The Booke it selfe in glory of its name , is proud to tell from whence the subiect came .

PEACE be to you ; I greet you in the blessing of a God , the salutation of an Apostle , and the Motto of a King : My Subiect hath her being in Heauen , her Theory in holy Writ , and her practique in England , Insula pacis . The Land of Peace , vnder the King of Peace .

Like Noahs Doue , she was sent out to seeke a resting place , to see if the whole world were not yet couered with the perpetuall deluge of Blood and Enmity , & only here she found the Oliue Leafe ; Hitherto hath she been Pilotto the Arke , & heere it first toucht shoare : heere now it hath remained full Fifteene yeeres , I am proud to report it .

Reioyce O England with thine espoused Scotland , and let thy handmaid Ireland ioy with thee . Let all thy seruant Islands be glad , yea , let in strangers to behold and tast thy blessings .

The disturbed French , seeke succour with thee , the troubled Dutch fly to thy confines , the Italian leaues his hotter clymate ; These and many more all seeke shelter vnder the sweet shaddow of thine Oliue Branches .

O London , blessed Mrs . of this happy Brittaine , build new thy Gates ther 's peace entring at them . The God of peace hath sent this peace of God , ô euer loue her , that she may neuer leaue thee , salute her , and inuite her . Let White-Hall ( fit embleme for her purity ) be her chiefe Pallace , and let it say , Ades almasalus .

Peace and Contention lye heere on earth , as trading Factors for life and death .

Who desires not to haue traffique with life ? who ( weary of life ) but would die to liue ?

Peace is the passage from life to life , come then to the factory of peace , thou that desirest to haue life : behold the substitue of peace on earth , displaying the flag of peace , Beati pacifici .

Let Contention enioy ( without ioy ) large Empires ; heere wee enioy ( with all ioy ) our happy Sanctuarie . It was borne with him , he brought it with him , after Fiue and Thirty yeares increase , and heere hath multiplyed it to Fifty with vs : ô blessed Iubile , let it be celebrated with all ioy and cheerefulnesse , and all sing , Beati Pacifici .

And are not the labours blest with the worke-man ? England & Scotland , ( though not malicious enemies , yet churlish Neighbours ) are reconciled . Feast , loue , liue , and dye together , are indeed no more neither what they were , but a new thing betwixt them , more firme and neere in their louing Vnion , then euer deuided in their harty vnkindnesse ; and now both say , with one tongue , Beati Pacifici .

Ireland , that rebellious Outlaw , that so many yeares cried blood and death ( filling her Marrish grounds with massacres , affording many preys of slaughtered bodies to her rauenous Wolues , and in their wombes keeping the brutish obsequies ) would know no Lord , but grew more stubborne in her chastisement , till this white ensigne was displayed ; then shee came running with this hallowed text in her mouth , Beati Pacifici .

Spaine , that great and long-lasting opposite , betwixt whome and England , the Ocean ranne with blood not many yeares before , nor euer truc'd her crimson effusion : their Marchants on either side traffiqu't in blood , their Indian Ingotts broght home in bloud , ( a commerce too cruell for Christian Kingdomes ) yet now shake hands in friendly amity , and speake our blessing with vs , Beati pacifici .

Nay , what christian Kingdome that knowes the blessing of peace , has not desired & tasted this our blessing from vs ? Come they not hither as to the Fountaine from whence it springs ? Heere sits Salomon , and hither come the Tribes for Iudgments : Oh happy Moderator , blessed Father , not father of thy Country alone , but Father of all thy neighbour Countries about thee . Spaine , & her withstanding Prouinces ( long bruised on both sides ) thou hast set at peace , turning their bloody Leaguers , to leagues of friendship : doe not those children now liue to blesse thee , ( who had else been buried in their Parents wombes ? ) and say Beati pacifici .

Denmarke and Sueuia , Sueuia and Poland , Cleue and Brandenburg : haue not these & many more come to this Oracle of Peace , and receiued their doomes from it ? If the members of a naturall body , by concord assist one another ; if the politike members of a kingdome helpe one another , and by it support it selfe ; why shall not the Monarchall bodies of many Kingdomes , be one mutuall Christendome ? if still they sing this blessed lesson taught them , Beati pacifici .

Let England then , ( the seat of our Salomon ) reioyce in her happy gouernment , yea , her gouernment of gouernments ; and she that can set peace with others , let her ( at least ) enioy it her selfe : let vs loue peace , and be at peace in loue . We liue in Beth-salem the house of Peace , then let vs euer sing this song of peace , Beati pacifici .

Detraction snarles , and tempts faire Peace to show the plentie of her fruits , and how they grow .

SEd vbi fructus ? Detraction to Peace . Where are all these rich and oppulent blessings that this tender white rob'd Peace hath brought with her ? Aetas parentum peior auis &c. Our Grandfathers ( for the most part ) were honester men then our Fathers , our Fathers better then wee , and our Children are like ynough to bee worse then our selues . Do's Peace keepe a Pallace where Charity may warme herselfe ?

