inclined to that place where the Sunne shineth and being depriued of the Sunne dyeth and as Lunaris hearbe is long as the Moone waxeth bringeth forth leaues and in the wayning shaketh them off so a louer whiles hee is in the companie of his Lady where all ioyes encrease vttereth many pleasant conceits but banished from the sight of his Mistresse where â—ll mirth decreaseth either liueth in Melancholy or dyeth with desperation As Andromache whensoeuer shee saw the Tombe of Hector could not refraine from weeping or as Laodamia could neuer behold the picture of Protesilaus in wax but shee alwayes fainted so louers whensoeuer they view the image of their Ladies though not the same substance yet the similitude in shadow they are so benummed in their ioynts and so bereft of their wits that they haue neither the power â—o moue their bodies to shew life nor their tongues to make answere There must in euery Triangle bee three lynes the first beginneth the second augmenteth the third concludeth it a figure so in loue three vertues affection which draweth the heart secrecie which increaseth the hope and constancie which finisheth the worke without any of these rules there can bee no triangle without any of these vertues no loue There is no man that runneth with one legge no bird that flieth with one wing so no loue lasteth 〈◊〉 one limme As the earth wherein the mines of siluer and gold is hidden is profitable for no other thing but metals so the heart wherein loue is harboured receiueth no other seed but affection When the Hoppe groweth high it must haue a pole when the Iuie spreadeth it cleaueth to the flint when the Vine riseth it draweth about the Elme so when Virgins wax in yeares they follow that which belongeth to their appetites loue loue As fire cannot be hidden in the flax without smoake nor Muske in the bosome without smell so neither can loue be hidden in the breast without suspition As the straightest wands are to bâ— bent when they be small so the precifeâ—t Virgins are to be wonne when they 〈◊〉 young As fire when it bursteth out catcheth hold soonest of the driest woode so loue when it is reuealed fasteneth easiest vpon the affectionate will As an English man cannot abide 〈◊〉 a stranger to be his equall nor to be dared by any so he cannot by any meanes suffer a partner in his loue As there are foure kinds of warres forraine ciuill combate and in the conscience so there are foure kinds of loue spirituall carnall temporall and common F. Iohannes à S. Geminianâ— lib. 1. de caelo elementis cap. 4. As the Raine-bow hath foure principall colours in it red iacinth colour azure and greene so loue especially worked foure passions in the soule zeale excesse hatred and languorment Ibidem As the Sun-beames pierce deepely so doth loue Ibidem Loue is likened to the Figge Tree whose fruits is sweete whose Roote is more bitter then the claw of a Bittor to the Apple in Persia whose blossome sauoureth like Honny whose bud is more sowre then gall and to a Labyrinth which leadeth vs into worser paines then Sisiphus suffereth into moe torments then Tantalus abideth and into greater griefe then Ixion beareth As no man can be twice happy as Saint Hierome writeth in an Epistle to Iulia Chapter foure so to be wise and take to loue is scarcely graunted to Ioue aboue As Stars abound in Heauen Hares in Athon and Bees in Hybla so loue is full of slights The sting of a Serpent by continuance enuenometh the whole body he that is charmed of the Torpido by procrastination runneth mad â—o the pricke of loue by delay is vncurable As Anacreon who spake by experience and writ by proofe calleth loue a tyrant mischieuous cruell hardy vnkind foule vngrious cursed wicked the cause of all mischiefe the forgetter of reason the father of frenzie the disturber of the minde the enemy to health the sinke of sorrow the garden of griefe and to conclude a confused Chaos of miserie so that if it might be seene with bodily eyes or be an obiect to our exteriour sences the Basiliske is not more feared nor the Cockatrice more auoided then loathsome loue would be eschued and detested so Miltiades the Athenian was wont to say that of all the plagues wherewith the gods did afflict mortall men loue was the greatest in that they sought that as an heauenly blisse which at last they found their fatall bane As Demophoon was false in loue to Phillis Aeneas to Dido Iason to Medaea Paris to Oenone so true loue was Charites to her husband Laepolenus Cornelia to Gracchus Iulia to her Pompey Artemisia to Mausolus Panthea to Abradatus Portia to Brutuâ— Alceste to Admetus Penelope to Vlisses Sulpitia to Leâ—tulus Hipparchia to the Philosopher Crates and Macrina to her Torquatus As Iupiter enforced Apollo to flie his Kingdome Paphos and to liue exild in Thessalie so loue there constrained him to keepe King Admetus sheepe As Cupids dart caused Diana to loue the swaine Endimion and Calisto to loue Ioue so it caused Clitia to loue Phoebus and Cloris Mercury As swouning mortifieth euery member as pestilence infecteth euery part â—s poyson pierceth euery vaine so loue if in time it bee not looked vnto will bring body and minde to vtter confusion As the vertues of loue are many so the inconueniences are infinite There is no cloth so fine but Moates will eate it no Iron so hard but rust will fret no wood so sound but wormes will putrifie it no metall so course but fire will purifie it so there is neither Man nor Woman so free but loue will bring them into thraldome and bondage As Lordship can brooke no matership so neither can loue according to chat verse Dame Venus and Kingdomes can no riuality suffer As the wisest man said Canticles 8. that loue is strong as death and zeale is cruell as the graue the coales thereof are fiery coales and a vehement flame Much water cannot quench loue neither can the flouds drowne it so all writers with one mouth haue confessed that the godliest men that euer were the valiantest men that euer were haue beene brought by loue to most outragions impietie to most extreame folly and most vile villanie That there haue beene none so stoute but loue hath made them stoupe none so wise but loue hath made them fooles none so shamefast but loue hath made them bold They haue recorded that loue is aboue Lord or Lawes aboue Prince or priuiledge aboue friend or faith Where loue leadeth no Master is made account of no King cared for no friend forced of no dutie respected no honesty regarded but all things done according to the passion which preuaileth ouer vs so that they haue thought that loue is some heauenly influence and no earthly accident Selfe-Loue THere is no creature that more feruently loueth her young ones then an Asse and an Ape so many vnlearned idiots doe more esteeme their
owne vanities scurrilous pamphlets then any other mans graue and learned writings As they that walke in a wrong path the further they goe the worse it is for them so it is for them that goe forwards relying vpon selfe-loue Not as Physitions doe cure choler by bitter things so we must put away anger by anger Plut. If one eye little letters too much they offend the eyes so they that wâ—aâ—thfully and of selfe-will and self-selfe-loue loue regard small matters are enkendled to greater matters more ragingly Idem As Mares seeing their owne shape in the water are driuen into madnesse as saith Columella so some too much louing themselues and admiring their owne doings through insolency become almost mad The Emmot is an industrious creature and laboureth for no body but herselfe so many mortall men do only care for themselues and regard their owne businesse As euery mans disease seemeth most bitter vnto himselfe so euery mans discommodity doth especially grieue himselfe As the dropsie groweth through too much aboundance of matter and moisture as Auicene writeth so pride and contempt of God commeth through too much selfe-loue F. Ioannes à S. Geminiano lib. 6. de homine membris â—ius cap. 5. Affections AS that tempest is more dangerous which suffereth not to arriue in the hauen them that which forbiddeth to saile so those motions of the mind are more great and grieuous which carry vs away headlong then those that disturbe our reason and hinder our quiet Plut. in Moralibus As by Circes cups men were suddainly trasformed into wild beasts