MISCELLANEA ; OR , Serious , Useful CONSIDERATIONS , Moral , Historical , Theological .

Together with the CHARACTERS OF A True Believer In Paradoxes and Seeming Contradictions .

AN ESSAY .

ALSO , A little Box of Safe , Purgative , and Restorative Pils , to be constantly taken by all those that desire , either to get their Souls into , or to keep them in , an healthful , holy , heavenly frame and temper : Or , A wholesome Diet-drink for Ch●istians .

By THO. GODDARD , Gent.

LONDON : Printed by E. C. for Tho. William at the Bible in Little-Britain , and Will . Thompson at Harborough in Leicester-shire . 1661.

I That in our late dangerous , dismall , deadly dayes of War was a man of peace , am now prest ; And therefore I must not only expect , but in prudence prepare to encounter with such enemies as are resolved and prepared to charge me both with sword and Pistol , censure and detraction . With the first , for presuming to set up my dim candle amidst such shining Tapers , whose every where diffused brightnesse is sufficient to dispel a midnight , yea an Aegyptian darknesse , without the assistance or contribution of my faint Ray. Yet whether the light , warmth , influence of some of those flaming torches do most resemble the beautifull , comfortable suns , or a blasting , mischievous , dreadful , prodigious comets we are at this day sadly able to determine . For not a few Books ▪ are diseases rather then medicines , and of so infectious , so venimous a nature that a a Heylin . Geo. p. 717. like the people called Psylli , they are able to poyson Serpents , to corrupt those and to render them much worse who are too erroneous already . Besides , instead of affording solid , safe , and good nourishment , they do too often fill the readers stomachs with hurtfull crudities , and their heads with aiery , false , abstruse , turbulent , truculent , yea blasphemous notions , principles , and opinions , either not fit to be published , ventilated , and b b Dispudanti pruritus est ecclesiarum scabies . Wotto● ad Reg. controverted ; or else not only unprofitable , but also very dangerous if not mortall to be imbraced ; since by wofull experience we find that poysoned instead of wholesome pils , are too frequently and greedily swallowed , because they are either roled up in , and covered with the pap of Flesh-pleasing delights , or else because they are guilded with gain , learning , eloquence , or seeming piety . Whereas the innocent ends of my unpolished papers are to level the high , to blunt the keen , to rectifie the erring , and to straighten the crooked thoughts which too many have of pleasure , honour , profit , the worldly mans only c c Haec tria pro trino numine mundus habet . And yet an Heathen could say of them , omnia ista bona quae nos speciosa sed fallaci voluptate delectant , pecunia , d●gnitas , potentia aliaque complura ad quae generis humani caeca cupidetas obstup●scit , cum labore possidentur , cum invidia conspiciuntur , ●osquè ipsos quos exo●●ant & prem●●t , plus minantur quam prosunt : lubrica & incerta sunt , nunquam bene tenentur , nam ut nihil de tempore futuro timeatur , ipsa tamen magnae felicitatis tu●cla sollicita est . ●enec : de Brevit . vit. Ad Pau●●num . Trinity , to unedge their teeth , to sharpen their appetites , and to inflame their cold desires after the best things , that so they may no longer feed upon Husks , or delight in dung , but that they may hunger and thirst after the bread and water of Life , and by a justifying Faith both feast , fill , and fat their empty , lean , yea almost famished Souls with the Manna of divine promises : And lastly to perswade Christians not only to store , inrich , and adorn their understandings with knowledge , but also to turn and digest their knowledge into practise , without which Christian care , and pious both indeavour and resolution , the noblest , wisest , richest , greatest persons in the world are but living Tombs possessed with evill spirits , glorious , stately , beautiful sh●ines , and walking Sepulchres carrying dead souls up and down in them . For wilfull ignorance , and learned profanenesse are the Scilla and Charybdis of the Soul . The one leads men hood-wink't , seiled , tamely , and securely unto Hell : The other makes them walk , or rather run , and leap with their eyes wide open into the bottomlesse pit of eternal destruction .

