miser was good to none , but worst to himselfe : Worst to himselfe ; for hee macerates himselfe ; and as the Poets faine of Prometheus , that an Eagle is continually gnawing and feeding vpon his heart : Euen so this poore Anatomy of man , feeles euer a gnawing at his heart , he cannot sleepe : for cares will not let the rich man sleepe : he can take no rest . For what rest vnto the wicked ? Hee can take no recreation , for though the aire breath vpon him , yet doeth it not refresh him . His minde is disturbed and distracted with store of passions , as feare , desire , enuy , ire , and many others , which for want of better attendants , be of his meiny continually . This man hath , and hath it not ; he hath state , but cannot vse it : if hee giue any thing , the one hand knowes what the other hand doth , and wisheth with all his heart , hee had it againe after he hath giuen it : Hee neither thinketh of Death nor Resurrection : or at least , if there bee a last Iudgement , hee hopes to purchase a Writ of Remooue with his money , or to find , as on earth , so partiall a Iudge in heauen that will be corrupted , and dispence with his crimes . When he dies , he makes himselfe his owne executor , and the Diuell , who was his purueiour liuing , he maketh his superuisor dying . Hee leaueth the world sorrowfully , for like a man in a mist , he is roming hee knowes not whither . Briefly , as hee was esteemed a iolly prouident fellow for this world , he hath prooued himselfe a meere foole for the world hee should goe to . Hee got himselfe not so much as one faithfull friend , with all his vnrighteous Mammon : In this life hee was a slaue to his owne ; in the life to come hee is conuicted by his maine indisposed passions attend his vice : for the loue of mony is the roote of all euill ; I will pray that I may haue a competence , and with it a content : in want I would not bee , for it driues many into deiection of minde : nor too rich , lest transported aboue my selfe , by my estate , I forget him that blessed mee with that estate . Euer patient let me be ( O Lord ) in my ebbe , as continent in my flowe : he is not thankfull which thanketh God for his benefits ; but he is thankfull indeede that thankes him for his chasticements . Euery passion may be thus described , and by a sound sincere minde easily remedied ; I know we haue a part in vs that distasts all earthly things , and in it selfe hates all irregular passions : but alas I see with Seneca , Partem in homine diuini spiritus mersam : That part which resembled a diuine power , drowned in the lees and dregs of corruption , vassailed to an vnworthy part , and contemned by the sensible power , where it should be most respected : As those therefore , that in rooting out a tyrannie , first ceaze and raze his principallest Cities , Castles , and Fortresses , wherby al means of retire may bee preuented him : so in this tyranny where the passions and affections of the minde seeme to captiuate and detaine ( in miserable seruitude ) the reasonable and operatiue faculties of the soule : we must race downe all those places of assistance , which like so many fortresses giue retire vnto those tyrannicall passions . Yea we must , obstare princip●●s , lest by encrease the arme of sinne bee strengthened . Dauid wounded the Philistin in the forehead , and so must wee kill the serpent in the egge : sinnes not come to their ripenes , are easier cut downe then in their height : and passions before they be firmely rooted , be quickly suppressed . Words spoken in due time ( saith Salomon ) are like apples of golde with pictures of siluer : and an occasion apprehended Ministers facility in dispatch . Where delay is vsed , this opportunity can neuer be accepted : I haue couenanted therefore with my soule , that shee vse her time offered , chastice the flesh whilest she is low , and will take chasticements ; for being erected and transported aboue the soule , shee will hardly endure chasticing or reproofe . I will also with patience endure afflictions : that the worldlings delights may seeme to mee vanities , and the rules of mortification my hourely directrices , that in the Suruey of this world , I may admire the follies of such as euer desire to liue in the world , euery representment , how vaine soeuer , distracteth the minde of the carnall man ; the the eyes of his vnderstanding be darkened , he cannot distinguish of transitory delights , and heauenly . Hee cannot define of goodnes that neuer heard of it . The Prodigall sheweth , how that passions with there contraries are cured . PAssions are best cured by their contraries : therefore , if my minde bee inclined to pride , I will presently expostulate the cause with my selfe : why I should be proud : I will compare humility with pride , their meanes and ends . For the meanes or mediate course I see humility more honored , lesse enuied , more prosperous in her affaires , and more absolute in her end . I see pride oftentimes distastfull to herselfe : for friends she looseth many , getteth none . And what desart or wildernesse greater then to bee without friends ? She is neuer obserued , but either with laughter or hate : and what is that obseruance worth which either purchaseth contempt or spite ? but where humility goes , the eyes of men follow , as if they had spied a mirror for themselues to imitate , or some worthy Maiesty shrowded in an humble couer . This vertue I haue euer obserued to descend lineally to the greatest and noblest borne : which mooued the Philospher to call it an Heroicke Vertue . We shall see an early mushrome that is nowe growne to a little honour ( bought perchance ) for