De Ascensione Domini.
Non omnis questio est doctrinæ inquisitio,
Sed quædam etiam est ignorantiæ professio.
Cicatrices Dominus seruauit post resurrectionem et in judicio seruaturus est, vt fidem resurrectionis astruat: 2. Vt pro omnibus supplicando ea patri representet: 3. Vt boni quam misericorditer sint redempti videant. 4. Vt reprobi quam iuste sint damnati recognoscant. 5. Vt perpetuæ victoriæ seu [suæ?] triumphum deferat.
(Beda.)
May 16, 1602.
fo. 20b.May 16, 1602. At Paules Crosse.
One Sanders made a Sermon, his text 1 Timoth. vi. 17: "Charge them that are riche in this world that they be not high mynded; and that they trust not in vncertayne riches; but in the liuing God, which giueth us abundantly all things to enioye."
Charge them that they lift up their soules to God in heavenly meditation, not against God by worldly presumption.
Charge the riche, therefore there were diversitie of condition and estates of men in the primitiue Churche, not all thinges common in possession, as the Anabaptists would haue it.
When there came one to Pope Benedict to entreat him to make more Cardinals, he demaunded first yf he could deuise how he might make more worldes: for this was to litle for the Cardinals which were already. Such ambitious covetousnes the Pope noted in those holie ones.
Good meate is often tymes corrupted by a bad stommache, and good doctrine of small effect with bad hearers. Yett the minister must not be discouraged: but proceed in his calling, that yf synn cannot be avoyded yet it may become vnexcusable.
Ephesus, whereof Tymothie was Bishop, was the confluence of honour and wealth, like our London.
The surgeon is not to be blamed that findes and shewes the corrupt and rotten parts of the body, but the body which is soe corrupt as to breed them; soe the preacher not to be disliked for reprehending our synnes, but our selves for committing things worthy reprehension.
May, 1602.
fo. 21.
Good things though common are not to be contemned for their commonness, noe more then the sunne, the light, the ayre, &c.
The vsuror sometymes looseth both his principall and interest, the husbandman his labour and his seede, the merchant aduentures lyfe and goods; but the profession of the preacher is subiect to greater then all these, for he may loose both his owne and the peoples soules.
It is one of the most heauie judgments that God useth to threaten to anie nation with whom he is displeased, that he will remoue their candlesticke and send a famine of the word amongst them.
God made some riche, and some poore, that twoe excellent virtues might flourishe in the world, charitie in the riche, and patience in the poore. Pride is the sting of riches. Tolle superbiam, et diuitiæ non nocebunt.
A man may speake of his owne riches, soe it be without arrogancy, for it is a good thinge to speake of the loving kindenes of the Lord.
Magistrates and rich men must not be like the filling stones in a building, but arche and corner stones, which support others.
When persons of meane worth thrust themselves into places beyond their condicion and hability, it is all one as yf the rough mortar and pebles should appeare in the roomes of the squared stones in a fayre building.
Themistocles said there was no musicke so sweete vnto him as to heare his owne prayses.
In the primitiue Churche the riche men were soe proud that they refused to receive the Sacrament with the poore.
The examples of the incertaintie of riches by often and suddain casualtyes should be like Lott's wife to the beholders, to remember and avoid the like. The multitude followe the riche men, as a swarme of bees followe a man that carries the hiue of honie combes, rather for the love of the honie then his person, more for the love of his money then his manhood.
23 May, 1602.
fo.
21b.At Westminster.
Dr. Androes, Deane of that Churche,[63] made a Sermon, his text John xvi. 7: "Yet I tell you the truth, It is expedient for you that I goe away, for if I goe not away the Comforter will not come vnto you, but if I depart I will send him vnto you."
These wordes have reference to the feast which is celebrated this day: whereupon St. Augustine said, In verbo fuit promissio missionis, et in festo missio promissionis: for soe it is in the second of the Acts. "When the day of Pentecost was come they were all filled with the Holy Ghost."
