Eugenia's tears for great britains DISTRACTIONS or, Some slender Observations reflecting on those Sad time's. Written by E. R. — exuperat Magis aegrescitque medendo. Eugenia's tears FOR GREAT britains DISTRACTIONS OR, Some slender observations reflecting on those sad Times. Written by E. R. — Exuperat magis aegrescitque medendo. LONDON, Printed for William Sheares, at the sign of the Bible in Covent-garden, 1642. Eugenia's tears FOR GREAT britains DISTRACTIONS. MAn whose inward eyes are still representing him with that great idea of universal nature viewing her adorned in her richest robes, sitting in the glorious throne of her majesty, and only valuing things according to their essential proportion and greatness, shall quickly read in her spacious visage, that nothing is so constant as variety; next he shall see himself, and not himself alone, but that whole Monarchies, and kingdoms▪ are (in respect of that great Circle of our future happiness) but the smallest point; and that this great Globe (which some multiply as Species under one Genus) is but the true looking glass whence a good stamp should reflect; behold further in this world's frame as many strange humours, as sundry sects, as many various judgements as self-willed opinions, with as many different laws, as fantastical customs which should teach us rightly to determine of our unhappiness, and instruct our judgements to acknowledge their imperfections, and natural weakness; which I confess is no easy task, since the changes of times are ever subject to afford us so many innovations of Estates, so many falls of Princes, and so many alterations of public fortunes; all which inform us not to make too great account of ourselves though never so great; how many names victories, and conquests have we known buried in dark oblivion; which makes our hopes of pepetuating our memories but ridiculous; and the forgotten state of so many gorgeous shows (with the glory of so much passed greatness) what doth it but confirm our resolution undauntedly to bear the affronts, and thunderclaps of distempered times, wherein — Nonne videmus Quid Sibi quisque velit nescire et quaerere semper? Worthy therefore (or rather lamentable) is the consideration, to see to what pass things (Even in this age) are brought, both in opinion and effect; and would we employ some time in sounding ourselves through●y, how easily should we perceive that the contexture of the best, is built upon weak and decaying pieces, quos fama obscured recondit, it being an especial testimony of our frailty, that we cannot s●ttle our contentment on any on thing, and that it is even beyond our desire and imagination to choose what we want, and find out our Summum b●num; but are ever uncessantly wheeling in this endless labyrinth; we discern nothing aright, but by a false light, puffed up with art and our own opinionatedness, we waver between divers indifferences; each hour produceth new fantasies, every day 〈◊〉 follies; in so much that whosoever looks home shall hardly find himself twice in one and the same e●ate, ●o various is the visage of our soul, subject to perpetual contrarieties, and the blast of accidents; hence we prove the Microcosmos of all infirmities, and (the soul excepted) of all creatures the worst▪ and what is this world but an over-shadowed Picture enter-shining with infinite varieties of false lights, to exercise our conjectures? Neither is there any reason but hath another contrary to it in this case what can be pleasing? since no good can bring us pleasure, except that against whose loss we are prepared: Nam in aequo est dolour amissae re●, et timor am●ttendj: lo then unto what a atness of h●rtfull humours are we subject, it being impossible to find even ground to rest secure: Yea the very perfection of our health being too strong and joyful must (as physicians observe) in some ●ort be abated, lest by ascending too high they over violently recoil into disorder: nay farther (though our evils are essential) the very goods we possess, are only in imagination: we go not, but are carried as things that float, sometimes gliding gently and sometimes Hulling violently, following the inclination of our appetities according as the wind of occasions doth transport us, and as the times shall prove either stormy or calm: so that in respect of the many intermixtures of our miserable infirmities, who can ●dicate his sincerity whilit he dwells in this house of clay: yea the very soul in her passions will rather frame a fantastical subject, then work upon nothing▪ So that with the eyes of contempt we should look on all sublunary distractions, and never ascribe happiness to that state which dependeth on the tranquillity and contentment of a well born mind, and the resolution and assurance of a well ordered soul, until it have acted the last, and (without doubt) the hardest part of its Tragedy: be no longer then beguiled with the vain semblance of the world, since the bubbling breath of man (whose life hangs on his nostrils) is but like the dew fallen from some humid cloud and can no way secure itself from Titan's scorching view, but (having past its Meridian and afternoon of age) is still hastened to the night of nature, thus the more we retire into ourselves from all carnal respects the nearer we soar to a divine nature: let not then thy unlimmited appetite so much covet as con●emne the world ( * Sen● Epist▪ 62. Contemn●re enim omnia aliquis potest) since all our friends, honours, and pleasures like physicians leave us when we lie a-dying, or like wandering empirics beguile their credulous patients with great ostentation of counterfeit cures, and like shadows set with the Sun: and how weak alas are the world's wonders, when fore-topt time with her wafting wings after so many myriad of years still, still inuolues into its accustomed Circle neither will I instance how those glorious Monarchies and stately palaces (Sometimes the seate● and content of Princes) have become the rejected ruin of unrepairedness, since these present times afford so large & unhappy an experience: at which age of tears Democritus may laugh, Timon express his hatred, but Heraclitus cannot choose but dissolve, since the black Mantelled night makes every thing to be silent, and the glittering Starr● (affronting the silver moon) deny their wonted light to restless wanderers; and O thou fairest of kingdoms and favourite of Neptune, who art as it were departed from the roundness of the world (as if forbidden to partake not only of the superstitions but unhappiness of other Nations) what's now become of thy fo●mer glory: what Seas of unequal passions now encompass thee? Where are thy ●lowring hill tops, thy sweet smiling springtides, and those Golden times when every brook and bush abounded with milk and honey? Alas how art thou left to the favour of frowning fortune! thy stately paradise once comparable to those blessed bowers appointed for Sacred souls, by destiny departed, is even almost scorched with the displayed beams of angry Phoebus; thy charming * Is●. 24. 8. Ier. 7. 37, 〈◊〉 16: 9: & 25▪ 10▪ Eze. 〈◊〉 Hos. 〈◊〉 melody is (with the dying Swan) tuning its sad farewell, and despair (which usually drives off all hope) is only left to be thy comfort: look on the groaning earth, and see what it hath done against heaven through variety of sins: cast thy eyes up to heaven, and behold what it hath lately done upon earth, through unusual moisture: So that the ground begins to rebel, and from a Mother becomes a Step dame, yea the Heavens weep and are grown cataracts; send Noah's Turtle and it will return thee, that the d●luge is not yet past, and that there is no place left for virtue's tracts▪ that Sun which so long hath shined without those black clouds of ignorance and error begins now to be eclipsed; mutability and disrespect attend the Courts of Princes, the great Ones of the Land are divided, and the poor man rejoiceth not in his green and flourishing meadows, thus the State of the whole body (through ill humours) is likely to produce but an ill issue: some fall out with nature for casting them in so gross a mould, and never leave aspiring till they have attained beyond their worth: So that now bring me on of a far famed family, whose Ancestors have spent their blood to reach unto virtue's Diadem, leaving triumphant Trophies of their greatness to posterity and this Pyrocles shall meet with a Dametas, who hath lately extracted his gentility from a dirty soil; show me those lofty cedars whose solid growth and large experience, might justly seem to claim priority, which are not affronted by every shrub, and endeavoured to be vain gloriously over topped by every silly sprig of a few years flourishing: nay bring me those of that holy calling, which deduce sound conclusions from the Sacred truth, justifying the sober assertions from the undeniable Scriptures, who shall not m●ete with such as dare set their stamp of Divine Authority upon their Counterfeit mettle, and with an unreverent and uncivil liberty censure the Magistrate: and hear they of their Prince such strange things are Law and justice) as that he is but a shepherd to them; the most valiant are now the most unfortunate, for what man can run with so glorious an envy, or ambitious desire to the goal of a combat, but may at last meet with an evident overthrow, and can no more assure himself of his welfare then his ruin; Alas! where are ye now O ye valiant Caesars with your Trophaeall chariots? for on of whose deaths the Sun is reported to envelop herself in a Sable Mantle. Ille etiam extincto miseratus Caesare Romam