haue serued accordingly in his prentiship Merchant is a ciuell and conuersable man rich in money delicate in apparell dainty in diet sumptuous in furniture elloquent in discourse secret in his businesse carefull in his losses watchfull for his profit and aboue all sparing in his lending of money Merchant continuing his estate may setle his fortune and augment his credit but if he once turne Gentleman before his time hee is like a gamster that plales at a game he knowes not for a great deale of money wherein I will giue you onely one reason whereas before hee imployed his time to get wealth he now spends it in consuming his substance and whereas before he remained in his owne element and so had some lustre he now is counted but an intruder and purchaseth onely vanitle Merchant committeth this error in his natiue opinion to speake â—uill of Gentlemen when all that he labours for is to be esteemed so or at least to leaue his sonne so both in name and libertie Merchant is a substantiall commonwealths man how euer some pedlary fellowes and paltrey brokers haue abused the title Merchant must take heede of keeping his word and credit for if he faile at his daies and absent himselfe from the common place of entercourse as we cal it the Bursse let him be neuer so rich he looseth a good opinion and hazardeth his reputation for euer Man A litle world I am and all controule As Gods vicegerent but the inward soule MAn seeming wise and is not is no better then a foole and hee that is wise and seemes not is a flower without a sent Man though neuer such a dwarffe growes not on the highest hill or neuer so tall looseth any thing in the lowest valley Men as Astrologers doe dreame doe receiue qualities according to the condition of the plannets vnder which they are borne as from Saturne a man hath vnderstanding from Iupiter strength and honour from Mars courage from the Sunne vertue from Venus motion from Mercury sharpnes of wit and from the Moon seed of generation the Phisitions againe agree that man in his creation receiueth his spirit from the Sunne his body from the Mooâ—e his blood from Mars his wit from Mercury his desire from Iupiter his voluptuousnes from Venus and his humours from Saturne Man that liueth by loue and dieth in faith findeth in his soule the euerlasting comfort of both Man is subiect to such blindnesse of minde that he will fast pray and take paines for a momentary pleasure but will doe neither for the true and heauenly pleasure Man that is carnall persecuteth the spirituall through ignorance or Enuy but the spirituall man pardoneth the carnal throgh wisedome and mercy Man pleaseth his stomacke in nothing so well as in meate disgested nor his soule as in Gods word truely beleeâ—ed Man and his ages are described by the foure times of the yeere as the spring his infancie the summer youth the haruest manhood and the winter olde age Man was formed without Paradice yet had he the name of superiour Euah was framed in Paradice that had the name of inferiour so it is not the place but the perfection that giueth the title to noblenesse Man is the image of God the choyce creature of his loue the commaunder of all creatures the lobourer of the earth the obseâ—uer of nature the deuicer of formes and the student of grace Man is the lesser world the pilgrim of the earth the traueller to heauen the honour of reason the wonder of nature the ioy of Angels and the iewell of heauen Woman is the femall of man the second creature the care of time the trouble of reason the exercise of patience the strength of will the weakenesse of vnderstanding the encrease of numbers the delight of vanitie the pride of beautie the abuse of loue the breeder of iealosie and the deceit of trust Man being subiect to passion will quickely ouerthrowe his vnderstanding if he doe not refraine by reason so that euen worldly loue wherein the best men are ouerreached will turne to displeasure without manly restraint and orderly remedies which are absence and imployment Man of himselfe can doe no good though he seeme to commend all the creatures in world Modestie I grace the gracelesse but the vertuoâ—s I Make like abstracted vertue in the eye MOdestie makes the countenance of â— woman gracious her eye pearcing and her lookes amorous but a dead eye and dull spirit are if not odious yet at lest louelesse Modestie will neuer â—â—dure obsceane or filthy speeches for how-euer the lippes of wantons will runne ryot to please themselues yet doth modestie restraine them from impudent discourses and vndecent behauiours Modosty restraineth men from a greedy desire of vaine-glory and cannot endure anie palpable and grosse flattery to mens faces Modesty keepeth women from going abroad when they are abroad from entring into any infamous notorious places when they come into such by compulsion or necessitie of time or company from giuing example of any ryot and vnciuell behauiour and when the companie is ouer-seene in either from tarrying in the same or forbearing the like excesse as if they tooke no pleasure therein Modesty is euen an ornament in Princes which made Alphonsus King of Naples the wonder of his time for many gracious actions especially when a Gentleman of â—â—ples vpon an iniury done vnto him by a great officer which he could not reuenge fell into a frenzie wherein he hauing passed many idle actions like a lunatick hee was further subiect to the noble mans enuy Whereupon he came one day to the King to begge the gouernment of the Castle which the Gent had alleaging it was not fit for a mad man to haue any possession of lands or castles But the worthy Prince most modestly answered Alas thy request is vnreasonable for if God haue layd his punishment vpon him for his sins to distemper a little his braines vvouldest thou haue me play the diuell without offence to take away his goods and honors so driue him quite out of his wits No I will not adde vnto his affliction