These words were spoken to the disciples when their hearts were full of sorrowe that Christ must part from them, and therefore had need of comfort, for they had cause of sorrowe, for yf a man would not willingly be forsaken of any, as Paule complayneth 2 Tim. iv. 10, that Demas had forsaken him, would it not greiue the disciples to [be] forsaken by such a frend as Christ had bin vnto them, whoe in one place speaking vnto them asketh this question, Which of you hath wanted any thing since you followed me? And in an other place he compareth them while he continues with them to the children of the bridechamber.
Besides the tyme of his departure might aggravate their sorrowes, for it was then when he foretold soe many persecutions should come upon 23 May, 1602.
fo. 22.them. And therefore here he ministers words of comfort, telling them that is expedient, and expedient for them, that he should leaue them, for thereby they should receive a benefit, and that of soe high a nature as they were better to want him then it. And further for their comfort he added, that, though he would forsake them, yet he would not leaue them like orphanes destitute of all frends, but would send them a Comforter.
And here he made his prayer, which being ended with the Lordes prayer, he proceeded with his text: and first noted that Christ rendred a reason of his departure, though it be not requisite alwayes that gouernors should render a reason to their subiects of all their commaundments, for in the 1 Sam. the Kinge gives noe other reason but it was his pleasure. 2. It is a mylde reason, not harshe like that in Marke ix. cap. 19 v. "O, ye faythles generacion, howe long shall I bee with you, how long nowe shall I suffer you?" but here he deliueres it meekely, and moues them with expediency, and that not for himselfe, non nobis, sed vobis expedit. And therefore because it is expedient it ought not to greive them, in soe much as the profit they shall gayne will countervayle the pleasure which they must forgoe by his departure.
And yet it might seeme strange that they should gayne by loosing him; it is reade, Dissolve cœlum et veni ad nos, Domine, and againe, Veni ad nos, et mane nobiscum. But to goe from them what desyre could they haue? Here may arise three difficulties. 1. The disciples might have rejoyned, and sayde, What neede, what care wee for any other Comforter? soe long as you are with us, wee desyre noe other. 2. Why might not the Holy Ghost have come, and yet Christ tarried with them; could they not be togither? 3. Howe can it be expedient for anie to loose Christ? 23 May, 1602.
fo. 22b.what comfort can there be in those wordes which tell them Christ will forsake them?
1. Our happiness is to be reunited to God, from whom we were fallen by our first fathers synn; for as it is the perfection of a branche that is broken of to be ingrafted againe that it may growe with the body, soe is it the felicitie of man to be vnited to his Creator. And in this vnion, as well as God must be partaker of man, soe must man be made partaker of God, otherwise there can arise noe vnion: the former was effected by Christ's incarnacion, and the second is perfected by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, whoe is as it were the connexion and loue knot of the deitie. Christ hath as it were made his testament, and the Holie Ghost is the executor, 1 Cor. xii. Christ is the word: and the Holy Ghost is the seale of it, 2 Corin. i. 22. "Christ hath purchased redemption for us:" and the Holy Ghost must give us seisin, Eph. i. 14. And in conclusion Paule sayth, viii. Rom. 9, "He that hath not the Spirit of Christ is not his:" and therefore was it expedient and necessary that the Holy Ghost should come; for, as Christ was complementum legis, soe is the Holy Ghost complementum Evangelii.
23 May, 1602.
fo. 23.
2. They may stand togither, they may beare one an others presence, for the manhood of Christ was conceiued by the Holy Ghost, and the Euangelist sayth, Vidi Spiritum descendentem et manentem super eum. But yet it was expedient they should not be togither vpon the earth; expedient, as Augustine noteth, non necessitatis pondere, sed divini consilii ordine, and two reasons are given for [it] in the part of the Holy Ghost. 1. Yf the Holy Ghost should have come downe while Christ was upon the earth, whatsoever the Holy Ghost should have done in his person would have bin ascribed to Christ. 2. He would have appeared to have bin sent from the Father alone. And soe it would not have bin so apparant that he proceeded from the Father and the Sonne bothe.