Cum caput obscura nitidum ferrngine texit. And why weeps learned Athens? which (like those young men and D●mosells) sets mourning under the spreading myrtle, which was once grac'● with the wearied limbs of their lost l●ves, burning whole piles of Beech-trees under that hallowed shade, and hastening to be sprinkle it with the richest spices which may send sweet perfumes to the Heavens; and (fi●ing sacred Tapers on every side) do nothing but beat their breasts, and howl epitaphs to the echoing groves; why doth learning and Religion (like Hypocrates twins) thus weep and laugh together? where's the plea●g harmony of your well according tunes? Alas! that the Militia of theology should thus turn to a disaffected multitude▪ and express nothing so much as the embitterness of discenting minds: which with their own venom are likely to consume themselves and others: and O that those gray-hairs which like so many Champions have fought thy duels against that Idolatrous Key-keeper and his wicked adherents, should thus go down with sorrow to their grave▪ it is only proper for a bloody Herod to take off the innocent with the guilty, neither seems, it indifferent that if some few have been faulty in the lightness of their ware, there should be no more of the profession: but if any have too much leaned to the baldpates of Baal's Priests, darkening the world and casting ●rronious Mists before the eyes of ignorance and with the Athenians erected Altars to the unknown God, my heart shall not think, neither dares my pen write any thing in their behalf, but digna est tua religio odio; let one or more suffer as they have been faulty, but O let there be some to excel others, least human ignorance mask, or self-willed perverseness dangerously cloud the beauty of that Religion, which is now otherwise likely to be rent into many various parcels: how hath the State been this way lately sick of too much repletion, when the very factious appropriate to themselves the name of the true Israelites: certainly it is not for every onezealously to worship his own opinion, when it savours not of Divine inspiration: in this particular we need not seek our evils without us: and because we feel ourselves not throughly sick our recovery is likely to be the more difficult: but O unhappy time when the ground of Religion (which is the prop of our soul shall thus consist in contradiction) we have no hopes of gaining Heaven by disputing niceties: for the mind of that assailant which is molested with different alarms is easily dismayed: neither can we be safe by continually floating in the Ocean of divers factions: and if we begin not by time to secure ourselves, Alas! who shall provide for so many griefs, so many evils: nor will it be almost possible: after (so much digression) to reduce divine things to their just balance that they suffer no impeachment: though it will be but deserved of him (which is not satisfied with that true light which the Sun by the virtue of its beams doth please to Communicate) to have his arrogance rewarded with the loss of his sight, And O the fond curiosity of our nature! amusing itself to preoccupate future things: when it hath enough to do to digest the present; but thou wilt say perchance thou art zealous, sincere, & Religious in thy profession: So far I go with thee, & only wish it were with knowledge, temper▪ & discretion: for know though no man can be too p● in his life or doctrine, nor with his best endeavours attain perfection as he should, yet though he offend not against the purity of doctrine, or sincerity of his faith, yet if he rashly separate himself from the Church (breaking the bond of unity) he may incur the censure of an schismatic: & most justly, if for any sinister ends private respects, vainglory, or temporal commodity, either against the Articles of his faith or Doctrine of the Church grounded upon God's Word; which indeed proves too appar●t in these times; Let such witness who are more ignorant than Plato's Phylodoxes, lovers of their own opinions, which (through their windiness) are likely to resolve the world again into its first Chaos, and make it a Babel not of Languages but Sects: which like Hydra's stuffed with poison, or like old vessels full of new wine, fantasies, and strange revelations, reject every thing as profane which is contrary to their opinion: who are too wise in God's eternal counsels, making such as they fancy or please to be elect, others reprobates: when as how darest thou pry into the secret designs of God's Divine will, and the incomprehensible motives of his works; and O vain Man how couldst thou thus attain the depth of his sacred de●rees? Who hath learned thee his high conceits? or who can 〈◊〉 ●ee with t● 〈◊〉 ●me thoughts which he doth possess? whilst in a moment he surrounds those crystal mantled skie●; surely as the worst things (well used) prove good ●o t●e best things (ill used) become our evils; and is not Religion sick of some hectic distemper, whe● 〈◊〉- sick pamphleteers, & giddy headed libellors, shall up●aide even majesty to its face? audacity leading them (out of an assumed liberty) to express a● ill governed zeal; & is it consonant to reason, that e●ery illiterate Mechannicke should play with the w●rd? Nay the weaker sex who are commanded silence, and not to us●pe authority, have also freedom to vent their opinions (O never so much as now immodest!) yea and to threaten reve●g with their tender limbs, when as alas! hat small member which proclaims their valour is likely to prove the be● (or rather the worst) instrument for so weak a combita●t▪ I deny not but seduced agents may (as, the devil at first) work on the frailty of their nature, but methinks the first slip cost us so dear, as that connivance and approbation should not ●ster the second unhappiness; but it so be that every sex and sect shall have a several exposition on the Text, and their fo●d opinions shall incite their intellects to rebel against the true inspirer thereof, well may we cry out. O Saeclum insipiens & infacotum! And certainly where all reverence is thus laid aside, devotion will at last grow cold; and I think in time it will be easier to find out the ●pecies and kinds of nature, than the Sects of this age▪ mistake me not, I censure not all 〈◊〉 H●cks, whi● are not O●thodox, neither condemn all to be Schismatickes because some fall out to ●e facti●us in Israel; but where pride and discontent meet with novelty good parts wi●h imp●dencie, and ignorance with pretended sanctity, there division mu●t needs 〈◊〉 defect, as union is the Author of Beauty and blessedness: no humour ●eing so easily counterfeited as that of devotio●, which 〈◊〉 sports so many Ministers beyond themselves, some flashing in their ma●ter, but confused in their method, some being as inuective in their d●livery, as d●eaming in their vtteranc●; some with the flaming fire of ill tempered & indiscreet zeal, shake their Auditors (like Earthquakes) with i● applied terrors of the Law, oftentimes tending to desperation, * 1 Kings 19 1●. but the Lord is not in that fire, but in the still voice; staunching the bleeding heart and d●oping the oil of the Gospel into the wounded conscience; some pride themselves with the bubble of popular applause (often as causelessly gotten) as deservedly lost, soothing the people with such doctrine as may comply with their humours, and thus as the Sun ris●g & declining makes long shadows, but at midday being at the highest make▪ none at all, so ostentation, sincerity, & learning seldommeet in those Pastors; whic● (l●ke the Par●redge) run away with part of the shell on their heads; and l●aving their unripened learning in those sacred schools (if they vouc●sat't to see them) aim at their advantage in the Country, & for a fit treasure become thieves; hence the vulgar, & disaffected 〈◊〉, (wanting the faculty to judge of things by themselves) are led only with an out ward appearance, & if once possessed with the boldness to despise, & malapertness to imp●gne those opinions which were before entertained with an awful reverence, will (especially if some Articles of their belief are made questionable) soon admit an equality in all other parts of their Religion, rushing into an inevitable confusion and at last reject (as a tyrannical yoke) all impressions formerly received, either by the authority of laws, or reverence of custom, and will thence forward allow of nothing, unless they have given their voice and particular consent to the same: thus also are those Professors (almost out of their wits) opinionated in their hearing, so that be the Man not after their humour, the matter shall have no honour; arrogating to the instrument what they derogate from the agent▪ & let him never so much preach the abortive sigments of his own brain, his applause shall be * Acts 12: 〈◊〉. Vox Dei, & non hominis: It is the voice of God and not of man: certainly, though my hea● abhor all unnecessary and superstitious Ceremonies. (earnestly wishing that whatsoever is scandalous, contrary to the truth, and offensive in the exercise of Religion, might be taken off,) yet am I throughly persuaded that God ought to be intermixed in all our actions with an awful reverence, and an attention full of respect, his voice being too Divine to have no other use then to exercise the lungs and please the fancies: good matter is like a beautiful body, and Eloquence the well fashioned Garment, the one not rudely to be ●lubbered up, nor the other expressed in careless words: neither ought we (like Bees) always to resort to those flowers which are fair, and neglect the wholesome herbs: but O how doth it concern the reformers of these times, to encourage and approve of none, but such moderate wits, whose depth of knowledge hath not led them ●o by-paths in judgement, but have walked in the trodden way of the truly reformed Church; esteeming it greater glory to establish an Ancient Truth then ignorantly devise a new opinion: Yet, O yet, there is some hopes that those bonds wherewith we are fettered may be by you strooken off, then will you preserve that contexture, whose dissolution is so much attempted, which notice imports not so much weight, as it requires speed, lest it shortly be said, Heu tantum attriticorporis ossa vides! Then only will the Church be most happy when truth and peace shall kiss each other, truth without Peace being but turbulent, and peace without truth but a secure injustice; the glorified Spirits have but one, uniform work, wherein they all join the praise of their Creator: showing that the beauty of order, and the band of unity must be our double support: why then should we uncessantly entangle ourselves with self-willed extravagancies, which argues a mind full fraught with wind-puft conceits, still floating up and down the superficies of giddy brains, which are ever governed by the instability of a private fantasy; and doth not the disease exasperate by the jealousy of the debate; like that silly Bird which perceiving fire near her young ones, seeks to blow it out with her wing● so long till she burn; and make here selfe a Prey in an unwise pity, so the woeful experience of those times shows that such as indiscreetly meddle with the flame of dissension (kindled in the Church) rather increase then quench it; Some will be nought but ceremony, and hold fast the bows whilst they leave the body; others out of too high a conceit of themselves (affecting nothing but singularity) disdain to go in the right road, and through discontent (at la●) reject all contradiction; both which like indiscree●e ●avellers) have per●ce taken the fairest, but not the nearest way to the●r jour●ies end; then doth ●t not highly concern the present assembled body of this kingdom to direct, and tract out such a way, as on the one side may be strongly hedged from all superstition, and on the ot●er fenced from affected ignorance; the distempers of this sort are almost grown immedicable v●lnus, crying out to all those which pass by, whither ever any sorrow or distraction were like that of this Church, for which there is great grief in Zion; alas! ●ow is she discipated, and sits weeping in the dust, her lovers & her friends have fo●saken her, * ●ant. 3. 1. She seeks whom her soul loves but find● h●m not; and is become like some forsaken Nymph whom solitariness invites to her gloomy grove; what but whole rills of tears are perceived in thy streets, venting nothing but remorseful songs, and pouring out floods which will no longer be i●viron'd with the drooping willows; thy Harps and music lie mute, thy heart is filled with fears and Plaints, yea and thy Temples almost forsaken; thou hast not Aza's sickness in thy feet●, but thy heart and art near (with Ezekiah) wounded to death unless thou use his physician, his remedy; thou that wert in thy full brightness, art now likely to droop into the wane of misery; and which is worse it will not profit thee to seek outward cure, whilst thou hast thy* executioners within; thy Garments (thus Hose● 1●. 〈◊〉 rent) are subject to be torn with every briar; thy glory is defaced, yet seek not (with the Elephant) fo● muddy channels to hide thy deformity, but some crystal stream as well to delineate, as cure thy malody; thy grief then being overpast shall be pleasant to thy remembrance; till when bite not at the stone and neglect him that threw it, neither in thy suffering evils so far look on secondary causes as not to reflect on the highest; thy abstinence must be thy cure; and (like poison used to a good Medicine) thy sins and afflictions must prove thy gain. In arts divers subjects have no life or essence, but in the agitation, and disputing; and as in virtue of two equal effects, we hold that the fairest & worthiest, which affordeth most lets, and wherein are proposed greatest hazards, so who knoweth whither it be not one especial effect of God's divine providence, thus to suffer his true Church to be vexed and turmoiled with no fewer blasts then turbulent storms, whereby ●orowze, and awaken the godly and Religious ●oules from that lethal security, and ●upified slumber wherein so long tranquillity hath plunged them; & O thou supreme director of all things, look down on thy distressed Zion, pity her tears, support her fears (bred from the seditious dregs of slimyignorance) ●eepe her sides from wounding, let her triumph still in her sovereign head, and ●et not those whi● lewindes dim her light; O how sacred were those tears once cast on Jerusalem deploring their disease, & Prophesying their woes ● far exceeding those spent on the banks of Tigris, or those sower-set Hebraic Plaints poured forth by mournful Captives (Banished * Luk. 19 41. 42. from their nation) into crystal Euphrates, which so sadly encompassed the stately station of beautiful Babylon; thou only O Lord which involuest the waters in a garment, and commandest the outrageous Sea to keep its bounds (to whom all nations are but as the dust of the balance, or the drop of a Bucket, who holdest the wind in thy fist and mad'st the shadow to go backward) canst stay the unruliness of those headstrong enemies, which have thus overspread thy Church; O refine and purge thy flore, cleanse this spital of dis●eased opinions; there is but on way, on truth; let not heresy prove error in the fundamentals of Religion; but settle those great and long-continuing al●ercations about the best form of holiness, and show that high Assembly which way assiduously to agitate such rules as may be most commodious to unite our present distractions; that so succeeding posterity may say our modern reformation hath been exact to the oppugning of superstitious errors, sweetly to enchant and allay our schisms; and (concluding a timely peace) to fill this little point of the world, with as pure a devotion, as requisite obedience; that so there may be no longer difference amongst the herdsmen, whilst the Canaanites are yet in the Land, and the adversaries of the truth are mingled amongst us, who make our discords their sweetest harmony; & that no scoffing Cham, or deriding Ishmael make music of our miseries; let them speedily be covered with the cloth of silence, lest it be told in Gath, & published in Askelon, * 2 Sam: 19 10. Mica. 1. 10. and the daughters of the Phy●istims triumph and rejoice that the beauty of Israel is slain, & the mighty are fallen; & that leaving off that old humour of loving new things; & that maiden-like religion (who are first won by those by whom they are first wooed) whilst some Sacrifice their reverence to one admired Preacher, others adore this affected pastor, whilst some are of Paul, others of Apollo (affecting a shining appearance) God's ordinance is neglected, his word had in respect of persons, and it be justly said, vt omnium rerum, sic literarum quoque intemperantia laboramus, that as by our contempt we seem too much abounding with all earthly blessings, so have we surfeited (through our intemperance) with the plentiful enjoyment of our heavenly Manna; is not this the age so sadly foretold by that Oracle of Divine Truth, wherein not only one Nation shall rise against another, but be divided in its self, yea their worst enemies shall be enclosed within their own confines; nay as if the fabric of the world should not want any thing to dissolve it, if wars and Tumults sickness & famine may not sufficiently shake it, behold with grief, how many Imaginary Christ's, are forged in the shops not only of Demetrius the silver Smith, but (with the help of that great and well * Ephe. 6. 11, 12. experienced Artist of infernal fireworks) have been hammered on the factious Anvells of discenting spirits, who through the craziness of their heads and not the soundness of their hearts, are so much of late grown the bellows of sedition; he that makes a doubt of the fulfilling of our saviour's prophecy, let him but cast his eyes on the actions of our present Tragedy, and view the new ways of our impious devotion, only reserved for this deplored time wherein never any seemed more fierce for Religion, yet more barren in piety; this makes pastime for our adversaries: yet if any more sincere & unspotted, be given us from heaven to teach us the true path to those eternal Mansions, bidding those personating sectaries of Christianity to carry more devotion in their hearts then in their countinances, and to be more exemplary in doing, then violent in saying, how shall he be the patient of their contumely, and disparagement: so willing are we to expire our latest breath in this lingting sickness of dissimulation; O that so many discertions should be now so common within the Orchard of the Church; that Satan should thus transform himself into an Angel of light ● certainly it is bad sinning in a Religious habit, and though there may be a deceiving of our sights on earth, yet is there no way to blanch their halting corruption before their Creator; so that never more unhappy were any times than these of the last, into which we are fallen; our best writers are now most silent, and all our leaves become libels; every invective pen takes the power to impart its own spleen, and every unstable head his brainless opinion; nay do not ou● streets daily swarm with variety of untruths framed (for some petty gain) by the frothy wit of those whose pens are still dipped, either in the flattering, current of sinister ends, and affection, o● the muddy dregs of * 1 Tim. 3. 