COme neere, my best of Pu­pills, the flower of my School; as besides your publick Lectures have dictated unto you many things in private, for your profit in hearing and reading, by re­membring; your eare more then your eye, [Page 2]being the sence of Knowledge: so as a tri­all of your wit to attaine, and memory to retaine, what I lately Dialoguized with you; now play the pretty talking Eccho, and before your father and your friends, resonate our discussions: and wherin your memory is short, (like some Minister of much reading in his Pulpit) read the rest in your Notes.

I thanke you Sir, that I am so much in your Bookes, as to afford mee the benefit of my Booke with Notes: I note it as a speciall favour and amongst the rest of my studies, I will study to deserve it.

Not to plucke the least feather out of the wings of Time, what thing hath per­fection, but not period, in Unity?

God, ens ontium, the thing of things, the Alpha and Omega, beginning of beginnings, and end without end, an U­nity of Essence in a Trinity of Persons, as one and the same light, in the Sun, Moone, and Starres; one and the same fire in three kindled stickes, one and the same flame in three lighted candles, one soule in man in three faculties; so three persons in one God: three in one, a Trinity of persons, in [Page 3]an unity of Essence, in Triune Jehovah E­lohim.

What things are sole and alone without Dualls or Pluralls, besides this Tri­une God?

One humane nature, one divine nature, making one Messias, (as body and soule make one man) one sole-justifying fayth, one Christ, one immortall spirit in man, one true Church of Saints militant in earth, one of saints and spirits triumphant in Heaven, one Arke in the Sanctuary, one of Noah, (types of one Church) one sun, one moone, one way, one truth, one life, one salvation, one rocke to build on, one Phaenix writ on, one Baptism to beleevers, (not to bee reiterated in Cyprians errour) and one Bible to be beleeved and rested on, as the rest & touchstone of all our facts and faith; without building on the sands of Popes erring, Councels, Fathers, Supersti­tions, and Traditions bogging and sinking thousands of soules into that bottomlesse pit which sends forth Locusts of Jesuits, Familists, new Donatists, Enthusiasts, Swinckfeldians, and all Hell hatcht Here­tiques.

In what things for use may a wise modest, and moderate man, terminate and limit his will and desire in one?

In the prime place, in one God, crushing (as the Arke did Dagon) all Pa­ganish, Turkish, and Popish deities: one Christ weighing downe to hell, all old and new Antichrists, one Orthodoxe truth dis­solving all errors and heresies, as the sunne mists and clouds.

And what more?

One good horse is enough for a journey by Land, one stauncht ship, as a Sea-horse for the Sea, one good Pilot for a ship, one Pastour for my soule, one Physiti­an for my body, a Tutor for my learning, a booke for my present reading.

What booke should that be, as your choice delight besides the Bible? Such as Homer was to Alexander, Tertultian to Cyprian, Quintus Curtius to Alphonsus, and Livie to Prontisperge.

In History, as you told me, to bee confined unto one booke it should be Pli­ny, or Diodovus Siculus, or Gesner, or all e­pomitizing Zuinglius. In Morality, Plu­tarchs Ethicks, Picolomineus, in positive [Page 5]Divinity, Calvins Institutions, or Polanus Syntagme, or the workes of Zanchy, or Gerauld: for Logick, Keckerman or Dow­nam on Ramus: for Rhetorick Vossius, for common places, Peter Martyr, or Are­tius, or Musculus: for Philosophy, Zaba­rell: for witty passages the French Stevens his translated World of Wonders, or Boc­cace his Decamerou, or the Queene of Na­varres Novells, or the Bee Hive of the Ro­mish Church.

What Catechismes did I tell you, were best to acquaint you with the Funda­mentalls of Religion?

Ʋrsinus and Bastingius Cate­chismes, which now speake English: that of Mr. Ball, and the Lancashire Ministers, purposely compiled for Families: those for brevity compiled by Mr. Perkins, Eger­ton, Burton, chiesly the large Body of Di­vinity, by the learned Primate, deserving prime place: and next to it in our tongue, the Questions and Answers of Dr Babing­ton, on the Creed, Lords Prayer, and Ten Commandements.

What parents trayned up their children and families in the Rudiments of [Page 6]Religion in private, as Origen, and Didi­mus Alexandrinus in Alexandria, Ʋrsi­nus in Belgia, and others in publique.

Adam trayned so his sacrificing Abel, Abraham his Isaac, his soldiers and servants, Joshua his houshold, David his, Job his, Buthshebah her Solomon, Helena her Constantine, Macrina her nurse-child St. Basil, Monicah her Augustine, Auna her consecrated Samuel, Euuice and Lois good Timothy, with others, who prooved excellent instruments of Gods glory, in their times and great comforts to their Pa­rents.

What is the heart and minde of a Childe nakedly in it selfe considered?

Its white paper, fit to take any writing, soft wax fit for any impression, tabula vasa, a playne board or stone fit for any carving or sculpture, a new vessell fit for any seasoning, with bad tarre and smel­ling oyles, or sweet wines, and white Cloth fit for any colour or tincture in dy­ing.

But to reflex a little further on your Unities, what onely one may content a wise man, as a Sculler without a fellow?

One Caesar in Rome, one Generall in a Campe, as one Master Bee in a Hive, one Master in a house, one friend like Joua­than, Socrates or Crates the Thebane, to converse with, one Plato in stead of all, one Cato to consult with, one Fedus Achates to walke with, one wise Abigail, or patient Grizel, or Willobeyes Avisa, or Overbu­ries Wife, described to live with, and that Wife to have but one good tongue to talke with; many tongues of Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, in a woman, being suspitious to be all good, oft breeding a Babels confusion.

What is the first thing that lives in Man?

His heart, which is also sayd to be the last that dies, as in some women the tongue is the last which moves, aut metiun­tur Poetae.

What is the tamer of all shrewes?

Not words nor swords, nor blows, which quiet a Zantippe, as stones throwne at an angry dog, or red colors, Turky cocks and Unicornes, but Morpheus or Mors, death or deadly sleep, which makes a shrew a sheep, a sounding vowell, as silent as a [Page 8]Turkish mute.

What creatures begin their workes in the midst?

All Birds, and Swallowes their nests, the silke wormes their clewes, the bees their honey-combes, and the spiders their webs, as in generation God first fra­med the heart in the midst of man, and in regeneration infuseth grace into that midst as was seene in the Jewes pricked and re­pentant, and in the Aethiopian Eunuch, beleeving first in their hearts, ere grace was knowne and showne in their lives, Rom. 10. v. 10.