3. Expedient it was that Christ should depart from them, howe good soeuer his presence was vnto them. Wee knowe that bread is the strength of mans hart, yet sometymes it may be expedient to fast: our bloud is the treasury of our lyfe, yet sometymes it is expedient to loose it; our eyesight is deare and precious vnto us, yet sometymes it is expedient to sitt in a darke roome. And here it is expedient that Christ should withdrawe his presence, not corporal onely, but his invisible presence of grace alsoe. 1. It is expedient that children which growe fond of their parentes should be weaned. The Apostles were to full of carnall and terrene cogitacions even after his resurrection; they asked him, Wilt thou restore the Kingdome to Israell? therefore nowe it was highe tyme they should put of childishnes and be taught, as Paule sayth that henceforth they knowe him 23 May, 1602.
fo. 23b.no more in the fleshe; and this must be effect[ed] by withdrawing his corporall presence, which they began to dote upon; and for the taking away the presence of his grace, that was expedient alsoe. 1. Least being to full they should begin to loath it, as the Children of Israel did manna in the wildernes. And upon this reason did the prophet threaten a famine of the word when the people, being full, contemned it. 2. That they should not growe proud with abundaunce; the Psalmist sayth, "Yf I say I cannot be removed," and "It is good that I was in trouble, for before I went wronge." Peter was soe sure and confident upon himselfe, that yf all the world should haue forsaken Christ, he would not, and therefore because he stoode soe much vpon himselfe it was expedient that suche a swollen bladder should be prickt, as he was till he denied and forswore his master; And even this withdrawing of grace was a kind of grace, that seing his owne weaknes he might possesse his soule in humility, with[out] which there is noe grace to be expected. And therefore, expedit superbo vt in peccatum incidat. And to this purpose are these wordes of Paule that the messengers of Sathan, i. e. temptacions, were sent to punish him, least he should growe proud.
Christ is our advocate in defending vs when the Divel accuseth vs falsely; he is our intercessor and mediator by pleading a pardon for vs when Sathen layes his greatest and truest accusations against us; he is our high priest to offer sacrifice for vs.
Christ left them not as orphanes, but sent another unto them whoe was equall with himselfe, otherwise they should have loss by the change.
23 May, 1602.
fo. 24.
The Holy Ghost hath diuers offices and soe diuers effects: he enlightens the understandinge, and soe is called the Spirit of truth: he certifies the will, and soe is named the Spirit of Holines: he delivers from the bondage of Sathan, and soe is the Spirit of comfort, which is the cheife and very consummacion of all. The Holy Ghost is not given to all in the same measure, nor the same manner. When Christ breathed vpon his disciples they received the Holy Ghost; and, when the Holy Ghost came like fyrey tongues, they were filled with him: breath was warme, but fyre is hotter: there was heate in both, but not equally. Elias prayed that the Spirit of [Elijah] might be doubled upon him.
The gifts of the Holy Ghost are obteyned and perfected divers wayes; vnderstanding and fayth by the word which is the truthe; holynes of lyfe, by prayer, meditation, and good workes; consolation by receiving the sacraments.
7 Junij, 1602.
fo. 24b.
A lewde fellowe coming before Sir W. Rawley to be examined concerninge some wrecke which he had gotten into his handes, and being demaunded whether he would sweare to such articles as they would propound, answerd that he would sweare to anie thinge they would aske him, and then being admonished he should not be soe rashe in soe serious a matter as concerned his soule soe nearely, "Fayth," said he, "I had rather trust God with my soule, then you with my goods." (Ch. Da.)
* * * * *
Junii 16o, 1602.
fo. 25.At Paule's Crosse.
Mr. Barker; his text Luke ix. and the last verse, "Noe man that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh back is apt to the Kingdome of
God."
The fyre from Heaven which consumed the sacrifices in the old lawe was preserved by continuall addicion of fuell, soe the heauenly virtue of Chrystian charitie being kindled in the hart of man, must be preserved by continuall meditacions on the word of God. Yf any should aske why it was commaunded in Leviticus that the people should offer primitias and in Exodus that they should alsoe give decimas, I should make no other answer, but that wee should not onely remember our Creator in the days of our youth, but alsoe serue him in holines and righteousnes all the dayes of our lyfe.
Aliud est incepisse, aliud perfecisse.
Some in their liues, like the image in Nebuchadnethers dreame, Dan. ii., goodly beginninges, but earthie endings.
