Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell,…Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell,…
Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell, and heaven. With an assizes-sermon, and notes on Justice Nicolls his funeral. Together with the life and death of the author. Published by E.B.Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell, and heauen. With an assises-sermon, and notes on Iustice Nicolls his funerall. Together with the life and death of the authour. Published by E.B.
Robert Bolton 1572–1631London: printed by George Miller, 1632
[56], 264, p. : port. · 73k words · STC 3242 · ESTC S106786
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
O quàm multi cum hac spead aeternos labores, & bella descendunt! How many (saith one) go to hell with a vain hope of heaven; whose chiefest cause of damnation is their false persuasion, and groundless presumption of salvation! Well, be it either the one, or the other; the besotted sensualist, or self-deluding formalist, could we speak with them upon their beds of death (their consciences awaked) or the day after they were damned in hell; we should find them then, though in the mean time they suffer many sour apprehensions to arise in their hearts against us, in a much altered tune and temper. Then would they with much amazedness and terrible fear, yell out those now too late hideous complaints: We fools counted his life madness, &c. we wearied our selves in the way of wickedness and destruction, &c. What hath pride profited us? &c. Then would they curse all ⟨p. 27⟩daubers, and justify all down-right dealers: contempt1 of whose counsel, would now cut in pieces their very heart-strings with restless anguish and horror, and mightily strengthen the never-dying worm; whereby the enraged soul will thrust its own hands, as it were, into its own bowels, and tear open the very fountain of life and sense to feed upon it self. For, the worm of conscience (say Divines) is only a continual remorse and furious reflection of the so•le upon its own wilful folly, and thereby the woeful misery it hath brought upon it self.
O quàm multi cum hac spead aeternos labores, & bella descendunt! How many (saith one) go to hell with a vaine hope of heaven; whose chiefest cause of damnation is their false perswasion, and groundlesse presumption of salvation! Well, be it either the one, or the other; the besotted sensualist, or selfe-deluding formalist, could we speake with them upon their beds of death (their consciences awaked) or the day after they were damned in hell; we should find them then, though in the meane time they suffer many sowre apprehensions to arise in their hearts against us, in a much altered tune and temper. Then would they with much amazednesse and terrible feare, yell out those now too late hideous complaints: We fooles counted his life madnesse, &c. we wearied our selves in the way of wickednesse and destruction, &c. What hath pride profited us? &c. Then would they curse all ⟨p. 27⟩
of whose counsell, would now cut in peeces their very heart-strings with restlesse anguish and horrour, and mightily strengthen the never-dying worme; whereby the enraged soule will thrust its owne hands, as it were, into its owne bowels, and teare open the very fountaine of life and sense to feed upon it selfe. For, the worme of conscience (say Divines) is onely a continuall remorse and furious reflexion of the so•le upon its owne wilfull folly, and thereby the wofull misery it hath brought upon it selfe.
2. This may serve to stir up all the sons and daughters of wisdom to hoard up with all holy greediness, instead of earthly pelf, transitory toys and shining clay, the rich and lasting treasures of divine wealth and immortal graces. For, these heavenly jewels purchased with CHRISTS blood, and planted in the heart by the omnipotent hand of the HOLY GHOST, will shine comfortably upon our souls with beams of blessedness and peace, amid all the miseries and confusions, the darkness and most desperate dangers of this present life: nay, in the very valley of the shadow of death, their splendour and spiritual glory will not only dissolve, and dispel all mists of horror which can possibly arise from the apprehension of hell, the grave, those last dreadful pangs, or any other terrible thing; but also enlighten, conduct and carry us triumphantly through the abhorred confines of the King of fear upon the wings of joy, and in the arms of Angels, to unapproachable light, ⟨p. 28⟩unknown pleasures, and endless bliss. It may be, as yet, thou standest upright without any changes, unstirred in thy state by any adverse storm, supposing thy mountain so strong, that thou shalt never be moved. Thus long perhaps the Almighty hath been with thee: His candle hath shined upon thy head, and His patient providence rested with all favour and success upon thy Tabernacle; so that hitherto thou hast seen no days of sorrow; but even washed thy steps with butter, and the rock hath poured thee out rivers of oil, &c. Yet for all this, the day may come, before thou die, that thou mayest be stripped of all, and become as poor as Job, as they say, by fire, robbery, suretyship, ship-wrack, the destroying sword, desolations of war, or by the hand of GOD in some other kind; Even, A day, an hour, a moment (saith one) is 1enough to over-turn the things that seemed to have been founded and rooted in adamant: Labour therefore industriously before-hand so to furnish and fortify thine heart with patience, nobleness of spirit, Christian fortitude, the mightiness of Jobs faith, Cap. 13. 15. And his manifold integrities, Cap. 31. That if such an evil day should come upon thee (and who can look for exemption when he looks upon Jobs affliction) thou mayest with an unrepining submission to GODS good providence and pleasure, take up his sweetest resolution and repose:
2. This may serve to stirre up all the sonnes and daughters of wisdome to hoard up with all holy greedinesse, instead of earthly pelfe, transitory toyes and shining clay, the rich and lasting treasures of divine wealth and immortall graces. For, these heavenly jewels purchased with CHRISTS bloud, and planted in the heart by the omnipotent hand of the HOLY GHOST, will shine comfortably upon our soules with beames of blessednesse and peace, amid all the miseries and confusions, the darknesse and most desperate dangers of this present life: nay, in the very valley of the shadow of death, their splendour and spirituall glory will not onely dissolve, and dispell all mists of horrour which can possibly arise from the apprehension of hell, the grave, those last dreadfull pangs, or any other terrible thing; but also illighten, conduct and carie us triumphantly thorow the abhorred confines of the King of feare upon the wings of joy, and in the armes of Angels, to unapproachable light, ⟨p. 28⟩unknowne pleasures, and endlesse blisse. It may be, as yet, thou standest upright without any changes, unstir'd in thy state by any adverse storme, supposing thy mountaine so strong, that thou shalt never be mooved. Thus long perhaps the Allmighty hath beene with thee: His candle hath shined upon thy head, and His patient providence rested with all favour and successe upon thy Tabernacle; so that hitherto thou hast seene no dayes of sorrow; but even washed thy steps with butter, and the rocke hath powred thee out rivers of oyle, &c. Yet for all this, the day may come, before thou die, that thou maist be stript of all, and become as poore as Iob, as they say, by fire, robbery, suretiship, ship-wracke, the destroying sword, desolations of war, or by the hand of GOD in some other kind; Even, A day, an houre, a moment (saith one) is 1enough to over-turne the things that seemed to have beene founded and rooted in adamant: Labour therefore industriously before-hand so to furnish and fortifie thine heart with patience, noblenesse of spirit, Christian fortitude, the mightinesse of Iobs faith, Cap. 13. 15. And his manifold integrities, Cap. 31. That if such an evill day should come upon thee (and who can looke for exemption when he lookes upon Iobs affliction) thou maist with an unrepining submission to GODS good providence and pleasure, take up his sweetest resolution and repose:
1Dies, […], momentum, evertendis dominationibus sufficit, quae adamantinis credebantur radicibus esse funda•ae. Casaub.Dies, 〈…〉, momentum, evertendis dominationibus sufficit, quae adamantinis credebantur radicibus esse funda•ae. Casaub.
