Sure it does not follow, that because he did not, he could not do it. Or that he was less able to help himself, because he was more charitable to relieve others. No; I see my Saviour was pleased to shew himself a God in other men's matters, and but a man in such cases wherein he himself was concerned. Being contented still to be tempted by Satan, that his sufferings for us might cause our conquering through him.

XXV.

*

ORD, Jannes and Jambres, the apes of

LORD, of

Moses and Aaron, imitated them in turning their rods into serpents; only here was the difference: Aaron's rod devoured their rods. That which was solid and substantial lasted, when that which was slight, and but seeming, vanished away. Thus an active fancy in all outward expressions may imitate a lively faith. For matter of language there is nothing what grace doth do, but wit can act. Only the difference appears in the continuance: wit is but for fits and flashes, grace holds out, and is lasting; and, good Lord, of thy goodness, give it to every one that truly desires it.

HISTORICAL APPLICATIONS.

TH

I.

HE English ambassador some years since prevailed so far with the Turkish emperor, as to persuade him to hear some of our English music, from which (as from other liberal sciences) both he and his nation were naturally averse. But it happened that the musicians were so long in tuning their instruments, that the great Turk, distasting their tediousness, went away in discontent before their music began. I am afraid that the differences and dissensions betwixt Christian churches (being so long in reconciling their discords) will breed in pagans such a disrelish of our religion, as they will not be invited to attend thereunto.

A

II.

SIBYL came to Tarquinius Superbus, king of Rome, and offered to sell unto him three tomes of her Oracles:* but he, counting the price too high, refused to buy them. Away she went

M. Varro, Solinus, Plinius, Halicar, &c.

and burnt one tome of them. Returning, she asketh him, whether he would buy the two remaining at the same rate: he refused again, counting her little better than frantic. Thereupon she burns the second tome; and peremptorily asked him, whether he would give the sum demanded for all the three for the one tome remaining otherwise she would burn that also, and he would dearly repent it. Tarquin, admiring at her constant resolution, and conceiving some extraordinary worth contained therein, gave her her demand. There are three volumes of man's time; youth, man's estate, and old age; and ministers advise them to redeem this time.*

wantonness.

But

men conceive the rate they must give to be unreasonable, because it will cost them the renouncing of their carnal delights. Hereupon one third part of their life (youth) is consumed in the fire of Again, ministers counsel men to redeem the remaining volumes of their life. They are but derided at for their pains. And man's estate is also cast away in the smoke of vanity. But preachers ought to press peremptorily on old people, to redeem, now or never, the last volume of their life. Here is the difference: the sibyl still demanded but the same rate for the remaining book; but aged folk (because of their custom in sinning) will find it harder and dearer to redeem this, the last volume, than if they had been chapmen for all three at the first.

* Ephes. v. 16.

IN

III.

N Merionethshire* in Wales there be many mountains, whose hanging tops come so close together, that shepherds sitting on several mountains may audibly discourse one with another. And yet they must go many miles before their bodies can meet together, by the reason of the vast hollow valleys which are betwixt them. Our sovereign and the members of his parliament at London seem very near agreed in their general and public professions; both are for the protestant religion; can they draw nearer? Both are for the privileges of parliament; can they come closer? Both are for the liberty of the subject; can they meet evener? And yet, alas, there is a great gulf and vast distance betwixt them which our sins have made, and God grant that our sorrow may seasonably make it up again..

W

IV.

HEN John king of France had communicated the order of the knighthood of the star to some of his guard, men of mean birth and extraction, the nobility ever after disdained to be admitted into that degree, and so that order in France was extinguished. Seeing that nowadays drinking, and swearing, and wantonness are grown frequent, even with base beggarly people; it is

• Giraldus Cambrensis, and Cambden, in the description of that shire.

high time for men of honour, who consult with their credit, to desist from such sins. Not that I would have noblemen invent new vices to be in fashion with themselves alone, but forsake old sins, grown common with the meanest of people.

L

V.

ONG was this land wasted with civil war betwixt the two houses of York and Lancaster, till the red rose became white with the blood it had lost, and the white rose red with the blood it had shed. At last, they were united in a happy marriage, and their joint titles are twisted together in our gracious sovereign. Thus there hath been a great difference betwixt learned men, wherein the dominion over the creature is founded. Some putting it in nature, others placing it in grace. But the true servants of God have an unquestioned right thereunto: seeing both nature and grace, the first and second Adam, creation and regeneration are contained in them. Hence their claim is so clear, their title is so true, ignorance cannot doubt it, impudence dare not deny

it.

THE

VI.

HE Roman senators conspired against Julius Cæsar to kill him: that very next morning Artemidorus,* Cæsar's friend, delivered him a paper (desiring him to peruse it) wherein the

* Plutarch in Julius Cæsar.