We must carefullie fixe our eies, and lift vp our mindes to God the Father, thorough our Lord Iesus Christ. Chapter. 1.

WHosoeuer is desirous of his owne saluation, and coueteth to prouide vvell for himselfe: and whoso­euer in this life, affecteth with diligent watch and warde, boldly and confi­dentlie to withstand such imminent casualties and discommodities, as doe violentlie assaile vs euerie moment; let him fasten his eies vpon God our hea­uenlie father thorough Christ, and let his mind be alwaies erected towards him, from whom as from a most plentifull fountaine it was first deriued, and let him not elsewhere looke for or followe after anie other helpe of his saluation, but lette him trust and leane to this God alone, let him worship, reuerēce, and loue him, and let him in confidence and faithe of his Sauiour, require from him all things that ap­pertaine to his saluation. Afterward, let him ear­nestly [Page 2]sifte and attentiuelie meditate with himselfe, vvhat liberalitie God hath vsed tovvards mankind, with vvhat ornamentes and guiftes of Nature hee hath adorned him, vvith vvhat dignitie and autho­ritie he hath set him out, and to vvhat honour and glorie he hath exalted him, that was formed but out of the earth.

What great thinges God the Creator of all things, hath bestowed on man. Chapter. 2.

AS the form and external shape of mans bodie (being lostie and boult vpright tovvardes heauen, whereby hee may learne to lifte vp his eies to that place from vvhence he had his beginning) is more notable and more artificiallie and comelie made then anie other liuing creature whatsoeuer: so his invvarde shape doeth so vvonderfullie adorne him, that hee is conformed and made like to the ve­rie Image of God himselfe, that is, hee doeth re­present and resemble the verie essence of his maker, yea and approcheth verie neere the Nature of his Creator. Which excellent and infused povver from aboue, consisteth vvholie in his minde and soule: which vvas dravvne out of his first patterne, euen the treasurie of Goddes ovvne Diuinitie. By vvhich heauenlie guift man obtained to bee indued with reason, 1 Cor. 3 iudgement, and vnderstanding, vvas made capeable of heauenlie doctrine, and was vni­ [...]ed vnto him by the knowledge of him, and faith [Page 3]in him, and so is wholie transformed into him. And this chiefly aboue all other notable prerogatiues hath man obtained: that seeing God hath made all other creatures [...], that is altogither dumbe and destitute of speech and vtterance; God hath giuen vnto man the guift of speaking, vvhereby to com­municate with others the thoughtes of his minde, and to be able to shevv the conceiptes of his heart. And (which is chiefe of all and moste acceptable to God) with his voice to magnifie his Creator, and to honour him (whose knovvledge hee hath conceiued by faith in his heart) with al praise, laude and glorie. For by this meanes not onelie the Ma­iestie and glorie of Gods name is extolled, but also (as farre as mannes wit is able to stretch) he rend [...]th all thankes for benefites receiued: shewing a testi­monie of a thankfull and readie minde tovvarde so liberall and louing a father. Psal. 15. For seeing God hathe no need at all of our goods, he requireth nothing of vs but loue and thankefulnes.

That there is nothing more deare vnto God then man, and that all thinges were made for his vse. Chap. 3.

BVt as God is not onelie especiallie affected tovvards manne, and hath adorned his soule & mind (in which his Diuinitie shineth) with manye and notable Ornamentes: but also furnished and garnished it aboun­dantlie vvith externall guiftes and large possessions [Page 4]of those things that nature (as the minister of god) doth plentifullie poure vppon him, and hath giuen vnto him power and authoritie ouer the whole earth, Cenes. 1 yea euen to the poorest Cobler and meanest man in the world; vvho doth no lesse enioye the li­beralitie of his Creator, and the visible pleasure of the vvhole vvorlde, then any King abounding in wealth and riches: so that hee is not conuersant in the large Theater of this worlde as a stranger, or te­nant that is alienated from the possession of vvorld­lie goods, Cosmopolites but as [...], that is, a Citizen and free holder of this world, and lord of all things that the earth bringeth forth. For to his vse, profit and obedience, were al things created vnder the Cope of heauen, or vvithin the compasse of Sea & lande. Which Dauid wondring at, confesseth the vvorkes of God in these verses. Psal 8. O Lord our God how won­derfull is thy name through all the vvorlde, because thy glorie is exalted aboue the heauens. What is man that thou art so mindfull of him, and the sonne of man that thou so carest for him? Thou hast made him but a little lovver then God or his Angels, thou hast crovvned him with glory and honor, and hast made him ruler ouer the workes of thy hands, thou hast brought all things vnder his feete. Wherby he shevveth vvhat estimation God hath of man nexte after Christ, and hovv he regardeth him, to vvhom all the vvorlde is seruiceable and obedient: Rom. 8 so that not onlie all thinges created were made for his vse and commoditie, but also Christe vvas subiect to death for his sake, by vvhose grace and merites the father giueth vs all things abundantlie.

What great thankfulnesse man oweth to Godward. Chap. 4.

BVt aboue all other thinges this ought to stir vp the mind of man to giue vnto god a more then ordinary loue & reuerence: that when he vvas estranged from GOD, and through breach of his commandement cast in­to eternall death; our heauenlie father through the singular fauour and merits of Iesus Christ, receiued him againe into grace. For Christ pitying mannes destruction, hath reconciled him to his father, by purging him vvith his bloud, and ouercomming death, and shaking of the tyranny of his most dead­lie enimie, to whom he was bound, and as it vvere tied with an earnest penie, set him at libertie by his resurrection, and restored him againe to his inheri­tance of the kingdome of heauen. So that as Paule vvitnesseth, vve are no more the alians or strangers of God, but citizens and heires, yea and friends and houshold seruants with him, that is, built vpon the foundation of the Prophetes and Apostles, Ephes. 2 euen Christ Iesus the head corner stone, by whome vvee haue accesse and entrance by one spirit vnto the fa­ther. Wherefore, Titus 3 vvhen any one by the helpe of found doctrine thorough faith and the vvashing of our redemption, is ingrafted into Christe, and as Paule saith, by the renevving of the holy Ghoste, 2 Tim [...] vvhom he hath plentifullie poured into vs, haue ob­tained grace and inheritance: it is verie meete, and the repairing of our saluation requireth, that placing [Page 6]all hope and faith vppon so bountifull a father, and vppon his sonne Iesus Christ, whoe hath abolished death and sinne, wee should submit our selues vnto him, and make good our liues, maners, and affecti­ons to him, and that vve shoulde endeuour with all puritie of heart, holy and blamelesse conuersation, with dailie and feruent praier to binde him vnto vs, to the ende we may obtaine his grace and fauor.

What profite Baptisme bringeth to man, and what it warneth vs to doe. Chap. 5.

BEcause Baptisme or the holie washing, is the first entrance, doore and porche in­to the Congregation and companie of the faithfull, it bringeth vs to the truste and hope of our saluation. For by faith and repen­tance (that is, the detestation of our former life) our bodies being mortified and mindes renewed, wee are ingrafted into Christ, who vvasheth avvay, clean seth, and abolisheth the spottes and sinnes of our soules vvith the vse of this externall signe, by pou­ring into our mindes the holy Ghoste, vvherby the certaintie of our saluation once conceiued, wee boldie cry Abba father. Which prayer or inuocati­on beeing doubled and oftentimes repeated, is so forceable and present at hande to helpe, that it ob­taineth all thinges of our bountifull father: so that we direct our prayers, vovves, requests, and sighes, to him thorough Christ. 1 Iohn 5 Iames 1. For vnder this captaine and Mediatour vvhich hath assured his Grace vn­to [Page 7]vs with his bloud, we shall obtaine all things that are profitable for vs, and our prayers shall neuer returne vnto vs fruitelesse and in vaine. For the eares of so bountifull a Father are not stopped at their praiers, for whose redemption he hath bestow­ed his onelie sonne.

After God wee must bee charitable to our Neigh­bour. Chap. 6.

NOwe as our loue tovvardes GOD ought to be so great, Deut, 6 Leuit. 7 Mark. 12 Luke, 10 that vve shoulde ovve all thinges vnto him, and that all humaine powers of our mindes and harts, or soules and spirites, should be poured out tovvardes him: so ought there no lesse intire loue and charitie to be shevved towardes our Neighbour (that is, euerie one of our ovvne nature and condition) then wee shewe vnto our selues: to the ende all of vs may perfourme our duties cheerefullie to God.

And if at anie time neede require, and occasion bee profered (which we ought quicklie to catch) to helpe the poor, and to ayde him both with counsell and money. For this is the chiefest fruit of faith, and the moste sounde and certaine testimonie of christian Religion.

What ought to bee the dutie of Chil­dren towardes their Parentes. [Page 8]Chap. 7.

BVt as we owe all thinges to God, & many thinges to our Countrey and friends, so is our debt also very great to our parentes. What dutie and reuerence we ovve vnto them, I need not bestow much labour to write, be­cause there is a naturall loue and good vvill ingraf­ted in al thinges towardes their owne, yea euen a­mongst the Heathen, Math. 5. Pro. 28 as Christ vvitnesseth: yet so, that albeit this affection be dutifullie performed by the heathen, deserueth no praise, but onelie seemeth to auoide the crime. Neuerthelesse, this ought to be earnestlie imprinted in vs from our very infancy, that we carefullie and heartilie loue our parents, by whose helpe and ministerie, wee haue obtained our first entrance into this light, and our beginning of life: so that vvhatsoeuer reason biddeth and equitie requireth, wee shoulde bee dutifull and obedient to them, Luke, 2 as we reade Christ was to Mary and Ioseph. For pietie, obedience and reuerence tovvardes our parents, Exod. 20 Deut. 5 Marth. 15 Ephes. 5 is pleasing and acceptable vnto God, the which is strictlie prescribed vnto vs, both in the old and new Testament. This also is a notable saying of Pittacus the Philosopher: Looke what allowance thou bestowest on thy parentes, the selfe-same and no better expect from thy children. Matth. 7 Marke. 4 And the saying of our sauior Christ serueth excellently vvel for this purpose, in these words: Looke with what measure thou meatest (to thy parentes) the [...]me shall (thy children) measure to thee againe. From this error and ouersight it commeth often to passe, that Pa­rents [Page 9]find their children stubborn, disobedient, nay altogither carelesse of them, in such sort, that when their children come once to yeares, they scorn and despise their parents admonitions: Marke this you that wil haue no appearanc [...] of euill in your house [...] yea and that as a iust reuenge deseruedly inflicted vpon them, bicause they themselues were not humble, obedient & kind to their parentes before; proudlie, scornfullie, and cruelly checking and bitterlie controlling them.

How euerie one ought to carie himselfe, towards them that are their instructors. Chap. 8.

GIue no lesse honour to those maisters that instruct and garnish thy minde with lear­ning, then thou doest to thy parents. For thus did Iuuenal commende his forefa­thers and prayed for them, because they honoured them with no lesse loue and kindnesse then they did their parents, saying:

Which is word for word:

(Which because it smacketh so much of Hea­thenisme, whoe vvere woont to burne their dead corps, and put their ashes into a potte, I haue thought good to turne it after this sort into the best [Page 10]Christian sence and rime I could.

And Fabius admonisheth his disciples, [...]b. 2 cap. 10 that they shoulde loue their maisters no lesse than they doe their studies, and esteeme them to bee parents, not of their bodies, but of their mindes. For to be borne and to be instructed, are equals and almoste of the same nature: for the one bringeth foorth the bodie, and the other fashioneth the mind. Now, if the pa­rentes indued with all knowledge of humanitie, doe take the paines themselues to instruct and teache their children: or if they themselues be destitute of those helpes, and hire a learned maister to instruct and helpe to bring them to learning and wisedome: they can bestow nothing on them more profitablie, then by that meanes to decke and adorn them with vertue. For by framing their liues after this forte, their mindes are not onelie beautified with excel­lent vertues; as soundnesse of life, honestie of man­ners, chastitie, mee [...]enesse, placabilitie, modestie, curtesie, iustice, temperance, and familiaritie: but also willinglie bringeth them, or almost against their wil carieth them to vvealth, dignitie and honor, to which learning openeth them the waie.

Who aboue al others ought to be reuerenced in this life. Chap. 9.

SEeing y^t as Paule also teacheth, Rom. 13 euery one ought to bee honoured according to his calling and [Page 11]degree: so ought we chiefelie to performe this du­tie to olde age (whither wee all hasten) to the graye headed, and such as are wel stricken in yeares. For so saith Moses by the commandement of GOD: Leuit. 19 Before the gray headed arise, and honor the person of the aged. Lycurgus also the Lavvgiuer of the Lacedemonians, decreed the same to be kept, willing vs to giue greatest honor, not to the riche and vvor­shipfull, but to those that were aged and stricken in yeares. And surely olde age was neuer so muche honoured as then. Hitherto must also bee referred all magistrates, counsellers & gouernors, by whose wisedome and authoritie the safetie of the Com­monvvealth is maintained, and all thinges are go­uerned quietlie and peaceablie. Rom. 13 To these wee may adde, all such as are of approoued honestie, men of ripe age, Gentlemen sprung from a good house, and men indued with the studie of letters, and or­namentes of learning. But to such as are resident in the office and ministerie of the Church, and do take great paines in framing the mindes and correcting the wic [...]ed maners of men: to them doe I yeeld the greatest and chiefest honour. 1 Tim. 5. For Paule biddeth vs account those elders worthie double honor, who in grauitie for maners, age for wisedome, Rom. 12, 13 Phil. 2 and integrity for liuing, doe shine before the flock and feed them with holsome doctrine, and the pure & syncere food of the word of God: giuing and bestowing on them all thinges more ampli [...] and plentifullie, not onelie reuerence in regard of their age, but prouision suffi­cient to man [...]taine their liues, and such things as are necessary for their houses.

What profit instruction bringeth to men, and of what sort it ought to be. Chap. 10.

WE ought to haue a great regard after what sort we be instructed. Wherefore, when first our age is most capeable of learning, and most addicted to the studie of good letters, let it be aptlie indued with the noble and li­beral sciences: for by them is the nature of man best framed to honestie, and soonest garnished with the attire of humanitie. But our best lesson for instruc­tion, must begin at the framing of good manners. Wherefore, when a young man is prepared to stu­die, let him first learne good behauior; and then e­loquence, In [...]. or the art of Rhetorique: which as Plinie saith, can hardlie be conceiued, except one be well nurtured, because the manner how to liue well is of more force then the order how to speake well; and soundnesse of liuing is a great deale more to be wi­shed, then elegancie of speech: albeit indeed these two should be ioint and vnseparable companions, and the one to be assistant vnto the other. After the same sort may wee reason, as concerning choice of words, and iudgement of matters. For albeit the knowledge of matter more then of wordes, is to be wished: yet must the matter it selfe bee declared in euident and plaine wordes. Nowe the precepts of life which bring an ornament to the minde, and in­structeth it in pietie, albeit they bee in themselues honest and profitable; [...]ib 1 cap. 1 [...]b. 1. cap. 3 yet as Lactantius and Fabius saie, they obtaine a greater power and for [...]e to per­swade [Page 13]when their beautie is set out with the cleernesse of Oratorie. For those thinges that are taught in their kind, and set out with skilfulnesse of speech, doe more powerfullie pierce into the mindes of men. And albe­it, we bee vvholie giuen to vvordes (as some Smatters are that are vvholie ignorant of the matter) yet is it bet­ter to coine eloquence and finenesse of phrase to wise­dome, least old wordes that are barbarous, foolish, and quite out of vse, doe creepe into our speeche and sen­tence: whereby a sententious Oration is rather obscu­red then anie waie opened. But if to picked and neate wordes wisedome be vvanting, vvhereby there resteth no grauitie in the sentences, blunt & rude wisedome is rather to bee preferred, then babling and foolishe fine speeches comm [...]ded. For as Cicero saith: Lib. 2. de or a [...] the foundati­on of eloquence (as of all other thinges) is wisedome. And therefore excellentlie wel saide Horace, which all men may follovve in their seuerall professions, when hee sayeth:

Novv the holy scripture inspired by the holy ghost, vvanteth no humaine helpe, for it affecteth not y^e mind with eloquence and finenesse of words, but by a secret and certaine diuine power, draweth and transformeth the mindes of men. 1 Cor. [...] Which Paule himselfe doth wit­nesse [Page 14]to the Corinthians, where hee saieth: When I came first vnto you and laide you open the Oracles of God, I vsed no glorious wordes or brags of wisdome: neither was my sermon or preaching vnto you in the perswading words of mans wisedome, but with a hea­uenlie and powerfu [...]l demonstration, that your saith might not stande in the wisedome of men, but in the power of God. By which wordes, hee doth not reiect grauitie in wordes and sentences, wherevvith he him­selfe was plentifullie furnished; neither doeth hee de­priue himselfe of the force and efficacie of perswasion, whereby with firme reasons and [...]t words he draweth mens minds to the knowledge of the truth: but would thereby warn the professors of the gospell, not to trust to the force of Eloquence, to draw mens mindes vnto them with inticing vvordes, but with the spirite and povver of God. So that by this you may see, Paule speaketh wisedome with the perfectest. Wisedome in deede, not of this vvorlde, nor of the princes of this vvorld (that is of Orators who are defaced, and whose finenesse of Orations are vanished) but [...]ee spea [...]eth the wisedom of God closde vppe in a mysterie, which more forceablie affecteth the mindes of men, and fa­steneth sharper pric [...]es in them, then any humain do­ctrine decked and trimmed with most curious words. For the word of God (as he saith) is liuelie and quick, Heb. 4 more piercing then any tvvo edged sworde, stri [...]ing thorough euen to the diuision of the soule and spirit, the ioints & marrovv, and a discerner of the thoughts and purpose of the hart. For thus saieth God by Ie­renue. Are not my wordes as fire or a hammer that breake [...]h the stones. Cap 23 Psal. 1.8 P [...]o. 30 And Dauid hee confesseth, hee tried the force and flames of Gods worde in his heart. Moreouer Salomon confirmes it, saying: Euery word [Page 15]of God is a fi [...]rie buckler to defend all those that truste in him.

Wherefore let not the ignorant thinke, that Chri­stian doctrine is idle and vn [...]auourie, which endueth mens [...]inds with so heauenlie and wholsome vertues. For that the Prophetes of God were not vnlearned, but were perfectlie taught the knowledge of vvordes and matter, euen this is an argument: that there are dispearst in the bible so many notable parables, tropes, metaphors, comparisons, figuratiue speeches and si­militudes, ta [...]en from Beastes and hearbes, and from the whole nature of thinges dispearsed ouer the whole earth, wherevvith the sermons of the Prophets are so de [...]ked and adorned, that you shall sinde none so ex­cellent in the vvritinges of menne; neither shall you anie vvhere finde such a maiestie of vvordes and sen­tences, that can so forceablie affect mennes mindes, or stirre them vppe to embrace so profitable Doc­trine.

Whence the soundnesse of manners and best precepts are to be sought. Chap. 11.

THou shalt perfectlie learne the soundnesse of manners and the most profitable waie to leade a good life, out of the decrees of our Sauior Christ, to whom we are incorporate and to vvhom we haue giuen our names, whose doc­trine doeth so much the more forceablie affecte and transforme mennes mindes, in that it is deliuered by the inspiration of the holie spirite, and hath no dregs of this world admixed vvith it: it sauoureth nothing of old wiues superstitions (which is but a shadowe and [Page 16]certaine shew of Religion) but (which of all thinges is most profitable) is remooued farre from al kinde of I­dolatrie: that is, from the adulterous and pernicious worship of anie other God. Wherefore to what kinde of life soeuer thou addict thy selfe, or what kind of stu­die soeuer thou doest enter into, vvherin thou thinkest to abide and continue, thou mayest exercise thy selfe in the vvord of God and in his commandements: and from thy verie infancie imbrace this doctrine. For the mind of man indued from his tender yeares with the word of God, and defended by him as with a hedge, shall boldlie and povverfullie defend it selfe againste al lustes and monstrous vices. Threnor. 5 Hence it came, that Ier [...]m comfortablie saith: It is a good thinge for man if hee haue taken vnto him the yoke of God from his youth. For as Salomon saith: Pro. 22 Looke what vvaie a young man entreth into in his youth, that vvare wil he not forsake when he is old. To which that saying of C [...]p [...]ian agree­eth: That cannot be sodainlie and vpon a stomach for­saken, which alvvaies vsed in youth waxeth olde with the aged. For what thing soeuer a man vseth in his in­fancie, the same in olde age can hardlie bee lefte off. Hence comes it, that by continuall custome, we see so manie olde drunkards, Lechers, and lasciuious men [...]uerie where, Iob 20 in such sort, that as Iob saith: Their very bones are corrupt with the vices of their youth: that is, they haue liued so lasciuious and wanton beyond de­cencie and regard of their age, that their vices are gro­vven to such a greatnesse, that they can by no meanes shake them off.

But there are some, who vvhen young yeares begin to be abated, and their wanton heate is somewhat a­swaged (for that age to vvantonnesse is verie subiect) they leape backe and giue themselues to thriftinesse, [Page 17]and blamelesse conuersations. So saieth Cicero in his Oration for Celius: There haue beene many most ex­cellent and honourable men, in ours and our ancestors memorie, whose lustes of youth when they began to waxe colde, became in olde age men of excellent ver­tues. But as there be manie to whom this happeneth, who either are cloyed with the loathsomnesse of their former liues, or by a secret inspiration from aboue, or else by their friendes admonitions and exhortations stirred to more discretion: yet are there manie vvhoe carried awaie headlong with their owne opinion, are altogither frustrate of amendment of life: so that delay to them is dangerous, and the occasion of repentance profered them slippeth avvaie, before such time that with the hatred of their vices, they can lay hold on the profitable instructions of life. Wherefore it is better, all delaie set apart, to bestow some labour in the poli­shing of our liues, and in our youth rather to accustom our selues to the best waie, then by procrastination de­laie the occasion of a better life. Ephes. 5 Colos 4 The Apostle Paule vrgeth this in many places, and counselleth vs in the course of this life to walke warilie and circumspectlie not as fooles, but as wise redeeming the time, for the daies are euill. In which wordes, Galat. 6 he warneth all sortes of people in this life not to let slippe the oportunity of our saluation, but at all times to take it when it least an [...]e and to redeem it with the losse of al other things whatsoeuer, least at vnawares contrarie to our expec­tation, we chance to be ouertaken in our carelesnesse. Moreouer, Matth. 13 Luke, 12 Christ doth also stirre vs vp in manie pla­ces, awaking the negligent and carelesse to watchful­nesse, diligence and carefulnesse; exhorting them by manic examples to attend to their saluation, as valiant and couragious souldiors, who placed in their corps [Page 18]of guard, stand alvvaies readie girte and neuer forsake their watch, least anïe at vnavvares breake into the campe. Cap. 2. Abacuc vseth the same metaphor, saying: I will stand vpon my guarde or watch tovver, and I will set my foot vpon my munition, and wil consider what the Lord saith vnto me. Hee taketh on him the per­son of a vvatchmanne, which secretlie obserueth the attemptes and ambushes of his aduersarie, fixing his minde and cogitations vpon God, in vvhose trust hee opposeth himselfe against the enemy of mankinde the Diuell, and stops the entrance of him and his compli­ces. Luke, 12 Matth. 24 1 Thes. 5 2 Pet. 3 Math. 25. Our Sauior Christ bringeth fit similitudes where­vvith hee admonisheth euerie one of vs of our duties: namelie, from a guarde or scout in an army, from the theefe and oppressor by night, from the sodaine an­guish of a vvoman in trauaile, from a bridegroom pre­paring his mariage: M [...]ke 2 Luke 2. from the secret comming of a ma­ster of a samilie: from the approch of vvar and destruc­tion: from famine and imminent danger: from a figge tree bringing forth vvilde figs: from the day of death and iudgement: with manie other wherwith he plucks vs by the eares, and makes vs attentiue to heare the works of our saluation. We haue a notable example deliuered to young menne to frame a good life by in Christ himselfe when he was at that age: vvho grevve vp both in age and wisedome before God and men; vvhose modesty in good maners, made him gracious and fauorable amongst al men: vvhom it becommeth vs chiefly to imitate, and by his example to approoue our pains & diligence both in citie & countrey. Now bicause our Sauior Christ at 12. yeares of age, shewed great note of his towardlines amongst wise men, and spake manie things earnestlie and to purpose, & vvhen he vvas asked a [...]e question would ansvver mildlie and [Page 19]modestly without any shewe of arrogancie or pride, which vices are wont to bee in the ouerhastie, foolhar­die and rashe wits of youth: I interpret Christ to haue great reason in this action to do it, to the end our yong men following his example, should shew some sign of their towardlines in their youth, & giue some hope to their parents and others, that they are like to become vertuous. But because they haue need of a conductor which as a guide may shew them the vvaie, I wil shew them the path wherin they shal go, & what examples of life they shal follow, and to what authors they shall addict themselues, wherby they may come to perfect knowledge, or at leastwise come neare vnto it.

What Authors we may best vse to file the toung and in­struct the mind, and what artes ought most especiallie to be learned. Chap. 12.

TAke vnto thee such choice Authors, that▪ thou mayst set them before thee as most honest to read, and profitable to follow. For it is a verie foolish thing in imitation or emu­lation, not to follow the best patternes. Sowing hath taught vs that in the verie nature of it, in which we are vvont to commit the best and finest vvheat to the fur­rovves of the earth. The same also is vviselie regarded in grafting, in vvhich vve take the best and fruitfullest siens or shootes, and graft them on another tree. Yea and which is also wont to be obserued and kept in painting, Musick, Poetry & Oratorie: in al which y^e curious aemulator doth desire to imitate the perfectest pat­terns & such as are don at an inch. 1 Cor. 12 And this doth Paul also teach vs to obserue in those things that belong to [Page 20]godlinesse and the giftes of the spirit, that wee might attaine and come to those things that are most power­full and excellent. For vvhosoeuer frameth either his studie or course of life after this sort, shall neuer repent himselfe of his labour & paines bestovved ther­on. This also is a common practise amongste them, that addict themselues to anie kind of superstitious li­uing, and of such also as are [...]ude of speech, which be­cause it is not in vse among the learned, are forced to take great pains to vnlearn their Barbarisme. In which practise, methinkes the mother and nurse of good learning, Italie and the learned Greece are much to be praised: vvhose custome France & the Low coun­tries cease not to follovve, in that they laie before their youth the best patterns of learning. For by this means it falleth out the [...]r youth are not onely indued with pu­ritie of vvords, and elegancie of speech, but also quick­lie attaine to the knovvledge of the matter.

The Authors iudgement on Heathen writers. Chap. 13.

ALbeit there bee manie vniust iudgers of causes, vvhich doe exclude and hisse out of al schooles prophane Authors (as they improperlie call them) and will not that any examples, either to file the toung, or frame a good life to bee fetched out of them: yet are there Poets and Orators, both comical, tragicall, and historicall, which may helpe the studious youth to the knovvledge of vvords and matter, to the noble and li­berall Sciences, and to sounde and perfect discipline: yea, they doe open a speedie and easie passage to all of them. Deseruedlie therefore and for great cause, are [Page 21]these studies renowmed, vvith the names of humani­tie and more excellent learning, because they doe in­due our tender and young youths with curtesy, meek­nesse, and pleasing conditions. From these studies al­so, men of more yeares and riper discretions, do gather honest delightes, and shake off the troubles of this life vvhich are readie to ouervvhelme them in their busi­nesse. And hence it came, that Saint Basil surnamed the great, inuited and willed his cousins, not onelie to read holie and sacred writers, but also earnestlie to per­use the vvorkes of Orators and Poets.

