A mirrour or looking-glasse both for saints and sinners held forth in about two thousand examples wherein is presented as Gods wonderful mercies to the one, so his severe judgments against the other collected out of the most classique authors both ancient and modern with some late examples observed by my self : whereunto are added the wonders of nature and the rare ... / by Sa. Clark ...

CHAP. XVI. Examples of Pride, and Arrogance, Ambi∣tion, and vain-glory

Many men when they grow great in the world, are so puft up with pride, that they scarce know themselves; which is, as if the silly Ant the higher that she gets upon her hill, the bigger she should conceit her selfe to be: It is the devils last stratagem, if he cannot beat us down to sinne, he will labour to blow us up with pride; and yet there is nothing that the Lord doth more hate, for he beholds the proud afar off, as if he were not fit to be touched with a paire of tongs: Besides, men by pride do but hasten their own ruine,

—Tolluntur in altum Ut lapsu graviore ruant—

Solomon assuring us, that Pride goeth before destruction, and an high minde before a fall: as these Examples fol∣lowing will further manifest.

Forbidden by God, Gal. 5. 26. Phil. 2. 3. Dan. 4. 37. Mark 7. 22. 1 Tim. 3. 6. 1 Joh. 2. 16. The evils of it, Job. 35. 12. Psal. 10. 2, 4. and 59. 12. and 73. 6. Prov. 8. 13. and 11. 2. and 13. 10. and 14. 3. and 16. 18. and 29. 23. Threatened by God, Levit. 26. 19. Isa. 9. 9. and 16. 6 &c. and 23. 9, 10. and 25. 11. and 28. 1, 3. Jer. 13. 9. and 48. 29. Ezek. 30. 6. Zeph. 2. 10. and 3. 11. Zach. 9. 6. and 10. 11. and 11. 3.

Mourned for, 2 Chron. 32. 26. Ier. 13. 17.

Prayed against, Psal. 31. 20. and 36. 11.

Complained of, Jer. 49. 16. Ezek. 7. 10. Ezek. 16. 19 49, 56. Dan. 5. 20. Hos. 5. 5. Obad. 3.

Scriptural examples: Eve, Gen. 3. 6. Hezekiah, Esa. 39. 2. Baruch, Ier. 45. 5. Christs Deciples, Mark. 9. 34. the lapsed Angels, Iud. 6. Babylon, Ier. 50. 29, 32. Senacharib. Esa. 10. 8, &c.

Abimeleck, Absalom, Adoniah, Athaliah, for their ambition were slaine.

Belshazzer, Dan. 5. 1. &c. Babilon, Esa. 47. 7. Nimrod, Gen. 11. 4.

Balaam, Numb. 22. 17, &c. Nabal, 1 Sam. 25. 10. Oreb, &c. Psal. 83. 12.

The two Captaines, 2. Kings 1. 9, 11. Edom, Ier, 49. 7, 16. Obad. 3. Hagar, Gen. 16. 4 Haman, Est. 3. 5, &c. Herod, Acts 12. 21. Israel, Esa 9. 9, &c. Rabshakeh, 2 Kings 18. 33, &c. Rehoboam, 1 Kings 12. 14. Tyrus, Ezek. 28. 2, &c. Korah, Numb. 16. 3. Nebuchadnezzer, Dan. 3. 15. and 4. 30. the Pharisee, Luke 18. 11. &c. Zebedees sonnes, Mat. 20. 21.

Other examples, Sethos King of Egypt, growing mi∣ghty, [ 1] grew so proud withal that he made his tributary Kings to draw his Chariot by turnes: till (on a time) he espied one of the Kings to look earnestly on the wheel, and demanding the reason thereof, was answered by him, That with much comfort he beheld the lowest spokes turn uppermost by course: whereupon (apprehending the moral) he left off that proud and barbarous custome. Isac. Chron. p. 61.

Maximus dying the last day of his Consul∣ship, [ 2] Caninius petitioned Caesar for that part of the day that remained, that he might be Con∣sull, which made Tully jeer him, saying, O vigilant Con∣sull, who never sawest sleep all the time of thy office.

