Meditations upon a siege. By H. P.

MEDITATIONS 21.

Of Hills and Rocks.

SUCH places as are naturally ei∣ther stonie or mountainous, are easiliest made tenible, and fittest to plant a Garrison: for in such places the accesse is difficult, the ascent disad∣vantageous, the undermining some times impossible, and in all these respects, the defence both more easie, and more certaine. And trulie it is no wonder to finde, that nature should out-doe art, and such a pettie circumstance as the si∣tuation of a place advantage a businesse more, then humane industrie. Indeed Art perfects nature, and some small addi∣tion it may make, where she finds the

most materiall parts of the worke readie done to her hand: but if God, and na∣ture (subordinate to him, working all things acording to the good pleasure of his will) did not in most things provide better for us, then we can for our selves, we should soone perceive that Art were beggerly, and humane industrie a toy, for the effecting of such mightie workes as we confidently propound unto our selves, and hope to carrie. How often we have found our selves in these things deceiv'd, how often we have come off with shame, and losse, and miscarried in our undertakeings, none of us but re∣member. The vanitie of dareing much many are guilty of, and it hath been their punishment to find by tryall that they attempted things beyond their strength. To follow nature as a guide, and tread heedfully in those steppes wherein she goes before us, and hath prepar'd the way for our atcheivements, not arrogateing, or ascribeing too much to our owne art, and industrie▪ nor swelling our hopes too high when their foundation is but sandie, is a safe rule, which they that heedfully

observe, seldome miscarrie. It is a great ingratitude, not to acknowledge the helps and advantages of businesse that Nature lends us; and not to use them is not to ac∣knowledge them. But necessitie (a good schoolemistresse, though a sharpe one) en∣forces us to use them; and when we have us'd them, the world sees how much we owe for them, though we would dissemble it. It is Gods wisdome so to provide, that in great undertakings, and in sore distresses, the least part of mans safetie should come from himselfe, who being the searcher of the heart knowes full well, how apt we are to arrogate too much un∣to our selves, and how loath to impart the glory of an action to any second causes. Nothing more necessary then to beate downe that pride: and that is done no way better then when it is made visible to sense, so that he that runnes may reade it, how much Nature (God's great vice∣gerent) hath contributed to those works, whereof vaine man assumes the glory to himselfe. Lord, so direct me in all world∣ly things (those especially that concerne my owne safetie, and defense, with o∣ther

mens) that I may never neglect any thing which art or industry may adde to perfect nature: yet withall that I may in all humilitie acknowledg what helpes thou the God of nature doest afford me, that I may thereby make thy glory the more, though mine owne be the lesse.