Of Poets, and what profit youth and age get by reading them. Chap. 14.

HOvv exact an instructer of toung & maners an Orators kinsmanne a Poet is (by which name is meant a teacher of the liberall artes and of good life) Horace in these verses fol­lovving shevveth:

which is:

And after he repeateth certain profitable precepts, as not to vse youth too seuerelie, not with threatnings or imperiouslie, least they be weary of wel dooing, but rather with that moderation & art, that horse keepers and breakers doe their stout horses, whoe by gentle handling and stroking of them, doe bring them to mount and reare vnder them, and with a kinde of arti­ficiall playe, Vir. gec [...]g. 3 as Virgil saith: ‘Insultare s [...]lo, ac gressum gl [...]merare super [...]um,’ which is ‘To prance on ground, and amble out ave [...] statelie pace.’

Neither do the delights of these studies stirre vp the mindes and courages onlie of young men, but is also of great vse vvith the ancient, if at anie time they haue leisure to breath themselues from their busines abroad and to cease from their serious and waightie assayres elsewhere. Cicero and Fabius doe vvitnesse, that there were an ancient kinde of Poets, renowmed in former ages before Theophrastus: Iab. 10. cap. 1 for it is manifest they vvere the first that brought the rude, runnagate, and wilde men liuing like beasts, into a ciuill kind of life & socie­tie, In arte. Po [...]. which Horace also finely expresseth in theseverses:

Of the vse and profit of Histories. Chap. 15.

SEeing that a historie, that is, a faithfull nar­ration of thinges done, hath no lesse profite then delight: for besides the pleasure we take in reading it, doth it not bring vnto vs also most plentifull fruites of wisedome? Therefore it is ve­rie meet and requisite that euerie man do exercise him selfe therein. For that the fruite of a historie is verie great, Titus Liuius incidently declareth in these words. It is a historie that in the knovvledge of things is most▪ profitable and fruitfull: there mayst thou see and be­hold documents of al examples laid vppe as it were in some excellent monument: thence mayst thou gather that which thou thy selfe and thy familie may imitate, and there mayest thou finde waies how to auoide bad enterprises, and dangerous euents. And when one de­manded Zen [...] by what meanes a man may bee happie, if (saith he) thou behold attentiuelie the age that went before thee, that is: If thou diligentlie marke the No­ble acts of thy Elders, and their excellent vertues. For a historie as Ci [...]ero saith, is the light of truth, y^e keeper of time, the life and strength of memory, the mistris of our life & the messēger of antiquity, in which al things are written finely and plentifully, and as it ought to be [Page 24]faithfullie according as it vvas atchieued and doone. And as for the holie Bible, doeth it not lay open vnto vs a large field of Histories, and shevve vnto vs plenti­fullie thinges done of olde? From vvhence vvee may gather profitable instructions and fitte patternes of a good life: of which manie of them do laie open to our eies and vnderstanding the vvonderfull iudgements of God, and doe vvarne euerie one of vs, hovv detestable a thing before God is Idolatrie, the contempt of gods word, the irreuerent regarde of him, and the truste in any other but him alone.

Of Comedies. Chap. 16.

A Comedie is a neere kinsman to a hystorie, and a glasse of mans life, in vvhich one may see and behold his maners, affections, & the expresse image of all his life, vnder the person of another man; and may marke and obserue thereby his ovvne vices and vertues; yea, and that as Tullie sayth, after a pleasant, elegant, ciuill, wittie, and mery fashion: vvhich kind of exercises almoste all Nations vse in their ovvne tongue: and that sometimes vvith such a large scope and libertie of speech, that as Horace saith, libertie among players became a vice, because they vvere thereby more prompt to follovv vice. For they did not in this their libertie, onelie defame the common and base sort of people: but also disquieted rulers and great menne, euen in the open Theaters of their Cities, and sharpelie taunted them in vnseemlie rimes. Yet if they had done this thinge without anie reproch or staine of the good name of them that were good, and had not so inueyed against them with their [Page 25]seditious verses, but had sharpened their tongues a­gainst them onely that had deserued it, then might it seeme tolerable: because the touching of suche sores might perhaps haue brought the sicke to repentance, and haue put them in mind to haue regarded their du­ties. The Dutchman cals this licence Batementen, (that is in English, Priuate plaies) and the rime or me­ter their Enterludes end in Rym oft Dychte (that is rime or meter.) Now these delights and pleasures of vvit, ought to be learned betimes while we are young, and not after vve are stricken in yeares: because these stu­dies agree best vvith flourishing youth, albeit the aun­cient may sometimes delight themselues therevvith, hauing had a good smacke of it before in their youth. For those thinges that are wholsome and profitable to vertue and honestie, let not him that is growne to a good age; no nor hee that is olde and farre stricken in yeares, be ashamed to learne: for to learn good things there is no time too late, and to forsake vice neuer out of season.

Of eloquence, and the art of speaking which is needeful and profitable for all men what Language soeuer hee speake. Chap. 17.

RHetoricke or the Art of Oratorie, whose office is to speake aptlie, distinctly & fine­lie; and with choise words and graue sen­tences to intice and inflame the minds of his auditorie, is most needfull and profita­ble for such as execute the office of preaching, rule in a Commonvvealth, beare the office of Magistracie, for such as are appointed to bee Maiors or sherifes in Cities, and which must liue among discordes & strifes [Page 26]in a campe, sedition and vprores in a Citie and Com­monwealth, vvhose parts it is, and whose authoritie requireth to appease the furious minds of a [...]ude mul­titude, and to rule them with good counsell & words of authoritie. For subiects are not alvvaies brought to obedience by threatninges, feare, violence, crueltie, svvord and punishment (no they must not go so farre vnlesse the matter cannot be appeased without those bloudie remedies:) but they must be reclaimed from wicked enterprises to their duties, by faire words, hol­some exhortations, and countenances ful of grauitie and constancie. The selfe-same wisedome and discre­tion ought maisters of families to vse tovvardes their seruantes, and teachers of children tovvardes their schollers.

To what Artes the studies of humanitie do open vs the waie. Chap. 18.

THe studies of humanitie and liberal sciences doe not onelie polishe the toung with inti­sing wordes and sweet sentences, but also a­uaileth to get the pro [...]itable and necessari [...] Artes of this life: to wit, Physicke, Surgeri [...], and the Ciuill Lavve, and (in which the minde of man taketh great ioy and pleasure) Phylosophie, not onelie hu­maine, but also Diuine, vvhereby through Christe to come to the knowledge, loue, and Faith in God. For all Artes in vvhich manne diligentlie exerciseth him­selfe, must be referred hither, and onelie ayme at this white.

The professors of vvorldelie wisedome cou [...]de ne­uer attaine to this: vvho wandering from the veritie [Page 27]did thrust into mennes minds falshood for truth, vaine conceits for sounde opinions, forgerie for synceritie, doubtes for certaintie, and harmes for helpes: and all because they wanted the spirite of God. Now seeing that among all other artes, there are onlie three which bring not onelie honour and profit to the professours, (albeit profite shoulde not bee so much regarded) but also is of great vse to maintaine the liues of the com­mon sort of people: thou muste betimes deliberate vvhich of them thou haste a desire to follovve, and to vvhich by Nature thou art moste apte and sitte. Theologie (that is, the knovvledge of Diuinitie, giuen by the inspiration of the holie Ghoste) frameth the minde to godlinesse, and instructeth thee vvhich vvaie, or after what forte GOD will bee vvorshipped, and painteth out vnto thee the vvaie of thy saluati­on, vvhich so it bee soundlie deliuered) leaueth all o­ther Artes so farre behinde it, as Heauen is distaunt from the earth, or as stronge thinges differ from the weake. That part of this knovvledge which indueth the minde with faith shewed out to the Worlde in the workes of Charitie, is necessarie for all menne to ob­taine their saluation, as I haue elsevvhere more at large shevved: For by faith in Christe, vvee haue ac­cesse and entrance in one spirit vnto the Father. Phy­sicke prescribing a spare and temperate diet, proui­deth for healthe by the vse of vvholsome receiptes, and healeth all diseases. This as Plutarch witnes­seth, is of such accompt amongste the liberall Scien­ces, that for honour and pleasure, it is nothing at all inferiour to Ciuill and politique gouernement. And it bringeth suche profite vnto the studentes thereof, that besides the increase of all thinges belonging vn­to house keeping, it is most healthfull for the bodye, [Page 28]which is more excellent then large possessions. But what delight and profite the diligent se [...]ing into the nature of herbs bringeth, together with the knoledge of their force and strength, and what pleasure and de­light is in the anatomising and cutting vp of men and vvomens bodies, and in the diligent obseruation of their partes: no man can be easilie perswaded, vnlesse by vse & exercise he hath practised it. Now the know­ledge of the Ciuill lavv hath alwaies bin had in great prize and estimation, vvhose office is to rule Cities by counsel, to establish good Lawes in them, and to cor­rect and amend them with iudgements.

Which is,

Which order if any man thinke to contemne, he (as Cicero saith) not onelie violentlie taketh avvay the bonds of true iudgement, but also of common profite and life. For by the helpe of the law we see Common wealthes to be vpheld, and all controuersies betvveen Citizens and Countrie people, to bee ended in peace and tranquilitie, and that onelie by the authoritie of good lawes: whereby princes and magistrates do ex­ercise iustice, and receiuing povver from God, do pu­nish malefactors and wicked persons: and on the con­trarie, defend those that are good. And therefore it is, that God will haue great honour and obedience per­formed to kings, [...]om. 13 such as gouern the commonwealth, so they command thinges that bee iust and agreeable with Gods vvord.

That we must cleaue to some setled profession. Chap. 19.

SEing the most delectable studies do so please manie, that they onelie spend their time and waxe olde in them, neuer bending them­selues to anie sound profession: I thought it not amisse to aduertise all men that desire to receiue a­nie fruit by learning, and would not spende their cost and labour in vaine, to addict themselues to that pro­fession wherunto they are most fit by nature, least they should seeme to attempt any thing altogither againste Nature: then earnestlie to applie the studies of their professions whereunto they are addicted, and vvith all their force to attaine to the perfection thereof, that applying their studies after this sort, they may (so it may be gotten) attaine to a ful and perfect knowledge therein. And for other delectable studies, let him prooue them sometimes by fits, as it were breathing or resting himselfe from his setled labour, and yet with such a condition, that he quickly returne againe to the taske and office of his vndertaken profession, and call home againe his mind to his intermitted studies.

What studies and exercises are most profitable and fruit­ful, and what are hurtful and pernicious. Chap. 20.

WE must also bevvare of that which diuers do practise in manie professions, which is, that we bestow not too much labour and paines about difficult, obscure, and altogither vn­profitable thinges: but if thou spende much care and [Page 30]studie vppon thinges that bee honest and worthie to be knovvne, I will highlie commend thee. For there are some, which busying themselues in some studies, bestow all their paines in those thinge▪ which are ful o [...] toile, doubtes, and griefs, and yet returne no profite to their labour: as is that ouer [...]urious marking and iud­ging of the starres, a vanitie fetched from the Chalde­ans: to which our rash professors leaning vnto, do cer­tainlie tell what shall happen to men, to vvhat fortune they are borne, vvhat shall be the ende and successe of all their actions: neuer asking counsell at the Proui­dence of God, by vvhose will the whole worlde is go­uerned: whose rash and doubtfull predictions Esai [...] quippeth, and laugheth to scorne such as aske coun­sell and demande an Oracle or sentence from such de­ceiuers. Cap. 44, 47 For thus he derideth them. Let the sooth­sayers which contemplate the starres of hea [...]en, salute thee, and let them reckon the moneths, and thence tel thee things to come. Cap. 10 Iere [...]e also doth the like. Learn not of the Gentiles, nor feare not the signes of heauen which the Gentiles feare, because the lavves of them are vaine, and their demonstrations are deceitfull and foolish. By which words, the holie prophets doe not altogither condemne and reiecte Ast [...]ologie, vvhich hath also her vse and profit: but they scorne such pro­fessors of it, vvho vnder counterfait and deceiueable colours of Diuination or telling of Fortune, doe blind the common sort of people, and deceiue them that are credulous with a vain expectation of things to come. A neere kinsman to this is Chiromancie or Palme­strie, which by looking on the lines and wrinkles of the hande, telleth woonders. The smoke and deceipt al­so of Alcumistrie, where the trifling Al [...]umist per­swades himselfe he can turne siluer, b [...]asse, and manie [Page 31]other thinges into gold. And which is vvorse then all these, Necromancie or Coniuration: vvho are wont to raise dead bodies out of their graues, and of them to aske Oracles and answeres: 1 Kin. 29 as vve read Phytonissa did, who to gratifie Saule, brought Samuel or rather a counterfait and fained shape of Samuel, to be seene of him. Of the saide nature also, are those Diuinati­ons, which call spirites to appeare in water and fire, which we may call Hydromancers and Pyromancers, and manie other iuglinges of diuelles and inchaunt­ments of Sorcerers, Hariolation, Aruspitiation, Au­guration, Auspication, that is Diuination by seeing into the bowels of beastes, and foretellings by the chirping and songes of birdes. To which also I referre al such witches, wisardes, hagges and Sorcerers, as doe hurt and annoie their neighbours Cattell, and vvith the helpe of the Diuell doe steale avvaie their milke and butter, spoile their haruest and vintage, and take awaie strength from men and maketh them so feeble and weake that they are altogither vnable to performe the dutie of marriage, of which strong men haue often complained to mee▪ lamenting that they vvere be­come Eunuches, and like Geldinges, to their ovvne shame and their Wiues hurte and hinderance. To whome I haue laboured to giue remedies and preser­uatiues, applying vnto them such hearbes as by the gifte of God, are verie forceable and of great effica­cie against such inchantmentes. So that to tire the wittes with these witcheries, is not onelie superfluous and vnprofitable, but also deadlie and damnable. For by the lawes of God and man, Deut, 18 they ought to be puni­shed with Death: and such as with the helpe and fur­therance of the Diuell doe exercise those wicked and vngodlie Artes, shoulde bee bounde to a stake and [Page 32]burnt aliue with fierie fagots. By what meanes these inchantments may be resisted and expelled, I wil shew you in the end of this booke, where wee will intreat of the maiestie of the name of Iesus, least heere I shoulde interrupt the order and course of my speech.

We ought to haue no lesse regard to our mindes and soules, then vnto our bodies. Chap. 21

SEeing man is compact and made of a soule & bodie, we must with all foresight haue a care of both. The soule is the chiefest part of man, and the bodie is the house of the soule: we vse for the most part the commandement of the soule, and the seruice and ministerie of the bodie; and therefore ought we to haue great care of both. For if we take care that our houses stand not in a fennie nor plashie ground, & that the roofe or top of it lie not open to the winde and raine, nor that the vvalles do chop and chinke; & see­ing that we take care that our garments be not dustie, but that we ayre them, least mothes and wormes doe ouercome them: hovv much more ought we to pro­uide for the body, least the vices therof by consent and law of fellowship infect the mind, and so remoue from one to the other. For Horace saith:

To which agreeth that of the wise man, The bo­die that is corrupt greeueth the minde and humbleth [Page 33]the vnderstanding, thinking manie things. Therefore some thinge must bee giuen to the bodie, by vvhose helpe (as Plinie saith) the soule is sustained. And that did Paule verie well perceiue, 1 Tim. 5. when he forbad Timo­thie to drinke any more water, prescribing him a mo­derate vse of vvine, vvherewith hee might strengthen his stomach, and be the more cheereful in deliuerie of the Gospel. For the bodie being made perfect, is more profitablie seruiceable to the minde, not hindering or troubling it from contemplating and studying of hea­uenlie things. But our chiefest care must be, to bring it an ornament to set it out, which may be done by no better meanes, then by a firme and constant faith in God, which lifteth vppe man to a certaine hope of im­mortalitie, and taketh awaie from him the feare and terror of death. And as food is the nourishment of the bodie: so is the worde of God the foode and nourish­ment of the soule, vvhereby peace and tranquillitie comes to the mind, then vvhich there can be nothing more to be wished and desired of man in this life. But with what anguishe and disquiet of minde the wicked are vexed: what bitter torture of conscience they feele, the verie external habites of their wicked bodies doe testifie. For wickednesse is such a reuenger of it selfe, that looke into what mind it hath once entered, it neuer leaueth it voide of care, but alvvaies vexeth it continuallie with trouble. The which Esaie expresseth in an excellent similitude, Cap. 57 fetched from the rage and stormes of the Sea, saying: The hart of the wicked ra­geth like the sea, vvhose affections abound with filthi­nesse and villanie: that is, their mindes which are de­filed with vvickednesse and villany, are alvvaies tumul­tuous, troublesome, and disquieted. For how is it pos­sible that he can lead a svveet and pleasant life, or that [Page 34]his minde should be at peace or rest, who carrieth a­bout with him a bodie infected with filthie and vici­ous diseases, and a minde polluted with foule vices? Wherefore, seeing the greatest parte of euils doe rise from the corrupt affections of the mind, we muste by all meanes possible abstain from them. Moreouer, we must with the like care and indeuour, deliuer the body from al kind of diseases, least it carrie anie blemishe or contagion to the soule. For seeing that filthie and corrupt humors doe bring hurtfull vapours to the braine, they must of force prouoke the minde to manie mis­chiefes.

What meanes a man may vse to keepe his bodie in perfect health. Chap. 22.

ASpare and temperate diet driueth avvaie all diseases, and keepeth the body in per­fect health, by taking those thinges that are necessarie to corroborate strength & confirme health. Artis medi. 85 And these by Galen are called causes of conseruation, because they are fit to preserue the state of the bodie, so that vve fitlie and conuenientlie vse them. Our later Physitians terme them vnnaturall causes, not because they are againste nature, but because they are vvithout the bodie, and are not bred in vs as the humors are. In vse and effect if vve take them not orderlie and in good sort, they af­fect nature and her povvers with sundrie discommo­dities. And of this sort is the ayre, meate and drink, sleeping and waking, fulnesse and emptinesse, the af­fections and motions of the minde: all which mans bodie requireth to keepe and defend it. Now because [Page 35]the most powerfull parte of our health dooth consiste in a good diet: wee are greatlie to regarde what part hurteth and what profiteth the bodie. And because Gluttonie is no lesse loathsome then hurtfull and per­nitious to health: let vs take no more meate and drink then the necessitie of nature requireth, that y^e strength of the bodie may bee nourished and not oppressed. For a moderation in diet is moste profitable and ne­cessarie for them that are studious of learning, and matters of great importaunce, for those that watch long and indure labour, and for such as execute pub­lique offices: for temperaunce bringeth health and strength; it maketh the spirites both animall and vi­tall (which are ascribed to the hart and braine) to bee cheerefull and liuelie: so that whatsoeuer a man con­ceiueth in his minde, hee may perfect and execute it speedilie without anie molestation. But common ex­perience shevveth by dailie examples, that excesse in diet, and intemperancie of life bringes diseases, hin­dereth good studies, troubleth honest cogitations, breaketh vvatchfulnesse, cloudeth the cheerefulnesse of the minde, quencheth the povver of the soule, ma­keth menne slothfull, vnmanlie, sluggishe, idle, slee­py, and to giue themselues vnto no excellent exercise.

Wherefore, vvhosoeuer addicteth himselfe to the studie of learning, and bendeth his minde to learne any matter of moment; must so moderate his affaires that he doe nothing after his owne lust, but that his desire be subiect to reason, applying all thinges to the vse and necessitie of life and Nature. Christ requi­reth the same of his professors, and reclaimeth them in these words to sobrietie: Take heed least at anie time your harts be ouercom with surfetting & drunkennes, & the cares of this life, & y^e day com sodainly vpō you: [Page 36]for it shal come as a snare vpon al that dwell on y^e face of the earth. In vvhich wordes hee fasteneth sobrietie in the minds of men, and shaketh off the loue of earth­lie thinges, and vvill haue them to continue in so doo­ing till the ende of their liues, least vvorse thinges happen vnto them. That also is an excellent saying of Cornelius Celsus: [...]. 1 When thou commest to meate, too much sacietie is neuer profitable, and too much absti­nence is also as vnprofitable. For neither hunger after fulnesse, nor fulnes and vnmeasureable gluttonie after hunger, are any vvaie wholsome Wherfore very fond are they and vnaduised, vvho hauing been at a supper, banquet, or feast, doe so pine themselues aftervvarde with hunger, that oftentimes thorough faintnesse and weakenes of spirite, they giue vp the ghost, or at least­wise vvith sweet sauours must be fetched againe from their swounds. Others againe with ouermuch fasting & pinching their bellies with hunger, when they come to good cheere loade themselues so full of meate and drinke, that vnlesse they be vnbraced, would very neer burst: yet somtimes to sup liberallie, and to satiate him selfe at bankets in season and proportion, can neither be hurtful nor worthy of blame: the rather, if it be don moderatelie and in a mean, as kept within the bounds of temperance. For vvith such refections, sorrovv and sadnesse is expelled, which vvith ouermuch care doe dull and darken the minde, vvhich maketh melancho­like students (their spirits being weakened and spent) to be froward, silent, churlish, and estranged from all good fellowship, and familiar conuersation, which af­fections ought to bee most estranged from louers of learning, politicians and schollers.

We must take our meate at the liberal and bountiful hand of God, with grateful and thankeful harts. Chap. 23.

NOw because thorough the bountifulnesse of God we do plentifullie and abundantlie inioy all his creatures, and that all of them from the beginning of the vvorlde were appointed to the vse and profite of man: therefore so soone as thou art sette downe at the table, before thou touche either bread or meate, lift vp thy minde to the Creator of all thinges, and desire of him by praier, that all thinges which thou shalt receiue may be profitable to thee by faith, and powerfull to nourish and foster our bodies: for neither the nutrimentall strength, nor vegetatiue force consisteth in brothes and meats, but in the word of God, which indueth them with that vertue and strength. Wherfore let vs refer al thinges to God: for besides Paule, Prudentius also telleth vs from whome we must looke for our foode and helpes of this life, 1 Tim. 4 Rom. 14 1 Cor. 9 to vvit from God the father, by whom through Christe we obtaine all thinges: For thus doeth hee direct his praiers to God:

After the refreshing of our bodies, he inciteth vs a­gaine by the example of Christ to thankfulnesse. Marth. 26 Marke 14 For our Sauiour after Supper, would not rise from the ta­ble till he had sung a psalme: whereby he woulde haue vs to acknowledge all thinges to come from the riche and bountifull hand of God; and by his good gift, be­come profitable vnto vs. For thus doth he further ex­hort vs to thanke God after meat.

There are sundrie patternes of this kinde of prayer amongste the best approoued writers: there are also many such scattered heere and there in the Bible: but there is none of more force to obtaine that wee aske, then that which is prescribed by Christ. For what­soeuer we aske or conceiue in minde, Matth. 6 Luke 11. ought to bee re­ferred hither, or rather flow from this fountaine. For although it stand but of a few wordes, and is diuided but into sixe or seauen members, yet is it so aboun­dantlie replenished with mysteries, that it comprehendeth in it all things▪ which either belong to the glorie of God, our owne vse and necessitie, or else to the vti­litie and profit of our neighbors.

What regard we ought to haue of hospitalitie. Chap. 24.

NOw as touching that which belongeth to the intertaining & ordring of such ghests as thou hast inuited to thy table, and of such also as haunt and frequent to thy costes, thy feasts [Page 40]and bankets vnbidden: thou must wisely and circum­spectly consider.

First therefore it is very meete that all men regarde hospitality, Ro [...]. 1 [...] 1 Tim. 3 Titus 1 2 Pet. 4 Heb. 13 Luke, 14 which besides others the Apostles doe commend, & Paul greatly requireth it in a bishop, and that our houses lie open for al honest citizens to come into. For Cicero saieth, it is a verie comely thing that great mens houses should lie open for honest and well knowne guestes. In which dutie of humanitie to the ende ambition, ostentation, preparation, and respecte of person should be auoided: Christ commanded the poore and needy to be called to his supper, hoping for neither reward nor recompence but only at the hands of his heauenly father, who rewardeth al thinges with interest. But because there are some so brasen faced and impudent, who past all shame and honesty do vo­luntarily intrude themselues into bankets and feastes, and so soone as their panches are filled depart secretlie without taking leaue of their hoast: I think it very re­quisite you put a difference and make good choyse of those you meane to make your guestes, so that none but such as are modest and spare eaters be admitted to your bankets. And let all greedy guts, cormorantes, gluttons, rauenors, and table hauntors, which against the wil of the maister of the feast do impudently come and thrust themselues into the house, be driuen out of the doores, or after some ciuill sort bee put away; or if that cannot bee effected, to twite and floute them at supper with such notable sayinges and merry quips as may put them in minde of their dutie. To which pur­pose as there might be many pretty sayinges alledged, so let this be fastened on thy doore postes where thou suppest, to the end that standing where they may read it, it may put them in mind of decency, and make them [Page 41]ashamed.

That is:

Now that we ought not to neglect the familiar conuersation of our bidden guests, but seeke to maintaine the lavves of humanitie and friendship, this prouerbe sheweth, thou shalt not passe by my table nor pastime. For vvhen our auncestors banquetted one another by turnes, they fostred and cherished their nevv begunne friendship with these notes, and confirmed it with cō ­mon hospitalitie. Wherfore our elders would blame them of disloialtie and vnfaithfulnesse, which vvoulde passe by their doores and not be partakers of their pa­stime and good cheere: that is, breake the badge of amitie, and violate the lavv of friendship: so that they [Page 42]vvere knit togither by hospitalitie and conuersation, and by partaking one of anothers table. To this badge of friendship belongeth Dauids complaint: Psal 4 [...]. Iohn 13 who ta­king vpon him the person of Christ, accuseth his frend that vnder a fained shew of honesty and colour of god­linesse, shrowded disloyaltie and vnfaithfulnesse. For after this sort doeth hee expostulate and reason vvith him. The man that I fauoured, in whom I hoped & put my trust, hee vvho eate of my bread: that is, liued with me and tooke part with me at meate, he lift vppe his foot against me. Now I could verie wel haue born it, and with lesse indignation, if mine enemie crying open warre by his heraults, had set vpon me: but for him that vvas my most familiar friend, & with whom I was wont to communicate al my secrets, to intende craft, deceit, and guile againste mee, to set himselfe a­gainst me and kicke me with his heele, is so intollera­ble, that I cannot indure it. In y^e like manner is Christ mooued, and for the same fact: saying, Hee that eate bread with me, he hath lift vp his foote againste mee: that is, My domesticall enemie (then which there is none more dangerous) goeth about secretlie and pri­uilie to oppresse mee. A metaphor borrowed from such friends as at the f [...]st shew seeme to bee friends indeede, but at length with their deceiptfull poiso­ned heartes doe so secretlie strike one and spurne him behinde his backe, that hee cannot tell whoe it is that hurtes him. The Dutchman termes this by a pro­uerbiall figure, To strike one with the edge turned from him: that is, making a shew of friendship before his face, but behinde his backe an open enemie. For thus saie they: Van vachten, ende met de cromme-pticke [...]ken: (that is, A sleepe or behind his backe) Dauid hath another complaint, much like vnto this, vvhere [Page 43]he lamenteth himselfe to bee iniured by him, vvhose familiaritie he most vsed, and who was ried vnto him in a most straight league of friendship, yea and the on­lie partaker of all his counselles, and to vvhom he on­lie reuealed his secretes, Psal. 54 shaking him vppe thus for the greatnes of his fault. If mine enemie hadde spoken il of mee I coulde haue borne it, and if they that hated me had lifte them vppe againste me, I could perhaps haue hid my selfe from them: but thou man that wast partaker of my soule, whom I tooke for my guide and onelie friend, which eate at my table, and was conuer­sant with me in the Temple of God, &c. Which ver­ses are verie patheticall, that is, full of affection: wher­by he declareth, howe greeuouslie and with what in­dignation he did indure him, that shrouding himselfe vnder the shape of a friend became vnto him a deadlie enemie, that openlie and priuatelie sought his destru­ction. Wherein he excellentlie painteth out a craftie and deceitfull man, who vnder the visard of a certaine counterfait loue and friendship, doth flatter his friend in vvorde, shew, and countenances, when invvardlie he hatcheth poison to destroy him. Which made him in these wordes to aggrauate his disloialtie: His words are as butter in the mouth, but hee pitcheth a battaile againste mee in his hart: yea, his words are as smooth as Oyle, but his deedes are as sharpe as swordes or dartes. By vvhich similitude, hee painteth out faith­lesse and malicious friendes, which vtter one thing in wordes, and pretend another in their heartes, vvhich carie bread in one hande, and a stone in the other. Of vvhich disloyaltie Iudas Iscariot was a notable exam­ple, and manie more by him learned to deceiue theyr friendes.