The Diuel laboureth most against our perseveraunce because that virtue onely hath a promise of coronacion.
There be but seven steps in the ladder that leades downe to hell, and the lowest, saving desperacion, is a custom of synning.
These combined discommodities ensue the custome of synning; 6 Junii, 1602.
fo. 25b.fit diabolus ad oppugnandum audacior, anima ad peccandum promptior, Deus ad condonandum difficilior. This virtue of Christian magnanimity or perseveraunce consisteth in patiendo et faciendo: in patiendo, 2o, in ferendo et perferendo; faciendo, by continuance in preaching fayth, and in good lyfe.
Christ compared Christian profession to a plough. And why, 1. to soe base a thing, 2. to soe laborious a thing, 3. to that onely? 1. That none howe base soever by condicion or profession should despayre of attayning Heaven; and meane thinges may be compared with the greatest. Christ sayth the Kingdom of Heaven is like a litle leaven, and to a smaller thing then that, it is like a grayne of mustard seede; and here to a plough, that none might despayre. Simon a tanner, Peter a fisher, Paul a tent-maker, Joseph a carpenter.
Some great ones, Theophilus. Some ladyes, in the Acts. Some customers, and some from the beggars, as Lazarus. And yet, that rich men might not contemne it for the baseness, he compares it to a riche jewell, a precious stone, &c.
2. The place of the preacher is a calling of great paynes and trauaile. He selected and spake of the Archbishop of Canterbury as the sunne amongst the ministers, and the old Deane of Paules[64] compared to the moone. And Dr. Overall, the newe deane, to the newe moone, gravity and learning and life; the ministers to starrs.
Junij 9, 1602.
fo. 26. Marti, lib. 10, Epig. 47.[65]
I take noe care to gett, my wealth was left me,
I reape the harvest of what'ere I sowe,
I stur not muche abroade, home best befits me,
I ne're received wronge, nor none I owe.
I travaile not in publique busines,
Nor ought's within my charge but myne owne soule,
My body's healthfull, fitt for exercise,
Myselfe enioys myselfe without controule.
I have a harmeles thought, an æqual friend,
My clothes are easy, and my face wants art,
I greive not when I rest, nor doe I spend
More tyme in sleepe then nature can impart.
I cast the worlde behinde, Heauen is my guide,
I would be what I am, and nought beside;
But above all, [and] which is all and summe,
I neither wishe nor feare the day to come.
Th. Sm.
June, 1602.
fo. 26b.
Arbella Stuarta: tu rara es et bella.
Henricus Burbonius: rex bonus orbi.
12.Common preachers worse then common swearers, for these doe abuse but Gods name, but they abuse Gods worde. (Curle.)
15.Upon a tyme when the late Lord Treasurer, Sir William Cecile, came before Justice Dyer[66] in the Common Place with his rapier by his side, the Justice told him that he must lay aside his long penknife yf he would come into that Court; this speache was free, and the sharper, because Sir William was then Secretary. (Bradman.)
There is nowe a table placed for the barresters crosse over the hall by the cuppord, which one called St. Albanes, because he said it was in the waye to Duns-table.
* * * * *
16.
"Roome! Roome!" said one, "Here comes a woman with a cupbord on hir head;" of one that had sold hir cupboard to buy a taffaty hat. (Franklin.)
16 June, 1602.
fo. 27.Kentish tayles are nowe turned to such spectacles, soe that yf a man put them on his nose he shall haue all the land he can see. (Idem.)
22.Sergeant Heale, since he became the Queens Sergeant, came to the Lord Keeper,[67] desyring that he would heareafter give him more gratious hearinge; otherwise, his clients already beginning to fall from him, he would nowe betake himself to his ease in the country, and leave this troublesome kinde of lyfe. The Lord Keeper made him noe other answere but said, yf that were his resolucion he doubted[68] not but the blessing of Issakar would light upon him. (Mr. Bennet narr.) Vide Gen. xlix. 14: "Issachar shall be a stronge asse couching downe betweene two burdens; and he shall see that rest is good; and that the land is pleasaunt, and he shall bowe his shoulders to beare, and he shalbe subiect unto tribute."