Modesty is the daughter of Nurture and how-euer sometimes it prooueth the cunning of nature when a lasciuious woman would appeare honest and religious yet questionlesse it hideth the fault and excuseth the imperfection so that shee passeth without publique condemnation and infamous opprobry Modesty will not iustifie vnhonest actions so that how-euer we are driuen by nature to vndue courses yet doth modesâ—â—e restraine vs from the publication and impudent defence of infamous abuses Modesty shutteth a young mans lippes encloseth a wantons eyes so that he will not talke filthy nor she looke lasciuâ—ously Modestie keepeth a wise man from scorning â— foole the learned from triumphing ouer the ignorant an enemy from insulting ouer anothers misery a valiant souldier from disgracing a weake courage a rich man from vp-braiding a begger and all degrees from vaine-glorious appearances Modestie fleeth
Princes can raise men to Honor noblenesse offices and authoritie yet lay it not in their power to enlarge vertue good conditions and the renowne of ancestors whereby and wherein a true Gentleman is best known and shines most brightly Besides my friend quoth he with what colours of prosperitie canst thou florish thy estate And it like your Maiestie the Farmer replyed my inheritance is raised on the degrees of fortie pounds a yeer Alas said the King the times are now corrupted and that may keepe thee as an honest man but will neuer maintaine thee for a Gentleman Generosity disclaimeth vilenes sluggishnesse niggardlinesse maliciousnes lying and cowardlinesse so that in a Gentleman though there may be found somewhat to be reprehended yet there ought not to be contained any thing worthy of reproach and infamy Generositie is more aduanced by noble and vertuous auncestors then by wealth or inheritance for to descend of noble bloud doth not onely honour vs but prouokes vs to be vertuous Generositie doth lead vs to honour and teach vs to amend our estates whereas infamie doth tempt vs to be desperate Generositie doth cause vs to attend and be seruiceable to all Ladies and Gentlevvomen but especially to forbeare them in matters of contention and with curteous demeanor to perswade them to the right Generositie was so esteemed amongst the Romans that the law Prosapia ordained that when contention did arise for the Consulship then those which descended of the Siluians Torquatians Fabricians should be preferred Generositie is an ordinance of GOD for Christ himselfe came of the noble Tribe of Iuda GOD. Vse reuerent words of God that ruleth all For at his pleasure thou shalt stand or fall GOd is incomprehensible in wisdome absolute in power vnsearchable in essence glorious in his graces infinite in mercy inuisible in person infallible in word vnspeakable in bounty matchlesse in maiestie and endlesse in his abiding God maketh men wise through his feare affordeth honour by his seruice yeeldeth life to his belieuers sendeth happinesse to his louers yeeldeth comfort to his obseruers and crowneth his martyrs with euerlasting happinesse and eternitie God hath his seat in heauen his footstoole on earth his church both in heaueÌ„ earth his kingdom among his Saints and blessed are those soules which make their bosoms his temple God is more dishonoured in blasphemiâ— then Kings endangered by conspiracie God will haue mercy where faith pleades penitencie and not sacrifice and the angels reioyce at the conuersion of a sinner God hath told vs what wee ought to doe and therefore wee ought to looke no further for if we turne back againe to mens inuentions we shall seem to despise God and trust in man God is of that excellencie in his properties that euen heathen Philosophers especially Clcero haue said that as man by his wil moues the members of his body so God by his almightie will moueth all the parts of the whole world God is more honoured with the hart then the lips the poore more releeued with the hand then the tongue God the Father The fear of God is the learning of the wise the grace of God is the glory of the learned the peace of God is the rest of the faithfull the loue of God is the ioy of the Elect. God for his greatnesse is to be feared for his goodnesse to be loued for his wisedome to be admired for his loue to be honored for his grace to be serued for his mercy to be praised for his iustice to be reuerenced and for his glory to be adored God onely is the height of power the essence of goodnes the depth of wisedome the life of loue the spirit of grace the nature of mercy and the eternitie of glory God was before all times and is aboue all things the onely life of beeing and beeing of life God the Sonne God so loued the world that his sonne Iesus Christ liued in the same and died for the same to redeeme the Elect out of the hands of the Diuell No man euer spake as Christ did for hee spake as with authoritie and power No man euer liued as Christ did for hee liued without sin No man euer loued as Christ did for hee gaue his life for his beloued No man euer did as Christ did for he healed the diseased droue out the diuels out of the possessed and raised the dead to life No man euer healed as Christ did for hee onely spake the word and it was done touched the sore and the party recouered yea the hemme of his garment had vertue sufficient to stanch blood No man euer sailed as Christ did for hee walked on the seas and bad Peter come vnto him No man euer sweat as Christ did for hee sweat water and bloud No man euer feasted as Christ did for hee turned water into wine and fedde many thousands with a few barly loaues and fishes No man euer died as Christ did for he conquered death and hell by his passion Therefore is hee aboue all for his wisedome to be admired his life to be commended his loue to be loued his power to be feared his death to be honored and his passion to be glorified God the holy Ghost God the holy Ghost is the full perfection of the