4. Rebellious faction and ignorance, so that now many can no sooner speak, but cry, and by lying (when all trades fail) are learned to get their living: but which is worst, to plead Authority for their countenance, though they may not be imagined guilty of so great a connivance, whose blood hath so long swelled in their veins for the reformation of abuses, & to this end have no less tired their spirits, then exhausted their estates, and not only neglected their affairs, but even adventured their lives; neither are those the cisterns to convey the clear & refreshing streams which may water the unprofitable Corners of this Land, where (with no less dislike then open repining) it hath been sufficiently proclaimed in this nature, that the chaff overtopped the fairest corn, threatening an untimely Harvest; neither is this the way to weigh all things in an indifferent balance, and to quiet the jealousies of the times; or the helm to guide that golden vessel srought with the incomparable treasure of perfectruth, and pure Religion, so longingly expected into the harbour of every conscionable and relenting soul. But it is rather to be wished that now those swelling Waves (with such big Volumes) threaten her sinking, we should cast over board whatsoever might hinder a good voyage, and so lighten her to undergo so dangerous a storm, since the combustion of all the Elements threaten a● ensuing tempest, wherein so many smooth devils wait to disturb the air, and (being enveloped in the clouds of corrupt vapours) strive under the colour of grace to confound nature itself; but before I wade further into this Deluge of distempers, let not any think (either through the perverseness of their affected ignorance, or the known blackness of their own thoughts) that it is my intent here to ay me or invect against the truly Reli●ious or well minded Christian, or to brand any honest man with the name of Puritan, being assured that though many with an ignorant painted and superficial outside (deluding our eyes and gulling our souls) manifest themselves at last to be but mere hypocrites, guilded Pills, ●nd the rich coverings of dirty walls; yet the most zealcus and well governed men of these times, who with no less pains than detestation, Preach down sin and ungodliness, expressing the power of the Word by its operation in a Sanctified, pure, and unspo●ted life, and without Hypocri●ie or senister en●s striving both in life and doctrine to suppres●e all sin, are too often and unjustly branded with that scandalous title; such Puritans we must all be which mean to see Heaven, that Character being truly placed when it meets with the contemners of the Church and State, which aim at the evertion of doctrine and discipline; of which though it may now be said as Christ once did of the damosel, she is not dead but sleepeth, yet is it not to be doubted, but future time will distinguish between those over-mouthed professors; whose tongues are in their hearts, and those true nathaniel's whose hearts are in their tongues; and though none are more bitterly invenomed against sovereign Authority, the State ecclesiastical, and the lawful approved decency of the Church▪ though none are more invective against the flourishing blessings of the time, no mouths more railingly open with the terms of Reprobate, and the denouncing of God's judgements upon all the world but himself and his Sect, and none more lawless nor desirous to have all things in Common; yet the prayers of God's Children shall quench their fiery Furnace, Daniel shall not be hurt with their lion-like mou●hes; the seditious Israelites shall be appea●'d for Moses sake▪ (and by the powerful groans of the truly Religious) Paul's bands shall be loosed, the barren womb of ignorance be made more fruitful, and locked-up Heaven, be for ever and (more powerfully) opened; and I desire it may not savour of too much presumption to tell the hopes of our hearts the supporters of our State, the expectation of our best thoughts, yea and the very life of our souls, how that the eternal comfort and welfare of this kingdom, consists in the suppression of the spreading growth of those and the like extremes, wheresoever apparent, by any impudent carriage or disorderly behaviour; So shall you be a●l glorious within, when you so sweetly sing of mercy and judgement: having no less discretion to free the guil●lesse, than justice to punish the Delinquent; otherwise so much liberty is assumed (in those divided times) by factiously turbulent and disorderly Spirits, as will at last threaten a confusion; than what values it i● a ship be sunk with a small leak or a great, and where is our remedy if by avoiding surfeiting we kill ourselves with abstinence; how vain alas! are the attempts of those men which are drunk with the strength of their own wits, and guided by whatsoever their appetites do most affect; like machiavil they stumble at a Straw, but for their own advantage leap over a block, their seeming devotion wants a saintlike sincerity, their professed conscience an expressed feeling, yea where their faith is so void of works, let them never so much bless for Israel●▪ I know they can curse for Balack; let them never so much plead for order, they desire to live without it, let their lives seem never so holy their hearts alas are too too hollow; and though they draw near the Lord with their mouth, and boast of nothing but Religion yet do they live without the power thereof, but pulling down with one hand while they build with the other, they will at last by their dangerous slights, unruly passions, and impetuous attempts, so far express their ill disposed affections, (though with never so much gravity in their behaviour, so much gospel in their mouths, and so much paintedness in all their actions) as to appear * ● Tim. 3. 5. 6. like counterfeit glow-worms and rotten wood, or like high hanged Mills which make much noise, but grind but little, or as▪ shallow streams raging furiously when they carry least water; O how doth it stand with the refining of our Religion, (as to pluck down Idolatry even to the least rag or relic of superstitious inventions & human traditions, (o) to avoid that dangerous Rock of faction and schisms; which now (through the low ebb of true Religion or rather the abounding of so many falls) gives the whole kingdom so sufficient a warning; since both these extremes equally impart a blindfolded ignorance; let Religion be no longer turned into the stalking ●orse of vainglory and hypocrisy, for though a handsome garment may for a time obscure their crooked designs, yet when they have brought their ends to perfection (God grant the kingdom not to a general combustion) those guilded cups will prove full of poison, and those glittering stones merely counterfeit; why should Joab thus kill with embracing! Why should Judas thus kiss with betraying? nay why should the Pulpits or rather the unhallowed rooms of our too many Ps●do-zelots with the unlawful assemblies of illiterate Artists, so freely, though ignorantly, produce nothing but blasphemy, faction, and rebellions? what alas shall tender consciences in this age conclude to be truth, when those of that (once reverenced) habit, with Pilate shall wash their hands but not their heart, with Ca●phas shall beat the Pulpits and rend their garments, yet pretend Blasphemy; and with the Pharisees shall no sooner cry Master, but crucify. O that so foul a matter vented from the breath of so many Sectists in those times should be left to posterity in such fair Characters, that men with their hands should write to condemn their hearts, and without any remorse of conscience or feeling of their own weakness eternize their shame and false hood; such weather-cock● certainly (like Phillip's Clisophi) will halt with the times; but yet let Jacobs' voice be known from the rough hands of Esais, can those Hydra's disgorge nothing but poison: then let not every mechanic make his dirty shop a consecrated Pulpit, every Libertine vent his scens●esse tenants, and S. Paul's decency be utterly extirpated: surely those things ought not so to be; the Torrid Zone is too violent for so temperate, and well moderated● climate, and experience acquaintes us with that common axiom (though in divers matters of less consequence) nullum violentum est perpetuum; the incomparable fabric of this Church and State, perfected by the assiduous endeavours of Pious Princes, religious Martyrs, & unparalleled counsels, could never have thus far been erected (to the admiration and envy of other Nations) without the well qualified materials of stable heads, & the continual blessing of a supreme providence, which hath thus long supported it; and shall we now rent all in a moment? either through the ambition of discenting, if not discontented spirits, or under the specious pretents of a larger freedom. It is not (I confess) to be denied but that the frame of this kingdom so admirably supported, and thus long continued, may (like a distempered body) want a physician, yet ought the Apothecary to qualify the materials, or else they will miss of a good operation: some lenitive oil may soften a solid matter, when a harder substance will not pierce it, and certainly as that state cannot long subsist which is full of broils, so what likelihood can there be of a prosperous Church amongst so many divisions: be it so (and too true it is) that needless Ceremonies