Emblem 139 of Henry Peacham's Minerva Brittana, Vigil utrinque (watchful on both sides), was inspired by a passage from the Basilicon Doron by James I. The passage from Basilicon Doron addresses the fact that everyone must guard against the wiles of Satan, while Peacham's emblem is directed mostly to God's ministers.
Emblem 139 shows a rooster upon a tower, or beacon. The rooster traditionally represents a constant watchfulness and stands as a sentry here. The beacon is used to mark nautical pathways and is used here also to show that there is a guide for the path. The cock on a column is also known as one of the instruments of Christ's Passion (Iconclass).
The verse following the emblem is directed to God's ministers and exhorts them to be watchful over their flocks and guard them against Satan's plotting.
Peacham uses a combination of military, or nautical, terms (sentinel, port, stratagem, etc.) and the rhetoric of sermons to address the ministers. The nautical references follow easily from the use of the beacon in the image while ministers are traditionally thought of as 'shepherds' of their flocks. The combination of these two images emphasizes the necessity of watchfulness. Ports must always be guarded against invaders and storms and shepherds must be on guard against wild animals. Peacham tells the ministers that just as 'Sathan labors still with might and maine,' so they must 'with fervent prayer againe; and faith the spirits sword, and all yee may,' protect their congregations.
The passage from Basilicon Doron while specifically addressing the son of James I, applies to everyone.
And as for conscience, which I called the conseruer of Religion, It is nothing else, but the light of knowledge that God hath planted in man, which euer watching ouer all his actions, as it beareth him a ioyfull testimonie when he does right, so choppeth it him with a feeling that hee hath done wrong, when euer he commiteth any sinne. And surely, although this conscience be a great torture to the wicked, yet is it as great a comfort to the godly, if we will consider it rightly. For haue wee not a great aduantage, that haue within our selues while wee liue here, a Count-booke and Inuentarie of all the crimes that wee shall bee accused of, either at the houre of our death, or at the Great day of Iudgement; which when wee please (yea though we forget) will chop, and remember vs to looke vpon it; that while we haue leasure and are here, we may remember to amend; and so at the day of our triall, compeare with new and white garments washed in the blood of the Lambe.
(James I, pg. 16; my emphasis)
Instead of placing the responsibility on the ministers, every person can guard himself simply by listening to their conscience, 'the light of knowledge that God hath planted in man.' In the fourth line, 'Although this conscience be a great torture to the wicked, yet is it as great a comfort to the godly, if we will consider it rightly,' James I tells us that the conscience can comfort the godly men because it records not only every evil act done, but every good act also. The conscience also gives us the opportunity to correct those mistakes we make while we have the opportunity. The entirety of the passage is James I encouraging his son to walk the paths of righteousness, and also telling him that he has the tools to do it.
The idea of the conscience fits well with the image of the eternally watchful rooster and the guiding beacon. Peacham picked two elements that demonstrated the message contained in this excerpt. The diversion comes in Peacham's verse, by directing the message only to the ministers, instead of everyone, he has changed the message. The reason for this narrowing of focus may be that it is a more effective means of passing the message. At the time it was not likely that many people would read, much less own, Peacham's book or the Basilicon Doron, but it is possible that members of the clergy would read through these books and be able to pass this message on to their congregation. Also, other people might be reading these books seeking to be as virtuous as kings. These books provide an excellent guide to them.
The message contained in both books is clear: guard against Satan. The difference is simply that James I applies it to everyone and Peacham directs it to the priests. Peacham's presentation drives home the necessity of constant vigilance.
- Rich Novak
Works Cited