so affections doe make a man suddainly to be another then he is ibidem As in a great storme a ship is not stayed except the anchor be surely fastened so in the great hurly burly of businesse sound reason must season the minde that it be not caryed away of affections Ibidem As the sayles are to be proportioned according to the greatnesse of the ship so our desires are to be moderated according to our abilities Ibidem As the shooe is wrested with the wringing of the the foote so euery mans life is of that sort as the affections of his mind are Ibidem As thou in vaine drawest pure water out of a muddy well so thou canst not be pleasant to others or pliable to thy selfe except thou purgest thy mind of euill affections ibidem As horses well ordered and manned doe of their owne accord goe the right way albeit the Coach-man doth not vse the Rames so the affections being accustomed to reasons managing and moderating doe not assay any filthy or dishonest thing either in dreames or in diseases albeit reason be in an extasie ibidem As he that hath sowre and dead wine can neither make wine nor vineger of it so according to Zenoes opinion the first motions of the minde are neither good nor euill ibidem As an open mossy place doth expell nothing that falleth into it so a minde endued with a vicious bashfulnesse is open vnto nothing but to filthy affections ibidem As they that cannot abide candle light are much lesse able to abide Sunne-shine so they that are troubled with small matters are much more distracted with greater ibidem As those diseases of the body are more grieuous which breake forth into wounds and swellings so are those affections more burdenous which through griefe make the life tediousâ— it is a disease of the mind to beleeue that all things are made of moates in the Sun but yet it doth not plague the mind so much as couetousnesse doth ibidem As childish complaints doe easily vanish away so toyish desires the matter being taken away doth soone fade Ibidem As the changing of the Moone or a sharpe winde or the ebbe of the Sea or any such light change of things doth take life from a sicke and weake man so euery small offence doth disturbe weake minds corrupted by affections when as they that are of a strong heart and a resolute minde doe not feele any such matter As no creature neither â—ame nor wilde doth yeeld to that reason which it wanteth so neither any affection Seneca As many wild weeds springing vp in a field are euill and naught of themselues and yet are signes of a fruitfull ground if it were tilled so the affections of the mind being euill of themselues doe argue no ill wit if it were tilled with wholesome instructions Plut. in Moral As any dogges barke at euery noyse but are quiet when they heare a voyce knowne and familiar vnto them so the diseases of the minde when they rage they cannot be restrained except the speaches be knowne and familiar vnto them which may correct them being moued ibidem As the body is not capable of pleasures except it be well ordered so the minde doth not participate of true pleasure except it be free from feare and other affections ibidem As diseases although but small in the beginning doe still grow worse and worse if they be letten alone so if but once thou admit euill affections although they be but of small moment and validity they will encrease and grow to greater head Seneca As a man hath alwayes remedy at hand against the poyson of Serpents to wit his spittle which they being touched withall or a little hot water being cast vpon them they flye away and if it enter into their moutheâ— they dye so wee alwayes carry a present remedy about with vs against all pestilent desires if wee know how to vse it We must looke for it in our minds As there are Serpents that meete with vs in the woods and some lye lurking at home in our houses so some affections are mannaged by reason and shew themselues reasonable and some lye lurking in our workes and shew themselues vnreasonable Marâ—us heremit a delege spiritualâ— As they are to bee freed from fetters that haue a long iourney to goe so they are to be withheld from immoderate affections that directly would goe vnto God Theodoretus de spirituali animae resâ—rrectione As the foure humours of the body heate coldnes drinesse and moisture are the causes of all welfare and ill fare in the body so the foure principall affections of the mind loue hatred ioy and griefe are the causes of all ioy and annoy in the mind Richardus Victoriâ—us de statu interioris hominis cap. 34. As they that kill the head of a Serpents kill the whole body also so they that cut off the first motions of ill affections kill the whole rabble of them Procopius in Exodum As there is no fire so hot but it is quenched with water so there is no affection so stronge but it is weakened with reason He that hath beene burned knoweth the force of the fire he that hath beene stoung remembreth the smart of the Scorpion so he that hath endured the brunts of fancie knoweth best how to eschew the broyles of affection As thou art wary in thy trauell that thou strick not thy foot against a stone
who are made according to his Image but especially hee defendeth his children That they shall not be afraid for any terrour by night nor for the arrow that flyeth by day for the Pestilence that walketh in the darkenesse nor for the sickenesse that destroyeth in the nooâ—e day Isidorus Clarius orat 50. tomi primi As a skilfull Architect prouideth all things necessary for his building so doth God for his creatures Lactantius de opificio dei cap 6. Mariners when they see a storme approching first call vpon God that they may ariue safely in their wished hauen then they take in their sailes and prouid all things that are needfull so we must trust to the diuine helpe and prouidence yet so that we adde also our owne industry Plutarchus The mercy and loue of God AS a Father that hath a lunatike and franticke Sonne doth lament and greiue when hee heareth his Son to talke wisely with him and presently seeth him fall out of his wits and runne mad so also our heauenly Father doth grieue and lament if so it could be when he seeth the corruption of our nature to bee so great that in that very time weâ— are talking wisely with him in prayer forthwith wee run here and there and vage and wander throrow a thousand cogitations Lodouicus Granatensis lib de Deuotione As when a young bird doth fall out of the nest the damme flyeth after and if a Serpent catch it to deuoure it the dam flittereth about and lamenteth her losse so God doth seeke the workemanship of his hands when it is lost and doth bring it home when it is wounded he cureth it and if it bee fallen he lifteth it vp againe Clemens Alexandrinus oratione ad gentes As the rod of Moses turned into a Serpent before Pharaoh deuoured all the Magitians rods turned into Serpents so the loue of God as a fire deuoureth the loue of all worldly things Bernardus sermoâ—â— de Ascensione As Kings set before the eyes of race riders and contenders garlandes preâ—ious garments and rich rewards to the â—nd they should not faint so doth God â—y the words of his Prophets as by the â—ands of many set before his warriours â—rownes of unmortality that they with â—ourage may contend for them Chrysost. â—om 55. in Mathâ—um As the visible light is the Hench-man of the Suns brightnesse so are the beâ—efits of God Heralds of the diuine â—ounty Laurentius Iustinianus de spiâ—itualâ— animae resurrectione As a sparke of fire falling into the vast Ocean is nothing in stay or appearance 〈◊〉 our sinnes are as nothing yea much â—esse then nothing if they fall into the bottomelesse gulfe of the diuine mercy for the Sea although it be great hath a limitation but the clemency and mercy of God hath none Chrysost. hom 3. de â—â—nitentia As bodyes well cured are not onely restored to good health but to a good habit so God doth not onely purge our â—ules from vices but indues them with â—ertues Chrysost. hom 22. ad Hâ—braeos As a louing Father punishing him that slew his Son doth also breake the sword wherewith his Son was slaine so God plaguing the Diuell for the downfall or Adam inflicted also punishment vpon the Serpent whom the Diuell vsed as the sword of his malice Idem hom God being desirous to signifie his loue vnto vs doth