Naked came I out of my mothers womb, 1and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD. Though, as yet, by a miracle of ⟨p. 29⟩rarest mercy, calmness and serenity rest upon the firmament of our state; yet who knows how soon, especially, sith many of GODS dearest servants beyond the seas have lien so long in tears and blood, some dismal cloud and tempestuous storm may arise out of the hellish •ogs of our many heinous sins and crying abominations, and break out upon us, and that with greater terror, and far more horribly, by reason of the unexpectedness and our present desperate security: Though the Sun of the Gospel, and glory of a matchless Ministry shine yet full fair among us in the Meridian of our peace and prosperous days, yet little know we, how soon and suddenly it may decline and set in a sea of confusion, calamity and woe: And therefore hoard up greedily in the mean time, and while the Sun shines, a rich treasury of saving knowledge, grace and good life; that if need require, thou mayest then resolutely reply with blessed Paul against all contradictions and temptations to the contrary: I am ready not to be 2bound only, but also to die for the name of the LORD JESUS: Though at this present thou doest perhaps with much sweet contentment enjoy thy GOD comfortably, and His pleased face; many heavenly dews of spiritual joy, glorious refreshings, and abundance of spiritual delights fall upon thy soul from the Throne of mercy every time thou comest near Him; Thou canst say unto thy Dearest out of thy present feeling, I am 3my Beloveds, and my Beloved is mine, and in some good measure keep a part with the Saints of old, ⟨p. 30⟩in such victorious and triumphant Songs as these▪ Oh that my words were now written, Oh that they were 4printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead, in the rock for ever. For, I know that my Redeemer liveth, &c. We will not fear, 5though the earth be removed: and though the mountains be carried into the middest of the sea: though the waters thereof roar, and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor Angels, 6nor principalities, nor powers, &c.
Naked came I out of my mothers wombe, 1and naked shall I returne thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD. Though, as yet, by a miracle of ⟨p. 29⟩rarest mercy, calmnesse and serenity rest upon the firmament of our state; yet who knowes how soone, especially, sith many of GODS dearest servants beyond the seas have lyen so long in teares and bloud, some dismall cloud and tempestuous storme may arise out of the hellish •ogs of our many hainous sinnes and crying abominations, and breake out upon us, and that with greater terrour, and farre more horribly, by reason of the unexpectednesse and our present desperate security: Though the Sun of the Gospell, and glory of a matchlesse Ministry shine yet full faire among us in the Meridian of our peace and prosperous daies, yet little know we, how soone and suddenly it may decline and set in a sea of confusion, calamity and woe: And therefore hoard up greedily in the meane time, and while the Sun shines, a rich treasury of saving knowledge, grace and good life; that if need require, thou maist then resolutely reply with blessed Paul against all contradictions and temptations to the contrary: I am ready not to be 2bound onely, but also to die for the name of the LORD IESVS: Though at this present thou doest perhaps with much sweet contentment enjoy thy GOD comfortably, and His pleased face; many heavenly deawes of spirituall joy, glorious refreshings, and abundance of spirituall delights fall upon thy soule from the Throne of mercy every time thou commest neare Him; Thou canst say unto thy Dearest out of thy present feeling, I am 3my Beloveds, and my Beloved is mine, and in some good measure keepe a part with the Saints of old, ⟨p. 30⟩in such victorious and triumphant Songs as these▪ Oh that my words were now written, Oh that they were 4printed in a booke! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead, in the rocke for ever. For, I know that my Redeemer liveth, &c. We will not feare, 5though the earth be remooved: and though the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea: though the waters thereof roare, and be troubled, though the mountaines shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. I am perswaded that neither death nor life, nor Angels,
Yet for all this, that only wise GOD of thine may hereafter for some cause seeming good to Himself, and for thy good, with-draw from thee the light of His countenance, and sense of His love, and leave thee for a time to the darkness of thine own spirit, and Satan's •orest temptations, &c. Ply therefore in this prosperity of thy soul all blessed means; the Ministry, Sacraments, Prayer, Conference, Meditations, humiliation-days, holiness of life, clearness of conscience, watching over thy heart, walking with GOD, sanctified use of afflictions, experimental observation of GODS dealings with thee from time to time, works of justice, mercy, and truth, &c. Thereby so to quicken, fortify and steel thy faith, that in the bitterest extremity of thy spiritual distress, thou mayest be able to say with Job, Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him, Job 13. 15. A thousand crosses moe, calamities and troubles may over-take thee before thou takest thy leave of this vale of tears: It will be thy wisdom therefore, now in this calm to ⟨p. 31⟩provide for a storm; to treasure up out of GODS Book many mollifying medicines and sovereign antidotes against all slavish and vexing forethought of them in the mean time, and their bitterness when they shall come upon thee. Thou mayest be assured, if thou be a son, thy heavenly Father will ever correct thee; 1. aNever before there be need: and always in 2. bWisdom. 3. cMeasure. 4. dLove and tenderness. 5. For ea moment only. 6. To ftry thee; what dross of corruption, and what sound metal of grace is in thee. 7: To gpurge out sin. 8. To hrefine thee, and make the virtues of CHRIST in thee more shining and illustrious. 9. To istir up, quicken and increase all saving graces in thy soul. Of which see my Exposition upon the 26 Chapter of Isa. Amongst all the rest, Faith ever becomes most famous by afflictions. Witness that cloud of witnesses, Heb. 11, 10. To kmake thee blessed. 11. To lsave thee. 12. And He mwill be ever with thee in trouble. 13. He nwill deliver thee. 14. Nay, and never was Gold-Smith more curious and precise to watch the very first season, when his gold is thoroughly refined and fitted for use, that he may take it out of the furnace; than our gracious GOD owaits in such cases with an holy longing, that He may have mercy upon thee and deliver thee.