Shame murmurer , Peace answere . hadst thou rather with the forgetfull Israelites , go backe to the Flesh-pots of Egypt ( bought with blowes and burdens , ) then eate Manna in the way to Canaan .

Doest thou thirst heere ? t is for want of Sacrifice to him that should refresh thee then .

Thy Grandfather prayed for this that thou enioyest , and though hee had it not himselfe , yet prepared it as a blessing on thee . The Sunne that daily shines on thee , thou letst it passe with a carelesse & neglectiue eye ; but were it hid from thee , the change of a Moone , thou wouldst then welcome it , with all alacrity & chearefulnesse .

Were blowes more bountifull to thee ? Did bloud yeild thee benefit ? Warre affoord thee wealth ? Didst thou make that thine owne by violence , which was anothers by right ? It may be , the Hand-maid was fruitfull , and the Mistres barraine ; But Sarah has now brought foorth , and in her seed are the blessings come .

Hagar is despised , Peace hath conceiued , and smiling Isaack hath left vs Iacob , a new Israell , a Prince of God , a man that hath preuayld with God to plant his peace with vs .

The trading Marchant finds it , who daily plowes the Sea , and as daily reapes the haruest of his labours . What wants England that the world can enrich her with ? Tyre sends in her Purples ; India her Spices ; Affrick her gold ; Muscouie her costly skins of beasts ; All her neighbour Countries their best traffique , & all purchased by friendly commerce , not ( as before ) by sauage cruelty .

The feare lesse trades and handicraft men sing away their laborsal day ( hauing no note drownd with either noise of Dromme or Cannon ) and sleepe with peace at night .

The frolicke Countryman , opens the fruitefull Earth , and crops his plenty from her fertile bosome : Nay , even his toyling beasts are trapt with bells , who tast ( in their labours ) the harmony of peace , with their awfull gouernors .

The Magistrate , constantly drawes his sword of Iustice on offenders , not ore-awed by party-headed contentions .

The Kingdomes beauty , the Nobilitie , who were wont to bee strangers in their natiue country , leading the ranks of blood and death against their enemies , haue now no enemy , but keepe their practise amongst themselues , to pastime with ( Nonne haec meminisse voluptas ? ) And now ( more sweet and holy ) are Pillars at home , that were enforced to be prodigies abroad ; all being ( by a heauenly Metamorphosis ) transhaped to become the becomming branches of the great Oliue Tree of Peace . And doth not Charitie dwell here with Peace ? ô blind detraction . Has not in foretimes , vnwilling necessity , erected two Hospitals ? and now most free and willing Charity , hath ( in augmentation of her glory ) raised Twenty Almeshouses ; yea , so many for one , and giue her true testimony .

Nay , has she not done the great wonder ? built some Churches , repaird many , and still her hand is dealing ? Is not the summe of all , Religion , establisht by her ? Are not the Flesh-eating fires quencht , and our Faggots conuerted to gentler vses ? O , but those Corne-fields must neuer be without some Tares , vntill the generall Haruest : Israell must not at once , destroy all the Inhabitants of the land of promise , but by little & little , least they boast and say , it was our strength , and not the Lords hand that did it .

Nor shall our peace ( in her yong Plantation ) enioy so full and perfect a tranquillity , but that there will be with vs contentious Cananites , seditious Iebusites , crafty Gibeonites , drunken Amorties , and arrogant Anakims .

Envy shall stand betweene , and hold two Brothers of either hand of her ; Sectarists and Schismatiques shall breake the peace of God , wound the mother of peace ( the Church ) and bind together false Brotherhoods , to dissipate the vnity and bonds of peace .

Law shall wrangle with her ; Ebrietie & drinke shall strike her , Pride and Ambition shall seeke to ouerthrow her : yea , euen her oylie and most dangerous enemie Hypocrisie , shall get within to strangle her , yet still shall she stand , and raigne , and conquer . Inuidiam pax prosternet , she shall mount to Heauen , and throw her enemies as low as Hell , where peace shall neuer come .

Enuy shall gnaw her own entrailes , Schisme shal perish , Law shal be silent , Drunkennes shall burst it selfe , Pride shal be humbled in her own habitation , and hollow-harted Hipocrisie , shall find no peace . Vbi Deorum numen praetenditur sceleribus , Flamin . Consul . subit animum timor . Where the Maiesty of God , is made a colour for mischiefe , a feare comes into that brest : his peace shall be tremblings , & doubts , and horrors ; his hart shal then faint , that told him before like hart-stealing Absolon in his Fathers gates , thy cause was good , Ezech. 13. 10. when it was not so . Or like the false & foolish Prophets , that told the people it was pax , pax , peace , peace , when it was no peace .

