A Working Vessell is saved from breaking by a vent ; a heart oppressed with sorrows eased , when it hath revealed its discontents : I have long laboured under many afflictions and oppressions , and to this houre could yet never finde Justice at leisure to examine my Complaint ; the vinegar of which delay , hath been as ill to me , as the injustice which I have received : whiles thus my Calamities have been prolonged , encreased too by common Fame , and though in this time my innocence hath cleered the main debt ; yet have I been undone , with the Arrerages of the suspition , which is an arrow of slander , that pierceth the inward parts , men being apt to believe Relations as they come to them ; that a good man oftentimes may deliver untruths by here-say , from the credit of one he trusteth , and thereby wrong the reputation of him he knows not , and the innocent thus many times may suffer reproach undeservedly : For the satisfaction therefore of my acquaintance , I have Printed this Map of my misery , untill the time shall come , that my cause may be rightly judged , Psa. 105.19 , 20. and that in the interim I may not lye under the guilt of those slanders wherewith I have been blemished , chosing rather that my enemy should eate my heart , than a friend should grieve it , as it is much better to dye of the meate one liketh not , then to surfet of the meate one loves , a man is not therefore unworthy because he hath had disasters follow him at the heels , for the whistling whirl-wind must blow before Elias be rapt up to heaven : great and mighty fishes , are not bred in small and sweet waters , but in the Salt-sea ; as brave Spirits by difficult attempts , become victorious ; a fruitfull tree , though the bark be bitter , yet the fruit is sweet , though a man may seem harsh in the more strict performance of his duty , yet is it profitable to the publique , nor shall you ever finde any cudgells thrown at an Apple tree , that bears onely leaves ; no man was ever envied for evill , t is vertue that hath so many enemies , for a bad man is to himself the worst , and needs no other enemy to undo him , then his own desires ; as Midas made his Idoll become his ruin , thus we hate the Foxes advise thovgh never so current , the Wolfs skin doth detect his Counsell , in persons faulty we suspect truth ; and therefore it was observed of Aristides that he was wont to propose such advices as he knew did conduce unto the Publique weal by some other men , and not from himself , lest Themistocles out of hatred of his person , should have with stood and impedimented a generall good : as a fire made of green wood , which is fed with it as fewell , but quenched with it as 't is green ; and thus when the Murtle tree will quickly rot , the Sethim wood cannot be eate with wormes ; the Saphire will not crack , when the flint is quickly shivered in peeces : when the evill man like him in the Philosopher , who thought where ever he went that he saw his own picture walk before him ; unto a wise man you can do no wrong , who like a good souldier will keep his rank ; receive with thanks whatsoever falls , that which is constant we say doth passe for excelten , 't is true in the use of good things , as it is in sufferings for the truth ; for thus the malice and venome of an enemy too may by wisdom be converted into a medicine , and by managing become a benefit , which was by him intended for an injury , or to use the similitude of Plutarch , as healthy and strong beasts do eate and concoct Serpents , whereas weak stomacks do nauseate at delicates , so wise men do exceedingly profit by the hatred of their enemies , whereas fools are corrupted with the love of their friends , and an injury doth one man more good , than a curtesie doth another , as wind and thunder , when they trouble the ayre , do withall purge it , whereas a long Calm doth dispose it unto putrifaction , the same whetstone that takes from a weapon doth likewise give it an edge , 1 Sam. 13.30 . and sharpens it , as the Israelites when there was no Smith amongst them , 1 Sam. 13.30 . did sharpen their instruments with the Philistims ; so an enemy serves to quicken and put an edge upon those vertues which by lying unexercised may contract rust and dulnesse , and many times when the reasons of the thing it self cannot perswade , the fear of giving advantage will over-rule a man , lest hereby he gives his foe matter of insultation , the eye and neerenesse of an Adversary exciteth Caution and diligence , and makes a mans life more fruitfull and orderly then otherwise it would have been ; like a sink by a house side it makes all the house the cleaner , as those Roses and Violets are sweetest which grow neer unto Garlick , and other strong sented Herbs , because these draw away to them any fetid or noxious nonrishment : and as vermine do ever devour the purest Corn , and moaths eate into the finest Cloath , and the Cautharides blasts the swetest flowers , so envie doth ever gnaw upon that which is most beautifull in another whom it hateth , poyson never works , where it finds no heat ; envie still follows the better part , as the Vulture it draws sicknesse from a persum , a rancorous nature , trouble , from the good it sees in him he hateth ; and odiorum acriores causae quando iniquae , when hatred is built upon a bad foundation it commonly raiseth it self the higher , and the reason is because in passions of this nature , the lesse we have from the object , the more we have from our selves , and what is defective to make up malice in the demerit of him whom we hate , it supplyed by the raising of our own stomacks ; as we see in the body that thin and empty nourishment , will more often swell it then that which is substantiall ; but after the greatest inundation the waters are dryed up , the subtillest lightning hath but his flash ; the ratling thunder-bolt hath but his clap : In the fulnesse of time the Israelites shall return out of Babylon , in the mean time we must awaite Gods leisure with patience , Exod. 12.41 . stand still and see the Salvation of God : a cheerfull heart makes a strong back , and the well couching together of the pack availes much to the Carrier : by much sufferance comes great ease ; the experience of Gods deliverances is a strong Oblation to trust in him for future mercies ; the Suns heat will be most comfortable when we are most cold , in the greatst perplexity to finde a deliverer , will be much more welcome to the distressed ; and though disgrace be a tough bit for flesh and blood to digest , yet he that will live godly in this world , must resolve for to endure tribulation , for at the best it is full of Cares . Job 5.7 . For man is born unto trouble , as the Sparks flyes upwards ; Esay 45.7 . that it is no wonder if in this world he meets with many miseries , but as that man onely can look upon the Sea with comfort , that hath escapt a shipwrack , so with the Prophet David he onely can the best content himself to have been miserable , Psal. 30.12.13 . whose sackcloath God hath put off , and girded his loynes with gladnesse , and if rightly to consider the manner of Gods Husbandry ; most commonly he begins to plow that soyle betimes , which he means so to sow in his season , Jer. 3.27 . and tilleth and harroweth it over and over again , from which he doth expect to have a good and plentifull harvest , Psal. 129.1.2 . therefore it is good for a man , that he bear the yoke in his youth ; grace cannot go on but with many rubs , Job 18.7 Psal. 22.15 . Psa. 119.67 . Judg. 3.20 . Joh. 5.2 , 3. and affliction is the better endured , before the steps of a mans strength be straightned , or that he be dryed up like a potsheard : 't is sicknesse we say , which makes health so much esteemed , for by wanting we deem the thing better , when it is enjoyed ; and no man sees himself so clearly , as in the glasse of adversity , when every blow that God layes on , seemes to say as Ehud unto Eglon , I have a message to thee from God ; which if he shall consider , it will make his grief a Bethesda , to cure him of his infirmities ; and thus he will come out of the furnace as pure gold , cleered from the drosse of his corruptions : 't is very painfull to hide a wound . Then by that which follows I hope I may say without offence , Lam. 3.1 I am the man that have seen affliction , nay like waves in a storme , they have pressed violently in , one upon the neck of another : I accompted it my first unhappinesse , that after I had some good time continued in the University , and obtained some measure of knowledge in those Arts , which contented me , and that for my own part , I had resolved to have fixed there ; I was constrained by my friends , upon whom I then depended for livelihood and subsistance , for to forsake that way in which I was , and to apply my self unto the study of the Law ; for as every thing lives the best in his proper Element , so he thrives commonly the best , and proceeds with most successe that is setled in that course to which his Genius is most enclined ; yet here I accompted it my good hap to fall into such hands for my Education , that in the first place , I was taught this principle of Religion , Pro. 8.7 . above all things to buy the truth and sell it not ; it being a thing so precious and desired , that Christ himself came to bear witnesse unto it , Joh. 18.37 . & 8.32 . & 3.21 . and by his works manifested it to be the thing which should make his followers free : the fashion God so much regards not , as the stuff ; and that seed is ever the best , which is the most white within : now it was not long ere I was put upon the tryall , to see if I would hold this ground wherein I stood , retain this Doctrine in which I was instructed ; for the silver cannot appear till Benjamins sack be unloosed : A noble friend of mine now in the minority both of my yeers and profession , having conferred upon me by grant , the Stewardship of many hundreds in the County where I lived , and the then Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , being my Country-man , and having purchased the Fee of two of those hundreds , moved me to depart with my interest in two of those Stewardships , for an Officer of his own , without other right , but onely because he desired to have it so ; which for that I refused ( without the approbation and consent of him that trusted me , who had Letters Pattents thereof for the life of another ( which I had no reason to sollicite for to let go , and his Lordship thought was below him to seek after otherwise , and I maintaining my right therein in this time against the many disturbances and opposition of those imployed by his Lordship , attempting to have gained the present possession by an User of the Office ) therefore he was much displeased with me , and did not forbear in plain termes to tell me so , with other expressions in language cleer enough , to let me know his meaning , that I was to stand upon my guard , for if ever I came in his way , I should be sure of a lash . Now a young beginner doth not so well understand what the Schollers of the upper form do ; and this being in the first of my comming forth , in a time when I was fully perswaded that faithfulnesse and truth could not have been over-mastred by an enemy , and that he was not worthy to wear his masters Livery , and bear the name of a Christian , Jer. 9.3 . that was not valiant for the truth upon the earth ; the Spirit being truth , Jo. 1.5 , 6. and knowing that God made his everlasting Covenant with them onely that love judgement , Esay 6.8 . and do their works in truth ; and being commanded by the Word of truth , to withdraw from men of corrupt minds , destitute of the truth , who onely suppose gain to be godlinesse ; Acts 6.11 . yet no sooner did Stephen plead for this truth but some were therefore suborned against him to kill him : no sooner did Paul begin to Preach this truth , Rom. 2.2 but opposers began also to consult how to put him out of the way ; for as Origen saith of the Devills , There is ne greater torment to them then to see men addicted to the Scriptures ; so the same may be said of truth , The Devill and his Angells cannot endure it , it is so contrary to his nature , who is the father of Lyes .

