his own particular person might not seem freer from danger then the rest of the people which shewed a most excellent indifferency and justice in his nature against the ordinary affections of man that use to carry us too violently to our own concernments and particular interests And was the more to be admired in regard that God Almighty had chosen him from a poor shepheard to be a most great and glorious King and so by consequence allowed him to enjoy what felicities could possibly be lawful in this world as a testimony to other Nations that he not onely intended him private favours but also to honour his fame in strange Countries amongst the Gentiles for the greater majesty of his own power and yet I say this good Prince had alwayes so much care to please God and such a continual remembrance of his own condition that as he declareth himself his pennances were exceeding great and his afflictions in minde in a manner perpetual insomuch as according to his true writings he washed by night his Couch with tears and eat his bread by day mingled with ashes professing himself to resemble a Sparrow solitary upon the house top or a sad Pelican in the Desart In fine if we consider those vast volums which he wrote of his own sorrowes cares and troubles in Spirit though darkly figuring therein our Saviours Passion Sufferings and eternal kingdom we may easily believe he spent not much time in the pleasures and delights of this world however his youth condition and opportunities were sufficient enticements to all earthly vanities and onely his wisdome temper and goodnesse withheld him from those unnecessary and vain passions which he knew entertained would neither secure his own salvation or satisfie Gods justice The constant Martyrdome of old Eleazer NExt we will come to Eleazer one of the chief of the Scribes being fourscore and ten yeers old in the time of Antiochus who was not onely excellently learned in holy Scriptures but extraordinarily versed in all divine and humane knowledge and in the cruel persecution of this wicked Tyrant against the Jewish Religion suffered a most glorious Martyrdom because he would not prejudice his profession by any manner of seeming hypocrisie for being apprehended and brought before the Judge he absolutely denyed to obey that peremptory command or Injunction of eating Swines-flesh rather choosing to undergo the worst of torments then to displease his God either by act or example however being loved and favoured by some of those bloody executioners by reason of his age Nobility and commendable conversation they promised him that if in private he would but seem to comply with the Kings desire they would bring him other lawful flesh to eat instead of that which was so strictl y enjoyned by publique Edicts and by that means if he would he should not onely save his life but obtain honour and reward unto which motion he quickly replyed that he would rather chuse to suffer death since he held it not convenient for a man of his age to dissemble for a little time of a corruptible life whereby many young people might come to be scandalized and deceived for although at the present I may said he be delivered from the punishments of men yet neither alive nor dead shall I escape the hand of the Almighty but in departing manfully out of this life I shall appear worthy of my old age and leave a constant example to youth if with a ready and stout minde I suffer an honest death for the most grave and most holy Law which being said he was forthwith drawn to execution and they that led him who had been before more milde and courteous were turned into wrath by reason of those words he had uttered which they thought proceeded out of arrogancy so that when he was a killing with strokes he groaned and said O Lord who hath the holy knowledge thou knowest manifestly that whereas I might have been delivered from death I do sustain sore pains of the body but according to the soul for thy fear I do willingly suffer these things This man certainly in this manner departed this life leaving not only to young men but also to the whole Nation the memory of his death for an example of vertue and fortitude And thus have we the cleer relation of this glorious Martyrdome drawn out of the second book of the Machabees which in some sort may teach duty and resolution to all manner of conditions since neither age nor honour can be priviledged much less ought any to give up their faith or corrupt their manners under what pretence soever either of pleasure or conveniency those being nothing else but the Divels golden bait to draw people to hell in luxurious Chariots in testimony of which we will relate one of the most remarkable Martyrdoms that ever was recorded either by divine or prophane writer since not onely Sexâ—s but very nature it self seemed to contend for a prerogative in the service of Almighty God in despight of horrour and all the appetites of flesh blood affection and any other humane inclination or worldly satisfaction whatsoever and with so high and religious a magnanimity that my own thoughts I must confesse are confounded in the relation with wonder and admiration however I know the same duty of suffering belongs to every person if God be pleased to call such to the tryal though of the otherside I am again comforted and encouraged with these sayings that he will at no time tempt any beyond his strength and therefore we may be confident by his divine grace we shall be able to do all things though this grace cannot be procured unlesse our selves diligently comply with our best endeavours which made one say it was harder for God Almighty to save a soul then to Create a new world for man himself