The meteors A sermon preached at a visitation. By Michael VVigmore, Rector of Thorseway in Lincolneshire, and sometimes Fellow of Oriel Colledge in Oxford

THE METEORS . MAT. 5. 14. You are the Light of the World .

PRoems , they are like Cypresse trees , long , but fruitlesse , and as he , 2 Macc. 2. 32. It is but a vaine thing to make a long Prologue . and to be short in the story it selfe : Then briefly to the matter we are to treat of .

As we finde in Naturall Philosophy , Lucem , Lumen and Illuminatum ; the Sunne the Treasurer of Light and Time , the Light of the Starres derived from the Sunne , and the Light of the Aire proceeding from them both : So shee ( being the Handmaid to Divinity ) holds out the glasse to 1 Cor. 13. 12. 13. show us the shadow of that we shall know , even as we are known .

First , Christ , to be that Sunne of Righteousnesse , foretold unto Division . Verse 2. V. 3. les . 9. 1. us in the fourth of Malachy . Secondly , his Disciples to bee those Starres spoken of in the twelfth of Daniel . And thirdly , those people that walk in darknesse , and that dwell in the Land of the shadow of death , to be that Medium illuminatum , looking for the light to shine upon them .

For the First , as in the first of Genesis , the Light was created I Part The light of Christ seene from the beginning . before the Sunne : so was Christ knowne in the dayes of Psal. 18. 9. Old , before the Sunne of Righteousnesse was risen , before He appeared in our Horoscope , before He bowed the Heavens and came downe to cloath himselfe in the flesh of Man ; His light was then like the Birth of the Morning .

The Prophets , they beheld this Light , that a Virgin should conceive Ies 71 14. and beare a Childe which should be Emanuel , God with us : The Gentiles , they beheld this Light , witnesse Zoroastes , Mercurius Trismegistus , the Sybils , the Oracles of their owne gods , and to make their ignorance inexcusable , they had the Prophets of truth amongst them ; Iob knew that his Redeemer lived , and Iob 19 25. Num. 24. 17. Balaam could prophecie unto Balaak , that there should come a Starre of Iacob , and rise a Scepter out of Israel : The Patriarks they beheld this Light ; Abraham , he saw this day , and reioyced and was glad and that Grandsire of all mankinde , was no sooner Iohn 8. 56. divested from his Robe of Innocencie , But this Day-spring Luc. 1. 78. Gen. 3. 15. Ioh. 1 5. from on high did visit him ; With , the seede of the Woman , shall breake the Serpents head . And thus the Light shined in the darkenesse .

For , as the Israelites for their Convoy had a Cloud by Day , and a Pillar by Night : so till the time of the comming of Christ , there was no Day without a Cloud , no Night so dark , but had some light in it . God being known from the worlds first being , by Visions , and Oracles , Revelations , and Dreames , Bulling Decad. 1 Ser. 1. Tradition of doctrine , from hand to hand , untill the dayes of his servant Moses , who was in the seventh generation from Adam , and yet the Pen-man of the worlds Historie , for neere 2500. yeeres .

So that Adam and the Patriarks , the Gentiles and the Prophets , they had all a glimmering of this light ; they all foretold the comming of Christ , as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ; they 2 Pet. 1 21. Mat 11. 13. Ezech. 4. 1. Keck . Phys. p 1. ex Virg . Iob 36. 32. Galat. 4 4. The light manifested in Christs incarnation . Psal. 19. 5. 2 Cor. 3. 14. 15. Heb. 10. 10. Heb. 7. 12. Heb. 10. 1. all prophecied unto Iohn who was the Precursor , that morning starre that was sent to beare witnesse of the Light .

And thus ( as Hierusalem upon a Brickbat ; or the Acts of the Romans on the Shield of Aeneas ) I have briefly set out unto you how God hid the Light in his Fist , untill hee commanded it to breake forth , untill the fulnesse of time was come .