Pharaoh Ophra called also Apryes, used to boast [ 3] that he cared not either for God or man, that should

seek to take away his Kingdome, but not long after he was taken by Amasis his own officer, and strangled. Herod.

Caesar Borgia, emulating and imitating Iulius [ 4] Caesar, used to say, Aut Caesar, aut nullus: but not long after he was slaine in the Kingdome of Navarre.

Alexander the Great, was so puffed up with his vi∣ctories, [ 5] that he would needs be accounted the sonne of Iupiter Hammon, and be worshiped for a god, which Calisthenes the Philosopher, a special friend of his, speaking against, he could never endure him after∣wards, and at last caused him to be slaine. Val. Max.

Menecrates the Physician, because he had cured [ 6] some dangerous, and desperate diseases, assumed to himselfe the name of Iupiter, the chiefest of the gods. AElian, Lib. 12.

Empedocles the Philosopher, having cured one of a [ 7] dangerous disease, and seeing that the people almost deified him for the same: that he might seem immortal, and translated into the number of the gods, leap∣ed into the burning mountaine of AEtna. Fulgos. Lib. 8. c. 15.

Cyrus the first King of the Persians suffered himself to [ 8] be worshipped with divine honours. Alex. ab Alex. l. 2.

Antiochus King of Syria would needs be called [ 9] god, and have divine worship given unto him. Ibidem.

Caligula the Emperour commanded that he should [ 10] be worshipped as a god: caused a Temple to be erected for him: built his house in the Capitol, that so he might dwell with Iupiter: but being angry that Iupiter was preferred before him, he afterwards erected a Temple in his palace, and would have had the statue of Iu∣piter Olympius in his forme translated thither. but the ship that should have fetched it, was broken in pieces

with a thunder-bolt: He used to sit in the midst of the Images of the gods, and caused the most costly fowles; and birds to be sacrificed to him: he had al∣so certaine instruments made, whereby he imitated the thunder, and lightening: and when it thundred indeed, he used to cast stones towards Heaven, saying, Either thou shalt kill me, or I will kill thee: He caused the heads of most of the Idols in Rome to be broken off, and his own to be set in their roomes: Sometimes he would sit with a golden beard, and a thunder-bolt in his hand, like Iupiter: other sometimes with a Tri∣dent, like Neptune: He invited the moon like a woman to come, and lie with him, and boasted that he had got her virginity, for which victory he caused him∣selfe to be crowned. He also threatened to banish Iupiter out of the City, for that by raine he had hin∣dred his pastime. Fulgos. L. 9. c. 5.

Domitian the Emperour boasted that he had given [ 11] the Empire both to his father, and brother, and that they did but restore his own to him again. He com∣manded that in all writings he should be stiled a god, and that all the Images that were made for him should be made of gold, or silver at the least, which must also be placed in the Capitol amongst the gods. Ravisius.

Heliog ab alus the Emperour would needs be account∣ed [ 12] a god, sometimes he would be drawn in his cha∣riot with Lions, sometimes with Tygres, and then he would be called Bacchus. Being angry with the Sena∣tours, he drove them all out of the City, and called them his gowned servants. Fulg. L. 9. c. 5,

Commodus the Emperour commanded divine wor∣ship [ 13] to be given him calling himselfe the golden Her∣cules, and caused his statues to be made in the habit of Hercules: He cut off also the head of the Colossus,

causing his own head to be set upon it, and a club to be put into his hand, and a brazen Lion at his feet that so he might be like to Hercules. Theat. vi. hum.

Dioclesian also caused himself to be called god. Idem. [ 14]

Sapor King of Persia, writing to Constantine the [ 15] great, stiled himself, Brother to the Sun, and moon, and partner with the starres.

Anitus was the first amongst the Athenians, that [ 16] by heaping up riches, ambitiously bribed the people to choose him a Magistrate. Alex. ab Alex. L. 3. c. 7.

Abimeleck made way for his government by murther∣ing [ 17] the seventy sonnes of Gideon. Iud. 9.