June 20, 1602.
fo. 27b.At Paules, one of Baliol Colledge in Oxford.
His text iii. Jonah, 4 et 5. "Yet forty dayes and Niniuy shall be destroyed. 5. So the people of Nineueh beleeued God," &c. He diuided his text into Jonahs sermon to the people of Nineueh, and the peoples repentaunce at the sermon; the former consists of mercy, "yett fourty dayes," and justice, "and Nineueh shall be destroyed;" Gods patience and his iudgment. He might have sayd, as the prophet David sayd, "My song shall be of mercy and iudgment."
Four things in the effect of the Sermon; fayth in beleuing God, and that was not fruitles. 2. fasting, and that was not frivolous. 3. their attyre, that was not costly, but sack cloth. 4. their number, that was not small, from the greatest to the lowest. As Noah's doue came from the floud with an oliue braunch in the mouth, soe this heauenly dove (for soe Jonah signifieth) came from the waters of the sea with a sermon of mercy in his cry, "Yett fourty dayes."
God is pitifull; it was Christ's commaundement to his Apostles that they should say "Peace be vnto you" when they entred into anie house.
Noted by Jonahs crying in the middest of such a city, that the preachers must not be timerous to tell anie of their faults, nor feare the person of anie man. Yet he reprehended those which are to sharpe reprehenders without circumstaunce. Such as Bernard calleth non correptores, sed corrosores, such may be termed bilis et salsugo, like the people of India which are said to barke instead of speakinge; 20 June, 1602.
fo. 28.canis et tuba vitiorum. But, as he misliked those sharpe biters, soe must he needes speake against such preachers as flatter greate men, and sowe cushions under their elbowes. They are like Heliotropium, which turnes the flower with the sunne, though a cloud be interposed, soe they follow greatnes though clouded with synn; like the riuer Jordan, turnes and windes euery way; speake nothing but silken wordes; at last the[y] become serui multitudinis; say anie thing to please the people.
Nineveh, as St. Augustine in his booke De Civitate Dei, signifieth not the citie but the synns of the people; and soe the prophecy verryfied, for that synn was destroyed by their repentaunce within 40 dayes. But he rather inclined to expound it by way of an implyed condicion, that they should be overthrowen vnles they repented; soe was that prophecy of Isah understoode to Hezekiah, Isaiah xxxviii. "Thou shalt dy and not live."
God is slowe in punishing, yet tarditas pœnæ gravitate pensatur.
Gratious and righteous is the Lord in sparing and punishing.
The synne of Nineveh was Idolatry.
20 June, 1601.[69]
fo. 28b.Dr. Buckridge,[70] at the temple Churche.
Compared the lawe of nature to the night, reason to the starres, the written lawe to the morning or dawning of the day, and the lawe of grace to the sunnshine of the day; the first to the blade, the second to the eare, the third to the seede of corne.
Synn must be like an hedge of thornes sett about, not within, our garden to keepe us in goodnes. In tymes past men were afeard[71] to committ synn, but ready to make confession; nowe the world is changed, for nowe every one dares comitt anie synne, but is ashamed to make confession.
25 June, 1602.
fo. 29.Mr. Foster of Lyncolnes Inn told these jeastes of Sir Thomas Moore as we went to Westminster. One which had bin a familiar acquaintaunce of Sir Th. Moores in his meaner fortunes, came to visit him when he was in the height of his prosperitie. Sir Th. amongst other parts of entertaynement shewed him a gallery which he had furnished with good variety of excellent pictures, and desyred his frendes iudgment which he liked best; but he making difficulty to prefer anie Sir Tho. shewed him the picture of a deathes head with the word Memento morieris, which he commended as most excellent for the deuise and conceit. The gent. being desyrous to knowe what he conceiued extraordinary in soe common a sentence, he told him, "Sir, you remember sometymes you borrowed some monie of me, but I cannot remember that you have remembred to repaye it: it is not much, and though I be chauncellor I have vse for as little, and nowe me thinkes this picture speakes vnto you Memento Mori æris, remember to pay Moore his money."
