What pains soever are in this world , all afflictions , exercises and trials , whatsoever they be , are comprehended in this decad of severall chastisements . For God hath in his School of Patience ,

Let us briefly explane these punishments , and heerafter in their due places particularize them more at large .

Rods , signifie dolours and diseases , which are almost innumerable , and every one more or lesse , participates of the bitternes of death . These rods are preparatives , to dispose us for death : the high way to death , is by diseases . A disease often times hath prolonged life , and the readiest way to recover men , was to beleeve they could not live . Vertue finds a place even in the bed of the sick man .

Arrows , symbolize griefs , solicitudes , cares , discontents , sadnes , fears . suspicions , and anguishes , anxious scruples , allurements , and vehement temptations , secret remorse of conscience , terrors , violent motions and perturbations of mind . The arrows of our Lord are sharp , and all his bows bent .

Torches , are types of poverry : we see div●rs familiar waies of scorching men in jest : poverty hath as many to burn them in earnest . Sometimes a man sleeping , hath in sport , a paper smeared with ●allow , put upon his shoe , and set on fire . Sometimes the end of a sm●ll wax candle is stuck burning on his finger : sometimes they heat a stove so that he seems smoking in a hot bath ; and now and then that which is most dear unto us , is snatcht up and cast into the fire : he is burnt enough who beholds in the flames what he best loves . After this maner men are commonly exercised by poverty .

A garland of straw , is the symbole of derision , contempt , and contumely ; scarcely shall you see the scholers of this school so sensible of any disgrace , as of this garland , which notwithstanding amongst them is ordinary . Almost every where the simplicity of the just man is scorned . He that walketh the right way , and feareth God , is despised of him that goeth an infamous way .

Under these sowr kinds of punishment is contained for the most part , whatsoever we suffer . For it is either the body , or mind , or the endowments of both , that are subject to calamity . Therefore we assign Rods , Arrows , Tapers , and Garlands of straw . But of these miseries we will speak more at large heeraf●er .

By Little Wands , are deciphered daily miseries , hunger , thirst , cold , in●ommodious habitation , uneasie apparell , journeis spent in vain , hope frustrated , & the like . For as the schoolmaster seldome laieth by the wand without striking , sometimes one scholer , sometimes another ; one while their hand , another while their head ; So man seldome is at truce with these daily miseries , never wanteth what he would most willingly avoid .

Chains and cords , are peculiar miseries , and proper to each mans estate , every man is obliged , some more , some lesse , according to his condition of life . Wedlock is a strong tie indeed , a chain of iron , or rather of adamant , which none but death can break . Often times married couples find neither hunger , nor thirst , nor want of health , but only want of peace and unity : the one objecting to the other ; I can neither live with thee , ner without thee . For he was tied who said , I have married a wife , and therefore I cannot come .

Knotty Clubs , or Scorpions are cal●mities common to many , as plagues , heresie , tyrany , war , fire , famine , inundations , and oppression of the poor . Ecclesiastes complained ; I turned my self ( said he ) to other things , and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun , and the tears of the innocents , and no comforter : and that they cannot resist their violence , being destitute of all humane help . And I praised rather the dead then the living , and happier then both have I judged him that is not yet born , nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun .

A Cloak , I call those miseries which we bring upon our selves , crucifying as it were , and miserably wounding our own minds , with our own conceits and suspitions . It is ordinary for a man to betray his own cause , and to load himself with true or feined afflictions . Job complaineth of himself ; I am ( saith he ) become burdensome to my self . Every one is as miserable as he makes himself .