Having thus truth upon my side , and being therefore loath to let go a Bird in hand for two in the bush ; and esteeming a sallet of sowre Herbs with content , better than a stalled Oxe , Zrch. 8.16 . 1 Titus 6.5 . & 1.14 . Jam. 1.18 . Eccles. 3.21 , 22.23 1 Sam. 6.19 . with trouble and disquietnesse ; and having also learned this rule , that confidence built upon such incertain grounds , most commonly faileth the expectation , and that to live farthest from Jupiter , was to be safest from thunder : the truth is , Many great ones in those times , being like Bryers , and unfruitfull Plants , that evermore took something from the fleece that came nighthem , living by other mens Ruines , as some fishes wax big by devouring of others ; nay , rather than not to be satisfied , they would feed upon their own Spawns to fill their Maws : the longest robe contracting the greatest soyl ; power and authority , which have great influence , being seldome so happy as to be imployed and improved readily for God ; for not many noble , not many mighty , are called , either to enjoy Salvation in heaven , or to do great services on earth ; which was the reason that our Saviour Christ chose poor fishermen for his Disciples , Mat. 5.11 . Joh 32.9 . Luke 7.22 . Jam. 2.5 . that could better intend and waite upon his service , then the Scribes and Pharisees , and great Doctors of the Law . But the next news that I heard of him was , that when I was to have brought in my Exercise for the bar in Lincolns Inne , whereof I was a Member , I was required to forbear ; whereupon tendring a Certificate of my conformity , and performance of my Exercises , and payment of all Duties in the house as others , I desired to have a like equall favour with the rest of my fellows , that were at that time called with my self , but for a time I was refused , without any publike cause or reason shewn unto me for the same : then addressing my self to Master William Noye , then one of the Benchers of the house , a man then in great esteeme and opinion with the people , both for his learning and integrity , and a great lover of Truth and Justice ; he told me plainly , The cause of this stay proceeded from a message sent to them of the Councell of that house , from that Lord Chief Justice , that I had injured him in some things , for which he desired satisfaction before I were admitted to the Bar ( and other cause to do this to my remembrance I never gave him , then as aforesaid ) but Master Noye so laboured the matter in my behalf , as at last the restraint upon me was taken off , and I performed my Exercise and proceeded accordingly : And not long afterwards one Edmund Bullocke Esquire , an Utter Barrester at Law , of the same House , and my ancient for some years , and my next Neighbour in the Country , being grieved at the prosperity which God blessed me withall , and thinking that I began to bud too fast in my Profession , by the wayes and helps which God afforded me ; therefore extreamly maligned me , used many Scandalous speeches of me behinde my back , to my disparagement , such as were Actionable , thinking to have nipt me in the blossome ; and for which words I afterwards brought my Action at Law against him , whereby he perceiving himself pinched to the quick , and faln in danger of a Councell , as sure to be overthrown with good dammages to be given me for the words , as to suffer in his credit and reputation also , that knowing his Masters will , yet would offend against it , to be beaten with many stripes ; therefore in the interim before the Tryall , he raked up some accusations against me in the Country , and thereupon petitioned the then Lord Chiefe Justince Ley to have them heard at the said assizes with my Nisi prius , and thus did raise a divertive war , an old trick of Machavells , to keep his enemy from his own quarters , wherein if not to prosper with a victory , yet to raise it as a means to accomplish some Propositions of Peace at least ; and herein he had by the help and countenance of my good friend this Lord Chief Justice that I told you of before , who underhand dealt with his brethren , and those of mine own Coat and Country , for their assistance to Master Bullock in this Action , by which means too , Master Bullock had the happinesse to be taken notice of more than ever in his life before , and to gaine that countenance and respect , which for many yeers before he was without ( and to deviate a little ) I pray observe this much by the way , by this , and that which follows , it hath been most mens haps , that have ever done me wrong , when I sought a legall repair at their hands , they evermore have found means by the helpe of power and greatnesse to save themselves and be protected , and gain also great acquaintance and preferments into the bargaine : but it is no wonder , for as one star riseth another must fall , as one sea floweth , another ebbs ; when Rachel dyeth , Benjamin is brought forth : amongst men of the same abilities , one is many times thought disadvantagious to the other : starrs that do agree in light and qualities , the smallest suffers losse by the brightnesse of them above , as one Tradesmans profit , is made lesse by the other : that thus I am sure , by my fals , I have been set for the rising of many , the most and greatest of which notwithstanding , I have lived to see God Almighty taken revenge upon : but to proceed , M. Bullock to save his stake , was apt to follow any advise , might save himself , and preferred a Petition to the said then Lord chief Justice Ley , against me accordingly , as I said before , supposing in Generalls many misdemeanours I should have committed in the exercise of my Office of Stewardship , and gained a reference upon it unto two Justices of the Peace in the Country , and which was in effect giving them power to receive any complaints that should come in against me ; and the common sort of people being now thereof informed who like tinder , are apt to take fire with every Spark , were some of them drawn and perswaded for to complain , but without cause , all which were first prepared in the Country , and after appointed to be heard at the same Assizes before the Judges , before whom my action against him was also to be tryed : and now these Justices of the Peace had made a certificate for the purpose , but I must tell you , that most of the Justices of the Peace , thought themselves to be jolly Judges , at that time , and ruled the Country as little Kings in their Dominions , all was fish that came into their nets , and their Warrants flew abroad as Bees in July , betwixt party and party , and in whatsoever other thing , though it were besides their Commission , and whereof they had not Cognizance , it made no matter : if any man assumed the boldnesse to be at Action with them for any such miscarriage or wrong doing , they had every one their relations and dependances to some great Officer or States man here above , who put them in Commission , to do their turnes , that by a Petition at Councell Table , or before themselves , would convent their adversaries , and have their wills of them by hook or by crook ; and to speak the truth , those that guided at the Helm of State , and had their designes laid for introducing of an Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government at that time ; it was a part of their work to indeer all the Gentry of the Kingdomes unto their side , by making them Justices of the Peace , and imploying them in Commissions for the Kings occasians , and by putting them in Offices and places under his Majesty and themselves , the devils great pollicy to offer men the kingdomes of this world to catch them at the last : the more for to prepare and fit them for their hands , that very few were left uningaged , as now we finde it true , by too wofull experience , how mainly they have obstructed and still do the work of Reformation ; and if there were any man whom God had blessed with more than an ordinary understanding or with power in his Country , and who that for Conscience sake would not be wrought upon to side with that party , and run into the same excesse of riot and disorder with themselves , such were sure to be opposed , oppressed , and persecuted every way unto ruine and destruction ; but to proceed : Upon this Certificate of the said referrees , this matter was first caused to be called upon in the publike face of the County at the said Assizes , and all that Rebell rout and crew , which had been so mustred up and gathered together , came with open mouth to charge me before that great assembly : but the accusations being read , and my answers received , the Complaints appeared to be so poor and frivolous , and so false and scandalous , as that my accusers were ashamed of the prosecution , and then means was made to the then Lords Justices of Assizes , the Lord Chief Justice Ley , and Master Justice Dodderidge , that they would take up the matter of Difference betwixt Master Bullocke and my self , that so my tryall might not go on and proceed against him ; which upon motion of the Judges , I condescended unto , and they were pleased to make peace betwixt us : And I cannot forget the good Counsell which my Lord Chief Justice Ley gave unto me at that time in his Chamber privately between him and me , advising me for the Future to be evermore of the Defensive part , which , saith he , like an hedge-hog will leave thine Adversary nothing but prickles to fight against ; saying , if I should have sought repair , and to have righted my self by law , of every one that hath done me injury by words and deeds , I had had enough to do to right my self , and should never have sate in the place where now I sit ; which from that time you will perceive by that which followeth , I have observed as much as possible . There was one at this time also that was an Atturney at the Common Law , that dieted and lodged in my house , who in the course of his practise , had omitted to file an Originall Writ for his Client , which was in an Action of debt upon an Obligation of 200. l. which Sute being proceeded unto Judgement , was afterwards reversed for want of this Writ to warrant the Action ; and because a sine of twenty shillings was to have been paid for that Writ if it had been sued forth , this Atturney was therefore called in question , before the then Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas , and the matter mightily pressed as if it had been done by my direction , and omitted to be sued forth on purpose to have shared the said fine between us , a thing you see but of petty consideration , yet if it could have been made good against me , an Information was threatned to have been preferred against me into the Court of Star-Chamber : but when it was fully examined and perceived that I had nothing to do with it , presently he was let alone , and nothing done unto him afterwards for it , who at first was threatned with Imprisonment , if not to confesse me guilty with himself , yet for this supposition of an Offence , I was bound over from time to time , from place to place , and vexed to the uttermost , and after quit without any reparation . Then as men that shear Hoggs , you see unto this time , here was a great cry , but little wooll , yet this advantaged Master Bullock in that he sought for at the Assizes , but never wrought that upon him , which he was enjoyned unto by the Judges , a perfect reconciliation , that we should have lived in Peace and good Neighbour-hood together for the time then to come ; but the old Proverb was herein verified , The Devil being sick , the Devil a Monk would be ; But the Devil being well , the Devill a Monk was he . For the Sceane being ended , and the fetters taken off , the man was no more a prisoner , and there was nothing that came in his way afterwards that concerned me , wherein he could do me a discourtesie , I may say a mischiefe , but he imbraced the opportunity as a mercy , with much gladnesse of heart , which I mention not that he had power or meanes to do me very much hurt , but to let you see this other Proverb herein fulfilled also , That a reconciled enemy is never after to be trusted , for the poyson will remaine untill the beast be killed ; and therefore beasts of prey that are by nature ravenous , and not to be reclaimed , we kill , as Foxes we knock on the head ; onely to beasts of pleasure we give Laws , as to Deer and Hares , &c. For Serpents onely begets Serpents ; and in that businesse between Yates and me , the occasion of the ensuing discourse , ( as Coppingers Bitch , that albeit she could not turn the Hare , yet did her good will ) so he was not wanting in doing his uttermost to promote that sentence unto what it is , brought as many sticks as he was able to bear unto that fire ; and in the interim whiles this game was thus a playing , whereof you shall understand more in the sequell of the Story : I had severall other attempts made upon me to destroy me , and not by any men of mean and Ordinary Rank and quality , but of the greatest alwayes , and evermore and most especially by those of mine own profession too , and yet by my own Countrymen more peculiarly amongst the rest , of which I could never yet apprehend any reason unto my self , but this , Obsequium amicos , veritas odium parit ; for to my knowledge I never administred any just occasion of exception to any man , if not occasio accepta , non data ; and as I have spent my years in trouble ever since I came into the world , so it hath gained me much experience I must confesse , and justly warned me to be still upon my guard ; but commonly he is accounted a pestilent fellow , that lives out of the length of his enemies sleeve , when 't is but sit for him not to trust that will not be deceived : and who is it that desires to live well , and will not comply with times , but he shall be subject unto much slander and reproach and opposition in the world , and then that side which is evermore the greatest , that is commonly the worst , will blemish his reputation , whom they oppose , who having thus gained an ill name , though but amongst themselves : it is like an ill face , which the broader it is drawn , and the more bright it hath about it , it appears the more deformed , as a little gold beaten into thin leaves , and a little water drawn into a thin steem and vapour , seemes wider then it was at first , so lesser Crimes , nay , some made so but in imagination , and fictious , being multiplyed through the mouths of many , do quickly grow into a spreading cloud of infamy and disgrace , and malevolent persons do still look upon mens actions with prejudice : and as Momus when he could not finde fault with the face in the picture of Venus , picked a quarrell at her slipper : so envious men will ever have something to say either in the substance or circumstance of our actions to misreport and expose to scandall , for spiders do convert to poyson whatsoever they touch ; and as a stone the higher the place is from whence it falls , it doth give the more dangerous blow , so the greater the personage is that acts for revenge , it is the more deadly and dangerous by much : there is no wound so mortall as that which is made with a thunder-bolt , so of all hatreds those which makes pretences unto heaven , and which arise from Creatures of the highest nature , are evermore desperate and mortall , and such I have met withall , nor is it a wonder if enmity grows excessive , that hath zeal to kindle it , and pretence of Religion to warrant it , for when that which should restrain , and set limits to a passion is made a party to mannage it , and fewell to foment it , we marvell not if a passion , which