SChool-controuersies mixt with points of deuotion I sometimes deliuer'd from this place ; but now a Text that requires the diuinity of a Prince , and th' exposition of a Souldier , rather then a Schoole : Yet-no man scandalize this Text , himselfe , or mee : was not our Sauiour an Oratour vpon 't ? and if our Sauiour himselfe handle the Common-wealth 't is possible then to be diuinely handled : and if diuinely handled , it can loose nothing by the handling : If a Kingdome bee &c. Wherein you may please to obserue , a State , the Qualitie of such a State , and the effects of such qualities : the State not of a priuate man , but the Compound aggregate State of a publike Kingdome : a Kingdome ; that 's certaine : then the Condition , the Quality , or casuall actions of such a State , they are diuisions against themselues ; and they are vncertaine ; If a Kingdome be diuided against it selfe ; If diuided , that 's vncertaine : Thirdly , the Issues and euill events of such diuisions , & that 's not-standing shall I say ? nay , 't is non-possibility of standing , and that 's too-too certaine , God knowes : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : it cannot stand if it be diuided ; that it cannot . To handle the State by it selfe , and the casualtie of such a State after that ; and so conclude with th' effects of all , were a pretty playing methode , fit for easing of the breath ; but very vnfit for the serious discussion of the Cause : wee must collect the whole , A diuided Kingdome cannot stand . Had the time bin as royall as the Text , I could haue entertain'd yee all ; but no — Yet not like those who professing a glorious magnitude are conversant in most inferiour things : for I will open that vnt'ee , which euery man will not vnfold ; Treason against a King as a bloud-guiltie sinne , but against a Kingdome as much more , as any whole is greater then its part : Loe , I present vnt'ee the Changes of States , desolations of Kingdomes , the downfall of the whole full of Intemperance , vniustice , auarice , ambition , and whatsoeuer herein almost is worthy to be known ; I present the causes and th' effects , together with the remedies of all , not without some more especiall application to the time ; only be fauourable I pray , to this too much extemporary necessitie of the man ; so farre as the single nature of the Cause will beare , you shall haue nothing more nor lesse , then the diuision of a Kingdome will afford . If a Kingdome be diuided against it selfe , that kingdome cannot stand .

When the Prophet would fore-tell th' expiration of the Iewish reigne , he prophecies of dissensions-shall arise ; The Childe against th' auncient , the base against the Honourable : Esay 3. chap. 5. ver. and it followes in a moment after ; Cecidit Hierusalem , the Kingdome is fallen , i' th' 8th ver: diuide it , and it falls : it came to passe ( Iosephus giues it ) in three deadly Sects , whose chiefes were Simon , Iohn , and Eleazar : By ciuill discord did Carthage fall ; by the like did old Rome her Empire ruine ; while their dissention gaue entrance to the Turke ; the Kingdomes of Hungarie , Rhodes , and other many States , haue felt the torment of this Text : what needes any more ? Interpreters say all , 't is a popular argument our Sauiour vseth , and too-too wel knowne of all , that a diuided kingdome cannot stand ; If a Kingdome bee diuided against it selfe , that Kingdome cannot stand .

As th' essence of God is one , so it behooues all things to be vnite , that will subsist in him : take the most comely body in this learned Crowne of men , and diuide either the spirits or humours of that body one against another , and neither beauty , nor body can long subsist : out of the beauteous fabricke of the World , if ye take that excellent correspondence away , whereby the Caelestiall Spheares , and the inferiour Elements doe louingly agree together , the World it selfe can neuer long endure : except the heauens heare th' earth , and th' earth the heauens , and both agree vnto the prouision of the whole , the World it selfe can neuer well subsist : Hosea 2.21 .

The demonstrance is as plaine ; because diuision destroyes the very Forme it selfe : as if ye diuide a man , there remaines no longer forma hominis , but forma cadaveris : so if ye diuide a Common-wealth , there remaines no longer the forme of a good Common-wealth ; but the forme of barbarousnesse and folly doth remaine : there may result out of such a diuision , two armies of souldiers , two parties of a faction ; but meane time , the faire , proper , entire bulke and beauty of a kingdome is destroyed : that cannot stand : which is the emphasis of the Text : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : that kingdome cannot stand . Neither were it of much consequence , if it destroyed forme alone ; but it perishes matter together with the forme : diuision weakens the strongest publicke State that is : diuision calls in the forreine discontents of other Realmes : diuision turnes swords of the same mans making one against anothers point : diuision destroyes the very end , for which a Kingdome was ordain'd : For the very prime ordinance of a kingdome was , to vnite all vnder one Head , one Law , one liberty , one profit and pleasure of good life , that so the vnity being equally interested among all , all might with one accord more strongly combine themselues against the auarices , ambitions , tyrannies of other encroaching men : for the World will neuer want Nimrods : many Oeconomicall hunters there be , that hunt for the prouision of their owne houses ; and as many Venatores Politici , that hunt after other mens Kingdomes : and therefore , vae si dividatur ; woe vnto that Kingdome is diuided ; for the hunter will take it : If a Kingdome be diuided against it selfe , that Kingdome cannot stand : Wherefore , be we all vnited as firme as flesh is to the bone , cemented all together in loue , glewed vnto the publick welfare of the state : If any diuisions haue amongst vs bin , if any fallacy of selfe-loue , if any poison of debate , it must be so no more : I le open the remedies , doe but you make righteous iudgement , whether they bee not better then the disease .