deitie the third person in Trinitie the spirit of life the life of grace the comfort of our soules and the assurance of our saluation God the holy Ghost is neither created nor begotten but proceeding is the breath of heauenly influence the protector of our weaknesse against the strength of the diuell the conqueror of tribulation and the assurance of all spirituall gifts God the holy Ghost is the clenser of our filthinesse the preparer of our hearts to receiue good gifts and the preseruer of such infused vertues as are poured into vs. God will haue his owne word stand for a law his law to giue vs directions to know the truth his truth to be embraced before the earth or the world and the world to be hated in respect of eternall saluation God will haue all or none for wee cannot serue him and Bâ—all we may not looke vp to heauen and think on transitory things wee may not lift vp our heads on high haue our harts below in the world God and the Diuell are so opposite that though the Diuell neuer stirreth but as far as God permitteth yet doth hee practice nothing but to abuse God and confound man God cannot bee resembled to any liuing thing nor worshipped vnder any forme or shape of a creature God is the author of truth the diuell the father of lyes man the inuenter of vanitie woman the seducer of man and all other things and creatures the subiects of man God is onely the searcher of harts the discouerer of hypocrisie the reuenger of iniuries the entertainer of all persons without respect and the maker of vvisedome foolishnes God is not to be deceiued with mans deuises nor ouer-reached with mundane policie
not onely hurtful vnto nature but hatefull both to God man Pride apparrels the wicked with costly raiment makes them thinke their speech like the voice of Angels and swallowes the praise and popular applause of men with greedinesse but let them remember that of Herode who was eaten vp with lice and wormes Pride threw the bright starre Lucifer out of heauen therefore must not man in the darknesse of the earth presume too high lest he fall into the like precipitation Pride maketh the minde greedy of power and then can they neither abstaine from things forbidden nor containe themselues within the compasse of moderation Pride causeth a man that hath the eyes of his soule shut vp from the light of grace to mount vp so high vnto vanitie that he falls down head-long into hell as a blind kite that hath her eyes â—eeled vp beeing thrown from the first mounteth vp on high so long as she can carry herselfe with her wings till at last beeing weary shee falls downe and dies Pride is the enemy to grace the scorne of reason and the absolute impediment of further progresse in goodnesse and learning Pride bred the fall of Angels the misâ—ry of man the curse of the earth and the torment of diuells Pride bedecketh the body deformeth the soule stores the Vsurers with mony and the prisons with misâ—rie For many a man to go in braue apparrell runnes ouer head and eares in the Mercers bookes til stumbling at the heape of his debts hee falls headlong into a cold and comfortlesse poore and penurious prison Pride made the Painters complection the fantasticks inuention the rich mans ambition the fooles correction and the beggers conclusion Pride or a proud man in gay apparrell is like a prety virgin who playeth the counterfet Queene amongst other mayds puts on a sober and yet stately demâ—anor and will all that day scarce speake nor looke vpon her fellowes but at night when she puts off her apparrell then she bids them all good night and goeth home perhaps to some poore cottage from whence shee came in the morning So I say is it with a proud man who all the daies of his life from the brauery of his purse ouerlooketh all his poore friends and neighbors but at the night of his dayes when he must be stript out of his richest ragges and is going to his graue theÌ„ perhaps hee bids them all good night when he is going not onely to the earth from whence hee came but it may be to hell from whence he shal neuer returne Pride is vnprofitable for a Commonwelth when the superfluitie of one night serues the necessity of many and the disgrace of a Common-wealth when a man shal care more to satisfie his owne vaine-glory and outward vanity then respect the profit of his country the praise of vertue the paterne of humilite the example of sobriety the times necessitie the complaints of pouertie Pride hinders charitie endures no equalitie loues flattery murmureth at superiors triumpheth ouer inferiors and wil admit of no humble thoughts Pride robbeth the heart of wisedome the mind of vnderstanding the spirit of grace and the soule of saluation Pride or a proud man that is cladde in colours like the Knight of the Rainebow or bedawbed in gold like the calfe of Horeb feeles neither the burthen of sinne that lyeth heauy on his soule nor the weight of a whole lordship that hangeth heauy on his shoulders Pride ingrafted by nature is somtimes tollerated in a great estate but if the same party come to deiection then doth pouertie expose his pride to the greater hate and contempt Pride is many times augmented by honour as we say Honors change manners so that a man otherwise well disposed when hee comes to preferment not onely alters the course of his life but the qualitie of his very soule Pride without controuersie is the diuells hooke to pull sinners neerer to him and can catch a man a farre off without anie other baite then the hast of him who of his owne accord doth come too fast on Profit Ianus they say had double face but I Haue double hand and tongue to silch lie PRofit is a kinde of witchcraft draweth so fast downward to the earth that we haue no leysure to looke towards heauen though it be lawfull to liue by honest gaine if couetousnesse carry vs not beyond good conscience through ignorance that carelesnesse of the world is the way to true happinesse Profit maketh