hath no bounds from Religion , do impose none upon it self : they know the lest blemish marrs a Diamond , and therefore laboureth to crack it , and envious men like doggs do bark for company at those they know not too , and in this all doggs agree , whose black months will open fast against those that cannot hurt them , they oft times wound before they understand without honesty or Charity ; as the mastiffe barks at every noise , when he knows not from whence it comes ; nothing but black drops fall from their lips , they even think the worst of a man for his troubles , as if a cloud could make the Sun to lose his light , their tongues are like Doegs which cut like a sharp razor , and like Gnats they sting most in the night when they are unseen , like the Dragon , they bite the Elephant behind the eare , where he cannot reach to help himself ; enforceth a man to endure disgrace , because he hath no way to prevent it ; he hath no eyes in his own cause , and like the theefe which comes to steal , he puts out the light , and sayes there is no danger , to play with a blinde mans nose ; and then with the harlot wipes her mouth , as if she were an honest woman : will be sure to raile of a man behinde his back , when he is well assured he shall not answer for himself ; and no marvell if his tongue runs glib that 's eyl'd with butter , thus you may know this bird by his feathers , his name is ill will , that never spake well of any man , and as that Painter , which because he could not take the beauty of the faee , therefore onely took the blemishes ; will be sure to reckon up all the faults of him against whom he hath any thing to say , and the worst enemies are those of a mans own house ; a man hath never worse friends we say , Mat. 10.36 . then he brings from home , Davids Companions did him the most hurt ; Pual was worst intreated of his kinsmen ; and Jeremies friends cast most dirt in his face ; but it is no news to finde the Devill in hell ; nor for two milstones to make the same grist together ; for that the Toade and Snake agree , it is no wonder , and herein envious men are worse then Lyons , which will never war amongst themselves , nor will Wolves fall out with one another ; like Waspes also , if you anger but one of them neer the nest , you shall be sure to have the whole swarm about your ears , they are unwilling that any thing should be seen within , and their nature is such they will never give over the pursuit so long as there is a sting left in any of their tayles : they will then seeme to be precious stones when they are most counterfeit , will tell you an untruth as a secret , against those they hate , that so they may make the better way for their proceedings ; and thus the Devill and mischiefe are ever awake : but observe and you shall finde , that ther 's no man would seemè to deal so plainly as a Jugler , when he meaneth nothing lesse : as the theefe when he goether about to steal , would then be thought an honest man , and as he that 's ready to turn Bankrupt , will then make the greatest shew : cleanly conveyance thus hiding the iniquity , and as rotten wood in a dark night , seemeth to blaze , when there is neither heate nor fire in it ; but like a quag-mire hath onely a green sword upon the top ; thus Satan hath been seen as an Angel of light , and when the stone of the Sanctuary hath been turned up , there hath been a great toad found under it ; in this Alder tree you shall finde much more pith then strength , many fair feathers upon this Estridge , but much rank flesh underneath ; when you think him to be at peace with you , then he is complotting most mischief against you ; thus thunder roareth when a man would think the ayre most cleer , the eye sees all things but it self , he commonly finds most faults in others , when most are usually to be found in him ; and like dead men , although they smell most loathsome , yet smell not themselves to stink ; and yet this Fox will run as long as he hath feet , would hide it from the world if he could tell how : it were well then if we could take the councell of the Evangelist S. Matthew , To beware of such men , Mat. 10.17 . lest they deliver you up to the counsells , to be scourged in their Synagogues , their wrath being like fire , which will never cease to burn , so long as there is any combustible matter for it to work on : T is true , some of them are more and lesse angry , as the object is upon which their displeasure acteth ; as , put fire to Gunpowder , and t is soon in and soon out ; a flash , a report , and away ; but when t is in a hot Iron , there it endures long : Implacable natures are never satisfied : non amote , nec possum discere quare : They hate too , because they will do so , and can give no other reason why : And whatsoever other cause they pretend , their despite is against Piety ; this is the fuel of that fire ; and the disagreement it hath with holinesse , is the contusion and striking of their works together , which kindles the opposition : And sometimes the suggestions of Satan : Sometimes you shall have an Haman to stir up Ahasuerus to destroy the Nation of the Jews . But Arts agree best at a distance ; and the Sun and Moon , when furthest from one another . The Tradesmans profit is made the lesse by the rest sharing with him . But this blowing of the winde more fastens the root of the tree , and that much more which is planted by the River of waters : So that this sea may rage and swell against the Land , but it cannot overflow the banks . And though , with the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem , they cry , Psal. 13.7 . Down with him , down with him , even to the ground , lurking privily to destroy the innocent without cause , and to swallow him up alive , as the grave ; and whole , Prov. 1.11 , 12. as those that go down into the pit ; yet , Si Deus nobiscum , quis contra nos ? They do but kick against the pricks , swim against the stream , hop against the hill , labour but in vain to confound him whom God upholdeth : Yet what will not Dogs spue out , when they are set to vomit up what s within their bowels , for all that ? But Gods Saints have ever fallen under misconstruction , have still been slighted and despised , accounted as the off-scouring of the earth , Psal. 31.22 . the fools of the Times ; and most commonly too , the better man , the worse esteem : Isa. 8.18 . they have been reckoned broken vessels , good for nothing but the dunghill ; Psal. 69.12 . signes and wonders in Israel , the song of drunkards , the mirth of feasts : And what names have been invented , for to brand and to disgrace them with ? Psal. 35.15 , 16. what reproaches and disgraces have been raised on them ? as , That they are the Pests of Kingdoms , the Troublers of Israel , Rebellious against the Laws : Acts 26.51 Kings 18.17 . not for the profit of the Common-wealth , that they should be permitted to draw in the common breath . What watching for their haltings ! how glad of their faults ! Jer. 20.10 . how joyfull at catching at , and taking up any ill rumour of them ! how insulting over their weaknesses ! how witty for to receive their old primitive slanders ! Psal. 35.15 . and 26.16 . and how cruelly and mercilesly have they been handled , if once they have but fallen into their enemies Clutches . Plinie , in his Natur all History , saith of the Tyger , that his rage is stirred up and exasperated , by smelling the fragrant sent of Spices . T is true of good men : for doubtlesse , because they abstain from evil , Isa. 59.1 . they make themselves a prey unto the wicked . Thus Noah was scorned by the men of his time for preparing the ark , and for urging Repentance to prevent the danger of the Deluge then to come ; yet is he , by the providence of God 2 Pet. 2.5 2 Sam 6.14 , 16 , 20 , 21 , 22. chronicled unto all posterity for a Preacher of Righteousnesse . And David , for dancing before the Ark , was by Michal contemned in her heart ; yet was it an act acceptable in heaven . If John come neither eating nor drinking , they say , He hath a Devil : and if the Son of man come eating and drinking , Matt. 11 18 , 19. they say , Behold , a glutton , a wine-bibber , a friend of publicans and sinners : This Estridge , having wings to cozen , not to flie withall . If Festus may be judge of Pauls speeches , then Paul is beside himself , Act. 24.6 and said otherwhile to be a pestilent fellow , and a mover of sedition . Our Saviour Christ himself is said to cast out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils . But , Matt. 12.24 . if the Master of the House be thus abused , how can a man think that his servant can go free ? It hath been the devils policie of old , and of all Machavils children , who derive their Pedigree even from that wicked one , their father , still to endeavour to asperse the innocent with Calumnies and Reproaches , and to lay on load enough , that some may abide : for thus slander makes way for violence ; and do but taint mens innocence , in the worlds opinion , and then they lie open to any usage whatsoever . We reade of no good man but hath had his falls , hath been foiled , nay , beaten black and blue : for no man at all times can be wise , and no man liveth that sinneth not : Thus the brightest glasse is stained with a little breath ; and a little spot in a white paper is quickly made ; and as men love me , so they will tell my tale ; and though hear say hath no security of truth , yet most men are apt to believe the worst , though of him they know not : a false report being as one Weed in a Nosegay , that oversmells all the Flowers : every man desiring to have that true he likes the best , and to which his fancie moves ; which commonly is according to the first apprehension of things : and being once fixt in the understanding , Isa. 19.29 , 20 , 21. it is very hardly removed from the judgement afterwards ; an ill stomack being thus apt to nauseate at the very best meat , that even wise men oft times do thus their businesse unjustly , making a man an offender for a word , and turning aside the just even for a thing of nought : It being the course of the children of this world to measure every mans Corn by their own Bushel ; to mete every mans Measure by their own Yard-wand : And because their Candles shine upon their heads , Job 29.6 Gen. 27.28 . and they wash their steps with Butter , and the rock pours them out rivers of Oil , that they enjoy the fatnesse of the earth , and plenty of Corn and Wine , Psa. 37.7 that their eyes stand out again , with that which the marrow of their bones encreaseth ; Dan. 4.3 . being clothed with Honour and Majestie , as with a Garment , and having the Command of the People to obey them at every beck , enjoying indeed what their hearts can wish : Seeing the good men debarred of these pleasures , for want of Spirituall eyes , Mal. 3.15 they make them a Spectacle unto the World , to Angels , and to Men , 1 Cor. 4.9 , 10 , 11 , 12. reviling , persecuting , and accounting them the filth of the world , and the off-scowring of all things unto this day : But these good Fortunes unto them are but as Quick-sands to go upon , whereon if we stand , we sink ; and these men like Silk-worms , when they have wrought out their Silk , turn into Moths and Butter-flies : That as the Philosopher , being demanded wherein the learned were more happie then the unlearned , answered onely , Spe , in Hope ; so Saint Paul makes the Conclusion in this case , That if in this life onely the Saints had Hope , 1 Cor. 15 19. they were of all men the most miserable . But darkest shadows follow the brightest bodies : Diamonds have their blemishes ; fair Faces , Moles ; the finest Garment soonest gets a Stain ; and there is no man that hath had his eyes in his head , but he hath seen clouds in the brightest day : The fairest Lawn is not freed from spots ; the Moon , in her brightnesse , is speckled ; and t is a choice Colour that is not dimmed with the Air ; and these men , whatsoever they think of others , can finde , if they please themselves , that they oftentimes do stumble , when they think to set their feet the surest : But , a little wart or spot is soon seen in the face , when a great Bunch is not so easily perceived in the other parts : things ordinary , and commonly practised , go without exception ; the custom of the evil taking away the sense of the sin ; and the multitude in the mean time warranting the proceeding , because running together into the same excesse of riot ; which if any man shall but seem to crosse , he shall be sure to have more fists about his ears then his own : for , he that shall walk in the Sun , cannot avoid the heat ; that gathers thorns shall prick his fingers , that travels in the raine must needs be wet ; I have been termed a pestilent fellow , S. Paul was so esteemed of , and yet no man will deny him to have been a Saint ; dangers past teacheth men to take heede , and distrust is the sinews of wisdome , and keepes them out , a scar doth warn a man to fear a wound ; and he is freest from danger , that feares when he is safe ; thus a wise man puts evills to good use , turnes vertue into necessity , and insults over the greatest abuses , and after many shipwracks goes to sea again , and yet before the Play is done , you will see the Philistines did put out Sampsons eyes , and then took him forth to make thein sport , for which notwithstanding he was well revenged of them in the latter end : but the sun is the same though Eclipst , and a Bird is a Bird though her feathers be puld off , onely the Ape is made more easie to be catcht when laden with a clogg , and a breach is soonest made where the wall is crackt , and a staffe is more readily found for to beat a dog ; 't is an easie matter to abuse any man to his face , that must not be once received for to answer for himselfe , he 's blinde that cannot see fire in this straw ; and that every coward will run his Launce against a Sarazen of wood : make a man once