SOme men secretly , but fondly perswade themselves , that this life may be pass●d smoot●ly without troubles or oppositions . You are deceived , ô you morta's , you are deceived exceedingly : for through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdome of God . And , Ought not Christ to have suffered , and so to enter into his gl●ry ? And shall we , vile members , under so glorious a head , promise our selves any better ●ondition ? We must ●est assured o● this , that the way to heaven is no soft delicious way , bordered with roses , or beset with sycomores ; but rough , craggy and in accessible to those that would passe thither through pleasure and delicacies . God is not wont to cocker his servants or treat them like wantons . But S. Augustine Bishop of Hippo , the very flower of Bishops , gives us some comfort heerin . God , saith he , scourgeth us Aug. com 8. in ps. . 13 5. circa med mihi , pag. 654. with these labours to instruct us ; know ye , my brethren , that all humane misery , under the burden wherof the world groaneth , is not a penall sentence , but a medicinall affliction . See how we are beset on every side with grief , with fear , with labour and necessity . The testimony of Ecclesiastes may be sufficient heerin . All his daies , saith he , are full of sorrows and miseries . A wise disciple of S. Augustine Th Kemp. l. 3 c. 12. legete●um caput . said ; Howsoever I shall dispose my self to peace , this life is not to be passed over without warfare and grief ? And what closet , I pray you , is so secret , into which calamity enters not ? What quiet repose of life so raised or strongly fortified , that is not shaken with sorrows and cares ? Whersoever thou shalt hide thy self , saith Seneca , humane miseries with troublesome Sen. ●● 82. initio & consol ad Polyb. c. 33. & consol. ad Marc. ● . 12. noise will compasse thee about ; many things outwardly environ either to deceive or vex us , and many things we carry in our selves , which even in the deepest solitude tosse and turmoil us . There is not , nor ever hath been in the world any house without complaints more or lesse , and yet you can name none so miserable , that may not take comfort in seeing some more miserable then themselves . This life is diversly afflicted with misfortunes , and we are so far from having peace in it , that we can hardly make a truce . It is not so delicate a thing to live as we imagine : we have undertaken ● long journey , wherein we must of necessity often slip , be tired and fall ; through these stumbling-blocks we are to make this our rugged journey , we never rest in safety , every where we meet with troubles and disquiet : whatsoever we do , which way soever we turn our selves , we have no means to lead our lives otherwise .

Behold , I beseech you , the course of all things throughout the whole world : there is nothing therein so excellent , but hath its adversary close annexed unto it . What gain is there more fruitfull , or honest , then tillage and husbandry ? yet one furious storm oftentimes destroyes the whole crop . It is most truly said : He that observes the winde shall never sow , and he that considers the clouds , shall never mow . What have we more fair then the Sun ● yet is he not without his blemishes , he is covered with clouds , daily buried under the earth , and sometimes eclypsed . What is more necessary then the aire , which is in a manner our food ? yet in one yeare , yea in one moneth , it is a thousand and a thousand times changed ; sometimes moist , at other times dry ; sometimes clear , sometimes cloudy and turbulent ; one while wholsome , another while noysome ; now subtile and piercing , soon after as grosse and foggy as in Boeotia . There is no liquor more esteemed then wine , yet none hath more dregs in the bottome : Who would drink it , if he did but consider how loathsome it ●s in the Presse , or hurtfull in the daily abuse ? Ale or Beer , which many men extoll as they were Nectar , are brewed for the most part , with foule and unsavoury water . The Shambles expose flesh to be sold , but not without bones . Fair trees many times , bear small , sowre , worm-eaten , hard , and soon rotten Apples . The stateliest C●ties are not without some poore and homely cottages : The beautifullest houses must have their vaules , sinkes , and sewers for their filth and excrements ; and let build●●g be never so curious and artific●all , they are not exemp●ed from all discommodities . Look up to the sky , and you shall fearcely s●e it one whole day without a cloud ; the clearer the sky , the sooner for the most part , come the cruell●st tempests : the windes are never constant ; the milde Westerne gales oftentimes give place to the dull South , or stormy North. Oyle is not without a foamy mother , nor Wheat without darnell . How much filth li●s hid in the fairest and comeliest men and women ? and how many changes are they subject to in one day ? Man , doubtlesse , never continueth stable in one state : and what wonder ? sith God found wickednesse even in his Angels . In all places we finde adversaries , every where enemies ; there is no absolute happinesse to be looked for . Would we have the Sun shine upon us every day ? all things passe with a gentle current at our beck and command ? this we may madly dream of , but never waking enjoy : all the workes of nature contradict it , and point us out an enemy in every corner . The same likewise may be observed in morall things .