seldome merited ) put on a strange counterfeit face of seeming honour ; smile hee dare not beyond a point , for feare to vnstarch his looke . He holds this opinion , which is a flat heresie , That pride is the best habilliment of Honour , where true honour will shew it selfe without a foot-cloth : thus will I compare these two seuerall subiects together ; where if pride scorne to be compared to so poore a creature as is humilitie , I shall loue her the worse : for , comparisons to them that deserue least , are euer most offensiue . If I finde the disposition of my minde naturally free , engaged to some miserable desire of hauing , I will set against her Liberalitie , how worthily esteemed the one is , and how contemptible the other ; where , if Precepts will not doe it , I will confirme my Doctrine with Examples : if I finde my minde hard to be weaned from miserable sparing , I will first inforce a bounty : so in time my minde enforced to do that shee would not , will become willing and readie to doe that I would ; If Enuie raigne in mee , I will oppose against her brotherly loue ; that mutuall loue which is required , not onely in humane societie , but in the perfection of Gods Law ; Loue one an other ( saith our Sauiour CHRIST . The reason is confirmed by a blessed Father : The loue of GOD ( saith hee ) ingendereth loue to our Neighbour , the loue of our Neighbour increaseth our loue vnto G●d . This was the Serpents sinne , and is to this day : hee enuyed the welfare of our first Parents in Paradise , and continues his enuie to their race expulsed Paradise . Farre bee it that my Soule , hauing so louing a mirrour to follow , as her CHRIST , should harbor that vice which is most opposite to CHRIST : The Iewes Crucified CHRIST , through enuie , and I should re-crucifie my deere Sauiour , by lodging in my hart enuie . My Soule , which should be a temple for GOD , shall not be made a Sinagogue for sathan . The purer mettall is to be chosen : Charitie is of all others , a mettall most refined . Enuy , of all others , most adulterate and corrupted . Thus , opposing vertue against vice , Reason will direct me to preferre vertue before vice : for where Sence becommeth obedient to Reason , there the New-man is more set by then the Olde-man : but where there is a conflict , which whilest wee subsist in this Tabernacle of clay , we must of necessitie endure , and where the New-man seemes too weake for the encounter , then the worst part becomming soueraigne , all thinges seeme confounded , and as in the first Chaos , without order or disposition : To strengthen me in this encounter , I must incessantly call vpon God , that he would assist me with his grace , that inclining mine eare to his Commandements , I may learne vnderstanding , according to that of the Psalmist , They which obserue them , haue a good vnderstanding : So by the light of my vnderstanding , I shall be able to discomfite sinne , distinguish betwixt sence & reason , re-ally my forces orderly , fight valiantly , and vanquish in the end . I know ( Lord ) vnder whose banner I fight : the assaultes therefore of the flesh shal not surprize me , nor the world ensnare me , nor the diuell , though hee come from compassing the whole Earth , make a prey on me . If the death of the Saints be precious in the Lords sight , much more the life of the Saints , nor shall one haire fall from my head without thy permission . Who would not be prest to the Lords battell ? hee is that Lyon of Iuda : He it was that bruised the head of the Serpent ▪ he it was that discomfited death , and became conqueror ouer hell , and shall I feare to follow such a Captain ? if I be in darknesse , and in the Desart , hee will send forth a firie cloud to conduct mee : if so I be way-faring , as I am , during this Earthly pilgrimage , hee will send a Raphael to guyde mee : To be short , hauing him , I haue more with mee then against mee . The thought of him made the Philistines flye , and say : God is come into the Host : Where hee fighteth , all the Elements are vnited together , in his assistance and ayde . When he fought against the Aramites , the Sunne tooke his part : when hee fought against the Sodomites , the fire tooke his part : when hee fought against the Egyptians , the water tooke his part : when hee fought against the Murmurers , the Earth tooke his part . No ; as he is the Lord of the Forrest , so the beasts of the Forrest assist him : When he fought against the Idolaters , the Lyons tooke his part : when hee fought against the Mockers , the Beares tooke his part . Thus all things make with God , for God made all things : and who can distrust so puissant a Captaine , so inuincible a Generall ? It was but a vaine and insolent brag , when the King of Iuda proclamed warre against the King of Aram , and sayd : no man shall deliuer them out of my hands : but where the Lord saith , No man shall deliuer them out of his hands , it is true . For the Author to the Hebrewes saith , It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of God. Let vs fight therefore , not with Philips siluer words in Greece not with Artaxerxes golden Archers in Persia , but with Pythagoras weapons , one minde , one heart , and one soule , perpetuall weapons these be , the triumphs whereof haue euerlasting Trophies . Powers disnuited , be weaker then those which are knit together : and where the powers and organs of our soules bee not combined , there the castle is soone ruined . There be three things obserued serued in managements of warre , a discreete commaund in the Generall , an vnfained obedience in the Souldier , and a conuenience in the seate of the