IR
DIEV ET MON DROIT.
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE.
HONI · SOIT · QVI · MAL · Y · PENSE.

THE PEACE-MAKER: OR, GREAT BRITTAINES BLESSING.

Fram'd For the continuance of that mightie Happinesse wherein this Kingdome excells manie Empires.

Shewing the Idlenesse of a Quarrelling Reputation, wherein consists neyther MANHOOD nor WISDOME.

Necessarie for all Magistrates, Officers of PEACE, Masters of Families, for the confirmation of Youth, and for all his Maiesties most true and faithfull Subiects: To the generall auoyding of all Contention, and Bloud-shedding.

LONDON, Printed by THOMAS PVRFOOT: An. Dom: 1618.

CVM PRIVILEGIO.

HONI · SOIT · QVI · MAL · Y · PENSE.


❧To all Our true­louing, and Peace-embracing SVBIECTS.

THE Glory of all Vertues, is Action; the Crowne of all Acts, Perfection; the per­fection of all things, Peace and Vnion. It is the Riches of our Beings, the Reward of our Sufferings, the Mu­sicke on our Death-beds: Neuer had so great a Treasure, so poore a purchaser, for man hath the offer of it. The God of peace sent it, the Lambe of peace brought it, the Spirit of peace con­firmde [Page] it, and Wee still seeke to practise it. With what power then may the good purpose of this worke arriue at the hearts of all faithfull Christians? and with what cheerefulnesse and freenes ought it to be embrast of all our louing Subiects, hauing so many Glorious seales of Honor, Power and Vertue to strengthen it, all that is required of Vs from you, is a faithful and hearty wel­come, and that bestowd vpon mans best and dearest Freind, either in Life or Death. For peace that hath beene a stranger to you, is now become a sister, a Deere and Naturall sister; and to your Holyest loues we re­commend her.

THE PEACE-MAKER.

The Booke it selfe in glory of its name, is proud to tell from whence the subiect came.

PEACE be to you; I greet you in the blessing of a God, the salutation of an Apostle, and the Motto of a King: My Subiect hath her being in Hea­uen, her Theory in holy Writ, and her practique in England, Insula pacis. The Land of Peace, vnder the King of Peace.

Like Noahs Doue, she was sent out to seeke a re­sting place, to see if the whole world were not yet couered with the perpetuall deluge of Blood and Enmity, & only here she found the Oliue Leafe; Hitherto hath she been Pilotto the Arke, & heere it first toucht shoare: heere now it hath remained full Fifteene yeeres, I am proud to report it.

Reioyce O England with thine espoused Scot­land, and let thy handmaid Ireland ioy with thee. [Page] Let all thy seruant Islands be glad, yea, let in stran­gers to behold and tast thy blessings.

The disturbed French, seeke succour with thee, the troubled Dutch fly to thy confines, the Italian leaues his hotter clymate; These and many more all seeke shelter vnder the sweet shaddow of thine Oliue Branches.

O London, blessed M rs. of this happy Brittaine, build new thy Gates ther's peace entring at them. The God of peace hath sent this peace of God, ô euer loue her, that she may neuer leaue thee, sa­lute her, and inuite her. Let White-Hall (fit em­bleme for her purity) be her chiefe Pallace, and let it say, Ades almasalus.

Peace and Contention lye heere on earth, as tra­ding Factors for life and death.

Who desires not to haue traffique with life? who (weary of life) but would die to liue?

Peace is the passage from life to life, come then to the factory of peace, thou that desirest to haue life: behold the substitue of peace on earth, dis­playing the flag of peace, Beati pacifici.

Let Contention enioy (without ioy) large Em­pires; heere wee enioy (with all ioy) our happy Sanctuarie. It was borne with him, he brought it with him, after Fiue and Thirty yeares increase, and heere hath multiplyed it to Fifty with vs: ô blessed Iubile, let it be celebrated with all ioy [Page] and cheerefulnesse, and all sing, Beati Pacifici.

And are not the labours blest with the worke-man? England & Scotland, (though not malicious enemies, yet churlish Neighbours) are reconci­led. Feast, loue, liue, and dye together, are indeed no more neither what they were, but a new thing betwixt them, more firme and neere in their lo­uing Vnion, then euer deuided in their harty vn­kindnesse; and now both say, with one tongue, Beati Pacifici.

Ireland, that rebellious Outlaw, that so many yeares cried blood and death (filling her Marrish grounds with massacres, affording many preys of slaughtered bodies to her rauenous Wolues, and in their wombes keeping the brutish obsequies) would know no Lord, but grew more stubborne in her chastisement, till this white ensigne was displayed; then shee came running with this hal­lowed text in her mouth, Beati Pacifici.

Spaine, that great and long-lasting opposite, be­twixt whome and England, the Ocean ranne with blood not many yeares before, nor euer truc'd her crimson effusion: their Marchāts on either side traffiqu't in blood, their Indian Ingotts broght home in bloud, (a commerce too cruell for Christian Kingdomes) yet now shake hands in friendly amity, and speake our blessing with vs, Beati pacifici.