The wals were daubd with vntemperd morter , and they shall fall , yet still shall Truth haue Peace , and the Peace-maker shal preserue the truth ; They shall dwell together , and liue together . The heauenly Soldiers haue sung it , the Father hath sent it , the Son hath brought it , the blessed Doue shall preserue it ; euer comfort vs with it , our Annointed hath receiued it , wee doe enioy it , and see it plentifull in Israell .

Peace takes a view of such as doe molest , and kindle most vnquiet in her breast .

PVt vp the Bel-bearer first , then all the flock will follow : Pride has lost her place , or comes behind for her greaterstate , t is Drunkennes that leads now ; and marke the Heard that troope after her . Lust follows close , Contention at her sleeue . Emulation on tother side ; Enuie keepes the sent like a Bloodhound ; Reuenge and Murder come coupled together .

The smaller headed Beasts are vnseene yet , as Breach of Freindship , vnlocking harty secrets , Slaunder , Oaths , & Blasphemies , fearfull Inuocations , ( all which , custome hath driuen so far distant from the Soules eye , as the Moone from the ocular sight whose body ouerbulks the Earths large Center , yet seemes as little as her Figure taken on the tauerne signe , where these brutish orgies are celebrated ) abuse of Time , Ryot , Prodigallity , and lineall succeeding pouerty ; All these are peace's profest Enemies , her domestique foes , who vnlesse this fore-battel be repulst & supprest in the first assault , the rest will follow , though to their owne perdition .

Non ignota refero , these are no wonders with vs , there may be Monsters among them , but too familiar with our acquaintance , examine the Ring leader , Drunkennes is no stranger in the world , she came in with the Earths first generall Curse , and he that scapt that Inundation of Waters , tasted the Deluge of Wine . Shame fell on him , and his Curse to posteritie ; Noah tasted one , and Cham felt the other , Lot had his portion in her : There Drunkennesse begat Incest ( an vnnaturall Issue of a brutish Mother ) and her succession , two wicked Generations ; Moab and Ammon . Drunkennesse played the part of a Heads-man with Holofernes , stooping his neck to the weake arme of a Woman , and he that stopt the Waters of Bethulia from others , had so much of his owne Wine as made him sencelesse of eyther Wine or Water euer after .

Alexander ( inter epulas ) clitum charissimum transfodit , the friend hath sprinkled his Wine-bolles with the deare bloud of his friend : Oh brutish Sacrifice ! Oh Man vnman'd ! Oh absent Man ! where ( out of thy selfe ) dost thou remaine , while this Fiend possesseth thee ? But why do we seeke Antiquities for proofe of a practice so present with vs ? Had Israel any sinne that England hath mist ? Was Noah drunke , one of the Arke , and one of the eight reeling there ? it is eight to one , that seuen of eight do stagger here ( if not the whole Vessel . ) It was a shame to one then , but custome hath made it no shame for all now . Did Lot commit Incest with his owne daughters ? Could we not wish Drunkennesse to excuse vs now ? Does not Lust ( her hellish handmaid ) challenge this Weapon hers ? The example was too soone found , and yet too late to remember : Oh , would that had been the first , and that we might neuer know a second . Nec linguam nec manum continet ebrius , how many bosom'd counsels haue been vomited out of the mouth of a Drunkard , thogh to the ruine & destruction of his former friend ? Oh Insania voluntaria ! Oh wilfull Madnesse of Man , to depresse & quench out all thy faculties of Reason with this puddle Drunkennesse ! Thou ( that armed in thine owne Lordly Fortitudes ) canst reach the Starres , measure the Earths large Globe , search and vnderstand the Seas profound Abysse ; yet in this sottish Ignorance , canst not find the depth of thine owne stomack . The Iewes old Prouerbe hath carried his full sence quite through Christendome ; Homets Ben Iin. Wine must needes acknowledge it selfe the Parent of Vineger ; meaning , that a good Father may haue a different and sawcie Sonne : But we haue from him the Daughter of a worse haire , this common Strumpet Drunkennesse , whom almost all sorts do sleepe with : not Vinum egrum , but aegrotum , is our Issue , a sick and vnholsome Harlot ; yet hath spred her selfe into large Off-springs , in most lineall and naturall Children , as Lust , Enuie , Reuenge , Murder , &c. all impious and turbulent Peace-breakers .

Oh Peace ! shal we not feare thy longer abode with vs , if we embrace thee with no better loue ? How many louing friends haue broke that Diamond of Amitie ( whose pieces once disseuered , can neuer be reconciled ) for the embrace of a lasciuious Curtizan , whose armes are like the Iron Idoll , that crustht the cursed Sacrifices in pieces ?