Campe. These three should bee obserued in our spirituall warrefare ; where the Spirit is Generall , the motions or affections of the Soule be the souldiers : and the campe the Theatre of this world . As the Generall should command , so should that soueraignty be mixed with a sweet attempered discretion : not too violent in commaund , for that implies a tyranny , nor too soft , where the present affaires requires a roughnesse : hee is a good captaine who can distinguish of his souldiers dispositions , vsing lenitie to men of easier temper , seuerity , where a more intractable disposition is seated . Wee haue passions of all natures , some more equally temperates others more illimited : the one sort to be cheered , the other chasticed . Those are to be cheered , which are either good , or indifferently disposed , for semi-vertues , as this age goes , are to be made much of . Such are to be chasticed as oppose themselues directly against the square of right reason , or which leuell not themselues to the marke of reason . The best and most resolute souldiers vse to bee placed in the fore-guard , so should the stayed affections : the recreantest in the rereward , lest being set in the face of their enemy , the eminencie of danger makes them recoile . The generall , hauing thus ranked and ranged his souldiers in battell a ray , fit for present incounter : the souldiers must ( with an inforced obedience ) follow his commaund : for this obedience is an imperiall obedience : cui parere , imperare est : This impliethno seruitude nor basenesse , but a certaine Soueraignty in commaund : Now to the place where the conuenientest repose for aduantage , and retire for danger showes it selfe . The Campe is this world , where there bee multitudes of perils continually threatning ruine , store of Opponents offering vs battell : We must either fight or leaue the field , and cowardly yeeld vp our Armes to our enemy . It is fit therefore that we chuse the conuenientest place we can find for aduantage , both to offend and defend . I do not like the mountaine so well , the place is too eminent : the Valley is more secure , and better for aduantage in our Christian warfare : The Mountaines may seeme to resemble our Courts , and places of eminence : where many obiects will seeke to draw vs from Resolution , to a more soft and sensuall liuing : There is too much vanity , too much admiration , and too little Discipline : perfumes are not for souldiers : Such as will fight in this battell must lie hard , fare hard , and fight hard : They must not satisfie their desires , but represse them : for before the generall victory be atchieued , there must be a victory in our selues . Abstinence and continence be the commendablest attendants for a Souldier , and such as promise an vndoubted victorie . Philopemen was his Countries best friend , and onely esteemed worthy to gouerne an army , because hee abstained from riot , the greatest ruin of Armies . So was Affricane reputed worthy to Rule , because he could rule himselfe , teaching himselfe continence amidst his victories . If then the place of aduantage be not found in the eminent and spacious places of this world , wee must trauerse our ground and seeke out a place of more conuenience : where there is lesse danger , fewer enemies , and fitter retire : le ts to the Vally then , where wee may take sure footing : priuate and sequestred liues , free from popular concourse ▪ singular in their vse of spirituall discipline . There is no affection to corrupt vs , no obiect of honour to ensnare vs : we may be safe , because not obserued . Heere wee may cope with our enemie , vpon aduantage ; wee neede feare no ciuile mutinies within our selues , for all meanes of rebellion be cut off . Heere , whilest thou liuest , and enioyest thy selfe ; thou canst now say with Dauid I am not high-minded . And what meanes better , to discomfite that man of Pride , that Serpent of Pride , that prince of Pride , then in true Humilitie , lowlynesse of minde , and meeknes of spirite , to cope with him : and say with the Royall Shepheard , In the Name of the Lord , I will ouercome him . The Pride of man shall bring him low , but humilitie shall exalt him : Let our passions therefore , brought in subjection to the Spirite , and our Spirites subiected vnto Almightie GOD , contract their power togither they haue more with them then against them , and they are planted vpon aduantage , they haue cut off the head of our enemie by their ground , which they haue chosen to fight in , and with that many alies , t is the world I meane : for being sequestred out of the world , how should any mundane obiects or delights moue them ▪ while we liue in the world there is a necessity inioyned vs , we must be in it , but no necessity to be of it . Many Ethnickes wee reade on , that so much contemned the loue of this world , that they chose rather a priuate life , with the fellowship and society of their minde , than any other earthly respect . We haue heard many of them wish for one thing or other , yet in all their wishes wee neuer read of any that wished for wordly preferment , among the Philosophers . I dare say Plato gaue God thankes for three things , for that hee was borne a man and not a beast ; a Grecian and not a Barbarian : but aboue all , for receiuing the benefit of life in Socrates time . The like of Zeno , the Cynicke Diogenes , Anaximenes : many , whose liues , thogh Pagan , yet in their contempt of the world , memorable . And shall wee that haue the seale of our adoption , and a more ample hope in the world to come , debase our mindes with the refuse of this world ? No ; as wee