Tryphon to make way for his coming to the King∣dome, [ 18] murthered his Master, the young Antiochus, as he was walking with him, 1 Mac. 3.

For this Herod murthered the babes of Bethlehem. [ 19]

Archelaus King of Macedon had a concubine called [ 20] Cratevas who out of an ambitious desire after the Kingdome slew Archelaus, but within three or four dayes after her selfe was slaine AElian: L. 8.

Phraates sonne to Orodes King of Parthia, to make [ 21] way for his own coming to the Crown, slew his father, and all his brethren. Theat. vitae hum.

Tarquinius Superbus, inflamed with an ambitious [ 22] desire of rule, suborned some souldiers to murther his father in law Servius Tullius, a brave, and valiant King of the Romans, and afterwards assumed the go∣vernment and Kingdome, into his own hands. Plinius.

Ambition caused Romulus to murther his own bro∣ther [ 23] Remus. This set Caesar, and Pompey together by the ears: Non vult Caesárve Priorem, Pompeiúsve parem! Lucan.

Tiberius Caesar, fearing to be deprived of the [ 24] Empire, caused many to be put to death, especially such as excelled in estate, and vertues. Dion. But examples

of this kinde are innumerable.

Alexander when he was returning out of India, cau∣sed [ 25] huge armour, both for horses, and men to be made, and left there that so after-ages might think that in every thing he excelled all others. Fulg. L. 8.

Alexander M. having in his army not above [ 26] fifty thousand, and Darius having a million of men, Alexanders Captaines advised him to set upon Darius by night, that so his men might not be discou∣raged with the sight of the number of their adver∣saries: to whom he proudly answered, I scorne to steal a victory: for I mean to conquer by valour, not by sub∣tilty: for a victory gotten by stealth, is dishonourable. Q. Cur.

Curius Dentatus the Romane Consul, overthrew the [ 27] Samnites in a great battel, and pursuing them to the sea, took many prisoners, whereupon at his return to Rome, he publickly boasted that he had taken so much land as would turne to a waste, wildernesse, if he had not taken so many men to plant it, and that he had ta∣ken so many men, as that they would perish of fa∣mine, if he had not taken so much land to maintaine them. Aur. Victor.

Pompey the Great, when he heard that Iu. Caesar [ 28] was coming with his army towards Rome, boasted in the Senate, that if he did but stamp with his foot, he could fill Italy with Armies; yet presently after when he heard that Caesar had passed the river Rubicon, he fled from Italy into Epyrus. Pez Mel. Hist.

Agrippina, Nero's mother consulting with the south∣sayers [ 29] concerning her sonnes fortune, they told her that he should reigne, but that he should murther his mother: whereupon she in the fury of her pride said aloud: and Let him kill me so that prove true. Nero's Life.

Poppaea Sabina, Nero's wife was excessively proud: [ 30] Her mules had bridles, and furnitures of gold, were shod with silver, and sometimes with gold: she kept five hundred female-asses alwayes about her Court, in whose milk she often bathed her body; for the care of her skin was such, that she rather wished death, then the decay thereof. Suet. Pliny.

Solon the Athenian Law-giver said concerning one [ 31] of his prime citizens, called Pisistratus, that if he could but pluck out of his head the worme of ambiti∣on, and heale him of his greedy desire to rule, there could not be a man of more vertue then he. Plut.

Themistocles out of an ambitious humour, when he [ 32] was chosen Admiral by the Athenians, would dis∣patch no businesse, till the day whereon he was to de∣part, that men might take notice of his dispatching so many businesses, and talking with so many persons in so little a time. Plut.

Daemaratus the Lacedemonian, being at the King of [ 33] Persia's Court, and in favour with him, the King bid him ask what he would of him: Daemaratus desired him to give him leave to go up and down the City of Sardis with his Royal hat on his head, as the Kings of Persia used. But Mithropaustes the Kings cozen taking him by the hand, said, If the King should grant thy request, the hat on thy head would cover but a lit∣tle wit. Plut.