What is it for meere Legall Preach­ers to preach and presse duties to bee done, and sinnes to be left and loathed, to carnall Auditors, ere ever they know or feele the power of Fayth, or Evangelicall Repent­ance, the roots of duties, and the conque­ [...]rs of corruptions, Heb. 11.6. John 15.1.2.3.4. 1. John 5.4

This is to require an apple ere there be an ingrafted tree, an egge where there is no hen, breathing where there is no soul, yea to expect sucking and crying in a dead child, Eph. 2.1. Musicke in Organ-pipes, [Page 9]where be no blowing bellowes, feeling in a woodden leg, and an eye of glasse, where there is no participation of vitall and ani­mall spirits, and to looke for fruit of dead trees, dried up, cut downe, and withered, this meerely sets the cart before the horse, the effect before the cause, and will needes bring forth a son to God, to beleeving A­braham, Gal. 3.7. and a daughter to Sarah, ere there be any mother, or any regenera­ting immortall seed, 1. Pet. 1.21. in which most of our strict stearne Legall and austere Ministers, who neither experimentally know Christ, nor how to reveale him to o­thers, goe in a tract to convert soules, as if they should walke with their heads down­ward, and heeles upward, or reare up a firme house without a foundation, urging morall duties to unbeleevers, which honest Pagans Jewes and Turkes have done, and may doe to no purpose without a Christ, Acts 4.12. Matth. 15.13. Acts 10.43.

What is the best knowledge in a Preacher?

As in a Physitian that which is ex­perimentall, drawing that which he prea­cheth and presseth to others, as the spider [Page 10]her webs, and the silkeworme her clew, out of the bowels of his owne experience, without which he talks as a Parret by rote, connes by heart his part and his Quew, like a Player, patcheth up as a Taylour his shreds, what he can scrape and snap from Polyanthea, Granateusis his Silva, and eve­ry Author; and often as the eccho of Mr. Perkins, Smith, Bisiald, Taylour, Bayne, Greenham, Dike, Deering, repeats as good Sermons, or homely Homelies, as any hee can buy for money.

Whats the best Embleme of a Prea­cher?

A Cocke, first clapping his wings to awaken himselfe, then crowing to awa­ken others; like that Cocke which preacht Christs rehearsall Sermon to Peter, peceant and penitent.

Whats the best Embleme of a good Hearer?

First, to be as swift to heare, as slow to speake, and as studious to meditate, as the Scholars of Pythagoras, or Thomas Aquinas (of a long time called Bos mutus, a dumbe Oxe, for his silent Soliloquies) as is sayd of yong Nightingales, that they sit [Page 11]solitarily on boughes, and repeat by them­selves, what notes and tones they heare from the old ones. Camerarius reports the like of Elephants, musing on their Masters lessons, directing their dancings on hard stones, to the sound of musick.

What helps did I prescribe you for Memory, with the reasons that most re­member Sermons no better?

First, want of attention, their wan­dring eyes or walking tongues carrying their hearts a woolgathering from their eares, whereas a History, Musicke, and Ser­mons, should have strict attention, Luke 4.20 21.

Secondly, the seed of the word is choa­ked with the thornes of carking cares, Luke 8.7. or drowned in the bogges and quags of lusts, or washt out of their minds with the lutulent waters of sensuall thoughts, or overgrowne with weeds of wrath, James 1.21.

Thirdly, one nayle drives out another; the rusty nayle of the world, the golden nayle of the word; carnall discourses cau­sing forgetting of that in the Church-yard, which they got in the Church: their streams [Page 12]turned into other torrents, makes their hearts so dry, their lives so barren and their braynes so shallow.

Fourthly, want of love to the word: for had a man as many children, as Ahab and Prianus, a schoolemaster as many scholars as Jo. Scotus, Erigona, or Orbilius once, or Ramus, they would bee remembred, be­cause all are loved; it being no marvel, that Cynus, Mitloridates, and Scipio, remembred their souldiers names so well, because their hearts were upon them, and they loved them as well as Alexander and Caesar their souldiers, whom they called their Commi­litones, fellow-soldiers.

Fisthly, want of compunction, because their hearts are not pricked, nor their con­sciences wounded in hearing, nor cut with the sword of the spirit, Heb. 4.12. Jer. 22.29. more then the Smiths Anvile or the scales of a Dragon, harder for beating and hammering, being unmelted with the fire, their hearts take no print; for a man re­members where, when, and how, hee was wounded, by pike, sword, or pistoll, all the dayes of his life.

Sixthly, want of practice; the souldier [Page 13]scarce forgetting the postures he hath lear­ned to practice.

Seventhly, there is oft most fault in Prea­chers, 1. eyther in their dull and dead prea­ching, without light, life, or power, which charmes them asleepe, as Mercuries pipe did Argus; 2 or stupifies them as Henbane doth payned teeth. 3. Or clawes them like Tygers to a tamenesle, 4. or sowes pillows under their elbowes for the drowsie naps of security, 5. or by their immethodicall luxate and unoynted preaching, they lose themselves and hearers, method being the mother of Memory: 6. or by too high and sublime preaching, they intangle their hea­rers in intricate Laborinths and Meanders, out of which they cannot unwinde them­selves: 7. or their truantly reading their Sermons, like words from a faint sick man, making no impression: in egregious folly calling on their hearers to remember their Sermons, when they cannot remēber them themselves: or lastly, the fowles of the ayr picke up the uncovered seeds, as soone as they be sowen: and therfore as when gold and plate is stoln, men cry Theeves, theeves, those who presently forget what they [Page 14]heare, may cry, the Divel, the Divel.

These rules I did dictate unto you, as removalls of the Remoraes and obstru­ctions, both to youth and to yeares, in re­membring of Sermons, and you doe well to remember them, and yet you have not repeated all.

Indeed Sir, I finde what you told me, that my memory was like a Sive or a Riddle, which leakes out the pure water, and keeps in the dirt and drosse. I can re­member toyes and tales, and Ballads, and bables, better then solid matter; as weake stomackes be more fild oft with wind then with good meat, and as a childs pocket is sild with trash and pibble stones, rather then with gold and good things. Yet now I call to minde some other Rules you pre­scribed to my memory.

Tanaom aliquaudo, let us further heare them.

I must as a main helpe to memory, meditare of what I heare or read; medita­tion chewing the cud, digesting all mentall cares, and turning them in succum & san­guinem, into bloud and nutriment, Ps. 1.3. For want of meditation, the word heard [Page 15]or read, takes no more impression then a serpents way over a stone, an Eagle in the ayre, or a ship in the sea: like the sands which run in an houre-glasse, out in one houre, as they run in, in another; that run­ning out at one eare, which comes in at another.

Secondly, you prescribed me conference, which brings much to light, as the reper­cussions of steele and flint, bring forth fire, and as laying of sticke to sticke, and coale to coale, both keepe in fires, and as beg­gars every one of them bringing severall scraps, make a beggars feast, so it is when hearers meet and confer notes, (not of Randalls Aristippus, or Aristotle, but) of Sacred Scripture and Sermons.

Thirdly, noting and quoting (by pen­ning) principall heads of Sermons: and af­ter recollecting and examining them, as the noble Bereaus did, Acts 11. is a tryed help to memory, that being most tenatiously re­vited and infixed, which is done by most circumstances: one circumstance like links in a golden chaine drawing on another, pull one, the rest follow.

Fourthly, Hearts must bee free from [Page 16]cares, griefes, sorrow, feare, boyling anger, and all passions, perturbations, and regnant lusts, which fill the mind as puddle waters fill the Vessells, and keepe out the Rosa so­lis, and the true Aqua vita of the Word, it being hard to see any face reflexed fayre in a lentulent and troubled water.