a churle thankfull yet hee that is onely gratefull in necessitie deserueth small praise and lesse pitie in his penurie Profit forgetteth former paines and patience worketh a passage through many difficulties Profit which commeth by seruants maketh them worthy of their wages as a horse that trauailes is of his oates Profit will quickly decay if either a man sell much and buy little or buy much and sell little or buy little and sell nothing at all so that all men which liue by profit must proportion their layings out to their gettings at least Profit maketh light ballances false measures both are an abhomination to the Lord. Profit is the desire of many men and losse their griefe but when their faith growes to suspition their loue is at the dore to be gone Profit many times comes in freely as the Bee brings her hony like a sweet seruant to the hiue and gathering from many things labours to enrich onely one but there is small profit to take from one and disperce amongst many Profit is got by labour and labour that brings profit is sweet to the patient but the impatience of a foole that wil not persist nor can stay to expect loseth his profit and may leaue off his trade Profit is vnlikely to rise to any great matter when the haruest is troubled with wet wether yet may a latter spring recompence the losse of the former ill season Profit in a base trade may befoule the fist but the gaiue of briberie will deforme the soule Profit comes in with cheerefulnesse when a good haruest makes the Farmer feast his neighbours as faire wether and searoome glads the fortunate Merchant Mariner and makes them spend frankly when they come home Profit which is honest needes little cunning but true endeauours and orderly dealing Quietnes Wherein can honor wealth or pleasure thriue If I their pleasure do not keepe aliue QVietnes is the paradice of conscience where a man walkes merrily when all the world is in a hurly-burly Quietnes of minde is setled with comfort when wee feare not the contrary and are so prouided against mischances that when they happen they cannot disquiet vs. Quietnes makes sleepe like a sweet refreshing showre to the senses but slothfulnesse dulls them like a glut of raine On the contrary a setled melancholy makes way to madnesse if it be without rest or intermission from continuall and intentiue cogitation Quietnes of minde ioyned with quietnesse of body makes the estates of
are Masters in their own Kingdomes but euery seruant shall be their fellowes in the kingdome of heauen Kings that flourish are the beauty of the Earth as Courts that flourish are the beauty of a kingdome Kings may not be abused in their titles nor God prophaned in his name nay to conclude you must not think euill of the King in your heart noâ— practise against him be he neuer so wicked Knowledge The world might starue except I make the feast And man by me doth differ from the beast KNowledge vnderstanding ioine hands with vertue and industry to crowne the life with wealth and honour so that by them foure men of base parentage haue come to place of high preheminency Knowledge hath an eare wisdome an eye trueth a tongue and vertue a heart which heareth soundly seeth cleerely speaketh wisely and thinketh heauenly Knowledge is like a tree whose root is in a reposed heart the blossomes are elloquent words and fruit worthy and commendable actions Knowledge teacheth how well to liue not how long the one wicked men commonly desire the other good men onely attaine Knowledge makes a Prince maiesticall in his Kingdome and the care of Counsellors is the key of the Common-wealth for thus are forren affaires discouered and home 〈…〉 and as for the 〈◊〉 and flourishing of a nation it can no way be established except all men know and vnderstand one another in those places wherein they act the Historie of then liues Knowledge sets the 〈◊〉 working and labour is the instrument of vnderstanding Knowledge remoues passion and makes vertue predominant â—uer folly so that her perswasion is both sweete and powerfull with the auditory Knowledge preuenteth a mischiefe before it come when hadiwist sees it not till it is past and gone puts on the helmet after the head is broken and shuts the slable doore when the steed is stolne Knowing much and doing little is lasines but to haue much and giue little is miseâ—◠〈…〉 action is the life of knowledge as good workes is the fruit of faith Knowledge taketh instruction of occasion and circumstances helpe knowledg to a method in proceeding but of all things the end must bee first foreseene and then the meanes applied in their due time Knowledge in the wisest mâ—n is troubled yea tormented with the losts of the flâ—sh the temptations of the diuell the treason of enemies and the importunity of friends In all which though we know what wee ought to doe yet we practice the contrary and take part against knowledge with our wicked affections Knowledge is grauelled about the secrets of the soule because God hath framed it after his owne image and no man can tell what God is by description Knowledge directed all your Philosophers and learned men in their exemplary learning especially such as studied diuine matters whereupon Thales Milesius hath taught vs that the most ancient of al things was God for that he was alwaies the most beautifull thing the world for that it was the worke of God the most capable was place because it comprehended all other things the most profitable hope for that all other things gone it onely remained the best thing vertue because without her there could no good bee spoken off the most swift the minde of man for in an instant it runneth through the world the most forcible necessity because it goes beyond all other actions and accidents the most easie to giue counsell to other the most hard for a man to knowe himselfe and most wise Time for that it followeth and obserueth all things Knowledge more delighteth in the food