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WOE is me! how many prisons do we passe? so soon as ever this divine soul is insused into this flesh, it is a pri∣soner: neither can any more passe out of this skin, till this frame of nature be demolished: And now, as the soul of this Em∣bryon is instantly a prisoner to the body, so the body is also a prisoner in the womb, wherein it is formed: what darknesse, what
closenesse, what uneasinesse, what nuisance is there in this dungeon of nature? There he must lie in an uncouth posture, for his ap∣pointed month, till the native bonds being loosed, & the doors forced open, he shall be by an helpfull obstetrication drawn forth into the larger prison of the vvorld; there indeed he hath elbow-room enough: but al that wide scope cannot free him from a true incarceratiō: Who knows not that there are many diffe∣rences, and latitudes of restraint? A Simeon may imprison and en∣chain himself in the compasse of a pillar, not allowing himself the ease of his whole dimensiōs; Peter may be lockt up in a lar∣ger Jayle, betwixt his two Leo∣pards (as that father terms thē;) S. Paul may be two years allow∣ed to be a prisoner in his own * 1.1 hired house, but under the guard of his keeper, and not vvithout his chain: There are those who
upon hainous, and dangerous oc∣casions, may be kept close under many locks; there are prisoners at large, vvho have the liberty of the Tower; yet even these last, notwithstanding the allow∣ance of spacious walks, & fresh gardens, are no other then ac∣knowledged prisoners: Such is my condition to the world, whē I am at my fullest liberty: It is true, that when I look back to the straitnesse of my first, and native prison, and compare it with the large extent of that wide world, into which I am brought, I may well with Isaacs Herds-men, say, Rehoboth, For * 1.2 now, the Lord hath made me room: but when I compare that world, wherein I am, with that whereto I aspire, and vvhich I know to be above, and look to enjoy; I can see nothing here, but meer pri∣son-vvals, and professe my life to be no other then a perpetuall durance.
Acts ult.
Gen. 26. 22.