Fifthly, its both a triall of a sincere heart and love to the Word, and a helpe to the memorative faculty, to give the word heard, the prime and first place in the thoughts and cogitations of the heart. In our first morning wakings when the mind is most cleared, and the braine least cloud­ed, then a heart opening to the Word, as the Marygold to the Sunne, brings a great stocke to the treasury of Knowledge, and to the Magazine of Memory.

Sixthly, as usur promtos facit, use makes perfect; use legges and have legges, the child first creeps and then goes; so use me­mory and have memory. Augustine by often preaching prosited, and by prositing preached; and Miloes shoulders not by a­ny increased strength, but by dayly, con­stant exercise, bore a Calfe till it grew to a ponderous Bull. And in the Art of Memo­ry, [Page 17]those yong Tirees who have begun at first to lodge but seven or eight wordes in a chamber, which they ever bear as an Idea in their mindes, in few dayes by degrees have lodged thirty, forty, fifty, or sixty, not onely wordes but sentences in the upper middle, and lower places of the said cham­ber devided into severall Continents, and its probable that Seneca, Cyrus, Hortonsius, Portius, Latro, and our Doctour Fuller, with others famoused for memory, attain­ned their perfections by such degrees pre­scribed.

Seventhly, it brings no small adjument to memory, presently ere any action be in­tervenient, to strike whilst the Iron is hot, and to set the Seale whilst the Waxe is soft, in writing downe what ere wee can re­member as soone as ever it is heard; for though writing by characters or at large be more gainefull as communicable to others, yet it so takes away or duls the edge of af­fection in a ducerted course, turning the care into a pen, that for to heat devotion its more powerfull to heare attentively, and to write what wee receive retentively, af­ter wee have pondered what wee heard.

Eightly, you told mee, for remembring other Classicall Authours, whether divine or humane; it was most profitable to ex­tract the very marrow and quintessence of them into short Epitomes and Abridge­ments, as some have abridged Calvins In­stitutions, and some Master Rogers his Di­rectories, as Lucius Florus, Livies Histo­ry.

Ninthly, some to remember some Au­thour have transcribed him wholly, as De­mosthenes writ out Thucidides eight times.

Tenthly, some have read over an Au­thour very often, as Cyprian did Tertulli­an, and Alphonsus the Bible foureteene times, as its sayd in one yeare.

Eleaventhly, others have committed to memory whole bookes, or parcells of them, as some the booke of the Psalmes, some yonger Boyes and Girles in our Times all the Epistles of St. Paul.

Twelfthly, some have extracted out of the Bible all the Promises, as Mistresse Alice Fenuick; some all the parallell places, as Junius; some all that mainely confute Popery, as Pelargus in his Jesuitismus, and the zealous Father of Sir James Ware in Ireland.

Thirteenthly, others have ripened their Judgements, and strengthned their Memo­ries by translating Authours, as Calvins Institutions, and his Comments on Job, Pareus his Comments on the Revelations, Musculus and Peter Martyrs Common places, Philemon Holland, Plutarks Lives and Morralls, Plinny, Suetonius (not suffe­red to bee Tranquillus) our Tapsell, Ges­ners History, with others, which Plebe­ians read, rather then understand in our English tongue.

Fourteenthly, others have incorporated other Authours into their owne stiles, and moulded them into their memories by a neere imitation of them, as Theocritus in this kinde imitated Hesiod, Virgil, Homer, our Laureat, Spencer, and the Latine Lu­can, Virgil, Doctour Hall, Seneca, Gesner, Pliuny, our late Aeobanus Hessus, and our Draiton, and Daniell, Ovid, and Coquier, Lipsius in his Politicall Aphorismes.

Fifteenthly, its advantagious to memo­ry, to take the opportunity of the morning, which is sayd to bee Musis amica, ever a friend to the Muses; studies and serious recollections after a full and free repast, in [Page 20]a dinner, chiefly night studies being as pre­judiciall to the braine as to the body.

Sixteenthly, you acquainted mee also with some helpes in dyet, as amongst the rest such a moderate use of mine, as Paul prescribes to his Timothy, 1 Tim. 5. and the Mother of Solomon to her Lamuel, Prov. 31. Secondly, Birds whose bloods by reason of often motion bee more pure then the waterish blood of Fishes, or grosser bloods of Beasts. Thirdly, of Birds the wilde, of Teale, Duck, Mallard, Pheasant, Partridge, rather then the tame, though as the Fryer sayd, who desired but the legge of a Capon, and the wing of a Goose with the braines of a Woodcock, neither comes amisse. Fourthly, for flesh, Veales, Mut­tons, Pigs, Rabbets, and these of purer bloods, and lighter digestion then Beeves, Porkes, Bulls, or such as dainty Dames call the grosser Butchers ware. Fiftly, of wild Venisons, Hares, Deere, Stags, Roe-Bucks, rather those which are hunted, then shot with Peeces and kild (as many Innocents) by clublaw. Sixtly, of all kinde of flesh, rather that which is roast, (which dries up the humidities) then what is sodde, whose [Page 21]strength goes into the broath. Seventhly, the often eating of Raisins of the Sunne, Candid Ginger, Coriander prepared, Chest­nuts, and all Stypticks. Eighthly, the of­ten mistication and clawing of white fran­kincense called Olybanum, the anointing of the head, with that which is called the Philosophers Oyle, the speedy expulsion of all excrements from the braine by the nose, from the body by the draught, or by urim, often frication and rubbing of the head with a Scarlet or Linnen cloth moderately warm'd, as also the oft washing the head with the sweetest Hearbes, and the feete with the decoction of Fennell, the leaves of Laurell, and Camomile, with the use of Buglesse, how ever it be taken. Ninthly, moderate exercise before meate as a prepa­rative to a supping or dining stomack, and after meate as a digestive, with washing the hands chiefely in Rose-water, which washing though some scoffe it before meat to bee Pharisaicall, though after meate Phi­sicall, yet neither before nor after (even Fish and Oysters) may bee thought slovin­nicall, and intrinching on Gorbianus and Gorbiana, hee and shee slovens, though in­deed [Page 22]above all these prescribed.

Who usually have the weakest me­mories?

Old men, by reason of the too much drynesse, Children by reason of too much moysture in their braines, Drunkards by too much in their bellies, which not on­ly rots the Livers of such wicked livers, as Raines and Mildewes rot the Livers of Hares, Deere, Sheepe, and Rabbits: But as thick fogges from an Irish bogge, ascend from the lower Region of their bellies, to the upper Region of their clouded and dul­led braines; withall sick men by the com­motions of their spirits, and distemper of their heads; especially timerous and fear­full [Page 23]ones, whose heads are in their tremb­ling hearts, and hearts in their heeles, have seldome so good memories as the sound and couragious; neither have the melancholy in their thickned blood, and clouded spi­rits, so strong memories as the sanguine in their purified bloods and spirits.

What things are obnoxious to me­mory, besides these wee have already dis­cussed?