Then came the Bridegroome out of his chamber , rejoycing as a Gyant to runne his course . The Law that was the vaile of the Gospell , was taken away by the comming of Christ ; The Sacrifice offered yeere by yeere , was abolished in His offering once for all ; The glory of the Priesthood was translated ; All the shadowes of good things to come ; they all vanish at his Lustre ; I am come ( saith our Saviour of himselfe ) I am come a Light into Ioh. 12. 46 the World , that no Beleever should abide in darknesse .

Such is the glory of the Diety , brighter then the Lights of heaven ; The glory of this light . Ecclus. Ioel 1. 10. His eyes ten thousand times clearer then the Sun , and cloathed with unspeakeable Majestie ; That the earth doth quake before him , the heavens tremble , the Moone be darkned , and the stars withdraw their light . Then how shall sinfull man behold him , whose foundation is but dust ?

When Christ was transfigured upon the Mount , his Visage there Mat. 17. 2. as glorious as the Sunne , and his cloathing as white as the Light , his Disciples were afraid , and fell to the earth : When Acts 9. 8. Revel 1. 9. he appeared in the way to Damascus , Saul was stricken blind with his Brightnesse . And when Saint Iohn saw him in the I le of Pathmos , in the likenesse of the Sonne of man , with a garment downe to his feet , his eyes being as a flaming fire , his feet as moulten brasse , and his face shining as the Sun in his strength , he fell downe at his feet for dead ; In his presence shall the people Ioel 2. 6. tremble , and the countenance of all waxe blacke : so that wee may say with those men of Bethshemish , whom God had 2 Sam 6 29. smitten for looking in the Arke ) who is able to stand before the Lord ?

If those that have knowledge live two lives , whereas others live but one , then doubtlesse every man is halfe dead ( like him Luc. 10. v. 30. that fell amongst the theeves : ) our understanding is unsinewed , and the powers of our soules are out of joynt : so dimd , whilst we looke through the cloud of Nature , that wee see no better then he in the Gospell , that could not discerne a man from a Mar. 8. 24. tree .

But God who is rich in mercy towards us , frameth his This glory opened in parables and similies . Greatnesse to our capacity , shewing his Goodnesse in speaking to our senses , and that Man may know him in some measure , He will be knowne unto us as man , by his parts , as eyes , cares , and the like ; his affections , as Anger , Love , and Sorrow ; his Titles , as King , Lord , and Father , whereas He is infinite , incomprehensible , that filleth full the heaven Ier. 23. 24. and the earth ; Totum quod vides , totum quod non vides : And Christ to insinuate himselfe into us , to leave the deeper impression in our hearts , so often openeth himselfe in Parables , that , were they as strangers unto you , I could leade you into acquaintance with them , throughout the whole course of his Doctrine . Sometimes stiling himselfe a Sower , sometimes Mat. 13. Ioh 10. 11. Mat. 9. 12. Ioh. 15. 1. Ioh. 10. 7. Ioh. 14. 6. Rom. 1. 20. a Shepheard , sometimes a Physitiar , sometimes a Vine , sometimes a Doore , sometimes the Way , the truth , and the Life : Notioribus ignota discuntur , Spiritualia per similitudines ; as Gods eternall power and Godhead are seene and understood by his workes .

David in the 68. Psalme , being there to make a description how God was praised in his Sanctuarie ; the fuller to set it forth to the Life ( as the troope that leads before some Prince , This Glory resembled by Light . Ver. 25. 27. awakens an earnest expectation ) doth marshall out the array thereof , with the Singers going before , with the Minstrels following after , with the Damosels in the midst , playing with Timbrels , with little Benjamin their Ruler , with the Princes of Iuda their Councell , the Princes of Zabulon and the Princes of Nepthalie . And Saint Iohn in his first Epistle , intending to 1 Ioh 1. 1. &c. comprize a briefe abridgement of the whole scope and Doctrine of the Gospell , to extract and sublimate the Quintessence thereof , rankes out a faire companie to walke before , and to rouse up dull attention ( like the Chaine that was tyed to the tongue of Mercurie , and fastned to the eares of the people ) with , that which was from the beginning , which we have heard , which we have seene , and our hands have handled of the word of Life . And againe , the Life was manifest , and we have seene it , and shew it unto you : And againe , that which we have seene and heard , that we write and declare unto you ; untill at length he openeth this rich Cabinet , and shewes us this illustrious Gemme ; That God is Light , and in him is no darkenesse : And thus ( as Salomon in his Temple ) He presents you with a faire and beautifull entrie , as a preparative to your devotion , to stirre up a zealous admiration , and to wonder at the inward glory , That God is Light , and in Him is no darknesse .

