Mixed CONTEMPLATIONS IN BETTER TIMES.  
By THOMAS FULLER. B. D.  Let your moderation be known to all men the Lord is at Hand. 
LONDON, Printed by R. D. for John Williams, at the sign of the Crown, in St. Paul's churchyard, 1660.   


which sense Solomon is said to have built the Temple.  
Our weaker sex hath been overstrong in making and widening the Breaches in our English Zion, both by their Purses and persuasions. To redeem their credit, let them hereafter be as active in Building, as heretofore they were in Breaking down.  
Such wives, who not only lie in the bosoms, but lodge in the affections of loving husbands, who are empowered with places of Command, joining importunity to their opportunity, may be marvellously instrumental to the happiness of our Nation.  
We read of Ahab [1 King. 21.25.] that none was like him, who sold himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord whom Jezabel his wife stirred up. By the same proportion that person will prove peerless in piety, who hath a godly consort in his bosom, seasonably to incite him, who is so forward in himself to all honourable actions.   

II. Miraculous Care.  
WE read Luk. 13.11. of a woman, who had a Spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. This woman may pass for the lively Emblem of the English Nation from the year of our Lord 1642. (when our wars first began) unto this present 1660. are eighteen years in my arithmetic; all which time our land hath been bowed together, past possibility of standing upright.  
Some will say that the weight of heavy Taxes have caused this crookedness. But alas! this is the least and lightest of all things, I reflect at in this allusion. It is chiefly the weight of our sins [Heb. 12.1.] which doth so easily beset us. Our mutual malice and animosities which have caused this incurvation.  
A pitiful posture wherein the face is made to touch the feet, and the back is set above the head. God in due time set us right, and keep us right, that the Head may be in its proper place. Next the Neck of the Nobility, that the Breast of the Gentry, the Loins of the Merchants and Citizens, the Thighs of the yeomanry, the Legs and Feet of Artificers and Day-labourers. As for the Clergy (here by me purposely omitted) what place soever shall be assigned them; If low, God grant patience; If high, give Humility unto them.  
When thus our Land in God's leisure shall be restored to its former rectitude, and set upright again, than I hope she may leave off her STEEL-BODIES which have galled her with wearing them so long, and return again to her peaceable condition.   

III. Hand on Mouth.  
IT is said Gen. the 6.11. how before the flood, the earth was filled with violence. Some will say (with Nicodemus) how can these things be, violence being Relative, and requiring a counterpart. Though such Tyrants were Hammers, others must be Patient-Anvils, for them to smite upon. Such persons purely passive in Oppression, were to be pitied, not punished, to be delivered, not drowned in the flood.  
But the answer is easy, seeing we read in the same Chapter vers. 5. That God saw, that the imaginations of the thoughts of man was only evil continually. God plainly perceived that the sufferers of violence would have been Offerers of it, if empowered with Might equal to their Malice. Their curstness was a sharp, though their Horns were not so long, and what they lacked in Deed and actions, they made up in Desires and Endeavours. So that in sending a general Deluge over all, God was clearly just, and men justly miserable.  
Let such English men, who have been of the depressed party during our civil Wars, enter into a scrutiny and serious search of their own souls, whether or no (if armed with power) they would not have laid as great Load on others, as themselves underwent. Yea, let them out of a godly jealousy suspect more Cruelty in themselves, than they can conceive. Then will they find just cause to take the blame and shame on themselves, and give God the glory, that he hath not drowned all in a general Deluge of Destruction.   

IV. At last.  
A Lady of quality formerly forward to promote our Civil wars, and whose well-intending Zeal had sent in all her Plate to Guildhall, was earnestly discoursing with a Divine concerning these Times a little before Dinner; Her face respecting the cupboard in the Room▪ which was furnished with plenty of pure Venice Glasses: Now (said she) I plainly perceive, that I and many of my judgement have been abused with the specious Pretences of Liberty and Religion, till in the undiscreet pursuance thereof we are almost fallen into Slavery and atheism.  
To whom the other betwixt jest and earnest replied; Madam, it is no wonder, that now your eyes are opened: for so long as this cupboard was full of thick and massy Plate, you could perceive nothing through them; but now so many clear and transparent Glasses are substituted in their room, all things are become obvious to your Intuition.  
The possessing of superfluous Wealth, sometimes doth hinder our clear apprehensions of matters; like a Pearl in the eye of the Soul, prejudicing the sight thereof; whilst poverty may prove a good Collyrium, or Eye salve unto us, to make a true discovery of those things we know not before.   

V. Mistaken.  
I Beheld Honour as of a mounting and Aspiring Nature; and therefore I expected (rationally enough as I conceive) to have found it ascending to the Clouds.  
I looked upon Wealth as what was massy, Ponderous, and by Consequence probable to settle and be firmly fixed on the Earth.  
But oh! how much is my expectation frustrated and defeated? for David [Psalm 7.5.] maketh mention of honour lying in the dust: and Solomon his son [Prov. 23.5.] informeth me, how riches certainly make themselves wings, and flee away as an eagle toward heaven: what I looked for below, is towered aloft, and what I expected above is fallen below.  
Our age hath afforded plentiful Experiments of both: Honour was near the dust, when a new Nobility of a later stamp were in a fair likelihood to have out shined those of a purer standard. The wealth of the Land doth begin (to use the Faulconer's phrase) to fly to lessen. And if these Taxes continue, will soon fly out of sight. So uncertain and unsafe it is for men to bottom their happiness on any earthly perfection.   

VI. Truth.  
I Saw a traveller in a terrible tempest take his seasonable shelter under a fair and thick Tree: it afforded him protection for a good time, and secured him from the rain.  
But, after that it held up, and was fair round about, he unhappily continued under the Tree so long till the droppings thereof made him soundly wet, and he found more to condemn his weakness, then pity his wetting.  
A Parliament is known to be the best Refuge and Sanctuary to shelter Us from the tempest of violence and oppression. It is sometimes the Sole and always the Surest Remedy in that kind. But alas! The late Parliament lasted so Long, that it began to be the grievance of the Nation, after that the most and best Members thereof were violently excluded.  
The remedy turned the Malady of the Land, and we were in fear to be drowned by the droppings of that Tree, if God of his gracious goodness had not put an unexpected period to their Power.   

VII. After-born.  
A Lady big with Child was condemned to Perpetual Imprisonment, and in the Dungeon was delivered of a Son; who continued with her till a Boy of some bigness: It happened that one time he heard his Mother (for see neither of them could, as to discern in so dark a place) bemoan her Condition.  
why Mother (said the Child) do you complain, seeing you want nothing you can wish, having clothes, meat and drink sufficient; Alas! Child (returned the Mother) I lack liberty, Converse with Christians, the light of the Sun, and many things more, which thou being Prison-born, neither art nor can be sensible of in thy condition.  
The POST-NATI, understand thereby such Striplings born in England, since the Death of Monarchy therein, conceive this land their mother to be in a good Estate. For one fruitful harvest followeth another, commodities are sold at reasonable rates, abundance of brave clothes are worn in the City, though not by such persons, whose Birth doth best become, but whose Purses can best bestow them.  
But their MOTHER-ENGLAND doth justly bemoan the sad difference betwixt her present and former condition, when she enjoyed full and free trade without payment of Taxes, save so small, they seemed rather an acknowledgement of their Allegiance, than a burden to their Estate; when she had the Court of a King, the House of Lords, yea and the Lord's House, decently kept, constantly frequented, without falsehood in Doctrine or Faction in Discipline. God of his goodness restore unto us so much of these things, as may consist with his glory and our good.   

VIII. An Heap of pearls.  
I Saw a servant-maid at the command of her Mistress make, kindle and blow a fire. Which done, she was posted away about other business, whilst her Mistress enjoyed the benefit of the fire. Yet I observed that this servant, whilst industriously employed in the kindling thereof got a more general, kindly and continuing Heat, than her Mistress herself. Her heat was only by her and not in her, staying with her no longer than she stayed by the chimney, whilst the warmth of the maid was inlaid, and equally diffused through the whole body.  
An Estate suddenly gotten is not so lasting to the Owner thereof, as what is duly got by industry. The substance of the diligent (saith Solomon Prov. 12.27.) is precious. He cannot be counted poor that hath so many pearls, precious brown bread, precious small beer, precious plain clothes, &c. A comfortable consideration in this our age, wherein many hands have learned their Lesson of labour, who were neither born nor bred unto it.   

Ix.. Silent Sadness.  
TWo Captains on the same side in our Civil wars, Discoursing together, one of them (with small cause & without any measure) did intolerably boast of his personal Performances, as if he had been of the Quorum in all considerable actions: at last not ashamed of, but weaned with his own loquacity, He desired the other Captain to relate what service he had done in these wars; To whom he returned, Other men can tell you of that.  
We meet with many (living at the sign of the Royalist) who much brag of their passive services (I mean their sufferings) in the late war. But that spoke in the wheel, which creaketh most, doth not bear the greatest burden in the Cart. The loudest criers are not always the largest losers.  
How much hath Sir John Stowel lost? How many new Gentlemen have started up out of the Estate of that ancient Knight? What hath the Lord Craven lost? Whither more, or more unjustly hard to decide? Others can tell of their and many other men's sufferings, whilst they themselves hold their peace.  
Here we dare not speak of him, who, though the greatest loser of all speaketh nothing of himself; And therefore his silence putteth a greater Obligation on us both to pity him here on Earth, and pray for him to Heaven.   

X. Lost and Kept.  
THis seeming Paradox will on examination prove a real Truth, viz. That though Job lost his seven Thousand Sheep consumed by fire of God [Job 1.16.] (understand it, by His Permission and Satan's Immission) yet he still kept the Wool of many of them.  
For Job in the Vindication of his Integrity (not to Praise but Purge himself) doth relate how the loins of the poor blessed him, being warmed with the fleece of his Sheep, [Job 31.20.] So much of his wool (in the cloth made thereof) he secured in a safe hand, lending it to God (in poor people) [prov. 19.17.] as the best of debtors, being most able & willing to repay it.  
Such, as have been plundered of their Estates in these wars, may content and comfort themselves with this consideration; That so long as they enjoyed plenty, they freely parted with a proportion thereof to the relief of the poor: What they gave, that they have, it still remaineth theirs, be safely laid up for them in a place, where rust and moth do not corrupt, and thieves break through and steal.   

XI. All.  
THe Magdeburgenses, out of a Spirit of opposition to the Papists, overprizing the person and Actions of S. Peter, do in my mind on the other side too much decry him, causelessly cavilling at his words to our Saviour [Mark 10.28.] Ecce reliquimus omnia, Behold we have left all and followed thee.  
what (say they) had he left? He maketh as if he had left great matters, and a mighty Estate, whereas this his ALL was not more than an old ship, some few rotten nets, and such like inconsiderable accommodations.  
But Bellarmine (Always ingenuous, sometime satirical) payeth them home for their causeless exception against that Apostle, what (saith he) would they have him have left more than he had. ALL was ALL, how little soever it was.  
Different, I confess, is the Standard and Measure of men's losses in this time. Some, in preserving of their consciences have lost manners; others Farms, others Cottages. Some have had a Hin, others a Homer, others an Ephah of afflictions. However those men must on all hands be allowed the greatest losers, who have lost ALL (how small soever that their ALL was) and who with the widow [Mark 12.44.] have parted with {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, All their livelihood.   

XII. Good Accountant.  
I Was present in the West country some 25. years since, when a Bishop made a partage of money collected by a Brief, amongst such who in a Village had been sufferers by a Casual Fire; one of whom brought in the Inventory of his losses far above all belief.  
Being demanded how he could make out His losses to so improbable a proportion, he alleged the burning of a PEAR TREE (growing hard by his House) valuing the same at twenty years' purchase, and the Pears at twenty shillings per annum; (presuming every one would be a Bearing year) and by such windy particulars did blow up his losses to the sum by him nominated.  
Some pretend in these wars to have lost more thousands then ever they were possessed of hundreds. These reckon in, not only what they had, but what they might, yea would have had. They compute not only their possessions, but reversions, yea their probabilities, possibilities and impossibilities also, which they might desire, but could never hope to obtain.  
The worst is, I might term many of these men Anti-mephiboshetss, who out of his loyalty to David 2 Sam. 19.30. Let them take all, (said he) forasmuch as my Lord the King is come home again in peace unto his own house. But these, except they may have all, and more than all, they ever possessed, care not a whit, whether or no the King ever return; So unconcerned are they in his condition.   