Of the care and gouernment of a house. Chap. 25.

TOuching that vvhich appertaineth to Oeco nomie, that is, the gouernment of a house, which as Tullie saith, is the seruant & hand­maide of the bodie to strengthen and adorn it: it behooueth euerie man to be vvise and painfull in it, that the increase of it bee referred to the necessarie vse and commoditie of this life, and not to prodigality and delicacie; not to great cheere and vnmeasureable making of bankets, which vvasteth vvealth and consu­meth it be it neuer so great. Wherefore in decking the table and making good cheere, good husbandrie and moderation of diet ought chieflie to be regarded, and all prouocation of gluttonie and lust to be earnest­lie auoided; and to be short, all banketting dishes and iunkets which are vvont to be brought in at the end of the feast when euerie mans stomach is satisfied, where­by vve are afresh prouoked to eate. Ephes 5 This prodigalitie and excesse, besides the spending of a mannes wealth, and the bringing of manie diseases: vvhen the wine beginneth to warm vs it stirreth vs to wantonnes, mo­ueth the loines to letcherie, and maketh the secret and hidden partes of man and vvoman, to bee affected to lust, 1 Cor. 7 Rom. 13 whereby we begin to itche or (that I may vse the Apostles vvordes) to burne: that is, to be more force­ablie prouoked to venerie. Wherefore Paule woulde haue vs doe nothing to increase the lustes of the flesh, but to refer and doe althinges to the necessitie and vse of nature, and not to wantonnesse and pleasure, which is hurtfull both to bodie and minde. For there is no man that doth so much oppose himselfe againste the [Page 45]sence of nature, that he could indure his owne body to be hated, but rather as Paule saith, he nourisheth it & cherisheth it, as Christ doth his church. By vvhich example, Ephes. 5 the apostle would haue husbands to loue their vviues, and care for them as he would do for his ovvn bodie, performing those things to thē, y^• Christ doth to his welbeloued spouse the church. But in guiding a house well, and in seeking the augmentation and in­crease of it, to the end al thinges may be done without shame; thou must so order euerie thing, that thou nei­ther incur the name of a prodigall and wastful spender, nor of too couetous and neere a niggard. For as thou must increase thy stocke with good husbandrie, and augment thy wealth with sparing; so must thou not bring it to such a straight, that thou defraud thy nature of her right, nor pinch thy familie with vvant and ne­cessitie, like the filthie & greedie snudges of this world, nor yet be like to those bankerupt bellie gods, vvhich spend their gains and patrimonie prodigallie, inuiting they care not vvhat spendthrift companions to aslo­ciate them, till al be spent. But, as Terence sayeth, He must needes spende that gaineth: So as Plautus saieth, There is no gaine where expences exceed. And as the Dutchman saith, Stelt v teringhe naer v neringhe: So I may saie (in conuerting it to our English prouerbe) Cut your coate according to your cloth. Wherby it appeareth, that vve must moderate our expences, and square them out according to our gaines, least we wast our vvealth and patrimonie vvith too much prodiga­litie. Wherefore the dutie of a painfull housekeeper, is to bring out his prouision as time requireth, and to store himselfe againe vvhen occasion is profered, For as the Prouerbe saith: Sovve thrift in thy grounde and thou shalt reape it. But it shall not bee much from our [Page 46]purpose, nor from the profite of our commonwealth, nor from the preseruation of our substance: if wee al­ledge a Law that Amasis king of the Egyptians pub­lished, Lib. 3. Fr [...]p and Solon the lavvgiuer of the Lacedemomans vsed, wherein it was decreed (as Herodotus witnesleth) that all men aswell borne at home as strangers, should once a yeare shew to the Rulers of their prouinces, by what trade they liued, and by vvhat meanes they got their maintenance: and such as coulde not render a reason of this, nor approoue their liues to be lavvfull and honest, vvere executed. By the seuerity of which commaundement, they brideled the idle personnes from filching and stealing, vnto which pasle are also brought such as spende their patrimonies in dicing, whooring, and drinking.

Hence was it, that the Corinthians made a Lavve for spending against the prodigall, and such as did la­uishlie consume their goodes; and suche as banquet­ted more sumptuouslie and vvastfullie then their yeer­lie reuenevves and callinges would affoord: the which because Diphylis reporteth it in Atheneus and Eras­mus (who deserued vvell of all kind of professions) hath turned them into Latine verses, Lib. 6 I will not think much to sette them dovvne, to the ende our Magistrates may finde meanes and waies to bring thinges to such a passe, that Cities and countrie corps may bee lesse troubled with suche sturdie beggers, as doe daie and night steale the money and goodes of honest menne, and torment their bodies, if they tell not where their treasures lie. This Lavve is described in these words.

Paule also the Apostle is a seuere looker to mens du­ties, 2 Thes. 3 who commandeth that vve shake off the drousie euill of idlenesse and slothfulnesse, to take some paines in our handicrafts or occupations, whereby we may maintaine our familie: vvhich hee vvoulde haue so se­uerelie looked vnto, that he vvould haue him eate no­thing that laboureth not at all, nor looketh to y^e main­tenance of himselfe and his familie, but like a d [...]oane Bee liues of the svveat of other mens brovyes, nay stealeth avvaie the fruits of other mens labours, liuing on the almes and liberalitie of other menne; occupying themselues about nicenes and curiositie. To vvhich sharpe and seuere rule, Paule also reclaimeth theeues, which filtch and steale awaie other mens goods. Frō vvhich hee not onelie warneth them to abstaine, but that they should spend vpon and relieue the poor with that which they had gained vvith their honest labour. So that if anie ignominie or discredite come vnto thē by doing of vvicked and infamous crimes, they should take it away by requiting it againe with good deedes to the poore and needie: Luke, 19 as Zacheus did, who hauing got great vvealth by vsurie, deuided it afterward vnto the poore; so that he blotted out the faults of his for­mer life with good deedes and recompence made by vertuous liuing: to wit, he altered and changed his old affections, and shooke off the naughtinesse and ill cu­stome of his nature.

We must keepe a measure in sleeping and watching. Chap. 26.

LEarned menne and such as deale in the go­uernement of the Commonvvealth amōg manie other thinges, they ought to haue a great regard of vvatching and sleeping: for [Page 49]if these tvvo bee moderatelie vsed and in due season, they profite vs greatlie in the maintenance of health. For besides this, that they make the bodie lustie and strong, they also make the minde more prompte and readie to performe anie dutie or function whatsoeuer: for immoderate sleepe maketh men blockish, slothful, sluggish, forgetfull, and not easilie stirred to take pains in anie waightie matter. Wherefore these ought to be stirred vp and incited to take pains, that they might shake off their heauinesse and drowsinesse, and medi­tate on some thinge worthie an honest man. As for sleepe at noone or in the daie time, I vvould not vvish a young man to vse it, vnlesse it be through wearines dravvne by his labour and the heate of the vveather, or else through ouer much watching the night before; for vpon these considerations he may doe it without anie inconuenience: otherwise if he vse it, it weakneth his memorie, blunteth his vnderstanding, and besides headach maketh him blinde, especiallie if hee sleepe vppon a full stomach. To which also happeneth this discommoditie, that after such sleepe, he shall be rea­die to vomit, and doe nothing else but gape, and vse to stretch his members euerie waie, whereby the vapors dispearse themselues cleane through the bodie vvith a certaine faintnesse and chilling of an ague, which the Dutchman calleth Wanluste, and the Latines Helucum, which is as much to say in Englishe, as sicke of yester­daies drink, or this daies sleepe at noone. But old men and such as are wel stricken in yeares, may safely sleep after their dinners, so that there bee a little space be­tvveene dinner and it, especiallie in the Summer time vvhen the vveather is hot, which intemperate season dooth make men drousie and sleepie. Which sleepe they must take either sitting in a chaire, or else lying on [Page 50]a bench, flockbed or mattrisse, laying their heads som­what high on a pillow or bolster. For by this libertie of sleeping their spirites both naturall and vital are refre­shed and cheered, whereby the powers of the minde which are resident in the braine receiue nourishment. Now for ouermuch and vnseasonable watching, as it is hurtful to al ages, so doth it most anoy those that are aged and so doth famine also: both which bring drines to y^e brains, causeth phrensie & dotage, and maketh al the body drie, lean, and like a starueling. But if through moderate watching, famine, vnseasonable sitting vp, too much labour and immoderate venerie or carnall copulation thy strength be consumed, and thy spirits almost spent, and that the liuely sappe and vitall moi­sture bee wasted with leanenesse, refresh thy selfe with moist nourishment and sleepy potions as Letices, Spi­nage and malowes al of like force, Atriplexe or Orage, Buglosse or Burrage, yong Poppy seedes, Waterlillie flowers, violet flowers, Pine apples, sweet almondes, pistacke nuts, the thicke iuice of barly or strong bee re, all kinde of reasins, but especially Reasins of the sun vvithout the stones, and Corans, Dates, Orenges, Limons and Orengadoes, for by these naturall and vital heate is restored, and the braine which is the seat of the minde is vvashed with a dewe and moist vapour which bringeth sweete and quiet sleepe and rest. But if a man be sleepy by nature and that his minde is not lustie to vndertake any notable exploit, let him conti­nually giue himselfe to labour and exercise, let him a­noid al meates that are colde and moist in operation, and eate such meates as are naturally hot to drie vp the moist humors which are the only cause of sleepe: of which sort are hisope, rosinary, sage, origane, sweete Marioran, Sauery, Peniroiall, Coleworts, Ginger, Pe­per, [Page 51]Nutmeges, Cloues, and many other which ease the head that is filled with vapours and moist humors, & cleereth the mind that is clowded with thick mists & maketh it fit & apt to conceiue honest cogitations.

What profit and disprofit comes by fulnesse and emptinesse and by binding and loosing the belly. Chap. 27.

THe like care ought to bee of other thinges that be profitable or hurtfull for health: as fulnesse and emptinesse, whereby the bodie is either refreshed with meat and drinke, or else being ful of humors is emptied. But as a temperate and spare diet is profitable for the studious and such as bear rule in the common wealth: so by an ouer thin & spare diet the spirits are weakned. These men also must diligently obserue, whether their bellies be ouermuch bound, or else too loose: for both these if they exceed the mean, are alike hurtful to health: for if it run & be more loose then it should be, it maketh the bodie drie and leane, taketh away sleepe, causeth the braine to be drie and weakeneth the memory. And if it waxe ouer hard and be too much bound, it blunteth the memo­ry, blindeth the eyes, and maketh one sleepe vnquietly because of thicke & foggy humours it bringeth to the braine. Now such as make the belly loose, are violets, Lettice, Spinage, Orenge, Mallowes, which Martiall commended as very effectual for this purpose saying.

That is

[Page 52]and figges. Medicinable things of the same nature are Mercurie, Fumitorie, Polypodie or Okefearne, See­nie, Rubarbe, bastard Saffron▪ Dodder, Cassia, Manna or ayerie honie: for Scamonie, blevv Dacis or Serapi­ons Turbith, Mazereon or pepper of the Mount, doe purge awaie mens strength and weal eneth them, and therefore are not administred but to strong men. For harde knots must haue yron vvedges. But if thy bellie be more loose then it shoulde, or then is good for thy health: it may be staied with red mints, which you shal find in the Apothecaries shops, & make thereof a plai­ster, or else make a syroppe of it to drinke. A Quince­peare also bindeth and hardneth the bellie, or any confection made of it, red roses, medlars before they bee rotten ripe, the hard kerneld cornell, but not vnsauou­rie or vnpleasant, yet somewhat sovver and bindinge red gooseberie (wee call them Ba [...]beries) vvhich doe wonderfullie prouoke an appetite, and expell the de­sire to cast, and strengtheneth the stomach to retaine his meate, especiallie in summer when cholericke hu­mors doe vnloose the bellie. The iuice also of these beeing hardened with sugar, which Auicenna calleth Rob, is a present helpe, for it bindeth the bellie though it bee wonderfullie loose, and strengtheneth weake appetites: and so doe Punicke apples, which we com­monlie call Pomegranats, being full within of red co­loured kernels, which are some sweet and som sovver.

That students and such as haue gouernment in a Common wealth, must purge the passages whereby the exere­ments are auoided. Chap. 28.

GOd the maker of all mankinde hath not in vaine made so manie passages and waies to purge the humors and auoid the excremēts of our bodies, least the aboundance of them should be a destruction to man, or might perhaps bee stifled with the vapors that flowe from them: so that the head is purged by the nose and eares, the palate or roofe of the mouth by hemming, hauking, & neesing, the breast and lunges through the windpipe purgeth spittle by coughing, the stomache or ventricle purge her filth by belching and vomit, the invvardes purge themselues by and through the guts, by breaking wind and casting the ordure backwarde, the reines & blad­der doe conuey their vrine thorough the watrie con­duits and passages, and the superhciall part of the bo­die doth send out his svveatie mists & vapors through little holes dispersed in the skinne, which we cal pores. Wherefore seeing the bodie cannot bee in health vn­lesse all his partes be in good order and perform their duties without offence: vvee must haue a speciall re­garde that no faulte or intemperance doe arise, that may putrifie or defile the actions of these Organes or anie waie hurt them. For the minde it selfe vseth their ministerie to bring her waightie matters to passe. If anie disease greeue vs, if the head bee troubled vvith ache, if with the Rheume, if vvith the stone or strangu­rion, if blindenesse or blearing corrupt the eies, if hands or feete bee troubled with the Govvt, or as Ho­race saith:

Mannes minde is thereby lesse able to execute her office and performe her dutie so soone as othervvise. [Page 54]Wherefore methinkes they doe excellent well, vvho taking great care to keepe their bodies in health, doe purge and cleanse them and all their partes from all excrements: for by that meanes doth the mind more cleer [...]lie shine, and is made more fitte for anie nota­ble action. But the greatest number of men, neglec­ting all good order, and nothing regarding their owne health, doe gape after riches, and applie all their stu­dies in getting and obtaining it, when as indeed [...]elth is better than Golde, and nothing more to bee wished than tranquilitie and peace of minde, which Horace confirmes, saying:

And to the ende he might reclaime all men to a sparing and moderate vse of all things, he addeth to make vppe the former verse begun.

The vvise Salomon agreeth with him in these wordes: It is better to be a poore manne in sounde and perfect health, Ec [...]les. 30 then a rich man with a diseased bodie. Health and soundnesse is better than any golde, and a stronge bodie then infinite riches. There are no better riches [Page 55]thē [...] health of the bodie, Sap. 4 nor any delight greater then the ioy of the minde and gladnesse of hart. Wherfore we muste not measure our felicitie by our aboundance of wealth and prosperous successe in our affaires, but by the perfect health of our mindes and bodies. For it onelie liueth and is in health, who without offence in­ioyeth these two commodities.

Precepts no lesse profitable to the soule then to the bodie. Chap. 29.

THere are three thinges verie requisite for health, which it is meet all men shoulde re­garde:

To which I will oppose as many vnprofitable, which as they are causes of diuers diseases: so doe they has­ten on vntimelie old age, and manie times kill menne with sodaine death: to wit,

For as frugalitie contending with Gluttonie, bringeth the bodie to perfect health; and as exercise shaking off idlenesse and sloth, maketh a man actiue and nimble: so if it be lawfull to learne instruction from horses.

Because vntemperate, and lasciuious you the doth yeeld ouer to crooked old age a weak and feeble body But as youth ought carefully to watch ouer their wan­ton desires: so age ought to haue a far greater regarde to brydle and mortifie their lecherous lusts, and to hin­der and withstand the very entrance to luxury: For as lust is filthy in youth, so is it, as Cicero saith, most odi­ous in olde age. And as he that goeth to war had need to bee indued with force and actiuity, to tolerate and indure out the labor thereof: so in loue and in perfor­ming the act of Venus strēgth is required to vndertake night labors and to sustaine the greeuances that gaule a married man, to indure the nicenesse, malepertnes, presumption and flattery of a proude, imperious and deceiptfull wife. Wherefore neither war nor loue is seemely for olde men: because they both carrie vvith them so many dangerous griefs and discommodities, as old age is very vnable and vnfit to indure, which O­uid elegantly expresseth in these words,

For who doth not consider howe vncomely it is for a stale and withered old man after a youthful maner to fal to kissing and clipping, seeing to performe the rest he is altogether vnable? So that Sophocles said very wel who beeing stricken in yeares and demaunded of one whether he would vse the acte of venery or not: No, God forbid (quoth he) for I haue bene alwaies willing to flie from it, as from a fearce and furious tyrant.

All men must haue a diligent regard to keepe a good name. Chap. 30.

THou must by all meanes study that those a­mongst whom thou liuest, may haue a good opinion of thee, and may giue a commen­dable testimony of thy good name & fame, and may thinke well and speake honourably of thee: And thinke it no shame for thee to inquire and harken what good perswasion & conceit those with whome thou art conuersant haue of thee, and with what affec­tion and good wil they are inclined towards thee. For to be carelesse (as some pu [...]e folkes would haue euery one to be) what men speake and thinke of thee, is not only as Cicero saith, a note of pride and a [...]rogancy, but also of a verie loose & dissolute li [...]e. [...]b. 1. o [...]ic. Ma [...]th. [...] So we read Christ asked of his Apostles what opinion the very common forte of people conceiued of him, what they talked of him, and how they perswaded themselues of the Mes­sias: not for any desire of ambition or glorie, but to make trial vvhether hearing so many wholesome ser­mons, and seeing so many miracles, they esteemed any better of him then the common sorte of people. And therefore did hee demaund this, to the ende he might [Page 58]draw from them a sownd confession of their faith and how they profited in his heauenly doctrin, which had neither deceit nor vanity in it, nor no crafte or subtelty as the Pharisies falsely affirmed, but altogether sounde and sincere and deliuered from the truth it selfe, and from the ve [...]ie sonne of God our Sauiour expected from the beginning. Which when Peter by the inspi­ration of God the Father had openly confessed in the name of them all, and had constantly pronounced Ie­sus to bee the authour of all health and saluation, and that man obtaineth redemption through faith in him: Christ cōmendeth his profession to be inspired of y^e holy ghost, cōfirming it to be so firmly laid that it should be inuincible and neuer ouercome. Wherfore in eue­ry action and in all thy sayings and doings haue a care they bee done orderly and decently, for that honestie requireth, whence riseth this prouerbe. It is the chie­fest part of science to do that which is comely, that is, to doe that which is sitting to nature, and agreeable to wit & maners which the Dutch man expresseth thus, Dat wel voeght ende betaemt. For it is a short and spee­die way to perfect glory if thou showe thy selfe such a one in deede, as thou wouldest all men shoulde ac­count thee to be, which Horace admonisheth vs of in these words saying. ‘Turecte viues, [...]b. 1. [...]. 17. si cur as esse quod audis.’ That is. ‘Thou shalt [...]ue wel if thou be such as thou hearst thy self abroad.’

That is, as thou thy selfe saiest thou art, and as the people testifie thee to bee, who if they take thee for an honest man, it is wel, so thou deceiue them not, by putting on the visard of honestie as stage players doe, which at the first sight seeme to bee honest, when in the ende they proue cosening and deceiptfull peo­ple.

Remember to beare this in mind that there are two especial vertues which are most commēded in youth, faithfulnes and silence, to which if blushing bashfulnes that louely colour in youth be added, whose rednesse ouerspread with whitenes doth set one out as with an ornament, there can be nothing more excellent and comely to beawtifie the handsomnesse of a free libe­rall, louely and honest nature. And on the contrarie, whosoeuer is destitute of this towardnes and ornamēt of youth, or hath made shipwrack of or altogether for­saken it, he or she may very wel be accounted a lewde person & naughtipack, and one that excelleth in dishonesty & impudēcy, wherby this saying is truly verified.

For shamefastnesse and bashfulnes doth so vnspeak­ably commend yong men, that they seldome become profitable, or promise any hope of vertue and honesty, in whom no sparke of bashfulnes doth shewe and ma­nifest it selfe. So when Diogenes saw a yong man bash­fully blushing: Take courage my sonne (quoth he) for this is a badge of vertue, honesty and modesty. So also in Terence when Mitio conceiued a good hope of his sonne: Al is wel (quoth he) for he blusheth. And it is a great note and marke of innocency when one con­fesseth with blushing anie thing hee did not malici­ouslie or of sette purpose commit. But there are some bolde youthes that in the impudencie and obsti­nacie of their iniquitie will looke graue men stedfast­lie in the face, and denie their deedes though they were done so openly they could not be hid. Nowe to [Page 60]the ende thou mayst get praise without enuie, and pur­chase manie friends, accustome thy selfe as the comi­call Poet saith, to suffer and indure the fashions of all men,

For it is a note of a noble minde to doe muche, and speake of himselfe but little, as Iugurth did in Salust: and [...]ot like to those Thrasonicall and bragging Soul­diors, whoe vvoonderfullie crake of their small doo­inges, and make narrations of their ovvne slender deedes with vaineglorious ostentations. Seeing then that vaine ostentation is odious to all men, let no man flatter himselfe, nor vvoman glorie her selfe in her wit, eloquent tongue and vvealth, but so moderate al their actions, that they modestlie and lovvlie thinke and speake of themselues, Rom. 12 least as Paule saith, they seeme to loath and despise others: and as Horace saith,

Thou shalt not once thinke vvith thy selfe to in­sult ouer other mens pouertie or misfortune, though he be thine enemie: but shalt rather pitie him, and thinke his misfortune vvorthie to bee lamented. For such are the checkes of Fortune, that manie from great vvealth and large possessions haue come to ex­tream pouerty and great miserie, yea and manie time [...] made a verie pittifull end.

And againe, there haue beene other that from lovv [Page 61]and base estate and from miserable seruice and bon­dage, haue risen to great wealth, honors, Eccles 10 dignities and authority. Wherefore the which thou wouldest not should be done to thee, do not thou to any other. Math. 7. By this rule will Christ haue al our actions squared when he saith, Whatsoeuer you would that men should do vnto you, the same do you vnto them, that is: Giue to euery one honor, glory, helpe, aid and succour, and all other duties of humanitie which thou wouldst haue should be giuen to thy selfe. Be not hasty, rash, and in­considerate in thy speech, neither let thy tongue run before thy vnderstanding, neither speake that at anie time which may repent thee to haue vttered. For there are a great many with whome wee liue that are verie shppery to trust, and lesse able to keepe silence, who not onely publish such thinges as come from vs vna­wares, but doe speake ill, discredit and deface the good name and estimation of their neighbours, whome Ho­race instructeth with wholesome doctrine:

By which verses hee warneth euery one to speake sparingly and aduisedly of others, least any thing scape thē vnawares, that may afterward snare thee & worke thee hurt. To bee short, hee warneth vs to beware of scouts and spies, who intrude themselues into al assemblies [Page 62]to heare and finde some thing to carie to those careful reformers of maners, that wil not sticke them­selues vnder foolish pretences, to harken and listen in euery corner: so that it shall not bee lawfull for one so much as to whisper of any thing. And su [...]h is the dis­order of their gouernment, that it shall not be lawful for any one to pronounce boldly y^t which the mind coun­selleth, reason perswadeth, & true & syncere religion alloweth, and y^e only for feare of talebearers, who haue honors & rewards bestowed on them, to the end they shew themselues wider eared & eied, in that infamous busines of spying, & most detestable work of listening: whoe are hated of their suborners, although they vse their ministery. For talebearing & bringing of newes pleaseth very many, who extreamly hate y^e talebearers thēselues: & thogh their so doing do please them for a time, yet do they alwaies distrust such of loyaltye and faith. Au. Cesar hath verified it vnto vs, to whom when Rhymirales K. of Thrace insolentlie bragged what he had deserued: Indeed quoth Cesar I loue to haue trea­sons reuealed, but I abhor him that is the reuealer. For the same cause, as Iulius Capitolinus reporteth, did An toninus Pius the emperour roote out tale-bearers and accusers: that is, those kinde of men who were woont to haue the fourth parte of his goodes that was ac­cused, as a rewarde for his tale-bearing. The Dutch­menne call these kinde of men Aenbrengers, which are so much the more hated of rich and poor, bicause they make mens deedes and vvords a great deal worse then they be. Wherfore Marcus Philosophus the Em­perour, forbad the malicious reports and false accusa­tions of these tale bearers and accusers, branding them with a marke of perpetuall infamie. Saturio the pa­rasite in Plautus, iudgeth it to bee a reprochfull and de­testablehing, to be a tale-bearer: saying, he had rather [Page 63]by cogging flatterie, fill his bellie after the manner of his elders, then by priuie accusations & telling of tales hurt other mens goods, good name, and life, to inrich himselfe thereby. And yet those offices deserue no great praise among them that be wise, who wil neither giue eare to those phantasticall flatterers, nor let their mindes be drawne with faire wordes and inticements.

The pacisier of discords is to be praised. Chap. 31.

IF any discorde or contention happen be­tvveene Citizens or neighbors, it is an ho­nest mans part according to his power and as farre as in him lieth, to quiet them, to take awaie the offence, to compound their discorde, leaste they grovv to outrage: to take avvaie their strife and controuersie: to reconcile them togither, to bring to vnitie and to ofter himselfe earnestlie and faithfullie to pacifie their difference. Our Sauiour Christ placeth this office of humanitie not in the lovvest place of hap pinesse, when he graceth such as desire to make peace with the title of Gods children. From these and many other vertues wherewith Charitie, that is, a desire to deserue well of all men, is adorned, busie and trouble­some folkes are most alienated and estranged, vvith whom all quietnesse is odious and hateful, but vvith a certaine badnesse of mind trouble all things, not going about to heale and salue matters corrupted with ran­cor and malice, but prouoking them with anger, doe as the Prouerbe saith: Adde oile to the Lampe, yea e­uenwhen kinges and princes are prouoked to anger, whose mindes by nature are stoute and fierce; these with their wicked counsels doe more and more kindle and inflame them, then vvhich kind of people there is [Page 64]none more detestable and loathsome, especiallie in ca­ses of Religiō: from which al wicked affections ought farre to be remooued, least through fiercenesse & cru­eltie, mens mindes be rather alienated from godlines and pietie, then any waie with lenitie drawne to loue it. For whether we goe about to keepe the olde order of seruice in the time of poperie, or whether we goe a­bout to take awaie those errors which crept into the church by little and little, and so to innouate or bring religion againe to her puritie: yet I suppose al thinges should be done with sound iudgement and aduise, do­ing it with reason, order and measure, least any tumul­tuous stirres rise thereof, as it latelie didde in the Lovv countries, where the Citizens mindes were dravvn in­to diuers factions, and Religion vvas brought in by force and strength, vvhich at the laste came vnto a la­mentable issue. The stinking and venemous backbi­ter is no lesse hurtfull, then the tale-bearer, whoe vvith his slaunders, backbitinges, ill speeches, and reproch­full wordes, bringes destruction to the guiltlesse, and strikes him dead with his infectious toung. Which kinde of people Horace noteth in these verses and war­neth vs to auoide.

