Heraclitus Christianus, or, The man of sorrow being a reflection on all states and conditions of human life : in three books.

CHAP. VI. That man is more miserable than other Animals, by reason of his repug∣nancy to the Laws of his Crea∣tor; in obedience to which, liveth all other creatures.

IT is evidently certain, That a harmony of Philosophy may be found in the contemplation of Animals, as well Natu∣ral as Moral; for in considering the man∣ners and actions of them, so well order∣ed according to the usage of nature, their justice, temperance, fortitude, and oeco∣nomy in their administration in their lit∣tle Republicks, their continency in their works of nature, and some other parts of vertue that they exercise, by the consi∣deration of which, Man may make a re∣flection on himself to great purposes: Wherefore our Lord calleth (in St. Mat∣thew) the Scribes and Pharisees, children of Vipers. And Isaiah reproaching the Is∣raelites of their ingratitude towards God,

proposeth for their example the Ox and Ass who knew their Master; But Israel, saith he, hath not known me their Creator: And so are we tacitly admonished by the history of the Swine (who, by the permission of God, was vexed by the De∣vil) That those that spend and waste their lives in idleness and delicacies, shall be∣come one day the Devils prey; for see∣ing that they will not be the Temple of God, and habitation of the holy spirit, they must of necessity be the habitations of Devils: Such Swine are those in these our days, who make this world their Paradise, wallowing in all manner of sen∣suality and voluptuousness, living like the Beast that perisheth, and irrational creatures which are void of understand∣ing, not at all raising up their souls unto the consideration of the excellency and dignity of their natures; not remembring, or rather not believing those solid and never-ending joys, which are the rewards of vertue and true generosity; for he that shall behold the incogitancy and sloathful security▪ wherein men spend their days, must needs think, that they do not believe that which they profess, nor give credence to that which they call their Re∣ligion: For is it possible for any believing

an eternal state of misery and torment hereafter, to do those things which will certainly bring them thither? As for the Law of Jesus Christ, it's too sharp and rigorous, too severe and melancholly, they will not drink of his cup, it's too bitter and unpleasant a draught for their taste; they like not the severe austerities of St. John Baptist, nor the poverty and meanness of the Disciples; but are far better pleased with the grandure and splendor of the Courts of Princes, and relish nothing but worldly pomp and greatness, and are of nothing more solicitous, than how they may live at their ease, not caring, or valuing what wickedness or impieties they are guilty of, so it be done with secrecy, and hid∣den from the knowledg of men; and be∣cause they see not God, nor indeed can they with mortal eyes, therefore are they so foolish to think that he cannot see them; not considering that they must one day lay aside their Masks and dis∣guises, and appear before the tribunal of the great Omniscient Judg, who shall render to every one according to his works, and who hath told us plainly before-hand, That whatsoever a Man soweth, that shall he reap. It will be in vain then to skulk

and hide our selves, as the Royal Prophet David hath well expressed, when he saith, Whither shall I fly from thy presence? if I do ascend up into heaven, thou art there; If I descend down to hell, thy hand shall there find me; if I take the wings of the morning, and fly from east to west, thou canst easily reach and overtake me; if I would cover my self with the night, as with a garment, and hide my self in the darkness thereof; the day is unto thee as the night, and the night as the day: For he that has created the ear, shall he not hear? and he that hath made the eye, shall he not see? For conclusion then, is it not horridly abominable, That man who is no more than a miserable worm of the earth, should dare, he alone, to oppose and contradict the Law and order of Nature, in obedience to which liveth all other crea∣tures? And that he should be so bold an éffronté, to lift himself up against God, who is able in a moment to cast him down into the horrid abyss of sorrow and misery? Who cannot but admire at the audacious confidence of Man in the resistance of his Lord, to whom all other creatures, Hea∣ven, Earth, Sea, Stars, Planets, all the Elements, Beasts, Angels, Devils obey.