Yet for all this, that onely wise GOD of thine may hereafter for some cause seeming good to Himselfe, and for thy good, with-draw from thee the light of His countenance, and sense of His love, and leave thee for a time to the darknesse of thine owne spirit, and Satans •orest temptations, &c. Ply therefore in this prosperity of thy soule all blessed meanes; the Ministry, Sacraments, Prayer, Conference, Meditations, humiliation-dayes, holinesse of life, clearenesse of conscience, watching over thy heart, walking with GOD, sanctified use of afflictions, experimentall observation of GODS dealings with thee from time to time, workes of justice, mercy, and truth, &c. Thereby so to quicken, fortifie and steele thy faith, that in the bitterest extremity of thy spirituall distresse, thou maist be able to say with Iob, Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him, Iob 13. 15. A thousand crosses moe, calamities and troubles may over-take thee before thou takest thy leave of this vale of teares: It will be thy wisdome therefore, now in this calme to ⟨p. 31⟩provide for a storme; to treasure up out of GODS Booke many mollifying medicines and soveraigne antidotes against all slavish and vexing forethought of them in the meane time, and their bitternesse when they shall come upon thee. Thou maist be assured, if thou be a sonne, thy heavenly Father will ever correct thee; 1. aNever before there be need: and alwayes in 2. bWisdome. 3. cMeasure. 4. dLove and tendernesse. 5. For ea moment onely. 6. To ftrie thee; what drosse of corruption, and what sound metall of grace is in thee. 7: To gpurge out sinne. 8. To hrefine thee, and make the vertues of CHRIST in thee more shining and illustrious. 9. To i
But how soever, or whatsoever befall thee in this life, thou must upon ⟨p. 32⟩necessity ere it be long, lie gasping for breath upon thy dying bed, and there grapple hand to hand with the utmost and concurrent rage of all the powers of darkness, and that king of fear attended with his terrors: and therefore let the whole course of thy life be a conscionable preparative to die comfortably: Suppose every Day thy last, and thereupon so behave thy self both in thy general and particular calling, as though thou shouldest be called to an exact account at night for all things done in the flesh, before that last and highest Tribunal: In all thy thoughts, words, actions and undertakings in any kind, say thus unto thy self: would I do thus and thus, if I certainly knew the next hour to be my last: In a word, so live, that upon good ground thou mayest bring Davids undaunted boldness to thy bed of death: Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
But how soever, or whatsoever befall thee in this life, thou must upon ⟨p. 32⟩necessity ere it be long, lie gasping for breath upon thy dying bed, and there graple hand to hand with the utmost and concurrent rage of all the powers of darknesse, and that king of feare attended with his terrours: and therefore let the whole course of thy life be a conscionable preparative to die comfortably: Suppose every Day thy last, and thereupon so behave thy selfe both in thy generall and particular calling, as though thou shouldest be called to an exact account at night for all things done in the flesh, before that last and highest Tribunall: In all thy thoughts, words, actions and undertakings in any kind, say thus unto thy selfe: would I do thus and thus, if I certenly knew the next houre to be my last: In a word, so live, that upon good ground thou maist bring Davids undaunted boldnesse to thy bed of death: Though I walke through the valley of the shadow of death, I will feare no evill.
Here, upon this seasonable occasion, give me leave to commend and tender unto you some special preparatives, rules, motives and means to furnish before hand, and fortify your spirits against all future evils, and terrible things that are towards.
Here, upon this seasonable occasion, give me leave to commend and tender unto you some speciall preparatives, rules, motives and meanes to furnish before hand, and fortifie your spirits against all future evils, and terrible things that are towards.
1. Treasure up richly and abundantly before hand the precepts, practice and experimental sweetness of patience, that most useful and precious virtue, which may serve (when time serves) as a sovereign antidote, to abate, and abolish the sting and venom of all crosses, afflictions, and mortal miseries; and as a comfortable cordial to ⟨p. 33⟩support and hold up thy heart in the bitterness and extremity of the sorest.
1. Treasure up richly and abundantly before hand the precepts, practice and experimentall sweetnesse of patience, that most usefull and precious vertue, which may serve (when time serves) as a soveraigne antidote, to abate, and abolish the sting and venime of all crosses, afflictions, and mortall miseries; and as a comfortable cordiall to ⟨p. 33⟩support and hold up thy heart in the bitternesse and extremity of the sorest.
Mighty and miraculous was the work of this glorious grace in blessed Job. By its heavenly and invincible influence upon his humble soul, it did not only utterly extinguish (which was a very admirable and extraordinary thing) all that desperate anguish and slavish grief, which such variety and extremity of greatest miseries, that ever befell any mortal man, would have naturally bred in the hopeless hearts of impatient worldlings; least of which is many times enough to drive them to despair and self-destruction; but also *enabled him with the sweetest calmness of a well-composed and unshaken spirit, even to bless the LORD his GOD for taking from him these transitory things, of which he was the true Proprietary, and which in much undeserved mercy He had lent unto him so long. The LORD gave, (said he) and the LORD hath taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD.
Mighty and miraculous was the worke of this glorious grace in blessed Iob. By its heavenly and invincible influence upon his humble soule, it did not onely utterly extinguish (which was a very admirable and extraordinary thing) all that desperate anguish and slavish griefe, which such variety and extremity of greatest miseries, that ever befell any mortall man, would have naturally bred in the hopelesse hearts of impatient worldlings; least of which is many times enough to drive them to despaire and selfe-destruction; but also *enabled him with the sweetest calmnesse of a well-composed and unshaken spirit, even to blesse the LORD his GOD for taking from him these transitory things, of which he was the true Proprietary, and which in much undeserved mercy He had lent unto him so long. The LORD gave, (said he) and the LORD hath taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD.
