I Intend to instruct thee , how thou mayst safely set forward in the way of Ciuill life , and finish thy iourney without wandering , & that , not by my owne sayings , but by the precepts of ancient authors , deliuered also in their own wordes .

O great God be thou my guide , and so direct my hand , and mind , that I may vnderstand , discerne , and set forth to view , that which shall be wholsome , and profitable .

I define Ciuill life , The definition of ciuill life . to be that which we leade in the societie of men , one with another , to mutuall commoditie and profit , and common vse of all . Two things are necessarie thervnto , Prudence and Vertue , I assigne vnto it two guides , Prudence , and Vertue : in the first I follow the iudgement of manie , in the other particularly mine owne : because I can not be induced to beleeue , anie can possibly be a good Citizen , except likewise he be an honest man . Without vertue , such wisedome should rather be subtill craft , and malice , and any other thing rather then prudence . And albeit , that by the sterne thereof properly , ciuill life be gouerned , yet is it not without the vse , and aide , of the other loadstone . I will therefore first intreate of vertue , and that by right , Tac. 4. Hist. being the proper good appertaining to man . Vertue is onely proper vnto man All other humane things are not durable ; Shee Sence p. 89. for the glorie of beautie , Salust Ca●i . and riches is fraile , and slightly ●adeth away , but vertue euer shineth , and is eternall : * 〈…〉 . 89 which thing is onely immortallin a mortall m●n .

Wherefore , 〈…〉 all that men till the ground for , Salust Cati. all that they haz●rd their liues for by sea , all that they build for , of right doth 〈…〉 : ●laut . Am. for she in her selfe conta●neth all things , 〈…〉 that is 〈◊〉 , She 〈…〉 〈◊〉 nothing . 〈◊〉 . 4. de 〈◊〉 . She is no stranger vnto vs , but offreth her selfe of her owne accord , lightening the vnderstanding of all 〈…〉 her selfe known●● to those , who 〈◊〉 not after her . Idem C●ns . ad Polyb. She is easie to be met with , she is milde and tractable , 〈…〉 her selfe vnto all men , neuer bisdaining any 〈…〉 worthy of her . Let vs then runne vnto her as to a sanctuarie , sith that she onely is quiet , safe and assured , and vnder her owne command , She fflicted a sanctuarie to the 〈◊〉 . and all other things besides , Cornisic . ad Her●● . 〈◊〉 vnto fortune , who beareth rule ouer them , * Sen. ep. 113. miseries , calamities , and reproaches , hauing no other power against vertue , then a litle cloude against the sunne .

I Deuide vertue into two branches , Pietie , and goodnesse , The deuision of vertue . What pietie is . Two principall partes thereof , Beleefe and worship . Pietie is a right beleefe concerning God , and the true worship of him : For of these two Pietie consisteth , and without the either of them she is lame , and vnperfect . We ought then before all things to labor ( as much as in vs lyeth ) to attaine to the knowledge of this supreme godhead , & when we vnderstand what it is , to worship , & adore it religiously , and purely . The true light of both is to be seene in holy Scriptures , albeit certaine sparkles , lye scattered here and there in prophane authors , which I will gather together ; concerning beleefe these which follow ; Beleefe is the beginning of pietie . And this beleefe is most necessary , Aug. lib. 1. de lib. arbi● . for to deeme well of God is the beginning of Pietie . Let this then be resolued , and set downe as a principle , that there is one God , Tac. 5. Hist. Ibid. who ruleth , That there is one God . That he is eternall . and gouerneth all things , ( so I terme ; that soueraigne , and eternall , immutable & immortall essence , the which partly I will describe , ( for who can define that which is infinite ) to be A certaine spirit , Cic. 1. T●sc . or intelligence , The description of God . which is free and in the greatest libertie , separate from all mortall and elementarie frame , and composition , giuing all things life and mouing , being not moued by any , but of it selfe in continuall motion . It is a dangerous thing ouer curiously to search what God is . I will not adde any thing hereto , for euen certaine things though true , are not vttered of God without danger : * C●pri in Symb. Aug. lib. 1. de Ord. whom we seeme best to know , when we confesse him to be incomprehensible . Yet it shall be lawfull for me , to present to your loue , and admiration , his Effects , and Affects , ( if I may be permitted to vse those termes . ) He is most great , his power is not to be measured , Ou● 8. Met. neither hath it any end , The power of God . and whatsoeuer his will leadeth him vnto , is a soone accomplished & brought to passe . He is most iust , he neither in any 〈◊〉 nor place , doth any wrong or iniurie , Plato in Theae●eto . Ouid 13. Met. but is euen as much as may be , His iustice . most righteous . He beholdeth mortall things with an vpright and iust eye : He considereth , and iudgeth of the workes , the counsels , and desseignments of men : Nothing is hid from him , Sen. epi. 84. he is present in our minds , and still accompanieth vs in the midst of our secret thoughts and cogitations . * His iudgement and presence euerie where . It is he surely who is an eare , and eye witnesse , of those things we do , * Plaut. Cap. Boeth . de Cons. who because he alone seeth all things , we may rightly call him the very Sunne or eye of the world . Neither is he onely a beholder of that we do , but a rewarding , & reuenging iudge likewise , His ouersight of our actions , and his distribution of reward and punishment . and this I hold for an vndoubted troth , that the diuine godhead doth take a view of all our actions , Salust ad Caesar . and doth not slightly passe ouer our good or euill deedes , but agreeable to their different nature and qualitie , recompenceth the good and punisheth the bad . Ho● . 3. Od. It is he which gouerneth all things , the massie , and immoueable earth , The vniuersalitie of his gouernement . which tempereth the windie and tempestuous sea , and his power descendeth euen vnto hell : * Ouid. 1. de . Arte. neither doth he like a sluggard sleepe and take rest , * Cic. in Somnio . but he is alwayes watchful , & with a perfect sense and memory , ruleth and gouerneth all things . It is not onely requisite for vs , to know these things , but most necessarie , for indeed the first cause of the transgressions of miserable mortall men , Silius . 4. is the ignorance of the nature of God . That the ignorance of these things 〈◊〉 the cause of wickednesse . Which neuerthelesse we must seeke after with modestie , this saying being likewise true , that it is more holy and reuerent to beleeue the wonderfull workes of God , Tac. in Ger. then curiously to enquire why he hath done them . Yet many things are rather to be belecued 〈◊〉 God , 〈…〉 to be enquired after .