XIII. No tittle of Title.  
TWo young Gentlemen were comparing their revenues together, vying which of them were the best. My Demeans (saith the one) is worth two; but mine (saith the other) is worth four hundred pounds a year.  
My Farms (saith the one) are worth four; but mine (saith the other) are worth eight hundred pounds a year.  
My Estate (saith the one) is my own, to which the other returned no answer, as conscious to himself, that he kept, what lawfully belongeth to another.  
I care not how small my means be, so they be my means: I mean my own without any injury to others. What is truly gotten, may be comfortably kept. What is otherwise, may be possessed, but not enjoyed.  
Upon the Question, what is the worst bread which is eaten. One answered, in respect of the coarseness thereof; Bread made of Beans. Another said, Bread of Acorns. But the third hit the truth, who said, Bread taken out of other men's mouths, who are the true proprietaries thereof. Such Bread may be sweet in the mouth to taste, but is not wholesome in the stomach to digest.   

XIV. Freely, freely.  
A Grave Divine in the west-country (familiarly known unto me) conceiving himself over-taxed, repaired to one of the governors of the King's garrisons for to move for some mitigation.  
The governor perceiving the fatten cap of this Divine to be torn; Fie, fie said he) that a man of your quality should wear such a cap; The RATS have gnawed it. Oh no, Sir, (answered he) The RATES have gnawed it.  
The print or impression of the teeth of Taxes is visible in the clothes of many men, yea it hath corroded holes in many men's Estates. Yea, as Hatto Arch Bishop of Mentz is reported to have been eaten up by 
* Munster's Cosmin German.  Rats: so the vermin of Taxes, if continuing, is likely to devour our Nation.  
However, let us not in the least degree now grudge the payment thereof. Let us now pay Taxes, that we may never pay Taxes; for as matters now stand, our freeness at the present, may cause our freedom at the future, if once the Arrears of the Army and Navy were discharged.  
I care not how much I am let blood, so it be not by the Adventure of an empiric, but Advice of a Physician, who I am sure will take no more Onces from me, then may consist with my safety, and need doth require. Such the Piety and Policy of the present Parliament, they will impose no more Payments, than the necessity of the Estate doth extort. The rather, because they are Persons (Blessed be God) of the Primest Quality in the Nation, and let us blood through their own veins, the greatest part of the Payments they impose, lighting first on their own Estates.   

XV. Cry without cause, and be whipped.  
I Have known the City of London almost forty years, their shops did ever sing the same tune, that TRADING WAS DEAD. Even in the reign of King James, (when they wanted nothing but thankfulness) this was their complaint.  
It is just with God, that they who complained without cause, should have just cause to complain. Trading, which then was quick, and in health, hath since been sick, yea in a swound, yea dead, yea buried. There is a Vacation in the shops in the midst of high-term; And if shops be in a Consumption, ships will not be long in good health.  
Yet I know not whether to call this decay of Trade in London a Mishap, or a happy-miss. Probably the City if not pinched with poverty, had never regained her wealth.   

XVI. Spring began.  
I Meet with two Etymologies of bonfires. Some deduce it from fires made of bones, relating it to the burning of Martyrs, first fashionable in England in the reign of King Henry the fourth. But others derive the word (more truly in my mind) from BOON, that is Good, and Fires; Whether Good be taken here for Great, or for Merry and cheerful, such Fires being always made on welcome occasions.  
Such an occasion happened at London last February 1659. I confess the 11. of March is generally beheld as the first day of the Spring, but hereafter London (and in it all England) may date its vernal heat (after a long winter of woes and war) from the 11. of February.  
On which day so many Boon-fires (the best NEW-LIGHTS I ever saw in that City) were made; although I believe the faggots themselves knew as much as some who laid them on, for what purpose those Fires were made.  
The best is, such fires were rather prophetical than historical, not so much telling as foretelling the condition of that City and our Nation, which by God's gracious goodness is daily bettered and improved.  
But oh the excellent Boon-fire which the converted Ephesians made Acts 19.19. Many also of them, which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.  
What was a pint of ashes worth, according to that proportion. But oh in the imitation of the Ephesians, let us English men labour to find out our bosom-sin, and burn it (how dear soever unto us) in the flames of holy anger and indignation. Such Boon-fires, would be most profitable to us, and acceptable to God, inviting him to perfect and complete the good, which he had begun to our Nation.   

XVII. The Hand is All.  
A Gentlewoman some sixty years since came to winchester-school, where she had a son, & where Dr. Love (one eminent in his profession) was then schoolmaster. This tender mother seeing the terrible rods (the properties of that school) began with tears to bemoan the condition of her son, subject to so cruel correction. To whom the schoolmaster replied, Mistress, content yourself, it matters not how big the rod be, so it be in the hand of Love to manage it.  
Alas, he was only Love in his surname; but what saith the Apostle 1 John 4.6. God is Love, even in his own Essence and nature.  
What then though the wicked be not only a rod in the hand of God; but what is worse a sword, Psal. 17.13. the wicked which is thy sword, they shall do no hurt as long as God hath the ordering of them.  
A pregnant experiment hereof we have in (the, call it, rod or sword of) our late Civil war which lasted so long in our land; yet left so little signs behind it. Such who consider how much was destroyed in the war, may justly wonder that any provision was left, whilst such, who behold the plenty we have left, will more admire that any was ever destroyed.   

XVIII. All Tongue and ears.  
WE read Acts 17.21. All the Athenians and strangers which were there, spent their time in nothing else but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.  
How cometh this transposition? tell and hear, it should be hear and tell; they must hear it, before they could tell it; and in the very method of nature, those that are deaf, are dumb.  
But know, it is more than probable that many Athenians told what they never heard, being themselves the first Finders, Founders, and Forgers of false reports, therewith merely to entertain the itching curiosity of others.  
England aboundeth with many such Athenians; it is hard to say, whether more false coin, or false news be minted in our days. One side is not more pleased with their own factions, than the other is with their own fictions.  
Some pretend to Intelligence without understanding, whose relations are their own confutations. I know some, who repair to such Novelants on purpose, to know what news is false by their reporting thereof.   

XIX Give and Take.  
THe Archbishop of Spalleto, when Dean of Windsor, very affectionately moved the Prebendaries thereof, to contribute bountifully towards the relieving of a distressed foreigner, reporting him a person of much worth and want, to whom one of the Company replied. 
Qui sua DET sua DET.  
Let him who persuadeth others, give something of his own.  But the Archbishop, who was as Covetous as Ambitious, and whose Charity had a tongue without hands, would not part with a penny.  
The Episcopal Party doth desire and expect, that the Presbyterian should remit of his rigidness, in order to an Expedient betwixt them. The Presbyterians require, that the Episcopal side abate of their Austerity, to advance an accommodation.  
But some on both sides are so wedded to their wilfulness, stand so stiff in their judgements, are so high and hot in their passions, they will not part with the least punctillo in their opinions and practices.  
Such men's judgements cannot pretend to the exactness of the Gibeonites Iudg. 20.16. that they hit the Mark of the Truth at an hair's breadth and fail not, yet will they not abate an hair's breadth in order to unity; they will take all, but tender nothing, make motions with their mouths, but none with their Feet for peace, not stirring a step towards it.  
O that we could see some proffers and performances of condescension on either side, and then let others, who remin obstinate, and will embrace no peace, be branded with PEREZ, Gen. 38.29. the breach be upon them.   

XX. CHARITY, CHARITY.  
IN my father's time, there was a Fellow of Trinity college Camb. a Native of Carlton in Leicestershire, 
* Camd. Brit. in Leicesterstire.  where the people (Thorough some occult cause) are troubled with a wharling in their throats, so that they cannot plainly pronounce the Letter R. This scholar being conscious of his infirmity, made a Latin Oration of the usual expected length, without an R therein; and yet did he not only select words fit for his mouth easy for pronunciation, but also as pure and expressive for signification, to show that men might speak without being beholding to the dog's letter.  
Our English Pulpits for these last eighteen years, have had in them too much Caninal anger, vented by snapping and snarling spirits on both sides. But if you bite and devour one another (saith the Apostle Gal. 5.15.) Take heed, ye be not devoured one of another.  
Think not that our Sermons must be silent if not satirical, as if Divininity did not afford smooth subjects enough to be seasonably insisted on in this juncture of time; let us try our skill whether we cannot preach without any Dog-letter or biting-word: the Art is half learned by intending, and wholly by serious endeavouring it.  
I am sure that such soft Sermons will be more easy for the tongue of the Preacher in pronouncing them, less grating to the ears of pious people that hear them, and most edifying to the heart of both speaker and hearers of them.   

XXI. But one Favourite.  
WE read how Abraham [Gen. 25.5.] gave all he had unto Isaac, As for his six sons, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishback and Shuah, which he had by Keturah his Concubine; he only gave them gifts, and sent them away into the east-country.  
England hath but one Isaac or legitimate Religion of the Church, namely, the Protestant, as the Doctrine thereof is established in the 39 Articles. But how many spurious ones she hath (whether six, sixty, or sixscore) I neither do know, nor will inquire, nor will I load my Book, and trouble the Reader with their new, numerous and hard names.  
Oh may the State be pleased so far to reflect on this Isaac, as to settle the solid inheritance upon him. Let the Protestant Religion only be countenanced by the Law, be owned and acknowledged for the received Religion of the Nation.  
As for other Sects (the sons of Keturah) we grudge not that gifts be bestowed upon them. Let them have a Toleration (and that I assure you is a great gift indeed) and be permitted peaceably and privately to enjoy their Consciences both in opinions and practices. Such favour may safely, not to say aught justly, be afforded unto them, so long as they continue peaceably in our Israel, and disturb not the Estate.  
This gift granted unto them, they need not to be sent away into the East (or any other) country. If they dislike their condition, they will either leave the Land, and go over seas of their own accord, or else (which is rather to be desired and hoped for) they will blush themselves out of their former follies, and by degrees cordially reconcile themselves to the Church of England.   

XXII. Calmly, Calmly.  
WE read Gen. 3.8. that when God solemnly proceeded in the sentencing of our first Parents, he was heard walking in the Garden in the cool of the day, to teach men, when they go about matters of Moment (wherein not only the present Age, but Posterity is also concerned) to becalm their souls of all Passion. But alas! much Reformation made (rather under, then) by King CHARLES was done in the heat of the day, in the dog-days of our civil discords, and midsummer Moon of our military distractions. So that possibly, when, that which was done in the heat of the day, shall be reviewed even by the selfsame persons in the cool of the day, they will perceive something by them so reformed, now to need a new Reformation.  
But this Motion (and all that follow) I humbly lay down at their feet who have Power and Place to reform, who may either trample upon it, or take it up, as their wisdoms shall see just occasion.   

XXIII. Try and Trust.  
IT was wisely requested by the children of the Captivity, Dan. 1. And warily granted by the King's Chamberlain unto them, that by way of trial, they should feed on pulse for ten days, and then an inspection to be made on their countenances, whether the lilies therein did look as white, and Roses as red as before, that so their Bill of their Fare might be either changed or continued as they saw just occasion.  
Let such new practices as are to be brought into our Church be for a time candidates and probationers on their good Behaviour, to see how the temper of the people will fit them, and they fadge with it, before they be publicly enjoined.  
Let them be like St. Paul's Deacons 1 Tim. 3.10. first be proved, then be used, if found blameless. I cannot therefore but commend the discretion of such statesmen, who knowing the Directory to be but a stranger, and considering the great inclination the generality of our Nation had to the commonprayer, made their Temporary Act to stand in force but for 3 years.   

XXIV. Alike but contrary.  
I Observe in Scripture, that Power to do some deeds is a sufficient Authority to do them. Thus Samson's Power to pluck down the two Fundamental Pillars of Dagon's Temple, was authority enough for him to do it.  
Eliah's Power to make fire to come at his call on the two Captains was authority enough to do it, because such deeds were above the strength, stature & standard of human proportion.  
However hence it doth not follow that it is lawful for a private man with Axes and Hammers to beat down a Christian Church, because Samson plucked down Dagon's Temple; nor doth it follow that men may burn their brethren with faggot and fire, because Eliah called for fire from heaven; These being acts not miraculous but mischievous; & no might from heaven, but mere malice from Hell, required for the achieving thereof.  
Here it is hard to say, which of these two things have done most mischief in England; public persons having Private souls and Narrow hearts, consulting their own ease and advantage, or private persons having vast designs to invade public employments. This is most sure that betwixt them both they have almost undone the most flourishing Church and State in the Christian world.   