obnoxious to a State and then whether he speaks or be silent , 't is all one , malice will grieve if thou grievest not at her : 't is death to a Jester , not to see his fooleries take . Envie is a spirit-worm , and had rather burst than want her will : so that for a man to under to with patience , to smell sweet under the pestell , not to be daunted at disasters , but which way soever he is thrown to light upon his feet , makes him yet more vile and odious in the eyes of his enemies ; for t is a great torment to an adversary , when he can finde no in let nor advantage against him whom he hateth , so can he not endure to be opposed by him , in that he seeketh , strength then collecting and gathering it self into more excesse ; as we see in winds and rivers when they meet with any thing that crosseth their passage , they roare and swell : millions of Graces too are dazelled by one imperfection ; and one hour of an Eclipse causeth the Sun to be more gazed at , then in a thousand fair dayes : one Vulcer in a sound body is enough to draw all the flyes unto it ; yet 't is not every spot that taketh away the beauty of the face , nor is it every wound that killeth a man ; and herein wise men deale like skilfull Musitians , which do not break their strings that jar , but by Art do bring them to an accord again , and being rightly set , the Musicke is as good as ever , though a good man once offending is never free , for he shall be sure still to have it in his dish ; then it seemeth neither manners nor charity , alwayes to lay that in mens dishes , which the voyder , a pretty while since hath clean taken away ; a storm will crack in two that Cable which is never so strong , and yet faces about again of those that did flye , and in the second charge will obtain the day ; a fault that 's pardoned is as though it had never been ; the stain taken out of the garment , t is as cleer as at the first , mercy hath not a breath to speak evill of another mans unhappinesse , will grieve to see a scratch in a clear skin , do not throw away its wine for the Lees and grounds , nor the gold because 't is covered with dust ; nor the sword for a little rust , but like the good husbandman , if he finds Brambels and Bryers upon his land , will slock them up , and plough and sow it afterwards never a whit the lesse : none so cruell then as he that murthers mercy , with whom all goes for payment but the truth , but mercilesse and blood-thirsty men shall not live out half their dayes , and let him take heede that thinks he lives cleerest from despite , for he may have his stomack pulled down in his dayes ; for no arrow is shot but it fals at the highest , as Icharus fell into the water , but to give his folly a name , for he that casts to reach beyond the Moon , oft maks wise proceedings to be suspected , and though he may be cretp out at a starting bole , yet may have his fooling found out , those that are best qualified for service are the worst when turbulent ; as the wind being moderate doth carry the ship safe , but doth drown it being tempestuous : a cloud can Eclipse that sun which shines the brightest , therefore let him not praise a faire day till it be night , nor the building while it be finished : he is much mistaken that thinks of a man the worse for his afflictions , for it is through many tribulations that we must enter into heaven , Esay 35.4 . yet it hath ever been the condition of the best men to be thus censured , they judged the same even of Christ himself , and of Saint Paul , saying , Doubtlesse this man is a murtherer , whom though he hath escaped the Sea , yet vengeance suffereth not to live : Acts 28.4 . and the little Boy seeing his Mother pull the Roses and Violets to peeces , and putting them in a morter , and pounding them with a pestle , cryed out , His mother would spoyle all the flowers , when she thereby intended to make them more usefull ; by crosses we are conformed to the Image of Christ : stars which appear not by day shine in the night ; the more bitter the potion is , the more medicinable , and the sharper the file is , the lesse rust it will leave behinde : Jam. 148 2. the swetest Rose grows from a prickly stem : linnen that 's hardest beaten on the block , Rom. 8.10 . and washt and wrung most , lookes the whiter ; white hath no grace without black ; the Musk smells swetest when hardest rub'd : Corn must be ground and bakt before it be eaten , sire burns the hottest in frostie weather , Vines if they be not prun'd and cut will wax wild : straights and goodnesse shuts in doores together : a Plant seasonably cut flourisheth the better : the swetest Grape is hardest prest out , why should we then fear the Lyon , when we shall be sure to finde honey in the Carkasse ? but a stratagem it is to charge the truth , and the professors of it with false accusations , thereby to render them odious , either to Princes or people ; thus have I been dealt withall , and yet not discomforted ; for the Gospell of Christ hath been called Heresie , and King Artaxerxes is told , If the Jews re-build the wall , Ezra 4. they will pay no tole nor tribute : so the Primitive Christians had strange and horrid crimes and accusations laid unto their charges ; as the Arrians charged Athanasius with Adultery , Murther , and Witch-craft , the Jews of Persia in the time of Sopores , Willets Pillers of Papistry . accused Simeon Bishop of Selusia , as a friend of the Roman Emperours , that gave Intelligence to them of the Persian affaires , which was not onely an occasion of his death , but of a generall persecution against the whole Church ; thus deal the Jesuits with the Protestants at this day , and thus the adversaries of the power of godlinesse charge it with Heresie , Faction , Rebellion , and all that can wake it odious either to King or people ; but a white cloath is capable of any dye , 't is the fairest silk , that is thus the soonest soyled ; the Pestilence first taints the purest breath ; those that are most maligned are not the worst , for a man is pittied for his follies , envied for his vertues ; men being most apt to hate that goodnessE they can onely admire ; and upon this ground the Ephesians expelled Hermodorus , and the Athenians , Aristides , because they were too just for the rest of the people ; mens minds , out of I know not what malignity , being apt too for to suspect , that that will not be used unto good , which might be abused unto evill , for this is all the evill of malevolent persons , to make others to appear worse than they are , that themselves , though they be the worst of men , may not appear so ; having Satyricall wits , which make use of other mens names as of whetstones to sharpen themselves upon , so that he which maliciously pursues his brother , doth but snuffe the candle to besmuch his own fingers , and yet so makes the light to burn more cleer , the fire never flaming more , than when the wind seeks to blow it out , and most commonly you shall finde him herein the most forward to condemn another , that is equally culpable , if not more then him whom he thus accuseth , who never looks to pull out the beam in his own eye ; but things that bear the same impression should be bound together in the same bundle , for the theefe that escapes , deserves to be hang'd as well as he that is tane , and suffers for his fact , nor is he alwayes the greatest theef that comes first to the Goale , and yet this Varlet having stript a man of all , would be thought mercifull for not murthering a man out-right : but I have oftentimes seen this Bee drowned in her own honey , the man entangled in his own talk , tript in his own play , and 't is but just that Perillus bull first torments himself , that he falls into the same pit he had digg'd for another ; like beasts they hear musick as a sound , not as a harmony , Psal. 5.15 . regards not goodnesse in another , but 't is the course of this world , that if a man be once faln a little into disgrace , every base fellow then takes him for a subject of their contempt and scorn , dealing with such herein as with a nosegay which we keep in our hands so long as it is fresh and sweet , and cast it away when 't is become a little withered : all will go with our Saviour into Mount Calvery , but will then forsake him when he goeth unto Golgotha : Poverty parts good fellowship , and leaves a man forsaken as a naked tree standing in a wilde plain beaten too and fro with every blast of wind , but no cresse hath ever disgraced a wise man for all that , extremities do but exercise our trust , and when the body is distempred , 't is the best cure to take away some blood the chaffe comes not from the corn , if the eare be not beaten with the flayle ; Incense then perfumes , when 't is cast into the fire : men commonly learn Gods loveby his wrath : Achimedes had never been so famous , if the City where he dwelt had not been so long , so violently besieged , and a long time preserved onely by his means : there is no craft like to that , to be an honest man ; of the purest seeds springs the fairest plants , whose wayes though they be frozen dry , so that no butter will stick upon his bread , yet this Lilly will grow up amongst thornes , this fish will be in the salt Sea , and yet be fresh , this Lot will live in Sodome free from their sins , and though this man be bowed almost together , that his head and heeles be made to meete , yet he will not break , but like unto a twig he will come right again : water will not commix with oyle , piety , with Hypocrisie ; this Bee will never gather honey where the Cockatrice hath blasted ; nor will any moth or worm breed in this Cedar , and who can disclose his pace so well as he that followeth him at the heels ? know those that love truth as he that practiseth it , and when his adversaries playes with it as with a game at Chesse , a pawn before a King , sets their worldly ends before this precious Jewell ; there a stander by oftentimes sees more of it , then he that playes the game ; a shipwrack in the haven , we say , is grievous , to be deceived where we trust , is most abhominable , although a wise man commonly is onely over-reacht in such cases , by his too much credulity , thinking every man to be honest as himself by whom he knows nothing to the contrary , but ill-favoured complexions the more they are painted , the worser will appeare , for frost and fraud will ever have foul ends , and this man not practising what he professeth , shall at last be sure to have his own dung cast in his face ; but as he that hath once swallowed a hedge-hog , needs not to care afterwards what he eates , so he that is hardened and prepared for mischief with a brazen face , can look upon contradiction and never blush ; Popularity , the mother of this corruption , being like that venome which makes men laugh to death , they do advise and counsell best , that know most : then try all things , saith Saint Paul , finde out the truth , and accordingly determine for that which is good , and against that which is evill ; and give the Ox hay , and Pearls to those that esteem them , and be not peremptory to condemn any man but upon cleer grounds of pregnant Testimonies , for this the Lord teacheth should be so by his own example he would not proceed against the Sodomites upon the cry that came up , Psal. 105.18 , 19. but he would first go down and see , for this is to judge righteous judgement , and not according to appearance , then hurt his feet no longer in the stocks , now that once his cause is known , and the man found out to be innocent , I must confesse it is hard to distinguish between the precious and the vile , such as are eminenly good , 1 Tim. 5.24 . and notoriously bad ; t is hard to discern them , for some persons like the Moon in the change , Jer. 15.19 . seemes to have lesse light and worth in them then indeed they have , little in the eye of the world , much in the eye of heaven ; others I acknowledge seem better than they are , like blazing stars that make a great shew and look as gloriously as any the stars in heaven , and yet are no stars but sticking Meteors ; Therefore , saith one well , that in judging things , we ought to judge Secundum quid sunt , but in judging of persons and actions it it is not alwayes so , in re comperta , in a case that is evident its equally an abomination to the Lord , to justify the wicked person or action , as to condemn the just , Prov. 17.15 . but in re dubia , it s otherwise , for there the rule holds dubia in meliorem partem sunt interpretanda , 1 Cor. 13.7 . Charity to the person should sway the judgement , though not absolutely for to determine , yet to think him good , whom we do not know to be bad , but it hath been still my unhappinesse in whatsoever , to have an ill sence put upon my good meanings , and a false interpretation upon whatsoever I have well intended , but men must permit what they cannot remedy ; Josephus relates of the Jews , that they were very carefull how they received Proselytes in Solomons time , because the state of the Jews then flourished , they thought every one upon base ends might come in and pretend then , that he would joyne with the God of the Jews , but good men have one and the same will , and as the eyes , one turnes not without the other , and I could wish , that in these times , all men were so just unto the cause , and to themselves as to respect and look upon those that have continued faithfull from the beginning , and have never from the first varied from those right principles , to which there is no exception unto this day : Neh. 2.10 . but I see very many now adayes are of Sanballat and Tobiahs minde , Psal. 59.6 , 14. grieved exceedingly when but a man appeared that came to seek the welfare of the children of Israel , and if an man be discountenanced by a Patriot and great Magnifico of the times , as a Deer that is once shot ; all the rest of the heard do strive to push that man out of their company , and if he be but once