After he was deprived of his place and dignity, whereas his gentlemen were wont after he was gone forth of church to signifie to their lady that his lordship was gone before, himselfe upon a Sunday came from his seate when prayer was ended, opened his ladyes pue dore, saying, "Madame, his lordship is gone before" (alluding to the losse of his place); and then, "Come wife, nowe wee may goe togither and talke."
* * * * *
13 March, 1601.
fo. 29b.
Mr. Watts and Mr. Danvers had fiery wordes.
Commonly those which speake most against Tullie are like a dog which comming into a roome where he espies a shoulder of mutton lying upon some high place, fells to barking at it, because he cannot reache it. (Watts.)
Vpon a tyme when Burbidge played Richard III. there was a citizen grone soe farr in liking with him, that before shee went from the play shee appointed him to come that night vnto hir by the name of Richard the Third. Shakespeare ouerhearing their conclusion went before, was intertained and at his game ere Burbidge came. Then message being brought that Richard the Third was at the dore, Shakespeare caused returne to be made that William the Conqueror was before Richard the Third. Shakespeare's name William. (Mr. Touse?)
14.Mr. Fleetewood the Recorder[72] sitting in judgment when a prisoner was to have his clergy and could not read, he saued him with this ieast, "What, will not that obstinat knave reade indeede? Goe take him away and whip him." (Mr. Bramstone.[73])
He imprisoned one for saying he had supt as well as the Lord Maior, when he had nothing but bread and cheese.
fo. 30.
2 Marche, 1601.This day there was a great Court of Merchant Adventurers; two were sent from the Counsell to sitt and see their proceedings at their Courtes, and to make relacion. At this Court two questions were moved. 1. Whether their Companie were able to vent all the clothes made in England yf they might choose their place in the Lowe Countries, and be ayded by hir Majestie for the execution of their orders? Resolved that they are able. 2. Whether they can continue a Companie to trade yf the Earle of Cumberlandes licence take effect, whereby he hath liberty to ship over what cloth he pleaseth, contrary to hir Majesties patents and graunts to the merchaunts? Resolved by handes that they cannot. (Mr. Hull nar.)
Their Courts consist of one Gouernor, one Deputy, a Secretary, and these sitt at a table raysed a little, and 24 Assistants sitt about; the autority of these continues but six moneths; these speake, heare, and iudge of other mens speaches in Court. The greater part of the present at any Court carries the iudgment. (Idem.)
fo. 30b.
3 May, 1602.Mr. Touse told that in the last cirquit into Yorkeshire the Vice President of Yorke would have had the upper hand of Justice Yeluerton, but he would not yeld. (Mr. Touse.)
Long since, when Justice Manwood[74] roode Somersetshire circuit with Lorde Anderson, there happened a great quarrell between the Lord Sturton and Sir Jo. Clifton, in which affray the Lord Anderson himselfe, onely with his cap in his hand, tooke a sword from a very lustie tall fellowe. Of such a courage is Anderson. (Idem.)
My chamberfellow[75] told me of Mr. Long's opposition against him, and howe he had ouermatcht him; told me of his owne preferment to Sir Robert Cecile by the Lord Cheif Baron Periams and Lord Cheif Justice Pophams meanes, almost without his owne suite. By Sir Roberts fauour he obtayned the cancelling of an obligacion wherein his father[76] stoode bound to Auditor Tucke not to vse that office or receive the profits for a certaine tyme.
4.Those which presume upon repentaunce at the last gaspe by [the] theeves example on the crosse, doe as yf a man should spurr his horse till he speake because wee reade that Balams asse did soe when his maister beate him.
This day Serjeant Harris was retayned for the plaintife, and he argued for the defendant; soe negligent that he knowes not for whom he speakes.
Soe many accions of Quare impedit in the Common Place, that it were well a Quare impedit were brought against the Quare impedit for hindering other accions.
fo. 31.
28 June, 1602.One that would needes be married in all the [sic] hast, though he were soe verry a beggar that the preist told him he would not marry him because he had not money sufficient to pay him his duty for that service, "Why then," said he, "I pray you, Sir, marry me as far as that will goe. Nowe I am here I must needes have something ere I goe."
* * * *
A Puritan scholemaister that taught litle children in their horne bookes, would not have them say "Christ crosse A. &c." but "Black spott A." Another being to invit his frend, desyred him come and take part of a Nativity pie at Christ tyde with him.
