Miscellanies Or, fifty Years GATHERINGS, Out of Sundry Authors in Prose and Verse. Being the studious Readings, painful Collections, and some of them are the Composings of the Writer and Publisher hereof. To the Reader. All these things here collected, are not mine, But divers Grapes, make but one sort of Wine: So I from many Learned authors took The Various Matters Printed in this Book. What's not mine own, by me shall not be fathered, The most part, I in 50. Years have gathered; Some things are very good, pick out the best, Good Wits compiled them, and I wrote the Rest: If thou dost buy it, it will quit thy cost, Read it, and all thy labour is not lost. JOHN TAYLOR. LONDON, Printed in the year, 1652. Miscellanies. A Christians Crosses do begin his Glory, but not end his Misery: The Crosses figure is the letter Tau; it is the last and lowest letter in the Hebrew Alphabet, it is an Emblem or mark of Humility, and all that were not marked with that mark, were slain by the Angel, Ex. 9 4. Adam was not created an Infant, he was made of full strength and vigour, as at 40 or 50 years of age, of perfect stature, with an able body, fit for Generation, because he was to be the common Father by whom Mankind should be propagated; his soul was furnished with all natural Sciences; he was the first doctor to whom all mankind was to go to school, to learn of him (as of a Master) the secrets of Nature, the Inventions of Art, the knowledge of God, and the mysteries of Faith. Inveterate and espiteful malicious Enemies have oftentimes seemed to be reconciled, but it hath been for the plotting, contriving, or attempting some perfidious and mischievous actions; but they seldom or never did combine for any love which they bare either to the persons, Manners, Laws, or Conditions of each other: For the Heathen Nations had divers several damnable gods, and detestable Religions, and by reason of their diversities of opinions, they hated one another deadly, with implacable and irreconcilable hatred, yet, in wickedness they could join and agree together, against the true God and his Church, as all times, Ages, and Histories have found and declared; and most excellently hath the Kingly Prophet and prophetical Psalmist described the doings and qualities of these various people, in the 83. Psalm, where he saith, that, Edomites, Moabites, Ishmalites, Ammonites, Amalekites, Gebalites, the Philistines, Tirrians, and Assyrians, Ephraim against Manesses, Manasses against Ephraim; and in the New Testament, there are described the sundry Opinions and disagreements of Saduces, Pharisees, Herodians, Libertines, Cilicians, Cirenians, Alexandrians, and Asians,; Herod against Pilate, Pilate against Herod, yet all friends from the teeth outward, and all agree against God, against the Lords anointed Christ and his Church; this they have done, this they do, and this they will do in all Ages, and Generations; and if we have but common sense and reason, we may perceive that those times which we now live in, and Sectaries of these times, may parrellel the worst of times, Sin is of the devil's Creation, The wicked man's Recreation. The fool's imitation, the Courts Ambition, the city's surfeit, and the country's poison, Divinity hath opposed and threatened it, Morality hath condemned it, Epigrams hath Jeefd it, Satyrs have whiped it, and if we do not truly Repent it, God will justly Judge it. Books and Epistles, (or Letters) if they treat of virtue, they are not only good, but the best company a man can keep; but they are the wisest Counsellors for direction of men's lives and actions; they have no fearful hearts, or hearts to fear; they have no blushing faces, or faces to blush; they dare boldly call Nero a bloody Tyrant, Midas a covetous ass, Sardanapalus a lascivious Effeminate fool, Heliogabalus a wasteful profuse Whoremaster, and Messalina an insatiate and imperious Strumpet; for Books do never alter their intended purpose, nor break off their discourse in hope of favour, or fear of men's anger or displeasure. A man that loves me well, and a friend that is firm unto me, they are both rare in these days, but if I were put to my choice, which of those I would first lose, or part withal, than I would leave my Lover, and keep my Friend: For he that loves may not always be a friend, but it is certain that he that is a Friend always loves. God in pardoning of a sinner shows his great mercy, his not pardoning is no injustice; for if I do forgive one debtor and sue another, I have showed kindness to one, and no wrong to the other. Let us do our best, to do our best; and if power be not able, let good endeavour not be idle; let us be as wise as the unjust Steward, if we cannot pay all that we owe, let us pay all that we are able, for God is so gracious, that with him our good wills are taken for good deeds. Our first miseries came by Eating, and our Saviour suffered 40 days fasting for it; then as our Parents did eat themselves and us soul-sick, so we must fast for our soul's health; for as eating with delight expulsed us out of the Paradise terrestrial, so fasting and contrition must be our punishment and practice and helps to bring us to the Heavenly Jerusalem: the prodigal, by fasting, said, I die with hunger, and that hunger made him say, I will go to my Father, &c. The Epicures belly is his God, his kitchen is his Church, his Priest is his cook, his Sacrifices are his luscious Dishes, and delicate Sauces, his Prayers, Graces, Psalms, Hymns, and Anthems, are profane speeches, obscean rhymes, bawdy Songs, lascivious Tunes, and foul impieties. Earth made no account of poor Lazarus when he was alive, and Heaven made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dives when he was dead, for the misery of the one ended when the torments of the other began. When the devil had taken all Job's earthly goods, insomuch that to the appearance of men, he had nothing left him but extreme poverty, Botches and Scabs; some may suppose that the devil was kind in leaving him his Wife, but the subtle Serpent had a further aim then to leave Job's Wife to be a helper or comfort unto him, he saw that all that had been done to his body, or children, or estate, could not make him impatient to blaspheme, and he knew that the Law was that the blasphemer was to be stoned to death; therefore he left his Wife to vex him, and to tempt him to curse God and die, whereby he had not only lost his life by the Law, but also hazarded his soul to the devil for his impatiency and blasphemy. This is the devil's kindness to leave a man a wicked Wife to work his confusion. Though Churches have the Names of Saints, yet they are the houses of the Lord; they are dedicated or given to God, therefore they are God's houses. Bethel was the house of God, Gen. 28. Judg. 18. And before the Temple was built, when David's son was dead, he went into the house of the Lord, 2. Sam. 12. The Temple is the house of Prayer, Isa. 56. 