Plato and the heathen Philosophers ( that were directed by the eye of nature ) viderunt illi suisque literis copiosissime mandaverunt , hinc illos unde & nos fieri beatos , obiecto quodam lumine De Civit. Dei l. 10. c. 2. intelligibili , quod Deus est illis ( as saith Saint Augustine : ) Hence the Prophets were named Seers ; and mens humana patibilis dicitur ( as Zab. in his tract de mente agente ) because our Light Iam. 1. 17. is from above , and commeth down from the Father of Lights : Beleeve Ioh. 12 36. therefore in the Light , that ye may be children of the Light .

As Light was the first borne of all things visible : so was it Christ the Light . not without a mystery , that for the distinction of the six first dayes , God closed them up with this phrase of speech , The Evening and the Morning were the first day ; and the Evening and the Morning were the second day ; and so on in the rest of the dayes : whereas Nature gives the birthright to the morning . But he foreseeing in his infinite prescience , that wretched man within few houres should cast himselfe headlong into darkenesse , doth intimate unto us thereby , that first should be the Night of mans misery , and then should follow the Day of our redemption by sending of his sonne Christ Iesus , God of God , Light of Light , very God of very God : And This light was that true light which lighteth every Ioh 1. 19. man that comes into the world .

Of all the Metaphors the world affords , none so fit an Embleme of Christ , as Light , which is the ioy of the eyes , and the Pro. 13. 30. true comforter of the heart , although continuance and assiduity makes us behold it with lesse admiration .

Amongst those foure good Mothers that doe nurse and Van . of the eye cap. 4. The excellency of the Light cherish up foure bad daughters ; as Vertue , Envy ; Peace , I al●nesse ; and Truth Hatred ; Familiarity brings forth Contempt . And hence it is ( as one well observes ) that those things which we most feare and reverence , are most removed from our sight : Perseverantia consuetudinis amisit admirationem . the daily use of this glorious creature doth make it the lesse to be admired . When King and Kesar , old and yong , high and low , rich and poore , all desire it alike .

Light , it displaieth it selfe to all creatures , and it is transfused in an instant . It pierceth every transparent body , and is not defiled with any uncleannesse : It is the conduit of all heavenly vertues , and is the quickner of all that is : It actuateth all colours : It is the mother of all beauties : It giveth life to all the ornaments , to all the delights that the world affords us . The Light is sweet , and a pleasant thing it is for the Eccles 11. 7. eyes to looke upon the Sunne : And , si dulce est lumen hoc mundi , quanto erit dulcius lumen gloriae . Si delectabile est videre solem creatum , quanto erit delectabilius solem videre increatum , creatique solis Creatorem . I am the light of the world ( saith our Saviour ) Ioh 8 12. And therefore it was ( as some observe ) that Christ was borne when the dayes were at shortest , ut diminuto noctis curriculo , defectionem sentiant opera tenebrarum .

From this comfortable nature of the light , upon any occasion of ioy and deliverance ( to shew how beautifull are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of salvation ) wee decke it forth with her glory , naming the time pro qualitate rei .

The Lepers ( in the second of Kings , cap. 8. ver. 9. ) in the Night that they found the Assyrians were fled , wee doe not well ( say they one to another ) we doe not well to hold our peace , this Day is a Day to bring glad tidings : And that welcome Luc. 2. 11. Angell in the Gospell when he came to the Shepherds in the Night of the Nativity , This Day ( saith hee ) in the City of David is borne a Saviour which is Christ the Lord . Then did the Night shine as the Day , because the Sunne of Righteousnesse Psal. 139. 12. was risen ; as there was darknesse at the houre of his Amos 8. 9. death , for then the Sunne did set at the noone-tide .