Some haue taken occasion to contriue a diuision vpon meere REVENGE ; so Coriolanus in Plutarch being exasperated by an vniust condemnation , did deriue the warre vpon his owne Countrey : So banisht Alcibiades , how did he discouer the whole Councell of Athens to th' enemy ? What a combustion did he make betweene th' Oligarchye , and the Commonalty ? So much revenge will doe ; and more then so ; for smaller iniuries , though they be no positiue euills , but privatiues only ; as the tenne Tribes against Dauid , because he afforded Iuda all the honour of attendance at repossession to his Crowne , and did not send as honourable a summons to invite them of Israel also ; therefore in fiercenesse they arose , pleaded proportion , number , valour , abuse of all ; and a great diuision , a great rebellion did they cause , 2 Sam. 19. and 20 chap. So much a litle distaste , a priuatiue dishonour can produce : and the remedy is , whether they be iustly or vniustly punisht ; Superiours , Inferiours , to intreate all : Superiours , their authority I intreat to distribute their face and lawfull fauour as proportionably as they can . Giue tenne Tribes the respect of ten , & two that belongs to two ; giue fiue hundred Counties the honour of fiue hundred , & to the lesse number the lesse fauour doth pertaine . 'T is lawfull peradventure to fauour these , not those , where both doe equally deserue ; but 't is not expedient so to doe : For a litle distaste , a great diuision may arise : Achitophell will diuert , and many a Politician moe , vnlesse they be imployed : on th' other , the neglected inferiour people , I entreate , to arme themselues with patience , considering the honour of it ; for it argues them nobly sufficient of themselues ; if they can liue without the fauour , aswel as the fauour without them , but basely necessitous , if they stand in need of it : the profit likewise ; for what are faces and fauours of Potentate men , but as the face of the Sunne ? which many times dryes and withers , & extracts more out of herbs , then euer it did infuse into them : and I haue euer thought the men of Israel were mad vnto the highest degree , in quarrelling who should carry the baggage after Dauid , as if they had not trouble and taxe enough beside : & let this perswade all neglected Counties and Incorporations ; suffer Potentates with their fauours ; bestow them how they please ; it should neuer cause a diuision among wise men , 't is liberty and profit to be without them many times : But you say , there are no such , and God be thanked for it ; I am very glad to heare the State of our own Kingdome doth so well agree with the State of the Kingdome in the Text : for this Text is no positiue inferring against the present state : but a gentle referring of the caution to euery mans conscience for time to come ; If a Kingdome be vindictiuely diuided against it selfe : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : and if it be diuided , it can neuer stand .

What if a positiue dishonour ? the revenge appeares more iust , but the remedy is the same : Inferiours , superiours , to bee detreated all ; these to inflict such gentle punishments , as either may not exasperate great spirits to desire revenge , or els such mighty mortall stroakes , as may vtterly dis-enable them from all power to execute the same : for men of vindictiue nature are hard to be restrain'd : this was Gowries pretence , revenge : stop therefore beginnings ; for if euer any Gowrie diuide , there will neuer want Alexanders , and Logans ; Bowers , and Sprotts to take his part : Those on the other , to consider how much deceiu'd they are ; propound revenge they doe , and why ? Melle dulcior est : 't is sweeter then the hony-combe vnto their soules : that 's the old pretext , but 't is an Heathen one : amicè amicis , inimicè inimicis , I find it only in Aristotle , and among the Iewes ; but otherwise with CHRIST ; Loue your very enemies : alas , 't is Satans instigation , not their owne : If 't be vniust vnto the death it selfe , yet hee that 's so most doing now , shall suffer most in th' end : 'T is a pleasant damnation to be reveng'd d' ee say ? Yes , so it is to others , but not vnto your selues : others indeed delight the combat to see you reciprocally pined and wasted , & perish'd with each others blowes ; but you your selues , what pleasure can you take in being made the very fable , the disease , and slaues of other men ? Quid tibi dulcedo si non conceditur uti ? Quid tibi , si non tibi ? There 's no such crime , as is a studied sinne ; there 's no such study to the head , nor paine vnto the heart , as is the torment of revenge : 'T is honourable to suffer & despise ; but to seeke revenge , that 's a weaknesse of not being able to endure ; and that with preiudice to a whole Common-wealth ; 't is Arch-diuelishly inhumane : I know heerein also yee 'll say , our Kingdome and the Text agree ; and GOD be thanked for it ; there needes no positiue reproofe ; but howeuer , a suppositiue admonition is good against time to come ; If a Kingdome bee vindictiuely diuided against it selfe , you know what followes , si modo diuidatur , If euer it be diuided it can neuer stand .