Salomons admonition is much like vnto this when he saith: Remooue far from thee a wicked mouth, Prou. 6.4 Pro. 24 Eccles. 10 Exod. 22 Psal. 70 and 100 Ezech. 22 [...]acob 4 Rom. 1 & let an euill toung be remoued awaie. And a little after, Haue not to doe with euill speakers, because their de­struction comes sodainlie vpon them. The holy scrip­tures doe in many places witnesse, that this furie of e­uill speaking was detested and loathed. And it was so hated of Augustine himselfe, that he caused these ver­ses to be hanged on his parlor wal for all backbiters to see and behold:

For by this meanes he banished al such from his ta­ble and companie, which were either delighted with gluttony or backbiting, or such as delighted to speake filthie and vnchast words ouer the table.

Let no man glorie in his wealth, or despaire in aduersitie, but let him strengthen himselfe with Gods prouidence. Chap. 32.

SEeing that in the whole course of mans life nothing is sure and certaine, nothing kee­peth a meane or a continuall or lastinge course, but that by turne novve prosperitie flattereth vs, and by and by (all thinges beeing chaun­ged) aduersitie oppresseth vs: we ought to strengthen our mindes with that constancie and indifferencie, that wee neither waxe proude in prosperitie, nor yet [Page 66]be cast downe or driuen to despaire by aduersitie, but which waie soeuer the world do bend it selfe (as some times it altreth in a little moment) let vs incourage & vpholde our selues by the word of God and his proui­dence, at vvhose will the world is ruled, and at vvhose be [...]ke all thinges are perfected, and to whom al euents of prosperitie and aduersitie should be referred, & not to the inconstancie and rashnes of Fortune. For God forbid that such as are indued with the knowledge of God should think any thing to bee doone by chance or Fortune, because God himselfe should be thought to be the onelie cause of all things.

Beware of too much curiositte. Chap. 33.

BEe not too curious a marker of other mens matters, but bee carefull rather to correct thine ovvne life, then to marke and obserue another mans. 1 Cor. 5 Paule the Apostle exhorteth euerie one not to gase on other mens actions, but to bee vigilant and watchfull ouer his owne, marking diligentlie whether hee doe anye thinge that may deseruedly bee thought wicked of other menne. For he would not that any man shoulde curiouslie marke and diligentlie consider other mens dooinges that doe nothing belong vnto him, no though they commit notorious crimes: because there are many so far from Christian profession that they refuse al good counsell, and pursue those with deadly hatred, who leuell their actions by a soūder rule of liuing; much like vnto those who are very sick and yet despise the helpe of the Phi­sition, and had rather rot in their own corruption, then once to receiue a profitable medicine. Wherefore see­ing it is not wisedome for a man to meddle with other [Page 67]mens matters, nor yet to be curious in others affaires, the Dutch man quippeth these busibodies with this prouerbe saying, Luttel onder wins maect veel vreed [...]s, that is, little meddling makes much rest. 1 Thes. 4 Hence is it that Paule putteth the Thessalonians in mind of their owne businesse, not permitting them to bee ouerbusie in other mens affaires. For it is a wonder to see howe busie we are to marke others affaires, and howe sharpe sighted to see into al that that they do; and how negli­gent vvee are to take view of our owne: vvandring in minde and cogitation abroad, vvhen at vvhome with the Fairies we are as blind as Moles.

Like verses to these of Persius doeth Horace write vvhen he saith.

That is.

But to conclude in this.

But seeing this vice of selfe loue so much blindeth the mind of man, and darkeneth his vnderstanding, y^e [Page 68]he often flattereth himself in his sin: Math. 7. Luke, 6 Christ doth sharp ly inuey against them, which look more narrowly into the life and maners of other men, then they doe into their owne: & who can curiously see the least mote in anothers eie, that is, the smallest falt in another mans life and punishe them greeuously, when they neither see nor goe about to cast out the beame in their owne: that is, the notorious vices they themselues commit.

Keepe a meane mattire. Chap. 34.

NOw as in the making of bankets thriftines and temperance in diet is to be regarded: so in apparell and decking the body, a measure must be regarded, so y^e nothing be made for pride and vaine glorie, but al things cut according to the vse and necessity of this life: so that if comelinesse and not an ouercurious finenesse be added, I iudge it to be eue­rie way tollerable. But seeing y^e women desire to be decked & trimmed aboue al other creatures, who apparel themselues gorgeously, to y^e end they may seem fa [...]e & beautiful to men: 1 Pet. 3 the apost. Peter warneth matrones, that they bestow not too much cost on their world of furniture, nor prostitute or set thēselues to sale to such as may see them, nor to vse curled & crisped hair, gold, pretious stones, chains and bracelets: but with modest attire, sober & not ouercutious apparel, to please their husbands, Genes. 16 by seeking to get their fauours & good wils, as those noble ladies Rachel, Sara, Rebecca & Susanna, did. But there are many in ours & our forefathers time who apparelling themselues with gorgeous apparell, and that after the fo [...]ren and new cut, painting them­selues like Pageantes, haue brought themselues to beggerie and extreame pouertie, who are then flovv­ted of suche as helped them to spende their patrimo­nies, [Page 69]and of them also who by deceite, guile, craft, cunning and fraude, haue so scraped their wealth from them that they haue not so much as a farthing to be­stowe on the reliefe of the poore that are brought to extreame penury and want. So that seeing there are so many prodigall spenders, wasters and consumers of their owne goods and hunters after other mens: is it any maruel to see so many bankerupts & desperate debtors in al places, not only of the base and common sort of people, but also of gentlemen, Noble men, and such as carry the port of kings? who deceiuing the fatherles and widowes haue so stripped them of all their mony, y^t they are neuer paid againe during their liues, much lesse satisfied after their death, because they haue laid more to paune thē their soules, which are condemned by their creditors. So that a while after their deathes their goods are al set out to sale, & the creditors striue who shall giue moste.

No man ought to despise his calling. Chap. 35.

BE content with that state and condition of life which is alotted vnto thee in this world, bearing it patiently and soberly for the time, what estate, place, calling or degree soeuer it be. 1 Cor. [...] Paule requireth the like of the Corinthians by bringing in an example of bond and free, circumci­sed and vncircumcised, married and vnmarried, ex­horting euerie one to beare his estate willinglie, and not to flie from Christian Religion for anie calling whatsoeuer. For as hee writeth to Timothie, 1 Tim. 6 Godli­nesse is greate riches if a man bee content with that which he hath. But there are manie who repenting themselues of their calling and hating their estate, [Page 70]woulde willingly change it and place themselues in some other vocation: which if they cannot obtaine ac­cording to their mind and desire, or if it be not fit they should obtaine it; there is no reason why they should pine themselues with griefe and sorrow, but should ra­ther beare al things patiently and quietly, neither resi­sting nor murmuring against God the guider of all things, who with his singular prouidence guideth the world and prouideth all thinges for man, not onely as Cicero saith ingenerall, but also for euery one in parti­cular. Psal. 13 Which Dauid also noteth in many places, but especially when he saith. It is hee that frameth euerie mans hart, and it is he that vnderstandeth al his works. Wherefore let euery man perswade himselfe of this, that God is the guider of al things for the best, & that there is nothing but is doone according to his will, iudgement and decree, that hee marketh what euery one is, what hee doth, what hee purposeth▪ with what minde, affection, and pietie, hee honoureth religion, and what is profitable and expedient for euery one. Wherefore if at any time things fal not out according to our desires, but that our expectatiō is frustrated: yet let euerie man continue in that vocation whereun­to God hath called him, vntill the fauour and grace of our heauenly father determine otherwise of vs For he according to his will and pleasure changeth and alte­reth the course of al things in this world: for hee exal­teth the poore and bringeth him to dignitie & honor, 4. Reg. 20 Esay. 38 Iosua. 10. Psal 110. Psal. 112 and he casteth downe the arrogante, proude and haw­tie, and troubleth their seat of happinesse: and he ma­keth the barren to become fruitfull and to bring forth many children.

Wherefore let euery one content himselfe with his own estate though troublesome, constantlie hoping it [Page 71]will turne to be better, trusting wholie in God, and re­sting in him, who taken the chiefest care of man. To which also belongeth that of Esay: Thus saieth the Lord God of Israel, your strength is in silence & hope. As the Dutchman saith: S [...] [...]cht ende verwacht, that is, Hold your peace and attend. By which wordes he shaketh distrust out of the troubled and vnquiet minds of men, and exhorteth them peaceablie and quietlie to expect Gods helpe and assistance: for it may come to passe, that in due time they shall obtaine the thinges they desire, so they distrust not his promises. For al­beit it be sometimes long ere he holpe them, yet doth hee not deceiue them that seeke vnto him with a fer­uent hope and expectation. Serm. 1. sa [...]. 1 And when Horace that curious marker of humane things, saw menne incon­stantlie and with great toyle troubled in that estate & course of life they were entred into, & perceiued their mindes to be so wa [...]ering and vnconstant, that euerie one loathed his owne vocation; the marchant would be a sould [...]or, and the husbandman a ciuill Lawyer: he breaketh out in speeches, and asketh this question:

Which he profecuteth a little after with an excell [...]t prouerbe, metaphoricallie taken from the labour of Cattell, saying:

Whereby hee noteth that it is naturallie ingraf­ted in the braine of man, to repent him of his estate, [Page 72]desiring to change for another, and thinking those thinges which hee hath not prooued to bee farre bet­ter then those he is well acquainted withal. In an other place he addeth the reason why mans mind doth thus wauer with lightnesse and inconstancy, by bringing in a contention, rising about the delightes of the Cuie and of the countrey, where one praiseth the affaires of the citie, and the concourse and stir of the people: and another commendeth the quietnesse of the coun­trey and the pleasure of the woods. The words where­with they argue betweene themselues are these.

Very truly in mine opinion doth the Poet blame mans minde, and laieth all the fault vpon his rashnesse and vnconstancy: for when it is led by worldly affec­tions and not by reason, it is tossed no otherwise then a ship in the rage and storme of the sea, which is euery moment subiect to change. Whereby it commeth to passe that what kind or trade of life soeuer he embra­ceth doth not constantly continue therein to the end, but museth which way he may cōpasse another which he hopeth wil be more profitable to him: whereas [...] chā ging his state of life altereth not his affections, nor ta­keth away his cares, because these things consist not in affaires of his calling, but do only rise from the motiōs of his mind. For whether a man change his solitarines to company, or alter pouerty to riches and plenty, his [Page 73]mind is neuer the quieter, because hee hath not put a­way those troublesome motions which are altogether repugnant to reason. It hapneth to these men (as Plu­tarch and Basile affirme,) Ad Lucap. 1 as it doth to those that com­mit themselues to the main ocean sea, to the end they may come to some wished porte, for they are no lesse troubled with sea sicknesse, lightnes of the braine, and vomiting in a tal ship, thē if they had gone in a slender barke. So that their sicknesse is alike in both: because flegme & choller do accompany thē in both. So those that would change their state of life cannot obtain trā ­quility of minde, vnlesse they wholy shake off their af­fections, and gouerne all their actions with the rule of reason. Therefore Seneca saith very wel: I take the first argument of a staied mind to be ability, to stād at a stay with it selfe, wherfore I am glad Lucillus (quoth he) that thou dost not run about and wander here and there. For that man that would be euery where, is no where. So that it will nothing auaile to go beyond the sea, to change from one city to another, nor to followe som­times this, and somtimes that kinde of life. For if thou wouldst auoide those discommodities [...] trouble thee, it behoues thee not to absent thy selfe from that place where thou art, but to alter thy selfe from that which thou art, pacifying thy mind, shaking off naughty af­fections, and guiding al thy actions & studies with rea­son, counsaile and wisedome. For

And we must fight against these troubled affections, which do distract our minds into so many sundry opi­nions [...] leapeth backe from his intended profession vp on euery light occasion, with the word of God and his healthful doctrin: because it only maketh a staggering [Page 74]and wauering mind to become constant, yea andc on tent also with a mans state and calling: so that we shall neither forsake it, nor loath it, nor yet ambitiously or couetously enter into any other.

Flie the company and fellowship of the wicked: Chap. 36.

FLie the fellowship of [...] wicked as a most dead ly pestilence: Lib. 3. de ira. for maners as Seneca saith, are learned of our companions, and as the bodie catcheth diseases, so vices by lewd speech do possesse the mind and infect it, in such sort that the aire is not more healthful for the first, then honest compa­ny is for the latter. Brute and wilde beasts may serue vs for a lesson: for they being vsed and acustomed to the companie of men become gentle and tame: and as y^e nature of honesty indueth hir followers with vertue, so the condition of naughtinesse and dishonestie doth corrupt and desile her louers with vice. 2 Cor. 15 Wherfore Paul the Apostle, least any one should bee seduced from the truth, the hope of saluation, the trust to obtaine im­mortality, and from the sowndnes of maners, diligent­lie warneth the louers of religion that they conceiue not their opinion, to perswade themselues no part of man liueth after corporall death, nor that the whole frame of our bodies and soules do altogether perish as the brute beast, which the wicked and such as are for­saken of God, doe earnestly put into the minde of the ignorant, and so by this most daungerous opinion doe turne their wauering minds from the certain, vndoub­ted and most wholesome doctrine of Christ. Where­by we may see the Apostle by al meanes laboureth to draw Christians from the conuersation of such, who [Page 75]by their subtile doctrine do draw the ignorant into er­rors: for thus doth hee illustrate and lay open his ex­hortation by a sixe footed verse of Menander.

We must bridle our tongues not onely from filthy, but also from idle words. Chap. 37.

NOwe if wee heare Christ condemne idle words, that is vnp [...]ofitable, vain, friuolous, Math. 1 [...]. and to no purpose, and which are spoken to the profit neither of the hearer nor speaker, Ephes. 5 so that hee will require an account of them in the day of iudgement: how much more then as Paule saith, are vncleane and scoffing wordes, filthy mirth, vnhonest iestes, and vncomelie talke to be dete­sted, which do greatly hurt good maners. To be short, taunting mockes and biting speeches, which as they leaue a bitter remembraunce of them in the minde, and like waspes flyinge awaie from vs dooe leaue their stinges behinde them in vs, are the onelie causes of hatred and debate amongste vs. For as soone as the matter commeth once to multiplicati­on of wordes, and figuratiue and crooked speeches are wrested to and froe, it commeth in the ende to a bloudy battell, and after that pricked on with ma­nie accidentes, they are stirred on to an extreame hatred and vnappeasable anger, which when it is once inwardlie conceiued, and deepelie imprinted in their heartes, then doeth it moste shewe it selfe when all thinges seeme to bee husht and forgotten. Moreouer, contentions, rage of euill speakinge, [Page 76]and skoulding, doe more displease the Apostle Paule then can be expressed: Cap. 4 for he warneth the Galathians to abstaine from such vicious and naughty affections, not suffering those biting quips to be vsed among thē, nor any tauntes or desire to back bite, least while they one bite, quippe, and vexe another, they after the ma­ner of beastes, doe one teare and consume another in peeces. 1. Cor 1. Hee also doth the same with the Corinthians, whom he louingly exhorteth to mutual agreement in the name of Iesus Christ, exhorting thē that through hatred and dissention they fall not out among them­selues, but that they agree and be of the same mind & opinion. Paule taketh his example from Christ, which by so many means teacheth them to be louing & cha­ritable one towards another, Iohn. 15 Colo [...]. 3 Ephe [...]. 4 which is the only band of charity and fulfilling of the lawe. For there is no need of the spurs of the lawe, where good will is practised, and where one freelie and ardently loueth his neigh­bour. But because lamentable, tragicall, and grieuous hurliburlies haue risen through the incontinencie of the tongue, especiallie when one disgorgeth the poi­son of his anger towardes another: Cap. 4 Paule doth whol­somelie instruct the Colossians and in them teacheth vs what measure wee shoulde keepe in our wordes, saying: Let your speech bee gratious and seasoned with falte, that you may knowe howe to aunswere euerie one, that is, let not your talke bee ouer mer­rie and pleasaunt, least it turne to wantonnesse, nor yet too seuere, crabbed, and bitter, leaste it of­fende, and driue awaie or alienate the hearers, but lette your communication bee louelie seasoning it with the salte of wisedome. Tim. 3. [...] 1 Hence also commeth it that hee requireth meekenesse and gentlenesse in the Bishoppes and ministers of the Church, not suffering [Page 77]their flocke to be chidden and intreated roughlie and vncourteouslie. For seeing that Paule in all the course of our life, asvvel in wordes as in deedes, doth measure and trie exactlie all thinges by the rule of comelinesse and honesty: & seeing the intemperance of the toung, beside backbiting and euill speaking, deceit and re­proches, doth also with filthy and naughtie words in­fect syncere and pure mindes, he also studieth to take avvaie these vices from the mindes of men. Cap. 4 For thus doth hee frame the toung of the Ephesians, and com­poseth their mindes. Let no vncleane word or filthie speech (saith hee) come out of your mouth, but that which is good to edification, so oft as need requireth, that it may giue grace vnto the hearers, that is, that it maye instructe the hearers and profite them. Nowe because all vices are linked togither, and one so buddeth out of another, that all euill resteth in the minde of man, hee saith: Let all bitternes, enuie, anger, hatred, chiding and euill speaking, bee taken a­waie from you, and all iniquitie; being courteous and mercifull one towardes another, Cap. 1▪ forgiuing one an­other, as God through Christ forgaue you. The same hee also teacheth at large to the Romanes, exhorting that their loue bee not in vaine, 2 Cor. 8 Heb. 12 Deut. 3 [...] but that they pursue that which is euill with hatred, that they bee readie to loue one another with brotherlie loue: that we go one before another with honor; that is, in helping and per fourming our duties, let vs one ouercome another, that they applie themselues according to the time, that they stay themselues with hope, that they speake well of such as persecute them: not wishing euill vnto them, not cursing them; that they be like minded one tovvardes another, that they haue no proud; conceit of themselues: that they recompence not euill with e­uill: [Page 78]that they giue place to anger, and reuenge not themselues, & that ouercomming their enemies with the duties of godlines, they constraine them to amitie againe: Pro. 25 for this is to burne ones enemie, and to heape coles of fire vpon his head. And therfore among other thinges he there noteth at large, he thinketh it meete that all men exercise the duties of godlines tovvardes their neighbors, Lib. 1. offi [...]. applying it to euery one. For as Cicero witnesseth, Astability & curtesie in speech doth reconcile man to man: and obedience and desire to deserue well of euerie one, getteth a continuall & lasting friend ship: which seeing it maintaineth mutual loue among y^e heathen, it ought to be much more ardent amongste those that are bound vnto it by the law of Christ.

Deceit and dissimulation in our wordes and whole course of life is to be detested. Chap. 38

LEarne alwaies to speake the trueth, for it is a note of slauerie and not seemelie for a free man to lie, and to speake doubtfullie, intri­catelie, confusedly, stuttinglie, & like a counterfait. Wherefore Paule the apostle saith grauelie & seuerely, Phil. 4 whatsoeuer things are true, whatsoeuer things are comelie and honest, whatsoeuer thinges are iuste and agreeable with the truth, whatsoeuer thinges are pure and syncere, whatsoeuer things are apt to nourish loue, vvhatsoeuer thinges are of a good name: that is, that bringe good report and estimation, if there bee any praise, that is, if there bee anie thinge agreeable with vertue and vvorthie to bee praised, these thinges thinke, that is, let these thinges bee pleasant vnto you, imprint these thinges deepely in your mind, let these [Page 79]things be alvvaies before your eies, let these be deeplie set in your harts, and these things seek with tooth and naile to get and exercise them in your liues and con­uersations, and the God of peace shal be with you. Rom. 8 For as the same apostle saith: to such as loue God, al things shal be giuen to them for good, that is, they shall haue good successe.

Auoid selfe-loue and the perswasion of perfect learning. Chap. 39.

SEeing an ouer ripe conceited opinion of learning is a great hindrance to study, because it forefloweth and slacketh hir proceedings: we ought diligentlie to beware, least either in studie or any other kind of art whatsoeuer wee go a­bout to attaine vnto, that wee haue not this conceit in our selues, to think we haue gotten that, which indeed we come very short of, or which is vnknowne to, or at leastwise not thorowlie known of vs. For there are ma­ny selfe-louers that do applaud and flatter themselues with a vain conceit of learning, supposing there is no­thing wanting to perfect their knowledge and godli­nes, thinking themselues to haue got the end of their iourney, when they haue scarce attained the midwaie. Wherby it comes to passe, that many ripe wits taking on them matters of great importance, neuer come to the perfection of them. [...]ib. 1. cap. 2. Which when Fabius percei­ued, hee required of al professors either to be learned, or else not acknowledge themselues so. For there are none worse then those personnes, vvho hauing a little passed their A, B, C. conceiue of themselues a foolishe perswasion of learning: for they will neither submit themselues, nor giue place to such as can skil­fullie teach them, but with a certain lostines wherwith [Page 80]they are puffed vppe, will proudlie presume to teache others their ignorance. And in our age there are a great manie which impudentlie leape into the pulpit vnexercised in that practise, vnfurnished with force of speech, indued with no kinde of knowledge, nor scarse any insight into holie vvrit. Wherby it comes to passe that their greedie auditors are neither refreshed vvith the foode of vvholsome doctrine, reape no comforte from the worde of GOD, nor any nourishment vnto their soules, but onely learne meere trifles & old wiues superstitions. I bring them also into the same ranke, who neither indued vvith reason or experience, doe take vpon them the office of a Physician, and exercise the art of Surgerie, to the hurte and death of manie a man. Seeing therefore a bragging vaine perswasion of learning is a great hurt to excellent wittes: the studi­ous and such as desire a perfect knowledge in learning, must labour by al meanes to get all the aydes & helps that may bring their studies to perfection, reiecting & casting off all conceit of learning inoughe: so that if they haue any thinge profited therein, they must not rashlie desist from and forsake their purpose, but go on so long forward till they attaine the ende: that so run­ning out their race, they may at last obtaine the crown or at leastwise come neare it. Let not, I say, that same foolish and hurtful opinion to fine vvits, once enter or at leastwise staie in thy mind, who when they are once entred into the porch, entrance, or principles of lear­ning, thinke they haue done the dutie of good schol­lers, and obtained that which indeed they come short of, and are farre remooued from, because it vvor [...]eth this in the mindes of men, that they waxe lasie before they come to their iourneyes end, do al things slackly, and proceed not on forward, but like the sluggarde or [Page 81]trifler, who running in a race, dooth not cheerefullie make hast to get the goale, but looking backe and standing at a staie, permitteth another to winne the price, to his great shame and reproch. In this case I thinke it best to followe Paules example, who in dooing the dutie of an Apostle, and in setting out and publishing the doctrine of the Gospell wherin our saluation stan­deth, excellentlie confesseth, hee had not attained to that he sought after, and yet lets slip no occasion to fi­nish his course manfullie: labouring with al indeuor to obtaine the marke set before him being the reward of his heauenlie calling: that is, the blessing of God pre­pared for euery one through Christ: so that hee see­med to forget those thinges that vvere behinde him, which he had doone, not willing once to call them to minde againe, and to set his minde wholy on those things that vvere before him, and which hee had to fi­nish, casting aside all things that might hinder him frō hastening to the marke and rewarde of immortalitie. To this purpose also serueth that saying of our sauiour Christ: Luke, 5 Whosoeuer putteth his hand to the ploughe and looketh backe, is not fit for the kingdome of hea­uen. By vvhich similitude taken from the labor of him that plougheth and tilleth the ground, hee warneth vs when we haue once begun to take vnto vs the busines of our saluation, to continue and goe on till we come to the ende, neither bending our mindes to weake and fraile thinges, nor to bee drawne awaye or of our selues desist from our purpose, but to perfect and finish it being once well begunne. For delaie and procrasti­nation in matters of saluation are daungerous: and a slacke or slender proceeding in a thing well begunne, is worth nothing. 1 Cor. [...] Paule also preparing himselfe to such a iourney as this, would not hinder his course, or [Page 82]make any delaie, Virg. lib. 5 Ae [...]i. taking an example from those which in trying of maisteries desired the price: where eue­rie one is purposed to trie and suffer al things, yea and to pawne dovvne his life for praise, so he may get the price and applause of the people. And Horace a hea­then Poet, and yet a most excellent teacher of maners, when hee perceiued vvhat hurt slacknesse and delaie vvere in attempting any exploit, he taketh an exam­ple from an infamous acte, to exhort vs to profitable and wholsome things, saying:

that is:

This saying doth Ouid thus interpret: Lib 2. reme. A [...]r.

Christ also is conuersant in the same argument pric­king [Page 83]vs on to diligence, and prouoking vs to keepe watch, bringing a parable from the vniust and faithles husbandman, and from theeues and breakers into houses by night: for as those are addicted to their profite, and take hold of euery occasion to get something, and to filtche and steale awaie other mens goodes: so is it meet that euery one be watchful for his saluation, and let not oportunity slip, whereby in time and season he may get those things for himselfe that make for his sal­uation, and are profitable to his mind and soule.

Mike choice and triall of thy familiars and friends. Chap. 40.

THe prouerbe warneth vs not to admit anie rashly into our friendship without sufficient triall and choice made of them before: but onely such whose vertues are tried and ho­nesties approoued, for it saith: Nec cuiuis dexteram in­ieceris, which the Dutchman interpreteth thus, Siet wie ghy byder handt nempt, which vvee may thus Eng­lish: Let vs not ioine handes (that is enter friendship) with euery man. A similitude borrovved frō dauncers: for young men when they goe to dance reach not out their hands to euery maide, but first weyeth and con­sidereth vvhether they be base or noble, foule or faire, and then chooseth one of them. The same regarde ought also to be obserued in the fellovvship of this life and in entring into friendship with any. For there are many so ignorant of the things of this world, that they being not able to put a difference between true & fai­ned friendes, receiue all vvithout any difference into most secret familiarity, yea and that before any triall made of them, vvhom they afterwards find to be meer sycophants and dissemblers.

Wherfore as it is meet thou shouldst be faithful to al, [Page 84]so thou must not rashlie giue credite to anie, vntill (as the Prouerb saith) thou hast eaten a bushel of salt with him, that is, till thou hast learned the whole course of his life, and searched into and tried his maners and disposition. Eccles. 8 To which agreeth that of the wise manne: Tel not thy secrets vnto a straunger, for thou knowest not what he vvill bring forth: that is, what trouble hee hatcheth. Open not thy minde to euerie one, least he requite thee with euill, and reproche thee to thy face. The lightnesse and inconstancie of men is the cause why the law of friendship is not euerlasting: and ther­fore many perswade themselues that we shoulde so ac­count of our friends, as those that may once become our enemies; and so prosecute our enemies in our ha­tred and quarrels, that when anger is past, we may re­ceiue them againe to fauour and friendship. For thus doth Martiall affright vs from too muche friendship and familiaritie with any.

which is,

And their opinion is not altogither vnreasonable, nor much disagreeing with mans nature, who thinke debate and enmitie shoulde bee mortall (that is, Offic. 2. once haue an ende) and friendship that is linked together in a faithful fellowshippe of mindes and firme consent of willes, should be euerlasting. For they escape not the name of lightnesse and vnconstancie, who rashlie suf­fer [Page 85]the bondes of friendship to bee broken. Wherfore Cicero thought those friendships y^t were not through­ly approued, should be dissolued by little and little, and not violently broken.