[Page] Nay, what christian Kingdome that knowes the blessing of peace, has not desired & tasted this our blessing from vs? Come they not hither as to the Fountaine from whence it springs? Heere sits Salomon, and hither come the Tribes for Iudg­ments: Oh happy Moderator, blessed Father, not father of thy Country alone, but Father of all thy neighbour Countries about thee. Spaine, & her withstanding Prouinces (long bruised on both sides) thou hast set at peace, turning their bloody Leaguers, to leagues of friendship: doe not those children now liue to blesse thee, (who had else been buried in their Parents wombes?) and say Beati pacifici.

Denmarke and Sueuia, Sueuia and Poland, Cleue and Brandenburg: haue not these & many more come to this Oracle of Peace, and receiued their doomes from it? If the members of a naturall body, by concord assist one another; if the poli­tike members of a kingdome helpe one another, and by it support it selfe; why shall not the Mo­narchall bodies of many Kingdomes, be one mu­tuall Christendome? if still they sing this blessed lesson taught them, Beati pacifici.

Let England then, (the seat of our Salomon) re­ioyce in her happy gouernment, yea, her gouern­ment of gouernments; and she that can set peace with others, let her (at least) enioy it her selfe: [Page] let vs loue peace, and be at peace in loue. We liue in Beth-salem the house of Peace, then let vs euer sing this song of peace, Beati pacifici.

Detraction snarles, and tempts faire Peace to show the plentie of her fruits, and how they grow.

SEd vbi fructus? Detractiō to Peace. Where are all these rich and oppulent blessings that this tender white rob'd Peace hath brought with her? Aetas parentum peior auis &c. Our Grandfathers (for the most part) were honester men then our Fathers, our Fathers better then wee, and our Children are like ynough to bee worse then our selues. Do's Peace keepe a Pallace where Charity may warme herselfe?

Shame murmurer, Peace answere. hadst thou rather with the forgetfull Israelites, go backe to the Flesh-pots of Egypt (bought with blowes and burdens,) then eate Manna in the way to Canaan.

Doest thou thirst heere? tis for want of Sacri­fice to him that should refresh thee then.

Thy Grandfather prayed for this that thou enioyest, and though hee had it not himselfe, yet prepared it as a blessing on thee. The Sunne that daily shines on thee, thou letst it passe with a care­lesse & neglectiue eye; but were it hid from thee, the change of a Moone, thou wouldst then wel­come it, with all alacrity & chearefulnesse.

Were blowes more bountifull to thee? Did [Page] bloud yeild thee benefit? Warre affoord thee wealth? Didst thou make that thine owne by violence, which was anothers by right? It may be, the Hand-maid was fruitfull, and the Mistres barraine; But Sarah has now brought foorth, and in her seed are the blessings come.

Hagar is despised, Peace hath conceiued, and smiling Isaack hath left vs Iacob, a new Israell, a Prince of God, a man that hath preuayld with God to plant his peace with vs.

The trading Marchant finds it, who daily plowes the Sea, and as daily reapes the haruest of his labours. What wants England that the world can enrich her with? Tyre sends in her Purples; India her Spices; Affrick her gold; Muscouie her costly skins of beasts; All her neighbour Coun­tries their best traffique, & all purchased by friēd­ly commerce, not (as before) by sauage cruelty.

The feare lesse trades and handicraft men sing away their laborsal day (hauing no note drownd with either noise of Dromme or Cannon) and sleepe with peace at night.

The frolicke Countryman, opens the fruite­full Earth, and crops his plenty from her fertile bosome: Nay, even his toyling beasts are trapt with bells, who tast (in their labours) the harmo­ny of peace, with their awfull gouernors.

The Magistrate, constantly drawes his sword [Page] of Iustice on offenders, not ore-awed by party-headed contentions.

The Kingdomes beauty, the Nobilitie, who were wont to bee strangers in their natiue coun­try, leading the ranks of blood and death against their enemies, haue now no enemy, but keepe their practise amongst themselues, to pastime with ( Nonne haec meminisse voluptas?) And now (more sweet and holy) are Pillars at home, that were enforced to be prodigies abroad; all being (by a heauenly Metamorphosis) transhaped to be­come the becomming branches of the great Oliue Tree of Peace. And doth not Charitie dwell here with Peace? ô blind detraction. Has not in foretimes, vnwilling necessity, erected two Ho­spitals? and now most free and willing Charity, hath (in augmentation of her glory) raised Twenty Almeshouses; yea, so many for one, and giue her true testimony.

Nay, has she not done the great wonder? built some Churches, repaird many, and still her hand is dealing? Is not the summe of all, Religion, e­stablisht by her? Are not the Flesh-eating fires quencht, and our Faggots conuerted to gentler vses? O, but those Corne-fields must neuer be without some Tares, vntill the generall Haruest: Israell must not at once, destroy all the Inhabi­tants of the land of promise, but by little & little, [Page] least they boast and say, it was our strength, and not the Lords hand that did it.

Nor shall our peace (in her yong Plantation) enioy so full and perfect a tranquillity, but that there will be with vs contentious Cananites, sediti­ous Iebusites, crafty Gibeonites, drunken Amorties, and arrogant Anakims.

