bitternesse of those gourds that were put therein mors in olla mors in olla death is in the pot oh death is in the pot and by that meale oh Lord thy word which is the breade of life although we seeme to be dead yet are we still renued SECT 70. Old age not to be despised IT is a thing most foolish in the sight of good men and an offence most heynous before God to mocke olde men who are as wee shall bee and who were as wee are now Age Time and death these three a man may fore-thinke of but neuer preuent SECT 71. Wisdome and discretion goe not alway by yeares YOuth neuer runneth wel say we vnlesse age holdeth the bridle this seemes to be true it is so but alas wisdom consists not onely in age as the vulgar sort of people censure for the young man beardlesse may bee as wise as the gray head outward grauitie argues wisdome verie seldome but wisdome continually shewes grauitie the young man fearing God is both graue and wise and he that hath this feare before him is the soules best councellour Iohn 3.5 And this cannot a father bequeath vnto his Sonne it goes not by birth not by our first birth which is full of corruption except we be regenerate and born a new and then this latter birth extinguisheth the flames of the former Neither as I said before doth discretion goe by yeares for there are manye old fooles giuen vp wholy to sensualitie which solely belongeth to the beast amongst all creatures and there are many young men betrothed to ciuilitie and this appertaineth vnto man the image of God euen the best of all creatures this is that vvhich maketh men on the earth famous in the earth glorious and in heauen aboue the earth immortall immortall both in soule and bodie SECT 72. The praise of loue and amitie MEn in the beginning builded townes for societie and safetie but now a man may finde more friendship in the wildernesse amongst beares and tygers then he can find in the contrey wherein he was borne but surely I haue thought with my selfe that if men liue neuer so richly and at variance their liues are farre worse then death for it is a second hell as wee terme it friendship is the chiefest ornament that graceth Christians whereby many mens hearts and wils are vnited in one a bosom-friend me thinkes is a pretious iewell fit to weare about ones necke within whose bosome a man may vnload his sorrowes and vnfold his secrets which he will either releiue with counsel or els perswade with reason and if thou declare vnto him ioyfull newes he wil reioyce with thee if dolefull and heauie Rom. 12.15 hee will mourn with thee and in all thy affaires thou shalt find him Alter ipse a second selfe SECT 73. Men are soone mooued vnto wrath BVt now alas as the nature of the bruit beast is Plin. Senec. philos lib. 3. de Ira cap. 10. such is the condition of man trifles and vaine things doe moue vs vnto anger a red cloth stirreth vp the bull the venemous aspe of Africk riseth vp at a shadow and a white cloth or table napkin mooueth vnto rage the bear and lyon horses wolues nay most things els very fierce of nature are troubled with the sight of very small and friuolous things and in a manner with nothing and euen so it fals out with penish froward people that they are stroke with the very conceit only and suspition of a thing so that now and then they are wrath if a man wisheth them neuer so well or speake them neuer so faire euen at the putting forth of a question they are soone moued vnto rage the vngodly Psal saith Dauid are froward euen from their mothers wombe SECT 74. The end of discord IF a man will liue in rest it is better for him sometimes to dissemble a double wrong then to reuenge a single let him rather bee accounted a dastardly coward then a desperate caitiffe yet valour in rightfull causes is to be commended and if done with discretion highly also to be regarded and rewarded Gal. 5 26. but othervvise all mischiefe that may be doth follovv the heeles of selfe-loue and discord vvhat then my soule had we best imbrace vvhile vve haue time and opportunitie Ecch. Vnitie SECT 75. A meditation on the disciples filling of twelue baskets full of the broken meate that remained WHerefore grant O my sweet Lord that wee laying aside all maliciousnesse 1. Pet. 2.12 Rom. 6.4 and all guile and dissimulation and enuie and all euill speaking we may as new borne babes desire the sincere milke of thy word that we may grow thereby Feed our soules O Lord with the bread of life that spirituall foode and giue vs thine heauenly grace that so we spill none thereof but gather vp the broken meat that nothing bee lost O thou whose mouth is as sweet things and art wholly delectable this thou commandedst thy disciples Iohn 6. and they gathered and filled twelue baskets full with the fragments of the fiue loaues and two fishes but why should there remain iust twelue baskets full and no more nor lesse surely because there were twelue Apostles which those twelue baskets did prefigure who were filled with the bread of life did nourish the soules of the beleeuers into euerlasting life But first O my sweet Lord before thou gauest the people to eate thou diddest comaund them to sit dovvne and there vvas much grasse in that plece and therefore we who desire to be fed with the spirituall food Psal to be refreshed with the sweete dainties of the grace of God and to come taste how good and gratious the Lord is must crush downe kicke and despise the lusts of the flesh which thorowout the whole Scriptures is likened vnto grasse all flesh is grasse saith the Prophet and the glorie thereof as the flower of grasse Esay 40. let vs sit downe then vpon this ground vpon this grasse Col 4.5 let vs chasten our bodies tame our inordinate affections and continually bridle our rebellious hed-strong lusts SECT 76. On the fiue barlie loaues and the two fishes FVrthermore it is said that Iesus tooke fiue barly loaues and two fishes surely by these fiue barly loaues wee may vnderstand the fiue bookes of Moses which he laid wide open vnto the spirituall eyed dayly and hourely to refresh their soules therewith and they may well be likened vnto so many barly loaues from the austeere and sharpe decrees of the Law that was contained in them yet at the last like a good father because hee would not suffer his children to eat any longer drie bread hee added two fishes which were diuided among them that is the two Sacraments whose nature is to make pleasant and moysten the harsh drith of the loaues the lawe killeth and is giuen to the lawlesse 1. Tim. 1.9 but mercie trueth commeth