Camillus the Romane General, having after ten years [ 34] siege, taken the strong and rich City of Veia, grew very proud upon his successe, and was more puffed up by reason of the praises of the people, so that he rode through Rome in a triumphant Chariot, drawn by four white horses, which was judged a solemnity only meet for the father, and chief of the gods. Plut.

Some Germane Ambassadours coming to Alexan∣der [ 35] M. to make peace with him, he seeing them to be men of such great bodies, asked them, What it was that the Germanes stood in most fear of? supposing that they would have said of him: But they answered, that the onely thing that they feared was, lest the heavens should fall upon their heads. Diod. Sic.

Darius King of Persia hearing that Alexander M. [ 36] was come over into Asia with an Army to make a con∣quest of it, wrote to his Lieutenants, wherein he stiled himself King of kings, and Kinseman to the gods, calling Alexander his slave, and commanding them to take that Grecian boy, and whip him with rods, and to put a purple garment upon him, and send him in chaines to him, and then to drown all his ships, and mariners, and to transport all his souldiers beyond the red-sea. Diod. Sic. Q. Curtius.

Alexander M. going out of Egypt to the Temple of [ 37] Jupiter Hammon, at his coming thither the Priest, be∣ing suborned thereunto, saluted him as the son of Ju∣piter, which so puffed him up with pride, that he com∣manded himself to be worshipped with divine honours, and to be called Jupiters son. Q. Cur.

Darius King of Persia being overcome in a second [ 38] battel by Alexander M. sent Ambassadours to him, wherin he gave him thanks for his courtesie to his mo∣ther, wives, and children: proffered him the greatest part of his dominions if he would marry his daughter, and one thousand Talents for the ransome of the other Captives. Parmenio told Alexander, that if he were A∣lexander he would accept of those termes: And I, said A∣lexander, if I were Parmenio, would rather have the money then glory: But now, said he, I am secure from poverty, and must remember that I am a King, and not a Mer∣chant: and so he returned this proud answer: Tell,

faith he, Darius, that it's superfluous to returne thanks to his enemy, and wherein I have dealt mildly, and liberally with his family, it proceeds from my good nature, and not to curry favour with him: I would do what he desires if he would be my inferiour, but not if he would be my equal: for as the world cannot have two Suns, neither can it con∣taine two Emperors; therfore let him either yield up himself to me to day, or expect the fortune of Warre to morrow. Q. Cur. Plut.

See the example of S. Tullius in Parricide.

John Cappadox Bishop of Constantinople▪ and John [ 39] sirnamed Jeninator, out of their ambition obtained that they should be stiled vniversal Bishops, which Gre∣gory the Great earnestly opposed, Theat. vitae hum.

Julius Caesar earnestly affecting the office of High [ 40] Priest, wherein he had Quintus Catulus, a worthy man for his competitour, said unto his mother when they were going to the choice: O mother, this day you shall have your son either High Priest or an exile. Plut.

Pompey the Great being sent with a great Navy a∣gainst [ 41] the Pirats, and hearing that Metellus Praetor of Crete had begun the Warre against them: he with his Navy assisted them against Metullus, so ambitious he was, that he would endure no competitour in conquer∣ing those Pirates. Fulgos. Lib. 8.

Phidias that made a curious shield for Minerva, was [ 42] so ambitiously desirous of glory thereby, that he so wrought in his own name, that it could not be defaced without spoiling the shield. Val. Max.

Themistocles was so ambitious of honour, as that he [ 43] could not sleep in the night: and being asked the rea∣son of it, he answered: Because the Trophies of Mil∣tiades run so in my head, that they will not suffer me to rest. And being asked in the Theater whose voice pleased him best? he answered: Of them that most sing my praise. Plut. Cicero.

Alexander the Great when he was young hearing [ 44] his Master Democritus affirming that there were many worlds, cried out, Heu me miserum, quod ne uno quidem adhuc potitus sum: Wo is me, that have not yet gotten the dominion of one of them. Val. Max.