I Proceed to intreat of the seruice of God , What worship is . which is no other thing then the worship of the knowne godhead , consisting in the obseruation of certaine lawes and ceremonies . For God requireth to be worshipped of vs , and to that end man is borne . This is done by double seruice , That it is twofold , internall , and externall . internall , and externall . The first is that , which conceaueth in the hart , and vttereth from the hart ; praiers , praise , and thanksgiuing vnto God : The latter is that , which expresseth the same things , but by certaine rites and gestures . These two we do commonly call religion , and that not vnfitly : concerning the which , receaue some sound and wholesome lessons , euen from those , who otherwise were ignorant themselues of the true knowledge of God . Religion is a powerfull thing . It is deere and precious to all men . Religion hath great power ouer the mindes of men , and our life is established and assured thereby . * Plin lib. 14. Nat. hist. Cic. 5. in ver. We are all forciblie affected to religion , and such as we haue receiued it from our fathers , we do beleeue , we ought to keepe and obserue it inuiolablie . It is not altered on the sudden . Wherefore , whatsoeuer religion we are brought vp in , we are hardly induced to change it , Philo Iud. ad Caium . because euery man his religion seemeth best vnto himselfe , iudging thereof not according to reason , but by affection . It is highly to be esteemed , & In either state of life , We ought then diligently to obserue it , as well publikely as priuatly , Liu lib. 5. for all things fall out for the best to them which worship God aright , and crosse and contrarie to them which contemne his seruice . Wherefore we ought to haue great care and regard thereof in either state of life , It is highly to be esteemed , & In either state of life , and to take heed , least holy rites and ceremonies accustomed in aduersitie , Tacit. 11. Annal. be not left off and neglected in prosperitie . But without superstition . But we ought still to vse a mean , least the people fall to superstition , which is an vtter enemie to religion . Idem . 5. Hist. Wherevnto ( being enclined by default of nature ) we are the rather drawne , Liu. lib. 4. by those , To the which we are either either endined , or forolbly drawnd . Being an an instrununt to 〈◊〉 with Though it torment them that 〈…〉 being the 〈…〉 . We ought to 〈…〉 . to whom it bringeth profit and commoditie . Neither doe great ones hinder this , because they are certainly persuaded , Curt. lib. 4. nothing hath more force to range the multitude in better order then superstition , which we ought to eschew and auoid , Cic. de ●in. 1. for after it hath once ceased ●n our harts , we are neuer at rest , this difference being betweene religion and superstition , Varro apud Aug. deci●●● . lib. 6. Apud Agel . lib. 4. cap. 9. Cic. de natu , d●or . 2. that the religious person doth loue God , the superstitious dreadeth him . This saying is well spoken , if it be well vnderstood , we ought to be zealouslie , not superstitiously religious . Now in this seruice of God it behooueth vs , to bend alwaies to that which is internall , and to consider that this seruice of him , ought to be of the best sort , most chast , most holy , to the end he may alwaies be worshipped with a pure , entire , and incorrupt hart and mouth . Religion is inwardly to be disgessed , & The mind to be adorned therewith . Notwithstanding 〈◊〉 sort that ceremonies be not 〈…〉 commaunded by lawes or 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 Religion 〈…〉 Imprint this golden sentence in thy mind , Seneca . the best sacrifice we can offer to God is a pure hart . And yet we must not altogether contemne externall things , Sen. apud Aug. li. 6. de ciuit . Ibid. although the most part of them ( as one will haue it ) pertaine rather to custome , then to the substance of religion But a wise man will obserue them as emoined and commaunded by lawes ( not as acceptable of themselues to God ) if they be not manifestly wicked and impious : otherwise , Cic. de Di●. lib. 2. we ought to yeeld to religion , and not stubbornly reiect the vse and custome allowed of in the common-wealth wherein we liue . Moreouer take not too much delight in vaine words & friuolous questions , but set forward in the way of well dooing , for the whole religion of Christians , consisteth in liuing without blame and reproch . I. act. l. 5. c. 9. Listen vnto Moyses the Aegyptian , Moysē apud Ruffin 〈◊〉 Hist. l. 2. c. 6. 〈◊〉 de rep. in 〈…〉 . who sayth , But in liuing well . 〈…〉 concerning a man his faith , he giueth credit rather to his eyes then his cares . But I will end this discourse , for me thinks I heare Plato murmuring , that these speeches are of hard disgestion and dangerous , which is a most true saying in this our age .