Others in the LVCRATIVE kind haue taken paines to generate a faction for money sake : Philip the father of Alexander besieges Olynthus , could not take it by force , but he corrupts Euthicrates the chiefe Gouernour by money , and so he roceiues the Countrey betrayed into his hand : so much conetisme can doe ; and the remedy as before , to entreat all , that such corrumpues may neuer be imployed , either in embassie abroad , or in office at home , whereby they shal haue any power of selling their State-Intelligence for a pension , their Kingdome for a golden pound : Those of the suspected on the other , to consider the basenesse of the sinne , what a thrice-odious earthlinesse it is to sell a potent rich Kingdome for a litle red earth : What , the Kingdome ? why 't were much to sell the virginity of one maiden , if she were a pure devoted good creature : but in betraying a Kingdome , the doctrine of Religion , the propagation of Lawes , the orders of Cities , the Arts of Vniuersities , the Institution of youth , the beauty , maidenhead of Humanity , Diuinity , and all they sell , for a litle handfull of red earth ; which when they obtaine , their second generation shall neuer carry it to their graue , nor they themselues be euer buried without an Epitaph of the basest kinde : Vendidit hic auro patriam ; heere lyes the notorious corrumpue , that sold his whole Countrey to fill his own chest : or that of Saint Bernard : Viluit huic populi salus prae auro Hispaniae , in his 3d Booke de consid . ad Eugenium . What cares he , when he is dead ? no , nor the Diuell neither ; but GOD will make them both care , when he hath them together in Hell-fire : Yet ye say , there are no such neither , and who is not glad to heare ? the State of our owne Kingdome doth so well parallell with the Kingdome i' ch' Text : for this is no peremptory reproofe of any present State , but a louing aduertisement against time to come : If a Kingdome be LVCRATIVELY diuided against it selfe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : such a King dome cannot stand ; 't is nothing to our owne : there 's the Emphasis at that Kingd me , not our owne : that Kingdome cannot stand .

Others by being ALLYED to forraine Nations , haue beene inclinable to diuide : as in the Sicilian warre , the Chalcidians said , they were aunciently allyed to Athens , and therefore reason would they should partake with them against their owne Kingdome in the warre . 'T is i' th' 4th booke of Thucidides , where you may see what the fancie of Allyance can doe in the diuision of a State ; and the remedy is for Chiefes in any kingdome , to make all their Allyes of marriage and other interests of relation , as much as their wisedome may , among themselues : and if they chance otherwise to be allyed abroad , yet know they must , they haue but allyed themselues to such a priuat family , to such a publicke Kingdome they cannot allye themselues , vnlesse they 'll be Traitours to their owne : to such a Kingdome they cannot allye themselues , vnlesse all allye : Giue vs your daughters to wife , say Iacobs sonnes , and we will render ye ours : Let it be a generall allyance , & erimus quasi genus unum : Gen. 34.16 : and vnlesse it be generall , it can be no iust tye of vnion to another State ; because the priuate good must euer giue preheminence to the publicke weale ; they may be defensiue to another , but neuer offensiue to their owne : why should they ? allyed by wife ? but you know not whether it bee your wife or you they doe so much respect : peradventure others are allyed vnto her , as neere as you your selues , yet neuer carry opinion to such respects as those : they respect not your kingdome for allyance vnto them ; why then should you theirs ? If euer the enemy enter , there will be no time to deliberate of Allyes : Pardon the Generall what he please , yet the Common Souldier will slay and rifle what he can : Suppose they should offer to exempt yee from the rest , as Sylla did some speciall friends of his , when Praeneste was besieged , yet were ye noble spirits , yee would scorne to accept the condition , ye would rush in among the troopes , and choose rather to die for the honour of your Country , as those Praenestians did : But I heare you say , you feare no such Allyes neither , and I am glad yee are so paralell in all things with the Text , which hath no absolute reproofe of any , but only admonition against time to come ; If a Kingdome be MATRIMONIALLY diuided against itselfe , that kingdome cannot stand .