When a Puritan that had lost his purse made great moane as desyrous to haue it againe, another minister (meaning to try his spirit) gaue forth that he was able to helpe him to it by figur-casting; whereupon the Puritan resorted vnto him; and the day appointed for the purpose, the other told him that when he caste a paper into the chaffing dishe of coales which he placed before them, he should looke in the glasse to see the visage of him that had it; but the flame being too short for him to aduise well what face it was, he earnestly entreated to see it againe. "Oh," said the other, "I perceue well the cause why you could not discerne it was that you trust to much in God." "Whoe, I," said the Puritan, "I trust noe more in God then the post doth. Lett me see it once againe." Such hyppocrytes are those professors. (Ch. Dauers.)
fo. 31b.
May 4.Mr. Fleetwood, after he was gone from supper, remembred a case to the purpose he was talking of before he went, and came againe to tell vs of it, which Mr. Bramston said was as yf a reueller, when he had made a legg at the end of his galliard, should come againe to shewe a tricke which he had forgotten.
This day there was a strange confused pressing of souldiers, carrying soe to the ships, that they were thrust togither under hatches like calues in a stall.
6.When hir Majestic had giuen order that Spenser should haue a reward for his poems, but Spenser could haue nothing, he presented hir with these verses:
It pleased your Grace vpon a tyme
To graunt me reason for my ryme,
But from that tyme vntill this season
I heard of neither ryme nor reason.
(Touse.)
A gentleman whose father rose by the lawe, sitting at the benche while a lawyer was arguying in a case against the gentleman, touching land which his father purchased, the gentleman, more collerick then wise, sayd the lawyer would prate and lye, and speake anie thing for his fee: "Well," said the lawyer, "yf your father had not spoken for a fee, I should haue noe cause to speake in this cause to day." The posterity of lawyers hath more flourished then that either of the clergy or citisens.
fo. 32.
August 1602.Notes out of a copie of a letter written by way of dedicacion of Charles the Fifth his instructions to his Sonne Phillip: translated out of Spanishe, and sent to hir Majestie by Lord H. Howard.[77]
Hir Majesties affections are not carued out of flint, but wrought out of virgin wax, and hir royall hart hath ever suted him in mercy, whom hir state doth represent in Maiesty.
If anie sentence were mistaken by equivocacion of wordes, or ambiguity in sence, I onely blame the stintles rage of destinie, which ever carryeth the best shaftes of my unluky quiuer to such endes as are most distant from the white I aymed at.
Since I began, each fruit hath answered his blossom, each grayne his seede, all eventes there hopes; my selfe onely, more vnfortunate then all the rest, have sowne with teares, but can reape with noe reuolucion.
I have presumed once againe (least the ground of my deuocion, by lying to long fallowe, might seeme either waxen wyld or ouergrowne with weedes,) to breake the barren soyle of myne vnfruitfull brayne, that prosperous successe may rather want at all tymes to myne endeuors, then endeuor to my loyall determinacion.
You are that sunne to me, whose going downe leaues nothing but a night of care.
The divel, like those painters which are skilfull in the art of perspectiue, taketh pleasure, by false colours and deceitfull shaddowes, to make those things seeme farthest of which are nerest hand (as death), and to abuse our nature with vayne hopes.
fo. 32b.
August, 1602.
As the glasse of tyme is turned euery hour vpside downe, soe is the course of our vncertaine lyfe; as that part which before was full is emptied, and that other which was emptied is replenished, soe fareth this world interchangeably.
As the highest region of the ayre is cleare and without stormes, soe hir minde free from all distemperes of affection.
Those that liue not in the safe arke of your gracious conceit, &c.
The sea can brooke noe carcasses, nor hir Majesties thoughts admit of castaways.
The fig-tree never bare fruit after it was blasted by the breath of Christ; noe plant can prosper that never feeles the comfort of the same; soe, &c.
In this the difference, Adam dyed because he eat of it (i. e. the tree of lyfe), but I shall dye before I looke on it.