liken it to the loue oâ— Hens to the care of Fathers and to the pittie of Mothers Chrysost. in Psal. 24. As a drop of water is nothing compared to the Sea and as a candle light is nothing to the brightnessâ— of the Sun so neither are our misdeeds to the Diuine clemency and bountie Chrysostom hom 13. The iustice of God AS by the quantity and greatnesse of one arme we gather the quantitie and greatnesse of the other so by the greatnesse of the arme of the diuine mercy wee measure also the quantitie of the diuine justice seeing that there is one and the same measure of them both Lodouicus Granatensis lib. 1. ducis peccatorum As dust is scattered before a storme as sand is wracked togither by a tempest as the morning dew vanisheth at the Sunnes heate so doe the wicked before the presence of the diuine iustice Naziaâ—zenus oratione 2. contra Iulianum As a master of a family will not suffer himsefe to bee derided and contemned of his seruants but punisheth their misdemeanours so God whose house this whole world is and whose seruants all men are will not suffer himselfe to be blasphemed and reuiled but will take vengeance on the offenders Lactantius de â—ra Dei cap. 27. As a Iudge inflicteth punishment vpon malefactours least others dreaming of impunitie should grow to the same liberty so dealeth God with finners that others may be terrifyed and amend Origenes Homil. 9. in Ieremiam As Physitions meete with some diseases before they appeare so God punisheth certaine offences before they bee effected Plutarch in Moralib As some riuers doe suddainely hid themselues vâ—der the Earth yet are carried thither whither they tend so the wrath of God although hid and secret bringeth at the last offenders into extreame calamities ibidem As wee both loue and feare a Prince as angry with the wicked but pleased with the godly so also wee loue and feare God ibidem As God is angry with them that imitate him in his thundring and lightning and casts them into Hell as he did saâ—mâ—neus so also is hee angry with the lofty and proud who imitate his greatnesse but doe not expresse his goodnesse ibidem As the paine of Child-birth taketh a Woman wheresoeuer it finds her neither can shee flie from it so the enemies of the Church doe tast of the diuine vengeance wheresoeuer it seemeth good to God neither can they auoide it Fulgentius in Psalmum 48. As it is a fearefull sight to see a Ship fraughted with Marchandize tossed with a tempest in the middest of the Sea so that the waues doe couer it and beate by violence the sides in sunder whereby the Marriners cry out and are at their wits end so it is much more horrible if it could bee seene with humane eyes when as God doth plague a guiltie conscience in the middest of vanitie and ambition Fulgentius in Psalmum 48. CHRIST AS Christ was gentle and milde in his first comming so will hee bee hard and inexorable in his second Lodouicus Granat lib. 1. Ducis peccatorum In Dodona the Well of Iupiter being cold doth put out lights put into it but being extinguished if thou puttest them in they are lighted so Christ if hee touch one burning with concupiscences doth coole and asswage his heate but if he touch one cast downe and broken in heart he rayseth him vp and maketh him stand Prior pars similitudinis ex libro 2. Plinii cap. 106. As the herbe Panacea called of Apothecaries Oppopaâ—ax hath a remedy for all diseases so the death of Christ is powerfull against all hurtfull affections and dangerous desires Prior
the wind is called a Spirit â—nd there is an vncleane Spirit and yet â—here is peculiarly but one holy Spirit Cyrillus Ierosolymit catechesi 16. The holy Ghost is campared to fire â—o a Doue to a cloude and to a winde To fire because he doth enlighten our â—nderstanding and exalteth it form the â—arth to Heauen To a Doue because he â—â—aketh vs simple gentle peaceable and â—riends to all To a Cloud because hee doth refresh and coolevs and defend 〈◊〉 from the heat of the flesh and doâ—â— asswage and moderate the madnesse anâ— fury of our passions And to a vehemeâ—â— and strong wind because hee moueâ— and inclineth our will to good Lodoâ—â— cus Granatensis lib. 1. ducis peccatoruâ—â— HEAVEN EVen as King Assuerus in his imperiall City of Susan shewed to hiâ— Princes all his Maiesty cost and royalâ— magnificence so the great King of Kingâ— in his imperiall and royall City oâ— Heauen doth shew to his elect the vnâ— mesurablenesse of his riches wisdome liberality and goodnesse and the glory and excellency of his Maiesty Lodâ—â—nicus Granatensis lib. 1. Ducis peccatorum As no man entred into the pallace oâ— King Assuerus cloathed in sacke clotheâ— it is lawfull for no man to enter into thâ— pallace of God with a seruile garmentâ— but he must be cloathed with a wedding garment that is adorned and beautifiâ—â— with true loue charity idem in eodl lib As a Captaine when he goeth forth to â—ight or when he begirdeth any defenced â—astle deuiseth many kind of stratagems for the obtaining of it rayseth fortresses maketh bulwarks and vseth many inâ—entions to assault and batter it that at â—he length he may conquor it so by all â—eanes we must labour and endeuour â—hat wee may get vnto our selues that most excellent place and chiefest good for it is written The Kingdome of heauen suffereth violence and the violent â—ake it by force Lodouicus Granatensis â—n lib. de deuotione As the Patriarch Iacob thought his â—eauen yeares seruice short in respect of â—he great loue he bare to Rachell so we should thinke all the tribulations of this world short in respect of the great loue wee should beare to Heauen which is more beautifull than any Rachell Idem â—n suis Meditationibus As a traueller goes far from his counâ—ry and family yet is desirous to returne â—hither againe euen so we as banished from this world should long for our â—eturue to Heauen our true borne counâ—ry Stella de contemptu mundi As the' pretious pearles called Vnion albeit they be bred in the Sea yee hauâ— more assinitie with Heauen the semblance of which they doe represent so a godly and a generous mind doth more depend of Heauen whence he fetcheth his originall than of the earth in whicâ— be liueth As a house excelleth a few ashes asâ— Citie exeelleth a house a prouince a Citie the Romane Empire a prouince and all the earth the Romane Empire and the whole circumference the poinâ— of a circle so farre incomparablâ— Heauen extendeth and excelleth thâ— comparison and proportion of all other things Cyrillus Ierosolymitanus câ—â— techesi 6. As there is extreame darknesse iâ— hell so there is glorious light in Heauen Basilius lib. hexa As a sphericall figure is most capable â— containe things so Heauen being of thâ— same figure is most capable of all ioyâ— and blessednesse As there are ten commandements iâ— Moses Tables so according to moderne Astrologers there are ten sphere 〈◊〉 Heauen Luna Mercurius Venus Sol Mars Iupiter Saturnus Caelum stellaâ—m Caelum cristaellinum siue aqueum â—nd Primum mobile ANGELS EVen as the elder brethren doe carry their younger brethren when they â—ee but little ones in their armes and doe keepe them with great care and prouidence after the same manner the Angels which are as our elder brethren do tende and keepe vs who are as their younger brethren and little ones and doe beare vs in their hands Ludouicus Granatens lib de deuotione As Angels are pure Spirits so also pure worship and spirituall seruice is required of them ibidem As caelum crystallinum siue aqueum is not seene of vs so Angels in their owne nature are not visible vnto vs. F. Ioannes a S. Geminiano libro 1. de caelo Elementis cap. 5. As the fire is of a more subtile substance than any other element so Angels are of a more immateriall substance than any other creature ibidem As the fire is moued of Sol and Mars as saith Rabbi Moyses so Angels are moued of God who alwayes attend his will ibidem As the fire cannot be touched by reason of the heate so Angels cannot bee touched by reason of their immaterialitie ibidem As the fire is a powerfull element for deuastation so are Angels in executing the wrath of God As a Physition leaueth his patient when hee is past cure so the Angels leaâ—e vs when we fall into desperation Origenes hom 2. in Hieremiam As there are powers vnder earthly Kings for ordering of