of the spirit then the body Whereupon Charles the 4. Emperour entring one day into the schoole of Prage and there staying more then foure houres to heare the disputations of excellent scholers vvas told by some of his Lords that it was time to goe to supper whereupon he replyed Ye that loue your bellies get you to your victuals for I am better pleased thus to increase my knowledge with these disputations then any other refections Knowledge teacheth vs that bookes are faithfull counsellers for Alphonsus of Aragon was wont to say that without fear enuy flattery hope of reward or any other passion whatsoeuer they did faithfully tell him whatsoeuer he demanded And Cicero called them deerly beloued books a pleasant houshold for if he would they would talke with him if not they were silent at his commandement they were nigh him without importunitie neither rash cruell rauening nor malicious but euery way affording satisfaction Knowledge most deceiueth a man when he is proud of his own conceit and so groweth to selfe-loue whereby hee starteth aside before he come to true knowledge indeed Knowledge doth not consist in much reading but in iudicious obseruation and orderly conceiuing how to adopt what hee reades to good purpose and vse when hee shall haue occasion Knowledge teacheth men both secrets of Art and wonders of Nature By it amongst others you may obserue that these three things are most firme in their operations suspition winde and loyaltie the first where it once entreth neuer parteth the second neuer entreth where it cannot get out and the third where it once goeth away it neuer returneth Knowledge leadeth to vertue vertue to estimation estimation to honour honour to obseruation obseruation to loue loue to heauen and these be the steps of the ladder of life Knowledge instructeth thus farre of the soule that the soule being alwaies one the same by her qualities and powers assumeth diuerse different titles as a spirit whereby we contemplate a sense whereby we see and feele a minde wherby we conceiue a knowledge whereby we vnderstand a reason whereby we discerne a will whereby we consent a memorie wherby we record an essence whereby we liue and all these are but one soule Knowledge of Philosophy is a good studie but a man must beware least in seeking for gold he lose not his siluer For Alchumistrie is rather a knauery then a knowledge Knowledge discouers the errors of auncient writings present experience feares not in many things to goe cleane contrarie and as it were flat against the face of antiquitie Knowledge teacheth a Gardiner to cull the weedes from the wholesome herbes the husbandman to till plough his seasons the Physitian to decipher the operation of simples the Artificer to fashion his work to the best formes and with the best aduantages and all estates sexes degrees perfection in the works of their callings Knowledge of a mans selfe onely makes a man wise how euer his bookes teach him the knowledge of many other things Knauery All feasts and companies I doe frequent But best I fare among the innocent KNauery makes men seeme good which are not but at last in deceiuing others they deceiue themselues Knaues and Pandars are the venome of a Court parasites and flatterers the poison of a Prince brokers and vsurers the cormorants of a city and couseners and cunny catchers
villany but he which doeth so may goe to Hell with his cunning and leaue his habit behind him Religion consisteth not in benefices or dignities of the Church nor in a couetous zeale that eateth vp the house of God nor in a malitious spirit that enuieth the reuenues of the Church but in the fruites of vnfained faith and feruent loue Religion inspired with grace keepeth vs in friendship with God and defiance of the Diuell Religion truely entertained onely rauisheth the soule howeuer Philosophy delighteth with knowledge and looke how excellent the soule is ouer the body by so much Religion surpasseth all sciences in 〈◊〉 world Religion for the summe and most materiall points consisteth of two parts either begging of mercy or giuing of glory either prayers or praises Religion filleth the mind with Gods graces and then it careth not for worldly pleasures as full stomaches euen despice hony combes Religion teacheth vs that in the booke of God lieth the tresure of the soule as pearls are found in shels and gold digged out of the earths entrailes but herein is great difference these cannot be got without cost labour toile danger torment of mind and trouble of bodie but Gods graces are obtained without money yea all may come and buy for nothing Religion teacheth vs to be godly howeuer the world may suppose it good to be wise and better to be rich c. Religion teacheth vs the way to heauen truly yet will Astrology measure the firmaâ—â—â—t Cosmography describe the earth Magick search into hel the Mathematicks discouer the secrets of nature and Philosâ—â—hy direct our liues but all is to no purpoâ—e without the knowledge of God which consisteth much in knowing our selues Religion is but one trueth and the onely true worship of one God and he that is of any more then one is the diuels Chaplane Religion teacheth all sorts of people how to finde in the Scriptures sufficient authors and writers for any purpose whatsoeuer As a statist may looke vpon Moses A Captaine Ioshua A stoute man Sampson A King Dauid and Salomon A Prophet Samuel Daniel and the rest A Courtier Nehemiah A Shepherd Amos. A Lawyer Ezra A Coustomer Mathew A fisherman Peter A Phisitian Luke A Gentleman Iohn A persecutor Paul And a conuertist Timothy Religion tels vs plainly that he which 〈◊〉 not into the Communion of Saints shall neuer attaine the remission of sinnes Religio sheweth that he which seeketh God with a faithful heart and loueth God with a ioyfull heart and ioyeth in God with a thankfull heart hath a gratious blessing a blessed grace a continuall comfort and an endlesse happinesse