Enuie ! Oh what does that vlcus animae amongst vs ? That Aetna in a Man , that continually burnes it selfe , intus & extra , within and without , that ( like the Cantharides ) found feeding on the fairest and flourishing Roses , so Enuie is euer opposed against the most Sweet , Noble , Flourishing , and Peacefull Blossomes . Were she as rare as the Comparison , I could call her Phoenix , and wish , that this day she would burne her selfe , and leaue her ashes Issuelesse .

Reuenge ! Whence haue we borrowed thee ? Oh Salmoneus Terror , shall we play with Thunder and Lightning , and follow thy precipitated Fate ? Shall we snatch the Sword ( the peculiar Sword ) from the Almightie hand ? Haue we receiued wrongs on Earth ? Consider then , if we haue done no wrongs to Heauen . If we stand guiltie there ( as , Quis non ? ) Doe we then reuenge ? No ; we stand disobedient and repugnant to our owne iust punishments : We haue a milder Sister giuen in her stead , Iustice , the Arbitrer of our Iniuries : but Vengeance is Gods alone ; which no man ought to take in hand , but as deliuered from his hand ; nor so to imitate his Maiestie and Greatnesse , that does it not but by Authoritie , and in the way and path of his Goodnesse .

Murder ! Oh Cain-created Sinne ! Cursed Catastrophe of all the rest ! This is Summum opus : Here is the full point and end of the Labour ; all the precedent Trauellers are here at home ; the end hazzarding the endlesse end : Fearefull Spectacle ! Here is capitall Sacriledge ; the Temple of a holy Spirit robbed and ruined : Here is Treason in the highest degree ; the Workmanship and Image of the Creator defaced ; vnhappie Passiue , but more , and most of all , vnhappie Actiue ! Thou that doest Murder , doest first deface him in thy selfe ; then , in thy Brother . God is the God of Peace , of Mercie , Meekenesse , Long Suffering , and Louing Kindnesse : All these hast thou expulsed from thy self , and lost thy shape with them ; there is neyther Peace , Mercie , Meekenesse , Sufferance , nor Loue in thee . Then in thy Brother thou destroyest them : His Bloud is Vox Clamans ; and he is enforced in Death , from the many mouthes of his Wounds , to crie out for Reuenge . But is Heauen farre off , and will not that moue vs ? Looke vpon the Deed then with Naturall Pitie ( or a Conscience which is as inseparable as thy Soule , that shall not leaue thee liuing : ) Behold a Brother weeping ouer his Brother ; a distraughted Mother tearing her haire , and rending her heart , for her Childs losse ; a Friend ( with Teares ) embalming his deare Friends Bodie ; a rauing Father , readie to send his Soule after his Sonne ; yea , perhaps his onely Sonne , his Name and Posteritie destroyed with him . Then Brothers , Friends , Mothers , Fathers , all their Curses to be throwne on thee . Are Heauen & Earth both dull motiues to thee ? O beware the third place ; let Hell affright thee , and let thy conscience describe it to thee .

I returne to that which I would wish thee neuer to passe , and then thou canst not come to the vnblessed discouerie of it : and it's Pathes ( before recited ) that lead thee to it ( Peace : ) stay and abide with her , and thou shalt neuer know her Enemies , Gods Enemies , and thine owne Enemies : Let them that seeke Peace , find Peace , enioy Peace , and haue their Soules layd vp in Eternall Peace .

Of Wise men I discourse , by Iniuries neuer shaken ; What Reputation is , I shew , a thing so long mistaken .

IN this small Particle consists the ground of all Quarrels whatsoeuer , either by suspecting false things , or by aggrauating small things . Now how farre these two are from the wayes of a Wise man , and how ill becomming , Reason makes manifest : for Suspition and Aggrauation are the Off-springs of Passion , and a Wise man is free from Passion .

Nor can there be a greater argument of defect , and despaire of merit in man , then Suspition ; and marke her Nutriment , what strange food Passion hath prouided for it : It feeds vpon false things ; for indeede , true things are not to be suspected : and how iust the punishment meetes with the offence ; in erring from the Truth , it hath Falsehood for a reward . But in peiora ruunt omnia , the worse Deuill is behind .

The Aggrauation of small things , when a sparke shall grow to a flaming Beacon , a Word to a Wound , the Lye to a Life ; when euery man will be the Master of his owne Reuenge , presuming to giue Law to themselues , and in rage , to right their owne wrongs : At which time , the Sword is extorted out of the hand of Magistracie , contrarie to the sacred Ordinance of the Almightie .