XXV. Chasma, Phasma.  
HOw bluntly and abruptly doth the seventy third Psalm begin? Truly God is good unto Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.  
Truly is a Term of continuation, not inception of a Speech. The Head or Top of this Psalm seems lost or cut off, and the Neck only remaining in the room thereof.  
But know, that this Psalm hath two moieties; one unwritten, made only in the tiring-house of David's heart. The other Written, visible on the Theatre, beginning as is aforesaid.  
Thomas Aquinas sitting silent in a musing posture at the Table of the King of France, at last broke forth into these words, Conclusum est contra manichaeos', It is concluded against the Manichees; which speech though nonsense to the persons in the place, at the best Independent without any connexion to the discourse at Table, had it's necessary Coherence in the mind of that great Schoolman.  
David newly awaking in this Psalm out of the sweet slumber of his Meditation, openeth his eyes with the good handsel of these words; Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. A Maxim of undoubted Truth, and a firm Anchor to those who have been tossed in the Tempest of these times.   

XXVI. Share and Share-like.  
CHes-Shire hath formerly been called Chief of men. Indeed no County in England of the same greatness, or (if you will rather) of the same littleness, can produce so many families of ancient Gentry.  
Now let it break the stomachs, but not the hearts: abate the Pride, not destroy the Courage of the inhabitants of this Shire, that they miscarried in their late undertakings, not so much by any defect in them, as default in others.  
If ten men together be to lift a log, all must jointly {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, that is, heave up their parts (or rather their Counterparts) together.  
But if nine of them fail, it is not only uncivil, but unjust, that one man should be expected to be a giant to do ten mens' work.  
Ches-Shire is Ches-Shire (and so I hope will ever be) but it is not all England; and valour itself may be pressed down to death under the weight of multitude.  
The Ld Bacon would have rewards given to those men who in the Quest of natural experiments, 
* In his Advancement of Learning.  make probable mistakes, both because they are industrious therein, and because their aberrations may prove instructions to others after them; and to speak plainly, an ingenuous Miss is of more credit than a Bungling casual Hit.  
On the same account, let Cheshire have a Reward of honour, the whole kingdom faring the better for this county's faring the worse.   

XXVII. Natale solum dulcedine, e. c.  
I Must confess myself born in Northhamptonshire, and if that worthy county esteem me no disgrace to it, I esteem it an honour to me. The English of the Common people therein (lying in the very heart of the Land) is generally very good.  
And yet they have an odd Phrase not so usual in other places.  
They used to say when at Cudgel plays (such tame were far better than our wild battles) one gave his Adversary such a sound blow, as that he knew not whether to stand or to fall, that he SETTLED him at a blow.  
The relics and Stump (my Pen dares write no worse) of the long Parliament pretended they would Settle the Church and State, but surely had they continued, it had been done in the Dialect of Northamptonshire; They would so have settled us, we should neither have known how to have stood, or on which side to have fallen.   

XXVIII. Seasonable prevention.  
WHen the famine in Egypt had lasted so long, the Estates of the people were so exhausted by buying corn of the King, that their money failing, they were forced to sell their cattle unto Joseph, Gen. 47.17. and this maintained them with bread for one year more.  
But the famine lasting longer, and their stock of cattle being wholly spent, they then sold all their Lands, and after that their Persons to Joseph, as Agent for Pharaoh, so that the King of Egypt became Proprietary of the bodies of all the people in his Land, Gen. 47.23. Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your Land for Pharaoh.  
If our Taxes had continued longer, they could not have continued longer, I mean the Nation was so impoverished, that the money (so much was hoarded up, or transported by military Grandees) could not have been paid in Specie.  
Indeed we began the War with Brazen Trumpets, and Silver Money, and then came unto Silver Trumpets, and Brazen Money, especially in our Parliament half-crowns.  
We must afterwards have sold our stocks of Cattle, and then our Lands to have been able to perform payments. This done, 'tis Too too suspicious, they would have seized on our persons too, and have envassaled us for ever unto them.  
But, blessed be God, they are stricken upon the cheekbone, Psal. 3.7. whereby their Teeth are knocked out. Our fathers were not more indebted to God's goodness for delivering them from the Spanish Armado, than we are from our own English Army.   

XXIX. Wolf in a lambskin.  
BUt where is the Papist all this while? One may make Hue and Cry after Him. He can as soon not be, as not be active. Alas! with the maid in the Gospel, he is not dead, but sleepeth; or rather, he sleepeth not, but only shutteth his Eyes in DOGS-SLEEP, and doth awake when he seeth his advantage, and snappeth up many a LAMB out of our flocks.  
where is the Papist do any say; yea where is he not (They multiply as maggots in May, and act in and under the fanatics, What is faced with faction is lined with Popery, Faux his Dark lantern (by a strange inversion) is under our new lights.  
Quakers of themselves are a company of dull, blunt, silly souls. But they go down to the Romish Philistines, and from them they whet all the edge-tools of their Arguments, a formal Syllogism in the mouth of an Anabaptist is plain jesuitical Equivocation.  
Mean time we Protestant Ministers fish all night, and catch nothing, yea lose many, who in these times fall from our Church as Leaves in Autumn. God in his due time send us a seasonable spring, that we may repair our losses again.   

XXX. Various fancies.  
I know not what fift Monarchy men would have, and wish that they knew themselves.  
I dare not flatly condemn them, lest I come within the Apostles reproof, 2 Pet. 2.12. speaking evil of things they understand not. If by Christ's reigning they only intend, his powerful & effectual ruling by his Grace, in the hearts of his Servants; we all, will, (not turn) but continue Fift Monarchy men, having always been of this judgement since we were of any judgement, Had we as many arms as fingers, we would use them all herein to embrace their Persons and Opinions.  
But some go farther, to expect an actual and personal reign of Christ on Earth a thousand years, though not agreeing.  
For herein since some make him but about to set forth, others to be well onwards of his way, others to be alighting in the Court, others to stand before the door, others that he is entering the palace, according to the slowness or swiftness of their several fancies herein.  
However, if this be but a bare speculation, and advanceth not any further, let them peaceably enjoy it. But if it hath a dangerous influence on men's Practices to unhinge their Allegiance; and if the pretence to wait for Christ in his person be an intent to slight him in his Proxy, [the Magistrate] we do condemn their Opinion as false, and detest it as damnable, leaving their persons to be ordered by the wisdoms of those in Authority.   

XXXI. Made Loyal.  
WHen King Edward the I. marched into Scotland, the men of the bishopric of Durham refused to follow his Standard, pleading for themselves, that they were HALY-WORK-FOLK, only to wait on the Shrine of St. Cuthbert, and not to go out of their own country. But that wise and valiant Prince canceled their pretended privileges.  
He leveled them with the rest of his subjects for CIVIL and MILITARY, as well as HALY-WORK-FOLK, and made them to march with his Army against his Enemies.  
If fift Monarchy, (alias first Anarchy) men challenge to themselves; that (by virtue of their Opinion they hold) they must be exempted from their Obedience to the Government, because they forsooth (as the life-guard to his Person) must attend the coming of Christ to reign on Earth; Such is the wisdom of the State, it will make them know they must share in subjestion with the rest of our Nation.  
But charity doth command me to believe that in stating their Opinions, fift Monarchy men's expressions are more offensive than their intentions, mouths worse than their minds, whose brains want strength to manage their own wild notions, and God grant their Arms may never have power to produce them into Action.   

XXXII. Attend, Attend.  
SOme of those whom they call QUAKERS, are (to give them their due) very good moral men, and exactly just in their civil transactions. In proof whereof let me mention this passage, though chiefly I confess for the Application thereof, which having done me (I praise God) some good, I am confident will do no hurt to any other.  
A Gentleman had two Tenants, whereof one being a QUAKER, repaired to his landlord on the Quarter-day; Here THOU (said he) tell out and take THY Rent, without stirring his cap, or showing the least sign of respect.  
The other came cringing and congying; If it please your worship (said he) the times are very hard, and trading is dead, I have brought to your worship five pounds (the whole due being twenty) and shall procure the rest for your worship with all possible speed.  
Both these Tenants put together would make a perfect one, the rent-completing of the one, and Tongue-complements of the other. But seeing they were divided, I am persuaded that of the two, the landlord was less offended with the former, imputing his ill manners to his folly, but ascribing his good dealing to his honesty.  
God expecteth and requireth both good work and good words. We cannot make our addresses and applications unto him in our prayers with too much awe and reverence.  
However such who court God with luscious language, give him all his Attributes, and (as King James said of a Divine, who shall be nameless) compliment with God in the Pulpit, will be no whit acceptable unto him, if they do not also endeavour to keep his commandments.  
It is the due paying of God's QUIT-RENTS, which he expecteth, I mean the reallising of our gratitude unto him for his many mercies, in leading the remainder of our lives according to his will and his word   

XXXIII. No Remedy but Patience.  
ONce a gaoler demanded of a Prisoner, newly committed unto him, whether or no he were a Roman Catholic? No, answered he: What then, said he, Are you an Anabaptist? Neither replied the Prisoner. What (said the other) are you a Brownist or a Quaker? Nor so, said the man, I am a Protestant, without wealt or guard, or any addition equally opposite to all heretics and sectaries. Then, said the gaoler, get you unto the Dungeon, I will afford no favour to you, who shall get no advantage by you. Had you been of any of the other Religions, some hope I had to gain by the visits of such as are of your own persuasion, whereas now you will prove to me but an unprofitable Prisoner.  
This is the misery of moderation; I recall my word (seeing misery properly must have sin in it.) This is an Affliction attending moderate men, that they have not an active party to side with them and favour them.  
Men of great stature will quickly be made Porters to a King, & those diminutively little, dwarfs to a Queen, whilst such who are of a middle height may get themselves masters where they can. The moderate man eminent for no excess or extravagancy in his judgement, will have few Patrons to protect, or persons to adhere unto him. But what saith St. Paul [1 Co. 15.19.] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable.   

XXXIV. Pottage for Milk.  
IN these licentious times wherein Religion lay in a swoon and many pretended Ministers (Minions of the Times) committed or omitted in Divine Service, what they pleased, some, not only in Wales, but in England, and in London itself on the Lord's day (sometimes with, sometimes without a Psalm) presently popped up into the Pulpit before any portion of Scripture either in the Old or New Testament was read to the People.  
Hereupon one in jest earnest said, that formerly they put down BISHOPS and DEANS, and now they had put down CHAPTERS too. It is high time that this fault be reformed for the future, that God's Word which is all Gold, be not justled out to make room for men's Sermons, which are but parcel-gilt at the best.   

XXXV. Moderate may meet.  
WHen S. Paul was at Athens, act 18.18. Then certain Philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics encountered him &c.  
Some will say, why was there no mention here of the peripatetics, and academics, both notable Sects of Philosophers, and then numerous in the Ciry of Athens.  
The answer is this, these being persons acted with more moderate Principles, were contented to be silent, though not concurring in their judgements: whilst the Epicures and Stoics were violent in the extremes, the first for the Anarchy of Fortune, the other for the Tyranny of Fate.  
PEACE in our Land like St Paul, is now likely to be encountered with two opposite Parties, such as are for the Liberty of a Commonwealth, and such as are for an absolute Monarchy in the full height thereof; but I hope neither of both are so considerable in their number, parts, and influence on the People, but that the Moderate Party, advocates for Peace, will prevail for the settling thereof.   

XXXVI. What, never wise?  
IN the year of our Lord 1606, there happened a sad overflowing of the SEVERN-SEA on both sides thereof, which some still alive do (ONE I hope thankfully) remember,  
An account hereof was written to John Stoe the industrious Chronicler, from Dr Still than Bishop of Bath and Wells, and three other Gentlemen of Credit, to insert it in his Story; one passage wherein I cannot omit.  Stow's Chronicle pag. 889. 
Among other things of Note it happened, that upon the tops of some hills, divers beasts of contrary nature had got up for their safety, as Dog, Cats, Foxes, Hares, coneys, Moles, Mice and Rats, who remained together very peaceably, without any manner or sign of fear of violence one towards another.  
How much of Man was there then in bruit Creatures? How much of brutishness is there now in Men? Is this a time for those who are sinking for the same cause, to quarrel and fall out? I dare add no more, but the words of the Apostle, Tim. 2.7. Consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding in all things.   

