Proper Names of Men, not to be so much regarded as Appellative. [ 1360]
A Poor Shepherd in Germany,* 1.1 when divers observing the Cardinal of Colein, and admiring his pomp as a Prince, whereas his calling was but a Bishop; O, sayes the Shepherd, Cum damnatus fuerit Rex, quid fiet de Episcopo? If the great Duke should go to Hell for pride, What would become of the humble Bi∣shop? Thus as with Titles, so is it with the Names of Men; It is not the pro∣per Name,* 1.2 but the Appellative; not the Nominal, but the Reall that makes a good Construction in Gods grammer; Abraham is a good Name; but the Father of the Faithfull is a better: Moses, a good Name; but the servant of God much better. David, a good Name; but a Man after Gods own heart, far better: so it may be said of S. Iohn, he had a good Name; but to be the beloved Disciple of Iesus Christ, was much beyond it. Paul, a good Name; but to be a chosen vessell of the Lord, much more: So that Grace is not tyed to Names; Theodorus, Theodosius, Dorotheus, Theodatus, Deodatus, Adeodatus,* 1.3 all signifying the gift of God, may well be given to our Children; but it is the Grace of God that maketh happy; No Man hath the mystery of his Fortune written in his Name; Names are not Pro∣pheticall, much lesse Magicall; yet the Civill use of them is for distinction, Nomen quasi Notamen; and the Religious use of them hath by good antiquity been alwaies observed in the Sacrament of Baptism.