Yet giue me leaue , what say ye to Alliance in Religion , which is the grand of all ? for diuision in Religion sets Preacher against Preacher ; one Oratour , one Lecturer against another ; diuision in Religion setts Scribe against Scribe ; one Hearer , one Reader against another ; diuision in Religion sets Prince and People , Nobles and Gentry , Clergie and Commonalty , euery man , and all together by the faces : the very name of Religion bearing shew of honour in the profession , of merit in the defence , makes many most willing to dye for their Religion , if it be but Religio vitulorum , the Religion of Calues and Images , yet you know they 'll suffer death for their Religion : if you know it not , yet Ieroboam did , and that made him allye the tenne Tribes to another Religion then that of Iudah , assuring himselfe they would not very soone complye with Iudah againe : so much diuision of Religion can doe ; and what shall we say ? that heerein also we are paralell to the Text ? certainely , either are , or may be very easily by redresse : Let the order of Ministers be the same , Oath of Allegiance the same ; diuine seruice all the same ; articles of Beleefe , number of Sacraments , authority of Scripture throughout the whole Kingdome the same , and let it be paine of death to him that will transgresse , if he practise others but with a speaking countenance to doe the like : so shall we soone be paralell to the Text : for if their idolatrous Priests be banisht , who shall sweare their Children to disobey the Crowne ? who shall marry them when they come to yeares ? or what lawfull issue shall they haue , if they be not married as they ought ? I speake it with a Deo gratias from my heart , you haue a Law , then which there cannot bee deuised a more prudent , a more Christian , no not a more taking way to reduce the Religion of a Kingdome all to one : onely let it haue due execution ; he is not Caesars nor the Kingdomes friend , that will not zealously execute that Law , after the diuided haue beene besought to consider the difference betweene our diuiner solace , and their poore Romane ioy ? we pronounce full absolution from Hell & Purgatory , and all other secret torments whatsoeuer are vnknown to mortall man , facilitating their last passage with sweetnesse of the greatest hope , whereas they leaue the most in feare of Purgatory , and many times in suspence of Hell it selfe : and is there no difference of gladnesse ? wee apply free remission while they are aliue ; they make them pay for it after they are dead ; and is there no difference in the profit then ? we carry them like noble men vnto the Table of the greatest King , in the comely gesture of fellow-heires with CHRIST ; but they make them creep like slaues vnto it : wee vnfoulding the whole Volume of GODS Word , make them fellow-Iudges of other mens liues , and of their doctrine too : but they leade them blind-fold vnto Hell : wee make them partakers both of Bread and Wine ; they giue them only dry bread at the Communion Table , and is there no difference in the honour then ? We translate the Bible for them to serue GOD in a well-knowne tongue ; but they impose a language , which the people doth not vnderstand ; and is there no difference of difficulty then ? thus you may detreate them peraduenture without execution of the Law : but who ? The Clergy dare not approach vnto them without feare of poysoning , or that which is worse : Plebeïans haue no power among them : great ones therfore , euery man according to his acquaintance , his consanguinitie , his any respect whatsoeuer should assay ( the vtmost he could ) to haue them all allyed in the same Religion with vs . O that Solomon or his Courtiers had bin so industrious to wooe and winne the soules of idolatrous women , as they were their bodies to command , soone would the women haue sided in the same Religion with them , and assoone their Priests bin gone : though 't were harsh at first , yet to posterity very gratefull would it be , and many thankes would they surrender for it : thus wrought vpon ; thus allyed in th' unity of the same Religion might they be : by Euangelicall perswasions in priuate , by legall executions in publicke : T is no Religion to abstaine from diuision your selues , vnlesse yee endeauour to extinguish it in others also ; that 's true Religion indeed , saith St Augustine ; parum est non excitare , nisi etiam extinguere coneris : There 's no such excuse for tollerating two Religions in our Kingdome , as there is in some Lutherane Churches : for they are in perill of desolation , if not ; but wee ( God be praised ) in a safer case : wherefore if yee 'll doe nothing els , yet let the royall Statutes haue their force ; and then heerein also wee shall bee quickly equal to the Text , we shall not need any fierce reproof , only a gentle caution against time to come ; beware of diuision in Religion aboue all ; for if a Kingdome be MISRELIGIOVSLY diuided against it selfe , that Kingdome of all others can neuer long stand .