XXXVII. Recede a Title.  
I saw two ride a race for a Silver Cup; he who won it, out ran the Post many Paces: indeed he could not stop his Horse in his full career, and therefore was fain to run beyond the Post, or else he had never come soon rnough unto it.  
But presently after, when he had won the wager, he rained his Horse back again, and softly returned to the Post, where from the judges of the Match he received the Cup, the reward of his Victory.  
Surely many Moderate Man designed a good mark to themselves, and propounded pious Ends and Aims in their intentions. But Quere whether in pursuance thereof, in our late Civil destruction, they were not violented to out run the mark, (So impossible it is to stop a Soul in the full speed thereof) and whether they did not in some things overdo, and exceed what they intended.  
If so, it is neither Sin nor Shame, but honourable and profitable for such persons (sensible of their own over-activity) even fairly to go back to the Post which they have outrun, and now calmly to demonstrate to the whole world, that this only is the true and full measure of their judgements, whilst the rest was but the superfluity of their passions.   

XXXVIII. Beat thyself.  
I saw a Mother threatening to beat her little child for not rightly pronouncing that Petition in the Lord's Prayer, and forgivens our Trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. The child essayed and offered as well as it could to utter it, adventuring at Tepasses, Trepasses, but could not pronounce the word aright. Alas, it is a SHIBOLETH to a child's tongue, wherein there is a confluence of hard consonants together, and therefore if the Mother had beaten defect in the Infant for default, she deserved to have been beaten herself.  
The rather, because what the child could not pronounce, the Parents do not practise. O how lispingly and imperfectly do we perform the close of this Petition, as we forgive them that trespass against us. It is well, if with the child we endeavour our best, though falling short in the exact observance thereof.   

XXXIX. Without Blood.  
IT passeth for a general report of what was customary in former times, that the Sheriff of the County used to present the judge with a pair of white Gloves, at those, which we call MAYDEN-ASSISES, viz. when no malefactor is put to death therein; a great Rarity (though usual in small) in large and populous Counties.  
England a spacious country, is full of numerous factions in these distracted times. It is above belief, and will hardly find credit with posterity, that a general Peace can be settled in our Nation, without effusion of Blood.  
But if we should be blessed with a dry Peace, without one drop of Blood therein, O let the white Gloves of Honour and Glory, be in the first place presented to the God of Heaven, the principal giver, and a second white pair of Gratitude, be given to our general, the instrumental procurer thereof.   

XL. Against the Hair and the Flesh.  
ALl Devils are not equally easy to be ejected out of possessed pepple; some are of a more sullen, sturdy, stubborn nature, good (or rather bad) at holdfast, and hard to be cast out.  
In like manner all bosom Sins are not conquered with facility alike, and these three are of the greatest difficulty.  

1. Constitutionary sins, riveted in our tempers and complexions.  
2. Customary sins, habited in us by practice and presumption.  
3. Such sins, to the repentance whereof Restitution is required.   
Oh when a man hath not only devoured widows houses, Matth. 23.14. but also they have passed the first and second Concoction in his sttomack; yea, when they are become blood in the Veins, yea sinews in the Flesh of his Estate, Oh then to refund, to mangle and disintire one's demesnes, this goeth shrewdly against flesh and blood indeed. But what saith the Apostle. flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  
Yet even this Devil may be cast out with Fasting and Prayer, Matth. 17.21. This Sin, notwithstanding it holdeth VIOLENT POSSESSION, may by those good means, and God's blessing thereon, have a firm Ejection.   

XLI. A freewill offering.  
WHen Job began to set up the second time, he built his recruited estate upon three bottoms.  

1. God's blessing.  
2. His own industry.  
3. His friend's charity.   
Job 42.11. Every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one also an earring of Gold. Many drops meeting together filled the vessel.  
When our patient Job, plundered of all he had, shall return again; certainly his loyal subjects will offer presents unto him (though they (alas!) who love him best can give him least.) Surely all is not given away in making the golden calf, but that there is some left for the business of the Tabernacle.  
But surely those have cause to be most bountiful, who may truly say to him what David said humbly to the God of Heaven Chron. 1.29.14. Of Thine Own have I given unto thee.   

XLII. A good Anchor.  
ISaac ignorantly going along to be offered, propounded to his father a very hard question Gen. 22.7. Behold the fire and wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering.  
Abraham returned, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.  
But was not this Gratis Dictum of Abraham? Did not he herein speak without-book? where and when did God give him a promise to provide him a lamb?  
Indeed he had no particular promise as to this present point, but he had a general one Gen. 15.1. Fear not, Abraham, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Here was not only a lamb, but a flock of sheep, yea a heard of all cattle promised unto him.  
It hath kept many an honest soul in these sad times from sinking into despair; that though they had no express in Scripture that they should be freed from the particular miseries relating to this War. Yet they had God's Grand Charter for it, Rom. 8. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.   

XLIII. Eyes bad, not object.  
I Looked upon the wrong or backside of a piece of Arras, it seemed to me as a continued nonsense, there was neither head nor foot therein, confusion itself had as much method in it, a company of thrumbs and threads, with many pieces and patches of several sorts, sizes and colours, all which signified nothing to my understanding.  
But then looking on the Reverse, or rightside thereof, all put together, did spell excellent proportions and figures of men and cities. So that indeed it was an History not wrote with a pen, but wrought with a needle.  
If men look upon our late times with a mere eye of Reason, they will hardly find any sense therein, such their huddle and disorder. But alas! the wrong side as objected to our eyes, whilst the right side is presented to the High God of Heaven, who knoweth that an admirable order doth result out of this confusion, and what is presented to him at present, may hereafter be so showed to us, as to convince our judgements in the truth thereof.   

XLIV. Ever, Never.  
WE read Psalm 55.19. Because they have no changes, therefore they [the wicked] fear not God.  
profaneness is a strange Logician, which can collect and infer the same conclusion from contrary premises. Libertines here in England, Because they have had so many changes, therefore they fear not God.  
Jacob taxed Laban Gen. 31.41. Thou hast changed my wages ten times. I have neither list nor leisure to inquire how far our alterations of Government within these few years, fall short of that number.  
But it is a sad truth, that as King Mithrydates is said to have fed on poison so long, that at last it became ordinary food to his body: so the multitude of changes have proved no change in many men's apprehensions, being so common and ordinary, it hath made no effectual impression on their spirits. Yea which is worse, they (as if all things came by casualty) fear God the less for these alterations.   

XLV. Hear me out.  
I Must confess myself to be (what I ever was) for a Commonwealth: But give me leave to state the meaning of the word, seeing so much mischief hath taken covert under the Homonymy thereof.  
A Common wealth and a King are no more contrary than the Trunk or body of a tree & the top branch thereof: There is a republic included in every monarchy.  
The Apostle speaketh of some Ephesians in the 2. and 12. Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel: That Commonwealth is neither Aristocratical nor Democratical, but hath one sole and single Person Jesus CHRIST the supreme head thereof.  
May I live (if it may stand with God's good will and pleasure) to see England a Commonwealth in such a posture, and it will be a joyful Object to all who are peaceable in our Nation.   

XLVI. Mons Mobilis.  
I Observe that the Mountains now extant, to fall under a double Consideration; 

Those by Creation.  
Those by Inundation.    
The former were of God's making, Primitive Mountains; when at the first his wisdom did here sink a vale, there swell a hill, so to render the Prospect of the Earth the more grateful by the alternate variety thereof.  
The second by inundation were such as owe their Birth and being to Noah's flood: when the water lying long in a place, (especially when driven on with the fury of the wind) corroded an Hollow, and so by consequence cast up an Hill on both sides.  
For such Mountains of God's making, who either by their birth succeed to Estates, or have acquired them by God's blessing on their lawful industry, good success may they have with their wealth and honour. And yet let not them be too proud, and think with David (That God hath made their mountain so strong it cannot be moved) but know themselves subject to the Earthquakes of mutability as well as others.  
As for the many mountains of our Age, grandized by the unlawful ruin of others swollen to a Tympany by the Consumption of their betters; I wish them just as much joy with their greatness as they have right unto it.   

XLVII. Not invisible.  
A Waggish scholar (to say no worse) standing behind the back of his Tutor, conceived himself secured from his sight, and on this confidence he presumed to make antic mocks and mouths at him. Mean time his Tutor had a looking-glass (unknown to the scholar) before his face, wherein he saw all which his Pupil did, and the Pupil soon after felt something from his Tutor.  
Many things have been done in hugger in our Age, profane persons conceited that their privacy protected them from divine inspection. Some say with the wicked in the Psalm, Tush, shall the Lord see.  
But know that, Revelat. 4.6. before the Throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal. This is God's Omnisciency. Sea, there is the largeness: crystal, there is the pureness thereof. In this glass all persons and practices are plainly represented to God's sight, so that such who sin in secret shall suffer openly.   

XLVIII. Best race.  
GOd hath two grand Attributes, first, Optimus, that he is the best of beings. Secondly, Maximus, that he is the greatest of Essences. It may justly seem strange that all men naturally are ambitious, with the Apostles Luk. 22.24. to contest and contend for the latter, who shall be accounted for the greatest. Outward greatness having no reality in itself, but founded merely in outward account and reputation of others.  
But as for his goodness they give it a go-by, no whit endeavouring the imitation thereof, whereas indeed greatness without goodness is not only useless, but also dangerous and destructive both to him that hath it and those who are about him.  
This is a fruit of Adam's fall, and floweth from Original corruption. Oh! for the future let us change this our Ambition into holy Emulation, and fairly run a race of grace, who shall outstrip others in goodness.  
In which race strive lawfully to gain the Victory, supplant not those that run before thee, justle not those who are even with thee, Hinder not those who come behind thee.   

XLIX. Feed the Lambs.  
WHat may be the cause why so much cloth so soon changeth colour? It is because it was never wet WADDED, which giveth the fixation to a colour, and setteth it in the cloth.  
What may be the reason why so many now adays are carried about with every wind of Doctrine, even to scour every point in the Compass round about? Surely it is because they were never well catechised in the principles of Religion.  
O for the Ancient and Primitive Ordinance of catechising, every youth can preach; but he must be a man indeed who can profitably catechise.  
Indeed Sermons are like whole joints for men to manage, but catechising is mincemeat, shred into Questions and Answers (fit for children to eat, and easy for them to digest) whilst the Minister may also for the Edification of those of riper years) enlarge and dilate himself on both as he seeth just occasion.   

L. Name and thing.  
THere is a new word coined within few months called fanatics, which by the close stickling thereof seemeth well cut out and proportioned to signify what is meant thereby, even the Sectaries of our Age.  
Some (most forcedly) will have it Hebrew derived from the word to see or face one, 
{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} vidit.  importing such whose Piety consisteth chiefly in Visage, looks & outward shows; Others will have it Gerek from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, to show and appear; their Meteor piety consisting only in short blazing the forerunner of their extinction. But most certainly the word is Latin from Fanum a Temple, and FANATICI were such who living in or attending thereabouts were frighted with Spectra or Apparitions, which they either saw or fancied themselves to have seen. These People in their fits and wild raptures pretended to strange predictions; 
— ut fanaticus oestro  
Percussus Bellonatuo, divinat & ingens  
Omen habes, inquit, magni clarique triumphi.  Juven. Sat. 4. 
Ut mala quem scabies & morbus regius urget,  
Aut fanaticus error.  Hor. in Poet.  
It will be said we have already (more than a Good) many nicknames of parties already, which doth but inflame the difference, and make the breach the wider betwixt us. 'Tis confessed, but withal it is promised that when they withdraw the thing we will subtract the name. Let them leave off their wild Fancies inconsistent with Scripture, Antiquity and Reason itself, and then we will endeavour to bury the fanatic and all other names in perpetual oblivion.   
FINIS.   

Mixed Contemplations On these Times.  

I. All afore.  
A dear Friend of mine (now I hope with God) was much troubled with an impertinent and importunate fellow, desirous to tell him his fortune. For things to come (said my friend) I desire not to know them, but am contented to attend Divine Providence: Tell me if you can, some remarkable passages of my life past. But the Cunning Man was nothing for the Preter-Tense (where his falsehood might be discovered) but all for the Future, counting himself therein without the reach of confutation.  
There are in our age a Generation of People, who are the best of Prophets▪ and worst of Historians; Daniel and the Revelation are as easy to them as the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer: They pretend exactly to know the time of Christ's actual Reign on Earth, of the ruin of the Romish Antichrist, yea, of the day of judgement itself.  
But these Oracles are struck quite dumb, if demanded any thing, concerning the time past; About the coming of the Children of Israel out of Egypt and Babylon, the original increase and ruin of the 4. Monarchies; Of these and the like they can give no more account, than the Child in the Cradle. They are all for things to come, but have gotten (through a great Cold of Ignorance) such a creek in their Neck, they cannot look backward on what was behind them.   

