Kaina kai palaia Things new and old, or, A store-house of similies, sentences, allegories, apophthegms, adagies, apologues, divine, morall, politicall, &c. : with their severall applications / collected and observed from the writings and sayings of the learned in all ages to this present by John Spencer ...

Deformity of body not to be contemned. [ 767]

AN Emperour of Germany coming by chance on a Sunday into Church, found there a mis-shapen Priest,* 1.1 poené portentum Naturae, insomuch as the Emperour scorn'd and contemned him: But when he heard him read these words in the Service, For it is he that made us, not we our selves, the Emperour checked his own proud thoughts, and made enquiry into the quality and condition of the man, and finding him on Examination to be most learned and devout, he made him Arch∣bishop of Colen,* 1.2 which place he did excellently discharge: Mock not at those then who are mis-shapen by Nature, there is the same reason of the poor, and of the de∣formed, he that despiseth them, despiseth God that made them: A poor man is a Pict∣ture of Gods own making, but set in a plain frame, not gilded; And a deformed man is

also his Workmanship, but not drawn with even lines, and lively colours; The for∣mer not for want of wealth, as the latter not for want of skill, but both for the pleasure of the Maker, and many times their Souls have been the Chappels of Sancti∣ty, whose bodies have been the Spitals of deformity.,

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gul. Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 10.
• * 1.2

  T. Fullers Holy State.