7. Mat. 21. 13. Christ cast out and whipped forth of the Temple all the buyers and sellers. Mark. 11. Luk. 19 Jo. 2. All Churches, or houses of prayer are material Temples. The Temple of Jerusalem was as the cathedral, yet there were in that City 480. Synagogues besides; all those Synagogues were as material Churches for the people to congregat together to serve God; in many of those Synagogues our Saviour preached often and openly, Joh. 18. 20. Those Houses, which we Christians do call Churches, were to shelter and defend the people in them that did assemble, from the injury and violence of wind and weather. And the people that were, are, or ever shall assemble and meet in the fear of God, in true faith in Jesus Christ, in those material Temples or Churches made with hands, those true believers are all in all places, tongues, languages, and Nations, the true Church and spiritual spouse of Christ built upon the Rock. And although material Churches of lime and stone may be ruined and spoiled by all consuming Time, or want of repair, or the fury of War, as Jerusalem's magnificent Temple and many other Churches have been and are defaced and defiled. Yet the Church that is not made with hands, that is true, Catholic, and Apostolically founded upon the Rock; that Church, the Holy Ghost is with always to the end of the World, and the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against her, Math. 16. But concerning our material Churches, they be God's school-houses, the Preachers (that are called and sent from God) are the schoolmasters and God's Ushers; and we are, or should be the scholars, but we have madly broke up School, played the mitchers and truants, abused the schoolmaster, and spoiled the School-house. Gentle and good counsel or reprehension are profitable if well bestowed, and humbly accepted; Apollo was a man endued with eloquence, and mighty in knowledge, and expounding the Scriptures, Acts 18 yet he came for instruction and counsel to Aquila and Priscilla, a poor simple mechanic man and his wife. For so that good may be done, it matters not how mean, or unlearned, how young or old the parties are that do it. I do believe the Resurrection, though weak women were the first that reported it, Mark 16.9. Joh. 20. 18. Timothy and John were both very young when they were called to be Preachers: And Peter, the elder Apostle, was contented to be rebuked by Paul which was the younger, Gal. 2. Many good men have had children of contrary natures, dispositions, and qualities; Adam had a cursed Cain, and innocent Abel; Noah had good Sem, and wicked Cham; Abraham had carnal Ishmael, and spiritual Isaac; Isaac had hated Esau and beloved Jacob; David had wise Solomon, and proud Absolom. One, (who was accounted a good Protestant) did absent himself from the Church, or Congregation, 5. or 6. years, for which he was accused to be turned from his Religion, and fallen into Papistry. And being examined by a Bishop and some other Divines, they found him fast and firm in the Protestant Doctrine: then he was asked, what was the cause that he refrained to come to Church in so long a time: to which he answered, that when he was last at Church, than he heard a most sufficient Lesson for him to practise and follow; and when he had well learned that one good Lesson, he would go to Church and fetch another; they demanded what were the words contained in that Lesson? he replied: it was in the 39 Psalm, I have said I will take heed to my ways, that I offend not with my tongue. By this one Text we are excited and exhorted, to say well and do well; wherein are included all the Rules and Grounds of Christianity and Christian Religion. It is a question whether are more in number, either people or sheaves of corn; every sheaf doth not yield much above half a peck one with another: the least Child doth spend the quantity of a peck every year, and it may be thought that every man or woman do eat at the least a bushel: In this may be seen the miraculous and merciful providence of God, in feeding so many. Let these mercies be with thankfulness considered, that the ox, calf, sheep, buck, all Beasts on the Earth feeding, Fowls of the air, Fishes of the Sea, Fruits of the Field, Orchard, or Garden; they are running, flying, swimming, growing this day, and the next day they are translated into the sustenances and substances of the flesh and blood of every man and woman. A ship is a right emblem, hieroglyphic of God's Church Militant: the world is the sea she sails in, the storms and tempests that assault and beat against her are persecutions, the haven she steers to anchor in, is Heaven, the Pilot is Christ, the mariners are Prophets, Apostles, godly Ministers, and painful Pastors; the passengers are all true believing Christians; the main Mast of this ship is Christ's cross, the sails are pious profession, the fair and prosperous wind is the spirit of God, the contrary winds are Satan's blustering, or false doctrine, the Card and Compass is God's word, to sail as that directs, the Needle to the fixed North Pole is Faith, the cables, ropes, sheats, tacks, braces, and boleins, and other cords are Love, the Anchor is hope, prayers, tears, and penitential sighs are the Ordnance, the food (or victuals) are the