must concur in the one and God alone could perfect the other by his omnipotency Strange sufferings of a woman and her seven sons THere was as the Holy Scripture saith seven brethren with their mother apprehended by the commandment of King Antiochus to be compelled to eat Swines flesh by whips scourges and other torments But the first of them said What seekest thou or what wilt thou learn of us we are ready to dye rather then to transgresse the lawes of God coming from our fathers Wherewith the King being inraged appointed frying pans and brazen pots to be heated and the tongue of him that had spoken first to be cut out as also the skin of his head to be drawn of with his hands and feet to be chopped off the rest of his brethren and mother looking on And now when he was made in all parts unprofitable he commanded fire to be put to him that breathing as yet he might be fryed in the frying-pan wherein when he was long tormented the rest together with their mother exhorted one another to die manfully saying Our Lord God wil behold the truth wil take
over all his persecutors that the Emperour confounded both with shame and amazement quitted the place of his execution All which I may boldly affirm were no other then wonderful effects of a constant and couragious patience Since of the other side many esteemed gallant persons of this world failing in this vertue have disgraced their last ends by apparant dejection of their souls As for example Philotus who was famed in Alexanders Army for one of his prime Commanders that followed his fortune and successe yet being by accident brought upon the torture notwithstanding his intemperate vainglory had made him promise to himself and pretend to others that his courage maintained the Kings greatnesse in most of his conquests and victories in Asia he was brought to such a lownesse of Spirit by the violence of torments that he not onely revealed his own intentions but accused his old Father to be released of his punishment for want of fortitude and patience in his sufferings insomuch as Alexander himself being concealedly present at his Tryal delivered this opinion of his carriage that he wondred how such a man had so much boldnesse to attempt his life that had not a heart great enough to expresse more courage at his own death Nero however he had a nature inflamed with impatiency pride and vain-glory joyned also with the condition of an Emperour that probably should have raised his soul to an eminency of courage and magnanimity yet when the Senate of Rome by reason of his own wickednesse and his enemies prevailing power had designed him a most shameful and ignominious execution could not by any perswasion be brought to kill himself to avoid that disgraceful fare until one of his followers and intimate friends shewed him the way by acting the like upon his own person before his face which shewes that intemperate prosperity is rather an impediment to same and reputation then a mild and quiet patience that for the most part enableth people to suffer any thing can well be inflicted upon their condition when either their Religion or honour calleth them to such a combate Also Marshal Byron of France being not onely one of the great favourites to Harry the fourth by reason of his supposed courage but esteemed of an extraordinary passionate valour in the wars yet after his accusation when he was brought upon the Scaffold to die by the hands of the common Executioner he exprest so much unwillingnesse to leave his life by a wild and preposterous rage that the Hang-man was constrained to perform his office when he least thought of the businesse onely to avoid a greater indignity to be done to his person in the last end whereas if he had put on a mild temperance in his suffering he would not onely probably have better secured his future condition but in a far higher nature have preserved his honour and reputation Last of all we have an example of this kinde in the death and suffering of a noble man of our Country who in his life was passionately vain-glorious and active beyond measure yet at his execution he appeared so passively fearful that he seemed more then half dead before the executioners stroke arrived at his neck All which I say may be brought for testimonies against those dispositions that neither resolve or practise patience seeing that noble property for the most part renders men absolutely victorious in most things of this world for who can stile themselves Masters in this beneficial and heavenly vertue shall smile at Tyranny overcome cruelty suppresse passions contemn accidents purchase friends perswade enemies live contentedly and die happily And in truth may be said to have made a wise and generous preparation against all disasters whatsoever which either the devil or the world can raise against our humane condition for however it be true that the sensualities of nature cannot easily be overcome but by the dominion of Grace yet since the very heathens meerly by the instinct and provation of honour have in many conflicts obtained wonderful victories by their constant and patient resolutions it cannot be but a shame and ignominy to us Christians not to be able by the addition of heavenly Grace which certainly we may compasse by our religious endeavours if we will to beat down and suppresse both in our thoughts and actions those violent passions that deprive us of all reputation and goodnesse Since in doing the contrary we do participate of the nature of those unreasonable creatures that have no other rule for their subsistence but meerly sense which without doubt being in us cherished extraordinarily totally destroyes the nobility of the soul that ought