*Quanta adversus eum jacula missa▪ Quanta admota tormenta? jactura rei familiaris infligitur: numcrosae sobolis orbitas irrogatur: Dives in censu Dominus; & in liberis Pater di•ior: Nec Dominus repentè, nec Pater est. Accedit vulnerum vastitas, & tabescentes, ac dcfluentes artus vermium quoque edax poena consumit, &c. Nec tamen Job gravibus & densis conflictationibus frangitur, quo minus inter illas angustias & pressuras suas DEI benedictio victrice patientiâ praedicetur. Cyprian. de'bono Patientiae. Nihil in Domo remanserat, omnia in uno ictu perierunt, quibus opulentus paulò antè videbatur. Subitò mendicus in stercore sedet, a capite usque ad pedes vermibus scatens. Quid istâ miseriâ miserius? Quid interiore foelicitate foelicius? Perdiderat omnia illa quae dederat DEVS, sed habebat Ipsum qui omnia dederat DEVM.—Certè pauper est, certè nihil habet. Si nihil remansit, d• quo thesauro istae gemmae laudi• DEI proferuntur?—O virum putrem, & integrum; O foedum & pulchrum; O vulneratum & sanum; O in stercore sedentem, & in coelo regna• tem! August. de Temp. Serm. 105.Quanta adversus eum jacula missa▪ Quanta admota tormenta? jactura rei familiaris infligitur: numcrosae sobolis orbitas irrogatur: Dives in censu Dominus; & in liberis Pater di•ior: Nec Dominus repentè, nec Pater est. Accedit vulnerum vastitas, & tabescentes, ac dcfluentes artus vermium quoque edax poena consumit, &c. Nec tamen Iob gravibus & densis conflictationibus frangitur, quo minus inter illas angustias & pressuras suas DEI benedictio victrice patientiâ praedicetur. Cyprian. de'bono Patientiae. Nihil in Domo remanserat, omnia in uno ictu perierunt, quibus opulentus paulò antè videbatur. Subitò mendicus in stercore sedet, a capite usque ad pedes vermibus scatens. Quid istâ miseriâ miserius? Quid interiore foelicitate foelicius? Perdiderat omnia illa quae dederat DEVS, sed habebat Ipsum qui omnia dederat DEVM.—Certè pauper est, certè nihil habet. Si nihil remansit, d• quo thesauro istae gemmae laudi• DEI proferuntur?—O virum putrem, & integrum; O foedum & pulchrum; O vulneratum & sanum; O in stercore sedentem, & in coelo regna• tem! August. de Temp. Serm. 105.
With what infinite, implacable indignation, and bloody rage would Shimei railing have rent ⟨p. 34⟩in pieces the heart of many a graceless King? And yet David by the help of this holy virtue, passed on along patiently without wound, or passion.
With what infinite, implacable indignation, and bloudy rage would Shemeis railing have rent ⟨p. 34⟩in peeces the heart of many a gracelesse King? And yet David by the helpe of this holy vertue, passed on along patiently without wound, or passion.
That heavy news which was so horrible, that it made both the ears of every one that heard it, tingle, brought by Samuel to Eli immediately from GODS own mouth, might have made many an earth-worm to have run mad with the very fore-thought of so much misery to come: But good old patient Eli, when he had heard it all, sweetly ejaculates: It is the LORD: Let Him do what seemeth him good.
That heavy newes which was so horrible, that it made both the eares of every one that heard it, tingle, brought by Samuel to Eli immediately from GODS owne mouth, might have made many an earth-worme to have run mad with the very fore-thought of so much misery to come: But good old patient Eli, when he had heard it all, sweetly ejaculates: It is the LORD: Let Him doe what seemeth him good.
The taking away of two sons at once by a sudden and violent death, with visible vengeance from heaven, and in the middest of a most horrible sin, is naturally matter of sorrow which cannot be expressed, and extremest grief: yet Aaron in such a case having learned conformity of his own will to the divine pleasure of the only wise GOD; when Moses told him that the LORD would be sanctified in them that come nigh 1Him, and before all the people H• would be glorified; He held his peace: And Aaron held his peace. So quieting his heart because GOD would have it so. See further for this purpose, 2 Sam. 3. 15. 26. Isa. 39, 8. &c.
The taking away of two sonnes at once by a sudden and violent death, with visible vengeance from heaven, and in the middest of a most horrible sinne, is naturally matter of sorrow which cannot be exprest, and extremest griefe: yet Aaron in such a case having learned conformity of his owne will to the divine pleasure of the onely wise GOD; when Moses told him that the LORD would be sanctified in them that come nigh 1Him, and before all the people H• would be glorified; He held his peace: And Aaron held his peace. So quieting his heart because GOD would have it so. See further for this purpose, 2 Sam. 3. 15. 26. Isa. 39, 8. &c.
By these few precedents you may easily perceive what singular and sovereign power patience hath to pull the sting, and extract the poison out of the most grievous calamities and greatest troubles.
By these few precedents you may easily perceive what singular and soveraigne power patience hath to pull the sting, and extract the poyson out of the most grievous calamities and greatest troubles.
But now on the contrary: Impatience and unpleasednesse ⟨p. 35⟩with GODS providence in sending both good and aill, yet ever in love, and for our good; For bwhat son is he, whom the Father chasteneth not? doth more afflict us than all our afflictions. The storm of GODS wrath breaks out sometimes upon the outward state of some greedy fretting mammonist, and He justly smites him for his wicked covetousness and dishonest gain, perhaps in the height and hot gleam of his prosperity and thriving, by some sudden visible consumption, or secret wasting curse: He (as such covetous wretches are wont) takes on extremely, far beyond the rage of the maddest bedlam. He stamps and stares (as they say) roars and raves; g•asneth his teeth, tears his hair, bites his nails, almost like a damned soul, that hath new lost heaven; until at length the Devil lead him to lay violent hands upon himself. Now, are not these self-vexing tortures far more rerrible than the taking away of his transitories? Is not the cutting of his own throat incomparably worse than the cross? A bird that is entangled amongst lime twigs, the more she stirs and struggles, the more she is made sure, and doubles her danger: A crepining reluctation, and angry striving (as it were) to get out of GODS hands, doth ever envenom and exasperate the wound, and makes us ten times worse, and more miserable, than if we fairly and ⟨p. 36⟩patiently submitted to his omnipotent and most merciful will. Neither doth want of patience only mightily enrage a cross, but it also embitters all our comforts. The bare omission of a mere complement in Mordecai did not only fill Hamans proud heart with many raging distempers of hatred, malice, revenge, foolish indignation and much furious discontentment; but also turned all the pleasure, and kindly relish in his courtly pleasures, riches, honours, offices, extraordinary advancements and royal favours, into gall and wormwood. And Haman told them of the glory of his 4riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the King had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the Princes and servants of the King. Haman said moreover, yea Esther the Queen did let no man come in with the King unto the Banquet that she had prepared, but my self, and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the King.
