An English Garner: Critical Essays & Literary Fragments Part 36

But then comes the Joy of Joys! when the Parts jingle! or begin with the same Letter! and especially if in Latin.

O how it tickled the Divider! when he got his Text into those two excellent branches, _Accusatio vera: Comminatio severa_: "A Charge full of Verity: A Discharge of Severity." And, I will warrant you! that did not please a little, viz., "there are in the words, _duplex miraculum; Miraculum in modo_ and _Miraculum in nodo_."

But the luckiest I have met withal, both for Wit and Keeping of the Letter, is upon these words of _St. Matthew_ xii. 43, 44, 45: "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest and finding none. Then he saith I will return," &c.

In which words, all these strange things were found out. First, there was a _Captain_ and a _Castle_. (Do you see. Sir, the same letter!) Then, there was an _ingress_, an _egress_; and a _regress_ or _reingress_.

Then, there was _unroosting_ and _unresting_. Then, there were _number_ and _name, manner_ and _measure, trouble_ and _trial, resolution_ and _revolution, a.s.saults_ and _a.s.sa.s.sination, voidness_ and _vacuity_. This was done at the same time, by the same man! But, to confess the truth of it! it was a good long Text; and so, he had the greater advantage.

But for a short Text, that, certainly, was the greatest _break_ that ever was! which was occasioned from those words of _St. Luke_ xxiii. 28, "Weep not for me, weep for yourselves!" or as some read it, "but weep for yourselves!"

It is a plain case, Sir! Here are but eight words; and the business was cunningly ordered, that there sprang out eight Parts. "Here are," says the Doctor, "eight Words, and eight Parts!

"1. Weep not!

2. But weep!

3. Weep not, but weep!

4. Weep for me!

5. For yourselves!

6. For me, for yourselves!

7. Weep not for me!

8. But weep for yourselves!

"That is to say, North, North-and-by-East, North-North-East, North-East and by North, North-East, North-East and by East, East-North-East, East and by North, East."

Now, it seems not very easy to determine, who has obliged the world most; he that found out the Compa.s.s, or he that divided the fore-mentioned Text?

But I suppose the cracks [_claps_] will go generally upon the Doctor's side! by reason what he did, was done by undoubted Art and absolute industry: but as for the other, the common report is that it was found out by mere foolish fortune. Well, let it go how it will! questionless, they will be both famous in their way, and honourably mentioned to posterity.

Neither ought he to be altogether slighted, who taking that of _Genesis_ xlviii. 2 for his text; viz., "And one told JACOB, and said, 'Behold, thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'" presently perceived, and made it out to his people, that his Text was "a spiritual Dial."

"For," says he, "here be in my Text, twelve words, which do plainly represent the twelve hours. _And one told JACOB, and said, 'Thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'_ And here is, besides, _Behold_, which is the Hand of the Dial, that turns and points at every word of the Text. _And one told JACOB, and said, 'Behold, thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'_ For it is not said, _Behold JACOB!_ or _Behold JOSEPH!_ but it is, _And one told JACOB, and said, Behold, thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee_. That it is say, Behold _And_, Behold _one_, Behold _told_, Behold _JACOB_. Again Behold _and_, Behold _said_, and also Behold _Behold_, &c. Which is the reason that this word _Behold_ is placed in the middle of the other twelve words, indifferently pointing to each word.

"Now, as it needs must be One of the Clock before it can be Two or Three; so I shall handle this word _And_, the first word of the Text, before I meddle with the following.

"And _one told JACOB_. The word _And_ is but a particle, and a small one: but small things are not to be despised. _St. Matthew_ xviii. 10, _Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones_. For this _And_ is as the tacks and loops amongst the curtains of the Tabernacle. The tacks put into the loops did couple the curtains of the Tent and sew the Tent together: so this particle _And_ being put into the loops of the words immediately before the Text, does couple the Text to the foregoing verse, and sews them close together."

I shall not trouble you, Sir, with the rest: being much after this witty rate, and to as much purpose.

But we will go on, if you please, Sir! to [3] the cunning _Observations, Doctrines, and Inferences_ that are commonly made and raised from places of Scripture.

One takes that for his Text, _Psalm_ lxviii. 3, _But let the righteous be glad_. From whence, he raises this doctrine, that "there is a Spirit of Singularity in the Saints of G.o.d: but let the righteous--" a doctrine, I will warrant him! of his own raising; it being not very easy for anybody to prevent him!

Another, he takes that of _Isaiah_ xli. 14, 15, _Fear not, thou worm JACOB_! &c.... _thou shalt thresh the mountains._ Whence he observes that "the worm JACOB was a threshing worm!"

Another, that of _Genesis_ xliv. 1. _And he commanded the Steward of the house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry_: and makes this note from the words.

That "great sacks and many sacks will hold more than few sacks and little ones. For look," says he, "how they came prepared with sacks and beasts, so they were sent back with corn! The greater, and the more sacks they had prepared, the more corn they carry away! if they had prepared but small sacks, and a few; they had carried away the less!"

Verily, and indeed extraordinarily true!

Another, he falls upon that of _Isaiah_ lviii. 5, _Is it such a fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush?_ The Observation is that "Repentance for an hour, or a day, is not worth a bulrush!" And, there, I think, he hit the business!

But of these, Sir, I can shew you a whole book full, in a treatise called _Flames and Discoveries_, consisting of very notable and extraordinary things which the inquisitive Author had privately observed and discovered, upon reading the Evangelists; as for example:

Upon reading that of _St. John_, chapter ii. verse 15, _And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the Temple_; this prying Divine makes these discoveries, "I discover," says he, "in the first place, that in the Church or Temple, a scourge may be made, _And when he had made a scourge_.