for it euerie where too and this me thinkes is the best way to match subtill death But men in these daies who haue not this knowledge doe most shamefully complaine vpon God for the shortnesse of their liues when as they as short as it is doe throgh ryoting surfeiting drinking and bowsing and through malice murders make it more short both in themselues and also in others yet mee thinkes if men would duely consider of what molde they are made they wold not be so carelesse of their soules health and of Gods seruice one sillie flea in the night will soone breake their sleepe one small pricke with a thorn or pin will euen force teares to issue from their eyes if thy body were brasse or steele then O man thou mightest haue some cause to tryumph and glorie in thy selfe thou mightest haue some cause to think thy selfe able to resist all misfortune and to withstand all putrifaction but marke I pray thee the frailtie of thy flesh which if it lie in the graue but onely three or foure daies thy derest friend that thou leauest behinde thee will not be able by reason of the noysome smell of thy dead carkasse to come neere it or yet once indure the sight thereof Remember now that thou art but dust and wormes meate and beare therefore about thee the Anatomie of thy faults search into the botome of euery particular fin and goe into the house of fasting and not into the house of feasting for where sorrowing for sinnes and sadnesse is there is the heart of wisemen but where mirth is there is the heart of fooles SECT 26. The frailtie of our bodies MAny times haue I thought with my selfe how that it may one day so come to passe that this earthly bodie of ours now pampered vp kept from the winde and weather now honoured much respected may one day serue to make vp a mud-wall for a time may happen when some building may bee made neare vnto the graue bee it neuer so gay and sumptuous and that they might digge for some earth out of the same to make morter for a wall Omnes morimur et sicut aqua labimur in terram Eccl. and so shall thy feely bodie being now changed into earth become afterwards an earthen wall although it be at this present the most noble body and most delicately cherished of all bodies in the world and how many bodies of Kings and Emperours I wonder haue come already to these promotions Eccho Ocyons SECT 27. On the same O The basenesse and beastlinesse of the bodie when as the soule is departed out of it and O the continuall moouing and wasting of our life and hastning vnto this basenes what minute of an houre passeth but that we go one step forward towards our death what other thing thinke ye is the mouing of the Heauens but as it were a very swift wheele which is continually spinning and winding vp our liues for like as a rolle of wooll saith one father is spunne vpon a wheele of the which at euerie turning about some part is wound vp at the first turne a little at the second a little more and so forth at euerie turne vntill all be ended so doth the wheele of the heauens continually spinne and windc vp our life in that at euerie turning round that it maketh a peece of our life is spunne and wound vp and therfore holy Iob saith Iob. 9.25 that his daies were more swift then one that rideth in poste for hee that rideth in post though his message requireth neuer so much haste yet sometimes necessitie causeth him to stay but our life neuer staieth neither wil it giue vs so much libertie as the space of one houre of rest SECT 28. Why God will not haue vs to haue knowledge of things to come IN this as in all other things the wisdome of God is infinite who will not haue nor yet suffer men to haue knowledge of future things of things to come for if they had aprescience or foreknowledge of their prosperitie they would bee careles and negligent toward God their maker and againe vnderstanding of their aduersitie they wold be senceles as a male-factor who commonly is halfe dead so soone as the rope is cast about his necke man therefore hath only knowledge of things present and past of things present for that he may at all times behold the workes of God and presently betake himselfe vnto a new and holy life vnto heauenly meditations oft past for that he may giue God glory for his good deedes Iames. seeling that euery good perfect gift commeth from aboue and be sorie for his bad his corrupt and euill life SECT 29. What a good conscience is and the praise thereof THe best way for a man to promise his soule euerlasting life after death is to make much of a good conscience while he liues surely the wisest of kings king Solomon had thorowly tasted the delicacie of this daintie dish in that he calleth it a continuall feast a meat wherwith he could neuer be glutted by it the innocent smileth before the furiousnes of the feareful iudge when as in the meane space Prou. 15.13 17.22 the guiltie by inward gripings discouereth his offence though all men seeme to winke at it nay before he be suspected of any It is a bad conscience that pursues his master at the heeles and knoweth how to take vengeance in due time hee will not cease to post after him vntill hee hath pind him to the bar for let him be girded about with Irō garded with