onely or at leastwise chiefly to contemplate and be in love with supernatural and divine things and by consequence to leave dull cogitations and grosse actions for supplements of necessity or conveniency which being considered and put in practice with a constant and noble resolution we shall finde such a beneficial patience daily to encrease in our natures and dispositions that will easily gain a signal victory over all obstacles and difficulties and render us not onely temperate in expectation but invincible in suffering In fine I am of opinion that as want of patience is a deficiency of courage so was there never yet an excellent Saint lived in the world but that he was endued with a great Spirit by nature for whosoever is altogether carelesse in his thoughts of honour and reputation for my part I shall have no extraordinary confidence either of his devotion or Religion In conclusion a noble patience in to be esteemed exceedingly for by it we do not onely affront every adversity but by the discreet practice of that excellent vertue we make our selves more capable upon all occasions of prosperity since we are not apt at any time to fall from that temper and understanding that should both warrant and instruct us in our most beneficial affairs either belonging to this life or to eternity Which certainly is no way so well to be purchased as by a constant and resolved activity for however patience may seem onely a passive quality in regard it belongs most to suffering yet if the imagination be too much setled for want of industry and imployment probably it will ingender those thoughts and desires that tast most of natural sensuality and so by consequence draw people to a kinde of a bodily indulgency which of necessity either destroyes or lessens the magnanimity of the soul and by that means cannot but procure an impatiency and irksomenesse in all accidental sufferings whatsoever But here perhaps it may be thought too hard a condition imposed upon humane nature to be to suffer whereas God Almighty out of his infinite mercy might have created man in in such a state as he should have had no need at all of the use of patience unto which I shall onely say that as it doth not stand with Gods heavenly justice that any creature should eyjoy that perfect happinesse
it was possible to expresse a more higher zeal towards the service of God in Iephthe himself or a more sweet comfortable obedience expressed by his noble religious daughter wherefore we must conclude that although there be made some doubt concerning the lawfulnesse of the fact in this just and magnanimous person in regard of the rashnesse of his vow which however proceeded from the extraordinary gratitude he desired to shew towards Almighty God for those favours he had received by his divine assistance and especially for that most signal victory granted him against the Ammonites who were cruel and spightful enemies to his Country and Religion yet he declared thereby without all question a most constant and firm resolution to be ingraffed in his pious soul not to forbear if there were occasion the exact performance of God Almighties service in every thing according to his best skill and knowledge although he might lose thereby never so many worldly honours pleasures preferments or what hopes or comfort could possible delight nature or destroy sadness in his condition As appeared by this act of rigid conformity according to the vow he had made after his victory which in my opinion are most lively examples to instruct our endeavours at leastwise not to be too passionate in our own concernments when they may any way indanger our love to God The extraordinary goodness of King David ANd now we must fall to consider the actions of David that great and good King of Israel who however he fell into some grievous sins by reason of humane frailty yet he kept his heart still right in the pure sight of his omnipotent Creator as appeared not onely by his extraordinary pennances mortifications and continual complaints declared in his prophetical writings but by the very testimonies of God himself who approved him to be a man according to his own heart so that boldly we may affirm his perfections which in this manner we shall particularize First we may reflect upon his constant valour alwayes shewed against the enemies of his Religion and Country as well in the death of Goliath that furious and blasphemous Gyant as in the multitude of victories gotten against the wicked Philistins and other tyrannical Nations wherein the true service and worship of God was the onely object of his thoughts as appeared by his bringing home again the Ark with such joy and gladnesse that he was even derided and contemned by his own wife for those publique expressions for that his gestures seemed ridiculous to her eyes and apprehension being performed in the person of a King Next we may remember not onely his wonderful goodnesse towards his Lord and Master Saul though with an envious malice he most wickedly prosecuted his life but the extraordinary love and reverence he shewed to his person when he had him twice in his power onely blaming his own presumption for having cut off so much as one small piece of his garment as a cleerer testimony of his intended fidelity Again when the news was brought him of his unfortunate death as he conceived with too much insultation by an officious messenger although by that accident he entred presently into the possession of the Kingdom yet he punished the author of the intelligence for his too much want of duty in rejoycing at the destruction of his King being his natural subject wherein I must say appeared a double vertue the one in conquering