The greedy gulphing of all raw fruites, with the use of Vinegar, or Wine aegar, is as farre short of sweete Wines, Malmsie, Muscadines, Greeke Wines, Ca­nary Sacks, and Vivium Cos, for memory, as Eringoes, and hot Drugges, are short of cold Lettice, steeped Rew, Tobacco, and Agnus Castus, for Chastity. Withall the too much ingurgitations of meates and drinks in our Gluttons, and Hellicons Hogs of Epicurus his stye, drowne both their mindes and memories in Hogsheads, as the Duke of Clarence once in a Butt of Sack: Much sleepe also like a Dormouse, or the Beast Colus after Rut, and the Mauritani­an Asses, after their Hemlocks stupisies the memorative faculties; so doe also all meats [Page 24]which are grosse and of hard digestion: chiefly the immoderate use of Venus, which dulls the braine, spends, spoyls, and soyls the vitall and animall spirits; and shor­tens life, as we know in the Cock sparrow the quaile, and other salatious Creatures: withall no lesse obnoxious to memory, are all sharpe vaporous liquids from Onions, Garlicks, Mustard seed: as also our too cold and moyst Cucumbers, water Cresses, and Sorrells.

Lastly, many things accidentally hurt memory: as the corrupting of it, when the species of things past are forgotten; as also the diminution of it, by accidentall passions, sicknesses, and diseases: or the ablation of it utterly lost, by the wounding of the braine or some part of it: hence, be­sides many brain-sicke Heretickes, whose brains had need be purged, with Helibore (chiefely our new Seekers beyond the moone for some fift Gospell, like that once of the Carmalites; as though the Religion of the Prophets and Apostles were imper­fect) wee have some other Fantasticks, called men of crackt and crazy brains.

Hence we have so many learned, [Page 25]and famoused men in Authours, quite lo­sing their memory, and turning as oblivi­ous as the Ostridge which forgets her eggs which she hath hid in the sands, upon seve­rall occasions: as Bambo the King of the Gothes, by a draught of poyson admini­stred unto him by Heringius his successor. Gregory Trapezuntius by old age forget­ting all letters, both Greeke, and Latine; which was also the case of Francis Barba­rus the learned Venetian, and of Orbilius the great Gramarian, and some by a cold Palsie, as Lycosthenes, Anno Dens 1555. who lost his memory, as Nabuchaanez­zar lost his Reason for seven years; and after recovered it: some by long sicknesse, as Messala Corvinus after a long sicknesse forgetting his owne name: as those nomi­nated with others are recorded more large­ly, by Solinus, cap. 7. Polihist Pliny, lib. 7. hist cap. 24. Sabellicus, lib. 10. cap. 9. Volaterau lib. 21. Authrop, and Valerius, lib. 1. cap. 8.

Therefore the summe of all this is, that all hearers of the Word, all students in hu­manity, and Divinity, should by frequent and fervent prayer, be Petitioners to the [Page 26]Throne of Grace, to the giver of all gifts, both generall and speciall, common and sanctified; that he who gave wisedome to Solomon, tongues to the Apostles, inspira­tions to the Prophets, a mouth unto Aaron, the door of utterance unto Paul, eloquence to Apollo, and gifts unto men when he as­cended up unto heaven, Eph. 4.12. would in mercy bestow his spirit upon them, not onely to enlighten their understandings as the Sunne doth the aire, and to open their eyes, Acts 26.18. as he did the Disciples, Acts 24 and their hearts, as he did Lidiaes, Acts 16. and to lead them into all Truth, Joh. 16.13. but to strengthen their memo­ries according to his promise, Joh. 14.26. as he did the memories of his Disciples, Joh. 2.22. and of his Virgin Mother, who hid all his words in her heart, Luke 2.51. without this influence of Grace on our hea­rings, and readings, as the fruite of prayer, all the means for memory prescribed be but in vaine, 1 Cor. 3.6.7. and by prayer watering them, our poor prescriptions may be blessed. Quod omen exoptat Hierony­mus Ecclesiastes Greenewickensis.

COme my ingenious Pupill, as I have put your Brothers wits and memory to the test and touchstone: So to make some experience of yours to passe the time this Winter night in the best pastime to your Parents and Friends, I re­quire you to repeate unto mee, what you writ lately from my dictates unto you?

By the helpe of my Notes I hope Sir, I shall answer your Demands: for I assure you I have not left out, nor lost any [Page 28]thing out of them which I heard from you.

Then you have like most Schoole­boyes tosesm in saculo all in your satchell.

No Sir, all in my Pocket, though not in my Pate.

It seemes you begin betimes to poc­ket up a great wrong to your memory?

No Sir, I desire to alleadge, scrip­turus est, & litera scripta manet, cum verba volaut; words are but winde, but writ­ings are firme, Authentick, and obligatory, paper chaines being oft stronger then those of Iron, in this Iron Age full of Ire, and full of Iron.

It seemes you trust more to your writings, like Scriveners, Brokers, and U­surers, then to your wits like a Schollar: As some Preachers have their Sermons, and some Players their Parts (which they con) more in their Notes (as men of note and great readings) then in their hearts, trust­ing their bookes more then their braines, in which posture, as some Mercers with their debts, and some cold Christians with their prayers you booke all; for take them from their booke-formes which they follow, as Boyes their written Coppies, and Girles [Page 29]their Samplers, and you take props from hops, Crutches from Cripples, and Oakes from Ivies.

Indeede Sir, I thought a man sand­blinde might have used his Spectacles, and a lame man his crutches, and a weake me­mory some Notes?

They are Notes indeed of a weake memory, but howsoever since it will bee no better, I grant you your booke.

Its a great mercy Sir, in a Judge to a Prisoner, though I hope my tongue hath not broke the Jayle, nor like a Gen­tleman Usher gone before my wits.

You are a pretty Sparke, and since you can finde your tongue so soone, and (as a womanish weapon) wield it so well, tell mee why the tongue is not joyned to the heating, seeing, smelling, touching, and tasting, as a sixt sence?

Because as a Bedlam or mad man, or rather mad women, Lingua being of the Foeminine Gender, it oft runs wilde Goose chase after Sir Gregory Non-sence.

But to render further your Repeti­tion Lecture, how many eyes have you?

Not so many Sir, as Argus, or a Lamprey, only two.

How many hands have you?

Fewer then Briareus, only two.

How many feet?

Not so many as a Gnat, and the Po­etizing pediculus in her hexametrizing feet.

How many eares have you?

Though I never saw them whether they bee long like Midas his eares, or short like a Mouse, yet I am sure I have but two.

How many Tongues?

One?

Why have you two legges, two hands, two eyes, two eares, and but one tongue?

Because one is enough, if it bee a good one, two tongues being as needlesse as two strings at once to a bow, two Hor­ses for one man in a little journey by Land, or two wooden horses by Sea.

And why besides?

Because as I have but one tongue, it should only expresse the thoughts of one heart, without playing at Doublets, by Jesuiticall Equivocation doubling, as is writ of Pope Alexander the sixt, and Caeser Borgias his Bastard son (Machiavills pat­ternes of his politick Prince) that the one [Page 31]never spoke as hee thought, the other ne­ver thought as hee spoke, their wordes and thoughts (like Germaines lippes) being nine miles a sunder.

And what more?