But now on the contrary: Impatiency and unpleasednesse ⟨p. 35⟩with GODS providence in sending both good and aill, yet ever in love, and for our good; For bwhat sonne is he, whom the Father chasteneth not? doth more afflict us than all our afflictions. The storme of GODS wrath breaks out sometimes upon the outward state of some greedy fretting mammonist, and He justly sinites him for his wicked covetousnesse and dishonest gaine, perhaps in the height and hot gleame of his prosperity and thriving, by some sudden visible consumption, or secret wasting curse: He (as such covetous wretches are wont) takes on extremely, farre beyond the rage of the maddest bedlam. He stamps and stares (as they say) roares and raves; g•asneth his teeth, teares his haire, bites his nailes, almost like a damned soule, that hath new lost heaven; untill at length the Devill lead him to lay violent hands upon himselfe. Now, are not these selfe-vexing tortures farre more rerrible than the taking away of his transitories? Is not the cutting of his owne throat incomparably worse than the crosse? A bird that is intangled amongst limetwigs, the more she stirres and struggles, the more she is made sure, and doubles her danger: A crepining reluctation, and angry striving (as it were) to get out of GODS hands, doth ever enveaime and exasperate the wound, and makes us ten times worse, and more miserable, than if we fairely and ⟨p. 36⟩patiently submitted to his omnipotent and most mercifull will. Neither doth want of patience onely mightily enrage a crosse, but it also embitters all our comforts. The bare omission of a meere complement in Mordecai did not onely fill Hamans proud heart with many raging distempers of hatred, malice, revenge, foolish indignation and much furious discontentment; but also turned al the pleasure, and kindly relish in his courtly pleasures, riches, honours, offices, extraordinary advancements and royall favours, into gall and wormewood. And Haman told them of the glory of his 4riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the King had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the Princes and servants of the King. Haman said moreover, yea Esther the Queene did let no man come in with the King unto the Banquet that she had prepared, but my selfe, and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the King.
aIn the equity of an holy and just proportion, we must expect as well ill as good, at th• hands of GOD. What? (saith Job) shall we receive good at the hand of GOD, and shall we not receive evil? Cap. 2. 10.In the equity of an holy and jus• proportion, wee must expect as well ill as good, at th• hands of GOD. What? (saith Iob) shall wee receive good at the hand of GOD, and shall wee not receive evill? Cap. 2. 10.
bMagis timere debemus▪ si aut nullas, aut parvas tribulationes in hoc saeculo patimur: quia si DEVS flagellat omnem filium quem recipit, sine dubio quē non flagellat, non recipit: Aus• de Temp. Se. m. 105.Magis timere debemus▪ si aut nullas, aut parvas tribulationes in hoc saeculo patimur: quia si DEVS flagellat omnem filium quem recipit, sine dubio quē non flagellat, non recipit: Aus• de Temp. Se. m. 105.
cQuid indigna• Querclae & indignatio nil aliud, quam accessio mali sunt; nihil enim tam exasperat fe•vorem vulneris, quàm serendi impatientia. Omnis indignatio in tormentum suum proficit. Sic laqueos fera dumb jactat, astringit; sic aves viscum, dumb trepidantes excutiunt, plumis omnibus illinunt: nullum tam arctum est jugum, quod non minus laedat ducentem, quàm repugnantem Unum est levamentum malorum ingentium etiam pati, & necessitatibus suis obsequi. Quid igitur mor•o corporis, animi morbum addere juvat, teque miseriorem facere murmurando, &c.Quid indigna• Querclae & indignatio nil aliud, quam accessio mali sunt; nihil enim tam exasperat fe•vorem vulneris, quàm serendi impatientia. Omnis indignatio in tormentum suum proficit. Sic laqueos fera dum jactat, astringit; sic aves viscum, dum trepidantes excutiunt, plumis omnibus illinunt: nullum tam arctum est jugum, quod non minus laedat ducentem, quàm repugnantem Vnum est levamentum malorum ingentium etiam pati, & necessitatibus suis obsequi. Quid igitur mor•o corporis, animi morbum addere juvat, teque miseriorem facere murmurando, &c.
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the Kings gate. Whereas now David, a King, as I told you before, by the benefit of this blessed grace, did not suffer his Princely spirit to be un-calmed at all, no not by the traitorous and most intolerable reviling of a dead dog, and his basest vassal.
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Iew sitting at the Kings gate. Whereas now David, a King, as I told you before, by the benefit of this blessed grace, did not suffer his Princely spirit to be un-calmed at all, no not by the traiterous and most intolerable reviling of a dead dog, and his baseft vassall.
2. Keep off thy heart from the world, in the greatest affluence of wealth and worldly prosperity. Earthly-mindedness ever sharpeneth and keens the sting in all distresses. It gives teeth to the cross to eat out the very heart of the afflicted. Had not Job been able to have professed, that in ⟨p. 37⟩the height of his happiness he was thus affected: If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the •ine gold, Thou art my confidence: If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much: [Here asay Divines, something is understood, as dispeream, then let me perish, or the like] If bI beheld the Sun when it shined, or the Moon walking in brightness: And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:—Then should I have denied the GOD that is above. If I grew proud, puffed up, or pleased my self with the glistering brightness of my earthly abundance, let it be so and so with me: I say, except Jobs heart had been thus cweaned from the world, when as yet he wallowed in wealth; he had never been able to hold out in the evil day, and to have borne so bravely the ruin of so rich a state without repining. But now churlish Nabal, whose affections were notoriously nailed to the earth; though perhaps once or twice a year he made a jovial and frolic feast, as other cunning worldlings are wont to their good-fellow-companions, upon purpose to procure and preserve a Pharisaical reputation of bounty with some flattering dependants, ⟨p. 38⟩and for a cloak to colour their covetousness and cruelty; yet he was of a flinty bosom in respect of doggedness and extreme niggardise, especially towards GODS people, and his heart by excessive rooting there, was turned wholly into earth: and therefore in the evil day, it died within him, and he became as a stone. To keep off the world in a fit distance, that it do thee no deadly hurt, and undo thee quite; keep still fresh and strong in thy thoughts a true estimate and right conceit of the dmutability of all things here below, and thine own mortality. In their best condition and highest confluence, they are but 1. Vanity: We shall never •ind in them any solidity, or that good or comfort which we still with much eager pursuit and thirst expect and labour in vain to extract from them: but upon trial and trust in them, they will ever prove empty clouds, broken staves of reed.