THere is scarce any book free from errors and faults , escaped either by the Authour or Printer : Where shall you finde honour without burden ? or if no burden , no true honour . Where can you shew me a company of men exempted from all misfortunes ? or any man so upright and holy , that hath not in him some thing to be reprehended ? Who is he that dines or sups without some vinegar ? Let me eate a full meale , and satiate my selfe , straight after my stomack upbraids me , and makes me wish I had eaten lesse Let me check my appetite and forbear , then hunger affl●cts me . Thus Ash-wednesday succeds shrovetide , and feasting fasting . Next to the Temple of Honour is that of Labour ; the way lies from the one to the other : hony is mixed with gall , and every commodity with discommodity .

I have heard that Pleasure and Pain once fell at ods , and chose Jupiter for their Judge , the one would not yeeld in any respect to the other ; but Jupiter , declaring his sentence , so composed the matter between them , that from thenceforth they should never be at difference , but live together linked with indissoluble bands , and what marvell ?

The sharpest thorn grows next the sweetest rose .

Which way soever thou turnest thy eyes , thou shalt see hony mixed with g●ll : there is nothing in this world pure and sincere without dregs : this is incident to all earthly creatures , by a certain naturall propension , to weare away and consume . The Iron hath an in-bred cankering and rust ; wood , rottennesse and little gnawing worms . Thus all creatures , townes and kingdomes have within them their causes of destruction . Look upon all things high and low , great and small , made by the hand , or invented by the wit of man , in all ages past or to come , they fall to ruine and decay . And as rivers run headlong and with an uncessant course into the sea : so man and all things created for man , passe by this channell , as it were , of death and slaughter , to their d●terminate end , which is death ; for which , pestilence , war , and slaugh●er , serve as instruments Lips l. 1. de const. c. 15. and means . Why then are we so impatient ? would we trumph before the victory ? be choic●ly ●ed at our masters 〈◊〉 before we h●v● labou●ed for 〈◊〉 ? were not the ●nsolencie of that servant intoll●rable , who at his return from labour should finde fault that the table were not yet covered , no● the meat served up ? Why , lay the cloath , my friend , & bring up meat , such is thy masters pleasure : prepare thy selfe first to serve him , after this , thou maist both eate and drink . There is a time to sow , there will also come a time to reap ; the one must necessa●ily precede the other . They that sow in tears shall reap in joy . Going they went and wept , casting their seeds ; b●t comming they shall come with exultation , carrying their sheaves . Saint Chrysostome speaketh to the purpose : As all manner of grain , saith he , stands in need of showres to make it grow ; so we of tears : And as it is requisite that the earth should be ploughed and cut ; so the faithfull so●l , lest it bring forth Chrysost. tom . 1 in Ps . 125. mihi . pag. 981. ill ●oin , had need , in stead of the plow to have temptations and afflictions , to mollifie her hardn●sse , and bring under her pride We ought first to labour , ●nd then se●k quietnesse and repos● of mi●d . Doest thou aspire to heaven , and yet entertain thy body with quiet and ease ? G●ve eare to the same Saint Chrysostome , who not without good cause reprehendeth our s●●th in this manner : What doest thou , O man ? what say●st thou ? thinkest thou to scale the skies , and attain unto the kingdome of heaven , and yet askest ( without blushing or hiding thy selfe for very shame even in the bowel● of the earth ) whether any difficulty will occurre in the way , or any tough or disastron● accident befall thee ?

Do what thou wilt , thou shalt never come to heaven bef●re thou art soundly hew'd and polish'd . Very truly said that most religions man : The kingdome of heaven is the kingdome of those that are tempted , afflicted , contemned , and by sundry means polish'd and hew'd . How darest thou ( poore cowardly wretch ) appear amongst so many stout and renowmed Commanders ? God would have thee know how pretious the good is we seeke after , Vita Alvaressi , cap. 40. S. 1. for attaining whereof we undergo so many labours and pains .

