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. IIII. Of divers names by which the Load-stone is called, and how that every one of them may most conveniently be ap∣plied unto Christ.

* 1.1—Non sum, Tam lapis, ut lapidi numen inesse putem.

Let all men know, I am not such a one, As thinke there is a God∣head in a stone.

I Am not so sencelesse, as that I should ascribe Divine honour unto a

Stone, or think or speake of it more then it becoms me, or more then ought to be spoken, much lesse that I should make an e∣quall comparison be∣tweene a vile Stone and the Lord of life. Yet I see no impediment, but that I may liken the one to the other in some respects: Especially, because the Lord himselfe doth not disdaine to denominate himselfe a Corner-stone, and those that are his, the living Stones of a Tem∣ple, Now that which hap∣pens to Heroicall spirits, and men that are famous for vertuous Acts, that they obtaine diverse titles for increase of ho∣nour;

because of their di∣vers Dignities, and for their excellent sayings and deeds, the like hap∣pens unto the Load-stone, because of its many and notable vertues and won∣drous effects, that so it might be honoured and adorn'd with divers names, of which there is none, that may not be ap∣plied to Christ by a kind of excellency, and more aptly, then to the Load∣stone it selfe. That name which is peculiar to the English and Dutch, was impos'd upon it, by rea¦son of Leading, directing, and shewing the way; neither can any one just∣ly doubt, but that this

stone was termed a Load∣stone, quasi Leadstone, which name is agreeable to none more appositely then to Christ, who is the way, and guide of the way; who is the Lead∣starre that directeth and leadeth his chosen to the Haven of Heaven. A∣mong names of the se∣cond Ranke, it was also called Magnes, because of the great force and ver∣tue of it, and the name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Herculean, be∣cause of the strength thereof, was famillar e∣specially among the anci∣ent Grecians,* 1.2 as also the name, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 among the He∣brewes, a Retinendo, be∣cause of its retayning and

holding of things.* 1.3 Now Christ is the true and onely Hercules, the Al∣mighty which drawes un∣to him all things: Hee a∣lone is so strong, that hee overcomes that strong one the Divell, He deli∣vers his Servants by strong hand, and frees them from bondage; Out of whose hands no man doth pluck, or is able to pluck them. The name A 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Aymant, which is usuall among the Greci∣ans or French may be put in the third place. This Stone being so called from its invincible hard∣nes, for it scarce feeles a Sa••e,* 1.4 or suffers any dimi∣nution thereby. And as

Christ is a Load stone to such as disagree, and a cor∣ner-stone to such as be a∣sunder or at variance; So to his enemies or those that wrestle against him, He is an unconquerable Adamant (both which we read in the Encomiums, or prayses of Athanasius) I say he is an unconquered Adamant: No force and assaults of enemies, no not the raging fury of Satan, that roaring Lion and red Dragon, nor the gates of Hell can be able to prevaile against him. The last name is Siderites, which it hath obtain'd from the Iron its ownena∣turall Brother, bred up together in the same Bo∣wells

of their Mother Earth. For Iron is both an object, in drawing of which it delighteth, and a Medium, a meanes or In∣strument whose atten∣dance in drawing, it doth as it were rejoyce to have. In both respects, It is a wonder how Artificially and to the Life it expres∣seth and imitates Christ, who imbraceth us poore meane men, with Bro∣therly love, neither doth he refuse nor is ashamed to call us Brethren. Now as I shall explaine these severall things one by one, and something more at large; no man I sup∣pose, will be so dainty, or so averse from these plea∣santer

Studies, that they shallbe unto him, any oc∣casion of distast or dis∣daine. No man I thinke will be so Atheologicall or void of Divinity, as to make the Load-stone a Stone of offence.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  Shether,
• * 1.3

  Iob. 10.28.
• * 1.4

  Or File.