Envy shall stand betweene, and hold two Bro­thers of either hand of her; Sectarists and Schisma­tiques shall breake the peace of God, wound the mother of peace (the Church) and bind together false Brotherhoods, to dissipate the vnity and bonds of peace.

Law shall wrangle with her; Ebrietie & drinke shall strike her, Pride and Ambition shall seeke to ouerthrow her: yea, euen her oylie and most dan­gerous enemie Hypocrisie, shall get within to strangle her, yet still shall she stand, and raigne, and conquer. Inuidiam pax prosternet, she shall mount to Heauen, and throw her enemies as low as Hell, where peace shall neuer come.

Enuy shall gnaw her own entrailes, Schisme shal perish, Law shal be silent, Drunkennes shall burst it selfe, Pride shal be humbled in her own habitatiō, and hollow-harted Hipocrisie, shall find no peace. Vbi Deorū numen praetenditur sceleribus, Flamin. Consul. subit animū timor. Where the Maiesty of God, is made a co­lour for mischiefe, a feare comes into that brest: [Page] his peace shall be tremblings, & doubts, and hor­rors; his hart shal then faint, that told him before like hart-stealing Absolon in his Fathers gates, thy cause was good, Ezech. 13. 10. when it was not so. Or like the false & foolish Prophets, that told the people it was pax, pax, peace, peace, when it was no peace.

The wals were daubd with vntemperd morter, and they shall fall, yet still shall Truth haue Peace, and the Peace-maker shal preserue the truth; They shall dwell together, and liue together. The hea­uenly Soldiers haue sung it, the Father hath sent it, the Son hath brought it, the blessed Doue shall preserue it; euer comfort vs with it, our Annoin­ted hath receiued it, wee doe enioy it, and see it plentifull in Israell.

Peace takes a view of such as doe molest, and kindle most vnquiet in her breast.

PVt vp the Bel-bearer first, then all the flock will follow: Pride has lost her place, or comes be­hind for her greaterstate, tis Drunkennes that leads now; and marke the Heard that troope after her. Lust follows close, Contention at her sleeue. Emula­tion on tother side; Enuie keepes the sent like a Bloodhound; Reuenge and Murder come coupled together.

The smaller headed Beasts are vnseene yet, as Breach of Freindship, vnlocking harty secrets, [Page] Slaunder, Oaths, & Blasphemies, fearfull Inuocations, (all which, custome hath driuen so far distant frō the Soules eye, as the Moone from the ocular sight whose body ouerbulks the Earths large Center, yet seemes as little as her Figure taken on the tauerne signe, where these brutish orgies are celebrated) a­buse of Time, Ryot, Prodigallity, and lineall succee­ding pouerty; All these are peace's profest Enemies, her domestique foes, who vnlesse this fore-battel be repulst & supprest in the first assault, the rest will follow, though to their owne perdition.

Non ignota refero, these are no wonders with vs, there may be Monsters among thē, but too fami­liar with our acquaintāce, examine the Ring leader, Drunkennes is no stranger in the world, she came in with the Earths first generall Curse, and he that scapt that Inundation of Waters, tasted the Deluge of Wine. Shame fell on him, and his Curse to po­steritie; Noah tasted one, and Cham felt the other, Lot had his portion in her: There Drunkennesse begat Incest (an vnnaturall Issue of a brutish Mo­ther) and her succession, two wicked Generations; Moab and Ammon. Drunkennesse played the part of a Heads-man with Holofernes, stooping his neck to the weake arme of a Woman, and he that stopt the Waters of Bethulia from others, had so much of his owne Wine as made him sencelesse of ey­ther Wine or Water euer after.

[Page] Alexander (inter epulas) clitum charissimum trans­fodit, the friend hath sprinkled his Wine-bolles with the deare bloud of his friend: Oh brutish Sacrifice! Oh Man vnman'd! Oh absent Man! where (out of thy selfe) dost thou remaine, while this Fiend possesseth thee? But why do we seeke Antiquities for proofe of a practice so present with vs? Had Israel any sinne that England hath mist? Was Noah drunke, one of the Arke, and one of the eight reeling there? it is eight to one, that seuen of eight do stagger here (if not the whole Vessel.) It was a shame to one then, but custome hath made it no shame for all now. Did Lot commit Incest with his owne daughters? Could we not wish Drunkennesse to excuse vs now? Does not Lust (her hellish handmaid) challenge this Weapon hers? The example was too soone found, and yet too late to remember: Oh, would that had been the first, and that we might neuer know a second. Nec linguam nec manum continet ebrius, how many bosom'd counsels haue been vomited out of the mouth of a Drunkard, thogh to the ruine & destruction of his former friend? Oh Insania voluntaria! Oh wilfull Madnesse of Man, to depresse & quench out all thy faculties of Reason with this puddle Drunkennesse! Thou (that armed in thine owne Lordly Fortitudes) canst reach the Starres, measure the Earths large [Page] Globe, search and vnderstand the Seas profound Abysse; yet in this sottish Ignorance, canst not find the depth of thine owne stomack. The Iewes old Prouerbe hath carried his full sence quite through Christendome; Homets Ben Iin. Wine must needes acknowledge it selfe the Parent of Vineger; meaning, that a good Father may haue a different and sawcie Sonne: But we haue from him the Daughter of a worse haire, this com­mon Strumpet Drunkennesse, whom almost all sorts do sleepe with: not Vinum egrum, but aegro­tum, is our Issue, a sick and vnholsome Harlot; yet hath spred her selfe into large Off-springs, in most lineall and naturall Children, as Lust, Enuie, Reuenge, Murder, &c. all impious and turbulent Peace-breakers.