his own affections the other in being just to his dead Master though alwayes a bitter enemy to his subsistence Here also I must remember the constant affection he shewed to the posterity of Ionathan his friend however it may be supposed he never wanted instigations of jealousie from others that in time his race might aspire to the Crown in the right of their father and when this proved real in his own son Absolon who not onely most trayterously rebelled against all the rules of duty good nature and gratitude but most wickedly abused his bed in publik to take off from the people the apprehension of all hopes of reconciliation This pious and indulgent Prince was so far from revenge in his nature especially against his own flesh and blood that he most grievously complained at the newes of Absolons death wishing his own life had payed the ransome of his misfortune where by the way it may be also remembred that after his quiet restauration to his kingdom he would never suffer that man to be punished that not onely in his adversity upbraided him with most spightful language calling him dog and the like but maliciously flung stones at his person in testimony of his inveterate hatred conceived against his condition neither must be forgotten the tendernesse of his affection he bore to all his children yet still joyned with such a confidence in Gods mercies and so much fear to displease or to offend him that when his child was sick he continued in sadnesse and mourning for many dayes together alwayes hoping to obtain his recovery But when he found it was Gods pleasure he should die and none almost durst bring him the newes for fear of his further vexation yet when he was told it by way of necessity he presently rose up from the ground with a seeming joyful countenance onely saying Gods will be done withal declaring by words that as long as the childe was living he hoped by his supplications to obtain Gods favour But being dead he found it was his pleasure to deprive him of the blessing and therefore might offend more in too much afflicting himself So called for water and meat according to the custom of other people which certainly shewes that in all his actions he intended alwayes to conform his will to the honour and glory of Almighty God against what worldly appetites soever Again may we consider his extraordinary pious magnanimity that when water was brought him from the Well of Bethlehem by those three valiant souldiers that so manfully ventured their lives to quench the Kings thirst he refused to drink of it saying he would not buy the satisfaction of his Senses at so dear a price and so ordained it as a Sacrifice for Gods service notwithstanding at the present he endured most excessive pain by reason of his extraordinary drought however prophane Authors have mentioned some such examples in Alexander the great and others yet certainly this most vertuous Prince onely performed this act of magnanimity out of the consideration of a religious end and not induced thereunto by any fancy of vain-glory whatsoever which for the most part accompanyed all the actions of the heathens Amongst the number of his heroical deeds and heavenly resolutions may also be remembred this one that when God Almighty had resolved to chastise him for numbring the people for that he seemed not sufficiently to rely upon the power of Heaven without joyning thereunto humane assistance and confidence in his thoughts he chose that Plague that was most general because
pleasure in us as Moses declared in the profession of the Canticle The first therfore being dead they brought the next to make him a mocking stock where the skin of his head being also drawn off with the haires they asked him if he would yet eat before he were punished through the whole body in every member But he answered in his Country language that he would not do it so receiving the torments of the first and being at the last gasp said Thou indeed a most wicked man in this present life destroys us but the King of the world wâ—ll raise up those that dyed for his Laws in the resurrection of eternal life After him the third is had in derision and being demanded his tongue he quickly put it forth and constantly stretched out his hands saying with confidence From God do I possesse these members but for the Lawes of God I do now contemn the same because I hope I shall again receive them of him To the amazement both of the King and standers by by by reason of the young mans courage that seemed to esteem the torments as nothing who being dead the fourth they vexed in the same manner with tormenting him and now when he was also ready to die he said It is better for them that are put to death by men to expect hope of God that they shall be raised up again by him for to thee there shall not be Resurrection unto life So bringing the fifth they tormented him but he looking upon the King said Thou having power amongst men whereas thou art corruptible doest what thou wilt but think not that our stock is forsaken of God wherefore do thou patiently abide and thou shalt see his great power in what sort he will torment thee and thy seed After him they brought the sixth who being ready to dye said thus Be not deceived vainly for we suffer this for our own sakes sinning against our God and things worthy of admiration are done in us for that thou hast attempted to sight against God But the Mother above measure marvellous and worthy of good mens memorie which beholding her seven sons perishing in one dayes space bare it with a good heart for the hope that she had in God exhorting every one in their Country language manfully being replenished with wisdom and joyning a mans heart to