The vvonders of the load-stone. Or, The load-stone newly reduc't into a divine and morall vse. By Samuel Ward, of Ipswich. B.D.

Chap. 23. That the Iron, though un∣worthy in it selfe, is en∣nobled by conjunction with the Loadstone, and that wee wretched men are ennobled by our spi∣ritual union with Christ.

THere are everie where veines of I∣ron in exceeding great plentie, shops of Iron are open almost in eve∣••ie village and Coun∣trey-towne; it serves for exceeding many uses of men; but such as are common, and of small

estimation among many, divers kindes of Instru∣ments are made of it, but such as are ordinary, as Horse-shooes, Keyes, Lockes, Nailes, Sawes, Mattocks, Plow-shares, to say nothing of War∣like Slings, Guns, Bul∣lets, and such instru∣ments as are so pestilent unto men, all the honour and dignity of the Iron ariseth and accrewes to it, from the Loadstone, which assuredly confers more Noblenesse upon the Iron, than that Egyptian King, did up∣on gold when he made of his Chamber pots, Graven Images for the gods, which he constrai∣ned

his Noble-men to worship; for Iron being stirred up by the Load∣stone, it can hardly be exprest, how many and what great Commodi∣ties it brings unto men. So that your Alchymists are vaine in this, when they dreame that nature would perfect all other Metalls, by changing them into Gold; for who doth not perceive, that wee owe more to those Needles used in Navigation and the Art of Dialling, than to all the gold and precious Stones, that are any where to be found? as by whose helpe and be∣nefit we procure all

these, and other wares of all sorts; So that it should not seeme strange unto us, that the Iron doth so much desire, goe about, or seeke for to compasse this honoura∣ble match with the Loadstone, that having seene it, as it were, it flies to it with speedy pace, as that by whose comply∣ing, and communicating with it, it becomes so full of wonders and strength. Now to make some use of this; who is so blockish and dull, that beholding and deepely considering these things, doth not with a sorrow∣full remembrance, call to minde that former

wretched estate and condition in which we were borne, as that in which we were vessels of wrath and dishonour, Slaves of the world, of Satan, of our owne fil∣thy lust▪ whose god was their belly, whose glo∣ry their shame, and whose end was damnati∣on? who is so hard and flinty hearted, who can so moderate himselfe, as to abstaine from teares, when he cals to minde how unserviceable he is in performing all duties which are due both to God and man? how un∣apt for any thing, unlesse it be to consume and de∣voure Gods good crea∣tures,

the fruits of the earth, to imploy good houres amisse to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, to treasure up wrath a∣gainst the day of wrath? Who is so frozen and Icy cold, that when se∣riously, though overlate, he thinkes upon, and weighes these things with himselfe that is not enflamed and wholly burnes vvith desire of that heavenly Wedlock vvith Christ, vvhereby he may obtaine t••is fa∣vour not only to be c••l∣led, but also to be the Son of God, Cohei••e vvith Christ, a Citizen and free Denizon of Heaven? What soule is

so brutish and so base, that it had rather vval∣lovv, as yet in flesh and blood, than by the inspi∣ration of Gods holy Spirit, to be raised and lifted up, and be made quicke and fit to under∣goe Spirituall and Ange∣licall duties, vvhereby it may save both it selfe, and also others, and per∣form those good vvorks by vvhich it may attaine everlasting Salvation & the Kingdome of hea∣ven? Who is so deafe and disobedient, that vvill not open his Im∣mortall Gates, through vvhich the King of Life and Glory may enter in, by vvhose entring in,

and dvvelling vvith him, he may be encou∣raged and strengthened to accomplish all Du∣ties?