have of late too much crept into the Church, in so much that S. Paul's complaint might well be in force, * Acts 17: ●2. Men and Brethren I see that in all things you are too superstitious; and with Auerrhoës sit anima mea cum Philosophis quia Christiani adorant id quod edunt; what though? have we not sufficiently been miserable in the one but must we needs make ourselves unfortunate in the other; Oh that Religion were once purged from the Lees of the Romish Grape: and for my own part I wish that (as with the Papists) we make not more account of Ceremonies than the substance of Religion, so on the other side we wrong not our consciences by admitting a disconformity in matters beseeming & indifferent; (mistake me not) I drive not to quench the smallest spark of zeal against the Romish Midianites; no, go on for the Lord and for Gidion, let these assembled Worthies prove happy I●siasses to free the Land of Idolatrous worship, and live for ever to extirpate that brood of bloodsucking 〈◊〉, but yet cast back their eyes and reflect on that thousand shaped Proteus, whose cruelty and nonconformity equalizeth their too much superstition; O let it not be said they have taken away the Lord out of the Church, and we know not where they have laid him! let not a Calumniating Libertine in a slovenly habit be more respected than a Religious Aaron in a decent Garment, neither let us more desire some Apostata to spoil, rather than a Constantine to enrich the Church; for what better sign (though not always certain) is there of the inward Heavenly calling, than an outward reverend gesture; though with grief we too too often behold those ragged and railing Rabshachies', those blasphemous Sanballets, whose black mouths are ever venting (from their dirty cells) volumes of affronts against Government and good order; yea miserable is it Jude 8. to think on, how many Scurrilous tongues boldly dare (not only in every corner of the streets, but also) with irreverent and ra●ling language in God's Sacred Temples to speak amiss of what they ought not; those are the * Jude▪ 12. 13. clouds without water carried about with every wind, those are trees without fruit twice dead, plucked up by the roots, those are like raging waves of these●, foaming out their own shame, binding the tender conscience, and leading silly * 2 Tim. 3 6. women Captive; neither whilst those religious Atheists are permitted can we have hopes, that Baalims' curses will reflect on himself, that Achitophel's wisdom will be turned into foolishness, that justice shall take place or vice be extinguished; that the good shall be preferred or the ill disgraced, no, nor Christ's Spouse kept spotless from the s●ames of division; how glorious (like the Apple tree in the midst of the forest) might this Church render itself, how might the sincere word of Christ be zealously taught ● how sweetly might truth and righteousness imorace each other? yea how might our present mourning be turned into joy, and the daughters of Jerusalem rejoyco? were but those turbulent weeds taken from the fairest flowers; but alas we are now almost grown the Thistle amongst Roses, Jonah's storm doth not cease, our enemies say so would we have it. Israel's destruction is of herself, and mournful Zion sits weeping in the dust; and all for their sakes, who with the too much expressed ●eruour of faction and false doctrine, strive to build with untempered mortar, and like Church rebels, upon some sudden rhapsody, or miraculous Enthu●asme, affront the Minister, rent his clothes, spurn at the Prayer book, scoff at the Lord's Table, deride his ordinances, and with a holy madness▪ and devout frenzy strive to cast the whole frame of Religion, and good discipline in the mould of their own fancies and disordered humours, an incivillity worse than heathenism how zealously read are they at sometimes, but at other, how may you read all their profane actions in black characters; and while they seem to reject the dotage of superstition, fall into the frenzy of schism and profaneness, or by avoiding the worshipping of Idols, commit sacrilege; shall I say those are they against whom our Saviour denounced so many * Mat. 23▪ Woes, who labour rather for the applause of men than the reward of Heaven? from whose exorbitant pride (thinking themselves better gifted than 2 Tim. 3. ●▪ 3. they are) proceed so many dangerous and unheard of tenants; hence it is that every discontented and self-opinionated Artist takes upon him to expound the Scripture, little considering that of our Saviour, to * Math. ●▪ 1. them it is not given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; Alas it is not the ordinary wisdom of flesh and blood which can judge of the spirit, sure there is something more in it then for every illiterate and idle brain to undertake so weighty a task, grace being an especial concomitant thereunto. Oh how hard (and with as much sweat of our brows, as toil of our minds) do we labour for the provision of this ba●er life! and is it so easy a matter to attain the food of a better? I deny not but as there are diversities of gifts, so they are extraordinarily bestowed, but if all should be Teachers, where would be the Hearers; Nay in time who would care to hear, if none care to study; what need have we to sweat so many drops, watch so many hours, peruse so many Tracts, endure so many perturbances of mind and body, and at last (like the industrious Bee) divide the sweetest honey from the rankest poison, sealing that long 〈◊〉 for truth with our latest breath, if with so much ease we may attain heaven; is learning now become so contemptible? O charity whither art thou fled! how do those men fall out with learning & the very name of a scholar, and rail against all the degrees thereof because they could never attain to any, including so much unhappiness therein, when it is not Culpaartis sed utentis, as if the sharpness of the Knife, and not the madness of the actor were the cause of hurt; can you account S. Paul vainglorious in saying he knew himself nothing inferior to the most excellent of the Apostles? away then with those sons of ignorance who standing upon the quaintness of their own fancies, descent from the opinions of all the Fathers, and even with contumely reject their reverend authority; what rhetoric can dissuade, what logic ●ectifie their bransick humours? Surgunt hi indocti●t eaelum rapiunt, they take Heaven by violence, yea and if it were possible would deceive the elect; when as nostra haec in literarum peregrinatio sine supremaluce miserabilis quaedam est erratio, our greatest perfection in this divine school is but apparent weakness without the chiefest light; and how acceptable a service would it be to whisper into the ears of those whited Sepulchers, that a charitable discretion were better than their zealous ignorance: but Oh that we could yet rest here, and without farther grief resound the echoing groans of a bleeding State, Nam ut olim flagitijs, sic nunc legibus laboramus, Et patimur long ae pacis mala▪ Saenior armis Luxuria incumbit. Run this way also but the story of our evils, and see whither our distractions have not proved as chargeable as our humours are changeable, & whither our affections are not as different, as the cure is likely to prove difficult: my heartakes to think that this kingdom which was la●ely the Glory & pride of Christendom reformed, when all the world was ready to come over unto her, should thus shamefully run away from herself; fortunate (with Pyrrhus') hast thou formerly been in conquering of kingdoms but unhappy to keep them; hard case! when the Mistress of the world shall be thus oppressed by her own greatness; thy Albion Ch●ts are yet free from those crimson stains, which have so deeply died thy Eastern neighbours; and though that brood of Cadmus have lately turned those Western mountains (contrary to their nature) into rebellious troops of Loathsome Serpents, filling their bogs with infernal furies, yet I hope their pretended precedent from their Northern sister, shall as little advantage their designs, as palliate their intentions; and (for their sufferance) I shall wish any, no other punishment then to pay for the breach, who shall hereafter (without just occasion and dishonourable terms) deny to maintain, what hath been lately (God grant haply ordered.) I am cuncti gens vna sumus, sic simus in aewm, for if that kingdom (so dearly of late reunited unto us) should again appear in its former postures, questionles●e by the illness of the example, though perchance upon less grounds, others would so far learn the same lesson, as to make such rents an occasion of losing the whole; but I hope we need not in our time fear the sight of so strange a prodigy, since the cause being taken off the effect must necessarily cease; especially, so glorious a Sun having (by his benign influences) expelled those vapours and dislocated such ill humours as might swell into the tympany of future disaffectedness; and it were also to be wished that those burning emotions (which have lately been amongst ourselves, and whereof we are hourly likely to be more sensible) might be diverted else where; lest the offending humours (at this instant so predominant within the confines of this state) draw us into the fever of civil descension; which will so greatly endanger our ruin; for how near have our Enemies subverted our public peace, introduced inevitable mischiefs, and occasioned the general corruption of our manners; and whence proceeds the cause of so many distempers amongst us, but from the likelihood of some violent alterations