II. True Text. False Gloss.  
A husbandman Anabaptistically inclined in a pleasant humour, came to his Minister, and told him with much cheerfulness, that this very Seeds-time the words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 9.10. were fulfilled, that he that ploweth may plow in hope.  
Being desired further to explain himself; I mean (said he) we husbandmen now plow in hope, that a harvest we shall never pay Tithes, but be eased from that Antichristian yoke for the time to come. It seemeth, he had received such intelligence from some of his own party, who reported, what they desired.  
He might plow in hope to reach his nine parts, but in despair to have the tenth, especially since God hath blessed us with so wise a Parliament, consisting, not only of Men chosen, but of Persons truly the Choice of the Nation, who will be (as if not more) tender of the Churches right then their own interest. They have read▪ how Pharaoh King of Egypt, Gen. 47.22. would in no case alienate the Lands of the Priests. The very Gypsies, who generally have no good name, (condemned for crafty Cheaters and Cozeners) were conscientiously precise in this particular, and they would not take away, what was given to their God in his Ministers.   

III. Foul-mouth stopped.  
AMbitious Absalon endeavoured to bring a scandal on his father's Government, complaining the Petitioners, who repaired to his Court for Justice, were slighted and neglected [2 Sam. 15.3.] See thy matters are good and right, but there is no man deputed of the King to hear he.  
But we know the English Proverb; Ill will, never speaketh well. Let us do that justice to David, yea, to our own judgements, not to believe a graceless Son, and Subject, against a gracious Father and sovereign,  
Some malcontents, (Ismael's, whose Swords are against every one,) seek to bring a false report on the Parliament as if the clergy must expect no favour not to say justice, from them, because there are none in the House elected and deputed, either to speak for them, or hear them speak for themselves.  
Time was (say they) when the clergy was represented in the House of Lords by two archbishops, and four and twenty Bishops. Time was, when the clergy had their own Convocation, granting Subsidies for them, so that their purses were only opened by the hands of their own Proxies, but now though our matters be good and right▪ there is no man deputed to hear us.  
I am and ever will be deaf, to such false and scandalous suggestions, if there be four hundred and odd (because variously reckoned up) in the House of Parliament, I am confident we clergymen have four hundred and odd Advocates for us therein. What civil Christian would not plead for a Dumb man? Seeing the clergy hath lately lost their voice, they so long had in Parliaments; Honour, and Honesty will engage those pious persons therein to plead for our just concernments.   

IV. Atoms at last.  
I Meet not either in sacred or profane writ with so terrible a Rout, as Saul gave unto the host of the Ammonites, under Nahash their King, 1 Sam. 11.11. And it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together. And yet we have daily experience of greater scatterings and dissipations of men in their opinions.  
Suppose ten men out of pretended purity, but real pride and peevishness, make a wilful separation from the Church of England, possibly they may continue some competent time in tolerable unity together.  
Afterwards upon a new discovery of a higher and holier way of Divine service, these ten will split asunder into five and five, and the purer moiety divide from the other, as more drossy and feculent.  
Then the five in process of time upon the like occasion of clearer Illumination, will cleave themselves into three and two.  
Some short time after, the three will crumble into two and one, and the two part into one and one, till they come into the condition of the Ammonites, so scattered that two of them were not left together.  
I am sad, that I may add with too much truth, that one man will at last be divided in himself, distracted often in his judgement betwixt many opinions, that, what is reported of Tostatus lying on his deathbed, In multitudine controversiarum non habuit, quod crederet; amongst the multitude of persuasions, through which he had passed, he knoweth not where to cast Anchor and fix himself at the last.   

V. An ill Match.  
DIvine Providence is remarkable in ordering, that a Fog and a Tempest never did, nor can, meet together in nature. For as soon as a fog is fixed, the Tempest is allayed; and as soon, as a Tempest doth arise, the fog is dispersed. This is a great mercy, for, otherwise such small vessels, as boats and barges, which want the conduct of the Card and Compass, would irrecoverably be lost.  
How sad then is the condition of many Sectaries in our age; which in the same instant have a fog of ignorance in their judgements, and a Tempest of violence in their affections, being too blind to go right, and yet too active to stand still.   

VI. Down, yet Up.  
Hypocrite, in the native etymology of the word, as it is used by ancient Greek-Authors signifieth, such a one, qui alienae personae in Comoedia aut Tragoedia est effector et repraesentator, who in Comedy or Tragedy doth feign and represent the person of another; In plain English, Hypocrite is neither more nor less than a Stage-player.  
We all know that Stage-players some years since were put down by public Authority, and though something may be said for them, more may be brought against them, who are rather in an Employment than a Vocation.  
But let me safely utter my too just fears, I suspect the fire was quenched in the chimney, and in an other respect scattered about the house. Never more strange Stage-Players then now, who wear the visards of Piety and holiness, that under that covert they may more securely commit sacrilege, oppression, and what not?  
In the days of Queen Elizabeth, a person of honour or worship, would as patiently have digested the lie, as to have been told, that they did wear false Pendents, or any counterfeit Pearl or jewels about them, so usual in our age, yet would it were the worst piece of hypocrisy in fashion. Oh, let us all labour for integrity of heart, and either appear what we are, or be what we appear.   

VII. Caleb, all heart.  
I Was lately satisfied, in what I heard of before, by the confession of an excellent Artist (the most skilful in any kind are most willing to acknowledge their ignorance) that the mystery of annealing of glass, that is, baking it so, that the colour may go clean thorough it, is now by some casualty quite lost in England, if not in Europe.  
Break a piece of Red glass, painted some four hundred years since▪ and it will be found as red in the middle, as in the out sides, the colour is not only on it, but in it and thorough it.  
Whereas now all Art can perform, is only to fix the Red on one side of the glass, and that oft time so faint and fading, that within few years, it falleth of, and looketh piebald to the eye.  
I suspect a more important mystery is much lost in our age, viz. the transmitting of Piety clean thorough the heart, that a man become Inside and Outside alike. Oh the sincerity of the ancient Patriarchs, inspired Prophets, holy Apostles, patient Martyrs, and pious Fathers of the Primitive Church, whereas only outside sanctity is too usual in our age. Happy the man, on whose Monument that character of Asa [1 King. 15.14.] may be truly inscribed for his Epitaph; Here lieth the man, whose heart was perfect with the Lord all his days. Heart, perfect, Oh the finest of wares! All his days, Oh the largest of measures!   

VIII. Fie for Shame.  
COnsidering with myself the causes of the growth and increase of impiety & profaneness in our Land, amongst others this seemeth to me not the least, viz. the late many false and erroneous Impressions of the BIBLE. Now know, what is but carelessness in other books, is impiety in setting forth of the Bible.  
As Noah in all unclean creatures preserved but two of a kind, so among some hundreds in several editions we will insist only on two instances.  
In the Bible printed at London 1653. We read, 1 Cor. 6.9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall inherit the Kingdom of God? For not inherit.  
Now, when a Reverend Dr. in Divinity did mildly reprove some Libertines for their Licentious life, they did produce this Text from the Authority of this corrupt edition, in justification of their vicious and inordinate conversations.  
The next instance shall be in the Bible printed at London in quarto (forbearing the name of the Printer, because not done wilfully by him) in the singing Psalms, Psal. 67.2.  
That all the Earth may know.  
The way to WORLDLY WEALTH, for GODLY wealth.  
It is too probable, that too many have perused and practised this erroneous Impression, namely such, who by Plundering, Oppression, cozening, Force and fraud have in our age suddenly advanced vast estates.   

Ix.. Little, loud liars.  
I Remember, one in the university gave for his question: Artis compendium, Artls Dispendium, The contracting of Arts is the corrupting of them. Sure I am, the truth hereof appeareth too plainly in the pearl-bible printed at London 1653. in the volume of Twenty four; for therein all the Dedications and Titles of David's psalms are wholly left out, being part of the Original Text in Hebrew, and intimating the Cause and the Occasion of the writing and composing those psalms, whereby the matter may be better illustrated.  
The design may be good to reduce the Bible to so small a volume, partly to make it the more portable in men's pockets, partly to bring down the price of them, that the poor people may the better compass them. But know that vilis in the Latin tongue, in the first sense signifieth what is cheap, in the second sense, what is Base, The small price of the Bible hath caused the small prising of the Bible, especially since so many damnable and pernicious mistakes have escaped therein.  
I cannot omit an other Edition in a large 12o making the Book of Truth to begin with a loud lie, pretending this title, Imprinted at London by Robert Barker &c. Anno. 1638.  
Whereas indeed they were imported from Holland 1656. and that contrary to our statutes. What can be expected from so lying a frontispiece, but suitable falsehoods, wherewith it aboundeth.  
Oh! that men in power and place would take these things into their serious considerations; a caution too late to amend what is past, but early enough for the future to prevent the importing of foreign, and misprinting of home-made Bibles.   

X. Name General.  
WE read of Joseph (when advanced in the Court of Pharaoh,) that he called his eldest Son, Gen. 41.51. Manasseh, for God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil and my father's house.  
Forget his father's house! the more unnatural and undutiful Son he, (may some say) for his ungodly oblivion  
O no, Joseph never Historically forgot his father's house, nor lost the affection he bare thereunto, only he forgot it both to the sad, and to the vindicative part of his memory, he kept no grudge against his brethren for their cruel usage of him.  
If God should be pleased to settle a general peace betwixt all parties in our Land, let us all name our next-born child (it will fit both Sexes) Manasseh. That is forgetting, Let us forget all our Plunderings Sequestrations, Injuries offered unto us, or suffered by us, The best oil is said to have ●o Taste, that is, no Tang. Though we carry a simple and single remembrance of our losses unto the grave, it being impossible to do otherways (except we raze the faculty of memory root and Branch out of our mind) yet let us not keep any record of them with the least reflection of revenge.   

XI. Apt Scholars.  
MOthers generally teach their children three sins, before they be full two years old.  

First, Pride; Point child, Where are you fine? Where are you fine?  
Secondly, Lying; It was not A. that cried, it was B. that cried.  
Thirdly, Revenge; Give me a blow and I will beat him, Give me a blow and I will beat him.   
Surely, children would not be so bad, nor so soon bad. But partly, for bad precedents set before them, partly f●● bad precepts taught unto them.  
As all three Lessons have taken too deep impressions in our hearts, so chiefly the last of revenge. How many blows have been given on that account, within our remembrance, And yet I can make it good, that we in our age are more bound to pardon our enemies, than our Fathers and Grand-Fathers in their Generation.  
For charity consisteth in two main parts; In donando & condonando, IN GIVING and FORGIVING. Give we cannot so much, as those before us, our estates being so much impaired and impoverished with Taxes unknown to former ages.  
Seeing therefore one channel of charity must be the less, the stream thereof ought to run broader and deeper in the other. The less we can Give, the more we should forgive: But alas! this is the worst of all, that Giving goeth not so much against our covetousness ' b●●forgiving goeth more against our Pride and Ambition.   

XII. All well wearied.  
TWo Gentlemen, Father and Son, both of great quality lived together, The Son on a time: Father (said he) I would fain be satisfied how it cometh to pass that of such Agreements, which I make betwixt neighbours fallen out, not one of twenty doth last and continue. Whereas not one of twenty fail wherein you are made Arbitrator.  
The reason (answered the other) is plain. No sooner do two friends fall out, but presently you offer yourself to compromise the difference, wherein I more commend your charity, than your discretion Whereas I always stay till the parties send or come to me, after both sides being well wearied by spending much money in Law are mutually desirous of an Agreement.  
Had any endeavoured some sixteen years since, to have advanced a firm peace betwixt the two opposite parties in our Land, their success would not have answered their intentions, men's veins were then so full of blood, and purses of money.  
But since there hath been so large an evacuation of both. And men begin soberly to consider, that either side may (by woeful experience) make other miserable, but it is only our union can make both happy; some hope there is, that a peace, if now made, may probably last and continue, which God in his mercy make us worthy of, that we may in due time receive it.   

XIII. O INCONSTANCY.  
LEarned Master Camden Treating in an astrological way, under what Planet 
* In his Brit. p. 82.  Britain is seated, allegeth but one Author, viz. Johannes de Muris, who placeth our Island under Saturn, whilst he produceth three, viz. the friar Perscrutator, Esquidius, and Henry Silen, which place Britain under the moon.  
It will add much (in the general apprehension of People) to the judgement of the latter, that so many Changes and vicissitudes in so short a time have befell our Nation; we have been in twelve years a Kingdom, commonwealth, Protecto●dome, afterwards under an Army, Parliament &c. Such inconstancy doth speak us under the Moon indeed; But the best is, if we be under the Moon, the Moon is under God, And nothing shall happen unto us, but what shall be for his Glory, and we hope for our good; and that we may in due time be under the SUN again.   