state matters so there are principalities vnder the heauenly King for executing of his will and setting forth his prayse Epiphanius haeresi 4. As our friends lament for vs when as by reason of sicknesse and weaknesse we can receiue no meate so holy Angels doe mourne for their soules that are not fed with celestiall and spirituall foode Macarius hom prima As smoke banisheth Bees and silthy â—auours driue away Doues so the corâ—upted stinch of sinne driueth away the â—ngell that is the keeper of our life â—asilius in Palme 33. As in martiall affaires some Souldiers â—re appointed to administer and bestow â—onours and some to execute vengeance â—nd punishment so holy Angels are â—ent to the good and preseruation of â—an but Deuils are sent to punish the â—icked and rebellious Chrisostom hom de patientia Iob. As after death there is no repentance â—uailable vnto man so after the fall of â—ngels there was no place of repenâ—nce left vnto them Damascen lib. 2. â—â—fide cap. The Word of God AS the same Manna was wholesome food vnto some and corrupâ—on and wormes vnto others so the â—me Word of God is saluation vnto â—me and destruction vnto others Orig. om 3. in numeros Wine much comforteth those that be sound and as the Scripture saith iâ— maketh merry the heart of man but iâ—â—e drinke it that hath a feuer it bringeth danger and destruction vnto him so the Word of God bringeth life vnto some aud death vnto others Idem homil 5. in Iudic. As a Lanthern doth lighten our steps so the word of God doth illuminate onâ— vnderstandings Hilarius in Psal. 118. A Tree by continuall moysture doth grow to a great height so a soule that iâ— coutinually watered with the diuine Word commeth to the perfection oâ— Vertue Chrisostomus hom de Anno Samuelis educatione As to be hungry is a signe of bodily health so to hunger and thurst after the Word of God is a token of spirituall health Idem hom
him that writeth the same thing so also prayer which is a confession of the diuine prayses or that I may speake more properly a certaine petition to God for some necessary things whether this petition be made with inward words or with outward which are the images of internall things there can bee found no essentiall difference betweene this and that ibidem As the Smith knoweth that his Iron is first to bee heated and to bee made soft before he labour to make a stampe in it so prayer is to be vsed to the softning of the heart that thereby it may be made ready for the keeping of the diuine law ibidem As the hill is the way vnto the mountaine and the meanes to ascend vnto it so prayer is the way and the ascending to mortification ibidem Euen as a diligent and carefull traueller that entreth into an Inne to breake his fast eateth and withall is carefull to make an end of the voyage he hath taken in hand so that although his body bee in the Inne yet his heart and mind is about his iourney so also the seruant of God when he goeth to pray let him on the one side enioy celestiall sweetnesse and on the other side let him purpose to beare troubles and molestations for his loue of whom hee is so much made of and who will not haue any one to eate his bread but in the sweate of his face ibidem As the Children of this world besides their daily repast haue their extraordinarie feasts and bankets in which they are wont to exceed the manner of other refections so it is also behoueful that the righteous besides their daily prayer haue their feasts and spirituall bankets in which their soules may feed not measurably as at other times but may be filled and stuffed with the diuine sweetnesse and with the plenty of Gods house ibidem As the body is dead and waxeth quickly filthy without the soule so the soule without prayer is dead miserable and very vnsauory Chrysostomus lib. de orando Deum As a Citie which is not compassed and fenced with walls easily commeth into the subiection of enemies so the Deuill easily bringeth that soule vnder his dominion which is not fenced and garded with prayer idem lib. 2. de oratione As trees that haue taken deepe rooting cannot be pulled vp so the feruent prayers of the faithful cannot be beaten backe till they haue ascended into the presence of the highest Idem hom 5. de incomprehensibili natura Dei As the roring of a Lyon affrighteth Beasts of the Forrest so the prayer of the righteous profligateth the Deuils of of hell Idem hom 53. contra Apost As the ioynts of the body are bound together by nerues and sinewes so the soules of the righteous are established by prayer Idem lib. 2. de orando Deum As water is the life of a fish so is prayer the life of a Christian. ibidem As Gold precious stones and Marble doe make the houses of Kings so prayer doth build the Temple of Christ that he may dwell in our hearts ibidem When a King entereth into a Citie his Nobles and traine follow after so when prayer entreth into a soule all other vertues follow after ibidem As perfume will confected doth delight the smell of a man so prayer of the righteous is sweete in the nostrills of the Lord. Idem hom 13. operis imperfecti As a Souldiour is no body without his armour nor armour without a Souldior so prayer is nothing without fasting nor fasting without prayer Ibidem hom 15. As there may bee something without a smell but there cannot be a smell without something so a worke without prayer is something but prayer without a good worke is nothing and if thou prayest thou prayest not of Faith Idem hom 18. As fire doth scowre off the rust from Iron so prayer doth scowre our soules from the rust of sinne Idem hom 42. ad pop Antioch As no medicine can cure a wound if their on remaine within it so no prayer profiteth his soule who hath deadly hatred festring and rankling in it Augustinus de rectitudine Cathâ—licae conuersationis Plato writeth that the Lacedemonians were neuer heard to pray for any thing but that which was good and profitable so a Christian should neuer pray for any thing but that which is good in the eyes of God and profitable for himselfe Isidorus Claurius orat de fructu orandi tom 1. Almes deeds AS the Princes of this world determining a voyage doe send their furniture treasure and prouision before them and they themselues follow after so wee are to deuide our goods amongst the poore that they may prepare an entrance into life for vs. Stella de contemptu mundi As water sprinkled vpon an hot glowing gad of iron although it seeme to coole the hot burning iron yet at the length it causeth it to burne the more vehemently so the workes of mercy albeit at a blush they seeme to make the soule lesse feruent by reason of the sundry businesse which happen in exercising them yet they make it more earnest and vehement in the wayes of the Lord. Lodouicus Granatensis lib. de deuotione Euen as nothing is more naturall vnto God then to doe well vnto all his creatures so hee that participateth more of the spirit and goodnesse of God he is more ready to doe good vnto others ibidem As in a treasurie they vse to mingle no false money which outwardly hath a little gold and seemes to be good yet inwardly is a mixture of most base metals euen so and no otherwise are the works and almes deeds of Hypocrites who outwardly appeare iust as if they were no sinners when inwardly they haue seared and foule deformed consciences Stella de contemtu mundi As water quencheth burning fire so almes deeds resisteth sinnes Clemens Alexand. lib. 3. paedagog cap. As seed cast into the earth bringeth forth profit to the sower so bread cast into the lap of the poore will in time to come yeeld great commodity Basil. hom in ditescentes As corne kept in thy garner is deuoured of vermine but being cast into thy land is not onely preserued but increased so riches kept in thy Chest vnder locke and key doe wast and fade but if thou disperse them into the bellies of the hungry they doe not onely not vanish but rise to greater value Chrysostomus homil 7. de poenitentia As an vnfruitfull Elme giueth moysture to the Vine that the Vine may bring forth fruit both for it selfe and for the Elme so let thy substance further the relief of the poore in this world that their sanctitie may further thee in the other Chrys. hom 12. operis imperfecti As hee that writeth an Epistle to a friend whilest he writeth seeth in his heart the person of his friend to whom hee writeth so hee that giueth almes for Gods sake seeth no man in his heart but the person of God alone for whom