Now the wise and vnderstanding man is not subiect or exposed to any of these Iniuries whatsoeuer ; neyther cares he , how many darts of Malice or Contumelie are shot against him , since he knowes , that he cannot be pierced : Euen as there are certaine hard Stones which Iron cannot enter ; and the Adamant will neyther be cut , filed , nor beaten to powder , but abateth the edge of those Instruments that are applyed vnto it ; And as there are certaine things which cannot be consumed with fire , but continue their hardnesse and habitude amidst the flames ; And as the Rockes , that are fixt in the heart of the Sea , breake the Waues , and retaine no impression of the Stormes that haue assayled them ; so the heart of a wise man is solid , and hath gathered such inuincible force , that he stands as secure from Iniurie , as those insensible Substances I made mention of . Not that Iniuries are not offered him , but that he admits them not ; so highly raised aboue all the attaints of worldly wrongs , that all their violences shal be frustrate , before a wise man be offended . Euen as Arrowes , or Bullets , that are shot into the Aire , mount higher then our sight , but they fall backe againe , without touching Heauen : And as Celestiall things are not subiect to humane hands ; and they that ouer-turne Temples , doe no way hurt the Godhead to whom they are consecrated ; So , whatsoeuer Iniuries are attempted against a wise man , returne without effect , and are to him but as Cold or Heat , Raine or Haile , the Weather of the World .

And for words of Contumelie , it is held so small , and so sleight an iniurie , as no wise man complaines , or reuengeth himselfe for it : therefore , neither doe the Lawes themselues prefixe any penaltie thereunto , not imagining that they would euer be burthensome . Quis enim phrenetico Medicus irascitur ? For what Physician is angrie with a Lunatike person ? Who will interprete a sicke mans reproches to the worst , that is vext of a Feuer ? Why , the same affection hath a wise man toward all men , as the Physician hath toward his sicke Patients ; not offended to heare their outrages , he lookes vpon them , as vpon intemperate sicke men ; therefore is not angrie with them , if during their sicknesse they haue beene so bold , as to speake iniuriously against him . And as hee sets light by all their words of honor ; so torments he himselfe as little with all their despight & insolencies . For he that is displeased for an iniurie that is done him , will likewise be glad to be honored at his hands that did it ; which a wise man is free from . For he that reuenges a Contumely , honors him that did it , in taking it so much to heart , & respecting it .

Art thou angrie with thy Superior ? Alas , Death is at hand , which shall make vs equalls . Doest thou wish him , with whom thou art displeased , any more then Death ? Although thou attemptest nothing against him , he shall be sure of that ; thou losest thy labour then , in offering to doe that , which will be done without thee .

We laugh , sayth the wisest of Philosophers , in beholding the Conflict of the Bul and Beare , when they are tyed one to another ; which after they haue tyred one another ; the Butcher attends for them both , to driue them to the Slaughter-house . The like doe we . We challenge him that is coupled with vs , Brother , or Friend , we charge him on euery side : meane while , both the conqueror and conquered , are neere vnto their ruine . Rather let vs finish that little remainder of our life in quiet and peace , that our end may be a Pleasure to no man .

Thou wishest a mans death ! and there is alwayes but a little difference betwixt the day of thy desire , and the affliction of the Sufferer .

Whilest we are therefore amongst men , let vs embrace Humanitie ; be dreadfull and dangerous to no man ; let vs contemne Iniuries and Contumelies ; for but looking backe , we may behold Death presently attend vs .

Pisistratus , that liued a Tyrant in Athens , being for his crueltie mocked and reproued by a druuken man , answered , That he was no more angry with him , then if a blind-fold fellow , hauing his eyes bound vp , should run vpon him .

Another said to his friend , I prithee chastise my seruant with stroks , because I am angry , intimating thus much , That a seruant ought not to fall into his power , that is not master of himselfe .

But now the compounding of Quarrels is growne to a Trade : And as a most worthie Father of Law and Equitie speakes , there be some Councell learned of Duells , that teach young Gentlemen , when they are beforehand , and when behind-hand , and thereby incense and incite them to the Duell , and make an Art of it : the spurre and incitement , false & erronious imagination of Honor & Credit , when most commonly those golden hopes end in a Halter .

That Folly and Vaine-glory should cast so thicke a mist before the eye of Gentry ! to fixe their ayme and only end-vpon Reputation , and end most lamentably without it ; nay , farthest from it : first , to hazard the eternall death of their Soules , and the suruiuing Bodies , to die the death of a Cut-purse .

A miserable effect , and most horrid resolution , when young men , full of towardnesse and hope , such as the Poets call Aurorae filij , the Sonnes of the Morning , in whom the sweet expectation and comfort of their friends consists , shall be cast away and ruined for euer in so vaine a businesse .

But much more is it to be deplored , when so much Noble and Gentle bloud shall be spilt vpon such Follies ; which aduentured in honorable Seruice , were able to make the fortune of a Day , & to change the fortune of a Kingdome .

It is euident then , how desperate an euill this is , which troubles Peace , disfurnishes Warre , brings sudden calamitie vpon priuat Men , Peril vpon the State , and Contempt vpon the Law .