Sacraments, and God's good pleasure is the Rudder. We have to do with a merciful God, that will make the best of our intents and actions, who hates all captious rigorous sophistry and Sophisters; that misinterpret and construe all things to the worst; for God hath a touchstone to try Faith, whether it be right or counterfeit, he weighs it not in the balance, he esteems the purity of the quality more than the heaviness of the quantity. Christ bids us be holy, as he is holy, which though we cannot attain to, yet let us do our good will. Though we cannot fast and pray, and please God as he did, yet it is our best and safest way to do our endeavours to follow him as near as we can. If we sow the seed of Sin, we may expect a Harvest of Judgement, for such seed as we sow, such fruit we shall reap; as we measure to others, such shall be measured unto us: for in the 1. Chapter of Judges, Adonibezeck is Recorded, that he caused the fingers and toes of 70 Kings to be cut off, and afterward he was so served himself. Absolom killed his Brother Ammon, and Joab killed Absolom; also Joab killed Abner and Amasa cowardly, and Joab was killed for killing: The Amalekite that belied himself, in bringing word to David that Saul was dead, and that he had slain him, David caused him to be slain, because he confessed himself to have killed the King. These example's are in the sacred Scriptures plentifully Related: Because of unrighteous dealing and wrong, and riches gotten by deceit, Kingdoms have been turned and translated from one People to another, for the rash and harsh answer of Roboham caused 10 Tribes of Israel to fall from him to Jeroboam, and after that the whole house of Jeroboam were rooted out by Baasha, the house of Baasha was destroyed by Zimri, the house of Ahab utterly overthrown by Jehu; and 31 Kingdoms were taken from bad Kings and wicked Rulers, and given to the Israelites. Therefore let us measure to others as we expect to be measured unto. There are 5 strange things, first I chiefly observe, God became Man for man's salvation. Secondly, a fisherman was called to preach to the Jews. Thirdly, a Persecuter was the first Preacher to the Gentiles. Fourthly, a Publican was the first Evangelist. Fiftly, that a thief first entered the celestial paradise. Most men's Constancies are like chameleons, variable; like the Wind, Flexible; like the Sea, Unstable; like the Elements, at strife Inexpiable; like a Labyrinth, Intrincicable; like the moon, Changeable; like Women, Mutable; like any thing Miserable. I have read of 7 Orders or Degrees amongst Devils, and that 7 of them have particular Offices, as first: Lucifer is Lord of Pride, Presumption, and Ambition, Isay. 14. Secondly, Belzebub, is for Envy, and Malice, Mat. 12. He is also called God of Flies, God of Eckron, or Acheron. Thirdly, is for wrath and disdain, Luke 22. Fourthly, Abaddon is Master of sloth and Idleness, Apoc. 9 Fiftly, Mammon is Prince of covetousness, Mat. 6. Sixtly, Asmodeus for Lust or Lechery, Toby 3. The seventh is Belphegor, for Gluttony and Drunkenness. It hath always been the practices of the devil to strive to be honoured as God, for he would have been God, but because he could not, he hath played the Ape with counterfeit imitation, to be honoured with and in such manner as God was adored and worshipped withal, for when God was served with Sacrifices by true Believers, the devil was served, by Pagans and Infidels, with Hecatombs of Beasts, and sacrificed children, even by Emperors, Kings & Princes; and as God had and hath his Priests, the Devil had his Archflammings, and Flammings; and in these days he hath hypocritical Ministers, more than a good many: God hath his Sacraments, the devil hath his Expiations and Ceremonies; God promiseth a Heaven to his servants, and threatneth a Hell to wilful and impenitent sinners, the devil promiseth his servants Elysium fields, and threatneth with his Stygian Lake. The Pagans had a wicked, foolish, and abominable number of strange Gods, some worshipped the sun, some adored the Moon, some reverenced the Stars; in the ship (when Ionas was in the storm) they had almost as many ungodly Gods to pray to, as there were persons; for every one prayed or cried to his own God, and they did bid Ionas pray to his God. At Athens they had so many Temples wherein they adored several damnable Gods, that they were fain to erect one Temple to the unknown God, Act. 17. 23. The Tirians and lacedaemonians did fetter and chain their Gods, and imprison them, because they should not run or fly from them; so also did other Nations. Some held the fire to be the greatest God, others honoured the water, as greater in power then the fire, because water will quench fire. Some others worshipped the Earth, for her fruitfulness, for breeding, feeding, and being the common mother of All. Some thought the air to be God, for its purity and subtlety, for its ubiquitary, being in all places, because where there is no air there is no life. Some bad the Sea, and Sea Gods in great adoration, Thetis, Neptune, Proteus, dryads, Hammadriades, and some attributed Divinity to well deserving men and women, as Janus, Hercules', Ceres'; some esteemed the 7. Planets for Gods; others had dogs, Cats, Rats, Crocodiles, Serpents, Fruits, Garlicks, Onions, and the devil himself, to be their Gods. The people were so zealous in their irreligious Religions, that they built stately and magnificent Temples; in Ephesus there was a Temple of Diana, which with the labour of 100000 men, was 20. years a building; the Ammonites and Moabites, they built high places to Baal, in the valley of Benhinnom; there they sacrificed their sons and daughters to Molech, Jer. 32. 35 Baal, Molech, or Milcom, are all one idol. It had the form of the face of a bullock, it was hollow, made of brass; at the sacrificing of their children, they used to bear Drums, and make noises with divers sorts of loud Instruments, because the parents, kindred, or friends of the sacrificed children, should not hear the cries and shrieks that they roared in their tortures. The Israelites had a molten calf in Horeb, the more Calves they. The Philistines had their Dagon. Many Nations of the Gentiles worshipped Baal-Peor, or Priapus, Numb. 25. 