are pilgrimes , so should wee desire that these dayes of misery may be blowne ouer vs. This place is an impediment to our better voyage : Those obiects which bee in it , eye soares to our soule , darkening the lustre of the inward man with the cloudes of error , presenting ( in stead of true and reall ioyes ) meere shadowes , and appearances of delight . Let vs fight therefore ( out of the eye of the world ) that by the aduantage of the place , and the ritirednesse of our passions , we may discomfite all opponents , and obtaine the palme of that glorious victory , by which we may be translated from these campes of earth to those celestiall campes of eternity , where there is a measure aboue measure of ineffable ioyes reserued for the elect of God : who would not fight to purchase so inestimable a prize ? If any earthly preferment be in our way , what indefatigate meanes we make to purchase it . And shall any worldly respect moue vs rather to follow it , then that necessary good by which we are made happy in goodnes . I approoue of his opinion that thought riches should be vsed , as a pilgrime vseth his staffe : when it helpeth him he leanes vpon it , but when it hinders him in his iourney , hee throweth it from him . Many haue ouer-valued them , and thought mans beatitude to consist and haue their dependencie vpon them : these be our earthly minded moles , that alter the forme of their creation : They were made with their face to looke vpward , but it seemes they find more beauty below , then hope to possesse that beauty is aboue . I will esteeme riches , honours , and the like , as they are , earthly blessings , but not by the vse of them , to peruert them , and make them cursings . This commeth to passe when oftentimes men of immerited ranke obtaine honour : they seeme strangely transported aboue themselues : ancient acquaintance is dashed out of date with their present raysing : They liue as they might euer liue to haue supplicants , and neuer to be petitioners themselues : if these heare a poore mans suit , and doe him right , it is as the vnrighteous Iudge did to the Widow , rather for importunacie , then feare either of God or Man : These men no sooner attaine honour , then they get some face casten in a mould , which may suit with their honour . Too publike accesse they say , purchaseth contempt , the client must pay his entring penny , before he approch his presence . It is a braue thing , will some thinke , to be a dore-keeper to an honourable man , yet had I rather be a dore-keeper elsewhere : I will not prostitute my selfe , for an vnlawfull gayne , to the heauiest poyze of honour . It is enough for me , to obserue and admonish my friend , of an after-accompt . This hath beene my position , and I would not willingly forgoe it : I will not purchase me that estate pro termino vitae , which should forf●it my estate post terminum vitae . Prouidence hath taught me many things , traduced to me from the silliest of Gods creatures . For I thinke my selfe of farre more excellencie then the Pismire ; and should I then bee out-stript by her , in that which maketh me most excellent ? I haue passed too much of my Spring alreadie : and now the Winter is come , and my fruit should be ripe , and the great Husbandman expecteth it ; yet am I but where I was . It is a Rule in Christianitie , Non progredi , est regredi : and behold , I haue not onely not come forward , but made a cowardly retreat : yet doe I come to share the victorie , that neuer was at the battell ; to the reaping , that neuer was at the sowing , and to taste the fruit of that Vine I neuer planted . I will stand no longer idle ▪ but with all feruencie of deuotion , heattie contrition , and integritie of heart , returne with the good Shunamite , and receiue the blessing of my father . If Esau will not , Iacob shall : the present delight of this world , though it rellish as well in the pallat of a carnall man , as euer Esaus pottage did , yet I find the substance of my soule created for another end , a more excellent inheritance . The remainder of my time shal be spent in weeping for the sinnes of my youth : That mine age may expresse her selfe sorrowfull in some proportion , as my youth was ioyfull . Graunt therefore holy Father , that the sensuality of my youth bring me not to a lethargie in mine age : If my Spring was without flourish , let not my Winter be without fruit . And though habite of sinne take away from the reprobate all thought of sinne , where the Tree lyeth as it falleth : yet let mine eyes be as continuall Lauers , to wash away the pollution of my soule : for a cleane Lord alwayes requireth a cleane habitation . How much I haue erred in the vanitie of my heart , supposing my selfe to stand where I did fall , to goe forward , where I made a retrograde in the course of vertue : yet , when I was blinde , thy Mercies directed mee , when I was downe , thy Might supported mee , and when I renewed my errours ( by a new relapse ) making my sicknesse more dangerous . Thou ( the great Physition of our Soules ) binde vp my Wounds , powre Balme into my Sores , and set me on my feet againe . The Prodigals Inquisition . WHat shall I giue to the Lord for all that hee hath giuen to me ? if I look into my creation , I see my selfe created of nothing : if I looke into my recreation , I see my selfe renewed , that was become worse then nothing : if I looke into my dayly conseruation , I see my selfe , without Gods mercie , hourely returne to nothing . As there is no moment , nor point of time , wherin I stand not in need of Gods prouidence , so should there bee no point of time , wherein I ought not to shew