he that delights to dally with many binds himselfe thereby the more strictly to her loues in deed Leon Baptista Alberto Florentino in his Hecatonphila As the most constant patience being too farre pâ—ouoked conuerteth into furie so a wrathfull louer is more to be feared than a sauage monster that hath no reason As the best wine doth make the sharpest Viniger so the deepest loue turneth to the deadliest hate Bauen though it burne bright is but a blase scalding water if it stand a while turneth almost to Ice Pepper though it bee hote in the mouth is cold in the maw so hote loue is soone cold and that affection that frieth in words commonly freezeth in workes As Iupiter transformed himselfe into the shape of Amphitrio to embrace Alcmaena into the forme of a Swan to enioy Laeda into a Bull to beguile Io into a showre of Gold to winne Danae so Neptune changed himselfe into an Heyfer a Ramme a flood a Dolphin onely for the loue of those he lusted after And Apollo conuerted himselfe into a shephard into a bird into a Lyon for the desire he had to heale his disease As the first draught of wine doth comfort the stomacke the second inflame the liuer the third fume into the head so the first sip of loue is pleasant the second perillous the pestilent The least sparke if it be not quenched will burst into a flame the least moath in time â—aâ—eth the thickest cloath and I haue read that a short space there was a Towne in Spaine vndermined with Conies in Thessalia with Moules with Frogges in France in Africa with Flies so loue which secretly creepeth in to the mind as the rust doth into the iron and is not perceined consumeth the body yea and confounds the soule Iohn Lilly The little graine of Mustard-seed in time becommeth a tree the slender twigge groweth to a stately greatnesse and that which with the hand might easily haue beene pulled vp will hardly with the axe be hewen downe so loue at the first may bee easily eradicated which being growne can hardly be razed As a â—inew being cut though it be healed there will alwayes remaine a scarre or as fine linnen stained with blacke ynke though it be washed neuer so often will haue an iron mowle so the minde once mangled or maymed with loue though it bee neuer so well cured with reason or cooled by wisdome yet there will appeare a scarre by the which one may gesse the mind hath beene pierced and a blemish whereby one may iudge the heart hath beene stained As they that angle for the Tortois hauing once caught him are driuen into such a lithernesse that they loose all their spirits being benummed so they that seeke to obtaine the good will of Ladies hauing once a little hold of their loue are driuen into such a traunce that they let goe the hold of their liberty bewitched like those that view the head of Medusa or the Viper tied to the bough of the Beech tree which keepeth him in a dead sleepe though hee beginne with a sweete slumber New Wine is more pleasant then wholsome and Grapes gathered before they be ripe may set the eyes on lust but they make the teeth on edge so loue desired in the bud not knowing what the blossome will be may delight the conceit of the head but it will destroy the contemplatiue of the heart Apelles was no good Painter the first-day he that will sell Lawne must learne to folde it so he that will make loue must first learne to court it As betweene the similitude of manners there is a friendship in euery respect absolute so the composition of the body there is a certaine loue ingendred by ones lookes where both the bodies resemble each other as wouen both in one loome Euery flower hath his blossome his sauour his sap so euery desire should haue to feed the eye to please the wit to maintaine the estate Poyson will disperse it selfe into euery veine before it pierce the heart so loue maimeth euery part before it â—ill the liuer As by Basill the Scorpion is ingendred and by the meanes of the same hearbe destroyed so loue which by time and fancy is bred in an idle braine is by time and fancy banished from the heart As the Salamander which being a long space nourished in the fire at the last quencheth it so affection hauing taken hold of the fancie and liuing as it were in the minde of the louer in tract of time altereth and changeth the heat and turneth it to chilnesse As the Almond Tree beareth most fruit when it is old so loue hath greatest faith when it groweth in age The yong Vines bring the most wine but the old the best so tender loue maketh greatest shew of blossomes but tryed loue bringeth forth sweetest iuyce As the precious stone Anthracites being throwne into the fire looketh blacke and halfe dead but being cast into the water glistereth like the Sun beames so the precious mind of man once put into the flame of loue is as it were vgly and looseth her vertue but springled with the water of wisdome and detestation of such fond delights it shineth like the glorious rayes of Phoebus As the bâ—st charme for a toothach is to pull out the tooth so the best remedy for loue is to weare it out Fire is to be quenched in the sparke weeds are to be rooted vp in the bud follies in the blossome greene sores are to be dressed roughly least they fester tetters to be drawne in the beginning least they spread Ringwormes to be annointed when they first appeare least they compasse the whole body so the assaults of loue are to be beaten backe at the first siege least they vndermine at the second Hearbs that are the worse for watering are to be rooted out Trees that are lesse fruitfull for the lopping are to be hewen downe Hawkes that waxe haggard by manning are to be cast off so fond louers that increase in their follies when they be reiected are to be despised The Spaniell that fawneth when hee is beaten will neuer forsake his Master so the man that doteth when he is disdained will neuer forgoe his Mistresse Theseus would not go into the Labyâ—inth without a threed that might shew him the way out so neither any wise man will enter into the crooked corners of loue vnlesse he know by what means he might get out Hot fire is not onely quenched by the cleare fountaine so neither is loue only satisfied by the faire face He that hath sore eyes must not behold the Candle so he that would leaue his loue must not fall to remembring of his Lady the one causeth the eye to smart the other the heart to bleed You shall neuer beate the flie from the Candle though shee burne nor the Quaile from the Hemlocke though it bee poyson so neither the louer from the company of his Lady though it be perillous As the hearbe Heliotropium is alwayes
or a pricke so in thy life be wary that no affection rule thee that may offend Epictetus in Enchiridio cap. 53. As saylers doe apply themselues to the changes of the winds so doe wise men to the affections of the mind Aristonymus apud Stobaeum sermone 1. Deprudentia As Tarquine when he walked in his Garden did with a wande strike off the heads of Poppy so we must especially resist the stronger and more powrefull affections of our minds Angelus Politianus de ira As they that liuevnder a Tyrant are in bondage and seruitude so are they that are ruled by head strong affectionsâ— Philo. lib. quod omâ—is probus sit liber As they that are ruled by good lawes liue in peace so they that are ruled by sound reason and not by vnruly affections liue in rest and tranquility ibidem As Noahs Arke did admit all kind of creatures which Paradice did not so mans body doth admit all vnruly and vntamed affections but admitteth not vertues worthy of praise Idem lib. de plantatione Noae As a sparrow tied by the leg assaying to flie is puld downe by the string to the ground so the mind being not freed of affections endeuouring to flie to the knowledge of celestiall things is held downe by affections and cast to the earth Maximus lib. primo de charitate If the eye betroubled it cannot exactly see his obiect so if the heart bee disturbed with affections it cannot well behold the truth Bâ—silius in Psal. 33. Epistola 1. As a foule polluted glasse cannot receiue the impressions of pictures presented before it so a soule dimmed and darkned with carnall affections and worldly cares is not capable of spiritual illuminations Idem Epist. 