Oh Peace! shal we not feare thy longer abode with vs, if we embrace thee with no better loue? How many louing friends haue broke that Dia­mond of Amitie (whose pieces once disseue­red, can neuer be reconciled) for the embrace of a lasciuious Curtizan, whose armes are like the Iron Idoll, that crustht the cursed Sacrifices in pieces?

Enuie! Oh what does that vlcus animae amongst vs? That Aetna in a Man, that continually burnes it selfe, intus & extra, within and with­out, that (like the Cantharides) found feeding [Page] on the fairest and flourishing Roses, so Enuie is euer opposed against the most Sweet, Noble, Flourishing, and Peacefull Blossomes. Were she as rare as the Comparison, I could call her Phoenix, and wish, that this day she would burne her selfe, and leaue her ashes Issuelesse.

Reuenge! Whence haue we borrowed thee? Oh Salmoneus Terror, shall we play with Thun­der and Lightning, and follow thy precipitated Fate? Shall we snatch the Sword (the peculiar Sword) from the Almightie hand? Haue we re­ceiued wrongs on Earth? Consider then, if we haue done no wrongs to Heauen. If we stand guiltie there (as, Quis non?) Doe we then re­uenge? No; we stand disobedient and repug­nant to our owne iust punishments: We haue a milder Sister giuen in her stead, Iustice, the Ar­bitrer of our Iniuries: but Vengeance is Gods alone; which no man ought to take in hand, but as deliuered from his hand; nor so to imi­tate his Maiestie and Greatnesse, that does it not but by Authoritie, and in the way and path of his Goodnesse.

Murder! Oh Cain-created Sinne! Cursed Catastrophe of all the rest! This is Summum opus: Here is the full point and end of the La­bour; all the precedent Trauellers are here at [Page] home; the end hazzarding the endlesse end: Fearefull Spectacle! Here is capitall Sacriledge; the Temple of a holy Spirit robbed and rui­ned: Here is Treason in the highest degree; the Workmanship and Image of the Creator defaced; vnhappie Passiue, but more, and most of all, vnhappie Actiue! Thou that doest Mur­der, doest first deface him in thy selfe; then, in thy Brother. God is the God of Peace, of Mer­cie, Meekenesse, Long Suffering, and Louing Kindnesse: All these hast thou expulsed from thy self, and lost thy shape with them; there is neyther Peace, Mercie, Meekenesse, Suffe­rance, nor Loue in thee. Then in thy Brother thou destroyest them: His Bloud is Vox Cla­mans; and he is enforced in Death, from the many mouthes of his Wounds, to crie out for Reuenge. But is Heauen farre off, and will not that moue vs? Looke vpon the Deed then with Naturall Pitie (or a Conscience which is as inseparable as thy Soule, that shall not leaue thee liuing:) Behold a Brother weeping ouer his Brother; a distraughted Mother tearing her haire, and rending her heart, for her Childs losse; a Friend (with Teares) embalming his deare Friends Bodie; a rauing Father, readie to send his Soule after his Sonne; yea, perhaps [Page] his onely Sonne, his Name and Posteritie de­stroyed with him. Then Brothers, Friends, Mo­thers, Fathers, all their Curses to be throwne on thee. Are Heauen & Earth both dull motiues to thee? O beware the third place; let Hell affright thee, and let thy conscience describe it to thee.

I returne to that which I would wish thee neuer to passe, and then thou canst not come to the vnblessed discouerie of it: and it's Pathes (before recited) that lead thee to it ( Peace:) stay and abide with her, and thou shalt neuer know her Enemies, Gods Enemies, and thine owne Enemies: Let them that seeke Peace, find Peace, enioy Peace, and haue their Soules layd vp in Eternall Peace.

Of Wise men I discourse, by Iniuries neuer shaken; What Reputation is, I shew, a thing so long mistaken.

IN this small Particle consists the ground of all Quarrels whatsoeuer, either by suspecting false things, or by aggrauating small things. Now how farre these two are from the wayes of a Wise man, and how ill becomming, Rea­son makes manifest: for Suspition and Aggra­uation are the Off-springs of Passion, and a Wise man is free from Passion.

Nor can there be a greater argument of de­fect, [Page] and despaire of merit in man, then Suspiti­on; and marke her Nutriment, what strange food Passion hath prouided for it: It feeds vpon false things; for indeede, true things are not to be suspected: and how iust the punishment meetes with the offence; in erring from the Truth, it hath Falsehood for a reward. But in peiora ruunt omnia, the worse Deuill is behind.