Be surety for no man without consideration. Chap. 41.

OFfer not thy selfe to bee surety for any man rashly or vnaduisedly: for hurt alwaies hap­neth to suretiship. For hee that pauneth downe his credit for another, offereth him­selfe to danger. And if the principall faile the surety is punished, and must pay the debt hee assured for ano­ther. Prou. 6 Wherefore Salomon most skilfull in all thinges belonging to man, affrighted his sonne from being ea­sily intreated to enter into suretiship, saying: My sonne, if thou bee surety for thy friende, thou hast fastned thy hand to the stranger, thou art intangled and trap­ped with the words of thy lippes, and art snared in the words of thy mouth, whe [...]for make hast speedily (saith he) to deliuer thyselfe from the hand of thy neighbor. But yet ought not this to be too strickly obserued, be­cause we ought many times in matters of waight and vrgent causes, as neede requireth, to helpe our friends, and to doe good to those that are tied vnto vs by the law of nature, yea we must lay down our credit, goods, and life to somtime for them, yet must we not for their sakes decline from y^e truth, nor doe any thing for them contrary to honesty, but as the prouerbe saith, wee must assist them til we come to the altar, that is, wee must not passe the bounds of religiō to pleasure them: for there is no reason why a man to profit his friende should hurt his own conscience or make breach of re­ligion.

Beware of flatterers which the Dutch man cals Pluy m­strijckers. Chap. 42.

SEeing that assentation and the knowledge or rather the crafte of flatterie, through a certaine artificious deceite of wordes be­guileth such as are honest simple men: I warne thee to take heede thou open not thy eares to their flatterie, nor suffer thy selfe to bee tamed with their cogging and intycing speeches. And that I may arme thee, these are the notes whereby thou shalt knowe a trusty friend from a false and deceitfull flatte­rer, for the first wil freelie and grauely admonish thee of thy duety, to whome hee wisheth all good fortune may happen, Prou. 27. Esay. 30 which Salomon placeth in the best part of friendship: But the flatterer wil alwaies sooth thee vp and claw thee, approuing that thou doest, reioiceth at thy misunderstanding of his wordes, harkeneth vnto thee in all things, and frameth his flattering words not only to thy wil, E [...]ch. act. 2. Sc [...]. 2. but also to thy becke and countenance. Gnatho in Terence doth excellētly paint out these kind of people, who teacheth this parasiticall discipline, and shewes how he was wont to winne the hearts of men vnto him, saying:

Wherefore, seeing flattering and faire speeches is detestable & odious with al men: albeit thy wealth be smale and slender, yet neuer yeeld thy selfe to be a pa­rasiticall Gnatho, nor once purpose in thy minde to be­come a flatterer. For that same tickling of the eares getteth the fauor of many for a time, but it vanisheth and lasteth but a little while. And sometime gaine is gotten thereby, but it is with infamy and reproach: for in the ende when the deceite is discouered, it is verie hurtfull to his maister, so that there is no gentleman­like man that is freely brought vp, can indure to bee branded with so vile a marke. Olde craftie foxes and wily companions, who with a foxlike subtilty and de­ceite do circumuent and beguile the simple with their wily and crafty cunning, are much like these flatterers, who like the Hyaena and Crocodile greedily gape after other mens goods and wiues, at the first sight or shew are flatterers, but afterwardes indeuour to hurt and de­stroy thee. Of this brood also are these crafty and sub­tile fellowes, who being very officious in their duties, are ready at all assaies to shewe their obedience, and insinuate themselues into the familiarity and custome of mens liues, with a minde, intent, and purpose to scrape and get some profit from them. For taking eue­ry oportunity proffered, their eies and handes are rea­dy to spie out and trusse vp somthing or other. Wher­fore trust no man rashly, til thou hast seene some signe of his faithfulnes and honesty.

Certaine precepts applied to good life. Chap. 43.

AS there are many precepts giuen by lear­ned men, how to lead a good and godlie life, so Martial hath deliuered some very profitable and honest: by which as with the forefinger he sheweth by what means one may leade his life profitablie, and not only auaila­ble for the health of the body, but also for the quietnes of the mind, and these are the precepts:

These commodities of this life if thou canst not obtaine altogether according to thy wishe and hearts desire, thou oughtest not to repine at it, and kill thy selfe with sorrowe: but rather refer al things to the wil of God and his prouidence, who is the only guider of all thinges in the worlde. Psal. 30. For so was Dauid wont to doe in all his actions, whether they happened to him aduerselie or prosperouslie, where hee subiecteth all thinges to Gods power, nothing respecting chance or fortune, attributing all the course of his life to him, and saying: The course of my yeares are in thy hands, that is, all my dayes are guided according to thy will.

Of exercise, whereby the decayed strength both of bodie and mind is repaired. Chap. 44.

SEeing that mās nature is not able to endure, vnlesse it haue breathing times to refresh it with libertie: we must often times giue ouer labour for a while, least the strength of body and minde wax fainte, and bee ruinated with too much toile and busi­nesse. And as quiet and seasonable sleepe refresheth and strengthneth the members that are wearied with labour: so the slacking of meditation doth quicken the minde that is wearied with studie and ouermutch wat­ching, and repaireth the sleepy and tyred spirits. Our elders, if at any time they could get so much leisure as to rest from the functions and publike businesse of the Common wealth, woulde recreate themselues with the exercise of husbandrie, taking therein no lesse [Page 90]profit then pleasure. For besides the woodes and me­dowes which are pleasant to the eies, & besides arbors hedged in with trees, & decked with yong shoots, be­sides the commodities of mannors, fa [...]mes and plea­sant howses in the Countrey, they reape such a gaine by a well tilled and plentifull grounde, and by a fruit­full haruest, and yearely increase, as is both honest and plentifull. [...]ib. 1. O [...]ic. For profit gotten with honesty and iu­stice, is not to be blamed of anie man. And of al things as Cicero witnesseth, whereby anie gaine is gotten, there is none better then husbandry, none more plen­tifull, and none more seemelie for a freeman. Inso­much as Hesiodus thinketh, there is nothing so kingly and honorable, as the tillage of the earth, and exercise in the worke of husbandrie. Whereby it came to passe that the Romans lothing the Citie, as it were deliue­ring themselues from bondage, woulde goe into the Countrey. For there many thinges are profered vn­to thee, where with at certaine times thou maist de­light thy selfe: for nowe time and occasion affordeth thee to prune and cut thy trees, by and by the plesant spring inticeth thee to graft thy slippes on some other trees, & a little after the season requireth thee to trim thy vines, when sprowting with their buds, they match the tops of the Poplars.

Birding and hunting is very profitable for young men that are come to their full growth, yea it is a ve­rie fit exercise, and in no wise to bee blamed, so that they be not too much addicted, & spend not al their la [Page 91]bour in pursuing and tearing wilde beastes in peeces, neglecting in the meane time the gouernement of their howsen, or more waightie affaires. But to recre­ate ones selfe in geographicall tables, and sitting quiet­ly in a study, to trauell all ouer the whole compasse of the world, and to measure the countries far and neere dispersed with a mans eies and compasses, rather then with great wast of wealth, trauel them ouer with ones body, is a wonderfull delight to the minde. Among these maps and descriptions of the earth, I place those pictures that are artificiously handled, and skilfully set out in diuersity of colours, or such as the Greekes call [...], that is, of one colour like our antique worke, which delights the eie with no vaine shewe es­peciallie if they be not superstitious, but expresse les­sons of vertue and godlinesse, such as are the histories of holie Scripture. And therefore verie vvell did our elders cal paynting dombe poetrie: albeit in deede pictures can speake, and are liuelie, and not domb. But the delight of Musicke, as it is honest, so is it passing plesaunt, vvherewith the minde vvhen it is vvearie, is greatly refreshed and quickned: for vvith the con­cent of voices, and the sweete noise of instrumentes, it doeth not onely delight the eares vvith the sweete­nesse of the note, but the sovvnde also spreading it selfe euerie vvay through the arteries, doeth stirre vppe both the vitall and animall partes, shakinge off the darke mistes and clovvdes of the mind, maketh it much more actiue and prompt. Which was the cause that Pythagoras woulde oftentimes awake his minde with his harpe, when hee purposed to watch, that hee might bee more nimble in doing his duetie and performing his dailie labours: and againe when he vvent to bed, hee vvould quiet his minde vvith his [Page 92]lute, and pacifie his troubled affections. We reade al­so that Epaminondas Prince of Greece, would sweetlie sing to his Lute, and all Greece, as Cicero witnesseth, did thinke the depth of knowledge to consist in sing­ing and playing on instrumentes: Lib. 1. T [...]s [...]. for whosoeuer was not skilful in that art, was accounted most vnlearned. So in olde time they were wont to sing to the harpe the actes of Noble men and Kinges, for thus sayth Virgill,

The vse of this recreation was not wanting among the Hebrues: and that it was regarded and much esteemed among great men, besides others, the history of Dauid doth shewe it. For that Prophet vsed to sing psalmes to his harpe, and with the sownde thereof to quiet the mad minde of Saule when it was vexed with an euil spirit and black choller, 1 Reg 16. and so to bring the king againe into his right minde. And Elizeus the Pro­phet being greeued with the importunate interruptiōs of the kings, 4. Reg 3 vvould take his psalterie in hand and qui­et his minde with sweet harmonie and musicall con­sent: and when all trouble vvas remooued and his af­fections [Page 93]quieted, inspired by the holye ghost began to prophesie the successe of the three kings. Moreouer that musicke was vsed at bankets the scriptures in ma­nie places do witnesse. For thus saith the Wise man, Eccles. 32 taking a similitude from pretious stones set in golde: As the Carbuncle beautifieth the golde, so doeth mu­sicke at a bankette with a little vvine. And in another place he saith: As the Emeralde whose greene colour is bright and delectable setteth out the gold, so dooth the harmonie of singing at a pleasant banket. But least anie one should vse and occupie these delightes more then necessitie requireth, hee shevveth by the vvaie vvhat should be preferred before it: saying, Wine and musicke reioice the hart and minde, Eccles. 40 but the studie of vvisdome more then them both. Trulie Esay blameth the drunken and such as are giuen to feastings, and to delight themselues with musicall instruments: but it is onely for this cause, that they regard them more than God, C. p. 5 because they giue not thankes to God for any of those thinges they so plentifullie and aboundantlie in­ioy. For thus hee threatneth them: Woe bee to you that rise vp earlie to follovve drunkennesse, & to drink til the euening till you chafe at the vvine. The Harpe, the Lute, the Organ and the pipe, is at your bankets, but you nothing regard the actes of the Lord, nor yet consider his handie vvorke: that is, you lifte not your mindes and eies vp to him, from vvhose bountifulnes and liberalitie these things come. Amos the prophet speaketh of the same matter, taunting the wanton and such as liue prodigallie with threatninges, after this sort: Woe be to you that are rich in Sion, that walke so lordelie, lying in iuory beds, and playing the wan­tons in the streetes: vvhich sing to the sownd of the psaltery, drinking wine in full cuppes, and anointing [Page 94]your selues with most costlie ointments, and not one of you pittieth the case of the poor, or greeueth at the miserie of the afflicted: there is no respect or heede ta­ken of the needie, neither doe you giue God thankes for his benefites. Wherefore the delight in music [...]e and vvithall a moderate vse of vvine and meate, wher­by the drovvsie and heauie spirites bee strengthened and refreshed, & vvhervvith the melancholike fumes bee dispearsed, are no vvaie blameworthie: and ther­fore should not be condemned with any seueritie, vn­lesse by abuse and ouermuch vse of them wee preferre them before heauenlie thinges and our saluation. Among easie exercises and suche as are not comber­some and laborious, riding is numbred, the vvhiche is doone either by horse, waggon, or barge. Also wal­kinge abroad in the ayre, such as our greene alleyes in gardens affoorde vs, and vnder the Vine when it is ca­ryed along vppon poles: or vnder faire green arbours like vnto a vaute or backe of a lute; such walkes are no lesse profitable then pleasant.

Nowe if it so fall out that in thy walkings thou wax wearie and faint, there want not in a curious garden, bankes and resting places to sit downe on in the shade, where by taking the coole ayre [...] mayst qualifie thy heate; but when it seemeth good vnto thee to sitte in the Sunne, or walke abroade in the open ayre: thou mayest doe it either in the fielde or else in some highe Gallerie or Leades. And as among moderate exer­cises, reading with a loude voice and declamations, are fit for such as are schollers and Ciuilians: so wrest­ling and playing at Tennis, and all exercises of artille­rie or shooting, are good for them that be strong and lustie, and approoued by Galen in a little booke that he published: and so is sworde-playing, and running a [Page 95]Tilt, vvhereby the natural heate is increased, and ther­by dispearsing the bloud into euerie member, the body getteth strength, whereby it commeth to passe, that such as vse exercise, are better coloured then others, & their skinnes are tainted ouer with a sweet and delec­table rednesse. But let such as practise these exercises, remember this, that they doe all things moderatelie, least violent & ouerstraining actions bring their mem­bers or any part of the bodie out of iointe, or with too sudden and hastie turning or winding, bee remooued out of his place. Nowe as presentlie after meat the mind is not to be wearied with studie, to the ende the ventricle may haue the better digestion, before the na­turall heat bee scattered and dispearsed: so after a full stomach and great dinner, thou must not addicte thy selfe to ouermuch labour, for violent and disordered motions doe hinder digestion, and all immoderate ac­tions of the body, doe drawe the raw and half digested meate into the veines, which breeding opilations and putrifactions, doe minister occasion to all diseases. We call it Cockal. There is a play called Astragalismus among the La­tines, or as the Dutchman termes it Pickelen, which is doone by the throwing of three small sheepes bones, cleansed and made drie, at which our Dutch maidens before they are mariageable or readye for a husbande wil play, but so soone as they are maried they present­lie despise it. And our young men doe play with cer­taine bones that are taken out of the feete of Oxen, which we Dutchmen cal Coten, Much like our coiles. & exercise themselues at certaine times in the yeare, and so they doe nuts and rackles, which childish plaies when they com to more yeares, they little regard: so that when they are past 7. years old, they think it vncomlie & a great discredit to play with such trifles. For with childrē as Horace saith: [Page 96]

Novv there is also another [...]ind of dice differing frō that, which the Dutchman calles Terlinghe: which is sixe square, and the other but foure. The abuse of this of sixe is so great and so vsed in all Europe, that diuers haue spent their patrimonies with it, and consuming their wealth haue brought themselues to beggeri [...]. But those kind of fouresquare dice which our Dutche maides vse, bringeth not the ouerthrowe of their hou­sen, because they play but to passe avvay the time, and when it is lavvful for them to bee idle, they playe for things of no great value: as Chestnuts, Filberds, pins, claspes or some kinde of pocketing stuffe. But y^e whip­ping of a top, and driuing of him in a circle till he sleep so that his motion cannot be perceiued nor seen, yong men doe therein cheerfullie exercise themselues, and that chieflie in the Winter time to catch them heate. Which kind of exercise our forefathers vsed, recrea­ting themselues with it and manye other besides, as Perseus witnesseth in these verses.

Virgil also maketh mention of this childish instru­ment, comparing Lauinias minde troubled with the loue of Turnus to a top, saying in excellent verse, that she did no otherwise role and turne then a top driuen too and fro with whips and scourges: The Dutchman calleth it also a top, but thus dooth Virgill prosecute his purpose.

Children are wont to vse these kind of plaies for the most part: but when they are older & begin to grovve to be fourteene yeares of age, they require more com­lie exercises and pastimes. For in all exercises wherin the minde and bodie reape any profite, a great care and regard must bee had, that they be comelie and ho­nest. For that cause onelie did Sal [...] praise the com­mendable towardnes of Iugurth, before the time hee [Page 98]vvas corrupted with ambition & desire to rule: for he when he began to be manlie, strong, beautifull, & wit­tie, gaue not himselfe ouer to be corrupted with ryot and idlenesse: but after the manner of his countrey, to ride, cast dartes, and runne races with his equals: and albeit he excelled them all for glorie and actiuitie, yet vvas he beloued and esteemed of all, because he would neuer brag of himselfe. But flie thou from and eschue dice and cardes, and all such exercises as delight idle folkes, as most hurtfull and infamous, because in these exercises art and skil preuailes not, but deceit, crafte, subtletie & guile: for reason, counsell and vvisedome, beare no swaie in them, but chance, fortune and rash­nes. Moreouer, vnder this word alea or dice, is comprehended al playes subiect to mutabilitie of Fortune: as tray trip, mumchance, nouum, tables, and all other, wherein the casting of dice is vsed, which are all disli­ked and blamed in vs, though wee playe like boyes for pins and points, if vve vse it often, deceitfullie, or con­tentiouslie. For thus saith Martial verie vvel:

Wherefore seeing that almost all things in this ex­ercise is done couetouslie, wickedlie and craftilie: vve must vse this moderation, rather to follow delight thē gaine. For it often commeth to passe, that the simple and such as are vnskilfull are wiped clean from al their money. And albeit a great hope of gaine doth dravve the mindes of many men to haunt these exercises, and gaine is a great comfort and delight to the winner, yet ought we to goe about nothing with an ardent hope [Page 99]and desire of gaine, because exercise was ordained and libertie to play licenced not for gaines sake, but for bodilie health and delight: and to the ende the vvearyed minde might be refreshed and recouer more strength to execute labours. But such is the nature and condi­tion of diceplayers, that when once that itching scab hath possessed their minds, it can hardlie be expelled, because there are companions of the same stampe e­uerie where dravving them on, and are euerie hour in­ticing them to those damnable pleasures, which vice is also ingrafted in whoremongers. Wherefore Ouid saith verie profitablie:

Trulie in mine opinion no man ought to be blamed for laboring to increase and inlarge his vvealth, but yet is it meet he follow after gain that is profitable and ho­nest, and gotten with the hurte and iniurie of no man. Notable is Plautus his prouerbe: It is requisite euerie one should be rather painful then craftie in getting his gain, for goods got sinisterlie and wickedlie besides the ill name they bring, they are also lesse permanent and stable, but are quicklie consumed, as goods gotten by craft, deceit, coosenage, cauilling and subtletie, or by Vsurie, Tables and Cardes. Therefore what compa­nions soeuer thou haste in thy exercises, labour by al good meanes to drawe them from wicked thinges, and to stirre them vppe to honestie, comelinesse, and vertue. For this is that dutie of humanitie vvhich not onelie is praised of wise menne, but is also accep­table and pleasing to God: Which hee vvitnesseth by [Page 100]Ieremie, Cap. 15 saying: He that seuereth the good from the bad shall be as mine ovvne mouth. Whereby hee no­teth that man to haue performed a notable exploite, to approch neere vnto God, and to deserue diuine ho­nour, who bringeth himselfe or his neighbour (for there is nothing more pretious with God than man) from vile deedes, a life most foule and defiled, & from a vvrong course, and is his author and leader to sound­nesse of life and good manners. To which belongeth that saying of Iames the Apostle: Cap. 5 Brethren if anie among you straie from the trueth, and another con­uert him, let him knowe hee hath called a sinner from death and saued his soule.

In al thy actions let reason be thy counseller. Chap. 45.

IN euerie action and in all the affaires of this life, so gouerne all thinges by reason and good aduise, that thou do nothing this daie whereof thou mayest repent thee to mor­rovv: for it is a filthie and foolishe thinge to doe that which after it is finished will compell thee to say, I had not thought. Against this rocke thou shalt not offend if thou doe nothing rashlie and headlong, but al things aduisedlie, vviselie, and with good iudgement: leuel­ling all thinges by the rule of reason. For so dooth Sa­lomon teach vs, vvhen he sayeth: Remember the end and thou shalt neuer doe amisse. And Salust sayeth rightlie: Before thou dost begin any thing take aduise, & when thou art vvel aduised, then make hast to finish it speedilie. And Cicero saieth: In all thinges vvhat­soeuer thou goest about, bee firste of all diligent­lye prepared thereto. To vvhich purpose serueth our [Page 101]prouerbe, Be not too hasty, for that is doone soone e­nough that is doone well inough: and Salomon saith, Seest thou one y^t is hasty in his businesse, there is more hope of a foole then of him.

Do nothing thou doubtest of. Chap. 46.

THou shalt do nothing that breedes a scruple in thy conscience, or bringeth such a doubt that thou canst not tell wheth [...]r it bee right or wrong, which thou goest about to doe. For equitie, as Cicero saith, Lib. 1. O [...]. doth manifest itselfe and is ioined to vertue and honesty: but doubtfulnes is neere kinsman to iniustice and all kinde of vice. To which agreeth that saying of Paule: Rom. 14 Blessed is hee which iudgeth not himselfe in that he alloweth, that is, which in any thing he doth, feeleth not his cōscience bidding him stay. Which sentence albeit the Apostle writ tou­ching choise of meate, and auoiding of offence (at I saide before) yet may it bee very fitly applied to other things. For in euery action we do, if it bee not in faith and constancy, but in a wauering and doubtful minde, we are condemned by the iudgement of our own con­science: because whatsoeuer is not of faith, wherewith we approue our mindes to God by the consent of our consciences, is altogether vicious and sinfull. For if any man doubting in his minde whether a thing bee good or bad, and yet doth it; hee sheweth the worlde that if occasion happened and oportunity were offe­red, he woulde commit any notorious crime. But true godlines and perfect wisdome attended on by faith & strengthned with the holy ghost, discerneth al things wisely, and vndertaketh nothing that carrieth with it [Page 102]any shew of euill, or may affect his minde and consci­ence with any griefe.

That there are rewardes both for vice and vertue Chap. 47.

THat which Cato the wise was wont to teach his fellowe soldiours, the same shoulde bee fixed in euerie ones mind: If thou atchieue anie thing with great labour that is honest, the labour goeth from thee, but the vertuous deede abi deth with thee: but if thou do anie euill with ple­sure, as a thing of no continuance, it flieth away and quicklie vanisheth, but the euill and naughtie deede as a vice not to bee blotted out, doth alwaies cleaue to thee. To which agreeth the prouerbe: Once a Iester, and neuer a housekeeper. For whosoeuer in a matter of discredite hath made shipwracke of his good name and honestie, shall hardelie recouer a­gaine the name of an honest man, though he growe to bee rich, and come to great wealth. With the like reason doeth Plato stirre on young men to come to happinesse, by setting before their cies the image of vertue and vicious pleasure: because sudden re­pentaunce, vexation of spirit, an vnquiet minde, and euerlasting griefe, doe alwaies accompany the mo­mentanie sweetenesse and inticementes of pleasure: but a quiet minde, rest of Spirit, a safe conscience, and euerlasting ioy doe alwaies follow the short labors and griefes of vertue. To which belongeth this sen­tence: That which delighteth is but for a time, but that which greeueth is euerlasting.

A lour actions must begin with praiers to God. Chap. 48.

WHatsoeuer thou goest about to attempte and effect, desire God almightie to bee thy counsailour. So that if thou determine to take any thing in hande, or if thou execute any office priuate or publike, call for his helpe, that by the inspiration of his holie Spirit hee may prompt and instill into thy minde that which is best and most profitable for thee. For it cannot bee expressed vvhat great helpe the making of our praiers to GOD doeth bring to the beginning of all our actions, Cap. 30 and to the happie successe and ende of our labours. For most commonlie our labours fall out vnluckelie and vnfortunately vvhich are not begunne with inuocati­on. From hence came that threatning of GOD by Esayas: Woe to those trayterous children, which take counfaile but not of me, which prepare their wea­pons but not by mie spirit. By which wordes hee de­nounceth an vnlucky and euil successe to such as seeke for helpe any where else then of God, and take not him for their counsailor, nor seeke oracles from him, to whome all thinges are subiecte, and in whose power the rule and gouernement of the whole worlde doeth consist. For by him as Salomon sayth, Prou. [...] kinges raigne and law makers do the things that are right, by him princes beare rule, & mightie men execute iustice. For iustice and counsaile are his, wisdom, strength, comli­nes & power, cōmeth frō him, wherby he establisheth the kingdomes of such as beare rule and keepeth their [Page 104]subiects in obedience. Wherefore seeing all thinges are done according to the wil and iudge [...]ent of God, and that he is the onely cause of all thinges: from him therefore must we with earnest praiers, craue the hap­py successe of our labors, and al other thinges that are profitable and necessarie to liue in perfect happinesse. Which Christ teacheth vs when hee saith, Matth. 6. Luke 12. first seeke the kingdome of God, and the righteousnesse thereof, and all these thinges shal be freelie giuen you, and shal be plentifully cast vnto you for an increase. And most fortunate is the beginning of that day which is taken from the contemplation of heauenly things, from the doctrine of the gospel, and from glorifying the maie­sty of God himselfe.

The fittest time to frame our minds & lift vp our harts to God is early in the morning in the dawning of the day. Chap. 49.

THere is no part of the day so fit to lift vp our mindes to God as the dawning of the daie: for after the darkenesse of the night is past, the minde is more Iustie and apte to con­ceiue holsome and good thoughts. That the holy pro­phets did so, Psal 5. Psal. 16 Cap. 87. Cap. 26 the bookes of the Bible doe euery where testifie: so Dauid, being brought into a strait, cried, My God, my God, early wil I awake to thee. I wil stand before thee betimes and see. Farly in the morning shal my prayer come vnto thee. And Esay faith thus. The Lorde made me listen betimes in the morning that I might heare him as a maister, that is, a warner which waketh the eares of the drowsie. Againe, my soule de­sired thee in the night, but betimes in the morning wil I awake vnto thee in soule and spirit. By which words [Page 105]the Prophet sheweth all his minde, and the powers and faculties of his soule and spirit, both vitall and a­nimal, and al that was within him, to be alwaies fixed on God, so that hee passed no parte of his life without the remembrance of him, but referred to God all his words and deeds, and eueri [...] thought that came into his minde.

Cal to mind at night the things thou didst in the day. Chap. 50.

CAll to mind at night all the things thou hast either done or saide the day before: and be­fore thou goe to sleepe, take an account of thy selfe howe thou hast spent the day: aske of thy minde what faulte it hath cured, and what vice thou hast resisted, which way thou hast bettered thy life, what increase thou hast made of godlinesse, and how thou hast profited in vertue.

For it cannot bee vttered howe quiet and peaceable the minde wil be, and how sweet and pleasant a sleepe wil follow, after thou hast once conceiued in thy mind a purpose to amēd thy life. For with this very thought [Page 106]thou shalt shake off the clowdie feares of thy minde. And seeing that often times the things which we haue seene and doone in the day time, doe trouble vs in our sleepe: let vs carefully take heede that the day be spent in honest and vertuous exercises: leaste any thinge come to our mindes that may disturbe our sleepe in the night, and make it vnquiet and altogether trou­blesome.

Let no man flatter himselfe in his sinne, or any way seeke to extenuate his fault. Chap. 51.