branded with a crime ( though salfe ) when the wound is cured , his credit shall be killed with the scar , and as great pain lyes in the rubbing of an old wound , as in making of a new , nay , he that but rubs the scar , casts fuell on the fire to quench it , Psal. 56.5 , 6. the very handling of it more inflames it , and makes it spread the more , there being certain willing mistakes amongst those sons of men , that hunt after the ruine of a man , Psal. 38.16 , 19. in his goods or good name ; that all birds of the same feather will hold together , Keepe themselve s cose and marke my steps ( saith David ) when they Iay waite for my soul ; Nay , they willingly trust him which is known to be a common lyar , rather then they will want matter to work mischiefe against him they hate , howbeit rumors we know , though they be causes of cautelous Jelousies are no sufficient grounds to undo a man upon , being without witnesse , without Judgement , malicious and deceiveable , but men deal herein with those they love not , as the Romish Writers , who will be sure to defame them that differ from them in opinion , speaking great swelling words , having their persons onely in admiration , Jude 16.1 Sam. 16.7 . where they can finde or look for advantage , but since we cannot see as God doth , Jer. 17.10 . who looks directly on the heart and so Judgeth , we must finde out a man by his words and actions , as the Naturalists judge of the forme of a thing by its qualities and operations : we of the habit of the heart by its naturall inclinations , as of a tree by its fruits , Mich. 7.20 . not taking up things upon trust , but by examination , before we determine of them , for if a man should judge of the Moon and Starrs by the lustre and splendour that the sun hath cast upon them , we must deem them to be far more glorious creatures then they are indeed ; and so some such turbulent tribunes there are in every State , who out of their glorious vaing glorious humour of popularity would be accompted Angells though it be but for stirring and troubling of the waters ; but Mirons Cow that was counterfeit , onely deluded other heards of Cattle , pretexts may colour vice , and disguise it , but the painted grapes deceive the birds , for this Nightingale being pulled out of her feathers , you will perceive her to be sound and nothing else , 't is not the habit that makes the Monke , nor are they most guilty that are most blam'd , and such is we see the over-ruling Providence of the most wise and mighty God , that every discent into a lower condition , Deut. 4.20 . is oftentimes the means to raise him higher , whom God will exalt ; j Gen. 15.17 . as it was made unto Joseph a staire to ascend unto that honour which his dreames had promised , Gen. 37.5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. Gods glory being most advanced , when his people are at the lowest ; the blinde man being so born , Psa. 105. 17 , 18. that the work of God might be manifested in him , and it was the greater miracle that Lazarus had layen four dayes dead , before our Saviour restored him unto life again : when the Patriarks bad sold Joseph into Egypt , JO. 9.3 . & 11.39 . themselves were after in bondage there four hundred years , and every day in a worse condition than other , for before they were Subjects , after they became slaves , and after that esteemed to be such as it was not thought sit for them to live ; Exod. 1.16 . and therefore care is taken to murther them in their birth , and when Moses came to deliver them , where before they were but dying men , now they stink in the nostrills of their adversaries , and when they were delivered yet worse , for where before they were scattered in the Land , and some of them might hope for to escape , Exod. 5.21 . now all are gathered together , and thought sit to have the neck of all cut off at once , as Nero desired concerning the people of Rome , then the Sea before them , Exo. 14. and the mountaines on each side , and the Egyptians pursuing , and thus before God delivered the Israelites from the Philistimes , They were come to that lownesse , 1 Sam. 13 19 , 22. that they had neither swords nor spears , nor a Smith to make them any , 1 Sam. 17.8 . and at another time God doth not deliver them untill one Goliath had made all the Hoast of Israel run like sheepe , and the famine in the time of Joram was not removed , untill the fourth part of a Cabb of Doves dung was sold for five shekles of silver , yea , till the women eare their own children , 2 kings 25.29 . and the people of God were not delivered from the enemie in the time of Jehosaphat , till he was driven unto such a strait as that he knew not what to do ; 2 Kings 18.3 . Hezekiah is not delivered from the Assyrians , untill the fenced Cities of Judah are taken ; and Christ came not to deliver us untill the Scepter utterly departed from Judah , and that the Nation were made slaves unto the Romans : and yet when Jacob is thus tossed to and fro , Esau is still at rest in Mount Seir encreasing in riches and power ; when Saul is on the Throne , David is hunted in the mountaines as a Partridge ; when Mordecai is sitting at the gate , Haman is in favour at the Court ; and when the Courtiers be at the banquet of wine , Shusan is perplexed : mis-constructions of such mens wayes , not being the least part of their sufferings , which not onely the innocent but the most deserving must resolve to bear , till truth which is the daughter of time , make them vanish , for though Judah play the harlot , Israel must not sin , but musT strive , if possible , with Stephen to see a Jesus in the heavens , when the stones flye thickest about his eares , must resolve to bear off his sufferings with head and shoulders ; for many shall follow these pernicious wayes , 2 Pet. 2.12 . by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken of , though it be of such things as they understand not , wherein they must prevaile , till the time come that they utterly perish , in their own corruptions , Psa. 30.5 . and receive the reward of their unrighteousnesse , But howsoever heavinesse may endure for a night , yet joy commeth in the morning , that albeit a man thus becomes as a Menster unto many ; Psal. 71.5 , 9. Yet if he puts his sure trust in the Lord , he shall be like Mount Zion , that shall never be removed ; for truth hath alwayes a good face , though neere so bad cloathes ; will not be ashamed , when irreligious policies will never sTand ; ill doings being still guarded with bad successes : and when these men like Ducks will dive under water at every stone that s thrown at them ; truth , like a River that s still running , will cleanse it selfe , and leave its filth still under his feet ; thus a good esteem maintaines credit , and me thinks to a wise man , he should not care who were the messenger of this truth , nor what he were that were intrusted , that were known to be faithfull in the things committed to his care and charge : a Palsie hand taketh nothing from the Jewell that s in it : a seal of gold , and a seal of brasse , being cut alike , make the same Impression . I but he hath been tainted , saith the adversary , in the worlds opinion , and therefore to be laid aside . But such as understand will know before they take suspition , our lives are mixt with sweet and sowre ; no picture is all made of brightest colours ; no harmoney doth consist all of trebels , the base in perfect musicke must be one ; I may use that a bad man hath , or else a good thing once abused I cannot use : a man may slip , and cannot do withall ; by chance may slip and fall into the mud , and yet not delight for to be there : a broken bone , well set , is strongest in that part , and the sooner set , the sooner at ease : and thus ill luck is good for something ; that Cart which is driven the best , may overthrow , and yet be set right again , and after carry his loade never a whit the worse : after an ill crop the Land must be used : one Banckrupt makes not the Change empty ; and after shipwracke a man must saile againe ; a Song is not judged by one note , nor can you know what the Comedy is by one Sceane , nor the Oration by one sentence : he never was a good man that doth not mend , without the black , the white hath no grace : the Diamond is the brighter for his foil , and he that was never crost , thinks there was no other heaven but here , however the Gloworm shineth brightest in the dark ; the Damaske Rose is sweeter in the Still than in the stalk , and a good face may be seen in a glasse of Jet : good men are gainers by afflictions , but it is the fashion of the world still to go along with the rising sun , and to shift sayles as the wind stands , and when she sees her master ready to mount , then for to commend him above the skies ; 't is a right Dequey which hath for every Bird a baite , and will have his Oare in every boat , his part in every Pageant : these Painters then expresse their skill the best , when they deceive the eyes with best shadowes , like rotten plums upon a tree , they are most beautifull of the rest to look upon , but do but shake this tree a little , and they fall presently : like empty barrels these ever make the greatest sound , and like a whelp will bark loud and run away ; and yet this drosse carrieth a shew of silver , but these shaddows stick no where , as empty egge-shels they evermore swim aloft , when those that are full of meate sink to the bottome : and yet for all this , this mans joy , is but as laughter in his sleep , and the chirping of Birds in a sun-shine day ; yet when these frogs croak thus far beyond their wont , beware of a tempest ; but thus then , a man may know a Kyte by the very feathers that he weares , Bu ( saith Haman ) he will not bow the knee , therefore he must be destroyed : a Fox I must confesse will flie at the braying of an Asse , because he knoweth it not to be an Asses voyce , but the Lyon will not do so , because he knows it : a fool is not to be feared for his noyse , and he that pisseth clear needs not care a fig for the Physition : vertue is impregnable in the greatest distresse ; a pure fish will swim in muddy streams : Deut. 8.5 . be not mistaken then , For God correcteth every Son whom he receiveth , Heb. 12.6 , 7. and useth not his rod where his sword shall come ; the Pillory and scourge are made for such Delinquents as shall escape execution . O but he still out-runs the Constable , Psal. 94.12 . and cannot be layd hold on by any meanes . Who is it but will save his head with both his hands ? for his wisdome is nothing worth , that is not wise for himself , Prov. 13.14 . Therefore Theseus would not go into the Labyrinth without a thread : to be safe , is to keepe us to that Dyet we are prescribed ; to flee that evill of which we are forewarned ; 't is not enough to be honest , but to prevent danger that it doth no harm : and he were very silly , that would not beware that mischiefe were in his eye ; you cannot blame the burnt child to dread the fire , nor to condemn him to take heed of falling that stands upon the pits brink , that knows there is a Lyon in the way , were mad to adventure ; the best things please not all men ; the Scythian was angry at the hearing of musicke , as the envious man is at him he hateth , because he liveth so that his malice cannot reach him : but Nature teacheth every thing to seek the preservation of it self , and for that purpose hath armed the very Bruite Creatures amongst the rest , as the Bull is furnished with hornes , to oppose the assault of a Mastiffe Dog , the Boare with tuskes , the Roe-Buck , the Hart , and Hare , with swiftnesse of feet , to flye away from their pursuers , and with eyes in their heads to looke backwards towards them which hunt for their precious lives , for to avoyd them ; the Fox with craftinesse and subtilty for his escape , being encountred with approaching enemies ; and to them , and to all Animalls of that kinde besides , is given sense and motion to apprehend , and one way or other meanes for to free themselves from ruine ; and shall not man make use of his Reason and more NObler parts , to quit him from the hand of the destroyer ? The Patriarks , the Prophets , the Apostles , nay , Christ himself gave it to us in example , and shall we in this latter times be more nice than they , and think it an unlawfull thing to use lawfull means , to be freed from the oppression and persecution of an adversary ? Gen. 20. Abraham thinking that the fear of God was not in the Court of Abimilech King of Gerar , and that therefore he should be slain for his wives sake , durst not to own Sarah for his wife , but said , She is my Sister ; which was afterwards Isaac's very case concerning Rebecca , being with Abimilech in Gerar also ; And Esau hating Jacob his brother , Gen. 20. because of the blessing wherewith his Father blessed him , and therefore having resolved to slay him , Did not he therefore Flye unto Laban his Vncle , from the face of his enraged brother , untill his fury should be turned away ? Gen. 27.41 , 42 , 43 And did not Rachel put her Fathers Images in the Camels furniture , and sate upon them , that Laban could not finde them after all his search into Jacobs stuffe ? Which was to prevent the danger of that hot prusuite , Gen. 31.34 , 35. which Laban made after him for those fooleries : the Hebrew Midwives too , Exod. 1.17 , 18 , 19 did not as the King of Egypt commanded them , But saved the men children of Israel alive , contrary to his commandment , excusing the matter with a pretence onely , and yet it was not imputed to them for so great a transgression : 1 Sam. 18 11 , 12 , 13 When Saul cast his Javelin at David to smite him to the wall , he avoyded twice out of his presence , and because he was afraid of him , he departed from him , and therefore it is said , That he behaved himself wisely in doing it ; and as he did afterwards when he was let downe at a window , that he fled and escaped from his enemy , when he had sent messengers unto his house to slay him , nor do I finde Michael his wife discommended for her Stratagem used at that time , the better to preserve her husband from destruction ; 1 Sam. 19 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , &c. 1 Sam. 20.1 , 24. that flight of his also front Natioth in Ramah to Nob at another time upon Jonathans discovery of his Fathers intended mischiefe towards him ; his abiding in the wildernesse of Ziph in a wood , in the hill of Hachilah , for to save himself , nor was it accounted unlawfull that he sent out Spies , 1 Sam. 23.14 , 19. 