The Aggrauation of small things, when a sparke shall grow to a flaming Beacon, a Word to a Wound, the Lye to a Life; when euery man will be the Master of his owne Reuenge, presuming to giue Law to themselues, and in rage, to right their owne wrongs: At which time, the Sword is extorted out of the hand of Magistracie, contrarie to the sacred Ordinance of the Almightie.

Now the wise and vnderstanding man is not subiect or exposed to any of these Iniuries whatsoeuer; neyther cares he, how many darts of Malice or Contumelie are shot against him, since he knowes, that he cannot be pierced: E­uen as there are certaine hard Stones which Iron cannot enter; and the Adamant will ney­ther be cut, filed, nor beaten to powder, but a­bateth the edge of those Instruments that are applyed vnto it; And as there are certaine [Page] things which cannot be consumed with fire, but continue their hardnesse and habitude a­midst the flames; And as the Rockes, that are fixt in the heart of the Sea, breake the Waues, and retaine no impression of the Stormes that haue assayled them; so the heart of a wise man is solid, and hath gathered such inuincible force, that he stands as secure from Iniurie, as those insensible Substances I made mention of. Not that Iniuries are not offered him, but that he admits them not; so highly raised aboue all the attaints of worldly wrongs, that all their violen­ces shal be frustrate, before a wise man be offen­ded. Euen as Arrowes, or Bullets, that are shot into the Aire, mount higher then our sight, but they fall backe againe, without touching Hea­uen: And as Celestiall things are not subiect to humane hands; and they that ouer-turne Tem­ples, doe no way hurt the Godhead to whom they are consecrated; So, whatsoeuer Iniuries are attempted against a wise man, returne with­out effect, and are to him but as Cold or Heat, Raine or Haile, the Weather of the World.

And for words of Contumelie, it is held so small, and so sleight an iniurie, as no wise man complaines, or reuengeth himselfe for it: there­fore, neither doe the Lawes themselues prefixe [Page] any penaltie thereunto, not imagining that they would euer be burthensome. Quis enim phrene­tico Medicus irascitur? For what Physician is an­grie with a Lunatike person? Who will inter­prete a sicke mans reproches to the worst, that is vext of a Feuer? Why, the same affection hath a wise man toward all men, as the Physician hath toward his sicke Patients; not offended to heare their outrages, he lookes vpon them, as vpon intemperate sicke men; therefore is not angrie with them, if during their sicknesse they haue beene so bold, as to speake iniuriously a­gainst him. And as hee sets light by all their words of honor; so torments he himselfe as lit­tle with all their despight & insolencies. For he that is displeased for an iniurie that is done him, will likewise be glad to be honored at his hands that did it; which a wise man is free from. For he that reuenges a Contumely, honors him that did it, in taking it so much to heart, & respecting it.

Art thou angrie with thy Superior? Alas, Death is at hand, which shall make vs equalls. Doest thou wish him, with whom thou art dis­pleased, any more then Death? Although thou attemptest nothing against him, he shall be sure of that; thou losest thy labour then, in offering to doe that, which will be done without thee.

[Page] We laugh, sayth the wisest of Philosophers, in beholding the Conflict of the Bul and Beare, when they are tyed one to another; which after they haue tyred one another; the Butcher at­tends for them both, to driue them to the Slaughter-house. The like doe we. We chal­lenge him that is coupled with vs, Brother, or Friend, we charge him on euery side: meane while, both the conqueror and conquered, are neere vnto their ruine. Rather let vs finish that little remainder of our life in quiet and peace, that our end may be a Pleasure to no man.

Thou wishest a mans death! and there is al­wayes but a little difference betwixt the day of thy desire, and the affliction of the Sufferer.

Whilest we are therefore amongst men, let vs embrace Humanitie; be dreadfull and dan­gerous to no man; let vs contemne Iniuries and Contumelies; for but looking backe, we may behold Death presently attend vs.

Pisistratus, that liued a Tyrant in Athens, be­ing for his crueltie mocked and reproued by a druuken man, answered, That he was no more angry with him, then if a blind-fold fellow, ha­uing his eyes bound vp, should run vpon him.

Another said to his friend, I prithee chastise my seruant with stroks, because I am angry, in­timating [Page] thus much, That a seruant ought not to fall into his power, that is not master of himselfe.

But now the compounding of Quarrels is growne to a Trade: And as a most worthie Father of Law and Equitie speakes, there be some Councell learned of Duells, that teach young Gentlemen, when they are beforehand, and when behind-hand, and thereby incense and incite them to the Duell, and make an Art of it: the spurre and incitement, false & erroni­ous imagination of Honor & Credit, when most commonly those golden hopes end in a Halter.

That Folly and Vaine-glory should cast so thicke a mist before the eye of Gentry! to fixe their ayme and only end-vpon Reputation, and end most lamentably without it; nay, farthest from it: first, to hazard the eternall death of their Soules, and the suruiuing Bodies, to die the death of a Cut-purse.

A miserable effect, and most horrid resolu­tion, when young men, full of towardnesse and hope, such as the Poets call Aurorae filij, the Sonnes of the Morning, in whom the sweet ex­pectation and comfort of their friends consists, shall be cast away and ruined for euer in so vaine a businesse.