Will you haue higher then these ? the Poëts moralize Saturne for chastizing his father Coelum ; castravit patrem ; and Iupiter for deposing Saturne ; and the naturall causes , ( the Stoicks say ) for deposing Iupiter : The substance is , Caracalla practised against Severus , and Absalom against David and Solomon ; the sonne against the father , or one Princely brother against another : This is the highest diuision , and the remedy as before ; to beseech euery soueraigne father , hee would not streighten his sonnes too much in loosing them the flower of their age : rather resigne some portion of his Kingdome , honors or offices before death , whereon to exercise the power of his regall skill ; as Dauid did the whole to Solomon , 1 Chron. 23.1 : and if he haue moe sonnes then lawfull wiues or kingdomes to possesse , then to compose the matter prudently before , lest otherwise the kingdome suffer a diuision by it ; as 't did in Absaloms time , one halfe cleauing to the father , the other accomplicing with the sonne , wherein Absalom was chiefe offendour , yet Dauid not altogether without sinne : on th' other part those royall branches should consider the thornes that be annext vnto the Crowne : O did a Prince apparent know , what slauish deadly troubles , what perils of poisons , what treasons are belonging thereunto ; what bloudie iudgments , what hell it selfe , especially if it bee not very rightly his ; then would hee soone throw downe himselfe , his Crowne & all , to adore such a peece of earth with a most religious kisse , as would but vnburthen him of so great a paine : as 't was most elegantly aduertis'd by our fourth King Harry to his sonne : But heerein aboue all other yee may most iustly say , our Kingdome is agreeable to the Text , there needes no present rebuke for such ambitious diuision , onely a gentle admonition is good against time to come , If a kingdome be so CAPITALLY divided against it selfe , that kingdome can neuer stand .

What more ? Sometimes the diuision ariseth meerely from the harshnesse of a King , as when Alexander past ouer himselfe and all his fauours by deed-of-gift into the Persian habite ; so reprobating the very hopes of all his natiue Macedons at one acte : or as when Rehoboam with one proud tyrannicall answer , turn'd ten great Tribes into so many traytors at a breath : certainely the remedy is for Kings to forbeare such needlesse provocations , but Subiects them to beare : what if once in seauen generations come Rehoboams course to weare the Crowne ? yet 't is no warrant for Subiects to play the Traytours because their Soueraigne playes the folly : What if once in seauen generations ? what 's that to vs ? yet 't is not so , nor likely to bee so in our time : therefore there needes no reproofe heere neither , but howeuer a gentle remembrance is good against time to come : If a Kingdome be TYRANNICALLY diuided against it selfe , that Kingdome can neuer stand .

These are provocations within , there are instigations without , as the Syracusan Oratour taught the Camarins touching their neighbour Athenians , that they should beware them , because they did wholly apply themselues to worke dissociations and diuisions in other mens Kingdomes ; ut alios ab alijs dissociarent : so I am afraid doe some neighbour-Nations vpon vs , as well as others : I would to God 't were otherwise , and that heerein also we were equall to the Text : but there are strong presumptions to the contrary : Pompeius Trogus an ancient Historian sayes , there is a Kingdome neere vs of an vnquiet minde , their weapons dearer then their bloud vnto them : women administer tillage to what they haue already , but they seeke abroad for more : of an vnquiet minde ? and seek abroad for more ? Heere 's presumption enough : can there bee two greater incendiaries then Polupragmacy and auarice ? vnquietnesse of minde , and covetousnesse of goods ? any one of them if it be well followed , doctis dolis , haue a learned dissimulador for an Agent , 't is enough to diuide all the Kingdomes in the World , it is : what Kingdome is there , wherein you shall not finde a Polupragmatist , one or other ? an Antony that will make the warre vpon Octavius , be it neuer so vniust : alas this Inquietudo naturae , 't is but his nature , he cannot bee quiet vnlesse he doe diuide : and when two such meet together , 't is like the meeting of two windes , and what doe they make but a whirle-winde ? and what does the whirle-winde ( sayes the Philosopher ) but gather a company of leaues and feathers together ? and what 's that company , but one part of the diuision ? What speake I of vnquietnes by nature ? there is an vnsatiable ambition of domineering ouer all : What meane those vulgar reports , that they can diuide the Commons and the King , and so by a tollerable kinde of treason blow vp a Parliament without gun-powder , when euer they please ? What mean those complaints from beyond the Seas , that their kingdomes haue bin diuided from them ? yet all this I know would seeme fabulous to some , did not their more then too much audaciousnesse so lately refresh the verity of it , whenas in the face of the whole Realme they attempted a diuision between the Kinglie Father and the Princely Sonne : what ? attempt a diuision betweene the