Secondly, that it may be made use of, _he drove them all out of the Temple_." And it was a great chance that he had not discovered a third thing; and that is, that the scourge was made, before it was made use of.

Upon _Matthew_ iv. 25, _And there followed him great mult.i.tudes of people from Galilee_, "I discover," says he, "when JESUS prevails with us, we shall soon leave our Galilees! I discover also," says he, "a great miracle, viz.: that the way after JESUS being straight, that such a mult.i.tude should follow him."

_Matthew_ v. 1. _And seeing the mult.i.tude, he went up into a mountain_. Upon this, he discovers several very remarkable things.

First, he discovers that "CHRIST went _from the mult.i.tude_."

Secondly, that "it is safe to take warning at our eyes, for _seeing the mult.i.tude, he went up_." Thirdly, "it is not fit to be always upon the plains and flats with the mult.i.tude: but, _if we be risen with CHRIST, to seek those things that are above_."

He discovers also very strange things, from the latter part of the fore-mentioned verse. _And when he was set, his disciples came unto him_. 1. CHRIST is not always in motion, _And when he was set_. 2. He walks not on the mountain, but sits, _And when he was set_. From whence also, in the third place, he advises people, that "when they are teaching they should not move too much, for that is to be _carried to and fro with every wind of doctrine_." Now, certainly, never was this place of Scripture more seasonably brought in.

Now, Sir, if you be for a very short and witty discovery, let it be upon that of _St. Matthew_ vi. 27. _Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit unto his stature?_ The discovery is this, that "whilst the disciples were taking thought for a cubit; CHRIST takes them down a cubit lower!"

Notable also are two discoveries made upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 1.

1. That "CHRIST went down, as well as went up. _When he came down from the mountain_." 2. That "the mult.i.tude did not go 'hail fellow well met!' with him, nor before him; _for great mult.i.tudes followed him_."

I love, with all my heart, when people can prove what they say. For there be many that will talk of their Discoveries and spiritual Observations; and when all comes to all, they are nothing but pitiful guesses and slender conjectures.

In like manner, that was no contemptible discovery that was made upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 19. _And a certain Scribe came and, said, "Master, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest."_ "A _thou_ shall be followed more than a _that_. _I will follow_ thee _wheresoever thou goest_."

And, in my opinion, that was not altogether amiss, upon _St.

Matthew_ xi. 2. _Now when JOHN had heard in prison the works of CHRIST, he sent two of his disciples_. The discovery is this. That "it is not good sending single to CHRIST, _he sent two of his disciples_."

Some also, possibly may not dislike that upon _St. Luke_ xii, 35.

_Let your loins be girded_. "I discover," says he, "there must be a holy girding and trussing up for heaven."

But I shall end all, with that very politic one that he makes upon _St. Matthew_ xii. 47. _Then said one unto him "Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee." But he answered and said, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?"_ "I discover now," says he, "that JESUS is upon business."

Doubtless, this was one of the greatest Discoverers of Hidden Mysteries, and one of the most Pryers into Spiritual Secrets that ever the world was owner of. It was very well that he happened upon the G.o.dly calling, and no secular employment: or else, in good truth! down had they all gone! Turk!

Pope! and Emperor! for he would have discovered them, one way or another, every man!

Not much unlike to these wonderful Discoverers, are they who, choosing to preach on some Point in Divinity, shall purposely avoid all such plain Texts as might give them very just occasion to discourse upon their intended subject, and shall pitch upon some other places of Scripture, which no creature in the world but themselves, did ever imagine that which they offer to be therein designed. My meaning, Sir, is this.

Suppose you have a mind to make a sermon concerning Episcopacy, as in the late times [_the Commonwealth_] there were several occasions for it, you must, by no means, take any place of Scripture that proves or favours that kind of Ecclesiastical Government! for then the plot will be discovered; and the people will say to themselves, "We know where to find you! You intend to preach about Episcopacy!" But you must take _Acts_, chapter xvi. verse 30, _Sirs, what must I do to be saved?_ An absolute place for Episcopacy! that all former Divines had idly overlooked! For _Sirs_ being in the Greek [Greek: Kurioi], which is to say, in true and strict translation, _Lords_, what is more plain than, that of old, Episcopacy was not only the acknowledged Government; but that Bishops were formerly Peers of the Realm, and so ought to sit in the House of Lords!

Or, suppose that you have a mind to commend to your people, Kingly Government: you must not take any place that is plainly to the purpose!

but' that of the Evangelist, _Seek first the Kingdom of G.o.d_! From which words, the doctrine will plainly be, that Monarchy or Kingly Government is most according to the mind of G.o.d. For it is not said, "seek the _Parliament_ of G.o.d!" "the _Army_ of G.o.d!" or "the _Committee of Safety_ of G.o.d!" but it is "seek the _Kingdom_ of G.o.d!" And who could expect less? Immediately after this [_i.e., this argument_], the King came in, and the Bishops were restored [1660 A.D.].

Again, Sir (because I would willingly be understood), suppose you design to preach about Election and Reprobation. As for the eighth chapter to the _Romans_, that is too well known! but there is a little private place in the _Psalms_ that will do the business as well! Psalm xc. 19, _In the mult.i.tude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul_.

The doctrine, which naturally flows from the words, will be that amongst _the mult.i.tude of thoughts_, there is a great thought of Election and Reprobation; and then, away with the Point! according as the preacher is inclined.

Or suppose, lastly, that you were not fully satisfied that Pluralities were lawful or convenient. May I be so bold, Sir? I pray, what Text would you choose to preach up against non-residents? Certainly, nothing ever was better picked than that of _St. Matthew_ i. 2. _ABRAHAM begat ISAAC_. A clear place against non-residents! for "had ABRAHAM not resided, but had discontinued from SARAH his wife, he could never have begotten ISAAC!"