a womans cogitation she said unto them I know not how you appeared in my womb for neither did I give you Spirit soule or life and the members of every one I framed not but indeed the Creator of the world that hath formed the nativity of man and that invented the Original of all he will again restore with mercy unto you Spirit and life as now you despise your selves for his Lawes But Antiochus by these actions thinking himself contemned and withal disdaining the voice of the upbraider when the youngest was yet alive he did not onely exhort with words but also withal affirmed that he would make him rich and happy and being turned from the Lawes of his fathers he would account him a friend But the young man being not inclined to these things the king called the Mother and counselled her to deal with her son for the saving of his life wherupon she promised him to advise her child so bending towards him as mocking the cruel Tyrant she said thus in her Country language My son have pitty of me that have born thee in my womb nine moneths and gave thee milk for three yeers nourishing thee and bringing thee to this age I beseech thee my son look to heaven and earth and all things that are in them and understand that God of nothing made them and mankinde So it shall come to passe that thou wilt not fear this tormenter but being made a worthy partaker with thy brethren take thou death that I may again receive thee with them When she was yet delivering these things the yong man said For whom stay you I obey not the commandment of the King but the ordination of the Law which was given by Moses But thou that art become the inventer of al malice against the Hebrews shalt not escape the hand of God though we for our sins do suffer those things and if the Lord our God hath been angry with us a little for rebuke and correction yet he will be reconciled again to his servants But thou O wicked and of all men most flagitious be not idly extolled with vain hopes for thou hast not escaped the judgements of Almighty God who beholdeth all things My Brethren having sustained short pains are become under the Testament of eternal life but thou by the judgement of Almighty God shalt receive punishment for thy pride And I also as my brethren do yeeld my life and my body for the Lawes of our fathers invocating God to be propitious to our Nation quickly and that thou with torments and stripes mayest confesse that he is onely God but in me and my brethren shall the wrath of the Almighty cease which hath justly been brought upon all our stock Then the King incensed with anger raged against him more cruelly above all the rest taking it grievously that he was mocked so this also dyed unspotted wholly trusting in the Lord where last of all after the sons the Mother was consumed and thus ended these most glorious sufferings wherein may be considered these following particulars That seven goodly young men in the very flower of their age should with such courage and fortitude not onely willingly deprive themselves of all worldly honour meerly for the love of God since the Tyrant offered them what preferments they could almost desire quitting their Law but to endure with such admirable constancy the cruellest of torments personally whilest in the interim their vettuous and most magnanimous Mother with religious though grieved eyes stood by like a heavenly rock to behold her children dismembred and torn in pieces by the violence of stripes scourges and other exquisite devised tortures never almost invented before by humane malice and subtility wherein appeared not the least signe of wavering or vain-glory But of the contrary were so far from justifying either their actions deservings or sanctity that they professed openly they suffered those punishments justly for their own sins as they hoped in expiation of the general faults of the whole Nation of the Jews and to that purpose comforted and confirmed each other with godly pious and valiant exhortations full of comfortable assurances in the mercies and goodnesse of Almighty God who would raise them up at the last day to the comfort of themselves and the absolute confounding of all his enemies where also may be remembred the Pathetical grave and wise conjurations of their most brave and holy Mother that however she did not know how she had framed their members in her natural womb yet she was assured that their supernatural father if they continued constant to the end would again give
a desire of any other being at all as either perhaps not believing any such thing or else was most desperately loth to foregoe the possession of what he enjoyed already In like manner there was another Philosopher who being in a ship ready to be cast away by a sudden storme notwithstanding he had preached most violently to the Marriners not onely of the contempt of death but of the vanity of life did neverthelesse expresse by his countenance an extreame feare and terrour whereupon after the tempest was past he was reproved with scorne by some for his hypocrisie and cowardlinesse in pretending to despise that which as it should seeme he most desired to which he quickly made this reply as having no other way in part to save his reputation that however he seemed something troubled at the apprehension of his own losse for the present yet it was not because he did not in his thoughts really contemne death according to his profession but that he considered how much the world should be damnified by his destruction when as if a thousand such as themselves had perished the matter had not been of any moment at all in regard of the little commodity was to be made of their preservation But however this jest served