souldiers attended on by counsellers shut vp with wals of brasse in strong holds and castles yet will he be in a woefull case in a perplexed misery seeing that there is no salue for a sicke cōscience surely it is like vnto those mice which deuoured one Hatto a merciles bishop of Germanie Munster in Cosmo for if hee saile out vpon the seas it will swimme after the ship yea and be readie to drowne the puppe if he place himselfe in the center of a fietie circle it will leape ouer vnto him if hee ascend vp vnto the top of a castle it will climbe vp vnto him by the wals if hee descend downe into the earth it will dig him vp againe if he sleepeth he shall haue feare for his bedfellow if he awaketh walketh abroad he shal haue care for his companion and alwaies the sting of conscience for his torment there is no way to preuent it but by death and this also is vncertaine which maketh it the more grieuous for eyther hee shall bee presently healed or more grieuously hated SECT 30. We must make speed to amend THerefore when thou goest from home ponder with thy selfe what thou wilt doe abroade and when thou returnest home call to minde what thou hast done there when thou arisest in the morning determin to passe the day following as if at night they bed should be
Dyog what though my dyet bee almes bee roots and hearbs what though my drinke bee water my riches pouertie and mine honour onely taunts and scoffs yet shall these as yee terme them crosses breed a discontentment in mee no no. I know my tub to bee more beautifull then Alexanders great pallace neither would I change any iot of my estate for his though hee if he were not Alexander would be Dyogines yet I of I were not Dyogines would not bee Alexander Plut. in vita Alex. for I thinke his so gorgeous an habitation woefull and what saith my soule vnto his so proud and sumptuous a pallace Ecch. Alas SECT 115. The end of affliction IF a man liues contented with his affections they scowre all filth from his soule Act. 14.15 that eternall part for through many troubles and afflictions he must enter into the kingdome of heauen hee that hath crosses must imbrace nay coll and kisse them And then what saith my soule if a mā beares them patiently heare on earth is obtained in heauen through euerie distease Eccho His ease And what throgh euery afflictiō Eccho Sion Psal 87 SECT 116 How carefull God is in afflicting his Children SVrely the loue of God is exceeding large towards mankinde 1. Cor. 10.13 in that he layeth no more afflictions on thē then that they can easily beare he is sparing in cursing but bountifull in blessing hee giueth his wrath by weight but his mercie without measure Amongst all men therfore hee vndoubtedly is blessed on the one side whome no feare troubleth no pensiuenes consumeth no desire of worldly wealth afflicteth and to whome no crosse can seeme intollerable whereby he may be discouraged or despaire and hee likewise is happie on the other side whome no pleasure can proudly puff vp no delight can so mooue vnto mirth and no promotion make him so vaine-glorious whereby hee presumes aboue others or preferres himselfe before them for oftentimes haue I saw and how often I know not the footman hoysted vp into the saddle when as hee that rode before hath now beene glad to lackie after The riches that men gather in time may faile friendes may proue vnkinde and vnconstant hope may deceiue but cōtent can neuer be conquered the contented man kils aduersity if it assault dries vp teares if they flow stayes wrath if it vrge heales woundes if they fester and and lastly wins heauen and heauenly ioyes if it hold on vnto the end and therefore Paul learned in what state so euer hee was in Phil. 4.11 therewith to be content SECT 117. Comforts in generall for such as are in afflictions NOw leauing the Philosophers reasons let vs see my soule how farre the Christian reasoning can comfort vs in induring crosses surely their fruite is verie great first then for by them through Christ we purchase remission of finnes and reconciliation to God the father by them wee are exercised in Godlinesse and for suffering them wee shall haue our reward a reward of inestimable value me thinkes then that afflictions should not make mee dispaire and greue and seeing that Christ Iesus our Captaine hath broke downe the hedge before our eyes I say let it not grieue vs now to follow after all the saints of God his Souldiers all the Prophets and Martyrs haue sounded the bottome and found the depth of all afflictions whatsoeuer feare not then thy footing God plaies the carefull cooke with all his children he giues them sharp Oliues to whet their stomakes and breed their appetites sharp sorrows sowre crosses bitter and brinish troubles because they should come and taste how sweet how good and gracious the Lord is we are punished in this world saith Austin to the end wee should not be damned with the world in the world to come In like maner as a Nurse that to weane her childe from the loue and liking of her milke doth rubbe her tear with aloes with wormewood or with the like bitter thing so our mercifull father who would faine retire vs from the loue of the world and worldly delights vseth to send tribulation vnto vs therein to the intent wee may crie with the childe paw pan vnto the world to the end wee may shun and auoide its intising dugs Againe we reade that Moses striking with his rod the hard rockes brought sorth water Exod. 17.5 6 and the rod of correction falling on the backe of stony-hearted sinners most commonly mollifieth them to contrition and oftentimes bringeth forth a flood of teares to repentance SECT 118. On the same THe stones that were appointed to serue for the glorious temple of Salomon 1. Kings were beaten were hewed and polished with out at the quarry side for that no stroake of hammer might be heard within the temple and