The spiritual bee, or, A miscellany of scriptural, historical, natural observations and occasional occurencyes applyed in divine meditations by an university pen

To the Christian Reader.

Reader,

IT is the happy advantage of our Contenplative Life above all others, that we can never find the leisure to be truly and en∣tirely Idle; and when we have a Writ of Ease given us from more ordinary and necessary oc∣casions, even in our relaxations and remissions, the Mind inured to Speculation will find out some matter or other to work on, and busie it's self about; and it can as little be wholy reposed from that activity and motion, as the Sea from agitating and moving its self, or the eye while open from seeing. This small Collection of Thoughts which thou art here presēted with, hath

the issue of my improvement of that advantage (Losse of Time in its smalest parcels, being that which I have alwayes desired to reckon in the heaviest Jtem of those things I am accountable for to my Discretion) being on∣ly the product of my retire∣ment home into mine own bo∣some, in those intervals, & res∣pites which have been afforded me from other Litterary Em∣ployments, quibus in occupati∣onis exilium missus sum: (which consideration will also furnish me with an Apology for that Inequality of style which the more judicious reader may observe the various parts of this Abortive to be formed with) & I confesse scarce any thoughts did ever with so great a relish steal my time & mind away as

those which I have thus expend∣ed. My Papers would easily have afforded to have swell'd the size, but I would not presume to entrench further upon thee, till thy candour towards this were secured.

As I judge it vainly impru∣dent to have recourse to those known and usuall pretences of, preventing false Copies, impor∣tunity of Friends, casting in their Widow's mite &c. so com∣monly served up as excuses, and Vouchees of Publication (though I might perchance use some of them with more grounds then some, who im∣pose upon the vulgar by set∣ting up their cry at greatest distance from their Nest, like Lapwinges) So likewise I deem it tediously formall to make

Defensatives & enter cautions against the Critick and the cen∣surer (the Zoilus & Momus:) Although, as they are wont to rub Hives with bitter herbs to defend them from venomous creatures, so I could wish I had an Antidote against some Rea∣ders that make it their busines, like Flies to seek out and stick upon sore places only, or which is worse, like Spiders, to gather and by an innate virulency con∣coct into poyson that, which of it self was of an innoxious nature: However, while I lye post sipa∣rium, and my writing is like that upon the Wall to Beltsha∣zar, where the hand only was seen not whose it was, my Cur∣taine will be instead of a Sheild as well as a vaile.

As for this manner of writ∣ing

some have thought it as ad∣vantageous to publike improve∣ment as any; having observed that it hath been the unhappy fate of Polemicall and contro∣versall bookes rather to enlarge & widen then close differences, in so much that their usefulness otherwise doth seldome counter∣vail and expiate for their dis∣advantage this way: and for Doctrinall writings their nu∣merousness doth rather oppresse then benefit, rather satiate then satisfie the Reader; and I have sometimes thonght the case to be much the same here, as it hath been observed concerning being versed in Books of History that it makes men wiser then those of Policy, as furnishing us with Instances as well as Rules, and * 1.1 as it were upon the Stage

dressing up and personating the Precept so, as that our mindes shall have a more full and ad∣vantageous prospect of it.

I doubt I am justly jealous in fearing it a self flattery to think here may be that variety which may not be wholy without profit: That Divine whose aime is only to please, never pleased me; and yet withall I ever judg∣ed it impossible for a man to pro∣fit that pleased not. If wax may be here hiv'd up as well as Ho∣ny, yet both may be some way usefull. Where the grounds from which I have made my startes do not afford such plenty of be∣neficial thoughts (which is to be imputed to the poverty of that treasure of which the Authour is owner) yet there perchance what is discoursed may admi∣nister

the happy occasion of bet∣ter thoughts in others: and the Honey which drop's from the dryest of these leaves may not be wholy unimproveable.

I had once thought to have marshall'd and rang'd the things according to their na∣ture under their distinct Titles, but upon second thoughts I wa∣ved this piece of Herauldry, as deeming it needlesse with such curious and nice Ceremony to seat every thing in it's proper place. Farewell.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.