64. As too much wine maketh drunke so the affections of lust sorrow and wrath hauing expelled reason doe bring madnesse Idem in cap. 5. Esayae Brethren AS in a paire of scales when one goes vp the other goes downe so one brother ought to yeeld vnto another aduanced to higher dignity Plut As in Arithmeticke figures of lesser value being added to greater doth multiply them and in like manner are multiplyed themselues so one brother dignifying another encreaseth the honour of him that is dignified and adorneth the dignifier with the splendour of his dignity ibiâ—em As those fingers that can neither write nor play vpon an instrument are moued with those that write and play so one brother should be like affected to another ibidem If thy weapons breake or be taken from thee thou maist repaire them againe or get thee other but thou canst not get thee another body so thou maist find other friends but not other brethren Ibidem Of the same first matter elementes arise most repugnant and opposite betweene themselues so many times of the same parents brethren are bred of most contrarie dispositions As Caine and Abell Ismael and Isace Esau and Iacob Amphion and Zetis Eteocles and Polynices Titus and Dâ—mitian As ciuill seditions are better transposed to enemies then bestowed on our owne countrymen so it is better and more equall respectiuely to enuy and maligne others own then our brethren although it is good to enuy or maligne any body Plut. Admonition AS wee cast bridles vpon horses not in the race but before the runne so those that are inclined to wrath or lust are to be restrained by reasons and admonitions before they come into danger Plut. in Moralibus As Nurses doe not chide nor punish their children that are fallen but first runne and lift them vp and after chide them so a friend when he is afflicted is to be helped and lifted vp and afterwards to be admonished and chidden that by his owne fault he fell into that calamitie ibidem They that haue the toothach forthwith runne vnto Physitions and tell them of their griefe they that haue agues send for him but hee that is franticke neither calleth him nor admitteth him being called by reason of the intollerable vehemency of his disease so those that doe hide their â—aultes neither doe suffer any one to â—dmonish them of these there is no â—ope ibidem As a soare eye cannot abide light so â—either doth an humorous mind admit of a seuere admonition but if thou wilt â—â—re it thou must mingle prayse with â—hine admonition ibidem As Telepus because he wanted a â—riend was constrained to seeke for remedy of his enemy for the cure of â—is wound so they that haue not good â—riends to admonish them of their â—aults doe oftentimes heare them of their enemies ibidem As medicines doe first bite and ofâ—end and afterwards doe bring health and delight so wholesome admonitions at the first are somewhat bitter but afterwards are most pleasant and acceptable to him that is admonished ibid. As phlegme gathered by little and little doth then especiall appeare and ouercome when nature is ouercome so certaine friends dare not admonish those that be mighty vnlesse fortune begin to turne her wheele and then being humbled they begin to deale with them ibidem A sound man beareth it if thou vpbraid him with his intemperancy lust and ryot but a crasie and an vnsound man will not so a friend is to be admonished when he ceaseth to be angry or to loue ibidem As a blow foreseene is more easily awarded so a mischiefe fore-thought of or warned of doth lesse offend Seneca As Physitions forbid to minister receits when the disease is growing or raging but when it somewhat abateth so to those first motions and eager extremities of wrath and griefe consolation admonition is not to be vsed but when as in time they begin to be somewhat lighter As Physitions forbid to giue Elleborum albeit it be effectuall to old men or to Children or to those that haue weake bodies so our admonition is to be tempered that hee may suffer it whom thou wouldest amend neither only the vice is to be looked vnto but the nature of him whom thou studiest to amend Plin. lib. 25. cap. 5. in flne As wholesome hearbes loose their force of healing by being customarily vsed so if thine admonition be daily and of custome it doth not amend him that is accustomed to it As in the Contrey of Vmbria the earth is dryer by raine and moyster by heate whereupon Cicâ—ro doth iestingly say that there dust comes of a showre and of drinesse durt so admonition doth make some men the worse Plin. lib. 31. cap. As some precious stones doe wax bright being steeped in Vineger and some become cleare being boyled in honie so bitter reprehension maketh some better and other some milder amonition Beautis AS the hanging vp of a net directly aginst the Sunne doth partly obscure the brightnesse of his beames so pensiuenesse somewhat diminisheth the featured regards of beautiful Paragons As good wine lacketh no tasters so faire women lacke no sutors As with an easie price and an Iuie bush bad wine is vttered so beautie and tractablenesse doe get many bad women husbands As
the Glo-worme is bright in the hedge but blacke in the hand so are many beautious women fairely made but fowly mannered As by the current of a streame we come to the Fountane so when we meete with any beautifull body we should follow the perfect regard there of so farre till we are arriued at the especiall point and ground-worke which is God himselfe for from him all beautie hath originall As fire burneth those that either touch it or stand too neare it so beautie inflameth those that either stand neare it or farre off Xenophon apud Stobaeum serm 64. As the fairest Leopard hath his spots the finest cloth his list the smoothest shooe his last so the most blazing beautie hath some blemish Where the wine is neate there needeth no Iuy-bush the right Corall needeth no coloring so where is perfection there needeth no painting As the Adamant draweth the heauie Iron the harpe the fleete Dolphin so beautie allureth the chast mind to loue and the wisest wit to lust The purple dye will neuer staine the puer Ciuet will neuer loose his sauour the greene Lawrell will neuer change his colour so beauty can neuer be blotted with discourtesie As Milo that great wrastler began to weepe when hesaw his armes brawnfallen and weake saying strength strength is but vaine so Helen in her new glasse viewing her old face with smileing countenance cryed Beautie where is thy blaze As when the counterfeit of Ganimede was shewen at a Market euery one would faine buie it because Zeâ—xis had therein shewed his greatest cunning so when a beautifull woman appeareth in a multitude euery man is drawne to sue to her for that God hath shewed such rare art in her As a fresh colour doth easily dimme a quicke fight as a sweet Rose doth soonest pierce a fine sent as pleasant sirrups doe chiefliest infect a delicate tast so beautifull woman doe first of all allure them that haue the wantonnest eyes and the whitest mouthes Lilly As the Eagle soares not so high in the ayre but shee can espie a little fish in the Sea as the Sunne in Cancer goes retrograde as the coldest clime hath his Summer and as Apollo was neuer so stoicall but semel in anno he could let fall a smile so the most seuere Pilgrime or Palmer hath an eye as well as a heart and a looke to lende to beauty as a thought to bend to Theology Greene As the Bauin is but a blaze so beautie As the gorgeous Cedar is onely for shew and nothing for profit as the Apples of Tantalus are precious in the eye and dust in the hand and as the starre Artophylax is most bright but fitteth not for any compasse so those that stand vpon â—their outward portraiture are commonly preiudiciall As the fairestiroses haue pricks the purest lawnes their moles and the brightest Diamondes their crackes so those that are beautifull haue many times imperfect conditions for nature hauing care to polish the body so farre ouer weenes her selfe in her excellency that shee leaues their minds vnperfect As the Adamant draweth the iron the Ieat the straw and the sight of the Panther the Ermly so doth beautie draw the eyes of youth The Lapidarie thus chuseth a true Saphyre when he seeth it to glister he couereth it with Oyle and