Trinity ? T is only that is greater then this ? now woe vpon such diuels incarnate , such forges , such fire-brands , such bellowes , such very windes of Hell ! neuer cease coueting of other mens Valtolines ? O say the Inhabitants , if they were once altogether in that Valtoline , where they might couet a droppe of English water to coole their tongues , then they would surcease : still making divisions by their mineralls amongst vs ? If they were once in that diuision of places among the sulphures and the mineralls , from whence there is no redemption ; where the fire diuides betweene the ioynts & the marrow ; there they should haue diuision enough ; their fill : — Good ye vnerring Iewry remember these when yee come to fit vpon the twelue Tribes ; what compound sinners ! ambitious , vniust , intemperate , vnnameable transgressours ! censure them deepe enough : but can the malignant aspect of Planets & blazing starres do nothing i' th' mean time ? Thou that rulest from the supreamest or be to the center of the earth , shall such a kingdome stand , as seekes the ruinous diuision of all other Christian kingdomes in the world , and that at such a time , as they stand in greatest need to combine al against the common aduersary of Christ ? They would cut all thy seruants throats : they would burne all the professours of thy trueth : they would tosse , they would teare thy dearest childrens tender limbes on cold hearted iron speares : they would crucifie them beyond eternity , if they could . All these things hast thou seene ! But when ? did euer our agents seek to make a diuision in their state ? or their owne best authors legitimate their making of it in ours ? Stratagems in time of warre , sollicitations to rebell , then peraduenture lawfull in some case ; but when in peace , in time of league wast euer heard ? speake thou that ruind'st Iehoiakim for not keeping his faith with an heathen king , i th 2. of K. 24. chap and when thou speakst reuenge thy selfe , not vs , thy deare Apostolicall truth : thou that hast numbred hatred and variance , strifes and sedition , i th' 5th to the Galat. among such operations as shall neuer inherit euerlasting life : thou that hatest six things and accountest the seauenth a very abomination to thy soule , Prov. 6.16 . a prowd looke , a lying tongue , bloudy hands swift feet ( from Indies to Indies ) and that soweth discord among brethren ; are they not all in them ? for when they are amongst vs , they take season , and they sowe , and they sowe discord , and that which is the most abstract abomination of all , they sowe discord among brethren ; among naturall , among spirituall brethren , nay betweene the subiect & the king betweene father and sonne they sowe it : If Scripture moue not , what saies their owne Secunda 2 ae in his 37th question ? that is at discord sinnes , but that introduceth discord is a greater sinner , and therefore the greater damnation he shall receaue . But returne to Scripture againe , and S. Paul did induce discord betweene the Sadduces and the Pharisees . Acts 23. but returne to exposition againe and their owne authors shall condemne them ; for Aquinas forecited saies , and Caietan vpon Aquinas saies , and Lorinus the man whom they all reuerence saies , that S. Paul did not purposely intend it , but accidentally procure it to be done : or if purposely ; yet 't was an euill hereticall concord , not a good correspondency the Apostle did diuide : or if a good concord he did diuide , yet he did it by true allegations , not by false ; or if by false allegations ; yet 't was with open profession of distast , not vnder colour of goodwill : whereas they doe it of studied purpose , to diuide the best concord , and that by most diuelish false detractions , and that vnder profession of peace and league they doe it : there s the height , but where 's the remedy ? vnlesse as before , to entreat others Highnesse , lownes , all : Those that they suffer no such nation ( whosoeuer it be ) to hold any farther knowledge or correspondency in our kingdome , then they can take by force of armes : 't was the counsell of Don Bernardino to Philip Prince of Castile : these that they giue no farther credit to their accusations against one or other , then God himselfe did , when the Diuell accused Iob : ad mutuam diffidentiam inducere ( faith Thucidides ) there 's nothing strengthens the enimy more , then for people to distrust each other : nothing strengthens a people more then to distrust the enimy : therefore beleeue them no farther , then the Philistines did Achish , 1 Samuel , 29.3 . Where they still cryed out : What doe the Hebrews here amongst vs ? So long as they are enimies , there 's no other pleading , but quid hic Hebraei ? Why not we as wise in our generations , as they in theirs : Imò quid hic Romani ? What doe our mortall enimies the Romans here amongst vs ? If they 'll depart , wee 'll accompany them to the shoare ; that was euer the wisdome of the ancient , least by communication of language , they should corrupt the people , sayes the historian : per commercium linguae : if not depart , yet bridle them from speaking into the common peoples eares , as Eliakim besought Rabsekah , 2 K. 18 to estrange his language , least the people should revolt : If none of