2 I am sure also to be shot at with the pistol of detraction , because nothing hath the happiness to be approved , much lesse then the favour , or Crown to be applauded that doth not please . And amongst all those things which are most offensive , none are either so sowr , or so distasteful to almost all , as the speaking or writing of truth to them , and the decrying , undervaluing , contemning , or endeavouring to take away their Diana from them , since a sincere love of Holinesse , a pious contempt of the infatuating , deluding world , self-denyall , and mortification are both the hardest rules , and the harshest Lessons in all the Grammar of Christianity to like , learn , and practise . Besides , it 's a custome no lesse common then both unreasonable , and unjust , to condemn the work-man if the work be innocent , and when they cannot deservedly accuse the picture , to blemish , bespatter , and reproach the painter . For it 's not only the bloudy policy of Satan to perswade , but t is also the desperate madness of sinners to think , and strive to ward and guard themselves , and their Dalilah's against the down-right blows of truth , by sleighting , reviling them that speak it : And ( like ignorant , or impudent Sophisters ) when they cannot answer the arguments of their opponents , with their wicked wit to jeer or slander them , as if their wisdome , safety , and felicity consisted in evasions , detraction , or a wilfull opposition of truth . And as if Davids Harp were not sweet compared with the murdering melody of the Sirens' tongue of sin , or error ; The Honesty and Lawfulnesse of my designs are such , that as I am assured they will not only Alarum but exasperate and multiply my adversaries ( or rather the enemies of plain-dealing and godlinesse ) into an enraged , numerous Army against me : The most being ready and resolved to run unto that standard which is set up against honesty , vertue , sanctity , heavenly mindednesse , contempt of the world and all it 's vanished vexing , vanishing ensnaring , deceiving , destroying vanities : So I am fully perswaded that the best will both favour , own , assist me . And amongst all them I have resolved to fly only to your Honour for relief , and safety ; well knowing that your Lord-ships entertaining of me and siding with me will be not only my security , incouragement , honour , but also an hopeful , smiling presage of a prosperous victorious issue in these my weak , yet wel-meant undertakings . For truely my Lord it 's my own as well as others Joy , and wonder that your Lordships dawning is a serene Meridian . That you came out of the Mine refined gold , and a polished Jewel from the Rock ; That your equally amiable graces , and eminent accomplishments do honour your honour , and ennoble your Nobility ; That your green years and blooming youth have those gray hairs snowed upon them , which are at once the Ornament , Comfort , Crown , and Glory of venerable age , I mean Learning , Wisdome , and Vertue ; That these equally beautifull , and fragrant flowers should be full blown in your Lordships January , when they scarce peep out , but are very rarely ●udded in the May of others ; and that you are not only fair , and flourishing , but also both sweet and ripe in the very Blossome , when the most are either foul or blasted , deformed , or withered , or both , with ignorance , and vices in their youth . This I say being really true , and without an Hyperbole , Flattery , or fram'd Idea of what might or should be in a Christian , or a Person nobly descended , 't is both an happy Prodigie and a most auspicious Omen , that your Lordship will grow up , prosper , rise , shine , and live to be the Glory of your Noble Family , the honour of your Nation , the darling , happinesse , and triumph of your Countrey ; and , like the Sun , a great , choyse blessing to all those that do or shall live under your cherishing , comforting , reviving influence ; by being so happy as to have any relation unto , or dependance upon , your Honour . My Lord , that is the right , the true Nobility indeed , that is inlaid with vertue and piety ; for he is the Noblest peer in the World , that is sincere religious . There is no creature on this side Heaven either so glorious , or excellent , as a Godly great man . The purest Gold is but shining clay , the most precious and resplendent Gemms are but common and dushkish Stones , all the sparkling stars are but dim candles set in dark Lanthorns , and the refulgent eye of Heaven is but a glimmering Gloworm or Taper ; compared with his worth , and brightnesse . He 's a Phaenix whom the other Birds of Honour cannot but applaud , esteem , and admire , though they will not imitate him ; A Titus Vespasian , the love and delight of mankind , the Loadstone , joy , and jewel , of all honest , gracious hearts : He 's one of Gods most honourable Privy Counsellours : A Prince of the most truly Royall bloud , the richest Heir , and the greatest , the happiest Monarch in the World , for Heaven is his Inheritance , and Kingdome . These , these my Lord are the prerogatives , priviledges , and portion of those that are great , and good . My Lord , it s a custome in some places , when a Tenant dyes , for the next that injoies the lease of the deceased to pay his Land-lord an Harriot , viz. The best of all his quick goods , and Cattle . My Fore-fathers who for an hundred years were Tenants to your Lordships noble Progenitors , lye all of them in their beds of dust : I succeed them in that Relation they had to your Honorable Family . I humbly hope therefore that it will not be interpreted a breach of Covenants though I pay that service in lieu of a Harriot to your Lordship which I confesse I doe most justly owe , and therefore in Duty , and Gratitude , ought also to pay unto that mirrour , and honour of her Sex , Family , and Name , your Lordships truly noble Mother . But yet I dare not tender this Homage to your Honour without this most humble Supplication ; That your Lordship will be pleased to pardon my very high & criminal presumption in thus daring to setan orient Jewel in a leaden Ring ; to stamp your Lordships beautiful image upon a copper medal ; and in offering to pay or rather to acknowledge a little of my great debt , in leather instead of silver . But truly my Lord besides a faithful heart and fervent prayers for your felicity , this is the best of all my goods , and the chiefest of all my treasures that I have to lay at your Lordships feet . And this is also the liveliest the truest portraiture that I am able to draw : Either of your Honours merits , which to expresse fully or to speak elegantly silence is both the best Orator and the most eloquent Panegyrick : Or of your Honourable Family's favours , Nobleness , and Goodness to their Tenants ; who did both know and consider that the faint and sickly sweats , the naked backs , empty bellies , crying wants , complaining sufferings , and the inevitable beggery of Tenants and their Families impoverished , famished , and undone by being unmercifully racked in their rents were both bloudy gain , sinful providence , cruel thrift , and also a sure way to canker , and lessen , yea to consume their estates . And therefore your Lordships Noble Progenitors so far as I do either know or could ever hear , have carefully , wisely , constantly shunned , scorned , and abhorred those fatal shelvs of oppression , and exaction , upon which so many great , avaritious , worldly greedy Land-lords have wrack't and ruin'd their estates , honour , consciences , and posterities .