And yet Christ here ( as Moses else where ) hath a vaile Light but a shadow to Christ . Psal. 104. 2. put over his face , to whom the Light is but as a garment , or as a curtaine drawne over his glory , to bee a shadow of his essence and being . If the Light bee Darknesse , how great is that Darknesse ? But when Light and Lustre , and Brightnesse , and Glory , and Majesty shall be but shadowes ; how great is the Brightnesse , and the Lustre , and the Light of the glory of that Majesty which dwelleth in the light that none can attaine unto . 1 Tim 6. 16.

It is reported concerning Noah , that whilst the window of the Arke was shut , he made use of some resplendent stone , by whose raies the objects of the sight presented themselves to the organ of the eye . However the conjecture be but curious , yet true it is that Christ is that Stone , which albeit the Mat. 21 42. builders refused , is now become the head-stone of the corner ; at whose approach the light of the Moone became unto Ies 30. 26. us as the light of the Sunne ; salvation became the wals of Ies 60. 18. &c. our Church , and her gates the praise of God ; the Lord our everlasting light , and the Sunne that shall never set , Lux Deus illustris illuminans omnia , aliae luces tanquam micae .

And thus farre of that Lux innata , that true Light , that Light Ioh 1. 9. & 8. 11. & 9. 5. & 1 Ioh. 1. 5. of life , that Light of the world , in whom is no darknesse .

I am now come to my second chapter , and to speake of that Lumen , that Lux infusa , whereby wee are enlightned 2 Part. The Light derived from Christ to his Ministers . from above ( as the Starres doe borrow their light from the Part. 2. l. 6. c. 7. Sunne . )

Zanchius in his worke De operibus Dei , upon those words , Gen. 1. Sint luminaria in expa●sione coelorum , observes that luminare differt à luce , sicut candela à luce quam habet ; and puts the nature of the Starres and the Light , at as farre distance one from the other , as the instrument that holds the light differs from the light that it sustaineth . And as God is the light that dwelleth in you , so you my brethren of the Clergy , you are Luminaria , the Instruments of light to shine in the Phil. 2. 15. middest of a crooked generation . Thus he which is the light of the world , Iohn 8. 12. hath appointed you to bee the light of the world , Mat. 5. 14. and he which is the bright morning Starre , Revel. 22. 16. hath given you the morning starre , as he hath received from the Father , Revel. 2. 28. to bee as that starre that Mat 2. 9. appeared in the East , and that led to the place where the child lay . Christ beholding from the heighth of his Sanctuary , the condition of his Church here on earth , how that after the dayes of his flesh , they should be as sheepe having no Shepherd ; Mat. 9. 36. Eph. 4. 11. 12. he hath given some Apostles , some Prophets , some Evangelists , and some to be Shepherds and Teachers , to the gathering together of the Saints , to the worke of the Ministration , and to the building up of his body . And as the Israelites when they came to Elim , found there twelve Fountaines , and seventy Num. 33. 9. Palme trees : so the Apostles as twelve Fountaines , have flowed over all the face of the earth ; and the seventy Disciples as seventy Palmetrees , have flourished , and spred over all the Luc. 10. 1. the world , raysing up new seed in the Church , by Commission from Christ , Imposition of hands , and Succession Apostolicall Acts 6. 6. 2 Tim. 1. 6. throughout all ages .

You , my Brethren , are brancht from these ; you are the 1 Cor. 4. 1. 1 Cor. 3. 9. Luc 12. 42. 1 Pet. 2. 9. 1 Tim 2 7. Gal 4. 17. Disposers of the secrets of God ; you are his Labourers , and his Builders ; you are his wise and faithfull Stewards , whom the Lord hath made Rulers over his houshold ; Yea , you are his honourable Priesthood ; yea , his Embassadors ; yea , his Angels . You , even you are the Light of the world ; Et sic dicebat Christ●● suis , vos estis lux mundi , cum ipse solus esset vera lux , as Beza in his notes upon the 2 Cor. 3 18.