3. Baalzeebub, a Lord of flies, God of Ekron, or Acheron; this Idol King Ahaziah sent to for help when he was sick. And thus the devil hath in all ages and places bewitched and blinded the people with hellish heathenish Idolatry and superitition, and it is too true, as lamentable experience shows us, that all our Divisions, Breaches, Rents, Sects, and separations, do most clearly show and manifest that the inveterate malice that the devil hath ever borne against God and his Church is as violent now as ever it was. Such servants as do sow good services do deserve to reap good wages for their labour; wherefore should I expect more respectful services from my servant than I do to my God? if God should mark, or remember, all my faults, what a miserable wretched thing were I! Though servants be the feet, yet the feet are as necessary to go, as the eyes are to see; all have Adam for their earthly Father, and God for their heavenly; we are all Brethren, we have all one God, all one Father, therefore we do not say, when we pray, My Father, or Thy Father, or His Father, Her Father, or Their Father; but we are commanded to say, Our Father, &c. I have read in a book containing 42 Sermons upon Lent, Written and Preached by Charles de Fonseca, in his 14. Sermon, pag. 222. Printed by Adam rslip, Anno 1629. this following Relation, word for word, truly copied. The Remarkable Relation that Pilate made to Tiberius the Emperor, concerning Christ, full of admiration and pity. IN this kingdom there was a wonderful strange man, his behaviour and beauty beyond all other in the world; his discretion and wisdom celestial, his gravity and soberness of carriage beyond all comparison, his words mystical, the grace wherewith he delivered them struck his Enemies with astonishment. Never man saw him laugh, weep they have. His works savoured of more than Man. He did never any harm, but much good hath he done to many: he healed by hundreds such as had been sick of incurable diseases: he cast out devils, he raised the dead, and his miracles, being numberless, they were done all for others good. He did not work any miracle wherein was to be seen the least vanity or boasting in the world. The Jews, out of envy, laid hold on him, and with a kind of hypocrisy and outward humility, (rather seeming then being Saints) trampled him under foot, and marred his cause. I whipped him to appease their fury, and the people being about to mutiny, I condemned him to the death of the Cross. A little before he breathed his last he desired of God that he would forgive those his Enemies which had nailed him to the Cross. At his death there were many prodigious signs, both in Heaven and Earth; the sun was darkened, the Graves were opened, and the dead arose. After he was dead, a foolish Jew thrust a spear into his side, showing the hatred in his death, which the Jews bore unto him in his life. Contraries never did agree, nor ever will be brought to any conformity. Michael and the Dragon, the Ark and Dagon, Nehemiah and Sanballat, God and Belial, Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Isaac and Ishmael, John and Cerinthus, fire and water, good and bad, vice and virtue, light and darkness. Amongst all these, there never was, is, or ever will be any unity or friendship, either in Heaven, in Earth, in the City, in the Church, in the Bath, in the Family, in the Womb, or in the World. Four of man's best friends have brought forth four wicked Daughters; the first friend is virtue, and she hath been the mother of Envy. The second is Peace, and she brought Idleness into the World. The third is Truth, and she hath brought forth a wicked Brat called Hatred. The fourth is Familiarity, and she hath brought amongst us a forgetful, proud, saucy Knave, called Contempt. Although a Coward will not willingly stand the brunt, shock, and hazard of a battle, yet every one that runs from danger is not a Coward: he that flies may return and fight, he that dies cannot. Jacob fled from Esau, Moses from Pharaoh, Elias from Jezabel, and Saint Paul scaped away when he was let down in a Basket from the Walls of Damascus. The virtue of Fortitude, is always between two extremes, Daring and Dreading; David who killed a Lion and a Bear, who vanquished and slew the Giant Goliath, who brought 200. foreskins of the Philistines to King Saul, who was valiant and victoriously glorious and renowned, yet he fled from Saul to Achish King of Gath, 1. Sam. 21. 10. 13. He also did fly from the fury of the sword of his disobedient and rebellious son Absalon, 2. Sam. 17. 21. 22. also he fled at other times. Christ, who conquered sin, death, and hell, fled into Egypt, Matth. 2. 14. And Christ doth counseil such as are persecuted in one City, to fly into another, Matth. 10. 23. The tongue is double walled, fenced, and entrenched with teeth, gums, and lips, (which are rampires and bulwarks;) the two eyes are sentinels, and the ears do lie perdue; which shows that we should hear and see twice as much as we speak. There hath been many a man ruined by too much talking, but very few have received any great damage by being silent: the tongues chief office should be to pray, and to praise God, but it is a treacherous retestable part for the tongue of any man to pray or wish the damnation of his own body and soul, (as too many Roarers do every day and hour) with impious execrations, as God damn, sink, renounce, consume, forsake, confound, &c. The tongue of man was not crea for such damnable purposes: it was a custom amongst the ancient Romans to learn first to be silent, and secondly to speak; but there are a generation of tautallogicall tongue men, who do neither know how to speak, or when to hold their peace. A wise man's tongue is in his heart, but a fool's heart is in his tongue, Eccl. 21. For he that doth nothing but talk, doth talk nothing. To speak against the Truth is the devil's rhetoric; and to talk against Reason is vain babbling and prating, more fit for a Parrot than a man: Salomon's counsel is, Let thy words be few, Eccles. 