Lastly , this is the exactest draught that I can make of my own thankfulnesse , and obligations . Be pleased therefore , my most Noble Lord , once more I earnestly beseech you to pardon both my uncivil prolixity , and my unmannerly injurious boldnesse in presuming to beg of your Lordship not only that you would condescend so much below your self as to alight and stay in so mean a Fabrick , but also that you would deign to lodg in such Sheets as are both very course and black . This honour and favour if your Lordship will vouchsafe to confer upon me , then these rough-hewn stones which I have set up as columns of my faithfulnesse , duty , gratitude , will become and continue ( in spite of the iron teeth , and the insatiable appetite of devouring time , that eats and consumes without fulnesse , surfeiting , or satisfaction , even flinty pillars , as well as feeble persons ) a double monument of your Lordships noblenesse , and goodnesse to succeeding ages . These , these my Lord are the Forces and weapons wherewith you have , do , and will , easily , certainly , gloriously , not only conquer , but indear all reall , vertuous hearts . These are the fetters too , wherewith they will be not only chained most strongly , and kept most securely , but also wherein they will be both willing , joyful , and ambitious to follow the Triumphal Chariot of your transcendent worth . And amongst all those happy Captives who thus adorn your Lordships victories , none will or can more cordially honour you then he who ( with his most ardent prayers for the temporal , Spiritual , and eternal prosperity , Felicity and glory both of your Honour , and your Noble relations on earth , and in Heaven ) takes the boldnesse to subscribe himself ,