Religion saith that the feare of God is the learning of the wise the grace of God the glory of the learned the peace of God the prest of the faithful and the loue of God the ioy of the elect Religion assureth vs that he which reades the booke of God findes a glorious history he that beleeues what he reades hath a gratious inspiration he that remembers what he beleeueth hath a blessed memory and he that maketh the right vse of his remembrance hath the perfection of vnderstanding Religion warranteth vs that impatience is the sting of nature and presumption the pride of sinne while humility is the ground and grace of vertue and and quietnesse and contentation the blessing of grace Religion heareth Christ by his word beleeueth in him by his grace liueth in him by his loue and ioyeth in him by his spirit Religion guideth vs to repentancâ— and repentance powreth out incessant prayers and true prayers will pierce the heauens whilest worldly securitie goeth to hell like Diues and the diuel with a merry gale Religion is vnited thus farre with Philosophy that euery thing feares a superior and higher power as the deer fears the hound the partridge the hawke all creatures man and man God Religion goes beyond superficiall knowledge or worldly vnderstanding for it lifteth vp our soules to God as to the author former and gouernour of all and whosoeuer knoweth him shall neede to know no other thing Religion maketh the stomach to hunger for grace and so to feede on the bread of heauen and the soule to thirst for drinke and and so to carowse the water of life Religion saith that true repentance commeth by these degrees sadnesse of heart sorrow for sinne confession of the mouth promise to amend and endeuouring to make a full satisfaction both in word and deede Religion tels vs that such 〈…〉 vs at the day of our death such wâ—ll hee pronounce vs at the day of Iudgement Religion telles you that tâ—e â—â—hest iewell in the world is the word of God because all the world cannot buy 〈◊〉 it is the cheapest thing in the world because it is to be bought of free cost Religion telles vs that when a Churchman growes couetous and a gentleman prodigall while the one is walking to beggerie the other is comming to ignominy and both are going to hell Religion teacheth vs neither to offend the righteous nor affect the wicked lest God reuenge the one and the diuell reward the other Religion makes conscience to confesse truely when pollicy causeth vs to conceale or beguile cunningly Religion is scandalised in the varietie of fects but in the vanitie of sinne is the misery of our soules yet say what you can there is but one God and one faith nor can be but one true Religion Remembrance I am the store-house both of good and ill Then vse me well and I will glad you still REmembrance is Cleanthes his library and learning with vertue is a steppe to honour Remembrance of the goodnesse of God toward vs makes vs relieue the misery of the poore regard the vertue of our seruant and respect the loue of our friend Remembrance of former comforts and excogitating of future goodnes are the reliefe of a vertuous minde Remembrance may contriue a way how a man may best beare his misfortunes either by recounting if he euer had any greater in times past or to see thousands of other in as ill estate as our selues Remembrance is a great officer in Princes courts for except all places are orderly supplied to the honour of the Prince and the good of many particular men which cannot be done except memory oâ—der the businesse confusion will ouerâ—htowe all and disorder bring the court to an vprore Remembrance is sometimes the friend of reuenâ—e and many times the enemy of friendship for if iniuries are not forgotten and vnkindnesse put out of minde displeasure follows and one mischife commonly drawes on another Remembrance in some sence is an enemy to our saluation for if God remember our sinnes who can answere him or if the diuel be admitted to record our transgressions who shall dispute against him or trauerse the inditement Remembrance againe is the comfort of our soules for vnlesse God remember Dauids troubles he shall neuer bee released nor ouercome his enemies Remembrance is the onely treasurie
at home of irreligious for abroad he must giue intelligence of his best friends and at home flatter his very enemies Statesmen must obserue the Court promise faire to the Citie fauour the countrey counterfet with the Nobles entise the Gentlemen pardon the factious keepe the mightie in league and detaine the commons in curtesie Scholer I striue for learning without strife that time With Fames faire wings may learn mee how to climbe A Scholer is for the time a prentise to Art and must serue out his yeeres before he can sue his freedome but heerein lies the difference betweene learning and riches when a tradesmans prentishippe is finished hee sets vp for himselfe when a scholers for others as a principle in Philosophy He liues not at all that liues not to the good of his country Scholers of all vices are not couetous for they care not how little they take for their money Scholers and souldiers must entertaine resolution to beare with all inconueniences tarry the time of preferment for otherwise if either start back as wearied with some hindrances he is anew to beginne againe yea peraduenture in as ill a case as hee that goes vp a ladder but slippeth off the rondells or when one breakes falls downe in great danger Scholers are euer learning for such is the excellencie of Art that the more they studie the more they may and the more knowledge they haue the lesse they seeme to knowe for comparing the hidden secrets with the apparant they seeme no otherwise then a candle in the sunne and a riuer to the sea Scholers ought to be penitent for nothing more then the losse of time for the Merchant complaines of shipwrack the Citizen of bad creditors the Souldier of ill pay-masters the Lawyer