5. 1. Jesus the son of sirach saith, Make not much babbling when thou prayest, Eccl. 7. 14. Christ, the son of God, wiser than Solomon, or the son of sirach, he counsels us to use no vain Repetitions when we pray, Matth. 6. If Tyrants should sit and devise tortures & strange torments to inflict upon men, there can b●● none more cruel and grievous, then to bind ● Wise man in a chair, and let a fool talk him to Death. The confidence and diffidence of Men, the keeping or breaking of Oaths, there are many various Relations in divers Histories, which shows the mutability of men. In the space of nine months, those Peers and persons that swore obedience to King Henry the sixth forsook him, and swore the like to King Edward ●●● fourth: and the same Peers and People received Henry for their King again, and expulsed Edward; and shortly after that, the same Peers and People, fell from Henry again, and crowned Edward, within the time of half a year, ●●e Parliament proclaimed Henry to be their lawful King, and Edward an usurper: and also that with another Proclamation, the same men, proclaimed Henry an usurper, and Edward their lawful King. By this it may be perceived that it is vain to trust in man. The Arian heretics denied the Eternity of Christ, and that there was a time when Christ was not. But all faithful true believing Christians do know Christ to be eternal and coequal with the Father; for Christ is the wisdom of God the Father, therefore eternal. For it is Blasphemy, in the highest degree, to hold the opinion of Arius; for if Christ at any time had been from God the Father, then had the wisdom of God been also absent from God, for Christ is the wisdom of the Father. Though a Priest or Preacher do live a licentious life, yet if his Doctrine be good, it is our safest way to receive it. The Prophet Eliah did thankfully accept that food which God sent him by a Raven. If a Fountain of wholesome clear water, be adorned ●●●h spouts in the shapes of Dragons, Serpents, Crocodiles, Basilisks, Cockatrices, or any other hideous forms of monstrous Creatures, yet the water that passeth through the said spouts is the same, pure as the Fountain, not a jot the worse. As our manifold sins do extremely cry to God for Vengeance, so our miserable estate and condition should always incite and move us uncessantly to cry for mercy. When the Israelites had, as God commanded them, marched seven times about the Jericho, then at the blowing of their Trumpets the Walls fell down; so the Apostles, with the blasts of their mouths, with a few Disciples, were the golden Trumpets that promulgated and propagated the Gospel, which ransacked the C●●●● Idolatry, which was then as big as the whole world, which made the barbarous Heathen, and unbelieving infidels subjects to Christ's Church, and Philosophy a handmaid. The Prophets and Sibils that Prophesied of Christ, were many of them strangers one to another, they were of sundry Countries, Nations, and Languages, they lived a● sundry times, and different Ages: they were also of differings callings and qualities; as some were Kings, some were Princes, some were Priests, some were shepherds, some were herdsmen; they prophesied of several passages and actions of our Saviour and his sufferings: one wrote of his being promised, another of the time, when the sceptre should depart from Juda; some foretold his conception, others spoke of his Birth, his Circumcision, his life, his stripes, buffetings, patience, silence, passion, death, burial, Resurrection, and Ascension; all these Prophets and Seers, were directed by one and the same Spirit, the Holy Ghost: he 70. Interpreters were of sundry Nations and Languages, many of them having never conversed, or spoke to, nor scarce saw each other; yet they were all guided and inspired by the same Spirit, that they miraculously interpreted and in an unity collected an uniform and exact original Translation of the sacred Scriptures, both mystical and historical. Imitations are sometimes dangerous to follow; for when the Israelites past into the Red Sea, Pharaoh was none of the wisest to follow them, for their high way was a Grave to him, and all his army. The 7. Sleepers were brethren, born in Ephesinum, they lived in the tyrannous reign of the Emperor Decius, Ann. 447. their names were, 1. Marcus, 2. Maximilianus, 3. Martinianus, 4. Dionysius, 5. Johannes, 6. Serapion, and the seventh was Constantius. These brothers fled from the great Persecution which was then, and hid themselves in a Cave, where they slept 200. years. This story is related by many Authors, of whom I will instance but one, which is Mr. Thomas Heywood, in his Tractate of Angels, the 9 Book, page 606. Also the Church hath ordained that their memories should be celebrated on the 27. of July, as appears in the almanac. If we compare the times past with the days wherein we live, we shall find much alteration: for I read that in the 11. year of the reign of King Edward the third, that a quarter of Wheat was but at the price of 2s. a far ox 6s. 8d. a fat sheep 6d. 6. Pigeons 1d. a fat Goose 2d. a fat Pig 1d. and the Rates of all Rents and all other necessaries were at Prices according. And it is probable that there were as many people in those days as are now; for in the 22 year of the same King, there was a great Plague and mortality of People in England, so that in less than 6. months, from the 12. of January to the last of June, there died in London, and the Liberties 57374. persons; and in Yarmouth, there died 7052. So likewise the Infection was so hot spread over the kingdom, that it swept many thousands away in many places: by which may be perceived how populous England was 400. years ago. Also Ireland did then pay 30000. yearly tribute to the English crown. See Sir Richard Baker's Chronicle. God is more mercifuil than Man can be sinful, if Man can be truly sorrowful. Nor can Man commit any sin, but, against it, the Father of Mercies hath provided many ways and means to restrain it; he hath given us a Law of Nature, and a