XXX.

ONe of the most Tragical and sad arguments of humane Misery, that is wont to be brought on the Scene, is Page  78 that of the Purchase of the un∣happy King Lysimachus, who made an exchange of his Crown & Kingdome for one draught of Water: which bargain the constraint of that necessity he was reduced to, doth suffici∣ently excuse; for now his soul sat on his lips being forced out of his body by a violent Thirst, & a Kindome was not an over∣rate in the purchase of that aquavitae by which the King's life was redeemed (though the water when drunk might be distilled through the Alem∣bicks of his eyes in sorrow for so great unhappinesse.) Who then will account that a hard saying in the Laws of Christ that commandeth us to forsake all and follow him; where the Page  79 is Life; not a temporal Life only, which is alway subect to the changes and incursions of fortune, exposed to labour, infirmities and diseases of the Body, infested with more troublesome and incessant distempers of the Mind, al∣way either languishing under chilnesse of Fears, or burning in Feaverish Desires; a Life still besieged with tempta∣tions: but an Eternal Life, which is not only free from all those Evil Attendants with which the other is rendred miserable, but possessed also with an unconceivable Felicity. Who would not goe and sell all that he hath for the pur∣chase of such a Pearl? who would not disesteem all Page  80 though he were as great a Monarch as Adam or Noah for the gaining of that living water which he that drinketh of shall never thirst more, for out of his belly shall flow •i∣vers to life eternal? yea, who would not barter his Trifles for an immarcescible Crown?