For the bodily disease, caused of heat and dryness, Physicians prescribe Oxicratum, a drink, made of vinegar and water sodden together: a chief intention in them, is to procure sleep, &c. To cure the immoderate Thirst of Ambition, let him take from God this prescript: He that exalteth himself, shall be brought low: but he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. That he, who sets himself down in the lower room, hears the masters of the feasts invitation, Friend, sit up higher. That a glorious Angel by ambition became a Devil; and a Lucifer of his sons, the king of Babylon, that said, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, is brought down to hell, and to the sides of the 1pit. That the first step to heavens Court, is humility. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. That 2he, who walks on plain ground, is in little danger to fall; if he do fall, he riseth with small hurt: but he that climbs high, is in more danger of falling; and if he fall, of killing. That the great blasts of powerful envy overthrow Oaks and Cedars, that oppose their huge bodies; and pass through hollow Willows, or over little shrubs, that grow under the wall. That the higher state is the fairer mark for misfortune to shoot at: That which way soever the ambitious man looks, he finds matter of dejection. Above him, behold a God casting an ambitious Angel out of heaven, 3an ambitious king from the society of men: but so respecting the lowliness of his handmaiden, that all generation call her blessed. Below him, behold the earth, the womb that he came from, and the tomb that must receive him. About him, behold, others transcending him in his best qualities. Within him, a mortal nature, that must die, though he were clad in gold; and perhaps an evil conscience stinging him, whose wounds are no more eased by promotion, then a broken bone is kept by a tissue-coat from aching. That ⟨p. 43⟩there is a higher reckoning to be made of a higher place. That like city-houses, that on small foundations carry spacious roofs, his own top-heavy weight is ready to tumble him down. That he mounts up like a seeled Dove, and wanting eyes of discretion, he may easily light in a puddle. That he is but a stone tossed up into the air by fortunes sling, to receive the greater fall.
FOr the bodily disease, caused of heate and drinesse, Physicians prescribe Oxicratum, a drinke, made of vineger and water sodden together: a chiefe intention in them, is to procure sleepe, &c. To cure the immoderate Thirst of Ambition, let him take from God this prescript: He that exalteth himselfe, shall be brought low: but he that humbleth himselfe, shall be exalted. That he, who sets himselfe downe in the lower room, heares the masters of the feasts inuitation, Friend, sit vp higher. That a glorious Angell by ambition became a Diuell; and a Lucifer of his sonnes, the king of Babylon, that said, I will exalt my throne aboue the starres of God, is brought downe to hell, and to the sides of the 1pit. That the first step to heauens Court, is humilitie. Blessed are the poore in spirit, for theirs is the kingdome of heauen. That 2he, who walkes on plaine ground, is in little danger to fall; if he do fall, he riseth with small hurt: but he that climbes high, is in more danger of falling; and if he fall, of killing. That the great blasts of powerfull enuie ouerthrow Oakes and Cedars, that oppose their huge bodies; and passe through hollow Willowes, or ouer litle shrubs, that grow vnder the wall. That the higher state is the fairer marke for misfortune to shoote at: That which way soeuer the ambitious man lookes, he finds matter of deiection. Aboue him, behold a God casting an ambitious Angell out of heauen, 3an ambitious king from the societie of men: but so respecting the lowlinesse of his handmaiden, that all generation call her blessed. Below him, behold the earth, the wombe that he came from, and the tombe that must receiue him. About him, behold, others transcending him in his best qualities. Within him, a mortall nature, that must die, though he were clad in gold; and perhaps an euill conscience stinging him, whose wounds are no more eased by promotion, then a broken bone is kept by a tissue-coate from aking. That ⟨p. 43⟩there is a higher reckoning to be made of a higher place. That like citie-houses, that on small foundations carry spacious roofes, his owne toppe-heauy weight is ready to tumble him downe. That he mounts vp like a seeled Doue, and wanting eyes of discretion, he may easily light in a puddle. That he is but a stone tossed vp into the aire by fortunes sling, to receaue the greater fall.
- 1Esa. 14. 14.
- 2Mat. 5. 3.
- 3Luk. 1. 48.