BOOKS are a Feast or Banquet to which the invited guests ( all that can read & understand ) do come with various appetites and palats . Some do hunger after , and like best , that meat which is most unwholesom and dangerous , corrupt principles . Others do desire and delight chiefly , or only in such dainties and delicates as are curiously cook't and served up either in the China-dishes , or silver plates , of wit and eloquence . And some will feed liberally upon such provision as is both course , and common , when it is laid in the savoury sauce of truth . The first of these I would not entertain if I could , procul hinc , procul ite ; for I have neither a bit nor a drop for you , unlesse like spiders you will suck poyson out of sweet flowers . The second I cannot though I would ; For I have no rare or generous wines ( no Rhetorical streams flowing from the pure and limpid fountain of ravishing Oratory ) to invite , tempt , or delightfully to in●briate your Lady-appetites , or thirsty minds withall : Nor have I the Mine of a rich invention , or the necessary Magick of a lofty towring fancy , either to furnish and cover my Table with sweet meats , or to confine you within the circle of Approbation . My pen cannot drop Nectar , or life-honey , nor are my lines either studded with pearl and Jewels , choise and refined conceits ; or enamelled with elegant , indearing , melting phrases . Only the last sort then , are my ( yea and their own ) true friends . They are heartily welcome to my poor dinner of green herbs . If any thing please them I desire them to eat freely , & much good may it do them . But as for them ( and God knows there are too many such nominall Christians in the world ) that , like those who are surfeited , sickly , breeding , or dying , do nauseate and abhor almost every thing , and usually those things most that are most nourishing , necessary , safe , and proper for them , that will scarce touch , tast or sip of the best potion or Pharmacon to save their lives ; I do advise them either to change their minds , or to forbear my table ; because truth and holy Counsells will ( like Physick ) either help or hurt , cure or kill them . I have run and rushed I confesse into that crowd , which doth not only presse and oppresse the presse , but surfeit it too : Otherwise such filthy , unsavory , loathsome , impostumated matter , would not be vomitted up by it , as we either do , or may too frequently behold . I know verie well also , that this is a quaint , a queasie , a criticall , a very inquisitive , and a peevish Age. I shall therefore that I may not offend it more ; ( it being alreadie too apt to be angry with truth and plainesse ) and in order to the satisfying of such whose reason is not in their wils , whose heaven is not in their Lusts , whose brains are not quartered in other mens heads , whose learning and religion doth not consist in opinion , detraction , profession , temporizing , or faction , who do not do●e upon deformity , live on poyson , and idolize their very diseases ; Acquaint the world why I have exposed my self to the danger , and run the hazard of being esteemed what it shall please the many , or any to account me .

First then negatively ; It is not , Reader , I assure thee a tympanied ambition to be known to the world ; For he is certainly very strangely distempered in his head that will knowingly and deliberately make , and set up himself a common But to receive all those forked , and piled arrows which wit , learning , pride , envy , malice , and ignorance will be sure to shoot at him : Nor a desire or design to blow a gaudy Hemisphere upon a Nut●shel , or to perch upon a weather-cock ; to hunt ( I mean ) for a vulgar applause , or to sit upon the good or rather giddy opinions of the reeling multitude : Nor is 't the midwifery of others importunity ( that Hackney , bald , thred-bare , lean , and wondrous old apology for printing , and common pimp to the presse ) that hath delivered me of these little , weak , and scarce breathing children : Nor is it either the wealth or beauty of these sisters ( unlesse you will be so kind as to account them fair and rich because they are neither deformed , nor diseased ) that hath prevailed with me to offer them unto the love , acceptance , and imbraces of the world . Nor is it levity of mind , or a lascivious Genius that makes me prostitute them to the eys and hands of all . Nor are a desire of praise from the vertuous , and judicious , or an opinion of any excellency in themselves the wings that have carried these call●w birds out of their warm nest into the cold , unkind , and dangerous world . Nor is it any confidence that these helplesse infants will find either civility , curtesie , or charity abroad , since the most are friends only to the wealthy , but Momus's and Nabals to books and Authors . Nor yet is it because I am perswaded that others have not done much better then my self herein ; For I well know , and freely confesse my self to be but a dwarf to those Gyants , a mole-hill to those mountains , and but a little winking candle compared with those great and bright Sun● of learning , by whose polished , exquisite structures , these my unhewen stones are set up . Affirmatively , or positively then my reasons and end why I suffered these doves to fly abroad are these :

First , because as our Talents ( though but few or little ) must not be profusely wasted ; so neither must they be parsimoniously buried in the napkins either of idleness or silence .