then if it shine he alloweth it if not he breaketh it so if thou fall in loue with one that is beautifull cast some kind of colour in her face either as it were â—isliking her behauiour or hearing of her lightnesse and if then shee looke as faire as before wooe her winne her and weare her As it is rare to see the Sunne without light so it is as rare to see a faire woman without a louer Those that are stung of the Scorpion are healed of the Scorpion the fire that burneth taketh away the heate of the burne the Spider Phalangium that poysoneth doth with her skin make a plaster for poyson the speare that wounded Telephus must heale him so he that is wounded and stung with beautie must bee cured and healed with beautie Siluer although it bee white yet it draweth blacke lines so Rodophe Lais and Phrine although they had beautiful faces yet they had foule deeds The skinne of the Ermelin is desired and the carkasse despised the horne of the Vnicorne most preciously receiued and his flesh reiected the hoofe of the Leopard is the thing the hunter seekes or else he is contemned so the beauty and riches of a woman are highly regarded of most men but her honesty and vertue are lightly esteemed As the Deare with the sight of a faire Apple standeth at gaze so men through beautie are driuen into a maze As Beauty made Venus to loue Anchises so it made Luna to like Endimion As the Curtesan Lamia blinded King Demetrius with her beautie so the renowned Curtesan Flora fettered Cassius that worthy Romaine As the Viper being tied to a Beech tree falleth into a slumber so diuers beholding beautifull persons haue stood as though with Medusaes head they had been turned to a stone As Pigmaleon for beautie loued his Image of Iuory so the beautifull picture of Ganimede greatly astonished the Ladies of Cypres The wise Lapidaries say that the prescious stone with the most glistering hew hath alwayes the most secrete vertue the pure Gold is chosen by the perfect colour the best fruite by the branest blossomes so the best conditions are commonly discerned by the sweetest countenance As the Dormouse cannot shut his eye as long as he lyeth in the beame of the Sunne and as the Deare cannot cease from braying where the hearbe Moly groweth so beautie causeth one to stare so long as it is in presence As the stone Topason is not more loued for the outward hue then hated for the poyson which secretly is hid within it or as the herbe Nepenthes is not more liked for the pleasant shape then loathed for the poisoned sap so beautie cannot inflame the fancy so much in a moneth as ridiculous folly can quench it in a moment Greene. As the Dolphin hath nothing to couer his deformitie but a few glistering scales and as the clownish Poet Cherillus had nothing to bee praysed in his verses but the name of Alexander so many haue nothing to shadow their folly but a faire face nor nothing to bee commended but a little fading beautie As a Ring of Gold is in a swines â—nout so is beautie in a foole As loue is thought to be some heauenly influence and no earthly accident so according to Ouids opinion Forma numen habet beautie hath some Deitie or Godhead within it As a Flower soone fadeth so doth Beautie In bodies of lesser stature and corpulency commonly there is greater valour and more wit then those that be hâ—ger and vaster THe Bee being a very little creature is admirable in her labours and wittie in her gouernment so in little bodies there is often the greatest wit â—s in little Vlysses
and doth separate himselfe from him Euen as the Children of Reuben and Gad desired Moses that he would leaue them there in the Country of Iordan where was good feeding for their cattell neuer caring to goe to the land of promise in like manner there are many that refuse the Kingdome of heauen promised them in perpetuall possession for the loue of riches and corruptible goods they enioy in this false world Stella de contemptu mundi As in good and sauory meates poyson is often receiued and they that haue eaten thereof are forthwith ready for the graue so sweete are the riches of this world to such as loue them yet vnder them is death hidden because they make a man proud and vicious which bringeth him to eternall death Ibidem As the Children of Israels Manna would haue corrupted and beene filled with vermine if it had beene saued so this worlds vaine riches are no way sooner lost then by too much sauing them Ibidem As smoake mounted on high is quickly out of sight euen such is prospâ—rity it beares a shew for a while and at length comes to nothing ibidem As vpon the mountaine of Gilboa perished the noble and great men of Israel so doth prosperitie lead men vp as it were to a mountaine and suddenly thence tumbles them headlong downe Ibidem As the Gentiles vainely adored the Idoll Mercurie each of them carrying a stone in the honour of their Idoll euen so they that honour worldly prosperity steale the honour which is due to God and bestow it on a base Idoll ibidem As a wise man is not hurt of a Serpent because he keepes him farre from him but a foole taking him by the taile is bittâ—n so riches being receiued of a wise man doe not hurt him because hee knowes how to vse them but if a foole lay hold on them they bite him because he gripes them too hard Clemens Alex. lib. 3. paedag cap. 6. As a land flood is soone vp and soone downe so are riches here to day and gone to morrow to day it is this mans ground tomorrow his and next day anothers Basil. in Psal. 61. Welles that are drawne haue sweeter water but being vntouched become putrified so the rest of riches is vnprofitable but their motion and publike vsing is profitable and fruitfull Idem hom in ditescentes Clemens Alex. lib. 1. Stromat As that Earth which is a little remoued from the roote is the nourishment of the plant but that which lyeth the neerest vnto it doth depresse and burthen it so if riches fall close vpon the soule of a man they driue it downe to Hell but if they be somewhat remoued and distributed to the vse of the poore then the possession of them is in the right kinde Idem in cap. 5. Esayae As Lyons Leopards and Beares become wild and fierce because they are brought vp in darkenesse so riches being kept close and hoorded vp are more fearefull then wilde Beasts and roare more terribly then a Lyon but being brought into the light and bestowed on the poore of Lyons they become lambes and of dangerous Rockes calme hauens Chrysost. hom 14. de auaritie As a ship too heauie loaden doth drowne but being moderately gaged sayleth prosperously so when thou burthenest thy selfe with more riches then is requisite they easily drowne thee but when thou layest vp what is meete for thy necessity when a storme happeneth thou mayst easily flote ouer the waues ibidem As we seeing a rich man and a poore man painted vpon a wall doe neither enuie the one nor dispise the other bâ—cause they are not true things but fained shadowes so if we well knew the nature of riches and pouerty of glory and reproach and of all other things whether ioyfull or sorrowfull it would free vs from the perturbations they bring because they are but false shadowes and fained counterfeits of things to come Idem concione 4. de Lazaro As Children not knowing how to vse swords and kniues doe endanger themselues so many men not knowing how to vse money endamage their soules by buying with it such a burden of vices which depresse them to hell Idem hom 66. in Gen. As shooes too big hinders a traueller and too many cloathes a runner so doth too much money him that trauels to heauen Idem hom 7. de poenitentia As no wise man will build his mansion house vpon the sand so no wise man will build his happinesse vpon riches which are brittle fading and soone vanish ibidem As if an earthly King should say no rich man shall bee promoted in my Kingdome would not all cast away their dishonoured riches so when the heauenly King doth say that it is hard for rich men to enter into his Kingdome will not they much more cast away these impediments Idem hom 9. in Mat. As he is a foolish husband man that takes his good graine and casts it into a lake leauing his fruitfull ground vnsowne so is hee a greater foole that hides his treasure in the earth leaues the fruitfull ground of the poore vnsowne ibidem As thornes doe pricke being