Peter tels vs that the Godly are chosen stones to bee placed in the spirituall building of God in heauen where there is no beating no hewing no sorrow no tribulation surely then it is meet for vs here in this life in the hard quarrie of this sinfull world to be cut and polished and made fit for that glorious temple and with all wee ought to bee most glad when we are thus handled Psalme Amos 4.1 for that it is a signe of our election to that most glorious house of Gods eternall mansion Oxen appointed for the slaughter are suffered to feed at their pleasure so are Dauids fat Buls of Basan trees that bring foorth no fruite and are kept for the fier are neuer beaten and the sicke mā that is past all hope of health is suffered by the Phisitian to haue whatsoeuer hee lusteth after when as hee whose health is not despaired cannot haue that liberty graunted SECT 119. We ought to reioice in troubles MEthinks how necessary it is to knowe that all afflictions come from a diuine and iust hand wherefore they cannot be euill or vnwholesome as many account them Indeed crosses are verie troublesom vnto the weaknesse and frailtie of the flesh yet if thou wilt behold their effect thou hast cause enough to bee merrie to bee patient and contented therewith The seafaring man who althogh he be beaten most grieuously with stormes and tost verie dangerously with blustering windes yet remembring the hauen smiles to himselfe and cleareth vp his dull and heauy spirits if he thē reioyceth in the middes of those stormes beholding the hauen a receptacle only for his wearyed body thou rather mayest I think reioyce casting thy eyes on heauen a sweet refreshing shoare for thine afflicted soule It s a most base and crauonish part to grieue for the want of any temporall benefit what shall olde age make me sigh shal pouertie make me mourn shal sickenesse make me dispaire or shal death it selfe make me affraid no no he truely is no man that in this life is not filled with miseries hee is no Christian that cannot bear them troubles are but flea-bitings but alas wee vnskilfull worldlings know not
it Iohn 12.25 and hee that hateth his life in this world shall keepe it vnto life eternall Eccles For thy sake are we killed all day long Rom. 8.36 we are counted as for the slaughter Christ If the world hate you Iohn 15.18 yee knowe that it hated me before it hated you Eccles If God be ou our side who can be against vs Rom. 8 31. Christ The seruant is not greater then the Master Iohn 15 20 Eccles Christ hath suffered for vs leauing vs an example that wee should followe his steps 1. Pet. 2.21 Christ In my fathers house are many dwelling places Iohn 14.2 Eccles Wee know 2. Cor 5.1 that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be destroyed wee haue a building giuen of God an house not made with handes but eternall in the heauens Christ GOD sent not his sonne into the world Iohn 3.17 that hee should condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued Eccl. Let vs therefore goe boldly vnto the throne of grace Heb. 4.14 that we may receiue mercie and finde grace to helpe in time of need Chr. He that beleeueth in the soune shall not be condemned Ioh 3.18 Eccl. There is no condemnation to them Rom. 8.1 which are in Christ Iesus Chri. All the haires of your head are numbred Mat. 10 30 Eccl. The Lord knoweth who are his 2. Tim. 2.19 Chr. Ye beleeue in God Iohn 14.1 beleeue also in me Eccl. We beleeue know that thou art the Christ Iohn 6.69 the sonne of the liuing God FINIS Dialog SECT 122. The true felicitie of this life and the false GOD hath giuen vs a true felicitie in this life a true practick I meane which is the continuall meditation on the Lawes of God Psal 1.1.2 though not a diuine and theorick which is els where yet some men thinke pleasure with swinish Aristippus some thinke honour with vaine glorious Periander and some thinke riches with couetous Midas But how can this bee when as gold and siluer are but the very excrements of nature and found in the most barren and barbarous places of the earth they cannot ease the grief of the bodie much lesse then of minde how againe can honour be the felicitie of this life being but a vapour soone vanishing onely the breath of some mens mouthes Iob. 7 Iob did not regard it when hee said vnto rottennesse thou art my father vnto dust and wormes yee are my sisters and my mother If any one then will bragge of the fame and renown of his auncesters let him looke with holy Iob into their graues and there hee shall see all honor and promotion of this life to be turned into a little loathsome stinking earth And how then beastlie Epicure can pleasure be the felicitie of this life when as it killeth the soule poysoneth the bodie when as it is naught else but scum of venerie and a iakes receptable for all filth and beastlinesse and then againe should dogges bee in as good estate as man if pleasure should bee the happinesse of this life nay now in fine tell me my soule what is was that brought on each wicked one of Israell the Lords heauie wrath and sore displeasure Eccho His pleasure And tell mee againe what space of time may cast downe all the flourishing robes of renowne and vtterly deface the beautie of honour Eccho One houre SECT 123. The world is vnconstant wherefore man must be constant THe world is full of change and alteration here grieses hang ouer pleasures here warre ariseth in the middest of peace here securitie is turned into sudden feare here a friend is soone become an enemie and here all our sommers pastimes are soone changed into winters threatening thunderclaps the sommer turneth into winter the day into night youth into age prosperitie into aduersitie and pleasures into sorrowes so that for riches we exchange pouertie for health sicknesse and for honour and renowne contempt and disgrace nay in fine this life is constant in nothing but