of long vacations the Artificers of slender setting on worke the Physitian of temperate times and diet the Countryman of wet haruests and the Scholers of ill imployed time and worse spent houres A scholer that makes mysticall Arts the abuse of wit and studies imployes his time ill to seeke preferment by the diuel who yet will neuer serue his turne but to bring his soule to destruction A scholer is an enemy of fortune because they are many times preuented in their race to aduancement by such as are farre inferior to themselues and either for want of friends or presents must lose their expectations A scholer may vse honest recreation at seasonable houres as well for the health of his body as chearing his spirits for as a knife though it haue neuer so good an edge may be quickly dulled with continuall cutting hard or sharp things so the best wits in the world cannot retaine a continuall vertue without rest and artificiall supply from delight and further encourageâ—ent A scholer should not be vain-glorious yet this is a naturall imperfection incident to learning that in young beginners they goe forward the better in beeing praysed and in old Doctors they liue the merier in hope to be commended A scholer must be of a spare and moderate diet for how euer Venus cannot florish without the helpe of Ceres and Bacchus yet will Minerua and the Muses liue gloriously by the pleasant waters of Hellicon Scholers should haue great acquaintance with the morning for two houres vvell imployed then is of more force then foure afterward for the attainement of learning Souldier O that I were not as the flow'rs in May Which when the sent is lost are cast away SOuldier is a name of that honour that it is the genus of vallure valiant men for Emperors Princes great Commaunders inferior Captaines military men with all their famous exploits are all comprised vnder this tearme Hee is or was a braue souldier Souldier seemes the prime honour and glorie of a Nation for in that title all other professions are darkned in a sort as when a man discourses of a Countrey hee is not first demaunded what Merchants there are how the Citizens liue how the Countryman tills the ground how the Gentlemen liues idly and such like but what able men are in the same what garisons maintained what souldiers florish what exployts they haue performed and this is commonly the first question Souldier in the best common-welth is compared to a nosegay which is worne all day while the sweetnes freshnesse doth last but at night when it fades is cast on the dunghill so when necessity calls to our Countryes defence and that worthy men must be imployed they are much made of entertained admitted welcommed and rewarded but as soone as peace is confirmed the troubles ouerblown then are the better sort dismissed peraduentute with flattering words and the inferiour left to the whip or to the gallowes Souldiers one way are the cause of welth for wheresoeuer they be resident victuals growe deere in the market those commodities which the Countriman must either spend himselfe or sell at an easie rate are vttered for double value another way they are the ruine of a country vpon furie of an execution where all thâ—â—gs are subiect to fire and sword Souldiers augment their honour in pardoning of enemies rather then their valour in killing of the vanquished so that the greatest vertue in a Soldier is to ouercome by courtesie when by force of armes they they haue got the victory Souldiers must neither attempt any thing by vain-glory nor refraine through feare but carry such a moderation and gouernment that his courage turne not to fury and madnes nor his forbearance to pusillanimitie and cowardise Souldiers are true Christians and true Christians are Souldiers for hauing a spirituali warre-fare with the flesh world and diuell they must be euer in action yea preuaile at last or else be vtterly destroyed for no composition can serue the turne therefore that we may neither faint nor make friuolous excuses God hath sent vs into an Armory to choose such weapons as vnder the conduct of our Captaine Iesus Christ we are sure to preuaile with Souldiers of the world through liberty and ease quickly abuse their profession For where is in noble designes they are honorable and glorious in filthy idlenesse they are roagues and vagabonds in the one they are seated in a chaire of preferment in the other chained in a dungeon of infamy Souldiers and saylers are brothers in good courses for there be but two Elements in which mortall creatures liue Earth and Water wherein the Souldier at land and Marriner at Sea dispatch all our businesse Souldiers must either haue pay or spoile and sometimes loue the one better then the other because that pay comes by limilation but spoile by fortune which filleth many times the bag of a meane man with rich booty Shifting If I sincke not I care not who doth swell I faine would liue though how I know not well SHifting doeth many times incurre the indignitie of reproch to be counted a shifter is as if a man would say in plain tearmes a coosener Shifting setteth