reason to obey that Law he hath printed and graved in the hearts and bodies of men; and this Law doth show and teach us what to do, and what not to do; it makes us to know good and evil, it directs us to virtue, it resists vices; and this much the very law of Nature hath dictated into the reasonable souls of men. But to this unwritten law of Nature, Almighty God was pleased to add a supernatural written Law, declared in the Decalogue, (or ten commandments.) But when time was fulfilled, and prophecies accomplished of Christ's coming, (he being come) from him we had a new Law to guide us to that perfection as becomes Christians. And because this Law is petpetuall and unalterable, our great and gracious Law giver hath appointed Pastors and Preachers to direct us in the observation thereof, and he hath also ordained Magistrates to have power and command to see the Law put in execution, and to inflict punishment upon the contemners and transgressors of the same. For the further direction and observation of this Law, God hath placed a sharp and just Judge, called Conscience, in the breast of every man or woman, which Judge doth impartially accuse or excuse the unjust or just. This Judge Conscience, deters and affrights us from many unclean and unlawful words and works; it binds us, as it were, to the good behaviour, it keeps us in awe, it is both a schoolmaster and a Corrector, it teacheth us our duties, it tells us our faults without flattery, it is the eye of the soul, for as the body is ruled and directed by the eye, so is the soul guided, comforted, and corrected by the Conscience. It tells us what is lawful, what is illegal; it is a witness that accuseth and evidenceth against us, it is a Judge that condemns or acquits us, as it finds us guilty or not guilty; it is also a terrible Executioner of Justice, and justly it torments with due punishment all our misdoings. In natural reason we may perceive Conscience to be a binding Law, for when a man is about to put in practise any wicked act, either of profaneness against God, or abuse towards men, presently Conscience forbids it, and commands him to remember that God sees his thoughts and actions, and to have that just precept in his mind, Whatsoever thou wouldst that men should do unto thee, do thou the same unto them; for Conscience is a Law wherein no excuse is to be admitted, no evasion or illusion, no bribe, cloak, cover or dispensation can make this Evidence mute, for it will declare the Truth, and the whole Truth, without the abatement of a tittle. Thus is Conscience not only a Law; but a witness against us for all our open and secret transgressions, whether we be on Sea, or on Land, sleep or awake, at bed or board, at home or abroad, in company or alone, Conscience still cries out against the guilty. This witness is a true and a stout Preacher, diligent in his function, he is no idle non Resident, and though a man be never so secret and silent, yet his Conscience will not be put to silence. Thou canst not stop the cars of thy soul, but it will ever hear thy Conscience cry out, and it will be ever telling thee such things as thou couldst wish were not; our first Parents after their great sin of disobedience, their Conscience so accused them, that for fear and shame they hid themselves amongst Bushes. Cains Conscience was so shrill and vehement in crying out against him for his murdering of his innocent brother Abel, that he cried out, and in despairing of mercy from God, confessed his crime to be more than God would or could forgive. The sons of Jacob when they were in distress, their Consciences plainly told them that their afflictions fell on them for their false unnatural selling of their Brother Joseph: Conscience is twice 500 Witnesses. And as Conscience is a Law to guide us, and a witness to accuse us, so it is an impartial Judge to condemn us if we be faulty, and to acquit us if we be clear and innocent; if Cain had appealed from the sharp judgement seat of his own Conscience, to the high tribunal of God's mercy, than instead of destroying desperation, he had found Remission and Salvation. The Centurion humbly did acknowledge himself to be so unworthy a Sinner, that he was not worthy Jesus should come under his roof; that meek and faithful acknowledgement caused Christ in compassion to cure his sick servant, for there was never any sinners that by penitent appealing from the rigorous sentences of their own Consciences, to the Throne of Grace, but their appeals procured their pardons, as appeareth in the sacred Stories of David, Manasses, Mary Magdalen, and other penitent and blessed Souls. Thus though we flatter ourselves in our follies, yet our Consciences will neither be bribed nor flattered. Conscience being a just Law, a true Accuser, and an upright incorrupt Judge; it followeth in the last place, that it is a terrible Executioner, who with a Vermin called the worm os Conscience, doth continually gnaw the souls of impenitent sinners, for though there may be some fruitless shadow of painted pleasure in the conceiving of sin, yet that conception is presently checked, reproved, grudged, and grumbled at by the Conscience; but when the soul is delivered of this impious Imp, than the Worm gnaws most tormentingly: for instance of this, there needs no more proofs than the accursed case of Judas, who after he had conceived and brought forth the damnable Treason of betraying his gracious and innocent Master, his Conscience so tormented him, that he thought Hell would yield him more ease and less terror, and therefore he despairing hanged himself, to be freed from the horror of the continual sting of a gnawing Conscience. It is a perpetual torture that will never suffer a sinner to take rest, till such time as by true Repentance and amendment of life, he be cleansed from his former transgressions; if he be waking or sleeping, it frets and galls him with bitter remorse, or affrights and scars him with fearful dreams, wheresoever he goes, it make● hell to seem in his sight, and God's judgemen● against him; it makes him afraid of Tree●● Bushes, and shadows, nay, himself is afrai● of nothing, or that is worth nothing, his own shadow; for sin is the only food that do●● nourish and feed the Worm of Conscience; 〈◊〉 as the celestial Bread of Life is the food of ev●●ry faithful soul, and terrestrial food maintai●● the life and vigour of the body, so is sin t●● only life and nourishment of the Worme● Conscience: He that will have the Worme● leave gnawing, let him avoid and hate sin, a●● than the Worm will die with famine. But the joy and contentment of a clear guiltless conscience is such an inward p●●● which few attain to, and none do or can express but such as enjoy it. A good Conscience will acquit a man when all the world condemns him. There is no true Recreation (or all Recreations) can yield so great content, or any content at all without a good Conscience. It is so void of Earthly cares and Worldly perturbations, that as the Wise man said, Proverb. 