They pretend aboue all things to regard Honour , yet chiefely seeke the dishonour of God and of Iustice ; and which is worse then Madnesse in those men , that aduenturing to leaue this life in Anger , presume to presse into the next , to the Supper of the Lambe , which is all Peace & Loue , without Peace , Loue , or Charitie . O that Gentlemen would learne to esteeme themselues at a iust price , how dearely they are bought , how most precious their Redemption !

The root of this Offence is stubborne ; for it despiseth Death , which is the vtmost of all Temporall punishments , and had need of the Seueritie vsed in France ; where the Manslayers , though Gentlemen of great Qualitie , are hanged with their Wounds bleeding , lest a naturall Death should preuent the example of Iustice .

This punctualitie of Reputation , is no better then a Bewitching Sorcerie , that inchaunts the spirits of young men , like the Smoake of fashion , that Witch Tobacco , which hath quite blowne away the Smoake of Hospitalitie , and turned the Chimneyes of their Fore-fathers , into the Noses of their Children . And by all Computation ( if Computation may be kept for Folly ) I thinke the Vapour of the one , and the Vaine-glorie of the other , came into England much vpon a voyage , and hath kept as close together , as the Report followes the Powder .

For when , but in the laternesse of these times , hath so much priuate and domestique Bloud beene shed ? Like the three Iewish Brothers , in that perplexed Historie of Jerusalem ; who wanting Enemies , still flew vpon themselues . So these malicious , vnthankfull Spirits , fattened with the aboundant Blessings of a mellifluous Peace , disgorge themselues vpon their Christian Brothers ; like those that surfet vpon too much Honey .

And well may this Vaine-glorie , or opinion of Reputation , bee called a Satanicall Illusion , and Apparition of Honour , against Religion , Law , Morall Vertue , and against all the honourable Presidents and Examples of the best Times , and valiantest Nations . For hereby haue Gentlemen lost the true knowledge and vnderstanding of Fortitude and Valour . For true Fortitude distinguisheth of the grounds of Quarrels , whether they be iust ; and not onely so , but whether they be worthie ; and sets a better value vpon mens liues , then to bestow them idly ; which are not so to be trifled away , but offered vp and sacrificed to honourable Seruices , publike Merits , good Causes , and Noble Aduentures .

And behold here thy Folly ; thou attemptest a way , freely to lose thy Soule eternally , but not thy Reputation . Foole that thou art , in offering to saue that , which indeed is nothing , thou losest all ! For Reputation is but another mans Opinion , and Opinion is no substance for thee to consist of . For how canst thou consist of a thing that is without thee ? Which may be any mans at an instant , as well as thine ; and when thou hast it , it is but a breath : And of what certainetie or permanence is it , when they must die that giue it thee ?

Perhaps , because some haue said , that Fame hath a perpetuitie ; thou hastenst to lose thy Soule , to prouide for thy Name : How much thou deceiuest thy selfe ? Why , it is no more then the Eccho of a glory : For as an Eccho no longer resounds , then it is fed with a voyce , no longer does Fame sound forth mans Prayses , then it is supplyed and cherished with deseruings : For when thy noyse ceases in it selfe , it will quickly cease the noyse of thee . How euer , at the farthest , a generall Dissolution will come , when Fame , that is next to nothing now , shall haue no being then at all .

Happy is then the wise and vnderstanding Spirit : for though he be iniured , hee can lose nothing thereby , neither his Fame , nor Reputation ; for a wise man entertaines nothing that is subiect to losse . Fortune takes nothing but what she hath giuen ; she giues not Vertue , nor Wisdome ; therefore cannot take that away .

The more thou thinkest vpon Reputation , the farther off thou art from all contention , vnlesse custome in Ignorance , or wilfulnesse in Nature , make thee throw an abuse vpon the Word . For what is Reputation , but Consideration ? A diligent weighing , considering , and reuoluing in the minde ? And that is quite opposite to Rashnesse : Truth will shame thee , if thou confesse not so much .

There can be then no Reputation in Rashnesse , that is manifest : And what are Quarrels , but the fruits of Rashnesse ? There can be then no Reputation in Quarrels

And as it is Consideration , it were dreadfull to thinke , that any man , in the state of his best counsell and aduisednesse , should attempt to destroy the Image of his Creator , in the life of his Christian Brother . And therefore diuinely haue our humane Lawes bent their hate & punishments against the abhorred Act , committed in cold bloud ; which is as wilfull an opposition against mans life ( considering what he does ) as Blasphemy against the Word of Truth ; the Conscience knowing it offends of set purpose ( the only sinne against the Holy Ghost . ) And as the body of euery true Christian is said to be the Temple of the holy Ghost , 1. Cor. 3. 16. What does the accursed Man-slayer , but in the bloud of his Brother , destroyes the Temple , as the Blasphemer wounds the Lord of the Temple ?