The Hebrews being to passe into the land of promise , presented Sehon King of H●shbon with these requests ; That they might passe through his countrey , along the beaten high way , neither declining to the right nor left hand : That he should sell them meat for money , that they might eate : That he should give them water for money , that so they might drink . The King condescended not : so that they were to open a way by force . We desire likewise to go to heaven without trouble or warfare ; many mens resolution is , not to hurt any one , so they may not be wronged themselves ; but all in vain : heaven admits no such effeminate cowards , who endevour nothing more then To suffer nothing .

Therefore let us imitate that laudable saying of the Ancients , Nul●a dies sine linea , No day without a line , and say : Nulla dies sine nubecula , No day without some cloudy accident . Let no day passe over our heads , without doing or suffering somewhat stoutly and couragiously for Christs sake : for through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdome of heaven . Through many , yea through very many ; there is no object in the world more remarkable , or worthier of admiration , then a man couragious in misery , and firmly resolved to sustain all adversity . And behold , this is an acceptable time , behold now is the day of salvation . The first lesson in the School of Patience is to know , that without much suffering no man profiteth .

A Thousand reasons may be alledged , why God doth not vouchsafe to give his servants a Paradise on earth ; but rather sends them thither from the crosse . Heer I appeal to the ordinary custome of men : If a man conceives no hatred against a lewd house for being beaten there , or tumbled down a pair of stairs , much lesse will he detest that house , if he be kindly entertained : So if we should be well intreated in this world , scarcely any would seek after the joyes of heaven . Not one man amongst a thousand , but would say , I am well contented with those which I already have , why should I seek after uncertainties ? Many men besotted with their pleasures and riches , would neglect heaven , and , like brutish Oxen , lye down in the pasture they go in . Therefore it was requisite , that all things heer should be mingled with gall , lest the hony of this world should be preferred before the sweetnesse of heaven . Why , I pray you , was Aegypt so cruell and malicious towards the Hebrews ? for their governours ( as we read ) were most tyrannicall , their taskes doubled , their scourges and afflictions insufferable ; and besides , all their male children were threatned to be killed : what was Gods designe herein ? Nothing else but to beget in his people an extream hatred and loathing of Aegypt ; and consequently , of Idolatry in generall . To this end were the exhortations of Moses moving them to desire the land of Promise . To this end was Pharaoh suffered to tyrannize , that the Hebrewes conceiving hatred against so cruell a Lord , might seek another more peaceable countrey .

Excellently well saith Saint Gregory , By Gods mercifull will it comes Greg l. 23. c. 13. post . med . to passe , that his elect lead a troublesome life in this their pilgrimage . This life is the way by which we travell towards our countrey ; and therefore by his secret judgement we are often afflicted heer , lest we should fall in love with the way in stead of the countrey . A traveller ( especially such an one as is easily disposed to loyter ) is soon perswaded to stay and solace himself under shady trees , and in pleasant medows ; seeks new and new delayes , one while sitting down in this place , and another while in that , till he hath trifled , and idly spent the whole day . Therefore Saint Gregory saith , that our Lord maketh in this world the way which leads to heaven rough and sharp to his elect , lest any of them , entertained with ease and delights of this life , as with a pleasant way , should rather desire to hold on still his journey , then speedily to finish it : and lest , too much delighted with the way , he should forget what is to be desired in his countrey .

And as it doth much inkindle the love of God to have but once tasted how sweet our Lord is : even so , to have somewhat felt the bitternesse of transitory things , doth not a little thrust us forward to the hatred of them . Behold the power of adversity and affliction , it presents us the wormwood of this world to taste , it strewes the earth with thorns , to force our feet to mend their pace . Elegantly saith Saint Augustine : O the infelicity of humane creatures ! the world Aug. to . 10. Serm 3 de Temp. circa med . is bitter , and yet beloved : think what it would be if it were sweet and savoury : it is turbulent , and yet most earnestly desired ; what would it be if it were calm and quiet ? How eagerly wouldst thou pluck the flowers , since thou canst not hold thy hands from the thorns ? Saint Chrysostome was of the same minde : If we invironed on all sides with so many miseries , desire to prolong this present life , what would we do without them ? when would we desire or seek after future felicity ? We are so madly blinded with selfe-love , that in stead of health , we dote on Physicke ; in stead of the journies end , fall in love with the journey ; and the cratures in stead of the Creator . Hence comes it , that God is in a manner forced to give us bitter potions , lest we rather covet to drink vinegar and wormwood , then celestiall nectar , and prefer earth before heaven .