in inconstancie it is constant in nothing but that it is vnconstant in all things Seeing then that this life is thus vnconstant and ful of miserie mans heart must be filled with content hee must learne with Paul to bee content with the state whereto hee is called Phil 4.11 without grudging This godly cōtent depending on the Lords will is the onely sluice that staieth and stoppeth all the raging floods of misfortune we know this that there is no part of a mans life so close and secure but that the feare of death may creepe in that there is no mans life so fortified about with peace and happinesse but that griefe now and then may shake and terrifie him wheresoeuer a man hides himselfe calamitie will seeke him out and still attend on him here are many external and outward euils which do intice and tempt vs vnto lewdnes here are also many inward and secret complaints of the conscience many griefes many cares which in time wil exciccate and consume the body yet a ioyfull and contented soule like of sound well headed waster puts them off all without any foile or blemish at all such a cauellering spirit or resolute vnder Christs banner cares not thogh strength be subiect to weakenes riches to pouertie health to sickenesse fame to disgrace or life to death SECT 124. The tokens of a wise man and contented EVery wiseman hath continually this thought in his heart he thinketh that he feeleth death when as hee doth but onely heare thereof hee supposeth that he smarteth with his brothers wants when as hee doth but onely see them hee doth as wel and as willingly entertaine the worlds crosses and calamities as its ioyes and felicities hee despiseth riches as well present as lost or absent or those which hee knowes hee shall neuer enioy he neither reioyceth at their presence nor yet mourneth for their absence hee thinketh Gods blessing neither going away nor yet comming hee perswades himselfe that all the earth is his and that his is for all men and whatsoeuer hee hath hee doth neither miserably keep nor yet prodigally spend it hee conceiueth this in his minde that the friendship and societie of men must bee as the stones in an ouen one must strengthen and vphold another These are the signes of a contented soule Sence Epi. 96. thus to liue peaceably and tell this to all men my soule tell them what will driue away all calamitie Ecch. Amitie SECT 125. The praise of content BRotherly loue and content in this hard iron age is the onely salue for all diseases I am weake but therewith contented why then am I stronge but not contented mith my strength then am I weake I am ignorant yet contented with the portion of wisedome that God hath giuen mee then am I wise I am wise yet would I faine know Quod supra me est that which is aboue my capacitie for to know then am I foolish I am a foole I am poore yet contented therewith why then am I rich I haue abundance yet craue I more then am I poore Content to the weake and feeble is strength to the simple wisdome to the poore riches to the slaundered praise to the sicke health to the aged youth to the afflicted comfort nay what is it not It s all in all And now my soule what shall I be gone shall I bid thee farewell and heere make an end with the worlds discontent Ecch. Yes content I had thought to haue made my race somewhat longer but seeing it is thy will I should end here here then will I place my farthest post good Eccho I say farewell farewell vntill wee talke againe which God-willing shall not bee long first if so bee that these our first buds that now spring be not cropt or blited by some enuious breathing blast which must hang on the good pleasure of God and onely on his will depend Ecch. End I le end and now farewel my spirit Eccho Here it Here yet and yet too you will haue the last I see but yet withall I pray let mee also bid all those farewell 1. Tim. 4.1 2. Tim. 3.1 2. Pet. 3.3 that are enemies to the base humours of this age such as cannot well brooke or digest the lewd and filthie conditions of these latter times So now once againe my soule I cast you on him that made you Ecch. Adieu FINIS
thy graue and when thou lyest downe so commit commend thy spirit to God the father that thou mayest arise with his sonne Christ then care not so much for the health and welfare of thy body that thereby thou mayest haue a long life heare on earth as for the safety of the soule how thou mayest liue for euer Me thinkes I see time sit laughing and why for that she runneth swiftly and mocketh men for their slownesse for slacking their duetie towards God our prouerbe is hee that is before hand need not run be not thou slow then in thy repentance behold thy face in Gods Bible that cleare looking-glasse if thou appearest faire and beautifull do such things as becom thy beautie but if thou seemest fowle full of spots and ilfauoured then study to attaine vnto that decencie or comelinesse which thy face lacketh labour diligently to correct those deformed blemishes that are seene in thee SECT 31. On flatterers and dissemblers WE ought to beware of those praises which proceed out of the mouthes of wicked men when as their hearts are most insyncere and dissembling for we our selues know this that when we would kill a sow we vse to clay-pole with her we scratch and tickle her sides and throat and this causeth her to lie downe Senec. de Doct. prine so that we thereby doe with her what we list such mens throats doth Gods prophet liken vnto open sepulcres for that they are very glorious without but very loathsome within Rom. 3.13 for many of these vnder the shew of a stedfast friend cloke the malice of a mortall foe the typ of the tongue soundeth not alwayes the depth of the heart It is better then I thinke to fall among a sort of rauens then amongst flattering companions in that the rauens neuer eate a man vntill hee be dead but these Sycophants will