XIV. Recovered.  
TYrannus was a good word at first, ●●porting no more than a King; The pride and cruelty of some made the 〈…〉 ill, as it doth in the Modern 〈…〉 hereof.  
PROVIDENCE, as good a word, as 〈…〉 ●ivinity, hath suffered so much 〈…〉 modern abusing thereof, that con●●●ncious people begin to loath and ●●te it. For God's Providence hath been ●●●aged against God's precepts. King's ●●●e word was never in our Land produced against his broad Seal. Yet Success, (an argument borrowed from the Turks) hath been pleaded as the voice of God's approbation against his positive and express will in his Word.  
But God hath been pleased to vindicate his own honour, and to assert the Credit of Providence, which is now become a good word again. If IMPULSIVE PROVIDENCE (a new coined phrase) hath given the late Army their greatness, EXPULSIVE PROVIDENCE (a newer phrase) hath given them their smallness, being now set by, laid aside as useless, and not set by, so far from terrifying of any, by few they are regarded.   

XV. Gratitude.  
NEw-Castle on Tyne is (without corrival) the Richest Town in England, which before the Conquest was usually known by the name of Monk- 
* Camden's Brit. in Northumb.  Chester.  
Exeter must be allowed of all One of the neatest and sweetest cities of England, which anciently by the Saxons was called 
* Idem in Devon.  Monk-Town, both which names are now utterly out of use, and known only to Antiquaries.  
God hath done great things already, whereof we rejoice, by the hand of our Great General, in order to the Settlement of our Nation. When the same (as we hope in due time) shall be completed, not only Newcastle and Exeter shall have just cause with comfort to remember their old Names, but every County, City, Market-Town, Parish, and Village in England, may have the name of MONK put upon them. But oh the Modesty of this worthy person is as much as his Merit, who hath learned from valiant, wise, and loyal 
* 2 Sam. 12.25.  Joab, to do nothing prejudicial to David, and delighteth not so much in having a great name, as in deserving it.   

XVI. The heir.  
I Ever beheld Somersetshire in one Respect as the most ancient and honourable Shire in England. For Glassen-bury in that County was the British Antioch, where the Bryttons were first called Christians, by the Preaching of Joseph of Arimathea, though the truth of the story be much swollen by the leaven of legendary fictions.  
But hereafter Somersetshire in another respect must be allowed the eldest County in England; As Christianity first grew there, so Charity first sprang thence, in that their Sober, Serious, and Seasonable Declaration, wherein they renounce all future animosities in relation to their former sufferings.  
Now as the zeal of 
* 2 Cor. 9.2.  Achaia provoked very many, So the example of Somersetshire hath been precedential to other Counties to follow it. Kent and Essex since have done, and other Shires are daily doing the same; Yea, and I hope that those Counties which lagg the last in writing, will be as forward, as the first in performing their solemn promises therein.   

XVII. SAD TRANSPOSITION.  
IT seemeth marvellous to me, that many mechanics (few able to read, and fewer to write their names) turning soldiers, and Captains in our wars, should be so soon and so much improved. They seem to me to have commenced per saltum in their understandings. I profess without flouting or flattering, I have much admired, with what facility and fluentness, how pertinently and properly they have expressed themselves, in language which they were never borne nor bred to, but have industriously acquired by conversing with their betters.  
What a shame would it be, if such who have been of Gentile Extraction, and have had liberal education, should (as if it were by exchange of souls) relapse into Ignorance and Barbarism.  
What an ignominy would it be for them, to be buried in idleness, and in the moderate pursuit of pleasures and vicious courses, till they besot their understandings, when they see soldiers arrived at such an improvement, who were bred tailors, shoemakers, cobblers, &c.  
Not that I write this (God knoweth my heart) in disgrace of them, because they were bred in so mean Callings, which are both honest in themselves, and useful in the Commonwealth; yea, I am so far from thinking ill of them, for being bred in so poor trades, that I should think better of them for returning unto them again.   

XVIII. Bird IN THE breast.  
I Saw two men fighting together, till a third casually passing by interposed himself to part them, The blows of the One fell on his Face, of the Other on his Back, of Both on his Body, being the Screen betwixt the fiery anger of the two Fighters. Some of the Beholders laughed at him as well enough served, for meddling with matters which belonged not to him.  
Others pitied him, conceiving every man concerned to prevent bloodshed betwixt Neighbours, and Christianity itself was Commission enough to interest him therein.  
However, this is the sad Fate which attended all moderate persons, which will mediate betwixt opposite Parties. They may complain with David, They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my goodwill. Yet let not such hereby be disheartened, but know that (besides the reward in Heaven) the very work of Moderation is the wages of Moderation. For it carrieth with it a marvellous Contentment in his Conscience, who hath endeavoured his utmost in order to Unity, though unhappy in his success.   

XIX. Fair Hopes.  
A Traveller, who had been newly robbed, inquired of the first Gentleman he met, who also was in a melancholy humour (a cause having lately gone against him) where he might find a justice of Peace, to whom the Gentleman replied, You ask for two things together, which singly and severally are not to be had. I neither know where JUSTICE is, nor yet where PEACE is to be found.  
Let us not make the Condition of our Land worse than it was; Westminster-Hall was ever open, though the proceedings of justice therein were much interrupted and obstructed with military Impressions. Peace, we confess, hath been a stranger unto us a long time, heartburnings remaining, when House-burnings are quenched; But now, blessed be God, we are in a fair probability of recovering both, if our sins and ingratitude blast not our most hopeful expectations.   

XX. Riddle unriddled.  
WE read [2 Sam. 15.11] that when Absalon aspired to his father's Kingdom, with him went two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called, and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. If any have so little charity, as to call these persons TRAITORS, I will have so much confidence as to term them LOYAL TRAITORS, and (God willing) justify the seeming contradiction.  
For they lodged not in their hearts the least disloyal thought against the person and power of King David. But alas when these two hundred were mixed among two thousand, ten thousand, twenty thousand of active and designing traitors; these poor men might in the violent multitude be hurried on, not only beyond their intentions, but even against their resolutions.  
Such as are sensible with sorrow that their well intending simplicity hath been imposed on, abused and deluded by the subtlety of others, may comfort and content themselves in the sincerity of their own souls; God, no doubt, hath already forgiven them, and therefore men ought to revoke their uncharitable censures of them. And yet Divine justice will have its full tale of intended stripes, taking so many off from the back of the Deceived, and laying them on the shoulders of the Deceivers.   

XXI. No RECORD to remain.  
I Never did read, nor can learn from any, that ever Queen Elizabeth had any Ship-Royal, which in the Name thereof carried the Memorial of any particular Conquest she got either by land or by water. Yet was she as victorious as any Prince in her Age, and (which is mainly material) her conquests were mostly achieved against foreign Enemies.  
The Ships of Her Navy, had only honest and wholesome Names, the Endeavour, the Boneadventure, the Return, the Unity, &c.  
Some of our modern Ships carry a very great burden in their names, I mean, the Memorial of some fatal Fights in the Civil Wars in our own Nation, and the conquerors ought not to take much joy, as the Conquered must take grief in the remembrance thereof.  
I am utterly against the rebaptising of Christians, but I am for the redipping of Ships, that not only some inoffensive, but ingratiating Names may be put upon them; the unity, the Reconciliation, the Agreement, the Concord, and healing Titles. (I speak more like a bookman, than a seaman) and others to that purpose.   

XXII. All for the present.  
THere is a pernicious humour of a Catching Nature, wherewith the mouths of many, and hearts of more, are infected. Some there are, that are, so covetous to see the settlement of Church and State according to their own desires, that, If it be not done in our days (say they) we care not whether it be done at all or no.  
Such men's souls live in a Lane, having weak heads and narrow hearts, their Faith being little and charity less, being all for themselves, and nothing for posterity. These men living in India, would prove ill common-wealthsmens, and would lay no foundation for Porcellana or China-dishes, because despairing to reap benefit thereby, as not ripened to perfection in a hundred years.  
Oh! give me that good man's gracious temper, who earnestly desired the prosperity of the Church, whatsoever became of himself, whose verses I will offer to translate.  
Seu me terra tegit, seu vastum contegit aequor;  
Exoptata piis-saecula fausta precor.  
Buried in earth, or drowned i'th' Maine.  
Eat up by Worms or fishes;  
I pray the Pious may obtain  
For happy times their wishes.  
And if we ourselves with aged 
* 2 Sam. 19.25.  Barzillai be superannuated to behold the happy establishment of Church and state, may we (dying in 
* Heb. 11.13.  Faith, though not having received the promises) bequeathe the certain reversions of our Chimhams, I mean the next generation which shall rise up after us.   

XXIII. Courtesy gaineth.  
I Have heard the royal Party (would I could say without any cause) complained of, that they have not Charity enough for Converts, who came off unto them from the opposite side; Who though they express a sense of and sorrow for their mistakes, and have given Testimony (though perchance not so plain and public as others expected) of their sincerity, yet still they are suspected, as unsound, and such as frown not on, look but asquint at them.  
This hath done much mischief, and retarded the return of many to their side; For, had these their Van-Curriers been but kindly entertained, possibly ere now their whole Army had came over unto us; Which now are disheartened by the cold welcome of these Converts.  
Let this fault be mended for the future, that such Proselytes may meet with nothing to discourage, all things to comfort and content them.  
Let us give them not only the right hand of fellowship, but even the upperhand of Superiority. One asked a Mother, who had brought up many Children to a marriageable age, what Arts she used to breed up so numerous an issue; None other, (said she) save only, I always made the most of the youngest. Let the Benjamins ever be Darlings, and the last-born, whose eyes were newest opened with the sight of their errors, be treated with the greatest affection.   

XXIV. Moderation.  
ARTHUR PLANTAGENET Viscount Lisle, natural Son to King Edward the Fourth, and (which is the greatest honour to his Memory) direct Ancestor, in the fifth Degree, to the Right Honourable, & most Renowned Lord General GEORGE MONK, was for a fault of his Servants (intending to betray Calis to the King of France) committed to the Tower by King Henry the eight, where well knowing the fury and fierceness of that King he daily expected death.  
But the innocence of this Lord appearing after much search, the King sent him a rich Ring off his own Finger, with so comfortable words, that at the hearing thereof, a sudden joy 
* Speed. Chron. pag 692.  overcharged his heart, whereof he died that night; so fatal was not only the anger, but the love of that King.  
England for this many years hath been in a languishing condition, whose case hath been so much the sadder, than this Lords was, because conscious of a great guilt, whereby she hath justly incurred God's displeasure. If God of his goodness should be pleased to restore her to his favour, may he also give her moderation safely to digest and concoct her own happiness, that she may not run from one extreme to another, and excessive joy prove more destructive unto her, than grief hath been hitherto.   

XXV. Preparative.  
TWilight, is a great blessing of God to mankind: for, should our eyes be instantly posted out of darkness into light, out of midnight into morning, so sudden a surprisal would blind us. God therefore of his goodness hath made the intermediate twilight to prepare our eyes for the reception of the light.  
Such is his dealing with our English Nation. We were lately in the midnight of misery. It was questionable whether the Law should first draw up the Will and Testament of dying divinity; or divinity first make a Funeral Sermon for expiring Law. Violence stood ready to invade our Property; Heresies, and schisms, to oppress Religion.  
Blessed be God, we are now brought into a better condition, yea, we are past the Equilibrium; the beam beginning to break on the better side, and our hopes to have the Mastery of our despairs. God grant, this twilight may prove Crepusculum matutinum fore running the rising of the SUN, and increase of our happiness.   

XXVI. Revenge with a witness.  
FRederick 
* swingers' Theat. vol. 7. lib. 5. pag. 1959. sub titulo ultionis.  the second Emperor of Germany being at Piza in Italy, and distressed for want of money to pay his Army, sent for Petrus De Vineis an able man, who formerly had been his Secretary, but whose eyes he had caused to be bored out for some Misdemeanour.  
Being demanded of the Emperor which way he might most speedily and safely (as to outward danger) recruit his Treasury, his SECRETARY gave him council to seize on the Plate of all the Churches and Monasteries of that City, which he did accordingly, and amongst the rest he took ZONAM AUREAM, or the GOLDEN GIRDLE, out of one Church, of inestimable value.  
This blind Secretary returning home to his wife, told her, Now I am even with the Emperor for putting out my eyes, having put him on such a Project, which, I hope, he will pursue, to is own destruction. He hath made me a Spectacle to men, but I have made him a Monster unto God.  
Let such who are concerned herein, see what success the Emperor had in this his Expedition, founded on sacrilege, and the longer they look thereon, the worse I am sure they will like it to bar further application.   