2. Secondly , because it 's both my prayer and hope , that with some of these smooth stones taken out of that crystal brook the holy Scriptures , put into , and thrown out of the sling of truth though by a little , weak assailant , that great , dangerous , mischievous , deadly , and really dreadful Gol●ath sinne , ( through the guidance , blessing , and assistance of Gods omnipotent arm , who can when , and where it pleaseth him give both birth and successe to this design and encounter ) will be overcome in some of those that shall seriously and impartially peruse my papers : And also that those uncircumcised Philistins ( honour , pleasure , profit ) which have manacled the hands and put out the eyes of so many Samsons ( chained , corrupted , yea deaded the affections , and blinded the minds of so many millions of men and women ) will be either vanquished or weakened , in them .

3. Thirdly , because though the thin web of my work be through an unskilful hand very course spun , yet since the warp is truth , and the oufe profit , I do not despair but it may , yea will , not only invite but also delight and benefit , some of my chapmen , my Readers ; since I know that there are many both so inge●●ous , and so ingenuous , that I am perswaded a Cord twisted and made up of Divinity , Reason , Experience , and History will both hold them , please them , and become not only an acceptable , but an amiable ornament unto them , although the workman want both art , and elegancy .

4. Fourthly , because though I am very far from presuming , or pretending to be fit or able either to teach those scholars that are deservedly preferred into the upper School : Or to add any light of knowledg to those bright stars in the high O●bs of Learning : yet I hope I may without offence , yea and with some advantage to them also , immind , and intreat them , to joine science and conscience together , to live up to their knowledge and duty , by burning inwardly with a well-grounded , well-guided zeal for God ; and by shining outwardly towards men with sobriety , innocency , sanctity ; Since great gifts , parts and abilities without honesty and grace , are great snares , temptations , mischiefs , and plagues both to themselves and others . And since without a holy , diligent , careful improvement of them both to Gods glory and the good ▪ of others , all those whom God hath honoured and enriched with them , will by him be greatly and grievously punished for abusing , or not using and imploying of them . And as for those who are yet in the petty school , and lower forms , that have not overgrown , nor travailed beyond their A. B. C. in understanding and religion , nor as yet rightly learned to know themselves , sin , the world , or their Christs crosse ( that great work , duty , and comfort of true Christians ) there are lessens offered and set by me very necessary for them to be acquainted with , instructed in , imminded of , and seasoned withall .

5. Lastly because I know that although many , instead of accepting my poor indeavours , and receiving the truth in the love of it , will not only reject , and disregard it , but also censure , yea bite , and revile the Author with their invenomed teeth , and frothy , filthy tongues ; yet my labour will not , shall not be in vain , because it 's in the Lord , and for the Lord . In his name and fear this plain ( not mosaick or carved ) work was undertaken , to his glory it was , and is intended , directed , and by his assistance , it is finished ; I do not , I dare not say , perfected . His blessing , his powerful , gracious , fruitful influence , I do therefore most humbly beg upon it . And do only desire these few very reasonable things and favours of my Readers :

First that they would instead of carping , snarling , or barking at my book , which I confesse hath too much Alloy and drosse ( but no poison ) in it , communicate their own more pure , and better refined labours to the world . It will be , I assure them , my joy and contentment , not envy or sorrow , to see , and their own , not only honour but comfort to build marble and magnificent fabricks , where such low , mudwal●'d Cottages , as mine is are erected .

2. Secondly , that they would prize , welcome , and imbrace truth , though it curb , crosse , or kill their carnall Joies , profane waies , and worldly interests .

3. Thirdly , That they would seriously consider that Jewels are both as precious and resplendent in a woodden box , or in an earthen pot , as in a cabinet of Pearl : That there may be usefull , wholesome , and savoury herbs in that Garden , which wants the bravery , beauty , glories , and the gaudey embroidery of curious flowers ; And that sweet meats may do well for sauce , or to taste of , but are not fit , or safe to be made our daily bread .

4 Fourthly , that they would not be their own murderers and Executioners by loving vice , and hating vertue , by adoring earth , and trampling Heaven under their feet , by forsaking Christ , to follow the world , by poisoning their souls , to please their senses , by deferring their repentance , and an holy Life till death ; or by leaving the safe and pleasant ways of truth and righteousnesse , to walk in the dangerous , destructive paths of error , heresies , and wickednesse .

