Spicilegium, or, A glean of mixtling by John Winter, minister of East Dearham in Norfolke.

Men doing worst aim at the Best.

ENvy at Eminence is the anvile upon which each Vulcan-maechanick hammers and forges all opprobrious works and calumnious inventions. It is the white within the spell, that the arrows are aimed at. And as wee need not question the goodness of the fruit, where the tree is most generally cud∣gell'd: so without doubt, there is an Excellency in those men above others; who are most obnoxious to vulgar affronts and indignities.

And as it hath been; so it ever will be. The Generality will never be wiser or better than themselves. They had ra∣ther erre with their forefathers in railing at their betters: than sing a new song of praise to God, for their virtues and abilities. Thus Horses will chuse to dung, and Asses to pisse, where others of their kind hath done it before them. This is the nature of the beast.

We shall seldom hear a scurrilous or scandalous story told; but the subject is either a Fryer, or a Parson. And these pro∣phane tales as they are become the pastime of the many; so they are most greedily imbibed for truths, by the itchingears

of Separatists; and made the very Golden Legend of those vio∣lent Saints, whose pretence is a perpetuall reformation.

My mind tells me; and the event shews it; that they did not well (whosoever they were in places of Authority) who by connivency countenanced rude and ignorant persons, to speak evil of, or scoff at any holy orders; howsoever they had been abused or the professors thereof had degenerated

And we have lived in an Age, which hath paid us home all those injuries with double interrest; rnd made the name of Parson as odious as ever was that of Fryer; and perswaded the people that every Priest was either a Jew or a Pagan.

And yet schismaticks have affected to be Fryers (good souls) and never knew it; whilest they assumed to themselves, by way of excellency, the name of Brethren. For Frere is brother.

People must have something to speak against; although they speak against their own conscience, and all reason. Whatsoever the faults of fathers be, it becomes not children to lay them open: but to reverence their virtues and pious la∣bours; and to condole their imperfections.

Memnon a famous Captain beat one of his souldiers for rail∣ing at Alexander, though his Enemy: because he was a person of honour. Though I hired thee (said he) to fight in the de∣fence of the Country against him: yet I gave no commission to revile him.

So let men defend the truth and the Church of God by what lawfull and laudable means they may: But by no means let them offend God by speaking evil of dignified men; much less by speaking evil of dignities.

Notes

• Plut.