2. Keepe off thy heart from the world, in the greatest affluence of wealth and worldly prosperity. Earthly-mindednesse ever sharpeneth and keenes the sting in all distresses. It gives teeth to the crosse to eat out the very heart of the afflicted. Had not Iob beene able to have professed, that in ⟨p. 37⟩the height of his happinesse he was thus affected: If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the •ine gold, Thou art my confidence: If I rejoyced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much: [Here asay Divines, somthing is understood, as dispeream, then let me perish, or the like] If bI beheld the Sun when it shined, or the Moone walking in brightnesse: And my heart hath beene secretly entised, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:—Then should I have denied the GOD that is above. If I grew proud, puft up, or pleased my selfe with the glistering brightnesse of my earthly abundance, let it be so and so with me: I say, except Iobs heart had beene thus cwained from the world, when as yet he wallowed in wealth; he had never been able to hold out in the evill day, and to have borne so bravely the ruine of so rich a state without repining. But now churlish Nabal, whose affections were notoriously nail'd to the earth; though perhaps once or twice a yeare he made a joviall and frolicke feast, as other cunning worldlings are wont to their good-fellow-companions, upon purpose to procure and preserve a Pharisaicall reputation of bounty with some flattering dependants, ⟨p. 38⟩and for a cloke to colour their covetousnesse and cruelty; yet he was of a •linty bosome in respect of doggednesse and extreme niggardise, especially towards GODS people, and his heart by excessive rooting there, was turned wholly into earth: and therefore in the evill day, it died within him, and he became as a stone. To keepe off the world in a fit distance, that it do thee no deadly hurt, and undoe thee quite; keepe still fresh and strong in thy thoughts a true estimate and right conceipt of the dmutability of all things here below, and thine owne mortality. In their best condition and highest confluence, they are but 1. Vanity: We shall never •ind in them any solidity, or that good or comfort which we still with much eager pursuit and thirst expect and labour in vaine to extract from them: but upon triall and trust in them, they will ever proove empty clouds, broken staves of reed.
aHic subaudienda imprecatio, dispeream, &c. Mer• in Loc.
bQuidam hoc ita exposuerunt, quasi Jobus profiteretur, see Solem & Lunam non adorasse: quià antiquis ea superstitio valdè usitata erat, praesertim in Orient:—Is verò sensus verus quidem est, sed tamen loco praesenti non convenit: Jobus hic voluit aliâ similitudine uti, & equidem juxta sermonem, quem jam habu•mus de eo quod professus est se nullâ superbiâ & arrogantiâ laborasse, &c. Calv. in loc.Quidam hoc ita exposuerūt, quasi Iobus profiteretur, se Solem & Lunam non adorasse: quià antiquis ea superstitio valdè usitata erat, praesertim in Oriente:—Is verò sensus verus quidem est, sed tamen loco praesenti non convenit: Iobus hic voluit aliâ similitudine uti, & equidem juxta sermonem, quem jam habu•mus de eo quod professus est se nullâ superbiâ & arrogantiâ laborasse, &c. Calv. in loc.
cSi laetatus sum, inquit, multis mihi affluentibus undique divitijs, si recondidi aurum in pulverem, si spem in pretiosis lapidibus habui. Haecille. Proptereà nec quum erepta quidem omnia subitò essent, turbatus est, quippe qui praesentibus non delectantur, &c.—Quas omnes ob res mecum ipse plerumque admitari s•leo, quare in mentem Diabolo venit, exercitationes istius non ignoranti, tot tantosque adversus ipsum cogitasse labores. Cur igitur illi venit in mentem? Truculentissima certè bestia nunquam solet despera•e victoriam, quod ad condemnationem nostram spectat: nam ille nunquam, ut dixi, nostram desperate perditionem: nos de salute nostrâ saepius desperamus. Chrysost. Hom. 34. in M•.Si laetatus sum, inquit, multis mihi affluentibus undique divitijs, si recondidi aurum in pulverem, si spem in pretiosis lapidibus habui. Haecille. Proptereà nec quum erepta quidem omnia subitò essent, turbatus est, quippe qui praesentibus non delectantur, &c.—Quas omnes ob res mecum ipse plerumque admitari s•leo, quare in mentem Diabolo venit, exercitationes istius non ignoranti, tot tantosque adversus ipsum cogitasse labores. Cur igitur illi venit in mentem? Truculentissima certè bestia nunquam solet despera•e victoriam, quod ad condemnationem nostram spectat: nam ille nunquam, ut dixi, nostram desperat perditionem: nos de salute nostrâ saepius desperamus. Chrysost. Hom. 34. in M.
eApps of Sodom, Wells without water. And when we grasp them most greedily, we embrace nothing but smoke, which wrings tears from our eyes, and vanisheth into nothing. 2: Vexation of spirit. Besides the emptiness and absence of that imaginary felicity which we hunt after in them; there is also the presence and plenty of much […] and hearts grief, which the ⟨p. 39⟩slaves of pleasure, and lovers of the world little look for, when they at first resolve to sell their souls for such transitory trash. Divitias invenisti? (saith one) Requiem perdidisti. Hast thou found riches? Thou hast lost thy rest. A man that will be rich, takes no more rest, than one upon a rack, or bed of thorns▪ like fAnacreon with his five Talents, still distracted with worldly thoughts, and continually pricked with cares and fears. 3. They cannot satisfy the soul. Gold can no more fill the spirit of a man, than grace his purse. Between heaven and earth, spirits and bodies, souls and silver, there is no proportion. And therefore no earthly excellencies, no carnal pleasures, no worldly treasures are fit matter, or a full object, for such an immaterial, immortal and heavenly borne-being to feed upon with any proper delight, true comfort, or sound contentment. Not all this great material world, or greatest mass of gold can possibly fill the mighty capacity and immeasurable appetite of this little spark of heaven breathed into us by the infinite power of an Almighty hand. A man may as well fill a bag with wisdom, as the soul with the world; a chest with virtues, as the mind with wealth. 4. They cannot help in the evil day. Their blood (saith the Prophet) shall be poured out as 3dust, and their flesh as the dung: neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORDS wrath. Put a man into a pang of any painful malady, and bodily torture; as into a fit of the Stone, Strangury, ⟨p. 40⟩gdeep Melancholy, Gout, Colic, or the like: let some incurable devouring Ulcer, Canker, Elephantiasis, the Wolfe, the hPlica, &c. take hold upon ⟨p. 41⟩any part of his Body; and let him tell me then, what account he would make of all the Imperial Crowns upon earth, attended with the height and utmost of humane felicities? Or what comfort could he take in the riches, glory and pleasures of the whole world?