5. Lastly , I do earnestly intreat them to read what I have written without partiality , passion , prejudice , and prepossession , that Maxim being most true here ; Intus existens , prohibet altenum . For , vessels top full of earth cannot receive without being emptied either gold or gemms : And the most precious cordial , the most soveraign Julep must needs be lost , and spilt , if it be put into a dish that is brim-ful of dung , or muck-hill-pit water ; Read them then ( once more I do importunately , pray and request you ) with hearts willing , desirous and resolved to be informed , imminded , convinced , reformed , confirmed , and if you receive any good by my weak labours , remember to give God the glory of his own work and mercy ; and instead of your praises Crown me with your prayers . But if you do not profit by them consider , That bad , disaffected , and distempered stomacks do turn the best meats into ill humours , and into dangerous , if not mortall diseases ; That none are more either sure to languish , or likely to die , then those that refuse , loath and cast away the Physick that should cure them . That those who hate the light shall one day when 't is too late , clearly see their folly , sin , and misery , in outerdarknesse . That glorified Saints would be Gaolers , Angels tormentors , and heaven it self an hell to those , that are unholy , unheavenly , unregenerated on earth . That they who have forgotten , forsaken , left , and lost God and Jesus Christ , shall never ( without humbling their souls , mourning for their sins , and returning to the Lord ) find or feel any true comfort , peace , or happinesse , either in life , or death . That they who do not with the spiritual eye of a justifying faith , stedfastly behold the sun of righteousnesse Jesus Christ , ( as 't is said the eagle can with her natural eyes the sun of heaven ) will and do ( like the kite ) with the eyes of sense & corrupt reason look earnestly , yea longingly at , st●op eagerly unto , and feed greedily upon the carrion and garbage of creature-comforts , which do only fit and fat the wicked ( as the richest soil doth beasts ) for the day of slaughter , vengeance , and damnation . That they who do not imp● the wings of their knowledge and reason with the golden feathers of vertue and piety , will never be able to soar above the World , or to mount up to Heaven . a a Solus vir bonus est revera prudens Arist. Ethic. 6. Contrae ( inquit alius ) stolidi et imprudentes sunt mali , Keck , syst. Ethic. lib. 1. c. 3. p. 148. That they only are really wise and good , who are sincerely religious ; because discoursing learnedly is but the bark , the shell of knowledge , and because professing zealously is but the husk , the leaf of sanctity : for only honesty and piety are the kernell , fruit , head , heart , bloud , spirits , light , heat , soul , and body of true wisdome , and saving grace . That therefore Christians ought to conform their practise to their principles , their works to their words , and their Lives to their light . That they whose actions are eccentrick to Gods honour , word , and will , will never ( without repentance and reformation ) be found weight in the ballance of the sanctuary . That it 's infinitely more both honour and happiness to be a truly holy Christian , than it is to be a victorious Caesar , a famous Scipio , a renowned Castriot or an invincible Alexander . That it 's transcendently , unspeakably , yea unconceiveably more both glory , comfort , and felicity to , and for Christians to mor●ifie their sins , lusts and passions , then to overcome , own or command the whole world . Praeclarum quidem est , inquit b b Xevoph in Orat. de Ag●filio . Agesilaus , inexpugnabiles hostium muros superare , multo verum praeclarius animum parare suum , ut â c c We have stricken one good blow , there resteth another , yet better , and greater then that , which is , that we overcome our selves forbearing to ris●e and kill , said Frederick the Emperour to his German Soldiers , after he had defeated the Hungarians Camerarius Hist Meditat. pecunia , voluptatibus , metuquè sit inexpugnabilis . That none shall lie so low in Hell as those that have been nearest Heaven in the enjoyment of the powerfull means of grace , and that have had the gracious tenders of Gods choicest and most precious mercies in Christ , frequently and earnestly offered unto them , if they live and die barren , hard , dry , or profane under them , and wilfull undervaluers , neglecters , or despisers of them .

And lastly , consider , that a frequent , serious and pious meditation of Gods mercy , the love of Christ , Mans duty , the misery of sin , excellency of grace , necessity of Christ , vanity of the creature , emptinesse and deceitfulnesse of the world , felicity of heaven , torments of hell , the frailty of life , certainty of death , and of the dreadful day of judgment , is , and will be found by all those that will carefully , and conscientiously use , and practise it , a most soveraign , excellent , fruitful means both to awaken , humble , melt , and inflame a secure , proud , hard , frozen heart .