Aristotle tels us in his Ethicks , that Bonum is Verum , and Arist Eth. l 1. Lights distinguished . Meteors divided . Apparens : and there are certaine Apparitions , which for the semblance that they have with the Light , doe seeme to be of the same nature . These being proper to the Aire , some there are in the higher region as are Cometa , and Caprae Saltantes ; others in the middle , as Tonitru and Fulgur ; and there are walking in the lower region , Ignis Fatuus , and Ignis Lambens ; Opposita iuxta se posita magis eluce scunt , and therefore I le begin with these , that those other in their order may appeare the clearer .

First of the Comete , that prodigious Light , shewing commotions , Cometa . and the death of Kings : such is the nature of the Laterane Iupiter stiled the servant of the servants of God , when he meanes to exalt himselfe as an Eagle , and to towre amongst the stars nipping the Christian Princes in the crownes , giving Obad. verse 4. K. of defen . of the right of Kings . Exod. 32 22. 1 Sam. 15. 30. 31. 35. Baruc 1. 11. Cheque mate to the greatest Monarchs , & spilling their bloud like water on the ground . Whereas , Aaron submitted to Moses , Let not the wrath of my Lord waxe fierce . Samuel honoured Saul a Reprobate , mourning for him at his funerall Exequies . And the Captive Iewes in Babylon , sent to the Brethren at Hierusalem , to pray for the life of Nabuchedonozor , and for the welfare of Baltasar his sonne ; how then can that Church , that Body , choose but be full of mortall diseases , when the Head is so full of peccant humours .

It was enacted by the Law of Moses , that a man that Deut. 21. 12. would marry a Captive woman , should shave her head , and pare his nailes , and put away her old rayment from her . We will apply it to the Church of Rome ; Let her put away her superfluities , let her lay aside her old corruptions ; Let her leave off her superstitious Reliques , and we two will be one flesh ; she shall be unto us an Israelite : And that great Monarch of great Babylon , Luminare mains ( as he stiles himselfe ) that Stella Crinita , that Blazing starre , whose haires are growne like Dan. 4. 33. the Eagles feathers , and his nailes like the clawes of Harpyes ; let him lift up his eyes to heaven , so that his understanding be restored , and wee will joyne our selves unto him , to bring him to his former Beauty .

Capraesaltantes are another kind of Meteor , strugling in the Capraesaltantes . bowels of our own Church , like Iacob and Esau in the womb of Rebecca , or the Hussits and the Thaborits amongst the Bohemians , onely differing per magis & minus : Men that for science , and for Conscience , might worthily shine as the stars in the firmament . But that ( as it is generally observed ) Stellarum nulla per se movetur suum dividendo orbem .

Oh , it might make us to mourne and bleed , to see how Iudg. 5. 15. for the divisions of Levi , there are arisen great thoughts of heart . To see our selves to be parted into companies , like unto the Sheep and Goats of Laban , some browne , and some bespeekled : Gen 30. 32. to see how ( like that Monster in Plinie , that Amphisbaena , that hath two heads ) we strive one with another for Soveraignty , whilst our enemies stand by and behold it with , Psal. 35. 25. 2 Sam. 1. 20. There , there , so would we have it ; Oh , let it not be told in Gath , let it not be published in Askalon , lest the Philistims doe rejoyce , and the uncircumcised have cause to triumph .

Ecclesia est illud corpus Christi quod charius habuit , quam quod tradidit morti ; let us not lacerate , and teare it to pieces , with our unprofitable litigations ; let us not be of a viperous generation , to eate our way through our mothers bowels ; let us not rend Christs seamelesse Garment , which must be Vmea , or not Tunica ; let us put up our angry pens , and as Curtius reports Q Curt. of those people that were ever in armes one with the other , yet when Alexander came upon them , quos alias bellare inter se solitos , tunc periculi societas iunxerat : so let us bend our swords and our speares against the brest of the common enemy .

