The practice of policie in a Christian life taught from the Scriptures / written by I. Saltmarshe ...

The Motives which per∣swaded me to this.

I Observed that the wit and industry bestowed on the Scriptures, that of the Fathers and the more moderne was most in perspective and meditation, set the Pulpit apart, I meane Preaching, so as they made the Scripture the Sabbath of their pennes recreating in the divine fancies and contemplations, but I know none that made the sixe dayes worke of it, and reduced it into practice for the conduct and administration of action; David stiles it A Lampe unto the feet, not so much to the head, the contemplative part, as to the feet the active.

I observed too, that the fa∣••ous Politician brought his

vessell to this holy cisterne and drew some sacred Aphorismes, though too few for action, rather devoting his penne to the Ro∣mane Livie for copy and imita∣tion than hither.

I observed againe that some had bestowed themselves on Ta∣citus, and on the Italian History as Guicciardine.

And Lipsius who deserves much in this hath gone a succinct and speedy way in his Politicks, but all his draughts and copies were from heathen examples and pre∣cepts, Haud usquequaque conve∣nienter ad hoc aevum, as hee him∣selfe, not fashioned for us and our times.

I observed also, that among the ancient, Plato and Aristotle had not beene a little painfull in their Politicks, but their con∣ducts were of a great latitude for common wealths and nations, not strait laced enough for parti∣cular affaires, and so Zen••ph••n and the rest.

These kindled in mee an holy indignation, when I was still conversant with a more faithfull and sacred Oracle, therefore I set my selfe to the study of Scrip∣tures and drew from thence these short formes from the individu∣als and particulars there, which though small, yet like seeds, Se explicant, they are spreading and diffusive, and such things as are drawne from particulars, sayes our learned Authour, know the best way to particulars againe.

For methode I thought it the best to observe none, for know∣ing how independent, contin∣gent, and emergent affaires are, I held it the best to keepe time with the variety, in these which I intend for their conduct and administration.

For the brevity heere, I drew these copies rather in tablets than a larger space, Legem bre∣ve••esse oportet quae jubeat; dire∣ctive and imperative aphorismes should bee quicke and spirited,

and practise should not bee put too farre about▪

If some of them heere seeme in feature and complexion of phrase or matter alike or the same, you shall finde but an exe∣gesin, I hope not unpleasant, a better illustration, and something for variety superadded, which in so much variety could not bee well escaped.

Notes

• Voluptatem quandam in us legend is ex illa reru•• varietate perciper•• sed de illaris •••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 qui∣dem, Machi••. lib. disp. in Prooe••.
• Mach••avil.
• Ba••on. lib. de Aug. Scien.
• Sen. epist. 95.