contrary humors and infested with opposite vices The world was taught three good rules by Chilo to know that it was Gods handy-worke that it was made of nothing and shall be consumed to nothing so man was instructed to know himselfe not to desire much and to keepe himselfe out of debt The World is the toile of the couetous whose wealth is the witch of the wicked while heauen is the hope of the faithfull and grace the ioy of the blessed Thus again in the world we may say that impatience is the sting of nature and presumption the pride of sinne while humility is the grace of reason and patience the blessing of grace The world is a shop of such wares as â—heateth the deluded buyers who count wealth as a iewell pouerty a plague conscience a foole care is a Lord of misâ—ule and will the master of the sences The world sheweth vs plainely that beautie is an eye-sore learning a taske valour a heat of blood reason a gift of God Kings Gods on earth a Noble-man a great man a Souldier a stout man a Courtier a fine man a Lawyer a wise man a Merchant a rich man a begger a poore man and an honest man a true man The world cannot continue except times and seasons haue their courses day and night make their changes labour and rest comforts mens bodies meate and sleepe preserue life punishment and reward proceed from true iustice and wisedome and folly make the difference of all estates The world telleth vs that a kingdome bringeth care learning is full of trouble power full of charge youth full of action age full of griefe and content is the onely happinesse The world is a laborinth of wit the consumption of vnderstanding the pilgrimage of patience and the purgatory of reason so that in trufth he is happy that dwelleth in it to Gods glory his owne comfort and the benefit of his neighbour and to conclude the vse is good but the abuse dangerous Woman I long'd for dainties was deceiu'd by lust In one marr'd all men made the world vniust VVOman was the originall of mans destruction for he had not disobeyed God but by the enticement of the woman for the which God told him plainely hee was accursed and subiect to damnation A woman is a stinking rose a pleasing euill the mouse-trap of a mans soule the thiefe of his life a flattering wound a delicate distraction a sweete death and the loue of her hidden fire a pleasing wound a sweete poyson a bitter sweete a delightfull disease a pleasant punishment a flattering death Woman is the strength of will the weakenesse of vnderstanding the exercise of patience the trouble of reason the encrease of number the delight of vanitie the pride of beautie the abuse of loue the breder of iealosie and the deceite of trust and confidency Woman is the wonder of nature for shee maketh two bodies one flesh and two hearts one soule so that the husband and wife truely louing so conspire in all their actions that they haue in a manner but one motion for loue maketh vnion as hate doeth seperation and deuision Woman is a necessary ill a pleasing yoake-fellowe and a strong supportation to weake meanes of house-keeping for as in a teeme except the oxen be ioyntly vnited and draw together the plough or cart cannot orderly goe forward So in house-keeping except man and wife doe louingly agree and ioyntly labour in their seueuerall places to maintaine increase their estates all will quickly be ouerthrowne for a diuision of loue and action makes a dimunition of substance or rather a dissipation Woman againe is a purgatory on earth and with contrary humors quencheth the hoatest loue and breaketh the hardest heart for if she be honest she will be imperious if faire she wil be venerious if foule she is loathsome if a wanton full of fraude or treason if proud costly aboue thy ability if witty impudent to shame thee or make thee weary if sheepish she will neither increase thy commoditie nor gouerne thy family if familiar and affable she will bee foolish and tell all either she hath no good qualitie or such as are quite ouermatched by the contrary Woman that prooueth a good wife commonly continueth a good mother so that the husband hath ioy the children comfort the seruants contentment and all the house establishment Woman must auoide all occasions of bad rumors for it is not enough that shee bee honest but that she bee so reputed and reported because the honour of a man dependeth on his wiues loyaltie and the reproch of children on the report of her dishonestie Woman is the weaker vessell and therefore must man beare with the infirmitie of his wife as she endure the impatience and imperfection of her husband Woman is the author to her husband of much good or ill as she is indued with the grace of God or the malice of the diuell Woman faire and proude and wanting wisdome is a looking-glasse of vanitie and a miror of inconstancy idle fantastick desirous of nouelties disdainfull chargeable a daintie feeder a gadder a talker and euery way irregular Woman is seldome pitied in her teares for they commonly proceede either from anger or deceit anger that she cannot bee reuenged deceite that shee cannot haue her will in wantonnesse and libertie Woman is endued with the same vertues as man for there hath beene as valiant wise godly magnaninous pollitick iudicious great spirited and learned women as men yea our histories are filled with the glorious actions and famous conquests of woâ— as well as Emperours or other persons of honour elloquence learning and iudgement A whore I am of shame a scorge of sinne a sincke My lifes-flame quencht it like a snuffe doeth stincke A whore hath many significant names as filth curtisan queane strumpet puncke light-hus-wife concubine leman Ioue mistresse and infinite other fictions according to mens fantasies but all concluding breach of chastity and contempt of loyaltie either to virginitie or mariage A whore once prostituted to lust will hardly bee reclaimed to honesty and there is more hope of a branded thiefe then an impudent whore A whore is like a horse-leach for as it sucketh the blood from corrupted bodies and neuer falles off till it swel with fulnâ—sse So playes the whore with our substance and best blood in our bodies and neuer leaues a miserable besotted man till she haue fethered her nest and filled her coffers nay till shee hath emptied the bones of marrow and the purse of money A whore is knowne by the boldnesse of her face pride of her eies wantonnes of countenance vnconstancy of her lookes gaudines of cloathes giddines of gate immodesty of her gesture loosenesse of her behauiour licenciousnes of her words leawdeof her actions A whore is of the nature of Astrology an art of all men embraced and practised so a whore is railed and reuiled of euery body for her â—ilthy conditions and yet courted and embraced