in some sort to save his reputation for the present yet it was plaine his professions were contrary to his thoughts for that people being out of the right way of desiring eternity they cannot possibly reflect upon the consequence of such a happinesse whereby to esteeme of life and death indifferently enough since their chiefe end let them say what they will is but to purchase some worldly consideration notwithstanding all their hypocriticall pretensions T is true many great Philosophers in former times appeared to adore no other God but future and eternall fame yet give me leave to say that although they might have those appetites living and being in prosperity yet it was chiefly if not wholly upon the matter to reap the benefit of such an opinion here during their naturall lives As for example we see many raise stately mountaines endeavouring thereby to continue and eternize their memories upon earth yet the neerer they draw to their deaths those ambitions become cooler untill at last perhaps in the perclose they absolutely quit and forgoe all those vaine cogitations and betake themselves onely if they be not religious to things belonging to flesh and blood which is ease rest sleep and the like leaving apparently those hot vanities of fame and ambition to younger people that have ability of body to make use of such mentall delights as having longer time to enjoy them Which shews evidently it is not alone eternity they seek either in fame remembrance or what you will else to that purpose but rather present and humane content inwardly as long as they live in this world imagining they shall be thought brave persons hereafter Which however it seems to have reference to the future yet well considered it is nothing but a naturall satisfaction they propose to their own apprehension how much they shall be honored after their deaths supposing also those that converse with them doe believe absolutly the same which opinion as I say they violently desire to enjoy as long as they live here For we finde by experience that such people as make their last wils and testaments being in perfect health and strength of body designe huge matters for their funerals but those that dispose of their affaires being ready to yield up the Ghost onely take care for a convenient place without much pompe where they may be buried All which are but further testimonies of demonstration that onely the sensualities of this world whether they be in meere opinion or belong to other naturall appetites take mens desires more then any manner of eternity whatsoever In so much as all may be reduced onely to the violent coveting of possession however it be of never so smal a continuance beyond all future considerations whatsoever Which appeared plainly in the actions of Alexander the great who seemed most ambitiously to court fame and opinion with an extraordinary aime to settle his conquered Empire to perpetuity in all magnificency whilst he was living in prosperity but being upon his death-bed and askt who should be King after him he was so farre from any thoughts of future establishment that as he designed no Governour at all over his vast Dominions so did he leave every thing in a most miserable confusion notwithstanding he had both probability of issue and his own kindred to have nominated insomuch as all his eminent Captains and Commanders went presently together by the eares amongst themselves so that within a very few yeeres there was not one of them remained alive or scarce any part of this conquest continued entire Which humour had been well represented to this young Princes ambition by the rude Scythians when their Embassadours told him that however he seemed so violently transported with victorios land successe yet at last he must be contented with onely ten foot of ground to containe his person and circumscribe his glory As much to say when his life should be ended he would be little the better for his prosperity And truly if the carcass of any Prince should be asked what felicity it now enjoyes in regard of those past honours if it could speak without doubt it would make answer none at all For certainly men lying upon their death-beds are either not capable of any thoughts whatsoever or are busied with more serious considerations then to trouble themselves to think or desire what may be the opinion of them and their actions amongst people after they are gone However I doe not maintaine the contrary but that it is most necessary or at leastwise convenient in our humane condition to endeavour a lawfull reputation as also a fitting memory to be continued concerning our comportments in this life provided a right end thereof be annexed thereunto And chiefly for these three respects In the first place it may be supposed that by our noble actions and endeavours we bequeath a lasting legacy of honour and reputation to our surviving friends and posterity whereby they may be benefited in the world after us by the deserved fame of our atchievements Secondly by the demonstration of such vertues and perfections we leave patterns and examples to all in generall who may the sooner be enduced thereby to imitate our actions represented to them as a most worthy object And lastly our deservings by that means comming to be known to others and rewarded with praise and commendation they cannot but give encouragement to worthy persons to continue in their own designes to that purpose since themselves may expect the like benefits which probably will prove a means to root out wickednesse and basenesse out of the world by reason of contrary effects for without such principles it is unpossible that any Commonwealth can long remaine prosperous So