But much more is it to be deplored, when so [Page] much Noble and Gentle bloud shall be spilt vpon such Follies; which aduentured in hono­rable Seruice, were able to make the fortune of a Day, & to change the fortune of a Kingdome.

It is euident then, how desperate an euill this is, which troubles Peace, disfurnishes Warre, brings sudden calamitie vpon priuat Men, Peril vpon the State, and Contempt vpon the Law.

They pretend aboue all things to regard Ho­nour, yet chiefely seeke the dishonour of God and of Iustice; and which is worse then Mad­nesse in those men, that aduenturing to leaue this life in Anger, presume to presse into the next, to the Supper of the Lambe, which is all Peace & Loue, without Peace, Loue, or Chari­tie. O that Gentlemen would learne to esteeme themselues at a iust price, how dearely they are bought, how most precious their Redemption!

The root of this Offence is stubborne; for it despiseth Death, which is the vtmost of all Temporall punishments, and had need of the Seueritie vsed in France; where the Manslayers, though Gentlemen of great Qualitie, are han­ged with their Wounds bleeding, lest a naturall Death should preuent the example of Iustice.

This punctualitie of Reputation, is no better then a Bewitching Sorcerie, that inchaunts the [Page] spirits of young men, like the Smoake of fashi­on, that Witch Tobacco, which hath quite blowne away the Smoake of Hospitalitie, and turned the Chimneyes of their Fore-fathers, in­to the Noses of their Children. And by all Computation (if Computation may be kept for Folly) I thinke the Vapour of the one, and the Vaine-glorie of the other, came into England much vpon a voyage, and hath kept as close to­gether, as the Report followes the Powder.

For when, but in the laternesse of these times, hath so much priuate and domestique Bloud beene shed? Like the three Iewish Bro­thers, in that perplexed Historie of Jerusalem; who wanting Enemies, still flew vpon them­selues. So these malicious, vnthankfull Spirits, fattened with the aboundant Blessings of a mellifluous Peace, disgorge themselues vpon their Christian Brothers; like those that surfet vpon too much Honey.

And well may this Vaine-glorie, or opinion of Reputation, bee called a Satanicall Illusion, and Apparition of Honour, against Religion, Law, Morall Vertue, and against all the honou­rable Presidents and Examples of the best Times, and valiantest Nations. For hereby haue Gentlemen lost the true knowledge and [Page] vnderstanding of Fortitude and Valour. For true Fortitude distinguisheth of the grounds of Quarrels, whether they be iust; and not one­ly so, but whether they be worthie; and sets a better value vpon mens liues, then to bestow them idly; which are not so to be trifled away, but offered vp and sacrificed to honourable Seruices, publike Merits, good Causes, and No­ble Aduentures.

And behold here thy Folly; thou attemp­test a way, freely to lose thy Soule eternally, but not thy Reputation. Foole that thou art, in of­fering to saue that, which indeed is nothing, thou losest all! For Reputation is but another mans Opinion, and Opinion is no substance for thee to consist of. For how canst thou consist of a thing that is without thee? Which may be any mans at an instant, as well as thine; and when thou hast it, it is but a breath: And of what certainetie or permanence is it, when they must die that giue it thee?

Perhaps, because some haue said, that Fame hath a perpetuitie; thou hastenst to lose thy Soule, to prouide for thy Name: How much thou deceiuest thy selfe? Why, it is no more then the Eccho of a glory: For as an Eccho no longer resounds, then it is fed with a voyce, no [Page] longer does Fame sound forth mans Prayses, then it is supplyed and cherished with deser­uings: For when thy noyse ceases in it selfe, it will quickly cease the noyse of thee. How euer, at the farthest, a generall Dissolution will come, when Fame, that is next to nothing now, shall haue no being then at all.

Happy is then the wise and vnderstanding Spirit: for though he be iniured, hee can lose nothing thereby, neither his Fame, nor Reputa­tion; for a wise man entertaines nothing that is subiect to losse. Fortune takes nothing but what she hath giuen; she giues not Vertue, nor Wisdome; therefore cannot take that away.

The more thou thinkest vpon Reputation, the farther off thou art from all contention, vn­lesse custome in Ignorance, or wilfulnesse in Nature, make thee throw an abuse vpon the Word. For what is Reputation, but Conside­ration? A diligent weighing, considering, and reuoluing in the minde? And that is quite op­posite to Rashnesse: Truth will shame thee, if thou confesse not so much.

There can be then no Reputation in Rash­nesse, that is manifest: And what are Quarrels, but the fruits of Rashnesse? There can be then no Reputation in Quarrels

[Page] And as it is Consideration, it were dreadfull to thinke, that any man, in the state of his best counsell and aduisednesse, should attempt to destroy the Image of his Creator, in the life of his Christian Brother. And therefore diuinely haue our humane Lawes bent their hate & pu­nishments against the abhorred Act, cōmitted in cold bloud; which is as wilfull an opposition against mans life (considering what he does) as Blasphemy against the Word of Truth; the Conscience knowing it offends of set purpose (the only sinne against the Holy Ghost.) And as the body of euery true Christian is said to be the Temple of the holy Ghost, 1. Cor. 3. 16. What does the accursed Man-slayer, but in the bloud of his Brother, destroyes the Temple, as the Blasphemer wounds the Lord of the Temple?

