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THere is as much dif∣ference betweene Loadstone and Load∣stone, as there is be∣tweene man and man. Among those of humane race, the first difference is in vigour, in which respect some are male, some are female: The second difference is in greatnesse, in which re∣spect
some are Gyants, some Dwarffs: So like∣wise there are some stones, great in quantity, but weake in strength; such as scarcely, & verie hardly lift up a weight that is but equall to themselves: Some again are small and little, not exceeding the quantitie of a Filberd, that lift up their weight threescore times, nay, an hundred times multiplyed. God useth to be of greater power in small, than in great things. It is said there is greater life in Emmets than in Ele∣phants, in Dwarffs than in Gyants. If there were some great Load∣stone,
that could lift up its owne weight fiftie times multiplyed; there were some danger lest it should be adored as an Idoll: Among poore people that have but slender possessions, and small abilities, you may see many that ••xcel, and are very famous for godlinesse and holinesse of life, that if any such should be met withall among the Nobles, a∣mong the learned and mightie of this world, hee should be counted a rare wonder; and it were to be feared, lest the common people should imagine him to have some Deitie within
him, and so worship him, as if he were some halfe God. Further, there are manifest to∣kens, by which the stronger and more lively stones are differenced from the weak and slug∣gish. First, that they do finish their taske with more expedition, that they tu••ne more speedi∣ly towa••ds the Poles, that they draw more strongly, & more hard∣ly let goe. Secondly, that they lift heavier burdens with more ease, that they can hold up more nailes and rings. Thirdly, that they have a larger spheare of acti∣vitie; That they can ex∣tend
their vertue to an object more remote and and distant; There are likewise just as many signes, whereby noble and heroical Christians are discerned from those that are luke-warme and vulgar. They are more quick spirited and nim∣ble to performe good works, they goe not a∣bout holy duties, groa∣ning and lamenting, with an ill will, like those kine that drew the Ark, which lowed on the way as they went. Secondly, they can en∣dure the crosse more couragiously, and beare those temptations that are more grievous than
ordinary, like Samson, who without much ado took up the brazen gates on his shoulders. Lastly, they do endevor to win and draw, not one, or two, or a few; but ma∣ny soules unto Christ: for so it is mentioned of Barnabas, that hee was a good man, and that ma∣ny were converted unto God by his meanes.