not spare to deuour him euen while he is aliue well then they may seeme gold tho they be but Indian brasse and what thinkest thou Arist de me morab. my soule they may proue when as the depth of their hearts shall bee sounded though now they sound more shril then the purest Latin Ecch. Tinne SECT 32. On the same THe Chamelion changeth the colour of his skinne into the colour of its obiect and this is the cause why they are so seldome caught or yet espied for run they on the grasse they seem greene run they on the lately plowed ground they appeare like a mole-hill runne they on chalkie ground they seeme white nay runne they on what ground they will they seeme that whereon they runne then let flatterers be like Camelions who are drunkards with the drunkard swearers with the swearer Atheists with the Atheist Papists with the Papists and yet good Christian Protestants with the truely religious Protestant these base abiectes are apt for all obiects capable of all colours they cloke hate vnder the habit of holinesse craft puts on him the attire of policie malice the shape of courage rashnes the title of valour and superstition the zealous appearance of religion thus abhominable vices walke along the streets masked in the habit of vertues and faire complezions haue oftentimes filthie conditions alas poore tel-troth alas poore trueth how art thou beset with secret enemies none some say tels trueth but either children or fooles well then be thou a child in the kingdome of heauen Mar. 10. 1. cor 1.20 be thou a foole in the wisdome of this world alas poore truth what will become of thee thou art a vertue indeed but yet not guarded with any one friend nor regarded of any for what alacke saith my soule that these hypocrites do in their hearts whenas they seeme to loue her and thus outwardly to feigne and flatter Ecch. Hate her SECT 33. On the same THe world now is come to such a passe that euery mechanicall fellow that euery trads-man hath his wordes of Arte his fine painted speeches gards of eloquence braue illusions and a thousand more liptrickes only to nyme cosen and deceiue his words shall bee smooth yet not plaine to draw on their false purposes therfore seeing that their speeches are onely feined words of Arte we wil exclude them out of the true predicament of substance what should a man say to such dissemblers such catiffe counterfeits whenas they shal vse the words of a good Christian by answering in trueth yes verely in very deed it cost me so much or it is so when as if the trueth were knowen a lye were manifest helpe me then good Eccho second me O my soule and tel me how thou wouldest answer such a one whenas hee should most falsely and most shamefully protest and say most impudently it cost mee so much or it is so in very deede it s so truely Eccho You lie SECT 34. The reward of a lyar with a sound terrour for the hypocrite INdeed as I remember one Philosopher saith that a man cannot better reward a lyar then in not beleeuing what hee speaketh yet De virtute loqui minimum est virtutibus vti hic labor hoc opus est It is a very easie matter to speake well but a very difficult thing to doe well thrise happie then are they let the world esteeme them as it list whose liues are corespondent to their lines and whose workes answere their words but these halfe-faced Christians these dissembling Neuters are most loathsome and abhominable in the Church of God Paul tels vs that God is not mocked let them take heed then for surely if they make a iest and laughing stocke Psal 2.4 of his seruice the Lord will pay them home the Lord will laugh them also to skorne and haue them in euerlasting derision hee will recompence all their deeds and with what measure they meat vnto him euen with the same will he meat vnto them againe yea it shal be pressed downe and runne ouer SECT 35. Mans neglect in Gods seruice is seuerely punished IF God would not haue man to haue serued him in true holinesse he would not haue made him in his owne image but rather in the shape and forme of a toad of a snake or of some other monstrous creature and surely he is not serued of vs as he requireth he would haue our lusty daies to be vsed to his glorie but we put ouer our old and withered age to adore and magnifie him when me thinkes our youthfull daies are fittest and our old yeeres most vnapt the wine that is first drawen out of the hogshead we see is pure and fresh but at length nothing els comes forth but grouns dregs Senec. Epi. 109. thus the world drawes out the best of our dayes and we reserue the scurffe and garbage for the Lord and why are our youthfull dayes best for that it is vncertaine whither wee shall liue to be old or no and for that then our mindes are most tractable vnto goodnes againe if it seeme hard vnto vs
thou also wise with him and art thou hard fauoured with Bias be thou also learned with him so then they that look vpon thee will deceiue themselues both in thy riches and also in thy beautie truely it is the greatest beautie to bee indued with learning and greatest wealth to be inriched with wisdome a poore man vertuous is as far beyond a rich man vicious as the soule is beyond the body it is better to be a man without money then to be money without a man wherefore if aduersitie approacheth learn wisdom if thy troubles bee small beare them because they bee easie to be borne but if they be great grieuous beare with them also for in so dooing thy glorie shall be the greater nay both in bearing them and also bearing with them it is thy duetie and and so shalt thou purchase the reward of obedience lastly if thou canst not haue what thou wouldest thou must be contented with what thou canst gette to will much is follie where ability wanteth and to desire nothing is content which despiseth all things If thou hast neither land nor liuing labour diligently and eate thy bread in the