Behold then, not without a face of Horror, the miserable condition the Sonnes of this Age runne into. All they venture for, is to bring the bloudinesse of their Action into the compasse of Honour (as if Honour consisted in destructi­on.) Now what impossibilitie followes that labour, euen the weakest may coniecture. For Honour is the Rumour of a beautifull and ver­tuous Action, which redoundeth from our Soules to the view of the World, and by Re­flection [Page] into our selues, bringing to vs a Testi­monie of that which others beleeue of vs: which turnes to a great peace, and contentment of mind; Blessings which were neuer yet found in a Bloudshedder, let his cause be neuer so glori­ous. And where there is no Peace, all other be­nefits haue a cessation. It is the onely health of thy Soule; and that once lost, thy soule sickens immediately, euen to death, and can no more taste or rellish a Ioy after, then a sick mans Pallet his Nutriment.

Is not this then a delusion of Honour? Nay, can there be any thing more delusiue? Alas, when it is at the greatest height of humane glo­rie, it is of a small and slender efficacie, vncer­taine, a stranger, and as it were separated in the Ayre from him that is honoured: For it does not only, not enter into him, nor is inward and essentiall vnto him, but it does not so much as touch him. A poore and miserable purchase at the best, for so great and eternall a hazzard!

Flatter not thy Soule then to her euerlasting ruine, in thinking Reputation consists in Bloud­shedding. Sanguis clamat, as the Almightie speakes in the Letter of his owne Law; Bloud cryes, and with a lowder voyce, to Heauen, then thy Fame can sound on Earth, Rumors, tenne [Page] thousand tongues, are hoarse to that: they com­passe but some Nooke, or Angle of the World; the other reaches from the Field to Heauen.

The voice of thy Brothers Bloud cryeth vnto me from the Earth, Gen. 4. 10. And no sooner the Crye comes, but the Curse followes, in the very next words: Now therefore thou art cursed from the Earth, which hath opened her mouth to receiue thy Brothers Bloud from thy hand. And immedi­ately in the next, AV agabond and a Runnagate shalt thou be on the Earth. Which shewes the hor­ror of the guiltie Conscience, which after the deed done, would faine flye from it selfe: A di­straction which followes all the Children of Wrath vnto this day.

Well may peace then haue the excellencie of her glorious name aduanced aboue all Titles and Inscriptions: And so much the rather, in that it pleaseth the Almighty Creator himselfe, to bee called the God of Peace, and the Author, 1. Cor. 14. 33. Nay, Loue it selfe, delighting in the Name. 1. Iohn 4. 16. GOD is loue, and hee that dwelleth in loue, dwelleth in God, and God in him. And 1. Thess. 5. 23. Now the very God of Peace sanctifie you throughout, &c. Christ the Sauiour of the World, the Lambe of Peace. Iohn 11. 29. Behold, the Lambe of God, which taketh away the [Page] sinnes of the World. There is Peace made in ta­king sinne away, which is the only fuell of Wrath. And Ephes. 2. 14. Christ is our Peace, which hath made of both, one, and hath broken the stop of the partition wall.

Moreouer, the heauenly Souldiers, at the Birth of Christ, praysing God, said: Glory be to God, in the high Heauens, and Peace in earth, and toward men, good will.

And as his most blessed Natiuitie was the Fountaine of Peace, there wanted not the fruits that sprang from that sacred Fountaine in his departure, Iohn 14. 27. Peace I leaue with you, my peace I giue vnto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor feare. Let not your heart, speaking to many, because all his ought to bee of one heart, which is a worke of Peace.

And not leauing, but in the same Euangelist, 16. 17. I will pray my Father, and hee shall giue you another Comforter, that hee may abide with you for euer. Intimating thereby, the eternall Peace of Soule and Conscience, by the comming of the Holy Ghost: calling him in the words imme­diately following, Euen the Spirit of Truth, whom the Father will send in my Name, 26. hee comes all Peace, and in the name of Peace, of Christ our Sauior.

And to adde more glory to the Name of [Page] Peace, behold how the incomprehensible God­head desires to be comprehended, all into Vni­tie, Trinitie in Vnitie: Which shewes, that Vni­tie is the Conseruer, Sustainer, and Comprehen­der of all things, both in Heauen and Earth.

Thou therefore, that in the madnesse of thy bloud, attemptest to destroy Vnitie, thou seekest to destroy that which Heauen and Earth is su­stained by. Most miserable of Creatures, thy Soule hath but one Supporter, and in the tem­pest of thy furie thou ouerturnest that and all.

Peace enters here in Armes, and ouerthrowes, By force of her owne strength, her strongest Foes.

ANd first behold her contending with her most honourable enemie, euen hee that with better authoritie may slay his tenne thousand; then any other his thousand; I his hundred, yea, one single life: Eyther the haugh­tie Challenge, the curious Duell, or the bloud­thirstie Reuenge, to wit, Warre it selfe: some­times a principall Arrow, shot from the hea­uenly Bow of Iustice, a forced Arbiter betwixt different Kingdomes, and often prooues the deare Moderator. Yet this great Souldier, with all his Attributes of Fame and Honor, fals farre short of our high-throned Empresse, Peace.