NOw Conscience ( as I sayd ) is another ofspring of pietie , Conscience taketh her beginning from Pietie , & and it is euident that she taketh her beginning from the roote of the worship of God . For where the seruice of God is of force and flourisheth , such plight is she in ; where it waxeth withered , and languisheth , such is her estate likewise . You shall hardly find a man of good conscience that hath no religion . The definition , & Diuision therof . And in whose soule soeuer there is no religion , nor feare of God , there the seed of a good conscience is verie small , and as it were choaked , and oppressed by bad ground . Now Conscience is a remaine , and sparkle , of right and perfect reason in man , iudging and manifesting good or euill deeds . For which cause it consisteth of two partes , of approuing , and reprouing , the one of good workes , the other of bad . Howbeit the force thereof is more common , and ordinarie in the later , ( as vices in cur life , are most rife ) which is the reason that it doth still ( as it were ) retaine the generall name of Conscience . For we commonly say , Another definition more word . Conscience is a pricking and sorowfull remembrance , to haue violated the diuine god nead , & not to haue worshipped , and serued it as we ought . She is deepely rooted in vs . And this feeling ( or sense ) being rooted , and fixed in man , lasteth while he liueth , and is not extinguished neither by force , nor fraud , we haue receiued this conscience of God , 〈◊〉 . pro Clu. which cannot be taken from vs . And this profit we reape thereby at is a correctresse of our affections , Origenes . and schoole mistresse of our soule . A scourge after sin , Being auaileable to man against sinne . because the enormitie thereof is manifest so soone as it is committed . Taci . 4. An. A bridle before sinne , Sen. Ep. 88. Cic. pro M●l . because the detestation therof , which nature hath condemned , is inherent in vs . She is sharpe and forcible . And surely , the power thereof is great in both kinds , to the end that they which are not faulty , might be without feare , and they which haue offended , might imagine their punishment to be alwayes in their sight . Bi●● apud Stob. Isod . Solil● . lib 2. Sen. Ep. 43. Epicurus apud . Sen. epist. 88. I●uenalis . Salust . ad Caesar . Sen. Ep. 43. So that a good conscience neuer dreadeth , A good conscience is a 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 conscience , a perpetuall 〈◊〉 nay rather it is alwayes ioyfull : Doest thou desire neuer to be sad nor pensiue ? leade an honest life . But an euill conscience is euer troubled , and tormented , euen in solitarinesse : for , it may so happen , that a wicked liuer may hide him selfe , yet shal he still doubt of him selfe . But how can he be vnseene ? sith he alwayes beareth his witnesse in his breast , which neither deceiueth , nor is deceiued : Hold this for firme : Euery man his soule giueth him hope according to his conscience . * It is a true and vncorrupt witnesse , & A dayly torment or which is neuer wearie of executing . O miserable wretch that thou art , if thou makest no account of this witnesse , nay rather of this executioner which burneth , which beateth , which tormenteth , and that , with so much the more paine , that he yet suffereth thee to liue . This Greeke saying is true , the conscience is a scourge to the soule , and that with a continuall and secret stroke , Salust . Cati. for a corrupt and impure soule , contemned of the world , and hated of God , cannot be at rest neither waking nor sleeping , in such wise doth the conscience eat & consume an vnquiet mind . Yet so we liue at this day , Plin. l. 3. ep. Ci● . ad At. lib. 13. that verie many feare their credit and good name , Who many stand in dread of . But an honest 〈◊〉 neuer feareth it . but very few their conscience . But an honest man his life is otherwise , carying this resolution , not to decline one iot from a good conscience , euen vntill death : and such a course oughtest thou to take , and to assure thy selfe of this that nothing can be imagined more happie , Aug. 21. de 〈◊〉 . and to be desired , then an vntroubled and quiet conscience .