which are ever attended with inevitable grievances; so that when we suffer how justly may we say, Heu patior telis vulnerafactameiss▪ Neither are these only the impressions of our apprehension, without some real effects of our fear, though we are so dull to conceive what woeful experience too plainly manifests; few men dying with the resolution it is their last hour; and are in nothing more deceived, something or other still ringing in our ears, that many have been sicker and yet not died; when for the present distempers of this sad state (stupid as we are) even the generality of thing● seem to suffer, and protend the likelihood of our 〈◊〉▪ the Heavens (through unwonted & unheard of moisture have seemed to take compassion, the air been clouded with unusual darkness▪ the fire produced strange meteors, the water unknown shipwreck; nay, have we not lately had blows from a divine hand more to be admired then disputed; and shall we thus cast ourselves into the Sea with closed eyes? let us in our sad fortunes look about us, & compare our estate to those who are better; our commonwealth is much crazed & out of tune, our greevan●es (by ill applied medicines) have been inflamed, and not cured; and yet (thus are we bewitched) we still stand gazing on those burning Lamps; did we know the attendants of intestine broils we would (after so much surfeiting) use some abstinence in hope of remedy; for alas! who can describe the fruits of civil dissensions? who can endure to hear those sad Judaic Songs? Mother's weeping for their slaughtered children, widows mourning for their husbands; maidens bewailing the loss of their chastity, and helpless Orphans bursting with starved groans; let us not then (like lion's sleep with our eyes open; ●ther let our too much satiety beget our distaste; and though expectation in weak minds makes a good less and an evil greater, yet in these times, as resolution and sufferance must be thy preservatives, so preparation must be thy advantage; for be assured it came from that mouth which never erred, a kingdom thus divided cannot stand; how near likewise are his words accomplish'●I came not to send peace but a sword, & a man's enemies Math. 12▪ 2. shall be those of his own house▪ what unparalleled times of peace, we have enjoyed is well known, (no nation having received the like blessings) O that we had also▪ kept our first love) but what that providence (which with mercy ever remembers man's miseries) will do, who can determine? our best wisdom being but light if weighed with that eterna●l fore-caster, of all things, though justly we may fear the worst, being likely better to know the worth of those pearls by losing them, seeing Hostis adest dextr●, laeu●que a parte timendus Vicinoque malo terret ● trunque l●tus. Neither can it be amiss in thy prosperity to make room for adversity, that though it come unsent for, yet (as not undeserved) so not unlooked for; hence thy expectation (though it cannot hinder) may lessen thy crosses; long hast thou been like a lily amongst thorns and should thou always abound, it would be hard not ●o grow proud; thy security hath already bintoo much an enemy to prevention, otherwise might'st thou have seen thy own fall in thy neighbours, whose sins being the same, it is God's mercy his judgements are not; in which he no less preacheth then in his word; for when he strikes offenders it is but to warn them that stand by; alas▪ that thou canst only plead to have been happy too soon, and to have made such bad use of thy blessings; part not then (like Herod) with a Kingdom for a dance, but seeing the temper of this age differs not from the Heavens (Threatening a second deluge) take heed with Peter lest thou begin to sink; prevent the time wherein (as the Tragedian told Pompey) thou shalt fetch deep sighs because thou sorrowedest not sooner; let not thy deathbed smart for those wilful adjournings of timely repentance, but discharge thy sins be time 〈◊〉 be at peace; what greater good can happen to a diseased man then physic to recure him, long (though perchance unfit) hath thy sound body carried about it a sick soul, then hazard not thy life rather than offend thy palate, repay thy thanks & not repine a● the physician; adversity sometimes best speaks a Christian, neither is it honour to overcome when it is no danger to fight; every Bird can sing in a temperate spring▪ & a clear Heaven, every Epicure can be merry in the midst of his Cups and Dalliance; but (when all things fail) to stand our ground and expect supply from above, shows our faith, & becomes only the 3 children in the furnace, Paul and Silas in the stocks, and the Marty●s at the stake; but methinks I hear some say, quo diversus abis? where must we seek this cure, whence shall we expect this remedy▪ if any should seem to make this question it is not to be doubted but their own thoughts have likewise resolved so needless ascruple, especially in these times where the world no less hates then admires the physician, & where those Saints of the cross (for brevity's sake now called crouched friars▪) with which our streets so lately swarmed, so much opposed the likelihood of a cure; Omake not your religion thus from being ridiculous, to be come odious; forbear, forbear, with your Legends and false▪ miracles (most proper for the great Prince of ceremonies) thus to oppose so great an Assembly, lest your desperate attempts (Viewed with an intentive judgement) exceed● the bounds of pity; there is but one Master of Requests i● heaven, who will assuredly recompense your bad designs▪ neither think (with those fond Egyptians) sufficiently to satisfy divine justice by sacrificing the counterfeit shadows of some painted creatures, or with some fond invention to appease a substance ●o essential; no, no, shake off that spirit of slumber which thus deludes you leave o● hatching of such Cockatrice eggs, and thus sin no more lest a worse thing happen unto you; and what cause have we by continual imploring of a supreme power to beg a prosperous event on the great endeavours of that high Assembly, that so it may never be said that the greatest folly should proceed from the subtlest wisdom, the extremest enmities from the greatest friendship, and that our physic should bring infection with it; too much clearness may blind our sights and too deep an apprehension may at last bereave us of our senses; the curious pursuit of divers sciences hath brought many unto sottishness, and too much aptitude toward the exercise of the mind hath at last brought many without mind or exercise, but O God Let not our mortalest diseases proceed from our soundest health, let not distempered & outrageous frenzies ensue from the rarest agitations of our minds, neither let the best spirits be overthrown by their own force, lest thereby the enemies of thy truth have just cause to rejoice; thrice then unhappy shall we be if our plants are thus choked with overmuch moisture, if our lamps are thus damned with too much oil, and the actions of our mind overwhelmed with the abundance of too needless a study; and O that those dissenting spirits were equally balanced to prevent all turbulent motions, and to measure things with an indifferent poise ● least the discordance of opinions, and diversity of languages occasion the like confusion in this unhappy state, as it once did in the overthrow of that proudly-raised Pile, & heaven-menacing Tower; but what power but the highest can direct this {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; we may unuse ourselves to the secrets of the Stars, yet still have a continual bondage before our eyes▪ or like those Grammarians (at whom Dionysius scoffeth) labour to know the mysteries of Ulysses, & yet be ignorant of our own; and with those Orators we may be derided who study to speak of justice, yet can never frame away of execution, unless some director from above teach us Servare modum, finemque tenere; neither I hope shall we have reason hereafter to mistrust, but that those eminent statesmen (which like discreet Pilots, are now appointed to steer the weather-beaten vessel of this tottering kingdom) sufficiently know sometimes how to lose a sail, now and then hoist to the main, for if they once chance to lose the helm (Unless they be good swimmers) needs must they be drowned. As also that by an over▪ multiplying and subdividing we fall again into the infinity of Epicurus atoms, and so by opening of the matter, spill it by distempering the ingredients; far▪ be it also from the thoughts of any, that under the pretence of so much expressed loyalty, there should be harboured in any of that grave synod the least desire to bring in Innovations into the Church or commonwealth, to derogate any thing from his majesty's honour, or just prerogative to have sinister respects, or splinative intentions, to advance their own liberties by exemption from their an▪ tient privileges, to allow of any government which might countercheck the royal dignity of the crown, for certainly should they either by private or malicious ends not concurring with the general good of the states, aim at their particular advantage, in what sad Characters shall the misery of this kingdom be hereafter recorded, or what mournful pen, or horrid breath will be able to set forth so unparraleld a Treachery; neither I hope need we fear that those which are thus employed for the defence of the laws, should first enter into 〈◊〉 actual rebellion against their own ordinances, well knowing that the way to cure sedition is not to be first infected therewith, neither can they seem to chastise disobedience