15. It is a continual Banquet: and St. John in his first Epistle doth call it the Heart, saving; If the heart reprehend us not, we have a great confidence in God. St. Paul in the first to the Corinths, chap. 1. saith, that our glory is the testimony of a good Conscience; for if men judge and think never so hardly of us, yet if our Consciences do not accuse us before God, we are at peace within ourselves, because the peace of God is in every good man or woman's Conscience. And thus I have ●hewed, in part, what Power and Command Conscience hath over all our thoughts, words, works, and lives, from our births to our death, ●nd at our departure and last gasp. Great Kings, and mighty Lords, Magistrates, ●nd Governors of commonwealths, they do ●e most, and hear most with the eyes and ears ●f other men, themselves have no knowledge ●f men's actions, unless their Officers and In●●●ument do certify and inform them how matters and businesses do pass under their go●●rnments, and they judge no further then exterior or outward proofs doth manifest unto them, and yet for all their testimonies and evidences, they so often err in their judgements: But Conscience beareth sway over our outsides and insides both, it governs, rules, approves, reproves, clears, and punisheth all our interior and exterior thoughts, words, and actions, (as is before declared) for Conscience is clear sighted, and sees all. Conscience hath sundry divisions and definitions; for we use to say that such as do rake, scrape, and ravenously devour men's lives and livelihoods, in joining house to house, land to land, either by oppression, extortion, fraud, or force, they care not how so they have it. Some men will say that all such caterpillars have large Consciences, and some are in the mind that they have no Conscience at all. To put a medium, or mean, betwixt these two extremes, of too large (or large Conscience) and no Conscience, let every man examine himself, and they will quickly find that each of them hath a Conscience (though not visible, yet invisible) that will tell him how it is with him, either well or ill according as he hath used his Conscience. Every man's Conscience is an accusing book, which shall be opened at the last day, Revelat. 20. 12. The Conscience of unjust men is in continual fear, but a righteous man's Conscience makes him bold as a Lion. Wisdom. 7. 10. and Prov. 28. 1. He that doth any thing against his Conscience is condemned, Rom. 14. 20. He that hath a contented quiet Conscience is rich, whether he be in a sufficient estate, or in worldly necessity, but he that hath a troubled Conscience is discontented in robes of Royalty, and formented amidst his greatest pleasures, and delicious fare and banqueting, for his very Table is a share unto him. He that makes his belly his God, his kitchen his Church, his cook the Priest, and his Sacrifices the luscious delicate Dishes, let his teeth gnaw earchly dainties never sog reedily gluttonous, the worm of Conscience is feasting and gnawing him within, that all his pleasures are painful perplexities unto him, for, A wounded Conscience who can bear? Earth, and earthly minded Dives, made no account of poor Lazarus, nor had any compassion on him whilst he lived. And Heaven made less esteem of Dives when he was dead, for the Glutton would not give a few crumbs to relieve and save the life of the poor beggar, who was received into Glory, so the other was denied one small drop of cold water in his grievous torments, and greatest necessity. For the painted felicities of unmerciful men do end when their lives end, so the miseries of the poor and oppressed are as mortal as themselves; but their joys, and the others pains, are both immortal and everlasting. I write not in Envy or Emulation of riches, for (as they may be employed) riches are the blessings of God, there have been in all Ages good and charitable rich men; Abraham, Lot, Jacob, Joshua, Job, David, Solomon, and many others were rich, charitable, and blessed of God here on Earth, and for ever in Heaven. And our England hath produced many pious, honourable persons of both sexes, and of all estates and degrees, whose names and memories are famous, and their monumental Erections and Foundations of colleges, Churches, Schools, hospitals, almshouses, and gifts and Legacies to Orphans, and Prisoners, are testimonies of their Charities and Compassion. But I speak of uncharitable muckworms, whose minds are too empty of pity, their souls disfurnished of a good Conscience, and their Bags too full of ill gotten, accursed, and damnable unrighteous Mammon. To conclude this case of Conscience with the saying of the Wise man, Eccles. 14. 