I have two Ears, to heare much; two eyes, to see much; two hands, to work much; two legs, to walk much; and but one tongue to talk little, according to the old Caution; Aude, vide, tace; si velis vivere pace: hear, see, and say the best, if thou wilt live in peace and rest: let not the Ware-house of thy heart, all to thy tongues shop impart.

To reflex a little further upon your sences: What Creature hath quicker sight than Man?

The Hauke, the Eagle, the Serpent Epidaurus, and the Lynceus, which is said to penetrate even sollid bodyes.

What Creatures exceed man in smelling.

The Dog, the Fox, the Swine, the Badger, the Puttock, the Vulture, who will smell carrion as far off, as a thiefe will smell a Purse, or a wife man a Rat, call'd a Knave mask'd in the habit of honesty.

Who exceed Man in exquisite tou­ching?

The Spider, who feels the least touch in her Webbe (as a wife man feeles the least touch on his name and reputation) though some man hath an exquisite touch on a Lute and Instrument, as an artificiall supply in this sense

Who exceed Man in hearing?

The Hart, the Hare, the Boare, and the Moale; yea almost every Beast and Byrds, chiefly in these times, in which it is hard to heare any good news.

Who heare the worst?

Kings and Tyrants, such as Dio­nisius once, Herod, Alexander, and such as delight like Tygers to be clawed by flat­terers, who seldome or never heare the truth told them by their Court Scycophants in private, or Ahabs Chaplains, and Jeza­bels Priests in publique.

Who are most blinde?

Those that will not see Woods for trees; also those that like the Pharisees, the Laodiceans, and self-conceited fooles, think they see when they are more blinde then Beetles, and Moales, and those who [Page 33]suffer their eyes to bee put out with white and yellow dust blowne into them as high as the seate of Justice: Like some Ormon­dized Grandees in Ireland, who could not see Kernes and Rebels inclosed in some Castles (as Cacus, and five Kings of Mi­dian in their Caves) but let them flye out, as Woodcocks in a Mist:

But who were those, who being blinde saw more then those that had eyes?

Sampson, who never saw his folly with Dalilah, and the Harlot of Zoreck, till his eyes were out.

Who else?

Mauritius and Zedekias who ne­ver saw so far into Gods justice on their sins, as when the first was blinded by Pho­cas, the other by the Caldeans vexation giving understanding, as it did to Manas­ses, David, Adonizebeck the Gospels Pro­digall, and many more.

And who else?

Blinde Homer, blinde Didimus, Alexandrinus, blinde Mr. Fisher late of Cambridge, who saw more internally then most that had eyes externally, as a blinde man cured by Christ, saw more then the [Page 34]occular Pharisees, John 9. and a blinde man burned in Queene Maries time, saw more into Gods truth then bloody Bonner, Bi­shop Morgan, Gardiner, Fryer Alphou­sus, and all the Sons of the scarlet Whore.

But who saw as clearely by night as by day?

Some say Scanderbeg, Tamberlaine, and Tiberius Caesar, as though they had the eyes of Fowmarts, Ferrits, Wolves, Foxes, and Rats, yea of Draytons Owle (the Em­bleme once of an occular Courtier) who saw not onely day at a little hole, but so cleare in the night in Queene Elizabeths Time, that shee needed not Diogenes his Candle, nor the dark Lanthorn of a Faux, or our Catilinarian Firebrands; but not to come too neere to Courts nor Camps, lest Guns and Cannons deafe us that wee can­not heare, flashes and lightnings blinde us that we cannot see the truth at noone day.

To returne to the Creatures, which of them in the nearest Sympathy love the dearest?

The Olive and the Pine, the Mir­tle and the Rose, the Ivy and the young Oake amongst Plants.

Who amongst Birds?

The Doves and the Peacocks, the Felfars & Stares who feed together, and all Birds of a Feather that flock together, as Cranes, Teales, Crowes, Wilde-Geese, and Scotch sollem Geese called Barnacles.

Which amongst the Fishes?

The Sword-fish, and the Flayle­fish, who as two Dogges against a Beare, joyne together to plague the Whale that is so great, the one pricking him under his belly, the other threshing his backe, as ne Hercules contra duos.

Who also?

The Sea-Lamprey, and Viper, who couple together, and the little Musculus, who as the Whales Harbinger, goes before him to sound the depths, that hee welter not on a sand-bed, or come too neare the shoare.

Who amongst Beasts?

The Sheepe and Deere who feede together in one Parke, the little Ibis also for a Bird, the Crocodiles Barber-Surgeon, who picks his teeth when hee sleepes with open mouth, as though hee gaped for a Be­nefice, or some Golden Gudgeon.

Betwixt what Creatures is the grea­test hatred and antipathy?

Betwixt the Elephant and the U­nicorne, the Lyon, the Gryphin and the Dragon, the Crow and the Asse, the Horse and the Wolfe, the Foxe and the Lambe, the Dogge and the Deere, with many more who agree together like two snarling Hounds in a couple, two Cats at a Mouse, two Wives in a house, two Beggars at a doale, two Haukes at a Partridge, two Dogges at a Boare, two Kings at a Throne, who seldome agree in one, more then two Corrivalls in one Office, in one Love, in one Crowne.

What's the way to quiet Bees when they are fighting?

To throw dust amongst them, the remembrance of Mortality that wee must all lodge in, the lappe of one common Mo­ther the Earth perswading Unity: else our wraths are like flamiferous Aetua, and the Coales of Juniper, unquencheable, unlesse the milke of the Word, the waters of the Sanctuary, the blood of the Pascall Lambe, and the wine of the Encharist quench our devasting wild-fires.

But what is the cause of most Law­suites, and Westminster quarrels?

Two words (Meum & Tuum) Mine and Thine, as the two Mothers be­fore Solomon for a Child, and the three Goddesses before Paris contested for a gol­den Ball.

Who desides the controversie?

Not liberty of Conscience which playes sweepe stake, and rakes all: But the Law, and oft Ambodexter the Lawyer, in such Equity, as that Arbitrator, who gave two that contested about an Oyster, either of them a shell, and himselfe eate the Fish, or in such a fate and state as the Butlers box, that wins all when every Gamester looseth, after much shuffling and cutting.

Who are the greatest sleepers?

Not Dormice, nor Russian Beares, nor the beast Colus after Rutting, nor Poetized Endimion with the Moone; but those of the leuder Laity, prophane Plebei­ans, drousie Clergy, and somniferous Ma­gistracy, who paralleld with the seven slee­pers in Dioclesians Time, will not, nor can­not bee awakened with the golden Bels of Aaron, for this late seven yeares, nor with [Page 38]the Trumps of the word, nor the warning Cannons of War, nor the pricks of swords, nor the voyces of Cryers lowder then John Baptist, yea as loud as the bloods of many Innocents, Abells, Naboaths, and Zacha­ria's.

Who was the wisest man of meere men in the World?

Solomon, a Type and Figure of Christ, wiser then Socrates, Solon, Bias, Thales, Periauder, Cleobulus, Cato, Plato, or any Sages of the Romans or Athenians, who had their wisdome either by study: As Abraham, Isaac Jacob, who had Wells by digging, or by experience and observa­tion; but hee had wisdome without study; as the Prophets and Apostles their tongues and guifts by immediate inspiration.