1 Sam. 26.4 . to discover Sauls approach , and that therupon he fled to Gath to secure himself against his fury ; nor do I finde it spoken against , that he changed his behaviour and fained himself mad before Achish a King of the Philistims , thereby to procure safety to himself in that time of his danger and extreamity , 1 Sam. 21 13. that child of the Prophets that annointed Jehus King over Israel , was constrained presently to open the doore and flee and tarry not , 2 Kings 9.3 . and when evill and great distruction did appear unto Benjamin out of the North , the Prophet Jeremy had them to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem , Jer. 6. 1. as the Lord by the same Prophet commanded the Inhabitants of Hazor to do the like , Jer. 49.30 . when Nebuchadnezzer King of Babylon had taken Councell , and conceived a purpose against them ; thus Joseph fled with our Saviour into Egypt , Mar. 2.13 from the intended destruction that Herod had against him ; and when those in the Synagogue of the Galileans were filled with wrath , and would have cast him down headlong from the brow of the hill , whereon their City was built , Lake 4.28 , 29 , 30.2 Cor. 11.32 , 33. Acts 9.23 , 24 , 25. he passed through the midst of them and went his way ; and so when the Jews had taken Councel to kill Saint Paul , when their laying in waite was known , and that they watched the gates day and night to kill him , the Disciples took him by night , and let him down the wall in a Basket : Now all these did outrun the Constalile , and yet what offence , I pray you , was in then , for saving themselves alive from the fury of the destroyer : but you set a detractor hath the Devill in his tongue , and he that applauds it hath his teeth and tongue in his eares ; he derides what he understands not , and wrangles with the thing he hath not learned ; because the Iron is too hot for his fingers , thus all is not Malt that is cast an the Mill , and he that throws dust at the sun , it lighteth but in his owne eyes : O but saies he again , there cannot be all this smoak , but there is some fire ; there would not be a shaddow , if there were no Sun ; a man thus evill spoken of cannot be Innocent , but by your leave , an benefit man , that will deal square and aboveboard shall be contemned of the world ; Joh. 2● . 13 , 19 , 20. Remember the word that I said unto you , The servant is not greater then his Lord , if they persecute me , they will also persecute you : and yet a precious stone , that is cast into the mire , doth not lose his beauty : Innocence cannot protect the just , and he that is down the wind shall be sure take evill spoken of ; for when fortune failes , desert oft bleeds with shame , and no good man but shall finde this measure of our Saviour Christ himself ; Joh. 7.12 Some said he was a good man , others sayd nay , but he deceiveth the people ; But all things are not true that we heare , and therefore wise men beleeve nothing but what they see : but malicious men de the quite contrary , it is a suspitions , apprehensive , and interpreting fancy , ready to pick out injury , where is cannot be justly found , that its anger may be imployed to frame occasions to it selfe ; and therefore 't is a wise advice of Seneca , Non vis esse iracundus : ne sis morosus , he that is too wise in his judgement on other mens errours , will be casily too follish in the nourishing of his own passion , and it s commenly seene in matters of cansure and suspition , the more sight and reason goes out , the lesse useth to abide within , and as men which see through a coloured glasse , which have all objects how different soever represented to the same Colour , so they examining all conclusions by principles forestalled for that purpose , thinketh every thing of what nature soever , to be dyed in the colour of their own conceits ; and to carry some proportion unto those principles , like Antipheron , Orites , and others in Aristotle , who did confidently affirme every thing for reall , which their imagination framed to it self , and yet when malice hath thus sought to put out the Candle , by snuffing it , many times it hath made it shine the brighter : as in the sale of Joseph , by his brethren , It was not so much you that sold me , Gen. 45.8 . ( sayes he ) as God that sent me , that I might save much people alive , as it is this day ; and therefore , as one saith well , God permitted this sale , he withdrew his grace from the sellers , he restrained the sin from an intended murther , to a bare sale ; this treachery of his brethren he did not infuse , but use , he used it not as a sale , but as a conveyance ; in them 't was a selling , in him a sending , ayming at their reliefe , an end out-ballancing in good , the evill of the sale , the saving of much people : thus looke but on the corner of a peece of Arras , and it carries no proportion untill you unfold the whole peece , and until then you see but one half of Ezekiels Vision , you see but the wheeles , not the eyes in the wheels : Ezeck . 10.12 . thus God oftentimes doth twist many rags into ropes , to lift his Jeremies out of the dungeon ; my particular observed will make out the parallell , and to say with the Prophet David , I will praise God because of his Word , Jer. 38.11 , 12. Psal. 36 , 4. Psal. 37.3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. Psal. 113 6 , 7. Psal. 107. I have put my trust in God , and will not fear what flesh can do unto me ; or he will bring forth the righeousnesse of such as the light , and their judgement as the noon day , for he taketh the simple out of the dust , and lifteh the poore out of the mire , &c. Afflictions thus make mercies to be the more esteemed , liberty is sweet unto , and desireable of all , but most of all , of those that have known the hardship of a long imprisonment , as the danger and violence of a storme , make a safe harbour the more welcome : thus the woman cured of her issue of blood , after she had suffered many things of many Physitians , Marke 5. 25 , 26 , 27. Joh. 5.2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. and had spent all that she had , and was nothing bettered but rather grown worse ; and he that after thirty eight years lying by the Poole of Bethesda , was put into the waters and cured of his infirmity ; prized their healths the more , as they had the longer layen upon their beds of languishing : if the plaister should be too soon taken off , the sore would fester so much the more ; and whiles deliverance is delayed , patience hath its perfect work ; it is the bellows to blow up Gods graces . Christ hid himself from his Spouse , to make her long after him ; Samuel was the more dear to Hanna , because she waited long for him ; we would not so much praise him for his sweetnesse , if we had not first tasted the cup of bitternesse : that which with more difficulty we obtaine , with more care we keep : the child must pray and intreat , and open every finger of his hand , before he gets the Apple which his father shews : We may not limit the holy One of Israel ; Psal. 78.41 . we must expect and waite if to have the harvest : there is no ship but is tossed upon the Sea , no Church but is afflicted ; Is black , but comely : Cant. 1.5 and therefore Luther , to set forth the condition of the Church , pictured a silly mayd in the wildernesse , Psal. 90.10 . compassed about with many Wolves and Beares , and raging wilde beasts , to shew the many dangers and troubles that the people of God must inevitably passe through , in this world ; so that as there is no Sea without waves , Psal. 46.1 so there is no Saint without sorrows ; and these Bees will gather honey from the bitterest Herbs , and yet when this wind blows the most fiercely , then know that it is about to cease ; Psal. 44.7 . mans greatest extremities are Gods opportunities , Psal. 107.6 . when he doth usually deliver those that call upon him ; and things that cannot be altered must be born , for impatience doth but increase the crosse , and as a man in Irons , the more he strives and struggles , the more he hurts himself ; for we see 't is easier by far to tye a knot , then to unloose it , to finde faults in a man , then to make them ; a simple man can quickly make a spot , which a wise man cannot so easily clean ; 't is easie for a man to fall into a pit , not so easie to get out ; and he liveth the safest , we say , that pockets up his wrongs : rough stormes try good Pylots , the Marriner that then runs on his course , the Lant horn that then keeps his light , that yeelds not under the burthen , but endures the crosse with patience ; when now you shall cast up the Cards , it will appear what s Trump : Innocence then is the best Armour that a man can put on against another mans fears , Prov. 28. as Tacitus said of Caecina , Ambiguarum rerum sciens , eoque intrepidus ; to be acquainted with difficulties , makes men that they are not fearefull of them , knowing that the longest day will have an end ; and in the mean time he that suffers the Cedar to grow , permits the lowest shrub to live ; and though the Bird may now perchance have many sick feathers to keep her below that she cannot flye up into the tree , yet the time will come , that her feathers will be grown again , and that she shall be able to mount the skies : and what though in the interim Shimei raile , and the Drunkards make songs of me , yet wise men will profit by the prate of fooles , and he that doth not hurt me in this case too , must yet be opposed so far forth is to beware him ; for a Scorpion is not then onely supposed to have a sting when he smites , nor do all Horses prove right from the same race , nor is all coyne crurant that hath the Kings stamp upon it , and therefore take heede is a good reed ; although innocence hath so cleer a Complexion as she needs no painting , may endure then much hard measure , be belyed notwithstanding : but these men that pursue her so fiercely , do but snuffe the Candle to be smuch their own fingers , and makes the light to burn more cleer at last ; and like haile on a tyled house , although it makes a great noise , yet it doth little harme ; he that walkes with a right foot is sure to speed ; but t is rare if black be made to take any other hue : thus a good cause consisting in matter of fact , when 't is plainly told is sufficiently proved , but a good man may complain , as the Prophet David did in his time , Ps. 102.6 That he was like a Pelican in the Desart , it shall be long enough ere they come to assist him ; nay , so far shall he be from help , That the net upon Mizpah and the snare upon Tabor , Hos. 5.1 . shall be layd to catch him , as the ambushes which the Idolatrous Priests layd upon those mountains , to take up all the passengers that went up to Jerusalem toworship the true God ; there will be a Korah , Dathan , and Abiram , ever ready to oppose the Moses and Aaron , Num. 26 that seek but to work good in the Congregation ; a Jannes and Jambres , 2 Tim. 3.8 . and Egyptians to affront them , thta work in the Lords Vineyard : but he that fights with Cats , must endure to be claw'd , that creeps through Bryers , shall be scratcht , that fights with Bears , must be paw'd ; that contends with mightier men than himself , must blame himself if he suffer wrong ; for 't is not good medling , we say , above the eyes , none ever saw the Altars of Busiris but was posseSSed with sorrow ; then for to shoulder a great man that is not sure to put him into the Gutter , doth but light a Candle to see his own nakednesse , for thus he shall cut his fingers that meddles with edged tools , and no marvell if be then cryes that is thus pincht to the quick ; the Asses eares must be hornes if the Lyon will have it so , but a great oppressor is the greatest theef , is more ready to offend , because he is without fear of revenge , and no wonder if his usage then makes a wise man mad ; and if he that shall oppose one such adversary , shall have his hands full , then he that provokes many like enemies , must expect to be torn in sunder ; but if a man must suffer for the truth , Is it not all one to be drowned in the deepest Sea , as neer the shoar ? A magnanimous man must be like a four cornered stone , Deut. 1.17 . & 16.19.2 Cor. 19 7. lye upon whatsoever side he lights , must fear no colours that will attempt the Fort , have no respect of persons injudgement ; yet he that will thus do his duty without connivance or partiality , shall be sure never to want opposition , and the slanders of Malignant men to pursue him , and therefore must resolve with patience , to run through both good and bad reports , and suffer the virulence of these venemous tongues with contempt ; 2 Cor. 6.8 . and amongst the rest of those enemies that I have met withall of this kinde , there is one whose eyes are so blind with popular applause , that be had rather be a master of Error , then a scholler of truth , and this theif in the Candle makes ill work , this moat more hurts the eye than any part , for commonly he makes Religion his stalking horse , and under a seeming sanctity covers over a double iniquity ; like the Alder tree , he hath a faire barke , but a bitter rine ; this Bee brings honey in his mouth and a sting in his taile , like the Box tree , seeming alwayes green , yet then being full of poysonous seeds ; is a Syren , which will sing sweetest , when she intends to bite the sharpest ; with the dog , will bite sorest when he doth not bark ; with the Onix-stone , is hottest when it seemes most white ; is a cunning Goldsmith , that will enrich his basest silver with pure gold , then pretend the fairest when he intends most mischief : this Fisher covers his books with the pleasantest baits , and straw his best corn under a pitfall , the sooner to betray those with whom he hath to do ; this Canker you shall alwayes finde in the fairest rose , this moath breeding still in the finest wooll , this worme ingendring most in the softest wood , this man continually maligning the best of men , malice driving him forward , and fury suprring him on , that he cannot stay behind , being thus riding post to hell upon the devills back ; this Scorpion hath an amiable face , but a poysonous tayle ; this sowre crab seemes an apple outwardly , as the sweetest Pipin , 't is the taste onely makes the difference , his actions which are ever terminate in mischiefe ; these waspes have their Combes appearing fair to the eye , but without honey ; but we try gold by the touchstone , Jewels by the Lapidary : Locusts by their faces are not known from men ; this Bell having a cleer sound , but an iron Clapper , he perfumes his deceipts with the balm of Gilead , hath words in his mouth like Alder flower , very gay , more woth than all the tree besides , like Nazianzens Country of Ozizalah , which had store of flowers , but was barren of corn ; you shall finde his tongue commonly too long for his mouth , which runs ryot like a hunting whelp , goes before his wit , will quest where every Bird and Buzzard sits , and when he doth calumniate a mans good name in a dark corner behind his back , he reacheth out whatsoever comes at his tongues end , and then like a Pecock , spreadeth about his tayle when he woulde be seen , but will not dayne to look upon his black leggs for all that ; with the man in the Moone , he vies at all , for his conscience ; like Sampsons shoulders , are strong enough to bear out any act , but like the Gander , you shall ever finde him loudest amongst his Geese , telling Stories of strange things , to those that cannot contradict him in his relations , which when rightly understood , are but tales of Robin Hood , by him that never shot in his bow : but in this his multiloquie it fare with him as when a stream over-sloes his bancks , which thereby onely contracts slyme and filth ; he is an Hermaphrodite , begotten betwixt Hawk and Buzzard , puts his sickle into every mans harvest , will be medling , what soever comes of it , albeit most times in the conclusion , he finds little thanks for his labour ; makes work to have work , and rather than stand out , will spin his tow into a mighty length , make much ado about nothing , that he may be seen to have imployent , when God knowes those into whose society and businesse he thrusts himself , had rather have his roome than his Company , for this Swan though he hath milkie feathers , yet hath he a black Carcase : with Athalia you shall have him crying treason , treason , when himself is the greatest Traytor ; and like a mad dog , you shall finde him as angry barking at the Moon which he cannot reach ( at him that s above him ) and doth but crosse his humour ) as at that man whom he gets presently by the shins , and cannot withstand his fury , like the Raven you shall have him no longer to stay in the Ark , then he hath need of Noah , for his own ends be will shake each man by the hand , and like wax will be pliable to every Print , the sparrows feather serves him as well as the Swans , without check he passeth over his own faults , but doth laugh at all others sinnes , and like a child seeing his visage in a glasse thinks it another babye ; like thunder , when he makes the greatest clap , he lets all but a little stone , his discourse commonly ends in a lye : like a light vessell that s unballanced , he rises and fals with every wave , oderunt , quos metuit , first he hurts , and then he hates , and ever after he lookes upon them as guilty of that shame and sadnesse , which in the sin he hath contracted , and thus makes hatred an Apologie for wrong , and out of the narrownesse , incapacity , and Antipathy of his owne minde he fals to an under-valuing of persons , even to their non entity and existence , as things utterly unusefull , because he sees not what use himselfe can have of them , herein discovering as much absurdity in so peremptory a dislike as a blind man should do in wishing the sun put out , not considering that he himself receiveth benefit at the second hand from that very light , the beauty whereof he hath no acquaintance withall he will insult over a mans sufferings , and where he finds a Cowardly and faint resistance , will domineer like a pig in Pease-straw , and as a resty jade will then shew his tricks , when he findes his rider fearefull to put spurs to his sides ; he will be sure to hold in with the Griffin , and great Leviathan , as knowing if he can compound with the Serpent , he will soon crush the little Adders , and yet with these he tyes but a Gipsies knot , that is fast and loose at pleasure , for as a Phisitian to his patient , he will then give him over when he lyes a dying , will leave thee when thou needst him most , he sailes evermore with wind and tyde , and never drinks in empty bottles , non ad amissas , h3 carves a peece of his heart to every one that sits next him , because he would he thoght wise , and yet is no better than froth , which appears all above , but is quickly gone and vanished into nothing , though in the interim and mean time while the tale is telling , as a blazing Comes he appeares more glorious than a fixed star ; like a Pedlar will shew what is in his pack , though nothing but old fashions and brarded wares be in it ; he hath another trick amongst the rest too , which he learned from a Curtezan , that when he findes himsef faulty , and likely to be accused for the fact , he will be sure to cry whore first , will jeer at honest women , seek others where he lay himself , that if it were enough for him to accuse , there were none should be clear : where he meets with a mean understanding , and with one that holds him in esteem , he brings this Pan into a fooles paradise , who straightwayes thinkes to be made free in Wales , for offering a Leek unto this S. Davy at his shrine ; he will never bid thee God speed , unlesse he knows thou needest not to care for him ; Religion he useth as women use Soape , onely to wash away suspition ; he museth as he useth , will not endure to be pulled by the eares , to hear that he hath any faults : he is In Nettle , out Dock ; a fickle fellow too , will be found no where , and yet will have his finger in every pye , will give his verdict amongst the rest , though he comes of himself uncal'd unto Councell , and then all his Geese are Swans , his Pìgeons are all white , he thinkes he hath a Spirit of Prophesie and cannot erre , and if Solomon were alive again , he would vye with him , which were the wisest man , he hath a populer spirit , which like a working Sea , which ever breeds trouble in the Port , so doth he make work where ever he becomes , give him but preferment , and he hath no equall , this Parish Priest presently forgets that ever he was a Clark , as Saul being made a King , and Balaam a Prophet , with Judas they are the worse foul stomacks turning wholsome food into gall and corruption , put him upon businesse , which he hath no minde unto , and like a resty Jaae , the more he is suprred , the backwarder he goes ; if Ahab had a mid to go up to Ramoth Gilead , he will be one of them will cry , Go up and prosper ; if Ahaz will have such an Altar as is at Damascus , 1 King . 12.12 . He shall finde him an high Priest , that will do according to all that the King commands him , if a Novelty will take the people , he will be one of those will speake perverse things , 2 King 16. to draw Disciples after him ; and with the Keilites a-gaine will give up David , betray the best friend be hath to save himself , Act. 20.30 . with the Samaritanes he 'l challendge kindred of the Jews ; whiles their State flourisheth , but will disclaime them again when afflicted , will imbarke himself in the Churches cause in a Calme , but with the Souldier in the Acts will flye out of the ship in a storm , and although his Conscience be convinced of the right that he should do , yet if any danger be in the way , he will do as those amongst the cheife Rulers that beleeved in Christ , yet because of the Pharisees , dared not to confesse him , least they should have been cast out of the Synagogue ; where he is to sit in Judgement he alwaies comes prepossest in opinion , and like a Juror imbraced before hand , resolv'd of his verdict , before he heares the cause , censuring before he sees , and speaking evill of what he doth not understand , he hath the yellow Jaundies in his eyes , and thinkes all yellow that he looks upon , prizes nothing that s good , because it suites not with his disposition , he is provided ad omnia quare , He hath for every bird a baite , an Apple for Adam , a wedge for Achan , a Kingdome for Absalon , an Office for Korah , a Bag for Judas , 1 King . 22.6 . a world for Demas , a flattering Prophesie for Ahab , can awe the tymerous with dangers , claw and blow up the proud with titles , bait the greedy man with hopes , feed the discontented man with Complaints , melt the compassionate man into Compliances , and like a Camelian change himself into all Colours , to advance himselfe in all conditions : but how can he have a sweet breath , that hath such rotten Lungs , but this Ape though she hath some touches of a mans face , yet is still known to be an Ape , and how could I be safe to have had such men as these to mine enemies , whose malicious conclusions concerning me , have been like those of Logick ever following deteriorem partem , but that Rule ought to be straight that squareth other things ; yet if they could but snatch a shadew , or shape a surmise of evill in my actions , of a molehill they have made a mountain and raised a scandall , where there hath been no cause , knowing that the least blemish mars a Dyamond , and yet in the midst of all these clamours and loades of slander , this hath born up my heart , God knows my works , and though ignorance and malice heretofore hath set upon my skirts and censured me , yet God I hope will at one time or o ther , put them forth with the Coment of my honest and just meaning , Psal. 37. 6. and dealing upon them , and not as heretofore tortured and drawn with false expositions of mine adversaries , and that which quieted Jobs spirit in the midst of all the mis-apprehensions of his friends hath ever been and shall be still my comfort , Job 16.12 . Behold my witnesse is in heaven , and my Record is on high ; Act. 12.2 But Festus to do the Jews a pleasure will leave Paul bound , Herod and Agrippa kill James , and imprison Peter under the custody of 16. Souldiers , and so the ungodly for his own lust doth persecute the poore ; Act. 25.2 Vp Lord disappoint him , and cast him down , and deliver my soul from the ungodly , Psal. 10.2 , 6. which is a sword of thine , that the men of the earth may no more oppresse , for when my foot slipt , they rejoyced greatly against me , and though we cannot expect but that we must shift our garments , Psa. 17.3 . Psal. 10.18 . Psal. 38.16 . and sometimes weare sack-cloath ; yet Lord set my heart in tune , whether to Lachrimae , or Hallalujahs : and thus you my see the discouragement and discountenance that I have had in this world ; that if any man hath but chanced to favour me , I have been spoken against as when Christ called Zacheus , Luke 19. the people murmurring said , He is gone to be a guest with one that is a sinner ; but a Carping humour is a signe of a wek judgement ; afflictions , you may perceive then , have followed me as Jobs messengers , before the first was dispatched , there appeared a second , before that was ansered , a third followed ; like Ezechiels Prophesie , Ezek. 7. mischiefe upon mischiefe , and rumour upon rumour ; but 't is too late to mourn when the chance is past , howsoever though few faire dayes have been in my Calender , yet let him that stands take heed lest he falls ; for the Hawk that trusts too much unto her wings if she soar too high may so be lost , that gazeth to catch a star too , my easily fall , and let not men be too bold to play with other folks noses , least perchance thereby their own be taken by the end ; for he that sets his neighbours house on fire , must take heed least he burnes his own , for whoseoever will speak and do what he list , is like to have and hear more than will please his humour ; 't is hard to cover smoak but it will burst out , the tongue will bewray the intentions of the heart , and thus we shall know how the clock goes , by the striking of the Bell ; and if then being forewarned , we be not forearmed against the ensuing danger , there is no man will pitty him , that in such case shall groan under the burthen . I have in my time met with all kindes of opposition , but with no wrath and cruelty like that which hath proceeded from weaknesse and cowardize , having had either jealousie , advantage , or despaire , to set it on , and yet those which as the Prophet speaks , do break mens heads with oyle , make a poyson of their own merits , to kill them with praises , are bad enough , that love not to have their bad meanings and actions to be found out , as those also which being displeased with Mordecai think it a scorn to lay hands on him alone , and therefore his whole Nation must suffer with him ; with Seianus the storme must light on his family and friends , aswell as on himself , and hatred is so overflowing a passion , that it will sometimes rather strik a friend too , then not to reach an enemy , as Darius , pereat cum inimico amicus , let my