6 The sixth Star is, universal charity without envy. Every one shall be a King, and possess a kingdom, yet shall there be no repining. Non minuitur copia possessorum, nec fit angustior numerositate cohaeredum, Aug. Though it be imparted, it shall not be impaired: the number of heirs shall not impeach the Inheritance. Tanta multis, quanta paucis: tanta singulis, quanta omnibus; That glory shall be to all, that is to some: every one shall have as much as any one. An earthly kingdom like the Zodiac, admits but one Sun: in this all are Kings, and every one hath his crown. 2 Tim. 4.8. There is laid up for me a crown; and not for me only, but for all those that love the appearing of Jesus Christ. Nobile perpetua caput amplectente corona. Revel. 4.4. About the Throne were four and twenty seats, and on the seats four and twenty Elders, that had on their heads crowns of gold. By which number is signified the whole Court of the Saints. On earth the ambition of a Crown brooks no rivality: breach of faith to get kingdoms is held no sin; but this shall never get the kingdom of heaven. A kingdom made Absalom a Parricide in will, Abimelech a Fratricide in deed; that hea murdered seventy persons, his brethren, the sons of Jerubbaal, upon one stone. This hath made some traitors to their dear friends, that would have died for them: to their dearest friend that hath died for them: friends to their enemy, Satan, that will torment them: they are worthy of kingdoms that pay so dear for them. Here it is otherwise; different glory, perfect charity.2 In my Fathers house there are many mansions. Now saith Gregory, If there were no difference in degrees of glory, Christ would have spoke of one mansion, rather than of many. They received every man a penny. 3But he says, Many mansions, because there are distinct orders of Saints: and One penny, because Unica cunctorum gloria; there is but one and the same glory of them all. In terra distinctio operum, in coelo discretio dignitatum; On earth there is a difference of works, in heaven there shall be a difference of honours. So much as one doth here excel another in grace, so much he shall there excel him in glory. But howsoever there be not to all the same dignity, there shall be the same felicity. There can be no repining at another's more glorious clearness, where shall reign in all one most gracious dearness.
6 The sixth Starre is, universall charity without envie. Every one shall be a King, and possesse a kingdome, yet shall there be no repining. Non minuitur copia possessorum, nec fit angustior numerositate cohaeredum, Aug. Though it be imparted, it shall not be impaired: the number of heires shall not impeach the Inheritance. Tanta multis, quanta paucis: tanta singulis, quanta omnibus; That glory shall be to all, that is to some: every one shall have as much as any one. An earthly kingdome like the Zodiacke, admits but one Sun: in this all are Kings, and every one hath his crowne. 2 Tim. 4.8. There is laid up for me a crowne; and not for me only, but for all those that love the appearing of Iesus Christ. Nobile perpetua caput amplectente corona. Revel. 4.4. About the Throne were foure and twenty seats, and on the seats foure and twenty Elders, that had on their heads crownes of gold. By which number is signified the whole Court of the Saints. On earth the ambition of a Crowne brookes no rivality: breach of faith to get kingdoms is held no sin; but this shall never get the kingdome of heaven. A kingdome made Absalom a Parricide in wil, Abimelech a Fratricide in deed; that hea murdered seventy persons, his brethren, the sons of Ierubbaal, upon one stone. This hath made some traytors to their deare friends, that would have died for them: to their dearest friend that hath died for them: friends to their enemy, Satan, that will torment them: they are worthy of kingdomes that pay so deare for them. Here it is otherwise; different glory, perfect charity.2 In my Fathers house there are many mansions. Now saith Gregory, If there were no difference in degrees of glory, Christ would have spoke of one mansion, rather than of many. They received every man a peny. 3But he sayes, Many mansions, because there are distinct orders of Saints: and One penny, because Vnica cunctorum gloria; there is but one and the same glory of them all. In terra distinctio operum, in coelo discretio dignitatum; On earth there is a difference of works, in heaven there shall be a difference of honours. So much as one doth here excell another in grace, so much he shall there excell him in glory. But howsoever there be not to all the same dignity, there shal be the same felicity. There can be no repining at anothers more glorious clearnes, where shall reigne in all one most gratious dearnes.
- aJudg. 9.6.Iudg. 9.6.
- 2John 14 2.Iohn 14 2.
- 3Matth. 20.10.