Xerxes having made a bridge of boats over the Hele∣spont [ 45] for the transportation of his huge Army out of Asia into Europe, there arose a great tempest which brake his bridge in sunder, wherewith he was so en∣raged, that he caused his men to give the sea three hun∣dred stripes, and to throw fetters into it to binde it to its good behaviour: his officers performing his command, cried, O unruly water, thy Lord hath appoint∣ed thee this punishment, for that thou hast wronged him that deserved it not from thee, but whether thou wilt or no he is resolved to passe over thee. Herod.

Themistocles was exceeding ambitious of popular ap∣plause, [ 40] and for that end he gat all the names of the Citizens of Athens by heart, that when he met them he might salute them by name: And after his great victories against the Persians he went to the Oympick Games, where all the people gave over beholding the sports that they might look upon him, which so pleased his ambitious humour that he said to his friends, That now he reaped the fruit of all the dangers, and labours that he had gone throw for the safety of Greece.

Also after the great overthrow given to the Persians [ 47] by sea, he, with one of his friends walking by the sea∣side, and seeing many dead bodies cast up, he shewed his friend the bracelets, and chaines of gold which they had upon them, saying to him: Ea tibi accipe, tu enim non es Themistocles: Take thou those things, for thou art not Themistocles. Plut.

Pericles the Athenian a little before his death in an o∣ration [ 48]

which he made to the people, tolde them that he was second to none in knowing, and speaking those things which were necessary to be known, and spoken; and that he so loved his countrey, that he would never suffer himself to be corrupted with money, to speak or do any thing to the prejudice of it. Plut.

King Henry the second of England, AnnoChristi 1170. [ 49] in his life-time caused his son [young Henry] to be crowned King, and on his Coronation-day for hon∣ours sake placed the first dish upon the table himself: Whereupon the Arch-bishop of York said pleasantly unto him: Be merry (my best sonne) for there is not a∣nother Prince in the whole world which hath such an Officer to serve him at the table this day: To whom the young King scornefully answered: Why do ye wonder? My father doth not think that he doth more then what becomes him. For he being a King onely by the mothers side, ser∣veth me who had a King to my father, and a Queen to my mother. Pol. Virgil.

The Great Cham of Tartary had wont when he had [ 50] dined to cause his trumpeters to sound their trumpets before his palace-gates, thereby to give notice to all the Kings in the world that now the great Cham had dined they might take leave to go to dinner.

A poor Spanish Cobler lying on his death-bed, [ 51] his eldest sonne came to him for his last blessing: upon whom he laid a special charge, that he should al∣wayes remember to retain the Majesty worthy his family.

A Spanish Cavalier for some faults by him committed [ 52] was whipped thorow the principal streets of Paris: and keeping a sober pace, he was advised by some that pitied him to go faster that he might scape the better: but he halse in Choler replied, That he would not alter one step of his pace for all the whipping in Paris.

A poore woman in Spaine attended by three of her [ 53] Brats went a begging from doore to doore: some French Merchants travelling that way, out of pitty, prof∣fered to take the bigger of her Boyes into their service: but she (poore and proud) scorned, as she said, that a∣ny of her lineage should endure an Apprentiship; for, for ought that she knew, or they either, her son (as simple as he stood there) might live to be King of Spaine

The Spaniard begs in this Method: first, he looks [ 54] about to see whether the coast be clear, before he will utter one suppliant word: then he approaches in a more submisse strain: yet if any one chance to cast an eye that way, he retreats to familiarity: pressing the justnesse of his demands till he obtaines the almes: If it be but a penny or so, he casts it contemptibly into the donors face: but soon after peaceably searches for the money, and when it's found, prayes for the be∣nefactor.

Sigismund King of Hungary having raised a mighty [ 55] great Army against the Turks, when he heard that his enemies approached, in great pride said to his souldi∣ers, What need we fear the Turks, who need not fear the falling of the heavens, who with our Speares, and Halberds are able to hold them up if they should fall? But thus rely∣ing upon the arme of flesh: his great Army was pre∣sently routed, and himself hardly escaped in a little boat over the River Danubius, leaving most of his Ar∣my to the slaughter, and captivity of the Turks. Turk. Hist.