eApp•s of Sodom, Wells without water. And when we graspe them most greedily, we embrace nothing but smoke, which wrings teares from our eyes, and vanisheth into nothing. 2: Vexation of spirit. Besides the emptinesse and absence of that imaginary felicity which we hunt after in them; there is also the presence and plenty of much 〈…〉 and hearts griese, which the ⟨p. 39⟩slaves of pleasure, and lovers of the world little looke for, when they at first resolve to sell their soules for such transitory trash. Divitias invenisti? (saith one) Requiem perdidisti. Hast thou found riches? Thou hast lost thy rest. A man that will be rich, takes no more rest, than one upon a racke, or bed of thornes▪ like fAnacreon with his five Talents, still distracted with worldly thoughts, and continually prickt with cares and feares. 3. They cannot satisfie the soule. Gold can no more fill the spirit of a man, than grace his purse. Betweene heaven and earth, spirits and bodies, soules and silver, there is no proportion. And therefore no earthly excellencies, no carnall pleasures, no worldly treasures are fit matter, or a full object, for such an immateriall, immortall and heavenly borne-being to feed upon with any proper delight, true comfort, or sound contentment. Not all this great materiall world, or greatest masse of gold can possibly fill the mighty capacity and immeasurable appetite of this little sparke of heaven breath'd into us by the infinite power of an Almighty hand. A man may as well fill a bag with wisedome, as the soule with the world; a chest with vertues, as the mind with wealth. 4. They cannot helpe in the evill day. Their bloud (saith the Prophet) shalbe powred out as 3dust, and their flesh as the dung: neither their silver nor their gold shalbe able to deliver them in the day of the LORDS wrath. Put a man into a pang of any painefull maladie, and bodily torture; as into a fit of the Stone, Strangury, ⟨p. 40⟩gdeepe Melancholy, Gout, Cholicke, or the like: let some incurable devouring Ulcer, Canker, Elephantiasis, the Wolfe, the hPlica, &c. take hold upon ⟨p. 41⟩
ePoma Gomorrhaea pulchra quidem sunt, sed cum frangu•ur in vagum pulve•em fatiscunt.
fAnacreon quinque talentis Poly•rate donatus, cum per duas noctes pro ipsis solicitus fuisset, reddidit •a, inquiens; no• tanti esse quatâ ipsorum nomine curâ laboraret. St•b. Cap. 39.Anacreo• quinque talentis Poly•rate donatus, cum per duas noctes pro ipsis solicitus fuisset, reddidit •a, inquiens; no• tanti esse quatâ ipsorum nomine curâ laboraret. St•b. Cap. 39.
gNo torture of body like unto it, no strappado's, hot-irons▪ Phalaris Bulls, all fears, griefs, suspicions, discontents are swallowed up and drowned in this Euripus, this •sh Sea, this Ocean of misery, as so many small b•ooks. This is th• Quintessence of humane adversity; all other diseases whatsoever are but flea-bi•ings to Melancholy in extent. 'Tis the pith of them all And a melancholy man is that true Prometheus which is bound to Caucasus the true Titius, whose bowels are still by a Vul•r devoured, is Poe•s feign, and so doth Litius Gi•aldus interpret it, of anxieties, and those griping •ares. In all other maladies whatsoever we seek for help•: If a leg or an orme ache through any d•stemperature r wound: or that we have any ordinary disease, above all things whatsoever, we desire help and health, a present recovery, if by any means possibly it may be procured We will ly part with all our other substance, endure any misery, drink bitter potions, swallow those […] pills, suffer our joints to be seared to be cut off, any thing for future health; so swet, so dea, so precious above all other things in the world is life: but to melancholic mn, nothing so tedious, nothing so odious; that which they so carefully seek to preserve, e ares; he alone, so intolerable are his pains. Buron of Melanch. pag. 274.
stirre up, quicken and increase all saving graces in thy soule. Of which see my Exposition upon the 26 Chapter of Isa. Amongst all the rest, Faith ever becomes most famous by afflictions. Witnesse that cloud of witnesses, Heb. 11, 10. To
will deliver thee. 14. Nay, and never was Gold-Smith more curious and precise to watch the very first season, when his gold is thorowly refined and fitted for use, that he may take it out of the fornace; than our gracious GOD
dQuid sunt •os humanae? Cinis▪ pulvis, sumus, umbra, solia •dentia, also, somnium, fabula, ventus, aër, penna mobilis, •da decu•ens, & si quid istis inserius Chrysost In Epist. ad Heb. H•m. 9. Inquiramus, si placet, quae sunt illa prae sentis vit• p• […] Divitiae, glo•ia, potenti•, magnum ex• ab hominibus? Sed videbis nihil illis esse i•certius,—[…] vid•ti […] in […], aliqua pars ejus, eò quod […] siunt ima, & ima summa: ita & nostra•um re•um impetus […] ve•untur summa facit in•ma: ut videre […] indivitijs, potenti•, […]. Nunquam enim in e•dem •atu manent, sed semper inflabiles, fluminum fluxus imitantur. Idem. Hom. de Nomine Abram.Quid sunt •os humanae? Cinis▪ pulvis, sumus, umbra, solia •dentia, •los, somnium, fabula, ventus, aër, penna mobilis, •da decu•ens, & si quid istis inserius Chrysost In Epist. ad Heb. H•m. 9. Inquiramus, si placet, quae sunt illa prae sentis vit• p•〈…〉 Divitiae, glo•ia, potenti•, magnum ex• ab hominibus? Sed videbis nihil illis esse i•certius,—〈…〉 vid•ti 〈…〉 in 〈…〉, aliqua pars ejus, eò quod 〈…〉 siunt ima, & ima summa: ita & nostra•um re•um imp•tus 〈…〉 ve•untur summa facit in•ma: ut videre 〈…〉 indivitijs, potenti•, 〈…〉. Nunquam enim in e•dem •atu manent, sed semper inflabiles, fluminum fluxus imitantur. Idem. Hom. de Nomine Abram.
any part of his Body; and let him tell me then, what account he would make of all the Imperiall Crownes upon earth, attended with the height and utmost of humane felicities? Or what comfort could he take in the riches, glory and pleasures of the whole world?