That golden Orator Saint Chrysostome , of whom I spake , proveth excellently well , that it is a thing very profitable to be afflicted . Touching which point , this is seriously to be considered , that humane understanding conceiveth not so much as the least shadow of divine Majesty : our imagination , when we think of God , reaches no further then to Kings and Emperours . Alas ! how base , how childish , are even our sublimest cogitations ? Hence it proceedeth , that we f●ll into so many errours . It is the saying of the wise man , God hath tryed them , and hath found them worthy of himselfe , So immense is the Majesty of God , that no man may be esteemed worthy thereof , before he be throughly exercised with sundry calamities , like a stout and couragious Champion , who cannot challenge the prize before he hath sought the combat . To good purpose was that which Nicetas Choniates said ; He is onely miserable , who in affliction is too much contristated ; and thereby rendreth himselfe unworthy of God .

Isaac being now almost blinde with age , sought by touching to finde out his son : Come hither ( said he ) my son , that I may feel thee , and may prove whether thou beest my son Esau or no. In like manner God dealeth with us : I must touch thee , my childe , ( saith he ) my hands are hot indeed , they burn , but if thou be my childe , thou wilt suffer me to touch thee : he that refuseth to be touched by me , is none of mine , and is unworthy of me . I suffered my only Son to be crucified , and I found him worthy of me : Even in the same sort I dealt with his Virgin-mother , transfixed her heart with a sword of griefe , which for many years together I pulled not out , and found her worthy of me : nor have I otherwise treated my dearest friends , and I found them worthy of me . And wouldst thou be singular , and exempted from the number of the afflicted ? If thou escape without chastisement , thou art likely to have no share amongst my children . After this manner do I exercise and try my children , and by chastising honour them . More enriched and honoured was Joseph in exile , then in his fathers house . Ezechiel amongst captives was comforted with heavenly miracles . The three Hebrew children were never more refreshed then in the burning furnace : nothing could have h●ppened to them more honourable , then to enjoy in the midst of the flames , the amiable societie of an Angell . Whosoever therefore desires to be numbred amongst the children of God , let him declare himselfe so , and with a generous spirit and undaunted courage , say : I am affl●cted , but endure it patiently : I am tortured and tormented for Christs sake , but bear it willingly : I am overwhelmed with calumnies and false accusations , but beare them for the love of God cheerfully , God be praised : I am bound and burned , but for the hope of heavenly joyes endure it couragiously : It is that I desire , I would rather have fire burn , then overcome me : I had rather my God should call me in this world to wage war , then to live in delights . I know well , the Oxe designed to the slaughter , is left at his own liberty in the pleasant pastures , while another pressed with the heavie yoke , is suffered to live . Chastising , my Lord will punish me , and not deliver me to death . Thus it becomes a Christian Champion to think and speak .

ANd that we may the better apprehend what hath been said , let us discourse in this manner : The supream element of fire is so noble and strong by nature , that whatsoever viler substance it layeth hold of , be it cloath , lether , wood , yea even flints themselves , it burns and consumes them into ashes , as if it should say : Such is my innate generosity , that I will not admit into my bosome these base materials , that are not worthy of me ; but give me the noblest metals , Gold or Silver , and I hurt them not , they are welcome to my bosome , them I purifie and refine : for they are worthy of me . And hath the fire such a preeminence amongst other things created , that it imbraceth nothing but that which is most worthy of it ? what shall we then think of God ? Malachias struck with admiration , saith : Who shall be able to think of the day of his advent ? and who shall stand to se● him ? For he is , as it were , a purging fire , and as the herb of Fullers , and he shall sit purifying . Neither will he refine gold and silver , and bring it to the former luster , slightly and superfi●ially , but accurately : for he will try them till he find them worthy of himselfe .