2. Blessed is he that is not condemned in his own Conscience. Verses never Printed till now (as I am certified) of the Misery of Man. THE world's a Bubble, and the life of Man Less than a span: In his conception wretched, from the womb So to the tomb: Cries in his Cradle, and brought up in tears With cares and fears: Who then to frail Mortality doth trust But limbs the Water, or else writes in Dust. Yet, since with sorrows here, we live oppressed What life is best? Courts are but only superficial schools To dandle fools: The country's almost turned into a den Of Savage Men: And where's a City from all Vice so free But may be termed the worst of all the three. Domestic cares afflict the husband's bed Or pains his head: Some would have children, those that have them moan Or wish them gone: Those that live single, count it for a curse Or do things worse: What is it then to have, or not have Wife But single thraldom, or a double strife? Our own affections, still at home to please Is a Disease: To cross the Seas to any foreign soil Peril and toil: Wars, with their rumours fright us, when they cease we're worse in peace: What then remains, but that we still should cry Not to be born, or being born, to die? Another to the same purpose: Life's brevity, and man's frailty. CAN he be Fair, that withers with a blast? Or he be Strong, that airy breath can cast? Or he be Wise, that knows not how to live? Or he be Rich, that nothing hath to give? Or he be young, that's feeble, weak and wan? So Fair, Strong, Wise, so Rich, so young is man. So fair is man, that Death (a parting blast) Blasts his fair Flower, and makes him Dust at last. So Strong is Man, that with a gasping breath He totters, and bequeathes himself to Death. So Wise is Man, that if with Death he strive, His wisdom cannot teach him how to live. So Rich is Man, that all his debts being paid, His wealth's the winding sheet wherein he's laid. So young is Man, that, broke with care and sorrow, he's old enough to day to die to morrow. Why bragct thou then, thou worm of 5 foot long? Thou'rt neither Fair, Wise, young, nor Rich, or Strong. A good Conscience more worth than the World. TO shine in silk, to glister all in gold, To flow in wealth, to feed on dainty fare, To build our houses stately, to behold The Prince's favour, and the people's care: Although those gifts be great, and very rare, The groaning gout, the colic, and the Stone, Will mar the mirth, and turn it all to moan. But be it that the Body subject be To no such sickness, or the like annoy, Yet if the Conscience be not firm and free, Riches are Trash, and Honour but a Toy. The Peace of Conscience is that perfect Joy By which God's Children in this life are left; To want the which, better want all the rest. Conscience for good and bad is mille testis A Conscience clear, a sweet continual feast is. A Sonnet of Henry Duke of Gloucester. WHat is my fault? alas! what have I done? Is it for Treason that I am captived? Or is it that I was my father's Son, That I am of my liberty deprived? My Infant innocence no Plot contrived Against the Army, State, or Parliament: But all my fa●●● is that I am derived From mighty Kings and Princes eminent. To me it seems a bitter consequent, I am a Prisoner, 'cause I was begot: Alas I could not help it, or prevent My being born, or my unlucky lot. Could I have helped myself, or any other, I would have helped my Father and my Mother. A Prudent Man. THe highest pitch of Caesar's soaring spirit, Was but to win the World, whereby t'inherit The airy purchase of a transitory, And glozing title of an age's glory. Wouldst thou by conquest win more fame then be? Subdue thyself, thyselfe's a World to thee: Earth's but a Ball that Heaven hath quilted o'er With wealth and honour, bandied on the flore Offickle fortunes false and slippery Court, Sent for a Toy to make us Children sport: And he whose merits mount to such a Joy, Gains but the honour of a mighty Toy. Brave minds oppressed, should (in despite of Fate) Shine greatest (like the Sun) in lowest state. Upon the word MORE. ALthough the World be old, God knew before Who should be his Elect, he'll have no More. Good Angels guard men, as they did of yore, As Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, many More. One Raphael did old Toby's sight restore, Tob. 11 Gabriel, that brought best tidings, was no * No Blackmore. More. The devil and his Angels, rage and roar, Devouring many, yet still gape for More. Lords, Ladies, Lawyers, he hath swallowed store, And Doctors, yet would have one Doctor More. In th'air, the fire, upon the seas and shore, He labours night and day to purchase More. He hath laid Churches level with the floor, But if this world last, he will knock down More. Of peace and wealth, he made us sick and sore, Yet hath he still some damned Dog-tricks More. Abiram, Dathan, and their x Core, He swallowed quick, and every day doth More. False hypocrites have reverend habits wore, So hath the devil himself, and so hath More. Brave men are glad with one suit, torn and tore, When every base Time-serving Knave hath More. Myself, with spectacles, do peep and poor, And write for little, am in hope of More. The Miser doth his golden God adore, And though he hath too much, would fain have More The frosty bearded churl, with head all hoar, Lives poor in plenty, and destreth More. there's many a sin ear-ring Hector loves a Whore, So do all Bawdy Knaves, and so doth More. there's many a Pascall call rich, lives like a Bore, That feedeth in his Trough, so doth one More. Abundance run to hell, and there's no door To keep men out, the devil will have More. And many a rustic clown is gilded o'er With Reverend Titles, and so is one More. The Usurer on his bed doth snort and snore, And, in his sleep, dreams how he may have More. Mine hosts gladly would be paid her score, And 'tis my daily drink that makes it More. Extortion and Oppression, make men poor, And every day of Beggars we have More. For virtuous living now, and learning's lore Like toys, worth nothing, are esteemed no More. I wish my soul with sorrow may deplore, Because my sins increase still more and More. All men have vainly, too oft, lid and swore Let's all endeavour to do so no More. And humbly God for pardon let's implore, For though our crimes are great, his mercy's More. Some small occasion, I scarce know wherefore, Did make me, merrily, write this of More. Which I have now concluded, and therefore On More, at this time, I will write no More. And he that of the word More, More can make, Let him, in hand, pen, ink, and paper take. I have done with MORE, and yet there is more behind.