these , but that they will remaine , and will make diuision amongst vs ; let euery plot haue his counter-plot , as the Plataans serued the Lacedemonians , let them haue diuision for diuision , let their bowels be diuided in the midst : nec lex est aequior vlla : or if that too seuere , yet let their tongues be diuided in the midst : the affinity of the punishment doth so aptly resemble the sinne ; neuer would nation more be guilty of such crime , as whose mocking punishment should bee so wittily the accuser of it selfe . Something must be done , and the safest is to keepe them out with iron hailestones , grandine ferreo , as that Queene of heauen did after 88 : Neuer kingdome so wel stated , but discontents would arise through naughty administration of Iustice , partialities in choice of officers , one way or other ; if people refraine their appetites , yet alwaies not a Prince ; if a Prince refraine his passions , yet alwaies not a people . 'T is to be noted , saith Bernardino , in this matter of malecontents , that they are to be found in all kingdomes , Prouinces , and the very Courts of Princes themselues , yee may finde men to worke vpon . It being annext to humane nature , that men are neuer satisfied , no not with the gouerments , which our Lord God himselfe ordaines : no maruell then if they be discontented with the rules of more ordinary kings ; such is the corruption of vniuersall nature , euery one to imagine he could gouerne better , then the man whosoeuer hee bee that is in place . These are the humours to bee wrought vpon : Say they so ? Therefore something of necessity must be done shall I say ? Nay therefore many things are done by men of potentate place : the Firebrands are remoued ; the prouoking cause is taken away , all that were giuen to incense division are now restrain'd ; there needs no positiue reproofe , for herein also are we equall to the Text ; yet a cautelous admonition is good against time to come : If a kingdome doe admit such stirrers of diuisions to reside among them , that kingdome neuer long can stand .

Howsoeuer our owne present care must bee , that wee our selues belong not to the number of those that will by any meanes be prouoked to such a sinne . 'T is all th' aduersary desires in any state , to finde such matter to worke vpon : 't is their open profession , to fish in troubled waters : If you 'l be tinder , they 'll be Fire : If you 'l be Waues , thei 'l be quickly Winds : If you 'l be discontented , thei 'l quickly seduce yee to diuide : If you 'l float , thei 'l quickly contriue yee to their owne side : Wherefore I beseech yee receaue a gentle persuasiue remedie for this disease also : what doe's the vnfortunately necessitous conceaue ? That his case is desperate ? Or what the prodigall waster of his substance ? that he cannot satisfie by making payment of the debt ? What then ? Can hee therefore satisfie by making a diuision in the land ? Will one sinne expiate another ? No more then one punishment will ease another : better therefore hee fall into the Creditours hands alone , then into the diuells too , where he shall be sure to pay the vtmost farthing for both , & yet neuer shall come forth : Or what th' ambitious male-content ? That hee is not officed according to his worth ? What then ? that 's anothers default , 't is none of his : but if hee make a diuision vpon it , then the sinne is his owne , and then hee may quickly be officed according to his worth : Are vnworthies promoted ? Stomacke it he may ; declare it seasonably to presidents of state he may ; but make a diuision for it among the multitude that he may not : 't were a most foolish indiscretion , and more then a deadly sin : Or what the vaineglorious discontent , whose selfe-loue will neuer be satisfied , what attributes soeuer yee bestow vpon him ; vnlesse that Country , that Shire , and that very part of the shiere , wherein he was borne bee prefer'd before all other Countries and kingdomes i th' world beside : vnlesse that booke , that methode , and that exposition which he likes , be deified before all other methods and expositions that are ; vnlesse that ranke , that condition whereto he belongs be magnified aboue all other rankes and conditions whatsoeere they be . Thus they set Oxford and Cambridge , Northerne & Southerne at variance among themselues . Thus they make Nobles to despize Commons , and Commons to distast Nobles , and King and Clergy to be diuided from them both : Are these the ingenuous men yee speake off ? Now I beseech them , what Poet or Orator , what Historian or Diuine did euer teach them this wit to diuide a powerable kingdom againt it selfe ? Were there any depth of wisdome in them , they would neuer desire all of their shire , all of their condition to bee so highly extold aboue the rest : because then there is no excellency left for him : If all be such , where I pray is the difference of acumen that is belonging vnto him ? All these are fit materials for a diuision . Their conferences , newes , letters , verses , speeches , Sermous , resenting of nothing more , then of desire to diuide ; whereat the enimy doth much reioyce , and hopes to sucke no small aduantage out of such diuisions ith'end . Wherefore they are often to be entreated , that they would abandon all