sweat of thy browes so God commanded and appointed thy father Adam to doe Gen. 3.19 23. and the riches that proceed heere-hence are sweetest the blessing best of all and tell and those my soule what they must trust too that haue hands SECT 105. For such as are visited with sicknesse ANother crieth I am horribly punished with sicknesse art thou so perswade thy selfe that thou shalt haue case anon wherefore did God create Physitions saue onely to helpe the sicke what if thou art sick now perswade thy selfe that sickenesse and diseases cannot last long for eyther thou wilt leaue them or else they will leaue thee we cannot be at one stay it maketh no matter how ill thy budy be so that thy soule be sound indeed if the inward man haue a paine in his head wherby he caÌ„not lay him downe in peace and take his rest the contagion then surly is much to be feared Psal 4.8 thinke not that bodily sicknesse is any crosse at all it is rather a propertie who then may auoid it SECT 106. For such as are griened with old age THe third crieth old age is crept vpon mee I am filled with griefes and aches alas my body is weake thereby mine hands shake mine eyes dazell my feet tremble so that I am wearie of my life I would to God I wer a yard vnder grouÌ„d or else I would I were as lustie as euer I was ah sinfull wish I see now that thou delightest in naught but in sporting and toying in vanities vain pleasure if Gods spirit did dwell in thee thou wouldest not so earnestlie complaine but giue God praise and thanks for thy long life and reioyce at thy gray head which deserues much honour Ieuit. 19. this is that age which the Lord hath promised vnto all them that loue him Exod. 19. and keepe his commaundements hee hath promised that their daies shall be long in the land that they shall liue many yeares Nay this is that age which euerie man defireth and tell mee didst not thou thy selfe desire to see it when thou wast young thinke then that thou art happie now for that thou hast thy wish this also is no crosse onely a propertie Porphiâ— p opâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—ra de Senect onely belonging vnto man but not vnto euerie man In this age there is no swilling no swearing no swaggering no quaffing nor surfeiting SECT 107. For such as are discontented for that they must leaue the world ANd now who is hee that will not complaine when he must die and howle and cry when he must leaue this world who will say from his heart I haue liued a great while this then is the part of an vnthankfull man who is not contented with the time hee hath liued Grieue not because thou must dy that thou must leaue thy wife and children thy lands and lordships and all things else behinde thee say not thou woe is mee woe is mee that I must die and must thou so 2. King 12 what then It is the nature of a man to die it is no punishment when thou camest first into the world it was vpon this condition that thou shouidest once goe out againe this life is but peregrination for when thou hast walked vnto the end of thy iourney thou must then returne backe nay it is the part of a foole and a dastard to feare that which by no meanes can bee auoided many are gone before thee and many shall goe after thee and thou must knowe that thy life is not thine owne thnu art onely vita commodatus and not donatus thy life is onely lent vnto thee thou hast not a lease thereof thou art but a tenant at will Grieue not at the remembrance of death for death it selfe cannot be greeuous seeing that it is but once it bringeth all happinesse with it and to the godly it is a verie great aduauntage But must thou die indeede if Godly then be glad if wicked repent no man I trow wil speak against death saue he who hath a guiltie conscience death indeed makes this man tremble quake but thou shalt hardly see an honest man vnwilling to die Yet another disc ontented bloud cries out alas what must I dyin my youthfull daies how sottish and how ignorant art thou tell me what is not a commoditie sweetest when as it commeth vnexpected nay death doth euen as well appertaine to youth as vnto old age the Lambs skin comes euen as soon to the market as the sheeps And it makes no matter how many yeres thou hast to liue but how many thou hast liued then if thou canst liue no longer that is thine old age and this the state and condition of all mankinde euen to die at last SECT 108. For such as are slandered YEt another grieues because hee is slaundered so that me thinks there is neuer an heauenly minded man amongst vs art thou slaundered if guiltlesse reioyce if guiltie amend wilt thou grieue at slaunders thou must knowe that no good man will slaunder thee and wouldest thou bee praised of euill men I tell thee to bee commended of them is as bad as to be commended for euill dooing Themistocles did neuer any famous thing in all his life time Senec de odio Inuid or yet what was praise-worthy and yet did no man euer speake against him Oftentimes haue I saw cankers gnawing the greenest and freshest leaues and oftentimes haue I likewise saw enuie pricking those especially that were godly and religious be thou then of good comfort if Cicero if Scipio if Cato if Dauid if Salomon if Peter if Paul or if any of the Prophets or Apostles if any good man should speake euill of thee then hadst thou some cause to grieue but these as malitious vipers doe enuie thy