my thankefulnesse . For that vice , of all others , is most hatefull to the Almightie : it is called Desiccans Ventus , drying vp the fountaines of Gods mercies . Farre be it from me , to stop the spring of Gods exceeding bounties , by my own vnthankfulnesse : but as I haue receiued much , so to render vnto the Almightie , for that I haue receiued . In Athens , no vice was more extremely punished , then Vnthankefulnesse : and amongst the Persians , such as were more readie to receiue , then giue , were marked with the note of infamie . That Lord , who is good to all , and whose mercie is ouer all his workes , should be dayly praysed and glorified , in his workes . But how should my soule praise the Lord ? Prayse is not seemely in the mouth of a sinner : I am a man of polluted Lippes , and vncircumcised Heart , exposed vnto the vanities of the World , conuersant in things outward , satisfying the flesh and affections thereof . How can I then prayse the Lord ? Or if I prayse him , how should my prayse be acceptable vnto him ? But shall I therefore hold my peace , and cease to prayse him , who hath prepared for my soule a Mansion of Peace ? No , Lord , Vae tacentibus : I will declare thy mercie betimes in the morning , and I will preuent the euening Watch with my Meditations : my heart shall no longer be diuided from my Lord , for a heart diuided , cannot liue . Saul said to Samuel , Honour mee before this people . The Prodigals treatise of the honourers of the Worldlings . SO the Rich man sayth to his Riches , the Ambitious man to his Honours and Preferments , carnall Man to his Temporary Delights : Honour me ye Riches , honour me ye Preferment , honor me ye Delights , before this people . But my soule shall disclayme these outward Honors : these , like the Pagans , adore their imaginarie Gods , which notwithstanding , wil leaue them miserable , wretched , and despicable . Here the Italian hath his Saturne , Candie her Iupiter , Samos her Iuno , India her Baccbus , Egypt her Isis and Osyris , olde Troy her Vesta , Tritonia in Africke , her Pallas ; France , and Germanie , their Mercurie , vnder the name of Teuthe ; Athens her Minerua , Delphos Apollo , Delos Diana , Paphos Venus , Thrace her Mars , Lampsacho , of Hellespont , her Priapus ; and Lypara , with Lemnos , their Vulcan . And what doe our Christians else now adayes ? They erect Statues in honor of riches : so doth our worldling , whose Scriptures be his Sculpturae ; in honour of our great and eminent places , such be our ambitious men : others in gorgeous edifices with a daring motto vpon them . Non norunt haec monumenta mori : And these be our vaine men , who built faire houses for their bodies , & let the mansions of their Soules lie desolate ; others doe satiate their boundlesse affections in the pleasures and delights of this world ( where like Penelopes wooers ) they contriue their one subuersion . How miserably be these men led into captiuitie , and know it not : deceiued by Ismael , and see it not : slaued by the flesh , yet curbe her not : taught better things by the Spirit of God , yet beleeue them not . Pitty it is , that creatures of so promising a feature , should for the hardnes of their hearts , heare like stones , and goe like snaile . It is written of the Hart , that when hee lifteth vp his eares , hee is quicke of hearing , and heareth euery noise : but when hee laieth downe his eares , he is deafe and heareth nothing : the worldlings eares bee euer downe , for the hearing euer goeth with the heart , and that is neuer fixed by a worldling on the tidings of the Spirit or affections of the new man , but on a deare summer , a scarce haruest , or such like publike ill , whereby he may chance to reape a priuat good . The ambitious and vainglorious mans eares bee neither downe nor vp , but about him : he looketh for obseruance with his eyes , and listens for fame with his eares . The dissolute young man , hee hath his eares engaged to the report of Beautie : not one of these will heare Wisedome , cry she neuer so lowde in the open streetes . These know not that a diuine Tongue , and an holy Eare make sweete Musicke , but a deafe eare maketh a dombe tongue . Alas , What concord with Belial ? when the Tongue should be conuersant in thankesgiuing , the Eare in attentiue listening , the faculties of the Soule in vniformitie of operation : the Tongue , for thankesgiuing is employed in cursing : the Eare for attentiue ▪ hearing , is giuen to peruerting ▪ the faculties of the Soule , for vniformity of operation , are strangely distracted by a preposterous confusion . Here may the Prophets of Almighty God pipe long , before any of these daunce ▪ for why , the couetous man trembleth at their doctrine , they talke too much of Diues : and yet they like the history well , so long as this Diues was clad in Purple , and fared deliciously euery day : But when it followeth , his soule was carried to hell , there to be tormented for euermore , O there the end sounds not so well as the beginning . The Ambitious man , if he heare any thing which may bee applied to his owne vanitie : heere an aspiring Absolon , there a politicke Haman , a vaine-glorious Herod , and their miserable ends : though they tremble with Foelix , yet they will say with Foelix , We will find some other time to heare thee . Oras , one of the Polemarchi answered Archias Letter , wherein he was aduertised of the conspiracie intended against his Soueraignty : RES SERIAS ad crastinum differamus . The present time must be reserued for their priuate honour , the serious and important state of their soule must be deferred . The wantan , if he heare