Wherein was his folly for all his wisdome?

In his unsatiable effeminacy, more then ever was read of Horcules, Claudius, Clodius, Heliogabulus, Proculus, or the most luxurious Goates: As the Canker in his Rose, and the Colloquintida in his pot, polluting all his best, and befooling all his wisdome.

This womanishnesse indeed hath beene the Cantharides in the oyntment of the most wise, worthy, and valiant, even of Sampson the strongest, of Haniball the Martialist, loosing all that glorie in Capua, which hee wonne in Canna, and of famous Casar called Meehum calvum, the bald Lecher, and omnium mulierum virum, a Jack for every Gill, and beauteous Trull, such as Terentia, Servillia, Postbumia, and others, pretermitting how much Paris was eclipsed by Heleua, Troilus by Creseida, and both Achilles and Agamemnon by Bri­seis, for whom they contended: Hence tell mee who were most allured by their eyes in this nature?

David by Bathsheba, (as fabled Acteon by Diana) the two old Goatish-Judges by the beauty of Susanna, Sichem by Dinah, and the Sonnes of God by the Daughters of men, by whose commixtions Gyants were first produced, as monstrous Births, from monstrous Lusts.

But were no women snared and inflamed by their eyes, by, or through which, banefull beauty shot a poysoned Bullet into their hearts, called by Poets, [Page 40]blinde Cupids Darts?

Yes, the whorish Egyptian was scorched by looking and lusting after chast and faire Joseph. Phadra by beholding Hippolitus (the Paganish Joseph) and more then a good many others, in Burtons love Melancholy: for, Femina vidit, uritq vi­dendo: a woman when she lookes on men desired, her heart is Tinder, Powder, Match love fired: whence the poore lover sighed; Cur perii, cur lumina noxia vidi? Why did I eye the beauty bright, fired by Coc­katrices sight?

What is the best preventing Phy­sick for such poyson?

To guard well the Cinque-Ports against trayterous Love-passions; not on­ly with Ʋlysses to stop our eares from the charms of such Syrens; but to close our eyes from beholding vanity, chiefely in a luring Dalilah, and a painted Jezabel, ac­cording to the Caution, Quid facies, fa­cies Veneris, cum Veneris ante, nè sedeas, sed eas ue Pereas per cas: What wilt thou doe when Venus comes thee nigh? Oh sit not nigh her! lest thou perish by her.

He indeed that will prevent sinne, [Page 41]mustprevent the occasion, as he that hath a dizzy brain must not walk over a narrow Bridge, and he that will not be bit with Wine as with a Serpent, must not looke at the colour of it: as the fond Fly, if she will not be scorched, must not dally with the flame; besides, he must quench the heates, of Love or lust, (as Factions in the Church, and fractions in a State) in their first sparks; cruch them like serpents in the head, and Cockatrices in their shells, in their first risings, ere they get head, as young Hauks are caught in Ayries, ere they get wing: but among those who were culpable in their eyes, who most abused their tongues?

Ahab who falsely accused, Jeza­bel who threatned, the Zelous Thisbite, Turtullus who traduced Paul, Diotrephes who prated against John the Divine, She­mei who reviled, Michall who mocked, Saul who vituperated, Goliab who blas­phemed, holy David (as Rabshekah, both God and Hezekiah:) with all the Priests, and false Prophets who scandalized Jeremi­ah; the proud and profane Jewes, who smote him with the tongue; the same Jews [Page 42]who contradicted, blasphemed, & scandali­zed both Paul & Steven, & Christ himself; as the Arians in the Primitive times did A­thanasius, Narcissus, Eugenius, and all the Orthodox; & as Cocleus, Belserus, Staple­ton, Feverdentius, Scurrilous, Kellison, & all the Romish Rabshekah's tongue poyso­ned, Luther, Melancton, Calvin, Beza, & all our most famous Belgick Divines, prae­termitting the muttering mouch-murthe­ring tongues of Corah, Dathan, Abiram, and the hard hearted Idolatrous Jewes, a­gainst Moses and Aaron, and the poy­sons in the tongus of some Priests (as if like Popery and frenzy running in a bloud) a­gainst old Hierom the Trilinguist, Hierom of Prague, Hierom Savanorola, Hierom, Zanchius, and others.

Who like many a Monsieur men­dax, gulling Guzman, lying Lazarillo, lewd Lentulus, and Hell hatched hereticks of our dayes had his lying tongue more than Latin tongue?

Gehezi, who was a Leaper for his labour, and his seed after him.

Who used their tongues as instru­ments of Gods glory, and the good of others?

Moses, Aaron, Samuell, Daniell, Phineas, old Simeon, in praying and Pro­phesying, Deborah, and Baruck, Elkanaes, Anna, Judith the Beththulian, and the Vir­gin Mother in praising God, chiefly Da­vid, whose tongue was the Pen of a ready Writer, who had ever an Eucharisticall Song and Psalme for God, as God had a mercy of Adornation and Preservation for him, in delivering him from the Beare, the Lion, Doeg the Dog, Achitophel the Fox, Saul the Tyger, Goliah the Monster, the treacherous Ziphims, Shebah, Absolous, and the Philistines.

It is remarkable also, that when Augustine and Ambrose met, they compo­sed in mutuall answers: that, te Deum, we praise thee O God. And when our Doc­tour Sibbs, and Doctour Preston met, they found ever to discourse on some further ex­cellencies in God: as did also (as the best president for women) Elizabeth and the Mother of Christ, reasonating Gods praises, not like carnall Gossips, abusing their tongues, and mispending their time in pratlings, traducing the absent, often the innocent. Hence its easie to resolve which [Page 44]be the best or worst of all Dishes.

Aesop long since told his Masters, they were tongues as they were well or ill drest, and layd in Pickle, seasoned with the salt of the Sanctuary, yea washed in the best holy water, & sage the best of them, or Rotten, ripe for rotting, like the tongue of Nestorius the worst of them.

What trade is most profitable, least prejudiciall to others, least envyed, most honoured with the greatest, which yet at last will fail, though now the most professe it?

It is neither Law, Physick, Divini­ty, Merchandizing, Surgery, nor any other Function, Liberall, or Mechanick, by sea, nor by Land; but in one word, beg­ging.