their effect Tell me then my soule what that soule shall obteine in heauen which suffers crosses patiētly here on earth tell me my soule what shal there be cast vpon her Ecch. Honour SECT 120 The reward of such as are patient in troubles ANd what can bee a greater dignitie then to be cloathed with the brightnesse of GOD then to be indued with immortalitie and what can be a greater grace or an higher felicitie to any soule then to see God face to face for his face is the fulnesse of all beatitude to see him that made both heauen and earth to see him that made thy seife to see him that redeemed thee and glorified thee for in seeing him thou shalt possesse him in possessing him thou shalt loue him in louing him thou shalt praise him for hee is the inheritance of his people he is the possession of their felicitie their reward their crowne of glorie in him our soules shall finde all wisdome all beautie all riches all delight all goodnesse whatsoeuer whatsoeuer deserueth loue or admiration or worketh pleasure and contentation Briefly in this kingdome there shall bee ioy without sadnesse health without sicknesse life without labour light without darkenes felicity without abatement all goodnesse without any euill loe thus shal he be blessed that patiently indureth crosses troubles and afflictions their youth florisheth and neuer waxeth olde life that knoweth no end beautie that neuer fadeth loue that neuer cooleth health that neuer diminisheth ioy that neuer ceaseth a song of gladnesse that neuer endeth there shal we sing reioice for euer happie are they Psal 83. saith Dauid that liue in thy house for they shall praise thee eternally there shall we sing vnto that blessed Trinitie God the Father God the sonne and God the holy Ghost we shall sing and cry Aleiluia Aleiluiah world without end Awake now my soule rouse vp thy selfe and arise call to thy friends and companions that wee may all goe together and heare the spirituall talke betweene Christ and his poore afflicted members make hast my soule for I heare the comfortable speeches of my redeemer sounding in my eares alreadie A DIALOGVE BETWEENE CHRIST and his Church afflicted by which wee may easily see what Christ doth require of those that suffer persecution for his name-sake and how they ought to behaue themselues in afflictions Christus IN mee yee shall haue peace Iohn 16.33 in the world ye shal haue affliction but bee of good comfort I haue ouercome the world Ecclesia afflicta Lord increase our faith Luke 17.5 Chr. Come vnto me all ye that are wearie and laden Matt. 11.28 and I will ease you Eccl. Master to whom shall we goe to els Iohn 6.68 thou hast the words of eternall life Christ Follow me Mat. 4.19 Eccles Master I will follow thee whithersoeuer thou goest Mat. 8.19 Christ I am the good Shepheard Iohn 10.11 Eccles We were as the good sheep going astray 1 Pet. 2.25 but are now returned to the Shepheard and bishop of our soules Christ I am the light of the world Iohn 8.12 Eccles Lord lighten my eyes least they behold death Christ I am the way Iohn 14.6 Eccles Shew vs the way of thy truth Ps 119.33 teach mee O Lord the way of thy statutes and I will keepe it vnto the end Chr Blessed are ye that weep now Luke 6.21 Eccles The Lord shall wipe clean away all teares from our eyes Reuel 21. Christ Blessed are yee when men hate you Luke 6.22 Eccles If I should please men I were not the seruant of Christ Gal. 1.10 Christ Blessed are the pure in Mat. 5.8 heart for they shall see God Eccles Create in me a new heart O Lord. Psalme 50. Christ Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake Mat. 5.10 for theirs is the kingdome of heauen Eccles I suffer all thinges for the elects sake 2. Ti. 2.10 Christ Lay vp treasures for your selues in heauen Mat. 6.20 Eccl. Our conuersation is in heauē Phil. 3.20 Christ Wo be to you when all men speake well of you Luke 6.26 Eccles Wee ought rather to obey God then men Act. 5.20 Christ Reioice and be glad for great is your reward in heauen Mat. 5.12 Eccl There is laid vp for mee the crown of righteousnes 2. Tim. 4.8 which the Lord shall giue me at that day Christ My sheepe heare my voice Iohn 10.27 Eccl If an angel of heauen preach vnto vs any other gospell Gal. 1.8 let him be accursed Christ I came not to cal the righteous but sinners to repentance Mat. 9.13 Eccles This is a true saving 1. Tim. 1.15 This is a true saving and by all means worthy to be receiued that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners of whome I am the chiefe Christ If any man will follow me Mat. 16.24 let him forsake himselfe and take vp his Crosse and follow me Eccles I am able to do all things through Christ Phil. 4.13 which strengthneth me Christ He that beleeueth in mee shall neuer die Ioh. 11.26 Eccles I beleeue that thou art Christ the sonne of the liuing God Iohn ib. Christ Whosoeuer shall humble himselfe as a little childe Mat. 18 4. the same is the greatest in the kingdome of heauen Eccles Wee are vnprofitable sernants Luke 17.10 wee haue done but that which was our duetie to doe Iohn 6.32 Christ My father giueth you the true bread from heauen Eccles Lord euermore giue vs this bread John 6.34 Christ Whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall giue him Iohn 4.14 shall neuer be more a thirst Eccles Sir giue me of that water that I may not thirst Iohn 4.15 Christ Feare not my little flocke Luke 12.32 Eccles O Lord in thee haue I trusted let me neuer bee confounded Christ Pray for them that hurt you and persecute you Mat. 5.44 Eccles Lord lay not this sinne to their charge Act. 7 60 Christ Hee that loueth father or Mother more then hee loueth me Mat. 7.37 is not worthy of me Eccles When my Father and my Mother forsooke me Psal 27.10 thou Lord tookest me vp Christ I came not to send peace but the sword Mat. 10.34 Eceles Who shal seperate vs from the loue of Christ Rom. 8.35 shall tribulation or anguish or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword c. Christ Ye shall weepe and mourn but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Iohn 16.20 Eccles I account that the afflictions of this present life are not worthy of the glorie Rom. 1.18 that shall bee shewed vnto vs. Christ Where I am John 12.26 there shall also my seruant be Eccles I desire to bee loosed Phil. 1.23 and to be with Christ Christ Hee that loueth his life shall loose