if they show the example of it, especially in these times of wildness and non-subjection; being fully assured that those which first shake an estate are commonly first overthrown by the fall; & that the chief movers thereof r●ape not always the fruits of such troubles, but mud only the waters for others to fish; and when all other descriptions of policy, whither sained by art or supposition, prove merely ridiculous and not worthy the practice, their privilege alone it is to re-erect and range the same anew, who throughly know how far any estate is to be wrested from the accustomed habit and fold it hath taken seeing the extreme will dissipate all: neither is it likely that some unhappy destiny hath seated those worthies on the theatre of this age to be so dissonant & des●erent in proportion from our deplorable troubles: and so far from agreeing with our tumultuous storms, well considering that nothing doth so nearly touch and overlay an estate as Innovation: for if, one piece be out of Square it may be under p●opt, but (after the removing the foundation of so vast a frame) to re-edify so huge a mass will prove more likely to deface the whole then refine a part, & instead of cleansing, scrape out. This manner of cure always brings death, & such amendment universal confusion; like Caesar's murderers who brought the commonwealth to so distressful a plunge that they repented themselves ever to have meddled with the same, and experience hath often taught that violent changes still shake and distemper an estate, ordinary evils being more tolerable than an unexperienced mischief 〈◊〉 hence this saying was so often inculcated and that by none of the meanest Medium non deserit unquam, Neither is it possible (Unless quos perdere vult Iupiter dementat prius) that they should forget their loyalty and due respect to their sovereign, it being not the least means to perpetuate the glory of so high an advancement, especially meeting with such great encouragements of expressing their faithful allegiance through the temper, moderation, and religious demeanour, which (so manifestly) hath of late shown itself to the whole world by his majesty's gracious compliance with his honourable Assembly, his willingness not only to assent to matters of an equal indifferency, but to things (not only ungranted, but) undesired from any of his Predecessors. Nay from whatsoever hath been most dear unto him, whereby to manifest his desire of peace; his care of his kingdoms, the welfare of his subjects, and his hearty sincerity towards the profession of the true Protestant Religion; and whereas many Princes have been forced to sacrifice their favourites to the fury of the multitude, how willingly nay how freely hath he left those who have expected their greatest shelter from him, to their deserved trial: and casting away all respects of favour and affection referred the suspected to their condign punishment. No speech being so frequent or so well becoming so royal an Orator as fiat justitia; nay perceiving the sad estate of that bleeding kingdom so near her ruin through the unheard of cruelties of an unmerciful people, and after many fervent desires, inducements, and commands for the relief of their misery (as being yet not s● throughly sensible and assistant) how forward and urgent hath he been to adventure his Sacred person; had his majesty been addicted to any more the● ordinary vice, (Princes not wanting their especial fault●s wherein they are uncontrollable) some colour of censure might have been pleaded by the ignorant, misjudging, and ill affected multitude, but where hath appeared so much lenity in forgiving; justness inpunishing, so much open profession, and private devotion in the exercises of the true Religion. Whence come the numberless Pamphlets of these distracted times, seditious Sermons or rather exclamations, tending to disorder, faction and mutiny; how come so many leaves to become libels, venting the invective spleen of their brainless fancies, proceeding from filled tongues but defiled hearts▪ such black-mouthed machiavells (who will stumble at a Straw & for their own advantage leap over a Block) should know, that Princes whilst they live are God's, and especially anointed from above, whom they ought not to touch neither to * Exo. 22. 28. Act. 23. 5. curse or revile, no, nor so much as think an ill * 10. 20. thought; how far then such are from being subject to the higher powers, and from submitting themselves to every ordinance for the Lord's sake let the world judge. It being I believe no part of their study or profession to fear God, and honour the King; which makes that great council so assiduous for the discovery of these incendiaries, without whose freedom or connivance questionless they assume this liberty, they well understanding, that the true Christian Religion which hath all the marks both of extreme justice and profit hath none more apparent than the exact commendation due to authority, and that all their late fractions & grief of heart (through so greata distance between them and the breath of their nostrils) hath proceeded through the raising and encouragement of turbulent and seditious spirits, dissuading tender consciences from yielding a due obedience to their superiors, with sinister and affected distinctions, which being once harboured, the peace of this kingdom will speedily be dissolved; and what is it else after so prosperous and hopeful a beginning, which hath been the Remora to hinder the weighty employments now in agitation, and every minute groaning for a speedy event, but the woeful interruptions of Malignant dispositions? The time was, and not long since, when the sun shined most clearly in our troubled Horizon, yielding as sweet an influence of royal love as ever appeared in so drooping a Hemisphere, until the black-cloudes of faction and disobedience obscured so glorious a Majesty; O that there had never been occasion offered for so great a distance and that those troublesome spirits might at last (through a condign punishment) be truly sensible of so great a fraction; but it is not the least part of their policy (by disguising their intents under the gloss of a few smooth speeches) to avoid the notice of those grave Censors now assembled; who well consider, that as children (striving to reduce a mass of quicksilver to a certain number) the more they press it to their will, the farther they provoke the liberty of so generous a mettle, which by dispersing itself seems to scorn their art; even so by (too violently) extending and diversifying difficulties (especially reflecting on so high a nature) they should rather aggravate than contract them; still taking all opportunities to impart their duty to their supreme head, being well advised that a multitude of opinionated and dissenting governors are for the most part accompanied with confusion; And O that I could herein wave the missuggestions of the vulgar but I cannot deprecate this truth, seeing authority is so much vilified with the comic liberty of the times, Nam verae voces tum demum pectore ab imo eijciuntur. Shall the smallest cinders of a rich matter have its value, and shall we thus audaciously pluck off the chain from Sacred authority? Equality is the chief groundwork * 1 Pet. 2. ●. ●7. of equity; and it is our duty to submit ourselves to the King as supreme; nec debemus esse sapientiores legibus, it being not amiss for all to observe the laws of the place {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. which made Varro reply (upon the invitation of making new laws) that if he were to begin to write of Religion, he would plainly tell what his belief were of it; but being already received, he would speak more of it according to the custom, than the nature; neither would give admittance for the altering of those things, acted by better judgements contrary to the opinion and gesture of this age, wherein Porters, peasants and Horse-groomes, shall attribute to themselves the power of reformation, when barber's shops shall have their council-tabs; when every mechanic shall be a judge and adviser; Nay the weaker Sex under pretence of Preaching shall prescribe remedies, and tell old-wives-tales: who (though it seem neither lawful nor laudable) have invoaked so much resolution as approbriously to defame, where they cannot justly reform; it being as improper for them to assume this liberty, as for the physician to discourse of war, or a mere scholar ●at of the secret designs of Princes; and though it be undeniable that as amongst the functions of the soul some are mean and base, so in the body of a state some members will be corrupt and seditious; so certainly as Naturalists observe, that nothing sooner than fear transports our judgement out of its due seat, nothing will more speedily distract and ruin a commonwealth, than the dangerous consequence of Teditious heads, from whose outrageous storms even the Diadem of a Prince shall not give him shelter; whose least policy it is not, to keep down the factious that their impotency may afford security; and though mercy is the richest jewel which adorneth his crown (it being proper for Tyrants only to cut off those stairs by which they climb) yet is it not unworthy their notice, always in their proceedings against men in power, either not to strike, or strike home least afterwards they hatch revenge for the disgrace, whence their liberty (after Delinquency) may endanger his safety. But woe to that unhappy and untimely birth, who upon any pretended respects whatsoever, shall thus wound the sides, nay the honour of his Soveraign● or having (through some by-ends, private advantages or wilful maliciousness drawn themselves into a state most desperate, shall for the safety of their own lives or wretched fortunes, hazard the ruin of their Prince or Country, sheltering their Serpentine glosses, under the protection of an unwilling (if not giddy headed) multitude, surely against such popular domination, a little thing would make me conceive an (almost) inexpiable hatred: alas ● Is not this the way to gallop to our own destruction? I wish woeful experience may never show it, but if unfortunate in so sad a tragedy, well may I say with Laberius, Haec die vna plu● vixi mihi quam vivendum fuit, too long have I lived to be thus miserable; but I hope such snakes shall cast their skins before they be able to disgorge their poison Tamen hoc genus Demoniorum, in * Mat. 11. 