Behold then , not without a face of Horror , the miserable condition the Sonnes of this Age runne into . All they venture for , is to bring the bloudinesse of their Action into the compasse of Honour ( as if Honour consisted in destruction . ) Now what impossibilitie followes that labour , euen the weakest may coniecture . For Honour is the Rumour of a beautifull and vertuous Action , which redoundeth from our Soules to the view of the World , and by Reflection into our selues , bringing to vs a Testimonie of that which others beleeue of vs : which turnes to a great peace , and contentment of mind ; Blessings which were neuer yet found in a Bloudshedder , let his cause be neuer so glorious . And where there is no Peace , all other benefits haue a cessation . It is the onely health of thy Soule ; and that once lost , thy soule sickens immediately , euen to death , and can no more taste or rellish a Ioy after , then a sick mans Pallet his Nutriment .

Is not this then a delusion of Honour ? Nay , can there be any thing more delusiue ? Alas , when it is at the greatest height of humane glorie , it is of a small and slender efficacie , vncertaine , a stranger , and as it were separated in the Ayre from him that is honoured : For it does not only , not enter into him , nor is inward and essentiall vnto him , but it does not so much as touch him . A poore and miserable purchase at the best , for so great and eternall a hazzard !

Flatter not thy Soule then to her euerlasting ruine , in thinking Reputation consists in Bloudshedding . Sanguis clamat , as the Almightie speakes in the Letter of his owne Law ; Bloud cryes , and with a lowder voyce , to Heauen , then thy Fame can sound on Earth , Rumors , tenne thousand tongues , are hoarse to that : they compasse but some Nooke , or Angle of the World ; the other reaches from the Field to Heauen .

The voice of thy Brothers Bloud cryeth vnto me from the Earth , Gen. 4. 10. And no sooner the Crye comes , but the Curse followes , in the very next words : Now therefore thou art cursed from the Earth , which hath opened her mouth to receiue thy Brothers Bloud from thy hand . And immediately in the next , AV agabond and a Runnagate shalt thou be on the Earth . Which shewes the horror of the guiltie Conscience , which after the deed done , would faine flye from it selfe : A distraction which followes all the Children of Wrath vnto this day .

Well may peace then haue the excellencie of her glorious name aduanced aboue all Titles and Inscriptions : And so much the rather , in that it pleaseth the Almighty Creator himselfe , to bee called the God of Peace , and the Author , 1. Cor. 14. 33. Nay , Loue it selfe , delighting in the Name . 1. Iohn 4. 16. GOD is loue , and hee that dwelleth in loue , dwelleth in God , and God in him . And 1. Thess. 5. 23. Now the very God of Peace sanctifie you throughout , &c. Christ the Sauiour of the World , the Lambe of Peace . Iohn 11. 29. Behold , the Lambe of God , which taketh away the sinnes of the World . There is Peace made in taking sinne away , which is the only fuell of Wrath. And Ephes. 2. 14. Christ is our Peace , which hath made of both , one , and hath broken the stop of the partition wall .

Moreouer , the heauenly Souldiers , at the Birth of Christ , praysing God , said : Glory be to God , in the high Heauens , and Peace in earth , and toward men , good will .

And as his most blessed Natiuitie was the Fountaine of Peace , there wanted not the fruits that sprang from that sacred Fountaine in his departure , Iohn 14. 27. Peace I leaue with you , my peace I giue vnto you . Let not your heart be troubled , nor feare . Let not your heart , speaking to many , because all his ought to bee of one heart , which is a worke of Peace .

And not leauing , but in the same Euangelist , 16. 17. I will pray my Father , and hee shall giue you another Comforter , that hee may abide with you for euer . Intimating thereby , the eternall Peace of Soule and Conscience , by the comming of the Holy Ghost : calling him in the words immediately following , Euen the Spirit of Truth , whom the Father will send in my Name , 26. hee comes all Peace , and in the name of Peace , of Christ our Sauior .

And to adde more glory to the Name of Peace , behold how the incomprehensible Godhead desires to be comprehended , all into Vnitie , Trinitie in Vnitie : Which shewes , that Vnitie is the Conseruer , Sustainer , and Comprehender of all things , both in Heauen and Earth .

Thou therefore , that in the madnesse of thy bloud , attemptest to destroy Vnitie , thou seekest to destroy that which Heauen and Earth is sustained by . Most miserable of Creatures , thy Soule hath but one Supporter , and in the tempest of thy furie thou ouerturnest that and all .

Peace enters here in Armes , and ouerthrowes , By force of her owne strength , her strongest Foes .

ANd first behold her contending with her most honourable enemie , euen hee that with better authoritie may slay his tenne thousand ; then any other his thousand ; I his hundred , yea , one single life : Eyther the haughtie Challenge , the curious Duell , or the bloud-thirstie Reuenge , to wit , Warre it selfe : sometimes a principall Arrow , shot from the heauenly Bow of Iustice , a forced Arbiter betwixt different Kingdomes , and often prooues the deare Moderator . Yet this great Souldier , with all his Attributes of Fame and Honor , fals farre short of our high-throned Empresse , Peace .