IF thou chance to do any thing foolishlie, or turne thy wil contrary to reason, to execute that which is neither comly nor honest: do not perswade thy mind to flatter it selfe in er­ror, or to diminish thy fault by any excuses; because the excuse of sin bringeth forth boldnesse, and ministreth occasion to commit the like againe. Psal. 140. For when Dauid marked what wickednes sprang from this fault of the minde: Thou shalt not incline my heart, saith hee, to frame excuses with naughty wordes for my sinne. In which words he praieth that a wicked mind might be far from him, wherewith the wicked being indued do adde sin vnto sin, diminish & extenuate their faults, & will suffer no blame to be laid on them. By which their blindnes and ignorance it commeth to passe that whē their minds are once hardned in sin, & are giuen ouer to euill affections, Pro [...]. 18. become euery day worse and worse, til at length they fal without any hope of recouery. At which that saying of Salomon aimeth when he faith: The sinner ouerwhelmed in the depth of his sinne, des [Page 107]piseth, that is, perswadeth himselfe he hath doone no euill, neither is hee much mooued with the remem­brance of his sinne: but (faith hee) shame and confu­sion followeth such a one. Whereby he sheweth him both to hazard his good name, and also to get such a note of infamie, that hee shall hardly againe deserue the name of an honest and praiseworthy man. They al­so are intangled in the same euill, who when they haue offended and fallen into sinne, will not acknowledge their fault, nor by any means be brought to confesse it; no though their conscience, like a haugman doe al­moste wring out a confession, yet will they bee silent and saie nothing, thinking to burie al thinges in for­getfulnesse: whose practise in this, is like vnto chil­drens, who cannot abstaine from those thinges they are forbidden, especiallie if there bee any hope it will bee kept secret and hidde from their parentes. Of which wee haue examples in Adam and Cayne, and their posteritie, to whome that fault is fallne by inheritaunce. Therefore whosoeuer desireth to sette their minde at reste and quiet, and to leaeu no tormente in their conscience, let them not de­nie the faultes they commit, nor attempt to couer them ouer with silence, but let them bee anatomy­sed and layde open before the face of almightye GOD: because the acknowledging of sinne, and the confession of faultes, may obtayne pardon, and purge, clense, and purifie the minde from filthie pollutions: but keeping them secret, and dissembling them, ma­keth the crime a great deale woorse. The vvhich Dauid tried in himselfe, saying: Psal, 2 [...]. Because I helde my peace, my bones consumed within me, when I cryed all the day. The torture and torment of his sorrow and griefe made him to send out howles and cries, but he [Page 108]did not declare or confesse his faulte, yet afterwarde he thought to lay open his offence to God, whom hee knew to be ready and easily intreated to forgiue sinne, if hee hartilie repented and hated vice. Therefore taking vnto him faith, I saide (quoth hee) I woulde confesse mine iniquitie against my selfe, and thou, O Lorde, hast forgiuen mee my sinne. For such is the loue and gentlenesse of God towardes man, and such is his mildenesse and mercie, that whensoeuer a sin­ner doth repent him of his sinne, he presently pardo­neth his offences. The which he declareth by Esaie in this sorte. And it shal come to passe that I wil heare before they call, Cap. 65 Cap. 18 and whilest they are yet speaking I will bowe downe mine care. Whereby he sheweth howe prompt and ready his fauour and grace is, that if a man doe but conceiue in minde a purpose of a­mendement of life, hee presentlie forgiueth him his former transgressions: for thus saith Ezech. At what time soeuer a sinner doeth repent him of his sinne, I will put it cleane out of remembraunce saieth the Lorde.

Wee must acknowledge all good thinges to come from the Lord. Chap. 52.

IF any great, noble, or honorable thing hap­pen vnto thee, in this fraile and weake body, or in this momentany and fleeting life, if y [...] haue coūtry farms & large fields thereto be longing, if welth & riches abound & comelines hone­sty, honor, dignity & glory, adorne these externalbles­sings, if thy mind be indued with knowledge & sciēce of many things, if thou hast wit in thee accompanied [Page 109]with wisedome; to be short, if thou haue a body that is lusty & strong, or if any good thinge be in thee besides: [...] must acknowledge thy selfe to haue receiued al these thinges of God, thy most liberall father, 2 Cot. 4 from whome euery good thing doth spring and is deriued. Paule cal leth to this place the proude, and such as swell with a vaine perswasion of themselues, and taketh away from them their confidence in themselues in these wordes: What hast thou that thou hast not receiued? and if y^e hast receiued it, why doest y^e brag as if thou hadst recei­ued it not? God also himself vrgeth the same, C [...]p. [...] teaching it to all men, by Ieremy saying: Let not the wise man reioice in his wisdome, nor the strong man glory in his strength, nor the rich man in his wealth, but let him that glorieth reioice in this that he knoweth himselfe. Let him that glorieth faith Paule, glorie in the Lorde, 1 Cor. 1 2 Cor. 10 from whom we receiue aboundantlie thorough Iesus Christ euery good thing: vvho was made of God for vs wisedome, Iustice, sanctification, saluation and re­demption. And to the end no man should reioice and flatter himselfe, or should waxe proud, either of exter­nall or internall blessings, Paule exhorteth vs to beare this treasure about with vs in earthen vessels, that is, in this fraile and mortal bodie, to the ende it may ap­peare to al men, that this ought to be giuen to the ho­nour and glorie of God, and not to the power of man. And as all the perseuerance that is in man, al his wise­dome, vertue and iustice ought to bee giuen to God, and the father of lightes, from whome all indumentes and giftes doe descend, Cap. 1 as I ames the apostle doth wit­nesse: so what vice or naughtinesse soeuer, whatsoeuer blindnesse and ignorance, whatsoeuer w [...]kednesse & corruption is in the minde of man, that vvholie ought to be ascribed to our malicious wil, and not so muche [Page 110]as the least fault to bee attributed to God. For sinne and the transgression of the Law, Wi [...]d. 2 was the cause of all griefe and sorrow, and of all diseases both of body and minde, and in the end of death, planting all pronenes to euill in the minde.

Great consideration and difference must bee hadde in choosing that kinde of life which a man meanes to liue in. Chap. 53

IN making choice of that kinde of life thou meanest to followe, and wherein thou pur­posest to abide and quietlie to continue all thy life, this ought cheefly to bee regarded, that thou vndertake all thinges with good considera­tion, addicting thy selfe rashlie to no enterprice, of which afterwarde thou mayest repent thee, but thou canst not forsake it or winde thy selfe out of it. For those that in an vntimelie age, before sufficient trial & search be made of the aptnesse of nature, do sodainelie take to themselues any trade of liuing, and bind them­selues vnto it during life, they lead a verie vnquiet life, ful of griefe and sorrovv: especiallie if it fall out (as of­tentimes it doth) that they beginne to loath their ma­ner of liuing, or thinke themselues vnable to wielde that charge. Wherefore to the ende no man doe vn­aduisedlie trappe himselfe in this net, before hee em­brace any kinde of life vvhatsoeuer: let him take time to deliberate what course of life he were best to folow or addict himselfe vnto: In which deliberation, Cicero counselleth thee to take aduise of thine owne Nature, Lib. 1. [...]. to the ende that applying all care to make choice of thy life, thou mayest constantlie continue in it with a [Page 111]resolute determination. For there are diuers that vn­dertaking the best trades, doe misse of their purposes, not so much thorough their vvilles, as thorough the errour of their ovvne liuing: and so vvandering from that marke which Christ sette before them, fal into superstition, that is, become falslie religious. There­fore ought vve chiefelie to aske the helpes of our sal­uation from Christ, who alone beeing our pilot in the Sea of this worlde, dooeth guide and bringe vs to the desired port. Iohn▪ 10 He is the doore that openeth vs the way and entrance vnto the Father: he is the waie, the truth and the life, from vvhom Satan goeth about to seduce vs, vvho transforming himselfe into an Angel of light, by his false teachers suggesteth false thinges for true, doubtful for certaine, fayned for syncere, and hurtful for healthful things, to the mindes of menne. And this was the first deceit of our enemie, wherewith hee set vppon Adam and blinded his minde with the myst of Ignorance, beguiling his carelesse incredulitie with a shew of veritie: so that he ceaseth not to practise the same on al his posteritie, abolishing the true worship of God and perfect religion to bringe in superstition, Idolatrie, false doctrine, and doubtful and daungerous instructions: to be short, he omitteth no craft where­vvith he may leade al mankinde from the knowledge of GOD, quenching the light of the trueth, dullinge the sight of Faith, and indeuouring to bring blindnes and vtter darkenesse into the minde.

Of the Lawful societie of Wedlocke. Chap. 54.

MAtrimonie is a lawfull and vnseparable con­iunction of manne and woman ordained by God, partlie to bridle lust and to auoid forni­cation and wandring copulation, and partlie for procreation of children. Lib. 12. cap. 1 And as Columella (besides Paule) shevveth out of the Oeconomickes of Xenophon, maryage was deuised of nature, to the end we shoulde enter into a societie of life, which is not onelie plesant but also most profitable: and least mankind in protract of time should come to ruine, Genes. 2 it ioyned man to womā, with an infused blessing from aboue, that by this inse­parable coniunction there should not bee wanting a helpe, wherewith besides a loue to gette children, it might binde them together with a mutual coniuncti­on of life and goods. Wherefore seeing the hauen of wedlocke is the safest harborough and surest roade for mankinde to lie in, in whome is naturallie ingrafted a desire to get children; that man prouideth best for his owne securitie which betaketh himselfe thereunto, es­peciallie if he be of sufficient yeares, and gotten vnto him a manlie courage. But verie inconsideratelie do they and without regard of their yeares, who vntime­lie and vnseasonably enter into it before their strength be tried, and the force of nature approoued. For there are some with almost neuer a haire on their faces, who either through some inconsiderate rashnesse, or being prouoked thereto by the allurementes of vvomen, or else by the compulsion of their parentes, gaping for some great dowrie, doe vndergoe this yoke: so that I haue beene forced to vse applications to strengthen and recouer verie many of them: but a little while after their mariages, before one yeare vvas cōmen about, they haue beene so vveake and feeble limmed, and so [Page 113]consumed their liuelie moisture, that they were scarse able to stande on their legges. Wherefore least chil­dren, or those that haue a little passed that age, should applie their mindes to marriage: let euery one make trial of his strength, and see of vvhat force he is in the loynes, and vvhat hee is able to indure. And whoso­euer purposeth to giue himselfe to marrie, lette him marke this aboue all other thinges: that hee take one to be his yoak-fellovv, which is of an honest house, not so much for her Dovvrie (albeit that is not to be refu­sed when it is profered) as for her vvit, honestie, cha­stitie, bashfulnesse, and good manners. For a woman (as the Comicall Poet saith) hath a sufficient Dowrie, if she bee indued with good manners: And notable is that saying of Alcumena in Plautus, Amph. act. 1. whiche ought to be perfectlie learned of all maydens and matrones. I take not that for a dowrie which is so commonlye called: but chastitie, shamefastnesse, a mortified luste, the feare of God, the loue tovvardes parentes, bro­therlie loue, obedient to her husbande, willing to doe that which is good, and to bridle ones selfe from doo­ing of euill.

Wherefore let parents carefullie labour prouident­lie to instruct that weake sexe, and readie to fall to destruction, especiallie vvhen they begin to wax ripe and readie for a husbande, that they conceiue no dis­honestie, nor sustaine the losse of their chastitie, Eccles 7 but ra­ther to traine vp their daughters to honesty and ver­tue, and stir them vp to soundnesse of life and blameles manners. For there are many parentes which doe so slenderlie care for the perfection of their daughters, that they corrupt them with ill examples at home, o­pening them the window to drunkennesse, boldnesse, and impudencie: vvhereby it commeth to passe, that [Page 114]they accustome themselues by little and little to laie a­side shamefastnesse and make sale of their chastitie, by suffering themselues to be easilie ouercome, or at least they slenderlie resist such as lie in waite for their virgi­nitie: vvhose clipping, kissing and toying, they no­thing abhorre, neither take greeuouslie, or gainesaie the flatterie of those that embrace them. Among ma­ny faults and errors which are wont to be committed in the entrance into this estate of wedlocke, there are three especiallie which in my iudgement are to be bla­med, because from thence do many inconueniences arise. The first is, that the most part of men & women doe enter into this kind of life, rashlie and without consideration, hauing no regarde of their natures, but at such an age as is altogether vnfit for it. Secondly, there are many that marrie when it is too late, and therefore out of season, because their age begins to wither, and yeares grow fast vpon them. Lastlie, there are some that match themselues vnequallie, as one that is sound and lustie, vvith one that is sicklie and vveake: a young man that marrieth an olde vvoman for her Dovvrie, which is an vnequall matche, and an olde man mat­ching with a young maiden, vvhich is not so much to be blamed as the other, because it is not contrarie to the course and order of nature: for there are manie old menne, vvho though they bee crasie, yet is their age so liuelie, that they vvant not abilitie to get children: vvhich is altogether denied to olde and ouervvorne vvomen. And as the ouermuch haste and celeritie of young men in thinking of marriage, is to bee blamed: so is slacknesse and delaie in those that are of yeares sufficient.

For those that suffer themselues to be tied with this yoke too hastilie before they are readie, and before [Page 115]their bodies are strong enough to indure it, it cannot be, but after a bragge or tvvo, their courage is cooled and altogether decaied: But those that by delaies, let the lavvful time of marryage ouerslip them, and defer their purpose to marrie till they be old, they lead a fil­thie and vnpleasant life, yea and manie times defile themselues vvith diuers and vnlawfull copulations: and that doe so manie pockyfaced, so manie diseased, vvithered visaged, bleare eied, crooked, gowtie and swolne legged companions shew vnto vs: who after­vvards when their liues beginne to be loathsome vnto them, and that it happen they ioine themselues in ma­riage, they fall into manie and greate griefes and in­combrances. For when they are spent and decaied, and their strength consumed through the disorder of their forepassed copulations, they are both greeuous vnto themselues, and frustrate the hope and desire of their new maried wiues.

All societie that comes not within the com­passe of Wedlocke is vicious, and alto­gither vnlawful. Chap. 55.

SEeing that Christ and his Apostles do de­test wantonnesse and filthie and vnlawfull loues, Heb. 13 and pronounceth that they shal be shut out of the kingdom of heauen which doe file themselues with adulterie, and desire to goe a whooring: I cannot see with what face they can defende themselues, who hurting matrimo­nie, thinke it better to liue looselie and without care at libertie. For there are some whoe without the [Page 116]boundes of wedlocke, giue themselues for a time to some paramore, neither decentlie, nor with a safe minde and quiet conscience. They forsooth follovve the profite of this life (as they perswade themselues) and will not be so much addicted to one, but wil chāge and forsake her at their pleasure: and yet they often­times taste more bitter thinges, and are compelled to indure and abide farre more shamefull thinges at the hands of a proud & a malepert lemman, then (if they were married) of their lawful and honest wiues. More­ouer this mischiefe also happeneth besides, because the continuall custome of the liues of these vvomen doth bring boldnesse and such a kind of audacious sau­cinesse and confidence, that if thou wax weary of thē, and art desirous to forsake them, thou canst not doe it without verie great trouble. For if it happen thou make but mention of a diuorce, or if they perceiue thou art discontent with them, and they begin but to fear thou wilt shut them out of thy doores, they will confounde heauen and earth together. Those familiar and dome­sticall whores which our masse priestes receiued into their fellowship, do minister examples very abundant­lie, who vvere forbidden to marrie and commaunded to liue chastlie, a thing very painful and of too great a burden for them that vvere strong and full of moisture to beare. Wherefore they erre greatly and are altoge­ther blinded and deceiued in the choise of so beastlie a life, who iudge those to liue profitably & quietly, who freeing themselues from mariage, doe either keepe a whore at home, or hire one abroad, with whom they may delight themselues and vvhen it pleaseth them inioye her companie: because moste commonly be­sides the disquiet of the minde and the gaule of their consciences, there riseth more greefe and trouble, and [Page 117]more ielousie and suspicion from an hired and time seruing lemman, then from a lawful and trusty wife being maried. And albeit in this estate as in many other, plea­sant things are mingled with sower things, bitternesse with sweetenesse, pleasure with sorrow, and griefe with ioie, and that there is in marriage no want of brawles, contentions, chidings, & iealous affections (as in deed there is no estate of life whatsoeuer, euery way perfect) yet is there no fault to be laid on the institution of mariage. For albeit many discommodities attende on this estate, and great sorrow, care, and trouble of mind both in bringing vp their children, and as Paule saith) in or­dering of a house: 1 Cor. 5 yet doth mutual loue mittigate and aswage all these sorrowes, by procreating of children according to the ordinance of God. For children are a great reioicing and singular delight in marriage, by whose meanes the loue of the married is increased, and nourished, & a great comfort riseth to them both. But if it happen contrary to their minds and wils that they haue no children, and that they haue no hope to leaue a posterity behind them: yet must y^e bond of ma­riage be kept vndefiled, and the society of this life main tained, one propping and holding vppe the other, as fruitfull trees set in a ranke doe the vine, who leaning on them, and as it were marrying and fastning it ten­drels to them, climeth the very toppes of them, and so spredeth it selfe abroad. For as a vine destitute of props and bearers is weake and falleth to the ground, so mar­riage vnlesse it be propped vp with the mutuall labour of man and wife, decaieth and cōmeth to ruine. And if there be any fault in this fellowship, any disorder, suspi­cious falings out, & discords, it is rather to be ascribed to the stubborne affections of the man or the woman, or both, then to this holy and sacred ordinaunce: for [Page 118]these are not the faultes of marriage, but of a nough­ty nature and troublesome minde, drawn from the in­fection of originall sinne, from whence all euill sprin­geth.

By what meanes a man forseeing death by nature may not be afraid of it. Chap. 56.

SEing that of all thinges in this worlde, there is nothing certaine and sure, but that all thinges are vanishing, fraile, and weake, yea the moste beawtifull things that are, must come to ruine: there is no reason why any one should so greatlie esteeme them, or so greedilie vsurpe them, or be more affected to thē then necessity requireth; but rather lifting vp his heart and mind to heauen, should meditate and looke after thinges perfect and euerla­sting. For whosoeuer hath faith in GOD the Fa­ther through Iesus Christ, he is led with a certaine hope and expectation of immortalitie, and such a one feareth no imminent chaunces or discommodities, such a one feareth no disease, calamitie, daunger, no nor death it selfe, which is greatlie feared of those that are destitute of the spirit of GOD, and vvere ne­uer indued vvith any knowledge of his deitie. For such as put their trust in GOD, being strengthened by the holie Ghost, doe couragiouslie and vvith stoute stomackes resiste all aduersities, Rom. 8 2. Tim. 1. Galat 4 1. Iohn. 4. because vvee haue not (as Paule saieth) receiued the Spirit of bon­dage and feare, but the Spirit of adoption, and the Spiritte of power and loue, by vvhich wee boldlie crie Abba Father. In this saith Iohn is our loue per­fect in vs, that we haue hope in the day of iudgement: [Page 119]Feare is not in loue, but perfecte charity reiecteth all feare, because feare bringeth trembling and torment. Wherefore to the ende wee may shake off all feare of deathe from our mindes, Colos. 2 and all terrours that it maie bringe vnto vs, let vs cast all our cogitations, hope, vowes, and truste, on our mercifull Father, and on Iesus Christ, who hath reconciled vs with his bloud: and hath deliuered vs from sinne and the ty­rannie of death, blotting out the hand writinge that accused vs, whereby wee were bounde and pledged to the Diuell, and as the Dutch man saieth: In hem ghehouden, Teghens hem verbunden, that is, helde fast and tyed to him. But to the ende Christ might strengthen our fearefull and tymerous mindes, and declare all our hope and trust to consiste in him, hee saieth: Be of good comforte, Iohn. 16 Iohn. 12. for I haue ouercome the worlde. Nowe the Prince of this worlde is iudged, that is, hee that brought deathe into the worlde, is by my death ouercome beeing condem­ned in iudgemente, and strypped of his power to hurte. The Prince of this worlde commeth, but hee hath nothing in me. With which comfortable words hee declareth Sathan and those which are confede­rate with him in this worlde, through sinne to haue no power, either against Christ or anie of his mem­bers that cleaue vnto him, and are ingrafted into him by faith. These sauing and quickning speeches doe worke this in the mindes of men, which doe leane vnto his helpe, that shaking off the feare of death doe cheerfully arme themselues against all troubles that happen vnto them, which maketh them inuinci­ble and with bolde courage, to breake out into these wordes. Mine eies waite alwaies on the Lorde, Psal. 3. Psal. 22 be­cause hee hath plucked my feete out of the snare. The [Page 120]Lord is my light and my saluation, of whom then shal I be afraid? The lord is the protector of my life, whom shall I then feare? If whole armies come against mee, my heart shall not feare, I will not bee afraid of thou­sandes of people that compasse me about: if warre be raised against me in him will I trust, yea although I should walke in the shadowe of death, yet will I feare none euil, Iob. 13. because thou art with me. Albeit he kil me, yet wil I put my trust in him, that is, if he set before me the shadow of death, & that he take away my life from me, yet wil I trust in him, who with his prouidence wil finde some meanes to preserue me. Psal. 117. Heb. 11 Cap. 17 The Lorde is my helpe, I will not feare what flesh can do vnto me. And that saying of Ieremy. Beholde, they say where is the worde of the Lorde? let him come, and I will not bee troubled, following thee my shephearde. And thou knowest I haue not desired the day of a man, that is, I desire helpe no where else then of thee: so that I light­ly regarde and nothing feare them which threaten death. I am not afraide of thee which art my hope in the day of mine affliction, let them feare, I am nothing afraid. Paul also inflamed with y^e same feruēcy of faith, and trusting vpon the helpe of God, boldly pronoun­ceth. There is nothing so horrible and fearefull, that can bring a terror into godly mindes, or can remooue from thē the loue and trust in God. For I am certainlie perswaded, Rom. [...] saith he, that neither death nor life, neither Angels nor the inuisible creatures, neither principali­ties nor powers, neither thinges present, nor things to come, nor any other creature can seperate mee from the loue of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord, so that Paule boldly pronounceth, Psal. 50 that he which is graf­ted into God though Christ will boldly withstande all terrors whatsoeuer happen vnto him, against the rage [Page 121]and fury of the enemy, against the horrour of death, whether it bee procured by the enemy or by sicknesse, or whether it come by the course of nature. Seeing then there is nothing of more force to take away the feare and terrour of death out of mens mindes, then by a firme faith in GOD through Christ, by which wee haue a certaine hope of our resurrection, and an expectation of euerlasting happinesse: hither should all men hasten and desire to come, euerie one should embrace and followe this wholesome doctrine, im­printe it in their mindes, and strengthen themselues in all daungers when they are brought to extremities, herewith shoulde they quiet their consciences, and by thinking on this remooue all griefe of heart, sha­king off all sorrowe and lamentation which commeth to them, by the death of their parentes and friendes. Hitherto tendeth that liuely comfort of Paule, Thes. 4. where­with hee incourageth the Thessalonians with the ex­pectation of the resurrection, and a certaine hope of eternitie, willing them to staye their teares and not to mourne for their friendes departed out of this life, after the manner of the Gentiles, saying: I woulde not haue you ignoraunt brethren, concerning them that are a sleepe (as it were but fallen a sleepe and not dead) that you greeue not at them, as those that haue no hope of the resurrection: For if wee beleeue that Ie­sus is dead and risen againe, so also can God raise them with him that are fallen a sleepe, and bring them to their former estate. Our conuersation, saith he, is in heauen, from whence vvee looke for our Lorde Iesus Christ, who vvil transforme our vile bodies, Phil. 4 and make thē like to his glorious bodie, according to his power wherewith hee subdueth all thinges. In which wordes Paule vvarneth all men that they comforte and stren­then [Page 122]then themselues in afflictions, with the loue and de­sire of immortalitie, and that they feare nothing in the whole course of this life, that may withdrawe them from a better life, to which Christ hath opened vs the waie, by the power of his resurrection. Where­fore, vvhen wee come to the last daie of our life and death presseth vppon vs, vvhich is fearefull to al men vnlesse Christ doe holde them vppe, or where there commeth any thought of death to them that are founde and in perfecte health, or if pouertie oppresse vs, or any disease, or any other discommodities of this life trouble vs: let vs cast all our hope, desire and prayers on Christ, who hath payed the punishment due vnto vs by his death, who hath pardoned all our offences, who is the propitiation for our sinnes, who is our aduocate (as Iohn saieth) and mediatour vvith GOD the Father, Colos. 3 1. Iohn. 2. 1. Tim. 2 Esay. 50 Ephet 2 Colol. 1. Iohn. 1 who is the reconciler of GOD and man, and who, as Paule saieth, hath giuen him­selfe to bee a redemption and sacrifice for vs. In him standeth our saluation and the resurrection of life, by him wee haue accesse and entraunce in one Spirit to GOD the Father, by his bloudshedding wee haue obtayned redemption and remission of sinnes, be­cause it pleased the father, that al fulnesse should dwel in him, and make all thinges pleasing vnto him by his bloudsheading. Seeing therefore wee haue an high prieste as the Authour saieth to the Hebrewes, Heb. 4 who hath pearsed the heauens, euen Iesus Christ the Sonne of GOD, who tempted in all things, and yet without sinne, was affected with the feeling of our in­firmities: Let vs come with saith to that throne of grace, that wee may obtaine mercie of him that will helpe vs in due season, beeing sustained with the [Page 123]helpe of so greate a guide, and attended on with so sure a guard, we shall be able to resist the monsters of the Diuell, who so soone as the light of the Gospell appeared, vanished awaie, yea wee shall preuaile a­gainst sinne, Death and Hell, and shall bee carryed out of the vncertaine state of this life, to the desired hauen, and to a blessed habitation.

And if it fallout in the course of this life, that a­nie discommoditie or misfortune happen vnto thee, if it chaunce thou fall into any incombraunces of this life, if oppressed with pouertie, greeued with disea­ses, troubled with thy enemies, if oppression and ca­lamitie come vppon thee, if wickednesse abound, if the innocent bee iniured, and their liues taken awaie from them, if sounde and wholesome doctrine bee contemned, if heresies and wicked opinions doe bud forth and naughtie errours are sowne abroade: in such a confusion of thinges wee must go vnto Christ, and require of him the helpes of our saluation, let vs rest wholie on him, let vs as it were with an Anchor take fast holde on him. And to bee shorte, let vs haue that saying of Dauid in our mindes: Psal. 15 I will al­waies sette the Lorde before mine eyes, because hee is on my right hande that I cannot bee remooued. In which wordes hee sheweth hee had his eyes al­waies fastened on GOD, and trusted to his helpe, not doubting nor carryed awaie with euerie blast of doctrine, but was stable and constant, Ephe. 4. Hebru 1; Psal. [...] and coulde not bee remooued from the faith he had in God, and that onelie for this cause that hee hadde tryed GOD to bee his propitiation, and to assist him in all thinges: so that hee boldelie brake out into these speeches.

Beholde the Lorde is my helpe, my heart hoped in him, and he helped me, my flesh reioiced in him, and I wil willingly confesse him.

Of the greatnesse of the name of Iesus Christ, his maiestie and power, wherewith we must only resist magicall in­chantments, and ouercome the illusions of the Diuel or any other hurt that shall happen to body and mind. Chap. 57.

