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

VIII.

The Deepest Waters move most silently & undiscerna∣bly; and the Spheres have the swiftest motiō, yet move with∣out noise: The Starres, though vast and glorious bodyes, yet distance makes them seem very small; and many Stars as in the Galaxie, shine unseen: The Moone when that side towards the Earth is darkned, towards heaven shines bright. If in some mens conversa∣tion I seem to discern little, or nosplendour, let me not be too rashly forward in my cen∣sures of their estate; it may be I doe not approach near enough to them: perchance

our heavenly Father may see that in secret which doth not discover it self openly; he may have a bright-side heaven-ward, though toward Earth he seem wholy Eclips'd: Per∣chance he hath so much more of the Publican in him, then of the Pharisee, as to think it a good work to conceal his good workes; and therefore is so farre from making his pray∣ers in the open streets, to be seen of men, that he thinks his Closet scarce private enough when the dore is shut: and so farre from proclaiming his Alms-giving by sound of Trumpet, that he will not let his left hand know, what his right doth, when it dispenseth them: The Flax may have

fire in it though it be but smoaking, and doe not break out into a flame. As most men doe seem better then they are in truth, so some are better then they seem to be. I had rather be good and not seem so, then seem good, and not be so: For the Publican went home ra∣ther justified then the Pha∣risee.