He , even he whose name is wonderfull , the giver of counsell , Ies. 9. 5. the mighty God , the everlasting Father , the Prince of peace , would not have us awaken his Beloved , whilst he doth rest his bedewed Can. 2 8. & 5. 2 locks upon the lap of the sleeping Church : Remember what Abraham said to Lot , and remember that we are Brethren , Gen. 13. 8. Eph 4. 3. and therefore bound in the bond of peace , for the keeping of the Spirit of Vnitie .

It was the Ditty of our Saviours Birth-Song , peace on earth , Luc. 2. 14. good will towards men ; It was his Legarie to his Disciples , My peace I give you , my peace I leave you : And it is the daily prayer Ioh. 14. 27. of his Spouse , da pacem , give peace in our time O Lord : Contention ( be the Garden never so faire , be the Intention never so sincere ) t will make the world to be misdoubtfull , and to feare a Snake under every Leafe : Then let there be no dissention amongst us , and let us proceede by one Rule , that we may be Phil. 3. 16. of one accord ; lest when that Great Shepheard of our soules shall 1 Pet 2 25. & 5. ● Mat. 25. 41. come to separate the Goats from the Sheepe , he brand us with an Ite maledicti , Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire .

I am next to speake of the Belly of that Image , whose Head is ambition , whose armes , dissention ; I am now in the middle region , Tonitru & Fulgur . Mat. 3. 17. where I meet with Tonitru , and Fulgur , Boanerges , sons of Thunder ; who though they be of a lower Region , yet are they of a hotter constitution ; well may they be the salt of the earth , but of such a Peetrish and fierce nature , that touch them Mat. 5. 13. with the least sparke of admonition , and they le be ready to flash in your faces : These men inflamed per Antiperistasin , by seeing Iudah frozen on his dregges , may say as David in another kinde , That to keep silence , it was paine and griefe , That Psal. 39. 3. their very heart waxt hot within them , That while they were thus musing , the fire kindled , untill ( like so many Canons overcharged , or as Lightning choakt up in a cloud of Thunder , they give a terrible cracke about our eares ) untill at length , they speake with their tongues , recoyling against order and Discipline .

— feriuntque summos Fulmina montes . ●or .

They would have a spotlesse congregation , looking for a Moone , sine macula , seeking a Church without a Blemish , and thus forgetting themselves to be sinners , they doe with Calisto in the Metamorphosis ,

Saepe feris latuit visis oblita quid esset ; Vrsaque conspectos in montibus horruit urses . Ovid Met. l. 2.

Whereas the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit , and the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. against the Flesh , so that we cannot doe what we would ; we can but indevour to that which is before , wee can no more Phil. 3 13. 14. here but presse towards the marke ; perfectionem in hac vita sequimur , assequimur in futura .

Being thus puft up with an undiscreet zeale , their Pulpit Tacit. like the Tribunall of Cassius , it doth become scopulus reorum , a Rocke , a Shipwracke to a tender conscience ; affording nothing but the cursings of Mount Ebal , nothing but the thundrings Deut. 17. 13. Exod. 19. 18. and lightnings of Sinai .

It is observed in the motion of the Sphaeres , if they should not be stayd and slackned by the contrary course of the primum mobile . that they would set the whole on fire . And it is true in the nature of zeale , not being moderated with discretion , it soone sets all in a combustion , Fervor discretionem erigat , Bern. & discretio Fervorem dirigat .