SEeing that a little before I haue shewed in­chantmentes and magicall artes are to be roo­ted vppe, and no man should vse sorcery and witchcraft: It remaineth that I shewe by the way with what force and power, with what wordes and praiers minds assailed, afflicted, and intangled in the iuglings of the Diuel, may bee cured. Then by what meanes wichcraft may be taken away, which the ministers of the Diuell do bring vpon men, and vexe their mindes and bodies. They enter secretly into mans bodie, and do violently assaile his nature, and spoile the same of power or at least wise weaken it. These euill spirits do enter into our meate and drinke, and breath which we take from the aire, and into such thinges as we receiue into our bodies, and wherewith we liue, and all other things that serue for our vse to strengthen vs, they doe corrupt. Wherefore I thought it worth my labour to shew by what meanes these miserable men, may com­fortablie winde themselues out of those Labirinthes wherein they feele themselues intangled and stayed. For the discommodities and hurtes wherewith they are greeued, cannot bee referred to any naturall cause, neither can they bee remedied with such remedies as the common diseases are. If a man falsick of too much [Page 125]surfeting, venerie, wearinesse, cold, heate, fulnesse, or emptinesse; euery one of these may bee cured with their proper remedies: but those diseases which the euil spirite doth bring vpon vs, doe not altogither re­quire naturall remedies, but heauenlie and supernatu­rall. There are diuers that woonder how so great po­wer should be in the diuell and his ministers, that they should so vex and torment men: but God doth partly winke at those dāmages the wicked ones do bring vp­on mortal men, suffering them to be tormented, and therein the reason of his counsell and prouidence is onelie knowne to himselfe: and partlie he doeth pro­uoke the Diuell and his ministers to rage ouer some that haue deserued no lesse, abusing their malice to chastice the wicked ones, for so was the euill spirite sent into the mouthes of the prophetes, 3 Reg. 22. whereby king Ahab was seduced to the battell, wherein present de­struction was prepared for him. And oftentimes hee permitteth these harmes to bee inflicted on manie, to the ende he might trie their faith and constancy: so did he suffer Iob not onelie to be spoiled of all his goodes, Iob. 2. Iames 4. and stript of his wealth, but hee suffered his bodie also to be torne with potsheards: the which God suffered partlie to trie his constancie, and to excite others to beare such euils patientlie, least they being cast downe with calamitie should fal awaie from God; & partlie to shew his power wherewith he comforteth and supporteth all such as trust in him, raising such as are brought to nothing, and restoring them againe to their former estate. Now there must be a diuers regarde hadde of those that are commonlie possessed with euil spirites, and who are beset of the diuell, or tormented in anye part of their bodies by him, because many of them are without sence and farre from the knowledge of God, [Page 126]ouer whome the Diuell (as a fit instrument prepared for him) doth exercise his tyrannie. So doth Satan set vpon such as are altogither idle, idolatrous, and super­stitious, in whose mindes he doth rather settle himself then in those that are indued with the knowledge of GOD, and support themselues with faith in Christe, whom he is afraide of, and dareth not vvorke his feats on them, because his indeuours and practises shoulde be altogether in vaine and without effect, in those that keep good watch against him, and trusting to the help of God, care nothing for him. For as Towers and ci­ties that are not walled about, nor defended with ditch and rampire, nor strengthened with anye garrison of souldiors, are easilie conquered and wonne, so those sluggish and slothfull mindes, that are not strengthe­ned with wholsome and heauenlie doctrine, nor for­tified with faith in God, lie open to the subtletie of the Diuell, and are soone brought to ruine. And seeing Satan dooth most of all couet to abolish the glorie of God, that he might withdravve man from saluation, and stirre him vppe to rebellion: hee ceaseth not in­wardlie and outwardlie to besiege him, and nowe to intend the death of the bodie, now of the foule, and laste of all, of both their strength to bring them to de­struction. Genes. 4 1 Reg 31. Besides Caine and king Saule, Iudas Iscari­ot may serue for an example: whose mind when hee had brought to distrust and desperation, then hee for­ced him being wearie of his life, to hang himselfe, to his shame and confusion. Math. 29 But albeit Satan the enimy of mankind be furnished with a thousand practises to infect and hurt vs: yet is there one onely thing able & of present force, to ouercome and oppresse him, and that is faith, and a sure and stedfast trust in GOD the Father through Christ, vvhich the Dutchman calleth [Page 127] Een vaste gheloue, ende een goedt betrovven op godt. By whose ayde the Apostle Peter counselleth vs to resist the ambushmentes, trappes, iuglinges, deceipts, sub­tleties, rage and crueltie, with sobrietie and watchful­nesse, supported and propped by faith: for thus hee waketh them that are idle: Be yee sober and vvatche, 1 Pet. 5 because your aduersarie the Diuell goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whome hee may deuour, whom resist yee being strong in Faith. For this, as Iohn saith, 1 Iohn. 5 is the victorie that ouercommeth the worlde, euen our Faith: for faith vvhereby vvee leane to Christ and commit our selues wholie to such a defender, getteth vs the victorie ouer the diuell the prince of this world: so that we shall carrie awaie rich spoiles from our conquered and ouerthrown enemy.

When therfore it seemeth good vnto vs to attempt anie thinge againste this aduersarie, and to resiste in­chauntmentes and witchcraftes (vvhich the Dutch­men call Touerie) or to driue euill spirites out of mens mindes: it muste bee doone by faith in Iesus Christe, Hebru. 5 contemning the vanitie of the Gentiles, old wiues su­perstitions, and all other magicall execrations. For God by his sonne, who is the brightnesse of his glorye and the verie image of his substance, dooeth all in al, and gouerneth all thinges with the vvorde of his po­wer. This prerogatiue did he obtaine for his singular obedience, humilitie, and modesty towards his father. For vvhen he was in the form of God, that is, like and equall with him, he thought it no robberie to be equal with God, Phil. 2. and yet he submitted himselfe and took the shape of a seruant, and humbled himselfe, and was o­bedient to the shamefull and execrable death of the Crosse, wherefore God lifted him vppe into the high­est heauens, and glorified him with a name y^e excelled [Page 128]al other names, that in the name of Iesus euerie knee should bowe both in heauen and earth and of thinges vnder the earth, and euerie tongue shall confesse and acknowledge, that Iesus is the Lorde and the glorie of God the father, to whom all the glorie of the sonne is referred and giuen. And contrariwise. If therfore any man doe attempt to doe anie thing, if to ease the affli­cted in minde, if to cast out diuels out of the body, let him indeuour to doe it by calling on God the father by faith in the name of Christ, and so shall he obtaine all thinges, and shall not be frustrate of his desire. For by the force of this wonderfull and blessed name (so vvee doubt not nor distrust the promises of God) diseases are healed, Marke. 16 afflictions and troubles of minde quieted, tempestes and rages of the sea mitigated, diuelles (as Christ promiseth ascending vppe into heauen) driuen out, poison denied his operation, serpentes are made slovve and cannot hurt, ignorance, terror, and feare driuen from the minde, the feare of death shaken off, hurtful thoughtes dispearsed and made to vanish, and the minde getteth tranquillitie and peace of consci­ence: so that nothing can happen vnto vs to make vs afraide if God the father through Iesus Christ vphold vs by his spirite. Wherefore our soules must be lifted vppe to the liuing God thorough the guide of his son, and whatsoeuer we determine to take in hande, wee must remember to doe it in the power of that wonder­full name Iesus: Math. 28 Mark. 16 Actes 2 for to him is giuen all power bothe in heauen and earth: neither is there any other name vn­der the sunne that bringeth saluation, the which is ter­rible to the wicked, fearefull to the diuels, but to those that trust in him power, Acts 4 1 Cor. 1 vvisedome, saluation, life and resurrection: who is appointed of God to be the iudge both of the quicke and dead, euen Christe Iesus the [Page 129]faithfull witnesse, the prince of the kings of the earth, Apoc. 1 Acts 10. whoe loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes by his bloud. To him, as Peter saith in the Actes of the Apo­stles, do al the prophetes beare vvitnesse, because who soeuer beleeueth in him shall receiue remission of his sinnes in his name. Iohn. 1 [...] This is the life eternall (which te­stimonie Christe giueth to his Father) that they may knovve thee to be the onelie true God and him whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ, in vvhome is all the povver of the Godhead, and whatsoeuer wisdome may be as­cribed and giuen to God.

Seeing therefore that this name is so renowmed & holie, and of such maiestie and power: wee muste dili­gentlie take heede vvee vse it not vnreuerentlie and in vaine, as those ridiculous exorcistes do, who with cer­taine ceremonies and conceiued wordes, assaying by the abuse of the name of Iesus to caste out the euill spi­rite to their owne profite and ostentation (by vvhich name Paule wrought miracles) haue caste themselues into great peril, Actes 19 and their adiuration or rather mocke­rie, was hurtfull to themselues, for the possessed of the Diuell ranne on them and cruellie rente them, so that they were glad to betake thē to flight. There haue bin also massepriests in our daies, whoindued with no faith in y^e name of Christe, nor with any good maners, haue attempted the like, but haue beene so mocked and shamed by the Diuel, that leauing their businesse alto­gither vndoone, trembling with greatfeare haue been constrained to depart. But if any now wil go about to bring such a thing to passe, and to cast euill spirites our of the bodies of men: let him follovve the example of Peter and Iohn, who vsing no ambitious words raised the lame after this sorte. In the name of Iesus Christe of Nazareth rise vppe and vvalke, Actes. and hee presentlie [Page 130]his feete and legges vvaxing strong, leaped vppe and walked, and entred with them into the Temple, lea­ping, and walking, and praising God. Seeing then that Iesus the onely sonne of God, Col. 1 Hebru. 1 coequall and of like power with the father, in vvhom are hidde al the trea­sures of vvisedome and knowledge, dooeth guide all thinges by the worde of his power: it is meet wee put and place all our trust in God, thorough Iesus Christ, and that by the power and strength of him wee resist Sathan, sinne, hell, and al things whatsoeuer are hurt­full to man.

But excellent is the greatnesse, strength, povver and fortitude, which God according to his power shewed in Christ, as Paule saith, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the hea­uen aboue all power, principalitie, and rule, & aboue all that is named not onely in this worlde, but also in the worlde to come, and hath put all things vnder his feete, and giuen him to bee chiefe of all thinges in his Church, which is his bodie, and is the fulfilling & ac­complishment of all thinges: that is, it is Christe by whome God dooeth fill vppe, Ephes. 1 absolue, and perfect all thinges in all men; especiallie in them that beleeue in him: And as Paule saith, are sealed with the holie spi­rite of promise, vvhich is the pledge and earneste of our inheritance, into the redemption of that purcha­sed and gotten possession, to the praise of his glorie. Wherefore Paule vvho was accustomed to many conflictes, and constrained to beare many proud bragges, doth counsell euerie one, if dangers at any time hang ouer them, if Death be at hande to kill them, if Satan laie siege to their mindes: to striue vvith and resist him with a bolde and valiant courage, for so dooth hee en­courage & exhort the Ephesians: Ephes 6 saying, That which [Page 131]remaineth brethren, be of good courage, and shevve your selues valiant in the Lorde, and by the power of his strength, put on all the armour of GOD, that you may resiste the assaultes of the Diuell: because wee must not striue against flesh and bloud, that is againste weake and mortall men (albeit they sometimes trou­ble vs) but against the Princes of the Worlde, the ru­lers of the darkenesse of this worlde, against the spiri­tual crafte of those that flie in the ayre.

In vvhich plentie of wordes and varietie of senten­ces, and that elegant Metaphor taken from a conflict and skirmishe with the enemie, he sheweth y^t the euill spirites with their attendantes and ministers, doe goe about with great crafte and vvarlike policie to beguile those that haue addicted themselues, and giuen theyr names to Christ. Wherefore seeing our enemies are so much to be feared, and so furnished with spirituall crafte: he shevveth by the waie with vvhat vveapons vve are to resist him. Take saith he, the whole armor of God (an example taken from those that go well ar­med into the battaile and stande on their guarde) that you may resist the aduersarie and stande to him stout­lie and effectuallie, like those that shrinke not, Ephes. 6 nor are compelled to flie: stande therefore with your loynes girte with the svvorde of truth, putting on the breast­plate of righteousnesse, and shooes on your feet, that ye may be ready and prepared to the Gospel of peace: but aboue all thinges take vnto you the shield of faith, whereby you may quench all those fierie dartes of that wicked one. Take vnto you the helmet of healthe, and the svvord of the spirit, which is the word of God, to vvhich he addeth (as substituted aides) petitions & dailie prayers, who doe so execute their office, y^t they [Page 132]obtaine the victorie: 1 Pet. 5. And God (as Peter saith arguing on the same matter) in so vncertaine a conflict, and (as it often proues) in so doubtfull euent of the battaile, re­fresheth, establisheth, strengtheneth and supporteth those that are readie to bee ouercome, and as it vvere brought to ruine. Now seeing in times paste there was such authoritie of Pythagoras amongst his schol­lers, and his doctrine was of such estimation, that they helde it as an Oracle, or as it vvere spoken by the vvi­fest man in the world, insomuch that when they wold confirme any thinge without anie long delaie, they woulde obiect to him that doubted their argumentes to be true, [...], that is, he hath spoken, as though it had beene then a great offence to speake against it: so is it meete the like reason be had of our religion, gi­uing the same reuerence to Iesus Christ, that in allea­ging his doctrine to confirme the profession of our faith, we crie vnto the deafe and dul hearers [...], that is, beleeue, for our Sauior hath spoken it: for his doctrine is not humaine, vanishing, and colde, but liuelie, sauing, forcible and diuine, and which bringeth blessednesse to man: which onelie we ought to desire of Christ whoe is the fountaine of all wisedome and goodnesse, and in whome dwelleth all fulnesse of God corporallie: by whome wee are made perfect: by whom as Paule saith, God the father hath deliuered vs from the power of darkenesse, and hath translated vs to the kingdome of his beloued sonne: by whom vve haue redemption in his bloud and remissi­on of our sins: vvho is the image of the inuisible god, and the first begotten before all creatures, and by whō all thinges were made both in heauen and earth, visi­ble and inuisible, thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. All things were made by him & through [Page 133]him, and he is before all things, and by him all things haue their beginnings. He is the head of his body the Church, the beginning and first begotten from the dead, that he might be chiefe in al thinges, and obtain the souerainty, because it pleased the father to dwel in him, being the fulnesse of all thinges, and to reconcile al things vnto himselfe being appeased in the bloud of his crosse. Seeing then that GOD the Father hath so plentifully and aboundantly bestowed all things on vs by Christ, let vs striue to come to that plentifull and e­uerflowing fountain, and let vs presume through faith to aske and hope for all things from, and in him assaie to doe all thinges. If it seeme good vnto vs to cast out Diuels, to heale diseases, to deliuer from perils, to kill venemous beastes, to purge away poison, and make it ha [...]melesse, and to remoue mountains out of their pla­ces: let vs remember to do all these things by the ver­tue and power of Christ & by faith in him. For Christ promiseth to the faithfull, that all things shall be plain, open, and easie for them to doe, if they haue faith, which in his last sermon, before hee ascended vp into heauen, he witnesseth to the world, when he saith: Marke. 6 Go yee ouer all the world and preach the Gospell to al na­tions, he that beleeueth and is baptised shall be saued, but whosoeuer beleeueth not, shall bee condemned. Tell them that beleeue that these thinges shall followe their faith: In my name, they shall caste out Diuels, speake with newe tongues, kill Serpentes, and if they drinke any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them, they shall lay their handes on the sicke, and they shall bee whole, that is at the present touch they shall bee hea­led: these thinges shall bee alwaies ready with them, where the increase and profit of the Gospell requireth a myracle. But these things can by no meanes be per­formed [Page 134]in the mindes of them that nowe professe the Gospell, vntill they haue clensed their hearts from all vices, and through the force of the spirit and doctrine of saluation haue healed their mindes of their faultes, and that their heartes are freed from auarice, hatred, anger, lust, deceite, backbiting, and other daungerous affections, and endue themselues with giftes from aboue.

Whether hearbes and precious stones haue a power to cast out Deuils and expel noisome things. Chap. 58.

ALbeit that hearbes haue such especiall vse and excellent force, giuen by the framer of Nature that they are applied to mans bodie for nou­rishment and medicines sake, yet are there some roots commended by ancient writers which resist inchaunt ments, and do beate backe and driue away sorcery and witchcraft of all sorts. These are called Alexicaca or remedies against al mischiefes, and Amuleta, that is, Amlettes, or preseruatiues against witchcraft, which doe driue awaie and remoue all thinges that are hurt­full and noysome to men. This force also besides hearbes is attributed to Pearles and Precious stones, vvhich haue gotten that power not by their first qua­lities, that is, the temprature of heate and colde, dri­nesse and moisture: but by a speciall strength, hidden force, and secret propertie, whose cause cannot by a­ny meanes be shewed.

So doth the Magnes and Loadstone draw Iron: The Gagates or Agath stone, and the Amber drawe strawes and moates. The Saphire which is of a s [...]ie and gray colour defendeth chastitie. The Iacincte and Chry­solite [Page 135]borne on the Ring finger resisteth the plague. The Emerald and Prasius being stones of a green co­lour doe make the heart merrie. The Iasper, Saphire and blew stone called a Turcoise, keepeth a man from sliding, falling and stumbling: or if any of these hap­pen, it keepeth the bodie from hurte: Corall hanged about the necke driueth awaie troublesome dreames, and keepeth children from feares in the night. The Carbuncle or Sardine stone commonlie called the Cornel stone, (taking that name of a redde berrie the Cornell tree beareth) spreadeth the bloud in the bo­die, and maketh men merrie and of an excellent co­lor. There are also diuers other stones of moste excel­lent vertue to remooue and driue awaie Hobgoblins, Witches, Hags, and anie ayrie Spirits, if wee may credit auncient writers. There are also hearbes which resist those diseases, that are verie neare kinne to the vexations and tortures of the Diuell, as melancholy, phrensie, madnesse, the falling sickenesse, and o­ther greeuous diseases that happen to young maides, and olde widowes, through the motion and affection of their wombe: or when their monethlie diseases haue not their course, or vvhen they are kept longer from marrying then they would be: because from the fumes that disease bringeth, and thorow blacke and thicke fogges, their mindes are so troubled, that a man woulde thinke they were tormented of some euill Spiritte: yea they themselues doe perswade them­selues that some euill Spiritte doth possesse their mindes, which bringeth them into manie absurde and filthie imaginations, to which disease after the incision or cutting of some vayne in the feete, such wholsome hearbes are applied vnto them that deliuer them of these accidentes: and of this sorte are these, [Page 136]Mugworte, Sauory, wild Betony, Maieram, Penirioall, Origane and Clarie: But amongst herbes that are an ease to an afflicted minde, or doe safely keepe a man from euill spirites, or from thinking of them, or from those venemous fumes which do hurt the braine, these are reckoned to be of force, Rue, y^e sea onion, (of whose iuice and sirrop a vineger is made) masterwort, which wee commonly call Pelitory of Spaine, Angelica, or Lungwort, (a kind of Fenel giant, or Lascrpice) Alisson or Rubia the lesse, which healeth a man, dog, or those that be bitten with a mad dog, which disease is not al­together vnlike those which are vexed & inrage with the Diuell. Rosemary purgeth the house, whose roote (or the roote of Hogs Fennell or Bearefoote) hanged in the entry of y^e house, chaseth away euill spirits, & the contagion of the plague. Also Ricine which is com­monly called Palma christi (because the leaues thereof are like to a hand when it is stretched out) doth the like. So Coral, Peony, the Misletoe bush, driueth away the falling euil, if it be either hanged about ones necke, or drunke in wine. All which if any man thinke hee may vse in driuing away euill spirites, let vanity and the su­perstition of the Gentiles be far from him, let him vse no vaine precations, or strange words which they vse for the most part, who practise inchauntmentes and professe the magicall arts: but let him remember that if hearbes haue any force (as experience teacheth vs they haue) they haue it from the Lorde. For all medi­cines and rootes, which are applied to mans body are of force, not in regard of themselues, but for y^t they are giuen of God, and by his meanes haue that wholsome operation. Therefore if thou do determine any thing with the helpe of hearbes, trust not so much to the force of them, as to God himselfe, and so in expelling [Page 137]diseases thy labour shall haue a happy and wished suc­cesse, otherwise thy good indeuors turne cleane con­trarie, and the end deceiue the expectation of the ar­tificer, because hee thought not on the creator of whō all thinges haue their effect, or else hee wanted faith in Christ. 3 Reg. 15. 2. Paca 16 Hence it came that Asa king of Iuda when hee was greeuouslie afflicted with the paine in the feete, and tooke not counsaile of GOD, but onely trusted to the Physition, founde no helpe in their application, but dyed of the gowte, as the storie saieth. For GOD doeth not forbid the helpe of the Phisition, but that wee shoulde not trust altogither in him, and haue no regarde of him which is the Authour of health, and by whose gifte all thinges haue their efficacie. But they do very superstitiously, & commit a thing not far from Idolatry, Psal. 7 vvho applie to inchauntments hearbs hallowed with certaine fained prayers, and proceede with them to vncharme diseases: for so do they apply Fearne about the summer solstice, and Rue, Trifolie, and Veruein gathered in the beginning of the night to serue their Magicall sorceries withall, wherewith they beguile the rude and vnskilfull sorte of common peo­ple, and blinde their eies to get something from them, and wipe them cleane of al their money, and yet those vaine artificers neuer become rich. This I thought good friendly reader to insert in this argument, to the ende euery one may beware of those magicall in chan­ters, and regarde from whome wee must looke for our helpe and health of our saluation (contemning the vanitie and superstition of the Gentiles) and by what means it becommeth vs to vse remedies prepared for vs, which are plentifully granted vnto vs by the bounty of God.

Of the maiestie and power of God, and howe many names the essence of one God diuided into three persons, hath; by thinking whereof mans minde receiueth peace and comfort and perfect faith towards God. Chap. 59.

BEcause GOD that excellent and most pow­erfull nature, that eternall minde which is free from deathe, and stretcheth it selfe o­uer all, is spreade ouer all, and ruleth and gouerneth all thinges, and indueth them with his power: therefore this one Godheade for the vertue and excellencie of his workes, is called by diuers names, and reuealed vnto vs by manie notable termes, bothe among the Hebrues, and also among other na­tions, to whome anie knowledge of his deitie happe­ned to come. So in the holie Bible hee is called, Ie­houa, El, Eloim, Adonai, Emanuel, all which doe sig­nifie a certaine peculiar force and vertue, and do giue great power to God which hee sheweth in thinges of this worlde. Wherefore when hee propounded the preceptes of the Lawe to the Iewes, to bee diligentlie obserued, to the ende there might bee more authori­tie and reuerence added to it, [...]. 20 [...], 5 hee saieth: I am I choua the Lorde thy GOD, which brought thee out of the lande of Egypt, and out of the house of bondage, thou shalt haue non other Gods before me▪ By which holie and wonderfull name, hee taketh to himselfe the rule and gouernement of all thinges that haue their being. For seeing hee is the fountaine and welspring of all thinges in this worlde, and he onely of himselfe giueth the force of being to all thinges, therefore is it meete that all men shoulde bee obedient to his commaun­dements, [Page 139]and submit themselues to his Lawes, and looke for no other helpe of their saluation from anie thing, nor turne themselues to any other God, then to him that hath his beginning frō euerlasting, which the Hebrues call Iehoua, the Greekes [...], the Latines existens, and the lowe Dutch Een cewich God­deliick wesen, and wee God. Therefore the name of this diuine essence is taken from manie thinges, from the first and euerlasting power and force of beeing, eternitie, magnificence, maiestie, rule and empire, to whome all thinges obey, and by whome all thinges were made, and are guided by his great prouidence. Hee also taketh his name from peace, meekenesse, and clemencie that he vseth towardes mankinde, Ose 3 Iole. 2 Naum. 1 who in affliction and sorrowe craue his helpe and aide. For El the Hebrue worde doth expresse the mercie of GOD, ioyned with iustice, wherewith hee vphol­deth and defendeth the godlie, and punisheth the wicked, or by putting them in feare reclaimeth them from sinne. Naum. 2 Ose. 11 Also from the light whereby hee driueth away the darkenesse, errours and clowdes of the mind, and inlightneth the ignoraunt with the brightnesse of his knowledge and trueth. For thus saith Christ, Iohn. [...] I am the light of the worlde, whosoeuer followeth me shall not walke in darkenesse. Also from fire wherewith hee kindleth and inflameth the godly with the loue of god linesse, and indueth their minds with wholesome and linely doctrine, Deut. 4 Hebru. 13 Mich. 6 Ose. 2 but the aduersaries and such as shewe no reuerence nor feare to God, hee consumeth and bringeth to nothing, as the sire doeth drie wood or straw. Wherfore Moses and Paul do reuerently and religiously exhort vs to worship God, to the end we may bee acceptable to him, for saith hee, God is a consu­ming fire, therefore let euerie one carrie himselfe [Page 140]reuerentlie towardes him. Then is also a name gi­uen vnto God, from the bountie and liberality which hee vseth towardes those that are his, whome hee will not suffer to be oppressed with pouertie nor pine awaie through want, but prouideth plentifullie for them, and aboundauntlie bestoweth all thinges needefull for their vse, both externall for the bodie, and internall peace and quietnesse of the minde. Al­so frō his pietie and Fatherlie loue, wherewith he em­braceth his children, prouiding for their profit and health, and therefore is called Father. So saieth GOD by Ieremie, thou shalt call mee Father, and shalt not cease to goe in after mee. Ietem. 5. Mal [...]ch. 1 Esay. 63 And againe I am become the Father of Israell and Ephraim my firste begotten, I will bring them thorough the Riuers of waters into the right waie, and they shall not dashe their foote against a stone, that is, they shall fol­lowe my steppes, accompanie mee, and doe after my will, and I will keepe them safe in all their waies, that no hurte shall happen or come vnto them, no wronge, destruction nor calamitie shall light vpon them.

Moreouer, [...]say. 6 Esaie recordeth honourable and trium­phant titles which GOD the Father giueth to Christ, to the ende euerie one shoulde knowe what profit our Sauiour Christ hath brought vnto vs by his natiuitie, death, resurrection, and assension into heauen: for thus doeth the Prophet declare the magnificence, honour, glorie, renowme, power, and greatnesse of Christe, of vvhich there is none but redowndeth greatlie to our vse and profit where he is called Emanuell, that is, God with vs. Ierem. 5 Esay. 7 [...]say 9 A child is born vnto vs, & a son is giuen vnto vs, who is the chiefe of all, whose name shall bee called wonderfull, Counsailour, the mightie God, [Page 141]the father of the Worlde to come, and the prince of peace.