Marke how the Philosopher hath ordered this Battell , and giuen the Colonies , to both these great Commanders , Pacem cum omnibus habebis bellum cum vitijs . Haue Peace with all the world , only warre with thy sins . Melior , & tutior est , certa pax , quàm incerta victoria : for more safe and noble is a certaine Peace , then a doubtfull Victorie , with all his Honours attending .

But let vs beleeue no cowardly Philosophers : let him that in his hand holds both , and from his hand sends both , be the Iudge betwixt vs .

When was Warre sent as a Blessing , or Peace as a punishment ? Let his Iudges iudge our cause , Iudg. 5. vers. 8. They chose new gods , then was Warre in the Gates . Here is an Offence , and here is a Punishment , Idolatry , and Warre .

Againe , They turne to the Lord , and the Land had Peace fortie yeeres . Here is Penitence , and here is the Blessing , Seruing God , and Peace .

If then the Generall of Bloud and Death , euen Warre it selfe be a Prodigie , a Curse , and not a Blessing , What shall his base Imitator be ? What Honour shall the Challenger lay challenge to ? What bloud shall the Reuenger dare to shead ? or what Fame shall the Schoolemaster of Duels atchieue , with all his vaine-glorious and punctuall Orders of firsts and seconds ; lengths of weapons , distances of place , heights of grounds , equalities of wind and Sunne ? O wicked Ashkelon and her Suburbes , let them be taken , and destroyed together . Why doe wee quarrell ? What is the end of the fayrest Warre ? to enioy Peace : See how the Seruant labours for the Mistresse , and foolish they that enioy their Inheritance , yet know it not : Thriftlesse Gamesters to play for their owne Money .

Is thy Night quiet , and sweete with Peace ? Embrace her in the Day , and keepe her continually : If thou lett'st bloud into thy bosome in the Day , Peace will not stay with thee at night : Peace weares no parti-coloured Coat , no mixt Scarlet and White , but White in her Puritie , nor fat , nor bloud , must bee eaten in the Peace-offering , Leuiticus 3. Now ascend Abarim , and climbe vp to the Mountaine of Nebo , and see some part of the Land of Promise , whither this blessed Peace shall lead thee , if shee bee thy conduct : but be sure to look vpwards , and then thou canst not feare the depth beneath thee .

Behold the Father , the God of Peace ; the Sonne , the Lambe of Peace ; the blessed Spirit , the Doue of Peace ; the Angels , Seruants , and Ministers to this power of Peace ; Infinites and all reioycing at one soules entrance into Peace .

Behold the new Ierusalem , Kiriath-salem , the Citie of Peace ; that which was Militant , and troubled in the Wildernesse ( the Church ) behold it there triumphant in euer blessed Peace . That Peace which as it is vn-intelligible , so is it most vnutterable .

Then , if we desire to be Inhabitants in this Land of Promise & Peace , obserue our entrance . We haue yet two Mountaines to passe ouer Iordan by , Geresim and Ebal ; and the twelue Tribes placed on each side , both to blesse or curse vs .

EBAL .

Heere wee haue our choise ; and wee are euer going on , in this Passage .

O let vs passe by Geresim the Mount of Blessings , the right Hand , and the right Hill .

Turne thy backe to Ebal , but let none of her Curses fall vpon thee .

GERESIM . Pride . Humilitie . Malice . Mercie . Ambition . Charitie . Schismaticall contentions . Faith . Reuenge . Peace . Impietie . Pietie .

Be thou strong or weake , thou mayest with more ease beare sixe on thy right hand , then one on thy left .

Pride is a great weight , able to ouerthrow the strongest man . Malice , a ponderous Load , turning thy sleepes to vnquiet slumbers , and euen there haunting thee in restlesse Dreames . Ambition , a Mountaine it selfe , to sinke thee . Schisme , a Spirit , and Conscience-troubler . Reuenge , an Impostume of Bloud ; which broken once , strangles thee with thine owne Corruption . Impietie , a Cloud and Mist of Darkenesse , turning thee from thy way .

When as on the other side , how light and easily mayest thou beare about thee Humilitie ? How sweet a Companion is Mercie ? How louing a Fellowship is Charitie ? How sure a Friend is Faith ? How nourshing a Cordiall is Peace ? How bright a Lampe is Pietie ? And then , how glorious a Reward is Eternitie , and Peace in Eternitie ?

Now let vs bind our selues to the Peace , put in Securitie for our Good Behauious . Let our Soules be bound for our Bodies , our Bodies for our Soules , and let each come in at the Generall Sessions , to saue his Bayle ; where we shall find a mercifull Iudge . If there we can answere , we haue not broke his Peace , our Bonds shall be cancelled . As we haue kept the Peace , we shall be rewarded with Peace , and kept in Eternall Peace . Amen .