discontent , leaue off such foolish factious words , partake with neither side to the preiudice of the whole ; but in a loueable prudent kinde render to euery place his due ; affection to whom affection , and subiection to whom subiection is due , yet still keeping the correspondency of the whole together ; not so subiect to a King as to talke tyranny against a state , nor so affected to a state as to speake treason against a king : not so partake with Nobles as to oppresse the Commons , nor so with Commons as to scandall Nobles : not so with Citty , as to incense the Country , nor so with Country as to enrage the Citty : not they vilifie our Clergie to magnifie their Laitee , nor we vilifie their Laitee , to deisie our Clergie ; because all these are the beginnings of diuision : but euery man being humble in his owne eyes , let him esteeme another better then himselfe , & the preseruation of the whole to be greater then all ; so shall we be all free from the greatnes of this nationall sinne , The diuision of a land . If any be otherwise minded , and will maintaine a faction still , that Man-diuell is neither Caesars nor the kingdomes friend : for he doth but prepare the Fuell of diuision to th' aduersaries hand ; be doth but maintaine such engins , as when any subtle plot-master meets withall , that kingdome can neuer long stand . Some of them the Magistrate may meet withall : if their number gather head and troupe together , yee knowe the remedie is in the law : yee haue prisons for wandring rogues ; houses of correction for idle tongu'd parties , misteries of trades for indigent men of occupation : let the multitude be looked vnto , and each man entertain'd in his owne proper place : 't is alwaies best walking in the safest way . The hitory of Florence can report vnt'ce , what insolent diuisions haue arisen from certaine distasts about the mysteries of wooll . The history of the Turks , what armies haue growne from exiles & malecontents . The history of the Kings insteed of al ; Euery one that was in distresse , euery one that was in debt , and euery one that was discontented gathered themselues to Dauid , and hee became a Captaine ouer them : saies the Text , 1. Sam. 22.2 These things yee knowe : happy are yee if yee doe them : as superiours haue done their part , so let vs doe ours ; they haue taken the FIRE away : let vs remoue the FVELL too . For if a Kingdome retaine but the fit fuell of diuision within it selfe , that kingdome can neuer long stand — So ye haue corruptions within , prouocations without , and the particular remedies of both . Two other more generall remedies there are , Meditation and Prayer . Consider how VNPLEASANT it is to nourish a diuision in any kinde : whether you sit at your dayly meales , walke in the priuat recreations of your gardens , or hold a parly in any other perambulations that yee make , come there a pleasant conceit into your head , you dare not vtter it ; come there a lofty censure , you dare not vtter it ; for feare of misprision , misinterpretation , condemnation , you dare not vtter any thing : write any thing , it shall be censur'd ; say any thing , it shall be censur'd ; nay thinke any thing , or if you please thinke nothing , yet will they censure the very non-imaginations of your thoughts : ô what a life is this ? you haue a president of it at Samus ; Thucidides sets it forth by three as vnpleasant things as euer mortalitie did endure , suspition , silence , death : a hurly burly ; euery man suspected his dearest friend , and in that suspition kept silence in the deepe of his heart ; but — paine and griefe vnto them ; and that which was the plague of all , their silence was their death , because they durst not answer of what faction they did partake : yee gentle sweet dispositions of amitie and peace , who would not hate , abhorre the authors of diuisions ? disturbers of all your Christian quiet , troublers of your hearts , impeachers of all your ioy ; that Christian liberty , that sweetnes of conuersation , that honest cheerefulnesse , that tranquility of body and minde , wherein God allowes euery man to passe his time away ; how doe they hinder all ? O had you euer liued in house or kingdome where diuisions are , you wold say it were a certaine kinde of hell to be depriued of that sollace , which in peaceable louing societies yee might enioy . Stand ye newtrall , partake neither side , yet will the one strangle yee with smoake , the other slander yee with baser kitchinstuffe , saies Alphonsus , yee were as good dwell in the middle chamber of an house , which is sure to be abused of either side : but if yee bee farther interested to beare a part in the study of reuenge , how vexatious a torment is it then vnto the braine , heart , & soule of man ? what plodding , plotting , carking , caring , contriuing must there be ? A man were better vphold the building of 9 seuerall houses with his shoulders ; then beare vp the burden of one such diuision with his head . Therefore for the odious vnpleasantnesse of it let all men avoid this sinne of diuision : for the very sorrow & discontent thereof is enough to kill the greatest , goodest part of men : If a kingdome be diuided against it selfe , it can neuer stand in temper long , for very sorrow that it cannot .