words of instruction or discipline , hee presently returneth to his Glasse , not to his houre-glasse , for then he should be put in minde of the expence of his time , where seeing no riuells in his face , no emblems of age , but all like the freshest of Autumnes floures : hee thinkes it pitty so good a face , should be so soone mortified . That it is hard for ambition , auarice , or sensuality to ascribe honor where honor belongs : because they be partiall followers , and giue them honour onely , which they affect hartily : it agreeth with Minius the Philosophers saying : there is no honour or adoration which proceeds not from admiration . O let vs then onely admire , that we onely adore , the Soueraigne of heauen and earth : not any subiect within the circumference of earth , for though it allay perchance our desires , yet can it no way satisfie them . We see in the natures of Elements they continue their owne course , fire and aire aspiring , earth and water declining : each body tends to her proper centre . If our essentiall part were composed of earth or any other grosse substance , then no maruell if we tended to the place of our composition , but being of a purer , clearer , and lighter nature , let not the viler and baser part depriue the better of her Soueraigne end . The worse should be in subiection to the better , and not the better to the worse . I haue found two meanes as speciall motiues , to reduce the body to the subiection of the minde : the first by force , the second by awe : By force , when all depraued motions be expelled , by a certain violence wrestling with the rebellious flesh , and discomfiting it by the argument of reason , and soueraignty of will : By awe , when she expresseth her selfe , and the necessity of her command ; shaking onely the rod of her discipline at the seruile flesh , to imply that she is Mistris : and if easier meanes will not preuaile , then rougher and seuerer chasticements must . I reade how the Scythians in their third expedition into Asia , hauing beene absent for the space of seauen yeeres from their wiues and children , were entertained at their returne with a seruile warre : for their wiues , wearied with expecting their husbands , imagining them to be rather discomfited , then detained by warre , married their seruants which were left at home to graze their cattell : the Maisters at last returning home with victorie , were denyed the entrance of their owne prouinces , as if they had beene strangers , by their owne seruants . Long and doubtfull was the victory , till the Scythians aduised to change the nature of the battell , calling to memory , how they fought not with enemies , but with their vassailes , and therefore not to be vanquished by lawe of Armes , but the awe and authority of maisters : so they resolued , for weapons , to carry whippes and other instruments of seruile feare , where they no sooner assaulted the enemy , then with the sight of their whippes , they became so dismayed , as they tooke themselues to flight : so as that which ( saith the Historian ) they could not atchieue by the power of their swords , they atchieued by the feare of their whips . I would haue the spirit to deale so with the flesh ; to put her in minde she is but a seruant , and must obey : and now and then to shew the badge of her authoritie , the symbole of her power , and the extent of her might . Miserable doe wee account that State to bee , where indiscreet Gouernours manage the affaires of State : and subiect to ruine must that Armie needes be , which is guided by an effeminate Leader . Alas then , poore Soule , wheresoeuer thou bee : for many of this sort I know there be , that transferreth the gouernment of thy State , the helme of thy Shippe , to so dissolute a Guide , so secure a Pilote , as the irregular passions of the flesh . These ( like Ionah ) sleepe in the shippe , and prouide not for a tempest ; these neuer fore-see ruine , vntill it suddenly come vpon them , & euen in the imminencie of danger ; so securely be they rocked in the sleepe of Obliuion , as they take it for a dreame . That Sage of Greece thought no foole could bee better charactered , then with Non putaram : thinking least , when greatest apparancie of danger demonstrated her selfe . Foolish flesh , that would gladly gouern , yet knows not how : would steere the Barke , and precious Vessell of my Soule , yet neyther expert in weighing anchor , nor how to ballase thy shippe euenly , ( to wit ) with the lastage of Reason , and poyse of Discretion , nor knowest thou thy Points and Distances , and therefore hazardest thy Shippe in Shelues and Sands continually . Little knowest thou , that rockes be neerest , where the seas seeme whitest . Not a Syrens voyce , but may tempt thee , and draw thee to folly : thou hast no power ouer thy selfe , and therefore vnfit to haue power or soueraignetie ouer another . No , as thou wast created a seruant , thou shalt subiect thy selfe to the guidance of reason , the line and square of a discreete obedience . I will see thee play the subiect better before thou be King. Better is it for me , that my flesh serue in a Turkes galley , then in tyrannicall discipline to dominiere ouer my soule : poore and miserable soule , that hath such a guardian . The Prodigals desire vnto God , for mortification of the Flesh , to inable him to subdue it to the Spirit . O Lord , let me ( I pray thee ) be rather imprisoned in my flesh , then by my flesh : for the one endureth but a moment , in comparison of the other . Peter was in prison , and was deliuered ; Paul in prison , and was released ; Manasses pressed with many yrons , yet