Innumerable and infinite are the thinges that may be applied to his great maiestie, nay rather which hee attributeth to himselfe. Math. 9 Esay 40 Iohn. 10 Psal. 78, 1 Pet. 2 Iohn. 15 For he calleth himselfe a phi­sition, because he healeth mens mindes and bodies, & cureth both the invvard and outward vices. Hee also calleth himselfe a shephearde, because with great care and watchfulnesse he ouerseeth his flocke, and gathe­reth togither the lost sheepe, and feedeth and nourish­eth them with the wholsome food of his worde. So Christ calleth himselfe a fruitefull vine, his father the Husbandman, and vvee the branches cleauing to the vine, whom he pruneth, and cutteth awaie the vnpro fitable branches: that is, he cutteth off our vain lustes, to the end vve might bring forth more fruit: but those that he findeth vnfruitful and yeelding no yearelie in­crease (by which metaphor hee meaneth those that bring forth no fruites of faith) as vnprofitable and dry branches hauing no sap, he casteth into the fire. Paule vseth the like metaphor, taken from tilling the ground and building a house: 1 Cor. 3 for taking awaie and quenching the discordes vvherein the Corinthians were intang­led and waxed proud with the names of their teachers enuying one another (as wee see the like in this our age) he warneth them all that if they had learned anie sound doctrine, they should not attribute it to the mi­nisters, but confesse they receiue it from God, the au­thor of all good thinges: We, saith he, are fellowhel­pers, and as it were laborers hired to doe the worke of the Lorde, let vs approue our labour to him, and lette our paines appeare vnto him: Yee are the husbandrie and ground of the Lord which we make fruitfull vvith the seede of sound doctrine: yee are the edifice & buil­ding [Page 142]which ariseth to his glorie. Moreouer that vvee may speake more of that which belongeth to the greatnesse & maiestie of God, there can nothing be thoght vpon or conceiued in minde so high, mightie, famous, excellent, notable and reuerend, and to bee short, no­thing for nūber or any other vertue so perfect, which may not deseruedlie be applied to God. His wisdome whereby he ruleth all thinges in this vvorlde, Psal. 31, 32, 103, 146 Eph [...]. 2 Esay. 25 Prou. 1 preser­uing and keeping it by his vnsearchable counsell and prouidence, is incomprehensible, not to be expressed, infinite: so that the order and course of so great things doth rauish al men with an admiration and loue of the maker. His fortitude, strength, and power wherewith he ouerthroweth the enimie and vpholdeth the god­lie is vnconquerable and cannot be ouercome. For there is nothing but yeeldeth to his power, there are neither castles, bulvvarkes, and fortresses, be they ne­uer so strong but yeelde to his power. Psal. 18.47, 84▪ 16, 22 144. His iudgement and iustice wherevvith hee distributeth to euerie one his owne, and according to his vvorthinesse & deserts revvardeth him: is right, lavvfull, holie, syncere, laud­able, and of great equitie: so that he deserueth blame of none, vnlesse it be of such as are of a corrupt iudge­ment. His mercie, clemencie and gentlenesse, which is largelie declared by all the prophetes, Psal, 32, 56 Col. 1 is endelesse and excelleth all his other vertues. For all those that feare his iustice flie to his mercie as to a sanctuarie, and desire his ayde: it taketh desperation from their fearefull mindes, by it the spirite the comforter dooth make glad and vphold them that are readie to fall, and planting in them a hope and faith to obtain saluation, driueth them to the throne of grace where they finde mercie, and (as the Dutchman saith) Remis ende quiit scheldinghe van misdaet: that is, Remission and for­giuenesse [Page 143]of sinnes, Hebru. 4 so that nothing can bee imputed to them, nor accuse them to death. Which when Paul did pro oue in himselfe, being made of a persecutor an apostle, he thus strengthneth the wauering and doubt­full mindes of men, prouoking them by his example to the mercie of God.

When first, saith hee, I was a persecutor, 1 Tim. 1 Iohn 16 blasphe­mer and outragious, I obtained mercie for that which I did ignoranthe through vnbeliefe, that is, vvanting faith, and not knowing the vvil of God. For he thoght he did God good seruice in persecuting the christians. But to the ende almenne might knovve the reason of their faith, and that euerie one might bee assured all sinnes are satisfied by the bloud of Christe to them that beleeue, Paule constantlie and firmelie pronoun­ceth: This is a true saying and vvorthie of all menne to bee embraced, that Christe Iesus came into the vvorlde to saue sinners, whereof I am the chiefe. But therefore didde I obtaine mercie that in me firste hee might shevv his clemencie, to make me an example to those that shoulde after beleeue in him to eternall life: that is, in hope and expectation of the kingdome of heauen.

Which benefite seeing it ought wholie to bee at­tributed to our Heauenlie Father, vvee ought not to defraude him of his due praise and commendations, To the king (sayeth hee) immortall of this worlde, in­uisible, and to the onely vvise GOD, bee all honour, praise, and glorie, world without ende, Amen. 1 Pet. 1. Peter also giueth y^e like praise to god the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ for the mysterie of our saluation, who ac­cording to his abundant mercy hath regenerated vs into a liuely hope, by this, y^e Ie. Chr. is risen again frō y^e dead into an imortal inheritāce, vndefiled, vncorrupt [Page 144]and laid vppe in the heauens for vs, Titus 3 that is, for our loue. For after that the bountie, loue, and humanitie of our Sauiour Christ appeared towards men, he saued vs for no desert of ours, neither for anie works of iustice that we haue done, but according to his owne mercy, tho­rough the washing of regeneration and renewing of the spirit, which he plentifullie powred vpon vs by our sauior Iesus Christ, that iustified by his grace we might be made heires according to the hope of eternall life. Which saying is certaine and vndoubted, and by all meanes to be imprinted in the mindes of men.

Seeing therefore God beareth so great loue & good will to mankinde, and that his fauour and hartie affec­tion was so great, that besides the vse and commodi­tie of all thinges he bestowed his onelie begotten son to be the redeemer of mankind, that by the death and resurrection of Christ he might obtaine grace and re­conciliation: it is verie meete and the rule of equitie and gratification of a good turne receiued requireth, that euerie one place all his hope and truste in him: that we giue him great praise, and euer to app [...]oue our liues and manners to him, please him with a faith not vaine and idle, but guarded with the workes of chari­tie, consecrate our selues wholie vnto him, by deny­ing vngodlinesse and carnal lustes, and walke soberly, iustlie, and godlie in this worlde, expecting the bles­sed hope and appearing of the glorie of the great God, Titus 2 and of our sauiour Iesus Christ our lord, who hath giuen himselfe for vs that hee might redeeme vs from all iniquitie, and purchase him a chosen people to him selfe, Rom. 5 making them followers of good works.

And then when we haue laide this sure foundation to good life by the helpe and comfort of the Holie ghost, we shall bee at peace and quiet in our mindes▪ [Page 145]shaking off the terror and feare of death, making our entrance to immortalitie & blessednes by the guide of our captaine Christ Iesus. For death is not the de­struction of the bodie, but a renuing of it, not the quē ­ching of nature, but the entrance into a new life, and the gate or first going into the heauenlie Citie and e­ternall life.

Of the certaintie of which, no man should doubt or distrust the promise of God: because the truth it selfe which cannot erre, Psal. 61, 115 Rom. 3 perfourmeth faithfullie that which he promiseth: for God is true and euerye man a lyar: that is, God deceiueth no man, faileth no manne, nor frustrateth any that haue a firme faith and trust in him, he promiseth not slightlie as men doe which breake their promises, frustrate their couenantes, and with a certaine coosening deceit breake their contracts; but he is constant, stable, faithfull, and payeth and perfor­meth assuredlie all the promises he maketh: but euery man is a lyer, that is, deceitfull, craftie, vnconstant, slipperie, light, vncertaine, mutable, doubtfull, waue­ring, cousening, fraudulent, vaine, captious, disloyal, and which speaketh one thing standing, and another sitting, so vncertainlie, that one cannot relie vppon him.

Which faults are farre remooued from his Diuine maiestie, as in whome no humaine affections doe a­bide: vvherefore vve must leane vnto him with a cer­tain faith, and laie on him al our prayers, hopes, and desires, whether danger, destruction, death or confu­sion hang ouer vs. For all troubles by his fauour and presence are aswaged, all sower and bitter thinges are made sweet. Faith in him driueth awaie feare of death and all feare and trembling is taken out of our heartes. For the loue of him we despise and contemne all de­lights [Page 146]and pleasures of this life. By his vertue and helpe we suffer sorrowe and discommodities, vvhich compasse vs about euerie moment. Strengthened with a firme hope and expectation of immortality, we cheerefullie depart the prison of this world, and by the conduct of Christ are brought to a blessed habitation. And with lesse griefe are we separated from the socie­rie of this bodie and abode in this life, and our last conflict with death doth make vs lesse doubtfull, wherein almost all men haue a distrust, and a kind of desperati­on besiegeth their minde, but that we are sure by the merites of Christ, redemption and grace is prepared for vs. For the mediator betvveene God and manne Christ Iesus, hath reconciled vs and washed away our sinnes with his bloud, Iohn. 1 and by the power of his resurre­ction, hath brought righteousnesse vnto vs. For Christ was deliuered for our sinnes, Rom. 4 as Paule saith, and is risen againe for our iustification. So that confirmed by the resurrection of Christ as with a pledge, we hope vvee shall be saued and raised againe by his power. Phil. 3 For hee as the Apostle saith, shall transforme our vile bodies, and make them like vnto his glorious bodie accor­ding to his power wherewith he can subdue all things. For albeit (according to the doctrine of Paule) the earthlie house of this our tabernacle must be destroy­ed as a ruinous building, 2 Cor. 4 and 5. which by loosenesse of the iointes and fastnings, and by plucking awaie the raf­ters is ouerthrovvne, which building we haue of God, not made with hands but eternall in heauen: for God that raised the Lord Iesus, wil raise vs also by him, and will make vs partakers of the glorie of the generall re­surrection, which most certaine hope worketh this in vs, that we suffer our selues to be drawn vnto him with lesse corruption, and void of all pollution.

Of the Nature, conditions, and manners of Women, and why that sex when they are angrie, are more fierce then Men, conceiue anger sooner, chide more vn­measureablie, and are sooner ouercome with any af­fection then men. And by the waie in what sence this saying of the Wise man it to be taken: The ini­quitie of a man is better then the good deedes of a Woman. Chap. 60.

THe cause why not onelie comicall Po­ets, Orators, and Philosophers, vvho were alienated from true religion, but also the Wisemen and Prophets of the Hebrues, who were indued plentifullie with the knovvledge of Gods word, do so much euery vvhere inueygh and speake against wo­men: was because the wickednesse and dishonestie of diuers of them deserued it. And albeit all are not stai­ned with these imperfections, neither are all vvomen found to be shrewes and skoldes (for there are some matrones, who by the benefite of education, indewed and decked with manie great giftes of Nature, are no­thing inferiour nor giue any place to verie excellent men) yet the indifferent sorte of women, as Citizens and countrey Gentlewomen, and the common scum of Women, as the basest sort; are so proud, so foolish, so shrewish, so imperious our their husbandes; Esdras 3. Cap. 4 and for inticements of the flesh, & pronenesse to lust, of such an vntamed and vnbrideled concupiscence, that they may vvell bee tyred, but neuer satisfied with the acte of Venerie: yet so, that some are farre more inclined [Page 152]and their affections more addicted that vvaies then othersome are. And albeit we see so many vices in this sexe euery where, that many married men haue com­plained and yet doe complaine of the shrewish condi­tions and natures of women, and that weeping to their neighbours, doe tell what and howe manie greeuous outrages they are compelled by them to suffer and in­dure: vvhereby they giue occasion to manie men to abhorre mariage, and rather to sequester themselues from the societie and secret fellowship with women, then to suffer and submit themselues to the vvitlesse controulmentes and vndiscreet threats of a stubborn, brawling, malicious, outragious and scolding vvise: yet because the order of nature, the necessitie of life, and the loue and desire to augment our posterity, compelleth a man to get him a wife and prouide him a helper, to procure increase of children, they do wel which marie: vvhereby they passe awaie the course of this life in an vnseparable societie and mutual consent both of bodie and minde, yea and if the woman be not too frovvarde both pleasantly and comfortablie. For vn­lesse nature doe supernaturallie abhorre mariage, the condition of mans life requireth it, and the qualitie & disposition of the bodie inciteth vs to it.

And therefore did Metellus Numidicus make that commendable Oration to the Romaines, G [...]. Lib. 1. cap. 6 wherein hee exhorted his Citizens, least the Commonvvealth should come to ruine, to take each of them a wife. For▪ (saith he) if man might liue without a wife, why euery one of vs vvould gladlie be deliuered from such a tro­blesome euil: but because it is so ordained of nature, y^t we canne neither liue wel and quietlie with them, nor in any good sort without them, let vs rather prouide for the safety of our commonwealth, then for our own [Page 149]shorte, momentanie and priuate pleasure. For if the ministery of a quiet and honest wife bee of great vse and profit to those husbandes that are whole and sounde in helping to order their houshold affaires, and in handling of al things profitably at home: then que­stionlesse hir pains must be very comfortable and commodious about the sicke and diseased persons. Eccle. 36 And as the wise man saieth, where there is not an hedge the possession diminisheth, so where there is not a woman the sicke must needes sigh, and hee that wanteth his helper cā be hardly supported. For a faithful wife doth hir duety to hir husbande with a courage, carefullie prouideth for her house and family, huswifeth all things at home in hir house, and hath alwaies hir mind and cogitations on her husband: so that if he conceiue any disquiet, if he [...]ustain any losse, if he be sicke, if sor­rowfull and heauy; a good wife will couet to lay the greatest part of his calamity vpon hir selfe, and greeue at and sorrowe for hir husbandes harmes, as if they did properly belōg to hir selfe. And this can by no means bee effected, but by a mutuall consent of their bodies and mindes which ioineth them together and of two maketh one; and then as Horace saith notably, Gen. 2 Lib. carmin. [...] [...]. 13

But dayly examples doe testifie that many women are not onely subiect to all kinde of affections and per­turbations of mind, but also for the least occasion that is, doe outragiously waxe mad with anger, so that the [Page 150]lowring and il disposition of a woman, is nothing infe­riour to that of the aire when it is mooued with tem­pests, light [...]ing and thunder. The which that the He­b [...]es (& others also that sought after wisdome) tried by daily conuersation with thē, and found true by ob­seruing the customs of their liues: their writing do co­piouslie witnesse and confirme. For I gather by their bitter inuectiues against women, that they were ex­ercised and taught by domesticall, familiar, and secret familiatity with them, Eccle. 29 vvhat a wicked and malicious woman, when she is stirred vp and prouoked to anger, is wont to attempte: what tragedies and lamentable accidentes shee will cause: and howe vehementlie for a trifle shee will rage and storme. For thus doeth one of them amongst other things prosecute his spee­ches against them, by taking a similitude from vene­mous and cruell beastes, saying. The greatest wound is the sorrowe of the mind, and the greatest mischiefe, the malice of a woman: let me haue anie wounde sa­uing the griefe of minde, and any mischiefe sauing the rage and wickednes of a woman. Nothing more hurt­ful for the head then a serpent, and no anger exceedeth the anger of a woman. It is better to dwel with a Lion or a dragon, then with a wicked, naughty and braw­ling woman. When woman was taken out of man, she was a quiet, milde, delectable, curteous, delicate, and smoothe skind creature, y^e desired to be ruled by man, and to be subiect to him: I wonder then whence shee had this cruelty, desire to chide and brawle, and all o­ther hir wicked and vnbridled affections. Certainlie I coniecture al these things happen to this sexe through the weakenesse of their mindes, and the imbecillity of their vnderstandinges and iudgementes: whereby it commeth to passe that a woman incensed with anger, [Page 151]wil be starke mad with rage, and purposing or presu­suming beyond hir power, can [...]either tame hir lusts, nor bridle the troubled motions of hir minde, no nor in anie meane sort resist them with wisedome and rea­son: but carrieth hir selfe after the guise and fashion of a little childe, who altogether voide of vnderstanding and reason,

For why a womans minde is nothing so strong and valiaunt as a mans, neither commeth shee any thing neare him in wisedome, but vppon euerie light occasion, and for a matter of no waight at all, shee so looseth the rayns of reason, that like a mad dogge for­getting hirselfe and al honesty without any difference or regard of persons, setteth vpon and teareth in pee­ces as well hir friends as her foes. And here if any man aske me why shee is so furious, I take this to bee one natural cause, in that a woman hath such soft, tender, thinne and moist flesh, that so soone as choler is kind­led in hir, it presentlie setteth the heart on fire, and is quickely dispersed ouer the whole body. For as fire doth quicklie consume the light stubble, the which for the time maketh a great blasing flame, but soone go­eth out and quickelie vanisheth: euen so is a woman soon kindled with anger, & once incensed doth rage in extremity, and because hir body is neither strong nor coragious, hir anger because of hir moisture is soon appeased & ended, quenching hir fury with a few foolish [Page 152]and childish teares. But if the cause of this their mad­nesse may be searched more neare to the quicke, I find there is nothing so much incenseth their anger as that venemous scumme and filthie sincke of humors, which they monethly gather and purge according to the course of the moon. For if a woman happen neare the time of that disease to bee prouoked to anger (as small things then will greatly offend them) the whole sinke of that filth being stirred doth fume and disperse it selfe ouer the body: whereby it falleth out that the heart and braine being affected and troubled with the smoake and sparks of that most odious excrement, the spirites both vitall and animall that are seruiceable to those parts, are inflamed, when if you prouoke and stir thē on to anger, especiallie those women that are yong (for they that are old and ouerworne, and who are past hauing such diseases, some of them are more quiet by reason of coldenesse,) they will barke and brawle like snarling dogs, and clapping their hands together, wil not onely shew many vndecent gestures, but also vtter very vncomly speeches. And because reasō with them is of no force, their iudgments weake, and their minds feeble and infirme, they brawle and brabble with such extremity that the rage of their mindes can bee by no good means quieted. And by how much y^e more base euerie one is in that sexe, by so much the more vnho­nestly wil she braule with vnappeaseable anger. Hence commeth it that prostitutes & the base sort of women (for those that are of any calling wil sometimes regard decency, although at other seasons (by their leaues) they wil wrinkle their noses, or as y^e countreyman saith niule like a Mare eating of thistles, and not aunswere their husbands so much as one worde,) whose bodies for y^e most part are infected with il humors, do to their [Page 145]notable impudencie ioyne the like malicions mad­nesse, that as it were caried headelong with the Spirit of furie, they canne neither bee bridled by counsaile, reason, shame, and monitions, nor yet (wherewith the very brute beast is tamed and made gentle) with fetters to leaue their vnseemly brauling, or to giue ouer their mad and outragious railing. So that Terence faith no­tably of them.

That is,

They neither know what is right, what is good, or what is lawfull, what is best for them, or what is worst, what profiteth them, or what hurteth, neither will they see any thing but that which their lust prouoketh them vnto: So that forgetting themselues, they nei­ther regarde their faith, comelinesse, shame, good name, honesty, credite, nor chastity, but let them lie open to all kinde of dangers. To which purpose ser­ueth that diligent inquirie which Salomon made of their dispositions, when hee faieth, Eccles. 7 I called backe my mind to search after those things that might be gotten by reason, iudgement and experience, that I might throughly know the wickednes, rage, madnes & furie of women, & I haue found them to be more bitter thē death it selfe, and who alone supplie the place of many mischiefes. Their hearts are like vnto many nets, A good woman is a cares bird [...]. and their handes comparable to many chaines of yron: I haue laboured al the daies of my life to find a good & vertuous woman, and yet I cannot finde hir: among a thousand men I haue found some that are good, but a­mong a thousande women not one. Not altogether differing from this, is that question in the Prouerbes. Prouerbs. 6. Who shall finde a valiant, industrious, constant, and▪ [Page 154]plaine dealing woman? As if hee had saide, One shall hardly find in any part of the world, or in any corner of the earth, an honest and well manered wife. But if hap­pely thou do finde out, and canst shew me such a one, she is far better then the most precious stones, neither is any marchandise be it neuer so rare and sumptuous, comparable vnto hir.

And here because I am fallen into this discourse, and haue taken in hand to shew the nature of women, I vvill declare by the way vvhat this saying of the wise man importeth. Melior est iniquit as viri quam mulier benefaciens, Eccle. 25. See the originall. that is. Better is the iniquity of a man then the good deedes of a vvoman. The vvhich sentence I expound to carry this fence with it. That a man be he neuer so slouthfull, sluggish, sleepy, rude and vnskilfull in any action or trade vvhatsoeuer, doeth more cun­ninglie performe his businesse then a vvoman, who by nature is heady and rash, and vvhich vndertaketh all thinges vvith a vaine perswasion of vvit, and a foo­lish presumption that shee hath more wisdome then her husbande. This vvoman I say doeth all thinges vvorse then a man, because men (vvho are indued with better iudgement) distrust their ovvn abilitie, and ther­fore do execute & performe all things vvarely & with great leasure, & by taking the counsaile of others brin­geth his businesse to an ende according to his desire: and a great deale far better then if a proude vvoman that is puffed vp vvith an opinion of vvisdome, had ta­ken the selfe same businesse in hande. For the dili­gence and indeuour of vvomen, the more labourously it is intēded, the lesse effectually do they bring it to perfectiō, & the more earnest they are to bring it to good passe, the worser a great deale is the euent and suc­cesse. [Page 155]Which maketh vs speake of women in the Dutch tongue, as it were in a prouerbe after this sort. Het quaetste van een man, is beter dan het beste van een vrouwe: that is, the very worst action of a man is bet­ter then the best of a woman. For if any worke bee brought to passe by the industrie of a woman, it deser­ueth lesse praise then that which is rawly and rudely begunne of a man. Why a woman is not so wise as a man. And that commeth to passe both through the slownesse of their minds, and weakenesse of their vnderstandinges by reason of the want of na­turall heate, and also because their weake spirites lie hid and are drowned in aboundance of moiste matter, so that the powers of their soules do shewe themselues much more slowe, vnable, vnapt, and altogether vn­fitter then mens to vndertake & accomplish any mat­ter whatsoeuer.

Wherfore the Romans who imploied all their care to gouerne their howses in good order, committed their wiues in their absence to tutors onely, (as Cicero witnesseth) because of the infirmitie of their natures, Pro Mi [...]a contrary to the practise of some of our best Citizens, vvho make their vviues not onely tutors of their men seruaunts to directe them in their businesse, but ouer­rulers of themselues, more like children then men. Clean contrary to the doctrine of Paule, 1. Cor. 14. who laboring to bring vs to soundnes of faith and perfection in god­linesse, commandeth vvomen to keepe silence in the presence of their husbands and assemblies of men, and the reason is, because the impotency, y^t is, the affectiōs of their minds are altogether departed frō tēperancy & moderation, and therefore wil neither permit thē to v­surp y^e place of a teacher, to reason or dispute in any as­sembly, to be present at y^e election of magistrates or to [Page 148]speake their minds in anie company, if their husbands be present.

Moreouer, such and so great is the imperfection, frailty, and weakenesse of a womans nature, that Plato not without great reproch to the pride of some of that sexe, doth almost deny them to haue any minde, or to be any way worthy the names of women. And yet least those that are vertuous in deed should be vnworthely scorned for the faultes of the vicious, 1 Cor. 11 Paule in another place prouiding for the safty of houshold affaires doth with a fatherlie care incite vs to honour and highly e­steeme of those that are vertuous, because such are al­most of the same nature and worthinesse that men are of themselues, and almost partakers of the same bene­fits that man doth inioy, onely (to put hir in minde of hir obedience) she was taken out of man by God, who was the maker of them both, Genes. 2 that as man is the glorie and image of God, as the Apostle witnesseth, so the woman should be the glory of the man. For man was not made of the woman, but the woman of the man, and man was not made for the womans sake, but the woman for the mans sake, Ephes. 5 and yet neither the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lorde, who so ruleth the order of all thinges that he wil haue the woman to be obedient to the man though proude gossippes presume to resist his power. Colos. 3 For as the woman was of the man, so the man is by the vvoman in the acte of begettinge and bryng­ing foorth children. So that both vvaies is shewed an assisting societie, a mutuall helpe, loue, consent and agreement between them. 1 Peter. Cap. 3 Where Peter thought it meete that as Women ought to bee obedient to their husbands, so on the other side husbands should [Page 149]be liberall and easilie intreated towardes their wiues, as knowing them to be the weaker vessell, not onelie pardoning simple faults and forgiuing light offences, but also winking at and saying nothing to some open and manifest errors. For it is not meete that a manne should be more cruell then is needful vnto so vveake a creature, nor bee ouer imperious or too bitter, to so sencelesse a sexe, especiallie if they continue in their duties in any good sort, and permit not themselues to transgresse the bounds of chastitie by playing the har­lots. Which reproch and discredit, albeit it more an­ger a man when he knowes it, then it can any way hurt him though he see or perceiue it, yet shal the vvoman neuer cleare her selfe of infamie and dishonor, nor heal her wound again so long as she liues. And yet if such a chance happen, that their furde gownes should lack a little poking (as it is reported they somtimes say they doe) yet christian charitie and their husbandes loue, should not be too rigorous and inexorable towardes them, because reconciliation and remission is in the power of God, who is wont to be appeased with prai­er and repentance, though he bee prouoked to anger by wickednesse, vngodlinesse and idolatrie, pardoning the faults of the forepassed life, so soone as a repentant minde doth despise and detest his wickednes and constantlie intendeth to liue better hereafter.

Another cause of vnquietnesse and troubles in this sex, commeth with wearinesse of childbearing, The cause of womens stubbornes. and te­diousnes of giuing suck and nursing of children. But the greatest cause as is said ariseth from stopping the course of their monthlie disease, the which if it issue at the certain and appointed time, the rage of their anger and brauling is quicklie appeased, by turning from their harts and braines the smoke and fumes of that [Page 158]pernicious humor, and by auoiding the vapor & mist of that troublesome excrement, which for that it fu­meth vp to their heads, is most painefull for them to auoide. When a woman is pleased. But now on the contrarie parte, hovve quiet and merrie a man shal finde his wife, if he indeuour to satisfie that which Salomon in the 30 of his prouerbs saith hath neuer enough, and with many and often imbracings desire to fill y^e vnsatiable gulfe of hir womb with endlesse copulations: it is better known to them that finde it by practise in mariage, then can be decla­red by wordes taken from art.

And althogh I may be thought to expound this paradoxe of the Wiseman somwhat more at large, then it is commonlie vsed to be taken and vnderstood: that is, to giue it an interpretation vnlooked for, and much differing from the common fence: yet do I see I maye find out and giue vnto it another exposition, so that it may also be taken to carie this meaning. The wicked­nesse of a man, is better then one that is now an honest woman, but a little after is the cause of an ill name, by dealing with vvhom thou gettest thee a reproch, that it is better to bargaine and haue businesse to doe vvith a vvicked man, then any way to deale with a woman; vvho by nature is altogither deceitfull. For albeit she seeme at the first sight and shew to be an honest Wo­man, and of a good name, and that in her outvvarde gesture she carrieth no shevv of crast or deceit, yet af­terward thou shalt finde her vnconstant, crafty, capti­ous, slipperie, deceitful, fraudulent, and euerie vvaie bent to deceiue and beguile thee: so that if one manne defraude or deceiue an other in his busines, this fraud and deceit is iustice in men, in comparison of the wic­kednesse and deceit in women. To this purpose wee meet with manie such sayinges in the scriptures (bee­ing [Page 159]argumentes taken from the lesse to the greater) For after the same maner dooeth God by Ezechiell, Ez [...]. 16 amplifie the wickednes of the Ievves to the full, pro­nouncing Sodome and Samaria to be iustified by her. Whereby he sheweth the Iewes were more wicked and went beyond the gentiles for dishonestie, naugh­tinesse, and vvicked deeds: so that the Sodomites and Samaritanes may seeme guiltlesse in comparison of them. So in vvicked opinions, and in setting abroche any pernicious sect or schisme, one is more hurtful and dangerous then another, insomuch that many here­tikes may be thought to be true Christians, and to professe true and vvholsome doctrine, if thou compare them with others that publishe opinions which bee more absurd, impious, blasphemous and execrable, & as we commonlie saie: Desee is een goddelick ende hei­lich man by den anderen. That is, A godlie and holie man in comparison of the other: that is, albeit both be wicked and vngodlie, yet if thou measure al things by the rule of equitie, and square them out with the squire of Iustice, one may bee iudged innocent and vvorthie to be acquited, if he be wel compared with the wicked deedes of an other. After the same sort is one manne more superstitious then another, and more estranged from true godlinesse and religion then another.

So that though error, wickednesse, shame and dis­honesty, be both in man and woman, yet that of the vvoman is moste detestable and accursed. And thus you see howe the wickednesse of a man is better then the good deedes of a vvoman, or as the Dutchmanne saith: De dencht van een vrowe is ergher dan een man [...] bosheyt: that is, the vertue of a vvoman is a great deale worse then a mans wickednesse. By which prouerbe they aggrauate the ma [...]ici [...] naughtinesse of that sex, that if one vice be compared with another, and then fall to examining and balancing of deceiptes, craftes, guiles, and subtleties, thou shalt finde that they weigh heauier, & are of greater force which come from a woman, then those which are wrought and at­tempted by man.