XXVII. A Gnat, no Gnat.  
ONe needlessly precise, took causeless exception at a Gent. for using the word IN TROTH in his Discourse, as if it had been a kind of an Oath. The Gent. pleaded for himself, that IN TRUTH was a word inoffensive, even in his judgement who accused him.  
Secondly, that he was borne far North, where their broad and Doric Dialect pronounced TRUTH, TROTH, and he did humbly conceive the tone of the Tongue was, no fault of the heart.  
Lastly, he alleged the twenty fifth psalm, as it is translated in Meter.  
To them that keep his Testament  
The witness of his Troth.  
And thus at last, with much ado, his seeming fault was remitted.  
I am afraid if one should declare for TROTH and PEACE, and not for Truth and Peace, it would occasion some offence; however, rather than it should make any difference, the former will be as acceptable to the North of Trent, as the latter will please all good people South thereof.   

XXVIII. Silence a while.  
HAD not mine eyes (as any other man's may) read it in the printed Proclamations of King Edward the sixth, (when the pulpits generally popish, sounded the alarm to Ketts' rebellion, and the Devonshire Commotion) I would not have believed what followeth.  2 Edw. 6. Septemb. 13. 
By these presents, we inhibit generally all manner of Preachers whatsoever they be, to preach in this mean space, 
* This lasted in full force but for some ●ew weeks.  to the intent that the whole Clergy might apply themselves in prayer to almighty God, for the better achieving of the same most godly intent, and purpose of Reformation.  
What hurt were it, if in this juncture of Time, all our Preaching were turned into praying for one month together, that God would settle a happy Peace in this Nation.  
However if this be offensive to any, and giveth cause of distaste, the second motion may be embraced, That for a year at least, all Pulpits may be silent, as to any part of Differences relating to our Times, and only deliver what belongeth to Faith and good works.   

XXIX. Send humility.  
I Do not remember, that the word INFINITE is in Scripture attributed to any Creature, save to the City of Ninive, Naham 3.9. Ethyopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was INFINITE.  
But what is now become of Ninive? it is even buried in its own ruins, and may have this Epitaph upon it; 
Hic jacet FINIS INFINITI,  
Here lieth the END of what was endless.   
He, who beheld the multitude of Actors & Beholders, at the Mustering in HIDE PARK, on the 24. of April last, will say, that there was an INFINITE number of people therein. Some would hardly believe, that the whole Nation could afford so many, as the City of London alone did then produce.  
My prayer shall ever be, that this great City may be kept either in the WHOLESOME IGNORANCE, or HUMBLE KNOWLEDGE of its own STRENGTH, lest the people numberless prove masterless therein. And let them remember (God forfend the Parallet) what is become of great Ninive at this day, annihilated for the Pride thereof.   

XXX. Rather fold over, then fall short.  
Solomon's Temple was seven years in building, 1 Kings 6.36. And such, who seriously consider the Magnificence thereof, will more wonder, that it was done so soon, then doing so long.  
Now, had Solomon at the beginning of this building abolished the Tabernacle made by Moses, (because too mean and little for so mighty, and so numerous a Nation) God had been seven years without any place of public Service.  
But that wise Prince continued the Tabernacle to all uses and purposes, until the Temple was finished, and then 1 Kings 8.4. They brought up the Ark of the LORD, and the Tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tabernacle, even those did the Priests and the Levites bring up. And as it followeth afterwards, vers. 6. They brought in the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, unto his place, into the Oracle of the House. And certainly all the rest of the Tabernacle (consisting of such materials, as might be taken down, and kept in Chests and Coffers) were deposited in the Temple, though, it may be, no use was made thereof.  
It had been well, if, before the OLD GOVERNMENT of the Church was taken down, a NEW ONE had first been settled. Yea, rather let God have two Houses together, than none at all; lest Piety be starved to death with cold, by lying out of doors in the interval, betwixt the demolishing of an old, and the erecting of a new Church-discipline.   

XXXI. No man's work.  
CHrist, when on Earth, cured many a spot, (especially of leprosy) but never smoothed any wrinkle; never made any old man young again.  
But in Heaven he will do both, Eph. 5. 27. when he shall present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or WRINKLE, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.  
Triumphant Perfection is not to be hoped for in the Militant Church; there will be in it many spots and wrinkles, as long as it consisteth of sinful mortal men, the members thereof: It is Christ's work, not man's work to make a perfect Reformation.  
Such therefore are no good Politicians, who will make a sore to mend a spot, cause a wound to plain a wrinkle, do a great and certain mischief, when a small and uncertain benefit will thereby redound.   

XXXII. Three make up one.  
YOung King Joash had only a lease of Piety, and not for his own, but his uncle's life, 2 Kin. 12.2. He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days, wherein Jehoiada the Priest instructed him.  
Jehu was good in the midst of his life, and a zealous Reformer to the utter abolishing of Baal out of Israel, but in his old age. 2. Kin. 10.31. He returned to the politic sins of Jeroboam, worshipping the Calves in Dan and Bethel.  
Manasseh was bad in the beginning and middle of his life, filling Jerusalem with idolatry; only towards the end thereof, when carried into a 
2 Chron. 33.11.  strange land, he came home to himself, and destroyed the profane Altars, he had erected.  
These Three put together make one perfect Servant of God. Take the Morning and Rise with Joash, the Noon and Shine with Jehu, the Night and Set with Manasseh. Begin with Youth-Ioash, continue with Man-Iehu, conclude with Old-man-Manasse; and all put together will spell one good Christian, yea, one good perfect Reformer.   

XXXIII. Sero, sed Serio.  
NEbuchadnezzar observed three Gradations in plundering the Temple; First, He mannerly sipped and took but a taste of the wealth thereof, 2 Chro. 36.7. He carried of the VESSELS of the House of the Lord to Babylon.  
Next, He mended his Draught, and drank very deep, vers. 10. When the year was expired, Nabuchadnezzar sent and brought Jehoiachin to Babylon, with the GOODLY VESSELS of the House of the Lord.  
Lastly, He emptied the Cup, not leaving one drop behind, vers. 18. And ALL the VESSELS of the House of the Lord, great and small, brought he to Babylon.  
It was the mercy of God, to allow his people space to repent, had they made their seasonable composition with God, after the first inroad; they had prevented the second: If after the second, they had prevented the last and final destruction.  
God hath suffered our Civil Wars some sixteen years since, first to taste of the wealth of our Nation; and we met not God with suitable Humiliation. His Justice then went farther▪ and the Sword took the Goodly Vessels, the GALLANTRY and GAIETY of ENGLAND from us; 1. Our massy plate. 2. Pleasant pictures. 3. Precious jewels. 4. Rare Libraries. and 5. Magnificent Palaces; [Holdenby, Theobald's, Richmond] Carrying Majesty in their structure; 1. Melted down. 2. Sold. 3. Lost, or drowned. 4. Transported. 5. Leveled to the ground.  
God grant, That we may sue out our pardon by serious repentance. before ALL the VESSELS, great and small, be taken away in a renewed war, that the Remnant of wealth, which is left in the Land, may be continued therein.   

XXXIV. By Degrees.  
WE read that the nails in the Holy of Holies, 2 Chro. 3.8, and 9 were of fine Gold. Hence ariseth a question, how such nails could be useful? pure Gold being so flexible, that a nail made thereof will bow and not drive.  
Now I was present at the debate hereof, betwixt the best working-Goldsmiths in London, where (among many other ingenuous answers) this carried away the Credit, for the greatest probability thereof, viz. That they were screw-nails, which had holes prepared for their reception, and so were wound in by degrees.  
God's work must not be done lazily, but leisurely: Haste maketh wast in this kind. In Reformations of great importance, the violent driving in of the nail, will either break the head, or bow the point thereof, or rive and split that, which should be fastened therewith.  
That may insensibly be screwed, which cannot suddenly be knocked into people. Fair and softly goeth far, but alas! we have too many fiery spirits, who with Jehu drive on so furiously, they will over turn all, in Church and State, if their fierceness be not seasonably retrenched.   

XXXV. Good Augury.  
I Was much affected with reading that distich in Ovid, as having somewhat extraordinary therein.  
Tarpeia quondam praedixit ab Ilice Cornix,  
Est, bene non potuit dicere, dixit, Erit.  
The Crow sometimes did sit and 
To foretell; hence Spelman.  spell  
On top of Tarpy▪ Hall;  
She could not say ALL's WELL, ALL's WELL,  
But said IT SHALL, IT SHALL.  
But what do I listen to the language of the Crow, whose black colour hath a cast of Hell therein in superstitious soothsaying. Let us harken to what the DOVE of the holy Spirit saith, promising God's servants, though the present times be bad, the future will be better. Psal. 38.11. The meek SHALL inherit the Earth, and shall delight themselves in the Abundance of Peace.   

XXXVI. Subtract not, but Add.  
A Covetous Courtier complained to King Edward the sixt of CHRIST college in Cambridge, that it was a Superstitious Foundation, consisting of a Master and twelve fellows, in imitation of Christ, and his twelve Apostles. He advised the King also, to take away one or two Fellowships, so to discompose that superstitious number.  
Oh no, (said the King) I have a better way, then that, to mar their conceit, I will add a thirteenth Fellowship unto them; which he did accordingly, and so it remaineth to this day.  
Welfare their hearts, who will not only wear out their shoes, but also their feet in God's service, and yet gain not a shoe-latchet thereby.  
When our Saviour drove the Sheep and Oxen out of the Temple, he did not drive them into his own Pasture, nor swept the coin into his own Pockets, when he overturned the Tables of the money-changers. But we have in our days many, who are forward to offer to God such zeal, which not only cost them nothing, but wherewith they have gained great Estates.   

XXXVII. Send such music.  
WE read 1 Kings 8.55. that Solomon, when he had ended his excellent Prayer, he BLESSED the People, But was not this Invading the Sacerdotal function? seeing it was not crownwork, but 
* Numb. 6.23.  mitre work, to do it.  
No, surely Solomon's Act therein was lawful, and laudable, there being a threefold blessing.  

I. imperative; So God only blessed his People, who commandeth deliverances for Israel.  
II. INDICATIVE; Solemnly to declare God's blessing to, and put his Name upon the people, and this was the priest's work.  
III. OPTATIVE; wishing, and desiring God's blessing on the People, and this was done by Solomon.   
Yea, it is remarkable, that in the same Chapter, vers. 66. the people blessed the King. O happy Reciprocation betwixt them! when the King BLESSETH HIS PEOPLE (if his words be rightly understood) ALL MAY BE well. But when a People BLESSETH THEIR KING, ALL IS WELL.   

XXXVIII. By Hook and by Crook.  
MArvellous was the confidence of those Merchants, Iam. 5.13. Go to now, ye that say, To day, or to morrow we will go into such a City, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain.  
What false heraldry have we here, Presumption on Presumption? What Insurance-Office had they been at, to secure their lives for a twelvemonth,  
But, this being granted, how could they certainly promise themselves, that they this year should get GAIN, except they had surely known what would have been dear the next year. Merchandizing is a ticklish matter, seeing many buy and sell, and live by the loss.  
Either, then Trading in those times was quicker and better than in ours, or, (which is most probable) they were all resolved on the point, to cheat, cousin, lie, swear and forswear, and to GAIN, by what means soever.  
Our Age and Land affordeth many of their Temper, and of such Saint Paul speaketh, 1 Tim. 6.9. They WILL be rich; will, whether God Will, or Will not; Will, though it cost them the forfeiture of their Conscience, to compass their designs.   

XXXIX. Without Care no Cure.  
A Woman, when newly delivered of a child, her pain is ended, her peril is but new begun; a little distemper in diet, or a small Cold taken may inflame her into a fever, and endanger her life. Wherefore when the welfare of such a person is inquired after. This Answer-General is returned, She is well for one in her condition; The third, fifth, and ninth days, [all critical] must be expected, till which time Bene-male is all the health which the Latin Tongue will allow her.  
ENGLAND is this green Woman, lately brought to bed of a long-expected child LIBERTY▪ Many wise men suspected that she would have died in travel, and both child and Mother miscarry. But God be thanked for a good MIDWIFE, who would not prevent, but attend the Date of Nature▪  
However all, yea, most of the Danger is not yet past. Numerous is the multitude of malcontents, and many difficulties must be encountered before our PEACE can be settled.  
God grant the Woman be not wilful in fits of her distemper, to be ordered by the discretion of her NURSES, which now in Parliament most carefully attend her RECOVERY.   