21. nullo potest exire nisi in oratione et jejunio; it being good for such men sapere ad sobrietatem, lest with those Donatists which Saint Austin speaks of in his retractions, they had rather destroy themselves with fire then return to the Church; and doubtless such as thus yield to their own arrogancy (properly called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}) are most destitute of reason, and will at last fall into madness, like those who formerly would be worshipped for Gods; though I make the question whither I may say with Agrippa, multae literae hos ad insaniam adegerunt, it be with too much wisdom that they are besides themselves; for certainly (like Thales) thus viewing the stars they may fall into the ditch; but my charity suggests me there are not many who thus Camaelion-like change themselves into all colours, and endeavour to occasion the privation of our health by a wilful sickness, for if the tares should thus outgrow the corn we are undone, unless some sovereign balm (and that speedily) heal the fainting pulse of this divided kingdom; thus was the Trojan State betrayed with Simon's tears: and thus are many weak consciences in this age seduced by Ravening Wolves in a Sheepish habit, by whom their fancies are bound, their purses exhausted, nay their very souls▪ damned unless they willingly embrace their Tenants which often carry with them Treason and rebellion, which is no small way to raise dissension in a commonwealth; and though with an Ancient Father I may say of those men, student plus alta, quam apta proferre, yet would 〈◊〉 not incur the censure of a Libertin, my thoughts being so far from disliking the purity of the primitive pattern, ●s that they cheerfully acknowledge too much zeal cannot be expressed in matters which concern the glory of God, but in some causes discretion must be the Mode●ator when a circumstance may be used or omitted, in which respect it often falls out that obedience is better than Sacrifice, especially when it reflects upon matters of government, where Kings are like Planets in their orbs under the primum mobile, moving by the sweet ●nfluence of love, and unreprovable motion of justice to their subjects, an unmatchable precedent whereof quo nulla aetas, tulit meliorem (no age having been blessed with the like) I dare boldly say we are now happy in, & may ●e bequeathed as a pattern to the greatest Potentat, show●ng so much piety to God both in public & private, so much hatred of Popery & superstition, in matters of Religion, so much endeavour not to grieve his subjects; & for that more than common blessing which attends the peacemaker, malice itself dares not (after so late and large an expression) to withhold the laurel; I deny not but some bad weeds may seek shelter from the fairest flowers, but let not therefore any blea●ed eyes, bemisted with their own fond opinions, or benighted with groundless aims, think to out-view his brighter rays, though some there are who have habitum falsorum principiorum, et falsarum opinionum, et excaecavit eos malitia eorum, who fix their envious sights upon wrong objects, and whose malice hath made them blind; whose particular reflections may (without a prevention from heaven) give an unhappy period to our just & longing expectations, but far be such black-clouds, from troubling our Horizon, withal ill advised heads, which endeavour to undermine the groundwork of our present State, which build with untempered mortar, or with unkindly flashes menace to set Religion & good order in a flame; let such take heed of vengeance from above. This being the way to exhaust our treasures without sign, to turn our Temples into dens of thieves, to make this kingdom the mirror of misery, and to render her as odious to the whole world▪ who was sometimes rich in her private fortunes, happy in the love of her neighbours, stately in her structures▪ dreadful to her enemies, and surrounded with an Ocean of all delights. These will be the events of sudden innovations, & questionless those who thus attempt the change of government may not be excused from distaste at the governors, though never so much cloaked with the pretence of Loyalty; how safe is it when we are in a goo● way, to avoid those by paths, which under the show o● nearness may prove not only difficult but dangerous, tha● policy being no less unprofitable than unworthy to be commended which learns us the hurt of ill council by experience. And of him who is this way officious we may say, homo curiosus utilior est hostibus quam sibi, he is more helpful to his enemies then himself; & if any be displeaed with the present condition of their Prince or goverment● let them notwithstanding give Caesar his due, & neglect him not who by no ordinary providence is appointed their supreme, you ought not to tell him how. You will be governed, let your dispute be turned into supplication▪ and if petitions may not prevail, O presume not to let your swords come near the lap of his garment; so long as his commands are just obey what he enjoins, & were i● so that he sought to deprive you of your laws or liberties goods or lives, yet should you not curse him in your hart no not speak of him with an unbeseeming respect, but desire him by whom Princes rule to rectify his heart, & in the mean time give you patience to suffer and obey. And if therebe any which hath more immediately tasted of his ●ustice, clemency, or favour, O how opprob●ious a thing is ●t & unworthy to be mentioned, that such favourites should ●urne Apostates, abusing their received kindness to the in●ury of the giver, retorting those freely bestowed benefits ●ike swords into his breast, certainly amongst all the ungratefullest of the sons of men those are the worst; & for ●hy part who knowest how preposterous it is for the feet to spurn at the head, being truly sensible what thy sins have deserved, (& embracing the stroke) ve●west the approaching dangers (as for some more than ordinary cause proceeding from the first agent) be not dismayed, when a quiet conscience & preparation for a better life will be thy comfort, then let the world ●osse as it list, and vary itself (as it ever doth) in storms & calms, thy rest is pitched aloft above the sphere of changeable mortality, securely relying on the inevitable decree of an all seeing providence, whose ground cannot be crossed with second thoughts or unlooked for events. The lilies than shall be thy comfort against the disasters of the times, & thy repose on those words, man lives not by bread only, neither comes promotion from the East or West: absence shall make the benefit more acceptable▪ thy want shall not be thy hell, neither shall thy heart grow heavy with the lightness of thy fortune, or thy mirth end with thy store; what though some strange revolutions, and portending Comets seem to affright thy tender senses? threatning the speedy annihillation of all things with their streaming flashes? what though the raging seas exceed their bounds, bending their swelling tides against the crystal Heaven? what though dreadful Bellona, with thundering reports and warlike rumours invite thy trouble? yet with cheerfulness mayest thou look up to that Star embroidered coat; that Canopy of silver spangles, whence those glorious lights shall not dazzle, but direct thee, the rolling axletree shall support thee, those orderly Sphearick Planets shall shelter thee, the oval Orb with its glassy wall shall defend thee, thy soul being still furnish● with oil for the bridegroom's coming, shall joyfully expect a passage from her tedious aprentiship, & death which is the greatest of thy fears shall be but the rising of thy comforts, and setting of thy crosses, a harbour for thy hope, a Sanctuary for thy sorrow, and a welcome minute to free thee from the wretchedness of this life, to the joys of heaven. Yea▪ though Han●bal be (as it were) now at our gates, and the warlike alarms of beating Drums and sounding Trumpets (which are at this present hourly in thy ears) send death to summon thee, to rest from thy labours, yet thy sins being limited, thy conscience quieted and the world renounced, some glorious star (directed by a supreme providence) shall lead thee to a safer condition, where the thought of thy pain shall ease thee, the remembrance of thy death revive thee, the dissolution of thy body unite thee, and having at last soared above the clouds of those raging Tempests, disdained the Rocks of adversity, triumphed in the tumultuous waves of misery● scorned the sulphury vapours of detracting obloquy and (after this solitary night of darkness) taken thy leave of all troublesome accidents, bidding farewell to thy wants & miseries, thy soul shall sweetly solace herself in 〈◊〉 everlasting repose and contentment. FINIS.