friend rather perish with mine enemy , then that mine enemy escape by my friend , and yet again there is scarce a more hatefull quality in the eyes of God and man , then that of the Herodians , to lye in waite to catch an innocent man , and then for to accuse him ; and such I have had to deal withall ; unlimited desires also will repine to see another have that which himself wanteth , as Dionysius the Tyrant did punish Philopenus the Musitian , because he could sin , and lato the Philosopher because he could dispute better then himself , but Nemo repente fit turpe , no man becomes bad upon a suddaine , for a man may shoot and misse the mark , and yet sot his ayme as straight as he that shoots and hits the white , desire makes us what we are , and affection when it doth expresse its desire is to be considered , though by chance it misseth to do what was expected : Apelles was no good Painter at the first , 't is tract of time that makes things to appear as they are indeed ; the Juniper is sowre when 't is a twig , and sweet when 't is a tree ; I but saith my adversary , if his innocence had been such as he makes shew of , why then hath he not in all this time , put the matter unto tryall , to purge himself ; you shall perceive by that which follows , that I have neglected no oopportunity to bring this gold unto the touch-stone , my disaster hath been onely in this , that the publike affaires of the kingdome , would to this houre never admit me so much leisure for the examination of this particular , that I could procure it to be heard ; besides that , in all this time I have not wanted those that have done me many ill Office in this matter , and that wish it never ended , but that still it may lye as a rod over my head , or as a staffe to beat me withall , upon all occasions behinde my back ; besides when fury doth rage and rave , we say there is no putting of truth unto tryall , for so to snuffe the candle , were but to put out the light , and every wise man knows the hen that cakles hath not alwayes layd , will not beleeve every vaine report , that comes aborad ; but with those wise Bereans are more nobler minded men , then those of Thessalonica , will first search and see whether those things be so or no , so that though the Serpent Porpherious hath much poyson in him , yet wanting teeth can do little hurt , and therefore as David said concerning Sheimei , Let him alone , It may be the Lord will look on my affliction , 2 Sam. 16 11.12 . and requite good for his cursing this day ; so will I not so much look on the lower linkes of this chaine , as to forget him that hath the top of it in his hand ; but will look up to God in what I suffer , and say as Eli , It is the Lord elt him do what he will ; 1 Sam. 3.18 . and with Job , the Lord gives and takes , and blessed be his Name , for it is he that killeth and maketh alive , 1 Sam. 2.6 , 7 , 8. 9. that bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up , that maketh poor and maketh rich , that bringeth low , and lifteth up the begger from the dunghill , and set them among Princes , and makes tem to inherit the Throne of glory , and by strength shall no man prevail , Hag. 3.19 . saith the Prophet , for in that time I will undo all that afflict thee , and I will save her that halteth , and gather her that was driven out , and I will get them praise and fame in every land , where they have beeng put no shame : And is any man then so whole that he needs not the Physitian ? What part hath he then in Christ which came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance ? Luke 5.31 , 32. is he ever a whit the better of whom all men speaks well , nay , is he not the worse , for so did their fathers of the false Prophets : wooll buyers , know wooll sellers ; and the shoe will hold together with the sole ; Luke 5.27 , 28 , 29,30 . flints hurt not one another , but grow orderly together ; brothers in iniquity seldome falls out : let them then be filled with madnesse that cannot entangle me , nor shall it grieve me to be separate from their Company , nor be reproached by such men , nor to have my name cast otu amongst them as evill ; Luke 5.7 , 22 , 23. for these busi-bodies in other mens matters , these Bishops in other mens Diocesses , as they are great strangers to themselves , having in this time their own gardens over grown with noysome weeds , so their tongues are no slander ; Psal. 50.19.20 . that I care not to be judged of them according to the flesh , so I may but live according to God in the Spirit , 1 Pet. 4.15 . Psal. 112.4 . thus though the earth be moved , and the hills be carried into the midst of the sea ; though the waters thereof rage and swell , and the mountaines shake at the tempest of the same , yet will the good man hold his way , and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger : 1 Pet. 4.5 Psal. 46. 1 , 2 , 3. no man loves him whom he feares most , Job 17.9 . Job 36.14 . for he is afraid of him whom he hath injured ; Adam first eates and then he hides , assoone as he hath transgressed the Covenant he expects the curse . Albicrades having provoked the Athenians , was afraid to trust them , saying , It is a foolish thing for a man when he may flye , to betray himself into their hands , from whom he cannot flye ; Conscience of evill and guiltinesse of minde being like mud in water , Wisd. 17. the more it is stirred doth the more foul and thicken , therefore this man will use all possible means to be rid of him if he can whom he feareth , which is the reason too , that when a man hath acted his part , far beyond that which was expected , or can be requited , if he be above him that is thus obliged , all his satisfaction shall be neglect and contempt of him at the last , he then that stands upon his own legs , can make the wheels to serve the Clock , and the Goose to go on her own feet ; provides for himself that which is sufficient , and lives within his compasse , without being chardgeable or burt hensome unto others , when now he perceives the raine in a black cloud , revenge intended in a bended brow , regards not the shoure to come , that hath so good a shelter to run unto in a storme : excesses commonly seldome go alone , great wits and great Errors , but these envious men , are for the most part highly conceipted ot their own excellence , it is a very hard thing , when great abilities and vast hopes shall meet together , to govern them with moderation ; private ends being in that case , apt for to engadge a mans parts , and to take them off from publike service , unto particular advantage ; men prize their reputations as their lives , and though in some things too blame , yet loath they are to see it , but if faithfull and good men were provided for with imployments suteable to their knowledge , and that might yeeld them a subsistance to continue them in their service , it would make men strive unto perfection , and to be inabled for duties , for the keenest edge that hath nothing to cut is nothing woth , 't is meat keeps men alive : Miners cannot work without mettalls , nor can wisdome thrive without wherewith ; Hercules is nothing without a club in his fist , and if they have done well before , this must more obliege them for the future , for a dog will not leap in his face that gives him meate ; Claudius the Emperour was wont greatly to thank such as he had provided for Offices for that they being men worthy and capable of them , would accept them , but of late times it hath been otherwise , Offices have been provided for men , that could onely receive the profits of Offices , but unable to execute the charges with which they were intrusted ; that it is much better we see now a dayes to be happy then wise , whiles these men onely dance , unto whom fortune pipes ; That he labours but to graspe a running stream , saith one , that expects preferment for desert ; the torch turn'd downwards is exteinguished with that which caused his light , the best wine makes the sowrest vinegar , Corruptio optimae pessmae , man is the purest of all creatures yet being once dead is the most noysome of all others ; that Cambrick which is once staind will scarcely be clean , ripest wits prove most prejudiciall when imployed the worst way , that 't is ill driving a Cow against the wall , enforcing men unto extremities , for when she can flee no further , she must either turn head or dye ; 't is true , a bow that s long bent waxeth weak , and it may be thought a pollicie to weary out the best men with expectation , but there is not one man amongst a thousand , whom much provocation , will not alter from these first resolves which he hath taken up ; a man may tire the best horse ; he is a black Swan indeed that will not vary , Vnum ex mille ; but Nilus breeds Serpents as well as precious stones , and in all Rivers there 's frogs as well as fish , and we know the worst are ever the greatest number , there is no darknesse more formidable than that of an Eclipse , no mallice grows rancker then that which proceeds from the Corruption of love , no taste more unsavory than of sweet things when they are corrups , nothing more dangerous than a sharp wit imployed the wrong way ; a Lark we say is worth a Kite , and one peece of a Kid , is worth two of a Cat : to him then that conceipt and custome hath not made good and bad alike , he will choose rather to have one faire flower grow in his garden then many stinking weeds , but I have been beholding to some yet further for their good word , who have been pleased to honour me so far , as to joyn me in the same yoak together with Master Kilvert , and have made it as a wonder that the Parliament should be pleased to make use of two men in their service so infamous and unworthy a concluson ; you may perceive drawn from false premisses , I speake but for my self , for this sentence given against me in the Court of Star-Chamber , is both the Major and Minor propositions to warrant this assertion , which being ( manifeste falsum ) I may be bold to answer so , without prejudice to their Judgements : nor are they so well read in Policies howsoever , that shall think States must not imploy men of all rankes and Conditions ; for something a man may learn from Simon Magus as from Simon Peter , nay , a man may be counselled of Balaams Asse , Numb . 22.28 . and I am confident they shall but leap out of the frying-pan into the fire , that shall bestow imployment upon such men as these , for rayling at another man , more honest then themselves ; nay , by thus placing their favours too soon upon such detractors , they may oft be-saint such Serpents as will sting them to death ; for nothing but croaking Toads are to be looked for out of pudly Fens destruction and unhappinesse from such malicious men , nor can we look for water out of an empty pot ; but because these men do finde it much easier to strike than fence , therefore they are so censorious ; but every Puppy will bark at a dead Lyon , so easie a thing it is to give a man a fall , when both his hands are bound behinde his back ; 't is enough to for him to snarl that dare not bite : but the day and night being both alike to him that s blind ; a Nettle and a Rose all one to him that knows no difference ; I shall intreat my friends for to remember , and I hope ( without scandall or prejudice to any man ) I may speak it , that Master Kilverts imployment and mint , and the wayes we have lived in , have been of a far different condition ; he was a Courtier , which I never was ; he solicited for the times against such as were then honest men , and averse to their proceedings , but I had the happinesse to be still on the Defensive part for such , and had work enough to do besides , for to keep me but upon my own leggs , and he that rows against wind and tyde , to be sure must have his hands full ; Psal. 71.18 , 19. But O what great troubles and adversities hast thou shewed me , and yet didst thou turn and refresh me , yea and broughtest me from the deep of the earth again , and comfortedst me on every side ; who knows his strength that was never tryed ? and how can that Virgin be said to be chaste that was never tempted ; 't is the fire that purifies the gold , and afflictions that differenceth the precious from the vile , Therefore it is good for me faith David , that I have been in trouble , that I may learn thy Statutes . Psal. 119. Thus we consider the Vineyard first in the trees , but afterwards we deem it in the fruits , for 't is not the rush , but the Dyamond that is in it set , which makes it valuable ; it is a mans good conversation , which makes him to be well esteemed ; and although in the winter of this workd , the good an bad tree seemes much alike ; the Cockle and the Darnell grow up together with the good wheat untill the harvest , yet a piercing eye will discover vice in the habite of vertue , for the Asse cannot dance to the Harpe , nor can the Lyons skin teach a man to roare , to see a sow wallow in the mire is no news , but to see an Ermyne to do so were rare : he may judge of colours that is not blind , and though sometimes by accident , he may chance to be deceived in his judgement thereof , yet 't is not ordinary to be so , we see the sun cannot shine without his beames , and that if the fountain cease , the River is dryed up , and that tree withereth whose root decreaseth , and one man is known and differenced from another , by the Actions they performe ; so that although I have been unfortunate , yet I must be content , for it is not every mans hap to attain the end of his desires , for many bends the bow , that kills not the game , layeth the snare that never catch the fowle , laboureth without reward , or regard many times , though his service be never so profitable and acceptable ; but the labourer must have his hire ; the Devill his due , doe him right hath done thee service , least bare walls drive away good huswives , whosoever is imployed in the vineyard , of common right ought to have his penny .