Miscellanea philo-theologica, or, God, & man A treatise compendiously describing the nature of God in his attributes, with a lively pourtraiture of his wisedome in ordering, and disposing of the celestiall, and terrestriall bodies. Containing much variety of matter ... and apt applications singular for brevity, and perspicuity. By Henry Church.

[Sect. 3] The fifth branch is, of the Moones gubernation.

HEr Regiment is over the waters, a moist govern∣ment: the flood and ebbe is according to the en∣crease and wane of the Moone: what power she hath on our braines or blood exceedes my knowledge: but this is plaine, the Moone drawes the Ocean, as the Adamant doth the Iron. At new moone and full moone the tide is highest.

Considerations.

How is my condition like the Moone: as in my mu∣tation and blemishes, so in my calling and condition, being Clerke and Steward to the Water engines; like the Moone I cause the waters to flow abroad by my di∣rection.

1. The Moone was appoynted among the rest of the Planets for this office: so I was chosen from the rest to my place.

2. The Mooone is under the Sunne, and an inferior, yet over the waters as a governour: So am I under my superiors; yet, as the Centurion, have sevants under me.

3. The Moone is faithfull in her Regiment, and was never knowne to stoppe a tide, or take a bribe to pervert

order, to teach me my duty to keepe order and Justice.

4. The Moon is sometimes clouded, yet still hath rela∣tion to the waters; so is my inclination that way; when other occasions keepe me away, I forget not my relation that I beare toward the water-workes.

5. The Moone is lesse welcome to theeves, who love the darke, because their deedes are evill, and I finde my selfe most maligned by them, whose falshood I discover.

Secondly, the Moone over the waters, is as the King over the people.

1. As many droppes makes a River, many rivers an O∣cean; so many people doe make up a Nation, or an Army.

2. Waters are sometimes calme and quiet, and some∣times troublesome: so are people, sometimes quiet, sometimes raging and furious.

3. Water are for ornament and defence, profit, and refreshing: so are people to the Prince.

4. Some waters are salt, some are fresh, some are bit∣ter, some are for healing: so are the people, some are tart, byting, and censorious; some are sweet loving, a∣miable; some are good, mercifull, and religious.

5. Some waters are more obvious, some are more obscure, and runne under the ground: so some people have places of eminence, others are more obscure and re∣tired.

Conclusions.

1. If waters bee governed by the Moone, it may teach us not to despise government: it is nature that is refractory, grace submits.

2. United forces are strong: many droppes make a Sea, and carries great ships.

3. Let me pray for the waters of the Sanctuary, the saving graces of the Spirit, that I may be cleansed from my naturall pollutions: for water cleanseth, that my tentation may be allayed in respect of their heate: water

cooleth, that I may be made fruitfull in all goodnesse: water causes fructification, thus I have a little digressed from the moone to the waters, it being an element I am much conversant withall. So much of the Moones regiment.