God that made all things with the breath of his mouth , and accomplished his sixe dayes worke in the temperate season of the Equinoctiall , appeared to Adam in the coole of the Zanch de oper. creat . part 2. l. 1. c. 2. Psal. 104. 4. Zanch ubi supra . Ionah 4. 1. &c. day : He that made his Angels spirits , and his Ministers a flaming fire ; when he made the Light and the Stars , tempered the Light with moisture , and made the Stars of a watry substance . And though he be a God of vengeance , yet when the rebellious Prophet Ionah had so much the over-flowing of the Gall , as to be angry with his dreadfull power , he reprehends him with as much indulgence , as if the tendrest father in the world were to deale with his dearest sonne ; and shall we bruse the broken reede , shall we quench the smoaking flaxe ? Oh let the Mat. 12 20. Psal. 141. 5. righteous correct me friendly , but let not their precious balmes breake mine head ; let us handle the wounds of our Brethren with gentlenesse , and the Bowels of compassion : let us bring pitty in our eyes and hearts , when we chance to see their fals and infirmities : and let us remember the rule of Saint Paul , Gal. 6. 1 Brethren , if any man be prevented in sinne , yee then which are spirituall , restore such a one in the spirit of meekenesse , considering thy selfe , lest thou also be tempted .

Now for the Snuffes of the former Lights , sending forth Ignis Fatuus . an unsavory smell out of the lowermost Socket of the Ayre ; First to speake of Ignis Fatuus , or the Lay-Elder ; here like unto some simple Swaine at a portentous and prodigious Meteor , seldome seene in the world of his Hemisphere , so I cannot but stand at a gaze , to see the Starres to drop from the firmament , to see the light to be turned into darknesse , to see the Priests to be cloathed with shame , so many and so well nurtured , that have suckt milke with us from the same brests , to be mis-led into that discipline , by the which an Artificer may be made an Elder , and of a Tradsman become a Church-man : We may lament them with the wife of Phinees , when 1 Sam 4. 21. the Arke was taken by the Philistims , and shee named her child Ichabod , The glory of Israel is taken from them .

This Ignis Fatuus , this Lay Brother , by their Imposition of hands , shall have the misleading of a Band of soules ( as the Deuill the lunaticke in the Gospell ) sometimes through fire , Mar. 17. 15. sometimes through water ; and yet ( as Aventine once of some such ) Si praelati isti plebei essent , nemo facile ipsis haram Avent . de reb. Tur. par. 3. committeret , in illo vero statu , & arae , et animae hominum ipsorum fidei creduntur .

It was commanded by the Law Leviticall , that no blinde Levit. 22. 22. creature should be offred to God ; how then shall the blinde lead the blind , unlesse it be in praecipitium ? Like unto that Cretensian Berg. Hist & Fasc . Temp. Iew in the yeere of our Lord 450 , who saying hee was Moses sent from heaven to conduct his brethren through the Sea into Iury ( as before hee had done out of Aegypt ) caused them to commit themselves unto the waves , where they were all drowned like Pharaoh and his host .

Yet these will torment a Text of Scripture , manage a long and monstrous discourse ( conceived and borne in the same instant ) wrest and pervert the word of God , and instead of the naturall milke thereof , sucke out the blood of mis-interpretation , as farre distant from the true meaning , as was that ridiculous Actor in Smyrna , pronouncing O Coelum with his mouth , and with his finger pointing to the ground . The Coppersmith will be bold to controule Paul ; 2 Tim. 4. 14. Act. 19. 24. Demetrius the Silversmith will oppose the whole Church , and the Cobler find fault with the thigh of the picture .

Frange leves calamos , & scinde Thalia libelles , Mart. Si dare sutori caloeus ista potest .

There is a Rout of their followers , a generation described The condition of the Faction . Pro. 30. 12. by Solomon , that are pure in their owne eyes , and yet they are not washed from their sinnes : Let me shew you the pourtrait of them , as they are drawne out to the life by another , and so printed to the view of the world .

They are ( saith mine Author ) the scumme of the Commons , Doctor Wakeman , Ser. True professor . the tags and rags of the people , base mechanicks , men of little knowledge , lesse honesty , and no discretion at all : In their attempts pragmaticall , in their humour phantasticall , in their profession Pharisaicall , in their bookes hypocriticall , in their opinions Anabaptisticall , in their Doctrine schismaticall , in their words Angelicall , in their deeds Diabolicall . But what should I tell you de asini umbra , or hold you in discourse of this Brainsicke Frie ; I le only haile Ignis lambent , and so wee le strike sayle , and come a shore .