You say true; for to illustrate all my proposalls by demonstration: first, its most profitable litterally, 1 and English, or a Scotch Courtier (praetermitting all the quondam gaines of it in the Courts of Alex­ander, Pirrbus, Augustus, as also in their Camps) getting more in one morning by begging, whilome from King James than a Preacher by spending his Lights and [Page 45]Lungs, or an Advocate by pleading halfe Nestors years. 2. Withall, Its least preju­diciall in a metaphoricall sence, begging by prayer: it being in the Order of Petitio­ners, as in the Order of Predicants, and true Elemosinarians, the more the better, though it hold in few other professions in Troynovant: the moe Hounds the better hunting, moe Spaniels beter Hauking: there multitudes being as prejudiciall to their thriving, as many Physitians were to the health of Adrian, one (in a manner) devouring another; not as Pharaohs lean Kine the fat, and empty ears the full: but the fat the lean, as great Pikes the little fry, and greater beasts and birds, the lesser. 3. Withall, whereas in other trades aemulati­on is a great stickler, plaguing it selfe and others, this is the least envyed. 4. Withall, however other trades are respected by men chiefly liberall Artists: yet never had any Galenist, Justmian, Baldus, Bartolus, or Hermolaus Barbarus that respect with Grandees: no not Ennius with Scipio, Virgil with Augustus, or Cyneas with Pyrrhus, as the poor soul hath with Christ, by a praying spirit. 5. Last of all, its most [Page 46]gainfull, though not with the men of the earth, yet against the men of the earth, and with the great God of Heaven: as for instance, this begging and petitio­ning by prayer, hath brought fire from hea­ven, shut and opened the heavens in Elias his time: stayd the course of the Sun in Jo­shua's time: brought Manna from heaven, water out of a Rock: plagued Pharaoh: drowned an Army: divided the Sea in Mo­ses his time: raised two children, with Dorcas, Lazarus, and Jairus his daughter, healed Ezekiah, divided Joràane twice: wrestled and prevailed with God, and with men: healed Leprosies, and all diseases: dispossessed Demoniacks: and as Faiths Daughter, did ever as great marvels, and miracles as did the mother: yet for all this, this trade must at last faile; after the Re­surrection there will be no more use of it in the full fruition of foelicity, than of Faith and hope. But this subject having drawn on an enlargement, to abbreviate the rest: Who were Martyrs, yet never Confessors, nor Disputants for the Faith, nor Petitio­ners to the Court of Heaven?

All the Infants of Bethelem, as [Page 47]innocent Lambes destroyed by Herod the Fox.

Who was wiser than his Teach­ers?

David more wise than Gad, and Nathan: Moses wiser than Jethro his Counsellour: Paul a greater Proficient in Christs Colledge than Gamaliel: Apollos more eloquent than Aquila, and Priscilla: and amongst Moralists, Aristotle in his Philosophy exceeded his Master Plato: and of Divines, Thomas Aquinas out shined his Master Albert, how ever like Basil cal­led great.

Where was vertue truely in the midst?

Christ in the midst of the Doctors in the Temple, and in the midst of his Dis­ciples, after his Resurrection, as the Sun in the midst of the Planets, as the true Cen­ter in the Worlds circumference.

Where was vertue in the midst be­twixt two extreames, as a Shippc betwixt two Rocks?

When Christ was crucified on the Crosse betwixt two Thieves, and as the Scotch Buchanan descanted, when in Italy [Page 48]hee saw him pictured betwixt Fryer Fran­cis and Fryer Dominick, and when Peter slept betwixt a quaternion of Souldiers in Herods Prison, where the Angel was his Goale-deliverer, as also Paul and Silas in the like case at Philippos, and Queene Eli­zabeth, when shee was tanquam ovis, as a sheepe, betwixt her Sister and Gardiner, designed for the slaughter; in Caesars case when hee was stabbed by Bodkins in the midst of the Senate, and John Scotus Erigo­na with Penknives in the midst of his Schollars.

Where is the Earth higher then the Heavens?

In Christs humaine nature, exalted above the visible Heavens, and above invi­sible Angells glorified, as that true body tooke from Earthly Adam.

Where did the Earth water the Heavens?

When Mary Magdalen an earthly sinfull woman, did wash the heavenly feet of Christ, her eyes being the Basin and Ew­er, and her haire the Towell.

What waters ascend to Heaven?

The teares of penitent sinners, [Page 49]wronged Widdowes and Orphanes.

At what Feast were most Guests fed with the least meate?

When five thousand were fed in the Desart with five Loaves and two Fi­shes.

Where did the Hauke and the Par­tridge, the Hound and the Hare, the Wolfe and the Lambe, the Elephant and the Uni­corne, and all creatures now opposite, live, lodge, and love together.

Not onely before mans fall, but in Noahs Arke, a Type of the Unity of the Church.

Where did the Lyon roare, the Asse bray, the Wolfe howle, the Cock crow, the Nightingale sing so loud that all the World heard them, the Fox and the Fowmart smell so strong, that all the World felt them, yet unheard, unfelt in all parts of the Earth?

In the same Noahs Arke.

Why was Cham saved in the Arke, being a wicked man?

To shew Gods generall Providence over all, and his bounty to all in the com­mon blessing of Preservation; as still hee [Page 50]givea foode to all flesh, who live, move, and have their being in him. Secondly, that hee and his Posterity might bee a whip and corrective Rod to the sinning Posterity of Sem and Japhet, as the seed of Moab and Amon, and Ashur, were to the Israelites, the Turkes to sinning Europe, the Imperi­alists lately to the Palatinate, and Arminia­nized Germany, the bloody Kerne to our Peccant Colonies in Ireland, and perhaps Gog and Magog, Turke and Pope ere long unto us, armed already against us by our crying sinnes Regnant in our yet deformed Reformation.

What are the swiftest thinges of Inanimates in their motions?

An Arrow out of a Bow, a Bullet out of a Gun or Mortar-piece.

What of Fishes?

The Dolphin, and those Fishes which are sayd to fly so long as their finnes are wet, in Lapland, Finland, and other parts in the Mediteranean Sea.

What of Beasts?

The Horse, the Hart, the Hare, the Grey-hound, and Dromedaries, on which its thought those wise men rode from the [Page 51]East to worship Christ.

Who of men?

The Jewish Hazaell, the Pagans Atlanta, and our Irish Kernes, who by turnes will runne a Deere to death on the Mountaines, they being wilder and vilder themselves then the worst Rascalls.

What of Naturalls in their moti­on?

The Sunne the great Peripatetick running dayly his course through the Hea­vens, and in a short space through all the signes of the Zodiack; darting also his beames in a trice upon the Earth.

What is the swiftest thing in man?

In his body his tongue, most swift and voluble in motion, and as unwearied (chiefely oyled in Lawyers and heated in women) and the thoughts of his heart as swift as lightning.

What of Birds?

The Hauke, the Eagle, and the Swallow; but of all these the influence of grace on the heart and soule, the motions of the spirit, and the reflections and dart­ings of the spirit of man by the spirit of grace, in mentall and ejaculatory prayer, [Page 52]as was sayd of the Monkes of Aegypt and Lybia in their darted devotions, are swifter then all those, in a trice piercing the clouds, and having accesse unto, and successe with the God of Heaven, without any froathy formalities or verball vaniloquies or lip­laboured stultiloquies, either with a booke or without a booke.

Who was borne as a man, dyed as a Lambe, rose as a Lyon, and ascended into Heaven as an Eagle?

Every meane Christian can tell you it was Christ the Sonne of God.

How many kindes of Sonnes hath God?

Sonnes by Creation, as the Angels, Sonnes by Adoption, as the Elect, and one­ly one Sonne by Nature, Christ our Emanu­ell, God with us.

Who were Types and Figures of Christ?

Of Types personall, Isaack was a Figure of his Birth, Joseph of his betray­ing, Sampson of his Death, Jonas of his Re­surrection, Enoch and Elias of his Ascenti­on, Solomon of his Wisdome, Noah and Abraham of his active obedience, Melchi­sedech [Page 53]of his Priesthood, David of his Kingly and Propheticall Office.

