The happiness of the church, or, A description of those spiritual prerogatives wherewith Christ…The happines of the church, or, A description of those spirituall prerogatiues vvherewith Christ…

Herod made himself sure of Christ, but the Lord deceived him again and again. First he stroke him with extreme sottishness: that learning by the Wise men the birth of Christ, yet (though the matter in his thought touched his Crown) he sends none of his Courtiers with them under pretence of gratifying them: which might so have seized on that innocent Lamb; and not worshipped, but worried him. But the Lord so confounded his wits with the spirit of giddiness, that the Magi go alone. Next, now that his bloody hopes depend upon their return, behold they are sent home another way. So that ^mhe saw that he was mocked. Herod mocked the Wise men, and God shall direct the Wise men to mock Herod. He pretended to adore, whom he did abhor: and they do eum vulp• vulpinara; beguile the Fox: yea rather •vicula lupum fallit: the Lamb deceives the Wolfe. Simplicity goes beyond subtlety. A cane non magno saepe tenetur aper. Here was Herod's folly, that he would not suffer the King of the whole world, to be King in Jury: that in fear of a Successor, he would kill his Saviour. Nay further: for fear of a strange heir, he kills his own heir. Which occasioned Augustus to say, that it was better being Herod's Hog then his heir. Here then see his cruelty: if his strength cannot take Jesus, he will try his cunning: and last when his cunning fails, he falls to open violence again: sending forth men of war. Thus when Tyrants fail in their Politicians Rhetoric, they fall to the Carters Logic.

Herod made himselfe sure of Christ, but the Lord deceiued him againe and againe. First he stroke him with extreme sottishnes: that learning by the Wise men the birth of Christ, yet (though the matter in his thought touched his Crowne) hee sends none of his Courtiers with them vnder pretence of gratifying them: which might so haue seised on that innocent Lambe; and not worshipped, but worrey'd him. But the Lord so confounded his wits with the spirit of giddines, that the Magi goe alone. Next, now that his bloudie hopes depend vpon their returne, behold they are sent home another way. So that ^mhe saw that he was mocked. Herod mocked the Wisemen, and God shall direct the Wisemen to mocke Herod. He pretended to adore, whom he did abhorre: and they doe eum vulp• vulpinara; beguile the Foxe: yea rather vicula lupum fallit: the Lambe deceiues the Wolfe. Simplicitie goes beyond subtletie. A cane non magno saepe tenetur aper. Here was Herods follie, that he would not suffer the King of the whole world, to be King in Iury: that in feare of a Successor, he would kill his Sauiour. Nay further: for feare of a strange heire, he killes his owne heire. Which occasioned Augustus to say, that it was better being Herods Hogge then his heire. Here then see his crueltie: if his strength cannot take Iesus, hee will trie his cunning: and last when his cunning failes, he fals to open violence againe: sending forth men of warre. Thus when Tyrants faile in their Politicians Rhetoricke, they fall to the Carters Logicke.