touchedâ— so doe riches being â—griped Idem hom 23 in Ioan. As Scorpions and Vipers doe lurke among bushes and thornes so doe inordinate thoughts couch themselues in the deceitfulnesse of riches Therefore Christ calls the cares of this present life and the frauds of riches thornes ibidem As meate kept vndigested in one part of the body doth doth neither profit it nor nourish the rest but being digestably communicated to all doth nourish all so riches if thou keepest them alone thou shalt receiue no fruit by them but if thou possessest them with others then thou reapest the greatest commodity by them idem hom 10. in 1. Cor As a tree planted in fertill and good ground doth euery yeare bring forth seasonable fruit so money planted among the poore and put into their hands doth not onely euery yeare but also euery day bring forth spirituall fruits that is confidence in God departing from sinne a good conscience spirituall ioy comfortable hope and other good things which God hath prepared for them that loue him ibid. As they that honour thee for thy friends sake saying that thou art worthy of no honour of thy selfe but onely for him doe mightily dishonour thee so riches are the causes of reproach vnto vs whilest they are more honoured then the possessors of them Idemâ— hom 7. ad Colossenses As hee that saith thou thy selfe art worthy of no honour but I honor thee for thy Seruants sake doth reproach thee so doe they that honour rich men for their riches Ibidem As a good Father seeing his Sonneâ— doate vpon an Harlot doth banish heâ— his sight so our heauenly Father seeing that his Children would doate vpoâ— riches and leaue his loue doth either not giue them or else doth take them away Idem hom 33. ad Hebraeos As a whoorish countenance being filthy of it selfe is painted
to deceiue others that they by reason of the vaileâ— may not see the filthinesse so richâ—â— carry a faire flourish of pleasure thâ—â— wee may not discerne the paine aâ—â— plague that they bring with them Iaâ— hom quod nâ—mo laeditur nisi aseipso As the Moath is bred of cloath rust of Iron theeues of need so couetousnesse is bred of riches desire of gaine and gaping for more of much hauingâ— Petrus Chrysologus ser. 7. A flie comming a to barrell of hony 〈◊〉 she touch it with her mouth and take â—hat is necessarie departeth safely but â—f she cast her selfe into it she drowneth and there perisheth so a man if hee â—ake what riches hee hath need of that â—ee may honestly sustaine himselfe hee may bee taken from them and flye to Heauen but if he wholy drowne himâ—elfe in them there hee stickes and â—rings himselfe to destruction Pintus 〈◊〉 Ezeciel cap. 16. As a banket hath no grace without guests so riches haue no pleasure withâ—ut vertue Antistenes apud Stobaeâ—m â—er 1. de prudentia As they that haue drunke of the â—ame Wine some are drunke some mad â—nd some more mild so they that are â—nriched alike are not affected alike Aristonimus apud Maximum serâ—one 12. As Gold is tryed by the touch stone so riches doe shew what is in a man Chilo apud Laertium As thou wouldest not bee drowned sayling in a faire ship loaden with Gold so thou oughtest not to desire â—tting in a large and sumptuous house to be ouerwhelmed with the cares of worldly riches Cleobulus apud Stobaeâ—m ser. Temperantia As thou seeing a Viper an aspe or a Scorpion inclosed in Iuory or in a Golden shrine dost not loue them or esteeme them for the excellencie of the matter as happy creatures but rather dost abhorre and detest them for their venemous and deadly nature so thou seeing much mischiefe and wickednesse in riches and in the pride of fortune be not amazed at the splendor of the matter but contemne the prauitie of the manners Epictetus apud Stobâ—â—um serm 3. As Gold put into a trembling hand doth also tremble so riches heaped vp together of a mind full of cares and feare are shaken together with it and and are affected after the same manner Hypseus apud Stobaeum ser. 90. de Temâ—eraâ—tiâ— The â—ast of the Wine is altered with the caske so riches doe vary according to the condition of the possessor Socrates apud Stobaeum serm 92. As a horse if he want a bridle is vnruly and will not be managed of the rider so also are riches if they bee not gouerned by reason Idem apud Stobaeum ser. 3. de Temperantia As they that are sicke of Feuers are diuersly affected by diuers things that is by hot things they wax cold and by cold things they wax hot so also riches bring trouble to fooles and pouerty brings ioy to a wise man Plut in Moralibus He that bestoweth riches and glory vpon a wicked man giueth wine to him that hath an ague honie to one distempered with choler and daintie meates to one troubled with Morbus coeliacus which do encrease the disease of his minde that is his foolishnesse ibidem As garments doe seeme to adde heaâ—e vnto a man when as of themselues they are cold but they doe not adde it but do defend him that is in his body so riches seeme to giue a pleasant life when as that proceedeth from the mind and not fâ—om externall things ibidem As fire is not to be blamed because it deuours Cities corne fields and vineyards seeing that it is giuen for many good vses as to dresse meate to expell darkenesse and to comfort life so riches vnto a wise man are helps vnto vertue but to a foole are the destruction of his life Elisius Calentius in Epist ad Hier arcum A bird held only by a feather escapeth away with a little losse so riches ought not to hinder vs from the study of wisdome Seneca A golden bridle doth not make a horse the better so neither doe the ornaments of fortune make a man the better Seneca As a Pylot is neuer a whit the better guide because he hath a great Ship so is he neuer a whit the better man that hath the greater â—ortune Seneca As instruments are of no vse vnto them that are ignorant of musicke so are riches vnto them that know not haw to vse them As the Phylosopher sending the tongue of a sacrificed beast sent the best and the worst thing so riches are very good if rhou vsest them well but very euill if thou vsest them badly As a nettle if thou handlest it gingerly doth sting thee but if thou gripest it hard doth not paine thee so money if thou handlest it tenderly and louingly it will infect thee but if thou dealest with it contemptuously it will not hurt thee As among the Egyptians there was no man esteemed happy that had not a beast full of spots fo among vs in England there is none accounted wise that hath not his purse full of Gold As thornes do pricke so doe riches pricke with labour in getting them with feare in keeping them and with griefe in losing them F. Ioannes à S. Geminiano lib. 3. de vegetabilibus plantis cap. 18. As thornes doe choake the seed that â—it cannot spring vp so riches do choake with care the seed of the Diuine Word that it cannot fructifie in the heartâ— ibidem As haires are not only an ornament but also an helpe vnto the body so riches are an ornament in dignity and an helpe in necessity Idem lib. 6. de homine membris eius cap. 24. Rich men AS many abroad seeme happy and merry and yet a crabbed Wife at home marres all their myrth so rich men outwardly seeme happy when as inwardly with cares they are tormented night and day Plut. As the fish Scombrus is in the water of a sulphur colour but without the water like vnto other fishes so rich men in their Kingdomes seeme like vnto Gods and to bee farre more excellent then others yet in death they nothing differ from others Harts when they are constrained to cast away their hornes doe hide them especially 〈◊〉 right horne that it may not bee â—â—â—â—cinable vnto others so many riâ—â—â—en albeit they cannot vse their ric◠〈◊〉 themselues yet they will no◠〈◊〉 any â—â—her to haue part in them Plin. lib. 8. cap. 21. Aristotel de Nat. lib. 9. cap. 5. Albeit the Asse bee most immusicall yet the best pipes are made of his bones as Aesope saith in Plutarch so many rich men although vnlearned yet doe support students wits by their wealth As rich tapestry oftentimes couereth much filthinesse so the riches of great personages doth hide many calamities Plut. in Moralibus As Bucephalus Great Alexanders horse without his furniture did easily admit any rider but being adorned with his royall trappings would carry no man but Alexander himselfe so men in low