Eunomius the Heretick proudly boasting that he [ 56] knew God, and his Divinity: Basil to convince him of his ignorance, and folly, gravelled him in twenty one questions about the body of a Pismire. Epist. 168. ad Eunom.

Philip King of Macedonia proudly boasting of his [ 57]

great victory over the Grecians at Cheronea: Archida∣mus, son to Agesilaus, took him wisely down with this cooler: You cannot (saith he) see your shadow one jot longer, after this great victory then it was before. Look. of the H. War.

Henry the sixth, the Emperour of Germany, being [ 58] tired out by his Warres with the Pope, at last submit∣ted to be crowned by him: The Pope also upon some advantageous conditions to himself assented thereun∣to: and sitting in his chaire Pontifical, he held the Crowne of gold between his feet: the Emperour kneeling and bowing down his head, received it there∣on: but presently the Pope with his foot struck it off again to the ground, declaring that he had power to depose him again in case that he offended him. Act. & Mon.

In the beginning of Queen Maries reigne, Doctor [ 59] Pendleton, and Master Sanders meeting together be∣gan to speak of the Persecution that was like to ensue, about which Master Sanders shewed much weaknesse, and many feares; to whom Pendleton said, What man? there is much more cause for me to fear then for you, for∣asmuch as I have a bigge, and fat body, yet will I see the utmost drop of this grease of mine molten away, and the last gobbet of this flesh of mine consumed to ashes before I will for sake Jesus Christ, and his truth which I have pro∣fessed: yet not long after upon trial, poor, feeble, faint hearted Sanders (by the power and goodnesse of God) boldly, and stoutly by his Ministery confirmed his flock, and sealed the truth with his blood: where∣as this proud Pendleton played the Apostate, and turn∣ed Papist. Act. & Mon.

A fearful Example of Gods judgement upon pride in haire.

A most loathsome, and horrible disease, bred by [ 60] Luxury, and excesse, seized especially upon women, and by reason of a viscous, venemous humour, glues together the haire of the head, with a prodigious, ug∣ly implication, and intanglement: sometimes taking the forme of a great Snake, sometimes of many lit∣tle Serpents, full of nastinesse, vermine, and noysome smell: and that which is most to be admired, and never eye saw before, pricked with a needle, they yield bloo∣dy-drops: and at the first spreading of this dreadful disease in Poland, all that cut off this horrible, & snaky haire, lost their eyes, or the humour falling down up∣on other parts of the body tortured them extreamly: It began not many yeeres ago in Poland, and af∣terwards entered into many parts of Germany: And me thinks (saith mine author) our monstrous Fashion∣ists, both males and females: The one for nourishing their horrid bushes of vanity: the other for their most unnatural, and cursed cutting of their haire, should every houre fear and tremble, lest they should bring it upon their own heads, and amongst us in this Nati∣on. Bolton.

Examples of such as have sought honour by wickedness.

Cleopes King of Egipt began to build a huge Pyramis, [ 1] but wanting money before he had finished it, and ha∣ving a beautiful daughter, he prostituted her amongst his workmen, thereby to get money to perfect his great work which he left as a perpetual monument of his wickednesse, and folly. Herod. L. 4.

Rhodophe, a famous strumpet in Egypt, having gotten [ 2] a vast some of money by her whoredomes; to get her self a great name, built a Pyramis, though lesse then the other, yet of farre more curious workmanship. Plut.

Erostratus a young man, to make himself famous, [ 3] and to perpetuate his name, set Diana's Temple at E∣phesus on fire, which for the stately fabrick was one of the wonders of the world. Val. Max. Lib. 8. C. 15.

Pausanius asking one by what means he might sud∣denly [ 4] become famous? the other answered, If he would kill some famous man: whereupon he presently slew King Philip. Ibidem.

Caligula seeing that he could not attaine a great [ 5] name by his vertue, used often to wish that some no∣torious judgement might fall out in his time, that thereby his name might be remembered. Fulg. Lib. 8. Cap. 15.

The wicked through the Pride of his countenance will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts,

Ps. 10. 4.