at last enfranchised . But when was Demas , that was imprisoned to the World , freed : or the Sodomites ▪ imprisoned to the filthie lusts of their flesh , exempted ; or the proud Pharises , imprisoned to outward Obseruances , publique Reuerences , Hypocriticall Semblances , when shall they bee dismissed ? Kill me in my flesh , so I may liue in the spirit : for I know , Lord , that hee who will saue his life , must loose it : no affliction , no crosse , no perturbation , shall separate mee from the loue I beare to my Sauiour ; and little is it for me , to giue him my life , now when he requireth it , that gaue for mee his life freely , before I did aske it . Who would not goe to Heauen , although it were ( with Eliah ) in a Whirlewinde ? When Dauid speakes of Troubles , hee speaketh of Troupes , and Heapes , and Starres , and Sands ; and rightly too : for fit it is , that our troubles in some sort , answer the proportion of our sinnes . They are multiplyed like the Starres in the Firmament , or the Sands vpō the Sea-shore , that cannot be numbred . Our sinnes therefore , like Sands in number , should be seconded with troupes of Troubles , succeeding in order . The righteous neuer want them : they are so inured with them , as they terme them to be but exercises to trye them , and not Terrors , to the end to dismay them . I know the Worldling makes not Troubles his exercises , nor Afflictions his trialls : It is miserie enough for him to loose his temporall estate , or to be bereft of honour , or the like ; and the reason is , for that hee expecteth no further , he findes his Non vltra heere , the period of his hopes extend no further , then to bee rich , to be obserued , that in the fulnesse of his estate , his soule may be at peace . Farre be his peace from the mansion of my soule : Farre be my hopes enlarged aboue his : farre be it from mee to liue with him in this World deliciously , and staruing my soule in the World which is to come eternally . Though I carrie not so much with me liuing , I shall carrie more with mee dying ; a sincere Conscience , and the inestimable Treasures of an vndefiled Soule : And these will weigh downe all earthly mindes , being possessed by such corrupt mindes and opinions . Socrates answered one wittily , being demanded , Who could carry a Citie about with him ( saith he ) the worldly minded man. Alas ( poore rich man ) haeret lateri laetales arundo : Thou hast bought thy many Possessions at a deare rate : when Earth shall receiue thee , those many acres of earth shall leaue thee ; and then must thy account bee made , for thou canst be no longer Steward . Here the Prodigals Vow to Heauen , his Legacie to Earth , that as he is resolued for his Creatour in Heauen , thou mayest be willing to bee dissolued from the Tabernacle of the Earth . Thou wilt not die one houre , to liue for euer : but the Prodigall wisheth , he may quickly die , that hee may liue for euer . Nothing so sweet to thee as life , for life is to thee aduantage : but nothing more sweet to this poore Prodigall , then death , for death is to him aduantage . Thou thinkest of thy accompts in this life onely ; hee of his accompts after this life : Death to thee , is entrance to sorrow ; Death to him , is ender of sorrow : reade but his Legacie , and thou shalt heare him resolued for death . If I could leaue any thing ( poore Earth ) behind me , it should be my prayers , that the simple honest-minded man may quickly leaue thee : Vertue is no Tenant for thee , shee shall bee shut soone out of doores , hauing no other Trade then honestie . If I should giue thee any thing , it should be that which thou needest , lesse vanitie , more stayednesse , lesse hypocrisie , and more sincerenesse . If I should begge any thing of thee , it should neyther bee fame , nor popular praise , for I am mortified , and doe not loue it : it should be , that thou wouldest rumour my vices , that others hearing them may be cautioned . If thou wouldst haue me doe aught for thee , I will doe it willingly , so it be not to stay with thee . If I should aske any thing now at my farewell from thee , it should be no curious monument : for what would that auaile me ? I haue a better monument prouided for me , with this Imprease , Nec spe , nec metu ; will I tarry with thee . As I did once loue thee , so am I willing to leaue thee ; for I haue obserued such as loued thee , die in their beds vnquietly . As I made thee once my palace , bee now my graue : I loue thee not so ill , but I will leaue something with thee : my body thou shalt haue , for thou fosteredst it , but my soule shall fly to him that made it . This is all the legacie I will make to earth : it now rests that I make my vowes to heauen , this little which I gaue to the first , is too much ; this all which I giue to the second , is too little : yet will my vowes be acceptable to heauen , proceeding from him that willingly for heauen forsakes earth . I haue soiourned long enough vpon earth , now am I for my war-fare to heauen ; hauing charity for my scrip , confidence for my staffe , and desire for my guide : charity towards my brother , confidence in God , and desire towards heauen : in my abode heere I haue patience to indure , prouidence to retire , resolution to conquer . Patience to indure afflictions , prouidence retiring to Christs compassion , and resolution to conquer all incursions . I will neuer so presume on Gods mercy , as to forget he is a Iudge , or despaire on Gods mercy , to forget he is a Father . I will rather with the seruants of God suffer afflictions , though with bitternesse , then enioy pleasures of sinne for a season , and loose