[Page] Marke how the Philosopher hath ordered this Battell, and giuen the Colonies, to both these great Commanders, Pacem cum omnibus habebis bellum cum vitijs. Haue Peace with all the world, only warre with thy sins. Melior, & tutior est, certa pax, quàm incerta victoria: for more safe and noble is a certaine Peace, then a doubtfull Victorie, with all his Honours attending.

But let vs beleeue no cowardly Philosophers: let him that in his hand holds both, and from his hand sends both, be the Iudge betwixt vs.

When was Warre sent as a Blessing, or Peace as a punishment? Let his Iudges iudge our cause, Iudg. 5. vers. 8. They chose new gods, then was Warre in the Gates. Here is an Offence, and here is a Punishment, Idolatry, and Warre.

Againe, They turue to the Lord, and the Land had Peace fortie yeeres. Here is Penitence, and here is the Blessing, Seruing God, and Peace.

If then the Generall of Bloud and Death, euen Warre it selfe be a Prodigie, a Curse, and not a Blessing, What shall his base Imitator be? What Honour shall the Challenger lay chal­lenge to? What bloud shall the Reuenger dare to shead? or what Fame shall the Schoolema­ster of Duels atchieue, with all his vaine-glori­ous and punctuall Orders of firsts and seconds; [Page] lengths of weapons, distances of place, heights of grounds, equalities of wind and Sunne? O wicked Ashkelon and her Suburbes, let them be taken, and destroyed together. Why doe wee quarrell? What is the end of the fayrest Warre? to enioy Peace: See how the Seruant labours for the Mistresse, and foolish they that enioy their Inheritance, yet know it not: Thriftlesse Gamesters to play for their owne Money.

Is thy Night quiet, and sweete with Peace? Embrace her in the Day, and keepe her conti­nually: If thou lett'st bloud into thy bosome in the Day, Peace will not stay with thee at night: Peace weares no parti-coloured Coat, no mixt Scarlet and White, but White in her Puritie, nor fat, nor bloud, must bee eaten in the Peace-offering, Leuiticus 3. Now ascend Abarim, and climbe vp to the Mountaine of Nebo, and see some part of the Land of Promise, whither this blessed Peace shall lead thee, if shee bee thy conduct: but be sure to look vpwards, and then thou canst not feare the depth beneath thee.

Behold the Father, the God of Peace; the Sonne, the Lambe of Peace; the blessed Spirit, the Doue of Peace; the Angels, Seruants, and Ministers to this power of Peace; Infinites and all reioycing at one soules entrance into Peace.

[Page] Behold the new Ierusalem, Kiriath-salem, the Citie of Peace; that which was Militant, and troubled in the Wildernesse (the Church) be­hold it there triumphant in euer blessed Peace. That Peace which as it is vn-intelligible, so is it most vnutterable.

Then, if we desire to be Inhabitants in this Land of Promise & Peace, obserue our entrance. We haue yet two Mountaines to passe ouer Ior­dan by, Geresim and Ebal; and the twelue Tribes placed on each side, both to blesse or curse vs.

EBAL.

Heere wee haue our choise; and wee are euer going on, in this Pas­sage.

O let vs passe by Geresim the Mount of Blessings, the right Hand, and the right Hill.

Turne thy backe to E­bal, but let none of her Curses fall vpon thee.

GERESIM.
Pride. Humilitie.
Malice. Mercie.
Ambition. Charitie.
Schismaticall contentions. Faith.
Reuenge. Peace.
Impietie. Pietie.

Be thou strong or weake, thou mayest with more ease beare sixe on thy right hand, then one on thy left.

Pride is a great weight, able to ouerthrow [Page] the strongest man. Malice, a ponderous Load, turning thy sleepes to vnquiet slumbers, and euen there haunting thee in restlesse Dreames. Ambition, a Mountaine it selfe, to sinke thee. Schisme, a Spirit, and Conscience-troubler. Re­uenge, an Impostume of Bloud; which broken once, strangles thee with thine owne Corrup­tion. Impietie, a Cloud and Mist of Darkenesse, turning thee from thy way.

When as on the other side, how light and ea­sily mayest thou beare about thee Humilitie? How sweet a Companion is Mercie? How lo­uing a Fellowship is Charitie? How sure a Friend is Faith? How nourshing a Cordiall is Peace? How bright a Lampe is Pietie? And then, how glorious a Reward is Eternitie, and Peace in Eternitie?

Now let vs bind our selues to the Peace, put in Securitie for our Good Behauious. Let our Soules be bound for our Bodies, our Bodies for our Soules, and let each come in at the Gene­rall Sessions, to saue his Bayle; where we shall find a mercifull Iudge. If there we can an­swere, we haue not broke his Peace, our Bonds shall be cancelled. As we haue kept the Peace, we shall be rewarded with Peace, and kept in Eternall Peace. Amen.

FINIS.

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