What were his Reall Types?

The Manna from Heaven, the Rock in the Widernesse, the scape Goate, the Propitiatory, the Sanctuary, the Sanctum Sanctorum, and the bloody oblations of Sheepe, Goats, Bullocks, and Turtle Doves.

What things were reserved in the Arke?

The Booke of the Law, the pot of Manna, and the Rod of Aaron which al­wayes budded.

How oft was the Temple of the Jewes polluted by the Gentiles?

By the Babilonians, by Antiochus, and by the Romans, when Pompey made it a stable for his Horses.

What three Languages were hono­red and sanctified by Pilates writing them upon Christs Crosse?

The Greeke, the Hebrew, and the Latine: These not onely flourished when one of the Ancients was called a trilinguist; but in later times, as the Aegyptians were robbed of their Jewels, the Pagans of their Arts and Sciences, to the use of the San­ctuary; [Page 54]so for the same purpose these tongues of late have beene wonderously a­dorned, spread and polished; the Greeke by Budaeus, Turnebus, our late Seapula, and the French Stevens; the Hebrew by Drusius, Buxendorffius, Martinius, and our Broughton; and the Latine by Eras­mus, Agricola, and others, rubbing the rust from it, as it was overspread with such Barbarisme (as some Levellers ayme at now) by the inundations of the Gothes and Vandals over Italy and else where.

But to proceed, who was wiser dreaming then her Husband waking?

Pilates Wife forwarning him not to meddle with the King of the Jewes.

Now wee reflex on medling, what are Medlars?

Chiefly without guifts and calling, as Ʋzziah medled with the Arke which belonged to the Levites to touch, and Ʋz­zah with the Office of the Priests, for which he was as leprous as most ungifted and uncalled medlars since (for such I one­ly stigmatize whether in black or colours) who skip from shops and ships, yea from a seven yeares Academicall Prentiship dyed [Page 55]black or block, into Pewes and publick Pul­pits, such medlars are never ripe till they be rotten, chiefely such as meddle with other mens matters, and come to counsell before they be called, it being a bad Dogge which is not worth whistling for.

How did I describe such unto you?

As Bishops in other mens dioces­ses, fond Mariners with their oares in other mens boats, fond Cooks scalding their lips in other mens broth, fond Husbandmen and Gardiners weeding other mens grounds, and idle sluttish Housewives sweeping o­ther mens houses, when their owne are nasty, and overgrowne with Cobwebs, and critticall if not hypocriticall Pharisees, who see other mens moates, but not their owne beames, strangle others Gnats, and swallow their owne Camels.

What is that proud and curious Prin­cock, who rejects and repudiates great and good proffered matches, till at last she be neither well sped nor clean without?

She hath gone through the Wood, and chosen the crookedest stick, fondly put on a straite glove or shoe which she cannot put off, when she had choice e­nough [Page 56]in large and wide shops, and looked so high till a moate is fallen in her eye, and as a plague to her cogs, shee is tyed as an Ape to logs, having time enough to repent what she did not prevent, roasting her selfe at a lingering fire, and gnawing her owne heart as Vultures and Eagles the Livers of Titius and Poetized Prometheus.

What are these things which once lost or past, can scarce or never be recalled?

Winged Time, a word once spoke, though it be Treason, a Bird once flowne out of the bush or bosome, a Ship sunk in the bottome of the sea, lost Virginity, lost opportunity, hairy before and bald behind, and usually a losse in Honour, in Nobility, and losse of a good name in a woman, a scandall once raised and blazed, being as hard to be layd even by innocency it selfe, as the Northerne Windes stirred up by Norway-Witches, or the Divell himselfe once conjured up by a Junior Faustus, or Cornelius Agrippa.

Whats the best way to keepe cre­dit with man, and conscience with God?

Morall honesty (such as was in the two Catoes and Fabritius) called once by [Page 57]King James the best Policy: Secondly, to doe well and say little, good Acts as the best letters of Commendations, speaking a man better then words: Thirdly, so to con­verse with God in sincerity, as though men saw, and every Momus had a Window in­to his heart, and so to converse with men as if God saw, as indeed hee doth; And lastly, so to live, that mens eyes at last shall give a lye to their tongues and eares.

What is the issue of false reports?

At last truth prevailing, as little David over great Goliab; like Diamonds (though unworthy that name) they are cut in their owne dust: as waves dashing on the Rock of innocency, they wash it whi­ter, and break themselves to froath, as a brasse Ball thrown up into the aire, hurts not the aire, but hits upon the head of the thrower, as Aegyptian Dogs barking at the Moone, they hurt not the Moone, but shew their own tongues and teeth: as the wrathfull Weasill biting the hot iron they hurt not the iron, but oft so burn their lips and tongues, they can never bite more; chiefly when their heels are bolted, though not tongues more then Xerxes could shac­kle [Page 58]the Hellespont, or King Canutus stay flowing waves. Lastly, lewd and loose Rumours, as lying, as flying; squib-like, flash, Crack, stink, and dye.

What's the best salve for every sore, in name soule and spirit?

Faith, and Evangellicall repentance salving and balming all sinnes, guilts, and sores better then Homers Moli, Grinaeus his Panacea, or all the drugs of Galenists, or Elixars of Paracelsians.

Since, Ille vere dolet, qui sine teste dolet: who wept with a Witnesse, when he wept without a witnesse?

Peter, when after his blamefull, and shamefull denyall of Christ, he went out and wept bitterly, Et delevit, quod de­flevit, after hee had denyed his Lord and Master hee salved the sores of sinne with sorrows playster, and was more faithfull after hee had bewayled his want of faith, as is more fully seen in Origens Repentance versified hee never after hearing a Cock crow, but hee sight or wept, as is recor­ded.

Though the Lyon is sayd to bee a­fraid of a Cock, what couragious Cock [Page 59]was frighted with the cackling of a Hen?

Peter when hee cryed Craven at the voyce of a Damosell, in whom its pro­bable the Divell spake as in Pauls Pithonist Acts 16. (as hee daunced in the Daughter of Herodias) as he spoke also in Apollos Oracles, and in the serpent to Eve.

What Creature preached a Re­membrance Sermon to a forgetfull Hearer and Preacher?

The Cock preaching a memento to Peter.

Who without any sope or water, either from Fountaine, or River, or Clouds from above, laudrest and washt every night his couch and his sheetes?

David with his owne Teares; such warme water as Richard the Second gave his cruell Barbers, when they barbed him with cold water, and Sylvia a Curtizan, and Pelagia, that Pelagus la­chrimarum, who onely for thirty yeares together washt her face with nought else but her owne teares as a second Niobe. In fontĕ frontem, in flumina lumina vertens. Her front into a fountaine ever running, Her eys to floudgates by repētance turning.

But Claudite jam rivos! For this night the Clock striking ten to bedward, wee shut up our mouths shop ere Mor­pheus binde our tongues to peace in John a Nox his darke Jayle, till Phebus or Auro­ra bee our mornings Jayle deliverer.