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No torture of body like unto it, no strappado's, hot-irons▪ Phalaris Buls, all feares, griefes, suspicions, discontents are swallowed up and drowned in this Euripus, this •sh Sea, this Ocean of misery, as so many small b•ooks. This is th• Quintessence of humane adversity; all other diseases whatsoever are but flea-bi•ings to Melancholy in extent. 'Tis the pith of them all And a melancholy man is that true Prometheus which is bound to Caucasus the true Titius, whose bowels are still by a Vul•r d•voured, is Poe•s seigne, and so do•h Litius Gi•aldus interpret it, of anxieties, and those gripi•g •ares. In all other maladies whatsoeuer we seeke for help•: If a leg or an orme ake through any d•stemperature •r wound: or that we have any ordinary disease, above all things whatsoever, we desire helpe and health, a present recovery, if by any means possi•ly it may be procured We will •ly part with all our other substance, endure any miserie, drink▪ bitter pot•ons, swallow those 〈…〉 pills, suff•r our joints to be seared▪ to be cut off, any thing for future health; so sw•et, so dea•, so precious above all other things in the world is life: but to • melancholicke m•n, nothing so ted•ous, nothing so odious; that which they so carefully secke to p•eserve, •e a•res; he alone, so intolerable are his paines. Bur•on of Melanch. pag. 274.
hA most loathsome and horrible disease in the hair, unheard of in former times, as Morbus Galli•us, and Sudor Anglicus; bred by modern luxury and excess. it seizeth specially upon women; and by reason of a viseous v•imous humour, glues together (as it were) the hair of their head with a proaigious ugly implication and entanglement: sometimes taking the for me of a great snaks, sometimes of many little serpents: full of •astinesse, vermin and noisome smell: And that which is most to be admired, and never eye saw before, pricked with a needle, they yield bloody drop•; And at the first spreading of this dreadful disuse in Poland, all that cut off this horrible and snaky hair, lost their eyes, or the humour fall•g dow•e upon other parts of the body▪ tortur'd them extremely. Hear my Author, that learned and famous Professor of Physics in Padua, Hercules Saxonia, in his •wue word: Plica, est agglutinatio, vel invis•atio quaedam pilorum ex humido viseido, lento ac glutinoso. Nunc primum peruniversam ferè Poloniam grassatur; i•ò verò per quasdam Germaniae parts divagatur—Maximam partem •oeminas in▪ vadit: Eos etiam qui •orriginem capitis, quam vulgus tineam vocat, medicamentis •epercutientibus represserunt: Praetereà f•minas, quae menstruis temporibus nonsatis purgantur.—Quis non novum, mirabile, & horridum putet capillos ex prop•ia naturâ planos, denussos a• simplices, momento temporis sponte suâ sub coelo admodum •gido incrispari, paulo post e•igi, involvi, atque indissolubili•er conjungi, va•ias recipere sigmas, quandoque maximi cujusdam anguis, aliquandò plurium & minotum see pentum, undique vermes, […] •oetoremque redolere: Quodque omnium maximum est, & a saeculo inauditum, a•u perpunctos, vel transfixos sanguinem essundere.—Expertum est, qui tales sas•iculos implicatorum peractè interse c•nium deraserint, eos oculis cap•. aut detluxibus ad alias partes corporis gravissi•e to•queri. It begun first not many years ago in Poland. It is now entered into many Parts of Germany. And me thinks, our monstrous Fashionists, both male and female; the one for nour•shine their horrid bushes of vanity; the other for their most unnatural and cursed cutting their hair should every hour fear and tremble, lest they should bring it upon their own heads, and awork us in this Kingdom•▪A most lothsom• and horrible disease in the haire, unheard of in former times, as Morbus Galli•us, and Sudor Anglicus; bred by moderne luxurie and excesse. it seizeth specially upon women; and by reason of a viseous v•imous humour, glues together (as it were) the haire of their head with a proaigious ugly implication and en•anglement: sometimes taking the for me of a great snaks, sometimes of many little serpents: full of •astinesse, v•rmine and noiso•e smell: And that which is most to be admired, and never eye saw before, pricked with a needle, they yeeld bloudy drop•; And at the first spreading of this dreadfull dis•se in Poland, all that cut off this •orrible and snakie haire, lost their eyes, or the humour fall•g dow•e upon other parts of the body▪ tortur'd them extremely. Heare my Author, that learned and famous Professour of Physicks in Padua, Hercules Saxonia, in his •wue word: Plica, est agglutinatio, vel invis•atio quaedam pilorum ex humido viseido, lento ac glutinoso. Nunc primum peruniversam ferè Poloniam grassatur; i•ò verò per quasdam Germaniae partes divagatur—Maximam partem •oeminas in▪ vadit: Eos etiam qui •orriginem capitis, quam vulgus tineam vocat, medicamentis •epercutientibus represserunt: Praetereà f•minas, quae menstruis temporibus nonsatis purgantur.—Quis non novum, mirabile, & horridum putet capillos ex prop•ia naturâ planos, denussos a• simplices, momento temporis sponte suâ sub coelo admodum •gido incrispari, paulo post e•igi, involvi, atque indissolubili•er conjungi, vaias recipere sigmas, quandoque maximi cujusdam anguis, aliquandò plurium & minotum se pentum, undique vermes, oetoremque redolere: Quodque omnium maximum est, & a saeculo inauditum, au perpunctos, vel transfixos sanguinem essundere.—Expertum est, qui tales sasiculos implicatorum peractè interse cnium deraserint, eos oculis cap. aut detluxibus ad alias partes corporis gravissie toqueri. It begun first not many yeares ago in Poland. It is now entred into many Parts of Germany. And me thinks, our monstrous Fashionists, both male and female; the one for nourshine their horrid bushs of vanity; the other for their most unnaturall and cursed cutting their haire should every houre feare and tremble, lest they should bring it upon their owne heads, and awor us in this Kingdom
