THE PERSECUTED MINISTER .

AS wee should write wrongs in the dust ; so engrave courtesies in brasse , and marble . It were the highest ingratitude , a most haynous and horrid kinde of unthankfulnesse , to bury in forgetfulnesse you unmerited favours . I am taught , Beneficium qui dedit taceat , Seneca de benef lib. 2. cap. 11. narret qui accepit , Let him that gives a benefit be silent , let him speak of it that hath received it . Pliny saith of Trajan the Emperour , That he never prized his benefits . There is that Law of difference ( saith that Philosopher ) betwixt the Doer of a good turn , and the Receiver of it , Alter statim oblivisci debet dati , alter accepti nunquam , That one ought quickly to forget what he hath given , the other ought never to forget what he hath received . Seneca de ben. lib. 3. cap. 10. Ingratus est qui beneficium accepisse se negat , quod accepit . Ingratus est qui dissimulat , ingratus qui non reddit , Ingratissimus omnium qui oblitus est . I leave therefore to posterity this remembrance ( by way of thankfulness ) of your manifold favours , and my obliged duty farre short of your deserts and my own desires : when I have done all I may truly say , as once Furnius said to Caesar , I shall live and die unthankfull . Rich presents , as you need not ; so ( I know ) you expect not : such as I have , I give : a few blotted Leaves void of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fond affectation . The Samaean Poet Cherillus presumed to offer to great Alexander a few harsh Verses . Your mild and sweet disposition gives encouragement , who , I know respects the affection of the Giver , more than the Gift . Be pleased to accept of this poor pledge of my unfaigned thanks . Capillus unus habet umbram suam , One hair casteth its own shadow . I know you are neither timidus , nor tumidus ; fearfull of frowns , Naz. Orat. 21. nor luxurious of praises ; but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , high in worth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and humble in minde . As in Aarons Brestplate was Vrim and Thummim , knowledge and verity : so in your brest , Scientia & conscientia , Learning and integrity : which to meet in one man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Naz. Epis. 187. is hard & rare , and would ( its verily believed ) fill others with pride and vain-glory . Cicero . 2. ad Att. Epis. 19. It was Bibulus his case . But that which addeth not a little to the honour of your Name , is your constancy in the Faith ; not like that of the Arians , Annua & Menstrua , but sound and solid . Orat. 35. ad Const: Aug: You need not feare Naz : complaint of some that did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , fit the faith to the times , and so made it Fides temporum potius quàm Evangeliorum , as Hilary speaks : He that heareth you discourse , shall never complain with him in the Comedy , Pol ego & oleum & operam perdidi . That you are truly Noble , ( to omit that of your Birth , known to all that know your Family ) is known by three Witnesses . Habet hoc proprium generosus animus , Seneca . ( saith Seneca ) ut excitetur ad honesta , It is proper to a noble minde to be excited to honest actions . Mierome . Summa apud Deum nobilitas est , saith Hierome , clarum esse virtutibus , before God the soveraigne Nobility is to be famous for Virtue ; and Prudenitus , Prudentius Generosa CHRISTI secta nobilitat viros : Cui quisquis servit ille verae est nobilis . He Noble is that comes of CHRIST his race : Who serves this LORD , he surely is not base . Perhaps it was a conceit of him that said Nobilis is as much as Noscibilis , but I am sure they deserve not the name Nobiles unlesse Noscibiles ; and because many discouragements in these times befall Noble spirits , and strong temptations present themselves , able to draw away any not truely Christianized ; be pleased to remember the worth of Christian constancy in virtue , that so as you are well esteemed of men , you may be respected of God . Nobility without Religion dies in Infamy , and is buried in the grave of Oblivion . If I confesse my testimony is sleight , and slender ; yet I love to give virtue i●s due in a true commendation . But I fear I have need to crave your pardon ; for , Pictores pulchram absolutámque faciem rarò nisi in pejus effingunt , An excellent face is very seldome drawn but with much disadvantage , much more when a Bungler hath it in hand . The Sea needs not the Rivers that run into it ; so you , not mine , or any others praise : Be pleased to accept of this Paper-gift , a poor recompense ( I confesse ) for your undeserved favours : were I able to give more , I would perform it , wishing all happinesse to your incomparable Lady , and blessing to your hopeful Progeny , recommending your Honour and all yours to the protection of the almighty , I remain

I Stand engaged to you all ( few excepted ) in a treble debt of love , service , and thankfulnesse : The former though I daily pay , I still owe , resolving , with the Apostle , to owe nothing but love , Rom. 13.8 . The second , I will be ready to pay , willing to spend , and to be spent for your soules , 2 Cor. 12.15 . And of the latter , I will endeavour to make a full payment , and discharge my selfe from the imputation of Ingratitude . Though every man cannot bring gold , and silver to the Temple , yet courser mettall may serve : as for the plainnesse of the matter , it suits with the subject ; and you know plain lines doe best answer a straight and even levell . * * Politian . Epist: lib. 1. Epis: Pet. Medici Lib. 1. de Orat. The best Rhetorick is to use no Rhetorick , Carere figuris figurat Epistolam .