Such is the nature of many men , that having some secret Ignis Lambens . and beloved sinne , which is as neere , as deere unto them , as was the sonne of the Bondwoman to Abraham , when hee praied for his life and prosperity , Oh that Ismael might live in Gen. 17 18. thy sight . They can with Herod heare Iohn Baptist so that hee would not touch upon Herodias : These men are likened to Apes and Monkies , which breake the glasses that they looke into , because they shew them their owne deformities : so that it often fals out with them as the Prophet speakes , Zach , 11. 8. Three Shepherds I put out of office in one month , for I might not away with their doctrine : And yet for all Michah will Iud. 17. have his Levite .

Scit Comitem horridulum ●rita donare lacerna , Et verum inquit amo , verum mihi dicito de me ; Qui pote ? — Pers. Sat. 5.

How can that be ? when they say unto the Seers , see not , and to them that be cleare of iudgement , Ies. 30. 10. looke not out right things for us , but speake ( placentia ) leasings unto us .

As the Devill dealt with Christ when he tooke advantage Mat. 4. 2. of his hunger ; so there want not unto these some that are left of the old house of Eli , that will come and crooch for a peece 1 Sam. 2. 36. of siluer , and to bee put in office amongst the Priests ; these men may be compared to Surgeons , that though they have not the hearts of Lions to put their Probes home to the quicke , yet they have the hands of Ladyes enured to Complexions and Paintings , and to daube with untempered morter : to the Polypus that is so Ezech. 13. 10. Aelian de var. hist. lib. 1. Eze. 13. 18. 19. variable , taking the colour from the rocke he cleaves to : to those Daughters of Hierusalem , ( or to those roguing Gypsons of our times ) that pollute the people , and kill their soules for handfuls of Barly , and peeces of bread : to those five and twenty men in the Prophet , that did turne their backs towards the Temple , Ezech. 8. 16. and worshiped with their faces towards the East , casting the word of God behinde them , and aiming at nothing but their Psal. 50. 17. owne rising .

These are the Deuill in Samuels mantle , Ignis Lambens , dissembling Parasites , glavering Temporizers , Trencher Chaplains , that will lingere sputum , become all things unto all men , so that they may please some men .

It is an observation of Ioab , that though he were a valiant Captaine , yet was he not reckoned amongst Davids Worthies , 1 Chron. 11. because hee betrayed Amasa with a kisse : much lesse 2 Sam. 2. 9. shall the Lord of David write those names in the Booke of Life , that kisse , and bite , and yet cry peace , like those Prophets Phil. 4. 3. in the third of Micheas , ver. 5.

He whose Lip is full of indignation , his Tongue a consuming Ies 30. ver. 17. 30. 33. fire , and his Breath like a river of Brimstone , shall cause his glorious voyce to be heard , and shall declare his stretched out arme against those that have sweet tongues , and make the people erre by their flatteries . Ier. 23 31. 32.

And this be spoken of those Meteors that do hang betwixt Heaven and Earth : I should now come to the Angels of the Conclusion . Revel. 1. 20. Churches , those Starres that are in the right hand of him that stood in the middest of the Golden Candlesticke ; but then I should overflow my sands .

Like a Labourer I have digged the foundation , and I have 1 Cor. 39. 10. 11. laid it upon Christ Iesus ; I have removed all the Rubbish in the description of these Apparitions ; I have ( I hope ) made a faire way for some other ( Aholiab or Bezaleel ) for the finishing of the rest of the Building . Exod. 31. 2.

Now being cut off by the tyranny of Time , I le end as I began out of 2 Macc. If I have done well , I have done what I Cap. 15. ver. 38 should ; if otherwise , it is the best I could , ( and according to the time allotted unto me : ) In the meane while consider what is said , and the 2 Tim. 2. 7. Lord give you understanding in all things . Amen . * ⁎ *

FINIS .