XL. Keep your Castle.  
SOon after the King's death, I preached in a Church near London, and a Person then in great power, (now leveled with his fellows) was present at my Sermon. Now I had this passage in my Prayer, GOD in his due time settle our Nation on the true foundation thereof.  
The [then] Great man demanded of me what I meant by TRUE FOUNDATION. I answered, that I was no Lawyer, nor statesman, and therefore skill in such matters was not to be expected from me.  
He pressed me further to express myself, whether thereby I did not intend the King, Lords, and Commons.  
I returned, that it was a part of my prayer to GOD, who had more knowledge, than I had Ignorance in all things, that he knew what was the TRUE FOUNDATION, and I remitted all to his wisdom and goodness.  
When men come with nets in their ears, it is good for the Preacher to have neither Fish nor fowl in his Tongue. But blessed be God, now we need not lie at so close a Guard. Let the Gent. now know, that what he suspected I then intended in my words, and let him make what improvement he pleaseth thereof.   

XLI. Too much beneath.  
KING Hen. the seventh was much troubled (as he was wont to say) with IDOLS, Scenecal Royalettss, poor petty, pitiful Persons, who pretended themselves PRINCES.  
One of these was called LAMBERT SIMNEL, whom the King at last, with much Care and Cost, some expense of Blood, but more of Money, reduced into his power, and got his person into his Possession. Then, instead of other punishment, he made him a turn-broach, and afterwards (on his peaceable Behaviour) he was 
* Lord Bacon in the life of King Hen. 7.  preferred one of the King's UNDER-FALCONERS, and as one tartly said, a fit Place for the Buzzard, to keep Hawks, who would have been an Eagle.  
The King perceived that this Lambert was no daring, dangerous, and designing person, and therefore he would not make him (who was contemptible in himself) considerable for any noble punishment imposed upon him.  
Royal Revenge will not stoop to a low object; some Malefactors are too mean to be made public Examples. Let them live, that the pointing of people's fingers may be so many Arrows to pierce them. See, there goes INGRATITUDE to his Master: There walks, &c.  
Such a Life will smart as Death, and such a Death may be sanctified for Life unto them, I mean, may occasion their serious sorrow, and cordial repentance, whereby God's Pardon, and their eternal salvation may be obtained, which ought to be the Desire of all good Christians, as well for others as themselves.   

XLII. Patience a while.  
THE soldiers asked of John Baptist, Luke. 3.14. &c. and what shall we do.  
Every man ought (not curiously to to inquire into the duty of others, but) to attend his own concernments. The Baptist returned, do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages.  
Good Counsel to the soldiers of this Age. Do violence to no man, plunder no man, accuse no man falsely.  
Make no men Malignants by wrongful information, and be content with your wages.  
But I have heard some of the most moderate of the soldiers, not without cause, to complain. He is a Mutineer indeed, who will not be content with his wages. But alas, we must be content without our wages, having so much of our arrears due unto us, this is an hard chapter indeed. And John Baptist himself (though feeding hardly on Locusts and wild honey) could not live without any food.  
Indeed their case is to be pitied, and yet such as are ingenuous 'mongst them will be persuaded, to have patience but a while, the Nation, being now in fermentation, & tending to a consistency. The wisdom of the Parliament is such, they will find out the most speedy, and easy means to pay them, and such their Justice, no intent is there to defraud them of a farthing, whatsoever ill-affected malcontents may suggest to the contrary.   

XLIII. In the Middle.  
GOd in his Providence fixed my Nativity in a remarkable place.  
I was borne at ALWINCLE in Northamptonshire, where my father was the painful Preacher of Saint Peter's. This Village was distanced one good mile West from A CHURCH, where Mr. Brown, Founder of the Brownists did dwell, whom out of curiosity, when a Youth, I often visited.  
It was likewise a mile and half distant East from LIVEDEN, where Francis Tresham Esquire, so active in the Gunpowder Treason, had a large demesne, and ancient habitation.  
My Nativity may mind me of Moderation, whose Cradle was rocked betwixt two Rocks. Now seeing I was never such a churl as to desire to eat my morsel alone, let such who like my prayer join with me therein.  
God grant we may hit the Golden mean, and endeavour to avoid all Extremes; the fanatic Anabaptist on the one side, and the fiery zeal of the Jesuite on the other, that so we may be true Protestants, or, which is a far better name, real Christians indeed.   

XLIII. Amending.  
ALL generally hate a Sluttish-House, wherein Nastyness hath not only taken Livery and Seisin, but also hath been a long time in the peaceable possession thereof.  
However, reasonable men will be contented with a House belittered with Straw, and will dispense with Dust itself, whilst the House is sweeping, because it hath uncleanness in order to cleanness.  
Many things in England are out of joint for the present, and a strange confusion there is in Church and State, but let this comfort us, we trust it is confusion in tendency to Order. And therefore let us for a time more patiently comport therewith.   

XLIV. Too much Truth.  
SOme perchance will smile, though I am sure all should sigh at the following Story.  
A Minister of these times sharply chid one of his Parish, for having a base child, and told him he must take order for the keeping thereof.  
Why Sir, answered the man, I conceive it more reasonable that you should maintain it. For I am not Book-learned, and ken not a letter in the Bible, Yea, I have been your Parishioner this seven years, present every Lord's day at the Church, yet did I never there hear you read the TEN commandments, I never heard that Precept read, thou shalt not commit Adultery Probably, had you told me my Duty, I had not committed this folly.  
It is an abominable shame, and a crying sin of this Land, that poor people hear not in their Churches the sum of what they should pray for, believe, and practice, many Mock▪ Ministers having banished out of Divine Service, the use of the Lord's Prayer, Creed, and Ten commandments.   

XLV. As it was.  
SOme alive will be deposed for the truth of this strange accident, though I forbear the naming of place or persons.  
A careless Maid which attended a gentleman's child, fell asleep whilst the rest of the family were at Church; An Ape taking the child out of the Cradle, carried it to the roof of the House, and there (according to his rude manner) fell a dancing and dandling thereof, down head, up heels, as it happened.  
The Father of the child returning (with his Family) from the Church commented with his own eyes on his child's sad condition. Bemoan he might, help it, he could not. Dangerous to shoot the Ape, where the Bullet might hit the Babe; All fall to their Prayers as their last, and best refuge, that the innocent child (whose precipice they suspected) might be preserved.  
But when the Ape was well wearied with its own Activity, he fairly went down, and formally laid the child where he found it in the Cradle.  
fanatics have pleased their Fancies these late years, with turning and tossing and tumbling of Religion, upward, and downward, and backward, and forward, they have cast and contrived it into a hundred antic-postures, of their own imagining. However, it is now to be hoped, that after they have tired themselves out with doing of nothing, but only trying and tampering this, and that way, to no purpose, they may at last return and leave Religion in the same Condition wherein they found it.   

XLVI. No so, long.  
SOlomon was the riddle of the World, being the richest and poorest of Princes.  
Richest, for once in three years the Land of Ophire sailed to Jerusalem, and caused such plenty of Gold therein.  
Poorest, as appeareth by his imposing so intolerable Taxes on his Subjects, the Refusal of the mitigation whereof, caused the Defection of the ten Tribes from the House of David.  
But how came Solomon to be so much behind hand? Some I know score it on the account of his Building of the Temple, as if so magnificent a structure had impaired, and Exhausted his Estate.  
But in very deed, it was his keeping of seven hundred wives, and three hundred Concubines, and his Concubines in all probability, more expensive than his Wives, (as the thief in the Candle wasteth more wax, than the wick thereof) All these had their several Courts, which must needs amount to a vast expense.  
How cometh the great Treasure of our Land to be low, and the Debts thereof so high? Surely it is not by building of Churches, all the World will be her Compurgators therein. It is rather because we maintain (and must for a time for our safety) such a numerous Army of soldiers.  
Well, It had been both for the profit, credit, and conscience of Solomon, to have reduced his Wives to a smaller number, as we hope in due time our standing Army shall be epitomised to a more moderate proportion.   

XLVII. Thank God.  
A Nuncio of the Popes, was treated at Sienna, by a Prime Person, with a great Feast. It happened there was present thereat, a Syndiek of the city (being a Magistrate, parallel in his place, to one of our Aldermen) who, as full of words, as empty of wit, engrossed all the Discourse at the Table to Himself, who might with as good manners have eaten all the Meat at the Supper.  
The Entertainer, sorry to see him discover so much weakness, to the disgrace of himself, endeavoured to stop the Superfluity of his talk. All in vain. The Leaks in a rotten Ship might sooner be staunched. At last, to excuse the matter (as well as he might) he told the Nuncio privately, You I am sure, have some weak men at Rome, as well as we have at Sienna. We have so (said the Nuntio) but we make them no Syndickes.  
It cannot be otherwise, but that in so Spacious a Land, so numerous a People as England is, we must have many weak men, and some of them of great Wealth, and Estates. Yea, such who are not only guilty of plain and simple Ignorance, but of Ignorance guarded and embroidered with their own conceitedness. But, blessed be God, they are not chosen Parliament men; the Diffusive Nation was never more careful in their Elections of their Representatives.  
God grant, that as the several days' works in the Creation were singly by God pronounced GOOD, but the last day's work (being the Collection, and complication of them all) VERY 
Gen. 1.31.  GOOD, so these Persons, good as single Instruments, may be BEST in a Consort as met together. ●●   

XLIX. Can good come from Ignorance.  
KIng James was no less dextrous at, then desirous of the Discovery of such, who belied the father of Lies, and falsely pretended themselves possessed with a Devil.  
Now a Maid dissembled such a possession, and for the better colour thereof, when the first verses of the Gospel of Saint John were read in her hearing, she would fall into strange fits of fuming and foaming, to the amazement of the Beholders.  
But when the King caused one of his Chaplains to read the same in the Original; the same Maid (possessed, it seems, with an English devil, who understood not a word of Greek) was tame and quiet▪ without any Impression upon her.  
I know a factious parish, wherein if he Minister in his Pulpit had but named the word KINGDOM, the people would have been ready to have petitioned against him for a Malignant. But as for realm, the same in French, he might safely use it in his Sermons as oft as he pleased. Ignorance which generally inflameth, sometimes by good hap, abateth men's malice.  
The best is, that now one may without danger, use either word, seeing England was a kingdom a thousand years ago, and may be one (if the world last so long) a thousand years hereafter.   

L. Trusting maketh one Trusty.  
CHARLES 
* From the mouth of my worthy Friend, now gone to God. D. Clare Chaplain then to his highness.  the Second, King of the Scots, when a child was much troubled with a weakness in his Legs, and was appointed to wear STEEL-BOOTES, for the strengthening of them.  
The weights of these so clogged the child, that he enjoyed not himself in any degree, but moaned himself, fasting at feasts, yea, his very Play being work unto him, he may be said to be a Prisoner in his own Palace.  
It happened that an Aged Rocker which waited on him, took the STEEL-BOOTS from his legs, and cast them in a place, where it was hard to find them there, and impossible to fetch them thence, promising the Countess of Dorset, (Governess of the Prince) that if any Anger arised thereof, she would take all the blame on herself.  
Not long after, the King coming into the Nursery, and beholding the BOOTS taken from his legs, was offended thereat, demanding in some anger, Who had done it.  
It was I Sir (said the Rocker) who had the honour (some thirty years since) to attend on your Highness in your infancy, when you had the same infirmity wherewith now the Prince, (your very own Son) is troubled. And then, the Lady Cary, (afterward Countess of Monmouth) commanded your STEEL BOOTS to be taken off, who, blessed be God, since have gathered strength, and arrived at a good stature.  
The Nation is too Noble, when his majesty, (who hitherto hath had a short course, but a long Pilgrimage,) shall return from foreign parts, to impose any other STEEL-BOOTS upon him, than the observing the laws of the Land, (which are his own stockings) that so with joy and comfort he may enter on what was his own inheritance.  
But I remember, when Luther began first to mislike so me errors in the Romish Church, and complained thereof to Staupitius his Confessor, He used to say unto him. Abi in Cellam & ora, Get you gone into your Cell and pray. So will I do, (who have now done) and leave the managing of the rest to those to whom it is most proper to advance God's Glory, and their country's good. Amen.   
FINIS.