He that hath fine words , words void of matter , is ( as Tully speaketh ) like the childe that bloweth in a little shell a great Bubble , which is so vain that it is marr'd assoon as made . St. Ambrose his Rule hath been mine , Rather to speak that the meanest may conceive , than the Eloquent commend . I have not sought after vain flourishes , and Rhetoricall ornaments , but have preferred matter and truth , before words and phrases : if words follow the matter they are welcome ; but if they must be pumpt for , fare them well . It is said of one that loved Ennius , that when he read him , he gathered Aurum ex Sterquilinio , Gold out of a Dunghill . For , it is said of him , that he was ingenio magnus , but arte rudis . Prophyry relates of Socrates , that when he wrote any thing , he was ridiculous , and stuttered like a Babe : if so ; Much from me cannot be expected .

Quod decuit tantos , cur mihi turpe putem ? Lib. de mundo universo .

Aeneas Silvius used to say , that there is no Book so weakly written , but that it containeth one thing or other which is profitable . If thou meetest any obliquity ; remember I am a man , and subject to errour : If thou meetest any thing worthy thy view , give glory to God .

For the censure of this carping Age , whose little judgment is accompanied with lesse honesty , I value not a rush ; I passe very little to be judged of them . Si rectè facis , quid eos vereris qui non rectè reprehendunt ? If thou doest rightly , why shouldest thou feare them that blame wrongfully ? There are some , saith S. Hierome , Qu bene loqui non possunt , maledicere non cessant , Cannot speak well , cease not to speak evil . You know the Ministers of the Gospel , especially they that preach powerfully , are exposed to much scorn , and contumely : but alas ! they doe not so much wrong us as themselves ; they foame out their owne shame and bewray their wretched , I had almost said , reprobate malice . For , such as sit down in the seat of the scornfull make a low step to their own damnation . I beseech you , esteem not those lightly that are the true Ministers of Christ , and have them in estimation for their works sake . But Wolves that come to you in Sheeps cloathing , beware of them , because they doe not lead you , but seduce you ; you may know them by three signes especially :

First by their doubling , being like cunning Jugglers , whose meaning may be turned this way , or that way , like a Nose of Wax .

Secondly , their love to the World , more than the instruction , and comfort of their Flock , using base indirect means for the advancement of their self-ends .

Thirdly , in that they run of their own accord before they have Commission , or Ordination , as did those spoken of , Jer. 23.21 . Albeit there be some question about the manner of Ordination , yet in all Ages , and in all † † Conf. Ang. Art. 27. & Saxon. apud Melan. tom. 1. fol. 132. Calv : instit . lib. 4. cap 3 Buc. loc.com . tit. de Minis . quaest. 33. Lomb. sent. li. 4. dist. 24. Melanc : Can. loc.com . lib. 12. c. 12. Bell: lib. de Cler. cap. 21. well ordered places , there have been certain Constitutions and Canons for admitting of men into sacred Orders . And therefore whosoever shall prophesie without examination , approbation , and licence by present authority , cometh of himself , and it is our duties to take heed of him .

As * * 2 Cor. 11.14 . Satan being the Prince of Darknesse , is oft transformed into an Angel of Light : so the Children of the Devil have faire vizards to cover their foule faces . As Tertullian glossing on Mat. 7.15 . † † Lib. de praescript . adver. haeret . Greg : mag: Oves visu , sed vulpes astu . — Quaenam sunt istae pelles ovium , nisi nominis Christiani extrinsecus superficies ? All these Sheeps cloathing , are nothing else but precise titles of holinesse , and out sides of Christianity . False Prophets ( as an antient Father observes ) have linsey-wolsey garments , * * Bernard . intus linum subtilitatis , extra lanam simplicitatis demonstrant , The subtile thread of deceit is within side , but the plain web of simplicity without side : their inside is of Fox furre , their outside of Lambs-wooll .