Manie find frends to couer faults; my cloke is innocency. An eye may be cleare enough yet not discerne without your light; a course may be direct yet endles without your clewe. My dealings may be free from base alloy, but yet not currant amongst honourable persons without the liuely print of your cherefull countenaunce. What dangerous diseases breed in bodyes naturall by putrefaction springing out of the sunnes eclipse, the same, or rather greater by proportion, must growe in well affected myndes by the darke vayle of your discouragement.
fo. 33.
August, 1602.
Patience like a pill by continuall vse looseth his virtue.
I wonder at your matchles worth as they that are borne vnder the North Pole doe at the sunne, whose comfort they feele not at all, or without anie great effect.
Praye that since there is but one period and bounder, one high water marke both of your happie life and our countryes good, the same may be inlarged aboue ordinary termines, defended by all extraordinary meanes, and augmented with all speciall fauour which either death possesseth or heaven promiseth. That ever in the zodiack, our princely virgin may assend with assistance of all happie planets.
Such is my beliefe in your administracion of right, as with the faythfull daughter of Darius, while I live I will deeme me captum esse quamdiu Regina vixerit.
The world is governed by planets, not fixed starrs.
fo. 33b.
8 August, 1602.One Mr. Palmes told at supper that one Mr. Sapcotts, a Northamptonshire gentleman, married his owne bastard; had never anie issue by hir. After his death shee was with child, would not discover the father. Sapcotts left hir worth some 400l. yearely, yet none will marry hir.
October 1602.Mr. Kempe in the King's Bench reported that in tymes past the counsellors wore gownes faced with satten, and some with yellowe cotten, and the benchers with jennet furre; nowe they are come to that pride and fa[n]tasticknes, that every one must[78] have a veluet face, and some soe tricked with lace that Justice Wray[79] in his tyme spake to such an odd counsellor in this manner: Quomodo intrasti, domine, non habens vestem nuptialem? Get you from the barre, or I will put you from the barr for your folish pride. (Ch. Da: nar.)
9.Every man semes to serue himselfe.
October, 25.As the fox and the asse were travayling by the way, they overtooke a mule, a strange beast as they thought, and began to be verry inquisitive, like a couple of constables, to know whence he came and what his name might be. The mule told them his name was written in his foote, and there they might reade it yf they would; the foxe dissembling sayd he was not bookish, and askt the asse what he could doe. He like an asse, without feare or witt, went about to shewe his schollership; but, while he was taking up the foote to reade what was told him, the mule tooke him such [a] blowe with his foote that the asse paid for his cuning [?]. Such are meere schollers. (Ed. Curle.)
fo. 34.Maiores in sacris litteris progressus prœmia maiora postulant; et plures in vita necessitates plura vitæ necessaria subsidia requirunt: these causes of a plurality in a dispensacion.
Dr. Parryes Ale for the Spring.
℞. Of the juyce of scouruy-grasse one pint; of the iuyce of watercresses, as much; of the iuyce of succory, half a pint; of the iuyce of fumitory, half a pint: proportion to one gallon of ale: they must be all tunned vp togither.
There is a certaine kinde of compound called Laudanum, which may be had at Dr. Turner's, appothecary, in Bishopgate Streate; the virtue of it is very soueraigne to mitigate anie payne; it will for a tyme lay a man in a sweete trans, as Dr. Parry told me he tryed in a feuer, and his sister Mrs. Turner in hir childbirth.
The Lord Zouche, a verry learned and wise nobleman, was made Lord President of the Marches of Wales after the death of the old Earle of Pembroke.[80]
fo. 34b.My cosen told me that the custome of burning women with their husbandes in Goa began vpon this occasion; the women of that country being skilfull in poysoninge, and exceedingly giuen to the synn of lechery, could noe sooner like an other, but presently their husband would dye, that they might marry him whom they best liked: whereuppon it came to[81] passe that one woman burried manie husbands, and soe the King lost many subiects. And therefore to preuent this mischiefe the King ordeined, that, whensoeuer the husband died, the wife should be burned with him, in great solemnitie of musike and assembly of frendes, esteeming by this meanes to moue the wiues to make much of their husbands, yf not for the loue of their companie, yet for loue of their owne liues, since their safety consisted in their preseruacion.