my inheritance . My best Arithmeticke , shall be numbring of my dayes , that when my dayes bee summed vp , I may receiue for them length of dayes . I am sorry I haue reserued but my Winter for Christ , hauing spent my Spring in the seruice of Antichrist . Yet so much shall my feruencie appeare now at my returne , as it may counterpoize my securitie , before my returne . As I was clothed before with the garment of vanitie , I will put on me the simple robe of Christs humilitie . I will not wash my selfe in Syloe , nor in Iordan , but in the poole Bethesda of Spirituall Syon . Thus am I to my Christ espoused , for my troth is plighted : I will say therefore with the Spouse : I haue washed my feete , how should I defile them againe ? Now let the Prodigals teares end with the Pilgrimes wish . I desire to be dissolued : not as one willing to suffer afflictions , for his SAVIOVR , but as one willing to leaue the Earth , that hee may liue euer , in the armes of his REDEEMER . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A68977-e1150 Esay 66. Ephes . 5. 19 Iohn 4. Luke 10. Ps . 116. 12. Psal . 47. 47. Pro. 23. 26. 1. Cor. 4. 16 Matth. 25. Luke 16. Anselm in Med de amiss . Virg. Caecus eram , & caecitatem meam nesciebam ; nudus & non cognoscebam . August . Vt semper pendeat hamus . Iuuenal Truncoque simill●nus : Heros : ibid. Luke 12. Luke 12. Esay 48. 22. Genes . 8. 2 ▪ Mat. 22. 21. August . Luke 24. Iohn 20. Marke 10. Luke 13. Marke 7. 9 Matth. 9. Luke 7. & infra . Qu. Curt. & Iust . 1. l. Adiuuat languentes , hortatur pulsantes coronat vincentes , ibid. Matth. 15. Luke 15. Vide Aug. in Medit. August : Acts 9. Luke 21. Iohn 20. Luke 9. 2. Chron. 33. 12. Ionas 1. 15. 2. Sa. 19. 2. 2. Kin. 5. 6. Dan. 4. 23. Exod. 9. In Medit. Ibidem . Ni restituatur ablatum non remittitur peccatum . Col. 3. 23. Vide Arist. in Ethic. Cant : 6. Prou : 10. 19 Quideras & cras , cur non hodic ? cur non ha● hora : finis turpitudinis tuae ? Aug. in Re● . Iohn 4. 34. Ephes . 5. 19. 2. Sa. 6. 14. The Prodigall craueth Humilities companie . Two causes of teares to the prodigall . Vna materna lacrima multas huiusmodi delebit literas . Qui. Curt. Homr . li. 7. Odiss . Iram vocabant quoniam si quis vellet , Nuntium ferebat more Iridis , ibid. In perennij tempor . Outward motiues of sorrow . Non diu vixit . Seneca . Vide Laert. in vitae Phylos . A Phylosophers Aphor : Gen. 47. 9. Genes : 2. 7. Adam . rubra terra , ●●nxit Hominem de puluere terrae . Suet : in vita Tit : & Anr : Sen. ibidem . Plutarch . in Moralib . Gen. 19. 2. Ier. 8. 10. Ier. 48. 10. 1. Reg. 5. 9 Sal & Sol hominis dicitur . Acts 24 , Homer in Odiss . Homer : in Odiss : Two causes why men differ ▪ 2. Cause . Dan. 4. 26. Acts 26. Vox Dei & non hominis . Act. 12. Esth 5. 7. Augustin . Luke 23. Iohn 19. Matth. 27 Marke 15. Rom. 13. 14. 2. King. 14. 9. Dan. 5. 3. 2. Sam. 12. 2 Kings . 12 Et in Manass . orat . Luke 15. Vide August . in manual . ca. 25. Anselmus . Psal . 37. 2. Quatere non decutere : moliri non demoliri , bellare non debellare &c. Aut vincam velaadepta gloria peream . Trag. Augustin . Nunquā vēnit Iesus sine saluatione , nunquam Christus sine vnctione . The Prodigall craueth to be ranged in the Lords battell . Vide Lucium Flor. in Sab : Bell. Sabinis , prodite junt nocte per virginem . In Moral . In 1. Offic. Num. 22. 22 At que vt Helio trophium , & flores quidam semper ad Solem , &c. Lyps . 1. de const . He giueth God his heart . Fecisti Domine cormeum ad te & inquietum est donec requiescat in te . August ▪ in solil . Opinions of marriage . The Prodigals resolution . Eccles . 1. Non ignaua mal● miseris succurrere disco . Loue. What the sensuall mans loue is . Prouer. 22. Two maine inconueniences . A salue for this sore . Prou. 6. 26. Salust : in Iugurth : Bell. An excellēt portraiture of an ambitions man. Remedy to an Auaricious minde . Best honor that can be desired . Vid : Lycosthen . Apothegm . Exhortation to the ambitious man. The miserable man. Examples in Scripture of the Prodigals returne . Auidus a non videndo : & Mydas according to the Etymologie of the Greeke is blinde . Acts 19. Miser nemini est bonus , sibi pessimus . Esay 48. 22. Luke 16. The Prodigall onely wisheth 2 competence . Inclytum Sen ▪ dict . Vide Lyps . de const . l. 1. Ibidem . 1. Sa. 17. 49. Passions best cured by contraries . The noblest borne euer most humble . Of misery and her opponent . Of Enuie , and her opponent . Psal . 100 , 1 A Christian resolution . 1. Sam. 4. 7 Es . 1. 14. Iosh . 3. 10. Genes . 16. Exod. 14. Numb . 26. Dan. 3. 2 Kin. 2 24. 2. King. 1. 9. Hebr. 10. 3. Things obserued in discipline of warre . The properties of a good captaine . Quae rationis trutina quasi norma quadā & obrusa non sunt dispositae . Lyps . de Const . The Camp where they must really their forces . Vid : Volaterr . de castr . metam . & loc . Bellor . aptiss . 2. Excellent vertues required in a Souldiour . Plutarch . in vit . Phylop . In v●t . African . Psal . 131. 1. Pro. 29. 23. In vita Philost ▪ apud Laert. The fruit of this victorie . An obseruation in honour bestowed , and not deserued ▪ Luk. 18. The Prodigals position . Gen. 27. The Prodigals request Psal . 119. August . Psal . 147. Baccbus in India . Thebes vid. Annal. Iul. Plutarch . Charismata , Numismata , &c. Vide Plin. in Natur. histr . Plutarth in vita Felo . Pulchrorum Autumnus pulcherrimus , &c. Vniforme mixtum simplex , secretum ab omni fece & lentore &c. de const . T●●g . Pom. libr. 2. Matth. 10. Luk. 14. Exercent n●terrent , fidemque inflammant non d●primunt . Ciuitatem se ferret Mundanum , respondit , &c. Ibid. The Prodigals Legacy . Vnde mihi lapidem : Horac . The Prodigals Imprese .